bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
More Than Smart Pavements: Connected Infrastructure for Enhanced Winter Safety and Resilience on Highways
Authors: Shi Xianming
Published: June 2020

Currently, there is an urgent demand for more cost-effective, resource-efficient and reliable solutions to address safety, mobility, and resilience challenges on highways enduring snowy winter weather. To address this pressing issue, this commentary proposes that the physical and digital infrastructures should be upgraded to take advantage of emerging technologies and facilitate the vehicle-infrastructure integration (VII), to better inform decision-makers at various levels. Driven by the paradigm shift towards more automation and more intelligent transportation, it is time to reimagine the vehicle-infrastructure ecosystem with the cold-climate issues in mind, and to enhance communications and coordination among various highway users and stakeholders. This commentary envisages the deployment of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies to bring about transformative changes and substantial benefits in terms of enhanced winter safety and resilience on highways. At the center of the commentary is a conceptualized design of next-generation highways in cold climates, including the existing infrastructure entities that are appropriate for possible upgrade to connected infrastructure (CI) applications, to leverage the immensely expanded data availability fueled by better spatial and temporal coverage. The commentary also advances the idea that CI solutions can augment the sensing capabilities and confidence level of connected or autonomous vehicles. We then briefly explore the application scenarios of VII system, and conclude with some discussion of the paradigm shift towards V2X applications and a look to the future in terms of identified research needs in the arena of CI. We hope to inspire dialogues and synergistic collaborations among various stakeholders of the VII revolution, because the specific challenges call for systematic, holistic, and multidisciplinary approaches accompanied by concerted efforts in the research, development, pilot testing, and deployment of CI technologies.
Attachment Disorder Symptoms and Prosocial Behavior in Middle Childhood: The Role of Secure Base Script Knowledge
Authors: Cuyvers Bien , Vervoort Noortje , Bosmans Guy
Published: June 2020

Background: Children with attachment disorder show prosocial behavior problems. Prosocial behavior problems are an operationalization of the symptom of inhibited and emotionally withdrawn behavior in children with attachment disorder symptoms. However, the underlying mechanism between attachment disorder symptoms and prosocial behavior problems is still unclear and findings in literature are mixed.Methods: The current study investigated the role of children’s attachment representations in this association. Attachment representations reflect knowledge about a cognitive script regarding the attachment figure as a source for support (Secure Base Script). We tested whether secure base script knowledge 1) mediates or 2) moderates the link between attachment disorder symptoms and prosocial behavior problems in 67 children (6-11 years; 83.1% boys) recruited from special education schools for children with behavioral problems. Children completed a pictorial Secure Base Script Test. Their attachment disorder symptoms were assessed during an interview with the primary caregivers. Primary caregivers and teachers filled out a prosocial behavior questionnaire about the child. Results: Results did not support the mediation hypothesis, but evidence for the moderation hypothesis was found. Secure base script knowledge attenuated the negative association between attachment disorder symptoms and prosocial behavior.Conclusions: These findings contribute to the discussion about the link between attachment representations and attachment disorders.
Genome-wide Identification of the Aspergillus oryzae GATA Transcription Factor Gene Family and expression Analysis under Temperature or Salt Stresses
Authors: Jiang Chunmiao , He Bin , Zhang Zhe , Hu Zhihong , Long Chuannan , Zeng Bin
Published: June 2020

Background

GATA transcription factors (TFs) are transcriptional regulatory proteins that contain a characteristic type-IV zinc finger and recognize the conserved GATA motif in the promoter region. Previous studies demonstrate that GATA TFs are involved in the regulation of diverse growth processes and various environmental stimuli stresses. Although the analysis of GATA TFs involved in abiotic stress have been performed in model plants and some fungi, information regarding GATA TFs in A. oryzae is extremely poor.
Results

Therefore, we identified seven GATA TFs from A. oryzae 3.042 genome, and named AoAreA, AoAreB, AoLreA, AoLreB, AoNsdD, AoSreA in correspondence to fungal orthologs, including a novel AoSnf5 with 20-residue between the Cys-X2-Cys motifs which was found in Aspergillus for the first time. Six known A. oryzae GATA TFs were classified into six subgroups, while the novel AoSnf5 also clustered into NSDD subgroups together with AoNsdD in the NJ_tree of all Aspergillus GATA TFs. Conserved motifs demonstrated that GATA TFs with similar motif compositions clustered into one subgroup, which suggests they might have similar genetic functions and further confirms the accuracy of the phylogenetic relationship of Aspergillus GATA TFs. The expression patterns of seven A. oryzae GATA TFs exhibited diversity under temperature and salt stresses. The expression analyses of AoLreA and AoLreB demonstrates AoLreA mainly played role in salt stress and AoLreB did under temperature stress. AoSreA was shown to positively regulate the expression of AoCreA and might act as a negative regulator in temperature and high salt stress response. In addition, the AoNsdD, AoSnf5, AoAreB, and AoAreA strongly responsed to salt stresses, while AoAreB and AoAreA showed opposite expression trends at high temperature. Overall, the expression patterns of these A. oryzae GATA TFs under distinct environmental conditions provided useful information for the further analysis of GATA TFs in regulation of various abiotic stress in A. oryzae.
Conclusion

