bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can Google Trends data improve forecasting of Lyme disease incidence?
Authors: Kapitány‐Fövény Máté , Ferenci Tamás , Sulyok Zita , Kegele Josua , Richter Hardy , Vályi‐Nagy István , Sulyok Mihály 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundOnline activity‐based epidemiological surveillance and forecasting is getting more and more attention. To date, Google search volumes have not been assessed for forecasting of tick‐borne diseases. Thus, we performed an analysis of forecasting of the Lyme disease incidence based on the traditional data extended with Google Trends.MethodsData on the weekly incidence of Lyme disease in Germany from 16 June 2013 to 27 May 2018 were obtained from the database of the Robert Koch Institute. Data of Internet searches were obtained from Google Trends searching “Borreliose” in Germany for the “last 5 years” as a timespan category. Data were split into the training (from 16 June 2013 to 11 June 2017) and validation (from 12 June 2017, to 27 May 2018) data sets. A seasonal autoregressive moving average model, SARIMA (0,1,1) (0,1,1) [52] model was selected to describe the time series of the weekly Lyme incidence. After this, we added the Google Trends data as an external regressor and identified the SARIMA (0,1,1) (0,1,1) [52] model as optimal. We made predictions for the validation interval using these two models and compared predictions with the values of the validation data set.ResultsForecasting for the validation timespan resulted in similar values for the models. Comparing the forecasted values with the reported ones resulted in an residual mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.3763; the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was 8.233 for the model without Google searches with an RMSE of 0.3732; and the MAPE was 8.17495 for the Google Trends values‐expanded model. The difference between the predictive performances was insignificant (Diebold‐Mariano Test, p‐value = 0.4152).ConclusionGoogle Trends data are a good correlate of the reported incidence of Lyme disease in Germany, but it failed to significantly improve the forecasting accuracy in models based on traditional data.
Experiences of adults participating in infertility support groups: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Bedi Sarah C. , Ferrell Christina , Harris Janet Y. 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACT

Objective:
The objective of this review is to identify and synthesize the best available evidence on the experiences of adults participating in infertility support groups to understand the value of support groups for this population.

Introduction:
Infertility can impact a person physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially. Infertility support groups may represent a beneficial tool that these adults can utilize to improve their quality of life. The findings may inform or promote more effective and appropriate health care and, based on the results, a change in the standard of care for the treatment of infertility.

Inclusion criteria:
This review will consider studies that include infertile women, men and couples of any age, race or marital status, in any geographic region and with any co-morbidity who participate in infertility support groups. Studies published in English that focus on qualitative data, without any restriction of year of publication, will be considered. This review will consider studies that utilize any media of material for infertility support groups.

Methods:
The key information sources to be searched are: CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Scopus, MedNar and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. A three-step search strategy will be undertaken to find both published and unpublished studies and will include searching of reference lists within articles selected for critical appraisal. Each of the included studies will be assessed for methodological quality independently by two reviewers, and findings will be extracted and synthesized.
Impact of pharmacological treatment of diabetes mellitus on dementia risk: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: McMillan Jacqueline M , Mele Bria S , Hogan David B , Leung Alexander A 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundThe association between diabetes mellitus (DM) treatment and dementia is not well understood.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between treatment of diabetes, hypoglycemia, and dementia risk.Research design and methodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of pharmacological treatment of diabetes and incident or progressive cognitive impairment. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, and PsychINFO from inception to 18 October 2017. We included cross-sectional, case–control, cohort, and randomized controlled studies. The study was registered with PROSPERO (ID CRD42017077953).ResultsWe included 37 studies into our systematic review and 13 into our meta-analysis. Ten studies investigated any antidiabetic treatment compared with no treatment or as add-on therapy to prior care. Treatment with an antidiabetic agent, in general, was not associated with incident dementia (risk ratio (RR) 1.01; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.10). However, we found differential effects across drug classes, with a signal of harm associated with insulin therapy (RR 1.21; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.39), but potentially protective effects with thiazolidinedione exposure (RR 0.71; 95% CI 0.55 to 0.93). Severe hypoglycemic episodes were associated with a nearly twofold increased likelihood of incident dementia (RR 1.77; 95% CI 1.35 to 2.33). Most studies did not account for DM duration or severity.Conclusions and limitationsThe association between treatment for diabetes and dementia is differential according to drug class, which is potentially mediated by hypoglycemic risk. Not accounting for DM duration and/or severity is a major limitation in the available evidence base.
Blindness and eye disease in a Tibetan region of China: findings from a Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness survey
Authors: Jiachu Danba , Jiang Feng , Luo Li , Zheng Hong , Duo Ji , Yang Jing , Nima Yongcuo , Ling Jin , Xiao Baixiang , Bassett Ken 
Published: November 2018

