bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in South Korea Based on Data from the National Health Insurance Database: Corticosteroid use and Bone Health Management
Authors: Yoon Jin A , Park Ho Eun , Kim Jinmi , Son Jungmin , Shin Yong Beom
Published: February 2022

Background: This study aimed to determine the current corticosteroid use and bone health management status of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in South Korea. Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database regarding bone status, spine radiography findings, bone mineral density, and laboratory test results were obtained, as well as the proportion of patients with spine and lower limb prostheses, occurrence of scoliosis, and age at scoliosis surgery.Results: Deflazacort dose in the ambulant group (aged <15 years) increased by age and year. The maintenance dose of prednisolone and deflazacort for the 15–19 years group decreased by year. Among the patients, 12.47% underwent spine radiography, 23.11% underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and 22.7% underwent vitamin D tests. Moreover, 40.9% of the patients were prescribed vitamin D at a mean age of 14.6 ± 6.1 years, while 10.22% were prescribed bisphosphonate at 17.92 ± 3.4 years. Further, 16.1% of the patients underwent posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion at 14.4 ± 2.3 years and 5.3% underwent anterior spinal instrumentation and fusion at 14.4 ± 2.3 years. Ankle-foot orthosis and spine orthosis prescriptions were noted in 4.91% and 1.84% of patients, respectively.Conclusions: The current status of clinical practice for patients with DMD in South Korea has been presented. It is expected that the findings of this study will contribute to raising awareness of the necessity of establishing a domestic registry in the country for patients with DMD.
Non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing practices for symptoms of urinary tract infection in community pharmacies and accredited drug dispensing outlets in Tanzania. A simulated clients approach
Authors: Ndaki Pendo M. , Mushi Martha F. , Mwanga Joseph R. , Konje Eveline T. , Mugassa Stella , Manyiri Msilikale W. , Mwita Stanley M. , Ntinginya Nyanda E. , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Keenan Katherine , Sabiiti Wilber , Kesby Mike , Sandeman Alison , -Paez Fernando B. , Holden Matthew T.G. , Mshana Stephen E.
Published: February 2022

Background

Antibiotic dispensing without prescription is a major determinant of the emergence of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) which has impact on population health and cost of healthcare delivery. This study used simulated clients describing UTI like symptoms to explore compliance with regulation, variations in dispensing practices and drug recommendation, and quality of seller-client interaction on the basis of the gender of the client and the type of drug outlets in three regions in Tanzania.
Method

A total of 672 Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets (ADDOs) and community pharmacies were visited by mystery clients (MCs). The study was conducted in three regions of Tanzania namely Kilimanjaro (180, 26.79%), Mbeya (169, 25.15%) and Mwanza (323, 48.07%) in March - May 2020. During data collection, information was captured using epicollect5 software before being analyzed using Stata version 13.
Results

Overall, 89.43% (CI: 86.87%-91.55%) of drug sellers recommended antibiotics to clients who described UTI like symptoms but held no prescription and 58.93% were willing to sell less than the minimum recommended course. Female clients were more likely than male to be asked if they were taking other medications (27.2% vs 9.8%), or had seen a doctor (27.8% vs 14.7%), and more likely to be advised to consult a doctor (21.6% vs 9.0%); pharmacies addressed these issues more often than ADDOs (17.7% vs 13.2%, 23.9% vs 16.6%, 17.7 vs 10.9% respectively). Sellers recommended 32 different drugs to treat the same set of symptoms, only 7 appear in the Tanzanian Standard Treatment Guidelines as recommended for UTI and 30% were 2nd and 3rd line drugs. ADDO sellers recommended 31 drug types (including 2nd and 3rd line) but had permission to stock only 3 (1st line) drugs. The most commonly suggested antibiotics were Azithromycin (35.4%) and ciprofloxacin (20.5%). Azithromycin was suggested more often in pharmacies (40.8%) than in ADDOs (34.4%) and more often to male clients (36.0%) than female (33.1%).
Conclusion

These findings support the need for urgent action to ensure existing regulations are adhered to and to promote the continuing professional development of drug sellers at all outlet levels to ensure compliance with regulation, high quality service and better antibiotic stewardship.
Effect of multicomponent exercise in cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cavero-Redondo Iván , Venegas-Sanabria Luis Carlos , Martínez-Vizcaino Vicente , Cano-Gutierrez Carlos Alberto , Álvarez-Bueno Celia
Published: February 2022

Background: Multicomponent physical exercise is the most recommended type of physical intervention in older adults, however, this effect on cognition is unclear. This study assesses the effect of multicomponent physical exercise on global cognition in people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.Methods: Randomized controlled trials published until January 2021 were searched across three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Database). Data about exercises included in the multicomponent intervention (endurance, strength, balance, or flexibility), the inclusion of aerobic exercise, and the change in global cognition were extracted. The effect size was represented as a standardized mean difference. Risk of bias was assessed by the RoB2 tool. Results: A total of 8 studies were included. The overall effect size suggested an effect of multicomponent exercise on global cognition. However, the subgroup analysis showed an effect only when aerobic exercise was included in the intervention. No effect when mild cognitive impairment and dementia were assessed separately was found.Conclusion: This study suggests that multicomponent physical exercise could have an effect on global cognition in people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia only when aerobic exercise is included in the intervention. Our results support the inclusion of structured physical exercise programs in the management of people with cognitive impairment.
Downside Risk-Return Volatilities During Covid 19 Outbreak: A Comparison Across Developed and Emerging Markets.
Authors: shah syed asim , Raza Hassan , Hashmi Aijaz Mustafa
Published: February 2022

