bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Application of Multicriteria Decision Analysis Methods in Health Care: A Literature Review
Authors: Khan Ilyas , Pintelon Liliane , Martin Harry 
Published: June 2021

Objectives The main objectives of this article are 2-fold. First, we explore the application of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods in different areas of health care, particularly the adoption of various MCDA methods across health care decision making problems. Second, we report on the publication trends on the application of MCDA methods in health care. Method PubMed was searched for literature from 1960 to 2019 in the English language. A wide range of keywords was used to retrieve relevant studies. The literature search was performed in September 2019. Articles were included only if they have reported an MCDA case in health care. Results and Conclusion The search yielded 8,318 abstracts, of which 158 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were considered for further analysis. Hybrid methods are the most widely used methods in health care decision making problems. When it comes to single methods, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is the most widely used method followed by TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution), multiattribute utility theory, goal programming, EVIDEM (evidence and value: impact on decision making), evidential reasoning, discrete choice experiment, and so on. Interestingly, the usage of hybrid methods has been high in recent years. AHP is most widely applied in screening and diagnosing and followed by treatment, medical devices, resource allocation, and so on. Furthermore, treatment, screening and diagnosing, medical devices, and drug development and assessment got more attention in the MCDA context. It is indicated that the application of MCDA methods to health care decision making problem is determined by the nature and complexity of the health care problem. However, guidelines and tools exist that assist in the selection of an MCDA method.
Relative clinical utility of simultaneous 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/MRI and PET/CT for preoperative cervical cancer diagnosis
Authors: Gong Jing , Liu Honghong , Bao Zhaoliang , Bian Lihua , Li Xiuzhen , Meng Yuanguang 
Published: June 2021

Objective To investigate the utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) for the preoperative diagnosis of cervical cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 114 patients who were diagnosed with cervical cancer and underwent PET/MRI (n = 59) or PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) (n = 65) before surgery. The maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and mean SUV (SUVmean) were determined for regions of interest in the resultant radiographic images. Results Relative to PET/CT, 18F-FDG PET/MRI exhibited higher specificity and sensitivity in defining the primary tumor bounds and higher sensitivity for detection of bladder involvement. The SUVmax and SUVmean of PET/MRI were remarkably higher than those of PET/CT as a means of detecting primary tumors, bladder involvement, and the lymph node status. However, no significant differences in these values were detected when comparing the two imaging approaches as a means of detecting vaginal involvement or para-aortic lymph node metastasis. Conclusions These outcomes may demonstrate the capability of 18F-FDG PET/MRI to clarify preoperative cervical cancer diagnoses in the context of unclear PET/CT findings. However, studies directly comparing SUVs in different lesion types from patients who have undergone both PET/MRI and PET/CT scans are essential to validate and expand upon these findings.
Estimation of the occurrence rates of IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in gliomas and the reconsideration of IDH-wildtype anaplastic astrocytomas: an institutional experience
Authors: Cho Uiju , Yang Seung Ho , Yoo Changyoung 
Published: June 2021

Objectives Most diffuse gliomas are reported to harbor isocitrate dehydrogenase ( IDH) mutations. However, when these mutations are tested in clinical practice, the results are often negative. Methods This study examined the frequency of IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in gliomas classified according to the revised 2016 World Health Organization classification, and investigated their prognostic relevance. We tested 87 gliomas for IDH1 and IDH2 mutations using the peptide nucleic acid clamp method. Results IDH1 mutations were observed in 42% of diffuse astrocytomas, 23% of anaplastic astrocytomas, all oligodendrogliomas and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, and 17% of glioblastomas. An IDH2 mutation was identified in one case of diffuse astrocytoma. In the survival analysis of diffuse astrocytic tumors, patients with IDH1/2-wildtype anaplastic astrocytomas tended to have a poor prognosis, similar to that of glioblastomas. Conclusions IDH2 mutations were infrequent in gliomas. In anaplastic astrocytomas, the frequency of IDH1/2-wildtype was relatively high, and the prognosis of patients with this type of tumor was very similar to that of those with glioblastomas. It may therefore be necessary to reconsider the classification and treatment strategies for IDH1/2-wildtype anaplastic astrocytomas.
Hypoxia-induced RNASEH2A limits activation of cGAS-STING signaling in HCC and predicts poor prognosis
Authors: Zhao Fengbo , Liu Aifen , Gong Xiu , Chen Hao , Wei Jinhuan , Chen Bin , Chen Shiyin , Yang Riyun , Fan Yihui , Mao Renfang 
Published: June 2021

