bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intention to Seek Regular HIV and Syphilis Testing and Associated Factors Among Female Sex Workers in Uganda
Authors: Muhindo Richard , Castelnuovo Barbara , Mujugira Andrew , Sewankambo Nelson K. , Parkes-Ratanshi Rosalind , Kiguli Juliet , Tumwesigye Nazarius Mbona , Nakku-Joloba Edith 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Few studies have evaluated intentions to undergo periodic sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing among female sex workers (FSW) in Sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to assess intention to seek periodic syphilis and HIV testing among FSW in Uganda. Methods: Between July and October 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 441 FSW. Participants were recruited through peer referrals. Self-reported data on intention to take a syphilis test in the next 3 months and an HIV test in next 6 months were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. We used constructs of the Integrated Change Model to assess intentions, attitudes, norms, social influences and self-efficacy towards 3-monthly syphilis and 6-monthly HIV testing. Predictors of intention to seek testing were estimated using linear regression.Results: A total of 441 FSW were included in the analysis, and the median age was 26 years (interquartile range [IQR] 23–30). Most (66.9%) reported high intention to take an HIV test in the next 6 months, and 51.9% showed high intention to take a serological syphilis test in the next 3 months. In multivariable analysis, never testing for HIV was associated with low intention of testing (β=-0.15, p=0.001). Factors significantly associated with high intentions to test for HIV in the next 6 months were perceived influence of significant others (β=0.08, p=0.03), high self-efficacy (β=0.26, p=0.001) and high attitude scores (β=0.45, p=0.001). Similarly, high attitude (β=0.30, P=0.001) and descriptive norms (β=0.32, P=0.001) were associated with high intentions to test for syphilis in the next three months. Conclusion: These results suggest public health programs promoting routine HIV and syphilis testing should consider factors such as attitudes, descriptive norms, social influences, self-efficacy and past behaviours which inform intention to undergo STI testing.
Clients Input Improves Satisfaction on HIV and AIDS Program
Authors: Chidzambwa Lawrence , Kassam Ilm 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: AIDS Vancouver is a donor funded non-profit organization that supports people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). Like many health providers there is need to look for effective less costly methods of not only delivering services but improve the quality and coverage as well. Literature indicates that the participation of clients is an effective low-cost method of improving service. PLWHA are reluctant to participate in client input initiatives because of negative reactions in society to their condition. Innovative methods to engage clients need to be utilized.Methods: An initial survey was conducted to determine the base satisfaction level. The survey also indicated areas for improvement. Consultation sessions were conducted with clients, volunteers and staff on which issues to tackle and how. This process has been repeated for three consecutive years. Appreciative Inquiry (AI)and Social Constructivism (SC) theories were selected as guidelines on client engagement. AI was selected to encourage participants to use the strengths and resources around them to improve the program. Social Constructivism was selected for its ability to combine individual perspectives in constructing meaning that is acceptable to all participants.Results: Annual surveys have become a useful tool to determine the client satisfaction level on the program. They have also highlighted the dynamic issues related to supporting our clients. The follow-up consultation sessions have generated 41 proposals of which 26 have been implemented successfully. Client satisfaction is up, client participation in running the program continues to grow. The cost implications are minimal, yet the benefits are significant. Client participation raised program satisfaction level by 16 percentage points after one year and has maintained the satisfaction level high in two consecutive years.Conclusions: Client participation was essential in improving the satisfaction level of the program. It was important to create the space for clients to participate and also build trust with clients. Clients have a lot of knowledge about their conditions and provide valuable input. Their contribution is mainly on social aspects rather than technical aspects. These social aspects are essential in improving the client experience and need to be included in improvement initiatives.
Theory, practice, and politics - Policy decision-making process based on epidemiology and public health evidence proved to be feasible in multistage research on blood-borne infections in Poland.
