bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Echocardiographic Myocardial Strain Analysis Describes Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction after Craniospinal Irradiation in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with Central Nervous System Tumors
Authors: Martinez Hugo R. , Salloum Ralph , Wright Erin , Bueche Lauren , Khoury Philip R. , Tretter Justin T. , Ryan Thomas D 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) is part of the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) tumors and is associated with cardiovascular disease in adults. Global myocardial strain analysis including longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLS), circumferential peak systolic strain (GCS), and radial peak systolic strain (GRS) can reveal subclinical cardiac dysfunction.Methods: Retrospective, single-center study in patients managed with CSI vs. age-matched controls. Clinical data and echocardiography, including myocardial strain analysis, were collected at early (<12 months) and late ( 12 months) time points after completion of CSI.Results: Echocardiograms were available at 20 early and 34 late time points. Patients at the late time point were older (21.7±10.4 vs. 13.3 9.6 years) and further out from CSI (13.1±8.8 vs. 0.2±0.3 years). Standard echocardiographic parameters were normal for all subjects. For early, CSI vs. control: GLS was -16.8 3.6% vs. -21.3 4.0% (p=0.0002), GCS was -22.5 5.2% vs. -21.3 3.4% (p=0.28), and GRS was 21.8 11.0% vs. 26.9 7.7% (p=0.07). For late, CSI vs. control: GLS was -16.2 5.4% vs. -21.6 3.7% (p<0.0001), GCS was -20.9 6.8% vs. -21.9 3.5% (p=0.42), and GRS was 22.5 10.0% vs. 27.3 8.3% (p=0.03). Radiation type (proton vs. photon), and radiation dose (<30 Gy vs. 30 Gy) did not impact any parameter, although numbers were small.Conclusions: Subclinical cardiac systolic dysfunction by GLS is present both early and late after CSI. These results argue for future studies to determine baseline cardiovascular status and the need for early initiation of longitudinal follow-up post CSI.
The Deep Roots of Geology: Tectonic History of Australia Preserved as Mantle Anisotropy
Authors: Eakin Caroline 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Australia is an old stable continent with a rich geological history. Limitations in sub-surface imaging below the Moho, however, mean that is unclear to what extent, and to what depth, this rich geological history is expressed in the mantle. Scattering of surface waves at ~150km depth by lateral gradients or boundaries in seismic anisotropy, termed Quasi-Love waves, offer potential new insights. The first such analysis for Australia and Zealandia shown here detects over 300 new scatterers that display striking geographical patterns. Around two-thirds of the scatterers are coincident with either the continental margins, or major crustal boundaries within Australia, suggesting deep mantle roots to such features. Within the continental interior such lateral anisotropic gradients imply pervasive fossilized lithospheric anisotropy, on a scale that mirrors the crustal geology at the surface, and a strong lithosphere that preserves this signal over billions of years. Along the continental margins, lateral anisotropic gradients may indicate either the edge of the thick continental lithosphere, or small-scale dynamic processes in the asthenosphere, such as edge-drive convection, tied to the transition from oceanic to continental crust/lithosphere.
The Effect of a Single Session of 30-Minute Mindful Breathing in Reducing Fatigue Among Patients With Haematological Cancer – A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Authors: Ng Diana-Leh-Ching , Gan Gin-Gin , Anuar Nur Adila , Tung Yu-Zhen , Lai Natalie-Zi , Tan Yi-Wen , Said Siti Norazilah Mohd , Madihie Amalia , Chai Chee-Shee , Tan Seng-Beng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background:Patients with haematological cancer had considerable symptom burden, in which fatigue was the most prevalent. Almost 70% of haematological cancer patients reported fatigue. Methods:We conducted a parallel-group, non-blinded, randomised control trial at the haemato-oncology unit of University Malaya Medical Centre, from 1st October 2019 to 31st May 2020. Patients included were ≥ 18 years, had histopathological diagnosis of haematological cancer, and fatigue score of ≥ 4 based on the fatigue subscale of Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Patients allocated to the intervention group received standard care plus a guided 30-minute mindful breathing session, while those in control group received standard care. The study outcomes include fatigue severity according to the fatigue subscale of ESAS, visual analogue scale of 0 – 10, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Scale Version 4, at minute 0 and minute 30. Results: Of 197 patients screened, 80 were eligible and they were equally randomised into 30-minute mindful breathing versus standard care. Lymphoma (58.9%) was the commonest haematological malignancy, followed by multiple myeloma (13.8%), acute leukaemia (11.3%), myeloproliferative neoplasm (6.3%), chronic leukaemia (5.0%) and myelodysplastic syndrome (5.0%). There was no difference in the demographic and clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. At minute 0, both arms of patients had similar ESAS-fatigue score (median, 5) and FACIT-fatigue score (mean ± SD, 24.7 ± 10.6 for intervention group versus 24.7 ± 9.7 for control group). At minute 30, intervention group had lower ESAS-fatigue score (median, 3 versus 5) and FACIT-fatigue score (mean ± SD, 17.1 ± 10.5 versus 24.8 ± 11.3) compared to control group. Both the ESAS-fatigue score reduction (median, -2 versus 0, p = 0.002) and FACIT-fatigue score reduction (mean ± SD, -6.7 versus +0.8; p < 0.001) for the intervention group were statistically significant. The calculated effect size Cohen’s d was 1.4 for between-group comparison of differences in total FACIT-fatigue score.Conclusions:Our results provide evidence that a single session of 30-minute mindful breathing was effective in reducing fatigue in haematological cancer patients. On top of all the currently available methods, 30-minute mindful breathing can prove a valuable addition.
