bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hormonal Receptors, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 and Triple Negative Immunohistochemical Typing of Women Breast Cancer in Kampala, Uganda.
Authors: Mlole Angela T , Yahaya James , Othieno Emmanuel , Kalungi Sam , Okwi Livex A 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 has been reported to have invaluable prognostic role. This study aimed at determining the expression ER, PR and HER2 in women with breast cancer in Kampala, Uganda.Methods: Expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) was determined immunohistochemically. Logistic regression was performed to determine the effect of the independent factors in predicting the risk of not expressing the breast markers. A two-tailed p<0.05 was regarded to be statistically significant.Results: ER, PR and HER2 were expressed in 53.4%, 46.6% and 18.5%, respectively. Co-expression of ER and PR and triple negative breast cancer was present in 42.7% and 37.9%, respectively. Age was an independent predictor of expression of ER (AOR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.062-0.541, p = 0.002), PR (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.129-0.968, p = 0.043).Conclusion: Majority of patients in this study had less than 50 years and the majority of them had infiltrating ductal carcinoma of no special type with grade 2. Age predicted independently the expression of both ER and PR in our study.
Pathways Leading to Prevention of Fatal and Non Fatal CVDs: An Interaction Model on 15 years Population-Based Cohort study
Authors: Shakibaei Najmeh , Hassannejad Razieh , Mohammadifard Noushin , Marateb Hamid Reza , Mansourian Marjan , Mañanas Miguel Angel , Sarrafzadegan Nizal 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
An extensive study on cardiovascular risk factors interaction seems to be of crucial importance in order to prevent cardiovascular (CVD) events. The main focus of this study is understanding direct and indirect relationships between different CVDs risk factors.
Methods
A longitudinal data on adults aged ≥ 35 years, who were free of CVD at baseline, were used to study. The endpoints were CVD events, while their measurements were demographic, socio-economics, life-style components, laboratory findings, anthropometric measures, psychological factors, and quality of life status. A Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM) was used to determine the relationships among 21 relevant factors associated with total CVD, stroke, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and fatal CVDs.
Results
In this study a total of 3161 individuals with complete information were included in the study. Total 407 CVD events were occurred during follow-up. The causal associations between 6 latent variables were identified in the causal network for fatal and non-fatal CVDs. Lipid profile influences the occurrence of CVD events as the most important, but it did so indirectly mediate through the risky behaviors and comorbidities. Lipid profile at baseline was influenced by a wide range of other protective factors, such as quality of life and healthy life style components.
Conclusions
Analyzing a causal network on risk factors reveals the flow of information in direct and indirect paths, as well as determining predictors and demonstrate the utility of integrating multi-factor data in a complex framework to identify novel candidate preventable pathways to lower risk of CVDs.
Epidemiology of Major Lower Extremity Amputations in Individuals With Diabetes in Austria, 2014-2017: A Retrospective Analysis of Health Insurance Database
Authors: Aziz Faisal , Reichardt Berthold , Sourij Caren , Dimai Hans-Peter , Reichart Daniela , Köhler Gerd , Brodmann Marianne , Sourij Harald 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Previous data show a high incidence of major lower extremity amputations (LEA) in Austria. Moreover, recent data on the epidemiology of major LEA are sparse in the Country. This study estimated the incidence and mortality rates of major LEA and assessed risk factors of post major LEA mortality in individuals with diabetes.Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of 507,180 individuals with diabetes enrolled in the Austrian Health Insurance between 2014 and 2017 was performed. Crude and age-standardized rates of major LEA (hip, femur, knee, lower leg) were estimated by extracting their procedure codes from the database. Short- (30-day, 90-day) and long-term (1-year, 5-year) all-cause cumulative mortality after major LEA was estimated from the date of amputation till the date of death. Poisson regression was performed to compare rates by characteristics and assess the annual trend. The Cox-regression was performed to identify significant risk factors of all-cause mortality after major LEA.Results: A total of 2,165 individuals with diabetes underwent major LEA between 2014 and 2017. The mean age was amputees was 73.0 ±11.3 years, 62.7% were males, and 87.3% had a peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The overall age-standardized rate was 6.44 per 100,000 population. The rate increased with age (p<0.001) and was higher (p<0.001) in males (9.38) than females (5.66). The rate was 5.71 in 2014, 6.86 in 2015, 6.71 in 2016, and 6.66 in 2017, with an insignificant annual change of 3% (p=0.825). The cumulative 30-day mortality was 13.5%, 90-day was 22.0%, 1-year was 34.4%, and 5-year was 66.7%. Age, male sex, above-knee amputation, Charlson index, and heart failure were significantly associated with both short- and long-term mortality. Cancer, dementia, heart failure, PVD, and renal disease were only associated with long-term mortality.Conclusions: The rate of major LEA remained stable between 2014 and 2017 in Austria. Short and long-term mortality rates were considerably high after major LEA. Old age, male sex, above-knee amputations, heart failure, and Charlson Index were significant predictors of both short- and long-term mortality, whereas, comorbidities such as cancer, dementia, PVD, and renal disease were significant predictors of long-term mortality only.
