bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk of recurrent corneal erosion in patients with diabetes mellitus in Taiwan: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Jan Ren-Long , Tai Ming-Cheng , Ho Chung-Han , Chu Chin-Chen , Wang Jhi-Joung , Tseng Sung-Huei , Chang Yuh-Shin 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk of recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).Design, setting and participantsThis retrospective, nationwide, matched cohort study included 239 854 patients with DM recruited between 2003 and 2005 from the Longitudinal Cohort of Diabetes Patients database. The control group included the same number of age-matched and sex-matched patients without DM selected from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, 2000. Data for each patient were collected from the index date until December 2013.Main outcomes and measuresThe incidence and risk of RCE were compared between the two groups. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate the HR for RCE after adjustment for potential confounders. The cumulative RCE incidence rate was calculated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.ResultsIn total, 1236 patients with DM and 884 controls developed RCE during the follow-up period, resulting in an incidence rate of RCE in patients with DM (5.87/10 000 person-years (PY)) higher than that in the controls (4.23/10 000 PY). After adjustment for potential confounders, including hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, chronic renal disease and keratoconjunctivitis sicca, patients with DM were 1.35 times (95% CI, 1.24 to 1.48) more likely to develop RCE than the total sample cohort.ConclusionsDM increases the risk of RCE, which is an interdisciplinary issue. Therefore, close collaboration between endocrinologists and ophthalmologists is important in managing RCE following DM.
Quality of reporting for randomised clinical trials published in Latin American and Spanish journals: A protocol for a systematic survey of three clinical specialities
Authors: Bachelet Vivienne C , Carrasco Víctor A , Bravo-Córdova Fabiana , Díaz Ruben A , Lizana Francisca J , Meza-Ducaud Nicolás , Pardo-Hernandez Hector , Uribe Francisco A , Vergara Alonso F , Villanueva Julio , Navarrete María S 
Published: June 2020

IntroductionQuality of reporting refers to how published articles communicate how the research was done and what was found. Gaps and imprecisions of reporting hamper the assessment of the methodological quality and internal and external validity. The CONsolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) are a set of evidence-based recommendations of the minimum elements to be included in the reporting of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to ensure a complete and transparent account of what was done, how it was done and what was found. Few studies have been conducted on the impact of CONSORT on RCTs published in Latin American and Spanish journals. We aim to assess the reporting quality of RCTs of three clinical specialities published in Spanish and Latin American journals, as well as to assess changes over time and associations of quality with journal and country indicators.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a systematic survey of all RCTs published in Spanish-language journals in three clinical fields (dentistry, neurology and geriatrics) from 1990 to 2018. We will include RCTs from previous work that has identified all RCTs on these medical fields published in Spain and Latin America. We will update this work via handsearching of relevant journals. Assessment of quality of reporting will be conducted independently and in duplicate using the CONSORT 2010 Statement. We will also extract journal and country indicators. We will conduct descriptive statistics and secondary analyses considering the year, country, and journal of publication, among others.Ethics and disseminationThe Universidad de Santiago de Chile’s ethics committee approved the protocol. We will disseminate the results of this work in peer-reviewed scientific journals and conference proceedings. We expect to raise awareness among researchers, journal editors and funders on the importance of training in reporting guidelines and using them from the inception of RCT protocols.
How far are we from a medication use process aiming at well-informed adherent patients with long-term medications in Finland? Qualitative study
Authors: Mononen Niina , Pohjanoksa-Mäntylä Marika , Airaksinen Marja SA , Hämeen-Anttila Katri 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveFinland is one of the few countries that has established a national Medicines Information (MI) Strategy. The ultimate goal of the strategy is a well-implemented medication use process resulting in well-informed adherent patients. This study aimed at evaluating the implementation of the strategy 3 years after its launch.DesignThe evaluation applied a pragmatic approach and was conducted by interviewing stakeholders involved in the National MI Network enhancing the MI Strategy’s implementation. The network comprises national key stakeholders producing and using MI. Data were deductively analysed according to the medication use process of the MI Strategy using the framework method, complemented with inductively derived categories.SettingNational implementation of the MI Strategy throughout the healthcare system after the first operational period (2012–2014) in 2015.ParticipantsThe members of the National MI Network (n=79/111, participation rate 71%, representing 42/53 stakeholder organisations).Outcome measuresA new conceptual framework was developed based on stakeholders’ views on well-implemented actions and actions needing development in the medication use process at (1) infrastructure (macro), (2) healthcare professionals (meso) and (3) patient (micro) levels.ResultsMedication counselling by community pharmacists was the primary implemented action, followed by physicians’ actions while starting a new medication, and advice given by nurses. The major development needs concerned (1) poor access to patient information and its transfer in healthcare, particularly the lack of reconciled medication lists and electronic health records (macro); (2) poorly functioning medication use process in home care and social care units, such as nursing homes (meso); and (3) limited patient involvement in their care (micro).ConclusionsFar more actions for development than well-established practices in the medication use process were identified. Major challenges found in this evaluation are considered in the ongoing Rational Pharmacotherapy Action Plan 2018–2022 by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
Wellness and resilience for college and beyond: protocol for a quasi-experimental pilot study investigating a dialectical behaviour therapy skill-infused college course
Authors: Chugani Carla D. , Fuhrman Barbara , Abebe Kaleab Z. , Talis Janine , Miller Elizabeth , Coulter Robert W.S. 
Published: June 2020

