bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of transabdominal and transperineal ultrasound-derived prostate specific antigen (PSA) density and clinical utility compared to MRI prostate volumes: A feasibility study
Authors: Pantelidou Maria , Caglic Iztok , George Anne , Blyuss Oleg , Gnanapragasam Vincent J. , Barrett Tristan 
Published: September 2022

Purpose
To investigate the accuracy of surface-based ultrasound-derived PSA-density (US-PSAD) versus gold-standard MRI-PSAD as a risk-stratification tool.

Methods
Single-centre prospective study of patients undergoing MRI for suspected prostate cancer (PCa). Four combinations of US-volumes were calculated using transperineal (TP) and transabdominal (TA) views, with triplanar measurements to calculate volume and US-PSAD. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to compare US and MRI volumes. Categorical comparison of MRI-PSAD and US-PSAD was performed at PSAD cut-offs <0.15, 0.15–0.20, and >0.20 ng/mL2 to assess agreement with MRI-PSAD risk-stratification decisions.

Results
64 men were investigated, mean age 69 years and PSA 7.0 ng/mL. 36/64 had biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer (18 Gleason 3+3, 18 Gleason ≥3+4). Mean MRI-derived gland volume was 60 mL, compared to 56 mL for TA-US, and 65 mL TP-US. ICC demonstrated good agreement for all US volumes with MRI, with highest agreement for transabdominal US, followed by combined TA/TP volumes. Risk-stratification decisions to biopsy showed concordant agreement between triplanar MRI-PSAD and ultrasound-PSAD in 86–91% and 92–95% at PSAD thresholds of >0.15 ng/mL2 and >0.12 ng/mL2, respectively. Decision to biopsy at threshold >0.12 ng/mL2, demonstrated sensitivity ranges of 81–100%, specificity 85–100%, PPV 86–100% and NPV 83–100%. Transabdominal US provided optimal sensitivity of 100% for this clinical decision, with specificity 85%, and transperineal US provided optimal specificity of 100%, with sensitivity 87%.

Conclusion
Transperineal-US and combined TA-TP US-derived PSA density values compare well with standard MRI-derived values and could be used to provide accurate PSAD at presentation and inform the need for further investigations.
Trends in the distribution of body mass index, waist circumference and prevalence of obesity among Taiwanese adults, 1993–2016
Authors: Wong Tzu-Jung , Yu Tsung 
Published: September 2022

Background
Differences in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity by subgroups such as age, sex, and education have been reported worldwide. Most studies in Taiwan regarding obesity prevalence were targeted at school-aged children or without further stratification by subgroups. Our aim was to examine the age-specific secular trend of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and obesity prevalence stratified by sex, education and urbanization levels in Taiwanese adults.

Methods
We used three waves of nationally representative population from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 1993–1996 (n = 2 989), 2005–2008 (n = 2 495), and 2013–2016 (n = 2 880). The data included standardized measurement of body weight, height, and WC. We conducted a serial cross-sectional analysis among adults aged 20 years or above to examine the age-specific trends of BMI, WC, and the prevalence of underweight, overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity with stratification by sex, education, and urbanization levels.

Results
The general obesity prevalence was 16%, 21%, and 20% and the abdominal obesity prevalence was 27%, 42%, and 47% in the 1993–1996, 2005–2008, and 2013–2016 surveys, respectively. The age-specific secular trend of BMI differed across subgroups; however, the trend of WC increased rapidly regardless of subgroups, except for women aged ≥60 years. The general obesity prevalence increased noticeably among men, younger- and middle-age adults with high school or higher education, middle- and older-age adults with lower than high school education, people <39 and ≥50 years of age residing in rural areas, and among those between 30 and 59 and ≥70 years of age residing in urban areas.

Conclusions
Although the increasing trend of general obesity prevalence was levelling off among several subgroups, the abdominal obesity prevalence increased significantly and rapidly in Taiwan. Future research in developing effective weight and WC control interventions tailored to different subgroups is urgently needed.
Novel synthetic clot analogs for in-vitro stroke modelling
Authors: Guerreiro Helena , Wortmann Nadine , Andersek Thomas , Ngo Tuan N. , Frölich Andreas M. , Krause Dieter , Fiehler Jens , Kyselyova Anna A. , Flottmann Fabian 
Published: September 2022

Purpose
The increased demand for training of mechanical thrombectomy in ischemic stroke and development of new recanalization devices urges the creation of new simulation models both for training and device assessment. Clots properties have shown to play a role in procedural planning and thrombectomy device effectiveness. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics and applicability of completely synthetic, animal-free clots in the setting of an in-vitro model of mechanical thrombectomy for training and device assessment.

