bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategic priorities for TB control in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines – Comparative Analysis of National TB Prevalence Surveys
Authors: Kak Neeraj , Chakraborty Krishnapada , Sadaphal Swati , AlMossawi Hala Jassim , Calnan Marianne , Vikarunnessa Begum 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Philippines, Indonesia, and Bangladesh are three high TB burden countries in Asia which account for 18% of the estimated global TB incidence (1.787m) and 15% of TB related deaths (192,000). In 2017 alone, approximately 785,000 of the incident TB cases in these countries remained missing including diagnosed but not notified.
Methods: We reviewed the published data from the most recent TB prevalence surveys conducted in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The prevalence rates established by the surveys were used to estimate the disease burden of these countries for 2017. The Global TB Report 2017 and WHO’s global TB database were sourced for collection of incidence and notification data by age groups and types of TB to estimate prevalence to notification gaps 2017.
Results: According to the surveys, the estimated prevalence rates of bacteriologically confirmed TB and smear-positive TB are 287 and 113 for Bangladesh (2015-16), 759 and 256 for Indonesia (2013-14) and 1159 and 434 for the Philippines (2016) per 100,000 population over the age of 15 years. The overall national TB prevalence estimates for all forms is 260 for Bangladesh, 660 for Indonesia, and 970 for the Philippines (2016). Compared with the incidence rate, the proportion of total notified cases is 67% Bangladesh, 52% for Indonesia, and 55% for Philippines. Bangladesh has been able to detect almost 100% of the prevalent pulmonary TB, while Indonesia and Philippines have detected only 30% and 22% of these infectious cases respectively. Although notification has been improving over the years, there is no impact on the incidence rate since a large proportion of the undiagnosed cases, and delayed diagnosis continue to feed the transmission process.
Conclusion: The surveys have provided data that is critical for developing realistic strategies for the countries to eliminate TB. In general, this paper recommends interventions for strengthening diagnosis of pulmonary TB, targeted communication programs and active case finding to reduce patient level delays, expanding public-private mix to increase access to TB services, use of rapid diagnostics, and social protection for vulnerable populations, to accelerate the countries’ progress towards achieving End TB goals.
A Drug Identification Model developed using Deep Learning Technologies: Experience of a Medical Center in Taiwan
Authors: Ting Hsien-Wei , Chung Sheng-Luen , Chen Chih-Fang , Chiu Hsin-Yi , Hsieh Yow-Wen 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Issuing of correct prescriptions is a foundation of patient safety. Medication errors represent one of the most important problems in health care, with ‘look-alike and sound-alike’ (LASA) being the lead error. Existing solutions to prevent LASA still have their limitations. Deep learning techniques have revolutionized identification classifiers in many fields. In search of better image-based solutions for blister package identification problem, this study using a baseline deep learning drug identification (DLDI) aims to understand how identification confusion of look-alike images by human occurs through the cognitive counterpart of deep learning solutions and thereof to suggest further solutions to approach them.
Methods: We collected images of 250 types of blister-packaged drug from the Out-Patient Department (OPD) of a medical center for identification. The deep learning framework of You Only Look Once (YOLO) was adopted for implementation of the proposed deep learning. The commonly-used F1 score, defined by precision and recall for large numbers of identification tests, was used as the performance criterion. This study trained and compared the proposed models based on images of either the front-side or back-side of blister-packaged drugs.
Results: Our results showed that the total training time for the front-side model and back-side model was 5 hours 34 minutes and 7 hours 42 minutes, respectively. The F1 score of the back-side model (95.99%) was better than that of the front-side model (93.72%).
Conclusions: In conclusion, this study constructed a deep learning-based model for blister-packaged drug identification, with an accuracy greater than 90%. This model outperformed identification using conventional computer vision solutions, and could assist pharmacists in identifying drugs while preventing medication errors caused by look-alike blister packages. By integration into existing prescription systems in hospitals, the results of this study indicated that using this model, drugs dispensed could be verified in order to achieve automated prescription and dispensing.
Key words: deep learning; drug identification; look-alike and sound-alike (lasa); medication error; patient safety.
Impact of social participation on health among middle-aged and elderly adults Evidence from longitudinal survey data in China
Authors: Ma Xinxin , Piao Xiangdan , Oshio Takashi 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background: Social participation (SP) is known to have a favourable impact on health. However, studies on this issue have been conducted mainly in advanced countries, and results in China have been mixed. This study examined the impact of SP on health outcomes of middle-aged and elderly adults in China, adjusted for simultaneity and heterogeneity biases.
