bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community perceptions about dementia in southwestern Uganda
Authors: Owokuhaisa Judith , Rukundo Godfrey Zari , Wakida Edith , Obua Celestino , Buss Stephanie S. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

With the increasing number of people surviving into older age in Africa, dementia is becoming a public health problem. Understanding the social dynamics of dementia in resource-limited settings is critical for developing effective interventions. We explored community perceptions about people with dementia in southwestern Uganda.

Methods

Fifty-nine individuals (aged 19-85 years, 56% female) participated in seven focus group discussions. In addition, 22 individual in-depth interviews were conducted among individuals (aged 22-84 years, 36% female). Both interviews and focus group discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and evaluated using a content analysis approach.

Results

Four themes were generated during content analysis: i) Labeling of the illness, ii) Presentation of the person with dementia, iii) Causation, iv) Impact of the disease on people with dementia and their caregivers. Dementia was commonly referred to as okuhuga” (also, oruhuzyo/ empugye / akahuriko) which translates as “mental retardation”. The participants reported that most people with dementia presented with forgetfulness, defecating and urinating on themselves, wandering away from home, going out naked, and picking up garbage. Some participants perceived memory problems as a normal aging process, while others attributed the cause of dementia to syphilis, cancer, allergy, old age, satanic powers, witchcraft, poor nutrition, and life stress. Participants reported multiple sources of stress for caregivers of people with dementia, including financial, social, and emotional burdens. Finally, participants suggested that community and governmental organizations should be involved in meeting the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers.

Conclusions

Communities in southwestern Uganda identified dementia as a problem that comes with advanced age, have partial knowledge about the presentation and causes of dementia, and identify significant stressors affecting people with dementia and their caregivers. Families and caregivers would benefit from more education on causes of dementia, management of symptoms, and assistance in overcoming associated financial, social, and emotional burdens.
UPLC-MS based urine untargeted metabolomic analyses to differentiate bladder cancer from renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Zhan , Liu Xiaoyan , Liu Xiang , Sun Haidan , Guo Zhengguang , Zheng Guoyang , Zhang Yushi , Sun Wei 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Purpose

To discover biomarker panels that could distinguish cancers(BC & RCC) from healthy controls(HCs) and bladder cancers(BC) from renal cell carcinoma(RCC), regardless of whether with hematuria.

Methods

Totallys, 403 participants were enrolled in our study, with 146 BC patients(77 without hematuria and 69 with hematuria), 115 RCC patients (94 without hematuria and 21 with hematuria) and 142 gender- and age- matched HCs. Their midstream urine samples were collected and analysed by performing UPLC-MS. The statistical methods and pathway analyses were applied to discover potential biomarker panels and altered metabolic pathways.

Results

The panel of α-CEHC, β-cortolone, deoxyinosine, flunisolide, 11b,17a,21-trihydroxypreg-nenolone and glycerol tripropanoate could distinguish the cancers from the HCs(the AUC was 0.950) and the external validation also displayed a good predictive ability (the AUC was 0.867). The panel consisiting of 4-ethoxymethylphenol, prostaglandin F2b, thromboxane B3, hydroxybutyrylcarnitine, 3-hydroxyphloretin and N'-formylkynurenine could differentiate BC from RCC without hematuria. The AUC was 0.829 in the discovering group and 0.76 in the external validation. The metabolite panel comprising 1-hydroxy-2-oxopropyl tetrahydropterin, 1-acetoxy-2-hydroxy-16-heptadecyn-4-one, 1,2-dehydrosalsolinol and L-tyrosine could significantly discriminate BC from RCC with hematuria(AUC was 0.913). Pathway analyses revealed there existed alterd lipid and purine metabolism between cancers and HCs, together with disordered amino acid and purine metablism between BC and RCC with hematuria.

