bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between empathy and altruistic motivations in nursing studies: A multi-method study
Authors: Messineo Linda , Seta Luciano , Allegra Mario 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background. The efficient management of relational competences in healthcare professionals is crucial to ensure that a patient’s treatment and care process is conducted positively. Empathy is a major component of the relational skills expected of health professionals. Knowledge of undergraduate healthcare students’ empathic abilities is important for educators in designing specific and efficient educational programmes aimed at supporting or enhancing students’ empathic competences. In this study, we measured first-year undergraduate nursing students’ attitudes towards professional empathy in clinical encounters. The students’ motivations for entering nursing education were also evaluated. This study takes a multi-method approach based on the use of qualitative and quantitative tools to examine the association between students’ positive attitudes towards the value of empathy in health professionals and their prosocial and altruistic motivations in choosing to engage in nursing studies.Methods. A multi-method study was performed with 77 first-year nursing students. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) – Health Professions Student Version was administered. Students’ motivations for choosing nursing studies were detected through an open question and thematically analysed. Using explorative and confirmative factor analyses, a dimension reduction was conducted to identify subjects with prosocial and altruistic motivations. Finally, linear models were tested to examine specific associations between motivation and empathy.Results. Seven distinct themes distinguishing internal and external motivational factors were identified through the thematic analysis of students’ answers regarding their choice of entering the nursing degree course. Female students gained higher scores on the empathy scale than their male counterparts. When students’ age was considered, this difference was shown only for younger students, with young females’ total scores being higher than those of young males. High empathy scores were positively associated with altruistic motivational factors. A negative correlation was found between external motivational factors and the scores of the Compassionate Care subscale of the JSE.Conclusions. Knowing the level of nursing students’ empathy and their motivational factors for entering nursing studies is important for educators in order to implement training paths that enhance students’ relational attitudes and skills and promote positive motivational aspects that are central to this profession.
Disability-adjusted life years and mortality rate attributed to unsafe sex and drug use for AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa countries
Authors: Najafi Farid , Khosravi Fatemeh , Ghalandari Mojtaba , Darbandi Mitra 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The Middle East and North Africa, is one of few regions where the number of new human immunodeficiency virus infections is increasing. The present study aimed to estimate the attributable burden of unsafe sex and drug use in Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the Middle East and North Africa countries. Methods: We used the Global Burden of Disease data 2017 to estimate the attributable mortality and disability-adjusted life-years to unsafe sex and drug use in Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the Middle East and North Africa countries (21 countries) from 1990 to 2017 by region, sex and age. The percent change was calculated at three time points by country and sex.Results: The rate of Disability-adjusted life years/100,000 attributed to drug use for Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome increased 1.10 (95% CI: 0.75-1.71) to 13.39 (95% CI: 9.98- 18.17) in women of Middle East and North Africa countries from 1990 to 2017, and there is an increasing trend in Disability-adjusted life years attributable to drug use for Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in men. The rate of Disability-adjusted life years/100,000 attributed to unsafe sex for Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome increased in women of Middle East and North Africa countries, 5.15 (95% CI: 3.34-8.07) to 53.44 (95% CI: 38.79-75.89); and 10.06 (95% CI: 6.61-16.18) to 46.16 (95% CI: 31.30-72.66) in men. Age-standardized mortality rate attributed to drug use and unsafe sex for Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome increased from 1990 to 2017 in both sex in Middle East and North Africa countries.Conclusion: The rate of Disability-adjusted life years /100,000 and age-standardized mortality rate attributed to unsafe sex and drug use increased in Middle East and North Africa from 1990 to 2017. While most of such countries have traditional cultures with religious believes, such increase need to be addressed in more depth by all policy makers.
Local persistence of novel regional variants of La Crosse virus in the Northeast USA
Authors: Eastwood Gillian , Shepard John J , Misencik Michael J , Andreadis Theodore G , Armstrong Philip M 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: La Crosse virus (LACV) (genus Orthobunyavirus, family Peribunyaviridae) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes pediatric encephalitis and accounts for 50–150 human cases annually in the USA. Human cases occur primarily in the Midwest and Appalachian regions whereas documented human cases occur very rarely in the northeastern USA. Methods: Following detection of a LACV isolate from a field-collected mosquito in Connecticut during 2005, we evaluated the prevalence of LACV infection in local mosquito populations and genetically characterized virus isolates to determine whether the virus is maintained focally in this region.Results: During 2018, we detected LACV in multiple species of mosquitoes, including those not previously associated with the virus. We also evaluated the phylogenetic relationship of LACV strains isolated from 2005–2018 in Connecticut and found that they formed a genetically homogeneous clade that was most similar to strains from New York State.Conclusion: Our analysis argues for local isolation and long-term persistence of a genetically distinct lineage of LACV within this region. We highlight the need to determine more about the phenotypic behavior of these isolates, and whether this virus lineage poses a threat to public health.
