bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Evaluation of Vascular Density in Diabetic Retinopathy Subtypes using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Authors: Ghassemi Fariba , Fadakar Kaveh , Berijani Sahar , Babeli Ameneh , Gholizadeh Alireza , Sabour Siamak 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: To determine the discrepancy between quantitative measurement of retinal and choriocapillaris (CC) vascular density (VD) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) stages using spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography (SD OCTA) and compare it with normal subjects.Methods: 188 eyes of 97 participants were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Macular OCTA (3x3mm) scan was performed and VD at the level of superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP) and CC were measured with the device software.Results: In normal subjects, VD in SCP, DCP, and CC were higher in all subsegments. In retinal VD, all calculated parameters were reduced in the more extreme stages of DR, except for foveal VD of SCP. There was a constant pattern of decrease in VD of CC from normal cases to cases of NDR and NPDR and then a slight increase happened in the PDR stage but never touching the normal quantities. Age, fasting blood sugar, and years of diabetes mellitus were correlated with reduced VD in different segments. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was positively correlated with parafoveal VD at SCP and VD of foveal area at CC. VD of all subfields of macular area except foveal DCP VD showed reduced levels in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients compared to those without DME.Conclusions: The findings of the study endorse retina VD changes as a potential biomarker for DR development before retinopathy becomes clinically evident. It seems that parafoveal VD of SCP and foveal VD of CC are good biomarkers to predict VA in the diabetic patients.
A Stoic and Altruistic Orientation Towards Their Work: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences of Awaiting A COVID-19 Test Result
Authors: Missel Malene , Bernild Camilla , Dagyaran Ilkay , Christensen Signe Westh , Berg Selina Kikkenborg 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Extensive measures to reduce person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 are required to control the current outbreak. Special attention is directed at healthcare professionals as reducing the risk of infection in healthcare is essential. The purpose of this study was to explore healthcare professionals’ experiences of awaiting a test result for a potential COVID-19 infection.Methods: Qualitative interviews with 15 healthcare professionals were performed, underpinned by a phenomenological hermeneutical analytical framework. Results: The participating healthcare professionals’ experiences of awaiting a COVID-19 test result were found to be associated with a stoic and altruistic orientation towards their work. These healthcare professionals presented a strong professional identity overriding most concerns about their own health. The result of the coronavirus test was a decisive parameter for whether healthcare professionals could return to work. The healthcare professionals were aware that their family and friends were having a hard time knowing that the COVID-19 infection risk was part of their jobs. This concern did not, however, cause the healthcare professionals to falter in their belief that they were doing the right thing by focusing on their core area. The threat to own health ran through the minds of the healthcare professionals occasionally, which makes access to testing particularly important.Conclusion: The participating healthcare professionals had a strong professional identity. However, a discrepancy between an altruistic role as a healthcare professional and the expectations that come from the community was illuminated. A mental health coronavirus hotline for healthcare professionals is suggested.
Evaluation of lymphocytic infiltration in the bronchial glands of Sjögren's syndrome in transbronchial lung cryobiopsy
Authors: Okabayashi Hiroko , Baba Tomohisa , Ootoshi Ryota , Shintani Ryota , Tabata Erina , Ikeda Satoshi , Niwa Takashi , Oda Tsuneyuki , Okuda Ryo , Sekine Akimasa , Kitamura Hideya , Komatsu Shigeru , Hagiwara Eri , Takemura Tamiko , Sakagami Takuro , Ogura Takashi 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by deteriorated exocrine gland function with associated lymphocytic infiltration. However, there are few pathological studies on bronchial glands in SS. In this study, we aimed to clarify pathological features of bronchial glands in SS.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated infiltration of lymphocytes in the bronchial glands incidentally collected by transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC), which were performed for the diagnosis of diffuse lung diseases. The degrees of lymphocyte infiltration in the bronchial glands were classified into four grades (grade 0-3). We compared the degrees of infiltration of SS with those of other diffuse lung diseases.Results: TBLC for diagnosis of diffuse lung diseases were performed on 432 cases during the study period. The samples of 50 cases included bronchial glands. Of those, 20 cases were excluded due to insufficient size or influence of therapy. The remaining 30 cases included 17 of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, 5 of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonia, 6 of connective tissue disease (SS; n=4, systemic sclerosis; n=1, dermatomyositis; n=1) and 2 of other diseases. In SS, infiltration of lymphocytes was observed in all cases; grade 1 in one, grade 2 in one, and grade 3 in two cases. In contrast, 11 of 26 in other diseases showed no lymphocytes infiltration, with the remaining 15 of grade 1 infiltration. Grade 2 or more infiltration were found only in SS but not in other diseases.Conclusion: Our results suggested that high-grade lymphocytic infiltration of bronchial glands is a distinct characteristics in SS.
