bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with physical and sexual violence among school-going adolescents in Nepal: Findings from Global School-based Student Health Survey
Authors: Pandey Achyut Raj , Neupane Tamanna , Chalise Binaya , Shrestha Niraj , Chaudhary Sabina , Dhungana Raja Ram , Bista Bihungum 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundGlobally violence is a matter of public health concern with severe physical and mental health implications and social consequences. Evidence suggest that adolescents have an elevated risk of exposure to physical and sexual violence. However, there is a lack of nationally representative research on violence and its associated factors in Nepal to inform interventions. This paper attempts to find the factors associated with various forms of physical and sexual violence among school-going adolescents in Nepal.MethodsWe analysed the cross-sectional data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2015. The GSHS survey applied a two-stage cluster sampling process to select a representative sample of 7 to 11 grade students from 74 schools across the country. We applied logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with physical and sexual violence.ResultsOut of the total 6,529 participants, 45.24% of them faced a physical attack, 39.25% were involved in a physical fight, and 11.65% were victims of sexual violence in the survey administered between 7 August 2015 to 14 March 2016. In a multiple regression analysis, the age of participants, parental supervision, feeling unsafe at school, and the number of close friends were found to be associated with a physical attack. Participants who were bullied, had multiple sex partners, and had received corporal punishment in school had a higher engagement in a physical fight. Likewise, school grade, having parents who understand the problems, having multiple sex partners, and corporal punishment at school were associated with instances of sexual violence.ConclusionThe study identified multiple factors associated with experiences of physical attacks, involvement in a physical fight, and sexual violence among school-going adolescents. This study results can have important implications for school administration, parents, and policymakers alike to plan appropriate anti-violence strategies and interventions. Since various forms of violence share some common risk factors, a comprehensive strategy could be worth considering to prevent such acts of violence.
The association of COVID-19 occurrence and severity with the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor blockers in patients with hypertension
Authors: Li Mingfei , Wang Ying , Ndiwane Ndindam , Orner Michelle B. , Palacios Natalia , Mittler Brant , Berlowitz Dan , Kazis Lewis E. , Xia Weiming 
Published: March 2021

Background
A number of studies have reported the association between the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB) medications and the occurrence or severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Published results are inconclusive, possibly due to differences in participant comorbidities and sociodemographic backgrounds. Since ACEI and ARB are frequently used anti-hypertension medications, we aim to determine whether the use of ACEI and ARB is associated with the occurrence and severity of COVID-19 in a large study of US Veterans with hypertension.

Methods
Data were collected from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Corporate Data Warehouse (VA-COVID-19 Shared Data Resource) between February 28, 2020 and August 18, 2020. Using data from 228,722 Veterans with a history of hypertension who received COVID-19 testing at the VA, we investigated whether the use of ACEI or ARB over the two years prior to the index date was associated with increased odds of (1) a positive COVID-19 test, and (2) a severe outcome (hospitalization, mortality, and use of intensive care unit (ICU) and/or mechanical ventilation) among COVID-19-positive patients. We used logistic regression with and without propensity score weighting (PSW) to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the association between ACEI/ARB use and a positive COVID-19 test result. The association between medication use and COVID-19 outcome severity was examined using multinomial logistic regression comparing participants who were not hospitalized to participants who were hospitalized, were admitted to the ICU, used a mechanical ventilator, or died. All models were adjusted for relevant covariates, including demographics (age, sex, race, ethnicity), selected comorbidities, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

Results
The use of ACEI significantly decreased the odds of a positive COVID-19 test among Veterans with hypertension (OR = 0.917, (0.887, 0.948) and OR = 0.926, (0.894, 0.958) with PSW). The use of ACEI, but not of ARB, was also associated with significantly increased odds of using mechanical ventilators (OR = 1.265, (1.010, 1.584) and OR = 1.210, (1.053, 1.39) with PSW) among all COVID-19 inpatients compared to outpatients.