Tunnel Engineering for Modulating the Substrate Preference in Decarbonylase P450BsβHI
Authors: Meng Shuaiqi , An Ruipeng , Li Zhongyu , Schwaneberg Ulrich , Ji Yu , Davari Mehdi D. , Fang Wang , Wang Meng , Qin Meng , Nie Kaili , Liu Luo 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
An active site normally locates inside of enzymes, substrates should go through the tunnel to access the active site. Tunnel engineering is a powerful strategy for refining the catalytic properties of enzymes. Here, P450 Bsβ HI (Q85H/ V170I) derived from hydroxylase P450 Bsβ from Bacillus subtilis was chosen as study model, which is reported as a potential decarbonylase. However, this enzyme showed low decarboxylase activity towards long-chain fatty acids. Here, a tunnel engineering campaign was performed for modulating the substrate preference and improving the decarbonylase activity of P450 Bsβ HI. The finally obtained BsβHI-F79A variant had a 15.2-fold improved conversion for palmitic acid; BsβHI-F173V variant had a 3.9-fold improved conversion for pentadecanoic acid. The study demonstrates how the substrate preference can be modulated by tunnel engineering strategy.
Identification&nbsp;of Prognosis-Related&nbsp;RBPs to Reveal The Role of RNA Binding Proteins&nbsp;in the Progression and Prognosis of Wilms’ Tumor
Authors: Qi Xuejiao , Wang Shuyu , Dong Yihui , Lin Xiaojie , Chen Jingqiu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Despite the various key functions of RBPs in posttranscriptional events, the mechanism of their influence on Wilms’ tumor has not been well elucidated. Therefore, we constructed the research to identify several RBPs related to Wilmes’ tumor progression and prognosis, for the better understanding of RBPs’ role in the occurrence and development of Wilmes’ tumor, and to provide effective reference targets for new drug development.Methods: A total of 127 samples of different clinical characteristics including gender, race and stage were selected from TARGET to carry out our study. After the gene functional enrichment pathways, univariate Cox regression analysis and lasso regression analysis were performed to test the prognostic effect of the differentially-expressed genes and establish the prognostic index . Further Cox regression analyses were utilized to identify the independence of our model and to analyze the relationship between our model and clinical parameters. What’s more, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was also performed to elucidate the biological characteristics of genes involved in Wilms’ tumor. P< 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: 20 RBPs were statistically correlated with Wilms’ tumor. After the construction of a prognostic index , patients were divided into high-and low-risk scores group. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analyses showed that patients with high risk scores possessed poorer survival probability than patients with low risk scores in both training group and test group. Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis explored the relationship between our prognostic model and clinical parameters and confirmed that our model was an independent predicted factor for Wilms’ tumor. Conclusion: Our study clarifies the application of RBPs in the prognosis of Wilms’ tumor. We are confident that our risk scoring model can provide ideas for the development of new targets for broad-spectrum anticancer drugs and has great potential in clinical practice.
