bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Prognostic Implications of Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate by Three Different Creatinine-Based Equations in Older Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Paparazzo Ersilia , Geracitano Silvana , Lagani Vincenzo , Soraci Luca , Cozza Annalisa , Cosimo Salvatore , Morelli Francesco , Corsonello Andrea , Passarino Giuseppe , Montesanto Alberto 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundAccording to the international literature, the percentage of nursing home (NH) residents with renal insufficiency is very high, ranging between 22 and 78%. Diminished kidney function represents a risk factor for drug overdosage, adverse drug reactions, end-stage renal disease, disability, morbidity, and mortality. Several studies suggested that screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in high-risk and older populations may represent a cost-effective approach to reducing progression to renal failure and CKD mortality.ObjectiveThis study aimed (i) to investigate to what extent CKD may be staged interchangeably by three different creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations in a sample of older adults living in long-term care facilities; (ii) to investigate factors explaining differences among eGFR equations; and (iii) to compare the predictivity of different creatinine-based eGFR equations with respect to all-cause mortality.MethodsA total of 522 residents aged 65 years and older participated in a prospective cohort study of 9 long-term care facilities in Calabria. eGFR was calculated by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), Berlin initiative study (BIS), and full age spectrum (FAS) equations. Disability in at least one activity of daily living (ADL), depression, cognitive impairment, comorbidity, and malnutrition was considered in the analysis. Statistical analysis was carried out by Bland–Altman analysis, and 2-year mortality was investigated by Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis.ResultsDepending on the adopted equation, the prevalence of NH residents with impaired renal function (eGFR &lt; 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) ranged between 58.2% for the CKD-EPI and 79.1% for the BIS1 equation. The average difference between BIS and FAS was nearly negligible (0.45 ml/min/1.73 m2), while a significant bias was detected between CKD-EPI and BIS and also between CKD-EPI and FAS (6.21 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 6.65 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively). Although the eGFR study equations had comparable prognostic accuracy in terms of mortality risk, BIS and FAS were able to reclassify NH residents pertaining to a low-risk group with CKD-EPI, and this reclassification improves the discriminative capacity of CKD-EPI with respect to overall mortality.ConclusionDespite the relatively good correlation between eGFRs calculated using all adopted equations, the findings in this study reported clearly demonstrated that CKD-EPI and BIS/FAS equations are not interchangeable to assess eGFR among older people and particularly in institutionalized and frail older subjects.
Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Study: Effects of a Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Therapy With Methylprednisolone on Offspring Neurocognitive Development and Behavior (MS-Children)
Authors: Kozik Valeska , Schwab Matthias , Thiel Sandra , Hellwig Kerstin , Rakers Florian , Dreiling Michelle 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common neuroimmunological disease in women of childbearing age. Current MS therapy consists of immunomodulatory relapse prevention with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and acute relapse therapy with the synthetic glucocorticoid (GC) methylprednisolone (MP). As most DMTs are not approved for use during pregnancy, treatment is usually discontinued, increasing the risk for relapses. While MP therapy during pregnancy is considered relatively save for the fetus, it may be detrimental for later cognitive and neuropsychiatric function. The underlying mechanism is thought to be an epigenetically mediated desensitization of GC receptors, the subsequent increase in stress sensitivity, and a GC-mediated impairment of brain development. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations of fetal MP exposure in the context of MS relapse therapy with later cognitive function, brain development, stress sensitivity, and behavior.Methods and AnalysisEighty children aged 8–18 years of mothers with MS will be recruited. Forty children, exposed to GC in utero will be compared to 40 children without fetal GC exposure. The intelligence quotient will serve as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes will include attention, motor development, emotional excitability, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-related symptoms, and behavioral difficulties. The Trier Social Stress Test will test stress sensitivity, EEG and MRI will assess functional and structural brain development. To determine underlying mechanisms, DNA methylation of the GC receptor gene and the H19/IGF2 locus and changes in the microbiome and the metabolome will be investigated. Primary and secondary outcomes will be analyzed using linear regression models. Time-variant outcomes of the stress test will be analyzed in two mixed linear models exploring overall activity and change from baseline.Ethics and DisseminationThis study was approved by the participating institutions' ethics committees and results will be presented in accordance with the STROBE 2007 Statement.Trial Registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04832269?id=ZKSJ0130
