bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in patients presenting neurological manifestations
Authors: Vicco Anna , Caccuri Francesca , Messali Serena , Vitiello Adriana , Emmi Aron , Del Vecchio Claudia , Reale Alberto , Caruso Arnaldo , Ottaviano Giancarlo , Mucignat Carla , Parolin Cristina , Antonini Angelo , Calistri Arianna
Published: June 2022

During the first wave of infections, neurological symptoms in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients raised particular concern, suggesting that, in a subset of patients, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could invade and damage cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Indeed, up to date several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to reach the CNS. Both viral and/or host related features could explain why this occurs only in certain individuals and not in all the infected population. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if onset of neurological manifestations in COVID-19 patients was related to specific viral genomic signatures. To this end, viral genome was extracted directly from nasopharyngeal swabs of selected SARS-CoV-2 positive patients presenting a spectrum of neurological symptoms related to COVID-19, ranging from anosmia/ageusia to more severe symptoms. By adopting a whole genome sequences approach, here we describe a panel of known as well as unknown mutations detected in the analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genomes. While some of the found mutations were already associated with an improved viral fitness, no common signatures were detected when comparing viral sequences belonging to specific groups of patients. In conclusion, our data support the notion that COVID-19 neurological manifestations are mainly linked to patient-specific features more than to virus genomic peculiarities.
Automating document classification with distant supervision to increase the efficiency of systematic reviews: A case study on identifying studies with HIV impacts on female sex workers
Authors: Li Xiaoxiao , Zhang Amy , Al-Zaidy Rabah , Rao Amrita , Baral Stefan , Bao Le , Giles C. Lee
Published: June 2022

There remains a limited understanding of the HIV prevention and treatment needs among female sex workers in many parts of the world. Systematic reviews of existing literature can help fill this gap; however, well-done systematic reviews are time-demanding and labor-intensive. Here, we propose an automatic document classification approach to a systematic review to significantly reduce the effort in reviewing documents and optimizing empiric decision making. We first describe a manual document classification procedure that is used to curate a pertinent training dataset and then propose three classifiers: a keyword-guided method, a cluster analysis-based method, and a random forest approach that utilizes a large set of feature tokens. This approach is used to identify documents studying female sex workers that contain content relevant to either HIV or experienced violence. We compare the performance of the three classifiers by cross-validation in terms of area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic and precision and recall plot, and found random forest approach reduces the amount of manual reading for our example by 80%; in sensitivity analysis, we found that even trained with only 10% of data, the classifier can still avoid reading 75% of future documents (68% of total) while retaining 80% of relevant documents. In sum, the automated procedure of document classification presented here could improve both the precision and efficiency of systematic reviews and facilitate live reviews, where reviews are updated regularly. We expect to obtain a reasonable classifier by taking 20% of retrieved documents as training samples. The proposed classifier could also be used for more meaningfully assembling literature in other research areas and for rapid documents screening with a tight schedule, such as COVID-related work during the crisis.
Forecast of myocardial infarction incidence, events and prevalence in England to 2035 using a microsimulation model with endogenous disease outcomes
Authors: Scarborough Peter , Kaur Asha , Cobiac Linda J.
Published: June 2022

Background

Models that forecast non-communicable disease rates are poorly designed to predict future changes in trend because they are based on exogenous measures of disease rates. We introduce microPRIME, which forecasts myocardial infarction (MI) incidence, events and prevalence in England to 2035. microPRIME can forecast changes in trend as all MI rates emerge from competing trends in risk factors and treatment.

Materials and methods

microPRIME is a microsimulation of MI events within a sample of 114,000 agents representative of England. We simulate 37 annual time points from 1998 to 2035, where agents can have an MI event, die from an MI, or die from an unrelated cause. The probability of each event is a function of age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and previous MI. This function does not change over time. Instead population-level changes in MI rates are due to competing trends in risk factors and treatment. Uncertainty estimates are based on 450 model runs that use parameters calibrated against external measures of MI rates between 1999 and 2011.

Findings

Forecasted MI incidence rates fall for men and women of different age groups before plateauing in the mid 2020s. Age-standardised event rates show a similar pattern, with a non-significant upturn by 2035, larger for men than women. Prevalence in men decreases for the oldest age groups, with peaks of prevalence rates in 2019 for 85 and older at 25.8% (23.3–28.3). For women, prevalence rates are more stable. Prevalence in over 85s is estimated as 14.5% (12.6–16.5) in 2019, and then plateaus thereafter.

Conclusion

We may see an increase in event rates from MI in England for men before 2035 but increases for women are unlikely. Prevalence rates may fall in older men, and are likely to remain stable in women over the next decade and a half.
Efficacy and safety of oral Chinese medicine on cancer-related fatigue for lung cancer patients after chemotherapy: Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Peijin , Wang Qian , Liu Lixing , Zhou Rui , Liu Tingting , Wang Yue , Feng Li
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of about 18.0% among malignant tumors worldwide, and chemotherapy is the main treatment. 80% of patients receiving chemotherapy suffers from cancer-related fatigue, which is the most severe symptom, with a large effect on quality of life as well as prognosis. Oral Chinese medicine, a kind of complementary and alternative medicine, has been proved to benefit lung cancer patients. However, no studies have reviewed whether it can reduce fatigue in lung cancer patients after chemotherapy, which is the purpose of our study.

