bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of traditional Chinese medicine collaborative model (TCMCM) combined with adjuvant chemotherapy on IIIb and IIIc gastric cancer: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Zhaoyan , Zhang Guangtao , Cao Nida , Xu Jingjuan , Dong Jiahuan , Li Jia , Zhu Xiaohong , Xu Yan , Han Chen , Wang Rui , Xia Xiang , Zhao Gang , Huan Xiangkun , Fan Jin , Zhao Aiguang 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Metastasis and/or recurrence can decrease the survival time of gastric cancer patients undergoing radical operation. Among them, those with stage IIIb and IIIc are especially at a high risk of metastasis and recurrence. The traditional Chinese medicine collaborative model (TCMCM) has been used in the treatment of cancer; however, its effects have not been systematically evaluated. This study is designed to evaluate whether TCMCM can decrease adverse effects after chemotherapy and reduce the recurrence and metastasis of stage IIIb and IIIc gastric cancer.

Methods/design
This prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial will recruit 260 patients with stage IIIb and IIIc gastric cancer who undergo radical surgery for D2 lymphadenectomy. The patients will be randomly assigned to receive usual adjuvant chemotherapy and TCMCM (intervention group) in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the intervention group will receive an oral traditional Chinese formula, auricular acupressure, and acupoint therapy. All participants will receive usual adjuvant chemotherapy. The primary outcome is a 3-year disease-free survival rate. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, side effects caused by chemotherapy, and safety-related measures. Assessments will be performed during the screening period, at 4 and 8 cycles after adjuvant chemotherapy, and 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after randomization. Adverse events will be recorded. In addition, biological samples will be collected for mechanism analysis.

Discussion
This will be the first clinical trial to evaluate the effects of TCMCM on disease-free survival (DFS) and quality of life in patients with stage IIIb and IIIc gastric cancer. Our results may be used to standardize TCMCM. We will also perform a larger-scale clinical trial in the future.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.govNCT03607656. Registered on 1 July 2018. The final protocol version is V1.1.
Behind every great research project is great data management
Authors: Kanza Samantha , Knight Nicola J. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractResearch data management (RDM) is the cornerstone of a successful research project, and yet it often remains an underappreciated art that gets overlooked in the hustle and bustle of everyday project management even when required by funding bodies. If researchers are to strive for reproducible science that adheres to the principles of FAIR, then they need to manage the data associated with their research projects effectively. It is imperative to plan your RDM strategies early on, and setup your project organisation before embarking on the work. There are several different factors to consider: data management plans, data organisation and storage, publishing and sharing your data, ensuring reproducibility and adhering to data standards. Additionally it is important to reflect upon the ethical implications that might need to be planned for, and adverse issues that may need a mitigation strategy. This short article discusses these different areas, noting some best practices and detailing how to incorporate these strategies into your work. Finally, the article ends with a set of top ten tips for effective research data management.
Effect of intrabronchial administration of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on severe equine asthma
Authors: Adamič Neža , Prpar Mihevc Sonja , Blagus Rok , Kramarič Petra , Krapež Uroš , Majdič Gregor , Viel Laurent , Hoffman Andrew M. , Bienzle Dorothee , Vengust Modest 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundSevere equine asthma (SEA) is a common chronic respiratory disease and a significant health and well-being problem in horses. Current therapeutic strategies improve pulmonary function and clinical signs in some horses, but in the long-term, return to full athletic function appears to be rare. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and the effect of intrabronchial administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) on pulmonary inflammatory and clinical parameters in horses with SEA.MethodsThis was a randomized controlled trial. Twenty adult horses diagnosed with SEA were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10), and treated either with a single intrabronchial application of autologous AD-MSC or oral dexamethasone for three weeks. A targeted clinical examination with determination of clinical score, maximal change in pleural pressure during the breathing cycle, and an endoscopic examination of the airways were performed at baseline and three weeks after treatment. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was analyzed cytologically, and IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, IL-17, TNFα and IFNγ mRNA and protein concentrations were measured at baseline and three weeks. The horses were then monitored over one year for recurrence of SEA. A non-inferiority analysis and a linear mixed-effects model were performed to assess differences between treatments.ResultsThe non-inferiority of AD-MSC treatment was not established. However, AD-MSC administration significantly ameliorated the clinical score (P = 0.01), decreased the expression of IL-17 mRNA (P = 0.05) and IL-1β (P ≤ 0.001), IL-4 (P ≤ 0.001), TNFα (P = 0.02) protein levels, and had a positive long-term effect on SEA-associated clinical signs (P = 0.02).ConclusionsIntrabronchial administration of AD-MSC had limited short-term anti-inflammatory effects but improved the clinical signs of SEA at one year.
Toward UAV-based communication: improving throughput by optimum trajectory and power allocation
Authors: Nasrollahi Sedighe , Mirrezaei Seyed Masoud 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIt is predicted that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in communication systems will be more extensive in future generations of wireless telecommunication networks, due to their facilitating advantages. In this paper, a UAV-based wireless communication system is considered in which a UAV is employed as a relay to connect two ground users. These two disconnected users make a communication pair. Our aim is to maximize the minimum achievable information rate for the communication link between the transmitter and receiver, by cooperatively optimizing UAV trajectory and transmitter and source power allocation. Motivated by the above, we formulate the optimization problem. The solving process is complicated because of the non-convexity of the formulated problem. To overcome this difficulty, we convert the main problem to some sub-problems by fixing some constraints and solving them with iterative algorithms such as successive convex optimization and reaching the solution for the main problem. Simulation results show the capability of the proposed algorithm.
On the improvement of Fickett’s theorem on bounded sets
Authors: Jung Soon-Mo , Roh Jaiok , Yang Dae-Jeong 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFickett proved the stability of isometries on bounded subsets of $\mathbb{R}^{n}$