This research study evaluates the impact of the covid 19 pandemics on the downside risk-return volatilities across the four stock markets of the USA, UK, China and Pakistan. The pandemic results in severe economic and financial consequences both at micro and macro levels as well as across the stock markets of various countries. The selected stock markets of the USA, UK, Pakistan and China are significantly affected in terms of both investor risk and return during the pandemic time. The entire period distribution of the risk exhibited the downside risk behaviour of both markets and investors serious concern regarding their investment strategies. Using high-frequency data from January-2020 to April 2021, the findings of the study reveal more of the downside abnormal returns across both markets. The impact of larger and high in developed markets of USA and UK compare to the emerging markets of China and Pakistan. The outcomes of the various VaR models discloses the higher downside risk implications for all markets, larger for developed countries. Similarly, the three stock markets of the USA, UK and China were found to be significantly connected during a pandemic. Investor’s reactions were positive and high in case of positive news outbreaks and dwindling in case of negative news and downside impact. The outcomes of the study are useful for investors, portfolio managers, investment advisors and others to understand the dynamics of the pandemic situation and devise effective strategies to overcome the severities of downside risk.
Labor Characteristics And Intrapartum Interventions In Women With Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section
Authors: Lan Yehui , Pan Shuangjia , Peng Lingli , Chen Ruyang , Hua Ying , Ma Yanyan
Published: February 2022

Background: Cesarean delivery is the most frequently performed surgical procedure worldwide. With the development of China’s Two-child-policy, vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) has aroused a great public concern due to the fear of perinatal complications and uterine rupture. It is important to understand the labour characteristics and intrapartum management of women attempting VBAC to enhance the rates of successful VBAC. In this study, we aimed to provide clinical evidence of standardized intrapartum management in women with a trial of labour after cesarean section (TOLAC).Material and methods: This observational retrospective study enrolled all VBAC women who delivered vaginally with spontaneous labor at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2016 and 2019. They were allocated into observation A group (the previous cesarean section was performed before dilation of cervix) and observation B group (the previous cesarean section was performed after dilation of cervix). 149 primiparae constituted primipara control group and 155 multiparae with second vaginal birth constituted multipara control group. Durations of labor, intervention measures and perinatal outcomes were compared among the groups.Results: The durations of labor, intrapartum interventions and maternal and neonatal outcomes in observation A group resembled to observation B group. However, compared with primiparae, women in observation group and observation A group had shorter first, second and the total stages of labor. Compared with multiparae, Women in observation group and observation B group had longer second stage of labor, but shorter third stage of labor. VBAC women were more likely to receive episiotomy and had higher incidences of postpartum hemorrhage than primipara and multipara women.Conclusions: Labour characteristics in VBAC women with or without cervix dilation showed no significant difference, but differed significantly from those of multiparae and primiparae. Artificial rupture of membrane, oxytocin, phloroglucinol and epidural analgesia is regularly used for VBAC women. Episiotomy is encouraged to shorten the second stage of labor, while forceps delivery should be minimized whenever possible. We should be alert to the occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage in VBAC women.
Association Between Clinical Risk Factors and Coronary Artery Lesions in Children with Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Yang Xiangna , Chen Xiaogang , Deng Jian , Wang Yanfei , Li Ziyi
Published: February 2022

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is one of the leading causes of acquired coronary artery diseases in childhood. In KD patients, the evidence on the association between easy-to-assess clinical risk factors and development of coronary artery lesion (CAL). Our study aimed to determine the clinical biomarkers that were associated with latent occurrence of CAL in pediatric patients with KD. Methods: 260 pediatric KD patients were recruited. The outcome of our study is CAL, including coronary dilation, coronary aneurysm, and intimal thickening of coronary arteries. Data of general information, medical history, results of laboratory examinations and echocardiography data were collected. Logistic regression method was carried out to explore the associations between biomarkers and each CAL. Results: Sixty-six (25.4 %), thirty-nine (15 %) and fifty-six patients (21.5 %) of the participants had coronary dilation, coronary aneurysm, and intimal thickening of coronary arteries, respectively. Single-variable analysis found age, gender, duration of fever, time of initial use of IVIG, ESR, WBC, time of platelet increase, maximum value of platelet, albumin and IgG level were associated with CAL. In multivariable logistic analysis, younger in age and male were associated with all three outcomes of CAL. Lower serum albumin level and later initial use of IVIG were linked to higher risk of coronary dilation and coronary aneurysm.Conclusion: In a Chinese pediatric population of KD, younger in age, male, lower serum albumin lever, and later initial use of IVIG were risk factors of CAL. Our findings had high practicability to be implemented in clinical practice, however, is to be verified by future studies.
Modeling The Predictors of Preterm Delivery Based On The Pregnancy Care Data
Authors: Pajohanfar Nasim Sadat , Esmaeili Reza , Mohammadzade Fatemeh , Sadeghinasab Javad , Bilandi Roghaieh Rahman
Published: February 2022

