bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impacts of fuel price policies on air pollution: A case study of Tehran
Authors: raeissi pouran , harati touraj , hadian mohammad , Ahmadian Sepehr , Farhadi Kobra 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aims to investigate the impacts of fuel price policies on the concentration of air pollutants emitted from the transport sector.Methods: Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) estimation models were used to investigate the impacts of gasoline and diesel prices along with the weather and economic variables on the following traffic-related pollutants: Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and Particular matter 10 micrometers or less (PM10).Results: In the short term, one percent increase in gasoline prices leads to 0.02 and 0.012 percent decrease in the concentration of CO and PM10, respectively. In addition, in the short term, one percent increase in diesel prices leads to 0.008, 0.02, and 0.015 percent decrease in the concentration of CO, PM10, and NO2, respectively. Results demonstrate that one percent increase in gasoline prices leads to 0.011 and 0.02 percent increase in NO2 concentration in the short term and long term, respectively. Fuel prices had a greater impact on air pollutant concentration in the long term than in the short term. In the long term, one percent increase in diesel prices leads to 0.011, 0.024, and 0.029 percent decrease in the concentration of CO, NO2, and PM10, respectively.Conclusion: Although fuel price increases lead to a significant reduction in air pollution concentration, other factors related to weather conditions (wind speed, temperature, and rainfall) as well as economic activities have a greater impact on air pollution. Therefore, other policies such as improving fuel quality and technology along with other economic policies can be more effective.
Sudden Death in The Young Adult: An Autopsy-Based Series
Authors: Saadi Said , Jomaa Sami Ben , Hadj Mariem Bel , Oualha Dorra , Salem Nidhal Haj 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: We aim to study the epidemiological and pathological characteristics of sudden death in young, to determine the etiology of death and to purpose recommendations for prevention. Methods: we performed a retrospective cohort study using autopsy data from the Department of Forensic Medicine of Monastir. A review of all autopsies performed during 28 years was done. In each case, clinical information and circumstances of death were obtained and a complete forensic autopsy and histological and toxicological investigations were performed. We have included all sudden death in persons aged between 18 years and 35 years.Results: we collected 137 cases of sudden death during studied period. The mean age of the studied population was 26.47 years. In 72.6% death was classified as cardiac death and was due to ischemic heart disease in 32.32%. Sudden death was attributed to a pleuropulmonary cause in 7.4%, an abdominal cause in 6% and from a neurological origin in 4.5%. The cause of sudden death in this group was not established in 9.5%.Conclusion: there are several potential causes of sudden unexplained death such as structural abnormalities, ion channels abnormalities. Unexplained deaths, presumed to result from sudden primary arrhythmogenic causes, occur in young adult with structurally normal hearts. That underlying disease-causing genetic defects may be involved has clinical implications for family members. Our findings suggest that prevention of sudden death among young adults under the age of 35 years should also focus on evaluation for causes not associated with structural heart disease.
Accessing health services in India: Experiences of economic migrants returning to Nepal.
Authors: Adhikary Pratik , Aryal Nirmal , Dhungana Raja Ram , KC Radheyshyam Krishna , Regmi Pramod Raj , Wickramage Kolitha Prabhash , Duigan Patrick , Inkochasan Montira , Sharma Guna Nidhi , Devkota Bikash , Teijlingen Edwin van , Simkhada Padam 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Migration to India is a common livelihood strategy for poor people in remote Western Nepal. To date, little research has explored the degree and nature of healthcare access among Nepali migrant workers in India. This study explores the experiences of returnee Nepali migrants with regard to accessing healthcare and the perspectives of stakeholders in the government, support organizations, and health providers working with migrant workers in India.
Methods
Six focus group discussions (FGDs) and 12 in-depth interviews with returnee migrants were conducted by trained moderators in six districts in Western Nepal in late 2017. Another 12 key persons working in the health and education sector were also interviewed. With the consent of the participants, FGDs and interviews were audio-recorded. They were then transcribed and translated into English and the data was analysed thematically.
