bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Placental Mesenchymal Stem Cells Labelled With Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxides on the Growth of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Cells
Authors: Wang Fang , He Hua , Xiong Yao , HU Jie-ting , Guo Yu-lin 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effects of human placental mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) labelled with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides (USPIOs) on the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and the feasibility of 3.0T MR in vivo tracer. Methods: PMSCs were labelled with USPIOs, the labeling efficiency was determined by Prussian blue-stained, and their biological characteristics were identified. A subcutaneous CRC HT-29 xenograft model in immunodeficient mice was established, and we attempted to consider the group was injected with labelled MSCs as experimental group. The growth and MR signal changes of xenograft tumors of nude mice was assessed, then, plot growth curve and analyzed the MR image quality in different sequences, obtained the pathological results after scan.Results: 1. USPIOs-labelled PMSCs had no significant influence on biological characteristics, such as cell viability, proliferation ability, and apoptosis rate (P> 0.05). 2. The regions with low signal value could be observed in the experimental group on the first day on the MR. On the 7th day, the regions with low signal value were narrowed, and in some tumors showed poor clarity, whereas the signal values did not significantly change. The trend of growth of tumors in mice in the experimental group before injection of PMSCs was similar to that of the control group, while growth rate of tumor in the experimental group on day 5 after injection of PMSCs was slightly lower than that in the control group, and the volume of tumor on day 14 was noticeably smaller than that in the control group. There was no significant difference in the positive expression rates of CD31, CD34, and Ki67 between the two groups (P> 0.05). 3. The tracing ability of T2* mapping sequences for USPIOs-labelled cells was superior than T2WI and T2 mapping sequences. Conclusion: USPIOs-labelled PMSCs had high labeling efficiency, while cell viability, proliferation ability, and apoptotic rate were not markedly influenced. labelled cells injected into CRC transplanted tumors were studied for a long period of time, and only a certain inhibitory effect on growth of tumor volume was noted, while no meaningful influence on tumor proliferation and angiogenesis was found.
The Distribution and Accessibility of Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinics in Mainland China From 2006 to 2018: a Population-based Retrospective Study
Authors: Ma Yi , Bai Fu , Gao Lina , Fan Yanjun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Infertility is a global health problem that carries a high social and economic burden. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been developed in mainland China for over 30 years. We aimed to evaluate the accessibility and equity of distribution of ART facilities in mainland China from 2006 to 2018, and quantify the population with reduced geographic access to ART services.Method: A retrospective study was conducted to describe the trend and analyze the equity of distribution of ART clinics in 2006, 2012, and 2018. Coverage rates were calculated by city and by population. Size of population living in areas with different regional choice of ART services was identified. The Gini coefficients were calculated to measure the equity of the distribution of ART clinics.Results: There were 85 ART clinics (not counting artificial insemination clinics) in mainland China in 2006, 356 in 2012, and 498 in 2018 . The coverage rate of ART clinics was increased significantly (P＜0.05). Eastern China had the most extensive coverage, followed by the central region, while the western region had the least coverage (P＜0.05). At the end of 2018, 171.4 million people in 47 cities had no access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics, but had access to at least one artificial insemination clinic in their own cities. There were still 354.9 million people (25.4% of the population) living in 148 cities without any ART clinics, indicating that 179.5 million people of reproductive age had no access to ART services. The Gini coefficients for the distribution of IVF clinics in mainland China in 2006, 2012, and 2018 were 0.389, 0.275 and 0,267 respectively, and for the distribution of ART clinics in 2012, and 2018 were 0.222 and 0.213.Conclusion(s): The accessibility of ART clinics in mainland China increased significantly in the twelve years to 2018. The equity of distribution of ART clinics was quite balanced over the country. However, underserved areas still exist, especially in the western region, which has spurred more targeted policies and cost-effective measures to improve the accessibility and availability of ART services in such areas.
