bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Introducing Cross-Cultural Education in Palliative Care: Focus Groups With Experts on Practical Strategies
Authors: Semlali Imane , Tamches Emmanuel , Singy Pascal , Weber Orest 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The linguistic and cultural diversity found in European societies creates specific challenges to palliative care clinicians. Patients’ heterogeneous habits, beliefs and social situations, and in many cases language barriers, add complexity to clinicians’ work. Cross-cultural teaching helps palliative care specialists deal with issues that arise from such diversity. This study aimed to provide interested educators and decision makers with ideas for how to implement cross-cultural training in palliative care. Methods: We conducted four focus groups in French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland. All groups consisted of a mix of experts in palliative care and/or cross-cultural teaching. The interdisciplinary research team submitted the data for thematic content analysis.Results: Focus-group participants saw a clear need for courses addressing cross-cultural issues in end-of-life care, including in medical disciplines outside of palliative care (e.g. geriatrics, oncology, intensive care). We found that these courses should be embedded in existing training offerings and should appear at all stages of curricula for end-of-life specialists. Two trends emerged related to course content. One focuses on clinicians’ acquisition of cultural expertise and tools allowing them to deal with complex situations on their own; the other stresses the importance of clinicians’ reflections and learning to collaborate with other professionals in complex situations. These trends evoke recent debates in the literature: the quest for expertise and tools is related to traditional 20th century work on cross-cultural competence, whereas reflection and collaboration are central to more recent research that promotes cultural sensitivity and humility in clinicians.Conclusion: This study offers new insights into cross-cultural courses in palliative and end-of-life care. Basic knowledge on culture in medicine, variable practices related to death and dying, communication techniques, self-reflection on cultural references and aptitude for interprofessional collaboration are central to preparing clinicians in end-of-life settings to work with linguistically and culturally diverse patients.
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Comparative Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Health Qigong-Based Cognitive Therapy Among Chinese People With Mood Disorders
Authors: Chan Sunny H.W. , Chan Wendy W.K. , Chao June Y.W. , Chan Phyllis K.L. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The goal of this study was to investigate treatment outcome and related intervention processes of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) versus health qigong-based cognitive therapy (HQCT) versus waitlist control (WC) among individuals with mood disorders.Methods: A total of 187 individuals with mood disorders were randomized and allocated into MBCT, HQCT, or WC groups. All participants were assessed at three time points with regard to mood symptoms, physical and mental health status, perceived stress, sleep quality, and self-efficacy. Linear mixed models analysis was used to test the individual growth model by studying the longitudinal data.Results: MBCT and HQCT both produced greater improvements on most outcome measures as compared with WC. Relatively, more reductions of mood symptoms were observed in the HQCT group as compared with the MBCT group. HQCT is more conducive to physical health status whereas MBCT has more favorable mental health outcomes. Individual growth curve models indicated that alternations in perceived stress was the common predictor of mood changes in both intervention groups. Conclusions: The predominant emphasis on physical health in HQCT makes it more acceptable and effective than MBCT as applied in Chinese individuals with mood disorders. The influence of Chinese culture is discussed. Trial registration: HKU Clinical Trials Registry. Identifier: HKUCTR-2558. Registered 21st Nov 2018.
Social Determinants of Health and COVID-19 Among Patients in New York City
Authors: Woo Baidal Jennifer , Wang Amanda Y. , Zumwalt Katarina , Gary Dahsan , Greenberg Yael , Cormack Ben , Lovinsky-Desir Stephanie , Nichols Kelsey , Pasco Neil , Nieto Andres , Ancker Jessica S. , Goldsmith Jeff , Meyer Dodi 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Covid-19 testing and disease outcomes according to demographic and neighborhood characteristics must be understood.Methods: Using aggregate administrative data from a multi-site academic healthcare system in New York from March 1 – May 14, 2020, we examined patient demographic and neighborhood characteristics according to Covid-19 testing and disease outcomes.Results: Among the 23,918 patients, higher proportions of those over 65 years old, male sex, Hispanic ethnicity, Medicare, or Medicaid insurance had positive tests, were hospitalized, or died than those with younger age, non-Hispanic ethnicity, or private insurance. Patients living in census tracts with more non-White individuals, Hispanic individuals, individuals in poverty, or housing crowding had higher proportions of Covid-19 positive tests, hospitalizations, and deaths than counterparts.Discussion: Variation exists in Covid-19 testing and disease outcomes according to patient and neighborhood characteristics. There is a need to monitor Covid-19 testing access and disease outcomes and resolve racist policies and practices.
