bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal trend of gastric cancer burden along with its risk factors in China from 1990 to 2019, and projections until 2030: comparison with Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia
Authors: Yang Xiaorong , Zhang Tongchao , Zhang Hong , Sang Shaowei , Chen Hui , Zuo Xiuli 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Identifying and projecting the epidemiological burden of gastric cancer (GC) can optimize the control strategies, especially in high-burden areas.

Methods
We collected incidence, deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) of GC from 1990 to 2019 in China, Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) was calculated to quantify the temporal trends, and the projection was estimated by applying the Bayesian age-period-cohort model.

Results
In China, the ASIR of GC declined slightly from 37.56/100000 in 1990 to 30.64/100000 in 2019 (AAPC of − 0.41), while the declines of ASMR and ASDR were pronounced (AAPC of − 1.68 and − 1.98, respectively), which were weaker than Japan and South Korea. Although the age-standardized rates of gastric cancer in most countries have declined overall in the past 30 years, the downward trend in the last 4 years has become flattened. Smoking remained one main contributor to DALYs of GC in China, Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia, with more than 24%. The contribution from high-sodium diet was similar between men and women, and kept relatively stable over the three decades. The predicted ASMRs among the four East Asian countries continued to decline until 2030, but the absolute deaths would still increase significantly, especially in South Korea and Mongolia.

Conclusions
Although the age-standardized rates of GC in most countries have declined, the absolute burden of GC in the world, especially in China and Mongolia, is on the rise gradually. Low socio-demographic index and aging along with Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, and high-salt diet were the main risk factors of GC occurrence and should be paid more attention.
Chemogenetic modulation of sensory neurons reveals their regulating role in melanoma progression
Authors: Costa Pedro A. C. , Silva Walison N. , Prazeres Pedro H. D. M. , Picoli Caroline C. , Guardia Gabriela D. A. , Costa Alinne C. , Oliveira Mariana A. , Guimarães Pedro P. G. , Gonçalves Ricardo , Pinto Mauro C. X. , Amorim Jaime H. , Azevedo Vasco A. C. , Resende Rodrigo R. , Russo Remo C. , Cunha Thiago M. , Galante Pedro A. F. , Mintz Akiva , Birbrair Alexander 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSensory neurons have recently emerged as components of the tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, whether sensory neuronal activity is important for tumor progression remains unknown. Here we used Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by a Designer Drug (DREADD) technology to inhibit or activate sensory neurons’ firing within the melanoma tumor. Melanoma growth and angiogenesis were accelerated following inhibition of sensory neurons’ activity and were reduced following overstimulation of these neurons. Sensory neuron-specific overactivation also induced a boost in the immune surveillance by increasing tumor-infiltrating anti-tumor lymphocytes, while reducing immune-suppressor cells. In humans, a retrospective in silico analysis of melanoma biopsies revealed that increased expression of sensory neurons-related genes within melanoma was associated with improved survival. These findings suggest that sensory innervations regulate melanoma progression, indicating that manipulation of sensory neurons’ activity may provide a valuable tool to improve melanoma patients’ outcomes.
Process evaluation of an intervention to improve access to injectable contraceptive services through patent medicine vendors in Nigeria: a mixed methods study
Authors: Oluwasanu Mojisola Morenike , Adebayo Ayodeji Matthew , Okunade Faizah Tosin , Ajayi Olayinka , Akindele Akinwumi Oyewole , Stanback John , Ajuwon Ademola Johnson 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
The low utilisation of modern contraceptives in many low- and middle-income countries remains a challenge. Patent medicine vendors (PMVs) that operate in the informal health sector, have the potential to address this challenge. Between 2015 and 2018, the Population Council, in collaboration with the Federal and State Ministries of Health and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, trained PMVs in six states to deliver injectable contraceptive services. Outcome evaluation demonstrated increased client uptake of injectable contraceptive services; however, there is limited information on how and why the intervention influenced outcomes. This study was conducted to elucidate the processes and mechanism through which the previous intervention influenced women’s utilisation of injectable contraceptive services.

Methods
The study utilised a mixed methods, convergent parallel design guided by the UK Medical Research Council framework. Quantitative data were obtained from 140 trained PMVs and 145 of their clients in three states and 27 in-depth interviews were conducted among relevant stakeholders. The quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while the qualitative data were analysed thematically.

