bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Health Literacy, Self-management Behavior, Self-efficacy and Social Support on the Health-related Quality of Life of Kazakh Hypertension Patients in a Low-income Rural Area of China: a structural Equation Model
Authors: Zhang Qinghua , Huang Feifei , Zhang Lei , Li Shasha , Zhang Jingping 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Considering the High Blood Pressure-Health Literacy (HBP-HL) has not been included in the study of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). The synergistic effects and the potential mechanism HBP-HL, self-management behavior, medication adherence, self-efficacy, social support on HRQoL remain unclear. This study aimed to introduce the conception of HBP-HL, and develop a structural equation model to identify the factors influencing of the HRQoL among Kazakh hypertensive patients.
Methods

A cross-sectional investigation study was conducted to collect data. Patients with hypertension were recruited through random cluster sampling in Kazakh settlements in Urumqi County, Xinjiang. The one-on-one household interviews were conducted by Kazakh investigators. The questionnaires regarding HBP-HL, HRQoL, self-management behavior, medication adherence, self-efficacy, and social support were collected. In addition, the results of physical examination were also included. A structural equation model was used to assess the association between the measured factors and HRQoL.
Results

516 Kazakh patients were recruited, and 94.4% of them had a relatively low HBP-HL score. The mean standardized scores of HRQoL, self-management, medication adherence were poor; they were 63.5, 66.2, and 64.4, respectively. But 96.1% and 98.3% of the participants had high levels of self-efficacy and social support. The structural equation model of the HRQoL had a good overall fit (χ2/df = 2.078, AGFI = 0.944, GFI = 0.968, CFI = 0.947, IFI = 0.949, RMSEA = 0.046). The model indicated that the HBP-HL has the highest correlation with HRQoL, following with self-management behavior, social support, and self-efficacy.
Conclusions

Evidence from this study demonstrates that low HBP-HL is a major influenced factor of HRQoL among Kazakh hypertensive patients. Future programs should consider HBP-HL as the breakthrough point when designing targeting intervention strategies for Kazakh hypertension patients. Firstly, researchers should give a priority to evaluate patient’s HBP-HL before intervention. Next, tailored interventions are implemented for patients, and and ultimately it will contribute to control blood pressure and improve patients’ HRQoL.
Development and Psychometric Testing of the Hemodialysis Symptom Distress Scale (HSD-22) to Identify the Symptom Cluster by Using Exploratory Factor Analysis
Authors: Chen Mei-Chu , Lin Chiu-Chu , Ho Ya-Fang , Wu Chia-Chen , Kuo Li-Chueh 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Aims: To develop a theoretical and psychometrical reliable measurement tool to identify the symptom clusters of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study.Methods: To examine the psychometric properties of the HD symptom distress (HSD) scale, 216 subjects were recruited from a HD center of medical university hospital in Southern Taiwan from February, 2019 to April, 2019. Construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and the internal consistency and test–retest reliability were estimated by Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).Results: The HSD scale was composed of five factors with 22 items, including insufficient energy/vitality, cardiac–pulmonary distress, sleep disturbance, musculoskeletal distress, and gastrointestinal distress, with factor loading ranging from 0.62 to 0.87, explaining 65.5% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the HSD total scale was 0.93, and five subscales ranged from 0.73 to 0.87. The test-retest reliability was 0.92 (p < 0.001) by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for HSD-22 scale.Conclusion: Results indicated that the HSD-22 scale had initial satisfactory validity and reliability. Therefore, this tool can be used to identify the symptom clusters of patients receiving HD.Impact: Patients receiving HD often experienced multiple symptoms concurrently and may impact their quality of life. A valid and reliable tool is needed to assess the symptom distress of patients receiving HD in terms of the perspective of symptom clusters. Although many studies had explored symptom clusters related to patients receiving HD, the clusters form had problems with overlapping, vagueness, lack of cluster-specific, and difficulty in discerning their common mechanism under the cluster.　Psychometric testing from our study indicated that the HSD-22 scale can be employed to identify the symptom clusters of patients receiving HD in the clinical setting. Such identification enables healthcare professionals provide interventions to release patients’ symptom distress efficiently.
