bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Properties of Jacelon’s Attributed Dignity Scale with Iranian Older People
Authors: Namjoo Shamsedin , Allahverdipour Hamid , Shaghaghi Abdolreza , Pakpour Amir H 
Published: May 2019

Objective: The main purpose of this study was the psychometric assessment of Jacelon’s Attributed Dignity Scale among Iranian older population. Methods: Using a standard “forward-backward” translation procedure, the original English version of Jacelon’s Attributed Dignity Scale was translated into Persian. Internal consistency of the scale was checked by the Cronbach’s α coefficient. Convergent validity of the instrument was appraised by the Social Skills Scale and General Health Questionnaire. Factor structure of the Iranian version of Jacelon’s Attributed Dignity Scale and possible interplay between its subscales were checked through recruiting a convenient sample of 300 Iranian older people and performing the confirmatory factor analysis. Findings: The estimated Cronbach’s α and intraclass correlation coefficients for the Iranian version of Jacelon’s Attributed Dignity Scale were in the vicinity of acceptable range, that is, 0.87 and 0.93, respectively. The output of confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a four-factor model best fitted the study data (χ2 = 323.49; df = 129; p < 0.001; comparative fit index = 0.913; Tucker–Lewis index = 0.901; root mean square error approximation = 0.074; standardized root mean square residual = 0.078). Rasch estimates of item difficulty ranged from –1.28 (less difficult) to 1.33 (more difficult). No significant cross-gender differences were observed regarding the Iranian version of Jacelon’s Attributed Dignity Scale’s items indicating its invariant psychometric properties for use in the Iranian men and women subgroups. Ethical Considertaion: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee at the Tabriz university of medical science. Informed consent, information confidentiality, and voluntary participation were guaranteed. Conclusion: The study findings were indicative of applicability of the Iranian version of Jacelon’s Attributed Dignity Scale as a reliable tool in measurement of the perceived social dignity among Iranian and probably other Persian-speaking older populations.
Patterns of Placental Injury in Congenital Anomalies in Second Half of Pregnancy
Authors: Stanek Jerzy 
Published: May 2019

Background Placental pathology in fetal congenital anomalies in second half of pregnancy is largely unknown. Methods Twenty-six clinical and 45 independent placental phenotypes from pregnancies ≥20 weeks of gestation with congenital anomalies divided into 4 groups were retrospectively compared with analysis of variance or χ 2 with 3 degrees of freedom and with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons: group 1 : 112 cases with heart malformations (with or without chromosomal anomalies), group 2 : 41 cases with abnormal karyotypes and anomalies other than heart malformations, group 3 : 87 cases with intrathoracic or intraabdominal mass-forming anomalies (mostly congenital diaphragmatic hernias and adenomatoid airway malformation), and group 4 : 291 miscellaneous cases with mostly skeletal, renal, and central nervous system anomalies not fulfilling the criteria of inclusion into groups 1 to 3. Results Eight of 26 clinical (30.8%) and 16 of 45 (35.5%) placental phenotypes varied statistically significantly among the 4 groups ( P <  .05), of those, 7 (26.9%) and 4 (8.9%), respectively, remained statistically significant after Bonferroni correction ( P Bonferroni ≤  .002). Those placental phenotypes were placental weight, chorionic disc chorionic microcysts, fetal vascular ectasia, and luminal vascular abnormalities of chorionic villi. Conclusions Fetal anomalies in second half of pregnancy feature abnormal clinical phenotypes much more frequently than abnormal placental phenotypes. Chromosomal abnormalities with or without heart malformations tend to feature villous edema, and erythroblastosis of fetal blood, likely due to fetal heart failure. Mass-forming fetal anomalies feature placental histological lesions of shallow placental implantation, diffuse chronic hypoxic patterns of placental injury, and lesions of fetal vascular malperfusion, likely stasis-induced.
Tele-glaucoma versus clinical evaluation: The New Jersey Health Foundation Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: Chandrasekaran Subhashini , Kass William , Thangamathesvaran Loka , Mendez Nicole , Khouri Peter , Szirth Bernard C , Khouri Albert S 
Published: May 2019