Conclusions
In this study of Veterans with hypertension, ACEI was significantly associated with decreased odds of testing positive for COVID-19. With the exception of the association of ACEI with a small non-clinically-important increase in the odds of using mechanical ventilators, neither ACEI nor ARB was found to be associated with clinical severity or mortality among COVID-19-positive Veterans. The results of this study need further corroboration and validation in other cohort samples outside the VA.
Local audit of empiric antibiotic therapy in bacteremia: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bai Anthony D. , Irfan Neal , Main Cheryl , El-Helou Philippe , Mertz Dominik 
Published: March 2021

Background
It is unclear if a local audit would be useful in providing guidance on how to improve local practice of empiric antibiotic therapy. We performed an audit of antibiotic therapy in bacteremia to evaluate the proportion and risk factors for inadequate empiric antibiotic coverage.

Methods
This retrospective cohort study included patients with positive blood cultures across 3 hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada during October of 2019. Antibiotic therapy was considered empiric if it was administered within 24 hours after blood culture collection. Adequate coverage was defined as when the isolate from blood culture was tested to be susceptible to the empiric antibiotic. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to predict inadequate empiric coverage. Diagnostic accuracy of a clinical pathway based on patient risk factors was compared to clinician’s decision in predicting which bacteria to empirically cover.

Results
Of 201 bacteremia cases, empiric coverage was inadequate in 56 (27.9%) cases. Risk factors for inadequate empiric coverage included unknown source at initiation of antibiotic therapy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 2.76 95% CI 1.27–6.01, P = 0.010) and prior antibiotic therapy within 90 days (aOR of 2.46 95% CI 1.30–4.74, P = 0.006). A clinical pathway that considered community-associated infection as low risk for Pseudomonas was better at ruling out Pseudomonas bacteremia with a negative likelihood ratio of 0.17 (95% CI 0.03–1.10) compared to clinician’s decision with negative likelihood ratio of 0.34 (95% CI 0.10–1.22).

Conclusions
An audit of antibiotic therapy in bacteremia is feasible and may provide useful feedback on how to locally improve empiric antibiotic therapy.
The Perils and Pitfalls of Esophageal Dysmotility in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Cheah Ramsah , Chirnaksorn Supphamat , Abdelrahim Ahmed H. , Horgan Laura , Capstick Toby , Casey John , Peckham Daniel , Boland Alison , Sutherland Timothy J. T. , Beirne Paul , Lee Augustine S. , DeVault Kenneth R. , Houghton Lesley A. 
Published: March 2021

INTRODUCTION:
Gastroesophageal reflux plays a significant role in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Given the morbidity and mortality associated with IPF, understanding the mechanisms responsible for reflux is essential if patients are to receive optimal treatment and management, especially given the lack of clear benefit of antireflux therapies. Our aim was to understand the inter-relationships between esophageal motility, lung mechanics and reflux (particularly proximal reflux—a prerequisite of aspiration), and pulmonary function in patients with IPF.

METHODS:
We prospectively recruited 35 patients with IPF (aged 53–75 years; 27 men) who underwent high-resolution impedance manometry and 24-hour pH-impedance, together with pulmonary function assessment.

RESULTS:
Twenty-two patients (63%) exhibited dysmotility, 16 (73%) exhibited ineffective esophageal motility (IEM), and 6 (27%) exhibited esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction. Patients with IEM had more severe pulmonary disease (% forced vital capacity: P = 0.032) and more proximal reflux (P = 0.074) than patients with normal motility. In patients with IEM, intrathoracic pressure inversely correlated with the number of proximal events (r = −0.429; P = 0.098). Surprisingly, inspiratory lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) positively correlated with the percentage of reflux events reaching the proximal esophagus (r = 0.583; P = 0.018), whereas in patients with normal motility, it inversely correlated with the bolus exposure time (r = −0.478; P = 0.098) and number of proximal events (r = −0.542; P = 0.056). % forced vital capacity in patients with IEM inversely correlated with the percentage of reflux events reaching the proximal esophagus (r = −0.520; P = 0.039) and inspiratory LESP (r = −0.477; P = 0.062) and positively correlated with intrathoracic pressure (r = 0.633; P = 0.008).

