bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool (ADCT©) using a longitudinal survey of biologic-treated patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Simpson Eric , Eckert Laurent , Gadkari Abhijit , Mallya Usha G. , Yang Min , Nelson Lauren , Brown Michelle , Reaney Matt , Mahajan Puneet , Guillemin Isabelle , Boguniewicz Mark , Pariser David 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: The Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool (ADCT©) is a brief patient self-administered instrument designed and validated to assess atopic dermatitis (AD) control; six AD symptoms and impacts are evaluated over the past week, including overall severity of symptoms, days with intense episodes of itching, intensity of bother, problem with sleep, impact on daily activities, and impact on mood or emotions. This study assessed the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the ADCT in a longitudinal context, and provided thresholds to identify meaningful within-person change.
Methods: Data were from a prospective, longitudinal patient survey study of real-world effectiveness of dupilumab in patients with AD. Eligible patients completed a baseline survey before starting dupilumab and were followed at Months 1, 2, 3, and 6 post-initiation as they became eligible.
Results: Psychometric analyses confirmed internal consistency; Cronbach’s α coefficients were consistently above the threshold of 0.70 across each follow-up, while item-to-total correlations were above the threshold of r ≥ 0.50. High correlations between the ADCT and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and skin pain supported construct validity, while known-group validity was shown on Patient Global Assessment of Disease (PGAD) overall well-being subgroups with worse AD-related overall well-being having higher mean ADCT total scores at all time points. The ability of the ADCT to detect change was confirmed; the threshold for meaningful within-person change was estimated to be 5 points. Finally, test–retest reliability was confirmed in subgroups of patients with stable PGAD responses.
Conclusions: Our findings confirm that the ADCT is a valid and reliable tool for assessing AD control.
Chondroitinase ABC reduces dopaminergic nigral cell death and striatal terminal loss in a 6-hydroxydopamine partial lesion mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Fletc Edward JR , Moon Lawrence DF , Duty Susan 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterised by dopaminergic cell loss within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) that leads to reduced striatal dopamine content and resulting motor deficits. Identifying new strategies to protect these cells from degeneration and retain striatal dopaminergic innervation is therefore of great importance. Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are recognised contributors to the inhibitory extracellular milieu known to hinder tissue recovery following CNS damage. Digestion of these molecules by the bacterial lyase chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) has been shown to promote functional recovery in animal models of neurological injury. Although ChABC has been shown to promote sprouting of dopaminergic axons following transection of the nigrostriatal pathway, its ability to protect against nigrostriatal degeneration in a more clinically-relevant toxin model of PD has yet to be explored. Here we examined the neuroprotective efficacy of ChABC treatment in the full and partial 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion mouse models of PD. Results In mice bearing a full 6-OHDA lesion, ChABC treatment failed to protect against the loss of either nigral cells or striatal terminals. In contrast, in mice bearing a partial 6-OHDA lesion, ChABC treatment significantly protected cells of the rostral SNc, which remained at more than double the numbers seen in vehicle-treated animals. In the partial lesion model, ChABC treatment also significantly preserved dopaminergic fibres of the rostral dorsal striatum which increased from 15.3 ± 3.5% of the intact hemisphere in saline-treated animals to 36.3 ± 6.5% in the ChABC-treated group. These protective effects of ChABC treatment were not accompanied by improvements in either the cylinder or amphetamine-induced rotations tests of motor function. Conclusions ChABC treatment provided significant protection against a partial 6-OHDA lesion of the nigrostriatal tract although the degree of protection was not sufficient to improve motor outcomes. These results support further investigations into the benefits of ChABC treatment for providing neuroprotection in PD.
MEG3 inhibits proliferation and promote apoptosis in osteoarthritis chondrocytes by miR-361-5p/wnt/β-catenin axis
Authors: Wang Anying , Hu Naixia , Zhang Yefeng , Chen Yuanzhen , Su Changhui , Lv Yao , Shen Yong 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) and related molecular mechanisms in osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods: Patients with OA and patients undergoing thigh amputation were involved in OA group and control group, respectively. Cartilage tissues of all patients were isolated and cultured. Based on different transfection, MEG3 cells were grouped into Blank, pcDNA3.1-NC, pcDNA3.1-MEG3, si-NC, si-MEG3, pcDNA3.1-NC + mimics NC, pcDNA3.1-MEG3 + mimics NC, pcDNA3.1-NC + miR-361-5p mimics and pcDNA3.1-MEG3 + miR-361-5p mimics group. The cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-NC and pcDNA3.1-MEG3, and then cultured with XAV939 was named as pcDNA3.1-NC +XAV939 group and pcDNA3.1-MEG3 + XAV939 group respectively. The RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of MEG3 and miR-361-5p . Moreover, Western blot, luciferase reporter assay, RIP, CCK-8 and flow cytometry analysis were performed to reveal the morphology, proliferation and apoptosis in cartilage cells. Finally, the histological analysis and immunostaining were performed on OA rat model.