In conclusion, the comprehensive analysis data of A. oryzae GATA TFs will provide insights into the critical role of A. oryzae GATA TFs in resistance to temperature and salt stresses in A. oryzae.
A Model of Disparities: Clinical, Environmental, and Sociodemographic Risk Factors Associated with Likelihood of COVID-19 Contraction
Authors: Rozenfeld Yelena , Beam Jennifer , Maier Haley , Haggerson Whitney , Boudreau Karen , Carlson Jamie , Medows Rhonda
Published: June 2020

Background
By mid-May 2020, there were over 1.5 million cases of (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19 across the U.S. with new confirmed cases continuing to rise following the re-opening of most states. Prior studies have focused mainly on clinical risk factors associated with serious illness and mortality of COVID-19. Emerging risk factors in the U.S., including clinical, sociodemographic, and environmental variables associated with contraction of COVID-19 have not been widely studied to assess disparities across populations.
Methods
A multivariable statistical model was used to identify predictors associated with COVID-19 contraction in the study population of 34,503 patients, comparing laboratory confirmed positive and negative COVID-19 cases in the Providence Health System (U.S.) between February 28 and April 27, 2020. Publicly available data were utilized as approximations for social determinants of health, and patient-level clinical and sociodemographic factors were extracted from the electronic medical record.
Results
Higher risk of contraction was associated with older age (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.41–2.02, p < 0.0001), male gender (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.21–1.44, p < 0.0001), Asian race (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.18–1.72, p = 0.0002), Black/African American race (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.25–1.83, p < 0.0001), Latino ethnicity (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.77–2.41, p < 0.0001), non-English language (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.7–2.57, p < 0.0001), high school education or less (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01–1.14, p = 0.04), residing in a neighborhood with financial insecurity (OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.01–1.25, p = 0.04), low air quality (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.0-1.04, p = 0.05), housing insecurity (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.16–1.5, p < 0.0001) or transportation insecurity (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.02–1.23, p = 0.03), and living in senior living communities (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.23–2.32, p = 0.001).
Conclusions
Risks associated with COVID-19 contraction reflect disparities across age, race, ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status, and living conditions. Health promotion and disease prevention strategies should prioritize groups most vulnerable to contraction and address structural inequities that contribute to risk through social and economic policy.
Preoperative platelet count predicts posttransplant morbidity in orthotopic liver transplantation: a propensity score analysis
Authors: Li Qingshan , Wang Yue , Ma Tao , Ren Fenggang , Mu Fan , Wu Rongqian , Lv Yi , Wang Bo
Published: June 2020

Background
The role of platelets on the prognosis of patients with liver transplantation remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the influence of preoperative platelet count on postoperative morbidity after liver transplantation.
Methods
Clinical data of the patients who received liver transplantation from January 2015 to September 2018 were evaluated.
Results
Of the 329 patients included, the average age was 46.71 ± 0.55 years, and 243 were men (75.2%). The incidence of posttransplant portal vein complication was significantly higher in the high platelet count group (> 49.5 × 109/L; n = 167) than in the low platelet count group (≤ 49.5 × 109/L, n = 162, 12.6% vs. 1.9%). After multivariable regression analysis, high platelet count was independently associated with postoperative portal vein complication (odds ratio [OR]: 8.821, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.260 to 34.437). After the inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis, patients in the high platelet count group had significantly higher risk of portal vein complication (OR: 9.210, 95%CI: 1.907 to 44.498, p = 0.006) and early allograft dysfunction (OR: 2.087, 95%CI: 1.131 to 3.853, p = 0.019).
Conclusions
Preoperative platelet count > 49.5 × 109/L was an independent risk factor for posttransplant portal vein complication and early allograft dysfunction. High preoperative platelet count could be an adverse prognostic predictor for liver transplantation recipients.
Acute pancreatitis following treatment with protease inhibitors, which may be potential therapeutics for COVID-19: A real-world analysis of postmarketing surveillance data
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhao Bin , Shang Yongguang , Qin Wangjun
Published: June 2020

