bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between Lipid Biomarkers and Osteoporosis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zhao Qianqian , Kan Bo , Wang Lijuan , Xue Shanshan , Cai Hanqing , Yang Shuman 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are two major public health problems. Osteoporosis and CVDs may be linked but the association between lipid profile and osteoporosis is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) with osteoporosis.Methods: Using inpatients’ electronic medical records (EMR) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) database stored at The Second Hospital of Jilin University, we included 481 patients with complete and valid lipid and bone mineral density (BMD) data in 2017. Serum samples were used to measure TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG. Femoral neck and total hip BMD were measured by DXA; osteoporosis was defined as femoral neck or total hip T-score ≤ -2.5. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to test the associations of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG with osteoporosis.Results: The mean age for included patients was 62.7 years (SD = 8.6 years); 60.1 % of them were female. Each standard deviation (SD) increase in TC (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.43; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.03-1.99) and TG (OR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.12-2.30) were associated with increased risk of osteoporosis; LDL-C and HDL-C levels were not associated with osteoporosis. Age, sex and body mass index (BMI) did not interact the relationships of TC and TG with osteoporosis (all P > 0.10). Conclusions: Higher TC and TG levels were associated with greater risk of osteoporosis.
The Impact of Marital Status on Stage at Diagnosis and Survival of Female Patients with Breast and Gynecologic Cancers: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yuan Ruixia , Zhang Chao , Li Qi , Ji Mei , He Nannan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of marital status on the stage at diagnosis and survival of female patients with breast and gynecologic cancers.Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE) till March 31, 2020. Publications investigating the association of marital status with stage at diagnosis and/or cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and/or overall survival (OS) in female patients with breast or gynecologic cancers were retrieved. After studies were selected according to inclusion criteria, data extraction, quality assessment and data analysis were performed. Results: 55 articles were eligible for inclusion, consisting of 1195773 female cancer patients with breast, vulvar, cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers. Unmarried female cancer patients had higher odds of being diagnosed at later stage [odds ratio (OR) = 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-1.36)] and worse survival outcomes in CSM [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.16-1.28] and OS (HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.14-1.25). This estimate did not vary by level of social support, number of adjustment factors, or between America and Europe. Conclusions: Being married is associated with timely diagnosis and favorable prognosis in most women’s cancers. Unmarried female cancer patients have a higher risk of late-stage diagnosis and worse survival outcomes than the married. Greater concern shall be demonstrated towards unmarried female cancer patients. Furthermore, the impact of lacking economic and emotional support on survival outcomes in unmarried female cancer patients deserves particular attention.
Substitution of ROTEM FIBTEM A5 for A10 in Trauma: An Observational Study Building a Case for More Rapid Analysis of Coagulopathy
Authors: Blayney Alexander , McCullough James P. A. , Wake Elizabeth , Walters Kerin , Campbell Don , Ho Debbie , Chan Erick , Chalasani Aashish , Winearls James 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
BackgroundRotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) allows guided blood product resuscitation to correct trauma induced coagulopathy in bleeding trauma patients. FIBTEM amplitude at 10 minutes (A10) has been widely used to identify hypofibrinogenaemia; locally a threshold of < 11 mm has guided fibrinogen replacement. Amplitude at 5 minutes (A5) carries an inherent time advantage. The primary aim was to explore the relationship between FIBTEM A5 and A10 in a large cohort of trauma patients and subgroups. Secondary aim was to investigate the use of A5 as a surrogate for A10 within a fibrinogen-replacement algorithm.MethodsRetrospective observational cohort study of 1539 consecutive trauma patients at a Level 1 trauma centre in Australia who received ROTEM on arrival to hospital. Consistency of agreement between FIBTEM A5 and A10 was assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plot. Sub-group analysis was performed for number of packed red blood cell transfusions and by International Trauma Severity Score (ISS). A new fibrinogen replacement threshold was developed for A5 using the A5 – A10 bias and clinically compared to the existing A10 threshold.ResultsFIBTEM A5 displayed excellent consistency of agreement with A10. ICC = 0.972 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.969 – 0.974) in the whole cohort. This was maintained within the sub-group analyses. Bias of A5 to A10 was -1.49 (95% CI 1.43 -1.56) mm. 19.34% patients met the original local threshold of A10 < 11 mm; 19.28% patients met the new, bias-adjusted threshold of A5 < 10 mm.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that ROTEM FIBTEM A5 reliably predicts A10 within the trauma setting. Importantly, this strength of agreement is demonstrated within major haemorrhage patients and those with major trauma. This further validates use of the A5 result over A10 for more rapid interpretation of results in time-critical resuscitation of trauma patients. Early analysis suggests that a modification of -1 to the A10 threshold might be appropriate for use with the A5 value in trauma patients. Further work is required to analyse this prospectively.
