bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of diabetes mellitus in rural Rwanda: Time to contextualize the interventions? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Munganyinka Charlotte Bavuma , Musafiri Sanctus , Rutayisire Pierre-Claver , Ng’ang’a Loise M , McQuillan Ruth , Wild Sarah H. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Existing prevention and treatment strategies target the classic types of diabetes yet this approach might not always be appropriate in some settings where atypical phenotypes exist. This study aims to assess the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of people with diabetes in rural Rwanda compared to those of urban dwellers.Methods: A cross-sectional, clinic-based study was conducted in which individuals with diabetes mellitus were consecutively recruited from April 2015 to April 2016. Demographic and clinical data were collected from patient interviews, medical files and physical examinations. Chi-square tests and T-tests were used to compare proportions and means between rural and urban residents.Results: A total of 472 participants were recruited (mean age 40.2±19.1years), including 295 women and 315 rural residents. Compared to urban residents, rural residents had lower levels of education, were more likely to be employed in low-income work and to have limited access to running water and electricity. Diabetes was diagnosed at a younger age in rural residents (mean ± SD 32±18 vs 41±17 years; p < 0.001). Physical inactivity, family history of diabetes and obesity were significantly less prevalent in rural than in urban individuals (44% vs 66%, 14.9% vs 28.7% and 27.6% vs 54.1%, respectively; p < 0.001). The frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption was lower in rural than in urban participants. High waist circumference was more prevalent in urban than in rural women and men (75.3% vs 45.5% and 30% vs 6%, respectively; p< 0.001). History of childhood under-nutrition was more frequent in rural than in urban individuals (22.5% vs 6.4%; p< 0.001).Conclusions: Characteristics of people with diabetes in rural Rwanda appear to differ from those of individuals with diabetes in urban settings, suggesting that sub-types of diabetes exist in Rwanda. Generic guidelines for diabetes prevention and management may not be appropriate in different populations.
Evaluating probabilistic population forecasts
Authors: Keilman Nico 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Statisticians have developed scoring rules for evaluating probabilistic forecasts against observations. However, there are very few applications in the literature on population forecasting. A scoring rule measures the distance between the predictive distribution and its outcome. We review scoring rules that reward accuracy (the outcome is close to the expectation of the distribution) and sharpness (the distribution has low variance, which makes it difficult to hit the target). We evaluate probabilistic population forecasts for France, the Netherlands, and Norway. Forecasts for total population size for the Netherlands and for Norway performed quite well. The error in the jump-off population caused a bad score for the French forecast. We evaluate the age and sex composition predicted for the year 2010. The predictions for the Netherlands received the best scores, except for the oldest old. The age pattern for the Norwegian score reflects the under-prediction of immigration after the enlargement of the European Union in 2005. JEL codes: C15, C44, J11,
Protecting public’s wellbeing against COVID-19 infodemic in China: The role of trust in information sources and rapid dissemination and transparency of information
Authors: Wang Junxiu , Zhang Airong , Zhou Yingnan , Liu Xiaoliu , Tan Xuyun , Miao Ruikai 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background

While the COVID-19 is rapidly spreading around the world, the information and misinformation about the novel virus has also flooded the social media globally. This led to the declaration by World Health Organisation that the world is not only fighting against epidemic but also fighting an infodemic. How media source and the dissemination of information about COVID-19 affect the public’s wellbeing is, however, yet to be empirically examined. The present study aimed to empirically examine how trust in the information about COVID-19 from social media and official media and how the information was disseminated (i.e., rapidity and transparency) affect public’s wellbeing (i.e., positive response and depressive response).
Methods

At the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in China between 24-Jan to 10-Feb 2020, an online survey of 22,718 participants (Mage = 28.41 years old, SD = 9.90; 47.9% being male) was conducted across China. Key measured variables are trust in official media and social media, dissemination and transparency of COVID-19 related information, perceived safety, and emotional response toward COVID-19. Data analysis includes descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson correlations, and structural equation modelling.