Backgrounds: The potential therapeutic effects of protease inhibitors (PIs), such as lopinavir/ritonavir and darunavir, on COVID-19 are being tested in clinical trials. Although acute pancreatitis (AP) has been reported in patients treated with PIs, there have been few real-world studies comparing the occurrence and characteristics of AP after different PI regimens. Methods: Disproportionality analysis and Bayesian analysis were utilized for data mining of the Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database for suspected adverse events involving AP after PI from January 2004 to December 2019. The times to onset and fatality rates of AP following different PI regimens were also compared. Results: Based on 33,832 reports related to PIs, 285 cases (0.84% of total adverse drug reactions, ADRs) were associated with AP; in these reports, the number of AP cases reported for the top five PIs was as follows: ritonavir/dasabuvir/ombitasvir/paritaprevir, 64 (22.46%); ritonavir, 54 (18.95%); atazanavir, 52 (18.25%); lopinavir/ritonavir, 48 (16.84%); and darunavir, 26 (9.12%). Twelve out of the 15 studied PIs, including lopinavir/ritonavir, darunavir and nelfinavir, which are potential therapeutics for COVID-19, were associated with AP. Of all the reported adverse events involving AP related to PIs, 64.56% occurred in men, which was a much higher proportion than what was observed in women (28.42%). The median time to onset of AP was 103 (IQR: 26-408) days after the initiation of PI treatment. Patients treated with ritonavir/dasabuvir/ombitasvir/paritaprevir appeared to have an earlier onset of AP than those receiving atazanavir (31 [IQR: 17–68.25] days vs 187.5 [IQR: 80.5–556.5] days, p=0.0379) or ritonavir (31 [IQR: 17–68.25] days vs 177 [IQR: 56–539] days, p=0.0371). Compared with AP cases induced by all studied PIs, which had a fatality rate of 14.02%, AP cases associated with ritonavir (18.87%) and lopinavir/ritonavir (22.73%) appeared to be associated with a higher risk of death. Conclusions: Analysis of the FAERS data provides a more precise understanding of the occurrence and characteristics of AP after different PI regimens. Signals for AP associated with various PI regimens have been detected. The findings support continued surveillance, risk factor identification, and comparative studies.
Public Health Implication of Drinking Water Sources Contaminated with Giardia and Cryptosporidium in South Ethiopia
Authors: Damitie Mengistu , Santiago Dante , Leyns Luc , Mereta Seid Tiku , Mekonnen Zeleke
Published: June 2020

Background: The concept of health is largely tied up with the quality of the ambient environment of human. There is a need to minimize the risks of environment to public health and comply with microbial contamination legislation stipulated by respective regulatory bodies. Though water borne protozoa are leading causes of diseases in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, less information is available about drinking water quality and its implication to the public. The present study aimed at characterizing the risks of Giardia and Cryptosporidium from water sources in southern Ethiopia.Methods: Twenty-one drinking water samples (10L per source) were collected from five different types of water sources. Sample analysis was performed using immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with fluorescein isothiocyanate–monoclonal antibodies and nested PCR with tpi, SSU-rRNA and gp60 loci of the parasites. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman’s rho correlation and independent-samples nonparametric test.The risk was characterized using quantitative microbial risk assessment. Results: The IFA and genotyping assays overall showed that Giardia was detected in 81% (17/21) of the samples with a mean concentration of 64.6 cysts.10 L-1 and Cryptosporidium in 71% (15/21) with a mean concentration of 62.8 oocysts.10 L-1. Out of the 17 Giardia positive water sources, Giardia duodenalis (assemblage B) was detected in 29.4%, assemblage A in 17.6% and assemblages A+B in 52.9% of the sources. Likewise, Cryptosporidium genotype was detected in 57.1% (12/21) of the sources; C. parvum in 38.1% (8/21) and C. hominis in 14.3% (3/21) of the sources. The average probability of illness from the water sources was 0.06 for Giardia and 0.22 for Cryptosporidium.Conclusions: The present finding highlights the significance of water for transmission of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in southern Ethiopia. Genotypes detected in the water sources indicate that multiple sources likely contaminated the drinking water sources. The health risks that are inferred from the water sources to the public are significantly higher than most other reported findings. This study recommends the need of regular follow-up, improvement in water treatment facilities and setting appropriate legislation in areas where cycles of parasitic infection is linked to water sources.
In Vitro Antiplasmodial Activity, Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant Action and GC-FID Analysis of Allanblackia Floribunda Extracts
Authors: Irabor Francis , Ebohon Osamudiamen , Erhunse Nekpen , Okugbo Osariemen Tinu , Omoregie Ehimwenma Sheena
Published: June 2020

