bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Extrahepatic Obstructive Jaundice Based on Multislice Spiral Computed Tomography
Authors: Liu Yun , Zhao Hongyan
Published: November 2020

Objective: To evaluate the value of multislice spiral Computed Tomography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of extrahepatic obstructive jaundice. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 78 cases of extrahepatic obstructive jaundice confirmed by surgery
and clinical analysis. All cases were divided into two groups according to benign and malignant, 41 in benign and 37 in malignant. Twenty of them performed enhanced scanning, and image post-processing was performed. We observe the quantitative and qualitative indicators of CT: the inner diameter
of the common bile duct, the extent of intrahepatic bile duct dilation, the length of the obstruction site from the hilar region; the presence or absence of stones, the location of the mass and the mass, the relationship between the mass and the common bile duct, and the degree of mass enhancement.
Results: All cases clearly showed the obstruction site, and the difference between the obstruction site and the hepatic hilar length was significant between the benign and malignant groups (P < 0.01); while in the malignant group, there was also a statistical difference between
cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic head cancer and ampulla (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the common bile duct inner diameter among the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Multi-slice spiral CT is more accurate in distinguishing the location, etiology,
and malignancy of extrahepatic obstructive jaundice. It is of great value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of extrahepatic obstructive jaundice.
The Study on Health Information Characteristics and Privacy
Authors: Park Hyun-A
Published: November 2020

Because health information has some different properties from other general data, it is important to understand 'information subject,' 'subject of information generation,' 'subject of information management' according to the characteristics of each medical information. It makes it possible
to develop the appropriate security technology under the current legal regulations. In this paper, we identify some incorrect uses in existing papers, we show that "Patient-Participated on Electronic Health Record Systems" is more appropriate expression rather than "Patient-Controlled on Electronic
Health Record Systems." We discuss three key factors (information subject, subject of information generation, subject of information management) of medical information and 'personal information self-determination.' As a solution for privacy, we suggest the 'Secure and dynamic consent system'
and 'Personally-controlled health record on PHR (Personal Health Records)' should be developed under the current law and the current (or future) integrated medical information system.
Depressed Patients Intelligent Recognition in Smart Home Environment
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhao Tingting , Liu Yuan
Published: November 2020

Depression is one of the most harmful diseases in society today, and the etiology and pathological mechanism of depression is one of the most complicated mental illnesses. As the population of people with depression grows, the patient's long duration of illness and the harmfulness of
the results make the disease the biggest challenge in the diagnosis of mental illness. How to improve the recognition rate of depression and make diagnosis and treatment as early as possible is the most effective way. According to the clinical medical manifestations of patients with depression,
it is found that there is a very obvious difference between the patients with depression and the normal group in terms of speech characteristics, such as lower tones and slower speech speed. Therefore, this paper proposes a method for intelligent recognition of depression based on speech signals
in combination with the contemporary smart home environment. A novel ensemble support vector machine (ESVM) algorithm is proposed in this article, which is applied to several classic depression speech data sets. The organic combination of depression recognition and smart home environment can
adapt to the development of future technology.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Photon Transport for Computing Fluence Rate in Biological Tissue
Authors: Bazara S. O. , Alanazi R. S. , Laref A.
Published: November 2020

In this research, we applied the Monte Carlo method to simulate photon transport in a biological tissue, consisting of epidermal, dermis, and blood vessels. Particularly, we computed the fluence rate of the system at a wavelength of 400 nm using different beam sources, such as collimated
beam, Gaussian beam, and isotropic point sources. In addition, the fluence rate is calculated within the collimated beam at different wavelengths between 300–1000 nm by considering the absorption coefficient (μa) for blood, dermis, and epidermis. For the collimated
beam, the resulting fluence rate was found almost similar in the case of the epidermis and dermis at wavelengths between 600–1000 nm, whereas the blood vessels occur at a wavelength of 400 nm with a maximum absorption coefficient of blood (μa) of 3586 cm–1.
The present study illustrated the ability of the penetration of light in biological tissues and the escaped light could provide the information about the components of the biological tissue. From the theoretical perspective, the comprehension of light-tissue interactions can support the field
of biomedical optics.
Tween 80 Modified Hydroxyapatite as an Adsorbent for Removal of Copper from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Bi Yongguang , Lu Yanshan , Di Liu  , Liu Xuemei
Published: November 2020

Hydroxyapatite was in this study modified with Tween 80 through ultrasound assisted chemical precipitation method. The Tween-modified hydroxyapatite (T-HA) was characterized by some analytical methods. T-HA particles were rod-shaped with an average length of 59 nm. The effect of contact
time, pH, temperature, adsorbent dosage and initial concentration of Cu2+ on adsorption capacity were studied to determine the capacity of T-HA to adsorb copper ions. The removal efficiency for Cu2+ reached maximum (82.68%), at an initial concentration of Cu2+
of 200 mg/L and adsorbent dosage of 0.1 g at 35 °C for two hours reaction. The adsorption mechanism was determined by pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models, while the equilibrium isotherms was fitted by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R)
models. Our data can best be described by a PSO kinetic model (R
2 = 0.99971) and D-R model (R
2 = 0.9377), suggesting a chemisorption mechanism. Application of Langmuir isotherm model (R
2 = 0.99337) indicated that Cu2+ was adsorbed
on T-HA as a monolayer. These results demonstrated that the Tween-modified hydroxyapatite is a promising material for environmental remediation of copper ions in waste water.
Decadal Change of Heavy Snowfall over Northern China in the Mid-1990s and Associated Background Circulations
Authors: Zhou Botao , Wang Zunya , Sun Bo , Hao Xin
Published: November 2020

