bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE SALTY TASTE THRESHOLD AND TONGUE CLEANING HABITS IN HEALTHY YOUNG ADULT MALE SMOKERS
Authors: Bt Mohamad Azlin Marcella , Herawati Erna , Nur'aeny Nanan 
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Smoking has adverse effects on the body such as various types of cancer, coronary heart diseases, stroke, peripheral vascular diseases, and oral changes including decreased taste sensation. There have been many studies on the effects of smoking on taste threshold, but specific studies in a group of young adult males and data on the frequency of tongue cleaning habits have not been reported. This study aims to determine the salty taste threshold and tongue cleaning habits in healthy young adult male smokers. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, and the subjects were taken by consecutive sampling. The criteria for the subjects were healthy males, aged 18-24 years old, who had a habit of smoking 10 cigarettes or more per day and had smoked for more than 1 year. A questionnaire was conducted including data on tongue cleaning habits before measuring the salt taste threshold using various concentrations of sodium chloride solution which are 0,012M, 0,014M, and 0,016M. Introduction: Smoking has adverse effects on the body such as various types of cancer, coronary heart diseases, stroke, peripheral vascular diseases, and oral changes including decreased taste sensation. There have been many studies on the effects of smoking on taste threshold, but specific studies in a group of young adult males and data on the frequency of tongue cleaning habits have not been reported. This study aims to determine the salty taste threshold and tongue cleaning habits in healthy young adult male smokers. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, and the subjects were taken by consecutive sampling. The criteria for the subjects were healthy males, aged 18-24 years old, who had a habit of smoking 10 cigarettes or more per day and had smoked for more than 1 year. A questionnaire was conducted including data on tongue cleaning habits before measuring the salt taste threshold using various concentrations of sodium chloride solution which are 0,012M, 0,014M, and 0,016M. Results: Subjects consisted of 76 healthy young adult male smokers for 3-8 years. There were 39%, 53%, and 8% of subjects with a salty taste threshold at concentration 0.012M, 0.014M and 0.016M respectively. Most subjects had a smoking habit for 4 years (36%), and the tongue cleaning habit was not found in the majority of subjects (46%).Conclusion: Most of the subjects had a salty taste threshold higher than normal and more subjects do not have the habit of cleaning the tongue.
Machine Learning for Localizing Epileptogenic-Zone in the Temporal Lobe: Quantifying the Value of Multimodal Clinical-Semiology and Imaging Concordance
Authors: Alim-Marvasti Ali , Pérez-García Fernando , Dahele Karan , Romagnoli Gloria , Diehl Beate , Sparks Rachel , Ourselin Sebastien , Clarkson Matthew J. , Duncan John S. 
Published: February 2021

Background: Epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide and a third are refractory to medication. If a discrete cerebral focus or network can be identified, neurosurgical resection can be curative. Most excisions are in the temporal-lobe, and are more likely to result in seizure-freedom than extra-temporal resections. However, less than half of patients undergoing surgery become entirely seizure-free. Localizing the epileptogenic-zone and individualized outcome predictions are difficult, requiring detailed evaluations at specialist centers.Methods: We used bespoke natural language processing to text-mine 3,800 electronic health records, from 309 epilepsy surgery patients, evaluated over a decade, of whom 126 remained entirely seizure-free. We investigated the diagnostic performances of machine learning models using set-of-semiology (SoS) with and without hippocampal sclerosis (HS) on MRI as features, using STARD criteria.Findings: Support Vector Classifiers (SVC) and Gradient Boosted (GB) decision trees were the best performing algorithms for temporal-lobe epileptogenic zone localization (cross-validated Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) SVC 0.73 ± 0.25, balanced accuracy 0.81 ± 0.14, AUC 0.95 ± 0.05). Models that only used seizure semiology were not always better than internal benchmarks. The combination of multimodal features, however, enhanced performance metrics including MCC and normalized mutual information (NMI) compared to either alone (p &lt; 0.0001). This combination of semiology and HS on MRI increased both cross-validated MCC and NMI by over 25% (NMI, SVC SoS: 0.35 ± 0.28 vs. SVC SoS+HS: 0.61 ± 0.27).Interpretation: Machine learning models using only the set of seizure semiology (SoS) cannot unequivocally perform better than benchmarks in temporal epileptogenic-zone localization. However, the combination of SoS with an imaging feature (HS) enhance epileptogenic lobe localization. We quantified this added NMI value to be 25% in absolute terms. Despite good performance in localization, no model was able to predict seizure-freedom better than benchmarks. The methods used are widely applicable, and the performance enhancements by combining other clinical, imaging and neurophysiological features could be similarly quantified. Multicenter studies are required to confirm generalizability.Funding: Wellcome/EPSRC Center for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS) (203145Z/16/Z).