Inequalities in Antenatal Care Coverage and Quality: an Analysis From 63 Low and Middle-income Countries Using the ANCq Content-qualified Coverage Indicator
Authors: Arroyave Luisa , Saad Ghada E , Victora Cesar G , Barros Aluisio J D 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is an essential intervention associated with a reduction of maternal and new-born morbidity and mortality. However, evidence suggested substantial inequalities in maternal and child health, mainly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to conduct a global analysis of socioeconomic inequalities in ANC using national surveys from LMICs.Methods: ANC was measured using the ANCq, a novel content-qualified ANC coverage indicator, created and validated using national surveys, based upon contact with the health services and content of care received. We performed stratified analysis to explore the socioeconomic inequalities in ANCq. We also estimated the slope index of inequality, which measures the difference in coverage along the wealth spectrum. Results: We analyzed 63 national surveys carried out from 2010 to 2017. There were large inequalities between and within countries. Higher ANCq scores were observed among women living in urban areas, with secondary or more level of education, belonging to wealthier families and with higher empowerment in nearly all countries. Countries with higher ANCq mean presented lower inequalities; while countries with average ANCq scores presented wide range of inequality, with some managing to achieve very low inequality.Conclusions: Despite all efforts in ANC programs, important inequalities in coverage and quality of ANC services persist. If maternal and child mortality Sustainable Development Goals are to be achieved, those gaps we documented must be bridged.
Diversity Enhancement Random Forest Model for the Risk Identification of Disease Deterioration
Authors: Peng Jun-Feng , Chen Xing-Ji , Li Xiao-Xin , Zhou Mi , Xu Jun , Zhu Xiong-Yong , Chen Jia-Yuan , Zou Kai-Qiang , Zhang Zhan , Chen Guo-Ming 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundRandom forest (RF) is a powerful ensemble algorithm for medical decision-making supporting (MDS). However the requirement of higher accuracy and smaller ensemble size remain significant burdens for the current RF, particularly for the risk identification of disease deterioration. To achieve the goal of higher accuracy and smaller ensemble size for the risk identification of disease deterioration, a diversity enhancement random forest (DERF) model is proposed.MethodsWe explored the idea of integrating trees that are accurate and diverse to build the DERF model. First, we calculated the accuracy of the out of bag data to select the best K trees. Then, we assessed the diversity of these trees using logarithmic loss functions on the validation data set. Further, we utilized the greedy stepwise backward search to increase the diversity of the random forest. Finally, public bench mark data sets on disease deterioration from KEEL and real data sets from tertiary hospitals in the last three years were used to assess the performance of the proposed DERF model and compared it with the existing model. ResultsExperiments show that the proposed model can improve the prediction performance and reduce the ensemble size of random forest model. Compared with the existing model random forest, the extreme random tree and the ensemble of optimal tree, our proposed DERF model obtains a higher predictive accuracy and a smaller ensemble size. ConclusionIt reveals that the proposed DERF could reduce the size of the ensemble and achieve good classification results in the risk identification of disease deterioration
Statistical Joint Modeling on Longitudinal Body Weight and CD4 Cell Progression with Survival Time-to-Death Predictors on HIV/AIDS Patients in Mekelle General Hospital, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebrerufael Geberu , Asfaw Zeytu , Chekole Dessie 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This study assessed the impact of repeated biomarker measurements of statistical joint modeling on survival time-to-death and determines potential predictors of HIV/AIDS patients on ART in Mekelle General Hospital Ethiopia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among HIV/AIDS patients who were under ART follow-up during September 11, 2013 - September 5, 2016, at Mekelle General Hospital, Ethiopia. The relationship between the two biomarkers CD4 cell and body weight with risk for survival time-to-death were statistically insignificant. Thus, death is less probable to occur in HIV/AIDS patients with a higher value of CD4 cell count and body weight progression. In the event process the sub-model, Baseline CD4, Fair, and Good Adherence, HIV/TB, and Sex were significant factors of risk to short survival Time-to-Death on HIV/AIDS patients. In the 1st longitudinal process sub-model, Baseline CD4, Ambulatory functional status, HIV/TB (yes), Time*Ambulatory functional status, Time*Working functional status, and Time*Baseline CD4 were the significant factors of √CD4 Cell count progression. Moreover, In the 2nd longitudinal process sub-model, visit Time of follow-up, Age, Sex (male), Baseline weight, Time*Ambulatory and Time*Working functional status were the significant factors of log 10(bodyweight) progression. Both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders should pay special attention to HIV-positive adults, especially those who had developed HIV/TB, male, bedridden functional status, poor adherence, and lower Baseline CD4 cell count progression so that mortality due to HIV/AIDS optimally reduced.
