bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Serum Visfatin, Blood Glucose, Lipid Metabolism and Nonalcoholic Fatty liver Disease in Simple Obese Children
Authors: Foly mostafa Ahmed EL , Fawaz lubna Anas , Osman Ashraf Mohammed , Swelam Salwa Hussien , Elbakry Noura 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Abstract
Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)leading to fibrosis and potentially cirrhosis, and it is one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide.NAFLD is associated with other medical conditions suchas metabolic syndrome, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Visfatin is an adipocytokine hormone, which exerts an insulin-like effect by binding to the insulin receptor-1, we aim to investigate the correlation between serum Visfatin and both glucose, lipid metabolism and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Simple obese children.
Methods:
This prospective study included 62 children clinically evaluated as obese and 35 apparently healthy children, age and sex matched as controls. Patients were recruited from the emergency department, in-patient wards and out-patient clinics of thepediatric department of EL-Mina University, children's hospital.While controls were collected from healthy school children during day time between September, 2016 and October, 2017.
Fasting Visfatin, glucose, hemoglobinA1cand lipid levels were assayed and abdominal ultrasonography was done for detection of NAFLD.
Results
There was a statistically significant correlation between serum Visfatin level and BMI (p<0.01), cholesterol levels (p< 0.01), triglycerides levels (p< 0.01), LDL levels (p< 0.01), HDL levels (p< 0.01) in both overweight and obese groups.
Conclusions:
Visfatin plays an important role in regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, also in inflammation and insulin resistance, suggesting a role in pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
Key words: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; metabolic syndrome; Visfatin
Framingham Risk Score and clinical outcomes of forearm autologous arteriovenous fistulas in end-stage renal disease patients: a retrospective cohort study.
Authors: Du Jing , Chen Qinlan , Liang Liming , Kong Xianglei , Xu Dongmei 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

The failure of autologous arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share several common risk factors. The Framingham risk score (FRS) can predict the occurrence of CVD. Accordingly, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate if the FRS can predict the AVF failure in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

Methods

In this study, 188 ESRD patients (with the mean age 57.2 ± 13.8 years, 64.9% of them were males) were enrolled with a median follow-up time of 41 months. AVF failure was defined as the presence of stenosis or thrombosis, and loss of the ability to receive prescribed hemodialysis. Primary patency of AVFs, and the association between FRS and AVF failure or death were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method or Cox proportional hazards model, accordingly.

Results

The primary patency of AVFs was 84.6%, 79.3%, 76.6%, 76.1% and 76.1% at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months, respectively. However, there was no significant difference of the primary patencies among the 1st Quartile, 2nd Quartile, 3rd Quartile and 4th Quartile of FRS (log-rank test, p =0.15). Moreover, FRS was not associated with all-cause or CVD mortality after adjusting for other confounders in the Cox proportional hazards models.

