bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of lean mass indices as predictors of mortality in incident peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Kang Seok Hui , Kim A. Young , Do Jun Young 
Published: July 2021

Background
Few studies have considered optimal adjusted lean mass indices for prediction of clinical outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We aimed to evaluate clinical variables using various adjusted indices in PD patients.

Methods
Total 528 incident PD patients were included. Lean mass was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Appendicular lean mass (ALM) was calculated using the sum for both upper and lower extremities. Each ALM index was calculated using ALM per body weight (ALM/BW), height squared (ALM/Ht2), or body mass index (ALM/BMI). Limb/trunk lean mass (LTLM) ratio was defined as the sum for both upper and lower extremities divided by trunk lean mass.

Results
A total of 528 patients were analyzed men: 286, women: 242. In area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, LTLM alone was associated with 1 year mortality. In the LTLM ratio, the cut-off value for 1-year mortality was ≤ 0.829 in men and ≤ 0.717 in women, respectively. In both sexes, LTLM ratio alone showed statistical significance in all-cause mortality in both univariate and multivariate Cox-regression analyses. Compared with other indices, the LTLM ratio was independent of edema and fat in both sexes. Edema- and C-reactive protein-adjusted correlation analysis showed that LTLM ratio alone was associated with serum albumin in men. Although statistical significance was not obtained for women, the correlation coefficient was highest for the LTLM ratio compared with other indices.

Conclusion
Among various indices using lean mass, LTLM ratio was independent of volume status and fat mass and was associated with mortality in incident PD patients.
Validating the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using Rasch analysis
Authors: Jayaram Mayank , Wang Chang , Wang Lu , Chung Kevin C. 
Published: July 2021

Introduction
The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) is a patient-reported outcome measure previously validated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using classical test theory. Rasch analysis is a more rigorous method of questionnaire validation that has not been used to test the psychometric properties of the MHQ in patients with RA. The objective of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the MHQ for measuring outcomes in patients with RA with metacarpophalangeal joint deformities.

Methods
We performed a Rasch analysis using baseline data from the Silicone Arthroplasty in Rheumatoid Arthritis (SARA) prospective cohort study. All domains were tested for threshold ordering, item fit, targeting, differential-item functioning, unidimensionality, and internal consistency.

Results
The Function and Work domains showed excellent fit to the Rasch model. After making adjustments, the Pain, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Satisfaction domains also fulfilled all Rasch model criteria. The Aesthetics domain met the majority of Rasch criteria, but could not be tested for unidimensionality.

Conclusions
After collapsing disordered thresholds and removing misfitting items, the MHQ demonstrated reliability and validity for assessing outcomes in patients with RA with metacarpophalangeal joint deformities. These results suggest that interpreting individual domain scores may provide more insight into a patient’s condition rather than analyzing an overall MHQ summary score. However, more Rasch analyses are needed in other RA populations before making adjustments to the MHQ.
Superior pedal function recovery of newly designed three spike insole over total contact insole in refractory plantar fasciitis: A randomized, double-blinded, non-inferiority study
Authors: Shim Dong Woo , Sung Seung-Yong , Chung Whan-Yong , Kang Kyung-Yil , Park Sung-Jun , Lee Jin Woo , Chae Dong Sik 
Published: July 2021

Introduction
Plantar fasciitis is one of the common foot complaints that is chronic and can induce dysfunction. Total contact insole (TCI) is simple but effective in treating plantar fasciitis. Despite its effect, the cost and long duration for production have been the major flaws. Therefore, we developed a newly designed three-spike insole (TSI) that can be commercially productive and compared its clinical outcomes to TCI.

Methods
Patients with plantar fasciitis refractory to conservative treatment for more than 6 weeks were candidates. We produced insoles with hardness of 58 ± 5 Shore-A. Twenty-eight patients were randomized with equal allocation to either TSI or TCI. The following assessment tools were used: visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle score, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, Karlsson-Peterson (KP) score, Short Form-36 for quality of life, and Foot Function Index. Non-inferiority was declared if VAS was within the statistical variability of minimal important difference. A blinded assessor evaluated the groups at baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 weeks.

