bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of mobile learning on academic achievement and attitude of Sudanese dental students: a preliminary study
Authors: Mergany Nissreen Nugud , Dafalla Alam-Elhuda , Awooda Elhadi
Published: February 2021

Background

Despite the great development of smart phone programs and applications, and the wide-spread of these devices among students, their use for the educational purposes remains weak. The study aimed to investigate to what extent utilizing mobile learning as an adjunct to classic classroom lectures affect students’ academic achievement and, to assess their attitude toward using mobile application as an instructional method in dental education.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study was conducted among undergraduate dental students from two Sudanese universities. A total of 67 students who voluntarily agreed to participate were randomly allocated into a control group of 33 and an intervention group of 34 students. Initially, the two groups undertook a pre-test to ensure the standardization of a scale regarding their existing academic knowledge of dental surgery forceps used for tooth extraction. Then the intervention group was provided with a mobile application (Dental Surgical Forceps application version 2.1.0.0), and 3 weeks later a post-test was given for both groups. The attitude of the students toward the effectiveness of mobile learning was as assessed by five-point Likert scale questionnaire. For comparison of the numerical parametric data, a T. test was used, while for non-parametric categorical data a Chi-Squire test was used, with level of statistical significant difference set at P-value of ≤0.05.

Results

The response rate was 91% for the intervention group (31 out of 34 students completed the study), and 78% for the control group (26 out of 33 students completed the study). Statistical significant difference was observed between the pretest and post-test mean scores of the intervention group (P < 0.005), while the differences were not significant among the control group (P > 0.05). Regarding the attitude of the dental students, the mean scores of the sample indicate that the vast majority of the participants (93.5%) showed positive attitude regarding the effectiveness of mobile learning.

Conclusions

There is a marked difference in the students’ scores regarding their knowledge of dental surgical forceps. The students showed positive attitude toward using the mobile application.
Detailed histological analysis of a thrombectomy-resistant ischemic stroke thrombus: a case report
Authors: Staessens Senna , François Olivier , Desender Linda , Vanacker Peter , Dewaele Tom , Sciot Raf , Vanhoorelbeke Karen , Andersson Tommy , De Meyer Simon F.
Published: February 2021

Background

Mechanical removal of a thrombus by thrombectomy can be quite challenging. For reasons that are not fully understood, some thrombi require multiple passes to achieve successful recanalization, whereas other thrombi are efficiently removed in a single pass. Since first pass success is associated with better clinical outcome, it is important to better understand the nature of thrombectomy resistant thrombi. The aim of this study was therefore to characterize the cellular and molecular composition of a thrombus that was very hard to retrieve via mechanical thrombectomy.

Case presentation

In a patient that was admitted with a right middle cerebral artery M1-occlusion, 11 attempts using various thrombectomy devices and techniques were required for removal of the thrombus. This peculiar case provided a rare opportunity to perform an in-depth histopathological study of a difficult to retrieve thrombus. Thrombus material was histologically analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin, Martius Scarlet Blue stain (red blood cells and fibrin), Feulgen stain (DNA), von Kossa stain (calcifications) and immunohistochemical analysis of von Willebrand factor, platelets, leukocytes and neutrophil extracellular traps. Histological analysis revealed abnormally high amounts of extracellular DNA, leukocytes, von Willebrand factor and calcifications. Extracellular DNA stained positive for markers of leukocytes and NETs, suggesting that a significant portion of DNA is derived from neutrophil extracellular traps.

Conclusion

In this unique case of a nearly thrombectomy-resistant stroke thrombus, our study showed an atypical composition compared to the common structural features found in ischemic stroke thrombi. The core of the retrieved thrombus consisted of extracellular DNA that colocalized with von Willebrand factor and microcalcifications. These results support the hypothesis that von Willebrand factor, neutrophil extracellular traps and microcalcifications contribute to mechanical thrombectomy resistance. Such information is important to identify novel targets in order to optimize technical treatment protocols and techniques to increase first pass success rates.
Cancer-derived exosomal miR-7641 promotes breast cancer progression and metastasis
Authors: Shen Songjie , Song Yu , Zhao Bin , Xu Yali , Ren Xinyu , Zhou Yidong , Sun Qiang
Published: February 2021

Background

Intercellular communication is crucial for breast cancer progression and metastasis. However, the role of cancer-derived exosomes and their crucial microRNA (miRNA) cargoes mediating intercellular communication requires further investigation.

Methods

Cancer-derived exosomes were isolated using differential centrifugation and differentially expressed miRNAs were determined by microarrays and qRT-PCR analysis. Cell proliferation, wound-healing, Transwell invasion, and tumor xenograft assays were used for functional research. Plasma exosomal RNA was isolated to verify its role as a prognostic biomarker.

