bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey of canine rabies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab Province of Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Touseef , Hussain Sabir , Zia Ubaid-ur-Rehman , Rinchen Sangay , Yasir Ammar , Ahmed Shafique , Khan Waqar Ali , Tahir Muhammad Farooq , Ricketson Robert 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to assess the extent of knowledge and understanding of rabies disease in rural and urban communities of Pakistan. It also identified malpractices after suspected dog bite that might pose a risk for humans contracting rabies.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted (n = 1466) on people having different age groups and educational levels in four different geographic regions of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in Pakistan. Knowledge, attitude, and practices of people were assessed using a structured questionnaire. We used a bivariate and multivariate analysis to study the association between rabies related mortalities in near or extended family members and different risk behaviors.

Results
Our results demonstrate that the majority of the juvenile population (less than 18 years of age) were not aware of the clinical signs of rabies in animals. 75% of the total respondents were not vaccinated against rabies, 60% did not seek a doctor’s advice after a suspected animal bite, and 55% had inadequate health care facilities for rabies patients in local hospitals.
Respondents that had pets at home had not vaccinated (38%; p < 0.05; odds ratio 1.58) themselves against rabies due to lack of knowledge and awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis for rabies (51%; p < 0.05; odds ratio 1.25). They also tend to not visit doctor after suspected bite (52%; p < 0.05; odds ratio 1.97), which may had resulted in more deaths (65%; p < 0.05; odds ratio 1.73) of someone in their near or extended family due to rabies.

Conclusions
Lack of knowledge about the nature of rabies disease and prophylaxis has contributed to increase of rabies related deaths. Inadequate health care facilities and poor attitude of not seeking medical attention after suspected dog bite are the major reasons of rabies related deaths. These findings could help in devising a targeted management strategy and awareness program to control and reduce the incidence of human rabies related deaths in Pakistan.
Associations of socioeconomic factors with cause-specific Mortality and burden of cardiovascular diseases: findings from the vital registration in urban Shanghai, China, during 1974–2015
Authors: Zhang Lijuan , Li Qi , Han Xue , Wang Shuo , Li Peng , Ding Yibo , Zhang Tao , Zhao Jia , Chen Yifan , Liu Jiluo , Li Jue , Tan Xiaojie , Liu Wenbin , Zhang Rong , Cao Guangwen 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The effect of socioeconomic factors on cause-specific mortality and burden of CVD is rarely evaluated in low- and middle-income countries, especially in a rapidly changing society.MethodsOriginal data were derived from the vital registration system in Yangpu, a representative, population-stable district of urban Shanghai, China, during 1974–2015. Temporal trends for the mortality rates and burden of CVD during 1974–2015 were evaluated using Joinpoint Regression Software. The burden was evaluated using age-standardized person years of life loss per 100,000 persons (SPYLLs). Age-sex-specific CVD mortality rates were predicted by using age-period-cohort Poisson regression model.ResultsA total of 101,822 CVD death occurred during 1974–2015, accounting for 36.95% of total death. Hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic heart disease, and ischemic stroke were the 3 leading causes of CVD death. The age-standardized CVD mortality decreased from 144.5/100,000 to 100.7/100,000 in the residents (average annual percentage change [AAPC] -1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.7 to − 0.2), which was mainly contributed by women (AAPC -1.3, 95% CI − 2.0 to − 0.7), not by men. Hemorrhagic stroke, the major CVD death in the mid-aged population, decreased dramatically after 1991. The crude mortality of ischemic heart disease kept increasing but its age-adjusted mortality decreased continually after 1997. SPYLLs of CVD death increased from 1974 to 1986 (AAPC 2.1, 95% CI 0.4 to 3.8) and decreased after 1986 (AAPC 1.8, 95% CI − 2.3 to − 1.3). These changes were in concert with the implementation of policies including extended medical insurance coverage, pollution control, active prophylaxis of CVD including lifestyle promotion, and national health programs. The mortality of CVD increased in those born during 1937–1945, a period of the Japanese military occupation, and during 1958–1965, a period including the Chinese Famine. Sequelae of CVD and ischemic heart disease are predicted to be the leading causes of CVD death in 2029.ConclusionsExposure to serious malnutrition in early life might increase CVD mortality in later life. Improvements in medical services, pollution control, and lifestyle could decrease CVD death. New strategy is needed to prevent the aging-related CVD death and burden in the future.
Vitrification for cryopreservation of 2D and 3D stem cells culture using high concentration of cryoprotective agents
Authors: Jeong Young-Hoon , Kim Ukjin , Lee Seul-Gi , Ryu Bokyeong , Kim Jin , Igor Artyuhov , Kim Jong Soo , Jung Cho-Rok , Park Jae-Hak , Kim C-Yoon 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Vitrification is the most promising technology for successful cryopreservation of living organisms without ice crystal formation. However, high concentrations (up to ~ 6–8 M) of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) used in stem cell induce osmotic and metabolic injuries. Moreover, the application of conventional slow-freezing methods to cultures of 3-D organoids of stem cells in various studies, is limited by their size.

