bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do reporting guidelines have an impact? Empirical assessment of changes in reporting before and after the PRISMA extension statement for network meta-analysis
Authors: Veroniki Areti Angeliki , Tsokani Sofia , Zevgiti Stella , Pagkalidou Irene , Kontouli Katerina-Maria , Ambarcioglu Pinar , Pandis Nikos , Lunny Carole , Nikolakopoulou Adriani , Papakonstantinou Theodoros , Chaimani Anna , Straus Sharon E. , Hutton Brian , Tricco Andrea C. , Mavridis Dimitris , Salanti Georgia
Published: September 2021

Background

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension statement for network meta-analysis (NMA) published in 2015 promotes comprehensive reporting in published systematic reviews with NMA. PRISMA-NMA includes 32 items: 27 core items as indicated in the 2009 PRISMA Statement and five items specific to the reporting of NMAs. Although NMA reporting is improving, it is unclear whether PRISMA-NMA has accelerated this improvement. We aimed to investigate the impact of PRISMA-NMA and highlight key items that require attention and improvement.

Methods

We updated our previous collection of NMAs with articles published between April 2015 and July 2018. We assessed the completeness of reporting for each NMA, including main manuscript and online supplements, using the PRISMA-NMA checklist. The PRISMA-NMA checklist originally includes 32 total items (i.e. a 32-point scale original PRISMA-NMA score). We also prepared a modified version of the PRISMA-NMA checklist with 49 items to evaluate separately at a more granular level all multiple-content items (i.e. a 49-point scale modified PRISMA-NMA score). We compared average reporting scores of articles published until and after 2015.

Results

In the 1144 included NMAs the mean modified PRISMA-NMA score was 32.1 (95% CI 31.8–32.4) of a possible 49-excellence-score. For 1-year increase, the mean modified score increased by 0.96 (95% CI 0.32 to 1.59) for 389 NMAs published until 2015 and by 0.53 (95% CI 0.02 to 1.04) for 755 NMAs published after 2015. The mean modified PRISMA-NMA score for NMAs published after 2015 was higher by 0.81 (95% CI 0.23 to 1.39) compared to before 2015 when adjusting for journal impact factor, type of review, funding, and treatment category. Description of summary effect sizes to be used, presentation of individual study data, sources of funding for the systematic review, and role of funders dropped in frequency after 2015 by 6–16%.

Conclusions

NMAs published after 2015 more frequently reported the five items associated with NMA compared to those published until 2015. However, improvement in reporting after 2015 is compatible with that observed on a yearly basis until 2015, and hence, it could not be attributed solely to the publication of the PRISMA-NMA.
Virus matrix interference on assessment of virucidal activity of high-touch surfaces designed to prevent hospital-acquired infections
Authors: Walji Sadru-Dean , Bruder Mark R. , Aucoin Marc G.
Published: September 2021

Objectives/purpose

High-touch surfaces are a critical reservoir in the spread of nosocomial infections. Although disinfection and infection control protocols are well developed, they lack the ability to passively reduce the pathogenic load of high-touch surfaces. Copper and its alloys have been suggested as a surface that exhibit continuous biocidal effects. Antimicrobial studies on these surfaces are prevalent, while virucidal studies are not as well explored. The goal of this study was to first determine the virucidal activity of a copper–nickel–zinc alloy and to then examine the effect of soiling and virus preparation on virucidal activity.

Methods

A baculovirus vector was used as an easily quantifiable model of an infectious enveloped animal cell virus. Droplets containing virus were deposited on surfaces and allowed to stay wet using humidity control or were dried onto the surface. Virus was then recovered from the surface and assayed for infectivity. To examine how the composition of the droplet affected the survival of the virus, 3 different soiling conditions were tested. The first two were recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the third consisted of cell debris resulting from virus amplification.

Results

A copper–nickel–zinc alloy was shown to have strong virucidal effects for an enveloped virus. Copper, nickel, and zinc ions were all shown to leach from the alloy surface and are the likely cause of virucidal activity by this surface. Virucidal activity was achieved under moderate soiling but lost under high soiling generated by routine virus amplification procedures. The surface was able to repeatably inactivate dried virus droplets under moderate soiling conditions, but unable to do so for virus droplets kept wet using high humidity.

Conclusion

Ion leaching was associated with virucidal activity in both wet and dried virus conditions. Soiling protected the virus by quenching metal ions, and not by inhibiting leaching. The composition of the solution containing virus plays a critical role in evaluating the virucidal activity of surfaces and surface coatings.
Dietary calcium supplementation promotes the accumulation of intramuscular fat
Authors: Zhang Zhiwang , Pan Tingli , Sun Yu , Liu Siqi , Song Ziyi , Zhang Haojie , Li Yixing , Zhou Lei
Published: September 2021

Background

In the livestock industry, intramuscular fat content is a key factor affecting meat quality. Many studies have shown that dietary calcium supplementation is closely related to lipid metabolism. However, few studies have examined the relationship between dietary calcium supplementation and intramuscular fat accumulation.