Modeling the Longtiudnal Change of Viral Load of HIV&nbsp;Positive Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Getachew Dawit , Eshetie Aragaw , Chekole Dessie 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
HIV/AIDS continues to be a major public health concern and cause of death in the world. Even- though WHO recommended viral load testing as the preferred monitoring approach to diagnose and confirm ARV treatment failure, but in most cases, factors influencing the trend of viral load were not well identified. The main objective of this study was to modeling the change of viral load and identifying its associated factors among HIV positive patients. In this retrospective longitudinal data analysis, data was collected from 287 HIV positive patients registered for ART between January 2017 and June 2019 in Zewditu hospital and unstructured covariance structure was parsimonious for the data. linear mixed model with different random effect were applied to the data. Linear mixed model with random intercept and slope were selected as a best model to fit the data based on different model selection criteria. The findings of the study revealed that there was a decrement over time in the log VL of patients with HIV on ART. Furthermore, time, baseline CD4 count, WHO clinical stage, functional status of the patient, adherence, smoking status, initial ART Regimen and Time interaction with adherence and WHO stage were found to be significant predictors of log VL evolution. Therefore, Patients should take ART regimens with good adherence to decrease their viral load over time.
Back Pain and Related Factors in Patients with COVID-19
Authors: UZ CUMA , UMAY EBRU , GUNDOGDU IBRAHIM , UZ FATMA 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to determine whether back pain is a clinical manifestation in patients with COVID-19, and to decide whether any demographic and disease characteristics might act as an effective indicator of back pain.Matherial and methods: Patients with COVID-19 (N: 99) were recruited from the infectious diseases department of a secondary care hospital and divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of back pain. The main outcomes included were demographic and disease characteristics, and the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study Physical Activity Level for Work (HUNT) 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Results: The most common symptoms were fatigue (n = 63, 63.6%), followed by back pain (n = 50, 50.5%). A sedentary lifestyle, oxygen requirement, the presence of pneumonia and typical pneumonia pattern were significantly higher (p = 0.009, p = 0.026, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively), and aerobic capacity was lower (p = 0001) in patients with back pain. The presence of back pain continued to be associated with the presence of pneumonia and reduced aerobic capacity in multivariate analysis.Conclusions: Back pain may be associated with the presence and severity of COVID-19 pneumonia.
