bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frailty indexed classification of Bangladeshi older adults’ physio-psychosocial health and associated risk factors- a cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Meshbahur , Hamiduzzaman Mohammad , Akter Mst. Saleha , Farhana Zaki , Hossain Mohammad Kamal , Hasan Mohammad Nayeem , Islam Md. Nazrul 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Frailty is associated with healthy ageing, and it has been identified as a means of measuring older adults’ physio-psychosocial health. We know about the ageing trends and common diseases of older adults living in South Asia, but literature to date does not widely feature their health status based on frailty, especially in Bangladesh. This study aims to understand the prevalence of frailty in Bangladeshi older adults; classify their health status; and investigate associated risk factors.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the north-eastern region (i.e. Sylhet City Corporation) of Bangladesh. Four hundred participants aged 55 years and above were randomly selected, attended a health assessment session and completed a multi-indicator survey questionnaire. We developed a 30-indicator Frailty Index (FI30) to assess the participant’s health status and categorized: good health (no-frailty/Fit); slightly poor health (mild frailty); poor health (moderate frailty); and very poor health (severe frailty). Pearson chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted.

Results
The participants’ mean age was 63.6 years, and 61.6% of them were assessed in poor to very poor health (moderate frailty/36.3% - severe frailty/25.3%). The eldest, female and participants from lower family income were found more frailty than their counterparts. Participants aged 70 years and above were more likely (adjusted OR: 4.23, 95% CI: 2.26–7.92, p < 0.0001) to experience frailty (medical conditions) than the pre-elderly age group (55–59 years). Female participants were more vulnerable (adjusted OR = 1.487, 95% CI: 0.84–2.64, p < 0.0174) to frailty (medical conditions) than male. Also, older adults who had higher family income (Income>$473.3) found a lower risk (adjusted OR: 0.294, 95% CI: 0.11–0.76, p < 0.011) of frailty (poor health).

Conclusion
Our study results confirm the prevalence of frailty-related disorders in Bangladeshi older adults and highlight the importance of targeted clinical and community-led preventive care programs.
Hydroa Vacciniforme-like Lymphoproliferative disorder in an adult invades the liver and bone marrow with clear pathological evidence: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Xiankun , Wang Peng , Wang Aibin , Xu Yanli , Wang Lin , Chen Zhihai 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Hydroa Vacciniforme-like Lymphoproliferative Disorder (HV-LPD) is the name given to a group of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated diseases. It resembles hydroa vacciniforme (HV), the rarest form of photosensitivity, and is a T-cell disorder associated with an Epstein-Barr virus infection. The majority of diagnosed cases occur in East Asia and South America. It is rare in the United States and Europe. Multiple studies have revealed the clinical manifestation of an enlarged liver, but no gold standard such as pathology has yet supported this as a clinical sign of HV-LPD.

Case presentation
Here, we report a case of a 34-year-old Asian female with definite liver invasion. The patient had complained of a recurring facial rash for many years. The patient was admitted to the hospital because of an enlarged liver. After hospitalization, she was given an EB virus nucleic acid test. The EB virus nucleic acid test was positive, and pathological examination suggested that HV-LPD had invaded the skin, bone marrow, and liver. After being given antiviral treatment, the patient’s symptoms were mitigated.

Conclusions
Our case confirms the liver damage was caused by HV-LPD and the effectiveness of antiviral treatment.
Toxic shock syndrome with a cytokine storm caused by Staphylococcus simulans: a case report
Authors: Goda Ken , Kenzaka Tsuneaki , Hoshijima Masahiko , Yachie Akihiro , Akita Hozuka 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Exotoxins secreted from Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes act as superantigens that induce systemic release of inflammatory cytokines and are a common cause of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). However, little is known about TSS caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and the underlying mechanisms. Here, we present a rare case of TSS caused by Staphylococcus simulans (S. simulans).

Case presentation
We report the case of a 75-year-old woman who developed pneumococcal pneumonia and bacteremia from S. simulans following an influenza infection. The patient met the clinical criteria for probable TSS, and her symptoms included fever of 39.5 °C, diffuse macular erythroderma, conjunctival congestion, vomiting, diarrhea, liver dysfunction, and disorientation. Therefore, the following treatment was initiated for bacterial pneumonia complicating influenza A with suspected TSS: meropenem (1 g every 8 h), vancomycin (1 g every 12 h), and clindamycin (600 mg every 8 h). Blood cultures taken on the day after admission were positive for CoNS, whereas sputum and pharyngeal cultures grew Streptococcus pneumoniae (Geckler group 4) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus, respectively. However, exotoxins thought to cause TSS, such as TSS toxin-1 and various enterotoxins, were not detected. The patient’s therapy was switched to cefazolin (2 g every 8 h) and clindamycin (600 mg every 8 h) for 14 days based on microbiologic test results. She developed desquamation of the fingers on hospital day 8 and was diagnosed with TSS. Conventional exotoxins, such as TSST-1, and S. aureus enterotoxins were not detected in culture samples. The serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as neopterin and IL-6, were high. CD8+ T cells were activated in peripheral blood. Vβ2+ population activation, which is characteristic for TSST-1, was not observed in the Vβ usage of CD8+ T cells in T cell receptor Vβ repertoire distribution analysis.

