bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of personal protection afforded by repellent-treated sandals against mosquito bites in south-eastern Tanzania.
Authors: Sangoro Peter Onyango , Gavana Tegemeo , Finda Marceline , Mponzi Winfrida , Hape Emmanuel , Limwagu Alex , Govella Nicodem J. , Chaki Prosper , Okumu Fredros O. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background

Outdoor and early evening mosquito biting needs to be addressed if malaria elimination is to be achieved. While indoor-targeted interventions such as insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying remain essential, complementary approaches that tackle persisting outdoor transmission are urgently required to maximize the impact.

Major malaria vectors principally bite human hosts around the feet and ankles. Consequently, this study investigated whether sandals treated with efficacious spatial repellents can protect against outdoor biting mosquitoes.

Methodology

Sandals affixed with hessian bands measuring 48cm 2 treated with 6 ml, 10 ml and 12 ml of transfluthrin were tested in large cage semi-field and full field experiments. Sandals affixed with hessian bands measuring 240cm 2 and treated with 10 ml and 12ml of transfluthrin were also tested semi field experiments. Human landing catches (HLC) were used to assess reduction in biting exposure by comparing proportions of mosquitoes landing on volunteers wearing treated and untreated sandals. Sandals were tested against insectary reared Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes in semi-field experiments and against wild mosquito species in rural Tanzania.

Results

In semi-field tests, sandals fitted with hessian bands measuring 48cm 2 and treated with 12 ml, 10ml and 6ml transfluthrin reduced mosquito landings by 45.9%, (95% confidence interval (C.I.) = 28–59%), 61.1% (48%–71%), and 25.9% (9% - 40%) respectively compared to untreated sandals. Sandals fitted with hessian bands measuring 240cm 2 and treated with 12 ml and 10ml transfluthrin reduced mosquito landings by 59% (43 - 71%) and 64% (48 - 74%) respectively.

In field experiments, sandals fitted with hessian bands measuring 48cm 2 and treated with 12 ml transfluthrin reduced mosquito landings by 70% (60% - 76%) against Anopheles gambiae s.l and 66.0% (59% - 71%) against all mosquito species combined.

Conclusion

Transfluthrin-treated sandals conferred significant protection against mosquito bites in semi-field and field settings. Further evaluation is recommended for this tool as a potential complimentary intervention against malaria. This intervention could be particularly useful for protecting against outdoor exposure to mosquito bites. Additional studies are necessary to optimize treatment techniques and substrates, establish safety profiles and determine epidemiological impact in different settings.
Reduction of ureteral stent encrustation by modulating the urine pH and inhibiting the crystal film with a new oral composition: a m ulticenter, placebo controlled, double blind, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Torrecilla Carlos , Fernández-Concha Jaime , Cansino José R. , Mainez Juan A. , Amón José H. , Costas Simbad , Angerri Oriol , Emiliani Esteban , Martín Miguel Arrabal , Polo Miguel Arrabal , García Ana , Reina Manuel C. , Sánchez Juan F. , Budía Alberto , Pérez-Fentes Daniel , Grases Félix , Costa-Bauzá Antonia , Cuñé Jordi 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Encrustation of ureteral double J stents is a common complication that may affect its removal. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new oral composition to prevent double J stent encrustation in indwelling times up to 8 weeks.
Participants, design and intervention: A double-blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 105 patients with indwelling double J stents enrolled across 9 public hospitals in Spain. The patients were randomly assigned (1:1) into intervention (53 patients) or placebo (52 patients) groups for 3 to 8 weeks and both groups self-monitored daily their morning urine pH levels.
Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The primary outcome of analysis was the degree of stent ends encrustation, defined by a 4-point score (0 – none; 3 – global encrustation) using macroscopic and electron microscopy analysis of crystals, after 3 to 8-w indwelling period. Score was exponentially transformed according to calcium levels. Secondary endpoints included urine pH decrease, stent removal, and incidence of adverse events.
Results: The intervention group benefits from a lower global encrustation rate of stent ends than placebo group (1% vs 8.2%; p < 0.018). Mean encrustation score was 85.12 (274.5) in the intervention group and 18.91 (102.27) in the placebo group (p < 0.025). Considering the secondary end points, treated patients reported greater urine pH decreases (p = 0.002). No differences in the incidence of adverse events were identified between the groups.
Conclusions: Our data suggest that the use of this new oral composition is beneficial in the context of ureteral double J indwelling by decreasing mean, as well as global encrustation.
Trial registration: This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov under the name “Combined Use of a Medical Device and a Dietary Complement in Patient Urinary pH Control in Patients With an Implanted Double J Stent” with date 2 nd November 2017, code NCT03343275, and URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03343275?term=NCT03343275&draw=2&rank=1

