bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Audit of surgical services in a teaching hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebresellassie Hailu Wondimu , Tamerat Girmaye
Published: October 2019

Objective

The aim of the study is descriptively analyze services in terms of surgical care, performance and outcome in department of surgery of ZMH which is a university affiliated general hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data on mode of admission, procedures done and outcome were collected from a monthly audit report, patients file. Information on the number of operating days missed and patients cancelled after being scheduled for surgery were collected from OR logo book.

Result

Emergency operations constitute 57.4% of all operations. Appendectomy is the commonest emergency operation accounting for 41.5%. Thyroid and gallbladder surgeries were the most common elective operations accounting for 23.5% and 22% respectively. There were 26 and 2 deaths from the emergency and elective operations making the postoperative mortality rate of 2.8% and 0.02% respectively. The average hospital stay of a patient is 3.74 days. 23 of 211 (14.7%) operation dates were missed for various reasons. 81 of 693 (11.7%) elective operations were not done the first time they were scheduled. In conclusion this study showed emergency surgery out number elective surgeries, unacceptably high number of operation days are missed and scheduled surgeries are cancelled.
Health-related quality of life and associated factors among epileptic patients on treatment follow up at public hospitals of Wollega zones, Ethiopia, 2018
Authors: Abadiga Muktar , Mosisa Getu , Amente Tadele , Oluma Adugna
Published: October 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life and its associated factors among epileptic patients in public hospitals of Wollega zones, Ethiopia. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 402 epileptic patients, from March 01 to March 30, 2018. Multiple linear regression with backward elimination was used, and all analyses were conducted at the 0.05 significance level.

Results

The overall mean total score on the WHOQOL-BREF scale was 60.47 with ± 23.07 SD. Monthly income ≤ 500 EB (β = − 12.49, P < 0.001), living alone (β = − 7.11, P = 0.007), adverse drug reaction (β = − 10.86, P < 0.001), comorbidity of anxiety (β = − 12.99, P < 0.001), perceived social stigma (β = − 9.73, P < 0.001) and frequency of seizure once per week (β = − 8.41, P = 0.001) were negatively associated with quality of life of epileptic patients. The mean quality of life of patients living with epilepsy in this study was low. The clinician should early recognize and treat drug side effects, detect and manage comorbidity, and control seizure in order to increase quality of life of epileptic patients.
Effects of sodium houttuyfonate on transcriptome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Zhao Yeye , Si Yuanqing , Mei Longfei , Wu Jiadi , Shao Jing , Wang Changzhong , Wu Daqiang
Published: October 2019

Objectives

The purpose of this experiment is to analyze the changes of transcriptome in Pseudomonas aeruginosa under the action of sodium houttuyfonate (SH) to reveal the possible mechanism of SH inhibiting P. aeruginosa. We analyzed these data in order to compare the transcriptomic differences of P. aeruginosa in SH treatment and blank control groups.

Data description

In this project, RNA-seq of BGISEQ-500 platform was used to sequence the transcriptome of P. aeruginosa, and sequencing data of 8 samples of P. aeruginosa are generated as follows: SH treatment (SH1, SH2, SH3, SH4), negative control (Control 1, Control 2, Control 3, Control 4). Quality control is carried out on raw reads to determine whether the sequencing data is suitable for subsequent analysis. Totally 170.53 MB of transcriptome sequencing data is obtained. Then the filtered clean reads are aligned and compared to the reference genome to proceed second quality control. After completion, 5938 genes are assembled from sequencing data. Further quantitative analysis of genes and screening of differentially expressed genes based on gene expression level reveals that there are 2047 significantly differentially expressed genes under SH treatment, including 368 up-regulated genes and 1679 down-regulated genes.
Disruption of PHF21A causes syndromic intellectual disability with craniofacial anomalies, epilepsy, hypotonia, and neurobehavioral problems including autism
Authors: Kim Hyung-Goo , Rosenfeld Jill A. , Scott Daryl A. , Bénédicte Gerard , Labonne Jonathan D. , Brown Jason , McGuire Marianne , Mahida Sonal , Naidu Sakkubai , Gutierrez Jacqueline , Lesca Gaetan , des Portes Vincent , Bruel Ange-Line , Sorlin Arthur , Xia Fan , Capri Yline , Muller Eric , McKnight Dianalee , Torti Erin , Rüschendorf Franz , Hummel Oliver , Islam Zeyaul , Kolatkar Prasanna R. , Layman Lawrence C. , Ryu Duchwan , Kong Il-Keun , Madan-Khetarpal Suneeta , Kim Cheol-Hee
Published: October 2019

Background

PHF21A has been associated with intellectual disability and craniofacial anomalies based on its deletion in the Potocki-Shaffer syndrome region at 11p11.2 and its disruption in three patients with balanced translocations. In addition, three patients with de novo truncating mutations in PHF21A were reported recently. Here, we analyze genomic data from seven unrelated individuals with mutations in PHF21A and provide detailed clinical descriptions, further expanding the phenotype associated with PHF21A haploinsufficiency.