Analyses of observation data from 1961 to 2014 by using the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) method indicate that the primary mode (a monosign pattern) of heavy snowfall over northern China in winter shows evident variations from a negative polarity to a positive polarity in the mid-1990s. Associated with this decadal change, the southward displacement of the polar front jet stream and northward shift of the subtropical jet stream in the upper troposphere are apparent. Accordingly, a negative height anomaly dominates the region from Lake Balkhash to Lake Baikal and a positive height anomaly occupies the midlatitudes of the North Pacific in the middle troposphere. Such anomalous patterns in the middle and high troposphere correspond approximately to the northern mode of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) and may favor the interaction of cold air with moist airflows over northern China, which helps increase local heavy snowfall. Further investigation shows that the shift in the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) from a cold phase to a warm phase in the 1990s may also play a role, through its linkage to the above atmospheric circulations with the aid of a downstream propagation of wave train that emanates from the Atlantic Ocean.
A standardised model for stool banking for faecal microbiota transplantation: a consensus report from a multidisciplinary UEG working group
Authors: Keller Josbert J. , Ooijevaar Rogier E. , Hvas Christian L. , Terveer Elisabeth M. , Lieberknecht Simone C. , Högenauer Christoph , Arkkila Perttu , Sokol Harry , Gridnyev Oleksiy , Mégraud Francis , Kump Patrizia K. , Nakov Radislav , Goldenberg Simon D. , Satokari Reetta , Tkatch Sergiy , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Cammarota Giovanni , Dorofeev Andrey , Gubska Olena , Ianiro Gianluca , Mattila Eero , Arasaradnam Ramesh P. , Sarin Shiv K. , Sood Ajit , Putignani Lorenza , Alric Laurent , Baunwall Simon M. D. , Kupcinskas Juozas , Link Alexander , Goorhuis Abraham G. , Verspaget Hein W. , Ponsioen Cyriel , Hold Georgina L. , Tilg Herbert , Kassam Zain , Kuijper Ed J. , Gasbarrini Antonio , Mulder Chris J. J. , Williams Horace R. T. , Vehreschild Maria J. G. T.
Published: November 2020

Background

Faecal microbiota transplantation is an emerging therapeutic option, particularly for the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. Stool banks that organise recruitment and screening of faeces donors are being embedded within the regulatory frameworks described in the European Union Tissue and Cells Directive and the technical guide to the quality and safety of tissue and cells for human application, published by the European Council.

Objective

Several European and international consensus statements concerning faecal microbiota transplantation have been issued. While these documents provide overall guidance, we aim to provide a detailed description of all processes that relate to the collection, handling and clinical application of human donor stool in this document.

Methods

Collaborative subgroups of experts on stool banking drafted concepts for all domains pertaining to stool banking. During a working group meeting in the United European Gastroenterology Week 2019 in Barcelona, these concepts were discussed and finalised to be included in our overall guidance document about faecal microbiota transplantation.

Results

A guidance document for all domains pertaining to stool banking was created. This document includes standard operating manuals for several processes involved with stool banking, such as handling of donor material, storage and donor screening.

Conclusion

The implementation of faecal microbiota transplantation by stool banks in concordance with our guidance document will enable quality assurance and guarantee the availability of donor faeces preparations for patients.
CRS Adds a Human Feel to Pharmaceutical Automation
Authors: Lenz Steven , Reichman Mel
Published: November 2020

Ligand Pharmaceuticals' New Leads Discovery department adopted a workstation approach to automating its screening assays in order to increase productivity. This approach stressed optimizing assay work flow and implementing stacking workstations, which allowed capacity to increase tremendously. However, this approach required operator intervention, therefore ultimate capacity was limited by head count and available hours for operating the equipment. A fully automated robotics system for performing the cell-based screening assays would allow for increased capacity without an increase in labor. In effect, the new system provides an operator-less second shift.

