bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between direct government subsidies and service scope of primary care facilities: a cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Li Zhong , Hung Peiyin , He Ruibo , Zhang Liang
Published: August 2020

Background

Comprehensive primary care practices, through preconception, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care, have been a global priority in the promotion of health. However, the scope of primary care services has still been in decline in China. Studies on the factors for primary care service scope have centred on human resources and infrastructure; the role of direct government subsidies (DGS) on services scope of primary care facilities were left unanswered. This study aimed to explore the association between the DGS and services scope of primary care facilities in China.

Methods

A multi-stage, clustered cross-sectional survey using self-administrated questionnaire was conducted among primary care facilities of 36 districts/counties in China. A total of 770 primary care facilities were surveyed with 757 (98.3%) valid respondents. Of the 757 primary care facilities, 469 (62.0%) provided us detailed information of financial revenue and DGS from 2009 to 2016. Therefore, 469 primary care facilities from 31 counties/districts were included in this study. Sasabuchi-Lind-Mehlum tests and multivariate regression models were used to examine the inverted U-shaped relationship between the DGS and service scope.

Results

Of 469 PCFs, 332 (70.8%) were township health centres. Proportion of annul DGS to FR arose from 26.5% in 2009 to 50.5% in 2016. At the low proportion of DGS to financial revenue, an increase in DGS was associated with an increased service scope of primary care facilities, whereas the proportion of DGS to financial revenue over 42.5% might cause narrowed service scope (P = 0.023, 95% CI 11.59–51.74%); for the basic medical care dimension, the cut point is 42.6%. However, association between DGS and service scope of public health by primary care facilities is statistically insignificant.

Conclusion

While the DGS successfully achieved equalization of basic preventive and public health services, the disproportionate proportion of DGS to financial revenue is associated with narrowed service scope, which might cause underutilization of primary care and distorted incentive structure of primary care. Future improvements of DGS should focus on the incentive of broader basic medical services provision, such as clarifying service scope of primary care facilities and strategic procurement with a performance-based subsidies system to determine resource allocation.
Simultaneous and sensitive determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid via an electrochemical sensor based on PVP-graphene composite
Authors: Wu Yiyong , Deng Peihong , Tian Yaling , Feng Jinxia , Xiao Jingyun , Li Junhua , Liu Jun , Li Guangli , He Quanguo
Published: August 2020

A method with high sensitivity, good accuracy and fast response is of ever increasing importance for the simultaneous detection of AA, DA and UA. In this paper, a simple and sensitive electrochemical sensor, which based on the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-graphene composite film modified glassy carbon electrode (PVP-GR/GCE), was presented for detecting ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) simultaneously. The PVP-GR/GCE has excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of AA, DA and UA. The second-order derivative linear sweep voltammetry was used for the electrochemical measurements. The peak potential differences of DA-AA, DA-UA, and UA-AA (measured on the PVP-GR/GCE) were 212, 130 and 342 mV respectively. Besides, the over potential of AA, DA and UA reduced obviously, so did the peak current increase. Under the optimum conditions, the linear ranges of AA, DA and UA were 4.0 μM–1.0 mM, 0.02–100 μM, and 0.04–100 μM, respectively. The detection limits were 0.8 μM, 0.002 μM and 0.02 μM for AA, DA, and UA. The electrochemical sensor presented the advantages of high sensitivity and selectivity, excellent reproducibility and long-term stability. Furthermore, the sensor was successfully applied to the analysis of real samples.
Preferences of physicians for public and private sector work
Authors: Scott Anthony , Holte Jon Helgeim , Witt Julia
Published: August 2020

Background

The public-private mix of healthcare remains controversial. This paper examines physicians’ preferences for public sector work in the context of dual practice, whilst accounting for other differences in the characteristics of jobs.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment is conducted with data from 3422 non-GP specialists from the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) panel survey of physicians.

Results

Physicians prefer to work in the public sector, though the value of working in the public sector is very small at 0.14% of their annual earnings to work an additional hour per week. These preferences are heterogeneous. Contrary to other studies that show risk averse individuals prefer public sector work, for physicians, we find that those averse to taking career or clinical risks prefer to work in the private sector. Those with relatively low earnings prefer public sector work and those with high earnings prefer private sector work, though these effects are small.

Conclusions

Other job characteristics are more important than the sector of work, suggesting that these should be the focus of policy to influence specialist’s allocation of time between sectors.
Capacity development in patient-oriented research: programme evaluation and impact analysis
Authors: Rosario Melanie King , Hebert Marilynne A. , Sahota Balreen Kaur , Eurich Dean
Published: August 2020

Background

National and provincial funding was invested to increase the quantity and quality of patient-oriented research (POR) across Canada. Capacity development became a priority to ensure all stakeholders were prepared to engage in POR. In part, this need was met through an annual Studentship competition in the province of Alberta, providing funding to students whose research incorporated principles of POR. However, despite efforts to build capacity in the health research trainee population, little is known about the outcomes of these programmes. This evaluation study examined the outcomes of a POR capacity development programme for health research trainees.

