bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Personal Social Capital and Self-Rated Health among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Cross-sectional Study Exploring the Roles of Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Kim Youngdeok , Schneider Tim , Faß Eric , Lochbaum Marc 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Personal social capital, which refers to the scope and quality of an individual’s social networks within a community, has received increasing attention as a potential sociological factor associated with better individual health; yet, the mechanism relating social capital to health is still not fully understood. This study examined the associations between social capital and self-rated health while exploring the roles of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and socioeconomic status (SES) among middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 662 middle-aged and older adults (Mean age: 58.11±10.59 years old) using the Qualtrics survey panel. Personal Social Capital Scale was used to measure bonding and bridging social capital and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess LTPA levels. SES was assessed by education and household income levels. Self-rated health was assessed using a single item, by which the participants were categorized into the two groups, having ‘good’ vs. ‘not good’ self-rated health. A series of univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were established to examine the independent and adjusted associations of social capital with self-rated health and to test mediating and moderating roles of LTPA and SES, respectively.Results: Bonding and bridging social capital were positively associated with self-rated health (Odds ratios = 1.11 and 1.09; P’s <.05, respectively), independent of LTPA that was also significantly associated with greater self-rated health (P-for-linear trends = .007). After adjusting SES, the associations of social capital were significantly attenuated and there was a significant interaction effect by household income (P-for-interaction = .012). Follow-up analyses stratified by household income showed that beneficial associations of social capital with self-rated health were more apparent among the people with low and high levels of household income; yet, LTPA was the stronger predictor of self-rated health among those in the middle class of household income. Conclusions: Findings suggest that both social capital and LTPA are associated with better self-rated health; yet, these associations vary by SES. The health policymakers should address both social capital and LTPA for enhancing perceived health among aging populations but may need to consider varying SES backgrounds.
The preventive efficacy of vitamin B supplement on the cognitive decline of elderly adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Shufeng , Guo Yuchen , Men Jie , Fu Hanlin , Xu Ting 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The irreversibility of cognitive impairment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) prompts that preventing or delaying the onset of AD should be a public health priority. Vitamin B supplement can lower the serum homocysteine (Hcy) level, but whether it can prevent cognitive decline or not remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the preventive efficacy of vitamin B supplement on the cognitive decline of elderly adults.Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, PsycINFO from inception to December 1, 2019, and then updated the retrieved results on June 1, 2020. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the efficacy of vitamin B in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients or elderly adults without cognitive impairment were selected. Standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean difference (MD) as well as their 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by performing random effects models or fixed effects models.Results: A total of 21 RCTs involving 7571 participants were included for meta-analysis. The forest plots showed that there is significant effect in global cognitive function (15 RCTs, SMD: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.54, P < 0.01) and Hcy (11 RCTs, MD: -4.59; 95%CI: -5.51 to -3.67, P < 0.01), but there is no effect in information processing speed (10 RCTs, SMD: 0.06; 95% CI: -0.12 to 0.25, P = 0.49), episodic memory (15 RCTs, SMD: 0.10; 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.25, P = 0.16), executive function (11 RCTs, SMD: -0.21; 95% CI: -0.49 to 0.06, P = 0.13). The value of effect size and heterogeneity did not vary apparently when excluding the low-quality studies, so we could believe that the results of meta-analysis were robust.Conclusions: Vitamin B supplement might delay or maintain the cognitive decline of elderly adults. We can recommend that the vitamin B supplement should be considered as a preventive medication to MCI patients or elderly adults without cognitive impairment. More well-designed RCTs with large sample sizes were required to clarify the preventive efficacy in the future.
