bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevention, Control and Safety of Health Care Providers during COVID-19: A Review Study
Authors: Moslehi Shandiz , Masoumi Gholamreza , Rostamian Morteza , Shirazi Fahimeh Barghi
Published: November 2020

Background: Infection prevention, control, and health workers’ safety in the face of biological agents are among the vital issues in healthcare systems across the world. Considering the high prevalence of COVID-19 infection in the world and its high mortality rate, this epidemic can be tackled to some extent through infection control in the general population and promoting the safety of health centers. This study aims to scrutinize the literature in terms of measures adopted for infection control and safety of healthcare workers in health centers during COVID-19.Methods: We searched key words related to the study namely, “prevention and control”, “safety”, “coronavirus”, “COVID-19”, and “health personnel” in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus databases, Google Scholar, and also in Persian data bases such as SID, Magiran, Irandoc, and Iran Medex using AND/OR functions. To select the documents, the titles of the retrieved studies were first evaluated for relevance; then, the abstracts and full texts of the papers with relevant titles were inspected. Results: Out of 136 retrieved studies, 10 were relevant and their data were analyzed. Four of the articles highlighted the importance of prevention, three enunciated the importance control and three of them related to care providers’ safety. The results showed that the COVID-19 epidemic has affected the healthcare providers’ health; however, it is possible to prevent a catastrophe through strategic planning, prevention and control measures. Conclusions: Considering the importance of the healthcare workers’ health, it is necessary to implement COVID-19 prevention and control management principles according to scientific evidence.
Socio-economic Status and Associated Factors in the Uptake of HIV Testing: Findings from the South African Population-based National Household Survey Conducted in 2017
Authors: Jooste Sean , Mabaso Musawenkosi , Taylor Myra , North Alicia , Shean Yolande , Simbayi Leickness Chisamu
Published: November 2020

Background: Improved understanding of barriers to HIV testing is important for reaching the first of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, which states that 90 percent of HIV positive individuals ought to know their HIV status. This study examined socioeconomic status (SES) factors and related covariates associated with HIV testing uptake in the general population in South Africa. Information on SES and HIV testing may impact the HIV treatment and care cascade and prevention of HIV transmission. Methods: This study used data obtained from a national cross-sectional, population-based household survey conducted in 2017 using a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling design. A composite SES score was created using multiple correspondence analyses of household assets; households were classified into wealth quintiles and dichotomized into low SES/poorest (lowest 3 quintiles) and high SES/less-poor (highest 2 quintiles). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to analyse associations between the uptake of HIV testing and a set of socio-demographic and HIV-related variables. Results: HIV testing uptake was 73.8% and 76.7% among low and high SES household, respectively, both of which were below the first 90 target. The findings showed increased uptake of HIV testing was associated with being female and having a higher educational level independent of SES. Decreased uptake of HIV testing was associated with being from White and Indian/Asian race groups, residing in rural formal areas, alcohol consumption, and high self-perceived risk of HIV infection.Conclusions: We found that HIV testing uptake was similar for people from both low and high SES. However, interventions aimed at improving HIV testing in order to reach the first 90 target, should target males, all race groups, those with low education attainment, and those residing in rural formal areas. Reaching the first target will require efforts to improve community knowledge, and awareness about the negative impact of alcohol use and address HIV risk perception.
Usefulness of surveillance Cultures for Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Unit
Authors: Mendes Elisa Teixeira , Salomão Matias Chiarastelli , Tomichi Lísia Moura , Oliveira Maura Salaroli , Graça Mariana , Rossi Flavia , Spadão Fernanda , Guimaraes Thais , Rocha Vanderson , Costa Silvia Figueiredo
Published: November 2020

Surveillance strategies to detect colonization is an important tool to prevent and control the spread of microorganisms especially among Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) patients. Colonization by Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) has been evaluated as a risk factor for blood stream infection (BSI) in HSCT patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of routine surveillance culture to screening colonization and infection by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPa) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a HSCT unit. Methods Surveillance cultures were collected from patients admitted to the HSCT unit over one-year, with swabs for cultures on admission and then weekly until discharge. We compared surveillance culture positivity for each site and agent, also clinical and epidemiological data according to the colonization status. Results 200 HSCT patients underwent surveillance, with 1.323 samples collected. Infection due to MDRO occurred in 52 (21.5%) patients, among them 45 (86.5%) were blood stream infection (BSI) and 12 (23%) had positive surveillance culture before infection. 554 (41.8%) surveillance cultures were performed for CRPa, 413 (31.2%) for VRE, and 356 (27%) for CRE. Of these, 179 (13.5%) surveillance culture were positive, with greater positivity for oropharynx (6, 35.3%) CRPa, and rectal samples (16, 20.7%) for CRE. Being colonized by any MDRO, CRE (p <0.001) and CRPa (p = 0.027) was associated with a higher risk of infection in the bivariate analysis but being colonized was not associated with risk of death. Conclusion Previous colonization by MDRO was a significant risk factor for infection by these pathogens, mainly colonization by CRE. Overall, rectal swab was the best site with the higher positivity, and the oropharynx was also an option for CRPa investigation. Feces culture showed low positivity and should be avoided. Although the impact of the strategy on the mortality of patients undergoing HSCT is not clear, VRE surveillance should be questioned in auto-HSCT patients as it has an additional cost and little impact on survival.
M-health Services Equipped with Public-Sector Community Health Centers in China: Investigating Adoption using UTAUT and Channel Expansion Theory
Authors: Chudhery Muhammad Adnan Zahid , Safdar Sarah , Li Fenggang , Rehman Hakeem-Ur , Rafique Raza , Huo Jiazhen , Gao Luan
Published: November 2020

