bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of interleukin-6 in ischemic stroke outcome
Authors: Aref Hani Mohamed Amin , Fahmy Nagia Ali , Khalil Salma Hamed , Ahmed Mai Fathy , ElSadek Ahmed , Abdulghani Mohamed Osama 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
High levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6 are associated with worse outcome after ischemic stroke.

Objectives
To study whether the level of IL-6 following ischemic stroke is related to the severity of stroke, infarct volume, stroke subtype, and its impact on stroke outcome.

Materials and methods
A total of 90 patients of acute ischemic stroke were enrolled with calculation of infarct volume in MRI brain, and serum IL-6 samples were obtained within 24 h and also after 3 months from stroke onset. NIHSS and MRS were done at stroke onset and after 3 months.

Results
The mean value of IL-6 was higher among patients with small vessel occlusion (8.47 pg/ml) with a significant positive correlation between IL-6 and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (MRS) after 3 months. IL-6 was significantly higher in patients with recurrence with a cutoff IL-6 value above which recurrence is anticipated which is 7.75 pg/ml.

Conclusion
Our study concluded that inflammation has an important role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke particularly small vessel occlusion and it provided evidence that IL-6 contributes to the determination of clinical outcome of acute ischemic stroke and prediction of recurrence.
A facile preparation of a novel non-leaching antimicrobial waterborne polyurethane leather coating functionalized by quaternary phosphonium salt
Authors: Wang Chunhua , Wu Jianhui , Li Li , Mu Changdao , Lin Wei 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe aim of this research is to develop a novel non-leaching antimicrobial waterborne polyurethane (WPU) leather coating material with covalently attached quaternary phosphonium salt (QPS). The structure of the QPS-bearing WPU has been identified, and their thermal stability, mechanical property, and antimicrobial performance have been investigated. The results reveal that the incorporation of QPS slightly reduces the thermal stability of WPU material but would not affects its usability as leather coating. Despite the presence of hydrophobic benzene in QPS structure, the strong hydration of its cationic groups leads to the increased surface contact angle (SCA) and water absorption rate (WAR) of the films, suggesting that the water resistance of the films needs to be improved for the purpose of leather coatings. Antibacterial tests demonstrate that when the QPS content is 20 wt%, QPS-bearing WPU shows effective antimicrobial activity against bacteria. The WPU containing QPS prepared in this study is a non-leaching antimicrobial material and has great potential application as leather coating.
Graphical abstract
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in Egypt: A comprehensive overview
Authors: Rashed Wafaa M. , Kandeil Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed , Mahmoud Mohamed O. , Ezzat Sameera 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a universal problem and its epidemiological data showed variation from place to place. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth and fourth common cancer in worldwide and Egypt, respectively. Egypt ranks the third and 15th most populous country in Africa and worldwide, respectively. The aim of this review is to compare the status of HCC in Egypt to that in the worldwide from different issues; risk factors, screening and surveillance, diagnosis and treatment, prevention, as well as research strategy.

Main body
The risk factors for HCC in Egypt are of great importance to be reported. The risk factor for HCC are either environmental- or host/genetic-related risk factors. In the last years, there is a tangible improvement of both screening and surveillance strategies of HCC in Egypt. The unprecedented national screening campaign launched by the end of 2018 is a mirror image of this improvement. While the improvement of the HCC prevention requires the governmental health administration to implement health policies. Although the diagnosis of Egyptian HCC patients follows the international guidelines but HCC treatment options are limited in terms of cost. In addition, there are limited Egyptian reports about HCC survival and relapse. Both basic and clinical HCC research in Egypt are still limited compared to worldwide.

