bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases in the Sultanate of Oman: STEPS Survey 2017
Authors: Al-Mawali Adhra , Jayapal Sathish Kumar , Morsi Magdi , Al-Shekaili Waleed , Pinto Avinash Daniel , Al-Kharusi Hilal , Al-Harrasi Ayaman , Al-Balushi Zainab , Idikula John 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) represent a major public health issue and currently are the cause of 71% of deaths globally and 72% deaths in Oman. Hence, there is a need for comprehensive, up-to-date and internationally comparable data on NCD risk factors in order to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing public health policies and to develop further NCD prevention and control interventions. The aim of the study was to provide evidence-based, up-to-date, extensive, and reliable baseline data on the behavioural and biological risk factors of NCDs in the Sultanate of Oman. Methods A cross‐sectional community‐based survey designed to be nationally representative of the Sultanate of Oman was conducted based on the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS). Multi-stage stratified random sampling according to geographical distribution selected a total of 9053 households (Omani nationals and non-Omani residents). Cluster sampling was used and symmetric equal number of blocks were chosen in each governorate with 823 households chosen from each governorate and one eligible adult selected from each household randomly. The survey used demographic and behavioural information questionnaires along with physical and biochemical measurements among adults aged 18 years and above. Results The prevalence of behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use was 9%, alcohol consumption was 2%, insufficient fruit or vegetable intake was 61%, and insufficient physical activity was 39%. The prevalence of biological risk factors such as overweight and obesity was 66%, raised blood pressure was 33%, raised blood glucose was 16%, and raised blood cholesterol was 36%. The prevalence of multiple risk factors was also determined and 95% of the population were found to have more than one risk factor. Three or more risk factors were found among 33% of population aged 18 years and above and 45% of the population aged 45 years and above. Conclusions These findings are important to support the formulation and implementation of NCD-related policies and action plans that improve health status and prevent mortality due to NCDs in the Sultanate of Oman.
Epidemiological characteristics of four common respiratory viral infections in children
Authors: Zhu Guohong , Xu Dan , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Tianlin , Zhang Lingyan , Gu Weizhong , Shen Meiping 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Viruses are the main infectious agents of ARIs in children. We aim to describe the epidemiological characteristics of viral pathogens of acute respiratory tract infections in outpatient children. Methods: From April 2018 to March 2019, the results of viral detection in oral pharyngeal swabs in 103 210 children with acute respiratory tract infection in the outpatient department of the Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. Viral antigens, including adenovirus (ADV), influenza A (FLUA), influenza B (FLUB) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were detected by colloidal gold method. Results: At least one virus was detected in 38 355 cases, and the total positive rate was 37.2%. A total of 1910 cases of mixed infection with two or more viruses were detected, and the positive rate of multiple infection was 1.9%. ADV positive rate was the highest in 3-6-year-old group (18.7%), FLUA positive rate was the highest in >6-year-old group (21.6%), FLUB positive rate was the highest in >6-year-old group (6.6%) and RSV positive rate was the highest in <1-year-old group (10.6%). There was significant difference in the positive rate of viral infection among different age groups, χ2 = 1280.7, P < 0.001. The positive rate of viral infection was the highest in winter (47.1%). ADV infection rate was highest in spring (18.2%). The positive rates of FLUA and FLUB were the highest in winter (28.8% and 3.6%, respectively). The positive rate of RSV was the highest in autumn (17.4%). The positive rate of viral infection in different seasons had significant difference, χ2 = 6459.1, P < 0.001. Conclusions: Viral infection rates in children are different in different ages and seasons. ADV positive rate is the highest in preschool age, RSV positive rate is the highest in infants, and FLU positive rate increases with age. The total positive rate of viral infection in different seasons was the highest in winter. The positive rate of FLU was the highest in winter.