Methods

Two reviewers will systematically and independently retrieve papers, select studies for inclusion, extract data, and assess risk of bias. The following nine databases will be searched: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang database, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, Chinese biomedical literature service system, PubMed, Web of Science, OVID, Scopus, and EMBASE from inception to February, 2022. Included studies will only be randomized controlled trials. Primary outcome is cancer-related fatigue. Secondary outcomes are quality of life, immunologic function, and the incidence of adverse events. We will use RoB 2 tool to assess the risk of bias and RevMan to analyze data. Risk ratios will be calculated for dichotomous data and mean differences for continuous data. Random-effect model will be used to integrate statistical effects. Meta-regression, subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be carried out. We will evaluate the strength and overall quality of evidence with four levels: very low, low, moderate, and high.

Results

The review of current evidence of oral Chinese medicine on cancer-related fatigue for lung cancer patients after chemotherapy will be narratively summarized and quantitatively analyzed.

Conclusion

The definitive conclusion will help physicians to determine whether oral Chinese medicine is an effective treatment for reducing fatigue in lung cancer patients after chemotherapy in clinical settings.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42021292576.
Comparison of the effect of skin closure materials on skin closure during cesarean delivery
Authors: Huang Ye , Yin Xinbo , Wei Junni , Li Suhong
Published: June 2022

Objective

To compare the effect of skin closure materials on skin closure during cesarean delivery.

Methods

We searched EMBASE、PubMed、Scopus、Cochrane CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of closure materials for skin closing effect during cesarean delivery. The outcomes were time to skin closure of dermal and epidermal layer, skin separation rate and wound complications(wound infection, hematoma,seroma, reclosure, readmission) reported as an odds ratio (OR) and surface under the cumulative ranking curve analysis (SUCRA) score.

Results

Twenty -six RCTs met the inclusion criteria. In the network meta-analysis (NMA) for time to skin closure of dermal and epidermal layer, pooled network OR values indicated that staple (network SMD, -337.50; 95% CrI: -416.99 to -263.18) was superior to absorbable suture. In the Skin separation NMA, pooled network OR values indicated that the absorbable suture (network OR, 0.37; 95% CrI: 0.19 to 0.70) were superior to staple. In the wound complications NMA, pooled network OR values indicated that the no interventions were superior to staple.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our network meta-analysis showed that the risk of skin separation with absorbable suture after cesarean delivery was reduced compared with staple, and does not increase the risk of wound complications, but the wound closure time would slightly prolonged.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding tick-borne diseases among an at-risk population living in Niigata prefecture, Japan
Authors: Narita Taichi , Abeywickrama Hansani Madushika , Sato Marcello Otake , Watanabe Kozo , Arai Reiko , Tamura Tsutomu , Sato Megumi
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of an at-risk population living in Niigata prefecture regarding tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and preventive strategies.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted to assess the KAP of the community.

Results

In total, 186 responses were received. Among the respondents, 130 (69·9%) were men, and the mean age was 51.1 (14·3). Nine (4·8%) respondents reported having experienced tick bites. Of the respondents, 44 (23.7%) knew about both scrub typhus and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, while 156 (83·9%) and 71 (38·2%) recognized limiting skin exposure and use of insect repellents as preventive measures, respectively. The attitudes towards TBDs: being worried about tick bites (p = 0·018) and interested in preventing TBDs (p = 0·001), were significantly higher among women than men. About 75% of the respondents reported taking preventive measures against tick bites, and limiting skin exposure was the most frequently applied method (69·9%). Insect repellents were used by 58 (31·2%) respondents. Age (p = 0·049), being worried about tick bites (p = 0·046), and knowledge of ticks score (p = 0·024) were the significant independent predictors of practicing countermeasures.

Conclusion

We identified gaps in knowledge and practices regarding TBDs. Public health interventions should be implemented to improve public awareness of TBDs.
MicroRNA-4516 suppresses proliferative vitreoretinopathy development via negatively regulating OTX1
Authors: Pao Shu-I , Lin Le-Tien , Chen Yi-Hao , Chen Ching-Long , Chen Jiann-Torng
Published: June 2022

