bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of maternal ethnicity on neonatal respiratory outcome
Authors: Cox Annie Georgina , Narula Shagun , Malhotra Atul , Fernando Shavi , Wallace Euan , Davies-Tuck Miranda 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveHigher rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality at term combined with earlier spontaneous delivery have led to the hypothesis that babies born to South Asian born (SA-born) women may mature earlier and/or their placental function decreases earlier than babies born to Australian and New Zealand born (Aus/NZ-born) women. Whether babies born to SA-born women do better in the preterm period, however, has yet to be evaluated. In this study we investigated respiratory outcomes, indicative of functional maturity, of preterm babies born to SA-born women compared with those of Aus/NZ-born women to explore this hypothesis further.Study design and settingThis retrospective cohort study was conducted at Monash Health.PatientsData were collected from neonatal and birth records of moderate-late preterm (32–36 weeks) infants born between 2012 and 2015 to SA-born and Aus/NZ-born women.Outcome measuresRates of nursery admissions and neonatal respiratory outcomes were compared.ResultsBabies born to Aus/NZ-born women were more likely to be admitted to a nursery (80%) compared with SA-born babies (72%, p=0.004). Babies born to SA-born mothers experienced significantly less hyaline membrane disease (7.8%), required less resuscitation at birth (28.6%) and were less likely to require ventilation (20%) than babies born to Aus/NZ-born mothers (18%, 42.2%, 34.6%; p<0.001). There was no difference in the duration of ventilation or length of stay in hospital.ConclusionsModerate-late preterm babies born to SA-born women appear to have earlier functional maturity, as indicated by respiratory outcomes, than Aus/NZ-born babies. Our findings support the hypothesis of earlier fetal maturation in SA-born women.
Fifteen-minute consultation: Prevention and treatment of chickenpox in newborns
Authors: Holland Charlotte , Sadarangani Manish 
Published: May 2019

There are inconsistencies in how newborns are managed following exposure to varicella, ranging from reassurance and observation to administration of varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) and admission to hospital for varying length courses of intravenous aciclovir.
Hospitalised preterm babies exposed to varicella should receive VZIG. Administration can otherwise be limited to pregnant non-immune women or to newborns if there is development of maternal chickenpox from 5 days prior to delivery up to 48 hours postdelivery. Intravenous aciclovir is only recommended in cases of newborn disease despite VZIG or in severe disease. The use of VZIG may not prevent varicella but may reduce severity of disease.
In this article, we review the evidence for risk to non-immune mothers, the fetus and newborns who had different types of exposure to varicella, with recommendations for management and treatment of confirmed neonatal chickenpox.
Death by antibody
Authors: Faccini Timothy , Dhesi Zaneeta , Shah Sachin 
Published: May 2019

A 42-year-old woman with a background of psoriatic arthritis presented with a 7-day medical history of fevers of unknown source; she had recently undergone elective shoulder arthroscopy, and her medications included anti-interleukin 17A (anti-IL-17A) drug, secukinumab.She went on to develop sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), from which she was successfully weaned after 12 days. However, she then went on to develop a candidaemia, with new intra-abdominal collections found incidentally on CT; despite appropriate anti-fungal therapy and attempts at drainage, she passed away.Both anti-IL-17A treatment and ECMO have been shown to be significant independent risk factors forCandidainfection. The use of monoclonal antibody therapy in the management of autoimmune disease, and the use of ECMO in the intensive care setting are each becoming increasingly widespread. Fungal infection should be screened for early in this critically unwell group of patients, and treatment initiated as indicated.
Episcleral brachytherapy for retinoblastoma
Authors: Echegaray Jose J , Al-Zahrani Yahya A , Singh Arun 
Published: May 2019

