bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of glucocorticoid pulse therapy on thyroid function and thyroid antibodies in children with graves’ disease
Authors: Hu Yanyan , Man Yulin , Sun Xuemei , Xue Yongzhen 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Glucocorticoid treatment is used in children with Graves’ disease (GD) only in cases of exophthalmos. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of glucocorticoid pulse therapy on thyroid function and thyroid antibodies in children with GD.

Methods
Twenty children who were treated by intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy (MPT) followed by oral prednisolone administration and antithyroid drugs were included in the pulse group. Twenty children who were treated with antithyroid drugs alone were included in the control group. Serum concentrations of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb), and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb) were recorded at baseline and 10 days, 30 days, and 60 days after treatment.

Results
Significant differences in FT3, FT4, TSH, TPOAb, TGAb, and TRAb levels were found in the pulse group and the control group from baseline to follow-up time points (all p < 0.05). On the 30th day, the TRAb level in the pulse group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p = 0.023). However, the level of TRAb rose on the 60th day. For values of TRAb at baseline, 10 days, and 60 days after treatment, there were no significant differences respectively between the pulse group and the control group (all p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in FT3, FT4, TSH, TPOAb, and TGAb levels between the pulse group and the control group (all p > 0.05).

Conclusions
The results suggested that the effect of intravenous MPT followed by oral prednisolone on TRAb level was temporary in children with GD. Glucocorticoid pulse therapy was not beneficial for the sustained recovery of thyroid function.
Global prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with type I diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Belete Rebuma , Ataro Zerihun , Abdu Ahmedmenewer , Sheleme Merga 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe presence of metabolic syndrome among diabetes patients is frequent and is associated with an increased incidence of chronic complications and mortality. Despite several studies have been conducted, there is no overall estimation on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among type 1 diabetic patients. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.MethodsMedline via PubMed, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Ovid, Google Scholar, ResearchGate and African Journals Online were searched by limiting publication period from January 2005 to October 2020. Data were extracted with a standardized format prepared in Microsoft Excel and exported to Stata 16.0 for analyses. The I2statistic was used to check heterogeneity across the included studies. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was applied to estimate pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval across studies. Funnel plot symmetry, Begg’s test and Egger’s regression test were used to determine the presence of publication bias. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis as well as meta-regression were conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. The study protocol is registered on PROSPERO with reference number: CRD42020213435.ResultsIn this meta-analysis, a total of 27 studies with 45,811 study participants were included. The pooled prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 23.7% with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 98.2%; P < 0.001). Geographical-based subgroup analysis revealed that the highest prevalence was observed in Australia (27.3%). As per meta-analysis of 17 studies, the pooled prevalence of metabolic syndrome in female type 1 diabetes patients (25.9%) was slightly higher than male T1DM patients (22.5%).ConclusionNearly a quarter of the type 1 diabetes mellitus patients were affected by metabolic syndrome. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the prevention and control of the epidemic and for the reduction of the morbidity and mortality associated with metabolic syndrome among type 1 diabetes mellitus patients.
Transcriptional regulation of the virulence genes and the biofilm formation associated operons in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: Zhang Yiquan , Qiu Yue , Xue Xingfan , Zhang Miaomiao , Sun Junfang , Li Xue , Hu Lingfei , Yin Zhe , Yang Wenhui , Lu Renfei , Zhou Dongsheng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
The membrane fusion protein (mfp) gene locus of Vibrio parahaemolyticus consists of two operons, cpsQ-mfpABC and mfpABC, which are both required for biofilm formation. ToxR and CalR are required for the full virulence of V. parahaemolyticus, and their mutual regulation has been demonstrated. Moreover, cell density-dependent expression of toxR was previously observed in V. parahaemolyticus, but details about the related mechanisms remained unclear. QsvR can work with the master quorum sensing (QS) regulators AphA and OpaR to regulate virulence expression and biofilm formation.

Results
In the present work, we showed that QsvR bound to the promoter-proximal DNA regions of toxR and calR to repress their transcription as well as occupying the regulatory regions of cpsQ-mfpABC and mfpABC to activate their transcription. Thus, we reconstructed the QsvR-dependent promoter organization of toxR, calR, cpsQ-mfpABC, and mfpABC.

Conclusion
QsvR directly repressed toxR and calR transcription as well as directly activated cpsQ-mfpABC and mfpABC transcription. The data presented here promotes us to gain deeper knowledge of the regulatory network of the mfp locus in V. parahaemolyticus.
Comparative physical activity as a global question to assess physical activity among university students
Authors: Diehl Katharina , Brassat Alessia , Hilger-Kolb Jennifer 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
To assess physical activity (PA), a comparative measurement – evaluating one’s own PA compared to others – may be an appropriate method. In previous studies, the use of comparative measurements led to an effect known as unrealistic comparative optimism (UCO) – people being unrealistically optimistic about their behavior. Our aim was to use this comparative measurement in university students to quantify the prevalence of UCO at the group level and to draw conclusions on its validity.

