bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of the Presence of Children on Adult Smoking Behaviour: Empirical Evidence Based on China Family Panel Studies
Authors: LIN Haoxiang , Chang Chun , LIU Zhao , Tan huaqing
Published: August 2020

Background: Despite a number of studies linking family and marriage factors with health behaviour, the effects of children on the health behaviour of parents are still understudied. This study explored the association between the presence of children and adults’ smoking behaviours.Methods: This study used panel data from the China Family Panel Studies 2010 and 2012, and the data set included 23157 households and 45513 adults. Logistic regression was performed to analyse the association of the presence of children on adults’ smoking behaviours. Subgroup regression was used to examine heterogeneous effects.Results: Full sample regressions showed that the number of children was significantly inversely associated with smoking behaviour (OR=0.93; 95% 0.90-0.96). Further subsample regression finds that such effect is only significant among the high-education group (OR= 0.92; 95% 0.87-0.97), high-skill workers (OR= 0.89; 95% 0.80-0.99) and couples who had an age gap greater than 2 years (OR=0.91; 95% 0.88-0.95).Conclusions: Our findings confirm the existence of the upward intergenerational effect of the presence of children on adults’ smoking behaviour in China. However, such effects are not equal across all demographic characteristics. Future research could explore other parts of the upward mechanism and possible pathways for a stronger effect. In resource-poor areas, targeting cessation activities at those who have children at an early age may be an effective strategy.
Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive Symptoms Among High School Adolescent Girls in Southern Uganda
Authors: Nabunya Proscovia , Damulira Christopher , Byansi William , Muwanga Joelynn , Bahar Ozge Sensoy , Namuwonge Flavia , Ighofose Eloho , Brathwaite Rachel , Tumwesige Wilberforce , Ssewamala Fred M
Published: August 2020

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), adolescent girls and young women are three times more likely than boys to have depressive disorders. Understanding adolescents’ unique and common vulnerabilities and protective factors is essential for the development of appropriate interventions and programming focused on child and adolescent mental health. This paper examines the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms among high school adolescent girls in southern Uganda. Methods: Baseline data from a longitudinal cluster randomized study involving 1260 adolescent girls (14–17 years), recruited from 47 secondary schools were utilized. Depressive symptoms were estimated using the 21-item Beck’s Depression Inventory. Hierarchical linear regression modelling was utilized to estimate key predictors of depressive symptoms among adolescent girls. Results: Of the total sample, 16.35% (n=206) reported severe depressive symptoms and almost one in every three adolescent girls interviewed (29.68%, n=374) reported moderate symptoms. These symptoms were more prevalent among older adolescents (16 years and above). In addition, family relationships, social support, as well as measures of psychological wellbeing (self-concept and self-esteem) were all associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Hopelessness was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms among adolescent girls. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate a high prevalence of depressive symptoms, especially among older adolescent girls. In addition, family support factors and adolescents’ psychological wellbeing were associated with low levels of depressive symptoms –pointing to the need to strengthen family functioning and adolescent’s psychological wellbeing to mitigate risks. Taken together, findings support increasing calls for early screening and detection of depressive symptoms to facilitate timely referral to care and treatment. Findings may also inform the development and incorporation of gender-specific mental health components in programming targeting adolescent girls, in low-resource communities in SSA.Trial Registration: This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (registrationnumber: NCT03307226) on 11 October 2017.
Retrospective analysis for the LNM risk factors and effect of chemotherapy for the early colorectal cancer: A Chinese multicenter study
Authors: Zeng Chunyan , Xiong Dandan , Cheng Fei , Luo Qingtian , Wang Qiang , Huang Jun , Lan Guilian , Zhong Huan , Chen Youxiang
Published: August 2020

Background Estimating the risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is crucial for determining subsequent treatments following curative resection of early colorectal cancer (ECC). This multicenter study analyzed the risk factors of LNM and the effectiveness of postoperative chemotherapy in patients with ECC.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 473 patients with ECC who underwent general surgery in five hospitals between January 2007 and October 2018. The correlations between LNM and sex, age, tumor size, tumor location, endoscopic morphology, pathology, depth of invasion and tumor budding (TB) were directly estimated based on postoperative pathological analysis. We also observed the overall survival (OS) and recurrence in ECC patients with and without LNM after matching according to baseline measures. Results In total, 473 ECC patients were observed, 288 patients were enrolled, and 17 patients had LNM (5.90%). The univariate analysis revealed that tumor size, pathology, and lymphovascular invasion were associated with LNM in ECC (P=0.026, 0.000, and 0.000, respectively), and the multivariate logistic regression confirmed that tumor size, pathology, and lymphovascular invasion were risk factors for LNM (P=0.021, 0.023, and 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in OS and recurrence between the ECC patients with and without LNM after matching based on baseline measures (P=0.158 and 0.346, respectively), and no significant difference was observed between chemotherapy and no chemotherapy in ECC patients without LNM after surgery (P=0.729 and 0.052).Conclusion Tumor size, pathology, and lymphovascular invasion are risk factors for predicting LNM in ECC patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy could improve OS and recurrence in patients with LNM but not always in ECC patients without LNM.
Clinical utility of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease in Korea
Authors: Lee Jongmin , Jang Hyemin , Kang Sung Hoon , Kim Jaeho , Kim Ji-Sun , Kim Jun Pyo , Kim Hee Jin , Seo Sang Won , Na Duk L.
Published: August 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to erroneous posting.
Description of Emergency Medical Services, treatment of cardiac arrest patients and cardiac arrest registries in Europe
Authors: Tjelmeland Ingvild Beathe Myrhaugen , Masterson Siobhan , Herlitz Johan , Wnent Jan , Bossaert Leo , Ortiz Fernando Rosell , Alm-Kruse Kristin , Bein Berthold , Lilja Gisela , Gräsner Jan-Thorsten
Published: August 2020