Results

We found that the tumor-promoting capacity of the exosomes was positively related to their cells of origin. MiR-7641 was identified to be the most differentially expressed miRNA, both at endogenous and secretory levels in high-metastatic cancer cells. MiR-7641 could promote tumor cell progression and metastasis, and that these functions of miR-7641 could alter recipient cells via transportation of exosomes. Additionally, exosomal miR-7641 could promote tumor growth in vivo; and its levels were significantly elevated in the plasma of patients with distant metastasis. Bioinformatics analysis has suggested that miR-7641 is correlated with breast cancer survival, and several important cellular and biological processes are closely targeted by miR-7641.

Conclusion

The findings indicate miR-7641 to be an important component of the cancer exosomes in promoting tumor progression and metastasis via intercellular communication. Additionally, exosomal miR-7641 may serve as a promising non-invasive diagnostic biomarker and potential targetable candidate in breast cancer treatment.
FZD5 prevents epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer
Authors: Dong Dan , Na Lei , Zhou Kailing , Wang Zhuo , Sun Yu , Zheng Qianqian , Gao Jian , Zhao Chenghai , Wang Wei
Published: February 2021

Background

Frizzled (FZD) proteins function as receptors for WNT ligands. Members in FZD family including FZD2, FZD4, FZD7, FZD8 and FZD10 have been demonstrated to mediate cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Methods

CCLE and TCGA databases were interrogated to reveal the association of FZD5 with EMT. EMT was analyzed by investigating the alterations in CDH1 (E-cadherin), VIM (Vimentin) and ZEB1 expression, cell migration and cell morphology. Transcriptional modulation was determined by ChIP in combination with Real-time PCR. Survival was analyzed by Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

In contrast to other FZDs, FZD5 was identified to prevent EMT in gastric cancer. FZD5 maintains epithelial-like phenotype and is negatively modulated by transcription factors SNAI2 and TEAD1. Epithelial-specific factor ELF3 is a downstream effecter, and protein kinase C (PKC) links FZD5 to ELF3. ELF3 represses ZEB1 expression, further guarding against EMT. Moreover, FZD5 signaling requires its co-receptor LRP5 and WNT7B is a putative ligand for FZD5. FZD5 and ELF3 are associated with longer survival, whereas SNAI2 and TEAD1 are associated with shorter survival.

Conclusions

Taken together, FZD5-ELF3 signaling blocks EMT, and plays a potential tumor-suppressing role in gastric cancer.
Can quantifying morphology and TMEM119 expression distinguish between microglia and infiltrating macrophages after ischemic stroke and reperfusion in male and female mice?
Authors: Young Kimberly F. , Gardner Rebeca , Sariana Victoria , Whitman Susan A. , Bartlett Mitchell J. , Falk Torsten , Morrison Helena W.
Published: February 2021

Background

Ischemic stroke is an acquired brain injury with gender-dependent outcomes. A persistent obstacle in understanding the sex-specific neuroinflammatory contributions to ischemic brain injury is distinguishing between resident microglia and infiltrating macrophages—both phagocytes—and determining cell population-specific contributions to injury evolution and recovery processes. Our purpose was to identify microglial and macrophage populations regulated by ischemic stroke using morphology analysis and the presence of microglia transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119). Second, we examined sex and menopause differences in microglia/macrophage cell populations after an ischemic stroke.

Methods

Male and female, premenopausal and postmenopausal, mice underwent either 60 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion and 24 h of reperfusion or sham surgery. The accelerated ovarian failure model was used to model postmenopause. Brain tissue was collected to quantify the infarct area and for immunohistochemistry and western blot methods. Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule, TMEM119, and confocal microscopy were used to analyze the microglia morphology and TMEM119 area in the ipsilateral brain regions. Western blot was used to quantify protein quantity.

Results

Post-stroke injury is increased in male and postmenopause female mice vs. premenopause female mice (p< 0.05) with differences primarily occurring in the caudal sections. After stroke, the microglia underwent a region, but not sex group, dependent transformation into less ramified cells (p< 0.0001). However, the number of phagocytic microglia was increased in distal ipsilateral regions of postmenopausal mice vs. the other sex groups (p< 0.05). The number of TMEM119-positive cells was decreased in proximity to the infarct (p< 0.0001) but without a sex group effect. Two key findings prevented distinguishing microglia from systemic macrophages. First, morphological data were not congruent with TMEM119 immunofluorescence data. Cells with severely decreased TMEM119 immunofluorescence were ramified, a distinguishing microglia characteristic. Second, whereas the TMEM119 immunofluorescence area decreased in proximity to the infarcted area, the TMEM119 protein quantity was unchanged in the ipsilateral hemisphere regions using western blot methods.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that TMEM119 is not a stable microglia marker in male and female mice in the context of ischemic stroke. Until TMEM119 function in the brain is elucidated, its use to distinguish between cell populations following brain injury with cell infiltration is cautioned.
Correction to: Human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 associated pulmonary disease: clinical and pathological features of an under-recognised complication of HTLV-1 infection
Authors: Einsiedel Lloyd , Chiong Fabian , Jersmann Hubertus , Taylor Graham P.
Published: February 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Stakeholders’ perspectives of comprehensive sexuality education in Iranian male adolescences
Authors: Samadaee Gelehkolaee Keshvar , Maasoumi Raziyeh , Azin Seyed Ali , Nedjat Saharnaz , Parto Moslem , Zamani Hajiabadi Ilia
Published: February 2021