The Potential of Research Drawing on Clinical Free Text to Bring Benefits to Patients in the United Kingdom: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Ford Elizabeth , Curlewis Keegan , Squires Emma , Griffiths Lucy J. , Stewart Robert , Jones Kerina H. 
Published: February 2021

Background: The analysis of clinical free text from patient records for research has potential to contribute to the medical evidence base but access to clinical free text is frequently denied by data custodians who perceive that the privacy risks of data-sharing are too high. Engagement activities with patients and regulators, where views on the sharing of clinical free text data for research have been discussed, have identified that stakeholders would like to understand the potential clinical benefits that could be achieved if access to free text for clinical research were improved. We aimed to systematically review all UK research studies which used clinical free text and report direct or potential benefits to patients, synthesizing possible benefits into an easy to communicate taxonomy for public engagement and policy discussions.Methods: We conducted a systematic search for articles which reported primary research using clinical free text, drawn from UK health record databases, which reported a benefit or potential benefit for patients, actionable in a clinical environment or health service, and not solely methods development or data quality improvement. We screened eligible papers and thematically analyzed information about clinical benefits reported in the paper to create a taxonomy of benefits.Results: We identified 43 papers and derived five themes of benefits: health-care quality or services improvement, observational risk factor-outcome research, drug prescribing safety, case-finding for clinical trials, and development of clinical decision support. Five papers compared study quality with and without free text and found an improvement of accuracy when free text was included in analytical models.Conclusions: Findings will help stakeholders weigh the potential benefits of free text research against perceived risks to patient privacy. The taxonomy can be used to aid public and policy discussions, and identified studies could form a public-facing repository which will help the health-care text analysis research community better communicate the impact of their work.
Slip Rate Variation During the Last ∼210 ka on a Slow Fault in a Transpressive Regime: The Carrascoy Fault (Eastern Betic Shear Zone, SE Spain)
Authors: Martín-Banda Raquel , Insua-Arévalo Juan Miguel , García-Mayordomo Julián 
Published: February 2021

Fault slip rate variability over time is a crucial aspect for understanding how single faults interact among each other in fault systems. Several studies worldwide evidence the occurrence of high activity periods with clustering of events and synchronization among faults, followed by long periods of low activity (super-cycles). The increasing gathering of evidence of these phenomena is making fault hazard models quickly evolving and challenging seismic hazard assessment. However, in moderately active fault systems, a determination of fault slip rates can present large uncertainties, that have to be carefully considered when slip rate histories are determined. In this work, we estimate the variation of slip rate in the last ∼210 ky of the NE segment of the left-lateral reverse Carrascoy Fault, one of the main faults forming the Eastern Betic Shear Zone in SE Spain. We study two selected field sites where we have been able to measure offsets and date the sediments along with uncertainties. The first site shows a progressive discordance drawn by different calcretes developed on alluvial deposits. The vertical throw is calculated by modeling the growth of the discordance. The vertical slip rates are estimated dating the deformed calcretes by Uranium Series and by comparing them with a complete regional calcrete dates database compiled from the literature. On the second site, we analyze the geomorphology of different Upper Pleistocene alluvial fans, where three incised channels are offset by the fault, providing the net slip for the last ∼124 ky. We discuss the influence of different factors on the estimate of net slip rates using data from different sources. This analysis highlights the importance of determining an accurate fault geometry and how local data can provide misleading deformation rates. Our results suggest the existence of long periods of low activity disturbed by short high activity periods. Such a pattern of activity along time is defined for the first time in the Eastern Betic Shear Zone, with interesting implications in the seismogenic behavior of the rest of the slow faults within the region.
