bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of prophylactic atropine in prevention of spinal anesthesia induced hypotension and bradycardia in geriatrics undergoing urological surgeries at a resource limited setting in Central Ethiopia, 2018; prospective cohort study.
Authors: Taye Moges Gelaw , Haddis Lidya , Abrar Meron , Aregawi Adugna , Melese Eyayalem 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Spinal anesthesia induced hypotension and bradycardia are common and hazardous in elderly patients. Many techniques are being tried to prevent and treat these problems even if there is a controversy. The effects of prophylactic atropine on prevention of spinal anesthesia induced hypotension and bradycardia in geriatrics for urologic surgeries are not well-established. Objective: To assess the effects of prophylactic atropine in prevention of spinal anesthesia induced hypotension and bradycardia in geriatrics undergoing urological surgeries at a resource limited setting in Central Ethiopia from December 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 G.C. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study that recruits 76 patients who underwent elective urological surgeries. Independent t-test and Manny Whitney tests were used for numeric data while Chi-Square or Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables. P-values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: There was no significant difference in baseline heart rate, mean arterial pressure, type & duration of surgery and total fluid administrations. There was a statistically significant difference in mean heart rate and mean arterial pressure at different times of measurement between the exposed and un-exposed groups. Total one hour vasopressor consumption was minimal in the exposed group (P = 0.038). Conclusion: Prophylactic atropine with in one minute of induction of spinal anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing urological surgery might reduce the incidence of hypotension and bradycardia.
Down-regulation of the Genome Uncoupled 4 Retards Starch Biosynthesis in Rice
Authors: Li Ruiqing , Jiang Meng , Zhang Huali 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BackgroundStarch is the major storage carbohydrate in rice, with essential physical functions for plant growth. The starch biosynthesis in rice employs the cooperation of nucleus and plastid, which requires regulation of the signals from nucleus to plastid. However, the plastid-to-nucleus retrograde signals for starch biosynthesis is partly mediated by tetrapyrrole intermediates, i.e., heme, but the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. In previous studies, we revealed that the Genome Uncoupled 4 (OsGUN4) mutation in rice have been revealed to greatly affect tetrapyrrole intermediates but retain a high photosynthetic capacity. ResultsHere, we further found that down-regulation of OsGUN4 promoted to accumulate sucrose but reduce the total starch, attributing to abnormal performance of metabolisms and enzyme activities of starch biosynthesis in leaves of gun4epi. Besides, the exogenous sucrose led to induced starch synthesis but reduced sucrose contents in wild-type, while norflurazon(NF) treatments could eliminate or weaken these inductions. Nevertheless, no changes were detectedbetween check and sucrose treatments in the gun4epi,whereas NF treatment enhanced the trends of increased sucrose but reduced starch,suggesting the roles of OsGUN4 on balance of photosynthesis and starch biosynthesis. Dynamic activity changes of starch biosynthetic enzymes were in accordance with the contents of carbon metabolites. Moreover, RNA sequencing revealed that a great deal DEGs were associated