bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishment of injury models in studies of biological effects induced by microwave radiation
Authors: Lai Yun-Fei , Wang Hao-Yu , Peng Rui-Yun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMicrowave radiation has been widely used in various fields, such as communication, industry, medical treatment, and military applications. Microwave radiation may cause injuries to both the structures and functions of various organs, such as the brain, heart, reproductive organs, and endocrine organs, which endanger human health. Therefore, it is both theoretically and clinically important to conduct studies on the biological effects induced by microwave radiation. The successful establishment of injury models is of great importance to the reliability and reproducibility of these studies. In this article, we review the microwave exposure conditions, subjects used to establish injury models, the methods used for the assessment of the injuries, and the indicators implemented to evaluate the success of injury model establishment in studies on biological effects induced by microwave radiation.
Association between medical resources and the proportion of oldest-old in the Chinese population
Authors: Tan Chao , Tang Cai-Zhi , Chen Xing-Shu , Luo Yong-Jun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe potential association between medical resources and the proportion of oldest-old (90 years of age and above) in the Chinese population was examined, and we found that the higher proportion of oldest-old was associated with the higher number of beds in hospitals and health centers.
Development of a behaviour change workplace-based intervention to improve nurses’ eating and physical activity
Authors: Power Brian T. , Kiezebrink Kirsty , Allan Julia L. , Campbell Marion K. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
There is a critical need for an intervention to improve nurses’ eating and physical activity behaviours. As nurses spend a substantial proportion of their waking hours at work, concerted efforts to deliver such interventions in the workplace is growing. This study formed part of a multiphase programme of research that aimed to systematically develop an evidence-based and theory-informed workplace intervention to promote changes in eating and physical activity among nurses.

Methods
The intervention was developed iteratively, in line with Medical Research Council complex intervention guidelines. It involved four activities: (1) identifying the evidence base, (2) understanding the determinants of nurses’ eating and physical activity behaviour change through theory-based qualitative interviews and survey, (3) identifying intervention options using the Behaviour Change Wheel, and (4) specifying intervention content and implementation options using a taxonomy of behaviour change techniques.

Results
Data from 13 randomised controlled trials indicated that workplace-based behaviour change interventions targeted to this population are effective in changing behaviour. The evidence base was, however, limited in quantity and quality. Nurses’ beliefs about important factors determining their eating and physical activity behaviour were identified across 16 qualitative interviews and 245 survey responses, and key determinants included environmental context and resources, behavioural regulation, emotion, beliefs about consequences, knowledge and optimism. Based on these findings, 22 behaviour change techniques suitable for targeting the identified determinants were identified and combined into a potential workplace intervention.

Conclusions
An evidence-based and theory-informed intervention tailored to the target population and setting has been explicitly conceptualised using a systematic approach. The proposed intervention addresses previous evidence gaps for the user population of nurses. Further to this, such an intervention, if implemented, has the potential to impact nurses’ eating and physical activity behaviours and in turn, the health of nurses and the quality of healthcare delivery.
Alpha lipoic acid attenuated neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction Injury of sciatic nerve in rats
Authors: Neerati Prasad , Prathapagiri Harika 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Chronic neuropathic pain syndrome is associated with impaired quality of life and is poorly manageable. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant and showed its effectiveness on diabetic neuropathy and other acute peripheral nerve injuries but it was not evaluated in the chronic neuropathic pain, chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rat model by using duloxetine (DLX) as standard.

Methodology
The main objective of the study was to expedite ALA effect on chronic peripheral neuropathy induced by CCI of sciatic nerve in rats. In this study, male Wister rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8) including, normal saline, sham operated, surgery control, DLX 30mg/kg treated, ALA treated 25mg/kg, and ALA+DLX. The CCI of sciatic nerve was conducted on all animals except normal saline group and studied for 21 days (i.e. 14 days treatment period & 7 days treatment free period) by using different behavioral, biochemical and, histopathology studies.

Results
ALA showed minor but significant decrease of thermal hyperalgesia, cold allodynia, malondialdehyde (MDA), total protein, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide levels and significant increase of motor coordination, glutathione level and decreased axonal degeneration significantly. These effects sustained even during treatment free period. ALA enhanced the effect of DLX when given in combination by showing sustained effect. In conclusion, ALA acted as potent antioxidant may be this activity is responsible for the potent neuroprotective effect.