Results
The groups were homogenous for majority of variables at baseline. Overall patient-reported satisfaction showed improvement from mean 5.2 (range, 1–12) weeks of wearing and all clinical outcome scores showed significant improvements in both groups over time on Friedman test (p ≤.032). TSI showed non-inferiority to TCI at each time point. Post hoc analysis revealed that many scales showed significant superiority of TSI at 3 month (p ≤.008) and KP score at 6 month (p < .001).

Conclusion
We reaffirmed that semi-rigid insole is effective in refractory plantar fasciitis and showed TSI restores pedal function more rapidly than TCI. TSI can be not only effective in deriving better clinical outcomes but also be manufactured for popularization to lower the price and producing time of orthosis.
The association between guidelines adherence and clinical outcomes during pregnancy in a cohort of women with cardiac co-morbidities
Authors: Millington Sandra , Edwards Suzanne , Clark Robyn A. , Dekker Gustaaf A. , Arstall Margaret 
Published: July 2021

Background/AimsMaternal and infant morbidities associated with pregnant women with cardiac conditions are a global issue contingent upon appropriate care. This study aimed to describe the clinical variables and their association with the adherence scores to perinatal guidelines for pregnant women with cardiac conditions. The clinical variables included cardiac, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes and complications.MethodsUsing a retrospective cross-sectional medical record audit, data were abstracted and categorised as cardiac, obstetric, and neonatal predictors. Linear regression modelling was used to find the mean difference (MD) in adherence scores for each predictor, including a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a significance value for all the three categories’ clinical outcomes.ResultsThis maternal cohort’s (n = 261) cardiac complications were primarily arrhythmias requiring treatment (29.9%), particularly SVT (28%), a new diagnosis of valvular heart disease and congenital heart disease (24%) and decompensated heart failure (HF) (16%). Women with HF had associated increased adherence scores (MD = 3.546, 95% CI: 1.689, 5.403) compared to those without HF. Elective LSCS mode of delivery was associated with a higher adherence score (MD = 5.197, 95% CI: 3.584, 6.811) than non-elective LSCS subgroups. Babies admitted to intensive /special care had greater adherence to the guidelines (MD = 3.581, 95% CI: 1.822, 5.340) than those not requiring the same care.ConclusionsSome pregnancy associated complications and morbidities were associated with higher adherence scores, reflecting that a diagnosis, identification of morbidities or risk factors, initiation of appropriate multidisciplinary involvement and adherence to guidelines were associated. Conversely, potentially avoidable major complications such as sepsis were associated with a low adherence score.Trial registrationACTRN12617000417381.
Long working hours are associated with a higher risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A large population-based Korean cohort study
Authors: Lee Yesung , Mun Eunchan , Park Soyoung , Lee Woncheol 
Published: July 2021

Background
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common chronic liver disease, may progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure. But only a few cross-sectional studies have reported an association of NAFLD with working hours. This cohort study further examined the association between working hours and the development of NAFLD.

Methods
We included 79,048 Korean adults without NAFLD at baseline who underwent a comprehensive health examination and categorized weekly working hours into 35–40, 41–52, 53–60, and >60 hours. NAFLD was defined as the presence of fatty liver, in the absence of excessive alcohol use, as observed by ultrasound.

Results
During a median follow-up of 6.6 years, 15,095 participants developed new-onset NAFLD (incidence rate, 5.55 per 100 person-years). After adjustment for confounders, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for the development of NAFLD in 41–52, 53–60, and >60 working hours compared with that in 35–40 working hours were 1.07 (1.02–1.13), 1.06 (1.00–1.13), and 1.13 (1.05–1.23), respectively. Furthermore, the association remained significant after confounders were treated as time-varying covariates.

