bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a big family cluster infection associated with SARS-Cov-2 in Nanjing district
Authors: Chen Wei , Hu Chunmei , Huang Lili , zhang Yongchen , Hu Zhiliang , Zeng Yi , Wang Weixiao , Zhang Xia , Yi Yongxiang 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Outbreak of COVID-19 has brought catastrophe to huge numbers of families. However, even though numerous tragedies occurred, there were few reports about family cluster infection in the academic journals. Methods: The electronic medical records of 10 COVID-19 patients in a big family were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.Results: These 10 patients, 4 males and 6 females, were infected through two successive family feasts during Spring Festival. The infection source was a family member at asymptomatic state, who lived in Hubei but travelled to Nanjing. The median age of these 10 patients was 61.5, with the oldest 95 and youngest 38. The incubation period varied from 3 to 17 days, with the median of 5.5. Of them, 2 patients were asymptomatic. The most common symptoms at onset were fever (6/10) and dry cough (6/10). All of them displayed lesions on the chest CT. 40% of them had leukopenia, neutropenia and lymphopenia. After anti-virus treatment, all the patients significantly improved and were discharged. Conclusions: SARS-Cov-2 was highly contagious and so crafty that a varied incubation period did exist. Part of patients might be asymptomatic, which was the potential source of transmission. More measures for protection or quarantine should be taken at home if family member had travel history nearby the epidemic area.
Quality of Life and Health Status among those receiving Renal Replacement Therapy in Trinidad and Tobago. West Indies.
Authors: Sanchez Sharlene Maria , Teelucksingh Surujpal , Ali Ronan , Bailey Henry , Legall George 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background

A cross sectional study was conducted over a 1-year period in order to evaluate quality of life and health state for patients receiving renal replacement therapy in a resource constrained Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago.

Methods

Five hundred and thirty patients were enlisted in the study. For those who had received renal transplants (n=100) and for those on peritoneal dialysis (n=80), all were included. Among the 1000-odd patients who were receiving haemodialysis 350 were studied using convenience sampling. To be included, one had to be on renal replacement therapy for 3 months or more and at least 18 years of age. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) and the EuroQol (EQ-5D-3L) instruments were administered after demographic data were collected. Transplant recipients were further evaluated with the Kidney Transplant Questionnaire (KTQ). Inferential analysis of data included 95% confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, multiple regression and analysis of variance. SPSS24, STATA14 and MINITAB18 were used.

Results

Of the 530 patients, 52.5% were male and 37.5% were in the 56-65 years age group. Hypertension (68.9%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (50.5%) were reported as the main causes of kidney disease. The KDQOL-36 domain scores and significantly associated variables included modality of renal replacement (p=0.000), age (p=0.001), Charlson’s Comorbidity Index (p=0.001), income (p=0.000) and employment status (p=0.000). Transplant patients performed the best in the KDQOL-36. The mean visual analogue scale and index scores from the EQ-5D-3L were highest among renal transplant recipients (p=0.000).