Conclusion
Hence, ALA attenuated the nueroinflammation mediated by chronic peripheral neuropathy. Further studies are warranted with ALA to develop as a clinically relevant therapeutic agent for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode isolates against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) and Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Nouh Gehan Mohamed 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), as biological control agents, have been isolated from many regions throughout the world. Local isolates of EPNs are usually more effective for controlling indigenous insect pests as they are adapted to the local environmental conditions and the insect pest species.

Results
In the present work, EPN isolates were searched in the soil under citrus and guava trees, and Egyptian clover at Noubaria region, Elbhaira governorate, Egypt, within two consecutive years. The EPNs were isolated from two positive soil samples of Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) (TAN5) and guava trees (Psidium guajava) (PGN6), while the EPNs were not existent in the soil samples under citrus. Laboratory applications of the two EPNs isolates against the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis(Boisd.), and the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were recorded. Nematodes naturally occurring in the soil were trapped by full-grown larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella L.). Infected larvae turned from whitish beige to dark reddish color, proofed that these isolates belong to the genus Heterorhabditis. Laboratory results revealed that the mortality rate ranges from 24 to 100% with TAN5 while from 18 to 96% with PGN6 at A. ipsilon larvae. The LC50 values of TAN5 against A. ipsilon were 1285.527 and 1560.747 IJs/cup, while those values for S. littoralis were 1339.099 and 2531.605 IJs/cup in larvae and pupae, respectively. The 3rd instar larvae of A. ipsilon and S. littoralis were more sensitive than the pupae. Production of Heterorhabditis sp. strain TAN5 was the highest in the reproduction of infective juveniles than the strain PGN6 at all concentrations.

Conclusions
The EPNs isolated from the soil samples belonged to the genus Heterorhabditis. Heterorhabditis sp. strain (TAN5) collected from the soil under Egyptian clover at Noubaria region was the highest reproduction and the most effective against both tested pests, A. ipsilon and S. littoralis larvae and pupae. EPN species would serve as an alternative to chemical pesticides and fit well in an integrated pest management program against larvae as well as adults and pupae of many economic insect pests which inhabit the soil.
Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems
Authors: Moltke Julie , Hindocha Chandni 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Public and medical interest in cannabidiol (CBD) has been rising, and CBD is now available from various sources. Research into the effects of low-dose CBD on outcomes like stress, anxiety, and sleep problems have been scarce, so we conducted an online survey of CBD users to better understand patterns of use, dose, and self-perceived effects of CBD.

Methods
The sample consisted of 387 current or past-CBD users who answered a 20-question online survey. The survey was sent out to CBD users through email databases and social media. Participants reported basic demographics, CBD use patterns, reasons for use, and effects on anxiety, sleep, and stress.

Results
The sample (N = 387) consisted of 61.2% females, mostly between 25 and 54 years old (72.2%) and primarily based in the UK (77.4%). The top 4 reasons for using CBD were self-perceived anxiety (42.6%), sleep problems (42.5%), stress (37%), and general health and wellbeing (37%). Fifty-four per cent reported using less than 50 mg CBD daily, and 72.6% used CBD sublingually. Adjusted logistic models show females had lower odds than males of using CBD for general health and wellbeing [OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.30–0.72] and post-workout muscle-soreness [OR 0.46, 95%CI 0.24–0.91] but had higher odds of using CBD for self-perceived anxiety [OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.02–2.49] and insomnia [OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.13–3.11]. Older individuals had lower odds of using CBD for general health and wellbeing, stress, post-workout sore muscles, anxiety, skin conditions, focusing, and sleep but had higher odds of using CBD for pain. Respondents reported that CBD use was effective for stress, sleep problems, and anxiety in those who used the drug for those conditions.

Conclusion
This survey indicated that CBD users take the drug to manage self-perceived anxiety, stress, sleep, and other symptoms, often in low doses, and these patterns vary by demographic characteristics. Further research is required to understand how low doses, representative of the general user, might impact mental health symptoms like stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Detecting shrub recovery in sagebrush steppe: comparing Landsat-derived maps with field data on historical wildfires
Authors: Applestein Cara , Germino Matthew J. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
The need for basic information on spatial distribution and abundance of plant species for research and management in semiarid ecosystems is frequently unmet. This need is particularly acute in the large areas impacted by megafires in sagebrush steppe ecosystems, which require frequently updated information about increases in exotic annual invaders or recovery of desirable perennials. Remote sensing provides one avenue for obtaining this information. We considered how a vegetation model based on Landsat satellite imagery (30 m pixel resolution; annual images from 1985 to 2018) known as the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) “Back-in-Time” fractional component time-series, compared with field-based vegetation measurements. The comparisons focused on detection thresholds of post-fire emergence of fire-intolerant Artemisia L. species, primarily A. tridentata Nutt. (big sagebrush). Sagebrushes are scarce after fire and their paucity over vast burn areas creates challenges for detection by remote sensing. Measurements were made extensively across the Great Basin, USA, on eight burn scars encompassing ~500 000 ha with 80 plots sampled, and intensively on a single 113 000 ha burned area where we sampled 1454 plots.

