bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Periarticular Injections of Triamcinolone Acetonide During Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty in the Perioperative Period: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Gao He , Zhai Yaling , Yue Ju’an , Guo Xiaozhong , Wang Randong , Li Bing , Sun Qiang , Liu Wangyan , Chen Jiao , Li Yingnan
Published: July 2020

Background: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a minimally invasive procedure that preserves most knee tissue, but can also cause moderate-to-severe pain. We investigated if triamcinolone acetonide (TA) addition to a “cocktail” of agents in a periarticular injection could reduce postoperative pain and the inflammatory response, and promote rapid recovery after UKA.Methods: This was a prospective randomized clinical trial undertaken from March 2018 to October 2019. Patients were divided randomly into a control group (A) and TA group (B). In group A, a 50-mL cocktail lacking TA was injected in tissue around the joint cavity. In group B, a 50-mL cocktail containing TA was injected. Primary-outcome measurements were the visual analog pain score upon rest (VASR) and exercise (VASE), morphine consumption, range of motion (RoM), level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in venous blood at different times. Complications were also monitored.Results: Forty-five patients in group A and 46 patients in group B were assessed. At 6, 12 and 24 h postoperatively, VASR in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (P<0.05). At 6 and 12 h postoperatively, VASE in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (P<0.05). Morphine consumption in group A was significantly higher than that in group B at 0–24 h (P<0.05) and 0–48 h (P<0.05) after surgery. At postoperative day (POD)1–3, the RoM in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (P<0.05). There was a significant decrease in CRP level in group B vs. group A on POD1 (P<0.05) and POD3 (P<0.05). The ESR of group B was significantly lower than that of group B on POD3 (P<0.05) and POD5 (P<0.05). No serious complications occurred in either group.Conclusion: TA addition to a cocktail of agents for periarticular injection effectively relieved pain, improved knee-joint function, reduced the inflammatory response, did not increase risk of complications, and promoted rapid recovery after UKA.
A Retrospective Review of Bone Health Screening of at-risk Children and Adolescents: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Fu Chun-cheung Antony , Luk Wing Hang
Published: July 2020

Background Bone health surveillance that includes laboratory tests and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for patients with conditions that predispose them to a higher risk of osteoporosis is recommended. This study aimed to review current practice of such surveillance in a local tertiary referral centre. Methods Retrospective review of clinical data of patients who underwent DXA from 2013 to 2017 inclusive. Laboratory test results and presence of osteoporotic risk which was defined as bone mineral density (BMD) Z-score -2 SD or less were documented.Results This review consisted of 112 patients, 58 boys and age ranged from 1.1 to 20.3 years. Most referrals for DXA came from the subspecialty of nephrology (56.3%). Vitamin D status was rarely evaluated in this cohort of patients, only 17.9% of subjects had their vitamin D level checked. Overall, osteoporotic risk was demonstrated in 37% of the subjects. Thalassaemia, other haematological diseases like chronic ITP, osteogenesis imperfecta and inflammatory bowel disease accounted for majority of cases with high risk of osteoporosis.Conclusion DXA is underutilized in this center. Bone health surveillance and protection should be strengthened.
Identifying chemicals linked to lung cancer: Integrating genome-wide association studies with a chemical-gene interaction network
Authors: Lei Yutiantian , Tang Hanmin , Gong Liuyun , Luo Zhenzhen , Tan Xinyue , Xie Lina , He Chenchen , Ma Jinlu , Han Suxia
Published: July 2020

Background

Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Environmental chemicals play a significant role in tumorigenesis, it is necessary to explore the lung cancer-related chemicals and provide new clues for neoplastic prevention and treatment.
Methods

The genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data of malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung (C34) were downloaded from the UK Biobank. It includes 1,655 samples and 450,609 controls. DNA methylation profiles of non-small cell lung cancer were obtained from the GEO database (GSE75008). A transcriptome-wide association study was applied to detect genes significantly related to lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) by FUSION software. Comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD) enables the construction of chemical-gene-disease networks. We conducted a chemical-related gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) based on GWAS summary data, DNA methylation data, and the CTD to explore the relationships between chemicals and two major histological subtypes of lung cancer. Venn analysis was used to identify the common related chemicals of the GWAS summary data and the DNA methylation data.
Results

We detected aluminum, naringenin, and 2-acetylaminofluorene as LUSC-related chemicals and antirheumatic agents, nickel monoxide, and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol as LUAD-related chemicals.
Conclusion

By integrating GWAS and chemical-gene interaction networks, we made linkages between various chemicals and lung cancer on genetic basis. Moreover, this study provided new clues for exploring the etiology of lung cancer and a new method for finding the chemicals related to tumor or other complex disease.
Characteristics of alcohol-related trauma: a retrospective analysis of 1997 cases
Authors: Qi Junfang , Lin Qi , Bao Long , Xu Feng , Chen Du
Published: July 2020

Objective

To analyze and summarize the epidemiological characteristics of patients with alcohol-related trauma through a large dataset.
Methods

The medical records of 46338 patients with pre-hospital trauma in 2019 were exported from Suzhou pre-hospital first aid information system. The medical history was matched by regular expression, and the trauma cases including "drinking", "drunk driving" and "alcoholism" were defined as alcohol-related trauma (ART). Statistical analysis was performed from the respects of age distribution, sex composition, injury mechanism, onset time and injury condition.
Results