Short conclusion
Deep analysis and understanding of factors affecting HCC burden variation worldwide help in customization of efforts exerted to face HCC in different countries especially large country like Egypt. Overall, the presence of a research strategy to fight HCC in Egyptian patients will help in the optimum allocation of available resources to reduce the numbers of HCC cases and deaths and to improve the quality of life.
Improving the Time to Activation of New Clinical Trials at a National Cancer Institute–Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
Authors: Williams Erin , Brown Timothy J. , Griffith Patrice , Rahimi Asal , Oilepo Rhonda , Hammers Hans , Laetsch Theodore W. , Currykosky Penny , Partridge Susan , Beg Muhammad S. 
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE: The time it takes a performing site to activate a clinical trial can directly affect the ability to provide innovative and state-of-the-art care to patients. We sought to understand the process of activating an oncology clinical trial at a matrix National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer center. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team of stakeholders within the cancer center, university, and affiliate hospitals held a retreat to map out the process of activating a clinical trial. We applied classical quality improvement and Six Sigma methodology to determine bottlenecks and non–value-added time in activating a clinical trial. During this process, attention was paid to time to pass through each step, and perceived barriers and bottlenecks were identified through group discussions. RESULTS: The process map identified 66 steps with 12 decision points to activate a new clinical trial. The following two steps were instituted first: allow parallel scientific committee and institutional review board (IRB) review and allow the clinical research coordination committee, a group that determines university interest and feasibility, to review protocols independent of the IRB and scientific committee approval. The clinical research coordination committee continues to track the activation time, and this framework is used to identify additional improvement steps. CONCLUSION: By applying quality improvement methodologies and Six Sigma principles, we were able to identify redundancies in the process to activate a clinical trial. This allowed us to redesign the process of activating a clinical trial at a matrix comprehensive cancer center. More importantly, the process map provides a framework to maintain these gains and implement additional changes and serves as an example to deploy across the campus and at other similar institutions.
Difference in Interoception between Long-Distance Runners and Sprinters: An Event-related Potential Study
Authors: HIRAO TAKAHIRO , VOGT TOBIAS , MASAKI HIROAKI 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTPurposeInteroception is a sense of the physiological state of one’s body. Interoception that is generated by processing physiological information in the insular cortex plays an important role in achieving optimal performance in competitive sports. This study aimed to reveal the difference in interoceptive ability between long-distance runners and sprinters and its neural correlates by recording the stimulus-preceding negativity (SPN) that is generated from the insular cortex. Based on previous findings, we predicted that long-distance runners would show better interoceptive ability and larger SPNs compared with sprinters.MethodWe used a questionnaire and a heartbeat counting task to evaluate the interoceptive sensitivity and accuracy, respectively, of both long-distance runners and sprinters. We recorded SPNs during the execution of a time estimation task where participants estimate 3 s by pressing a button.ResultsResults of the questionnaire revealed that sprinters exhibited a higher interoceptive ability associated with attention control of their own bodies than did long-distance runners. Sprinters also showed a larger SPN over the left centroparietal regions compared with long-distance runners.ConclusionIn contrast to our prediction, sprinters exhibited a superior interoceptive ability and a greater activity of the insular cortex relative to long-distance runners. These results suggest that sprinters might be more susceptible to their internal bodily signals compared with long-distance runners, exhibiting greater activation of the anterior insula.
Clinical and radiological features that predict malignant transformation in cystic lesions of the pancreas: a retrospective case note review
Authors: Keane Margaret G. , Dadds Hannah R. , El Sayed Ghassan , Luong Tu Vinh , Davidson Brian R. , Fusai Guiseppe K. , Thorburn Douglas , Pereira Stephen P. 
Published: January 2020

