bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injections in osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Laudy Augustinus B M , Bakker Eric W P , Rekers Mark , Moen Maarten H 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundThe effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for osteoarthritis (OA) is still controversial. We investigated the effect of PRP injections in patients with knee OA based on decreasing pain, improving function, global assessment and changes regarding joint imaging.MethodsWe performed a comprehensive, systematic literature search in computerised databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science and PEDro) until June 2014 for randomised or non-randomised controlled trials. These were graded for risk of bias and a level of evidence was provided. If possible, meta-analysis was performed.ResultsTen trials were included. In these, intra-articular PRP injections were more effective for pain reduction (mean difference (MD) −2.45; 95% CI −2.92 to −1.98; p value <0.00001 and MD −2.07; 95% CI −2.59 to −1.55; p value <0.00001, single and double PRP injections, respectively) compared with placebo at 6 months postinjection. Intra-articular PRP injections were compared with hyaluronic acid and showed a statistically significant difference in favour of PRP on pain reduction based on the visual analogue scale and numeric rating scale (standardised mean difference −0.92; 95% CI −1.20 to −0.63; p value <0.00001) at 6 months postinjection. Almost all trials revealed a high risk of bias.ConclusionsOn the basis of the current evidence, PRP injections reduced pain more effectively than did placebo injections in OA of the knee (level of evidence: limited due to a high risk of bias). This significant effect on pain was also seen when PRP injections were compared with hyaluronic acid injections (level of evidence: moderate due to a generally high risk of bias). Additionally, function improved significantly more when PRP injections were compared with controls (limited to moderate evidence). More large randomised studies of good quality and low risk of bias are needed to test whether PRP injections should be a routine part of management of patients with OA of the knee.
Early socioeconomic position and self-rated health among civil servants in Brazil: a cross-sectional analysis from the Pró-Saúde cohort study
Authors: Guimarães Joanna Miguez Nery , Werneck Guilherme Loureiro , Faerstein Eduardo , Lopes Claudia S , Chor Dora 
Published: November 2014

ObjectivesAlthough there is evidence that socioeconomic conditions in adulthood are associated with worse self-rated health, the putative effect of early adverse life circumstances on adult self-rated health is not consistent. Besides, little is known on this subject in the context of middle-income countries. We aimed to investigate the association between indicators of socioeconomic position in early life and self-rated health in adulthood, taking into account the influence of current socioeconomic position.DesignCross-sectional.Participants3339 civil servants (44.5% male) working at a public university in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, participants of the Pró-Saúde cohort study.MeasurementsThrough a lifecourse approach, we evaluated if seven indicators of participants’ socioeconomic position earlier in life were associated with worse self-rated health in adulthood. Ordinal logistic regression analysis with a proportional odds model was used.ResultsAfter adjusting for socioeconomic position in adulthood (education and income), the indicators of early socioeconomic position associated with poor self-rated health were as follows: not eating at home due to lack of money at the age of 12 (OR=1.29 95% CI 1.06 to 1.57) and having lived in a small city or rural area at the age of 12 (OR=1.51 95% CI 1.21 to 1.89).ConclusionsSelf-rated health was associated with two indicators of remarkable experiences of poverty in early life, even when socioeconomic conditions improved throughout life. Our findings have shown a long-term impact of extreme socioeconomic hardship during childhood and/or adolescence on the development of social inequalities in health. In terms of implications for public health, our work emphasises that health policies, usually focused on adult lifestyle interventions, should be complemented by initiatives aimed at reducing socioeconomic inequalities during the earliest stages of development, such as childhood and adolescence.
Mental health problems of undocumented migrants (UMs) in the Netherlands: a qualitative exploration of help-seeking behaviour and experiences with primary care
Authors: Teunissen Erik , Sherally Jamilah , van den Muijsenbergh Maria , Dowrick Chris , van Weel-Baumgarten Evelyn , van Weel Chris 
Published: November 2014

ObjectiveTo explore health-seeking behaviour and experiences of undocumented migrants (UMs) in general practice in relation to mental health problems.DesignQualitative study using semistructured interviews and thematic analysis.Participants15 UMs in the Netherlands, varying in age, gender, country of origin and education; inclusion until theoretical saturation was reached.Setting4 cities in the Netherlands.ResultsUMs consider mental health problems to be directly related to their precarious living conditions. For support, they refer to friends and religion first, the general practitioner (GP) is their last resort. Barriers for seeking help include taboo on mental health problems, lack of knowledge of and trust in GPs competencies regarding mental health and general barriers in accessing healthcare as an UM (lack of knowledge of the right to access healthcare, fear of prosecution, financial constraints and practical difficulties). Once access has been gained, satisfaction with care is high. This is primarily due to the attitude of the GPs and the effectiveness of the treatment. Reasons for dissatisfaction with GP care are an experienced lack of time, lack of personal attention and absence of physical examination. Expectations of the GP vary, medication for mental health problems is not necessarily seen as a good practice.ConclusionsUMs often see their precarious living conditions as an important determinant of their mental health; they do not easily seek help for mental health problems and various barriers hamper access to healthcare for them. Rather than for medication, UMs are looking for encouragement and support from their GP. We recommend that barriers experienced in seeking professional care are tackled at an institutional level as well as at the level of GP.
