bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blood eosinophils as a biomarker of future COPD exacerbation risk: pooled data from 11 clinical trials
Authors: Singh Dave , Wedzicha Jadwiga A. , Siddiqui Salman , de la Hoz Alberto , Xue Wenqiong , Magnussen Helgo , Miravitlles Marc , Chalmers James D. , Calverley Peter M. A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by progressive airflow limitation and chronic inflammation. Predicting exacerbations of COPD, which contribute to disease progression, is important to guide preventative treatment and improve outcomes. Blood eosinophils are a biomarker for patient responsiveness to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS); however, their effectiveness as a predictive biomarker for COPD exacerbations is unclear.MethodsThis post hoc analysis pooled data from 11 Boehringer Ingelheim-sponsored Phase III and IV randomised COPD studies with similar methodologies. Exacerbation data were collected from these studies, excluding patients from the ICS withdrawal arm of the WISDOM® study. Patients were grouped according to their baseline blood eosinophil count, baseline ICS use and number of exacerbations in the year prior to each study.ResultsExacerbation rate data and baseline eosinophil count were available for 22,125 patients; 45.6% presented with a baseline blood eosinophil count of ≤ 150 cells/μL, 34.3% with 150–300 cells/μL and 20.1% with > 300 cells/μL. The lowest exacerbation rates were observed in patients with ≤ 150 cells/μL, with small increases in exacerbation rate observed with increasing eosinophil count. When stratified by exacerbation history, the annual rate of exacerbations for patients with 0 exacerbations in the previous year increased in line with increasing eosinophil counts (0.38 for ≤ 150 cells/μL, 0.39 for 150–300 cells/μL and 0.44 for > 300 cells/μL respectively). A similar trend was identified for patients with one exacerbation in the previous year, 0.62, 0.66 and 0.67 respectively. For patients with ≥ 2 exacerbations, exacerbation rates fluctuated between 1.02 (≤ 150 cells/μL) to 1.10 (150–300 cells/μL) and 1.07 (> 300 cells/μL). Higher exacerbation rates were noted in patients treated with ICS at baseline (range 0.75 to 0.82 with increasing eosinophil count) compared with patients not on ICS (range 0.45 to 0.49).ConclusionWe found no clinically important relationship between baseline blood eosinophil count and exacerbation rate. Hence, the current analysis does not support the use of blood eosinophils to predict exacerbation risk; however, previous exacerbation history was found to be a more reliable predictor of future exacerbations.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.govIdentifiers:NCT00168844,NCT00168831,NCT00387088,NCT00782210,NCT00782509,NCT00793624,NCT00796653,NCT01431274,NCT01431287,NCT02296138andNCT00975195.Graphical abstract
The effects of nudges on purchases, food choice, and energy intake or content of purchases in real-life food purchasing environments: a systematic review and evidence synthesis
Authors: Harbers Marjolein C. , Beulens Joline W. J. , Rutters Femke , de Boer Femke , Gillebaart Marleen , Sluijs Ivonne , van der Schouw Yvonne T. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundAdults with a low socioeconomic position (SEP) are more likely to engage in unhealthy diets as compared to adults with high SEP. However, individual-level educational interventions aiming to improve food choices have shown limited effectiveness in adults with low SEP. Environmental-level interventions such as nudging strategies however, may be more likely to benefit low SEP groups. We aimed to review the evidence for the effectiveness of nudges as classified according to interventions in proximal physical micro-environments typology (TIPPME) to promote healthy purchases, food choice, or affecting energy intake or content of purchases, within real-life food purchasing environments. Second, we aimed to investigate the potentially moderating role of SEP.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO until 31 January 2018. Studies were considered eligible for inclusion when they i) complied with TIPPME intervention definitions; ii) studied actual purchases, food choice, or energy intake or content of purchases, iii) and were situated in real-life food purchasing environments. Risk of bias was assessed using a quality assessment tool and evidence was synthesized using harvest plots.ResultsFrom the 9210 references identified, 75 studies were included. Studies were generally of weak to moderate quality. The most frequently studied nudges were information (56%), mixed (24%), and position nudges (13%). Harvest plots showed modest tendencies towards beneficial effects on outcomes for information and position nudges. Less evidence was available for other TIPPME nudging interventions for which the harvest plots did not show compelling patterns. Only six studies evaluated the effects of nudges across levels of SEP (e.g., educational level, food security status, job type). Although there were some indications that nudges were more effective in low SEP groups, the limited amount of evidence and different proxies of SEP used warrant caution in the interpretation of findings.ConclusionsInformation and position nudges may contribute to improving population dietary behaviours. Evidence investigating the moderating role of SEP was limited, although some studies reported greater effects in low SEP subgroups. We conclude that more high-quality studies obtaining detailed data on participant’s SEP are needed.RegistrationThis systematic review is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42018086983).
Drug use disorder following early life exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Aschengrau Ann , Grippo Alexandra , Winter Michael R. , Shea Margaret G. , White Roberta F. , Saitz Richard 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Many studies of adults with occupational exposure to solvents such as tetrachloroethylene (PCE) have shown adverse effects on cognition, mood and behavioral problems. Much less is known about neurotoxic effects in early life at lower exposure levels seen in community settings. We recently reported that illicit drug use was more frequent among adults from Cape Cod, Massachusetts who were exposed to PCE-contaminated drinking water during gestation and early childhood than their unexposed counterparts. Using newly collected data from this population-based retrospective cohort study, the current analysis examines whether early life PCE exposure is also associated with drug use disorder over the life course.

