bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting the Amputation Risk for Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulceration – A Bayesian Decision Support Tool
Authors: Hüsers Jens , Hafer Guido , Heggemann Jan , Wiemeyer Stefan , John Swen Malte , Hübner Ursula Hertha 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major global health issue with a growing prevalence. In this context, the number of diabetic complications is also on the rise, such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), which are closely linked to the risk of lower extremity amputation (LEA). Statistical prediction tools may support clinicians to initiate early tertiary LEA prevention for DFU patients. Thus, we designed Bayesian prediction models, as they produce transparent decision rules, quantify uncertainty intuitively and acknowledge prior available scientific knowledge.Method: A logistic regression using observational collected according to the standardised PEDIS classification was utilised to compute the six-month amputation risk of DFU patients for two types of LEA: 1.) any-amputation and 2.) major-amputation. Being able to incorporate information which is available before the analysis, the Bayesian models were fitted following a twofold strategy. First, the designed prediction models waive the available information and, second, we incorporated the a priori available scientific knowledge into our models. Then, we evaluated each model with respect to the effect of the predictors and validity of the models. Next, we compared the performance of both models with respect to the incorporation of prior knowledge.Results: This study included 237 patients. The mean age was 65.9 (SD 12.3), and 83.5 per cent were male. Concerning the outcome, 31.6% underwent any- and 12.2% underwent a major-amputation procedure. The risk factors of perfusion, ulcer extent and depth revealed an impact on the outcomes, whereas the infection status and sensation did not. The major-amputation model using prior information outperformed the uninformed counterpart (AUC 0.765 vs AUC 0.790, Cohen’s d 2.21). In contrast, the models predicting any-amputation performed similarly (0.793 vs 0.790, Cohen’s d 0.22).Conclusions: Both of the Bayesian amputation risk models showed acceptable prognostic values, and the major-amputation model benefitted from incorporating a priori information from a previous study. Thus, PEDIS serves as a valid foundation for a clinical decision support tool for the prediction of the amputation risk in DFU patients. Furthermore, we demonstrated the use of the available prior scientific information within a Bayesian framework to establish chains of knowledge.
Synergism between nonane and emanations from soil as cues in oviposition-site selection of natural populations of Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus
Authors: Mwingira Victor Saturnus , Mboera Leonard E.G. , Takken Willem 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Olfactory cues have been shown to have an important role in guiding gravid mosquito females to selected sites for egg laying. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of emanations from soil from a breeding site and the putative oviposition pheromone nonane on oviposition-site selection of natural populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Culex quinquefasciatus .
Methods: This field-based study was conducted in Mvomero District in East-central Tanzania. In a dual-choice experimental set up, clay bowls were dug into the ground and filled with one of the following treatments: (i) distilled water + autoclaved soil (control), (ii) distilled water + soil from a natural mosquito breeding site, (iii) distilled water + nonane and (iv) distilled water + nonane + soil from a natural breeding site. Soil was either left untreated or was autoclaved before use. The number of larvae present in the bowls after 10 d was used as outcome measure.
Results: Autoclaved soil had a significant effect on oviposition behaviour of Cx. quinquefasciatus ( P <0.005) but no effect on An. gambiae ( P = 0.18). Nonane and emanations from untreated soil significantly influenced the selection of oviposition sites by both An. gambiae ( P < 0.0001) and Cx. quinquefasciatus ( P< 0.0001). A mixture of nonane and untreated soil caused a synergistic effect on oviposition behaviour compared to either nonane or untreated soil alone, in both An. gambiae (Oviposition Activity Index (OAI) = 0.56; P < 0.001) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (OAI =0.59; P <0.0001) .
Conclusion: The larval pheromone nonane and emanations from breeding-site soil both induced oviposition in wild An. gambiae s.l. and Cx. quinquefasciatus, with a synergistic effect when both stimuli were present simultaneously. This is the first study in which nonane is shown to cause oviposition under natural conditions, suggesting that this compound can potentially be exploited for the management of mosquito vectors.
Association between autistic traits and home nurture environment: A community-based study
Authors: Qian Sheng , Xu Xin , Wang Ying-quan , Li Jia-yu , Li Jing , Jia Rui-xia , Xu Yong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Increasing attention has been directed toward understanding the ways in which social environmental factors influence children’s behavior, in physical and mental health domains. Autistic traits are continuously distributed in general population and children with autistic traits have great risk of additional mental diseases. However, no literature has demonstrated the relation between autistic traits and home nurture environment.
