bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal trends and geographic differences of insurance coverage for cancer drug trials in mainland China
Authors: Huang Huiyao , Wu Dawei , Fan Qi , Wang Jun , Wang Shuhang , Fang Hong , Yu Yue , Bai Ying , Fang Yuan , Sun Chao , Cui Dandan , Yan Zhao , Cao Ye , Jiang Min , Liu Yanfei , Li Kunyan , Li Ning 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background: To analyze the time trend and regional difference of insurance coverage of cancer drug trials in mainland China for the past decade, thus to provide data support for the improvement and implementation of related policies, such as clinical trial insurance and ethical review in China. Methods: Based on the national authoritative database, “Drug Clinical Trial Registration and Information Disclosure Platform”, the time trend analysis of insurance coverage of cancer drug trials was conducted, from both the perspectives of trials and participants. Meanwhile, the group comparisons between seven regions, as well as different drug types and study phases, were also performed. Data processing and analysis were carried out using SAS 9.4. Mann-Kendall test was used for trend analysis, and chi-square test was used to conduct group comparisons. Results: A total of 1433 clinical trials were finally included, with 1153 (80.5%) trials being international. In average, the insurance rate of trials was 75.9%, and it was steadily increased by 7.8% annually. While the insurance coverage of Chinese participants was 58.8%, and it showed a wavy upward trend. Compared with international trials (90.0%), insurance rate of domestic trials (72.4%)) was significantly lower ( P < 0.001), but the rate gap decreased gradually. The comparisons by region showed that, the insurance rate for clinical trials in Northeast China (83.3%) was the highest, followed by South area (80.7%), North area (78.1%), and that for Northwest China (37.5%) was lowest. Compared with chemicals (74.8%) and biological products (79.9%), trials on traditional Chinese medicine had significantly lower rate of insurance (30.4%). For different study phase, insurance coverage in BE studies was the lowest (57.1%), followed by phase II trials, while it achieved the highest in phase III trials (85.1%). Conclusions: The insurance coverage of cancer drug trials in mainland China has been increasing steadily over the past decade. However, the regional differences are significant. To promote insurance coverage emphatically in underdeveloped areas could be our work emphasis in the near future. Although this study specially included cancer drug trials, the results could also provide reference for trials in all other fields.
Barriers of effective health insurance coverage for rural-to-urban migrant workers in China: A systematic review and policy gap analysis
Authors: Chen Shanquan , Chen Yingyao , Feng Zhanchun , Chen Xi , Wang Zheng , Zhu Jianfeng , Jin Jun , Yao Qiang , Xiang Li , Yao Lan , Sun Ju , Zhao Lu , Fung Hung , Wong Laiyi , dong dong 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Objective: To review China’s healthcare policies and their applications to rural-to-urban migrant workers (RUMWs) in China, to identify problems faced by RUMWs and the policy gaps that need to be addressed in future, and to facilitate better implementation of the UHC on RUMWs. Methods: A systematic review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The searched databases included PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Maternity and Infant Care Database MIDIRS, the Cochrane Library, WHO Library Database (WHOLIS), WHO Global Health Library, World Bank eLibrary, OpenGrey, CNKI, and Wanfang. In total 71 articles were reviewed. Findings: (1) Chinese RUMWs have a high work mobility and low job stability; (2) Barriers faced by RUMWs to have effective health insurance coverage are mainly due to the reluctancy of employers to provide insurance for all employees and a disadvantaged position held by RUMWs when negotiating with their employers; (3) Fissures among existing health insurance schemes leaves no room for RUMWs to meet their primary needs; and (4) Recent efforts in improving the portability and transferability of insurance across borders and schemes are not enough to solve the barriers. Conclusion: It is argued that the Chinese central government must deal with the fragmentation of healthcare system in China and promote the effective coverage by: (1) playing a more active role in coordinating different healthcare and social welfare schemes across the country, (2) increasing the health insurance portability, (3) making the healthcare policies more compatible with RUMW’s characteristics to meet their primary health needs, (4) strengthening supervision over employers, and (5) providing more vocational trainings and other supports to increase RUMW’s job stability.
The social determinants of otitis media in Aboriginal children in Australia: are we addressing the primary causes? A systematic content review
Authors: DeLacy Jack , Dune Tinashe , Macdonald John 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience some of the highest rates of otitis media in the world. Key risk factors for otitis media in Aboriginal children in Australia are largely social and environmental factors such as overcrowded housing, poverty and limited access to services. Despite this, little is known about how to address these risk factors. A scoping content review was performed to determine the relationship between social determinants of health and otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as described by peer-reviewed and grey literature.Method Search terms were established for location, population and health condition. The search terms were used to conduct a literature search using six health research databases. Following the exclusion process, articles were scoped, analysed and categorised using scoping parameters and a social determinants of health framework.Results Housing-related issues were the most frequently reported determinants for otitis media (56%). Two articles (4%) directly investigated the impact of social determinants of health on rates of otitis