bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Surviving to Thriving’: A Meta-Ethnography of the Experiences of Healthcare Staff Caring for Persons With COVID-19
Authors: Agyei Frank , Bayuo Jonathan , Baffour Prince , Laari Cletus 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: The emergence of the Coronavirus disease has heightened the experience of emotional burden among healthcare staff. To guide the development of support programmes, this review sought to aggregate and synthesise primary studies to establish a comparative understanding of the experiences of healthcare staff caring for persons with the disease. Design: A meta-ethnography approach was used to aggregate and synthesise primary qualitative studies. Database search was undertaken from January to November 2020. A standardised tool was used to extract data from the identified primary studies. The studies were translated into each other to formulate overarching concepts/ metaphors which formed the basis of undertaking a narrative synthesis. Results: Eight qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria. Two overarching concepts/ metaphors were formulated from the primary studies: 1) surviving to thriving in an evolving space and 2) support amid the new normal. The initial phase of entering the space of caring during the outbreak was filled with psychological chaos as healthcare staff struggled to survive within the context of an illness which was not fully understood. Gradually, healthcare staff may transition to a thriving phase characterised by resilience but still experienced heavy workload and physical/ emotional exhaustion. Fear persisted throughout their experiences. Fear of contracting the disease or infecting one’s family members/ loved ones remained a key concern among healthcare staff despite infection precaution measures. Healthcare staff who contracted the disease felt isolated with additional fears of dying alone. The sources of support were varied with a strong emphasis on peer support. Conclusions: Healthcare staff caring for persons infected with the Coronavirus disease require ongoing mental health support commensurate to their needs in the survival or thriving phase. Staff who contract the disease may require additional support to navigate through the illness and recovery. Concerted efforts are needed to strengthen support systems and build resilience among healthcare staff.
Integrative Proteogenomic Analyses Identify TOPs as Prognostic Markers and Therapeutic Targets in Sarcoma
Authors: Wang Genchun , Sun Kai , Liu Li Ting , Lin Jiamin , Yao Xudong , Guo Jiachao , Guo Zhou , Hou Liang Cai , Xu Ting , guo fengjing 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) are uncommon malignant tumors with varied highly aggressive and histological presentations. They comprise approximately 1% of newly diagnosed adult malignancies each year, but the sarcoma's accurate diagnosis prediction remains a challenge. TOP1/1MT/2A/2B/3A/3B were aberrantly expressed in tumors and associated with tumor progression, but the roles of the six TOP members in sarcoma in clinical trials remains uncertain.Method: Relationship between the mRNA levels of the TOPs and the clinicopathological parameters evaluated by Oncomine, GEPIA, cBioPortal, TIMER, Metascape, TCGAportal, Kaplan-Meier plotter, String, and Linkedomics. We focused on the potential mechanism of TOPs in the occurrence and development of SARC. We were investigating the prognostic value of TOPs expression in patients with SARC and correlations with clinicopathological features.Results: In patients with SARC, TOPs mRNA expression level upregulated. Increased TOP family members' expression was associated with different subtypes, FNCLCC grades, Local recurrence, DNA methylation, different miRNA clusters, and poor prognosis in SARC patients. We further found that TOPs showed distinct immune infiltration patterns, TOP gene mutation rate and that TOP somatic copy number variations were negatively related to the survival of sarcoma patients. Survival data analyzed that high transcription levels of TOPs were associated with low overall survival and disease-free survival in sarcoma. Enrichment analyses for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) were conducted to reveal TOPs enriched in DNA topological change, Chromosome segregation, DNA, replication signaling pathway. BUB1B, CENPF, SPC25, NUF2, KNL1SGO1, RPS20, SNRPD3, and MED9 were significantly associated with TOP mutations. These Hub gene expressions in SARC were increased and were associated with unfavorable prognosis.Conclusion: The results show that multiple TOP family members are involved in the development and progression of sarcoma and suggest that TOPs can be used as potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of sarcoma. TOP1/1MT/2A/2B/3A/3B may affect the prognosis of SARC through DNA topological change, Chromosome segregation, DNA, replication signaling pathway.
