bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture treatment for carotid atherosclerotic plaques: protocol for a randomized, blind clinical trial
Authors: Zhou Junhe , Zhao Lin , Meng Lingcui , Liang Huitao , Zhou Ting , Ye Siting , Qi Zhiqi , Huang Xichang , Zhou Peng , Fu Wenbin 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Carotid atherosclerosis disease (CAD) is generally associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. However, CAD has not been taken seriously enough in the clinic, which, coupled with the single treatment and prevention of CAD, has led to a generally low level of patient compliance. Therefore, acupuncture is expected to be a safe and effective therapy that can be maintained in the long term for patients with CAD. Methods: This is a three-arm randomized clinical trial. Three groups (TA, SA and MC) will be randomly allocated at a 1:1:1 ratio. The study will enrol 105 cervical atherosclerosis plaque patients in total on a voluntary basis, with 35 patients in each group. The treatment will last for 12 weeks with 2 treatments per week for 24 treatments in total. Results: Two 3D ultrasound indicators will be measured as the primary outcomes: the total plaque volume (PV) of the carotid artery on each side and the grey-scale median (GSM). The secondary outcomes will include intima-media thickness (IMT), lipid levels, apolipoprotein A-IV level, platelet count (PLT), fibrinogen (FIB) and platelet aggregation rate (PAR). All the outcomes will be assessed before treatment, after treatment and after a 12-week follow-up period. This study will utilize per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis principles. Conclusions: This trail is to evaluate the efficacy and reliability of acupuncture in relieving carotid atherosclerotic plaques by establishing acupuncture (TA), sham-acupuncture (SA) and medication (MC) groups.
Transcriptome sequencing and comparative analysis for mining genes related to flower color variation in Iris laevigata Fisch.
Authors: Wang Dan , Yu Song , Yang Juan , Wang Ling 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Iris laevigata Fisch. (Iridaceae) is an important aquatic plant with dark blue flowers. I. laevigata var. alba Ling Wang, L. Su & F. J. Shang is especially rare, it has white perianths with white anthers with a blue tinge. I. laevigata var. alba provides a good reference material for revealing complex and variations in anthocyanin catabolism networks. Modern molecular biology technology will facilitate the study of the mechanisms underlying metabolite variation. However, molecular research on I. laevigata is limited due to the lack of sequence data.Results: In this study, RNA-Seq was performed on I. laevigata and I. laevigata var. alba at flowering stage. Two libraries were sequenced using Illumina Hiseq 2000 platform. Clean data of each sample reached 7.01 Gb. A total of 64,537 unigenes were obtained afterassembly, including 28,936 unigenes annotated to seven public databases. Then, 143 unigenes were putative homologs to color-related genes, including 1 up-regulated and 12 down-regulated unigenes. Combined with reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), a number of important color-related genes were tested. In perianths, 5 flavonoids (4 anthocyanins and 1 flavone) were detected using HPLC at flowering stage. Then, the putative anthocyanin metabolic process of flowering stage and differential genes related to flower color variation were put forward. A new hypothesis about the absence of phenotypic color of I. laevigata var. alba was proposed. It was suggested that the loss of anthocyanin was due to the interaction of multiple genes. First, upstream metabolic fluxes were redistributed by up-regulated CHI. Second, synergism of down-regulated genes (F3H/DFR/ANS) and competition for substrates between DFR and FLS resulted in relatively low biological flux and multi-shunt of metabolic pathways. As a result, the anthocyanins content in I. laevigata var. alba is very limited, which leads to the variation of flower color phenotype.Conclusions: This study provides mass sequence data by the deep sequencing of I.laevigata and I. laevigata var. alba for the first time. Combined with the detection and metabolite analysis of flavonoids, it will increase our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the phenotypic variation in I. laevigata var. alba and provide the basis for molecular breeding of unique flower colors.
The prevalence and associated factors on timely initiation of breastfeeding among mothers of children age less than 12 months in Wolaita Sodo City, Wolaita, Ethiopia.