Introduction:Effective reduction in prenatal mortality and comorbid complications, and associated expenses necessitates the determination of the causative agents and early identification of the risk of preterm delivery in pregnant women.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the cases of 5651 mothers. Data was collected based on the information recorded in the patient files within the time period of 2016-2020 in the community health centers of Gonabad. Logistic regression model was employed to determine the factors associated with preterm delivery. The external validity of the model of the factors predicting preterm delivery was independently analyzed for the data collected from 100 postpartum women.Findings: Of the total deliveries studied, preterm delivery occurred in 11.5% of them (i.e., 649 deliveries). The multiple logistic regression model included 7 variables for predicting preterm birth. The developed model was checked for internal and external validity using accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and the area under the ROC curve. In the educational data, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and the area under the ROC curve was 65.4%, 65.8%, 66.0%, 19.3%, 92.9%, 0.681, respectively. Conclusion: This model has used 7 most important independent predictors of preterm delivery and the performance of the model is relatively good. Using the variables of this study, health care workers can identify mothers at risk of preterm delivery, and take the necessary measures to protect the mothers at risk. The results of this research can initiate further studies in this field.
A Method for AI-Assisted Human Interpretation of Biological Signals: Analysis of Neonatal EEG
Authors: Gomez-Quintana Sergi , O'Shea Alison , Factor Andreea , Popovici Emanuel , Temko Andriy
Published: February 2022

The study proposes a novel method to enable healthcare professionals interact and leverage AI decision support in an intuitive manner using auditory senses. The method suitability is assessed through acoustic detection of the presence of neonatal seizures in electroencephalography (EEG). Neurophysiologists use EEG recordings to visually identify seizures. However,neurophysiological expertise is expensive and not available 24/7, even in tertiary hospitals. Nurses, neonatologists, paediatricians can make frequent misdiagnosis when interpreting complex EEG signals. While artificialintelligence (AI) has been widely used to provide objective decision support for EEG analysis, AI decisionsare not always explainable. A solution is developed in this study to combine AI algorithms with a human-centric intuitive EEGinterpretation method. Specifically, EEG is converted to sound using an AI-driven attention mechanism. Using this method perceptual characteristics of seizure events can be heard and an hour of EEG can beanalysed in five seconds. A survey that has been conducted among targeted end-users on a publicly available dataset has demonstratedthat not only does it drastically reduce the burden of reviewing the EEG data, but also the obtained accuracy is on par with experiencedneurophysiologists trained to interpret neonatal EEG. It is also shown that the proposed communion of a medical professional and AIoutperforms AI alone through empowering the human with little or no experience to leverage AI attention mechanisms to enhance theperceptual characteristics of seizure events.
Pulmonary Brucellosis in Xinjiang, China: A Retrospective Study of 38 Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Lan Siqin , Chen Dawei , He Yuanlin , Liu Wenya , Guo Hui
Published: February 2022

Background: Pulmonary brucellosis (PB) is a unique infection caused by Brucella and it is challenging to diagnose PB accurately for its diverse clinical manifestations. We tried to summarize PB’s features to enhance our awareness of it and offer differential diagnoses in endemic zones by evaluating their demographic characteristics, clinic data, and imaging findings.Methods: The demographic characteristics, clinic data and the imaging findings of 38 patients with PB from January 2011 to January 2020 in Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated First Hospital were presented. Results: The median age were 51 years. The most common clinical manifestations were fever (73.7%). The laboratory data decreased significantly, containing hematocrit (84.2%), hemoglobin (78.9%), red blood cell count (65.8%), eosinophilic count (47.3%). On computed tomography (CT), 27 patients had nodules, 23 (60.5%) interstitial infiltration, 16 (42.1%) consolidation, 15 (39.5%) patchy shadow, and 7 (18.4%) atelectasis. 11 patients had pleural thickening and 10 (26.3%) patients suffered from hydrothorax. 20 (52.6%) patients had lymphadenectasis in the hilum of lung or mediastinum, three pericardial effusion, and 1 pericardial thickening. Conclusion: PB should not be excluded when a patient has chest radiologic abnormalities, meanwhile complain of an atypical high fever and fatigue, especially in the epidemic region.
Inequities in Healthcare Seeking Among Migrants and Residents of Climate Affected Coastal Area of Bangladesh
Authors: Khanam Mosammat Ivylata , Khalek Abdul , Hanifi Syed Manzoor Ahmed , Rasheed Sabrina
Published: February 2022

