bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors associated with rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and eczema among schoolchildren in Uganda
Authors: Mpairwe Harriet , Nkurunungi Gyaviira , Tumwesige Pius , Akurut Hellen , Namutebi Milly , Nambuya Irene , Nnaluwooza Marble , Apule Barbara , Onen Caroline , Katongole Tonny , Niwagaba Emmanuel , Mukasa Mike , Webb Emily L. , Elliott Alison M. , Pearce Neil 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of allergy‐related diseases (ARDs), including rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and eczema, is on the increase globally. The causes of this increase are not well established.ObjectivesTo investigate the risk factors associated with ARDs among schoolchildren in Uganda.MethodsWe conducted a secondary data analysis of a large asthma case–control study involving 1700 schoolchildren, 5–17 years, in urban Uganda. ARDs were defined according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Skin prick testing (SPT) was conducted using standard procedures and allergen‐specific IgE (asIgE) using ImmunoCAP®. We employed inverse probability weighted analysis to generate estimated prevalence data and weighted odds ratios.ResultsThe lifetime estimated weighted prevalence of reported rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and eczema was 43.3%, 39.5% and 13.5%; weighted prevalence in 12 months was 10.1%, 9.1% and 2.3%, respectively. There was overlap of ARDs, with 66.3% of 1193 schoolchildren who reported having ever an ARDs (including asthma) reporting two or more. Risk factors associated with reported rhinitis in the last 12 months were city residence at birth [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 2.66 (1.42–4.99) compared to rural]; father's [2.62 (1.79–3.83)] and mother's history of allergic disease [2.12 (1.48–3.02)]; frequent de‐worming in the last 12 months [2.01 (1.30–3.11), ≥2 versus none]; current high frequency of ‘trucks passing on the street near home’ [2.59 (1.48–4.52), ‘almost all the time’ versus rarely] and positive SPT [1.54 (1.09–2.18)] but not asIgE [1.38 (0.60–3.15)]. The same pattern of risk factors was observed for allergic conjunctivitis and eczema.ConclusionWe found extensive multi‐morbidity of, and overlap in the risk factors for, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and eczema—similar to asthma risk factors—among schoolchildren in urban Uganda. This suggests a similar underlying cause for all ARDs, associated with exposure to urban lifestyles and environment in Uganda.
Pituitary incidentalomas in paediatric population: Incidence and characteristics
Authors: Shareef Muhammed , Nasrallah Mona P. , AlArab Natally , Atweh Lamya A. , Zadeh Catherina , Hourani Roula 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the incidence of pituitary incidentalomas in the paediatric population and among its different age subgroups as well as to identify the characteristics of these lesions. Additionally, we aim to give a perspective on the management and follow‐up of these patients.Design and PatientsWe retrospectively studied MRI of children aged 18 years or below who underwent MRI with sellar region within their field of view between January 2010 and December 2018.MeasurementsPituitary lesions were considered incidental according to the definition by the Endocrine Society. We reported the size, location and signal characteristics of each lesion. Medical charts of the subjects were reviewed for age, sex, the MRI indication and the hormonal assays levels.ResultsWe identified 40 pituitary lesions of which 31 were incidental lesions. The incidence of pituitary incidentaloma in our cohort was 22 per 1000 patients with female predisposition ( 64.5%) and a mean age of 11 ± 6 years. Rathke's cleft cyst was the most prevalent lesion, accounting for 67.7% followed by cystic pituitary lesions and microadenomas. The most common indications for imaging were growth disturbance (12.9%) followed by headache (9.7%). Abnormal laboratory workup was present in 13% of the subjects. Incidental lesions were more common in the older age groups compared to young children.ConclusionIncidental pituitary lesions in the paediatric population are relatively infrequent and increases with age. Rathke's cleft cyst is the most common incidentally encountered pituitary lesion followed by cystic pituitary lesions and microadenomas.
