bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of a Score for Screening Suicide of Patients With Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Lu Lili , Shang Yuru , Zechner Dietmar , Mullins Christina Susanne , Linnebacher Michael , Zhang Xianbin , Gong Peng 
Published: June 2021

Background: If the diagnosis of neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) increases the risk of patients to commit suicide has not been investigated so far. Identifying NEN patients at risk to commit suicide is important to increase their life quality and life expectancy.Methods and findings: Cancer cases were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program and were divided into the NEN and the non-NEN cohorts. Subsequently, the NEN patients were randomly split into a training data set and a validation data set. Analyzing the training data set, we developed a score for assessing the risk to commit suicide for patients with NEN. In addition, we validated the score using the validation data set and evaluated, if this score could also be applied to other cancer entities by using the test data set, a non-NEN cohort. The odds ratio (OR) of suicide between NEN and non-NEN patients was determined. Moreover, the performance of a score was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve (AUC). Compared to non-NEN, NEN significantly increased the risk of suicide to 1.8-fold (NEN vs. non-NEN; OR, 1.832; P &lt; 0.001). In addition, we observed that age, gender, race, marital status, tumor stage, histologic grade, surgery, and chemotherapy were associated with suicide among NEN patients; and a synthesized score based on these factors could significantly distinguish suicide individuals from non-suicide individuals in the training data set (AUC, 0.829; P &lt; 0.001) and in the validation data set (AUC, 0.735; P &lt; 0.001). This score also had a good performance when it was assessed by the test data set (AUC, 0.690; P &lt; 0.001). This demonstrates that the score might also be applicable to other cancer entities.Conclusions: This population-based study suggests that NEN patients have a higher risk of suicide than non-NEN patients. In addition, this study provided a score, which can identify NEN patients at high-risk of committing suicide. Thus, this score in combination with current screening and prevention strategies for suicide may improve life quality and life expectancy of NEN patients.
Longitudinal Associations Between Energy Drink Consumption, Health, and Norm-Breaking Behavior Among Swedish Adolescents
Authors: Svensson Åsa , Warne Maria , Gillander Gådin Katja 
Published: June 2021

Objectives: To describe the intake of energy drinks (EDs) among a sample of Swedish adolescents while considering health-related variables, and to investigate the longitudinal associations between ED consumption, health, and norm-breaking behavior. Longitudinal studies on this topic are scarce.Methods: Questionnaire data were collected in the northern part of Sweden in 2010–2011 from 1,622 adolescents in grades 6–9. Analyses were performed using a chi-squared test and logistic regression.Results: Seventy-four percent of the boys and 54% of the girls had consumed EDs (P &lt; 0.001). ED consumption was associated with variables related to low health, low support levels, and norm-breaking behavior. The associations were generally stronger among the girls and the boys who consumed EDs at least once a week. ED consumption was a predictor of worse health and norm-breaking behavior 1 year later. Adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.53 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.20; school-related stress) to 4.88 (95% CI: 2.28, 10.43; gaming-related truancy).Conclusions: Health promotion activities benefit from a broad approach but could focus on girls who consume EDs and those boys with the highest consumption levels.
A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Two Opt-Out HIV Testing Strategies in the Out-Patient Setting
Authors: Tam Greta , Wong Samuel Yeung Shan 
Published: June 2021

Background: HIV infections are generally asymptomatic, leading to undetected infections and late-stage diagnoses. There are a lack of acceptable testing strategies for routine opt-out HIV screening. Our aim was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic yield of routine opt-out HIV testing strategies in two out-patient settings in a low HIV prevalence country: The public primary care and specialist out-patient care settingMethods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a primary care clinic over a four-week period in 2016 to 2017 and in a specialist out-patient clinic over a concurrent 11-month period. Patients were invited to complete a questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, acceptance of opt-out HIV testing as a policy in all out-patient clinics in Hong Kong and reasons if refusing the HIV test. All respondents were offered an HIV test.Results: This study included 648 and 1,603 patients in the primary care and specialist out-patient clinic, respectively. Test acceptability was 86 and 87% in the primary care and specialist out-patient setting, respectively. Test uptake was 35 and 68% in the primary care and specialist out-patient setting, respectively. No HIV infections were detected.Conclusion: Opt-out HIV testing during routine blood taking in the specialist out-patient setting achieved a high test uptake and acceptability. In contrast, opt-out HIV testing using rapid finger-prick tests in the primary care setting was not effective.
Gene Regulation Network of Prognostic Biomarker YAP1 in Human Cancers: An Integrated Bioinformatics Study
Authors: Wu Baojin , Tang Xinjie , Ke Honglin , Zhou Qiong , Zhou Zhaoping , Tang Shao , Ke Ronghu 
Published: June 2021

