bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations between metabolic acidosis at birth and reduced Apgar scores within the normal range (7‐10): A Swedish cohort study of term non‐malformed infants
Authors: Cnattingius Sven , Johansson Stefan , Razaz Neda 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundRisks of neonatal and long‐term neurological outcomes are influenced by metabolic acidosis at birth and by reduced Apgar scores, even within the normal range (7‐10).ObjectiveTo analyse associations between metabolic acidosis at birth and risks of reduced Apgar scores within the normal range.MethodsIn a Swedish cohort of term non‐malformed infants born between 2008 and 2013, we included 81 861 infants with information from cord blood gas analyses and Apgar score values of 7‐10 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes. Poisson log‐linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between metabolic acidosis at birth (defined as pH <7.05 or <7.10 and base deficit ≥12) and Apgar scores of 7, 8, and 9. Adjusted risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (C). were calculated.ResultsCompared with infants without metabolic acidosis, the adjusted RR of an Apgar score of 9 at 5 minutes was 3.14 (95% CI 2.57, 3.84) in infants with metabolic acidosis (pH <7.05 as cut‐off), and 10.13 (95% CI 7.63, 13.45) and 7.60 (95% CI 3.54, 16.33) for Apgar scores of 8 and 7, respectively. Corresponding RRs of Apgar scores at 10 minutes were also substantially increased. The magnitude of RDs varied, but was consistently increased. Both reduced Apgar scores and metabolic acidosis (pH <7.10) influenced neonatal morbidity.ConclusionsMetabolic acidosis is associated with increased risks of reduced Apgar scores within the normal range. Due to international variations in the assessment of Apgar score, our findings need to be confirmed in other populations.
Does single‐layer centrifugation with Bovicoll improve sperm quality of frozen‐thawed semen in Fleckvieh bulls?
Authors: Szlendak Joanna , Adler Christine , Scherzer Jakob , Niwinska Anna , Kautz Ewa , Faundez Ricardo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sperm selection by single‐layer centrifugation (SLC) performed before freezing on sperm quality after thawing of Fleckvieh bull semen. Ejaculates from 22 bulls were collected by artificial vagina and divided into two aliquots. One aliquot (control sample) was diluted with Steridyl® and frozen over nitrogen vapour in a Digitcool freezer (IMV Technologies). Sperm from the second aliquot (SLC sample) was selected using the SLC technique with Bovicoll colloid and then frozen over nitrogen vapour in a Digitcool freezer. After thawing, both samples (control and SLC) were evaluated by computer‐aided sperm analysis (CASA; SCA 6.4 System; Microptic S.L) for sperm motility parameters. Integrity of the plasma membrane (viability), high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP) and acrosome integrity were assessed using a Guava® easyCyte flow cytometer (IMV Technologies). Morphological examination of spermatozoa was performed by Differential Interference Contrast microscopy (Leica DMi8). Morphological examination of live, immobilized spermatozoa was analysed under high magnification (≥6,600×). After thawing, the mean sperm viability of the control sample was 51.57%, compared to 40.37% for the SLC sample (p < .01). HMMP was higher (p < .01) in the control sample (40.37% versus 28.96%), and the mean of live spermatozoa with damaged acrosome was significantly higher (p < .03) in the SLC sample (1.63% versus 1.95%). The mean percentage of motile spermatozoa was 80.17% in the control sample, compared to 75.14% in the SLC sample (p < .0195), and rapid subpopulation reduced from 20.08% to 8.99% (p < .0001) after SLC. Percentage of hyperactivated sperm decreased from 12.23% to 4.28% (p < .0001) after SLC. Given the overall results, the sperm quality of thawed Fleckvieh bull semen was not improved when sperm were selected by SLC before freezing.
A Right to Understand Injustice: Epistemology and the “Right to the Truth” in International Human Rights Discourse
Authors: Werkheiser Ian 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPeople's “right to truth” or their “right to know” about their government's human rights abuses is a growing consensus in human rights discourses and a fertile area of work in international and humanitarian law. In most discussions of this right to know the truth, it is commonly seen as requiring the state or international institutions to provide access to evidence of the violations. In this paper, I argue that such a right naturally has many epistemic aspects, and the tools of social epistemology can be helpful in elucidating what such a right entails. As a beginning for this project, I draw on those resources to argue that the right to know the truth is only meaningful if it includes a right to understand the abuses, and that such understanding can only come through the development of community epistemic capacities. Given this, I further argue that the state has a duty to support the development of these capacities, and that a critical place for beginning this process is in public schools.
Action‐Monitoring Alterations as Indicators of Predictive Deficits in Schizophrenia
