bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial empowerment-based interventions for smoking reduction: concepts, measures and outcomes. A systematic review
Authors: Coppo Alessandro , Gattino Silvia , Faggiano Fabrizio , Gilardi Luisella , Capra Paola , Tortone Claudio , Fedi Angela , De Piccoli Norma 
Published: June 2020

Although empowerment is a widely used concept in health-related areas, its definition remains unclear. While there is evidence for the effectiveness of empowerment interventions in improving some psychosocial factors linked to health (e.g. patient self-care strategy, coping skills, access and effective use of health services) and some health outcomes like mental health and HIV/AIDS-related behaviour, other data appear to contradict this. Moreover, concepts, measures, and outcomes related to empowerment are operationalized in different ways. Using the case of tobacco control programmes, we wanted to explore: (a) how research on smoking reduction/prevention has conceptualized empowerment; (b) which measures and instruments have been used to assess behaviour outcomes and the empowerment process. We hypothesized that the transformative potential that characterizes empowerment is marginally considered. A total of 18 studies reporting on the effect of prevention interventions on smoking and/or empowerment outcomes were reviewed. Two kinds of study were distinguished: (a) studies reporting behaviour outcomes without data about the impact on empowerment; (b) studies analysing the empowerment process. Among this latter type, some studies did not provide information about the specific behaviour (smoking), while others examined the impact of intervention on both smoking and empowerment. In about half of all studies, empowerment strategies were found to be effective in improving smoking outcomes, while no differences were found between intervention and control groups in the remaining studies. The present review suggests that pragmatic definitions of empowerment need to be developed in order to promote its transferability and evaluation.
China’s SCI-Indexed Publications: Facts, Feelings, and Future Directions
Authors: Liu Weishu 
Published: June 2020

Purpose: In relation to the boom in China’s SCI-indexed publications, this opinion piece examines this phenomenon and looks at future possible directions for the reform of China’s research evaluation processes. Design/Approach/Methods: This opinion piece uses bibliographic data for the past decade (2010–2019) from the Science Citation Index Expanded in the Web of Science Core Collection to examine the rise in China’s SCI-indexed publications. Findings: China has surpassed the U.S. and been the largest contributor of SCI publications since 2018. However, while the impact of China’s SCI publications is rising, the scale of this impact still lags behind that of other major contributing countries. China’s SCI publications are also overrepresented in some journals. Originality/Value: Reporting the latest facts about China’s SCI-indexed publications, this article will benefit the reform of China’s research evaluation system.
Use of traction table did not increase complications in total hip arthroplasty through direct anterior approach performed by novice surgeon
Authors: Banno Sammy , Baba Tomonori , Tanabe Hiroki , Homma Yasuhiro , Ochi Hironori , Watari Taiji , Kobayashi Hideo , Kaneko Kazuo 
Published: June 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the surgical outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) through direct anterior approach (DAA) performed by beginners by comparing the outcomes after the introduction of DAA-THA between using a normal operating table and a traction table. Methods: The total subjects were 200 patients, there were 120 cases from the introduction of three surgeons using a normal table and 80 cases from two surgeons using a traction table. The surgical procedure was standardized, and a surgeon skilled in DAA entered the operating room and instructed the novice surgeons of DAA in all cases. Results: The mean operative time was no significant difference between the two groups ( p = 0.093). The difference in slope of the operative time was no significant difference between the two groups ( p value = 0.089). The mean fluoroscopy time and the mean blood loss were significant difference between the two groups ( p < 0.05). The difference in slope of the fluoroscopy time and blood loss were significant difference between the two groups ( p < 0.05). There were no intraoperative complications and no reoperations for any reason. Conclusions: At the facility with a surgeon skilled in DAA, the use of a traction table in DAA did not increase the complication rate compared with the use of a normal operating table when the exclusion criteria for DAA were set and surgery was performed using intraoperative fluoroscopy under supervision by a skilled surgeon.
Disparities in Dental Use and Untreated Caries Prevalence by Income
Authors: Griffin S.O. , Thornton-Evans G. , Wei L. , Griffin P.M. 
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Untreated dental caries (UC), although preventable, is the most prevalent disease in the United States. UC diminishes quality of life and lowers productivity for millions of Americans and is notably higher among lower-income compared to higher-income persons. Objective: This study examines changes in disparities by income in past-year dental use (DU) and UC in 4 life stages (2−5, 6−19, 20−64, and ≥65 y) between 1999−2004 and 2011−2016. We also examined changes in dental safety net policies during this time. Methods: We obtained data on dependent variables, UC and DU, from cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys for 1999−2004 and 2011−2016. We used multivariable regression models with 3 main-effect explanatory variables: income (<200% or ≥200% federal poverty level), life stage, and survey period (1999−2004 or 2011−2016) and sociodemographic variables. We included 2-way interaction terms among main-effect variables to test whether disparities had changed over time in each life stage and a 3-way term to test changes in disparities differed across life stages. Results: Model-adjusted disparities in DU decreased for both preschool-age and school-age children, and disparities in UC decreased for school-age children. Changes in DU and UC disparities were not detectable for working-age adults and increased for retirement-age adults. Changes in DU and UC among preschool and school-age children were not significantly different from one another and were significantly different from changes among retirement-age adults. Compared to working-age adults, changes in disparities for DU and UC were significantly different for school-age children, and changes in DU were significantly different for preschool-age children. Between surveys, the dental safety net was expanded for youth but remained largely unchanged for adults. Conclusions: Expanding the dental safety net for youth could have contributed to increased access to dental care among children relative to adults and contributed to the decrease in disparities in DU and UC among youth. Knowledge Transfer Statement: Between 1999−2004 and 2011−2016, the dental safety net was expanded for youth but remained largely unchanged for adults. Using national survey data to compare changes in disparities in past-year dental use and untreated dental caries by income between adults and youth sheds light on the potential impact of expanding the dental safety net.
Effects of treatment classifications in network meta-analysis
Authors: Xing Aiwen , Lin Lifeng 
Published: June 2020