1997 patients with alcohol-related trauma were screened, including 1791 males, accounting for 89.68%. The age in the male group was older than that in the female group [median (IQR)]: 39 (16) vs. 31 (15), p < 0.001. The top three injury mechanisms were fall down (32%), violence (28.49%) and traffic accidents (24.89%). In terms of time distribution, alcohol-related injuries mostly occurred at from 20:00 to 00:00 and Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The shock risk of violent was significantly higher than that of other types of trauma. Taking traffic accidents as a reference baseline, we calculated the crude OR and the adjusted OR with the adjustment for sex and age, which were 2.57, 95%(1.54–4.30), p < 0.001; 2.39, 95%CI(1.42–4.01), p = 0.001, repspectively.
Conclusion

ART mainly occurs in male population and the average age of male is higher than that of female, and it is more common in falls, violence and traffic accidents, especially from 20:00 to 00:00 at night and on weekends. Violence can more easily lead to shock than other types of trauma, which suggests more serious injury and worse outcome.
Effect of Plant-growing Media on Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, Pupae and Fungus Gnat, Bradysia sp. nr. coprophila, Larvae under Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Herrick Nathan J. , Cloyd Raymond A.
Published: July 2020

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, and fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.) are major insect pests of greenhouse production systems. Both insect pests have life stages that reside in the soil or plant-growing medium: prepupae and pupae of western flower thrips and fungus gnat larvae. There are unsubstantiated allegations made by a manufacturer that certain plant-growing media that contain a bacterium, Bacillus pumilus, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices, negatively affect the survival of western flower thrips pupae and fungus gnat larvae. Therefore, we conducted a study involving laboratory experiments replicated over time (2019 and 2020) to investigate the influence of the plant-growing media Pro-Mix BX + Mycorrhizae and Pro-Mix BX + Biofungicide + Mycorrhizae on western flower thrips pupae and fungus gnat larvae. All experiments involved placing western flower thrips pupae or fungus gnat larvae (second and third instar) into 473-mL deli containers with the different treatments (plant-growing media). A 5 × 4-cm section of a yellow sticky card was affixed to the lid of each deli container. After 21 days, the number of western flower thrips or fungus gnat adults that emerged from the growing media and were captured on the yellow sticky cards was recorded. The use of the yellow sticky card was an indirect assessment of western flower thrips pupal or fungus gnat larval mortality. We found none of the plant-growing media tested that contained a bacterium and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus affected the survival of western flower thrips pupae or fungus gnat larvae. Therefore, greenhouse producers should be leery of information provided by manufacturers that does not contain valid, scientifically based data.
Visszatérő migránsok transznacionális gyakorlatai a hazatérést megelőzően
Authors: Gábriel Dóra, Horváth Veronika
Published: July 2020

A tanulmány a hosszú távú migrációs tapasztalattal rendelkezők transznacionális gyakorlatainak két elemét, a hazalátogatásokat és a hazautalásokat, valamint az előfordulásukat magyarázó tényezőket vizsgálja a 2016. évi Mikrocenzus adatai alapján, összehasonlítva az adatfelvétel idején tartósan külföldön tartózkodók transznacionális gyakorlataival. A Magyarországra hazatérők transznacionális gyakorlatairól kevés ismerettel rendelkezünk, ezért tanulmányunk részben feltáró jellegű elemzés. Az eredmények rámutatnak arra, hogy a migrációs tapasztalattal rendelkező, valamint az adatfelvétel idején külföldön tartózkodó személyek jelentős része hazalátogatott a külföldi tartózkodás utolsó 12 hónapjában, és közel harmaduk a külföldi tartózkodása alatt anyagi támogatásban részesítette legalább egy itthon élő családtagját. A hazalátogatás és a hazautalás is főként a munkavállalási céllal külföldön tartózkodókra, a férfiakra, az 50 év felettiekre és a szakmunkás végzettségűekre volt jellemző, illetve azokra, akik nem családtaggal éltek külföldön. A fordított transzfereket tekintve pedig az Ausztriából hazatért tanulók részesültek legnagyobb arányban itthon élő családtag(ok) támogatásában.
Methods for calculating phreatic evaporation on bare grounds on rainy and dry days
Authors: Wang Zhenlong , Xu Yingying , Dong Guoqiang , Lv Haishen , Fan Yue , Wang Yining
Published: July 2020

In order to depict the impact of rainfall on phreatic evaporation, this study analyzes phreatic evaporation and the phreatic evaporation coefficient between surface evaporation and soil depth in Shajiang black soil and Fluyo-aquic soil. We have improved the existing commonly used mathematical framework, established two rainless day phreatic evaporation calculation models, and then calculated the calculation model of the phreatic evaporation reduction on rainy days. Finally, rainy day evaporation calculation models on two soils were proposed. The results show that the evaporation coefficient is affected by both depth and the evaporation ability of the surface water. The evaporation reduction of Shajiang black soil increased with depth and the increasing trend gradually slowed down until it approached zero. The evaporation reduction of the Fluyo-aquic soil phreatic decreased first and then increased with depth, reaching a minimum at 0.4 m. The reduction of phreatic evaporation in both soils decreased with the increase in rainfall level and decreased with the increase in rainfall duration showing ‘inverted S-type’. In summary, the phreatic evaporation composite calculation models on rainy days and rainless days have good fitting and prediction results, which can improve the accuracy of phreatic evaporation calculations.
Physical and economical evaluation of laboratory-scale membrane bioreactor by long-term relative cost–benefit analysis
Authors: Ayub Mariam , Saeed Nadeeha , Chung Shinho , Nawaz Muhammad Saqib , Ghaffour Noreddine
Published: July 2020