Contact allergy to polyhexamethylene biguanide (polyaminopropyl biguanide)
Authors: Sukakul Thanisorn , Dahlin Jakob , Pontén Ann , Antelmi Annarita , Bruze Magnus , Hamnerius Nils , Hauksson Inese , Isaksson Marléne , Lejding Tina , Svedman Cecilia 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundPolyaminopropyl biguanide (INCI name) and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) are polymeric biguanides. PHMB is a broad‐spectrum antimicrobial substance used as a preservative in many products. Due to our limited knowledge on PHMB contact allergy frequency and the fact that cases of allergic contact dermatitis to PHMB might be missed, we have included PHMB as a screening allergen since 2016.ObjectiveTo report the prevalence of positive patch test reactions to PHMB as a screening allergen in patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 1760 patch tested patients from July 2016 to December 2018 was performed. Polyaminopropyl biguanide 2.0% aqua was included in the extended Malmö baseline series during the study period.ResultsOf all patients, 1204 (68.4%) were female. Positive patch test reactions were reported in 19 patients (1.1%). The most common sites of lesions were face, head, and neck (52.6%). There was a significant correlation between concomitant reactions to PHMB and other cosmetic‐related allergens.ConclusionThe prevalence of positive reactions to PHMB was higher than that previously reported. Patch testing with PHMB should be performed in patients with dermatitis who have lesions on the face, head, and neck.
What is the risk of permanent stoma beyond 5 years after low anterior resection for rectal cancer? A 15‐year follow‐up of a randomized trial
Authors: Gadan S. , Floodeen H. , Lindgren R. , Rutegård M. , Matthiessen P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimLow anterior resection of the rectum for cancer (LAR) entails a risk of symptomatic anastomotic leakage as well as impaired anorectal function, both of which may eventually result in the need for a permanent stoma (PS). The aim was to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for PS beyond 5 years following LAR.MethodsPatients undergoing LAR and included in a multicentre trial with randomization to defunctioning stoma or not were followed for a median of 15 years. The reasons for a PS up to 5 years (PS ≤ 5 years) and beyond 5 years (PS > 5 years) were identified and compared. Risk factors for PS were analysed.ResultsOf all patients, 25% (57/232) had a PS. PS ≤ 5 years occurred in 19% (44/232) at a median of 12.5 months and PS > 5 years in 6% (13/232) at a median of 118 months following LAR. The main reason for PS ≤ 5 years was impaired anorectal function in 55% (24/44) and the main reason for PS > 5 years was pelvic sepsis related to the colorectal anastomosis in 46% (6/13). The major risk factor for PS was symptomatic anastomotic leakage, which occurred in 56% (32/57) of patients with PS and 10% (17/175) of patients without PS (P < 0.001).ConclusionOne‐fourth of the patients who ended up with a PS had it fashioned beyond 5 years at a median of 10 years following LAR. Symptomatic anastomotic leakage was the major risk factor for PS, and impaired anorectal function was the main overall reason for a PS.
An integrated methodology to control the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension and type 1 diabetes
Authors: Shetaban Samar , Seyyed Esfahani Mir Mehdi , Saghaei Abbas , Ahmadi Abbas 
Published: October 2020

AbstractToday, air pollution, smoking, use of fatty acids and ready‐made foods, and so on, have exacerbated heart disease. Therefore, controlling the risk of such diseases can prevent or reduce their incidence. The present study aimed at developing an integrated methodology including Markov decision processes (MDP) and genetic algorithm (GA) to control the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension and type 1 diabetes. First, the efficiency of GA is evaluated against Grey Wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm, and then, the superiority of GA is revealed. Next, the MDP is employed to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease. For this purpose, model inputs are first determined using a validated micro‐simulation model for screening cardiovascular disease developed at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran by GA. The model input factors are then defined accordingly and using these inputs, three risk estimation models are identified. The results of these models support WHO guidelines that provide medicine with a high discount to patients with high expected LYs. To develop the MDP methodology, policies should be adopted that work well despite the difference between the risk model and the actual risk. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to study the behavior of the total medication cost against the changes of parameters.
