bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of acupuncture on menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS): A study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Bogachko Anna , Li Shanshan , Li Tian , Yin Xuan , Yin Ping , Lao Lixing , Xu Shifen 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Background

During menopause, many women are troubled by vasomotor symptoms (VMS) when hot flashes, night sweats, or both, interfere with normal daily life. Both hormone therapy (HT) and taking antidepressants are common ways to reduce VMS but they have associated health risks such as breast cancer and thromboembolic events. Acupuncture is found to be a safe treatment option to reduce VMS and recent studies have demonstrated positive results applying personalized selections of acupuncture points. Hence, we hypothesize acupuncture, according to Chinese Medicine's basic principle of pattern differentiation, can reduce both frequency and severity of VMS in menopausal women. We designed a randomized controlled trial to test the hypothesis using a wait-list group as a control group and pattern differentiation to find an optimal therapeutic treatment.

Method/Design

The study is a single-center, pragmatic, randomized control trial with two parallel arms, to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in 60 women in the Shanghai international and Chinese community with peri- and postmenopausal VMS. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned into two groups on a ratio 1:1. An acupuncture group of 30 women will twice weekly receive totally 12 acupuncture treatments and we will follow their treatment response through their VMS self-rating journal entries recorded at baseline, during intervention and twice post intervention as primary outcome. A waitlisted control group will record the same self-ratings of their VMS for purposes of comparison. After the six-week wait period is over, they will receive the same 12 sessions acupuncture treatment. As a second outcome, menopause-specific quality of life indicators will be assessed at baseline and twice post intervention by all participants.

Discussion

If the outcome of this study confirms acupuncture to be an effective and safe management method to reduce VMS in menopausal women, we expect further investigations and trials to clinically find optimal acupuncture treating strategies.
Jiao-tai-wan for insomnia symptoms caused by the disharmony of the heart and kidney: a study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Zeng Congcong , Liu Xi , Hu Lufeng , Feng Yuan , Xia Nengzhi , Zeng Haihuan , Luo Lin , Ye Ren , Yuan zhengzhong 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Background

Insomnia seriously affects people’s normal lives and work. However, effective treatment strategies are scarce. The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy and safety of Jiao-tai-wan (JTW) for ameliorating insomnia symptoms caused by disharmony of the heart and kidney.

Design

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial. One hundred twenty-eight participants suffering from insomnia symptoms will randomly assigned to the JTW or placebo group in an equal ratio. The participants will be asked to take JTW or placebo granules twice a day for 1 week. All data will be gathered at baseline and at the end of the drug intervention after random allocation. The primary outcome measures will be the mean change in the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) from baseline to the end of the drug intervention. Secondary outcome measures will include the altered sleep parameters in polysomnography, 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) evaluation, the Disharmony of Heart and Kidney Scoring System score and blood tests, including the levels of serum adenosine and melatonin. A laboratory test will be taken before and after treatment to assess the safety of JTW.

Discussion

The outcomes of this study will confirm the efficacy of JTW for the treatment of insomnia symptoms and will also be used to monitor the safety of JTW.
An Outbreak of Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis Caused by Human Adenovirus Type 8 in Primary School, Southwest China
Authors: Li Duo , Zhou Jie-Nan , Li Hong , He Cun-Ying , Dai Qing-Shan , Li Xiang-Lan , He Jian-Fang , He Hong , Li Ming-Bao , Jiang LI-Li , Chen Yao-Yao , Xu Wen 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Background

Two outbreaks of acute conjunctivitis occurred successively with an interval of five days in two boarding primary schools in Weixi Lisu autonomous county, Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Yunnan. The aims of this study were to determine the intensity of and characteristics of outbreaks, as well as the clinical manifestation of patients and risk factors infected, and the pathogen causing two outbreaks.

Methods

An outbreak investigation and a case-control study were conducted in two primary schools. The relevant specimens were collected by case definition, Next generation sequencing was adopted to identify the pathogen, and the epidemiological investigation method was used to analyze the related epidemiological characteristics such as risk factors. The phylogenetic tree was constructed by MEGA 7.0.