Results
The interviewed returnee migrants worked in 15 of India’s 29 states, most as daily wage labourers. Most were from among the lowest castes so called-Dalits. Most migrants had had difficulty accessing healthcare services in India. The major barriers to access were the lack of insurance, low wages, not having an Indian identification card tied to individual biometrics so called: Aadhaar card. Other barriers were unsupportive employers, discrimination at healthcare facilities and limited information about the locations of healthcare services.
Conclusions
Nepali migrants experience difficulties in accessing healthcare in India. Partnerships between the Nepali and Indian governments, migrant support organizations and relevant stakeholders such as healthcare providers, government agencies and employers should be strengthened so that this vulnerable population can access the healthcare they are entitled to.
Association Between Sexual Violence and Unintended Pregnancy Among Young Girls in South Africa
Authors: Ajayi Anthony Idowu , Ezegbe Henrietta Chinelo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Unintended pregnancy has dire consequences on the health and socioeconomic wellbeing of young girls (aged 15–24 years). While most studies tend to focus on lack of access to contraceptive information and services, and poverty as the main contributing factor to early-unintended pregnancies, the influence of sexual violence has received limited attention. Understanding the link between sexual violence and unintended pregnancy is critical towards developing a multifaceted intervention to reduce unintended pregnancies among young girls in South Africa, a country with high teenage pregnancy rates.Methods: Drawing from cross-sectional data obtained among young girls in a South African university between June and November 2018, we estimated the magnitude of unintended pregnancy among young girls and also examined the effect of sexual violence on unintended pregnancy. A final sample of 451 girls aged 17–24 years, selected using stratified sampling, were included in the analysis. We used adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression analysis to examine the effect of sexual violence on unintended pregnancy.Results: The analysis shows that 41.9% of all respondents had experienced an unintended pregnancy, and 25.9% of those unintended pregnancies ended in abortions. Unintended pregnancy was higher among survivors of sexual violence (57.0%) compared to those who never experienced sexual abuse (36.8%). In the multivariable analysis, sexual violence was consistently and robustly associated with increased odds of having an unintended pregnancy (AOR:1.76; 95% CI: 1.07–2.90).Conclusion: Addressing unintended pregnancies among young girls in South Africa requires interventions that not only increase access to contraceptive information and services, but also reduce sexual violence and cater for survivors.
Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) on Human and Bovine Tuberculosis Among Cattle Owners in Ethiopia
Authors: Bihon Amare , Zinabu Solomon , Muktar Yimer , Assefa Ayalew 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a re-emerging disease occurring worldwide and causing multi-billion-dollar loss and human death annually. The situation is worse in developing countries like Ethiopia, where lower knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the people is imminent. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 349 study participants were addressed through face to face interview. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-squares analysis were used to observe the data and the association between outcome (KAP) and predictor variables. Results: Out of the 349 respondents interviewed, 223 (63.9%) of them were males, while 126 (36.1%) were females. The KAP measuring interview indicated that almost all (97.4%) of the participants know human tuberculosis, while 84(24.1%) are aware of bovine tuberculosis cause and mode of transmission. Inhalation was reported as a common route of transmission for human TB (41.1%). In contrast, 50% of the respondent mentioned inhalation, contact, and ingestion of raw animal products as the main route of TB transmission from animal to human. Among those who have heard of bTB, only 56 (66.7%) of respondents consider bovine tuberculosis as a significant threat to public health. Conclusion: The study showed that there is a lower KAP on bovine TB among cattle owners. Therefore, community awareness promotion and health education on human and bovine TB should be operated under a “One Health” umbrella.
