bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systemic sclerosis and risk of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Cen Xintao , Feng Sining , Wei Shanshan , Yan Lu , Sun Ledong
Published: November 2020

Background:

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disorder leading to extensive fibrosis and microvascular injury. Macrovascular disease is well documented in other autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the link is unclear between SSc and macrovascular disease, particularly atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between SSc and CVD.

Methods:

A thorough literature search was conducted in the Cochrane, Embase, Medline, and PubMed to identify all cohort studies comparing the risk of CVD with and without SSc. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of cardiovascular end points were calculated. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

Results:

Seven cohort studies with a total of 14,813 study participants were included. In a comparison of SSc patients versus non-SSc controls, the pooled HR for cardiovascular disease was 2.36 (95% CI 1.97–2.81); for peripheral vascular disease was 5.27 (95%CI 4.27–6.51); for myocardial infarction was 2.36 (95% CI 1.71–3.25); and for stroke was 1.52 (95% CI 1.18–1.96).

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis revealed that SSc was associated with an increased risk of CVD. Clinicians who manage patients with SSc should be aware of the increased cardiovascular burden and undertake preventive measures.
Effectiveness and safety of 3 different traditional Chinese therapies for asthma in minors
Authors: Yan Shi Fan , Yu Ting , Li Fu Sheng , Huang Yong , Wang Mao Hong
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

Traditional Chinese medicine has been widely used in the treatment of asthma, but currently there has been no comprehensive evaluation on the efficacy and safety of different traditional Chinese medicine therapies, based on network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods and analysis:

The retrieval strategy was strictly followed in the English databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases: CNKI and Wanfang. The retrieval time was limited from the beginning of each database construction to September 12, 2020. Meanwhile, in order to prevent data missing, we compared the previous meta-analysis to determine the final inclusion results. The main indexes were Spirometry, the secondary indexes were Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and adverse events. Methodological quality of articles was assessed using the Cochrane Collaborative tool, and evidence quality was assessed using the Recommended Scoring, Development, and Evaluation tool. Completed The NMA using Stata statistical software (Version 14.0, Stata Corporation, College Station, TX). The Cochrane Collaboration's Tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of articles, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation instrument was used to evaluate the quality of evidence. NMA was completed by using Stata Statistical Software (Version 14.0, Stata Corporation, College Station, TX).

Results:

The study will rank 3 traditional Chinese medicine treatments for asthma.

Conclusion:

This study is the first time to use NMA to compare the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of asthma, which will provide ideas and methods for the clinical treatment for asthma.

INPLASY registration number:

INPLASY202090052
Gancao Xiexin decoction combined with mesalazine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Zhong Chun , Cheng Xiaoming , Jia Bo , Xiong PeiYu , Lu Jinhua , Zhang Peixu , Liu Xinglong , Chen Yunhui
Published: November 2020

Backgroud:

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves the rectum, colon and ileum. Gancao Xiexin decoction (GCXXD) is a classic herbal formula in Shanghanlun. More and more research evidence shows that GCXXD has a certain therapeutic effect on UC. Therefore, we designed this study protocol aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GCXXD combine with mesalazine for UC.

Methods:

We will systematically search 6 databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CNKI, VIP, Wang-fang database up to July 2020 to obtain eligible studies. The primary outcomes will focus on the clinical effectiveness. Review Manager 5.3 software will be used for data analysis.

Results:

This study will provide the systematic evidence of UC treated with GCXXD combine with mesalazine.

Conclusion:

The findings of this meta-analysis will provide evidence to judge whether GCXXD combine with mesalazine is a more effective intervention compare to mesalazine only for patient of UC.

INPLASY registration number:

INPLASY202080008.
Comparison of kinesio taping and sham taping in patients with chronic low back pain
Authors: Wang Dongliang , Wang Siqing , Lu Kun , Sun Yongming
Published: November 2020

Background:

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a clinical condition characterized by moderate to severe pain in the lower spine that severely affects the patient's life experience and leads to disability and absenteeism. In the past few years, kinesio tape (KT) have been utilized by physiotherapists as a relatively novel band-aid method to reduce the pain of musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, in this particular study, we intended to search the effects of KT and sham KT on pain, lumbar range of motion, and disability for CLBP.

Methods:

The present study was experimented in a physiotherapy clinic in the Yancheng First People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province. The study design was a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial. Inclusion criteria for the study were the followings: chief complaint pain in the area between 12 ribs and hip creases with or without leg pain; ages ranges from 18 to 65; low back pain lasts <6 weeks; and at any rate medium pain intensity (pain score ≥4). Participants were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 parallel combinations to receive either therapeutic KT or sham KT. Patients were assessed at baseline, at the end of the 12-day intervention, and at 4 weeks of follow-up. The main result measure was pain intensity using a numerical rating scale (NRS), and the secondary outcome measure was lumbar lateral flexion activity, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and adverse effects including allergic reactions or skin problems.

