bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost comparison of osteopathic manipulative treatment for patients with chronic low back pain
Authors: Cooley Danielle , Bailey James , Jermyn Richard 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Context
Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is the second leading cause of disability in the United States, with significant physical and financial implications. Development of a multifaceted treatment plan that is cost effective and optimizes patients’ ability to function on a daily basis is critical. To date, there have been no published prospective studies comparing the cost of osteopathic manipulative treatment to that of standard care for patients with cLBP.

Objectives
To contrast the cost for standard of care treatment (SCT) for cLBP with standard of care plus osteopathic manipulative treatment (SCT + OMT).

Methods
This prospective, observational study was conducted over the course of 4 months with two groups of patients with a diagnosis of cLBP. Once consent was obtained, patients were assigned to the SCT or the SCT + OMT group based on the specialty practice of their physician. At enrollment and after 4 months of treatment, all patients in both groups completed two questionnaires: the 11 point pain intensity numerical scale (PI-NRS) and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Cost data was collected from the electronic medical record of each patient enrolled in the study. Chi-square (χ
2
Yates) tests for independence using Yates’ correction for continuity were performed to compare the results for each group.

Results
There was a total of 146 patients: 71 (48.6%) in the SCT + OMT group and 75 (51.4%) in the SCT group. The results showed no significant differences between the mean total costs for the SCT + OMT ($831.48 ± $553.59) and SCT ($997.90 ± $1,053.22) groups. However, the utilization of interventional therapies (2; 2.8%) and radiology (4; 5.6%) services were significantly less for the SCT + OMT group than the utilization of interventional (31; 41.3%) and radiology (17; 22.7%) therapies were for the SCT group (p<0.001). Additionally, the patients in the SCT + OMT group were prescribed fewer opioid medications (15; 21.1) than the SCT (37; 49.3%) patients (p.001). Patients in the SCT group were approximately 14.7 times more likely to have received interventional therapies than patients in the SCT + OMT group. Likewise, the patients in the SCT group were approximately four times more likely to have received radiological services. Paired t tests comparing the mean pre- and 4 month self reported pain severity scores on the RMDQ for 68 SCT + OMT patients (9.91 ± 5.88 vs. 6.40 ± 5.24) and 66 SCT patients (11.44 ± 6.10 vs. 8.52 ± 6.14) found highly significant decreases in pain for both group (<0.001).

Conclusions
The mean total costs for the SCT and SCT + OMT patients were statistically comparable across 4 months of treatment. SCT + OMT was comparable to SCT alone in reducing pain and improving function in patients with chronic low back pain; however, there was less utilization of opioid analgesics, physical therapy, interventional therapies, radiologic, and diagnostic services for patients in the SCT + OMT group.
Reference ranges for sphingosine-1-phosphate in neonates
Authors: Ebenebe Chinedu Ulrich , von Lucadou Mirjam , Moritz Eileen , Schwedhelm Edzard , Daum Guenter , Singer Dominique , Deindl Phillip , Winkler Martin Sebastian 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a signalling lipid involved in embryonic development, physiological homeostasis, and pathogenic processes in multiple organ systems. Disturbance of S1P homeostasis has been associated with various human diseases in which the immune response and vascular integrity are severely compromised. Up-to-date, no study has analyzed S1P levels in neonates. The objective of this study was to determine S1P serum concentrations in neonates and establish S1P reference ranges.

Methods
S1P levels in the umbilical cord blood of 460 term and preterm neonates were compared to a previously described cohort of healthy adult blood donors. S1P levels were further correlated with demographic characteristics, cellular sources of S1P, and inflammatory markers.

Results
The median S1P serum level in neonates was 1.70 μmol/L (IQR 1.41–1.97 μmol/L) and significantly higher than normal values reported in adults. S1P levels correlated positively with the number of red blood cells (p<0.001) and negatively with neutrophil precursors (p=0.028).