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) progression is associated with TGF-β2-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. In cancer cells, miR-4516 downregulates orthodenticle homeobox 1 (OTX1)-mediated cell invasion. Moreover, OTX1 is shown to be involved in invasion and EMT. The purpose of this study was to assess whether microRNA (miR-4516) suppresses EMT in RPE cells. EMT features were assessed using Western blotting, immunocytochemical staining, scratch-wound healing, modified Boyden chamber assay, and collagen gel contraction assay. For in vivo testing, a rabbit model was used, which involved induction of PVR by injection of transfected spontaneously arising RPE (ARPE) cells into the vitreous chamber. The putative target of miR-4516 was identified by luciferase reporter assay. Results showed that TGF-β2-induced transdifferentiation and migration of RPE cells was inhibited by miR-4516 delivery. Overexpression of miR-4516 led to upregulation of zonula occludens-1, downregulation of α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, and cell contractility—all EMT features—in the TGF-β2-treated ARPE-19 cells. MiR-4516 regulated OTX1 expression negatively by binding to its 3’-UTR. TGF-β2-induced phosphorylated ERK was inhibited in miR-4516-overexpressing ARPE-19 cells. MiR-4516 suppressed experimental PVR in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, the overexpression of miR-4516 suppresses TGF-β2-induced EMT in a PVR model, and its role in PVR depends on OTX1/ERK. Further research is needed to develop a feasible treatment method to prevent and treat PVR.
Factors influencing the adoption and participation rate of nursing homes staff in a saliva testing screening programme for COVID-19
Authors: Pétré Benoit , Paridans Marine , Gillain Nicolas , Husson Eddy , Donneau Anne-Françoise , Dardenne Nadia , Breuer Christophe , Michel Fabienne , Dandoy Margaux , Bureau Fabrice , Gillet Laurent , Leclercq Dieudonné , Guillaume Michèle
Published: June 2022

Testing strategies are crucial to prevent and control the spread of covid-19 but suffer from a lack of investment in understanding the human factors that influence their implementation. The aim of this study was to understand the factors that encourage participation and the level of engagement of nursing homes staff in a routine saliva testing programme for COVID-19 In December 2020, nursing homes (n = 571) in Wallonia (Belgium) were invited to participate in a saliva testing programme for their staff. The directors were questioned by telephone at the end of a 3-week pilot phase. 445 nursing homes took part in the evaluation questionnaire, of which 36(8%) answered that they chose not to participate in the testing programme. The average participation rate of nursing staff was 49(±25)%. Perception of the justification of the efforts required for testing and perception of practicability of the procedure were significantly associated with the adoption of the system by the nursing homes directors (OR(95%CI): 5.96(1.97–18.0), p = 0.0016); OR(95%CI): 5.64(1.94–16.4), p = 0.0015 respectively). Staff support, incentives and meetings increased the level of engagement in testing (p<0.05). While the adoption of the programme confirmed the acceptability of salivary testing as a means of screening, the participation rate confirmed the need for studies to understand the factors that encourage health care staff to take part. The results suggested rethinking strategies to consider staff engagement from a health promotion perspective.
Response of upstream migrating juvenile European eel (Anguilla anguilla) to electric fields: Application of the marginal gains concept to fish screening
Authors: Miller Mhairi , Sharkh Suleiman M. , Kemp Paul S.
Published: June 2022

The decline in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) recruitment over the past half-century is partly due to river infrastructure that delays or blocks upstream migration to rearing habitat. Stimuli, such as electricity, can be used to modify the behaviour of downstream moving fish and guide them to preferred routes of passage at river infrastructure; but research on upstream migrating juvenile eel remains limited. The response of upstream migrating juvenile eel exposed to pulsed direct current (PDC) electric fields was investigated using a recirculatory flume. Eel were presented a choice of two routes upstream under either: (1) a treatment condition, in which the selection of one route resulted in exposure to High Electric Field (HEF) strength that was between 1.5–2 times stronger than the Low Electric Field (LEF) strength encountered in the alternative route; or (2) a control in which the electric field was absent in both routes. Under the treatment, five different mean HEF strengths (0.53, 0.77, 1.22, 2.17 and 3.74 Vcm-1) were tested at one of two frequencies (2 and 10 Hz). Route choice, distance downstream of the first set of electrodes at which an initial response was observed and avoidance behaviours (acceleration, retraction, switching and rejection) were compared among treatments. For the 1.22, 2.17 and 3.74 Vcm-1 and under 2 Hz, eel preferred to pass the LEF route. Avoidance was greater in the HEF route and positively related to field strength. The distance of the initial response did not differ between routes, field strengths or frequency. Upstream migrating eel avoided electric fields indicating potential to develop this approach for fish guidance. Further work is needed to test prototypes in field settings, particularly in combination with traditional physical screens to water intakes as part of a process of applying the concept of marginal gains to advance environmental impact mitigation technology.
Evaluating the socio-demographic, economic and clinical (SDEC) factors on health related quality of life (HRQoL) of hypertensive patients using EQ-5D-5L scoring algorithm
Authors: Aslam Nousheen , Shoaib Muhammad Harris , Bushra Rabia , Asif Saima , Shafique Yusra
Published: June 2022

