bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimizing the management of patients with small renal masses in a Canadian context: A Markov decision-analysis model
Authors: McAlpine Kristen , Sud Maneesh , Finelli Antonio , Kulkarni Girish S. 
Published: August 2021

Introduction: The management of patients with a small renal mass (SRM) varies significantly. The objective of this study was to determine which initial management strategy resulted in the greatest quality-adjusted life months (QALM) for an index patient with a SRM.
Methods: A Markov decision analysis was used to determine the effect of 1) treating patients with a partial nephrectomy (PN); 2) active surveillance; and 3) renal mass biopsy on QALM over a 10-year horizon. All relevant health states were modelled. Biopsy sensitivity and specificity were modelled assuming an 80% prevalence of cancer using procedural pathology as the gold standard. Health state utilities were obtained from the Tufts Medical Centre Cost-Effective Analysis Registry. Deterministic sensitivity analyses were used to test key assumptions.
Results: Over a 10-year time horizon for a 70-year-old male with a 2 cm SRM, the biopsy strategy resulted in 38.07 QALM, whereas treating all patients with PN resulted in 37.69 QALM and active surveillance in 36.25 QALM. The model was most sensitive to the probability that a patient would remain alive at baseline. Biopsy was the preferred strategy when sensitivity was greater than 77%. As the underlying probability of cancer increased, the threshold of renal mass biopsy sensitivity to still favor biopsy increased.
Conclusions: Renal mass biopsy is the preferred initial management strategy for an index patient with a SRM to optimize QALM. When the probability of cancer is high, centers should aim for a sensitivity of at least 77% in order to consider a biopsy first strategy.
Aansprakelijkheid van accountants jegens derden
Authors: van Amsterdam L.A. 
Published: August 2021

Aansprakelijkheid van accountants jegens derden. Beroepsaansprakelijkheid bij de uitoefening van wettelijke en niet-wettelijke taken nader bezien in het licht van het Jachthavencomplex-arrest
In het Vie d’Or-arrest is bepaald dat accountants bij de uitoefening van wettelijke taken een zorgplicht jegens derden hebben. Tot voor kort was onduidelijk welk toetsingskader geldt bij niet-wettelijke taken. Aan de hand van het recente ‘Jachthavencomplex-arrest’ wordt nader ingegaan op accountantsaansprakelijkheid bij dergelijke werkzaamheden.
De verwachte richtlijn duurzame corporate governance: verantwoord ondernemen moet hoog op de bestuursagenda
Authors: Hamster J.E.S. 
Published: August 2021

De verwachte richtlijn duurzame corporate governance: verantwoord ondernemen moet hoog op de bestuursagenda
De auteur bespreekt de verwachte conceptrichtlijn duurzame corporate governance. Daarbij wordt uitgebreid ingegaan op het beginsel van human rights due diligence, dat de kern zal vormen van de conceptrichtlijn. Deze ontwikkeling zal verstrekkende gevolgen hebben voor ondernemingen, en zij zullen dit onderwerp hoog op de agenda moeten zetten.
The pulmonary annular motion velocity assessed using tissue Doppler imaging could predict the proximal right coronary artery occlusion in patients with inferior myocardial infarction
Authors: ACAR Emrah , OZGUL Neryan , DONMEZ Ibrahim , YALCİN Osman Yasin , ALAN Sait 
Published: August 2021