Background

A coherent sexuality education program for adolescents is part of their sexual and reproductive rights and can help them have a healthier future. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and intervention preferences of Iranian stakeholders regarding comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in male adolescents based on the IMB model (information, motivation, behavioral skills).

Methods

This study was a qualitative study that was analyzed through a directed content analysis approach. Individual interviews and focused group discussions (FGDs) were used for data collection. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in two schools and the Education Department in Sari and the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education in Tehran from March 2019 to August 2019. Data saturation was achieved after 28 interviews and 1 FGDs with 9 participants. Finally, two sets of data were coded and analyzed using directed content analysis.

Results

In this study, five themes emerged as (1) role of institutions; (2) role of organizations; (3) need for stakeholder’s partnership; (4) need for adolescent sexuality socialization management; and (5) need for enhancing the teachers’ professional competence, which seemed to influence the implementation of CSE in male adolescents. Participants also expressed a number of intervention preferences for CSE. The most important of these was the change in macro policies, helping to create a culture against all forms of violence and breaking the taboo of sexuality education for children and adolescents.

Conclusions

The results of this study revealed the need for a CSE program for adolescents' sexuality socialization. The finding showed that teachers required training to enhance their professional competence about sexuality issues. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement culture-appropriate skill based programs to enhance the teachers’ professional competence regarding the adolescents’ sexual health.
Trends in suicide mortality in Montenegro from 2000 to 2018
Authors: Injac Stevović Lidija , Repišti Selman , Radojičić Tamara , Injac Olivera
Published: February 2021

Background

This is an ecological study that analyzes suicides committed in Montenegro during the 2000–2018 period, taking into account gender, age and methods of suicide.

Methods

Suicide rates and trends up until 2009 were obtained from the official registers of Bureau of Statistics of Montenegro (MONSTAT) while the later data were obtained from the Department of Interior’s. MONSTAT also provided data on unemployment and average salary. As per statistical methods, descriptive and correlations were calculated.

Results

The average crude suicide rate was 21.06, for males 29.93 and for females 12.42. Crude suicide rates were not associated with unemployment rate or average salary. However, the unemployment rate was significantly correlated with lethal methods of suicide, namely suicide by firearm and by hanging. Average net salary was negatively correlated with suicide by firearm.

Conclusions

The ratio of males and females who committed suicide was 2.41. In the last three years, this ratio continues to rise in favor of males (reaching 4.29 in 2018). This could be explained by specific cultural features where males are expected to be the main financial contributors to the households. The labor market of Montenegro does not offer adequate opportunities to set and maintain a stable economic situation which puts additional pressure and stress on males.
A scoping review of factors that influence opioid overdose prevention for justice-involved populations
Authors: Grella Christine E. , Ostlie Erika , Scott Christy K. , Dennis Michael L. , Carnevale John , Watson Dennis P.
Published: February 2021

Background

There is a high risk of death from opioid overdose following release from prison. Efforts to develop and implement overdose prevention programs for justice-involved populations have increased in recent years. An understanding of the gaps in knowledge on prevention interventions is needed to accelerate development, implementation, and dissemination of effective strategies.

Methods

A systematic search process identified 43 published papers addressing opioid overdose prevention in criminal justice settings or among justice-involved populations from 2010 to February 2020. Cross-cutting themes were identified, coded and qualitatively analyzed.

Results

Papers were coded into five categories: acceptability (n = 8), accessibility (n = 4), effectiveness (n = 5), feasibility (n = 7), and participant overdose risk (n = 19). Common themes were: (1) Acceptability of naloxone is associated with injection drug use, overdose history, and perceived risk within the situational context; (2) Accessibility of naloxone is a function of the interface between corrections and community; (3) Evaluations of overdose prevention interventions are few, but generally show increases in knowledge or reductions in opioid overdose; (4) Coordinated efforts are needed to implement prevention interventions, address logistical challenges, and develop linkages between corrections and community providers; (5) Overdose is highest immediately following release from prison or jail, often preceded by service-system interactions, and associated with drug-use severity, injection use, and mental health disorders, as well as risks in the post-release environment.

