bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can Uncertainty Be Quantified?
Authors: Hansson Sven Ove 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn order to explore the quantifiability and formalizability of uncertainty a wide range of uncertainties are investigated. They are summarized under eight main categories: factual, possibilistic, metadoxastic, agential, interactive, value, structural, and linguistic uncertainty. This includes both classical uncertainty and the uncertainties commonly called great, deep, or radical. For five of the eight types of uncertainty, both quantitative and non-quantitative formalizations are meaningful and available. For one of them (interactive uncertainty), only non-quantitative formalizations seem to be meaningful, and for two (agential and structural uncertainty) neither quantitative nor non-quantitative formalization seems to be a useful approach.
Advancing Knowledge on Situation Comprehension in Dynamic Traffic Situations by Studying Eye Movements to Empty Spatial Locations
Authors: Frank Wiebke , Mühl Kristin , Rosner Agnes , Baumann Martin 
Published: January 2022

Objective This study used the looking-at-nothing phenomenon to explore situation awareness (SA) and the effects of working memory (WM) load in driving situations. Background While driving, people develop a mental representation of the environment. Since errors in retrieving information from this representation can have fatal consequences, it is essential for road safety to investigate this process. During retrieval, people tend to fixate spatial positions of visually encoded information, even if it is no longer available at that location. Previous research has shown that this “looking-at-nothing” behavior can be used to trace retrieval processes. Method In a video-based laboratory experiment with 2 (WM) x 3 (SA level) within-subjects design, participants ( N = 33) viewed a reduced screen and evaluated auditory statements relating to different SA levels on previously seen dynamic traffic scenarios while eye movements were recorded. Results When retrieving information, subjects more frequently fixated emptied spatial locations associated with the information relevant for the probed SA level. The retrieval of anticipations (SA level 3) in contrast to the other SA level information resulted in more frequent gaze transitions that corresponded to the spatial dynamics of future driving behavior. Conclusion The results support the idea that people build a visual-spatial mental image of a driving situation. Different gaze patterns when retrieving level-specific information indicate divergent retrieval processes. Application Potential applications include developing new methodologies to assess the mental representation and SA of drivers objectively.
Trichomonas vaginalis infection in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Feleke Daniel Getacher , Yemanebrhane Nebiyou 
Published: January 2022

Background An estimated 30 million new cases of Trichomonas vaginalis are recorded annually in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, there is no study that systematically compiled the burden of T. vaginalis. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of T. vaginalis in Ethiopia. Methods Electronic databases such as PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Science Direct, Scopus, HINARI, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched, and studies with high-quality Newcastle Ottawa Scale scores were included. Analyses were performed using STATA version 14 software, and heterogeneity of studies was assessed using the Cochrane’s Q test statistics and I2 test statistics. Sub-group, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were performed. Results Ten eligible studies consisting of 2979 study participants were included. The overall pooled prevalence of T. vaginalis infections in Ethiopia was 9.62%. Sub-group analysis showed that the overall pooled prevalence of T. vaginalis infections in pregnant women and other study groups was 6.68% and 12.86%, respectively. Publication bias was detected by funnel plots and Egger’s tests. Conclusions This study showed that the overall pooled prevalence of T. vaginalis infections was relatively high. This study should trigger policy makers, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and healthcare providers to give attention for prevention and control of T. vaginalis infection.
Development of a Longitudinal Dataset of Persons With Dementia and Their Caregivers Through End-of-Life: A Statistical Analysis System Algorithm for Joining National Health and Aging Trends Study/National Study of Caregiving
Authors: Sullivan Suzanne S. , Li Chin-Shang , de Rosa Cristina , Chang Yu-Ping 
Published: January 2022

Background: Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) are terminal conditions impacting families and caregivers, particularly at end-of-life. Longitudinal, secondary data analyses present opportunities for insight into dementia caregiving and decision-making over time; however, joining complex datasets and preparing them for analysis poses many challenges. Objectives: To describe an approach to linking national survey data of older adults with their primary caregivers to build a prospective, longitudinal dataset, and to share the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) coding statement algorithms with other researchers. Methods: The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) are joined using a series of algorithms based on conceptual and operational definitions of dementia, primary caregivers, and the occurrence of death. A series of SAS algorithms resulting in the final longitudinal dataset was created. Results: NHATS/NSOC participants were linked using three preliminary data files (n = 12 427) and one final data join (n = 3305) over nine rounds of data collection. Presence of dementia was defined based on the indicator in the year preceding the last month-of-life (LML) interview. Primary caregivers were defined as the person providing the most frequent care over time. Additional flag variables (LML interview, dementia classification, and cohort (2011 vs 2015)) were created. The SAS algorithms are presented herein. Discussion: The SAS coding statement algorithms provide an opportunity to conduct longitudinal analysis of care for both members of the dyad in the context of dementia and end-of-life. Future research using the proposed dataset can further explore care and caregiving in these populations.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Utilization of the Inpatient Hospice Services (General Inpatient Hospice)
Authors: Sarkar Arunima , Parulekar Manisha , Sanders Angeline 
Published: January 2022