Conclusions:

The results of this study will provide new information about the usefulness of KT as an additional component of a guideline-endorsed physiotherapy program in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Trial registration:

This study protocol was registered in Research Registry (researchregistry6070).
Intraoperative testing of colorectal anastomosis and the incidence of anastomotic leak
Authors: Kryzauskas Marius , Bausys Augustinas , Jakubauskas Matas , Valciukiene Jurate , Makunaite Gabija , Jasiunas Eugenijus , Bausys Rimantas , Poskus Eligijus , Strupas Kestutis , Poskus Tomas
Published: November 2020

Background:

AL remains one of the most threatening complications in colorectal surgery. Significant efforts are put to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of leakage and to create the strategies to prevent it. We aimed to determine whether intraoperative testing of mechanical integrity and perfusion of colorectal anastomosis could reduce the incidence of AL.

Methods:

A systematic review and meta-analysis of papers published before November 2019 on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases and comparing intraoperative testing of the colorectal anastomosis with standard care were conducted. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) were used to assess the association between intraoperative testing and AL.

Results:

A total of 23 studies totaling 7115 patients were included. Pooled analysis revealed intraoperative tests, for integrity (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34–0.82, P < .001) and perfusion (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.22–0.752, P < .001) of the lower gastrointestinal tract anastomoses are associated with significantly lower AL rate.

Conclusions:

Intraoperative testing for either integrity or perfusion of anastomoses both reduce the AL rate. Studies looking at the combination of these two testing methods of anastomosis, especially intraoperative endoscopy, and indocyanine green fluorescence angiography may be very promising to further reduction of the AL.
Effects of progressive muscle relaxation training on negative emotions and sleep quality in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Xiao Chun-Xiu , Lin Yan-Juan , Lin Ren-Qin , Liu An-Na , Zhong Gui-Qin , Lan Cai-Feng
Published: November 2020

This study investigates the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on negative mood and sleep quality in Coronavirus Pneumonia (COVID-19) patients.

COVID-19 is an emerging infectious disease, and there is still uncertainty about when the outbreak will be contained and the effectiveness of treatments. Considering that this disease is highly contagious, patients need to be treated in isolation. This may lead to psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression, and even sleep problems.

This study is a clinical observation study.

Participants included 79 COVID-19 patients admitted to a designated hospital for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan from February to March, 2020. Patients were selected and assigned to the control group and the observation group according to their wishes, with 40 and 39 cases in each group, respectively. The control group received routine treatment and nursing, and the observation group received progressive muscle relaxation training, in addition to the routine treatment and nursing. We compared scores of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PSQI), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) before and after the intervention.

There was no significant difference in PSQI, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores between the control group and the observation group before the intervention (P > .05). After the intervention, the difference in scores of PSQI, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 in the 2 groups were statistically significant (P < .05).

Progressive muscle relaxation training can significantly reduce anxiety and depression and improve sleep quality in COVID-19 patients during isolation treatment.

Progressive muscle relaxation training was shown to improve the treatment effect of patients and is worthy of clinical promotion.
Supportive psychological intervention on psychological disorders in clinical medicine students with English Learning Difficulties
Authors: Wen Hong-li , Feng Chen , Zhang Shu-ling , Li Xiao-wei
Published: November 2020

Background:

This study aims to examine the effect of supportive psychological intervention (SPI) on psychological disorders (PD) in clinical medicine students (CMS) with English Learning Difficulties (ELD).

Methods:

We will perform a comprehensive literature search from the following databases: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All databases will be performed from their inception to the present without language limitation by 2 independent reviewers. We will also look for grey literature, such as conference proceedings, dissertations or theses. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale will be used to assess study quality, and RevMan 5.3 software will be applied to carry out statistical analysis.

Results:

This study will summarize the most recent evidence to assess the effect of SPI on PD in CMS with ELD.

Conclusion:

This study may provide helpful evidence of SPI on PD in CMS with ELD.

OSF registration number:

osf.io/tah2s.
Thyroid dysfunction and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Liu Tongtong , Guan Yingjie , Li Juan , Mao Huimin , Zhan Yongli
Published: November 2020

Background:

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies have found that hypothyroidism can significantly increase cardiovascular risk. Meanwhile, hypothyroidism is a common complication of CKD, but the correlation between hypothyroidism and cardiovascular risk in CKD patients has not been verified and paid enough attention. We therefore plan to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore whether hypothyroidism was independently predictive for the cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD.

