bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding COVID-19 prevention among Vietnamese Healthcare Workers in 2020
Authors: Tien Truong Quang , Tuyet-Hanh Tran Thi , Linh Tran Nu Quy , Hai Phuc Hoang , Van Nhu Ha 
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline of COVID-19 control and prevention but also are high-risk groups for COVID-19 infection. The low level of knowledge and negative attitudes toward COVID-19 among HCWs can lead to inappropriate responding, wrong diagnoses, and poor practices for prevention. This research aims to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 prevention and factors influencing the practices among HCWs in Daklak province, Vietnam. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 963 HCWs working at district health centers and commune health stations through an online survey. Results: Overall, HCWs have good knowledge (91.3%), a positive attitude (71.5%), and appropriate practice (83.1%) regarding COVID-19 prevention. There was 89.6% of HCWs facing difficulties in practicing preventive measures such as felt difficult to change their habits (56.4%), insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) (40.0%), and inconvenience to practice preventive measures (14.4%). The factors associated with implementing good practices are age group, residence, and knowledge about COVID-19. Recommendation: The Daklak Department of Health should provide additional training programs and guidelines about COVID-19 prevention and PPE for HCWs. More studies on risk and protective factors, and assessment about KAP regarding COVID-19 prevention at the post of the pandemic are needed.
“Powered Cheese Wire Technique” for Septal Fenestration in Complex Endovascular Repair for Chronic Thoracoabdominal Aortic Dissection
Authors: Gandet Thomas , Alushi Kastriot , Westermann Dirk , Schirmer Johannes , Rohlffs Fiona , Panuccio Giuseppe , Kölbel Tilo 
Published: May 2021

Purpose Endovascular repair of chronic thoracoabdominal aortic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration presents a therapeutic challenge when one or more visceral branches arise from the false lumen without an adjacent reentry. The chronic dissection flap can be thick and resistant to flap fenestration with standard techniques. Technique The powered cheese wire technique facilitates cutting of a dissection flap using electrical current on a noninsulated through-and-through wire segment. The mid-shaft of the guidewire is denuded and kinked to form the “flying V” configuration. This solution is based on the BASILICA procedure, which uses electrosurgery to split aortic valve tissue lengthwise prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement to prevent coronary artery obstruction. We demonstrate the technique in a case of branched endovascular aortic repair of a complex thoracoabdominal dissecting aneurysm in which a renal artery from the false lumen was catheterized by creating a powered cheese wire fenestration. Conclusion The powered cheese wire technique is an effective approach to access false lumen originating branches during endovascular aortic repair of chronic aortic dissections.
Efficacy and Safety of Yukgunja-Tang for Patients with Cancer-related Anorexia: A Randomized, Controlled Trial, Pilot Study
Authors: Ko Myung-Hyun , Song Si-Yeon , Ha Su-Jeong , Lee Jee Young , Yoon Seong Woo , Park Ji-Hye , Park So-Jung , Yoo Hwa-Seung 
Published: May 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is both to estimate the efficacy and the safety of Yukgunja-tang (YGJT) and to establish evidence for the use of herbal medicines in the management of patients with cancer-related anorexia. Methods: We enrolled 40 patients with cancer-related anorexia. The enrolled participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the control group (n = 20), which received nutrition counseling, and the treatment group (n = 20), which received nutrition counseling and was administered YGJT at twice a day for 4 weeks (a total of 56 times @ 3.0 g each time). The primary outcome of this study was the score on the anorexia/cachexia subscale (ACS) of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT). The secondary outcomes were the FAACT score with the ACS score excluded, the score on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for appetite, and the results on laboratory tests regarding appetite, such as leptin, tumor necrosis factors (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and ghrelin. All variables related to the safety assessment, such as vital signs, electrocardiography results, laboratory test results (complete blood cell count, chemistry, urine test), and adverse events, were documented on the case report form (CRF) at every visit. Result: The difference in the primary outcome, that is, the score on the anorexia/cachexia subscale (ACS) of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT), between the control and the treatment groups was statistically significant ( P = .023) as was the difference in the FAACT scores with the ACS score excluded, a secondary outcome, between the 2 groups; however, no statistically significant differences were noted in the scores on the VAS or the levels of leptin, TNF-α, IL-6, and ghrelin. In addition, no significant differences in the numbers and the types of adverse events or in the results on the laboratory tests between the control and the treatment groups were recorded. Conclusion: These results obtained in this research confirmed the efficacy and the safety of using YGJT as a herb-medicine treatment option for patients with cancer-related anorexia.
Efficacy and Safety of Rivaroxaban Therapy for Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hao Yujun , Han Weitao , Mou Detang , Wang Jintao 
Published: May 2021