IntroductionCollege students’ mental health problems and suicidal behaviour are serious, persistent and prevalent public health issues. With the need for mental health support greatly exceeding the availability of on-campus treatment, a recent trend on college campuses is to offer courses designed to teach students strategies for developing mental health or resilience. While these courses are exceptionally popular among students, a paucity of research investigates the health outcomes associated with participation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a college course grounded in skills from dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) titled, ‘Wellness and Resilience for College and Beyond’.Methods and analysisDuring the spring and fall 2020 semesters, the course will be offered on five campuses in Southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The course consists of 15 weekly 2.5-hour lessons, weekly homework assignments and a final examination with content drawn from DBT, acceptance and commitment therapy and positive psychology. Undergraduate students aged 18–24 will self-select into the course and control subjects receiving ‘university as usual’ will be recruited to serve as a comparison group. Students who receive the course will complete measures of course acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility. All study participants will complete measures of adaptive coping skills use, emotion dysregulation and suicidality.Ethics and disseminationAll of the study procedures were approved as an exempt protocol for evaluation of educational curricula by the University of Pittsburgh Human Research Protections Office (HRPO); the study was approved as a research study by the institutional review board (IRB) of the fifth study site. The University of Pittsburgh HRPO served as the IRB of record for all except one study site, which required standard IRB review. Data from this study will be disseminated via conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications and via our online stakeholder learning collaborative.Trial registration numberNCT04338256.
Health impacts of seated arm ergometry training in patients with a diabetic foot ulcer: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: McCarthy Matthew , Yates Thomas , Webb David , Game Frances , Gray Laura , Davies Melanie J 
Published: June 2020

IntroductionOnce diagnosed with a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), patients are advised to offload, keeping pressure off the foot in order to facilitate ulcer healing. An increase in offloading is often accompanied by reductions in physical activity which can worsen the overall health of patients.While unable to perform traditional forms of upright activity, one mode of exercise that would allow patients to be physically active while adhering to offloading instruction is seated arm ergometry. The merits of tailored aerobic exercise in DFU remain unexplored.Methods and analysisThis is a prospective open-label randomised controlled trial. Participants will be randomised to one of two groups, an exercise intervention group or control. The intervention group are required to undertake arm ergometry training at a moderate intensity (65%–75% HRpeak), three times per week for 12 weeks as individually prescribed by an exercise physiologist, while the control group will continue to receive standard care alone. Assessment of outcome measures will occur at baseline and after the intervention period, these will include: a seated VO2 peak test, a blood sample, a short physical performance battery, a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan and completing a range of health-based questionnaires. The above will be used to determine: cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic health, physical function, body composition and quality of life, respectively. Ulcer area will also be measured as an approximate marker of ulcer healing.Ethics and disseminationThis trial has been approved by ‘Yorkshire & The Humber—Leeds West Research Ethics Committee’ (19/YH/0269). Trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and through conference presentations.Trial registration numberISRCTN16000053. Registered in accordance with WHO Trial Registration Data Set (version 1.3.1).
Early Pandemic Evaluation and Enhanced Surveillance of COVID-19 (EAVE II): protocol for an observational study using linked Scottish national data
Authors: Simpson Colin R , Robertson Chris , Vasileiou Eleftheria , McMenamin Jim , Gunson Rory , Ritchie Lewis D , Woolhouse Mark , Morrice Lynn , Kelly Dave , Stagg Helen R , Marques Diogo , Murray Josie , Sheikh Aziz 
Published: June 2020