Keywords: double J stent; encrustation; nutraceutical; L-methionine; phytin; pH.
Influence of laterality on endometriosis severity in patients with unilateral endometrioma: a retrospective study.
Authors: Isono Wataru , Honda Michiko , Tsuchiya Akira , Saito Ako , Tsuchiya Hiroko , Matsuyama Reiko , Fujimoto Akihisa , Nishii Osamu 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: We compared the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) scores determined during laparoscopic surgery to evaluate the effect of the location of the endometrioma (right vs. left ovary) on the severity of endometriosis. Methods: The medical records of 151 patients, including 58 right-sided and 93 left-sided cases, who underwent an initial laparoscopic surgery for unilateral ovarian endometrioma were reviewed retrospectively. We extracted the ASRM scores determined during surgery and some representative factors related to endometriosis that are separate from the tumour characteristics, such as the coexistence of uterine fibroids, adenomyoma, or other ovarian tumours, a history of use of assisted reproductive technology (ART), and tumour marker values. A statistical analysis was performed to assess the impact of each factor. We classified the ASRM scores into 4 categories to compare the tendency towards endometrial lesion spread with a focus on the “sidedness” of the endometrioma. We defined contralateral endometrial lesion (CEL), Douglas pouch endometrial lesion (DEL), same endometrial lesion (SEL) and peritoneal endometrial lesion (PEL). Results: The ASRM scores of patients with a right-sided endometrioma were significantly higher than patients with a left-sided endometrioma (41.5 ± 22.1 points vs. 32.9 ± 15.8 points, p<0.05). The higher ASRM scores of the patients with right-sided endometrioma may be caused by the frequent detection of endometrial lesions in the left tube, left ovary and Douglas pouch. According to the statistical analysis, the coexistence of uterine fibroids also exerted significant positive effects on increasing the ASRM score. Conclusions: Higher ASRM scores are possible in patients with right-sided endometrioma. The laterality of endometriosis severity should be considered.
Trauma care and capture rate of variables of World Health Organisation data set for injury at regional hospitals in Tanzania: first steps to a national trauma registry
Authors: Sawe Hendry Robert , Reynolds Teri A. , Weber Ellen J. , Mfinanga Juma A. , Coats Timothy J. , Wallis Lee A. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background

In Tanzania, there is no national trauma registry. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a data set for injury that specifies the variables necessary for documenting the burden of injury and patient-related clinical processes. As a first step in developing and implementing a national Trauma Registry, we determined how well hospitals currently capture the variables that are specified in the WHO injury set.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational cross-sectional study of all trauma patients conducted in the Emergency Units of five regional referral hospitals in Tanzania from February 2018 to July 2018. Research assistants observed the provision of clinical care in the EU for all patients, and documented performed assessment, clinical interventions and final disposition. Research assistants used a purposefully designed case report form to audit the injury variable capture rate, and to review Ministry of Health (MoH) issued facility Register book recording the documentation of variables. We present descriptive statistics for hospital characteristics, patient volume, facility infrastructure, and capture rate of trauma variables.