Methods

Final impact narrative reports were submitted by the 21 Studentship programme awardees for 2015 and 2016 who represent a variety of health disciplines across three major research universities. The reports describe the programme outcomes as well as the overall impact on individual, project and professional development as POR trainees. A synthesis of structured and categorised report data was conducted, along with additional qualitative analyses as new themes emerged that were not apparent in the competency framework utilised in the programme design.

Results

Awardee reports detailed the impact of the Studentship programme on the key themes of increased knowledge and skill, relationship building, confidence and leadership, as well as project and career impact. The impacts felt most profoundly by the awardees were not reflective of the competencies that guided programme design. The outcomes were then re-examined using a health research capacity development framework to gain a more comprehensive view of programme impact.

Conclusion

The Studentship programme narratives provided insight into the rarely tracked capacity development outcomes of POR research trainees. Awardee narratives indicated significant development beyond the intended competencies and suggested a need to revisit the competency framework for POR in Alberta. While competencies were useful in guiding the design of the initial programme, a more comprehensive capacity development framework was required to capture the broader impacts on trainee development. Future capacity development programmes may benefit from these early programme insights, specifically the need for more robust competencies for POR. Further exploration of evaluation methods for short-term awards and sustainability of capacity development programmes is warranted.
Twelve year trajectories of physical activity and health costs in mid-age Australian women
Authors: Gomes Grace A. O. , Brown Wendy J. , Codogno Jamile S. , Mielke Gregore I.
Published: August 2020

Background

Few studies have examined relationships between physical activity (PA) during mid-age and health costs in women. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between PA levels and trajectories over 12 years with medical and pharmaceutical costs in mid-age Australian women.

Methods

Data from 6953 participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (born in 1946–1951) were analysed in 2019. PA was self-reported in 2001 (50-55y), 2007 (56-61y) and 2013 (62-67y). PA data were linked with 2013–2015 data from the Medicare (MBS) and Pharmaceutical (PBS) Benefits Schemes. Quantile regression was used to examine associations between PA patterns [always active, increasers, decreasers, fluctuaters or always inactive (reference)] with these medical and pharmaceutical costs.

Results

Among women who were consistently inactive (< 500 MET.minutes/week) in 2001, 2007 and 2013, median MBS and PBS costs (2013 to 2015) were AUD4261 and AUD1850, respectively. Those costs were AUD1728 (95%CI: 443–3013) and AUD578 (95%CI: 426–729) lower among women who were consistently active in 2001, 2007 and 2013 than among those who were always inactive. PBS costs were also lower in women who were active at only one survey (AUD205; 95%CI: 49–360), and in those whose PA increased between 2001 and 2013 (AUD388; 95%CI: 232–545).

Conclusion

Maintaining ‘active’ PA status was associated with 40% lower MBS and 30% lower PBS costs over three years in Australian women. Helping women to remain active in mid-life could result in considerable savings for both women and the Australian government.
Recurrent synovitis of hip and MEFV gene related arthritis in children
Authors: Salehzadeh Farhad , Mirzarahimi Mehrdad
Published: August 2020

Background

Recurrent and relapsing arthritis has been proposed to describe a group of arthritis with recurring and periodic nature, in which the joints are intermittently involved.

This study reports three non-FMF patients with heterozygous MEFV gene mutations and an extraordinary arthritis as a recurrent synovitis of hip (RSH).

Methods

During 16-years from 2003 to 2019 at pediatric rheumatologic clinic among 195 recorded files with chronic oligoarthritis, 3 patients with diagnosis of recurrent synovitis of hip (RSH) were reviewed thoroughly. Peripheral blood was collected from patients and the samples were screened for the 12 common MEFV gene pathogenic variants.

Results

This study included three patients, two female and one male with relapsing idiopathic arthritis that has been located on hip joints as a sole manifestation and pathologic findings of MEFV mutations as follow: A744S, V726A, and R761H.

Conclusion

On the basis of possible role of MEFV gene in different rheumatic disease, MEFV gene related arthritis may be considered as a background of RSH particularly in Mediterranean area.
A familial case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in dizygotic twins
Authors: Quadir Ashfaque , Peacock Ken , Hsu Peter , Singh-Grewal Davinder , Alexander Stephen
Published: August 2020

Background

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) or necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis, was described separately by both Kikuchi and Fujimoto in Japan in the early 1970’s. Despite its rarity in the pediatric population, it is an important differential in persistent lymphadenopathy. Familial cases of KFD in the literature are rare. Here we describe the first reported case of KFD in non-identical twin sisters.