Dosimetric Effects on skin of supine Immobilization Device in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for breast cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Lv Ran , Yang Guangyi , Huang Yongzhi , Wang Yanhong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundBreast immobilization devices are commonly used in supine breast radiotherapy while the dose perturbation effect is often overlooked in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for breast cancer (BC). This study is to assess the dosimetric effect of supine immobilization devices on skin with a commercial treatment planning system.Methods40 women with BC were divided into four groups according to the type of primary surgery, group A and B corresponding to patients with left and right BC after radical mastectomy, received a radiotherapy of 50 Gy in 25 fractions, group C and D corresponding to patients with left and right BC after breast-conservation surgery, received a prescription of 40.05 Gy in15 fractions and tumor bed simultaneous integrated boost to 45 Gy. A 0.2 cm thick skin contour and two sets of body contours were outlined for each patient. Dose calculations were conducted for the two sets of contours using the same plan, the dose difference was assessed by comparing the dose-volume histogram parameter results and by plan subtraction.ResultsThe supine immobilization devices for BC caused a significantly increase in the skin dose which may finally lead to skin toxicity. The mean dose increased by approximately 0.5 Gy and 0.45 Gy in left (group A) and right (group B) BC after radical mastectomy, 2.7 Gy and 3.25 Gy in left (group C) and right (group D) BC after BCS; corresponding to group A, B, C, D, the V10 of skin increased1.27%,1.83%, 1.36%, 2.88% ; the V20 of skin increased 0.85%, 1.87%, 2.76%, 4.86%; the V30 of skin increased 1.3%, 1.24%, 10.58%, 11.91%; the V40 of skin increased 1.29%, 0.65%, 10%, 10.51%. The dose encompassing of planning target volume, as well as the HI and CI, showed little distinction between plan- and plan+.ConclusionThe supine immobilization devices significantly increased the dose of skin, especially for patients with BCS. The immobilization devices should be included in the external contour to account for the dose attenuation and skin dose increment.Trial registrationThis is a retrospectively study and it has no intervention on human health care, so this study was not registered.
Effects Oof Illness Perceptions On Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in China
Authors: Zheng Zhaohui , Wang Juan , Yang Zhe , Zheng Yan , Peng Yaling , Wang Qing , Xia Hongli , Wang Yan , Ding Jin , Zhu Ping , Shang Lei 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Objectives: For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China, little is known of how their illness perceptions affect their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The present study detailed associations between characteristics of illness perception and features of HRQoL.Methods: For 191 patients with RA, illness perceptions were measured using the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (BIPQ) with 8 domains. HRQoL was determined with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, linear regression analyses, and multivariate stepwise regression was used to analyze these data. Results: The overall BIPQ of patients with RA was 49.09 ± 11.06. The highest and lowest scores were for concern (9.15 ± 1.81) and personal control (4.30 ± 2.52), respectively. Multivariate stepwise regression analyses showed that domains of BIPQ including consequences, personal control, treatment control, identity, coherence, emotional response, and the overall BIPQ score were associated with HRQoL, identity and emotional response were negatively associated with HRQoL but personal control, treatment control positively (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the overall BIPQ had a significantly negative association with each component and the summary scores of HRQoL.Conclusions: Illness perceptions were associated with HRQoL of patients with RA in China. Illness perceptions were identified as likely targets for strategies to improve quality of life in patients with RA in China. This study provides evidence that can help improve HRQoL in patients with RA.
Biomechanical Properties of the Bone During Implant Placement
Authors: Nagy Adam Laszlo , Práger Nándor Tamás , Tóth Zsolt , Tarjányi Tamás , Baráth Zoltán Lajos 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Introduction: In our research we examined the biomechanical properties of a bone model. Porcine ribs are used as experimental model. Our objective is to investigate and compare the biomechanical properties of the bone model before and after implant placement. Methods: The bone samples were divided in three groups, Group 1 where ALL-ON-FOUR protocol was used during pre-drilling and placing the implants, Group 2 where ALL-ON-FOUR protocol was used during pre-drilling, and implants were not placed, and Group 3 consisting of intact bones served as a control group. Static and dynamic loading was applied for examining the model samples. Kruskal-Wallis statistical test and as post-hoc test Mann-Whitney U test was performed to analyze experimental results.Results: According to the results of the static loading, there was no significant difference between the implanted and original ribs, however, the toughness values of the bones decreased largely on account of predrilling the bones. The analysis of dynamic fatigue measurements by Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences between the intact and predrilled bones.Conclusions: The pre-drilled bone was much weaker in both static and dynamic tests than the natural or implanted specimens. According to the results of the dynamic tests and after a certain loading cycle the implanted samples behaved the same way as the control samples, which suggests that implantation have stabilized the skeletal bone structure, and if even one implant is lost at the implant site during All-On-Four protocol the stabilizing effect of the implants cannot be expected.