Objectives Network meta-analysis is a popular tool to simultaneously compare multiple treatments and improve treatment effect estimates. However, no widely accepted guidelines are available to classify the treatment nodes in a network meta-analysis, and the node-making process was often insufficiently reported. We aim at empirically examining the impact of different treatment classifications on network meta-analysis results. Methods We collected nine published network meta-analyses with various disease outcomes; each contained some similar treatments that may be lumped. The Bayesian random-effects model was applied to these network meta-analyses before and after lumping the similar treatments. We estimated the odds ratios and their 95% credible intervals in the original and lumped network meta-analyses. We used the adjusted deviance information criterion to assess the model performance in the lumped network meta-analyses, and used the ratios of credible interval lengths and ratios of odds ratios to quantitatively evaluate the estimates’ changes due to lumping. In addition, the unrelated mean effect model was applied to examine the extents of evidence inconsistency. Results The estimated odds ratios of many treatment comparisons had noticeable changes due to lumping; many of their precisions were substantially improved. The deviance information criterion values reduced after lumping similar treatments in seven (78%) network meta-analyses, indicating better model performance. Substantial evidence inconsistency was detected in only one network meta-analysis. Conclusions Different ways of classifying treatment nodes may substantially affect network meta-analysis results. Including many insufficiently compared treatments and analysing them as separate nodes may not yield more precise estimates. Researchers should report the node-making process in detail and investigate the results’ robustness to different ways of classifying treatments.
Three-phase partitioning and immobilization of Bacillus methylotrophicus Y37 cellulase on organo-bentonite and its kinetic and thermodynamic properties
Authors: Duman Yonca Avci , Kaya A. Uğur , Yağci Çiğdem 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this study, for the first time Bacillus methylotrophicus Y37 cellulase was purified and recovered in a single step by three-phase partitioning (TPP). The optimal purification parameters for TPP were 40% ammonium sulfate saturation (m/v) with a 1.0:1.0 (v/v) ratio of crude extract:t-butanol, which gave 5.8-fold purification with 155% recovery of cellulase. Non-covalent immobilization of the partitioned cellulase was performed using bentonite as a support material. The activity observed in the 20th experiment was 100%. The optimal pH values and temperatures determined for the free enzyme and the immobilized enzyme were 5.0 and 6.0 and 45°C and 50°C, respectively. The Arrhenius activation energy (Ea) of the immobilized enzyme was lower than that of the free enzyme, whereas the Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vm) of the immobilized enzyme increased. The turnover number (kcat) and the catalytic performance (kcat/Km) demonstrated the improved catalytic properties of the immobilized enzyme compared to the free enzyme. Immobilization of cellulase is thermodynamically preferred.
Changes in treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis according to national income
Authors: Kwak Nakwon , Winters Nicholas , Campbell Jonathon R. , Chan Edward D. , Gegia Medea , Lange Christoph , Lee Myungsun , Milanov Vladimir , Menzies Dick , Yim Jae-Joon 
Published: June 2020