Background: This study is to investigate the acceptance of a public-private joint venture, which is formed in-between public-sector community health centers (PCHC) and private-sector m-health service providers and can be a potential solution for two practical problems. The first problem is about PCHCs, which are operating about forty-one percent underutilization rates. The second problem is the lack of a revenue-generating business model for m-health service providers' while having a surprising number of registered users with daily health-care consultation queries. This joint venture will help to bridge the strengths of the public-sector health-care system (e.g., highly qualified doctors, offline health-care facilities) with the strengths of private-sector m-health service providers (e.g., a dramatic number of registered users, daily health-care consultation queries) resulting in a win-win situation for both parties. Methods: The data collected from doctors associated with a territory hospital in Hefei, China, and analyzed using partial least squares, a structural equation modeling technique. Results: This study extended the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology with the channel expansion theory. We explored that perceived media richness, government support, effort, and performance expectancies positively influence behavioral intention to deliver health-care consultation using m-health services that are equipped with PCHCs. Surprisingly, social influence and facilitating conditions found insignificant in the Chinese context. Conclusion: It can help the government healthcare authorities, and policymakers to build confidence in PCHCs, and to improve PCHC resource utilization. It can help m-health service providers to build confidence in m-health services resulting in a revenue-generating business model.
Role of Canagliflozin on function of CD34+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nandula Seshagiri Rao , Kundu Nabanita , Awal Hassan , Brichacek Beda , Fakhri Mona , Aimalla Nikhila , Elzarki Adrian , Amdur Richard , Sen Sabyasachi
Published: November 2020

Background: Endothelial Progenitor cells (EPCs) has been shown to be dysfunctional in both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading to poor regeneration of endothelium and renal perfusion. EPCs have been shown to be a robust cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk indicator. Effect of sodium glucose channel inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) such as Canagliflozin (CG) on a cellular CVD risk indicator such as CD34+ve cells, in patients with T2DM with established CKD has not been explored,Methods: 29 subjects taking metformin and/or Insulin were enrolled in a 16 weeks, double blind, randomized placebo matched trial, with a low dose 100 mg CG compared to placebo. Type 2 diabetes subjects (30–70 years old), HbA1c of 7–10%,. CD34+ cell number, migratory function, gene expression along with vascular parameters such as arterial stiffness, biochemistry, resting energy expenditure and body composition were measured. Data were collected at week 0, 8 and 16. A mixed model regression analysis was done with p value less than 0.05 were considered significant.Results: Gene expression analysis of CD34+ve cells showed increase in antioxidants (superoxide dismutase 2 or SOD2, Catalase and Glutathione Peroxidase or GPX). A significant increase in gene expression of endothelial markers PECAM1 (p=0.002), VEGF-A(p= 0.04) and CXCR4 receptor (p= 0.06) followed by an increase in migratory function of CD34+ve cells is observed in Canagliflozin treated group as compared to placebo group. A significant reduction in glucose (p=0.01) levels was observed along with improved systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the CG group. Significant increase in adiponectin (p=0.02) was also noted in treatment group. Urinary exosomal protein examining podocyte health (podocalyxin, Wilm’s tumor and nephrin) showed improvement.Conclusion: We conclude that Canagliflozin on addition to metformin and/or Insulin, in subjects with type 2 diabetes demonstrates a functional improvement of CD34+ Endothelial Progenitor Cell function and gene expression and improves endothelial function
Development of an Immunochromatographic Strip for Rapid Detection of H7 Subtype Avian Influenza Viruses
Authors: Li Ge , Wang Xun , Li Qingmei , Yang Jifei , Liu Xiao , Qi Wenbao , Guo Junqing , Deng Ruiguang , Zhang Gaiping
Published: November 2020

