bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Normal Reference Range of Fetal Nuchal Translucency Thickness Among Pregnant Women of Igbo Extraction in Enugu, South-East Nigeria
Authors: Eze Charles Ugwoke , Okenwa Sandra Nnenna , Abonyi Everistus obinna , Agbo Julius Amechi , Onwuzu Sobechukwu Warric Iwene , Nwadike Innocent Uchenna 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Screening of fetus for congenital anomaly has posed a great challenge to obstetricians and other caregivers even as early identification can improve the chances of getting the best possible outcome. Early fetal anomaly screening is usually done using nuchal translucency scan and other invasive procedures such Chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis. Increase in Nuchal translucency thickness (NTT) above a certain baseline values has been found to predict fetus with anomaly. Baseline values in use are generated from Caucasian population even though these values are known to be population specific. Hence, their use on any given population may lead to errors and introduce potential misdiagnosis. Therefore, there is need for population specific baseline values of NTT.Objectives: The study is aimed at developing baseline values of NTT among apparently normal fetuses from pregnant women of Igbo ethnic group and to assess the relationship of NTT with maternal age and fetal gestational age (FGA).Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 658 pregnant women of Igbo Origin between 11-14 weeks of gestation at Esut Teaching Hospital (Parklane) Enugu from August 2017 to February 2018. Pilot study was done to determine the interobserver variation between sonographers while final NTT was calculated as mean of three separate measurements. The 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles were calculated using polynomial regression while Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between NTT, maternal age and FGA. Results: The NTT measurement was shown to be reliable and reproducible. Mean ± S/D NTT obtained was 0.92 ± 0.23 mm. There was a strong positive correlation between NTT measurements and FGA (r = 0.823, p < 0.001); while there was weak but positive correlation between NTT measurements and Maternal age (r = 0.055, p > 0.001). Conclusion: Nuchal translucency thickness measurement increases with increase in FGA while a baseline value of NTT among pregnant women of Igbo extraction has been generated.
Expression of Photosynthesis Pathway Gene From Rice and Maize for Understanding Role in Plant Stress and Development Using Bioinformatics Approaches
Authors: pandey saurabh , Raina Vaibhav 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Rice and maize go to family Poaceae contains many crops of agronomic trait and also represent two carbon metabolism systems, C3 and C4. Analysis of the maize sequence provides new insights into the employment of C3 genes to the C4 mechanism which allowed us to identify more orthologs in other crops. This investigation reports comparative account of genome wide in silico identification of C4 pathway related genes from Zea maize (Zm) and Oryza sativa (Os) from the available whole genome sequence information. The annotation of gene sequences, signature motif analysis, protein phophorylation analysis, study of upstream cis-acting elements, phylogenetic tree construction, chromosomal locations, syntenic mapping and microarray expression analysis of C4 pathway related gene family from both the genomes have been attempted. Results A total of 30 and 37 C4-pathway genes have been predicted from rice and maize genome respectively. Multiple-sequence-alignment and signature motif analysis of these proteins of rice and maize revealed high conserveness. Phophorylation analysis revealed that maize have high number than rice. The phylogenetic analysis of C4 related genes across both plant species clearly resulted in four sub-groups in both plants. In Rice, the 30 genes of C4 pathway related genes family are distributed on eleven out of twelve chromosomes, while in maize, they are randomly distributed on all the chromosomes. Most of the genes of Zm’s chromosome 1 show syntenic relationship with chromosome 1. The cis-regulatory-elements of Zm and Os genes suggested its diverse functions associated with plant growth development, stress and hormone responsiveness as well as endosperm and meristem speciﬁc gene expression. This investigation of Zm and Os can now offer new insights into the role of different C4 pathway related genes and examine the comparative syntenic mapping between two monocot models and allows for better understanding about how genes evolve within monocots. Therefore, in silico investigation of C4-photosynthetic-pathway gene family needs to be supported by wet lab experimentation of the novel genes for elucidating their function in many biological courses.Conclusion Results revealed that photosynthetic pathway related gene play a potent role in stress response and plant growth and development.