System requirements included modularity and flexible scheduling software so that the system would complement the existing work flow in the lab, as well as afford rapid assay development and deployment. Ligand's cell-based screening assays require assay cell plates to be incubated at a constant temperature, relative humidity and CO2 (37° C, 95%, 5%, respectively). The robot must be able to rapidly access the cell plates without perturbing the incubator environment.
Automation of 96-Well Solid Phase Extraction Procedures with the Packard MultiPROBE®
Authors: Kealy Michael
Published: November 2020

New methodologies for the quantitation of drugs and metabolites in biological fluids have increased the need for automation. A growing application area for sample preparation is the automation of solid phase extraction (SPE). An automated SPE solution based on the new 96-well microplate format (opposite) has proven to be a successful alternative to manual extraction procedures. This format makes it quite attractive to automate with the MultiPROBE, figure 1 (Packard Instrument Company, Meriden, Connecticut, USA) and, when coupled with analysis by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS), a five fold increase in sample throughput can be achieved.
The design of a Bayesian platform trial to prevent and eradicate inhibitors in patients with hemophilia
Authors: Bertolet Marnie , Brooks Maria M. , Ragni Margaret V.
Published: November 2020

Among individuals with the rare congenital bleeding disorder hemophilia A, the major challenge is inhibitor formation, which is associated with significant morbidity and cost. Yet, as the optimal approach to prevent and eradicate inhibitors is not known, we are at equipoise. Because classic trial design is not practical in a rare disease setting, we designed 2 48-week randomized trials comparing ELOCTATE and emicizumab to prevent and eradicate inhibitors. To achieve statistical efficiency, we incorporated historic data (Bayesian priors) on inhibitor formation to allow preferential randomization to emicizumab, piecewise exponential survival models to determine mean and 95% confidence interval for inhibitor formation in each arm, and simulations to determine the best model design to optimize power. To achieve administrative efficiency, the trials will be performed with the same sites, staff, visit frequency, blood sampling, laboratories, and laboratory assays, with streamlined enrollment so patients developing inhibitors in the first trial may be enrolled on the second trial. The primary end point is the probability of inhibitor formation or inhibitor eradication, respectively. The design indicates early stopping rules for overwhelming evidence of superiority of the emicizumab arms. Simulations indicate that, with 66 subjects, the Prevention Trial will have 84% power to detect noninferiority of emicizumab to ELOCTATE with a margin of 10% if emicizumab is truly 10% superior to ELOCTATE; with 90 subjects, the Eradication Trial will have 80% power to detect 15% superiority of ELOCTATE immune tolerance induction with vs without emicizumab. Thus, a platform design provides statistical and administrative efficiency to conduct INHIBIT trials.
Predicted values for the forced expiratory flow adjusted for forced vital capacity, a descriptive study
Authors: Cox Claire A. , Vonk Judith M. , Kerstjens Huib A.M. , van den Berge Maarten , ten Hacken Nick H.T.
Published: November 2020

Background

The forced expiratory flows (FEFs) towards the end of the expiration may be more sensitive in detecting peripheral airways obstruction compared to the forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity (FVC). However, they are highly variable. A partial solution is to adjust the FEFs for FVC (FEF/FVC). Here we provide reference equations for these adjusted FEFs at 25%, 50%, 75% and 25–75% of FVC, which are currently lacking.

Methods

We included pulmonary healthy, never-smoker adults; 14 472 subjects from Lifelines, a biobank for health research, and 338 subjects from the department's control cohorts (NORM and Fiddle). Reference equations were obtained by linear regression on 80% of the Lifelines dataset and validated on the remaining data. The best model was defined as the one with the highest adjusted R2-value. The difference in variability between adjusted and unadjusted FEFs was evaluated using the coefficient of variation.

Results

For all adjusted FEFs, the best model contained age, height and weight. The adjustment improved the coefficient of variation of the FEF75from 39% to 36% and from 43% to 40%, respectively, in males and females. The highest percentage of explained variance by the reference equation was obtained for FEF75/FVC, 32%–38% for males, and 41%–46% for females, depending on the validation set.

Conclusion

We developed reference equations for FVC-adjusted FEF values. We demonstrated minimally yet significantly improved variability. Future studies in obstructive airway diseases should demonstrate whether it is worthwhile to use these (predicted) adjusted FEF values.
Inclusion of medication-related fall risk in fall risk assessment tool in geriatric care units
Authors: Michalcova Jana , Vasut Karel , Airaksinen Marja , Bielakova Katarina
Published: November 2020

Background

Falls are common undesirable events for older adults in institutions. Even though the patient’s fall risk may be scored on admission, the medication-induced fall risk may be ignored. This study developed a preliminary categorization of fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) to be added as a risk factor to the existing fall risk assessment tool routinely used in geriatric care units.

Methods

Medication use data of older adults who had experienced at least one fall during a hospital ward or a nursing home stay within a 2-year study period were retrospectively collected from patient records. Medicines used were classified into three risk categories (high, moderate and none) according to the fall risk information in statutory summaries of product characteristics (SmPCs). The fall risk categorization incorporated the relative frequency of such adverse drug effects (ADEs) in SmPCs that were known to be connected to fall risk (sedation, orthostatic hypotension, syncope, dizziness, drowsiness, changes in blood pressure or impaired balance). Also, distribution of fall risk scores assessed on admission without considering medications was counted.

Results

The fall-experienced patients (n = 188, 128 from the hospital and 60 from nursing home records) used altogether 1748 medicaments, including 216 different active substances. Of the active substances, 102 (47%) were categorized as high risk (category A) for increasing fall risk. Fall-experienced patients (n = 188) received a mean of 3.8 category A medicines (n = 710), 53% (n = 375) of which affected the nervous and 40% (n = 281) the cardiovascular system. Without considering medication-related fall risk, 53% (n = 100) of the patients were scored having a high fall risk (3 or 4 risk scores).