Validity and reliability of the Self-Care Activities Screening Scale (SASS-14) during COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Martinez Martín , Luis Elkin , Oliveros Edwin Yair , Fernández-Berrocal Pablo , Peña Ainize Sarrionandia , Fernández Marta Vidaurreta , Bermejo-Martins Elena 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background.
In a context where there is no treatment for the current COVID-19 virus, the combination of self-care behaviours together with confinement, are strategies to decrease the risk of contagion and remain healthy. However, there are no self-care measures to screen self-care activities in general population and which, could be briefly in a lockdown situation. This research covers two studies aimed to build and validate a psychometric tool to screen self-care activities in general population.
Methods.
In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis was performed in a sample of 226 participants to discover the underlying factorial structure and to reduce the number of items in the original tool into a significant pool of items related to self-care. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analyses were performed in a new sample of 261 participants to test for the fit and goodness of factor solutions. Internal validity, reliability, criterion validity, and convergent validity between its score with perceived stress and psychological well-being measures were examined on this sample.
Results.
In Study 1, exploratory analyses suggested a four-factor solution, corresponding to health consciousness, nutrition and physical activity, sleep, and intra-personal and inter-personal coping skills (14 items). In Study 2, the four-factor structure was confirmed as the best model fit for self-care activities. The tool demonstrated good reliability, predictive validity of individuals’ perception of coping with COVID-19 lockdown, and convergent validity with well-being and perceived stress measures.
Conclusions.
This screening tool could be helpful to address future evaluations and interventions to promote healthy behaviours. Likewise, this tool can be targeted to specific population self-care’s needs during a scalable situation.
Regeneration of Species of Natural Flora of the French Antilles Under Plantation Forests of Mahoganis (Swietenia Macrophylla and Aubrevilleana): First Data, the Case of Martinique
Authors: JOSEPH Philippe Léopold , BAILLARD Kévine , CLAUDE Jean-Philippe , ABATI Yelji , ELY-MARIUS Séverine , SOPHIE Stéphane , JEAN-FRANCOIS Yanis , SIMPHOR Jean-Emile , MAJOR Péguy , MARC Jean-Valéry 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BackgroundIn many geographic areas influenced by tropical and temperate climates, natural forest ecosystems have been destroyed in favour of plantations of allochthonous trees which are economically profitable for different aspects of the timber industry. Some of these mature plantations degrade the soils and inhibit the regenerations of local flora species; others, due to the physical constraints which they impose, can contribute to the installation and the morphogenetic development of autochthonous taxa. The plantations of Swietenia macrophylla and Swietenia aubrevilleana (Mahoganys) in the Lesser Antilles are part of these processes. MethodsTo study the regeneration methods of forest plant species native to Martinique under plantations of Mahoganys, we carried out surveys in thirteen transects (stations) influenced by humid and subhumid bioclimates. ResultsThe results showed that affine natural flora species from various stages of the plant succession colonise the plots of mature Mahoganys. ConclusionsThis study shows that mature plantations of not very competitive introduced forest species can greatly accelerate phytocenotic succession and increase specific richness. It is therefore possible to use these introduced species (Swietenia macrophylla and Swietenia aubrevilleana) in reforestation processes of Lesser Antilles biotopes of sylvan potentiality degraded by anthropisation.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Dental Hygienists in Italy: A Questionnaire Survey.