Background: H7N9 avian influenza virus (AIV) including highly and low pathogenic viruses have been detected in China since 2013. H7N9 AIV has a high mortality rate after infection in humans, and most human cases have close contacted with poultry in the live poultry market. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a rapid point-of-care testing (POCT) technique for H7N9 AIV detection.Methods: The H7N9 AIV was inactivated and purified, and was used as the antigen to immunize BALB/c. Twelve H7-HA specific monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) were produced through the hybridoma technique. The McAb 10A8 was conjugated with colloid gold as detecting antibody; McAb 9B6 was dispensed on the nitrocellulose membran as the capture test line and the Goat-anti mouse IgG antibody was dispensed as control line respectively. The immunochromatographic strip was prepared.Results: The analysis of ELISA and virus neutralization test showed that the obtained McAbs specifically recognized H7 HA. Based on the prepared strip, the detection of H7 AIV was achieved within 10 min. No cross-reaction occurred between H7 AIVs and other tested viruses. The detection limit of the strip for H7 was 2.4 log10EID50/0.1 mL for chicken swab samples.Conclusion: The McAbs were specific for H7 and the immunochromatographic strip developed in this study was convenient, rapid and reliable for the detection of H7 AIV. The strip could provide an effective method for the rapid and early detection of H7 AIV.
Design and performance study of clutch disc assembly of wide-angle and large-hysteresis multi-stage damper
Authors: Xie Maoqing , Wang Leigang , Huang Yao
Published: November 2020

The clutch is an important component of the automobile driveline system, and its function is to ensure stable starting, smooth shifting and easy operation of the automobile. Judder and tremble are two kinds of common vibrations when a car starts, which seriously affect the driving and riding feelings of people in the car. Starting vibration and shaking are two kinds of common vibration in the beginning of a car, which seriously affect the driving and riding experience of people in the car. These two kinds of starting vibrations are closely related to the dry friction clutch in the driveline system, and the multi-stage torsional damper located on the clutch disc assembly plays an important role in the torsional characteristics of the vehicle driveline system. The stability of transmitted torque in automobile driveline system is directly affected by clutch torsional performance. In order to effectively eliminate torsional vibration and noise of driveline system excited by engine and improve driving comfort, this paper studies the structure and functional principle of wide-angle and large-hysteresis multistage damper disc assembly, and puts forward wide-angle and low-stiffness damping technology, large-hysteresis clutch technology, new split-type pre-damping structure technology, component protection buffer damping structure technology and multistage damping structure technology, and puts forward systematic solutions to effectively reduce driveline system vibration and noise.
Self-Powered All-Inorganic Perovskite Photodetectors with Fast Response Speed
Authors: Zhang Ting , Li Shibin
Published: November 2020

In this manuscript, the inorganic perovskite CsPbI2Br and CsPbIBr2 are investigated as photoactive materials that offers higher stability than the organometal trihalide perovskite materials. The fabrication methods allow anti-solvent processing the CsPbIxBr3−x films, overcoming the poor film quality that always occur in a single-step solution process. The introduced diethyl ether in spin-coating process is demonstrated to be successful, and the effects of the anti-solvent on film quality are studied. The devices fabricated using the methods achieve a high-performance, self-powered and stabilized photodetectors with fast response speed. The results illustrate a great potential of all-inorganic CsPbIxBr3−x perovskites in visible photodetection and provide an effective way to achieve high performance devices with self-powered capability.
Inequalities in healthcare utilisation: a decomposition analysis based on financial protection against health risks in Senegal
Authors: Samba Mouhamed , Thiam Ibrahima , Fecher Fabienne , Paul Elisabeth
Published: November 2020

Background: Developing countries are characterised by lack of financial protection against health hazards that can lead to health inequity. Improving horizontal equity in the utilisation of health care requires a better understanding of the factors that influence it. This study used Senegal as a case to examine healthcare utilisation disparities and their determinants. Methods: The study used the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (2017) from Senegal. Frequencies, a logit model and an extension of Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition (proposed by Fairlie) were employed to examine healthcare utilisation gap between covered and uncovered people as well as factors explaining this gap.Results: The results of the logistic regression show that healthcare utilisation increases with quintiles of economic well-being; people covered by an insurance or fee exemption scheme use more health care services than those not covered. Women, urban people, children aged under five years and elderly (60 and +). Results from Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition suggests a difference in healthcare utilisation between covered and uncovered people. 39% of these disparities are explained by the distribution of observed characteristics (age, area of residence, economic well-being, education) while 61% of these disparities are explained by differences in coefficients. This component may be related to discriminatory practices in favour of the persons covered.Conclusion: The results also raise the issue of the fragmentation of coverage schemes that can lead to differences in the care packages offered. Public authorities need to make efforts to reduce social inequalities and have an important stewardship role across all branches of society to ensure that policies and actions in other sectors improve health equity.
Relationship between Environment, Smoking Behavior, Education, Poverty, and Prevalence of Stunted Toddler in Indonesia: An Ecological Analysis
Authors: Laksono Agung Dwi , Wulandari Ratna Dwi
Published: November 2020