Sex Influence on Cardiovascular Autonomic Modulation and on Cardiac and Renal Oxidative Stress: Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training
Authors: Shimojo Guilherme Lemos , Stoyell-Conti Filipe , Dias Danielle , Barboza Catarina , Sartori Michelle , Bernardes Nathalia , Sanches Iris , Irigoyen Maria-Cláudia , ANGELIS KATIA DE 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the difference between sexes after 8 weeks of aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular autonomic modulation and oxidative stress. Wistar rats were distributed into (n = 8/group): sedentary male (SM), trained male (TM), sedentary female (SF) and trained female (TF). Arterial pressure (AP) signals were directly recorded. Cardiovascular autonomic modulation was evaluated by spectral analysis. Aerobic exercise training was performed on treadmill (5 days/wk; 8 wks). Oxidative stress was evaluated on cardiac and renal tissues. Both trained groups presented bradycardia. Exercise training increased heart rate variability (VAR-PI) and decreased cardiac sympathovagal balance in both sexes. Although, no differences observed in AP, the female groups showed a lower vascular sympathetic modulation than the male groups. There was a positive correlation between vascular sympathetic modulation and renal membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) (r = 0.6, p < 0.01). LPO in cardiac tissue was reduced in the TM, SF and TF groups when compared to the SM group and it was correlated with cardiac sympathetic modulation (r = 0.6, p < 0.01). Only the TF group presented AP variability and renal LPO decreased and cardiac glutathione redox balance (GSH/GSSG) improved when compared to the other groups. Moreover, the trained females showed greater improvement on VAR-PI (~ 1.8 times), on cardiac and renal antioxidant capacity (TRAP: ~2,1 and ~ 1.5 times, respectively), and on cardiac GSSG (~ 2.8 times) than the trained males. In conclusion, female rats showed additional aerobic exercise training induced-cardiovascular autonomic modulation and target organs oxidative stress profile improvement than male rats.
A Semi-Parametric Analysis of Childhood Stunting in India: District Level Scenario
Authors: Sharma Palak , Banerjee Kajori , Dwivedi Laxmikant 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundA growing body of literature has recognized the urgency of addressing the issue of childhood stunting (low height for age) in India and dedicated substantial resources to identifying the factors that are strongly associated with its considerable prevalence in the country. However, most of these studies have focused on parametric models with limited use of geographic information and prefixed assumption on the linear association of various factors with stunting outcomes. The present study re-investigates the non-linear association of certain covariates along with spatial effects by using a flexible Bayesian semi-parametric regression approach at the district level.MethodData is taken from the recent fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 4, 2015-16). The analysis is based on the data from 2,24,190 children whose complete anthropometric measurements of weight and height are measured.ResultsThe paper has two major contributions. First, it challenges the pigeonholing of linear association of covariates. It identifies a non-linear association of child's age, mother's age at birth, and mother's BMI with childhood stunting. Children's height-for-age score worsens up to the age of 20 months and then stabilizes at a lower HAZ score in the states with a high prevalence of childhood stunting. Almost all high prevalence states display an inverted U association for maternal BMI suggesting that not just underweight mothers, but overweight mothers are also likely to have stunted children. Secondly, the results indicate high spatial clustering of poor performing districts in states with a high prevalence of childhood stunting. For example, the districts in the West of Bihar show significantly higher levels of childhood stunting than the ones in the East.ConclusionsThis is the first time that a flexible and realistic model has been applied to district-level data to identify regional variation and highlight the issues of pigeonholing linear association of all correlated of childhood stunting. The findings from the study is a novel attempt to rethink restrictive modeling approaches of various public health issues in a regionally diverse country such as India.
Prevalence of domestic violence in a time of catastrophic disease outbreaks including COVID 19 pandemic: A systematic review protocol
Authors: Abraham Gelila , Gelana Beshea , Yitbarek Kiddus , Morankar Sudhakar 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Domestic violence is a public health issue that has a long term and irreversible effect on the victims. There are vulnerable groups like children, women, and elders. The problem becomes worse for these populations in the time of catastrophic events including disease pandemic. However, few attempts have been made to systematically review the prevalence and pattern of domestic violence during these times all over the world.
Methods
An initial search of PubMed will be followed by CINAHL, Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, and ProQuest Health. Titles and abstracts of studies will be reviewed, and full-text articles will be selected if the inclusion criteria are met. Studies that meet the eligibility criteria will then be assessed by two independent reviewers. Full-text articles will be selected if the inclusion criteria are met. A standardized critical appraisal checklist for studies reporting prevalence data will be used to assess methodological quality and a standardized data extraction tool will be used. The results from the included studies will be analyzed using JBI SUMARI software.
