bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upper Airway Obstruction among the Paediatric Population in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital: The Place of Tracheostomy in the Management
Authors: Ibekwe M. U. , Ni Paul 
Published: April 2020

Background: The paediatric age group has very peculiar anatomic and physiologic airways therefore, obstruction which commonly occurs in this population, can pose serious challenges in this age group.
Aim: To study the pattern and aetiology of acute upper airway obstruction in the paediatric age group in University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital and to determine the place of tracheostomy in the management.
Patients and Methods: It is a descriptive hospital based study of all paediatric patients; aged 0-15 years with upper airway obstruction that presented to the ear, nose and throat department and the children emergency ward of university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital within the period of January 2014 to December 2019. Data on demographics, clinical presentations, causes and management were obtained using a Proforma. The diagnosis of upper airway obstruction is made in a child with any degree of respiratory difficulty with or without associated stridor or stertor arising from lesions above the thoracic inlet. Children with respiratory difficulty other than that from an upper airway obstruction were excluded from the study.
Data obtained were analyzed with the IBM statistical package for social sciences SPSS version 20. Results were presented in simple descriptive forms with tables.
Results: One hundred and sixty paediatric patients with upper air way obstruction with age ranging from 0-15 years were studied. The prevalence of upper airway obstruction was 1.87%. There were more males than females; male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Age group 4-7 years were the most affected, 43.75%. Foreign body aspiration was the commonest cause. Majority of the patients had tracheostomy done, 48.75%. Mortality was n=1(0.625%).
Conclusion: Upper air way obstruction among the paediatric age group is still common with foreign body aspiration as a very important cause in our setting. The very young are the most affected and tracheostomy appears to still be the main option of securing airway in these cases in our environment.
Temporal Appraisal and Molecular Characterization of Escherichia coli from Oyun River, Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors: Kolawole Olatunji Matthew , Adeyemi Oluwasanmi Anuoluwapo 
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Escherichia coli, an indicator of feacal contamination has been proven to be the cause of several disease outbreaks in countries and continents around the world.
Aim: To determine the genotypic variants of Escherichia coli present in Oyun River and provide information regarding the high-risk variants of E. coli in Oyun River.
Study Design: The study cuts across the two seasons of Nigeria’s tropical climate weather, being the peak of the Harmattan season and the onset of the Rainy season. Three sampling sites (Jimba Oja; Unilorin Dam and Oyun in Ilorin, Kwara State) along the River course were examined for three months (February – April).
Methodology: Heterotrophic counts, coli form counts and molecular characterization via PCR using 16 sRNA primers, of water samples were done using standard microbiological and molecular methods.
Results: Bacteriological results showed monthly mean values of microbial counts, ranged from 23.5 x 106 – 45.17 x 106 cfu/mL and total coli form count ranged from 53 cfu/100 mL to 256 cfu/100 mLs, both of which exceed the WHO standards of 100 cfu/mL for total microbial count and <1 cfu/100 mLs for total coliforms. A total of forty-eight coliforms were isolated, thirty two of which were Escherichia coli. Sequencing and BLAST analysis of eleven of the isolates using NCBI’s online database revealed five different strains. They include: Escherichia coli FAP1 genome (9.1%); Escherichia coli strain ST2747 (54.5%); Escherichia coli strain EADK4 (9.1%); Escherichia coli strain ST540 (18.2%) and Escherichia coli strain NCM3722 (9.1%). Correlation of results with previous studies showed that most of the strains identified were pathogenic. The E. coli strains isolated, coupled with the bacterial load, coliform count and some physicochemical parameters of Oyun River makes it unsafe for public consumption if not treated. Efforts therefore should be made to treat the water before use, while making frantic efforts to prevent further contamination of Oyun River.
