bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radius distraction could contribute to long-term stability for treating distal radioulnar joint instability during volar plating of distal radius fracture: a retrospective case series study
Authors: Yin Cheng-Yu , Huang Hui-Kuang , Fufa Duretti , Wang Jung-Pan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe surgical technique of radius distraction for stabilization of distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) if intraoperative DRUJ instability was found after the fixation of distal radius fracture has been previously described, but this surgical technique lacks clinical and radiographic effect in minimal 3 years follow-up. We therefore evaluated the clinical outcome and radiographic results of radius distraction in minimal 3 years follow-up.MethodsWe reviewed the case series of distal radius fracture with concomitant DRUJ instability receiving radius distraction from the senior author over a 5-year period (January 1st, 2013 to June 30th, 2017) retrospectively, and the evaluation of clinical and radiographic outcomes was performed at clinic as long-term follow-up; a total 34 patients had been evaluated.ResultsAt minimal post-operative 36 months follow-up, all cases demonstrated acceptable wrist range of motion with stable DRUJs and low NRS of wrist pain (0.6, SD 0.7) and DASH score (mean 9.1, SD 6.2), and there were no cases suffering from nonunion of distal radius. The mean ulnar variance of injured wrist and uninjured wrist were − 1.2 mm and 0.2mm, respectively (SD 1.0 and 0.6) with significant statistical difference.ConclusionsRadius distraction during volar fixation of distal radius fracture should be consider if DRUJ instability was found by the radioulnar stress test intraoperatively, and the long-term DRUJ stability could be achieved by maintenance of normal-to-negative ulnar variance, with decreased wrist pain and satisfactory function outcome.Level of EvidenceTherapeutic Level IV
Accumulation of Heavy Metal Concentration and Physicochemical Parameters in Soil From Alice Landfill Site in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Maphuhla Nontobeko Gloria , Lewu Francis Bayo , Oyedeji Opeoluwa Oyehan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Heavy metals are unique environmental and industrial pollutants scattered naturally and found almost in all phases of the environment. In certain limited areas in several parts of the world, many people and animals have suffered from several severe diseases caused by trace elements or heavy metal deficiencies and their toxicities, unaware of their existence. The compounds of Pb and Cd are classified as human carcinogens by numerous regulatory agencies. The soil samples digested using the aqua regia method, and concentration quantified through the Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In this study, Pb, Cd, and Hg concentrations were recorded high on the landfill site compared to the control site. Their concentration exceeded the permissible limits from WHO. Pb concentration ranges between 0.46ppm to 1.81ppm, Cd range from 0.98ppm and 0.56ppm, and Hg has a high concentration that varies between 6.28ppm and 1.69ppm. On the contrary, the Cu concentration reportable to be lesser than accepted WHO limits compared to the other two selected elements. The mean concentration of Cu ranges from 0.41 ppm to 0.72 ppm. Soil pH for both sites ranged from slightly acidic (6.67) to neutral (7.09), which falls within the normal range suggested by WHO. High Hg and Pb concentration in this study is a thing of concern. Undertaken this study to help address the soil pollution problem due to the illegal disposal of waste that results in metal accumulation.
MovementRx: Versatile clinical movement analysis using Statistical Parametric Mapping
Authors: ALHOSSARY Amr Ali , Pataky Todd , ANG Wei Tech , CHUA Karen Sui Geok , Donnelly Cyril John 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Clinical gait analysis is an important field of biomechanics that Is influenced by subjectivity, which can lead to type I and II errors. Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) is a classical hypothesis testing method that can operate on all measured joint dynamics simultaneously, thereby overcoming errors associated with subjective reduction of these complex data and providing a quantitative and coherent assessment. Results: We present MovementRx, the first gait analysis modelling application that models joints in 3 degrees of freedom. It is a python-based versatile GUI-based movement analysis decision support system, that provides a holistic view of all lower limb joints fundamental to the kinematic/kinetic chain (i.e., related to functional gait). It utilizes the time varying statistical tool SPM1D combined with a visualizing software. The user can cascade the view from single 3D multivariate result down to specific single joint individual scalar component of movement in one dimension. It exports its API as a library for use by another python application or command line. We also presented a case study of a unilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) patient with otherwise undetected contralateral OA predisposition. The intervention elevated the patient’s moments on the right (affected) limb, but it led to adverse compensation on the left (contralateral) limb, leaving the patient likely to develop OA in her left limb in the future, unless immediate preventive and / or corrective actions were taken. Conclusions: MovementRx is a clinical gait analysis tool for that provides objective representation of the magnitude of statistical effect of all relevant joints in a simple, coherent, objective, and visually intuitive manner. No other software correctly model joints in 3 degrees of freedom.
Exploring the Influence of Multidimensional Tourist Satisfaction on Preferences for Wetland Ecotourism: A Case Study in Zhalong National Nature Reserve, China
Authors: Xu Lishan , Ao Changlin , Liu Baoqi , Cai Zhenyu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Tourist satisfaction, as a principal element for sustainable development of wetland ecotourism and destination competitiveness, has received extensive attention in the research on its impact on behavioral intention. This paper employs choice experiment to study tourist satisfaction as an important motivation for behavioral intention of willingness to pay and preference on wetland ecotourism improvement policy, and explores the potential causal mechanism. A 15-item scale is designed to measure tourist satisfaction and four constructs are defined. Under the framework of discrete choice modeling, unidimensional and multidimensional data are incorporated as the standard for population segmentation and explanatory variables. The empirical results estimated by three methods basically confirms the proposed hypotheses and indicate that tourist satisfaction has a certain effect on tourist preference of wetland ecotourism and there is significant preference heterogeneity among groups with different satisfaction. Besides, different dimensions of satisfaction have a different effect on tourist preference of wetland ecotourism. This study enriches the studies on non-market value evaluation and preference motivation in the field of ecotourism, because tourist satisfaction may explain some unobserved preference heterogeneity. More effective wetland ecotourism policies can be designed when data on satisfaction are included.
Smoking Habits in Men and Women with Different Perceptions of Social Well-Being: Findings of A Large Population-Based Study
Authors: Masihay-Akbar Hasti , Mehrabi Fahimeh , Mardi Neda , Amiri Parisa , Cheraghi Leila , Eini-Zinab Hassan , Azizi Fereidoun 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background