Background:Climate change induced sea level rise, increased soil salinity and poor socio-economic condition have triggered migration around the world. So far, the impact of migration on health and healthcare utilization have not been studied adequately especially in Bangladesh. Our study examines impact of migration on healthcare seeking behavior of people living in low-lying coastal areas of Bangladesh. Methods:We analyzed data from Chakaria, Health and Demographic Surveillance System, 2017-18. Univariate analysis and regression analysis were conducted to assess the determinants of migration. Finally, we assessed differences in health care seeking behavior between migrants in low-lying coastal areas and plain areas. Stata version 14 was used for analysis. Results:In terms of determinants of migration, adults, males, educated, unemployed and poor were significantly more like to migrate compared to children, females, people with little education, those engaged in agriculture or other occupations and wealthier households. For pregnancy related services healthcare utilization was significantly lower in coastal areas compared to the plains. In terms of utilization of maternal and child health services, service use was 2-28 % lower among residents of low-lying coastal regions and 13-70% lower among coastal migrants compared to those living in plains. Conclusion:Our findings suggest that in terms of maternal health services there was geographic inequity in service utilization favoring the residents of plains and being a migrant significantly increases the geographical disadvantage in terms of maternal health services. The existing inequity indicates the necessity of immediate action to address the health and healthcare utilization of residents of coastal area with special attention to the migrants in Bangladesh.
Dynamic analysis of bottom hole pressure of a fractured horizontal well in fractal flow medium
Authors: liu hailong
Published: February 2022

This paper addresses the problem of the bottom hole pressure (BHP) behavior of a fractured horizontal well in a fractal flow medium. A detailed step by step procedure for obtaining the semi-analytical solution is present. The proposed method is validated available by comparing previous analytical solution. Sensitivity analyses about the influential parameters including wellbore storage factor, fracture properties, skin coefficient, permeability modulus and horizontal wellbore length on BHP are investigated in detail. The fracture scale (fracture half-length, fracture width and fracture number) mainly affects the channeling flow from the non-fracture zone to the fracture zone. With the increase of the fracture scale, the intensity of the channeling flow decreases and its duration becomes shorter. The fracture fractal index does not affect channeling flow its appearing time and intensity, but its influence on typical curves is mainly reflected in the seepage stage of the fracture zone. The pressure and derivative curves gradually upward warp with the increase of time, and the upward warping amplitude increases with the increase of the fractal index. The advantage of this method is to incorporate well geometry (well storage factor) and reservoir structure (the fractal index). The findings of this study can help for better understanding of well test interpretation of fractal reservoir
Intraspecific and Interspecific Comparison of Toxicity of Ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) With Contrasting Colouration
Authors: Aslam Muhammad , Nedvěd Oldřich
Published: February 2022

Ladybirds (Coccinellidae) use toxic compounds, mostly alkaloids in their haemolymph, for defence against predators and other enemies. The toxicity of ladybirds to predators cannot be directly assessed because predators show avoidance reactions without ingesting the beetles. The alkaloid of ladybird Harmonia axyridis showed wide range toxicity to diverse non-target organisms. Thus, we used a quick, inexpensive and easy-to-perform method using bioassays on water flea Daphnia magna for comparative quantification of the toxicity (LD50) of whole body extracts from several species of ladybirds that differ in their warning colouration. Alien invasive aposematic polymorphic ladybird H. axyridis was more toxic than all the other species examined: aposematic Adalia bipunctata > cryptic Cynegetis impunctata > aposematic Coccinella septempunctata > slightly aposematic Calvia quatuordecimguttata. Three months old adults of H. axyridis were 3.8 times more toxic than two weeks and one month old adults. The two most common colour morphs (non-melanic novemdecimsignata and melanic spectabilis) did not differ in their toxicity.
Mechanochemical Ionization – Differentiating Pressure-, Shear-, and Temperature-Induced Reactions in a Model Phosphate
Authors: Muser Martin H. , Sukhomlinov Sergey V. , Kickelbick Guido
Published: February 2022

Using density-functional theory based molecular dynamics simulations, we study stress and temperature-induced chemical reactions in bulk systems containing triphosphoric acid and zinc-phosphate molecules. The nature of the reactants depends sensitively on the imposed conditions, e.g., isotropic and even more so shear stress create ionic reactants. Instead, zwitterions and water molecules emerge from thermal cycles. Hydrostatic stresses required for reactions to occur lie well below those typical for tribological micro-contacts and are further reduced by shear. During the moment of impact, many protons are mobile, even if they bond to groups that formally remain inert in a compression/decompression cycle. Our findings are consistent with a variety of observations on the triboelectric charging of insulators but contradictory to the hot-spot model.
Comparison of Deep Vein Thrombosis Risks in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Caused by COVID-19 and Bacterial Pneumonia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Cui Na , Jiang Chunguo , Yang Chenlu , Zhang Liming , Feng Xiaokai
Published: February 2022