Conclusions

This study did not find FRS associated with AVF failure or mortality among ESRD patients.
Social group and health care provider interventions to increase the demand for malaria rapid diagnostic test among community members in Ebonyi state, Nigeria: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Omale Ugwu Innocent , Azuogu Ndubueze B. , Alo Chihurumnanya , Madubueze Ugochukwu C. , Oka Onyinyechukwu U. , Okeke Chijioke K. , Okafor Ifeyinwa M. , Utulu Rowland , Akpan Uduak E. , Iloke Chijioke V. , Nnubia Ogechukwu A. , Eze Ifeyinwa I. , Anene Ogechukwu C. , Nnabu Chukwuka R. , Ibemesi Desi O. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Abstract
Background: The World Health Organization in 2010 recommended universal testing for suspected malaria cases due to some fundamental changes in malaria trend such as the declining malaria incidence in high burden countries, the emergence of parasite resistance to anti-malarial drugs especially artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and the increased availability of diagnostic testing such as malaria rapid diagnostic test (MRDT). The Nigerian government has long adopted this recommendation and has scaled up the availability of MRDT with the support of foreign partners. However, the malaria/MRDT test rate in the communities is still far short of the recommendation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of social group and social group/provider interventions in increasing the demand (use and/or request) for MRDT among community members with fever or malaria-like illness in Ebonyi state, Nigeria.
Methods: A three-arm, parallel, stratified cluster randomized design will be used to evaluate the effect of two interventions compared to control: control involves the usual practice of provision of MRDT services by public primary health care providers and patent medicine vendors; social group intervention involves the sensitization/education of social groups about MRDT; social group/provider intervention involves social group treatment plus the training of health care providers in health communication with clients about MRDT. The primary outcome is the proportion of under-5 children with fever/malaria-like illness in the preceding two weeks to a household survey that received MRDT. The co-primary outcome is the proportion of 5 years and above children and adults (excluding pregnant women) with fever/malaria-like illness in the preceding two weeks to a household survey that received MRDT. The primary outcome will be assessed through household surveys at baseline and end-line.
Discussion: The pragmatic and behavioural nature of the interventions which are delivered to groupings of individuals and the need to minimize contamination informed the use of a cluster randomized design by this study in investigating whether the social group and social group/provider interventions will increase the demand for MRDT among community members. “Pragmatic” means the interventions would occur in natural settings or real live situations.
Emergence Delirium in children is not related to intraoperative Burst Suppression – prospective, observational Electrography study
Authors: Koch Susanne , Stegherr Anna-Maria , Rupp Leopold , Kruppa Jochen , Prager Christine , Kramer Sylvia , Fahlenkamp Astrid , Spies Claudia 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Emergence-delirium is the most frequent brain dysfunction in children recovering from general anaesthesia, though the pathophysiological background remains unclear. The presented study analysed an association between emergence delirium and intraoperative Burst Suppression activity in the electroencephalogram, a period of very deep hypnosis during general anaesthesia.
Methods: In this prospective, observational cohort study at the Charité - university hospital in Berlin / Germany children aged 0.5 to 8 years, undergoing planned surgery, were included between September 2015 and February 2017. Intraoperative bi-frontal electroencephalograms were recorded. Occurrence and duration of Burst Suppression periods were visually analysed. Emergence delirium was assessed using the Pediatric Assessment of Emergence Delirium Score.
Results: From 97 children being analysed within this study, 40 children developed emergence delirium, and 57 children did not. Overall 52% of the children displayed intraoperative Burst Suppression periods; however, occurrence and duration of Burst Suppression (Emergence delirium group 55% / 261+462sec vs. Non-emergence delirium group 49% / 318+531sec) did not differ significantly between both groups.
Conclusions: Our data reveal no correlation between the occurrence and duration of intraoperative Burst Suppression activity and the incidence of emergence delirium. Burst Suppression occurrence is frequent; however, it does not seem to have an unfavourable impact on cerebral function at emergence from general anaesthesia in children.
Trail registration: NCT02481999, June 25, 2015
Systematic review of basket trials, umbrella trials, and platform trials: A landscape analysis of master protocols
Authors: Mills Edward J , Park Jay JH , Siden Ellie , Zoratti Michael J , Dron Louis , Harari Ofir , Singer Joel , Lester Richard T , Thorlund Kristian 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Master protocols, classified as basket trials, umbrella trials, and platform trials, are novel designs that investigate multiple hypotheses through concurrent sub-studies (e.g. multiple treatments or populations, or that allow adding/removing arms during the trial), offering enhanced efficiency and a more ethical approach to trial evaluation. Despite the many advantages of these designs, they are infrequently used.
Methods: We conducted a landscape analysis of published master protocols using a systematic literature search to determine what trials have been conducted, with an overall goal of improving literacy in this emerging concept. On July 8th, 2019 English-language studies identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases and hand-searches of published reviews and registries.
Results: We identified 83 master protocols (49 basket, 18 umbrella, 16 platform trials). The number of master protocols has increased rapidly over the last five years. Most have been conducted in the US (n=44/83) and investigated experimental drugs (n=82/83), in the field of oncology (n=76/83). The majority of basket trials were exploratory (i.e. phase I/II; n=47/49) and not randomized (n=44/49), with almost half (n=28/48) only investigating a single intervention. The median sample size of basket trials was 205 participants (Interquartile range, Q3-Q1 [IQR]: 500-90=410), with a median study duration of 22.3 (IQR: 74.1-42.9=31.1) months. Similar to basket trials, most umbrella trials were exploratory (n=16/18), but use of randomization was more common (n=8/18). The median sample size of umbrella trials was 346 participants (IQR: 565-252=313), with a median study duration of 60.9 (IQR: 81.3-46.9=34.4) months. The median number of interventions investigated in umbrella trials was 5 (IQR: 6-4=2). In platform trials, randomization (n=15/16) and phase III investigation (n=7/15; one did not report information on phase), with four of them using seamless II/III design, were more common. The median sample size was 892 (IQR: 1835-255=1580), with median study duration of 58.9 (IQR: 101.3-36.9=64.4) months.
Conclusions: We anticipate that the number of master protocols will continue to increase at a rapid pace over the upcoming decades. More efforts to improve awareness and training are needed to apply these innovative trial design methods to fields outside of oncology.
Prospective study of vitrectomy for epiretinal membranes in patients with good best-corrected visual acuity
Authors: Nakashizuka Hiroyuki , Kitagawa Yorihisa , Wakatsuki Yu , Tanaka Koji , Furuya Koichi , Hattori Takayuki , Mori Ryusaburo , Shimada Hiroyuki 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Backgroud: To evaluate the efficacy of epiretinal membrane removal in patients with good best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for improving visual function and quality of life (QOL).
Methods: This prospective case study compared 37 subjects with preoperative BCVA ≦ 0.046 logMAR (Good group) to 35 patients with 0.10 - 0.52 logMAR (Moderate group) at 3 and 6 months. Linear mixed-effect models were used for statistical analysis. The primary outcome was the horizontal metamorphopsia score (MH) at 6 months postoperatively (post-6 M), while secondary outcomes were postoperative BCVA, vertical metamorphopsia score (MV), aniseikonia, stereopsis and central foveal thickness. In the Good group, QOL was assessed using the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) at 6 and 12 months.
Results: MH was significantly improved at post-3 M and post-6 M in the both groups but there were no significant differences between the two groups. MV showed no improvement at the final observation in either group. LogMAR BCVA was significantly improved at post-6 M in the Good group, which had significantly better vision than the Moderate group. Preoperative vertical and horizontal aniseikonia scores remained unchanged in the Good group at post-6 M but worsened in the Moderate group. The NEI VFQ-25 score improved in the Good group, reflecting improved general health, general vision, and mental health.
Conclusions: Early epiretinal surgery for patients with BCVA ≦ 0.046 logMAR was effective for improvement of HM, BCVA, and QOL and prevented worsening of aniseikonia.
Peace vs. justice: the perceived and real contradictions of conflict resolution and human rights
Authors: Langer Johannes 
Published: August 2019