Conclusion

It was possible to develop a preliminary categorization of FRIDs basing on their adverse drug effect profile in SmPCs and frequency of use in older patients who had experienced at least one documented fall in a geriatric care unit. Even though more than half of the fall-experienced study participants had high fall risk scores on admission, their fall risk might have been underestimated as use of high fall risk medicines was common, even concomitant use. Further studies are needed to develop the FRID categorization and assess its impact on fall risk.
Phase II study of sequential S-1 and cyclophosphamide therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Yanai Keiko , Fujii Takaaki , Horiguchi Jun , Nakazawa Yuko , Kurozumi Sasagu , Obayashi Sayaka , Yajima Reina , Shirabe Ken
Published: November 2020

Background

S-1 and cyclophosphamide (CPA) can be given orally, and their combination may have great potential for treating metastatic breast cancer (MBC). A phase I study of sequential S-1 and CPA therapy was conducted in patients with MBC; the recommended doses that were determined for this regimen were 80 mg/m2/day for S-1 and 100 mg/m2/day for CPA. We then conducted a phase II study of this oral S-1 and CPA regimen.

Methods

This was a single-arm, open-label, single-center prospective phase II study to evaluate the efficacy of a sequential S-1 and CPA regimen for MBC. S-1 was administered orally 2×/day for 14 consecutive days, and then CPA was administered orally 2×/day for 14 consecutive days in a repeating 4-week cycle (S-1 for 2 weeks, CPA for 2 weeks). The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), clinical benefit rate (CBR) and safety.

Results

Thirty-six patients were enrolled in this study. The overall response was complete response in 0 (0%), partial response in 12 (33.3%), stable disease in 12 (33.3%), and progressive disease in 11 (30.1%) patients. The ORR was 33.3% (12/36). The CBR was 66.7% (24/36). The median PFS was 9.5 months (95%CI: 7.8–12.6 months). The median OS was 20.2 months (95%CI: 15.0–25.4 months) Grade 3/4 adverse events included leukopenia in seven patients (19.4%). Dose reductions because of adverse events occurred in 12 patients (33.3%). There was no treatment-related mortality.

Conclusion

The combination of sequential therapy with S-1 and CPA was tolerable and had efficacy with good disease control. Sequential therapy with S-1 and CPA may be a feasible new treatment option for patients with MBC; however, further study is warranted to explore the efficacy of this therapy.

Trial registration

JRCT, JRCTs031180296. Registered 2 December 2019 – Retrospectively registered.
Child health nurse perceptions of using confident body, confident child in community health: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Norton Lyza N. , Hart Laura M. , Butel Francoise E. , Roberts Shelley
Published: November 2020

Background

Confident Body, Confident Child (CBCC) is an innovative, evidence-based program providing parenting strategies to promote healthy eating, physical activity and body satisfaction in children aged 2–6 years. This study aimed to explore Child Health Nurse (CHN) experiences with using CBCC in their community health clinics with parents of young children. This work is part of a larger study involving tailoring, implementing and evaluating CBCC in a community child health setting.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive study was conducted within community child health centres at a public health service in Queensland, Australia. Participants included CHNs who had recently attended a tailored CBCC training workshop providing training/education, group activities/discussions and CBCC resources for CHN use in clinical practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore CHN perceptions of CBCC training, content and resources; and how CBCC was used in practice. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

Results

Eleven CHNs participated in interviews, with three themes emerging from the data. In Theme 1, High CHN satisfaction with CBCC messages, resources and utility, nurses expressed CBCC was highly valuable, useful and easy to enact in their practice. In Theme 2, Effects of CBCC on CHN knowledge, behaviour and practice, CHNs said they experienced increased awareness around body image, improved confidence in addressing issues with clients, and positive changes in their own behaviour and practice after attending CBCC training. In Theme 3, CHNs discussed Ideas for future implementation of CBCC, including challenges and considerations for practice, ongoing education/training for CHNs and broadening the target audience for wider CBCC dissemination.

Conclusions

This study found CHNs were highly accepting of CBCC as it was useful and valuable in practice, increased their awareness and confidence around body image issues, and positively affected their attitudes and behaviours. CHNs’ suggestions for making CBCC delivery more efficient and broadening its reach in the community were valuable and will likely inform local policy and future research. Further research is required on the wider dissemination of CBCC to parents of young children for promoting positive body image and healthy eating, ultimately for the long-term prevention of eating disorders.
Assessing intake and consumption level of spices among urban and rural households of Ludhiana district of Punjab, India
Authors: Bhathal Simranpreet Kaur , Kaur Harpreet , Bains Kiran , Mahal Amrit Kaur
Published: November 2020

Background

Spices are the esoteric food adjuncts that are used for enhancing the sensory quality of the food in Punjabi diets and add many health benefits. Estimating the intake of spices at the individual level is a challenging task as they are consumed in very small quantities as compared to other foods. The present study aimed to assess the intake and spices consumption level of spices among urban and rural households.