This study aimed to investigate cigarette and hookah smoking in a population of Eastern-Mediterranean adults in relation to their perceived social well-being (social integration, coherence, acceptance, contribution, and actualization).
Methods

Data of 2592 adults who participated in the 6th phase (2014–2016) of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) was used. After excluding those with missing data (n = 235), 2357 remained for the sex-specific logistic regression to investigate the association between social well-being and current smoking (cigarette and hookah). The final model (model 3) was adjusted for age, marital status, education, occupation, physical activity, and chronic disease history.
Results

Participants' mean age was 46 ± 14 years (45% men). Compared to cigarette and hookah smokers, the mean scores of social well-being and all its dimensions were higher in non-smokers. While in men, cigarette smoking was significantly related to social well-being and all its dimensions, only women with higher social well-being (OR:0.97, CI:0.95–0.99, P:0.001), social integration (OR:0.93, CI:0.87–0.99, P:0.019), and coherence (OR:0.92, CI:0.87–0.98, P:0.013), were further at risk of cigarette smoking. Unlike men, whose hookah smoking was not at all related to their social well-being, women's hookah consumption was associated with social well-being (OR: 0.97, CI:0.95–0.99, P:0.002), social integration and acceptance; one unit increase in the mean scores of social integration and acceptance in women reduced the risk of hookah use by 8%.
Conclusion

