bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scaling up pediatric nurse specialist education in Ghana – a longitudinal, mixed methods evaluation
Authors: Salehi Roxana , Asamoah Augustine , de Young Stephanie , Acquah Hannah , Agarwal Nikhil , Aryee Sawdah Esaka , Stevens Bonnie , Zlotkin Stanley 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Inadequate health human resources is a key challenge to advancing child survival in Ghana. Nurses are an essential human resource to target because they represent the largest portion of the health workforce. Building on lessons learned from our pilot pediatric nurse training project and World Health Organization guidelines for transforming and scaling up health professional education, this project aimed to; train 500 pediatric nurse specialists through a one-year training program; develop and integrate a critical mass of pediatric nursing faculty and establish a national standardized pediatric nursing curriculum. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a national pediatric nurse training program in Ghana at the end of 4 years, including eight cohorts with 330 graduates.

Methods
This was a mixed-method evaluation with surveys, focus groups and a pre-test/post-test design. Before and after surveys were used to measure knowledge and confidence at baseline and graduation. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) were used to measure clinical skills at baseline, graduation, and 14 months follow-up. At the end of every module, surveys were used to measure students’ satisfaction. Focus groups at graduation qualitatively measured program outcomes. Repeat focus groups and surveys at 14 months after graduation captured the graduates’ career progress, experiences reintegrating into the health system and long-term program outcomes.

Results
Overall, the graduates completed the program with significantly increased knowledge, confidence, and clinical skills. They also had increased job satisfaction and were able to apply what they learned to their jobs, including leadership skills and gender-sensitive care. Data from 14-month follow-up OSCEs showed that all graduates remained competent in communication, physical assessment, and emergency care, although some obtained a lower mark compared to their performance at graduation. This finding is linked with the observation that the amount of mentorship, support from leadership and equipment that the graduates accessed from their respective facilities varied.

Conclusions
Mixed-methods evaluations demonstrated significant increases in knowledge confidence and skills by completing the program and maintenance of skills more than 1 year after graduation. Findings have implications for those working on the design, implementation, and evaluation of nursing education interventions in low- and middle-income countries.
Income-related inequality in distribution of health human resource among districts of Pakistan
Authors: Nawaz Rashed , Zhou Zhongliang , Khalid Neelum , Cao Dan , Liu Guanping , Ren Yangling , Zhao Dantong , Zhao Yaxin , Chen Yaru 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Solving inequality of health human resource (HHR) is one of the motives of Pakistan health policies, however, there is still exists a massive quantity of HHR inequality in almost every district of Pakistan. The main goal of this research is to scrutinize the disparity in allocation of human health resources among 114 regions of Pakistan from the year 2012 to 2016 and to expose the foundations and aspects of HHR inequality.

Methods
The data regarding this research has been obtained from Pakistan Statistical Bureau from the year 2012 to 2016. The statistics had also been collected from United Nation Development Program (UNDP) Pakistan 2017, Pakistan economic surveys, Ministry of finance Islamabad, Pakistan, Pakistan Social and Living standards Measurement (PSLM) Surveys from 2012 to 2016. The information incorporates district wise; the number of specialists and medical caretakers those are doctors and nurses, number of hospitals, number of beds, number of dispensaries, number of beds in dispensaries, urbanization, total estimated GNI per capita, infant mortality rate, geographical area, and population size. The concentration index is used to compute the extent of disparity in allocation of human health resources and decomposition analysis is also carried out to enumerate the contribution of each variable towards total inequality. Furthermore, the horizontal concentration was used to measure the participation of the need variable.