This study was conducted to determine the various socio-demographic, economic, and clinical variables (SDECVs) which influence the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of hypertensive patients. Three hundred and fifty hypertensive patients participated in this study through a structured questionnaire and EQ 5D 5L. 211(60.28%) participants had stage 1, and 139 (39.7%) had stage 2 hypertension. No participants reported severe problems in any domain on EQ 5D 5L. Generalize Linear Model (GLM) was used to assess the association between HRQoL and SDECVs. The mean utility and VAS score was 0.64 (±0.15) and 63.17 (±11.01) respectively. The participants of the stage 1 hypertension group had a significantly better score on each domain of EQ 5D 5L as compared to stage 1 (0.027, 0.010, 0.00, 0.00, 0.048). No participant in either group reported extreme problems in any domain. Among socio-demographic factors, the males, non-smokers, income sharing, and healthy normal hypertensive patients had better HRQoL (0.009, 0.016, 0.019, and 0.003). A lower cost of treatment was also associated with better HRQoL (0.017). Among clinical variables, stage 1 hypertension had better HRQoL than stage 2(0.035). The number of prescribed antihypertensive drugs had no effect on the quality of life (0.253), however, the non-pharmacologic interventions such as reduction in salt and oil consumption (0.035), reduction in beverages consumption (0.0014) and increased water intake (0.010) had resulted in better QoL. The patients who reported dizziness had poor HRQoL while patients who had cardiac problems and diabetes reported a significantly lower EQ-VAS score. The effect of gender on the HRQoL of hypertensive patients who had comorbid conditions was significant in the case of renal, respiratory, visual problems, and dizziness where females had a lesser utility score than males. The study reports on significant determinants which should be taken into account in an attempt to improve the health-related quality of life of hypertensive patients.
In the here and now: Future thinking and social problem-solving in depression
Authors: Noreen Saima , Dritschel Barbara
Published: June 2022

This research investigates whether thinking about the consequences of a problem being resolved can improve social problem-solving in clinical depression. We also explore whether impaired social problem solving is related to inhibitory control. Thirty-six depressed and 43 non-depressed participants were presented with six social problems and were asked to generate consequences for the problems being resolved or remaining unresolved. Participants were then asked to solve the problems and recall all the consequences initially generated. Participants also completed the Emotional Stroop and Flanker tasks. We found that whilst depressed participants were impaired at social problem-solving after generating unresolved consequences, they were successful at generating solutions for problems for which they previously generated resolved consequences. Depressed participants were also impaired on the Stroop task, providing support for an impaired inhibitory control account of social problem-solving. These findings advance our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning social problem-solving in depression and may contribute to the development of new therapeutic interventions to improve social-problem solving in depression.
Interspecific variation in leaf traits, photosynthetic light response, and whole-plant productivity in amaranths (Amaranthus spp. L.)
Authors: Osei-Kwarteng Mildred , Ayipio Emmanuel , Moualeu-Ngangue Dany , Buck-Sorlin Gerhard , Stützel Hartmut
Published: June 2022

Photosynthetic light response curve parameters help us understand the interspecific variation in photosynthetic traits, leaf acclimation status, carbon uptake, and plant productivity in specific environments. These parameters are also influenced by leaf traits which rely on species and growth environment. In accessions of four amaranth species (Amaranthus. hybridus, A. dubius, A. hypochondriacus, and A. cruentus), we determined variations in the net photosynthetic light response curves and leaf traits, and analysed the relationships between maximum gross photosynthetic rate, leaf traits, and whole-plant productivity. Non-rectangular hyperbolae were used for the net photosynthesis light response curves. Maximum gross photosynthetic rate (Pgmax) was the only variant parameter among the species, ranging from 22.29 to 34.21 μmol m–2 s–1. Interspecific variation existed for all the leaf traits except leaf mass per area and leaf inclination angle. Stomatal conductance, nitrogen, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents, as well as leaf area correlated with Pgmax. Stomatal conductance and leaf nitrogen explained much of the variation in Pgmax at the leaf level. At the plant level, the slope between absolute growth rate and leaf area showed a strong linear relationship with Pgmax. Overall, A. hybridus and A. cruentus exhibited higher Pgmax at the leaf level and light use efficiency at the whole-plant level than A. dubius, and A. hypochondriacus. Thus, A. hybridus and A. cruentus tended to be more efficient with respect to carbon assimilation. These findings highlight the correlation between leaf photosynthetic characteristics, other leaf traits, and whole plant productivity in amaranths. Future studies may explore more species and accessions of Amaranthus at different locations or light environments.
Rapid detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in positive blood-cultures by recombinase polymerase amplification combined with lateral flow strip
Authors: Srisrattakarn Arpasiri , Panpru Pimchanok , Tippayawat Patcharaporn , Chanawong Aroonwadee , Tavichakorntrakool Ratree , Daduang Jureerut , Wonglakorn Lumyai , Lulitanond Aroonlug
Published: June 2022

