bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life and associated factors among women with obstetric fistula in Ethiopia
Authors: Matiwos Biruktawit , Tesfaw Getachew , Belete Asmare , Abebaw Dessie , shumet shegaye 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background:The physical, emotional and social suffering associated with continuous leakage of urine has a profound impact on women quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life and associated factors among obstetric fistula patients in Ethiopia, and it will have a significant role for further intervention. Objective: To assess quality of life and associated factors among obstetric fistula patients in Ethiopia, 2017. Methods: An institutionalcross-sectional study was conducted at fistula center in Ethiopia. Systematic sampling technique was used to recruit a total of 289 women with obstetric fistula. The World Health Organization Quality of Life – Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) Version was used to assess quality of life.We computed simple and multiple linear regression analysis to assess factors associated with quality of life at P-value <0.05 was declared statistically significant.Result: Of 289 women studied, only 12.1% felt satisfied with their general state of health and quality of life. In the physical health domain, the mean quality of life score was 40.78±.78. In the psychological domain, the mean quality of life score was 39.96±.82. In the social and environmental domain, the mean quality of life score was 32.9±.95, 36.45±.8 respectively. Duration of incontinence (unstandardized β=-3.8,95% CI(-6.95,-.62), patients coming for surgical procedure (β=-4.4, 95% CI(-7.64,-1.2), poor social support(β= -6.14, 95%CI (-8.8,-3.4), Co-morbid anxiety(β= -4, 95% CI (-7,-1.1) and depression(β=-9.2, 95% CI (-12,-6.4) were negatively associated with physical domain of quality of life. Co-morbid anxiety (β= -11,95% CI (-14.8,-7.3), employment(β= 9.1,95%CI(.5, 17.6), number of children(β= 2.1,95%CI(.8, 3.4), and depression(β= -6.3,95%CI(-9.7,-2.9) were associated with a psychological domain. Duration of incontinence (β=-8.1, 95%CI(-12.82,-3.4), poor social support (β= -7.8(-12,-3.6), patients coming for surgical procedure (β= -12, 95%CI (-17.4,-6.4) and co-morbid anxiety (β= -9.2, 95% CI (-13.8, 4.5) were negatively associated with social domain of quality of life. Number of children present (β=2.4, 95%CI (.82, 3.6), and poor social support (β= -5.5, 95%CI (-9.5,-1.5) were significantly associated with an environmental domain of quality of life. Conclusion and recommendation: Co-morbid depression and anxiety, poor social support, duration of urine incontinence, employment, number of children, and duration of hospital stay were factors significantly associated with domains of QOL. Treating co-morbid depression and anxiety, social support, and immediate repairing of defectsare necessary to increase women’s quality of life.
A Novel Anatomic Titanium Mesh Cage for Reducing the Subsidence Rate After Anterior Cervical Corpectomy: A Finite Element Study
Authors: Wang Yuhang , Zhang Haiping , Zhao Qinpeng , Zhang Yongyuan , Sun Honghui , Hao Dingjun , Wang Biao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Fusion with a titanium mesh cage (TMC) has become popular as a conventional method after cervical anterior corpectomy, but postoperative TMC subsidence has often been reported in the literature. We designed a novel anatomic cervical TMC to reduce the postoperative subsidence rate. This finite element study aims to investigate the anti-subsidence performance of a novel anatomic TMC and provide a theoretical basis for clinical application. Methods: According to the test process specified in the ASTM F2267 standard, three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to compare the anti-subsidence characteristics of a traditional TMC (TTMC) and novel TMC (NTMC). Abaqus software was used for the mesh, and the modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio and other material coefficients of each part were input into the model. Solidworks software was used to establish the TTMC and NTMC models and construct the two three-dimensional finite element models of TMC subsidence testing mentioned above. Through analysis, the relationships between the stiffness of the intervertebral body fusion device (Kd) and the stiffness of the polyurethane foam blocks (Ks) of the TTMC and NTMC were derived, respectively. Results: After fitting the linear segment, the Kd values of the TTMC and NTMC were 37314 N/mm and 89124 N/mm, respectively. After calculation, the Ks values of the TTMC and NTMC were 653.83 N/mm and 995.95 N/mm, respectively. The Kp values of the TTMC and NTMC were calculated to be 665.5 N/mm and 1007.2 N/mm according to the formula. Conclusion: The reported novel anatomic titanium mesh cage (NTMC) significantly improved the anti-subsidence performance after ACCF, which was approximately 51.3% higher than that of the traditional titanium mesh cage.
Deep_Saliency: A Deep Learning based Saliency Approach to detect Covid-19 through x-ray images
Authors: Verma Praveen , Negi Chetan Singh , Panth Maneesh , Saxena Anuj 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Covid-19 a small virus has created a havoc in the world. The pandemic has already taken over 4 lakh lives. The tests to detect a Covid-19 positive takes time and is costly. Moreover, the ability of the virus to mutate surprises the doctors every day. Present paper proposes a saliency-based model called Deep_Saliency. The model works on chest x-rays of healthy, unhealthy, and covid-19 patients. An x-ray repository of Covid-19, available in public domain, is taken for the study. Deep_Saliency uses visual, disparity, and motion saliency to create a feature dataset of the x-rays. The collected features are tested and trained using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network. A predictive analysis is performed using the x-ray of a new patient to confirm a Covid-19 positive case. The first objective of the paper is to detect Covid-19 positive cases from x-rays. The other objective is to provide a benchmark dataset of biomarkers. The proposed work achieved an accuracy of 96.66%.
Clinical Spectrum of COVID-19 in a Pediatric Mexican Population
Authors: Bustos-Cordova Edgar , Castillo-García Daniela , Cerón-Rodriguez Magdalena , Soler-Quiñones Nadia 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
ObjectiveFrom the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become evident that the spectrum of manifestations in children is different from those seen in adults. In this study, we aimed to describe a broader clinical spectrum of COVID-19 in children.MethodsIn this descriptive, prospective study, we included confirmed pediatric patients with COVID-19 who presented to the emergency department of a pediatric tertiary care center from April to July 2020. All patients were confirmed by the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test, and we analyzed 24 symptoms and 25 signs.ResultsWe analyzed 50 patients with COVID-19. From the evaluated signs and symptoms, the most common symptoms were fever, excessive crying and dry cough, digestive symptoms were frequently found (24%), and the most common signs were pharyngeal erythema and irritability.ConclusionClinicians should recognize that the clinical spectrum of COVID-19 in children is wider than previously described, often with nonspecific signs and symptoms, and digestive symptoms should raise suspicion.
Therapeutic Effects of Genetically Modified Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Erythropoietin on Breast Cancer-related Anemia in Mice Model
Authors: Estiri Mohammad , Estiri Bahareh , Fallah Asghar , Aghazadeh Marzyeh , Sedaqati Amir , Abdollahi Abbas , Rabienia Mahsa , Mortazavidehkordi Nahid , Farjadfar Akbar , Ghorbani Mohammad 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Cancer-related anemia (CRA) negatively influences cancer patients’ survival, disease progression, treatment efficacy, and quality of life. Therefore, development of long-lasting and curative therapies is highly required. In this study, we developed cell and gene therapy strategy for in-vivo delivery of EPO cDNA via genetic engineering human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSCs) to long-term produce human EPO protein after transplantation into the mice model of CRA. To evaluate CRA's treatment in cancer-free and cancerous conditions, we designed recombinant breast cancer cell line 4T1 expressing herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-TK) by a lentiviral vector encoding HSV1-TK and injected into mice. After confirming CRA in mice by blood analysis, half of them received ganciclovir for 10 days to clear cancer cells. Meanwhile, we designed another lentiviral vector encoding EPO to transduce hWJMSCs. Following implantation of rhWJMSCs-EPO, the whole peripheral blood samples were collected once per week for 10 weeks. The blood analyzing showed that plasma EPO, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) concentration significantly increased and remained at a therapeutic level for >10 weeks in the both treatment groups which indicate that the rhWJMSCs-EPO could improve CRA in both cancer-free and cancerous mice model.
Wartości dawek w tkankach zdrowych w zależności od anatomii i kształtu piersi w grupie pacjentek z nowotworem piersi
Authors: Styś Sara , Charmacińska Magdalena , Skrobała Agnieszka 
Published: March 2021