Conclusions

The UPLC-MS urine metabolomic analyses could not only differentiate the cancers from HCs but also discriminate the BC from RCC. Besides, pathway analyses could demonstrate the deeper metabolic mechanism of BC and RCC.
A Novel Narrative E-Writing Intervention (NeW-I) for Parents of Children with Chronic Life-Threatening Illnesses: Protocol for an Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ho Andy Hau Yan , Dutta Oindrila , Tan-Ho Geraldine , Tan Toh Hsiang Benny , Xinyi Casuarine Low , Ganapathy Sashikumar , Ang Lee Beng , Car Josip , Ho Ringo Moon-Ho , Miao Chun Yan 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background:
Conventionally, psycho-socio-emotional interventions for parents of children with chronic life-threatening illness begin post child loss. Evidence indicates pre-loss interventions addressing anticipatory grief can improve psycho-socio-emotional well-being and grief outcomes among family caregivers of dying patients, but no known intervention addresses the unique psycho-socio-emotional needs of Asian parents facing their child’s chronic life-threatening illness. Globally, palliative care strives to holistically support patients and their caregivers at the end-of-life, but inadequacies exist both globally and locally in pediatric palliative care and parental bereavement support services.

Aim:
A novel evidence-based Narrative e-Writing Intervention (NeW-I) is developed to address this gap. NeW-I is a strength-focused, meaning-oriented and therapist-facilitated mobile app and web-based counseling platform that aims to enhance quality of life, spiritual well-being, hope and perceived social support, and reduce depressive symptoms, caregiver burden and risk of complicated grief among parents facing their child’s chronic life-threatening illness.

Methods:
The design of NeW-I is informed by an international systematic review and a Singapore-based qualitative inquiry on the lived experience of bereaved parents of children with chronic life-threatening illness. Together with four major local pediatric palliative care providers, NeW-I is implemented in Singapore as an open-label pilot randomized controlled trial with 66 parents and supplemented with a built-in accessibility and feasibility study.