Activation of WNT7b Autocrine Eases Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer via Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Predicts Poor Prognosis
Authors: Jiang Shuai , Li Qiwen , Liu Yimin , Zhang Huimin , Wang Qianyu , Chen Yu , Shi Xiaoyang , Li Jun , Zhang Hailing , Zhang Yi , Xia Dongqing , Wu Man , Lin Jiajia , Zhang Chenglin , Pang Suhua , Jiang Jiamin , Wen Yan , Zhang Peipei 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the most frequent abnormalities in human cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Previous studies revealed pivotal functions of WNT family members in colorectal cancer, as well as their prognostic values. Nevertheless, the prognostic role and mechanisms underlying WNT7b in colorectal cancer development remains unclear. Methods: In this study, WNT7b expression was measured by immunohistochemical staining of 100 cases of surgically resected human colorectal cancerous tissues as well as matched adjacent normal tissues constructed as tissue microarrays. In vitro studies, we attempted to substantiate the WNT7b expressional pattern previously found in immunohistochemistry staining. We used the colorectal cancer cell-line HCT116 and normal colorectal cell-line CCD-18co for immunofluorescence staining and nuclear/cytoplasmic separated western blotting. We measured epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and migration capacity of HCT116 in the context of WNT7b knocked-down using short interfering RNA. Finally, clinical and prognostic values of WNT7b activation levels were examined.Results: WNT7b was expressed in the nucleus in adjacent normal tissues. In CRC tissues, nuclear expression of WNT7b was similar; however, membrane expression was strikingly enhanced. Consistently, in vitro analysis confirmed the same expression pattern of WNT7b. Compared with CCD-18co cells, HCT116 cells displayed higher levels of WNT7b membrane enrichment, as well as higher migration capacity with a sensitized EMT process. Either partial knockdown of WNT7b or blockade of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway reversed EMT process and inhibited the migration of HCT116 cells. Finally, elevated secretion levels of WNT7b were significantly associated with lymphatic and remote metastasis and predicted worse prognosis in the CRC cohort.Conclusion: In summary, we demonstrated that the membrane enrichment of WNT7b autocrine probably contributes to CRC metastasis by activating EMT process through the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. High levels of membrane WNT7b autocrine secretion predicts poor outcome in patients with CRC. This molecule is a promising candidate for clinical CRC treatments.
Breast pain in a diverse population of breast cancer patients
Authors: Fukui Jami , Bantum Erin , Meister Madison , Lim Shannon , Marumoto Ashley Davidson , Pagano Ian 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. The majority of women with breast cancer present with early stage disease requiring surgical management. Post-operative breast pain has been reported to be anywhere from 25–60%. Racial disparities in cancer treatment-related symptom burden are known and linked to worse treatment outcomes. There is sparse data regarding racial/ethnic differences in breast pain among breast cancer patients. We evaluated the prevalence of breast pain in breast cancer patients and characterized the pain using a modified short-form McGill pain questionnaire in our diverse population.
Methods

We performed a cross sectional study, including 237 patients from various outpatient oncology clinics and breast cancer survivorship groups on Oahu and Maui. Participants had the option to complete the survey in person at the clinic or online.
Results

Eight-four respondents (35.4%) reported breast pain. There were no statistical differences seen in breast pain likelihood according to racial/ethnic group. On multivariate analysis, we did however find significant racial/ethnic differences in the amount of breast pain, where Chinese, Native Hawaiian and Mixed Asian participants reported significantly less pain compared to White participants (1.36, 2.16 and 2.22 vs 2.92, p = < 0.0001, 0.03 and 0.05) on a 10-point pain scale. We found differences in breast pain according to age, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and endocrine therapy use as well as survey location. No differences were seen according to the type of breast or axillary surgery. The most common descriptors of breast pain were sensory compared to affective characteristics. The average self-reported pain score found was 3/10. Overall, in women with breast pain, 33.4% reported the breast pain affected their sleep with 16.7% reporting it affected their work and 15.4% reporting it affected their sexual activity.
Conclusions

Breast pain is a significant problem in our breast cancer community. This survey assessment has informed our understanding of breast pain in our diverse population. In turn we are developing culturally appropriate pain management strategies to treat this challenging symptom common in breast cancer survivors.
Process evaluation of the Bridging the Age Gap in Breast Cancer decision support intervention cluster randomised trial.