Methods
Three-hundred and sixty-three subjects with prenatal and early childhood PCE exposure and 255 unexposed subjects were studied. These individuals (median age: 40–41 years) completed self-administered questionnaires on the eleven established diagnostic criteria for drug use disorder and confounding variables. A validated leaching and transport model was used to estimate exposure to PCE-contaminated water.

Results
Overall, 23.3% of subjects reported having at least one criterion for drug use disorder over their lifetime. Early life PCE exposure was associated with a modest increase in the lifetime presence of one or more diagnostic criteria for drug use disorder (adjusted RR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0–1.8). Compared to unexposed subjects, PCE-exposed subjects were more likely to report having most diagnostic criteria of drug use disorder, including neglecting major roles due to drug use, physical and psychological problems related to drug use, and giving up activities due to drug use. No dose-response relationships were observed with increasing levels of PCE exposure.

Conclusions
These results suggest that exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water during early life modestly increases the risk of developing diagnostic criteria for drug use disorder later in life. Because this study has several limitations, these findings should be confirmed in follow-up investigations of other exposed populations with more diverse racial and socioeconomic characteristics.
Correlation between exposure to fine particulate matter and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Shanghai, China
Authors: Su Xiujuan , Zhao Yan , Yang Yingying , Hua Jing 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is inconsistent and appears to change in each trimester. We aim to investigate the association of exposure to ambient PM2.5 in early pregnancy with HDP.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study was performed among 8776 women with singleton pregnancy who attended the antenatal clinic before 20 gestational weeks in a tertiary women’s hospital during 2014–2015. Land use regression models were used to predict individual levels of PM2.5 exposure.

Results
The average PM2.5 concentration during the first 20 gestational weeks ranged from 28.6 to 74.8 μg m− 3 [median, 51.4 μg m− 3; interquartile range, 47.3–57.8 μg m− 3]. A total of 440 (5.0%) women was diagnosed with HDP. The restricted cubic spline showed a positive exposure-response relationship between the PM2.5 concentration and risk of HDP. We observed an association between PM2.5 exposure during the first trimester with HDP (RR = 3.89 per 10 μg m− 3, 95% CI: 1.45–10.43), but not during the second trimester (RR = 0.71 per 10 μg m− 3, 95% CI: 0.40–1.27). Compared with their counterparts, nulliparous women who were exposed to high levels of PM2.5 in the index pregnancy had a higher risk of developing HDP [the relative excess risk due to interaction was 0.92 (0.46–1.38)].