Case presentation

Twin 1 presented with a 3-week history of worsening right-sided cervical lymphadenopathy, daily fevers, significant lethargy, weight loss and arthralgia of her knees and ankles at the age of 12 years in 2015. She had had an unremarkable medical history. A biopsy of her lymph nodes showed histiocytic necrosis consistent with KFD. Twin 2 presented with a three-week history of lethargy, fatigue, weight loss and left-sided posterior cervical chain lymphadenopathy at 16 years of age in 2018. She had a history of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome and celiac disease. A biopsy of her lymph nodes was undertaken and showed histiocytic necrosis consistent with KFD.

Conclusions

KFD is a rare but self-limiting pathological process of necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis. Although further research is needed, there is an increasing amount of evidence which suggests a multifactorial pathological basis of disease. The two cases we document here are the first reported cases of familial KFD in dizygotic HLA-identical twins which reinforces the likely HLA-linkage in the etiology of KFD.
Prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in aortic disease: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Xu Yan , Fang Haiyang , Qiu Zhiqiang , Cheng Xiaoshu
Published: August 2020

Objective

Recent studies have reported that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of NLR in aortic disease.

Methods

We systematically searched electronic databases (Cochrane, PubMed, Elsevier, Medline, and Embase) from their inception to March 2020. Observational studies that evaluated the relationship between NLR and aortic disease were eligible for critical appraisal. Data were extracted from applicable articles, risk ratio (RR), weighted mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by RevMan 5.3, and statistical heterogeneity was assessed by the I2 statistic.

Results

Fourteen studies enrolling 4066 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, NLR was significantly higher in the aortic disease group (MD 3.44, 95%CI: 0.81–6.07, P = 0.01, I2 = 99%). The NLR was also significantly higher in non-survivors with aortic disease, compared to the survivors (MD 4.62, 95%CI: 2.75–6.50, P < 0.00001, I2 = 60%). Compared with the aortic disease patients with a low NLR, mortality was significantly higher in those with a high NLR (RR 2.63, 95%CI: 1.79–3.86, P < 0.00001, I2 = 67%).

Conclusion

Based on current evidence, an elevated NLR was associated with aortic disease and in-hospital mortality. Raised NLR also demonstrated a significantly increased the risk of mortality after surgical repair in aortic disease patients. NLR may be a good prognostic biomarker in aortic disease and deserve further research in this area.
Diabetes promotes invasive pancreatic cancer by increasing systemic and tumour carbonyl stress in KrasG12D/+ mice
Authors: Menini Stefano , Iacobini Carla , de Latouliere Luisa , Manni Isabella , Vitale Martina , Pilozzi Emanuela , Pesce Carlo , Cappello Paola , Novelli Francesco , Piaggio Giulia , Pugliese Giuseppe
Published: August 2020

Background

Type 1 and 2 diabetes confer an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (PaC) of similar magnitude, suggesting a common mechanism. The recent finding that PaC incidence increases linearly with increasing fasting glucose levels supports a central role for hyperglycaemia, which is known to cause carbonyl stress and advanced glycation end-product (AGE) accumulation through increased glycolytic activity and non-enzymatic reactions. This study investigated the impact of hyperglycaemia on invasive tumour development and the underlying mechanisms involved.

Methods

Pdx1-Cre;LSL-KrasG12D/+mice were interbred with mitosis luciferase reporter mice, rendered diabetic with streptozotocin and treated or not with carnosinol (FL-926-16), a selective scavenger of reactive carbonyl species (RCS) and, as such, an inhibitor of AGE formation. Mice were monitored for tumour development by in vivo bioluminescence imaging. At the end of the study, pancreatic tissue was collected for histology/immunohistochemistry and molecular analyses. Mechanistic studies were performed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines challenged with high glucose, glycolysis- and glycoxidation-derived RCS, their protein adducts AGEs and sera from diabetic patients.

Results

Cumulative incidence of invasive PaC at 22 weeks of age was 75% in untreated diabetic vs 25% in FL-926-16-gtreated diabetic and 8.3% in non-diabetic mice. FL-926-16 treatment suppressed systemic and pancreatic carbonyl stress, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 activation, and nuclear translocation of Yes-associated protein (YAP) in pancreas. In vitro, RCS scavenging and AGE elimination completely inhibited cell proliferation stimulated by high glucose, and YAP proved essential in mediating the effects of both glucose-derived RCS and their protein adducts AGEs. However, RCS and AGEs induced YAP activity through distinct pathways, causing reduction of Large Tumour Suppressor Kinase 1 and activation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor/ERK signalling pathway, respectively.

