bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community canteen services for the rural elderly: determining impacts on general mental health, nutritional status, satisfaction with life, and social capital
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Liu Minhui , Li Yuchen , Guo Chanyuan , Yeh Chao Hsing 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
The Chinese government is piloting canteen services for older adults, but few studies have explored the influence of canteen services on the health of these older adults. This study aimed to investigate the impact of canteen services on older adults’ general mental health, nutritional status, satisfaction with life, and social capital in rural areas.

Methods
This study used a cross-sectional design. We selected 14 villages in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, China, including seven villages with canteen services and seven villages without canteen services. Participants were 284 senior older adults (aged 75~98), including 140 residing in villages with canteen services (Canteen Group [CG]) and 144 residing in villages without canteen services (Non-Canteen Group [NCG]). We also divided the CG into two sub-groups according to the funding sources (one receiving government support only, the other receiving government support plus enterprise donations). We used a self-designed questionnaire, including sociodemographics, diet-related items (e.g., satisfaction with the meals, diet expenditure, self-evaluation of meal nutrition), and the four scales including the Chinese version of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Chinese version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Social Capital Questionnaire (SCQ).

Results
The overall mental health, satisfaction with life, and social capital of the CG were better than the NCG (P <  0.05). The nutritional status of these two groups did not show a significant difference. Participants in the CG with financial support from local government and donations from an enterprise with a better dietary diversity exhibited a better nutritional status (P <  0.05); the average satisfaction with diet and self-evaluation of food nutrition of the CG were higher than the NCG (P < 0.05); the ratio of having a diet on time in the CG was higher than that of the NCG (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
The free canteen services provided by the government can improve older adults’ satisfaction with life and diet, and mental health status and also enrich their social capital, but this still needs to be future evidenced. More financial support for canteen services is an essential component in promoting successful aging in China.
Development, validation and application of a 3D printed model depicting adenoid hypertrophy in comparison to a Nasoendoscopy
Authors: Thereza-Bussolaro Claudine , Lagravère Manuel , Pacheco-Pereira Camila , Flores-Mir Carlos 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe exploration of tridimensional (3D) technology of computational tomography and the development of valid 3D printed models may improve the assessment of adenoid obstruction. The identification of an enlarged adenoid in childhood would streamline the referral of appropriately selected cases to an otolaryngologist, leading to early treatment of affected children when indicated. The objective of this study is to validate the use of a 3D printed model depicting adenoid hypertrophy based on the pediatric otolaryngologist, head and neck surgeon (OHNS) participants assessment.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed to develop and validate 3D depictions, including print-outs, of the nasopharynx including different degrees of Adenoidal Hypertrophy (AH). The print-outs were obtained from 14 Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 14 children (12 boys, 2 girls; mean age of 10.61 years) representing grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 nasopharyngeal adenoidal obstructions, according to a previously Nasoendoscopy-graded (NE) classification by a licensed OHNS. The prevalence of AH in this study was 36%. Two OHNS were recruited to assess the print-outs representing two different representations of the nasopharyngeal airway, the lumen (LU) and adenoid mass (AD). LU and AD were visualized in 2D - pictures- and in 3D – printed prototypes. Intraclass correlation was used to assess intra- and inter-reliability. The validity of our depictions was analyzed through comparison (accuracy and correlation) to the reference standard (NE). The data were clustered to calculate the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). Cross-tab and Pearson’s T-test were performed.ResultsOverall, the 3D depiction tools showed different diagnostic capabilities. AD representations showed strong (AD 2D, 75%) to almost perfect (AD 3D, 88%) accuracy compared to NE. Excellent sensitivity and specificity were observed for the AD 3D (100, 70%), as well as adequate PPV and NPV (66 and 97% respectively), with only 5% of false-negative cases.ConclusionThe use of Dolphin software for the acquisition of a 3D printed prototype of the nasopharyngeal adenoidal region seems promising. These prototypes may be a practical and readily available alternative for the assessment of the nasopharyngeal obstructed area. CBCT in children must be taken under strong solid indications. Early referral to an OHNS for a full assessment remains the main objective in children with unclear symptoms.
Correction to: Finite element analysis of two cephalomedullary nails in treatment of elderly reverse obliquity intertrochanteric fractures: zimmer natural nail and proximal femoral nail antirotation-ΙΙ
Authors: Chen Jian , Ma Jian-xiong , Wang Ying , Bai Hao-hao , Sun Lei , Wang Yan , Lu Bin , Dong Ben-chao , Tian Ai-xian , Ma Xin-long 
Published: March 2020

