bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gut microbiome in cirrhotic hepatitis C virus patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Mohieldeen Khaled , Hamoda Soraya Abdel Fatah , Ahmed Shwikar Mahmoud , Najeeb Abdurrahman , Ellakany Walid Ismail 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Chronic hepatitis C is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in Egypt. A pathogenic link with gut microbial dysbiosis has been described in different diseases. The aim of the study is to elucidate changes in gut microbiome in cirrhotic HCV Egyptian patients with and without HCC.

Results
The study included 50 cirrhotic HCV patients; 25 with and 25 without HCC and 25 healthy controls with matched age and sex. Stool specimens were taken from all participants. Quantitative SYBR Green real-time PCR technique targeting 16S rRNA was done for the identification and quantitation of selected bacterial phylum, genera, and/or species. Both HCC and cirrhosis groups showed decrease in Firmicutes, F/B ratio, A. mucinophilia, and F. prausnitzii compared to the control group. However, the HCC group only showed statistically significant increase in Bacteroides and Lactobacilli, and decrease of Prevotella relative abundance and P/B ratio compared to both cirrhosis and control groups. As regard the relation between the gut microbiome and stages of HCC, BCLC stage D showed significantly the lowest relative abundance of Ruminococcus.

Conclusion
Patients with HCV-related cirrhosis and HCC exhibit microbial dysbiosis; altered microbial relative abundance and diversity with HCC patients showing higher proinflammatory bacteria compared to cirrhotics.
The turn-of-the-month effect in Pakistani stock market
Authors: Irtiza Muhammad Sarmad , Khan Shahbaz , Baig Nida , Tirmizi Syed Muhammad Ali , Ahmad Ilyas 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis research intends to explore the presence of the “turn-of-the-month-effect (TOME)” in the Pakistani stock market. The TOME is the temporary increase in prices of registered shares on the last operating day of the month and the initial 3–4 days of the following month. The selection incorporates the secondary data, which comprises the ending prices of the “KSE-100 Index” for 2013–2018. Contrary to the previous evidence in Pakistan, we run an in-depth year-wise analysis and report an interesting fact that the TOME is significant only during 2013–2016, while it vanishes for 2017 and 2018. We suggest that the “turn-of-the-month” anomaly may disappear during stock market crisis times. The research contains significant importance for potential shareholders because a rational shareholder considers several measures while making his investment decisions and constructing hedging strategies.
Intracavitary anaesthesia for medical thoracoscopy procedural pain: the CAMP randomised trial
Authors: Abdelhady Ahmed Mohamed , Gadallah Mohamed , Shaheen Moustafa , Mourad Sahar , Hassan Maged 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Medical thoracoscopy (MT) under conscious sedation can be a painful procedure. A pilot study reported reduction in procedural pain with lidocaine application via chest tube before procedure. This study aimed at assessing the extent of effect of intrapleural lidocaine on pain during MT in a double-blind randomised trial.

Results
Thirty patients (mean age 48.3 years) were recruited, 14 randomised to the lidocaine group and 16 to the saline group. In four patients (two from each group), chest tube insertion prior to MT failed, and they were excluded from the final analysis. The mean (SD) visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score during procedure was 49 ± 33.2 for the lidocaine group and 57.4 ± 27.6 for the control group (mean difference − 8.4 points, p = 0.49). The VAS pain score as assessed by operator was 45.6 ± 19.8 for the lidocaine group and 46.6 ± 29.8 for the control group (p = 0.97). There was no difference in the VAS pain score at 120 min post MT or in the doses of sedatives used during procedure between the study groups.

Conclusion
ICA for MT does not seem to improve procedural pain as suggested by previous studies.