media within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The majority of the literature (68%) highlight social determinants as playing a key role in the high rates of otitis media seen in Aboriginal populations. There were no intervention studies targeting social determinants as a means to reduce otitis media rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.Conclusions This review identifies a disconnect between otitis media drivers and the focus of public health interventions within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Despite consensus that social determinants play a key role in the high rates of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the majority of literature consists of intervention studies aimed at developing vaccines and antibiotics. This review highlights the need for otitis media intervention studies to shift away from a purely biomedical model and toward investigating the underlying social determinants of health. By shifting interventions upstream, otitis media rates may decrease within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as focus is shifted away from a treatment-focussed model and toward a more preventative model.
The perceived oral health status, practices, knowledge and periodontal status of pregnant women in a maternity hospital in Trinidad
Authors: Rafeek Reisha , Ramroop Visha , Balkaran Ramaa , Kowlessar Anne , Bissoon Arlana , Royer Christina , Low Risa Yuk 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background The effects of physiological changes that occur during pregnancy on oral tissues have been well documented. The oral health status, practices, knowledge and periodontal status of pregnant women has not been studied before in Trinidad. The aim of this study is to report that of pregnant women in a maternity hospital in Trinidad.Methods A descriptive oral health survey involving a self-administered questionnaire was undertaken from a convenience sample of pregnant women who attended a maternity hospital in Trinidad. A simple oral health examination took place at the School of Dentistry clinic. Data included education and employment status, medical and dental history, frequency and reason for dental attendance, and the patients’ perceived oral health status, knowledge and practices. Examination included the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0 and ethical approval was obtained by the University of the West Indies Campus Ethics Committee.Results One hundred and sixty one pregnant women participated and 79.5% were between the ages 26 to 45. Fifty seven per cent attended high school and 58.1% were employed. Nearly 60% rated their oral health as average or good. The majority of women (91.9%) did not attend the dentist routinely. Almost half (46.0%) of the participants said safety concerns with dental treatment during pregnancy would prevent them from seeking care. 54.7% said the cost of dental treatment would act as a barrier to care. The majority had good oral health knowledge for flossing (97.5%) however 37.3% thought that dental care should be avoided during pregnancy unless it was an emergency. Nearly 60% had some form of periodontitis mild (34.2%) or moderate to severe (25.2%). Significant associations found between level of education and brushing, and also between age and smoking, use of mouthwash and BPE.Conclusions Although oral health knowledge in areas of tooth brushing, flossing and need for attending the dentist was good, in other areas there were serious misconceptions such as dental care should be avoided during pregnancy. Understanding oral health needs of pregnant women can guide oral health promotion and delivery of preventive care and potentially improve pregnancy outcomes.
The Dimerization Interface in VraR is Essential for Induction of the Cell Wall Stress Response in Staphylococcus aureus: A Potential Druggable Target
Authors: Tajbakhsh Ghazal Ghazal , Golemi-Kotra Dasantila 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background
Staphylococcus aureus remains a medical challenge in the treatment of bacterial infections. It has acquired resistance to commonly used antibiotics, and to those considered to be the last weapons in treating staphylococcal infections, such as vancomycin. Studies have revealed that S. aureus is capable of mounting a rapid response to antibiotics that target cell wall peptidoglycan biosynthesis, such as β-lactams and vancomycin. The two-component system VraSR has been linked to the coordination of this response. VraS is a histidine kinase that undergoes autophosphorylation in the presence of signals elicited upon cell wall damage and it then transfers its phosphoryl group to VraR. VraR is a response regulator protein that functions as a transcription factor. Phosphorylation of VraR leads to its dimerization, which is required for optimum binding to its target promoters. Two-component systems have been targeted for the development of antibacterial agents. Deletion of the vraS or vraR gene has been shown to re-sensitize S. aureus to β-lactams and vancomycin.
Results
In this study, we explored perturbation of the VraR phosphorylation-induced activation as a means to inhibit the VraSR-mediated signal transduction pathway. We show that dimerization of VraR is essential for the phosphorylation-induced activation of VraR. A single point mutation in the dimerization interface of VraR, in which Met13 was replaced by Ala, led to the inability of VraR to dimerize and to bind optimally to the target promoter. The consequences of these in vitro molecular deficiencies are equally dramatic in vivo. Complementation of a vraR deletion S. aureus strain with the vraRM13Ala mutant gene failed to induce the cell wall stress response.
Conclusions
This study highlights the potential of targeting the phosphorylation-induced dimerization of VraR to disrupt the S. aureus cell wall stress response and in turn to re-sensitize S. aureus to β-lactams and vancomycin.
Methodical Limitations of the Financial Analysis in Transition Economy and the Specificity of the Financial Condition of Industrial Enterprises of the Kemerovo Region
Authors: Akulov Anatoly 
Published: September 2019