Background: Our institution has been offering the General inpatient hospice (GIP) services within the premises of our hospital since 2013. Our previous data had suggested increased acceptance of hospice and GIP care with this model. We wanted to study the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, on utilization of Hospice with this model of care. Objectives: Compare utilization of GIP at HUMC during the first COVID-19 surge, (3/1/2020–6/30/2020) to pre-COVID period (11/1/2019–2/29/2020). Methods: Using a retrospective chart review was done for GIP admissions from 11/2019 to 6/2020 at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), an academic hospital in New Jersey which was approved by HUMC institutional review board. Data was collected for demographics and comorbidities. Descriptive statistics were reported. Results: The primary findings show increased hospice referrals during the study period (3.02%) compared to the pre-covid time period (2.63%), P = .0592. Furthermore, GIP admissions increased from 122/13 440 (.91%) in the pre-covid period to 146/11 480 (1.27%) during covid, P = .0055. There were 54 patients admitted to GIP with COVID-19. Descriptive statistics showed male and female distribution was almost equal (53.70% vs. 46.30%), and mean age of 82 years. In GIP patients with COVID-19, majority patients were white patients, (66.67%) age group of 76–95 years old and had < 3 comorbidities (85.19%), about half were with hypertension, next chronic condition was diabetes. Conclusions: COVID-19 outbreak increased both hospice referral and admission in our model of care. Availability of GIP in the hospital setting may help acceptance and facilitation of these essential end-of-life care services.
Can pharmacotherapeutic follow-up after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation improve medication compliance?
Authors: Zanetti Maria Olívia Barboza , Rodrigues João Paulo Vilela , Varallo Fabiana Rossi , Cunha Renato Luiz Guerrino , Simões Belinda Pinto , Pereira Leonardo Régis Leira 
Published: January 2022

Background Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (allo-HSCT) is currently one of the most effective therapies in onco-hematology. For the treatment of the disease and prevention of such complications, a complex pharmacotherapeutic regimen is employed. Non-compliance is prevalent among adolescents and young adults with chronic hematological diseases, being reported by up to 50% of the patients. Objective To evaluate the results of pharmacotherapeutic follow-up on medication compliance and on the knowledge about pharmacotherapy of patients who underwent allo-HSCT. Methods A single-arm, open-label and non-randomized intervention study developed in an allo-HSCT outpatient clinic. The participants attended pharmaceutical consultations and had their knowledge about pharmacotherapy and medication compliance measured by MedTake and Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ), respectively. Results A total of 27 patients attended pharmaceutical consultations (4.81 consultations/patient; SD = 1.80). There was an improvement in medication compliance and in knowledge between the first and last consultations (p < 0.05). In the final consultation, 70.37% of the patients showed compliance, with a knowledge rate of 98.35% (SD = 3.63). Non-compliant individuals presented a greater tendency to hospital readmissions. There was no relationship between medication compliance and sociodemographic variables, graft-versus-host disease, and knowledge about pharmacotherapy. Conclusions Pharmacotherapeutic follow-up contributed to improving medication compliance. Knowledge about pharmacotherapy alone does not translate into behaviors, which corroborates the complexity of the biopsychosocial factors associated with medication compliance.
Healthcare Waste Management Practices and Associated Factors in Private Clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Wassie Berhanu , Gintamo Binyam , Mekuria Zelalem Negash , Gizaw Zemichael 
Published: January 2022