Gut microbiota Signatures in Schistosoma japonicum Infection-Induced Liver Cirrhosis Patients
Authors: Gui Qifeng , Zhu Feng , Xiao Chi , Lu Haifeng , Zhang Qin , Xu Jia , Jin Huilin , Yang Yunmei 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundOne of the serious complications induced by Schistosoma japonicum infection is the development of liver cirrhosis. Several studies have assessed the role of gut microbiota in cirrhosis of different etiologies, but none has done so in the context of S. japonicum infection in humans. Here, to explore the possible role of gut microbiota in S. japonicum infection-induced liver cirrhosis, we conducted an observational clinical study.MethodsTwenty-four patients with S. japonicum infection-induced liver cirrhosis and 25 age- and gender-matched controls from Zhejiang Province, China, were enrolled in the study. Fecal samples were collected and used for 16S rRNA gene hypervariable V4 region Illumina MiSeq sequencing.ResultsEight hundred seven operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected, of which 491 were common in the two groups, while 123 and 193 were unique for the control and cirrhosis groups, respectively. Overall, no significant differences in both alpha and beta diversities and overall microbiota structure were found in the two groups. However, Bacilli (Class) and Lactobacillales (Order) were significantly higher in patients with S. japonicum infection-induced liver cirrhosis than in healthy individuals.ConclusionsAltogether, our results suggest that the gut microbiota of S. japonicum infection-induced liver cirrhosis patients is similar to that of healthy individuals.
Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Liver Transplant Recipients: Clinical Course, Epidemiological Analysis and Risk Factors
Authors: Li Xian-Liang , Liu Zhen-Jia , Li Han , Wilde Benjamin , Witzke Oliver , Qi Man , Xu Wen-Li , Liu Zi-Xi , He Qiang , Zhu Ji-Qiao 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: We aimed to investigate the clinical course, possible transmission routes and the potential risk factors of Pneumocystis pneumonia in liver transplant recipients.Methods: The study was performed by collecting and analyzing the clinical, epidemiological, and molecular data from patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia as well as from matched controls.Results: There were a total of ten patients diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia containing prospectively included six patients and retrospectively collected four patients, of which seven were transferred to the surgical intensive care unit and four died. The transmission map revealed inter-patient transmission of Pneumocystis jirovecii was impossible. Pneumocystis jirovecii detection was negative in all air samples. It was positive only in one sample from the twelve healthcare workers with close contact to diseased patients. Five out of 79 liver transplant recipients during the outbreak were colonized with Pneumocystis jirovecii compared to two out of 94 after the outbreak upon admission (P > 0.05). Liver transplant recipients with Pneumocystis pneumonia had totally different genotypes based on multilocus sequence typing. Additionally, we found an unreported mutation at the cytochrome b gene (566 C/T and C838C/T). The absolute CD19+ B-cell counts (odds ratio: 1.028; 95% confidence interval: 1.000-1.057; P = 0.049) was defined to be the only significant independent risk factor using multivariable conditional logistic regression. Conclusions: Pneumocystis pneumonia is a severe complication following liver transplantation. The outbreak may not be caused by nosocomial transmission. A decrease in absolute CD19+ B-cell counts may play an important role in the development of Pneumocystis pneumonia.
