bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Uterine Adenomyosis on Pregnancy Outcomes in Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization Treated With a Long-Term Pituitary Downregulation Protocol
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Hu Linli , Bu Zhiqin , Sun Yingpu 
Published: August 2021

BackgroundSome studies have demonstrated that adenomyosis patients can achieve a comparable pregnancy outcome with women with normal uteruses, while there is no unanimous conclusion at present.MethodWe recruited 65 adenomyosis patients and 260 frequency-matched control women with endometriosis at a ratio of 1:4 according to age. Clinical pregnancy rate, spontaneous abortion rate, and live birth rate were compared between these two groups after controlling other factors.ResultsCompared with endometriosis patients, adenomyosis patients had a higher antral follicle count (AFC) (12.71 vs 11.65, P=0.027). Though the two groups had the same number of embryos transferred, adenomyosis patients had an obviously declined implantation rate (31.91% vs 46.74%, P=0.005), clinical pregnancy rate (47.06% vs 64.42%, P=0.028), live birth rate (31.37% vs 54.81%, P=0.004), and significantly increased spontaneous abortion rate (33.33% vs 13.43%, P=0.034). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that adenomyosis had adverse influences on pregnancy outcome when age and the number of embryo transfers were controlled (adjusted OR=0.361, P=0.003).ConclusionEven after being matched with age, adenomyosis still had adverse influences on the pregnancy outcome of IVF in patients undergoing the long protocol.
Containing the Transmission of COVID-19: A Modeling Study in 160 Countries
Authors: Niu Yan , Rui Jia , Wang Qiupeng , Zhang Wei , Chen Zhiwei , Xie Fang , Zhao Zeyu , Lin Shengnan , Zhu Yuanzhao , Wang Yao , Xu Jingwen , Liu Xingchun , Yang Meng , Zheng Wei , Chen Kaixin , Xia Yilan , Xu Lijuan , Zhang Shi , Ji Rongrong , Jin Taisong , Chen Yong , Zhao Benhua , Su Yanhua , Song Tie , Chen Tianmu , Hu Guoqing 
Published: August 2021

Background: It is much valuable to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention and control in the non-pharmacological intervention phase of the pandemic across countries and identify useful experiences that could be generalized worldwide.Methods: In this study, we developed a susceptible–exposure–infectious–asymptomatic–removed (SEIAR) model to fit the daily reported COVID-19 cases in 160 countries. The time-varying reproduction number (Rt) that was estimated through fitting the mathematical model was adopted to quantify the transmissibility. We defined a synthetic index (IAC) based on the value of Rt to reflect the national capability to control COVID-19.Results: The goodness-of-fit tests showed that the SEIAR model fitted the data of the 160 countries well. At the beginning of the epidemic, the values of Rt of countries in the European region were generally higher than those in other regions. Among the 160 countries included in the study, all European countries had the ability to control the COVID-19 epidemic. The Western Pacific Region did best in continuous control of the epidemic, with a total of 73.76% of countries that can continuously control the COVID-19 epidemic, while only 43.63% of the countries in the European Region continuously controlled the epidemic, followed by the Region of Americas with 52.53% of countries, the Southeast Asian Region with 48% of countries, the African Region with 46.81% of countries, and the Eastern Mediterranean Region with 40.48% of countries.Conclusion: Large variations in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic existed across countries. The world could benefit from the experience of some countries that demonstrated the highest containment capabilities.
The Cognitive Connectome in Healthy Aging
Authors: Garcia-Cabello Eloy , Gonzalez-Burgos Lissett , Pereira Joana B. , Hernández-Cabrera Juan Andres , Westman Eric , Volpe Giovanni , Barroso José , Ferreira Daniel 
Published: August 2021

