bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of hydroxychloroquine–azithromycin combination on Tpeak‐to‐end and Tpeak‐to‐end/QT ratio during a short treatment course
Authors: Bakhshaliyev Nijad , Özdemir Ramazan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundSince there was no proven treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), hydroxychloroquine–azithromycin (HCQ‐AZM) combination is being used in different countries as a treatment option. Many controversies exist related to the safety and effectiveness of this combination, and questions about how HCQ‐AZM combination affects the ventricular repolarization are still unknown.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to show whether the hydroxychloroquine–azithromycin (HCQ‐AZM) combination prolonged Tpeak‐to‐end (TpTe) duration and TpTe/QT interval ratio or not.MethodsOne hundred and twenty‐six consequent COVID‐19(+) patients meeting the study criteria were enrolled in this study. Baseline ECGs were obtained immediately after hospitalization and before commencing the HCQ‐AZM combination. On‐treatment ECG was obtained 24–48 hr after the loading dose of HCQ/AZM. ECG parameters including PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, QTc interval, TpTe duration, and TpTe/QT interval ratio were assessed. Demographic and laboratory findings were collected from an electronic recording system.ResultsECGs of 126 COVID‐19(+) patients who received HCQ‐AZM combination were assessed. Mean baseline QTc (by Fridericia formula), TpTe, and TpTe/QT ratio were 420.0 ± 26.5 ms, 82.43 ± 9.77 ms, and 0.22 ± 0.02, respectively. On‐treatment QTc, TpTe and TpTe/QT ratio were 425.7 ± 27.18 ms, 85.17 ± 11.17 ms, and 0.22 ± 0.03, respectively. No statistically significant acute impacts of HCQ‐AZM combination on TpTe duration and TpTe/QT interval ratio were observed compared with baseline values. No ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation and the significant conduction delays were seen during in‐hospital follow‐up.ConclusionHCQ‐AZM combination increased TpTe duration. However, no significant impact on TpTe/QT interval ratio was observed.
Could lymphocyte to C‐reactive protein ratio predict the prognosis in patients with gastric cancer?
Authors: Angin Yavuz Selim , Yildirim Murat , Dasiran Fatih , Okan Ismail 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundDevelopment or progression of inflammation in neoplastic diseases is known to be part of the disease. Lymphocyte to C‐reactive protein ratio (LCR) is a new indicator showing the inflammatory state. The aim of this study is to show the clinical importance of the relationship between the preoperative LCR and the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.Methods and PatientsWe evaluated gastric cancer patients, who underwent surgery between 2010 and 2015. LCR and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were calculated from pre‐treatment of complete blood counts. Both ratios were compared to the perioperative outcomes and median survival times. Association between LCR and postoperative tumour stage was studied by using multivariate analysis with other clinicopathological variables.ResultsA total of 123 patients were included. The mean age of the patients was 65.36 ± 10.08. Preoperative low LCR value was associated with advanced tumour stage, adjacent organ invasion, lymph node metastasis and postoperative early complications. The receiver operating characteristic analysis results showed that LCR and NLR parameters were significant (CI 0.718–0.886; 95%); P < 0.001, CI 0.534–0.732; 95%). Cut‐off value being 193, the mean survival of patients who had LCR values of overcut‐off value was found to be significantly higher compared with the patients with lower LCR values (P < 0.001).ConclusionLCR, a simple calculated ratio of values obtained from easy and widely available serum indicators could be an effective prognostic marker with gastric cancer.