Pesticide use and COVID-19: An Indictment of Global Agriculture and An Advocacy of the Mediterranean Food Culture
Authors: Othmani Wadie 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
As an exploratory and theoretical reflection for future articles discussing the perceived green/health qualities of tunisian food as a tourist promotion argument, the article is based on the assumption that the COVID-19 pandemic would have more impact in countries whose population has an immune system weakened by food overtreated with pesticides, and that the Mediterranean food culture, which offers foods with little or no pesticide treatment, is the best diet to develop the necessary immunity to resist COVID-19 and, by extension, resist other pandemics. To demonstrate this, the thematic map technique was used to cross-reference several masses of official statistical data. The results suggest four main categories of countries in relation to the link between deaths from COVID-19 and the use of pesticides in agriculture. This study demonstrates, therefore, the weakness, if not the inaccuracy, of certain hypotheses which are circulating or have circulated in recent months and that attempt to explain each country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, assumptions such as the role of quarantine in containing the pandemic, the role of the BCG vaccine and the role of heat will prove unreliable. On the other hand, the hypothesis the paper will defend is that of the role of a healthy Mediterranean and flexitarian diet in strengthening the human immune system, which in turn counteracts the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This sanitary suitability would therefore be an argument for promoting and disseminating this culinary heritage throughout the world and thus contribute to its development as a tourist attraction.
Three hematologic/immune system-specific expressed genes are considered as the potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis through bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Cheng Qi , Wu Huaxiang , Du Yan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease. However, early RA is difficult to diagnose due to the lack of effective biomarkers. This study aimed to identify new biomarkers and mechanisms for RA disease progression at the transcriptome level through a combination of microarray and bioinformatics analyses.Methods Microarray datasets for synovial tissue in RA or osteoarthritis (OA) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by R software. Tissue/organ-specific genes were recognized by BioGPS. Enrichment analyses were performed and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to understand the functions and enriched pathways of DEGs and to identify hub genes. Cytoscape was used to construct the co-expressed network and competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks. Biomarkers with high diagnostic value for the early diagnosis of RA were validated by GEO datasets. The ggpubr package was used to perform statistical analyses with Student’s t-test.Results A total of 275 DEGs, including 197 downregulated genes and 78 upregulated genes, were identified between the samples from RA and OA. Among these DEGs, 71 tissue/organ-specific expressed genes were recognized. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs are mostly enriched in immune response, immune-related biological process, immune system, and cytokine signal pathways. Fifteen hub genes and 4 gene cluster modules were identified by Cytoscape. Eight haematologic/immune system-specific expressed hub genes were verified by GEO datasets, and three genes (granzyme A (GZMA), protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1), and threonine/tyrosine kinase protein kinase (TTK)) that have a high diagnostic value for early RA were identified. NEAT1-miR-212-3p/miR-132-3p/miR-129-5p-TTK, XIST-miR-25-3p/miR-129-5p-GZMA, and TTK_hsa_circ_0077158- miR-212-3p/miR-132-3p/miR-129-5p-TTK might be potential RNA regulatory pathways to regulate the disease progression of early RA.Conclusions This work identified three haematologic/immune system-specific expressed genes, namely, GZMA, PRC1, and TTK, as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis and treatment of RA and provided insight into the mechanisms of disease development in RA at the transcriptome level. In addition, we proposed that NEAT1-miR-212-3p/miR-132-3p/miR-129-5p-TTK, XIST-miR-25-3p/miR-129-5p-GZMA, and TTK_hsa_circ_0077158-miR-212-3p/miR-132-3p/miR-129-5p-TTK are potential RNA regulatory pathways that control disease progression in early RA.