The Value of the Correlation Coefficient Between the ICP Wave Amplitude and the Mean ICP Level (RAP) Combined With the Resistance to CSF Outflow (Rout) for Early Prediction of the Outcome Before Shunting in Posttraumatic Hydrocephalus
Authors: Zhang Chao , Long Si-Yu , You Wen-dong , Xu Xu-xu , Gao Guo-Yi , Yang Xiao-Feng 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of the correlation coefficient between the ICP wave amplitude and the mean ICP level (RAP) and the resistance to CSF outflow (Rout) in predicting the outcome of patients with post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) selected for shunting.Materials and MethodsAs a training set, a total of 191 patients with PTH treated with VP shunting were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the potential predictive value of Rout, collected from pre-therapeutic CSF infusion test, for a desirable recovery level (dRL), standing for the modified rankin scale (mRS) of 0–2. Eventually, there were 70 patients with PTH prospectively included as a validation set to evaluate the value of Rout-combined RAP as a predictor of dRL. We calculated Rout from a CSF infusion test and collected RAP during continuous external lumbar drainage (ELD). Maximum RAP (RAPmax) and its changes relative to the baseline (ΔRAPmax%) served as specific parameters of evaluation.ResultsIn the training set, Rout was proved to be a significant predictor of dRL to shunting, with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.686 (p &lt; 0.001) in receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. In the validation set, Rout alone did not present a significant value in the prediction of desirable recovery level (dRL). ΔRAPmax% after 1st or 2nd day of ELD both showed significance in predicting of dRL to shunting with the AUC of 0.773 (p &lt; 0.001) and 0.786 (p &lt; 0.001), respectively. Significantly, Rout increased the value of ΔRAPmax% in the prediction of dRL with the AUC of 0.879 (p &lt; 0.001), combining with ΔRAPmax% after the 1st and 2nd days of ELD. RAPmax after the 1st and 2nd days of ELD showed a remarkable predictive value for non-dRL (Levels 3-6 in Modified Rankin Scale) with the AUC of 0.891 (p &lt; 0.001) and 0.746 (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionBoth RAP and Rout can predict desirable recovery level (dRL) to shunting in patients with PTH in the early phases of treatment. A RAP-combined Rout is a better dRL predictor for a good outcome to shunting. These findings help the neurosurgeon predict the probability of dRL and facilitate the optimization of the individual treatment plan in the event of ineffective or unessential shunting.
Prognostic Factors and Survival Benefits of Antitumor Treatments for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients With Central Nervous System Metastasis With or Without Driver Genes: A Chinese Single-Center Cohort Study
Authors: Gao Xiaoxing , Chen Minjiang , Liu Xiaoyan , Shi Yuequan , Liang Hongge , Zhou Qing , Zhao Jing , Pan Ruili , Zhong Wei , Xu Yan , Wang Mengzhao 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with central nervous system (CNS) metastasis is poor. The treatment for CNS metastasis could prolong the overall survival of NSCLC patients. We aimed to investigate the prognostic factors of Chinese NSCLC patients with CNS metastasis and the survival benefits of various treatments for CNS metastasis in NSCLC patients with or without driver genes.MethodsBased on the CAPTRA-Lung database, NSCLC patients with CNS metastasis admitted at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2010 and October 2018 were enrolled in the study. The prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.ResultsOverall, 418 patients were enrolled in the study. A total of 206 patients (49.3%) had CNS metastasis with positive driver genes, while 97 patients (23.2%) had negative driver genes. The median survival time after CNS metastasis was 20.8 months. In the multivariable analysis, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≥2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.750, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.184-2.588, P=0.005), number of CNS metastases ≥5 (HR: 1.448, 95% CI: 1.084 -1.934, P=0.012), and CNS metastasis developed during treatment (HR: 1.619, 95% CI: 1.232-2.129, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for poor survival. Lung adenocarcinoma (HR: 0.490, 95% CI: 0.279-0.861, P=0.013) and driver gene positivity (HR: 0.464, 95% CI: 0.302-0.715, P=0.001) were independent predictors of prolonged survival. Radiotherapy for CNS metastasis showed a survival benefit in NSCLC patients in the entire groups (HR: 0.472, 95% CI: 0.360-0.619, P &lt;0.001), and in patients with positive driver genes.ConclusionPerformance status, number of CNS metastases, timing of CNS metastasis, histological subtype, and driver gene status are prognostic factors for NSCLC patients with CNS metastasis. Furthermore, radiotherapy improved the survival in NSCLC patients with CNS metastasis.
