bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occupational Related Upper and Low Back Pain Among Working Population of Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mengistu Dechasa Adare , Demmu Yohannes Mulugeta , Alemu Addisu 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Back pains, such as low and upper back pains are among the most common musculoskeletal conditions that can cause major public health and socioeconomic problems. Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability that reduces worker performance and well-being and increases absence from work, which can cause an enormous economic burden. In developing countries, particularly in Ethiopia, there is no adequate evidence on the overall prevalence of occupational-related low and upper back pains and remain less prioritized and empirically unrepresented. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of occupational-related low and upper back pains among the working population of Ethiopia.Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis considered studies conducted in Ethiopia, written in English, and published from 2017-2020. Articles were searched from nine electronic databases (Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, African Index Medicus, African Journals Online database and Science Direct) using a combination of Boolean logic operators, Medical Subject Headings and main keywords. The quality assessment of the articles was performed using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools to determine the relevance of the articles to the study. A random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence, the 95% confidence interval, and the degree of heterogeneity among the included studies. Sensitivity analyzes were performed to identify the influence of outliers and to identify sources of heterogeneity.Results: Of the 1,114 studies identified from the included databases, 20 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of occupational-related upper and low back pain in the previous year was 27.1% [95% CI: 18.4, 37.9] and 54.2% [95% CI: 48.2, 60.0], respectively. Based on a subgroup analysis by publication year, study population and countries where the studies are conducted, the prevalence of upper back pain was 43.8% [95% CI: 39.3, 47.7], 34.7% [95% CI: 33.1, 36.2], and 36.2% [95% CI: 33.6, 39.0], respectively, while the prevalence of low back pain was 61.8% [95% CI: 58.9, 64.6], 52.8% [95% CI: 51.3, 54.3] and 55.2% [95% CI: 51.4, 59.0], respectively.Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis found that 54.2% of the included study participants experienced low back pain in the previous year, while 27.1% experienced upper back pain. These problems may be reduced by considering proper observation of the principles of ergonomics in the workplace, and performing physical exercises on a regular basis.
Platelet Soluble NOX2 as a New Biomarker in Patients with Sepsis
Authors: Mai Li , Xiong Yuan , Huang Yong , Chen Weixian , Wang Bo 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Substantial evidence supports the view that NOX2 may function as a pivotal regulator in various physiological and pathological processes. However, to date, the interplay between platelet soluble NOX2 levels and sepsis remains unclear. The overall aim of this work is to obtain a better insight into whether or not platelet NOX2 is involved in sepsis. Methods: The levels of platelet soluble NOX2, from 31 patients diagnosed with Gram-positive sepsis, 36 patients with Gram-negative sepsis and 45 healthy individuals, were measured with sandwich ELISA kits that we developed. Results: In this work, we showed that platelet NOX2 concentrations were significantly lower in healthy individuals compared to patients with sepsis (P<0.01), and that platelet NOX2 values were significantly correlated with the platelet activation markers, including soluble CD40L and soluble P-selectin. Interestingly, we also found that platelet NOX2 values in patients with Gram-positive sepsis were higher than those in patients with Gram-negative sepsis. Conclusions: Platelet NOX2 levels maybe an important indicator of the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced platelet activation.
The Association between Trichomonas Vaginalis Infection and The Risk of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, Prostate Cancer, and Bladder Cancer in Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Case-Control Study
Authors: Yang Hung Yi , Su Ruei-Yu , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Huang Kuo-Yang , Chien Wu-Chien , Lin Hsin-Chung , Lin Hsin-An , Wang Jui-Yang , Chen Chien-Chou 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Trichomonas vaginalis infection is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections in the world. There are approximately 276 million cases worldwide. Most men remain undiagnosed and untreated because they are asymptomatic. The chronic inflammation induced by persistent infection may increase the risk of developing genitourinary cancers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between trichomoniasis and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer (PCa), and bladder cancer (BC) in Taiwan.Material and method: We designed a case-control study by using the database of the National Health Insurance program in Taiwan. We used the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision classifications to classify all the medical conditions in the case and control groups. All odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to adjust for all comorbidities and variables.Result: From 2000 to 2015, we enrolled a total of 62,544 individuals as the case group and 187,632 as the control group. Trichomoniasis exposure had a significant association with BPH and PCa (adjusted OR: BPH = 2.685, 95% CI = 1.233–4.286, P = 0.013; PCa = 5.801, 95% CI = 1.296–26.035, P = 0.016). The relative risk was much higher if patients had both trichomoniasis and depression (adjusted OR = 7.682, 95% CI = 5.730–9.451, P < 0.001).Conclusion: Men with trichomoniasis had a significantly higher risk of developing BPH and PCa than those without. Healthcare professionals should not only pay more attention to disease treatment, but also to public health education.
Conservation Policy Changes in Protected Areas on Hilltops: Effects on Hydrological Response in A Small Watershed.
Authors: Magdalena Ulises Rodrigo , Francisco Cristiane Nunes , Lopes Lucas Garofolo , Rodriguez Daniel Andrés 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Public policies affecting land use/land cover also have an impact on water resource availability, and hilltop protected areas are a relevant factor in ensuring continued availability of water resources. The legislation ruling the delimitation of protected areas on hilltops has changed at the national level in 2012 and in Rio de Janeiro state in 2014. However, these environmental legislation changes did not take into account the feedback effects of restricting protected areas to hilltops on the regularity of hydrological responses in watersheds. As such, this manuscript sought to analyze the contribution of hilltop-only protected areas to continued water availability. We analyzed hydrological responses in the São João river watershed, which provides water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses in the Região dos Lagos municipalities of Rio de Janeiro state. Our results show that designating only hilltops as protected areas, as prescribed under the new pieces of legislation, does not prevent abrupt changes in hydrological responses that can lead to changes in streamflow volume and regularity as well as increases in sediment flows, which may compromise drainage systems and continued water supply due to reservoir silting. Therefore, we conclude that protecting hilltops only, as established under current Brazilian legislation, is not sufficient to safeguard the environmental function of maintaining water resource availability.
A Model for Pest Control using Integrated Approach: Impact of Latent and Gestation Delays
Authors: Noor M. H. , Basir Fahad Al 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In this article, we have established a mathematical model using impulsive differential equations for the dynamics of crop pest management in the presence of a pest with its predator and bio-pesticides. The pest population is divided into two subpopulations, namely, the susceptible pests and the infected pests. In this control process, bio-pesticides (generally virus) infect the susceptible pest through viral infection within the pest and make it infected so that predators can consume it quickly. We assume that pest controlling, using this integrated approach, is a delayed process and thus incorporated latent time of susceptible pest and gestation delay of predator in the model as time delay parameters. The system dynamics have been analyzed using qualitative theory: the existence of the equilibrium points and their stability properties has been derived. Hopf bifurcation of the coexisting equilibrium point is presented for both the delayed and non-delayed system. Detail numerical simulations are performed in support of analytical results and illustrate the different dynamical regimes observed in the system. We have observed that the system becomes free of infection when the latent time of the pest is large. Coexisting equilibrium exists for the lower value of latent delay, and it can change the stability properties from stable to unstable when it crosses its critical value. In contrast, gestation delay affects the stability switches of coexisting equilibrium only. The combined effect of the two delays on the system is shown numerically. Also, viral replication rate, infection rate (from virus to pest) is also significant from the pest management perspective. In summary, both the delay is essential for crop pest management, and pest control will be successful with tolerable delays.
Towards a Universal Definition of Disease Activity Score Thresholds: The AS135 Score
Authors: Foulquier Nathan , Chevet Baptiste , Alegria Guillermo Carvajal , Saraux Léa , Devauchelle-Pensec Valérie , Redou Pascal , Saraux Alain 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

