bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Free Plasma Concentrations of Beta-Lactam Antibiotics: An Applicability Study in Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Schießer Selina , Hitzenbichler Florian , Kees Martin G. , Kratzer Alexander , Lubnow Matthias , Salzberger Bernd , Kees Frieder , Dorn Christoph 
Published: October 2020

Background:
The antibacterial effect of antibiotics is linked to the free drug concentration. This study investigated the applicability of an ultrafiltration method to determine free plasma concentrations of beta-lactam antibiotics in ICU patients.

Methods:
Eligible patients included adult ICU patients treated with ceftazidime (CAZ), meropenem (MEM), piperacillin (PIP)/tazobactam (TAZ), or flucloxacillin (FXN) by continuous infusion. Up to 2 arterial blood samples were drawn at steady state. Patients could be included more than once if they received another antibiotic. Free drug concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection after ultrafiltration, using a method that maintained physiological conditions (pH 7.4/37°C). Total drug concentrations were determined to calculate the unbound fraction. In a post-hoc analysis, free concentrations were compared with the target value of 4× the epidemiological cut-off value (ECOFF) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a worst-case scenario for empirical therapy with CAZ, MEM or PIP/tazobactam and against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus for targeted therapy with FXN.

Results:
Fifty different antibiotic treatment periods in 38 patients were evaluated. The concentrations of the antibiotics showed a wide range because of the fixed dosing regimen in a mixed population with variable kidney function. The mean unbound fractions (fu) of CAZ, MEM, and PIP were 102.5%, 98.4%, and 95.7%, with interpatient variability of <6%. The mean fu of FXN was 11.6%, with interpatient variability of 39%. It was observed that 2 of 12 free concentrations of CAZ, 1 of 40 concentrations of MEM, and 11 of 23 concentrations of PIP were below the applied target concentration of 4 × ECOFF for P. aeruginosa. All concentrations of FXN (9 samples from 6 patients) were >8 × ECOFF for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusions:
For therapeutic drug monitoring purposes, measuring total or free concentrations of CAZ, MEM, or PIP is seemingly adequate. For highly protein-bound beta-lactams such as FXN, free concentrations should be favored in ICU patients with prevalent hypoalbuminemia.
Characteristics of Liver Functions in Patients With COVID-19 and Construction of a Prognostic Evaluation Decision Model Based on Liver Functions
Authors: Pan Tongtong , Chen Dazhi , Pan Chenwei , Kang Yi , Liu Junping , Su Feifei , Hong Liang , Li Huili , Zhao Hui , Lin Zhuo , Wang Xiaodong , Lin Hongwei , Du Qianjing , Cai Chao , Chen Yongping 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
A number of studies have suggested that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause liver damage. However, clinical features and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with liver injury remain to be further investigated. In this study, the clinical data of 265 COVID-19 patients admitted to seven tertiary hospitals were collected. Based on a threshold for transaminase or total bilirubin levels at two times the normal upper limit, patients were divided into mild or moderate/severe liver injury groups. Among the 265 patients, 183 patients showed liver injury within 48 hours of admission. Aspartate aminotransferase levels were predominantly elevated in the liver injury group, but albumin levels were reduced. Moreover, fibrinogen and D-dimer were significantly increased. Furthermore, 68% of the patients with moderate/severe liver injury had one or more underlying diseases. Almost half of these patients developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (44%) and secondary infections (46%). These patients showed increased interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 levels and a decrease in PaO2 and the oxygenation index. In addition, levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and albumin were correlated with the oxygenation index, D-dimer and lymphocyte counts. Furthermore, a novel prognostic assessment model based on liver function was established, which accuracy reached 88% and was able to accurately assess the prognosis of COVID-19 patients.
How Negative Is Culture-Negative Endocarditis in the Presence of a Pacemaker?
Authors: Adjei Paul C. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
A case report of a 70-year-old man with pacemaker placed for atrial fibrillation in 1999 (generator change in 2016). His illness began 4 months earlier with “hots-and-colds” sensation for which he was admitted to an outside hospital and treated for community-acquired pneumonia for 7 days. Fevers persisted after discharge, and he received a 7-day doxycycline course 1 week later. Persistent fevers led to a second admission at the outside hospital. Infectious workup was negative but transesophageal echocardiography showed mass on pacemaker lead so he was transferred to our hospital. No mass on repeat transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was seen, so he was discharged as culture-negative endocarditis on a 6-week course of vancomycin and ceftriaxone. New fevers after antibiotics led to another admission. He was found to have a high-grade methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia at this time but still negative TEE. Pacemaker was empirically extracted and was found to be encased in thrombus. Intraoperative TEE with bubble study showed patent foramen ovale with left atrial clot. Lead/thrombus cultures were positive for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and were treated with oxacillin.
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Status in the Pregnancy
Authors: Sert Umit Yasemin , Engin-Ustun Yaprak , Saygan Sibel , Ozgu-Erdinc A. Seval 
Published: October 2020

Background
Infections of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are serious health problems worldwide and require more attentive and different management strategies in the pregnancy because of the changes in women and concerns regarding the fetuses. The study aims to determine the prevalence of these infections in the pregnancy.