Proposed quality performance indicators of sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Wen Daniel , Martin Richard C.W. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundMelanoma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand has the highest melanoma incidence in the world alongside Australia at 54 per 100 000 persons. The aim of this study is to conduct a retrospective quality audit of sentinel lymph nodal biopsy (SLNB) practices from 2007 to 2019 of a high‐volume melanoma surgeon. Primary outcome was false negative rate (FNR). Secondary outcomes were sentinel node (SN) identification and removal rate, and complication rates.MethodsA database was maintained, containing n = 553 consecutive SLNB's for cutaneous melanoma from 31 August 2007 to 31 August 2019. Patient characteristics and details of the primary lesion, sentinel lymph node biopsy, recurrence and complications were recorded.ResultsSN's were successfully identified in 444 (99.6%) out of 446 patients with an FNR of 9.1%. Positive SN's were identified in 70 (12.7%) SLNB's. Complications occurred in 76 out of 553 (13.7%) SLNB's. A review of internationally published literature reveals an SN identification rate of 94.4–99.5% with an FNR of 4.0–37.5%. SLNB is the best staging tool for melanoma and gives potential access to adjuvant systemic treatment if >1 mm deposits are found. It is a day‐stay procedure with a low‐complication rate.ConclusionSLNB is a safe and reliable procedure utilized for cutaneous melanoma. We propose our data should be used alongside international SN series to establish Quality Performance Indicators to improve melanoma management.
Transfusion management of severe anaemia in African children: a consensus algorithm
Authors: Maitland Kathryn , Kiguli Sarah , Olupot‐Olupot Peter , Opoka Robert O. , Chimalizeni Yami , Alaroker Florence , Uyoga Sophie , Kyeyune‐Byabazaire Dorothy , M’baya Bridon , Bates Imelda , Williams Thomas N. , Munube Deogratias , Mbanya Dora , Molyneux Elizabeth M. , South Annabelle , Walker A. Sarah , Gibb Diana M. , George Elizabeth C. ,   TRACT Stakeholders meeting group
Published: May 2021

SummaryThe phase III Transfusion and Treatment of severe anaemia in African Children Trial (TRACT) found that conservative management of uncomplicated severe anaemia [haemoglobin (Hb) 40–60 g/l] was safe, and that transfusion volume (20 vs. 30 ml/kg whole blood equivalent) for children with severe anaemia (Hb <60 g/l) had strong but opposing effects on mortality, depending on fever status (>37·5°C). In 2020 a stakeholder meeting of paediatric and blood transfusion groups from Africa reviewed the results and additional analyses. Among all 3196 children receiving an initial transfusion there was no evidence that nutritional status, presence of shock, malaria parasite burden or sickle cell disease status influenced outcomes or modified the interaction with fever status on volume required. Fever status at the time of ordering blood was a reliable determinant of volume required for optimal outcome. Elevated heart and respiratory rates normalised irrespective of transfusion volume and without diuretics. By consensus, a transfusion management algorithm was developed, incorporating three additional measurements of Hb post‐admission, alongside clinical monitoring. The proposed algorithm should help clinicians safely implement findings from TRACT. Further research should assess its implementation in routine clinical practice.
Toward a Precision Science of Word Learning: Understanding Individual Vocabulary Pathways
Authors: Samuelson Larissa K. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractToddlers vary widely in the rate at which they develop vocabulary. This variation predicts later language development and school success at the group level; however, we cannot determine which children with slower vocabulary development in the second year will continue to have difficulty. In this article, I argue that this is because we lack theoretical understanding of how multiple processes operate as a system to create individual children’s pathways to word learning. I discuss the difficulties children face when learning even a single concrete noun, the multiple general cognitive processes that support word learning, and some evidence of rapid development in the second year. I present work toward a formal model of the word learning system and how this system changes over time. The long‐term goal of this work is to understand how individual children’s strengths and weaknesses create unique vocabulary pathways, and to enable us to predict outcomes and identify effective interventions.