Methods: In total, 57,417 observations of 28,935 individuals obtained from the population-based, three-wave panel survey, Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), conducted in 2011, 2013, and 2015 were used. The associations between one- or two-wave-lagged SP and health outcomes (mental health, self-rated health [SRH], activities of daily living [ADL], and diagnosed diseases) were examined by linear regression models. Individual-level heterogeneity was addressed by the random-effects estimation method.
Results: SP was found to have a positive impact on mental health and ADL. Specifically, one-wave-lagged SP improved mental health measure (range: 10–70) by 0.820 (standard error [SE]: 0.199, p < 0.001), the basic ADL measure (range: 6–24) by 0.147 (SE: 0.043, p < 0.001), and the instrumental ADL measure (range: 5–20) by 0.159 (SE: 0.035, p < 0.001). In contrast, SP did not significantly affect SRH or diagnosed diseases. The impact of SP differed by SP type; playing Mah-jong (Chinese traditional game), chess, or cards, or going to the community club had the most favourable effect. The impact of SP on health was also greater for women than men and greater for individuals aged 60–69 years than those aged 45–59 years and aged 70 and older.
Conclusions : SP had a positive, albeit selective, impact on health outcomes among middle-aged and elderly adults in China. The results suggest that policy measures to encourage these individuals to engage in SP are needed to enhance their health.
Whole Genome Sequencing of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) Isolates from Sputum Specimens of Co-Habiting Patients with NTM Pulmonary Disease and NTM Isolates from Their Environment
Authors: Yoon Jung-Ki , Kim Taek Soo , Kim Jong-Il , Yim Jae-Joon 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background : Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species are ubiquitous microorganisms. NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is caused not by human-to-human transmission but by independent environmental acquisition. However, recent studies using next-generation sequencing (NGS) have reported trans-continental spread of Mycobacterium abscessus among patients with cystic fibrosis. Results : We investigated NTM genomes through NGS to examine transmission patterns in three pairs of co-habiting patients with NTM-PD who were suspected of patient-to-patient transmission. Three pairs of patients with NTM-PD co-habiting for at least 15 years were enrolled: a mother and a daughter with M. avium- PD, a couple with M. intracellulare- PD, and a second couple, one of whom was infection with M. intracellulare and the other of whom was infected with M. abscessus . Whole genome sequencing was performed using patients’ NTM isolates as well as environmental specimens. Genetic distances were estimated based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). By comparison with the genetic distances among 78 publicly available NTM genomes, NTM isolates derived from the two pairs of patients infected with the same NTM species were not closely related to each other. In phylogenetic analysis, the NTM isolates from patients with M. avium -PD clustered with isolates from different environmental sources. Conclusions : In conclusion, considering the genetic distances between NTM strains, the likelihood of patient-to-patient transmission in pairs of co-habiting NTM-PD patients without overt immune deficiency is minimal.
Nurse practitioners in Swiss family practices as potentially autonomous providers of home visits: an exploratory study
Authors: Gysin Stefan , Bischofberger Iren , Meier Rahel , Vught Anneke van , Merlo Christoph , Essig Stefan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Switzerland is challenged by impending shortages of general practitioners (GPs) in rural areas and decreasing number of GP home visits. In Anglo-Saxon and many other countries, nurse practitioners (NPs) have been implemented and provide high quality, patient-centred home visits autonomously. In Switzerland, the NP role is new and there are currently only a handful of ongoing pilot projects in family practices. Hence, studies are lacking and data collection is challenging as NPs are not yet registered providers who could be identified in billing or health insurance data. Our aims were to gain insights in the frequency of home visits by NPs in Swiss family practices, and to determine their autonomy during visits and consultations based on the required level of GP supervision. Methods We used consultation data from two pilot practices in rural Switzerland. In “Practice A”, the NP was in postgraduate education and data was gathered electronically between August 2017 and 2018. In “Practice B”, the NP had completed her education, and had two years of work experience as a NP when data was collected manually between April and June 2018. We used a coding system based on five levels of GP supervision to identify NP consultations and home visits, and to determine the NPs’ autonomy in each consultation. Results We analysed data from 1375 consultations. The share of home visits in all NP consultations was 17% in Practice A and 51% in Practice B. Both NPs had a higher share of autonomously conducted consultations during home visits than in the office. In Practice A, the proportion of consultations in which the NP was autonomous increased from 0% in the first month of her employment to 19% after 13 months of GP supervision. In Practice B, the NP was autonomous in about three-quarters of her consultations. Conclusions First cases provide some evidence that after completing postgraduate education with clinical supervision by GPs, and few years of practical experience in their role, NPs could reach a relatively high degree of autonomy and might pose a potential solution to the decreasing numbers of GP home visits in Swiss primary care.
