bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anxiety amongst physicians during COVID-19: Cross-sectional study in Pakistan
Authors: Mahmood Qaisar Khalid , Jafree Sara Rizvi , Jalil Aisha , Nadir Syed Mujtaba Hasnain , Fischer Florian 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Ensuring safety and wellbeing of healthcare providers is crucial, particularly during times of a pandemic. In this study, we aim to identify the determinants of anxiety in physicians on duty in coronavirus wards or quarantine centers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional quantitative survey with an additional qualitative item. Five constructs of workload, exhaustion, family strain, feeling of protection, and anxiety were measured using items from two validated tools. Modifications were made for regional relevance. Factor analysis was performed showing satisfactory Cronbach alpha results. Overall, 103 physicians completed the questionnaire. Results: T-test results revealed significant associations between gender and anxiety. Structural equation modeling identified that high workload contributed to greater exhaustion (β=0.41, R2=0.17, p<0.001) and greater family strain (β=0.47, R2=0.22, p<0.001). Exhaustion (β=0.17, p<0.005), family strain (β=0.34, p<0.001), and feelings of protection (β=-0.30, p<0.001) significantly explained anxiety (R2=0.28). Qualitative findings further identified specific needs of physicians with regard to protective equipment, compensation, quarantine management, resource allocation, security and public support, governance improvement, and health sector development. Conclusions: It is imperative to improve governmental and social support for physicians and other healthcare providers during the corona pandemic. Immediate attention is needed to reduce anxiety, workload, and family strain in frontline practitioners treating coronavirus patients, and to improve their (perceptions of) protection. This is a precondition for patient safety.
Broad-range and Effective Detection of Human Noroviruses by Colloidal Gold Immunochromatographic Assay Based on the Shell Domain of the Major Capsid Protein
Authors: Xu Meng , Lu Feifeng , Lyu Chenang , Wu Qingping , Zhang Jumei , Tian Peng , Xue Liang , Xu Ting , Wang Dapeng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are a major cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis in all age groups worldwide. HuNoVs can be detected in vitro using molecular assays such as RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. However, these molecular-based techniques require special equipment, unique reagents, experienced personnel, and extended time to obtain results. Besides, the diversity of viral genotypes is high. Therefore, methods that are rapid, broad-range and effective in the detection of HuNoVs are desiderated for screening the feces or vomit of infected people during outbreaks.Results: In this study, a colloidal-gold-based immunochromatographic assay (ICA) was developed for effective detection of HuNoVs in clinical samples. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the shell (S) domain in the major capsid protein of HuNoVs were used in the ICA. The limitations of detection for HuNoVs in clinical samples were 1.2×106 genomic copies per gram of stool sample (gc/g) and 4.4×105 gc/g for genogroup I and II (GI and GII) HuNoVs, respectively. A total of 122 clinical samples were tested for HuNoVs by ICA and compared against RT-qPCR. The relative sensitivity, specificity and agreement of ICA was 84.2 % (95% CI: 83.6-84.8 %), 100.0 % (95 % CI: 98.5-100.0 %) and 87.7 % (95% CI: 85.6-89.8 %), respectively. No cross-reaction with other common enteric viruses or bacteria was observed. The ICA detected a broad range of genotypes, including GI.1, GI.3, GI.4, GI.6, GI.14, GII.2, GII.3, GII.4, GII.6, GII.13, and GII.17 HuNoVs.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that ICA targeting the S domain of VP1 is a promising candidate for effectively identifying the different genotypes of HuNoVs in clinical samples with high sensitivity and specificity.