Results: The expression of lncRNA MEG3 and miR-361-5p in OA was significantly decreased and increased respectively than that in normal. Meanwhile, MEG3 was competitive binding with miR-361-5p in OA chondrocytes. Moreover, the Western blot and CCK-8 assay showed that MEG3 might inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis via Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Finally, rat model analysis showed that MEG3 contributed to the cartilage matrix degradation.
Conclusion: MEG3 and miR-361-5p might down-regulated and up-regulated respectively in the chondrocytes of OA patients. Furthermore, MEG3 might inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis via miR-361-5p/Wnt/β-catenin axis in OA chondrocytes.
Infective patterns of cryptococcosis in patients with connective tissue disease: a retrospective study
Authors: Lao Minxi , Gong Yingying , Shen Chuyu , Wang Cuicui , Liang Liuqin , Zhan Zhongping , Chen Dongying 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: Cryptococcal infection is a life-threatening complication in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). This retrospective study was performed to explore the clinical features and associated factors of cryptococcosis in patients with CTD from southern China.
Methods: Demographic and clinical data were collected between 2007 and 2018. Associated factors were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.
Results: A total of 6809 inpatients with CTD were included. Cryptococcosis was diagnosed in 30 patients (prevalence, 0.4%). Cryptococcosis was predominant in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) (prevalence, 6/530, 1.1%). Lung was commonly involved (18/30, 60.0%), followed by meninges (6/30, 20.0%), blood stream (5/30, 16.7%) and disseminated cryptococcosis (1/30, 3.3%). Infiltrates (10/18, 55.6%) and small nodules (8/18, 44.4%) were the main radiographic manifestation of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC). The positive rate of serum cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) in patients with PC was 88.2%. Cryptococcus spp. were found in 75% (3/4) patients who underwent lung biopsy. Most of the patients with cryptococcal meninges (CM) had elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure (6/7, 85.7%) and decreased CSF glucose level (5/7, 71.4%). Positive blood culture confirmed the diagnosis of cryptococcal sepsis (CS). Three patients died (10.0%), including one with CM and two with PC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that accumulated dose of glucocorticoid (GC) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.87, P = 0.01] was associated with cryptococcosis in patients with CTD.
Conclusions: Cryptococcosis developed in various organs. Typical radiological manifestation accompanied with positive serum CrAg were helpful clues for diagnosis. Lumbar puncture was a critical diagnostic method to distinguish CM. The accumulated dose of GC was associated with cryptococcosis in patients with CTD.
Effectiveness of Music Therapy for Alleviating Pain During Haemodialysis Access Cannulation for Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis: A Multi-facility, Single-blind, Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Kishida Masatsugu , Yamada Yosuke , Inayama Emi , Kitamura Mineaki , Nishino Tomoya , Ota Keiko , Shintani Ayumi , Ikenoue Tatsuyoshi 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background
Repeated pain during haemodialysis access cannulations is a serious problem for haemodialysis patients, even when prescribed oral or topical analgesics. While some studies have observed the efficacy of music therapy for improving pain and anxiety, its effectiveness during haemodialysis access cannulations during dialysis is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of music therapy for pain when cannulating haemodialysis access for haemodialysis patients.
Methods
A prospective, multi-facility, single-blind, crossover, randomised controlled trial will be implemented. The intervention includes listening to Mozart, along with a white noise control condition. One hundred twenty haemodialysis patients will be enrolled across five facilities. Patients will be randomly allocated to either an Early-sequence group or a Later-sequence group. The Early-sequence group will receive cannulation while listening to Mozart’s Sonata for 2 pianos in D major (K.448) during the second week (Music period) and white noise during the fourth week (White noise period). The Later-sequence group will receive cannulation along with white noise first, followed by Mozart. All patients will also undergo cannulation during a ‘no-sound period (only wearing headphones) during the first and third week (No-sound period). The music or no-music protocol will begin 8 minutes prior to the cannulating procedure, and participants will finish listening after starting haemodialysis during each period. The primary outcomes that will be assessed include the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain during cannulation, and secondary outcomes such as blood pressure, heart rate, VAS anxiety score, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score, and salivary amylase activity. The operators who are in charge of haemodialysis access cannulation will be blind to the listening condition and VAS report.
Discussion
The proposed study has several methodological benefits. First, using white noise is a suitable control condition for addressing the role of sound on pain management. Additionally, using a crossover design with repeated measurements can help control individual differences between participants, which should better distinguish between- and within-participant variability. Overall, music therapy is a safe and inexpensive intervention that does not have the problematic side effects typically associated with pharmacological treatment. If effective, music therapy can be easily implemented for reducing pain and anxiety during cannulation.