Methods

Diagnostic trio whole exome sequencing, Sanger sequencing, use of GeneMatcher, targeted gene panel sequencing, and MiSeq sequencing techniques were used to identify and confirm variants. RT-qPCR was used to measure the normal expression pattern of PHF21A in multiple human tissues including 13 different brain tissues. Protein-DNA modeling was performed to substantiate the pathogenicity of the missense mutation.

Results

We have identified seven heterozygous coding mutations, among which six are de novo (not maternal in one). Mutations include four frameshifts, one nonsense mutation in two patients, and one heterozygous missense mutation in the AT Hook domain, predicted to be deleterious and likely to cause loss of PHF21A function. We also found a new C-terminal domain composed of an intrinsically disordered region. This domain is truncated in six patients and thus likely to play an important role in the function of PHF21A, suggesting that haploinsufficiency is the likely underlying mechanism in the phenotype of seven patients. Our results extend the phenotypic spectrum of PHF21A mutations by adding autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, hypotonia, and neurobehavioral problems. Furthermore, PHF21A is highly expressed in the human fetal brain, which is consistent with the neurodevelopmental phenotype.

Conclusion

Deleterious nonsense, frameshift, and missense mutations disrupting the AT Hook domain and/or an intrinsically disordered region in PHF21A were found to be associated with autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, hypotonia, neurobehavioral problems, tapering fingers, clinodactyly, and syndactyly, in addition to intellectual disability and craniofacial anomalies. This suggests that PHF21A is involved in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, and its haploinsufficiency causes a diverse neurological phenotype.
Rotavirus C: prevalence in suckling piglets and development of virus-like particles to assess the influence of maternal immunity on the disease development
Authors: Chepngeno Juliet , Diaz Annika , Paim Francine C. , Saif Linda J. , Vlasova Anastasia N.
Published: October 2019

Rotavirus C (RVC) has been detected increasingly in humans and swine in different countries, including the US. It is associated with significant economic losses due to diarrheal disease in nursing piglets. In this study we aimed: (1) to determine the prevalence of RVC in healthy and diarrheic suckling piglets on US farms; and (2) to evaluate if maternal antibody (Ab) levels were associated with protection of newborn suckling piglets against RVC. There was a significantly higher prevalence (p = 0.0002) of litters with diarrhea born to gilts compared with those born to multiparous sows. Of 113 nursing piglet fecal samples tested, 76.1% were RVC RNA positive. Fecal RVC RNA was detected in significantly (p = 0.0419) higher quantities and more frequently in piglets with diarrhea compared with healthy ones (82.5 vs. 69.9%). With the exception of the historic strain Cowden (G1 genotype), field RVC strains do not replicate in cell culture, which is a major impediment for studying RVC pathogenesis and immunity. To circumvent this, we generated RVC virus-like particles (VLPs) for Cowden (G1), RV0104 (G3) and RV0143 (G6) and used them as antigens in ELISA to detect swine RVC Abs in serum and milk from the sows. Using RVC-VLP Ab ELISA we demonstrated that sows with diarrheic litters had significantly lower RVC IgA and IgG Ab titers in milk compared to those with healthy litters. Thus, our data suggest that insufficient lactogenic protection provided by gilts plays a key role in the development of and the increased prevalence of clinical RVC disease.
The safety and tolerability profile of bilastine for chronic urticaria in children
Authors: Papadopoulos Nikolaos G. , Zuberbier Torsten
Published: October 2019

Background

Urticaria is a condition defined by the development of wheals, angioedema or both. It is classified based on its duration as acute (≤ 6 weeks) or chronic (> 6 weeks). Chronic urticaria is less frequent than acute one in children, but it represents a debilitating condition, always needing treatment. Symptoms affect child’s daily activities and disturb sleeping patterns, causing emotional distress and negatively influencing learning and cognition. Therefore, the management of chronic urticaria must point to a complete control of symptoms, taking into account tolerability and the patient quality of life.

Review of literature

The recently revised version of EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guideline on the management of urticaria, in addition to recommending the use of second-generation H1 antihistamines as the treatment of choice, gives particular attention to their use in the paediatric population. Bilastine has been studied in children; at the dose of 10 mg/once daily, it is licenced for the symptomatic relief of urticaria in children ≥ 6 to 11 years, in the European Union, in appropriate formulation, as oral solution or orodispersible tablet.

Conclusions

In line with the recent guideline recommendation for the use of second generation H1 antihistamines in children we have reviewed the safety and tolerability profile of bilastine in children with chronic urticaria.
Stochastic processes shape microeukaryotic community assembly in a subtropical river across wet and dry seasons
Authors: Chen Weidong , Ren Kexin , Isabwe Alain , Chen Huihuang , Liu Min , Yang Jun
Published: October 2019

Background

The deep mechanisms (deterministic and/or stochastic processes) underlying community assembly are a central challenge in microbial ecology. However, the relative importance of these processes in shaping riverine microeukaryotic biogeography is still poorly understood. Here, we compared the spatiotemporal and biogeographical patterns of microeukaryotic community using high-throughput sequencing of 18S rRNA gene and multivariate statistical analyses from a subtropical river during wet and dry seasons.