Developing a scoring tool to estimate the risk of deterioration for normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism on admission
Authors: Gao Yizhuo , Ji Chao , Zhao Hongyu , Han Jun , Shen Haitao , Jia Dong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: It is important to identify deterioration in normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). This study aimed to develop a tool for predicting deterioration among normotensive patients with acute PE on admission.Methods: Clinical, laboratory, and computed tomography parameters were retrospectively collected for normotensive patients with acute PE who were treated at a Chinese center from January 2011 to May 2020 on admission into the hospital. The endpoint of the deterioration was any adverse outcome within 30 days. Eligible patients were randomized 2:1 to derivation and validation cohorts, and a nomogram was developed and validated by the aforementioned cohorts, respectively. The areas under the curves (AUCs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. A risk-scoring tool for predicting deterioration was applied as a web-based calculator.Results: The 845 eligible patients (420 men, 425 women) had an average age of 60.05±15.43 years. Adverse outcomes were identified for 81 patients (9.6%). The nomogram for adverse outcomes included heart rate, systolic pressure, N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide, and ventricle/atrial diameter ratios at 4-chamber view, which provided AUC values of 0.925 in the derivation cohort (95% CI: 0.900–0.946, p<0.001) and 0.900 in the validation cohort (95% CI: 0.883–0.948, p<0.001). A risk-scoring tool was published as a web-based calculator (https://gaoyzcmu.shinyapps.io/APE9AD/).Conclusions: We developed a web-based scoring tool that may help predict deterioration in normotensive patients with acute PE.
Maximum chest CT score is associated with progression to severe illness in patients with COVID-19: A retrospective study from Wuhan, China
Authors: Xiao Jianwei , Li Xiang , Xie Yuanliang , Huang Zengfa , Ding Yi , Zhao Shengchao , Yang Pei , Du Dan , Liu Bin , Wang Xiang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a world-wide health crisis. Limited information is available regarding which patients will experience more severe disease symptoms. We evaluated hospitalized patients who were initially diagnosed with moderate COVID-19 for clinical parameters and radiological feature that showed an association with progression to severe/critical symptoms.Methods: This study, a retrospective single-center study at the Central Hospital of Wuhan, enrolled 243 patients with confirmed COVID­19 pneumonia. Forty of these patients progressed from moderate to severe/critical symptoms during follow up. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between moderate- and severe/critical-type symptoms. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the risk factors associated with symptom progression.Results: Patients with severe/critical symptoms were older (p<0.001) and more often male (p=0.046). A combination of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and high maximum chest computed tomography (CT) score was associated with disease progression. Maximum CT score (>11) had the greatest predictive value for disease progression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.861 (95% confidence interval: 0.811-0.902).Conclusions: Maximum CT score and COPD were associated with patient deterioration. Maximum CT score (>11) was associated with severe illness.
SARS-CoV-2 serology increases diagnostic accuracy in CT-suspected, PCR-negative COVID-19 patients during pandemic
Authors: Schneider Jochen , Mijocevic Hrvoje , Ulm Kurt , Ulm Bernhardt , Weidlich Simon , Wuerstle Silvia , Rothe Kathrin , Treiber Matthias , Iakoubov Roman , Mayr Ulrich , Lahmer Tobias , Rasch Sebastian , Herner Alexander , Burian Egon , Lohöfer Fabian , Braren Rickmer , Makowski Marcus , Schmid Roland , Protzer Ulrike , Spinner Christoph , Geisler Fabian 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background:In the absence of PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 is challenging. Low-dose computed tomography (CT) detects pulmonary infiltrates with high sensitivity, but findings may be non-specific. This study assesses the diagnostic value of SARS-CoV-2 serology for patients with