Background: Hypoxia is a hallmark of solid cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is scarce information about how hypoxia avoids immunologic stress and maintains a cancer-promoting microenvironment. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas, RNA-seq data, and Oncomine database were used to discover the correlation of RNASEH2A with tumor progression; then expression of RNASEH2A mRNA and protein were detected in HCC tissues and cells subjected to hypoxia or with the treatment of CoCl2 via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunochemistry assays. Finally, the effect of RNASEH2A on cell proliferation and the involved signaling pathway was explored further. Results: RNASEH2A was positively correlated with tumor grade, size, vascular invasion, and poor prognosis. The expression of RNASEH2A mRNA and protein were increased and dependent on hypoxia-inducible factor 2α in HCC tissues and cell lines. Knockout of RNASEH2A in HCC cells greatly reduced cell proliferation and induced the transcription of multiple cGAS-STING (cyclic GMP–AMP synthase–stimulator of interferon genes) targeted type 1 interferon-related genes, including IFIT1, USP18, and CXCL10, which suggests knockout of RNASEH2A may produce immunologic stress and tumor suppressive effects. Conclusions: RNASEH2A plays a critical role and potentially predicts patient outcomes in HCC, which uncovers a new mechanism that RNASEH2A contributes to limit immunologic stress of cancer cells in the context of hypoxia.
Knowledge of Breastfeeding and Kangaroo Mother Care Practices Among General Practitioners in Rural Western India
Authors: Fahey Nisha , Sadhwani Nitesh , Shethwala Smit , Allison Jeroan , Soni Apurv , Nimbalkar Somashekhar 
Published: June 2021

Background: Breastfeeding and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) are interventions to reduce neonatal mortality and undernutrition. We investigated the knowledge of allopathic and Ayurvedic, Yoga-naturopathy, Siddha, and Homeopathic (AYUSH) general practitioners in rural western India and identified attributes associated with awareness and knowledge on these topics. Methods: This cross-sectional study of general practitioners in the Anand district of Gujarat, India, used an anonymous self-reported survey. Multivariable regression models were used to identify practitioner attributes associated with awareness and knowledge. Results: Among the 158 respondents, a quarter (26.0%) were trained in allopathic medicine and 63.0% had practiced for 5 years or more. The average score of breastfeeding knowledge was 8.0 of 13. Most (79.1%) did not have any awareness of KMC. After adjusting for potential confounders, knowledge of breastfeeding practices among AYUSH practitioners was 4-fold greater than that of allopathic practitioners (incidence rate ratio: 3.9; 95% CI: 3.2-4.6). By contrast, AYUSH practitioners had 80% decreased odds of awareness about KMC compared with allopathic practitioners (odds ratio: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.3). Discussion: This study demonstrates distinct knowledge gaps among allopathic and AYUSH general practitioners regarding breastfeeding and KMC. There is a need for tailored continuing medical education among general practitioners to enhance their clinical knowledge of newborn care practices to achieve improvements in neonatal health.
Vitamin D Status and Clinical Outcomes in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Secondary Analysis From the Assessment of Low Tidal Volume and Elevated End-Expiratory Volume to Obviate Lung Injury (ALVEOLI) Trial
Authors: Quraishi Sadeq A. , Bhan Ishir , Matthay Michael A. , Thompson Boyd T. , Camargo Carlos A. , Bajwa Ednan K. 
Published: June 2021

