bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutritional Status of Children 24–60 Months Attending Early Child Development Centres in a Semi-Rural Community in South Africa
Authors: Makanjana Onwaba , Naicker Ashika 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background: Despite the numerous efforts to improve the nutritional status of children, a high prevalence of malnutrition still exists in South Africa. This study aimed to determine the nutritional status of children attending Early Child Development centres in South Africa.Methods: In this baseline study, we randomly selected two Early Child Development centres comprising of 116 children aged 24–60 months, separated into two cohorts, 24–47 and 48–60 months from the Valley of a Thousand Hills area in the Ethekweni municipality. Dietary intake was measured through the 24hDR and analysed using Food Finder software. The food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate the food variety and food group diversity scores. Anthropometric measurements; weight and height were taken and the WHO Anthro software was used to convert it to nutritional data indices. Vitamin A and haemoglobin levels were collected through dry blood spot cards and assessed using WHO indicators.Results: The findings showed that participants had a low mean energy intake (24–47 months; 4906.2kJ and 4997.9kJ, 48–60 months; 5936.4kJ and 5621.2kJ (p = 0.038), low fruit and vegetable consumption (24–47 months; 63.8g and 69.5g (p = 0.037), 48–60 months; 68.3g and 74.4g (p = 0.038) and the top five foods consumed were carbohydrate rich foods for girls and boys respectively. Stunting was noted in 7% and 20% (48–60 months) (p = 0.012) and overweight in 8% and 17% (24–47 months) and 17% and 13 % (48–60 months) (p = 0.041) in girls and boys respectively. Low serum retinol levels (<0.070µmol/L) were found in 9.1% of boys (24–47 months), 8% and 7.4% of girls and boys (48–60 months). Low haemoglobin levels (<11.0 g/dL) were found in 50.0% and 30.4% (24–47 months) and 8.6% and 39.3% (48–60 months) of girls and boys respectively. Conclusion and recommendation: Malnutrition, despite many national and provincial initiatives, still exists at Early Childhood Development centres in South Africa calling for the application of contextualized nutrition interventions to suite resource-poor settings.
The impact of body mass index on short-term and long-term surgical outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy in liver carcinoma patients, a retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Lei , Wang JianGang , Kong JingXia , Zheng Xing , Yu Xin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

To investigate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the short-term and long-term outcomes including disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rate in patients with liver carcinoma who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) as primary treatment.
Methods

Data were collected from 137 patients with liver carcinoma who underwent attempted LH between August 2003 and April 2014. Patients were classified into three groups depending on their BMI according to the WHO’s definition of obesity for Asia-Pacific region: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/ m2, Group1), normal (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23 kg/m2, Group2), overweight (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2, Group3) respectively. Short-term and long-term outcomes including overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were compared across the BMI categories.
Results

Of the 137 patients, 14 were underweight, 65 were normal weight, and 58 were overweight. The overall conversion rate of 137 patients was 20.44%. Conversion rate in the three groups was 14.29%, 21.54% and 20.69% (P = 0.8284). The median follow-up duration was 26 months, 30 months, and 28 months, respectively. The mean postoperative hospital stay in the three groups were comparable (10.85 ± 4.04, 11.57 ± 5.56, and 10.88 ± 5.70, P = 0.76). The complications rate was much higher in Group 1 (42.85%) than that in Group 2 and Group 3 (20.08% and 17.2%, P = 0.048). Underweight patients were more likely to develop grade III or higher postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification) as compared to normal and overweight patients (P = 0.042). Overweight patients had a longer 3- and 5-years DFS (41.4%, 36.2%) than those for underweight (21.4%, 14.3%) and normal weight (28.1%, 21.9%) patients (P = 0.048, and 0.025). Overweight patients had a longer 5-years OS (44.8%) than those for underweight (28.6%) and normal weight (28.0%) patients (P = 0.043).
Conclusions

Being underweight was associated with an increased perioperative complication and being overweight has a better 3-, 5-years DFS and 5-years OS than those in under and normal weight patients with liver carcinoma who underwent LH.