Objective: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in patients with PAD for the first time. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library database for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted for PAD. Results: Three trials which contained 14873 patients were included for final meta-analysis. The results showed patients with rivaroxaban was associated with reduction in primary efficacy outcome (RR 0.83; 95% CI 0.76 to 0.90; p < 0.001). The RR was 0.85 (0.71 to 1.01) for patients with rivaroxaban alone and 0.81 (0.74 to 0.89) for those with rivaroxaban plus aspirin (p for heterogeneity between groups = 0.65). Patients with rivaroxaban showed a lower rate of acute limb ischemia (0.56; 0.47 to 0.66; p < 0.001). There was a trend toward a reduction in the rate of major amputation for vascular causes in the rivaroxaban arm (0.81; 0.63 to 1.03; p = 0.08). Compared with control, rivaroxaban therapy did not reduce the risks of myocardial infarction (0.87, 0.73 to 1.04, p = 0.12), ischemic stroke (0.85, CI 0.68 to 1.06, p = 0.15), death from cardiovascular causes (0.99, 0.85 to 1.15, p = 0.91) or death from any cause (1.00, 0.90 to 1.12, p = 0.98). Rivaroxaban therapy was associated with a 1.57-fold higher major bleeding rate as compared with those with aspirin or warfarin alone. Conclusions: Overall, the risks of the primary efficacy outcomes or adverse limb events were significantly lower with rivaroxaban than with aspirin or warfarin alone in patients with PAD. It also points out the significant major bleeding that occur because of such therapies.
Serum endocan and endothelial dysfunction in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors: a tertiary center experience
Authors: Sherief Laila M. , Abd El-khalek Elhamy R. , Libda Ibrahim A. , Gaber Osama A. , Kamal Naglaa M. , Soliman Basma K. , Mokhtar Wesam A. , Mokhtar Ghada A. , Salah Hosam E. , Kamar Gehad M. , Zakaria Marwa 
Published: May 2021

Background: An increased risk of cardiovascular complications is reported in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Early identification of impaired vascular health may allow for early interventions to improve outcomes. Aim: The study was conducted to assess the endothelial dysfunction in ALL survivors using a new marker, serum endocan, and measurement of the mean common carotid arteries intima media thickness (cIMT). Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 100 childhood ALL survivors (aged 6–18 years), with 80 healthy age and sex-matched children as a control group. Lipid profile, hepatitis markers, and serum ferritin where measured, in addition to the measurement of serum endocan. and cIMT by B-mode high-resolution ultrasonography for all study participants. Results: Triglycerides, total cholesterol, post prandial glucose, and serum ferritin were significantly higher in ALL survivors than controls ( p < 0.05). Dyslipidemia was detected in 6% of ALL survivors. ALL survivors showed statistically higher serum endocan levels (470.41 ± 556.1 ng/l, versus, 225.94 ± 185.2 ng/l, respectively) and increased cIMT levels compared with the control group (0.650 ± 0.129 mm versus 0.320 ± 0.095 mm, respectively) p < 0.05. Serum endocan was positively correlated with cIMT and blood cholesterol. Conclusions: The survivors of childhood ALL demonstrated an elevated level of serum endocan and increased cIMT. These can be used as predictors of endothelial dysfunction, and, as a consequence, the risk of developing premature atherosclerosis.
The efficacy of botulinum toxin type-A for intractable chronic migraine patients with no pain-free time
Authors: Atraszkiewicz Dominic , Ito Rieko , Bahra Anish 
Published: May 2021