Two laboratory-scale single-stage submerged membrane bioreactors (MBRs) were operated in parallel to examine the effect of different flux conditions and several fouling mitigation methods. After control operation (filtration only), three fouling control methods (relaxation, standard backwash and chemical backwash) at 27 litres per m2 per hour (LMH) flux and four different flux conditions (54, 36, 27 and 18 LMH) with standard backwash were applied. Physical performance of MBRs was evaluated based on the operational duration to reach maximum transmembrane pressure and the volume of permeate produced during the operational duration. Then relative cost–benefit analysis was carried out. Results showed that the combination of chemical backwash and standard backwash was the most effective for fouling mitigation in terms of physical improvement of MBR performance. However, the combination proved less economical (400% + α relative cost) than standard backwash alone (343% relative cost), because of the additional cost for pumps and chemicals. It also showed that lower flux (18 LMH) is desirable as it showed better physical performance (1,770% improvement as compared to the highest flux, 54 LMH) and proved more economical than higher flux configuration. Therefore, it is concluded that the operation with standard backwash at the lowest possible flux is the best combination to improve MBR performance as well as long-term cost–benefit.
Apakah Usahatani Padi Organik Lebih Menguntungkan? Bukti dari Desa Pringkasap Kabupaten Subang
Authors: Anggita Asfiatika Hayuning , Suprehatin Suprehatin
Published: July 2020

Pertanian organik sebagai salah satu pertanian alternatif terus berkembang di Indonesia, termasuk pertanian padi organik. Meskipun demikian, pengembangan usahatani padi organik tersebut masih menghadapi banyak tantangan seperti minat berusahatani organik yang rendah karena mempertimbangkan apakah usahatani organik lebih menguntungkan dibandingkan usahatani padi non organik. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pendapatan usahatani padi organik dan non organik. Penelitian ini menggunakan data primer dari 30 petani organik dan non organik di Desa Pringkasap Subang yang diperoleh dengan menggunakan metode sensus untuk petani organik dan purposive sampling untuk petani non organik. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis struktur biaya, penerimaan, pendapatan, R/C rasio, sedangkan untuk analisis perbandingan menggunakan uji Mann Whitney. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa usahatani padi organik di Desa Pringkasap lebih menguntungkan dengan total pendapatan lebih tinggi daripada usahatani padi non organik. Hasil penelitian juga menunjukan bahwa usahatani padi organik di Desa Pringkasap lebih efisien biayanya dilihat dari nilai R/C yang lebih tinggi dari usahatani padi non organik.
Features of the bridge span performance when shifting the axis of the rail-sleeper grid
Authors: Korolev V. V. , Loktev A. A. , Shishkina I. V. , Gridasova E. A.
Published: July 2020

Engineering structures form an integral part of the railways, both already operated and yet designed. The joint work of the upper structure of the railway track and the supporting structures of the bridge crossing is an important condition for the normal operation of the railway section without various restrictions and additional work on the current maintenance and diagnostics of structural elements. Presented study is devoted to the investigation of the stress-strain state of a small railway bridge with a beam design, when the axis of the rail-sleeper grid relative to the axis of the bridge is shifted by an amount exceeding the limit value determined by regulatory documents. In the analytical calculation of the behavior parameters and the state of the span under the action of the load, a differential equation is used that describes the vertical vibrations of the beam and allows considering them as a combination of forced and free vibrations. In numerical modeling, the finite element method is used as the solution method, the deter mining equations of which contain linear and angular displacements of nodes of the calculation scheme as unknowns. As a result of the calculations, graphical dependences for normal and horizontal displacements, internal forces, principal and equivalent stresses at various points of the span are obtained. Presented values show an increase in bending and torsional forces, as well as principal stresses when the axis of the railway track is displaced relative to the axis of the bridge. It is noted that although the increase in stresses (by about 6 %) can generally be considered insignificant, the presence of defects in the span beams (concrete chips, cracks in the stretched zone, exposure and corrosion of working reinforcement, decrease in the calculated cross section, leaching of cement stone from concrete, decrease in concrete strength over time) can make it a significant enough factor limiting the operational capabilities of bridge crossings.
Experimental study of natural frequencies and forms of the rail oscillations
Authors: Chunin S. V. , Shabunevich V. I. , Savos’kin A. N.
Published: July 2020