Background: Variation in the incidence, survival rate and factors associated with survival after cardiac arrest in Europe is reported. Some studies have tried to fill the knowledge gap regarding the epidemiology of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Europe but were unable to identify reasons for the reported differences. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe European Emergency Medical Systems, particularly from the perspective of country and ambulance service characteristics, cardiac arrest identification, dispatch, treatment, and monitoring.Methods: An online questionnaire with 51 questions about ambulance and dispatch characteristics, on-scene management of cardiac arrest and the availability and dataset in cardiac arrest registries, was sent to all national coordinators who participated in the European Registry of Cardiac Arrest studies. In addition, individual invitations were sent to the remaining European countries.Results: Participants from 28 European countries responded to the questionnaire. Results were combined with official information on population density. Overall, the number of Emergency Medical Service missions, level of training of personnel, availability of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and the involvement of first responders varied across and within countries. There were similarities in team training, availability of key resuscitation equipment and permission for ongoing performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during transported. The quality of reporting to cardiac arrest registries varied, as well as the data availability in the registries.Conclusions: Throughout Europe there are important differences in Emergency Medical Service systems and the response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Explaining these differences is complicated due to significant variation in how variables are reported to and used in registries.
Employment Changes among Chinese Family Caregivers of Long-Term Cancer Survivors
Authors: Liu Siqi , Su Mingzhu , Yao Nengliang , Zhang Nan , Wang Jialin , Anderson Roger. T. , Sun Xiaojie
Published: August 2020

Background: Family caregivers (FCGs) play a key role in the plan of care provision for long-term cancer survivors, yet few studies have been conducted as for the corresponding influence on them. This study aimed to better understand the effect of such a role on the employment status of FCGs, and identify cancer-related characteristics that influence FCGs’ employment status in the post-treatment phase in China. Methods: We surveyed 1155 cancer survivors (>1 year since completing treatment) from the cross‐sectional study “China Survey of Experiences with Cancer”. Participants reported changes in employment status of their FCGs. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample of survivors and FCGs’ employment status. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to examine the association between participant cancer characteristics and changes in FCGs’ employment status.Results: In the primary treatment phase, 45.6% of all FCGs reduced their working hours and 17.4% stopped working altogether. In the post-treatment phase, 25.2% of FCGs reduced working hours and 6.6% stopped working. A higher probability of change in employment status among FCGs was associated with the following cancer-related characteristics: late-stage diagnosis, chemotherapy treatment, comorbidity, and limited ability to perform physical and mental tasks.Conclusions: Cancer treatment and post-treatment demands may have a great number of impacts on the employment and economic productivity of Chinese FCGs. Interventions to assist them in maintaining employment are warranted across the whole survivorship trajectory.
Early gastric cancer with three gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors combined with synchronous colon cancer: A case report
Authors: Lee Sung Chul , Nam Kwangwoo , Nam Dajeong , Kwon Min A , Kim Dong-Wook
Published: August 2020

Background: There have been very few reports of patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) and colorectal cancer combined with gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).Case presentation: We report the case of a patient with multiple tumors that were found at the same time in the abdomen. The patient was a 77-year-old man who was referred for a gastric GIST. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed the known lesion (a gastric GIST) on the lesser curvature of the upper body and a new lesion on the lesser curvature of the lower body of the stomach with suspicion of EGC. Computed tomography findings confirmed the presence of a GIST in the stomach and revealed two new lesions. One of these lesions was suspected to be a 4-cm submucosal tumor on the anterior wall of the upper body of the stomach. The other was a wall thickening of the descending colon that demonstrated the possibility of malignancy. Synchronous colon cancer was confirmed on colonoscopy. Laparoscopic near-total gastrectomy with D1+ lymph node dissection and left hemicolectomy were performed sequentially without significant events. The patient was discharged without any postoperative complications.Conclusions: We reported a rare case of EGC with multiple gastric GISTs combined with synchronous colon cancer.
A prediction model of Contrast-associated Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Hypoalbuminemia Undergoing Coronary Angiography
Authors: Liu Liwei , Liu Jin , Lei Li , Wang Bo , Sun Guoli , Guo Zhaodong , He Yibo , Song Feier , Lun Zhubin , Liu Bowen , Chen Guanzhong , Chen Shiqun , Yang Yongquan , Liu Yong , Chen Jiyan
Published: August 2020