In the original publication of this article [1], Chinese text of the Figs. 3, 4, 5 has not been converted to English.
Do farm-level technical efficiency and welfare complement each other? Insight from Ghana’s cocoa industry
Authors: Danso-Abbeam Gideon , Baiyegunhi Lloyd J. S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTechnical inefficiency persists in Ghana’s cocoa farms. Farm-level guidelines from empirical studies are essential to inform programmes dealing with this challenge and subsequently improves farmers’ welfare. This study evaluates the two-way effects of technical efficiency and welfare using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Conditional Mixed-process (CMP). The study reveals that, with no additional inputs, farmers have the potential of increasing their output by an average of 56% (overall technical efficiency) with mean pure technical and scale efficiencies estimated at 76% and 58%, respectively. Observed inefficiency in the Ghanaian cocoa farms is due to both inefficient utilization of inputs and farmers’ inability to operate at the most productive scale size. Furthermore, findings from the study indicated that improved technical efficiency and welfare of smallholder cocoa farmers are crucial for the sustainable growth of Ghana’s cocoa sector as farmers’ efficiency and welfare significantly complement each other. In other words, improved welfare enhances technical efficiency, and higher technical efficiency score translates into better welfare. Hence, farm-level policies such as inputs subsidy programmes, training farmers on the proper application of agrochemicals, among others to enhance farm efficiency should be strengthened since efficiency is tied to household welfare. Moreover, investment in education targeted at farmers to improve their managerial and technical capacities will enhance their ability to optimize the operational size of the cocoa production system, and subsequently improve their welfare.
Coronavirus disease-2019: is fever an adequate screening for the returning travelers?
Authors: Bwire George M. , Paulo Linda S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOn Thursday, 30 January 2020, World Health Organization declared Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-2019) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Since its identification in late December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China, the number of cases imported into other countries is increasing, and the epidemiological map is changing rapidly. On the other hand, body temperature screening (fever) is the major test performed at points of entry, i.e., airports, in the returning travelers in most of the countries with limited resources. However, the recent report on asymptomatic contact transmission of COVID-19 and travelers who passed the symptoms-based screening and tested positive for COVID-19 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) challenges this approach as body temperature screening may miss travelers incubating the disease or travelers concealing fever during travel. On this note, travel restrictions to and from high risk areas and/or 14 days quarantine of travelers coming from high risk areas are recommended to prevent possible importation of COVID-19. Currently, RT-PCR is a reliable test in detecting both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19.
University teachers' perception of barriers to the use of digital technologies: the importance of the academic discipline
Authors: Mercader Cristina , Gairín Joaquín 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDigital technologies are currently one of the most used resources among students for developing their personalized learning environment. However, recent studies continue to demonstrate a lack of usage on the part of teaching staff for developing their teaching practices, especially at the university level. Through the identification of personal, professional, institutional, and contextual barriers, this study seeks to reveal the reasons why teachers in institutions of higher education do not use digital technologies for teaching purposes and whether the academic discipline influences this perception. The results suggest that professional barriers are the most prevalent and that the discipline of arts and humanities is where the most obstacles are perceived. In conclusion, there is a need for better professional development for teachers and more institutional involvement through strategic plans.
Evaluation of the clinical value of circulating miR-101, miR-187 and miR-21 in neonatal sepsis diagnosis and prognosis
Authors: Salim Rabab F. , Sobeih Ahmed A. , Abd El Kareem Heba M. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Neonatal sepsis is considered as a complicated syndrome, which requires urgent intervention to avoid the unfavorable outcome. Thus, biomarkers that can either distinguish sepsis early or predict sepsis outcome are of critical need. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the clinical value of miR-187, miR-101, and miR-21 on neonatal sepsis diagnosis and prediction of prognosis. Fifty neonates with sepsis, 30 neonates with SIRS, and 20 healthy neonates were selected. Relative expression levels of the selected miRNAs were quantified by qRT-PCR. Serum CRP and PCT were analyzed.

Results
miR-101 and miR-187 expression levels were elevated in septic neonates compared with SIRS neonates and normal controls. The AUC of miR-101, miR-187, and PCT to predict sepsis diagnosis were 0.908, 789, and 0.856, respectively. miR-21 expression levels in non-survivors were significantly higher than in survivors. The AUC of miR-21, a score of neonatal acute physiology (SNAP-II), and PCT to detect the predictive mortality value were 0.793, 0.781, and 0.635, respectively. Survival analysis revealed that high miR-21 expression levels were related to low survival rates. miR-21 and SNAP II were independent risk factors for sepsis mortality, and the AUC of the two combined variables’ predictive probabilities was 0.926 and yielded a specificity of 91.2% and a sensitivity of 81.3%, which was higher than that of either miR-21 or SNAP II.