Network Meta-Analysis of Different Intravenous Glucocorticoid Regimes for the Treatment of Graves’ Orbitopathy
Authors: Jia Jun , Dong Jingjian , Deng Lin 
Published: April 2022

Background: Intravenous glucocorticoid (GC) has been proposed to treat moderately severe Graves’ orbitopathy (GO); however, the optimal regime remains debatable. We therefore performed this network meta-analysis to objectively determine the comparative efficacy and safety of different intravenous GC regimes, including daily, weekly, or monthly intravenous regimes, for the treatment of GO.Methods: We electronically searched Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE (via OVID), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (via OVID) to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the comparative efficacy and safety of different intravenous GC regimes in GO patients from the inception of each database to March 2021. The latest search was updated in June 2021. The risk of bias of original studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk bias assessment tool. A random-effects Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted using the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation. Ranking probabilities of all regimes were calculated to rank all regimes. Statistical analysis was conducted using the ADDIS software.Results: A total of 10 studies involving 593 patients met the selection criteria. Network meta-analysis suggested that the weekly intravenous GC regime (WR) [response: odds ratio (OR), 4.27; 95% creditable interval (CrI); 1.82 to 11.02; clinical activity score change (CASC): standard mean difference (SMD), −0.59; 95% CrI; −1.19 to −0.03) and monthly intravenous regime (MR) (response: OR, 6.32; 95% CrI; 1.25 to 34.96; CASC: SMD, −1.17; 95% CrI; −2.32 to −0.01) were superior to the oral GC (OGC) regime in response and CASC. Meanwhile, pooled results also indicated that the WR was related to the decreased risk of AEs compared with the OGC regime (OR, 0.22; 95% CrI; 0.08–0.62) and daily intravenous GC regime (DR) (OR, 0.19; 95% CrI; 0.03–0.97). Ranking probabilities indicated that the MR and WR have a relatively higher probability of becoming the best option for response, proptosis, and AEs.Conclusion: Based on limited evidence, the WR or MR should be preferentially prescribed to treat patients with moderately severe GO. However, more studies with a large sample size should be conducted to further confirm our findings and compare the WR with the MR.