Background: Malaria is a disease that is caused by Plasmodium parasite that has resulted in death of so many persons in the world especially children below 5 years. Plasmodium falciparum is one of the most widespread etiological agent for human malaria and has become increasingly resistant to standard antimalarial drugs. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the in vitro antiplasmodial efficacy and cytotoxicity of Allanbackia floribunda stem bark, leaf and oil. Methods: Trager and Jensen method was used to culture Plasmodium falciparum and maintained in fresh O + human erythrocytes at 3% hematocrit in complete medium (Roswell Park Memorial Institute-RPMI 1640). Mark III test developed by WHO was used to assess the antiplasmodial activity of the plant’s crude extract and fractions against the ring stage of P. falciparum strains Pf3D7. Cytotoxicity was determined against Vero cell line using microculture tetrazolium (MTT). GC-FID was employed to identify bioactive constituents in the most active fraction. Results: The plant extracts showed varied degrees of inhibition of parasitaemia with IC 50Pf3D7 values ranging between 4.0 to 1000 μg/ mL. The methanol stem bark extract of A. floribunda exhibited very active antiplasmodial activity (IC 50Pf3D7 = 4.3 ± 0.17μg / mL), the leaf extract showed active antiplasmodial activity (IC 50Pf3D7 = 8.0 ± 0.28 μg / mL) while the oil extract was inactive against the parasite (IC 50 > 100 μg / mL). Both the leaf and stem bark extracts were found to be non-cytotoxic in contrast to the standard cytotoxic drug, doxorubicin. The selectivity indices (S.I.) of the extracts against the parasites were 13.32 and 8.18 for the stem bark and leaf, respectively. Among the stem bark fractions, dichloromethane (DCM) had the best inhibition against the P. falciparum parasite (DCM IC 50Pf3D7 of 1.51 μg/ mL) and was closely followed by the hydromethanol (HMet) fraction (HMet IC 50Pf3D7 of 5.0 μg/ mL) while that of ethylacetate (EAct) and hexane (Hxn) fractions were almost similar (IC 50 Pf3D7 of 6 and 6.25 μg/ mL, respectively).GC-FID analysis of the most active fraction, DCM, showed high presence antiplasmodial flavonoids (naringenin, luteolin, kaemferor and myricetin) and terpenes (α-pinene and β-caryophyllene) which may have been responsible for the excellent antiplasmodial action of the most active fraction. Conclusion: This investigation confirmed that A. floribunda stem bark has potent activity against P. falciparum and it is relatively safe to normal cell. The antiplasmodial action is credited to the presence of bioactive flavonoids and terpenes that may have acted singly or synergistically.
Characterization of accessory genes in coronavirus genomes
Authors: Michel Christian Jean , Mayer Claudine , Poch Olivier , Thompson Julie Dawn
Published: June 2020

Background: The Covid19 infection is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a novel member of the coronavirus (CoV) family. CoV genomes code for a ORF1a / ORF1ab polyprotein and four structural proteins widely studied as major drug targets. The genomes also contain a variable number of open reading frames (ORFs) coding for accessory proteins that are not essential for virus replication, but appear to have a role in pathogenesis. The accessory proteins have been less well characterized and are difficult to predict by classical bioinformatics methods.Methods: We propose a computational tool GOFIX to characterize potential ORFs in virus genomes. In particular, ORF coding potential is estimated by searching for enrichment in motifs of the X circular code, that is known to be over-represented in the reading frames of viral genes.Results: We applied GOFIX to study the SARS-CoV-2 and related genomes including SARS-CoV and SARS-like viruses from bat, civet and pangolin hosts, focusing on the accessory proteins. Our analysis provides evidence supporting the presence of overlapping ORFs 7b, 9b and 9c in all the genomes and thus helps to resolve some differences in current genome annotations. In contrast, we predict that ORF3b is not functional in all genomes. Novel putative ORFs were also predicted, including a truncated form of the ORF10 previously identified in SARS-CoV-2 and a little known ORF overlapping the Spike protein in Civet-CoV and SARS-CoV.Conclusions: Our findings contribute to characterizing sequence properties of accessory genes of SARS coronaviruses, and especially the newly acquired genes making use of overlapping reading frames.
Spatiotemporal and Source Analysis of Ultrafine Particulates (PM1) Over Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Authors: S manjunatha A , Ganesh K E
Published: June 2020

Measurements and analysis of Particulate Matter of aerodynamic diameter 1µm (PM1) has been carried out using indigenously built air sampler APM 577from IIT-Kfor the study period July 2018- July 2019at the following locations of Bengaluru city: Basavanagudi (BAS), Domlur (DOM), Hosur road (HOS) and DC Halli (DCH).The mass concentration of collected PM1 sampleshas been observed to vary from 20.16 µg/m3 to 68.64 µg/m3during the studyperiod. The highest mass concentration of 68.64 µg/m3 was observed for the location BAS and the lowest mass concentration of20.16 µg/m3 was observed for the location DOM. The average mass concentration ofPM1 around Bengaluru for winter, summer, monsoon & post monsoon season is observed to be 47.60 µg/m3,40.24 µg/m3,30.85 µg/m3 and 38.76 µg/m3respectively. The average 24hrmass concentrations of PM1in winter season is found to be higher than National Ambient Air Quality Standards(NAAQS)limit of 60µg/m3 for PM2.5. The SEM-EDAX techniques were used to understand morphology and elemental composition of PM1. SEM Imaging technique confirms the fact that in ambient air atmosphere near the study locations the source of PM1is mainly from anthropogenic activities(primary) and natural (secondary) formation. Also,some of the collected samples showed the presence of microorganisms and biological particles such as bacillus. Elemental composition analysis made by EDAX technique showed the presence of non -metals such as Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Aluminium, Sulphur and potassium.
Perceptions of adolescents concerning pathological video games use: a qualitative study
Authors: Cisamolo Isabelle , Michel Marie , Rabouille Marie , Dupouy Julie , Escourrou Emile
Published: June 2020

