bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a community-based intervention for health and economic empowerment of marginalized women in India
Authors: Sharma Shantanu , Mehra Devika , Akhtar Faiyaz , Mehra Sunil 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Empowered women have improved decision-making capacity and can demand equal access to health services. Community-based interventions (CBI) based on building women’s groups for awareness generation on maternal and child health (MCH) are the best and cost-effective approaches in improving their access to health services. The present endeavour evaluates a community-based intervention aimed at improving marginalized women’s awareness and utilization of maternal, and child health services, and access to livelihood and savings using the peer-led approach from two districts of India.
Methods
We used peer educators as mediators of knowledge transfer among women and for creating a supportive environment at the household and community levels. The intervention was implemented in two marginalized districts of Uttar Pradesh, namely Banda and Kaushambi. Two development blocks in each of the two districts were selected randomly, and twenty-four villages in each of the four blocks were selected based on the high percentage of a marginalized population. The evaluation of the intervention involved a non-experimental, pre- and post-research design, using a mixed-method approach. Data were collected at three points in time, including a rapid assessment (quantitative and qualitative interviews) at baseline, qualitative interviews at the end line and tracking data of the intervention population (n=37,324) through an online management information system.
Results
Most of the women in Banda (90%) and Kaushambi (85%) attended at least 60% of the education sessions. Around 39% of women in Banda and 35% of women in Kaushambi registered for the livelihood scheme, and 94% and 80% of them had worked in these two places, respectively under the scheme. Women during group discussions informed that their awareness about MCH increased post-intervention. The money earned after getting work under the livelihood scheme or from daily savings was deposited in the bank account by the women. These savings helped the women investing money at times of need, such as starting their work, in emergencies for the medical treatment of their family members, education of their children, etc.
Conclusion
Peer-led model of intervention can be explored to improve the combined health and economic outcomes of marginalized women.
Prognosis Evaluation of Universal Acute Coronary Syndrome: The Interplay between SYNTAX Score and ApoB/ApoA1
Authors: Wang Xiaotong , Wang Zhongyu , Li Bing , Yang Ping 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background：Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a group of clinical syndromes associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rate. Syntax and Syntax II score used to be a reference for surgical selection of coronary revascularization and prognosis evaluation in patients with 3-vessel or left main artery disease. In addition, apoB/apoA1 is an important predictor of ACS risk. This study aims to assess the prognosis value of different kinds of SYNTAX score together with apoB/apoA1 in universal ACS patients (Regardless of ACS type, lesion location and vessel numbers). Method：396 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention（PCI）and coronary stenting from 2013 to 2014 were chosen and recorded the major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and quality of life during the next 5 years. According to SYNTAX and SYNTAX II score, the patients were divided into low-risk, medium-risk and high-risk groups, and the clinical features, MACCE incidence and EQ-5D score at each time points were compared. And the predictive factors of MACCE incidence were analyzed. Results：①Compared with SYNTAX low-risk group, MACCE incidence in 1 year significantly increased in medium-high risk group（p=0.011）. Compared with SYNTAX II low-risk group, MACCE incidence in 5 years significantly increased in medium and high-risk group（p=0.032）.② Compared with SYNTAX II low-risk group，cardiovascular mortality in 3 and 5 years significantly elevated in high-risk group（p=0.001，p＜0.001 respectively）. ③ Compared with SYNTAX II low and medium-risk group, EQ-5D score in 5 years significantly decreased in high-risk group（p=0.001）. ④ ApoB/ApoA1 was more likely to be classified as high risk in SYNTAX/SYNTAX II medium and high-risk group（p=0.023，p=0.044 respectively）. ⑤Logistic regression analysis showed that apoB/apoA1 was an independent predictor of MACCE events in hospital and 5 years（p=0.038，p=0.016 respectively），SYNTAX score was an independent predictor of MACCE events in 1 year（medium-risk group：p=0.02；high-risk group：p=0.015）SYNTAX II score was an independent predictor of MACCE events in 5 yeasrs(p=0.003). Conclusions：①SYNTAX score has a high predictive value for short-term prognosis while SYNTAX II score is more predictive of long-term prognosis. ② SYNTAX II score is superior to SYNTAX score in predicting cardiovascular death. ③ The combination of apoB/apoA1 high-risk and SYNTAX II medium and high-risk group is the focus of clinical treatment and long-term follow-up observation.
