bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social networks and quality of life among female breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialzed Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019
Authors: Aberaraw Rahle , Boka Abdisa , Teshome Roza , Yeshambel Addisu 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is a major life-threatening global public health problem. It is the most common form of cancer in females in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Social networks could change the course of cancer and can influence the quality of life among breast cancer patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess social networks and quality of life among female breast cancer patients attending in Tikur Anbassa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March 1 to April 30/2019. A total of 214 female breast cancer patients were included Binary and multiple logistic regression was used to show the association of social networks and quality of life. Result: A total of 214 females with breast cancer were recruited with a mean age of 41.85. Participants who had children (AOR=5, 95%CL: 1.3,21 COR=6), and other relatives (AOR=6, 95%CI: 1.2,30, COR=7), were more likely to have good social networks. Participants who were not married (AOR=0.02, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.28), had no parents living (AOR=0.1, 95%CI: 0.02, 0.4), no close friends (AOR=0.06, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.4), and no neighbors (AOR=0.09, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.5) had poor social networks. Conclusion: The quality of life was relatively low and social networks were found to be poor in women with breast cancer. Health-care providers in oncology departments need to focus on addressing the side effects of therapy and social networks which may help to improve the quality of life of females with breast cancer.
Differentiation of suprasellar meningiomas from non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas by 18F-FDG and 13N-Ammonia PET/CT
Authors: Ding Lei , Zhang Fangling , He Qiao , Li Zhoulei , Shi Xinchong , Li Ruocheng , Zhang Xiangsong 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Differentiation of suprasellar meningiomas (SSMs) from non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFPMAs) is useful for clinical management. We investigated the utility of 13 N-ammonia combined with 18 F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing SSMs from NFPMAs retrospectively. Methods: Fourteen NFPMAs patients and eleven SSMs patients with histopathologic diagnosis were included in this study. Every patient underwent both 18 F-FDG and 13 N-ammonia PET/CT scans. The tumor to gray matter (T/G) ratios were calculated for the evaluation of tumor uptake. Results: The uptake of 18 F-FDG was higher in NFPMAs than SSMs, whereas the uptake of 1 3 N- ammonia was obviously lower in NFPMAs than SSMs. The differences of 18 F-FDG and 13 N-ammonia uptake between the two groups were significant respectively (0.92[0.46] vs 0.59[0.29], P <0.05, 18 F-FDG; 1.58±0.56 vs 2.80±1.45, P <0.05, 13 N-ammonia). Tumor classification demonstrated a high overall accuracy of 96.0% for differential diagnosis. When the two traces were combined, only 1 SSM was misclassified into the NFPMA group. Conclusion : SSMs and NFPMAs have different metabolic characteristics on 18 F-FDG and 13 N-ammonia PET images. The combination of these two tracers can effectively distinguish SSMs from NFPMAs.
Communication mediums used by patients and health professionals during access and provision of healthcare in low resource settings: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Dongyele Mathias , Ansong Daniel , Adjei Francis Osei , Xamuzu Evans , Mensah Nicholas Karikari , Owusu Alfred Kwame , Dankwa Bright Atta , Newton Sam Kofi , Odoom Samuel Frimpong , Bonney Joseph , Adjei Duncan , Amusu Anne , Akowuah Emmanuel Kofi , Lartey Kelvin , Appiah Christopher Seth Yaw 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: The issue with communication mediums during service provision and for making enquiries to a hospital on the type of services available, availability of physicians and beds at the receiving hospitals, and a reminder system remains a challenge for patients and providers of the health service in sub-Sharan Africa. This present study sought to review the existing healthcare communication mediums from the perspectives of patients and health professionals at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi Ghana. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed with a multilevel sampling method to select a total of 651 participants consisting of 304 patients, 303 health workers and 44 hospital directorate managers for the study. A well-structured survey questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Results: Most hospital staff (66.4%) used a blend of social media and direct means (face-to-face medium) to communicate among themselves whereas 89.8% only communicates with management through meetings sections. Predominantly, 97.4% of the staff communicated by direct means (face-to-face medium) with patients. Almost all management members of the hospital communicated with the general public using letters and official memos. Conclusions: There is evidence of combination of both traditional mediums (face-to-face) and the technological mediums (social media) for communications by health providers and health consumers. However, there is a dissatisfaction with delayed information flow and poor feedbacks with the use of the traditional mediums. Therefore, a digital mobile application communication system is recommended to offer efficient communication within and outside the Ghanaian health facilities.