Conclusions
Elevated S1P levels in neonates compared to adults possibly result from higher S1P content in its cellular sources due to the essential role of S1P during embryogenesis. Generated S1P ranges may be used as reference ranges for future studies in neonates.
Quasi-ideal Ehresmann transversals: The spined product structure
Authors: Kong Xiangjun , Wang Pei , Tang Jian 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn anyU-abundant semigroup with an Ehresmann transversal, two significant componentsRandLare introduced in this paper and described by Green’s∼\sim-relations. Some interesting properties associated withRandLare explored and some equivalent conditions for the Ehresmann transversal to be a quasi-ideal are acquired. Finally, a spined product structure theorem is established for aU-abundant semigroup with a quasi-ideal Ehresmann transversal by means ofRandL.
Meine Definition von Spiritual Care: Pflege und Selbstpflege – innere Kraftquellen für helfende Berufe
Authors: Bauer Peter 
Published: April 2021

Zusammenfassung
Innere Stabilität, emotionale Ausgeglichenheit, Work-Life-Balance und Resilienz sind gängige Begriffe der modernen Arbeitswelt. Auch und gerade Spiritualität dient als Kraftquelle, um Lebensmut zu schöpfen und Reserven zu mobilisieren. Spiritual Care ist daher aus Sicht des Patienten- und Pflegebeauftragten der Bayerischen Staatsregierung eine Wiederentdeckung von etwas Verlorengegangenem, das aber in die professionelle Unterstützung des Pflegeberufs unbedingt systematisch und konsequent einbezogen werden sollte.
Um den Inhalt und die Zielsetzung von Spiritual Care großflächig bekannt zu machen, müsste der Begriff einfacher erklärt werden. Mit der Übersetzung „Pflege und Selbstpflege – innere Kraftquellen für helfende Berufe“ macht der Beauftragte einen Vorschlag.
Spiritual Care sollte seiner Ansicht nach bereits in der Pflegeausbildung fest verankert werden. Für alle Pflegenden in den diversen Einrichtungen ist Spiritual Care nicht nur eine Privatangelegenheit, sondern auch Führungsaufgabe.
Laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernia in female children – national experience
Authors: Risteski Toni 
Published: April 2021

Background. Although, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children is gaining ground as a safe, feasible, and popular method, still many pediatric surgeons continue to debate its safety, efficacy, and cosmesis in comparison with conventional open repair. Materials and methods. This was a prospective clinical study, that elaborated 98 female children aged 1–14 with clinically diagnosed indirect inguinal hernia. Equal proportions of 49 children were treated via laparoscopic (PIRS) either conventional open repair (OR). Outpatient clinic follow up was performed regardless of the type of the intervention, on the 7th day and 6 weeks after discharge. Results. The mean age of children in PIRS vs. OR group was 5.3±2.7 vs. 5.9±3.3 years. There was no significant differences between the groups related to age (p = 0.4221), weight (p = 0.5482), family history (p = 0.5377), and residency rural/urban (p = 0.3161). The average length of unilateral vs. bilateral PIRS repair (29.5±6.8 vs. 43.6±7.2 min) was significantly shorter than OR (44±4.2 vs. 97±8.1 min) for consequently p = 0.0023 vs. p = 0.00001. The post-operative hospitalization after PIRS repair was 14.1±3.1 hours and was significantly shorter compared to OR – 44±4.2 hours (p = 0.00001). In OR group, 4 (8.2%) children had postoperative nausea compared to none in PIRS group. Significantly bigger cosmetic satisfaction was found in PIRS compared to OM group (p = 0.0001). Conclusion. With due respect to OR as a gold standard, the proven advantages of PIRS are motivation for further improvement of this technique for the purpose of treatment of inguinal hernia of female children.
Scaphoid Fracture Reconstruction with Rib Autograft: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Fomkinas Mantas , Kievišas Mantas , Braziulis Kęstutis , Rimdeika Rytis 
Published: April 2021