Social well-being and tobacco smoking are related, and evident sex differences in this relationship should not be ignored in future tobacco control efforts.
Preeclampsia and Keap1 (rs11085735) variants and lncRNA MEG3 methylation status: Association with lncRNA MEG3 hypermethylation
Authors: Zangeneh Maryam , Heydarian Sara , Seifi Zahra , Kohsari Maryam , Rahimi Zohreh 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background. Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the complications of pregnancy. Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the preeclampsia pathophysiology. The aims of present study were to investigate the role of Keap1 (rs11085735) variants and the methylation status of long non-coding RNA-maternally expressed gene 3 (lncRNA MEG3) in the pathogenesis of PE in a population from Western Iran with Kurdish ethnic background.Results. There was no significant difference in the frequency of Keap1 genotypes comparing 75 patients with PE and 75 women with normal pregnancy. The frequencies of hemi methylated and full methylated lnc-MEG3 were 94 and 6% (P=0.04), respectively in all patients (50 women), 86.4, and 13.6% (P=0.04), respectively in patients with severe preeclampsia and 98 and 0% in controls (50 women). The frequency of full methylated lnc-MEG3 was 14.3% in early-onset and 2.8% in late-onset preeclampsia (P=0.12). The frequency of full methylated lnc-MEG3 was higher in patients with BMI >25 kg/m2 compared to normal weight patients. The PE patients had significantly higher levels of liver biomarkers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin) and significantly lower platelet count than healthy pregnant women. Conclusions. Hypermethylation status of lnc-MEG3 increased in patients with PE compared to controls that could be contributed in the pathogenesis and development of preeclampsia and its severe form. However, Keap1 variants might not be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
The Comparison of Total Bile Acid Concentration and Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activity as Markers of Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Authors: Piechota Joanna , Jelski Wojciech , Orywal Karolina , Mroczko Barbara 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the liver disorder in the second or early third trimester of pregnancy. It is characterized by pruritus with increased serum total bile acids concentration (TBA) and increased liver enzymes. It is important to recognize the disease in its early stage. We aimed to investigate the serum alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and compare it with the concentration of total bile acid (TBA) in women with ICP..Methods: Serum samples were taken from 80 pregnancies with ICP in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and from 80 healthy pregnant women. For measurement of ADH we used the spectrofluorometric and photometric methods. Results: The results shows a statistically significant increase in the activity of ADH I and ADH total (about 60% and 41%, respectively). Activity of ADH I well correlated with aminotransferases (alanine ALT and aspartate AST) and TBA concentration. The total ADH activity was also positively correlated with ALT, AST and TBA. Conclusion: We can state that the activity of class I ADH isoenzyme in the sera of patients with ICP is increased and seems to be a good indicator of liver cell destruction during ICP and is comparable with the value of other markers.
Sequential Therapy of LMWH and Rivaroxaban in the Initial Treatment of Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Xiong Wei , Zhao Yunfeng , Du He , Wang Yanmin , Guo Xuejun , Li Wenjie , Liu Song 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Sequential low molecular weight heparin(LMWH) plus warfarin, LMWH plus edoxaban as well as LMWH plus dabigatran regimens have already showed efficacy and safety in the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism(PE). The efficacy and safety of sequential LMWH plus rivaroxaban regimen in the treatment of PE has been understudied. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to explore the efficacy and safety of sequential therapy regimens of subcutaneous LMWH( nadroparin 4100 IU every 12 hours for a week) followed by oral rivaroxaban(20mg once daily for 3 months) in the management of patients with established acute PE without hemodynamic instability, compared with those of LMWH plus dabigatran as well as LMWH plus warfarin.Results: The number of patients with total resolution of PE were 238(80.1%), 220(78.0%) and 166(62.6%), in the LMWH+rivaroxaban, LMWH+dabigatran, and LMWH+warfarin groups, respectively. (P=0.001) The prevalence of DVT at the 3-month follow-up visit were 18(6.1%), 14(5.0%) and 11(4.2%), in the aforementioned three groups, respectively.(P=0.559) The NT-proBNP level (pg/mL) at the 3-month follow-up visit were 122.5(97.4-158.9) , 131.7(102.2-166.3), and 357.8(275.4-433.2) in three groups, respectively.(P=0.001) The D-dimer level (ng/mL) at the 3-month follow-up visit were 387.3(310.9-465.2) , 432.5(382.4-489.6), and 854.0(721.5-993.7) in three groups, respectively.(P<0.001) The number of patients with major bleeding events were 3(0.9%), 6(1.8%), and 18(5.5%) in three groups, respectively. (P<0.001)Conclusions: The regimen of sequential subcutaneous LMWH for a week followed by oral rivaroxaban at a dose of 20mg once daily for three months is effective and safe in the initial treatment of patients with acute pulmonary embolism.