Conclusion

Study findings can inform the development of overdose prevention interventions that target justice-involved individuals and policies to support their implementation across criminal justice and community-based service systems.
Distribution and imaging characteristics of spina bifida occulta in young people with low back pain: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Wenhao , Xiong Zhencheng , Dong Chunke , Song Jipeng , Zhang Liubo , Zhou Jun , Wang Yanlei , Yi Ping , Yang Feng , Tang Xiangsheng , Tan Mingsheng
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Spina bifida occulta (SBO) is one of the most common congenital spinal deformities. Although many studies have demonstrated the influence of lumbosacral dysplasia on low back pain (LBP) in young athletes, there have been few studies on SBO among young people in other occupations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the distribution of SBO in young people with LBP and to classify SBO from the perspective of lamina development.

Methods

The X-ray films of 148 young patients with LBP were analyzed to quantify the distribution of SBO and classify abnormal laminae.

Results

Of the 148 patients, 93 (61.49%) had SBO: 83 cases involved S1 alone, 2 involved L5–S1, 5 involved S1–2, 2 involved S1–4, and 1 involved L4–S4. According to the degree of the defect, the patients with SBO were divided on the basis of five grades: 9 patients with grade I, 53 with grade II, 23 with grade III, and 8 with grade IV. The cases were classified by the shape of the laminae into 4 types: 15 cases of type a, 11 cases of type b, 37 cases of type c, and 30 cases of type d.

Conclusion

Among the young people with LBP that we surveyed, SBO is the most common lumbosacral dysplasia, which frequently involves the S1 segment. Most laminae in SBO are in the developmental stage of the spinous process, and an abnormal laminar growth direction and laminar stenosis are the most common laminar morphologies in SBO.
The effect of the SIMS Programme versus existing preschool oral healthcare programme on oral hygiene level of preschool children: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yusof Zamros Yuzadi Mohd , Anwar Nurul Hayati , Mohd Nor Nor Azlida , Nor Mariani Md , Mustafa Siti Ezaleila
Published: February 2021

Background

Despite the implementation of the preschool oral healthcare programme (POHP) for 5–6-year-old children over the past 3 decades in Malaysia, dental plaque and caries levels in this age group remain high. Among the child-level attributable factors are unhealthy self-care behaviours (poor oral hygiene and high sugary diet). In order to improve the children’s oral health, an improved programme called the ‘Senyuman Indah Milik Semua’ Programme (SIMSP) or ‘Beautiful Smile for All’ programme is introduced. In this programme, a triad of dental hygienist-teacher-parent works together to improve children’s oral hygiene levels compared with the existing POHP that involves dental hygienists only. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of the SIMSP versus the existing POHP on oral hygiene levels of 5–6-year-old children in the Kampar district, Perak state, Malaysia.

Methods

This study is a pragmatic, cluster-randomised, parallel-group, matched pair, controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. Randomisation is performed using a computer-generated table with a 1:1 allocation comparing the SIMSP and the POHP involving 28 preschools in the Kampar district, Perak, Malaysia. The intervention consists of preschool visits by a group of dental therapists, in-class oral health lessons and daily toothbrushing conducted by class teacher, child home toothbrushing supervised by parents, and infographic oral health messages to parents. The control consists of the existing POHP that involves preschool visits by a group of dental therapists only. The trial lasts for 6 months. Primary outcome variable is the mean plaque score change after 6 months. To determine the feasibility of the SIMSP, a process evaluation will be conducted using the perspectives of dental therapists, teachers, and parents on the appropriateness, effectiveness, facilitators, and barriers to the SIMSP implementation as well as an audit trail to assess the trial intervention.

Discussion

Cluster randomisation may lead to a random effect and cluster selection bias. These factors will be accounted for when analysing the data and interpreting the outcomes. The effectiveness of the SIMSP will be evaluated by comparing the results with those of the POHP.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04339647. Registered on 5 April 2020 – Retrospectively registered.
Intra-host variation and evolutionary dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 populations in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Wang Yanqun , Wang Daxi , Zhang Lu , Sun Wanying , Zhang Zhaoyong , Chen Weijun , Zhu Airu , Huang Yongbo , Xiao Fei , Yao Jinxiu , Gan Mian , Li Fang , Luo Ling , Huang Xiaofang , Zhang Yanjun , Wong Sook-san , Cheng Xinyi , Ji Jingkai , Ou Zhihua , Xiao Minfeng , Li Min , Li Jiandong , Ren Peidi , Deng Ziqing , Zhong Huanzi , Xu Xun , Song Tie , Mok Chris Ka Pun , Peiris Malik , Zhong Nanshan , Zhao Jingxian , Li Yimin , Li Junhua , Zhao Jincun
Published: February 2021

Background

Since early February 2021, the causative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, has infected over 104 million people with more than 2 million deaths according to official reports. The key to understanding the biology and virus-host interactions of SARS-CoV-2 requires the knowledge of mutation and evolution of this virus at both inter- and intra-host levels. However, despite quite a few polymorphic sites identified among SARS-CoV-2 populations, intra-host variant spectra and their evolutionary dynamics remain mostly unknown.

