bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Whole-exome sequencing in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency: early detection and early intervention
Authors: Liu Hongli , Wei Xiaoli , Sha Yanwei , Liu Wensheng , Gao Haijie , Lin Jin , Li Youzhu , Tang Yaling , Wang Yifeng , Wang Yanlong , Su Zhiying 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The loss of ovarian function in women, referred to as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), is associated with a series of concomitant diseases. POI is genetically heterogeneous, and in most cases, the etiology is unknown.

Methods
Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on DNA samples obtained from patients with POI, and Sanger sequencing was used to validate the detected potentially pathogenic variants. An in silico analysis was carried out to predict the pathogenicity of the variants.

Results
We recruited 24 patients with POI and identified variants in POI-related genes in 14 patients, including bi-allelic mutations in DNAH6, HFM1, EIF2B2, BNC, and LRPPRC and heterozygous variants in BNC1, EIF2B4, FOXL2, MCM9, FANCA, ATM, EIF2B3, and GHR. No variants in the above genes were detected in the WES data obtained from 29 women in a control group without POI. Determining a clear genetic etiology could significantly increase patient compliance with appropriate intervention strategies.

Conclusions
Our study confirmed that POI is a genetically heterogeneous condition and that whole-exome sequencing is a powerful tool for determining its genetic etiology. The results of this study will aid researchers and clinicians in genetic counseling and suggests the potential of WES for the detection of POI and thus early interventions for patients with POI.
Treatment of spinal cord injury with mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Liau Ling Ling , Looi Qi Hao , Chia Wui Chuen , Subramaniam Thayaalini , Ng Min Hwei , Law Jia Xian 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is the damage to the spinal cord that can lead to temporary or permanent loss of function due to injury to the nerve. The SCI patients are often associated with poor quality of life.

Results
This review discusses the current status of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for SCI, criteria to considering for the application of MSC therapy and novel biological therapies that can be applied together with MSCs to enhance its efficacy. Bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs), umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) and adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ADSCs) have been trialed for the treatment of SCI. Application of MSCs may minimize secondary injury to the spinal cord and protect the neural elements that survived the initial mechanical insult by suppressing the inflammation. Additionally, MSCs have been shown to differentiate into neuron-like cells and stimulate neural stem cell proliferation to rebuild the damaged nerve tissue.