R
n

for $n \ge 2$
n
≥
2
. Jung then improved Fickett’s theorem for $n \ge 3$
n
≥
3
. In this paper, we improve Fickett’s theorem for $n = 2$
n
=
2
and improve Jung’s result for $n = 3$
n
=
3
, by employing a fundamental analytic method, as it can be used to explain mathematically many practical engineering problems.
Changes of health related quality of life during pregnancy based on pregnancy context: a prospective study
Authors: Kazemi Ashraf , Dadkhah Aazam , Torabi Fatemeh 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
The significance of planned pregnancy is an accepted principle for improving the health of pregnant women; and quality of life, as one of the important indicators of women’s health, is reduced in high-risk pregnancies. The aim of this research was to investigate the changes in the health related quality of life (HRQL) in low risk pregnancies in different groups based on pregnancy context.

Methods
The present study was a prospective study conducted on 250 pregnant women divided into three groups of women with planned pregnancy, unplanned/wanted pregnancy and unwanted pregnancy. Then, using WHOQOL-26 questionnaire, the quality of life of these women was measured in physical, psychological, social and environmental dimensions at the beginning of pregnancy as well as at the end of the first, second and third trimesters.

Results
Based on the results, the mean score of environmental-HRQL in women with unwanted pregnancy was significantly lower than the other two groups. All dimensions on HRQL were influenced by time and group. However, changes in the physical, psychological and social dimensions of HRQL varied within the groups. Physical- HRQL changes were different within the groups. The intergroup effect on environmental dimension of quality of life changes was significant.