Methods:

We will search in PubMed, Embase Database, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine Database (CBM), and Wanfang Database, and include the cross-sectional studies, case--control studies, and cohort studies that explore the association between hypothyroidism and cardiovascular risk in CKD patients. According to the eligibility criteria, two researchers will independently screen the retrieved literature, evaluate the methodological quality, and extract data. We will combine the extracted data based on STATA and TSA software.

Results:

This systematic review will assess the association between hypothyroidism and cardiovascular risk in CKD patients based on the incidence of cardiovascular events in CKD people with hypothyroidism.

Conclusions:

This study will provide more evidence for the correlation between hypothyroidism and cardiovascular risk in CKD patients, which will contribute to the management and clinical practice of CKD population.

Ethics and dissemination:

This protocol is based on available literatures so that the ethical approval and informed consent are not applicable. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journals or relevant conferences.

Protocol registration number:

INPLASY2020100022.
Efficacy and safety of warm needle treatment for scapulohumeral periarthritis
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Hai Xinghua , Jiang Dongli , Yin Lianjun , Li Huanan , Wang Qi , Liu Fang , Xu Guoqiang , Sun Qing
Published: November 2020

Background:

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of warm needle acupuncture (WNA) treatment for Scapulohumeral periarthritis.

Methods:

Relevant randomized controlled trials will be searched from the databases of Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Database, CBM and VIP Database from their inception to September 2021. The primary outcomes are effective rate, visual analog scale score. The secondary outcomes are Constant-Murley score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores, adverse events. Two reviewers will independently select studies, collect data, and assess the methodology quality by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The Stata 14.0 will be used for meta-analysis.

Results:

This study is ongoing and will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

Conclusion:

This study will provide an assessment of the current state of WNA for the scapulohumeral periarthritis, aiming to show the efficacy and safety of WNA treatment.

Ethics and dissemination:

There is no requirement of ethical approval and informed consent, and it will be in print or published by electronic copies.

Registration:

INPLASY2020100049
Postauricular injection glucocorticoid in the treatment of sudden hearing loss
Authors: Liang Jiao , Xie Hui , Chiang Han-Jen , Li Sha , Liu Zhiqing , Li Jiongke , Zeng Chenyi
Published: November 2020

Background:

Sudden hearing loss is an emergency health problem in the Department of Otolaryngology that must be treated in a timely manner, or may cause lifelong regrets. The application of postauricular injection of glucocorticoid is a popular treatment to recover patients hearing level in recent years. However, the effectiveness and safety of postauricular injection of glucocorticoid needs to be assessed systematically.

Methods and analysis:

The purpose of the study is to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness and safety of postauricular injection of glucocorticoid to treat patient diagnosed with sudden hearing loss. We will search the following databases from the date of publication to July 1, 2020: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang databases, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), the Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP) and the Chinese Cochrane Centre's Clinical Trial Registry Platform. Observational studies regarding the association between postauricular injection of glucocorticoid and sudden hearing loss were written in English and Chinese were included. RevManV.5.3 software will be used for meta-analysis. According to the heterogeneity of the research results, fixed effects model, random effects model, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and others will be used. Ethics approval was not required for this protocol. The findings will be disseminated through journal articles and conference presentations.

Results:

Objectively, evaluate the efficacy and safety of postauricular injection of glucocorticoid for sudden hearing loss.

Conclusion:

To provide evidence-based medicine for glucocorticoid treatment methods in patients with sudden hearing loss.

OSF registration number:

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/N5RV3.
A comparison of the effects of acupoint injection combined with hyaluronic acid versus isolated hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhou Xing , Xiang Kemeng , Yuan Xiangyao , Wang Zhenping , Li Kuanglin
Published: November 2020

Background:

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a kind of degenerative osteoarthropathy, which causes joint pain and limited mobility, seriously affects the quality of life of the patient. Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture and moxibustion has been widely used to treat KOA, and acupoint injection is 1 of the acupuncture treatment methods. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of Acupoint injection combined with Hyaluronic Acid injection compared with isolated Hyaluronic Acid injection for KOA.

Methods:

We will search articles in 7 electronic databases including Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, Chinese databases SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. All the publications, with no time restrictions, will be searched without any restriction of language and status, the time from the establishment of the database to October 2020. Two reviewers will independently assess the quality of the selected studies, NoteExpress and Excel software will be used to extract data, and the content will be stored in an electronic chart. Different researchers will separately screen the titles and abstracts of records acquired potential eligibility which comes from the electronic databases. Full-text screening and data extraction will be conducted afterward independently. Statistical analysis will be conducted using RevMan 5.4 software.