Authors: Gargamo Daniel Baza , Hidoto Kasahun Taffesse , Abiso Temesgen Lera 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background : timely initiation of breastfeeding, also known as early initiation, is the provision of a mothers own breast milk to her infant within one hour of birth. In Ethiopia, there is a considerable variation in the timely initiation of breastfeeding practices among different regions. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding and associated factors among mothers of infants less than 12 months old in Wolaita Sodo City, Wolaita, Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study design was conducted. Multi stage sampling procedure was used. The study period was from January to March 2019. Data was collected by interviewer administered pretested questionnaire. Both bivariate and multivariate analysis was employed and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was used to declare statistical significance at P- value of less than 0.05.Results: A total of 383 mothers with children less than 12 months age were included in the study making the response rate of 97.7 %. The prevalence of timely initiation of breast feeding within an hour was 80.2% . Being male child was 3.39 times AOR: 3.39, 95% CI: 3.39(1.49, 7.71) more likely to be timely initiated breast feeding within an hour than those who are female children. Those children who live with nuclear family are 3.49 times AOR: 3.49, 95% CI: 3.49 (1.09-11.12) more likely to be timely initiated breast feeding than those who live with extended families. Mothers who were delivered vaginally were 4.67 times more likely AOR: 4.67, 95% CI :( 1.92-11.33) to initiate their child breast feed within an hour than those who were delivered by cesarean section. Likewise mothers who counseled about timely initiation of breast feeding within an hour during ANC were 4.76 times AOR: 4.76, 95% CI (2.06-10.98) more likely to initiate their child breast feeding within an hour than those mothers who were not counseled about timely initiation of breast feeding during ANC visits Conclusion : The finding of this study showed that prevalence timely initiation of breast feeding was relatively good. Keywords : timely initiation of breastfeeding, infants from birth to 12 months, Wolaita Sodo City, Ethiopia.
Subjective Cognitive Complaints and Permanent Work Disability: A Prospective Cohort Study of 7,161 Employees in Primarily Knowledge-intensive Occupations with an up to Eight-Year Follow-up
Authors: Pihlajamäki Minna , Arola Heikki , Ahveninen Heini , Ollikainen Jyrki , Korhonen Mikko , Nummi Tapio , Uitti Jukka , Taimela Simo 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Work disability (WD) is a medico-legal concept that refers to disability benefits (DB) granted due to diseases. We assessed whether subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) – presenting as self-rated difficulties of concentration, memory, clear thinking and decision making – predict permanent WD in knowledge-intensive occupations. Methods: We combined the SCC questionnaire results with reliable registry data on the DBs of 7,161 professional/managerial employees (46% females). We excluded employees who were on long-term sickness absence (SA) or had received a DB at baseline. The exposure variable was the presence of SCC. Age and SA before the questionnaire as a proxy measure of general health were treated as confounders and the analyses were conducted by gender. The outcome variable was a granted DB. The cumulative incidence function illustrates the difference between SCC categories, and the Fine-Gray model estimates the predictors of WD during the eight-year follow-up. Results: The most common primary reasons for permanent WD were mental (36%) and musculoskeletal (20%) disorders. SCC predicted DB in both genders when controlling for age and prior SA. Hazard ratios were 2.9 with a 95% confidence interval 1.4-6.0 for the females and 3.7 (1.8-7.9) for the males. After eight years, 3.1% of the females and 2.8% of the males in the abnormal SCC category had received a DB, while the respective figures in the reference category were 1.9% and 1.0%. Conclusion: Subjective cognitive complaints predict permanent WD in knowledge-intensive occupations among professional/managerial employees. This finding has implications for supporting work ability among employees with cognitively demanding tasks.
The association between Cardiovascular Diseases and Its risk factors in Levels of Smoking: Results of a Prospective Study on Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases
Authors: Hamzeh Behrooz , Faramani Roya Safari , Najafi Farid , Pasdar Yahya , Shakiba Ebrahim , Darbandi Mitra 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: smoking is a strong confounder associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and many of the associated risk factors. This study aims to investigate the association between the risk factors of CVD across different level of smoking including former smoker, current smoker and never smokers.Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the first phase data from the Prospective Study of Non-Communicable Diseases in Ravansar (RaNCD), on 10063 adults aged 35 to 65. The smoking status was divided into three groups of current smokers, former smokers, and never smokers, and the smoking intensity was categorized into light, moderate, and heavy. Individuals with a history of myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and coronary artery diseases, or those who took CVD medications were considered as a cardiovascular patient. Covariates were identifies via Logistic regression.Findings: CVD odds in 50-65 age group in current smokers 2.75 times (1.62-4.67:95%CI) the 35-49 age group, in former smokers 1.74(1.04-2.90:95%CI) and in never smokers 2.16(1.83-2.56:95%CI). In women, CVD odds was greater compared to men in current smokers and never smokers. In current smokers, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, increased the odds of CVD by OR=7.87 – P<0.0001, OR=1.47 – P=0.23, and OR=1.81 – P<0.0001, respectively. In former smokers, hypertension (OR=14.15, P<0.0001) and diabetes (OR=2.74, P=0.0001) significantly increased the odds of CVD. On the other hand, vigorous physical activity in former smokers was a protective factor against CVD (OR=0.53, P<0.0001). In heavy smokers, odds of CVD was higher by OR=1.97 – P<0.0001 for those with overweight or obesity. Conclusion: Smoking was significantly association with the risk factors of CVD and the association between smoking and the risk factors of CVD was significantly differ across different levels of smoking.