Low serum parathyroid hormone is a risk factor for peritonitis episodes in incident peritoneal dialysis patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Yang Yuqi , Da Jingjing , Jiang Yi , Yuan Jing , Zha Yan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels have been reported to be associated with infectious mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Peritonitis is the most common and fatal infectious complication, resulting in technique failure, hospital admission and mortality. Whether PTH is associated with peritonitis episodes remains unclear.Methods: We examined the association of PTH levels and peritonitis incidence in a 7-year cohort of 270 incident PD patients who were maintained on dialysis between January 2012 and December 2018 using Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. Patients were categorized into three groups by serum PTH levels as follows: low-PTH group, PTH<150pg/mL; middle-PTH group, PTH=150-300pg/mL; high-PTH group, PTH>300pg/mL.Results: During a median follow-up of 29.5 (interquartile range 16-49) months, the incidence rate of peritonitis was 0.10 episodes per patient-year. Gram-positive organisms were the most common causative microorganisms (36.2%), and higher percentage of Gram-negative organisms was noted in patients with low PTH levels. Low PTH levels were associated with older age, higher eGFR, higher hemoglobin, calcium levels and lower phosphate, alkaline phosphatase levels. After multivariate adjustment, lower PTH levels were identified as an independent risk factor for peritonitis episodes [hazard ratio 1.643, 95% confidence interval 1.014-2.663, P=0.044].Conclusions: Low PTH levels are independently associated with peritonitis in incident PD patients.
Brief problem-solving therapy for antenatal depressive symptoms in primary care in rural Ethiopia: protocol for a randomised, controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Bitew Tesera , Keynejad Roxanne , Myers Bronwyn , Honikman Simone , Medhin Girmay , Girma Fikirte , Howard Louise , Sorsdahl Katherine , Hanlon Charlotte 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Despite a high prevalence of antenatal depression in low- and middle-income countries, there is very little evidence for contextually adapted psychological interventions delivered in rural African settings. The aims of this study are: (1) to examine the feasibility of procedures for a future fully powered efficacy trial of contextually adapted brief Problem Solving Therapy (PST) for antenatal depression in rural Ethiopia, and (2) to investigate the acceptability, fidelity and feasibility of delivery of PST in routine antenatal care. Methods: Design: A randomized, controlled, feasibility trial and mixed method process evaluation. Participants: Consecutive women attending antenatal clinics in two primary care facilities in rural Ethiopian districts. Eligibility criteria: 1) Disabling levels of depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of five or more and positive for the 10th disability item); 2) gestational age 12-34 weeks; 3) aged 16 years and above, 4) planning to live in the study area for at least six months; 5) no severe medical or psychiatric conditions. Intervention: Four sessions of adapted PST delivered by trained and supervised antenatal care staff over a maximum period of eight weeks. Control: enhanced usual care (EUC). Sample size: n=50. Randomisation: individual randomisation stratified by intimate partner violence (IPV). Allocation: central phone allocation. Outcome assessors and statistician masked to allocation status. Primary feasibility trial outcome: dropout rate. Primary future efficacy trial outcome: change in PHQ-9 score, assessed nine weeks after recruitment. Secondary outcomes: anxiety symptoms, trauma symptoms, intimate partner violence, disability, healthcare costs at 9 weeks; postnatal outcomes (perinatal and neonatal complications, onset of breast feeding, child health) assessed 4-6 weeks postnatal. Other trial feasibility indicators: recruitment, number and duration of sessions attended. Audio-recording of randomly selected sessions and in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants, healthcare providers and supervisors will be analysed thematically to explore the acceptability and feasibility of the trial procedures and fidelity of the delivery of PST. Discussion: The findings of the study will be used to inform the design of a fully-powered efficacy trial of brief PST for antenatal depression in routine care in rural Ethiopia. Trial registration: The protocol was registered in the Pan-African clinical trials registry, (PACTR): registration number: PACTR202008712234907 on 18/08/2020; URL: https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=9578 Funding: This work is supported through the DELTAS Africa Initiative [DEL-15-01].