Methods: Caregivers of 408 kindergarten children (68% male) were recruited to complete a series of survey measures in China. The measures used were the Clancy Autistic Behavior Scale and the Home Nurture Environment Scale. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations.
Results: Frequent language/cognition stimulation (aOR 0.520, 95%CI 0.302-0.896), high level of parental warmth (aOR 0.596, 95%CI 0.392-0.905) and high quality of physical living environment (aOR 0.332, 95%CI 0.196-0.561) were the protective factors of autistic traits after controlling the confounding factors. Results were generally not moderated by the child’s gender or birth order.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of high levels of home nurture environment for autistic traits and indicate that public health programs should focus on guidance of parents for developing more adequate parenting skills and favorable home nurture environment.
Association of vascular endothelial growth factor A gene (VEGFA) polymorphisms, rs699947 and rs1570360, with diabetic retinopathy and altered VEGF secretion in Pakistani patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case-control study
Authors: Qayyum Shazia , Afzal Muhammad , Naveed Abdul Khaliq 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Knowledge, attitude and practice towards malaria among people attending in Mekaneeyesus primary hospital, South Gondar, Northwestern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.
Authors: Flatie Belaynesh Tazebew 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background : Malaria is worldwide health problem causing high mortality and morbidity, not only a major cause of suffering and death, but also the cause of socioeconomic problems, especially in developing country like Ethiopia. Methods: This study is aimed to investigate knowledge, attitude and practice towards malaria and its preventive and control methods among people attending in Mekaneeyesus primary hospital, South Gondar, Northwestern Ethiopia. Cross sectional study was employed by using random sampling technique was carried out to select representative individuals. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and KAP. The data quality control was tested by using pretest and study protocol of the research was approved by the Ethical Review Committee. Results: The overall prevalence rate of malaria was 8.5%. Individuals having poor knowledge and poor practice toward malaria were 26.93 (CI = 3.67-197.47, p=0.001) and 13.09 (CI=0.93-183.47, p=0.036) times higher respectively as compared to individuals who are knowledgeable and had good practice toward malaria. Level of education was significant predictor of practice level which, education status of being uneducated and attaining grades 1-8. Respondent’s less than 500 family economic statuses were also significantly associated with practice level (P < 0.05) among study participants. The overall knowledge, attitude and practice level was relatively good, but its practice towards ITN utilization was poor. Poor knowledge and practice were significantly increase malaria risk. Conclusion: Malaria is still causes a serious health burden so special attention should be taken to malaria prevention and control by giving awareness and using different intervention method.
Wild-type cutoff for Apramycin against Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhang Xiuying , Yang Yuqi , Xiao Tianshi , Li Jiarui , Cheng Ping , Li Fulei , Yu Hongxiao , Liu Ruimeng , Muhammad Ishfaq 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Apramycin is used exclusively for the treatment of Escherichia coli ( E.coli ) infections in swine around the world since the early 1980s. Recently, many research papers have demonstrated that apramycin has obvious in vitro activity against multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolated in hospitals. Therefore, ensuring the proper use of apramycin in veterinary clinics is of great significance of public health. The objectives of this study were to develop a wild-type cutoff for apramycin against E.coli using a statistical method recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and to investigate the prevalence of resistance genes that confer resistance to apramycin in E. coli . Results Antibacterial susceptibility testing of 1230 E.coli clinical isolates from swine were determinded by broth microdilution testing according to the CLSI document M07-A9. A total number of 310 E.coli strains from different minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) subsets (0.5-256 µg/mL) were conveniently selected for the detection of resistance genes ( aac(3)-IV ; npmA ; apmA ) in E. coli by PCR. The percentage at each MIC (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 µg/mL) was 0.08%, 0.08%, 0.16%, 2.93%, 31.14%, 38.86%, 12.85%, 2.03%, 1.46%, and 10.41%. The MIC 50 and MIC 90 were 16 and 64 µg/mL. All the 310 E.coli isolates were negative for npmA and apmA gene, and only the aac(3)-IV gene was detected in this study. Conclusions The wild-type cutoff for apramycin against E.coli was defined as 32 µg/mL. The prevelance of aac(3)-IV gene mainly concentrated in these MIC subsets ‘MIC ≥ 64 µg⁄ mL’, which indicates that the wild-type cutoff established in our study is reliable. The wild-type cutoff offers interpretion criteria of apramycin susceptibility testing of E.coli .