Methods

A study was carried out among 100 households each from urban and rural areas from Ludhiana district of Punjab, India to collect the information regarding frequency of spice usage and portion sizes using a questionnaire. The information pertaining to sociodemographic characteristics of female respondents from urban and rural households were also collected. The commonly used 25 spices in Punjabi diets were selected to assess their dietary intake at the individual level among households.

Results

Spice consumption frequency was more in urban households in comparison to rural households. The maximum mean consumption frequency score among urban and rural households was observed for red chilli powder (5.00) and turmeric powder (5.00). Maximum percentage (76 and 72%) of urban and rural households preferred to use the unroasted form of spices, respectively. The highest mean intake and range was observed for red chilli powder (3.19 g with range 0.35–5.23 g) among urban women and (2.41 g with range 0.25–3.75 g) for rural women. Spice intake from individual dishes showed the maximum number of portion sizes for red chilli powder that were from vegetable>dhal > curry preparations among urban and dhal > vegetable>curry preparation among rural households. Average amount of spices consumed by urban adult women was 10.04 g per day which was higher as compared to spices consumed by rural adult women per day (7.68 g).

Conclusions

The study concluded that the urban households showed higher consumption of spices as compared to rural households thus assessing the quantifying intake of spices. Urban adult women consumed more spices per day as compared to rural women. Therefore, more encouragement for increased use of spices is required to reap various health benefits of spices in combating metabolic disorders.
Recommendation for response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Korean context of “distancing in daily life,” considering vulnerable population
Authors: Kim Ja Young , Han Jin-Ok , Lee Heeyoung
Published: November 2020

While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an ongoing worldwide, including South Korea (hereinafter Korea), it is impossible to predict the duration of the pandemic. To stop the spread of COVID-19, “social distancing,” which included mandatory lockdown, and attention to personal hygiene are being adopted globally as non-pharmaceutical preventive strategies. In Korea, after maintaining strong social distancing rules for a while, the government transitioned to implementing “distancing in daily life” since May 6, 2020. The distancing in daily life was combined with infection prevention activities to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, while guaranteeing one’s daily life and economic activities.

In this regard, the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea disclosed key rules for personal quarantine. The five key rules for individual infection control are as follows: to stay at home for 3–4 days if you feel unwell, keep a distance of two arms’ length from others, to wash your hands for 30 s and cough or sneeze into your sleeves, ventilate at least twice a day and disinfect regularly, and stay connected while physically distancing. However, for vulnerable populations, it is very difficult to follow such rules.

Thus, we attempted to recommend how the society could support such vulnerable populations who may face difficulties in following these individual infection control rules. Through our recommendations for the weakest part of our society, we expect to strengthen the overall social structure.
Impacts of peat on nitrogen conservation and fungal community composition dynamics during food waste composting
Authors: He Zaihua , Li Qiang , Zeng Xiaoyi , Tian Kai , Kong Xiangshi , Tian Xingjun
Published: November 2020

Peat, as a heterogeneous mixture of decaying plant debris and microbial residues, has been widely used in many fields. However, little research focused on the impact of peat addition on food waste composting. To fill this gap, a composting experiment of food waste mixed with five varying percent peat 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% (w/w, dry weight) was designed to investigate the effect of different dosages of peat on nitrogen conservation, physiochemical parameters, and fungal community dynamics during composting. The results showed that adding peat elevated the peak temperature of composting, lowered final pH, reduced ammonia emissions and increased the final total nitrogen content. Compared to control, adding 5, 10, 15, and 20% peat decreased ammonia emissions by 1.91, 10.79, 23.73, and 18.26%, respectively, during 42 days of composting. Moreover, peat addition increased fungal community diversity especially during maturation phase. The most two abundant phyla were Basidiomycota and Ascomycota in all treatments throughout the composting process. At the end of composting, in treatments with adding 10 and 15% peat, the richest fungi were Scedosporium spp. and Coprinopsis spp., respectively. Simultaneously, canonical correlation analyses showed that pH, moisture content, and seed germination index had significant association with fungal community composition. The study also showed that fungal community and nitrogen conservation had no direct obvious relation during composting. Overall, the results suggest that the addition of peat could efficiently enhance nitrogen conservation through reduction of ammonia emissions and 15% peat addition is the optimal formula for food waste composting.
Eating disorders in the Arab world: a literature review
Authors: Melisse Bernou , de Beurs Edwin , van Furth Eric F.
Published: November 2020

Background

The prevalence of eating disorders has been assumed to be low in the Arab world, due to the alleged absence of the thin ideal. However, the Arab world is undergoing rapid sociocultural changes, and there are reports of an increase of the desire to be thin. This literature review therefore provides point-prevalence of Arabs at high risk for eating disorders, and a comprehensive synthesis of correlates of eating disorder symptoms, eating disorder-related variables and of a high risk for eating disorders.