Trial registration
The study has been registered with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202008762D159889).
Polycentric vs monocentric urban structure contribution to national development
Authors: Abozeid Ashraf Sami Mahmoud , AboElatta Tarek Abdellatif 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe debate about polycentricity and subordinacy has always been a critical topic that planners, economists, and socialists argued about for centuries. The idea of concentricity vs decentralization has affected all life metabolic activities. Urban structure has always been declared to be the key factor that affects life metabolism significantly. However, after the pandemic COVID-19, the planning strategies have changed dramatically. The main purpose is to investigate the most appropriate urbanization approach that achieves the best development results. The research methodology is to define and measure the fabric independency as an approach to estimate its self-sufficiency that enables it to stand in front of the pandemic challenges at different circumstances. The paper uses the fabric diversity index as a sensitive indicator of independency and polycentricity of the urban structure. The main conclusion for this paper is that independent polycentric urban agglomerations that are strongly linked achieve much better development results than subordinate cities depending on the main core city. The data used for the analysis are extracted from the Urban Atlas developed by the European Environmental Agency in addition to the UN-Habitat annual report. All calculations, analyses, and deductions are exclusively carried by the author.
Age and Hospitalization Risk in People With Type 1 Diabetes and COVID-19: Data From the T1D Exchange Surveillance Study
Authors: Demeterco-Berggren Carla , Ebekozien Osagie , Rompicherla Saketh , Jacobsen Laura , Accacha Siham , Gallagher Mary Pat , Todd Alonso G , Seyoum Berhane , Vendrame Francesco , Haw J Sonya , Basina Marina , Levy Carol J , Maahs David M 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Context
COVID-19 morbidity and mortality are increased in type 1 diabetes (T1D), but few data focus on age-based outcomes.

Objective
This work aimed to quantify the risk for COVID-19–related hospitalization and adverse outcomes by age in people with T1D.

Methods
For this observational, multisite, cross-sectional study of patients with T1D and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from 56 clinical sites in the United States, data were collected from April 2020 to March 2021. The distribution of patient factors and outcomes across age groups (0-18, 19-40, and &gt; 40 years) was examined. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study population, and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between age, adverse outcomes, and hospitalization. The main outcome measure was hospitalization for COVID-19.

Results
A total of 767 patients were analyzed. Fifty-four percent (n = 415) were aged 0 to 18 years, 32% (n = 247) were aged 19 to 40 years, and 14% (n = 105) were older than 40 years. A total of 170 patients were hospitalized, and 5 patients died. Compared to the 0- to 18-years age group, those older than 40 years had an adjusted odds ratio of 4.2 (95% CI, 2.28-7.83) for hospitalization after adjustment for sex, glycated hemoglobin A1c, race, insurance type, and comorbidities.