Conclusions

An RCS scavenger and AGE inhibitor prevented the accelerating effect of diabetes on PainINs progression to invasive PaC, showing that hyperglycaemia promotes PaC mainly through increased carbonyl stress. In vitro experiments demonstrated that both circulating RCS/AGEs and tumour cell-derived carbonyl stress generated by excess glucose metabolism induce proliferation by YAP activation, hence providing a molecular mechanism underlying the link between diabetes and PaC (and cancer in general).
Using electroacupuncture to recover muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis after total knee arthroplasty: a study protocol for a double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Xu Hui , Kang Bingxin , Li Yulin , Xie Jun , Sun Songtao , Zhong Sheng , Gao Chenxin , Xu Xirui , Zhao Chi , Qiu Guowei , Xiao Lianbo
Published: August 2020

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a gold standard for patients with terminal term gonarthrosis for reducing pain, correcting deformities, and regaining stability. However, post-TKA muscle strength recovery is often difficult. Although electroacupuncture (EA) enhances lower extremity muscle strength of the lower extremity, there is limited evidence regarding its effect on lower extremity muscle strength in post-TKA patients. Consequently, this trial intends to evaluate the efficacy of post-TKA EA on the recovery of lower extremity muscle strength, specifically, during the early post-TKA period.

Methods/design

This is a double-blinded, randomized, and controlled trial. It will be conducted between August 2020 and December 2020. Ninety-four participants with KOA who have undergone unilateral TKA will be randomized into a treatment (EA) group and a control (sham EA) group. The former and latter groups will receive EA and sham EA, respectively, at ST37, ST36, SP10, and SP9 acupoints. The participants will undergo ten treatment sessions over 2 weeks (5 sessions per week). The primary outcomes will include changes in muscle strength and the Hospital for Special Surgery score at the second week from baseline (pre-op 1 day or POD 3). The secondary outcomes will include a 4-m walk test, numerical rating scale score, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale score, and additional analgesia use. Additional outcomes will include the incidence of analgesia-related side effects and the participant satisfaction rate. Participant blinding will also be assessed where they will be asked to guess whether they received EA after the latest intervention. Adverse EA events will be documented and assessed throughout the trial.

Discussion

EA is helpful for post-TKA recovery and enhancement of lower limb muscle strength.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900027806. Registered on 29 November 2019
Resistance to commonly used insecticides and underlying mechanisms of resistance in Aedes aegypti (L.) from Sri Lanka
Authors: Fernando H. Sachini D. , Saavedra-Rodriguez Karla , Perera Rushika , Black William C. , De Silva B. G. D. Nissanka Kolitha
Published: August 2020

Background

Drastic increases of dengue fever (DF) over the past few years have prompted studies on the development of resistance to insecticides in the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus). In Sri Lanka control of the vector population is essentially achieved using larvicides (temephos) and adulticides (principally pyrethroids). The present study investigates resistance to commonly used insecticides and underlying mechanisms of Ae. aegypti in selected sites in Sri Lanka.

Methods

In this study, susceptibility to three commonly used adulticides (malathion, permethrin and deltamethrin) and the larvicide temephos were tested for Ae. aegypti sampled from five localities in Sri Lanka using WHO dose diagnostics tests. In addition, we performed dose-response tests for permethrin to determine lethal concentrations (LCs) with CDC bottle bioassays. An assessment of the activity of metabolic detoxifying enzymes (multifunction oxidases (MFOs), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and esterases) and determination of frequency of the kdr mutations (F1534C, V1016G and S989P) were also carried out to ascertain the associated resistance mechanisms. Kdr genotype frequencies were compared with samples collected from the same sites in 2015 to determine the change of allele frequencies over the years.

Results

The present study revealed resistance in all Ae. aegypti populations studied, with low mortality percentages for both permethrin (10–89%) and deltamethrin (40–92%). Dose response tests revealed highest resistance ratios (RR) for permethrin and temephos from Colombo district whereas Puttalum district exhibited the lowest. High frequencies of the 1534C allele (0.052–0.802) were found in the study sites in 2017. Comparison with samples collected in 2015 revealed a substantial increase in this allele. The activity of MFOs and p-nitro phenyl-acetate esterase was significantly greater in most Sri Lankan populations in comparison to that of the New Orleans (NO) susceptible strain. In contrast, the activity of α-esterase and β-esterase was similar or lower than that in the NO strain.

Conclusions

Aedes aegypti from Sri Lanka is resistant to pyrethroid insecticides showing rapid selection for kdr mutations and varying metabolic mechanisms. Continued monitoring of vector populations is crucial to mitigate the development of resistance to commonly used insecticides and in turn, controlling the vector population.
MylynSDP — Process - aware artifact filtering based on interest
Authors: Portugal Ivens , Oliveira Toacy , Alencar Paulo , Cowan Donald
Published: August 2020