Computed Tomography-based determinants for predicting death and ICU requirement in patients suffering COVID-19
Authors: Dehgan Marzie , Khalesi Nasrin , Akbari Masumeh , Fallah Rogheyeh , Hosseininezhad Neda 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: What has received special attention in recent months is the use of a combination of clinical findings, laboratory markers, and, in addition, the findings of lung Computed Tomography (CT) scan in the design and delivery of risk scoring systems for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19) patients. The present study aimed to determine main lung CT-related correlates of disease severity (Intensive Care Units (ICU) requiring) as well as death in COVID -19 patients.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 515 consecutive patients with definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to one of the COVID -19 referral hospitals in Tehran. All patients' information was collected through a review of their archives. All patients were evaluated by CT scan of the lungs.Results: The mean follow-up of patients from the time of admission was 10.85±6.11 days between 1 and 30 days. During this period, a total of 29.1% were admitted to the ICU. Also, the mortality rate of patients was equal to 28.2%. According to multivariable logistic regression model with the presence of death-related correlates, crazy paving pattern, diffuse distribution of lesions, CT Severity Score (CTSS) score >12, the presence of plural effusion or emphysema were the main determinants of COVID -19 related death and should be considered for presenting new scoring system for predicting death following COVID -19 disease. In similar model, CTSS score >12 along with the presence of plural effusion, emphysema, or pulmonary hypertension were the main determinants of requiring ICU admission. Conclusion: The CT score higher than 12 along with observing the pattern of diffuse distribution of lesions especially accompanied with emphysema, pleural effusion or pulmonary hypertension can predict patient mortality or will determine the need for hospitalization in the ICU.
Evaluation of classical swine fever E2 (CSF-E2) subunit vaccine efficacy in the prevention of virus transmission and its potential application for virus eradication in field farms
Authors: Chen Jing-Yuan , Wu Chi-Ming , Chen Zeng-Weng , Liao Chih-Ming , Deng Ming-Chung , Chia Min-Yuan , Huang Chienjin , Chien Maw-Sheng 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Classical swine fever (CSF) is one of the most devastating pig diseases that affect the swine industry worldwide. Besides stamping out policy for eradication, immunization with vaccines of live attenuated CSF or the CSF-E2 subunit is an efficacious measure of disease control. However, after decades of efforts, it is still hard to eliminate CSF from endemically affected regions and reemerging areas. Most of previous studies demonstrated the efficacy of different CSF vaccines in laboratories under high containment conditions, which may not represent the practical performance in field farms. The inadequate vaccine efficacy induced by unrestrained factors may lead to chronic or persistent CSF infection in animals that develop a major source for virus shedding among pig populations. In this study, a vaccination-challenge-cohabitation trial on specific-pathogen-free (SPF) pigs and long-term monitoring of sows and piglets were used to evaluate the efficacy and the impact of maternally derived antibody (MDA) interference on CSF vaccines in farm applications.Results: The trials demonstrated higher neutralizing antibody (NA) titers with no clinical symptoms and significant pathological changes in the CSF-E2 subunit vaccine immunized group after CSFV challenge. Additionally, none of the sentinel pigs were infected during cohabitation indicating that the CSF-E2 subunit vaccine could provoke adequate acquired immunity to prevent horizontal transmission. In field farm applications, the CSF-E2 subunit vaccine significantly reduced CSF viral RNA detection via saliva monitoring in a sow population that was routinely immunized with live attenuated CSF vaccine long term. Moreover, no adverse effects and an average of higher, long-lasting and consistent NA level could be detected in sows immunized with CSF-E2 subunit vaccine before parturition. Furthermore, early application of the CSF-E2 subunit vaccine in 3-week-old piglets illustrated no MDA interference on primary immunization whereas interference of MDA was noted in piglets vaccinated with live attenuated CSF.Conclusions: The CSF-E2 subunit vaccine demonstrated more flexibility and efficacy for immunization in both pregnant sows and piglets. These advantages could provide a novel approach to avoid possible virus shedding in sow population and MDA interference in piglets for control of CSF in field farm applications.