Background
Video gaming is one of the main recreational activities of children and adolescents. The American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization recently proposed diagnostic criteria for a pathological use of video games. The objective is to explore the perceptions of adolescents concerning pathological video game use.
Methods
Qualitative study by semi structured individual interviews in the homes of adolescent gamers and non-gamers living in southwest France. The sampling was theoretical. The analysis was carried out using an inductive approach following the phases of thematic analysis. The researchers used triangulation. Collection was concluded when theoretical saturation had been reached.
Results
17 adolescents aged 10–18 were interviewed between April 2018 and March 2019. The adolescents recognised that video games use can be pathological. Deleterious consequences to physical, mental, and social wellbeing associated with gaming were discussed. Mental health, family and social environments, and the type of game seemed to influence the transition from recreational to pathological video-game use. The adolescents agreed on the need to regulate their gaming, particularly through parental control and self-control.
Conclusions
Risks and protective factors related to the types of video game, the adolescent, and the environment were identified. Parental support would help lower the risk of pathological gaming.
Women's experience of psychological birth trauma in China: a qualitative study
Authors: Zhang Ke , Dai Ling , Wu Meiliyang , Zeng Tieying , Yuan Mengmei , Chen Ye
Published: June 2020

Background: The psychological birth trauma is a universal phenomenon in childbearing women. The influences could extend in a wide range, which includes the mothers' health, mother-infant relationship, partner relationship. The medical staff could even choose to quit playing their part in the birthing process. The phenomenon has gradually garnered attention around the world. However, it has rarely been discussed under Chinese special conditions. The study was to explore Chinese women's lived experiences of psychological birth trauma during labor and birth. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted in this study. Twenty-four women were recruited, who reported having experienced psychological birth trauma. In-depth interviews were conducted within one week after birth. Colaizzi's method was used to analyze the data. Results: Twenty-four women participated in the study. Four themes emerged to describe the women's experience of psychological birth trauma: "How am I supposed to relieve the endless pain?" " Can't I be weak?" "Am I not important?" " What uncertainties are waiting for me?" Conclusions: The findings provide deep insight into Chinese women's unique experience of psychological birth trauma. The social and health system could prevent psychological harm during birth and promote maternal health by measures of pain management, thoughtful attention, adequate caring, and prenatal preparation.
Calculation and Validation of a New Synthetic and Autocorrelate Index to Measure the Health Status of a Population
Authors: Tebala Domenico , Tebala Giovanni Domenico
Published: June 2020

Background

The status of health of an individual and - more broadly - of a community or population is defined by the status of their determinants of health. A “systemic” approach to define the health determinants is necessary in order to explore the complex relations existing among them. This study is aimed at identifying a ‘composite systemic’ index of health to measure the impact of socioeconomic factors on public health at local level and to analyze possible spatial autocorrelations between neighboring regions.
Methods

A Composite Index of Health (CIH) was constructed on the basis of known indicators of socio-economic well being by using the COMIC (COMposite Indices Creator) Software and was validated on the Italian population and a nationwide comparison has been performed.
Results

Analysis of the determinants showed a significant direct correlation between health, environment, work and wealth and inverse correlation between health and social distress. The analysis of data from Italian provinces confirmed the South-North gradient of well-being.
Conclusions

The CIH is a reliable and robust index to evaluate the health of a local population. Although it was validated on Italian data, the index can be easily adapted to any Country.
Insomnia is Associated with Depression and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Huang Xiao , Wei Changwei , Wang Jing , Lin Dandan , Zhang Juxia , Hao Yanan , Wu Dan , Wu Anshi
Published: June 2020

BackgroundTo investigate the difference of demographic, health status and clinical characteristics of patients with or without insomnia postoperatively, and to identify the potential risk factors of insomnia.Methods299 patients undergoing surgery were included. Patients were divided into group A (insomnia, N = 78) and group B (without insomnia, N = 221). Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) were applied to all patients preoperatively. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was assessed preoperatively, and at the end of the surgery, one day after surgery, two days after surgery and three days after surgery. The PHQ-9, the GAD-7 and the ISI were reassessed three days after surgery. Information on sociodemographic variables and demographic data were collected.ResultsAmong the two groups, the average points patients got in the ISI, PHQ-9 and the GAD-7 in group A were also significantly higher than those in group B. The VAS score 3 days after surgery was significantly higher in group A. The PHQ-9 and the GAD-7 3 days after surgery showed significantly higher depression and anxiety scores in group A. Logistic regression showed ISI (P < 0.001, 95%CI = 1.218-1.500), the GAD-7 (P = 0.01, 95%CI = 0.712–0.954) preoperatively and the PHQ-9 postoperatively (P < 0.001, 95%CI = 1.226–1.555) were risk factors of insomnia.ConclusionsInsomnia is common in patients, which worsen after surgery. The present study suggests that depression and anxiety are risk factors of poor sleep quality after surgery. There is a need for further research and strategies for depression and anxiety management to achieve better sleep and significant health benefits in these patients.Trial registration: clinical trial, NCT04027751. Registered 22 July 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04027751?cond=NCT04027751&cntry=CN&draw=2&rank=1.
Evaluation of the SureX HPV Genotyping Test for the Detection of High-Risk HPV in Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Wei Baojun , Mei Ping , Huang Shengkai , Yu Xueting , Zhi Tong , Wang Guojing , Xu Xiaotian , Xiao Lin , Dong Xin , Cui Wei
Published: June 2020