Results

A total of 331 acute conjunctivitis cases, as acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis probable cases, were reported in two schools and the attack rates were 30.59% (171/559, 95%CI: 26.76-34.42) and 20.41% (160/784, 95%CI: 17.58-23.24), respectively. Cases occurred in all grades and classes in both schools, and only one staff was ill in each school. Epidemic situations lasted for 54 days and 45 days, respectively. Epidemic curve of two breaks appearing two peaks indicated the mode of person-to-person transmission for two outbreaks. The patients had typical manifestations of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) such as acute onset, follicular hyperplasia, pseudomembrane formation, preauricular lymphadenopathy, corneal involvement and blurred vision, and the longer course of the disease (average 9.40 days, longest 23 days and shortest 7 days). The risk factor in infection was close contact with the patient or personal items contaminated by the patient. The pathogen caused the outbreaks is HAdV-8. The virus was highly homologous to the 2016 HAdV-8 strain in Tibet, China.

Conclusions

This study strongly suggests that HAdV-8 could lead to serious consequences. This is the second report of a HAdV-8 associated EKC outbreak in mainland of China. Tibetan HAdV-8 might be circulating in southwest China, it is necessary to monitor the pathogen of acute conjunctivitis in this area.
Approach to the Airway in the Emergency Department (ED) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a Portuguese University Hospital Center: a prospective observational study
Authors: Cabral Tiago , Figueira Helena , Oliveira Ricardo , Mota Ângela , Aragão Irene , Teixeira Carla Margarida 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Background

Airway management is a commonly performed procedure in the Emergency Department (ED) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), being tracheal intubation the gold standard with relatively high rates of complications in these settings. The purpose of our study was to analyse the airway approach in our institution at ED and ICU identifying the main complications associated and taking notice of possible factors related to them.

Methods

Prospective observational study conducted between May and September 2014 in the ICU and ED of Santo Antonio Hospital, with the primary aim of identifying the main complications of the airway approach in the critical patient and secondary aim to take notice of possible factors related with complications of the airway approach related to technical skills of the operator, patient´s specificities and airway approach techniques. The statistical analysis was done in cooperation with the Medical Informatics and Biostatistics Department of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto. P values <0.05 were considered significant for all hypothesis testing. The analysis was done using the statistical analysis program SPSS® v.21.0

Results

A total of 182 patients were included, corresponding to 257 attempted tracheal intubations (ATI). The rate of successful first-pass orotracheal intubation was 67%. Complications related to ATI were reported in 30% of all attempts, being most frequently among residents (81%, p=0.001) and those with little experience in airway approach (46%, p<0.001). The majority of complications was failed intubation (18%). In the group with complications, relation with an identifiable obvious cause was seen in 87% of cases (p<0.001), the major being inexperience in 42% of operators with complications, instead of 1% in the group without complications (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Failed ATI and its complications are largely dependent on operator´s expertise. Factors related to patient, lack of appropriate equipment and inappropriate strategy delineation also play a role. Recognition of patients at particular risk of difficult airway management is crucial.
An Assessment Scheme for Soil Degradation Caused by Forestry Machinery on Skid Trails in Germany
Authors: Riggert Roland , Fleige Heiner , Horn Rainer 
Published: March 2019