Results
7. The consequent Concentration Indexes (CI) of the doctors and nurses for the year 2016 are 0.60 (95% CI= 0.42, 0.78) and 0.67 (95% CI= 0.42, 0.92) respectively. Decomposition of the concentration indexes exposed that the monetary status accounts are the leading percentage contributor in doctors disparity (77.5, 44.9, 30.6, − 11.6% and 13%) and population size (− 20.7,-10.5%, 4.6, 49.8, 19.7%). Furthermore, the monetary status formulates the superior contribution HHR disparity from nurses inequality (104.5, 75.1, 59.2, − 54.3%, − 40.1%), and population size (− 53.7, − 53.6%, − 36.3, 83.8, 65.3%). Moreover, after the identification of the need variable the Horizontal Concentration Index (HCI) values of doctors from the year 2012 to 2016 are 0.62, 0.64, 0.63, 0.62 and 0.61 and HCI of the nurses are 0.69, 0.70, 0.69, 0.68 and 0.67.

Conclusion
The pro-rich disparity in allocation of HHR has been scrutinized from the year 2012 to 2016 among 114 districts of Pakistan. The hard concern of HHR disparity should be concentrated by the complete procedures from a multidisciplinary approach.
Impact of pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation patient education and telephone follow-up on transitions of care: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Karaoui Lamis R. , Ramia Elsy , Mansour Hanine , Haddad Nisrine , Chamoun Nibal 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
There is limited published data in Lebanon evaluating the impact of supplemental education for anticoagulants use, especially DOACs, on clinical outcomes such as bleeding. The study aims to assess the impact of pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education and follow-up on bleeding and readmission rates.

Methods
This study was a randomized, non-blinded interventional study conducted between August 2017 and July 2019 in a tertiary care teaching Lebanese hospital. Participants were inpatients ≥18 years discharged on an oral anticoagulant for treatment. Block randomization was used. The control group received the standard nursing counseling while the intervention group additionally received pharmacy counseling. Phone call follow-ups were done on day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Primary outcomes included readmission rates and any bleeding event at day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Secondary outcomes included documented elements of education in the medical records and reported mortality upon day 30 post-discharge.

Results
Two hundred patients were recruited in the study (100 patients in each study arm) with a mean age of 73.9 years. In the pharmacist-counseled group, more patients contacted their physician within 3 days (14% versus 4%; p = 0.010), received explicit elements of education (p < 0.001) and documentation in the chart was better (p < 0.05). In the standard of care group, patients were more aware of their next physician appointment date (52% versus 31%, p < 0.001). No difference in bleeding rates at day 3 and 30 post-discharge was observed between the groups.

Conclusions
Although pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education did not appear to reduce bleeding or readmission rates at day 30, pharmacist education significantly increased patient communication with their providers in the early days post-discharge.

Trial registration
Lebanon Clinical Trial Registry LBCTR2020033424. Retrospectively registered. Date of registration: 06/03/2020.
Characterizing RNA stability genome-wide through combined analysis of PRO-seq and RNA-seq data
Authors: Blumberg Amit , Zhao Yixin , Huang Yi-Fei , Dukler Noah , Rice Edward J. , Chivu Alexandra G. , Krumholz Katie , Danko Charles G. , Siepel Adam 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
The concentrations of distinct types of RNA in cells result from a dynamic equilibrium between RNA synthesis and decay. Despite the critical importance of RNA decay rates, current approaches for measuring them are generally labor-intensive, limited in sensitivity, and/or disruptive to normal cellular processes. Here, we introduce a simple method for estimating relative RNA half-lives that is based on two standard and widely available high-throughput assays: Precision Run-On sequencing (PRO-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).

Results
Our method treats PRO-seq as a measure of transcription rate and RNA-seq as a measure of RNA concentration, and estimates the rate of RNA decay required for a steady-state equilibrium. We show that this approach can be used to assay relative RNA half-lives genome-wide, with good accuracy and sensitivity for both coding and noncoding transcription units. Using a structural equation model (SEM), we test several features of transcription units, nearby DNA sequences, and nearby epigenomic marks for associations with RNA stability after controlling for their effects on transcription. We find that RNA splicing-related features are positively correlated with RNA stability, whereas features related to miRNA binding and DNA methylation are negatively correlated with RNA stability. Furthermore, we find that a measure based on U1 binding and polyadenylation sites distinguishes between unstable noncoding and stable coding transcripts but is not predictive of relative stability within the mRNA or lincRNA classes. We also identify several histone modifications that are associated with RNA stability.