A software development process is used by software engineers to guide their activities during all phases of the software product development. When executing a software development process, software engineers may lose time and effort while searching for artifacts or changing contexts. This happens, for example, when they need to search for a specific code file in a list of hundreds of files or when they interrupt an activity to execute another but forget specific details and need to re-execute searches related to the previous activity. This impacts their productivity negatively, because extra time and effort are spent into non-productive work. Therefore, automated assistance is required to mitigate or avoid these issues. The Degree of Interest (DOI) function infers an element’s importance in a context, helping software engineers to handle many artifacts. Mylyn, an Eclipse IDE plugin, uses a DOI function on Java documents to assist programmers when looking for code documents during development. However, Mylyn’s DOI function is limited to the implementation phase of software processes and relies on manual task creation. This paper presents MylynSDP, a software Process-aware extension to Mylyn’s DOI function. MylynSDP’s DOI function infers an artifact’s importance during an activity and filters uninteresting artifacts, reducing the time taken to search items and improving productivity. Mylyn code was augmented, and an evaluation study was performed. Seven subjects executed a software process with many artifacts. Exercise times were recorded for productivity analysis. Subjects answered a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire. New task and artifact creation wizards link tasks and artifacts to specification activities and artifacts, respectively. A new interaction event handles context creation, and the DOI function was extended to other software process phases. Exercise time reduction shows a productivity increase. TAM questionnaire answers show a positive overall willingness to adopt MylynSDP and provide evidence that using a DOI function in different software process phases increases productivity. This work advances the state of the art in software engineering by providing additional methods to support artifact search and discovery, context change management, and artifact relevance mechanisms.
Evolution and development of three highly specialized floral structures of bee-pollinated Phalaenopsis species
Authors: Pramanik Dewi , Dorst Nemi , Meesters Niels , Spaans Marlies , Smets Erik , Welten Monique , Gravendeel Barbara
Published: August 2020

Background

Variation in shape and size of many floral organs is related to pollinators. Evolution of such organs is driven by duplication and modification of MADS-box and MYB transcription factors. We applied a combination of micro-morphological (SEM and micro 3D-CT scanning) and molecular techniques (transcriptome and RT-PCR analysis) to understand the evolution and development of the callus, stelidia and mentum, three highly specialized floral structures of orchids involved in pollination. Early stage and mature tissues were collected from flowers of the bee-pollinated Phalaenopsis equestris and Phalaenopsis pulcherrima, two species that differ in floral morphology: P. equestris has a large callus but short stelidia and no mentum, whereas P. pulcherrima has a small callus, but long stelidia and a pronounced mentum.

Results

Our results show the stelidia develop from early primordial stages, whereas the callus and mentum develop later. In combination, the micro 3D-CT scan analysis and gene expression analyses show that the callus is of mixed petaloid-staminodial origin, the stelidia of staminodial origin, and the mentum of mixed sepaloid-petaloid-staminodial origin. SEP clade 1 copies are expressed in the larger callus of P. equestris, whereas AP3 clade 1 and AGL6 clade 1 copies are expressed in the pronounced mentum and long stelidia of P. pulcherrima. AP3 clade 4, PI-, AGL6 clade 2 and PCF clade 1 copies might have a balancing role in callus and gynostemium development. There appears to be a trade-off between DIV clade 2 expression with SEP clade 1 expression in the callus, on the one hand, and with AP3 clade 1 and AGL6 clade 1 expression in the stelidia and mentum on the other.

Conclusions

We detected differential growth and expression of MADS box AP3/PI-like, AGL6-like and SEP-like, and MYB DIV-like gene copies in the callus, stelidia and mentum of two species of Phalaenopsis, of which these floral structures are very differently shaped and sized. Our study provides a first glimpse of the evolutionary developmental mechanisms driving adaptation of Phalaenopsis flowers to different pollinators by providing combined micro-morphological and molecular evidence for a possible sepaloid–petaloid–staminodial origin of the orchid mentum.
Non-classical presentation of vitamin D deficiency: a case report
Authors: Ibrahim Mohanad Kamaleldin Mahmoud , Elnimeiri Mustafa Khidir Mustafa
Published: August 2020

Background

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin; vitamin D is essential to sustain health and it protects against osteoporosis. It is crucial to the human body’s physiology in terms of muscular movement and neurological signal transmission, and to the immune system in defense against invading pathogens.

Case presentation

This was a case of a 26-year-old Sudanese woman who presented with a 2-year history of anosmia, recurrent nasal polyps, back pain, and chronic fatigue. She was diagnosed as having a case of vitamin D deficiency and responded well to treatment.

Conclusion

There is an association between vitamin D deficiency and recurrent allergic nasal conditions.
Two-year long safety and efficacy of deferasirox film-coated tablets in patients with thalassemia or lower/intermediate risk MDS: phase 3 results from a subset of patients previously treated with deferasirox in the ECLIPSE study
Authors: Tartaglione Immacolata , Origa Raffaella , Kattamis Antonis , Pfeilstöcker Michael , Gunes Sibel , Crowe Susanne , Fagan Niamh , Vincenzi Beatrice , Ruffo Giovan Battista
Published: August 2020

Background

Despite the proven benefits of iron chelation therapy (ICT) in the management of chronic iron overload and related complications, compliance to long-term ICT is challenging. Results from the ECLIPSE study, an open-label, randomized, multicenter, 2-arm, phase 2 study evaluated the safety of deferasirox dispersible tablet and film-coated tablet (FCT) formulations in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) or very low, low, or intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) treated over 24 weeks.