Authors: Storchak Helena , Ehlis Ann‐Christine , Fallgatter Andreas J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA flexible and dynamically adjustable behavior is crucial to adapt to a continuously changing environment. In order to optimally adapt, we need to learn from the consequences of our behavior. We usually learn through different kinds of prediction errors, which occur when we experience unexpected situations due to false predictions. With this literature review, we intended to contribute to current etiological models that ascribe various positive symptoms (particularly delusions and hallucinations) in patients with schizophrenia to false prediction errors and deficient predictive learning. We discuss alterations in the electrophysiological measure of the error‐related negativity/error negativity (ERN/Ne) as a global deficit and a trait in schizophrenia, as they have been observed in different samples of patients with schizophrenia, in individuals at high‐risk and individuals with subclinical schizotypal traits. As the ERN/Ne can itself be considered the result of predictive processes (evaluation of current action outcomes as worse than expected), we propose that the reported alterations indicate that patients suffering from schizophrenic illnesses fail to adequately classify the outcomes of their actions as better or worse than expected due to a deficit in self‐monitoring. Furthermore, we discuss results in further action‐monitoring components, such as the correct response negativity (CRN)—a smaller negativity elicited by correct responses; and error positivity (Pe)—a later positivity assumed to reflect conscious error processing. The reported results show normal Pe amplitudes and normal post‐error adjustments (adaptations after committed error to improve performance), indicating an intact later and conscious processing. From the results of diminished differences between ERN/Ne and CRN amplitudes, we conclude a general predictive deficit in early aspects of self‐monitoring associated with positive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Sepsis‐related anemia in a pediatric intensive care unit: transfusion‐associated outcomes
Authors: Elshinawy Mohamed , Kamal Maha , Nazir Hanan , Khater Doaa , Hassan Radwa , Elkinany Hassan , Wali Yasser 
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUNDPediatric patients with sepsis in intensive care units are at high risk of developing anemia, which might have adverse effects on their prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on the outcomes of patients admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with sepsis.METHODSWe conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial, enrolling 67 children, aged 2 to 144 months who were admitted to a PICU with a new episode of sepsis from November 2017 to April 2018. Patients were allocated randomly to two groups: Group 1, liberal transfusion strategy group, including 33 patients who had initial hemoglobin (Hb) between 7 or greater and less than 10 g/dL and received an RBC top‐up transfusion to 12 g/dL; and Group 2, restrictive strategy group, including 34 patients who had the same Hb range and did not receive RBCs. Patients with Hb less than 7 or greater than 10 g/dL were excluded.RESULTSOf 33 patients who received liberal transfusions, 31 (93.94%) required ventilation, and 29 (87.88%) had multiorgan dysfunction. They had a significantly lengthier hospital stay and a higher incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute lung injury. Moreover, mortality was significantly higher in the liberal transfusion group (42.4% vs. 17.6%).CONCLUSIONSCompared to the restrictive transfusion strategy, liberal transfusion might be associated with a worse outcome. However, the possible role of other known and unknown confounding factors and minor protocol violations should be taken into consideration. We recommend minimizing factors worsening anemia in PICU patients to reduce the need for transfusion.
Evaluation of selected plant species under drained saline and waterlogged conditions in pots when irrigated with treated wastewater
Authors: Zouari Marwa , Bloem Elke , Souguir Dalila , Schnug Ewald , Hanchi Belgacem , Hachicha Mohamed 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA pot experiment was carried out to study the effect of the use of treated wastewater (TWW) on selected plant species. In total three treatments were compared including high soil salinity under drained and waterlogging conditions in comparison to a drained non‐saline treatment. The effect of TWW on growth performance of the plant species was investigated to find out which of the plant species is most promising to be grown under the saline or waterlogged conditions when irrigated with TWW. The TWW application reduced the soil salinity even under the waterlogged conditions but more efficiently in drained soils. From the six plant species Atriplex nummularia, Acacia cyanophyllia and Eucalyptus gomphocephala performed better, with lower mortality and higher biomass production than Casuarina glauca, Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus halepensis. Salinity under the drained conditions in combination with TWW application even caused higher yields in case of Atriplex nummularia and Acacia cyanophyllia compared to a non‐saline soil.
Associations of habitual fish oil supplementation with cardiovascular outcomes and all cause mortality: evidence from a large population based cohort study
Authors: Li Zhi-Hao , Zhong Wen-Fang , Liu Simin , Kraus Virginia Byers , Zhang Yu-Jie , Gao Xiang , Lv Yue-Bin , Shen Dong , Zhang Xi-Ru , Zhang Pei-Dong , Huang Qing-Mei , Chen Qing , Wu Xian-Bo , Shi Xiao-Ming , Wang Dong , Mao Chen 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the associations of habitual fish oil supplementation with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in a large prospective cohort.

