bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking the research track record and level of appointment of Australian medical laboratory science academics
Authors: Donkin Rebecca , Broome Kieran , Swanepoel Libby 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background

Benchmarking across and within universities is a common tool to evaluate performance of a program and maintain accreditation requirements. While teaching remains a primary responsibility of many academics, academic research performance is a major contributor towards career advancement and standards in the medical laboratory science profession. While anecdotal evidence suggests academics are active contributors to the evidence base of the profession, there is a high variability in research output in relation to institution and level of appointment. The aim of the study was to benchmark the research track record of Australian medical laboratory science academics and provide insight into how research productivity informs the level of appointment of academics across their career pathway.

Methods

A bibliographic analysis of Australian medical laboratory science faculty websites and corresponding Scopus citation database profiles was conducted. A description of current research track record and relationships with holding a doctorate, academic appointment level, research and teaching interests, and institutional characteristics were explored. Quantitative data and frequencies were analysed using IBM SPSS version 26 to benchmark research track records by academic appointment level.

Results

There were 124 academics identified from thirteen universities who had a teaching and research position in an undergraduate medical laboratory science program in Australia. Academics at the level of lecturer or higher typically held a doctorate (89%). Holding a doctorate strongly influenced the number of publications. The top 20% of researchers authored around half of the overall publications. The majority of academics did not have alignment of their major research and teaching areas however, alignment had no influence on number of publications. There was, however, an inconsistent relationship between metropolitan or regional university location and the number of publications.