Field Efficacy Evaluation of some Ethnomedicinal Plants Smoke Repellency Against Anopheles arabiensis and Aedes Aaegypt
Authors: Wendimu Abenezer , Tekalign Wondimagegnehu 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Plant products can either be used as an insecticide to kill larvae or adult mosquitoes or as defensive repellents against mosquito bites; depending on the type of activity they have. A present study was carried out to determine the repellence of smoke prepared from burning the plants in a traditional way in order to reduce human-mosquito. Methods: The candidate plant species (Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Ocimum forskolin) leave was grounded and mixed together in an equal amount. The mixed plant powders were checked by the thermal expulsion and burning on the traditional stoves in the field against two important malaria vectors (Anopheles arabiensis and Aedesaegypt). A four-by-four Latin-square design was used to randomly assign treatment and control experimental huts over different nights. In the treatment and control huts, the percentage repellence of the candidate plants mixed powder smoke on mosquito was determined from mosquito catches. Results: On direct burning of the plants' powder, the highest percentage repellency for An. arabiensis (94.7%, P<0.001) and Aedesaegypt (88.4%, P<0.001) recorded. On thermal expulsion also the highest against An. arabiensis (89%, P<0.001) and against Aedesaegypt (92%, P<0.001) were recorded. The plants' mixed powder tested by both methods of application offered significant protection (>85%) against two important mosquito species and thus has the potential to be used at least as an alternative way to control mosquito infestation in an easy manner in economic level.Conclusion: The two methods of application may offer cost-efficient alternatives as additional household protection and as a helpful addition to bed nets, especially for the early part of the evening before bedtime.
Meta-analysis and indirect treatment comparison of modified FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Chen Jiayuan , Hua Qingling , Wang Haihong , Zhang Dejun , Zhao Lei , Yu Dandan , Pi Guoliang , Zhang Tao , Lin Zhenyu 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Modified FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GEM-NAB) have been recommended as first-line therapies for advanced pancreatic cancer (PC) at present. Due to the lack of direct comparison, we conducted this network meta-analysis to indirectly compare the effectiveness and toxicity of modified FOLFIRINOX and GEM-NAB. Methods: The eligible retrospective studies of treatments related to modified FOLFIRINOX and GEM-NAB were searched up to 4 April 2020. We used the frequentist model to analyze the survival and toxicity data between different treatments. Pooled analysis for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and events of toxicity were analyzed in this study.Results: Twenty-two studies including 6351 patients were involved in this network meta-analysis. The comparisons based on OS and PFS showed that modified FOLFIRINOX and GEM-NAB had similar treatment efficacy. But GEM-NAB was more effective than modified FOLFIRINOX based on the result of ORR (RR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.51-0.96). Moreover, our analysis showed a similar toxicity profile between modified FOLFIRINOX and GEM-NAB. Conclusions: Based on current evidence, modified FOLFIRINOX and GEM-NAB were similar in survival and toxicity comparisons. Many factors should be considered for the optimal treatment formulation and our meta-analysis could provide some guidance to treatment selection in the first-line setting for advanced PC.