Objectives: Cognitive aging has been extensively investigated using both univariate and multivariate analyses. Sophisticated multivariate approaches such as graph theory could potentially capture unknown complex associations between multiple cognitive variables. The aim of this study was to assess whether cognition is organized into a structure that could be called the “cognitive connectome,” and whether such connectome differs between age groups.Methods: A total of 334 cognitively unimpaired individuals were stratified into early-middle-age (37–50 years, n = 110), late-middle-age (51–64 years, n = 106), and elderly (65–78 years, n = 118) groups. We built cognitive networks from 47 cognitive variables for each age group using graph theory and compared the groups using different global and nodal graph measures.Results: We identified a cognitive connectome characterized by five modules: verbal memory, visual memory—visuospatial abilities, procedural memory, executive—premotor functions, and processing speed. The elderly group showed reduced transitivity and average strength as well as increased global efficiency compared with the early-middle-age group. The late-middle-age group showed reduced global and local efficiency and modularity compared with the early-middle-age group. Nodal analyses showed the important role of executive functions and processing speed in explaining the differences between age groups.Conclusions: We identified a cognitive connectome that is rather stable during aging in cognitively healthy individuals, with the observed differences highlighting the important role of executive functions and processing speed. We translated the connectome concept from the neuroimaging field to cognitive data, demonstrating its potential to advance our understanding of the complexity of cognitive aging.
Providing Measurement, Evaluation, Accountability, and Leadership Support (MEALS) for Non-communicable Diseases Prevention in Ghana: Project Implementation Protocol
Authors: Laar Amos , Kelly Bridget , Holdsworth Michelle , Quarpong Wilhemina , Aryeetey Richmond , Amevinya Gideon Senyo , Tandoh Akua , Agyemang Charles , Zotor Francis , Laar Matilda E. , Mensah Kobby , Laryea Dennis , Asiki Gershim , Pradeilles Rebecca , Sellen Daniel , L'Abbe Mary R. , Vandevijvere Stefanie 
Published: August 2021

Background: This study describes the rationale, adaptation, and final protocol of a project developed to address the increase in obesity and nutrition-related non-communicable diseases (NR-NCDs) in Ghana. Code-named the Measurement, Evaluation, Accountability, and Leadership Support for NCDs (MEALS4NCDs) project, it aims to measure and support public sector actions that create healthy food marketing, retail, and provisioning environments for Ghanaian children using adapted methods from the International Network for Food and Obesity/NCDs Research Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS).Methods: The protocol for this observational study draws substantially from the INFORMAS' Food Promotion and Food Provision Modules. However, to appraise the readiness of local communities to implement interventions with strong potential to improve food environments of Ghanaian children, the MEALS4NCDs protocol has innovatively integrated a local community participatory approach based on the community readiness model (CRM) into the INFORMAS approaches. The setting is Ghana, and the participants include health and nutrition policy-makers, nutrition and food service providers, consumers, school authorities, and pupils of Ghanaian basic schools.Results: The study establishes a standardized approach to providing implementation science evidence for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana. It demonstrates feasibility and the innovative application of the INFORMAS expanded food promotion and food provision modules, together with the integration of the CRM in a lower-middle income setting.Conclusion: The research will facilitate the understanding of the processes through which the INFORMAS approach is contextualized to a lower-middle income African context. The protocol could be adapted for similar country settings to monitor relevant aspects of food environments of children.
Higher Dietary Se Intake Is Associated With the Risk of New-Onset Fracture: A National Longitudinal Study for 20 Years
Authors: Zhang Yangchang , Ye Mengliang , Zhao Yong , Xiong Yang , Shen Shisi , Yu Qiuhua , Lu Yanjun , Shi Zumin , Lei Xun 
Published: August 2021