Epistaxis in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital: Aetiological Profile and Management
Authors: Uju Ibekwe Matilda , Victor O. Ikenga 
Published: April 2020

Background: Bleeding from the nose is one of the commonest emergencies that could present in a typical ear, nose and throat clinic. It is often a frightful experience for both the patient and relations, especially in severe cases.
Aim: To determine the aetiological profile, the management and outcome in patients that presented with epistaxis in University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital.
Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with complaints of epistaxis that were managed within the period of January 2006 to January 2018 in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department, including referrals from the accident & emergency department and children emergency ward. Data on demographics, aetiology, associated clinical features, treatment modalities and outcome of such treatments were all collated. These were analyzed using IBM statistical package for social sciences SPSSversion 20and results presented in simple descriptive tables.
Results: There were altogether 196 patients studied, 95 males and 101 females, giving a male to female ratio of 1:1.06. The age range was from 1 to 81 years. Age group 30-39 was the most affected with 22.29% Aetiological factors were; hypertension in 9.2% trauma in 11.2%, idiopathic in most; 58.2%, chronic rhinosinusitis in 18.4%. Conservative medical therapy was the commonest treatment modality; 68.38%. Anterior nasal packing in 26.5% while 4.1% had posterior packing. Anterior aspect of the nose was the commonest site of bleed recorded in 160 cases.
All the patients had a favourable outcome.
Conclusion: Epistaxis in this environment still presents as a common emergency and in the majority of the case, the cause is not known, however, trauma appears to be one of the commonest cause implicated in our setting. The young adults appear to be the ones mainly affected.
Medication Errors Identification Rates by Healthcare Students
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Ahmed Nehad J. , Iqbal Muhammad Zahid 
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Medication errors caused devastating consequences affecting both the healthcare system and the patient’s trust. Junior doctors, pharmacists, and nurses are prone to make these mistakes. Thus, this study served a purpose to evaluate the pharmacological knowledge of the healthcare students (HCSs) i.e. pharmacy, medical, and nursing studentsthrough detecting errors in the prescriptions, as this will reflect their performance once they come in real practice.
Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using a validated research tool consisting ofdemographics attributes (gender, race, duration of pre-university and age) as well as three prescriptions. The research tool was distributed to final year HCSs. Demographic data of the respondents were required to investigate the contributing factors in medication errors’ identification. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics by using SPSS ver. 22.
Results: 197 students responded to this study. Findings show that pharmacy students yield high percentages compared to medical and nursing students in identifying errors in the prescriptions. 91.1% of pharmacy students were successful in recognizing the errors in prescription 1, 55.0% in prescription 2 whereas 96.2% in prescription 3. There wasa significantassociation betweenthe age of the respondents and their ability in identifying the errors (p=0.012). No significant relationship was observed between race, gender and duration of pre-university in identifying the mistakes in the prescriptions (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Pharmacy students had the highest percentage ofmedication error identification rates probably in light of the pharmacy curriculum focuses mainly on pharmacology and therapeutic monitoring. This study portrays the importance of additional clinical training in undergraduate programs to enhance student’s pharmacological knowledge and their attitude towards patient safety practices.
Carbon accumulation of cool season sports turfgrass species in distinctive soil layers
Authors: Evers Maurice , de Kroon Hans , Visser Eric , de Caluwe Hannie 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCarbon sequestered by turfgrasses may contribute to reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, to improved soil health, and to increased turfgrass quality. The objective of this study is to compare the amount of soil C accumulated by nine cool season turfgrass monocultures and 12 mixtures of turfgrass species during the first 3 yr of establishment. Thatch, mat, and other soil layers were sampled and thickness of these layers was quantified in a field study conducted in the Netherlands. From these samples, dry matter, C and N concentrations, and C/N ratio were measured. Festuca rubra spp. and Poa pratensis had a thicker thatch layer than Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea, Festuca ovina, and Agrostis stolonifera. Lolium perenne had a thicker mat than Festuca rubra spp. Mixtures of turfgrass species and subspecies seemed to vary more in thatch and mat thickness, as well in the total thickness of both layers combined, than did monocultures. Thatch thickness but not mat thickness correlated to C accumulation in the soil, and this accumulation in the top soil till 20‐cm deep was species dependent. The highest amount of C accumulated in Festuca rubra spp. monocultures, whereas the smallest amount was found in soils with Lolium perenne. Thatch of Festuca rubra spp. showed high C accumulation with high C and N concentrations, whereas in Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis monocultures low C accumulation was related to low C and N concentrations. Only for Festuca rubra spp. and Poa pratensis, C/N ratios partly explained variation of C accumulation with soil depth.