Establishment of a type 1 diabetes structured education programme suitable for Chinese patients: Type 1 Diabetes Education in Lifestyle and Self Adjustment (TELSA)
Authors: Xie Yuting , Liu Fang , Huang Fansu , Lan Chunna , Guo Jia , He Jing , Li Lezhi , Li Xia , Zhou Zhiguang 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Various guidelines recommend that all adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) should be offered an evidence based, structured education programme (SEP) to optimize self-management care. China has a 13,000 annual increase in newly diagnosed T1D cases and is now the fourth largest country in the number of new T1D cases per year. However, there is yet no validated SEP targeted to T1D patients in China. The purpose of this study is to establish a structured T1D self-management education programme—‘Type 1 Diabetes Education in Lifestyle and Self Adjustment’ (TELSA) that is adapted to medical and cultural practices in China.
Methods: TELSA programme was developed based on the ADDIE model, following three steps: i) Semi-structured interviews were administered to 10 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and 13 T1D patients. Different topic guides, focusing on 4 dimensions including goals, contents, format of delivery, and quality assurance, were designed for either HCPs or patients. The interviews were recorded and analysed with thematic analysis. ii) Extracted themes were modified according to Delphi consultation. iii) Preliminary courses were conducted as pilot study to evaluate the effects of TELSA and optimization of the curriculum was finalized accordingly.
Results: A total of 18 themes in 4 dimensions of the programme design were identified in the final version: i) goals: ‘behaviour modification’ and ‘outcome improvement’; ii) contents: ‘living with T1D’, ‘self-monitoring of blood glucose’, ‘knowing insulin’, ‘insulin dose adjustment’, ‘carbohydrates and carbohydrate counting’, ‘hypoglycaemia’, ‘complications’, ‘managing psychological issues’, ‘physical activities’, and ‘question-and-answer’; iii) format: ‘multidisciplinary team combined with peer support’, ‘face-to-face education followed with distal learning’, and ‘2-day programme held on weekends’; and iv) quality assurance: ‘after-class quiz’, ‘patients’ feedback’, and ‘long-term evaluation on effectiveness’.
Conclusions: A type 1 diabetes structured education programme in China was set up and shown to be applicable under local medical, social, and cultural environment.
Lifetime risk assessment in cholesterol management among hypertensive patients: Observational cross-sectional study based on electronic health record data.
Authors: Tahkola Aapo , Korhonen Päivi , Kautiainen Hannu , Niiranen Teemu , Mäntyselkä Pekka 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
In hypertensive patients, reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (LDL-C) is one of the main interventions for preventing chronic cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, LDL-C control remains generally insufficient, also in patients with hypertension. We analyzed Electronic Health Record (EHR) data of 7117 hypertensive patients to find the most potential age and sex subgroups in greatest need for improvement in real life dyslipidemia treatment. Taking into account the current discussion on lifetime CVD risk, we focused on the age dependence in LDL-C control.
Methods
In this observational cross-sectional study, based on routine electronic health record (EHR) data, we investigated LDL-C control of hypertensive, non-diabetic patients without renal dysfunction or CVD, aged 30 years or more in Finnish primary care setting.
Results
More than half (54% of women and 53 % of men) of untreated patients did not meet the LDL-C target of <3 mmol/l and one third (35% of women and 33 % of men) of patients did not reach the target even with the lipid-lowering medication (LLM). Furthermore, higher age was strongly associated with better LDL-C control (p<0.001) and lower LDL-C level (p<0.001) in individuals with and without LLM. Higher age was also strongly associated with LLM prescription (p<0.001). In total, about half of the patients were on LLM (53% of women and 51 % of men).
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that dyslipidemia treatment among Finnish primary care hypertensive patients is generally insufficient, particularly in younger age groups who might benefit the most from CVD risk reduction over time. Clinicians should probably rely more on the lifetime risk of CVD, especially when treating working age hypertensive patients.
Genome-wide analysis of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in two contrasting rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) genotypes subjected to drought stress and re-watering
Authors: Tan Xiaoyu , Li Su , Hu Liyong , Zhang Chunlei 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Drought stress is a major abiotic factor that affects rapeseed ( Brassica napus L.) productivity. Though previous studies indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a key role in response to drought stress, a scheme for genome-wide identification and characterization of lncRNAs’ response to drought stress is still lacking, especially in the case of B . napus . In order to further understand the molecular mechanism of the response of B . napus to drought stress, we compared changes in the transcriptome between Q2 (a drought-tolerant genotype) and Qinyou8 (a drought-sensitive genotype) in response to drought stress and rehydration treatment at the seedling stage.