Conclusion
Age older than 40 years is a risk factor for patients with T1D and COVID-19, with children and younger adults experiencing milder disease and better prognosis. This indicates a need for age-tailored treatments, immunization, and clinical management of individuals affected by T1D.
Wetting of the tarsal adhesive fluid determines underwater adhesion in ladybird beetles
Authors: Sudersan Pranav , Kappl Michael , Pinchasik Bat-El , Butt Hans-Jürgen , Endlein Thomas 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT
Many insects can climb smooth surfaces using hairy adhesive pads on their legs, mediated by tarsal fluid secretions. It was previously shown that a terrestrial beetle can even adhere and walk underwater. The naturally hydrophobic hairs trap an air bubble around the pads, allowing the hairs to make contact with the substrate as in air. However, it remained unclear to what extent such an air bubble is necessary for underwater adhesion. To investigate the role of the bubble, we measured the adhesive forces in individual legs of live but constrained ladybird beetles underwater in the presence and absence of a trapped bubble and compared these with its adhesion in air. Our experiments revealed that on a hydrophobic substrate, even without a bubble, the pads show adhesion comparable to that in air. On a hydrophilic substrate, underwater adhesion is significantly reduced, with or without a trapped bubble. We modelled the adhesion of a hairy pad using capillary forces. Coherent with our experiments, the model demonstrates that the wetting properties of the tarsal fluid alone can determine the ladybird beetles' adhesion to smooth surfaces in both air and underwater conditions and that an air bubble is not a prerequisite for their underwater adhesion. This study highlights how such a mediating fluid can serve as a potential strategy to achieve underwater adhesion via capillary forces, which could inspire artificial adhesives for underwater applications.
Lens and cornea limit UV vision of birds – a phylogenetic perspective
Authors: Olsson Peter , Lind Olle , Mitkus Mindaugas , Delhey Kaspar , Kelber Almut 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT
Most vertebrates have UV-sensitive vision, but the UV sensitivity of their eyes is limited by the transmittance of the ocular media, and the specific contribution of the different media (cornea, lens) has remained unclear. Here, we describe the transmittance of all ocular media (OMT), as well as that of lenses and corneas of birds. For 66 species belonging to 18 orders, the wavelength at which 50% of light is transmitted through the ocular media to the retina (λT0.5) ranges from 310 to 398 nm. Low λT0.5 corresponds to more UV light transmitted. Corneal λT0.5 varies only between 300 and 345 nm, whereas lens λT0.5 values are more variable (between 315 and 400 nm) and tend to be the limiting factor, determining OMT in the majority of species. OMT λT0.5 is positively correlated with eye size, but λT0.5 of corneas and lenses are not correlated with their thickness when controlled for phylogeny. Corneal and lens transmittances do not differ between birds with UV- and violet-sensitive SWS1 opsin when controlling for eye size and phylogeny. Phylogenetic relatedness is a strong predictor of OMT, and ancestral state reconstructions suggest that from ancestral intermediate OMT, highly UV-transparent ocular media (low λT0.5) evolved at least five times in our sample of birds. Some birds have evolved in the opposite direction towards a more UV-opaque lens, possibly owing to pigmentation, likely to mitigate UV damage or reduce chromatic aberration.
Recent Advances in Guanidinium Salt Based Receptors and Functionalized Materials for the Recognition of Anions
Authors: Wenzel Marco , Steup Johannes , Ohto Keisuke , Weigand Jan J 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Recent advances in guanidinium-based receptors are summarized emphasizing the high affinity of the guanidinium moiety towards certain anions in highly competitive aqueous media. Particularly the interaction with multivalent oxoanions such as phosphate, sulfate, chromate, or even pertechnetate is of great interest for recognition. This review summarizes additionally selected developments in guanidine synthesis that are the basis of guanidinium based receptors and functionalized materials with an advanced recognition of certain anions under interfacial aqueous condition.
The Wavelia Microwave Breast Imaging system–tumour discriminating features and their clinical usefulness
Authors: Moloney Brian M , McAnena Peter F , Elwahab Sami M , Fasoula Angie , Duchesne Luc , Gil Cano Julio D , Glynn Catherine , O'Connell AnnaMarie , Ennis Rachel , Lowery Aoife J , Kerin Michael J 
Published: September 2021