When a typical jumper skips: itineraries and staging habitats used by Red Knots (Calidris canutus piersmai) migrating between northwest Australia and the New Siberian Islands
Authors: Piersma Theunis , Kok Eva M. A. , Hassell Chris J. , Peng He‐Bo , Verkuil Yvonne I. , Lei Guangchun , Karagicheva Julia , Rakhimberdiev Eldar , Howey Paul W. , Tibbitts T. Lee , Chan Ying‐Chi 
Published: May 2021

The ecological reasons for variation in avian migration, with some populations migrating across thousands of kilometres between breeding and non‐breeding areas with one or few refuelling stops, in contrast to others that stop more often, remain to be pinned down. Red Knots Calidris canutus are a textbook example of a shorebird species that makes long migrations with only a few stops. Recognizing that such behaviours are not necessarily species‐specific but determined by ecological context, we here provide a description of the migrations of a relatively recently described subspecies (piersmai). Based on data from tagging of Red Knots on the terminal non‐breeding grounds in northwest Australia with 4.5‐ and 2.5‐g solar‐powered Platform Terminal Transmitters (PTTs) and 1.0‐g geolocators, we obtained information on 19 route‐records of 17 individuals, resulting in seven complete return migrations. We confirm published evidence that Red Knots of the piersmai subspecies migrate from NW Australia and breed on the New Siberian Islands in the Russian Arctic and that they stage along the coasts of southeastern Asia, especially in the northern Yellow Sea in China. Red Knots arrived on the tundra breeding grounds from 8 June onwards. Southward departures mainly occurred in the last week of July and the first week of August. We documented six non‐stop flights of over c. 5000 km (with a maximum of 6500 km, lasting 6.6 days). Nevertheless, rather than staging at a single location for multiple weeks halfway during migration, piersmai‐knots made several stops of up to a week. This was especially evident during northward migration, when birds often stopped along the way in southeast Asia and ‘hugged’ the coast of China, thus flying an additional 1000–1500 km compared with the shortest possible (great circle route) flights between NW Australia and the Yellow Sea. The birds staged longest in areas in northern China, along the shores of Bohai Bay and upper Liaodong Bay, where the bivalve Potamocorbula laevis, known as a particularly suitable food for Red Knots, was present. The use of multiple food‐rich stopping sites during northward migration by piersmai is atypical among subspecies of Red Knots. Although piersmai apparently has the benefit of multiple suitable stopping areas along the flyway, it is a subspecies in decline and their mortality away from the NW Australian non‐breeding grounds has been elevated.
Rural–urban connectivity strengthens agrarian peace: Evidence from a study of gender and motorcycle taxis in Sierra Leone
Authors: Jenkins Jack , Mokuwa Esther , Peters Krijn , Richards Paul 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRural‐based insurgencies disrupted the forest margins of Upper West Africa in the 1990s. A subsequent return to peace was accompanied by strong growth in small‐scale trade in foodstuffs and other agrarian produce in high demand in towns. Motor cycle taxis are a feature of this increased rural–urban market integration. It was a mode of transport pioneered by ex‐combatants. Where rural women were once attacked by rural young men without job prospects press ganged into fighting for the rebels, bike taxi riders now carry them to rural periodic markets, many of which are new since the end of conflict. The study provides an analytical account of these developments, drawing on discussions with villagers in three heavily war‐affected localities of Sierra Leone. The evidence indicates that communities divided by conflict have quietly built new cooperative links conducive to peace based on local agricultural production and petty trade.
Towards the Spoken World Theory: The contribution of Rom Harré to advancing social theory
Authors: Van Langenhove Luk 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRom Harré was a philosopher of science who is especially known for his contributions to psychology. But a lot of his writings can also be regarded as exercises in social theorizing and in tackling issues of the social ontology. This paper will argue that he introduced three innovations in the thinking about social ontology: (i) the primacy of conversations and speech acts as the ‘substance’ of the social world; (ii) the distinction between different epistemological realms when dealing with the social ontology and (iii) the introduction of a new way to think about the levels of the social reality. Moreover, it will be argued that throughout the many concepts and models Harré used to explain and understand the social reality, lays a remarkable unity and consistency in how he pictures and theorizes the society and social phenomena. Using the conceptual scheme developed by Maddi, a Harré inspired general social theory is presented that can also be read as an attempt to provide a synthesis/summary of his social theory, complemented with some insights developed by other scholars. It is proposed to label this theory as the Spoken World Theory. One of the distinct features of that theory is that it demonstrates that social and psychological phenomena are so entangled that it makes no sense to separate them and study them from a single social science’s disciplinary perspective.