Prevalence of depression symptoms among Tibetan Buddhist monastic science scholars in India
Authors: Mascaro Jennifer , Shellman Danielle , Samphel Tsondue , Chang Hope , Zivot Joel , Eisen Arri 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Depression is the largest contributing factor to global disability, and the translation and validation of depression screening instruments is vital toward understanding the prevalence of depression symptoms around the world. The aim of this study was to translate a widely used depression screening instrument, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), for use with Tibetan populations, and to explore the prevalence of depression symptoms in a population of Tibetan-speaking Buddhist monastic science scholars.
Methods

A total of 384 monastics (363 monks, 21 nuns) completed the Tibetan PHQ-9. We computed measures of internal consistency and conducted factor analysis to evaluate scale performance, and describe the prevalence of depression symptoms among the monastic population and subgroups.
Results

The Tibetan PHQ-9 had acceptable reliability and demonstrated a single-factor structure. While having low energy was the most commonly endorsed symptom, monastics did not have overall higher rates of other somatic symptoms. Over 10% of the monastics scored in the moderately severe to severe range, using standard diagnostic criteria cut-offs. First year monks had the highest mean score, and there was not a significant difference between monks and nuns.
Conclusion

These preliminary findings indicate that the Tibetan PHQ-9 is a reliable instrument for exploring and assessing depression symptoms and that it will be useful toward examining how symptoms are experience, interpreted, and communicated among Buddhist monastics.
Can Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Counteract the Renal Functional Deterioration Attributable to Partial Nephrectomy Under Warm Ischemia? Results of an Animal Study
Authors: Mut Tuna Till , Acar Ömer , Armutlu Ayse , Incir Said , Uhlig Annemarie , Ertuglu Lale A. , Özel Melis , Taskin Ali Cihan , Baydar Dilek Ertoy , Kanbay Mehmet , Esen Tarik 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: To investigate if remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) can offer any renoprotective value by counteracting the deleterious effect of partial nephrectomy (PN) under warm ischemia on renal function. Methods: Four groups, each with 5 Wistar albino rats, were constructed; RIPC + PN, PN, RIPC and sham. Right nephrectomy was performed to constitute a solitary kidney model. RIPC denoted sequential clamping/declamping of the femoral artery. PN was performed under warm-ischemia following RIPC. Blood samples were collected on multiple occasions until sacrification on day 7. Immunoassays were conducted to measure the serum and tissues levels of KIM-1, aldose reductase, IL-33, NGAL, creatinine. All kidneys were examined histologically and morphometric analyzes were performed using digital scanning. Results: IL-33 levels did not differ significantly between the groups. Serum levels of KIM-1, NGAL and aldose reductase in RIPC + PN, PN and RIPC groups were significantly lower than that of sham group. Tissue biomarker levels were not significantly different from the values recorded in the sham group. Mean necrosis area of PN group was greater than that of RIPC + PN group (p>0.05). The transitional zone between necrosis and healthy tissue was wider in the rats subjected to RIPC before PN vs. those who underwent PN without RIPC (p>0.05). Conclusion: RIPC failed to counteract the renal functional consequences of PN under warm ischemia in a solitary kidney animal model. The supportive but marginal histological findings in favor of RIPC’s renoprotective potential were not supplemented with the changes in serum and tissue biomarker levels.
