bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of diagnosed cases of eye rhinosporidiosis in a public hospital of Maranhão, Northeast Brazil
Authors: Almeida Francílio Araújo , Teixeira-Junior Antonio Augusto Lima , Pinho Jaqueline Diniz , Costa Elaine Fiod , Silva Gyl Eanes Barros 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundOculosporidiosis (ocular rhinosporidiosis) accounts for 15% of cases of rhinosporidiosis, which is a chronic granulomatous disease and is endemic in India and Sri Lanka. In Brazil, the climatic and hydrographic similarities to these endemic areas and the presence of riverside populations contributes to an increase in the incidence of rhinosporidiosis particularly in the State of Maranhão. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the number of diagnosed cases of oculosporidiosis and describe its the clinical epidemiology, laboratory, histopathology, and therapeutic characteristics.MethodsThe study is descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional, and reports the prevalence and clinical epidemiological characteristics of oculosporidiosis in the State of Maranhão, Brazil. A retrospective analysis of the paper and electronic records for a period from 1999 to 2017 was conducted in the University Hospital of Federal University of Maranhão (HU-UFMA), located in the northeastern region of Brazil.ResultsThirty patients were diagnosed with rhinosporidiosis, eight of them had oculosporidiosis and seven of these met the criteria to be included in the study. Of the cases (23.3% of all 30), five were men (71.4%) and two women (28.5%), with an average age of 16.4 ± 15.6 years. In terms of race, four patients (57.1%) declared themselves white and three (42.9%) as brown. The north of the state, the mesoregion, had the most diagnosed cases accounting for 57.1% of the total. Left eye was the most affected site, reported in six patients (85.7%), while the conjunctiva was affected in all patients. Rhinosporidiosis and papilloma were the predominant diagnostic hypotheses (28.5 and 28.5%, respectively), followed by chronic scleritis, granuloma, and chalazion (14.25, 14.25, and 14.25%, respectively). All these cases were treated with lesion excision, and only two patients (28.5%) progressed with recurrence.ConclusionIt was verified that there was a male predominance, with only one eye reported as an infected site, with no bilateral involvement. The younger age group (between 1 and 2 years of age) was more affected by oculosporidiosis, and histopathological examination was necessary for a conclusive diagnosis.
A research tool for measuring non-participation of older people in research on digital health
Authors: Poli Arianna , Kelfve Susanne , Motel-Klingebiel Andreas 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundHealthcare services are being increasingly digitalised in European countries. However, in studies evaluating digital health technology, some people are less likely to participate than others, e.g. those who are older, those with a lower level of education and those with poorer digital skills. Such non-participation in research – deriving from the processes of non-recruitment of targeted individuals and self-selection – can be a driver of old-age exclusion from new digital health technologies. We aim to introduce, discuss and test an instrument to measure non-participation in digital health studies, in particular, the process of self-selection.MethodsBased on a review of the relevant literature, we designed an instrument – the NPART survey questionnaire – for the analysis of self-selection, covering five thematic areas: socioeconomic factors, self-rated health and subjective overall quality of life, social participation, time resources, and digital skills and use of technology. The instrument was piloted on 70 older study persons in Sweden, approached during the recruitment process for a trial study.ResultsResults indicated that participants, as compared to decliners, were on average slightly younger and more educated, and reported better memory, higher social participation, and higher familiarity with and greater use of digital technologies. Overall, the survey questionnaire was able to discriminate between participants and decliners on the key aspects investigated, along the lines of the relevant literature.ConclusionsThe NPART survey questionnaire can be applied to characterise non-participation in digital health research, in particular, the process of self-selection. It helps to identify underrepresented groups and their needs. Data generated from such an investigation, combined with hospital registry data on non-recruitment, allows for the implementation of improved sampling strategies, e.g. focused recruitment of underrepresented groups, and for the post hoc adjustment of results generated from biased samples, e.g. weighting procedures.
Improved hemodynamics and cardiopulmonary function in patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after balloon pulmonary angioplasty
Authors: Jin Qi , Luo Qin , Yang Tao , Zeng Qixian , Yu Xue , Yan Lu , Zhang Yi , Zhao Qing , Ma Xiuping , An Chenhong , Xiong Changming , Zhao Zhihui , Liu Zhihong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundBalloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has been demonstrated to improve cardiac function and exercise capacity in patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), but its instant impact on cardiopulmonary function has seldom been evaluated. This study aims to determine the safety and efficacy of BPA and its immediate and lasting effects on cardiopulmonary function among CTEPH patients.MethodsFrom May 2018 to January 2019, patients with inoperable CTEPH who underwent BPA sessions were consecutively enrolled. Hemodynamics were measured by right heart catheterization, selective pulmonary angiography and BPA were successively conducted. Hemodynamic variables, WHO functional class (WHO-FC), 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and serum NT-proBNP were evaluated before and after BPA sessions during hospitalization. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were performed within 1–3 days pre and post BPA to evaluate the effect of BPA on cardiopulmonary function.ResultsTwenty-five patients with inoperable CTEPH who underwent a total of forty BPA sessions were consecutively enrolled. A total of 183 segmental or subsegmental vessels (4.6 ± 1.9 vessels per session) in 137 segments (3.4 ± 1.6 segments per session) were dilated. No procedure-related complications occurred. Instant hemodynamics, WHO-FC, 6MWD and NT-proBNP were all significantly improved after a single BPA session. Significant improvement in cardiopulmonary function was also evident as assessed by PFT indexes (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, maximal voluntary ventilation) and CPET parameters (peak work rate, peak VO2, oxygen uptake efficiency slope). Further analysis among ten CTEPH patients receiving multiple BPA sessions (2–4 sessions) indicated BPA resulted in lasting improvements in hemodynamics and cardiopulmonary function.ConclusionsBPA, a safe and effective approach, can bring instant improvements after a single session and lasting benefits after multiple sessions to hemodynamics and cardiopulmonary function for patients with inoperable CTEPH.
The effectiveness of the “SMG” model for health-promoting lifestyles among empty nesters: a community intervention trial
Authors: Zhang Chichen , Zheng Xiao , Zhu Ruifang , Hou Lihong , Yang Xiaozhao Yousef , Lu Jiao , Jiang Feng , Yang Tingzhong 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
With the disintegration of the extended family in recent years, the empty-nest phenomenon is increasingly common in China and the health of empty nesters is attracting more attention. Lifestyles, accounting for 53% in determining death, play a vital role in improving the health of individuals. However, it was rarely studied in promoting the health of empty nesters. In this study, we proposed a “SMG” model in empty nesters, including the self-management, mutual management, and group management, to implement health-promoting lifestyles interventions among empty nesters to provide an effective means to improve their lifestyles and health.