The maternal health study: Study design update for a prospective cohort of first‐time mothers and their firstborn children from birth to age ten
Authors: Brown Stephanie J. , Gartland Deirdre , Woolhouse Hannah , Giallo Rebecca , McDonald Ellie , Seymour Monique , Conway Laura , FitzPatrick Kelly M. , Cook Fallon , Papadopoullos Sandra , MacArthur Christine , Hegarty Kelsey , Herrman Helen , Nicholson Jan M. , Hiscock Harriet , Mensah Fiona 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundMaternal health is critical to the health and well‐being of children and families, but is rarely the primary focus of pregnancy and birth cohort studies. Globally, poor maternal health and the exposure of women and children to family violence contribute to the perpetuation and persistence of intergenerational health inequalities.ObjectivesThe Maternal Health Study was designed to investigate the contribution of social and obstetric risk factors to common maternal physical and psychological morbidities. Over time, our focus has expanded to include mother‐child pairs and investigation of intergenerational trauma and family violence.PopulationA total of 1507 first‐time mothers were recruited in early pregnancy from six public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003‐2005.MethodsWomen completed questionnaires or telephone interviews in early pregnancy (≤24 weeks); at 32 weeks’ gestation; at three, six, nine, 12 and 18 months postpartum; and at four and ten years. At ten years, women and children were invited to participate in face‐to‐face interviews, which included direct assessment of children's cognitive and language development. A wide range of obstetric, social and contextual factors have been measured, including exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) (1‐year, 4‐year and 10‐year follow‐up).Results1507 eligible women were recruited at a mean gestation of 15 weeks. At one year, four years and ten years postpartum, 90.0%, 73.1% and 63.2% of the original cohort took part in follow‐up. One in three women in the study (34.5%) reported exposure to IPV in the first ten years of motherhood: 19% in the first 12 months postpartum, 20% in the year prior to four‐year follow‐up and 18.3% in the year prior to ten‐year follow‐up.ConclusionThe study affords a unique opportunity to examine patterns of maternal and child health and health service use associated with exposure to IPV.
Evidence of under‐reporting of early‐onset preeclampsia using register data
Authors: Simard Julia F. , Rossides Marios , Wikström Anna‐Karin , Falasinnu Titilola , Palmsten Kristin , Arkema Elizabeth V. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundEarly‐onset preeclampsia, traditionally defined as presenting before 34 gestational weeks, is associated with even higher risks of perinatal death, placental abruption, and stroke, than late‐onset preeclampsia.ObjectiveWe estimated the degree of misclassification in a high‐risk population of lupus pregnancies and a general population comparator when gestational age at delivery defined preeclampsia phenotype compared to first preeclampsia diagnosis.MethodsPatients with lupus and general population comparators from Sweden with ≥1 singleton pregnancy in the Medical Birth Register with a documented ICD code for preeclampsia were included (2002‐2016). We used gestational age at delivery (<34 versus ≥34 weeks) to phenotype preeclampsia early‐ versus late‐onset and then reclassified based on first preeclampsia diagnosis date in the Patient Register. We cross‐tabulated the two definitions and calculated sensitivity using the visit‐based definition as the reference standard for general population and lupus pregnancies, overall and among nulliparous women.Results331 pregnancies were diagnosed with preeclampsia, of which 322 were in both registers. Of those, 58 were early‐onset based on gestational age at delivery (n = 29 in lupus pregnancies). Overall, 9% of early‐onset preeclampsia in lupus (sensitivity 91%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 75, 98) was misclassified as late‐onset compared to 19% in the general population (sensitivity 81%, 95% CI 64, 92). We noted similar misclassification (4% vs 22%) among nulliparous women.ConclusionsIn the general population, early‐onset preeclampsia was more likely misclassified as late‐onset than in the high‐risk lupus population. Relying on gestational age at delivery to phenotype preeclampsia, this way underestimates the occurrence of early‐onset preeclampsia. This also suggests that the burden of early‐onset preeclampsia as a public health concern may be under‐reported, although this may be more applicable to milder preeclampsia where expectant management is employed. Research of biological and maternal predictors of early‐onset preeclampsia may be dealing with differentially misclassified outcomes or samples.