Discussion:
NeW-I aspires to improve psycho-socio-emotional well-being of parents facing their child’s chronic life-threatening illness through a structured cyber-counseling platform, thereby enhancing holistic pediatric palliative care and parental bereavement support services. Findings from this pilot study can inform large-scale implementation and evaluation of NeW-I in Singapore and globally.
Development and validation of the Occupational Back Pain Prevention Behaviors Questionnaire in nursing personnel
Authors: Kazemi Seyedeh Somayeh , Tavafian Sedigheh-Sadat , Hidarnia Alireza , Montazeri Ali 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background: Occupational back pain is the most prevalent health problem among nurses and needs to be assessed by a valid and multi-factorial questionnaire. The purpose of the present study was to design and develop an instrument based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model for assessing job-related behaviors that cause low back pain.
Methods: First an item pool of 49 items was generated. Then, content and face validity was carried out. Consequently, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Mazandaran, Iran. The questionnaire was distributed among a sample of nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the factor structure of the questionnaire. The Cronbach’s alpha was estimated to assess the reliability and the intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to examine stability.
Results: In all 155 nurses participated in the study. The mean age of respondents was 34.1 (SD = 7.66) years, and 83.2% were female. Six factors with 30 items emerged from the exploratory factor analysis: knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, reinforcing factors, enabling factors and behavior that jointly accounted for %66.5 of behavior change variance observed. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient showed excellent internal consistency (alpha=0.92). The intraclass correlation coefficient with 2-weeks interval also indicated that the questionnaire has satisfactory stability (ICC = 0.97).
Conclusions: The findings showed that the Occupational Back Pain Prevention Behavior Questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring occupational back pain and prevention behaviors among nurses.
Keywords: Occupational Back Pain, Prevention behaviors, Psychometric evaluation, PRECEDE-PROCEED model, Nurse
Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy and Attenuation of Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors (SHARC) Using Functional Electrical Stimulation-Lower Extremity Cycling in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury. Study Protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gorgey Ashraf , Khalil Refka E , Davis John C , Carter William , Gill Ranjodh , Rivers Jeannie , Khan Rehan , Goetz Lance , Castillo Teodoro , Lavis Timothy , Sima Adam , Lesnefsky Edward , Cardozo Christopher , Adler Robert A 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background
Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at heightened risks of developing unfavorable cardiometabolic consequences due to physical inactivity. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) and surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)-resistance training (RT) have emerged as effective rehabilitation methods that can exercise muscles below the level of injury and attenuate cardio-metabolic risk factors. Our aims are to determine the impact of 12 weeks of NMES+12 weeks of FES-Lower extremity cycling (LEC) compared to 12 weeks of passive movement+12 weeks of FES-LEC on 1) oxygen uptake (VO2), insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal in adults with SCI; 2) skeletal muscle size, intramuscular fat (IMF) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and; 3) protein expression of energy metabolism, protein molecules involved in insulin signaling, muscle hypertrophy and oxygen uptake and electron transport chain (ETC) activities.
Methods/Design
Forty-eight persons aged 18-65 years with chronic (> 1 year) SCI/D (AIS A-C) at the C5-L2 levels, equally sub-grouped by cervical or sub-cervical injury levels and time since injury, will be randomized into either NMES+FES group or Passive+FES (control group). The NMES+FES group will undergo 12 weeks of evoked RT using twice-weekly NMES and ankle weights followed by twice-weekly of progressive FES-LEC for an additional 12 weeks. The control group will undergo 12 weeks of passive movement followed by 12 weeks of progressive FES-LEC. Measurements will be performed at baseline (B; week 0), post-intervention 1 (P1; week 13) and post-intervention 2 (P2; week 25) and will include VO2 measurements, insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness using intravenous glucose tolerance test; magnetic resonance imaging to measure muscle, IMF and VAT areas; muscle biopsy to measure protein expression and intracellular signaling as well as mitochondrial ETC function.
Discussion
Training through NMES+RT may evoke muscle hypertrophy and positively impact oxygen uptake, insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness. This may result in beneficial outcomes on metabolic activity, body composition profile, mitochondrial ETC and intracellular signaling related to insulin action and muscle hypertrophy. In the future, NMES-RT may be added to FES-LEC to improve the workloads achieved in the rehabilitation of persons with SCI and further decrease muscle wasting and cardio-metabolic risks.
Contributions of Vitamin D in the management of depressive symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Porto Catarina Magalhaes , Silva Tatiana de Paula Santana da , Sougey Everton Botelho 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background: Depression is a major cause of chronic disability throughout the world and an important cardiovascular risk factor, increasing the relative risk of coronary artery disease as well as rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Concomitant to the greater prevalence of depression, there has been a reduction in exposure to sunlight with the increase in urbanization and the use of sun block, which has led to a reduction in serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Therefore, this paper describes a protocol for a clinical trial aimed at evaluating the effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression and cardiovascular risk factors to contribute evidence regarding the potential influence of supplementation in situations related to mood regulation.
Methods: This protocol study was guided by the SPIRIT recommendations. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial will be conducted with 224 adults (age range: 18 to 59 years) with depression taking antidepressants with no history of vitamin D supplementation, psychiatric comorbidities, chronic kidney disease, hypercalcemia or neoplasm in care at psychiatric outpatient clinics of two universities in northeast Brazil. Eligible participants who provided written consent will be randomly designated to either the intervention group (n = 112; vitamin D supplementation – 50,000 IU per week for six months) or control group (n = 112; placebo taken weekly for six months). Measures for monitoring depressive symptoms, clinical trials and laboratory tests for evaluating cardiovascular risk factors and serum vitamin D levels will be performed before and after the intervention period.
Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first clinical trial with the aim of testing the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation on the reduction in cardiovascular risk and as an adjuvant to depression therapy for a prolonged period (six months). The findings will contribute to the understanding of the therapeutic effects of vitamin D supplementation on the management of depression and can help guide public policies directed toward vitamin supplementation for the reduction of cardiovascular risk.
Trial registration: Proof: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/. Number: RBR-6yj8sj / UTN Number: U1111-1217-9237 (July 23, 2018)
Intensive Phase Treatment Outcome and Associated Factors among Patients Treated for Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Molie Teklu , Teklemariam Zelalem , Klinkenberg Eveline , Dessie Yadeta , Kumsa Andargachew , Mohammed Hussen , Debebe Adisalem , Assefa Dawit , Habte Abebe , Bedru Ahmed , Fiseha Daniel , Seyoum Berhanu 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis (MDRTB) is a strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is resistant to at least Rifampicin and Isoniazid drugs. The treatment success rate for MDRTB cases is lower than for drug susceptible TB. Monitoring the early treatment outcome and better understanding the specific reasons for early unfavorable treatment outcome are important to evaluate the effectiveness of tuberculosis control and preventing the emergence of extremely drug resistant tuberculosis. However, this information is scarce in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the intensive phase treatment outcome and factors contributing among patients treated for MDRTB in Ethiopia.