Results

Our results provide the first description of biogeographical patterns of microeukaryotic communities in the Tingjiang River, the largest river in the west of Fujian province, southeastern China. The results showed that microeukaryotes from both wet and dry seasons exhibited contrasting community compositions, which might be owing to planktonic microeukaryotes having seasonal succession patterns. Further, all components of the microeukaryotic communities (including total, dominant, always rare, and conditionally rare taxa) exhibited a significant distance-decay pattern in both seasons, and these communities had a stronger distance-decay relationship during the dry season, especially for the conditionally rare taxa. Although several variables had a significant influence on the microeukaryotic communities, the environmental and spatial factors showed minor roles in shaping the communities. Importantly, these microeukaryotic communities were strongly driven by stochastic processes, with 89.9%, 88.5%, and 89.6% of the community variation explained by neutral community model during wet, dry, and both seasons, respectively. The neutral community model also explained a large fraction of the community variation across different taxonomic groups and levels. Additionally, the microeukaryotic taxa, which were above and below the neutral prediction, were ecologically and taxonomically distinct groups, which might be interactively structured by deterministic and stochastic processes.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that stochastic processes are sufficient in shaping substantial variation in river microeukaryotic metacommunity across different hydrographic regimes, thereby providing a better understanding of spatiotemporal patterns, processes, and mechanisms of microeukaryotic community in waters.
Phage-centric ecological interactions in aquatic ecosystems revealed through ultra-deep metagenomics
Authors: Kavagutti Vinicius S. , Andrei Adrian-Ştefan , Mehrshad Maliheh , Salcher Michaela M. , Ghai Rohit
Published: October 2019

The persistent inertia in the ability to culture environmentally abundant microbes from aquatic ecosystems represents an obstacle in disentangling the complex web of ecological interactions spun by a diverse assortment of participants (pro- and eukaryotes and their viruses). In aquatic microbial communities, the numerically most abundant actors, the viruses, remain the most elusive, and especially in freshwaters their identities and ecology remain unknown. Here, using ultra-deep metagenomic sequencing from pelagic freshwater habitats, we recovered complete genomes of > 2000 phages, including small “miniphages” and large “megaphages” infecting iconic freshwater prokaryotic lineages. For instance, abundant freshwater Actinobacteria support infection by a very broad size range of phages (13–200 Kb). We describe many phages encoding genes that likely afford protection to their host from reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the aquatic environment and in the oxidative burst in protist phagolysosomes (phage-mediated ROS defense). Spatiotemporal abundance analyses of phage genomes revealed evanescence as the primary dynamic in upper water layers, where they displayed short-lived existences. In contrast, persistence was characteristic for the deeper layers where many identical phage genomes were recovered repeatedly. Phage and host abundances corresponded closely, with distinct populations displaying preferential distributions in different seasons and depths, closely mimicking overall stratification and mixis.
Disordered eating attitudes correlate with body dissatisfaction among Kuwaiti male college students
Authors: Ebrahim Mariam , Alkazemi Dalal , Zafar Tasleem A. , Kubow Stan
Published: October 2019

Background

The prevalence of disordered eating attitudes and body dissatisfaction based on muscularity and body fat was investigated among male college students in Kuwait with a range of body mass index values including underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese participants.

Methods

Data were collected, using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the Bodybuilder Image Grid (BIG), from 400 male undergraduate students (84.8% Kuwaiti nationals) recruited from both public and private universities in Kuwait. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of symptomatology indicative of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and to examine the associations between body dissatisfaction and muscularity and body fat.

Results

Most participants were dissatisfied with their current muscle mass and body fat (67.3 and 69%, respectively). Logistic regression analyses produced odds ratios (ORs) demonstrating that students dissatisfied with their muscularity and body fat and those who indicated a desire to decrease both muscularity and body fat had significantly higher odds of being at risk of disordered eating attitudes (OR = 2.241, 95% CI [1.17, 3.6], p = .032, and OR = 1.898, 95% CI [1.214, 2.967], p = .005, respectively). Obese participants also had higher odds of exhibiting disordered eating attitudes (OR = 2.06, 95% CI [1.17, 3.60], p = .011).

Conclusion

The high proportion of disordered eating attitudes among Kuwaiti college men was associated with high levels of body image dissatisfaction in relation to both body fat and muscularity. High levels of eating disorder symptoms were also linked to obesity.
Single to three nucleotide polymorphisms assay of miRNA-21 using DNA capped gold nanoparticle-electrostatic force microscopy system
Authors: Lee Hyungbeen , Lee Soo Hyun
Published: October 2019