Equipping Natural Killer Cells with Specific Targeting and Checkpoint Blocking Aptamers for Enhanced Adoptive Immunotherapy in Solid Tumors
Authors: Zhang Da , Zheng Youshi , Lin Ziguo , Liu Xiaolong , Li Juan , Yang Huanghao , Tan Weihong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHerein, we propose an aptamer‐equipping strategy to generate specific, universal and permeable (SUPER) NK cells for enhanced immunotherapy in solid tumors. NK cells were chemically equipped with TLS11a aptamer targeting HepG2 cells and PDL1‐specific aptamer without genetic alteration. The dual aptamer‐equipped NK cells exhibited high specificity to tumor cells, resulting in higher cytokine secretion and apoptosis/necrosis compared to parental or single aptamer‐equipped NK cells. Interestingly, dual aptamer‐equipped NK cells induced remarkable upregulation of PDL1 expression in HepG2 cells, enhancing checkpoint blockade. Furthermore, in vivo intravital imaging demonstrated high infiltration of aptamer‐equipped NK cells into deep tumor region, leading to enhanced therapeutic efficacy in solid tumors. This work offers a straightforward chemical strategy to equip NK cells with aptamers, holding considerable potential for enhanced adoptive immunotherapy in solid tumors.
Divergent Chemistry Paths for 3D and 1D Metallo‐Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs)
Authors: Xu Hai‐Sen , Luo Yi , See Pei Zhen , Li Xing , Chen Zhongxin , Zhou Yi , Zhao Xiaoxu , Leng Kai , Park In‐Hyeok , Li Runlai , Liu Cuibo , Chen Fangzheng , Xi Shibo , Sun Junliang , Loh Kian Ping 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe marriage of dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) and coordination chemistry is a powerful tool for assembling complex architectures from simple building units. Recently, the synthesis of woven covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with topologically fascinating structures has been achieved using this approach. However, the scope is highly limited and there is a need to discover new pathways that can assemble covalently linked organic threads into crystalline frameworks. Herein, we have identified branching pathways leading to the assembly of three‐dimensional (3D) woven COFs or one‐dimensional (1D) metallo‐COFs (mCOFs), where the mechanism is underpinned by the absence or presence of ligand exchange.
Experimental study of rheological properties of solid propellant slurry at low‐shear rate and numerical simulation
Authors: Wu Yue , Li Zhuo , Ji Yong‐chao , Lu Rong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe steady state rheological properties of a three‐component hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene binder (HTPB) solid propellant slurry at low shear rate were investigated using a rotational rheometer. The data were analyzed and the rheological characteristics of the slurry were determined. The effect of shear rate on apparent viscosity and shear stress as well as the viscosity–time effect of the slurry were also analyzed. Herschel–Bulkley (H‐B) model was applied for the simulation of the flow process of a two‐dimensional container using CFD Ansys‐polyflow software. Experimental results showed that solid propellant slurry had yield pseudoplasticity. Yield characteristics were determined based on the fact that when shear stress was greater than yield stress, the slurry began to flow and the relationship between shear stress and shear rate obeyed power law function. Simulation results further verified the correctness of experimental results.