Methods

A 6 year (2009 to 2014) retrospective cohort record review was conducted in fourteen treatment initiating centers in Ethiopia. The records of 751 MDRTB patients were randomly selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested and structured checklist. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression model was undertaken to identify the contributing factors.

Results

At the end of the intensive phase, 17.3% of MDRTB patients had an unfavorable treatment outcome while 16.8% had an unknown outcome with the rest having a favorable outcome. The median duration of the intensive phase was 9.0 months (IQR 8.04-10.54). Having an unfavorable intensive phase treatment outcome was found to be more common among older aged [ARRR= 1.047, 95% CI (1.024, 1.072)] and those without a history of hypokalemia [ARRR=0.512, 95% CI (0.280, 0.939)]. Having an unknown intensive phase treatment outcome was found to be more common among those treated under the ambulatory care model [ARRR=3.2, 95% CI (1.6, 6.2)], rural dwellers [ARRR= 0.370, 95% CI (0.199, 0.66)], those without a treatment supporter [ARRR=0.022, 95% CI (0.002, 0.231)], and those with resistance to a limited number of drugs.

Conclusion

We observed a higher than anticipated rate of unfavorable and unknown treatment outcomes in this study. To improve favorable treatment outcome more emphasis should be given to conducting all scheduled laboratory monitoring tests, assignment of trained treatment supporters and ensuring complete recording and reporting which could be enhanced by quarterly cohort review. Older aged and rural patients need special attention. Furthermore, the sample referral network should be strengthened.
Perioperative anaesthetic management of patients with or at risk of acute distress respiratory syndrome undergoing emergency surgery
Authors: Battaglini Denise , Robba Chiara , Rocco Patricia Rieken Macêdo , De Abreu Marcelo Gama , Pelosi Paolo , Ball Lorenzo 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
ABSTRACT
Patients undergoing emergency surgery may present with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or develop this syndrome postoperatively. The incidence of ARDS in the postoperative period is relatively low, but the impact of ARDS on patient outcomes and healthcare costs is relevant [1].
The development of ARDS as a postoperative pulmonary complication (PPC) is associated with prolonged hospitalisation, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, increased intensive care unit length of stay and high morbidity and mortality [2]. In order to mitigate the risk of ARDS after surgery, the anaesthetic management and protective mechanical ventilation strategies play an important role. In particular, a careful integration of general anaesthesia with neuraxial or locoregional techniques might promote faster recovery and reduce opioid consumption. In addition, the use of low tidal volume, minimising plateau pressure and titrating a low-moderate PEEP level based on the patient’s need can improve outcome and reduce intraoperative adverse events. Moreover, perioperative management of ARDS patients includes specific anaesthesia and ventilator settings, hemodynamic monitoring, moderately restrictive fluid administration and pain control.
The aim of this review is to provide an overview and evidence- and opinion-based recommendations concerning the management of patients at risk of and with ARDS who undergo emergency surgical procedures.
Missense mutations in a transmembrane domain of the Komagataeibacter xylinus BcsA lead to changes in cellulose synthesis
Authors: Salgado Luis , Blank Silvia , Esfahani Reza Alipour Moghadam , Strap Janice L. , Bonetta Dario 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Cellulose is synthesized by an array of bacterial species. Komagataeibacter xylinus is the best characterized as it produces copious amounts of the polymer extracellularly. Despite many advances in the past decade, the mechanisms underlying cellulose biosynthesis are not completely understood. Elucidation of these mechanisms is essential for efficient cellulose production in industrial applications.