Health care utilization for patients with stroke: A 3-year cross-sectional study of China’s two urban health insurance schemes across four cities
Authors: Yang Yong , Nicholas Stephen , Li Shuo , Huang Zhengwei , Chen Xiaoping , Ma Yong , Shi Xuefeng 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Stroke is a devastating disease and a major cause of death and disability worldwide. We evaluated differences in stroke patients’ health care utilization by insurance type across four cities in China.
Methods
The data were a 5% random sampling from claims data of China Urban Employees’ Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and Urban Residents’ Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) from 2014 to 2016. The descriptive analyze and interaction actions were mainly conducted.
Results
We found that differences in healthcare utilization and medical expenses varied more across the four cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing, than they did between the UEBMI and URBMI scheme. On average, UEBMI patients had a significantly larger number of outpatient (4.3) and inpatient (1.4) visits per year than the URBMI group (2.0 outpatient and 1.1 inpatient visits per year). UEBMI members’ average length of stay (ALOS) of 18.3 days was significantly longer than the 11 days ALOS of URBMI members. Importantly, the significant differences in healthcare utilization and healthcare expenditures were greater between cities than the average differences between UEBMI and URBMI. Beijing UEBMI outpatient (5.0) and inpatient (1.4) visits and Shanghai UEBMI outpatient (4.8) and inpatient (1.7) visits were significantly higher than Tianjin (3.4 outpatient and 1.4 inpatient visits) and Chongqing (1.8 outpatient and 1.1 inpatient visits). The divergences of UEBMI visits across the four cities were greater than the average UEBMI outpatient (4.3) and inpatient (1.4) visits. ALOS for URBMI Beijing patients (14.8 days) and Shanghai patients (27.7 days) were significantly longer than Tianjin (10.2 days) and Chongqing (10.1 days) URBMI patients. Medical costs, total OOP expenses and OOP reimbursement rates also varied more across the four cities than the average UEBMI or URBMI medical costs, total OOP expenses and reimbursement rates.
Conclusions
The health care utilization of patients with stroke varied by insurance type and city, and the differences in utilization and health care costs across cities was greater than the average difference between UEBMI and URBMI. Launching a new critical illness insurance scheme and further reforming the UEBMI and URBMI schemes would reduce these inter-city differences in health care utilization.
Genetic Variability, Heritability, Genetic advance and Divergence in Ethiopian Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp] Landraces
Authors: Belay Fantaye , Fischa Kibrom 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Information on genetic variability in cowpea germplasm is important for crop improvement and for efficient utilization of the existing genetic resources. Hence, the objectives of the present investigation were to estimate genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and to identify divergent parents from distantly related clusters among Ethiopian cowpea accessions. The field experiment was carried out using 42 accessions at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center on station during the 2019 cropping season. Data were collected for 8 agronomic traits and analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p<0.01) among the accessions for the traits studied. Seed yield had higher genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) coupled with the highest genetic advance as percent of mean (100%). All the traits had moderate (68.01) to very high (99.98%) broad sense heritability. Further, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was attained for days to flowering, grain filling period, plant height, pod length, seed yield and thousand seed weight reflecting the presence of additive gene action for the expression of these traits and improvement of these traits could be done through selection. The cluster analysis based on agronomic traits revealed four distinct groups at 90% similarity level. The highest inter cluster D2 was recorded between cluster III and cluster IV (D2=133.69 units). The range of inter cluster distance was 15.25 to 133.69 units, respectively. In conclusion, the high genetic distance revealed among clusters has to be exploited via crossing and selection of the most divergent parents for future cowpea improvement program.