Objective: The Wavelia Microwave Breast Imaging (MBI) system, based on non-ionising imaging technology, has demonstrated exciting potential in the detection and localisation of breast pathology in symptomatic patients. In this study, the ability of the system to accurately estimate the size and likelihood of malignancy of breast lesions is detailed, and its clinical usefulness determined. Methods: Institutional review board and Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) approval were obtained. Patients were recruited from the symptomatic unit to three groups; breast cancer (Group-1), unaspirated cysts (Group-2) and biopsied benign lesions (Group-3). MBI, radiological and histopathological findings were reviewed. MBI size estimations were compared with the sizes determined by conventional imaging and histopathology. A Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA) classifier was trained in a 3D feature space to discriminate malignant from benign lesions. An independent review was performed by two independent breast radiologists. Results: 24 patients (11 Group-1, 8 Group-2 and 5 Group-3) underwent MBI. The Wavelia system was more accurate than conventional imaging in size estimation of breast cancers. The QDA accurately separated benign from malignant breast lesions in 88.5% of cases. The addition of MBI and the Wavelia malignancy risk calculation was deemed useful by the two radiologists in 70.6% of cases. Conclusion: The results from this MBI investigation demonstrate the potential of this novel system in estimating size and malignancy risk of breast lesions. This system holds significant promise as a potential non-invasive, comfortable, and harmless adjunct for breast cancer diagnosis. Further larger studies are under preparation to validate the findings of this study. Advances in knowledge: This study details the potential of the Wavelia MBI system in delineating size and malignancy risk of benign and malignant breast lesions in a symptomatic cohort. The usefulness of the Wavelia system is assessed in the clinical setting.
Implementing living evidence to inform health decisions: A strategy for building capacity in health sector (Protocol)
Authors: Rojas-Reyes María Ximena , Urrutia Chuchí Gerard , Rada Gabriel , Alonso Pablo , Rigau Comas David , Auladell-Rispau Ariadna 
Published: September 2021

Every day important healthcare decisions are made with incomplete or outdated information about the effects of the different health care interventions available, what delivers the best value for the health system and where more research is needed. It is necessary to invest in strategies that allow access to reliable and updated evidence on which to base health decisions. The objective is to develop and evaluate a strategy for building the capacity among different actors of a country’s health system to implement the model known as “Living Evidence” [LE] in the evidence synthesis and dissemination of knowledge transfer [KT] products to inform health decisions. The study will involve professional members of health system organizations in charge of developing KT-products to inform health decisions. The project will be developed in three complementary phases: 1) LE-implementation framework development through review of the literature, brainstorming meetings, user testing and expert consultation; 2) training in LE tools and strategies; 3) developing LE synthesis for KT-products by applying the framework to real-life diverse situations. To achieve the capacity building strategy assessment goal, several surveys and interviews will take place during the process to assess: 1) the LE-implementation framework for the incorporation of LE synthesis in the development of KT-products; 2) the training workshops; 3) the whole capacity-building strategy used for health system organizations be able of implementing the LE as part of the KT-products they regularly produce. The expected results are an effective capacity building strategy for health system organizations to implement the living evidence model in different KT products; a LE-implementation framework to be applicable to any country or region for incorporate LE in the KT-products; LE synthesis for KT-products directly applicable to the real-setting situations; integration of Epistemonikos-L.OVE platform for keeping the LE process in the development and updating of KT-products.
Sub-micrometer direct laser writing using an optimized binary-amplitude zone plate lens
Authors: Xu Kai , Qin Jin , Wang Liang 
Published: September 2021

Direct laser writing (DLW) is a versatile and reliable lithography method widely used in many micro and nano fabrication areas. However, the resolution of DLW is limited by the optical diffraction limit. Many methods have been proposed to improve the lithography resolution, but with either high cost or increasing the complexity of the system. Here, we propose a high numerical aperture binary-amplitude-type zone plate lens that can achieve a sub-wavelength focal spot with a large depth of focus and long working distance. The critical dimension of such a lens is set at micrometer scale for ease of fabrication. By integrating the as-designed planar lens into a DLW system, we experimentally demonstrate less than 300 nm lithography resolution with exposure depth larger than 500 nm. Our results show the possibility of writing sub-micrometer scale structures with the integration of a planar lens into the DLW system, which enables miniaturization and compactness of lithography instruments for many applications.
Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey response rates are significantly affected by patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Mercier Michael R. , Galivanche Anoop R. , David Wyatt B. , Malpani Rohil , Pathak Neil , Hilibrand Ari S. , Rubin Lee E. , Grauer Jonathan N. 
Published: September 2021

Introduction
The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey measures patients’ satisfaction of their hospital experience. A minority of discharged patients return the survey. Underlying bias among who ultimately returns the survey (non-response bias) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may affect results of the survey. Thus, the objective of the current study is to assess the relationship between patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes on HCAHPS survey nonresponse.