Authors: GĘBSKA-KUCZEROWSKA ANITA , Gajda Robert 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background That it is necessary to involve several stakeholders in a decision-making process. This study presented a research methodology used to prepare the proposal of assumptions regarding the strategy for preventing blood-borne diseases in Poland. Methods The project was carried out from 18th July to 30th November 2016. The tasks under that project were assigned to an outsourcing company to avoid the tendency in respondents’ answers. The research was divided into three stages. The first stage diagnosed the problem from the perspectives of service providers, practitioners, and epidemiologists – persons who encounter problems related to blood-derivative infections at work. The second stage involved analysis at the level of local and country health policy – the institution of supervision, authorities, and administration through the engagement of experts, and public healthcare specialists. In the third stage, decision makers were interviewed (key representatives– that is, the opinions of leaders were sought) and asked to summarize and define priorities regarding conclusions determined in the earlier phases of the project, i.e., during the first and second stages. Results The final output of the entire project is a list of key problems/challenges and solution proposals associated with medical and nonmedical services that are connected to the breakage of tissue continuity. Conclusions Results composed from the multi-stage survey regarded proposed assumptions for the strategy for the prevention of blood-borne infections in Poland. Statistical data allowed the assessment of the health effects, while the methodology applied also allowed diagnosis of the processes leading to these effects.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Errors in Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia: a Multicenter Survey
Authors: Antonaci Fabio , Arceri Sebastiano , Rakusa Martin , Mitsikostas Dimos D. , Milanov Ivan , Todorov Vasil , Ramusino Matteo Cotta , Costa Alfredo 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Classical Trigeminal neuralgia (CTN) is a severe, disabling form of painful cranial neuropathy. Even though CTN has a typical clinical picture, diagnosis it is often missed or delayed in clinical practice. This study was carried over to investigate the occurrence of diagnostic and therapeutic errors in CNT. Methods We studied 102 patients suffering from CTN recruited through a multicentric survey. All the patients were evaluated using telephone/frontal interviews conducted by headache/pain specialists using an ad hoc questionnaire. Results Patients were mostly females (F:M ratio 2.64:1); in 50% of cases age ranged between 51 and 70 years. Eighty-six percent of the patients consulted a physician at the time they experienced the first pain attacks. Specialists consulted before CTN diagnosis was finally made were: primary care physicians (43.1%), dentists (in 30.4% of cases), otorhinolaryngologists (3.9%), neurosurgeons (3.9%), neurologists or headache specialists (14.7%), others (8%). In most cases (85.3%) the final diagnosis was made by a neurologist or headache specialist, and the mean interval between the disease onset and the specialist consultation was 10.8±21.2 months. The correct diagnosis were made after 7.2±12.5 months, being the misdiagnoses at the first consultation in 42.1% of cases. Ten patients underwent erroneous dental extraction. Instrumental and laboratory investigations were carried out in 93.1% of the patients before the final diagnosis of CTN. Conclusions Our results emphasize the need to improve the neurological knowledge in order to promptly recognize the clinical picture of CTN and properly adhere to the specific treatment guidelines.
Superb micro-vascular imaging of placental microcirculation in pregnant women with preeclampsia
Authors: Huang Dai , Liu Dongxia , Jin Ying , Sun Li , Chen Lina , Li Ningning , Xue Hongyuan , Ye Yuquan , Wang Li 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the association of placental microcirculation with the risk of preeclampsia using superb micro-vascular imaging (SMI).Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 2017 with 38 healthy pregnant women and 37 women with preeclampsia from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Hebei General Hospital. The vessel counts per unit area (n/cm2) and the hemodynamic parameters of the central part of the placenta microartery, including the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI), peak systolic velocity and diastolic velocity ratio (S/D), and time average velocity (TAV), were evaluated using superb micro-vascular imaging (SMI). The expression of CD34 in the placental tissue and the microvessel density were also calculated.Results: The mean ages of women in the case and control groups were 31.43 and 31.24 years, respectively. Crude analyses indicated that women with preeclampsia were associated with a lower TAV (p<0.001) and vessel counts per unit area (p<0.001), whereas no significant differences were found between groups for PI (p=0.849), RI (p=0.069), and S/D (p=0.129) under SMI. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that RI (OR: 309.94; 95%CI: 2.97-32369.62; p=0.016), TAV (OR: 0.51; 95%CI: 0.36-0.71; p<0.001), and vessel counts per unit area (OR: 0.01; 95%CI: 0.00-0.86; p=0.042) under SMI were associated with the risk of preeclampsia, whereas PI (OR: 0.05; 95%CI: 0.00-1.34; p=0.074) and S/D (OR: 1.08; 95%CI: 0.39-2.96; p=0.885) under SMI were not associated with the risk of preeclampsia. Finally, the microvessel density of placental tissue in the preeclampsia group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p<0.001).Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that RI, TAV, and vessel counts per unit area under SMI could reflect placental microcirculation in pregnant women with preeclampsia.
