bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical value of soluble urokinase type plasminogen activator receptors in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Ahmed Reem M. , Khalil Mona A. , Ibrahim Amal H. , Eid Hanaa M. , Abdelbasset Walid Kamal , Soliman Gaber S. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) will progress to end stage without treatment, the decline off renal function may not linear. A sensitive marker such as soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptors (suPARs) may allow potential intervention and treatment in earlier stages of CKD.

Objectives:
This study was designed to measure plasma (suPAR) in patients with CKD with different stages and to find its correlation with the disease severity.

Methods:
This study was conducted on 114 subjects, 84 were patients with different stages and different causes of CKD, and 30 healthy subjects as controls. Blood urea, serum creatinine, serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and 24 hours proteinuria were measured, renal biopsy was done for all patients, and plasma (suPAR) was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:
suPAR plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with CKD (7.9 ± 3.82 ng/mL) than controls (1.76 ± 0.77 ng/mL, P < .001). suPAR correlated with the disease severity. In stage 1 to 2 group, it was 3.7 ± 1.5 ng/mL, in stage 3 to 4, it was 10.10 ± 1.22 ng/mL, and in stage 5 group, it was 12.34 ± 0.88 ng/mL; the difference between the 3 groups was highly significant (P < .001). A cutoff point 2.5 ng/mL of suPAR was found between controls and stage 1 group. According to the cause of CKD, although patients with obstructive cause and those with focal glomerulosclerosis had the higher levels 9.11 ± 3.32 ng/mL and 8.73 ± 3.19 ng/mL, respectively, but there was no significant difference between patients with CKD according to the cause of the CKD.

Conclusion:
Plasma (suPAR) increased in patients with CKD and correlated with disease severity.
Prognostic impact of preoperative serum alkaline phosphatase level on a composite of morbidity and mortality after thoracic endovascular aortic repair
Authors: Ham Sung Yeon , Nam Sang Beom , Han Dong Woo , You Ann Hee , Lim Won Sik , Song Young 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background:
Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is related to vascular calcification and is known to have a prognostic impact in various cohorts. However, evidence in patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is lacking. Thus, we hypothesized that preoperative serum ALP level could be used for predicting adverse events after TEVAR.

Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 167 patients who underwent TEVAR between February 2013 and December 2016. Patients were classified into tertiles according to preoperative ALP level (<69, 69–92, and >92 IU/L). The composite of morbidity and mortality (composite MM) was defined as the presence of one or more of the following: myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, dialysis requirement, pulmonary complication, infection, and mortality within 1 year after TEVAR. The incidence of composite MM was compared among the 3 tertiles, and stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictors for composite MM.

Results:
The incidence of composite MM was 14.5% in the first tertile group, 17.9% in the second tertile group, and 35.7% in the third tertile group (P = .016). The third tertile of ALP level (odds ratio [OR] 1.766, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.074–2.904, P = .025) and emergency TEVAR (OR 2.369, 95% CI 1.050–5.346, P = .038) remained as independent predictors of composite MM.

Conclusions:
Our data showed an independent relationship between high preoperative ALP levels and adverse outcomes in patients undergoing TEVAR. This finding might suggest a potential role of ALP level as a risk stratification marker.
Effect of Chinese herbal medicine on primary dysmenorrhea
Authors: Xu Lu , Xie Tian , Shen Tao , Zhang Tianfeng 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background:
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD), the most common gynecological diseases, seriously affects women's life and work; however, without more effective treatment. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been widely used for relieving dysmenorrheic pain in patients with PD. To assess the effectiveness and safety of CHM in patients with PD, a systematic review and meta-analysis of current published evidence regarding CHM as treatment for PD would be conducted in this study.

Methods:
Literatures related to CHM for PD from the establishment of the database to June 2019 will be retrieved from the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBACE, Wed of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database. There are no language restrictions for retrieving literature. Eligible randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness and safety of CHM in PD patients will be put in the study including outcomes of pain intensity, clinical effectiveness rate, quality of life, and adverse events. By scanning the titles, abstracts and full texts, 2 reviewers will independently select studies, extract data, and assess the quality of study. Meta-analysis of RCTs will be conducted using Review Manager 5.1 software. The results will be presented as risk ratio for dichotomous data, and standardized or weighted mean difference for continuous data.

Result:
This study will provide high-quality available evidence for the treatment of PD with CHM based on pain, clinical efficacy, quality of life, and adverse events.

Conclusion:
The systematic review willto evaluate the efficacy of CHM in treating PD and provide evidence for clinicians.

