bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of nursing education programme in the Philippines: faculty members perspectives
Authors: Appiah Stella 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
The subject of continuous improvement in the quality of nursing education programme is an extremely sensitive issue worldwide, particularly in the Philippines where a high number of trained registered nurses are exported to both developed and developing countries. The assessment of the quality of nursing education programme is usually measured using pass rates in licensure examinations by several government organizations. However, few studies have indicated that various categories of faculty members view the quality of nursing programmes differently, this study probed further and determined whether the quality of nursing education programme differs according to the profile of faculty members in Philippines colleges of higher education.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey study design was employed in this study. One hundred and eight-five (185) faculty members in fifteen (15) higher educational institutions were selected for the research using purposive-census sampling. The study was carried out from January 1 to June 30, 2017. Close-ended structured questionnaires based on study objectives were used to collect data. Frequency and percentages were used to analyse the profile of faculty members whereas weighted means from a four Likert’s scale was used to interpret the extent of perceived quality of nursing education programme.

Results
Majority, 39 and 46% of faculty members had 1–5 years’ clinical experience and 6–10 years of teaching experience respectively. Faculty members strongly agreed with a grand weighted mean of 3.84 out of 4.00 that nursing education programme is of good quality in the Philippines and is synonyms with other universities in the world. Teaching experience of faculty members showed significant relations in the quality of mission/vision/goals/objectives (p-value = 0.008), curriculum and instruction (p-value = 0.038), administration of nursing programme (p-value = 0.025), faculty development programme (p-value = 0.003), physical structure and equipment (p-value = 0.016), student services (p-value = 0.017), admission of students (p-value = 0.010) and quality assurance system (p-value = 0.009).

Conclusion
Faculty members strongly perceived nursing education programme to be of good quality in this study. Teaching experience of instructors showed a significant relationship with the quality of nursing education programme in all the quality assessment indicators. However, clinical experience and job category of faculty members rather showed that the quality of nursing education programme is the same throughout all the higher educational institutions. The study implies that the teaching experience of faculty members is a strong predictor of quality of nursing education programme and employing faculty experienced in teaching is substantial for the continuous improvement of nursing education programme.
Comparisons of exacerbations and mortality among LAMA/LABA combinations in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Hyun Woo , Park Jimyung , Jang Eun Jin , Lee Chang-Hoon 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Only few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for head-to-head comparison have been conducted between various combinations of long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) and long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs). Our study was conducted to compare acute exacerbation and all-cause mortality among different LAMA/LABA regimens using Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods
We searched Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library (search date: July 1, 2019). We included parallel-group RCTs comparing LAMA/LABA combinations with other inhaled drugs in the stable COPD for ≥ 48 weeks. Two different network geometries were used. The geometry of network (A) had nodes of individual drugs or their combination, while that of network (B) combined all other treatments except LAMA/LABA into each drug class. This study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO; CRD42019126753.

Results
We included 16 RCTs involving a total of 39,065 patients with stable COPD. Six combinations of LAMA/LABA were identified: tiotropium/salmeterol, glycopyrrolate/indacaterol, umeclidinium/vilanterol, tiotropium/olodaterol, aclidinium/formoterol, and glycopyrrolate/formoterol. We found that umeclidinium/vilanterol was associated with a lower risk of total exacerbations than other LAMA/LABAs in the NMA using network (A) (level of evidence: low or moderate). However, the significant differences were not present in the NMA of network (B). There were no significant differences among the LAMA/LABA combinations in terms of the number of moderate to severe exacerbations, all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, or pneumonia.

Conclusions
The present NMA including all available RCTs provided that there is no strong evidence suggesting different benefits among LAMA/LABAs in patients with stable COPD who have been followed up for 48 weeks or more.
Trial registration: This study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO; CRD42019126753.
COPD burden on sexual well-being
Authors: Zysman M. , Rubenstein J. , Le Guillou F. , Colson R. M. H. , Pochulu C. , Grassion L. , Escamilla R. , Piperno D. , Pon J. , Khan S. , Raherison-Semjen C. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Sexual function is often affected in patients suffering from chronic diseases especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effect of COPD on sexual satisfaction is underappreciated in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of COPD on patient’s sexuality and the explanatory variables of sexual dissatisfaction.

Methods
Questionnaires were emailed to participants and they submitted their responses on the Santé Respiratoire France website. Data about sexual well-being (Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, ASEX), Quality of life (VQ11), anxiety, depression (Hospitalized anxiety and depression, HAD) and self-declared COPD grade were collected.