Laparoscopic versus open pancreatic resection for ductal adenocarcinoma: separate propensity score matching analyses of distal pancreatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Chen Ke , Pan Yu , Huang Chao-jie , Chen Qi-long , Zhang Ren-chao , Zhang Miao-zun , Wang Guan-yu , Wang Xian-fa , Mou Yi-ping , Yan Jiafei 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Laparoscopic pancreatic resection (LPR) has been widely used in the treatment of benign and low-grade pancreatic diseases. It is necessary to expand the current knowledge on the feasibility and safety of LPR for PDAC. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) are two main surgical approaches for PDAC. We performed separate propensity score matching (PSM) analyses, aiming to assess the surgical and oncological outcomes of LPR for PDAC by comparing LDP with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) as well as LPD with open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD).Methods: Data of patients who underwent DP and PD for PDAC from January 2004 to February 2020 in our hospital were obtained. Baseline characteristics, intraoperative effect, postoperative recovery, and survival outcomes were compared. One-to-one PSM was used to minimize selection biases by balancing factors including age, sex, BMI, and tumor size.Results: Patient demographics were well matched after PSM. The DP subgroup included 86 LDP patients and 86 ODP patients, whereas the PD subgroup included 101 LPD patients and 101 OPD patients. Compared to ODP, LDP was associated with shorter operative time, less blood loss, and comparable overall morbidity. Of the 101 patients who underwent LPD, 10 patients (9.9%) required conversion to laparotomy. LPD was associated with longer operative time, less blood loss, and comparable overall morbidity. For oncological and survival outcomes, there were no significant differences in tumor sizes, R0 resection rate and tumor stage in both DP and PD subgroup. However, laparoscopic procedures seems to have an advantage over open surgery in terms of retrieved lymph node (DP subgroup: 14.4 ± 5.2 vs. 11.7 ± 5.1, p = 0.03; PD subgroup 21.9 ± 6.6 vs. 18.9 ± 5.4, p = 0.07). There was no statistical signiﬁcance between both groups in recurrence pattern, and 3-year recurrence-free and overall survival were comparable between groups.Conclusions: Both LDP and LPD are feasible and oncologically safe procedures for PDAC. Postoperative outcomes and long-term survival of LDP and LPD are not inferior or superior to open surgery. However, the short-term surgical advantage of LPD is not as obvious as LDP mainly due to the conversions. Our findings should be further evaluated by multicenter or randomized controlled trials.
WITHDRAWN: The Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine amongst Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Iran
Authors: ranjbar aliyeh , izadi sadegh 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage amongst multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Iran and to evaluate the perceived effectiveness and factors affecting these therapies.
Methods
This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 194 patients with MS at the neurology clinics affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences by a semi-structured questionnaire.
Results
The prevalence of CAM usage was 67.9%. Herbs were the most common among patients (64.2%). Cupping therapy, relaxation therapies, acupuncture, leech therapy were the other common CAM modalities. Yoga had the highest perceived effectiveness.
Conclusions
Due to high prevalence of CAM usage, physicians should inform their patients about the advantages and disadvantages of CAM in order to make them aware of their choices.
Development of an Engineered Peptide Antagonist against Periostin to Overcome Doxorubicin Resistance in Breast Cancer
Authors: Oo Khine Kyaw , Kamolhan Thanpawee , Soni Anish , Thongchot Suyanee , Mitrpant Chalermchai , Thuwajit Chanitra , Thuwajit Peti 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Chemoresistance is one of the main problems in treatment of cancer. Periostin (PN) is a stromal protein which is mostly secreted from cancer associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment and can promote cancer progression including cell survival, metastasis, and chemoresistance. The main objective of this study was to develop an anti-PN peptide from the bacteriophage library to overcome PN effects in breast cancer (BCA) cells. Methods: A twelve amino acids bacteriophage display library was used for biopanning against the PN active site. A selected clone was sequenced and analyzed for peptide primary structure. A peptide was synthesized and tested for the binding affinity to PN. PN effects including a proliferation, migration and a drug sensitivity test were performed using PN overexpression BCA cells or PN treatment and inhibited by an anti-PN peptide. An intracellular signaling mechanism of inhibition was studied by Western blot analysis. Lastly, PN expressions in BCA patients were analyzed along with clinical data. Results: The results showed that a candidate anti-PN peptide was synthesized and showed affinity binding to PN. PN could increase proliferation and migration of BCA cells and these effects could be inhibited by an anti-PN peptide. There was significant resistance to doxorubicin in PN-overexpressed BCA cells and this effect could be reversed by an anti-PN peptide in associations with phosphorylation of AKT and expression of survivin. In BCA patients, serum PN showed a correlation with tissue PN expression but there was no significant correlation with clinical data. Conclusions: This finding supports that anti-PN peptide is expected to be used in the development of peptide therapy to reduce PN-induced chemoresistance in BCA.