Conclusions
We present a case of S. simulans-induced TSS. Taken together, we speculate that no specific exotoxins are involved in the induction of TSS in this patient. A likely mechanism is uncontrolled cytokine release (i.e., cytokine storm) induced by non-specific immune reactions against CoNS proliferation.
Comparison of MR-PWI quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters for the evaluation of liver fibrosis
Authors: Ding Ke , Liu Manrong , Wei Xue , Huang Ruisui , Chen Jiong , Lu Shanjin , Wang Dacheng , Lu Wei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
To evaluate different stages of liver fibrosis in cynomolgus monkeys by comparing magnetic resonance-perfusion weighted imaging (MR-PWI) quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters, and confirm the best detection indicators for diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

Methods
A liver fibrosis model of different stages (S0–S4) was established in cynomolgus monkeys. The changes in MR-PWI quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters with the progression of liver fibrosis were investigated.

Results
MR-PWI quantitative parameters gradually decreased with the progression of liver fibrosis. Hepatic arterial perfusion index (HPI) was found to increase with the progression of liver fibrosis and significant differences of HPI between each group were observed. There was a highly positive correlation between HPI and the stages of liver fibrosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that HPI had the highest efficacy of the MR-PWI quantitative parameters for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. The MR-PW semi-quantitative parameters gradually reduced with the progression of liver fibrosis, and the differences were statistically significant between stages S3–S4 and S0–S2. Time to peak (TPP) gradually extended and showed a positive correlation with the stages of liver fibrosis. TTP had the highest efficacy of the semi-quantitative parameters for diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

Conclusions
Both the MR-PWI quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters of the liver fibrosis model in cynomolgus monkeys varied at different stages of liver fibrosis, and HPI and TTP were the best detection indices for quantitative and semi-quantitative evaluation of liver fibrosis, respectively.
Efficacy and safety of the long-acting C5 inhibitor ravulizumab in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome triggered by pregnancy: a subgroup analysis
Authors: Gäckler Anja , Schönermarck Ulf , Dobronravov Vladimir , La Manna Gaetano , Denker Andrew , Liu Peng , Vinogradova Maria , Yoon Sung-Soo , Praga Manuel 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) triggered by pregnancy is a rare disease caused by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway that occurs in approximately 1 in 25,000 pregnancies. The 311 phase 3 trial (NCT02949128) showed that ravulizumab, a long-acting C5 inhibitor obtained through selective modifications to eculizumab, is efficacious in inhibiting complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in patients with aHUS. In this analysis, we report outcomes in a subgroup of patients from the 311 study who developed TMA postpartum.

Methods
This was a phase 3, multicenter trial evaluating efficacy and safety of ravulizumab in adults (≥18 years of age) with aHUS naïve to complement inhibitor treatment. The primary endpoint was complete TMA response (simultaneous platelet count normalization [≥150 × 109/L], lactate dehydrogenase normalization [≤246 U/L] and 25% improvement in serum creatinine) through the 183-day initial evaluation period. Additional efficacy endpoints included time to complete TMA response, hematologic normalization, and dialysis requirement status.

Results
Eight patients presenting with TMA postpartum (median age of 37.7 [range; 22.1–45.2] years) were diagnosed with aHUS and received ≥1 dose of ravulizumab. Five patients (63%) were on dialysis at baseline. Complete TMA response was achieved in 7/8 patients (87.5%) in a median time of 31.5 days. Hematologic normalization was observed in all patients. All patients on dialysis at baseline discontinued dialysis within 21 days after treatment with ravulizumab. All patients showed continued improvements in the estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline to Day 183. Three possible treatment-related adverse events were observed in 2 patients (arthralgia and nasopharyngitis [both non-severe]; urinary tract infection). No deaths or meningococcal infections occurred.