Objective. To evaluate the results of scaphoid bone proximal pole reconstruction with rib osteochondral autograft due to comminuted scaphoid fracture. Material and methods. We present a clinical case of fragmented scaphoid bone proximal pole fracture reconstruction by rib osteochondral autograft. The modified wrist function score of Green and O’Brien and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) outcome measuring scales were used for clinical evaluation before and 6 months after the reconstruction. Additio­nally, a literature review was conducted for case reports and previous literature reviews describing scaphoid bone proximal pole fracture surgical treatment. Medline (PubMed), ScienceDirect and UpToDate databases were used. Results. Conventional treatment methods for the treatment of comminuted proximal pole scaphoid bone fractures are often inappropriate due to technical issues or potential adverse outcomes. In these cases, reconstruction with rib autograft is possible. The study patient’s modified wrist function score of Green and O’Brien increased from 75 to 95 points out of 100 at 6 months postoperatively, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score decreased from 13.64 to 4.55 points. The results of this technique have been investigated in several studies (Sandow, 1998, 2001; Veitch et al., 2007). All subjects (22, 47 and 14 patients, respectively), except one, experienced improvement of wrist function – enhanced wrist movement, grip strength, reduced pain and restored wrist function to the pre-injury performance level. Conclusions. Scaphoid bone proximal pole fragmented fracture reconstruction with osteochondrial rib autograft achieves favorable recovery of wrist function and avoids complications or unfavorable functional consequences of alternative surgical procedures.
A Change of Leadership for the Engaged Scholar Journal
Authors: Sanz Penelope C , Bradford Lori , Khanenko-Friesen Natalia 
Published: April 2021

In the Exchanges, we present conversations with scholars and practitioners of community engagement, responses to previously published material, and other reflections on various aspects of community-engaged scholarship meant to provoke further dialogue and discussion. In this section, we invite our readers to offer their thoughts and ideas on the meanings and understandings of engaged scholarship, as practiced in local or faraway communities, diverse cultural settings, and in various disciplinary contexts. We especially welcome community-based scholars’ views and opinions on their collaborations with university-based partners in particular and engaged scholarship in general.
In this issue, we discuss the recent changeover of leadership at The Engaged Scholar Journal with Dr. Natalia Khanenko-Friesen, who has recently left the University of Saskatchewan to assume new posts at the University of Alberta, and Dr. Lori Bradford. Managing Editor Dr. Penelope (Penny) Sanz takes both through a conversation about the inception, current state, and future goals of the journal, and their reflections on engaged scholarship as a career.
Analysis of adolescent satisfaction with the quality of their physical education classes
Authors: Kralova Katerina , Fialova Ludmila 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveA lack of movement in adolescence is a pressing issue for modern society. Physical education at school can have a major influence on the movement habits of adolescents, since it can offer curriculum that gives students ideas for leisure time while entertaining them and also respecting physical fitness goals. The aim of this work is to analyze student satisfaction with physical education classes at secondary vocational schools.MethodsCategories were created based on week-long monitoring of walking. Based on the number of steps, students were divided into four categories: active girls/boys and hypoactive girls/boys. In another part of the study, the students filled out the questionnaire created by Antala et al. (2012). Responses to questions regarding questions about unpopular activities, dread of specific activities, and more frequent inclusion of specific activities in PE classes. A χ2 independence test was used to compare data between individual student categories in the combination table.ResultsThe health recommendations for minimum daily number of steps are met by 65.4% of boys and 75.8% of girls aged 15–16 years. Chi-squared test showed the greatest difference in satisfaction with physical education (P-value <0.001) between the hypoactive groups of students. Hypoactive boys are significantly more satisfied with the activities in PE class than hypoactive girls. Dread is more often present among girls than boys and is particularly associated with gymnastics. Activities that students wanted to do more often included ball games (football for boys, volleyball for girls), strength training (listed by 32% of hypoactive boys) and exercise to music (listed by 49% of hypoactive girls).ConclusionsWe believe that the proper choice of PE activities can increase the popularity of the class, and thus influence the exercise habits of adolescents, including those who are found to have insufficient physical activity.
Early diagnosis of myocardial fibrosis in patients with epicardial obesity
Authors: Gritsenko O. V. , Chumakova G. A. , Trubina E. V. 
Published: April 2021

