bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Missed opportunities for NCD multimorbidity prevention in adolescents and youth living with HIV in urban South Africa
Authors: Kamkuemah Monika , Gausi Blessings , Oni Tolu 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Epidemiological transition in high HIV-burden settings is resulting in a rise in HIV/NCD multimorbidity. The majority of NCD risk behaviours start during adolescence, making this an important target group for NCD prevention and multimorbidity prevention in adolescents with a chronic condition such as HIV. However, there is data paucity on NCD risk and prevention in adolescents with HIV in high HIV-burden settings. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which NCD risk screening and health promotion for NCD prevention is integrated within adolescent HIV care in the primary care health system in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 491 adolescents and youth living with HIV (AYLHIV) aged 10- 24 years across nine primary care facilities in Cape Town from November 2018- March 2019. Folders were systematically sampled from a master list of all AYLHIV per facility and information on HIV management and care, NCDs, NCD risk and NCD-related health promotion extracted. Results: The median age was 20 years (IQR: 14- 23); median age at ART initiation 18 years (IQR: 6 –21) and median duration on ART 3 years (IQR: 1.1 –8.9). Fifty five percent of participants had a documented comorbidity, of which 11% had an NCD diagnosis with chronic respiratory diseases (60%) and mental disorders (37%) most common. Of those with documented anthropometrics (62%), 48% were overweight or obese. Fifty nine percent of participants had a documented blood pressure, of which 27% were abnormal. Twenty-six percent had a documented health promoting intervention, 42% of which were NCD-related; ranging from alcohol or substance abuse (13%); smoking (9%); healthy weight or diet (9%) and mental health counselling (10%). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates little integration of NCD screening and health promotion in AYLHIV accessing healthcare services. Where documented, our data demonstrates existing NCD co-morbidity and NCD risk factors highlighting a missed opportunity in multimorbidity prevention through NCD screening and health promotion. Addressing this missed opportunity requires an integrated health system and intersectoral action on upstream NCD determinants to turn the tide on the rising NCD and multimorbidity epidemic.
What does the American public know about ‘child marriage’?
Authors: Lawson David W , Lynes Rachel , Morris Addison , Schaffnit Susan B 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: A global campaign to eradicate ‘child marriage’ (<18 years) increasingly targets governments, the private sector and the general public as agents of change. Here, we measure the current state of public knowledge of child marriage, identifying potential misconceptions and inaccurate beliefs. We then consider the implications of our survey for global health initiatives addressing child marriage. Methods: We surveyed USA nationals via the online survey platform MTurk. Participants provided sociodemographic information and answered ten questions about their understanding of child marriage. To identify potential misconceptions and inaccurate beliefs we present descriptive statistics for participant responses paired with correct answers where available. Results: 609 participants provided data for analysis. 59% were women, with a mean age of 37 years, just over half (55%) were university educated, and the majority (79%) were currently employed. Half of those surveyed mistakenly believed that the cut-off for child marriage is younger than the legal threshold of 18 years, and nearly three-quarters incorrectly believed that most child marriages occur at 15 years or below (child marriage primarily takes place in later adolescence). The large majority of participants incorrectly believed that child marriage is illegal throughout the United States (it’s illegal in only two states), and mistakenly believed that child marriage primarily takes place among Muslim-majority regions of the Middle East and North Africa (it is most common in sub Saharan Africa and South Asia). Participants tended to substantially overestimate the prevalence of child marriage in both the USA and abroad. Conclusions: These findings suggest that public understanding of child marriage is not only poor, but also shaped by wider misperceptions of both relatively high and low-income nations. Organizations seeking to empower girls and young women by reducing child marriage need to be cautious of these misunderstandings, and wary of the potential for their own activities to seed misinformation. For example, we suggest the terminology ‘child marriage’, as opposed to ‘teen marriage’ or ‘adolescent marriage’, may contribute to widespread confusion about the typical ages at which child marriages occur.