Background: The association between dietary selenium (Se) intake and osteoporosis-related fractures remains inconsistent. We aimed to examine the dose relationship between Se intake and incident fracture among Chinese adults.Methods: The dietary data were retrieved from the China Health and Nutrition Survey conducted between 1991 and 2011, and 17,150 participants aged above 20 were included. A 3-day, 24-h recall of food intake was performed to assess cumulative average dietary Se intake. The fracture was based on self-report in each survey between 1997 and 2011. The association between Se intake and fracture was tested by Cox regression, and the non-linear association was examined by restricted cubic splines (RCS).Results: There were 976 fracture cases during a mean of 10.2 years follow-up. In a fully adjusted Cox model, across the quartiles of Se intake, the hazard ratios (HRs) for fracture were 1.07 (95% CI .86–1.33), 1 (reference), 1.25 (95% CI 1.02–1.53), and 1.33 (95% CI 1.07–1.65). RCS showed a parabolic association (P non-linear = 0.037) between Se and fracture for men as well as a U-shape dose-response (P non-linear = 0.04) between Se and fracture for subjects living in highly urbanized areas.Conclusion: In conclusion, there is a non-linear association between selenium intake and fracture, with higher intake associated with increased risk. The shape of the association varies by gender and urbanization level.
Increased Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency Among HIV-Infected Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Yingying , Huang Xiaojie , Wu Yaxin , Li Aixin , Tian Yakun , Ren Meixin , Li Zhen , Zhang Tong , Wu Hao , Wang Wen 
Published: August 2021

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a heavy burden worldwide. Observational studies have reported a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) among people living with HIV (PLWH). However, its deficiency is also a global health problem. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis and systemic review to compare differences between HIV-infected subjects and non-HIV-infected subjects.Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane library. We extracted data, including demographic information, study type, vitamin D-related values, and HIV-related values, ultimately including 15 studies after removing duplicates and screening titles, abstracts, and full texts and finally performing a meta-analysis in terms of vitamin D level and vitamin D deficiency prevalence.Results: Regarding VDD prevalence, the HIV vs. the non-HIV group had an odds ratio of 1.502 (95% CI, 1.023–2.205; P = 0.038). In the subgroup analysis, the odds ratios were 1.647 (95% CI, 1.020–2.659; P = 0.041; I2 = 94.568) from 7 studies (age over 40), 2.120 (95% CI, 1.122–4.008; P = 0.021; I2 = 0.000) from 2 studies (BMI less than or equal to 25), 1.805 (95% CI, 1.373–2.372; P = 0.042; I2 = 74.576) from 7 studies (latitude &lt;40), 2.120 (95% CI, 1.122–4.088; P = 0.021; I2 = 0.000) from 2 studies (only included male participants), and 2.296 (95% CI, 1.287–4.097; P = 0.005; I2 = 19.927) from 3 studies (only included ART-experienced participants). Thirteen studies were deemed to have moderate quality, while two had high quality.Conclusions: HIV infected subjects are prone to have VDD compared with general population. ART, older age, lower BMI, lower latitude and male sex may present risk factors for VDD in PLWH.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=228096.
Utilizing Intraoperative Navigated 3D Color Doppler Ultrasound in Glioma Surgery
Authors: Saß Benjamin , Pojskic Mirza , Zivkovic Darko , Carl Barbara , Nimsky Christopher , Bopp Miriam H. A. 
Published: August 2021

BackgroundIn glioma surgery, the patient’s outcome is dramatically influenced by the extent of resection and residual tumor volume. To facilitate safe resection, neuronavigational systems are routinely used. However, due to brain shift, accuracy decreases with the course of the surgery. Intraoperative ultrasound has proved to provide excellent live imaging, which may be integrated into the navigational procedure. Here we describe the visualization of vascular landmarks and their shift during tumor resection using intraoperative navigated 3D color Doppler ultrasound (3D iUS color Doppler).MethodsSix patients suffering from glial tumors located in the temporal lobe were included in this study. Intraoperative computed tomography was used for registration. Datasets of 3D iUS color Doppler were generated before dural opening and after tumor resection, and the vascular tree was segmented manually. In each dataset, one to four landmarks were identified, compared to the preoperative MRI, and the Euclidean distance was calculated.ResultsPre-resectional mean Euclidean distance of the marked points was 4.1 ± 1.3 mm (mean ± SD), ranging from 2.6 to 6.0 mm. Post-resectional mean Euclidean distance was 4.7. ± 1.0 mm, ranging from 2.9 to 6.0 mm.Conclusion3D iUS color Doppler allows estimation of brain shift intraoperatively, thus increasing patient safety. Future implementation of the reconstructed vessel tree into the navigational setup might allow navigational updating with further consecutive increasement of accuracy.
Novel Butein Derivatives Repress DDX3 Expression by Inhibiting PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Cell Lines
Authors: Rampogu Shailima , Kim Seong Min , Shaik Baji , Lee Gihwan , Kim Ju Hyun , Kim Gon Sup , Lee Keun Woo , Kim Myeong Ok 
Published: August 2021