Background: High incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been observed in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19 and those by bacterial pneumonia. However, it is also important to differentiate between these two groups of patients. Study Design and Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study to investigate the difference of DVT between the two independent cohorts of ARDS and eventually enrolled 240 patients, 105 of whom with ARDS caused by COVID-19 and 135 by bacterial pneumonia. We analyzed demographics and clinical characteristics for patients with and without DVT in these two cohorts and explored the main differences and similarities between them. Results: The 28-days incidence of DVT in COVID-19 cohort was higher than that in bacterial pneumonia cohort (57.1% vs 41.5%, P=0.016). Taking death as competitive risk, Fine-Gray test showed no significant difference in 28-day cumulative incidence of DVT between these two groups (P=0.220). Fine-Gray competing risk analysis showed an association between CK (creatine kinase isoenzyme)-MB levels, PaO2 (partial pressure of arterial oxygen)/FiO2 (fraction of inspired oxygen) ratios, D-dimer levels and DVT in COVID-19 cohort and an association between serum creatinine levels, IMV, and DVT in bacterial pneumonia cohort. The sensitivity and specificity of corresponding receiver operating characteristic curve originating from the combination of CK-MB levels, PaO2/FiO2 ratios and D-dimer levels ≥ 0.5 µg/mL was not inferior to those of the Padua prediction score and the Wells score for screening for DVT in COVID-19 cohort. Conclusions: Compared with patients with ARDS caused by bacterial pneumonia, the incidence of DVT is higher by logistic model in patients with ARDS caused by COVID-19, and the risk factors for DVT are completely different. Our novel prediction model can aid early identifying patients with high risk for DVT. Keywords: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Pneumonia, Bacterial; COVID-19; Deep Vein Thrombosis
Early predictive factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer: A retrospective study
Authors: Fukada Masahiro , Murase Katsutoshi , Higashi Toshiya , Yokoi Ryoma , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Okumura Naoki , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa , Takahashi Takao , Yoshida Kazuhiro
Published: February 2022

Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most serious complication of distal pancreatectomy (DP). When POPF occurs and becomes severe, it causes secondary complications and leads to a longer treatment period. Therefore, especially for pancreatic cancer (PC), POPF may have a negative impact on not only short-term outcomes, but also on postoperative treatment. This study aimed to identify early predictive factors of POPF after DP for PC.Methods: This retrospective, single-institution study comprised of 55 patients with PC who underwent DP (excluding simultaneous resection of other organs and other pancreatic diseases) between January 2010 and December 2021 at the Gifu University Hospital. We statistically analyzed pre-, intra-, and post-operative 23 factors to identify early predictive factors for POPF. Results: According to the definition and grading of the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF), 12 (21.8%) of 55 patients had POPF grades B and C. In the univariate analysis, POPF was significantly associated with the pancreas-to-muscle signal intensity ratio on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (SIR on T1-w MRI), the drainage fluid amylase (D-Amy) level on postoperative day 3 (POD3), C-reactive protein (CRP) on POD3, and heart rate on POD3. In multivariate analysis, pancreas-to-muscle SIR on T1-w MRI (>1.37; odds ratio [OR] 17.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.64 – 598.16; p = 0.02), D-Amy level on POD3 (>1200 U/L; OR 20.00; 95% CI 1.73 – 563.83; p = 0.02) and heart rate on POD3 (>100 bpm; OR 15.33; 95% CI 1.53 – 258.45; p = 0.02) were identified as independent early predictive factors for POPF. Conclusion: Preoperative pancreas-to-muscle SIR on T1-w MRI and postoperative D-Amy level and heart rate significantly correlated with POPF after DP for PC. Postoperative management based on these predictive factors may contribute to shortened hospital stay and smooth introduction to postoperative treatment.
Short-Term Effects of a Supervised Exercise Program in Addition to Electrical Stimulation or Kinesio Taping on Pain and Disability in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Aguilar-Ferrándiz María Encarnación , Matarán-Peñarrocha Guillermo A. , Tapia-Haro Rosa María , Castellote-Caballero Yolanda , Martí-García Celia , Castro-Sánchez Adelaida María
Published: February 2022

Background: Chronic low back pain it is one of the most common health problems worldwide. Usually is accompanied by a complex set of symptoms and generates significant direct and indirect socioeconomic and health costs. From a therapeutic point of view, there are a wide variety of methods to address the treatment of this pathology, however, these therapies have not been shown definitive efficacy.To investigate the effect of a mixed treatment with exercise and electrical stimulation versus exercise and kinesio taping in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Methods: A total of 58 patients participated in this single-blinded randomised clinical trial. Participants were assigned to the exercises- kinesio taping group, or exercises- analgesic current group, both received 12 treatment sessions. Disability, fear of movement, anxiety, depression, sleeps quality, pain, lower limb mechanosensitivity and pressure-pain thresholds were recorded at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment.Results: The 2x2 mixed analysis of covariance test showed statistically significant differences between groups for pain (P=0.046). Pair-wise comparisons with baseline demonstrated significant differences for both groups in pain (P ≤ 0.001), disability (P ≤ 0.001), pressure-pain thresholds (P ≤ 0.044), lower limb mechanosensitivity, (P ≤ 0.047), anxiety (P ≤ 0.001), depression (P ≤ 0.001) and sleep quality (P ≤ 0.010). Conclusions: Patients with chronic low back pain who received a combined treatment of exercises and kinesio taping or analgesic current showed an improvement in pain, disability, anxiety, depression and sleep pattern. Moreover, exercises combined with electrotherapy produces greater improvements over these variables.Trial registration number: NCT02812459
Changes in a Sensorimotor Network, Occipital Network, and Psychomotor Speed With in Three Months After Focal Surgical Injury in Pediatric Patients with Benign Intracranial Space-occupying Lesions
Authors: Guan Xue-Yi , Zheng Wen-Jian , Fan Kai-Yu , Han Xu , Li Xiang , Yan Zi-Han , Lu Zheng , Gong Jian
Published: February 2022