Adverse outcomes of (post-)term births and differences in professional organisational contexts: an integral descriptive system approach
Authors: Harmsen Loes , Schaaf Hans 
Published: November 2014

ObjectiveThe development and application of an integral descriptive model for monitoring and evaluation of patient flows and adverse outcomes of childbirth related to distinct categories of professional organisational contexts.SettingAfter categorisation of the individual professional contexts in which deliveries take place, the resulting framework has been superimposed on the 2002–2010 database of the Netherlands Perinatal Registry.ParticipantsAll Dutch hospitals and almost all first-line midwife practices recorded 1 469 955 (post-)term births from which only the patients with a spontaneous onset of labour (n=1 120 508) were included in a study on the quality of obstetric care outside office hours.Main outcome measuresFor the performance of professional organisational contexts the difference in relative incidence of perinatal death or Apgar score <7 between the related patient groups and the reference patient groups has been used. These differences have been expressed as risk ratio (RR) with a 95% CI.ResultsOnly the group of patients who started labour spontaneously under the supervision of the first-line midwife shows a proportional distribution over the parts of the day. In all other groups the distribution of patients is disproportional. The perinatal mortality rate declines by about 30% in the successive periods. This decline concerns mainly those patients who gave birth outside office hours.ConclusionsThe complexity and the dynamics of the obstetric care system make it virtually impossible to demonstrate fixed patterns in the relationships between the separate contextual factors and the (adverse) outcomes of births. To generate useful knowledge, it is necessary to evaluate changes in the obstetric care system periodically and systematically. Thus, the longitudinal application of the model demonstrated that the differences in perinatal mortality rate between the parts of the day have disappeared in recent years.
Effects of female genital cutting on physical health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Berg Rigmor C , Underland Vigdis , Odgaard-Jensen Jan , Fretheim Atle , Vist Gunn E 
Published: November 2014

ObjectiveWorldwide, an estimated 125 million girls and women live with female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). We aimed to systematically review the evidence for physical health risks associated with FGM/C.DesignWe searched 15 databases to identify studies (up to January 2012). Selection criteria were empirical studies reporting physical health outcomes from FGM/C, affecting females with any type of FGM/C, irrespective of ethnicity, nationality and age. Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts, applied eligibility criteria, assessed methodological study quality and extracted full-text data. To derive overall risk estimates, we combined data from included studies using the Mantel-Haenszel method for unadjusted dichotomous data and the generic inverse-variance method for adjusted data. Outcomes that were sufficiently similar across studies and reasonably resistant to biases were aggregated in meta-analyses. We applied the instrument Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation to assess the extent to which we have confidence in the effect estimates.ResultsOur search returned 5109 results, of which 185 studies (3.17 million women) satisfied the inclusion criteria. The risks of systematic and random errors were variable and we focused on key outcomes from the 57 studies with the best available evidence. The most common immediate complications were excessive bleeding, urine retention and genital tissue swelling. The most valid and statistically significant associations for the physical health sequelae of FGM/C were seen on urinary tract infections (unadjusted RR=3.01), bacterial vaginosis (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.68), dyspareunia (RR=1.53), prolonged labour (AOR=1.49), caesarean section (AOR=1.60), and difficult delivery (AOR=1.88).ConclusionsWhile the precise estimation of the frequency and risk of immediate, gynaecological, sexual and obstetric complications is not possible, the results weigh against the continuation of FGM/C and support the diagnosis and management of girls and women suffering the physical risks of FGM/C.Trial registration numberThis study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42012003321.