Results: A total of 5,546 down-regulated and 6,997 up-regulated mRNAs were detected in Q2 compared with 7,824 and 10,251 in Qinyou8, respectively; 369 down-regulated and 108 up-regulated lncRNAs were detected in Q2 compared with 449 and 257 in Qinyou8, respectively. LncRNA- mRNA interaction network analysis indicated that the co-expression network of Q2 was composed of 145 network nodes and 5,175 connections, while the co-expression network of Qinyou8 was composed of 305 network nodes and 22,327 connections. We further identified 34 TFs corresponding to 126 differentially expressed lncRNAs in Q2, and 45 TFs corresponding to 359 differentially expressed lncRNAs in Qinyou8. Differential expression analysis of lncRNAs indicated that up- and down-regulated mRNAs co-expressed with lncRNAs participated in different metabolic pathways and were involved in different regulatory mechanisms in the two genotypes . Notably, some lncRNAs were co-expressed with BnaC07g44670D, which are associated with plant hormone signal transduction. Additionally, some mRNAs which were co-located with XLOC_052298, XLOC_094954 and XLOC_012868 were mainly categorized as signal transport and defense/stress response.
Conclusions: The results of this study increased our understanding of expression characterization of rapeseed lncRNAs in response to drought stress and re-watering, which would be useful to provide a reference for the further study of the function and action mechanisms of lncRNAs under drought stress and re-watering.
Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals evolutionary divergence and shared network of cold and salt stress response in diploid D-genome cotton
Authors: Xu Yanchao , Magwanga Richard , Jin Dingsha , Cai Xiaoyan , Hou Yuqing , Zheng Juyun , Agong Stephen Gaya , Zhou Baoliang , Wang Kunbo , Liu Fang , Zhou Zhongli 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Wild species of cotton are excellent resistance to abiotic stress. Diploid D-genome cotton showed abundant phenotypic diversity and was the putative donor species of allotetraploid cotton which produce largest textile natural fiber.
Results
A total of 41,053 genes were expressed in all samples by mapping RNA-seq Illumina reads of G. thurberi (D1), G. klotzschianum (D3-k), G. raimondii (D5) and G. trilobum (D8) to reference genome. The numbers of differently expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly higher under cold stress than salt stress. However, 34.1% DEGs under salt stress were overlapped with cold stress in four species. Notably, a potential shared network (cold and salt response, including 16 genes) was mined out by gene co-expression analysis. Totally, 47,180- 55,548 unique genes were identified in four diploid species by De novo assembly. Furthermore, 163, 344, 330 and 161 positively selected genes (PSGs) were detected in thurberi, G. klotzschianum, G. raimondii and G. trilobum by evolutionary analysis, respectively, and 9.5% - 17% PSGs of four species were DEGs in corresponding species under cold or salt stress. What’s more, most of PSGs were enriched GO term related to response to stimulation. G. klotzschianum showed best tolerance under both cold and salt stress. Interestingly, we found that a RALF-like protein coding gene not only is PSGs of G. klotzschianum, but also belongs to the potential shared network.
Conclusion
Our study provided new evidence that gene expression variations of evolution by natural selection were essential drivers of the morphological variations related to environmental adaptation during evolution. Additionally, there exist shared regulated networks under cold and salt stress, such as Ca2+ signal transduction and oxidation reduction processes. Our work establishes a transcriptomic selection mechanism for altering gene expression of four diploid D-genome cotton, and provides available gene resource underlying multi-abiotic resistant cotton breeding strategy.
Elastography for the Diagnosis of High-Suspicion Thyroid Nodules Based on the 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Li Hairu , Peng Yulan , Wang Yan , Ai Hong , Zhou Xiaodong , Yang Lichun , Yan Kun , Xiao Ying , Liu Lisha , Luo Baoming , Yong Qiang , Cong Shuzhen , Jiang Shuangquan , Fu Xin , Ma Buyun , Li Yi , Zhang Xixi , Gong Xue , Chen Haitao , Liu Wenying , Tang Ling , LV Xiaoyu , Zhao Xinbao , Li Liang , Gan Kehong , Tian Jiawei 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background: An accurate diagnosis for high-suspicion nodules based on the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines would reduce unnecessary invasive examinations. Elastography is a useful tool for discriminating benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Aims: To investigate the diagnostic efficiency of elastography for high-suspicion thyroid nodules based on the 2015 ATA guidelines in the Chinese population. Materials and Methods: Thyroid nodules with high-suspicion characteristics based on the 2015 ATA guidelines were subjected to conventional ultrasound (US) and ultrasound strain elastography (USE) examinations at 12 hospitals from 4 geographic regions across China. Cytology/histology of thyroid nodules was used as a reference method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the elasticity score (ES) and strain ratio (SR). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of malignancy. Results: Overall, a total of 1445 thyroid nodules (834 malignant, 611 benign) from 12 centers were included in the final analysis. The areas under the curve of the ES and SR were 0.828 and 0.732, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the ES were 92.4%, 60.7%, 79.0%, 76.3% and 85.5% , respectively, and those of the SR were 81.1%, 50.1%, 68.9%, 65.9% and 67.9%, respectively. The combination of the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) and ES led to a significant increase in the sensitivity and NPV (97.1% and 91.9%, respectively) compared with the TI-RADS alone. Logistic regression analysis showed that microcalcifications (OR=5.290), taller than wide (OR=12.710), irregular margins (OR=10.117), extrathyroidal extension (ETE; OR=6.412), the ES (OR=3.741) and the SR (OR=1.083) were independent predictors of malignant thyroid nodules. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of the ES were all superior in nodules ≥1 cm than in those <1 cm (95.0% vs 90.4%, 68.8% vs 56.8%, 85.9% vs 74.4%, 85.2% vs 69.9%, and 87.8% vs 84.2%, respectively). Conclusions: Elastography combined with the ES is a valuable tool for the assessment of high-suspicion thyroid nodules based on the 2015 ATA guidelines, especially in nodules ≥1 cm.