Predicting and interpreting COVID-19 transmission rates from the ensemble of government policies
Authors: Prakash Meher , Sr C. K. , Biswal Malay , Saraswat Brijesh , Joshi Himanshu 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Several questions resonate as the governments relax their COVID-19 mitigation policies - is it too early to relax them, were the policies as effective as they could have been. Answering these questions about the past or crafting newer policy decisions in the future requires a quantification of how policy choices affect the spread of the infection. Policy landscape as well as the infection trajectories from different states and countries diverged so fast that comparing and learning from them has not been easy. In this work, we standardize and pool together the ensemble of lockdown and graded re-opening policies adopted by the 50 states of USA in any given week between 9th March and 9th August. Using artificial intelligence (AI) on this pooled data, we build a predictive model (R2training=0.79, R2test=0.76) for the weekly-averaged transmission rate of infections. Predictability conceptually raises the possibility of an evidence-based or data-driven mitigation policy-making by evaluating the relative merits of the different policy scenarios. Probing the predictions with interpretable AI highlights how factors such as the closing of bars or the use of masks influence transmission, effects which have been hard to decouple from the ensemble of policy instrument combinations. While acknowledging the limitations of our predictions as well as of the infection testing, we ask the theoretical question if the observed transmission rates in the states were as efficient as they could have been under various levels of restrictions, and if the mitigation policies of the states are ‘overdesigned’ for the success they have. The model can be further refined with a more detailed inclusion of geographies and policy compliances, as well as expanded as newer policies emerge.
The Role of Prophylactic Vertebroplasty at UIV+1 and Cement-augmented Fenestrated Pedicle Screw for Prevention of PJK/PJF&nbsp; in Patients With Osteoporosis: A Propensity Score–matched Analysis
Authors: Wang Qi , Wang Chi , Hu Wenhao , Hu Fanqi , Liu Weibo , Li Teng , Cao Shiqi , Zhang Xuesong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Objective: To elucidate the role of prophylactic vertebroplasty (PV) at UIV+1 and cement-augmented fenestrated pedicle screw (CAFPS) in prevention of PJK and PJF.Background: Cement augmentation at UIV and UIV+1 was found to prevent PJK and PJF. But most studies are retrospective and have a selection bias due to multifactorial etiology of PJF, making it difficult to identify the efficacy of prophylactic cement augmentation. Methods: We enrolled 208 surgically treated adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients who were followed for at least 2 years, to elucidate whether prophylactic cement augmentation was truly minimizing the risk of PJK and PJF in a uniform population from one center database. Patients were classified into two groups. Two comparable groups were propensity-matched with one to one nearest neighbor matching. The main outcome variables including PJK, PJF, pedicle screw loosening and cement leakage were compared.Results：After propensity score matching, there were 58 propensity-matched patients in group A and B (n=29 in each group) whose parameters including age, BMI, BMD, number of instrumented vertebrae, SVA, spinal-pelvic parameters and the frequency of UIV and LIV were similar. The incidence of PJK showed no significantly statistical difference between group A and B (10.3% vs 13.8%, p >0.99). Compared to group A, group B had a higher proportion of patients developing PJF (24.1% vs 0%, p=0.01). Pedicle screw loosening at UIV and (or) LIV showed no difference (24.1% vs 3.4%, p=0.052) between two groups. In group A, cement leakage was detected in 5 cases via fluoroscopy, but none of them had neurological deficit or pulmonary cement embolism.Conclusion: Combined application of CAFPS and PV could reduce the incidence of PJF, but it could not prevent the development of PJK in the surgical management of ASD with low BMD or osteoporosis.
Childhood Trauma Associated With Abnormal Resting-State Brain Network Connectivity in First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients
Authors: Long Xiangyun , Wu Jiaxin , Liu Fei , Qi Ansi , Huang Nan , Guan Xiaofeng , Liu Na , Lu Zheng 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Childhood trauma is a central risk factor for schizophrenia. We explored the correlation between early traumatic experiences and the functional connectivity of resting-state networks. This fMRI study included 28 first-episode schizophrenia patients and 27 healthy controls. In first-episode schizophrenia patients, higher levels of childhood trauma associated with abnormal connections of resting-state networks, and these anomalies distributed among task-positive networks (i.e., ventral attention network, dorsal-ventral attention network and frontal-parietal network), and sensory networks (i.e., visual network and auditory network). These findings mentioned that childhood traumatic experiences may impact resting-state network connectivity in adulthood, mainly involving systems related to attention and execution control.