PROSPERO registration number:
CRD42019121185.
Analysis of prenatal diagnosis before and after implementation of the two-child policy in northeastern China
Authors: Wang Ruixue , Yu Yang , Xi Qi , Jiang Yuting , Zhu Haibo , Li Shibo , Liu Ruizhi , Zhang Hongguo 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The universal two-child policy has now been fully implemented in China. This change requires adaptations to maternal care and childcare systems, but the features of prenatal diagnosis before and after implementation of the policy have not been reported.
We conducted a retrospective study of 6736 prenatal cytogenetic diagnoses performed on amniotic fluid cells over a 4-year period, including 2 years before and after implementation of the second child policy. Amniotic fluid cells collected through amniocentesis were cultured, harvested, and stained for chromosome analysis using standard laboratory protocols.
The study included 3222 pregnant women referred before implementation of the policy, which we used as a control group, and 3514 pregnant women referred after policy implementation as an investigational study group. There were significantly fewer pregnant women aged <25 years in the investigational group than in the control group (P < .001). There were no significant between-group differences for other pregnant women aged >31 years and 27–28 years old (P > .05). A total of 358 cases with chromosomal abnormalities were diagnosed, including 129 (4%, 129/3222) in the control group which was significantly lower than the 229 (6.5%, 229/3514) in the study group (P < .001). In particular, significantly more trisomy 21 cases were observed in the study group than in the control group (120 vs 59). More pregnant women underwent non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in the study group (46%) than in the control group (20%). In the study group, the average age of pregnant women who underwent NIPT was significantly higher than that of women who did not receive NIPT (P < .05). However, there were no significant between-group differences for the control group (P > .05).
The number of cases with chromosomal abnormalities increased in northeastern China in the 2 years after implementation of the two-child policy. The number of pregnant women of advanced maternal age did not increase significantly, perhaps because of the widespread application of NIPT. However, the number of fetuses with Down syndrome increased significantly, suggesting that prenatal screening and diagnosis should be strengthened.
Serum cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor profiles and their modulation in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Martinez-Fierro Margarita L. , Garza-Veloz Idalia , Rocha-Pizaña Maria R. , Cardenas-Vargas Edith , Cid-Baez Miguel A. , Trejo-Vazquez Fabiola , Flores-Morales Virginia , Villela-Ramirez Gabriela A. , Delgado-Enciso Ivan , Rodriguez-Sanchez Iram P. , Ortiz-Castro Yolanda 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD) are the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because these subtypes of IBD are characterized by periods of activity and remission, an understanding of the modulation of biochemical markers with the clinical features of IBD or its treatment, may be useful for determining the correct treatment protocol.
This study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of 27 protein biomarkers to determine their association with IBD, correlation with clinical findings of disease, and modulation according to the pharmacologic therapy.
A case–control study was carried out in Zacatecas, Mexico. The 27 protein profiles of serum from 53 participants (23 UC, 11 CD, and 19 controls) were evaluated using the Pro Human Cytokine 27-Plex immunoassay (Bio-Rad).
Considering the controls as a reference, the group with IBD endoscopic activity showed higher serum levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) (P < .05). Interferon-induced protein 10 (IP-10) was associated with extraintestinal symptoms of disease (P = .041). Both PDGF-BB and interleukin 6 (IL-6) showed the strongest correlations with clinical features of IBD. Levels of IL-6, IL-7, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 were higher with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) + Azathioprine therapy than controls (P < .05). Combined therapy with 5-ASA + Adalimumab led to the strongest changes in marker modulation: IL-4, IL-5, IL-15, and PDGF-BB, were upregulated (P < .05).
Elevated serum levels of G-CSF, IL-1Ra, and PDGF-BB were associated with IBD endoscopic activity, and of IP-10 with extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. Combined therapy of 5-ASA + Adalimumab produced significant upregulation of IL-4, IL-5, IL-15, and PDGF-BB. This information may be useful for deciding on the course of pharmacologic therapy for patients with IBD and for generating new therapy alternatives to improve the outcome of patients with IBD.
Relationship between corneal deformation amplitude and optic nerve head structure in primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Jung Younhea , Park Hae-Young Lopilly , Park Chan Kee 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between corneal deformation amplitude (DA), which is the amount of corneal displacement at highest degree of concavity measured by Corvis Scheimpflug Technology (ST), and various optic nerve head parameters in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
Fifty-eight POAG patients were included in this observational study. For each patient, DA with Corvis ST, color optic disc photography, and optic nerve head imaging by enhanced depth imaging with a Heidelberg spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT), Cirrus OCT, and Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT) were obtained. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between DA and optic nerve head parameters before and after adjusting for age, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, and axial length.
Corneal DA was negatively associated with lamina cribrosa (LC) depth (r = −0.390, P = .003) after adjusting for confounders. It showed positive relationship with parapapillary atrophy (PPA) area (r = 0.321, P = .046). In addition, the corneal DA was negatively correlated with cup volume (r = −0.351, P = .017) and mean cup depth (r = −0.409, P = .005) measured by HRT.
Corneal DA is related with optic nerve head parameters in patients with POAG. Patients with lower corneal DA showed greater LC depth, greater cup area, deeper cup, and smaller PPA than those with higher corneal DA.
Living-donor liver transplantation following cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Oh Min Seok , Sung Jeong Min , Yeon Hyo Jin , Cho Hyung Jun , Ko Justin Sangwook , Kim Gaab Soo , Lim Hyunyoung 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Rationale:
Liver transplantation is an increasingly common treatment for patients with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver transplantation in patients with heart disease can pose a significant challenge to the transplant teams.