Treatment rationale and design of a phase I single-arm open trial of a modified vaginal pipe for use in total laparoscopic hysterectomies
Authors: Ito Fumitake , Kokabu Tetsuya , Matsushima Hiroshi , Koshiba Akemi , Mori Taisuke , Kusuki Izumi , Kitawaki Jo 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: The Vagi-Pipe® is a useful device for performing total laparoscopic hysterectomy. The conventional model of the Vagi-Pipe® is unable to grasp the uterus during colpotomy for recovery of the resected uterus. However, the modified C-Type Vagi-Pipe® model has a shape that allows insertion into the vagina without removing the uterus manipulator. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the safety and efficacy of the C-Type Vagi-Pipe® in total laparoscopic hysterectomies. Methods: A total of 25 female subjects between 20 and 60 years old with uterine fibroids or adenomyosis will be included in this study. Patients with complications considered unsuitable for this study by the investigators will be excluded. The C-Type Vagi-Pipe® will be used rather than the conventional Vagi-Pipe® when performing total laparoscopic hysterectomy. The primary outcome will be safety, and the secondary endpoints will be operation time, bleeding volume, and presence of complications. The protocol was approved by the institutional review board of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine. In accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, written informed consent will be obtained from all patients before registration. Discussion: This study seeks to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the C-Type Vagi-Pipe® for total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Once confirmed, the introduction of the C-Type Vagi-Pipe® is expected to make the total laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure easier to perform and thereby allow it to be performed in many more medical facilities. Results of the study will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT), jRCTs052180221. Registered 18 March 2019 - Retrospectively registered, https://jrct.niph.go.jp/search
Use, adoption and effectiveness of tippy-tap handwashing station in promoting hand hygiene practices in a resource-limited setting: A systematic review
Authors: Mbakaya Balwani Chingatichifwe , Kalembo Fatch W. , Zgambo Maggie 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background A low cost and simple handwashing and enabling technology such as tippy-taps may provide adequate water sources, handwashing stations and motivation for people to prioritise handwashing. This systematic review aimed to establish the use, benefits, adoption and effectiveness of enabling technology; tippy-tap handwashing station, in resource-limited settings.Methods We systematically searched for articles in the PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, CINAHL, DOAJ and Google Scholar databases using a search strategy as predefined in the protocol registered with the PROSPERO database. Data were extracted and the quality of studies was appraised by the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool.Results Twenty articles met the eligibility criteria. The use of tippy-taps for handwashing by household members or school children was reported by authors of 16 studies, and it ranged from 2.7% to 80%. The availability of tippy-taps increased handwashing and use of soap among participants. Furthermore, the majority of people who were oriented to tippy-taps or recruited to tippy-tap studies built their tippy-tap stations even after the promotional activities or programs ended. In one study, tippy-taps were found to be effective in preventing episodes of stomach pain among participants.Conclusion Tippy-tap handwashing station could help in promoting handwashing practice in resource constraint settings. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of tippy-tap hand washing station on preventing water and hygiene-related infections.
Overexpression of chalcone synthase gene improves flavonoid accumulation and drought tolerance in tobacco
Authors: Hu Ben , Yao Heng , Gao Yulong , Wang Ran , Li Feng , Guo Jinggong , Li Kun , Zhao Mingyue , Jin Lifeng 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Background:Flavonoids are important secondary metabolites in plants that play important roles in maintaining the cellular redox balance of cells. Chalcone synthase (CHS) is the key enzyme in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway and has been found to monitor changes due to drought stress tolerance.Results:In this study, aCHSgene in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) was overexpressed. Results revealed that transgenic tobacco plants were more tolerant than control plants to drought stress. Transcription levels of the key genes involved in the flavonoid pathway and the contents of seven flavonoids significantly increased in transgenic tobacco plants (p< 0.01). Overexpression of theCHSgene led to lower concentrations of the oxidative stress product, malondialdehyde (MDA). Additionally, 11 CHS family genes were mined from the tobacco genome. Based on the phylogenetic tree, these genes split into two groups with eight genes clustered together with the bona fide Arabidopsis CHS gene, suggesting that those tobacco genes are CHS genes. Further phylogenetic analyses indicated that the tobacco CHS genes grouped further into three independent clades with the cloned tobacco CHS gene located within Clade iii. The tobacco CHS family genes exhibited a highly conserved CDS length, pI, and molecular weight of the encoded peptides. All CHS peptides contained two conserved domains, and the genes harbored two or three exons.Conclusions:Based on the results of this study, theNtCHSgene is considered a possible candidate gene for genetically engineering enhanced drought tolerance and improved responses to oxidative stress in plants.