Methods
Pregnant women from our antenatal clinic who were tested for hepatitis B (HB), hepatitis C (HC) from 2008 to 2018 were recruited from medical records. The prevalence of seropositivity was evaluated.

Results
The prevalence rates of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV were 1.28%, 30%, 0.18%, and 0.015%, respectively.

Conclusions
In Turkey, the prevalence of hepatitis and HIV was not found as high as endemic regions of the world. It is essential to identify the infection of hepatitis and HIV for the treatment, follow-up, and fetal infection in the pregnancy.
Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Prosthesis Donning and Doffing Questionnaire for Persons with Transtibial Amputations
Authors: Giray Esra , Eshraghi Arezoo , Gündüz Osman Hakan 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Satisfaction with the donning and doffing procedure of prosthesis is related to the quality of life of individuals with amputation, and it should be assessed to gather information about related challenges, thus forming the basis for possible solutions. This study aimed to investigate the construct validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Prosthesis Donning and Doffing Questionnaire for individuals with transtibial amputation.

Materials and Methods
After a translation/retranslation process, 30 individuals with transtibial amputation were recruited to evaluate the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. The participants were asked to fill in the Turkish version of the Prosthesis Donning and Doffing Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Prosthesis Survey, and the Nottingham Health Profile. The Prosthesis Donning and Doffing Questionnaire was readministered after 3 days.

Results
Test-retest reliability showed good intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, 0.739; 95% confidence interval, 0.46–0.87). There was a statistically significant correlation between the Prosthesis Donning and Doffing Questionnaire, the Satisfaction with the Prosthesis Survey (rho = 0.419, P = 0.02), and Nottingham Health Profile (rho = −0.656, P = 0.0001), and its subsets (P < 0.05) showed construct validity.

Conclusions
The Turkish version of the Prosthesis Donning and Doffing Questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool to assess donning and doffing of prostheses for individuals with transtibial amputation.
Pediatric Preparedness of the Emergency Departments
Authors: Ang Peck Har , Chong Shu-Ling , Ong Yong-Kwang Gene , Pek Jen Heng 
Published: October 2020

Objectives
Emergency departments (EDs) varied in their preparedness to provide pediatric emergency care, with mortality rates being higher when EDs were unprepared. Guidelines are available to aid EDs in their preparedness. We aimed to determine the preparedness of EDs in our healthcare cluster using the guidelines from the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) as references for audit.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study involving a pediatric ED and 3 general EDs within a healthcare cluster. A survey was completed by a pediatric representative at each ED who assessed his/her own ED's effort against each recommended standard with reference to calendar year of 2018. The availability of pediatric equipment, supplies, and medications was checked against the items recommended list by the IFEM.

Results
The response rate was 100%. The proportion of agreement with reference standards was lower for general EDs (RCPCH: 11.4%–70.0% and IFEM: 39.6%–84.0%) than pediatric ED (RCPCH: 85.7% and IFEM: 91.7%). Unmet standards were predominantly in the categories of management of pediatric patients with complex medical needs, management of pediatric death, adolescents, mental health and substance misuse, protection and safeguarding of pediatric patients, as well as advanced training and research. The proportion of available equipment, supplies, and medications was also lower for general EDs (77.2%–82.0%) than pediatric ED (89.4%).