Methods
Synthetic clots based on agarose (n = 12) and silicone (n = 11) were evaluated in an in-vitro neurointervention simulation of mechanical thrombectomy with clot extraction devices. Calcified clots of mixed nature were simulated with addition of 3D printed structures. 9 clots were excluded due to insufficient vessel occlusion and failure to integrate with clot extraction device. Synthetic thrombi were characterized and compared using a categorical score-system on vessel occlusion, elasticity, fragmentation, adherence and device integration.

Results
Both agarose-based and silicone-based clots demonstrated relevant flow arrest and a good integration with the clot extraction device. Silicone-based clots scored higher on adherence to the vessel wall and elasticity.

Conclusion
Selected synthetic clots can successfully be implemented in an in-vitro training environment of mechanical thrombectomy. The clots’ different properties might serve to mimic fibrin-rich and red blood cell-rich human thrombi.
Mortality in Switzerland in 2021
Authors: Locatelli Isabella , Rousson Valentin 
Published: September 2022

Objective
To analyze mortality trends in Switzerland in 2021, the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
Using data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, we compared mortality in Switzerland in 2021 with that of previous years in terms of standardized weekly deaths, standardized (annual) mortality rates (overall and stratified by age and sex) and life expectancy. The latter is a well-known demographic concept defining the average lifespan of a hypothetical cohort living and dying according to the mortality rates of a given year.

Results
After a favorable first half of the year and a fairly standard second half in terms of mortality in Switzerland, the year 2021 ended with a wave of deaths of moderate intensity related to the 5th wave of COVID-19. Overall, and after a notable increase in mortality in 2020 (+9.2%, 95%CI: +8.0%; +10.3%, compared to 2019, and +5.1%, 95%CI: +4.3%; +6.0%, compared to 2015–19), the pre-pandemic mortality level was approximately recovered in 2021 (+0.8%, 95%CI: -0.3%; +0.8%, compared to 2019, and -2.9%, 95%CI: -3.7%; -2.2%, compared to 2015–19). Life expectancy, after declining by 10 months for men and 6 months for women in 2020 (i.e. men would have lost 10 months and women 6 months had they lived their entire lives with COVID-19 as it was in 2020), returned in 2021 to 2019 levels for women (85.6 years) and regained 2018 levels for men (81.6 years, still -0.3 years from 2019). The age group responsible for the small remaining loss for men was the 50–70 age group, which had similar mortality in 2020 and 2021.

Conclusions
The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland was characterized by an approximate return to pre-pandemic mortality levels, with a faster recovery for women than for men with respect to 2020.
Prenatal stress assessment using heart rate variability and salivary cortisol: A machine learning-based approach
Authors: Cao Rui , Rahmani Amir M. , Lindsay Karen L. 
Published: September 2022

Objective
To develop a machine learning algorithm utilizing heart rate variability (HRV) and salivary cortisol to detect the presence of acute stress among pregnant women that may be applied to future clinical research.

Methods
ECG signals and salivary cortisol were analyzed from 29 pregnant women as part of a crossover study involving a standardized acute psychological stress exposure and a control non-stress condition. A filter-based features selection method was used to identify the importance of different features [heart rate (HR), time- and frequency-domain HRV parameters and salivary cortisol] for stress assessment and reduce the computational complexity. Five machine learning algorithms were implemented to assess the presence of stress with and without salivary cortisol values.

Results
On graphical visualization, an obvious difference in heart rate (HR), HRV parameters and cortisol were evident among 17 participants between the two visits, which helped the stress assessment model to distinguish between stress and non-stress exposures with greater accuracy. Eight participants did not display a clear difference in HR and HRV parameters but displayed a large increase in cortisol following stress compared to the non-stress conditions. The remaining four participants did not demonstrate an obvious difference in any feature. Six out of nine features emerged from the feature selection method: cortisol, three time-domain HRV parameters, and two frequency-domain parameters. Cortisol was the strongest contributing feature, increasing the assessment accuracy by 10.3% on average across all five classifiers. The highest assessment accuracy achieved was 92.3%, and the highest average assessment accuracy was 76.5%.

Conclusion
Salivary cortisol contributed a significant increase in accuracy of the assessment model compared to using a range of HRV parameters alone. Our machine learning model demonstrates acceptable accuracy in detection of acute stress among pregnant women when combining salivary cortisol with HR and HRV parameters.
Influence of pharmacists and infection control teams or antimicrobial stewardship teams on the safety and efficacy of vancomycin: A Japanese administrative claims database study
Authors: Goto Ryota , Muraki Yuichi , Inose Ryo , Kusama Yoshiki , Ono Akane , Koizumi Ryuji , Ishikane Masahiro , Ohmagari Norio 
Published: September 2022

Introduction
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has a high mortality and requires effective treatment with anti-MRSA agents such as vancomycin (VCM). Management of the efficacy and safety of VCM has been implemented with the assignment of pharmacists in hospital wards and the establishment of teams related to infectious diseases. However, there are no reports evaluating the association between these factors and the efficacy and safety of VCM in large populations.

