bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The incidence and influencing factors of prolonged QTc interval in patients with HBV-ACLF.
Authors: Zhang Rou , Gao Heng , Fu MengJun , Li Juan , Zhou MiMi , Feng YaLi , Liu JinFeng , Zhao YingRen , He Yingli 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background

Although a large number of studies have shown that QTc interphase prolongation is common in patients with cirrhosis, there are few studies on the relationship between QTc interphase prolongation and Acute-on-Chronic liver (ACLF) patients in China. In addition, the cause of liver failure that our country causes are different from abroad. This paper attempts to discuss the incidence and potential risk factors of QTc interphase prolongation of HBV-ACLF patients in China.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 206 HBV-ACLF patients admitted to our study from January 2016 to December 2021 and 94 healthy controls during the same period. The heart rate (HR) and QT interval of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) of patients after admission were collected, and the corrected QTc interval was calculated by Bazett formula. According to the QTc interval > 440milliseconds, patients were divided into extended group.

Results

Among 206 HBV-ACLF patients, 68 cases (33%) showed prolonged QTc interval, which was significantly different from 3 cases (3.19%) in the healthy control group (P < 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that RBC, CHOL, CRE, K, FIB, Ascites, HBV-DNA and Child–Pugh class had statistical significance (P < 0.05), and binary logistic regression analysis showed that K, CRE, HBV-DNA and Ascites (P < 0.05) were the independent influencing factors for the prolonged QTc interval in HBV-ACLF patients.

Conclusions

In this study, it was found that the incidence of QTc interval prolongation was about 33% in HBV-ACLF patients. K, CRE, HBV-DNA and Ascites are independent factors influencing the prolonged QTc interval in patients with HBV-ACLF.
What can the citations of systematic reviews of ethical literature tell us about their use? - An explorative empirical analysis of 31 reviews
Authors: Nobile Hélène , Moshtaghin Natali Lilie Randjbar , Lüddecke Zoë , Schnarr Antje , Mertz Marcel 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: Systematic reviews of ethical literature (SREL) aim at providing an overview of ethical issues, arguments or concepts on a specific ethical topic. As SREL are expanding, their methodology and possible impact are increasingly subjected to critical discussions. Because they analyse and synthetise normative literature, SREL are likely to be used differently than typical systematic reviews. Still, the uses and the expected purposes of SREL were, to date, mainly theoretically discussed. Our explorative study aimed at gaining first empirical insights into the actual uses of SREL.
Methods: Citations of SREL in publications, both scientific and non-scientific, were taken as proxy for SREL uses. A convenience sample of 31 published SREL was determined, the citations of which were systematically searched on Google Scholar. Each citation was qualitatively analysed to determine its function. SREL citations were further quantitatively investigated to unveil possible trends.
Results: The analysis of the resulting sample of SREL citations (n=1812) showed that the selected SREL were mostly cited to support claims about ethical issues, arguments or concepts, but also to merely mention the existence of literature on a given topic. In this sample, SREL were cited predominantly in empirical publications within journals from various academic fields, indicating a broad, field-independent use of such systematic reviews. The selected SREL were also used as methodological orientations either for the conduct of SREL or for the practical and ethically-sensitive conduct of empirical studies.
Conclusions: In our sample, SREL were rarely used for deriving or justifying ethical recommendations or in guideline development, as it is mostly postulated in the theoretical literature. The findings of this study constitute a valuable preliminary empirical input in the current methodological debate on SREL and could contribute to developing strategies to align expected purposes with actual uses of SREL.
Sex-Specific Optimal Blood Pressure Targets to Prevent Primary Stroke: A Nationwide Observational Study
Authors: Ryu So Im , Kim Young-Deok , Kim Tackeun , Ban Seung Pil , Bang Jae Seung , Kwon O-ki , Oh Chang Wan , Lee Si Un 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
There are few reports on the preventative value of intensive blood pressure (BP) management for stroke in the literature since the new criteria for hypertension (HTN) were announced by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association in 2017. To identify the optimal BP for the primary prevention of stroke in a healthy population aged between 19 and 65 years, we conducted a 10-year observational study on the risk of stroke, subclassified as hemorrhagic stroke (hSTK) and ischemic stroke (iSTK), according to BP categories (e.g., low-normal BP, high-normal BP, elevated BP, stage 1 HTN and stage 2 HTN) using the National Health Insurance Service Database. Of the 8,327,751 participants who had a health checkup in 2008, 949,551 were ultimately enrolled in this study and observed from 2009 to 2018. The risk of hSTK was significantly increased from stage 2 HTN (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 3.036 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.159–4.252]) in men and from stage 1 HTN (AHR 2.972 [95% CI, 2.256–3.897]) in women. The risk of iSTK was significantly increased among both men (AHR 1.404 [95% CI, 1.164–1.693]) and women (AHR 2.012 [95% CI, 1.603–2.526]) with stage 1 HTN. The risk of overall stroke was significantly increased in men (AHR 1.386 [95% CI, 1.180–1.629]) and women (AHR 2.363 [95% CI, 1.973–2.830]) from stage 1 HTN. Therefore, for the primary prevention of overall stroke, adults under the age of 65 should manage their BP from stage 1 HTN.