IntroductionThe only population-based survey of blindness and visual impairment of a Tibetan population was conducted in the Tibet Autonomous Region in 1999.Methods and analysisThe Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness methodology was used to conduct a survey of Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province of China in the Fall 2017. Using the 2010 census, 100 clusters of 50 participants aged 50 years or older were randomly sampled using probability proportionate to size.ResultsAmong the 5000 people enumerated, 4763 were examined (95.3% response). The age-adjusted and sex-adjusted prevalence of blindness, severe visual impairment, moderate visual impairment and early visual impairment (EVI) were 1.6% (95% CI: 1.08 to 2.38)), 0.9% (95% CI:0.7 to 1.5), 5.1% (95% CI:4.4 to 5.7), and 7.45% (95% CI:6.67 to 8.2), respectively. The prevalence of blindness among Tibetans was significantly higher than that among Han Chinese (2.2% (95% CI:1.8 to 2.6) and 0.6 (95% CI:0.2 to 1.7), respectively, p<0.05). Women bore a significant excess burden of EVI compared with men (8.5% (95% CI:7.5 to 9.6) and 6.1% (95% CI:5.1 to 7.2), respectively, p<0.05). Cataract was the primary cause of blindness (39.4%) followed by macular degeneration (10.6%) and corneal opacity (5.3%).ConclusionBlindness and visual impairment in Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is substantially less than an earlier study of a Tibetan region and now resembles other regions of China. About 58% of blindness and 67% of SVIwere avoidable, primarily by providing cataract services. Eighty-three percent of EVI was avoidable by providing refractice services throughout the region.
Can microRNA profiles predict corticosteroid responsiveness in childhood nephrotic syndrome? A study protocol
Authors: Patnaik Saroj Kumar , Kumar Pradeep , Yadav Priya , Mittal Anubha , Patel Sakshi , Yadav Mahendra Pal , Bose Tathagata , Kanitkar Madhuri 
Published: November 2018