Introduction Glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness, is normally detected in clinic. With technological improvements, tele-glaucoma exams can identify these changes off-site. The quality of tele-glaucoma exams needs to be compared with that of traditional exams. This study’s purpose was to validate the tele-glaucoma programme, which allows a physician comprehensive access to patients’ data, by comparing results to clinical examinations. Methods A prospective study of 107 subjects evaluated in clinic and then tele-glaucoma stations, which consisted of non-mydriatic fundus photography, puff-tonometry, auto-refraction and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The OCT captured central corneal thickness, angle anatomy, cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), retinal nerve fibre layer distribution and posterior-pole ganglion cell complex data. Results Intraocular pressure (IOP) comparisons between clinical and tele-glaucoma exams had strong positive Pearson correlation coefficients (0.8248 OD, 0.8672 OS). Strong positive correlations were seen for CDR (0.7835 OD, 0.8082 OS) as well as diagnosis (glaucoma, no glaucoma or glaucoma suspect). A moderate positive correlation was seen for return to clinic time (RTC). Tele-glaucoma had an average lower RTC (2.7 vs 3.9 months). Tele-glaucoma was more likely to elicit a non-glaucomatous diagnosis not found in clinic vs a diagnosis found only in clinic (18% vs 5% of subjects). Discussion Tele-glaucoma allows for detecting glaucoma remotely. These advancements alleviate patient difficulties with obtaining adequate glaucoma screenings and helps ophthalmologists triage patients with more severe pathology. Our study indicates that our tele-glaucoma protocol is comparable to a clinical exam in its ability to detect glaucoma. Further studies will be needed for off-site testing and transferring data separately for analysis.
MiR-32 Inhibits Proliferation and Metastasis by Targeting EZH2 in Glioma
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Wang Jiangang , An Wenzhi , Chen Chen , Wang Wencheng , Zhu Chao , Chen Fangzhou , Chen Huizhao , Zheng Wei , Gong Jie 
Published: May 2019

Purpose: Glioma is identified as a broad category of brain and spinal cord tumors. MiR-32 is important in regulating the genesis of different cancers; however, the underlying mechanisms of miR-32 in glioma still largely unknown. This study aimed to elucidate pathobiological functions of miR-32 in glioma and verify its effect on the regulation of enhancer of zeste homolog 2. Methods: The expression of miR-32 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot in glioma tissues and cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to examine the effects of miR-32 on human glioma cells proliferation. Transwell assay was used to examine cell metastasis, respectively. Two bioinformatics analysis software and luciferase reporter assay were chosen to confirm targeting association between miR-32 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2. Results: MiR-32 was downregulated in glioma tissues and cells. Furthermore, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 expression was upregulated and negatively correlated with miR-32 in clinical tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-32 inhibited glioma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 was identified as direct target gene of miR-32 in glioma. Overexpression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 ablated the inhibitory effects of miR-32. Conclusion: In summary, our finding suggests that miR-32 acts an important role in inhibiting glioma cell proliferation and metastasis and suppresses the expression of ABCC4 by directly targeting its 3′-untranslated region. The miR-32/enhancer of zeste homolog 2 axis may provide new insights to the treatment for glioma.
Treatments for patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Tingting , Liao Jiehao , Dang Jun , Li Guang 
Published: May 2019