Core Ideas
This assessment scheme links visual deformation and various soil processes.
The ratio of soil stability and stress impacts defines level of soil degradation.
Exceeding precompression stress leads to plastic deformation.
Exceeding shear resistance leads to failure of bearing capacity.
The worldwide demand for wood products has led to an intensification of forestry and to higher weights of forestry machinery. In Germany but also in other countries, timber harvesting is limited to skid trails that minimize soil compaction and degradation. To preserve the trafficability of skid trails and to prevent the additional degradation of unloaded soils it is important to understand soil mechanical and physical behavior. We developed an assessment scheme to link visible deformations and soil physical processes caused by forestry machinery. For this reason five different machine types and additional equipment were tested at six study sites in Germany, namely in Lower Saxony between 2012 and 2015. During these studies, disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken at soil depths of 20, 40, and 60 cm to determine various physical soil parameters. Furthermore, major principal stress (σ1) and shear stress (τs), caused by the tested forestry machinery, were measured with the stress‐state transducer system (SST) in the same depths. Based on these measurements, an assessment scheme was developed, which can be divided into two levels. The first level distinguishes internal and external soil parameters influencing soil stability. Internal soil parameters are processes and elements which describe soil strength and soil stability parameters (Pc and τr), for example clay migration and matric potential. External parameters are wheel load or contact area, resulting in stress impacts (describing parameters: σ1 and τs). The comparison between internal and external soil parameters led to the second level of this assessment scheme, describing four processes of soil degradation and deformation: elastic deformation, plastic deformation, failure of bearing capacity, and homogenization of soil structure.
AMBIENTALIZAÇÃO CURRICULAR DO ENSINO SUPERIOR NA UNIVERSIDADE DA REGIÃO DE JOINVILLE – UNIVILLE: OS CURSOS DE LICENCIATURA E DIREITO
Authors: Leal e Silva Amanda Carina , Baldin Nelma 
Published: March 2019

Neste artigo apresenta-se a discussão referente às possibilidades do processo de ambientalização na Universidade da Região de Joinville – UNIVILLE, acontecida nos cursos de graduação (Licenciaturas e Direito) e efetuada entre 2015 e 2016. A metodologia seguida baseou-se na literatura existente na área da Educação Ambiental e de teóricos de metodologia da pesquisa, e os procedimentos metodológicos centraram-se na analise dos projetos pedagógicos dos cursos (PPC’s). Os resultados sugerem uma discrepância entre a imagem que a universidade consolidou enquanto “instituição verde” e o que conferem os currículos dos cursos. Também verificou-se que nos cursos de Licenciaturas e Direito apresentam-se disciplinas com indícios de ambientalização, porém, não o suficiente para considerar os cursos ambientalizados.
A 10-Year Histopathologic Audit of Uterine Cervical Biopsies in Warri, Nigeria
Authors: Odokuma Emmanuel Igho 
Published: March 2019

The objective of the research was to determine the types, patterns of uterine cervical lesions and specific age distributions in which they occur.
Methods. The data for this study were obtained from the records of patients seen in consultations in the Department of Histopathology, Central Hospital Warri during the 10-year period from 2007 to 2016. Relevant clinical information was extracted from the available histopathology records and permission for this study was conformed with the provision of the Declaration of Helsinki in 1995.
Results. The study revealed that the peak age range for malignant neoplasm was between 40-49 years (27.52%) with the general age range between (20-80 years) mean age 52.39±13.69. Non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma constituted majority of squamous cell tumours (55.05%), while the keratinising variety was the second most common (26.61%) one. The study further revealed that ectocervical fibroepithelial polyps were more common than endocervical tumours especially in the reproductive years (30-50 years) with only one case of atrophic polyp recorded in a woman in the sixth decade. The study documented that 58 (22.48%) of the cervical biopsies were inflammatory with most cases occurring in the ectocervix (94.80%). Most cases of inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis) were disposed between 30 and 59 years with the peak age group occurring in the 4th age group (30-39 years).
Conclusions. This audit of uterine cervical biopsies established that malignant tumours were the most common neoplasms. Squamous cell carcinomas accounted for most carcinomas. Similarly, leiomyoma was demonstrated as predominant stromal tumour.
Yeast-Like Fungal Colonization of the Oral Cavity in Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Ohiienko Tania 
Published: March 2019

The frequency of yeast-like fungal colonization of the oral mucosa in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome constitutes 40.0 ± 1.63%. Fungi are detected on the mucous membrane of the tongue more often (36.7 ± 1.61%) than on the mucous membrane of the gums (23.3 ± 1.41%). The extent of tongue mucosa colonization is also higher in comparison with the gum colonization. The extent of Candida colonization of tongue mucosa is 2.5 times higher in women with Sjögren’s syndrome as compared to men.
The objective of the research was to study the level of candida colonization of various oral mucosa areas in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome.
26 fungal cultures were isolated from the examined patients. Candida albicans predominated among them constituting 14 strains (53.8±1.92%). C. albicans colonization of the oral mucosa was detected in 10 patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (30.0±1.53%). The extent of tongue mucosa colonization was 3.95±1.32 lg CFU/ml and the extent of gum colonization constituted 3.08±0.60 lg CFU/ml.
Complications of Urogenital Chlamydial Infection in Women
Authors: Kukhta Oksana , Aleksandruk Oleksandr 
Published: March 2019

