bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Training Need Assessment of Teaching, Research, Extension and Administrative Competencies of Assistant/Associate Professors of Veterinary Colleges of KVAFSU
Authors: Hosure Shreyansh , Pavitra G.N. , Pradeepkumar S. , Jagadeeswary V. , Satyanarayan K.
Published: March 2020

The aim of this research was to assess training need of teaching, research, extension and administrative competencies of assistant/associate professors from four veterinary colleges namely Bengaluru, Bidar, Hassan and Shimoga. An exploratory research design was adopted for the study. A total of 60 respondents were selected, fifteen each from four colleges. The result from the study revealed that majority of the respondents are in need of training on design of web-based learning materials (85.00%) in teaching component, in research component majority are in need on skills in formulation of research proposals (88.33%), majority are in need on training of skills in transfer of technology (70.00%) in extension component and in administrative component majority are in need on skills in management of organizational resources (83.33%). Need based training on different component has to be organized by the university. The university should consider the most preferred training methods identified in this study while developing training strategies and while training the professionals of the university. Short duration programmes, repetition of the existing programmes and conducting the training during vacations will help the staff to attend the programmes without affecting their regular works.
Effect of Different Bio-fertilizers on the Chlorophyll, Nitrogen and Vitamin E Content in Arachis hypogeae L. and Sesamum indicum L.
Authors: Gayathri V. , Aiswariya K.
Published: March 2020

The peanut or ground nut (Arachis hypogeae L.) is a species in the legume or bean family (Fabaceae). Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a flowering plant belonging to the family Pedaliaceae. The present study was carried out to study the effect of different bio-fertilizers on the chlorophyll, nitrogen content on the 30th day of growth of the plants and Vitamin E content in the seeds after harvest of the two test crops. The bio-fertilizers used were Azospirillum, panchagavya, VAM fungi and a mixture of these three fertilizers. Control plant was maintained without any fertilizer application. The chlorophyll and nitrogen content seemed to be more in the plants treated with mixture of organic fertilizers in both the plants. The Vitamin E content were found to be higher in seeds obtained from Azospirillum treated plants in groundnut and VAM fungus treated plants in sesame.
Effect of Spacing and Levels of Phosphorus on the Growth and Yield of Green Gram (Vigna radiata) under Rainfed Condition of Nagaland
Authors: Hangsing N. , Tzudir L. , Singh A. P.
Published: March 2020

The field experiment conducted in the experimental farm of School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD), Nagaland University during kharif season (June- September) of 2016 revealed that spacing at 30 x 10 cm recorded significantly the higher plant height (48.10 cm), number of leaves (5.47), shoot dry weight (2.88 g plant-1), LAI (2.88) and yield attributes such as number of pods plant-1 (17.00), length of pods (6.81 cm), seed yield (688.54 kg ha-1) and stover yield (1917.81 kg ha-1) respectively. Application of phosphorus at 40 kg ha-1 recorded significantly the higher plant height (49.37 cm) , number of leaves (5.73), shoot dry weight (3.34 g plant-1) , LAI (3.34) , CGR (6.37 g m-2 day-1) and yield attributes such as number of pods plant-1 (17.56) , length of pods (6.91 cm), seed yield (737.42 kg ha-1) and stover yield (1973.01 kg ha-1) respectively.
Effect of Nitrobenzene on Flowering, Fruiting and Quality Parameters of Apple cv. Royal Delicious under Cold Dry Temperate Region of Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Kumar Arun
Published: March 2020

Apple accounts for more than 74 per cent of total fruit production in Himachal Pradesh. Poor fruit-set as well as heavy fruit drop due to improper pollination, moisture stress and adverse environmental conditions during flowering are the major barriers in dry temperate zone fruit production of apple. Apple tree blooms abundantly but only very few of them matures into fruit and it is the need of the hour to induce better fruiting with chemicals that ultimately augment the productivity. With such an intent the experiment was carried out. Nitrobenzene 20 % EW applied as a foliar treatment at three stages i.e. pink bud, petal fall and fruit setting stage. The highest number of fruits and flowers/plant was observed in T4 (3ml/liter) and T3 (2 ml/liter) of Nitrobenzene 20 % applied treatments. On the other hand the lowest number of flowers as well as fruits were recorded from T2 (1 ml/liter) and T1 (control). Among different treatments tested, 20% nitrobenzene applied at 3 ml/litre showed superior results in contrast to other nitrobenzene levels with enhancing flowering, fruit set, yield and quality.
Radiation study techniques in diagnosing the causes of opisthorchiasis-induced obstructive jaundice
Authors: Klimova N. V. , Ilkanich A. Ya. , Darvin V. V. , Koctrubin A. L. , Vardanyan T. S. , Aliev F. S.
Published: March 2020

Objective:to analyze the diagnostic value of radiation techniques in patients with opisthorchiasis-induced obstructive jaundice and to determine the types of bile duct (BD) changes characteristic of this disease.