MMP-9 in Myocardial Fibrosis and Structural Remodeling in Rheumatic Heart Disease Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Single-center Prospective Case-control Study
Authors: Yuan Shuguo , Li Wan , Tang Liangqiu , Liao Chengquan , Ma Shaochun , He Fengping , Fan Wenmao , Zhang Shebing , Ma Zhanzhong , Gao Shuangquan , Deng Yun , Yuan Qiuxiao 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia that induces disability or death; however, the underlying pathogenesis is yet unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in rheumatic valvular heart disease (RVHD) and its value in predicting AF.Methods: In this single-center, prospective case-control study, 30 patients who received valve replacement for the treatment of RVHD in the Cardiac and Major Vascular Department, Yue Bei People’s Hospital between August 2012 and January 2015 were included in this study. The patients were categorized equally into two groups according to the electrocardiogram characteristics: sinus rhythm (SR) group and chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) group. In patients hospitalized for RVHD, the fasting serum was collected on the following day in the morning, and the tissues of right auricle were collected during the operation. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson staining were performed to assess the pathological structures of myocardial tissues and changes in collagen fibers. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the level of MMP-9 in serum, and the distribution of the protein in myocardial tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Echocardiography was performed before the surgery to measure the left atrial diameter and ejection fraction.Results: The MMP-9 expression was significantly higher in the AF group than the SR group (4.2281 ± 0.9165 ng/mg vs. 2.7613 ± 1.2166 ng/mg, p < 0.05). The MMP-9 levels were positively associated with left atrial diameter (LAD) (p < 0.01) and collagen volume fraction (CVF) (p < 0.05).Conclusions: MMP-9 expression is elevated in AF patients and could be one of the major factors involved in the remodeling of atrial structures in AF. MMP-9 influences the metabolism of collagen and promotes the fibrosis of the myocardium, participates in cardiac structural remodeling, and plays a role in the onset and maintenance of AF.
Molecular-Sieving Energy-Efficient Gas Separation Membranes Enabled by Multi-covalent-crosslinking of Microporous Polymer Blends
Authors: Li Nanwen , Chen Xiuling , Fan Yanfang , Zhang Linzhou , Guan Dong , Ma Canghai 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Highly permeable and selective membranes that exceed the conventional permeability-selectivity upper bound are attractive for energy-efficient gas separations. In the context microporous polymers have gained increasing attention owing to their high porosity and exceptional permeability. However, the moderate selectivity of microporous polymers caused by inherent broad distribution of cavities leads to a loss of valuable gas products, making them unfavorable for separating similarly sized gas mixtures. Here we report a new approach to designing polymeric molecular sieve membranes via multi-covalent-crosslinking of miscible blends of Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity, i.e. bromomethyl (PIM-BM) and Tröger's Base (TB), enabling simultaneously high permeability and selectivity. Selective gas permeation is achieved via adjusting reaction temperature, reaction time and the oxygen concentration with occurrences of polymer chain scissor, rearrangement and thermal oxidative crosslinking reaction simultaneously. Upon a thermal treatment at 300 oC for 5h, membranes exhibit an O2/N2, CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 selectivity as high as 11.1, 155.7 and 814.1, respectively, with an O2, H2 and CO2 permeability of 18.2, 358.2 and 67.6 Barrer, respectively, transcending the state-of-art upper bounds. The design strategy represents a generalizable approach to creating molecular-sieving polymer membranes with enormous potentials for energy-efficient separation processes.
The Association of 25 (OH) Vitamin D Levels and Severity and Outcome of COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Vasheghani Maryam , Jannati Nasrin , Baghaei Parvaneh , Rezaei Mitra , Marjani Majid 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease. Experiments with influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have shown supplemental vitamin D can reduce the risk of infection and death.AimThis study was performed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D levels and the severity and outcome of admitted patients with COVID-19.Material and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on COVID-19 cases diagnosed by examining RT-PCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 or a set of symptoms and typical findings in lung CT scan. Based on clinical and radiologic characteristics, the patients were categorized as mild, moderate, severe, and critical. Calcium, phosphorus, albumin, creatinine, and serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D were measured and their correlation with the severity and outcome were analyzed.ResultsFrom May 1 to June 31, 2020, 508 patients ((442 patients in general wards and 66 patients in intensive care unit (ICU)) were included in this study. The participants were 56±17 years old (mean ±SD) (range from 14 to 95 years) and 52% were male. According to the past medical history, 190 (37.4%) of them had comorbidity. Concerning severity, 13.2%, 42.3%, 35.4%, and 9.1% had the mild, moderate, severe, and critical disease, respectively. The in-hospital mortality rate was 10.8%. In the multivariate regression analysis, age had a positive correlation and use of vitamin D supplement, serum level of 25 OH vitamin D, calcium, and albumin had a negative correlation with disease severity and admission to ICU. Poor outcome was inversely related to serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, albumin, and renal function. Vitamin D deficiency increased the rate of ICU admission by 2.7 times (95%CI=1.288-5.91, P=0.009).ConclusionIn patients who are hospitalized due to COVID-19, low 25-hydroxyvitamin D, hypocalcemia, and hypoalbuminemia are associated with severe disease, ICU admission, and an increase in mortality.