Results
In this study, we evaluated the effect of high concentrations of CPAs including cytotoxicity and characterized human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) at single cell level. The cell viability, cellular damage, and apoptotic mechanisms as well as the proliferation capacity and multipotency of cells subjected to vitrification were similar to those in the slow-freezing group. Furthermore, we identified the possibility of vitrification of size-controlled 3-D spheroids for cryopreservation of organoid with high survivability.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate successful vitrification of both single cell and spheroid using high concentration of CPAs in vitro without cytotoxicity.
Better quality of end-of-life care for persons with advanced dementia in nursing homes compared to hospitals: a Swedish national register study
Authors: Martinsson Lisa , Lundström Staffan , Sundelöf Johan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Hospitalisation of patients with advanced dementia is generally regarded as less preferable compared to care at home or in a nursing home. For patients with other diagnoses, young age has been associated with better end-of-life care. However, studies comparing the quality of palliative care for persons with advanced dementia in hospitals and nursing homes are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate whether quality of end-of-life care for patients with dementia depends on age, gender and place of death.

Methods
The Swedish Register of Palliative Care (SRPC) was used to identify patients who died from dementia in hospitals or nursing homes during a three-year period. The likelihood of death occurring at a hospital, based on age and gender differences, was calculated. Associations between 13 end-of-life care quality indicators collected from the SRPC and age, gender and place of care were examined in a logistic regression model.

Results
Death at a hospital was associated with poorer quality of end-of-life care for 10 of the 13 measured outcomes when compared to death at a nursing home, and with better quality according to two of the outcomes. Death at a hospital was more common for men compared to women and for younger patients compared to older. Receiving fluids intravenously or via enteral tube in the last 24 h of life was strongly associated with death at a hospital. Women were more likely to have their oral health assessed and less likely to have pressure ulcers at death. Eight of 12 end-of-life care outcomes showed better results for the age group 65 to 84 years compared to those 85 years or older.

Conclusions
Death in hospitals was associated with poorer quality of end-of-life care compared to death in nursing homes. Our data support the importance of advance care planning and individual assessments in nursing homes to avoid referral to hospitals during end of life. Despite established recommendations to avoid hospitalisation if possible, there were strong associations between younger age, male gender and hospitalisation in the end of life. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of socioeconomic factors in end-of-life care for this patient group.
The impact of accessibility and service quality on the frequency of patient visits to the primary diabetes care provider: results from a cross-sectional survey performed in six European countries
Authors: Konerding Uwe , Bowen Tom , Elkhuizen Sylvia G. , Faubel Raquel , Forte Paul , Karampli Eleftheria , Malmström Tomi , Pavi Elpida , Torkki Paulus 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Visits to the primary diabetes care provider play a central role in diabetes care. Therefore, patients should attend their primary diabetes care providers whenever a visit is necessary. Parameters that might affect whether this condition is fulfilled include accessibility (in terms of travel distance and travel time to the practice), as well as aspects of service quality (for example in-practice waiting time and quality of the provider’s communication with the patient). The relationships of these variables with the frequency of visits to the primary diabetes care provider are investigated.

Methods
The investigation is performed with questionnaire data of 1086 type 2 diabetes patients from study regions in England (213), Finland (135), Germany (218), Greece (153), the Netherlands (296) and Spain (71). Data were collected between October 2011 and March 2012. Data were analysed using log-linear Poisson regression models with self-reported numbers of visits in a year to the primary diabetes care provider as the criterion variable. Predictor variables of the core model were: country; gender; age; education; stage of diabetes; heart problems; previous stroke; problems with lower extremities; problems with sight; kidney problems; travel distance and travel time; in-practice waiting time; and quality of communication. To test region-specific characteristics, the interaction between the latter four predictor variables and study region was also investigated.

Results
When study regions are merged, travel distance and in-practice waiting time have a negative effect, travel time no effect and quality of communication a positive effect on visit frequency (with the latter effect being by far largest). When region specific effects are considered, there are strong interaction effects shown for travel distance, in-practice waiting time and quality of communication. For travel distance, as well as for in-practice waiting time, there are region-specific effects in opposite directions. For quality of communication, there are only differences in the strength with which visit frequency increases with this variable.

