bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intubation Ergonomics and Effectiveness using Aerosol Box
Authors: Abdull Wahab Shaik Farid , Othman Rohayu , Ismail Ahmad Rasdan 
Published: August 2021

The pandemic COVID-19 has caused a rupture and disturbance in many ecosystems, especially in healthcare. Although previously patients were treated and given first-hand treatment especially during life threatening event, currently, the safety of healthcare workers have also become the utmost priority. Due to the nature of COVID-19 virus that is able to spread easily via respiratory droplets and aerosols, using mouth and eyes as the route of entry, healthcare workers need to protect themselves while saving the patients at the same time. Therefore, the most common lifesaving procedure at accident and emergency department was chosen, i.e. the intubation procedure. The aerosol box is introduced and used widely during the intubation procedure, especially in accident and emergency department. The study has three objectives. First, to determine whether the aerosol box can provide protection to its users, secondly to suggest an improvement based on the current design of the aerosol box and thirdly to determine the risk of musculoskeletal injuries among healthcare workers using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). In this study, direct observation was made during the assessment before suggesting the required recommendation on how to improve the existing aerosol box. The first objective was achieved by conducting a direct observation when participants were conducting the intubation procedure. Any possibility of participants getting exposed to the risk of COVID-19 due to the failure of the box in guarding, was noted by the observer. Recommendation for improvement was made based on these findings, and served the second objective of the study. To achieve the third objective, ergonomics assessment using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) was conducted. REBA scores represent the severity of musculoskeletal risk imposed to healthcare workers during intubation procedure. Two participants took part in the study voluntarily. Results showed that the aerosol box used in this study does not protect healthcare workers from COVID-19. The current design of aerosol box used must be improvised in order to increase its effectiveness. As for body postures, REBA scores were between medium and high, thus it required immediate corrective actions. With modification, the aerosol box may better protect healthcare workers from being exposed to the COVID-19 virus.
Sudden Transition in Anatomy Education: Assessing the Perception of Anatomy Course Delivery among Medical Students during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Abdullah Amira Raudhah , Ku Mohd Nor Ku Mastura , Ngatiman Mohd Hairulhisyam 
Published: August 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has undoubtedly impacted anatomy education. This has led to a vast shift from a face to face (F2F) session to a complete online session and practical demonstration. Nonetheless, this pandemic provides an opportunity for anatomy educationists to embark on an alternative delivery of anatomy education via an online platform. The aim of this study was to evaluate the students’ perception of the online teaching and learning in anatomy course delivery among the first-year medical students in Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). A total of 90 first-year medical students partook in an online questionnaire-based survey after semester completion of online anatomy course delivery. Synchronous online lectures conferred positive responses from the students with 73.0% of the students perceived effective communication with lecturers through the online platform. Out of these, 71.6% inclined towards online lectures as it allows them the flexibility to record the lecture and revisit it. Gross anatomy practical sessions were executed asynchronously via pre-recorded video with an additional supplementary quiz on USIM’s Global Open Access Learning system (GOALS) while histology practical was executed synchronously via virtual slide demonstration. A total of 80.1% students felt convenient with histology practical, however, only 48.3% students responded positively to the gross practical. Overall, 76.4% students favoured the conventional practical compared to the online sessions. Meanwhile, an online examination had disputable responses between the different exam formats whereby 71.9% students perceived that Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) were conducted conveniently contradictory to the Modified Essay Questions (MEQ) in which only 34.9% students responded positively. In addition, 57.3% students disclosed multiple setbacks during the Objective Structures Practical Exam (OSPE). The extensive and impromptu changes in the study technique have received multiple responses from the students. Overall, the students preferred an online platform for didactic sessions but a real live classroom for practical sessions.
Role of omega-3 fatty acids in parenteral nutrition of cancer patients
Authors: Gameeva E. V. , Shestopalov A. E. 
Published: August 2021