Methods
This study used the Japanese administrative claims database accumulated from 2010 to 2019. The population was divided into two groups, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) group and non-TDM group, and adjusted by propensity score matching. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the influence of pharmacists and infection control teams or antimicrobial stewardship teams on acute kidney injury (AKI) and 30-day mortality.

Results
The total number of patients was 73 478 (TDM group, n = 55 269; non-TDM group, n = 18 209). After propensity score matching, 18 196 patients were matched in each group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pharmacological management for each patient contributed to the reduction of AKI (odds ratio [OR]: 0.812, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.723‒0.912) and 30-day mortality (OR: 0.538, 95% CI: 0.503‒0.575). However, the establishment of infectious disease associated team in facilities and the assignment of pharmacists in the hospital wards had no effect on AKI and 30-day mortality. In addition, TDM did not affect the reduction in AKI (OR: 1.061, 95% CI: 0.948‒1.187), but reduced 30-day mortality (OR: 0.873, 95% CI: 0.821‒0.929).

Conclusion
Pharmacologic management for individual patients, rather than assignment systems at facilities, is effective to reduce AKI and 30-day mortality with VCM administration.
A qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of healthcare providers caring for critically ill patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A PsyCOVID-ICU substudy
Authors: Ecarnot Fiona , Lombion Sandrine , Pourrez Aurélie , Laurent Alexandra , Fournier Alicia , Lheureux Florent , Loiseau Mélanie , Rigaud Jean-Philippe , Binquet Christine , Meunier-Beillard Nicolas , Quenot Jean-Pierre 
Published: September 2022

Background
Intensive care unit (ICU) staff have faced unprecedented levels of stress, in the context of profound upheaval of their working environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We explored the perceptions of frontline ICU staff about the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this experience impacted their personal and professional lives.

Methods
In a qualitative study as part of the PsyCOVID-ICU project, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a random sample of nurses and nurses’ aides from 5 centres participating in the main PsyCOVID study. Interviews were recorded and fully transcribed, and analysed by thematic analysis.

Results
A total of 18 interviews were performed from 13 August to 6 October 2020; 13 were nurses, and 5 were nurses’ aides. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes, namely: (1) Managing the home life; (2) Conditions in the workplace; and (3) the meaning of their profession.

Conclusion
In this qualitative study investigating the experiences and perceptions of healthcare workers caring for critically ill patients during the first COVID-19 wave in France, the participants reported that the crisis had profound repercussions on both their personal and professional lives. The main factors affecting the participants were a fear of contamination, and the re-organisation of working conditions, against a background of a media “infodemic”.
Knowledge, attitude and practice towards complementary and alternative medicine and associated factors among health care professionals in public health facilities of Hadiya Zone, South Ethiopia
Authors: Erchafo Belay , Abute Lonsako , Tedesse Tegegn , Sedoro Tagesse , Mecha Aregash 
Published: September 2022

Background
Even if modern medicine is becoming more widely available, a considerable portion of the world’s population continues to rely on complementary and alternative medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine is used by 80% of the population in developing countries for their health care. The study was conducted to assess Knowledge, Attitude and practice towards complementary and alternative medicine and associated factors among health care professionals in public health facilities of Hadiya Zone, South Ethiopia.

Methods
The study was conducted in Hadiya Zone from October 10 to October 30, 2019. A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed using simple random sampling methods. Three hundred sixty six health care professionals were selected using a simple random sample method. The data were collected using a standardized self-administered and pre-tested questionnaire that was adapted from different literatures. We used descriptive statistics, as well as bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. An association was determined using P-values less than 0.05 and 95 percent confidence intervals. The results of the study were presented using texts and tables.

Results
Three hundred and fifty-five respondents were interviewed, with a 97 percent respondent rate. Two hundred thirty-two (65.4%) of the study participants have good knowledge towards complementary and alternative medicine, 216 (60.8%) have a favorable attitude toward complementary and alternative medicine, and 182 (51.3%) have utilized it in the previous two years. Some of the factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice towards complementary and alternative medicine were health care professionals who have contact with patients who seek complementary and alternative medicine [AOR = 1.89(95% CI; 1.18, 3.03), female health care professionals [AOR = 2.43(95% CI; 2.68, 9.74), and more than six years work experience [AOR = 1.68(95% CI; 1.04, 2.71).

