bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causes for diarrhoea and infection with intestinal parasites among HIV positive patients at a referral hospital in Central Ethiopia
Authors: Mesfun Million Getachew , Fuchs Andre , Holtfreter Martha Charlotte , Feldt Torsten , Häussinger Dieter 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background:
Intestinal parasitic infections are a major public health challenge in many tropical countries. Opportunistic intestinal coccidia such as Cryptosporidia, Cytoisospora or Cyclospora species are common pathogens which are regularly missed using widely practiced wet mount stool microscopy techniques. Therefore, treatment choices are limited and mostly rely on empirical use of cotrimoxazole. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among HIV-infected individuals with and without diarrhoea at the Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital in Ethiopia.

Methods:
This institution-based cross sectional study was conducted among 163 ambulatory HIV-infected patients with and without diarrhoea. Stool samples were processed for both wet mount and Kinyoun stain. EDTA blood was collected for analysis of CD4 cell count using BD FACSCount™ Flow Cytometer. Sociodemographic and behavioural data was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis.

Results:
The majority of study participants (62.0%, n=101) were female and the mean age was 38.2 (SD +10.7) years. 52.1% (n=85) of the participants suffered from diarrhoea. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in the study population was 18.4% (n=30). Protozoa (Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica, G. lamblia and Pentatrichomonas hominis) and helminths (Taenia spp., A. lumbricoides, S. stercoralis, T. trichuria and H. nana) were detected in 12.9% (n=21) and 5.5% (n=9) of patients, respectively. The likelihood for having a parasitic infection was more than eight times higher in participants having diarrhoea. No oocysts of coccidian parasites were detected in the routinely performed wet mount stool microscopy, as expected.

Conclusions:
There was a high prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasitic infection in the studied population. Considering the clinical relevance of opportunistic infections particularly in individuals with low CD4 cell count and diarrhoea, the implementation of both stool concentration and modified acid fast staining techniques should be considered to enhance the quality of health care service for HIV-infected patients in resource-limited settings as Ethiopia.
Analysis of responder-based endpoints: improving power through utilising continuous components
Authors: Wason James , McMenamin Martina , Dodd Susanna 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Clinical trials and other studies commonly assess effectiveness of an intervention through use of responder-based endpoints. These classify patients based on whether they meet a number of criteria which often involve continuous variables categorised as being above or below a threshold. The proportion of patients who are responders is estimated and, where relevant, compared between groups. An alternative method called the augmented binary method keeps the definition of the endpoint the same but utilises information contained within the continuous component to increase the power considerably (equivalent to increasing the sample size by >30%). In this article we summarise the method and investigate the variety of clinical conditions that use endpoints to which it could be applied.

Methods

We reviewed a database of physiological and mortality trial endpoints recommended for collection in clinical trials of different disorders. We identified responder-based endpoints where the augmented binary method would be useful for increasing power.

Results

We identified 68 new clinical areas where endpoints were used that would be more efficiently analysed using the augmented binary method.

Conclusions

The augmented binary method can potentially provide large benefits in a vast array of clinical areas. Further methodological development is needed to account for some types of endpoint.
Short-term probiotic augmentation in depression treatment: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Schweinfurth Nina , Kettelhack Cedric , Mählmann Laura , Brand Serge , Beglinger Christoph , Borgwardt Stefan J , Lang Undine E. , Schmidt André 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

There is urgent need to develop novel augmentation options for improving inadequate response to antidepressants. Emerging evidence showed that the composition of the gut microbiota is altered in patients with depression and related to their symptoms, suggesting that restoring microbial composition may constitute a promising strategy in depression treatment. This protocol introduces a study design to test the effectiveness of a short-term probiotic augmentation therapy in patients with a current depressive episode.

Methods

Using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation will be examined in 60 patients with current severe depressive episodes (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale > 24). Patients will be randomly assigned either to a 4-weeks probiotic or placebo treatment. Assessments will take place at baseline (pre-intervention), at 4 weeks (post-intervention) and at 8 weeks (follow-up) of the study program. The primary study outcome will be depressive symptoms as measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (experts’ ratings), while secondary outcomes include immune signalling and inflammatory processes, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses, neurogenesis, the release of appetite-regulating hormones, the composition of gut microbiota, sleep quality, physical activity and multimodal neuroimaging.

