bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Should we prescribe anticonvulsants for acute herpes zoster neuralgia and to prevent postherpetic neuralgia?
Authors: Lu Yanqing , Liu Kun , Liang Yanchang , Zhang Xi , Liu Yue , Huang Fan , Gao Haili , Zhuang Lixing 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background:
Herpes zoster-associated pain [i.e., acute herpes zoster neuralgia (AHN) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)] has the potential to cause significant patients’ burden and heath resource expenditure. PHN is refractory to the existing treatments, and the consensus is preventing the transition of AHN to PHN is better than treating PHN. Anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin, pregabalin) have been recommended as one of the first-line therapies for PHN. In practice, anticonvulsants have also decreased the severity and duration of AHN and reduced the incidence of PHN. Nevertheless, its clinical application to AHN is hampered by inadequate evidence for its efficacy and safety. We performed this protocol for a systematic review to explore the efficacy and safety of anticonvulsants for AHN. Besides, a benefit-risk assessment of anticonvulsants for AHN would be performed to estimate the extent to which these drugs could relieve symptoms and whether the benefits outweigh harms.

Methods:
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) was used to prepare our protocol and the results will be reported according to the PRISMA. We will search the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese VIP Information (VIP), Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed databases, from inception to August 2019. Furthermore, Clinicaltrials (http://www.clinicaltrials.com) and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/abouten.aspx) will also be searched for relevant studies. Selection of eligible articles and data extraction will be independently performed by reviewers. We will record the characteristic information, pain outcomes, incidence of PHN and adverse effects. Data synthesis and other statistical analyses will be conducted using Review Manager Software 5.3 and STATA13.0. Furthermore, risk of bias assessment, meta-regression and subgroup analyses, publication bias assessment, grading of evidence will be performed for included studies.

Ethics and dissemination:
As this systematic review will be performed based on published data, no ethical approval is needed. The findings will be submitted in peer-reviewed journals for publication.

Systematic review registration:
PROSPERO CRD42019133449.
The timing of last hemodialysis influences the prognostic value of serum lactate levels in predicting mortality of end-stage renal disease patients with sepsis in the emergency department
Authors: Chu Chun Chieh , Su Chih Min , Chen Fu Cheng , Cheng Chi Yung , Cheng Hsien Hung , Te Kung Chia 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, and serum lactate levels have been used to predict patient prognosis. Studies on serum lactate levels in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis who have sepsis are limited. This study aimed to determine the predictive value of serum lactate levels for sepsis-related mortality among patients who underwent last hemodialysis at three different times before admission to the emergency department (ED).
This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2007 to December 2013 in southern Taiwan. All hemodialysis patients with sepsis, receiving antibiotics within 24 hours of sepsis confirmation, admitted for at least 3 days, and whose serum lactate levels were known were examined to determine the difference in the serum lactate levels of patients who underwent last hemodialysis within 4 hours (Groups A), in 4–12 hours (Group B), and beyond 12 hours (Group C) before visited to the ED. All the continuous variables, categorical variables and mortality were compared by using Kruskal-Wallis test or Mann-Whitney test, the χ2 or Fisher exact tests, and multiple logistic regression model, respectively.
A total of 490 patients were enrolled in the study, and 8.0% (39), 21.5% (84), and 74.9% (367) of the patients were in Group A, Group B and Group C, respectively; the serum lactate levels (2.91 vs 2.13 vs 2.79 mmol/L, respectively; P = .175) and 28-day in-hospital mortality (17.9% vs 14.6% vs 22.9%) showed no statistically significant difference between 3 groups. The association between serum lactate levels and 28-day in-hospital mortality was reliable in Group B (P = .002) and Group C (P < .001), but it was unreliable in Group A (P = .629).
Serum lactate level has acceptable sensitivity in predicting 28-day in-hospital mortality among patients with sepsis who undergo last hemodialysis after 4 hours, but is not reliable when the last hemodialysis takes place within 4 hours.
Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic severe functional constipation
Authors: Zhu Daocheng , Hu Jinyu , Chi Zhenhai , Ouyang Xilin , Xu Wei , Luo Zhaona , Cheng Chao , Wu Jiajia , Chen Rixin , Jiao Lin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background:
Acupuncture has been widely used clinically to relieve chronic severe constipation. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic severe constipation is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic severe constipation.