Design
Population based, prospective cohort study.

Setting
UK Biobank.

Participants
A total of 427 678 men and women aged between 40 and 69 who had no CVD or cancer at baseline were enrolled between 2006 and 2010 and followed up to the end of 2018.

Main exposure
All participants answered questions on the habitual use of supplements, including fish oil.

Main outcome measures
All cause mortality, CVD mortality, and CVD events.

Results
At baseline, 133 438 (31.2%) of the 427 678 participants reported habitual use of fish oil supplements. The multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for habitual users of fish oil versus non-users were 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.83 to 0.90) for all cause mortality, 0.84 (0.78 to 0.91) for CVD mortality, and 0.93 (0.90 to 0.96) for incident CVD events. For CVD events, the association seemed to be stronger among those with prevalent hypertension (P for interaction=0.005).

Conclusions
Habitual use of fish oil seems to be associated with a lower risk of all cause and CVD mortality and to provide a marginal benefit against CVD events among the general population.
Vitamin C supplementation reduces the odds of developing a common cold in Republic of Korea Army recruits: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kim Tae Kyung , Lim H R , Byun J S 
Published: March 2020

IntroductionThe Republic of Korea (ROK) military has a high incidence of respiratory diseases at training centres. Vitamin C has been reported to reduce the incidence of colds. For the purpose of preventing soldiers' respiratory diseases, this study aimed to investigate whether vitamin C intake can prevent common colds in the ROK Army soldiers.MethodsThis was a randomised, placebo-controlled, and double-blind trial of soldiers who enlisted in the Korea Army Training Centre for 30 days from 12 February to 13 March 2018. The study participants were divided into groups (vitamin C vs placebo). The military medical records were searched to determine whether the participants had a common cold. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the association between vitamin C intake and diagnosis of common colds. In addition, subgroup analysis on the relationship between vitamin C intake and common cold according to smoking status, training camp and physical rank was conducted.ResultsA total of 1444 participants were included in our study. Of these participants, 695 received vitamin C (6000 mg/day, vitamin C group), while 749 participants received placebo (0 mg/day, placebo group). The vitamin C group had a 0.80-fold lower risk of getting a common cold than did the placebo group. Subgroup analyses showed that this effect was stronger among subjects in camp A, among never smokers and among those in physical rank 3.ConclusionVitamin C intake provides evidence to suggest that reducing the common colds in Korean Army soldiers. Our results may serve as a basis for introducing military healthcare policies that can provide vitamin C supplementation for military personnel in basic military training.
Ensuring the comparability of cross-national survey data on intimate partner violence against women: a cross-sectional, population-based study in the European Union
Authors: Martín-Fernández Manuel , Gracia Enrique , Lila Marisol 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesTo ensure the cross-national comparability of the set of questions addressing physical and sexual intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) included in the European Union (EU) Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) survey. Once the measurement invariance of these measures is established, we aim to make appropriate and valid comparisons of the levels of physical and sexual IPVAW across the EU countries.DesignCross-sectional, population-based study.ParticipantsData were drawn from the survey conducted by the FRA on violence against women, including the responses of 42 002 adult women from the 28 countries of the EU.Main outcome measuresThe set of questions addressing lifetime prevalence of physical and sexual IPVAW used in the FRA survey. The