Many study groups have developed scores to reflect disease activity. The result of this fragmented process is a multitude of disease activity scores, even for a single disease.
Design:

To identify and standardize disease activity scores in rheumatology, we conducted a literature review on disease activity criteria using both a manual approach and in-house computer software (BIBOT) that applies natural language processing to automatically identify and interpret important words in abstracts published in English between 1.1.1975 and 31.12.2018. We selected activity scores with cut-off values divided into four classes (remission and low, moderate and high disease activity). We used a linear interpolation to map disease activity scores to our new score, the AS135, and developed a smartphone application to perform the conversion.
Results

A total of 108 activity criteria from various fields were identified, but it was in rheumatology that we found the most pronounced separation into four classes. We built the AS135 score modification for each selected score using a linear interpolation of the existing criteria. The score modification was defined on the interval [0,10], and values of 1, 3 and 5 were used as thresholds. These arbitrary thresholds were then associated with the thresholds of the existing criteria, and an interpolation was calculated, allowing conversion of the existing criteria into the AS135 criterion. Finally, we created a mobile application.
Conclusion

We developed an application for clinicians that enables the use of a single disease activity score for different inflammatory rheumatic diseases using an intuitive scale.
Effect of Cryotherapy On Pain Scores and Satisfaction Levels of Patients in Cataract Surgery Under Topical Anesthesia
Authors: Khezri Marzieh Beigom , Akrami Abbas , Majdi Matina , Gahandideh Bijan , mohammadi Navid 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

To evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on pain scores and satisfaction levels of patients during cataract surgery under topical anesthesia.
Methods