Ponad 20% zachorowań na nowotwory w grupie kobiet w Polsce, jak i na świecie stanowią nowotwory piersi. Celem pracy była ocena wpływu anatomii i kształtu piersi w grupie pacjentek z nowotworem piersi lewej poddanych teleradioterapii, na dawki promieniowania jonizującego dostarczane do tkanek zdrowych. Analizą zostało objętych 50 pacjentek, które były poddane leczeniu, z powodu nowotworu lewej piersi, metodą trójwymiarowej radioterapii konformalnej. Do oceny wpływu anatomii pacjentek na dawki dostarczane do tkanek zdrowych: płuc i serca wykorzystano analizę histogramów dawka-objętość. Po przeprowadzaniu szczegółowej analizy stwierdzono, że na dawki w płucach i w sercu największy wpływ ma kształt piersi oraz wielkość CTV. Nie odnotowano wpływu kształtu oraz wielkości klatki piersiowej na dawki w narządach krytycznych. Dla pacjentek posiadających duże piersi opadające, korzystne jest stosowanie innych niż standardowe unieruchomienia np. pozycja na brzuchu.
Modeling of groundwater yield by the electrical method case of the Triassic sandstone aquifer (Tataouine South-Eastern Tunisia)
Authors: Khorchani Houyem , Kamel Samir 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The method of electrical resistivity has proven very effective in the evaluation of groundwater. This specialized technique uses Dar-Zarrouk (D-Z) parameters in the estimation of longitudinal unit conductance, transverse unit resistance, and longitudinal resistivity to examine the groundwater level, to distinguish the fresh, brackish, and saline water interface, and to assess the storage capacity of groundwater in the Triassic sandstone aquifer system in the Tataouine region (South-Eastern Tunisia). In this context, 23 vertical electrical soundings (VESs) were carried out in the Tataouine region using the Schlumberger configuration with a current electrode with a maximum spacing of the current electrodes (AB) of 500–600 m. The results indicate that the study area consists of three types of aquifers: (i) silt/clay saline water (&lt;20 Ωm), (ii) a mixture of sand and clay freshwater (20–40 Ωm), and (iii) sand freshwater (40–200 Ωm). These sand freshwater aquifers are characterized by low longitudinal unit conductance (0–2.8 S), high values of transverse unit resistance (more than 9,000 Ωm2), and longitudinal resistivity (more than 35 Ωm) and are mainly concentrated in the north, south, and south-west regions of the study area. It should also be noted that the coefficient of anisotropy (λ) overlaps and does not clearly differentiate the characteristics of the aquifers of fresh, brackish, and saline water. An interpretation of VESs can also determine the storage capacity of groundwater by determining yield index values. Groundwater supply for the entire study area was classified as low yield, with a percentage of 13% and a maximum of 31% of the study area and 56% of moderate yield. Lastly, the real data from the drilling confirm all these results presented previously. The findings suggest that D-Z parameters are useful for making a distinction of various aquifer zones.
Current water main rehabilitation practice using trenchless technology
Authors: Wu Yichen , Kang Chao , Nojumi Mohammad Molavi , Bayat Alireza , Bontus George 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe market for water infrastructure rehabilitation is growing rapidly due to the increasing age of underground utilities. Currently, two common water main rehabilitation methods exist: cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) and polymer spray-on coatings. CIPP can provide structural support for both internal and external loads, while spray-on techniques provide chemical resistance as well as adding minor strength to the existing pipe. This paper summarizes water main rehabilitation practice using CIPP and spray-on methods. The history of trenchless rehabilitation technology is discussed, as well as current methodologies and products for water mains. The design, installation, and monitoring of water main rehabilitation products are also summarized, along with the associated risks. Quality assurance and control (QA/QC) methods are included for evaluating existing products and procedures.
Técnicas de marketing aplicadas a Biblioteca Padre Joaquim Colaço Dourado (UNIESP)
Authors: Francisco de Lima Antonia Lucineide , Leitão Alessandro Pinon , Santos Andressa da Silva , Candido Luiz Felipe da Silva 
Published: March 2021