Conclusion
We introduce an approach for estimating the relative half-lives of individual RNAs. Together, our estimation method and systematic analysis shed light on the pervasive impacts of RNA stability on cellular RNA concentrations.
LncRNA LINC00342 contributes to the growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer via targeting miR-19a-3p/NPEPL1 axis
Authors: Shen Peng , Qu Lili , Wang Jingjing , Ding Quchen , Zhou Chuanwen , Xie Rui , Wang Honggang , Ji Guozhong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 00342 (LINC00342) has been identified as a novel oncogene. However, the functional role of LINC00342 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear.

Methods
The expression of LINC00342 is detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion and xenograft model are examined to analyze the biological functions of LINC00342 in vitro and in vivo using colony formation, would healing and transwell analyses. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays are used to identify the target interactions between LINC00342, miR-19a-3p and aminopeptidase like 1 (NPEPL1).

Results
LINC00342 was highly expressed in CRC. Down-regulation of LINC00342 inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells. Moreover, knocking down LINC00342 inhibited the tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistic investigation revealed that LINC00342 might sponge miR-19a-3p to regulate NPEPL1 expression. Further investigation indicated that the ontogenesis facilitated by LINC00342 was inhibited due to the depletion of NPEPL1.

Conclusion
LINC00342 promotes CRC progression by competitively binding miR-19a-3p with NPEPL1.
The biological function of m6A reader YTHDF2 and its role in human disease
Authors: Wang Jin-yan , Lu Ai-qing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractN6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a dynamic and reversible post-transcriptional modification and the most prevalent internal RNA modification in eukaryotic cells. YT521-B homology domain family 2 (YTHDF2) is a member of m6A “readers” and its role in human diseases remains unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that YTHDF2 is greatly implicated in many aspects of human cancers and non-cancers through various mechanisms. YTHDF2 takes a great part in multiple biological processes, such as migration, invasion, metastasis, proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, cell viability, cell adhesion, differentiation and inflammation, in both human cancers and non-cancers. Additionally, YTHDF2 influences various aspects of RNA metabolism, including mRNA decay and pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) processing. Moreover, emerging researches indicate that YTHDF2 predicts the prognosis of different cancers. Herein, we focus on concluding YTHDF2-associated mechanisms and potential biological functions in kinds of cancers and non-cancers, and its prospects as a prognostic biomarker.
Circular RNA CDR1as promotes tumor progression by regulating miR-432-5p/E2F3 axis in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Xiong Xingcheng , Feng Jiarui , Yang Xiao , Li Hanjun , Shi Qiao , Tao Jing , Chang Jian 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Pancreatic cancer (PC), characterized with high growth rate and metastatic rate. It’s urgently necessary to explore new mechanism of PC. Circular RNA/miRNA/mRNA network was widely reported to participate in the cancer progression.

Methods
In this research, circular RNA CDR1as (circCDR1as) was identified by microarray analysis and detected in pancreatic cancer (PC) tissues and cells. Transwell, colony-forming assay, nude mouse tumorigenicity assay were used to determine the function of circCDR1as in PC. Western blot, dual luciferase reporting test were applied to investigate the mechanism.

Results
We found that circCDR1as was highly expressed in PC tissues. The levels of circCDR1as in PC tissues and cells were higher than those in controls. CircCDR1as promoted the migration, invasion and proliferation of PC cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo via mediating E2F3 expression by sponging miR-432-5p.