Eighty patients aged between 55 and 75 years scheduled for cataract surgery were randomly allocated to two study groups to receive topical anesthesia with cryotherapy (TC) or topical anesthesia alone (T) groups. Visual analog pain scores, patient satisfaction level, hemodynamic parameters, and quality of operating conditions were recorded.
Results

Cryotherapy significantly reduced VAS pain scores during surgery (P=0.014). Although no significant difference in postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, heart rate, and mean arterial blood pressure was seen in the postoperative period. The surgeon reported better quality of operating conditions in the TC group (P = 0.018).
Conclusion

Cryotherapy as a complementary method with topical anesthesia reduced pain scores of patients during surgery. It also produced a better quality of operating conditions for surgeons. There was no significant difference in either postoperative pain scores or opioid consumption.
Comparative Efficacy of Open-chain Kinematics and Closed-chain Kinematics on Walking Proficiency and Societal Integration in Post-stroke Individuals: a Pretest- Post-test Experimental Study
Authors: Nwaedozie Obianuju , Gbiri Caleb , Olawale Olajide , Mgbeojedo Ukamaka , Adeagbo Caleb 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

Post-stroke hemiplegic gait is a mixture of deviations and compensatory motion dictated by residual function. To improve stroke survivors' walking ability, it is necessary to evaluate different rehabilitation approaches and identify those that have a greater effect on locomotor recovery of stroke patients.
Objectives

This study was designed to compare the effect of open-chain kinematics (bicycle ergometry) and closed-chain kinematics (treadmill) on walking proficiency in post-stroke individuals and their societal integration.
Methods

This was a pretest- posttest- experimental study involving 35 ambulatory hemiplegic stroke survivors (18males and 17 females) with a mean age of 53.77±10.95 undergoing rehabilitation at the two Teaching Hospitals in Lagos. Patients went through a 10-week rehabilitation and were randomly assigned to two intervention groups. Spatio-temporal gait parameters were measured by the six-metre walkway and community integrated questionnaire was used to examine home integration, social integration and productive activities. Data were subjected to inferential and descriptive statistics. The level of significance was set at p<0.05.
Results

Results showed significant difference between baseline and post intervention scores for all the gait parameters in the bicycle ergometer group except for stride length (p = 0.078). There was also a significant difference in the mean change in cadence between the treadmill and bicycle ergometer group (p = 0.04).
Conclusions

Both open-chain and closed-chain kinematics are effective, but closed- chain is most effective in re-educating ambulation and re-gaining spatio-temporal gait parameters after stroke and should be structured into the patients’ treatment regimen to effectively improve functional capability in post-stroke individuals.
Study of rheological characteristics of fermented milk paste with spices
Authors: Polishchuk Galyna , Kuzmyk Uliana , Yushchenko Nataliia , Osmak Tetiana , Kurmach Mykhailo , Bass Oksana , Kyrychenko Oksana 
Published: November 2021

Research object: rheological characteristics of fermented milk pastes with spices.
Investigated problem: according to the results of the degree of syneresis and rheological properties, the consistency of the product is characterized. This allows to improve and optimize the technological process for the production of fermented milk products.
Main scientific results: the results of the dispersion analysis of spices show that their particle size is in the range of 250 … 400 microns. This size is optimal for the extraction of biologically active substances of spices, which will contribute to greater assimilation by the human body. And also optimally to avoid caking of raw materials and the manifestation of moisture-absorbing properties.
It was found that the degree of syneresis of fermented milk pastes with spices is within 10 %. With the addition of cinnamon and fenugreek spices, the degree of syneresis is lower compared to other examples. This is due to the fact that spices contain a solution of fiber, which allows them to retain free moisture. The spice cinnamon is a dried bark that naturally contains polysaccharides, while fenugreek contains up to 30 % mucus, which also has a high moisture-absorbing capacity. With such a low serum separation, the stabilizing effect is sufficient to prevent spontaneous whey separation.
Based on the results of the rheological properties of the product, it was established that fermented milk pastes belong to viscoplastic systems with a normal consistency. There was a slight difference in the shear stress index for pastes based on fermented milk low-fat soft dietary cheese and sour cream with a fat mass fraction of 20 % – by an average of 50 Pa. This characteristic is due to the hydrophilic characteristics of the protein.
The area of practical use of the research results: scientific research concerns the technology of dairy products in the food industry.
Innovative technological product: the obtained scientific result is an opportunity to improve the technological process of fermented milk products.
The scope of implementation of an innovative technological product: the results obtained give grounds to assert the ability to translate into a real industrial creation.
Comparative hygienic assessment of working conditions and potential risks for workers' health when applying pesticides in different technics
Authors: Borysenko Аndrii , Tkachenko Inna , Antonenko Аnna 
Published: November 2021