Methods

Here, we used C2C12 cells, C57BL/6 mice (n = 8) and three-way cross-breeding pigs (Duroc×Landrace×Large white) (n = 10) to study the effect of calcium addition on intramuscular fat accumulation. In vitro, we used calcium chloride to adjust the calcium levels in the medium (2 mmol/L or 3 mmol/L). Then we measured various indicators. In vivo, calcium carbonate was used to regulate calcium levels in feeds (Mice: 0.5% calcium or 1.2% calcium) (Pigs: 0.9% calcium or 1.5% calcium). Then we tested the mice gastrocnemius muscle triglyceride content, pig longissimus dorsi muscle meat quality and lipidomics.

Results

In vitro, calcium addition (3 mmol/L) had no significant effect on cell proliferation, but promoted the differentiation of C2C12 cells into slow-twitch fibers. Calcium supplementation increased triglyceride accumulation in C2C12 cells. Calcium addition increased the number of mitochondria and also increased the calcium level in the mitochondria and reduced the of key enzymes activity involved in β-oxidation such as acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase. Decreasing mitochondrial calcium level can alleviate lipid accumulation induced by calcium addition. In addition, calcium addition also reduced the glycolytic capacity and glycolytic conversion rate of C2C12 cells. In vivo, dietary calcium supplementation (1.2%) promoted the accumulation of triglycerides in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice. Dietary calcium supplementation (1.5%) had no effect on pig weight, but significantly improved the flesh color of the longissimus dorsi muscle, reduced the backfat thickness and increased intramuscular fat content in pigs. Besides, calcium addition had no effect on longissimus dorsi pH, electrical conductivity and shear force.

Conclusions

These results suggest that calcium addition promotes intramuscular fat accumulation by inhibiting the oxidation of fatty acids. These findings provide a new tool for increasing intramuscular fat content and an economical strategy for improving meat quality.
Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids attenuate hyperglycemia through the microbiome-gut-organs axis in db/db mice
Authors: Zhuang Pan , Li Haoyu , Jia Wei , Shou Qiyang , Zhu Ya’er , Mao Lei , Wang Wenqiao , Wu Fei , Chen Xiaoqian , Wan Xuzhi , Wu Yuqi , Liu Xiaohui , Li Yin , Zhu Fanghuan , He Lilin , Chen Jingnan , Zhang Yu , Jiao Jingjing
Published: September 2021

Background

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been suggested to prevent the development of metabolic disorders. However, their individual role in treating hyperglycemia and the mechanism of action regarding gut microbiome and metabolome in the context of diabetes remain unclear.

Results

Supplementation of DHA and EPA attenuated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance without changing body weight in db/db mice while the ameliorative effect appeared to be more pronounced for EPA. DHA/EPA supplementation reduced the abundance of the lipopolysaccharide-containing Enterobacteriaceae whereas elevated the family Coriobacteriaceae negatively correlated with glutamate level, genera Barnesiella and Clostridium XlVa associated with bile acids production, beneficial Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and SCFA-producing species. The gut microbiome alterations co-occurred with the shifts in the metabolome, including glutamate, bile acids, propionic/butyric acid, and lipopolysaccharide, which subsequently relieved β cell apoptosis, suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis, and promoted GLP-1 secretion, white adipose beiging, and insulin signaling. All these changes appeared to be more evident for EPA. Furthermore, transplantation with DHA/EPA-mediated gut microbiota mimicked the ameliorative effect of DHA/EPA on glucose homeostasis in db/db mice, together with similar changes in gut metabolites. In vitro, DHA/EPA treatment directly inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (Family Enterobacteriaceae) while promoted Coriobacterium glomerans (Family Coriobacteriaceae), demonstrating a causal effect of DHA/EPA on featured gut microbiota.

Conclusions

DHA and EPA dramatically attenuated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in db/db mice, which was mediated by alterations in gut microbiome and metabolites linking gut to adipose, liver and pancreas. These findings shed light into the gut-organs axis as a promising target for restoring glucose homeostasis and also suggest a better therapeutic effect of EPA for treating diabetes.
Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac arrest resuscitation practices and outcomes in non-COVID-19 patients
Authors: Tong Sau Ki , Ling Lowell , Zhang Jack Zhenhe , Yap Florence H. Y. , Law Kam Leung , Joynt Gavin M.
Published: September 2021

The effect of changes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures in response to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) management and outcomes are unreported. In this multicenter retrospective study, we showed that median time to arrival of resuscitation team has increased and proportion of patients receiving first-responder CPR has lowered during this pandemic. IHCA during the pandemic was independently associated with lower return of spontaneous circulation OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.43–0.91), despite adjustment for lowered patient comorbidity and increased time to resuscitation team arrival. Changes to resuscitation practice in this pandemic had effects on IHCA outcomes, even in patients without COVID-19.
How effective are artificial nests in attracting bees? A review
Authors: Rahimi Ehsan , Barghjelveh Shahindokht , Dong Pinliang
Published: September 2021

Background

Recent declines in bee populations, along with increasing demand for pollination services in urban, agricultural, and natural environments, have led to strategies to attract wild bees to these areas. One of these strategies is installing artificial nests adjacent to urban gardens and agricultural farms. Bee hotels and nest boxes are among the artificial nests used by gardeners and farmers to attract pollinators. In this paper, we reviewed 50 studies that reported the efficiency of nest boxes and bee hotels in attracting bees. We considered the maximum occupation rate (percentage) as the main index to evaluate the efficiency of artificial nests.