Periodontal disease and COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Wu Yuyan , Gao Juan , Ji Guangju , Feng Linya , Yau Vicky , Li Yaru , Nanola John Patrick , Sun Chenyu 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: A larger proportion of people with severe cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) appears to have comorbidities compared to the general population. However, evidence regarding the roles of periodontal disease(PD), in context of Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19), is limited. Thus, to explore the association between PD and COVID-19, this systematic review and meta analysis was conducted.
Methods: 7 online databases were searched by January 31, 2023. Heterogeneity was tested by I2 index. OR and 95% CI were pooled through either random-effect or fixed-effect models. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias assessments were also conducted.
Results: Of the 823 articles identified and reviewed, 11 articles with 16,708 subjects met inclusion criteria and were included. PD was found to be associated with a statistically significant increase in risk of progression to severe diseases for COVID-19 patients(OR=2.20, 95% CI=1.38-3.49). Further analysis suggested that PD was associated with assisted ventilation(OR=5.01, 95% CI:2.61-9.63), ICU admission(OR=1.61, 95% CI:1.24-2.09), pneumonia(OR=5.19, 95% CI:1.17-23.00), and death(OR=2.25, 95% CI:1.55-3.28) for COVID-19 cases.
Conclusions: Our results show that individuals with PD have an increased risk for ICU admission, assisted mechanical ventilation therapy, and a significantly increased risk of pneumonia and death. This suggests, to some extent, that the oral cavity is the gateway to COVID-19 infection; in other words, periodontitis is a risk factor for COVID-19 severity.
Hemoglobin Signal Network Mapping Reveals Novel Indicators for Precision Medicine
Authors: Barbour Randall L. , Graber Harry L. , Barbour San-Lian S. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
We introduce methodology, applied to a representative physiological time series measure (fNIRS) and disease type (breast cancer), that provides access to features more typical of molecular-cellular processes but here are observed from intact tissue. The methodology adopts a novel approach to generating a multivariate ordinal partition transition network to enable quantitative descriptions of short-term dynamics (<1sec). Accessed are several classes of adjacency matrices whose exploration and associated co-dependent behaviors unexpectedly reveals features of structured dynamics, some of which are shown to exhibit enzyme-like behaviors and sensitivity to recognized molecular markers of disease. Constituting class measures that are often easily applied and widely accessible, such sensitivities may afford novel extensions to on-demand phenotypic measures that have thus far had limited utility for complementing precision medicine strategies. Discussed are exemplary uses in support of this aim, and extension to other forms of physiological time series measures.
Clinical application of HALP score to predict early neurological deterioration in elderly acute cerebral infarction patients
Authors: LI Ling-ling , XIE Yu , LIANG Xue , GUO Ai-bin , HUANG Ming-min , LIN Yong-juan 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: Early neurological deterioration (END) may be associated with poor prognosis in elderly AIS patients. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between a composite biomarker HALP score and END, to identify patients at risk for poor neurological function.
METHODS: This study retrospectively examined elderly patients with AIS admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2016 to December 2021. NIHSS were collected within 7 days of admission. END was defined as a 2 point increase in NIHSS within 7 days.. the formula for HALP score was lymphocytes (/L) ×hemoglobin (g/L) ×albumin (g/L) / platelets (/L). Multivariate logistic regression was used to construct a prediction model for HALP score, ROC curves and calibration graphs were computed.
Results: A total of 431 elderly AIS patients were included, with END accounting for 34.34%. Univariate analysis showed that age, baseline NIHSS score, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, triglycerides, HALP score, CRP, Hcy, Lp-PLA2, infectious events and death events differed between the two groups (P < 0.05). Multifactorial logistic regression analysis revealed that HALP score (OR 0.965, 95% CI 0.943 to 0.988, P=0.003) and baseline NIHSS score (OR 1.169, 95% CI 1.119 to 1.220, P<0.001) were good at predicting END. The area under the ROC curve for HALP score <27.69 and NIHSS score >5.5 was 0.727 (95CI: 0.676-0.778); 0.868 (95CI: 0.834-0.903), respectively, and the combined AUC was 0.883 (95%CI: 0.850-0.916). Additionally, HALP score was significantly negatively correlated with baseline NIHSS (r=-0.411, P<0.001) and admission day 7 NIHSS (r=-0.348, P<0.001), respectively. More often the lower HALP score, the higher END percentage and the worse 90-day functional outcomes.