psychometric properties (ie, reliability and validity) of these measures were examined, as well as their latent structure and their measurement invariance across the 28 EU countries.ResultsThe physical and sexual IPVAW measures presented adequate internal consistency and validity evidence based on their relations to other variables in all countries. A latent two-factor structure was supported and scalar invariance was established across countries. Our results showed that the average levels of physical and sexual IPVAW were highest in Denmark, Finland, Sweden and UK compared with the rest of the EU countries. In many of the other countries the levels of these types of violence overlapped, especially in the case of sexual IPVAW.ConclusionsThe findings of this study showed that the set of questions addressing physical and sexual IPVAW included in the FRA survey can be compared across all EU countries, highlighting the importance of testing the measurement equivalence of the instruments used in large sociodemographic surveys in order to make valid cross-national comparisons.
Does mobile phone instructional video demonstrating sputum expectoration improve the sputum sample quality and quantity in presumptive pulmonary TB cases? Protocol for a prospective pragmatic non-randomised controlled trial in Karnataka state, India
Authors: Shivalli Siddharudha , Hondappagol Amrut , Akshaya Kibballi Madhukeshwar , Nirgude Abhay , Varun Narendra , Reddy Raveendra Harohally Ramaiah , Sharath Burugina Nagaraja 
Published: March 2020

IntroductionSputum smear microscopy is the cornerstone of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India. Instructions on how to produce a good sputum sample are a part of RNTCP training manuals, but its assessment is not emphasised. Healthcare provider’s instruction to expectorate a good sputum sample has limitations. Presumptive TB patients often submit inadequate (in quantity and/or quality) sputum samples, which may result in false-negative results. Objectives of the study are, among the selected RNTCP designated microscopy centres inDakshina Kannadadistrict, Karnataka, India, (a) to assess the effectiveness of mobile phone instructional video demonstrating sputum expectoration on sputum quality and quantity and (b) to explore the mobile phone video implementation challenges as perceived by the healthcare providers.Methods and analysisThis is a pragmatic, prospective, non-randomised controlled trial in two pairs of RNTCP Designated Microscopy Centres (located at secondary and primary healthcare facilities) ofDakshina Kannadadistrict, India. Presumptive pulmonary TB patients aged ≥18 years will be included. We will exclude who are severely ill, blind, hearing impaired, patients who have already brought their sputum for examination, and transported sputum. In the intervention group, participants will watch a mobile phone instructional video demonstrating submission of an adequate sputum sample. The control group will follow the usual ongoing procedure for sputum submission. This study would require 406 participants for each group to achieve a power of 90% for detecting a difference of 15% between the two groups. The participant enrolment started in December 2019.Ethics and disseminationYenepoya University Ethics Committee, Mangaluru, India, has approved the study protocol (YEC-1/158/2019). It complies with the Declaration of Helsinki, local laws, and the International Council for Harmonization-good clinical practices. Investigators will present the results in scientific forums, publish in a scientific journal, and share with RNTCP officers.Trial registration numberClinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2019/06/019887).
Efficacy and economic evaluation of delivery of care with tele-continuous EEG in critically ill patients: a multicentre, randomised controlled trial (Tele-cRCT) study protocol
Authors: Limotai Chusak , Ingsathit Atiporn , Thadanipon Kunlawat , Pattanaprateep Oraluck , Pattanateepapon Anuchate , Phanthumchinda Kammant , Suwanwela Nijasri C , Thaipisuttikul Iyavut , Boonyapisit Kanokwan , Thakkinstian Ammarin 
Published: March 2020