Relevance. When selecting the components of parenteral nutrition (PN) for oncology patients, it is necessary to take into account not only the composition optimization but also its potential positive effect on the surgical treatment outcome. Therefore, the use of pharmaconutrients in PN, in particular, omega-3 fatty acids, is of great theoretical and practical interest and has determined the aim of this study.The aim. To assess the effiacy of postoperative PN using the 3-in-1 system with omega-3 fatty acids (FA) (SMOFKabiven central and peripheral) in the treatment of metabolic disorders in patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery.Materials and methods. A prospective, randomized, controlled, comparative study included the patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Group 1 (comparison group) consisted of 29 patients, postoperative PN was performed using a 3-in-1 system without omega-3 fatty acids.Group 2 (main group) consisted of 20 patients treated with 3-in-1 system with omega-3 FA (SMOFKabiven central) and 9 patients recieved PN with omega-3 FA through peripheral vein access FA (SMOFKabiven peripheral).Main results. A complete range of amino acids in SMOFKabiven (50 g/L) and an increased content of nitrogen (8 g/L) have a pronounced effect on protein metabolism and anabolic processes. The long-term PN showed that the liver enzyme (alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], and total bilirubin) levels were signifiantly lower compared to the patients who received traditional lipid emulsions without fih oil. The analysis of the corrective effect of PN containing omega-3 fatty acids showed that at day 6–7 after surgery the group 2 patients had a signifiant decrease in the concentration of pro-inflmmatory cytokines: IL-6 down to 79.5±19.2 pg/mL, TNF-α down to 12.9±3.3 pg/mL (p < 0.05) compared to group 1. Clinical signs of gastrointestinal dysfunction were mainly resolved at day 4–5. Full recovery of the GIT functions was seen in more than 80 % of patients. The anti-inflmmatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as their effect on the cytokine balance recovery, have been confimed in our studies by signifiant reductions in the synthesis of IL-6, TNF.Conclusion. The high content of omega-3 fatty acids in PN promotes early management of metabolic disorders after surgery, can have a signifiant effect on the ability to adequately tolerate the maintenance chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and can signifiantly improve the quality of life under the conditions of progressive disease.
Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of Polystyrene-Degrading Bacteria From the Gut of Galleria Mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae
Authors: Jiang Shan , Su Tingting , Zhao Jingjing , Wang Zhanyong 
Published: August 2021

Polystyrene (PS) is a widely used petroleum-based plastic, that pollutes the environment because it is difficult to degrade. In this study, a PS degrading bacterium identified as Massilia sp. FS1903 was successfully isolated from the gut of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae that were fed with PS foam. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry showed that the structure and morphology of the PS film was destroyed by FS 1903, and that more oxygen appeared on the degraded PS film. A water contact angle assay verified the chemical change of the PS film from initially hydrophobic to hydrophilic after degradation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy further demonstrated that more oxygen-containing functional groups were generated during PS degradation. After 30 days of bacterial stain incubation with 0.15 g PS, 80 ml MSM, 30°C and PS of Mn 64400 and Mw 144400 Da, the weight of the PS film significantly decreased, with 12.97 ± 1.05% weight loss. This amount of degradation exceeds or is comparable to that previously reported for other species of bacteria reported to degrade PS. These results show that Massilia sp. FS1903 can potentially be used to degrade PS waste.
Heteroacene-Based Amphiphile as a Molecular Scaffold for Bioimaging Probes
Authors: Ranathunge Tharindu A. , Yaddehige Mahesh Loku , Varma Jordan H. , Smith Cameron , Nguyen Jay , Owolabi Iyanuoluwani , Kolodziejczyk Wojciech , Hammer Nathan I. , Hill Glake , Flynt Alex , Watkins Davita L. 
Published: August 2021