Conclusion

Data from this study provides academics with benchmarks for the research track record required at each level of appointment. When drawing conclusions on academic progression, promotion and tenure through research track record it would be mindful to assess each on a case by case basis. Institution (metropolitan versus regional) and research interest appears to influence publication number, h -index and citation scores.
JARID1B promotes colorectal cancer proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling via decreasing CDX2 level
Authors: Huang Da , Xiao Fan , Hao Haibin , Hua Fuzhou , Luo Zhenzhong , Huang Zhaoxia , Li Qing , Chen Sha , Cheng Xiuzhi , Zhang Xinyue , Fang Weilan , Hu Xiaoyun , Liu Fanrong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Jumonji AT-rich interactive domain 1B(JARID1B) has been shown to be upregulated in many human cancers and plays a critical role in the development of cancers cells. Nevertheless, its functional role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is not fully understood.Methods: Herein, JARID1B expression levels were detected in clinical CRC samples by western blotting and qRT-PCR. DLD-1 cells with JARID1B knockdown or overexpression by stably transfected plasmids were used in vitro and in vivo study. Colony formation, 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU) and Real Time Cellular Analysis(RTCA) assays were used to detect cell proliferation and growth. Transcriptome and CHIP assays were used to examine the molecular biology changes and molecular interaction in these cells. Nude mice was utilized to study the correlation of JARID1B and tumor growth in vivo.Results: Here, we first observed that JARID1B was significantly upregulated in CRC tissue compared to adjacent normal tissues. In CRC patients, JARID1B high expression was positively relation with poor overall survival. Multivariate analyses revealed that high JARID1B expression was an independent predictive marker for the poor prognosis of CRC. In addition, we found that JARID1B promoted CRC cells proliferation by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Further studies demonstrated CDX2 as a downstream target of JARID1B, and our data demonstrated that CDX2 is crucial for JARID1B -mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that JARID1B regulated CDX2 expression through demethylation of H3K4me3.Conclusions: CDX2 inhibited by JARID1B-derived H3K4me3 methylation promoted cells proliferation of CRC via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, our studies provided a novel insight into the role of JARID1B in CRC cells proliferation and potential new molecular target for treating CRC.
Discrimination between human populations using a small number of differentially methylated CpG sites: A preliminary study using lymphoblastoid cell lines and peripheral blood samples of European and Chinese origin.
Authors: Daca-Roszak Patrycja , Jaksik Roman , Paczkowska Julia , Witt Michal , Zietkiewicz Ewa 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Epigenetics is one of the factors shaping natural variability observed among human populations. A small proportion of heritable inter-population differences are observed in the context of both the genome-wide methylation level and the methylation status of individual CpG sites. It has been demonstrated that a limited number of carefully selected differentially methylated sites may allow discrimination between main human populations. However, most of the few published results have been performed exclusively on B-lymphocyte cell lines. Results The goal of our study was to identify a set of CpG sites sufficient to discriminate between European and Chinese populations based on the difference in the DNA methylation profile not only in cell lines but also in primary cell samples. The preliminary selection of CpG sites differentially methylated in these two populations (pop-CpGs) was based on the analysis of two groups of commercially available ethnically-specific B-lymphocyte cell lines, performed using Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450 BeadChip Array. A subset of ten pop-CpGs characterized by the best differentiating criteria (|Mdiff|>1, q<0.05; lack of the confounding genomic features), and ten additional CpGs in their immediate vicinity, were further tested using pyrosequencing technology in both B-lymphocyte cell lines and in the primary samples of the peripheral blood representing two analyzed populations. To assess the population-discriminating potential of the selected set of CpGs (further referred to as “ composite pop(CEU-CHB)-CpG marker ”) , three classification methods were applied. The predictive ability of the composite 8-site pop(CEU-CHB)-CpG marker was assessed using 10-fold cross-validation method on two independent sets of samples. Conclusions Our results showed that less than 10 pop-CpG sites may distinguish European and Chinese populations; importantly, this small composite pop-CpG marker performs well in both lymphoblastoid cell lines and in non-homogenous blood samples regardless of a gender .
Sports activity participation after curved periacetabular osteotomy for acetabular dysplasia
Authors: Takahashi Yoshiki , Takahira Naonobu , Uchiyama Katsufumi , Fukushima Kensuke , Moriya Mitsutoshi , Shibuya Manaka , Tsuda Kouji , Tozaki Kiyoshi , Kudo Sho , Kaneda Hiroaki , Sekita Junya , Takaso Masashi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Curved periacetabular osteotomy (CPO) was developed to treat acetabular dysplasia. Given that CPO can improve physical function in the early post-operative period, patients might be able to participate in sports activities post-operatively. Therefore, this study examined the post-operative sports activity participation and characteristics of acetabular dysplasia patients who have undergone CPO.Methods: A total of 52 patients who underwent CPO for acetabular dysplasia were given a questionnaire on pre- and post-operative sports activities; 43 patients responded. We surveyed patients’ sports activities, satisfaction, and physical function. Patients were divided according to whether they participated in sports activities after CPO. Physical function was compared before and after CPO.Results: The pre- and post-operative sports activity participation rates were 55.8% and 72.1%, respectively. Patients mostly performed low-impact sports activities. Moreover, patients who participated in sports activities post-operatively had smaller pre-operative range of motion of hip flexion and returned to full weight bearing earlier.Conclusions: Among acetabular dysplasia patients who underwent CPO, 72.1% participated in sports activities post-operatively. Post-operatively, patients participated not only in low-impact sports activities, but also in high-impact ones. These findings might be useful for advising patients who are concerned about participating in sports activities after CPO.
