bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Levels of knowledge regarding malaria causes, symptoms, and prevention measures among Malawian women of reproductive age.
Authors: Sixpence Alick , Nkoka Owen , Chirwa Gowokani C. , Milanzi Edith B. , Mangani Charles , Mathanga Don P. , Ntenda Peter A. M. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Malawi is a malaria-endemic country and approximately 6 million cases are reported annually. Improving knowledge of malaria causes and symptoms, and the overall perception towards malaria and its preventive measures is vital for malaria control. Thus, the current study investigated the levels of knowledge of the causes, symptoms, and prevention of Malaria among Malawian women. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2017 wave of the Malawi Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS). In total, 3,422 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) were sampled and analyzed. We assessed the levels of women’s knowledge about 1), causes of malaria 2) symptoms of malaria and 3) preventive measures. The tertiles of the composite score were used as the cut-offs to categorize the levels of knowledge as ‘‘low”, ‘‘medium” and ‘‘high”. Multinomial logistic regression models were constructed to assess the independent factors while taking into account the complex survey design. Results : All in all, 49.74% of all respondents had high levels of knowledge of causes, symptoms, and preventive measures. The high level of knowledge was 45% for rural women and 55% for urban dwellers. After adjustment for independent factors, women of age group 15–19 years adjusted odds ratio ([aOR]: 2.58; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.69–3.92), women with no formal education (aOR: 3.73; 95% CI: 2.20–6.33), women whose household had no television (aOR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.02–2.22), women who had not seen/heard malaria message (aOR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.20–1.95), women of Yao tribe (aOR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.10–3.46) and women from rural areas had low levels of knowledge about the causes of malaria, symptoms of malaria, and preventive measures. Additionally, the results also showed that women aged 15–19 years (beta [β] = -0.73, standard error [SE] = 0.12); P <.0001, women with no formal education (β = -1.17, SE = 0.15); P <.0001, women whose household had no radio (β = -0.15, SE = 0.0816); P =0.0715 and women who had not seen or heard malaria message (β = -0.41, SE = 0.07); P <.0001 were likely to have a lower knowledge score. Conclusions: The levels of malaria knowledge were reported to be unsatisfactory among adult women, underscoring the need to scale up efforts on malaria education. Beside insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and prompt diagnosis, malaria can be best managed in Malawi by increasing knowledge of malaria causes, and symptoms especially for younger women, women with no formal education, women whose households have no media, women from Yao tribes and rural dwellers.
Growth hormone alleviates oxidative stress and improves the IVF outcomes of poor ovarian responders: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gong Yan , Zhang Kun , Xiong Dongsheng , Wei Jiajing , Tan Hao , Qin Shengfang 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Oxidative stress (OS), defined as an imbalance between excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production and antioxidant insufficiency, has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of poor ovarian response (POR). Growth hormone (GH) can reduce OS in some cell types. This study investigated whether GH could improve OS in and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcomes of poor ovarian responders.Methods: This study enrolled 105 patients with POR and 58 patients without POR (controls) who were diagnosed according to the Bologna criteria and underwent conventional IVF-ET. Poor ovarian responders were randomly assigned to two groups: the POR-GH group, which received pretreatment with GH 4 IU/d on day 2 of the previous menstrual cycle before IVF until the trigger day, and the POR-C group, which received no pretreatment. The OS markers in follicular fluid (FF), ROS levels in granulosa cells (GCs), and IVF outcomes of the groups were compared.Result(s): The endometrial thickness on trigger day, number of cleaved embryos, number of higher quality embryos, and rates of implantation and clinical pregnancy were significantly increased in the POR-GH group compared with the POR-C group (P < 0.05). Moreover, compared to those in the non-POR group, the FF malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) and ROS levels in GCs were significantly higher, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were significantly lower in the POR-C group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, compared with those in the POR-C group, the FF TAC was significantly increased in the POR-GH group, and the TOS, OSI and intracellular ROS levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05).Conclusion(s): Pretreatment with GH alleviates OS and improves oocyte quality in and IVF outcomes of poor ovarian responders.Clinical Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. ChiCTR1900021269. Registered 8 February 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=35837&htm=4.