Methods
We used data from the Nutrition and Physical Activity in Adolescence Study (NuPhA), a cross-sectional online survey that included only self-reports (n = 689). To assess PA among students, they were asked to rate their PA level compared to that of their same-aged fellow students. In addition, we used the Godin-Shephard leisure-time PA questionnaire and other questions on PA for comparisons. We used bivariate and cluster-based analyses to identify potential UCO.

Results
We found that UCO at the group level led to an uneven distribution, with a higher proportion of students who rated themselves as being more physically active than average. However, the individual assessment of PA with a single and simple comparative question seemed to be valid.

Discussion
A global single comparative question seems useful for studies where PA is measured as a covariate in university students.
Iterative method for solving one-dimensional fractional mathematical physics model via quarter-sweep and PAOR
Authors: Sunarto Andang , Agarwal Praveen , Sulaiman Jumat , Chew Jackel Vui Lung , Aruchunan Elayaraja 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper will solve one of the fractional mathematical physics models, a one-dimensional time-fractional differential equation, by utilizing the second-order quarter-sweep finite-difference scheme and the preconditioned accelerated over-relaxation method. The proposed numerical method offers an efficient solution to the time-fractional differential equation by applying the computational complexity reduction approach by the quarter-sweep technique. The finite-difference approximation equation will be formulated based on the Caputo’s time-fractional derivative and quarter-sweep central difference in space. The developed approximation equation generates a linear system on a large scale and has sparse coefficients. With the quarter-sweep technique and the preconditioned iterative method, computing the time-fractional differential equation solutions can be more efficient in terms of the number of iterations and computation time. The quarter-sweep computes a quarter of the total mesh points using the preconditioned iterative method while maintaining the solutions’ accuracy. A numerical example will demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed quarter-sweep preconditioned accelerated over-relaxation method against the half-sweep preconditioned accelerated over-relaxation, and the full-sweep preconditioned accelerated over-relaxation methods. The numerical finding showed that the quarter-sweep finite difference scheme and preconditioned accelerated over-relaxation method can serve as an efficient numerical method to solve fractional differential equations.
The effect of the emotion regulation training on the resilience of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia: a parallel randomized controlled trial
Authors: Behrouian Maryam , Ramezani Tahereh , Dehghan Mahlagha , Sabahi Abdoreza , Ebrahimnejad Zarandi Batool 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Schizophrenia is the most severe mental chronic disabling disease that the majority of the patients need constant care in a variety of aspects. Regarding the role of family caregivers in taking care of these patients, caregivers need to be resilient, in addition to other psychological traits, to adapt to the circumstance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the emotion regulation training on the resilience of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in southeastern Iran.

Methods
The study was a parallel randomized controlled trial. Seventy caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to an emotion regulation training group and a control group. The intervention group received eight 90-min training sessions (one session weekly) about emotion regulation. The participants completed the Conner–Davidson resilience scale before and one month after the intervention.

Results
The mean scores of the resilience increased in the control and intervention groups at the end of the study. A significant difference was found between the two groups (p < 0.001). At the beginning of the study, the mean score of the resilience was 59.94 in the control group and 51.97 in the intervention group. However, the mean score of the resilience in the control group was 61.28 after the intervention, which was not significant, but it was 69.08 in the intervention group, which was significant. A significant difference was observed between two groups in the mean scores (p = 0.01).

Conclusions
According to the results of this study, cognitive and metacognitive skills of emotion regulation can be suggested as one of the methods for increasing the psychological well-being of schizophrenia patients’ caregivers. The increase of mental well-being and resilience of caregivers can help them better manage a patient with schizophrenia.
Trial registration IRCT registration number: IRCT2017061733997N2, Registration date: 2017-08-16, 1396/05/25, Registration timing: prospective, https://en.irct.ir/trial/26116
Expanded uncertainty modeling of the uranium isotope dilution standards
Authors: Hasozbek Altug 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this paper, a statistical uranium isotope dilution mass spectrometry approach is presented to simulate the wide range of spike-sample mixed ratios of 235U/238U, in terms of their related expanded uncertainties and uncertainty budget indexes. To obtain the lowest expanded uncertainty in uranium isotope dilution mass spectrometry (U-IDMS) technique, uranium certified materials of U-CRM 112A (spike) and U-CRM 149 (treated as unknown) are statistically employed and simulated. The simulated data is further applied to project U-IDMS samples by using the “Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM)” software.
Prevalence of postpartum family planning utilization and associated factors among postpartum mothers in Arba Minch town, South Ethiopia
Authors: Wassihun Biresaw , Wosen Kidist , Getie Asmare , Belay Kalkidan , Tesfaye Rehal , Tadesse Tewodros , Alemayehu Yosef , Yihune Manaye , Aklilu Addis , Gebayehu Kassahun , Zeleke Shegaw 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Contraception allows women to realize their human right to decide if and when to have children and helps people to attain their desired family size. Yet 214 million women of a reproductive age in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not using a modern contraceptive method. Women who have recently given birth are among the group with the highest unmet need for contraception. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of postpartum family planning use and associated factors among postpartum women in Southern Ethiopia.