Conclusions
In conclusion, circCDR1as could promote the development of PC and might be a novel diagnostic target for PC.
Characterization of γδT cells in lung of Plasmodium yoelii-infected C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Wei Haixia , Jin Chenxi , Peng Anping , Xie Hongyan , Xie Shihao , Feng Yuanfa , Xie Anqi , Li Jiajie , Fang Chao , Yang Quan , Qiu Huaina , Qi Yanwei , Yin Zhinan , Wang Xinhua , Huang Jun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Malaria has high morbidity and mortality rates in some parts of tropical and subtropical countries. Besides respiratory and metabolic function, lung plays a role in immune system. γδT cells have multiple functions in producing cytokines and chemokines, regulating the immune response by interacting with other cells. It remains unclear about the role of γδT cells in the lung of mice infected by malaria parasites.

Methods
Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to evaluate the frequency of γδT cells and the effects of γδT cells on the phenotype and function of B and T cells in Plasmodium yoelii-infected wild-type (WT) or γδTCR knockout (γδT KO) mice. Haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the lungs.

Results
The percentage and absolute number of γδT cells in the lung increased after Plasmodium infection (p < 0.01). More γδT cells were expressing CD80, CD11b, or PD-1 post-infection (p < 0.05), while less γδT cells were expressing CD34, CD62L, and CD127 post-infection (p < 0.05). The percentages of IL-4+, IL-5+, IL-6+, IL-21+, IL-1α+, and IL-17+ γδT cells were increased (p < 0.05), but the percentage of IFN-γ-expressing γδT cells decreased (p < 0.05) post-infection. The pathological changes in the lungs of the infected γδT KO mice were not obvious compared with the infected WT mice. The proportion of CD3+ cells and absolute numbers of CD3+ cells, CD3+ CD4+ cells, CD3+ CD8+ cells decreased in γδT KO infected mice (p < 0.05). γδT KO infected mice exhibited no significant difference in the surface molecular expression of T cells compared with the WT infected mice (p > 0.05). While, the percentage of IFN-γ-expressing CD3+ and CD3+ CD8+ cells increased in γδT KO infected mice (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the absolute numbers of the total, CD69+, ICOS+, and CD80+ B cells between the WT infected and γδT KO infected mice (p > 0.05).