Method

Several electronic databases were searched for published, peer-reviewed studies between 1986 and 2019 involving several key terms. From 317 screened studies, 81, mainly cross-sectional, were included. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and meta-analyses was used as guidance and the quality of studies were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

Results

Estimates of individuals at high risk for eating disorders ranged from 2 to 54.8%. The eating disorder-related variables identified were desire to be thin, body dissatisfaction, disturbed-, and dieting- eating behavior. Identified correlates were increased affluence, media use, western influences, and obesity. An additional finding was that in some cases eating disorders were expressed somatically rather than psychiatrically.

Discussion

In the Arab world, females were most at risk for eating disorders and eating disorder symptoms. Sociocultural changes gave rise to the thin ideal and the prevalence of obesity, increasing the risk for the development of eating disorder-related variables and eating disorders. The literature on eating disorders in the Arab world suffers from potential limitations due to the use of non-validated assessment tools. Further research is necessary, particularly on the development and validation of a culturally sensitive assessment tool. Improved knowledge is likely to increase the number of people seeking treatment and decrease the stigma of psychotherapy.
Vitamin D status in adults and children in Transcarpathia, Ukraine in 2019
Authors: Shchubelka Khrystyna
Published: November 2020

Background

Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem, it is assessed by measuring serum 25-hydroxivitamin D (25(OH) D), nevertheless epidemiological data for many countries remains underreported.

Objectives

To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency throughout the calendar year in a large cohort recruited ina multiethnic Transcarpathian region of Ukraine.

Methods

In this retrospective study 25(OH) D serum concentration was measured during all 12 months of the year 2019 by electrochemoluminescent assay on the automatic analyzer Cobas e411 in 1823 subjects, including both children and adults (1551 females (85.03%) and 273 males (14.97%)).

Results

The mean 25(OH) D concentration in adults demonstrates significantly lower levels compared to children (22.67 ± 8.63 ng/ml vs. 26.00 ± 10.72 ng/ml respectively, p < 0.001). Adult women expressed significantly lower mean annual serum 25 (OH) D concentrations in comparison to men (22.29 ± 8.46 ng/ml vs. 25.75 ± 9.38 ng/ml respectively, p < 0.001). In contrast, children did not show a significant difference between sexes (girls 24.98 ± 10.38 ng/ml vs. boys 27.01 ± 11.01 ng/ml, p = 0.2003). In the winter months, 25(OH) D levels fell below 20 ng/ml in 51,74% of adult population of Thranscarpathia, and in 12.91%, − below 12 ng/ml.

Conclusions

The results of this study contradict the previously reported evaluations of the vitamin D levels in Ukraine which were assessed by measuring serum 25(OH) D. Specifically, only approximately half of the studied population is vitamin D deficient during winter season. This study features the most representative sample size in Ukraine to date.
Analgesic effect of combined transversus abdominis plane block and rectus sheath block in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: prospective randomized study
Authors: Tor Ibrahim Hakki , Çelik Erkan Cem , Aydın Muhammed Enes
Published: November 2020

Background

We aimed to investigate the combination of the subcostal transversus abdominis plane block and rectus sheath block (ScTAP-RS) versus wound infiltration on opioid consumption and assess effects on pain scores in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). One hundred patients scheduled for LC were included in this study following the local ethics committee approval. Patients were randomized and divided into two groups as group ScTAP-RS and wound infiltration group (group I). After the surgical intervention, in group ScTAP-RS, ScTAP-RS block with 30 ml 0.25% bupivacaine solution was administered by ultrasound, and in group I, 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine solution was injected in three port incision sites. Patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol was programmed for 24 h postoperatively. Tramadol consumptions and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were evaluated.

Results

Compared to the infiltration group, total tramadol consumption was significantly lower in the ScTAP-RS group between 4 and 12 h. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in other time intervals. VAS scores were significantly lower in the ScTAP-RS group in the 4th and 8th hours at rest and ambulation. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for VAS scores at other time intervals.

Conclusion

ScTAP-RS blocks decrease the opioid consumption and pain scores compared to the local infiltration after LC.
A case report of left paraduodenal hernia with a spontaneous reduction on follow-up: the rare demonstration on computed tomography
Authors: Maheshwari Saurabh , Khadka Ajay , Bhattacharjee Saikat , Rajesh Uddandam , Maria Vibhuti
Published: November 2020

Background

Left paraduodenal hernia (PDH) makes for around 40% of all internal hernias. It is due to the prolapse of bowel through fossa of Landzert, an anatomic variant that is found in around 2% of the population. This hernia is presumed to be spontaneously reducible in many patients with recurrent symptoms.

Case presentation

The present report shows the case of this condition in a 65-year-old male presenting with recurrent abdominal pain and subacute intestinal obstruction who was unwilling for surgery and was managed conservatively. A follow-up scan after 11 months revealed complete spontaneous resolution of hernia.

Conclusions

This represents only the second demonstration of the oft-mentioned spontaneous reduction of this condition on computed tomography. The radiologists should be aware of this uncommon entity and in the event of clinical suspicion; the imaging should be performed when the patient is symptomatic.
More sensitive identification of psychotic experiences in common mental disorder by primary mental healthcare services – effect on prevalence and recovery: casting the net wider
Authors: Knight Clare , Russo Debra , Stochl Jan , Jones Peter B. , Perez Jesus
Published: November 2020

Background

Psychotic experiences may emerge in more severe cases of common mental disorders (CMD). Previous work identified that 30% of patients treated by mental health services in primary healthcare, specifically the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme in England, reported psychotic experiences, began treatment with more severe CMD and were less likely to reach recovery.