Yellow nutsedge WRI3/4-like gene improves drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana by promoting cuticular wax biosynthesis
Authors: Cheng Chao , Hu Shutong , Han Yun , Xia Di , Huang Bang-Lian , Wu Wenhua , Hussain Jamshaid , Zhang Xuekun , Huang Bangquan 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
In this study we cloned a WRI1-like gene from yellow nutsedge. Conserved domain and phylogenetic analyses indicated it to be a WRI3/4-like gene. Arabidopsis plants transformed with WRI3/4-like gene showed significantly improved tolerance to both PEG-simulated drought stress and real dehydration compared with the wild type. Quantitative RT-PCR indicated that, under unstressed conditions, the expressions of key genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis was not significantly different between wild type (WT) and transgenic lines, while the expressions of genes involved in cuticular wax biosynthesis was significantly higher in transgenic lines compared with the wild type. The PEG treatment slightly decreased the expression of above mentioned genes in WT plants while it was significantly increased in transgenic lines compared with their respective unstressed control. Without PEG treatment, the expression of TAG1, the gene involved in triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation, was 10-40% lower in the transgenic lines than that in the wild type. However, after PEG treatment, the expression of TAG1 was slightly decreased in the wild type, while in the transgenic lines its expression was decreased by 20-70% compared with unstressed transgenic lines and was highly significantly lower than that in the wild type. The cuticular wax content in Arabidopsis leaves was significantly higher in the transgenic lines than that in the wild type, while the oil content was not significantly different.
Understanding empowerment in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH): a scoping review
Authors: Dery Florence , Bisung Elijah , Dickin Sarah , Dyer Michelle 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn low- and middle-income countries, a common component of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions is the goal of empowerment of beneficiaries, particularly poor households. Empowerment is viewed as an important development goal in itself, as well as a way to obtain improved WASH outcomes. However, empowerment is a complex and multi-dimensional concept, and it is often not clear how it is defined in WASH sector programming. This scoping review explores how concepts of empowerment have been used in the WASH sector and delineates relevant empowerment dimensions. Medline, Embase, and Global Health databases were searched for in the peer-reviewed literature published in English. A total of 13 studies were identified. Five major interrelated empowerment dimensions were identified: access to information, participation, capacity building, leadership and accountability, and decision-making. This review provides researchers and practitioners with a greater understanding of dimensions of empowerment that are relevant for strengthening WASH interventions, as well as tracking progress toward gender and social equality outcomes over time. This understanding can help ensure inclusive WASH service delivery to achieve gender-sensitive Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for universal water and sanitation access.This article has been made Open Access thanks to the generous support of a global network of libraries as part of the Knowledge Unlatched Select initiative.
Biological treatment removal of rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) and metals from actual acid mine drainage
Authors: Nogueira E. W. , Licona F. M. , Godoi L. A. G. , Brucha G. , Damianovic M. H. R. Z. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Actual acid mine drainage (AMD) containing a high concentration of sulfate (∼1,000 mg·L−1), dissolved metals, uranium, rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) was treated using a down-flow fixed-structured bed biological reactor (DFSBR). The reactor was operated in a continuous flow mode for 175 days and the temperature was maintained at 30 °C. The synthetic AMD was gradually replaced by the actual AMD in 20, 50 and 75% of the total medium volume. Sugarcane vinasse was used as the electron donor and the influent pH of the reactor was decreased from 6.9 to 4.6 until the system collapsed. REY elements and transition metals were removed from the actual AMD and precipitated in the down-flow fixed-structured bed reactor. Sulfate reduction achieved 67 ± 22% in Phase II and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was above 56% in Phases I and II. Removal of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm and Y was higher than 70% in both Phases II and III while Fe, Al, Si and Mn were removed with efficiencies of 79, 67, 48 and 25%, respectively. The results highlighted the potential use of DFSBR in the treatment of AMD, providing possibilities for simultaneous sulfate reduction and metal and REY recovery in a single unit.