Assessments of Geotechnical Condition of Landslide Sites and Slope Stability Analysis Using Limit Equilibrium Method in Goncha Siso Eneses Area, Northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Wubalem Azemeraw 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Goncha Siso Eneses area is located in northwestern Ethiopia where landslide incidence is active. The landslide incidence in the area resulted in the devastation of 233.1 hectares of cultivated and non-cultivated land, death of eight people, demolition of five houses, displaced 90 households, and 45 households are under risk. The slope failure in this area also caused tilting of the power line, tilting of two houses, cracking of three-houses floor, failed of bridge and blocking of streams as well as springs. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the cause, failure mechanism, landslide distribution, geotechnical condition of the site, slope stability analysis, and factor of safety determination. Soil sampling, laboratory test, terrain characteristics, groundwater-surface manifestation characterization, groundwater depth determination, slope stability analysis, and factor of safety calculation were the most important activities employed in this research work. Using disturbed and undisturbed soil samples of the selected slope section, Atterberg limit (liquid limit & plastic limit), natural soil moisture, unit weight, specific gravity, and shear strength parameters (cohesion & internal friction angle) test were carryout as ASTM standard. The most marginal factor of safety of the area is determined based on the general limit equilibrium method that encompasses different methods inside using slope/w in GeoStudio 2018 software package considering various groundwater conditions for all selected slope sections. The factor of safety for all selected slope sections of the various method under different groundwater conditions is less than one. Based on the finding of field observation and laboratory results, landslide types (rock/soil slides, rock/earth fall, debris/earth flow, & soil creeping) and landslide factors of the study area (slope angle, slope shape, slope modification, land use, groundwater, soil type, and rainfall) are determined. This research finds out that the soil has a great contribution to slope failure in the study area, besides the soil moisture and improper land use practice.
Myth and reality of community ownership and control of community-managed piped water systems in Ghana
Authors: Fielmua Nicholas 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Water supply has remained centralised and governments advanced several reasons (health benefits and increase in rural productivity) for the state-led water services delivery. This approach had budgetary and sustainability challenges. This led to a community-based management approach in which communities were required to contribute towards water supply and own the water supply. This paper explores households’ perception of who owns and controls community water systems that were provided under the ambit of community-based management regimes. The study was conducted in four communities in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Data were collected using two main sources: (i) a household survey, using questionnaires; and (ii) a platform, comprising 14 participants. The study found that there is a relationship between community contribution and ownership of the water systems. Community level actors argue that communities own the water systems, because they contributed towards capital cost and are responsible for operations and maintenance. Community level actors have control over the decisions of the water systems. Legal ownership resides in the government and communities manage the water systems and appropriate the returns, thus creating a sense of ownership of the water systems. As such, there is a dualistic ownership of the water systems.
Biosorption of chromium and nickel from aqueous solution using pine cones, eucalyptus bark, and moringa pods: a comparative study
Authors: Matouq Mohammed , Saleh Moatasem , Al-Ayed Omar , El-Hasan Tayel , Hiroshi Yamada , Tagawa Tomohiko 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLow-cost local plants (eucalyptus bark, moringa pods, pine cones) have been successfully used to remove heavy metals from simulated wastewater. Two types of heavy metals were chosen to study the removal capacity, nickel (Ni) and chrome (Cr), with a concentration of 400, 600, 900 ppm. The results show that moringa pods have the best removal capacity for heavy metals with percentages of 90–99% for both metals, Ni and Cr, for the eucalyptus bark the removal capacity percentages reach 50–98%, while for the pine cones revealed a lower removing capacity with percentages of 40–99%, indicating that this is the lowest removal capacity. The data has been best fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model for all plants, while the Freundlich adsorption model could not fit the obtained results at the experimental conditions. The kinetic study has revealed that the first-order kinetic model successfully describes the kinetics of Ni adsorption, while the second-order describes the kinetics of Cr adsorption. The removal of heavy metals (Ni, Cr) was obtained when moringa was used; its highest removal efficiency was reached within 20 minutes. On the other hand, other plants (eucalyptus bark, pine cone) removal efficiency was attained in more than two hours. The removal is remarkable even at a high concentration of heavy metals, especially with the moringa plant.
Comparative Safety Assessment Study for Drospirenone Induced Gallbladder Diseases Using the Adverse Drug Reaction Database of USA, Europe, and Canada
Authors: Shah Manan , Kothari Charmy 
Published: October 2020