Psychological status and intervention strategy of maintenance hemodialysis patients in COVID-19 epidemic
Authors: Nie Jingwen , Zhu Shuang , Cui Wenlong , Wu Huixin , Cai Yaping , Wen Xi , Li Qing 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background An outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly discovered contagious disease, which first broke out in China.Based on the psychological state, maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients might bear psychological problemsunder the COVID-19epidemic situation.To evaluate the psychological health of MHDpatients and explore the corresponding intervention strategies.Methods Acluster sampling approach was employed to obtain a sample of 206 MHD patients from two hospitals in Yunnan province: a COVID-19-designated hospital and a non-COVID-19-designated hospital. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklistwas used to assess the psychological status,while Kidney Diseaseand Quality of Life --Short Form(KDQOL-SF)was applied to assess the quality of life(QOL). The factorsinfluencing thepsychological status in MHD patients were employed by binary logistic regression.Results Among MHD participants (age 53.4 ± 15.3 years), 61 cases showed mild to moderate positive PTSD, and 72 casespresented severe positive PTSD.The level of education, capital income, hospital, depressive tendency, and QOL were the influence factors for the occurrence of PTSD. Moreover, the PTSD was negatively correlated with QOL and positively correlated with COVID-19-designated hospital and the depressive tendency.Conclusion During the COVID-19 epidemic, MHD patients, especially in COVID-19-designated hospitals, with low QOL and depressive tendency had a high incidence of positive PTSD, which requires prompt psychological counseling and effective measures from medical staff to ensure timely treatment of patients.
A Randomized Trial of Ivermectin-Doxycycline and Hydroxychloroquine-Azithromycin therapy on COVID19 patients.
Authors: Chowdhury Abu Taiub Mohammed Mohiuddin , Shahbaz Mohammad , Karim Md Rezaul , Islam Johirul , Guo Dan , He Shuixiang 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic was caused by a newly discovered Coronavirus. The treatment methods for COVID-19 are emerging and rapidly evolving. Existing drugs, including Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine, offer the hope of effective treatment in early disease. In this study, we investigated and compared outcomes of Ivermectin-Doxycycline vs. Hydroxychloroquine-Azithromycin combination therapy COVID19 patients with mild to moderate disease.Methods Patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 disease, tested positive by RT PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection at Chakoria Upazilla Health Complex, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, were included in this study. Patients were divided randomly into two groups: Ivermectin 200µgm/kg single dose + Doxycycline 100 mg BID for 10days in group A, and Hydroxychloroquine 400 mg 1st day, then200mg BID for 9days + Azithromycin 500 mg daily for 5 days in group B. PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was repeated in all symptomatic patients on the second day onward without symptoms, or, for those who were asymptomatic (throughout the process), on the 5th day after taking medication and repeated every two days onward if the result is positive. Time to negative PCR and time to full symptomatic recovery was measured for each group.Results All subjects in the Ivermectin-Doxycycline group (group A) reached a negative PCR for SARS-CoV-2, at a mean of 8.93days, and all reached symptomatic recovery, at a mean of 5.93days, with 55.10% symptom-free by the 5th day. In the Hydroxychloroquine-Azithromcyin group (group B), 96.36% reached a negative PCR at a mean of 6.99days and were symptoms-free at 9.33days. Group A patients had symptoms that could have been caused by the medication in 31.67% of patients, including lethargy in 14(23.3%), nausea in 11(18.3%), and occasional vertigo in 7(11.66%) of patients. In Group B, 46.43% had symptoms that could have been caused by the medication, including 13(23.21%) mild blurring of vision and headache; 22(39.2%) increased lethargy and dizziness, 10(17.85%) occasional palpitation, and 9(16.07%) nausea and vomiting.Conclusion The Ivermectin-Doxycycline combination showed a trend toward superiority to the Hydroxychloroquine-Azithromycin combination therapy in the case of patients with mild to moderate COVID19 disease, though the difference in time to becoming symptom-free and the difference in time to negative PCR was not statistically significant.