Immunogold labeling of synaptic vesicle proteins in developing hippocampal neurons
Authors: Tao-Cheng Jung-Hwa 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Synaptic vesicles (SV) contain high concentrations of specific proteins. How these proteins are transported from soma to synapses, and how they become concentrated at SV clusters at presynaptic terminals were examined by immunogold electron microscopy in dissociated rat hippocampal neurons at 3-6 days in culture, a developmental stage when axonal transport of SV proteins is robust. In neuronal somas, labels for the SV integral membrane proteins (synaptophysin, SV2, VAMP/synaptobrevin, and synaptotagmin) were localized at Golgi complexes and other membranous structures that were dispersed in the cytoplasm as individual vesicle/vacuoles. These vesicles/vacuoles became aggregated in axons, with the size of aggregates ranging from 0.2 to 2 µm in length. Pleomorphic vesicle/vacuoles within the aggregate were typically larger (50-300 nm) than SVs, which were uniform in size at ~40 nm. These pleomorphic vesicles/vacuoles are probably transport cargos carrying SV integral membrane proteins from the soma, and then are preferentially sorted into axons at early developmental stages. Serial thin sections of young axons indicated that many labeled aggregates were not synaptic, and in fact, some of these axons were without dendritic contacts. In contrast, labels for two SV-associated proteins, synapsin I and a-synuclein, were not localized at the Golgi complexes or associated with membranous structures in the soma, but were dispersed in the cytoplasm. However, these SV-associated proteins became highly concentrated on clusters of SV-like vesicles in axons, and such clusters were already distinctive in axons as early as 3 days in culture. These clusters consisted of ~4 - 30 vesicles in single thin sections, and the vesicles were of a uniform size (~40 nm). Serial sectioning analysis showed that these clusters could be part of nascent synapses or exist in axons without any dendritic contact. Importantly, the vesicles were intensely labeled for SV integral membrane proteins as well as SV-associated proteins. Thus, these EM observations reveal that the two groups of proteins, SV integral membrane and SV-associated, proceed through different routes of biosynthesis and axon transport, and are only sorted into the same final compartment, SV clusters, when they are in the axons.
Association of CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ regulatory T-cells and human papilloma virus infection in Egyptian Women with breast cancer
Authors: Tawfeik Amany , Mora Ahmed , Osman Ahmed , Elsheikh Nabila , Elrefaei Mohamed 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Several subsets of regulatory CD4+ T cells (CD4+ Tregs) have been described in peripheral blood and tumor microenvironment and blood of breast cancer (BC) patients and may play a key role in the progression of BC. High-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) have a causal role in a significant proportion of cervical, and head, and neck tumors and may play an important role in evoking neoplasia in BC. In this study we assessed the prevalence of CD4+Tregs (CD4+CD25+ FOXP3+ cells) and CD3+ CD8+ T cells by flow cytometry in peripheral blood from a total of 55 Egyptian women, including 20 treatment-naïve BC, 15 with breast benign lesions (BBL) and 20 healthy volunteers (HV). High-risk HPV genotype type 16, 18, and 31 was investigated in breast tissue from all BC and BBL patients using Real-Time PCR. HPV was detected in 4 BC, but in none of BBL patients. The frequency of CD4+ Tregs was significantly higher in BC compared to BBL and HV, (p < 0.001). In addition, we observed a significantly higher frequency of CD3+ CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood of patients with late stage III compared to early stage I and II BC (p = 0.011). However, there was no significant association between the ratio of CD8+ T cell to CD4+ Tregs frequencies and the expression of Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR), and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2). In conclusion, CD4+ Tregs may contribute to progression BC in Egyptian women with HPV infection. The potential role CD4+ Tregs as a prognostic or predictive parameter should be analyzed in a larger longitudinal study with sufficient follow-up time.
Recruitment and Retention in Randomized Controlled Trials with Urban American Indian/Alaska Native Adolescents: Challenges and Lessons Learned
Authors: Dickerson Daniel , Parker Jennifer , Johnson Carrie , Brown Ryan A. , D'Amico Elizabeth 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Although the majority of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) reside in urban areas, there are very few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) analyzing culturally centered substance use prevention interventions for this population. Methods: We describe methods employed to recruit and retain urban AI/AN adolescents into a RCT, which was focused on testing the potential benefits of a substance use prevention intervention for this population. We also report challenges encountered in recruitment and retention of participants and strategies employed addressing these challenges. Data collection occurred from August 2014 to October 2017. Results: We partnered with two community-based organizations in different cities in California. We utilized AI/AN recruiters from communities, placed flyers in community-based organizations, and asked organizations to post flyers on their web and social media sites. We also offered gift cards for participants. Our initial recruitment and retention model was moderately successful; however, we encountered five main challenges: 1) transportation, 2) increasing trust and interest, 3) adding research sites, 4) getting the word out about the project, and 5) getting youth to complete follow-up surveys. Strategies employed to overcome transportation challenges included shortening the number of sessions, offering sessions on both weekends and weekdays, and increasing bus tokens and transportation options. We hired more staff from AI/AN communities, added more research sites from our previously established relationships, and were more pro-active in getting the word out on the project in AI/AN communities. We also utilized more field tracking, and emailed and mailed survey invitations to reach more participants for their follow-up surveys. Because of our efforts, we were nearly able to reach our initial recruitment and retention goals. Conclusions: By identifying challenges and employing culturally appropriate strategies, we were able to collect valuable data on the potential effectiveness of a substance use prevention intervention for urban AI/AN adolescents. Findings from this study assist toward the development of potentially successful strategies to successfully recruit and retain urban AI/AN adolescents in RCTs.
Dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota to predict in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients: results of a prospective observational cohort study
Authors: Wei Ru , Chen Xu , Hu Linhui , He Zhimei , Ouyang Xin , Liang Silin , Dai Shixue , Sha Weihong , Chen Chunbo 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Despite the essential functions of the intestinal microbiota in human physiology, little research has been reported on the gut microbiota alteration in intensive care patients. This investigation aimed to explore the dysbacteriosis of intestinal flora in critically ill patients, and evaluate the prognostic performance of this dysbiosis to predict in-hospital mortality. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients were consecutively recruited at Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from March 2017 through October 2017. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were assessed, and fecal samples were taken for examination within 24 hours of ICU admission. The taxonomic composition of intestinal microbiome was determined using 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Patients were divided into survival and death group based on the outcomes in hospital. The two groups were statistically compared using the independent samples t test and Metastats analysis. Genera of bacteria showing significantly different abundance between groups were assessed for predictors of in-hospital death. The prognostic value of bacterial abundance alone and in combination with APACHE II or SOFA score were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Results: Among the 61 patients that were examined, a total of 12 patients (19.7%) died during hospital stay. Bifidobacterium differed significantly in abundance between survival and death group ( P =0.031). The AUROC of Bifidobacterium abundance identifying in-hospital death at a cut-off probability of 0.0041 was 0.718 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.588-0.826). The panel of Bifidobacterium abundance plus SOFA (AUROC, 0.882; 95% CI, 0.774-0.950) outperformed SOFA (AUROC, 0.649; 95% CI, 0.516-0.767; P =0.012) and Bifidobacterium abundance alone ( P =0.007). The panel of Bifidobacterium abundance plus APACHE II (AUROC, 0.876; 95% CI, 0.766-0.946) outperformed APACHE II (AUROC, 0.724; 95% CI, 0.595-0.831; P =0.035) and Bifidobacterium abundance alone ( P =0.012). Conclusions: Dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota with variable degree of reduction in Bifidobacterium abundance exhibits promising performance in predicting in-hospital mortality, and provides incremental prognostic value to existing scoring systems in the adult intensive care unit (ICU) setting.
Biosocial and disease conditions affecting the quality of life among older adults in Eastern Nepal
Authors: Yadav Uday Narayan , Thapa Tarka Bahadur , Mistry Sabuj Kanti , Ghimire Saruna , Boateng Godfred O. , Callaghan Cathy O’ 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background The ageing population in most low-and middle-income countries is accompanied by an increased risk of non-communicable diseases culminating in a poor quality of life. However, the factors accelerating this poor quality of life (QOL) have not been fully examined. Therefore, this study examined the factors influencing the quality of life of Nepali older adults.Methods Data from a previous cross-sectional study, conducted between January and April 2018 in eastern Nepal, was used. The analytical sample included 794 older adults aged ≥60 years, selected by a multi-stage cluster sampling approach. QOL was measured using the Older People’s Quality of Life tool; dichotomized as poor and good QOL. Other measures used included age, gender, ethnicity, religion, marital status, physical activity and chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and depression. The factors associated with quality of life were examined using mixed-effects logistic regression.Results Seven in ten respondents (70.4%) reported a poor quality of life. At the bivariate level, increasing age, unemployment, intake of alcohol, lack of physical activity as well as osteoarthritis, COPD and depression were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of a good quality of life. The adjusted model showed that older age (AOR=0.50, p<0.05), the Christian religion (AOR=0.38, p<0.01), and being from an Indigenous, Dalit, or Madheshi background were associated with a lower likelihood of good quality of life. However, higher income of >Nrs 10,000 (AOR=3.34, p<0.001), daily physical activity (AOR=3.33, p<0.001), and the absence of osteoarthritis and depression were associated with a higher odds ratio of good quality of life.Conclusion The findings of this study echo the need to develop and implement policies aimed at improving the socio-cultural and disease conditions that catalyse poor quality of life in this population.