O uso de ferramentas de marketing é de extrema importância para a disseminação de diversos serviços, devendo-se no cenário atual incluir tais ferramentas nos serviços de informação disponibilizados por bibliotecas. O artigo teve como objetivo descobrir e apresentar as técnicas de marketing aplicadas a Biblioteca Padre Joaquim Colaço Dourado, e sua importância para o bom desenvolvimento no atendimento de seus usuários por meio da construção e instalação de um planejamento de marketing que venha suprir as necessidades de seus gestores e usuários. O estudo se apresenta como uma pesquisa de campo qualitativa, e análise fundamentada na técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Os resultados apontam para o uso eficiente e eficaz das ferramentas de marketing, principalmente por meio das redes sociais, concluindo-se que os mesmos proporcionam atingir um maior público, com a possibilidade de obter resultados de pesquisas de satisfação, a divulgação de treinamentos, visibilidade dos serviços pelo site institucional, aumentando assim as visitas e interação nos eventos realizados pela instituição, maior participação da comunidade acadêmica, aumentando a comunicação e relacionamento interpessoal com toda comunidade, que é de fundamental importância para aumentar o números de pessoas atendidas pelo espaço da biblioteca.
Calpain-Associated Proteolytic Regulation of the Stromal Microenvironment in Cancer
Authors: Miyazaki Takuro , Akasu Risako , Miyazaki Akira 
Published: March 2021