Aberrant expression of microRNA (miRNA) in biological cells is crucial evidence for early diagnosis of cancer. Improvements in molecular detection techniques enabled miRNA to be detected in human blood obtained from liquid biopsies (e.g., Polymerase chain reaction, microcantilever sensor, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy). Despite the advances in molecular detection technology, a simultaneous detection of single or multiple mutations of miRNAs is still a challenge. Here, we show electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) imaging of DNA-capped gold nanoparticles (DCNP) that enables discrimination between single and three-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, TNP): 1 and 3-point mismatched nucleotides in miRNA-21 (M1_RNA, M3_RNA). Detection of the miRNA-21 and their mutant sequence is owing to sterically well-adjusted DNA–RNA interactions that take place within the confined spaces of DCNP. The average absolute EFM amplitudes of DCNP interacting with M1_RNA, and M3_RNA (− 81.0 ± 11.5, and − 65.7 ± 8.2 mV) were found to be lower than the DCNP reacting with normal (non-mutant) miRNA-21 (− 100.2 ± 13.6 mV).
Seismogenic fault and tectonic significance of 1996 Karakoram Pass earthquake (Ms 7.1) based on InSAR
Authors: Qiu Jiangtao , Ji Lingyun , Liu Lei , Liu Chuanjin
Published: October 2019

Due to hard observation condition of the western Tibet region, the slip behaviors of the Ms7.1 Karakoram Pass earthquake occurred in Hetian, Xinjiang on November 19, 1996 remains unclear. Using ERS 1/2 SAR data and InSAR technique, we obtain the co-seismic deformation of the earthquake. The north and south deformation areas show asymmetric pattern, with the maximum LOS displacement of the southern part approximately 24.6 cm, and the maximum LOS displacement in the northern part approximately − 18.5 cm. Nonlinear and linear inversion algorithms are used to determine the geometric parameters and slip distribution of the earthquake fault. Our results show that the co-seismic displacement is dominated by deformation fields are clearly visible sinistral strike-slip accompanied by a small amount of normal slip component. The co-seismic slip occurred between 0 and 18 km at depth. The maximum slip is ~ 81 cm, occurring at a depth of 8.5 ± 0.5 km at (35.36°N 78.03°E), indicating a shallow event with a moment magnitude of Mw 6.5. The seismogenic fault is a secondary fault in the Karakoram fault zone with strike 96°, dip 84°, and rake – 24°. This earthquake shows that the Karakoram fault zone undergoes a complex tectonic deformation process, with central part of the fault zone showing minor tensional deformation behaviors.
Production of biodiesel by enzymatic transesterification of non-edible Salvadora persica (Pilu) oil and crude coconut oil in a solvent-free system
Authors: Budhwani Azeem Abdul Aziz , Maqbool Ayesha , Hussain Tanveer , Syed Muhammad Noman
Published: October 2019

Background

It is becoming imperative to develop renewable fuels such as biodiesel which are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Exploiting non-edible oils is more necessary to reduce dependency of edible oils for biodiesel production. The current study investigated biodiesel production from non-edible Salvadora persica seed oil (SPSO) and crude coconut oil (CCO) by Burkholderia cepacia lipase acting as a biocatalyst in a solvent-free system. The biodiesel yield produced from these feedstocks was compared and the effect of ethanol (acyl acceptor) vs. SPSO and CCO in various ratios on biodiesel production was determined.

Results

The presence of medium-chain fatty acids in majority was confirmed for SPSO and CCO while the average molecular weight was calculated as 749.53 g/mol and 664.57 g/mol, respectively. Thin Layer Chromatography indicated ethyl esters in the produced Salvadora and coconut biodiesel samples. Maximum biodiesel yield (around 70%) was obtained at 1:4 oil-to-ethanol molar ratio from both oils followed by a decline at higher ratios. The gas chromatographic analysis of Salvadora biodiesel at 1:4 molar ratio showed that the yield of individual esters was mostly of medium- and long-chain fatty acids. The analysis of coconut biodiesel at 1:4 molar ratio revealed that it consists mainly of the esters of medium-chain fatty acids. A comparison of estimated properties of biodiesel from both the parent oils with the international standard showed that it meets most of the requirements.

Conclusion

The study paves the way for a green route for biodiesel production and would promote the use of non-edible vegetable oils over edible ones to produce biodiesel. Further, it is a right step to use lipases in biodiesel production as compared to chemical catalysts. Ethanol, which can also be produced from biomass fermentation, can be used as acyl acceptor to produce biodiesel and this makes the process eco-friendly. Moreover, Burkholderia cepacia lipase is a good choice among lipases to get high biodiesel yields successfully from SPSO and CCO at low oil-to-ethanol molar ratios.
A pilot study of the S-MAP (Solutions for Medications Adherence Problems) intervention for older adults prescribed polypharmacy in primary care: study protocol
Authors: Patton D. E. , Francis J. J. , Clark E. , Smith F. , Cadogan C. A. , Ryan C. , Hughes C. M.
Published: October 2019

Background

Adhering to multiple medications as prescribed is challenging for older patients (aged ≥ 65 years) and a difficult behaviour to improve. Previous interventions designed to address this have been largely complex in nature but have shown limited effectiveness and have rarely used theory in their design. It has been recognised that theory (‘a systematic way of understanding events or situations’) can guide intervention development and help researchers better understand how complex adherence interventions work. This pilot study aims to test a novel community pharmacy-based intervention that has been systematically developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (12-domain version) of behaviour change.