Ultrasound-guided versus Shikani optical stylet-aided tracheal intubation: a prospective randomized study
Authors: Ma Yuanyuan , Wang Yan , Shi Ping , Cao Xue , Ge Shengjin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background To compare ultrasound-guided tracheal intubation (UGTI) versus Shikani optical stylet (SOS)-aided tracheal intubation in patients with anticipated normal airway.Methods Sixty patients aged 18–65 years old who presented for elective surgery under general anesthesia were recruited in this prospective randomized study. They were assigned into two equal groups, either an ultrasound-guided group (Group UG, n = 30) or an SOS-aided group (Group SOS, n = 30). After the induction of anesthesia, the tracheal intubation was performed by a specified skilled anesthesiologist. The number of tracheal intubation attempt and the duration of successful intubation on the first attempt were recorded. Complications relative to tracheal intubation including desaturation, hoarseness and sore throat were also recorded.Results The first-attempt success rate is 93.3% (28/30) in Group UG and 90% (27/30) in Group SOS (P = 0.64). The second-attempt was all successful for the 2 and 3 patients left in the two groups, and the overall success rate of both groups was 100%. The duration of successful intubation on the first attempt of Group UG was not significantly different from that of Group SOS (34.0 ± 20.8 s vs 35.5 ± 23.2 s, P = 0.784). One patient in Group SOS had desaturation (P = 0.313), and there was none hoarseness in the two groups. Sore throat was detected in both group (4 in Group UG, 5 in Group SOS, P = 0.718).Conclusion Ultrasound-guided tracheal intubation was as effective as Shikani optical stylet-aided tracheal intubation in adult patients with anticipated normal airway.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IIC-17010875. Date of Registration: 15 March 2017.
Improving safety and effectiveness of awake endotracheal intubation with a novel method: A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Han Chunji , Li Peng , Guo Zhenggang , Guo Ying , Sun Li , Chen Gang , Qiu Xiaojue , Mi Weidong , Zhang Changsheng , Berra Lorenzo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Topical anesthesia is a crucial step in awake endotracheal intubation for providing favorable intubation conditions. The standard of care technique for awake intubation, which consists of oropharyngeal tetracaine spray, can result in inadequate mucosal anesthesia. Therefore, we sought to compare the effectiveness of dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage to the standard of care tetracaine in achieving anesthesia of the upper airways for awake endotracheal intubation. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, prospective study included 60 patients scheduled for either endoscopic submucosal dissection or peroral endoscopic myotomy. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: patients allocated to novel awake intubation care (Group N-AIC) received a single administration of oral dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage, whereas patients allocated to standard awake intubation care (Group S-AIC) received three oropharyngeal tetracaine sprays before transcricoid tetracaine injection before awake intubation. Feeling of numbness and nausea, as well as intubation conditions after topical anesthesia were assessed. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded throughout the procedure and compared between the two groups. Results: The degree of numbness of the oropharynx mucosa after topical anesthesia did not differ between the two groups, neither did the feeling of nausea during laryngoscopy. The amount of pharyngeal secretions before intubation was less in Group N-AIC. Total intubation time was significantly shorter (3.9s, 95%CI 1.282-6.452, P=0.004) in Group N-AIC. Baseline mean arterial pressure and heart rate were similar between the two groups. Hemodynamic responses to intubation and gastrointestinal endoscopy, especially mean arterial pressure, were significantly less elevated in Group N-AIC. Extubation bucking was significantly less frequent in Group N-AIC (13.3% vs. 76.7%). Patients received in Group N-AIC had a lower rate of post-extubation sore throat compared to Group S-AIC (6.7% vs. 43.3%). No adverse side effects attributable to either tetracaine or dyclonine were observed in this study. Conclusions: In awake endotracheal intubation, novel care using oral dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage can provide more favorable intubation conditions and more stable hemodynamics compared to standard of care practice using oropharyngeal tetracaine spray. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900023151 ( http://www.chictr.org )
The CEBPE rs2239633 genetic polymorphism on susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: An updated meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jin , Weiling Gu , Xueqin Li , Liang Xie , Linhong Wang , Chen Zhongwen 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: We performed an updated meta-analysis to clarify the relationship between the CEBPE rs2239633 polymorphism and the CALL susceptibility.Methods: All the case-control studies updated on July 31, 2019 through Web of Science, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Nationa Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) electronic database. The heterogeneity in the study was tested by the Q-test and I2, and then the random ratio or fixed effect was utilized to merge the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). To estimate the impact of individual studies on aggregate estimates, we performed sensitivity analysis. Using funnel plot and Begger’s regression test investigated the publication bias. All data Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 12.0.Results: A total of 23442 participants (7014 patients; 16428 controls) were included in twenty case-control studies selected. There was no association of CEBPE rs2239633 polymorphism with CALL (CC vs CT + TT: OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.94 –1.26; CC + CT vs TT: OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.94–1.30; C vs T: OR =1.02, 95% CI = 0.92–1.13). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, no significant association of this polymorphism and CALL risks among Asia and Caucasian populations for the comparison of CC vs CT + TT, CC + CT vs TT and C vs T genetic models .Conclusion: This meta-analysis did not find the CEBPE rs2239633 polymorphism can increase and decrease the risk of susceptibility to CALL.