with starch metabolic pathways, with 62 genes being up-regulated and 25 down-regulated in gun4epi. Many genes involved in starch biosynthesis performed down-regulated expression, including the transcription factor of bZIP58 and its target genes of OsBEIIb and OsSSI, which are vital for the formation of amylopectin and starch granules, while displayed up-regulatedexpression of OsSSIIIa and OsGBSSI that promotes the formation of amylose. ConclusionIn conclusion, these findings confirm that OsGUN4 play regulatory roles on biosynthetic genes and enzyme activity in starch biosynthesis.
The clinical implication of secondary pulmonary bacterial infection for the outcome of critically ill patients with Covid-19
Authors: Xiong Wei , Li Xiaojing , Wang Yahua , Zhan Zhihua , Xia Jiaan , Wu Chaomin , Han Fengfeng , Guo M.D. Xuejun , Xu Mei , Zhao Yunfeng 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Covid-19 is an emerging and evolving infectious and communicable diseases which gravely endanger the lives of critically ill patients with it. It is crucial to determine the clinical implication of secondary pulmonary bacterial infection for the outcome of critically ill patients with severe Covid-19.Methods All critically ill patients with Covid-19(30 deceased and 35 discharged) between January 26, 2020 and March 15, 2020 in two ICUs of Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan, China, were retrospectively reviewed, to investigate the clinical implication of secondary pulmonary bacterial infection in the prognosis of critically ill patients with severe Covid-19.Results The fatality rate between patients with positive and negative sputum bacterial culture is 75.0%vs 33.3% (P = 0.003). The ROC analyses demonstrate that NLR[0.921(0.858–0.984)P༜0.001], CRP[0.908(0.837–0.978)P༜0.001],neutrophil[0.832(0.728–0.937)P༜0.001],lymphocyte[0.858(0.755–0.960)P༜0.001],leucocyte[0.753(0.626–0.879)P༜0.001] and PCT [0.733(0.605–0.860)P = 0.001] have the discrimination power for the fatality. The Kaplan-Meier analyses show that the patients with negative sputum bacterial culture(P༜0.001) have higher cumulative overall survival rates, in comparison with the opposite. The positive sputum bacterial culture is positively correlated with leukocyte(r = 0.706), CRP(r = 0.733), NLR(r = 0.554) and PCT(r = 0.549)(all P༜0.001). A multivariate Cox regression analysis shows that sputum bacterial culture[15.36(4.291–54.980) P༜0.001], CRP[2.022(2.013–2.030) P༜0.001] and NLR[2.012(2.000-2.024) P = 0.045] are positively correlated with the fatality of the patients.Conclusions The critically ill patients with severe Covid-19 who are complicated with secondary pulmonary bacterial infection may have an unfavorable outcome, in comparison with those who are not. Secondary pulmonary bacterial infection is an independent factor for the fatality of critically patients with Covid-19.
Sleeping with Tuberculosis: Do over-crowded university hostels in Kenya increase TB transmission among youths - A pilot study
Authors: Teresia Maina , Annie Willets , Moses Ngari , Abdullahi Osman 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Understanding the magnitude of Tuberculosis (TB) transmission among the youth is a global priority as the disease burden shifts to this population. Learning institutions host overcrowded accommodation and classrooms, especially in resource limited contexts. Understanding the global threat of the youth as an infection pool on the wider population is highlighted in the global response to COVID 19. This pilot study aimed to test the feasibility of recruiting university students’ contacts and demonstrate transmission of TB in Pwani University, Kilifi County-Kenya.
Materials and Methods