Actual Long-Term Survival After Resection of Stage III Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Lee Do Weon , Kim Han-Soo , Han Ilkyu 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Actuarial survival based on the Kaplan–Meier method can overestimate actual long-term survival, especially among those with factors of poor prognosis. Patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III soft tissue sarcoma (STS) represent a subset with a high risk of STS-specific mortality. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the clinicopathological characteristics associated with actual long-term survival in patients with stage III STS.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 116 patients who underwent surgical resection for stage III STS with curative intent between March 2000 and December 2013. Long-term survivors (n = 61), defined as those who survived beyond 5 years, were compared with short-term survivors (n = 36), who died of STS within 5 years.Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that a tumor size <10 cm [odds ratio (OR) 3.95, p = 0.047], histological grade of 2 (OR 8.12, p = 0.004), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 1 (OR 11.25, p = 0.001) were independently associated with actual 5-year survival. However, 66% of the long-term survivors exhibited factors of poor prognosis: 36% had a tumor size >10 cm and 48% had a histological grade of 3. Leiomyosarcoma (3 of 10) was negatively associated with actual long-term survival.Conclusions: Actual 5-year survival after resection of stage III STS was associated with tumor size, histological grade, and ASA score. However, majority of the actual 5-year survivors exhibit factors of poor prognosis, suggesting that resection should be offered for a chance of long-term survival in these patients.
Does Risk Calculator by Nationwide Survey Match The Postoperative Outcome in Patients Who Underwent Major Hepatectomy?
Authors: Nanashima Atsushi , Imamura Naoya , Hiyoshi Masahide , Yano Koichi , Hamada Takeomi , Nishida Takahiro , Sakurahara Daichi , Sakamoto Risa , Uchise Yukako , Wada Takashi , Nagatomo Kenzo 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: To clarify significance of the present National Clinical Database risk calculator (NCD-RC) for hepatectomy in Japan, relationship between perioperative parameters or outcomes in major hepatectomy and the mortality rate by NCD-RC was examined. Methods: Patient demographics, co-morbidity, surgical records, postoperative morbidity or mortality were examined and compared to the 30 days- or in-hospital-mortality rate among 55 patients with hepatobiliary diseases who underwent hemi- or more-extended hepatectomy and central (segment 458) hepatectomy. The cut-off percent for high risk mortality before hepatectomy was set at 5% in this period. Results: In-hospital morbidity over CD III was 17 (28%), The 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality was nil and two (3%), respectively. Male patient showed significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate (p<0.01). In the 37 patients (group woML), mean age was 67.8±8.7 years old ranging 45 and 84. Others included A) with severe complications or mortality in whom low mortality rate (group wML, n=13), B) without severe complications neither mortality in whom high mortality rate (group woMH, n=7), and C) with severe complications or mortality in whom high mortality rate (group wMH, n=4 (6.5%)). Age, distribution of elderly patients, gender, the hepatobiliary diseases and the prevalence of preoperative co-morbidity were not significantly different between groups. In the group wML, the bile leakage was dominant and, however, the in-hospital death was not observed. In the group wMH, all operations were right hepatectomy with bile duct resection (RH-BDR) for biliary malignancy and two died of hepatic failure and, however, the prevalence of RH-BDR was not significantly higher in comparison with other groups. Conclusions: Predictive mortality rate by risk calculator under nationwide survey did not always match with patient outcomes in the actual clinical setting and further improvement will be required. In case of RH-BDR for biliary malignancy with high predictive rate, the careful perioperative managements is important under the present nationwide database.