Clinical trials and drugs cost saving for Italian Health Service
Authors: D’Ambrosio Francesca , De Feo Gianfranco , Botti Gerardo , Capasso Arturo , Pignata Sandro , Maiolino Piera , Triassi Maria , Nardone Antonio , Perrone Franco , Piezzo Michela , Grimaldi Antonio Maria , Palazzo Ida , De Stasio Immacolata , D’Aniello Roberta , Morabito Alessandro , Pascarella Giacomo 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The cost of anticancer drugs is constantly growing. The aim of this study was determine the impact in terms of anticancer drug cost reduction for Italian Health Service due to patient participation in clinical trials.Methods: We evaluated the cost of drugs administered to patients treated in clinical trials at National Cancer Institute of Naples in a four-week period. Patients with diagnosis of different cancers were considered, including adjuvant therapy and treatment for advanced disease, pharma sponsored and investigator initiated phase I, II and III clinical studies. We defined for each patient the expected standard treatment and we calculated the cost of the standard antineoplastic drugs that should be administered in clinical practice outside clinical trials. We used drug’s market price to determine cost saving value. Costs other than drugs were not included in the cost saving calculation.Results: From 23.10.2017 to 17.11.2017, 126 patients were treated in 34 pharma sponsored and investigator initiated clinical trials, by using experimental drugs provided free of charge by the sponsors, for an overall number of 152 cycles of therapy. We calculated that the cost of antineoplastic drugs if these patients would been treated with conventional therapies in clinical practice would account for 517,658 Euros, with an average of 5,487 Euros saved per patients for a period of four weeks.Conclusions: Participating in clinical trials in which investigational antineoplastic drugs are provided free of charge by the Sponsor translates in considerable cost savings, with a tangible benefit in clinical and administrative strategies to reduce drug expenditures.
Understanding the association between antidepressants and the risk of being diagnosed with dementia in older people: a self-controlled case series analysis
Authors: Xu Zhongzhi , Yang Jiannan , Lau Kui Kai , Yip Paul S.F. , Wong Ian C.K. , Zhang Qingpeng 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND

Given concerns about adverse outcomes for older people taking antidepressants in the literature, we investigated whether taking antidepressants elevates the risk of dementia.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based self-controlled case series analysis of older people with dementia and taking antidepressants, using territory-wide medical records of 194,507 older patients collected by the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong, to investigate the association between antidepressant treatment and the risk of developing dementia in older people.

RESULTS

There was a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia during the pre-drug-exposed period (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 20.42 (95% CI: 18.66-22.34)) compared to the non-drug-exposed baseline period. The IRR remained high during the drug-exposed period (IRR 8.86 (7.80-10.06)) before returning to a baseline level after washout (IRR 1.12 (0.77-1.36)).

CONCLUSIONS

The higher risk of dementia before antidepressant treatment may be related to emerging psychiatric symptoms co-occurring with dementia, which trigger medical consultations that result in a decision to begin antidepressants. Our findings do not support a causal relationship between antidepressant treatment and the risk of dementia.
Patients’ experiences of eHealth in palliative care: an integrative review.
Authors: Widberg Cecilia , Wiklund Birgitta , Klarare Anna 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: With a growing world population, a longer life expectancy, and more deaths due to chronic diseases, the need for palliative care is increasing. E-Health involves the use of information and communication technology to provide care, and also to transmit health information through the Internet and related technologies. E-Health can be an effective way of supporting communication between patient and healthcare providers, but it is unclear to how patients regard information and communication technology (ICT) within palliative careMethods: The aim of this study was to describe patients’ experiences of eHealth in palliative care. An integrative review with a systematic literature search of six databases: Cinahl Complete; MEDLINE with Full Text; PubMed; Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection; Nursing and Allied Health; and PsycINFO generated 12 scientific articles. The articles were evaluated, data extracted, analyzed and synthesized, according to the aim.Results: The results are presented in the main theme: E-health applications – promoting communication on patients’ and families’ terms, and three sub- themes: usability and feasibility of eHealth applications; symptom control and individualized care promoted through eHealth applications; and use of eHealth applications increased sense of security and patient safety. Patients described ease of use, usability and feasibility of eHealth applications. Equal and individualized care, security, better symptom management, participation through increased accessibility and increased patient safety were described.Conclusions: E-Health applications promoted equal, individualized care, and may be a tool to promote accessibility and patient participation in palliative care settings. Furthermore, care transparency increased with eHealth communication when patients and families received more information, and experiences were that patient safety and feelings of security also were promoted. At organizational and societal levels, eHealth may contribute to sustainable development and more efficient use of resources in palliative care.
