bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
S100A8/A9 Acts as Prognostic Indicators and Promotes Migration and Invasion via p38 MAPK Pathway in&nbsp;Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Ning , Zhang Beibei , Yan Xuemin , Cai Yan , He Qin , Han Zijian , Yi Xiang , Huang Yuanjiao 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one type of malignancy associated with migration and invasion through a currently unclear mechanism. We previously discovered S100A8/A9 levels were roughly elevated in the plasma of NPC patients as the promising biomarkers. However, their expressions and underlying functions in NPC tissues are still unknown. Methods In the present study, we analyzed 49 NPC tissues and 20 chronic pharyngitis (CP) tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in different tissues and analyzed by mann-whitney U test statistically. Transwell migration and invasion experiments were further performed to determine S100A8/A9 effects on NPC. Results Our results showed that S100A8/A9 in NPC tissues were significantly higher than those in CP tissues, closely associated with NPC clinical stages. Intriguingly, exogenous S100A8/A9 protein stimulation could dramatically enhance NPC migration and invasion abilities. In addition, p38 MAPK pathway blockade could diminish the migration and invasion of NPC cells stimulated by S100A8/A9 proteins. The downstream tumor invasion and migration associated proteins (e.g. MMP7) were also elevated in NPC tissues, consistent with S100A8/A9 overexpression. Conclusions Taken together, our present findings suggest that the secreted soluble inflammatory factors S100A8/A9 might promote cancer migration and invasion via p38 MAPK signaling pathway along with invasion/migration associated proteins overexpression in the tumor microenvironment of NPC. This may shed light on the mechanism understanding of NPC prognosis and provide more novel clues for NPC diagnosis and therapy.
Enhancing Existing Medical School Curricula with an Innovative Healthcare Disparities Curriculum
Authors: Treacy-Abarca Sean , Aguilar Marisela Nicole , Vassar Stefanie , Hernandez Estebes , Farra Neveen El , Brown Arleen 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Effective healthcare disparities curricula are essential to improve care of minority patients. Methods: A cost-neutral, evidence-based curriculum was created by enhancing established medical school lectures at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine class of 2021 (n=188). Lectures within an 8-week course were evaluated for “teachable moments” or broad topics suitable to introduce specific healthcare disparities content. A lecture-enhancing curriculum based on Society of General Internal Medicine learning objectives was introduced into the DGSOM learning management system via supplemental PDF documents. Results: A total of 92 of 188 students completed curricular assessments and were stratified into intervention group (“utilized materials” n=52) and comparison (“did not utilize the material” n=40) groups based on self-reported use of materials. Minorities were more likely to utilize the material (41% of the intervention group vs 17% of the comparison group, p<.01). Post-course 16-item knowledge composite scores, and confidence in addressing healthcare disparities improved only in the intervention group (p=0.001), and 96% of respondents described the health disparities curriculum as a valuable learning resource. Conclusions: Enhancing pre-existing lectures by identifying and harnessing “teachable moments” is a cost-neutral and effective strategy to integrate a healthcare disparities curriculum.
Definition and prevalence of familial short stature
Authors: Grigoletto Veronica , Occhipinti Alessandro Agostino , Pellegrin Maria Chiara , Sirchia Fabio , Barbi Egidio , Tornese Gianluca 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective
A significant portion of familial short stature (FSS) cases may not be recognized in clinical practice if the parents’ height is not adequately investigated. This study aimed to verify the prevalence of different definition of FSS on a cross-sectional cohort of children referred for short stature (SS) when their height and that of both parents were measured.
Methods
We consecutively enrolled 65 individuals referred for SS when both parents were present. We defined “target height related short stature” (TH-SS) when child height SDS was ≤-2 and included in the range of TH (i.e. TH SDS ± 1.5) and “autosomal dominant short stature” (AD-SS) when child and at least one parent heights were ≤-2 SDS.
