bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of survival pattern and its predictors among HIV positive patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy in Southern Ethiopia public health facilities: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kebede Abewa , Tessema Fasil , Bekele Gadisa , Kura Zerihun , Merga Hailu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
In resource poor countries like Ethiopia, little is known about the survival of patients treated with antiretroviral therapy which depends on different factors. Evidence shows that mortality has been high particularly in the first 3 to 6 months of initiating antiretroviral therapy. Hence, the study aimed to assess the Epidemiology of survival pattern and its determinants among adult HIV positive patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Methods
Retrospective cohort study was employed among a total of 455 records of patients who were enrolled on antiretroviral therapy from September 2006 to August 2010. Socio-demographic, clinical, immunological, behavioral, and date of antiretroviral treatment initiation including date of follow up status were extracted. Significant predictor variables were identified by fitting Cox’s proportional hazard model using a backward stepwise method and statistical significance variables were declared based on a p-value less than 0.05.

Results
A total of 455 adult HIV/AIDS patients on ART contributed to 886.05-person-year of observation and 65.7% were alive and on treatment, 17.1% were lost to follow up and 7.5% died. The study showed that the estimated mortality was 4.4%, 5.3%, 6.1%, 7%, 7.5% and 7.5% at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months of follow up period, respectively. The overall incidence rate of mortality was 4.2 per 100 person-years of observation. In multivariate analysis age 45 and above (AHR: 3.72, 95% CI 1.21–11.4), bedridden functional status (AHR: 17.4, 95% CI 6.21–48.79), poor ART drug adherence (AHR: 4.52,95% CI 2.05–9.96), Tuberculosis co-infection (AHR: 4.1, 95% CI 1.84–9.13), non-disclosure (AHR: 4.9, 95% CI 1.82–12.89) and severe anemia (AHR: 5.1, 95% CI 1.81–14.21) were found predictors.

Conclusion
Patients with older age, tuberculosis infection, bedridden patients and severe anemia were predictors. Tracing poorly adhered patients and giving drug counseling as well as encouraging them for disclosure to their families is crucial to improve their survival.
AIV polyantigen epitope expressed by recombinant baculovirus induces a systemic immune response in chicken and mouse models
Authors: Yu Lei , Pan Jun , Cao Guangli , Jiang Mengsheng , Zhang Yunshan , Zhu Min , Liang Zi , Zhang Xing , Hu Xiaolong , Xue Renyu , Gong Chengliang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
The protective efficacy of avian influenza virus (AIV) vaccines is unsatisfactory due to the presence of various serotypes generated by genetic reassortment. Thus, immunization with a polyantigen chimeric epitope vaccine may be an effective strategy for protecting poultry from infection with different AIV subtypes.

Methods
Baculovirus has recently emerged as a novel and attractive gene delivery vehicle for animal cells. In the present study, a recombinant baculovirus BmNPV-CMV/THB-P10/CTLT containing a fused codon-optimized sequence (CTLT) of T lymphocyte epitopes from H1HA, H9HA, and H7HA AIV subtypes, and another fused codon-optimized sequence (THB) of Th and B cell epitopes from H1HA, H9HA, and H7HA AIV subtypes, driven by a baculovirus P10 promoter and cytomegalovirus CMV promoter, respectively, was constructed.

Results
Western blotting and cellular immunofluorescence demonstrated that the CTLT (THB) can be expressed in rBac-CMV/THB-P10/CTLT-infected silkworm cells (mammalian HEK293T cells). Furthermore, the recombinant virus, rBac-CMV-THB-CTLT, was used to immunize both chickens and mice.