Geospatial Distribution of Family Planning Services in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, Uganda
Authors: Tetui Moses , Ssekamatte Tonny , Akilimali Pierre , Sirike Judith , Fonseca-Rodríguez Osvaldo , Atuyambe Lynn , Makumbi Fredrick Edward 
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Access to family planning (FP) services remains a challenge, particularly in informal urban settlements. The unmet need for FP in these settings is high, with a correspondingly high prevalence of unintended pregnancies that may lead to unsafe abortions. However, there is a paucity of quality data on the distribution of FP services in such settings in Uganda. This paper described the geospatial distribution of FP services in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, Uganda.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which we determined the availability and distribution of FP services in Kira Municipality. Community mapping and analysis were conducted using ArcGIS (version 10.1) and ArcGIS Online. Stata version 13.1 was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was used to compare the contraceptive provision and availability among facilities from informal and formal settlements.Results: Of the 176 healthcare facilities surveyed, only 42% (n = 74) offered contraceptives in informal settlements. The majority of the facilities were privately owned small clinics (95%). At least 80% of the facilities provided three or more modern contraceptive methods, with no difference (p = 0.107) between facilities in informal and formal settlements. Only 30.7% (p = 0.001) of the facilities provided at least one long-acting contraceptive. Similarly, 20 and 12% (p = 0.001) of the facilities had implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs) on the day of the survey. Almost 25% of the facilities did not offer contraceptive services (counseling and commodities) to unmarried adolescents.Conclusions: Most facilities were small privately-owned clinics, offering at least three modern contraceptive methods. The unavailability of long-acting reversible methods in the informal settings may affect the quality of FP services due to limited choice. The inequity in service provision that disfavors the unmarried adolescent may increase unwanted/unintended pregnancies. We recommend that local governments and partners work toward filling the existing commodities gap and addressing the discrimination against unmarried adolescents in such settings.
Hydrogen Sulfide Protects Against Uremic Accelerated Atherosclerosis via nPKCδ/Akt Signal Pathway
Authors: Lu Xiangxue , Li Han , Wang Shixiang 
Published: February 2021

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most common complication and leading cause of death in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Previous studies have found that disorders of cystathionine-gamma-lyase/hydrogen sulfide (CSE/H2S) system in maintenance hemodialysis patients are correlated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Although the role of CSE/H2S system in UAAS has been preliminarily explored, the molecular mechanism of CSE/H2S is still not systematically elaborated, and the molecular mechanism of nPKCδ and its related signaling pathway in UAAS is still not thoroughly studied.Methods: Forty chronic kidney disease (CHD) patients were studied and the activation of nPKCδ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were detected. ApoE−/− mice aged 6 weeks were treated with 5/6 nephrectomy and high-fat diet to make UAAS model. They were divided into Sham group (Sham group), UAAS group (UAAS group), UAAS+L-cysteine group (UAAS+L-cys group), UAAS+sodium hydrosulfide group (UAAS+NaHS group) and UAAS+propargylglycine group (UAAS+PPG group). The UAAS+L-cys group, UAAS+NaHS group and UAAS+PPG group were respectively given L-cys, NaHS and PPG by intraperitoneal injection. The aorta was taken 6 weeks after surgery. Western blot was used to detect the activation of nPKCδ, the phosphorylation of Akt, and the expression of VCAM-1 in the aorta of mice.Results: The membrane translocation of nPKCδ in CHD patients with plaque was higher than that in CHD patients without plaque. The membrane translocation of nPKCδ and the expression of VCAM-1 in UAAS group was higher than sham group, L-cys or NaHS injection could suppress the membrane translocation of nPKCδ and the expression of VCAM-1, but PPG treatment resulted in more membrane translocation of nPKCδ and the expression of VCAM-1 (P&lt;0.05, n=6 per group). Akt phosphorylation in UAAS group was lower than sham group, and L-cys or NaHS injection could suppress the degradation of Akt phosphorylation, but PPG treatment resulted in more decrease in the Akt phosphorylation (P&lt;0.05, n=6 per group).Conclusion: Endogenous CSE/H2S system protected against the formation of UAAS via nPKCδ/Akt signal pathway. The imbalance of CSE/H2S system may participate in the formation of UAAS by affecting the expression of downstream molecule VCAM-1, which may be mediated by nPKCδ/Akt signaling pathway.