A pilot study among Pwani University TB index cases receiving treatment at the Kilifi County Hospital was conducted. Index cases who consented provided information about their household and social contacts. Contacts were identified and screened using a World Health Organization (WHO) symptom-based questionnaire. Their sputum samples were analysed using GeneXpert. Multivariate log-binomial regression was used to determine demographic and clinical characteristics associated with TB infection among contacts with TB index patients.
Results

A total of 51 index cases were recruited, median (IQR) age of 21 (20–23) years and 31 (61%) were males. 156 contacts were screened, median (IQR) age of 23 (20–23) years, 80 (51%) were males and 76 (49%) were household contacts. Among the 156 TB contacts, 5 participants were confirmed positive for TB: prevalence of 3.2% (95% CI 1.0 to 7.3%). 8/156 (5.1%, (95% CI 2.2 to 10%) contacts, had clinical diagnosed TB despite having a negative GeneXpert result. In total 13/156 contacts had either confirmed or clinical diagnosed TB; 8.3% (95% CI 4.5 to 14%). Sharing a bed with an index case was the only factor significantly associated with TB infection among the five contacts with GeneXpert diagnosed TB.
Conclusion

Students sleeping in crowded hostels promote TB transmission within universities informing TB control interventions. Collaborating with existing national TB programme systems is a feasible approach to recruit people with active disease and their social contacts. Expansion of this approach to a larger population of students with TB infection may demonstrate the magnitude of TB transmission within universities, and the wider local communities.
Identification of Risk Factors for in-Hospital Death of COVID - 19 Pneumonia
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Wang Zhiqiang 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objective: To examine the clinical characteristics and identify independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia.Methods: A total of 156 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia at the central Hospital of Wuhan from January 29, 2020, to March 20, 2020 were enrolled in this single-centered retrospective study. Their epidemiological parameters, clinical presentations, underlying diseases, laboratory test results and disease outcomes were collected and analyzed.Results: The median age of enrolled patients was 66. Underlying diseases were identified in 101 patients, with hypertension being the most common one, followed by cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The most common symptoms identified upon admission were fever, cough, dyspnea and fatigue. Compared to survival cases, patients who dead during hospitalization had higher plasma levels of D-dimer, creatinine, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, lactate and lower percentage of lymphocytes (LYM [%]), platelet count and albumin levels. Most enrolled patients received anti-biotics and anti-viral treatment. In addition, 60 patients received corticosteroid and 51 received intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. 44 patients received noninvasive ventilation, 19 received invasive ventilation. Respiratory failure was the most frequently observed complication (106 [67.9%]), followed by sepsis (103 [66.0%]), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (67 [42.9%]) and septic shock (50 [32.1%]). Multivariable regression suggested that advanced age (OR [odds ratio]= 1.059, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.011-1.110, P= 0.016) and elevated lactate level upon admission (OR= 2.411, 95% CI: 1.177-4.941, P= 0.016) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality for COVID-19 infection. Meanwhile, increased LYM (%) at admission (OR= 0.798, 95% CI: 0.728-0.876, P< 0.001) indicated a better prognosis. Conclusions: In this study, we discovered that age, LYM (%) and lactate level upon admission were independent factors that could influence in-hospital mortality rate.
Work related injury and its disparity across selected occupations in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gietaneh Wodaje , Simieneh Muluye Molla , Alene Muluneh , Asemie Moges Agazhe , Shitu Daniel 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BackgroundGlobally, work related injury has been continued as a major public health problem. In Ethiopia there are few fragmented empirical studies particularly among workers of fast growing sectors and there is no a national representative study on work related injury. Therefore, this study aims to determine the magnitude of occupational injury and to identify its predictors among construction, textile and municipal solid waste management workers in Ethiopia.Objectiveto