DISCUSSION:
We have shown that pulmonary function is worse in patients with IEM which is associated with more proximal reflux events, the latter correlating with lower intrathoracic pressures and higher LESPs.
Integrative Effects and Vagal Mechanisms of Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation on Gastroesophageal Motility in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Zhang Bo , Hu Yedong , Shi Xiaodan , Li Wenna , Zeng Xin , Liu Fei , Chen Jiande D.Z. , Xie Wei-Fen 
Published: March 2021

INTRODUCTION:
Impaired esophageal and gastric motilities are known to contribute to symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, there is a lack of GERD therapy, targeting both gastric and esophageal functions. This study was designed to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) on symptoms of GERD and gastroesophageal functions and possible mechanisms in patients with GERD.

METHODS:
Thirty patients with GERD with ineffective esophageal motility were equally divided and randomized into a 4-week sham-TEA or 4-week TEA treatment. The GERD questionnaire (GerdQ), GERD health-related quality-of-life questionnaire, high-resolution esophageal manometry, a nutrient drink test, the electrogastrogram, and ECG were performed to assess the severity of reflux symptoms, low esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, distal contractile integral (DCI), gastric accommodation, gastric slow waves (GSW), and autonomic functions, respectively.

RESULTS:
Compared with sham-TEA, the 4-week TEA treatment significantly decreased the GerdQ score (P = 0.011) and GERD health-related quality of life (P = 0.028) and improved nutrient drink–induced fullness (P < 0.001) and belching (P < 0.001) in patients with GERD. Although only acute TEA significantly enhanced LES pressure (P < 0.05), both acute and chronic TEA remarkedly increased DCI (P < 0.05) and reduced the incidence of ineffective esophageal contractions during wet swallows (P = 0.02). In addition, chronic TEA significantly increased gastric accommodation and the percentage of postprandial normal GSW compared with sham-TEA and baseline. Concurrently, TEA-enhanced vagal activity (P = 0.02) and the vagal activity positively correlated with LES pressure (r = 0.528; P = 0.003) and DCI (r = 0.522; P = 0.003).

DISCUSSION:
The TEA treatment performed in this study improves reflux-related symptoms, increases DCI, reduces the incidence of ineffective esophageal contractions during wet swallows, and improves gastric accommodation and slow waves. The improvement in GERD symptoms might be attributed to the integrative effects of TEA on these gastroesophageal functions mediated via the vagal mechanism.
Uso de herramientas predictivas en el manejo de pacientes COVID-19: el papel fundamental de los laboratorios clínicos
Authors: Martín Grau Carla , Benavent Bofill Clara , Picó-Plana Ester , Recio Comí Gemma , Terrón-Puig Margarida , Bastón Paz Natalia , Sans Mateu MaTeresa , Gutiérrez Fornés Cristina 
Published: March 2021

Resumen

Objetivos
La enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) se ha extendido por todo el mundo, representando una grave amenaza para la salud mundial. En la lucha contra esta pandemia, los hospitales provinciales necesitan diagnosticar rápidamente a los pacientes con COVID-19 para evitar colapsar los servicios de urgencias. Sin embargo, la elevada demanda de pacientes con síntomas respiratorios agudos impide el envío rápido de los resultados de la prueba de referencia la rRT-PCR, para la identificación de neumonía por COVID-19-positiva. El objetivo principal de este artículo es la identificación de indicadores clínicos útiles para complementar las pruebas rRT-PCR y ayudar a controlar este brote.

Métodos
Se analizaron parámetros hemáticos, de coagulación e inflamatorios en 309 pacientes con resultados de rRT-PCR negativos (128) y positivos (181). Se clasificó como positivos a aquellos pacientes con una prueba diagnóstica molecular positiva.

Resultados
Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el recuento de leucocitos (WBC), recuento de neutrófilos, recuento de linfocitos y lactato deshidrogenasa (LDH). El cociente LDH/WBC aumenta el rendimiento diagnóstico, habiendo mostrado la mejor AUC (0,783) y sensibilidad (82%) así como el mejor porcentaje (80,5%) de pacientes COVID-19 correctamente identificados.