The perceived dilemma between a choice of focusing on justice or peace after armed conflict continues to be an issue around the globe. Particularly the treatment of perpetrators remains a highly contentious issue, whether amnesty is a policy of impunity or is a necessary evil to get to a peace agreement in the first place. While the importance of justice is increasingly gaining grounds, cases around the globe show the difficulty to punish the perpetrators. Part of the peace versus justice debate is also affecting the fields of human rights and conflict resolution that are divided on the topic and still fail to communicate effectively between each other. Only by understanding their differences, it is possible to collaborate successfully together. Artículo de investigación científica que trabaja el tema de la justicia y la paz en el marco de un conflicto armado. Versions of this article were published on the blog of the author: http://johanneslanger.com
Violencia basada en el género y guerra: mujeres, violencia sexual, desplazamiento forzado y restitución de tierras en el departamento del Magdalena entre 1999 a 2012
Authors: Acosta Hernández Cindy Lorena 
Published: August 2019

Este artículo analiza las relaciones existentes entre la violenciabasada en el género y la guerra en el departamento del Magdalenadurante el período de 1999 a 2012. Para el efecto se estudian laviolencia sexual, la transformación de los roles de género, las afecta ciones diferenciales de los repertorios de violencia en hombres y mujeres y las formas en que los géneros son definidos y tratados en los momentos de restitución, reparación y justicia. En el departamento, la violencia sexual por parte de los paramilitares del Bloque Norte y el Frente Resistencia Tayrona de las Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) fue un arma sistemática y estratégica para generar formas de control sobre comportamientos, vestimentas, comunicación, feminidades, masculinidades y sexualidades, generando relaciones entre la violencia basada en el género y la guerra. El trabajo muestra cómo durante el periodo de 1999 a 2012, años de expansión, control, desmovilización y creación de grupos posdesmovilizados, se usó o amenazó con la violencia sexual para generar desplazamientos forzados, para desarraigar familias y comunidades, para establecer formas de terror y para instrumentalizar el cuerpo. Se ve igualmente cómo aún después de la desmovilización, estas relaciones continúan afectando a las mujeres reclamantes de tierras y de justicia, porque los procesos de paz y las leyes no contienen un espacio o apartado que ataque o elimine las violencias estructurales de género. Por ello, se quiere dar respuesta a la pregunta: ¿cómo se relaciona y se caracteriza la violencia basada en el género y la guerra en el departamento del Magdalena durante el periodo de 1999 a 2012?
Thermal Analysis in the Quality Study of Chocolate and Confectionery Products
Authors: Верещагин Александр , Vereshchagin Alexander , Резниченко Ирина , Reznichenko Irina , Бычин Николай , Bychin Nicolay 
Published: August 2019