BackgroundBreast cancer is one of the major causes of mortalities noticed in women globally. DDX3 has emerged as a potent target for several cancers, including breast cancer to which currently there are no reported or approved drugs.MethodsTo find effective cancer therapeutics, three compounds were computationally designed tweaking the structure of natural compound butein. These compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer property in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines targeting DDX3. The in silico molecular docking studies have shown that the compounds have occupied the binding site of the human DDX3 target. Furthermore, to investigate the cell viability effect of 3a, 3b, and 3c on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, the cell lines were treated with different concentrations of compounds for 24 and 48 h and measured using MTT assay.ResultsThe cell viability results showed that the have induced dose dependent suppression of DDX3 expression. Additionally, 3b and 3c have reduced the expression of DDX3 in MCF-7 and MDA-MD-231 cell lines. 3b or 3c treated cell lines increased apoptotic protein expression. Both the compounds have induced the apoptotic cell death by elevated levels of cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase 3 and repression of the anti-apoptosis protein BCL-xL. Additionally, they have demonstrated the G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in both the cell lines. Additionally, 3c decreased PI3K and AKT levels.ConclusionsOur results shed light on the anticancer ability of the designed compounds. These compounds can be employed as chemical spaces to design new prospective drug candidates. Additionally, our computational method can be adapted to design new chemical scaffolds as plausible inhibitors.
Tunable Nanosensor With a Horizontal Number Eight-Shape Cavity in a MIM Waveguide System
Authors: Xu Daijing , Yan Shubin , Yang Xiaoyu , Wang Jinxi , Wu Xiushan , Hua Ertian 
Published: August 2021

Optical devices play an important role in different fields, such as refractive index detection in food processing and the biochemical industry. In our work, a novel nanoscale optical structure, composed of a metal-insulator-metal waveguide with a stub and a horizontal number eight-shape cavity (HNEC), is presented. The transmission properties of this structure are investigated in detail by using finite element method The effects of geometric parameters on sensing performance are studied in detail. Moreover, the influences of an asymmetric resonator caused by shifting central rectangular cavity of HNEC on transmission spectrum are discussed. The changing parameters of HNEC resonator have different effects on different resonance dips. Then, when the parameters of this presented structure are fixed as a of 540 nm, b of 340 nm, S of 0, l of 70 nm and g of 10 nm, this intriguing structure can serve as a refractive index sensor, whose maximum sensitivity can reach 1,500 nm/refractive index unit with a figure of merit of 75. Therefore, this structure will contribute to the development of miniaturization of optical devices.
Comparative Analysis of Super-Kamiokande Solar Neutrino Measurements and Geological Survey of Israel Radon Decay Measurements
Authors: Sturrock P. A. , Piatibratova O. , Scholkmann F. 
Published: August 2021

Analyses of neutrino measurements acquired by the Super-Kamiokande Neutrino Observatory (SK, in operation 1996–2001) and radon decay measurements acquired by the Geological Survey of Israel (GSI, in operation 2007–2017) yield strikingly similar detections of an oscillation with frequency 9.43 ± 0.04 year−1 (SK), 9.44 ± 0.04 year−1 (GSI); amplitude 6.8 ± 1.7% (SK), 7.0 ± 1.0% (GSI); and phase 124 ± 15° (SK), 124 ± 9° (GSI). This remarkably close correspondence supports the proposition that neutrinos may somehow influence nuclear decays. It is interesting to note that an oscillation at this frequency has also been reported by (Alexeyev EN, Gavrilyuk YM, Gangapshev AM, Phys Particles Nuclei, 2018 49(4):557–62) in the decay of 214Po. The physical process responsible for this influence of neutrinos on nuclear processes is currently unknown. Related oscillations in GSI data at 7.45 ± 0.03 year−1 and 8.46 ± 0.03 year−1 suggest that these three oscillations are attributable to a solar core that rotates with a sidereal rotation rate of 8.44 ± 0.03 year−1 about an axis almost orthogonal to that of the convection zone. We briefly discuss possible implications of these results.
Opening Schools and Trends in SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in European Countries
Authors: Buja Alessandra , Zabeo Federico , Cristofori Vittorio , Paganini Matteo , Baldovin Tatjana , Fusinato Riccardo , Boccuzzo Giovanna , Cocchio Silvia , Coretti Silvia , Rebba Vincenzo , Parpinel Maria 
Published: August 2021