Precipitation of low-temperature disordered dolomite induced by extracellular polymeric substances of methanogenic ArchaeaMethanosarcina barkeri: Implications for sedimentary dolomite formation
Authors: Zhang Fangfu , Xu Huifang , Shelobolina Evgenya S. , Konishi Hiromi , Roden Eric E. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA correlation between methanogenesis and dolomite formation has been reported; however, the mechanism underlying this association is not fully understood. In this study, we conducted forced carbonate precipitation experiments at room temperature in calcite-seeded Ca/Mg carbonate solutions containing either purified non-living biomass or bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of the methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri. Purified non-living biomass and bound EPS was used so as to avoid the possible influence of the complex components of the growing microbial culture on carbonate crystallization. Our results demonstrated that non-living biomass of M. Barkeri can enhance the Mg incorporation into calcitic structure and induce the crystallization of disordered dolomite. In the presence of ~113 mg L–1 of non-living biomass, disordered dolomite with ~41 and 45 mol% of MgCO3 was precipitated in solutions with initial Mg:Ca ratios of 5:1 and 8:1, respectively. A systematic increase in the MgCO3 contents of the precipitated Ca-Mg carbonates was also observed with the increased non-living biomass concentration. Bound EPS was shown to be the component of non-living biomass that catalyzed the precipitation of disordered dolomite. At only ~25 mg L–1 of bound EPS, disordered dolomite with ~47 and 48 mol% of MgCO3 was precipitated in solutions with initial Mg:Ca ratios of 5:1 and 8:1, respectively. We propose that adsorption of bound EPS to growing carbonate surfaces through hydrogen bonding is the key to catalyzing disordered dolomite crystallization, and that this mechanism is also applicable to natural EPS-induced dolomite formation. This study provides significant insight into the formation mechanism of microbial-induced dolomite with high δ13C values.
Phase transitions in ε-FeOOH at high pressure and ambient temperature
Authors: Thompson Elizabeth C. , Davis Anne H. , Brauser Nigel M. , Liu Zhenxian , Prakapenka Vitali B. , Campbell Andrew J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractConstraining the accommodation, distribution, and circulation of hydrogen in the Earth's interior is vital to our broader understanding of the deep Earth due to the significant influence of hydrogen on the material and rheological properties of minerals. Recently, a great deal of attention has been paid to the high-pressure polymorphs of FeOOH (space groups P21nm and Pnnm). These structures potentially form a hydrogen-bearing solid solution with AlOOH and phase H (MgSiO4H2) that may transport water (OH–) deep into the Earth's lower mantle. Additionally, the pyrite-type polymorph (space group Pa3 of FeOOH), and its potential dehydration have been linked to phenomena as diverse as the introduction of hydrogen into the outer core (Nishi et al. 2017), the formation of ultralow-velocity zones (ULVZs) (Liu et al. 2017), and the Great Oxidation Event (Hu et al. 2016). In this study, the high-pressure evolution of FeOOH was re-evaluated up to ~75 GPa using a combination of synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and optical absorption spectroscopy. Based on these measurements, we report three principal findings: (1) pressure-induced changes in hydrogen bonding (proton disordering or hydrogen bond symmetrization) occur at substantially lower pressures in ε-FeOOH than previously reported and are unlikely to be linked to the high-spin to low-spin transition; (2) ε-FeOOH undergoes a 10% volume collapse coincident with an isostructural Pnnm → Pnnm transition at approximately 45 GPa; and (3) a pressure-induced band gap reduction is observed in FeOOH at pressures consistent with the previously reported spin transition (40 to 50 GPa).