bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychometric validation of the Partners in Health scale as a self‐management tool in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Ramachandran Jeyamani , Smith David , Woodman Richard , Muller Kate , Wundke Rachel , McCormick Rosemary , Kaambwa Billingsley , Wigg Alan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackground and AimLiver cirrhosis is a chronic disease complicated by recurrent hospital admissions. Self‐management skills could facilitate optimal disease management. At present there is no validated instrument for measuring self‐management in these patients. Hence, we evaluated the internal reliability and construct validity of the Partners in Health (PIH) scale, a chronic condition self‐management tool in cirrhotic patients.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, the PIH scale was administered to 133 consenting patients within a Chronic Liver Failure Program of a tertiary hospital from February 2017 to May 2018. A Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate a priori four‐factor structure. Omega coefficients and 95% credible intervals (CrI) were used to assess internal reliability. Known‐group validity was assessed in patients receiving active case management (n = 60) versus those without (n = 73).ResultsThe mean (± standard deviation (SD)) age of the participants was 62 (±11) years. Model fit for the hypothesised model was adequate (posterior predictive P‐value = 0.073) and all hypothesised factor loadings were substantial (>0.6) and significant (P < 0.001). Omega coefficients (95% CrI) for the PIH subscales of Knowledge, Partnership, Management and Coping were 0.88 (0.82–0.91), 0.68 (0.57–0.76), 0.92 (0.89–0.94) and 0.89 (0.85–0.92) respectively. The mean (±SD) overall PIH score was higher in patients receiving case management compared to those without case management (81 ± 12 vs 73 ± 17, P < 0.001).ConclusionThe dimensionality, known‐group validity and reliability of the PIH scale for measuring self‐management in patients with liver cirrhosis were confirmed. Its clinical predictive value requires further assessment.
Hyperspectral imaging in wound care: A systematic review
Authors: Saiko Gennadi , Lombardi Phoebe , Au Yunghan , Queen Douglas , Armstrong David , Harding Keith 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMultispectral and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) are emerging imaging techniques with the potential to transform the way patients with wounds are cared for, but it is not clear whether current systems are capable of delivering real‐time tissue characterisation and treatment guidance. We conducted a systematic review of HSI systems that have been assessed in patients, published over the past 32 years. We analysed 140 studies, including 10 different HSI systems. Current in vivo HSI systems generate a tissue oxygenation map. Tissue oxygenation measurements may help to predict those patients at risk of wound formation or delayed healing. No safety concerns were reported in any studies. A small number of studies have demonstrated the capabilities of in vivo label‐free HSI, but further work is needed to fully integrate it into the current clinical workflow for different wound aetiologies. As an emerging imaging modality for medical applications, HSI offers great potential for non‐invasive disease diagnosis and guidance when treating patients with both acute and chronic wounds.
Wound assessment, imaging and monitoring systems in diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review
Authors: Chan Kai Siang , Lo Zhiwen Joseph 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPatients with diabetes mellitus have a lifetime risk of 15% to 25% of developing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). DFU is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Wound imaging systems are useful adjuncts in monitoring of wound progress. Our study aims to review existing literature on the available wound assessment and monitoring systems for DFU. This is a systematic review of articles from PubMed and Embase (1974 – March 2020). All studies related to wound assessment or monitoring systems in DFUs were included. Articles on other types of wounds, review articles, and non‐English texts were excluded. Outcomes include clinical use, wound measurement statistics, hospital system integration, and other advantages and challenges. The search identified 531 articles. Seventeen full‐text studies were eligible for the final analysis. Five modalities were identified: (a) computer applications or hand‐held devices (n = 5), (b) mobile applications (n = 2), (c) optical imaging (n = 2), (d) spectroscopy or hyperspectral imaging (n = 4), and (e) artificial intelligence (n = 4). Most studies (n = 16) reported on wound assessment or monitoring. Only one study reported on data capturing. Two studies on the use of computer applications reported low inter‐observer variability in wound measurement (inter‐rater reliability >0.99, and inter‐observer variability 15.9% respectively). Hand‐held commercial devices demonstrated high accuracy (relative error of 2.1%‐6.8%). Use of spectroscopy or hyperspectral imaging in prediction of wound healing has a sensitivity and specificity of 80% to 90% and 74%to 86%, respectively. Majority of the commercially available wound assessment systems have not been reviewed in the literature on measurement accuracy. In conclusion, most imaging systems are superior to traditional wound assessment. Wound imaging systems should be used as adjuncts in DFU monitoring.