Authors: Bontà Giuliana , Campus Guglielmo Giuseppe , Cagetti Maria Grazia 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Backgroud: This survey assesses the signs/symptoms, the protective measures taken and the awareness and risk perception regarding COVID-19 among Italian dental hygienists. All Italian dental hygienists were invited to participate. The online ad hoc questionnaire was divided into four domains: personal data, protective measures (-before patient arrival; -in the waiting room; -in the operating room) and PPE, awareness and risk perception. Results: Two-thousand-seven-hundred-ninety-eight subjects participated. Only 0.25% of the sample was positive to the virus. Sense of fatigue (8.19%), headache (7.81%) and sore throat (7.32%) were the most common symptoms. A statistically significant trend across the areas with a different prevalence of COVID-19 was observed related to the number of signs/symptoms (areas z=6.38 p<0.01). Overall, 90.55% of the sample used protective glasses or visor, 90.10% disposable gloves and 82.80% surgical mask. Regarding the confidence to avoid the infection, a statistically significant difference was found among dental hygienists belong to the three years-professional-experiences groups who worked in the high COVID-19 prevalence area. The findings of this survey show that Italian dental hygienists have modified their working habits according to the professional risk related to the current pandemic and they seem correctly prepared to face the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Breastfeeding and Child Oral Health Promotion: Perspectives of Nursing Mothers and Dentists
Authors: Cardozo Pedro Igor , Forte Franklin Delano Soares , Batiston Adriane Pires 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the knowledge and practices of dentists regarding breastfeeding as a strategy for promoting children's oral health. It also aimed to investigate how nursing mothers perceive the participation of dentists in actions to promote and support breastfeeding. Methods: this study employed a mixed methodological approach. During the quantitative phase, 91 dentists of the Family Health Strategy answered an electronic questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. For the qualitative investigation, were interviewed 21 nursing mothers. These interviews were examined through content analysis, and the results were interpreted from the perspective of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Results: Among dentists, 81.3% agreed that they are aware of the implications of breastfeeding for the child's oral health and reported 72.8% advising mothers and pregnant women about its benefits. Ambivalent social norms and weaknesses related to actions promoting and supporting breastfeeding emerged in the speeches of nursing mothers, and unfamiliarity about the benefits of this practice for children's oral health. Conclusions: Dentists recognize the benefits of breastfeeding for children's oral health. On the other hand, the nursing mothers pointed out barriers, exposed weaknesses, and signaled necessary conjunction of efforts to improve maternal and child care quality.
Predicting the Incidence of Brucellosis in Western Iran using Markov switching model
Authors: Mohammadian-Khoshnoud Maryam , Sadeghifar Majid , Cheraghi Zahra , Hosseinkhani Zahra 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective: Brucellosis is a zoonosis almost chronic disease. Brucellosis bacteria can remain in the environment for a long time. Thus, climate irregularities could pave the way for the survival of the bacterium Brucellosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of climatic factors as well as predicting the incidence of Brucellosis in Qazvin province using the Markov switching model. This study is a secondary study of data collected from 2010 to 2019 in Qazvin province. The data include Brucellosis cases and climatic parameters. Two state Markov switching model with time lags of zero, one and two was fitted to the data. The Bayesian information criterion was used to evaluate the models. Results: According to the Bayesian information criterion, the two-state Markov switching model with a one-month lag is a suitable model. The month, the average wind speed, the minimum temperature have a positive effect on the number of Brucellosis, the age and rainfall have a negative effect. The results show that the probability of an outbreak for the third month of 2019 is 0.30%.
The properties of MOF-Zn2(EBNB)2(BPY)2·2H2O and its basic study of loading Methadone
Authors: Linxin Deng , Song Li , Sun Xuehua 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The ligands of (E)-bis(p-3-nitrobenzoic acid) vinyl (C16H10N2O8) were synthesized in three steps, and then the MOF-Zn2(EBNB)2(BPY)2·2H2O was synthesized by solvothermal method. This structure was characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, SEM and TG. The drug loading and in vitro release of Zn2(EBNB)2(BPY)2·2H2O were also studied with Methadone as model drug. The result shows that the highest loading amount of Zn2(EBNB)2(BPY)2·2H2O to Methadone was 0.256 g/g, and the drug delivery system was a two-phase mode. The results of in vitro cytotoxicity test shows that Zn2(EBNB)2(BPY)2·2H2O has good biocompatibility.