Discussion
This systematic review will provide a solid evidence on the magnitude of domestic violence of any forms during catastrophic disease outbreaks including the current pandemic, COVID-19.
Systematic review registration number:
The systematic review protocol registration number in PROSPERO is CRD42020192255.
Very Broadband Strain-Rate Measurements Along a Submarine Fiber-Optic Cable Off Cape Muroto, Nankai Subduction Zone, Japan
Authors: Ide Satoshi , Araki Eiichiro , Matsumoto Hiroyuki 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) is a new method that measures the strain change along a fiber-optic cable and has emerged as a promising geophysical application across a wide range of research and monitoring. Here we present the results of DAS observations from an submarine cable offshore Cape Muroto, Nankai subduction zone, western Japan. The observed signal amplitude varies widely among the DAS channels, even over short distances of only ~100 m, which is likely attributed to the differences in cable-seafloor coupling due to complex bathymetry along the cable route. Nevertheless, the noise levels at the well-coupled channels of DAS are almost comparable to those observed at nearby permanent ocean-bottom seismometers. Many earthquakes were observed during the five-day observation period, with the minimum and maximum detectable events being a local M1.1 event 30–50 km from the cable and a teleseismic Mw7.7 event that occurred in Cuba, respectively. Temperature appears to exert a greater control on the DAS signal than real strain in the quasi-static, sub-seismic range. We observed many rapid temperature change events migrating along the cable: a small number of large migration events (up to 10 km in 6 hours) associated with rapid temperature increases, and many small-scale events (both rising and falling temperatures). These events may reflect deep-ocean water mixing processes that are the result of ocean current–tidal interactions along an irregular seafloor boundary.
Short Term Selection to Diflubenzuron and Bacillus Thuringiensis Subsp. Israelensis Differentially Affects the Winter Survival of Culex Pipiens F. Pipiens and Culex Pipiens F. Molestus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Ioannou Charalampos S , Hadjichristodoulou Christos , Kyritsi Maria A , Papadopoulos Nikos T 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe Culex pipiens mosquito consists of two forms named pipiens and molestus that exhibit substantial differences in their biology including overwintering behavior. Diflubenzuron (DFB) and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) are among the most widely used larvicides for controlling Cx. pipiens populations. The high dependency on these two larvicides, pose major concerns for resistance development. The evolution and stability of tolerance/resistance to insecticides has been associated with fitness costs that may be manifested under stressful conditions such as the winter period. This study aimed to investigate how short term selection of pipiens and molestus forms to both larvicides affect their susceptibility and their overwintering success.MethodsColonies of both forms of Cx. pipiens were established from the same area. Following standard protocols, the efficacy of both larvicides was determined for each mosquito population. Then, larvae from each form, were selected for three successive generations by applying fixed doses corresponding to IE80 (Inhibition of adult Emergence) and LC80 (Lethal Concentration) for DFB and Bti, respectively. At the end of this process, the susceptibility levels and the winter survival of the selected populations relative to controls (colonies that received no selection) were determined.ResultsContrary to Bti, selection with DFB induced different susceptibility levels between the two forms of Cx. pipiens. The selected populations of Cx. pipiens f. molestus to both larvicides exhibited a high fitness cost in terms of reduced winter larval survival rates relative to control. Moreover, the obtained adults of the Bti selected population experienced significantly shorter lifespan compared to control and DFB selected population. On the other hand, selection with both DFB and Bti had no apparent effects on Cx. pipiens f. pipiens female winter survival rates relative to control. Furthermore, the reproductive parameters and the longevity of the overwintered females were similar between the selected populations and the control. ConclusionsOur findings reveal that sort term selection to DFB and Bti induces a high fitness cost on the winter survival of Cx. pipiens f. molestus but not of pipiens form, suggesting potential differences on the persistence of tolerant individuals from year to year between the two forms.