Background

Studies on cognition and brain networks after various forms of brain injury mainly involve traumatic brain injury, neurological disease, tumours, and mental disease. There are few related studies on surgical injury and even fewer pediatric studies. This study aimed to preliminarily explore the cognitive and brain network changes in children with focal, unilateral, well-bounded intracranial space-occupying lesions (ISOLs) in the short term period after surgery.
Methods

We enrolled 15 patients (6–14 years old) with benign ISOLs admitted to the Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery of the Beijing Tiantan Hospital between July 2020 and August 2021. Cognitive assessment and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) were performed. Regional homogeneity (Reho), seed-based analysis (SBA) and graph theory analysis (GTA) were performed. Paired-T test were used for statistical analysis of cognitive assessment and rs-fMRI. Gaussian random-field theory correction (voxel p-value <0.001, cluster p-value <0.05) was used for Reho and SBA. False discovery rate correction (corrected p value<0.05) for GTA.
Results

Our results showed that psychomotor speed decreased within three months after surgery. Further, rs-fMRI data analysis suggested that sensorimotor and occipital network activation decreased with low information transmission efficiency.
Conclusion

We prudently concluded that the changes in cognitive function and brain network within three months after surgery may be similar to ageing and that the brain is vulnerable during this period.
Proportion And Factors Associated With Intra-Procedural Pain Among Women Undergoing Manual Vacuum Aspiration For Incomplete Abortion At Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
Authors: Opee Jimmyy , Mayanja Stephen Bawakanya , Bongomin Felix , Orach Christopher Garimoi , Ngonzi Joseph
Published: February 2022

Background: Intra-procedural pain (IPP) is common among women undergoing Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) for incomplete abortion. Globally, the proportion varies between 60% to 90% while in Sub-Saharan Africa including Uganda, the proportion varies between 80% to 98%. IPP management during MVA include Para-cervical block (using 1% lidocaine) or an opioid (using 100mg of intravenous pethidine). Objectives: This study determined the proportion and factors associated with IPP among women undergoing MVA for incomplete abortion at MRRH.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study among 207 women who underwent MVA for incomplete abortion from 17th December 2020 to 28th May 2021. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used, and pain assessment was done using VAS considering an IPP as a pain score of 6 or more. The participant characteristics were summarized. The proportion of women with IPP was calculated. We performed multivariable logistic regression to determine the factors associated with IPP. Results: We consecutively enrolled 207 women with a mean age of 25.8 ±5.8 years. The proportion of women with IPP undergoing MVA at MRRH was 82.6% (95% C.I: 76.8 — 87.2). The factors significantly associated with IPP were age and cervical dilatation. The odds of IPP increased with decreasing age of the women; compared to older women (aged >30 years), teenagers (age<20 years); OR=8 (95% CI=1.85-34.61) (p=0.005), while women aged 20-24 years; OR=3.45 (95% CI=1.47-8.20) (p=0.004), and those aged 25-30 years; OR=2.84 (95% CI=1.20-6.74) (p=0.018). Women with cervical dilatation of 1-2 cm had the odds of IPP increased; OR=2.27 (95% CI=1.11-4.62) (p=0.024), compared to a cervical dilation of 3-4 cm. Conclusion: Majority of women undergoing MVA at MRRH experienced IPP. Younger women and those with cervical dilatation 1-2cm are more likely to experience IPP. We recommend improvement of pain control among women undergoing MVA.
Research on Denoising Method of Chinese Ancient Character Image Based on Chinese Character Writing Standard Model
Authors: Yalin MIAO , LIANG Li , Yichun JI , Guodong LI
Published: February 2022

Ancient documents are historical evidence of cultural inheritance, and the damage brought by natural and human factors to ancient documents is inevitable, resulting in the collected images of ancient Chinese characters containing a large amount of noise, which seriously affects the accuracy of subsequent image recognition and thus creates a great obstacle to the digitization of ancient documents. To address the complexity of ancient text structure, this paper proposes a Chinese ancient text image denoising method based on the Chinese character writing standard model.The method firstly adds four additional local branches based on the global branching, and uses the supplementary character detail information to weaken the phenomenon of strokes adhering to noise due to the lack of local details; secondly, it introduces the simulation noise of ancient documents to simulate the real ancient character image morphology, which can be used for the adversarial training of this method.In the training process, the minimum absolute value deviation, smoothing loss, structural consistency loss and the refined loss function formed by the adversarial loss are used to iteratively optimize the parameters. Finally, experiments prove that the model in this paper can increase the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity (SSIM) of the image by at least 23.8% and 11.4%, and the user evaluation index (UV) has also reached more than 80%.
Urinary extracellular vesicles and micro-RNA as markers of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery
Authors: Miller Douglas , Eagle-Hemming Bryony , Sheikh Sophia , Joes-David Lathishia , Adebayo Adewale , Lai Florence , Roman Marius , Kumar Tracy , Aujla Hardeep , Murphy Gavin , Wozniak Marcin
Published: February 2022