Conclusions
Treatment with ravulizumab provided immediate and complete C5 inhibition, resulting in rapid clinical and laboratory improvements and complete TMA response through 183 days in patients with aHUS triggered by pregnancy. The safety profile observed in this subset of patients analysed is consistent with the 311 study investigating ravulizumab in patients with aHUS naïve to complement treatment.

Trial registration
Clinical trial identifier:NCT02949128.
Perspectives and experiences of patients and healthcare professionals with geriatric assessment in chronic kidney disease: a qualitative study
Authors: Voorend Carlijn G. N. , Berkhout-Byrne Noeleen C. , Meuleman Yvette , Mooijaart Simon P. , Bos Willem Jan W. , van Buren Marjolijn 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundOlder patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) often live with unidentified frailty and multimorbidity. Despite guideline recommendations, geriatric assessment is not part of standard clinical care, resulting in a missed opportunity to enhance (clinical) outcomes including quality of life in these patients. To develop routine geriatric assessment programs for patients approaching ESKD, it is crucial to understand patients’ and professionals’ experiences with and perspectives about the benefits, facilitators and barriers for geriatric assessment.MethodsIn this qualitative study, semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted with ESKD patients, caregivers and professionals. Participants were purposively sampled from three Dutch hospital-based study- and routine care initiatives involving geriatric assessment for (pre-)ESKD care. Transcripts were analysed inductively using thematic analysis.ResultsIn six focus-groups, participants (n = 47) demonstrated four major themes:(1) Perceived characteristics of the older (pre)ESKD patient group. Patients and professionals recognized increased vulnerability and (cognitive) comorbidity, which is often unrelated to calendar age. Both believed that often patients are in need of additional support in various geriatric domains.(2) Experiences with geriatric assessment.Patients regarded the content and the time spent on the geriatric assessment predominantly positive. Professionals emphasized that assessment creates awareness among the whole treatment team for cognitive and social problems, shifting the focus from mainly somatic to multidimensional problems. Outcomes of geriatric assessment were observed to enhance a dialogue on suitability of treatment options, (re)adjust treatment and provide/seek additional (social) support.(3) Barriers and facilitators for implementation of geriatric assessment in routine care.Discussed barriers included lack of communication about goals and interpretation of geriatric assessment, burden for patients, illiteracy, and organizational aspects. Major facilitators are good multidisciplinary cooperation, involvement of geriatrics and multidisciplinary team meetings.(4) Desired characteristics of a suitable geriatric assessmentconcerned the scope and use of tests and timing of assessment.ConclusionsPatients and professionals were positive about using geriatric assessment in routine nephrology care. Implementation seems achievable, once barriers are overcome and facilitators are endorsed. Geriatric assessment in routine care appears promising to improve (clinical) outcomes in patients approaching ESKD.
The onset of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Gadsby Roger , Ivanova Diana , Trevelyan Emma , Hutton Jane L. , Johnson Sarah 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Nausea and vomiting are experienced by most women during pregnancy. The onset is usually related to Last Menstrual Period (LMP) the date of which is often unreliable. This study describes the time to onset of nausea and vomiting symptoms from date of ovulation and compares this to date of last menstrual period

Methods
Prospective cohort of women seeking to become pregnant, recruited from 12 May 2014 to 25 November 2016, in the United Kingdom. Daily diaries of nausea and vomiting were kept by 256 women who were trying to conceive. The main outcome measure is the number of days from last menstrual period (LMP) or luteinising hormone surge until onset of nausea or vomiting.

Results
Almost all women (88%) had Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin rise within 8 to 10 days of ovulation; the equivalent interval from LMP was 20 to 30 days. Many (67%) women experience symptoms within 11 to 20 days of ovulation.

Conclusions
Onset of nausea and vomiting occurs earlier than previously reported and there is a narrow window for onset of symptoms. This indicates that its etiology is associated with a specific developmental stage at the foetal-maternal interface.

Trial registration
NCT01577147. Date of registration 13 April 2012
A case of pterygium-like proliferation containing postoperative limbal dermoid remnants: a clinicopathological study
Authors: Mitamura Mizuho , Kase Satoru , Ohguchi Takeshi , Ishida Susumu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
This study reports a case of pterygium-like proliferation containing postoperative limbal dermoid remnants and its clinicopathological features.

Case presentation
A 79-year-old Japanese woman, with a history of congenital limbal dermoid resection at age 12, presented with a pterygium-like tissue growth in the left eye. Its temporal location and marked thickness with abundant fatty droplets were atypical of primary pterygium. We performed pterygium surgery and ocular surface reconstruction. Pathological findings included squamous metaplasia, neovessels, and elastic degeneration, as well as prominent subepithelial and stromal accumulation of collagen fibers, adipose tissue formation, and presence of a peripheral nerve corresponded with the frequent findings of limbal dermoid. Ki67, a marker for cell proliferation, was immunopositive in pterygial epithelial cells and neovascular endothelial cells, but not in dermoid components.