Results

During the study period, 2,891 (9.3%) patients presented with trauma-related complaints, 70.7% were male. Overall, the capture rate of all variables was 33.6%. Documentation was most complete for demographics 71.6%, while initial clinical condition, and details of injury were documented in 20.5% and 20.8% respectively. There was no documentation for the care prior to Emergency Unit arrival in all hospitals. 1430 (49.5%) of all trauma-related visits seen were documented in the facility Health Management Information System register submitted to the MoH. Among the cases reported in the register book, the date of EU care was correctly documented in 77% cases, age 43.6%, diagnosis 66.7%, and outcome in 38.9% cases. Among the observed procedures, initial clinical condition (28.7%), interventions at Emergency Unit (52.1%), investigations (49.0%), and disposition (62.9%) were documented in the clinical charts.

Conclusions

In the regional hospitals of Tanzania, there is inadequate documentation of the minimum trauma variables specified in the WHO injury data set. Reasons for this are unclear, but will need to be addressed in order to improve documentation to inform a national injury registry.
Association between Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Tavakoli Ahmad , Monavari Seyed Hamidreza , Mohammadi Farid Solaymani , Kiani Seyed Jalal , Armat Saber , Farahmand Mohammad 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Numerous studies conducted over the past 30 years have pointed to the presence of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in gastric cancer samples. This study was aimed to provide a meta-analytic review of the prevalence of EBV in gastric cancer patients, and to clarify the relationship between EBV infection and gastric cancer.
Methods: A literature search was performed electronically using online databases for English language publications until July 1, 2019. The pooled EBV prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a random-effects model. To determine the association between EBV and gastric cancer, pooled odds ratio (OR) and its 95% CI were computed for case-control studies with matched pairs design.
Results: The pooled prevalence of EBV in 20411 gastric cancer patients was 8.78% (95% CI: 7.75-9.93%; I 2 =83.0%). The proportion of EBV-associated gastric cancer among male cases was significantly higher than among female cases (10.85%, vs. 5.72%) ( P <0.01). EBV was more prevalent in the cardia (12.47%) and the body (11.68%) compared to the antrum (6.29%) ( P <0.01). There were 20 studies with matched pairs design, including tumor and tumor-adjacent normal tissue pairs from 4116 gastric cancer patients. The pooled OR between EBV infection and gastric cancer risk was 18.56 (95% CI: 15.68–21.97; I 2 = 55.4%).
Conclusions: EBV infection is associated with more than 18 times increase the risk of gastric cancer. Although the prevalence of EBV was higher in male patients than in female patients with gastric cancer, women are more likely than men to develop EBV-associated gastric cancer.
Retinal Vascular Abnormalities and their Associations with Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascsular Diseases: a Study in Rural Southwestern Harbin, China
Authors: Wang Junwei , Leng Fei , Li Zhijian , Tang Xianling , Qian Hua , Li Xiaoguang , Zhang Yi , Chen Xuedong , Du Haitao , Liu Ping 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Limited data is available on retinal vessel morphology in the north China. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of retinal vascular abnormalities (RVAs) and investigate their associations with the self-reported diagnosis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascsular diseases (CCVds) in a rural adult population of northeast China. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted, using the cluster random sampling method. One eye of each participant was photographed with a non-mydriatic fundus camera. RVAs including focal and general arteriolar narrowing (FAN and GAN), arteriovenous nicking (AVN), arteriolar sheathing (AS), and retinopathy were evaluated. Data on self-reported diagnosis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and status of smoking and alcohol drinking were obtained from questionnaires. Results: Among the 6 267 participants with an age ≥50 years, photographs were obtained of 99.2%, with quality sufficient to perform retinal evaluations in 82.5%. The prevalence of FAN, AVN, AS, retinopathy and GAN were 9.1%, 8.9%, 5.0%, 6.6% and 6.2%, respectively. All the retinal lesions were associated with hypertension (all P<0.01). After adjusting for age, gender, and left/right eyes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, habits of past or current smoking and alcohol consumption, AVN was strongly associated with the self-reported diagnosis histories of coronary heart diseases(CHD) (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.09, 1.89) and retinopathy was significantly associated with a self-reported diagnosis of stroke (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.18, 3.57). Conclusions : The overall prevalence of retinal microvascular abnormalities in this population was relatively higher than that reported in other regions of the world. Retinopathy is associated with the self-reported diagnosis of stroke while AVN was associated with the self-reported diagnosis of CHD, but the remaining retinal lesions were not consistently associated with CCVds. Thus, an examination of retinal microvascular characteristics may offer clues to CCVds and could be a potentially novel biomarkers for CCVds risk.