Mucosal responses of brown‐marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål, 1775) following intraperitoneal infection with Vibrio harveyi
Authors: Chieng Catherine Cheng Yun , Daud Hassan Mohd , Yusoff Fatimah Md , Thompson Kim Dawn , Abdullah Maha 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGroupers are popular aquaculture species in South‐East Asia, but their cultivation is affected by infectious disease outbreaks. Mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissues provide a first‐line defence against pathogens; however, few studies are available relating to cellular or proteomic responses of mucosal immunity in grouper. Skin, gill and intestine were sampled from brown‐marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål, 1775) at 4 and 96 hr post‐infection (hpi) and 7 days post‐infection (dpi) following intraperitoneal infection with Vibrio harveyi, and stained with haematoxylin/eosin and Alcian Blue/periodic acid–Schiff. Skin mucus was analysed by 2D‐gel electrophoresis, and proteins modulated by the bacterial infection identified. In the infected fish, significant increases in sacciform cells in skin and increased levels of nucleoside diphosphate kinase in mucus were detected at 4 hpi. At 96 hpi, goblet cells containing acidic mucins significantly increased in the intestine, while those containing mixed mucins increased in skin and gills of infected fish. Proteasome subunit alpha type‐I and extracellular Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase levels also increased in mucus. Rodlet and mast cells did not appear to respond to the infection. Mucosal tissues of grouper appeared actively involved in response to Vibrio infection. This information may help future research on improving grouper health, production and vaccine development.
The relationship between famine exposure in early life and left atrial enlargement in adulthood
Authors: Huang Y.‐Q. , Liu L. , Yu Y.‐L. , Lo K. , Chen C.‐L. , Huang J.‐Y. , Zhou Y.‐L. , Feng Y.‐Q. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundIncreased left atrium diameter (LAD) is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between nutrition status and left atrial enlargement (LAE) is still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the association of famine exposure in early life with LAE in adulthood.MethodsParticipants were divided into non‐exposed, fetal, early, middle and late childhood exposed groups according to birth data. LAE was defined when LAD was ≥3.9 cm in women and ≥4.1 cm in men, or ≥2.3 cm m−2 by a sex‐independent cut‐off normalised for body surface area. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) between famine exposure and LAE.ResultsIn total, 2522 [905 male, mean (SD) age 59.1 (3.65) years] subjects were enrolled, including 392 (15.5%) LAE subjects. The prevalence of LAE in non‐exposed, fetal, early, middle and late childhood exposed groups was 55 (10.8%), 38 (11.2%), 88 (18.1%), 102 (16.7%) and 109 (19.0%), respectively. Compared to the non‐exposed group, the ORs for LAE were in fetal (OR = 0.956, 95% CI = 0.605–1.500, P = 0.847), late (OR = 1.748, 95% CI = 1.208–2.555, P = 0.003), middle (OR = 1.647, 95% CI = 1.140–2.403, P = 0.008) and early (OR = 1.630, 95% CI = 1.116–2.399, P = 0.012) childhood exposed groups after adjusting potential cofounders. When stratified by gender, smoking, body mass index, hypertension and diabetes, we found that the effect of famine exposure on LAE was only modified by diabetes (Pinteraction = 0.007).ConclusionsFamine exposure during childhood stage might increase the risk of LAE in adults, and this effect interacts with diabetes.
The use of online support by people with intellectual disabilities living independently during COVID‐19
Authors: Zaagsma M. , Volkers K.M. , Swart E.A.K. , Schippers A.P. , Van Hove G. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundDuring the COVID‐19 outbreak, service providers in the Netherlands had to switch towards providing remote support for people with intellectual disabilities living independently. This study aims to provide insight into the use of online support during the outbreak.MethodsWe analysed quantitative data on planned and unplanned contacts between the online support service DigiContact and its service users.ResultsThe results indicate that the COVID‐19 outbreak and the related containment measures had a strong impact on online support use, specifically on the unplanned use of online support.ConclusionOffering online support as a standard component of services for independently living people with intellectual disability enables service providers to be flexible and responsive towards fluctuations in both support needs and onsite support availability during a social crisis such as COVID‐19.