Discussion

In search for augmentation strategies in depression treatment, this protocol describes a study design to test the effectiveness of a short-term probiotic augmentation therapy in patients with major depressive disorders. We also suggest the assessment of comprehensive secondary outcomes to determine biomarkers for personalized treatment responses and the development of more efficient microbial interventions in major depressive disorders.
Point-of-care ultrasound defines gastric content in elective surgical patients with diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhou Li , Yang Yi , Yang Lei , Cao Wei , Jing Heng , Xu Yan , Jiang Xiaojuan , Xu Danfeng , Xiao Qianhui , Jiang Chunling , Bo Lulong 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background Delayed gastric emptying and the resultant “full stomach” is the most important risk factor for perioperative pulmonary aspiration. Using point-of-care gastric sonography, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of full stomach and its risk factors in elective surgical patients with diabetes mellitus.
Methods Diabetic and non-diabetic elective surgical patients were included from July 2017 to April 2018 in a 1:1 ratio. Gastric ultrasound was performed 2h after ingesting clear fluid or 6h after a light meal. Full stomach was defined by the presence of gastric content in both semi-recumbent and right lateral decubitus positions. For patients with full or intermediate stomach, consecutive ultrasound scan was performed until empty stomach was detected. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with full stomach.
Results Fifty-two diabetic and fifty non-diabetic patients were analyzed. The prevalence of full stomach was 48.1% (25/52) in diabetic patients, with 44.0% for 2-hour fast after clear fluid and 51.9% for 6-hour fast after a light meal, significantly higher than 8% (4/50) in non-diabetic patients (P=0.000). The average time to empty stomach in diabetic patients was 146.50±40.91 mins for clear liquid and 426.50±45.25 mins for light meal, respectively. Further analysis indicated that presence of diabetes-related eye disease was an independent risk factor of full stomach in diabetic patients (OR=4.83, P=0.010).
Conclusions Almost half of diabetic patients have a full stomach following the current preoperative fasting guideline. Preoperative ultrasound assessment of gastric content in diabetic patients is recommended, especially for those with diabetes mellitus-related eye disease.
Key words: diabetes mellitus; gastric emptying; regurgitation and aspiration; ultrasonography
Determinants of child size at birth and associated maternal factor in Gurage zone: Application of ordinal logistic regression analysis
Authors: Alemayehu Gedif Mulat , Chernet Ayele Gebeyehu , Dumga kassahun Truha 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background
Birth weight plays an important role in infant mortality and morbidity, child development, and future health of the child. Weight at birth is directly influenced by general level of health status of the mother. As the Gurage zone health office reports birth weight is one of the critical issues in Gugare zone that causes many babies short- term and long-term health consequences and tend to have higher mortality and morbidity. This study examined and identified the determinants of weight of children at birth in Gurage zone based on primary collected survey data by using ordinal logistic regression.

Methods :The survey or the information has been collected on a total of 735,109 reproductive mothers in Gurage zone. Children with age less than 59 months have been considered on this study and from 735,109 reproductive mothers 897 were selected. Ordinal logistic regression techniques used for data analysis using maternal and socio- demographic variables as explanatory variables and size of a baby’s at birth as the response variable and statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 23 was used for data analysis purpose.

