bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of cancer beliefs and sociodemographic factors on colorectal cancer screening behavior in Newfoundland and Labrador
Authors: Kong Yujia , Shaver Lance Garrett , Shi Fuyan , Etchegary Holly , Aubrey-Bassler Kris , Asghari Shabnam , Yi Yanqing , Wang Peizhong Peter 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

This study investigated the beliefs about cancer treatment, outcomes, and screening among older adults ages 50–74 in Newfoundland and Labrador and whether these beliefs or sociodemographic factors were associated with differences in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening behavior.
Methods

This analysis uses data collected online survey of adults on cancer awareness and prevention in NL. Chi-square tests were used to assess whether there were differences in distributions of beliefs based on CRC screening behaviour. Logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic factors independently associated with CRC screening behavior.
Results

Most people held positive beliefs about cancer outcomes and treatment, though only 57.36% ever had CRC screening. Interestingly, 56.5% of participants believed that cancer treatment is worse than cancer itself. However, no beliefs about cancer treatment and outcomes were associated with CRC screening behavior. People who never had CRC screening were more likely to believe that: their worries about what might be found would prevent them from screening (χ2 = 9.380, P = .009); screening is only necessary if they have symptoms (χ2 = 15.680, P < .001); screening has a high risk of leading to unnecessary surgery (χ2 = 6.824, P = .032). Similarly, people who never had CRC screening were less likely to believe that regular screening would give them a feeling of control over their health (χ2 = 12.255, P = .002). Logistic regression identified that men had higher odds of having had CRC screening than women in our study (OR(95% CI):1.689(1.135–2.515)), as did all other age groups compared to people ages 50–54. No differences were found in CRC screening behaviour based on ethnicity, BMI classification, geography, education, income, or history of cancer in self, or history of cancer in a first-degree relative.
Conclusion

Although the majority NL residents in our sample held positive beliefs towards cancer screening, treatment and outcomes, only just over half of participants have ever had CRC screening. This discordance should be investigated further. Participants with more negative beliefs about screening were more likely to have never participated in CRC screening. Our findings further suggest that NL’s CRC screening program is equitably reaching people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, though we observed a disparity in participation among genders in our sample.
WITHDRAWN: Deep Ensemble Learning Method to Forecast COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Yahia Nesrine Ben , Kandara Mohamed Dhiaeddine , Saoud Narjes Bellamine Ben 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Due to the continuous spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide, it is urgent to develop accurate decision-aided methods to support healthcare policymakers to control and early detect COVID-19 outbreak especially in the data science era. In this context, our main goal is to build a generic and accurate method that can predict daily conrmed cases which helps stake-holders to make and review their epidemic response plans. This method takes advantage of the complementarity of DNN (Deep Neuronal Networks), LSTM (Long Short Term Memory) and CNN (Convolutional Neuronal Networks) where their forecasted values represent the inputs of stacked ensemble meta-learners that will generate the nal outbreak predictions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the rst time that deep ensemble learning is used to deal with this issue. The proposed method is validated on three experimental scenarios, Tunisia case study, China case study and the third one is based on China data and models to predict Tunisia COVID-19 outbreak. Experiment results indicate that, compared with individual learners, the stacked-DNN meta-learner, whose input are forecasted values of DNN, LSTM and CNN, achieved the best accurate results in terms of accuracy as well as RMSE for the three scenarios. In conclusion, our ndings demonstrate that i) deep ensemble learning may be used as an accurate decision support tool for improving COVID-19 outbreak forecasting, ii) it is possible to reuse China learners and meat-learners to make prediction of the epidemic trend for other countries when preventive and control measures are comparable.