Major and trace element mapping of garnet: Unravelling the conditions, timing and rates of metamorphism of the Snowcap assemblage, west‐central Yukon
Authors: Gaidies Fred , Morneau Yannick E. , Petts Duane C. , Jackson Simon E. , Zagorevski Alex , Ryan Jim J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGarnet crystallization has been simulated in the MnNCKFMASHT model system using a simple nucleation and growth scenario, calibrated with three‐dimensional garnet crystal size distribution data as well as garnet compositional data obtained by electron probe micro‐analysis and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results indicate wide‐spread Barrovian‐type metamorphism for garnet‐zone rocks from the Snowcap assemblage along a hairpin‐shaped pressure–temperature loop with garnet growth from ~515°C and 4 kbar to metamorphic peak conditions of ~600°C and 6 kbar. Lu–Hf garnet‐whole geochronology points to initial garnet growth at c. 192.2 ± 4.7 Ma. Sm–Nd garnet–whole‐rock geochronology applied to a sample with garnet rims enriched in Sm indicates that the metamorphic peak conditions have been attained at c. 172.9 ± 2.4 Ma. Older garnet growth at c. 245.3 ± 0.8 Ma during a low‐P–high‐T event has been preserved as garnet cores separated from the Jurassic garnet rims by a sharp microstructural and compositional discontinuity. These polyphase garnets are restricted to Mn‐rich metapelitic lithologies. Trace element zoning in the outermost ~50 μm thin segments of the Early Triassic garnet cores reflects a short garnet growth episode in the presence of melt at peak conditions of ~710°C and 2.5 kbar, supported by phase equilibrium and diffusion geospeedometry calculations. Diffusion simulations across the interface between the Early Triassic garnet core and the Jurassic garnet rim indicate that the Barrovian‐type metamorphism during the Jurassic lasted for 20–25 Myr, in line with the radiometric data.
The environmental, social and economic effects of recent technological changes in sugarcane on the State of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Baccarin José Giacomo , de Oliveira Jonatan Alexandre , Mardegan Gláucia Elisa 
Published: August 2020

AbstractFrom 2007 to 2017, the Agro‐Environmental Protocol of the Sugar and Energy Sector was in force, an agreement between sugarcane mill owners and the State Government of São Paulo, Brazil, proposing to eliminate sugarcane burning as a method to facilitate the harvest. Simultaneously, the sugarcane harvest was becoming widely mechanized while, under the interests of capital accumulation, the mills were entering the information and communication technology era and providing the agricultural processes with more precise and immediate management and technological controls, similar to those implemented in the mills' administrative and industrial operations in the 1990s. Short‐term factors, including environmental factors, favoured sugarcane technological changes. As a result, there was a mass layoff of rural workers and an increasing number of people/workers in agricultural mechanization, transportation and maintenance of machinery and administrative as well. The whole process highlighted the differences between mills, resulting in small and medium sugarcane farmers and mills to become the most impacted, in operational and financial terms, by the accelerating mechanization of the sugarcane industry as a whole.
Immunoregulatory protein V‐set and immunoglobulin domain‐containing 4 is overexpressed in patients with endometriosis
Authors: Jeon Gyun‐Ho , Lee Dae Sim , Byun Jung Mi , Kim Ki Tae , Jeong Dae Hoon 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimV‐set and immunoglobulin domain‐containing 4 (VSIG4) is a potent negative regulator of T‐cell responses and is suggested to regulate antitumor immunity. This study investigates whether VSIG4 is significantly expressed in endometriosis patients and the association between VSIG4 levels and serum cancer antigen (CA)‐125 levels, VSIG4 levels and endometriosis severity.MethodsTumor tissues and peripheral blood samples were obtained during surgery from 42 endometriotic cyst and 21 nonendometriotic tumor patients. The levels of VSIG4 mRNA, VSIG4 protein expression in tumor tissue and serum soluble VSIG4 concentration were compared between the two groups. After dividing the cohort using the optimized cut‐off values obtained by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, we examined the association between VSIG4 levels and serum CA‐125 levels, VSIG4 levels and the factors indicating endometriosis severity.ResultsThe expressions of VSIG4 mRNA, VSIG4 protein and serum VSIG4 concentration were significantly increased in the endometriotic cyst group compared with the control group (P = 0.001, 0.002 and 0.049, respectively). The optimized VSIG4 cut‐off values for endometriosis prediction were 0.71, 0.32 and 144.37 pg/mL, respectively. After cohort division using these values, high VSIG4 levels group showed significantly elevated CA‐125 compared with low VSIG4 level group (P = 0.010, 0.043 and 0.039, respectively). There was no association between VSIG4 levels and the factors indicating endometriosis severity.ConclusionThe expression of VSIG4 in endometriosis patients is increased compared with nonendometriotic tumor patients, and higher VSIG4 levels are significantly associated with higher serum CA‐125 levels. VSIG4 may be importantly involved in the immunological alteration of endometriosis.