Background/AimsTo report visual outcomes, survival outcomes and complications following episcleral brachytherapy (EB) for retinoblastoma.MethodsRetrospective review of retinoblastoma cases treated with EB in a single institution. Survival outcomes were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method.ResultsEleven tumours of 11 eyes were treated with either iodine-125 or ruthenium-106 EB with a mean apical dose of 44 Gy. The tumours were classified as group B in 5 (46%), C in 3 (27%) or D in 3 (27%) eyes, respectively. Mean follow-up time was 75.4 months. EB served as primary treatment in 3 eyes (27%) and secondary treatment in 8 eyes (73%). Final visual acuity was better than 20/200 in 70% of cases. Globe preservation was achieved in 9 (82%) eyes. Local recurrence occurred in 18% of cases at a mean onset of 17.4 months after EB. Two group D tumours that recurred after secondary EB underwent enucleation. Mean onset of radiation retinopathy was 17.4 months following EB. No metastatic or fatal events were recorded. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed recurrence-free survival and ocular survival of 80% and overall survival of 100% at 5 years after EB.ConclusionEB is an effective primary or secondary treatment modality for selected retinoblastoma eyes (groups B and C). Advanced group D tumours may represent a risk factor for local recurrence. Visually significant complications such as radiation retinopathy should be anticipated.
Database analysis of the risk factors of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in Hungarian patients
Authors: Veszelyné Kotán Edit , Bartha-Lieb Tímea , Parisek Zsolt , Meskó Attiláné , Vaszilkó Mihály , Hankó Balázs 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveBisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a rare but serious side effect of bisphosphonates (BPs). Since this disease has no independent code in either of the diseases’ or in the medical procedures’ classifications, it is hard to estimate how many BP patients are affected.DesignA retrospective observational epidemiological registry-based study was carried out, using the data of the national service of Hungary on the incidence of BRONJ and related factors.SettingA data analysis was performed, which is relevant for the whole Hungarian population from 2010 to 2014. The socioeconomic and medication data of 236 207 BP patients were analysed, and a method was worked out to define BRONJ patients from the Hungarian BP population.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe incidences of BRONJ were analysed according to genders and the types of the BP drugs administered. The marginal interdependence between the types of BP drugs, modes of administration and main indication was calculated.Results340 BP patients (0.1%) developed BRONJ. The incidence of BRONJ in Hungary in the malignant indication of BPs is 0.9%, and 0.1% in the non-malignant indication, and the OR to develop BRONJ was OR=9.7 (95% CI 7.8 to 12.1) between them. Although more women developed BRONJ, the proportion of men was significantly higher than that of women. Steroids increase the risk of jaw osteonecrosis, and differences were also found between the BP drugs.ConclusionsOncology indicated, intravenously administered and steroid comedicated BP therapies pose a high risk of developing BRONJ in the Hungarian population.
Global epidemiology ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaein infertile populations: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Chemaitelly Hiam , Harfouche Manale , Blondeel Karel , Matsaseng Thabo Christopher , Kiarie James , Toskin Igor , Abu-Raddad Laith J 
Published: May 2019

