bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of combined treatment of acupuncture and neurofeedback for improving cognitive function in mild neurocognitive disorder
Authors: Jeong Jin-Hyung , Jung Changjin , Kim Jieun , Kim Ju-Yeon , Kim Hae Sook , Park Yang-Chun , Lee Jun-Hwan , Jung In Chul 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background:
Mild neurocognitive disorder (MND) is an intermediate state that can progress to dementia, and the cognitive reserve of MND is an important task in preventing dementia. Acupuncture and neurofeedback (NF) training have been used to improve cognitive function and treat MND or dementia, but their effectiveness remains controversial. In this trial, we will evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined NF-acupuncture treatment in comparison with single acupuncture treatment.

Methods and design:
This study is a randomized, assessor-blind, pilot trial. It is designed in accordance with the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture. A total of 44 MND participants who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be enrolled, and each will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups of 22 subjects. Each subject will visit 24 times over 12 weeks and receive either acupuncture or NF-acupuncture combined treatment. At visit 25 (week 13), a follow-up evaluation will be performed, and then the investigator will analyze the results. The primary outcome is defined by the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score from screening to visit 25. The secondary outcome includes the following: change in Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive, the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory, Body Awareness Questionnaire, delayed matching to sample task scores, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy values, from visit 1 to visit 25; heart rate variability values from visit 1 to visit 5, visit 9, visit 13, visit 21, visit 25; breath per minute values from visit 1 to visit 1 to 25.

Discussion:
We will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combined NF-acupuncture therapy, and expect that it will serve as the basis for the use of NF together with acupuncture in the clinical setting.

Trial registration number:
KCT0004972 (registered in Clinical Research Information Service of the Republic of Korea, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/16239)
A preliminary study of association of cigarette smoking with risk of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Yang Ting-Ting , Yin He , Liu Pen-Ju , Niu Tian-Tong , Wang Ze-Yi , He Yang , Yuan Peng , Zhang Wei-Wei , Xu Bao-Lei , Liu Guang-Zhi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Various studies have revealed an association between cigarette smoking and increased risk for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, its role in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains elusive. Therefore, in the present case-control study, we aimed to assess the association of active and passive cigarette smoking with the risk of MS and NMOSD.
Thirty-six patients with NMOSD, 46 patients with MS, and 122 healthy individuals were included in this study. Standardized questionnaires and telephone interviews were used to collect information regarding the active and passive cigarette smoking behaviors of the patients and normal controls.
The risk of MS was significantly higher among smokers than among nonsmokers (odds ratio = 2.166, 95% confidence interval: 1.109–4.170; P = .027). Further analysis of the risk between active and passive smokers, male smokers and nonsmokers showed no statistical difference. However, neither smokers nor active smokers had a greater or lower risk of NMOSD than their nonsmoking counterparts.
Our preliminary study showed no significant association between cigarette smoking and the risk of NMOSD, strongly suggesting that, unlike MS, cigarette smoking might not confer NMOSD susceptibility, at least in the Northern Han Chinese population.
Comparison of the effects of left atrial appendage closure and oral anticoagulants in preventing stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Yue Deyong , Jiang Yunda , Yang Zhongying , Cao Liang , Huo Long , Wang Jing 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background:
This study aims to analyze and evaluate the difference in efficacy between left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and oral anticoagulants (OA) in preventing stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) through the method of meta-analysis. The purpose is to provide for the prevention of stroke in patients with NVAF valuable treatment guidance.

Methods:
This study is a comprehensive collection of randomized controlled studies of LAAC and OA in the prevention of stroke in patients with NVAF, and searches PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, SinoMed, VIP Database, WANFANG Database, and other Chinese and English databases by combining subject words with free words, and the retrieval time is from the establishment of each database to June 1, 2021. At the same time, searching the included literature and literature of related reviews by manual. Two researchers independently conduct literature screening and quality evaluation. Statistical software RevMan 5.3 and Stata 12.0 were used for meta-analysis.

Results:
This study evaluating the difference in efficacy between LAAC and OA in preventing stroke in patients with NVAF will be published in high-quality medical academic journals.

Conclusion:
This study will give the best treatment strategy to prevent stroke in patients with NVAF, and provide some reference for clinical medical staff.
OSF registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/2UXPA (https://osf.io/2uxpa).
The efficacy of fish oil in preventing coronary heart disease
Authors: Wu Gaohong , Ji Qingyang , Huang Huiwen , Zhu Xueping 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background:
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common causes of death and disease burden in the world. Current fish oil aiming to prevent and treat CHD have shown a large variety of effects with low levels of evidence.

Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of fish oil for protection against CHD, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of fish oil for protection against CHD.