Geniposide in Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans Makino modulates blood pressure via inhibiting WNK pathway mediated by the estrogen receptors
Authors: Fu Yang , Yuan Pei-pei , Cao Yan-gang , Ke Ying-ying , Zhang Qi , Hou Ying , Zhang Yan-li , Feng Wei-sheng , Zheng Xiao-ke 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate the effects of geniposide in an iridoid found in Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans Makino (GJRM) in spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) and explore the possible mechanisms.

Methods
In this study, we detected the content of geniposide in GJRM by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Then, we used acute diuretic experiments to determine whether geniposide has diuretic effect. Moreover, we carried out experiments on SHR to further study the mechanism of hypertension, while real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used for the experiments in vivo test. Hypotonic model was used for in vitro test.

Key findings
Our data showed that the content of geniposide in the extract of GJRM is 27.54%. Meanwhile, 50 mg/kg geniposide showed the strongest effect on promoting urine volume. Further study indicated that the extract of GJRM and geniposide could significantly reduce blood pressure and promote the excretion of urine and Na+ in SHR. In addition, geniposide significantly inhibited the activation of the with-no-lysine kinase (WNK) signalling pathway and significantly increases the protein expressions of estrogen receptor α (ERα), estrogen receptor β (ERβ) and G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) in SHR. In hypotonic model, geniposide significantly inhibits the phosphorylation of NKCC and NCC and could be antagonistic to estrogen receptor antagonists.

Conclusions
Collectively, we would suggest that geniposide may potentially be utilized as an adjunct to existing thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics to control hypertension, mainly through inhibiting the activation of the WNK signalling pathway mediated by the estrogen receptor.
Factors associated with concurrent wasting and stunting among children 6–59 months in Karamoja, Uganda
Authors: Odei Obeng‐Amoako Gloria Adobea , Karamagi Charles Amnon Sunday , Nangendo Joanita , Okiring Jaffer , Kiirya Yerusa , Aryeetey Richmond , Mupere Ezekial , Myatt Mark , Briend André , Kalyango Joan Nakayaga , Wamani Henry 
Published: August 2020

AbstractChildren with concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) and children with severe wasting have a similar risk of death. Existing evidence shows that wasting and stunting share similar causal pathways, but evidence on correlates of WaSt remains limited. Research on correlates of WaSt is needed to inform prevention strategies. We investigated the factors associated with WaSt in children 6–59 months in Karamoja Region, Uganda.We examined data for 33,054 children aged 6–59 months using June 2015 to July 2018 Food Security and Nutrition Assessment in Karamoja. We defined WaSt as being concurrently wasted (weight‐for‐height z‐scores <−2.0) and stunted (height‐for‐age z‐score <−2.0). We conducted multivariate mixed‐effect logistic regression to assess factors associated with WaSt. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.In multivariate analysis, being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.60–2.00]), aged 12–23 months (aOR = 2.25; 95% CI [1.85–2.74]), 36–47 months (aOR = 0.65; 95% CI [0.50–0.84]) and 48–59 months (aOR = 0.71; 95% CI [0.54–0.93]) were associated with WaSt. In addition, acute respiratory infection (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI [1.15–1.48]), diarrhoea (aOR = 1.25; 95% CI [1.06–1.48]) and malaria/fever (aOR = 0.83; 95% CI [0.73–0.96]) episodes were associated with WaSt. WaSt was significantly associated with maternal underweight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m2), short stature (height <160 cm), low mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC <23 cm) and having ≥4 live‐births. WaSt was prevalent in households without livestock (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI [1.13–1.59]).Preventing the occurrence of WaSt through pragmatic and joint approaches are recommended. Future prospective studies on risk factors of WaSt to inform effective prevention strategies are recommended.
