bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency, Timing, and Predictors of Palliative Care Consultation in Patients with Advanced Cancer at a Tertiary Cancer Center: Secondary Analysis of Routinely Collected Health Data
Authors: Watanabe Sharon M. , Faily Viane , Mawani Asifa , Huot Ann , Tarumi Yoko , Potapov Alexei , Fassbender Konrad , Fairchild Alysa , Joy Anil A. , King Karen M. , Roa Wilson , Venner Christopher P. , Baracos Vickie E. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Early integration of palliative care (PC) with oncological care is associated with improved outcomes in patients with advanced cancer. Limited information exists on the frequency, timing, and predictors of PC consultation in patients receiving oncological care. The Cross Cancer Institute (CCI) is the sole tertiary cancer center serving the northern half of the Canadian province of Alberta, located in the city of Edmonton. The objectives of this study were to estimate the proportion of patients with advanced cancer at the CCI who received consultation by the CCI PC program and the comprehensive integrated PC program in Edmonton, and to determine the timing and predictors of consultation.

Materials and Methods
In this secondary analysis of routinely collected health data, adult patients who died between April 2013 and March 2014, and had advanced disease while under the care of a CCI oncologist, were eligible. Data from the Alberta Cancer Registry, electronic medical records, and Edmonton PC program database were linked.

Results
Of 2,253 eligible patients, 810 (36%) received CCI PC consultation. Median time between consultation and death was 2 months (range, 1.1–5.4). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, age, residence, income, cancer type, and interval from advanced cancer diagnosis to death influenced odds of receiving consultation. Among 1,439 patients residing in Edmonton, 1,121 (78%) were referred to the Edmonton PC program.

Conclusion
A minority of patients with advanced cancer received PC consultation at the tertiary cancer center, occurring late in the disease trajectory. Frequency and timing of PC consultation varied significantly, according to multiple factors.

Implications for Practice
Clinical and demographic factors are associated with variations in frequency and timing of palliative care consultation at a cancer center and may, in some cases, reflect barriers to access that warrant attention.
Balon ya da stent yardımlı intrakranial anevrizma tedavisi stabil okluzyonunda koil paket dansitesinin rolü
Authors: ÖNAL Yılmaz , VELİOĞLU Murat 
Published: May 2020

Amaç: Koil paket dansitesinin (KPD) intraktaniyal anevrizma nüksünde önemli bir prediktif faktör olduğu ile ilgili birçok çalışma vardır. Çalışmamızda KPD yoğunluğunun tedavide kullanılan endovasküler tekniğe göre, anevrizma stabil okluzyonundaki rolünü göstermeyi amaçladık.Gereç ve Yöntem: 2018-2019 tarihleri arasında balon ya da stent yardımlı koil embolizasyon ile tedavi edilmiş anevrizmaların retrospektif analizi yapıldı. Tedavi sonrası anevrizma okluzyon değerlendirmesinde Raymond-Roy sınıflaması, anevrizmaların paketleme yoğunluğu için ise AngioCalc serebral ve periferik anevrizma hesaplayıcısı kullanıldı.Bulgular: Çalışmaya 30 hastadaki 31intraserebral anevrizma dahil edildi. Balon yardımlı koil embolizasyon yapılan anevrizma sayısı 18 iken, stent yardımlı embolizasyon yapılan anevrizma sayısı ise 13 idi. Yapılan kontrol görüntülemede balon yardımı kullanılan hastaların %38.8’inde, stent yardımı kullanılan hastaların ise %7.7’sinde rekanalizasyon saptandı. Çalışmamızda mortalite izlenmemiş olup, morbidite oranı %3.3 idi. Sonuç: KPD yoğunluğu, Raymond-Roy Class 1 anevrizma okluzyonu sağlamak için oldukça önemli bir faktördür. Bununla birlikte, anevrizma hacmi arttıkça, yüksek KPD sağlamak zorlaşmakta ve bu durum rekanalizasyon riskini arttırmaktadır. Daha büyük hasta grupları ve daha uzun süreli takipler ile yapılacak çalışmalar, stent yardımlı tedavi edilen anevrizmalarda, stent kullanımının da nüks riskini azalttığını gösterilebilir.
Effects of probiotics on stool frequency in term newborns
Authors: S. Ashiana , S. Gurmeet 
Published: May 2020