The article considers the problem of assessing the stability of the continuously welded track at its temperature elongation and proposes a method for this assessment by comparing the actual temperature of fastening the rail strings with the standard one. A method for determining the actual temperature of rail fastening is presented, which consists in measuring its temperature and natural vibration frequencies, followed by an analysis of the dependence of the change in the natural frequency of the rail head in the transverse direction on the magnitude of the longitudinal force applied to the rail. The methodology of the tests performed at the bench and section of the continuously welded track of the Ozerskaya branch of the Moscow railway is described. The essence of the technique is to determine the values of natural vibrations using various measuring instruments (strain gauges, vibration transducers, sound level meters) at different values of the longitudinal force applied to the rail. Natural vibrations were excited by hitting the rail head in the transverse direction. A comparative analysis of the forms and frequencies of natural vibrations of the rail head is carried out according to the test results in bench and operational area conditions. It was found that the closest convergence of the vibration frequencies of the rail head in the transverse direction corresponds to the first mode of vibration. During bench tests, the dependence of the frequency change of the first form of natural vibrations of the rail head in the transverse direction on the magnitude of the longitudinal force applied to the rail was determined. According to the results of a comparative analysis of the results of measurements of the natural frequencies of rail oscillations, the possibility of using a sound level meter or similar measuring instruments for their registration was established. The calculation of the actual temperature of the rail fastening is also given on the example of the section of the continuously welded track of the Ozerskaya branch of the Moscow railway and its compliance with the normative for this region is established.
МЕТОДИ ОЦІНКИ ЯКОСТІ ЖИТТЯ ХВОРИХ НА СИСТЕМНИЙ ВОВЧАК
Authors: Мазепа М. А. , Гавалко І. В.
Published: July 2020

Резюме. У публікації представлені сучасні підходи до оцінки якості життя (ЯЖ) хворих на системний червоний вовчак (СЧВ) і критичний аналіз методів оцінки активності захворювання, загальних та специфічних опитувальників, які найбільш об'єктивно відображають стан хворого. Представлена публікація є наративним оглядом. Пошук даних проводили в базі статей у галузі медицини і біології сайту PubMed Національного центру біотехнологічної інформації США (NCBI) та пошуковій системі Google Scholar. Аналіз літератури показав, що СЧВ істотно погіршує ЯЖ пацієнтів. У хворих на СЧВ визначена основна ключова тріада проблем, що викликає погіршення ЯЖ – втома, біль і депресія. Корисність загальних опитувальників щодо ЯЖ у пацієнтів із СЧВ визначена не до кінця, однак більшість авторів в якості «золотого стандарту» рекомендують використовувати загальний опитувальник – SF-36 (валідизований в Україні). Із 60-ти індексів активності СЧВ тільки п'ять пройшли валідизацію й широко використовуються у світовій медичній лікувальній і науковій практиці. Наведені спеціальні для СЧВ опитувальники ЯЖ є достатньо чутливим до даної нозології, вони займають небагато часу для відповідей. Їх використання залежить від запиту пацієнта і цілей, які він ставить перед собою (Т2Т). Опитувальник буде ефективним, якщо його раціонально застосувати в кожному конкретному випадку. Знання змін результатів, повідомлених пацієнтом, проти клінічно значущих змін у перебігу СЧВ, має вирішальне значення для управління хворобою, спрямованого на персоналізовану медицину. Важливо, щоб опитувальник був валідизований і пристосований до умов певної країни. Спеціальні опитувальники ЯЖ хворих на СЧВ потрібно валідизувати в Україні.
МОРФОМЕТРИЧНИЙ АНАЛІЗ ОСОБЛИВОСТЕЙ СТРУКТУРНИХ ЗМІН У ЕНДОТЕЛІОЦИТАХ АРТЕРІЙ ТА ВЕН СІМ'ЯНИКІВ В УМОВАХ ПОСТРЕЗЕКЦІЙНОЇ ПОРТАЛЬНОЇ ГІПЕРТЕНЗІЇ
Authors: Коноваленко С. О.
Published: July 2020

Резюме. Видалення великих об'ємів печінки може призводити до пострезекційної портальної гіпертензії, венозного застою в органах портальної системи та структурно-функціональних змін у них. Морфологічні зміни у ендотеліоцитах артерій та вен сім'яників при пострезекційній портальній гіпертензії вивчені недостатньо.

Мета дослідження: провести морфометричний аналіз структурних змін у ендотеліоцитах артерій та вен сім'яників в умовах пострезекційної портальної гіпертензії та поліорганної недостатності.

Морфометрично досліджено сім'яники 50 білих щурів-самців, які були розділені на 3 групи. 1 група нараховувала 15 інтактних тварин, 2 – 25 щурів з пострезекційною портальною гіпертензією, 3 – 10 тварин з пострезекційною портальною гіпертензією і поліорганною недостатністю. Пострезекційну портальну гіпертензію моделювали шляхом видалення лівої і правої бокових частин печінки. Евтаназію щурів здійснювали кровопусканням в умовах тіопенталового наркозу через місяць від початку досліду. З сім'яників виготовляли мікропрепарати, на яких морфометрично визначали висоту ендотеліоцитів артерій та вен, діаметр їх ядер, ядерно-цитоплазматичні відношення у цих клітинах, відносні об'єми пошкоджених ендотеліоцитів. Кількісні морфологічні показники обробляли статистично.