Background: Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is the main downstream effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, which is involved in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to comprehensively understand the prognostic performances of YAP1 expression and its potential mechanism in pan-cancers by mining databases.Methods: The YAP1 expression was evaluated by the Oncomine database and GEPIA tool. The clinical significance of YAP1 expression was analyzed by the UALCAN, GEPIA, and DriverDBv3 database. Then, the co-expressed genes with YAP1 were screened by the LinkedOmics, and annotated by the Metascape and DAVID database. Additionally, by the MitoMiner 4.0 v tool, the YAP1 co-expressed genes were screened to obtain the YAP1-associated mitochondrial genes that were further enriched by DAVID and analyzed by MCODE for the hub genes.Results: YAP1 was differentially expressed in human cancers. Higher YAP1 expression was significantly associated with poorer overall survival and disease-free survival in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), brain Lower Grade Glioma (LGG), and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). The LinkedOmics analysis revealed 923 co-expressed genes with YAP1 in adrenocortical carcinoma, LGG and PAAD. The 923 genes mainly participated in mitochondrial functions including mitochondrial gene expression and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I assembly. Of the 923 genes, 112 mitochondrial genes were identified by MitoMiner 4.0 v and significantly enriched in oxidative phosphorylation. The MCODE analysis identified three hub genes including CHCHD1, IDH3G and NDUFAF5.Conclusion: Our findings showed that the YAP1 overexpression could be a biomarker for poor prognosis in ACC, LGG and PAAD. Specifically, the YAP1 co-expression genes were mainly involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function especially in oxidative phosphorylation. Thus, our findings provided evidence of the carcinogenesis of YAP1 in human cancers and new insights into the mechanisms underlying the role of YAP1 in mitochondrial dysregulation.
COVID-19 e complicações neurológicas: uma pequena revisão sistemática
Authors: Santos Brandão Arthur , De Nazaré Tavares Cardoso Souza Isabela , Rocha Rosa Isadora , Barbosa Amaral Laíse Maria , Campos Maia Lucas , Chermont Berni Luigi , De Almeida Cavalcante Aranha Maria Fernanda , Sousa Andrade Júnior Robson Leandro , Monteiro Paiva Garcia Thaynara , Silva de Oliveira Rita de Cássia 
Published: June 2021