Conclusion: A low HALP score at admission is associated with the occurrence of END within one week in elderly AIS patients, which may help clinicians to identify high-risk END patients early.
The performance of VCS parameters in distinguishing latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis by using machine learning algorithm
Authors: Chen Lijiao , Yuan Lingke , Sun Tingting , Liu Ruiqing , Huang Qing , Deng Shaoli 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide. It is still difficult to distinguish active TB from latent TB ,so it is very important for individualized management and treatment to distinguish whether patients are active or latent tuberculosis infection.
Methods
A total of 220 subjects, including active TB patients (ATB, n = 97) and latent TB patients (LTB, n = 113), were recruited in this study .46 features about blood routine indicators and the VCS parameters (volume, conductivity, light scatter) of neutrophils(NE), monocytes(MO), and lymphocytes(LY) were collected and was constructed classification model by four machine learning algorithms(logistic regression(LR), random forest(RF), support vector machine(SVM) and k-nearest neighbor(KNN)). And the area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) to estimate of the model’s predictive performance for dentifying active and latent tuberculosis infection.
Results
After verification ,among the four classifications, LR and RF had the best performance (AUROC = 1, AUPRC = 1), followed by SVM (AUROC = 0.967, AUPRC = 0.971), KNN (AUROC = 0.943, AUPRC = 0.959) in the training set. And LR had the best performance (AUROC = 0.977, AUPRC = 0.957), followed by SVM (AUROC = 0.962, AUPRC = 0.949), RF (AUROC = 0.903, AUPRC = 0.922) ,KNN(AUROC = 0.883, AUPRC = 0.901)In the testing set.
Conclusions
The machine learning algorithm classifier based on leukocyte VCS parameters is of great value in identifying active and latent tuberculosis infection.
Effects of customized insoles with medial wedges on lower extremity kinematics and ultrasonographic findings in plantar fasciitis persons
Authors: Thong-On Suthasinee , Harutaichun Pavinee 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: The customized insole is widely recommended as an effective intervention for pain reduction and foot function improvement. However, it is unclear whether the symptom improvement is due to anatomical and biomechanical changes after receiving the insole. The objectives of this study were to compare customized insoles with and without medial wedges on lower extremity kinematics during gait and to determine the short-term effects of the insole on pain intensity, foot function, and ultrasonographic findings in individuals with plantar fasciitis.
Methods: A within-subject, randomized, crossover design within motion analysis research laboratory was conducted among 35 persons with plantar fasciitis. Main outcome measures included joint motions of the lower extremity and multi-segment foot, pain intensity, foot function, and ultrasonographic findings.
Results: The customized insole with medial wedges produced less knee motion in the transverse plane and hallux motion in all planes during the propulsive phase than that without medial wedges (all p < 0.05). After the 3-month follow-up, the insole decreased pain intensity and increased foot function. There was a significant reduction in the number of participants in the apparent group from the ultrasonographic findings, which included those with plantar fascia thickness greater than 3.8 mm and hypo-echogenicity of the plantar fascia.
Conclusions: Customized insoles with medial wedges seem superior to those without medial wedges to reduce pathological biomechanics. Positive outcomes from this study supported the use of customized insoles with medial wedges as an effective conservative treatment in patients with plantar fasciitis.
Trial registration: TCTR20210928006 (28/09/2021).
Provincial Policies Affecting Resident Quality of Life in Canadian Residential Long-term Care
Authors: Irwin Pamela , Taylor Deanne , Keefe Janice M. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: The precautions and restrictions imposed by the recent Covid-19 pandemic drew attention to the criticality of quality of care in long-term care facilities internationally, and in Canada. They also underscored the importance of residents’ quality of life. In deference to the risk mitigation measures in Canadian long-term care settings during Covid-19, some person-centered, quality of life policies were paused, unused, or under-utilized. This study aimed to interrogate these existing but latent policies to capture their potentiality in terms of positively influencing the quality of life of residents in long-term care in Canada.
