bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two Men and a Surrogate: A Qualitative Study of Surrogacy Relationships in Canada
Authors: Fantus Sophia 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveTo retrospectively explore how gay fathers and gestational surrogates in Canada perceived their relationship at three distinct time points: prepregnancy, during pregnancy, and postbirth.BackgroundCanada has witnessed an increased number of gay men seeking fatherhood through surrogacy. However, there is limited empirical research on the experiences and perspectives of surrogacy for gay men, both in Canada and worldwide.MethodQualitative in‐depth interviews (∼60–120 minutes) were conducted with (a) gestational surrogates implanted with one or more embryos from a donated egg and gay fathers' sperm, (b) gay men who pursued gestational surrogacy to have a biological child, and (c) single or partnered gay men and their paired surrogate. Participants who agreed to participate, who were willing to contact their third party, and whose matched party agreed resulted in a surrogate triad in which the intended parents and surrogate all participated. Interviews (n = 21) were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis.ResultsFindings from the present study draw attention to the intricacies of surrogacy relationships and demonstrate the variability of how gay men and surrogates identify and address their procreative roles and responsibilities through pregnancy and postbirth.ConclusionParticipant narratives challenge heteronormative experiences of pregnancy and childbirth, extending the two‐parent family paradigm to include families of choice and a close network of individuals and communities.ImplicationsAllied health professionals ought to provide competent, inclusive care that actively confronts a priori biases and assumptions regarding same‐sex parent families and surrogacy.
From “obligated embeddedness” to “obligated Chineseness”? Bargaining processes and evolution of international automotive firms in China's New Energy Vehicle sector
Authors: Schwabe Julian 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOver the past decades, the automotive sector in China has been characterized by the obligation of foreign manufacturers to enter joint ventures, transfer technologies, and localize production. Still, the Chinese automotive industry has remained dependent on foreign brands, capital, and technology. The advent of markets and supply chains for electric vehicles, however, changes the framework conditions for established foreign automotive firms in terms of competitive landscape and access to core technology components. This is mainly the result of political initiatives: Established automotive manufacturers are exposed to direct and indirect restrictions that influence their production of electric vehicles, their choice of suppliers, and their potential market shares in the future. This paper outlines multilevel bargaining processes of Chinese and foreign actors as they aim to maximize value capture in a fundamentally transitioning automotive sector. In contrast to the lead firm‐centric focus of recent global production networks (GPN)‐discussions, this paper argues that the determinants of how production networks evolve is first and foremost a question of the institutional environment. Focusing on power balances between state and firm actors in multilevel bargaining processes offers a way of explaining GPN‐evolution in institutional contexts in which power concentrates in executive bodies and decision‐making processes are often informal.
Does country matter in urban organic food products consumption?
Authors: Marreiros Cristina Galamba , Dionísio Andreia , Lucas Maria Raquel 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe main goal of this paper is to evaluate the possibility of finding international consumer segments in the organic food product (OFP) market. For that purpose, the power of country of residence in discriminating between urban frequent, occasional and non‐consumers of OFP was evaluated; and the most appropriate international segmentation bases for that market were studied. In order to achieve this goal, a survey of organic food consumers from Lisbon (Portuguese) and Berlin (German) was implemented through a structured questionnaire. Upon this, factorial and discriminant analysis was applied to the data. The results highlight the significance of the “Country” variable when distinguishing between groups of urban OFP consumers and non‐consumers as well as between frequent and occasional urban OFP consumers. The different levels of OFP consumption are mostly explained by the level of declared “OFP knowledge”. Therefore, we can conclude that in order to increase the consumption of OFP and dilute the effect of the country variable and to be able to work with international segments, marketers should aim to increase awareness and knowledge on these products. It is important to mention that this study was based on a non‐probabilistic sample and, consequently, generalizations of its conclusions must be made with care.
Novel mutation identified in the DDB2 gene in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum group–E
Authors: Karagün Ebru , Eroz Recep , Gamsızkan Mehmet , Baysak Sevim , Eyup Yavuz , Ozcan Yunus 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundXeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare photosensitive syndrome, which is divided into eight complementation groups (XP‐A to XP‐G and XPV) and characterized by skin cancers diagnosed at early age. A family of seven members (age range between 5 and 47 years) with carriers of the novel nonsense mutation that causes XP‐E type were included in the current study.MethodsDNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples of the proband, and cancer predisposition genes were sequenced with next‐generation sequencing. The demographic features and the laboratory, clinical, and histopathological findings of patients were evaluated.ResultsIn the proband, squamous cell carcinoma was first diagnosed in the right‐eye cornea at the age of 13 years and then in the left‐eye cornea at the age of 15 years. Later, the patient was diagnosed with basosquamous cell carcinoma on the dorsum of the nose at the age of 18 years. After genetic analysis, a novel nonsense c.1063C>T(p.Arg355Ter) pathogenic variation that causes XP‐E type was detected as homozygous in the DDB2 gene of the proband and her siblings, 11 and 5 years of age, and as heterozygous in her parents and a 22‐year‐old brother.ConclusionBecause of the occurrence of early termination codon, truncated nonfunctional proteins or proteins with deleterious loss or gain‐of‐function activities are synthesized in nonsense mutation. Thus, to avoid the development of pathological lesions, it is important that such patients with nonsense mutation stay away from agents that might cause DNA damage and develop an appropriate lifestyle according to this condition.