Objectives: Benefits of school attendance have been debated against SARS-CoV-2 contagion risks. This study examined the trends of contagion before and after schools reopened across 26 countries in the European Union.Methods: We compared the average values of estimated Rt before and after school reopening, identifying any significant increase with a one-sample t-test. A meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis were performed to calculate the overall increase in Rt for countries in the EU and to search for relationships between Rt before schools reopened and the average increase in Rt afterward.Results: The mean reproduction number increased in 16 out of 26 countries. The maximum increase in Rt was reached after a mean 28 days. We found a negative relationship between the Rt before school reopening and its increasing after that event. By 45 days after the first day of school reopening, the overall average increase in Rt for the European Union was 23%.Conclusion: We observed a significant increase in the mean reproduction number in most European countries, a public health issue that needs strategies to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Inequalities in the distribution of the general practice workforce in England: a practice-level longitudinal analysis
Authors: Nussbaum Claire , Massou Efthalia , Fisher Rebecca , Morciano Marcello , Harmer Rachel , Ford John 
Published: August 2021

BackgroundIn England, demand for primary care services is increasing and GP shortages are widespread. Recently introduced primary care networks (PCNs) aim to expand the use of additional practice-based roles such as physician associates (PAs), pharmacists, paramedics, and others through financial incentives for recruitment of these roles. Inequalities in general practice, including additional roles, have not been examined in recent years, which is a meaningful gap in the literature. Previous research has found that workforce inequalities are associated with health outcome inequalities.AimTo examine recent trends in general practice workforce inequalities.Design & settingA longitudinal study using quarterly General Practice Workforce datasets from 2015–2020 in England.MethodThe slope indices of inequality (SIIs) for GPs, nurses, total direct patient care (DPC) staff, PAs, pharmacists, and paramedics per 10 000 patients were calculated quarterly, and plotted over time, with and without adjustment for patient need.ResultsFewer GPs, total DPC staff, and paramedics per 10 000 patients were employed in more deprived areas. Conversely, more PAs and pharmacists per 10 000 patients were employed in more deprived areas. With the exception of total DPC staff, these observed inequalities widened over time. The unadjusted analysis showed more nurses per 10 000 patients employed in more deprived areas. These values were not significant after adjustment but approached a more equal or pro-poor distribution over time.ConclusionSignificant workforce inequalities exist and are even increasing for several key general practice roles, with workforce shortages disproportionately affecting more deprived areas. Policy solutions are urgently needed to ensure an equitably distributed workforce and reduce health inequities.
STEM Approach: The Development of Optical Instruments Module to Foster Scientific Literacy Skill
Authors: Shofiyah Noly , Mauliana Metatia Intan , Istiqomah Istiqomah , Wulandari Ria 
Published: August 2021

The STEM is an approach that seemly considered will be useful in online learning, because it can facilitate students to learn someÂ skills from about 21st century.Â This study was aimed to develop module-based STEM in improving scientific literacy skills in distance learning through e learning. Because this research developed module-based STEM, this study was named developmental research. The research procedure follows the stages of the R & D method developed by Barg and Gall which includes the studies of preliminary, product planning, development, validation (validation by experts), and Â revision, lastly field testing. Moduls that have been declared valid by experts are field tested using one group pretest-posttest design in an experimental class. The results show that the feasibility of module-based STEM in distance learning model to increase students' skills within scientific literacy was valid with the average score of 4.28 by two experts. In addition, the application of integrated STEM teaching materials through e-learning has a moderate effect on students' scientific literacy skills since the N-gain score was 0.6.