The involvement of neuroimmune cells in adipose innervation&nbsp;
Authors: Blaszkiewicz Magdalena , Wood Elizabeth , Koizar Sigi , Willows Jake , Anderson Ryan , Tseng Yu-Hua , Godwin James , Townsend Kristy 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Innervation of adipose tissue is essential for the proper function of this critical metabolic organ. Numerous surgical and chemical denervation studies have demonstrated how maintenance of brain-adipose communication through both sympathetic efferent and sensory afferent nerves help regulate adipocyte size, cell number, lipolysis, and ‘browning’ of white adipose tissue. Neurotrophic factors are growth factors that promote neuron survival, regeneration, and plasticity, including neurite outgrowth and synapse formation. Peripheral immune cells have been shown to be a source of neurotrophic factors in humans and mice. Although a number of immune cells reside in the adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF), it has remained unclear what roles they play in adipose innervation. We previously demonstrated that adipose SVF secretes brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Methods: We now show that deletion of this neurotrophic factor from the myeloid lineage of immune cells led to a ‘genetic denervation’ of inguinal subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT), thereby causing decreased energy expenditure, increased adipose mass, and a blunted UCP1 response to cold stimulation. Results: We and others have previously shown that noradrenergic stimulation via cold exposure increases adipose innervation in the inguinal depot. Here we have identified a subset of myeloid cells that home to scWAT upon cold exposure and are Ly6C+ CCR2+ Cx3CR1+ monocytes/macrophages that express noradrenergic receptors and BDNF. This subset of myeloid lineage cells also clearly interacted with peripheral nerves in the scWAT and were therefore considered neuroimmune cells. Conclusions: We propose that these myeloid lineage, cold induced neuroimmune cells (CINCs) are key players in maintaining adipose innervation as well as promoting adipose nerve remodeling under noradrenergic stimulation, such as cold exposure.
Identification of a novel subpopulation of Caspase-4 positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients.
Authors: Terlizzi Michela , Colarusso Chiara , De Rosa Ilaria , Somma Pasquale , Curcio Carlo , Aquino Rita , Panico Luigi , Salvi Rosario , Marino Federica Zito , Botti Gerardo , Pinto Aldo , Sorrentino Rosalinda 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background. Therapy/prognosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients are strongly related to gene alteration/s or protein expression. However, more than 50% of NSCLC patients are negative to key drugable biomarkers.Methods: We used human samples of NSCLC and mouse models of lung adenocarcinoma. Results. We showed that caspase-4 was highly present in the tumor mass compared to non-cancerous human tissues. Interestingly, the orthologue murine caspase-11 promoted lung carcinogenesis in mice. Carcinogen-exposed caspase-11 knockout mice had lower tumor lesions than wild type mice, due to the relevance of caspase-11 in the structural lung cell as demonstrated by bone marrow transplantation and adoptive transfer experiments. Similarly to what observed in mice, caspase-4 was correlated to the stage of lung cancer in humans in that it induced cell proliferation in a K-Ras, c-MyC and IL-1α dependent manner. Caspase-4 positive adenocarcinoma (79.3%) and squamous carcinoma (88.2%) patients had lower median survival than patients who had lower levels of caspase-4. Moreover, PD-L1 expression and gene mutation (i.e. EGFR) were not correlated to caspase-4 expression. Instead, NSCLC patients who had K-Ras or c-MyC gene alteration were positively correlated to higher levels of caspase-4 and lower survival rate. Conclusions. We identified a subgroup of NSCLC patients as caspase-4 positive among which double and triple positive caspase-4, K-Ras and/or c-MyC patients which prognosis was poor. Because K-Ras and c-MyC are still undrugable, the identification of caspase-4 as a novel oncoprotein could introduce novelty in the clinical yet unmet needs for NSCLC patients.
Hybrid Semantic Recommender System for Chemical Compounds in Large-Scale Datasets
Authors: Barros Márcia , Moitinho André , Couto Francisco M. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The large, and increasing, number of chemical compounds poses challenges to the exploration of such datasets. In this work, we propose the use of Recommender Systems in the selection of compounds of interest to scientific researchers. Our approach consists of a Hybrid recommender model suitable for implicit feedback datasets and focused on retrieving a ranked list according to the relevance of the items. The model integrates collaborative-filtering algorithms for implicit feedback (Alternating Least Squares and Bayesian Personalized Ranking) and a new content-based algorithm, based on the semantic similarity of the chemical compounds in the ChEBI ontology. The algorithms were assessed on an implicit dataset of chemical compounds, CheRM-20, with more than 16.000 items (chemical compounds). The Hybrid model was able to improve the results of the collaborative-filtering algorithms, with increases of more than ten percentage points in most of the assessed evaluation metrics.
An Ising Hamiltonian Solver using Stochastic Phase-Transition Nano-Oscillators
