bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of chronic rhinosinusitis with bronchial asthma and its severity
Authors: Pan Yangwang , Zang Hongrui 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background:
To explore the association of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with bronchial asthma (BA) as well as its severity.

Methods:
A comprehensive database search will be performed from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of science for related literatures. Heterogeneity test will be used to assess each outcome indicator. If heterogeneity statistics I
2 ≥ 50%, the random effects model will be applied; if I
2 < 50%, the fixed effects model will be performed. Sensitivity analysis will be performed in all models. STATA 15.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX) will be used for statistical analysis. Risk ratio (RR) will be used as the effect size for enumeration data. P < .05 is considered statistically significant.

Conclusion:
This study will evaluate the association of CRS with the prevalence of BA as well as its severity.

OSF registration number:
10.17605/OSF.IO/GCTM9.
The effectiveness and safety of Chuna manual therapy on scoliosis
Authors: Park Seo-Hyun , Sung Won-Suk , Lee Sun-Haeng , Lee Yoon-Jae , Ha In-Hyuk , Seo Byung-Kwan , Chang Gyu-Tae , Yang Hoe-Cheon , Keum Dong-Ho , Kim Eun-Jung 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background:
Scoliosis is a spinal deformity and is diagnosed as Cobb angle being greater than 10°. Because it is accompanied with structural dysfunction, it can cause pain, worsen the patient's general health and quality of life. The prevalence of scoliosis has been increasing and many treatments, including surgical treatment and conservative treatment, such as observation, bracing, physiotherapy, and Chuna manual therapy (CMT), have been suggested. CMT is a manual therapy in Korean medicine that provides effective stimulation to the patient's body structure to treat structural dysfunction. After Korean national health insurance's coverage of CMT in 2019, the application of CMT for scoliosis has increased, and many studies have been reported. There have been attempts to elucidate the effectiveness of CMT on scoliosis; however, its effectiveness still remains unconfirmed. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CMT on scoliosis.

Methods:
The published randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of CMT for scoliosis will be searched for in multiple electronic databases without the limitation of country and language. Data on characteristics of studies, interventions, comparators, outcome measures, results, and information for assessment of study quality will be extracted. The primary outcome will be the Cobb angle and the secondary outcomes will be the scales of pain, function, quality of life and disability, and adverse events. Data synthesis and analysis will be conducted using the Review Manager software for Windows (RevMan ver. 5.3.; Copenhagen; The Nordic Cochrane Center, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014). Subgroup analysis to identify the differences between different CMT maneuvers will also be performed. For risk of bias assessment, the “risk of bias” tool from Cochrane Collaboration will be used.

Results:
This study will present the clinical evidence on the effectiveness and safety of CMT on scoliosis.

Conclusion:
This study will propose useful evidence for treatment, further research, and health policies in the future.
Incidence of low back pain and potential risk factors among pharmacists
Authors: Wang Hue-Yu , Feng Yu-Tung , Wang Jhi-Joung , Lim Sher-Wei , Ho Chung-Han 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in pharmacists. This can impede the physical functions of the body and lead to incapacitation, resulting in significant social and economic burden. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors that correlate with LBP in Taiwanese pharmacists.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted among all registered pharmacists aged 20 to 40 years using the National Health Insurance Research Database (2000–2013) in Taiwan. The LBP diagnosis was confirmed with one episode of hospitalization or at least three claimed outpatient visits for LBP. Data on workplace characteristics as well as comorbidities were also collected for the analyses. A Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate the risk factors for LBP.
The incidence rate of LBP among pharmacists was 16.60% in this study. Older pharmacists (28.49%; P < .01) and those who worked at district hospitals (23.51%; P < .01) showed a higher proportion of LBP. Furthermore, after adjustment for selected potential confounding factors, female pharmacists [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.12, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.01–1.24, P = .0354] and pharmacists with diabetes (aHR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.20–2.01; P = .0008) and gout (aHR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.37–2.09; P < .0001) had significantly higher risks of LBP.
In conclusion, age was positively correlated with LBP, and the workplace was an important factor in the development of LBP in pharmacists. We suggest that pharmacists who work in district hospitals should pay more attention to the development of LBP.
Maternal fever during preconception and conception is associated with congenital heart diseases in offspring
Authors: Yang Guihong , Deng Xicheng , Xiao Jianfeng , Huang Peng , Zhang Kai , Li Yunfei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Backgrounds:
Many studies have evaluated the effect of maternal fever on the development risk of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in offspring, but the findings were inconsistent. Furthermore, a complete overview of the existing data was also missing. Therefore, we intend to provide updated epidemiologic evidence to estimate the association between maternal fever and the risk of overall CHDs and specific CHD phenotypes in offspring.