Background: Healthcare waste management requires special attention and every healthcare teams should be involved in handling of wastes at point of generation. However, less attention is given to healthcare waste management in Ethiopia and there is no evidence about healthcare waste management practices in private clinics in Addis Ababa. Accordingly, this study was conducted to assess healthcare waste management practices and associated factors in private clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 278 randomly selected private clinics in Addis Ababa. Data were collected using questionnaire and observational checklists. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with healthcare waste management practices on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and P-values <.05. Result: Results showed that 61.2% of the surveyed clinics had poor healthcare waste management practices, out of which, 56.8% had poor waste segregation practice, 55.0% had poor waste collection practice, 85.6% had poor waste transportation practice, 63.3% had poor waste storage practice, 61.9% had poor waste treatment, and 57.9% had poor disposal system. Healthcare waste management practice in the surveyed clinics was significantly associated with presence of guidelines (AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.69), budget allocation (AOR: 2.05, 95%, CI: 1.20, 3.49), and inspection by the regulatory bodies (AOR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.26, 4.84). Conclusion: Healthcare waste management practice was poor in the surveyed clinics. This suggests that the healthcare industries in the studied region may create health treats to healthcare workers, waste handlers, patients, the community, and the environment at large. The following key elements are needed to improve healthcare waste management practices in private clinics: promoting practices that reduce the volume of waste generated and ensure proper waste segregation; developing strategies and systems, as well as strong oversight and regulation, to incrementally improve waste segregation, destruction, and disposal practices with the ultimate goal of meeting national and international standards; and selecting safe and environmentally-friendly management options, to protect people from hazards when collecting, handling, storing, transporting, treating or disposing of waste.
Can urethral re-bulking improve the outcomes of a prior urethral bulking?
Authors: Giammò Alessandro , Ammirati Enrico , Geretto Paolo , Manassero Alberto , Squintone Luisella , Falcone Marco , Del Popolo Giulio , Pistolesi Donatella , Risi Oreste , Costantini Elisabetta , Giannantoni Antonella , Mancini Vito , Li Marzi Vincenzo , Agrò Enrico Finazzi , Pastorello Mauro , Musco Stefania , Gontero Paolo 
Published: January 2022

Aims: To analyze the outcomes of urethral re-bulking in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. Materials and Methods: We performed a multicenter observational retrospective study, which included all consecutive patients treated with urethral re-bulking for the treatment of persistent stress or mixed urinary incontinence after a previous urethral bulking. Objective outcomes were evaluated with the 24 h pad-test, while PGI-I questionnaires were administered to evaluate subjective outcomes. Clinical outcomes were assessed before re-bulking procedure and at last follow-up. Mann–Whitney’s U test was used for subgroup analysis. Shapiro-Wilk’s tests were used as normality tests. Results: In total, 62 patients who underwent urethral re-bulking between 2013 and 2020 in a multicenter setting were included. Most patients did not reach complete continence after the first procedure (n = 56) while the remainder reported recurrence of urinary incontinence after initial benefit. Median age at surgery was 66 (IQR: 55-73). Median overall follow-up was 30 months (IQR: 24-41). Median time occurred between the first procedure and reintervention was 12 months (IQR: 7-27). Bulking agents for the re-bulking procedures were bulkamid(n = 56), macroplastique(n = 4), and Prolastic(n = 2). A statistically significant reduction of median 24 h pad test from 100 g(IQR: 40-200) to 35 g(IQR: 0-120) was observed (p = 0.003). Dry rate after rebulking was 36.6%, while 85.4% patients declared themselves ‘very much improved’ or ‘much improved’ (PGI-I 1-2). Very few low-grade complications were observed (n = 4). A single case of major complication occurred. Conclusions: Urethral re-bulking can be an effective technique for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence refractory to a previous urethral bulking and can determine a cumulative benefit after the first procedure.
Evaluating an Inpatient Created Art Installation on Perceptions of the Physical Environment, Health Status, and Rehabilitation Motivation
Authors: Lakhani Ali , Waters Dan , Dema Salvatore 
Published: January 2022

Objectives: A methodology to assess the impact of involving end users in therapeutic activities to address the hospital physical environment is provided. The impact of participating in a recreational art creation program with the aim of developing an art installation on the immediate feelings of participants and their perception of the physical rehabilitation environment (PPRE) and motivation to participate in rehabilitation (MPR) is investigated. Background: Rehabilitation unit design has largely excluded the perspectives of end users with disability. Including their aesthetic design contributions moves beyond contemporary approaches where their perspectives are considered. Methods: A two-period, mixed-methods pre–post intervention design involving within and between group comparisons is proposed. During Period 1, program participants and nonparticipants completed admission (T1) and discharge (T2) surveys including PPRE and MPR measures developed by the authors. Surveys pre and post each art session were completed. The art installation will be implemented within unit corridors. Period 2 participants will complete a T1 survey and their physical environment perceptions compared to Period 1 participants. Results: Participating in the recreational art program significantly improved immediate levels of calmness, happiness, pain, and physical health. There is a positive relationship between environment perception and rehabilitation motivation. Conclusions: People with disability should be actively involved in healthcare environment design. Arts-based programs have relevance to people with neurological injury as it promotes essential sensory stimulation. The methodology and findings can encourage further work which involves end users in the design of healthcare environments and evaluates the impact of their involvement.
Revascularization or medical therapy for stable coronary artery disease patients with different degrees of ischemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of myocardial perfusion
Authors: Yong JingWen , Tian JinFan , Zhao Xin , Yang XueYao , Zhang MingDuo , Zhou Yuan , He Yi , Song XianTao 
Published: January 2022