Results
Seven hundred and fifty one subjects were included and were characterized as follows: women—51%, mean age—61 years, in a couple—62% and 70%—retired. Every grade of COPD was represented. Out of 751 participants, 301 participants (40%) had no sexual activity and 450 (60%) had sexual activity. From the 450 participants, 60% needed to change their sexual life because of their disease (rhythm, frequency and position). Subjects often used medications to improve sexual performance (43% used short-acting bronchodilator and 13% -specific erectile dysfunction drugs). ASEX questionnaire confirmed patients’ dissatisfaction (diminution of sexual appetite for 68% and sexual desire for 60%) because of breathlessness and fatigue. Eighty one percent of the responders had an altered quality of life (VQ11 mean score 35) and frequent suspected anxiety or depression (HAD mean score 10.8). Ninety percent declared that sexual dysfunction had never been discussed by their doctors, while 36% of patients would have preferred to undergo a specialized consultation.

Conclusion
Sexual dysfunction is frequent among COPD patients and leads to an altered well-being, however being a cultural taboo, it remains frequently neglected. Sexual guidance should be a part of patient’s consultations improve quality of sexual life.
The relevance of educational attainments of parents of medical students for health workforce planning: data from Guiné-Bissau
Authors: Ferrinho Paulo , Fronteira Inês , Correia Tiago , Neves Clotilde 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn this article, we analyze data collected in the context of health workforce planning (HWFP) for Guiné-Bissau as part of the development of the third National Health Strategy, to study the relationship between educational achievement of parents and medical student characteristics and professional expectations.MethodsCross-sectional analytical study of all first-year medical students in Guiné-Bissau during December 2016.ResultsOur results confirm that the isolated effect of each parent is different as it is the combined education of both parents. Parental influence also seems to vary according to the sex of the offspring. The higher the education of the father, the stronger the urban background of the offspring. Level of education of parents is also important in relation to the decision to study medicine and the age of starting those studies. It is also an important influence as to expectation regarding place of future practice: the highest the educational level, particularly of the father, the highest the expectation for a future urban practice.ConclusionsOur main interest in medical education is to study it as a health system intervention in order to contribute to health system’s strengthening in fragile states. This is discussed in the context of two frameworks: the labor market framework and WHO’s health system strengthening framework. Our data and that of others, recognize that household characteristics are important regarding future training and a future career in the health sector. This recognition should be integrated into HWFP frameworks.
ISLAND: in-silico proteins binding affinity prediction using sequence information
Authors: Abbasi Wajid Arshad , Yaseen Adiba , Hassan Fahad Ul , Andleeb Saiqa , Minhas Fayyaz Ul Amir Afsar 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundDetermining binding affinity in protein-protein interactions is important in the discovery and design of novel therapeutics and mutagenesis studies. Determination of binding affinity of proteins in the formation of protein complexes requires sophisticated, expensive and time-consuming experimentation which can be replaced with computational methods. Most computational prediction techniques require protein structures that limit their applicability to protein complexes with known structures. In this work, we explore sequence-based protein binding affinity prediction using machine learning.MethodWe have used protein sequence information instead of protein structures along with machine learning techniques to accurately predict the protein binding affinity.ResultsWe present our findings that the true generalization performance of even the state-of-the-art sequence-only predictor is far from satisfactory and that the development of machine learning methods for binding affinity prediction with improved generalization performance is still an open problem. We have also proposed a sequence-based novel protein binding affinity predictor called ISLAND which gives better accuracy than existing methods over the same validation set as well as on external independent test dataset. A cloud-based webserver implementation of ISLAND and its python code are available athttps://sites.google.com/view/wajidarshad/software.ConclusionThis paper highlights the fact that the true generalization performance of even the state-of-the-art sequence-only predictor of binding affinity is far from satisfactory and that the development of effective and practical methods in this domain is still an open problem.
MDR M. tuberculosis outbreak clone in Eswatini missed by Xpert has elevated bedaquiline resistance dated to the pre-treatment era
Authors: Beckert Patrick , Sanchez-Padilla Elisabeth , Merker Matthias , Dreyer Viola , Kohl Thomas A. , Utpatel Christian , Köser Claudio U. , Barilar Ivan , Ismail Nazir , Omar Shaheed Vally , Klopper Marisa , Warren Robin M. , Hoffmann Harald , Maphalala Gugu , Ardizzoni Elisa , de Jong Bouke C. , Kerschberger Bernhard , Schramm Birgit , Andres Sönke , Kranzer Katharina , Maurer Florian P. , Bonnet Maryline , Niemann Stefan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains not detected by commercial molecular drug susceptibility testing (mDST) assays due to the RpoB I491F resistance mutation are threatening the control of MDR tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Eswatini.

Methods
We investigate the evolution and spread of MDR strains in Eswatini with a focus on bedaquiline (BDQ) and clofazimine (CFZ) resistance using whole-genome sequencing in two collections ((1) national drug resistance survey, 2009–2010; (2) MDR strains from the Nhlangano region, 2014–2017).