Intestinal tract and parenteral multi-organ sequential pathological injury caused by necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Wang Fu Sheng , Yu Meng Lu , Li Wei Zhong , Hong Kai , Xu Chen Bin , Wang Guang Huan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: To explore the relationship between the pathological changes of the colon, terminal ileum, lung, liver and kidney, and the changes of Bax, PCNA and PAF in a rat model of NEC. Methods: 140 neonatal SD rats were randomly divided into NEC group and control group (70 in each group). NEC group was given hypoxia, cold stimulation and artificial feeding twice a day for 3 consecutive days. The control group was only fed normally. After modeling, From the 1st day to the 7th day, 10 rats were sampled in each group for pathological examination of colon, terminal ileum, lung, liver and kidney tissue. The levels of Bax, PCNA and PAF were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with the normal group, in the NEC group, on the 1st day, the colon, terminal ileum, lung, liver and kidney showed inflammatory damage. On the 5th day, the inflammatory injury was reduced. The inflammation disappeared on the 7th day. There were differences in the time of apoptosis in the intestine. In the intestine, the proliferation of PCNA was weak at first and then strong. Bax in liver and kidney showed marked apoptosis and apoptosis time increased in the lung. The expression of PCNA increased in lung, liver and kidney, and the expression of PAF increased in lung and liver. Conclusions: NEC can lead to secondary injury of different degrees in colon, terminal ileum, lung, liver and kidney, and the degree and time of injury and repair were different. In general, organ repair played a leading role on the 4th day after modeling.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a prognostic factor for colon cancer: a propensity score analysis
Authors: Mazaki Junichi , katsumata Kenji , Kasahara Kenta , Tago Tomoya , Wada Takahiro , Kuwabara Hiroshi , Enomoto Masanobu , Ishizaki Tetsuo , Nagakawa Yuichi , Tsuchida Akihiko 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: A large number of patients suffer recurrence after curative resection, and mortality from colon cancer remains high. The role of systemic inflammatory response, as reflected by neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), in cancer recurrence and death has been increasingly recognized. This study aimed to analyze long-term oncologic outcomes of Stage II-III colon cancer to examine the prognostic value of NLR using a propensity score analysis.Methods: A total of 375 patients with colon cancer underwent radical surgery between 2000 and 2014 at Tokyo Medical University Hospital. Long-term oncologic outcomes of these patients were evaluated according to NLR values. A cut-off NLR of 3.0 was used based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). An analysis of outcomes according to tumor sidedness was also performed.Results: Patients with lower NLR values (“lower NLR group”) were more likely to have lymph node metastasis compared to those with higher NLR values (“higher NLR group”) before case matching. After case matching, clinical outcomes were similar between the two groups. There were no significant differences in 5-year OS and 5-year RFS rates between the two groups before case matching based on propensity scores. After case matching, 5-year OS rates were 94.5% in the lower NLR group (n = 135) and 87.0% in the higher NLR group (n = 135), showing a significant difference (p = 0.042). Five-year RFS rates were 87.8% in the lower NLR group and 77.9% in the higher NLR group, also showing a significant difference (p = 0.032). Among patients with left-sided colon cancer in the matched cohort, 5-year OS and 5-year RFS rates were 95.2% and 87.3% in the lower NLR group (n = 88), respectively, and 86.4% and 79.2% in the higher NLR group (n = 71), respectively, showing significant differences (p = 0.014 and p = 0.047, respectively).Conclusions: The NLR is an important prognostic factor for advanced colon cancer, especially for left-sided colon cancer.
Factors associated with undernutrition among 20 to 49 year old women in Uganda: a secondary analysis of the Uganda demographic health survey 2016
Authors: Sserwanja Quraish , Mukunya David , Habumugisha Theogene , Mutisya Linet M. , Tuke Robert , Olal Emmanuel 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Women are at risk of undernutrition due to biological, socio-economic, and cultural factors. Undernourished women have higher risk of poor obstetric outcomes. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among women of reproductive age in Uganda.Methods: We used Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016 data of 4,640 women aged 20 to 49 years excluding pregnant and post-menopausal women. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants and data were collected using validated questionnaires. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with underweight and stunting among 20 to 49 year old women in Uganda.Results: The prevalence of underweight and stunting were 6.9% (318/4640) and 1.3% (58/4640) respectively. Women who belonged to the poorest wealth quintile (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.60, 95% CI 1.85–7.00) were more likely to be underweight compared to those who belonged to the richest wealth quintile. Women residing in rural areas were less likely to be underweight (AOR 0.63, 95%CI 0.41–0.96) compared to women in urban areas. Women in Western (AOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.20–0.44), Eastern (AOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.28–0.63) and Central regions (AOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.25–0.72) were less likely to be underweight compared to those in the Northern region. Women belonging to Central (AOR 4.37, 95% CI 1.44-13.20) and Western (AOR 4.77, 95% CI 1.28-17.78) regions were more likely to be stunted compared to those in the Northern region.Conclusion: The present study showed wealth index, place of residence and region to be associated with undernutrition among 20 to 49 year old women in Uganda. There is need to address socio-economic determinants of maternal undernutrition mainly poverty and regional inequalities.
Accelerating the performance of district health systems towards achieving UHC via twinning partnerships