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that PM2.5 exposure during the first trimester is associated with the development of HDP. The effect estimate is more obvious for nulliparous women than multiparous women.
Beta-lactams susceptibility testing of penicillin-resistant, ampicillin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis isolates: a comparative assessment of Etest and disk diffusion methods against broth dilution
Authors: Conceição Natália , Rodrigues Wellington Francisco , de Oliveira Kessys Lorrânya Peralta , da Silva Lucas Emanuel Pinheiro , de Souza Laís Rezende Cardoso , da de Cunha Hueb Barata Oliveira Cristina , de Oliveira Adriana Gonçalves 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of disk diffusion and Etest methods, compared to that of the broth dilution reference method for identifying beta-lactam susceptibilities of Penicillin-Resistant, Ampicillin-SusceptibleEnterococcus faecalis(PRASEF) isolates. Fifty-nine PRASEF and 15 Penicillin-Susceptible, Ampicillin-SusceptibleE. faecalis(PSASEF) clinical nonrepetitive isolates were evaluated. The effectiveness of five beta-lactams (ampicillin, amoxicillin, imipenem, penicillin, and piperacillin) was tested. All antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed and interpreted according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Interpretative discrepancies, such as essential agreement, categorical agreement, and errors, were assessed. The acceptability was ≥ 90% for both categorical agreement and essential agreement. Etest proved to be an accurate method for testing beta-lactam susceptibilities of the emerging PRASEF isolates, disk diffusion presented poor performance, particularly for imipenem and piperacillin.
Coordinating the research response to COVID-19: Mali’s approach
Authors: Doumbia Seydou , Sow Ydrissa , Diakite Mahamadou , Lau Chuen-Yen 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMali, like the rest of the world, has seen a rapid spread of COVID-19 since the first report of imported cases. Despite being a low-income country, Mali has leveraged scientific research resources via coordinated approaches to enable public health emergency planning and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mali’s approach includes the harmonization of research activities; leveraging of research laboratory capacity of the University Clinical Research Center, Mali International Center for Excellence and three other in-country laboratories for community COVID-19 testing; strengthening relationships amongst local and international stakeholders; and collaboration with the Ministry of Health to integrate scientific evidence into public policy and emergency management of COVID-19 through a platform of consultation and open communication. The country has implemented national coordination of its COVID-19 response by establishing a COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Committee and a COVID-19 Technical Coordination Committee, both within the Ministry of Health and working collaboratively with other stakeholders. Members of Mali’s COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Committee also serve as leaders of its principal academic and government clinical and public health research entities. This centralised approach has enabled the prioritisation of COVID-19 control activities, informed allocation of resources, evidence-based public health practices and timely decision-making in the pandemic setting. Though challenges remain, lessons learned from Mali’s harnessing of clinical research capacity to guide and support its COVID-19 response can be applied to future global health research challenges and illustrate the power of building public health-responsive research capacity in resource-limited settings through international collaboration.
The uses of fig (Ficus) by five ethnic minority communities in Southern Shan State, Myanmar
Authors: Mon Aye Mya , Shi Yinxian , Yang Xuefei , Hein Pyae Phyo , Oo Thaung Naing , Whitney Cory W. , Yang Yongping 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundMost regions of Myanmar fall within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and are threatened with biodiversity loss. Development of a comprehensive framework for sustainable development is crucial. Figs are ecological keystone species within these regions and are also important for traditional spiritual food and health uses, which often have accompanying conservation practices. The traditional use and management of figs may offer clues to help guide the development of national policies for sustainable development. In this study, we showcase the rich ethnobotanical knowledge as well as the variety of collection and conservation practices of figs among five ethnic groups in Southern Shan State.MethodsWe performed both key informant and semi-structured interviews with 114 informants from five ethnic groups. Their uses for figs were categorized according to local practices and recipes. Informants were asked about trends in conservation status over the past 10 years and any conservation-related customs and practices. Data were analyzed quantitatively with common quantitative ethnobotany indices, the use report (UR) and use value (UV).ResultsInformants reported the uses of eight fig species (Ficus auricularta,F. concinna,F. geniculata,F. hispida,F. racemosa,F. religiosa,F. semicordata, andF. virens).F. geniculataandF. virenswere most useful (UR = 228) and were used by all five ethnic groups, corresponding to a high use value (UV = 2). Treatments for 16 diseases were reported from seven species. Household consumption, economic and sacred uses were accompanied by sustainable practices of harvest and protection. Traditional taboos,in situandex situconservation were common especially for highly demanded species (F. geniculataandF. virens) and the sacred figF. religiosa.ConclusionFindings suggest that figs are useful for food (all informants) and medicine (13.16% of the informants) in the study area. Traditional taboos,in situandex situconservation practices help to maintain sustainable utilization of locally important figs. This is an early contribution to the traditional knowledge of edible figs. Although similar uses have been reported in neighboring countries for seven of the fig species, the ethnobotanical use ofF. concinnais novel.
A propensity score-matched analysis between patients with high hip dislocation after childhood pyogenic infection and Crowe IV developmental dysplasia of the hip in total hip arthroplasty with subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy
Authors: Zhao Enze , Liu Zunhan , Ding Zichuan , Luo Zhenyu , Li Hao , Zhou Zongke 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundWhether satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy (SSO) in high hip dislocation after childhood pyogenic infection can be achieved as in Crowe IV developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) remains unclear.MethodsBetween September 2009 and December 2016, 151 primary THAs performed at our institution using similar SSO technique and prosthetic design were retrospectively reviewed. After excluding patients who met exclusion criteria, 29 patients were identified as high dislocation (Crowe IV) after childhood infection (HDACI) and 107 as Crowe IV developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Propensity score matching was used to select 29 Crowe IV DDH patients as a control group for the HDACI group with comparable preoperative conditions. Clinical and radiological outcomes and complication were compared and analyzed. The mean follow-up duration of the 2 groups was 5.0 years.ResultsThe mean Harris hip score (HHS) and the mean score in range of motion (ROM) domain of the modified Merle d’Aubigné-Postel (MAP) were 84.6 and 4.5 in the HDACI group, compared with 88.3 and 4.9 in the DDH group; there was significant difference between the 2 groups in these parameters (P= 0.015 and 0.035, respectively). Meanwhile, in the HDACI group, the median time of osteotomy union was 4 months and osteotomy nonunion rate was 3%; no significant difference was detected in the median time of osteotomy union and osteotomy nonunion rate between the 2 groups (P= 0.388 and 1.000, respectively). And no significant difference was found in the rate of complications between two groups.ConclusionsHDACI patients who received THA combined with SSO could achieve similar satisfactory results as DDH patients in Crowe type IV. The fixation technique of autogenous cortical bone struts had a positive influence on osteotomy healing of SSO in this specific setting.
Development of a patient-reported outcome questionnaire for aplastic anemia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PRO-AA/PNH)
Authors: Weisshaar Kimmo , Ewald Hannah , Halter Jörg , Gerull Sabine , Schönfeld Sandra , Senft Yuliya , Martinez Maria , Leuppi-Taegtmeyer Anne , Khanna Nina , Maier Birgit , Risitano Antonio , Peffault de Latour Regis , Tichelli Andre , Passweg Jakob , Drexler Beatrice 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The introduction of new therapy modalities has significantly improved the outcome of aplastic anemia (AA) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients. However, relatively little is known about the exact disease burden of AA/PNH since standardized assessments of symptoms including health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are frequently missing or inadequately designed for this rare patient group. We aimed to develop AA/PNH-specific questionnaires for self-reporting of symptoms, which could be included in electronic platforms for data collection and patient care.