Comparison of Efficacy and Safety Between Low-Dose Ziprasidone in Combination With Sertraline and Ziprasidone Monotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Patients With Acute Exacerbation Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Shi Hui , Xu Jing , Lang Xiaoe , Wu Hanjing Emily , Xiu Mei Hong , Zhang Xiang Yang 
Published: April 2022

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is a prevalent clinical problem with heterogeneous presentations. However, the clinical trial designs for new treatments are still lacking. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of ziprasidone plus sertraline in TRS patients as compared to ziprasidone monotherapy. We conducted a 24 weeks, randomized, controlled, double-blinded clinical research trial. 62 treatment-resistant patients with acute exacerbation SZ were randomly allocated to receive a usual dose of ziprasidone (120–160 mg/d) monotherapy (Control group) and 53 TRS inpatients were to receive a low dose of ziprasidone (60–80 mg/d) in combination with sertraline (ZS group). Treatment outcomes were measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), CGI-Severity (CGI-S) and Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) at baseline, week 4, 8, 12, and 24. Relative to control group, the patients in ZS group showed greater reductions in the following: PANSS positive symptom, negative symptom, total score, and HAMD total score. Additionally, the patients in ZS group had a greater increase in PSP total score. Notably, the reduction in HAMD was positively correlated with the reduction in PANSS total score. The reduction in CGI-S was a predictor for the improvement of psychosocial functioning in patients. Furthermore, the ZS group had a lower rate of side effects compared to the control group. Our findings suggest that a low dose of ziprasidone in combination with sertraline is an effective therapy for the clinical symptoms as compared to a usual dose of ziprasidone in the treatment-resistant patients with acute exacerbation SZ.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04076371.
Reliability and Validity of a New Taekwondo-Specific Change-of-Direction Speed Test With Striking Techniques in Elite Taekwondo Athletes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Aloui Ali , Tayech Amel , Mejri Mohamed Arbi , Makhlouf Issam , Clark Cain C. T. , Granacher Urs , Zouhal Hassane , Ben Abderrahman Abderraouf 
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability, and convergent and discriminative validity of a new taekwondo-specific change-of-direction (COD) speed test with striking techniques (TST) in elite taekwondo athletes. Twenty (10 males and 10 females) elite (athletes who compete at national level) and top-elite (athletes who compete at national and international level) taekwondo athletes with an average training background of 8.9 ± 1.3 years of systematic taekwondo training participated in this study. During the two-week test-retest period, various generic performance tests measuring COD speed, balance, speed, and jump performance were carried out during the first week and as a retest during the second week. Three TST trials were conducted with each athlete and the best trial was used for further analyses. The relevant performance measure derived from the TST was the time with striking penalty (TST-TSP). TST-TSP performances amounted to 10.57 ± 1.08 s for males and 11.74 ± 1.34 s for females. The reliability analysis of the TST performance was conducted after logarithmic transformation, in order to address the problem of heteroscedasticity. In both groups, the TST demonstrated a high relative test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients and 90% compatibility limits were 0.80 and 0.47 to 0.93, respectively). For absolute reliability, the TST’s typical error of measurement (TEM), 90% compatibility limits, and magnitudes were 4.6%, 3.4 to 7.7, for males, and 5.4%, 3.9 to 9.0, for females. The homogeneous sample of taekwondo athletes meant that the TST’s TEM exceeded the usual smallest important change (SIC) with 0.2 effect size in the two groups. The new test showed mostly very large correlations with linear sprint speed (r= 0.71 to 0.85) and dynamic balance (r= −0.71 and −0.74), large correlations with COD speed (r= 0.57 to 0.60) and vertical jump performance (r= −0.50 to −0.65), and moderate correlations with horizontal jump performance (r= −0.34 to −0.45) and static balance (r= −0.39 to −0.44). Top-elite athletes showed better TST performances than elite counterparts. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the TST effectively discriminated between top-elite and elite taekwondo athletes. In conclusion, the TST is a valid, and sensitive test to evaluate the COD speed with taekwondo specific skills, and reliable when considering ICC and TEM. Although the usefulness of the TST is questioned to detect small performance changes in the present population, the TST can detect moderate changes in taekwondo-specific COD speed.