Conclusion
These characteristics are crucial for the restoration of spinal cord function upon SCI as damaged cord has limited regenerative capacity and it is also something that cannot be achieved by pharmacological and physiotherapy interventions. New biological therapies including stem cell secretome therapy, immunotherapy and scaffolds can be combined with MSC therapy to enhance its therapeutic effects.
A mass-conservative higher-order ADI method for solving unsteady convection–diffusion equations
Authors: Wongsaijai Ben , Sukantamala Nattakorn , Poochinapan Kanyuta 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn the paper, a high-order alternating direction implicit (ADI) algorithm is presented to solve problems of unsteady convection and diffusion. The method is fourth- and second-order accurate in space and time, respectively. The resulting matrix at each ADI computation can be obtained by repeatedly solving a penta-diagonal system which produces a computationally cost-effective solver. We prove that the proposed scheme is mass-conserved and unconditionally stable by means of discrete Fourier analysis. Numerical experiments are performed to validate the mass conservation and illustrate that the proposed scheme is accurate and reliable for convection-dominated problems.
K-Correspondences, USCOs, and fixed point problems arising in discounted stochastic games
Authors: Page Frank H. , Fu Jing 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe establish a fixed point theorem for the composition of nonconvex, measurable selection valued correspondences with Banach space valued selections. We show that if the underlying probability space of states is nonatomic and if the selection correspondences in the composition are K-correspondences (meaning correspondences having graphs that contain their Komlos limits), then the induced measurable selection valued composition correspondence takes contractible values and therefore has fixed points. As an application we use our fixed point result to show that all nonatomic uncountable-compact discounted stochastic games have stationary Markov perfect equilibria – thus resolving a long-standing open question in game theory.
Women’s knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast self- examination in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Udoh Roseline H. , Tahiru Mohammed , Ansu-Mensah Monica , Bawontuo Vitalis , Danquah Frederick Inkum , Kuupiel Desmond 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer (BC) is a non-communicable disease with increased morbidity and mortality. Early detection of BC contributes to prompt linkage to care and reduction of complications associated with BC. Breast self-examination (BSE) is useful for detecting breast abnormalities particularly in settings with poor access to healthcare for clinical breast examination and mammography. Therefore, we mapped evidence on women’s knowledge, attitude, and practice of BSE in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA).MethodsWe conducted a systematic scoping review using Arskey and O’Malleys’ framework as a guide. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and Science Direct databases for relevant studies on women’s knowledge, attitude and practice on BSE. Studies included in the review were from SSA countries as defined by the World Health Organization published from 2008 to May 2019. Two reviewers independently screened the articles at the abstract and full-text screening guided by inclusion and exclusion criteria. All relevant data were extracted, and a thematic analysis conducted. The themes were collated, and a narrative summary of the findings reported.ResultsOf the 264 potentially eligible articles identified from 595,144, only 21 met the inclusion criteria and were included for data extraction. These included studies were conducted in 7 countries of which 11 were conducted in Nigeria; two each in Ethiopia, Ghana, Cameroon, and Uganda; and one each in Kenya and Sudan. Of the 21 included studies, 18 studies reported evidence on BSE knowledge and practice; two on only knowledge; one on only practice only; and six presented evidence on women’s attitude towards BSE. The study findings suggest varying knowledge levels on BSE among women in SSA countries. The study findings also suggest that BSE practice is still a challenge in SSA.ConclusionThere is a paucity of published literature on women’s knowledge, practice, and attitude of BSE in SSA. Hence, this study recommends further studies on knowledge, practice, and attitude of BSE, to identify contextual challenges and provide evidence-based solutions to improve women’s knowledge, practice, and attitude of BSE in SSA.
Sex differences in glucose metabolism of streptozotocin-induced diabetes inbred mice (C57BL/6J)
Authors: Kim Boyoung , Kim Yoo Yeon , Nguyen Phuong Thi-Thanh , Nam Hajin , Suh Jun Gyo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractConsidering that sex differences in glucose metabolism are observed in mice, researchers unconsciously use male mice to reduce variations by an estrogen cycle in female mice. In this study, we investigated the sex differences in glucose homeostasis in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes inbred mice (C57BL/6J). The C57BL/6J male and female mice were injected with or without STZ (40 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days. Levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), lipid profiles, oral glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance were measured at 3 and 6 weeks after STZ treatment. The FBG level in the STZ-induced male (M-STZ) group was significantly higher than that in the STZ-induced female (F-STZ) group during the entire experimental period. Furthermore, HbA1C and glucose tolerance levels in the M-STZ group were significantly higher than those in the F-STZ group at 3 and 6 weeks after STZ treatment. The glucagon/insulin ratio in the M-STZ group was significantly higher than that in the F-STZ group. Values of the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance, an indicator of β-cell function and insulin resistance, significantly increased in both the M-STZ and F-STZ groups at 3 weeks after STZ treatment. However, insulin resistance was observed in the M-STZ group, but not in the F-STZ group, at 6 weeks after STZ treatment. Taken together, our results indicate that glucose metabolism in the M-STZ group was worse than that in the F-STZ group, indicating that estrogen may have an important role in glucose metabolism by STZ treatment.
“Since his birth, I’ve always been old” the experience of being parents to children displaying disruptive behavior problems: a qualitative study
Authors: Ljungström Britt-Marie , Kenne Sarenmalm Elisabeth , Axberg Ulf 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Being parents of children who display disruptive behavior problems (DBP) can pose several challenges. Interventions for children with DBP are primarily outpatient group parent training (PT) programs. The purpose of this study was to explore how parents of children with disruptive behavior problems, diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), describe the difficulties they face in their family and parenting situations.

Methods
Nineteen parents of children aged 3 to 8 years who had searched for help and signed up for a parent training program provided by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service participated in the study. Semi-structured diagnostic interviews and a modified background interview adapted for the purpose of the study were conducted before parents entered the program. All children included in the study met the DSM criteria for ODD. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to examine, identify, and report patterns of meaning in the data. The analysis was conducted inductively using a contextual approach.

Results
Parents described their own vulnerability, how they were affected by the parent-child interaction, and the challenges they perceived in their parenting practices. The study contributes to an understanding of the complexity that parents of children with ODD perceive in everyday life.