The aim of this study was to analyse temporal changes in treatments for and outcomes of multidrug-resistant (MDR)/rifampin-resistant (RR)-tuberculosis (TB) in the context of national economic status.We analysed data collected by the Collaborative Group for the Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data in MDR-TB Treatment on MDR/RR-TB patients from 37 countries. The data were stratified by three national income levels (low-/lower-middle, upper-middle and high) and grouped by time of treatment initiation (2001–2003, 2004–2006, 2007–2009, 2010–2012 and 2013–2015). Temporal trends over the study period were analysed. The probability of treatment success in different income groups over time was calculated using generalised linear mixed models with random effects.In total, 9036 patients were included in the analysis. Over the study period, use of group A drugs (levofloxacin/moxifloxacin, bedaquiline and linezolid) recommended by the World Health Organization increased and treatment outcomes improved in all income groups. Between 2001–2003 and 2013–2015, treatment success rates increased from 60% to 78% in low-/lower-middle-income countries, from 40% to 67% in upper-middle-income countries, and from 73% to 81% in high-income countries. In earlier years, the probability of treatment success in upper-middle-income countries was lower than that in low-/lower-middle-income countries, but no difference was observed after 2010. However, high-income countries had persistently higher probability of treatment success compared to upper-middle income countries.Improved treatment outcomes and greater uptake of group A drugs were observed over time for patients with MDR/RR-TB at all income levels. However, treatment outcomes are still unsatisfactory, especially in upper-middle-income countries.
Identifying the relative importance of predictors of survival in out of hospital cardiac arrest: a machine learning study
Authors: Al-Dury Nooraldeen , Ravn-Fischer Annica , Hollenberg Jacob , Israelsson Johan , Nordberg Per , Strömsöe Anneli , Axelsson Christer , Herlitz Johan , Rawshani Araz 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Studies examining the factors linked to survival after out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have either aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of OHCA in different parts of the world, or focused on certain factors and whether they were associated with survival. Unfortunately, this approach does not measure how strong each factor is in predicting survival after OHCA.

Aim
To investigate the relative importance of 16 well-recognized factors in OHCA at the time point of ambulance arrival, and before any interventions or medications were given, by using a machine learning approach that implies building models directly from the data, and arranging those factors in order of importance in predicting survival.

Methods
Using a data-driven approach with a machine learning algorithm, we studied the relative importance of 16 factors assessed during the pre-hospital phase of OHCA. We examined 45,000 cases of OHCA between 2008 and 2016.

Results
Overall, the top five factors to predict survival in order of importance were: initial rhythm, age, early Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR, time to CPR and CPR before arrival of EMS), time from EMS dispatch until EMS arrival, and place of cardiac arrest. The largest difference in importance was noted between initial rhythm and the remaining predictors. A number of factors, including time of arrest and sex were of little importance.

Conclusion
Using machine learning, we confirm that the most important predictor of survival in OHCA is initial rhythm, followed by age, time to start of CPR, EMS response time and place of OHCA. Several factors traditionally viewed as important, e.g. sex, were of little importance.
Critical threat associated with carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria: prioritizing water matrices in addressing total antibiotic resistance
Authors: Adegoke Anthony A. , Fatunla Opeyemi K. , Okoh Anthony I. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPurposeThe World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017 classified some carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria into a critical criterial group for research and development. This study reviews the need to prioritize the water matrices as hotspot in the development and transfer of antibiotic resistance determinants, where future total resistant superbug may emerge.MethodsPublished articles on Google Scholars, PubMed/Medline Search and other search tools were selected, with special interest in articles published in indexed journals. Search criteria were based on antibiotic resistance, antibiotic resistance determinants and emerging trend in the reported trend of antibiotic resistance among bacteria from water matrices.ResultsResearch reports around the globe have identified carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) in water matrices. These CRGNB have also been found to be resistant to other antibiotics in the last line of defence. Molecular typing of some carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in the environment through pulsed-field electrophoresis showed them to be the same as those in the hospital settings. CRGNB from various water matrices have been reported to harbour carbapenem resistance genes with phenotypic expression of carbapenemases’ production. Water habitat provides a conducive environment for the development and spread of carbapenem resistance. Factors like residual antibiotics (RAbs), metals, biocide and water-borne mutagens aid the emergence of the resistance in water matrices. Irrespective of where it was contacted, carbapenem-resistant bacteria have poor prognosis. This is exemplified by resistance to 26 different antibiotics recently in the USA. The human health risk associated with the use of water harbouring these pathogens for irrigating fruits and vegetables may be alarming.ConclusionThe reports of the rising trend of antibiotic resistance also necessitate prioritizing water matrices when addressing the problems from the reservoir. Surveillance and strict isolation, education and enlightenment, strict compliance with multiple barrier approach of the WHO and more search for more potent antibiotics remain some of the antidotes against the development and spread of resistance through the water matrices as discussed in this article.
Sporotrichosis in renal transplant patients: two case reports and a review of the literature
Authors: Amirali Mazhar Hussein , Liebenberg Jacques , Pillay Sheylyn , Nel Johan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Sporotrichosis is a rare fungal infection in transplant patients; among these patients, it occurs mostly in renal transplant patients. Sporothrix schenkii is the primary pathogen responsible. A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis keeping important differential diagnoses in mind. History of trauma through recreational or occupational exposure to the fungus may assist in making the diagnosis. Treatment is difficult, with long-term use of potentially nephrotoxic and cytochrome P450 inhibitor antifungal agents leading to potential calcineurin inhibitors toxicity. We describe two renal transplant patients presenting with distinct sporotrichosis infection: “Case 2” being only the second reported case ever of meningeal sporotrichosis. We subsequently review the general aspects of sporotrichosis, specifically in renal transplant patients as described in the medical literature.