Carbon capture for blackwater: chemical enhanced high-rate activated sludge process
Authors: Jiang Haixin , Tang Xianchun , Wen Yexuan , He Yi , Chen Hongbin 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Blackwater has more benefits for carbon recovery than conventional domestic wastewater. Carbon capture and up-concentration are crucial prerequisites for carbon recovery from blackwater, the same as domestic wastewater. Both chemical enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) and high-rate activated sludge (HRAS) processes have enormous potential to capture organics. However, single CEPT is subject to the disruption of influent sulfide, and single HRAS has insufficient flocculation capacity. As a result, their carbon capture efficiencies are low. By combining CEPT and HRAS with chemical enhanced high rate activated sludge (CEHRAS) process, the limitations of single CEPT and single HRAS offset each other. The carbon mineralization efficiency was significantly influenced by SRT rather than iron salt dosage. An iron dosage significantly decreased chemical oxygen demand (COD) lost in effluent. Both SRT and iron dosage had a significant influence on the carbon capture efficiency. However, HRT had no great impact on the organic mass balance. CEHRAS allowed up to 78.2% of carbon capture efficiency under the best conditions. The results of techno-economic analysis show that decreasing the iron salt dosage to 10 mg Fe/L could promise profiting for blackwater treatment. In conclusion, CEHRAS is a more appropriate technology to capture carbon in blackwater.
Black water treatment by an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor: a pilot study
Authors: Slompo Nathalie Dyane Miranda , Quartaroli Larissa , Zeeman Grietje , da Silva Gustavo Henrique Ribeiro , Daniel Luiz Antonio 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDecentralized sanitary wastewater treatment has become a viable and sustainable alternative, especially for developing countries and small communities. Besides, effluents may present variations in chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total nitrogen values. This study describes the feasibility of using a pilot upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor to treat wastewater with different organic loads (COD), using black water (BW) and sanitary wastewater, in addition to its potential for preserving nutrients for later recovery and/or reuse. The UASB reactor was operated continuously for 95 weeks, with a hydraulic retention time of 3 days. In Phase 1, the reactor treated simulated BW and achieved 77% CODtotal removal. In Phase 2, treating only sanitary wastewater, the CODtotal removal efficiency was 60%. Phase 3 treated simulated BW again, and CODtotal removal efficiency was somewhat higher than in Phase 1, reaching 81%. In Phase 3, the removal of pathogens was also evaluated: the efficiency was 1.96 log for Escherichia coli and 2.13 log for total coliforms. The UASB reactor was able to withstand large variations in the organic loading rate (0.09–1.49 kg COD m−3 d−1), in continuous operation mode, maintaining a stable organic matter removal.
Чувствительность к ориентирующему значению направления взгляда партнера у дошкольников с задержкой психического развития
Authors: Смирнова Яна К. 
Published: December 2019

Introduction. The relevance of the study of communication between the mechanism of joint attention and the subsequent normal and abnormal development of the child has been substantiated. It has been shown that a child’s ability to initiate and react to a joint attention of an ontogenetically precedes emergence of social and cognitive abilities. It has been determined a role of the joint attention in the child's ability o integrate information on himself, on other person and ability to unite his own intentions and other person's intentions. The problem of need for solution to a question of how the cognitive development pf the child interferes with development of social experience of the child has been raised.
Methods. Sample group was made by 514 children of preschool age, including the children with developmental disorders which characteristic of different forms of mental retardation. In the section there are descriptions of some techniques: 1. “Wrong opinion test”, “Sally-Ann”; the task “What does Charlie want?”, etc. for assessment of children's understanding of intentions, desires, the interests of others according to behavioural manifestations. 2. The developed task for assessment of ability of using the gaze direction of the character on the picture for the purpose of determination of its intentions. 3. Neuropsychological tests for a research of the block of reception and processing of information.
Results. Potential mechanisms of integration disorder of the joint attention, decrease in recognition of the focusing value of the gaze are revealed. The variability of formation and age changes of joint attention skills, to be exact, existence of differences in recognition, synthesis and interpretation of the focusing social information proceeding from eye contact is shown. It is revealed that children with a developmental delay have a low level of the "descending" joint attention. The parallelism of early deficiency of joint attention and difficulties of processing of information is revealed.
Discussion. The data display synchronism of cognitive development and formation of the mechanism of the joint attention. The conclusion is drawn that difficulties of integrative function of processing of social information can be combined with difficulties of synthesis of separate information signs in a Gestalt, complex information fusion, subject and symbolical orientation in space.