Methods:
Search PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database, China Science, and Technology Journal Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, and search related randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers will independently select studies, collect data, and evaluate methodological quality through the Cochrane Deviation Risk Tool. Revman V.5.3 will be used for meta-analysis.

Results:
This study will evaluate the current status of acupuncture treatment for chronic severe constipation, aiming to illustrate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment.

Conclusion:
This study will provide a basis for judging whether acupotomy is effective in treating chronic severe constipation.

INPLASY registration number:
INPLASY202070002
Analytical evaluation of serum non–transferrin-bound iron and its relationships with oxidative stress and cardiac load in the general population
Authors: Sugiura Tomonori , Dohi Yasuaki , Takase Hiroyuki , Fujii Satoshi , Seo Yoshihiro , Ohte Nobuyuki 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Excessive iron accumulation provokes toxic effects, especially in the cardiovascular system. Under iron overload, labile free non–transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) can induce cardiovascular damage with increased oxidative stress. However, the significance of NTBI in individuals without iron overload and overt cardiovascular disease has not been investigated. We aimed to examine the distribution of serum NTBI and its relationship with oxidative stress and cardiac load under physiological conditions in the general population.
We enrolled individuals undergoing an annual health check-up and measured serum NTBI and derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROM), an oxidative stress marker. In addition, we evaluated serum levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) to examine cardiac load. We excluded patients with anemia, renal dysfunction, cancer, active inflammatory disease, or a history of cardiovascular disease.
A total of 1244 individuals (57.8 ± 11.8 years) were enrolled, all of whom had detectable serum NTBI. d-ROM and BNP showed significant trends across NTBI quartiles. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that serum iron and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were positively associated with NTBI but that age, d-ROM, and BNP showed an inverse association with this measure. In logistic regression analysis, NTBI was independently associated with a combination of higher levels of both d-ROM and BNP than the upper quartiles after adjustment for possible confounding factors.
Serum NTBI concentration is detectable in the general population and shows significant inverse associations with oxidative stress and cardiac load. These findings indicate that serum NTBI in physiological conditions does not necessarily reflect increased oxidative stress, in contrast to the implications of higher levels in states of iron overload or pathological conditions.
Clinical efficacy and safety of Shuxuetong injection for acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Yu Feng , Xin Mengxue , Huang Na , Zhang Taotao , Lu JianHui , Liu Nan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background:
Shuxuetong injection (SXT) is a Chinese medicine injection and has been widely used for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Asia. However, whether SXT has a definite efficacy and safety is poorly understood. The aim of our study was to clarify the effect of SXT on clinical symptoms alliavation and survival in AMI patients.

Methods:
A systematic reviews of SXT combined with conventional therapy treating AMI will be searched in 8 electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang Database, China Biology Medicine (CBM), Google Scholar, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), from inception to December 2020. The literature will extracted by 2 researchers independently and the methodological quality of the included study will be evaluated. We will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to evaluate the evidence quality of the included literature. RevMan software (version 5.3) will be applied for the original research data synthesis.

Results:
The results of our study will be published in a peer reviewed journal.

Conclusion:
Our meta-analysis will provide the latest evidence to determine whether SXT is an effective intervention for AMI patients.
Choroidal neovascularization secondary to half-dose photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Zhang Zhengwei , Bao Xiaona , Wu Zhifeng , Zhang Jie 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Rationale:
Half-dose or reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin has been well acknowledged to be the most effective and permanent treatment with very low rates of complications. However, we report a case of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) who developed choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to half-dose PDT within only 3 weeks. Such an occurrence following this short a course of treatment has not been reported previously.