Differentiation of soft tissue and bone sarcomas from benign lesions utilizing 18F- FDG PET/CT-derived parameters
Authors: Chen Bo , Feng Hongbo , Xie Jinghui , Li Chun , Zhang Yu , Wang Shaowu 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Accurate differentiation between malignant and benign changes in soft tissue and bone lesions is essential for the prevention of unnecessary biopsies and surgical resection. Nevertheless, it remains a challenge and a standard diagnosis modality is urgently needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT-derived parameters to differentiate soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and bone sarcoma (BS) from benign lesions. Methods: Patients who had undergone pre-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging and subsequent pathological diagnoses to confirm malignant (STS and BS, n = 37) and benign (n = 33) soft tissue and bone lesions were retrospectively reviewed. The tumor size, PET and low-dose CT visual characteristics, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and heterogeneous factor (HF) of each lesion were measured. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the significant risk factors to distinguish sarcoma from benign lesions. To establish a regression model based on independent risk factors, and the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs)of individual parameters and their combination were plotted and compared. Conventional imaging scans were re-analyzed, and the diagnostic performance compared with the regression model.Results: Univariate analysis results revealed that tumor size, SUVmax, MTV, TLG, and HF of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in the STS and BS group were all higher than in the benign lesions group (all P values were <0.01). The differences in the visual characteristics between the two groups were also all statistically significant (P <0.05). However, the multivariate regression model only included SUVmax and HF as independent risk factors, for which the odds ratios were 1.135 (95%CI: 1.026~1.256, P = 0.014) and 7.869 (95%CI: 2.119~29.230, P = 0.002), respectively. The regression model was constructed using the following expression: Logit (P) = -2.461+0.127SUVmax+2.063HF. The area under the ROC was 0.860, which was higher than SUVmax (0.744) and HF (0.790). The diagnostic performance of the regression model was superior to those of individual parameters and conventional imaging.Conclusion: The regression model including SUVmax and HF based on 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging may be useful for differentiating STS and BS from benign lesions.
Effect of Intraoperative Goal-directed Balanced Crystalloid versus Colloid Administration on Postoperative Cardiac Outcome
Authors: Reiterer Christian , Kabon Barbara , Taschner Alexander , Zotti Oliver , Kurz Andrea , Fleischmann Edith 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin T are released during myocardial wall stress and/or ischemia and are strong predictors for postoperative cardiovascular complications. However, the effect of goal-directed crystalloid versus colloid administration on NT-proBNP and troponin T, especially in relatively healthy patients undergoing moderate- to high risk abdominal surgery, still remains unclear. Thus, we evaluated in this sub-study the effect of a goal-directed crystalloid versus a goal-directed colloid fluid regimen on postoperative maximum NT-proBNP concentration. We further evaluated the incidence of MINS between both study groups. Methods: 30 patients were randomly assigned to receive additional fluid boluses of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and 30 patients to receive lactated Ringer´s solution. Intraoperative fluid management was guided by oesophageal Doppler-according to a previously published algorithm. The primary outcome were differences in postoperative maximum NT-proBNP (maxNT-proBNP) between both groups. As our secondary outcome we evaluated the incidence of MINS between both study groups. We defined maxNT-proBNP as the maximum value measured within 2 hours after surgery and on the first and second postoperative day. Results: In total 56 patients were analysed. There was no significant difference in postoperative maximum NT-proBNP between the colloid group (258.7 ng/L (IQR 199.4 to 782.1)) and the crystalloid group (440.3 ng/L (IQR 177.9 to 691.2)) during the first 2 postoperative days (P = 0.29). 5 patients in the colloid group and 7 patients in the crystalloid group developed MINS (P = 0.75).Conclusions: Based on this relatively small study goal-directed colloid administration did not decrease postoperative maxNT-proBNP concentration as compared to goal-directed crystalloid administration. Nevertheless, there was a tendency of lower postoperative maximum NT-proBNP concentrations in patients receiving colloids.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01195883)
Stuck-moving Needle acupuncture the Myofascial Triggers Point to treat Idiopathic Frozen Shoulders: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: BAI YANG , Wang Ying , Chen Bo , Lei Qianqian , Zhao Hailong , Lu Jingbao , Fan Qian , Wang Yali , Song HongBo , Cheng Maomao , Wang Wei , Hu Shengen , Du YuanHao , Xia Tian 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
There are evidences for the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for chronic shoulder pain, however it remains unclear the best acupuncture modes for effective treatment. We compared the effect of myofascial trigger point (MTrp) Stuck-moving Needle acupuncture with that of common acupuncture treatments. Further, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of stuck-moving needle acupuncture for the MTrp in improving pain and range of motions in patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder. The ultimate aim of the study is to select an effective therapy for patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder.
Methods
Randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the 3 clinical centers of Qingyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Qingyang Xifeng district People's Hospital and Qingyang Second People's Hospital in China from February 2020 to January 2021. One-hundred and eight frozen shoulder patient will be recruited and randomized into one of three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio of the Stuck-moving Needle acupuncture group, Common acupuncture control group and physical exercise control group. This trial will include a 1-week baseline period, a 3-weeks of treatment period, and a 12-weeks of follow-up period. During the 3-weeks of treatment period, patients will receive 9 sessions of acupuncture. The primary outcome will be related to change in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Measurement of range of joint motion (ROM) from baseline period to the 12-week follow-up period. Secondary outcome measures will include, measurement of Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), Pressure Pain Tolerance (PTT) Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), 36-item Short Form survey and Patient satisfaction evaluation. Adverse events also will be recorded for safety assessment.