Results
The results revealed that even after the completion of the PMV study which had a time-bound government waiver for injectable contraceptive service provision by PMVs, they continued to stock and provide injectables in response to the needs of their clients contrary to the current legislation which prohibits this. The causal mechanism that influenced women’s utilisation of injectable contraceptives were the initial training that the PMV received; the favourable regulatory environment as demonstrated in the approval provided by government for PMVs to provide injectable contraceptives for the duration of the study; and the satisfaction and the confidence the female clients had developed in the ability of the PMVs to serve them. However, there were gaps with regards to the consistent supply of quality injectable contraceptive commodities and in PMVs use of job aids. Referral and linkages to government or private-owned facilities were also sub-optimal.

Conclusion
PMVs continue to play important roles in family planning service provision; this underscores the need to formalize and scale-up this intervention to aid their integral roles coupled with multi-faceted initiatives to enhance the quality of their services.
Finding the right balance: implementation of public–private partnership in artemisinin-based combination therapy provision in Manokwari, Indonesia
Authors: Ferdiana Astri , Cintyamena Utsamani , Azizatunnisa’ Luthfi , Sunandar Edi , Probandari Ari 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Indonesia is the second country with the highest number of malaria cases in Southeast Asia. Private health providers including community pharmacies often become the first point of care for the population seeking malaria treatment; however, public–private partnerships for malaria control are not widely implemented. This paper explores the acceptability of a public-private partnership program on the provision of subsidized artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in community pharmacies from the perspectives of private health providers, patients, and program implementers.

Methods
The study was conducted in Manokwari District in West Papua Province, one of the highest endemic districts in Indonesia. Qualitative methods using interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were employed to explore the following dimensions of acceptability: affective attitude, burden, ethicality, intervention coherence, opportunity cost, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy. Study participants were program implementers, private health providers, and pharmacy clients. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Secondary data on malaria cases and the use of ACTs reported by community pharmacies were also recorded.

Results
Only one-fourth of the total community pharmacies in Manokwari participated in the partnership, suggesting low coverage of the program. The proportion of malaria cases reported by community pharmacies increased from 6.9% in 2018 to 30.7% of cases. Most participants had a positive attitude towards the program, which might be associated with the perceived effectiveness of the partnership in improving access to ACTs. Despite the good understanding of the intervention by the participating pharmacies, limited involvement of private physicians often resulted in non-standardized treatment practices. The partnership also imposed a burden on private health providers in terms of human resources and time which entailed significant opportunity costs. A number of ethical issues might undermine the equity of access to ACTs.

Conclusion
Despite the positive attitude to the partnership, the perceived burden might outweigh the tangible benefits, posing threats to scaling up the intervention and sustainability. Innovations to simplify the administrative procedures in combination with performance-based incentives are needed to improve implementation. Engagement of patients and physicians is needed to increase the effectiveness of the partnership.
Comparisons of corneal biomechanical and tomographic parameters among thin normal cornea, forme fruste keratoconus, and mild keratoconus
Authors: Tian Lei , Zhang Di , Guo Lili , Qin Xiao , Zhang Hui , Zhang Haixia , Jie Ying , Li Lin 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
To compare the dynamic corneal response (DCR) and tomographic parameters of thin normal cornea (TNC) with thinnest corneal thickness (TCT) (≤ 500 µm), forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC) and mild keratoconus (MKC) had their central corneal thickness (CCT) matched by Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam) and corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology (Corvis ST).

Methods
CCT were matched in 50 eyes with FFKC, 50 eyes with MKC, and 53 TNC eyes with TCT ≤ 500 µm. The differences in DCR and tomographic parameters among the three groups were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic significance of these parameters. Back propagation (BP) neural network was used to establish the keratoconus diagnosis model.

Results
Fifty CCT-matched FFKC eyes, 50 MKC eyes and 50 TNC eyes were included. The age and biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP) did not differ significantly among the three groups (all P > 0.05). The index of height asymmetry (IHA) and height decentration (IHD) differed significantly among the three groups (all P < 0.05). IHD also had sufficient strength (area under the ROC curves (AUC) > 0.80) to differentiate FFKC and MKC from TNC eyes. Partial DCR parameters showed significant differences between the MKC and TNC groups, and the deflection amplitude of the first applanation (A1DA) showed a good potential to differentiate (AUC > 0.70) FFKC and MKC from TNC eyes. Diagnosis model by BP neural network showed an accurate diagnostic efficiency of about 91%.