Conclusions
The parents in the study highlight the need to address parents’ own mental health problems, parental alliance, capacity for emotion regulation, perceived helplessness as parents, lack of parental strategies, sense of isolation, and absence of supportive social networks. All these factors could be important when tailoring interventions aimed to help and support parents of children who display DBP, and specifically ODD.
Pharmacists’ perceived barriers towards delivering their emergency roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived policymakers’ responsibilities
Authors: Basheti Iman A. , Nassar Razan , Barakat Muna , Alqudah Rajaa , Farha Rana Abu , Muqatash Tareq , Thiab Samar , Saini Bandana 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRationalIn March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus infectious disease as a pandemic referred to as COVID-19. As an essential service, community pharmacists have been enacting a key role in patient counseling and supply of essential medicines and protective equipment.ObjectivesTo investigate pharmacists’ perspectives of the role of educational institutes and professional pharmacy organizations in supporting them to take on roles during COVID-19 pandemic and to identify barriers to be able to support themselves and their patients.MethodsThis descriptive mixed-method study was conducted via a cross-sectional online survey distributed to pharmacists/pharmacy students in Jordan during the COVID-19 outbreak (15–30 March 2020) using an online questionnaire, followed by an online focus group. Questionnaire items related to participants’ perspectives in being prepared for and supported in their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, and items were tested for face validity. Data were descriptively analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and triangulated with focus group findings.ResultsConsidering that fear and anxiety are a consequence of mass social distancing/quarantine, study participants (n = 726, age = 26.9 (SD = 8.0) years, 71.9% females), reported needing training on mental healthcare to be able to support themselves and people during pandemics (90.2%). Most respondents agreed/strongly agreed (59.7%) with the statement around pharmacy educators/educational institutes having a key role in preparing pharmacists for practice during epidemics/pandemics and agreed that their faculties should add a course regarding pandemic preparedness in their curriculum (89.9%). Results were similar regarding roles for the pharmaceutical associations. Focus group findings (n = 7) mirrored the survey findings to a large extent.ConclusionsMost participants believed that pharmacy educators and pharmaceutical associations have a role in preparing them to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic through online educational workshops/webinars. Online education on mental healthcare is specifically needed.
The utility of pharmacological and radiological interventions to optimize diagnostic information from PET/CT
Authors: Dudoignon David , Pattison David A. , Legallois Damien , Hicks Rodney J. , Aide Nicolas 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Positron Emission Tomography with Computed Tomography (PET/CT) is widely used in the assessment of many diseases, particularly including cancer. However, many factors can affect image quality and diagnostic performance of PET scans using FDG or other PET probes.

Main body
The aim of this pictorial essay is to review PET/CT protocols that can be useful to overcome these confounding factors in routine clinical situations, with a particular focus on pharmacological interventions and problem-oriented CT acquisition protocols.

Conclusion
Imaging protocols and representative cases will be discussed, in addition to potential contraindications and precautions to be taken.
Mood, Activity Participation, and Leisure Engagement Satisfaction (MAPLES): a randomised controlled pilot feasibility trial for low mood in acquired brain injury
Authors: Kusec Andrea , Murphy Fionnuala C. , Peers Polly V. , Lawrence Cara , Cameron Emma , Morton Claire , Bateman Andrew , Watson Peter , Manly Tom 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Acquired brain injury (ABI) affects approximately 79.3 million individuals annually and is linked with elevated rates of depression and low mood. Existing methods for treating depression in ABI have shown mixed efficacy. Behavioural activation (BA) is a potentially promising intervention. Its premise is that individuals with low mood avoid planning and engaging in activities due to low expectations of a positive outcome. Consequently, their exposure to positive reinforcement is reduced, exacerbating low mood. BA aims to break this cycle by encouraging activity planning and engagement. It is unknown whether cognitive demands of traditional BA may undermine efficacy in ABI. Here, we assess the feasibility and acceptability of two groups designed to increase activity engagement. In the activity planning group (traditional BA), the importance of meaningful and positive activity will be discussed and participants encouraged to plan/engage in activities in everyday life. The activity engagement group (experiential BA) instead focuses on engagement in positive experiences (crafts, games, discussion) within the group. The primary aims are to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the two groups in ABI. A secondary aim is to explore relative efficacy of the groups compared to an equivalent period of waitlist controls.

Method
This study outlines a parallel-arm pilot feasibility trial for individuals with low mood and ABI that compares a traditional vs experiential BA group vs waitlist controls. Adults (≥ 18 years) will be recruited from local ABI services and randomised to condition. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed via recruitment, retention, attendance and participant feedback. Groups will be compared (pre- and post-intervention and 1 month follow-up) by assessing self-reported activity engagement. Secondary outcomes include self-report measures of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic distress related to the ABI, motivation, participation and sense of control over one’s life.