Does green banking performance pay off? Evidence from a unique regulatory setting in Bangladesh
Authors: Bose Sudipta , Khan Habib Zaman , Monem Reza M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractResearch Question/IssueA firm's choice to “go green” largely remains unregulated worldwide. This study uses an institutional setting in Bangladesh experiencing a green banking regulatory reform to examine whether banks' green performance translates into improved financial performance and whether this is moderated by banks' political connections.Research Findings/InsightsResults based on a sample of 172 firm‐year observations from 2008 to 2014 suggest that green banking performance is positively associated with a bank's financial performance. Further analysis suggests that cost efficiency mainly drives this relationship. However, banks' political connections negatively affect this relationship by counterbalancing green banking's non‐financial benefits. Our findings are robust to sensitivity tests that examine endogeneity concerns using difference‐in‐differences (DiD) and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses and Heckman's two‐stage analysis.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsMost prior studies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) were conducted in voluntary settings: however, our study utilizes a unique regulatory setting in Bangladesh. With this exogenous shock to the banking industry, the regulatory setting helped to alleviate endogeneity concerns arising from voluntary motives behind CSR performance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine any link between green banking performance in a regulatory setting and banks' financial performance.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsThis study's findings suggest that sustainable business practices promoted through regulatory intervention can improve financial performance. A regulatory green banking initiative can be a win–win for all competing stakeholders. Our findings have significant policy implications for governments and regulatory agencies worldwide in the fight against global warming and climate change.
Stem cell therapy for COVID‐19, ARDS and pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Li Zhongwen , Niu Shuaishuai , Guo Baojie , Gao Tingting , Wang Lei , Wang Yukai , Wang Liu , Tan Yuanqing , Wu Jun , Hao Jie 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). COVID‐19 mainly causes damage to the lung, as well as other organs and systems such as the hearts, the immune system and so on. Although the pathogenesis of COVID‐19 has been fully elucidated, there is no specific therapy for the disease at present, and most treatments are limited to supportive care. Stem cell therapy may be a potential treatment for refractory and unmanageable pulmonary illnesses, which has shown some promising results in preclinical studies. In this review, we systematically summarize the pathogenic progression and potential mechanisms underlying stem cell therapy in COVID‐19, and registered COVID‐19 clinical trials. Of all the stem cell therapies touted for COVID‐19 treatment, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or MSC‐like derivatives have been the most promising in preclinical studies and clinical trials so far. MSCs have been suggested to ameliorate the cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and protect alveolar epithelial cells by secreting many kinds of factors, demonstrating safety and possible efficacy in COVID‐19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, considering the consistency and uniformity of stem cell quality cannot be quantified nor guaranteed at this point, more work remains to be done in the future.
Producing actionable science in conservation: Best practices for organizations and individuals
Authors: Gerber Leah R. , Barton Chris J. , Cheng Samantha H. , Anderson Derrick 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMany researchers working in conservation aspire to produce “actionable science” to inform conservation practice. In order to understand what it takes to produce actionable science, we interviewed 71 researchers who have worked on producing actionable science in conservation. We asked about the attributes of actionable science and the various factors that, in their experience, aid or hinder its production. We focused specifically on factors that correspond to individual behaviors and those that relate to organizational level policies and practices. Six best practices associated with the production of actionable science emerged from our interviews: four at the individual level and two at the organizational level. Best practices for individual behaviors include: (a) engaging in collaboration; (b) practicing empathy; (c) building trusting relationships; and (d) employing diverse communication methods. Best practices for organizations include: (a) incentivizing actionable science and (b) providing resources for actionable science to early‐career researchers. Our analyses provide useful guidelines for conservation researchers and practitioners who are interested in producing actionable science.