Conclusion

Renal transplant recipients enjoy the best quality of life and health state among patients on renal replacement therapy in Trinidad and Tobago.
The multicenter study of Chest HRCT imaging characteristics of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pneumonia
Authors: Lyu Zhehao , Ren Meiji , Wu Lian-Ming , Yang Yuxin , Lu Yi-Bo , Li Li , Gong Xiaoming , Lu Zhiyan , Li Hongjun 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: In December 2019, a cluster of patients with pneumonia of unknown cause was linked to a seafood wholesale market in Wuhan, China. A novel coronavirus was detected, capable of infecting humans, on 6 January 2020 and termed COVID-19. By 16 February 2020, there were 51857 confirmed cases with 2019-nCoV (COVID-19) pneumonia in 25 countries. COVID-19 can also lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods: 149 patients with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)pneumonia(68 males, 81 females, ages 1-89)from 6 research centers in China were diagnosed with positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus(COVID-19)nucleic acids antibodies. And their high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) imaging datas were evaluated.Results: 136/149(91.3%)patients had a clear history of exposure to Wuhan. Fever (122/149, 81.9%)and cough(83/149, 55.7%)were the most common symptoms. The main imaging characteristics within 4 days of onset included 30(20.13%) cases of pure ground glass opacities (P<0.05), 38(25.50%) cases of GGO with reticulation(P<0.01), 12(8.05%) cases of consolidation(P<0.01). In the 5-8 days group, the main imaging features included 71(47.65%) cases of pGGO(P<0.05), 69(46.31%) cases of GGO with reticulation(P<0.01). In the 9-12 days group, the main feature was 85(57.04%) cases with GGO with reticulation(P<0.01). In the group of 13-16 days group, the main imaging characteristics included 48(32.21%) cases of GGO with reticulation(P < 0.01), 34(22.82%) cases of consolidation(P<0.01).Conclusion: Patients infected with COVID-19 pneumonia show more chest CT characteristics within 5-8 days after the onset of disease. The main manifestations included pGGO, GGO with reticulation, consolidation and GGO with consolidation.
Comparative study of arthroscopically assisted Tight-Rope technique and clavicular hook plate fixation treatment in acute high grade acromioclavicular joint separations
Authors: Li Hong-bo , Nie Si , Tang Zhi-ming , Liao Xin-gen , Lan Min 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Has the arthroscopically assisted reduction of acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations with the tight-rope technique advantages over the clavicular hook plate fixation.Methods: A total of 518 patients with acute high grade AC joint dislocation received ligament reconstruction surgery between February 2015 and June 2017 were included in this study. Of these patients, 28 patients were treated with arthroscopic assisted fixation using Tight-Rope system. In order to compare the treatment results between Tight-Rope technique and clavicular hook plate fixation, each Tight-Rope technique group patients was matched with 3 controls that underwent clavicular hook plate fixation at the same period according to gender, age and diagnosis. Furthermore, the demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups.Results: All patients had clinical and radiological results available at 2 year or greater, they was statistically significant improvement in the constant score and VAS score at the end of follow up respectively (P < 0.001). Compared with clavicular hook plate group, patients treated with arthroscopic assisted fixation using Tight-Rope system were incurred significant statistically lower skin incision, hospitalization time and estimated blood loss (p <0.001), and the constant score and VAS score at the end of follow up was significant higher in Tight-Rope group (p <0.001).Conclusions: The Tight-Rope technique is advantageous for treating these patients because it is minimally invasive procedure with low complications and superior clinical outcomes.Authors’ Contribution:The first and second author (Hong-bo Li and Si Nie) contributed equally to this study and share the first authorship.
Correlation Analysis of Nodular Sonographic Measurements with Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Liuhua , Zhu Qiaodan , Yao Jincao , Yang Chen , Xu Dong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid carcinoma, which is prone to cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). We aim to analyze the correlation between clinical information, ultrasonic (US) measurements of PTC and CLNM. Methods A total of 1335 patients who underwent thyroidectomy and had pathologically confirmed unifocal PTC were enrolled in the retrospective research. Univariate analysis and logistic analysis were performed to predict CLNM in PTC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results Univariate analysis showed that gender, age, tumour maximum diameter and volume, cross-sectional and longitudinal aspect ratio were related to CLNM (P<0.05). Logistic analysis showed that gender, age, tumour maximum diameter and volume were independent correlative factors. The ROC curve was established based on the correlative factors screened by regression analysis. The AUC of the tumour maximum diameter and volume was 0.738 and 0.733, respectively. ANOVA variance analysis on positive and negative group, tumour maximum diameter and volume, cross-sectional and longitudinal aspect ratio had statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion Independent correlative factors for CLNM in patients with unifocal PTC were younger age, male, larger tumour. For tumour with larger volume, central, lateral or both lymph node metastasis should be checked in advance, it would rule as a guidance to perform FNA for CLNM before surgery.
Comparison of the diagnostic performances of the Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa model, Simple Rules model, and Risk of Malignancy Index for adnexal masses in a gynecological oncology centre in China
Authors: Qian Le , Du Qinwen , Jiang Meijiao , Yuan Fei , Chen Hui , Feng Weiwei 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background

This study aimed to compare different ultrasound-based International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) prediction models, namely, the Simple Rules (SRs) the Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) models, and the Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI), for the pre-operative diagnosis of adnexal mass.
Methods

This single-centre, retrospective study of diagnostic accuracy involved 486 patients. All ultrasound examinations were analyzed and the prediction models were applied. Pathology was the clinical reference standard. The diagnostic performances of prediction models were measured by evaluating receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves, sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios.
Results

To discriminate benign and malignant tumours, areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) for ADNEX models were 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92–0.96) with CA125 and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91–0.96) without CA125, which were significantly higher than the AUCs for RMI I-III: 0.87 (95% CI: 0.83–0.90), 0.83 (95% CI: 0.80–0.86), and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78–0.86), (all P < 0.0001). At a cut-off of 10%, the ADNEX model with CA125 had the highest sensitivity (0.93; 95% CI: 0.87–0.97) compared with the other models. The SRs model achieved a sensitivity of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.86–0.97) and a specificity of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.82–0.89) when inconclusive diagnoses (11.7%) were classified as malignant.
Conclusion

ADNEX and SRs models were excellent at characterising adnexal masses which were superior to the RMI in Chinese patients.
Increased efficacy of whole lung lavage treatment in alveolar proteinosis using a new modified lavage technique
Authors: Veltkamp M. , Grutters L. A. , Smith E. C. , Casteleijn C. W. , Dongen E. P. van , Ruven H. J. , Vis J. J. van der 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background.