Authors: Dutta Sourav , Khanna Abhishek , Paik Hanjong , Schlom Darrell , Raychowdhury Arijit , Toroczkai Zoltan , Datta Suman 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Computationally hard problems, including combinatorial optimization, can be mapped into the problem of finding the ground-state of an Ising Hamiltonian. Building physical systems with collective computational ability and distributed parallel processing capability can accelerate the ground-state search. Here, we present a continuous-time dynamical system (CTDS) approach where the ground-state solution appears as stable points or attractor states of the CTDS. We harness the emergent dynamics of a network of phase-transition nano-oscillators (PTNO) to build an Ising Hamiltonian solver. The hardware fabric comprises of electrically coupled injection-locked stochastic PTNOs with bi-stable phases emulating artificial Ising spins. We demonstrate the ability of the stochastic PTNO-CTDS to progressively find more optimal solution by increasing the strength of the injection-locking signal – akin to performing classical annealing. We demonstrate in silico that the PTNO-CTDS prototype solves a benchmark non-deterministic polynomial time (NP)-hard Max-Cut problem with high probability of success. Using experimentally calibrated numerical simulations, we investigate the performance of the hardware with increasing problem size. We show the best-in-class energy-efficiency of 3.26x107 solutions/sec/Watt which translates to over five orders of magnitude improvement when compared with digital CMOS, superconducting qubit and photonic Ising solver approaches. We also demonstrate an order of magnitude improvement over a discrete-time memristor-based Hopfield network approach. Such an energy efficient CTDS hardware exhibiting high solution-throughput/Watt can find application in industrial planning and manufacturing, defense and cyber-security, bioinformatics and drug discovery.
Effectiveness of the Enterovirus A71 Vaccine in Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Yang Fen , Zhang Meng , Long Yifang , Hu Pei , Sun Limei , Wang Jun , Shannon Rutherford , Liu Tao , Zheng Huizhen 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Guangdong Province started the enterovirus A71 (EV71) vaccination campaign officially in August 2016. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the EV71 vaccine against EV71, CA16, CA6, or other enterovirus infection through post-marketing surveillance in Guangdong Province in 2017. Methods: A test-negative case–control design nested in a population-based cohort was used in this study. There were 3020 laboratory-confirmed child cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), including 409 children infected with EV71 and 2611 with CA16, CA6, or other enteroviruses. A total of 603 test-negative controls who were clinically diagnosed with HFMD in the same hospitals were enrolled in this study. Results: Of all the subjects, 383 (10.6%) had received two doses of the EV71 vaccine. Only one (0.2%) out of the 409 cases with EV71 was vaccinated. In addition, 137 (5.2%) out of 2611 cases with CA16, CA6, or other enteroviruses and 21 (3.5%) out of 603 negative controls were also vaccinated. The adjusted estimate of the effectiveness was 93.6% (95% CI: 51.0%, 99.2%; p<0.001) for cases with EV71. The protective effect of the EV71 vaccine for cases with CA16, CA6, or other enteroviruses did not reach significance (95% CI: -130.4%, 10.6%; p=0.134). Conclusion: The EV71 vaccine demonstrated very high protection against EV71 infection conferred by two doses of the EV71 inactivated vaccine used in Guangdong Province during 2017. No protection was found against CA16, CA6, or other enterovirus infections. Further development of combined vaccine options for HFMD control is needed.
Development and Validation of A Guideline on Sexual and Reproductive Health of Breast Cancer Survivors in Iran: A Mixed Methods Study Protocol
Authors: Roshandel Solmaz , Lamyian Minoor , Azin Seyed Ali , Haghighat Shahpar , Mohammadi Eesa 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Sexual and reproductive health problems significantly decrease quality of life in survivors of breast cancer. The best approach is to provide services according to evidence based guidelines developed based on their practical context. Here, we aim to develop and validate a guideline on the sexual and reproductive health of breast cancer survivors in Iran.Methods: The guideline will be developed and validated using an exploratory sequential mixed methods approach in four phases: 1) describing sexual and reproductive health needs of survivors of breast cancer in Iran and the health services they receive in this regard 2) performing a systematic review of existing guidelines, resources, and documents on the sexual and reproductive health of breast cancer survivors worldwide 3) developing a guideline on the sexual and reproductive health of women who survived breast cancer in Iran based on the results of phase one and two 4) validating the guideline developed in phase three with experts and service providers in this field.Discussion: A comprehensive and practical guideline on the sexual and reproductive health of breast cancer survivors in Iran will be developed which will be compatible with their specific needs and culture considering limited resources available. This guideline can significantly improve the quality of life in breast cancer survivors in Iran. In addition, the approach we will use here can be utilized to develop guidelines on sexual and reproductive health of female cancer survivors in general.
Agama dan Kerusakan Ekologi: Mempertimbangkan ‘Tesis White’ dalam Konteks Indonesia
Authors: Singgih Emanuel Gerrit 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This article is an evaluation of two anthologies which respond to Lynn T. White Jr., who traces the cause of the present ecological destruction to implementation of religious worldviews in the past, and concludes that Christianity as a very anthropocentric religion, is responsible for this destruction. Although the majority of the responders regard thatWhite’s article from 1967, which become famous as the “White Thesis”, is one sided, they still acknowledge its continuing relevance. This study suggests that in the context of Indonesia, Christians could respond accordingly to the thesis by engaging in dialogue with local or nature religions concerning the Divine immanence and transcendence, for thecommon struggle to prevent further ecological destructions.
Abstrak
Tulisan ini merupakan evaluasi dari dua antologi yang berisi tanggapantanggapan terhadap tulisan Lynn T. White Jr., yang menelusuri kerusakan ekologi pada masa kini dalam penerapan-penerapan pemahaman religius, dan berpendapat bahwa agama Kristen yang antroposentrik bertanggung jawab atas kerusakan tersebut. Meskipun mayoritas dari penanggap memperlihatkan bahwa tulisan White dari tahun 1967, yang kemudian terkenal sebagai “tesis White” agak berat sebelah, mereka tetap mengakui relevansinya. Dalambagian penutup diperlihatkan bagaimana dalam konteks Indonesia, orang Kristen bisa menanggapi tesis White, dengan jalan berdialog dengan pemahaman lokal mengenai imanensi Yang Ilahi, dalam rangka berjuang bersama menghadapi kerusakan ekologi.
Exploring E-learning Challenges During the Global COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review
Authors: Aini Qurotul , Budiarto Mukti , Putra P. O. H. , Rahardja Untung 
Published: November 2020