The residents' mental health status and community's role during COVID-19 epidemic : a community-based cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Li Simin , Ye Zhiyu , Wei Quan , Du Chunping , He Chengqi 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND The related research of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic on mental health of community residents is still lacking. Here we reported the mental health status of Chinese residents as well as community’s prevention and control during the epidemic period of COVID-19, and further explored the influencing factors of mental status. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sampling and snowball sampling methods were adopted from February16 to February 23, 2020 and Chinese community residents were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three questionnaires including General Anxiety Disorder 7(GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and a self-designed “Community prevention and control questionnaire” were used. A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to analyze the impact factors of anxiety and depression. RESULTS A total of 3001 community residents were included in this study. 85.6% and 83.7% of participants had minimal anxiety and depression respectively. 16.6% of participants demonstrated that the communities they lived in had confirmed cases. 95.3% of participants reported that the residents were screened for mobility and contact history. 97.8% of participants reported entrance and exit of community were managed in their communities. 97.5% and 99% of participants were required to take body temperature and wear masks in their communities. 92% communities had their public areas and facilities disinfected every day and 95.4% communities have conducted health education about COVID-19. Factors including gender, education level, chronic illness, the frequency of going out, achieving information about COVID-19 by community and newspaper, and confirmed cases in the community, show association with community residents’ anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS the vast majority of Chinese residents have little anxiety and depression, and most communities had adopted standardized control measures in accordance with government’s regulations and policy which plays an important role in the control of COVID-19 and improving residents’ anxiety and depression.
A comparative study of gemcitabine and epirubicin in adjuvant chemotherapy of non muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Ye Hai Bo , Chen Song , Wang Jun 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine and epirubicin curing for patients with non muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: from October 2014 to October 2017, 86 patients with non muscle invasive bladder cancer diagnosed by transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT), in urology department of Wenling Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 42 were treated with gemcitabine and the other 44 with epirubicin. The two groups were treated with epirubicin or gemcitabine within 24 hours after operation, and bladder perfusion once a week was performed continuously after the first week of operation, a total of 8 times,and after that once a month till one year after operation. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared. Kaplan-Meier was used to compare the recurrence free survival time of tumor after operation and Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze various factors affecting the prognosis. RESULTS: 1. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). 2. The adverse reactions of the two groups were mainly bladder irritation, gross hematuria, fever, nausea and vomiting. The incidence of bladder irritation and gross hematuria in epirubicin group was significantly higher than those in gemcitabine group (P < 0.05),which meant it had statistical significance. There was no significant difference on the other side-effects between the two groups (P > 0.05). 3. The results of Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the median tumor recurrence free survival time of gemcitabine group was 29.7 months, the one-year tumor recurrence free survival rate was 81%, and the two-year tumor recurrence free survival rate was 57%; while the median tumor recurrence free survival time of epirubicin group was 28.8 months, the one-year tumor recurrence free survival rate was 72%, and the two-year tumor recurrence free survival rate was 50%.Multivariate Cox analysis also showed that age ,as well as tumor grade was independent risk factors for prognosis. CONCLUSION:Gemcitabine assisted with intravesical instillation chemotherapy is more effective with fewer side-effects, which is worthy of further study. Age and tumor grade are independent risk factors for prognosis.
Schistosoma mansoni -related periportal fibrosis; are APRI and PSDR levels of any potential utility in a well-timed selection of patients for targeted endoscopy in a resource-limited setting?: a case-control clinic-based study
Authors: Gunda Daniel W. , Mtui Elizabeth F. , Manyiri Paulina M. , Majinge David C. , Kilonzo Semvua B. , Mazigo Humphrey D. , Kidenya Benson R. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Schistosoma mansoni related hepatic fibrosis is usually associated with hemodynamic alteration with increased mortality due to bleeding varices. The diagnosis of varices before bleeding imposes a big challenge in resource-limited countries using endoscopy. Published evidence on the utility of non-invasive clinical tools in predicting the presence of varices among patients with S. mansoni related periportal fibrosis is still inadequate including APRI and PSDR levels. This study describes the determinants of portal varices and assesses the potential utility of the APRI and PSDR level in the discrimination of portal varices among patients with S. mansoni related periportal fibrosis. Methods All patients with periportal fibrosis were cross-sectionally assessed for the presence of esophageal varices at Bugando medical centre, in Mwanza Tanzania. Socio-demographic, laboratory and ultrasound data were collected for analysis using STATA 13. The prevalence of varices and associated factors were determined, and the sensitivity and specificity of independent factors were assessed to determine their utility in discriminating presence of varices in patients with PPF. Results In total, 250 patients were included in this study, 109 (43.6%; 95%CI: 37.3-.49.9) of them had varices. On multivariate analysis the odds of having varices were independently increased among patients with higher median APRI levels, (1.51; vs. 0.9; AOR: 5.6; 95%CI: 3.1-10.1; p=<0.001) and PSDR levels that were lower than 5700 (AOR: 3.9; 95%CI: 2.0-7.6; p<0.001. Both APRI and PSDR levels had significantly high sensitivity and specificity in predicting the presence of esophageal varices. Conclusions This study indicates that varices are a common encounter among patients with S. mansoni related periportal fibrosis and it is independently associated with higher median APRI and lower PSDR levels suggesting that these tools are potential discriminators of varices in this subgroup of patients. The reproducibility of these results should further be assessed longitudinally as potential non-invasive tools in selecting patients at high risk of having esophageal varices who could benefit from the targeted endoscopic intervention in a resource-limited setting like ours.