Midbrain/pons area ratio and clinical features predict the prognosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Cui Shishuang , Ling Huawei , Du Juanjuan , Lin Yiqi , Pan Jing , Zhou Haiyan , Wang Gang , Wang Ying , Xiao Qin , Liu Jun , Tan Yuyan , Chen Shengdi 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Backgrounds: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare movement disorder with poor prognosis. This retrospective study aims to characterize the natural history of PSP and to find predictors of shorter survival and faster decline of activity of daily living. Method: All patients recruited fulfilled the movement disorder society (MDS) clinical diagnostic criteria for PSP (MDS-PSP criteria) for probable and possible PSP with median 12 years. Data were obtained including age, sex, date of onset, age at onset (AAO), symptoms reported at first visit and follow-up, date of death and date of institutionalization. Magnetic resonance imaging was collected at the first visit. Endpoints were death and institutionalization. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model were used to explore factors associated with early death and institutionalization. Results: 59 patients fulfilling MDS-PSP criteria were enrolled in our study. 19 patients (32.2%) had died and 31 patients (52.5%) were institutionalizedl by the end of the follow-up. Predictors associated with poorer survival were late-onset PSP and decreased M/P area ratio. Predictors associated with earlier institutionalization were older AAO and decreased M/P area ratio. Conclusion: older and decreased M/P area ratio were predictors for earlier dearth and institutionalization in PSP. The neuroimaging biomarker M/P area ratio was a predictor for prognosis in PSP.
Assessing capacity of health facilities to provide routine maternal and newborn care in low-income settings: what proportions are ready to provide good-quality care, and what proportions of women receive it?
Authors: Tomlin Keith , Berhanu Della , Gautham Meenakshi , Umar Nasir , Schellenberg Joanna , Wickremasinghe Deepthi , Marchant Tanya 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Good quality maternal and newborn care at primary health facilities is essential, but in settings with high maternal and newborn mortality the evidence for the protective effect of facility delivery is inconsistent. We surveyed samples of health facilities in three settings with high maternal mortality to assess their readiness to provide routine maternal and newborn care, and proportions of women using facilities that were ready to offer good quality care. Surveys were conducted in 2012 and 2015 to assess changes over time.
Methods
Surveys were conducted in Ethiopia, the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and Gombe State in North-Eastern Nigeria. At each facility the staffing, infrastructure and commodities were quantified. These formed components of four “signal functions” that describe aspects of routine maternal and newborn care. A facility was considered ready to perform a signal function if all the required components were present. Readiness to perform all four signal functions classed a facility as ready to provide good quality routine care. From facility registers we counted deliveries and calculated the proportions of women delivering in facilities ready to offer good quality routine care.
Results
In Ethiopia the proportion of deliveries in facilities classed as ready to offer good quality routine care rose from 40% (95% confidence interval (CI) 26-57) in 2012 to 43% (95% CI 31-56) in 2015. In Uttar Pradesh these estimates were 4% (95% CI 1-24) in 2012 and 39% (95% CI 25-55) in 2015, while in Nigeria they were 25% (95% CI 6-66) in 2012 and zero in 2015. Improved facility readiness in Ethiopia and Uttar Pradesh arose from increased supplies of commodities, while in Nigeria facility readiness fell due to depleted commodity supplies and fewer Skilled Birth Attendants.
Conclusions
This study quantifies the readiness of health facilities to offer good quality routine maternal and newborn care, and may help explain inconsistent outcomes of facility care in some settings. Signal function methodology can provide a rapid and inexpensive measure of such facility readiness. Incorporating data on facility deliveries and repeating the analyses highlights the adjustments that could have greatest impact upon routine maternal and newborn care.