Висновки. Отримані дані свідчать, що пострезекційна портальна гіпертензія призводить до порушень клітинного структурного гомеостазу, зростання відносних об'ємів пошкоджених ендотеліоцитів у судинному руслі сім'яників. Виявлені процеси домінують у венозному руслі лівого сім'яника та при поєднанні пострезекційної портальної гіпертензії з поліорганною недостатністю.
КОМПЛЕКСНЕ ЛІКУВАННЯ ХВОРИХ З ХРОНІЧНИМ ГЕМОРОЄМ ТА ГОСТРИМИ ЗАПАЛЬНИМИ ПРОЦЕСАМИ АНОРЕКТАЛЬНОЇ ЗОНИ
Authors: Соломчак П. В. , Скрипко В. Д. , Горбаль Б. Г. , Мельник І. В.
Published: July 2020

Резюме. Геморой, гострий парапроктит, анальна тріщина є одними з найчастіших захворювань, що вражають осіб працездатного віку. Комбінація таких захворювань трапляється у 20-25 % пацієнтів. При оперативному лікування хворих з гострими запальними захворюваннями аноректальної ділянки мало уваги звертається на супутню хронічну патологію, що призводить до важчого перебігу основного захворювання та загострення хронічної патології, подовжує тривалість перебування пацієнта в стаціонарі та здорожчує його, саме тому це спонукало нас до вивчення використання венопротекторів у післяопераційному періоді у хворих з комбінованою патологією аноректальної зони.

На клінічному матеріалі (64 пацієнти, які пройшли лікування в хірургічному відділенні Івано-Франківської ЦМКЛ), вивчені особливості прийому венопротекторів у післяопераційному періоді з приводу гострих та хронічних захворювань аноректальної ділянки з метою покращення результатів хірургічного лікування пацієнтів з комбінованою патологією. Досліджувана група: пацієнти з поєднаною патологією, які отримували флавоноїди в ранньому післяопераційному періоді. Контрольна група: пацієнти з поєднаною патологією, яким не призначалися флавоноїди.

Дія венопротекторів (Нормовен) полягає у венотонічній та ангіопротекторній дії, поліпшенні мікроциркуляції у кавернозній тканині анального каналу, зменшенні проникності капілярів, зниженні пошкоджуваної дії медіаторів запалення на гемороїдальні сплетення.

Отримані дані вказують на те, що призначення венопротекторних засобів у пацієнтів з поєднаною патологією хронічного геморою та запальних захворювань аноректальної ділянки є ефективним, обґрунтованим, сприяє зменшенню больових відчуттів та покращує психологічний та фізичний комфорт пацієнтів.
The Roles of Customer's Capital As Human Resource Achieving The Universal Banking
Authors: Hussein Al-Mzwry Hussein Ahmed
Published: July 2020

The present research aims at the a knowledgement of the role the customer capital as human resource in achieving the universal banking , since the customer is considered the chief concern , and the aria where all banks should focus and the key elements of profitability so , the presnt research attempts energizing and activating the customer capital through four strategices for ( strategy of attracting new gruops of andividuals, strategy of maximizng supporting the customer's comfort , , strategy of financial activity,  strategy of keeping the banks liquidity ) to act as a tool that assists the working commercial banks in duhok province achieve the universal bankig in to reality in this sense two hypotheses were made to examine, the effect on the relationship between the customer capital and universal banking accordingly , afield study was a dopted through a questionnaire list that was distributed to sample of manegers and haed of departments working in the banks of duhok province .

the study concluded many results some of which were represented in the following ;

there is a hung concern with customers capital made by those banks managements and also the increasing raise of the universal banking in the banks of duhok province
Concentración de la solución nutritiva y su relación con la producción y calidad de arándano azul
Authors: Frías-Ortega Carlos Enrique , Alejo Santiago Gelacio , Bugarín-Montoya Rubén , Aburto-González Circe Aidín , Juárez-Rosete Cecilia Rocío , Urbina-Sánchez Elizabeth , Sánchez-Hernández Esperanza
Published: July 2020

La producción, calidad y concentración nutrimental foliar del arándano azul (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cv. Biloxi de bajo requerimiento de frío fue evaluada en cultivo hidropónico, empleando diferentes concentraciones de solución nutritiva. El ensayo se realizó en un invernadero tipo semitúnel, con cubierta de plástico, sistema de ventilación pasivo con apertura cenital y lateral, y sin control climático. Se emplearon plantas de arándano de un año de edad, provenientes de cultivo in vitro, y fueron colocadas en contenedores de plástico flexible de 15 L de capacidad con roca basáltica volcánica roja como sustrato, con un marco de plantación de 2 m entre hileras y 0,5 m entre plantas. El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar, con cuatro tratamientos y cinco repeticiones, y cada repetición tuvo cuatro plantas, lo que dio un total de ochenta plantas. Se evaluaron cuatro concentraciones de solución Steiner modificada (0,5; 1,0; 1,5 y 2,0 dS/m). Las variables evaluadas fueron producción y calidad de fruto, y se consideró tamaño, pH, sólidos solubles totales y firmeza, así como la concentración foliar de macronutrimentos en cada etapa fenológica. Se concluyó que el arándano azul cv. Biloxi es sensible a la salinidad del medio de crecimiento. Se determinó que, cuando el valor de conductividad eléctrica (CE) es mayor a 1,0 dS/m, afecta el crecimiento, producción y calidad del arándano; sin embargo, se puede utilizar una solución nutritiva con CE entre 0,5 y 1,0 dS/m sin afectar el rendimiento y la calidad de fruto, ni los niveles de concentración nutrimental foliar en cultivo hidropónico.
Positioning and Utilization of Information and Communication Technology in Community Pharmacies of Selangor, Malaysia: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: KC Bhuvan , Lim Dorothy , Low Chia Chia , Chew Connie , Blebil Ali Qais , Dujaili Juman Abdulelah , Alrasheedy Alian A
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Information and communication technology (ICT) is an essential element of modern “smart” cities. These smart cities have integrated housing, marketplace, public amenities, services, business, and transportation via ICT. ICT is also now widely used in urban health care delivery.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the positioning and roles of ICT in community pharmacies in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to January 2019 across 9 different subdistricts in the state of Selangor, including Subang Jaya, Cheras, Puchong, Port Klang, Kota Kemuning, Selayang, Chow Kit, Ampang, and Seri Kembangan. A total of 90 community pharmacists were approached from the 9 subdistricts and invited to participate in the study.