Prevalence of Primary Headache Disorder Among Primary and middle School students in Kuwait.
Authors: Shuaibi Sameera , AlAshqar Abdelrahman , Ahmed Samar Farouk , Alroughani Raed , AlThufairi Hawraa , Owayed Shaikhah , AlHamdan Fajer , Al-Hashel Jasem Yousef 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Primary headaches are remarkably prevalent worldwide and increasingly reported among children. However, the exact trend in this age group, particularly in the gulf region, remains scarce. Aims and Objectives To examine the prevalence of primary headache disorders among primary and middle school students in Kuwait. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study that included Kuwaiti primary and middle school children and adolescents of both genders in randomly selected schools located in two governorates in Kuwait in 2018/2019 academic year. Prevalence and attributable burden of headache, definite and probable migraine,definite and probable tension-type headache, chronic headache ≥15 days/month and probable medication over use headache were assessed using the Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) questionnaire for children and adolescents. Results Of 1485 questionnaires that were distributed, 1091 students completed the questionnaire with a respondent rate of 73.4%. The study population consisted of 422 boys (38.68%) versus 669 girls (61.32%) students with a mean age of 11.5 ± 2.11 years. The lifetime prevalence of any headache was 85.2%, whereas the one-year prevalence of primary headache disorders was 42.71% The mean age of students with primary headaches was 11.98 ± 2.03 years in both genders. When stratified according to diagnostic criteria, migraine headaches were the most frequently reported (20.81%) followed by tension type headaches (18.7%), chronic headaches (2.75%), and probable medication-overuse headaches (0.46%.). Primary headaches were more frequently reported in middle school compared to primary school (50.37% versus 30.48%; P<0.02). It was significantly higher among girls compared to boys in middle-schoolers (66.46% versus 38.49%; p<0.001), however no significant difference in gender among primary school students(33.12% versus 22.33%; p<0.118). Conclusion Primary headaches are remarkably common in Kuwaiti school students with migraine headache being the most frequently reported type. Age and female gender play a role in the development of primary headaches. The results attract attention of health services for such group and the need for further epidemiological researches.
Preparation of microspheres encapsulating sorafenib and catalase and their application in rabbit VX2 liver tumor
Authors: Li Xihan , Yu Hui , Huang Ying , Chen Yu , Wang Jialun , Xu Lei , Zhang Feng , Zhuge Yuzheng , Zou Xiaoping 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is extensively used in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the efficacy of TACE is usually limited to secondary tumor hypoxia and hypoxia-related tumor angiogenesis. Methods: In this study, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres ( SO R-CAT-PLGA MSs) encapsulating sorafenib (SOR) and catalase (CAT) were prepared by double-emulsion solvent diffusion method. Sorafenib inhibits tumor angiogenesis, and catalase decomposes hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) to generate oxygen in the tumor. Results: In vitro and in vivo , SOR -CAT-PLGA MSs could significantly improve the efficacy of hepatic artery embolization in the treatment of rabbit VX2 liver tumors, regulate tumor hypoxia and immunosuppressive microenvironment, then achieved near-complete and rapid necrosis of liver tumors. Conclusions: The application of new SOR -CAT-PLGA MSs in hepatic artery chemoembolization of rabbit VX2 liver tumor is a promising approach to improve the therapeutic effect of liver tumors and has a broad clinical application prospect.