Authors: Burton Maria , Lifford Kate J , Wyld Lynda , Armitage Fiona , Ring Alistair , Nettleship Anthony , Collins Karen , Morgan Jenna , Reed Malcolm WR , Holmes Geoffrey R , Bradburn Mike , Gath Jacqui , Green Tracy , Revill Deirdre , Brain Kate , Edwards Adrian 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe Bridging the Age Gap in Breast Cancer research programme sought to improve treatment decision-making for older women with breast cancer by developing and testing, in a cluster randomised trial, two decision support interventions (DESIs). One DESI supported the decision to have either primary endocrine therapy (PET) or surgery with adjuvant therapies and the second supported the decision to have adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery or not.MethodsSixteen sites were randomly selected to take part in the process evaluation. Multiple methods of data collection were used. Medical Research Council (MRC) guidelines for the evaluation of complex interventions were used.ResultsEighty-two patients, mean age 75.5, (range 70–93) provided data for the process evaluation. Seventy-three interviews were completed with patients. Ten clinicians from six intervention sites took part in telephone interviews. Dose: Ninety-one members of staff in the intervention arm received intervention training. Reach: The online tool was accessed on 324 occasions by 27 clinicians. Reasons for non-use of the online tool were commonly that the patient had already made a decision or that there was no online access in the clinic. Of the 32 women for whom there were data available, fifteen from the intervention arm and six from the usual care arm were offered a choice of treatment. Fidelity: Clinicians used the online tool in different ways, with some using it during the consultation and others checking the online survival estimates before the consultation. Adaptation: There was evidence of adaptation when using the DESIs. A lack of infrastructure, e.g. internet access, was a barrier to the use of the online tool. The brief decision aid was rarely used. Mediators: Shared decision-making: Most patients felt able to contribute to decision-making and expressed high level of satisfaction with the process. Participants’ responses to intervention: Six patients reported the DESIs to be very useful, one somewhat useful and two moderately useful.ConclusionsClinicians were mainly supportive of the interventions and had attempted some adaptations to make the interventions applicable, but there were practical and engagement barriers that led to sub-optimal adoption in routine practice.Trial Registered11th August 2016 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.isrctn.com/(ISRCTN: 46099296)
Screening and selection strategy for the establishment of biosimilar to trastuzumab-expressing CHO-K1 cell lines
Authors: Lao-González Thailín , Soler Alexi Bueno , Hernandez Arnelys Duran , Aguiar Katya Sosa , Puerta Luis Eduardo Hinojosa , Garcia Tays Hernandez , Hernandez Kathya Rashida de la Luz , Oliva Julio Palacios , Ayo Tammy Boggiano 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The high prices of biopharmaceutics or biologics used in the treatment of many diseases limit the access of patients to these novel therapies. One example is the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab, successfully used for breast cancer treatment. An economic alternative is the generation of biosimilars to these expensive biopharmaceutics. Since antibody therapies may require large doses over a long period of time, robust platforms and strategies for cell line development are essential for the generation of recombinant cell lines in a short period of time with higher levels of expression. Here, we obtain trastuzumab-expressing CHO-K1 cells through a screening and selection strategy that combined the use of host cells pre-adapted to protein free media and suspension culture and lentiviral vectors. The results shown that early screening strategy allowed to obtain recombinant CHO cell populations with higher enrichment of IgG-expressing cells. Moreover, the measurement of intracellular HC polypeptides by flow cytometry was a useful tool to characterize the homogeneity of cell population and our results suggest that might be used to predict the expression levels of monoclonal antibodies in early stages of cell line development process. Furthermore, using T-flask approach the assessment of the expression levels was studied in a setting more similar to that of a final production process. Finally, trastuzumab-expressing CHO-K1 clones were generated, characterized by batch experiments and preliminary results related to HER2-recognition capacity were successful. Further improvements in up-stream and down-stream steps related to this strategy will improve specific productivities and volumetric productivities of these clones.
Distribution of Medical Institutions in Cold Regions of China Based on Public Health Emergencies
Authors: Wu Yue , He Jun , Zhang Shanshan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background：Recently, investments in the construction of medical resources have been increasing annually China, and consequently, the allocation of these resources has improved. However, the outbreak of covid-19 in 2020 highlights the problems in the distribution of medical institutions. After the occurrence of public health emergencies, the joint action of different levels of medical and health institutions can bring the role of urban medical and health system into full play. Therefore, after a global public health emergency, the study of medical institution distribution needs to be reconsidered.Methods：With the continuous application and development of GIS, the application of GIS in civil planning is relatively mature, and research investigating distribution has been conducted in depth. Based on this foundation, this paper analyzes the factors impacting distribution, such as the transportation system, land use characteristics and personal factors, by a weighted spatial separation model of a representative city in a cold region in China. Results：The data were sorted, edited and visually processed through the constructed geodatabase to perform an analysis of the spatial distributions of the factors impacting the accessibility of medical institutions in the study area. A weighted spatial separation model was built and applied to comprehensively consider several factors affecting accessibility, the accessibility of these medical institutions is significantly impacted when the spatial population distribution is considered as a factor in the weighted spatial separation model.Conclusions：The accessibility of medical institutions in this representative cold city in China was comparatively analyzed in this paper through theoretical research, software computations/simulations and model analysis based on the GIS paradigm. This study will help optimize the layout of medical institutions and improve medical equality.Trial registration: An ethics review and approval for this study was not required according to the local legislation and institutional requirements.