The challenges faced with current fluorescence imaging agents have motivated us to study two nanostructures based on a hydrophobic dye, 6H-pyrrolo[3,2-b:4,5-b’]bis [1,4]benzothiazine (TRPZ). TRPZ is a heteroacene with a rigid, pi-conjugated structure, multiple reactive sites, and unique spectroscopic properties. Here we coupled TRPZ to a tert-butyl carbamate (BOC) protected 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propanoic acid (bisMPA) dendron via azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition. Deprotection of the protected amine groups on the dendron afforded a cationic terminated amphiphile, TRPZ-bisMPA. TRPZ-bisMPA was nanoprecipitated into water to obtain nanoparticles (NPs) with a hydrodynamic radius that was &lt;150 nm. For comparison, TRPZ-PG was encapsulated in pluronic-F127 (Mw = 12 kD), a polymer surfactant to afford NPs almost twice as large as those formed by TRPZ-bisMPA. Size and stability studies confirm the suitability of the TRPZ-bisMPA NPs for biomedical applications. The photophysical properties of the TRPZ-bisMPA NPs show a quantum yield of 49%, a Stokes shift of 201 nm (0.72 eV) and a lifetime of 6.3 ns in water. Further evidence was provided by cell viability and cellular uptake studies confirming the low cytotoxicity of TRPZ-bisMPA NPs and their potential in bioimaging.
Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis and Asymptomatic Vein Occlusion in Patients With Transvenous Leads: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Duijzer Daniël , de Winter Maria A. , Nijkeuter Mathilde , Tuinenburg Anton E. , Westerink Jan 
Published: August 2021

Aims: The presence of transvenous leads for cardiac device therapy may increase the risk of venous thromboembolisms. The epidemiology of these complications has not yet been determined systematically. Therefore, this study aims to determine (I) the incidence of symptomatic upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) and (II) the prevalence of asymptomatic upper extremity vein occlusion in patients with transvenous leads, both after the initial 2 months following lead implantation.Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched until March 31, 2020 to identify studies reporting incidence of UEDVT and prevalence of asymptomatic vein occlusion after the initial 2 months after implantation in adult patients with transvenous leads. Incidence per 100 patient years of follow-up (PY) and proportions (%) were calculated to derive pooled estimates of incidence and prevalence.Results: Search and selection yielded 20 and 24 studies reporting on UEDVT and asymptomatic vein occlusion, respectively. The overall pooled incidence of UEDVT was 0.9 (95% CI 0.5–1.4) per 100PY after 2 months after lead implantation. High statistical heterogeneity was present among studies (I2 = 82.4%; P = &lt; 0.001) and only three studies considered to be at low risk of bias. The overall pooled prevalence of asymptomatic upper extremity vein occlusion was 8.6% (95% CI 6.0–11.5) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 81.4%; P = &lt;0.001). Meta-regression analysis showed more leads to be associated with a higher risk of UEDVT.Conclusion: Transvenous leads are an important risk factor for symptomatic UEDVT, which may occur up to multiple years after initial lead implantation. Existing data on UEDVT after lead implantation is mostly of poor quality, which emphasizes the need for high quality prospective research. Asymptomatic vein occlusion is present in a substantial proportion of patients and may complicate any future lead addition.Clinical Trial Registration: (URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020178136, Identifier: PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020178136).
Total Demand, Use and Unmet Need for Modern Contraceptives Among Women Living in Informal Settlements in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, Uganda. Implications for Urban Health
Authors: Tetui Moses , Baroudi Mazen , Ssekamatte Tonny , Birabwa Catherine , Kibira Simon Peter , Atuyambe Lynn , Delamou Alexandre , Makumbi Fredrick Edward 
Published: August 2021