The research features the financial condition of industrial enterprises of the Kemerovo region. The research objective was to determine the main characteristics of the financial condition of the local industrial enterprises, taking into account the methodological limitations of external financial analysis. The authors used methods of observation, logical-structural analysis, comparative analysis, correlation and regression analysis, methods of external financial analysis, and system-structural approach. The approach allowed the authors to identify the main regularities of the development of the financial condition of the local industrial enterprises. The differences in the financial position were compared with other regions of the Russian Federation. The paper introduces new ideas about the factors determining the financial state of the industry. It contains a list of conditions and measures that contribute to improving the financial condition of the local industrial enterprises and assess their mid-term prospects. The results can be used by the authorities and management to develop strategic planning documents. The research can help large integrated industry companies to justify their decisions on the distribution of funds in holding companies. The financial condition of the industry in the Kemerovo Region proved to be slightly worse than average, which is explained by the structure of the economy and other macroeconomic variables. The control actions of the subfederal level cannot fully improve the situation.
Use of Molecular Dynamics Simulations in Structure-Based Drug Discovery
Authors: Bera Indrani , Payghan Pavan V. 
Published: September 2019

Background:
Traditional drug discovery is a lengthy process which involves a huge amount of resources.
Modern-day drug discovers various multidisciplinary approaches amongst which, computational ligand
and structure-based drug designing methods contribute significantly. Structure-based drug designing techniques
require the knowledge of structural information of drug target and drug-target complexes. Proper understanding
of drug-target binding requires the flexibility of both ligand and receptor to be incorporated. Molecular docking
refers to the static picture of the drug-target complex(es). Molecular dynamics, on the other hand, introduces
flexibility to understand the drug binding process.

Objective:
The aim of the present study is to provide a systematic review on the usage of molecular dynamics
simulations to aid the process of structure-based drug design.

Method:
This review discussed findings from various research articles and review papers on the use of molecular
dynamics in drug discovery. All efforts highlight the practical grounds for which molecular dynamics simulations
are used in drug designing program. In summary, various aspects of the use of molecular dynamics simulations
that underline the basis of studying drug-target complexes were thoroughly explained.