Sociodemographic Correlates of Perceived Psychosocial Health in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Community-Based Online Study in China
Authors: Wang Ganyi , Tang Shangfeng 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the ensuing sociopolitical measures to control and curb its spread have been affecting people's psychosocial health and well-being through various complex pathways and in unprecedented ways. The present study aims to assess the sociodemographic correlates of psychosocial health situation of Chinese community-dwelling residents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey that was carried out online and using a structured questionnaire during April 2020. In total, 4788 men and women with the age range of 11-98 years were included in the analysis. Outcome variables were the change in the experience of hopelessness, loneliness and depression before and during the pandemic, and the explanatory variables included demographic and social capital related variables.Results: Respectively 34.80%, 32.50% and 44.84% of the participants expressed feeling more hopeless, lonely, and depressed during the pandemic. The percentage of all three indicators was comparatively higher among women than among men: hopelessness (50.67% vs 49.33%), loneliness (52.44% vs 47.56%), and depression (56.22% vs 43.78%). Being married was associated lower odds of loneliness among men [Odds ratio= 0.63, 95% CI=0.45,0.90]. Loneliness was negatively associated with smoking [Odds ratio= 0.67, 95% CI=0.45,0.99] and positively with drinking [Odds ratio= 1.45, 95% CI=1.04,2.02]. Compared with those in the lowest income bracket (<10K), men [Odds ratio= 0.34, 95% CI=0.21,0.55] and women [Odds ratio= 0.36, 95% CI=0.23,0.56] in the highest (>40K) had the lowest odds of reporting perceived hopelessness [Odds ratio= 0.35, 95% CI=0.25,0.48]. Smoking also showed negative association with depression only among men [Odds ratio=0.63, 95% CI=0.43,0.91]. Conclusion: More about one-third of the participants reported worsening in the experience of hopelessness and loneliness, with more than two-fifth of worsening depression during the pandemic compared with the time before. Several socioeconomic and lifestyle factors were found to be associated with the outcome variables, most notably participants marital status, household income, smoking, alcohol drinking, existing chronic conditions, and urbanicity.
Evaluation and Analysis of Incidence and Risk Factors of Lower Extremity Venous Thrombosis After Urologic Surgeries: A Prospective Two-Center Study Using LASSO-Logistics Regression.
Authors: Tang Guyu , Qi Lin , Sun Zepeng , Liu Jing , Lv Zhengtong , Chen Lingxiao , Huang Bin , Zhu Shuai , Liu Yao , Li Yuan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Purpose: To analyze the incidence and risk factors of lower extremity venous thrombosis after urologic surgeries. Methods: A prospective two-center study was conducted from August 2019 to January 2020. 1122 consecutive patients who underwent urologic procedures were enrolled. The study primary end point was the detection of asymptomatic or symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of lower extremity within 7 days after the surgeries. Univariate and LASSO-logistics regression analysis were performed.Results: We excluded 111 patients who met exclusion criteria. Totally, 56 (5.54%) out of 1011 patients had developed DVT. In the univariate analysis, Barthel Index ≤40, D-dimer levels ≥0.5mg/L and age≥ 60 yrs (p <0.001) were the most significant risk factors. The LASSO-logistics regression model identified 9 factors including age, history of DVT, lymph nodes dissection, perioperative steroid use, Caprini Score, Barthel Index, D-dimer levels, cystectomy and prostatectomy.Conclusion: Our study used the LASSO-logistic regression model to provide reliable data on risk factors of DVT after comprehensive urologic surgeries. It might facilitate individualized anticoagulant management of patients undergoing urologic procedures.Trial registration: ChiCTR1900024784