Indigenous uses of wild and tended plant biodiversity maintain ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes of the Terai Plains of Nepal
Authors: Thorn Jessica P. R. , Thornton Thomas F. , Helfgott Ariella , Willis Katherine J. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Despite a rapidly accumulating evidence base quantifying ecosystem services, the role of biodiversity in the maintenance of ecosystem services in shared human-nature environments is still understudied, as is how indigenous and agriculturally dependent communities perceive, use and manage biodiversity. The present study aims to document traditional ethnobotanical knowledge of the ecosystem service benefits derived from wild and tended plants in rice-cultivated agroecosystems, compare this to botanical surveys, and analyse the extent to which ecosystem services contribute social-ecological resilience in the Terai Plains of Nepal.

Method Sampling was carried out in four landscapes, 22 Village District Committees and 40 wards in the monsoon season. Data collection was based on transects walks to collect plant specimens, structured and semi-structured interviews, and participatory fieldwork in and around home gardens, farms, and production landscapes. We asked 180 farmers to free-list vernacular names and describe use-value of wild and tended plants in rice-cultivated agroecosystems. Uses were categorized into eight broad groupings, and 61 biomedical ailment classifications. We assessed if knowledge of plant species diversity and abundance differed with regard to caste, age and gender.

Results Nepalese farmers have a deep knowledge of the use and management of the 391 vascular plant specimens identified, which provide key provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural ecosystem services. Altogether, plants belong to 76 distinct plant species from 49 phylogenetic families: 56 are used to cure 61 ailments, 27 for rituals, 25 for food, 20 for timber, 17 for fuel, 17 for fodder, 11 for soil enhancement, and 8 for pesticides. Four caste groups have statistically different knowledge, and younger informants report a lower average number of useful plants.

Conclusion Agricultural landscapes in Nepal are reservoirs of biodiversity. The knowledge of the use of wild and tended plant species in and around these farms differs by the caste and age group of land manager. Conducting research on agroecosystems will contribute to a deeper understanding of how nature is perceived by locals, to more efficient management and conservation of the breadbasket of Nepal, and to the conservation of valuable, but disappearing traditional knowledge and practice.
Community-based rehabilitation service in Chengdu, southwest China: a cross-sectional general survey
Authors: Chen Siliang , Lei Yi , Dai Hua , Wu Jia , Yang Ziyu , Liao Xiaoyang 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
World Health Organization initiated community-based rehabilitation (CBR) in 1978, and by now, it has been an essential process of medical services worldwide. China had strengthened primary health care on building more than 35,000 community health centers (CHCs) in cities, and more than 34,000 township health centers (THCs) in the rural area. Nevertheless, it remains unclear that if these primary health centers could provide optional rehabilitation services for disabilities. And this study aims at evaluating the supply capacity of rehabilitation service in primary health centers of Chengdu, a regional center city of southwest China.

Method
We conducted a general investigation of primary health centers in Chengdu, a city located in southwest China with more than 15 million population, our investigation covered all of Chengdu’s 390 primary health centers from October to November 2016. We researched these primary health centers on basic rehabilitation services, diseases, and rehabilitation equipment quantity and quality, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physiotherapy

Result
Rehabilitation therapy is available in 88.9% (337 of 379) of all primary health centers. Meanwhile, CHCs slightly surpass THCs with an available rate of 92.2% (106 of 115) and 87.5% (231 of 264), respectively. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physiotherapy is available in 97.1% (368 of 379) of all primary health centers, 97.3% (112 of 115) of CHCs and 97.0% (256 of 264) of THCs. Quantitative analysis showed that substantial factors which could make an impact on the number of patients per year contain: categories of rehabilitation disease (P<0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-1.571, -0.702]),number of rehabilitation bed (P<0.001, 95%CI [-1.249, -0.290])

Conclusion
CBR and TCM physiotherapy has become accessible for disabilities in most basic health centers of Chengdu City, whereas, available rate of CBR in THCs is lesser than in CHCs, which suggests an imbalance in primary health service development between rural and urban area. Categories of rehabilitation diseases, and the number of rehabilitation beds constitute co-factors that make an impact on the CBR capacity of basic health centers.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-substituted aryl-piperazine derivatives of 1,7,8,9-tetrachloro-10,10-dimethoxy-4-azatricyclo [5.2.1.02,6] dec-8-ene-3,5-dione as anti-cancer and anti-angiogenesis agents
Authors: Guo Lifang , Xu Benshan , Wan Zirui , Ren Lulu , Zhang Jie , Zhang Wen , Liu He , Liu Lihong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
The effect of a pre- and post- operative exercise programme versus standard care on physical fitness of patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer undergoing neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery (The PERIOP-OG Trial): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
Authors: Tully Roisin , Loughney Lisa , Bolger Jarlath C , Sorensen Jan , Mcanena Oliver J , Collins Chris G , Carroll Paul A , Arumugasamy Mayilone , Murphy Thomas J , Robb William B 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Advances in peri-operative oncological treatment, surgery and peri-operative care have improved survival for patients with oesophagogastric cancers. Neoadjuvant cancer treatment (NCT) reduces physical fitness, which may reduce both compliance and tolerance of NCT as well as compromising post-operative outcomes. This is particularly detrimental in a patient group where malnutrition is common and surgery is demanding. The aim of this trial is to assess the effect on physical fitness and clinical outcomes of a comprehensive exercise training programme in patients undergoing NCT and surgical resection for oesophagogastric malignancies.