Staphylococcus aureus, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is an important bacterium that causes community and healthcare-related infections throughout the world. However, the current conventional detection methods are time-consuming. We therefore developed and evaluated a recombinase polymerase amplification-lateral flow strip (RPA-LF) approach for detection of MRSA in positive blood-culture samples. Sixty positive blood-cultures from a hospital were tested directly without DNA extraction and purification before the amplification reaction. RPA primers and probes were designed for nuc (encoding thermonuclease) and mecA (encoding penicillin-binding protein 2a) genes to diagnose S. aureus and its methicillin-resistance status. The RPA reaction occurred under isothermal conditions (45°C) within 20 min and a result was provided by the LF strip in a further 5 min at room temperature. The evaluation of RPA-LF using blood-culture samples showed 93.3% (14/15) sensitivity for identifying S. aureus, and no cross-amplification was seen [100% (45/45) specificity]. For detection of methicillin resistance, the RPA-LF test provided 100% (16/16) sensitivity and 97.7% (43/44) specificity. The RPA-LF is rapid, highly sensitive, robust and easy to use. It can be used for direct detection of MRSA with no requirement for special equipment.
A prospective diagnostic evaluation of accuracy of self-taken and healthcare worker-taken swabs for rapid COVID-19 testing
Authors: Savage Helen R. , Finch Lorna , Body Richard , Watkins Rachel L. ,   LSTM Diagnostics group,   CONDOR steering group, Hayward Gail , Cook Eloïse , Cubas-Atienzar Ana I. , Cuevas Luis E. , MacPherson Peter , Adams Emily R.
Published: June 2022

Background

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) developed for point of care detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen are recommended by WHO to use trained health care workers to collect samples. We hypothesised that self-taken samples are non-inferior for use with RDTs to diagnose COVID-19. We designed a prospective diagnostic evaluation comparing self-taken and healthcare worker (HCW)-taken throat/nasal swabs to perform RDTs for SARS-CoV-2, and how these compare to RT-PCR.

Methods

Eligible participants 18 years or older with symptoms of COVID-19. 250 participants recruited at the NHS Test and Trace drive-through community PCR testing site (Liverpool, UK); one withdrew before analysis. Self-administered throat/nasal swab for the Covios® RDT, a trained HCW taken throat/nasal sample for PCR and HCW comparison throat/nasal swab for RDT were collected. RDT results were compared to RT-PCR, as the reference standard, to calculate sensitivity and specificity.

Findings

Seventy-five participants (75/249, 30.1%) were positive by RT-PCR. RDTs with self-taken swabs had a sensitivity of 90.5% (67/74, 95% CI: 83.9–97.2), compared to 78.4% (58/74, 95% CI: 69.0–87.8) for HCW-taken swabs (absolute difference 12.2%, 95% CI: 4.7–19.6, p = 0.003). Specificity for self-taken swabs was 99.4% (173/174, 95% CI: 98.3–100.0), versus 98.9% (172/174, 95% CI: 97.3–100.0) for HCW-taken swabs (absolute difference 0.6%, 95% CI: 0.5–1.7, p = 0.317). The PPV of self-taken RDTs (98.5%, 67/68, 95% CI: 95.7–100.0) and HCW-taken RDTs (96.7%, 58/60, 95% CI 92.1–100.0) were not significantly different (p = 0.262). However, the NPV of self-taken swab RDTs was significantly higher (96.1%, 173/180, 95% CI: 93.2–98.9) than HCW-taken RDTs (91.5%, 172/188, 95% CI 87.5–95.5, p = 0.003).

Interpretation

In conclusion, self-taken swabs for COVID-19 testing offer an accurate alternative to healthcare worker taken swabs for use with RDTs. Our results demonstrate that, with no training, self-taken throat/nasal samples can be used by lay individuals as part of rapid testing programmes for symptomatic adults. This is especially important where the lack of trained healthcare workers restricts access to testing.
Impact of Surgical Timing on Neurological Outcomes for Spinal Arachnoid Cyst: A Single Institution Series
Authors: Chatain Grégoire P. , Shrestha Keshari , Kortz Michael W. , Serva Stephanie , Hosokawa Patrick , Ward Ryan C. , Sethi Akal , Finn Michael
Published: June 2022

Objective: Spinal arachnoid cysts (SACs) are rare lesions that often present with back pain and myelopathy. There is a paucity of literature evaluating the impact of surgical timing on neurological outcomes for primary SAC management. To compare long-term neurological outcomes in patients who were managed differently and to understand natural progression of SAC.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients treated for SAC at our institution from 2010 to 2021, stratified into 3 groups (conservative management only, surgical management, or conservative followed by surgical management). Study outcome measures were neurological outcomes as measured by modified McCormick Neurologic Scale (MNS), postoperative complications, and cyst recurrence. Nonparametric analysis was performed to evaluate differences between groups for selected endpoints.Results: Thirty-six patients with SAC were identified. Eighteen patients were managed surgically. The remaining 18 patients were managed conservatively with outpatient serial imaging, 7 of whom (38.9%) ultimately underwent surgical treatment due to neurological decline. Most common presenting symptoms included back pain (50.0%), extremity weakness (36.1%), and numbness/paresthesia (36.1%). Initial/preoperative (p = 0.017) and 1-year postoperative (p = 0.006) MNS were significantly different between the 3 groups, but not at 6 weeks or 6 months postoperatively (p > 0.05). Additionally, at 1 year, there was no difference in MNS between patients managed surgically and those managed conservatively but ultimately underwent surgery (p > 0.99).Conclusion: Delayed surgical intervention in minimally symptomatic patients does not seem to result in worse long-term neurofunctional outcomes. At 1 year, postoperative MNS were significantly higher in both surgical groups, when compared to the conservative group highlighting worsening clinical picture regardless of preoperative observational status.
Curcumin as a Promising Neuroprotective Agent for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Lee Subum , Cho Dae-Chul , Han Inbo , Kim Kyoung-Tae
Published: June 2022