Discussion
The results of this trial will allow us to compare the difference in efficacy between Stuck-moving Needle acupuncture MTrP with that of common acupuncture treatments. The findings from this trial will be published in the peer-reviewed journals.
Trial registration:
Acupuncture-Moxibustion Clinical Trial Registry (ChiMCTR1900002862) and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900028452). registered on 22, Dec. 2019
Epidemiological Characteristics of Spinal Cord Injury in Northwest China: A Single Hospital-based Study
Authors: Wang ZhiMeng , Zou Peng , Yang Jun-Song , Liu Ting-ting , Song Leilei , Lu Yao , Guo Hao , Zhao Yuan-Tin , Liu Tuan-Jiang , Hao Ding-Jun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background : While the cities in China in which spinal cord injury (SCI) studies have been conducted previously are at the forefront of medical care, northwest China is relatively underdeveloped economically, and the epidemiological characteristics of SCI have rarely been reported in this region. Methods : The SCI epidemiological survey software developed was used to analyze the data of patients treated with SCI from 2014 to 2018. The sociodemographic characteristics of patients, including name, age, sex, and occupation, were recorded. The following medical record data, obtained from physical and radiographic examinations, were included in the study: data on the cause of injury, fracture location, associated injuries, and level of injury. Neurological function was evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale. In addition, the treatment and complications during hospitalization were documented. Results : A total of 3,487 patients with SCI with a mean age of 39.5±11.2 years were identified in this study, the male to female ratio was 2.57:1. The primary cause of SCI was falls (low falls 47.75%, high falls 37.31%), followed by traffic accidents (8.98%) and impact with falling objects (4.39%). Of all patients, 1,786 patients (51.22%) had complications and other injuries. According to the ASIA impairment scale, the numbers of grade A, B, C, and D injuries were 747 (21.42%), 688 (19.73%), 618 (17.72%), and 1434 (41.12%), respectively. During the hospitalization period, a total of 1,341 patients experienced complications, with an percentage of 38.46%. Among all complications, pulmonary infection was the most common (437, 32.59%), followed by hyponatremia (326, 24.31%), bedsores (219, 16.33%), urinary tract infection (168, 12.53%), deep venous thrombosis (157, 11.71%), and others (34, 2.53%). Notably, among 3,487 patients with SCI, only 528 patients (15.14%) received long-term rehabilitation treatment. Conclusion : The incidence of SCI in northwest China was on the rise with higher proportion in males, fall and the MCVs were the primary causes of SCI. The occupations most threatened by SCI are farmers and workers. The investigation and analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of SCI in respiratory complications are important factors leading to death after SCI, especially when the SCI occurs in the cervical spinal cord. Finally, the significance of SCI rehabilitation should be addressed.
Influence of COL9A1 and COL19A1 Polymorphisms on Kaschin-Beck Disease Risk
Authors: He Xue , Zheng Jianwen , Yuan Dongya , Wang Yuhe , He Yongjun , Wang Li , Bai Mei , Jin Tianbo 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective: We aimed to determine whether COL9A1 and COL19A1 polymorphisms were associated with Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) risk. Methods: Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in COL9A1 and COL19A1 were genotyped in 316 KBD patients and 320 healthy controls. The correlation between genetic polymorphisms and KBD risk were assessed using logistic regression models by calculating odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: After adjustment with age and sex, the frequency distributions of genotypes in rs3806093 and rs9346371 were significantly different between cases and controls. COL9A1 rs3806093 significantly increased KBD risk in co-dominant (OR = 14.80, p = 0.024) and recessive (OR = 16.39, p = 0.019) models. Meanwhile, COL9A1 rs555313 was associated with KBD risk in recessive model (OR = 3.80, p = 0.048). However, no strong relationships were observed after false discovery rate correction. In addition, haplotype analysis revealed two blocks (block 1: rs3806093, rs603410 and rs621347; block 2: rs9346371 and rs555313). Conclusion: COL9A1 and COL19A1 polymorphisms were associated with KBD risk in the Chinese Han population, suggesting roles of COL9A1 and COL19A1 in the development of KBD.