Results
MDR strains in collection 1 had a high cluster rate (95%, 117/123 MDR strains) with 55% grouped into the two largest clusters (gCL3, n = 28; gCL10, n = 40). All gCL10 isolates, which likely emerged around 1993 (95% highest posterior density 1987–1998), carried the mutation RpoB I491F that is missed by commercial mDST assays. In addition, 21 (53%) gCL10 isolates shared a Rv0678 M146T mutation that correlated with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to BDQ and CFZ compared to wild type isolates. gCL10 isolates with the Rv0678 M146T mutation were also detected in collection 2.

Conclusion
The high clustering rate suggests that transmission has been driving the MDR-TB epidemic in Eswatini for three decades. The presence of MDR strains in Eswatini that are not detected by commercial mDST assays and have elevated MICs to BDQ and CFZ potentially jeopardizes the successful implementation of new MDR-TB treatment guidelines. Measures to limit the spread of these outbreak isolates need to be implemented urgently.
Intraperitoneal, but not retroperitoneal, visceral adipose tissue is associated with diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional, retrospective pilot analysis
Authors: Tanaka Muhei , Okada Hiroshi , Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Kumagai Muneaki , Nishimura Hiromi , Fukui Michiaki 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Aim
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with adverse outcomes, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), classified into intraperitoneal VAT (IVAT) and retroperitoneal VAT (RVAT), is associated with insulin resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the association of IVAT and RVAT with the prevalence or incidence of DM.

Methods
In this cross-sectional, retrospective, cohort study, the prevalence and incidence of DM was analyzed in 803 and 624 middle-aged Japanese participants, respectively. The cross-sectional area of the abdominal adipose tissue was evaluated from an unenhanced computed tomography scan at the third lumbar vertebrae, and the IVAT or RVAT was analyzed using specialized software. The areas were normalized for the square value of the participants’ height in meters and described as the IVAT or RVAT area index.

Results
The IVAT area index (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.02–1.07, per 1.0 cm2/m2) or IVAT/RVAT area ratio (1.89; 1.23–2.85, per 1.0) was independently associated with the prevalence of DM, whereas the RVAT area index was not. During a follow-up (mean) of 3.7 years, 30 participants were diagnosed with DM. The IVAT area index (adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 1.02; 95% CI 1.003–1.04, per 1.0 cm2/m2) or IVAT/RVAT area ratio (2.25; 1.40–3.43, per 1.0) was independently associated with the incidence of DM, whereas the RVAT area index was not.