IntroductionIn last few years, several studies have revealed the remarkable stability of extracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) circulating in the blood or excreted in the urine and underscored their key importance as biomarkers of certain diseases. Since miRNA in urinary sediment is relatively stable and easily quantified, it has the potential to be developed as a biomarker for disease diagnosis and monitoring. Identification of serum and urinary levels of certain miRNAs may assist in the diagnosis and assessment of disease activity in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS). The global expression profile of miRNAs in childhood NS in Indian population remains unknown. Hence, further research is warranted in this area. This study seeks to prospectively evaluate whether a multipronged multiomics approach concentrating on microRNA expression profiles in children with NS vis-a-vis normal healthy children is discriminant enough to predict steroid responsiveness in childhood NS.Methods and analysisIn this prospective multicentric cohort study, subjects will be recruited from general paediatric and paediatric nephrology outpatient departments (OPDs) in tertiary care level referral hospitals. Age-matched and sex-matched healthy individuals with normal renal function (as assessed by normal serum creatinine and normal ultrasound of kidneys, ureter and bladder) in 1:1 ratio between study and control groups will be recruited from among the healthy siblings of children presenting to the OPDs. Differential microRNA expression profiles in urine and serum samples of children with steroid-sensitive NS (SSNS) and steroid-resistant NS (SRNS) with healthy children will be compared in a two-phased manner: a biomarker discovery phase involving pooled samples across SSNS, SRNS and healthy siblings analysed in triplicate using next-generation sequencing, slide microarray and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) arrays covering human miRNome followed by a validation phase with customised qRT-PCR primers based on the concordance in the discovery phase differential expression profiles and bioinformatics analysis.Ethics and disseminationThe study is funded after dueInstitutional Ethics Committee (IEC) clearance, and results will be available as open access.
Changes in northern hemisphere male international rugby union players’ body mass and height between 1955 and 2015
Authors: Hill Neil E , Rilstone Sian , Stacey Michael J , Amiras Dimitri , Chew Stephen , Flatman David , Oliver Nick S 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesWe sought to establish the effects of professionalism, which officially began in 1995, on the body mass and height of northern hemisphere male international rugby union (RU) players. We hypothesised that mass would significantly increase following professionalism. We also investigated the changes in size of players according to their playing position, and we compared changes to rugby league (RL) players and the public.MethodsThe body mass and height of players representing their international team for that country’s first game of the Five Nations in 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985 and 1995 and, for 2005 and 2015, the Six Nations, were collected from matchday programmes. RL players’ data were collected from the Challenge Cup final games played in the same years.ResultsInternational RU player body mass has significantly increased since 1995. In 1955 mean (±SD) player body mass was 84.8  kg (±8.2); in 2015, it was 105.4  kg (±12.1), an increase of 24.3%. Between 1955 and 2015, the body mass of forwards increased steadily, whereas that of backs has mostly gone up since 1995. RU player body mass gain has exceeded that of RL, but the age-matched difference between RU players and the public has remained relatively constant.ConclusionsThe factors influencing the gain in body mass of rugby players are legion; however, we believe that the interpretation of the law relating to the scrum put-in and changes allowing substitutions have, at least in part, contributed to the observed changes. Injury severity is increasing, and this may be linked to greater forces (caused by greater body mass) occurring in contact. RU law makers should adjust the rules to encourage speed and skill at the expense of mass.
Increased long QT and torsade de pointes reporting on tamoxifen compared with aromatase inhibitors
Authors: Grouthier Virginie , Lebrun-Vignes Benedicte , Glazer Andrew M , Touraine Philippe , Funck-Brentano Christian , Pariente Antoine , Courtillot Carine , Bachelot Anne , Roden Dan M , Moslehi Javid J , Salem Joe-Elie 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveA prolonged QTc (LQT) is a surrogate for the risk of torsade de pointes (TdP). QTc interval duration is influenced by sex hormones: oestradiol prolongs and testosterone shortens QTc. Drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer have divergent effects on hormonal status.MethodsWe performed a disproportionality analysis using the European database of suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports to evaluate the reporting OR (ROR χ2) of LQT, TdP and ventricular arrhythmias associated with selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs: tamoxifen and toremifene) as opposed to aromatase inhibitors (AIs: anastrozole, exemestane and letrozole). When the proportion of an ADR is greater in patients exposed to a drug (SERMs) compared with patients exposed to control drug (AIs), this suggests an association between the specific drug and the reaction and is a potential signal for safety. Clinical and demographic characterisation of patients with SERMs-induced LQT and ventricular arrhythmias was performed.ResultsSERMs were associated with higher proportion of LQT reports versus AIs (26/8318 vs 11/14851, ROR: 4.2 (2.11–8.55), p<0.001). SERMs were also associated with higher proportion of TdP and ventricular arrhythmia reports versus AIs (6/8318 vs 2/14851, ROR: 5.4 (1.29–26.15), p:0.02; 16/8318 vs 12/14851, ROR: 2.38 (1.15–4.94), p:0.02, respectively). Mortality was 38% in patients presenting ventricular arrhythmias associated with SERMs.ConclusionsSERMs are associated with more reports of drug-induced LQT, TdP and ventricular arrhythmias compared with AIs. This finding is consistent with oestradiol-like properties of SERMs on the heart as opposed to effects of oestrogen deprivation and testosterone increase induced by AIs.Trial registration numberNCT03259711.
Open chest epicardial and transapical endocardial substrate ablation for ventricular tachycardia with left ventricular aneurysm in a porcine model
Authors: Li Bo , Liu Changcheng , Wang Liangshan , Wang Jin , Hu Yucai , Gu Chengxiong 
Published: November 2018

Background: Endo-epicardial radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of ventricular tachycardia (VT) as a first-line strategy has been shown to improve outcomes. This study sought to evaluate the feasibility and validity of open-chest epicardial and transapical endocardial substrate ablation for VT with left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) applying to routine cardiac surgery. Methods: Porcine models of LVA with VT were developed and were divided into a study group (RFCA from the epicardium via direct-view and endocardium via transapical access) and a control group (endocardial RFCA via retrograde transaortic access). Substrate-based mapping and ablation targeting abnormal potentials were performed under thoracotomy. Outcomes, including procedural success and acute freedom from VT, were analysed. Results: Twenty-four of 35 (68.57%) acute myocardial infarction (AMI) pigs developed LVA with VT in a 6-week survival period and were randomly divided into a study group (n=12) and a control group (n=12). All animals in the study group successfully underwent endocardial mapping and ablation by transapical access. The scar size of the endocardium and the left ventricular chamber volume were similar in the two groups. Acute freedom from VT in the study group was remarkably superior to that in the control group (88.33% vs. 58.33%, p=0.04). Conclusions: Combined, direct epicardial and transapical endocardial substrate mapping and ablation appeared to be feasible and effective for treating VT with LVA under thoracotomy.
Aesthetic Dermatologic Surgery Training in Canadian Residency Programs
Authors: Worley Brandon , Verma Luvneet , Macdonald Jillian 
Published: November 2018