In the structure of regional and planetary pollutants, pesticides are in the top ten, and among food contaminants along with heavy metals – they occupy first place in the world. It is known that pesticides and agrochemicals, which belong to the group of biologically active compounds, are one of the important factors affecting the human body.
The aim: comparative hygienic assessment of working conditions and occupational risk when using pesticides by different methods of application (knapsack, rod, ventilator, unmanned and aviation) on the example of the fungicide Amistar Extra 280 SC.
Materials and methods. Field studies were conducted in 2018–2021. When applying the formulation knapsack sprayer SOLO-10, trailed boom sprayer AMAZON 1201 UF combined with a tractor MTZ 82.1 Belarus, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for spraying fields Agras T16, AN-2 aircraft combined with OZh-2 were used.
Results. As a result of field researches of working conditions of employees during the performance of production operations on the pesticides application, it was found that in the air treatment areas and in areas of possible drift the levels of studied active ingredients were below the limit of quantification of the method. The difference between azoxystrobin (0,04±0,003) and cyproconazole (12,4±0,5) for the tank refueler and the UAV external pilot in the field studies is significant according to Student's criterion (p >0,05). For the operator who applied the pesticide with a knapsack sprayer, the values of inhalation risks were significantly higher than for the tankers of the sprayer tank at p >0,05. The values of the combined risk when using a fan sprayer (0,46±0,02) significantly exceeded the data obtained when using a rod sprayer (0,14±0,006)
Conclusions. Analysis of the obtained results showed that the values of the combined risk are significantly higher for the operator / tractor driver, signalman than for their refuelers (at p <0,05). The values of the combined risk of the external pilot were significantly lower than those of the tanker when using a pesticide using a UAV.
Long-term effects of hysterectomy due to uterine fibroids in women of reproductive age
Authors: Proshchenko Olha , Ventskivska Iryna , Kamuz Natalia 
Published: November 2021

The article presents an analytical assessment of long-term postoperative consequences in women of reproductive age after hysterectomy for uterine fibroids.
The aim of the study to determine the structure of long-term results of hysterectomy for uterine fibroids in women of reproductive age using different approaches to the possibility of optimizing the diagnostic algorithm in the preoperative period in the future.
Materials and methods – 160 women aged 40 to 50 years with symptomatic uterine fibroids, who underwent hysterectomy performed by vaginal, laparoscopically assisted vaginal, abdominal, were examined. Research methods are the following: physical examination of patients, assessment of pelvic floor (cough test, Valsalva maneuver, “Stop Test” with Kegel cones), diagnosis of urogenital dysfunction using a standardized POP-Q system; instrumental examination:, complete urodynamic testing, cystometry, (for assessment of the severity of urinary incontinence the classification of the International Continence Society (ICS) was used); assessment of the patient’s quality of life on the 10th day after surgery, 3, 6, 12 months and three years after surgery using the international standard questionnaire MOS SF-36; study of the local infectious status of the female body (bacteriological and bacterioscopic examination of discharge from vagina and urethra, determination of vaginal pH
Results and their discussion. The structure of distant postoperative manifestations was determined (after 36 months of postoperative monitoring): clinical manifestations of intestinal function discomfort in the same degree in patients of three subgroups, 2.4 and 2.9 times less often in group I patients indicated chronic pelvic pain, in 1.7 times less often - for genitourinary disorders, vaginal prolapse in a third of cases, especially in women with abdominal HE and classic vaginal HE (30.0±5.0 % and 37.8±5.0 %, respectively, against 17.8±4.0 % – in the group with laparotomically assisted HE).
Conclusions. Given the data on genitourinary disorders and vaginal prolapse in almost a third of observations after hysterectomy for uterine fibroids, it is advisable to consider additional examination of latent signs of genitourinary syndrome at the preoperative stage to optimize the choice of access, the volume of surgical treatment.
Overview of PROTACs Targeting the Estrogen Receptor: Achievements
for Biological and Drug Discovery
Authors: Qin Hui , Zhang Yiwen , Lou Yutao , Pan Zongfu , Song Feifeng , Liu Yujia , Xu Tong , Zheng Xiaowei , Hu Xiaoping , Huang Ping 
Published: November 2021

Abstract:
Estrogen receptors (ERs) are steroid hormone receptors, which belong to a
large nuclear receptor family. Endocrine diseases correlate strongly with dysregulated ER
signaling. Traditional therapies continue to rely on small molecule inhibitors, including
aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), all of
which permit acquired resistance to endocrine therapy. Proteolytic targeting chimeras
(PROTACs) offer unprecedented potential for solving acquired endocrine resistance.
ARV-471, an ER-targeting PROTAC developed by Arvinas, was approved by the US
FDA to entered clinical trials in 2019 to treat patients suffering from locally advanced or
metastatic ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer, and has since been approved by the
US FDA. In this review, we will focus on progress in developing ER-targeting PROTACs
from publications and patents aimed at the treatment of endocrine diseases.