RESULTS

Of the 90 community pharmacies approached, 60 agreed to participate in the study, representing a response rate of 67%. The majority (36/60, 60%) of the respondents were women, and more than half (32/60, 53%) of the community pharmacies were run by young adults (ie, 30 years old and younger). More than three-quarters of the community pharmacies (46/60, 77%) used electronic health records. Half of the community pharmacies used online social media platforms for advertising and promoting their pharmacies. The vast majority of the community pharmacies (55/60, 92%) were using modern electronic payment systems, and some were also using other new electronic payment methods. Moreover, most of the community pharmacies (41/60, 68%) were using software and programs for accounting and logistics purposes. In addition, 47/60 (78%) of the community pharmacies used a barcode reading system for medicines/health products, and 16/60 (27%) of the pharmacies had online stores, and consumers could buy medicines and health products from these pharmacies via their online portal. In addition, 20/60 (33%) of the community pharmacies used at least one of the common online business platforms available in Southeast Asia to sell products/medicines. The telephone was the most commonly used means of communication with patients, although some pharmacies also used email, WhatsApp, SMS text messaging, and other communication platforms.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the majority of community pharmacies in Selangor, Malaysia are using ICT for different purposes. However, there is still limited use of mobile apps to provide health services. Overall, community pharmacies have been adopting ICT apps for pharmacy services but the rate of adoption is relatively slower than that in other sectors of Malaysia.
Protection of Health Care Professionals During an Epidemic: Medical, Ethical, and Legal Ramifications (Preprint)
Authors: Guddati Achuta
Published: July 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

The welfare of health care professionals working in hazardous environments is a concerning issue. Personal protective equipment such as face masks, disposable gowns, hair covers, gloves, and shoe covers is often used to prevent contamination from patient contact and droplets. This is especially relevant during an epidemic, when health care professionals are at elevated risk of infection. Failure to provide adequate protection to health care workers during epidemics has medical, ethical, and legal ramifications.
Leveraging Social Media Activity and Machine Learning for HIV and Substance Abuse Risk Assessment: Development and Validation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Ovalle Anaelia , Goldstein Orpaz , Kachuee Mohammad , Wu Elizabeth S C , Hong Chenglin , Holloway Ian W , Sarrafzadeh Majid
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Social media networks provide an abundance of diverse information that can be leveraged for data-driven applications across various social and physical sciences. One opportunity to utilize such data exists in the public health domain, where data collection is often constrained by organizational funding and limited user adoption. Furthermore, the efficacy of health interventions is often based on self-reported data, which are not always reliable. Health-promotion strategies for communities facing multiple vulnerabilities, such as men who have sex with men, can benefit from an automated system that not only determines health behavior risk but also suggests appropriate intervention targets.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the value of leveraging social media messages to identify health risk behavior for men who have sex with men.

METHODS

The Gay Social Networking Analysis Program was created as a preliminary framework for intelligent web-based health-promotion intervention. The program consisted of a data collection system that automatically gathered social media data, health questionnaires, and clinical results for sexually transmitted diseases and drug tests across 51 participants over 3 months. Machine learning techniques were utilized to assess the relationship between social media messages and participants' offline sexual health and substance use biological outcomes. The F1 score, a weighted average of precision and recall, was used to evaluate each algorithm. Natural language processing techniques were employed to create health behavior risk scores from participant messages.

RESULTS

Offline HIV, amphetamine, and methamphetamine use were correctly identified using only social media data, with machine learning models obtaining F1 scores of 82.6%, 85.9%, and 85.3%, respectively. Additionally, constructed risk scores were found to be reasonably comparable to risk scores adapted from the Center for Disease Control.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, our study is the first empirical evaluation of a social media–based public health intervention framework for men who have sex with men. We found that social media data were correlated with offline sexual health and substance use, verified through biological testing. The proof of concept and initial results validate that public health interventions can indeed use social media–based systems to successfully determine offline health risk behaviors. The findings demonstrate the promise of deploying a social media–based just-in-time adaptive intervention to target substance use and HIV risk behavior.
Evaluating Simplified Web Interfaces of Risk Models for Clinical Use: Pilot Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Beaubien Louis , Conrad Colin , Music Janet , Toze Sandra
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

In this pilot study, we investigated sociotechnical factors that affect intention to use a simplified web model to support clinical decision making.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated factors that are known to affect technology adoption using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model. The goal was to pilot and test a tool to better support complex clinical assessments.