Methods

Using high-throughput sequencing of metatranscriptomic and hybrid captured libraries, we characterized consensus genomes and intra-host single nucleotide variations (iSNVs) of serial samples collected from eight patients with COVID-19. The distribution of iSNVs along the SARS-CoV-2 genome was analyzed and co-occurring iSNVs among COVID-19 patients were identified. We also compared the evolutionary dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 population in the respiratory tract (RT) and gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Results

The 32 consensus genomes revealed the co-existence of different genotypes within the same patient. We further identified 40 intra-host single nucleotide variants (iSNVs). Most (30/40) iSNVs presented in a single patient, while ten iSNVs were found in at least two patients or identical to consensus variants. Comparing allele frequencies of the iSNVs revealed a clear genetic differentiation between intra-host populations from the respiratory tract (RT) and gastrointestinal tract (GIT), mostly driven by bottleneck events during intra-host migrations. Compared to RT populations, the GIT populations showed a better maintenance and rapid development of viral genetic diversity following the suspected intra-host bottlenecks.

Conclusions

Our findings here illustrate the intra-host bottlenecks and evolutionary dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in different anatomic sites and may provide new insights to understand the virus-host interactions of coronaviruses and other RNA viruses.
Markers of disease severity and positive family history are associated to significant risk perception in rheumatoid arthritis, while compliance with therapy is not: a cross-sectional study in 415 Mexican outpatients
Authors: Contreras-Yáñez Irazú , Lavielle Pilar , Clark Patricia , Pascual-Ramos Virginia
Published: February 2021

Background

Assessing risk perception (RP) helps explain how rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients integrate their ideas concerning the disease and how this understanding affects their self-care management. Compliance with treatment impacts disease-related outcomes and could be associated with RP to variable degrees and at different levels. The primary objective was to determine a potential association between RP and compliance with therapy in RA outpatients and to identify additional factors. The secondary objective was to identify factors associated with judgment bias such as unrealistic RP.

Patients and methods

Between January 2018 and June 2019, 450 consecutive outpatients who received RA-related treatment were invited to a face-to-face interview to obtain socio-demographic data, RA-related information, comorbidities, and the following outcomes: adherence, persistence, and concordance with medications assessed with a questionnaire locally designed; RP with the RP questionnaire (RPQ); disease activity with the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data-3 (RAPID-3); disability with the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI); quality of life with Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) instrument; pain and overall disease with the respective visual analogue scale (VAS); and health literacy assessed with 3 questions. Significant RP was defined according to a cut-off based on the 75th percentile value of the sample in which the RPQ was validated. Unrealistic RP was defined based on the coincidence of the presence/absence of significant RP and less/more than 7 unfavorable medical criteria. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used. Patients provided written informed consent and the study received Internal Review Board approval.

Results

There were 415 patients included, primarily middle-aged women with long-standing disease and moderate disease activity. Almost half of the patients were receiving corticosteroids and 15.9% intensive RA-related treatment. There were 44.1% of the patients concordant with treatment and 22.6% had significant RP. The patients’ treatment behavior was not retained in the regression analysis; meanwhile, rheumatoid nodes, surgical joint replacement, family history of RA, and higher RAPID-3 score were associated with significant RP. There were 56 patients with unrealistic RP; significant RP and more unfavorable medical criteria were associated with unrealistic RP.

Conclusions

Compliance with therapy was not associated with significant RP in RA outpatients.
A hybrid quantum-classical conditional generative adversarial network algorithm for human-centered paradigm in cloud
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Zhang Ying , Deng Zhiliang , Zhao Jiaojiao , Tong Lian
Published: February 2021

As an emerging field that aims to bridge the gap between human activities and computing systems, human-centered computing (HCC) in cloud, edge, fog has had a huge impact on the artificial intelligence algorithms. The quantum generative adversarial network (QGAN) is considered to be one of the quantum machine learning algorithms with great application prospects, which also should be improved to conform to the human-centered paradigm. The generation process of QGAN is relatively random and the generated model does not conform to the human-centered concept, so it is not quite suitable for real scenarios. In order to solve these problems, a hybrid quantum-classical conditional generative adversarial network (QCGAN) algorithm is proposed, which is a knowledge-driven human–computer interaction computing mode that can be implemented in cloud. The purposes of stabilizing the generation process and realizing the interaction between human and computing process are achieved by inputting artificial conditional information in the generator and discriminator. The generator uses the parameterized quantum circuit with an all-to-all connected topology, which facilitates the tuning of network parameters during the training process. The discriminator uses the classical neural network, which effectively avoids the “input bottleneck” of quantum machine learning. Finally, the BAS training set is selected to conduct experiment on the quantum cloud computing platform. The result shows that the QCGAN algorithm can effectively converge to the Nash equilibrium point after training and perform human-centered classification generation tasks.
Short-term impact of the COVID-19 confinement measures on health behaviours and weight gain among adults in Belgium
Authors: Drieskens Sabine , Berger Nicolas , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Gisle Lydia , Braekman Elise , Charafeddine Rana , De Ridder Karin , Demarest Stefaan
Published: February 2021

Background

In Belgium, confinement measures were introduced on the 13th of March 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These measures may affect health behaviours of the population such as eating habits, physical activity and alcohol consumption, which in turn can lead to weight gain resulting in overweight and obesity, increasing the risk of several chronic diseases, but also of severe COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of confinement measures on health behaviours and their associations with weight gain.