A Novel Group Paging Control Method for Massive MTC Accesses in LTE Networks
Authors: Wang Cong , Wei Chengqiang , Li Ning , Ma Wenfeng , Tian Hui 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The fifth-generation (5G) systems have to deal with massive deployment of machine-type-communication (MTC) devices. System overload may occur during a random access (RA) procedure under a limited number of preamble resources and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resources especially when there exist massive MTC devices in a cell. In order to resolve the system overload (caused by the massive MTC deployment), the 3GPP proposed the adopted a group paging (GP)-based uplink access technique. But its performances dramatically decrease as the number of MTC devices increases. In this paper we propose a novel method, named ACB-based group paging overload control method (AGO). To reduce the number of simultaneous access MTC devices, AGO first scatters the MTC devices over a GP interval, and then automatically adjusts ACB parameters according to the load conditions. By doing so, AGO achieves high-channel access probability for MTC devices. Simulation results show that this method is superior to the GP and Pre-backoff (PBO) mechanisms in terms of success and collision probability, average access latency and resource utilization rate.
Fertility intentions and the way they change following birth- a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Preis Heidi , Tovim Selen , Mor Pnina , Grisaru-Granovsky Sorina , Samueloff Arnon , Benyamini Yael 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Women's fertility intentions, their desired number of children and desired inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) are related to micro (personal) and macro (socio-cultural) level factors. We investigated factors that contribute to changes in women's fertility intentions in Israel, a developed country with high birth rates.
Methods: Pregnant women (N=1163), recruited from prenatal clinics and hospitals in two major metropolitan areas, completed self-report questionnaires prenatally (≥24 weeks gestation) and postpartum (two months after childbirth). Women reported their socio-demographic background and obstetric history prenatally, their desired number of children and IPI at both time-points, and their objective and subjective birth experiences postpartum. Results: The findings indicated that background characteristics were related to prenatal fertility intentions. The strongest contributor to prenatal fertility intentions was women’s degree of religiosity- the more religious they were, the more children they desired and the shorter their intended IPI. Women's postpartum fertility intentions were mostly consistent with their prenatal reports. In regression models, women who were very-religious, more educated and had previously given birth were less likely to report a lower number of desired of children at postpartum, compared to their prenatal report. Women who reported greater birth satisfaction and gave birth for the first time were less likely to change desired IPI.
Conclusion: Having a negative birth experience could adversely affect women's fertility intentions. Yet, in a pronatalist and medicalized birth culture, social pressures may decrease the effects of birth experiences on fertility intentions.
Symptom control among asthmatics with a clinically significant smoking history: a cross-sectional study in Finland
Authors: Kiljander Toni , Poussa Tuija , Helin Timo , Jaakkola Antero , Venho Kari , Lehtimäki Lauri 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Surprisingly little is known about asthma control among asthmatics who smoke. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate asthma symptom control according to the GINA guidelines among asthmatics with a clinically significant smoking history. Methods One hundred ninety asthmatics from primary care in Finland were investigated. The patients were current or previous cigarette smokers with a history of 10 or more pack-years. They completed a questionnaire including questions on asthma symptoms and reliever use so that their level of asthma symptom control (well controlled, partly controlled, or uncontrolled) according to GINA could be determined. Results Sixty-six (34.7%) patients had their asthma well controlled, 81 (42.6%) had their asthma partly controlled, and 43 (22.6%) had uncontrolled asthma. Current smokers had uncontrolled asthma more often than ex-smokers, OR 2.54 (95% CI 1.25-5.14, p=0.01). Patients with moderate to severe asthma exacerbation during the previous year had uncontrolled asthma more often than patients without an exacerbation, OR 2.17 (95% CI 1.06-4.47, p=0.04), and patients with FEV1 < 80% of predicted had uncontrolled asthma more often than patients with FEV1 > 80% of predicted, OR 2.04 (95% CI 1.02-4.08, p=0.04). Conclusions Asthmatic patients with a clinically significant smoking history often do not have well controlled asthma. Poor asthma symptom control was associated with current smoking status, history of exacerbations and impaired lung function. Therefore, every attempt should be made to help asthmatics who smoke to quit smoking.
An Integrated Humanities–Social Sciences Course in Health Sciences Education: Proposed Design, Effectiveness, and Associated Factors
Authors: Lee Jihyun , Lee Jueyeun , Jung Ilyoung 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background