The Heart of an Endurance Athlete: Impact of and Recovery After an Ultra-Endurance Event.
Authors: Swart Anton , Constantinou Demitri 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Acute bouts of ultra-endurance exercise may cause an acute reduction in cardiac function, causing a physiological cascade which releases cardiac biomarkers. This study set out to determine the cardiac stress and recovery of participation in a three-day ultra-endurance mountain biking event of athletes using heart rate variability (HRV) as an outcome measure. Sixteen healthy participants (male and female) participating in a three-day ultra-endurance mountain biking event underwent a five-minute resting electrocardiography (ECG) recording in a supine position. Heart rate variability measurements were recorded two days before the race (baseline testing), after each race day, and at 24-hour post-event (recovery). Results: Time-domain and frequency domain measures showed significant (p≤0.05) changes from baseline in HRV parameters after each race day. The significant changes in HRV parameters reflected an increase in sympathetic activity after each day of the event. Our data revealed that the mean HR and RR variability variables did not return to baseline value after 24-hours of recovery, reflecting autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and that changes persisted for at least 24-hours post-event.Conclusion: Our study shows that competing in an ultra-endurance mountain bike event led to diminished vagal activity and a decrease in HRV throughout the event and persisted for at least 24-hours post-event. The body was under continuous sympathetic dominance during rest as well as during each day of racing, implying each race day can be considered a physiological stress. This may, in turn, cause a disturbance in homeostasis and an increase in autonomic nervous system dysfunction. This has implications for further research, including dysrhythmia risk, and monitoring of athletes in advising a return to strenuous activity.
Changes in "Natural Antibiotic" Metabolite Composition During Tetraploid Wheat Domestication
Authors: Ben-Abu Yuval , Itsko Mark 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Plants defend themselves by producing toxins and deterrent metabolites. However, it is unclear how the composition and abundance of these natural pesticides have changed over the course of crop-plant domestication. To address this uncertainty, we characterized differences in secondary metabolites, particularly Benzoxazinoids and its derivates, among four lines of tetraploid wheat: wild emmer wheat (WEW), the direct progenitor of modern wheat; non-fragile domesticated emmer wheat (DEW), which was first domesticated about 11,000 years ago; the subsequently developed non-fragile and free-threshing durum landraces (LD); and modern durum (MD) varieties. Mass spectrometry analyses showed that the metabolome of the embryo of the mature kernel was more complex than that of the endosperm. Clear differences were observed among the metabolic profiles of WEW, DEW, and durum (LD + MD); the metabolic profiles of the two durum lines (LD and MD) were similar. Our results indicated that underappreciated classes of metabolites involved in plant defense mechanisms became significantly more abundant during wheat domestication, while other defensive metabolites decreased or were lost. It may be that the use of industrial pesticides has led to the loss of these endogenous defense metabolites. The re-expression of such “lost” metabolites in modern wheat might help to improve crop resistance, while reducing dependence on harmful industrial pesticides. In addition, we detected alterations in antioxidant composition among wheat lines, as well as increases in levels of plant hormones and antibiotic substances in the more modern lines as compared to the more primitive lines. Here, we show how DIMBOA and its derivates change during wheat domestication, and how this change may effect on the domestication of three taxonomic subspecies of tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum).
Occurrence and Anti-Microbial Susceptibility Pattern of Extended Spectrum Beta‑Lactamase Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Governmental Hospitals Wastewater in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Alehegn Amare , Teklu Dejenie Shiferaw , Bedada Tesfaye Legesse , Gobene Degefu Beyene , Tullu Kassu Desta 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background