distinct CT features but negative PCR.Methods:IgM/IgG chemiluminescent immunoassay was performed for 107 patients with confirmed (group A: PCR+; CT±) and 46 patients with suspected (group B: repetitive PCR-; CT+) COVID-19, admitted to a German university hospital during the pandemic’s first wave. A standardized, in-house CT classification of radiological signs of a viral pneumonia was used to assess the probability of COVID-19.Results:Seroconversion rates (SR) determined on day 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 after symptom onset (SO) were 8%, 25%, 65%, 76% and 91% for group A, and 0%, 10%, 19%, 37% and 46% for group B, respectively; (p<0.01). Compared to hospitalized patients with a non-complicated course, seroconversion tended to occur at lower frequency and delayed in patients on intensive care units. SR of patients with CT findings classified as high certainty for COVID-19 were 8%, 22%, 68%, 79% and 93% in group A, compared with 0%, 15%, 28%, 50% and 50% in group B (p<0.01). SARS-CoV-2 serology established a definite diagnosis in 12/46 group B patients. In 88% (8/9) of patients with negative serology >14 days after symptom onset (group B), clinico-radiological consensus reassessment revealed probable diagnoses other than COVID-19. Sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 serology was superior to PCR >17d after symptom onset.Conclusions:Approximately one-third of patients with distinct COVID-19 CT findings are tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by PCR rendering correct diagnosis difficult. Implementation of SARS-CoV-2 serology testing alongside current CT/PCR-based diagnostic algorithms improves discrimination between COVID-19-related and non-related pulmonary infiltrates in PCR negative patients. However, sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 serology strongly depends on the time of testing and becomes superior to PCR after the 2nd week following symptom onset.
Novel and traditional anthropometric indices for identifying metabolic syndrome in non-overweight/obese adults
Authors: Wu Lihong , Zhu WenHua , Qiao Qiaohua , Huang Lijuan , Li Yiqi , Chen Liying 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in non-overweight/obese people is insidiously associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Novel anthropometric indices can reflect central obesity better than the traditional anthropometric indices. Therefore, we hypothesize that these newly developed anthropometric indices can better identify MetS in non-overweight/obese people than conventional indices. Methods: Cross-sectional data of sociodemographic, biochemical and anthropometric indices were collected from 2916 non-overweight/obese Chinese people. A body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) and abdominal volume index (AVI) were calculated. Partial correlation analysis was used to clarify the correlation between anthropometric indices and MetS variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the association between anthropometric indices and MetS and its components. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the diagnostic ability of anthropometric indices for MetS and its components. The area under curve (AUC) difference between WHtR and each new anthropometric index was compared in pairs.Results: After adjusting for covariates, AVI had the optimal ability of identifying MetS (AUC: 0.743 for male, 0.819 for female) and the strongest correlation with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (coe: -0.227 for male, -0.207 for female) and the highest odds rations (OR) with low HDL-C group (male: OR=1.37, female: OR=1.55). The WHtR was comparable to BRI in assessing MetS (AUC: 0.739 for male, 0.817 for female). WHtR or BRI could also well identify hypertension (AUC: 0.602 for male, 0.688 for female) and dysglycemia (AUC: 0.669 for male, 0.713 for female) and female's high triglyceride level (AUC 0.712). The recognition ability of the two was equivalent. The ability of ABSI and WWI to identify MetS was weak.Conclusions: AVI is the optimal anthropometric indices to identify MetS in non-overweight/obese Chinese adults. BRI and WHtR can also be considered as discriminators, while ABSI and WWI are weak discriminators. WHtR is easy to measure. So, it is recommended as an early preliminary screening method for the MetS in non-overweight/obese people.