Methods

The aim of the current study (a 2-year, open-label, multicenter, single-arm, phase 3 study) is to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of deferasirox FCT in a subset of patients with TDT or lower/intermediate-risk MDS treated for 2 years after the completion of 24 weeks of treatment with deferasirox in the ECLIPSE phase 2 study.

Results

Of 53 patients enrolled, 34 (64.2%) completed treatment and study. Adverse events (AEs) reported in most patients (~ 70%) were of mild to moderate severity. Headache and diarrhea were the most frequently (> 25%) reported AEs. None of the serious AEs (including 1 death) were considered treatment related. No new safety signal was identified, and long-term safety of deferasirox FCT was consistent with the known safety profile of deferasirox. No major concerns associated with gastrointestinal tolerability, renal safety, or hematological abnormalities (thrombocytopenia/neutropenia) were reported during the 2 years. Patients receiving deferasirox FCT had a treatment compliance (by pill count) of ~ 90% and persistence (continuous use for ≥ 30 days) of > 95%. Reduction in serum ferritin level was almost consistent starting from week 2 across all post-baseline time points (relative reduction: month 6, 19%; month 12, 29%).

Conclusions

The results from this 2-year interventional study suggest that the recommended dosing of deferasirox FCT, with better tolerability, palatability, and compliance, offers a favorable option of ICT for long-term management of iron overload and associated complications in TDT.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02720536. Registered 28 March 2016, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02720536
Correction to: Disruption of hypoxia-inducible fatty acid binding protein 7 induces beige fat-like differentiation and thermogenesis in breast cancer cells
Authors: Kawashima Masahiro , Bensaad Karim , Zois Christos E. , Barberis Alessandro , Bridges Esther , Wigfield Simon , Lagerholm Christoffer , Dmitriev Ruslan I. , Tokiwa Mariko , Toi Masakazu , Papkovsky Dmitri B. , Buffa Francesca M. , Harris Adrian L.
Published: August 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Massive migration promotes the early spread of COVID-19 in China: a study based on a scale-free network
Authors: Song Wen-Yu , Zang Pan , Ding Zhong-Xing , Fang Xin-Yu , Zhu Li-Guo , Zhu Ya , Bao Chang-Jun , Chen Feng , Wu Ming , Peng Zhi-Hang
Published: August 2020

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic met coincidentally with massive migration before Lunar New Year in China in early 2020. This study is to investigate the relationship between the massive migration and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in China.

Methods

The epidemic data between January 25th and February 15th and migration data between Jan 1st and Jan 24th were collected from the official websites. Using the R package WGCNA, we established a scale-free network of the selected cities. Correlation analysis was applied to describe the correlation between the Spring Migration and COVID-19 epidemic.

Results

The epidemic seriousness in Hubei (except the city of Wuhan) was closely correlated with the migration from Wuhan between January 10 and January 24, 2020. The epidemic seriousness in the other provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions was largely affected by the immigration from Wuhan. By establishing a scale-free network of the regions, we divided the regions into two modules. The regions in the brown module consisted of three municipalities, nine provincial capitals and other 12 cities. The COVID-19 epidemics in these regions were more likely to be aggravated by migration.

Conclusions

The migration from Wuhan could partly explain the epidemic seriousness in Hubei Province and other regions. The scale-free network we have established can better evaluate the epidemic. Three municipalities (Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin), eight provincial capitals (including Nanjing, Changsha et al.) and 12 other cities (including Qingdao, Zhongshan, Shenzhen et al.) were hub cities in the spread of COVID-19 in China.
The Samuel F. B. Morse statue in Central Park: scientific study and laser cleaning of a 19th-century American outdoor bronze monument
Authors: Basso Elena , Pozzi Federica , Reiley Matthew C.
Published: August 2020