Curcumin is a polyphenolic chemical derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. It has been used throughout the Indian subcontinent for medicinal purposes, religious events, and regional cuisine. It has various pharmacological benefits owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its neuroprotective effects on the brain and peripheral nerves have been demonstrated in several in vivo neuronal tissue studies. Because of these functional properties of curcumin, it is considered to have great potential for use in the treatment of spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Numerous immunopathological and biochemical studies have reported that curcumin can help prevent and alleviate subsequent secondary injuries, such as inflammation, edema, free radical damage, fibrosis, and glial scarring, after a primary SCI. Furthermore, following SCI, curcumin administration resulted in better outcomes of neurological function recovery as per the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale. However, to date, its utility in treating SCIs has only been reported in laboratories. More studies on its clinical applications are needed in the future for ensuring its bioavailability across the blood-brain barrier and for verifying the safe dose for treating SCIs in humans.
From fragments to connections to restoration: A case history of emergent sociocultural services in the Clark Fork River and Lake Pend Oreille fishery
Authors: Corsi Charles E. , Corsi Matthew P. , Wallen Kenneth E. , Bouwens Kenneth A. , Kusnierz Paul C. , Shaw Kaitlyn E. , Hall Nathan E. , Maroney Joseph S. , Williams James S.
Published: June 2022

Lake Pend Oreille and the Clark Fork River provide essential ecosystem services, including fisheries and hydroelectric power, to residents of Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Although conflicts exist, these services are maintained in concert by emergent sociocultural services created by a multi-institutional, transboundary collaboration. This has been enabled by an innovative Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license settlement agreement among a multitude of stakeholders. The consensus-based agreement promotes connections among people, projects, waterways, and fish populations. Collaborative management efforts allow stakeholders to address controversial issues, such as invasive fish suppression. We demonstrate how reciprocal cultural ecosystem services and services to ecosystems can enable ecosystem-scale restoration that addresses invasive species, habitat protection, and water quality management. Continued ecosystem management success relies on sustaining the relationship-building and shared knowledge services that have emerged over the past 25 years.
Autonomous underwater glider observations in southern Lake Ontario and Niagara River plume
Authors: McKinney Paul , Hollenhorst Tom , Hoffman Joel
Published: June 2022

The nearshore areas of the Laurentian Great Lakes provide valuable ecosystem services including habitat for a variety of species and water for surrounding communities. Recent declines in nearshore water quality have increased the need for understanding the connectivity between nearshore and offshore areas; however observing water quality variability across the dynamic nearshore to offshore transition zone poses logistical challenges for traditional observing systems. Here we evaluate cross-shore and along-shore water quality gradients using observations from two three-week deployments of a Slocum autonomous glider in southern Lake Ontario. The glider was deployed between the Niagara River mouth and Rochester, NY during early and late summer 2018, and each deployment resulted in over 3000 vertical profiles of the water column and several transects between 2 km and 20 km from shore. In early summer, the cross-shore chlorophyll gradient was characterized by highest values just below the surface, at the frontal zone between weakly stratified conditions closer to shore and unstratified conditions offshore. In late summer, stratified conditions extended across the entire survey area. The depth of the thermocline was deeper and chlorophyll values were lower within 10 km of shore than offshore, where the highest chlorophyll values were observed in a distinct layer below the thermocline. In both early and late summer, the frontal boundary indicated by the cross-shore chlorophyll gradient was located below the surface and well offshore of what is typically considered the nearshore zone but was within the width of the coastal boundary layer. The high-resolution glider observations provide a detailed view of patterns of variability across a dynamic coastal zone and pinpoint the cross-shore frontal boundary that may be important for biologists to differentiate biological communities.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary school students’ mathematical reasoning skills: a mediation analysis
Authors: Coskun Kerem , Kara Cihan
Published: June 2022

The present research aimed to reveal how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the mathematical reasoning of primary school students through mediation analysis. It was designed as ex post facto research. The research sample consisted of two cohorts. Cohort 1 included 415 primary school children who received face-to-face instruction by attending school for six months until COVID-19 emerged. Cohort 2 included 964 children who were taught curricular skills through distance education due to COVID-19 and school closures. In total, 1,379 primary school children were recruited into the research sample. Data were collected through a mathematical reasoning test by sending items from the instrument via Google Docs. The data were analysed with mediation analysis. Results demonstrated that the school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced mathematical reasoning skills. Findings are discussed in the light of human interaction and Cattell’s intelligence theory.
Sexismo y tríada oscura de la personalidad en adolescentes: el rol mediador de la desconexión moral
Authors:   Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, España, Navas María Patricia , Gómez-Fraguela José Antonio ,   Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, España, Sobral Jorge ,   Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, España
Published: June 2022