Background: Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCL) are being detected with increasing frequency. Current methods of stratifying risk of malignant transformation are imperfect. This study aimed to determine the frequency of pancreatic malignancy in patients with PCL and define clinical and radiological features that predict malignant transformation in patients managed by surgery and/or surveillance. Methods: A retrospective cohort of adults who were evaluated in a tertiary hepatopancreaticobiliary centre between January 2000 - December 2013 with a confirmed PCL and followed up for at least 5 years. All cystic lesions were discussed at a weekly multidisciplinary meeting. Results: Of the 1,090 patients diagnosed with a PCL, 768 patients were included in the study: 141 patients were referred for immediate pancreatic resection, 570 entered surveillance while 57 had a malignant PCL which was unresectable at diagnosis (n=47) or were unfit for surgery (n=10). In those who were resected following presentation, malignancy was present in 38%. During follow-up 2% of those entering a surveillance programme underwent malignant transformation. Clinical and radiological features associated with a high-risk PCL included older age, symptoms, associated solid component or dilated main pancreatic duct. In intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, larger size was not a feature of malignant transformation (benign vs. malignant 30mm vs. 23mm; P= 0.012). Conclusion: The sensitivity of standard diagnostic tests leading to immediate surgery for high-risk PCL (malignant or mucinous) was 92% but with a specificity of just 5%. Surveillance of PCL without high-risk features within a multidisciplinary meeting was associated with a low incidence of cancer development, supporting the use of worrisome clinical and radiological features in the initial stratification of PCL.
Cytomorphological patterns of thyroid lesions among 1646 Sudanese patients: what we can learn from fine needle aspiration cytology retrospective analysis?
Authors: Osman Ali I. E. , Almobarak Ahmed O. , Mohammed Asma Kamalaldin , Mohamed Nouh S. , Muneer Mohamed S. , Omer Ammar B. , Ibrahim Hussam M. A. , Siddig Emmanuel E. , Ali Eman T. , Munir Abdalla , Edris Ali M. M. , Ahmed Eiman S. , Elnour Lubna S. , Hassan Rowa 
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology biopsy of the thyroid gland is an accurate and useful diagnostic tool in the initial evaluation of nodular thyroid lesions. We aimed in this study to determine the cytomorphological patterns of thyroid lesions diagnosed by FNA among Sudanese patients. Methods: A descriptive retrospective, clinic-based study was performed. Cytopathological records of patients that attended the Total Lab Care Clinic in Khartoum-Sudan between January 2016 and December 2017 were reviewed. Results: A total of 1646 patients records were reviewed; 1385 (84.1%) were females and 261 (15.9%) males. A total of 1563 (94.9%) were negative for malignancy, 39 (2.4%) were positive for malignancy, 42 (2.6%) were indeterminate for malignancy and 2 (0.1%) were non-diagnostic. Colloid goiter was seen in 1147 patients (73.4%), benign hemorrhagic cysts were seen in 257, Hashimoto thyroiditis was seen in 77, benign thyroid nodules were seen in 76, keratocysts were seen in 2, thyroglossal duct cysts were seen in 2, thyroid follicular adenoma was seen in 1 and myxedema was seen in 1. For malignant patients; 11 had anaplastic thyroid cancer, 8 had papillary thyroid cancer, 7 had follicular thyroid cancer, 5 had metastatic thyroid cancer, 4 had medullary thyroid cancer, 3 had non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 1 had thyroid follicular adenoma. For those indeterminate for malignancy, 24 had follicular neoplasm and 18 had Hurthle cell neoplasm. Conclusions: Fine needle aspiration cytology for thyroid nodules provides a rapid and non-invasive technique for the evaluation and differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. This study also addresses the increased predominance of benign thyroid lesions among young patients and thyroid malignancy among the 4th decade of life.
Genome-wide CRISPR screening identifies new regulators of glycoprotein secretion
Authors: Popa Stephanie , Villeneuve Julien , Stewart Sarah , Perez Garcia Esther , Petrunkina Harrison Anna , Moreau Kevin 
Published: January 2020

Background: The fundamental process of protein secretion from eukaryotic cells has been well described for many years, yet gaps in our understanding of how this process is regulated remain. Methods: With the aim of identifying novel genes involved in the secretion of glycoproteins, we used a screening pipeline consisting of a pooled genome-wide CRISPR screen, followed by secondary siRNA screening of the hits to identify and validate several novel regulators of protein secretion. Results: We present approximately 50 novel genes not previously associated with protein secretion, many of which also had an effect on the structure of the Golgi apparatus. We further studied a small selection of hits to investigate their subcellular localisation. One of these, GPR161, is a novel Golgi-resident protein that we propose maintains Golgi structure via an interaction with golgin A5. Conclusions: This study has identified new factors for protein secretion involved in Golgi homeostasis.
Patient and caregiver reported facilitators of self-care among patients with chronic heart failure: report from a formative qualitative study
Authors: Kamath DY , Bhuvana KB , Dhiraj RS , Xavier D , Varghese K , Salazar LJ , Granger CB , Pais P , Granger BB 
Published: January 2020