Result:According to our study, from the sampled children, 30.1%, 44.4% and 25.5% are small in size, medium in size and large in size, respectively. Maternal related variable were statistically significant like uneducated mother (β=0.26,p=0.013), mothers who get antenatal visit care 2-3 times (β=-0.210,p=0.10), source of drinking water (β=0.844,p=0.000) and malaria affected mothers (β=0.344,p=0.000)

Conclusions: children from Rural mothers, uneducated families, mothers who did not get more antenatal care visits, poor families, mothers who drink non -improved water, mothers who are affected by malaria during pregnancy, teenager mothers are small in size at birth or they are not normal at birth. Mothers’ pregnancy problem and small size of children at birth are directly related.
Anais I COMAC - I Congresso Médico-Acadêmico UFMS/CPTL
Authors: Luchesi Bruna Moretti , Oda Julie Massayo Maeda , Macedo Carlos Eduardo , Pequito Danielle Cristina Tonello , Balderrama Priscila , Moura Fé Vivielle Veloso de , Batista Lorena , Vicente Ana Carolina Figueiredo , Godas André Gustavo de Lima , Oliveira Mirian Daiane de , Nogueira Thalyta 
Published: July 2019

Caro Leitor(a)O I Congresso Médico Acadêmico (COMAC) foi planejado e organizado pelo Centro Acadêmico de Medicina Dercir Pedro de Oliveira (CAMDPO) da Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, campus de Três Lagoas. O congresso teve como objetivo principal promover uma semana rica em atividades capazes de expandir e atualizar o conhecimento em assuntos relevantes da área da saúde. O período contou com a presença de figuras ilustres nas seguintes áreas: Pediatria, Oncologia, Endocrinologia, Gastroenterologia, Medicina Intensiva e Cardiologia. Além de palestras, a programação contou com mesas redondas, workshops e apresentação de trabalhos científicos. O 2nd International Workshop of Medicine, com o tema “CIRURGIA CARDÍACA E COMPLICAÇÕES NA SÍNDROME CORONARIANA AGUDA” trouxe-nos o nosso convidado internacional o Dr Rafael Otto Schneidewind, teuto-brasileiro, com residência em Cirurgia Cardiovascular na Alemanha (Hospital Herzzentrum Wuppertal) e especialização em Assistência Circulatória Mecânica (Ventrículo Artificial e ECMO) pela Universitäts Klinikum Freiburg.O I Congresso Médico Acadêmico proporcionou, assim, o incentivo à pesquisa e ao intercâmbio de conhecimentos.A Comissão Organizadora agradece a presença de todos que estiveram neste evento de grande sucesso. Comissão Organizadora I COMAC - I Congresso Médico Acadêmico CPTL/FMS
Design and performance of a coarse media, high hydraulic load polishing wetland for steel industry wastewater
Authors: Nguyen Viet Anh , Nguyen Minh Phuong , Tonderski Karin , Thi Hai Do , Thi Kim Bui Anh 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
This paper presents the design of a constructed wetland (CW) system in an area with limited land availability, resulting in high hydraulic loads. The CW was constructed to act as a buffering/ polishing step after stabilization ponds for steel industry wastewater post-treatment. A pilot test with two different filter media (50–100mm vs 40–60mm diameter) indicated that a flow rate increase from 49.5 m3/h to 122.4 m3/h would lead to a head loss increase from 2.9cm to 8.7cm, and more than double that for the finer gravel. This was substantially higher than the calculated theoretical values, though the relation with flow rate was similar. Four full scale wetland cells (CW1, CW2, CW3 and CW4) were constructed using the coarser gravel. A design value of total head loss of 1.01m over the total system length, with a design flow of 36,000 m3/day, was expected based on pilot test results. During the first operation year (September 2017 to July 2018), the pond-CW system has received wastewater already meeting required discharge standards. The effluent from the CWs had consistently lower concentrations of all measured variables, and met the predicted values for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total nitrogen (TN) and NH4+-N. Highest removal efficiencies were achieved for NH4+-N (&gt;90%), Mn (&gt;60%) and Fe (45%) with removal efficiencies for TN (14%), BOD5 and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (around 30%). Concentrations of phenol, CN− and Cr6+ were below 10, 4 and 3μg/l, respectively, in in- and outflows. An appreciated benefit of the wetland was the ‘green element’ in the industrial landscape.