Evaluating performance of health care facilities at meeting HIV-indicator reporting requirements in Kenya: An application of K-means clustering algorithm
Authors: Gesicho Milka , Were Martin , Babic Ankica 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe ability to report complete, accurate and timely data by HIV care providers and other entities is a key aspect in monitoring trends in HIV prevention, treatment and care, hence contributing to its eradication. In many low-middle-income-countries (LMICs), aggregate HIV data reporting is done through the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2). Nevertheless, despite a long-standing requirement to report HIV-indicator data to DHIS2 in LMICs, few rigorous evaluations exist to evaluate adequacy of health facility reporting at meeting completeness and timeliness requirements over time. The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the reporting status for HIV-indicators, from the time of DHIS2 implementation, using Kenya as a case study.MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted to assess reporting performance of health facilities providing any of the HIV services in all 47 counties in Kenya between 2011 to 2018. Using data extracted from DHIS2, K-means clustering algorithm was used to identify homogeneous groups of health facilities based on their performance in meeting timeliness and completeness facility reporting requirements for each of the six programmatic areas. Average silhouette coefficient was used in measuring the quality of the selected clusters.ResultsBased on percentage average facility reporting completeness and timeliness, four homogeneous groups of facilities were identified namely: best performers, average performers, poor performers and outlier performers. Apart from blood safety reports, a distinct pattern was observed in five of the remaining reports, with the proportion of best performing facilities increasing and the proportion of poor performing facilities decreasing over time. However, between 2016 and 2018, the proportion of best performers declined in some of the programmatic areas. Over the study period, no distinct pattern or trend in proportion changes was observed among facilities in the average and outlier groups.ConclusionsThe identified clusters revealed general improvements in reporting performance in the various reporting areas over time, but with noticeable decrease in some areas between 2016 and 2018. This signifies the need for continuous performance monitoring with possible integration of machine learning and visualization approaches into national HIV reporting systems.
Predicting Polish transport industry equilibrium characteristics as an inverse problem: An Entropy Econometrics Model
Authors: Bwanakare Second , Cierpiał-Wolan Marek 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The business environment dynamics is governed by a high degree of uncertainty and risk; consequently, in a majority of cases investors face serious difficulties when making business decisions. Additionally, when detailed statistical information relating to industry is missing, any decisions may become a matter of highly risky conjectures.
The present article proposes a simultaneous equation model based on the entropy econometrics estimator for recovering some key industrial subsector long-term equilibrium characteristics in the situation where only sparse, insufficient statistical information is available (e.g. only aggregated data on the whole industry).
The model is applied to the transportation equipment manufacturing industry in Poland, which is composed of eight sub-sectors. As a result of the above procedure, an observation has been made that all firms from different sub-sectors have to increase their steady-state concentration ratios, while the highest concentration corresponds to the lowest increase in profitability. The model outputs conform to the market tendency in this sector and should lead to further applications of the NCEE methodology in business activity on a worldwide scale.
Anti-EGFR-mAb and 5-Fluorouracil Conjugated Polymeric Nanoparticles for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Bhattacharya Sankha 
Published: December 2020

Background::
Due to the higher intake of junk food and unhealthy lifestyle, the percentage
of U.S. adults aged 50 to 75 years who were up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening increased
1.4 percentage points, from 67.4% in 2016 to 68.8% in 2018. This represents an additional
3.5 million adults screened for colorectal cancer. This is a severe concern of this research, and an attempt
was made to prepare a target-specific formulation that could circumvent chemotherapy-related
compilation and improvise higher cellular uptake. The fundamental agenda of this research was
to prepare and develop Anti-EGFR mAb and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) fabricated polymeric nanoparticles
for colorectal cancer.

Objective:
The main objective of this research was to prepare and evaluate more target specific formulation
for the treatment of colorectal cancer. PLGA and PEG-based polymeric nanoparticles are
capable of preventing opsonization via the reticuloendothelial system. Hence, prepared polymeric
nanoparticles are capable of higher cellular uptake.

Methods:
The Poly(d,1-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) were combined
utilizing the ring-opening polymerization method. The presence of PEG prevents opsonization
and distinguished blood concentration along with enhanced targeting. The presence of PLGA
benefits in the sustained release of polymeric formulations. The optimized formulation (5-FU-PLGA-
PEG-NP) was lyophilized using 4% trehalose (cryoprotectants) and conjugated with Anti-
EGFR mAb on its surface to produce Anti-EGFR-5-FU-PLGA-PEG-NP; the final formulation,
which increases target specificity and drug delivery system of nanoparticles.