Towards Effective Teaching of Culturally Diverse Health Science Classes in Universities: Application of Culturally Responsive Pedagogies
Authors: Rudhumbu Norman 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe level of cultural heterogeneity in today’s Health Science Education (HSE) university classrooms has become very high hence the need to effectively manage diversity to ensure effective teaching and learning through the use of culturally responsive pedagogies (CRPs). The study therefore investigated how CRPs are applied in HSE classes in universities in Zimbabwe as well as how significantly CRPs influence effective teaching of culturally diverse classes. MethodsThe study employed a quantitative approach that used a self-constructed structured questionnaire for data collection. A sample of 63 HSE lecturers was selected from five universities using a stratified random sampling strategy. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used for data purification. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlation, multiple regression analysis, and correlation analysis.ResultsResults showed that verbal and non-verbal communication, classroom management, cultural knowledge of HSE students, and student-teacher interaction significantly influenced how HSE lecturers applied CRPs in universities. The results further found that the application of CRPs in university classrooms had a significantly influence on the teaching of culturally diverse HSE students in universities. ConclusionsIt was concluded that the use of CRPs is critical for effective teaching of culturally diverse university HSE classroom as it ensures effective participation by all students as well as interaction between students and lecturers as well as between culturally diverse students themselves for effective learning.
Early and Late Complications After Abdominal Surgery in Patients With COVID-19 in Armenia
Authors: Aloyan Karine , Harutyunyan Hayk , Voskanyan Arayik 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the challenging topics in surgery nowadays. Available data indicate high surgical mortality and many postoperative complications in surgical patients with various stages of coronavirus infection. But still a little is known on early and late outcomes of abdominal surgery in patients with COVID-19, especially in countries with limited resources. In this article we describe early and late complications after abdominal surgery in patients recovering from COVID-19. We define early and late complications as those developing during 1-30 and 31-60 postoperative days, accordingly. Methods A prospective cohort study is conducted at Astghik Medical Center, Yerevan, Armenia, from February 1 until October 31, 2020. The study population comprised 259 patients with COVID-19 and 245 patients without COVID-19 matched by operation type, age, sex, and comorbidities, underwent abdominal surgery. Differences between early (1-30 postoperative days) and late (31-60 postoperative days) complications in both groups were analyzed. Patients with COVID-19 had been diagnosed based on both clinical and laboratory (RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay in nasopharyngeal swabs) criteria at least 14 days before abdominal surgery. Patients without COVID-19 were not screened at time of surgery, but were free from any respiratory symptoms and had negative RT-PCR results during preoperative 14 days. The primary endpoints were early and late postoperative complications. Secondary endpoints were to determine 60-day surgical mortality and the impact of comorbidities as additional risk factor of postoperative complications in patients with COVID-19. Results A total of 29 patients with COVID-19 developed early or late postoperative complications. Only 4 patients without COVID-19 with early postoperative complications were identified. The median age of patients with COVID-19 who had early and late postoperative complications were 54.5 (range: 45-64) and 69.5 (range: 65-74), correspondingly. At least one comorbidity was present in 25 (86.2%) of 29 patients with COVID-19 who developed early or late postoperative complications. A 60-day surgical mortality was 14.3%. Conclusion COVID-19 is associated with high risk for postoperative complications of abdominal surgery even if surgical procedures are performed after 14 days of COVID-19 onset. Only patients aged 45 to 74 years developed complications in our study. Presence of at least one comorbidity was an additional risk factor of postoperative complications. Larger and better designed studies are needed to find out indicators for early detection of postoperative complications in patients with COVID-19, especially in people older than 45 years and in those with comorbidities.
Loss of PR55α promotes proliferation and metastasis by activating MAPK/AKT signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: JiangSheng Zhao , GuoFeng Chen , JingQi Li , ShiQi Liu , Quan Jin , ZhengWei Zhang , FUZhen Qi , JianHuai Zhang , JianBo Xu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: PR55α plays important roles in oncogenesis and progression of numerous malignancies. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. This study aims to characterize the functions of PR55α in HCC.Methods: PR55α expressions in HCC tissues and paired healthy liver samples were evaluated using Western blot and tissue microarray immunohistochemistry. We knocked down the expression of PR55α in SMMC-7721 and LM3 cell lines via small interfering and lentivirus. In vitro cell counting, colony formation, migration and invasion assays were performed along with in vivo xenograft implantation and lung metastases experiments. The potential mechanisms involving target signal pathways were investigated by RNA-sequencing.Results: PR55α expression level was suppressed in HCC tissues in comparison to healthy liver samples. Decreased PR55α levels were correlated with poorer prognosis (P=0.0059). Knockdown of PR55α significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration, induced repression of the cell cycle progression and apoptosis in vitro while accelerating in vivo HCC growth and metastasis. Mechanistic analysis indicated that PR55α silencing was involved with MAPK/AKT signal pathway activation and resulted in increased phosphorylation of both AKT and ERK1/2.Conclusion: This study identifies PR55α to be a candidate novel therapeutic target in the treatment of HCC.