IntroductionA key target of the WHO’s ‘Global Health Sector Strategy on sexually transmitted infections, 2016–2021’ is achieving 90% reduction inNeisseria gonorrhoeae(gonorrhoea for short) incidence globally by 2030. Though untreated, gonorrhoea has been linked to infertility, the epidemiology of this infection in infertile populations remains poorly understood and somewhat a neglected area of reproductive health. Our proposed systematic review aims to fill this gap by characterising comprehensively gonorrhoea infection in infertile populations globally.Methods and analysisAll available studies of gonorrhoea infection in infertile populations, including infertility clinic attendees, will be systematically reviewed informed by Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Findings will be reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data sources will be searched using broad index terms exploded to cover all subheadings and free text terms with no language or year restriction. Any epidemiological measure in infertile populations based on primary data will be eligible for inclusion. Measures based on different assay types will be extracted as separate studies for different analyses. Only one biospecimen type per assay type will be considered based on a predefined priority order. Samples including fewer than 10 participants or assessing infection in the upper genital tract will be excluded. Quality assessments will be conducted for all measures included in the review. Meta-analyses will be implemented using DerSimonian-Laird random effect models to estimate the mean prevalence of gonorrhoea in infertile populations globally, and stratified by WHO region, assay type, sex, infertility type, infertility diagnosis, among other factors. Detailed heterogeneity assessment will be performed, and potential sources of between-study heterogeneity will be explored using meta-regression. Review will be conducted from 26 March 2018 to 28 July 2019.Ethics and disseminationAn institutional review board clearance is not required as all data are publicly available. The findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and international scientific meetings/workshops with key stakeholders.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018102934
Contribution of women’s development army to maternal and child health in Ethiopia: a systematic review of evidence
Authors: Yitbarek Kiddus , Abraham Gelila , Morankar Sudhakar 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveThe aim of this review was to identify, appraise and synthesise studies that reported on the contribution of women’s development army (WDA) to maternal and child health development.SettingStudies conducted in Ethiopia 2010 onwards and published in English were considered.Data sourcesEvidence were searched in MEDLINE, CINAHL and EBSCOhost from 25 March to 10 April 2018.Eligibility criteriaBoth quantitative and qualitative studies assessing the contribution of WDA to maternal and child health were considered.Data extraction and synthesisTwo independent reviewers have extracted data using pre-planned data extraction tool separately for each study design. Findings were synthesised using tables and narrative summary.OutcomeMaternal and child health services; maternal and child mortality.ResultsNine studies met the inclusion criteria and were used for synthesis. The results revealed that participation and membership in women’s development teams (WDTs) have a positive effect on minimising maternal death and improving child immunisation service use. Skilled delivery and antenatal care service use were higher in WDTs located within a radius of 2 km from health facilities. Women’s development teams were also the main sources of information for mothers to prepare themselves for birth and related complications. Moreover, well-established groups have strengthened the linkage of the health facility to the community so that delays in maternal health service use were minimised; health extension workers could effectively refer women to a health facility for birth and utilisation of skilled birth service was improved.ConclusionVoluntary health service intervention in Ethiopia has improved maternal and child health services’ outcome. A decrease in maternal deaths, increase in antenatal and delivery service use and improved child immunisation service uptake are attributable to this intervention. The linkage between community members and the primary healthcare system served as an effective and efficient mechanism to share information.
Importance of vitamin D in acute and critically ill children with subgroup analyses of sepsis and respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cariolou Margarita , Cupp Meghan A , Evangelou Evangelos , Tzoulaki Ioanna , Berlanga-Taylor Antonio J 
Published: May 2019

ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency and investigate its association with mortality in children with acute or critical conditions.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.Data sourcesPubMed, OVID, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library searched until 21 December 2018.Eligibility criteriaStudies of children hospitalised with acute or critical conditions who had blood 25(OH)D levels measured.Data extraction and synthesisWe obtained pooled prevalence estimates of 25(OH)D deficiency and ORs for mortality. We calculated 95% CI and prediction intervals and investigated heterogeneity and evidence of small-study effects.ResultsFifty-two studies were included. Of 7434 children, 3473 (47.0%) were 25(OH)D deficient (<50 nmol/L). The pooled prevalence estimate of 25(OH)D deficiency was 54.6% (95% CI 48.5% to 60.6%, I2=95.3%, p<0.0001). Prevalence was similar after excluding smaller studies (51.5%). In children with sepsis (18 studies, 889 total individuals) prevalence was 64.0% (95% CI 52.0% to 74.4%, I2=89.3%, p<0.0001) and 48.7% (95% CI 38.2% to 59.3%; I2=94.3%, p<0.0001) in those with respiratory tract infections (RTI) (25 studies, 2699 total individuals). Overall, meta-analysis of mortality (18 cohort studies, 2463 total individuals) showed increased risk of death in 25(OH)D deficient children (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.64, p=0.002, I2=25.7%, p=0.153). Four (22.0%) of the 18 studies statistically adjusted for confounders. There were insufficient studies to meta-analyse sepsis and RTI-related mortality.ConclusionsOur results suggest that 25(OH)D deficiency in acute and critically ill children is high and associated with increased mortality. Small-study effects, reverse causation and other biases may have confounded results. Larger, carefully designed studies in homogeneous populations with confounder adjustment are needed to clarify the association between 25(OH)D levels with mortality and other outcomes.Prospero registration numberCRD42016050638.
Symptom reporting, healthcare-seeking behaviour and antibiotic use for common infections: protocol for Bug Watch, a prospective community cohort study
Authors: Smith Catherine M , Conolly Anne , Fuller Christopher , Hill Suzanne , Lorencatto Fabiana , Marcheselli Franziska , Michie Susan , Mindell Jennifer S , Ridd Matthew J , Shallcross Laura J , Tsakos Georgios , Hayward Andrew , Fragaszy Ellen B 
Published: May 2019