A Quantitative Discriminant Method of Elbow Point for the Optimal Number of Clusters in Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Shi Congming , Wei Bingtao , Wei Shoulin , Wang Wen , Liu Hai , Liu Jialei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Clustering, a traditional machine learning method, plays a significant role in data analysis. Most clustering algorithms depend on a predetermined exact number of clusters, whereas, in practice, clusters are usually unpredictable. Although the Elbow method is one of the most commonly used methods to discriminate the optimal cluster number, the discriminant of the number of clusters depends on the manual identification of the elbow points on the visualization curve. Thus, experienced analysts cannot clearly identify the elbow point from the plotted curve when the plotted curve is fairly smooth. To solve this problem, a new elbow point discriminant method is proposed to yield a statistical metric that estimates an optimal cluster number when clustering on a dataset. First, the average degree of distortion obtained by the Elbow method is normalized to the range of 0 to 10. Second, the normalized results are used to calculate the cosine of intersection angles between elbow points. Third, this calculated cosine of intersection angles and the arccosine theorem are used to compute the intersection angles between elbow points. Finally, the index of the above computed minimal intersection angles between elbow points is used as the estimated potential optimal cluster number. The experimental results based on simulated datasets and a well-known public dataset (Iris Dataset) demonstrated that the estimated optimal cluster number obtained by our newly proposed method is better than the widely used Silhouette method.
Identification and Analysis of Long Non-coding RNAs and mRNAs in Chicken Macrophages Infected with Avian Infectious Bronchitis Coronavirus
Authors: Li Hao , Cui Pengfei , Fu Xue , Zhang Lan , Yan Wenjun , Zhai Yaru , Lei Changwei , Wang Hongning , yang xin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a gamma coronavirus that severely affects the poultry industry worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a subset of non-coding RNAs with a length of more than 200 nucleotides, have been recently recognized as pivotal factors in the pathogenesis of viral infections. However, little is known about the function of lncRNAs in host cultured cells in response to IBV infection.Results: We used next-generation high throughput sequencing to reveal the expression profiles of mRNAs and lncRNAs in IBV-infected HD11 cells. Compared with the uninfected cells, we identified 153 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs (106 up-regulated mRNAs, 47 down-regulated mRNAs) and 181 DE lncRNAs (59 up-regulated lncRNAs, 122 down-regulated lncRNAs) in IBV-infected HD11 cells. Moreover, gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses indicated that DE mRNAs and lncRNAs were mainly involved in cellular innate immunity, amino acid metabolism, and nucleic acid metabolism. In addition, 2,640 novel chicken lncRNAs were identified, and a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNAs) network centered on gga-miR-30d and miR-146a-5p was established. Conclusions: We identified expression profiles of mRNAs and lncRNAs during IBV infection that provided new insights into the pathogenesis of IBV.
Distinction between vaginal and cervical microbiota in high-risk human papilloma virus infected women in China
Authors: Zhang Zhan , Li Ting , Zhang Dai , Zong Xiaonan , Bai Huihui , Bi Hui , Liu Zhaohui 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: High-risk human papilloma virus (hrHPV) is regarded as the main causal factor of cervical precancer and cancer when persistent infection is left untreated. Previous researches have confirmed that the vaginal microbiota was associated with HPV infection and the development of cervical lesions. A very recent study has revealed the microbiota at different parts of the female genital tract was closely related but different from each other. To analyze the distinction between vaginal and cervical microbiota of hrHPV(+) women in China, one hundred subjects were recruited including 20 healthy controls without HPV infection, 32 with other hrHPV(+), 38 with HPV16/18(+) and 10 with cervical carcinoma. Vaginal and cervical microbiota were separately tested through next-generation sequencing technology (NGS) targeting the variable region (V3-V4) of bacterial ribosome 16S rRNA gene. Results: HrHPV(+) subjects tend to be accustomed to vaginal douching (p =0.001), show more frequent usage of sanitary pads (p =0.007), have more sex partners (p =0.047), be more sexually active (p =0.025) and more diversed in ways of contraception (p =0.001). Alpha diversity of cervical microbiota was higher than that of vagina. Cervical microbiota consisted a lower percentage of Firmicutes and a higher percentage of Proteobacteria compared to the vagina at the phylm level. Sphingomonas of α-Proteobacteria was almost below detection limit in the vagina whereas accounted for five to ten percent at hrHPV(-) cervix (P＜0.001) and reversely associated with hrHPV infection (P＜0.05). Pseudomonas of γ-Proteobacteria could hardly be seen in the normal vagina and shared a little bit percentage in the normal cervix, but significantly higher in the HPV16/18 infected (P＜0.001) and cancerous cervix (P＜0.05). BV associated anaerobes like Gardnerella, Prevotella, Atopobium and Sneathia did not exhibit cervical specificity.Conclusions: Cervical microbiota has its uniqueness from that of vagina in bacterial communities presenting a higher proportion of Proteobacteria, of which Pseudomonas is positively while Sphingomonas was negatively associated with hrHPV infection and cervical cancer. It is of great improtance to deeply explore the cervical microbiota of hrHPV infected women.