Results:
The spherical shaped optimized formulation, 5-FU-PLGA-PEG-NP-3 was found to have
higher percentage drug entrapment efficacy (71.23%), higher percentage drug content (1.98 ±
0.34%) with minimum particles size (252.3nm) and anionic zeta potential (-31.23mV). The IC50value
of Anti-EGFR-5-FU-PLGA-PEG-NP was 1.01μg/mL after 48 hours incubation period in the
HCT 116 cell line, indicating higher anticancer effects of the final formulation.

Conclusions:
From the outcomes of various experiments, it was concluded that Anti-EGFR-5-FU-PLGA-PEG-NP has
biphasic drug release kinetics, higher cellular uptake & higher cytotoxicity. Therefore, Anti-EGFR-5-FU-PLGA-PEG-NP
holds excellent potential for drug delivery to EGFR positive colorectal cancer cells.
Patient-Generated Health Data in Pediatric Asthma: Exploratory Study of Providers' Information Needs
Authors: Tiase Victoria L , Sward Katherine A , Del Fiol Guilherme , Staes Catherine , Weir Charlene , Cummins Mollie R 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundAdolescents are using mobile health apps as a form of self-management to collect data on symptoms, medication adherence, and activity. Adding functionality to an electronic health record (EHR) to accommodate disease-specific patient-generated health data (PGHD) may support clinical care. However, little is known on how to incorporate PGHD in a way that informs care for patients. Pediatric asthma, a prevalent health issue in the United States with 6 million children diagnosed, serves as an exemplar condition to examine information needs related to PGHD.ObjectiveIn this study we aimed to identify and prioritize asthma care tasks and decisions based on pediatric asthma guidelines and identify types of PGHD that might support the activities associated with the decisions. The purpose of this work is to provide guidance to mobile health app developers and EHR integration.MethodsWe searched the literature for exemplar asthma mobile apps and examined the types of PGHD collected. We identified the information needs associated with each decision in accordance with consensus-based guidelines, assessed the suitability of PGHD to meet those needs, and validated our findings with expert asthma providers.ResultsWe mapped guideline-derived information needs to potential PGHD types and found PGHD that may be useful in meeting information needs. Information needs included types of symptoms, symptom triggers, medication adherence, and inhaler technique. Examples of suitable types of PGHD were Asthma Control Test calculations, exposures, and inhaler use. Providers suggested uncontrolled asthma as a place to focus PGHD efforts, indicating that they preferred to review PGHD at the time of the visit.ConclusionsWe identified a manageable list of information requirements derived from clinical guidelines that can be used to guide the design and integration of PGHD into EHRs to support pediatric asthma management and advance mobile health app development. Mobile health app developers should examine PGHD information needs to inform EHR integration efforts.
Ethnobotanical research of the medicinal plants in Balchik Municipality (Bulgaria)
Authors: Zahariev Dimcho , Radeva Vanya 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Studies of medicinal plants have been conducted in many municipalities and regions in Bulgaria, but only species diversity has been studied. Data from ethnobotanical studies in Bulgaria are scarce. The conducted ethno-botanical study of medicinal plants on the territory of Balchik municipality is performed for the first time. As a result, we found that the population of the municipality uses a small part of the medicinal plants: 89 species out of a total of 845 medicinal plants in Bulgaria. Medicinal plants are used mainly for side applications (71%) and to a lesser extent for medicinal purposes (29%). Urban and rural populations use almost the same number of medicinal plants. There are significant differences in the number of plants used by different ethnic groups, age groups and groups with different levels of education. Women use more medicinal plants in human medicine, and in applications for other purposes, more plants are used by men. Most medicinal plants are used by people of active age. The people of Balchik Municipality use for various purposes mostly cultivated medicinal plants, rather than wild and mostly alien species, than native ones. The majority of respondents (78%) do not use medicinal plant substitutes. Most of the people (92.5%) are not aware of the shortcomings of the medicinal plants or the possible side effects of their use.