Influence of complications following total mastectomy and immediate reconstruction on breast cancer recurrence
Authors: Lee K-T , Jung J H , Mun G-H , Pyon J K , Bang S I , Lee J E , Nam S J 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background
Immediate breast reconstruction is safe from an oncological perspective, but the relatively high rate of postoperative complications raises oncological concerns. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential influence of postoperative complications after immediate breast reconstruction on breast cancer recurrence and survival.

Methods
Patients with breast cancer who had total mastectomy and immediate reconstruction between 2008 and 2013 were followed for at least 5 years. The impact of postoperative complications on oncological outcomes was assessed using multivariable Cox regression analyses.

Results
In total, 438 patients with a median follow-up of 82 months were analysed. Five-year local recurrence-free, disease-free and overall survival rates were 95·4, 93·1 and 98·4 per cent respectively. Postoperative complications developed in the operated breast in 120 patients (27·4 per cent) and at other sites (flap donor) in 30 patients (6·8 per cent). Development of breast complications was associated with significantly increased rate of recurrence compared with no complications (16·7 versus 5·9 per cent; P = 0·002). In multivariable analysis, patients with breast complications had significantly worse disease-free survival than those with no complications (hazard ratio (HR) 2·25; P = 0·015). This remained significant in patients who received adjuvant therapy without delay (8 weeks or less after surgery) (HR 2·45; P = 0·034).

Conclusion
Development of postoperative complications in the breast can have a negative impact on survival and recurrence after immediate reconstruction.
Development of an ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry method for determination of xanthopurpurin in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Han De‐en , Shi Yanmei , Tian Ping , Wei Hengchao , Miao Mingsan , Li Xiu‐min 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA rapid and sensitive method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of xanthopurpurin (XPP) in rat plasma using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry. XPP inhibits IgE production and prevents peanut‐induced anaphylaxis. The XPP and emodin (internal standard) were determined in negative ion mode with m/z 239.0350 → 211.0400 and 269.0455 → 241.0507, respectively. The separation process was achieved using an ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water (85:15). The linear range was 0.5–100 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficient (r2) was > 0.993. The inter‐day and intra‐day precision was within an acceptable range of 15%. The extraction recovery and matrix effect were 78.9–87.2% and 94.3–98.5%, respectively. Under different conditions, the XPP was stable in the range of 5.6–10.6%. This method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of XPP with an oral dose of 10.0 mg/kg and intravenous dose of 2.0 mg/kg in rats. The absolute oral bioavailability of XPP was 4.6%.
In vitro metabolism of 2′‐ribose unmodified and modified phosphorothioate oligonucleotide therapeutics using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
Authors: Kim Jaeah , El Zahar Noha M. , Bartlett Michael G. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAntisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have been touted as an emerging therapeutic class to treat genetic disorders and infections. The evaluation of metabolic stability of ASOs during biotransformation is critical due to concerns regarding drug safety. Because the effects of the modifications in ASOs on their metabolic stabilities are different from unmodified ASOs, studies that afford an understanding of these effects as well as propose proper methods to determine modified and unmodified ASO metabolites are imperative. An LC–tandem mass spectrometry method offering good selectivity with a high‐quality separation using 30 mm N,N‐dimethylcyclohexylamine and 100 mm 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol was utilized to identify each oligonucleotide metabolite. Subsequently, the method was successfully applied to a variety of in vitro systems including endo/exonuclease digestion, mouse liver homogenates, and then liver microsomes, after which the metabolic stability of unmodified versus modified ASOs was compared. Typical patterns of chain‐shortened metabolites generated by mainly 3′‐exonucleases were observed in phosphodiester and phosphorothioate ASOs, and endonuclease activity was identically observed in gapmers that showed relatively more resistance to nuclease degradation. Overall, the degradation of each ASO occurred more slowly corresponding to the degree of chemical modifications, while 5′‐exonuclease activities were only observed in gapmers incubated in mouse liver homogenates. Our findings provide further understanding of the impact of modifications on the metabolic stability of ASOs, which facilitates the development of future ASO therapeutics.