Previous research has not provided enough direction regarding effective content design of courses integrating the humanities and social sciences in medical and dental education. This study aims at exploring how an Integrated Medical/Dental Humanities–Social Medicine/Dentistry course may be designed; how effective it may be in terms of student growth in knowledge, attitudes, skills, and aspirations; and associated factors.

Methods

The course was designed by distilling commonalities in the international standards for medical/dental education proposed by seven major health organizations. This analysis resulted in a curriculum covering nine major topics: history, professionalism, communication, ethics, management, policy, insurance, law, and research methodology. During the 2017 calendar year, data was collected and statistically analyzed from 68 third-year pre-doctoral students enrolled in the resulting MDHS 13-week course.

Results

Participants showed growth in skills, aspirations, knowledge, and attitudes, with the greatest change occurring in skills, then aspirations, knowledge, and attitudes. Knowledge growth was the only variable significantly related to student achievement of course objectives ( β = 0.635, t (63) = 3.394 , p = 0.001). The topics that students perceived as most critical were insurance, policy, management, and law. The perceived importance of research was most common among participants and was significantly related to all learning outcomes (For knowledge, β =0.213, t (63) = 2.203, p = 0.031; for attitudes, β = 0.784, t (63) = 10.257, p = 0.000; for skills, β = 0.769, t (63) = 9.772, p = 0.000; and aspirations β = 0.639, t (63) = 7.595, p = 0.000).

Conclusions

This study proposed a framework for humanities-social sciences education in health sciences education and analyzed its implementation. The empirical evaluation of its effectiveness and factors related to successful outcomes found that students perceived gains in their knowledge, attitudes, skills, and aspirations for humanistic and social aspects of dentistry/medicine. In addition, their recognition of the importance of research was associated with the greatest growth in all four learning outcomes. This study may contribute to the improved design of integrated humanities–social sciences courses.
Impact of External Locus of Control on Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Haskas Yusran , Suarnianti Suarnianti , Angriani Sri , Kadrianti Erna , Restika Indah 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Quality of life is an illustration of an individual’s livelihood, as related to daily activities, in order to own a typical life, especially with reference to health. Individuals with diabetes mellitus have a quality of life that is quite diverse and affects the health conditions of all related people. It is this point that the role of locus of control is contemplated in maintaining the quality of life for these individuals. This study aim to analyze the influence of locus of control in patients with diabetes mellitus, in relation to the quality of life they lead.Methods: This observational survey based study was performed by implementing a cross-sectional design. The study was conducted in type B and C hospitals and health centers of Makassar City and included 389 respondents. Data analysis was done using the chi-square test.Result: The result showed that the locus of control had a significant effect on the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (ρ<0.01; α=0.05).Conclusions: The locus of control significantly affects the quality of life of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. People with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who had an external locus of control, were observed to be more dominant and did not own a good quality of life because such individuals are very dependent on the external environment rather than the environment within them. The result of this study also indicate that locus of control may be regarded as the basis in predicting the future quality of life of an individual.