The predictive value of diaphragm ultrasound for weaning outcomes in critically ill children
Authors: Xue Yang , Zhang Zhen , Sheng Chu-Qiao , Li Yu-Mei , Jia Fei-Yong 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: Multiple studies have shown that diaphragmatic ultrasound can better predict the outcome of weaning in adults. However, there are few studies focusing on children, leading to a lack of sufficient clinical evidence for the application of diaphragmatic ultrasound in children. The purpose of this study is to investigate the predictive value of diaphragm ultrasound for weaning outcomes in critically ill children.
Methods: The study included 50 cases whose mechanical ventilation (MV) time was >48 h, and all eligibles were divided into either the weaning success group (n = 39) or the weaning failure group (n = 11). Diaphragm thickness, diaphragmatic excursion (DE), and diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) were measured in the zone of apposition. The maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) was also recorded.
Results: The ventilatory treatment time ( P = 0.002) and length of PICU stay ( P = 0.013) in the weaning failure group was longer than the success group. Cut-off values of diaphragmatic measures associated with successful weaning were ≥21% for DTF with a sensitivity of 0.82 and a specificity of 0.81, whereas it was ≥0.86 cmH 2 O/kg for PImax with a sensitivity of 0.51 and a specificity of 0.82. The linear correlation analysis showed that DTF had significant correlation with PImax in children ( P = 0.003).
Conclusions: Diaphragm ultrasound has great value in predicting the weaning outcome of critically ill children. DTF and PImax presented better performance than other diaphragmatic parameters. However, DE has limited value in predicting weaning outcomes of children with MV.
Delivery of home-based postpartum contraception in rural Guatemalan women: a cluster-randomized trial protocol
Authors: Harrison Margo , Bunge-Montes Saskia , Rivera Claudia , Jimenez-Zambrano Andrea , Heinrichs Gretchen , Scarbro Sharon , Juarez-Colunga Elizabeth , Bolanos Antonio , Asturias Edwin , Berman Stephen , Sheeder Jeanelle 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Abstract

Background: Postpartum contraception is important to prevent unintended and closely spaced pregnancies following childbirth.

Methods: This study is a cluster-randomized trial of communities in rural Guatemala where women receive ante- and postnatal care through a community-based nursing program. When nurses visit women for their postpartum visit in the intervention clusters, instead of providing only routine care that includes postpartum contraceptive education and counseling, the nurses will also bring a range of barrier, short-acting, and long-acting contraceptives that will be offered and administered in the home setting, after routine clinical care is provided.

Discussion: A barrier to postpartum contraception is access to medications and devices. Our study removes some access barriers (distance, time, cost) by providing contraception in the home. We also trained community nurses to place implants, which are a type of long-acting reversible contraceptive method that was previously only available in the closest town, which is about an hour away by vehicle. Therefore, our study examines how home-based delivery of routinely available contraceptives and the less routinely available implant may be associated with increased uptake of postpartum contraception within three months of childbirth. The potential implications of this study include: nurses may be able to be trained to safely provide contraceptives, including place implants, in the home setting, and provision of home-based contraception may be an effective way of delivering an evidence-based intervention for preventing unintended and closely spaced pregnancies in the postpartum period.
Implementation of an interactive organ donation education program for Dutch lower-educated students: a process evaluation
Authors: Steenaart Esther , Crutzen Rik , de Vries Nanne K 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background As organ donation registration rates remain low, especially among lower-educated people, it is important to support this group in making their registration decision. To prepare lower-educated students in the Netherlands for making a well-informed decision, an interactive educational program was developed. We aim to understand both the (quality of) implementation as well as to contextualize the effect of this program in a lower-educated school setting.
Methods The process evaluation was part of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, in which 11 schools for Intermediate Vocational Education throughout the Netherlands participated. Teachers who taught a course on Citizenship delivered three intervention elements (i.e. video fragments and discussion, quizzes with tailored feedback and an exercise filling out a registration form) to their students. Implementation was assessed by interviews with teachers, questionnaires from students, logbooks from teachers and user data from Google Analytics.
Results The program was well received and implemented, but on-the-spot adaptations were made by teachers to fit their students better. Within the lower-educated target group, differences between students are high in terms of active participation, reading abilities, knowledge and attention span. The program fit well within their regular teaching activities, but the topic of organ donation is not always prioritized by teachers.
Conclusions We see opportunities to disseminate the program on a larger scale and reach a group that has been neglected in organ donation education before. Within the program, there are possibilities to increase the effectiveness of the program, such as alternative delivery methods for the elements with a lot of text, the addition of booster sessions and guidelines for teachers to adapt the program to students of different levels within Intermediate Vocational Education. Moreover, in order to have an impact on a national level, strategies need to be employed to reach high numbers of students and, therefore, support on a higher level is needed (both within schools and at policy level).