Mobility-Based Contact Exposure Explains the Disparity of Spread of&nbsp;COVID-19 in Urban Neighborhoods
Authors: Verma Rajat , Yabe Takahiro , Ukkusuri Satish 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The rapid early spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. was experienced very differently by different socioeconomic groups and business industries. In this study, we study aggregate mobility patterns of New York City and Chicago to identify the relationship between the amount of interpersonal contact between people in urban neighborhoods and the disparity in the growth of positive cases among these groups. We introduce an aggregate Contact Exposure Index (CEI) to measure exposure due to this interpersonal contact and combine it with social distancing metrics to show its effect on positive case growth. With the help of structural equations modeling, we find that the effect of exposure on case growth was consistently positive and that it remained consistently higher in lower-income neighborhoods, suggesting a causal path of income on case growth via contact exposure. Using the CEI, schools and restaurants are identified as high-exposure industries, and the estimation suggests that implementing specific mobility restrictions on these point-of-interest categories are most effective. This analysis can be useful in providing insights for government officials targeting specific population groups and businesses to reduce infection spread as reopening efforts continue to expand across the nation.
Haematological Abnormalities in Children With Sickle Cell Disease and Non-severe Malaria Infection in Western Kenya
Authors: Kosiyo Paul , Otieno Walter , Gitaka Jesse , Munde Elly , Ouma Collins 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: In Plasmodium falciparum infection, clinical conditions such as anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leucocytosis are common. Mutation in haemoglobin sub-unit beta gene (HBB) may be a genetic factor responsible for these haematological changes during infection. However, the contributions of the carriage of different HBB genotypes on these changes remain largely unknown. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated haematological abnormalities in P. falciparum-infected children (n=217, aged 1-192 months) with different haemoglobin sub-unit beta (HBB) genotypes (HbAA, HbAS and HbSS). Children with acute febrile conditions were recruited at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital outpatient clinic between the months of April 2018 and February 2019. Haematological parameters were determined using Beckman Coulter counter ACTdiff2TM while HBB genotyping was done using TaqMan® SNP genotyping assay. Chi-square (c2) was used to determine differences between proportions. Differences in haematological parameters were compared across groups using Kruskal Wallis test and between groups using Mann Whitney U test. Partial correlation test was used to determine correlation between haematological parameters and sickle cell genotypes while controlling for age and sex. Results: Haemoglobin, [median (IQR); 7.3 (1.3), P=0.001], haematocrit, [median (IQR); 26.4 (4.4), P=0.009], RBC, [median (IQR); 3.2 (1.7), P=0.048] were markedly reduced in HbSS, however, RDW [median (IQR); 14.9 (3.3), P=0.030] was increased in malaria infected children with HbSS. Severe anaemia was highest in HbSS (23.1%) followed by HbAA (8.6%) and HbAS (7.1%). There were no differences in platelet count (P=0.399) hence no severe thrombocytopeania across the genotypes. Leucocytosis was highest in HbSS (69.2%), 42% in HbAS and 31% in HbAA. The RBC, haematocrit and hemoglobin had negative correlation with RDW in HbSS in malarial-infected children (r= -0.725, P=0.008), (r= -0.718, P=0.009) and (r= -0.792, P=0.002), respectively. Conclusion: Our study reveals that anaemia is the most common abnormality in malaria-infected children with carriage of HbSS. The RBC, haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration decrease with increase in RDW levels in infected children with carriage of HbSS compared to other HBB genotypes. Therefore, carriage of HbSS genotype is correlated with severity of haematological abnormalities.
Influence of Surgical Treatment on Complications, Readmissions and Clinical Progress of Breast Cancer in Women Participating in Breast Cancer Screening Programs
Authors: Blay Lidia , Jansana Anna , Louro Javier , Ferrer Joana , Baré Marisa , Barata Teresa , Domingo Laia , Julián Joan Francesc , Castells Xavier , Sala Maria 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundComplications and readmissions derived from surgical treatment of breast cancer have been scarcely evaluated. The studies that compare mastectomy with conservative, usually focus only in recurrence and/or mortality and sometimes the results are discordant in some aspects. The aim of this study was to analyze complications and readmissions, recurrence and mortality, according to the surgical treatment received in the mammary gland.Methods This multicenter study included 1086 women diagnosed with breast cancer from the CaMISS cohort study of women aged between 50 and 69 years participating in 4 breast cancer screening programs in Spain between 2000 and 2009 with a follow up until 2014. Multivariate models were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio of breast surgery (mastectomy vs conservative treatment) for complications and readmissions and hazard ratios for recurrences and mortality.Results Primary breast surgical treatment consisted of conservative treatment in 821 women (80.1%) and mastectomy in 204 (19.9%). Mastectomy was associated with readmissions, recurrences and mortality but this association was not statistically significant on multivariate adjusted analysis (ORa=1.51 [95%CI 0.89-2.57], HRa=1.37 [95%CI 0.85-2.19] and HRa=1.52 [95%CI 0.95-2.43] respectively). In our sample, the variables with greatest impact on complications, recurrences and mortality were stages III and IV (ORa=4.4 [95%CI 1.22-16.16], HRa=7.96 [95%CI 3.32-19.06] and HRa=3.92 [95%CI 1.77-8.67]). Conclusion Complications, readmissions, recurrence and mortality were similar in both surgical techniques. These results support that surgical treatment for breast cancer can be adapted to professional and health system circumstances, and to the surgical needs and desires of each patient.