Influence of Work-Family Conflict on Turnover Intention of Primary and Secondary School Teachers: Serial Mediating Role of Psychological Contract and Job Satisfaction
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Chen Xinrui , Gao Dongdong 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveBased on conservation of resource theory and social exchange theory, to explore how work-family conflict can directly and indirectly influence turnover intention, with psychological contract and job satisfaction as a mediator.MethodsA total of 505 valid data were collected on primary and secondary school teachers by using work-family conflict questionnaire, turnover intention questionnaire, psychological contract questionnaire and job satisfaction questionnaire from 3 provinces in China. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the discriminant validity and common method bias between the four variables through AOMS, the PROCESS macro for SPSS (Model 4 and Model 6) were applied to examine the mediating effect of psychological contract and job satisfaction.ResultsWork-family conflict showed a direct and positive influence on turnover intention; psychological contract was shown to play a mediating role between work-family conflict and turnover intention; job satisfaction was shown to play a mediating role between work-family conflict and turnover intention; and psychological contract and job satisfaction was shown to play a serial mediating role between work-family conflict and turnover intention.ConclusionWork-family conflict of primary and secondary school teachers will directly lead to turnover intention. Psychological contract and job satisfaction can reduce the positive influence of work-family conflict on turnover intention. School administrators should help teachers reduce work-family conflict and take effective measures to improve psychological contract and job satisfaction, so as to reduce turnover intention.
Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Social Participation of High Risk-Adults in Germany During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Schröder Dominik , Heesen Gloria , Heinemann Stephanie , Hummers Eva , Jablonka Alexandra , Steffens Sandra , Mikuteit Marie , Niewolik Jacqueline , Overbeck Tobias R. , Kallusky Jonathan , Müller Frank 
Published: April 2022

Background:Restrictions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic affect the social participation of people worldwide. Especially those at high risk for a severe disease tend to abstain from social gatherings. While there are a few questionnaires to measure social participation in elderly or chronic patients, a valid survey instrument that includes pandemic-related social participation is needed.MethodsWe developed a social participation questionnaire that aims to assess pandemic-related restrictions in social participation. Items were developed using a theory and literature-based approach and then compiled in a discursive process involving experts and lay people. This was followed by the validation of the questionnaire through a cross-sectional survey on 431 individuals. Items with low item-total correlations and low factor loadings using exploratory factor analysis [EFA] were excluded. Using EFA on the remaining items, the factor structure was retrieved and tested with a confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]. Internal consistency was assessed with Chronbachs α.ResultsInitially, 27 items were developed which were used for validation. 13 items were excluded due to low item-total correlations and factors loadings. EFA of the remaining 14 items revealed three factors which were identified as domains “active social participation,” “wellbeing,” and “restrictions”. CFA showed an acceptable model fit using the three-dimensional structure. Chronbachs α of 0.81 and McDonalds Ω of 0.87 indicate good internal consistency. Correlation analysis showed an association between the developed questionnaire and previously-established participation and mental health scales.ConclusionThis study suggests that our 14 item questionnaire is of high reliability and validity and can be used to measure social participation during a pandemic.
Photosynthetic Responses of Two Woody Halophyte Species to Saline Groundwater Irrigation in the Taklimakan Desert
Authors: Liu Jiao , Zhao Ying , Sial Sial , Liu Haidong , Wang Yongdong , Zhang Jianguo 
Published: April 2022

The study of plant photosynthesis under different degrees of drought stress can provide a deeper understanding of the mechanism of plant drought resistance. In the Taklimakan Desert, saline groundwater is the only local water source with regard to shelterbelt construction and determines plant growth and photosynthetic changes. In this study, daily dynamics of gas exchange parameters and their responses to photosynthetic photon flux density at three irrigation levels (W1 = 17.5, W2 = 25, W3 = 35 mm) were measured for two main species, i.e., Calligonum mongolicum (C) and Haloxylon ammodendron (H). H was better adapted to drought stress than C. Net photosynthetic rate (PN) was mainly related to soil water status in the main root system activity layer. In July, the daily variations of PN and transpiration (Tr) for C were higher than H. C increased water use efficiency (WUE) with increases in PN, while H decreased Tr to obtain a higher WUE. Either C or H, drought reduced the low light and metabolic capacity, and thus decreased the light adaptability and photosynthesis potential. We suggest a prerequisite understanding of physiological mechanisms and possible plant morphological adjustments required to adapt plant species to desert drought conditions.