Background: It remains unknown which is the most effective regimen among the available therapies for advanced well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). We performed a network meta-analysis to address this important issue. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and major international scientific meetings were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Progression-free survival (PFS) data was the primary outcome of interest, and overall survival (OS) and serious adverse events (SAEs) were the secondary outcomes of interests, reported as hazard ratio (HR), or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Included in the meta-analysis were 21 eligible articles reporting 15 RCTs with a total of 2922 patients randomized to receive 11 treatments. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) showed significant PFS advantage over somatostatin analogs (SSA) (HR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.11–0.41), everolimus (HR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.11–0.53), sunitinib (HR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.10–0.82), everolimus+SSA (HR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.12–0.54), and everolimus+bevacizumab (HR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11–0.82). OS findings were not significantly different between treatments. In terms of treatment rankings of PFS, PRRT had the highest probability (96%) of being the most effective treatment, followed by SSA+bevacizumab (86%) and SSA+interferon-α (IFN-α) (78%). As for toxicity, risk of SAEs was similar between the three treatments. Based on the benefit–risk ratio, PRRT, SSA+bevacizumab, and SSA+IFN-α seemed to be the best, second-, and third-best treatment, respectively. Conclusions: PRRT is likely to be the most preferable treatment for patients with advanced well-differentiated NETs. SSA+bevacizumab and SSA+IFN-α also seem to be more effective regimens with limited risk of SAEs.
Delay to Surgery of Less Than 12 Hours Is Associated With Improved Short- and Long-Term Survival in Moderate- to High-Risk Hip Fracture Patients
Authors: Hongisto Markus T. , Nuotio Maria S. , Luukkaala Tiina , Väistö Olli , Pihlajamäki Harri K. 
Published: May 2019

Introduction: The effect of delays before surgery of 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours on short- and long-term survival has been investigated comprehensively in hip fracture patients, but with controversial results. However, there is only limited evidence for how a threshold of 12-hour delay before hip fracture surgery affects survival. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study of 884 consecutive hip fracture patients (age ≥ 65 years) undergoing surgery was carried out in terms of 30- and 365-day survival. A Cox hazard regression survival model was constructed for 724 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥3 with adjustments of age, gender, cognition, number of medications on admission, hip fracture type, and prior living arrangements. Results: Patients who underwent surgery within 12 hours had better chances of survival than did those with 12 to 24 hours (hazard ratio [HR]: 8.30; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-61.4), 24 to 48 hours (HR: 7.21; 95% CI: 0.98-52.9), and >48 hours (HR: 11.75; 95% CI: 1.53-90.2) delay before surgery. Long-term survival was more influenced by nonadjustable patient features, but the adverse effect of >48 hours delay before surgery was noticed with HR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.08-3.80. Increased age and male gender were significantly associated with worse short- and long-term survival. Discussion/Conclusions: Early hip fracture surgery within 12 hours of admission is associated with improved 30-day survival among patients with ASA score ≥3. Delay to surgery of more than 48 hours has an adverse effect on 365-day survival, but factors related to patients’ comorbidities have a great influence on long-term survival.
Prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity among adults in border areas of the Central Highland Region of Vietnam, 2017
Authors: Ba Nguyen Van , Minh Hoang Van , Quang Le Bach , Chuyen Nguyen Van , Ha Bui Thi Thu , Dai Tran Quoc , Duc Duong Minh , Quynh Nguyen Thuy , Khanh Pham Gia 
Published: May 2019

Introduction: The objectives of this study are to estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity (MM) among adults in the Central Highland Region (a poor region) of Vietnam in 2017 and to identify the sociodemographic correlates of these conditions. Methods: We used data from a cross-sectional study conducted in 2018 on health status among people in four provinces in the Central Highlands Region (Tay Nguyen) of Vietnam. A sample of 1680 adults (aged 15 years and older) were randomly selected for this study. Respondents were asked whether they had been told by a health worker that they had cancer, heart and circulatory conditions, chronic joint problems, chronic pulmonary diseases, chronic kidney problems, chronic digestive problems, psychological illness, diabetes, and/or other chronic conditions. Results: The prevalence of MM among the study participants was 16.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 14.6%–18.2%). By looking at the 95% CIs, the differences in MM prevalence between the groups classified by gender, age, education, and occupation were not statistically significant. Only the difference in MM prevalence between farmers and government staff was statistically significant. Multivariate logistic analyses show education and occupations were shown to be significant correlates of MM. Conclusion: MMs were quite common among the adult populations in the study area, especially among people with lower socioeconomic status. Given the evidence, actions to reduce levels of MM in the setting are clearly urgent. The interventions should address all people in society, with focus on disadvantaged groups, like those with lower education and farmers.
Addition of ceftaroline fosamil or vancomycin to PMMA: An in vitro comparison of biomechanical properties and anti-MRSA efficacy
Authors: Haseeb Amber , Ajit Singh Vivek , Teh Cindy Shuan Ju , Loke Mun Fai 
Published: May 2019