Results

The maximum occupation rate of bee hotels was higher in farms (averaged 44.1%) than in forests (averaged 30.3%) and urban (averaged 38.3%) environments. In the case of nest boxes, most studies reported efficiencies of less than 20%, with an occupation rate of 16% and 5.5% on average in forest and urban environments respectively. However, our meta-analysis results showed that there was no significant relationship between the occupation rate of the nests and their installation place. Regression analysis also showed that the structural features of bee hotels (length and diameter) and nest boxes (volume and entrance size) did not affect their efficiency in attracting bees.

Conclusion

Our data showed that the strategy of installing artificial nests to attract pollinators is successful only concerning bee hotels, and the use of nest boxes has not been very successful.
Low intensity pulsed ultrasound information technology intervention in diagnosis and prediction of Muscle Atrophy
Authors: Sun Zhijun
Published: September 2021

Objective: To discuss the effects and function of LIPUS on muscle atrophy (MA), analysis from various aspects through the study of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) information technology intervention (ITI) in diagnosis and the prediction of muscle atrophy..

Method: In this study conducted in our university, 74 healthy female SD rats aged three months, weighing 100-200g were selected. All rats were placed in sterile cages from June 2020 to September 2020. They were divided into three groups. In the OVO group and OVE group, the mice are treated with LIPUS, Finally, the changes of body weight, grasping power, biochemical indexes and glycogen content of gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed and recorded to explore the effect and value of LIPUS ITI combined with intermittent weight-bearing exercise in the treatment of MA

Results: After weight-bearing running, the body weight of model (OVO) group, exercise (OVE) group and NC group had significant statistical significance (P<0.01). It was found that the weight of OVE group was much more as compared to OVO group. There was significant difference in body weight between OVO group and NC group (P<0.05). After LIPUS treatment, it was found that the weight of OVO group, OVE group, LIPUS group and OVE +LIPUS group increased. Compared with the NC group, there was significant statistical difference (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Low intensity pulsed ultrasound ITI has a good effect on improving MA, so as to effectively improve the weight of gastrocnemius muscle. The combined application of the two is better for the improvement of muscular atrophy.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.4839

How to cite this:Sun Z. Low intensity pulsed ultrasound information technology intervention in diagnosis and prediction of Muscle Atrophy. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(6):1569-1573. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.4839

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.
Brain tissue development of neonates with Congenital Septal Defect: Study on MRI Image Evaluation of Deep Learning Algorithm
Authors: Zhu Jianfei , Chen Jiaolei , Zhang Yunhui , Ji Jianwei
Published: September 2021

Objectives: This article is based on deep learning algorithms and uses MRI to study the development of congenital heart septal defects in neonatal brain tissue.

Methods: From January 2018 to December 2019, 150 cases of congenital cardiac paper septal defect were retrospectively analyzed on 50 cases of normal newborns and neonates. The four index parametersbrain MR imaging, lateral ventricle pre-angle measurement index (F/F’), body index (D/ D’), caudal nucleus index (C/C’) were analyzed. The independent sample t test is performed to compare the difference parameters between groups.

Results: F congenital heart disease group and control group/F ‘values were 0.301 ± 0.035 and 0.296 ± 0.031; Evans index was 0.239 ± 0.052 and 0.233 ± 0.025; 2 sets of D/D’ values were 0.261 ± 0.039 and 0.234 ± 0.032; C/C ‘value was 0.138 ± 0.018 and 0.124 ± 0.015 respectively. The congenital heart disease group D/D ‘, and the value of C/C’ obtained under the ROC curve area value, respectively 0.698 and 0.750, Youden index corresponding to the maximum D/D ‘, and the value of C/C’ values were 0.28 and 0.12.

Conclusion: Lateral ventricle D/D ‘and C/C’ is more sensitive indicator which can be evaluated with the difference between the volume of congenital heart septal defects in newborn normal neonatal brain; when the D/D ‘value> 0.28, C/C’ value> 0.12. For the diagnosis and evaluation of congenital heart septal defect neonatal brain volume abnormalities have a certain reference value.