Conclusions
The majority of the tomographic and DCR parameters differed among the three groups. The IHD and partial DCR parameters assessed by Corvis ST distinguished FFKC and MKC from TNC when controlled for CCT.
Towards a typology of social protection for migrants and refugees in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Vera Espinoza Marcia , Prieto Rosas Victoria , Zapata Gisela P. , Gandini Luciana , Fernández de la Reguera Alethia , Herrera Gioconda , López Villamil Stephanie , Zamora Gómez Cristina María , Blouin Cécile , Montiel Camila , Cabezas Gálvez Gabriela , Palla Irene 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe COVID-19 health crisis has put to the test Latin America’s already precarious social protection systems. This paper comparatively examines what type of social protection has been provided, by whom, and to what extent migrant and refugee populations have been included in these programmes in seven countries of the region during the COVID-19 pandemic, between March and December 2020. We develop a typology of models of social protection highlighting the assemblages of actors, different modes of protection and the emerging migrants’ subjectification in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay in relation to Non-Contributory Social Transfer (NCST) programmes and other actions undertaken by state and non-state actors. The analysis is based on 85 semi-structured interviews with representatives of national and local governments, International Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, and migrant-led organisations across 16 cities, and a systematic review of regulatory frameworks in the country-case studies. The proposed typology shows broad heterogeneity and complexity regarding different degrees of inclusion of migrant and refugee populations, particularly in pre-existing and new NCST programmes. These actions are furthering notions of migrant protection that are contingent and crisis-driven, imposing temporal limitations that often selectively exclude migrants based on legal status. It also brings to the fore the path-dependent nature of policies and practices of exclusion/inclusion in the region, which impact on migrants’ effective access to social and economic rights, while shaping the broader dynamics of migration governance in the region.
Efficacy of interrupted cyclic treatment with prednisolone on cancer pain: a randomized crossover study
Authors: Ghanem Mohamed A. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Interrupted cyclic treatment with a low oral dose of prednisolone combined with stepladder analgesics would reduce the pain scores in cancer patients with reported less side effects. Following ethical approval, 39 cancer patients were randomized to receive prednisolone 10 mg every other day or every 4th day for 4 successive weeks followed with tapering prednisolone by 2.5 mg every 4 days over 2 weeks after each interval, primary outcome visual analog score (VAS), and other secondary outcomes such as (A) patient demographics; (B) pain scores; brief pain inventory score (BPI), pain severity score (PSS), pain interference score (PIS), analgesia level score, pain level score (PLS), and pain management index (PMI)); and (C) patient safety (adverse effects) with interrupted cyclic treatment with low-dose prednisolone.

Results
Compared with baseline values, patients had statistically significant lower VAS and PSS pain scores at 14 and 28 days after starting the 2 days cyclic treatment with prednisolone. Patients had comparative VAS and PSS pain scores during the 4-day cyclic treatment with prednisolone. Compared with the 4-day cyclic treatment, patients in the 2-day cyclic treatment had significant statistically lower VAS pain scores at 28 days. Adverse effects showed no significant statistical differences during both study sequences.

Conclusion
Interrupted cyclic prednisolone 10 mg combined with stepladder analgesic regimen is effective and safe in terms on improved quality of analgesia for 28 days in cancer patients more when used every 2nd day than every 4th day with appetite improvement during both.

Trial registration
The study protocol was approved by the local Institutional Board Review Committee on 8-11-2019. The study was prospectively registered with the www.clinicaltrials.gov
Neglected cause of retinal detachment: a hospital-based case-control study on occupational heavy lifting as a risk factor
Authors: Mostafa Nayera S. , El Shereif Radwa Nabil , Manzour Ayat F. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Heavy lifting may lead to sudden increase in venous, intra-abdominal, and intraocular pressure which in turn may cause retinal detachment (RD). The epidemiological evidence for this association is still inconclusive. This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between occupational heavy lifting and RD.

Methods
A case-control study was carried out on 151 RD cases and 113 controls free of RD attending the ophthalmology outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University. Personal, medical, and occupational data were collected using interview questionnaires in addition to conducting full ophthalmologic examination.

Results
The mean age of study participants was 45.8 ± 9.1 years (46.8 ± 8.9, 44.4 ± 9.2 for RD cases and controls respectively). Statistically significant differences were found between cases and controls regarding years of working, occupational categories, frequency of occupational heavy lifting, non-work heavy lifting, history of head trauma, history of eye surgeries, and family history of RD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lifting (Odds ratio (OR) = 4.8, p < 0.0001), history of head trauma (OR = 3.3, p = 0.013), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR = 4.96, p < 0.0001), and previous eye surgeries (OR = 3.5, p = 0.003) increased the risk of RD.