IntroductionFollowing the emergence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 and the ensuing COVID-19 pandemic, population-level surveillance and rapid assessment of the effectiveness of existing or new therapeutic or preventive interventions are required to ensure that interventions are targeted to those at highest risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19. We aim to repurpose and expand an existing pandemic reporting platform to determine the attack rate of SARS-CoV-2, the uptake and effectiveness of any new pandemic vaccine (once available) and any protective effect conferred by existing or new antimicrobial drugs and other therapies.Methods and analysisA prospective observational cohort will be used to monitor daily/weekly the progress of the COVID-19 epidemic and to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in approximately 5.4 million individuals registered in general practices across Scotland. A national linked dataset of patient-level primary care data, out-of-hours, hospitalisation, mortality and laboratory data will be assembled. The primary outcomes will measure association between: (A) laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, morbidity and mortality, and demographic, socioeconomic and clinical population characteristics; and (B) healthcare burden of COVID-19 and demographic, socioeconomic and clinical population characteristics. The secondary outcomes will estimate: (A) the uptake (for vaccines only); (B) effectiveness; and (C) safety of new or existing therapies, vaccines and antimicrobials against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The association between population characteristics and primary outcomes will be assessed via multivariate logistic regression models. The effectiveness of therapies, vaccines and antimicrobials will be assessed from time-dependent Cox models or Poisson regression models. Self-controlled study designs will be explored to estimate the risk of therapeutic and prophylactic-related adverse events.Ethics and disseminationWe obtained approval from the National Research Ethics Service Committee, Southeast Scotland 02. The study findings will be presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.
Role of children in the transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid scoping review
Authors: Rajmil Luis 
Published: June 2020

BackgroundAs a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries have adopted measures of social distance, with the childhood population being one of the main focus of attention in these measures.MethodsA rapid scoping review was carried out by searching PubMed to know if children are more contagious than adults, and the proportion of asymptomatic cases in children. Google Scholar and MedRxiv/bioRxiv were also searched. The time period was restricted from 1 December 2019 until 28 May 2020. Only studies published in English, Italian, French or Spanish were included.ResultsFourteen out of 1099 identified articles were finally included. Studies included cases from China (n=9 to 2143), China and Taiwan (n=536), Korea (n=1), Vietnam (n=1), Australia (n=9), Geneva (n=40), the Netherlands (n=116), Ireland (n=3) and Spain (population-based study of IgG, n=8243). Although no complete data were available, between 15% and 55%–60% were asymptomatic, and 75%–100% of cases were from family transmission. Studies analysing school transmission showed children as not a driver of transmission. Prevalence of COVID-19 IgG antibody in children <15 years was lower than the general population in the Spanish study.ConclusionsChildren are not transmitters to a greater extent than adults. There is a need to improve the validity of epidemiological surveillance to solve current uncertainties, and to take into account social determinants and child health inequalities during and after the current pandemic.
Location-specific cell identity rather than exposure to GI microbiota defines many innate immune signalling cascades in the gut epithelium
Authors: Kayisoglu Ozge , Weiss Franziska , Niklas Carolin , Pierotti Isabella , Pompaiah Malvika , Wallaschek Nina , Germer Christoph-Thomas , Wiegering Armin , Bartfeld Sina 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveThe epithelial layer of the GI tract is equipped with innate immune receptors to sense invading pathogens. Dysregulation in innate immune signalling pathways is associated with severe inflammatory diseases, but the responsiveness of GI epithelial cells to bacterial stimulation remains unclear.DesignWe generated 42 lines of human and murine organoids from gastric and intestinal segments of both adult and fetal tissues. Genome-wide RNA-seq of the organoids provides an expression atlas of the GI epithelium. The innate immune response in epithelial cells was assessed using several functional assays in organoids and two-dimensional monolayers of cells from organoids.ResultsResults demonstrate extensive spatial organisation of innate immune signalling components along the cephalocaudal axis. A large part of this organisation is determined before birth and independent of exposure to commensal gut microbiota. Spatially restricted expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) in stomach and colon, but not in small intestine, is matched by nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. Gastric epithelial organoids can sense LPS from the basal as well as from the apical side.ConclusionWe conclude that the epithelial innate immune barrier follows a specific pattern per GI segment. The majority of the expression patterns and the function of TLR4 is encoded in the tissue-resident stem cells and determined primarily during development.
COVID-19 in an international European liver transplant recipient cohort
Authors: Becchetti Chiara , Zambelli Marco Fabrizio , Pasulo Luisa , Donato Maria Francesca , Invernizzi Federica , Detry Olivier , Dahlqvist Géraldine , Ciccarelli Olga , Morelli Maria Cristina , Fraga Montserrat , Svegliati-Baroni Gianluca , van Vlierberghe Hans , Coenraad Minneke J , Romero Mario Cristobal , de Gottardi Andrea , Toniutto Pierluigi , Del Prete Luca , Abbati Claudia , Samuel Didier , Pirenne Jacques , Nevens Frederik , Dufour Jean-François 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveKnowledge on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in liver transplant recipients is lacking, particularly in terms of severity of the disease. The aim of this study was to describe the demographic, baseline clinical characteristics and early outcomes of a European cohort of liver transplant recipients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.DesignWe conducted an international prospective study across Europe on liver transplant recipients with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by microbiological assay during the first outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Baseline characteristics, clinical presentation, management of immunosuppressive therapy and outcomes were collected.Results57 patients were included (70% male, median (IQR) age at diagnosis 65 (57–70) years). 21 (37%), 32 (56%) and 21 (37%) patients had one cardiovascular disease, arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus, respectively. The most common symptoms were fever (79%), cough (55%), dyspnoea (46%), fatigue or myalgia (56%) and GI symptoms (33%). Immunosuppression was reduced in 22 recipients (37%) and discontinued in 4 (7%). With this regard, no impact on outcome was observed. Forty-one (72%) subjects were hospitalised and 11 (19%) developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. Overall, we estimated a case fatality rate of 12% (95% CI 5% to 24%), which increased to 17% (95% CI 7% to 32%) among hospitalised patients. Five out of the seven patients who died had a history of cancer.ConclusionIn this European multicentre prospective study of liver transplant recipients, COVID-19 was associated with an overall and in-hospital fatality rate of 12% (95% CI 5% to 24%) and 17% (95% CI 7% to 32%), respectively. A history of cancer was more frequent in patients with poorer outcome.
Wide range of reduced penetrance alleles in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy: a model-based approach
Authors: Laskaratos Achilleas , Breza Marianthi , Karadima Georgia , Koutsis Georgios 
Published: June 2020

BackgroundSpinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), also known as Kennedy’s disease, is an X-linked motor neuron disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the gene coding for the androgen receptor (AR). The range and significance of reduced penetrance alleles in SBMA has not been fully determined to date. We presently sought to determine the range of reduced penetrance alleles in SBMA.MethodsThrough systematic literature review and meta-analysis, we collected and analysed data from 2576 patients with SBMA and compared the distributions of the CAG repeat number (CAG)nin the AR gene between patients and 112 248 control alleles of the general population.ResultsOur analysis revealed an unexpectedly high frequency of expanded SBMA-associated alleles, with (CAG)n≥35 present in 107/100,000 and (CAG)n≥38 present in 27/100,000 of the general population. Consequently, we suggest an updated model describing the distribution of expanded alleles in the general population. We argue against the established cut-off principle for the penetrance of SBMA and suggest that penetrance gradually increases from 35 to approximately 46 (CAG)n, above which it reaches a plateau approaching maximum value.ConclusionAsymptomatic men of the general population with no/unknown SBMA family history are free of risk when carrying (CAG)n≤34, are at intermediate but increasing risk for developing SBMA when carrying (CAG)n≈35–46 and have close to 100% risk of developing the disease when carrying (CAG)n≥47. The above observations should be helpful and clinically useful when providing genetic counselling to individuals and families bearing SBMA-associated alleles.
Effect of pH and storage conditions on measured ionised calcium concentration in dogs and cats
Authors: Mazaki‐Tovi Michal , Topol Shira , Aroch Itamar 
Published: June 2020

BackgroundAerobic blood sample collection and processing results in increased serum pH and decreased ionised calcium (iCa) concentration. This prospective study aimed to determine the effect of pH and storage conditions on measured iCa concentration in serum samples obtained from dogs and cats and establish correction formulas for use in samples obtained aerobically.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 44 dogs and 25 cats; iCa and pH were measured immediately under anaerobic conditions and in samples stored under several aerobic conditions.ResultsMeasured iCa concentrations were significantly lower in samples stored at all aerobic conditions than in samples handled anaerobically in both dogs and cats (P<0.01 for all). The largest and most clinically significant differences were noted in samples stored at −20°C for 30 days in both dogs (0.48 mmol/l; 95 per cent CI 0.40 to 0.55) and cats (0.40 mmol/l; 95 per cent CI 0.33 to 0.47). Correction formulas (corrected iCa=measured iCa+coefficient × (measured pH–7.41); coefficient=0.597 for dogs, 0.627 for cats) yielded good agreement between the corrected and the actual iCa concentrations.ConclusionsSamples for iCa measurement can be stored at either 4°C or −20°C for 24 hours. Storage at −80°C is recommended for longer storage time periods.
Vibrational and magnetic signatures of extended defects in Fe
Authors: Meyer Robert , Mutter Andreas , Umstätter Philipp , Schünemann Volker , Beck Tilmann , Smaga Marek , Urbassek Herbert M. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Defects change the phonon spectrum and also the magnetic properties of bcc-Fe. Using molecular dynamics simulation, the influence of defects – vacancies, dislocations, and grain boundaries – on the phonon spectra and magnetic properties of bcc-Fe is determined. It is found that the main influence of defects consists in a decrease of the amplitude of the longitudinal peak, PL, at around 37 meV. While the change in phonon spectra shows only little dependence on the defect type, the quantitative decrease of PL is proportional to the defect concentration. Local magnetic moments can be determined from the local atomic volumes. Again, the changes in the magnetic moments of a defective crystal are linear in the defect concentrations. In addition, the change of the phonon density of states and the magnetic moments under homogeneous uniaxial strain are investigated.

Graphical abstract