Methods:
We retrieved relevant articles published from January 1966 to January 2020 by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases. RCTs of fish oil in preventing CHD were selected. The study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool with RevMan 5.3 software. The first selection involved 360 citations. After screening and evaluation of suitability, 19 RCTs adjusted for clustering were included in the meta-analysis. All selected manuscripts considered that fish oil was effective in preventing CHD, secondary outcome measures included angina, sepsis and death.

Results:
Compared with the control group, fish oil may confer significant protection against CHD (odds ratio = 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.72–0.98). There was no significant difference in the incidence of secondary outcomes between the observation group and the control group (P > .05).

Conclusion:
The above results show that fish oil plays an important role in reducing CHD and cardiovascular events. However, because of the suboptimal quality of the studies included into the meta-analysis, these results do not justify adding fish oils systematically to the heavy pharmaceutical assortment already recommended in CHD patients.

Registration details:
CRD42020183719.
Prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width in predicting 3-month functional outcome of patients undergoing thrombolysis treatment for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Kim Dae Yong , Hong Dae Young , Kim Sin Young , Park Jeong Jin , Kim Jong Won , Park Sang O. , Lee Kyeong Ryong , Baek Kwang Je 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
This study was performed to determine whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with 3-month poor functional outcome in patients undergoing thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke.
RDW was measured in patients with thrombolytic therapy in emergency department. Functional outcome was assessed after 3 months and poor functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale 3 to 6.
A total of 240 patients were enrolled, and 82 (34.2%) had a poor functional outcome. The median RDW was significantly elevated in patients with a poor functional outcome compare with those with a good outcome. RDW was independently associated with a 3-month poor functional outcome (odds ratio 3.369, 95% confidence interval 2.214–5.125). The optimal RDW cutoff for predicting 3-month poor functional outcome was 12.8%, and the area under the curve for RDW was 0.818 (95% confidence interval 0.761–0.876). The area under the curve for RDW was higher in male patients than in female patients. The RDW correlated positively with the modified Rankin scale score after 3 months and the initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score.
Initial higher RDW level is related to a 3-month poor functional outcome in patients undergoing thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke.
Adequate emergency department resource usage
Authors: Lin Geng-Shiau , Tseng Pei-Ling , Chang Chia-Chen , Yiang Giou-Teng , Yen Zui-Shen , Jian Jang-Wei , Tung Chen-Yin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Introduction:
More than 80% of patients who visited Emergency Department (ED) was not urgent in Taiwan in 2019. It causes insufficient medical services and a latent fiscal threat to the Nation Health Insurance (NHI). This study adopted simulation-based educating modules to explore the effect in teaching competence among primary and middle school teachers for efficient AEDRU (adequate emergency department resource usage) education in the future.

Method:
The subjects were 414 elementary and junior high school teachers in Taiwan. 214 participants attended the simulation-based workshop as the simulation-based group, whereas 200 participants took an online self-learning module as the self-learning group. The workshop was created by an expert panel for decreasing the unnecessary usage amount of ED medial resources. The materials are lecture, board games, miniature ED modules, and simulation-based scenarios. A teaching competence questionnaire including ED knowledge, teaching attitude, teaching skills, and teaching self-efficacy was conducted among participants before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed via McNemar, paired t test and the generalized estimating equations (GEE).

Results:
The study showed that teachers who participated in the simulation-based workshop had improved more in teaching competence than those who received the online self-learning module. In addition, there were significant differences between the pre-test and post-test among the two groups in teaching competence.

Conclusion:
The simulation-based workshop is effective and it should be spread out. When students know how to use ED medical resources properly, they could affect their families. It can help the ED service to be used properly and benefits the finance of the NHI. The health care cost will be managed while also improving health.
Demographic profile and outcome of patients admitted to a COVID dedicated hospital in Bangladesh during the second wave
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Iqbal , Parvin Sultana , Islam Md. Samiul , Alam Mohammad Jane , Podder Subrata , Datta Raj , Majumdar Touhidul Karim , Hossain Mir Jakib , Ahmed Faruque 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
In December 2019, with pneumonia-like clinical manifestations, a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 emerged and quickly escalated into a pandemic. Since the first case detected in early March of last year, 8668 have died with an infection mortality rate of 1.52%, as of March 20, 2021. Bangladesh has been struck by the 2nd wave from mid-march 2021. As data on the second wave are sparse, the present study observed the demographic profile, symptoms, and outcomes of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients during this wave.
The study was conducted at Sheikh Russel National Gastroliver Institute on 486 admitted cases during the 2nd wave of COVID-19 in Bangladesh (March 24–April 24, 2021) using a cross-sectional study design and a convenient sampling technique.
Out of 486 cases, 306 (62.9%) were male, and 180 were female, with a mean age of 53.47 ± 13.86. The majority of patients (32.5%) were between the ages of 51 and 60. While fever and cough being the predominant symptoms (>70% cases), the most common co-morbidities were hypertension (41.4) and diabetes mellitus (39.4). Intensive care unit utilization rate was 25%, and a half of the patients had 51% to 70% tomographic lung involvement with an overall mortality rate of 19.3%. Older age, chronic renal disease, percentage of lung involvement, and intensive care unit necessity were important mortality determinants.
The present study gives an insight into the demographic profiles and outcomes of admitted patients with COVID-19 during the second wave at a covid dedicated hospital in Bangladesh.
Solitary bone plasmacytoma of spine with involvement of adjacent disc space
Authors: Tan Hongdong , Gu Jia , Xu Liang , Sun Gang 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Rationale
Solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) is a rare manifestation of plasma cell tumor. Although axial skeleton is the most frequently affected site of SBP, adjacent disc space involvement is rare. Herein we report a case of SBP in thoracic vertebra with involvement of adjacent disc space.