A Theory of Change for promoting coexistence between dingoes and livestock production
Authors: van Eeden Lily , Dickman Christopher , Crowther Mathew , Newsome Thomas 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAchieving conservation goals, such as coexistence between wildlife and humans, requires an evidence‐based understanding of the factors that shape conservation contexts. For addressing conflict between humans and wildlife, this means understanding the barriers and opportunities to changing human behaviors toward wildlife. Here, we develop a Theory of Change (ToC) to promote coexistence between livestock producers and dingoes in Australia. The ToC is based on behavior change principles and interdisciplinary research identifying four key stakeholder groups who may influence dingo management. It employs four overlapping strategies to address these barriers: (a) a media campaign to promote public awareness of dingo management practices, which may result in pressure upon governments to restrict lethal control; (b) promoting more inclusive decision‐making processes, specifically including Aboriginal Australians; (c) monitoring and evaluation of the effects of dingo management on livestock and ecosystems to identify opportunities for nonlethal dingo management; (d) campaign to encourage adoption of nonlethal management methods by livestock producers based on an understanding of sociopsychological factors that shape behaviors. The framework is a tool for conservation advocates and policymakers to implement and monitor change that facilitates both wildlife conservation and thriving rural communities.
Impacts of social inequalities on the survival of heart transplant recipients in a developing country
Authors: do Nascimento Carvalho Wágner , Alves Maria Gustavo dos Santos , Gonçalves Karla Cordeiro , Miranda Anna Letícia , Moreira Maria da Consolação Vieira 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundHeart transplant (HT) is an alternative for patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Social inequalities may influence survival, but are still not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of social and clinical inequalities on the survival of HT recipients.MethodsRetrospective cohort study conducted at a Brazilian hospital from 2006 to 2018.ResultsThree hundred and two patients were analyzed. Most HT recipients were male (205, 67.9%), mixed race 146 (48.3%), retired (166, 56.5%), median age 47 (38‐57) years, and had studied no more than eight years (191, 65.8%), were younger than 60 years old (256, 84.7%). 149 (51.7%) had per capita monthly income inferior to one Brazilian minimum wage, equivalent to US$250. 123 (95.4%) out of 129 patients had allograft cellular rejection 2R or 3R. Median donor age was 32 (23‐39) years. The overall survival was 76.6%, 62.2%, and 58.2%, at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Age <60 years old and higher income were associated with a greater chance of survival (p‐values .009 and <.001, respectively).ConclusionYounger age and higher per capita income had positive impact on HT recipient survival. The level of education did not affect survival in this cohort.
Thyroid cytology in Pakistan: An institutional audit of the atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance category
Authors: Fatima Saira , Qureshi Rabia , Imran Sumbul , Idrees Romana , Ahmad Zubair , Kayani Naila , Ahmed Arsalan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionFine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), along with thyroid ultrasound, is an important tool in evaluation of thyroid nodules that helps in further management of these patients in making a decision of surgical intervention vs follow‐up. The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology category III of atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) has risk of malignancy (ROM) ranging from 5% to 15%. The aim of the present study was to describe the frequency of AUS/FLUS in thyroid gland FNACs and the surgical outcomes of these cases.MethodsThe integrated laboratory management system retrieved the thyroid FNACs from 2010 to 2018 and subsequent surgical pathology specimens. For the AUS/FLUS cases, data regarding patient demographics, cytology and histological diagnoses were recorded. The results were tabulated as the overall frequency of AUS/FLUS in thyroid FNACs, cytohistological correlation (benign and malignant) and ROM.ResultsOver a period of 9 years, 256 (10.9%) cases out of 2342 thyroid FNACs were reported as AUS/FLUS at our institution. Mean age was 43.5 years. The majority (70.3%) of patients were female. Seventy‐two of 104 resection specimens (69.2%) were reported as benign and 32 cases (30.7%) had malignant diagnosis. Upper‐bound ROM was 30.7% (32 cases with malignant diagnosis out of 104 resection specimens). Lower‐bound ROM was calculated as 12.5% (32 cases with malignant diagnosis out of 256 total AUS diagnosis).ConclusionThe AUS/FLUS category of thyroid cytology and associated ROM remain an evolving area. Individual institutions should monitor the frequency and include ROM in the dashboard indicators to remain within the recommended range.