A Urine-Based Liquid Biopsy Method for Detection of Upper Tract Urinary Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Yansheng , Ma Xin , Ai Xing , Gao Jiangping , Liang Yiming , Zhang Qin , Ma Tonghui , Mao Kaisheng , Zheng Qiaosong , Wang Sizhen , Jiao Yuchen , Zhang Xu , Li Hongzhao 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundConventional clinical detection methods such as CT, urine cytology, and ureteroscopy display low sensitivity and/or are invasive in the diagnosis of upper tract urinary carcinoma (UTUC), a factor precluding their use. Previous studies on urine biopsy have not shown satisfactory sensitivity and specificity in the application of both gene mutation or gene methylation panels. Therefore, these unfavorable factors call for an urgent need for a sensitive and non-invasive method for the diagnosis of UTUC.MethodsIn this study, a total of 161 hematuria patients were enrolled with (n = 69) or without (n = 92) UTUC. High-throughput sequencing of 17 genes and methylation analysis for ONECUT2 CpG sites were combined as a liquid biopsy test panel. Further, a logistic regression prediction model that contained several significant features was used to evaluate the risk of UTUC in these patients.ResultsIn total, 86 UTUC− and 64 UTUC+ case samples were enrolled for the analysis. A logistic regression analysis of significant features including age, the mutation status of TERT promoter, and ONECUT2 methylation level resulted in an optimal model with a sensitivity of 94.0%, a specificity of 93.1%, the positive predictive value of 92.2% and a negative predictive value of 94.7%. Notably, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.957 in the training dataset while internal validation produced an AUC of 0.962. It is worth noting that during follow-up, a patient diagnosed with ureteral inflammation at the time of diagnosis exhibiting both positive mutation and methylation test results was diagnosed with ureteral carcinoma 17 months after his enrollment.ConclusionThis work utilized the epigenetic biomarker ONECUT2 for the first time in the detection of UTUC and discovered its superior performance. To improve its sensitivity, we combined the biomarker with high-throughput sequencing of 17 genes test. It was found that the selected logistic regression model diagnosed with ureteral cancer can evaluate upper tract urinary carcinoma risk of patients with hematuria and outperform other existing panels in providing clinical recommendations for the diagnosis of UTUC. Moreover, its high negative predictive value is conducive to rule to exclude patients without UTUC.