Introdução. A COVID-19 é uma doença provocada pela infecção de um beta-coronavírus conhecido como SARS-CoV-2, o qual desencadeia diversas manifestações relacionadas com vários sistemas orgânicos. Nesse contexto, complicações neurológicas foram descritas na literatura, as quais associaram vários distúrbios neurológicos com a infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2. Objetivo. Deste modo, o objetivo do presente estudo consistiu em fazer uma pequena revisão sistemática, correlacionando a COVID-19 com neuropatologias neurodegenerativas. Método. Foram utilizadas as seguintes bases de dados: PUBMED, RIMA e LILACS. Os descritores selecionados foram encontrados no dicionário Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS) e Medical Subject Heading Terms (MeSH). Com isso, selecionou-se os seguintes: (COVID-19 OR SARS-CoV-2) AND (NEURODEGENERATION OR NEUROLOGIC COMPLICATIONS). Foram lidos os títulos e resumos de todos os pré-selecionados e retirados os que não se enquadravam no estilo metodológico. Excluiu-se dos achados: revisões sistemáticas com meta-análise, revisões sistemáticas com meta-síntese, e cartas. Vários motivos levaram a exclusão dos artigos, como: não causalidade entre o SARS-CoV-2 e patologias neurológicas e a preexistência de condições neurodegenerativas nos indivíduos. Resultados. Os principais achados clínicos foram: Síndrome de Guillain-Barré, Acidente Vascular Cerebral, encefalopatias, hemorragias intracranianas, anosmia e algesia. Conclusão. Conclui-se, com a revisão, que os sintomas proporcionados pela COVID-19 podem variar e que nos casos mais graves, geram complicações neurodegenerativas. É cabível ressaltar que são necessárias mais investigações acerca da temática para ratificar a relação entre neurodegeneração e infecção por coronavírus.
Magnetohydrodynamic Winds Driven by the Line Force from the Standard Thin Disk around Supermassive Black Holes. I. The Case of Weak Magnetic Field
Authors: Yang Xiao-Hong , Ablimit Kamarjan , Li Qi-Xiu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Absorption lines with high blueshifted velocities are frequently found in the ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray spectra of luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs). This implies that high-velocity winds/outflows are common in AGNs. In order to study the formation of high-velocity winds, especially ultrafast outflows (UFOs), we perform two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. Initially, a magnetic field is set to be weaker than the gas pressure at the disk surface. In our simulations, line force operates on the region like filaments because the X-ray radiation from corona is shielded by dense gas in the inner region at some angle. The location of filaments changes with time and then the line-driven winds are exposed to X-rays and become highly ionized. The line force at the UV bands does not directly drive the highly ionized winds. In the sense of time average, the properties of high-velocity winds meet the formation condition of UFOs. Compared with line force, the function of magnetic field is negligible in directly driving winds. In the MHD model, the region around the rotational axis becomes magnetic-pressure dominated, which prevents gases from spreading to higher latitudes and then enhances the gas column density at middle and low latitudes (20°–70°). Higher column density is helpful to shield X-ray photons, which causes the line force to be more effective in the MHD model than in the hydrodynamic model. Higher-velocity winds with a broader opening angle are produced in the MHD model.
Human Cord Blood B Cells Differ from the Adult Counterpart by Conserved Ig Repertoires and Accelerated Response Dynamics
Authors: Budeus Bettina , Kibler Artur , Brauser Martina , Homp Ekaterina , Bronischewski Kevin , Ross J. Alexander , Görgens Andre , Weniger Marc A. , Dunst Josefine , Kreslavsky Taras , Vitoriano da Conceição Castro Symone , Murke Florian , Oakes Christopher C. , Rusch Peter , Andrikos Dimitrios , Kern Peter , Köninger Angela , Lindemann Monika , Johansson Patricia , Hansen Wiebke , Lundell Anna-Carin , Rudin Anna , Dürig Jan , Giebel Bernd , Hoffmann Daniel , Küppers Ralf , Seifert Marc 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Neonatal and infant immune responses are characterized by a limited capability to generate protective Ab titers and memory B cells as seen in adults. Multiple studies support an immature or even impaired character of umbilical cord blood (UCB) B cells themselves. In this study, we provide a comprehensive molecular and functional comparison of B cell subsets from UCB and adult peripheral blood. Most UCB B cells have a mature, naive B cell phenotype as seen in adults. The UCB Ig repertoire is highly variable but interindividually conserved, as BCR clonotypes are frequently shared between neonates. Furthermore, UCB B cells show a distinct transcriptional program that confers accelerated responsiveness to stimulation and facilitated IgA class switching. Stimulation drives extensive differentiation into Ab-secreting cells, presumably limiting memory B cell formation. Humanized mice suggest that the distinctness of UCB versus adult B cells is already reflected by the developmental program of hematopoietic precursors, arguing for a layered B-1/B-2 lineage system as in mice, albeit our findings suggest only partial comparability to murine B-1 cells. Our study shows that UCB B cells are not immature or impaired but differ from their adult mature counterpart in a conserved BCR repertoire, efficient IgA class switching, and accelerated, likely transient response dynamics.
Effectiveness of fine needle aspiration cytology versus excisional biopsy in cervical lymphadenopathy
Authors: Pillai Anoop Vasudevan , Ramachandran Riju , Borkar Pallavi Vijay , Bhaskaran Renjitha 
Published: June 2021

Background:
Cervical lymphadenopathy is a common cause of referral to the surgery department. In low-resource countries, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been advocated as an alternative to more expensive surgical excision biopsies. Although FNAC is a simple and effective procedure in many conditions, its sensitivity and specificity still remains a question.
The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC of head-and-neck lymph nodes using histopathology as the gold standard.