Results
On 65 children referred for SS, 48 individuals had a height ≤-2 SDS. Based on measured parents’ heights, 24 children had TH-SS and 16 children AD-SS; 12 children were identified by both TH-SS and AD-SS, while 12 children with TH-SS did not have any of parents with SS. When considering reported parents’ heights, 3 out of 24 children with TH-FSS and 9 out of 16 with AD-FSS would have been missed.
Conclusion
This study underlines that adequate measurement and consideration of both parents’ height should be part of the clinical evaluation of every children with SS and new definitions should be used to detect and adequately approach the cases of FSS, since the identification of a causative gene in AD-SS can support treatment and follow-up decisions.
Research Relationship Between Hemodialysis and Health-Related Quality of Life - A Cross-Sectional Study of Diagnosis and Duration of Hemodialysis
Authors: Noto Shinichi , Miyazaki Masashi , Takeuchi Hidemi , Saito Shinya 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Hemodialysis is a medical technology implemented for various renal diseases and has a significant budget impact in Japan. Hemodialysis also affects health-related quality of life, as it interferes with daily life, but the effect of diagnosis and duration of hemodialysis is not clear. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of hemodialysis on health-related quality of life, with a focus on diagnosis and duration of hemodialysis.Methods: We conducted EQ-5D-5L surveys among hemodialysis patients at a single hemodialysis hospital between November 2015 and September 2017 and used a scoring algorithm that was developed in Japan to calculate the scores. Results: A total of 274 subjects without missing data were included in the data analysis. The mean score of the entire group was 0.772 ± 0.215. Compared with other domains, pain/discomfort had the highest percentage of problems (59.1%). There were no differences in the distributions with respect to diagnostic names in any domain. Multiple regression analysis showed that hemodialysis duration was the only explanatory variable that had a significant effect on EQ-5D-5L scores.Conclusions: QOL measured using the EQ-5D-5L survey score was not affected by age, gender, or diagnosis but was affected by hemodialysis duration. A prolonged hemodialysis duration decreased the QOL of Japanese hemodialysis patients.
Beneficial effect of omarigliptin on diabetic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Hattori Sachiko , Nomoto Kazuhiro , Suzuki Tomohiko , Hayashi Seishu 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) is a serine exopeptidase able to inactivate various oligopeptides and also a hepatokine. Hepatocyte-specific overexpression of DPP4 is associated with hepatic insulin resistance and liver steatosis. Method: We examined whether weekly DPP4 inhibitor omarigliptin (OMG) improves liver function as well as levels of inflammation and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Furthermore, we tried OMG in a diabetic patient with biopsy-confirmed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Results: In NAFLD patients, OMG significantly decreased levels of aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gGTP), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), while no significant change was seen in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) or body mass index (BMI). In a NASH patient, liver function had improved markedly, and the hepatic fibrosis marker FIB-4 decreased in parallel with HOMA-IR and hsCRP. Improvements in intrahepatic fat deposition and fibrosis appeared to be seen on ultrasonography.Conclusion: The effects of OMG in ameliorating hepatic insulin resistance may lead to decreasing intrahepatic fat accumulation and improving intrahepatic adipose inflammation in NAFLD/NASH.Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Registry (UMIN000029288). Registered 22 September, 2017, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/UMIN000029288
Geographically Masking Addresses to Study COVID-19 Clusters
Authors: Houfaf-Khoufaf Walid , Touya Guillaume 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The spatio-temporal analysis of cases is a good way an epidemic, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately generated a huge amount of data. But analysing this raw data, with for instance the address of the people who contracted COVID-19, raises some privacy issues, and geomasking is necessary topreserve both people privacy and the spatial accuracy required for analysis. This paper proposes dierent geomasking techniques adapted to this COVID-19 data.Methods: Different techniques are adapted from the literature, and tested on a synthetic dataset mimicking the COVID-19 spatio-temporal spreading in Paris and a more rural nearby region. Theses techniques are assessed in terms of k-anonymity and cluster preservation.Results: Three adapted geomasking techniques are proposed: aggregation, bimodal gaussian perturbation, and simulated crowding. All three can be useful in different use cases, but the bimodal gaussian perturbation is the overall best techniques, and the simulated crowding is the most promising one, provided some improvements are introduced to avoid points with a low k-anonymity.Conclusions: It is possible to use geomasking techniques on addresses of people who caught COVID-19, while preserving the important spatial patterns.