Subjects and methods.The investigation enrolled 103 patients with chronic opisthorchiasis complicated by obstructive jaundice. For BD visualization, the investigators used radiation diagnostic methods, such as ultrasonography (USG), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); their efficiency was evaluated.

Results.ERCP and MRCP could identify 5 types of BD architectonics in opisthorchiasis-induced obstructive jaundice. The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of MRCP in diagnosing opisthorchiasis-induced sclerotic changes were 98.1, 87.5, and 96.8%, respectively.

Conclusion.Among instrumental methods for diagnosing sclerotic BD changes in prolonged opisthorchiasis invasion, it is preferable to use MRCP, which is determined by its high informative value. Five types of cholangioarchitectonics are detectable in chronic opisthorchiasis complicated by obstructive jaundice.
The possibility of reactivation of herpes simplex virus as a result of photodynamic therapy — case report
Authors: Szymoniak‑Lipska Marta , Dańczak‑Pazdrowska Aleksandra , Pazdrowski Paweł , Żaba Ryszard , Adamski Zygmunt , Polańska Adriana
Published: March 2020

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common disorder, presented with scaly, erythematous lesions associated with chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and possible transforming into an invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is one of non-invasive methods of treatment AK. We report the case of a 61-year-old female patient with AK treated with PDT in whom erythema and pustules with concomitant elevated body temperature were observed, what might indicate on reactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.
Difficulties of being young, reflections on anti‑aging
Authors: Mojs Ewa
Published: March 2020

Youth is undeniably a positive value, something that we consider to be good and which we would like to possess forever. However, time prevents us from it. We are getting older. Ageing is a process affecting every living organism, without exception, and death is a natural part of life. The aim of this work is to present cultural and psychological conditions for the development of aesthetic medicine. Progress in this area contributes to achieving the objectives of maintaining a young appearance. However, the technology development may result in some health issues. The use of aesthetic medicine treatments is influenced by motivational mechanisms, which are responsible for activating, directing, maintaining and ending the behaviour.Sometimes, however, these mechanisms are disrupted and there may be an increase in forced activities and addiction. Advances in medicine therefore require the development of gold standards of practice. They should be aimed at improving people's health, but also at stopping the aging process, prolonging life, adding healthy years to life. Therefore, we should look for methods of preserving youth, physical, mental, emotional, naturalness, activity and self‑awareness. And these should not be separable objectives.
Initial Review and Analysis of COVID-19 Host Genetics and Associated Phenotypes
Authors: Tanigawa Yosuke , Rivas Manuel
Published: March 2020

The global pandemic of COVID-19 accounts for more than 14,000 deaths worldwide. However, little is known about the host genetics interaction with infection and COVID-19 progression. To better understand the role of host genetics, we review the current literature, aggregate readily available genetic resources, and provide some updated analysis relevant to COVID-19 and associated phenotypes. Using the unrelated individuals in UK Biobank (total n = 337,579 across 5 populations), we aggregate human leukocyte antigen and ABO blood type frequencies. We find significant and consistent risk reduction of blood group O reported in Zhao et al. and encourage broad sharing of ABO blood type frequencies that are readily accessible across COVID-19 with mild, moderate, and severe/critical symptoms for robust inferences at https://tinyurl.com/abo-covid19. In addition, we generate polygenic risk scores (PRSs) weights for 29 blood measurements, including clinically relevant haematological measurements for COVID-19, such as lymphocyte count and percentage. Focusing on the 8 most COVID-19 clinically relevant blood measurements, we performed PRS-PheWAS analysis across 44 disease antigen measurements (n = 6,643 unrelated individuals in White British group), infectious diseases and acute respiratory infections (n = 20,928 cases and 349,000 controls across 3 population groups) and deaths (n = 1,846 cases and 368,082 controls), recorded in hospital inpatient record and death registry data, respectively, in UK Biobank, and find host genetic PRS associations with disease risk. Taken together, we anticipate these resources (https://github.com/rivas-lab/covid19) will aid in improving our understanding of host genetic risk factors playing a role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease severity.
LOCATIONAL STUDY OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND MADRASAH TSANAWIYAH USING GEOGRAPHY INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) AT CEPOGO SUBDISTRICT BOYOLALI DISTRICT IN 2016
Authors: Rahman MS Khabibur , Jumadi Jumadi
Published: March 2020

This research was conducted to find out and analyze the coverage of junior high school and madrasah tsanawiyah services to the user community in Cepogo District. The research used descriptive geographical research method using map analysis and the data collection methods used were documentation studies and field observations. The data collection technique in this study used a population that includes all junior secondary schools and Islamic elementary schools in Cepogo sub-district with primary data in the form of school locations obtained through field measurements using GPS (Global Potential System) and secondary data obtained from agencies authority and results from previous studies. The data analysis technique used was secondary data analysis techniques and map analysis techniques using buffer analysis. The results showed that there was a difference between supply (number of elementary school graduates) and demand (study group) in which supply was greater than demand. In addition, the coverage of education facilities at the junior high school / MTs level in Cepogo District is in accordance with the minimum standards of the national education minister's regulation no. 24 of 2007 concerning the maximum distance to education facilities, which is no more than 6 km with no hazardous track.
UTILIZATION OF GEOSPASIAL INFORMATION TO IMPROVE MAKING MAP SKILL IN GEOGRAPHY LEARNING
Authors: Purnomo Dony
Published: March 2020