Methods

As part of a non-randomised pilot study, pharmacists in 12 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland (n = 6) and London, England (n = 6), will be trained to deliver the intervention to older patients who are prescribed ≥ 4 regular medicines and are non-adherent (self-reported). Ten patients will be recruited per pharmacy (n = 120) and offered up to four tailored one-to-one sessions, in the pharmacy or via telephone depending on their adherence, over a 3–4-month period. Guided by an electronic application (app) on iPads, the intervention content will be tailored to each patient’s underlying reasons for non-adherence and mapped to the most appropriate solutions using established behaviour change techniques. This study will assess the feasibility of collecting data on the primary outcome of medication adherence (self-report and dispensing data) and secondary outcomes (health-related quality of life and unplanned hospitalisations). An embedded process evaluation will assess training fidelity for pharmacy staff, intervention fidelity, acceptability to patients and pharmacists and the intervention’s mechanism of action. Process evaluation data will include audio-recordings of training workshops, intervention sessions, feedback interviews and patient surveys. Analysis will be largely descriptive.

Discussion

Using pre-defined progression criteria, the findings from this pilot study will guide the decision whether to proceed to a cluster randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of the S-MAP intervention in comparison to usual care in community pharmacies. The study will also explore how the intervention components may work to bring about change in older patients’ adherence behaviour and guide further refinement of the intervention and study procedures.

Trial registration

This study is registered at ISRCTN: 10.1186/ISRCTN73831533
New frontiers in proton therapy: applications in cancers
Authors: Yuan Tai‐Ze , Zhan Ze‐Jiang , Qian Chao‐Nan
Published: October 2019

Proton therapy offers dominant advantages over photon therapy due to the unique depth‐dose characteristics of proton, which can cause a dramatic reduction in normal tissue doses both distal and proximal to the tumor target volume. In turn, this feature may allow dose escalation to the tumor target volume while sparing the tumor‐neighboring susceptible organs at risk, which has the potential to reduce treatment toxicity and improve local control rate, quality of life and survival. Some dosimetric studies in various cancers have demonstrated the advantages over photon therapy in dose distributions. Further, it has been observed that proton therapy confers to substantial clinical advantage over photon therapy in head and neck, breast, hepatocellular, and non‐small cell lung cancers. As such, proton therapy is regarded as the standard modality of radiotherapy in many pediatric cancers from the technical point of view. However, due to the limited clinical evidence, there have been concerns about the high cost of proton therapy from an economic point of view. Considering the treatment expenses for late radiation‐induced toxicities, cost‐effective analysis in many studies have shown that proton therapy is the most cost‐effective option for brain, head and neck and selected breast cancers. Additional studies are warranted to better unveil the cost‐effective values of proton therapy and to develop newer ways for better protection of normal tissues. This review aims at reviewing the recent studies on proton therapy to explore its benefits and cost‐effectiveness in cancers. We strongly believe that proton therapy will be a common radiotherapy modality for most types of solid cancers in the future.
Effect of arthrocentesis on the clinical outcome of various treatment methods for temporomandibular joint disorders
Authors: Kim Chang-Woo , Lee Sung-Jae , Kim Euy-Hyun , Lee Dong-Keon , Kang Mong-Hun , Song In-Seok , Jun Sang-Ho
Published: October 2019

Background

We evaluated the improvement of pain and the increase in mouth opening after temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis and the possible association with various factors such as previous splint treatment, medication, and diagnosis.

Results

We studied 57 temporomandibular joint disorder patients who underwent arthrocentesis at Korea University Anam Hospital. These patients (24 males and 33 females, aged between 15 and 76 years) underwent arthrocentesis that was performed by one surgeon. The degree of mouth opening (assessed using the maximum mouth opening: MMO) and pain (assessed using the visual analog scale: VAS) were assessed pre- and post-arthrocentesis. The study also investigated whether treatment modalities other than arthrocentesis (medication and appliance therapy) were performed. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in mouth opening and pain after temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis. Preoperative appliance therapy affected the results of arthrocentesis, but it was not statistically significant. With regard to pain relief, preoperative diagnosis did not show a significant difference. However, with regard to maximum mouth opening, patients with disc displacement without reduction with limited mouth opening (closed lock) showed the highest recovery (11.13 mm).

Conclusion

The average of MMO increase after arthrocentesis was 9.10 mm, and patients with disc displacement without reduction with locking (closed lock) showed most recovery in maximum mouth opening and it was statistically significant. The average pain relief of patients after arthrocentesis was 3.03 in the VAS scale, and patients using anterior repositioning splint (ARS) preoperatively showed the most pain relief.
The landscape of cardiovascular care in pediatric cancer patients and survivors: a survey by the ACC Pediatric Cardio-Oncology Work Group
Authors: Ryan Thomas D. , Border William L. , Baker-Smith Carissa , Barac Ana , Bock Matthew J. , Canobbio Mary M. , Choueiter Nadine F. , Chowdhury Devyani , Gambetta Katheryn E. , Glickstein Julie S. , Kondapalli Lavanya , Mital Seema , Peiris Vasum , Schiff Russell J. , Spicer Robert L. , Towbin Jeffrey A. , Chen Ming Hui
Published: October 2019

Objective

To enhance the understanding of cardiovascular care delivery in childhood cancer patients and survivors.