Background: The public and other physicians expect dermatologists to be experts on aesthetic dermatology services. In Canada, current challenges may limit residents from achieving competency in aesthetic dermatology during their training. This may adversely affect patient safety, create medicolegal risks, and deter graduates from offering aesthetic procedures. Objectives: The objective of this article is to characterize the curriculum, hands-on learning opportunities, and perceptions of aesthetic dermatologic training in Canadian dermatology residency training programs. Methods: An online survey of faculty and residents within Canadian dermatology residency programs was performed. The main outcome measures were the hours of formal aesthetic dermatology teaching, the frequency of hands-on dermatology resident training with injectables and devices, and comparing faculty and resident perspectives regarding resident aesthetic dermatology training. Results: Thirty-six faculty members (40%) and 47 residents (34%) responded to the survey. Lasers, fillers, neuromodulators, and mole removal were most commonly taught in the 10 hours or fewer of formal instruction. Residents commonly observed rather than performed procedures. High dissatisfaction among residents was reported with the quality and quantity of aesthetic dermatology training. Faculty and resident respondents supported increasing aesthetic dermatology education, and approximately 70% of residents plan to offer aesthetic services. Discounted pricing or resident-led clinics were felt to be ways to increase resident hands-on experience. Conclusions: The standardization of core competencies in aesthetic dermatologic procedures is essential to ensure patient safety and practitioner competence. At present, formal aesthetic dermatology training in residency may be insufficient for hands-on training. The majority of dermatology faculty and resident respondents support increasing aesthetic dermatology training.
Beware of on-treatment safety analyses
Authors: Yang Fred , Wittes Janet , Pitt Bertram 
Published: November 2018

Introduction: Assessing safety is important to evaluating new medications. In many randomized clinical trials, assessment of safety relies on so-called on-treatment analysis, where data on adverse events are collected only while the participant is taking study medication and perhaps for a few (7, 14, or 30) days after stopping. This article discusses the consequence of such failure to use intent-to-treat analyses in assessing safety. Methods: This article discusses two approaches to analysis of safety data: intention-to-treat and on-treatment analysis with reference to principles of the design of randomized clinical trial. Results: On-treatment analysis violates randomization and is often not well defined. Moreover, because the typical on-treatment analysis ignores the reason participants in clinical trials stop treatment, on-treatment analyses can lead to biased estimates of risk. Examples show biases that can result from failure to count all adverse events. An example from a study of rofecoxib shows an on-treatment analysis that led to likely underestimation of harm; an example from a study of saxagliptin shows an on-treatment analysis that led to a likely overestimate of harms. Conclusion: For major safety outcomes in long-term clinical trials, intention-to-treat analysis should be performed in the framework of benefit–risk evaluation. More generally, analyses of safety should be tailored to the specific question being asked with the specific study design under consideration. On-treatment analyses are subject to bias; however, the direction of that bias is not necessarily clear.
Berry seed oils as potential cardioprotective food supplements
Authors: Jurgoński Adam , Koza Jarosław , Chu Dinh-Toi , Opyd Paulina M. 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Background
There is a tendency to search for new, unconventional plant oils with health-promoting properties, preferably unrefined, which besides having an interesting fatty acid profile contain a high level of biologically active compounds. This review is focused on selected berry seed oils as potential cardioprotective food supplements, that is, strawberry, red raspberry, and blackcurrant seed oil, and their chemical composition and nutritional quality.

Main text
Berry seed oils are rich in essential fatty acids both from n-6 and n-3 family. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in selected oils was reported as follows (as percentage of total fatty acids): red raspberry seed oil, 85% (linoleic acid, 54%; α-linolenic acid, 32%); blackcurrant seed oil, 81.5% (linoleic acid, 48%; α- and γ-linolenic acid, 30%); and strawberry seed oil, 78% (linoleic acid, 42%; α-linolenic acid, 36%). Worthy of notice is also the presence of γ-linolenic acid in blackcurrant seed oil (approximately 17%). In addition, the seed oils are abundant in other bio-active compounds, such as sterols, tocols, and phenolic compounds. Except for blackcurrant seed oil, health-promoting aspects of the proposed seed oils have not been extensively investigated in in vivo studies. But, there are available studies on laboratory rats suggesting cardioprotective properties of these oils. Especially, a potent triglyceride-lowering effect of blackcurrant, strawberry, and raspberry seed oil was visible. The tested berry seed oils also ameliorated the inflammatory state in the organism and the liver fat content. Nevertheless, the consumption of the berry seed oils, especially together with an unbalanced diet, induced also some unfavorable changes in the organism.

Conclusion
The proposed berry seed oils can be considered edible and potentially cardioprotective supplements; however, there is a need for extensive in vivo researches that could confirm their properties, check the safety of their consumption, and allow to select the most suitable ones.