Background: Update and utilization of modern contraceptives has public health benefits including reduction of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and related maternal mortality. However, paucity of evidence on key indicators of family planning in the informal settlements abounds. Data are usually collapsed within the larger urban communities that tend to mask peculiarities of informal settlements. This study determined the proportion of women using modern contraceptives, the unmet need for modern contraceptives and the total demand in informal settlements of an urban municipality.Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 626 women in the reproductive age (15–49 years) in the informal settlements of Kira municipality (part of metropolitan Kampala). Multi-stage sampling was applied in the selection of the respondents. Descriptive and log-binomial regression analysis were conducted to determine percentage of women using modern contraceptives, unmet need, and total demand with their associated factors. All analyses were conducted using STATA version 15.0.Results: The total demand for modern contraceptives was 84.9%, modern contraceptive prevalence was 47.4% nearly meeting the national target of 50%, however the unmet need was 37.3%, which much higher than the national target of 10%. Lower total demand for contraceptives was associated with higher women's education status and preference to have another child, while higher total demand was associated with having at least one living child. Higher modern contraceptives use was associated with older age, having at least one living child and high decision-making power, while lower modern contraceptives use was associated with higher education and undetermined fertility preference. Lower unmet need for modern contraceptives was associated with older age (PR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48–0.97) and high decision-making power (PR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.50–0.81), while higher unmet need was found among those who having at least one living child (PR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.01–1.93) and undetermined fertility preference (PR 1.70, 95% CI: 1.24–2.34).Conclusions: Total demand and contraceptive use were found to be higher in the informal settlements of Kira municipality, however, the unmet need was much higher among this population as compared to the national urban estimates. This indicates a much higher demand for contraceptives and the need to consider the diverse socio-demographic characteristics of urban spaces. Development of Interventions need to critically consider the diverse urban space, associated explanatory variables and a collaborative systems lens to achieve sustained improvements.
Thromboinflammation Supports Complement Activation in Cancer Patients With COVID-19
Authors: Peerschke Ellinor I. , Valentino Alisa , So Rachel J. , Shulman Scott , Ravinder   
Published: August 2021

BackgroundCOVID-19 pathology is associated with exuberant inflammation, vascular damage, and activation of coagulation. In addition, complement activation has been described and is linked to disease pathology. However, few studies have been conducted in cancer patients.ObjectiveThis study examined complement activation in response to COVID-19 in the setting of cancer associated thromboinflammation.MethodsMarkers of complement activation (C3a, C5a, sC5b-9) and complement inhibitors (Factor H, C1-Inhibitor) were evaluated in plasma of cancer patients with (n=43) and without (n=43) COVID-19 and stratified based on elevated plasma D-dimer levels (&gt;1.0 μg/ml FEU). Markers of vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and platelet activation (ICAM-1, thrombomodulin, P-selectin) as well as systemic inflammation (pentraxin-3, serum amyloid A, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor) were analyzed to further evaluate the inflammatory response.ResultsIncreases in circulating markers of endothelial cell dysfunction, platelet activation, and systemic inflammation were noted in cancer patients with COVID-19. In contrast, complement activation increased in cancer patients with COVID-19 and elevated D-dimers. This was accompanied by decreased C1-Inhibitor levels in patients with D-dimers &gt; 5 ug/ml FEU.ConclusionComplement activation in cancer patients with COVID-19 is significantly increased in the setting of thromboinflammation. These findings support a link between coagulation and complement cascades in the setting of inflammation.
Research on Improving the Working Current of NbOx-Based Selector by Inserting a Ti Layer
Authors: Liu Chunlei , Ma Guokun , Zeng Junpeng , Tan Qiuyang , Zhang Ziqi , Chen Ao , Liu Nengfan , Wan Houzhao , Wang Baoyuan , Tao Li , Rao Yiheng , Shen Liangping , Wang Hanbin , Zhang Jun , Wang Hao 
Published: August 2021

To achieve the highest possible integration storage density in the V-point structure, the working current of the selector in the one-selection one-resistance (1S1R) structure should match with the resistance random access memory (RRAM). In this study, a selector device is designed with a Ti/NbOx/Ti/Pt structure through the magnetron sputtering method and achieves excellent performance of threshold switching under ultra-large compliance current (CC) up to 100 mA. Furthermore, both the switching voltages and the OFF-state resistance of the device demonstrate excellent stability even when CC is increased to a milliampere level, attributed from the existence of metallic NbO in the switching layer. This study provides evidence that a Ti/NbOx/Ti/Pt device has a great potential to drive RRAM in the V-point structure.
Association Between Antibiotic Treatment of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Reduced Risk of Alzheimer Dementia: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Ou Hsun , Chien Wu-Chien , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Chang Hsin-An , Kao Yu-Chen , Wu Pei-Chuan , Tzeng Nian-Sheng 
Published: August 2021