Results:
This review is the result of reviewing more than a hundred papers. It summarizes various problems that
use molecular dynamics simulations.

Conclusion:
The findings of this review highlight how molecular dynamics simulations have been successfully
implemented to study the structure-function details of specific drug-target complexes. It also identifies the key
areas such as stability of drug-target complexes, ligand binding kinetics and identification of allosteric sites which
have been elucidated using molecular dynamics simulations.
Effects of Folic Acid and Vitamin B12, Alone and in Combination on Cognitive Function and Inflammatory Factors in the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Single-blind Experimental Design
Authors: Ma Fei , Zhou Xuan , Li Qing , Zhao Jiangang , Song Aili , An Peilin , Du Yue , Xu Weili , Huang Guowei 
Published: September 2019

Background:
Folate and vitamin B12 are well-known as essential nutrients that play key
roles in the normal functions of the brain. Inflammatory processes play at least some role in the pathology
of AD. Effective nutritional intervention approaches for improving cognitive deficits that reduce the
peripheral inflammatory cytokine levels have garnered special attention.

Objective:
The present study aimed to determine whether supplementation with folic acid and vitamin
B12, alone and in combination improves cognitive performance via reducing levels of peripheral inflammatory
cytokines.

Methods:
240 participants with MCI were randomly assigned in equal proportion to four treatment
groups: folic acid alone, vitamin B12 alone, folic acid plus vitamin B12 or control without treatment daily
for 6 months. Cognition was measured with WAIS-RC. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were
measured using ELISA. Changes in cognitive function or blood biomarkers were analyzed by repeatedmeasure
analysis of variance or mixed-effects models. This trial has been registered with trial number
ChiCTR-ROC-16008305.

Results:
Compared with control group, the folic acid plus vitamin B12 group had significantly greater
improvements in serum folate, homocysteine, vitamin B12 and IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1. The folic acid plus
vitamin B12 supplementation significantly changed the Full Scale IQ (effect size d = 0.169; P = 0.024),
verbal IQ (effect size d = 0.146; P = 0.033), Information (d = 0.172; P = 0.019) and Digit Span (d =
0.187; P = 0.009) scores. Post hoc Turkey tests found that folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation
was significantly more effective than folic acid alone for all endpoints.

Conclusions:
The combination of oral folic acid plus vitamin B12 in MCI elderly for six months can significantly
improve cognitive performance and reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines in human
peripheral blood. The combination of folic acid and vitamin B12 was significantly superior to either folic
acid or vitamin B12 alone.
Speckle Noise Diffusion in Knee Articular Cartilage Ultrasound Images
Authors: Shoaib Muhammad Ali , Hossain Md Belayet , Hum Yan Chai , Chuah Joon Huang , Mohd Salim Maheza Irna , Lai Khin Wee 
Published: September 2019

Background:
Ultrasound (US) imaging can be a convenient and reliable substitute for
magnetic resonance imaging in the investigation or screening of articular cartilage injury. However,
US images suffer from two main impediments, i.e., low contrast ratio and presence of speckle
noise.

Aims:
A variation of anisotropic diffusion is proposed that can reduce speckle noise without compromising
the image quality of the edges and other important details.

Methods:
For this technique, four gradient thresholds were adopted instead of one. A new diffusivity
function that preserves the edge of the resultant image is also proposed. To automatically
terminate the iterative procedures, the Mean Absolute Error as its stopping criterion was implemented.

Results:
Numerical results obtained by simulations unanimously indicate that the proposed method
outperforms conventional speckle reduction techniques. Nevertheless, this preliminary study
has been conducted based on a small number of asymptomatic subjects.