TheBokSmartintervention programme is associated with improvements in injury prevention behaviours of rugby union players: an ecological cross-sectional study
Authors: Brown James C , Gardner-Lubbe Sugnet , Lambert Michael Ian , Van Mechelen Willem , Verhagen Evert 
Published: November 2014

Background/aimParticipants of rugby union (‘rugby’) have an above-average risk of injury compared with other popular sports. Thus,BokSmart, a nationwide injury prevention programme for rugby, was introduced in South Africa in 2009. Improvements in injury-preventing behaviour of players are critical to the success of an intervention. The aim of this study was to assess whetherBokSmarthas been associated with improvements in rugby player behaviour.MethodsAn anonymous knowledge, attitude and self-reported behaviour questionnaire was completed by junior (under-18) and senior (adult) tournament players who attended merit-based tournaments (2008–2012). The questionnaire was completed by 2279 junior players (99% of total estimated population) from 111 teams and 1642 senior players (96% of population) from 81 teams. A generalised linear model assessed behavioural changes over this time period.ResultsNine (50%) of the behaviours improved significantly (p<0.005) between 2008 and 2012 and the remaining behaviours remained unchanged. Improved behaviours included the targeted, catastrophic injury-preventing behaviours of the intervention: practising of tackling (adjusted overall improvement in odds: 56%) and scrummaging, in forwards only (58%), techniques. Other behaviours that improved significantly were postinjury compression and elevation as well as alcohol avoidance, mouthguard use (training and matches) and cooling down (training and matches). Practising of safe rucking techniques; warming up before training/matches; ice use; heat, massage and alcohol avoidance postinjury; and preseason and off-season conditioning remained unchanged.ConclusionsBokSmartis associated with improvements in targeted injury-preventing behaviours in players. Future research should ascertain whether self-reported behaviours reflect actual behaviour and whether the observed improvements translate into changes in injury rates.
Lesion stability characteristics outperform degree of stenosis in predicting outcomes following stenting for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis
Authors: Alexander M D , Cooke D L , Meyers P M , Amans M R , Dowd C F , Halbach V V , Higashida R T , Hetts S W 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundIntracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) causes substantial morbidity and mortality. Treatment decisions have most commonly been driven by the degree of luminal stenosis. This study compares ICAD lesion stability features with percentage stenosis for associations with adverse outcomes following treatment with stents.Materials and methodsRetrospective analysis was performed of prospectively maintained procedure logs. Lesions were classified by symptom type as hypoperfusion, non-hypoperfusion, or indeterminate, and pretreatment asymptomatic intervals were noted. Hypoperfusion lesions and indeterminate or non-hypoperfusion lesions with ≥14 days of asymptomatic interval were classified as stable. Percentage stenosis was calculated and compared against these other symptom features for value in predicting technical complication, ischemic stroke, disability, or death at 90 days and 2 years using univariate and multivariate analysis.Results130 lesions were treated in 124 patients. The only statistically significant percent stenosis finding was lesions with 60–99% stenosis were less likely to have technical complications. In univariate analysis, stroke at 2 years was less common with hypoperfusion and stable lesions. In multivariate analysis, only hypoperfusion status was associated with lower stroke rates at 2 years.ConclusionsLesion stability features, particularly non-hypoperfusion symptomatology, outperform percentage stenosis in predicting outcomes following treatment of ICAD with stents. Further examination is needed to better classify the natural history of ICAD and more precisely classify lesion stability.
Application of integrated production and economic models to estimate the impact of Schmallenberg virus for various sheep production types in the UK and France
Authors: Alarcon Pablo , Häsler Barbara , Raboisson Didier , Waret‐Szkuta Agnes , Corbière Fabien , Rushton Jonathan 
Published: November 2014

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to estimate and compare the economic impact of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in different sheep production holdings using partial budget and gross margin analyses in combination with production models.ParticipantsThe sheep production types considered were lowland spring lambing, upland spring lambing and early lambing flocks in the UK, and grass lamb flocks of the Centre and West of France, extensive lambing flocks and dairy sheep flocks in France.MethodologyTwo disease scenarios with distinct input parameters associated with reproductive problems were considered: low and high impact. Sensitivity analyses were performed for the most uncertain input parameters, and the models were run with all of the lowest and highest values to estimate the range of disease impact.ResultsThe estimated net SBV disease cost per year and ewe for the UK was £19.65–£20.85 for the high impact scenario and £6.40–£6.58 for the low impact scenario. No major differences were observed between the different production types. For France, the net SBV disease cost per year and ewe for the meat sheep holdings was £15.59–£17.20 for the high impact scenario and £4.75–£5.26 for the low impact scenario. For the dairy sheep, the costs per year and ewe were £29.81 for the high impact scenario and £10.34 for the low impact scenario.ConclusionsThe models represent a useful decision support tool for farmers and veterinarians who are facing decisions regarding disease control measures. They allow estimating disease impact on a farm accounting for differing production practices, which creates the necessary basis for cost effectiveness analysis of intervention strategies, such as vaccination.