METHODS

Based on the results of a previously published work, we developed a web-based mobile user interface, WebModel, to allow users to work with regression equations and their predictions to evaluate the impact of various characteristics or treatments on key outcomes (eg, survival time) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The WebModel provides a way to combat information overload and more easily compare treatment options. It limits the number of web forms presented to a user to between 1 and 20, rather than the dozens of detailed calculations typically required. The WebModel uses responsive design and can be used on multiple devices. To test the WebModel, we designed a questionnaire to probe the efficacy of the WebModel and assess the usability and usefulness of the system. The study was live for one month, and participants had access to it over that time. The questionnaire was administered online, and data from 674 clinical users who had access to the WebModel were captured. SPSS and R were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The regression model developed from UTAUT2 constructs was a fit. Specifically, five of the seven factors were significant positive coefficients in the regression: performance expectancy (β=.2730; t=7.994; P<.001), effort expectancy (β=.1473; t=3.870; P=.001), facilitating conditions (β=.1644; t=3.849; P<.001), hedonic motivation (β=.2321; t=3.991; P<.001), and habit (β=.2943; t=12.732). Social influence was not a significant factor, while price value had a significant negative influence on intention to use the WebModel.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that multiple influences impact positive response to the system, many of which relate to the efficiency of the interface to provide clear information. Although we found that the price value was a negative factor, it is possible this was due to the removal of health workers from purchasing decisions. Given that this was a pilot test, and that the system was not used in a clinical setting, we could not examine factors related to actual workflow, patient safety, or social influence. This study shows that the concept of a simplified WebModel could be effective and efficient in reducing information overload in complex clinical decision making. We recommend further study to test this in a clinical setting and gather qualitative data from users regarding the value of the tool in practice.
Online Training and Monitoring of Clinical Skills in Behavioral Health:
A Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Magill Molly , Mastroleo Nadine , Martino Steve
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

A key challenge in provider education is how to effectively train and monitor a range of clinical skills with efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE

In the present review, we consider products and literature for online training and monitoring of clinical skills in behavioral health (e.g., healthcare conversations, mental health, and addictions). We provide an overview of topical foci and design features, as well as review the available evidence for feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness.

METHODS

The Arksey and O’Malley (2005) framework for scoping review was used. There were two project phases. First, we reviewed and tabulated product design characteristics. Second, we examined peer-reviewed literature evaluating these products.

RESULTS

Our review yielded nine companies or research centers spanning health, mental health, addictions, education, defense, and corporate fields. Products could be categorized by a computer avatar- or video-based (i.e., human actor) client interface, as well as by a completely interactive experience (i.e., virtual reality) or an experience with a pre-programmed, branch-logic interaction (i.e., computer simulation). One final product provided clinical skill monitoring services only. The literature in this field is in its nascent stages, with primarily pilot scope and greater progress in general medicine than in behavioral health.

CONCLUSIONS

Online clinical skills training and monitoring in behavioral health is a promising emerging field with positive qualities such as scalability, resource efficiency, and standardization. Future training research should emphasize between-group evaluation in contrast to standard educational practices.

CLINICALTRIAL

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Why do doctors blog continuously? Factors influencing doctors’ continuous blogging (Preprint)
Authors: Yen David , Hsu Hui-Mei , Chang I-Chiu
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Many studies concluded that sharing medical information and giving advices are both important motivation for physicians to blog. However, most articles available in this subject field only describe the blog phenomena without providing a theoretical background and an empirical analysis of the phenomena.

OBJECTIVE

Since many studies were conducted to investigate the reasons why Physicians blog without a theoretical framework for a rigorous discussion. This study based on social cognitive theory (SCT) to explore the factors influencing physicians’ intention of continuously blogging.

METHODS

Eight Hundreds and seventy seven physicians’ bloggers were invited to participate an online survey and 128 valid responses returned. The SCT is proved to be useful in explaining 36.8 % of the variation in physicians' continuous intention to blog.

RESULTS

This study based on social cognitive theory (SCT) to explore the factors influencing physicians’ intention of continuously blogging by adding negative outcome expectations that most IS studies excluded. Further, the results of this study can remedy the insufficient knowledge and make a significant contribution to the IS literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Helping others is a creed for physicians, including those who seek helps from the Internet, the healing counts. Using the blog as a vehicle to educate, heal, and prevent disease is coincident with physicians’ oath. Therefore, this study strongly recommends physicians to create blogs to communicate with the public and blogging in a continuous manner. To motivate physicians to continue to blog, the platform developers can promote physicians by equipping them to have higher blog self-efficacy, a high positive performance/personal outcome expectation and lower negative outcome expectation from blogging, and also a higher satisfaction with their blogging behavior.
Relasi Islam dan Budaya Lokal di Kalimantan Timur: Persepsi Tokoh Masyarakat Mengenai Islam Nusantara
Authors: Noorthaibah Noorthaibah , Rozak Abdur -
Published: July 2020