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a highly morbid condition that has limited therapeutic options. Optimal vitamin D status has been linked to immunological effects that may benefit critically ill patients. Therefore, we investigated whether admission 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25OHD) are associated with clinical outcomes in ARDS patients. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of data from a randomized, controlled trial comparing oxygenation strategies in 549 patients with ARDS (NCT00000579). Baseline 25OHD was measured in stored plasma samples. We investigated the relationship between vitamin D status and ventilator-free days (VFD) as well as 90-day survival, using linear regression and Cox proportional hazard models, respectively. Analyses were adjusted for age, race, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score. Results: Baseline 25OHD was measured in 476 patients. 90% of these individuals had 25OHD <20 ng/ml and 40% had 25OHD <10 ng/ml. Patients with 25OHD <20 ng/ml were likely to be ventilated for 3 days longer than patients with levels ≥20 ng/ml (ß 3.41; 95%CI 0.42-6.39: P = 0.02). Patients with 25OHD <10 ng/ml were likely to be ventilated for 9 days longer (ß 9.27; 95%CI 7.24-11.02: P < 0.001) and to have a 34% higher risk of 90-day mortality (HR 1.34; 95% CI 1.06-1.71: P = 0.02) compared to patients with levels >10 ng/ml. Conclusions: In patients with ARDS, vitamin D status is associated with duration of mechanical ventilation and 90-day mortality. Randomized, controlled trials are warranted to determine whether vitamin D supplementation improves clinical outcomes in ARDS patients.
Inhibiting p21-activated kinase (PAK7) enhances radiosensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Gu Y-F , Kong L-T 
Published: June 2021

Objective: In light of the upregulation of p21-activated kinase (PAK7) in a variety of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we aimed to investigate the effect of PAK7 on the sensitivity of HCC cells to radiotherapy. Methods: PAK7 expression was determined in normal adult liver epithelial THLE-2 and human HCC cell lines. The effect of ionizing radiation (IR) on the HCC cell viability was evaluated by Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. HCC cell lines Mahlavu and Huh7 were chosen to assess the effect of PAK7 shRNAs on the viability, clone formation, apoptosis, cycle distribution and γ-H2AX expression after exposure to IR. Results: As compared to THLE-2 cells, PAK7 was upregulated in poorly differentiated Mahlavu and SK-Hep-1 cells, but moderately or lowly expressed in well-differentiated Huh7 and HepG2 cells. HCC cells with moderate or low expression of PAK7 presented a decreased viability at 2 Gy IR, which had no significant effect on PAK7high HCC cells. Mahlavu and Huh7 cells transfected with PAK7 shRNAs showed increased inhibitory effect of IR on viability. In addition, PAK7 shRNAs reduced clone formation, facilitated the cell apoptosis, arrested cells at G2/M phase, and increased γ-H2AX expression. Moreover, changes above were more evident in the HCC cells co-treated with IR and PAK7 shRNAs. Conclusion: PAK7 downregulation could inhibit the viability, promote the apoptosis, arrest cells in G2/M phase, and induce the DNA damage in HCC cells, thereby enhancing the radiosensitivity in HCC.
A conceptual framework for assessing the public health effects from snus and novel non-combustible nicotine products
Authors: Lund Karl Erik , Vedøy Tord Finne 
Published: June 2021