Results

The results that trust in the information about COVID-19 from social media was lower than from official media. Trust in these two media sources played different roles in affecting public’s wellbeing. While trust in social media was predominantly associated with heightened depressive response toward COVID-19 pandemic, trust in official media was linked to reduced depressive response and increased positive response. Rapid dissemination and transparency of information was strongly associated with increased trust in official media as well as contributed to increased positive response and reduced depressive response directly and indirectly through perceived safety.
Conclusion

The findings highlight the important roles of fostering public trust in official media, rapid dissemination and transparency of information in mitigating the negative impact of COVID-19 infodemic on public’s wellbeing.
Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) is a Risk Indicator for eGFR Loss in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Jehn Ulrich , Schütte-Nütgen Katharina , Henke Ute , Pavenstädt Hermann , Suwelack Barbara , Reuter Stefan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background suPAR is a signaling protein of the Ly6/alpha-neurotoxin family. In the kidney, suPAR contributes to podocyte foot process effacement and glomerular barrier function disruption via activating αvβ3 integrin on the podocyte membrane. Its role in allograft function or transplant-specific outcomes needs clarification. Therefore, we prospectively investigated the prognostic relevance of suPAR in patients before and one year after kidney transplantation (KTx).Methods We included 100 patients who had received a kidney transplantation between 2013 and 2015. The plasma concentration of suPAR was measured using an uPAR ELISA assay.Results In patients who had received a living donation (LD), pre-transplant suPAR levels were significantly lower than those who had received a deceased donation (DD). After KTx, suPAR levels significantly declined in LD and DD recipients, without a detectable difference between LD and DD recipients. Higher suPAR levels in recipients one year after KTx were associated with a more severe eGFR loss in the following three years (n = 82, p = 0.021).Conclusions After KTx, suPAR levels drop significantly. Nevertheless, suPAR-levels above 6,212 pg/ml one year after KTx are independently associated with a nearly twice as fast loss of renal function > 30% (p < 0.001). Therefore, suPAR level at one year mark might be a risk indicator of increased eGFR loss.
Biogenesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Lawsonia Inermis Leafextract and Their Mosquitocidal, Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Andmoderate Toxic Side Effects on Predatory Copepods and Fish
Authors: Amuthavalli Pandiyan , Hwang Jiang-Shiou , Dahms Hans-Uwe , Wang Lan , Anitha Jagannathan , Vasanthakumaran Murugan , Gandhi Arumugam Dhanesh , Murugan Kadarkarai , Subramaniam Jayapal , Paulpandi Manickam , Chandramohan Balamurugan , Singh Shivangi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background and Objectives: Microbes or parasites spread vector-borne diseases by mosquitoes without being affected themselves. Insecticides used in vector control produce a substantial problem for human health. Materials and Methods: This study synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Lawsonia inermis L. and were characterized by UV–vis, FT-IR, SEM with EDX, and XRD analysis. Results: Green synthesized ZnO NPs were highly toxic against Anopheles stephensi, whose lethal concentrations values ranged from 5.494 ppm (I instar), 6.801 (II), 9.336 (III), 10.736 (IV), and 12.710 ppm (pupae) in contrast to L. inermis treatment. The predation efficiency of the teleost fish Gambusia affinis and the copepod Mesocyclops aspericornis against A. stephensi was not affected by exposure at sublethal doses of ZnO NPs. The predatory potency for G. affinis was 45 (I) and 25.83 % (IV), copepod M. aspericornis was 40.66 (I) and 10.8 % (IV) while in an ZnO NPs contaminated environment, the predation by the fish G. affinis was boosted to 71.33 and 34.25 %, and predation of the copepod M. aspericornis was 60.35 and 16.75 %, respectively. ZnO NPs inhibited the growth of several microbial pathogens including the bacteria (Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis) and the fungi (Alternaria alternate and Aspergillus flavus), respectively. ZnO NPs decreased the cell viability of Hep-G2 with IC50 value of 21.63 µg/mL (R2=0.942; P<0.001) while the concentration increased from 1.88 to 30 µg/mL. Conclusion: These outcomes support the use of L. inermis mediated ZnO NPs for mosquito control and drug development.