DNA methylation profiling to predict recurrence risk in stage Ι lung adenocarcinoma: Development and validation of a nomogram to clinical management
Authors: Ma Xianxiong , Cheng Jiancheng , Zhao Peng , Li Lei , Tao Kaixiong , Chen Hengyu 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIncreasing evidence suggested DNA methylation may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers; however, few related DNA methylation signatures have been established for prediction of lung cancer prognosis. We aimed at developing DNA methylation signature to improve prognosis prediction of stage I lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). A total of 268 stage I LUAD patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were included. These patients were separated into training and internal validation datasets. GSE39279 was used as an external validation set. A 13‐DNA methylation signature was identified to be crucially relevant to the relapse‐free survival (RFS) of patients with stage I LUAD by the univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis in the training dataset. The Kaplan‐Meier analysis indicated that the 13‐DNA methylation signature could significantly distinguish the high‐ and low‐risk patients in entire TCGA dataset, internal validation and external validation datasets. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis further verified that the 13‐DNA methylation signature had a better value to predict the RFS of stage I LUAD patients in internal validation, external validation and entire TCGA datasets. In addition, a nomogram combining methylomic risk scores with other clinicopathological factors was performed and the result suggested the good predictive value of the nomogram. In conclusion, we successfully built a DNA methylation‐associated nomogram, enabling prediction of the RFS of patients with stage I LUAD.
Transcriptomic landscape profiling of metformin‐treated healthy mice: Implication for potential hypertension risk when prophylactically used
Authors: Meng Yuhong , Xiang Rui , Yan Han , Zhou Yiran , Hu Yuntao , Yang Jichun , Zhou Yuan , Cui Qinghua 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRecently, the first‐line anti‐diabetic drug metformin shows versatile protective effects against several diseases and is potentially prescribed to healthy individual for prophylactic use against ageing or other pathophysiological processes. However, for healthy individuals, it remains unclear what effects metformin treatment will induce on their bodies. A systematic profiling of the molecular landscape of metformin treatment is expected to provide crucial implications for this issue. Here, we delineated the first transcriptomic landscape induced by metformin in 10 tissues (aorta, brown adipose, brain, eye, heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, stomach and testis) of healthy mice by using RNA‐sequencing technique. A comprehensive computational analysis was performed. The overrepresentation of cardiovascular disease‐related gene sets, positive correlation with hypertension‐related transcriptomic signatures and the associations of drugs with hypertensive side effect together indicate that although metformin does exert various beneficial effects, it would also increase the risk of hypertension in healthy mice. This prediction was experimentally validated by an independent animal experiments. Together, this study provided important resource necessary for investigating metformin's beneficial/deleterious effects on various healthy tissues, when it is potentially prescribed to healthy individual for prophylactic use.
Sexual impairment in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review
Authors: Cuenca‐Barrales C. , Montero‐Vílchez T. , Szepietowski J.C. , Matusiak L. , Molina‐Leyva A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can cause considerable impact on several aspects of quality of life. Sexuality is a central aspect of quality of life. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of articles on HS and sexuality. To achieve our aim of synthesizing the available scientific evidence on HS and sexual health, we conducted a systematic review in February 2020. The clinical databases used included Medline and Embase. All types of epidemiological articles were included; reviews, guidelines, protocols, conference abstracts and case report articles were excluded. Eleven studies were included for review, representing 42 729 patients with HS. The most common study design was cross‐sectional with or without comparison group(s), conducted in an outpatient setting or through surveys. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction ranged between 51–62%, and in the case of erectile dysfunction, a specific kind of sexual dysfunction affecting penile erection, it ranged from between 52% and 60% of patients studied using validated questionnaires. Potential risk factors for sexual dysfunction among men and women were identified, mainly related to disease activity, symptoms and partners. Mood disorders like depression and anxiety appear to be associated with sexual dysfunction. Women were more affected by sexual distress. HS patients with sexual dysfunction had a decreased overall quality of life. With respect to treatment, surgery did not improve sexual function and there is no scientific evidence regarding medical treatments. Patients stated that they would like to treat their sexual problems with healthcare professionals. In conclusion, sexual and erectile dysfunction are common in HS patients, and negatively affect their quality of life. There are clinical factors potentially associated with this which should be identified and treated by dermatologists in the comprehensive care of HS patients. Prospective studies are needed to provide more scientific evidence on this unmet need.