Background: The prevalence of stunted toddler in Indonesia is very high. The study was aimed at analyzing ecologically the factors related to the prevalence of stunted toddler in Indonesia.Methods: Ecological analysis was conducted using secondary data from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia report in 2018. Apart from the stunted toddler, 6 other variables analyzed as independent variables were the percentage of households with access to safe drinking water sources, percentage of households with access to proper sanitation, percentage of households that occupy livable houses, percentage of the population who smoke, percentage of poor people, and percentage of the population completing basic education. Data were analyzed using a scatter plot.Results: The results of the study found that 4 variables (the percentage of household with access to a safe drinking water source, the percentage of household with access to proper sanitation, the percentage of the household that occupy livable houses, and the percentage of the population completing basic education) had a negative relationship with the prevalence of stunted toddlers in Indonesia. This means that the four variables are protective factors for a province to have a high prevalence of stunted toddler. Meanwhile, the percentage of poor people was found to be positively correlated with the prevalence of stunted toddlerConclusion: It was concluded that the five factors were related to the prevalence of stunted toddler in Indonesia.
Do descriptive norms messaging interventions backfire? Protocol for a systematic review of the boomerang effect
Authors: Kuang Jinyi , Delea Maryann G , Thulin Erik , Bicchieri Cristina
Published: November 2020

BackgroundDescriptive norms messaging interventions are used to motivate people to adopt or maintain desirable behaviors. Such interventions provide people with information that describes an undesirable behavior as uncommon or a desirable behavior as prevalent within a relevant social group. Descriptive norms messaging interventions have shown promise in increasing individual and social benefit for a broad range of health and sustainability programs. However, evidence suggests that people who have adopted desirable behaviors sometimes regress to undesirable behaviors after receiving descriptive norms messages due to the type of information provided in the messages. This phenomenon is called the boomerang effect. We aim to conduct a systematic review of boomerang effects on health and environmental sustainability behaviors resulting from exposure to descriptive norms messaging interventions.MethodsWe will employ our search strategy to identify studies of descriptive norms messaging interventions published prior to December 31, 2020. We will search Cochrane Library, Campbell Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, Social Science Research Network (SSRN), and Web of Science to retrieve peer-reviewed articles published in English. We will restrict inclusion to studies (e.g., randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and observational studies) of health and environmental sustainability interventions that assess behaviors before and after exposure to descriptive norms messaging. Two reviewers will independently extract data about study populations and design, intervention components, and behavioral measures. We will use the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool (RoB2) and Risk Of Bias in Non-randomized Studies – of Intervention (ROBIN-I) to assess the risk of bias, and the Liverpool Quality Assessment Tool (LQAT) to assess the quality of evidence. We will conduct thematic analyses to codify interventions, and examine intervention effects across subgroups of individuals based on their behavior prior to intervention exposure (e.g., those practicing desirable behaviors vs. undesirable behaviors). We will also conduct moderator analyses to determine whether boomerang effects are contingent upon other factors including intervention framing and delivery modality.DiscussionThis systematic review will provide information about descriptive norms messaging intervention effects across subgroups of individuals, and elucidate factors that potentially moderate boomerang effects. The review will yield evidence-based recommendations for the structure and content of descriptive norms messages that can be employed to avoid unintended boomerang effects within the context of health and sustainability programming.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO #: CRD42020156989
The impact of introducing ambulance and delivery fees in a rural hospital in Tanzania
Authors: Vossius Corinna , Md Estomih , Moshiro Robert , M Paschal , Kvaløy Jan Terje , Kidanto Hussein , Lyanga Sara , Ersdal Hege
Published: November 2020

Background:Access to health care facilities is a key requirement to enhance safety for mothers and newborns during labour and delivery. Haydom Lutheran Hospital (HLH) is a regional hospital in rural Tanzania with a catchment area of about two million inhabitants. Up to June 2013 ambulance transport and delivery at HLH were free of charge, while a user fee for both services was introduced from January 2014. We aimed to explore the impact of introducing user fees on the population of women giving birth at HLH in order to document potentially unwanted consequences in the period after introduction of fees.Methods:Retrospective analysis of data from a prospective observational study. Data was compared between the period before introduction of fees from February 2010 through June 2013 and the period after from January 2014 through January 2017. Logistic regression modelling was used to construct risk-adjusted variable-life adjusted display (VLAD) and cumulative sum (CUSUM) plots to monitor changes.Results:A total of 28,601 births were observed. The monthly number of births was reduced by 17.3% during the post-introduction period. Spontaneous vaginal deliveries were registered less frequently with a decrease of about 17/1000 births in non-cephalic presentations. Labour complications and caesarean sections increased with about 80/1000 births. There was a reduction in newborns with birth weight less than 2500 grams. The observed changes were stable over time. For most variables, a significant change could be detected after a few weeks.Conclusion:After the introduction of ambulance and delivery fees, an increase in labour complications and caesarean sections and newborns with low birthweight were observed. This might indicate that women delay the decision to seek skilled birth attendance or do not seek help at all, possibly due to financial reasons. Lower rates of births in a safe health care facility like HLH is of great concern, as access to skilled birth attendance is a key requirement in order to further reduce perinatal mortality. Therefore, free delivery care should be a high priority.
A More Practical Guide to Incorporating Health Equity Domains in Implementation Determinant Frameworks
Authors: Woodward Eva N , Singh Rajinder Sonia , Ndebele-Ngwenya Phiwinhlanhla , Castillo Andrea Melgar , Dickson Kelsey S. , Kirchner JoAnn E
Published: November 2020