Ethics and dissemination
The trial has been approved by the Health Research Authority of the NHS in the UK (East of England—Cambridge Central, REF 18/EE/0305). Results will inform future research on interventions for mood in ABI and be disseminated broadly via peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and social media.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03874650 pre-results. Protocol version 2.1, March 5, 2019
A near-shore clastic-carbonate mixing mode in a continental rift basin (early Oligocene, eastern Shijiutuo Uplift, Bohai Bay Basin, China): sedimentology, reservoir characteristics and exploration practice
Authors: Du Xiao-Feng , Liu Hao , Huang Xiao-Bo , Song Zhang-Qiang , Xu Wei , Zhang Can 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA comprehensive sedimentary and reservoir analysis was conducted based on seismic, well logging, core and relative test data, taking Members 1 and 2 of Shahejie Formation of the early Oligocene in the steep slope belt, eastern Shijiutuo Uplift (STU), Bohai Bay Basin (BBB) as a case. The study indicates that a near-shore mixed fan deposit formed in the study area and developed characteristics and pattern of a high-quality reservoir. The mixed clastic-carbonate rocks constitute Members 1 and 2 of Shahejie Formation which developed along the steep slope belt and is named as a near-shore mixed fan. The mixed fan of the study area is mainly composed of microfacies of proximal channel, mixed deposited channel, mixed clastic beach, mixed bioclastic (grain) beach, with vertical multi-stage superimposition feature, and basically a similar shape as modern near-shore fans. It constitutes a new depositional type developing in the steep slope belt of a characteristic and complex lacustrine rift basin in the study area. This mixed fan in the steep slope of eastern STU is controlled by comprehensive factors including tectonics, clastic material supply, climate, palaeogeomorphology and hydrodynamic conditions. The reservoir quality of Members 1 and 2 of Shahejie Formation of eastern STU is, however, actually controlled by the sedimentary environment and diagenesis processes. Coarse-grained mixed rocks of near-shore fans, rich in bioclastics, can form excellent reservoirs, characterized by resistance to compaction, easy to dissolution, little influenced by burial depth and high production of oil and gas, which enable them become key exploration targets of medium-deep strata of BBB. Analyses of high-quality reservoir, its controlling factors and the oil and gas exploration implications of the near-shore mixed fan developing in the study area give a deeper insight into discussions of the same type of mixed rocks of other lacustrine rift basins worldwide.
Performance and evaluation of energy optimization techniques for wireless body area networks
Authors: Bilandi Naveen , Verma Harsh Kumar , Dhir Renu 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Wireless body area networks are created to retrieve and transmit human health information by using sensors on the human body. Energy efficiency is considered a foremost challenge to increase the lifetime of a network. To deal with energy efficiency, one of the important mechanisms is selecting the relay node, which can be modeled as an optimization problem. These days nature-inspired algorithms are being widely used to solve various optimization problems. With regard to this, this paper aims to compare the performance of the three most recent nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms for solving the relay node selection problem.

Results
It has been found that the total energy consumption calculated using grey wolf optimization decreased by 23% as compared to particle swarm optimization and 16% compared to ant lion optimization.

Conclusions
The results suggest that grey wolf optimization is better than the other two techniques due to its social hierarchy and hunting behavior. The findings showed that, compared to well-known heuristics such as particle swarm optimization and ant lion optimization, grey wolf optimization was able to deliver extremely competitive results.

Graphical Abstract
Organophosphate Flame Retardants Excite Arcuate Melanocortin Circuitry and Increase Neuronal Sensitivity to Ghrelin in Adult Mice
Authors: Vail Gwyndolin M , Roepke Troy A 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are a class of chemicals that have become near ubiquitous in the modern environment. While OPFRs provide valuable protection against flammability of household items, they are increasingly implicated as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). We previously reported that exposure to a mixture of OPFRs causes sex-dependent disruptions of energy homeostasis through alterations in ingestive behavior and activity in adult mice. Because feeding behavior and energy expenditure are largely coordinated by the hypothalamus, we hypothesized that OPFR disruption of energy homeostasis may occur through EDC action on melanocortin circuitry within the arcuate nucleus. To this end, we exposed male and female transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein in either neuropeptide Y (NPY) or proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to a common mixture of OPFRs (triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate; each 1 mg/kg bodyweight/day) for 4 weeks. We then electrophysiologically examined neuronal properties using whole-cell patch clamp technique. OPFR exposure depolarized the resting membrane of NPY neurons and dampened a hyperpolarizing K+ current known as the M-current within the same neurons from female mice. These neurons were further demonstrated to have increased sensitivity to ghrelin excitation, which more potently reduced the M-current in OPFR-exposed females. POMC neurons from female mice exhibited elevated baseline excitability and are indicated in receiving greater excitatory synaptic input when exposed to OPFRs. Together, these data support a sex-selective effect of OPFRs to increase neuronal output from the melanocortin circuitry governing feeding behavior and energy expenditure, and give reason for further examination of OPFR impact on human health.