Conclusions
It was observed in this study that HRQL in the women with unwanted pregnancy was lower than the women with planned pregnancy and those with unplanned /wanted pregnancy. Moreover, increase in gestational age would lower quality of life, but this decline had a similar pattern in different groups.
Evaluating agripreneurs’ satisfaction: exploring the effect of demographics and emporographics
Authors: Yoganandan G. , Rahman Abdul Aziz Abdul , Vasan M. , Meero Abdelrhman 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis paper attempts to gauge the satisfaction of agripreneurs and seeks to explore the effect of demographics and emporographics on the agripreneurs’ satisfaction. This study proposes a seven-dimension survey instrument, called AprenSAT, for measuring agripreneurs’ satisfaction. Responses from 784 agripreneurs are analyzed by applying exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and multiple linear regression. The extraction of seven factors confirms that agripreneurs’ satisfaction is influenced by material availability, government support, farm growth, farm income, market performance, cultivation & production and perceived farm image. The linear regression result delineates that demographic factors such as age, education level and farming experience significantly influence the agripreneurs’ satisfaction. Similarly, variables of emporographics such as farm age, farm size, annual income, land ownership, sources of funds, and intercropping have a substantial influence on agripreneurs’ satisfaction. We recommend information dissemination, hands-on training, the creation of adequate infrastructure and technology adoption to enhance agripreneurs’ satisfaction and rural development.
The challenge of preventing and containing outbreaks of multidrug-resistant organisms and Candida auris during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: report of a carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak and a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Thoma Reto , Seneghini Marco , Seiffert Salomé N. , Vuichard Gysin Danielle , Scanferla Giulia , Haller Sabine , Flury Domenica , Boggian Katia , Kleger Gian-Reto , Filipovic Miodrag , Nolte Oliver , Schlegel Matthias , Kohler Philipp 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundDespite the adoption of strict infection prevention and control measures, many hospitals have reported outbreaks of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) during the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Following an outbreak of carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumannii(CRAB) in our institution, we sought to systematically analyse characteristics of MDRO outbreaks in times of COVID-19, focussing on contributing factors and specific challenges in controlling these outbreaks.MethodsWe describe results of our own CRAB outbreak investigation and performed a systematic literature review for MDRO (includingCandida auris)outbreaks which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic (between December 2019 and March 2021). Search terms were related to pathogens/resistance mechanisms AND COVID-19. We summarized outbreak characteristics in a narrative synthesis and contrasted contributing factors with implemented control measures.ResultsThe CRAB outbreak occurred in our intensive care units between September and December 2020 and comprised 10 patients (thereof seven with COVID-19) within two distinct genetic clusters (both ST2 carrying OXA-23). Both clusters presumably originated from COVID-19 patients transferred from the Balkans. Including our outbreak, we identified 17 reports, mostly caused byCandida auris(n = 6) or CRAB (n = 5), with an overall patient mortality of 35% (68/193). All outbreaks involved intensive care settings. Non-adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) or hand hygiene (n = 11), PPE shortage (n = 8) and high antibiotic use (n = 8) were most commonly reported as contributing factors, followed by environmental contamination (n = 7), prolonged critical illness (n = 7) and lack of trained HCW (n = 7). Implemented measures mainly focussed on PPE/hand hygiene audits (n = 9), environmental cleaning/disinfection (n = 9) and enhanced patient screening (n = 8). Comparing potentially modifiable risk factors and control measures, we found the largest discrepancies in the areas of PPE shortage (risk factor in 8 studies, addressed in 2 studies) and patient overcrowding (risk factor in 5 studies, addressed in 0 studies).ConclusionsReported MDRO outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic were most often caused by CRAB (including our outbreak) andC. auris.Inadequate PPE/hand hygiene adherence, PPE shortage, and high antibiotic use were the most commonly reported potentially modifiable factors contributing to the outbreaks. These findings should be considered for the prevention of MDRO outbreaks during future COVID-19 waves.
Antibiotic-resistance in medically important bacteria isolated from commercial herbal medicines in Africa from 2000 to 2021: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Walusansa Abdul , Asiimwe Savina , Nakavuma Jesca. L. , Ssenku Jamilu. E. , Katuura Esther , Kafeero Hussein. M. , Aruhomukama Dickson , Nabatanzi Alice , Anywar Godwin , Tugume Arthur K. , Kakudidi Esezah K. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Antimicrobial resistance is swiftly increasing all over the world. In Africa, it manifests more in pathogenic bacteria in form of antibiotic resistance (ABR). On this continent, bacterial contamination of commonly used herbal medicine (HM) is on the increase, but information about antimicrobial resistance in these contaminants is limited due to fragmented studies. Here, we analyzed research that characterized ABR in pathogenic bacteria isolated from HM in Africa since 2000; to generate a comprehensive understanding of the drug-resistant bacterial contamination burden in this region.