Background: Due to striking disparities in implementation of healthcare innovations, it is imperative researchers and practitioners can meaningfully use implementation determinant frameworks to understand why disparities exist in access, receipt, use, quality, or outcomes of health care. Our prior work documented and piloted the first published adaptation of an existing implementation determinant framework with health equity domains to create the Health Equity Implementation Framework. We recommended integrating these three health equity domains to existing implementation determinant frameworks: 1) cultural factors of recipients, 2) clinical encounter, or patient-provider interaction, and 3) societal context (including but not limited to social determinants of health). This framework was developed for health care and clinical practice settings. Some implementation teams have begun using the Health Equity Implementation Framework in their evaluations and asked for more guidance.Methods: We completed a consensus process with our authorship team to clarify steps to incorporate a health equity lens into an implementation determinant framework.Results: We describe steps to integrate health equity domains into implementation determinant frameworks for implementation research and practice. For each step, we compiled examples or practical tools to assist implementation researchers and practitioners in applying those steps. For each domain, we compiled definitions with supporting literature, showcased an illustrative example, and suggested sample quantitative and qualitative measures.Conclusion: Incorporating health equity domains within implementation determinant frameworks may optimize the scientific yield and equity of implementation efforts by assessing and ideally, addressing, implementation and equity barriers simultaneously. These practical guidance and tools provided can assist implementation researchers and practitioners to concretely capture and understand barriers and facilitators to implementation disparities.
Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and the effects of COVID-19 on health seeking behaviors and social-economic status among young people in Kenya 
Authors: Karijo Evalin , Wamugi Sylvia , Lemanyishoe Samuel , Njuki Jenny , Boit Faith , Kibui Vania , Karanja Sarah , Abuya Timothy
Published: November 2020

Background: Cases of the Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in Kenya have continued to increase rapidly, since the first case in the country was confirmed in March 2020. In the wake of the pandemic, the health and socio-economic challenges experienced by the youth in Kenya are likely to be elevated. We assessed knowledge, practices, perceived risk, adoption of recommended behaviour and the effect of COVID-19 on health seeking behaviour related to sexual and reproductive health and social economic status among the youth.Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted between April 30th to May 7th, 2020 among 2,153 youth across all 47 counties in Kenya, through a combined online survey and phone interviews. All survey responses analyzed using STATA v15 were tabulated by gender, age, and education level to generate basic descriptive tables and tested for differences by category using chi-square tests. Where applicable, linear and logistic regression analysis model was conducted using covariates such as employment status, gender, and education level. Results: Knowledge on symptoms of COVID-19 was generally high. Female respondents were more likely to identify more symptoms correctly compared to men; p<0.001. However, youth reported very low levels of anyone being at risk of infection (7%). Most youth have adopted behavior necessary to slow down the infection. There were generally very low reported levels of inability to access health services related to sexual and reproductive health. About 50% of respondents reported significant decline in income during the pandemic period, nearly a third reported living in fear while 27% reported feeling stressed. Conclusion: There was high knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms, preventive strategies, and adoption of preventive practices. Despite the low reported inability to access health services related to sexual and reproductive health, response measures should include continuity of services. The reported adverse socioeconomic effects of the pandemic show the need for interventions to meet the health and socioeconomic needs of the youth and minimize the long term consequences of the pandemic. Strategies to sustain behaviors positively adopted among young people will be critical to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Rosiglitazone Protects Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity Following Ischemic Stroke by Reducing MMP-9 Expression Through a Caveolin-1-Dependent Pathway.
Authors: Huang Qianyi , Zhong Wei , Yi Xia , Qin Zhen , Tang Xiangqi
Published: November 2020