Conclusions
The impact of quality of communication on visit frequency is the largest and is stable across all study regions. Hence, increasing quality of communication seems to be the best approach for increasing visit frequency.
The association between FTO genotype with macronutrients and calorie intake in overweight adults
Authors: Mehrdad Mahsa , Doaei Saeid , Gholamalizadeh Maryam , Eftekhari Mohammad Hassan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Dietary macronutrients may indirectly affect body weight through their interactions with the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene. This study aimed to investigate the association between FTO gene rs9939609 polymorphism with macronutrients intake in overweight adults.

Methods
This study was carried out on 196 overweight adults of Shiraz, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The FTO gene was genotyped for rs9939609 polymorphism. The association between dietary macronutrients and the FTO genotype were assessed using linear regression after adjustments for sex, age, physical activity, and the serum levels of triglycerides, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and low density lipoprotein (LDL).

Results
The higher intake of carbohydrates (P < 0.001), fat (P = 0.009), and calorie (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with rs9939609 AA genotype (P = 0.001). Carriers of the AA genotype of rs9939609 had significantly higher calorie, fat, and carbohydrate intake than the carriers of the TT genotype after adjusting for age and sex (P = 0.019, P = 0.010 and P = 0.001, respectively). Further adjustments for physical activity, TG, LDL, and FBS did not change these results.

Conclusion
The amounts of dietary calorie, carbohydrate, and fat intake were associated with FTO genotype. Further studies are warranted to confirm these associations and to identify the underlying mechanisms.
LncRNA SNHG10 increases the methylation of miR-218 gene to promote glucose uptake and cell proliferation in osteosarcoma
Authors: He Pan , Xu Yongqiang , Wang Zhijun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to investigate the roles of lncRNA SNHG10 (SNHG10) and miR-218 in osteosarcoma (OS).

Methods
Paired OS and non-tumor tissues were collected from 58 OS patients. The expression of SNHG10 and miR-218 in tissue samples were determined by RT-qPCR. The interaction between SNHG10 and miR-218 was evaluated by overexpression experiment. Methylation-specific PCR was performed to assess the methylation status of miR-218. Glucose uptake in OS cells was analyzed by glucose uptake assay. Cell proliferation was detected by cell proliferation assay.

Results
SNHG10 was upregulated in OS, while miR-218 was downregulated in OS. The expression of SNHG10 and miR-218 were inversely correlated. In OS cells, high glucose induced the upregulation of SNHG10 and downregulation of miR-218. In OS cells, SNHG10 positively, and miR-218 negatively regulated glucose uptake. Overexpression of SNHG10 increased miR-218 gene methylation and decreased the expression of miR-218. In addition, overexpression of SNHG10 also suppressed the inhibitory effects of overexpression of miR-218 on cell proliferation.

Conclusions
SNHG10 increases the methylation of miR-218 gene to promote glucose uptake and cell proliferation in OS.
Automatic, location-privacy preserving dashcam video sharing using blockchain and deep learning
Authors: Kim Taehyoung , Jung Im Y. , Hu Yih-Chun 
Published: August 2020