Background: Probiotics are live micro-organisms, which if given in the right doses, can be beneficial to their host. They are known for their ability to promote the growth of other micro-organisms and to increase the activity of bacteria in the intestinal microflora. Supplementing infants with probiotics was shown to regulate gastrointestinal motility. They can stimulate intestinal peristalsis, which promotes elimination of bilirubin. Probiotics have been shown to increase intestinal transit time.Methods: This study was conducted in Shri Guru Ram Das Institute of Health Sciences and Research involving 150 term healthy newborns. They were divided into two groups. Group 1 was given probiotics with 10ml distilled water and group 2 was given only 10ml distilled water from 1st to 3rd day of life. Total number of stools passed in a day were recorded from 1st to 7th day of life in both the groups.Results: The mean frequency of stools were 3.76±1.08, 3.72±0.95, 4.02±0.92 in group 1 whereas the mean frequency of stools were 3.31±1.10, 3.39±0.98, 3.45±0.99 on 1st, 2nd, 3rd day of life respectively.Conclusions: Statistically significant increase in frequency of stools were observed in group 1(probiotic group) than group 2 (only distilled water group) on 1st to 3rd day of life.
An observational study to determine the incidence and the clinico-epidemiologic profile of dengue fever in paediatric age group presenting to a tertiary care centre in Western Rajasthan, India
Authors: Kumari Sangeeta , Makwana Mohan , Mourya Harish Kumar , Mitharwal Ramavtar , Ram Shivji , Meena Anju , Patel Polesh 
Published: May 2020

Background: Dengue remains major public health concern because of the expanding geographic distribution of both the virus and the mosquito vector. Aims and objectives was to determine the incidence of dengue fever in paediatric age group presenting to a tertiary care centre in Western Rajasthan and to evaluate the clinico-epidemiologic profile of these children.Methods: This is observational epidemiological study on patients of pediatric age group, over a period of one year.Results: A total of 210 ELISA positive cases, comprising of 55% males and 45% female (Male to female ratio of 1.2:1) were enrolled. In this study most (44.7%) were age group of 10-18 years, 80% patients from urban area, 93.8%. admitted between the months of September to December, 70.95% presented between 3rd to 5th days of their illness, 48 (22.86%) were tourniquet test positive at the time of admission with fever being most common (95.23%) presenting symptom, followed by headache (60%) and vomiting (55%). Almost all (99.52%) had thrombocytopenia (34.2% of them had severe thrombocytopenia), most (85%) had a hospital stay of less than a week, 98.10% patients required fluid therapy for less than 5 days. and a mean of 3.41±2.60 days were required by these patients to recover from significant thrombocytopenia. Here 22% (46) patient’s required ICU care, with shock being main indication for ICU admission, followed by requirement of blood product transfusion (73%). Bleeding manifestations were seen in 73(34%) patients, commonest being the epistaxis in 40 patients (55%).Conclusions: Incidence of dengue was 0.42% with 32.38%patients were IgG ELISA positive also.
A study on risk factors associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia among newborns at tertiary care level in Kerala, India
Authors: S. Chandramohan Reddy , Varghese Sam 
Published: May 2020

Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is defined as serum bilirubin levels >7 mg/dl around 85% of all term newborns and most of the premature babies develop clinical jaundice and various associated risk factors are involved in NNH and treatment for this condition depends on gestational age, serum bilirubin levels at different time interval during early life of these newborns and treating them with phototherapy or exchange transfusion. Objective of the study was to establish the relation with the NNH and risk factors among newborns and treatment with the phototherapy if required.Methods: The present prospective study was conducted at Karuna Medical College, Chittur Palakkad from January 2019 to December 2019. A total of 40 samples which are born during the study period were included in the study. All types of gestations (preterm, full term, post term), both genders (male and female), new-borns with risk factors, serum bilirubin (TSB) >7 mg/dl at 48 hrs of life were included in the studyResults: In our study, female samples consists of 55% and male samples were 45% during the study period minimum gestational age was 35 weeks and maximum was 40 weeks. 5% sample with a serum bilirubin level of 9 mg/dl, with risk factor as a Rh(-ve) incompatibility was treated with phototherapy up to 96 hrs of life.Conclusions: Study conveys various risk factors responsible for NNH and treatment with phototherapy given to the affected new-borns. With good clinical history, risk factors involved in new-borns, antenatal counseling is needed to all pregnant women’s it is necessary to check the serum bilirubin levels and treated with phototherapy to avoid further NNH related complications in the new-borns.
A study on poor prognostic factors associated with ventilator associated pneumonia at a tertiary care hospital
Authors: R. Raveendra K. , Hegde Suraj S. 
Published: May 2020

Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a hospital acquired infection (HAI) seen among critically ill patients, on mechanical ventilation, due to various causes in intensive care units (ICUs). It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality which increases the cost of health care. The aim of this study was to determine the poor prognostic factors associated with VAP.Methods: In this cross-sectional prospective study,40 patients who developed features of ventilator associated pneumonia on a platform of mechanical ventilator for >48 hrs in ICU were included in the study. VAP was then diagnosed based on clinical pulmonary infection scoring system (CPIS) with a score of >=6. All patients were evaluated and correlated with different parameters for the treatment and outcome.Results: Most of the patients had late onset VAP (60.7%) with average number of days being around 8 days. Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Enterobacteriacea, Staphylococcus aureus were commonly isolated organisms. Polymicrobial infections were not detected. Antibiotics like colistin, tigecycline and beta-lactamases are the most commonly effective antibiotics. Of the 40 VAP patients,20 patients survived and 20 died with protocol line of treatment. Following poor prognostic factors were identified-Early onset VAP (42.5%), elderly patients (>65 years) (90%), Type 2 DM (80%), hypertension (70%), prior antibiotic therapy (65%), prolonged supine position (68%) and re-intubation (75%).Conclusions: Ventilator associated pneumonia is associated with a significant increase in length of stay in ICU, time of mechanical ventilation and different complications and certain risk factors further worsens the prognosis.
Serum albumin level as prognostic indicator of acute ischemic stroke in tertiary care hospital admitted patients
Authors: Dash Prafulla Kumar , Behera Smrutiranjan , Sahoo Nirmal Chandra , Rattan Roma , Tripathy Saroj Kumar 
Published: May 2020

Background: Serum Albumin level is an important multifunctional protein in the blood for maintaining the normal permeability across vessel wall by osmotic gradient, in inhibiting platelet aggregation and in reducing blood viscosity. Serum albumin level as a novel parameter for predicting outcome and assessment of severity of coronary artery disease is established. Keeping in mind the scarcity of studies regarding albumin level in ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), present study was undertaken to correlate serum albumin level with clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.Methods: One hundred patients of diagnosed AIS were included in the study. Thorough clinical examination and risk factor profile assessment was done. Severity of stroke was assessed using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Score and then followed up to 1 week and 3 months post-admission with serum albumin level and assessment was done using modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Institutional ethics committee cleared the study.Results: In 100 patients with AIS, 58% were male and 42% were female. Mean age was 65±8.160. Motor weakness (85%) was the commonest presenting symptom. Around 75% of patients revealed infarction in middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. Hypertension (HTN) (74%) was the most frequently associated comorbid condition. Patients with low serum albumin level at admission time were directly proportional to severity of stroke at presentation and poor clinical outcome. 1 week and 3 months follow up mean albumin level (g/dl) was 3.8±0.25 and 3.7±0.23 in patients with poor functional outcome respectively. Significant co-relation between mean serum albumin level and clinical outcome was observed.Conclusions: Serum albumin level is inversely correlated with severity of stroke at presentation and functional outcome in patients on follow up.
Pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical analysis of Punarnava guggulu an ayurvedic polyherbal formulation
Authors: Kakadiya Chaitali , Goyal Mandip , Harisha C. R. , Shukla V. J. 
Published: May 2020