Conclusiones
La combinación del cociente LDH/WBC junto con las características clínicas de la enfermedad podría resultar útil en el manejo de los pacientes y mejorar los recursos técnicos de los hospitales, especialmente en un escenario crítico en el que escasean los equipos y reactivos necesarios para realizar las rRT-PCR.
Skepticism and Credulity: A Model and Applications to Political Spin, Belief Formation, and Decision Weights
Authors: Campbell James David 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this paper I model a decision maker who forms beliefs and opinions using a dialectic heuristic that depends on their degree of skepticism or credulity. In an application to political spin, two competing parties choose how to frame commonly observed evidence. If the receiver is sufficiently credulous, equilibrium spin is maximally extreme and generates short, superficial news cycles. When receivers vary in their skepticism, there is partisan sorting by skepticism parameter: the more credulous group systematically favors one party and displays hostility to evidence and a media they see as biased. In behavioral applications in which the frames arise from the decision maker’s internal deliberation, a decision maker with the same credulous nature would display known behavioral anomalies in forming beliefs and forming decision weights from stated probabilities. The dialectic model therefore captures a simple psychological mechanism and matches closely some stylized facts across these three disparate applications.
Elucidating the anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing potential of selenocystine against respiratory tract infections causing bacteria: in vitro and in silico studies
Authors: Patel Bharti , Mishra Subrata , Priyadarsini Indira K. , Vavilala Sirisha L. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Bacteria are increasingly relying on biofilms to develop resistance to antibiotics thereby resulting in their failure in treating many infections. In spite of continuous research on many synthetic and natural compounds, ideal anti-biofilm molecule is still not found thereby warranting search for new class of molecules. The current study focuses on exploring anti-biofilm potential of selenocystine against respiratory tract infection (RTI)-causing bacteria. Anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm assays demonstrated that selenocystine inhibits the growth of bacteria in their planktonic state, and formation of biofilms while eradicating preformed-biofilm effectively. Selenocystine at a MIC50 as low as 42 and 28 μg/mL effectively inhibited the growth of Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial effect is further reconfirmed by agar cup diffusion assay and growth-kill assay. Selenocystine showed 30–60% inhibition of biofilm formation in K. pneumonia, and 44–70% in P. aeruginosa respectively. It also distorted the preformed-biofilms by degrading the eDNA component of the Extracellular Polymeric Substance matrix. Molecular docking studies of selenocystine with quorum sensing specific proteins clearly showed that through the carboxylic acid moiety it interacts and inhibits the protein function, thereby confirming its anti-biofilm potential. With further validation selenocystine can be explored as a potential candidate for the treatment of RTIs.
Optimization and kinetic studies on cationic dye adsorption using textile yarn waste/Multiwall carbon nanotube nanofibrous composites
Authors: Swaminathan Subramanian , Imayathamizhan Nallammal Muthupaiyan , Muthumanickam Andiyappan , Moorthi Pooncholai 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Polyacrylonitrile yarn hard waste and multiwall carbon nano-tubes nanofibrous mat was prepared by the electrospinning technique. The nanofibrous composite mats were characterized using thermo-gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FT-Raman, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Adsorption studies were conducted with various physical and chemical parameters such as contact time, solution pH and initial dye concentration. The maximum methylene blue dye removal efficiency of nanofibrous composite was found to be 73.4%at optimized pH 10. The pseudo-second order kinetics and Freundlich isotherm are suitable for methylene blue dye adsorption of nanofibrous composite.
Carvedilol improves heart rate variability indices, biomarkers but not cardiac nerve density in streptozotocin-induced T2DM model of diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy
Authors: Akinlade Olawale Mathias , Owoyele Bamidele , Soladoye Olufemi Ayodele 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Objectives
There has been increasing recognition of the significant relationship between the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular sequel in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (DCAN) still poses a treatment challenge in the clinical settings despite several research interventions. This study was designed to investigate the effect of carvedilol on experimentally induced DCAN in type 2 DM rat model.

Methods
DCAN was induced in 42 Wistar rats using high fat diet (HFD) for eight weeks, thereafter streptozotocin (STZ) at 25 mg/kg daily for five days. DCAN features were then assessed using non-invasive time and frequency varying holter electrocardiogram (ECG), invasive biomarkers, cardiac histology and cardiac nerve density.

Results
Carvedilol significantly ameliorated the effects of DCAN on noradrenaline (p=0.010) and advanced glycated end products (AGEs) (p<0.0001). Similarly, carvedilol reversed the reduction in levels of antioxidants, sorbitol dehydrogenase (SD) activity (p=0.009) nerve growth factors (p<0.0001) and choline acetyl-transferase (p=0.031) following DCAN induction. Furthermore, heart rate variability (HRV) indices which were also reduced with DCAN induction were also ameliorated by carvedilol. However, carvedilol had no significant effect on cardiac neuronal dystrophy and reduced cardiac nerve densities.