Background: Rosiglitazone (RSG) is a widely used antidiabetic drug which activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. Recent work have shown that RSG can up-regulate caveolin-1 levels and ameliorate both chronic and acute brain injury. However, whether rosiglitazone can ameliorate ischemic injury in the brain via a caveolin-1-dependent pathway remains unknown.Methods: Adult male sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, rosiglitazone group and rosiglitazone+daidzein group. The rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established using the suture method, with ischemia for 2 hours and reperfusion for 22 hours. Neurological deficits were evaluated by the methods of Longa’s standard scoring. Cerebral infarction volume was observed by staining with 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Evans blue content reflects BBB permeability. The expressions of caveolin-1, matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and occludin were detected by immunofluorescent staining and western blot.Results: In this study, we found that the expression of caveolin-1 was increased in a rat model of stroke, and treatment with RSG significantly increased the levels of caveolin-1, reduced the release of MMP-9, and increased the expression of occludin. On the other hand, a caveolin-1 inhibitor daidzein canceled the protective roles of RSG in the MCAO model.Conclusions: These data unveil that RSG might protect blood-brain barrier integrity by down-regulating the levels of MMP-9 via a caveolin-1-dependent pathway.
Incidence and Clinical Impact of Vertebral Endplate Changes after Limited Lumbar Microdiscectomy and Implantation of a Bone-anchored Annular Closure Device 
Authors: Kienzler Jenny Christine , Rey Sofia , Wetzel Oliver , Atassi Hermien , Bäbler Sabrina , Burn Felice , Fandino Javier
Published: November 2020

Background: An annular closure device (ACD) could potentially prevent recurrent herniation by blocking larger annular defects after limited microdiscectomy (LMD). The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence of endplate changes (EPC) and outcome after LMD with additional implantation of an ACD to prevent reherniation. Methods: This analysis includes data from a) RCT study-arm of patients undergoing LMD with ACD implantation and b) additional patients undergoing ACD implantation at our institution. Clinical findings (VAS,ODI), radiological outcome (reherniation, implant integrity, volume of (EPC) and risk factors for EPC were assessed. Results: Seventy-two patients (37men, 47±11.63yo) underwent LMD and ACD implantation between 2013-2016. A total of 71 (99%) patients presented with some degree of EPC during the follow-up period (14.67±4.77months). In the multivariate regression analysis, localization of the anchor was the only significant predictor of EPC (p=0.038). The largest EPC measured 4.2 cm3. Reherniation was documented in 17 (24%) patients (symptomatic: n=10; asymptomatic: n=7). Six (8.3%) patients with symptomatic reherniation underwent rediscectomy. Implant failure was documented in 19 (26.4%) patients including anchor head breakage (n=1, 1.3%), dislocation of the whole device (n=5, 6.9%), and mesh dislocation into the spinal canal (n=13, 18%). Mesh subsidence within the EPC was documented in 15 (20.8%) patients. Seven (9.7%) patients underwent explantation of the entire, or parts of the device.Conclusion: Clinical improvement after LMD and ACD implantation was proven in our study. High incidence and volume of EPC did not correlate with clinical outcome. The ACD might prevent disc reherniation despite implant failure rates. Mechanical friction of the polymer mesh with the endplate is most likely the cause of EPC after ACD.
Single-Step Ethanol Production from Raw Cassava Starch Using a Combination of Raw Starch Hydrolysis and Fermentation, Scale-Up from 5-L Laboratory and 200-L Pilot Plant to 3,000-L Industrial Fermenters
Authors: Krajang Morakot , Malairuang Kwanruthai , Sukna Jatuporn , Rattanapradit Krongchan , Chamsart Saethawat
Published: November 2020

Background: A single-step ethanol production is the combination of raw cassava starch hydrolysis and fermentation. For the development of raw starch consolidated bioprocessing technologies, this research was to investigate the optimum conditions and technical procedures for the production of ethanol from raw cassava starch in a single step. It successfully resulted in high yields and productivities of all the experiments from the laboratory, the pilot, through the industrial scales. Yields of ethanol concentration are comparable with those in the commercial industries that use molasses and hydrolyzed starch as the raw materials.Results: Before single-step ethanol production, studies of raw cassava starch hydrolysis by a granular starch hydrolyzing enzyme, StargenTM002, were carefully conducted. It successfully converted 80.19% (w/v) of raw cassava starch to glucose at a concentration of 176.41 g/L with a productivity at 2.45 g/L/h when it was pretreated at 60 °C for 1 h with 0.10% (v/w dry starch basis) of Distillase ASP before hydrolysis. The single-step ethanol production at 34 °C in a 5-L fermenter showed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Fali, active dry yeast) produced the maximum ethanol concentration, pmax at 81.86 g/L (10.37% v/v) with a yield coefficient, Yp/s of 0.43 g/g, a productivity or production rate, rp at 1.14 g/L/h and an efficiency, Ef of 75.29%. Scale-up experiments of the single-step ethanol production using this method, from the 5-L fermenter to the 200-L fermenter and further to the 3,000-L industrial fermenter were successfully achieved with essentially good results. The values of pmax, Yp/s, rp, and Ef of the 200-L scale were at 80.85 g/L (10.25% v/v), 0.42 g/g, 1.12 g/L/h and 74.40%, respectively and those of the 3,000-L scale were at 70.74 g/L (8.97% v/v), 0.38 g/g, 0.98 g/L/h and 67.56%, respectively. Because of using raw starch, major by-products, i.e., glycerol, lactic acid, and acetic acid of all three scales were very low, in ranges of 0.940−1.140, 0.046−0.052, 0.000−0.059 (% w/v), respectively, where are less than those values in the industries.Conclusion: The single-step ethanol production using the combination of raw cassava starch hydrolysis and fermentation of three fermentation scales in this study is practicable and feasible for the scale-up of industrial production of ethanol from raw starch.
­­Correlation analysis of oxygen consumptions between stepper and treadmill movements and implication for rehabilitation     
Authors: Mukrikakkada Anwar Hussain , Arnold Graham , Abboud Rami , Wang Weijie
Published: November 2020