Methods:
Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched through March 2020 to identify eligible studies that assessed the association between maternal fever and CHDs risk in offspring. The summary risk estimates were calculated using random-effects models. Potential heterogeneity source was explored by subgroup analyses and potential publication bias was assessed by Begg funnel plots and Begg rank correlation test.

Results:
Sixteen studies involving 31,922 CHDs cases among 183,563 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, mothers who had a fever experience during preconception and conception periods had a significantly higher risk of overall CHDs in offspring (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21–1.73) when compared with those who did not have a fever experience. For specific CHD phenotypes in offspring, a statistically significant association was found between maternal fever and risk of conotruncal defects (CTD) (OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.01–1.89), atrial septal defects (ASD) (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.01–2.17), transposition of the great vessels (TGA) (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.14–2.88), and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.04–2.65). Relevant heterogeneity moderators have been identified by subgroup analyses, and sensitivity analyses yielded consistent results.

Conclusions:
Although the role of potential bias and evidence of heterogeneity should be carefully evaluated, our review indicates that maternal fever is significantly associated with the risk of CHDs in offspring, which highlights that preventing maternal fever during the preconception and conception periods play an important role in decreasing the risk of CHDs in offspring. However, given the limited number of current case-control studies, larger-sample prospective studies are required to further confirm our results. Besides, due to the underlying mechanisms between maternal fever and the risk of specific CHD phenotypes in offspring are still unreported, more research is needed to explore the possible mechanisms.
Comparison of the surgeries for the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament-related cervical spondylosis
Authors: Li Sihan , Peng Jiajie , Xu Ruoying , Zheng Rong , Huang Minghan , Xu Yongzhen , He Youcheng , Chai Yujuan , Song Hongmei , Asakawa Tetsuya 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Objective:
We designed and performed a network meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes among the 5 surgeries—anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF), anterior controllable antedisplacement fusion (ACAF), laminoplasty (LP), laminectomy (LC), and posterior decompression with instrumented fusion (PDF)—for patients with cervical spondylosis related to the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Methods:
Databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Web of Science (firstly available-2019) were selected for literature search. We performed a network meta-analysis with the included studies. A Newcastle-Ottawa scale was employed to assess the study quality of the included studies.

Results:
Total 23 studies with 1516 patients were included in our analysis. We found that ACCF achieved the most improvement in the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores and excellent and good recovery rate, ACAF achieved the best improvement of the improvement rate and lordosis. LP got the best operative time and blood loss.

Conclusions:
Our results suggested that both anterior (ACCF and ACAF) and posterior (LP, LC, and PDF) procedures have their strengths and weaknesses. Clinicians need to select the most appropriate surgery with a comprehensive consideration of the clinical condition of each patient with OPLL-related cervical spondylosis.
Activities of daily living measurement after ischemic stroke
Authors: Yang Hongyan , Chen Yuanyuan , Wang Jianmiao , Wei Hui , Chen Yanqin , Jin Jingfen 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In patients with ischemic stroke, activities of daily living were used as an outcome indicator, and correct assessment is very important. We sought to examine the reliability and validity of the modified Barthel Index as an evaluation tool of activities of daily living in ischemic stroke patients by applying the Rasch analysis.
We used a prospectively collected cohort of ischemic stroke patients in the department of neurology. Rasch analysis was used for evaluating the reliability and validity of the modified Barthel Index.
A total of 231 patients were included in the analysis. The average of modified Barthel Index was 36.2 ± 17.8. The modified Barthel Index had high reliability of 0.88. There were no extremely mismatched items, and considered unidimensional, but the Point-Measure of bowels and bladder were 0.27, extremely lower than other items. The scale was stable in different sex and age, but had notable differential item functioning in muscle strength of the limbs. Rating categories were not functioning adequately in items. The item difficulty and patient ability were not matched, with a difference of 1.17 logics. 29.4% patients, no easy items could match their ability.
The modified Barthel Index had high reliability but a relatively bad matching degree between item difficulty and patient ability. It still needs further improvement to reflect the activities of daily living in ischemic stroke patients.
Effect of muscle training on dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Zhang Fang , Zhong Yaping , Qin Zheng , Li Xiaomeng , Wang Wei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background:
Rehabilitation training is beneficial for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of muscle training on dyspnea.