Conclusion
The knowledge, attitude, and practice of complementary and alternative medicine among health care professionals were low. Creating communication lines with patients and facilitating the integration of complementary and alternative medicine with modern medicine.
Mutation screening of the CYP1B1 gene reveals thirteen novel disease-causing variants in consanguineous Pakistani families causing primary congenital glaucoma
Authors: Tehreem Raeesa , Arooj Anam , Siddiqui Sorath Noorani , Naz Shagufta , Afshan Kiran , Firasat Sabika 
Published: September 2022

Background
Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is a heterogeneous rare recessively inherited disorder prevalent in regions with high consanguinity. Disease phenotype is associated with increased intra ocular pressure and is a major cause of childhood blindness. Sequence variations in Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) gene are a major cause of PCG. Current study was conducted to screen CYP1B1 gene in highly consanguineous PCG affected families from Pakistani population consistent with the autosomal recessive pattern of PCG inheritance.

Methods
For this study, patients and controls (clinically unaffected individuals of each family) from 25 consanguineous families belonging to Punjab, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan were recruited through ophthalmologists. DNA was isolated from collected blood samples. Genetic screening of CYP1B1 gene was done for all enrolled families. In-silico analysis was performed to identify and predict the potential disease-causing variations.

Results
Pathogenicity screening revealed sequence variants segregating with disease phenotype in homozygous or compound heterozygous form in eleven out of 25 analyzed families. We identified a total of sixteen disease causing variants among which five frameshift i.e., c.629dup (p.Gly211Argfs*13), c.287dup (p.Leu97Alafs*127), c.662dup (p.Arg222Profs*2), c.758_759insA (p.Val254Glyfs*73) and c.789dup (p.Leu264Alafs*63), two silent c.1314G>A, c.771T>G and six missense variations c.457C>G (p.Arg153Gly), c.516C>A (p.Ser172Arg), c.722T>A (p.Val241Glu), c.740T>A (p.Leu247Gln), c.1263T>A (p.Phe421Leu), and c.724G>C (p.Asp242His) are previously un reported. However two frameshift c.868dup (p.Arg290Profs*37), c.247del (p.Asp83Thrfs*12) and one missense variant c.732G>A (p.Met244Ile), is previously reported. Furthermore, six polymorphisms c.1347T>C, c.2244_2245insT, c.355G>T, c.1294G>C, c.1358A>G and c.142C>G were also identified. In the intronic region, a novel silent polymorphism i.e., g.35710_35711insT was found in homozygous state. All the newly detected disease-causing variants were negative in 96 ethnically matched controls.

Conclusion
Among twenty-five screened families, eight families (PCG50, 52–54, 58, 59, 63 and 67) were segregating disease causing variants in recessive manner. Two families (PCG049 and PCG062) had compound heterozygosity. Our data confirms genetic heterogeneity of PCG in Pakistani population however we did not find molecular variants segregating with PCG in fifteen families in coding exons and intron-exon boundaries of CYP1B1 gene. Genetic counseling was provided to families to refrain from practicing consanguinity and perform premarital screening as a PCG control measure in upcoming generations.
Improving lifestyle behaviours among women in Kisantu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sagastume Diana , Sibongwere Deogratias Katsuva , Kidima Olivier , Kembo Diertho Mputu , N’keto José Mavuna , Dimbelolo Jean-Claude , Nkakirande Dorothée Bulemfu , Kabundi Jean Clovis Kalobu , Peñalvo José L. 
Published: September 2022

Introduction
As the prevalence of obesity among women of reproductive age is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of lifestyle-related conditions is expected to rise quickly. This study aims to develop and evaluate a multi-component health promotion programme for a healthy lifestyle to ultimately prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes among adult women in Kisantu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Methods and analysis
This study is a cluster randomised controlled trial whereby two groups of three healthcare centres each, matched by population size coverage and geographical area, will be randomised to an intervention or a comparison group. Adult women of reproductive age (18–49 years), non-pregnant or first-trimester pregnant, will be recruited from the healthcare centres. 144 women in the intervention centres will follow a 24-month multi-component health promotion programme based on educational and motivational strategies whereas the comparison centres (144 participants) will be limited to a basic educational strategy. The programme will be delivered by trained peer educators and entails individualised education sessions, education and physical activity group activities, and focus groups. Topics of an optimal diet, physical activity, weight management and awareness of type 2 and gestational diabetes will be covered. The primary outcome is the adherence to a healthy lifestyle measured by a validated closed-ended questionnaire and secondary outcomes include anthropometric measurements, clinical parameters, diet diversity and the level of physical activity. Participants from both groups will be assessed at baseline and every 6 months by trained health professionals from the recruiting healthcare centres. Data will be summarised by measures of central tendency for continuous outcomes, and frequency distribution and percentages for categorical data. The primary and secondary outcomes will be quantified using statistical mixed models.

Ethics
This research was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp in Belgium (IRB/RR/AC/137) and the Ethical Committee of the University of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (ESP/CE/130/2021). Any substantial change to the study protocol must be approved by all the bodies that have approved the initial protocol, before being implemented. Also, this journal will be informed regarding any protocol modification. Written informed consent will be required and obtained for all participants. No participant may be enrolled on the study until written informed consent has been obtained.

Trial registration number
NCT05039307.