Background

Secretion of extracellular vesicles (EV) and associated micro-RNAs (miR) is altered during cellular stress and may serve as biomarkers of organ injury. We hypothesized that measuring changes in urinary levels of EV and miR will predict the onset of acute kidney injury in cardiac surgery patients.
Methods

In this predictive accuracy biomarker study performed in the cohort of the REVAKI-2 trial, urine samples were collected before and 24 hours after the procedure from 93 cardiac surgery patients. Urine EV concentrations and size distribution were assessed using NanoSight. EV derivation and levels were measured using flow cytometry. Samples from 10 selected patients were sequenced to detect differentially expressed miR. Verification was performed with advanced TaqMan assays in samples from all patients.
Results

Urine EV concentrations significantly increased in patients with AKI after surgery, with the percentage of EV positive for aquaporin-2 and β1-integrin also increasing. Pre-surgery podocalyxin-positive EV were significantly lower, and β1-integrin EV were higher in patients with AKI. The levels of the former correlated with the severity of the injury. miR-125a-5p was expressed at higher levels in urine from patients with AKI stage 2/3. Levels of miR-10a-5p decreased after surgery in AKI patients; its levels correlated with the severity of the injury. Preoperative levels of podocalyxin EVs and miR-125a-5p had moderate AKI predictive value and, in a logistic model together with ICU lactate levels, offered good (AUC = 80.9%) AKI prediction.
Discussion

Urine EV concentrations and miR expression offer excellent predictive accuracy when combined with commonly measured biomarkers.
Enhanced reactivity of the CuO-Fe2O3 intimate hetero-junction for the oxidation of quinoline yellow dye (E104)
Authors: Bousalah Djedjiga , Zazoua Hanane , Boudjemaa Amel , Benmounah Abdelbaki , Messaoud-Boureghda Mohamed Zine , Bacharı Khaldoun
Published: February 2022

This research work was designed to study the elimination of quinoline yellow (QY) in aqueous solutions by the heterogeneous Fenton and photo-Fenton processes in the presence of CuO/Fe2O3 photocatalyst. CuO/Fe2O3 derived from LDH structure was synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The physiochemical characteristics of CuO/Fe2O3 are des cribed by XRD, TEM/SEM, BET surface area, FTIR and pHPZC.The effects of pH, H2O2 concentration, dye concentration, catalyst dose, reaction temperature, and reusability of catalyst on the QY decolorization efficiency were studied. The results indicated that a complete removal of QY was achieved within 150 min when the H2O2 and QY concentrations were 27.6 mM and 100 mg/L, respectively. The rate constants for QY removal by the heterogeneous Fenton system were calculated and the experimental data were found to fit the pseudo-first order model. Under optimal conditions, the rate constants were respectively 0.02032 and 0.02016 min-1 for the photo-Fenton and Fenton systems, this means that the addition of light has no significant effect.
A highly selective Hg2+ fluorescent chemosensor based on photochromic diarylethene with quinoline unit
Authors: Mao Liangtao , Li Xiumei , Ding Haichang , Fan Congbin , Liu Gang , Pu Shouzhi
Published: February 2022

A novel diarylethene-based fluorescent chemosensor containing a quinoline unit (1o) had been designed and synthesized. 1o display good photochromic ability and fluorescent switch property by alternately irradiating UV/vis light. The chemosensor showed high “Turn-off” fluorescent selectivity for Hg2+ by competitive tests of the fluorescence reaction in the presence other ions in acetonitrile solution. The stoichiometry between the compound 1o and Hg2+ was 1:1 by Job’s plot curve and HRMS analysis. In addition, the LOD for Hg2+ was calculated as 60 nM. The fluorescence emission can be back to the “Turn-on” state by adding EDTA. Based on these facts, a molecular logic gate that including four input signals (UV/vis and Hg2+/EDTA) and one output signal (fluorescent intensity at 491 nm) was designed.
Investigation for Enhancement of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural extraction into 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid: an Ab initio study
Authors: Jalalinejad Amir , Ghorbannezhad Payam , Dehbandi Behnam , Ali Imtiaz
Published: February 2022

Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is recognized as a valuable product of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) derived from cellulosic materials that could find future bioplastic application if a feasible separation process is developed. To find a commercially available solvent that can selectivity separate FDCA and HMF as well as the downstream process was supported by Py-GC-MS experiments with density functional theory (DFT). Evaluation of the sigma potential and sigma surface analysis showed that benzene and ethyl acetate have better extraction and selectivity of HMF, whereas FDCA indicated ideal behavior in DMF and DMSO solvents, where the hydrophobicity is changed by improving the hydrogen-bonding interaction between them. The up-down selection of classes of solvents based on the experimental data found by GC-MS revealed that polar molecular solvents (ethanol-water) are more compatible with carboxylic acids and alcohol compounds, while n-hexane is a desirable solvent for phenolic compounds. It is discovered that levoglucosan retains a significant fraction of water compared to other solvents that need to be considered for further economic and environmental analyses under the multifaceted framework of biomass-derived products.
Experiences and Satisfaction of Patients in Communicating with Care Providers: The Case of Afaan Oromoo Speaker Patients at Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Gadisa Lalisa M , Belete Yibeltal Siraneh , Demshasha Sifessa D , Nuramo Biniam Gintamo
Published: February 2022