Conclusions
The standards of pediatric emergency care were met to different extents in the healthcare cluster. Using available references, EDs should identify lapses unique to their own settings to improve the delivery of pediatric emergency care.
Prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease in a populated area with highly moving populations
Authors: Khajedaluee Mohammad , Ghezeldasht Sanaz Ahmadi , Mosavat Arman , Hekmat Reza , Rezaee Seyed Abdolrahim , Hassannia Tahereh 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem worldwide. Prevalence and associated risk factors of CKD was evaluated in the greater Mashhad, a highly populated pilgrimage city, in 2018 on 2,976 subjects.MethodsThis study was carried out in the greater Mashhad, a highly populated pilgrimage city, in 2018 on 2,976 subjects. For each participant a standard questionnaire, a physical examination and clinical history were completed. Then biochemical and hematologic tests for kidney function were performed.ResultsObesity was observed more frequently in subjects with CKD, thus BMI was positively correlated with the prevalence of CKD (p<0.001). Moderately reduced GFR was found in 17.6% and 7.1%, and severely reduce GFR at 0.7% and 0.5%, of males and females, respectively (p<0.001).Drug abuse also showed a strong association with CKD (p=0.004), but smoking did not. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression of decreased estimated GFR<60 showed that age (OR=1.06), gender (OR=2.14), diabetes (OR=1.07), hypertension (OR=1.39) and drug usage (OR=3.29) were risk factors for CKD; BMI was not. The same statistics showed that only age (OR=1.02), diabetes (OR=2.61) and hypertension (OR=1.16) were risk factors for albuminuria. The prevalence of hypertension (22.1%) was a risk factor for CKD, and vice versa. BMI and drug abuse were also risk factors for hypertension, but not smoking.ConclusionThese findings demonstrated that progression of CKD and hypertension in any population should be considered in the context of changes in human behaviours, etiology, disease severity, co-occurring diseases, addiction and priority of therapy over prevention.
Discussion of Mental Illness and Mental Health By NBA Players on Twitter
Authors: Kamal Shaan , El-Gabalawy Osama , Kamal Shahan , Malik Mohammed H. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn 2019, the National Basketball Association (NBA) expanded its mental health rules to include mandating that each team have at least one mental health professional on their full-time staff and to retain a licensed psychiatrist to assist when needed. In this work, we investigate the NBA players’ discussion of mental health using historical data from players’ public Twitter accounts. All current and former NBA players with Twitter accounts were identified, and each of their last 800 tweets were scraped, yielding 920,000 tweets. A list of search terms derived from the DSM5 diagnoses was then created and used to search all of the nearly one million tweets. In this work, we present the most common search terms used to identify tweets about mental health, present the change in month-by-month tweets about mental health, and identify the impact of players discussing their own mental health struggles on their box score statistics before and after their first tweet discussing their own mental health struggles.
Stretch and Twist of HEAT Repeats Leads to Activation of DNA-PK Kinase
Authors: Chen Xuemin , Xu Xiang , Chen Yun , Cheung Joyce C. , Wang Huaibin , Jiang Jiansen , de Val Natalia , Fox Tara , Gellert Martin , Yang Wei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPhosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases (PIKKs) are composed of conserved FAT and kinase domains (FATKIN) along with varied solenoid structures made of HEAT repeats. These kinases are activated in response to cellular stress signals, but the mechanisms governing activation and regulation remain unresolved. For DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), all existing structures represent inactive states with resolution limited to 4.3 Å at best. Here we report the cryoEM structures of DNA-PKcs (catalytic subunit) bound to a DNA end, or complexed with Ku70/80 and DNA, in both inactive and activated forms at resolutions of 3.7 Å overall, and 3.2 Å for FATKIN. These structures reveal the sequential transition of DNA-PK from inactive to activated forms. Most notably, activation of the kinase involves previously unknown stretching and twisting within individual solenoid segments and coordinated shifts of neighboring segments in opposite directions. This unprecedented structural plasticity of helical repeats may be a general feature of HEAT-repeat proteins.
Potential linkage betweenToxoplasma gondiiInfection and physical education scores of College Students
Authors: Sheng Zhijin , Jin Yu , Du Yinan , Yan Xinlei , Yao Yong 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveToxoplasma gondiiis a worldwide protozoan parasite that could infect virtually all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence ofT. gondiiinfection in college students at Anhui province, China. Moreover, growing studies demonstrated the association betweenT. gondiiinfection and host behavioral changes. We also studied the linkage betweenT. gondiiand scores of college students.Methods2704 serum samples of medical school students attending physical education lessons were collected from September 2017 to September 2019 and evaluated forT. gondiiIgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also analysed PE scores ofT. gondiiinfected students andT. gondiiuninfected students.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence ofT. gondiiwas 11.5%. The main risk factors related toT. gondiiinfections were cat in the household and gardening or agriculture activity. Furthermore, in basketball group and football group, scores ofT. gondiiseropositive students were significantly higher than that of seronegative students, while in other sports there is no difference between scores ofT. gondiiinfected students andT. gondiiuninfected students.ConclusionThis is the first report ofT. gondiiseroprevalence in college students in Anhui province, China.
Entitlement programmes for garnering votes? The impact of local elections on targeted social protection in decentralised Indonesia
Authors: Wardhana Dharendra 
Published: October 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to find the relationship between local direct elections and the change in social spending, controlling for GDP per capita, revenues and wide-range socio-welfare indicators at the regional level.

Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a model of time-series cross-sectional panel data set for 33 provinces in Indonesia from 2001 to 2012.