Methods:
All patients clinically diagnosed with cervical lymphadenopathy were included in the study, and they underwent FNAC followed by surgical excision and histopathology. The results were tabulated and analyzed using IBM SPSS V.20.0 software. To test the statistical significance between benign and malignant groups, Chi-square test was used, and the difference in FNAC and histopathology were analyzed using McNemar's test.

Results:
The mean age group in our study of 86 patients was 45.20 ± 18.20 years with equal sex distribution. Among 23 male patients with age above 45 years, 15 patients (65.2%) had malignancy in the lymph node. Level V lymph nodes were most commonly involved (n = 31 [36%]), of which 13 were diagnosed as malignancy and 10 as tuberculosis (TB). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value of FNAC in comparison to histopathology for diagnosis of malignancy were found to be 79.4%, 98.1%, 96.4%, and 87.9%, respectively, and for TB was 77.8%, 87.5%, 87.5%, and 77.8%, respectively.

Conclusion:
FNAC of head-and-neck lymph nodes has comparable sensitivity and specificity with histopathological examination. It has a very high (96.4%) PPV in detecting malignancy and 100% for detecting metastatic disease in cervical lymph nodes. In patients with suspected lymphoproliferative disorder and in patients above 45 years of age, open biopsy is recommended. For younger patients and in level V cervical lymphadenopathy, irrespective of age, FNAC should be the first invasive diagnostic tool of choice.
Exploring factors influencing health-seeking decisions and retention in childhood cancer treatment programmes: perspectives of parents in Ghana
Authors: Renner Lorna Awo , McGill Deborah 
Published: June 2021

Background: Developing countries such as Ghana have very poor childhood cancer survival rates. There is a need to determine reasons for late presentation and treatment abandonment which are major causes of poor survival. Understanding these issues could inform effective strategies for childhood cancer control in resource-constrained settings.Aim: To explore factors influencing parental decision-making for children with cancer in Ghana with regard to health seeking and retention in treatment, in order to provide information that will guide Public Health interventions for childhood cancer control.Method: This exploratory qualitative study was conducted based on an interpretative epistemology using a social constructionist approach. Purposive sampling of parents attending the Paediatric Oncology Unit, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana was undertaken. Twelve semi-structured moderate interviews and two small focus group discussions with a total of seven participants were undertaken. Data analysis was through thematic content analysis.Results: Five major themes emerged. Knowledge and perceptions revealed a total lack of appropriate knowledge prior to diagnosis. Health-seeking behaviour was determined by interplay of individual and environmental factors. Orthodox medical treatment was largely perceived favourably. The impact of cancer on parents and children included psychological, physical and socioeconomic effects. Financial, spiritual and psychosocial support helped in coping. Parents recommended public education and health financing to address the major barriers.Conclusion: Broad social determinants and experiences influence parental decision making for children with cancer. This implies Health Promotion strategies with multi-sectorial involvement will be required for effective implementation of the National Strategy for Cancer Control.Funding: Funded by authorsKeywords: Childhood cancer, parent perspectives, Ghana
Long-term continuous administration of a hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn in male Sprague-Dawley rats: biochemical, haematological and histopathological changes
Authors: Amoateng Patrick , Adjei Samuel , Osei-Safo Dorcas , Ahedor Believe , Mahmood Seidu A , N’guessan Benoit B , Asiedu-Gyekye Isaac J , Nyarko Alexander K 
Published: June 2021