CENPF driven lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma with immune infiltrates
Authors: Li Lei , Zheng Pengfei 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: CENPF (centromere protein F) is a critical gene that associates with the centromere-kinetochore complex and plays an important role in the tumor development. However, the associations of CENPF expression and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in lung cancer remain unknown. Methods: CENPF expression and prognostic factor was analyzed via the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) site. The correlation between CENPF and cancer immune infiltrates was investigated via and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) site. Further, correlations between CENPF expression and gene marker sets of immune infiltrates were analyzed by TIMER. Results: The TCGA database of Lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD) and Lung squamous cell carcinoma(LUSC) patients showed that high CENPF expression was associated with poorer overall survival (OS HR=1.5,P=0.01) and disease-free survival (DFS HR=1.4,P=0.027) in LUAD. Specifically, high CENPF expression have no correlated with worse OS(OS HR=0.78,P=0.071) and DFS(DFS HR=1,P=0.87) in LUSC. CENPF expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of B cells, macrophage in LUAD, B cells, and CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells (DCs) in LUSC. CENPF expression showed strong correlations with diverse immune marker sets in LUAD, and LUSC. After down-regulating the expression of CENPF, the proliferative capacity of Lung adenocarcinoma and Lung squamous cell carcinoma cells was inhibited. Conclusions: This report suggest that CENPF is high expression, correlated with poor prognosis and immune infiltrating levels of, including those of B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and DCs in in LUAD and LUSC. In addition, CENPF expression is potentially closely related to the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells. These studies suggest that CENPF can be used as a new prognostic target for determining prognosis and immune infiltration in Lung adenocarcinoma and Lung squamous cell carcinoma.
Awareness of prenatal genetic tests and attitude towards termination of pregnancy regarding fetal congenital heart defects among clinicians in China: a multi-center cross-sectional study
Authors: wang jian , li zhuoyan , yang jianping , lu yanan , wu yurong , xie ailan , zhang yongwei , chai jiannong , han bo , zhou yuqing , li tiangang , chen sun , sun kun 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: This study was aim to figure out the level of awareness about providing genetic tests and the attitude towards termination of pregnancy (TOP) regarding fetal congenital heart defects (CHD) among clinicians in China.Methods: A total of 501 clinicians were divided into 2 groups: clinicians whose working hospital were available of prenatal genetic service were assigned into group 1, whose working hospital were not available of prenatal genetic service were assigned to group 2. The level of awareness and the attitude were evaluated according to scores of a questionnaire. Results: Among the 501 total clinicians, only 27.94% received a high score and 53.09% received a medium score, indicating a low level of awareness about prenatal genetic tests among clinicians. 31.62% clinicians in group 1, but only 24.19% in group 2 showed good awareness of providing genetic tests (P=0.023). About 44.3% of clinicians in group 1, but only by 29.4% of those in group 2 held optimistic attitudes towards minor CHDs and were less favor of TOP in minor CHDs (P=0.023). Conclusion: Prenatal genetic tests and counseling in hospital are necessary and should be improved in the management of fetal CHD in China.
DBT-based skills training for family members of suicidal patients - open clinical feasibility trial in a psychiatric outpatient context’
Authors: Rajalin Mia , Hirvikoski Tatja , Salander-Renberg Ellinor , Jokinen Jussi 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: The involvement of significant others is an objective in suicide prevention and there is a need for development of interventions for this group. The aim of this open naturalistic study was to evaluate the feasibility and the preliminary efficacy of Family Connections (FC) for significant others of suicidal patients, a nine-week manualized skills training program based on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in a clinical context.Methods: The intervention program aims to enhance the knowledge of symptoms and behaviors connected with attempted suicide. Furthermore it introduces stress-coping strategies and emotion regulation skills. Out of 132 participants in total, 104 (79%) completed the program. Included in the analysis were the 86 (65%) participants who completed the program and also had both pre- and post-intervention assessments. The Burden Assessment scale (BAS), the Questions About Family Members scale (QAFM), and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), were used to assess perceived burden, relationship climate and five facets of mindfulness respectively. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in perceived burden, measured with BAS and a significant change in the mindfulness scale FFMQ subscale Acting with Awareness, which indicates an enhanced ability to be present in the moment. None of the four subscales in QAFM showed significant changes between the pre- and post-intervention assessments.Conclusions: The results support the feasibility and potential value of the implementation of an intervention for significant others of suicidal patients in psychiatric care. Randomized controlled studies are needed to generate further evidence.