Objective: This study explored the best treatment strategies for stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) patients with differing levels of ischemic severity. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases – searching for relevant articles through 4 February 2021. We selected studies comparing different treatments for patients with SCAD who had received ischemia assessments. The primary outcome was death. The secondary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and myocardial infarction (MI). Results: A total of 11 studies, including 35,607 subjects, were selected for this meta-analysis. Results showed that, compared with medical therapy, revascularization could reduce MACE incidence (odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57–0.94, p < 0.05) in SCAD patients with myocardial ischemia, but that it was not effective for patients without ischemia. For mild ischemia, the incidence of death (OR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.59–1.01, p = 0.063), MACE (OR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.48–1.70, p = 0.762), or MI (OR 1.44, 95% CI: 0.94–2.19, p = 0.093) was the same whether they were treated with revascularization or medical therapy. For moderate to severe ischemia, revascularization reduced the incidence of MACE (OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42–0.83, p < 0.05) and MI (OR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.71–0.98, p < 0.05), but the incidence of death (OR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.47–1.12, p = .145) was similar. For SCAD patients with severe ischemia, revascularization may confer survival benefits (OR 0.46, 95% CI: 0.21–1.00, p = 0.05). Conclusion: For SCAD patients with moderate to severe ischemia, revascularization reduces the MACE and MI incidences, but does not change the incidence of death. Evaluation for myocardial ischemia is vital when selecting a therapeutic strategy.
Garcinia kola treatment exhibits immunomodulatory properties while not affecting type 1 diabetes development in an experimental mouse model
Authors: Cetkovic-Cvrlje Marina , Rogan Shana , Barbaro Emily 
Published: January 2022

Objective T cells orchestrate an inflammatory response that destroys pancreatic insulin-producing β cells during the development of autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D). Garcinia kola Heckel (GK) is a plant widely exploited in West African traditional medicine. Some of the therapeutic effects of GK nut’s extract (GKE) have been suggested to be due to its anti-inflammatory potential. Since GKE has never been investigated in a T1D experimental model, nor in the T cells’ context, we aimed to determine whether GKE exhibits antidiabetic properties and affects T cells by its anticipated anti-inflammatory action. Methods The effect of aqueous GKE (aGKE) ingestion, 100 mg/kg daily by drinking water over the period of 6 weeks, has been tested in a low-dose streptozotocin-induced (LDSTZ) mouse model of autoimmune T1D. T cells were studied in vitro and in vivo in mice treated by aGKE. Results The results showed that aGKE treatment, which started a week before induction of disease, neither delayed the development of T1D, nor reduced glycemia severity. Interestingly, aGKE treatment did affect T cells and their function, significantly decreasing the frequency of helper (TH) and cytotoxic (TC) T cells, while elevating the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-γ, and suppressing IL-2. Conclusion In conclusion, our results did not confirm the antidiabetic property of GKE, while suggesting its therapeutic exploration in TH2-dependent pathologies that benefit from an aggravated TH1 response, such as allergies.
Dysregulation of let-7c-5p/Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 axis indicates an unfavorable outcome in gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Lan , Zou Jing , Zhang Jing 
Published: January 2022

Introduction Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) can repair oxidative damage-caused 3′-phosphoglycolates and promote cancer progression. However, the clinical significance of TDP1 and its correlation with microRNAs (miRNAs) in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. Methods The relationship of TDP1 or let-7c-5p with the clinical outcomes of GC was determined by a tissue microarray and TCGA dataset. Cell viability and invasion were assessed by MTT and Transwell assays. Pearson correlation analysis, luciferase gene report, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analyses were used to analyze the interaction between TDP1 and let-7c-5p in GC tissues and cells. Results We found that TDP1 expression was elevated in GC tissues and associated with the dysregulation of let-7c-5p. Knockdown of TDP1 inhibited GC cell proliferation and invasion. let-7c-5p could be found to bind with TDP1, reduce its expression levels, and represent a predictive marker in GC. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that dysregulation of let-7c-5p/TDP1 axis could predict a poor prognosis in GC.