Patient concerns:
A 46-year-old Chinese man who had been diagnosed as acute more than 1 year ago revisited our department recently and complained of blurred vision again in his left eye.

Diagnoses:
Fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) revealed patchy hyperfluorescent dots and optical coherence tomography (OCT) indicated irregular flat pigment epithelium detachment (PED) in the central macula. The patient was diagnosed with chronic CSC.

Interventions:
The patient was treated by half-dose PDT with verteporfin. Three weeks later, the patient complained of sudden blurred vision and fundus examination showed macular hemorrhages with a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/250. OCT angiography (OCTA) showed a distinct area of flower-like CNV located within the deep retinal slab. Secondary CNV had developed after a quite short course of half-dose PDT treatment. Subsequently, the patient was administered by 2 intravitreal injections of aflibercept (2 mg).

Outcomes:
Two months after the second intravitreal injection, macular hemorrhages and secondary CNV were completely resolved, and the BCVA improved to 20/25.

Lessons:
Patients of chronic CSC with irregular PED who undergo PDT should be warned of secondary CNV within a short course after treatment. If happened, it should be treated by intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents as soon as possible.
Quality of life after intestinal transplantation
Authors: Solar Héctor , Ortega Mariana , Gondolesi Gabriel E. 
Published: February 2021

Purpose of review
Intestinal transplantation (ITx) is the last therapeutic option in chronic intestinal failure (CIF) patients who develop life-threatening complication related to home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Improvement of quality of life (QoL) has been proposed as one of the nonconventional indications for ITx in these patients. This review aims to summarize the current evidence about QoL assessment in ITx recipients.

Recent findings
Several studies were conducted to determine QoL in ITx patients, with differences in the samples and instruments used to assess it. Patients evaluated for ITx had lower QoL than those on HPN without complications. QoL seems to improve in most psychological, emotional and social areas after a successful ITx, a trend that seems to increase over time. These results would support the rehabilitative role of ITx for patients with irreversible CIF and impossibility to continue receiving HPN.

Summary
Although QoL after ITx patients improved over time compared with life on HPN, the heterogeneity in the samples included in several studies, and the lack of validated assessment tools, hinder the possibility to draw conclusions about improvement of QoL after ITx.
What a Catch
Authors: Knipper Nora P. , DiCioccio Heather Condo , Albert Nancy M. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background:
Parental fatigue rates after childbirth are high and may be associated with newborn drops that cause injury. Newborn drops and near-misses are potentially underreported due to parental embarrassment, shame, fear of reprisal, or guilt. Although newborn drops are rare, the leaders of mother–baby units need to enhance transparency of risk to assure a culture of safety.

Purpose:
To describe components and outcomes of the What A Catch program, aimed at preventing newborn drops and addressing near-misses.

Methods:
The What A Catch program was implemented in two hospital mother–baby units. The five components of the program included maintaining a respite nursery, using visual management, positively framing situational communication and actions after a near-miss, safe and appropriate staffing, and celebrating and transparently displaying program successes. Data were collected on near-miss event rates and caregivers and families provided postevent comments.

Results:
The perinatal team embraced the program at both sites. Of 9,578 live births over 1 year, 202 near-misses or good catches were documented. Program leaders revise display the board multiple times per week.

Clinical Implications:
Replication of this program is needed to determine if all five components are necessary to optimize a culture of safety. Future research may determine the scope of risk factors associated with newborn drops and near-misses, so that anticipated risk factors can be mitigated.
Biosafety of Sonography: Survey of Current Knowledge and Practice Patterns in Obstetrics Providers
Authors: Wasickanin Morgan , Lentscher Jessica , Foglia Lisa , Colburn Zachary , Estrada Sarah 
Published: February 2021

(Abstracted from J Ultrasound Med 2020;39:1743–1751)
Ultrasound is used routinely in the field of obstetrics and has a high clinical utility for a number of reasons. Many people are unaware of the risks of sonography; however, there are 2 main risks associated with the use of ultrasound: diagnostic errors and biological effects.
Parental Attitudes Toward Clinical Genomic Sequencing in Children With Critical Cardiac Disease
Authors: Gal Dana B. , Deuitch Natalie , Lee Sandra Soo Jin , Simon Rosalie Tang , Char Danton S. 
Published: February 2021

OBJECTIVES:
Through improving diagnostics and prognostics genomic sequencing promises to significantly impact clinical decisions for children with critical cardiac disease. Little is known about how families of children with critical cardiac disease perceive the impact of genomic sequencing on clinical care choices.