Methods
Institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted. A structured and pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data from study participants. Study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique by allocating proportionally to each health facility. The data was entered using EPI data version 3.1statistical software and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0 for further analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors. P values < 0.05 with 95% confidence level was used to declare statistica significance.

Result
Overall, 44% of postpartum women utilize postpartum family planning. Having an antenatal care visit [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =1.89(95%CI, 2.42–7.90), having planned pregnancy [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.17(95%CI, 1.60–2.28)], being married (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =2.86(1.94–8.73), and having a college and above level educational status (AOR) =1.66(1.28–3.55) were significantly associated with utilization of postpartum family planning.

Conclusion
This study showed that the prevalence of postpartum family planning was 44%. Marital status, educational status of mothers, the status of pregnancy, and having an antenatal care follow-up during pregnancy were some factors associated with postpartum family planning utilization. Therefore, strengthening family planning counselling during antenatal and postnatal care visits, improving utilization of postnatal care services and improving women’s educational status are crucial steps to enhance contraceptive use among postpartum women.
Dynamic stall control over a rotor airfoil based on AC DBD plasma actuation
Authors: Zhao Guangyin , Huang Yong , Yang Yongdong , Li Guoqiang , Yang Hesen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAt present, the control capability of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuation covers the flow velocity range of helicopter’s retreating blades, so it is necessary to extend it to the dynamic stall control of rotor airfoils. A DBD plasma actuator was adopted to control the dynamic stall of an oscillating CRA309 airfoil in this paper. The effectiveness of alternating current (AC) DBD plasma actuation on reducing the area of lift hysteresis loop of the oscillating airfoil was verified through pressure measurements at a Reynolds number of 5.2 × 105. The influence of actuation parameters on the airfoil’s lift and moment coefficients was studied. Both steady and unsteady actuation could effectively reduce the hysteresis loop area of the lift coefficients. The flow control effect of dynamic stall was strongly dependent on the history of angle of attack. Compared with the steady actuation, unsteady actuation had more obvious advantages in dynamic stall control, with reducing the area of lift hysteresis loop by more than 30%. The effects of plasma actuation on the airfoil’s flow field at both upward and downward stages were discussed at last.
Physiotherapeutic assistance verse home care assistance in the early rehabilitation of total knee arthroplasty during COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Tomar Lavindra , Govil Gaurav , Dhawan Pawan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
The aim of this retrospective comparison study was to assess early functional recovery of total knee arthroplasty with home care assistance during COVID-19 lockdown.

Methods
A total of 16 patients (27 knees involved) were divided into a pre-lockdown group (10 patients; 17 knees) and a post-lockdown group (6 patients, 10 knees) in terms of the time of surgeries performed before and after lockdown, respectively, due to COVID-19 pandemic. Patients of pre-lockdown group underwent rehabilitation under the guidance of trained physiotherapists for at-home sessions and under assisted physiotherapy. Patients of post-lockdown group followed the rehabilitation protocol of at-home sessions and under home-care assistance during COVID-19 lockdown. Functional recovery of the knee was assessed against the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Junior. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results
The pre- and postoperative mean KOOS Junior of pre-lockdown group were 48.73 ± 2.64 and 64.91 ± 2.74, respectively (p < 0.001). The pre- and postoperative scores of post-lockdown group were 48.83 ± 2.83 and 67.84 ± 4.31 (p < 0.001), respectively. Intergroup comparison between pre- and postoperative KOOS Jr. revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05).