Methods:
We used 5 common databases for conducting a meta-analysis included PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Web of Science and Clinical Trials.gov, and eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The main results of include studies were dyspnea of patients who had a clinical diagnosis of COPD measured using Borg score and Medical Research Council (MRC) or modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale as the criteria before and after intervention. The intervention measures included respiratory or expiratory muscles or upper limb (UL) or lower limb (LL) training. The mean differences (MD) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were considered for summary statistics. We also assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane collaboration's tool, and the value of I
2 was applied to evaluate the heterogeneity of the trials.

Results:
Fourteen RCTs with 18 interventions (n = 860 participants) were included. Muscle training significantly improved dyspnea during exercise and in the daily life of patients with COPD (MD, 95% CI: −0.58, −0.84 to −0.32, P
< .0001 and −0.44, −0.65 to −0.24, P
< .0001, respectively). In the subgroup analyses, the trials that used respiratory muscle and UL trainings significantly improved dyspnea during exercise (MD, 95% CI: −0.72, −1.13 to −0.31, P = .0005 and −0.53, −0.91 to −0.15, P = .007, respectively). The studies also showed that the participants in the rehabilitation group, who received respiratory muscle and UL trainings, had a significant improvement of dyspnea in daily life (MD, 95% CI: −0.38, −0.67 to −0.09, P = .01 and −0.51, −0.80 to −0.22, P = .0007, respectively).

Conclusion:
There were some limitations that most of the subjects in this study were patients with moderate to severe COPD and were male, and the training period and duration were different. The analyses revealed that respiratory muscle and UL trainings can improve dyspnea in patients with COPD during exercise and in daily life.
What gait features influence the amount and intensity of physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Pau Massimiliano , Porta Micaela , Coghe Giancarlo , Cocco Eleonora 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Although the mutual relationship between ambulation and physical activity (PA) in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) has been described in several studies, there is still a lack of detailed information about the way in which specific aspects of the gait cycle are associated with amount and intensity of PA. This study aimed to verify the existence of possible relationships among PA parameters and the spatio-temporal parameters of gait when both are instrumentally assessed.
Thirty-one pwMS (17F, 14 M, mean age 52.5, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 3.1) were requested to wear a tri-axial accelerometer 24 hours/day for 7 consecutive days and underwent an instrumental gait analysis, performed using an inertial sensor located on the low back, immediately before the PA assessment period. Main spatio-temporal parameters of gait (i.e., gait speed, stride length, cadence and duration of stance, swing, and double support phase) were extracted by processing trunk accelerations. PA was quantified using average number of daily steps and percentage of time spent at different PA intensity, the latter calculated using cut-point sets previously validated for MS. The existence of possible relationships between PA and gait parameters was assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficient rho.
Gait speed and stride length were the parameters with the highest number of significant correlations with PA features. In particular, they were found moderately to largely correlated with number of daily steps (rho 0.62, P< .001), percentage of sedentary activity (rho = –0.44, P < .001) and percentage of moderate-to-vigorous activity (rho = 0.48, P < .001). Small to moderate significant correlations were observed between PA intensity and duration of stance, swing and double support phases.
The data obtained suggest that the most relevant determinants associated with higher and more intense levels of PA in free-living conditions are gait speed and stride length. The simultaneous quantitative assessment of gait parameters and PA levels might represent a useful support for physical therapists in tailoring optimized rehabilitative and training interventions.
MMP7 as a potential biomarker of colon cancer and its prognostic value by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Chen Li , Ke Xueying 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. To identify the candidate genes in the carcinogenesis and progression of colon cancer, the microarray datasets GSE10950, GSE44861 and GSE74602 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and functional enrichment analyses were performed. A total of 176 DEGs were identified, consisting of 55 genes upregulated and 121 genes downregulated in colon cancer tissues compared to non-cancerous tissues. The DEGs were mainly enriched in mineral absorption, nitrogen metabolism and complement and coagulation cascades. By using STRING database analysis, we constructed a coexpression network composed of 140 nodes and 280 edges for the DEGs with a combined score >0.4 and a significant interaction relation. Thirteen hub genes were identified, and poor OS of patients was only associated with high expression of Matrix Metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7), which may be involved in the carcinogenesis, invasion or recurrence of colon cancer. In conclusion, we propose that the DEGs and hub genes identified in the present study may be regarded as diagnostic biomarkers for colon cancer. Moreover, the overexpression of MMP7 may correlate with poor prognosis.
Coronary calcification is associated with elevated serum lipoprotein (a) levels in asymptomatic men over the age of 45 years
Authors: Chung Young Hak , Lee Byoung-Kwon , Kwon Hyuck Moon , Min Pil-Ki , Choi Eui-Young , Yoon Young Won , Hong Bum-Kee , Rim Se-Joong , Kim Jong-Youn 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Lipoprotein a (Lp (a)) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) are markers of coronary artery and cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between Lp (a) and CAC in asymptomatic individuals remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the influence of Lp (a) on CAC in asymptomatic individuals.
We included 2019 asymptomatic Korean adults who underwent testing for a coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and Lp (a) at the Gangnam Severance Hospital Health Checkup Center in Korea from January 2017 to August 2019. Participants were divided into 2 groups: CACS = 0 and CACS > 0. Factors affecting the CACS were analyzed by sex. Because age is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, ≥45 years in men and ≥55 years in women, we further divided participants into 4 subgroups (≥45 and <45 in men, ≥55 and <55 in women). Factors affecting the CACS in the 4 groups were analyzed.
There was a positive correlation between the CACS and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Lp (a) positively correlated with the CACS in men (P < .01) and remained significant after multivariable logistic regression (P < .01). The same result was observed in men aged ≥45 years (P < .01).
Lp (a) is an independently associated factor of CAC and a marker of coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic men aged ≥45 years. In asymptomatic men aged ≥45 years, Lp (a) should be measured, and intensive Lp (a)-lowering treatment should be considered.
A novel assessment of abdominal pseudohernia after thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures using surface electromyography and ultrasonography
Authors: Choi Min Soo , Jang Myung Hun , Lee Byeong Ju , Shin Yong Beom , Kim Sang Hun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Rationale:
An abdominal pseudohernia is a protrusion of the abdominal wall that there is no actual muscular disruption. This report presents a case in which abdominal muscle activities were accurately and quantitatively measured using ultrasonography (US) and surface electromyography in a patient with abdominal pseudohernia.