Urinary Tract infection, Drug Resistance Profile and Fetal Outcomes among Pregnant women in Selected Health Facilites of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study design
Authors: zebene Wegayehu , Dessalegn Dawit , Aseffa Abebe , Yitagesu Yohannis , yussuf Hamdiya , Desta Kassu 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a commonly encountered health problem among pregnant women. Untreated UTI may result in fetal complications like preterm birth, low birth weight, intra uterine growth retardation and intrauterine fetal death.One of the major problems with bacterial pathogens is their ability to develop drug resistance. Determining drug susceptibility pattern of bacteria from urinary tract helps to identify effective drugs and minimize further adverse perinatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe the magnitude and drug resistance profile of pregnant women and related fetal outcomes.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2019. Socio-demographic data of the study participants was collected by administering structured questionnaire after obtaining full consent of the participants. Clean catch mid-stream urine was collected from the study participants and the samples were transported to the laboratory with screw-capped container. Blood and MacConkey agar were used to cultivate bacteria from urine sample. Bacterial colonies were isolated and identified using standard biochemical properties. Antibacterial susceptibility test was done on Muller-Hinton agar using antibiotic discs. At the time of delivery, infant’s birth weight and gestational age was recorded on the log book as part of the daily work. Fetal outcome data were recorded from the log book and entered to EPI data management software then transferred to SPSS for analysis.Results: Out of 424 urine samples processed, 63 (14.9%) yielded significant bacteriuria. Fifty-nine out of 63 (93.7%) cases of UTIs were recorded among age group of 15-34 years. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus were the three dominant bacterial isolates.Most of the gram negative bacterial isolates were resistant to ampicillin and ceftazidime (43.2% each) while gram positive was resistant for tetracycline (36.8%). The result of this study showed that UTI had statistical association with the occurrence of Intrauterine Fetal Death (IUFD) and Prerupture of Membrane (PROM) (P<.05).Conclusion: Adverse fetal outcomes are significantly linked with the presence of UTI during pregnancy. The condition can be managed if early diagnosis and treatments are made for the mother.
Novel Hole-Pillar Spacer Design for Improved Hydrodynamics and Biofouling Mitigation in Membrane Filtration
Authors: Qamar Adnan , Kerdi Sarah , Ali Syed Muztuza , Shon Ho Kyong , Vrouwenvelder Johannes , Ghaffour Noreddine 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Feed spacers are the critical components of any spiral-wound filtration module, dictating the filtration performance. Three spacer designs, namely a non-woven commercial spacer (varying filament cross-section), a symmetric pillar spacer, and a novel hole-pillar spacer (constant filament diameter) were studied using Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS), 3-D printed and subsequently experimentally tested in a lab-scale ultrafiltration set-up with high biofouling potential feed water at various feed pressures. Independent of the applied pressure, the novel hole-pillar spacer showed initially the lowest feed channel pressure drop, the lowest shear stress, and the highest permeate flux compared to the commercial and pillar spacers. Furthermore, less biofilm thickness development on membrane surface was visualized by Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT) imaging for the proposed hole-pillar spacer. At higher feed pressure, a thicker biofilm developed on membrane surface for all spacer designs explaining the stronger decrease in permeate flux at high pressure. The findings systematically demonstrated the role of various spacer designs and applied pressure on the performance of pre-treatment process, while identifying specific shear stress distribution guidelines for engineering a new spacer design in different filtration techniques.