Methods: The study analysed policies related to quality of life of long-term care residents in four Canadian provinces. It consisted of three policy orientations: situational (environmental conditions), structural (operational content), and temporal (developmental trajectories). 84 long term care policies were reviewed, relating to different policy jurisdictions, policy types, and quality of life domains.
Results: Overall, the intersection of jurisdiction, policy types, and quality of life domains confirms that some policies, particularly safety, security and order, may be prioritized in different types of policy documents, and over other quality of life domains. Alternatively, the presence of a resident focused quality of life focus in many polices affirms the cultural shift towards greater person-centeredness. These findings are both explicit and implicit, and mediated through the expression of individual policy excerpts.
Conclusion: The analysis provides substantive evidence of three key policy levers: situations–providing specific examples of resident focused quality of life policy overshadowing in each jurisdiction; structures–identifying which types of policy and quality of life expressions are more vulnerable to dominance by others; and trajectories–confirming the cultural shift towards more person-centeredness in Canadian long-term care related policies over time. It also demonstrates and contextualizes examples of policy slippage, differential policy weights, and cultural shifts across existing policies. When applied within a resident focused, quality of life lens, these policies can be leveraged to improve extant resource utilization.
Consequently, the study provides a timely, positive, forward-facing roadmap upon which to enhance and build policies that capitalize and enable person-centeredness in the provision of long-term care in Canada.
The causal effects of leisure screen time on irritable bowel syndrome risk: result from a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Lu Liesheng , Liu Changqin , Liu Kunpeng , Shi Chenzhang , Liu Zhongchen , Jiang Xun , Wang Feng 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Associations between leisure sedentary behavior (especially leisure screen time, LST) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been reported, but causality is unclear. Here, the two-sample Mendelian randomization was performed to investigate the causal association between LST and IBS. Two recently published genome-wide association studies (GWASs) including a total of 1,190,502 people from Europe were used as our data source. Inverse variance weighting (OR = 1.120, 95% CI 1.029–1.219) and weighted median (OR = 1.112, 95% CI 1.000–1.236) analyses revealed an association between the genetically predicted risk of IBS and LST. There was no evidence of pleiotropy in the sensitive analysis (MR-Egger, p = 0.139). After removing potentially confounding single nucleotide polymorphisms, similar results were found using inverse variance weighting (OR = 1.131, 95% CI 1.025–1.248) and weighted median (OR = 1.151, 95% CI 1.020–1.299), as well as in the validation analyses using inverse variance weighting (OR = 1.287, 95% CI 0.996–1.662). This study provided support for a possible causal relationship between leisure screen time and IBS. This information can be used to gain insight into the prevention and treatment of disease.
Development of an evidence-based model for predicting patient, provider, and appointment factors that influence no-shows in a rural healthcare system
Authors: Shour Abdul R. , Jones Garrett L. , Anguzu Ronald , Doi Suhail A. , Onitilo Adedayo A 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: No-show appointments pose a significant challenge for healthcare providers, particularly in rural areas. While previous research has focused on devising measures to mitigate the effects of no-shows, the majority of research has recommended situation-specific solutions. The current literature has failed to provide generally applicable principles for designing appointment systems, particularly for rural communities. Our study fills this gap by developing a model to predict patient no-shows.
Methods: Retrospective data (2021) were obtained from the Marshfield Clinic Health System scheduling system, which included 1,260,083 (N) total appointments from 263,464 patients, as well as their demographic, appointment, and insurance information. We used descriptive statistics to associate variables with show or no-show status, logistic regression, and random forests were investigated, and
XGBoost (eXtreme Gradient Boosting) was chosen to develop the final model, determine cut-offs, and evaluate performance. We also used the model to predict future no-shows for appointments from 2022 and onwards.
Results: The no-show rate was 6.0% in both the train and test datasets. The train and test datasets both yielded 5.98. Appointments scheduled further in advance (>60 days of lead time) had a higher (7.7%) no-show rate. Appointments for patients aged 21-30 had the highest no-show rate (11.8%), and those for patients over 60 years of age had the lowest (2.9%). The model predictions yielded an AUC of 0.84 for the train set and 0.83 for the test set. With the cut-off set to 0.4, the sensitivitywas 0.71 and the positive predictive value was 0.18. Model results were used to recommend 1 overbook for every 6 at-risk appointments per provider per day.
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of developing a predictive model based on administrative data from a predominantly rural healthcare system. Our new model distinguished between show and no-show appointments with high performance, and 1 overbook was advised for every 6 at-risk appointments. This data-driven approach to mitigating the impact of no-shows increases treatment availability in rural areas by overbooking appointment slots on days with an elevated risk of no-shows.