A Cross-sectional Study on Zoonotic and Reverse Zoonotic Transmission of Tuberculosis in Central Ethiopia
Authors: Woldemariam Tefera , Mamo Gezahegne , Zewude Aboma , Chanyalew Mahlet , Mohammed Temesgen , Ameni Gobena 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The zoonotic transmission of tuberculosis (TB) from cattle to humans has long been recognized while its reverse zoonotic transmission from humans to animals has recently been reported. The socioeconomic situations of the rural communities of Ethiopia are conducive for the zoonotic and reverse zoonotic transmission of TB between cattle and human. The objective of this study was to investigate the zoonotic and reverse zoonotic transmission TB between humans and cattle central Ethiopia.Methods: To achieve this objective a cross-sectional study was conducted on 1896 cattle slaughtered in two abattoirs and 392 TB suspicious human subjects visiting health institutions for treatment. Post mortem examination, mycobacteriological culture, and spoligotyping were used for the study. In addition, the Spoligotype International Types and VNTR (variable number of DNA tandem repeats) International Types (SITVIT2) database and the online “Run TB-Lineage” were used to identify SIT and lineages of the human and cattle isolates.Results: Gross TB lesion was detected in 4.2% (80/1896) the slaughtered cattle and predominantly (52.5%) found in the thoracic cavity. But culture positivity was only 26.3% (21/80) in suspicious lesions. Of the 21 cattle isolates, 12 (57.2%) were M. bovis while the remaining nine (42.8%) were M. tuberculosis. SIT50, SIT118 and SIT1318 were isolated from both humans and cattle. Similar to the low culture yield in cattle tissues, only 22% (86/392) the sputa from TB suspicious humans were culture positive. These 86 human isolates were classified into 81 M. tuberculosis, three M. africanum and two M. bovis by spoligotyping. The two human M. bovis isolates had the pattern of SB1443, which was not isolated from cattle in this study.Conclusion: The zoonotic and reverse zoonotic transmissions of TB were confirmed in Ethiopia by the isolation of two M. bovis from human and isolation of nine M. tuberculosis from cattle, which suggested higher role of M. tuberculosis in cattle compared to the role of M. bovis in humans.
Knockdown of ZNF280A inhibits the development and progression of ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhu Dawei , Gu Xing , Li Li , Chen Xuebing , Huang Jie 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the leading causes of death from gynecological malignancies worldwide. Abnormal expression of zinc finger proteins has been extensively reported to be involved in malignant progression in a variety of cancers. However, clinical significance and biological roles of ZNF280A in the field of OC are poorly known. Methods: In this study, we demonstrated that ZNF280A was highly expressed in OC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Further, ZNF280A was significantly associated with clinical staging, infiltration, lymphatic metastasis, metastasis, and tumor recurrence of OC patients. Additionally, data of in vitro experiments indicated that knockdown of ZNF280A by its shRNA dramatically reduces the proliferation and migration ability of OC cells, while enhancing the cell apoptosis. Results: It was also verified by animal experiments that ZNF280A silencing would affect the growth of OC in vivo. Our study investigated the involvement of ZNF280A in the prognosis, progression and metastasis of OC. Conclusions: Therefore, our study identified ZNF280A as an optional prognostic factor in OC patients and can be used as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of OC.
Impact of straw on pig and pen hygiene in partly slatted flooring systems
Authors: Wallgren Torun , Lundeheim Nils , Gunnarsson Stefan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Straw is a beneficial enrichment material for pigs, shown to improve welfare and reduce abnormal behaviour such as tail biting. Straw has previously been identified as one of the means of how to raise pigs without tail docking, through improving natural exploratory behaviour. Straw has however been linked to poor pen hygiene, making farmers reluctant to use straw and has largely not been implemented in commercial farming. Straw is a beneficial enrichment material for pigs, shown to improve welfare and reduce abnormal behaviour such as tail biting. Straw has however been linked to poor pen hygiene, making farmers reluctant to use straw and has not been implemented in many commercial farming.Results: This study investigates the impact of straw on pig and pen hygiene in partly slatted pens in three grower and four finishing pig batches on five commercial farms in Sweden which are providing straw daily. Each batch was divided into two treatments; Control: 50-600g straw/pen/day based on the farm normal straw ration; and Extra straw; (=doubled Control ration). The pens were scored based on cleanliness of the pigs, solid and slatted pen floor every second week. The pig and pen hygiene were mostly scored as clean in both treatments, overall around 1 % of the observations were considered dirty/soiled.Conclusions: As very few pens or pigs were considered dirty, it was concluded that straw provision is possible without risking poor pig and pen hygiene. Few observations in this study were considered dirty regardless of amount of straw that was provided, and had likely to do with other factors in the production rather than straw ration. These results implicates that straw could be used in partly slatted pens in order to improve pig environment.