Pineal gland transcriptomic profiling reveals the differential regulation of lncRNA and mRNA related to prolificacy in STH sheep with two FecB genotypes
Authors: Li Chunyan , He Xiaoyun , Zhang Zijun , Ren Chunhuan , Chu Mingxing 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Backgroundlong non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been identified as important regulator in hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis associated with sheep prolificacy. However, there is little report about lncRNA in pineal gland of sheep. Herein, RNA-Seq was used to detect transcriptome expression pattern in pineal gland between follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (LP) in FecB BB (MM) and FecB ++ (ww) STH sheep, respectively, and differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and mRNAs associated with reproduction were identified.ResultsOverall, 135 DE lncRNAs and 1,360 DE mRNAs in pineal gland between MM and ww sheep were screened. Wherein, 39 DE lncRNAs and 764 DE mRNAs were identified (FP vs LP) in MM sheep, 96 DE lncRNAs and 596 DE mRNAs were identified (FP vs LP) in ww sheep. Moreover, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the targets of DE lncRNAs and DE mRNAs were annotated to multiple biological processes such as phototransduction, circadian rhythm, melanogenesis, GSH metabolism and steroid biosynthesis, which directly or indirectly participate in hormone activities to affect sheep reproductive performance. Additionally, co-expression of lncRNAs-mRNAs and the network construction were performed based on correlation analysis, DE lncRNAs can modulate target genes involved in related pathways to affect sheep fecundity. Specifically, like XLOC_466330 , XLOC_532771 , XLOC_028449 targeting RRM2B and GSTK1 , XLOC_391199 targeting STMN1 , XLOC_503926 targeting RAG2 , XLOC_187711 targeting DLG4 were included.ConclusionAll of these differential lncRNAs and mRNAs expression profiles in pineal gland provide a novel resource for elucidating regulatory mechanism underlying STH sheep prolificacy.
Defect-driven Selective Metal Oxidation at Atomic Scale
Authors: Zhu Qi , Pan Zhiliang , Zhao Zhiyu , Luo Langli , Ni Chaolun , Wei Hua , Zhang Ze , Sansoz Frederic , Wang Jiangwei 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Nanoscale materials modified by crystal defects exhibit significantly different behaviours upon chemical reactions such as oxidation, catalysis, lithiation and epitaxial growth. However, unveiling the exact defect-controlled reaction dynamics (e.g. oxidation) at atomic scale remains a challenge for applications. Here, using in situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and first-principles calculations, we reveal the dynamics of a general site-selective oxidation behaviour in nanotwinned Ag and Pd driven by isolated stacking-faults and twin-boundaries. The coherent planar defects crossing the surface exhibit the highest oxygen binding energies, leading to preferential nucleation of oxides at these intersections. Fast diffusion of oxygen atoms along the planar-fault highways is shown to catalyse subsequent layer-by-layer inward oxide growth via atomic steps migrating on the oxide-metal interface. These findings provide an atomistic visualization of the complex reaction dynamics controlled by coherent planar defects in metallic nanostructures, which could enable the modification of physiochemical performance of nanomaterials through defect engineering.
Prevalence of Staphylococcus aurues carriage in patients with chronic kidney disease: A preliminary cross-sectional study of outpatients at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka
Authors: Silva Nipun de , Mufeena M.N.F. , Sam Gayathri , Dayarathna Shashika , Kumari Deepthi , Wijayaratne Dilushi , Patabendige Geethika , Jayasinghe Saroj 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objectives:

To compare carriage rates of Staphylococcus aureus in patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD) and identify associated factors.