IntroductionAntimicrobial resistance is a significant worldwide problem largely driven by selective pressure exerted through antibiotic use. Preserving antibiotics requires identification of opportunities to safely reduce prescriptions, for example in the management of mild common infections in the community. However, more information is needed on how infections are usually managed and what proportion lead to consultation and antibiotic use. The aim of this study is to quantify consultation and prescribing patterns in the community for a range of common acute infection syndromes (respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin/soft tissue, mouth/dental, eye and urinary tract). This will inform development of interventions to improve antibiotic stewardship as part of a larger programme of work, Preserving Antibiotics through Safe Stewardship.Methods and analysisThis will be an online prospective community cohort study in England. We will invite 19 510 adults who previously took part in a nationally representative survey (the Health Survey for England) and consented to be contacted about future studies. Adults will also be asked to register their children. Data collection will consist of a baseline registration survey followed by weekly surveys sent by email for 6 months. Weekly surveys will collect information on symptoms of common infections, healthcare-seeking behaviour and use of treatments including antibiotics. We will calculate the proportions of infection syndromes that lead to General Practitioner consultation and antibiotic prescription. We will investigate how healthcare-seeking and treatment behaviours vary by demographics, social deprivation, infection profiles and knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotics, and will apply behavioural theory to investigate barriers and enablers to these behaviours.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been given ethical approval by the University College London Research Ethics Committee (ID 11813/001). Each participant will provide informed consent upon registration. We will disseminate our work through publication in peer-reviewed academic journals. Anonymised data will be made available through the UK Data Service (https://www.ukdataservice.ac.uk/).
Investigating the stratified efficacy and safety of pharmacological blood pressure-lowering: an overall protocol for individual patient-level data meta-analyses of over 300 000 randomised participants in the new phase of the Blood Pressure Lowering Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration (BPLTTC)
Authors: Rahimi Kazem , Canoy Dexter , Nazarzadeh Milad , Salimi-Khorshidi Gholamreza , Woodward Mark , Teo Koon , Davis Barry R , Chalmers John , Pepine Carl J 
Published: May 2019