Prevalence And Factors Associated With Depression Among Medical Students In Africa; A Systematic Review Study
Authors: Ngasa Stewart Ndutard , Sama Carlson Babila , Dzekem Bonoventure Suiru , Chang Neh , Tindong Maxime , Neba Kilton Nforchu 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Depression in its severe form can lead to suicide. In Africa, a couple of studies have been carried to evaluate depression in medical students. These studies have provided variable findings on the prevalence of depression in medical students and associated factors. Given the considerable variability and somewhat controversial findings in the different studies, there is a need for a systematic review study to critically appraise the existing literature.Methods: This was a systematic review of studies published between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2019 in the selected databases. We used Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) combining relevant keywords to search the databases.Results: Data was extracted from 4 studies included in this review involving a total number of 1848 medical students. The prevalence of depressive symptoms range from 23.3 to 76.5% and major depression was reported in 15.6% and 30.6% of participants in 2 studies. Female gender and being a student in higher level of studies were significantly associated with depression in all included studies. Other factors associated with higher levels of depression included smoking, alcohol consumption, being unmarried, major life events, presence of other mental health condition and the presence of chronic medical condition.Conclusion: Despite paucity of research on depression among medical students in Africa, this review shows that depressive symptoms are common and associated with a number of socioeconomic factors. Being a female student and/or higher level of medical education is associated with depression. There is need for more robust studies to evaluate the impact of depression on medical students.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio exhibits the different correlation with psychiatric symptoms in the different status of antipsychotic therapy in schizophrenia: a large-scale retrospective cross-sectional study.
Authors: Shen Hong , Zhou Xia , Wang Xiaolan , Li Rui , Xiao Ying , Li Weiguang 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background There are some conflicting results regarding the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the severity of disease in patients with schizophrenia. Inconsistent findings among the studies might be caused by several limitations, such as, heterogeneous patient populations lacking stratification by antipsychotic therapy, small sample sizes lacking statistical power, ignoring multicollinearity between NLR and other related factors, and lack of controlling for potential confounding factors. In this study, we evaluated the possible correlation between NLR and disease severity as manifested in clinical scores in patients with schizophrenia. In particular, NLR is correlated with discrepant psychiatric symptoms in the different status of antipsychotic medication administration. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in our hospital. We identified inpatients with schizophrenia between July 12, 2018 and March 27, 2019 and who had NLR, Clinical Global Impression Severity scale (CGIS) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores. Results The records of 1144 identified patients (32.4% male, 76.6% with NLR ≤ 1.98, and 10.8% drug-free patients) were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression showed that NLR was positively associated with worse psychiatric symptoms, both the CGIS score (moderately ill: OR: 63.578, p = 0.011; severely ill: OR: 53.617, p = 0.015) and the BPRS total score (moderately ill: OR: 4.049, p = 0.055; severely ill: OR: 4.312, p = 0.045). In the drug-therapy subgroup, there was a negative correlation between NLR and severe negative symptoms (severely ill: OR: 0.850, p = 0.018) after controlling for potential confounding factors. Conclusions The study is the first to confirm the hypothesis that NLR is independently associated with severe psychopathology in schizophrenia. There is the different correlation between NLR and psychiatric symptoms in the different status of antipsychotic therapy. Therefore, NLR is not appropriate to be an inflammatory biomarker for assessment of disease severity, but provide potential mechanistic insights on specific pathological cellular processes, as well be a potential target to improve the course of the psychotic disorder.
Development of a Food Image Recognition Algorithm Using Machine Learning
Authors: Assaad Serge , Carin Lawrence , Viera Anthony Joseph 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Researchers and consumers have limited options for objectively collecting or tracking data related to food choices. Objective: To develop and pilot test an algorithm that could accurately categorize food items from a meal photograph. Methods: We used a dataset of 7721 meal photographs taken by patrons in a cafeteria setting. We designed 22 broad categories recognizable by image that are parents of the original 1239 types of items in the photographs. We split the dataset into 3 mutually exclusive subsets: a training set (5250 images), a validation set (1312 images), and a test set (1159 images). Using a convolutional neural network and standard machine learning techniques, we tested the operating characteristics of the algorithm. Results: Salad recognition had the lowest specificity (0.74), while multiple categories had specificities close to 1.0 (e.g. cereals, pastries, sushi, yogurt). Areas under the ROC curve (AUCs), reflecting trade-offs between sensitivity and specificity, ranged from 0.73 (for yogurt) to 0.97 (for sushi). Conclusions: This work provides proof-of-concept for an algorithm that can categorize food items from a meal photograph.