Results:

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of Acupoint injection combined with Hyaluronic Acid injection compared with isolated Hyaluronic Acid injection in the treatment of KOA, to provide high-quality, evidence-based clinical recommendations.

Trial registration number:

INPLASY2020100058

Conclusion:

This study will provide reliable evidence on whether Acupoint injection combined with Hyaluronic Acid injection compared with isolated Hyaluronic Acid injection is more effective in treating KOA.
Simultaneous renal clear cell carcinoma and primary clear cell carcinoma of the liver
Authors: Jiang Hua , Zhao Shanchao , Li Ganhong
Published: November 2020

Rationale:

Double primary clear cell carcinomas of the liver (PCCCL) and kidney are extremely rare; moreover, there have been no reported cases of adrenal metastasis from primary clear cell tumors of the liver.

Patient concerns:

A 47-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with space-occupying lesions in the left kidney and liver during a regular medical examination.

Diagnoses:

The tumors in the kidney and liver were diagnosed as primary clear cell carcinoma by histopathological examination.

Interventions:

The patient subsequently underwent nephron-sparing surgery of the left kidney and radical partial excision of the right liver lobe by laparoscopic surgery. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) was performed for the patient 2 weeks after tumor resection. One month after the operation, the patient started adjuvant therapy with sorafenib (400 mg twice per day orally). However, follow-up CT imaging revealed a solid mass measuring 1.9 × 2.0 × 2.0 cm3 in the right adrenal gland at 2 months postoperatively, and then the patient underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the right adrenal tumor.

Outcomes:

The patient remained cancer free for 2 years following the diagnosis despite early right adrenal metastasis.

Lessons:

Hepatocyte immunostaining is sufficient for the diagnosis of PCCCL.
Acupuncture therapy for treating postherpetic neuralgia
Authors: Yu Jie , Tu Mingqi , Shi Yan , Liu Yingjun , He Xiaofen , Qiu Fanghui , Xu Yunyun , Sun Ruohan , Jiang Yongliang , Fang Jianqiao
Published: November 2020

Background:

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication and sequela of herpes zoster (HZ) that greatly affects the life and emotional experience of patients. Acupuncture therapy has been confirmed as an effective and safe treatment for PHN. Several systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analysis (MAs) have reported the evidence of acupuncture therapy for treating PHN. However, the evidence has not been systematically synthesized. This overview aims to synthesize and assess the reliability of evidence generated from these SRs and MAs of acupuncture therapy for PHN.

Methods:

We will conduct a systematic search of the China Biology Medicine (CBM), VIP database, Wangfang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Excerpt Medical Database (Embase), and Web of Science to identify eligible SRs and MAs, from their inception to October 31, 2020. We will use Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR2) for methodological quality assessment, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) for report quality assessment, Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) for the quality of evidence assessment, and ROBIS for the bias assessment. Our reviewers will conduct systematic reviews, qualification evaluation, data extraction, methodological quality, and evidence quality screening in pairs. The outcomes include pain intensity, Quality of life (QoL), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Global impression, and adverse events. All the extracted data will be provided in tabular form to summarize characteristics of each review. The evidence will be a narrative synthesis of the type and content of the intervention and the results reported.

Results:

The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Conclusions:

This overview will provide comprehensive evidence of acupuncture therapy for patients with PHN.

Ethics and dissemination:

This review will not involve private information of participants, so the ethical approval will not be required. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal or conference presentation. Important protocol modifications will be updated on PROSPERO.

PROSPERO registration number:

CRD42020178738.
Factors associated with the depression among people with disabilities
Authors: Bi Yahong , Zhao Xincai , Zhou Yanyan , Lao Limin , Jiang Sunfang
Published: November 2020

Depression has become a growing health issue in the world and is projected to become a leading cause of global burden. However, there is little scientific research on the factors associated with depression in people with disabilities in China. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to explore the prevalence and related factors of depression among people with disabilities in communities in mainland China.

Participants with disability certificates were recruited via face-to-face interviews to complete questionnaires. Contents include participants’ demographic characteristics, the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), chronic medical history, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

A total of 1815 participants (M age = 60.35 ± 13.66) whose questionnaires are eligible were finally included. Among them the incidence rate of depressive symptoms was up to 39.9%. Multifactor regression analysis showed that grade I disability (odds ratio (OR) = 1.37, P < .05), impairment activities of daily living (OR = 3.23, P < .001), diabetes (OR = 1.43, P < .05), and hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.59, P < .001) were associated with depression in the disabled. However, intelligence disability is a protective factor of depression (OR = 0.69, P < .05).