Patient concerns
A 57-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of intermittent back pain with activity. The patient's back pain intensity with activity was a score of 5 of the 10-point visual analog scale).

Diagnoses and intervention
The patient underwent a posterior fusion procedure from T6 to T10, and an open biopsy of the vertebral lesion confirmed that final diagnosis of SBP. The patient received postoperative radiotherapy with a total of 4000 Gy to the T7–T9 vertebral levels over a 20-day period.

Outcomes
Following radiotherapy, the patient's pain intensity was reduced to the visual analog scale score of 1 at the 6-month follow-up.

Lessons
SBP lacks typical clinical symptoms, and the accurate diagnosis before clinical intervention remains challenging. Due to the disc involvement, SBP often manifests as spinal infection. Hence, differential diagnosis in spinal lesions involving the disc should include SBP.
Estimates of Cases and Hospitalizations Averted by COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in 14 Health Jurisdictions in the United States
Authors: Jeon Seonghye , Rainisch Gabriel , Lash R. Ryan , Moonan Patrick K. , Oeltmann John E. , Greening Bradford , Adhikari Bishwa B. , Meltzer Martin I. 
Published: September 2021

Context:
The implementation of case investigation and contact tracing (CICT) for controlling COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus) has proven challenging due to varying levels of public acceptance and initially constrained resources, especially enough trained staff. Evaluating the impacts of CICT will aid efforts to improve such programs.

Objectives:
Estimate the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations averted by CICT and identify CICT processes that could improve overall effectiveness.

Design:
We used data on the proportion of cases interviewed, contacts notified or monitored, and days from testing to case and contact notification from 14 jurisdictions to model the impact of CICT on cumulative case counts and hospitalizations over a 60-day period. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVIDTracer Advanced tool, we estimated a range of impacts by assuming either contacts would quarantine only if monitored or would do so upon notification of potential exposure. We also varied the observed program metrics to assess their relative influence.

Results:
Performance by jurisdictions varied widely. Jurisdictions isolated between 12% and 86% of cases (including contacts that became cases) within 6 to 10 days after infection. We estimated that CICT-related reductions in transmission ranged from 0.4% to 32%. For every 100 remaining cases after other nonpharmaceutical interventions were implemented, CICT averted between 4 and 97 additional cases. Reducing time to case isolation by 1 day increased averted case estimates by up to 15 percentage points. Increasing the proportion of cases interviewed or contacts notified by 20 percentage points each resulted in at most 3 or 6 percentage point improvements in averted cases.

Conclusions:
We estimated that CICT reduced the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations among all jurisdictions studied. Reducing time to isolation produced the greatest improvements in impact of CICT.
Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews
Authors: Peters Micah D.J. , Marnie Casey , Tricco Andrea C. , Pollock Danielle , Munn Zachary , Alexander Lyndsay , McInerney Patricia , Godfrey Christina M. , Khalil Hanan 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT

Objective:
The objective of this paper is to describe the updated methodological guidance for conducting a JBI scoping review, with a focus on new updates to the approach and development of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (the PRISMA-ScR).

Introduction:
Scoping reviews are an increasingly common approach to informing decision-making and research based on the identification and examination of the literature on a given topic or issue. Scoping reviews draw on evidence from any research methodology and may also include evidence from non-research sources, such as policy. In this manner, scoping reviews provide a comprehensive overview to address broader review questions than traditionally more specific systematic reviews of effectiveness or qualitative evidence. The increasing popularity of scoping reviews has been accompanied by the development of a reporting guideline: the PRISMA-ScR. In 2014, the JBI Scoping Review Methodology Group developed guidance for scoping reviews that received minor updates in 2017 and was most recently updated in 2020. The updates reflect ongoing and substantial developments in approaches to scoping review conduct and reporting. As such, the JBI Scoping Review Methodology Group recognized the need to revise the guidance to align with the current state of knowledge and reporting standards in evidence synthesis.