Objective: The right ventricle myocardial infarction (RVMI) is one of the leading reasons for right ventricle(RV) dysfunction. RVMI occurs in 20-50% of inferior infarctions. Echocardiography was applied to study RV involvement and proximal right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion in individuals with acute inferior MI. The objective of this study was to investigate if pulmonary annulus motion velocity (PAMVUT) levels in individuals with acute inferior myocardial infarction were linked to proximal RCA lesions.
Method: The study comprised 50 people who had been diagnosed with acute inferior myocardial infarction and had culprit lesions in the right coronary artery. The RCA occlusion in Group A was proximal to the right ventricular branch, while the RCA occlusion in Group B was distant to the RV branch. The PAMVUT was tested, as well as other echocardiographic parameters.
Results: In terms of metrics indicating right ventricular function, there were substantial disparities between the groups. A favorable association was established in the univariate correlation analysis between PAMVUT and RV TAPSE, with FAC, and with St.PAMVUT was identified as an independent predictor of proximal RCA occlusion in a multivariate logistic regression test. In the ROC analysis, PAMVUT
Assessment of the Adherence to Standard Operating Procedures of Covid-19 among Market Vendors in Sironko District
Authors: Kudamba Ali , Walusansa Abdul , Ssenku Jamil E. , Okurut Shaban A. , Namagembe Habib , Nakitende Sumayah , Mubajje Muhamad Shaban , Kafero Hussein Mukasa 
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Coronavirus disease is one of leading causes of deaths in recent times that has surpassed cardiovascular and other respiratory diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) setup Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have been adopted by the different governments to curtail its spread. Nonetheless, information on the adherence to the SOPs amongst market vendors is not well elucidated. Moreover, markets are centers of convergence of many people which increases the risks of community transmission. Therefore, our study, investigated the extent of the adherence to the SOPs amongst market vendors in Sironko district.
Methodology: A quantitative study with cross-sectional design was adopted with a sample size of 221 randomly selected participants. Pretested structured questionnaires were used in the data collection. Categorical data was presented in tables and graphs with frequency (%). Pearson’s Chi-square (X2) was used to examine the statistical significance of our results. The analysis was done by using the statistical software MedCalc version 20.0008. All the analyses were done at 95% level of significance and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 221 participants were involved: 126, 57 % female, 80, 36% aged between 31-40 years and 158, 72% married. Fever, dry cough, chest pain, arches & pain loss of speech & movements were the most reported signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (p<0.0001). Most of the respondents were aware of the SOPs, hand washing soap and adequate water were readily available (p<0.0001). The commonly implemented SOP was wearing face masks (p<0.0001). The radio talk shows & broadcasting were the main sources of information(p<0.0001). The inadequate facemasks and limited finances constrained the Implementation of SOPs (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Most market vendors were aware of the COVID-19 SOPs and claimed they adhered. However, there is need to carry out a qualitative study to confirm the above claims.
Co-Evolution of the Presence of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets and Plasmodium falciparum Welch, 1897 Prevalence in Cahata Village (Benguela Province, Angola) during a Village Scale Long-Term of Malaria Vector Control Program
Authors: Carnevale P. , Toto J. C. , Foumane V. , Carnevale S. , Gay F. 
Published: August 2021

A long term village scale vector control programme was implemented since 2007 in 8 villages around Balombo town (Benguela Province) to compare the efficacy of 4 methods of vector control (1,2). One of them are deltamethrin treated Long Lasting Nets (“LLIN”) “Perma©Net 2.0” with a complete coverage of every sleeping units in 2008 in 2 villages, Caala and Cahata. Cahata was surveyed for 10 years with regular parasitological cross sectional parasitological surveys. During the 3 years following LLIN implementation, a check of their actual usage in every house, or on sleeping units of each patient examined during every parasitological surveys showed that 3 years after the full LLIN distribution less than 50% were still in use, and this percentage regularly decreased to reach 10% and less in 2015 (with 0% during the survey done in October 2005). But Plasmodium falciparum prevalence still decreased with low level until 2014 then it started (slightly) increasing in 2015, and the following years, which correspond to both the National malaria outbreak and the least percentage of LLIN used! But even at that time the plasmodial load was significantly lower in “LLIN users” than in non users showing some maintained personal protection.
Even 10 years after the full coverage in LLIN no rebound effect was actually noticed in such natural conditions of life and plasmodial prevalence was even 2 times lower than before the implementation of vector control.
Information gained were of great importance for the National Malaria Control program in term of nets replacement with 50% missing in 3 years underlining the need of “stronger” nets and community sensitization for the sustainability of positive results gained with LLIN.
The Effects of Storage on Nutrient Composition and Mycoflora of Stored Guinea Corn (Sorghum bicolor) Grains
Authors: Fagbohun E. D. , Ojo K. O. 
Published: August 2021