Life During the Pandemic: An International Photo-Elicitation Study with Medical Students
Authors: Dworkin Myles , LaRosa Julianne , Guth Amanda , Doran Cierrah , Calem Dan , Kamami Eunice , Kar Jill , Liu Jay , Peji Naomi , Temitayo Akintayo , Frasso Rosemary 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global event with an unprecedented impact on individuals and communities around the world. The purpose of this study is to use a modified photo-elicitation methodology to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of medical students and their communities around the world. Methods: Participating medical students were asked to take photographs for 14 days. In lieu of an interview, which is customary for photo-elicitation projects, participants were asked to share a reflection (a paragraph or two) for each photograph they contributed to the study. Results: Between April 27th, 2020 and May 11th, 2020 26 students from 19 medical schools across 13 countries shared photographs and reflections. Qualitative analysis of written reflections revealed that medical students felt the impact of the pandemic on several levels 1) individual, 2) interpersonal, 3) educational, and 4) societal. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of medical students on multiple levels. As individuals, students felt emotional distress but found resilience through physical activity and the establishment of new routines. Many students felt isolated as their interpersonal relationships were confined due to social distancing measures. These feelings could be combated with new educational initiatives focused on group collaboration. Lastly, students reflecting on the larger societal implications were concerned with the economic ramifications of the virus and its impact on their future. This study brought together students from several different countries to engage in an applied learning program as a model for equitable global health research.
Modelling Modifiable Risk Factors of Stroke in South Africa: Classical and Bayesian Logistic Regression Models
Authors: Chikobvu Delson , Matizirofa Lyness 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and long-term disability in South Africa (SA). Yet little is known in SA about the modelling of modifiable risk factors of stroke. Information on the relative contribution of modifiable risk factors on stroke incidence is needed for early interventions in SA. Identification of risk factors remains the principal aspect of stroke prevention. This study aims to identify and quantify the risk of stroke associated with modifiable stroke predictors in SA. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was employed to identify and quantify the risk of stroke associated with modifiable stroke predictors using 35730 individual patient data retrieved from selected private and public hospitals between January 2014 and December 2018 in SA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the effect of modifiable factors on stroke. Bayesian logistic regression analysis was employed to understand the uncertainty in the estimation of model parameters. Results: The dominant modifiable risk factors were: hypertension, cholesterol, heart problems and diabetes and all depend on the age of an individual and the interaction of these factors. The parameters, in the simpler model, of having hypertension, cholesterol, heart problems and diabetes were positive and significant confirming greater impact on the risk of stroke distribution. For instance, the odds ratio(OR) of patients with hypertension developing stroke when compared to those without hypertension is 80% higher. The OR of diabetic patients developing stroke when compared to non-diabetic was 194% higher.Conclusions: Most strokes are attributable to modifiable factors. Study findings will be used to raise awareness of modifiable risk factors to prevent strokes and recommend regular screening and treatment of identified risk factors. This will reduce the burden of stroke in SA.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Utero-Vaginal Prolapse in AddisAbaba, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Authors: Mekuria Zelalem , Mengesha Abdu , Seyoum Girma 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Uterovaginal prolapse (UVP) is a major women’s health concern throughout the world. Globally, 2-20% of all women are affected by UVP. The mean prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse in developing countries is 19.7%. The prevalence of UVP in Ethiopia is 18.55% among all gynecological operations. UVP is a source of severe morbidity and psychological upheaval to the patient, who is often socially withdrawn and stigmatized. UVP negatively affects socioeconomic and reproductive activity of affected women. It is, therefore, of interest to study its prevalence and factors associated with the condition.Methodology: Institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in selected Addis Ababa city governmental hospitals and the medical record charts of women admitted in the respective gynecology wards were reviewed. The medical records included in this study were those from March 2017 to February 2019 G.C. and 400 records of admitted women were randomly selected. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 statistical package. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine factors associated with UVP. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant.Result: Out of the3,949 admitted women, the prevalence of UVP was 12.8%. The leading determinants of UVP were menopause (OR = 2.611 (at 95 % CI: 1.531, 3.838), age > 40 years (OR = 2.143 (at 95 % CI:1.496, 6.602), parity of > 4 (OR = 4.201 (at 95 % CI 1.652, 10.685), age at first delivery of < 20 years old (OR = 7.988(2.682, 23.792) and home delivery (OR = 1.380 (at 95 % CI:1.212, 2.572). Conclusion: The prevalence of UVP in this study was relatively high. The major risk factors of UVP were menopause, having > 4 deliveries, age > 40 years, age at first delivery < 20 years old and home delivery. Therefore, the findings of this investigation, especially identification of risk factors of UVP, could serve as a basis for taking steps for preventing or reducing the prevalence of UVP and related complications.