List of acronyms: MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging. POX: Pulse oximetry. CHD: Congenital Heart Disease.DWI: Diffusion-weighted Imaging. T1WI: T1-weighted imaging T2WITSE: T2-weighted imaging, Turbo Spin Echo. FOV: Field of View. FLAIR: Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery. TE: Echo Time. TR: Repetition Time. ICC: Intra-group Correlation Coefficient.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.4863

How to cite this:Zhu J, Chen J, Zhang Y, Ji J. Brain tissue development of neonates with Congenital Septal Defect: Study on MRI Image Evaluation of Deep Learning Algorithm. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(6):1652-1656. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.4863

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.
Evaluation of illness severity of neonate infectious pneumonia and neurobehavioral development through ultrasonography under adaption algorithm
Authors: Meng Kangkang , Ying Chao , Ji Jianwei , Yang Lianfang
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To explore the diagnostic effect of ultrasound imaging on the illness severity, and to analyze neurobehavioral development of neonates with Infectious Pneumonia (IPN), Self- Adaptation (SD), and Spatial Smoothing (SS) technologies were adopted to build SDSS. Then, the WFFSF algorithm based on Wiener Filtering (WF) and Feature Space Fusion (FSF) and the SNRP-FSF algorithm based on Signal-to-noise ratio post-filtering (SNRP) and FSF were introduced for comparison.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-two neonates were divided into group without respiratory failure (S1) and respiratory failure group (S2). The study was conducted from March 2018 to July 2020. According to scoring systems for neonatal critically illness, they were divided into non-severe group (W1), severe group (W2), and extremely-severe group (W3). According to the Scale of Child Development Center of China (CDCC), they were divided into a normal neurobehavioral developmental group (P1) and an abnormal neurobehavioral developmental group (P2).

Results: The normalized mean square distance l and normalized mean absolute distance f of SDSS algorithm were significantly lower than that of WFFSF algorithm and SNRP-FSF algorithm, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) was significantly higher than that of WFFSF algorithm and SNRP-FSF algorithm (P<0.05). The lung ultrasound score (40.62±7.22%) of S1 was greatly higher than S2 group (28.47±6.29%) (P<0.05); the lung ultrasound score (39.13±8.25) in W1 was greatly higher than W2 (27.28±6.39) and W3 groups (14.33±7.03); neonates in group W2 had higher lung ultrasound scores than W3 (P<0.05), and lung ultrasound scores in P1 (42.57±8.58) was greatly higher than that the P2 group (26.49±6.09).

Conclusion: In contrast with traditional algorithms, the SDSS algorithm based on AD has a better reconstruction effect on neonatal IPN ultrasound images. The lung ultrasound score can clearly indicate the severity of the disease and neurobehavioral development of neonate IPN, and the lung ultrasound score is negatively correlated with the severity of the child’s disease and the abnormality of neurobehavioral development.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.4883

How to cite this:Meng K, Ying C, Ji J, Yang L. Evaluation of illness severity of neonate infectious pneumonia & neurobehavioral development through ultrasonography under adaption algorithm. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(6):1682-1686. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.4883

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.
A comparative study on the Efficacy of Retroperitoneoscopic Pyeloplasty and Open Surgery for Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in Children
Authors: Jia Jianghua , Meng Qingsong , Zhang Ming , Qi Jinchun , Wang Dongbin
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To compare the therapeutic effect of retroperitoneoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty and open ureteropelvic junction plasty on the ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in children.

Methods: After the retrospective analysis of clinical data, 78 children with ureteropelvic junction stenosis treated from January, 2012 to June, 2018 were divided into two groups: OP (open pyeloplasty) group (38 cases) and LP (laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty) group (40 cases) according to the surgical methods. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative length of stay (LOS), postoperative complication rate, postoperative hydronephrosis improvement and other indicators were compared between the two groups.

Results: All patients underwent surgery successfully, without conversion to open surgery in LP group. The incidence of postoperative urine leakage and the recovery of hydronephrosis between LP group and OP group 12 months after operation showed no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). The intraoperative bleeding volume, the incidence of postoperative retroperitoneal hematoma, and the postoperative LOS in LP group were lower than those in OP group, while the operation time was longer than that in the OP group, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Retroperitoneoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty had similar effect with open dismembered pyeloplasty, but faster recovery and fewer complications, so it has become the preferred treatment method for UPJO in children.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4205

How to cite this:Jia J, Meng Q, Zhang M, Qi J, Wang D. A comparative study on the Efficacy of Retroperitoneoscopic Pyeloplasty and Open Surgery for Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in Children. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(7):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4205

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.
Genetic diversity and molecular analysis of metallo beta lactamases among imipenem resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Peshawar, Pakistan
Authors: Ali Amjad , Ahmad Kafeel , Rahat Shaista , Ahmad Israr
Published: September 2021

Objectives: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen with remarkable adaptation ability to thrive in diverse environmental conditions. This study aimed at phenotypic and molecular analysis of metallo beta lactamases (blaIMP, blaVIM, blaNDM-1 and blaSPM-1) and genetic diversity analysis among imipenem resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Methods: This study was conducted from May 2017 to June 2018. The study included 187 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from different clinical specimens from Peshawar, Pakistan. The isolates were analyzed for resistance to imipenem. Combined disc test (CDT) was then performed for phenotypic detection of metallo beta lactamases among imipenem resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Molecular detection of metallo beta lactamases genes i.e. blaIMP, blaVIM, blaNDM-1 and blaSPM-1 was analyzed through polymerase chain reaction. Genetic diversity was determined through RAPD-PCR.