Aim: This is a retrospective report of the efficacy of botulinum toxin-A, Botox® (Allergan), in intractable chronic migraine patients non-responsive to previous pharmacological management and with largely no pain-free time, including those with new onset daily persistent headache. Methods: Thirty-three patients, all with severe Headache Impact Test (HIT)-6 scores at baseline, received 3-monthly injections of Botox® as per Phase III REsearch Evaluating Migraine Prophylaxis Therapy (PRE-EMPT) protocol over a maximum 33-month period. Response criteria were a sustained reduction of HIT-6 scores below 60. Results: Four patients had headache on at least 20 days a month; the remaining patients had daily headache with no pain-free time, including nine patients with new onset persistent migraine. There was a significant reduction in HIT-6 scores following Botox® therapy ( x̅ = −5.45, p = 0.000920). Twenty-one percent of the cohort exhibited a sustained reduction in HIT-6 scores below 60. The number of headache days and pain-free time did not change in five of the six responders, but disability improved. There was no difference between patients with episodic migraine evolving to chronic as opposed to those with chronic migraine from onset. Conclusion: This report suggests that Botox® treatment is efficacious in intractable chronic migraine without pain-free time. The HIT-6 is a reliable and practical parameter to assess disability in this patient group. Use of such validated parameters should be considered with greater weight in future International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) guidelines for controlled clinical trials.
Rate control with intravenous diltiazem, verapamil, and metoprolol in acute atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate
Authors: Medeiros Tia , Bui Vi , Almekdash Mhd Hasan , Keesari Rohali , Lee Young R 
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Diltiazem is a preferred agent for rate control in atrial fibrillation due to its quick onset, minimal side effects, and low cost. Due to its intermittent national shortage since February 2018, the utilization of intravenous metoprolol and verapamil has increased. This study investigated the effect of intravenous diltiazem, metoprolol, and verapamil on rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate. Methods: This study was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study conducted in patients with acute atrial fibrillation receiving intravenous diltiazem, metoprolol, or verapamil for rapid ventricular rate between 1 January 2012 and 31 August 2018. The primary outcome was the incidence of patients who achieved a rate less than 100 bpm within 1 h of treatment. Secondary outcomes included time to achieve rate control, heart rate at 30 min and 1 h after administration, bradycardia and hypotension incidence, the requirement of other rate control agent(s), inpatient admission, length of stay, and mortality. Results: A total of 73 patients were included in the study. At 1 h after receiving the initial rate control drug, there was no statistically significant difference between diltiazem, metoprolol, and verapamil in achieving rate control. Median time to ventricular rate control was 166 min in the diltiazem group, 297 min in the metoprolol group, and 100.5 min in the verapamil group. Conclusion: There was no difference in achieving rate control when using intravenous diltiazem, metoprolol, or verapamil. Any of the three rate control agents may be used for rate control. However, further studies are needed to determine which agent is superior for rate control.
Patellar Tendon Imbrication
Authors: Yalcin Sercan , Patel Ronak M. , Andrish Jack , Farrow Lutul D. 
Published: May 2021

Background: Patella alta is a common cause of patellar instability. Patellar tendon imbrication is a successful surgery addressing the deformity by shortening the patellar tendon without necessitating an osteotomy. Indications: Symptomatic patella alta causing patellar instability in both skeletally immature and adult patients. Technique Description: The patellar tendon is exposed, and levels of imbrication as determined preoperatively by radiographic measurements are outlined on the tendon with a marking pen. A third line is then made proximal to the level of dissection that is half the distance of the lengthening. From the distal marking, a flap of tendon, the anterior half, is elevated by sharp dissection using a fresh No. 15 blade proximal to the predetermined level. Next, “redundancy-reducing” 2-0 vicryl sutures are placed and left untied by entering at the proximal marking, passing deep to the tendon, and emerging at the middle of the intact posterior section of tendon, followed by placement of 3 structural #2 Ethibond/Ti-Cron horizontal sutures into the patellar tendon that will create and maintain the imbrication. These sutures are then tied proximally while applying downward pressure to the patella to avoid tying under tension. Next, the “redundancy-reducing” sutures are tied thus imbricating the redundant posterior section of tendon. In a “pants over vest” fashion, the distal end of the anterior section of isolated tendon is repaired with ‘‘0’’ absorbable suture. The knee is then flexed beyond 90° to assess competence of the suture lines and to assess the need for quadriceps lengthening. Results: Radiographic shortening is maintained at a minimum of 2 years on 27 patients/32 knees. There were no complications directly related to the technique. Discussion/Conclusion: Patellar tendon imbrication is a safe and effective procedure to correct patella alta in the setting of lateral patellar instability. On average, the technique allowed 1 cm of patellar tendon shortening and maintained the correction at a minimum 2-year follow-up. In the skeletally immature patient, this technique allows correction of patella alta by avoidance of a tibial tuberosity osteotomy.
Secretome characterization of clinical isolates from the Mycobacterium abscessus complex provides insight into antigenic differences
Authors: Cornejo-Granados Fernanda , Kohl Thomas A. , Sotomayor Flor Vásquez , Andres Sönke , Hernández-Pando Rogelio , Hurtado-Ramirez Juan Manuel , Utpatel Christian , Niemann Stefan , Maurer Florian P. , Ochoa-Leyva Adrian 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB) is a widely disseminated pathogenic non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM). Like with the M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC), excreted / secreted (ES) proteins play an essential role for its virulence and survival inside the host. Here, we used a robust bioinformatics pipeline to predict the secretome of the M. abscessus ATCC 19977 reference strain and 15 clinical isolates belonging to all three MAB subspecies, M. abscessus subsp. abscessus, M. abscessus subsp. bolletii, and M. abscessus subsp. massiliense.