The data demonstrates that the depression of the disabled should arouse the attention of our society. Furthermore, the interventions to disability degree, impairment activities of daily living, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia may help to improve the mental health of the disabled people.
The influence of social anxiety on interpersonal information processing in a military-life environment
Authors: Yin Qianlan , Dong Wei , Chen Aibin , Song Xiangrui , Hou Tianya , Cai Wenpeng , Deng Guanghui
Published: November 2020

Although social anxiety as a ubiquitous emotion impacting people's social behaviors has aroused much researchers’ interest in exploring its cognitive behavioral model, no previous study has focused on soldiers with different social anxiety within the context of the specific military environment.

To explore the associations between social anxiety and interpersonal information processing concerted on interpretation and judgment, the study may provide an intervention point for soldiers to ameliorate social anxiety and accommodate to the military-life environment.

A self-reported questionnaire and 2 behavioral tasks were conducted in the cross-section study to explore the associations.

Seventy-four soldiers were randomly recruited from a naval base. The Interpersonal Anxiety Scale was used to assess social anxiety of soldiers. Two behavioral tasks were designed to test the characteristics of interpersonal information processing, one for interpretation bias and the other for judgment bias.

This cross-sectional study showed social anxiety had a significant negative correlation with interpretation bias and abidance (as judgment bias), signaling that soldiers with higher levels of social anxiety had a stronger tendency to negative interpretation bias and showed lower abidance. The mediating effect analysis showed the interpretation bias could indirectly affect the soldier's abidance through social anxiety. Notably, none of the interaction effects of social anxiety and social information types were statistically significant; therefore, the level of social anxiety predetermined the abidance of soldiers.

Soldiers’ social anxiety has an influence on processing military-life interpersonal information, and it plays a certain intermediary role in the associations between low abidance and negative interpretation bias. The stronger negative interpretation bias than positive bias of soldiers, the higher social anxiety they could show with the less possibility to abide, which might result in behaviors against the military collective requirements. Social anxiety has the primary effect on the abidance of soldiers; hence, in the future, the interpretation bias modification could be a plausible cognitive-behavior therapy to help soldiers ameliorate social anxiety, thus contributing to enhancing their sense of belonging to the troops and accommodation to military life.
To study the intervention mechanism of pediatric massage on intestinal flora and host metabolism in children with anorexia
Authors: Gao Hanyuan , Zhang Xutong , He Wenjie , Zhao Xia , Han Juan , Li Dongmei , Yang Hanteng , Li Shengcai
Published: November 2020

Background:

As a common and frequent disease in pediatric patients, pediatric anorexia (PN) poses a serious threat to childhood growth and health. In recent years, societal changes in lifestyle and diet have increased the incidence of this PN, which has attracted extensive attention from both the medical community and parents. It has been shown that massage therapy represents an effective intervention for the treatment of anorexia, but investigation on its mechanism(s) of action remains limited. In this study, we will explore the biological mechanism(s) of PN from the perspective of intestinal flora, to further reveal its site of action and therapeutic mechanism(s).

Methods:

A total of 60 healthy children will be randomly selected for physical examination. According to a random number generated by a computer, children with anorexia who meet the inclusion criteria will be selected. In strict accordance with the time sequence of inclusion, subjects will be randomly assigned to either the massage or control group (n = 60 per group). The blank group will receive no treatment. Children in the massage group will receive a designated massage protocol. The control group will be administered oral Jianweixiaoshi tablets over 4 weeks. Each group will be compared for intestinal flora structure, fecal short chain fatty acids levels, serum trace elements, urine D-xylose-excretion rates, gastric fluid emptying, gastric motility, and hemoglobin levels before and after treatment.

Results:

We will review the clinical trial registry in China (http://www.chictr.org.cn/searchprojen.aspx), peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences.

Conclusion:

This study will verify the intervention mechanism(s) of pediatric massage on intestinal flora and host metabolism in children with anorexia.

Trial registration number:

ChiCTR2000033274
Body mass index and skeletal muscle index are useful prognostic factors for overall survival after gastrectomy for gastric cancer
Authors: Kim Eun Young , Jun Kyong Hwa , Kim Shinn Young , Chin Hyung Min
Published: November 2020

Among patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer, the impact of anthropometric indices on surgical outcomes is not well-established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the skeletal muscle index (SMI) and body mass index (BMI) on overall survival (OS) in patients with gastric cancer.

A total of 305 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma between January 2005 and March 2008 were enrolled. Patients were classified into groups based on the SMI and BMI. The SMI was measured by preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT). The SMI groups were classified based on gender-specific cut-off values obtained by means of optimum stratification. BMI groups were divided according to the World Health Organization definition of obesity for Asians.