Multimorbidity and the health-related quality of life among people 50 years and up: results of a longitudinal study in New Zealand
Authors: Aminisani Nayyereh , Stephens Chris , Alpass Fiona , Shamshirgaran Seyed Morteza 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Objective This study aimed to examine the association of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and multimorbidity (MM) and its correlates over time in New Zealand.Methods People aged 55 years and over were invited to participate in a nationally representative population-based longitudinal study in 2006 and followed up biennially until 2016. GEE models, adjusted for both time-constant and time-varying factors used baseline and five subsequent waves of data, to compare a range of factors related to changes in MM and HRQOL.Results At baseline, 957 of the participants were classified as “MM participants”; 570 had two, and the rest had three chronic conditions. The results of the GEE modelling demonstrated that SF12-PCS decreased over time and there was a significant difference in SF12-PCS between MM and Non-MM participants. Having MM was negatively associated with HRQOL-PCS [-3.00 (95%CI -3.60, -2.49); p <0.001)]. Although the results showed an increase in SF12-MCS over time, the score of the mental dimension of HRQOL was lower among MM participants compared to Non-MM participants [-2.60, 95%CI -3.09, -2.11].Conclusions According to this longitudinal study, there is an inverse association between MM and one of the most important health outcomes; HRQOL, in older adults.
Social participation is an important health behaviour for health and quality of life among chronically ill older Chinese people
Authors: Feng Zeyun , Cramm Jane Murray , Nieboer Anna Petra 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
BackgroundHealth behaviours (physical activity, maintenance of a healthy diet and not smoking) are known to be beneficial to the health and well-being of chronically ill people. With China's ageing population and increased prevalence of people with chronic diseases, the improvement of unhealthy behaviours in this population has become crucial. Although recent studies have highlighted the importance of social participation for health and quality of life (QoL) among older people, no study to date has included social participation along with more traditional health behaviours. Therefore, this study aimed to identify associations of multiple health behaviours (social participation, physical activity, maintenance of a healthy diet and not smoking) with health and QoL outcomes (including cognitive and physical function) among chronically ill older adults in China. Methods For this nationally representative cross-sectional study, wave 1 data from the World Health Organization’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (China) were examined. In total, 6,629 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 64.9 years) with at least one chronic disease were included. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to evaluate associations of health behaviours with health and QoL outcomes while controlling for background characteristics. Results Greater social participation was associated with better QoL [β = 0.127, standard error (SE) = 0.002, p < 0.001], cognitive function (β = 0.154, SE = 0.033, p < 0.001) and physical function (β = –0.102, SE = 0.008, p < 0.001). Physical activity was associated with better QoL (β = 0.091, SE = 0.015, p < 0.001) and physical function (β = –0.155, SE = 0.062, p < 0.001). Sufficient fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with better QoL (β = 0.087, SE = 0.015, p < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings suggest that social participation is a crucial health behaviour for quality of life and cognitive function among chronically ill older people in China. Health promotion programmes should expand their focus to include social participation as a health behaviour, in addition to physical activity, maintenance of a healthy diet and not smoking.
Relationship between comprehensive geriatric assessment and amyloid PET in older persons with MCI
Authors: Lauretani Fulvio , Ruffini Livia , Scarlattei Maura , Maggio Marcello 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background. The association between amyloid deposition and cognitive, behavioral and physical performance in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been poorly investigated, especially in older persons. Methods. We studied the in vivo correlation between the amyloid deposition at Positron Emission Tomography (amyloid-PET) and the presence of memory loss, reduced executive function, physical performance and neuropsychiatric symptoms in older persons with MCI due to AD. Amyloid-PET was performed with 18F-flutemetamol and quantitavely analyzed. Results. We evaluated 48 subjects, including 21 men and 27 women older than 65 years old. We performed in each patient a comprehensive geriatric assessment including MMSE, Clock Drawing Test, ADL, IADL, NPI, SPPB and Hand Grip strength. Then, each patient underwent amyloid-PET. The mean scores obtained at the MMSE by the subjects under examination was 24.97 ± 3.90 with a median NPI of 4. PET scan revealed brain amyloid deposition in 21 persons. Participants with positive amyloid scans exhibited a higher prevalence of pathological clock drawing test (p=0.0009). We did not find a significant association between MMSE score and beta amyloid plaque burden. When amyloid deposition was present, we observed that the deposition was diffuse, involving cortex in a widespread manner, as showed by alterations of CDT. Conclusion. Our findings support the recent hypothesis that amyloid deposition could be associated with multiple cerebral dysfunction, such as executive dysfunction and other cognitive impairment.