Background: Stepper movement is popular as a home-based exercise. However, it has not been fully investigated how much energy is consumed during movement. This study aimed to investigate oxygen consumption for stepper movements at different cadence levels and to look into whether there are correlations between stepper movement and treadmill walking. Methods: Twenty two healthy volunteers (10 males, 12 females, aged between 18 and 40 years) participated in the study. The participants randomly performed stepper movements and treadmill walking at three different cadences, a self-determined comfortable cadence, a 20% higher and a 20% lower ones than the comfortable one. Their oxygen consumption was measured using Oxycon mobile® system. A set of parameters, e.g. VO2, Metabolic unit, Energy expenditure, etc were obtained. Statistical analysis was carried out to investigate correlations between stepper and treadmill movements in terms of oxygen consumptions. Results: Strong correlations were found between two types of movements, most of metabolic parameters had correlation coefficients ranged proximately between 0.5 to 0.8, p<0.001, e.g. 0.789 for VO2, 0.790 for energy consumption, 0.826 for ventilation, all p<0.001. In the conformable cadence level, VO2 for stepper movements was 826.49±56.02 (ml/min) while VO2 for treadmill walking was 787.16±56.02. Usually, stepper movements have oxygen consumption similar to or slightly higher than that in treadmill walking.Conclusions: This study indicates that stepper movement has similar oxygen consumption level to treadmill at a comfortable cadence level and at a 20% higher than the comfortable one, but stepper movement consumes more energy than treadmill walking by approximately 10% at lower cadence (i.e. 20% lower than the comfortable one). The study shows that the stepper movements is highly correlated with treadmill walking in terms of oxygen consumption, and thus stepper movement data provided can be used as a reference for the healthy to estimate their energy consumption in rehabilitation at home.
Development of Space Environment Customized Risk Estimation for Satellites (SECURES)
Authors: Nagatsuma Tsutomu , Nakamizo Aoi , Kubota Yasubumi , Nakamura Masao , Koga Kiyokazu , Miyoshi Yoshizumi , Matsumoto Haruhisa
Published: November 2020