Conclusions
The results of an indirect ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and T lymphocyte proliferation assay indicated that specific humoral and cellular responses were detected in both chicken and mice. These results suggest that rBac-CMV/THB-P10/CTLT can be developed as a potential vaccine against different AIV subtypes.
Association of hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype with renal function impairment: a cross-sectional study in a population of Chinese adults
Authors: Qiu Yun , Zhao Qi , Wang Na , Yu Yuting , Wang Ruiping , Zhang Yue , Cui Shuheng , Zhu Meiying , Liu Xing , Jiang Yonggen , Zhao Genming 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundHypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype has been suggested as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is limited evidence on the relationship of triglyceride waist phenotypes with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) status and severity. Our aim was to explore the associations of triglyceride waist phenotypes with reduced eGFR and various decreased eGFR stages among Chinese adults.MethodsA population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among Chinese participants aged 20–74 years from June 2016 to December 2017 in Shanghai, China. An eGFR value below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2was defined as decreased eGFR. HTGW phenotype was defined as triglyceride (TG) ≥1.7 mmol/L and a waist circumference (WC) of ≥90 cm for men and ≥ 80 cm for women. We examined the association of triglyceride waist phenotypes with decreased eGFR risk using the weighted logistic regression models.ResultsA total of 31,296 adults were included in this study. Compared with normal TG level/normal WC (NTNW) phenotype, normal TG level/enlarged WC (NTGW) and elevated TG level/enlarged WC (HTGW) phenotypes were associated with the increased risk of decreased eGFR. Multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CI) associated with NTGW, elevated TG level/normal WC (HTNW), and HTGW phenotypes were 1.75 (1.41–2.18), 1.29 (0.99–1.68), and 1.99 (1.54–2.58), respectively. These associations between triglyceride waist phenotypes and decreased eGFR risk remained across almost all the subgroups, including sex, age, BMI, T2DM, and hypertension. HTGW phenotype was consistently positively associated with the risk of mildly and moderately decreased eGFR, but not with severely decreased eGFR risk.ConclusionsHTGW was consistently associated with the increased risk of decreased eGFR and various decreased eGFR stages, except for severely decreased eGFR. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm our findings and to investigate the underlying biological mechanisms.
The role of shared decision-making in improving adherence to pharmacological treatments in patients with schizophrenia: a clinical review
Authors: Fiorillo Andrea , Barlati Stefano , Bellomo Antonello , Corrivetti Giulio , Nicolò Giuseppe , Sampogna Gaia , Stanga Valentina , Veltro Franco , Maina Giuseppe , Vita Antonio 
Published: August 2020

AbstractShared decision-making (SDM) is a process in which the doctor provides clear and complete medical information to patients about their treatment, and patients provide information on his/her preferences. Patients and clinicians bring different, but equally important, knowledge to the decision-making process. Through the adoption of SDM, it should be possible to overcome the barriers that hinder the acceptance of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) by patients, and often also by psychiatrists. The present paper is a critical appraisal of recent literature on the impact of SDM in improving adherence to pharmacological treatments and in implementing the use of LAIs in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. SDM is recognized as a promising strategy to improve collaboration between clinicians and patients in achieving recovery. When considering drug treatments, clinicians must evaluate the patient’s preferences, expectations and concerns towards the development of a personalized treatment strategy. Moreover, an active involvement in the decision process could reduce the patient’s perception of being coerced into the use of LAIs. Involving patients in the choice of therapy is not sufficient to increase pharmacological adherence if, at the same time, there is no constant work of comparison and communication with the reference psychiatric team. SDM can be particularly effective for LAI prescription, since patient can have prejudices and unjustified fears related to the LAI formulation, which the doctor must resolve.
Carbon ion reirradiation compared to intensity-modulated re-radiotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer (CARE): a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Held Thomas , Lang Kristin , Regnery Sebastian , Weusthof Katharina , Hommertgen Adriane , Jäkel Cornelia , Tonndorf-Martini Eric , Krisam Johannes , Plinkert Peter , Zaoui Karim , Freudlsperger Christian , Moratin Julius , Krauss Jürgen , Harrabi Semi B. , Herfarth Klaus , Debus Jürgen , Adeberg Sebastian 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Intensity-modulated re-radiotherapy (reIMRT) has been established as a standard local treatment option in patients with non-resectable, recurrent head and neck cancer (rHNC). However, the clinical outcome is unfavorable and severe toxicities (≥grade III) occurred in 30–40% of patients. The primary aim of the current trial is to investigate carbon ion reirradiation (reCIRT) compared to reIMRT in patients with rHNC regarding safety/toxicity as well as local control, overall survival (OS), and quality of life (QoL).

Methods
The present trial will be performed as a single center, two-armed, prospective phase II study. A maximum of 72 patients will be treated with either reIMRT or reCIRT to evaluate severe (≥grade III) treatment-related toxicities (randomization ratio 1:1). The primary target value is to generate less than 35% acute/subacute severe toxicity (≥grade III), according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0, within 6 months after study treatment. The total dose of reirradiation will range between 51 and 60 Gy or Gy (RBE), depending primarily on the radiotherapy interval and the cumulative dose to organs at risk. Individual dose prescription will be at the discretion of the treating radiation oncologist. The local and distant progression-free survival 12 months after reirradiation, the OS, and the QoL are the secondary endpoints of the trial. Explorative trial objectives are the longitudinal investigation of clinical patient-related parameters, tumor parameters on radiological imaging, and blood-based tumor analytics.