Human Bocavirus in Saudi Arabia: Molecular Epidemiology and Co-Infections Among Children With Acute Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Hamed Maaweya , Farrag Mohamed , Amer Haitham , Aziz Ibrahim , Bhat Rauf , Almajhdi Fahad 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background During the last few years since HBoV discovery, the virus has attracted less attention and appeared to be one of the most common acute respiratory tract pathogens in children. However, few studies focused on genetic characterization and epidemiology of HBoV in Saudi Arabia, leading us to evaluate the molecular epidemiology of HBoV strains among children with ARI. This study was designed to study the epidemiological, genetic diversity and circulation pattern of HBoV among hospitalized children (< 7 years) due to acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) during two consecutive years. Nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) samples (n=196) were collected. HBoV and co-infection with other respiratory pathogens were identified using qRT-PCR. Positive samples were subsequently subjected to amplify full-length of VP1/VP2 gene, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Results Our data showed that 3.4% (2014/2015) and 11.3% (2015/2016) of children hospitalized due to acute respiratory infections (ARI) were infected by HBoV-1. We have shown that HBoV-1 was detected year-round. HBoV-1 also was co-detected with one or multiple other respiratory viruses. Phylogenetic analysis of complete HBoV VP1/2 sequences showed no nucleotide variation and the circulation of HBoV-1. The multisequence analysis showed complete identity between HBoV isolated from 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, suggesting no genetic variability among the local circulating HBoV-1 genotypes. Our data reveal that genetically conserved HBoV-1 is circulating in Saudi Arabia. Conclusions The multisequence analysis showed complete identity between HBoV-1 isolated from 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, suggesting no genetic variability among the local circulating HBoV-1 genotypes. Our data reveal that genetically conserved HBoV-1 is circulating year-round in Saudi Arabia.
WITHDRAWN: Effect of Health Systems Strengthening in Influencing Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes in Bungoma County, Kenya
Authors: Ochieng Beverly , Lattanzi Giorgia , Choge Milka , Thind Amarddep 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Kenya is estimated to have a population of 47.6 million people. Its maternal and neo natal health indicators have steadily improved over the years. Despite the progress, many significant challenges remain, including persistent inequities between population subgroups, and a health care system that provides variable quality and inconsistent access to care, especially for women and new-borns. Purpose of this paper was to assess the impact of the maternal and new-born improvement intervention in Bungoma County, with a focus on access and quality of maternal and neonatal care services.Methodology: The study design was quasi-experimental, using household surveys to assess outcomes.Findings: Provision of transport vouchers decreased barriers to accessing care, resulting to an increased number of deliveries in health facilities. The health system strengthening intervention possibly had a role in improving potential and actual access to antenatal care and health facility delivery services for mothers as well as positively impacting quality of care provision in the intervention sub-counties. However, actual access for babies (measured by provision of PNC care within 48 hours of delivery) seemed to worsen in the intervention sub-counties.Conclusion: Our analysis suggests that it is possible to conduct an evaluation of the impact of interventions in messy real-life contexts where data availability is challenging. Key elements of health system strengthening include reducing cost barriers and enhancing the capacity of the health facilities to deliver the high quality care. These can fruitfully be implemented in other regions.
Identification of Co-Existence of Alport Syndrome and C3 Glomerulonephritis in A Proband with Family History
Authors: Ding Yin , Tang Xuanli , Du Yuanyuan , Chen Hongyu , Yu Dongrong , Zhu Bin , Yuan Bohan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background Alport syndrome and C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN) are rare kidney diseases, frequently responsible for familial haematuria, proteinuria, and renal impairment. With the rapid development of molecular genetic testing, Alport syndrome causes have been restricted mostly to variants in the COL4A5 or COL4A3/COL4A4 genes. Moreover, a broad range of genetic contributors in the complement and complement-regulating proteins are definitely implicated in the pathogenesis of C3GN.Methods We sought a family with persistent microscopic haematuria associated with renal failure. Clinicopathologic and follow-up data were obtained, and molecular genetic testing was used to screen for pathogenic variants. Results We describe a three-generation family with Alport syndrome showing a dominant maternal inheritance. Notably, renal biopsy showed the concurrent histological evidence of C3GN in the proband harbouring an uncommon heterozygous variation in CFHR5, c.508G>A. The alteration leads to replacement of a highly conserved residue at position 170 of the β-strand subunit of CFHR5 (p.Val170Met). In silico analysis showed that the variation was predicted to deregulate complement activation by altering the structural properties and enhancing C3b binding capacity to compete with Complement Factor H (CFH), which was in line with experimental data previously published.Conclusions The comorbidity findings between Alport syndrome and C3GN indicate an underlying overlap and require further study.