Conclusion
In this large-scale cohort, long working hours, especially >60 working hours a week, were independently associated with incident NAFLD. Our findings indicate that long working hours are a risk factor for NAFLD.
Novel genomic islands and a new vanD-subtype in the first sporadic VanD-type vancomycin resistant enterococci in Norway
Authors: AL Rubaye Mushtaq T. S. , Janice Jessin , Bjørnholt Jørgen Vildershøj , Jakovljev Aleksandra , Hultström Maria Elisabeth , Sundsfjord Arnfinn , Hegstad Kristin 
Published: July 2021

Background
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) represent several types of transferable vancomycin resistance gene clusters. The vanD type, associated with moderate to high level vancomycin resistance, has only sporadically been described in clinical isolates. The aim of this study was to perform a genetic characterization of the first VanD-type VRE strains detected in Norway.

Methods
The VanD-type VRE-strains (n = 6) from two patient cases were examined by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing (WGS) to uncover Van-phenotype, strain phylogeny, the vanD gene clusters, and their genetic surroundings. The putative transferability of vanD was examined by circularization PCR and filter mating.

Results
The VanD-type Enterococcus faecium (n = 4) and Enterococcus casseliflavus (n = 2) strains recovered from two cases (A and B), expressed moderate to high level vancomycin resistance (MIC 64—>256 mg/L) and various levels of teicoplanin susceptibility (MIC 2—>256 mg/L). WGS analyses revealed phylogenetically different E. faecium strains (A1, A2, and A3 of case A and B1 from case B) as well as vanD gene clusters located on different novel genomic islands (GIs). The E. casseliflavus strains (B2 and B3 of case B) were not clonally related, but harbored nearly identical novel GIs. The vanD cluster of case B strains represents a novel vanD-subtype. All the vanD-GIs were integrated at the same chromosomal site and contained genes consistent with a Clostridiales origin. Circular forms of the vanD-GIs were detected in all strains except B1. Transfer of vanD to an E. faecium recipient was unsuccessful.

Conclusions
We describe the first VanD-type E. casseliflavus strains, a novel vanD-subtype, and three novel vanD-GIs with a genetic content consistent with a Clostridiales order origin. Despite temporal occurrence, case A and B E. faecium strains were phylogenetically diverse and harbored different vanD subtypes and vanD-GIs.
Analysis of the composition and antioxidant status of breast milk in women giving birth prematurely and on time
Authors: Chrustek Agnieszka , Dombrowska-Pali Agnieszka , Olszewska-Słonina Dorota 
Published: July 2021

Background
Breastfeeding with mother’s milk is the best form of nutrition not only for newborn babies, but especially for premature babies, due to the health benefits of taking human food.

Objectives
The aim of the study was to examine the basic composition, cortisol concentration and antioxidant status of breast milk samples from women giving birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy and comparing it with milk samples from women giving birth after 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Methods
The material for the study was milk taken from women giving birth before and after 37 weeks of pregnancy. The basic composition of breast milk was determined using a MIRIS analyzer, cortisol concentration in samples by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent test and their total antioxidant status was assessed by DPPH and FRAP methods.

Results
It has been shown that the concentration of cortisol in samples of human milk in the group of women giving birth before 37 weeks was 13.95 ng / ml [4,71–86,84], while in the group of women giving birth after week 37 of pregnancy—10.31 ng / ml [2.35-39-02] (p = 0.014), while% inhibition of DPPH was 65.46% and 58.30%, respectively (p = 0.014).