Results:

We enrolled 64 CKD (A-1 = 13, A-2 = 17, A-3 = 34) and 56 non-CKD controls (B). Patients were categorized as: stage 5 CKD on haemodialysis (A-1), stage 5 CKD not on haemodialysis (A-2), renal transplant recipients with glomerular filtration rate > 60 ml/min (A-3) and those having chronic medical diseases with glomerular filtration rate > 60 ml/min/m2 (B). Median age = 57 years (range = 17–77). Nasal or axillary Staphylococcus aureus carriage was seen in 5 (38.5%), 2 (11.8%), 5 (14.7%) and 9 (16.1%) patients from A-1 to A-3 and B groups respectively. All isolated organisms were methicillin sensitive. Haemodialysis (p = 0.035) and antibiotic use in the preceding month (p = 0.02) were associated with carriage. Demographic factors and co-morbidities were not associated with carriage.
Expression of Cyr61 is associated with Clinical Course in Patients with Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Lee Su-Mi , Lee Kyung-Hwa , Park Seon-Young , Chung Jin Ook , Kim Dong Hyun , Ju Jae Kyun , Kim Hyun Soo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Backgrounds: Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61) is emerging as an important regulator of tissue homeostasis and wound repair. We aim to explore the colonic mucosal expression of Cyr61 and analyze the association between Cyr61 expression and clinical course in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD).Methods: Endoscopic samples were identified from 83 CD patients with and 372 controls without any pathologic findings by searching pathological reports. Among them, age- and sex- matched 43 of each group by a propensity score were selected to compare Cyr61 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC scores for Cyr61 expression of CD patients were divided into tertiles to evaluate the association with clinical course. Results: The mean IHC scores for Cyr61 expression was higher in CD patients (86.5) than in controls (46.1, P<0.001). In CD patients, the mean IHC scores for Cyr61 expression (68.3) was lower in patients with clinical recurrence than in patients without recurrence (92.2, P=0.01). When CD patients were stratified into tertile groups according to IHC scores for Cyr61 expression, clinical recurrence rates tended to be lower in patients with high Cyr61 expression (P for trend=0.02). Compared with tertile 1 of Cyr61 expression, tertile 3 of Cyr 61 expression was associated with reduced risk of clinical recurrence (OR 0.43, 95%CI 0.20~0.92) after adjustment for age, sex and CD activity index at the time of colonoscopy in CD patients (P=0.03). Conclusions: Cyr61 mucosal expression in CD patients was inversely associated with clinical course. In the future, the possible therapeutic role of Cyr61 should be considered.
Impacts of Reopening Strategies for COVID-19 Epidemic: A Modeling Study in Piedmont Region
Authors: Pernice Simone , Castagno Paolo , Marcotulli Linda , Maule Milena Maria , Richiardi Lorenzo , Moirano Giovenale , Sereno Matteo , Cordero Francesca , Beccuti Marco 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), is a highly transmittable virus. Since the first person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was reported in Italy on February 21 st , 2020, the number of people infected with SARS-COV-2 increased rapidly, mainly in northern Italian regions, including Piedmont. A strict lockdown was imposed on March 21 st until May 4 th when a gradual relaxation of the restrictions started. In this context, computational models and computer simulations are one of the available research tools that epidemiologists can exploit to understand the spread of the diseases and to evaluate social measures to counteract, mitigate or delay the spread of the epidemic. Methods This study presents an extended version of the Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Removed-Susceptible (SEIRS) model accounting for population age structure. The infectious population is divided into three sub-groups: (i) undetected infected individuals, (ii) quarantined infected individuals and (iii) hospitalized infected individuals. Moreover, the strength of the government restriction measures and the related population response to these are explicitly represented in the model. Results The proposed model allows us to investigate different scenarios of the COVID-19 spread in Piedmont and the implementation of different infection-control measures and testing approaches. The results show that the implemented control measures have proven effective in containing the epidemic, mitigating the potential dangerous impact of a large proportion of undetected cases. We also forecast the optimal combination of individual-level measures and community surveillance to contain the new wave of COVID-19 spread after the re-opening work and social activities. Conclusions Our model is an effective tool useful to investigate different scenarios and to inform policy makers about the potential impact of different control strategies. This will be crucial in the upcoming months, when very critical decisions about easing control measures will need to be taken.
The dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist KBP-089 and the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide act complimentarily on body weight reduction and metabolic profile
Authors: Larsen Anna Thorsø , Gydesen Sofie , Sonne Nina , Karsdal Morten Asser , Henriksen Kim 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Weight loss therapy is becoming more and more important, and two classes of molecules, namely amylin receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonists, have shown promise in this regard. Interestingly, these molecules have several overlapping pharmacological effects, such as suppression of gastric emptying, reduction of glucagon secretion and weight loss in common; however, they also have distinct effects on prandial insulin secretion. Hence, a combination of these two mechanisms is of significant interest.
Methods
In this study, we investigated the add-on potential of the dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA) KBP-089 in combination with the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide as obesity treatment in high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats.
Results
Increasing doses of KBP-089 and liraglutide alone and in combination were studied with respect to their effects on body weight, food intake and glucose metabolism during a 9-week intervention study conducted in HFD rats. Further, the gastric emptying rate during an oral glucose tolerance was assessed. Treatment with KBP-089 and liraglutide dose-dependently lowered body weight 15% (at 2.5 µg/kg/day) and 7% (at 400 µg/kg/day) in HFD rats, respectively, while the combination resulted in a 21% body weight reduction, which was mirrored by reduction in fat depot sizes. Gastric emptying and glucose metabolism were improved, primarily by KBP-089, although liraglutide led to a reduction in fasting plasma glucagon.
Conclusion
DACRAs complement GLP-1 on food intake, body weight, and glucose tolerance indicating the potential for an add-on therapy.
Caries experience by socio-behavioral characteristics in HIV-1 infected and uninfected Ugandan mothers - a multilevel analysis
Authors: BIRUNGI NANCY , Fadnes Lars Thore , Engebretsen Ingunn Marie Stadskleiv , Tumwine James Kashugyera , Lie Stein Atle , Åstrøm Anne Nordrehaug 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Few studies consider the oral health status of adults with HIV in comparison with negative controls. This study aims to assess caries experience in Ugandan mothers according to HIV status, socio-behavioral-characteristics and gingival bleeding status and to examine whether HIV status modifies the association of socio-behavioral characteristics with caries experience. Secondly, using multilevel analysis this study also assessed to what extent site specific caries experience vary between and within individuals.Methods: This study uses data from the Ugandan site of the ANRS 121741 PROMISE- PEP trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00640263) conducted in 2009-2013 that recruited mothers with HIV-1. In 2017 a comparison group of 181 HIV-1 negative controls was recruited. Caries experience was recorded using the World Health Organization’s Decayed, Missed and Filled teeth/surfaces (DMFT/DMFS) indices. Mixed effects logistic regression with the melogit program within Stata was conducted with DMFT/DMFS as the outcome and HIV-1 infection status as well as socio-behavioral characteristics as exposures. Results: Caries experience differed statistically significantly between HIV infected and non-infected mothers with 81% and 71% having DMFT>0, respectively. The corresponding mean and standard deviation were 4.6 (5.3) and 2.8 (3.2) respectively. Mixed effect logistic regression revealed significant positive associations between site specific caries and women’s age (OR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.1‒2.8), and presence of gingival bleeding (OR =2.0, 95% CI: 2.0 1.2‒3.2). Compared to premolar teeth, caries experience was more likely to occur in maxillary molars and mandibular molars and less likely to occur in incisors. The intra class correlation (ICC) for the correlation of individuals was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.48‒0.59). No two-way interactions terms between HIV-1 status and socio-demographic, behavioral and clinical covariates were observed. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries is higher in Ugandan mothers with HIV-1 than in uninfected Ugandan mothers and varies with mothers’, age, education and clinically recoded gingival inflammation. Socio-demographic differences in dental caries did not vary by HIV-1 status. We found that a multilevel random intercept model is appropriate and efficient for analyses of site specific dental caries data in the context of HIV-1 infected and uninfected Ugandan mothers