Conclusions
The content, phenotype, and function of γδT cells in the lung of C57BL/6 mice were changed after Plasmodium infection. γδT cells contribute to T cell immune response in the progress of Plasmodium infection.
Genetic variation in the immune system and malaria susceptibility in infants: a nested case–control study in Nanoro, Burkina Faso
Authors: Natama Hamatandi Magloire , Rovira-Vallbona Eduard , Krit Meryam , Guetens Pieter , Sorgho Hermann , Somé M. Athanase , Traoré-Coulibaly Maminata , Valéa Innocent , Mens Petra F. , Schallig Henk D. F. H. , Berkvens Dirk , Kestens Luc , Tinto Halidou , Rosanas-Urgell Anna 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundGenetic polymorphisms in the human immune system modulate susceptibility to malaria. However, there is a paucity of data on the contribution of immunogenetic variants to malaria susceptibility in infants, who present differential biological features related to the immaturity of their adaptive immune system, the protective effect of maternal antibodies and fetal haemoglobin. This study investigated the association between genetic variation in innate immune response genes and malaria susceptibility during the first year of life in 656 infants from a birth cohort survey performed in Nanoro, Burkina Faso.MethodsSeventeen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 11 genes of the immune system previously associated with different malaria phenotypes were genotyped using TaqMan allelic hybridization assays in a Fluidigm platform.Plasmodium falciparuminfection and clinical disease were documented by active and passive case detection. Case–control association analyses for both alleles and genotypes were carried out using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. For cytokines showing significant SNP associations in multivariate analyses, cord blood supernatant concentrations were measured by quantitative suspension array technology (Luminex).ResultsGenetic variants in IL-1β (rs1143634) and FcγRIIA/CD32 (rs1801274)—both in allelic, dominant and co-dominant models—were significantly associated with protection from bothP. falciparuminfection and clinical malaria. Furthermore, heterozygote individuals with rs1801274 SNP in FcγRIIA/CD32 showed higher IL-1RA levels compared to wild-type homozygotes (P = 0.024), a cytokine whose production is promoted by the binding of IgG immune complexes to Fcγ receptors on effector immune cells.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that genetic polymorphisms in genes driving innate immune responses are associated to malaria susceptibility during the first year of life, possibly by modulating production of inflammatory mediators.
Reduced circulating dendritic cells in acute Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium falciparum malaria despite elevated plasma Flt3 ligand levels
Authors: Loughland Jessica R. , Woodberry Tonia , Oyong Damian , Piera Kim A. , Amante Fiona H. , Barber Bridget E. , Grigg Matthew J. , William Timothy , Engwerda Christian R. , Anstey Nicholas M. , McCarthy James S. , Boyle Michelle J. , Minigo Gabriela 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundPlasmodium falciparummalaria increases plasma levels of the cytokine Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), a haematopoietic factor associated with dendritic cell (DC) expansion. It is unknown if the zoonotic parasitePlasmodium knowlesiimpacts Flt3L or DC in human malaria. This study investigated circulating DC and Flt3L associations in adult malaria and in submicroscopic experimental infection.MethodsPlasma Flt3L concentration and blood CD141+DC, CD1c+DC and plasmacytoid DC (pDC) numbers were assessed in (i) volunteers experimentally infected withP. falciparumand in Malaysian patients with uncomplicated (ii)P. falciparumor (iii)P. knowlesimalaria.ResultsPlasmodium knowlesicaused a decline in all circulating DC subsets in adults with malaria. Plasma Flt3L was elevated in acuteP. falciparumandP. knowlesimalaria with no increase in a subclinical experimental infection. Circulating CD141+DCs, CD1c+DCs and pDCs declined in all adults tested, for the first time extending the finding of DC subset decline in acute malaria to the zoonotic parasiteP. knowlesi.ConclusionsIn adults, submicroscopicPlasmodiuminfection causes no change in plasma Flt3L but does reduce circulating DCs. Plasma Flt3L concentrations increase in acute malaria, yet this increase is insufficient to restore or expand circulating CD141+DCs, CD1c+DCs or pDCs. These data imply that haematopoietic factors, yet to be identified and not Flt3L, involved in the sensing/maintenance of circulating DC are impacted by malaria and a submicroscopic infection. The zoonoticP. knowlesiis similar to otherPlasmodiumspp in compromising DC in adult malaria.
Coupled liquid biopsy and bioinformatics for pancreatic cancer early detection and precision prognostication
Authors: Hou Jun , Li XueTao , Xie Ke-Ping 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEarly detection and diagnosis are the key to successful clinical management of pancreatic cancer and improve the patient outcome. However, due to the absence of early symptoms and the aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer, its 5-year survival rate remains below 5 %. Compared to tissue samples, liquid biopsies are of particular interest in clinical settings with respect to minimal invasiveness, repeated sampling, complete representation of the entire or multi-site tumor bulks. The potential of liquid biopsies in pancreatic cancer has been demonstrated by many studies which prove that liquid biopsies are able to detect early emergency of pancreatic cancer cells, residual disease, and recurrence. More interestingly, they show potential to delineate the heterogeneity, spatial and temporal, of pancreatic cancer. However, the performance of liquid biopsies for the diagnosis varies largely across different studies depending of the technique employed and also the type and stage of the tumor. One approach to improve the detect performance of liquid biopsies is to intensively inspect circulome and to define integrated biomarkers which simultaneously profile circulating tumor cells and DNA, extracellular vesicles, and circulating DNA, or cell free DNA and proteins. Moreover, the diagnostic validity and accuracy of liquid biopsies still need to be comprehensively demonstrated and validated.