The Epidemiology of Moebius Syndrome in Italy
Authors: carta arturo , Favilla Stefania , Calzetti Giacomo , Casalini Maria Cristina , Ferrari Pier Francesco , Bianchi Berrnardo , Simonelli Maria Beatrice , Farci Roberta , gandolfi Stefano , Mora Paolo 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The epidemiology of Moebius Syndrome (MBS) is actually difficult to assess. In the present study we investigated the epidemiology of MBS in a well-defined population over a precise geographical area. Materials and Methods: Our University Hospital is the only national referral Centre for the diagnosis and treatment of MBS. Participants to this cross-sectional study are patients affected by MBS who have been periodically followed by our medical staff since 1998. Most of the patients were referred to our hospital by the Italian Association of Moebius Syndrome (AISMO). Demographic data necessary for our purposes were made available by AISMO database updated to April 2018. Subjects were assigned to the geographical macro- areas which are the ones conventionally used for surveys and epidemiological investigations by the Italian National Institute of Statistics. Rates and prevalence of the MBS cases were calculated referring to the last survey of the Italian population available. Every study parameter was then calculated by reference to the whole country and to macro-area partition. Gender rate and the corresponding prevalence were calculated with respect to the weighted whole population and to the respective gender population. Chi-square analysis was adopted to investigate possible differences among geographical regions and/or gender. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: One-hundred and sixty-four out of 212 MBS patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria. All cases were Caucasian and sporadic. The median age at diagnosis was 3.6 years, ranging from 0-55; this range was significantly reduced to 0-5 years (median age at diagnosis: 2.2 years) for patients included after 2007. The birth prevalence calculated was 0.06 cases per 10000 live births with an overall prevalence of 0.27/100000 without any gender or geographical predisposition. Conclusions: The rate of MBS prevalence herein observed, rounded for possible underestimation, is 0.3/100000 people without any regional difference in the distribution of the cases. Our data confirm on a national basis the rarity of the disease.
Skin cancers in people with albinism in Togo in 2019: results of two rounds of national mobile skin care clinics
Authors: Saka Bayaki , Akakpo Sefako Abla , Teclessou Julienne Noude , Gnossike Piham , Adam Saliou , Kassang Panawe , Elegbede Yvette , Mouhari-Toure Abas , Darre Tchin , Kombate Koussake , Pitche Palokinam 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: In people with albinism (PWA), the deficiency of melanin increase the risk of skin cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of skin cancers and characteristics of these detected skin cancers (histological types, localization) in PWA in 10 cities in Togo in 2019.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of medical records of PWA systematically examined during two mobile skin care clinics in 2019, as part of a programme for the prevention and management of skin cancers in these subjects. Results: During the study period, 280 (95.2%) of the 294 PWA consulted, had developed skin lesions. Of the 280 PWA, the pathological reports from the medical records of 33 patients (11.8%; (95%CI= [8.2-16.2]) had concluded to non-melanoma skin cancers. The mean age of these 33 patients was 38.6±15.2 years and the sex-ratio was 1. Their occupations were mainly resellers (21.2%), traders (15.2%) and farmers (12.2%). In the 33 patients, 54 cases of non-melanoma skin cancers were identified, with some patients having more than one tumor, and some of them having more than one (histologically confirmed) diagnosis. These 54 non-melanoma skin cancers were divided into 21 cases of invasive squamous cell carcinomas, 2 cases of Bowen’s disease and 31 cases of basal cell carcinomas. These non-melanoma skin cancers mainly occurred in the head and neck (33 cases; 61.1%), the upper limbs (15 cases; 27, 8%) and the trunk (4 cases; 7.4%).Conclusion: The results of this study show a high prevalence of skin cancers among PWAs in Togo in 2019, only non-melanoma skin cancers. In addition, they illustrate the role of ultraviolet rays with regard to the localization of skin cancers and the occupations of patients. Popularization and compliance with photo protection measures, systematic and regular examination of the skin of these PWAs will allow early detection and treatment of these skin cancers.