Authors: Argaw Mesele Damte , Desta Binyam Fekadu , Kibret Mengistu Asnake , Abebe Melkamu Getu , Heyi Wubishet Kebede , Mamo Elias , Gebru Tesfaye , Gela Chala , Tefera Bekele Belayhun , Bele Temesgen Ayehu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background The twinning partnership is a formal and substantive collaboration between two districts to improve their performance in providing primary healthcare services. The ‘win-win’ twinning partnership pairs relatively high and low performing districts. The purpose of this formative evaluation is to use the empirically derived systems model as an analytical framework to systematically document the inputs, throughputs and outputs of the twinning partnership strategy. Methods This evaluation employed a case study research design and was conducted from October 2018 to September 2019, in Amhara, Oromia, Southern, Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ (SNNP) and Tigray Regions. Qualitative data was collected using interviewer-guided semi-structured interview tools. The data were transcribed verbatim, translated into English and analyzed through the theoretical framework called Bergen Model of Collaborative Functioning (BMCF). Quantitative data were extracted from Routine Health Management Information System. Results were presented using average, percentages and graphs. Result The result of this case study revealed that scanning the mission of the twinning partnership and focusing on a shared vision coupled with mobilizing internal and external resources were the fundamental input element for successful twinning partnership at the district level. In addition, the context of pursuing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through achieving transformed districts can be enhanced through deploying skilled and knowledgeable leadership, defining clear roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders, forming agreed detailed action plans and effective communication that leads to additive results and synergy. The twinning partnership implementing districts benefit from the formal relationship and accelerate their performances towards meeting criteria of transformed districts in Ethiopia. At the baseline measurement stage, only two out of eight districts achieved a medium performance status; at mid-term, two districts achieved high performance status and during the end-line results out of eight twinning targeted districts, three districts fulfilled the transformation criteria, three districts were categorized as medium performers and the remaining two districts fell into the low performing districts category. Conclusions The implemented twinning partnership helped to accelerate the health system’s performance in achieving the district transformation criteria. Therefore, scaling up the implementation of the twinning partnership strategy is recommended.
Does synbiotic supplementation affect the quality of life in children with cystic fibrosis? A pilot randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Bilan Nemat , Marefat Effat , Nikniaz Leila , Farhangi Mahdieh Abbasalizad , Nikniaz Zeinab 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: There is no clinical trial that assesses the effect synbiotic supplementation on HRQOL in CF children. Considering the importance of HRQOL as an essential primary outcome and determinant of therapeutic benefit in chronic diseases like cystic fibrosis, the present clinical trial aimed to determine the efficacy of synbiotic supplementation on HRQOL in children with CF.Methods: In the present double-blind randomized clinical trial, 40 CF children were randomly allocated to the two groups. The intervention group was supplemented with synbiotics supplements and the patients in the placebo group received maltodextrin for six months. Demographic data and information about antibiotic use were recorded using the questionnaire. The health-related quality of life was assessed using the Persian version of quality of life inventory questionnaires. Paired t-test and ANCOVA were used for statistical analysis. Results: Totally, 36 participants completed the trial. The mean score of HRQOL was 76.34±17.33. There were no significant differences between synbiotic and placebo groups regarding baseline demographic and quality of life characteristics. Compared with baseline values, the mean total score and subscores of quality of life did not change significantly after synbiotic and placebo supplementation (p>0.05). Moreover, the results of ANCOVA showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the post-trial value of HRQOL total score and subscores. Conclusion: According to results, six-month supplementation with synbiotic did not have a significant effect on the HRQOL in children with CF. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and using more disease-specific questionnaires are needed for a more precise conclusion. The protocol of the study was registered at Iranian registry clinical trials (Registration code: IRCT2017011732004N1; Registration date: 2017-02-14).
Pediatric neurodevelopment by prenatal Zika virus exposure: A cross-sectional study of the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group Cohort
Authors: Silva paula sobral , Eickmann Sophie Helena , Ximenes Ricardo Arraes de Alencar , Montarroyos Ulisses Ramos , Lima Marília de Carvalho , Martelli Celina M Turchi , de Araújo Thalia Velho Barreto , Brickley Elizabeth , Rodrigues Laura Cunha , Gonçalves Fabiana Cristina Lima Pastich , Carvalho Maria Durce Costa Gomes , de Souza Wayner Vieira , Miranda-Filho Democrito de Barros 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The implications of congenital Zika Virus (ZIKV) infections for pediatric neurodevelopment and behavior remain inadequately studied. The aim of this study is to investigate patterns of neurodevelopment and behavior in groups of children with differening severities of ZIKV-related microcephaly and children with prenatal ZIKV exposure in the absence of microcephaly.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, nested in a cohort, of 274 children (aged 10-45 months) who were born during the peak and decline of the microcephaly epidemic in Northeast Brazil. Participants were evaluated between February 2017 and August 2019 at two tertiary care hospitals in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. We analyzed the children in four groups assigned based on clinical and laboratory criteria: Group 1 had severe microcephaly; Group 2 had moderate microcephaly; Group 3 had prenatal ZIKVexposure confirmed by maternal RT-PCR testing but no microcephaly; and Group 4 was a neurotypical control group. Groups were evaluated clinically for neurological abnormalities and compared using the Survey of Wellbeing of Young Children (SWYC), a neurodevelopment and behavior screening instrument validated for use in Brazil. Children with severe delays underwent further evaluation with an adapted version of the SWYC.Results: Based on the SWYC screening, we observed differences between the groups for developmental milestones but not behavior. Among the 114 children with severe microcephaly of whom 98.2% presented with neurological abnormalities, 99.1% were ‘at risk of development delay’ according to the SWYC instrument. Among the 20 children with moderate microcephaly of whom 60% presented with neurological abnormalities, 65% were ‘at risk of development delay’. For children without microcephaly, the percentages found to be ‘at risk of developmental delay’ were markedly lower and did not differ by prenatal ZIKV exposure status: Group 3 (N=94), 13.8%; Group 4 (N=46), 21.7%.Conclusions: Among children with prenatal ZIKV exposure, we found a gradient of risk of development delay according to head circumference. Children with severe microcephaly were at highest risk for delays, while normocephalic ZIKV-exposed children had similar risks to unexposed control children. We propose that ZIKV-exposed children should undergo first-line screening for neurodevelopment and behavior using the SWYC instrument. Early assessment and follow-up will enable at-risk children to be referred to a more comprehensive developmental evaluation and to multidisciplinary care management.