Patient concerns:
A 46-year-old woman was diagnosed with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma 3 years ago and had received 3 times transarterial chemoembolization.

Diagnoses:
The patient was diagnosed as end-stage liver disease due to hepatocellular carcinoma and was scheduled to undergo living-donor liver transplantation. The preoperative echocardiogram revealed mass in the right atrium and the inferior vena cava.

Interventions:
The patient underwent mass removal under cardiopulmonary bypass followed by liver transplantation.

Outcomes:
A month later, she was discharged without any complications.

Lessons:
There have only been a few reported cases of anesthetic liver transplantation after a cardiopulmonary bypass. The successful experience described in this case report suggests that some patients may be eligible to undergo a liver transplantation after a cardiopulmonary bypass.
Effectiveness, safety, and economic evaluation of adjuvant moxibustion therapy for aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia of postmenopausal breast cancer stage I to III patients
Authors: Shin Seungwon , Jang Bo-Hyoung , Park Seung-Hyeok , Lee Jin-Wook , Chae Min Soo , Kim Namhoon , Suh Hae Sun , Han Sola , Min Sun Young , Baek Sun Kyung , Lim Yu Jin , Hwang Deok-Sang 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Introduction:
This study is a prospective, assessor-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled pilot trial to explore the effectiveness of 12-week adjuvant moxibustion therapy for arthralgia in menopausal females at stage I to III breast cancer on aromatase inhibitor (AI) administration, compared with those receiving usual care.

Methods/design:
Forty-six menopausal female patients with breast cancer who completed cancer therapy will be randomly allocated to either adjuvant moxibustion or usual care groups with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The intervention group will undergo 24 sessions of adjuvant moxibustion therapy with usual care for 12 weeks, whereas the control group will receive only usual care during the same period. The usual care consists of acetaminophen administration on demand and self-directed exercise education to manage AI-related joint pain. The primary outcome is the mean change of the worst pain level according to the Brief Pain Inventory—Short Form between the initial visit and the endpoint. The mean changes in depression, fatigue, and quality of life will also be compared between groups. Safety and pharmacoeconomic evaluations will also be included.

Discussion:
Continuous variables will be compared by an independent t test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test between the adjuvant moxibustion and usual care groups. Adverse events will be analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher exact test. The statistical analysis will be performed by a 2-tailed test at a significance level of .05.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate as an indicator for deciding the use of adjuvant corticosteroids therapy in community-acquired pneumonia (sphingosine-1-phosphate and pneumonia trial)
Authors: Hsu Shih-Chang , Huang Wen-Cheng , Liu Chung-Te , Hsu Yuan-Pin , Chang Jer-Hwa , Huang Shau-Ku , Hsu Chin-Wang 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Introduction:
Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, represents a potentially life-threatening condition. In recent studies, adjuvant corticosteroids therapy has been shown to improve outcome in severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP); however, the treatment response to corticosteroids vary. It is important to select patients likely to benefit from the treatment. Currently, the optimal patient selection of corticosteroids treatment is not yet clearly defined.

Methods:
Sphingosine-1-phosphate and pneumonia (SOPN) trial is a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that will investigate if sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) can be an indicator for initiating adjuvant corticosteroids therapy in patients with severe CAP. Participants will be recruited from the emergency department and randomized to receive 20 mg of methylprednisolone twice daily or placebo for 5 days. The primary outcome will be “in-hospital mortality.” Secondary outcomes will include intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and clinical outcomes at Day 7 and Day 14.

Conclusion:
SOPN trial is the first randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate whether S1P can be a predictive biomarker for adjuvant corticosteroids therapy in patients with severe CAP. The trial will add additional data for the appropriate use of adjuvant corticosteroids therapy in patients with severe CAP. Results from this clinical trial will provide foundational information supporting that if the S1P is appropriate for guiding the patient selection for corticosteroids adjuvant therapy.
Non-pharmacological interventions for patients with dementia
Authors: Lee Go Eun , Kim Ju Yeon , Jung Jin Hyeong , Kang Hyung won , Jung In Chul 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background:
This protocol for a systematic review describes the methods that will be used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological interventions for patients with dementia.