Results

In an effort to gain a better understanding of cellulose biosynthesis and its regulation, cellulose crystallization was investigated in K. xylinus mutants resistant to an inhibitor of cellulose I formation, pellicin. Through the use of forward genetics and site-directed mutagenesis, A449T and A449V mutations in the K. xylinus BcsA protein were found to be important for conferring high levels of pellicin resistance. Phenotypic analysis of the bcsAA449T and bcsAA449V cultures revealed that the mutations affect cellulose synthesis rates and that cellulose crystallinity is affected in wet pellicles but not dry ones.

Conclusions

A449 is located in a predicted transmembrane domain of the BcsA protein suggesting that the structure of the transmembrane domain influences cellulose crystallization either by affecting the translocation of the nascent glucan chain or by allosterically altering protein-protein interactions.
Mechanisms of Gene Rearrangement in 13 Bothids Based on Comparison with a Newly Completed Mitogenome of the Threespot Flounder, Grammatobothus polyophthalmus (Pleuronectiformes: Bothidae)
Authors: Luo Hairong , Kong Xiaoyu , Chen Shixi , Shi Wei 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background:
The previously characterized mitogenomes of 12 teleost fish of the bothid family (order Pleuronectiformes) indicated that the genomic-scale rearrangements occurred in this teleost lineage. A novel mechanism of genomic rearrangement called the Dimer-Mitogenome and Non-Random Loss (DMNL) model was used to account for the rearrangement found in one of these bothids, Crossorhombus azureus.
Results:
The 18170 bp mitogenome of G. polyophthalmus contains 37 genes, two control regions (CRs), and the origin of replication of the L-strand (OL). This mitogenome is characterized by genomic-scale rearrangements: genes located on the L-strand are grouped in an 8-gene cluster (Q-A-C-Y-S1-ND6-E-P) that does not include tRNA-N; genes found on the H-strand are grouped together (F-12S … CytB-T) except for tRNA-D that was translocated inside the 8-gene L-strand cluster. Compared to non-rearranged mitogenomes of teleost fishes, gene organization in the mitogenome of G. polyophthalmus and in that of the other 12 bothids characterized thus far is very similar. These rearrangements could be sorted into four types (Type I, II, III and IV), differing in the particular combination of the CR, tRNA-D gene and 8-gene cluster and the shuffling of tRNA-V. The DMNL model was used to account for all but one gene rearrangement found in all 13 bothid mitogenomes. Translocation of tRNA-D most likely occurred after the DMNL process in 10 bothid mitogenomes and could have occurred either before or after DMNL in the three other species. During the DMNL process, the tRNA-N gene was retained rather than the expected tRNA-N′ gene. tRNA-N appears to assist in or act as OL function when the OL secondary structure could not be formed from intergenic sequences. A striking finding was that each of the non-transcribed genes has degenerated to a shorter intergenic spacer during the DMNL process. These findings highlight a rare phenomenon in teleost fish.
Conclusions:
This result provides significant evidence to support the existence of dynamic dimeric mitogenomes and the DMNL model as the mechanism of gene rearrangement in bothid mitogenomes, which not only promotes the understanding of mitogenome structural diversity, but also sheds light on mechanisms of mitochondrial genome rearrangement and replication.
Introducción del Editor
Authors: Perrotini Hernández Ignacio 
Published: July 2019

La búsqueda y elaboración de reglas monetarias racionales con el propósito de conseguir los objetivos de estabilidad macroeconómica es de larga data, y se remonta por lo menos a los orígenes de la ciencia económica. Adam Smith afirma en su Riqueza de las Naciones que "el papel moneda bien regulado (puede sustituir a la circulación de metales) no sólo sin nigún inconveniente, sino, en algunos casos, con algunas ventajas". Con el fin de conseguir la estabilidad macroeconómica, Nueva Zelanda adoptó un modelo de objetivo de inflación (OI) como marco de política monetaria en 1990. Desde entonces, un número creciente de países industrializados, emergentes y en desarrollo han abrazado este nuevo régimen cuyo objetivo de política prístino es alcanzar y mantener tasas de inflación bajas y estables.