The mean SMI was 58.2 cm2/m2 and the mean BMI was 23.2 kg/m2. One hundred fifteen (37.7%) patients had sarcopenia based on the diagnostic cut-off values (56.2 cm2/m2 for men and 53.6 cm2/m2 for women). Apart from gender, there were no significant differences in patient characteristics or surgical outcomes between the SMI groups. In the underweight group, tumor (T) stage, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, number of retrieved lymph nodes, D2 dissection, and hospital stay were significantly increased compared with the overweight/obese group. High and low BMI, and low SMI, were independent prognostic factors for OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.355, 1.736, and 1.607, respectively; P = .009, .023, and .033, respectively).

SMI and BMI did not impact perioperative morbidity in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Both SMI and BMI are useful prognostic factors for OS in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy.
Imaging characteristics of Intrasellar cavernous hemangioma
Authors: Pan Xinfa , Shen Jie , Ma Yuehui , Lou Haiyan , Weng Yuxiang , Zhan Renya
Published: November 2020

Rationale:

Intrasellar cavernous hemangiomas (ICHs) are rare vascular lesions that arise in the sellar region. ICHs are usually misdiagnosed and treated as pituitary adenomas. Therefore, a preoperative diagnosis is particularly important, especially when the goal is complete resection.

Patient concerns:

A 55-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of intermittent dizziness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-demarcated abnormal ellipsoid signal in the sellar region (size: 2.7 cm × 1.7 cm), with a mulberry-like enhancement after gadolinium injection. Computed tomography revealed an intrasellar mass without calcification that extended into the left cavernous sinus and was faintly contrast-enhanced. Angiography revealed a tumor with mildly delayed staining fed by the C5 segment of the right internal carotid artery.

Diagnosis:

An intrasellar cavernous hemangioma based on neuroradiological examinations.

Interventions:

The patient underwent surgery with an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach to debulk the lesion and obtain tissue for the pathological diagnosis.

Outcomes:

Blood spurting was observed after puncture, and the capsule was stained blue. Lesion removal was stopped, and the patient underwent gamma knife surgery 1 week later. She remained in good condition during the follow-up.

Lessons:

Sponge-like or mulberry-like lesions can be identified on MRI after gadolinium injection and can facilitate a preoperative diagnosis of ICH. Currently, surgical debulking with cranial nerve decompression during the acute stage and subsequent gamma knife radiosurgery are considered to be a safe and effective treatment.
COVID-19 Time Capsule 2: DATE: July 23, 2020
Authors: Powell Suzanne K.
Published: November 2020

This Editorial is the second of COVID-19 Time Capsule. The first was dated on March 15, 2020. Time Capsule 2 is for July 23, 2020, but will publish in January/February 2021. Consider them “historical” documents—snapshots in time.
History of Childhood Trauma and Association With Borderline and Dissociative Features
Authors: Tschoeke Stefan , Bichescu-Burian Dana , Steinert Tilman , Flammer Erich
Published: November 2020

Both borderline personality features and dissociative symptoms have been associated with different types of childhood trauma. The aim of this investigation was to analyze to what extent emotional, physical, and sexual child maltreatment predict borderline personality features and dissociative symptoms. For this purpose, we analyzed data from 86 consecutively admitted patients who completed the Borderline Symptom List, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the German version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale for differential diagnosis of a borderline personality disorder. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that borderline features were mainly predicted by emotional abuse, whereas pathological dissociation was best predicted by sexual and physical abuse. This evidence supports the hypothesis that different kinds of maltreatment may lead to different psychopathological symptoms in adulthood and should be taken into account in the therapy.
Resonance Raman Spectroscopy Derived Tissue Hemoglobin Oxygen Saturation in Critically Ill and Injured Patients
Authors: Tiba Mohamad H. , Awad Abdelrahman B. , Pennington Amanda , Fung Christopher M. , Napolitano Lena M. , Park Pauline K. , Machado-Aranda David A. , Gunnerson Kyle J. , Romfh Padraic , Ward Kevin R.
Published: November 2020

Background:

In this study, we examined the ability of resonance Raman spectroscopy to measure tissue hemoglobin oxygenation (R-StO2) noninvasively in critically ill patients and compared its performance with conventional central venous hemoglobin oxygen saturation (ScvO2).

Methods:

Critically ill patients (n = 138) with an indwelling central venous or pulmonary artery catheter in place were consented and recruited. R-StO2 measurements were obtained by placing a sensor inside the mouth on the buccal mucosa. R-StO2 was measured continuously for 5 min. Blood samples were drawn from the distal port of the indwelling central venous catheter or proximal port of the pulmonary artery catheter at the end of the test period to measure ScvO2 using standard co-oximetry analyzer. A regression algorithm was used to calculate the R-StO2 based on the observed spectra.