Many of Central Park’s bronze statues were coated with lacquer as a protective measure between the late 1970s and early 1990s. In several cases, these coatings outlasted their performance life and were no longer adequately protecting the sculptures. In 2010, a cyclical campaign to remove and refurbish the coatings provided an opportunity to closely assess the condition of de-coated surfaces and to develop suitable, sustainable treatment approaches. The Samuel F. B. Morse statue, created in 1870 by Byron Pickett, commemorates the 19th-century painter and inventor known for the telegraphic code that bears his name. Initially, samples from this statue were collected on the field and analyzed with various techniques to characterize the degradation products that were heavily affecting its surface and the organic coatings used to protect the bronze. Various corrosion species, mainly sulfates and chlorides, were identified by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), while pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) revealed that the organic coatings were based on mineral wax and acrylics. These results informed a decision to relocate the statue to a controlled workshop space to aid in the manipulation of the large figure and optimize cleaning by laser ablation. Treatment was monitored through three campaigns of analysis using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectroscopy, performed on select locations, to characterize the extent of corrosion across the sculpture’s surface and monitor changes on the target areas throughout the cleaning. Following the initial phase of treatment, pXRF showed the substantial removal of iron- and lead-rich compounds from the brownish-toned coating and atmospheric pollution deposition. In the subsequent treatment phases, variations in the relative amounts of sulfates and chlorides were noted and further investigated through the examination of a cross section by means of scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Based on the findings of iron-containing pigments in the organic coating, a decision to apply a new, similar, translucent, brown-toned coating containing such coloring materials was made to achieve the desired visual nuance for the finish and provide additional corrosion protection to the bronze. Scientific analysis on the Morse statue has helped characterize its materials, methods of fabrication, and current conditions on a microscopic scale; in addition, it has guided the means and methodologies of treatment and relays essential information useful for future preservation.
The color of risk protection orders: gun violence, gun laws, and racial justice
Authors: Swanson Jeffrey W.
Published: August 2020

Background

Extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws give municipal police officers new authority, through a civil restraining order, to remove firearms from people who are deemed to pose an imminent risk of causing serious harm to others or themselves. Despite the expected public safety benefit of ERPOs, it is possible that implicit racial bias could infect ERPO petitions, the court processes that authorize and extend the gun removal orders, or the behavior of the police in serving and enforcing them. How might potential racial disparities in ERPO implementation qualify the evidence that this intervention saves lives? What should gun violence prevention researchers and stakeholders do to promote racial justice?

Main text

This commentary reflects upon an innovative and promising legal tool for gun violence prevention through the lens of racial justice concerns. Emerging research, guided by a public health paradigm, asks whether ERPOs save lives. But now is the time to pose other important questions as well. Preventing gun violence and mitigating the disproportionate impact of arrests and incarceration in communities of color are two important goals that may collide. The origin story of many U.S. firearm restrictions, and the continuing disparities in their enforcement and implementation, are intertwined with the legacy of systemic racial discrimination in policing and criminal justice in the United States. The public policy challenge of balancing risk and rights is increasingly fraught, especially as constituencies with a different interest in one or the other concern find themselves standing on opposite sides of a privilege chasm.

Conclusion

Saving lives from gun violence matters, but ensuring that the lives saved are also respected--free from racial oppression, afforded equal justice--also matters. This commentary is a call to include racial disparities impact as an essential outcome of interest for ERPO studies specifically, but more broadly for all public health law research studies at the intersection of firearm injury prevention, law enforcement, and criminal justice.
The relationship between school meals with thinness and stunting among primary school students, in Meket Wereda, Ethiopia: comparing schools with feeding and non-feeding program
Authors: Demilew Yeshalem Mulugeta , Nigussie Azezu Asres
Published: August 2020

Background

Though undernutrition affects academic performance, significant number of Ethiopian school children have undernutrition. To avert nutritional problems the government in collaboration with the world food program has implemented a school feeding program. However, data on the nutritional status of primary school students were scarce in the country. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between school meals with thinness and stunting among primary school students in Meket Woreda and to identify associated factors.

Methods

A school-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 1091 students, from April 1–27, 2015. The study participants were selected using a multi-stage stratified sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data entry and analysis were done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were done. Anthropometric data were analyzed using Anthro-plus software.

Results

In univariate analysis, thinness was commoner in nonschool feeding program schools (37.5%) compared to school feeding program schools (27.8%) but stunting was less common (48.3% versus 58.5%). However, after adjustment for confounding, there was no difference in stunting levels, but the adjusted odds ratio for thinness in nonschool feeding program schools was 2.6 (95% CI: (1.8, 3.8)) times higher than in school feeding program schools. Other independent risk factors for thinness were: having uneducated mother, being a male and taking meal once daily. Independent risk factors for stunting were ethnicity, having uneducated mother, un-piped water supply, taking meal once daily, type of diet and being a male.

Conclusion

The provision of meals seems to offer considerable protection against thinness, though not against stunting. Thus, school meal program should be scaling up into schools in food insecure areas.
In vivo evaluation of pharmacological properties of Argentine stingless bee geopropolis
Authors: Brodkiewicz Ivana Y. , Reynoso Marcos A. , Vera Nancy R.
Published: August 2020

Background

Propolis is a natural product that has been widely utilized as medicine and dietary supplement because of its broad biological activities. However, although meliponide hive products have many advantages, meliponiculture has not yet become popular in Argentina, and few scientific studies on its chemical composition and/or its bioactive properties were reported, so the use of stingless bee propolis Argentine in popular medicine continues to be based on empirical knowledge.