Background: Ceftaroline is a cephalosporin that is effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of using ceftaroline-loaded Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as antibiotic cement against MRSA versus vancomycin-loaded PMMA in an in vitro setting. Methods: PMMA pellets were prepared with three separate concentrations of each of the two antibiotics tested. They were tested to determine the effect of increasing concentration of antibiotics on the biomechanical properties of PMMA and antibiotic activity by measuring the zone of inhibition and broth elution assay. Results: Ceftaroline PMMA at 3 wt%, three-point bending was 37.17 ± 0.51 N ( p < 0.001) and axial loading was 41.95 N ± 0.51 ( p < 0.001). At 5-wt% vancomycin-PMMA, three-point bending was 41.65 ± 0.79 N ( p = 0.02) and axial loading was 49.49 ± 2.21 N ( p = 0.01). Stiffness of ceftroline-loaded PMMA in low and medium concentration was significantly higher than the vancomycin. The zone of inhibition for ceftaroline was higher than vancomycin. Ceftaroline at 3 wt% eluted up to 6 weeks (0.3 ± 0.1 μg/ml) above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and vancomycin at 2.5 wt% eluted up to 3 weeks, same as MIC, that is, 0.5 ± 0.0 μg/ml. Conclusions: Ceftaroline, loaded at similar concentrations as vancomycin into PMMA, is a more potent alternative based on its more favourable bioactivity and elution properties, while having a lesser effect on the mechanical properties of the cement. The use of 3-wt% ceftaroline as antibiotic laden PMMA against MRSA is recommended. It should be noted that this was an in vitro study and to determine the clinical efficacy would need prospective, controlled and randomized studies.
Metal artifact reduction by monoenergetic extrapolation of dual-energy CT in patients with metallic implants
Authors: Lee Ka Yin Gregory , Cheng Hei Man Joyce , Chu Chi Yeung , Tam Chi Wai Annie , Kan Wai Kuen 
Published: May 2019

Purpose: The objective of this study is to assess artifact reduction and image quality using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and metal artifact reduction techniques in patients with metallic implants. Methods: Forty patients with metallic implants, who had targeted CT performed by DECT during March to September 2018, were prospectively recruited. Post-processing with monoenergetic extrapolation at 70 and 150 keV was performed. Forty matched controls with metallic implants with single-energy CT (SECT) performed were selected. Attenuation value, noise, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the site of maximal artifact were measured at muscle and fat areas. Image quality of three sets of images (70 keV, 150 keV, and SECT) was assessed by two independent reviewers using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Statistical analysis of measured values, Likert-type scales, and radiation doses (volume CT dose index (CTDIvol)) of DECT and SECT were performed with Mann–Whitney U test. Results: As compared to SECT, high keV reconstruction of DECT show (1) significantly higher values within muscle and fat surrounding the implant (DECT vs. SECT—muscle: −96 Hounsfield units (HU) vs. −405 HU, fat: −115 HU vs. −301 HU; p < 0.001), (2) significantly lower mean image noise (75 HU vs. 129 HU; p = 0.02), and (3) higher SNR (−0.8 vs. −4.3; p < 0.001). In addition, image quality of high keV reconstruction was rated superior to the other two groups on Likert-type scales ( p < 0.001). The mean radiation doses (CTDIvol) were comparable between DECT and SECT (14.2 mGy vs. 19.3 mGy; p = 0.08). Conclusion: For patients with metallic implants, monoenergetic extrapolation of DECT at high keV can reduce metal artifacts, increase SNR, and improve qualitative image quality at comparable radiation dose.
Prediction for swelling deformation of fractal-textured bentonite and its sand mixtures in salt solution
Authors: Xiang Guo-sheng , Yu Feng , Xu Yong-fu , Fang Yuan , Xie Sheng-hua 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSwelling deformation tests of Kunigel bentonite and its sand mixtures were performed in distilled water and NaCl solution. The salinity of NaCl solution has a significant impact on the swelling properties of bentonite, but not on its surface structure. The surface structure was characterized using the fractal dimension Ds. Based on the fractal dimension, a unique curve of the em–pe relationship (em is the void ratio of montmorillonite and pe is the effective stress) at full saturation was introduced to express the swelling deformation of bentonite–sand mixtures. In mixtures with a large bentonite content, the swelling deformation always followed the em–pe relationship. In mixtures with a small bentonite content, when the effective stress reached a threshold, the void ratio of montmorillonite em deviated from the unique em–pe curve due to the appearance of a sand skeleton. The threshold of vertical pressure for mixtures in different solutions and the maximum swelling strains were estimated using the em–pe relationship. The good agreement between estimates and experimental data suggest that the em–pe relationship might be an alternative method for predicting the swelling deformation of bentonite–sand mixtures in salt solution.
Regimens to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: past, present and future perspectives
Authors: Pontali Emanuele , Raviglione Mario C. , Migliori Giovanni Battista 
Published: May 2019