Sociodemographic, health-related, and social predictors of subjective well-being among Chinese oldest-old: a national community-based cohort study
Authors: Cheng Gang , Yan Yan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: There is still a lack of a relatively comprehensive multifactor analysis of subjective well-being (SWB) among Chinese oldest-old. This study aimed to explore sociodemographic, health-related, and social predictors of SWB among Chinese oldest-old using a large and representative sample.Methods: The study included 49,069 individuals aged 80 and older from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, a prospective, nationwide, community-based study conducted from 1998 to 2014. SWB was measured by eight items covering life satisfaction, positive affect (optimism, happiness, personal control, and conscientiousness), and negative affect (anxiety, loneliness, and uselessness). Generalized estimating equation models were used to explore the predictors of SWB.Results: We found that age, gender, ethnic group, education, primary occupation before retirement, current marital status, and place of residence were sociodemographic predictors of SWB among the Chinese oldest-old. The health-related predictors included self-rated health, visual function, hearing function, diet quality, smoking status, drinking status, and exercise status. SWB was influenced by some social factors, such as the number of biological siblings, the number of children, leisure activities, financial independence, and access to adequate medical service. In particular, self-rated health, access to adequate medical services, exercise status, and place of residence exert a stronger effect than other factors.Conclusions: SWB in the oldest-old is influenced by a large number of complex sociodemographic, health-related, and social factors. Special attention should be paid to the mental health of centenarians, women, rural residents, widowed, physically disabled, and childless oldest-old people. Relevant agencies can improve physical activities, leisure activities, financial support, and medical services to promote the well-being of the oldest-old.
Acupuncture for Comorbid Mild-Moderate Depression and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Study Protocol for A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Li sheng , Liu Jing , Huang Jianpeng , Luo Ding , Wu Qian , Ning Baile , Chen Ling , Liu Jianhua , Fu Wen-Bin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Depression and Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) are the leading causes of global years lived with disability diseases. Moreover, they often commonly coexist, which made a great difficult to diagnosis and treatment. A safe and effective treatment was urgently need. Previous studies showed that acupuncture was a cost-effective treatment for simple depression or CMSP. But limited evidence showed that acupuncture was effective for depression comorbid CMSP. Methods: This is a randomized, sham acupuncture-controlled trial with three arms: real acupuncture (RA), sham acupuncture (SA) and healthy control (HC). 48 depression combined CMSP participants and 12 healthy people will be recruited from GDTCM hospital and randomized 2:2:1 to RA, SA, HC group. The patients will receive RA or SA intervention for 8 weeks, and HC will not receive any intervention. Upon completion of the intervention, there is a 4 weeks follow-up. The primary outcome measures will be severity of depression and pain which assessed by Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-17) and brief pain inventory (BPI), respectively. The secondary outcome measures will be cognitive function, and quality of life which measured by Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), P300 and world health organization quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). In addition, the correlation between brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and symptoms will also be determined. Discussion: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinic efficacy and underlying mechanism of acupuncture on depression comorbid CMSP. This study will provide a convenient and cost-effectively means for future prevention and treatment of combined depression and CMSP.Trial registration: This study pre-registered at 2th Feb 2018, at Chinese Clinical Trail Registry (ChiCTR1800014754). The study is on the recruiting status.