Conclusions
Milk from women giving birth prematurely is qualitatively different from the milk of women giving birth on time. The total antioxidant status of preterm milk is higher than term milk, which promotes the development of premature babies. Higher cortisol levels in samples from women giving birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy may stimulate the digestive system.
The introduction of genetic counseling in Ethiopia: Results of a training workshop and lessons learned
Authors: Quinonez Shane C. , O’Connor Bridget C. , Jacobs Michelle F. , Mekonnen Tekleab Atnafu , Marye Ayalew , Bekele Delayehu , Yashar Beverly M. , Hanson Erika , Yeshidinber Abate , Wedaje Getahun 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundOver the past two decades non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have steadily increased as a cause of worldwide disability and mortality with a concomitant decrease in disease burden from communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional conditions. Congenital anomalies, the most common NCD affecting children, have recently become the fifth leading cause of under-five mortality worldwide, ahead of other conditions such as malaria, neonatal sepsis and malnutrition. Genetic counseling has been shown to be an effective method to decrease the impact of congenital anomalies and genetic conditions but is absent in almost all sub-Saharan Africa countries. To address this need for counseling services we designed and implemented the first broad-based genetic counseling curriculum in Ethiopia, launching it at St. Paul’s Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsThe curriculum, created by Michigan Medicine and SPHMMC specialists, consisted of medical knowledge and genetic counseling content and was delivered to two cohorts of nurses. Curriculum evaluation consisted of satisfaction surveys and pre- and post-assessments covering medical knowledge and genetic counseling content. Following Cohort 1 training, the curriculum was modified to increase the medical knowledge material and decrease Western genetic counseling principles material.ResultsBoth cohorts reported high levels of satisfaction but felt the workshop was too short. No significant improvements in assessment scores were seen for Cohort 1 in terms of total scores and medical knowledge and genetic counseling-specific questions. Following curriculum modification, improvements were seen in Cohort 2 with an increase in total assessment scores from 63% to 73% (p = 0.043), with medical knowledge-specific questions increasing from 57% to 79% (p = 0.01) with no significant change in genetic counseling-specific scores. Multiple logistic, financial, cultural and systems-specific barriers were identified with recommendations for their consideration presented.ConclusionGenetics medical knowledge of Ethiopian nurses increased significantly following curriculum delivery though difficulty was encountered with Western genetic counseling material.
Transformation of Russian Orientalism in the Late Imperial and Early Soviet Works of A. Sorokin
Authors: Dyusekenev Damir 
Published: July 2021

The article describes the ways of Kazakh nomads’ representation in the late imperial and early Soviet works of A. Sorokin in the discourse of Russian orientalism. Within the framework of postcolonial research, the most essential features of Russian orientalism are shown, such as the romanticized image of the “children of the steppe” and the spiritual impoverishment of the “Russian man”, the opposition of modernity and naturalness, the City and the Steppe, where A. Sorokin's own author’s myth construction also plays an important role. It is argued that in the new realities of the early Soviet period, the images of Kazakhs and the steppe could not get rid of the stereotype of the exotic East, of the paradigm "friend or foe" and were still considered as a testing ground for approbation of the "civilizing mission", Soviet modernization, where the authors assigned themselves the role similar to the "enlightened European". The Russian orientalism artistic manifestations in the context of the concept of "Europe - Russia - Asia" in the texts of the early Soviet period confirm the fact that even outside the imperial paradigm, the basic strategies for inventing the steppe as the East are based on the discourse of Russian orientalism.
SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF THE SUM OF SAPONINS IN THE FRUIT OF THE CHINESE TREE LYCIUM CHINENSE MILL.
Authors: Moiseev Yakov Petrovich , Kurdyukov Evgeniy Evgen'yevich , Mitishev Aleksandr Vladimirovich , Vodop'yanova Ol'ga Aleksandrovna , Rodina Olesya Petrovna , Zhuchenko Elena Vladimirovna 
Published: July 2021

The objects of the study were Mature dried fruits of Chinese birch (Lycium chinense Mill., this. Solanaceae (Solanaceae)). Four samples were examined: no. 1 (Gifts of Pamir, Russia), no. 2 (Gullin Tianhe Pharmaceutical, China), no. 3 (A. J. Alliance, Russia), №. 4 (Globaltorg, Russia). The purpose of this work is to determine the content of the sum of saponins in Chinese fruit trees by spectrophotometry.
By direct spectrophotometry, after reaction with concentrated sulfuric acid, the content of the sum of saponins in the raw material of Chinese wood was determined. The expediency of using the spectrophotometric method for quantitative determination of saponins in extracts from the fruit of Chinese wood is proved. The values of the optical density of the saponin solution were recorded at a wavelength of 250-500 nm. Analytical maxima of the studied compounds were determined at 325 nm typical for escin. Optimal conditions for the extraction of saponins from the raw materials of this plant (extractant – 40% ethanol; the ratio "raw material – extractant" – 1 : 50; extraction time – 90 minutes; the degree of grinding of raw materials – 0.5 mm) are justified. It was determined that the error of a single determination of the saponin content in Chinese fruit with a confidence probability of 95% is ±1.93%. It was found that the content of saponins in the studied samples of Chinese wood varies in the range of 4.94 to 5.03%.
A Novel Merchant Optimization Algorithm for Solving Optimal Reactive Power Problem
Authors: Lenin Kanagasabai 
Published: July 2021