Background:
Gallstone disease (GSD) is one of the most common gastroenterological
disorders. It is known that drospirenone causes small increased risk of gallbladder diseases. However,
the risk may vary between different adverse drug reaction databases.

Objective:
The purpose of this studty is to examine the safety and risk association between hormonal
contraceptive drospirenone and gallbladder diseases using adverse drug reaction database of
USFDA’s Federal Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS), Europe’s Eudravigilance (EV) and
Canada’s Canada Vigilance Adverse Reaction Online Database (CVARD).

Methods:
Individual Case Safety Reports of patients till October 2019 were downloaded from the
Federal Adverse Event Reporting System, Eudravigilance, and Canadian database. These reports
contained information on adverse events associated with all other drugs inclusive of drospirenone.
The disproportionality method of data mining was used to calculate the risk association.

Results:
The lower limit of 95% CI of PRR was 3.27, 3.47 and 3.76, PRR was 33.08, 41.35 and
115.42, ROR was 37.20, 44.61 and 127.19, Chi-square value was 126572.89, 110392.95 and
362.46, and IC-2SD value was 0.16, 0.17, and 1.21 for FAERS, EU, and CVARD respectively indicating
a week signal. Also, all the calculated parameters were above the threshold value.

Conclusion:
From our study, it was clear that the risk between drospirenone and gallbladder diseases
was very low among three databases. There was no harm in prescribing this drug for a contraceptive
action.
Efficacy of VNS for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Structural Brain Lesions
Authors: Al-Gethami Hanin , AlShahrani Ashwaq , Aldosari Mubarak , AlHameed Majed 
Published: October 2020

Background:
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, especially in patients who are not candidates for surgical intervention. In fact, it was approved by the US FDA in 1997 as an adjunctive treatment for medically intractable epilepsy.

Objective:
In this study, we investigated the efficacy of VNS in drug-resistant epilepsy associated with structural brain lesions (SBLs).

Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the effect of VNS on 25 patients diagnosed with intractable epilepsy-associated SBL, and compared the results to 19 patients with intractable epilepsy and normal neuroimaging. All patients underwent VNS insertion at the National Neurosciences Institute, King Fahad Medical City (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) between 2008 and 2018.

Results:
The response rate (RR) for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy-associated SBL was 24% after 3 months, 36% after 6 months, and 48% after 1 year, reaching 76% over time. The mean follow-up period was 63.3 months. For non-SBL patients, the RR was 10.5% after 3 months, 36.8% after 6 months, and 47.4% after 1 year, reaching 73.7% over time. The mean follow-up period was 59.2 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding RR, VNS settings, and other parameters, including anti-epileptic drug use and demographics data.

Conclusion:
VNS is strongly considered for intractable epilepsy in SBL patients, especially if they are not candidates for surgical intervention. Over time, those patients will receive increased benefits from VNS therapy.
Clinical Improvements by Telemedicine Interventions Managing Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Meta-review
Authors: Eberle Claudia , Stichling Stefanie 
Published: October 2020

Background
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the world’s greatest health threats with rising prevalence. Global digitalization leads to new digital approaches in diabetes management, such as telemedical interventions. Telemedicine, which is the use of information and communication technologies, may provide medical services over spatial distances to improve clinical patient outcomes by increasing access to diabetes care and medical information.

Objective
This study aims to examine whether telemedical interventions effectively improve diabetes control using studies that pooled patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and whether the benefits are greater in patients diagnosed with T2DM than in those diagnosed with T1DM. We analyzed the primary outcome glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and the secondary outcomes fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure (BP), body weight, BMI, quality of life (QoL), cost, and time saving.

Methods
Publications were systematically identified by searching Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, and CINAHL databases for studies published between January 2008 and April 2020, considering systematic reviews (SRs), meta-analyses (MAs), randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and clinical trials (CTs). Study quality was assessed using the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews, Effective Public Health Practice Project, and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence qualitative checklist. We organized the trials by communication technologies in real-time video or audio interventions, asynchronous interventions, and combined interventions (synchronous and asynchronous communication).

Results
From 1116 unique citations, we identified 31 eligible studies (n=15 high, n=14 moderate, n=1 weak, and n=1 critically low quality). We selected 21 SRs and MAs, 8 RCTs, 1 non-RCT, and 1 qualitative study. Of the 10 trials, 3 were categorized as real-time video, 1 as real-time video and audio, 4 as asynchronous, and 2 as combined intervention. Significant decline in HbA1c levels based on pooled T1DM and T2DM patients data ranged from −0.22% weighted mean difference (WMD; 95% CI −0.28 to −0.15; P<.001) to −0.64% mean difference (95% CI −1.01 to −0.26; P<.001). The intervention effect on lowering HbA1c values might be significantly smaller for patients with T1DM than for patients with T2DM. Evidence on the impact on BP, body weight, FBG, cost effectiveness, and time saving was smaller compared with HbA1c but indicated potential in some publications.

Conclusions
Telemedical interventions might be clinically effective in improving diabetes control overall, and they might significantly improve HbA1c concentrations. Patients with T2DM could benefit more than patients with T1DM regarding lowering HbA1c levels. Further studies with longer duration and larger cohorts are necessary.