WITHDRAWN: Mathematical Modelling on Double Quarantine Process in the Spread and Stability of Covid-19
Authors: Behera Jangyadatta , Rauta Aswin Kumar , Rao Yerra Shankar , Patnaik Sairam 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In this paper, a mathematical model is proposed on the spread and control of corona virus disease2019 (COVID19) to ascertain the impact of pre quarantine for suspected individuals having travel history ,immigrants and new born cases in the susceptible class following the lockdown or shutdown rules and adopted the post quarantine process for infected class. Set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are generated and parameters like natural mortality rate, rate of COVID-19 induced death, rate of immigrants, rate of transmission and recovery rate are integrated in the scheme. A detailed analysis of this model is conducted analytically and numerically. The local and global stability of the disease is discussed mathematically with the help of Basic Reproduction Number. The ODEs are solved numerically with the help of Runge-Kutta 4th order method and graphs are drawn using MATLAB software to validate the analytical result with numerical simulation. It is found that both results are in good agreement with the results available in the existing literatures. The stability analysis is performed for both disease free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium points. The theorems based on Routh-Hurwitz criteria and Lyapunov function are proved .It is found that the system is locally asymptotically stable at disease free and endemic equilibrium points for basic reproduction number less than one and globally asymptotically stable for basic reproduction number greater than one. Finding of this study suggest that COVID-19 would remain pandemic with the progress of time but would be stable in the long-term if the pre and post quarantine policy for asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals are implemented effectively followed by social distancing, lockdown and containment.
Psychological Distress during COVID-19 Curfews and Social Distancing in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alghamdi Badrah S , AlAtawi Yasser , AlShehri Fahad S. , Tayeb Haythum O. , Taleb Hanin Abo Abo , Binsalman Amal 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread to over 150 countries worldwide. Since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Saudi Arabia, cases have continued to escalate exponentially. The COVID-19 outbreak has had a negative effect on mental health and well-being. The study aim was to investigate the effects of the strict national regulations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the population’s mental health.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of Saudi residents. Participants completed an online questionnaire after 1 month of a nationwide 24-hour curfew. We measured psychological distress using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). We ran binary logistic regression analyses to detect variables that significantly predicted DASS-21 scores.
Results
The sample comprised 2252 Saudi residents. The DASS-21 score means and standard deviations for depression and anxiety for the whole sample (10.73 ± 10.29 and 6.98 ± 8.30, respectively) were in the range of mild depression and anxiety. In contrast, the mean DASS-21 stress score was within the normal range (11.97 ± 10.80). The mean stress score for healthcare workers was within normal range (13.70 ± 10.68), but was significantly higher than the mean score for the public (11.56 ± 10.89; P = .0006). Several variables (e.g. age, gender and history of contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases) were significantly associated with higher DASS-21 scores.
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a psychological burden. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement emergency psychological interventions to reduce the negative psychosocial effects of the pandemic on public mental health.