Trial registration: Dutch Trial Register, NTR6771. Registered on 24 October 2017. https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6557
Ability of Real-time PCR for Differential Diagnosis of Various Forms of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Comparative Study with Histopathology
Authors: Abadi Maryam Fekri Soofi , Fekri Meisam , moradabadi alireza , Vahidi Reza , Meymandi Simin Shamsi , Dabiri Donya , dabiri shahriar 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
objective: Histopathological studies suggest that parasite load is different between acute and chronic forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). However, highly sensitive detection methods are still needed to distinguish different forms of leishmaniasis. In the present study, we developed a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect and quantify leishmania tropica parasites in paraffin-embedded tissue samples.
Results: The ability of real-time PCR for leishmania detection was higher than histopathological evaluation. The parasite loads were quantified by qPCR assay and microscopic evaluation were highly correlated ( r =0.598; P <0.001). Among patients, the parasite load was inversely correlated with disease duration (acute CL lesions had very higher parasite loads than chronic CL lesions), but there was no difference in parasite load according to the patients’ age and sex as well as location of the lesions. In contrast to Ridley scoring system (P<0.001), there were no statistically significant differences in the relative number of parasites among the lupoid and non-lupoid forms of chronic lesions in real-time PCR (P=0.549), which indicates the superiority of histopathological evaluation in CL forms differentiation.
Physical activity promotion in daily exercise therapy: The perspectives of exercise therapists in German rehabilitation settings
Authors: Geidl Wolfgang , Wais Judith , Fangmann Cheyenne , Demisse Ewnet , Pfeifer Klaus , Sudeck Gorden 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Abstract
Background
This study aims to explore exercise therapists’ perspectives on the topic of physical activity promotion (PAP) with a focus on identifying (i) the intervention content and methodological approaches used for promoting physical activity (PA) in daily practice and (ii) the barriers and facilitators that affect PAP.
Methods
This qualitative study comprised the heads of exercise therapy departments (n = 58; 41% women; mean age = 45 years) from different rehabilitation clinics in Germany. Each participant took part in a semi-structured focus-group discussion on PAP in exercise therapy. The findings of the focus groups were processed and interpreted using a conventional qualitative content analysis.
Results
The exercise therapists demonstrated detailed didactic–methodological strategies and action orientations for PAP. The identified core topics of the content and methods of PAP were (1) conceptualization, (2) exercise and PA for enjoyment and pleasure, (3) education with practice–theory combinations, (4) media and materials for self-directed training, and (5) strategies to enhance personal responsibility and independence. The core topics for the associated barriers and facilitators were (1) structural conditions, (2) the role of exercise therapists, (3) the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team, (4) rehabilitant experiences and expectations, and (5) aftercare services.
Conclusion
The topic of PAP is addressed with a high level of variability; exercise therapists involved in this study identify various methods and content for the promotion of PA within their individual practices. However, they display a limited awareness of existing evidence- and theory-based concepts for the promotion of PA as well as underlying theories of behavioural change. This variability may be due to the lack of a defined common framework for promoting PA, insufficient emphasis being placed on PA promotion in the current curricula and training, or extensive conceptual differences within German exercise therapy departments (e.g. different weighting of PAP).
Knowledge, uptake of preconception care and associated factors among reproductive age group women in west shoa zone, Ethiopia, 2018.
Authors: Fekene Daniel Belema , WOLDEYES BENYAM SEIFU , ERENA MARU MOSSISA , DEMISSE GETU ALEMU 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background

Preconception care is a set of interventions that are to be provided before pregnancy, to promote the health and well-being of women and couples.Methods

A community based cross-sectional study was employed among 669 reproductive aged women from November 2017 to the end of January 2018. The data were collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire . The collected data were coded and entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to determine factors associated with outcome variable .Association presented in Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and significance determined at P-value less than 0.05.Result

A total of 669 participants had participated with response rate of 98.3%. Among them only 179(26.8%) had good PCC knowledge and 97(14.5%) of women of reproductive age group have utilized preconception care. Factors that show significant association with good knowledge of PCC are history of institutional delivery (AOR = 1.43 (95%CI (1.31 -7.33), PNC service utilization, (AOR = 5.02 (95%CI (3.22-7.84), history of using modern contraceptive, (AOR = 1.44 (95%CI (1.37-6.98)) higher educational status (AOR= 4.12 (95%CI (1.22-6.52)and being regularly employed (AOR = 1.8 (95%CI (1.01-3.22). Factors like better family monthly income (AOR = 4.1 (95%CI (1.57-9.35)), history of PNC (AOR = 6.33 (95%CI (3.94-10.17) and good knowledge of PCC (AOR = 4.3 (95%CI (2.67-6.98) had showed positive association towards uptake of PCC.