The aim of this reseach are: (1) To describe the use of geospatial information in improving the skills of students in making maps, (2) To improve the skills of students in making maps. This class action research uses two cycles with research subjects in class XI IPS 4 at SMAN 1 Purwantoro academic year 2018/2019. The indicator of success in this study is the classical completeness of students above 70% and there is an increase in student learning outcomes. The results of this study are (1) Utilization of geospatial information in improving map-making skills through several stages, namely introduction, gathering geospatial information, making maps, presentations, closing. (2) Utilization of geospatial information on geographic subjects can improve students' skills in making maps. Improvement of student learning outcomes is reflected in the percentage of classical completeness in the first cycle of 57.69% and in the second cycle rose to 88.46%. While the average value in classical in the first cycle of 69.82 rose to 82.38 in cycle 2.
GEOGRAPHIC RHYTHM STUDY SCULPTURE AND CARVING ART INDUSTRY JEPARA DISTRICT CASE STUDY IN MULYOHARJO VILLAGE
Authors: Iswanto Angger Bagus , Sarwono Sarwono , Noviani Rita
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study is to find out geography rhythm procurement of raw materials, marketing destination, and problems with production factors sculpture and carving industry in the center of the sculpture and carving industry center in Mulyoharjo Village, Jepara District. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method. The respondent is a sculpture and carving industry entrepreneur in Mulyoharjo Village whose population is 104 industries and 30 industries are sampled. Data collection by interview, documentation and observation. Data analysis used a descriptive qualitative interactive model technique. The results of the study concluded that 86.6% of the industries experienced capital problem,73.3% of the industries experiences raw material problem, 66.6% of the industries experiences marketing problem, and 73,3% of the industries experiences finding workers problem. The most difficult workforce to find is engraver because absence of engraver regeneration. The raw materials used are teak wood and tamarind. In 1990 the raw material came from Jepara. In 1997-2005 the origin of raw materials expanded into the Java Island region. In 2006-2019 the origin of raw materials moved out of Java. The current availability of wood is not experiencing scarcity but the price is increasing. In 1990-1992 the destination areas for product marketing were in the Jepara Regency area only. In 1993-1995 product marketing could reach big cities in Indonesia. Marketing of products to international markets occurred in 1996 until now. In 2013 the number of exports increased with a value of 7,505,772.91 US $. In 2014 to 2018 the number of exports decreased.
Technology Focus: History Matching and Forecasting (April 2020)
Authors: Emerick Alexandre
Published: March 2020

Technology Focus

In project management, there is a model known as the quality triangle, which states that a project is constrained by three aspects: quality, time, and cost. Usually, one of these constraints is fixed. For example, if the cost is fixed, the quality of the project will depend heavily on the time available for the conclusion. Of course, this is an idealized and incomplete model of reality, but it has its merits.

In the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to work on sever-al history-matching cases. Every time I think about these cases, the quality triangle comes to mind. Most history-matching studies have fixed resources—that is, the team of engineers and geoscientists is predetermined. (So, the cost vertex of the triangle is settled.) Moreover, the deadlines are always very strict. This constrained scenario often leads to an unfortunate result: The quality of the study suffers. In some cases, this quality reduction comes in the form of a reduction in scope. For example, instead of matching data from all wells of the reservoir, we limit the analysis to the wells near the area of interest of the project. However, we must remember that history matching is never the end of the history. Creeping the quality in a reservoir study can result in very serious consequences for a project by harming the decision-making, which surely can cost a lot of money.

So, what is the way around this problem? The answer is twofold: people and technology. Training is important, and integration is paramount. A talented and engaged team is the main component for success. Technology is the other component. Recent advances in seismic inversion, geostatistics, reservoir simulation, assisted history matching, and high-performance computing (just to mention a few) should always be on the table. In good hands, they can make a difference.

As usual, we had a nice collection of papers on history matching and forecasting published this past year. This feature summarizes some good examples, but you can find many other interesting papers on the OnePetro.org online library. I hope you enjoy the reading.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

IPTC 19128 Benchmarking of State-of-the-Art Assisted History-Matching Methods Under Reservoir Uncertainty on a Complex Waterflooding Process by Marko Maucec, Saudi Aramco, et al.

SPE 195549 A Proper Data Comparison for Seismic History-Matching Processes by Alessandra Davolio, University of Campinas, et al.