Background: Punarnava Guggulu is a polyherbal formulation mentioned in Bhaishajya Ratnavali containing various Ayurvedic medicinal drugs and specially indicated for the treatment of Amavata and Vatarakta. For assurance of quality of herbal compounds pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical analysis should be done. Methods: Punarnava Guggulu was subjected to microscopic evaluation for Pharmacognostical study, physiochemical analysis like hardness, weight variation, loss on drying, ash value, acid insoluble extract, pH value, water soluble extract, alcohol soluble extract, high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC).Results: Pharmacognostical study showed the presence of certain identifying characters of all of the ingredients of Punarnava Guggulu that is Punarnava, Erandamula, Shunthi, Guggulu, Eranda Tail, Trivruta, Danti, Guduchi, Haritaki, Bibhitaki, Amalaki, Maricha, Pippali, Chitraka, Bhallataka and Vidanga. In pharmaceutical study, preliminary physiochemical analysis showed that hardness of the Vati was 4.05 Kg/cm2, ash value 12.84% w/w, acid insoluble ash value 1.56% w/w, loss on drying 1.6% w/w, water soluble extract 35.93% w/w, alcohol soluble extract 22.14% w/w and HPTLC showed 13 spots in 254nm and 8 spots in 366nm.Conclusions: Present work was carried out to standardize the polyherbal formulation Punarnava Guggulu in terms of its identity, quality and purity. Pharmacognostical and physico-chemical observations revealed the specific characters of all active constituents in the preparation were present in it.
Prospective study of factors affecting medication adherence in diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: Agrawal Navneet , Tiwari Dharmendra 
Published: May 2020

Background: Treatment interruption is an obstacle in therapeutic control of diabetes mellitus. Treatment interruption leads to uncontrolled hyperglycemia which increases the risk of diabetes related complications. Aim of study the factors responsible for the treatment interruptions among the diabetes patients.Methods: Four hundred and ninety-one diabetes patients were studied at Diabetes, obesity and Thyroid center, Gwalior between September 2018 to December 2018. Responses were recorded using a detailed questionnaire consisting of 25 questions. Responses were recorded in terms of Yes or No along with the basic demographic details. Results: Male preponderance was reported (68.4%). Majority were off the diabetes treatment for last 1-5 months (78.8%). Most common response for the treatment interruption was long life medication period (73.7%) followed by the fact that majority were not aware of the consequences of missing the doses (68%), 66.6% due to the side effect of the medication and 57.8% had financial problem.Conclusions: Large number of diabetes patients had poor adherence. There are many modifiable factors which can be improved on individual basis to improve the glycemic outcomes.
User acceptance of ATM biometric authentication
Authors: Rasiah Devinaga , Yee Yen Yuen 
Published: May 2020

Malaysia is amongst one of the first countries in the world to use biometrics as a standard in its identification cards and automatic teller machines (ATMs). Currently, there is a lack of studies in Malaysia and around the world that studied the user acceptance of ATM biometric authentication technology. All previous studies tended to overlook the user acceptance of ATM biometrics authentication which is an increasingly important mechanism to verify user identity in banking industry. Therefore, this study is carried out to examine the key factors of user acceptance of ATM biometric authentication technology in Malaysian banks. The target population of this study was customers of commercial banks in the central region of Malaysia. The participants were randomly selected. The questionnaire was distributed to 200 bank customers who have at least 1-year experience in using ATM biometric authentication. The items in the questionnaire were derived from the extensive survey of relevant literature and oral interview. The findings show that both the performance expectancy and social influence have significant effects on user adoption of ATM biometric authentication.
Keywords: ATM, behavioural intention to use, biometrics, performance expectancy, social influence.
Customer segmentation for churn management by using ant colony algorithm
Authors: Gulluoglu Batuhan , Arifoglu Evren , Karahoca Adem , Karahoca Dilek 
Published: May 2020

It is extremely important for companies to set customer priorities and act in line with these priorities. The ant colony algorithm is used to perform customer segmentation. To do this, the shortest path approach was chosen. Besides, clustering is done by the Euclidean distance formula in the ant colony algorithm. The customer segmentation attributes are mostly related to the satisfaction factors, but some of them were eliminated by using ranker. These results are mostly related to the customerâ€™s income, tenure, equip call card and reside. These attributes are the most important satisfaction factors not to lose customers as expected. There are many reasons in changing GSM operator for subscribers, and it is very important for companies to predict if subscriber will change GSM operator or not. For this reason, companies that give GSM services have to monitor subscribersâ€™ behaviour and predict one step forward. In this study, changing subscribersâ€™ GSM operator will be predicted by using data mining techniques.
Keywords: Ant colony, churn management, customer segmentation, data mining.
Categories: I.2.1, I.2
Psychometric Properties of the Family Stigma in Alzheimer's Disease Scale in Greek Professional Caregivers
Authors: Mantzorou Marianna , Zyga Sofia , Mastrogiannis Dimos , Koukia Evmorfia 
Published: May 2020