Background: The SureX HPV genotyping test (SureX HPV test), which targets the human papillomavirus (HPV) E6/E7 genes was compared with the Cobas 4800 and Venus HPV tests for detecting 14 high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) types in clinical referral and follow-up patients to evaluate its value for cervical cancer screening.Methods: Two different populations were enrolled in the study. The first population comprised 185 cases and was used for comparing the SureX HPV test (Health, China) with the Cobas 4800 test (Roche, USA). The second population comprised 290 cases and was used for comparing the SureX HPV test (Health, China) with the Venus HPV test (Zhijiang, China). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing was performed for further confirmation of discordant results.Results: In the first population, the overall agreement rate was 95.3% for 14 High-Risk HPV types. Eight discordant cases were confirmed by PCR sequencing, which showed that the agreement rates were 75.0% between the SureX HPV test and PCR sequencing and 25.0% between the Cobas 4800 test and PCR sequencing (P<0.01). In the second population, the overall agreement rate was 94.5%. Thirteen discordant cases were confirmed by PCR sequencing, which showed that the agreement rates were 76.9% between the SureX HPV test and PCR sequencing and 23.1% between the Venus HPV test and PCR sequencing (P<0.01). With cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2+ (CIN2+) as the reference standard, the sensitivity values of the SureX HPV test and the Venus HPV test were 93.5% and 92.0%, (P>0.05), while the specificity values were 43.3% and 46.7%, respectively (P>0.05).Conclusion: The SureX HPV test had good consistency with both the Cobas 4800 and Venus HPV tests for 14 HR-HPV types. In addition, it avoided some false negatives and false positives. Therefore, the SureX HPV test can be used for cervical cancer screening.
From dissociative experience and internet use to happiness: A Taiwan Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Lung For-Wey , Shu Bih-Ching , Chiang Tung-Liang , Lin Shio-Jean
Published: June 2020

Background

Functional and excessive use of internet is hard to distinguish, and internet use can affect adolescents’ development of self-identity. The aim of our study was to investigate the pathway relationship of the risk and protective factors of internet use, including mother care, absorptive dissociative trait, having been bullied, exercise, self-perceived depressive mood and happiness of 12-year-old adolescents.
Methods

The Taiwan Birth Cohort Study dataset, which used a national household probability sampling method and included 17,694 12-years-old adolescents, was used for this study.
Results

Our results showed 5.3% adolescents reported to spend more than five hours online during schooldays. Additionally, adolescents that spend more than five hours online during schooldays tended to have higher absorptive trait, perceived less care from mothers, more likely to have been bullied, expressed higher level of depressed mood, which leads to lower level of perceived happiness.
Conclusions

Adolescents that spend more than 5 hours online during schooldays, compared to those that spent less than an hour online, were more likely to have been bullied and affect their level of happiness, showing that they may be a group of higher concern. Since parental care and regular exercise are protective factors for internet addiction, it should be promoted to all adolescents, especially those in the high risk group, to prevent them from being addicted online.
Gut Microbiota as Prognosis Markers for Patients with HBV-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: Wang Ke , Zhang Zhao , Mo Zhi-Shuo , Yang Xiao-Hua , Lin Bing-Liang , Pen Liang , Xu Yang , Lei Chun-Yan , Zhuang Xiao-Dong , Lv Ling , Yang Rui-Fu , Chen Tao , gao zhi-liang
Published: June 2020

Background
The gut microbiota in the hepatitis B virus related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is poorly defined. We aim to uncover the characteristics of the gut microbiota in HBV-ACLF and in other HBV associated pathologies.
Methods
We analyzed the gut microbiome in patients with HBV-ACLF or other HBV associated pathologies and healthy individuals by 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples. 212 patients with HBV-ACLF, 252 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 162 with HBV-associated cirrhosis (HBV-LC) and 877 healthy individuals were recruited for the study. CHB and HBV-LC patients are grouped as HBV-Other.
Results
We discovered striking differences in the microbiome diversity between the HBV-ACLF, HBV-Other and healthy groups using 16S rRNA sequencing. The ratio of cocci to bacilli was significantly elevated in the HBV-ACLF group compared with healthy group. Further analysis within the HBV-ACLF group identified 52 genera showing distinct richness within the group where Enterococcus was enriched in the progression group whilst Faecalibacterium was enriched in the regression group. Metagenomic sequencing validated these findings and further uncovered an enrichment of Lactobacillus casei paracasei in progression group, while Alistipes senegalensis, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Parabacteroides merdae dominated the regression group. Importantly, our analysis revealed that there was a rapid increase of Enterococcus faecium during the progression of HBV-ACLF.
Conclusions
The gut microbiota displayed distinct composition at different phases of HBV-ACLF. High abundance of Enterococcus is associated with progression while that of Faecalibacterium is associated with regression of HBV-ACLF. Therefore the microbiota features hold promising potential as prognostic markers for HBV-ACLF.
Finnish version of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ-FI): validity and reliability assessment
Authors: Toivonen Elli , Dencker Anna , Uotila Jukka , Huhtala Heini , Palomäki Outi
Published: June 2020

BackgroundChildbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) was developed in Sweden to assess the childbirth experience in multiple dimensions. It has been translated and validated in English, Spanish, Chinese and Persian with the aim to evaluate childbirth experience reliably. This study aimed to validate the Finnish version of the questionnaire, CEQ-FI.MethodsPrimiparous women who had given birth in Tampere University Hospital between January and May 2019 were included in the study. Women planning a cesarean delivery, delivering preterm, or women whose children were transferred to neonatal care were excluded. Eligible 450 women were mailed the questionnaire one month postpartum, and those who completed the questionnaire were mailed it again six weeks postpartum. Test-retest reliability was evaluated by computing kappa coefficients for the two responses. Background data was collected from patient records and used to perform known-groups validation. Internal consistency was assessed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha.ResultsOne hundred seventy-five women returned the questionnaire. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were good. Women with known risk factors for a negative childbirth experience scored lower in the questionnaire, as expected.ConclusionCEQ-FI is a valid and reliable instrument in measuring childbirth experience also among Finnish-speaking women.
Parent feedback: perception of parents and pediatric residents in Asian culture
Authors: Pakakasama Samart , Donkers Jeroen , Puranitee Pongtong
Published: June 2020

Background

Residency programs have used feedback of parents as a part of multisource feedback to improve residents’ skills. However, there is no evidence showing how parents can appropriately be engaged in pediatric resident feedback in our context. This study aimed to investigate: 1) the resident skills assessed by parents in perception of Thai parents and pediatric residents and 2) the parent characteristics making credible feedback in perception of Thai pediatric residents.
Methods

The participating parents were asked to rate their confident to assess residents’ skills according to 17 items of the PARENTS questionnaire (Likert scale 1–5). To enhance the reasons of parent’s confident, the parents responded to think aloud interviews. We conducted focus groups in order to explore the resident perception on parents’ assessable resident skills and credible parent characteristics.
Results

There were 51 parents revealing the mean confident scores of 17 items ranged from 4.06 to 4.37. The parents felt confident to assess the residents’ skills according to the questionnaire because they directly experienced the residents’ performance during admissions. Five resident focus groups were conducted. In resident perception, residents’ skills in communication, collaboration, leadership and professionalism were assessable by parents. The characteristics affecting the feedback credibility included parents’ prior experience, personal behavior and confrontation to medical situation.
Conclusions

Thai residency programs may use parent feedback for residents’ performance improvement as both parents and residents are able to identify the parents’ assessable skills. The feedback process should consider the credible parents’ characteristics to increase the acceptability and avoid the bias.
Prevalence and Molecular Spectrum of α- and β-Globin Gene Mutations in Hainan, China
Authors: Wang Zhen , Sun Wenye , Chen Huaye , Zhang Yongfang , Wang Fei , Huang Yanhua , Chen Hongjian , Zhou Yao , Zhou Xixi , Li Qi , Ma Yanlin
Published: June 2020