A school-based educational on-site vaccination intervention for adolescents in an urban area in Germany: Feasibility and psychometric properties of instruments in a pilot study
Authors: Bethke Norma , Gellert Paul , Knoll Nina , Weber Niklas , Seybold Joachim 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Vaccination rates for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio (Tdap-IPV) are not optimal in German adolescents. Education in combination with easy access vaccination may be a promising approach to improve vaccination rates. In a planned cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT), we aim at improving MMR and Tdap-IPV rates together with knowledge and self-efficacy in a school setting, the present paper describes the pilot study of this trial.Methods: Within this pilot study, 863 students from 41 school classes from four schools were included. Optimization and feasibility of the access to schools, recruitment strategies, intervention, and assessment procedures are examined. The course and content of the educational unit was evaluated with a mixed-methods approach. A pre-post measurement design was applied for the vaccination rate in all schools. Additionally, at two schools improvement on vaccination-related knowledge and perceived self-efficacy were measured pre- (n=287) and post- (n=293) educational unit by questionnaire. The remaining two schools provided data only post intervention. Finally, we evaluated the psychometric properties (i.e., reliability, retest reliability, change rates) of the questionnaire, applying Cronbach’s alpha, factor analyses, Generalized Estimating Equations and Linear Mixed Models.Results: Findings of the pilot study indicated good feasibility. Of the total sample, 437 students (50.9%) brought their vaccination cards to school, 68 students were vaccinated with Tdap-IPV, 11 with MMR. Out of 6 knowledge questions, on average students had M=2.84 (CI 2.69/3.10) correct answers before and M=4.45 (CI 4.26/4.64) after class. Ranging from 1 to 4, self-efficacy scale shown a change of 0.3 points (p <.001) and Cronbach’s alpha was .67 and .76 for pre- and post-educational unit respectively and a one-factor solution was found. Content analysis of the five semi-structured group interviews (n=12, 58.3% female) showed that the length of the intervention was felt by all students to be appropriate. The teaching methods including interactive and social media components were perceived as very good.Conclusion: A school-based educational and on-site vaccination intervention appears to be feasible in terms of procedures and the adequacy of the instruments for the adolescent target group.
Comparison of Healthcare Utilization and Out-of-pocket Expenditure for Severe Disease by Health Security System: based on End-stage Renal Disease in South Korea
Authors: Shin Sun Mi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Korea's health security system named National Health Insurance and Medical Aid has revolutionized the nation's mandatory health insurance and continues to reduce excessive copayments. However, few have been studied on healthcare utilization and expenditure according to the health security system in case of severe disease. This study looked at reverse discrimination within End-Stage Renal Disease between National Health Insurance and Medical Aid. Methods: Subjects were a total of 305 diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease in Korea Health Panel from 2008 to 2013. Chi-square, t-test, and ANCOVA were conducted to identify healthcare utilization rate, out-of-pocket expenditure, and catastrophic expenditure rate. Fixed effect panel analysis was used to evaluate total out-of-pocket expenditure over a 6-year trend by National Health Insurance and Medical Aid. Results: There were no significant differences in healthcare utilization rate in emergency-room visits, admission, or out-patient department visits between National Health Insurance and Medical Aid because healthcare service was essential for a serious disease such as End-Stage Renal Disease. Meanwhile, each out-of-pocket expenditure for admission and out-patient department in National Health Insurance was 2.6 and 3.1 times higher than Medical Aid (P<0.05). A total of out-of-pocket expenditure including emergency-room visits, admission, out-patient department visits, and prescribed drug expenditure was 2.9 times higher in National Health Insurance than those of Medical Aid (P<0.001). Over a 6-year trend for a total of out-of-pocket expenditure, subjects with National Health Insurance spent more than those of Medical Aid (P<0.01). If annual household gross income was less than the median and subjects were covered by National Health Insurance, the catastrophic health expenditure rate was 85.9%, but 47.1% in Medical Aid (P<0.001). Conclusion: Serious disease such as End-Stage Renal Disease can result in reverse discrimination depending on the type of health security system. It is necessary to consider those who belong to National Health Insurance but are still poor. Key words: National Health Insurance, Medical Aid, Healthcare utilization, Out-of-pocket expenditure, End-stage Renal Disease, Catastrophic health expenditure
Gene mutation and drug resistance of <i>M. tuberculosis</i> in the patients followed up in the city of Moscow
Authors: Krasnova M. A. , Belilovsky E. M. , Borisov S. E. , Khakhalina A. A. , Mikhaylova Yu. D. , Nosova E. Yu. 