Background: Risk stratification is recommended as the key step to prevent contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) among at-risk patients following coronary angiography (CAG) and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with hypoalbuminemia are prone to CA-AKI and do not have their own risk stratification tool. Therefore, this study developed and validated a new model for predicting CA-AKI among hypoalbuminemia patients CAG/PCI.Methods: 1272 patients with hypoalbuminemia receiving CAG/PCI were enrolled and randomly allocated (2:1 ratio) into the development cohort (n = 848) and the validation cohort (n = 424). CA-AKI was defined as an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL or 50% in serum creatinine (SCr) compared to baseline in the 48 to 72 hours after CAG/PCI. A prediction model was established with independent predictors according to stepwise logistic regression, showing as a nomogram. The discrimination of the new model was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) and was compared to the classic Mehran CA-AKI model. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was conducted to assess the calibration of our model.Results: Overall, 8.4% (71/848) patients of the development group and 11.2% (48/424) patients of the validation group experienced CA-AKI. A new nomogram included estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum albumin (ALB), age and the use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP); showed better predictive ability than the Mehran score (C-index 0.756 vs. 0.693, p = 0.02); and had good calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow test p = 0.187). Conclusions: We developed a simple model for predicting CA-AKI among patients with hypoalbuminemia undergoing CAG/PCI, but our findings need validating externally.Trial registration: http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01400295, retrospectively registered 21 July 2011.
carbon and nitrogen metabolism of young plants of Ucuúba (Virola surinamensis) in the presence of cadmium
Authors: Viana Waldemar , Neto Cândido Oliveira , Filho Benedito , Cruz Eniel , Amarante Cristine , Fonseca Vinicius , Nogueira Glauco , Nascimento Vitor , Sousa Diana , teixeira Jessica
Published: August 2020

Virola surinamensis is a forest species widely distributed in the estuaries of the Amazon. These ecosystems are susceptible to contamination by Cadmium (Cd), indicating that the plant has strategies for tolerating this metal. The aim of this study was to assess the nitrogen and carbon metabolism of young plants of Ucuúba (Virola surinamensis) in the presence of cadmium with the perspective of the phytoremediation of contaminated environments. The used experimental design was a completely randomized design with five Cd concentrations (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg L−1), for 60 days. In general, Cd did not affect nitrate concentration in the root but had a positive effect on leaves. The reduction of nitrate reductase (NR) in plants exposed to Cd was followed by a decrease in ammonia, total soluble amino acids (TSA), and total soluble proteins (TSP). Cd promoted an increase in the concentration of total soluble carbohydrates (TSC), proline, sucrose, and reducing sugars in the plants. The increase in TSC, sucrose and proline, suggests a metabolic regulatory mechanism of V. surinamensis against Cd stress.
Phenotypic overlap between atopic dermatitis and autism
Authors: Shin Kyong-Oh , Crumrine Debra , Kim Sungeun , Lee Yerin , Kim Bogyeong , Abuabara Katrina , Park Chaehyeong , Uchida Yoshikazu , Wakefield Joan , Meyer Jason , Jeong Sekyoo , Park Byeong Deog , Park Kyungho , Elias Peter
Published: August 2020

Background: Autism, a childhood behavioral disorder, belongs to a large suite of diseases, collectively referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Though multifactorial in etiology, approximately 10% of ASD are associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). Moreover, ASD prevalence increases further as AD severity worsens, though these disorders share no common causative mutations. We assessed here the link between these two disorders in the standard, valproic acid mouse model of ASD. In prior studies, there was no evidence of skin involvement, but we hypothesized that cutaneous involvement could be detected in experiments conducted in BALB/c mice. BALB/c is an albino, laboratory-bred strain of the house mouse and is among the most widely used inbred strains used in animal experimentation.Methods: We performed our studies in valproic acid (VPA)-treated BALB/c hairless mice. Mid-trimester pregnant mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of either valproic acid sodium salt dissolved in saline or saline alone on embryonic day 12.5 and were housed individually until postnatal day 21. Only the brain and epidermis appeared to be affected, while other tissues remain unchanged. At various post-natal time points, brain, skin and blood samples were obtained for histology and for quantitation of tissue sphingolipid content and cytokine levels.Results: AD-like changes in ceramide content occurred by day one post-partum in both VPA-treated mouse skin and brain. The temporal co-emergence of AD and ASD, and the AD phenotype-dependent increase in ASD prevalence correlated with the early appearance of Th2 markers (i.e., interleukin [IL]-4, 5, & 13, mast cells) in the skin and brain. The high levels of interferon (IFN)g not only in skin, but also in brain likely account for a significant decrease in very-long-chain N-acyl fatty acids in brain ceramides that again mimicked known IFNg-induced changes in AD. Conclusion: The baseline involvement of both AD and ASD could reflect concurrent neuro- and epidermal toxicity, possibly because both the epidermis and neural tissues originate from the embryonic neuroectoderm These studies illuminate the shared susceptibility of the brain and epidermis to a known neurotoxin, suggesting that ASD could be included within the atopic diathesis.
Tissue-Specific Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Lignocellulose Synthesis Regulation in Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.)
Authors: Zhang Wenqing , Zhang Shengkui , Lu Xianqin , Li Can , Liu Xingwang , Dong Geyu , Xia Tao
Published: August 2020