Patient concerns:
A 62-year-old man presented with a marked protrusion on the left abdomen with increasing abdominal pressure.

Diagnoses:
First, the thickness of the abdominal muscle was measured with US while the patient constantly blew the positive expiratory pressure device. When the force was applied to the abdomen, the mean thickness of the muscle layer on the lesion site was found to be thinner. Second, the activities of the abdominal muscles were measured using surface electromyography by attaching electrodes to 8 channels at the same time. When the same pressure was applied on both sides of the abdomen, more recruitment occurred to compensate for muscle weakness at the lesion site. Through the previous 2 tests, the decrease in muscle activity in the lesion area could be quantitatively evaluated. Third, the denervation of the muscle was confirmed using US-guided needle electromyography.

Interventions:
The patient in this case was wearing an abdominal binder. In addition, he had been training his abdominal muscles through McGill exercise and breathing exercises such as with a positive expiratory pressure device.

Outcomes:
The patient was able to understand his symptoms. A follow-up test will be performed to see if there is any improvement.

Lessons:
By using these outstanding assessment methods, proper diagnosis and rehabilitation treatment strategies can be developed.
Rare severe hypofibrinogenemia induced by tissue plasminogen activator in stroke patients
Authors: Huang Xuming , Cao Liming 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Rationale:
Severe hypofibrinogenemia after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is rare and easily overlooked, but hypofibrinogenemia increases the risk of major bleeding. However, it is unclear when hypofibrinogenemia reaches the peak and when hypofibrinogenemia is resolved.

Patient concerns:
Case 1 was of a 66-year-old man who was hospitalized due to sudden onset of vague speech and right hemiplegia for 4 hours. Case 2 was of an 84-year-old woman who was hospitalized for sudden onset of left hemiplegia and vague speech for 4 hours. In case 1, fibrinogen levels decreased from normal values to <0.25 g/L within 4.5 hours after commencing IVT and returned to normal at 35 hours later. In case 2, fibrinogen levels decreased from 1.1 to <0.25 g/L within 2 hours after commencing IVT and normalized 36.5 hours later.

Diagnoses:
Both patients were diagnosed with rt-PA-related hypofibrinogenemia.

Interventions:
No antiplatelet or symptomatic treatment was administered during the period of hypofibrinogenemia.

Outcomes:
Fibrinogen levels gradually recovered. In case 1, the patient did not experience cerebral hemorrhage during hypofibrinogenemia. His symptoms improved significantly within 1 week. In case 2, repeat computed tomography revealed minor cerebral hemorrhage, but no deterioration in her condition was noted until she was discharged.

Lessons:
Rapid, severe, and prolonged hypofibrinogenemia may occur after IVT with rt-PA, which may increase the risk of massive hemorrhage and affect the related therapy. Prompt diagnosis of hypofibrinogenemia is important for preventing complications. We recommend checking the fibrinogen levels routinely after IVT. Fibrinogen replacement therapy and platelet transfusion are the main management routes for rt-PA-related symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.