Aims: This research work aims to determine the changes in nutritional (proximate, mineral) composition and mycoflora of Sorghum bicolor grains stored for 5 months in order to determine its fitness in meeting nutritional demand.
Study Design: Experimental study design was carried out
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, from February 2017 to August 2018.
Methodology: The grain was procured from Usi market in Usi-Ekiti. It was further sundried for seven days and stored in an airtight container in the laboratory at room temperature. They were visually examined for external changes on the caryopsis and cultured to determine the spoilage fungi. Mineral and proximate analyses were routinely carried out to determine the changes in nutrient composition. These analyses were carried out monthly for five months to determine the changes in physicochemical properties and mycoflora associated with Sorghum bicolor on storage. Results: During storage, spoilage such as external mouldiness, discoloration, musty odour and progressive depletion of external caryopsis were observed on the grain. Seven species of fungi namely Penicillium glabrum, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated using a combination of direct plating, dilution and washing method. The colony count of the mycoflora population increased from 6 to 16 spore-forming units per gram. The proximate component comprising ash, moisture, crude protein, fat and fiber content decreased but an increase in carbohydrate content was recorded. A negative Pearson correlation (r = - .990) between crude protein and carbohydrate content was recorded. This was attributed to the presence of resistant starch in Sorghum bicolor and the use of alternative source(s) of carbon for energy by the fungi. The entire mineral component decreased during storage. Copper was the barest mineral while magnesium was the most stable mineral in the stored grain.
Conclusion: Sorghum bicolor grains contain vital minerals and nutrients. Prolonged storage of Sorghum bicolor increased the mycoflora population and consequently decreased the nutrient composition excluding the carbohydrate component. Some minerals and proximate components of the grain were relatively stable while others experienced pronounced depletion. Nutritionally deficient grains may lead to malnutrition especially in growing animals and human populations were adequate minerals and nutrients are required for rapid growth.
Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine Level in Children with Sickle Cell Disease: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Khedr Seham Fathy , Bradaey Mohamed Hosny El , Nagy Hala Mohamed , El-Shanshory Mohamed Ramadan , Elhawary Eslam 
Published: August 2021

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) consists of a group of hemoglobinopathies in which individuals inherit hemoglobin variants derived from single point mutations. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) contributes to limiting Nitric Oxide (NO) bioavailability in SCD. The aim of the present study was to assess the level of the Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine in children with sickle cell.
Methods: This cohort cross-sectional study was carried out on 60 children which were divided in to 3 equal groups. Group I: SCD children with sickle retinopathy. Group II: SCD children without retinopathy. Group III: healthy control children who were selected from the outpatient clinic.
Results: There was a significant increase in ADMA level among participants withSCD. There was a positive significant correlation between ADMA level and family history as well as the incidence of hepatomegaly. There was no significant correlation between ADMA level and demographic and laboratory parameters except LDH.
Conclusions: The level of ADMA is elevated in children with sickle cell anemia. High plasma ADMA level is a risk for hepatomegaly in children with sickle cell anemia.
Role of a Pharmacist in the Safe Self-medication – A Questionnaire-based Survey
Authors: Škrbo Selma , Mehović Semir , Omerović Naida , Trnka Anela Hadžifejzović , Smajić Nermina Žiga , Pehlivanović Belma , Lagumdžija Dina 
Published: August 2021