Conclusions
Carvedilol improves physiological HRV indices and biomarkers but not structural lesions. Early detection of DCAN and intervention with carvedilol may prevent progression of autonomic neurologic sequel.
Causal analysis of fetal death in high-risk pregnancies
Authors: Aguinaga Mónica , Valdespino Yolotzin , Medina Daniela , Espino y Sosa Salvador , Sevilla Rosalba , Miranda Osvaldo , Acevedo Sandra , Monroy Irma E. , Helguera Addy C. , Pérez Javier , Mariscal Luisa F. , Murillo Mauricio R. , Lara Rosa M. , Armijos Jessica C. , Rogel Gabriela , Cardona Jorge A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Objectives
To determine the causes of fetal death among the stillbirths using two classification systems from 22 weeks of gestation in a period of three years in high-risk pregnancies. This is a retrospective observational study.

Methods
The National Institute of Perinatal Health in Mexico City is a Level 3 care referral center attending high-risk pregnancies from throughout the country. The population consisted of patients with fetal death during a three-year period. Between January 2016 and December 2018, all stillbirths were examined in the Pathology Department by a pathologist and a medical geneticist. Stillbirth was defined as a fetal death occurring after 22 weeks of gestation.

Results
Main outcome measures: Causal analysis of fetal death using the International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems-Perinatal Mortality (ICD-PM) and initial causes of fetal death (INCODE) classification systems. A total of 297 stillborn neonates were studied. The distribution of gestational age in antepartum stillbirths (55.2%) showed a bimodal curve, 36% occurred between 24 and 27 weeks and 32% between 32 and 36 weeks. In comparison, the majority (86%) of intrapartum deaths (44.8%) were less than 28 weeks of gestation. Of the 273 women enrolled, 93 (34%) consented to a complete fetal autopsy. The INCODE system showed a present cause in 42%, a possible cause in 54% and a probable cause in 93% of patients.

Conclusions
The principal causes of antepartum death were fetal abnormalities and pathologic placental conditions and the principal causes of intrapartum death were complications of pregnancy which caused a premature labor and infections.
Aktivität und Passivität des endlichen Seienden
Authors: Jahae Raymond 
Published: March 2021

Zusammenfassung
Ein Stein des Anstoßes im christlichen Denken über den Menschen ist die Lehre, dass er für sein Heil, ja sogar für seinen guten Willen restlos von Gott abhängig ist. Der vorliegende Artikel versucht diese Lehre philosophisch plausibel zu machen. Dazu wird zunächst aufgewiesen, dass die Welt und das, was in ihr geschieht, nicht von den Naturwissenschaften, sondern nur von der Theologie her erklärt werden können. Sodann wird gezeigt, dass auch die gewollte Tätigkeit des Menschen, auch und gerade die vollends gelungene, gewissermaßen sich ihm zum Trotz und in Abhängigkeit von Gott vollzieht. Schließlich wird die These von der Fremdbestimmtheit des Menschen sowohl im Guten als auch im Bösen durch philosophische Reflexion auf die Konstitution des menschlichen Subjekts untermauert. Seine Aktivität ist von je größerer Passivität umfangen. Da es sich im Kern seiner selbst seiner Macht entzieht, ist es für sein Heil auf Gottes Gnade angewiesen.
Sakrament als ein In-Erscheinung-Treten der Gabe des Lebens
Authors: Held Marcus 
Published: March 2021

Zusammenfassung
Ausgehend von der „Krise des Sakramentalen“ wird vorgeschlagen, das „Wie“ des Sakramentes, nicht das „Was“ neu zu erschließen. Dazu werden zunächst Grundzüge der Lebensphänomenologie von Michel Henry rekonstruiert, um anschließend Überlegungen im Versuch einer hermeneutisch-epistemologischen Anwendung das „Wie“ des Sakramentes als das In-Erscheinung-Treten des absoluten Lebens zu erschließen. Sakramente können damit als das In-Erscheinung-Tretens des Stiftungsereignisses des absoluten Lebens gedacht werden.