Conclusion
Although the COVID-19 lockdown affected the routine postoperative rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty, the coordination among the surgeon, therapists, and home caregivers can provide sustained assistance in rehabilitation. The guidelines for practitioners and physiotherapists can benefit functional recovery of the knee.
Comparison between biparametric and multiparametric MR imaging of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System Version 2.1 in detection of prostate cancer
Authors: EL-Adalany Mohamed Ali , EL-Razek Ahmed Abd E L-khalek Abd , EL-Diasty Tarek , EL-Hendy Ahmed , EL-Metwally Dina 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Prostate cancer (PCa) is considered to be the commonest cancer among males. Early and precise diagnosis of PCa is essential for adequate treatment. Multiparametric MR imaging (mpMRI) is actually the most precise imaging technique used for early diagnosis of PCa. The aim of this work was to assess the diagnostic capability of biparametric MRI (bpMRI) and multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of PI-RADS V2.1 in detection of prostate cancer (PCa). This prospective study was carried on 60 male patients with high PSA. bpMRI and mpMRI were performed for all patients using a 3-T MRI scanner. The diagnostic performance of bpMRI of PI-RADS V2.1 was compared to that of mpMRI of PI-RADS V 2.1. The diagnosis of Pca was confirmed by transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy and the results of open prostatectomy specimens.

Results
When considering PI-RADS categories 1, 2, and 3 as benign and categories 4 and 5 as malignant, mpMRI had higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy when compared with bpMRI (sensitivity was 88.6% for mpMRI versus 60% for bpMRI and diagnostic accuracy was 91.7% for mpMRI versus 75% for bpMRI). When considering PI-RADS categories 1 and 2 as benign and PI-RADS categories 3.4 and 5 as malignant, the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of bpMRI and mpMRI were comparable (sensitivity was 94.3% for both bpMRI and mpMRI and diagnostic accuracy was 86.7% for both bpMRI and mpMRI).

Conclusion
Considering PI-RADS scores 4 and 5 as malignant, mpMRI had higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy when compared with bpMRI; however, when considering PI-RADS scores 3, 4, and 5 as malignant, both bpMRI and mpMRI had similar diagnostic accuracy.
Efficacy of enzalutamide (ENZA) plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with de novo (M1) metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) versus progression to mHSPC (M0): Post hoc analysis of the phase III ARCHES trial.
Authors: Azad Arun , Villers Arnauld , Alekseev Boris , Szmulewitz Russell Zelig , Alcaraz Antonio , Shore Neal D. , Petrylak Daniel Peter , Holzbeierlein Jeffrey , Gomez-Veiga Francisco , Rosbrook Brad , Zohren Fabian , Lee Ho-Jin , Haas Gabriel P. , Iguchi Taro , Stenzl Arnulf , Armstrong Andrew J. 
Published: March 2021

102 Background: In ARCHES (NCT02677896) ENZA + ADT reduced the risk of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) events, primary endpoint, and improved key secondary endpoints vs PBO + ADT in men with mHSPC (also known as metastatic castration-sensitive PC). Given the progressive nature of PC, this exploratory analysis evaluated efficacy of ENZA + ADT in patients (pts) who progressed to M1 HSPC following initial diagnosis (M0) vs pts who presented with de novo mHSPC at diagnosis (M1). Methods: mHSPC pts (n=1150) were randomized 1:1 to ENZA (160 mg/day) + ADT or PBO + ADT, stratified by disease volume and prior docetaxel use. In this post hoc analysis, pts previously centrally categorized as MX/unknown metastasis at initial diagnosis (n=213) were adjudicated as either M0 or M1 disease following review of their medical profiles; efficacy outcomes were compared according to M0 vs M1 disease at initial diagnosis. Results: In this analysis, 246 pts (ENZA n=117; PBO n=129) had M0 and 890 pts (ENZA n=448; PBO n=442) had M1 disease at initial diagnosis; metastatic status of 14 pts (ENZA n=9; PBO n=5) were unknown (data not shown). Baseline characteristics were generally comparable between treatment arms; however, a greater proportion of M1 pts had high disease volume (n=606; 68.1% vs n=116; 47.2% [M0]) and prior docetaxel (n=173, 19.4% vs n=29, 11.8% [M0]). ENZA + ADT improved rPFS vs PBO + ADT irrespective of M0 or M1 disease at diagnosis; similar improvements were observed for secondary endpoints including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and objective responses, time to PSA progression, time to new antineoplastic therapy (Table). Safety profiles were generally similar between subgroups and the overall population; exceptions include higher fatigue in M0 ENZA and PBO treatment arms. Conclusions: This post hoc analysis demonstrates clinical benefit of ENZA + ADT vs PBO + ADT based on rPFS and secondary endpoints in men who progressed from M0 to M1 HSPC and those with de novo M1 HSPC. Clinical trial information: NCT02677896. [Table: see text]