Mask R‐CNN‐based building extraction from VHR satellite data in operational humanitarian action: An example related to Covid‐19 response in Khartoum, Sudan
Authors: Tiede Dirk , Schwendemann Gina , Alobaidi Ahmad , Wendt Lorenz , Lang Stefan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWithin the constraints of operational work supporting humanitarian organizations in their response to the Covid‐19 pandemic, we conducted building extraction for Khartoum, Sudan. We extracted approximately 1.2 million dwellings and buildings, using a Mask R‐CNN deep learning approach from a Pléiades very high‐resolution satellite image with 0.5 m pixel resolution. Starting from an untrained network, we digitized a few hundred samples and iteratively increased the number of samples by validating initial classification results and adding them to the sample collection. We were able to strike a balance between the need for timely information and the accuracy of the result by combining the output from three different models, each aiming at distinctive types of buildings, in a post‐processing workflow. We obtained a recall of 0.78, precision of 0.77 and F1 score of 0.78, and were able to deliver first results in only 10 days after the initial request. The procedure shows the great potential of convolutional neural network frameworks in combination with GIS routines for dwelling extraction even in an operational setting.
Biomechanical effects of a titanium intervertebral cage as a stand‐alone device, and in combination with locking plates in the canine caudal cervical spine
Authors: Beishuizen Rick , Reints Bok Tjarda E. , Teunissen Michelle , van der Veen Albert J. , Emanuel Kaj S. , Tryfonidou Marianna A. , Meij Bjorn P. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the change in ex vivo biomechanical properties of the canine cervical spine, due to an intervertebral cage, both as a stand‐alone device and in combination with plates.Study DesignExperimental ex vivo study.AnimalsCervical spinal segments (C5‐C7) from eight canine cadavers.MethodsThe range of motion (ROM) and elastic zone stiffness (EZS) of the spines were determined with a four‐point bending device in flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation for four conditions: native, discectomy, cage (at C6‐C7), and cage with plates (at C6‐C7). The disc height index (DHI) for each condition was determined using radiography.ResultsDiscectomy resulted in overall increased ROM (p < .01) and EZS (p < .05) and decreased DHI (p < .005) when compared to the native condition. Placement of the cage increased DHI (p < .001) and restored total ROM during flexion/extension, lateral bending and axial rotation, and EZS during flexion/extension to the level of the native spine. Application of the plates further reduced the total ROM during flexion/extension (p < .001) and lateral bending (p < .001), but restored ROM in extension and EZS during lateral bending. No implant failure, subsidence, or significant cage migration occurred during loading.ConclusionAn anchorless intervertebral cage used as a stand‐alone device was able to restore the disc height and spinal stability to the level of the native cervical spine, whereas the addition of plates further reduced the spinal unit mobility.Clinical SignificanceThis study implies that the intervertebral cage may be used as a stand‐alone device in the spinal unit fixation in the canine cervical spine.
Attention to the Principles of Exercise Training in Exercise Studies of Persons With Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Medysky Mary E. , Bland Kelcey A. , Neil-Sztramko Sarah E. , Campbell Kristin L. , Sullivan Donald R. , Winters-Stone Kerri M. 
Published: May 2021

The authors systematically reviewed and summarized exercise trials in persons with lung cancer on (a) attention to the principles of exercise training (specificity, progression, overload, initial values, reversibility, and diminishing returns); (b) methodological reporting of FITT (frequency, intensity, time, and type) components; and (c) reporting on participant adherence to prescribed FITT. Randomized controlled trials of exercise that reported on ≥1 physical fitness, physical function, or body composition outcome in persons with lung cancer were included. Of 20 trial arms, none incorporated all principles of exercise training. Specificity was included by 95%, progression by 45%, overload by 75%, and initial values by 80%, while one trial arm applied reversibility and diminishing returns. Fourteen interventions reported all FITT components; however, none reported adherence to each component. Including the principles of training and reporting FITT components will contribute to better understanding of the efficacy of exercise for persons with lung cancer and inform evidence-based exercise prescriptions.