Results: MBL production was observed in 76% (n=19) isolates. The occurrence of MBL genes blaIMP, blaNDM-1 and blaVIM was 68% (n=17), 48% (n=12), and 4% (n=1) respectively. The blaSPM-1 gene was not detected. High genetic diversity was observed in current study. Out of 182 isolates 171 isolates showed different RAPD profiles (93.95% polymorphism); 160 were unique RAPD strains and based on similarity coefficient ≥ 80%, 22 isolates were clustered into 11 distinct clones.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of blaIMP and blaNDM-1 among imipenem resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is alarming that calls for proper control and prevention strategies. RAPD technique was found to be a good genotyping technique when limited resources are available.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4303

How to cite this:Ali A, Ahmad K, Rahat S, Ahmad I. Genetic diversity and molecular analysis of metallo beta lactamases among imipenem resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Peshawar, Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(7):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4303

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.
Changes in serum inflammatory factors in acute gouty arthritis patients treated using ultrashort wave combined with loxoprofen sodium
Authors: Wu Ying , Wang Yan , Yuan Wenjing , Xiao Xiangzhi , Cheng Guohua
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To study the effect of ultrashort wave combined with loxoprofen sodium on serum inflammatory factors in patients with acute gouty arthritis.

Methods: Records of patients with acute gouty arthritis who were treated in The Fourth Hospital of Changsha from May 2018 to September 2020, were reviewed. Of them, 77 cases were selected and divided into two groups based on the received treatment. The control group (n=39) was treated with loxoprofen sodium, and the treatment group (n=38) was treated with an ultrashort wave combined with loxoprofen sodium, for 10 continuous days. The clinical efficacy of the treatment in two groups was analyzed.

Results: After treatment, the quality of life of patients in both groups was improved (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the degree of improvement between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the VAS score of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05), the improvement of symptoms and signs of the treatment group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Serum CRP and ESR levels in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and the serum IL-1 β, IL-8, TNF-a and MMP-3 levels of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate of the treatment group (94.87%) was slightly higher than that of the control group (89.47%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). No adverse reactions occurred in all patients during the treatment.

Conclusion: An ultrashort wave combined with loxoprofen sodium in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis can reduce the inflammatory reaction, improve the degree of joint pain and swelling, improve the curative effect, and do not increase the adverse reactions. The results may be related to the regulation of IL-1 β, IL-8, TNF-a and MMP-3.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4765

How to cite this:Wu Y, Wang Y, Yuan W, Xiao X, Cheng G. Changes in serum inflammatory factors in acute gouty arthritis patients treated using ultrashort wave combined with loxoprofen sodium. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(7):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4765

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.
Developing and validating a prediction model for frequent attenders at a Swedish emergency department using an electronic medical record system, a retrospective observational study
Authors: Abazi Lis , Lindqvist Elin , Edman Gunnar , Norberg Magnus , Bergman Jan , Zachrisson Ingmar , Forsberg Sune
Published: September 2021

Background:

Frequent attenders (FA) account for a significant number of emergency department (ED) visits but to date there is no prediction model to identify patients at risk of becoming a FA.

The aim of this research was to identify and describe FA using readily available data provided by electronic medical records and create a prediction model to identify future FA

Method:

Adults ≥18 years that visited the ED during 2015 were included. Patients with ≥4 visits were defined as FA, and patients with ≤3 visits were placed in the control group. Numerous variables were analyzed and differences between the groups compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictor variables and the model validated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) on an independent sample.

Results:

6635 patients were included in developing the model: 15.3 (n=1012) were classified as FA and 15.4 (n=1011) as the control group. Variables associated with at risk of becoming a FA were the following: age above 60 years OR 1.52 [CI 1.27 – 1.82], ED arrival by ambulance or helicopter OR 1.31 [CI 1.08 – 1.58], sheltered living OR 3.82 [CI 2.37 – 6.17], previous contact with psychiatric department OR 1.52 [CI 1.23 – 1.89], 10 outpatient care visits or more OR 4.81 [CI 3.81 – 6.08] and 10 outpatient care physician visits or more OR 3.94 [CI 3.25 – 4.78]. The ROC in the validation set had an area under the curve of 0.85 [CI 0.84 – 0.86].