AbstractToday, many people use dashcams, and videos recorded on dashcams are often used as evidence of accident fault. People can upload videos of dashcam recordings with specific accident clips and share the videos with others who request them, by providing the time or location of an accident. However, dashcam videos are erased when the dashcam memory is full, so periodic backup is necessary for video sharing. It is inconvenient for dashcam owners to search for and transmit a requested video clip from backup videos. In addition, anonymity is not ensured, which may reduce location privacy by exposing the video owner’s location. To solve this problem, we propose a video sharing scheme with accident detection using deep learning coupled with automatic transfer to the cloud; we also propose ensuring data and operational integrity along with location privacy by using blockchain smart contracts. Furthermore, our proposed system uses proxy re-encryption to enhance the confidentiality of a shared video. Our experiments show that our proposed automatic video sharing system is cost-effective enough to be acceptable for deployment.
CRUPA: collusion resistant user revocable public auditing of shared data in cloud
Authors: Mara Geeta C. , Rathod Usharani , R. G. Shreyas Raju , S. Raghavendra , Buyya Rajkumar , R. Venugopal K. , Iyengar S. S. , Patnaik L. M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCloud repository is one of the most important services afforded by Cloud Computing where information is preserved, maintained, archived in distant servers and made available to the users over the Internet. Provided with the cloud repository facilities, customers can organize themselves as a cluster and distribute information with one another. In order to allow public integrity auditing on the information stored in semi-trusted cloud server, customers compute the signatures for every chunk of the shared information. When a malicious client is repudiated from the group, the chunks that were outsourced to the cloud server by this renounced customer need to be verified and re-signed by the customer present in the cluster (i.e., the straightforward approach) which results in huge transmission and reckoning cost for the customer. In order to minimize the burden of customers present in the cluster, in the existing scheme Panda, the semi-trusted Cloud Service Provider (CSP) is allowed to compute the Re−sign key. Further, the CSP audits and re-signs the revoked customer chunks by utilizing the Re−sign key. So, it is easy for the CSP by colluding with the revoked customer to find the secret keys of the existing customer. We introduce a novel Collusion Resistant User Revocable Public Auditing of Shared Data in Cloud (CRUPA) by making use of the concept of regression technique. In order to secure the secret keys of the existing customers from the CSP, we have allowed the information proprietor to compute the Re−sign key using the regression technique. Whenever the information proprietor revokes the customer from the cluster, the information proprietor computes the Re−sign key using the regression technique and sends to the CSP. Further, the CSP audits and re-signs the revoked customer chunks using the Re−sign key. The Re−sign key computed by the information proprietor using regression method is highly secure and the malicious CSP cannot find the private information of the customers in the cluster. Besides, our mechanism achieves significant improvement in the computation cost of the Re−sign key by information proprietor. Further, the proposed scheme is collusion resistant, supports effective and secure customer repudiation, multi-information proprietor batch auditing and is scalable.
Wildfire yields a distinct turnover of the beetle community in a semi-natural pine forest in northern Sweden
Authors: Fredriksson Emelie , Mugerwa Pettersson Roger , Naalisvaara Jörgen , Löfroth Therese 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Fires have been an important natural disturbance and pervasive evolutionary force in the boreal biome. Yet, fire suppression has made forest fires rare in the managed landscapes in Fennoscandia, causing significant habitat loss for saproxylic species such as polypores and insects. To better understand how the beetle community changes (species turnover) after a wildfire in a landscape with intense fire suppression, we monitored beetles with flight intercept traps the first 3 years as well as 12 years after a large wildfire in a national park in northern Sweden (a control/unburnt area was set up for the last year of sampling).

Results
Species composition changed significantly among all studied years with a continuous turnover of species following the wildfire. The indicator species analysis showed that year 1 post-fire was mostly associated with cambium consumers and also the pyrophilous species Batrisodes hubenthali. Year 2 was the most abundant and species-rich year, with Tomicus piniperda as the most important indicator species. The indicator species year 3 were mostly secondary successional species, fungivores, and predators and were characterized by lower species diversity. Year 12 had higher diversity compared with year 3 but lower species richness and abundance. A control area was established during year 12 post-fire, and our analyses showed that the control area and burned area differed in species composition suggesting that the beetle community needs longer than 12 years to recover even after a low-intensive ground fire.

Conclusion
The wildfire area hosted several red-listed and fire-dependent species suggesting that after a century of landscape-level fire suppression in a semi-natural area, the reintroduction of fire benefits rare and pyrophilous species and still impacts species composition after 12 years. This study implies that fire has long-lasting effects on high latitudes and that prescribed burning has the potential to benefit biodiversity over decades in these landscapes while also highlighting the value of considering the whole species community and not only monitoring abundance and richness to assess biodiversity after management actions.
Timing matters: the impact of response measures on COVID-19-related hospitalization and death rates in Germany and Switzerland
Authors: Huber Martin , Langen Henrika 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe assess the impact of the timing of lockdown measures implemented in Germany and Switzerland on cumulative COVID-19-related hospitalization and death rates. Our analysis exploits the fact that the epidemic was more advanced in some regions than in others when certain lockdown measures came into force, based on measuring health outcomes relative to the region-specific start of the epidemic and comparing outcomes across regions with earlier and later start dates. When estimating the effect of the relative timing of measures, we control for regional characteristics and initial epidemic trends by linear regression (Germany and Switzerland), doubly robust estimation (Germany), or synthetic controls (Switzerland). We find for both countries that a relatively later exposure to the measures entails higher cumulative hospitalization and death rates on region-specific days after the outbreak of the epidemic, suggesting that an earlier imposition of measures is more effective than a later one. For Germany, we further evaluate curfews (as introduced in a subset of states) based on cross-regional variation. We do not find any effects of curfews on top of the federally imposed contact restriction that banned groups of more than 2 individuals.