The objective of the research was to identify the spectrum of complications in women with chronic urogenital chlamydial infection.
Materials and methods. There were examined 128 women with chronic inflammatory diseases of genital organs at the age of 16-40 years who were diagnosed with urogenital chlamydial infection and 25 apparently healthy women. In both women with chlamydial infection and healthy ones, urogenital chlamydial infection was diagnosed based on the data of clinical examination and the results of laboratory tests (the identification of chlamydial morphological structure on the pathologic specimens stained according to the Romanowsky-Giemsa method; the identification of chlamydial antigens using the direct immunofluorescence technique; the study of Chlamydia trachomatis antibody titers using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).
Results. According to the results of our study, chlamydiae were the most common causes of inflammatory lesions of the urogenital organs in women of different ages leading to different reproductive complications and affecting females mostly at the age of 21-30 years. In women of Group I and Group II, chronic chlamydial disease was detected; disease duration ranged from 6 months to more than 2 years. Miscarriages, infertility (primary, secondary), ectopic pregnancy (tubal, ovarian) were the severest and the most numerous reproductive complications in the examined patients.
Conclusion. Chronic chlamydial infection is the most common disease of the female urinogenital organs leading to a wide spectrum of complications including infertility (primary, secondary), miscarriages, ectopic pregnancy (tubal, ovarian), chronic abdominal pain, sexual dysfunction (low libido, hypo/anorgasmia, painful intercourse, neurotic symptoms).
State of Lipid and Fat-Acidic Spectrum of Blood Plasma in the Residents of the Plain Regions of Transcarpathia Depending on Age and Trophological Status
Authors: Kedyk Antonina , Zhulkevych Ihor 
Published: March 2019

The objective of the study – is to identify the age peculiarities of the fat-acidic and lipid blood plasma spectrum in the inhabitants of the plain settlements of the Transcarpathian region with overweight and obesity.
Materials and methods. There were examined 107 persons, who applied for the assistance to the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic №7 in Uzhgorod. The examined persons were estimated the following data: age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, lipid and fat-acidic spectrum.
Results of the study. The study involved 74 women (69.1%) and 33 men (30.9%). The average age of the examined persons was 52.4±1.0 years. The BMI of the examined patients was 27.5±0.4 kg/m2, and the waist circumference was – 92.4±1.6 cm. All patients were divided into 6 age groups with intervals of 5 years, starting with 40 years. Starting from the 46 years and older, in each age group, there was a significantly higher BMI compared to persons under 40 years of age. In the examined persons over 40 years the changes of the lipid spectrum in the direction of growth of atherogenic fractions were observed.
Beginning from the age of 46 years, the levels of total ω6-PUFA and ω3-PUFA are significantly higher compared to persons aged under 40 years. In individuals aged under 50 years there is an increase of average levels of PUFA, therefore the highest growth of ω3-PUFAs is observed in the period from 40 to 50 years of age (from 60.10±5.50 μg/ml to 102.9±5.20 μg/ml, p< 0.01), and of ω6-PUFA in the period from 45 to 50 years (from 1288.10±62.40 μg/ml to 1501.10±67.50 μg/ml; p=0.03).
Conclusions. There is a shift in the lipid spectrum, which corresponds to atherogenic dyslipidemia, in the examined persons aged over 40 years. In individuals aged under 50 years there is an increase in total levels of PUFA, thus the highest growth of ω3-PUFA is observed in the period from 40 to 50 years, and ω6- PUFA in the period from 45 to 50 years. The stabilization of the fatty acids composition was revealed in persons aged 50 years and more.
Secondary Osteoporosis in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Chaplynska Nataliya , Rudnyk Viktoria 
Published: March 2019