Conclusion:

Data from electronic medical record software can be used to create and validate the risk of becoming a FA in the ED. We found that age over 60 years, ED arrival by ambulance or helicopter, sheltered living, previous contact with psychiatric departments, and frequent visits at outpatient care together predict the risk of becoming a FA.
Case Report: Cerebral venous thrombosis revealing celiac disease
Authors: Wiem Romdhane , Sondess Arfa , Jihene Chelly , Olfa Jomaa , Sonia Hammami , Karima Hmida , Fatma El Arbi , Olfa Berriche
Published: September 2021

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy resulting from intolerance of an individual genetically predisposed to gluten. It has a large clinical polymorphism ranging from a classic digestive clinical presentation due to the malabsorption syndrome to extra-intestinal symptoms. Among the hematologic abnormalities, venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) has been reported, and they are most often located in the abdomen or lower limbs, but the cerebral localization was exceptionally described. We report a case of CD revealed by cerebral thrombophlebitis.

A 44-year-old patient with no medical history and no drug intake, presented with hemiplegia followed by a status epilepticus in a context of apyrexia, initially hospitalized in intensive care. Magnetic imaging resonance displayed a cerebral venous thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus requiring anticoagulant treatment, then transferred to our department for the etiological investigation. On questioning, the patient reported chronic diarrhea and weight loss with no other associated symptoms. The examination revealed an underweight patient with pale conjunctiva, improvement of her deficit symptoms, and no other abnormalities.

Laboratory tests noted biological signs of malabsorption. The thrombophilia assessment revealed a protein C deficiency with a slight increase in anticardiolipin antibodies and anti-Beta 2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies. Immunological tests noted positives anti-transglutaminase and IgA anti-endomysium antibodies. Duodenal biopsy demonstrated villous atrophy. After ruling out the other causes of VTE, the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis secondary to CD was retained.

Early diagnosis and treatment of CD improves the quality-of-life for patients and may spare them various long-term or even fatal complications.
Case Report: Syncopal atrioventricular block complicating primary hyperoxaluria type 1
Authors: Imtinene Ben Mrad , Sofien Kamoun , Melek Ben Mrad , Ihsen Zairi , Zeineb Oumaya , Lilia Ben Fatma , Ikram Mami , Hayet Kaaroud , Mzoughi Khadija , Sondos Kraiem
Published: September 2021

Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) type 1 is a rare hereditary metabolic disorder resulting in accumulation of calcium oxalate in several organs, including the heart. Cardiac oxalosis in PH is poorly described in the medical literature. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 and end-stage renal failure who presented with syncope related to a paroxysmal third-degree atrioventricular block. The patient benefited from the implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker with a good outcome. Conduction blocks in case of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 are exceptional; in fact, less than five reports have previously been published in the medical literature. With this case, we would like to highlight the need for regular and careful monitoring of cardiac status in patients treated for primary oxalosis, especially when renal function is impaired.
Clinical trial research on COVID-19 in Germany – a systematic analysis
Authors: Hirt Julian , Rasadurai Abeelan , Briel Matthias , Düblin Pascal , Janiaud Perrine , Hemkens Lars G.
Published: September 2021

Background: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented volume of almost 3,000 clinical trials registered worldwide. We aimed to describe the COVID-19 clinical trial research agenda in Germany during the first year of the pandemic. Methods: We identified randomized clinical trials assessing interventions to treat or prevent COVID-19 that were registered in 2020 and recruited or planned to recruit participants in Germany. We requested recruitment information from trial investigators as of April 2021. Results: In 2020, 65 trials were completely (n=27) or partially (n=38) conducted in Germany. Most trials investigated interventions to treat COVID-19 (86.2%; 56/65), in hospitalized patients (67.7%; 44/65), with industry funding (53.8%; 35/65). Few trials were completed (21.5%; 14/65). Overall, 187,179 participants were planned to be recruited (20,696 in Germany), with a median number of 106 German participants per trial (IQR 40 to 345).  From the planned German participants, 13.4%  were recruited (median 15 per trial (IQR 0 to 44). Conclusions: The overall German contribution to the worldwide COVID-19 clinical trial research agenda was modest. Few trials delivered urgently needed evidence. Most trials did not meet recruitment goals. Evaluation and international comparison of the challenges for conducting clinical trials in Germany is needed.
Factors associated with the Dubowitz neurological examination in preterm new-borns
Authors: Massarollo Ana Clara Daros , Wendt Guilherme Welter , Ferreto Lirane Elize Defante , Vieira Ana Paula , Arruda Gisele , Rodrigues da Silva Nobre Joseane , Massarollo Marina Daros , Melo Mazzo Débora Melo , Caovilla Follador Franciele Aní
Published: September 2021

Background: This article aims to explore the factors associated with Dubowitz neurological examination scores in preterm new-borns.      

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which forty preterm new-borns were evaluated by using the Dubowitz neurological examination on their first outpatient visit following hospital discharge. A questionnaire was also deployed to explore parental variables.      