determine magnitude of Work related injury and its disparity across selected occupations in EthiopiaMethod:Both published and unpublished articles conducted in Ethiopia on work related injury were searched between the periods 12 October, 2019 to 15 December, 2019. Random effect model was employed to estimate the overall magnitude of occupational injury and its predictors.ResultsThe overall magnitude of work related injury was 39.35% (95% CI: 27.40, 51.30%). Subgroup analysis revealed that there was slight disparity across occupations and regions. Drinking alcohol, smoking cigarette, khat chewing habit, work related stress, level of education and utilization of PPE were significantly associated with work related injury.ConclusionThis study found that more than 1 in 3 workers had at least one occupational injury at work. There was slight disparity across occupations and regions. It is strongly recommend that health education programs about the risk of substance use on occupational injury and apply strict occupational safety practices regulations should be strengthened.
Analysis of renal function in a Health Examination Population in Chengdu (2012-2018)
Authors: Li Rui-Cen , Bao Ting , Yang Han-Wei , Xu Wang-Dong , Tang Huai-Rong 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Dysfunction of kidney correlates with multiple renal diseases, for instance, chronic kidney disease. However, monitoring the changes of indexes related to renal function may help to early find the potential patients with renal diseases. Methods A cohort of 14,716 participants (8,148 males and 6,568 females) was recruited from the Health Examination Center at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and was followed up since 2012 to 2018. Four indexes related to renal function, including creatinine (Cr), uric acid (UA), cystatin C (CysC) and urea nitrogen (UN) were selected to monitor the kidney function. Results Levels of CysC, Cr were reduced, and expression of UA was increased in all the participants since 2012 to 2018 overall. In addition, levels of CysC, UA, Cr and UN were higher in males than those in females, and expression of the four indexes was up-regulated in the elderly population compared with those in the younger population since 2012 to 2018 overall. Conclusions The findings suggested that some preventive action may be adopted early and more attention can focus on the health-examination population.
Gender differentials on productivity of rice farmers in south-western Nigeria: An Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition approach
Authors: Ojo Temitope Oluwaseun , Danso-Abbeam Gideon , Ogundeji Abiodun A 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
One of the critical constraints hindering the transformation of African agriculture in general, and Nigerian agriculture in particular, is gender disparities in productivity. This study, therefore, examines gender inequality in farm productivity and sources of the productivity differentials among rice farmers in Nigeria, using the Oaxaca-Blinder (OB) gender decomposition model. The results revealed an uneven situation between men and women, leading to a gender productivity gap of about 29% in favour of men. Thus, female-managed plots are 29% less productive than male-managed plots. The decomposition of the sources of gender productivity differences shows that marital status, education, farm size and access to market information are the significant determinants of the endowment factor that contribute to about 15% of the productivity gap. The study, therefore, concludes that gender productivity inequalities exist in the Nigerian agricultural sector, hence, paying attention to these productivity gaps and factors contributing to these gaps is crucial in formulating policy interventions oriented towards women empowerment.
An interaction effect analysis of thermodilution-guided hemodynamic optimization, patient condition, and mortality among successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation patients
Authors: Kovács Enikő , Gyarmathy V. Anna , Pilecky Dávid , Fekete-Győr Alexandra , Szakál-Tóth Zsófia , Gellér László , Hauser Balázs , Gál János , Merkely Béla , Zima Endre 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Post-cardiac arrest syndrome and target temperature management have an influence on hemodynamics in a complex way. Proper hemodynamic monitoring is necessary among post-cardiac arrest patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of PiCCO™-guided hemodynamic management on short- and long-term mortality in post-resuscitation therapy and to disentangle the relationship between PiCCO™-application, the patients' condition, and mortality by assessing it as an interaction effect.
Methods