Aims: This study aimed to investigate whether the place of the survey makes a significant impact on the responses regarding the process of self-medication, as well as the present pharmacists’ engagement in this process in the Sarajevo Canton.
Study Design: An anonymous questionnaire-based survey.
Place and Duration of Study: One public pharmacy and various public places in the Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, for five months, February–June 2019.
Methodology: A total of 312 respondents was included. The first group (165 respondents) was surveyed in the pharmacy after buying an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, and the second group (147 respondents) was surveyed outside the pharmacy.
Results: Pharmacists instructed 65% of respondents (72.73% in the first group and 57.14% in the second group) on how to take the purchased OTC drug and checked whether 55% of respondents (70.91% in the first group and 38.1% in the second group) bought an appropriate drug for their health problem. Only 25% of respondents (36.36% in the first group and 12.24% in the second group) was informed about the adverse effects, whereas 29% of respondents (41.82% in the first group and 14.97% in the second group) was informed about the potential contraindications or interactions of the purchased OTC drug. The statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the responses to the questions and the place of the survey about providing information on the adverse effects (P = .03), comorbidities (P = .049), and general information about the purchased OTC drug (P = .04).
Conclusion: In the Sarajevo Canton, pharmacists should be more actively involved in the process of self-medication and provide the necessary advice to patients consuming OTC drugs. Further research is needed so general conclusions could be drawn.
Calcium Oxalate Crystals as Raw Food Antinutrient: A Review
Authors: Nayagam Justin R. , Rajan Renu 
Published: August 2021

The nutritional value of food can be altered by the presence of antinutrients such as oxalates present abundantly in plants as ergastic crystals. High oxalate content in plant-based raw food can lead to oxalonephropathy, nephrolithiasis and renal dysfunction. Presence of oxalate can hinder the absorption of other minerals such as calcium and magnesium present in food. CaOx antinutrient intake can be minimised by avoiding plant with high oxalate content or by decreasing oxalate levels through cooking practices like, boiling, fermenting, treating with baking soda, adding yoghurt and milk etc. More sophisticated ways of minimising antinutrient intake through raw diet is by choosing genetically modified crops which are bred for low oxalate content or by choosing mutant varieties which are devoid or low in oxalate content in food crops. The future for sustainable antinutrient management and nutritional value enhancement is by incorporating genes from bacteria or fungi which are capable of breaking down oxalate using the enzyme oxalate decarboxylase, on to plants and thereby modifying them to have less antinutrient effects in raw consumption.
The Comparative Study of Atopic Dermatitis and Chronic Hand Eczema Clinical Course in Adults after Acute Relapse Treatment
Authors: Dmytrovych Aleksandruk Oleksandr , Leonidovich Stepanenko Roman , Mohammed Ali , Ivanovich Stepanenko Viktor , Konovalova Tetiana , Volodymyrovych Tsekhmister Yaroslav 
Published: August 2021

Aims: To evaluate Atopic dermatitis (AD) and Chronic hand eczema (CHE) course in adults after discontinuation of acute or sub acute relapse treatment.
Study Design: three groups of adult patients that finished standard treatment for relapse of AD and CHE were followed up within 24 weeks of period to check disease severity, itch intensity and skin management effectiveness.
Place and Duration of Study Sample: population of Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine September 2015 – May 2021.
Methods: 155 patients (51 females and 104 males; age between 20 and 50 years) with AD or CHE were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized into three study groups depending on diagnosis. SCORAD index was used to assess disease severity, visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess skin itch intensity. Frequency of disease treatment re-start with topical or systemic anti-inflammatory drugs as well as patients’sintention to ask for a treatment were calculated.
Results: Results of our study have shown that cases of new disease worsening occured within nearest 24 weeks after AD and CHE aggravation treatment discontinuation and are quite frequent despite appropriate skin care.
Conclusion: part of adult patients continues suffering from skin itch or mild skin lesions within nearest 24 weeks after discontinuation of intensive treatment of AD or CHE relapse. Prescription of antihistamines and/or topical anti-inflammatory treatment in addition to generally recommended skin care with emollients is crucial for patients with new worsening of the disease. Among patients with a new signs of worsening a part would unlikely ask for a new treatment immediately unless this worsening is moderate or severe.
Circulating tumor DNA as a biomarker for monitoring early treatment responses of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: van der Leest Paul , Hiddinga Birgitta , Miedema Anneke , Aguirre Azpurua Maria L. , Rifaela Naomi , ter Elst Arja , Timens Wim , Groen Harry J. M. , van Kempen Léon C. , Hiltermann T. Jeroen N. , Schuuring Ed 
Published: August 2021