Background: Adherence to a complex, yet effective medication regimen improves clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, patient adherence to an agreed upon plan for medication-taking is sub-optimal and continues to hover at 50% in developed countries. Studies to improve medication-taking have focused on interventions to improve adherence to guideline-directed medication therapy, yet few of these studies have integrated patients’ perceptions of what constitutes effective strategies for improved medication-taking and self-care in everyday life. The purpose of this formative study was to explore patient perceived facilitators of selfcare and medication-taking. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews of patients with long standing heart failure admitted to the cardiology and internal medicine wards of a South Indian tertiary care hospital. We purposively sampled using the following criteria: sex, socio-economic status, health literacy and patient reported medication adherence in the month prior to hospitalization. We employed inductive coding to identify facilitators. At the end of 15 interviews (eight patients and seven caregivers; seven patient-caregiver dyads), we arrived at theoretical saturation for facilitators. Results: Facilitators could be classified into intrinsic (patient traits – situational awareness, self-efficacy, gratitude, resilience, spiritual invocation and support seeking behavior) and extrinsic (shaped by the environment – financial security and caregiver support, company of children, ease of healthcare access, trust in provider/hospital, supportive environment and recognizing the importance of knowledge). Conclusions: We identified and classified a set of key patient and caregiver reported self-care facilitators among Indian CHF patients. The learnings from this study will be incorporated into an intervention package to improve patient engagement, overall self-care and patient-caregiver-provider dynamics.
Does ethnic density influence community participation in mass participation physical activity events? The case of parkrun in England
Authors: Smith Robert , Schneider Paul , Bullas Alice , Haake Steve , Quirk Helen , Cosulich Rami , Goyder Elizabeth 
Published: January 2020

Background: parkrun has been successful in encouraging people in England to participate in their weekly 5km running and walking events. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in parkrun participation across different communities in England: after controlling for travel distances, deprived communities have significantly lower participation rates. Methods: This paper expands on previous findings by investigating disparities in parkrun participation by ethnic density. We combined geo-spatial data available through the Office for National Statistics with participation data provided by parkrun, and fitted multivariable Poisson regression models to study the effect of ethnic density on participation rates at the Lower layer Super Output Level. Results: We find that areas with higher ethnic density have lower participation rates. This effect is independent of deprivation. Conclusions: An opportunity exists for parkrun to engage with these communities and reduce potential barriers to participation.
»Ima u tome nešto lepo« (Milan Marković Matthis): O avtobiografiji, o telesu in bolečini, o seksualnem užitku, o biopolitiki, o dogodkovnosti pisave in še o čem
Authors: Lobnik Alja 
Published: January 2020

Povzetek
Dramatika Simone Semenič nastaja vseskozi skozi lastno (avtobiografsko) izjavljalno pozicijo, levi se skozi telo; vanjo se vpisuje položaj avtorice, ki je ženska, mati, umetnica z neurejenim zdravstvenim statusom, samozaposlena v kulturi, epileptičarka in kadilka. Zlasti to velja za trilogijo žrtve, (jaz, žrtev; drugič), ki preigrava razmerje med telesnim in patologijo političnega, med realnim in fikcijo ter med performativnim in dramskim. Prispevek se loti dogodkovnosti njenih tekstualnih leg, največkrat razpirajoče se skozi monodramsko samouprizarjanje biopolitike vsakdanjega življenja, pa tudi skozi instalacijo tekstov v prostoru, ki skušajo pisavi omogočiti drugačen način obstoja. V premislek vzame žmohtnost njene pisave, s katero izigrava slovenščino in ji daje neko temeljno živost. Pa tudi tisto brezrezervno žgečkljivost, ki se sprehaja po tabujih inhibirane seksualnosti in moško-ženskih relacijah ter nonšalantno razkriva proizvodnjo in avtonomijo »ženskega« seksualnega užitka.
še me dej. Primer delovanja nekega teksta-dogodka
Authors: Čičigoj Katja 
Published: January 2020