The Acute Stress Scale in Healthcare Professionals Caring for Patients with COVID-19. Validation Study
Authors: Mira José Joaquín , Cobos Angel , García Olga Martínez , Domínguez Maria Jose Bueno , Astier-Peña María Pilar , Pérez Pastora Pérez , Carrillo Irene , Guilabert Mercedes , Jover Maria Virtudes Perez , Peris Cesar Fernandez , Ripoll Maria Asuncion Vicente , Martin Matilde Lahera , Busto Carmen Silvestre , Martínez Susana Lorenzo , Martinez Ascension Sanchez , Delgado Jimmy Martin , Mula Aurora , Marco-Gomez Bárbara , Abad-Bouzan Cristina , Aibar-Remon Carlos , Aranaz-Andres Jesús 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Backgroud: This study designed and validated a scale to measure acute stress experienced during the care of patients with COVID-19 (EASE scale). Methods: The COSMIN recommendations were followed in the design and validation of the EASE scale. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's Omega. Qualitative research was conducted to assess content validity. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factorial Analysis were used to assess construct validity. Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test and Lineal Regression were applied to assess criterion validity. Responsiveness and interpretability were also assessed.Results: A total of 228 health professionals from the Spanish public health system responded to the ten items, of the EASE scale. Internal consistency was 0.87 (McDonald’s Omega). Two factors explaining 55% of the variance were isolated. Goodness-of-fit indices confirmed this factor structure. The highest level of stress was found among professionals working in health services who accumulated a higher number of deaths from COVID-19 (P<.05). By means of translation-counter-translation, it was adapted to Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and English.Conclusions: EASE gathers adequate metric properties. Its systematic use would allow the identification of professionals with a higher risk of developing affective/anxiety disorders and Moral injury that could limited that patients received safety and integrated care.
Building Cohesion in Distributed Telemedicine Teams Findings from the Department of Veterans Affairs National Telestroke Program
Authors: Patel Himalaya , Damush Teresa M. , Miech Edward J. , Rattray Nicholas A. , Martin Holly A. , Savoy April , Plue Laurie , Anderson Jane , Martini Sharyl , Graham Glenn D. , Williams Linda S. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: As telemedicine adoption increases, so does the importance of building cohesion among physicians in telemedicine teams. For example, in acute telestroke services, stroke specialists provide rapid virtual stroke assessment and treatment to patients at hospitals without stroke specialty care. In the National Telestroke Program (NTSP) of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a virtual (distributed) hub of stroke specialists throughout the country provides 24/7 consultations nationwide. We examined how these specialists adapted to distributed teamwork, and we identified cohesion-related factors in program development and support. Methods: We conducted a case study of the stroke specialists employed by the NTSP. Semi-structured, confidential interviews with stroke specialists in the virtual hub were recorded and transcribed. We explored the extent to which these specialists had developed a sense of shared identity and team cohesion, and we identified factors in this development. Using a qualitative approach with constant comparison methods, two researchers coded each interview transcript independently using a shared codebook. We used matrix displays to identify themes, with special attention to team cohesion, communication, trust, and satisfaction. Results: Of 13 specialists with at least 8 months of NTSP practice, 12 completed interviews; 7 had previously practiced in telestroke programs in other healthcare systems. Interviewees reported high levels of trust and team cohesion, sometimes even more with their virtual colleagues than with local colleagues. Factors facilitating perceived team cohesion included a weekly case conference call, a sense of transparency in discussing challenges, engagement in NTSP development tasks, and support from the NTSP leadership. Although lack of in-person contact was associated with lower cohesion, annual in-person NTSP meetings helped mitigate this issue. Despite technical challenges in establishing a new telehealth system within existing national infrastructure, providers reported high levels of satisfaction with the NTSP. Conclusion: A virtual telestroke hub can provide a sense of team cohesion among stroke specialists at a level comparable with a standard co-located practice. Engaging in transparent discussion of challenging cases, reviewing new clinical evidence, and contributing to program improvements may promote cohesion in distributed telemedicine teams.