IntroductionPrevious research from the Blood Pressure Lowering Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration (BPLTTC) and others has shown that pharmacological blood pressure (BP)- lowering substantially reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events, including ischaemic heart disease, heart failure and stroke. In this new phase, the aim is to conduct individual patient-level data (IPD) meta-analyses involving eligible BP-lowering randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to address uncertainties relating to efficacy and safety of BP-lowering treatment.Methods and analysisRCTs investigating the effect of pharmacological BP-lowering, with a minimum of 1000 patient-years of follow-up in each trial arm, are eligible. Our systematic review identified 100 potentially eligible trials. We requested their investigators/sponsors to contribute baseline, follow-up and outcomes data. As of June 2018, the collaboration has obtained data from 49 trials (n=315 046 participants), with additional data currently in the process of being transferred from four RCTs (n=34 642 participants). In addition, data harmonisation has commenced. Scientific activities of the collaboration are overseen by the Steering Committee with input from all collaborators. Detailed protocols for individual meta-analyses will be developed and registered on public platforms.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been obtained for this new and extended phase of the BPLTTC, the largest collaboration of de-identified IPD from RCTs. It offers an efficient and ethical manner of re-purposing existing data to answer clinically important questions relating to BP treatment as well as methodological questions relating to IPD meta-analyses. Among the immediate impacts will include reliable quantification of effects of treatment modifiers, such as baseline BP, age and prior disease, on both vascular and non-vascular outcomes. Analyses will further assess the impact of BP-lowering on important, but less well understood, outcomes, such as new-onset diabetes and renal disease. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed medical journals on behalf of the collaboration.
Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain in multiple sclerosis and its subtypes: a meta-analysis of case–control studies
Authors: Martin Sarah-Jane , McGlasson Sarah , Hunt David , Overell James 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveNeurofilament is a biomarker of axonal injury proposed as a useful adjunct in the monitoring of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies that have measured neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of people with MS (pwMS), in order to determine whether, and to what degree, CSF NfL levels differentiate MS from controls, or the subtypes or stages of MS from each other.MethodsGuidelines on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were followed. Electronic databases were searched for published and ‘grey’ literature, with 151 hits. Of 51 full articles screened, 20 were included in qualitative analysis, and 14 in meta-analysis.ResultsCSF NfL was higher in 746 pwMS than 435 (healthy and disease) controls, with a moderate effect size of 0.61 (p < 0.00001). Mean CSF NfL levels were significantly higher in 176 pwMS with relapsing disease than 92 with progressive disease (2124.8 ng/L, SD 3348.9 vs 1121.4 ng/L, SD 947.7, p = 0.0108). CSF NfL in 138 pwMS in relapse (irrespective of MS subtype) was double that seen in 268 pwMS in remission (3080.6 ng/L, SD 4715.9 vs 1541.7 ng/L, SD 2406.5, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsCSF NfL correlates with MS activity throughout the course of MS, reflecting the axonal damage in pwMS. Relapse is more strongly associated with elevated CSF NfL levels than the development of progression, and NfL may be most useful as a marker of disease ‘activity’ rather than as a marker of disability or disease stage.
CSF chitinase proteins in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Thompson Alexander G , Gray Elizabeth , Bampton Alexander , Raciborska Dominika , Talbot Kevin , Turner Martin R 
Published: May 2019

Objective
To evaluate the classifier performance, clinical and biochemical correlations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of the chitinase proteins Chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT1), Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) and Chitinase-3-like protein 2 (CHI3L2) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods
CSF levels of CHIT1, CHI3L1, CHI3L2, phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNFH) and C-reactive protein were measured by ELISA in a longitudinal cohort of patients with ALS (n=82), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS, n=10), ALS-mimic conditions (n=12), healthy controls (n=25) and asymptomatic carriers of ALS-causing genetic mutations (AGC; n=5).

Results

CSF CHIT1, CHI3L1 and CHI3L2 were elevated in patients with ALS compared with healthy controls (p<0.001) and ALS-mimics (CHIT1, p<0.001; CHI3L1, p=0.017; CHI3L2, p<0.001). CHIT1 and CHI3L2 were elevated in ALS compared with PLS (CHIT1, p=0.021; CHI3L1, p=0.417; CHI3L2, p<0.001). Chitinase levels were similar in AGCs and healthy controls. Chitinase proteins distinguished ALS from healthy controls (area under the curve (AUC): CHIT1 0.92; CHI3L1 0.80; CHI3L2 0.90), mimics (AUC: CHIT1 0.84; CHI3L1 0.73; CHI3L2 0.88) and, to a lesser extent, PLS (AUC: CHIT 0.73; CHI3L1 0.51; CHI3L2 0.82) but did not outperform pNFH. CHIT1 and CHI3L2 correlated with disease progression rate (Pearson’s
r
=0.49, p<0.001;
r
=0.42, p<0.001, respectively). CHI3L1 correlated with degree of cognitive dysfunction (
r
=−0.25, p=0.038). All chitinases correlated with pNFH. CHIT1 levels were associated with survival in multivariate models. Chitinase levels were longitudinally stable.

Conclusions
CSF chitinase proteins may have limited value as independent diagnostic and stratification biomarkers in ALS, but offer a window into non-autonomous mechanisms of motor neuronal loss in ALS, specifically in assessing response to therapies targeting neuroinflammatory pathways.