Results:

Mean (SD) of pooled R-StO2 and ScvO2 were 64(7.6) % and 65(9.2) % respectively. A paired t test showed no significant difference between R-StO2 and ScvO2 with a mean(SD) difference of −1(7.5) % (95% CI: −2.2, 0.3%) with a Clarke Error Grid demonstrating 84.8% of the data residing within the accurate and acceptable grids. Area under the receiver operator curve for R-StO2's was 0.8(0.029) (95% CI: 0.7, 0.9 P < 0.0001) at different thresholds of ScvO2 (≤60%, ≤65%, and ≤70%). Clinical adjudication by five clinicians to assess the utility of R-StO2 and ScvO2 yielded Fleiss’ Kappa agreement of 0.45 (P < 0.00001).

Conclusions:

R-StO2 has the potential to predict ScvO2 with high precision and might serve as a faster, safer, and noninvasive surrogate to these measures.
The ecological consequences of a pandemic
Authors: Buck Julia C. , Weinstein Sara B.
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered human behaviour in profound ways, prompting some to question whether the associated economic and social impacts might outweigh disease impacts. This fits into a burgeoning ecological paradigm suggesting that for both predator–prey and parasite–host interactions, non-consumptive effects (avoidance) can be orders of magnitude stronger than consumptive effects (sickness and death). Just as avoidance of predators and parasites imposes substantial costs on prey and hosts, altered behaviour to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 has impacted human fitness and wellbeing. But the effects of infectious disease avoidance do not stop there; non-consumptive effects of predators and parasites often trigger cascading indirect effects in natural systems. Similarly, shifts in human behaviour due to COVID-19 have triggered myriad indirect effects on species and the environment, which can be positive, negative or neutral. We urge researchers to recognize that the environmental impacts associated with lockdowns are indirect effects of the virus. In short, the global response to COVID-19 suggests that the non-consumptive effects of a pathogen, and resulting indirect effects, can be profound.
Extractive desulfurization of liquid fuel using diamine-terminated polyethylene glycol as a very low vapour pressure and green molecular solvent
Authors: Moghadam Fatemeh Rafiei , Kianpour Effat , Azizian Saeid , Yarie Meysam , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali
Published: November 2020

Removal of sulfur compounds from liquid fuel is one of the important issues in the field of energy and environment. Among the available methods, extractive desulfurization (EDS) is of great interest due to its convenient operating conditions. In this study, EDS performance of 4,7,10-trioxatridecane-1,13-diamine (TTD), a very low vapour pressure diamine-terminated oligomeric polyethylene glycol (PEG), was studied. Effect of the influencing factors, as well as multiple extraction, mutual solubility, reusability and regeneration of TTD were investigated. Results showed that the TTD/fuel volume ratio of 0.5 could extract benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene and dimethyl dibenzothiophene with the efficiencies 67%, 74% and 53%, respectively, in less than 1 min at ambient temperature. The distribution coefficient (

K
N

) value for removal of dibenzothiophene by TTD was 3.66 higher than that of PEG, and it is similar to

K
N

values (approx. 4) for polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (as a modified PEG) and Lewis acid-containing ionic liquids. It was observed that spent TTD after five cycles could be regenerated using the back-extraction method. Also, deep EDS was achievable after three times extraction using fresh TTD. Finally, the extraction mechanism was studied using
1
H-NMR. These observations, as well as very low vapour pressure and insignificant dependency of TTD on the initial S-concentration of fuel and temperature, make this extractant to be introduced as a valuable option for green and effective EDS.
Brown marmorated stink bug overwintering aggregations are not regulated through vibrational signals during autumn dispersal
Authors: Bedoya Carol L. , Brockerhoff Eckehard G. , Hayes Michael , Leskey Tracy C. , Morrison William R. , Rice Kevin B. , Nelson Ximena J.
Published: November 2020

The brown marmorated stink bug,
Halyomorpha halys
(Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), is regarded as one of the world's most pernicious invasive pest species, as it feeds on a wide range of economically important crops. During the autumn dispersal period,
H. halys
ultimately moves to potential overwintering sites, such as human-made structures or trees where it will alight and seek out a final overwintering location, often aggregating with other adults. The cues used during this process are unknown, but may involve vibrational signals. We evaluated whether vibrational signals regulate cluster aggregation in
H. haly
s in overwintering site selection. We collected acoustic data for six weeks during the autumn dispersal period and used it to quantify movement and detect vibrational communication of individuals colonizing overwintering shelters. Both movement and vibrational signal production increased after the second week, reaching their maxima in week four, before decaying again. We found that only males produced vibrations in this context, yet there was no correlation between movement and vibrational signals
,
which was confirmed through playback experiments. The cues regulating the formation of aggregations remain largely unknown, but vibrations may indicate group size.
Superdeterministic hidden-variables models I: non-equilibrium and signalling
Authors: Sen Indrajit , Valentini Antony
Published: November 2020