Background:
Normalization of the stromal microenvironment is a promising strategy for cancer control.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, and mesenchymal stromal cells have a central
role in stromal functions. Accordingly, understanding these stromal cells is indispensable for the development
of next-generation cancer therapies. Growing evidence suggests that calpain-induced intracellular proteolysis
is responsible for cancer growth and stromal regulation. Calpain is a family of stress-responsive intracellular
proteases and is inducible in cancer and stromal cells during carcinogenesis.

Objective:
Here, we shed light on the recent advances that have been made in understanding how calpain contributes
to stromal regulation in cancer.

Conclusions:
Calpains are activated in stromal cells, including pancreatic stellate cells and mesenchymal cells.
They induce fibrogenic responses in cancer stroma. Moreover, these molecules contribute to epithelial-mesenchymal
transition and endothelial-mesenchymal transition to provide mesenchymal stromal cells in the microenvironment
and concomitantly participate in cancer angiogenesis. In addition to the conventional calpains,
the unconventional calpain-9 is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Animal experiments showed
that targeting calpain systems antagonizes cancer development; thus, this approach is promising for cancer control.
Impact of Headache Frequency and Sleep on Migraine Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ma Mengmeng , Bao Jiajia , Fang Jinghuan , Li Changling , Li Yanbo , Ge Wenjing , Zhang Yang , Guo Jian , He Li 
Published: March 2021

Background:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide and poses a
great threat to global health. COVID-19 has also an unneglected effect on migraine patients. Migraine
attack frequency is one of the migraine characteristics, and its impact during COVID-19
needs further research. We aimed to evaluate whether migraine attack frequency during the
COVID-19 pandemic differed from pre-COVID-19 attack frequency and explore possible influencing
factors during the pandemic.

Method:
This prospective cohort study enrolled 187 migraine patients from the Department of
Neurology of West China Hospital from October 2019 to December 2019. After the inclusion and
exclusion criteria, a total of 157 patients were included. We collected demographic data, clinical
characteristics, and epidemiological contact information and followed up on March 2020. Then,
paired-samples T-tests, logistic regression and interaction tests were used to analyze the data.

Result:
We found that the migraine attack frequency was 2.47 ± 1.12 before and 3.54 ± 1.79 during
COVID-19 (P	#60;0.0001). Then, we divided patients into two groups based on the difference in
migraine attack frequency between the COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 periods and employed logistic
regression analysis. In the logistic regression analysis, divorced status (OR = 6.53, P = 0.0453),
good sleep pre-COVID-19 and poor sleep during COVID-19 (OR = 3.11, P = 0.0432) had independent
effects on migraine attack frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic. We found no interaction
in poor sleep during COVID-19 between various subgroups.