Widespread circulation of pertussis and poor protection against diphtheria among middle-aged adults in 18 European countries
Authors: Berbers Guy , Gageldonk Pieter van , de Kassteele Jan van , Wiedermann Ursula , Desombere Isabelle , Dalby Tine , Toubiana Julie , Tsiodras Sotirios , Ferencz Ildiko Paluska , Mullan Kathryn , Griskevicius Algirdas , Kolupajeva Tatjana , Vestrheim Didrik Frimann , Palminha Paula , Popovici Odette , Wehlin Lena , Kastrin Tamara , Maďarová Lucia , Campbell Helen , Ködmön Csaba , Bacci Sabrina , Barkoff Alex-Mikael , He Qiushui 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Reported incidence of pertussis in member states of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) varies and may not reflect the real situation. In the EU/EEA, vaccine-induced protection against diphtheria and tetanus seems sufficient as few cases are reported even among the adult population who was vaccinated many years ago. Aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus antibodies in EU/EEA countries within the age groups of 40-49 and 50-59 years.
Eighteen countries collected around 500 samples between 2015 and 2018 (N=10,302 in total) and they were analysed for IgG-specific antibodies against pertussis toxin (PT), diphtheria toxoid (Dt) and tetanus toxin (TT).
The proportion of sera with IgG-PT antibody levels ≥100 IU/mL, indicative for recent pertussis infection was comparable for 13/18 countries ranging between 4.0-6.4%. For diphtheria the proportion of sera lacking the protective level (<0.1 IU/mL) varied between 22.8% and 82.0%. For tetanus the protection was sufficient: only very few sera showed unprotective IgG-TT antibody levels.
The seroprevalence of pertussis indicates that the circulation of B. pertussis is widespread across EU/EEA. The lack of vaccine-induced seroprotection against diphtheria in EU/EEA in these age groups is of concern and deserves further attention.
Pattern of white matter degeneration in remote brain areas from the basal ganglion lesion of ischemic stroke patients with motor impairment
Authors: cao xuejin , Wang Zan , Chen Xiaohui , Liu Yanli , Yang Xi , Wang Wei , Abdoulaye Idriss Ali , Zhang Shiyao , Guo Xiaoying , Wu Shanshan , Guo Yijing 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have revealed distinct white matter characteristic of brain following diseases. Beyond the lesion-symptom mapping, recent studies have demonstrate extensive structural and functional alterations of remote areas to local lesions caused by stroke in the brain. Here, we investigated the influences further from a global level by multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and network-based statistic (NBS).
Methods
Ten ischemic stroke patients with basal ganglia lesion and motor dysfunction and eleven demographically matched adults underwent brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans. DTI data was processed to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) map and MVPA was used to explore brain regions that play an important role in classification based on FA map. White matter (WM) structural network was constructed by the deterministic fiber tracking approach according to the Automated Anatomical Labeling (AAL) atlas. NBS was used to explore differences of structural network between groups.
Results
MVPA applied to FA images correctly identified stroke patients with a statistically significant accuracy of 100% (P ≤ 0.001). Compared with the controls, the patients showed an FA reduction in the perilesional basal ganglia and brainstem, with a few in bilateral frontal lobes. Using NBS, we found the significant decreased FA-weighted WM subnetwork in stroke patients.