Design and validation of Brucellosis prevention questionnaire focused on animal vaccination
Authors: Bahadori Farhad , Ghofranipour Fazlollah , Ghaﬀarifar Saeideh , Ziaei Reza 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The inadequate awareness of livestock breeders on brucellosis transmission, as well as their improper knowledge about preventing brucellosis is considered as one of the important barriers to animal vaccination against brucellosis. The present study aimed to design and validate a brucellosis prevention questionnaire focused on animal vaccination. The valid questionnaire was used to design, implement, and evaluate an interventional training program.Method: A brucellosis prevention questionnaire (BPQ) was developed in the exploratory psychometric study. In addition, face-to-face interviews were conducted to formulate its initial items, the results of which were merged with those obtained from literature review. Further, the face, content, and construct validity of the questionnaire were assessed by co-operating livestock breeders, veterinarians, and health educationists. The impact score (IS), and content validity ratio (CVR) and index (CVI) of the items were calculated, and the construct validity of the questionnaire was evaluated through factor analysis. Furthermore, the reliability of the results related to the questionnaire was measured by using Cronbach’s alpha, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and composite reliability, as well as the standard error of measurement (SEM).Results: The questionnaire was finalized with 53 items and its validity was confirmed by CVI (0.90), CVR (0.74), and IS (4.30). Additionally, the items were loaded into three constructs of awareness, attitude, and practice. Further, the predictive power of awareness, attitude, and practice was determined as 43.43, 15.81, and 15.78%, respectively. Furthermore, the fitness of the proposed model among the constructs was confirmed by the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) <0.08, as well as normed chi-square (x 2/ df) < 5.0, comparative fit index (CFI) ≥ 0.90, and Tucker- Lewis index (TLI) ≥ 0.9. Conclusion: The brucellosis prevention questionnaire represented acceptable psychometric properties. The factors influencing the preventive behavior of livestock breeders can be identified by applying the questionnaire, and co-operating veterinarians and educational planners.
The influence of the Municipal Human Development Index and maternal education on infant mortality: an investigation in a retrospective cohort study in the extreme south of Brazil
Authors: Anele Carolina Ribeiro , Hirakata Vânia Naomi , Goldani Marcelo Zubaran , Silva Clécio Homrich da 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Infant mortality is considered an important and sensitive health indicator in several countries, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. Most of the factors influencing infant mortality are interrelated and are the result of social issues. Therefore, this study performed an investigation of the influence of the MHDI and maternal education on infant mortality in a capital in the extreme south of Brazil. Methods: It is a retrospective cohort study with data on births and deaths in the first year of life for the period of 2000-2017. The association between the independent variables and the outcome was done by bivariate analysis through simple Poisson regression. The variables that can potentially be considered confounding factors were used in a multiple Poisson regression for robust variances - adjusted model. Results: The study included 317545 children, of whom 3107 died. The medium MHDI showed associated with infant death in the first year of life. Maternal education, individually and jointly analyzed with the MHDI, showed association with the outcome of infant death in the first year of life, particularly for children of mothers with lower maternal education (p<0.001). In relation to other related factors, maternal age; number of Prenatal Care Consultations; gestational age, weight, gender and Apgar Index (5th minute) of the newborn showed association with IM (p<0.001). Conclusions: The HDI is considered a good predictor of infant mortality by some authors and the analyzes of the present study also confirm an association of the medium MHDI and its low MHDIE component with infant mortality. In addition, it was maternal education with less than eight years of study that that demonstrated a higher risk of death, revealing itself to be a social determinant with a relevant impact on infant mortality. Thus, it is possible to conclude that maternal education is available information, and it is superior to the MHDI to assess the infant mortality outcome.