Background: The characteristics of elephant grass, especially its stem lignocellulose, are of great significance for its quality as feed or other industrial raw materials. However, the research on lignocellulose biosynthesis pathway and key genes is limited because the genome of elephant grass has not been deciphered.Results: In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) combined with lignocellulose content analysis and cell wall morphology observation using elephant grass stems from different development stages as materials were applied to reveal the genes that regulate the synthesis of cellulose and lignin. A total of 3852 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in three periods of T1, T2, and T3 through RNA-seq analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of all DEGs showed that the two most abundant metabolic pathways were phenylpropane metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, which were closely related to cell wall development, hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose synthesis. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of DEGs, a ‘blue’ module highly associated with cellulose synthesis and a ‘turquoise’ module highly correlated with lignin synthesis were exhibited. A total of 43 candidate genes were screened, of which 17 had function annotations in other species. Besides, by analyzing the content of lignocellulose in the stem tissues of elephant grass at different developmental stages and the expression levels of genes such as CesA, PAL, CAD, C4H, COMT, CCoAMT, F5H and CCR, it was found that the content of lignocellulose was related to the expression level of these structural genes.Conclusions: This study provides a basis for further understanding the molecular mechanisms of cellulose and lignin synthesis pathways of elephant grass, and offers a unique and extensive list of candidate genes for future specialized functional studies which may promote the development of high-quality elephant grass varieties with high cellulose and low lignin content.
Urinary soluble VCAM-1 is a useful biomarker of disease activity and treatment response in lupus nephritis
Authors: Gasparin Andrese Aline , de Andrade Nicole Pamplona Bueno , Hax Vanessa , Palominos Penélope Esther , Siebert Marina , Marx Rômulo , Schaefer Pedro Guilherme , Veronese Francisco Veríssimo , Monticielo Odirlei André
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is involved in the progression of glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury in lupus nephritis (LN) and can be easily assessed in urine. The aim of this study was to assess urinary soluble VCAM-1 (uVCAM-1) as a biomarker of disease activity and treatment response in LN.Methods: This prospective study enrolled 62 patients with class III, IV or V LN diagnosed within the last three years and divided them in two groups: with and without active nephritis at the inclusion, each group with 31 patients. At each visit, a urine sample was collected for uVCAM-1 evaluation and the nephritis status was assessed.Results: Median uVCAM-1 level was elevated in patients with active compared to inactive LN (P<0.001). The ROC curve of uVCAM-1 demonstrated an AUC of 0.84 and a cutoff of 47.2 ng/mgCr yielded a good sensitivity (74.2%) and specificity (74.2%) for the diagnosis of active LN. A significant correlation was found between uVCAM-1 level and renal activity scores and traditional biomarkers of LN. The level of uVCAM-1 dropped in patients with active LN who went into remission (P<0.001), increased in patients who went into activity (P=0.002) and did not change in patients who remained inactive (P=0.797). The level of uVCAM-1 peaked during the flare of LN (P<0.05).Conclusion: The uVCAM-1 is a reliable biomarker that reflects renal disease activity and is useful for monitoring individual patients with lupus nephritis over time.
Type 1 tyrosinemia in Finland: a nationwide study
Authors: Äärelä Linnea , Hiltunen Pauliina , Soini Tea , Vuorela Nina , Huhtala Heini , Nevalainen Pasi , Heikinheimo Markku , Kivelä Laura , Kurppa Kalle
Published: August 2020