Methods
We conducted a prospective intervention on 350 empty nesters in three communities located in Taiyuan, China. One hundred sixty-seven empty nesters were randomly assigned to the intervention group with SMG-based health-promoting lifestyles interventions used for 7-months, and 183 were randomly assigned to the control group with no measures imposed. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-C) was used to rate the lifestyles of empty nesters. Generalized estimation model was used to analyze the differences between the intervention and control groups over time, adjusted for education and employment.

Results
After 7 months of health-promoting lifestyles intervention, HPLP-C score and each dimension score in the intervention group all increase from baseline. There were significant differences after intervention associated with time and group interaction effects in aspects of HPLP-C (mean score = 8.838, 95%CI:6.369–11.306), self-realization (mean score = 1.443, 95%CI:0.352–2.534), Health responsibility (mean score = 1.492, 95%CI:0.477–2.508), physical activity (mean score = 1.031, 95%CI:0.572–1.491), nutrition (mean = 0.827, 95%CI:0.177–1.476), interpersonal relations (mean = 2.917, 95%CI:2.365–3.469) and stress management (mean score = 0.729, 95%CI:0.131–1.327). And education is contributing to the effect of the health-promoting lifestyle intervention (Estimate:8.833, p < 0.001).

Conclusions
SMG-based health-promoting lifestyles intervention in empty nesters effectively improved the lifestyles of empty nesters, and the outcome was affected by education. Lifestyle change requires ongoing intervention, and community service centres must be involved in implementing the “SMG” model to provide ongoing support and improve the effect of interventions among empty nesters.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial ChiCTR1800015884. Registration date: 26–04-2018. Retrospectively registered.
Access to public transportation and health facilities offering long-acting reversible contraceptives among residents of formal and informal settlements in two cities in Kenya
Authors: Escamilla Veronica , Calhoun Lisa , Odero Norbert , Speizer Ilene S. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
Despite improved health facility access relative to rural areas, distance and transportation remain barriers in some urban areas. Using household and facility data linked to residential and transportation geographic information we describe availability of health facilities offering long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods and measure access via matatus (privately owned mid-size vehicles providing public transport) in urban Kenya.