Geographical patterns in phylogenetic diversity of Chinese woody plants and its application for conservation planning
Authors: Cai Hongyu , Lyu Lisha , Shrestha Nawal , Tang Zhiyao , Su Xiangyan , Xu Xiaoting , Dimitrov Dimitar , Wang Zhiheng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimBiodiversity hotspots are widely used as conservation priorities to preserve the tree of life. However, many conservation practices identify biodiversity hotspots without considering phylogenetic diversity (PD), which reflects total evolutionary history and feature diversity of a region. Moreover, conservation planning rarely distinguishes between neo‐ and palaeo‐biodiversity hotspots despite their differences. Here, we (a) estimated large‐scale patterns in PD of woody plants, (b) identified neo‐ and palaeo‐biodiversity hotspots and (c) demonstrated their implication in conservation planning, with special focus on Hengduan Mountains and southern China.LocationChina.MethodsDistributions of 11,405 woody species from the Atlas of Woody Plants in China were updated and were transformed into a grid of 50 × 50 km2. By integrating distribution maps with a genus‐level phylogeny of angiosperms, we estimated Faith's PD of each grid cell and evaluated the contribution of species relatedness to PD at given levels of species diversity (i.e. standardized PD, sPD) using regressions and three null models. Then, we identified areas with significantly lower or higher sPD than expected as neo‐ and palaeo‐hotspots and estimated the coverage of protected areas in these regions.ResultsSpecies diversity and PD decreased towards the north. Southern China had high species diversity, PD and sPD, while Hengduan Mountains had high species diversity and PD but low sPD. The coverage of protected areas in southern China was less than half of that in Hengduan Mountains and entire China.Main conclusionsOur results identified Hengduan Mountains as a neo‐hotspot and southern China as a palaeo‐hotspot, highlighting their importance for biodiversity conservation. Compared to Hengduan Mountains, southern China has low coverage of protected areas, which calls for more conservation attention. Our study demonstrates a way of incorporating the phylogenetic component in the identification of neo‐ and palaeo‐hotspots, and hence of achieving a more complete perception of biodiversity patterns for conserving the tree of life.
Preoperative neurodevelopment of children with moyamoya angiopathy
Authors: Serra Sabina , Kugler Julietta , Hug Martina , Hackenberg Annette , Latal Beatrice , Khan Nadia 
Published: October 2020

AimTo preoperatively assess the neurodevelopment of a predominantly white population of children with moyamoya angiopathy (MMA).MethodAssessments of 40 children with MMA (24 females, 16 males; mean age 6y 11mo, range 20mo–16y) included tests for non‐verbal IQ and fine motor skills, and questionnaires on quality of life, behaviour, and executive functions. The Paediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM) score was evaluated by a paediatric neurologist.ResultsChildren with MMA had significantly lower non‐verbal IQ scores (mean IQ 92.1, SD 19.6, p=0.015) and fine motor skills (z‐score −1.84, p=0.004) than population norms. Patients with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) involvement had poorer non‐verbal IQ scores than those without (79.6, SD 24.6 vs 95.2, SD 17.2, p=0.042). Higher PSOM scores were related to lower non‐verbal IQ scores (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient −0.43, p=0.006), while the presence of stroke, bilaterality, disease versus syndrome, and age at diagnosis had no significant effect on non‐verbal IQ. Quality of life, behaviour, and executive functions were in the typically developing range.InterpretationChildren with MMA are more likely to manifest intellectual and fine motor skill impairment before surgical intervention. PCA involvement is an additional risk factor for lower non‐verbal IQ.What this paper adds

Children with moyamoya angiopathy have intellectual and fine motor skill impairment before surgical intervention.

Posterior cerebral artery involvement and higher Paediatric Stroke Outcome Measure scores may predict poorer performance.