Case presentation
Case 1, a 43-year-old mixed ancestry male patient presented with a non-healing ulcer on the left arm for 1 year, he was diagnosed with cutaneous sporotrichosis and was successfully treated with itraconazole monotherapy. Case 2, a 56-year-old mixed ancestry male patient presented with a slow decline in functions, confusion, inappropriate behavior, rigors and significant loss of weight and appetite over the past 4 months, he was diagnosed with meningeal sporotrichosis and was successfully treated with a combination of deoxycholate amphotericin B and itraconazole.

Conclusion
Physicians taking care of renal transplant patients should have a high index of suspicion for sporotrichosis infection particularly when conventional therapy for common conditions fails. Susceptibility testing is recommended to identify the most effective antifungal agent and its dose. The slow nature of growth of Sporothrix schenkii necessitates patients to be on amphotericin B until the time results are available. Finally, there is a need to be aware of potential drug-drug interactions of the azoles with calcineurin inhibitors and the required dose adjustments to prevent therapy related adverse events.
Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from large domestic animals
Authors: Bressan Fabiana Fernandes , Bassanezze Vinícius , de Figueiredo Pessôa Laís Vicari , Sacramento Chester Bittencourt , Malta Tathiane Maistro , Kashima Simone , Fantinato Neto Paulo , Strefezzi Ricardo De Francisco , Pieri Naira Caroline Godoy , Krieger José Eduardo , Covas Dimas Tadeu , Meirelles Flávio Vieira 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have enormous potential in developmental biology studies and in cellular therapies. Although extensively studied and characterized in human and murine models, iPSCs from animals other than mice lack reproducible results.

Methods
Herein, we describe the generation of robust iPSCs from equine and bovine cells through lentiviral transduction of murine or human transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc and from human and murine cells using similar protocols, even when different supplementations were used. The iPSCs were analyzed regarding morphology, gene and protein expression of pluripotency factors, alkaline phosphatase detection, and spontaneous and induced differentiation.

Results
Although embryonic-derived stem cells are yet not well characterized in domestic animals, generation of iPS cells from these species is possible through similar protocols used for mouse or human cells, enabling the use of pluripotent cells from large animals for basic or applied purposes. Herein, we also infer that bovine iPS (biPSCs) exhibit similarity to mouse iPSCs (miPSCs), whereas equine iPSs (eiPSCs) to human (hiPSCs).

Conclusions
The generation of reproducible protocols in different animal species will provide an informative tool for producing in vitro autologous pluripotent cells from domestic animals. These cells will create new opportunities in animal breeding through transgenic technology and will support a new era of translational medicine with large animal models.
Stem cells: a potential treatment option for kidney diseases
Authors: Liu Dongwei , Cheng Fei , Pan Shaokang , Liu Zhangsuo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe prevalence of kidney diseases is emerging as a public health problem. Stem cells (SCs), currently considered as a promising tool for therapeutic application, have aroused considerable interest and expectations. With self-renewal capabilities and great potential for proliferation and differentiation, stem cell therapy opens new avenues for the development of renal function and structural repair in kidney diseases. Mounting evidence suggests that stem cells exert a therapeutic effect mainly by replacing damaged tissues and paracrine pathways. The benefits of various types of SCs in acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease have been demonstrated in preclinical studies, and preliminary results of clinical trials present its safety and tolerability. This review will focus on the stem cell-based therapy approaches for the treatment of kidney diseases, including various cell sources used, possible mechanisms involved, and outcomes that are generated so far, along with prospects and challenges in clinical application.