Results
We found that ~ 18% of the proteins encoded in the MAB genomes were predicted as secreted and that the three MAB subspecies shared > 85% of the predicted secretomes. MAB isolates with a rough (R) colony morphotype showed larger predicted secretomes than isolates with a smooth (S) morphotype. Additionally, proteins exclusive to the secretomes of MAB R variants had higher antigenic densities than those exclusive to S variants, independent of the subspecies. For all investigated isolates, ES proteins had a significantly higher antigenic density than non-ES proteins. We identified 337 MAB ES proteins with homologues in previously investigated M. tuberculosis secretomes. Among these, 222 have previous experimental support of secretion, and some proteins showed homology with protein drug targets reported in the DrugBank database. The predicted MAB secretomes showed a higher abundance of proteins related to quorum-sensing and Mce domains as compared to MTBC indicating the importance of these pathways for MAB pathogenicity and virulence. Comparison of the predicted secretome of M. abscessus ATCC 19977 with the list of essential genes revealed that 99 secreted proteins corresponded to essential proteins required for in vitro growth.

Conclusions
This study represents the first systematic prediction and in silico characterization of the MAB secretome. Our study demonstrates that bioinformatics strategies can help to broadly explore mycobacterial secretomes including those of clinical isolates and to tailor subsequent, complex and time-consuming experimental approaches accordingly. This approach can support systematic investigation exploring candidate proteins for new vaccines and diagnostic markers to distinguish between colonization and infection. All predicted secretomes were deposited in the Secret-AAR web-server (http://microbiomics.ibt.unam.mx/tools/aar/index.php).
Genome-wide association analysis reveals that EDNRB2 causes a dose-dependent loss of pigmentation in ducks
Authors: Xi Yang , Xu Qian , Huang Qin , Ma Shengchao , Wang Yushi , Han Chunchun , Zhang Rongping , Wang Jiwen , Liu Hehe , Li Liang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Birds have various plumage color patterns, and spot is a common phenotype. Herein, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in a population of 225 ducks with different sized black spots to reveal the genetic basis of this phenomenon.

Results
First, we quantified the black spot phenotype within the duck population. The results showed that the uncolored area of the body surface first appeared on the ventral side. With increasing duck age, the area of the black spots was highly conserved across the whole body surface. The GWAS results identified a 198 kb (Chr4: 10,149,651 bp to 10,348,068 bp) genetic region that was significantly associated with the black spot phenotype. The conditional GWAS and linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis further narrowed the ultimate candidate region to 167 kb (Chr4: 10,180,939 bp to 10,348,068 bp). A key gene regulating melanoblast migration and differentiation, EDNRB2 (Endothelin B receptor-like), was found in the candidate region and having significant mRNA expression level changes in embryonic duck skin tissue with different spot sizes. The significant SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) associated with the EDNRB2 gene were annotated, and two mutations (Chr4: 10,180,939 T > C and Chr4: 10,190,671 A > T) were found to result in the loss of binding sites for two trans-factors, XBP1 and cMYB. The phenotypic effect of these two mutations suggested that they can regulate the size of black spots in a dose-dependent manner, and Chr4: 10,180,939 T > C was the major allele locus.

Conclusions
Our results revealed that EDNRB2 was the gene responsible for the variation in duck body surface spot size. Chr4: 10,180,939 T > C was the major allele that explained 49.5 % (dorsal side) and 32.9 % (ventral side) of the variation in duck body surface spot size, while 32.1 % (dorsal side) and 19.1 % (ventral side) of the variation could be explained by Chr4: 10,190,671 A > T. The trans-factor prediction also suggested that XBP1 and cMYB have the potential to interact with EDNRB2, providing new insights into the mechanism of action of these genes.
Association between hearing loss and frailty: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tian Rong , Almeida Osvaldo P. , Jayakody Dona M. P. , Ford Andrew H. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Frailty is associated with poor health outcomes in later life. Recent studies suggested that hearing loss may be a potentially modifiable risk factor associated with frailty.

Methods
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between hearing loss and frailty in observational studies of adults aged 50 years or over. We included observational studies with participants ≥ 50 years old that have clear descriptions of hearing and frailty measurement methods. Meta-analyses were conducted using measurement of risk and 95 % confidence interval of each individual study. Quality assessment, risk of bias, heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Our study followed PRISMA guidelines.

Results
Our search identified 4508 manuscripts published in English between 1 and 2000 and 9 February 2021. Sixteen articles reported acceptable measurements of both hearing loss and frailty. Two papers were not suitable for meta-analysis. Twelve sets of cross-sectional data involving 12,313 participants, and three sets of longitudinal data involving 3042 participants were used in the meta-analysis. Hearing loss was associated with an 87 % increase in the risk of frailty among cross-sectional studies (risk ratio [RR] 1.87; 95 %CI 1.63–2.13) and 56 % among longitudinal studies (RR 1.56; 95 %CI 1.29–1.88). There was considerable heterogeneity among studies, but their quality rating, sample size or approach used to assess hearing loss did not change the results substantially.

Conclusions
The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies suggest that hearing loss increases the risk of frailty in later life. Whether this relationship is causal remains to be determined.