Aims

To replicate our previous assessment of psychotic experiences in the IAPT programme using a more sensitive threshold and determine its impact on the prevalence of psychotic experience and likelihood of recovery. Additionally, to compare recovery rates between patients with and without psychotic experiences at the end of therapy.

Method

The Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-P15) with a cut-off of 1.30 was used to determine the prevalence of psychotic experiences. Recovery rates were determined using measures collected in the IAPT programme for depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). Multi-group growth models estimated improvement trajectories.

Results

In total, 2042 patients with CMD completed the CAPE-P15. The mean age was 39.8. The prevalence of psychotic experiences was 18% higher when using a lower threshold. The recovery rate for patients with psychotic experiences was lower (36%) than for those without (64%). Despite sharing similar improvement trajectories, the higher initial severity of CMD among patients with psychotic experiences impeded likelihood of recovery.

Conclusions

As psychotic experiences may be a marker of severity in CMD, the benefits of identifying these in IAPT populations may also apply to patients with milder experiences. Further investigation of the consequential demands on service provision and how this would affect clinical practice is recommended.
Serum T3 Level and Duration of Minimum Maintenance Dose Therapy Predict Relapse in Methimazole-Treated Graves Disease
Authors: Thewjitcharoen Yotsapon , Karndumri Krittadhee , Chatchomchuan Waralee , Porramatikul Sriurai , Krittiyawong Sirinate , Wanothayaroj Ekgaluck , Butadej Siriwan , Nakasatien Soontaree , Rajatanavin Rajata , Himathongkam Thep
Published: November 2020

Background

Methimazole (MMI) has been advocated as a preferred option for most Graves disease (GD) patients. However, long-term remission after a course of MMI treatment is achieved in only 20% to 40% of patients, depending on the duration of follow-up.

Objective

To evaluate clinical factors for predicting relapse of GD in Thai patients after MMI treatment.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed of newly diagnosed patients with GD who achieved remission of hyperthyroid GD after at least 12 months of MMI treatment. Long-term outcomes were assessed and predictive factors of early and late relapse were evaluated.

Results

A total of 443 patients with newly diagnosed GD who were treated with MMI for at least 12 months from 1985 to 2019, and were able to discontinue medication, were studied. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.0 ± 11.4 years and 81.7% were female. Of the 320 patients (72.2%) who achieved initial remission after MMI treatment for 23 months, 106 patients (33.1%) experienced late relapse during the mean follow-up duration of 9.7 years after MMI withdrawal. The remission rates decreased from 36.4% at the first year after stopping MMI to only 20.7% at 10 years. High initial serum triiodothyronine (T3) level and duration of minimum maintenance dose therapy (MMDT) of <6 months were associated with late disease relapse after remission.

Conclusion

The long-term remission rate of Graves hyperthyroidism was achieved in one-fifth of MMI-treated Thai patients. Predictive markers for late relapse included high initial serum T3 level and a duration of MMDT of <6 months.
Alterations in Gut Microbiota Do Not Play a Causal Role in Diet-independent Weight Gain Caused by Ovariectomy
Authors: Sau Lillian , Olmstead Christine M , Cui Laura J , Chen Annie , Shah Reeya S , Kelley Scott T , Thackray Varykina G
Published: November 2020

Acute estrogen deficiency in women can occur due to many conditions including hyperprolactinemia, chemotherapy, GnRH agonist treatment, and removal of hormone replacement therapy. Ovariectomized (OVX) rodent models, often combined with a high-fat diet (HFD), have been used to investigate the effects of decreased estrogen production on metabolism. Since evidence suggests that gut microbes may facilitate the protective effect of estrogen on metabolic dysregulation in an OVX + HFD model, we investigated whether the gut microbiome plays a role in the diet-independent weight gain that occurs after OVX in adult female mice. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that OVX was not associated with changes in overall gut bacterial biodiversity but was correlated with a shift in beta diversity. Using differential abundance analysis, we observed a difference in the relative abundance of a few bacterial taxa, such as Turicibacter, 3 to 5 weeks after OVX, which was subsequent to the weight gain that occurred 2 weeks postsurgery. A cohousing study was performed to determine whether exposure to a healthy gut microbiome was protective against the development of the metabolic phenotype associated with OVX. Unlike mouse models of obesity, HFD maternal-induced metabolic dysregulation, or polycystic ovary syndrome, cohousing OVX mice with healthy mice did not improve the metabolic phenotype of OVX mice. Altogether, these results indicate that changes in the gut microbiome are unlikely to play a causal role in diet-independent, OVX-induced weight gain (since they occurred after the weight gain) and cohousing with healthy mice did not have a protective effect.
A CdSe/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dot-based Fluorescence-linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Sensitive and Accurate Detection of Procalcitonin
Authors: Lv Yanbing , Jin Qiaoli , Li Jinjie , Xu Yanxia , Li Lin Song , Shen Huaibin , Wu Ruili
Published: November 2020