Methods
All adult patients at a single institution undergoing inpatient, elective, primary TKA between February 2013 and May 2020 were selected for analysis. Following discharge, all patients had been mailed the HCAHPS survey. The primary outcome analyzed in the current study is survey return. Patient characteristics, surgical variables, and 30-day postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with return of the HCAHPS survey.

Results
Of 4,804 TKA patients identified, 1,498 (31.22%) returned HCAHPS surveys. On multivariate regression analyses controlling for patient factors, patients who did not return the survey were more likely to have a higher American Society of Anesthesia score (ASA score of 4 or higher, OR = 2.37; P<0.001), and be partially or totally dependent (OR = 2.37; P = 0.037). Similarly, patients who did not return the survey were more likely to have had a readmission (OR = 1.94; P<0.001), be discharged to a place other than home (OR = 1.52; P<0.001), or stay in the hospital for longer than 3 days (OR = 1.43; P = 0.004).

Discussion
Following TKA, HCAHPS survey response rate was only 31.22% and completion of the survey was associated with several demographic and postoperative variables. These findings suggest that HCAHPS survey results capture a non-representative fraction of the true TKA patient population. This bias is necessary to consider when using HCAHPS survey results as a metric for quality of healthcare and federal reimbursement rates.
Snail regulation in fibroblast-like synoviocytes by a histone deacetylase or glycogen synthase kinase inhibitor affects cell proliferation and gene expression
Authors: Shen Po-Chuan , Chang Po-Chun , Hsieh Jeng-Long 
Published: September 2021

Background
Snail has been linked to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We plan to investigate the regulation of Snail in response to TNF-α, histone acetylation, and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK)-3 inhibition in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs).

Methods
FLSs from rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were collected and treated with TNF-α alone or a combination with trichostatin A (TSA), a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor and lithium chloride (LiCl), a glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK)-3 inhibitor.

Results
We demonstrated for the first time that nuclear expression of Snail in FLSs from rats with CIA was correlated with the levels of extracellular TNF-α and acetylation status. Cell proliferation and viability of CIA FLSs were reduced in response to TSA treatment and short-hairpin RNA specific to Snail. LiCl treatment increased Snail and cadherin-11 (Cad-11) expression in CIA FLSs.

Conclusion
We suggested from this study that targeting TNF-α-histone deacetylase-Snail signaling axis or the Wnt signaling pathway in FLSs might provide therapeutic interventions for the treatment of RA in the future.
The effectiveness of simulation education program on shared decision-making attitudes among nurses in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Mei-Hsiang , Lin Shu-Chuan , Lee Yu-Hsia , Wang Pao-Yu , Wu Hon-Yen , Hsu Hsiu-Chin 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundShared decision-making (SDM) is significantly associated with promoting the quality of end-of-life (EOL). The attitude of nurses toward the end of life can affect EOL care, but there are few SDM-related clinical learning programs focused on EOL. In this study, therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness of an EOL-simulation education program on attitudes toward SDM among nurses, using an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).MethodsWe used a quasi-experimental study design to evaluate nurses working at a medical center in Taiwan. We recruited 100 nurses and assigned them to an experimental group (n = 50) and a control group (n = 50). The experimental group received the SDM attitude (SDMA) cultivation program, and the control group did not. After the intervention, all participants were examined in an OSCE to assess the efficacy of their learning. Apvalue of.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe average score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group in the dimensions “empathic communication” and “mastery learning”, but these differences were not significant. SDMA score is significantly and positively correlated with SDMA global score, standardized patient survey (SPS) score, and SPS global score(r= .92, .56, and .50, respectively; p < .01).ConclusionsSimulations concerning EOL care that incorporate SDM components would be effective for training clinical nurses. This study can serve as a reference for nursing-administration managers who may consider designing SDM-related education programs to improve the quality of clinical nursing care.