Methods: The PERIOP-OG trial is a pragmatic, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial comparing a programme of peri-operative exercise with standard care in patients with oesophagogastric cancers treated with NCT and surgery. The intervention group undergo a formal exercise training programme and the usual care group receive standard clinical care (no formal exercise advice). The training programme is initiated at cancer diagnosis, continued during NCT, between NCT and surgery, and then resumed again after surgery. All participants undergo assessments at: baseline, post-NCT, pre-surgery and at 4 and 10 weeks after surgery. The primary endpoint is cardiorespiratory fitness measured by demonstration of a 15% difference in 6-minute walk test assessed at the pre-surgery time point. Secondary endpoints include measures of physical health (upper and lower body strength tests), body mass index, frailty, activity behavior, psychological and health related quality of life outcomes. Exploratory endpoints include a health economics analysis, assessment of clinical health by post-operative morbidity scores, hospital length of stay, nutritional status, immune and inflammatory markers, and response to NCT. Rates of NCT toxicity, tolerance and compliance will also be assessed.
Discussion: The PERIOP-OG trial will determine whether, when compared to usual care, exercise training initiated at diagnosis and continued during NCT, prior to surgery and then during recovery, can maintain or improve cardiorespiratory fitness and other physical, psychological and clinical health outcomes. This trial will inform both the prescription of exercise regimes as well as the design of a larger prehabilitation and rehabilitation trial to investigate whether exercise in combination with nutritional and psychological interventions elicit greater benefits.
Behavioral Sensitization Induced by Methamphetamine Causes Differential Alterations in Gene Expression and Histone Acetylation of the Prefrontal Cortex in Rats
Authors: Li Hui , Chen Jing-An , Ding Qian-Zhi , Lu Guan-Yi , Wu Ning , Su Rui-Bin , Li Fei , Li Jin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackground:Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the most widely abused illicit substances around the world; unfortunately, its addiction mechanism remains unclear. Increasing evidence indicates that the change in gene expression and the involvement of chromatin modifications might be related to the lasting effects of METH on the brain. In this study, we took advantage of METH-induced behavioral sensitization as an animal model that reflects some aspects of drug addiction and examined the transcription and histone acetylation changes in gene expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of adult rats.Methods:We conducted mRNA microarray and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) coupled to DNA microarray (ChIP-chip) analysis to test and screen transcriptional changes and histone acetylation modifications. Functional enrichment analysis, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), was performed to analyze the differentially expressed genes. We then further identified alterations in ANP32A (acidic leucine-rich nuclear phosphoprotein-32A) and POU3F2 (POU domain, class 3, transcription factor 2) by qPCR and ChIP-PCR assays.Results:In the rat model of METH-induced behavioral sensitization, METH challenge caused 275 differentially expressed genes and a number of hyperacetylations (821 genes with H3 acetylation and 10 genes with H4 acetylation). Based on mRNA microarray and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, 24 genes may be involved in METH-induced behavioral sensitization, and 7 of them were confirmed by qPCR. We further tested the alterations in ANP32A and POU3F2 transcription and histone acetylation at the different periods of METH-induced behavioral sensitization. The results showed that H4 hyperacetylation contributed to the increased mRNA of ANP32A and that H3/H4 hyperacetylation contributed to the increased mRNA of POU3F2 induced by METH challenge-induced behavioral sensitization but not by acute METH exposure.Conclusions: The present results revealed alterations in transcription and histone acetylation in the rat PFC by METH exposure and provided evidence that modifications of histone acetylation contributed to the alteration of gene expression caused by METH-induced behavioral sensitization.