Discussion
Recent retrospective studies suggested that reCIRT could represent a feasible and effective treatment modality for rHNC. This current randomized prospective trial is the first to investigate the toxicity and clinical outcome of reCIRT compared to reIMRT in patients with rHNC.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT04185974; December 4th 2019.
Traditional Chinese medicine for anti-Alzheimer’s disease: berberine and evodiamine from Evodia rutaecarpa
Authors: Fang Zhiling , Tang Yuqing , Ying Jiaming , Tang Chunlan , Wang Qinwen 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common diseases in elderly people with a high incidence of dementia at approximately 60–80%. The pathogenesis of AD was quite complicated and currently there is no unified conclusion in the academic community, so no efficiently clinical treatment is available. In recent years, with the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), researchers have proposed the idea of relying on TCM to prevent and treat AD based on the characteristic of multiple targets of TCM. This study reviewed the pathological hypothesis of AD and the potential biomarkers found in the current researches. And the potential targets of berberine and evodiamine fromEvodia rutaecarpain AD were summarized and further analyzed. A compound-targets-pathway network was carried out to clarify the mechanism of action of berberine and evodiamine for AD. Furthermore, the limitations of current researches on the TCM and AD were discussed. It is hoped that this review will provide some references for development of TCM in the prevention and treatment of AD.
The association of depression, loneliness and internet addiction levels in patients with acne vulgaris
Authors: Öztekin Coşkun , Öztekin Aynure 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Acne vulgaris is a very common skin disorder that has negative effects on the mood, self image and social relations of the patients. We want to evaluate the effects of acne vulgaris and its severity on depression, loneliness, internet addiction levels, and the quality of life of young adult females.

Methods
Two hundred three female acne vulgaris patients and 202 healthy controls who admitted to the dermatology clinic of a university hospital formed the study sample. Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) was used to assess the severity of acne. The Young Internet Addiction Scale-Short Form (YIAS-SF), The Acne Quality of Life Scale (AQLS), The University of California Los Angeles-Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS), and The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to collect information about the patients.

Results
The median BDI and the mean UCLA-LS and YIAS-SF scores were higher in the Acne group than those in the control group. The correlations between acne severity and the 3 scales were not significant but the correlations between AQLS and BDI, UCLA-LS, and YIAS-SF were highly significant. In multiple regression analysis, age and the BDI score predicted the YIAS-SF score significantly.

Conclusions
Our findings support the previous findings that acne vulgaris patients are prone to depression and loneliness, and expand these findings to the vulnerability against internet addiction. Loneliness and depression should be assessed and, if found, targeted by psychological means to prevent internet addiction in acne vulgaris patients.
The obesity paradox in critically ill patients: a causal learning approach to a casual finding
Authors: Decruyenaere Alexander , Steen Johan , Colpaert Kirsten , Benoit Dominique D. , Decruyenaere Johan , Vansteelandt Stijn 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
While obesity confers an increased risk of death in the general population, numerous studies have reported an association between obesity and improved survival among critically ill patients. This contrary finding has been referred to as the obesity paradox. In this retrospective study, two causal inference approaches were used to address whether the survival of non-obese critically ill patients would have been improved if they had been obese.

Methods
The study cohort comprised 6557 adult critically ill patients hospitalized at the Intensive Care Unit of the Ghent University Hospital between 2015 and 2017. Obesity was defined as a body mass index of ≥ 30 kg/m2. Two causal inference approaches were used to estimate the average effect of obesity in the non-obese (AON): a traditional approach that used regression adjustment for confounding and that assumed missingness completely at random and a robust approach that used machine learning within the targeted maximum likelihood estimation framework along with multiple imputation of missing values under the assumption of missingness at random. 1754 (26.8%) patients were discarded in the traditional approach because of at least one missing value for obesity status or confounders.

Results
Obesity was present in 18.9% of patients. The in-hospital mortality was 14.6% in non-obese patients and 13.5% in obese patients. The raw marginal risk difference for in-hospital mortality between obese and non-obese patients was − 1.06% (95% confidence interval (CI) − 3.23 to 1.11%, P = 0.337). The traditional approach resulted in an AON of − 2.48% (95% CI − 4.80 to − 0.15%, P = 0.037), whereas the robust approach yielded an AON of − 0.59% (95% CI − 2.77 to 1.60%, P = 0.599).

Conclusions
A causal inference approach that is robust to residual confounding bias due to model misspecification and selection bias due to missing (at random) data mitigates the obesity paradox observed in critically ill patients, whereas a traditional approach results in even more paradoxical findings. The robust approach does not provide evidence that the survival of non-obese critically ill patients would have been improved if they had been obese.
In vitro shared transcriptomic responses of Aedes aegypti to arboviral infections: example of dengue and Rift Valley fever viruses
Authors: Licciardi Séverine , Loire Etienne , Cardinale Eric , Gislard Marie , Dubois Emeric , Cêtre-Sossah Catherine 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Arthropod borne virus infections are the cause of severe emerging diseases. Among the diseases due to arboviruses, dengue (DEN) and Rift Valley fever (RVF) are in the top ten in the list of diseases responsible of severe human cases worldwide. Understanding the effects of viral infection on gene expression in competent vectors is a challenge for the development of early diagnostic tools and may enable researchers and policy makers to better anticipate outbreaks in the next future.