Objective: The tobacco industry plans to base their future earnings on the production of non-combustible nicotine products. These might replace or come in addition to the more harmful cigarettes that historically have dominated the nicotine market in the Nordic countries. The authorities in each country must decide whether the products should have market access and, in that case, how strictly they should be regulated. Our aim is to present a framework that can assist the health authorities to make a regulation where benefits will outweigh the harms. Method: In a public health perspective, health gains from substitution must be weighed against the health loss from additional use. The main elements of the weighing will be based on the information about the absolute risk of the products, their relative risk compared to conventional cigarettes and how the users are composed according to smoking status. We apply the framework on snus as used in Norway – a product with an established usage pattern and epidemiologically assessed health risks. Results: The framework consists of (i) a comprehensive set of specific user patterns that may result in health deterioration and user patterns that may result in health benefits, (ii) an estimation of the number of people with health-augmenting and health-impairing user patterns, respectively, and (iii) an estimation of the degree of health deterioration or health benefit that will affect the persons with the different user patterns. Conclusion: The net effect on public health will appear as an overall result of the number of people with positive and negative user patterns, respectively, in combination with the magnitude of the change in health status these people will experience. The use of an explicit framework highlights how a political decision may affect nicotine use and health-related outcomes. The framework breaks open a large and complex question into smaller pieces and requires the authorities to expose and explain the kind of evidence and reasoning behind regulations of novel nicotine products.
Der Einsatz von Expertensystemen im betrieblichen Personalwesen
Authors: Finzer Peter 
Published: June 2021

Die betrieblichen Personalabteilungen sehen sich im Zeichen einer wachsenden Informationsflut und einer Reihe aktueller personalwirtschaftlicher Problemfelder einem zunehmenden Problemdruck ausgeliefert, der neben Intuition und Fingerspitzengefühl eines systematischen Informationsmanagements bedarf. Vor dem Hintergrund dieser Anforderungen werden neben den bereits implementierten Personalinformationssystemen für Zwecke der Personalverwaltung mittlerweile auch Bereiche der betrieblichen Personalarbeit von EDV-Konzeptionen unterstützt, die außerhalb der Personaladministration liegen. Ein wesentliches Problemfeld blieb allerdings bislang davon ausgeklammert: Elektronische Informationssysteme zur Unterstützung dispositiver Aufgabenbereiche waren bislang so gut wie nicht vorhanden. Neue Impulse könnten hierfür von Expertensystemen ausgehen, deren Einsatz für betriebswirtschaftliche Anwendungen im allgemeinen zunehmend positiv eingeschätzt wird Die nachfolgenden Ausführungen gehen daher der Frage nach, ob sich Expertensysteme auch innerhalb des betrieblichen Personalwesens insbesondere für dispositive Aufgabenstellungen sinnvoll einsetzen lassen.
Personalinformationssysteme und Mitbestimmung
Authors: Herberger Maximilian 
Published: June 2021

Die folgenden Darlegungen stützen sich aus Gründen der Praxisorientierung auf die Ergebnisse, zu denen die Rechtsprechung gelangt ist. Eine wissenschaftliche Kritik der Rechtsprechung ist nicht beabsichtigt. Bei allem Interesse für derartige Untersuchungen ist, will man praktische Entscheidungshilfen geben, darauf zu achten, daß der entscheidende Planungsparameter für das Führungspersonal der Unternehmungen die Prognose über den Spruch ist, den letzten Endes ein Gericht fällen würde. Berücksichtigt wird die Rechtsprechung des Bundesarbeitsgerichts und des Bundesverwaltungsgerichts. Das hat seinen Grund darin, daß beide Gerichte im vorliegenden Themenzusammenhang mit Regelungen befaßt sind, die auf die gleichen Merkmale abstellen. Hinzu kommt, daß sich das Bundesverwaltungsgericht der Rechtsprechung des Bundesarbeitsgerichts ohne entscheidende Modifikation angeschlossen hat. Deshalb bildet die Argumentation beider Gerichte eine systematische Einheit.
Zukünftige Engeltrahmentarifverträge - Probleme und Perspektiven in der Metallindustrie
Authors: Meine Hartmut 
Published: June 2021