The world is currently battling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has been declared as a global pandemic since mid-March 2020. The pandemic has inevitably impacted social and economic activities of the nation, including those in the education sector. As the governments have mandated universities to close their campuses, learning activities has been forced to move online. In this difficult situation, many university administrators, lecturers, as well as students may find it difficult to adapt to the so-called “new normal” ways of learning. Hence, as this is an unprecedented situation, this study explores the challenges faced by universities as academic institutions, lecturers, and students. This study starts by conducting a literature review concerning the challenges in e-learning in context of a pandemic. Data collected are then analyzed qualitatively using inductive thematic analysis technique, resulting in a taxonomy of e-learning challenges during a pandemic. Our analysis shows that students are challenged by connectivity, e-learning system support, and technological and self-regulation issues. On the other hand, lecturers are being challenged by competency, operational, self-regulation, and isolation issues. Meanwhile, institutions identify financial support and change management as challenging issues. This study highlights the need for further investigation to address the aforementioned challenges in e-learning.
Cardio-Protective Effects of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors: Focus on Heart Failure
Authors: Karangelis Dimos , Mazer C. David , Stakos Dimitrios , Tzifa Aphrodite , Loggos Spiros , Verma Subodh , Mitropoulos Fotios 
Published: November 2020

Background:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with a considerable risk of cardiovascular
and renal diseases, including heart failure. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have demonstrated
unprecedented cardiorenal protective effects in large-scale clinical trials of patients with or without diabetes
and either established cardiovascular disease (CV) or multiple CV risk factors.