Study design

A 20-question survey was created by the Pediatric Cardio-oncology Work Group of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Cardio-oncology Section to assess the care, management, and surveillance tools utilized to manage pediatric/young adult cardio-oncology patients. The survey distribution was a collaborative effort between Cardio-oncology Section and membership of the Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology Section (ACPC) of the ACC.

Results

Sixty-five individuals, all self-identified as physicians, responded to the survey. Most respondents (n = 58,89%) indicated childhood cancer patients are regularly screened prior to and during cancer therapy at their centers, predominantly by electrocardiogram (75%), standard echocardiogram (58%) and advanced echocardiogram (50%) (i.e. strain, stress echo). Evaluation by a cardiologist prior to/during therapy was reported by only 8(12%) respondents, as compared to post-therapy which was reported by 28 (43%,p < 0.01). The most common indications for referral to cardiology at pediatric centers were abnormal test results (n = 31,48%) and history of chemotherapy exposure (n = 27,42%). Of note, during post-treatment counseling, common cardiovascular risk-factors like blood pressure (31,48%), lipid control (22,34%), obesity & smoking (30,46%) and diet/exercise/weight loss (30,46%) were addressed by fewer respondents than was LV function (72%).

Conclusions

The survey data demonstrates that pediatric cancer patients are being screened by EKG and/or imaging prior to/during therapy at most centers. Our data, however, highlight the potential for greater involvement of a cardiovascular specialist for pre-treatment evaluation process, and for more systematic cardiac risk factor counseling in posttreatment cancer survivors.
Multiple functions of ion transport by the nuchal organ in embryos and neonates of the freshwater branchiopod crustacean, Daphnia magna
Authors: Morris Carolyn , O'Donnell Michael
Published: October 2019

The nuchal organ, also referred to as the dorsal organ or neck organ, is a dorsal structure located posteriorly to the compound eye, between the bases of the second antennae of embryonic and neonate branchiopod crustaceans such as the ‘water flea’, Daphnia magna. The ultrastructure of the nuchal organ is similar to ion-transporting tissues in other crustaceans, including abundant mitochondria and extensive amplification of apical and basal plasma membranes through microvilli and infoldings, but direct evidence for ion transport is lacking. We have used the Scanning Ion-selective Electrode Technique to measure transport of Na+, K+, H+, Cl−, NH4+ and Ca2+ across the nuchal organ and body surface of embryos and neonates bathed in dechlorinated Hamilton tap water. Influx of Na+ and efflux of H+ and NH4+ were measured across the nuchal organ of both embryos and neonates. We propose that the efflux of K+ and Cl− across the nuchal organ in embryos is related to the expansion of the haemocoel and release of intracellular solutes into the extracellular space during development. K+ is taken up across the nuchal organ later during development, coincident with expansion of the intracellular compartment through development of gills and other organs. Ca2+ influx across the nuchal organ and body surface of neonates but not embryos is presumably related to calcification of the exoskeleton. Increases in the levels of Na+ and Ca2+ in the water within the brood chamber suggests maternal provisioning of ions for uptake by the embryos. Our data thus support roles of the nuchal organ in ionoregulation, pH regulation, and nitrogenous waste excretion.
Stable Immobilization of Enzyme on Pendant Glycidyl Group-Modified Mesoporous Carbon by Graft Polymerization of Poly(glycidyl methacrylate)
Authors: Shitanda Isao , Kato Takanao , Suzuki Ryo , Aikawa Tatsuo , Hoshi Yoshinao , Itagaki Masayuki , Tsujimura Seiya
Published: October 2019

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (poly(GMA)) bearing pendant glycidyl groups, grafted on the surface of MgO-templated carbon (MgOC), is useful for forming strong multipoint covalent bonds with amino functional groups on the surface of flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH) molecules. The immobilized FAD-GDH can generate glucose-oxidation catalytic current using 1,2-naphthoquinone (12NQ) as the redox mediator, which is also captured on the electrode surface. The catalytic current is more stable than that obtained using the FAD-GDH-MgOC electrode without poly(GMA) because the leaching of FAD-GDH and 12NQ is suppressed by the enzyme capping effect.
Malaria management in children with fever in rural Sierra Leone. Has anything changed after the Ebola outbreak?
Authors: Sesay Joseph Bangalie , Denisiuk Olga , Hann Katrina , Zachariah Rony , Moses Francis Lionel , Dumbuya Umaru
Published: October 2019

Background: Sierra Leone is one of the highest malaria burden countries in the world and was severely affected by the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak. As fever is a common symptom of both malaria and Ebola, it might have affected the management of fever in children. Among under-fives in Koinadugu district, Sierra Leone, we determined fever cases that had malaria diagnostic testing and treated with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) during pre-Ebola, intra-Ebola and post-Ebola periods.

Methods:  The study population included all children under five with fever who presented to 68 primary healthcare facilities in Koinadugu district. Malaria management was in line with national guidelines. All individuals presenting with fever should be subjected to a malaria diagnostic test, which may involve a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) or microscopy. Only confirmed malaria cases should receive ACTs.