Background: Introduction of nitisinone and newborn screening (NBS) have transformed the treatment of type 1 tyrosinemia, but the effects of these changes on the long-term outcomes remain obscure. Also, the predictors for later complications, the significance of drug levels and the normalization of laboratory and imaging findings are poorly known. We investigated these issues in a nationwide study. Results: Type 1 tyrosinemia was diagnosed in 22 children in 1978–2019 in Finland. Incidence was 1/90,102, with a significant enrichment in South Ostrobothnia (1/9,990). Median age at diagnosis was 5 (range 0.5-36) months, 55% were girls and 13 had homozygotic Trp262X mutation. Four patients were detected through screening and 18 clinically, their main findings being liver failure (50% vs. 100%, respectively, p=0.026), ascites (0% vs. 53%, p=0.104), renal tubulopathy (0% vs. 65%, p=0.035), rickets (25% vs. 65%, p=0.272), growth failure (0% vs. 66%, p=0.029), thrombocytopenia (25% vs. 88%, p=0.028) and anaemia (0% vs. 47%, p=0.131). One patient was treated with diet, seven with transplantation and 14 with nitisinone. Three late-diagnosed (6-33 months) nitisinone treated patients needed transplantation later. Kidney dysfunction (86% vs. 7%, p=0.001), hypertension (57% vs. 7%, p=0.025) and osteopenia/ osteoporosis (71% vs. 14%, p=0.017) were more frequent in transplanted than nitisinone-treated patients. Blood/serum alpha-fetoprotein decreased rapidly on nitisinone in all but one patient, who later developed intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver values normalized in 31 months and other laboratory values except thrombocytopenia within 18 months. Imaging findings normalized in 3–56 months excluding five patients with liver or splenic abnormalities. Low mean nitisinone concentration was associated with higher risk of severe complications (r=0.758, p=0.003) despite undetectable urine succinylacetone.Conclusions: Prognosis of type 1 tyrosinemia has improved in the era of nitisinone, and NBS seems to provide further benefits. Nevertheless, the long-term risk for complications remains, particularly in the case of late diagnosis and/or insufficient nitisinone levels.
Tinzaparin in Cancer and Renal Impairment: A Systematic Review Focusing on Safety
Authors: Vathiotis Ioannis , Syrigos Nikolaos , Dimakakos Evangelos
Published: August 2020

Purpose: Low-molecular-weight heparins are approved for primary and secondary venous thromboembolism prevention. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide an update regarding the safety profile of tinzaparin sodium, prescribed either as a prophylactic or as a therapeutic regimen for VTE in cancer patients and individuals suffering from renal impairment. Method: We identified and studied clinical studies from 2000 until 2020, reporting safety outcomes for cancer patients and individuals with renal impairment receiving either prophylactic or therapeutic doses of tinzaparin. Results: In patients with cancer major bleeding rates fluctuate between 0.8% and 7%; reported major bleeding rates for non-cancer patients with renal impairment on prophylactic tinzaparin regimens were 0%. Non-cancer patients on therapeutic tinzaparin regimens exhibited major bleeding in 0 to 2.3% of cases; major bleeding rates were higher for cancer patients with renal impairment receiving therapeutic doses of tinzaparin (4.3 to 10%). Patients on tinzaparin exhibit significantly lower rates of clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding events in comparison with those on vitamin K antagonists. Bioaccumulation of tinzaparin is not correlated with age, body weight or creatinine clearance. Periodic administration of either prophylactic or therapeutic doses of tinzaparin does not result in bioaccumulation, even in patients with severe renal impairment and creatinine clearance < 20 ml/min. Conclusion: Tinzaparin is safe and can be used without dose adjustment in patients with severe renal impairment and creatinine clearance > 20 ml/min. Tinzaparin represents a thoroughly studied and safe choice for special populations at increased risk for thrombosis and bleeding.
Implementation and factors affecting the nursing process among nurses working in selected government hospital in southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Adasho Zerihun Adraro , Bekele Daniel Mengistu
Published: August 2020

Background
The nursing process was initially adopted from the general system theory, and was developed and implemented in the field of education in the early years.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to assess implementation and factors affecting the nursing process among nurses working in selected government hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods
An institution-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from March 10 to April 1, 2015 in three hospitals in southwest Ethiopia using self-administered questionnaires. This study included a total of 138 nurses using simple random sampling. Data were classified, coded and entered into epidemiological information version 3.5.3, and exported to the statistical package for social science version 20 for analysis, descriptive statistics were used to describe the variables, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to see the effect of each variable on the dependent variable.
Result
The nursing process was found to be 73.9 per cent implemented. Compared to a Bachelor of Science, the likelihood of implementing the nursing process was less likely among diploma nurses. Nurses working in administratively supported hospitals implemented the nursing process more compared to those without administrative support. The nursing process had been implemented higher by trained nurses compared to untrained nurses.
Conclusion
The implementation of nursing process was good where; nearly seven in every ten nurses implemented the nursing process. Low educational qualification, lack of training, and non-supportive hospital administration were predictors of the nursing process implementation.
Ketamine can be produced by Pochonia chlamydosporia: an old molecule and a new anthelmintic?
Authors: Ferreira Sebastiao Rodrigo , Machado Alan Rodrigues T. , Furtado Luís Fernando , Gomes Jose Hugo de S. , de Almeida Raquel M. , Mendes Thiago de Oliveira , Maciel Valentina N. , Barbosa Fernando Sergio , Carvalho Lorendane M. , Bueno Lilian Lacerda , Bartholomeu Daniella Castanheira , de Araújo Jackson Victor , Rabelo Elida M. L. , de Pádua Rodrigo Maia , Pimenta Lucia Pinheiro Santos , Fujiwara Ricardo Toshio
Published: August 2020