In this study, we used a CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dot (QD) as a fluorescent probe and developed a quantum dot-based fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (QD-FLISA) to quantitatively determine procalcitonin (PCT) levels in samples. The QD-antibody probe had a high fluorescent intensity and excellent stability, which met the needs of commercial fluorescent probe materials. Due to the excellent properties of clinical testing for PCT, this QD-FLISA method showed tremendous potential for use in in vitro diagnostic (IVD) kits.
Exploring the Mechanism for Blister Prevention Using Moleskin
Authors: Rushton Rebecca J.
Published: November 2020

Moleskin is a commonly used material in podiatry and sports medicine for blister prevention and treatment. Common understanding regarding its protective mechanism is reduction of friction at the interface between the foot and the sock/shoe. We argue that moleskin may actually increase friction at this interface, but nonetheless prevents blisters by dispersing shear load within the skin across a wider surface area, reducing potential for skin damage.
Returning to Climb after Epiphyseal Finger Stress Fracture
Authors: Meyers Rachel N. , Schöffl Volker R. , Mei-Dan Omer , Provance Aaron J.
Published: November 2020

The number of youth participating in rock climbing has increased over the years. Finger stress epiphyseal fractures are the most common injury among youth climbers. These injuries tend to occur around puberty because this is when the physis is most vulnerable to injury. Additionally, it has been found that intensive finger training (campus boarding, a previously known risk factor for epiphyseal fractures) during adolescence can lead to early-onset osteoarthritis of the hand up to a decade later. There is currently a lack of a return-to-climb protocol for youth climbers following a repetitive stress epiphyseal fracture. Because of this gap in the literature, our purpose was to create a structured return-to-play protocol specific to youth climbers who sustained an epiphyseal fracture to the finger. By establishing these guidelines, medical professionals and coaches may be able to guide their athlete to gradually and safely return to sport.
Arab apostates in Byzantium: Evidence from Arabic sources
Authors: RAMADAN Abdelaziz Muhammad
Published: November 2020

Το άρθρο πραγματεύεται το θέμα της παρουσίας Μουσουλμάνων Αράβων «αποστατών» στο Βυζάντιο βάσει των ιστοριογραφικών αραβικών πηγών και σε σύγκριση με τις βυζαντινές πηγές. Εξετάζει εξονυχιστικά εάν υπήρχε δυνατότητα παρουσίας μίας μόνιμης αραβικής μειονότητας, η οποία θα είχε τις προϋποθέσεις για ένταξη στη βυζαντινή κοινωνία. Ως εκ τούτου, η εν λόγω δημοσίευση επιδιώκει να αντιμετωπίσει πολλά θέματα όπως: οι συνοριακές κοινότητες ως ένα πρόσφορο περιβάλλον για την αποστασία, τα προσωπικά κίνητρα της αποστασίας, μέχρι ποιό βαθμό οι Βυζαντινοί αποδέχθηκαν αυτούς τους αποστάτες, είτε σε επίσημο είτε σε καθημερινό επίπεδο σχέσεων. Τέλος, αναλύει πώς καθορίστηκε ο βαθμός αφομοίωσής τους στην βυζαντινή κοινωνία
Evolution of Shares in a Proof-of-Stake Cryptocurrency
Authors: Roşu Ioanid , Saleh Fahad
Published: November 2020

Do the rich always get richer by investing in a cryptocurrency for which new coins are issued according to a proof-of-stake (PoS) protocol? We answer this question in the negative: Without trading, the investor shares in the cryptocurrency are martingales that converge to a well-defined limiting distribution and, hence, are stable in the long run. This result is robust to allowing trading when investors are risk neutral. Then, investors have no incentive to accumulate coins and gamble on the PoS protocol but weakly prefer not to trade.

This paper was accepted by Kay Giesecke, finance.
Postnatal depression in fathers: a quiet struggle?
Authors: Ramluggun Pras , Kamara Ada , Anjoyeb Mahmood
Published: November 2020

The mental health of fathers is now receiving more attention as a part of a national policy designed to address mens' mental health. Fatherhood can be a challenging period in a man's life and some men are at risk of developing depression leading up to and following the birth of their child. It is estimated that, on average, 8% of new fathers are diagnosed with paternal postnatal depression. It has been reported that this condition is not well understood and that support for these fathers is limited. This paper examines literature on the emerging evidence for paternal postnatal depression, its prevalence, risk factors and how new fathers, who are susceptible to this condition, can be better supported in health care settings.
Contract killers
Authors: Bernstein Adam
Published: November 2020

Creating, negotiating and adhering to contracts is a part of every business' daily operations, and those in the care sector are no exception. Adam Bernstein provides guidance on the finer details from leading experts
How to … prepare for a COVID-19 second wave
Authors: Ashurst Adrian
Published: November 2020

As a result of the relaxation of lockdown restrictions across the UK, there appears to have been an increase in the number of newly reported cases of COVID-19. Adrian Ashurst discusses the importance of managing the effects of the forthcoming predicted second wave.