Proportion optimization of grouting materials for roadways with soft surrounding mass
Authors: Feng Guorui , Hao Chenliang , Wang Pengfei 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Severe deformation and failure frequently occur in roadways with soft or weak surrounding rock and have greatly influenced safe and efficient mining of coal in many coal mines. Using portland cement, emery and fly ash as main raw materials, through laboratory tests, effect of water/binder ratio, cement/sand ratio, water/sodium silicate ratio, water reducing agent, fly ash/cement ratio and various performance indexes of grout of fluidity, viscosity, setting time, bleeding rate, compressive strength, concretion rate and various performance indexes were systematically analyzed. An optimized mixture ratio of the main raw materials added in the grouting material proportion was determined through uniform design method, an optimal mixture ratio was determined by regression analysis. The results show that: 1) The flow performance is significantly affected by change of sodium silicate and water reducer, the compressive strength of grouting material increases significantly with increase in emery content, and decreases significantly with increase in water reducer. 2) An optimized mixture ratio among water cement ratio, cement sand ratio, water/sodium silicate ratio, water reducing agent, fly ash/cement ratio in the grouting material is 0.75, 1.2, 8%, 3% and 0.18, respectively. Field test demonstrated that the material has better performance in reinforcing weak and broken rock mass.
Monitoring Advances Including Consent; Learning from COVID-19 Trials and Other Trials Running in UKCRC Registered Clinical Trials Units During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Love Sharon , Armstrong Emma , Bayliss Carrie , Boulter Melanie , Fox Lisa , Grumett Joanne , Rafferty Patricia , Temesi Barbara , Wills Krista , Corkhill Andrea 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected how clinical trials are managed, both within existing portfolios and for the rapidly developed COVID-19 trials. Sponsors or delegated organisations responsible for monitoring trials have needed to consider and implement alternative ways of working due to the national infection risk necessitating restricted movement of staff and public, reduced clinical staff resource as research staff moved to clinical areas, and amended working arrangements for sponsor and sponsor delegates as staff moved to working from home. Organisations have often worked in isolation to fast track mitigations required for the conduct of clinical trials during the pandemic; this paper describes many of the learnings from a group of monitoring leads based in UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit (CTUs) within the UK.MethodsThe UKCRC Monitoring Task and Finish Group comprising monitoring leads from 9 CTUs, met repeatedly to identify how COVID-19 had affected clinical trial monitoring. Informed consent is included as a specific issue within this paper, as review of completed consent documentation is often required within trial monitoring plans (TMPs). Monitoring is defined as involving on-site monitoring, central monitoring or/and remote monitoring. ResultsMonitoring, required to protect the safety of the patients, the integrity of the trial and ensure the protocol is followed, is often best done by a combination of central, remote and on-site monitoring. However, if on-site monitoring is not possible, workable solutions can be found using only central or central and remote monitoring. eConsent, consent by a third person, or via remote means is plausible. Minimising datasets to the critical data reduces workload for sites and CTU staff. Home working caused by COVID-19 has made electronic trial master files (TMF’s) more inviting. Allowing sites to book and attend protocol training at a time convenient to them has been successful and worth pursuing for trials with many sites in the future.ConclusionsThe arrival of COVID-19 in the UK has forced consideration of and changes to how clinical trials are conducted in relation to monitoring. Some developed practices will be useful in other pandemics and others should be incorporated into regular use.