Background: Miscommunication between patient and care provider in health service setting puts great pressure on patient satisfaction even up to life threatening especially for official language minority group. However Oromoo people is largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, there is no study conducted pertaining experiences and satisfaction of Afaan Oromoo Speaking Patients in Saint Pauls’ Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC).Objective: Objective of this study was to explore experiences and satisfaction of Afaan Oromo speaking patients in communicating with care providers in the SPHMMC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021.Methods and Materials: A phenomenological qualitative study design was employed. To select Afaan Oromoo speaking patients from each departments of SPHMMC, purposive non-probability sampling technique was used. Data collection instrument for this study was in-depth interview, observation and Focus Group Discussion. Before data analysis and interpretation, collected data was transcribed, translated, coded and managed to simplify for analysis by computer assisted software open-code version-4. The raw data was handled carefully from loosing of valuable data using computer password. After core meaning of collected data was identified and explained using method of thematic content analysis, final report/finding was written.Result: Experiences AOSPs in communicating with care providers showed indicated, most of health care providers were not used translator and to handle the problem they use non-verbal communication. Misunderstanding of patient condition, difficulty to record accurate patient assessment, misunderstanding of Afaan Oromoo word which caused for diagnosis of seemed diagnosis were observed from patient phenomena. Six themes which were taken from patient experience indicated dissatisfaction to health service and are: Service delay, mistrust b/n care providers and patients, loss of confidence and loss of self-esteem among patients, exposing to unnecessary expenditure, and communication gap in service provision. Conclusion & recommendation: Experiences of AOSPs in communicating with health care providers clearly indicated their dissatisfaction to health service. Thus, SPHMMC, FMoH and RHBO have been recommended to establish LAS, professional interpreters, and to function corporately with concerned stakeholders.
Prevalence and Determinants of Non-daily Smoking Among Iranian University Students: A Web-based Survey
Authors: Shekari Farhad , Mohammadpoorasl Asghar , Nadrian Haidar , Jafarabadi Mohammad Asghari , Akbari Hossein
Published: February 2022

Background: Compared to non-smokers, non-daily smokers (NDS) experience a higher level of health risks associated to smoking. However, the most of them do not consider themselves as smokers. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of NDS and its predictors among students. Methods: This web-based study was conducted in Tabriz, Iran, from July to August, 2019. In total, 3666 students were randomly selected from all universities in Tabriz in proportion to the number of students in each university. Data were collected applying an online questionnaire. NDS predictors were assessed using logistic regression model. Results: A total of 15.7% and 7.8% of the students were daily and NDS, respectively. Compared to the non-smokers, the NDSs were more likely to present high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.96, Confidence Interval (CI) 95%: 2.12-4.13), alcohol consumption (OR = 2.54, CI 95%: 1.78-3.62), and experience of hookah smoking (OR = 9.30, CI 95%: 6.06-14.25) and its regular use (OR = 24.22, CI 95%: 14.86-39.46). The predictors of NDS were female gender (OR = 6.25, CI 95%: 4.57-10.14), denying of being a smoker (OR = 11.69, CI 95%: 6.86-19.91), not being addicted to nicotine (OR = 10.02, CI 95%: 4.21-23.85), and with no effort to quit smoking in the recent months (OR = 2.27, CI 95%: 1.28-4.04). Conclusion: NDSs, due to their characteristics such as not considering themselves as smokers, lack of intention to quit smoking, and showing high-risk behaviors, should be paid attention by health policy makers while planning smoking cessation programs.
Copy-number Analysis by Base-level Normalization (CABANA): An Intuitive Visualization Tool for Confirming True Copy Number Variations
Authors: Kim Hongkyung , Shim Yeeun , Lee Taek Gyu , Won Dongju , Choi Jong Rak , Shin Saeam , Lee Seung-Tae
Published: February 2022

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) facilitates comprehensive molecular analyses, allowing accurate diagnosis of unsolved disorders. In addition to detecting single-nucleotide variations and small insertions/deletions, bioinformatics tools can identify copy number variations (CNVs) in NGS data, which improves the diagnostic yield. However, due to the possibility of false positives, subsequent confirmation tests are generally performed. Here, we introduce Copy-number Analysis by BAse-level NormAlization (CABANA), a computational tool that can intuitively visualize true CNVs using the normalized single-base-level read depth calculated from NGS data. To demonstrate how CABANA works, NGS data were obtained from 474 patients with neuromuscular disorders. CNVs were screened using a conventional bioinformatics tool, ExomeDepth, and then we normalized and visualized those data at the single-base level using CABANA, followed by manual inspection by geneticists to exclude false-positives. In this way, we identified 31 true-positive CNVs (7%) in 474 patients and subsequently confirmed all of them to be true using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. The performance of CABANA was deemed acceptable by comparing its diagnostic yield with previous data about neuromuscular disorders. Despite some limitations, we expect CABANA to help researchers accurately identify CNVs and reduce the need for subsequent confirmation testing.