The study spanned pre-Ebola (June 1, 2013 – April 30, 2014), intra-Ebola (June 1, 2014 – April 30, 2015) and post-Ebola (June 1, 2016 – April 30 ,2017) periods. Data were sourced directly from routine morbidity registers available at each health facility.

Results: In the 68 health facilities, fever cases increased from 43,245 pre-Ebola to 74,367 post-Ebola (1.7-fold increase). Diagnosed malaria ranged between 66% and 75%. Only 47% of malaria cases were treated during Ebola. ACT use was 95% pre-Ebola, 99% intra-Ebola and dropped to 71% post-Ebola. Post-Ebola, an average of 40 (59%) facilities had monthly stock-outs of ACT (range 28-45).

Conclusion: What has changed since the Ebola outbreak is the increased utilisation of services for malaria. However, ACT stockouts are of concern, and this requires attention in order to ensure compliance with national malaria treatment guidelines.
Platforms and the Exploration of New Products
Authors: Hagiu Andrei , Wright Julian
Published: October 2019

A key strategic decision for platforms is the extent to which they should facilitate the entry of untested new products and sellers alongside established products and sellers. Exploration by current buyers helps future buyers better value these products and sellers. This externality across buyers raises the possibility that there may be too little exploration from the platform’s perspective. On the other hand, when sellers have market power and so price strategically, and platforms extract a share of seller revenue (i.e., charge commissions), the direction of any such bias is not obvious. We provide a theory that predicts when the platform will prefer more, less, or the same level of exploration as that induced by sellers in equilibrium. Our theory can explain why platforms will sometimes have no incentive to steer buyers one way or another, or may actually want to steer buyers toward established products and sellers.

This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy.
The Friday Effect: Firm Lobbying, the Timing of Drug Safety Alerts, and Drug Side Effects
Authors: Diestre Luis , Barber Benjamin , Santaló Juan
Published: October 2019

Safety alerts are announcements made by health regulators warning patients and doctors about new drug-related side effects. However, not all safety alerts are equally effective. We provide evidence that the day of the week on which the safety alerts are announced explains differences in safety alert impact. Specifically, we show that safety alerts announced on Fridays are less broadly diffused: they are shared 34% less on social media, mentioned in 23% to 66% fewer news articles, and are 12% to 51% less likely to receive any news coverage at all. As a consequence of this, we propose Friday alerts are less effective in reducing drug-related side effects. We find that moving a Friday alert to any other weekday would reduce all drug-related side effects by 9% to 12%, serious drug-related complications by 6% to 15%, and drug-related deaths by 22% to 36%. This problem is particularly important because Friday was the most frequent weekday for safety alert announcements from 1999 to 2016. We show that this greater prevalence of Friday alerts might not be random: firms that lobbied the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the past are 49% to 56% more likely to have safety alerts announced on Fridays.

This paper was accepted by Stefan Scholtes, healthcare management.
STRUCTURAL DEFORMATION OF THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBAL CHALLENGES
Authors: Barkhatov Viktor , Kapkaev Iuner , Benz Daria , Kadyrov Pavel
Published: October 2019

The objective of the study is to determine the nature of heterogeneous structural deformations in the economy of Russia. The structural deformations result from the development strategy formed during the transitional period in the 1990s. Implementation of the strategy caused an increase in investment in the commodity sector along with its shortage in the high-tech sector; it resulted in a low knowledge-intensity level of the Russian production which became uncompetitive both on the domestic and global markets. The article covers all the aspects of the structural deformations in the Russian economy including the preconditions for these deformations to arise.
PERCEPTIONS AND INTENTIONS OF ADOPTING THE INTERNET OF THINGS BY GENERATION Z
Authors: Gonçalves Silvana Costa , Barbosa Belem , Rocha Anabela
Published: October 2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) represents a new technological revolution expected to impact all aspects of our daily lives in the future. Generation Z is foreseen as playing a fundamental role in the adoption of this type of technology, namely because of their growing importance as a consumer segment, their global role in the society, and in particular their close relationship with technology. However, extant literature on the adoption of IoT disregarded this segment. This paper aims to fulfill this gap, by exploring their knowledge, perceptions, and intentions of adopting IoT. After considering the main contributions in the consumer behavior literature regarding IoT, a qualitative approach was adopted, and 7 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Portuguese consumers aged 18-22. Content analysis was performed following the recommendations by Bardin (1977). The results showed that although Generation Z is not familiar with the concept of the IoT, they expressed a strong desire to integrate IoT technology in their lives, being open to its adoption in all fields of application, including for personal use, at home, and for work. One of the conclusions is that in order to foster the IoT adoption by this Generation, the functional benefits (performance, price, comfort, and safety) should be emphasized, so that the main risks perceived are weakened, namely the financial, performance, and physical risks.
COOPERATION BETWEEN HUMAN AND AGENTS IN HOLONIC MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
Authors: Grznár Patrik , Krajčovič Martin , Mozol Štefan , Schickerle Marek , Gabajová Gabriela , Bučková Monika
Published: October 2019