Conclusion
miR-101 might function as a hopeful diagnostic biomarker for neonatal sepsis. Additionally, miR-21 gained attention to be a valuable predictor for sepsis prognosis especially if combined with SNAP II.
The incidence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants of unknown significance varies in different ethnic populations
Authors: Opatt D. M. , Morrow M. , Daly M. 
Published: March 2020

10002 Background: BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in the general population are rare. Women with these mutations have a significantly increased risk of invasive breast and ovarian cancer (65–85% and 15–65% cumulative lifetime risk, respectively). Variants of unknown significance (VUS), which are of uncertain clinical importance, account for up to 50% of all identified BRCA1 and BRCA2 sequence alterations1. Methods: Pooled data from all patients presenting to Fox Chase Cancer Center for genetic counseling was examined. Patients underwent genetic testing after detailed genetic counseling. Clinical data, including gender, ethnic background, and personal history of cancer, and total number of patients tested were collected. Results: A total of 1,765 women and 236 men underwent genetic testing. The distribution of ethnicity was: <1% Asian, 2.7% African American, <1% Hispanic, 2.4% other or of more than one ethnicity, 83% White, and 11% unknown. Mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 were seen in 13% of the women and 2.7% of the men. VUS were seen in 6.2% of the women and .15% of the men. Of the women positive for a VUS, 2.4% were Asian, 18.1% were African American, 5.5% were Hispanic, 4.7% were more than one ethnicity, 66.9% were White, and 2.4% were Unknown ethnicity. Only .15% of the men tested were positive for a VUS, all of whom were White. Of the 51 African American women tested, 45.1% were positive for a VUS while only 5.5% of the 1,503 White women tested were positive (p<0.0001). Of the females testing positive for a VUS, a personal history of breast cancer was seen in 66.7% of Asians, 78.3% of African Americans, 100% of Hispanics, 83.3% of those more than one race, 61% of Whites, and none of the people of unknown ethnic origin. One of three men testing positive for a VUS reported a history of breast cancer. Conclusions: Identification of VUS occurred disproportionately in African Americans, occurring ten times more often in African American women than White women in our study. Studies to improve classification of VUS as deleterious or neutral are needed to enhance the utility of genetic testing for women at risk, particularly those of African American ethnicity. 1Goldman, DE et al. Am. J. Hum. Genet., 2004. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Effects of tumor stroma interaction on global gene expression in breast cancer
Authors: Buess M. , Nuyten D. , Hastie T. , Brown P. O. 
Published: March 2020

10006 Background: Perturbations in cell-cell interaction are a key feature of cancer. However, the systematic effects of cell-cell interaction on global gene expression in cancer are largely unexplored. We hypothesized that gene expression signatures induced by cell-cell interaction might be of clinical relevance. Methods: We simulated tumor-stroma interaction in vitro by systematically co-cultivating each of 7 different breast cancer cell lines with stromal fibroblasts from 3 different sites, and determined associated gene expression changes with cDNA microarrays. A dataset of pretreatment gene expression profiles from 295 early stage breast cancers (stage 1 and 2) with a median follow up of 12.6 years allowed us to evaluate the prognostic significance of the gene expression signatures of specific cell-cell interactions derived from our ex vivo models. Results: The most prominent response to epithelial-mesenchymal interaction was an induction of interferon-response genes (IRG), observed in 4 of the 7 breast cancer cell lines in co-culture with fibroblasts, but not in normal mammary epithelial cells. In response to close contact with these breast cancer cells, the fibroblasts secreted type I interferons, which, in turn, induced expression of the IRG in the tumor cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of human breast cancer tissues showed that Stat1, the key transcriptional activator of the IRG, and itself an IRG, was expressed in a subset of the cancers, with a striking pattern of elevated expression in the cancer cells in contact with, or close proximity to, the tumor stroma - paralleling the response seen in our ex vivo model. In vivo, expression of the IRGs was remarkably coherent, providing a basis for segregation of the 295 early-stage breast cancers into two groups by unsupervised hierarchical clustering with the IRG. Tumors with high expression levels (n=161) of IRG were associated with significantly shorter overall survival; 59% at 10 years versus 80% at 10 years for tumors with low expression levels (n=134) (log-rank p=0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that an interaction between some breast cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts can induce an interferon response, and that this response may be associated with a greater propensity for tumor progression. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Prognostic value of thymidylate synthase (TS) expression on failure-free survival of fluorouracil-treated metastatic colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Richman S. , Braun M. S. , Adlard J. W. , Daly C. , Turner F. , Barrett J. , Meade A. , Parmar M. , Quirke P. , Seymour M. T. 
Published: March 2020