Conclusions
Although the pathological finding of degenerative elastic fibers indicated the common feature of ultraviolet-induced pterygium, clinical appearances were atypical possibly due to modification with dermoid remnants.
Treatment of acute acquired concomitant esotropia
Authors: Shi Minghua , Zhou Yuanxiang , Qin Aijiao , Cheng Jing , Ren Hongxing 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe treatment efficacy of botulinum toxin bilateral medial rectus injections for acute acquired concomitant esotropia (AACE) in adult is not clear. We characterize the effects of botulinum toxin injection in the treatment of AACE, especially in patients over 14 years old, and compared it with surgical treatment.MethodsIn this prospective, nonrandomized, controlled clinical study, patients with AACE in our hospital from March 2017 to March 2020 elected to receive bilateral medial rectus injections of botulinum toxin or to undergo extraocular muscle surgery. Ocular position and stereopsis were evaluated before and after treatment.ResultsA total of 60 patients were treated: 40 patients in the botulinum toxin group, and 20 patients in the surgery group. The botulinum toxin group included 31 cases ≥ 14 years of age and 9 cases < 14 years of age. After 1–3 botulinum injections, the cumulative initial success rate was 95% (38/40), and the recurrence rate was 22.5% (9/40). Nine children < 14 years of age were treated successfully, without recurrence. In the surgery group, the initial success rate after surgery was 75% (17/20), and the recurrence rate was 20% (4/20). There was no significant difference between groups in the rate of success rate or the rate of recurrence (P > 0.05).ConclusionThe injection of botulinum toxin has a good effect on AACE in adults and children. The outcomes achieved with injected botulinum toxin are similar to those achieved with surgery.Trial registrationChiCTR,ChiCTR2000032544. Registered May 2, 2020, Retrospectively registered.
The MEDEA childhood asthma study design for mitigation of desert dust health effects: implementation of novel methods for assessment of air pollution exposure and lessons learned
Authors: Kouis Panayiotis , Papatheodorou Stefania I. , Kakkoura Maria G. , Middleton Nicos , Galanakis Emmanuel , Michaelidi Eleni , Achilleos Souzana , Mihalopoulos Nikolaos , Neophytou Marina , Stamatelatos Gerasimos , Kaniklides Christos , Revvas Efstathios , Tymvios Filippos , Savvides Chrysanthos , Koutrakis Petros , Yiallouros Panayiotis K. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Desert dust events in Mediterranean countries, originating mostly from the Sahara and Arabian deserts, have been linked to climate change and are associated with significant increase in mortality and hospital admissions from respiratory causes. The MEDEA clinical intervention study in children with asthma is funded by EU LIFE+ program to evaluate the efficacy of recommendations aiming to reduce exposure to desert dust and related health effects.

Methods
This paper describes the design, methods, and challenges of the MEDEA childhood asthma study, which is performed in two highly exposed regions of the Eastern Mediterranean: Cyprus and Greece-Crete. Eligible children are recruited using screening surveys performed at primary schools and are randomized to three parallel intervention groups: a) no intervention for desert dust events, b) interventions for outdoor exposure reduction, and c) interventions for both outdoor and indoor exposure reduction. At baseline visits, participants are enrolled on MEDena® Health-Hub, which communicates, alerts and provides exposure reduction recommendations in anticipation of desert dust events. MEDEA employs novel environmental epidemiology and telemedicine methods including wearable GPS, actigraphy, health parameters sensors as well as indoor and outdoor air pollution samplers to assess study participants’ compliance to recommendations, air pollutant exposures in homes and schools, and disease related clinical outcomes.

Discussion
The MEDEA study evaluates, for the first time, interventions aiming to reduce desert dust exposure and implement novel telemedicine methods in assessing clinical outcomes and personal compliance to recommendations. In Cyprus and Crete, during the first study period (February–May 2019), a total of 91 children participated in the trial while for the second study period (February–May 2020), another 120 children completed data collection. Recruitment for the third study period (February–May 2021) is underway. In this paper, we also present the unique challenges faced during the implementation of novel methodologies to reduce air pollution exposure in children. Engagement of families of asthmatic children, schools and local communities, is critical. Successful study completion will provide the knowledge for informed decision-making both at national and international level for mitigating the health effects of desert dust events in South-Eastern Europe.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03503812, April 20, 2018.