Influence of Storage Conditions on the Quality of Cotton Seeds in Benin Republic
Authors: IDOSSOU Roger , ABOUDOU Razack 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background The availability of good quality seeds is synonymous with improved farming, especially cash crops such as cotton. However, serious problems with seed germination have been reported recently by cotton farmers in Benin Republic. The assumptions formulated at the base with regard to this situation remain to be verified technically. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the influence of storage conditions on the quality of cotton seeds in Northern Benin. Temperature and relative humidity were assessed followed by a seed sampling sequence in seven (07) cotton seeds stores according to three main periods, ranging from the establishment in conservation to the following seasonal production. Germination tests were then carried out on each sample followed by data analysis using R and Minitab17 software.Results There is a large variation in the germination rate of cotton seed during their storage period. The probabilities values ​​(Pvalue1 = 0.023, Pvalue2 = 0.001 and Pvalue3 = 0.038) respectively associated with the three samples and the various coefficient of variation (CV) between stores (CV1 = 2.42%, CV2 = 7.1% and CV3 = 8.88%) explain a significant difference not only between the stores but also from one sample to another with regard to sampling periods. There is a strong progressive decrease in seed germination (Germination rate 1 > Germination rate2 > Germination rate3), which is responsible for the failure observed by the growers during sowing. Thus, seeds lose an average of 15% of their initial germination capacity already at one month of storage. This is generally negative due to all the storage conditions and system in the stores.Conclusions The excessive increase in temperature and the considerable decrease in relative humidity in stores are the main factors of significant loss of germination capacity of cotton seeds. In view of this situation, it is desirable that technical measures be taken in this direction in order to better preserve the quality of the seeds made available to producers for an optimization of the cotton sector in Benin.
Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunctions In 100 Patients Hospitalized For Covid-19: Sex Differences and Recovery Time In Real-Life
Authors: Meini Simone , Suardi Lorenzo Roberto , Busoni Michele , Roberts Anna Teresa , Fortini Alberto 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Purpose. COVID-19 displays a variety of clinical manifestations; in pauci-symptomatic patients olfactory (OD) and gustatory dysfunctions (GD) may represent the first or only symptom. To date, literature addressing these disorders is scarce. Aim of this study is to investigate the timing of recovery from OD and GD in a real-life COVID-19 population.Methods. We followed up by a phone interview the first 100 patients discharged a month earlier from three Italian non-intensive care wards.Results. All patients were Caucasian, mean age was 65 years, 60% were males. OD and GD were early symptoms reported by 29% and 41% of patients, respectively. Among the 42 symptomatic patients, the male/female ratio was 2:1; 83% reported an almost resolved dysfunction at follow-up. The recovery rate was not significantly different between males and females. The mean duration of OD and GD was 18 and 16 days, respectively. The mean recovery time from OD or GD resulted significantly longer for females than for males (26 vs 14 days, p=0.009). Among the 42 symptomatic, the mean age of males was significantly higher than that of females (66 vs 57 years, p=0.04), while the opposite was observed in the 58 asymptomatic patients (60 vs 73 years, p=0.0018).Conclusions. Recovery from OD or GD was rapid, occurring within 4 weeks in most patients. Chemosensory dysfunctions in women was less frequent, but longer lasting. The value of our study is its focus on a significantly older population than those previously described, and to add further data on gender differences.
Regional Income Disparities and Convergence Clubs in Indonesia: New District-Level Evidence 2000-2017
Authors: Aginta Harry , Gunawan Anang Budi , Mendez Carlos 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Reducing regional income disparities is a central challenge for promoting sustainable development in Indonesia. In particular, the prospect for these disparities to be reduced in the post-decentralization period has become a major concern for policymakers. Motivated by this background, this paper aims to re-examine the regional convergence hypothesis at the district level in Indonesia over the 2000-2017 period. By using non-linear dynamic factor model, this study analyzes novel data set to investigate the formation of multiple convergence clubs. The results indicate that Indonesian districts form five convergence clubs, implying that the growth of income per capita in Indonesian 514 districts can be clustered into five common trends. From the lens of spatial distribution, two common occasions can be observed. First, districts belonging to the same province tend be in the same club and second, the highest club is dominated by districts with specific characteristic (i.e., big cities or natural resources rich regions). From a policy standpoint, this findings of multiple convergence clubs at significantly different levels of income allows regional policy makers to identify districts facing similar challenges. It may have meaningful implications for regional development policies, including the call of inter-provincial development policy.