Background: Thalassemia is one of the most prevalent inherited single gene diseases. Prevention of β-thalassemia through prenatal diagnosis is the one of the most effective and direct approach to control the spread of this life-threatening disease. This study aims to determine the prenatal diagnosis of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia in 3049 families among eighteen regions of Hainan Province using molecular diagnosis.Methods: This study enrolled a total of 3049 couples and their fetuses at The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from January 2004 to March 2020. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of the couples and villus, amniotic fluid, or fetal cord blood of fetuses. DNA-based diagnosis was performed using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Here, the most commonly detected mutation of α-thalassemia was a South-East Asian deletion (31.53%), followed by –α4.2/αα (11.15%), –α3.7/αα (11.02%). The most common mutation for β-thalassemia was CD41/42, followed by -28, accounting for 30.27% and 2.56%, respectively. The regions with the highest prevalence were the coastal regions and the regions with the lowest prevalence were Wenchang, Lingao and Ding’an. We also examined thalassemia gene mutations in Han people and other minority groups and found that the most common gene mutations in different ethnic were not homogeneous. Prenatal diagnosis showed 556 normal, 118 α-thalassemia hydrops and 161 β-thalassemia major fetuses. Conclusion: Our findings provide important information for clinical genetic counseling of prenatal diagnosis for thalassemia major in Hainan Province.
LncRNA CEBPA-AS1 Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Sponging miR-340-5p to Regulate APPL1/LKB1/AMPK Pathway
Authors: Tu Xiankun , Zhang Huabin , Huang Bin , Wu Xiyao , Shi Songsheng
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to research the mechanism of lncRNA CEBPA-AS1 in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). METHODS: Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), MCAO/IR and OGD/R models were constructed. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) detected the binding of miR-340-5p to CEBPA-AS1. CEBPA-AS1 and miR-340-5p was knockdown or up-regulated. RT-PCR and western blot was processed to detect the expression of related genes and proteins. Brain tissue water content in each group was determined. Nissl staining in hippocampus of the brain and NeuN staining (green) assay was used to observe nerve damage and detect nerve cell survival, respectively. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Nerve cell survival was observed by immunofluorescence cytochemistry assay. LDH and MDA content were detected by kit. TUNEL was used to detect apoptosis. Luciferase reporter system was processed for verifying the binding sites. After overexpressing CEBPA-AS1 in PC-12 cells, RNA pulldown assay was performed. TTC assay was used to observe the general morphology of the brain. RESULTS: Overexpression of CEBPA-AS1 attenuated MCAO/IR-induced nerve damage. Increased CEBPA-AS1 expression reduced neuronal apoptosis in MCAO/IR model. Knockdown of CEBPA-AS1 aggravated cell damage OGD/R cell model. CEBPA-AS1 increased APPL1 expression via negatively regulating miR-340-5p, and affected APPL1/LKB1/AMPK pathway. CEBPA-AS1 attenuated OGD/R-induced cell damage by reducing miR-340-5p levels. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA CEBPA-AS1 could alleviate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by sponging miR-340-5p to regulate APPL1/LKB1/AMPK pathway.
Belching symptoms in gastroesophageal reflux disease, and prevalence and clinical characteristics of belching in Japanese adults
Authors: FUJIWARA YASUHIRO , Okuyama Masatsugu , Nagami Yasuaki , Taira Koichi , Ishizu Hirotaka , Takaishi Osamu , Sato Hiroshi , Watanabe Toshio
Published: June 2020

Background

Belching is the act of expelling gas from the stomach or esophagus noisily through the oral cavity. Although it is a physiological phenomenon, belching may also be a symptom of upper gastrointestinal diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A detailed epidemiology of belching has not yet been reported.
Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of belching in Japanese adults.
Methods

We analyzed 1,998 subjects using data from a previous study of the association between GERD, psychological stress, and sleep disturbances in Japanese adults. Belching was evaluated according to the score to question 11 (‘Do you burp a lot?’) on the frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG): 0 (never), 1 (occasionally), 2 (sometimes), 3 (often), and 4 (always). We also collected the clinical parameters, endoscopic findings, and data according to the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Rome III questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS).
Results

Subjects with GERD, especially non-erosive reflux disease, complained of belching more frequently. When we defined belching as an FSSG Q11 score ≥ 2 (sometimes or more frequent), 347 (17.4%) Japanese adults had belching. Subjects with belching were predominantly men and had more common functional dyspepsia. In addition, scores of HADS and AIS in subjects with belching were significantly higher compared to subjects without belching. Male sex, presence of functional dyspepsia, anxiety/depression, and sleep disturbances were significantly associated with a higher odds ratio for belching.
Conclusion

The epidemiology of belching in Japanese adults was clarified.
A Thermo-Dynamical Theory of Consciousness
Authors: bajaj gaurav
Published: June 2020

Humans have always thought of consciousness as property possessed by a living organism, without being able to properly define it in scientific terms. Many articles have been published to explain what consciousness is. In this article, consciousness has been defined as a quantity (‘variable’ would be a better word according to mathematics), which is linked with entropy of the system. The article explains consciousness, its role in the universe, not only in living systems, but also in non-living thermo-dynamical systems. Not only that, the article also explains its role with quantum biology, a newly emerging field of biology.
The Impact of Studying a Postgraduate Course in Clinical Biomechanics on Professional Practice
Authors: Branthwaite Helen , Calvert Sian , Chockalingam Nachiappan
Published: June 2020

Background There is a continual need for allied health professionals to maintain an active CPD portfolio for registration. Profession specific postgraduate studies have been shown previously to clinically enhance practice leading to extended scope and leadership roles. It is not well known though if completing an interprofessional, subject specific award has any impact on clinical practice. The aim of this paper was to retrospectively review what the clinical and professional practice impact was from gaining a postgraduate award in Clinical Biomechanics had on alumni’s practice. Methods 25 multidisciplinary alumni from Staffordshire University, Clinical Biomechanics suite of postgraduate awards, responded to a questionnaire designed to review any changes in clinical practice and the impact studying had had for participants. Results Thematic analysis of results highlighted trends in competency development and clinical impact of postgraduate study, indicating professional development and improved confidence in work interprofessional practices. Conclusion This study supports interprofessional cohorts of postgraduate study for a wider subject area, which has shown to enhance the evaluation of specific clinical practice whilst taking on a broader perspective of the topic, developing stronger and wider clinical conclusions.