Skin cancer risk in CHEK2 mutation carriers
Authors: Bui A.N. , LeBoeuf N.R. , Nambudiri V.E. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCHEK2 mutations have been linked with an increased risk of breast cancer. A unique challenge for oncodermatologists and oncologists is in the monitoring and counselling of patients regarding skin cancer risk due to CHEK2 mutation carrier status. In this review, we highlight current information in the literature on the risk of melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancers in CHEK2 mutation carriers. On the molecular level, CHEK2 is a cell cycle regulator that has been linked to cancer pathogenesis, though evidence from clinical studies regarding skin cancer risk has been inconsistent and conflicting. For melanoma, one study has demonstrated a statistically significant twofold risk of melanoma in individuals with CHEK2 mutations, particularly the CHEK2*1100delC variant. Five other studies did not show an association. For non‐melanoma skin cancer, fewer data exist, with one prevalence study of CHEK2 mutations in a cohort of patients with basal cell carcinomas. Although there are currently no known studies of CHEK2 and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), data from other disciplines associating CHEK2 with head and neck SCCs are emerging. Overall, while there is currently not enough evidence to make conclusive statements regarding increased risk of melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancers in CHEK2 carriers, a molecular mechanism associating the mutation with cutaneous malignancy pathogenesis is evident, and further work is needed. Patient with CHEK2 mutations may benefit from screening dermatologic examinations with particular attention to skin cancers.
Assessment of neopterin level and severity in lichen planus patients treated with narrow‐band ultraviolet B
Authors: Khattab Fathia M. , Samir Mai A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeopterin is a cellular immunity biochemical marker. Serum and saliva neopterin levels have been reported to increase in lichen Planus. Nonetheless, analysis has not yet been made for the direct link between narrow band ultraviolet B and severity of Lichen planus.AimWe aimed to assess serum neopterin levels in patients who receive narrow band ultraviolet B therapy treatment with lichen planus, paired with the severity of the disease.Patients and MethodsThe study consisted of 35 lichen planus patients and 30 healthy individuals. A 35 patient group received narrow band ultraviolet B therapy. An enzyme‐related immunosorbent assay procedure was used in serum neopterin analysis before and post‐therapy.ResultsThe correlation between the level and severity of the patient group was statistically significant (P = .001). In patients with severe disease, serum neopterin levels were significantly increased. Also, in the severe lichen planus group, the serum neopterin level was statistically higher than that of the mild or moderate groups (P = .001).Also, a significant decrease was seen following therapy according to serum neopterin level.ConclusionSerum neopterin levels are a useful marker for the assessment of the severity and effectiveness of narrow band ultraviolet therapy. Thus, our findings may provide a new approach with the management of disease and follow‐up strategies in patients with lichen planus.
Formulation and efficacy evaluation of the safe and efficient moisturizing snow mushroom hand sanitizer
Authors: Lourith Nattaya , Pungprom Sathaporn , Kanlayavattanakul Mayuree 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectivesSnow fungus or snow mushroom or white jelly mushroom (Tremella fuciformis), the edible mushroom, was formulated into hand sanitizer in form of moisturizing alcohol‐based hand rub (ABHR) gel.MethodsThe stable base ABHRs were developed. The preferred bases were incorporated with various concentrations of snow mushroom extract. The stable and preferred snow mushroom ABHR was moisturizing and sanitizing efficacies evaluated in 20 human volunteers in comparison with its placebo.ResultsThe stable hand sanitizer gel bases containing 66.5% of ethanol and 0.3% of triclosan were developed and incorporated with the extract of snow mushroom polysaccharide. Of which, the preparations containing 10% of snow mushroom and 0.3% of gelling agent gained the highest preferences as assessed in 20 Thai volunteers. The snow mushroom hand sanitizer was proved to be none irritated in the same group of the volunteers as was the placebo. The snow mushroom gel significantly (P < .05) moist the skin better than the placebo at all time of the interval assessment until the end of the study at 180 minutes. The hand sanitizers were confirmed on their anti‐septic, at which the efficacies of the active and placebo ABHR were comparable (P = .90).ConclusionsSnow mushroom ABHR gel with its confirmed moisturizing and sanitizing efficacies is presented. It is meetings with the recommendation on hand hygienic improvement to combat the infections of diseases spreading. The preparation can be frequency applied with its proved skin hydrating efficacy co‐contributes in a good condition of hand hygiene.