Background: Infection by nematodes is a problem for human health, livestock, and agriculture, as it causes deficits in host health, increases production costs, and incurs less food supply. The control of these parasites is usually done using anthelmintics, which, in most cases, have not been fully effective. Therefore, the search for new molecules with anthelmintic potential is necessary. Methods: In the present study, we isolated and characterized molecules from the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia and tested these compounds on three nematodes: Caenorhabditis elegans, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, and Ascaris suum. Results: The ethyl acetate extract showed nematicidal activity on the nematode model C. elegans. We identified the major substance present in two subfractions of this extract as ketamine. Then, we tested this compound on C. elegans and the parasites A. ceylanicum and A. suum using hamsters and mice as hosts, respectively. We did not find a difference between the animal groups when considering the number of worms recovered from the intestines of animals treated with ketamine (6 mg) and albendazole (P > 0.05). The parasite burden of larvae recovered from the lungs of mice treated with ketamine was similar to those treated with ivermectin. Conclusion: These results presented here demonstrated the nematicidal activity of ketamine in vitro and in vivo. Thus, confirming the nematicidal potential of the molecule present in the fungus P. chlamydosporia may consist of a new method of controlling parasites.
C-C chemokine receptor type 5 links COVID-19, Rheumatoid arthritis, and Hydroxychloroquine: In silico analysis 
Authors: HACHIM MAHMOOD Yaseen , Hachim Ibrahim , Naeem Kashif , Hannawi Haifa , Salmi Issa Al , Hannawi Suad
Published: August 2020

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represent one of the fragile patient groups that might be susceptible to the critical form of the coronavirus disease -19 (COVID-19) . On the other side, RA patients have been found not to have an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. Moreover, some of the Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDS) commonly used to treat rheumatic diseases like Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were proposed as a potential therapy for COVID-19 with a lack of full understanding of their molecular mechanisms. This highlights the need for the discovery of common pathways that may link both diseases at the molecular side. In this research, we used the in silico approach to investigate the transcriptomic profile of RA synovium to identify shared molecular pathways with that of severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus-2 (SARS-COV-2) infected lung tissue. Our results showed upregulation of chemotactic factors, including CCL4, CCL8, and CCL11, that all shared CCR5 as their receptor, as a common derangement observed in both diseases; RA and COVID-19. Moreover, our results also highlighted a possible mechanism through which HCQ, which can be used as a monotherapy in mild RA or as one of the triple-DMARDs therapy (tDMARDs; methotrexate, sulphasalazine, and HCQ), might interfere with the COVID-19 infection. This might be achieved through the ability of HCQ to upregulate specific immune cell populations like activated natural killer (NK) cells, which were found to be significantly reduced in COVID-19 infection. In addition to its ability to block CCR5 rich immune cell recruitment that also was upregulated in the SARS-COV-2 infected lungs. This might explain some of the reports that showed beneficial effects.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of influenza virus infection among adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study from Wuhan, China
Authors: Tong Xunliang , Xu Xiaomao , Lv Guoyue , Wang He , Cheng Anqi , Wang Dingyi , Zhang Yue , Li Yanming
Published: August 2020

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infection disease that rapidly spreads worldwide. Co-infection may occur in some cases of COVID-19, like influenza virus and so on. Clinical features and outcomes of severe COVID-19 patients with co-infection of influenza virus need to be noticed.Methods Retrospective cohort study was performed and total of 140 patients with severe COVID-19 was enrolled in designated wards of Sino-French New City Branch of Tongji Hospital between Feb 8th and March 15th in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The demographic, clinical features, laboratory indices, treatment and outcomes of these patients were collected and analyzed.Results Of 140 severe COVID-19 hospitalized patients, 73 patients were with median age of 66 years old with identification of influenza virus IgM-positive and 67 patients were with median age of 62 years old in influenza virus IgM-negative. Nearly half of severe COVID-19 patients in this research are male. Majority of the severe COVID-19 patients had chronic underlying conditions. Wheeze was the clinical feature of severe COVID-19 patients with influenza IgM-positive (26.4% vs 9.0%, P = 0.008). On contrary, fatigue or myalgia was the feature of the COVID-19 patients without IgM-positive (38.4% vs 58.2%, P = 0.019). Increased levels of ferritin and prolonging APTT were showed in severe COVID-19 patients without influenza IgM-positive compared with patients in other group with significant differences. Death rate in the group of severe COVID-19 patients with influenza IgM-positive is lower than it in other group with significant differences (4.1% vs 14.9%, P = 0.040). In univariate regression analysis, several factors were associated with higher risk of death, which included LDH, troponin, NT-proBNP, D-dimer, PT, APTT, lymphocytes, platelet and eGFR. However, influenza virus IgM positive was associated with lower risk of death.Conclusions Characteristic features of patients with severe COVID-19 with influenza virus IgM-positive were described. Co-infection may occur during the pandemic of COVID-19, and we need to improve our understanding in order to confront this crisis in the future.
Patient Preferences for Using Technology in Communication Post Hospital Discharge
Authors: Alexander Kimberly Elizabeth , Ogle Theodora , Hoberg Hana , Linley Libbie , Bradford Natalie
Published: August 2020