Toward a New Multilingual Educational Policy in Israel: Attitudes and Perceptions of Teachers and Students
Authors: TANNENBAUM MICHAL , MICHALOVICH AMIR , SHOHAMY ELANA 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIsrael's Education Ministry invited proposals for the development of a new multilingual policy for the country's education system. We submitted a proposal for an ‘engaged language policy’ approach, which helps schools to conceptualize and develop a policy that best fits them ideologically and demographically. This study aimed to map teachers’ and students’ attitudes toward various principles and practices of multilingual education in order to gather baseline data for the policy. It consisted of a mixed method design that included 2,157 Jewish and Arab teachers and students. Results showed a positive stance toward a multilingual policy and general readiness to implement it. There was overall support for expanding the range of languages offered and for strengthening immigrants’ languages, beside positive attitudes toward Arabic and Hebrew instruction for Jews and Arabs, respectively, together with various reservations, especially about translanguaging and accommodations for immigrants. Several differences emerged between Jews and Arabs, reflecting essential gaps between them regarding language and identity in Israel. The findings provide a basis for developing the new policy on more stable ground, adjusting its central principles to different contexts and implementing it gradually, enabling each school to design its own language policy based on its own ideology and demography.
Different Surgical Strategy for Patients with Cervical Angina: A Potential Role of Luschka's Joint Osteophyte
Authors: Feng Fan , Chen Xiu‐yuan , Shen Long , Li Quan , Lao Li‐feng , Shen Hong‐xing 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveCervical angina is an underrecognized type of noncardiac chest pain and its mechanism of pain remains obscure. The objective of the current study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of different surgical strategies for patients with cervical angina and to analyze the potential pathogenesis of Luschka's joint osteophyte.MethodsFrom February 2013 to March 2018, a prospective study on cervical angina was performed in our hospital. All patients who were diagnosed with both noncardiac chest pain and cervical pathology were identified. During admission, they consulted with a cardiologist and underwent strict cardiac workups to exclude true angina pectoris. The included 41 patients were randomly divided into two groups according to different surgical strategies of whether or not to remove Luschka's joint osteophyte during anterior cervical decompression surgery: the osteophyte resection (OR group) and the nonresection (NR group).ResultsThe OR group consisted of 21 patients (8 men and 13 women) with a mean age of 54.7 years (range, 41–65 years). The NR group was composed of 20 patients (9 men and 11 women) with an average age of 56.3 years (range, 43–68 years). Before surgery, the mean duration of symptoms was 6.1 months (range, 4–20 months). The Luschka's joint osteophytes were located at C6–C7 (19 cases, 46.3%), C5–C6 (17 cases, 41.5%), and C4–C5 (4 cases, 12.2%). Their average area was 34.85 mm2 and the average length were 5.09 mm. No statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics were detected between the two groups (P > 0.05). After operation, there were significant improvements in the Japanese Orthopedic Association score and the Neck Disability Index score in both groups (P < 0.05). However, the visual analogue scale score for chest pain in the OR group was statistically lower than that in the NR group (1.4 ± 1.0 vs 2.1 ± 1.6, P < 0.05). In the OR group, the results of cervical spine surgery were excellent in 18 patients (85.7%), and fair in 3 patients (14.3%). In the NR group, there were 10 patients (50.0%) with excellent results, 9 patients with fair results (45.0%), and 1 patient with poor results (5.0%). Notably, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (χ2 = 6.265, P = 0.044). The average follow‐up was 31 months (24–52 months).ConclusionAnterior cervical decompression surgery with resection of Luschka's joint osteophyte can effectively reduce cervical angina symptom and improve the patient's quality of life. In addition to nerve root compression, Luschka's joint osteophyte may be another pathogenic factor in cervical angina.