Effectiveness of Clinical Nurses’ interventions in reducing medication errors in a paediatric ward
Authors: Alomari Albara , Sheppard‐Law Suzanne , Lewis Joanne , Wilson Val 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAims and objectivesTo evaluate a bundle of interventions, developed and implemented by nurses, to reduce medication administration error rates and improve nurses’ medication administration practice.BackgroundMedication administration errors are a problematic issue worldwide, despite previous attempts to reduce them. Most interventions to date focus on isolated elements of the medication process and fail to actively involve nurses in developing solutions.DesignAn Action Research (AR) three‐phase quantitative study.MethodsPhase One aimed to build an overall picture of medication practice. Phase Two aimed to develop and implement targeted interventions. During this phase, the research team recruited six clinical paediatric nurses to be part of the AR Team. Five interventions were developed and implemented by the clinical nurses during this phase. The interventions were evaluated in Phase Three. Data collection included medication incident data, medication policy audits based on hospital medication policy and Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. Quantitative analysis was undertaken. The Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) checklist was followed in reporting this study.ResultsPostimplementing the interventions, medication error rates were reduced by 56.9% despite an increase in the number of patient admissions and in the number of prescribed medications. The rate of medication errors per 1,000 prescribed medications significantly declined from 2014 to 2016. The ward nurses were more compliant with the policy in postintervention phase than preintervention phase. The improvement in SAQ was reported in five of the seven domains.ConclusionClinically based nurse's participation in action research enabled practice reflection, development and implementation of a bundle of interventions, which led to a change in nursing practice and subsequent reduction in medication administration error rates. Active engagement of nurses in research empowers them to find solutions that are tailored to their own practice culture and environment.
Autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering diseases in the south of Italy: a 25‐year retrospective study on 169 patients
Authors: Calabria Elena , Fortuna Giulio , Aria Massimo , Mignogna Michele D. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundAutoimmune mucocutaneous blistering diseases (AMBDs) represent a heterogeneous group of organ‐specific and potentially life‐threatening diseases. We sought to determine the relationship between clinical remission and therapeutic regimens with clinical type and phenotype of AMBDs, as well as clinical outcomes achieved based on different therapeutic regimens.MethodsA retrospective single‐center study on 169 AMBDs patients, including pemphigus vulgaris (PV), mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), paraneoplastic autoimmune multiorgan syndrome (PAMS), and lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP), was performed from 1994 to 2019 in an oral medicine tertiary center, where we collected sociodemographic data, clinical type and phenotype, prescribed therapies, and related outcomes.ResultsThe mean age of AMBDs patients was 55.0 ± 16.4 years. They were followed for a mean of 8.4 ± 5.8 years. The majority of these patients (62.1%) were successfully managed with conventional immunosuppressive therapy (CIST) alone. However, 37.9% of patients required additional biological treatments, either because they were non‐responders or developed severe side effects from CIST, or because of the rapid and severe progression of the disease. Overall, complete clinical remission was achieved in 92.3% of patients. A statistically significant difference was noted between the frequency distribution of AMBDs patients among different therapeutic regimens (P = .002), of different clinical phenotype and type of AMBDs patients and clinical remission (P = .012 and P = .005, respectively). No difference was reported regarding clinical outcomes and different therapeutic regimens.ConclusionsAMBDs' management may be challenging, nonetheless CIST and biologic regimens introduced, when needed as reliable alternatives to CIST, result in a very high percentage of CCR.
Validity and reliability of the Mouth Handicap of Systemic Sclerosis questionnaire in a UK population
Authors: Abdouh Ismail , Porter Stephen , Fedele Stefano , Ni Riordain Richeal 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis (MHISS) specifically exploring aspects of validity and reliability of MHISS in UK SSc patients.MethodsA total of 150 questionnaires were distributed in this study at the Oral Medicine Department of UCLHT Eastman Dental Hospital, the Outpatient Rheumatology Clinic of the Royal Free Hospital and Scleroderma Family Day. Participants were asked to complete three questionnaires (SF‐36, OHIP‐14 and MHISS) along with a pro forma of demographic and disease‐specific questions. Both convergent validity and internal consistency reliability were examined. The convergent validity was assessed by Spearman's correlation coefficient, and internal consistency reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha.ResultsOf the 150 questionnaires distributed to participants, 68 respondents were included. With regard to construct validity, a low to moderate degree of convergent validity was found between MHISS total score and all SF‐36 subscales. However, the total MHISS score was highly correlated to all OHIP subscales.ConclusionMHISS questionnaire is a self‐administered patient‐reported outcome measure that assesses the mouth disability in SSc patients. However, improving the global and oral health of SSc patients is important as there is no cure for the disease; thus, instruments that record the impact of the condition and indicate the effect of treatment on the lives of patients are of paramount importance. Current results demonstrate good preliminary psychometric properties (validity and reliability) in a UK population with further exploration of psychometric properties with an emphasis on interpretability required.