Relieff Matching Feature Selection for Emotion Recognition Based on EEG Signal
Authors: Zhang Xiaodan , Li Tao , She Yichong , Zhao Rui , Du Jinxiang , Zhai Yawen , Ke Xizheng 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
ReliefF Matching Feature Selection (RMFS) is proposed in the paper, which can solve the problem of individual specificity and global threshold mismatch of emotion recognition. Firstly, EEG was decomposed into six emotion-related bands by wavelet packet, then EMD was employed for extracting the 10 categories of features of wavelet coefficient and IMF component of the reconstructed signal; Secondly, the optimization formula of the feature group weight was proposed based on feature sets selected by ReliefF, and it can get the weights of different test features, which were the global optimal matching feature group and the corresponding matching channel, so it can eliminate the redundant information and solve the problem of individual specificity. Finally, SVM was employed to identify the test feature group data to obtain emotional recognition results. The experimental results show that the average correct rates of RMFS for two-category of the valence and the arousal are 93.28% and 93.32%, and the four-categories are higher than 83%. The efficiency of the single subject using RMFS is improved by 42.65%, which is better than the traditional ReliefF algorithm.
Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Stunting, Wasting and Underweight Among School Age Children Aged 6-12 Years in Debre Tabor Town, South Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Yisak Hiwot , Tadege Melaku , Ambaw Birhanie , Ewunetei Amien 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Aim: Underweight, wasting and stunting are the commonest nutritional disorders among school age children especially in developing countries. This public health significant problem impairs the intellectual development of a child. The aim of this study was assessment of the Prevalence and Determinant factors of under nutrition among school age children aged 6-12 years Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Debre Tabor town elementary schools among 314 school age children. The sample was allocated to all elementary schools proportionally to their number of school age children aged 6-12 years in 2018. WHO Antro- Plus was used to build Z-scores from anthropometric measurement. The data were analyzed by SPSS Version 20. The degrees of association between dependent and independent variables was assessed using OR and 95% Confidence interval during logistic regression. P-value less than 0.05was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the total study participants, 232(77.3%) were from public schools. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of height of children was 132.915 ±9.824cm and the mean ± standard deviation (SD) weight of children was 27.65 ±5.785 Kg. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 11%, 6.3%, and 11.4% respectively. Students who ate their breakfast rarely were 8 times more likely to be underweight than those who ate their breakfast always (AOR =7.94 95%CI, 4.82-14.80). Those who were sick were more likely to be underweight than their counterparts AOR= 7.3, 95%CI, 2.8-14.4).Those who never consume milk or milk products were 6.5 (AOR= 6.5, 95%CI, 1.7-23) times more likely to be stunted than those who consumed always. Sickness in the past two weeks was significantly associated with thinness (AOR= 6 .93, 95%CI, 4.12- 10.06).Conclusions: The overall prevalence of wasting, stunting, and underweight was mild public health problem in this study.
Institutions, renewable energy consumption and industrial performance in West Africa
Authors: Eke Felix Awara , Agala Friday Bassey , Oburota Chukwuedo Susan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
This study examined the role of institutions in modifying the impact of renewable energy consumption on industrial performance in West Africa, and how the relationship differ across countries within the sub region based on income classification. The Driscoll-Kraay standard error and the panel-corrected standard error (PCSE) techniques were utilized to estimate the fixed effects and random effects models, respectively. Institutional quality index was computed using the principal component analysis (PCA). The results reported that renewable energy consumption enhances industrial performance in West Africa and in low-income countries (LICs). However, when institutional quality is interacted with renewable energy consumption, there is a dampening impact on industrial performance not only in West Africa but also in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). This implies that improving the quality of institutions in West Africa would be instrumental to sustaining and deepening the impact of renewable energy consumption on industrial performance.JEL ClassificationC33, L60, Q40.
Medical Readiness After Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Case Review
Authors: Masdeu Lindsey 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Retinal vein occlusion occurs in people 30 years of age and older. In the Army population this age range encompasses many senior leaders. Case presentation: This article will review the case of a 45-year-old male who presented with painless visual changes of the left eye and was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion. The patient received prompt referral to Ophthalmological services and was started on therapy within 1 day of presentation. His course of therapy included treatment with brimonidine and monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. Visual acuity improved from 20/70 at presentation to 20/25 after 4 months and visual field deficit of 50% also improved. He received panretinal photocoagulation to reduce risk of neovascularization and deployed with his unit 4 months after presentation. His course of therapy is reviewed, and available treatment options are discussed. Conclusions: As an Active duty soldier, this patient was at risk of separation from service or being deemed non-deployable due to potential for long term visual deficits. These consequences were avoided due to immediate referral to Ophthalmology services and prompt initiation of therapy. Treatment of patients presenting with retinal vein occlusions should follow a similarly timed treatment regimen.