Methods

Data were derived from the second national COVID-19 health survey. Data were collected between the 16th and the 23rd of April 2020. The recruitment of participants was based on snowball sampling via Sciensano’s website, invitations via e-mail and social media. The study sample includes participants aged 18 years and over with no missing data on the variables of interest (n = 28,029). The association between self-reported weight gain and health behaviour changes, adjusted for gender, age group and household composition was assessed through OR’s (95% CI) calculated with logistic regression models, using post-stratification weights.

Results

Overall, 28.6% reported weight gain after 6 weeks of confinement. Higher odds of weight gain were observed among participants who increased or decreased their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR = 1.39 (1.15–1.68) and 1.29 (1.04–1.60), respectively), among those who increased their consumption of sweet or salty snacks (OR = 3.65 (3.27–4.07)), among those who became less physically active (OR = 1.91 (1.71–2.13)), and among those who increased their alcohol consumption (OR = 1.86 (1.66–2.08)).

Conclusions

The most important correlates of weight gain during confinement were an increased consumption of sweet or salty snacks and being less physically active. These findings confirm the impact of diet and exercise on short term weight gain and plead to take more action, in supporting people to achieve healthier behaviours in order to tackle overweight and obesity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hidden Markov models identify major movement modes in accelerometer and magnetometer data from four albatross species
Authors: Conners Melinda G. , Michelot Théo , Heywood Eleanor I. , Orben Rachael A. , Phillips Richard A. , Vyssotski Alexei L. , Shaffer Scott A. , Thorne Lesley H.
Published: February 2021

Background

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) with high-resolution sensors such as accelerometers are now used extensively to study fine-scale behavior in a wide range of marine and terrestrial animals. Robust and practical methods are required for the computationally-demanding analysis of the resulting large datasets, particularly for automating classification routines that construct behavioral time series and time-activity budgets. Magnetometers are used increasingly to study behavior, but it is not clear how these sensors contribute to the accuracy of behavioral classification methods. Development of effective  classification methodology is key to understanding energetic and life-history implications of foraging and other behaviors.

Methods

We deployed accelerometers and magnetometers on four species of free-ranging albatrosses and evaluated the ability of unsupervised hidden Markov models (HMMs) to identify three major modalities in their behavior: ‘flapping flight’, ‘soaring flight’, and ‘on-water’. The relative contribution of each sensor to classification accuracy was measured by comparing HMM-inferred states with expert classifications identified from stereotypic patterns observed in sensor data.

Results

HMMs provided a flexible and easily interpretable means of classifying behavior from sensor data. Model accuracy was high overall (92%), but varied across behavioral states (87.6, 93.1 and 91.7% for ‘flapping flight’, ‘soaring flight’ and ‘on-water’, respectively). Models built on accelerometer data alone were as accurate as those that also included magnetometer data; however, the latter were useful for investigating slow and periodic behaviors such as dynamic soaring at a fine scale.

Conclusions

The use of IMUs in behavioral studies produces large data sets, necessitating the development of computationally-efficient methods to automate behavioral classification in order to synthesize and interpret underlying patterns. HMMs provide an accessible and robust framework for analyzing complex IMU datasets and comparing behavioral variation among taxa across habitats, time and space.
High speed silicon wet anisotropic etching for applications in bulk micromachining: a review
Authors: Pal Prem , Swarnalatha Veerla , Rao Avvaru Venkata Narasimha , Pandey Ashok Kumar , Tanaka Hiroshi , Sato Kazuo
Published: February 2021