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) is an ultra-rare pulmonary disease. Due to heterogeneity and small patient cohorts, no standardized treatment protocol exists. Whole lung lavage (WLL) is considered the gold standard therapy and aims to remove the highest protein amount by flushing the lung with the lowest possible instilled volume. We report a new protocol for a new modified lavage technique (nMLT) in which controlled repetitive manual hyperinflation (MH) and intermittent chest percussion are used to enhance WLL efficacy.
Methodology.

We included all patients with aPAP treated with nMLT between 2013 and 2018. nMLT consisted of repetitive MH with intermittent chest percussion every third wash cycle. We reported: instilled and recovered volume, protein concentration, and optical density (OD) using spectrophotometry. Pulmonary function (FVC %predicted and DLCO %predicted) and serum biomarkers (LDH, CA 15 − 3, SP-D, and YKL-40) two months prior and post nMLT, and one year after nMLT treatment were evaluated. Data are displayed as mean (± SD) or median [IQR]. Comparisons were made using Student t-test and Wilcoxon test.
Results.

We included 11 patients (64% male) in whom a total of 65 nMLTs were performed. One nMLT consisted of 15 [12–18] wash cycles. Protein removal was 9.80 [7.52–12.66] grams per nMLT. After 3–4, 6–7, and 9-10L of instilled and recovered volume 56 [49–61] %, 81 [77–84] % and 91 [88–94] % of protein was removed respectively. OD was measured 116 times and increased from 1.13 (± 0.52) to 1.31 (± 0.52) after MH (p < 0.001). Our study also showed that pulmonary function improves after WLL with nMLT. Improvement of biomarkers was only reflected by CA 15 − 3. No adverse events related to the procedure were observed.
Conclusion.