Methods:
Between 2015 and 2020, the JBI Scoping Review Methodology Group expanded its membership; extensively reviewed the literature; engaged via annual face-to-face meetings, regular teleconferences, and email correspondence; sought advice from methodological experts; facilitated workshops; and presented at scientific conferences. This process led to updated guidance for scoping reviews published in the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The updated chapter was endorsed by JBI's International Scientific Committee in 2020.

Results:
The updated JBI guidance for scoping reviews includes additional guidance on several methodological issues, such as when a scoping review is (or is not) appropriate, and how to extract, analyze, and present results, and provides clarification for implications for practice and research. Furthermore, it is aligned with the PRISMA-ScR to ensure consistent reporting.

Conclusions:
The latest JBI guidance for scoping reviews provides up-to-date guidance that can be used by authors when conducting a scoping review. Furthermore, it aligns with the PRISMA-ScR, which can be used to report the conduct of a scoping review. A series of ongoing and future methodological projects identified by the JBI Scoping Review Methodology Group to further refine the methodology are planned.
High Response Rate to Antidepressants in the Management of Paroxysmal Hypertension (Pseudopheochromocytoma)
Authors: Mann Samuel J. , Solanki Kaushal V. 
Published: September 2021

There is no widely recognized preventive treatment for patients with paroxysmal hypertension (“pseudopheochromocytoma”) who suffer recurrent and often severe paroxysmal elevation of blood pressure, repeated emergency room visits and hospitalizations. In this case series we assessed the effectiveness of treatment with an antidepressant in preventing recurrent paroxysms. A secondary exploratory objective was to examine the psychological profile of patients and its relationship to response to treatment. The charts of 52 patients who reported having experienced at least 3 symptomatic episodes were selected; and and for whom treatment data were included. Treatment with an antidepressant was offered to, and follow-up data were available in 37..Two patients refused treatment, 6 were unable to tolerate an effective dose, 3 were lost to follow-up, and 1 was non-compliant with the medication. Of the remaining 25 evaluable patients, 92% (23/25) responded, with 80% (21/25) achieving complete and persisting cessation of paroxysms, and 8% (2/25), a reduction in frequency. Importantly, an antidepressant was effective in nearly all patients who reported that they were not suffering from anxiety or depression. The data were insufficient to determine superiority of any one antidepressant versus another. We conclude that treatment with an antidepressant is effective in preventing hypertensive paroxysms in a high proportion of patients with paroxysmal hypertension. Given the absence of any other pharmacologic intervention capable of preventing recurrent paroxysms, the similarly high response rate observed in previous reports, and the relatively safe profile of antidepressant agents, the findings support more widespread use of an antidepressant in patients with this disorder to prevent years of continued hypertensive paroxysms and their consequences.
Effectiveness of Mass Vaccination in Brazil against Severe COVID-19 Cases
Authors: Villela Daniel A.M. , de Noronha Tatiana Guimarães , Bastos Leonardo S. , Pacheco Antonio G. , Cruz Oswaldo G , Carvalho Luiz Max , Codeço Claudia Torres , Costa Gomes Marcelo Ferreira da , Coelho Flávio Codeço , Freitas Laís Picinini , Lana Raquel Martins , Gomes Porto Victor Bertollo , Bastos Camacho Luiz Antônio , Struchiner Claudio José 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundMass vaccination campaigns started in Brazil on January/2021 with CoronaVac followed by ChAdOx1 nCov-19, and BNT162b2 mRNA vaccines. Target populations initially included vulnerable groups such as people older than 80 years, with comorbidities, of indigenous origin, and healthcare workers. Younger age groups were gradually included.MethodsA national cohort of 66.3 million records was compiled by linking registry-certified COVID-19 vaccination records from the Brazilian National Immunization Program with information on severe COVID-19 cases and deaths. Cases and deaths were aggregated by state and age group. Mixed-effects Poisson models were used to estimate the rate of severe cases and deaths among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, and the corresponding estimates of vaccine effectiveness by vaccine platform and age group. The study period is from mid-January to mid-July 2021.ResultsEstimates of vaccine effectiveness preventing deaths were highest at 97.9% (95% CrI: 93.5-99.8) among 20-39 years old with ChAdOx1 nCov-19, at 82.7% (95% CrI: 80.7-84.6) among 40-59 years old with CoronaVac, and at 89.9% (87.8--91.8) among 40-59 years old with partial immunization of BNT162b2. For all vaccines combined in the full regimen, the effectiveness preventing severe cases among individuals aged 80+ years old was 35.9% (95% CrI: 34.9-36.9) which is lower than that observed for individuals aged 60-79 years (61.0%, 95% CrI: 60.5-61.5).ConclusionDespite varying effectiveness estimates, Brazil’s population benefited from vaccination in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes. Results, however, suggest significant vaccine-specific reductions in effectiveness by age, given by differences between age groups 60-79 years and over 80 years.