Osteoporosis in patients with broncho-pulmonary pathology is associated with the fact that the inflammatory process has a direct effect on bone metabolism. A large number of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of obstructive pulmonary diseases, is involved in the regulation of bone resorption. In addition, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of severe and extremely severe degrees, according to GOLD recommendations, receive inhaled glucocorticosteroids (GCS), and in ineffective inhaled GCS-therapy COPD patients are prescribed systemic steroids; that has an undesirable effect on bone marrow state.
The purpose of the work was to investigate the peculiarities of bone metabolism disorders in patients with COPD. There were examined 26 patients with COPD of the III-IV degrees, groups C and D aged 65.3±3.15 years. Spirography, bone mineral density study were performed; ten-year risk of osteoporotic fractures was evaluated using FRAX; content of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase in blood serum were determined.
As a result of laboratory studies and densitometry, 84.6% of patients were diagnosed osteopenia. The average T-criterion was within (–1.83±0.17) SD (standard deviation) and was significantly lower than in healthy persons (–0.56±0.10) SD, (p<0.001). The degree of reduction of bone mineral density depended on the degree of reduction of FEV1 and COPD degree (r=0.65; p<0.01), as well as on the duration of the disease (r= –0.43; p<0.01). The ten-year risk of osteoporotic fractures in patients with COPD was high and was 5.65%±1.63%, as opposed to 2.13%±0.61% (p<0.001) in practically healthy individuals.
Thus, severe functional disorders in COPD, a durable anamnesis of the disease contribute to a decrease in bone mineral density and to an increase in the risk of osteoporotic fractures.
El futuro dominicano en España: Alto capital humano, empoderamiento y ruptura con los esquemas tradicionales
Authors: Dello Iacono Chiara 
Published: March 2019

El trabajo analiza el proceso de empoderamiento de jóvenes mujeres dominicanas con alto capital humano emigradas a España. La hipótesis principal en la que se fundamenta el trabajo es que la variable migratoria puede ser conside­rada como clave del proceso de empoderamiento y, a la vez, como elemento de ruptura con la cultura “machista”. A partir de la teoría de Rowlands (1997) han sido ana­lizados los elementos que permiten los cambios hacia el empoderamiento. Según el autor, el proceso se desarrolla a través de tres dimensiones: individual, colectiva y de las relaciones cercanas. Para cada una hay elementos positivos y negativos que afectan el proceso.
El trabajo se desarrolló mediante entrevistas con 18 jóve­nes dominicanas que viven en España. Las informaciones se obtuvieron a través del uso de la entrevista semiestruc­turada y de un cuestionario sociodemográfico.
Los resultados muestran que nos enfrentamos con una ola migratoria que es diferente a la anterior: una mezcla en­tre jóvenes con capital humano alto, otras en condiciones económicamente desfavorables y madres solteras con hijos. Sí, es verdad que hay diferencias internas entre las mujeres, pero es cierto que a través de la migración estas consiguen crear proyectos de vida, empoderarse y romper con los esquemas tradicionales.
Perancangan Simulator Traffic Light Berdasarkan Gerakan Dan Kendali Antrian
Authors: Hartanti Dian , Ningrum Rahma Farah , Djunaidi Karina 
Published: March 2019

Sering terjadinya antrian yang sangat panjang namun diberi durasi lampu hijau yang singkat, menyebabkan terjadi penumpukan antrian yang selanjutnya berakibat kemacetan panjang. Dari kondisi tersebut kemudian dipertimbangkan untuk dibuatkan perangkat simulasi mengikuti kondisi maupun gerakan sesungguhnya dengan diawali pembuatan bagan alir, diagram proses antar perubahan keadaan (state transition diagram), rancangan antarmuka yang menjadikan dasar pembuatan simulator sesungguhnya untuk jenis jalan dengan banyak arah perpotongan seperti pertigaan, perempatan, perlimaan, dan seterusnya. Hasil perancangan simulasi ini dapat digunakan untuk menampilkan semua proses pengendalian lalu lintas yang sedang berjalan secara realtime dengan tujuan untuk dapat mempresentasikan alternatif solusi untuk mengatasi masalah lalu lintas