Conclusion:
We found that migraineurs’ headache attacks were more frequent during COVID-19
than pre-COVID-19 and that increased migraine attack frequency was independently related to divorced
status and poor sleep during COVID-19.
The Use of Zebrafish as a Non-traditional Model Organism in Translational Pain Research: The Knowns and the Unknowns
Authors: Costa Fabiano V. , Rosemberg Denis B. , Rosa Luiz V. , Quadros Vanessa A. , de Abreu Murilo S. , Santos Adair R. S. , Sneddon Lynne U. , Kalueff Allan V. 
Published: March 2021

:The ability of the nervous system to detect a wide range of noxious stimuli is crucial to avoid life-threatening injury and to trigger protective behavioral and physiological responses. Pain represents a complex phenomenon, including nociception associated with cognitive and emotional processing. Animal experimental models have been developed to understand the mechanisms involved in pain response, as well as to discover novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological anti-pain therapies. Due to the genetic tractability, similar physiology, low cost, and rich behavioral repertoire, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful aquatic model for modeling pain responses. Here, we summarize the molecular machinery of zebrafish responses to painful stimuli, as well as emphasize how zebrafish-based pain models have been successfully used to understand specific molecular, physiological, and behavioral changes following different algogens and/or noxious stimuli (e.g., acetic acid, formalin, histamine, Complete Freund's Adjuvant, cinnamaldehyde, allyl isothiocyanate, and fin clipping). We also discuss recent advances in zebrafish-based studies and outline the potential advantages and limitations of the existing models to examine the mechanisms underlying pain responses from evolutionary and translational perspectives. Finally, we outline how zebrafish models can represent emergent tools to explore pain behaviors and pain-related mood disorders, as well as to facilitate analgesic therapy screening in translational pain research.
Drug Repositioning: A Unique Approach to Refurbish Drug Discovery
Authors: Kale Mayura A. , Shamkuwar Prashant B. , Mourya Vishnukant K. , Deshpande Aishwarya B. , Shelke Priyanka A. 
Published: March 2021

:
For a decade, it has been observed that there is a remarkable decrease in the quantum of
novel clinically approved drugs, in spite of modernization in the research and development process.
We have highlighted repositioning of drugs as a methodology that has found new therapeutic implications
for clinically approved drugs but with different indications. This can be considered as an upbringing
strategy to deliver timely and cost-effective solutions, which still need exploration for getting
over the shortage of novel drugs reaching the market. This review focuses on an activity-based drug
repositioning approach, which is used to explore new uses of known drugs that are already approved
for specific indications and are now being used for other indications on the basis that a single drug interacts
with multiple targets. It also includes current research trends related to drug repositioning,
which depends on strong knowledge of medicinal chemistry and involves elucidation of mechanisms
of action and validation of novel targets. The review highlights the importance of computational tools
and databases of various forms for drug repositioning purposes, which have enhanced the ability to
pose reasonable and testable hypotheses. The critical nature of this aspect is obvious in cases where
data gathered from in vitro, or animal models do not confirm in subsequent clinical trials. Hence, considering
the positive outcomes of drug repositioning, it can be surmised that this approach can serve as
a promising one that can develop into a robust drug discovery strategy.
Fontan Circulation Might be Associated with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy:
A Review of Mechanistic and Clinical Aspects
Authors: Yalta Kenan , Yetkin Ertan , Taylan Gokay 
Published: March 2021

:
Fontan operation has been defined as a palliative surgery connecting systemic venous return
and pulmonary circulation in patients with certain forms of complex congenital heart disease
(CHD). Fortunately, it has improved overall survival and chance of successful pregnancies among
these patients. However, Fontan circulation (FC), as a potential trade-off, might be associated with
specific late or post-gestational complications, including peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM)
largely through its adverse effects on the placenta and inflammation-oxidation stress. Importantly,
diagnosis of superimposed PPCM in women with FC might be a diagnostic challenge, requiring a
high index of suspicion. Accordingly, the present paper aims to highlight the potential association
of FC with PPCM evolution largely based on certain mechanistic and clinical perspectives.
Current Advances in Clinical Trials for Rare Disease Populations: Spotlight
on the Patient
Authors: Winter Erica , Schliebner Scott 
Published: March 2021

:
Characterized by small, highly heterogeneous patient populations, rare disease trials
magnify the challenges often encountered in traditional clinical trials. In recent years, there have
been increased efforts by stakeholders to improve drug development in rare diseases through novel
approaches to clinical trial designs and statistical analyses. We highlight and discuss some of the
current and emerging approaches aimed at overcoming challenges in rare disease clinical trials,
with a focus on the ultimate stakeholder, the patient.