Efficacy of WLL seems to be enhanced by using manual hyperinflation and applying this every third cycle. Our technique of WLL with nMLT could be used to increase the amount of protein recruited while instilling the lung with the smallest volume of fluid as possible. The duration of anesthesia and the risk of complications is thereby reduced.
Caring for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients: What Factors Explain Self-Reported Competence among Health Care Professional Students?
Authors: Pratt-Chapman Mandi L. , Potter Jennifer 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people comprise approximately 5% of the U.S. population, yet health care professional student education on sexual and gender minority (SGM) health is sparse. This study explored the degree to which sociodemographic factors and student affiliation with SGM people explained self-reported competence in caring for SGM patients. Methods: This study sought to define Reduced Models from an eight-variable Full Model that explained a meaningful amount (≥ 0.15) of total variance across a sample of health care professional students in terms of six criterion variables: Basic Knowledge, Attitudinal Awareness and Clinical Preparedness (subscales of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale); Attitudes Toward LGBT People Scale (ATLPS); and Beliefs and Behaviors (subscales of the Gay Affirming Practice Scale). Results: Political affiliation, religiosity, and SGM affiliation were predictor variables in half of the Reduced Models. SGM-specific health training hours were included in Reduced Models for Clinical Preparedness and affirming Behaviors. Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors, lived experiences, and amount of training in SGM-specific health matter when it comes to health care professional students’ sense of preparedness in caring for SGM patients.
R-curve of La2O3 doped Zirconia Toughened Alumina Composites Prepared via Stereolithography based 3D Printing
Authors: Wu Haidong , Liu W. , Huang Meipeng , Liang Jianwei , An Di , Li Hezhen , Wang Chengyong , Xie Zhipeng , Wu Shanghua 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
In this study, we combined liquid precursor infiltration of high introduction amounts of bi-additives (20wt%) and stereolithography-based 3D printing to fabricate zirconia toughened alumina, and the infiltration systems consist of the four following systems Zr4+/La3+, Zr4+/Er3+, Zr4+/Gd3+, and Zr4+/Ce4+. The sample immersed with Zr4+/La3+ shows intense peaks of m-ZrO2 phase compared to the other samples while a new phase of flake-like LaAl11O18 occurs in the Zr4+/La3+ immersed sample, the existence of which could be confirmed by XRD and EDS. The fracture toughness of the Zr4+/Er3+, Zr4+/Gd3+, and Zr4+/Ce4+ samples remained basically unchanged versus the crack size, while the measured fracture toughness values for the Zr4+/La3+ system could be fitted as a rising R-curve behavior with the steady-state fracture toughness of 17.76 MPa·m1/2. The enormous enhancement of the toughness could be attributed to thermal expansion misfit and flake-like LaAl11O18 in the Zr4+/La3+ system. The effect of residual stresses on the fracture mode and thus the toughness is discussed on the basis of theoretical calculation and analysis. It is the first time a rising R-curve behavior is observed in the 3D printed ceramics. The shocking discovery provides a highly effective toughening way in 3D printing combined infiltration approach.
Investigation of instinctive defects in nitrogen enrich lanthanum silicon oxynitride glasses
Authors: Ali Sharafat , Hakeem Abbas Saeed , Höche Thomas , Drmosh Qasem Ahmed , Khan Amir Azam , Jonson Bo 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Oxynitride glasses are not yet commercialised primarily due to the impurities present in the network of these glasses. In this work, silicon and silicide defects in nitrogen-rich La-Si-O-N glasses were investigated. Glasses were prepared by heating powder mixture of La metal, Si 3 N 4 , and SiO 2 in a nitrogen atmosphere at 1650-1800°C. The obtained glasses containing an unprecedented amount of N content of up to 68 e/o and La up to 62 e/o in the glass network which reveals a broader glass-forming region in the system than previously reported. The microstructure and impurities in the glasses were examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in conjunction with electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). Analyses showed that the glasses contain a small amount of spherical La silicides particles, mostly amorphous or poorly crystalline, and having sizes typically ranging from 1 µm and less. The amount of silicide was estimated to be less than 2 vol.%. There was no systematic relation between silicide formation and glass composition or preparation temperature, but it was found that particle size decrease with increasing holding time. The limited transparency of high N-containing glasses is expected to have attribution of elemental Si and microscopy analyses, and Raman spectroscopy ascertained silicide particles. Furthermore, a metallic silicide formed by the decomposition of silicon oxide and silicon nitride, then the subsequent reaction of Si and La.
Value of biomarkers in distinguishing indeterminate core needle biopsy samples of thyroid nodules
Authors: Xiong Yan , Liang Li , Yan Limin , Li Dong , Li Xin , Di Jiting , Zheng Yalin , Huang Sixia , Li Ting 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Core needle biopsy (CNB) is now more frequently used for the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Based on morphology alone, 5%-20% of CNB samples cannot be determined as malignant or benign. Compared to fine-needle biopsy (FNB), samples collected by CNB are more accessible for various tests. Therefore, studying the application of biomarkers in distinguishing indeterminate CNB samples of thyroid nodules is a practical need. Methods: Patients with thyroid nodules with both CNB and matched resected specimens were reviewed. Cases classified as indeterminate lesions, follicular neoplasms and suspicious for malignancy were retrieved. All CNB samples were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using antibodies against CK19, Galectin-3, HBME-1, and CD56 and detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS) using a target panel. With the help of these biomarkers, all CNB samples were reclassified. Taking the classification of resected specimens as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of each biomarker for discriminating malignancy from benignity were calculated. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy were 93.55%, 60.00%, 93.55%, 60.00% and 88.89% for CK19; 93.55%, 40.00%, 90.63%, 50.00% and 86.11% for Galectin-3; 77.42%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 41.67% and 80.56% for HBME-1; 66.13%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 32.26% and 70.83% for CD56; and 91.94%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 66.67% and 93.06% for pathogenic mutation. Conclusions: The application of biomarkers is very effective in distinguishing indeterminate CNB samples of thyroid nodules. Gene testing by NGS using a target panel has very high accuracy. The limitation of tumor quantity is the main reason for the weakened power of NGS. IHC plays an important role in cases with negative NGS results. The combination of NGS and IHC is a reliable “rule in” test for malignancy.
Do breastfeeding practices correlate with childhood diarrhoea? Multiple data analyses using national surveys in Ghana
Authors: Tampah-Naah Anthony Mwinilanaa 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND Breastfeeding as a natural intervention tends to have a protective effect on the occurrence of diarrhoea in children. In environments where breastfeeding is suboptimal coupled with the early introduction of complementary foods, children are at a higher risk of experiencing diarrhoea. This study examined whether breastfeeding practices are associated with childhood diarrhoea in Ghana using multiple secondary datasets. METHODS The study used data from GDHS 2003, 2008 and 2014 individual datasets. These datasets contain data on women and issues related to children who were two years of age (0-23 months). An appended weighted sample of 4,675 mother-child pairs was used for the analyses. Thus, logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the effect of explanatory variables that were considered as potential confounders on the association between breastfeeding practices and childhood diarrhoea. RESULTS Univariate analysis revealed that children who were not exclusively breastfeeding had higher odds of experiencing diarrhoea. With the multilevel logistic analysis, breastfeeding practices and risks of diarrhoea among children revealed significant associations. CONCLUSIONS Findings for this study further affirms to the protective effect breastfeeding has against childhood diarrhoea in relation to the Ghanaian context. Exclusive breastfeeding and at times predominant breastfeeding could prevent or minimize diarrhoea compare to non-practice of breastfeeding or partial breastfeeding.