Findings
The main finding of this research is that the political budget cycle does exist in Indonesia. Incumbents responded to the direct elections more sensitively rather than to other variables in the model. The most important variables that are significant in the model are not only direct election but also inter-governmental grants. Interestingly, the local economy (as measured by GDP per capita) does not clearly exhibit a meaningful impact.

Research limitations/implications
Although the importance of decentralisation in Indonesia is actually at the regency level, obtaining the data is really challenging. Therefore the exercise on this paper is currently limited only for the provincial level.

Practical implications
This finding conveys the message that there is large room for improvement in inter-governmental transfer formulation, more importantly to the regions where they still entail significant budget support from central government. In addition, transfers during specific periods such as elections need to be modified to avoid the misappropriation of local budget and to mitigate the adverse impact of PBC. The formulation of inter-governmental transfers is pivotal in reducing over-dependence to the central government funding and to ensure the effectiveness of budget devolved at the local level.

Originality/value
To the author’s understanding, the paper is the first to discuss the presence of the political budget cycle on social protection programs in Indonesia. The expected contribution of the current work is twofold: Firstly, the author used a recent data set hosted by the World Bank (INDO-DAPOER). Secondly, the findings are relevant to the discussion within the sphere of development studies and political science.
Dividend policy and probability of extreme returns
Authors: Bouaddi Mohammed , Farooq Omar , Ahmed Neveen 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThis study examines the effect of dividend policy on the ex ante probability of stock price crash and the ex ante probability stock price jump.Design/methodology/approachWe use the data of publicly listed non-financial firms from France and the ex ante measures of crash and jump probabilities (based on the Flexible Quadrants Copulas) to test our hypothesis during the period between 1997 and 2019.FindingsOur results show that dividend payments are negatively associated with the ex ante probability of crash and positively associated with the ex ante probability of jump. Our results are robust across various sub-samples and across different proxies of dividend policy. Our findings also hold when we use ex-post measures of crash and jump probabilities.Originality/valueUnlike prior literature, we use ex ante measures of crash and jump probabilities. The main advantage of this forward looking measure is that it allows for more flexibility by modeling the dependence between market returns and stock returns as functions of their actual state. Our measure is also consistent with the behavior of investors and market participants in a way that the market participants do not know the future outcome with certainty, but rather they are anticipating the future.
Does corporate governance affect bank risk management? Case study of Indonesian banks
Authors: Permatasari Ika 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between corporate governance and risk management of Indonesian banks.Design/methodology/approachImplementation of good corporate governance is measured by good corporate governance composite rating, which is the result of bank's self-assessment. Bank risk managements are measured by market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and operational risk.FindingsThe study results showed that good corporate governance implementation in Indonesia was able to influence bank risk. There were differences in credit risk, liquidity risk and operational risk in banks with different governance ratings, but not at market risk.Originality/valueThe effectiveness of risk management and good corporate governance implementation is needed to enable banks to identify problems early, to follow up on rapid improvements and to be more resilient to crises. This study is an analysis of the relationship between corporate governance and banks' risk management in Indonesia. In particular, risk management is measured by four risks: market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and operation risk.
Dynamics of banks' lending practices to farmers in India
Authors: Sandhu Navjot 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate whether small marginal farmers in India have financial constraints and to examine how bank managers make lending decisions.Design/methodology/approachA survey approach was employed, using semi-structured questionnaires with a sample of 42 banks and 185 farmers from the state of Punjab in India. The questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were carried out on a one-to-one basis and in focus groups, and their responses were analysed from the supply (banks) and demand (farmers) side regarding access to finance.FindingsThe results indicate that the Indian farming sector is a complex and multidimensional one that has dependency on both the private and public sectors because of its national importance to varying degrees. Financial lending decisions are dependent upon several non-quantifiable factors (culture, caste, family size, education) and relational bank lending practices. Such practices have an adverse impact on bankable loan applications, and this gives rise to moral hazards. Relational banking and recommendations minimise default rates, but this does not minimise information asymmetry. Subjectivity in decision-making persists, which is compounded by underdeveloped financial markets for small farmers, giving rise to financial exclusion and negatively impacting on economic growth. To overcome information asymmetry, banks rely on the qualitative factors and an excessive level of collateral when making lending decisions. The findings provide valuable insight into how banks make lending decisions and evaluates a complex matrix of relationships between farmers and providers of debt finance in a developing economy such as India.Practical implicationsPolicy makers nationally and internationally could use the results of this research to develop relevant and targeted policies to promote the agricultural sector through adopting efficient provision of finance for farmers. A major contribution of this research is to provide a fundamental evaluation of the issues facing farmers in accessing finance in developing countries.Originality/valueThis study provides an original empirical insight into a sector of the economy that has implications for food security for a country. The study has relevance for a wide range of stakeholders and policy makers of both developed and emerging economies in the world.