Background and PurposesThe present study was undertaken in order to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Family Stigma in Alzheimer's Disease Scale (FS-ADS) in the Greek population.MethodsThe Greek version of the FS-ADS as well as the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was administered to 171 healthcare professional caring for people with dementia. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to examine the factor structure of the FS-ADS. Test–retest reliability was measured by administration of the FS-ADS in 20 individuals.ResultsPrincipal component analysis revealed 5, 8 and 3 factors (subscales) for each dimension of the original questionnaire, respectively, similar to other previously reported results in the literature. The overall Cronbach's α was .899, yielding a high internal consistency. Test–retest reliability was very high (r= 0.903,p< .001). Statistically significant relationships were found between most of the FS-ADS dimensions and Maslach subscales.ConclusionThe findings favor the use of FS-ADS in nurses and professional caregivers in general, for measuring stigma in dementia in Greece.
Evaluation of Ultraviolet-C Light for Rapid Decontamination of Airport Security Bins in the Era of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Cadnum Jennifer , Li Daniel F. , Jones Lucas D. , Redmond Sarah N. , Pearlmutter Basya , Wilson Brigid , Donskey Curtis J. 
Published: May 2020

Background: Contaminated surfaces are a potential source for spread of respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2. Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light is effective against RNA and DNA viruses and could be useful for decontamination of high-touch fomites that are shared by multiple users. Methods: A modification of the American Society for Testing and Materials standard quantitative carrier disk test method (ASTM E-2197-11) was used to examine the effectiveness of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light for rapid decontamination of plastic airport security bins inoculated at 3 sites with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and bacteriophages MS2, PhiX174, and Phi6, an enveloped RNA virus used as a surrogate for coronaviruses. Three log10 reductions on inoculated plastic bins were considered effective for decontamination. Results: UV-C light administered as 10-, 20-, or 30-second cycles in proximity to a plastic bin reduced contamination on each of the test sites, including vertical and horizontal surfaces. The 30-second cycle met criteria for decontamination of all 3 test sites for all the test organisms except bacteriophage MS2 which was reduced by greater than 2 log10 PFU at each site. Conclusions: UV-C light is an attractive technology for rapid decontamination of airport security bins. Further work is needed to evaluate the utility of UV-C light in real-world settings and to develop methods to provide automated movement of bins through a UV-C decontamination process.
Incidence, risk factors and consequences of preterm birth – findings from a multicentric observational study in Nepal
Authors: Gurung Abhishek , Wrammert Johan , Sunny Avinash K , Gurung Rejina , Rana Netra , Basaula Yuba Nidhi , Paudel Prajwal , Pokhrel Amrit , Kc Ashish 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Preterm birth is a worldwide epidemic and a leading cause of neonatal mortality. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and consequences of preterm birth in Nepal.Methods: This was an observational study conducted in 12 public hospitals of Nepal. All the babies born during the study period were included in the study. Babies born <37 weeks of gestation were classified as preterm births. For the association and outcomes for preterm birth, univariate followed by multiple regression analysis was conducted. Results: The incidence of preterm was found to be 93 per 1000 live births. Mothers aged less than 20 years (aOR 1.26 ;1.15-1.39) had a high risk for preterm birth. Similarly, education of the mother was a significant predictor for preterm birth: illiterate mothers (aOR 1.41; 1.22-1.64), literate mothers (aOR 1.21; 1.08-1.35) and mothers having basic level of education (aOR 1.17; 1.07-1.27). Socio-demographic factors such as smoking (aOR 1.13; 1.01-1.26), use of polluted fuel (aOR 1.26; 1.17-1.35) and sex of baby (aOR 1.18; 1.11-1.26); obstetric factors such as nulliparity (aOR 1.33; 1.20-1.48), multiple delivery (aOR 6.63; 5.16-8.52), severe anemia during pregnancy (aOR 3.27; 2.21-4.84), antenatal visit during second trimester (aOR 1.13; 1.05-1.22) and third trimester (aOR 1.24; 1.12-1.38), <4 antenatal visits during pregnancy (aOR 1.49; 1.38-1.61) were found to be significant risk factors of preterm birth. Preterm has a risk for pre-discharge mortality (10.60; 9.28-12.10). Conclusion: In this study, we found high incidence of preterm birth. Various socio-demographic, obstetric and neonatal risk factors were associated with preterm birth. Risk factor modifications and timely interventions will help in the reduction of preterm births and associated mortalities. Trial registration: ISRCTN30829654