Wet anisotropic etching is extensively employed in silicon bulk micromachining to fabricate microstructures for various applications in the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). In addition, it is most widely used for surface texturing to minimize the reflectance of light to improve the efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells. In wet bulk micromachining, the etch rate is a major factor that affects the throughput. Slower etch rate increases the fabrication time and therefore is of great concern in MEMS industry where wet anisotropic etching is employed to perform the silicon bulk micromachining, especially to fabricate deep cavities and freestanding microstructures by removal of underneath material through undercutting process. Several methods have been proposed to increase the etch rate of silicon in wet anisotropic etchants either by physical means (e.g. agitation, microwave irradiation) or chemically by incorporation of additives. The ultrasonic agitation during etching and microwave irradiation on the etchants increase the etch rate. However, ultrasonic method may rupture the fragile structures and microwave irradiation causes irradiation damage to the structures. Another method is to increase the etching temperature towards the boiling point of the etchant. The etching characteristics of pure potassium hydroxide solution (KOH) is studied near the boiling point of KOH, while surfactant added tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) is investigated at higher temperature to increase the etch rate. Both these studies have shown a potential way of increasing the etch rate by elevating the temperature of the etchants to its boiling point, which is a function of concentration of etch solution. The effect of various kinds of additives on the etch rate of silicon is investigated in TMAH and KOH. In this paper, the additives which improve the etch rate have been discussed. Recently the effect of hydroxylamine (NH2OH) on the etching characteristics of TMAH and KOH is investigated in detail. The concentration of NH2OH in TMAH/KOH is varied to optimize the etchant composition to obtain improved etching characteristics especially the etch rate and undercutting which are important parameters for increasing throughput. In this article, different methods explored to improve the etch rate of silicon have been discussed so that the researchers/scientists/engineers can get the details of these methods in a single reference.
National assessment of pharmaceutical workforce and education using the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s global development goals: a case study of Qatar
Authors: Mukhalalati Banan Abdulrzaq , Ibrahim Meram Mohamed Mahmoud Elsayed , Al Alawneh Majdoleen Omar , Awaisu Ahmed , Bates Ian , Bader Lina
Published: February 2021

Background

The sustainable development goals were launched by the United Nations in 2015. Its fifth goal was describing the achievement of universal health coverage by 2030. This goal reaffirms the importance of investing in the development and training of the global health workforce. In alliance with this, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has published reports about pharmacy workforce planning in several countries. However, data about Qatar were not included in these reports. In 2017, FIP developed a transformational roadmap of pharmaceutical workforce and education. One systematic framework component of the roadmap is the Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals (DG[w]s) that were released in late 2016 and subsequently incorporated into the more comprehensive Global Development Goals1 in 2020, encompassing not only workforce development, but additionally practice and pharmaceutical science development. This study aimed to evaluate the current situation of pharmacy workforce and education in Qatar in relation to the original 13 Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals (DG[w]s). The objective was to identify the gaps in pharmacy workforce and education and to recommend evidence-led strategies to be included in both the Ministry of Public Health and the Qatar University College of Pharmacy workforce development plans.

Methods

Three rounds of conventional Delphi technique were conducted with expert panels of key decision-makers in pharmacy practice from the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University and the Ministry of Public Health, utilizing the FIP’s self-assessment survey. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze and prioritize the identified gaps from the collected data. DG[w] was considered “met” if all the provided indicators were achieved, “partially met” if at least one of the indicators were achieved, and “not met” if none of the indicators were achieved

Results

The lack of competency framework (DG[w]5), workforce data (DG[w]12), and workforce policy formation (DG[w]13) are three major gaps in the provision of pharmaceutical workforce and pharmacy education in Qatar, influencing other DG[w]s. These gaps need to be addressed by the formation of Qatar Pharmaceutical Association through which academic, practice, and policymaking sectors can work together in developing health workforce intelligence system.

Conclusion

The results indicated that DG[w]s are interrelated and a gap in one goal can negatively influence others. Results and recommendations of this research will facilitate the implementation of strategic plans across leading pharmacy sectors to meet health needs in Qatar and achieve the third pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Diagnosis and management of the infected total knee replacement: a practical surgical guide
Authors: Zahar Akos , Sarungi Martin
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a significant burden in health care. Diagnosis and proper management are challenging. A standardised procedure for the diagnostic workup and surgical management provides clear benefits in outcome.

Methods

Several diagnostic protocols and definitions for PJI were established in recent years. Proper PJI diagnosis remains critical for success and for choosing the optimal treatment option. A distinct workup of diagnostic steps, the evaluation of the results in a multidisciplinary setup and the meticulous surgical management of the infection are the key factors of successful treatment.

Results

The management of PJI after TKA consists of early revision with debridement and implant retention (DAIR) in early cases or staged revision in late infections beyond 30 days postoperative or after onset of acute symptoms. The revision is performed as a two-stage procedure with the use of a fixed or mobile antibiotic spacer, or in selected cases as a single-stage operation with the use of local and systemic antibiotic treatment.

Conclusions

This paper reflects the opinion of two revision surgeons who follow the same protocol for diagnosis and treatment of PJI after TKA, highlighting the key steps in diagnosis and management.