Minimally invasive versus open right hepatectomy: Comparative study with propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Duarte Vinicius Campos , Coelho Fabricio , Valverde Alain , Danoussou Divia , Kruger Jaime , Zuber Kevin , Fonseca Gilton , Jeismann Vagner , Herman Paulo , Lupinacci Renato 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Minimally invasive liver resections (MILRs) have been increasingly performed in recent years. However, the majority of MILRs are actually minor or limited resections of peripheral lesions. Due to the technical complexity major hepatectomies remain challenging for minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the short and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing minimally invasive right hepatectomies (MIRHs) with contemporary patients undergoing open right hepatectomies (ORHs).
Methods
Consecutive patients submitted to anatomic right hepatectomies between January 2013 and December 2018 in two tertiary referral centers were studied. Study groups were compared on an intention-to-treat basis after propensity score matching (PSM). Overall survival (OS) analyses were performed for the entire cohort and specific etiologies subgroups.
Results
During study period 178 right hepatectomies were performed. After matching, 37 patients were included in MIRH group and 60 in ORH group. The groups were homogenous for all baseline characteristics. MIRHs had significant lower blood loss (400 ml vs. 500 ml, P = 0.01), lower rate of minor complications (13.5% vs. 35%, P = 0.03) and larger resection margins (10 mm vs. 5 mm, P = 0.03) when compared to ORHs. Additionally, a non-significant decrease in hospital stay (ORH 9 days vs. MIRH 7 days, P = 0.09) was observed. No differences regarding the use of Pringle’s maneuver, operative time, major complications or perioperative mortality were observed. OS was similar between the groups (P = 0.13). Similarly, no difference in OS was found in subgroups of patients with primary liver tumors (P = 0.09) and liver metastasis (P = 0.80).
Conclusions
MIRHs are feasible and safe. Minimally invasive approach is associated with less blood loss, a significant reduction in minor perioperative complications, and did not negatively affect long-term outcomes.
RETRACTED: Neurological and neuromuscular manifestations in SARS-CoV-2: Review of Literature and Case Series
Authors: Warner Robin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

22 March, 2024. Editorial note correction. Research Square has removed this preprint after institutional review by Hospital for Special Surgery revealed that appropriate consent was not obtained from the patients reviewed in the case series.
20 January, 2023. Please see corrected editorial note above regarding this retraction.
Protease profile of normal and neoplastic mast cells in the human bone marrow
Authors: Atiakshin Dmitri , Buchwalow Igor , Horny Peter , Tiemann Markus 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Mast cells (MC) are immune cells that produce a variety of mediators, such as proteases, that are important in the body’s immune responses. MC proteases have pronounced multifunctionality and in many respects determine the biological characteristics of the organ-specific MC population. Although, increased numbers of MC are one of the objective mastocytosis signs, a detailed assessment of the proteases biogenesis and excretion mechanisms in the bone marrow has not yet been carried out. Here, we performed an analysis of the expression of proteases in patients with various forms of mastocytosis. We presented data on intracellular protease co-localization in the bone marrow MCs and discussed their implication in secretory pathways of MCs in the development of the disease. Characterization of MC proteases expression during mastocytosis can be used to refine the MC classification, make a prognosis, and increase the effectiveness of targeted therapy.
Carbon Neutral Bhutan: Sustaining Carbon Neutral Status Under Growth Pressures.
Authors: Yangka Dorji , Rauland Vanessa , Newman Peter 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Bhutan has pledged to remain carbon neutral (CN) in perpetuity. Whether they can sustain this is questionable due to the country’s increasing economic growth (GDP) and commitment to gross national happiness (GNH) outcomes, both of which can lead to a rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The nexus between GHG, GNH and GDP is the essence of the sustainable development global project.Results: Through scenario modelling using the Long-range Energy Alternative Planning (LEAP) model, the study finds that the carbon neutral declaration will derail between 2037 and 2050 without mitigation measures. By putting in place mitigation measures especially in the industry and transport, CN can be retained even under high growth pressure, which may cost just 2% of GDP. CN can be easily retained under low economic growth, but this could undermine GNH.Conclusions: The options to remain CN will require Bhutan to adopt more efficient technologies and electrify industry and transport under both low and high growth scenarios. The additional cost to the Bhutanese economy is feasible through low and high growth opportunities. The options are similar to those confronting emerging nations struggling with issues of climate commitments under economic growth pressures.