Background:Chlamydia pneumoniae (CPn) is a common community-acquired pneumonia. In the literature, CPn infection is demonstrated to exhibit an association with Alzheimer dementia (AD). We executed the present nationwide, population-based research with the goal of probing the association of CPn infection and antibiotic therapy with AD risk.Methods: We conducted a cohort study using a database extracted from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). All medical conditions for each enrolled individuals were categorized using the International Classification of Diseases, ninth Revision classifications. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between CPn pneumonia-associated hospitalizations and AD were estimated using Fine and Gray's survival analysis and adjusted for comorbidities. The effects of the antibiotics on the HRs for AD in the patients with CPn pneumonia-associated hospitalization were also analyzed.Results: Our analyses included 6,628 individuals, including 1,657 CPn-infected patients, as well as 4,971 controls matched by age, index date, and sex (1:3). In this study, patients hospitalized for CPn pneumonia exhibited a significantly higher AD risk (adjusted HR = 1.599, 95% CI = 1.284–1.971, p &lt; 0.001). We also noted an association of macrolide use (≥15 days) and fluoroquinolone use (≥15 days) with decreased AD risk.Conclusions: We determined CPn pneumonia to be associated with a relatively high AD risk. The result in this study confirmed the findings from previous literatures, by using a large, nationwide, population-based database. Appropriate macrolide and fluoroquinolone treatment may attenuate this risk.
Prospective Study of a Multimodal Convulsive Seizure Detection Wearable System on Pediatric and Adult Patients in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
Authors: Onorati Francesco , Regalia Giulia , Caborni Chiara , LaFrance W. Curt , Blum Andrew S. , Bidwell Jonathan , De Liso Paola , El Atrache Rima , Loddenkemper Tobias , Mohammadpour-Touserkani Fatemeh , Sarkis Rani A. , Friedman Daniel , Jeschke Jay , Picard Rosalind 
Published: August 2021

Background:Using machine learning to combine wrist accelerometer (ACM) and electrodermal activity (EDA) has been shown effective to detect primarily and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures, here termed as convulsive seizures (CS). A prospective study was conducted for the FDA clearance of an ACM and EDA-based CS-detection device based on a predefined machine learning algorithm. Here we present its performance on pediatric and adult patients in epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs).Methods:Patients diagnosed with epilepsy participated in a prospective multi-center clinical study. Three board-certified neurologists independently labeled CS from video-EEG. The Detection Algorithm was evaluated in terms of Sensitivity and false alarm rate per 24 h-worn (FAR) on all the data and on only periods of rest. Performance were analyzed also applying the Detection Algorithm offline, with a less sensitive but more specific parameters configuration (“Active mode”).Results:Data from 152 patients (429 days) were used for performance evaluation (85 pediatric aged 6–20 years, and 67 adult aged 21–63 years). Thirty-six patients (18 pediatric) experienced a total of 66 CS (35 pediatric). The Sensitivity (corrected for clustered data) was 0.92, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [0.85-1.00] for the pediatric population, not significantly different (p&gt; 0.05) from the adult population's Sensitivity (0.94, CI: [0.89–1.00]). The FAR on the pediatric population was 1.26 (CI: [0.87–1.73]), higher (p&lt; 0.001) than in the adult population (0.57, CI: [0.36–0.81]). Using the Active mode, the FAR decreased by 68% while reducing Sensitivity to 0.95 across the population. During rest periods, the FAR's were 0 for all patients, lower than during activity periods (p&lt; 0.001).Conclusions:Performance complies with FDA's requirements of a lower bound of CI for Sensitivity higher than 0.7 and of a FAR lower than 2, for both age groups. The pediatric FAR was higher than the adult FAR, likely due to higher pediatric activity. The high Sensitivity and precision (having no false alarms) during sleep might help mitigate SUDEP risk by summoning caregiver intervention. The Active mode may be advantageous for some patients, reducing the impact of the FAR on daily life. Future work will examine the performance and usability outside of EMUs.