SPE 195837 Methods for Probabilistic Uncertainty Quantification With Reliable Subsurface Assessment and Robust Decision-Making by Shusei Tanaka, Chevron, et al.
Genomic heterogeneity of Dichelobacter nodosus within and between UK sheep flocks and between age groups within a flock
Authors: DAVIES PEERS , Blanchard Adam , Staley Ceri , Bollard Nikki , Coffey Tracey , Tötemeyer Sabine
Published: March 2020

Background Footrot and interdigital dermatitis are endemic infectious diseases in all sheep farming regions, impairing welfare and production. The development of efficacious vaccines against the primary causative pathogen has been hampered by the extensive antigenic diversity of Dichelobacter nodosus . Understanding the heterogeneity of the pathogen within and between flocks is essential if the feasibility of bespoke vaccine production is to be assessed for use in the U.K. Results In this study 56 ewe and lamb isolates from 9 flocks were compared by D. nodosus serogroup and Multi Locus Sequence Type which provides significantly enhanced discriminatory power for molecular epidemiology. Serogroup heterogeneity between flocks ranged from two to five unique serogroups per flock. Three flocks contained isolates of two serogroups, two flocks contained isolates of three serogroups and one flock included isolates of five serogroups. Analysis of 25 isolates from one flock with high prevalence of lameness, identified that serogroup and sequence type was significantly correlated with age. Significantly higher proportion of lambs were infected with serogroup B (principally ST85) as opposed to serogroup H (principally ST86), which predominated amongst adult sheep. Conclusions Genomic heterogeneity of the pathogen was significantly lower within flock compared to heterogenicity observed between flocks. Furthermore, this study indicates that within a flock, the host-pathogen dynamics and susceptibility to particular D. nodosus strains may be age dependent. Keywords D. nodosus; Footrot; interdigital dermatitis; lameness; sheep; MLST; Serogroup; molecular epidemiology
Comparison of methods for the detection of in vitro synergy in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Gaudereto Juliana Januario , Neto Lauro Vieira Perdigão , Leite Gleice Cristina , Sanchez Evelyn , Martins Roberta Cristina Ruedas , Prado Gladys Villas Boas do , Rossi Flavia , Guimarães Thais , Levin Anna Sara , costa silvia figueiredo
Published: March 2020

Background
The use of combined antibiotic therapy has become an option for infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. The time-kill (TK) assay is considered the gold standard method for the evaluation of in vitro synergy, but it is a time-consuming and expensive method.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate two methods for testing in vitro antimicrobial combinations: the disk diffusion method through disk approximation (DA) and the agar gradient diffusion method via the MIC:MIC ratio. The TK assay was included as the gold standard. MDR Gram-negative clinical isolates (n=62; 28 Pseudomonas aeruginosa , 20 Acinetobacter baumannii , and 14 Serratia marcescens ) were submitted to TK, DA, and MIC:MIC ratio synergy methods.
Results
Overall, the agreement between the DA and TK assays ranged from 20 to 93%. The isolates of A. baumannii showed variable results of synergism according to TK, and the calculated agreement was statistically significant in this species against fosfomycin with meropenem including colistin-resistant isolates. The MIC:MIC ratiometric agreed from 35 to 71% with TK assays. The kappa test showed good agreement for the combination of colistin with amikacin (K = 0.58; P = 0.04) among the colistin-resistant A. baumannii isolates.
Conclusions
The DA and MIC:MIC ratiometric methods are easier to perform and might be a more viable tool for clinical microbiology laboratories.
Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of ovarian follicles reveal the role of VLDLR in chicken follicle selection
Authors: Chen Qiuyue , Wang Yiya , Liu Zemin , Guo Xiaoli , Sun Yi , Kang Li , Jiang Yunliang
Published: March 2020

Background: Follicle selection in chickens refers to the process of selecting one follicle from a group of small yellow follicles (SY, 6-8 mm in diameter) for development into 12-15 mm hierarchical follicles (usually F6 follicles), which is an important process affecting laying performance in the poultry industry. Although transcriptomic analysis of chicken ovarian follicles has been reported, integrated analysis of chicken follicles for selection by using both transcriptomic and proteomic approaches is still rarely performed. In this study, we compared the proteomes and transcriptomes of SY and F6 follicles in laying hens and identified several genes involved in chicken follicle selection.
Results: Transcriptomic analysis revealed 855 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between SY follicles and F6 follicles in laying hens, among which 202 were upregulated and 653 were downregulated. Proteomic analysis revealed 259 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), including 175 upregulated and 84 downregulated proteins. Among the identified DEGs and DEPs, changes in the expression of seven genes, including VLDLR1, WIF1, NGFR, AMH, BMP15, GDF6 and MMP13 , and nine proteins, including VLDLR, VTG1, VTG3, PSCA, APOB, APOV1, F10, ZP2 and ZP3L2, were validated. Further analysis indicated that the mRNA level of chicken VLDLR was higher in F6 follicles than in SY follicles and was also higher in granulosa cells (GCs) than in thecal cells (TCs), and it was stimulated by FSH in GCs of prehierarchical follicles.
Conclusions: By comparing the proteomes and transcriptomes of SY and F6 follicles in laying hens, we identified several differentially expressed proteins/genes that might play certain roles in chicken follicle selection. These data may contribute to the identification of functional genes and proteins involved in chicken follicle selection.
High-throughput Sequencing Study of the Effect of Transabdominal Hysterectomy on Intestinal Flora in Patients with Uterine Fibroids
Authors: Wang Wantong , Li Yibing , Wu Qijun , Pan Xin , He Xinhui , Ma Xiaoxin
Published: March 2020

Background: To investigate the effect of transabdominal hysterectomy on the diversity of the intestinal flora in patients with uterine fibroids. Patients with uterine fibroids were selected from September 2018 to December 2018, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, and stool specimens were collected from patients before and after surgery.