Level of evidence

Expert’s opinion
Stalagmite evidence for East Asian winter monsoon variability and 18O-depleted surface water in the Japan Sea during the last glacial period
Authors: Amekawa Shota , Kashiwagi Kenji , Hori Masako , Sone Tomomi , Kato Hirokazu , Okumura Tomoyo , Yu Tsai-Luen , Shen Chuan-Chou , Kano Akihiro
Published: February 2021

In the East Asian monsoon area, stalagmites generally record lower and higher oxygen isotope (δ18O) levels during warm humid interglacial and cold dry glacial periods, respectively. Here, we report unusually low stalagmite δ18O from the last glacial period (ca. 32.2–22.3 ka) in Fukugaguchi Cave, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, where a major moisture source is the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) that carries vapor from the warm surface of the Japan Sea. The δ18O profile of this stalagmite may imply millennial-scale changes, and high δ18O intervals that are related to Dansgaard–Oeschger (D–O) interstadials. More importantly, the stalagmite exhibits low overall δ18O values; the mean δ18O (− 8.87‰) is distinctly lower than the mid-Holocene mean of another stalagmite from the same cave (4.2–8.2 ka, − 7.64‰). An interpretation assuming a more intense EAWM and greater vapor transportation during the last glacial period, compared with the mid-Holocene, contradicts the limited inflow of the Tsushima Warm Current into the Japan Sea because of lowered sea level. Additionally, our model calculation using δ18O data from meteoric water indicated that the amount effect of winter meteoric water was insignificant (1.2‰/1000 mm). Low stalagmite δ18O for the last glacial period in Fukugaguchi Cave most likely resulted from 18O-depleted surface water, which developed in the isolated Japan Sea. The estimated amplitude of the δ18O decrease in surface water was ~ 3‰ at most, consistent with the abnormally low values for foraminifera (by ~ 2.5‰) in sediment during the last glacial period, shown by samples collected from the Japan Sea. This is the first terrestrial evidence of 18O depletion in Japan Sea surface water during the last glacial period.
Long-term outcomes following lateral alveolar ridge augmentation using a collagenated xenogeneic bone block: a monocenter, prospective single-arm clinical study
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Sahin Didem , Civale-Schweighöfer Sara , Becker Jürgen
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To assess the long-term clinical outcomes following lateral alveolar ridge augmentation using a collagenated xenogeneic bone block (CXBB) and staged implant placement.

Material and methods

A total ofn= 9 patients (9 implants) were available for the analysis. Each subject had received lateral ridge augmentation using a size-adapted rigidly fixed CXBB and contour augmentation at single-tooth gaps. Implant placement was performed after 24 weeks of submerged healing. Clinical parameters (e.g., bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PD), mucosal recession (MR)) were recorded at 16 to 20 weeks after the cementation of the crown (baseline) and scheduled for 0.5 (visit 1 (V1)), 1.5 (V2), 2.5 (V3), 3.5 (V4), and 4.5 (V5) years after implant loading.

Results

Changes in clinical parameters commonly remained low throughout the entire observation period. Significant changes to baseline were merely noted for mean BOP scores at V4 (19.14 ± 17.75%;n= 7;P= 0.029) and mean PD scores at V2 (0.78 ± 0.98 mm;n= 9;P= 0.044) and V3 (1.33 ± 1.05 mm;n= 9;P= 0.009), respectively.

Conclusion

CXBB was associated with high clinical implant success and survival rates on the long-term.
Surgical resection of a ruptured transverse pancreatic artery aneurysm
Authors: Takematsu Toru , Kosumi Keisuke , Tajiri Takuya , Kanemitsu Kosuke , Mima Kosuke , Inoue Mitsuhiro , Mizumoto Takao , Kubota Tatsuo , Miyanari Nobutomo , Baba Hideo
Published: February 2021

Background

Visceral artery aneurysms are rare, but they may cause heavy bleeding and high mortality. In addition, aneurysms originating from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) account for only 1% of visceral artery aneurysms. We report the rare case of a ruptured transverse pancreatic artery aneurysm originating from the SMA that required urgent surgical treatment.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old woman presented with acute back pain after lunch, and she was transported by ambulance. She had upper quadrant spontaneous pain and moderate tenderness, but no guarding or rebound pain. She had rheumatoid arthritis, and was taking 10 mg of steroids per day. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated a retroperitoneal hematoma spreading to the ventral side of the left kidney and extravasation of contrast agent from a branch of the SMA. We diagnosed rupture of aneurysm. We conferred with our IVR team on treatment strategy for the ruptured aneurysm. In addition, we finally selected operation, since the branch of the SMA to the aneurysm was too thin and complex to conduct IVR. For this reason, we performed emergency simple aneurysmectomy of the transverse pancreatic artery. The postoperative course was relatively smooth.

Conclusion

Rupture of a transverse pancreatic artery aneurysm originating from the SMA is rare. However, when diagnosing patients with acute abdomen or back pain, we should consider rupture of a visceral artery aneurysm. Endovascular treatment may currently be common for ruptured visceral artery aneurysms, but we should flexibly treat them according to the patient’s condition and facility considerations.