Plasma variations in the geospace environment driven by the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction are one of the major causes of satellite anomaly. To mitigate the effect of satellite anomaly, the risk of space weather disturbances predicted by space weather forecasting needs to be known in advance. However, the risk of satellite anomaly owing to space weather disturbances is not the same for all satellites, because the risk depends not only on the space environment itself but also on the design and materials of individual satellites. From the viewpoint of satellite operators, it is difficult to apply a general alert level of the space environment to the risk of individual satellites. To provide tailored space weather information, we have developed SECURES (Space Environment Customized Risk Estimation for Satellites) by combining models of the space environment and those of spacecraft charging. In SECURES, we focus on the risk of spacecraft charging (surface/internal) for geosynchronous satellites. For the risk estimation of surface charging, we have combined the global magnetosphere magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model with the satellite surface charging models. For the risk estimation of internal charging, we have combined the radiation belt models with the satellite internal charging models. We have developed prototype products for both types of charging/electrostatic discharge (ESD). The development of SECURES and our achievements are introduced in this paper.
Predictors of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Among Sample of Rural Residents Who Inject Drugs
Authors: Baltes Amelia , Akhtar Wajiha , Birstler Jen , Olson-Streed Heidi , Eagen Kellene , Seal David , Westergaard Ryan , Brown Randall
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality for people who inject drugs (PWID). Studies demonstrate that certain injection practices correlate with SSTI incidence among PWID. The opioid epidemic in the United States has particularly affected rural communities, where access to prevention and treatment presents unique challenges. This study aims to estimate unsafe injection practices among rural-dwelling PWID; assess treatments utilized for injection related SSTIs; and gather data to help reduce the overall risk of injection-related SSTIs. Methods: Thirteen questions specific to SSTIs and injection practices were added to a larger study assessing unmet health care needs among PWID and were administered at six syringe exchange programs in rural Wisconsin between May and July 2019. SSTI history prevalence was estimated based on infections reported within one-year prior of response and was compared to self-reported demographics and injection practices. Results: Eighty responses were collected and analyzed. Respondents were white (77.5%), males (60%), between the ages 30-39 (42.5%), and have a high school diploma or GED (38.75%). The majority of respondents (77.5%) reported no history of SSTI within the year prior to survey response. Females were over three times more likely to report SSTI history (OR=3.07, p=0.038) compared to males. Water sources for drug dilution (p=0.093) and frequency of injecting on first attempt (p=0.037), but not proper skin cleaning method (p = 0.378), were significantly associated with a history of SSTI. Injecting into skin (p=0.038) or muscle (p=0.001) were significantly associated with a history of SSTI. Injection into veins was not significantly associated with SSTI (p=0.333).Conclusion: Higher-risk injection practices were common among participants reporting a history of SSTIs in this rural sample. Studies exploring socio-demographic factors influencing risky injection practices and general barriers to safer injection practices to prevent SSTIs are warranted. Dissemination of education materials targeting SSTI prevention and intervention among PWID not in treatment are warranted.
Structurally different lysophosphatidylethanolamine species stimulate neurite outgrowth in cultured cortical neurons via distinct G-protein-coupled receptors and signaling cascades
Authors: Hisano Kazutoshi , Kawase Shiori , Mimura Tetsuhiko , Yamada Hiroki , Haniu Hisao , Tsukahara Tamotsu , Kurihara Taiga , Matsuda Yoshikazu , Saito Naoto , Uemura Takeshi
Published: November 2020

Neurite outgrowth is important in neuronal circuit formation and functions, and for regeneration of neuronal networks following trauma and disease in the brain. Thus, identification and characterization of the molecules that regulate neurite outgrowth are essential for understanding how brain circuits form and function and for the development of treatment of neurological disorders. In this study, we found that structurally different lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) species, palmitoyl LPE (16:0 LPE) and stearoyl LPE (18:0 LPE), stimulate neurite growth in cultured cortical neurons. Interestingly, YM‐254890, an inhibitor of Gq/11 protein, inhibited 16:0 LPE-stimulated neurite outgrowth but not 18:0 LPE-stimulated neurite outgrowth. In contrast, pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of Gi/Go proteins, inhibited 18:0 LPE-stimulated neurite outgrowth but not 16:0 LPE-stimulated neurite outgrowth. The effects of protein kinase C inhibitors on neurite outgrowth were also different. In addition, both 16:0 LPE and 18:0 LPE activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, but the effect of the MAPK inhibitor differed between the 16:0 LPE- and 18:0 LPE-treated cultures. Collectively, the results suggest that the structurally different LPE species, 16:0 LPE and 18:0 LPE stimulate neurite outgrowth through distinct signaling cascades in cultured cortical neurons and that distinct G protein-coupled receptors are involved in these processes.
Potential Risk Analysis and Experience Summarization of Unstable Factors of Cranial Fixation Devices in Neurosurgical Operations
Authors: Cheng Gaopeng , Hao2 Shuyu , Ye Zhifen , Wang Bao , Huangpu Bin , Zhang Pengfei , Wang Hao , Hao Qiang
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND The use of cerebral fixation devices in neurosurgery is very common, which is considered to be an important auxiliary method for many craniotomies. However, previous studies have reported complications of using cerebral fixation devices. Some of the complications are serious and even potentially fatal, and the causes of which may be related to incorrect use of cranial fixation devices. Although there are no serious complications, the cause of that needs to be further summarized and analyzed, as so to minimize the serious consequences caused by the cerebral fixation devices slippage and ensure the safety of the patients’ surgical procedure.METHODS In our recent work, we have continuously found three cases of unstable cerebral fixation devices, which allowed us to analysis the possible factors and summarize experience combined with the review of other senior neurosurgeons from different departments of neurosurgery.RESULTS Based on our recent unstable cranial fixation incidents and the experience of investigating and analyzing senior doctors from different neurosurgery centers, we conducted experience analysis and summary to minimize the risk of unstable cranial fixation pins. We tried a variety of options, including a safe anatomical location for cranial fixation, teamwork and communication with anesthesiologists and itinerant nurses to ensure the stability of the patient’s cerebral fixation devices.CONCLUSIONS The data obtained in this survey has great limitations, including the doctor’s personal prejudice and dependence on anecdotal memories. Therefore, the data should be interpreted with caution. Despite these limitations, there are still some modes that can help to better understand the use of safe skull fixation. Based on the above research and analysis, we have made recommendations that may help avoid preventable complications