Conclusion:
Future work must investigate the feasibility of this method in a large cohort and its
clinical validity through testing subjects with a symptomatic cartilage injury.
A Review of Various Machine Learning Techniques for Brain Tumor Detection from MRI Images
Authors: Bajaj Aaishwarya Sanjay , Chouhan Usha 
Published: September 2019

Background:
This paper endeavors to identify an expedient approach for the detection
of the brain tumor in MRI images. The detection of tumor is based on i) review of the machine
learning approach for the identification of brain tumor and ii) review of a suitable approach for
brain tumor detection.

Discussion:
This review focuses on different imaging techniques such as X-rays, PET, CT- Scan,
and MRI. This survey identifies a different approach with better accuracy for tumor detection.
This further includes the image processing method. In most applications, machine learning shows
better performance than manual segmentation of the brain tumors from MRI images as it is a difficult
and time-consuming task. For fast and better computational results, radiology used a different
approach with MRI, CT-scan, X-ray, and PET. Furthermore, summarizing the literature, this
paper also provides a critical evaluation of the surveyed literature which reveals new facets of research.

Conclusion:
The problem faced by the researchers during brain tumor detection techniques and
machine learning applications for clinical settings have also been discussed.
Automatic Analysis of ACR Phantom Images in MRI
Authors: Alaya Ines Ben , Mars Mokhtar 
Published: September 2019

Background:
Quality Assurance (QA) of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system
is an essential step to avoid problems in diagnosis when image quality is low. It is considered a
patient safety issue. The accreditation program of the American College of Radiology (ACR) includes
a standardized image quality measurement protocol. However, it has been shown that human
testing by visual inspection is not objective and not reproducible.

Methods:
The overall goal of the present paper was to develop and implement a fully automated
method for accurate image analysis to increase its objectivity. It can positively impact the QA
process by decreasing the reaction time, improving repeatability, and by reducing operator dependency.
The proposed QA procedures were applied to ten clinical MRI scanners. The performance
of the automated procedure was assessed by comparing the test results with the decisions
made by trained MRI technologists according to ACR guidelines. The p-value, correlation coefficient
of the manual and automatic measurements were also computed using the Pearson test.

Result and Conclusion:
Compared to the manual process, the use of the proposed approach can
significantly reduce the time requirements while maintaining consistency with manual measurements
and furthermore, decrease the subjectivity of the results. Accordingly, a strong correlation
was found and the corresponding p-value was much lower than the significance level of 0.05 indicating
a good agreement between the two measurements.
Novel Furan Coupled Quinoline Diamide Hybrid Scaffolds as Potent Antitubercular Agents: Design, Synthesis and Molecular Modelling
Authors: Rajpurohit Anantacharya , Satyanarayan Nayak D. , Pathak Lokesh , Ayyanar Siva , Rishinaradamangalam Chidambaram R. , Shoorapani Praveen 
Published: September 2019

Background:A novel series of 2-[(2-[2-(furan-2-yl) quinolin-4-yl] carbonyl hydrazinyl) carbonyl] benzoic acid, -4-oxobut-2-enoic acid and -4-oxobutanoic acids were synthesized and screened for in vitro antitubercular activity.Objectives:In the present investigation, we describe the synthesis and biological screening of furan C-2 quinoline coupled diamides for antitubercular activity.Methods:The mycobacterium tuberculai testing was carried out by MABA method and molecular docking studies were done by open-source molecular docking program, Autovina, using Pyrx 0.8 interface.Results:The results revealed that the compounds inhibited the growth of H37Rv strain at concentrations as low as 1.6 to 12 µg/ml. Molecular binding of furan, quinoline and diamide (FQD) derivatives on five targets was good and these compounds fit very well within the binding domain of the target protein.Conclusion:The synthesized FQD derivatives exhibited moderate to good inhibition activity especially compounds 5f, 5b and 8a exhibited very good inhibition activity due to the presence of three different scaffolds, such as INH, phenyl ketobutyric acid and fluoroquinolines. Hybridized molecules might have multiple modes of action / inhibit more than one tubercular target and could pave way for novel drug discovery in the field of tuberculosis.