Methods
Study data were collected by the Measurement, Learning and Evaluation (MLE) Project. Location information for clusters (2010) representative of city-level population were used to identify formal and informal settlement residents. We measured straight-line distances between clusters and facilities that participated in facility audits (2014) and offered LARCs. In Kisumu, we created a geographic database of matatu routes using Google Earth. In Nairobi, matatu route data were publicly available via the Digital Matatus Project. We measured straight-line distance between clusters and matatu stops on ‘direct’ routes (matatu routes with stop(s) ≤1 km from health facility offering LARCs). Facility and matatu access were compared by settlement status using descriptive statistics. We then used client exit interview data from a subset of facilities in Nairobi (N = 56) and Kisumu (N = 37) Kenya (2014) to examine the frequency of matatu use for facility visits.

Results
There were 141 (Informal = 71; Formal = 70) study clusters in Nairoibi and 73 (Informal = 37; Formal = 36) in Kisumu. On average, residential clusters in both cities were located ≤1 km from a facility offering LARCs and ≤ 1 km from approximately three or more matatu stops on direct routes regardless of settlement status. Client exit interview data in Nairobi (N = 1602) and Kisumu (N = 1158) suggest that about 25% of women use matatus to visit health facilities. On average, women who utilized matatus travelled 30 min to the facility, with 5% travelling more than 1 hour. Matatu use increased with greater household wealth.

Conclusions
Overall, formal and informal settlement clusters were within walking distance of a facility offering LARCs, and multiple matatu stops were accessible to get to further away facilities. This level of access will be beneficial as efforts to increase LARC use expand, but the role of wealth and transportation costs on access should be considered, especially among urban poor.
Interaction between position sense and force control in bimanual tasks
Authors: Ballardini Giulia , Ponassi Valentina , Galofaro Elisa , Carlini Giorgio , Marini Francesca , Pellegrino Laura , Morasso Pietro , Casadio Maura 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
Several daily living activities require people to coordinate the motion and the force produced by both arms, using their position sense and sense of effort. However, to date, the interaction in bimanual tasks has not been extensively investigated.

Methods
We focused on bimanual tasks where subjects were required:
(Experiment 1) to move their hands until reaching the same position – equal hand position implied identical arm configurations in joint space - under different loading conditions;(Experiment 2) to produce the same amount of isometric force by pushing upward, with their hands placed in symmetric or asymmetric positions.
The arm motions and forces required for accomplishing these tasks were in the vertical direction. We enrolled a healthy population of 20 subjects for Experiment 1 and 25 for Experiment 2. Our primary outcome was the systematic difference between the two hands at the end of each trial in terms of position for Experiment 1 and force for Experiment 2. In both experiments using repeated measure ANOVA we evaluated the effect of each specific condition, namely loading in the former case and hand configuration in the latter.

Results
In the first experiment, the difference between the hands’ positions was greater when they were concurrently loaded with different weights. Conversely, in the second experiment, when subjects were asked to exert equal forces with both arms, the systematic difference between left and right force was not influenced by symmetric or asymmetric arm configurations, but by the position of the left hand, regardless of the right hand position. The performance was better when the left hand was in the higher position.

Conclusions
The experiments report the reciprocal interaction between position sense and sense of effort inbimanual tasks performed by healthy subjects. Apart for the intrinsic interest for a better understanding of basic sensorimotor processes, the results are also relevant to clinical applications, for defining functional evaluation and rehabilitative protocols for people with neurological diseases or conditions that impair the ability to sense and control concurrently position and force.
Outcome of the modified Dunn procedure in severe chronic or acute on chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Authors: Ebert Nicola , Rupprecht Martin , Stuecker Ralf , Breyer Sandra , Stiel Norbert , Priemel Matthias H. , Spiro Alexander S. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
In recent years, the modified Dunn osteotomy has gained popularity to treat slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) with various complication rates. Most studies included patients with different severities. This study aimed to determine (1) the radiological and clinical outcome, (2) the health-related quality of life, and (3) the incidence of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) in patients with severe chronic or acute on chronic SCFE treated by the modified Dunn procedure.

Methods
Out of 150 patients with SCFE treated at our institution between 2001 and 2014, 15 patients (mean age 12.9 years (range 11.8–15)) were treated by the modified Dunn procedure. Eight SCFE were chronic and 7 acute on chronic. All slips were severe with a mean Southwick slip angle (SSA) of 67° (range 60–80). Radiographic and clinical outcomes were measured. Mean time of follow-up was 3.8 years (range 1–10).

Results
Anatomical reduction was achieved in all cases. Good radiological results according to the Stulberg Classification (grade 1 + 2) and the Sphericity Deviation Score (< 30) were found in 9 out of 13 patients at the last follow-up. Clinical and functional outcome analysis revealed good results in 8 out of 10 patients (Harris Hip Score > 80). The quality of life measured by the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was described good in 10 out of 10 patients. Four out of 15 patients developed an AVN.