Worldwide, come out and dissemination of Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Enterobacteriaceae had been warning the efficacy of antibiotics to treat an infection. Hospital Wastewater might be a reservoir of such kind of resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to get information about the occurrence of ESBLs producing and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Enterobacteriaceae in hospital wastewater release from five governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out from April 1 to May 31, 2020. Using a “Grab sampling technique” a total of 100 discrete wastewater samples were collected from each ward/unit wastewater collecting manholes of five governmental hospitals. For isolation and characterization of Enterobacteriaceae a loopful of a well-mixed sample was streaked on to MacConkey agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar (MHA). All Enterobacteriaceae isolates were screened using cefotaxime and ceftazidime for ESBLs production as per CLSI guideline. The ESBLs suspicious were confirmed by a combination disk test (CDT). Data were entered and analyzed by using SPSS version-20.
Result

Of all Enterobacteriaceae the potential and confirmed ESBLs producer were 55.1% (81/147) and 48.3 % (71/147) respectively. The highest ratio of ESBLs- producer Enterobacteriaceae within sampling unit was observed in adult ward (66.7%) and laundry unit effluent (58.8%); in addition, the highest ESBL production was detected from E. coli (21.8%), K. pneumoniae (4.8%) and Citobacter spp. (4.8%). The most elevated resistance level of ESBL producer was observed to cefotaxime (95.8%) and amoxacilline/clavunalate (93%). Furthermore, ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae showed higher co-resistance rates to ciprofloxacine (74.6%) and cotrimoxazole (73.2%). The overall magnitude of MDR isolates were observed in 64% (94/147) of tested Enterobacteriaceae.
Conclusion

In our study MDR and ESBLs producing Enterobacteriaceae was higher in hospital effluents. This indicates a potential risk of disseminating these resistance bacteria and resistant genes to the community if the hospital wastewater discharged without getting appropriate treatment.
Comparison of The Efficacy and Safety of Sedation Protocols With The Use of Dexmedetomidine-Remifentanil and Propofol-Remifentanil During Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defects
Authors: Chen Xiao-Lan , Huang Wen-Hui , Zheng Yi-Han , Zhang Guican 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background

The study was aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of different sedation protocols of dexmedetomidine-remifentanil and propofol-remifentanil for percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) under transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) guidance.
Material and Methods

A total of 64 ASD patients scheduled for percutaneous closure under TTE guidance were randomly allocated into the dexmedetomidine-remifentanil (D-R) group (n = 32) and the propofol-remifentanil (P-R) group (n = 32) for sedation. The incidence of hemodynamic and respiratory adverse events, arterial blood gas analysis, induction and recovery time, pain score, infusion rate of remifentanil, satisfaction of the surgeon and patient, additional sedatives were collected for analysis and comparison.
Results

The induction time was longer in the D-R group than in the P-R group (P < 0.001). No differences were observed in the 2 groups in terms of the additional sedatives, infusion rate of remifentanil, pain score, recovery time (P > 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups regarding the incidence of hemodynamic instability (P > 0.05). Respiratory adverse events and hypercapnia (P < 0.05) were significantly less frequent in the D-R group.
Conclusions

Except for the induction time that was more rapid and the surgeon satisfaction score was higher in the propofol-remifentanil protocol, the efficacy was similar between two sedation protocols. The hemodynamic stability was comparable, the dexmedetomidine-remifentanil protocol had superior airway security since it was associated with fewer hypercapnia and respiratory adverse events.
Iterative Learning Control Based on Sliding Mode Technique for Hybrid Force/Position Control of Robot Manipulators
Authors: Zhang Xinxin , Ding Huafeng , Li Min , Kecskeméthy Andrés 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In this paper, an iterative learning control (ILC) method based on sliding mode technique is proposed for hybrid force/position control of robot manipulators. Different from traditional ILC, the main purpose of the proposed ILC is to learn the dynamic parameters rather than the control signals. The sliding mode technique is applied to enhance the robustness of the proposed ILC method against external disturbances and noise. The switching gain of the sliding mode term is time-varying and learned by ILC such that the chattering is suppressed effectively compared to traditional sliding mode control (SMC). Simulation studies are performed on a two degrees of freedom planar parallel manipulator. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve higher force/position tracking performance than the traditional SMC and ILC.