Serum complement 3 is a potential biomarker for assessing disease activity in Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Chen Rongyi , Ma Lingying , Lv Peng , Lin Jiang , Li Chaolun , Yan Yan , Jin Xuejuan , Dai Xiaomin , Ji Zongfei , Chen Huiyong , Ma Lili , Sun Ying , Jiang Lindi 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background. Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare disease, lacking convenient and feasible biomarkers to identify disease activity. We aimed to evaluate the value of complements in distinguishing active TA. Methods. Consecutive patients were enrolled from the prospective East China TA cohort from April 2008 to June 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to their baseline Kerr score. The value of complements and other biomarkers in identifying disease activity were analysed with cluster analysis, ROC curves, and combined tests. An independent group of patients from July 2019 to December 2019 were employed to validate the results.Results. Of the enrolled 519 patients, 406 (72.2%) cases were identified as active disease. Higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and complement 3 (C3) levels were observed in the active group. Elevated C3 (≥1.085 g/L) had a high value to identify active TA with a sensitivity of 69.9%, specificity of 66.7% and AUC of 0.715. Combining the CRP (≥10.65 g/L; sensitivity, 50.7%; specificity, 82.4%) and C3, the sensitivity could be improved to 85.1% in parallel test and the specificity could be improved to 94.1% in serial test. Validation was further performed to confirm the value of C3 for disease activity assessment. The accuracy of the parallel test of CRP and C3 in external validation with independent 53 TA cases was 72.73% with the AUC of 0.721. Conclusion. Elevated C3 could effectively evaluate the disease activity of TA, and C3 combining with CRP could further improve the disease activity evaluation.
Population turnover facilitates cultural selection for efficiency
Authors: Chimento Michael , Alarcon-Nieto Gustavo , Aplin Lucy 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Selection for more efficient socially learned behaviors over alternatives is crucial for cumulative cultural evolution, yet our understanding of such cultural selection in animals is limited. We performed a cultural diffusion experiment using 18 populations of wild-caught great tits Parus major to ask whether more efficient foraging traditions are selected for, and whether this process is affected by turnover. We show that gradual replacement of individuals greatly increases the probability that a more efficient behavior will invade a population's cultural repertoire, out-competing an established inefficient behavior. Turnover does not increase innovation rates, but instead increases adoption rates, as immigrants are more susceptible to novel, efficient behaviors. An agent based model further supported our results by demonstrating that this effect holds across populations of different types of learners. Altogether, these results provide strong evidence for cultural selection for efficiency in animals, and highlight the importance of population turnover for this process.
Protein-polysaccharide interactions in dairy production
Authors: Smykov I. T. 
Published: January 2021

The review article examines the main global trends in the development of scientific research in the field of increasing the efficiency of dairy products production using polysaccharides of various origins and purposes. It has been shown that non-traditional polysaccharides of plant origin are increasingly involved in industrial production, including polysaccharides of aquatic organisms, which have both enhanced technological properties — emulsifying, gel-forming, texturizing, etc., and innovative nutraceutical properties that make it possible to create food products with new properties and attractive to consumers. It is noted that the nature of proteinpolysaccharide interactions, depending on the types of proteins and polysaccharides used in various combinations and conditions of their interactions, can be completely different, which directly affects the organoleptic properties of the finished product. Modern research confirms that the properties of a food product are largely laid down at the molecular — nanoscale, and the development of research on protein-polysaccharide interactions, with the aim of their practical use in the production of dairy products, should be aimed at finding basic patterns in these interactions.