Methods
The study was conducted according to standards of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). We searched for articles from 12 databases. These were: PubMed, Science Direct, Scifinder scholar, Google scholar, HerbMed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau Abstracts, African Journal Online, and Biological Abstracts. Prevalence and ABR traits of bacterial isolates, Cochran’s Q test, and the I2 statistic for heterogeneity were evaluated using MedCalcs software. A random-effects model was used to determine the pooled prevalence of ABR traits. The potential sources of heterogeneity were examined through sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression at a 95% level of significance.

Findings
Eighteen studies met our inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of bacterial resistance to at least one conventional drug was 86.51% (95% CI = 61.247–99.357%). The studies were highly heterogeneous (I2 = 99.17%; p < 0.0001), with no evidence of publication bias. The most prevalent multidrug-resistant species was Escherichia coli (24.0%). The most highly resisted drug was Ceftazidime with a pooled prevalence of 95.10% (95% CI = 78.51–99.87%), while the drug-class was 3rd generation cephalosporins; 91.64% (95% CI = 78.64–96.73%). None of the eligible studies tested isolates for Carbapenem resistance. Extended Spectrum β-lactamase genes were detected in 89 (37.2%) isolates, mostly Salmonella spp., Proteus vulgaris, and K. pneumonia. Resistance plasmids were found in 6 (5.8%) isolates; the heaviest plasmid weighed 23,130 Kilobases, and Proteus vulgaris harbored the majority (n = 5; 83.3%).

Conclusions
Herbal medicines in Africa harbor bacterial contaminants which are highly resistant to conventional medicines. This points to a potential treatment failure when these contaminants are involved in diseases causation. More research on this subject is recommended, to fill the evidence gaps and support the formation of collaborative quality control mechanisms for the herbal medicine industry in Africa.
Preliminary evidence that lectins in infant soy formula apparently bind bovine milk exosomes and prevent their absorption in healthy adults
Authors: Mutai Ezra , Ngu Alice Kah Hui , Zempleni Janos 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Milk exosomes and their microRNA (miR) cargos are bioavailable. The content of exosomes and miRs is negligible in infant formulas compared to human milk, and dietary depletion of exosomes led to changes in bacterial communities and impaired gut health in juvenile mice. Adverse effects of formula feeding may be compounded by using soy formulas due to exosome binding by abundant lectins in that matrix. The purpose of this study was to assess the bioavailability of milk exosomes and their miR cargos added to soy formula in adults, as well as the potential role of soy lectins in exosome bioavailability.

Methods
Eleven healthy adults (6 men, 5 women) enrolled in this randomized crossover study. Participants consumed 1.0 l of soy formula without (SF) or with (SFE) bovine milk exosomes added. Concentration-time curves of six plasma miRs were analyzed using reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Lectin affinity chromatography was used to assess the binding of exosomes by soy lectins. Data were analyzed by using paired t test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results
Consumption of SF and SFE did not elicit postprandial increases in plasma miRs. Approximately 39% of bovine milk exosome particles were retained by lectin columns.

Conclusions
We conclude that fortification of soy formulas with milk exosomes, in the absence of removing lectins, is not a viable strategy for delivering bioavailable exosomes and their miR cargos. Lectins in soy formulas bind glycoprotein on the surfaces of milk exosomes, thereby preventing exosome absorption.