Methods
By scoping review, we extracted any reported symptoms in AA/PNH and their prevalence from the literature (Phase I). Consensus rounds with patients and medical experts were conducted to identify core symptoms reported in the literature and to add missing items (Phase II). Ultimately, AA/PNH-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires including the selected measures were designed (Phase III).

Results
AA symptoms from 62 and PNH symptoms from 45 observational studies were extracted from the literature. Twenty-four patients and seven medical experts identified 11 core symptoms including HRQoL issues after three consensus rounds. Significant differences in the symptom ranking of patients versus medical experts could be observed. Therefore, patient- as well as expert-centered PRO questionnaires in AA and PNH were created following the concepts of validated instruments.

Conclusion
The development of symptom self-reporting questionnaires for AA and PNH was feasible and the disease-specific PRO questionnaires can now be validated within a web-based workflow in a subsequent feasibility study.
Exposure to benzylpenicillin after different dosage regimens in growing pigs
Authors: Sjölund Marie , Ekstrand Carl , Wallgren Per , Bondesson Ulf , Pringle Märit , Bengtsson Björn 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Penicillin is important for treatment of pigs, but data on its absorption and disposition in pigs are sparse. This is reflected by the variation in recommended dosages in the literature. Inadequate dosage may lead to treatment failure and selection of resistant bacteria. To optimize treatment regimens, plasma exposure to benzylpenicillin for two sustained release formulations of procaine benzylpenicillin for intramuscular administration was studied in growing pigs by means of tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). One formulation was an aqueous suspension, Ethacilin® vet (ETH), and the other an oily suspension, Ultrapen vet (UPA). Benzylpenicillin exposure after intravenous administration of potassium benzylpenicillin was also explored. Exposure profiles were first studied after single administrations of the approved dosages in healthy pigs and then after repeated administration of different dosages in pigs inoculated intranasally with an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 strain.

Results
After intravenous administration of benzylpenicillin (n = 6), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), 1860–9318 µg/L, was observed after 15 min. At four h, plasma concentrations decreased to 15–76 µg/L. After intramuscular administration of ETH (n = 6) Cmax, 1000–4270 µg/L, was observed within one h (tmax) in 5 pigs but at four h in one pig. Cmax for UPA (n = 6), 910–3220 µg/L, was observed within one h in three pigs, but at four or 24 h in three pigs. For both ETH and UPA, the terminal phase was characterized by slow decline compared with intravenous administration. Repeated administration of different dosages of ETH and UPA in pigs inoculated with A. pleuropneumoniae (n = 54) showed that the approved dose for UPA (30 mg/kg, qd) but not for ETH (20 mg/kg, qd) gave adequate plasma exposure for bacteria with a penicillin MIC of 500 µg/L. However, more frequent dosing of ETH (bid) or increased dosage gave an adequate exposure.

Conclusions
The approved dosage of ETH provided insufficient plasma exposure for adequate therapy of infections caused by A. pleuropneumoniae or other bacteria with a penicillin MIC of 500 µg/L. More frequent ETH dosing (bid) or an increased dosage would improve exposure. The approved dosage of UPA however provided adequate exposure.