Dynamic changes of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts breast cancer prognosis
Authors: Kim Ju-Yeon , Jung Eun Jung , Kim Jae-Myung , Lee Han Shin , Kwag Seung-Jin , Park Ji-Ho , Park Taejin , Jeong Sang-Ho , Jeong Chi-Young , Ju Young-Tae 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: We aimed to identify whether neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are more useful predictors after initial intention to treat than at the time of diagnosis.Methods: We collected the medical data of 533 patients. The results of the peripheral blood sampling before the primary treatments were labeled as initial cohort, and those obtained between 24 and 36 months after initial treatment were defined as the 2nd cohort. Delayed metastasis has been defined as distant metastasis 2 years after treatment, and survival outcome was estimated and compared across groups. Results: Median follow-up duration was 74 months (24–162 months), and 53 patients experienced delayed metastasis. In univariate analysis, metastasis-free survival, patient age at diagnosis, tumor size, axillary lymph node metastasis, HER-2 status, initial NLR and PLR, and 2nd NLR and PLR were found to be significantly associated with delayed metastasis. However, in multivariate analysis, only the 2nd NLR and PLR were found to be significantly associated with delayed metastasis, excluding initial NLR and PLR. Metastasis-free survival was analyzed through the pattern changes of NLR or PLR. The results revealed that patients with continued low NLR and PLR values at pre- and post-treatment (low initial values and 2nd values) showed a significantly better prognosis than those with a change in value or continued high NLR and PLR. Conclusions: We identified that patients with persistent high NLR and PLR after initial treatment have significant worse prognosis in terms of late metastasis. Therefore, these results suggest that NLR and PLR are more useful in predicting prognosis post-treatment.
Prediction of mechanical ventilation greater than 24 hours in critically ill obstetric patients: Ten years of data from a tertiary teaching hospital in mainland China
Authors: Zhao Huiying , Wang Guangjie , Lyu Jie , Zhang Xiaohong , An Youzhong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Maternal admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) during pregnancy or in the postpartum period is a marker of severe acute maternal morbidity. Mechanical ventilation is an important and basic method of maintaining life support in the ICU, but prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is associated with a prolonged length of hospital stay and other adverse outcomes. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective study to describe morbidity and further try to identify the risk factors for PMV in critically ill obstetric women.Methods: The clinical data were obtained from a single-centre retrospective comparative study of 143 critically ill obstetric patients at a tertiary teaching hospital in mainland China between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019. PMV was defined as a mechanical ventilation length of more than 24 hours. Clinical and obstetric parameters were collected to analyse the risk factors for PMV. Patients were separated into groups with and without PMV. Potential risk factors were identified by univariate testing. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate independent predictors of PMV.Results: Out of 29,236 hospital deliveries, 265 critically ill obstetric patients entered the ICU. One hundred forty-five (54.7%) of them were treated with mechanical ventilation. Two were excluded because of death within 24 hours. Sixty-five critically ill obstetric patients (45.5%) underwent PMV. The independent risk factors for PMV included estimated blood loss (odds ratio (OR) =1.296, P=0.029), acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR=4.305, P=0.013), myocardial injury (OR=4.586, P=0.012), and PaO2/FiO2 (OR=0.989, P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve based on the predicted probability of the logistic regression was 0.934.Conclusions: Estimated blood loss, AKI, myocardial injury, and PaO2/FiO2 were independent risk factors for PMV in critically ill obstetric patients.