In this paper Merchant Optimization Algorithm (MOA) is proposed to solve the optimal reactive power problem. Projected algorithm is modeled based on the behavior of merchants who gain in the market through various mode and operations. Grouping of the traders will be done based on their specific properties, and by number of candidate solution will be computed to individual merchant. First Group named as “Ruler candidate solution” afterwards its variable values are dispersed to the one more candidate solution and it named as “Serf candidate solution” In standard IEEE 14, 30, 57 bus test systems Merchant Optimization Algorithm (MOA) have been evaluated. Results show the proposed algorithm reduced power loss effectively.
The role of glycation end products in the development and progression of diabetic neuroarthropathy
Authors: Kalandiya M. M. , Tokmakova A. Yu. , Galstyan G. R. 
Published: July 2021

Diabetic neuroarthropathy (DNOAP, Charcot’s foot) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus, the genesis of which is not fully understood. In most cases, this pathology is diagnosed late, which leads to the development of severe deformities of the foot, up to the loss of support ability of the limb. There is no single hypothesis for the formation of Charcot’s foot, but there are factors predisposing to its development, as well as a few likely provoking events. Excessive formation and accumulation of end products of glycation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this complication of diabetes. End products of glycation (AGE) are a variety of compounds formed as a result of a non-enzymatic reaction between carbohydrates and free amino groups of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. There are various factors that lead to the accumulation of AGE in the human body. Allocate endogenous and exogenous factors. The former include certain diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, renal failure, which accelerate glycation processes. Exogenous factors leading to the formation of lipo-oxidation and glyco-oxidation products include tobacco smoke and prolonged heat treatment of food.This review provides information on the role of glycation end products in the development and progression of complications in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Statistical modeling of the novel COVID-19 epidemic in Iraq
Authors: Ghanim Al-Ani Ban 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to apply three of the most important nonlinear growth models (Gompertz, Richards, and Weibull) to study the daily cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Iraq during the period from 13th of March, 2020 to 22nd of July, 2020.

Methods
Using the nonlinear least squares method, the three growth models were estimated in addition to calculating some related measures in this study using the “nonlinear regression” tool available in Minitab-17, and the initial values of the parameters were deduced from the transformation to the simple linear regression equation. Comparison of these models was made using some statistics (F-test, AIC, BIC, AICc and WIC).

Results
The results indicate that the Weibull model is the best adequate model for studying the cumulative daily number of COVID-19 cases in Iraq according to some criteria such as having the highest F and lowest values for RMSE, bias, MAE, AIC, BIC, AICc and WIC with no any violations of the assumptions for the model’s residuals (independent, normal distribution and homogeneity variance). The overall model test and tests of the estimated parameters showed that the Weibull model was statistically significant for describing the study data.

Conclusions
From the Weibull model predictions, the number of cumulative confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Iraq will increase by a range of 101,396 (95% PI: 99,989 to 102,923) to 114,907 (95% PI: 112,251 to 117,566) in the next 24 days (23rd of July to 15th of August 15, 2020). From the inflection points in the Weibull curve, the peak date when the growth rate will be maximum, is 7th of July, 2020, and at this time the daily cumulative cases become 67,338. Using the nonlinear least squares method, the models were estimated and some related measures were calculated in this study using the “nonlinear regression” tool available in Minitab-17, and the initial values of the parameters were obtained from the transformation to the simple linear regression model.