Objective:
Herein we aim to focus on the role of SGLT2 inhibitors regarding the improvement in heart failure
outcomes and the proposed mechanisms of action by which these drugs confer their beneficial effect.

Methods:
PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify eligible articles that are
comprehensively summarized and discussed in this study.

Results:
The most commonly discussed mechanisms of action are diuresis and natriuresis, reduction in preload,
afterload, and ventricular mass, as well as stimulation of erythropoietin production and improved myocardial energetics.
SGLT2 inhibitors improve outcomes in patients with established heart failure (HF) and reduce the risk
of death and HF admissions in patients with established chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), either
with or without diabetes.

Conclusion:
Potential key mechanisms that may explain the notable cardioprotective benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors
have been outlined. These agents have recently received class Ia recommendation in specific groups of people
with DM to lower the risk of hospitalization for HF and risk of death, while these benefits may also extend
to people without diabetes. It remains to be seen whether they will also emerge as treatment approaches in the
acute phase of CV episodes.
Beta-Blockers and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Siordia Juan A. 
Published: November 2020

Background:
Aortic aneurysms are worrisome because of their predisposition to dissection
and rupture. Beta-blockers are considered first-line therapy for aortic aneurysms. The following
meta-analysis assesses if beta-blockers diminish aortic aneurysm growth.

Methods:
A literature search was performed to collect information on clinical trials that have assessed
aortic aneurysm growth between beta-blockers and placebo. The primary endpoint was aortic
aneurysm growth rate per year. A forest plot with a random-effects model was used for analysis.

Results:
Eight clinical trials were included in the analysis. Beta-blockers showed a statistically
non-significant effect on aortic aneurysm growth (standard mean difference -0.44; 95% CI [-0.44,
0.00]).

Conclusion:
Beta-blockers do not significantly influence aortic aneurysm growth. Further studies
are required to find a suitable medical therapy to reduce growth rates.