Conclusions
The modified Dunn procedure has a great potential to restore proximal femur geometry in severe chronic or acute on chronic SCFE. It should be considered only if there is no other possibility to restore proximal femur geometry, as is the case in severe slips, due to the risk of AVN.
The discriminatory power of visceral adipose tissue area vs anthropometric measures as a diagnostic marker for metabolic syndrome in South African women
Authors: Davidson Florence E. , Matsha Tandi E. , Erasmus Rajiv T. , Kengne Andre Pascal , Goedecke Julia H. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundA number of studies have shown central adiposity, in particular visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation to be a hallmark of metabolic syndrome (MetS). In clinical practice, waist circumference (WC) is used as a proxy for VAT.AimTo compare the ability of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived VAT area and anthropometric measures of adiposity for diagnosing MetS in a sample of high risk South African women.MethodsMetS was quantified using the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) criteria. Fasting glucose, insulin and lipid profile were measured in 204 post-menopausal women. Anthropometry measures included body mass index (BMI), WC, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and a body shape index (ABSI). The area under the curve (AUC) was used to assess their performance in detecting any two components of MetS (excluding WC). Optimal WC and VAT area cut-points were derived to compare their performance for diagnosing MetS and to compare to internationally recognised cut-points.ResultsThe highest AUC for the prediction of MetS was recorded for VAT, followed by WHtR and WC (AUC, 0.767, 0.747 and 0.738 respectively), but these did not differ significantly (all p ≥ 0.192). In contrast, VAT was significantly better than BMI (p = 0.028), hip (p = 0.0004) and ABSI (p < 0.0001). The optimal WC (94.4 cm) and VAT area (174 cm2based on the Youden’s index method and 175.50 cm2based on the CTL approach) cut-points performed similarly in detecting MetS.ConclusionDXA-derived VAT and WC had the same overall performance in discriminating the presence of any 2 MetS components in high risk South African women. These findings support the current recommendations of using WC rather than VAT for MetS risk screening, as it is cheap, accessible and easy to measure.
Prediction of mortality in adult patients with sepsis using six biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pregernig Andreas , Müller Mattia , Held Ulrike , Beck-Schimmer Beatrice 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and 2 (Ang-2), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (sTREM1), and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) have shown promising results for predicting all-cause mortality in critical care patients. The aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the prognostic value of these biomarkers for mortality in adult patients with sepsis.

Methods
A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, for articles in English published from 01.01.1990 onwards, was conducted. The systematic review focused exclusively on observational studies of adult patients with sepsis, any randomized trials were excluded. For the meta-analysis, only studies which provide biomarker concentrations within 24 h of admission in sepsis survivors and nonsurvivors were included. Results are presented as pooled mean differences (MD) between nonsurvivors and survivors with 95% confidence interval for each of the six biomarkers. Studies not included in the quantitative analysis were narratively summarized. The risk of bias was assessed in all included studies using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool.

Results
The systematic literature search retrieved 2285 articles. In total, we included 44 studies in the qualitative analysis, of which 28 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled mean differences in biomarker concentration (nonsurvivors − survivors), measured at onset of sepsis, are listed as follows: (1) Ang-1: − 2.9 ng/ml (95% CI − 4.1 to − 1.7, p < 0.01); (2) Ang-2: 4.9 ng/ml (95% CI 2.6 to 7.1, p < 0.01); (3) HMGB1: 1.2 ng/ml (95% CI 0.0 to 2.4, p = 0.05); (4) sRAGE: 1003 pg/ml (95% CI 628 to 1377, p < 0.01); (5) sTREM-1: 87 pg/ml (95% CI 2 to 171, p = 0.04); (6) suPAR: 5.2 ng/ml (95% CI 4.5 to 6.0, p < 0.01).

Conclusions
Ang-1, Ang-2, and suPAR provide beneficial prognostic information about mortality in adult patients with sepsis. The further development of standardized assays and the assessment of their performance when included in panels with other biomarkers may be recommended.
Trial registration This study was recorded on PROSPERO, prospective register of systematic reviews, under the registration ID: CRD42018081226
The alternate direction iterative methods for generalized saddle point systems
Authors: Luo Shuanghua , Cui Angang , Zhang Cheng-yi 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The paper studies two splitting forms of generalized saddle point matrix to derive two alternate direction iterative schemes for generalized saddle point systems. Some convergence results are established for these two alternate direction iterative methods. Meanwhile, a numerical example is given to show that the proposed alternate direction iterative methods are much more effective and efficient than the existing one.