Results :High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to detect the changes in microbial community structure and diversity, and the effects of total hysterectomy on the intestinal flora were further analyzed. Estrogen levels decreased after trans-abdominal hysterectomy. High-throughput sequencing showed that after abdominal hysterectomy, the abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora decreased. The abundance changes were mainly due to Proteobacteria, where their abundance increased.

Conclusions :Trans-abdominal hysterectomy changes the intestinal flora of the body by lowering the level of estrogen in the body, which reduces the diversity and abundance of the intestinal flora .

Key words: intestinal flora, uterine fibroids, hysterectomy, estrogen,high-throughput sequencing,16sRNA
Australian Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are susceptible to infection with a highly divergent and sylvatic strain of dengue virus type 2 but are unlikely to transmit it
Authors: Pickering Paul , Hugo Leon , Devine Gregor J , Aaskov John G , Liu wenjun
Published: March 2020

Background: Humans are the primary hosts of dengue viruses (DENV). However, sylvatic cycles of transmission can occur among non-human primates and human encroachment into forested regions can be a source of emergence of new strains such as the highly divergent and sylvatic strain of DENV2, QML22, recovered from a dengue fever patient returning to Australia from Borneo. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the vector competence of Australian Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) mosquitoes for this virus.

Methods: Four to five day old mosquitoes from two strains of Ae. aegypti from Queensland, Australia, were feed a meal of sheep blood containing 108 50% cell culture infectious dose per ml (CCID50/ml) of either QML22 or an epidemic strain of DENV serotype 2 (QML16) isolated from a dengue fever patient in Australia in 2015. Mosquitoes were maintained at 28°C, 75% relative humidity and sampled 7, 10 and 14 days post-infection (DPI). Live virions in mosquito bodies (abdomen/thorax), legs and wings and saliva expectorates from individual mosquitoes were quantified using a Cell Culture Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant Assay (CCELISA) to determine infection, dissemination and transmission rates.

Findings: The infection and dissemination rates of the sylvatic DENV2 strain, QML22, were significantly lower than that for QML16. While the titres of virus in the bodies of mosquitoes infected with either of these viruses were similar, titres in legs and wings were significantly lower in mosquitoes infected with QML22 at most time points although they reached similar levels by 14 DPI. QML16 was detected in 16% (n = 25) and 28% (n = 25) of saliva expectorates at 10 and 14 DPI, respectively. In contrast, no virus was detected in the saliva expectorates of QML22 infected mosquitoes.

Conclusions: Australia urban/peri-urban Ae. aegypti species are susceptible to infection by the sylvatic and highly divergent DENV 2 QML22 but replication of QML22 is attenuated relative to the contemporary strain, QML16. A salivary gland infection or escape barrier may be acting to prevent infection of saliva and would prevent onward transmission of this highly divergent virus in Australia.
Assessment of risk factors for early childhood caries at different ages in Shandong, China and reflections on oral health education: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Meng , Zhang Xinyue , Zhang Yuan , Li Yanan , Shao Chunchun , Xiong Shijiang , Lan Jing , Wang Zhifeng
Published: March 2020

Background: The high prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) is widespread around the world, and oral health education (OHE) plays a vital role in preventing ECC. Numerous studies on ECC risk factor assessment have assisted us in enriching the content of OHE. The objective of this study was to further assess independent risk factors for ECC at different ages to provide evidence and insights for OHE.Methods: Children aged 3-5 years old (N=1301) in Shandong Province were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Data about oral health status and caregivers’ oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) were extracted from the 4th National Oral Health Survey of China. The associations between ECC prevalence and various KAP variables were tested with chi-square tests, bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analyses.Results: The ECC prevalence in Shandong Province was 64.6%, and the dmft mean was 3.15. The independent variables with an increased risk for ECC were age, feeding method within 6 months of birth, bedtime sugar frequency, experience of toothache over the past year and dental visits (P<0.05, chi-square tests). Complete breastfeeding within 6 months of birth primarily contributed to the high ECC risk of the 3-year-old group (OR: 3.39, 95% CI: 1.41-8.17), while high frequency bedtime sweet consumption mainly contributed to that of the 5-year-old group (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.03-10.06; logistic regression analysis). Tooth brushing was not associated with ECC in this study, and some positive knowledge and attitude variables were positively correlated with a high risk of ECC.Conclusion: These data provide evidence to suggest that the ECC-related risk factors at different ages are inconsistent, which provides some insights for OHE. We should highlight the effects of feeding methods in the early stages of deciduous dentition and sugar habits in the late stages of deciduous dentition on ECC, as well as encourage preventive dental visit and supplemental training for oral health practices.
Inconsistencies are common between non-Cochrane systematic reviews and their protocols registered in the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) but were seldom explained
Authors: Hu Kaiyan , Zhang Ting , Zhang Weiyi , Zhou Qi , New Mengyao Jiang , Kwong Joey S.W. , Ma Yuxia , Jiang Yanbiao , Shang Zhizhong , Wu Anhu , Tao Gongcai , Ma Bin
Published: March 2020