Network pharmacology-based strategy to investigate pharmacological mechanisms of Qiaoshao formula for treatment of premature ejaculation
Authors: Wang Ming , Wang Qi , Du Yongqiang , Zhang Xiansheng 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Qiaoshao (QS) formula, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) comprising seven herbs, has been clinically proven to have a favorable treatment effect on premature ejaculation (PE). However, its underlying pharmacological mechanisms in the treatment of PE need to be further clarified. Methods In the present study, a network pharmacology-based strategy was adopted. The active compounds of QS formula were obtained from the Chinese medicine database, and the potential targets of these compounds were collected from the DrugBank database to construct compound-compound targets network. PE-related targets were identified from human disease databases and used to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Compound-disease target PPI network was constructed by merging the PPI network of disease-targets and compound-targets. Cluster and enrichment analyses were performed on the PPI network of disease targets and compound-disease targets. Results Four primary pharmacological network of QS formula were constructed, including the compound-compound targets network, PPI network of PE-related targets and compounds-disease targets, and the QS-PE mechanism network. The module and pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the QS formula had the potential to affect varieties of biological process and pathways, such as nitric oxide biosynthetic process, oxytocin, thyroid hormone, TNF, PI3K-Akt, and the HIF-1 signaling pathway, that play an important role in the pathogenesis of PE. Conclusion This study preliminarily discovered the potential targets and pathways of QS formula in the treatment of PE, which laid a good foundation for further experimental research.
Chatuphalatika, a Thai herbal formula, ameliorate obesity and dyslipidemia in high-fat diet fed mice
Authors: Mingmalairak Salin , Tantisira Mayuree H , Rinthong Prasoborn 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Chatuphalatika is a Thai traditional health tonic composing of four different herbs namely Terminalia bellerica Linn., T. chebula Retz., T. arjuna Roxb. and Phyllanthus emblica Linn. The fact that phytoconstituents of Terminalia species have been reported to ameliorate obesity and symptoms of metabolic syndrome prompt us to investigate acute toxicity as well as a lipid lowering activity of orally given chatuphalatika aqueous extract (CPT) in animal models.
Methods

CPT was prepared by decoction method and the phytochemical contents were quantified by HPLC analysis. The acute oral toxicity study of CPT was performed in Wistar rats following the protocol of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines No. 420. The assessment of lipid-lowering effect of CPT was carried out in high-fat diet (HFD) fed C57BL/6 mice model.
Results

Gallic acid was the highest content (137.10 ± 5.42 mg/g) found in CPT followed by chebulinic acid (73.60 ± 2.35 mg/g), chebulagic acid (62.60 ± 4.17 mg/g) and ellagic acid (5.2 ± 0.40 mg/g). No lethality and no signs of toxicity were observed in either male or female rats orally treated with CPT at a single dose of 2,000 and 5,000 mg/kg. Daily oral administration of 250, 500 or 1,000 mg/kg of CPT for 6 weeks to the HFD-induced dyslipidemia mice markedly reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, whereas the significant reduction of total cholesterol (TC) levels was observed only in the high doses of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg of CPT. Moreover, dyslipidemia mice received 1,000 mg/kg CPT exclusively showed the decrease in body weight gain.
Conclusions

The CPT was safe and effective for relieving dyslipidemia and reducing weight gain in animal model supporting further development as functional food for dyslipidemia or overweight population.