Results: Preterm new-borns with low scores in the Dubowitz neurological examination were born at an even lower gestational age, required longer hospitalisation, and had more indicators for orotracheal intubation. Positive correlations between the subdomains of the Dubowitz neurological examination with birthweight, mother's age, Apgar score at 5 min, maternal and paternal education, and income were also significant. Linear regression analyses explained 26% of the of the Dubowitz neurological examination global score, retaining birthweight, income, and father’s age as significant predictors.

Conclusions: Early, appropriated neurological assessments of preterm infants are critical to detect risk factors that may underpin developmental delays.
Optimised deep neural network model to predict asthma exacerbation based on personalised weather triggers
Authors: Haque Radiah , Ho Sin-Ban , Chai Ian , Abdullah Adina
Published: September 2021

Background – Recently, there have been attempts to develop mHealth applications for asthma self-management. However, there is a lack of applications that can offer accurate predictions of asthma exacerbation using the weather triggers and demographic characteristics to give tailored response to users. This paper proposes an optimised Deep Neural Network Regression (DNNR) model to predict asthma exacerbation based on personalised weather triggers.

Methods – With the aim of integrating weather, demography, and asthma tracking, an mHealth application was developed where users conduct the Asthma Control Test (ACT) to identify the chances of their asthma exacerbation. The asthma dataset consists of panel data from 10 users that includes 1010 ACT scores as the target output. Moreover, the dataset contains 10 input features which include five weather features (temperature, humidity, air-pressure, UV-index, wind-speed) and five demography features (age, gender, outdoor-job, outdoor-activities, location).

Results – Using the DNNR model on the asthma dataset, a score of 0.83 was achieved with Mean Absolute Error (MAE)=1.44 and Mean Squared Error (MSE)=3.62. It was recognised that, for effective asthma self-management, the prediction errors must be in the acceptable loss range (error<0.5). Therefore, an optimisation process was proposed to reduce the error rates and increase the accuracy by applying standardisation and fragmented-grid-search. Consequently, the optimised-DNNR model (with 2 hidden-layers and 50 hidden-nodes) using the Adam optimiser achieved a 94% accuracy with MAE=0.20 and MSE=0.09.

Conclusions – This study is the first of its kind that recognises the potentials of DNNR to identify the correlation patterns among asthma, weather, and demographic variables. The optimised-DNNR model provides predictions with a significantly higher accuracy rate than the existing predictive models and using less computing time. Thus, the optimisation process is useful to build an enhanced model that can be integrated into the asthma self-management for mHealth application.
Distance Learning in Russian Universities During the Period of Restrictive Measures Related to Preventing the Spread of the New Coronavirus Infection Covid-2019: the View of Lecturers
Authors: Bulaeva N. , Ganeev A.
Published: September 2021

The article presents the results of a survey of university teachers in 2020, commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, regarding the specifics of work with the use of distance learning technologies as part of a study on an independent assessment of the quality of conditions for the implementation of educational activities by organizations carrying out educational activities in basic general educational programs. educational programs of secondary vocational education, basic vocational training programs, additional general education programs.
Diversity of Fungi Isolated From Coffee Farms in Kenya
Authors: Msenya Happiness Nyambuge , Alworah Getrude Okutoyi , Runo Stephen , Miano Douglas Watuku , Gikungu Mary Wanjiku , Gichuru Elijah Kathurima , Kathurima Cecilia Wagikondi
Published: September 2021

Diversity of biological species confers benefits to the sustainability of the ecosystem. This study was aimed at determining the diversity of fungi to show the status of soil and coffee plant richness of fungi for sustainable coffee cultivation and future sustainable disease management. Soil and plant tissue samples were collected from coffee farms in Kirinyaga County, while laboratory studies were done at the Plant Pathology Laboratory, Coffee Research Institute, Ruiru, Kenya. The fungal species were isolated from soil and coffee berries. Berries were washed and the fungi allowed to sporulate for 24 hrs. Lesions were excised and serial dilutions made. Fungi were isolated from soil by serial dilution of 10-3. Using the spread plate method, 1 ml of the dilution was plated on potato dextrose agar and incubated at room temperature for ten days. Identification of fungi at the genus level was carried out by using macroscopic and microscopic features. The results showed diverse fungi in both soil and berries which included Aspergillus, Trichoderm, Penicillium, Epicoccum, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Alternaria, Phoma, Rhizopu, Colletotrichum kahawae.The results further showed that Colletotrichum and Cladosporium were the most abundant in the berries at 76% for both species. Fusarium was the most prevalent microorganism in soil at 50% followed by Cladosporium and Penicillium at 20% each. The farms were generally less rich in prevalence of economic important fungi having Trichoderma and Epicoccum at less than 10%. This is a contributing factor to low productivity of coffee due to the lack of growth promoting fungi. This study recommends further studies on the Biocontrol potential of the isolated fungi against coffee insect pests and diseases.
Bayesian deep learning for reliable oral cancer image classification
Authors: Song Bofan , Sunny Sumsum , Li Shaobai , Gurushanth Keerthi , Mendonca Pramila , Mukhia Nirza , Patrick Sanjana , Gurudath Shubha , Raghavan Subhashini , Tsusennaro Imchen , Leivon Shirley T. , Kolur Trupti , Shetty Vivek , Bushan Vidya R. , Ramesh Rohan , Peterson Tyler , Pillai Vijay , Wilder-Smith Petra , Sigamani Alben , Suresh Amritha , Kuriakose moni Abraham , Birur Praveen , Liang Rongguang
Published: September 2021