Results
Estimates of sagebrush cover from the NLCD were, as a mean, 6.5% greater than field-based estimates, and variance around this mean was high. The contrast between sagebrush cover measurements in field data and NLCD data in burned landscapes was considerable given that maximum cover values of sagebrush were ~35% in the field. It took approximately four to six years after the fire for NLCD to detect consistent, reliable signs of sagebrush recovery, and sagebrush cover estimated by NLCD ranged from 3 to 13% (equating to 0 to 7% in field estimates) at these times. The stabilization of cover and presence four to six years after fire contrasted with previous field-based studies that observed fluctuations over longer time periods.

Conclusions
While results of this study indicated that further improvement of remote sensing applications would be necessary to assess initial sagebrush recovery patterns, they also showed that Landsat satellite imagery detects the influence of burns and that the NLCD data tend to show faster rates of recovery relative to field observations.
Cardiac MRI T1 mapping and extracellular volume application in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ali Nahla D. , Behairy Noha , Kharabish Ahmed , Elmozy Wesam , Hegab Ahmed Yahya , Saraya Samira 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the commonest inheritable cardiac disorders. Being a global disease with diffuse myocardial fibrosis, it has a wide range of adverse outcomes ending with sudden cardiac death. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) has become a reference standard for visualization of focal myocardial fibrosis. In the setting of less severe or more diffuse fibrosis, LGE is unlikely to reveal the presence of abnormal tissue given the lack of normal myocardium as a reference. Direct measurement of myocardial T1 time (T1 mapping) may improve these methodologic problems of LGE CMR in the setting of diffuse retention of gadolinium-based contrast material. So, we aim at this study to evaluate the clinical application of CMRI native and post-contrast T1 relaxation in assessing diffuse myocardial fibrosis non-invasively in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Results
There was a significant difference between the percent of fibrosis detected by measuring the extracellular volume percent compared to that detected by LGE, with the former detecting fibrosis in 45.1% of the examined cardiac segments while the latter showed fibrosis in 20.9% of the cardiac segments. Also, measuring the native T1 values showed evidence of fibrosis in about 32.2% of the cardiac segments superseding the percent of fibrosis detected using the LGE alone. The ejection fraction percent showed a negative correlation with the left ventricular mass with a correlation coefficient value of − 0.139 where both interstitial and replacement fibrosis play an important role in the pathophysiology of diastolic dysfunction as well as impairing the myocardial contractility. Also, in cases of obstruction, the extracellular volume (ECV) is more likely to increase in the basal anterior and antero-septal segments as well as the basal inferior segment with P values 0.015, 0.013, and 0.045, respectively.