Water Extracts From Trees Negatively Affect Oviposition Behavior and Fitness of Southern House Mosquito, Culex Quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae): A Simple, Easily Adoptable and Cost-Effective Approach to Control Mosquitoes
Authors: Khan Muhammad , shah Rizwan , Shad Sarfraz Ali , Majeed Shahid , Ahmad Shahbaz , Binyameen Muhammad 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: The Culex quinquefasciatus Say is an important vector of many diseases of public health and veterinary importance. Environmental pollution, resistance development and health hazards associated with the use of synthetic insecticides have led to explore eco-friendly and cost effective management methods for mosquitoes. Methods: In our study, simple water extracts from leaves and bark of three tree species; Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Azadirachta indica (Neem), and Moringa oleifera, were tested to explore their potential negative effects on the oviposition behavior and fitness of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Results: Oviposition bioassays showed a significant delay in onset of 1st oviposition in the all treatments as compred to control. Number of egg rafts and fecundity were significantly lower in all treatments compared to control. Larval emergence was significantly less in the all treatments as compared with the control except Moringa bark. Highest pupation was observed in control as compared to all other treatments. Importantly, no adult emerged in Eucalyptus leaf, bark and in Neem bark extracts. In case of toxicity bioassays, median lethal time (LT50) was lower at higher concentrations and higher at lower concentrations. At highest tested concentration of every botanical extract, LT50 was highly age dependent that is higher for elder larvae and vice versa. Conclusions: Therefore, it could be concluded that simple water extrcats, made locally, from trees may have a great potential to be incorporated in the mosquito control programs.
Reversible Acute Fontan Circulation Failure Secondary to Retroconducted Junctional Rhythm. Clinical Echocardiographic Correlation
Authors: Ferrero Paolo , Piazza Isabelle , Sadou Youcef , Ciuffreda Matteo 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Sequential atrioventricular activation plays a critical role in the physiology of Fontan circulation. Although bradycardia is usually well tolerated, retroconducted junctional rhythm may acutely increase atrial pressure impairing cardiac output. Echocardiographic evaluation can reveal clues of this hemodynamic condition. The clinical impact of arrhythmic disturbance on the follow up of patients who had undergone total cavo-pulmonary connection is well recognized but the role of, transient periods of retroconducted junctional rhythm on the immediate post-operative course is less defined. Case presentation: We describe two cases of acute Fontan circulatory failure due to postoperative retroconducted escaping junctional rhythm despite an adequate heart rate and circadian variation. The patients rapidly improved after atrial pacing, allowing discharge with a minimal dose of diuretic.Conclusion: In the absence of any hemodynamic target, hearth rhythm should be systematically checked after TCPC irrespective of adequacy of heart rate. Likewise, efficiency of temporary atrial pacing should be granted and surgeons should have a low threshold for epicardial lead implantation.
The Investigation of the Volatile Metabolites of Lung Cancer From the Microenvironment of Malignant Pleural Effusion
Authors: Chen Ke-Cheng , Tsai Shih-Wei , Zhang Xiang , Zeng Chian , Yang Hsiao-Yu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. For malignant pleural effusions, pleural fluid cytology is a diagnostic method, but sensitivity is low. Many patients need to undergo invasive diagnostic tests such as thoracoscopic pleural biopsy. Pleural space is an enclosed microenvironment, and the pleural fluid contains metabolites directly released from cancer cells. The objective of this study was to diagnose lung cancer with malignant pleural effusion using the volatilomic profiling method. We recruited lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion and patients with nonmalignant diseases with pleural effusion as controls. We analyzed the headspace air of the pleural effusion by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We used partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to identify metabolites and the support vector machine (SVM) to establish the prediction model. We split data into a training set (80%) and a testing set (20%) to validate the accuracy. A total of 68 subjects were included in the final analysis. The PLS-DA showed high discrimination with an R2 of 0.95 and Q2 of 0.58. The accuracy of the SVM in the test set was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.998), and kappa was 0.85, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.86, 1.00). Pathway analysis revealed disturbances in pyruvate metabolism, the tricarboxylic acid, glycolysis, and lysine degradation. The volatile metabolites identified from malignant pleural effusion of lung cancer were primarily methylated alkanes. The pleural effusion contained volatile metabolites that have high accuracy in diagnosing lung cancer with malignant pleural effusion.