Economic assessment of aerated constructed treatment wetlands using whole life costing
Authors: Freeman A. I. , Widdowson S. , Murphy C. , Cooper D. J. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
There is increasing pressure on water treatment practitioners to demonstrate and deliver best value and sustainability for the end user. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the sustainability and economics, using whole life costing, of wastewater treatment technologies used in small community wastewater treatment works (WwTW) of &lt;2,000 population equivalent (PE). Three comparable wastewater treatment technologies – a saturated vertical flow (SVF) aerated wetland, a submerged aerated filter (SAF) and a rotating biological contactor (RBC) – were compared using whole life cost (WLC) assessment. The study demonstrates that the CAPEX of a technology or asset is only a small proportion of the WLC throughout its operational life. For example, the CAPEX of the SVF aerated wetland scenario presented here is up to 74% (mean = 66 ± 6%) less than the cumulative WLC throughout a 40-year operational time scale, which demonstrates that when comparing technology economics, the most cost-effective solution is one that considers both CAPEX and OPEX. The WLC assessment results indicate that over 40 years, the SVF aerated wetland and RBC technologies have comparable net present value (NPV) WLCs which are significantly below those identified for submerged aerated filter systems (SAF) for treatment of wastewater from communities of &lt;1,000PE. For systems designed to treat wastewater from communities of &gt;1,000PE, the SVF aerated wetland was more economical over 40 years, followed by the RBC and then the SAF. The aerated wetland technology can therefore potentially deliver long-term cost benefits and reduced payback periods compared to alternative treatment technologies for treating wastewater from small communities.
Reduction of scum accumulation through the addition of low-cost enzymatic extract in the feeding of high-rate anaerobic reactor
Authors: Soares Juliana Lemos , Cammarota Magali Christe , Gutarra Melissa Limoeiro Estrada , Volschan Isaac 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis work evaluates the reduction of scum accumulation on the top surface of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors by the addition of hydrolytic enzymes in their feed. For over 1 year, two UASB reactors of 1.4 L were maintained at 30 °C and continuously fed with synthetic domestic wastewater (containing 150 mg/L of soybean oil) under a hydraulic retention time of 10 h. The Control reactor was only fed with synthetic wastewater. Beginning at the 226th day of operation, low-cost hydrolytic enzymes (obtained by solid-state fermentation of Aspergillus terreus, a fungus isolated from a primary sewage sludge) were added into the feed of the other reactor (Test) for a lipase activity of 24 U/L, considerably reducing the formation of scum. In the Test reactor, the scum showed oil and grease (O&G) concentration between 0.8 and 1.3 g/L and an accumulation rate of 20 to 27 mg O&G/d. In the Control reactor, the scum had values twice as high (1.5–2.5 g/L and 34–51 mg O&G/d, respectively) and there were more operational problems. During the entire period of operation, both reactors presented high chemical oxygen demand removal (&gt;80%), with no loss of effluent quality due to the addition of the enzymes.
Optimization and Application of Reciprocating Direct-Drive Electric Submersible Plunger Pump Lifting System in the Xinjiang Oilfield
Authors: Lei Derong , Huang Xiaodong , Zhang Hui , Yao Mancang , Chen Ruixiang , Liu Junrong 
Published: July 2019