Conclusions
IVAT, but not RVAT, is associated with the prevalence or incidence of DM.
From strict moral standards to ethical neutrality: a policy-guided shift in the patentability of human embryonic stem cells in China
Authors: Xie Xuekai , Chen Jiajv , Shu Zhengyang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAttitudes towards human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in China have witnessed a significant shift in 2020 that can be attributed to China’s policy guidance. For ethical reasons, stricter standards are adopted to curb related regulations and patent licensing. Through the introduction of policies, some research on hESCs has been recognized as legitimate and feasible to a certain standard and scope. In the subsequent practice of patent examination, the dual influence of policy support and public interest has led to a shift in the examination standards of China’s intellectual property authority from “strict morality” to “ethical neutrality”, implying limited recognition of hESCs’ patentability. In view of the promotion of policy incentives for the transformation and application of corresponding research, there is considerable social demand to provide patent protection for research results. In this context, an adjustment of related regulations is illustrated in this revision, manifesting a partial shift in regulations towards a supportive stance consistent with policy.
A ligand-based computational drug repurposing pipeline using KNIME and Programmatic Data Access: case studies for rare diseases and COVID-19
Authors: Tuerkova Alzbeta , Zdrazil Barbara 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBiomedical information mining is increasingly recognized as a promising technique to accelerate drug discovery and development. Especially, integrative approaches which mine data from several (open) data sources have become more attractive with the increasing possibilities to programmatically access data through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The use of open data in conjunction with free, platform-independent analytic tools provides the additional advantage of flexibility, re-usability, and transparency. Here, we present a strategy for performing ligand-based in silico drug repurposing with the analytics platform KNIME. We demonstrate the usefulness of the developed workflow on the basis of two different use cases: a rare disease (here: Glucose Transporter Type 1 (GLUT-1) deficiency), and a new disease (here: COVID 19). The workflow includes a targeted download of data through web services, data curation, detection of enriched structural patterns, as well as substructure searches in DrugBank and a recently deposited data set of antiviral drugs provided by Chemical Abstracts Service. Developed workflows, tutorials with detailed step-by-step instructions, and the information gained by the analysis of data for GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome and COVID-19 are made freely available to the scientific community. The provided framework can be reused by researchers for other in silico drug repurposing projects, and it should serve as a valuable teaching resource for conveying integrative data mining strategies.
Modeling the effect of delay strategy on transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS disease
Authors: Raza Ali , Ahmadian Ali , Rafiq Muhammad , Salahshour Soheil , Naveed Muhammad , Ferrara Massimiliano , Soori Atif Hassan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this manuscript, we investigate a nonlinear delayed model to study the dynamics of human-immunodeficiency-virus in the population. For analysis, we find the equilibria of a susceptible–infectious–immune system with a delay term. The well-established tools such as the Routh–Hurwitz criterion, Volterra–Lyapunov function, and Lasalle invariance principle are presented to investigate the stability of the model. The reproduction number and sensitivity of parameters are investigated. If the delay tactics are decreased, then the disease is endemic. On the other hand, if the delay tactics are increased then the disease is controlled in the population. The effect of the delay tactics with subpopulations is investigated. More precisely, all parameters are dependent on delay terms. In the end, to give the strength to a theoretical analysis of the model, a computer simulation is presented.
A co-infection model of dengue and leptospirosis diseases
Authors: Alemneh Haileyesus Tessema 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this paper an SIR deterministic mathematical model for co-infection of dengue and leptospirosis is proposed. We use a compartment model by using ordinary differential equations. The positivity of future solution of the model, the invariant region, and the stability of disease-free equilibrium point as well as endemic equilibrium point are studied. To study the stability of the equilibria, a basic reproduction number is obtained by using the next generation matrix. The robustness of the model is also investigated. To identify the effect of each parameter on the expansion or control of the diseases, sensitivity analysis is performed. The effects of treating dengue infected only, leptospirosis infected only, and co-infected individuals have been identified by using the numerical simulation. Therefore, increasing the rate of recovery and decreasing the contact rate of dengue, leptospirosis, and their co-infection have a great influence in fighting dengue, leptospirosis, and their co-infection in the community.
Clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory characteristics of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia: an observational cohort study
Authors: Al Mutair Abbas , Alhumaid Saad , Alhuqbani Waad N. , Zaidi Abdul Rehman Z. , Alkoraisi Safug , Al-Subaie Maha F. , AlHindi Alanoud M. , Abogosh Ahmed K. , Alrasheed Aljwhara K. , Alsharafi Aya A. , Alhuqbani Mohammed N. , Alhowar Njoud A. , Salih Samer , Alhedaithy Mogbil A. , Al-Tawfiq Jaffar A. , Al-Shammari Haifa , Abdulqawi Rayid , Ismail Alaa F. , Hamdan Noura , Saad Fares , Olhaye Fahad A. , Eltahir Tarig A. , Rabaan Ali A. , Al-Omari Awad 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) emerged from China in December 2019 and has presented as a substantial and serious threat to global health. We aimed to describe the clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory findings of patients in Saudi Arabia infected with SARS-CoV-2 to direct us in helping prevent and treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across Saudi Arabia and around the world.

Materials and methods
Clinical, epidemiological, laboratory, and radiological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric and adult patients in five hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were surveyed in this study.

Results
401 patients (mean age 38.16 ± 13.43 years) were identified to be SARS-CoV-2 positive and 80% of cases were male. 160 patients had moderate severity and 241 were mild in severity. The most common signs and symptoms at presentation were cough, fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, aspartate aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, and ferritin were higher in the COVID-19 moderate severity patient group. Mild severity patients spent a shorter duration hospitalized and had slightly higher percentages of abnormal CT scans and X-ray imaging.

Conclusions
This study provides an understanding of the features of non-ICU COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia. Further national collaborative studies are needed to streamline screening and treatment procedures for COVID-19.
The creation of inclusive governance infrastructures through participatory agenda-setting
Authors: Hinrichs Margaret M. , Johnston Erik W. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThough a stronger orientation of research and innovation with a focus on societal needs, demands, and preferences has recently become the main argument under the header of responsible research and innovation, the processes by which community members are included in studies of the future, as well as forward-looking science, technology, and innovation are underexplored. This paper explores the role of participatory agenda-setting in creating governance infrastructures that reflect community participation, boundary object creation, and experimental innovation for increased understanding of future decision tradeoffs. Drawing upon the authors’ leadership and participant observation of two participatory agenda-setting projects, this paper contributes to our understanding of what participatory agenda-setting looks like in practice at a boundary organization in higher education. Though not a traditional research study with control and experiment groups, we seek to share our insights and lessons learned from our leadership of two projects with inherent participatory agenda-setting components. The paper culminates in recommendations for future projects which seek to incorporate laypeople into future-oriented research.