Methods:
We will search ALOIS, the specialized register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group (CDCIG), without language or publication status restrictions. Additional separate searches will be run in many of the above six databases to ensure the most up-to-date results are retrieved.
The study selection and data extraction will be performed independently by two authors and only randomized controlled trials will be included. The risk of bias will be assessed independently by two authors following the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We will use RevMan software and random-effects models to assess the heterogeneity and data synthesis.
If any plan for documenting important protocol amendments changes, the researchers will make a revision agreement and then register the modification on PROSPERO.

Conclusion:
Through this systematic review, a comprehensive understanding of current non-pharmacological interventions on dementia will be available. Meanwhile, it will provide basic evidence for further clinical research.

Ethics and dissemination:
Ethical approval is not required because no individual patient's data are included in this paper. This study will be disseminated through conference presentation.

Prospero registration number:
CRD42019136435
The inter-relationship between marginal vitamin D deficiency and muscle
Authors: Kamwa Vicky , Hassan-Smith Zaki K. 
Published: October 2019

Purpose of review
We review the recent literature on the interplay between mild vitamin D deficiency and skeletal muscle strength and performance.

Recent findings
Preclinical studies indicate that vitamin D is important in muscle proliferation, differentiation and mitochondrial function, whereas some epidemiological studies demonstrate associations with muscle strength and low physical performance. Recent studies have implicated vitamin D deficiency in the development of frailty and sarcopenia in the older population. Some small studies have assessed its impact on muscle function in special circumstances such as elite sport and critical illness. Advances in liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry technologies have allowed the inter-relationships between the vitamin D metabolome and muscle phenotype to be characterized. There is evidence of distinct effects on human skeletal muscle gene expression between vitamin D metabolites.

Summary
Large-scale clinical trials with well defined cohorts and outcomes are needed to provide clinically meaningful insights into this area. Care should be taken to stratify participants by vitamin D status at baseline and over follow-up in addition to observing a range of measures of muscle function.
A Mixed-Methods Study on Patient Safety Insights of New Graduate Registered Nurses
Authors: Murray Melanie , Sundin Deborah , Cope Vicki 
Published: October 2019

Background:
New graduate nurses transition with limited experience, and with anxiety and stress. They present an increased risk of contributing to preventable errors or adverse events.

Purpose:
The purpose was to develop an understanding of new graduate registered nurses' (RNs) patient safety knowledge and actions within the first year of registration.

Methods:
The longitudinal mixed-methods study was conducted using a questionnaire delivered at 3 time points (n = 68). Qualitative data were collected by semistructured interviews (n = 11).

Results:
Self-reported knowledge of medical error decreased over the 3 time points. Themes emerging from qualitative data include patient safety and insights, time management, making a mistake, experiential learning, and transition.

Conclusions:
Medical errors and time management persist during transition to the RN role. New graduates reported moderate knowledge of safety and quality issues; however, questioning their own abilities overshadowed growth in their involvement in patient safety.
Antiangiogenesis activity test of tin leaf (Ficus carica L.) on the number of blood vessels and VEGF expression of chorioallantoic membrane of embryonated chicken eggs
Authors: Hamid Iwan Sahrial , Aksono Eduardus Bimo , Sukmanadi Mohammad , Purnama Muhammad Thohawi Elziyad 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This research has been conducted on the antiangiogenesis activity test of the tin leaf (Ficus carica L.) on the number of blood vessels and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of embryonated chicken eggs. The general objective of this study is the use of natural products from the F. carica L. as chemopreventive in cancer through the mechanism of inhibition of angiogenesis. Inhibition of angiogenesis, supply of nutrients and oxygen to cancer cells will also be inhibited, so that indirectly cancer cells will be stunted. This study used 25 embryonated chicken eggs that divided into 5 treatments and each treatment has 5 repetitions. This treatment includes placebo negative controls, celecoxib-positive controls, and 3 treatment groups were given a water extract of F. carica L. which was divided into several doses of 75, 90, and 110 μg. The result found a significant difference (P < .05) in the macroscopic observation of the number of blood vessels in the CAM loaded with the paper dish. Observation of VEGF expression in vascular endothelial cells in the CAM also had a significant difference (P < .05). The optimal dose of water extract of F. carica L. of 90 μg has been able to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels by 65.51% and reduce VEGF expression by 45% in the chorioallantoic membrane. Thus, it can be concluded that the administration of water extract of F. carica L. can inhibit the formation of new blood vessels and inhibit VEGF expression.