The current development in production is directed towards a system called socio-cyber-physical, where humans, machine facilities, materials, technologies and the environment work together. Processes in companies are enrolling in a platform called Industry 4.0. Production is more similar to a living organism where the planned dynamic in the field of logistic and production elements of the system are exchange by emergent dynamically moving fully adaptable autonomous agents. Agents are plant facilities that have software implemented with decisions rules and are not control by human. These autonomous agents communicate and interact with each other in a protocol. In the factories of the future, presence of humans is also predicted and therefore the humanization of communication and interaction between human and agents of system must be considered. The human becomes a living agent who will communicate with others and collaborate to achieve goals. In individual workplaces, agents will serve and support humans in service, production, inspection, supply etc. but also a human will do that for agents. Although production will behave Emergent it is necessary that the activity of agents support the activities of humans in the workplace and that is not possible without communication. In this point there is a need for mastering the communication between the human and the agent and this can be done through Chatbot systems. This paper is aimed at designing a potential coordination system between humans and agents in factories of the future by using Chatbot systems.
THE MECHANISM OF ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT IN THE REGIONS OF KAZAKHSTAN TO ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
Authors: Igaliyeva Laura , Yegemberdiyeva Saule
Published: October 2019

This article describes the objectives and methods of ecological environment management and sustainable environmental management at the regional level and with the impact of economic instruments. The optimum solutions to environmental management problems with a view to preserving natural resources and the reduction of risk of harm to the ecological environment were examined. Based on the analysis of conceptual approaches to the formation of the economic mechanism for ensuring environmental safety, the fundamental principles of the formation of this mechanism in Kazakhstan have been determined. On the basis of scientific research, measures are proposed for the effective operation of the economic mechanism of environmental management in Kazakhstan, which ensures the competitiveness of national products in the domestic and foreign markets, overall economic stability and national welfare in general.
THE CURRENT STATE OF PROJECT RISK ASSESSMENT AND EDUCATION NEEDS IN PROJECT RISK MANAGEMENT
Authors: Masár Matej , Hudáková Mária
Published: October 2019

Current trends show that education in the field of project risk management is a very actual topic. Long - term projects, which was realized in 2018, was mainly focused on R&D across the world. Short - term projects, was focused on innovation and improve manufacturing processes. Many projects failed because project managers did not manage project risks. Project managers have less knowledge and skills on how to effectively manage project risks, especially risks in the planning phase of projects.

The main aim of this article is to analyze the current state of usage project risk assessment across the world, based on own empirical research, which was provided, by authors in 2018 and 2019 (mainly level of usage project risk management methods, experience and level of education). The research focused on analyzing the current state of project risk assessment among continents. The authors focused on the average level of use qualitative and quantitative project risk analysis by project managers, level of project risk management experience by project managers and complexity of learning in using of qualitative and quantitative project risk management methods and tools.  Some recommendation were established to educate project managers in the field of project risk management.
EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS OF THE BULGARIAN FORESTRY AND FOREST-BASED INDUSTRY: A DEA APPROACH
Authors: Neykov Nikolay , Kitchoukov Emil , Antov Petar , Savov Viktor
Published: October 2019

The economic efficiency of forestry has long been a leading issue in the sector's economic research. The wide variety of policies, goals and models in forest management makes researching the factors of economic efficiency a constantly relevant issue. Since 1978 Data Envelopment Models have provided a comprehensive approach without following the particular assumptions for production function of forests. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models are quite suitable to estimate the efficiency and determine the weaknesses of forests and forest-based industries with their current state and structural weaknesses. The current study estimates the relative efficiency of the Bulgarian forestry and forest-based industries comparing it to those in the EU. The methodology applied provides a specific approach for classifying the countries by the share of their sectoral GVA in comparison to the overall country GVA. The results confirm that the Bulgarian forestry and forest-based industries are efficient compared to most EU countries. The paper develops further the results that the efficiency varies based on the share of forestry and of forest-based industries in the country GVA. The results reveal that in countries where forestry is better involved than forest based industries, the efficiencies are higher. The study also suggests solutions for problems of small countries like Bulgaria in order to achieve better efficiency of their respective economic sectors.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
Authors: Ruseva Margarita
Published: October 2019

Access to finance for the creative industries can be difficult, mainly due to the intangible nature of their assets and collateral, the limited scale of the market, the uncertainty of demand and the lack of expertise on the part of financial intermediaries, taking into account the specificities of the creative industry. Every organization should know the "life cycle of the project". It represents a sequence of phases (stages) in the development of the project from its beginning to its end. Splitting the phase design allows for better and more efficient implementation and management.

The aim of this article is to analyze, through in-depth analysis, the difficulties associated with the development, implementation and management of projects by the creative industries. These gaps in the skills of art managers were found after a survey based on an in-depth interview in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. This article reflects the results of the empirical study. The survey was conducted among 105 organizations and their managers working in the field of creative and recreational industries and identified gaps in project management, resource management, people, and risk assessment. Risk management is an element of the financial management of any organization, including art organizations. Good risk management is a guarantee for success and the achievement of the goals of art organizations. The environment in which the art develops is dynamic, provocative, and it requires an up-to-date risk assessment, which in turn is a requirement for knowing the stages, methods and mechanisms of risk reduction to dimensions that will give reasonable assurance to the organization's art management that the goals will be achieved.