Background: Protocols of systematic reviews allow for planning and documentation of review methods and thus improve the transparency of the reviews process. However, pre-registration of a protocol is not enough, the author also need to follow it. PROSPERO is an open-access online database for the registration of non-Cochrane systematic reviews. The purpose of this study is to compare published non-Cochrane reviews with their pre-registered protocols on PROSPERO to determine what changes, if any, have been made, and how likely these changes are to impact the quality of systematic review.
Methods: This is a retrospective comparative study. We searched for protocols on PROSPERO platform that were registered in 2018 and then selected the protocols that full text have been published as of January 1st 2019. Published full texts were identified through the protocol's final publication citation. Two authors independently compared and identified changes between protocols and systematic reviews and then evaluated the impact (improve, reduce, or unclear) of these changes on the reporting or methodology quality of reviews. Descriptive statistics of percentage (%) and frequency (n) were conducted.
Results: We identified 39 pairs, all of which exhibited changes. “Search strategy”(92%, n=36), “data extraction”(90%, n=35), “data synthesis”(77%, n=30), “outcome”(64%, n=24), and “subgroup analysis”(64%, n=24) all showed significant changes. All changes to only one review were considered to improve the reporting or methodology quality, and the remaining 97% of reviews (n=38) contained changes that were considered to reduce the methodology or reporting quality or that had an unclear impact on systematic reviews.
Conclusions: Changes between the non-Cochrane systematic reviews and their protocols recorded on PROSPERO were widespread. Some of the changes reduced the methodology or reporting quality of systematic reviews or had an unclear impact. Measures should be taken to further improve the transparency of the non-Cochrane systematic reviews. Adding a new item in updated “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) and “Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology” (MOOSE) to guide reporting and explaining the changes, as well as advising peer reviewers (and editors) to check the reviews against the protocols are two suggested fundamental solutions.
Access to Oral Health Care: A Focus on Dental Caries Treatment Provision in Enugu Nigeria
Authors: Uguru Nkolika , Onwujekwe Obinna , Ogu Ugochukwu Udochukwu , Uguru Chibuzo
Published: March 2020

Background
Dental caries, despite improvement in oral health across the globe, is still a large contributor to the global burden of oral diseases and a major public health concern. In Enugu state Nigeria, there is minimal access to adequate and proper oral health care. This study examined the determinants of dental caries treatment provision and the challenges of providing equitable access to oral health care.

Method
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in three local government areas in Enugu state Nigeria. The study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The determinants of supply of dental caries treatment services were explored with a focus on provider behaviour, cost of dental services, human resource availability and availability of dental equipment.

Results
Five factors determine what dental caries treatment service is provided viz: cost of raw materials (100%), human resources (98.1%), geographical location (98.1), Government policies (88%) and price of other goods (80.8%). Inadequate awareness and knowledge, high cost of treatment services, inadequately skilled staff, poor government funding and policy for oral health, limited primary healthcare facilities offering dental treatment services and poor knowledge of dental caries treatment options are factors that determine dental service provision and equally influence access to oral health care. There are still a limited number of dental facilities in the country with a growing need for dental caries treatment/services and other dental issues.
Conclusion
Adequate access to oral health care services is a major concern that affects all aspects of healthcare and a determining factor in the country’s drive to achieve universal health coverage. In order to address this, there is a need to incorporate oral health into the general health care system. Dental health facilities need to be strategically located and properly equipped with materials, equipment and adequate skilled staff.
Efficacy and safety of lanreotide autogel compared with lanreotide 40 mg prolonged release in Chinese patients with active acromegaly: Results from a phase 3, prospective, randomized, and open-label study (LANTERN)
Authors: An Zhenmei , Lei Ting , Duan Lian , Hu Pei , Gou Zhongping , Zhang Lihui , Durand-Gasselin Lucie , Wang Nan , Wang Yan , Gu Feng
Published: March 2020

Background

Lanreotide autogel is a somatostatin analog (SSA) approved for the treatment of acromegaly in 73 countries worldwide; however, it is not yet approved in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lanreotide autogel compared with lanreotide 40 mg prolonged release (PR) in Chinese patients with active acromegaly.

Methods

LANTERN was a Phase 3, randomized, open-label, non-inferiority study. Patients with active acromegaly who had undergone surgery ≥3 months prior, or were unlikely or unable to undergo surgery, were treated with lanreotide autogel 60/90/120 mg (monthly deep subcutaneous injection) or lanreotide 40 mg PR (intramuscular injection every 7, 10, or 14 days) for 32 weeks. Primary endpoint was mean change-from-baseline in age-adjusted insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) standard deviations scores (SDS) at the end-of-study. Secondary endpoints included: growth hormone (GH) levels ≤2.5 µg/L or ≤1.0 µg/L, ≥20% reduction in tumor volume (TV) and safety.