Over the past few decades, treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR)/extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) has been challenging because of its prolonged duration (up to 20–24 months), toxicity, costs and sub-optimal outcomes.After over 40 years of neglect, two new drugs (bedaquiline and delamanid) have been made available to manage difficult-to-treat MDR-/XDR-TB cases. World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines published in March 2019 endorsed the possibility of treating MDR-TB patients with a full oral regimen, following previous guidelines published in 2016 which launched a shorter regimen lasting 9–10 months.The objectives of this article are to review the main achievements in MDR-TB treatment through the description of the existing WHO strategies, to discuss the main ongoing trials and to shed light on potential future scenarios and revised definitions necessary to manage drug-resistant TB.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Effect of Acacia hydaspica R. Parker extract on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status, liver function test and histopathology in doxorubicin treated rats
Authors: Afsar Tayyaba , Razak Suhail , Almajwal Ali 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Background
Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline agent mostly prescribed for various cancers. However, its treatment is contiguous with toxic effects. Acacia hydaspica prevented drug-induced hepatic-toxicity in animals with anti-oxidative mechanisms. We intended to study the efficacy of A. hydaspica ethyl acetate extract (AHE) for inhibiting DOX- induced liver damage.

Methods
Normal control group received saline; Drug control group received 3 mg/kg b.w. dose of DOX for 6 weeks (single dose/week, intraperitoneal injection) to study the effect of chronic DOX treatment. In co-treatment groups, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w AHE was given orally for 6 weeks in concomitant with DOX (3 mg/kg b.w, i.p. injection per week). The standard drug group received silyamrin 100 mg/kg b.w (2 doses/week: 12 doses/6 weeks) in conjunction with DOX (single dose/week). Lipid profile, liver function tests (LFTs), antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress enzymes and morphological alterations were studied to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of AHE.

Results
DOX treatment inhibits body weight gain and upturn liver index. DOX considerably upset serum cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL concentration. On the contrary, it reduced serum HDL amount. DOX induced marked depreciation in serum LFTs, diminish hepatic antioxidant enzymes; however, raised tissue oxidative stress markers accompanied by morphological damages. Co-treatment with AHE dose dependently adjusted DOX-prompted fluctuations in lipid profile, AST, ALP, ALT, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin concentrations and hepatic weight. Likewise, AHE usage enhanced total protein and hepatic tissue antioxidant enzyme quantities whereas declined oxidative stress markers in hepatic tissue. Correspondingly histopathological examinations aid the biochemical results. The influence of AHE 400 mg/kg b.w dose is analogous to silymarin.

Conclusion

Acacia hydaspica possibly serve as adjuvant therapy that hampers DOX inveigled liver damage due to the underlying antioxidant mechanism of secondary metabolites.