Combination with cooling-heat Chinese medicine Qing-kai-ling, not warming-yang Shen-fu, enhances the antitumor effect of gefitinib in resistant non-small cell lung cancer models in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Qu Yan-chun , Zou Ying , Shi Shuai , Zhu Yanjuan , Liu Yi-hong , Liu Li-rong , Zheng Xiao-hua , Chen Hui-hui , Zhang Hai-bo 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescriptions should be decided according to the TCM treatment principle, and the warming-yang or cooling-heat should be the guide of treatment principle outline. Methods: In order to identify which treatment principle, warming-yang or cooling-heat should be combined with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we combined the typical warming-yang drug, Shen-fu (SF), and the typical cooling-heat drug, Qing-kai-ling (QKL) with gefitinib in resistant NSCLC models. Results: The results demonstrated that QKL combined with gefitinib induced significantly increased cell viability inhibition and apoptosis in A549 cell line and significantly smaller tumor volume and lower tumor weight in H1975 xenograft transplanted nude mice. On the contrary, SF combined with gefitinib had significant antagonism effect on both cell viability inhibition and apoptosis in vitro , and on tumor weight in vivo . EGFR phosphorylation inhibition and the downstream PI3K/AKT and RAS/RAF/ERK pathway inhibition served an important role in the synergism effect between QKL and gefitinib in H1975 xenograft transplanted nude mice. Conclusions: The present study indicated that cooling-heat TCM treatment principle may reverse or delay NSCLC resistance to EGFR-TKIs, and combination of them warrants further study.
Risk Analysis of 2-year Mortality in Elderly Male Patients with Non-Thyroidal Illness Syndrome
Authors: Liu Hongzhou , Miao Xinyu , wei Meng , Guo Xiaomei , Liu Lin , Gu Zhaoyan , Li Chunlin , Yan Shuangtong , Lv Zhaohui 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Currently, the elderly population is rapidly increasing, and elderly patients with non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) in intensive care units (ICUs) have relatively severe symptoms and a poor prognosis. However, there are few studies on the correlation between NTIS and patient mortality among hospitalised elderly patients in the general ward.Methods In the present study, 931 male inpatients ≥ 60 years of age who visited our hospital from January 2012 to December 2013 were selected and divided into the NTIS group and normal thyroid function (non-NTIS) group. Propensity score matching was used to match the two groups according to age and body mass index. Thyroid function, serum proteins, metabolic indicators, liver and kidney function and mortality were collected.Results Serum total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), prealbumin (PA), haemoglobin (Hb), uric acid (UA), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels were significantly lower in the NTIS group than in the non-NTIS group. The urea nitrogen (UN) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were higher in the NTIS group than in the non-NTIS group. Total T3, TP, Alb, and PA levels were positively correlated with the Hb level and negatively correlated with FBG, UN, and creatinine (Cr) levels. The free T3 level was positively correlated with TP, Alb, PA, Hb, and UA levels and negatively correlated with FBG, UN, and Cr levels. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models indicated that a lower free T3 level was associated with increased all-cause mortality after adjusting for covariates. The patients in the NTIS group had a lower survival rate at 2 years based on Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that a cut-off free T3 level of 3.445 pmol/L yielded the highest sensitivity and specificity for predicting all-cause mortality at 2 years.Conclusion Among elderly male inpatients, the survival rate was lower in the NTIS group than non-NTIS group. Serum protein levels and renal function decreased and the FBG level increased with decreasing total T3 and free T3 levels. A decreased free T3 level in hospitalized elderly male patients was a predictor of poor prognosis.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of 132 cases of infantile hepatoblastoma — A 14-year retrospective study from a single center