Educational Opportunities and Obstacles for Teenagers Living in Domestic Violence Refuges
Authors: Bracewell Kelly , Larkins Cath , Radford Lorraine , Stanley Nicky 
Published: April 2020

The hidden nature of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is well established. Globally, its prevalence is difficult to ascertain, but international legal frameworks and existing studies recognise that DVA is experienced directly by children and young people in the home or within their own intimate partner relationships. In 2013, UK policy transformed teenagers into primary service users of DVA refuges. This study examines teenagers' educational experiences over the period of their refuge stay and whether refuges responded effectively to their educational needs. Twenty refuges in England assisted with the study. Individual interviews with 25 staff members explored their perceptions of teenagers' experiences. Repeat interviews with 20 teenagers were undertaken over the period of their refuge stay. The voices of teenagers are prioritised in this paper; four teenagers contributed to study design and three assisted with data analysis. A thematic approach was taken to analyse the data. Teenagers described various educational difficulties associated with adolescence and refuge life. Major themes included the disruption of education and a lack of resources to support educational achievement. Education can contribute to the resilience of teenagers who have experienced DVA. Refuges and schools should work collaboratively to build a co‐ordinated response.‘This study examines teenagers' educational experiences over the period of their refuge stay and whether refuges responded effectively to their educational needs’Key Practitioner Messages

Refuge staff working with teenagers need to identify and prioritise their educational needs.
Refuges and schools need to collaborate to improve access to educational support and resources for teenagers in refuges.
Where schooling is interrupted, teenagers should be provided with appropriate alternative resources.
The co‐ordinated educational support provided to looked‐after children should be considered as a model for teenagers in refuges.
Two New Abietane Diterpenoids from Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron.
Authors: Wu Wei , Jia Xiao‐Hui , Zhang Sha , Dong Chun‐Mao , Kang Feng‐Hua , Zou Zhen‐Xing , Xu Kang‐Ping 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTwo new abietane diterpenoids, (3S,5R,10S)‐3‐hydroxy‐12‐O‐demethyl‐11‐deoxy‐19(4→3)‐abeo‐cryptojaponol, 12,19‐dihydroxyabieta‐8,11,13‐trien‐7‐one, were isolated from Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron., together with one known abietane diterpenoid and four known tetracyclic triterpenoids. Their structures were characterized by their 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, ECD and mass spectral studies. All compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects on proliferation of three human cancer cells (human non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma cell lines A549 and human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7) in vitro. Among them, three compounds displayed modest cytotoxic activities against the above three human cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 16.28 to 40.67 μM.
Post‐emergence land rolling influences soybean plant architecture but not yield
Authors: Boyers Nathaniel H. , Lenssen Andrew W. , Moore Kenneth J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIncreasing the number of nodes for subsequent pod development by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] may be an approach to improve yield. Land rolling is a common practice in soybean production to push rocks and corn (Zea mays L.) root balls back to the soil surface to protect combine harvesters. Limited research has been done to determine if land rolling can change plant architecture by breaking the apical dominance of soybean to induce lateral branching and provide greater node and pod numbers. The objective of this experiment was to determine if land rolling soybeans could break apical dominance to induce lateral branching, increase reproductive node number, and improve yield. Field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 in a randomized complete block design with five replications. Treatments consisted of a control that was not rolled, rolling beforeemergence, and rolling at the V2, V3, and V4 stages of development. Data included counts of main stems and branches, nodes on main stems, branches that did or did not have pods, pod numbers on main stems and branches, stand density, and grain yield. Land rolling decreased main stem numbers, and reproductive nodes and pods on main stems. Land rolling soybean after emergence consistently decreased stand density in 2018 but only decreased stand density on one of three post‐emergence timings in 2017. However, land rolling did not influence branch numbers or branch nodes and pods. Land rolling influenced soybean plant architecture but did not influence yield when done before or after emergence.