10011 Background: We previously presented (ASCO 04 #9506) an exploratory analysis of 13 molecular markers in relation to clinical outcomes in 846 patients treated with fluorouracil (FU), or FU+irinotecan, or FU+oxaliplatin in a large UK-based randomized controlled trial (FOCUS - ASCO ’05 #3518). High TS IHC expression and tumor grade were highly significantly associated with reduced failure-free survival (FFS) in a multivariable model. We now present data from an independent validation set of 449 FOCUS patients and on the combined test and validation sets. Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded blocks were retrieved from consenting patients and tissue microarrays made for IHC assessment. Factors assessed for the effect on FFS of first-line therapy were: liver metastases; ALP; grade; mucoid status; age; and IHC for dUTPase and TS. Log-rank univariate analyses and Cox Model multivariable analysis was performed. Results: Univariate analysis of the validation set failed to confirm evidence of the previously observed association between high TS expression and FFS (p=0.2); however high dUTPase IHC (p=0.01), ALP (p<0.0001) and grade (p=0.001) showed significant associations. Table 1 illustrates the results of univariate and multivariable analysis of the combined test and validation sets. In the Cox Model, high TS IHC expression, tumor grade and baseline serum ALP were highly significant predictors of reduced FFS. Conclusions: We failed to confirm a significant association between high TS expression and reduced FFS in an independent validation set. However, in an exploratory analysis of the combined validation and test sets (n>1000), TS IHC expression remained a highly significant predictor of FFS. Overall, our results cannot be taken to demonstrate a powerful and clinically useful influence of TS on treatment efficacy, but are consistent with a moderate effect. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Ductal carcinoma in situ and BRCA mutations: Association and risk factors
Authors: Smith K. L. , Adank M. , Kauff N. , Lafaro K. , Boyd J. , Lee J. , Hudis C. , Offit K. , Robson M. 
Published: March 2020

10016 Introduction: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been associated with BRCA mutations. Factors associated with the presence of mutations are not well defined. Methods: BRCA founder mutation status was determined in 3 groups of women with DCIS: 1) a prevalent convenience sample of Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) women (Sukumvanich SSO 2005), 2) an incident cohort of AJ women ascertained before breast surgery and 3) a clinical ascertainment of probands (P) with DCIS (53 AJ and 38 non-AJ) presenting to a cancer risk assessment service. For women in groups 1 and 2, BRCA founder mutation status was also determined in age-matched controls with invasive breast cancer (BC). Results: Within the prevalent ascertainment, 3/62 (4.8%) women with DCIS and 15/130 (11.5%) controls with invasive BC had BRCA mutations. In the incident cohort, 0/58 (0%) women with DCIS and 6/116 (5.2%) controls with invasive BC had BRCA mutations (combined OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.1–12.5, p 0.04). In the clinical ascertainment of AJ women with DCIS, mutations were identified in 4/35 (11.4%) P ≤ 50 yrs at dx and in 2/18 (11.1%) P > 50 yrs. The proportion of AJ P with mutations based on family history (FH) of BC and ovarian cancer (OC) is shown in the table. In AJ P with DCIS, FH of OC is strongly associated with BRCA mutations (adjusted OR 10.0, 95% CI 1.1–89.3, p 0.04). Among non-AJ P, no mutations were identified without a FH of OC or BC ≤ 50 yrs at dx. Conclusions: DCIS is associated with BRCA mutations in AJ women, but the prevalence is lower than in women with invasive cancer. FH of OC is a strong risk factor. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Telomere maintenance predicts progression and survival in pediatric intracranial ependymoma
Authors: Tabori U. , Bouffet E. , Bartels U. , Malkin D. , Hawkins C. 
Published: March 2020

10020 Background: Ependymoma is the third most common pediatric brain tumor. Despite the importance of surgical resection and pathology, its clinical course is highly unpredictable and the biological behavior is largely unknown. As part of ongoing studies to identify potential biological and therapeutic markers for the disease, we analyzed the role of telomere maintenance, which is required for cancers to sustain growth and evade senescence. Methods: We analyzed 111 primary and recurrent ependymomas that were resected at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto between 1986 and 2004. A tissue array was constructed. hTERT and γH2AX expression were evaluated. Thirty-one frozen samples were additionally analyzed for telomere length (TRF) and telomerase activity (TRAP assay). Results: Of the 111 samples, 40 tumors were hTERT(-) with progression-free survival (PFS) of 83±15% and 71 were hTERT(+) with PFS of 21±9% (p<0.0001). Of the 65 patients with primary ependymomas, five-yr overall survival (OS) were 84±7% and 41±7% for hTERT(-) and hTERT(+) tumors, respectively (p=0.001). There was good correlation between telomerase activity and hTERT expression (κ=0.637). Multivariate analysis revealed hTERT expression to be the single most important predictor of survival of all known pathological, clinical and treatment factors (HR 60.4 (CI 6.4–561)). TRF measurement revealed lack of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) and heterogenous telomere length in pediatric ependymomas. We observed a trend for better prognosis with telomere dysfunction manifested by shorter telomeres and positive γH2AX. Conclusions: This study suggest that telomere maintenance represents the first known biologic prognostic factor for intracranial ependymomas. Telomerase activity highlights the importance of senescence in carcinogenesis and a possible target for novel treatment approaches for the disease. No significant financial relationships to disclose.