DESIGN:
Qualitative interview study.

SETTING:
A high-volume, tertiary pediatric heart center.

SUBJECTS:
Families of children with critical cardiac disease.

INTERVENTIONS:
None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
Thematic analysis of interview response content. Thirty-five families were interviewed. Three themes emerged: 1) benefits versus challenges of having genomic sequencing results, and 2) fears of clinical applications of genomic sequencing, and 3) nonclinical fears related to genomic sequencing. Participants struggled with perceived uses of genomic sequencing-derived knowledge. They described comfort in foreknowledge of their child’s likely disease course but articulated significant apprehension around participating in care decisions with limited knowledge of genomic sequencing, genomic sequencing uses to inform clinical resource rationing decisions, and genomic sequencing uses by third parties impacting financial pressures families experience caring for a child with critical cardiac disease.

CONCLUSIONS:
Families’ perceptions of genomic sequencing uses in critical cardiac disease appear to strain their overall trust in the health system. Erosion of trust is concerning because the potential of genomic sequencing in critical cardiac disease will be unrealized if families are unwilling to undergo genomic sequencing, let alone to participate in the ongoing research needed to link genomic sequencing variants to clinical outcomes. Our findings may have implications for genomic sequencing use in children with other critical, high-acuity diseases.
Longitudinal association between intimate partner violence and viral suppression during pregnancy and postpartum in South African women
Authors: Hatcher Abigail M. , Brittain Kirsty , Phillips Tamsin K. , Zerbe Allison , Abrams Elaine J. , Myer Landon 
Published: February 2021

Objective:
We examined the longitudinal association between women's exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV viral load during pregnancy and postpartum.

Design:
Secondary analysis of an HIV-positive cohort enrolled during pregnancy at a South African antenatal clinic.

Methods:
Viral load was assessed at 10 study visits and analyzed continuously as log10 copies/ml and suppression at less than 50 copies/ml. IPV was measured at three timepoints using behaviorally specific items. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the association between IPV and viral suppression, and cross-lagged dynamic panel modeling (DPMs) to estimate the longitudinal association between IPV (lagged by 3–6 months) and log10 viral load.

Results:
Of 471 women, 84% were virally suppressed by 6 weeks postpartum and 67% at 12 months postpartum. One-third reported IPV exposure. IPV victimization was not associated with viral suppression at delivery, but was associated with a reduced odds of viral suppression at 12 months postpartum (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.27–0.85). Findings were robust to sensitivity analyses at different timepoints and clinical cut-points. In DPMs, lagged IPV exposure was associated with higher log10 viral load after controlling for past viral load, duration on ART, age, alcohol use, and gestation at study enrolment. Each standardized increase in IPV intensity was associated with higher log10 viral load (standardized coefficient = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.05–0.23).

Conclusion:
Although viral suppression was widely achieved during pregnancy, suppression rates declined postpartum in this South African cohort. These data suggest IPV is longitudinally associated with elevated viral load postpartum. Interventions for reducing exposure to IPV are important for the health of women and may improve HIV care and treatment.
The association of human leukocyte antigen alleles with clinical disease progression in HIV-positive cohorts with varied treatment strategies
Authors: Ekenberg Christina , Reekie Joanne , Zucco Adrian G. , Murray Daniel D. , Sharma Shweta , Macpherson Cameron R. , Babiker Abdel , Kan Virginia , Lane H. Clifford , Neaton James D. , Lundgren Jens D. 
Published: February 2021

Objectives:
The Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) and Strategies for Management of Antiretroviral Therapy (SMART) trials demonstrated that ART can partly reverse clinically defined immune dysfunction induced by HIV replication. As control of HIV replication is influenced by the HLA region, we explored whether HLA alleles independently influence the risk of clinical events in HIV+ individuals.