Conclusion
Diffuse fibrosis was found to be difficult to be distinguished using LGE. The unique ability of CMR to use proton relaxation times provides a quantitative measurement to detect increased interstitial volume in diffuse myocardial fibrosis. Moreover, it showed that in cases of obstruction, the segments exposed to the highest pressure are more vulnerable to the fibrotic process denoting a relationship between the pressure gradient and the adverse myocardial remodeling.
Role of uterine artery Doppler in assessment of unexplained infertility
Authors: Ali zarad Carmen , Mohamed Mohamed Hafez , Shanab Waleed Said Abo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe study aimed to compare the values of uterine artery Doppler indices including resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratios in fertile female and female with unexplained infertility and investigate their association with unexplained infertility. This study included 70 women divided into two groups. Study group included 40 women with unexplained infertility and control group included 30 fertile women.ResultsThe mean ages of study and control groups were 26.9 and 28.5 years respectively. In infertile group, the mean values of uterine arteries resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratios were 0.9, 2.9, and 8.0 respectively. In the fertile control group, mean RI and PI values and S/D ratio were 0.6, 1.5, and 2.7 respectively. There was statistically significant difference as regards RI, PI, and S/D ratios between study and control groups. The best cut off values of RI, PI, and S/D ratios for predicting increased uterine blood flow impedance were more than 0.67, 1.95, and 3 respectively with sensitivity of 100%, 95%, and 100% respectively, specificity of 96.7%, 86.7%, and 96.7% respectively, and diagnostic accuracy of 98.6%, 91.42%, and 98.57% respectively.ConclusionUterine artery Doppler indices mean values were higher in unexplained infertility women than fertile women. Uterine artery Doppler indices have high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of high uterine blood flow impedance. High uterine blood flow impedance diagnosed by uterine artery Doppler may contribute in the etiology of unexplained infertility. Uterine artery Doppler should be included in investigation of unexplained infertility.
Efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules
Authors: Abd El-Galil Mai S. , Ali Ali H. , Botros Raef M. , Abd El-Khaleq Yasser I. , Hetta Osama M. A. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
We evaluated 45 benign thyroid nodules of 40 patients treated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation and followed up for 6 months. The inclusion criteria included unilateral or bilateral thyroid nodules with compression symptoms or cosmetic problems, cytological confirmation of benignity without atypical cells, and patient refusal or unfit for surgery. There was no predilection for the size, number, ultrasound nature of the nodules, (solid, cystic, or complex). RF ablation was performed using Mygen (M-3004) RF generator from RF Medical Co., Ltd, South Korea. The volume of the nodules and clinical problems were evaluated before and after the procedure. Complications and factors related to volume reduction were evaluated. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of US-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

Results
The volume reduction ratio (%) of the thyroid nodules was statistically significant. The mean VRR was 58.41 ± 15.27SD at 1 month, 73.26 ± 11.22SD at 3 months, and 82.54 ± 12.49SD at 6 months. P value was < 0.001. The radiofrequency ablation did not affect the normal thyroid function of the 38 patients who were euthyroid at the start of the study. Thyroid function normalized 1 month after ablation of the two autonomously functioning thyroid nodules. The compressive symptoms resolved in 22 patients (55%) and improved in the rest of the 18 patients (45%) with the median decreased from 8 (IQR 6–9), range 4–10 before treatment to 0 (IQR 0–1), range 0–3 after 6 months. Cosmetic problems improved in all 40 patients by P value < 0.001. The procedure had no sustained or life-threatening complications.

Conclusions
RF ablation was effective in reducing the size of the benign thyroid nodules and in controlling nodule-related compressive symptoms as well as cosmetic problems. There were no major complications sustained and no life-threatening complications or sequelae happened. RF ablation can be used as an alternative non-surgical minimally invasive treatment for patients with benign thyroid nodules.
Development of a behaviour change intervention using a theory-based approach, Behaviour Centred Design, to increase nurses’ hand hygiene compliance in the US hospitals
Authors: Sands Madeline , Aunger Robert 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundA behaviour change campaign is unlikely to be effective if its intervention is not carefully designed. While numerous frameworks are widely used to develop and evaluate interventions, the steps detailing how to create an intervention are not as clear because the process of linking behaviour analysis to the intervention design is seldom discussed. We document the application of the Behaviour Centred Design (BCD) approach to the development of an intervention to improve hand hygiene (HH) rates among nurses’ hospital units in the USA.MethodsIntervention development is divided into the first three steps of the BCD approach: Assess, Build, and Create. The Assess step centres on understanding the target behaviour. The Build step expands the knowledge of the target behaviour and population through formative research which leads to a creative brief that explains the focus of the intervention. In the Create step, the creative brief guides the intervention design.ResultsDrawing from the main findings of the Asses and Build steps, a focal insight was developed positing that nurses can rediscover the meaning and purpose of their role as a nurse and thus as a caregiver by practicing HH; in the process of cleaning their hands, nurses are living up to their ideal nurse-self. The focal insight was linked linguistically into a theory and change. The outcome was a simple intervention, called theMainspring Intervention, which consisted of three major parts: a self-affirmation exercise to reduce defensiveness, a message that challenged nurses’ perceptions about their HH practice, and an implementation intention activity to help nurses link HH behaviour to a cue.ConclusionsWe detailed the creation of an original HH intervention that used the BCD approach. The intervention is relatively simple compared to most HH initiatives in the literature, both in terms of having relatively few components to the intervention and relatively easy field implementation. This intervention will allow us to test how specific psychological processes contribute to the problem of low HH rates, how our proposed intervention changes these processes in the hospital setting, and how the expected change in nurses’ cognition transforms over time because of the intervention.