Introducción: La Organización Mundial de la Salud indica que es necesario eliminar los valores, las actitudes y los estereotipos basados en el género que afectan la salud y el bienestar de las niñas y mujeres en el mundo. Desde la psicología de la personalidad, algunos trabajos científicos han demostrado que rasgos como la triada oscura de la personalidad (maquiavelismo, psicopatía y narcisismo) y la desconexión moral aumentan la susceptibilidad al sesgo de género, la amenaza y la agresión interpersonal. Como contribución al diseño de un perfil personológico propenso a aceptar y justificar las actitudes sexistas, el objetivo principal de este trabajo fue estudiar el rol mediador de la desconexión moral entre la triada oscura de la personalidad y el sexismo ambivalente en adolescentes. Método: La muestra estuvo compuesta por 803 adolescentes (M = 15.33, DT = 0.99; 50.3% chicos) tras utilizar un muestreo por conveniencia para realizar un análisis de la varianza y la comparación de varios modelos mediacionales a partir de la técnica de bootstrapping. Resultados: Los rasgos de la triada oscura de la personalidad se relacionan directa y significativamente con el sexismo hostil y benevolente de los/as adolescentes, y la desconexión moral tiene un efecto mediador importante en esta relación. Conclusiones: Finalmente, se discute cómo trabajar la desconexión moral para la transformación de estas creencias y actitudes de género que perpetúan la discriminación hacia las adolescentes en programas de prevención.
Status of the Development and Utilization of Critical Pathways in Medical Institutions in South Korea
Authors: Oh In-Ohg , Chang Tae-Ik , Kim Hyun-Jin , Han Jung-Mi , Lee Chun-Kyon
Published: June 2022

Purpose: This study assessed the status of the Development and Utilization of critical pathways (CP) in South Korea.Methods: We surveyed 195 hospitals obtained on the Korean Hospital Association website. Data were collected using structured questionnaires for staff members in charge of CP management personnel in these hospitals. The questionnaire included CP developed by the institutions, the coverage rates and completion rates of CP in the current year, and management indicators related to CP. The questionnaire also included CP support systems and content within the institutions and questions regarding the advantages of CP utilization and obstacles associated with the CP development process.Results: Analysis of the responses from 70 hospitals (35.9% response rate) showed that a total of 1,370 CP sets were developed. The number of CP related to surgery departments was 365 (26.6%), and CP related to surgery and procedure was 1,093 (79.8%), respectively. The CP coverage rate was the most frequently used indicator to monitor the effect of CP (97.1%), followed by the completion rate (90.0%) and the length of stay in hospital (61.4%). CP managers reported that CP were highly useful for communication (3.39±0.493) and accurate information provision (3.39±0.491). The perception that CP violated doctors’ autonomy in treatment was relatively low (2.87±0.645).Conclusion: It is necessary to establish an infrastructure in hospitals for CP. CP can facilitate communication and provide accurate information.
Prioritizing Themes Using a Delphi Survey on Patient Safety Theme Reports
Authors: Park Jeong Yun , Shin Eun-Jung , Kim Rhieun , Kim Sukyeong , Park Choon-Seon , Park Taezoon , Choi Yun-Kyoung , Heo Young-Hee
Published: June 2022

Purpose: The study aims to identify the theme list and priority criteria of patient safety theme reports in South Korea.Methods: The survey was conducted twice, and the importance of each criterion and theme was measured on a nine-point scale using the Delphi technique by a panel of 19 patient safety experts. The criteria included severity, universality, preventability, and organizational-social impact. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, median, and interval quartile range were used to analyze the data.Results: The parameters were assigned a weighted average of 35% for severity, 20% for universality, 30% for preventability, and 15% for organizational-social impact, respectively. The final top three rankings were surgery safety, blood transfusion safety, and medication safety. In addition to expert opinion, for the theme that is selected based on the priority ranking, one to five sub-topics can be derived from the theme based on the priority ranking, societal demands, or the yearly priority list of patient safety incidents.Conclusion: It is recommended that the official patient safety center distribute the report in the form of a summary that can be utilized nationwide at medical institutions, government institutions, and other places. Updates, as well as accumulated theme reports, will serve as the baseline data for the proposal of the system and for the policy designed to implement and improve institutions’ safety practices as a standard of domestic patient safety practice guidelines.
The Effect of Occupational Stress among Occupational Groups Related to Healthcare Accreditation on Turnover Intention
Authors: Nam So-Hee , Heo Yeon-Jeong
Published: June 2022