Results

In total, 128 patients were randomized and received study treatment. Lanreotide autogel was non-inferior to lanreotide 40 mg PR: treatment difference (95% CI) for IGF-1 SDS between groups was −0.32 (−0.74, 0.11; per protocol population) and −0.27 (−0.63, 0.09; intention-to-treat [ITT] population), respectively. Reductions in IGF-1 (−6.453 vs −7.003) and GH levels (−9.548 µg/L vs −13.182 µg/L), and the proportion of patients with ≥1 acromegaly symptom (−20.3% vs −32.5%) were observed from baseline to end-of-study in lanreotide autogel and lanreotide 40 mg PR groups, respectively. In the lanreotide autogel group, 45.5% (25/55) patients achieved ≥20% reduction in TV compared with 50.9% (25/53) in lanreotide 40 mg PR group (ITT). Safety profiles were similar in both treatment groups.

Conclusions

Lanreotide autogel was non-inferior to lanreotide 40 mg PR in Chinese patients with active acromegaly after 32 weeks of treatment.
Association between musculoskeletal function deterioration and locomotive syndrome in the general elderly population: A Japanese cohort survey randomly sampled from a basic resident registry
Authors: Tokida Ryosuke , Ikegami Shota , Takahashi Jun , Ido Yoshikazu , Sato Ayaka , Sakai Noriko , Horiuchi Hiroshi , Kato Hiroyuki
Published: March 2020

Background

Locomotive syndrome is defined as the loss of mobility due to age-related impairment of motor organs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of locomotive syndrome, muscular strength and balancing ability, and prevalence of sarcopenia in relation to the presence of locomotive syndrome according to sex and age groups ranging between 50-80 years.

Methods

Male and female participants between the ages of 50-89 were randomly selected in the resident registry of a cooperating town. Calls for participation continued until approximately 50 consenting participants were successfully recruited for each age group and sex. A total of 413 participants (203 male and 210 female) were enrolled for undergoing a locomotive syndrome risk test and measuring their physical function. Physical function was compared to participants with or without locomotive syndrome.

Results

A total of 312 patients (75.5%) were diagnosed as locomotive syndrome, of which 144 (46.2%) were male and 168 (53.8%) were female. The severity of locomotive syndrome for the 312 patients were 210 (67.3%) for stage 1 and 102 (32.7%) for stage 2. Knee extension strength was significantly lower in males and females aged 50-59 years and females aged 60-69 years with locomotive syndrome. Locomotive syndrome in 49 patients diagnosed as sarcopenia included 3 (6.1%) with no locomotive syndrome, 18 (36.7%) classified as locomotive syndrome stage 1, and 28 (57.2%) classified as stage 2. Patients with sarcopenia, particularly in males, could be assumed to have locomotive syndrome.

Conclusions

The prevalence of locomotive syndrome increased with age, including approximately half of the participants aged 50-59 years and over 90% aged 70-79 years and 80-89 years who were diagnosed as locomotive syndrome. In addition, patients with locomotive syndrome exhibited lower knee extension strength. We believe that some measures to prevent or improve locomotive syndrome may require exercise to increase the muscle strength of the lower limbs.
Analysis of the relationship between Modic change and spinopelvic alignment parameters in degenerative scoliosis patients
Authors: Wang Haosheng , Hu Hao , Cheng Xueliang , Qu Yang
Published: March 2020

Background: Sagittal alignment and coronal balance have been considered to be important in treating patients with degenerative scoliosis (DS). Previous studies have reported that Modic changes (MCs), disc degeneration (DD),and facet tropism(FT) have been considered as major factors forspinopelvic alignment parameters inpatients with DS. However, no previous study has investigated relationship between them.Methods: Our retrospective study recruited 38 DS patients and41 healthy age and sex matched individuals.The DS patientswere divided into DS group andhealthy age and sex matched individuals were divided into healthy group.Full‑length frontal and lateral views of the entire spine was measured to evaluate sagittal alignment and coronal balance. Endplate-disc-facetjoints degeneration of patients with DS were quantified using the Modic classifications, DD, and FT.The spinopelvic alignment parameters were measured, including pelvic incidence,sacral slope,lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, C7-sagittal vertical axis, L3 tilt, coronal balance distance, coronal cobb angel, thoracolumbar junctional angle, T1 pelvic angle.Results:Based on radiographic findings, the incidence of MCs at different lumbar level was higher percentage of participants showed MCsand FT in the DS group (DS group: 52.63%, healthy group: 11.24%). The coronal and sagittal parameters were significantly different between DS group and healthy group (p<0.05), except for SS (>0.05).Besides, there was significant correlation between the coronal and sagittal parameters.Conclusions: Coronal deformity has little effect on sagittal parameter sexcept for SVA, TK, and LLI. Besides, differentcoronal deformity types show weak difference on sagittal plan. The prevalence of MC in DLS group is higher than healthy group, which result in poorer clinical outcomes.
Economic Fluctuations and the shadow Economy: A global study
Authors: Canh Nguyen , Schinckus Christophe , Thanh Su Di
Published: March 2020