Design:
Cohort study.

Methods:
In START and SMART participants, associations between imputed HLA alleles and AIDS, infection-related cancer, herpes virus-related AIDS events, chronic inflammation-related conditions, and bacterial pneumonia were assessed. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios for the risk of events among allele carriers versus noncarriers. Models were adjusted for sex, age, geography, race, time-updated CD4+ T-cell counts and HIV viral load and stratified by treatment group within trials. HLA class I and II alleles were analyzed separately. The Benjamini--Hochberg procedure was used to limit the false discovery rate to less than 5% (i.e. q value <0.05).

Results:
Among 4829 participants, there were 132 AIDS events, 136 chronic inflammation-related conditions, 167 bacterial pneumonias, 45 infection-related cancers, and 49 herpes virus-related AIDS events. Several associations with q value less than 0.05 were found: HLA-DQB1∗06:04 and HLA-DRB1∗13:02 with AIDS (adjusted HR [95% CI] 2.63 [1.5–4.6] and 2.25 [1.4–3.7], respectively), HLA-B∗15:17 and HLA-DPB1∗15:01 with bacterial pneumonia (4.93 [2.3–10.7] and 4.33 [2.0–9.3], respectively), and HLA-A∗69:01 with infection-related cancer (15.26 [3.5–66.7]). The carriage frequencies of these alleles were 10% or less.

Conclusion:
This hypothesis-generating study suggests that certain HLA alleles may influence the risk of immune dysfunction-related events irrespective of viral load and CD4+ T-cell count.
Longitudinal changes in epigenetic age in youth with perinatally acquired HIV and youth who are perinatally HIV-exposed uninfected
Authors: Shiau Stephanie , Brummel Sean S. , Kennedy Elizabeth M. , Hermetz Karen , Spector Stephen A. , Williams Paige L. , Kacanek Deborah , Smith Renee , Drury Stacy S. , Agwu Allison , Ellis Angela , Patel Kunjal , Seage George R. , Van Dyke Russell B. , Marsit Carmen J. 
Published: February 2021

Objectives:
To quantify the rate of change in epigenetic age compared with chronological age over time in youth with perinatally acquired HIV (YPHIV) and youth who are perinatally HIV-exposed uninfected (YPHEU).

Design:
Longitudinal study of 32 YPHIV and 8 YPHEU with blood samples collected at two time points at least 3 years apart.

Methods:
DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina MethylationEPIC array and epigenetic age was calculated using the Horvath method. Linear mixed effects models were fit to estimate the average change in epigenetic age for a 1-year change in chronological age separately for YPHIV and YPHEU.

Results:
Median age was 10.9 and 16.8 years at time 1 and 2, respectively. Groups were balanced by sex (51% male) and race (67% black). Epigenetic age increased by 1.23 years (95% CI 1.03--1.43) for YPHIV and 0.95 years (95% CI 0.74--1.17) for YPHEU per year increase in chronological age. Among YPHIV, in a model with chronological age, a higher area under the curve (AUC) viral load was associated with an increase in epigenetic age over time [2.19 years per log10 copies/ml, (95% CI 0.65--3.74)], whereas a higher time-averaged AUC CD4+ T-cell count was associated with a decrease in epigenetic age over time [−0.34 years per 100 cells/μl, (95% CI −0.63 to −0.06)] in YPHIV.

Conclusion:
We observed an increase in the rate of epigenetic aging over time in YPHIV, but not in YPHEU. In YPHIV, higher viral load and lower CD4+ T-cell count were associated with accelerated epigenetic aging, emphasizing the importance of early and sustained suppressive treatment for YPHIV, who will receive lifelong ART.