Immunotherapy for metastasized non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can show long‐lasting clinical responses. Selection of patients based on programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression shows limited predictive value for durable clinical benefit (DCB). We investigated whether early treatment effects as measured by a change in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) level is a proxy of early tumor response to immunotherapy according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors v1.1 criteria, progression‐free survival (PFS), DCB, and overall survival (OS). To this aim, blood tubes were collected from advanced‐stage lung adenocarcinoma patients (n = 100) receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) at baseline (t0) and prior to first treatment evaluation (4–6 weeks; t1). Nontargetable (driver) mutations detected in the pretreatment tumor biopsy were used to quantify tumor‐specific ctDNA levels using droplet digital PCR. We found that changes in ctDNA levels were strongly associated with tumor response. A > 30% decrease in ctDNA at t1 correlated with a longer PFS and OS. In total, 80% of patients with a DCB of ≥ 26 weeks displayed a > 30% decrease in ctDNA levels. For patients with a PD‐L1 tumor proportion score of ≥ 1%, decreasing ctDNA levels were associated with a higher frequency a DCB (80%) and a prolonged median PFS (85 weeks) and OS (101 weeks) compared with patients with no decrease in ctDNA (34%; 11 and 39 weeks, respectively). This study shows that monitoring of ctDNA dynamics is an easy‐to‐use and promising tool for assessing PFS, DCB, and OS for ICI‐treated NSCLC patients.
Efficacy and Safety of Etanercept Biosimilars Compared With the Originator for Treatment of Juvenile Arthritis: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Thiele Franz , Klein Ariane , Hospach Anton , Windschall Daniel , Mrusek Sonja , Ruehlmann J. Michael , Horneff Gerd 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveAnalysis of etanercept biosimilars in pediatric patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in comparison with the etanercept originator in terms of efficacy and safety.MethodsPatients diagnosed with JIA who started treatment with either the etanercept originator or a biosimilar after January 1, 2017, were selected from the German BIKER registry (Biologics in Paediatric Rheumatology Registry). Furthermore, patients who started therapy with the originator and switched to a biosimilar during the course of therapy were identified. For both patient groups, disease activity and safety were examined and compared separately.ResultsAfter January 1, 2017, 348 patients started treatment with the etanercept originator (n = 293) or a biosimilar (n = 55). Another 57 patients switched to a biosimilar during the course of therapy. A significant decrease or a stable remission of disease activity was observed in both patient groups. The safety profiles were comparable, and frequencies and types of adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs were similar in patients starting therapy with the originator or a biosimilar. Only injection site reactions occurred slightly more frequently under biosimilar therapy, without having an impact on therapy adherence. In patients who switched therapy, the AE rate per 100 patient‐years was comparable before (26.4) and after (32.1) the switch.ConclusionIn patients with JIA who require treatment with etanercept, the originator is still used much more frequently. However, our study highlights the equivalence of etanercept biosimilars for therapy for JIA. Increased use of these biosimilars in pediatric patients can therefore be recommended without hesitation.
Nanomechanical Dissipation and Strain Engineering
Authors: Sementilli Leo , Romero Erick , Bowen Warwick P. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNanomechanical resonators have applications in a wide variety of technologies ranging from biochemical sensors to mobile communications, quantum computing, inertial sensing, and precision navigation. The quality factor of the mechanical resonance is critical for many applications. Until recently, mechanical quality factors rarely exceeded a million. In the past few years however, new methods have been developed to exceed this boundary. These methods involve careful engineering of the structure of the nanomechanical resonator, including the use of acoustic bandgaps and nested structures to suppress dissipation into the substrate, and the use of dissipation dilution and strain engineering to increase the mechanical frequency and suppress intrinsic dissipation. Together, they have allowed quality factors to reach values near a billion at room temperature, resulting in exceptionally low dissipation. This review aims to provide a pedagogical introduction to these new methods, primarily targeted to readers who are new to the field, together with an overview of the existing state‐of‐the‐art, what may be possible in the future, and a perspective on the future applications of these extreme‐high quality resonators.