Conclusion
Occupational heavy lifting is associated with RD. Occupational categories, duration of lifting heavy objects during work and family history of RD had a significant effect on RD. An ergonomic approach should be adopted and practiced as it has a significant impact on reducing the risks of lifting and carrying heavy objects. The workplace’s design (including having appropriate mechanical aids available) is also of significant importance to reducing the risks. During the patient’s visit, ophthalmologists should consider and look for the occupational heavy lifting history as a potential risk factor of the patient’s symptoms.
GNSS smartphones positioning: advances, challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives
Authors: Zangenehnejad Farzaneh , Gao Yang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractStarting from 2016, the raw Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements can be extracted from the Android Nougat (or later) operating systems. Since then, GNSS smartphone positioning has been given much attention. A high number of related publications indicates the importance of the research in this field, as it has been doing in recent years. Due to the cost-effectiveness of the GNSS smartphones, they can be employed in a wide variety of applications such as cadastral surveys, mapping surveying applications, vehicle and pedestrian navigation and etc. However, there are still some challenges regarding the noisy smartphone GNSS observations, the environment effect and smartphone holding modes and the algorithm development part which restrict the users to achieve high-precision smartphone positioning. In this review paper, we overview the research works carried out in this field with a focus on the following aspects: first, to provide a review of fundamental work on raw smartphone observations and quality assessment of GNSS observations from major smart devices including Google Pixel 4, Google Pixel 5, Xiaomi Mi 8 and Samsung Ultra S20 in terms of their signal strengths and carrier-phase continuities, second, to describe the current state of smartphone positioning research field until most recently in 2021 and, last, to summarize major challenges and opportunities in this filed. Finally, the paper is concluded with some remarks as well as future research perspectives.
The role of far-field intravascular ultrasound in transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Hassanin Ahmed , Ahmad Hasan , Leesar Massoud , Hakim Diaa 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPrecise and accurate characterization of the aortic valve complex is a vital step in the procedure planning for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Far-field intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a novel technology that can be utilized to assess aortic valve annulus and predict paravalvular leak, with comparable results to multi-detector computed tomography—the current gold standard in the preprocedural planning in TAVR. Far-field IVUS carries the advantage of minimal contrast use and lower radiation exposure. In this commentary, we describe two cases of far-field IVUS use during TAVR procedures and review its role as a complementary tool to current the imaging modalities used in TAVR.
Human capital and economic growth in Nigeria
Authors: Keji Sunday Anderu 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe study empirically examines the nexus between human capital and economic growth in Nigeria between 1981 and 2017. This is predated by poor policy impact across the key sectors of the economy, such as education and health that would have transformed productivity to economic in Nigeria. In order to address this ugly happening, the study therefore employed vector autoregressive and Johansen techniques. The results disclosed that the estimated coefficients of human capital have long-run significant impact on economic growth in Nigeria. Also, the diagnostic tests were used to check the validity of the techniques adopted in the study. Interestingly, results from normality test, VEC residual serial correlation LM tests and VEC residual heteroskedasticity tests confirm the justification and validity of the estimated results obtained in this research. Drawing way forward, this study therefore recommends the need to sustain economic in Nigeria through increase budgetary allocation to education and health sector to boost human capital skills needed to drive knowledge-based economy. Also, government should establish special agencies with the responsibility of improving the skills and capabilities of human capital across all educational levels of the federation so as to sustain growth in the long run.
To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices in biomedical waste management among health care workers in dedicated COVID hospital in Bangalore
Authors: Basavaraj T. J. , Shashibhushan B. L. , Sreedevi Amala 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
In this pandemic of COVID-19, the highest amount of infective material, biomedical waste is generated in hospitals and it is frequently handled by the healthcare workers irrespective of cadres. Hence the awareness of healthcare workers in regards with biomedical waste (BMW) management is crucial in this pandemic. This study is therefore conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices in BMW management among health care workers in our institution.

Results
A total of 280 subjects consisting of doctors, nursing staff and group D workers were included in the study after obtaining informed consent. The knowledge among healthcare workers was satisfactory, but comparatively group D workers were lagging behind. Overall they all have a good attitude towards BMW management but practices on BMW management needs improvement mostly among group D workers.

Conclusions
There have to be regular training programmes on biomedical waste management and its hazards for all the healthcare workers including group D workers. Along with educational intervention, strict implementation of biomedical waste management guidelines with its monitoring at all levels is also very much essential.