It has been proven that about half of patients with heart failure (HF) have a preserved the left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (EF), which complicates early detection of HF. Currently, there is a search for non-invasive methods for diagnosing myocardial fibrosis at the preclinical heart failure to prevent its progression and the appearance of clinical symptoms.Aim. To study the relationship of LV mechanics with the level of serum myocardial fibrosis markers in patients with epicardial obesity (EO).Material and methods. The study included 110 men with general obesity. Depending on echocardiographic data, the patients were divided into 2 groups: EO (+) with epicardial fat thickness (EFT) ≥7 mm (n=70); EO (-) with EFT <7 mm (n=40). All patients were studied for serum profibrotic markers (MMP-3, collagen I, collagen III, TGF-β, VEGFA, PICP) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was used to study LV mechanics (LV twisting, LV twisting rate, time to peak twist, LV untwisting rate, time to peak untwist). The exclusion criteria were the presence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes.Results. In the group of patients with EO (+), a significant increase in the level of all studied profibrotic markers was revealed. According to the results of speckletracking echocardiography in the EO (+) group, an increase in the LV untwisting rate to -128,31 (-142,0; -118,0) deg/s-1 (p=0,002) and an increase in the time to peak untwist to 476,44 (510,0; 411,0) ms compared to the EO (-) group (p=0,03). A weak significant effect of EFT on LV untwisting rate was revealed in the EO (+) group (r=0,24; p=0,04). In addition, a significant relationship was found between the LV untwisting rate and markers of myocardial fibrosis: MMP-3 (r=0,21; p=0,04) and type III collagen (r=0,26; p=0,03).Conclusion. Thus, the obtained data suggest that patients with EO have signs of preclinical LV diastolic dysfunction, which are characterized by an increase in LV untwisting rate and level of serum profibrotic factors.
Effect of metformin therapy on muscle mass and strength in patients with and without diabetes. Meta-analysis of 15 studies
Authors: Sokolova A. V. , Klimova A. V. , Dragunov D. O. , Arutyunov G. P. 
Published: April 2021

Aim. To assess the parameters reflecting sarcopenia (body composition, muscle strength, muscle function) in order to determine the effectiveness of metformin in patients with sarcopenia.Material and methods. Systematic searches of clinical trials were carried out in MEDLINE databases through PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ResearchGate from January 1990 to March 2019. For statistical processing, the R language with the RStudio software was used. The following packages were used: googlesheets4, tidyverse, meta, dmetar, metafor. The metaanalysis included 391 patients with both established for the first time and existing long-term type 2 diabetes (T2D), with prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), as well as patients without impaired glucose metabolism. In comparison groups (194 patients who received metformin and 197 patients who received placebo), the effect of metformin on lean body mass (LBM), fat mass, muscle strength and muscle function was assessed, which made it possible to indirectly evaluate the potential effect of metformin on sarcopenia.Results. The use of metformin in patients with different glucose metabolism (type 2 diabetes, IGT, prediabetes) did not lead to significant changes in body composition (on average, LBM increased by 0,9 kg (MD, 0,8815; CI (-0,11; 1,87), p=0,0818), fat mass decreased by 0,7% (MD, -0,6856; CI (-1,54; 0,17), p=0,1170), but muscle strength significantly increased by 0,5 kg (SMD, 0,5241, CI (0,2265; 0,8217), p=0,0006).Conclusion. Meta-analysis has confirmed that the use of metformin has an effect on muscle strength, which makes it possible to consider it for sarcopenia treatment. Unfortunately, a small number of studies have not allowed to analyze the effect of metformin on a number of characteristics: muscle strength, muscle function (walking speed, functional tests). At the moment, a much larger prospective study is needed to form a final opinion on the rationale of metformin therapy in patients with sarcopenia.
Confirmation and Characterization of the Rupture Model of the 2017 Ms 7.0 Jiuzhaigou, China, Earthquake
Authors: Zhang Xu , Xu Li-Sheng , Yi Lei , Feng Wanpeng 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOn 8 August 2017, an Ms 7.0 earthquake struck the Jiuzhaigou town, Sichuan Province, China, rupturing an unmapped fault, which is adjacent to the Maqu seismic gap in the Min Shan uplift zone in the easternmost part of the Bayan Har block. Having summarized the previous studies on the source of this earthquake, we confirmed the rupture model by jointly inverting the teleseismic P-wave and SH-wave data, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar line-of-sight displacement data, and the near-field seismic and strong-motion data, a most complete dataset until now. The confirmation showed that a scalar seismic moment of 6.6×1018  N·m was released (corresponding to a moment magnitude of Mw 6.5), and 95% of the release occurred in the first 10 s. The slip area was composed of two asperities, with a horizontal extension of ∼20  km and a depth range of ∼2–15  km. A bilateral extending occurred at shallow depths, but the rupturing upward from deep depth dominated in the early time. The rupture process was found generally featuring the slip-pulse mode, which was related to the weak prestress condition. The aftershocks almost took place in gaps of the mainshock slip because of the coulomb stress change. Combining the aftershock relocations, aftershock focal mechanism solutions, and our confirmed rupture model, we suggest that the seismogenic fault was a northward extension of the mapped Huya fault. The occurrence of this earthquake made the Maqu seismic gap at a higher level of seismic risk, in addition to the moderate to high strain accumulation on the easternmost tip of the Kunlun fault system and the weak lower crust below.
Experimental Evidence of Velocity-Weakening Friction during Ice Slip over Frozen Till: Implications for Basal Seismicity in Fast Moving, Soft-Bed Glaciers and Ice Streams
Authors: Saltiel Seth , McCarthy Christine , Creyts Timothy T. , Savage Heather M. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Observations of glacier slip over till beds, across a range of spatial and temporal scales, show abundant seismicity ranging from Mw∼−2 microearthquakes and tremor (submeter asperities and millisecond duration) to Mw∼7 slow-slip events (∼50  km rupture lengths and ∼30  min durations). A complete understanding of the mechanisms capable of producing seismic signals in these environments represents a strong constraint on bed conditions. In particular, there is a lack of experimental confirmation of velocity-weakening behavior of ice slipping on till, where friction decreases with increasing velocity—a necessity for nucleating seismic slip. To measure the frictional strength and stability of ice sliding against till, we performed a series of double-direct-shear experiments at controlled temperatures slightly above and below the ice melting point. Our results confirm velocity-strengthening ice–till slip at melting temperatures, as has been found in the few previous studies. We provide best-fit rate-and-state friction parameters and their standard deviations from averaging 13 experiments at equivalent conditions. We find evidence of similar velocity-strengthening behavior with 50% by volume debris-laden ice slid against till under the same conditions. In contrast, velocity-weakening and linear time-dependent healing of ice–till slip is present at temperatures slightly below the melting point, providing an experimentally supported mechanism for subglacial seismicity on soft-beds. The stability parameter (a−b) decreases with slip velocity, and evolution occurs over large (mm scale) displacements, suggesting that shear heating and melt buildup is responsible for the weakening. These measurements provide insight into subglacial stiffness in which seismicity of this type might be expected. We discuss glaciological circumstances pointing to potential field targets in which to test this frozen seismic asperity hypothesis.
Comparative Analysis of the Vertical Risk of Transmission of Some Blood-Borne Infections in the Republic of Guinea
Authors: Balde T.A.L. , Boumbaly S. , Serikova E. N. , Valutite D. E. , Shchemelev A. N. , Ostankova Yu. V. , Zueva E. B. , Semenov A. V. 
Published: April 2021