Conclusions
We identified some patterns of WM degeneration in the affected brain areas remote from the ischemic lesion, revealed the abnormal topological organization of WM network in stroke patients, which may be helpful for understanding of the neural mechanism of stroke sequela.
Large-area printing of ferroelectric surface and super-domains for efficient solar water splitting
Authors: Tian Yu , Wei Yaqing , Pei Minghui , Cao Rongrong , Gu Zhenao , Wang Jing , Liu Kunhui , Shang Dashan , Niu Jiebin , An Xiaoqiang , Long Run , Zhang Jinxing 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Surface electronic structures of the photoelectrodes determine the activity and efficiency of the photoelectrochemical water splitting, but the controls of their surface structures and interfacial chemical reactions remain challenging. Here, we use ferroelectric BiFeO3 as a model system to demonstrate an efficient and controllable water splitting reaction by large-area constructing the hydroxyls-bonded surface. The up-shift of band edge positions at this surface enables and enhances the interfacial holes and electrons transfer through the hydroxyl-active-sites, leading to simultaneously enhanced oxygen and hydrogen evolutions. Furthermore, printing of ferroelectric super-domains with microscale checkboard up/down electric fields separates the distribution of reduction/oxidation catalytic sites, enhancing the charge separation and giving rise to an order of magnitude increase of the photocurrent. This large-area printable ferroelectric surface and super-domains offer an alternative platform for controllable and high-efficient photocatalysis.
Metabolic characterization of aggressive breast cancer cells exhibiting invasive phenotype: Impact of non-cytotoxic doses of 2-DG on diminishing invasiveness
Authors: Fujita Mayumi , Imadome Kaori , Somasundaram Veena , Kawanishi Miki , Karasawa Kumiko , Wink David A. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BackgroundMetabolic reprogramming is being recognized as a fundamental hallmark of cancer, and efforts to identify drugs that can target cancer metabolism are underway. In this study, we used human breast cancer (BC) cell lines and established their invading phenotype (INV) collected from transwell inserts to compare metabolome differences and evaluate prognostic significance of the metabolome in aggressive BC invasiveness.MethodsThe invasiveness of seven human BC cell lines were compared using the transwell invasion assay. Among these, INV was collected from SUM149, which exhibited the highest invasiveness. Levels of metabolites in INV were compared with those of whole cultured SUM149 cells (WCC) using CE-TOFMS. The impact of glycolysis in INV was determined by glucose uptake assay using fluorescent derivative of glucose (2-NBDG), and significance of glycolysis, or tricarboxylic acid (TCA) and electron transport chain (ETC) in the invasive process were further determined in aggressive BC cell lines, SUM149, MDA-MB-231, HCC1937, using invasion assays in the presence or absence of inhibitors of glycolysis, TCA cycle or ETC.ResultsSUM149 INV sub-population exhibited a persistent hyperinvasive phenotype. INV were hyper-glycolytic with increased glucose (2-NBDG) uptake; diminished glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) levels but elevated pyruvate and lactate, along with higher expression of phosphorylated-pyruvate dehydrogenase (pPDH) compared to WCC. Notably, inhibiting of glycolysis with lower doses of 2-DG (1 mM), non-cytotoxic to MDA-MB-231 and HCC1937, was effective in diminishing invasiveness of aggressive BC cell lines. In contrast, 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NA), an inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, the enzyme that oxidizes succinate to fumarate in TCA cycle, and functions as complex II of ETC, had no significant effect on their invasiveness, although levels of TCA metabolites or detection of mitochondrial membrane potential with JC-1 staining, indicated that INV cells originally had functional TCA cycles and membrane potential.ConclusionsHyper-glycolytic phenotype of invading cells caters to rapid energy production required for invasion while TCA cycle/ETC cater to cellular energy needs for sustenance in aggressive BC. Lower, non-cytotoxic doses of 2-DG can hamper invasion and can potentially be used as an adjuvant with other anti-cancer therapies without the usual side-effects associated with cytotoxic doses.