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the factors influencing health personnel's occupational stress on turnover intention regarding healthcare accreditation.Methods: A survey was conducted from May 17 to May 31, 2021, among participants to examine occupational stress and turnover intention among health personnel working at a 188-bed specialized hospital in Seoul that is preparing for healthcare accreditation.Results: Occupational stress regarding healthcare accreditation was found to have a positive correlation with turnover intention (r=.698, p <.001), and influenced turnover intention the most, which explains the variance of 55.8% (F=29.015, p <.001). There were significant differences between occupational groups in job stress (F=13.292, p<.001) and turnover intention (F=10.930, p <.001) in the healthcare accreditation.Conclusion: Occupational stress regarding healthcare accreditation is higher in nursing than in other occupations, indicating the need to lower the turnover intention of nurses by preparing a national institutional standard for nursing manpower and also put in place an appropriate compensation system for each hospital seeking accreditation.
Induction of Helianthus annuus Leaves Extract to HeLa cell Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in S, G2-M and M5 Phase
Authors: Mutiah Roihatul , Ulfah Jauza , Amrulloh Muhammad Firman , Suryadinata Arief , Indrawijaya Yen Yen Ari , Rahmawati Ana
Published: June 2022

Helianthus annuus L. (H. annuus) is a potential medicinal plant for cancer therapy. The aims of this study is to identify profile the anticancer activity of H. annuus L. from its leaves, root, stem, and seed as well as to elucidate the apoptosis and cell cycle of the leaves. Ten-gram sample of the powder were extracted by using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) with 200 ml of 96% ethanol by comparison of 1:20 with three times replications. The determination of anticancer activity was used the MTT cell proliferation assay, while apoptosis test and cell cycle were applied with the flowcytometry test. The value of IC50 in 96% ethanol extract in the root and stem was >1,000 μg/mL; seed and leaves were 153.76 μg/mL; and 126.6 μg/mL, respectively. The apoptosis induction of H. annuus leaves extract treatment was 7.17% of apoptosis cells; 90.44% of necrosis, and 2.39% of living cells. The H. annuus leaves extract also significantly caused a decrease of cell percentage in G0-G1 phase (p<0.001) and an increase in G2-M phase (p<0.001). The H. annuus leaves extract had greater potential as anticancer instead of other parts. The adding of H. annuus leaves extract increased the HeLa cell apoptosis, decreased percentage of HeLa cells in G0-G1 phase, and increased percentage of HeLa cells in G2-M phase. Cell cycle mechanism test showed cell cycle arrest in S, G2-M, and M5 phase in 24 h, hence inhibited the mitosis process.Keywords: anticancer, Helianthus annuus L, apoptosis, cell cycle.
SOLVABILITY OF THE INVERSE INITIAL-BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM WITH A KNOWN VALUE ON THE LINE
Authors:   Osh State University, Mamytov A.O.
Published: June 2022

The definitions of either the kernel or the right-hand sides of integro-differential equations, or the values of either the initial or boundary conditions for integro-differential equations or the definition of the right-hand side for an integro-differential equation with over determination at an interior point based on additional information about the solution of the original problem is called inverse problems. Mathematical models of modern problems of geophysics, oceanology, atmosphere, physics, technology and other sciences are described using integro-differential equations with partial derivatives of the fourth order. The present article is devoted to the solvability of the inverse problem, that is, the recovery of the kernel in the initial-boundary value problem for a fourth-order integro-differential equation with partial derivatives with a known value of the desired solution on the straight line x = x0, 0 < x0 < 1, that is, with a new definition in the inner line. The authors have proved for the first time the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the inverse problem under consideration. Well-known methods are used to achieve this goal: the method of reducing the inverse problem to a linear integral Volterra equation of the second kind, the method of Green's functions for ordinary differential equations of the second order with homogeneous boundary conditions. When solving the formulated inverse problem, sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the inverse problem of recovering the kernel in a fourth order partial integro-differential equation are found. First, using transformations and the Green's function, the original problem is reduced to an equivalent problem, for which a theorem on the existence and uniqueness of a solution is proved. Further, using the methods of the theory of inverse problems, three Volterra integral equations of the second kind are compiled and the existence and uniqueness of the solution of systems of Volterra integral equations of the second kind are proved.
ON A DIRICHLET PROBLEM FOR A NONLOCAL POLYHARMONIC EQUATION
Authors:   Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turmetov B.Kh. , Karachik V.V. ,   South Ural State University
Published: June 2022

The paper studies the solvability conditions for one class of boundary value problems for a nonlocal polyharmonic equation in the unit ball with Dirichlet conditions on the boundary generated by a certain orthogonal matrix. The existence and uniqueness of the solution to the posed Dirichlet problem are investigated and the Green's function is constructed. First, some auxiliary statements are established: the inversability of the Vandermonde matrix of the m-th roots of unity is investigated, then the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the auxiliary matrix generated by the coefficients of the nonlocal operator of the problem are found, and then the inverse matrix to it is obtained. To prove the uniqueness of the solution to the problem, the commutativity of the boundary operators and the nonlocal operator of the problem is established, and it is shown that if a solution to the problem exists, then this solution is a polyharmonic function. Then the conditions for the uniqueness of the solution to the problem under consideration are obtained. Further, on the basis of the auxiliary statements obtained above, conditions for the existence of a solution to the nonlocal problem are found. The solution to this problem is written out through the solution of auxiliary Dirichlet problems for the polyharmonic equation in the unit ball. Finally, using the well-known Green's function of the Dirichlet problem for the polyharmonic equation in the unit ball, the Green's function of the original nonlocal problem is constructed.