In this longitudinal analysis of 63 comatose patients after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation cooled to 32–34˚C, 30 patients received no PiCCO™ monitor application and 33 received PiCCO™. Primary and secondary outcomes were 30-day and one-year mortality. Kaplan-Meyer curves and corresponding Log-rank tests were used to assess differences in mortality among PiCCO™ vs non-PiCCO™ patients. Interaction effects (patient`s condition vs. PiCCO™ application vs. mortality) were assessed by means of Chi-square tests and logistic regression models.
Results

30-day mortality was significantly, and one-year mortality was marginally higher among PiCCO™ patients. We found five interaction patterns between patients’ condition and being monitored with PiCCO™ with regard to mortality after 30 days, which distilled down to three interaction patterns by the end of the first year. More severe patient condition per se was not the cause of higher mortality rate in the PiCCO™ group. Moreover, patients in better health conditions (without ST-elevation myocardial infarction, without cardiogenic shock, without intra-aortic balloon pump device or without stroke in prior history) had worse outcomes in PiCCO™-guided therapy. Furthermore, catecholamine administration worsened both 30-day and one-year mortality among all patients.
Conclusions

Our analysis showed that there was a complex interaction relationship between PiCCO™-guided therapy, patients’ condition, and 30-day mortality for most conditions. Furthermore, in terms of one-year mortality, there was either no benefit whatsoever of PiCCO™ monitoring on survival or there was worse survival among patients who had no underlying conditions but received PiCCO™ (such as among patients who had no STEMI or had no stroke).
WITHDRAWN: Dynamic Analysis of Bevel Gear System in Main Retarder
Authors: Wang Xinbo , Zhu Xuebin , Song Xiaobo , Wang Di , Liu Qing , Cheng Kaihua 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The main retarder of vehicle is gear rotor system, its vibration property is complex. The whole transfer matrix method is a new algorithm to study, relationship of the displacements and forces are established considering gyroscopic moment and coupling vibration. The meshing point between rotors is treated as coupling element, balance equations are estalished on deformation compatibility condition. The globe status vectors including forces and displacements of all shafts were integrated into a whole transfer matrix. So it can be programming and has high numerical stability and accuracy. The influence of the meshing effect on vibration of the system can be systematically studied. The status vectors such as displacements, deflection angles, torsion angles, shearing forces, bending moments and torques are no longer independent. The vibration property of the geared rotor system was calculated and analyzed. The numerical results revealed that many coupling critical rational speeds of the system are derived. vibration of main retarder can be improved.
The Influence of Ion Diffusion on Dielectric Properties of (Ba,Sr)TiO3-Based Composite Ceramics
Authors: Wang Wei , Xin Le , Ren Luchao , Shen Shiting , Jin Jingjing , Zhai Jiwei , Zhang Mingwei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The (Ba,Sr)TiO3-based composite ceramics, which exhibited different doping effect, were prepared via a solid-state sintering process. The doping and composite effects of different dielectrics on dielectric properties were studied. It has been found that dielectric properties were closely related to the variation of Tc caused by ion diffusion. The diffusion of dielectric phase ions into BST matrix was mainly responsible for degraded tunability and quality factors (Q). Ion diffusion has little effect on the dielectric properties of the system in which Tc moves to high temperature with the increase of dielectric content. All of these systems have a low degree of ion diffusion. Therefore, high tunability under low dielectric permittivity can be realized in these systems. The degradation of dielectric properties caused by ion diffusion can be effectively inhibited by selecting the dielectric material with special structure, and the composite ceramics with excellent comprehensive performance can be obtained. There existed percolation characteristic to deteriorate tunability at high dielectric content.
Interactions between anti-EGFR therapies and cytotoxic chemotherapy in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Why clinical trials have failed and how they could succeed
Authors: Meemanage Madusha , Spender Lindsay C , Collinson Diane , Iannetta Joanna , Challapalli Pranavi , Turbitt Julie , Clark Caroline , Baxter Mark , Murray Graeme , Walsh Shaun , Miedzybrodzka Zofia , Petty Russell 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND

Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has high mortality and poor prognosis. Advanced tumours are treated with fluoropyrimidine/platinum chemotherapy (PBC) followed by second-line irinotecan or taxane monotherapy, but resistance is common and new therapeutic approaches are needed. Approximately 20% of ESCC tumours carry copy number gain (CNG) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. Previous analysis of randomised clinical trials shows that anti-EGFR monotherapy benefits biomarker-selected patients with EGFR CNG and/or high expression by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). However, responses are often of short duration indicating that combining anti-EGFR therapy with other agents is required to optimise the benefit from anti-EGFR therapies even in biomarker selected patients. Randomised clinical trials have not shown benefit from the addition of anti-EGFR therapies to platinum fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy and uncertainty remains regarding the optimal cytotoxic chemotherapy partner for anti-EGFR therapies in ESCC.
METHODS

The effects of EGFR CNG on sensitivity to PBC in a cohort of gastroesophageal cancer patients (n = 302) was evaluated. Drug combination studies using the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib with cytotoxic chemotherapies, docetaxel, cisplatin, oxaliplatin and irinotecan, on cell proliferation and cell death of EGFR CNG ESCC cell lines were assessed.
RESULTS

EGFR CNG in gastroesophageal cancer patients was associated with better overall survival following platinum-based chemotherapy. Drug combination studies showed that co-administration of gefitinib and platinum-based cytotoxics was frequently antagonistic in cell-based assays in EGFR CNG ESCC, whereas the combination of gefitinib with docetaxel or irinotecan was more efficacious. Co-administration of gefitinib/docetaxel and sequential administration of docetaxel before gefitinib showed synergy, but docetaxel given after gefitinib was antagonistic.
CONCLUSIONS

Gefitinib/docetaxel co-administration demonstrated synergy and taxanes are likely to provide the most effective cytotoxic chemotherapy partner for anti-EGFR therapies in EGFR CNG-positive advanced ESCC. Combination of gefitinib and platinum-based cytotoxics was antagonistic suggesting anti-EGFR therapies might reduce anti-cancer effects of chemotherapy which could provide a key explanation for the lack of benefit for the addition of anti-EGFR therapies to PBC in randomised clinical trials. Our data suggest that the combination of docetaxel with anti-EGFR therapies, with careful consideration of dosing schedules, should be evaluated in advanced EGFR CNG-positive and/or IHC high EGFR expressing ESCC.