Our work aims to evaluate in vivo anti-inflammatory, antitussive and expectorant activities, and acute toxicity of the Argentine geopropolis ethanol extracts of two stingless bee’s species,Scaptotrigona jujuyensisSchrottky andTetragonisca fiebrigiSchwarz. Wistar male rats were used for all in vivo studies. Anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated through carrageenan-induced edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation. Antitussive activity was assessed against ammonia-induced cough. Expectorant activity was measured by volume of phenol red in the rats’ tracheas. The extract doses tested were 125, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg (p.o.). The safety was evaluated with test of acute toxicity (48 h).

Results

The results showed thatS. jujuyensisandT. fiebrigipropolis (1000 mg/kg) significantly reduced the carrageenan-induced edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation 3 h post-dosing. In the ammonia liquor-induced cough, both propolis significantly enhanced the latent period and reduced cough frequency as compared with those of the negative control. However, they did not increase the expulsion of red phenol in the treated rats.

Conclusions

This study shows that ethanol extracts ofS. jujuyensisandT. fiebrigipropolis have anti-inflammatory and antitussive effects. These findings would justify the use of geopropolis in medicine as a potential phytotherapeutic product.

Graphical abstract
Modeling of fiber-optic strain responses to hydraulic fracturing
Authors: Zhang Zhishuai , Fang Zijun , Stefani Joe , DiSiena James , Bevc Dimitri , Lim Chen Ning Ivan , Hughes Kelly , Tan Yunhui
Published: August 2020

We modeled cross-well strain/strain rate responses of fiber optic sensing, including distributed strain sensing (DSS) and low-frequency distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), to hydraulic stimulation. DSS and low-frequency DAS have been used to measure strain or the strain rate to characterize hydraulic fractures. However, the current application of DSS/DAS is limited to acquisition, processing, and qualitative interpretations. The lack of geomechanical models hinders the development of the technology toward quantitative interpretation and inversion. We have developed a strategy to use the displacement discontinuity method to model the strain field around kinematically propagating fractures. For a horizontal monitoring well, modeling results were able to explain the heart-shaped extending pattern before a fracture hit, the polarity flip due to fracture interaction during stimulation, and the V-shaped pattern when a fracture does not intersect with the monitoring well. For a vertical monitoring well, modeling shows the different characters of strain rate responses when a fracture is near and far away from a vertical monitoring well. We also investigated the effects of fractures with various geometries such as elliptic and layered fractures. We compared and verified the modeling with field data from the Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2, a research experiment performed in the Permian Basin. Our modeling work can be used to identify patterns in field observations. The results also help to improve acquisition design and lay the groundwork for quantitative interpretation and inversion.
An improved method for lithology identification based on a hidden Markov model and random forests
Authors: Wang Pu , Chen Xiaohong , Wang Benfeng , Li Jingye , Dai Hengchang
Published: August 2020

Subsurface petrophysical properties usually differ between different reservoirs, which affects lithology identification, especially for unconventional reservoirs. Thus, the lithology identification of subsurface reservoirs is a challenging task. Machine learning can be regarded as an effective method for using existing data for lithology prediction. By combining the hidden Markov model and random forests, we have adopted a novel method for lithology identification. The hidden Markov model provides a new hidden feature from elastic parameters, which is associated with unsupervised learning. Because elastic parameters are determined by petrophysical properties, the hidden feature may reveal an inner relationship of the petrophysical properties, which can expand the sample space. Then, with the new feature and the elastic parameters, the random forest method is adopted for lithology identification. In the prediction framework, the parameters of the hidden Markov model are updated until a satisfactory hidden feature is obtained. By analysis of synthetic and well-logging data, the superiority of the proposed method is demonstrated. Field seismic data application further proves the validity of the method. Numerical results show that the predicted lithology and shale content match well with real logging data.
Seismic well tie by aligning impedance log with inverted impedance from seismic data
Authors: Zhang Bo , Yang Yahua , Pan Yong , Wu Hao , Cao Danping
Published: August 2020

The accuracy of seismic inversion is affected by the seismic wavelet and time-depth relationship generated by the process of the seismic well tie. The seismic well tie is implemented by comparing the synthetic seismogram computed from well logs and the poststack seismogram at or nearby the borehole location. However, precise waveform matching between the synthetic seismogram and the seismic trace does not guarantee an accurate tie between the elastic properties contained represented by the seismic data and well logs. We have performed the seismic well tie using the impedance log and the impedance inverted from poststack seismic data. We use an improved dynamic time warping to align the impedance log and impedance inverted from seismic data. Our workflow is similar to the current procedure of the seismic well tie except that the matching is implemented between the impedance log and the inverted impedance. The current seismic well-tie converges if there is no visible changes for the wavelets and time-depth relationship in the previous and current tying loops. Similarly, our seismic well tie converges if there are no visible changes for the wavelets, inverted impedance, and time-depth relationship in the previous and current tying loops. The real data example illustrates that more accurate inverted impedance is obtained by using the new wavelet and time-depth relationship.