In medical imaging, deep learning-based solutions have achieved state-of-the-art performance. However, reliability restricts the integration of deep learning into practical medical workflows since conventional deep learning frameworks cannot quantitatively assess model uncertainty. In this work, we propose to address this shortcoming by utilizing a Bayesian deep network capable of estimating uncertainty to assess oral cancer image classification reliability. We evaluate the model using a large intraoral cheek mucosa image dataset captured using our customized device from high-risk population to show that meaningful uncertainty information can be produced. In addition, our experiments show improved accuracy by uncertainty-informed referral. The accuracy of retained data reaches roughly 90% when referring either 10% of all cases or referring cases whose uncertainty value is greater than 0.3. The performance can be further improved by referring more patients. The experiments show the model is capable of identifying difficult cases needing further inspection.
Reflection-type photoplethysmography pulse sensor based on an integrated optoelectronic chip with a ring structure
Authors: Yan Jiabin , Ye Ziqi , Shi Fan , Dai Yeling , Yang Lingyun , Wu Jie , Wang Yongjin
Published: September 2021

Reflection-type photoplethysmography (PPG) pulse sensors are widely used in consumer markets to measure cardiovascular signals. Different from off-chip package solutions in which the light-emitting diode (LED) and photodetector (PD) are in separate chips, a GaN integrated optoelectronic chip with a novel ring structure is proposed to realize a PPG pulse sensor. The integrated optoelectronic chip consists of two multiple-quantum well (MQW) diodes. For higher sensitivities, the central and peripheral MQW diodes are suitable as the LED and PD, respectively. The results indicate that the integrated optoelectronic chip based on a blue LED epitaxial wafer is more suitable for the integrated PPG sensor based on device performance. Moreover, the amplitude of the PPG pulse signal collected from fingertips is higher than that from a wrist. The feasibility of the reflection-type PPG pulse sensor based on a GaN integrated optoelectronic chip is fully verified with the advantages of smaller sizes and lower costs.
Induced modulation of a chirped laser pulse at terahertz frequency with spectral phase shaping
Authors: Martyanov Mikhail , Perminov Andrey , Kuzmin Igor , Poteomkin Anatoly , Krasilnikov Mikhail , Mironov Sergey
Published: September 2021

The possibility of using harmonic modulation of the spectral phase to generate multiple replicas of the original short laser pulse or controlled periodic intensity modulation at the terahertz frequency of the stretched chirped laser pulse is shown theoretically and experimentally.
Time-bandwidth product of noise-like pulses within the mode-locked regions of a figure-eight fiber laser: theoretical and experimental analysis
Authors: González-Galicia M. A. , Lozano-Crisóstomo N. , Barmenkov Y.
Published: September 2021

We present for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a theoretical and experimental analysis of the time-bandwidth product (TBP) of noise-like pulses (NLPs) within the mode-locked regions of an erbium-doped figure-eight fiber laser (EDFEFL). The tuning of the mode-locked regions was carried out by varying and recording the values of the angle of the polarization controllers in the ring section and in the nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM). Within the mode-locked regions, we obtained a large variability of the TBPs. We found that the variability of the temporal profile is greater than that of the spectral profile in all mode-locked regions; for this reason, the TBPs of all mode-locked regions have a behavior proportional to the temporal profile. We also identify the temporal and spectral profiles corresponding to the maximum and minimum TBP. Finally, among all the NLPs within the mode-locked regions, we identify and study the one that is Fourier-transform-limited. We analyze NLPs with a carrier wavelength of 1562 nm with duration in the order of nanoseconds and a repetition rate of 0.9 MHz.
Adaptive super-resolution enabled on-chip contact microscopy
Authors: Zhang Hao , Chen Xiongchao , Zhu Tingting , Yi Chengqiang , Fei Peng
Published: September 2021

We demonstrate an adaptive super-resolution based contact imaging on a CMOS chip to achieve subcellular spatial resolution over a large field of view of ∼24 mm2. By using regular LED illumination, we acquire the single lower-resolution image of the objects placed approximate to the sensor with unit magnification. For the raw contact-mode lens-free image, the pixel size of the sensor chip limits the spatial resolution. We develop a hybrid supervised-unsupervised strategy to train a super-resolution network, circumventing the missing of in-situ ground truth, effectively recovering a much higher resolution image of the objects, permitting sub-micron spatial resolution to be achieved across the entire sensor chip active area. We demonstrate the success of this approach by imaging the proliferation dynamics of cells directly cultured on the chip.