Published: January 2020

The article describes a retrospective study of the results of microbiological and molecular genetic tests of 685 M. tuberculosis cultures isolated from 685 adult tuberculosis patients registered for dispensary follow-up in Moscow in 2014.The following was identified during the study: phenotypic drug resistance (FDR) of MTB to rifampicin, isoniazid, fluoroquinolones, kanamycin, amikacin, and capreomycin in groups of patients with different treatment history; the frequency of FDR to the above anti-tuberculosis drugs in strains with mutations being drug resistance markers; the frequency of various mutations in case of FDR of mycobacteria in the patients from different groups; the relationship of FDR or the presence of a particular mutation with various characteristics of the patients and their treatment history.The history of previous treatment was determined as statistical significance to provide the greatest influence on the spread of drug resistant MTB: patients undergoing repeated treatment had FDR more often and also a much more pronounced variety of mutations being markers of FDR to certain anti-tuberculosis drugs.The results of the study showed that the detection of genetic mutations in MBT associated with FDR was a reliable tool for predicting phenotypic resistance and should be used as the main method for selecting anti-tuberculosis drugs when compiling the etiotropic therapy regimen.
Rare clinical case of esophageal atresia in a newborn
Authors: Morozov V. I. , Podshivalin A. A. , Chigvinsev G. E. , Zykova M. A. , Batyrshina L. I. , Bobyleva E. V. 
Published: January 2020

Esophageal atresia is a malformation in which the upper and lower segments of the esophagus are separated. In this case, one or both segments may have a connection with the trachea.Purpose: to familiarize medical practitioners with a rare clinical case of esophageal atresia. The clinical variant of esophageal atresia presented in the publication has not yet been described in the medical literature; according to the clinical characteristics, it is most consistent with type 3B according to the classification of E. Vogt. Diagnosis and treatment of this malformation is carried out according to the previously developed standard protocol for diagnosis and treatment. The key diagnostic method is thoracoscopy, in many cases the malformation is detected intraoperatively (the main diagnostic method).The history of a sick child, a characteristic of clinical symptoms, data of paraclinical research methods, methods and favorable treatment results are provided.
Epidemiology of the syncope in children and adolescents in elite sport (EPISODE-S research)
Authors: Makarov L. M. , Komolyatova V. N. , Kiseleva I. I. , Aksenova N. V. , Besportochnyi D. A. , Balykova L. A. , Parshina T. S. 
Published: January 2020

Study purpose.To determine the prevalence of syncope among young elite athletes.Material and methods.In the course of the study “Epidemiology of the syncope in children and adolsceents in elite sport (EPISODE-S)” ** 1687 young elite athletes 16.3±1.5 years old, members of the Russian National teams from 52 sports discipline were surveyed. Control group was 1732 nonathletes the same age and gender.Results.113 (6.7%) athletes had syncope (girls – 73.5%). More often, syncope registered in basketball (10.5%), judo (10.3%), rhythmic gymnastics (9.1%), figure skating (8.0%), volleyball (7.4%). According to the results of questioning in schools, syncope was noted in 4.2% of students. In all cases among athletes syncope had neurally mediated (reflex) nature by the results of the additional examination. Four out of 1687 athletes (0.24%) had the long QT syndrome, but they haven’t got syncope.Conclusions.1. In the young elite athletes prevalence of syncope is 6.7% (4.2% for non-athletes) and significantly more common in girls (11.6% vs. 3.4%). More often, syncope occurs in sports where tall athletes are selected (basketball, volleyball) or strict weight control is required (rhythmic gymnastics, figure skating, judo). The majority of the young athletes has benign neurally mediated nature of syncope and doesn’t need restrict for the sport, but the first of all they require the exclusion of diseases with a high risk of sudden cardiac death.**Epidemiology of thesyncope in children and adolsceents in elitesport (EPISODE-S)
Markers of genomic instability in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Makarova T. P. , Ilina M. S. 
Published: January 2020

Research purpose. To determine the state of the genome instability in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and to assess its dependence on biological (age and sex) and clinical (form and variant of the flow of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, its activity, duration, functional class and serotype of the patient) parameters.Material and methods: 95 children were surveyed. Among them, 68 (39 girls and 29 boys) – with various forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, 12 – without treatment (at the stage of verification of the diagnosis). The control group consisted of 15 conditionally healthy children aged 3 to 16 years. To assess the genome instability, the method of determination of micronuclei in peripheral blood binuclear lymphocytes under the conditions of a cytochalasin block (in vitro) was used.Results: All examined children in the active form of the disease showed a significant increase in the level of binuclear lymphocytes with micronuclei in lymphocytes compared with a group of conditionally healthy children. The maximum values of this indicator were observed in the age group from 5 to 10 years and in children with a disease duration of up to 1 year. As the activity of the process increases, the level of binuclear lymphocytes with micronuclei rises. After treatment, a significant decrease in the indicator content was detected in patients with the II degree of disease activity in both cases of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.Conclusion. Statistically significant increase in the level of binuclear lymphocytes with micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes may indicate the formation of genome instability in children as a pathogenetic part in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.