Povzetek
Pričujoče besedilo je poglavje iz diplomskega dela Katje Čičigoj Odprto delo v sodobni pisavi za gledališče: k dogodkovnosti teksta (2013), ki v precep vzame besedilo še me dej uveljavljene sodobne gledališke avtorice Simone Semenič, ki ga je sama prvič izvedla 20. 12. 2009 v Gledališču Glej. V poglavju gre za analizo primera v kontekstu revizije teorije odprtega dela, teme, ki jo avtorica kritično obravnava v nalogi: izhajajoč iz Deleuza, Guattarija, Lyotarda in Massumija avtorica razvija post-semiotično estetiko s katero lahko obravnavamo sodobne besedilne prakse v gledališču. Obravnavano besedilo je primerek sodobne pisave za gledališče, ki nastaja iz premisleka o gledališkem mediju (njegovi dogodkovnosti) na eni strani ter premisleka o pisavi kot praksi na drugi strani. Besedilo inkorporira ta premislek ne toliko na ravni eksplicitne tematizacije, temveč predvsem na ravni same produkcije-recepcije: gre za tekst-dogodek, tekst, ki nastaja (oz. je popravljan in se razvija) med izvedbenim dogodkom tega istega teksta, to svoje nastajanje oz. razvijanje pa tudi sproti tematizira. Prav ta kolaps tradicionalne kronološke sukcesije in ontološke razlike med produkcijo in recepcijo, med tekstom in dogodkom, pa je tisti vidik, ki obravnavano besedilo razpira premisleku s pomočjo pojma odprtega dela in je obenem tudi primerna priložnost za premislek tega pojma samega.
Use of Fecal Occult Blood Testing as a Diagnostic Tool for Clinical Indications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lee Mindy Winghin , Pourmorady Jonathan S. , Laine Loren 
Published: January 2020

INTRODUCTION:
Fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) are validated only for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, but are commonly used as a diagnostic test in other clinical settings. We performed a systematic review to assess performance characteristics of FOBT as a diagnostic test for clinical indications.

METHODS:
Bibliographic databases were searched to identify studies in adult patients with a specific gastrointestinal symptom or condition who underwent FOBT and a reference test and provided data on diagnoses. Our primary end point was sensitivity. Risk of bias was assessed with the QUADAS-2 tool.

RESULTS:
Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria: 12 in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) (5 fecal immunochemical (FIT) and 7 guaiac based), 8 in ulcerative colitis (FIT), and 2 in acute diarrhea (guaiac based). Only 2 studies had low risk of bias on all domains of the QUADAS-2. On meta-analysis, FOBT had a sensitivity of 0.58 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53–0.63) and a specificity of 0.84 (95% CI 0.75–0.89) in predicting presumptive causes of IDA at endoscopy, with comparable results for guaiac-based tests and FIT. Sensitivity was higher for CRC (0.83) than non-CRC lesions (0.54). FIT had a sensitivity of 0.72 (95% CI 0.57–0.84) and a specificity of 0.80 (95% CI 0.67–0.89) in predicting endoscopic activity in UC. Sensitivities of FOBT for positive stool culture in acute diarrhea were 0.38 and 0.87.

DISCUSSION:
Sensitivity of FOBT is poor for IDA: 42% of patients with identifiable causes of IDA had false-negative FOBT. Our results did not show acceptable performance characteristics for FOBT to guide decisions regarding endoscopic evaluation and do not support its use in IDA.
Truth, Justice, and the Socialist Way?
Authors: Bevin Phil 
Published: January 2020

Bevin argues that Grant Morrison’s contribution to DC’s New 52 presents readers with a Superman who starts his career as a partisan social activist fighting for the rights of the most vulnerable in society but who transitions to a superhero who defends “everyone” as his story progresses. Bevin places his analysis in the context of Morrison’s earlier work to argue that his tenure on Action Comics follows his well-established thematic preoccupations and that Superman’s development throughout mirrors the writer’s own political evolution from a critic of Margaret Thatcher’s right-wing United Kingdom government to a popular philosopher suspicious of any strict political dogma, conservative, liberal, or otherwise. Bevin also applies the theories offered by cultural materialist Alan Sinfield in Faultline (1992) to suggest that, as a result of his political development, Morrison is now suspicious of moral absolutes and clear binary divisions.
How the Baby Dolls Became an Iconic Part of Mardi Gras 1
Authors: Vaz-Deville Kim 
Published: January 2020

This chapter traces the history of the Baby Dolls through their connection to songs, bands, and musical genres. Reflecting its African influence, black music is made in response to those who will be dancing to it. The varying groups of Baby Dolls of New Orleans can be distinguished to a certain extent by the music and the musicians they are connected to.