Die Tarifvertragsparteien der Metallindustrie werden sich in den nächsten Jahren intensiv um die klassischen tarifpolitischen Regelungsbereiche der Eingruppierungssysteme und der Entlohnungsgrundsätze kümmern. Daneben treten aber auch Fragen der Qualifizierung, der menschengerechten Arbeitsgestaltung und der Partizipation der Beschäftigten in den Vordergrund. In den Gremien der IG Metall beginnt zur Zeit ein sorgfältiger und intensiver Diskussionsprozeß über Entgelt- und Gestaltungstarifverträge der Zukunft. 5 tarifpolitische Regelungsbereiche werden aus gewerkschaftlicher Sicht Gegenstand von Tarifverhandlungen: Eingruppierungssysteme, Qualifikation, Entgeltgrundsätze und Leistungsbedingungen, Gestaltung von Arbeit und Technik, Partizipation der Beschäftigten. Im folgenden wird auf die drei erstgenanntenen Bereiche eingegangen und jeweils der tarifliche Ist-Zustand und die heutigen Probleme in der betrieblich Praxis aufgezeigt. Hieraus werden Reformvorschläge für zukünftige Tarifverträge abgeleitet.
Does Size Matter? Perceptions of Indian Women About the Size of the Penis
Authors: Bhat Gajanan Shripad , Shastry Anuradha 
Published: June 2021

Background: Many men express concerns about their penile size, with respect to its role in sexual satisfaction of their female partners. The evidence to the contrary exists in the Western literature. However, similar evidence is lacking in a conservative society like India. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the perception of Indian women about the size of the penis of their male partners with respect to sexual satisfaction. Methodology: A questionnaire-based study was carried out using a 20-item questionnaire in a sample of 230 sexually active Indian women, who answered the questionnaire either using pen and paper or using social media platform such as WhatsApp. Both the univariate and multivariate regression analysis was done using GraphPad software (©2020 GraphPad Software, Inc, California, USA). A P value less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2020. As per the accrued opinion of the women who participated in the study, there was no statistically significant correlation between the size of the penis and the sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: There is hardly any literature on the perception of women from a conservative society like India about the size of the penis of their partners in relation to the sexual satisfaction. Hence, the data from this study, which is the first of its kind form the Indian subcontinent, can be the basis to allay fears of men expressing their concerns about the size of their penis in this part of the world.
Morphological changes and functional circRNAs screening of rabbit skeletal muscle development
Authors: Zheng Qi , Zhu Cuiyun , Jing Jing , Ling Yinghui , Qin Shuaiqi , Wang Jiao , Zha Lisha , Liu Ya , Fang Fugui 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe temporal expression pattern of circular RNAs (circRNAs) across developmental stages is essential for skeletal muscle growth and functional analysis. However, there are few analyses on the potential functions of circRNAs in rabbit skeletal muscle development.ResultsInitially, the paraffin sections showed extremely significant differences in the diameter, number, area and density of skeletal muscle fibers of the fetus, child, adult rabbit hind legs (P < 0.01). Then, RNA-seq libraries of these three stages were constructed. A total of 481 differentially expressed circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) and 5,658 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Subsequently, DE-circRNAs, whose host genes were DEGs or non-DEGs, were analyzed by GO respectively. In the fetus vs. child group, up-regulated DE-circRNAs (whose host genes were DEGs) were related to muscle fiber structure, and down-regulated ones were related to mitosis. The up-regulated DE-circRNAs (whose host genes were non-DEGs) were involved in enzyme activity, methylation and glycosylation, and the down-regulated ones were involved in mitosis and catabolism. In the fetus vs. adult group, the up-regulated DE-circRNAs (whose host genes were DEGs) were related to skeletal muscle basic structure, and the down-regulated ones were also associated with cell proliferation. But the up-regulated DE-circRNAs (whose host genes were non-DEGs) were connected with regulation of histone ubiquitination, chromatin and organelles. The down-regulated DE-circRNAs were connected with the catabolism processes. In addition, novel_circ_0022663 and novel_circ_0005489, which might have coding potential, and novel_circ_0004210 and novel_circ_0001669, which might have miRNA sponge capability, were screened out.ConclusionsIn this study, hind leg muscles of fetus, child and adult rabbits were collected for paraffin section and RNA-seq to observe the structural changes of skeletal muscle and obtain circRNA expression profiles at different stages. These data provided a catalog of circRNAs related to muscle development in New Zealand rabbits, allowing us to better understand the functional transitions in mammalian muscle development.