Background: Conflicting reports about the toxicity of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn (family Asteraceae), a plant traditionally used in Ghana for the management of epilepsy, abound in literature. The present study evaluates the effect of a 90-day continuous oral administration of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (SNE) in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Methods: The toxicological evaluation of the extract (100, 300 and 1000 mgkg-1) was focused on haematological, serum biochemical parameters and histopathological changes of some isolated organs.Results: The extract produced no mortality in the rats treated during the study period. Only SNE 100 mgkg-1 produced significant decrease in white blood cell and neutrophil counts and an increase in albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, total protein and potassium levels. The higher doses (SNE 300 and 1000 mgkg-1) had no significant effect on all the haematological and biochemical parameters measured. Histopathological assessment of the liver, kidney and heart revealed no abnormalities in rats treated with the extracts. Only the SNE 1000 mgkg-1 produced distortions of the branching arrangements of the myocardial fibres and a congested vessel which indicates a healed infarction.Conclusions: The findings suggest hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn generally has a low toxicity profile following a 90-day continuous oral administration in male Sprague-Dawley rats under the present laboratory conditions. However patients with renal or cardiac problems should use the plant with caution.Funding: Jointly supported by the International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden, through a grant (# F/5191-1) to Dr. Patrick Amoateng and the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, grant awarded to Dr. Patrick Amoateng (reference number: URF/6/ILG-002/2012-2013)Keywords: : Synedrella nodiflora, Sprague-Dawley rats, histopathological, haematological
Iodine levels in brands of salt on the markets of Accra, Ghana
Authors: Doku George N. , Bortey Emmanuel A. 
Published: June 2021

Introduction: The analysis sought to verify the presence or otherwise and the concentration levels of iodine in the claimed iodated salts on the Ghanaian market.Methods: Eleven (11) most patronized brands of salts, including both local and foreign brands and the raw-pellet salt (crystallized directly from sea water), were obtained from popular shops and markets in Accra. These were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively by titrimetry, involving the iodate-iodide reaction in acid medium that generates molecular iodine (IO3- + I-+ 6H+ → I2 + 3H2O). Results: The iodine content (in ppm) at retail, recorded for the samples are as follows: Sample A (25.4), B (51.8), C (52.9), D (45.5), E (25.4), F (75.1), G (28.6), H (0), I (13.7), J (34.9) and K (16.9). No iodine was observed in the raw-pellet salt (sample H) crystallized directly from sea water, in contrast to the long-held belief that it contains natural iodine. Furthermore, all samples analyzed did not meet the concentration levels indicated on their labels and did not meet the Ghana Standard Authority’s standard. Conclusion: Only samples B and C were close to the Ghana Standard Authority’s specification. The Ghana Standard Authority’s standard of 100ppm at production and 50ppm at retail may be too high or, probably, the salt iodination companies are not adhering to the rules. The authors therefore recommend that the regulatory authorities (The Food and Drugs Authority and The Ghana Standard Authority) regularize their regulatory activities and educate the public appropriately. Funding: The study was self-funded by the researchers/authors.Keywords: Iodated salts; analysis; iodine levels.
Mothers’ perspectives of newborn hearing screening programme
Authors: Jatto Mercy E. , Ogunkeyede Segun A. , Adeyemo Adebolajo A. , Adeagbo Kazeem , Saiki Orinami 
Published: June 2021

Background: Newborn hearing screening programs identifies newborns with hearing loss. The early identification enables prompt intervention through hearing rehabilitation. Accurate knowledge of the program and its benefit will impact on the uptake of the program by the citizenry. We hypothesized that there is a gap in the knowledge of parents on hearing screening and rehabilitation measures in Nigeria.Aim: To determine the knowledge and perceptions of mothers of newborn children on hearing screening.Methods: A cross sectional observational study among mothers of newborn children at immunization clinics. Semi structured questionnaire on gestational duration, mode of delivery, birth asphyxia, knowledge on hearing loss and newborn hearing screening were administered.Results: Participants were 48 mothers with age range from 18 to 42 years. Awareness of newborn hearing screening was poor among the mothers; sources of information on newborn hearing screening were antenatal clinic, mass media and friends. The educational level of the participants had no association with awareness (p = 0.11), but the willingness to accept newborn hearing screening, was associated with socioeconomic status (p = 0.04) and the level of education (p = 0.02). The participants were not aware of factors responsible for hearing loss in childhood.Conclusion: There is inadequate knowledge about newborn hearing screening and risk factors for infant hearing loss among the mothers, though they demonstrate willingness to accept the newborn hearing screening. Funding: None declaredKeywords: Hearing loss, hearing screening, immunization, mother, newborn