Background: Technology is increasingly transforming the way we interact with others and undertake activities in our daily lives. The healthcare setting has, however, been relatively slow to adopt technology solutions to facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers. While the procedural and policy requirements of healthcare systems will ultimately drive such solutions, understanding the preferences and attitudes of patients is essential to ensure that technology implemented in the healthcare setting facilitates communication in safe, acceptable, and appropriate ways. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine patient preferences for using technology to communicate with health services about symptoms experienced following discharge from the hospital. Methods: Primary data were collected from patients admitted to a large metropolitan hospital in Australia during three consecutive months in 2018. Participants were asked about their daily use of technology including use of computers, email, phone, text messaging, mobile applications, social media, online discussion forums, and videoconference. They were then asked about their use of technologies in managing their health, and preferences for use when communicating about symptoms with health services following discharge from hospital. Results: Five hundred and twenty-five patients with a wide range of differing clinical conditions and demographics participated. Patients indicated they used a range of technologies in their everyday lives and to manage their health. Almost 60% of patients would prefer to return to hospital if they were experiencing symptoms of concern. However, if patients experienced symptoms that were not of concern, over 60% would prefer to communicate with the hospital via telephone or using technology. Admitting condition, income, and age were significantly associated with preferences for communication about symptoms following hospital discharge.Conclusions: Patients have varied preferences for communicating with the health service post-hospital discharge. Findings suggest that some, but not all patients, would prefer to use technology to traditional methods of communicating with the healthcare team. Health services should offer patients multiple options for communicating about their recovery to ensure individual needs are appropriately met.
Fish Oil Can Significantly Reshape Diet-Based Gut Microbiota in Mice
Authors: Sun Han , Chen Dan , Yang Yingyue , Tan Bei , Huang Changzhi , Li Yue , Qian Jiaming
Published: August 2020

Background

Studies have demonstrated the influence of diet on the gut microbiota, and recent evidence has revealed the beneficial effects of fish oil supplements on the gut microbiota. The goal of the present study was to investigate the influence of fish oil on diet-based gut microbiota changes in mice.
Results

AIN-93M significantly decreased the gut microbial diversity of mice, increasing the abundances of Bacteroides and Parabacteroides and decreasing the abundance of Odoribacter. In contrast, gut microbial diversity was maintained in mice fed a fish oil-intensive diet, where the Firmicutes: Bacteroidetes ratio was increased, the abundance of Parabacteroides was increased and that of Odoribacter was decreased. In contrast, the VSL#3 intervention had little influence on gut microbiota diversity, decreasing the abundance of Firmicutes.
Conclusions

AIN-93M can decrease gut microbiota diversity, which may be associated with a potential proinflammatory effect. Fish oil may have anti-inflammatory effects by restoring and maintaining microbial diversity.
Biochemical and genetic analysis of Ecm14, a conserved fungal pseudopeptidase
Authors: McDonald R Christian , Schott Matthew J , Idowu Temitope A , Lyons Peter J
Published: August 2020

Background.
Like most major enzyme families, the M14 family of metallocarboxypeptidases (MCPs) contains a number of pseudoenzymes predicted to lack enzyme activity and with poorly characterized molecular function. The genome of the yeast S. cerevisiae encodes one member of the M14 MCP family, a pseudoenzyme named Ecm14 proposed to function in the extracellular matrix. In order to better understand the function of such pseudoenzymes, we studied the structure and function of Ecm14 in S. cerevisiae.
Results.
A phylogenetic analysis of Ecm14 in fungi found it to be conserved throughout the ascomycete phylum, with a group of related pseudoenzymes found in basidiomycetes. To investigate the structure and function of this conserved protein, his6-tagged Ecm14 was overexpressed in Sf9 cells and purified. The prodomain of Ecm14 was cleaved in vivo and in vitro by endopeptidases, suggesting an activation mechanism; however, no activity was detectable using standard carboxypeptidase substrates. In order to determine the function of Ecm14 using an unbiased screen, we undertook a synthetic lethal assay. Upon screening approximately 27,000 yeast colonies, twenty-two putative synthetic lethal clones were identified. Further analysis showed many to be synthetic lethal with auxotrophic marker genes and requiring multiple mutations, suggesting that there are few, if any, single S. cerevisiae genes that present synthetic lethal interactions with ecm14.
Conclusions.
We show in this study that Ecm14, although lacking detectable enzyme activity, is a conserved carboxypeptidase-like protein that is secreted from cells and is processed to a mature form by the action of an endopeptidase. Our study and datasets from other recent large-scale screens suggest a role for Ecm14 in processes such as vesicle-mediated transport and aggregate invasion, a fungal process that has been selected against in modern laboratory strains of S. cerevisiae.
Prevalence of Psychosomatic Disorders Among Dental Students with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis. A Cross-Sectional Study.
Authors: Hazzaa Saud Fahad Al
Published: August 2020