Trial registration
ISRCTN registry ID: 16329971. Retrospectively registered on February 7th, 2019.
Health Literacy and Clinical Outcomes Following Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation
Authors: Bezler Natalie S. , Ilowite Maya , London Wendy B. , Pei-Chi Kao , Joffe Steven , Mack Jennifer W. 
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE: To test associations between health literacy and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: English- and Spanish-speaking patients age ≥ 18 years were recruited while admitted for first allogeneic HSCT. Associations between low health literacy (Newest Vital Sign ≤ 3 or Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults ≤ 22) and HSCT outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight percent of 177 participants had low health literacy by Newest Vital Sign. None had low health literacy by Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. There was no statistically significant difference between patients with low and adequate health literacy in hospital readmissions (60% v 54%, P = .4), 2-year overall survival (58% v 66%, P = .19), 2-year cumulative incidence of nonrelapse death (16% v 10%, P = .35), and acute graft-versus-host disease (53% v 44%, P = .3). In multivariable analyses, there were no significant associations between health literacy and clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of patients undergoing HSCT, we did not identify a relationship between health literacy and clinical outcomes. Although we did not find statistically significant associations between health literacy and HSCT outcomes, interventions to address health literacy should be considered, given complex outpatient care and evidence for adverse outcomes associated with health literacy in similar diseases.
Association of Organizational Context, Collaborative Practice Models, and Burnout Among Physician Assistants in Oncology
Authors: Tetzlaff Eric D. , Hylton Heather M. , Ruth Karen J. , Hasse Zachary , Hall Michael J. 
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE: Despite an increase in the number of physician assistants (PAs) in the oncology workforce, their potential to meet anticipated demand for oncology services may be hindered by high rates of burnout. The aim of this study was to examine the association between organizational context (OC) and burnout among oncology PAs to better understand factors associated with burnout. METHODS: A national survey of oncology PAs was conducted to explore relationships between burnout and the OC in which the PA practiced. The Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS) assessed OC by examining six key workplace qualities (workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and values). Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. RESULTS: PAs demonstrating burnout scored significantly lower across all domains of the AWS than those without burnout ( P < .001 for each AWS subscale). The median score for each domain of the AWS and burnout (No v Yes) were as follows: workload (3.33 v 2.67), control (3.67 v 3.00), reward (4.00 v 3.67), community (4.00 v 3.67), fairness (3.33 v 2.67), and values (4.00 v 3.33). Multivariable analysis found that mismatches between the PA and their work environment in workload (odds ratio [OR] = 1.99; 95% CI, 1.32 to 3.02; P = .001), reward (OR = 1.89, 95% CI, 1.18 to 3.02; P = .008), and values (OR = 2.25; 95% CI, 1.31 to 3.88; P = .003) were more likely to report burnout. Differences in burnout in the context of workload were not explained by patient volume, practice structure, or professional autonomy. CONCLUSION: Workload, reward, and values were associated with greater odds of burnout, with workload being the most common mismatch in job fit. Sustainable workloads and consistency in rewards (financial, institutional, and social) for oncology PAs should be an employer's focus to help mitigate their risk of burnout.
Selfsimilar stochastic differential equations
Authors: Eliazar Iddo 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Diffusion in a logarithmic potential (DLP) attracted significant interest in physics recently. The dynamics of DLP are governed by a Langevin stochastic differential equation (SDE) whose underpinning potential is logarithmic, and that is driven by Brownian motion. The SDE that governs DLP is a particular case of a selfsimilar SDE: one that is driven by a selfsimilar motion, and that produces a selfsimilar motion. This paper establishes the pivotal role of selfsimilar SDEs via two novel universality results. I) Selfsimilar SDEs emerge universally, on the macro level, when applying scaling limits to micro-level SDEs. II) Selfsimilar SDEs emerge universally when applying the Lamperti transformation to stationary SDEs. Using the universality results, this paper further establishes: a novel statistical-analysis approach to selfsimilar Ito diffusions; and the focal importance of DLP.