Islam Nusantara gave rise to many perceptions in the midst of Indonesian Muslim society, both in terminological discourse and practical perception. This study presents the results of qualitative research on Islam Nusantara in the perception of East Kalimantan community leaders from the Regency of Paser Grogot, Kutai Kartanegara, Samarinda City and Berau. In their perception Islam Nusantara is perceived as a catalyst between Islam, nationality, plurality and eternal truth. This was stated in the form of understanding and practice by East Kalimantan community leaders in religious life. In terms of their understanding, Islam Nusantara is perceived as a functional instrument of mutualism between Islam and culture towards productive diversity. While in practice, Islam Nusantara is placed as a foothold or starting point in carrying out da'wah to realize the simplification  of human relations and eternal truth
Adaptasi dan Transformasi Lagu Adat dalam Liturgi Gereja Katolik di Manggarai Flores
Authors: Lon Yohanes S , Widyawati Fransiska
Published: July 2020

Manggarai, a community in Flores, Eastern Indonesia is known for its rich culture of folk songs with unique rhythm and lyrics. There are various types of folk songs for different purposes such as traditional chants, harvest celebrations, lamentation of the dead, war anthems, children songs, and other  profane functions. When European missionaries started Catholic evangelization in Manggarai in the beginning of the 20th century, many of these folk songs were prohibited due to their use in rituals deemed idolatry. However, some missionaries saw the potential of folk songs for evangelization and empowered local artists to arrange Catholic liturgical songs based on these traditional songs. Eventually, many folk songs were adapted and transformed into Catholic hymns. This paper explores this irony through socio-historical research to understand the relationship dynamics between the Catholic Church and the Manggaraian culture. This research has discovered that there is a dialectical encounter between Catholicism and the Manggaraian culture which has shaped a unique identity of the Catholic Church in Manggarai
Like Two Pis in a Pod: Author Similarity Across Time in the Ancient Greek Corpus
Authors: Storey Grant , Mimno David
Published: July 2020

One commonly recognized feature of the Ancient Greek corpus is that later texts frequently imitate and allude to model texts from earlier time periods, but analysis of this phenomenon is mostly done for specific author pairs based on close reading and highly visible instances of imitation. In this work, we use computational techniques to examine the similarity of a wide range of Ancient Greek authors, with a focus on similarity between authors writing many centuries apart. We represent texts and authors based on their usage of high-frequency words to capture author signatures rather than document topics and measure similarity using Jensen-Shannon Divergence. We then analyze author similarity across centuries, finding high similarity between specific authors and across the corpus that is not common to all languages.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF ANALYTICAL METHOD OF 3, 4-METHYLENEDIOXY-N-ETHYLAMPHETAMINE IN DRIED BLOOD SPOT USING GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPEC-TROMETRY
Authors: HARAHAP YAHDIANA , IRAWAN HANZEL , KUSWARDANI
Published: July 2020

Objective: This study aims to develop and validate the analytical method to determine 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA) in DBS using GC-MS.

Methods: This research used liquid-liquid micro-extraction for sample preparation and analysis was performed by GC-MS. In the method development, the optimized parameters were flow rate, column temperature, the spot of blood volume, % haematocrit, extraction and reconstitution of solvent volume, and sonication duration. Validation of the chosen method was performed based on EMEA bioanalytical guideline in 2011.

Results: The optimum chromatographic conditions were obtained using HP-5 MS capillary columns (30 m x 0.25 mm i.d; 0.25 μm ); helium with 99.9% purity as a mobile phase; flow rate of 1.0 ml/min; column temperature was 250 °C; MS detection using 4 fragments at m/z values ​​of 72.00 and 44.00 for MDEA and 58.00 and 77.00 for ephedrine HCl as an internal standard. The DBS paper with the volume of blood spot 40 μl was then extracted using liquid-liquid micro-extraction with methanol 700 μl, sonication for 5 min, evaporated with nitrogen gas then reconstituted with 50 μl ethyl acetate. The validation results fulfilled the requirements based on the EMEA bioanalytical guideline in 2011.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the optimum condition of the analytical method by using GC-MS was obtained and fulfilled validation criteria with a range concentration of 15-250 ng/ml.
NEW DOSAGE FORMS FOR THE DELAYED RELEASE OF MESALAZINE TO THE COLON
Authors: SIAMIDI ANGELIKI , VLACHOU MARILENA , EFENTAKIS MANUEL
Published: July 2020

Objective: The aim of the present work was to develop new solid pharmaceutical delivery systems of mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid, 5-ASA) for its colon targeted release.

Methods: Four different types of tablets of the same consistency (matrix and three-layered, with 5-ASA and dextran or pectin as excipients) were placed in a hard gelatin capsule. The 5-ASA release behavior from these formulations was compared to the release of the commercially available Asalazin® in three pH aqueous media in the presence of enzymes.

Results: The produced tablet formulations conformed to the Pharmacopoeia standards. The results showed delayed-release (<10%) during the first two hours, in acidic media (pH 1.5), and modified-release thereafter (pH 6 and 7.4). When dextran was used, the drug release showed more extended-release characteristics, in comparison to pectin formulations, due to the formation of a thicker hydrogel.

Conclusion: The new dosage forms could serve as a per os administration alternative dosage form for the delayed release of mesalazine to the colon