The astronomical calibration of the Givetian (Middle Devonian) timescale (Dinant Synclinorium, Belgium)
Authors: De Vleeschouwer David , Boulvain Frédéric , Da Silva Anne-Christine , Pas Damien , Labaye Corentin , Claeys Philippe 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Recent advances in radiometric dating result in significant improvements in the geological timescale and provide better insight into the timing of various processes and evolutions within the Earth's system. However, no radiometric ages are contained within the Givetian. Consequently, the absolute ages of the Givetian Stage boundaries, as well as the stage's duration, remain poorly constrained. As an alternative, the analysis of sedimentary cycles allows for the estimation of the duration of this stage. We examined the high-resolution magnetic susceptibility signals of four Givetian outcrops in the Givet area for a possible astronomical imprint, to fully understand the rates of evolutionary and environmental change. All four sections are firmly correlated and wavelet analyses of the magnetic susceptibility signals reveal the imprint of astronomical eccentricity forcing. The highly stable 405 kyr cycles constrain the duration of the Givetian Stage at 4.35±0.45 Myr, which is in good agreement with the International Chronostratigraphic Chart (5.0 Myr). The studied sections also exhibit an imprint of obliquity, suggesting a climatic teleconnection between low and high latitudes. The corresponding microfacies curves demonstrate similar astronomical imprint, and thereby indicate that the observed 10
5
year-scale cyclicity is the result of climatic and environmental change.
A climate-driven model using time-series analysis of magnetic susceptibility (χ) datasets to represent a floating-point high-resolution geological timescale for the Middle Devonian Eifelian stage
Authors: Ellwood Brooks B. , El Hassani Ahmed , Tomkin Jonathan H. , Bultynck Pierre 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Presented here are cyclostratigraphic time-series data, using magnetic susceptibility (χ) results from Devonian Moroccan rocks to establish a floating-point age chronology, and a method that can be applied to any geological stage using geochemical or geophysical datasets as a climate proxy. The χ data are fit to an independent uniform climate model for the entire Eifelian Stage. The procedure used comprised: (a) definition of a uniform
c.
405 kyr eccentricity climate model for the Eifelian, with a published duration for the Eifelian; and (b) graphical testing of the model using χ data derived from outcrop samples, here including data from the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point for the Emsian–Eifelian and Eifelian–Givetian stage boundaries, and an overlapping succession from Bou Tchrafine, Morocco. The time-series methods used here identify χ cycles that conform to the
c.
405 kyr by graphically comparing the χ zonation with the climate model. Well-established conodont zonations developed using graphic correlation are then compared with this model, allowing time estimates for Eifelian conodont zone ranges. The time-series data indicate that the Eifelian Stage in the Middle Devonian lasted for
c.
6.28 myr, the Lower Eifelian Choteč bio-event lasted for
c.
600 kyr, and the Kačák bio-event in the Upper Eifelian lasted for
c.
370 kyr.
Benzene Uptake in Hookah Smokers and Non-smokers Attending Hookah Social Events: Regulatory Implications
Authors: Kassem Nada O.F. , Kassem Noura O. , Jackson Sheila R. , Liles Sandy , Daffa Reem M. , Zarth Adam T. , Younis Maram A. , Carmella Steven G. , Hofstetter C. Richard , Chatfield Dale A. , Matt Georg E. , Hecht Stephen S. , Hovell Melbourne F. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Background: Benzene is a human hematotoxicant and a leukemogen that causes lymphohematopoietic cancers, especially acute myelogenous leukemia. We investigated uptake of benzene in hookah smokers and non-smokers attending hookah social events in naturalistic settings where hookah tobacco was smoked exclusively.
Methods: We quantified S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA), a metabolite of benzene, in the urine of 105 hookah smokers and 103 non-smokers. Participants provided spot urine samples the morning of and the morning after attending an indoor hookah-only smoking social event at a hookah lounge or in a private home.
Results: Urinary SPMA levels in hookah smokers increased significantly following a hookah social event (P &lt; 0.001). This increase was 4.2 times higher after hookah lounge events (P &lt; 0.001) and 1.9 times higher after home events (P = 0.003). In non-smokers, urinary SPMA levels increased 2.6 times after hookah lounge events (P = 0.055); however, similar urinary SPMA levels were detected before and after home events, possibly indicating chronic exposure to benzene (P = 0.933).
Conclusions: Our data provide the first evidence for uptake of benzene in hookah smokers and non-smokers exposed to hookah tobacco secondhand smoke at social events in private homes compared with their counterparts in hookah lounges. Hookah tobacco smoke is a source of benzene exposure, a risk factor for leukemia.
Impact: Because there is no safe level of exposure to benzene, our results call for interventions to reduce or prevent hookah tobacco use, regulatory actions to limit hookah-related exposure to toxicants including benzene, initiate labeling of hookah-related products, and include hookah smoking in clean indoor air legislation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(12); 2793–809. ©2014 AACR.