Salivary Inflammatory Biomarkers and Glycated Haemoglobin among Patients with type 2 Diabetic Mellitus
Authors: Agho Ekhosuehi , Owotade Foluso , Kolawole Babatope , Oyetola Elijah , Adedeji Tewogbade 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objectives: This study investigated the association of selected salivary inflammatory biomarkers (Interleukin 6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein [CRP], and Tumour necrosis factor α [TNF-α]) to glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) in type 2 diabetics.Materials and Methods: Seventy-five participants, 39 type 2 diabetics (52%) and 36 (48%) healthy controls were recruited. Saliva and blood samples were collected for each participant. The levels of selected salivary inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, CRP and TNF-α) were estimated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method and glycated haemogloin (HbA1C) was estimated using the liquid chromatography method. Periodontal status of the participants were determined using the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE). Results: The mean salivary levels of CRP was significantly higher in diabetics, 0.05±0.04 µg/ml than in controls, 0.02±0.02 µg/ml (p<0.001). Mean TNF-α was also significantly higher in diabetics, 5.39±12.10 pg/ml than in controls, 1.51± 3.66 pg/ml (p=0.036). Mean salivary IL-6 was also higher in diabetics compared with controls (47.20±18.49 versus 41.94±16.88 pg/ml), but the difference was not statistically significant, p=0.204. In the multivariate analysis adjusting for age and periodontal status, only the mean salivary CRP was significantly higher in diabetics, 0.034 higher than controls (95% CI 0.009, 0.059 and p= 0.01). There was a positive correlation between salivary CRP and HbA1C levels, which was moderate with r-value 0.4929 and p-value <0.0001. Conclusions: Salivary inflammatory biomarkers especially CRP are higher in diabetics compared with controls and CRP is positively correlated with serum HbA1C levels. The biomarkers show potentials as non-invasive alternative method to evaluate glycaemic control in diabetes.
Radical Nephrectomy Provides a Worse Prognosis Than Partial Nephrectomy in T3aN0M0 Renal Cancer of Small (≤4 cm) Size and No Invasion of Perisinus Fat
Authors: Liu Shiliang , Wang Zhixian , Liu Chang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Radical nephrectomy (RN) is the recommended treatment for T3aN0M0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, it is not necessarily the best treatment for small T3aN0M0 RCCs. We evaluated the effect of tumor size combined with consideration of anatomic types of extrarenal-fat invasion on the surgical decision-making between partial nephrectomy (PN) vs. RN in T3aN0M0 RCC.Methods: Data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004 to 2015) with 6125 patients suffering from T3aN0M0 RCC. Cox and Fine and Gray models were used for survival analyses. Propensity-score matching was used for PN vs. RN.Results: A larger T3aN0M0 RCC was associated with higher risk of mortality (hazard ratio (HR)all-cause mortality: 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.13, P = 0.011; HRRCC-cause mortality: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.06–1.21, P < 0.001) compared with a small T3aN0M0 RCC. After propensity-score matching, in T3aN0M0 ≤4 cm, RN compared with PN significantly increased the risk of death (HR: 1.77; 95%CI: 1.14–2.74, P = 0.011) and offered no significant difference in RCC-specific survival (HR: 1.57, 95%CI: 0.74–3.36, P = 0.240). However, RN and PN showed no significant difference in overall survival in T3aN0M0 RCC >4 cm (HR: 0.98; 95%CI: 0.59–1.62, P= 0.929) or in T3aN0M0 RCC with sinus/perisinus-fat invasion (HR: 1.18; 95%CI: 0.61–2.27, P = 0.631).Conclusion: PN provided better overall survival compared with RN for small (≤4 cm) T3aN0M0 RCCs without sinus/perisinus-fat invasion. Focusing only on anatomic-invasion characteristics rather than type and tumor size is not sufficient for treatment decisions in T3aN0M0 RCC.