This is the first of two papers that attempt to comprehensively analyse superdeterministic hidden-variables models of Bell correlations. We first give an overview of superdeterminism and discuss various criticisms of it raised in the literature. We argue that the most common criticism, the violation of ‘free-will’, is incorrect. We take up Bell’s intuitive criticism that these models are ‘conspiratorial’. To develop this further, we introduce non-equilibrium extensions of superdeterministic models. We show that the measurement statistics of these extended models depend on the physical system used to determine the measurement settings. This suggests a fine-tuning in order to eliminate this dependence from experimental observation. We also study the signalling properties of these extended models. We show that although they generally violate the formal no-signalling constraints, this violation cannot be equated to an actual signal. We therefore suggest that the so-called no-signalling constraints be more appropriately named the marginal-independence constraints. We discuss the mechanism by which marginal-independence is violated in superdeterministic models. Lastly, we consider a hypothetical scenario where two experimenters use the apparent-signalling of a superdeterministic model to communicate with each other. This scenario suggests another conspiratorial feature peculiar to superdeterminism. These suggestions are quantitatively developed in the second paper.
The relationship between viscoelasticity and elasticity
Authors: Snoeijer J. H. , Pandey A. , Herrada M. A. , Eggers J.
Published: November 2020

Soft materials that are subjected to large deformations exhibit an extremely rich phenomenology, with properties lying in between those of simple fluids and those of elastic solids. In the continuum description of these systems, one typically follows either the route of solid mechanics (Lagrangian description) or the route of fluid mechanics (Eulerian description). The purpose of this review is to highlight the relationship between the theories of viscoelasticity and of elasticity, and to leverage this connection in contemporary soft matter problems. We review the principles governing models for viscoelastic liquids, for example solutions of flexible polymers. Such materials are characterized by a relaxation timeλ, over which stresses relax. We recall the kinematics and elastic response of large deformations, and show which polymer models do (and which do not) correspond to a nonlinear elastic solid in the limitλ → ∞. With this insight, we split the work done by elastic stresses into reversible and dissipative parts, and establish the general form of the conservation law for the total energy. The elastic correspondence can offer an insightful tool for a broad class of problems; as an illustration, we show how the presence or absence of an elastic limit determines the fate of an elastic thread during capillary instability.
Dispersal ability correlates with range size in Amazonian habitat-restricted birds
Authors: Capurucho João M. G. , Ashley Mary V. , Tsuru Brian R. , Cooper Jacob C. , Bates John M.
Published: November 2020

Understanding how species attain their geographical distributions and identifying traits correlated with range size are important objectives in biogeography, evolutionary biology and biodiversity conservation. Despite much effort, results have been varied and general trends have been slow to emerge. Studying species pools that occupy specific habitats, rather than clades or large groupings of species occupying diverse habitats, may better identify ranges size correlates and be more informative for conservation programmes in a rapidly changing world. We evaluated correlations between a set of organismal traits and range size in bird species from Amazonian white-sand ecosystems. We assessed if results are consistent when using different data sources for phylogenetic and range hypotheses. We found that dispersal ability, as measured by the hand-wing index, was correlated with range size in both white-sand birds and their non-white-sand sister taxa. White-sand birds had smaller ranges on average than their sister taxa. The results were similar and robust to the different data sources. Our results suggest that the patchiness of white-sand ecosystems limits species’ ability to reach new habitat islands and establish new populations.
Emotion in animal contests
Authors: Crump Andrew , Bethell Emily J. , Earley Ryan , Lee Victoria E. , Mendl Michael , Oldham Lucy , Turner Simon P. , Arnott Gareth
Published: November 2020

Emotions encompass cognitive and behavioural responses to reward and punishment. Using contests as a case-study, we propose that short-term emotions underpin animals' assessments, decision-making and behaviour. Equating contest assessments to emotional ‘appraisals', we describe how contestants appraise more than resource value and outcome probability. These appraisals elicit the cognition, drive and neurophysiology that governs aggressive behaviour. We discuss how recent contest outcomes induce long-term moods, which impact subsequent contest behaviour. Finally, we distinguish between integral (objectively relevant) and incidental (objectively irrelevant) emotions and moods (affective states). Unlike existing ecological models, our approach predicts that incidental events influence contest dynamics, and that contests become incidental influences themselves, potentially causing maladaptive decision-making. As affective states cross contexts, a more holistic ethology (incorporating emotions and moods) would illuminate animal cognition and behaviour.