Aims To determine the prevalence of psychosomatic disorders among dental students with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. MethodA cross-sectional study was performed on 184 dental students with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). A p-value cut off point of 0.05 at 95% confident interval (CI) was used to determine statistical significance. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted where frequency and proportion were used, to present all categorical variables. Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale questionnaires were used to assess the depression, anxiety, and stress of RAS dental students. The analysis assessed the relationship between RAS among socio-demographic characteristics of depression, anxiety, and stress by using a chi-square test.ResultsThe prevalence of depression was dominant among dental students at 62.5%. More than half of the respondents (58.2%) were anxious, whereas the prevalence of stress was lower i.e. 40.2%. There was no significant relationship found between depression and RAS (p>0.05).ConclusionAge group in years and number of ulcers in each occurrence were statistically associated for anxiety and stress, and gender was also significant to anxiety. There was no significant relationship found between depression and RAS.
SNP Mutation‐related Genes in Colon Cancer for Monitoring and Prognosis of Patients: A Study Based on the TCGA Database
Authors: Liao Xin , li jian , Chen Yuxiang , Ding Haibo , Liu Chen , Liao Yang , Liu Huajun
Published: August 2020

Background: Cancer is still the leading cause of death in humans, and the fourth leading cause of death is colorectal cancer. Tumor bioinformatics has been developing in recent years, the prognosis and quality of life of patients can be improved by using relevant tools to understand the molecular pathogenesis of colorectal cancer and related prognostic markers. Methods: In this study, Bioinformatics analysis of the snp-related data of colon cancer patients from the TCGA database, it was found that the expression levels of 4 mutated genes (CTTNBP2,DAPK1, DMXL1,SPTBN2) were significantly different from those of wild type and their prognosis. In order to explore how the core genes affect the prognosis of patients, the gene expression of these core genes was analyzed. Results: It was found that the core genes are related to a variety of cancer-related pathway genes, including pi3k-akt pathway and TSC/mTOR pathway. Drug sensitivity analysis showed that SPTBN2 could be inhibited by a variety of drugs, including austocystin D, afatinib, and belinostat. Tumor immunity is closely related to tumor therapy. Through the analysis of immune infiltration of core genes, it was found that DAPK1 and DMXL2 were associated with a variety of immune cell infiltration. Conclusion: Therefore, the detection of genetic mutations and related expressions may be significant in predicting the prognosis of patients with colon cancer. Through the study of high-throughput information excavating, it was discovered that the molecular pathogenesis and prognosis of patients with colon cancer were helpful to the bioinformatics theory.
Characterization of carbapenem non-susceptible Gram-negative Bacilli isolated from the feces of 10,000 inpatients in Southern China
Authors: Duan Xiaonv , Li Si , Peng Yuan , Rui YongYu
Published: August 2020

Background

Carbapenem non-susceptible Gram-negative bacilli (CNS-GNB) were dominant pathogen causing clinical infections. The human intestine was important reservoir of GNB, but there were few studies to analysis the prevalence of fecal colonization with them.
Methods

Fecal samples were collected from hosiptal screening test for GNB was conducted by using home-made MacConkey agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the automatic microbiology analyzer and drug-resistant genes were characterized by polymerase chain reaction assays and DNA sequencing. The whole genome sequencing were used to analysis the characteristic of genetic structure of the isolates.
Results

A total of 680 CNS-GNB were collected. Acinetobacter spp. were the dominant species (33.8%) of the 22 genera. Carbapenemase genes were identified in 307 isolates (45.1%), including 206 (30.3%) blaNDM; 51 (7.5%) blaVIM−2, 48 (7.1%) blaIMP, and seven (1.0%) blaKPC−2. The blaNDM genes were first detected in three isolates, Providencia vermicola, Achromobacter spp., and Cupriavidus gilardii. Co-existence of blaVIM and blaIMP genes was detected in five isolates; Achromobacter co-producing VIM and IMP has not been previously reported. The mcr-1 gene was identified in five strains of Acinetobacter and one strain of K. pneumoniae. In addition, we detected seven isolates harboring the blaAFM−1 gene, a novel metallo-β-lactamase gene. This was first genomic analysis of ST11 K. pneumoniae co-producing NDM-5 and mcr-1, which revealed that blaNDM-5 and mcr-1 are located on two different plasmids. The plasmid harboring blaNDM-5, which was composed of a typical IncX3-type backbone, and the mcr-1 gene, was located between an IS30-like element ISApl1 and a PAP2-like encoding gene in the IncHI2-type plasmid.
Conclusions

the overall prevalence of fecal carriage of CNS-GNB in 10,000 stool samples was 7.45%, and more than half of CNS-GNB produced carbapenemase. Most CNS-GNB cases were associated with infectious disease, multiple hospitalizations, or long-term care, and a high prevalence of underlying disease.