Background:
A reciprocating direct-drive electric submersible plunger pump (RDD-ESPP) lifting system is an innovative rodless lifting method, which uses a downhole linear motor to directly drive the plunger pump to lift the fluid. This method effectively overcomes the problems encountered in a conventional sucker rod pumping system, such as severe eccentric wear between the sucker rod and the tubing, higher energy consumption and frequent pump maintenance.

Objective:
In this manuscript, the objective is to propose a methodology on optimizing the working parameters of RDD-ESPP lifting system and validate the theory with field case.

Methods and Results:
Mathematical models for the wellbore temperature distribution, lifting load, pump efficiency, system efficiency and tubing strength validation are established. A selection process for the optimal working parameters is proposed, and a parameter sensitivity analysis is implemented. The results show that pump efficiency is largely affected by gas and leakage, and there are reasonable pump submergence depths in oil wells for different produced gas-to-oil ratios. A field application test in a low-production well resulted in a 33.5% power savings rate and 41.6% improvement in the pump efficiency.

Conclusion:
RDD-ESPP lifting system has a promosing potential on power savings and consumption reduction compared with conventional sucker rod pumping system.
Simulation of Pressure Head and Chlorine Decay in a Water Distribution Network: A Case Study
Authors: Alsaydalani M. O. A. 
Published: July 2019

Background:
The main issue in the operation of water distribution systems arises from the pressure deficiency resulting from events such as loss from leaks and bursts and loss of hydraulic capacity due to deterioration of aging water pipes. Such conditions affect the hydraulic performance of the system and the quality of water.

Objective
This paper investigates the hydraulic and water quality behavior of a selected water distribution network in Makkah city using the EPANET software.

Methodology:
The system was simulated under different hydraulic conditions including a loss of hydraulic capacity with pipe age and the presence of 30% leakage in the network over varying time conditions by employing extended period simulation models.

Results and Conclusion:
The results show that increasing pipe roughness with pipe age resulted in significantly low-pressure heads at the end of the network-particularly during peak demand hours. It also resulted in an increase in the rate of chlorine decay. Leakage in the network significantly affects the pressure head, resulting in pressure deficiency at some points in the network to below the minimum requirement during regular operation. The highest leakage rate occurs at periods of low demand where the pressure head in the network is high.
Application of ANN Predictive Model for the Design of Batch Adsorbers - Equilibrium Simulation of Cr(VI) Adsorption onto Activated Carbon
Authors: Sutherland Clint , Chittoo Beverly S. , Venkobachar Chintanapalli 
Published: July 2019

Background:
Escalation of industrial processes continues to increase the concentrations of Cr(VI) in wastewater above permissible discharge limits. Persistent exposure to Cr(VI)may result in deleterious effects on human health, aquatic life, and the environment. Laboratory-scale adsorption studies have proven effective in achieving the low treatment levels demanded by statutory authorities. The eventual design of the pilot and full-scale systems hinges on the ability to predict adsorption behavior mathematically.

Objective:
The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanism of Cr(VI) adsorption and to develop an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model capable of accurately simulating complex multi-layered adsorption processes.

Methods:
Batch equilibrium experiments were conducted for the removal of Cr(VI) by activated carbon. Conventional two and three-parameter equilibrium models such as the Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, original BET and modified BET were used to simulate the data and expound the mechanism of adsorption. An ANN model was constructed with the built-in effect of the residual Cr(VI) concentration for the prediction of the equilibrium sorption capacity.

Results:
The modified BET model was most successful at predicting the monolayer coverage. However, the model failed to capture the complex shape of the isotherm at higher initial concentrations. The highest correlation to the equilibrium data was revealed by the ANN model (R2 = 0.9984).

Conclusion:
A batch adsorber was successfully designed using mass balance, and incorporating the predictive ability of the ANN model. In spite of the ANN’s ability to simulate the adsorption process, it provides little insight into the mechanism of adsorption. However, its ability to accurately predict Cr(VI) removal enables the up-scaling of the adsorption processes to pilot and full-scale design.
maGUI: A Graphical User Interface for Analysis and Annotation of DNA Microarray Data
Authors: Bharne Dhammapal , Kant Praveen , Vindal Vaibhav 
Published: July 2019

Summary:
maGUI is a graphical user interface designed to analyze microarray data produced from experiments performed on various platforms such as Affymetrix, Agilent, Illumina, and Nimblegen and so on, automatically. It follows an integrated workflow for pre-processing and analysis of the microarray data. The user may proceed from loading of microarray data to normalization, quality check, filtering, differential gene expression, principal component analysis, clustering and classification. It also provides miscellaneous applications such as gene set test and enrichment analysis for identifying gene symbols using Bioconductor packages. Further, the user can build a co-expression network for differentially expressed genes. Tables and figures generated during the analysis can be viewed and exported to local disks. The graphical user interface is very friendly especially for the biologists to perform the most microarray data analyses and annotations without much need of learning R command line programming.

Availability and Implementation:
maGUI is an R package which can be downloaded freely from Comprehensive R Archive Network resource. It can be installed in any R environment with version 3.0.2 or above.