The recent economic crisis re-emphasizes the importance of the economic fluctuations. This study investigates the role of shadow economy in combination with economic factors on the economic instability for 133 economies between 1991 and 2015. Using the system-GMM estimations, this article shows that a larger shadow economy increases the fluctuations of GDP growth rate in relation to the size and the volatility of shadow economy. Notably, the shadow economy presents an inverted-U relationship with economic instability and this relationship is strongest for low- and lower-middle income economies. Our results identify two categories of drivers for economic fluctuations: the stabilizing factors (the labour force and the TFP) and the enhancing factors (capital investment, consumption, government spending, trade and FDI inflows). Interestingly exports increase economic fluctuations while imports decrease them. Finally, we discuss differences in the determinants of economic instability across low, middle and high incomes countries.
Identification and Exploration of Serine Peptidase Inhibitor Kazal Type 1 (SPINK1) as a Potential Biomarker Correlated with the Progression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhang Xinxin , Ai Rongshuang , Ding Zhiqiang , Wang Zimeng , He Qian , Dong Yilin , Zhu Yiting , Ouyang Wenzhong , He Yujuan
Published: March 2020

Background Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Approximately 85% of lung cancer patients represent a group of histological subtypes collectively known as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis and progression of NSCLC, mRNA expression profiles were downloaded from GEO database (GSE19804, GSE18842, GSE27262, and GSE43458) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in NSCLC tissues were analyzed by GEO2R. DEGs in NSCLC tissues were further analysed in TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas), GTEx (The Genotype-Tissue Expression Project) and IST (In Silico Transcriptomics) online databases. Serum of NSCLC patients and normal controls were collected and serum concentration of SPINK1 were analysed by ELISA. mRNA and protein expression levels of SPINK1 were analysed by qRT-PCR and western assays. siRNA targeting SPINK1 and normal controls were used for the silence of SPINK1 and GAPDH. CCK-8 assays were employed for cell proliferation detection. Flow cytometric analysis and western blot assays were conducted to assess cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. Western blot assays were performed for the evaluation of cell autophagy and signaling pathways.Results Among these DEGs, SPINK1 was distinctively up-regulated in NSCLC tissues, which was further validated in TCGA, GTEx and IST databases. Furthermore, serum SPINK1 concentration notably increased in NSCLC patients compared with normal controls. Besides, both mRNA and protein expression levels of SPINK1 significantly increased in human NSCLC cell lines A549 and H1299 compared with normal human bronchial epithelial cell line HBE. Silence of SPINK1 significantly inhibited proliferation of NSCLC cell lines, and exogenous addition of rhSPINK1 partially rescued proliferation suppressed by endogenous knockdown of SPINK1. Mechanistically, silence of SPINK1 could inhibit MEK/ERK signaling pathway, while rhSPINK1 could activate MEK/ERK signaling pathway and then promote proliferation of NSCLC cell lines. In addition, silence of SPINK1 also could activate cell autophagy and apoptosis.Conclusions Overall, our results suggested that SPINK1 may be a potential biomarker correlated with the progression of NSCLC.
Determinants of breakfast consumption among female adolescents: Application of the Health Promotion Model using Structural Equation Modeling in the west of Iran
Authors: Imani-Nasab Mohammad-Hassan , ardaln Arash , Cheraghi Nasim , Piri Zahra Asadi , Ebrahimzadeh Farzad , bastami fatemeh
Published: March 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Systematic Human Rights Violations, Traumatic Events, Daily Stressors and Mental Health of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
Authors: Riley Andrew , Akther Yasmin , Noor Mohammed , Ali Rahmat , Welton-Mitchell Courtney
Published: March 2020

Background: Almost 900,000 Rohingya refugees currently reside in refugee camps in Southeastern Bangladesh. Prior to fleeing Myanmar, Rohingya experienced years of systematic human rights violations, in addition to recent and historical traumatic events such as the burning of their villages and murder of family members, friends and neighbors. Currently, many Rohingya struggle to meet basic needs in refugee camps in Bangladesh. The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between historical systematic human rights violations, additional traumatic events, daily stressors, mental health distress and related functioning. Methods: Cross-sectional data was collected from a representative sample of 495 Rohingya refugee adults residing in camps in Bangladesh in August of 2018. Results: Systematic human rights violations, traumatic events, daily stressors, and mental health distress were common among Rohingya refugees. Historic systematic human rights violations, additional trauma events, and daily stressors were predictive of symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression and anxiety among Rohingya refugees. Conclusions: Findings underscore the impact of systematic human rights violations, targeted violence, and daily stressors associated with life in the refugee camps, on the mental health of Rohingya in Bangladesh. Future research should include examination of human rights violations, in addition to other variables, in predicting mental health outcomes.