Altered gut microbiota correlate with different immune response to HAART in HIV-infected individual
Authors: Sun Jia , Wei Li , Jiang Haiyin , Hu Caiqin , Yang Jiezuan , Huang Ying , Ruan Bing , Zhu Biao , Xie Yirui 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Although gut microbiota dysbiosis has recently been reported in HIV infected individuals, the relationship between the gut microbiota and immune activation in patients with different immune response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is still not well understood. Gut microbiota and immune activation were studied in 36 non-HIV-infected subjects (Health Control) and 58 HIV-infected individuals which included 28 immunological responders (IR) and 30 immunological non-responders (INR) (≥500 and <200 CD4+ T-cell counts/µl after 2 years of HIV-1 viral suppression respectively) without comorbidities. Results: Metagenome sequencing revealed that the diversity and composition of gut microbiota could not be recovered completely as normal gut environment in HIV-infected individuals although with immunological response after long-term effective ART. At the genus level, predominant genera Fusobacterium, Ruminococcus_gnavus and Megamonas were more abundant, whereas Faecalibacterium, Alistipes, Bifidobacterium, Eubacteriumrectale, and Roseburia were depleted in IR and INR group than health control. Ruminococcaceae and Alistipes were positively correlated to nadir and current CD4+ T-cell, but negatively correlated to CD8+CD57+ T-cell. Inflammation markers and translocation biomarkers (LPS) levels were positively correlated to the abundance of genus Ruminococcus and Fusobacterium, but were negatively correlated to genus Faecalibacterium. Escherichia-Shigella and Blautia were enriched significantly in IR than INR group. Escherichia-Shigella were negatively correlated to CD4/CD8 ratio, but positively correlated to CD8+CD57+ T-cell. Conclusions: Altogether, the gut microbiota is one of the factors contributing to different immune response to HAART. Fusobacterium, Alistipes, Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium and Escherichia-Shigella maybe the major genus contributed to different immune response in immunodiscordant and immunoconcordant patients on long-term suppressive ART.
Plasma levels of lipocalin 2 is increased in neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients, particularly those with macular fibrosis
Authors: Chen Mei , Yang Nan , Lechner Judith , Toch Levente , Hogg Ruth , Silverstri Giuliana , Chakravarthy Usha , Xu Heping 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Previously, we and others have reported high populations of circulating neutrophils in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL, also known as lipocalin-2, LCN2), an important innate immune mediator, is known to be critically involved in sterile inflammation-mediated organ failure, fibrosis, cancer progression and retinal degeneration. This study investigated the plasma levels of LCN2, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and LCN2/MMP9 complex in different types of nAMD and examined whether the levels were related to patients’ responsiveness to anti-VEGF therapy. Results: One hundred and seventy-four nAMD patients, including 108 with choroidal neovascularisation (CNV), 32 with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP), 23 with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 11 unclassified patients, and 43 controls were recruited to this case-control study. Fifty-eight nAMD patients had macular fibrosis and 110 patients did not. Out of the 174 nAMD patients, 80 patients responded completely, 90 responded partially, and 4 did not respond to the anti-VEGF therapy. The plasma levels of LCN2 in nAMD patients (181.46 ± 73.62 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (152.24 ± 49.55 ng/ml, P = 0.047). However, the difference disappeared after adjusting for age. A positive correlation between plasma level of LCN2 and age was observed in nAMD patients (r=0.29, P=0.0002) but not in healthy controls. The plasma level of LCN2 was also positively correlated with circulating neutrophils in nAMD patients (r=0.34, p=0.0007) but not in healthy controls (r=0.057, p=0.77). No correlation was observed between age and circulating neutrophils. Further analysis of nAMD subtypes uncovered a significantly higher level of LCN2 in patients with macular fibrosis even after adjusting for age. No relationship was observed between plasma levels of LCN2 and patients’ responsiveness to anti-VEGF therapy. The plasma levels of MMP9 and LCN2/MMP9 complex were comparable between nAMD and controls. Conclusions: Our results suggest that higher plasma levels of LCN2 in nAMD are related to ageing and increased population of circulating neutrophils. Our results also suggest that higher levels of LCN2 may increase the risk of macular fibrosis in nAMD.