Authors: Zhi Tian , Zhang Weiling , Zhang Yi , Hu Huimin , Huang Dongsheng 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background The study aimed to summarize the clinical data of hepatoblastoma (HB) in infants under 1 year of age, analyze their treatment effects and factors that affect the prognosis. Methods Clinical data of 132 pathologically confirmed children under the age of 1 year old with hepatoblastoma who were admitted to the pediatric single center of Beijing Tongren Hospital,Capital Medical University from May 2005 to May 2019 were collected. The clinical efficacy and prognosis of combined treatment were summarized through retrospective analysis. Results 1. Of the 132 children enrolled, 74 were male and 58 were female; median age was 8.40 months; the onset of disease was the most common (75.0%) of abdominal distension; infant HB had high AFP at the initial diagnosis, with an average level of (127406.5 ± 7232.5) ng/ml, the platelet value was (405 ± 166) × 109/L; the pathological type was mainly epithelial (57.6%), and most of the epithelial types were fetal (67.1%); the PRETEXT stage was mainly stage III (54.5%), followed by stage II (34.1%); 45 cases had distant metastases, most of which were lung metastases (86.7%); 24 patients (18.2%) had portal vein or hepatic vein or vena cava invasion, 5 (3.8%) had tumor rupture, and 26 (19.7%) had multiple intrahepatic lesions. 2. The patients were followed up to May 2020, with a median follow-up time of 58 months. Among them, 84 cases had complete remission and 18 cases had partial remission. According to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the 5-year overall survival rates (OS) were 80.1%; the event-free survival rates (EFS) were 77.5%. Log-rank test showed that HB patients with AFP> 1210ng/ml at first diagnosis had a good prognosis; the EFS of the patients at PRETEXT IV stage was only 28.6%;children with distant tumor metastasis and multiple primary tumor lesions had poor prognosis, which were risk factors affecting the prognosis of infant HB (P < 0.05). Conclusions Infant HB has its own characteristics. Through comprehensive treatment, the prognosis is relatively good, but it is still susceptible to multiple factors such as AFP level, PRETEXT stage, the presence of distant metastasis and multiple intrahepatic lesions.
Recuperation of economy after volcanic eruption in Mt. Merapi, Indonesia: a multiregional input-output analysis
Authors: Subiyanti Heni , Islam Moinul , Ichihashi Masaru 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Indonesia is in one of the disaster-prone points, the ring of fire, which frequently suffer from natural disasters. Mt. Merapi volcanic eruption in 2010 was one of the catastrophic natural disasters, which caused the approximate economic damages of 3,628 trillion Indonesian rupiah. To recover the loss of different sectors of the economy, the central and regional governments allocates special budget for recovery and reconstruction. We assess the induced economic effects of Mt. Merapi eruption recovery fiscal support by using a multiregional input-output (MRIO) model. We utilize the state level data of the 2005 Indonesian interregional input-output table (IRIO) and the 2011–2013 volcano eruption restoration. Our results indicate that the effect of 2010 recovery budget for Mt. Merapi eruption contributed to the economy of the hazard-affected Yogyakarta Special Region. In addition, the forestry sector, other services sector, and construction sectors have a significantly benefited from the induced output by fiscal support.
Vitamin&nbsp;D&nbsp;Deficiency&nbsp;Among&nbsp;Patients&nbsp;with COVID-19&nbsp;:&nbsp;Case&nbsp;Series&nbsp;and&nbsp;Recent&nbsp;Literature&nbsp;Review&nbsp;
Authors: Pinzon Rizaldy Taslim , Angela Angela , Pradana Andryawan Wahyu 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background The world is now challenging the pandemic of COVID-19 infection. Previous studies showed the plausibility of Vitamin D prophylaxis and therapy for COVID-19, particularly in settings where hypovitaminosis D is frequent. Recent study from Indonesian showed that prevalence of vitamin D deficiency were 23.0%. The examination of Vitamin D status is not a routine in Indonesian clinical setting. Methods This study is a Case Series from confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bethesda hospital Yogyakarta Indonesia. The data of clinical symptoms, clinical signs, and laboratory examination were obtained from electronic medical record. The vitamin D status was measured by standardized laboratory method. We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for studies that included terms for Vitamin D and COVID-19. Results The data was obtained from 10 participants consist of 50% male and 50% female. The mean of age was 49.6 years. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this case was 90% and 10% of insufficiency. Patients in this case had various symptom and also had various chronic disease as comorbidity. Conclusions The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this case series in Bethesda hospital Yogyakarta, Indonesia is 90% and 10% vitamin D insufficiency. We found no clinical evidence that vitamin D supplements are beneficial in preventing or treating COVID-19. Randomized controlled trials need to determine and evaluated this recommendation.