The aim of our work was to compare the HBV, HCV and HIV vertical transmission risk in the Republic of Guinea.Materials and methods. The material for the study was 305 blood plasma samples from pregnant women living in Conakry, Republic of Guinea. The samples were examined for the presence of serological (HBsAg, antibodies antiHBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, anti-HCV IgG, Ag/Ab-HIV) and molecular (HBV DNA, HCV RNA, HIV RNA) markers.Results and discussion. When assessing the overall prevalence of serological markers among patients, the incidence of HBV markers was 76.06 %. Antibodies to HCV were detected only in 1 case, which amounted to 0.32 %. HIV markers were detected in 3 cases, which amounted to 0.98 %. The prevalence of HBsAg in the group under examination significantly differed between the groups of pregnant women aged 13–19 years (17.33 %) and 20–24 years (12.12 %), p<0.0001, RR=5.107 with 95 % CI: 2.458–10.612. When assessing the overall prevalence of molecular-biological markers among patients, we did not detect HIV RNA, in one patient, HCV RNA was determined, which was 0.32 %, while the incidence of HBV DNA was 20 %. Among HBsAg-positive individuals, HBV DNA was detected in 86.11 %, which was 10.16 % of the total group. Among the HBsAg-negative individuals, HBV DNA was detected in 11.15 % (9.84 % of the total group). It should be noted that in nine cases, HBV DNA was detected without any serological markers, which amounted to 14.75 % (2.95 % of the total group). Assessment of the blood-borne infections prevalence in pregnant women is significant for the subsequent identification of pathogen transmission routes in order to control and/or prevent the spread of infection.