IntroductionSome critically ill patients are confirmed by continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) monitoring that non-convulsive seizure (NCS) and/or non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) are causes of their depressed level of consciousness. Shortage of epilepsy specialists, especially in developing countries, is a major limiting factor in implementing cEEG in general practice. Delivery of care with tele-continous EEG (tele-cEEG) may be a potential solution as this allows specialists from a central facility to remotely assist local neurologists from distant areas in interpreting EEG findings and suggest proper treatment. No tele-cEEG programme has been implemented to help improve quality of care. Therefore, this study is conducted to assess the efficacy and cost utility of implementing tele-cEEG in critical care.Methods and analysisThe Tele-cRCT study is a 3-year prospective, randomised, controlled, parallel, multicentre, superiority trial comparing delivery of care through ‘Tele-cEEG’ intervention with ‘Tele-routine EEG (Tele-rEEG)’ in patients with clinical suspicion of NCS/NCSE. A group of EEG specialists and a tele-EEG system were set up to remotely interpret EEG findings in six regional government hospitals across Thailand. The primary outcomes are functional neurological outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS), mortality rate and incidence of seizures. The secondary outcomes are cost utility, length of stay, emergency visit/readmission, impact on changing medical decisions and health professionals’ perceptions about tele-cEEG implementation. Functional outcome (mRS) will be assessed at 3 and 7 days after recruitment, and again at time of hospital discharge, and at 90 days, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year. Costs and health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Thai version of the EuroQol-five dimensions-five levels (EQ-5D-5L) at hospital discharge, and at 90 days, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the ethics committees of the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, and of Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, and registered on Thai Clinical Trials Registry. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberTCTR20181022002; preresults.
Acupuncture for insomnia with short sleep duration: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang Cong , Yang Wen-jia , Yu Xin-tong , Fu Cong , Li Jin-jin , Wang Jing , Xu Wen-lin , Zheng Yi-xin , Chen Xin-yu , Chen Yun-fei 
Published: March 2020

IntroductionInsomnia with short sleep duration has a more serious negative impact on patient health. The existing literature suggests that medication therapy is more effective for this phenotype of insomnia compared with cognitive–behavioural therapy. However, the potential side effects of hypnotic medications hinder their clinical application. Acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of insomnia, but it remains unclear whether it has therapeutic efficacy for insomnia with short sleep duration. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for insomnia with short sleep duration.Methods and analysisThis study is designed as a randomised, single-centre, single-blinded, placebo acupuncture controlled trial involving 152 participants. Eligible patients will be divided into two groups according to the objective total sleep time: insomnia with normal sleep duration group and insomnia with short sleep duration group. Then, patients in each group will be randomly assigned to two subgroups, the treatment group (acupuncture) and the control group (placebo acupuncture), in a 1:1 ratio with 38 subjects in each subgroup. The primary outcome is the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Insomnia Severity Index. Secondary outcomes are actigraphy, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Fatigue Severity Scale. All adverse effects will be assessed by the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, post treatment, as well as at 1-week and 1-month follow-up.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol has been approved by the ethics committee of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (no. 2019-17). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals for publications.Trial registration numberChiCTR1900023473; Pre-results.