Addressing Mood Disorder Diagnosis' Stigma With an Honest, Open, Proud (HOP)-Based Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Modelli Arlete , Candal Setti Viviane P. , van de Bilt Martinus Theodorus , Gattaz Wagner Farid , Loch Alexandre Andrade , Rössler Wulf 
Published: February 2021

Introduction: The public stigma and self-stigma contribute to the dilemma of disclosing or not one's own mental illness diagnosis. Studies suggest that revealing it diminishes stress, besides helping with self-esteem. Honest, Open, Proud (HOP) is a group program that aids in the process of deciding on it, reducing its impact. Considering the relevance of this issue, the present study aimed to apply a HOP-based intervention in a group of patients diagnosed with mood disorders.Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was used, including 61 patients with mood disorders, of whom 31 were diagnosed with depression and 30 were diagnosed with bipolar disorder. They were randomly placed on the intervention (HOP) or the control group (unstructured psychoeducation). The evaluations occurred before (T0) and after (T1) the sessions. We administered eight scales, from which three presented relevant results: Coming Out with Mental Illness Scale (COMIS), Cognitive Appraisal of Stigma as a Stressor (CogApp), and Authenticity Scale.Results: The intervention groups (depression and bipolar) did not present a significant change regarding the decision to disclose their diagnostics. However, the depression group showed a decrease on the perception of stigma as a stressor (T0 = 0.50 vs. T1 = −1.45; p = 0.058). Improvements in post-intervention results were seen for both groups (depression and bipolar) on the Authenticity Scale—self-alienation subscale (T0 = 10.40 vs. T1 = 12.37, p = 0.058).Conclusion: Our HOP-based intervention appeared to be an important program to aid patients in facing stigma stress, showing positive effects, whether helping to diminish stress or to improve self-conscience, both of which have indirect effects on self-stigma. As it is a compact program, it can bring benefits when applying to public health institutions.
COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance and Its Associated Factors Among a Middle Eastern Population
Authors: Al-Qerem Walid A. , Jarab Anan S. 
Published: February 2021

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major threat to public health and has had a significant impact on all aspects of life. An effective vaccine is the most anticipated resolution. This study aims to evaluate Jordanian intent to be vaccinated.Methods: This is a cross-sectional web-based study. Sample characteristics were gathered, and the participants were classified according to the degree of COVID-19 risk based on the categories of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Participants' KAP toward COVID-19 were assessed, and two scores were calculated: knowledge score and practice score. The association between different sample characteristics and these scores was identified using binary logistical regressions. The participants' vaccination intention was evaluated and multinomial logistic regression was applied to identify the predictors of vaccination intention. Finally, the reasons behind the participants' vaccination refusal/hesitation were determined and categorized into different groups.Results: 1,144 participants were enrolled in the study (females = 66.5%). 30.4% of the participants were at high risk of COVID-19 complications, and 27.5% were at medium risk. Overall, participants' knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms, transmission methods, protective measures, and availability of cure were high (median of knowledge score = 17 out of 21). High protective practices were followed by many participants (median of practice score = 7 out of 10). 3.7% of participants were infected, and 6.4% suspected they were infected with the COVID-19 virus. 36.8% of the participants answered “No” when asked if they would take the vaccine once it becomes available, and 26.4% answered, “Not sure.” The main reasons for the participants' vaccination refusal or hesitancy were concerns regarding the use of vaccines and a lack of trust in them.Conclusion: Participants reported high refusal/hesitancy. Several barriers were identified, and efforts should be intensified to overcome these barriers.
PENGEMBANGAN MEDIA BULETIN MATEMATIKA BERBASIS PENDEKATAN REALISTIK PADA SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: Rachmawati Ika , Supriyono Supriyono , Pangestika Rintis Rizkia 
Published: February 2021

The objectives of this study was to develop a mathematics bulletin media based on a realistic approach to fourth-grade elementary school students and its feasibility for use. The development model used in this research is the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) development model. The data collection technique in this study was conducted by interviewing questioner, test, and documentation. The instruments used in this research was media expert validation sheets, material experts, and teacher practitioners, practicality sheets for students and learning mastery test questions. The results of the research on the development of mathematical newsletter media based on a realistic approach are: 1) this research produces products in the form of mathematical newsletter media based on a realistic approach for grade IV elementary school students, 2) the results of the feasibility analysis of newsletter media based on a realistic approach are obtained from validation by two expert lecturers and classroom teachers. IV elementary schools obtained a mean score of 3.58 with the valid category, the results of the practicality of the product were fulfilled from the student response questionnaire got a score of 98% with very positive criteria, and the product effectiveness test was fulfilled from the learning completeness test with learning completeness reaching 100%.