High and unstable prices on such cocoa products as cocoa butter have triggered a search for substitutes. Thus, it is necessary to develop identification methods for chocolate authenticity, since chocolate is one of the most popular confectionery products. The present research employed the methods of thermal and thermomechanical analysis to study samples of chocolate produced in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Community (the Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Belarus) and chocolate bars with cocoa butter substitutes. An analysis of the sucrose – cocoa butter (CB) system revealed that samples with CB = 10–30%, 60%, and 90% demonstrated a single polymorphic modification of glycerides CB α-form with a melting point of 21–23°C. The samples with CB = 0%, 50%, 70%, and 80% showed a more heat-resistant modification (β’-modification) with a maximum melting point of 27.0–27.5°C. In addition, the melting peaks of glycerides were found not constant, which may indicate a eutectic effect in the sucrose – CB system. The samples of chocolate produced in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan passed the tempering stage and demonstrated the most heat-resistant β-modification of CB. However, the samples differed in the melting temperature: T max = 33.9°C for the Russian chocolate and T = 34.8°C for
the samples from Kazakhstan (the Rakhat brand). The samples from Belarus did not pass the tempering and were found to contain a thermodynamically unstable CB α-phase (the Kommunarka factory). The samples produced by the Spartak factory (Gomel, the republic of Belarus) contained an additional CB β’-phase. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves for chocolate bars with CB substitutes differed from the DSC curves for cocoa butter and chocolate samples. The fact can be used for identification. The DSC method can be used to identify the individual characteristics of the producer of chocolate and its analogues since the parameters of the melting curve of the fat phase and the shape of the curve are individual. The thermomagnetic analysis (TMA) method complemented the identification by determining the mass fraction of the liquid phase. Joint application of DSC and TMA methods allowed the authors to evaluate the quality of chocolate, its formulation, as well as to reveal the presence of cocoa products substitutes in the samples as compared to the reference sample.
The effect of roughness and rainfall on hydrodynamic properties of overland flow
Authors: Wang Jingwen , Zhang Kuandi , Yang Mingyi , Meng He , Li Pu 
Published: August 2019

AbstractOverland flow is the initial driver of slope surface erosion. To discover resistance characteristics of overland flow influenced by rainfall intensity and roughness, indoor simulated rainfall experiments with six kinds of roughness, five flow discharges, and five rainfall intensities were investigated. Results showed that overland flow over rough surfaces could be considered as laminar and turbulent flow when using flow Reynolds number. According to roll waves observed, flow regimes belonged to the laminar transitional zone based on the viscosity-to-depth ratio. A critical water depth formula for overland flow was re-derived, and it showed that this test water flow consisted of supercritical flow in most cases, and subcritical flow in only a few cases. The flow resistance coefficient increased with increasing roughness, whereas it decreased as rainfall intensity increased. Considering the ‘increasing resistance’ phenomenon, this study focused on frictional resistance, thickness of the viscous sublayer, pressure drag and roll waves. Finally, a formula for sheet flow resistance was proposed based on resistance segmentation and multi-element linear regression. These findings are of significance both for understanding the characteristics and development of overland flow and overland flow dynamics.
The effect of forest rehabilitation on runoff and hydrological factors in the upstream area of the Ubolratana Reservoir in Thailand
Authors: Sriworamas Krit , Prasanchum Haris , Supakosol Jirawat 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Thailand's forests in reservoir watershed areas are declining at an alarming rate due to land use demand. Reforestation aiming at maintaining optimum forest areas becomes a top priority in reservoir management planning which needs hydrologic responses as inputs. This study aims at measurable assessment of the changes in hydrologic responses of the Ubolratana Reservoir in northeastern Thailand due to increasing forest areas. The assessment was done in two parts: (i) forest areas by CA Markov model and (ii) rainfall–runoff by Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Assessment results indicate that increasing forest areas cause a decrease of runoff, peak flow, and hence, inflow volume into the reservoir. The optimum size of forest area was found to be much larger than the existing size, confirming the need for existing reforestation. Additional benefits of pursuing reforestation include less erosion and sedimentation which are required in reservoir management planning.
Fungal and marine shell fouling in desalination plant equipment
Authors: Saeed Mohamed O. , Al-Otaibi Ghazzai F. , Ershath M. I. Mohamed 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The Saudi Arabian Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) aims to maintain an uninterrupted desalinated water output and has tasked its Desalination Technologies Research Institute (DTRI) with trouble-shooting operational problems and unusual events faced by its desalination plants. Three events were reported and investigated by DTRI. Two were found to involve fungal fouling, and one was found to involve fouling by marine shells. One case of fungal fouling involved a new seawater reverse osmosis membrane and the plant was advised to review the handling and storage practice of membranes. The other case involved product water hoses and manifested itself in the form of black slimy deposits arising from dense fungal growth. The fungus originated from new product hoses and was eliminated by shock-dosing replacement hoses with chlorine. The marine shell fouling involved a feed water line of a combined power/desalination plant. Chlorine, hydrochloric acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and fresh water were used to assess their ability to control marine shell fouling in laboratory experiments, with varying results. Since high doses of chlorine were not effective in controlling marine shell fouling, the practice of continuous chlorination should be abandoned in favor of an alternative chlorination regimen, e.g., pulse chlorination.