Methods
In this study, alterations in gene expression across the entire Aedes aegypti genome during infection with DENV and RVFV were investigated in vitro at two time points of infection, the early phase (24 h) and the late phase (6 days) of infection using the RNA sequencing approach

Results
A total of 10 upregulated genes that share a similar expression profile during infection with both viruses at early and late phases of infection were identified. Family B and D clip-domain serine proteases (CLIP) were clearly overrepresented as well as C-type lectins and transferrin.

Conclusions
Our data highlight the presence of 10 viral genes upregulated in Ae. aegypti during infection. They may also be targeted in the case of the development of broad-spectrum anti-viral diagnostic tools focusing the mosquito vectors rather than the mammalian hosts as they may predict the emergence of outbreaks.
Influence of impreciseness in designing tritrophic level complex food chain modeling in interval environment
Authors: Mahata Animesh , Mondal Sankar Prasad , Roy Banamali , Alam Shariful , Salimi Mehdi , Ahmadian Ali , Ferrara Massimiliano 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we construct a tritrophic level food chain model considering the model parameters as fuzzy interval numbers. We check the positivity and boundedness of solutions of the model system and find out all the equilibrium points of the model system along with its existence criteria. We perform stability analysis at all equilibrium points of the model system and discuss in the imprecise environment. We also perform meticulous numerical simulations to study the dynamical behavior of the model system in detail. Finally, we incorporate different harvesting scenarios in the model system and deploy maximum sustainable yield (MSY) policies to determine optimum level of harvesting in the imprecise environment without putting any unnecessary extra risk on the species toward its possible extinction.
Stability analysis of a diagonally implicit scheme of block backward differentiation formula for stiff pharmacokinetics models
Authors: Mohd Ijam Hazizah , Ibrahim Zarina Bibi , Abdul Majid Zanariah , Senu Norazak 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we analyze the criteria for the stability of a method suited to the ordinary differential equations models. The relevant proof that the method satisfies the condition of stiff stability is also provided. The aim of this paper is therefore to construct an efficient two-point block method based on backward differentiation formula which is A-stable and converged. The new diagonally implicit scheme is formulated to approximate the solution of the pharmacokinetics models. By implementing the algorithm, the numerical solution to the models is compared with a few existing methods and established stiff solvers. It yields significant advantages when the diagonally implicit method with a lower triangular matrix and identical diagonal elements is considered. The formula is designed in such a way that it permits a maximum of one LU decomposition for each integration stage.
Modelling intracellular delay and therapy interruptions within Ghanaian HIV population
Authors: Owusu Kofi F. , Doungmo Goufo Emile F. , Mugisha Stella 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper seeks to unveil the niche of delay differential equation in harmonizing low HIV viral haul and thereby articulating the adopted model, to delve into structured treatment interruptions. Therefore, an ordinary differential equation is schemed to consist of three components such as untainted CD4+ T-cells, tainted CD4+ T-cells (HIV) and CTL. A discrete time delay is ushered to the formulated model in order to account for vital components, such as intracellular delay and HIV latency which were missing in previous works but have been advocated for future research. It was divested that when the reproductive number was less than unity, the disease free equilibrium of the model was asymptotically stable. Hence the adopted model with or without the delay component articulates less production of virions as per the decline rate. Therefore CD4+ T-cells in the blood remains constant at $\delta _{1} / \delta _{3}$

δ
1

/

δ
3

, hence declining the virions level in the blood. As per the adopted model, the best STI practice is intimated for compliance.
Corrosion shape reconstruction of the mixed boundary in electrostatic imaging
Authors: Hu Yuqing , Wang Bingxian , Li Tongxing 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe consider the corrosion detection problem in terms of the Laplace equation and study a simply connected bounded domain with Wentzell-type GIBC boundary condition. We derive the systems of integral equations and establish the equivalence to the inverse shape problem in a Sobolev space setting. For the direct problem, we use potential theory to simulate the Neumann data from Dirichlet data on Dirichlet boundary. Then we propose a Newton iterative approach based on the boundary integral equations derived from Green’s representation theorem. After describing the linearization and the iteration scheme for the inverse shape, we compute the Fréchet derivatives with respect to the unknowns. We conclude by presenting several numerical examples for shape reconstructions to show the validity of the proposed method.