bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Instruments used to measure knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals towards antibiotic use for the treatment of urinary tract infections: A systematic review
Authors: Mwape Angela Kabulo , Schmidtke Kelly Ann , Brown Celia 
Published: May 2022

Background
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common condition (after upper respiratory tract infections) for which adults receive antibiotics, and this prevalence may contribute to antibiotic resistance. Knowledge and attitudes have been identified as potential determinants of antibiotic prescribing behaviour among healthcare professionals in the treatment and management of UTIs. An instrument that captures prescribers’ baseline knowledge of and attitudes towards antibiotic prescribing for UTIs could inform interventions to enhance prescribing. The current systematic review evaluates the psychometric properties of instruments already available and describes the theoretical constructs they measure.

Methods
Five electronic databases were searched for published studies and instruments. The Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments checklist was used to assess the psychometric quality reporting of the instruments. The items included in each instrument were mapped onto the theoretical constructs underlying knowledge and attitudes using a mixed-theoretical model developed for this study.

Results
Fourteen studies met the review inclusion criteria. All instruments were available for review. None of the instruments had all the psychometric properties evaluated. Most of the instruments sought to identify knowledge and/or attitude factors influencing antibiotic prescribing for UTIs rather than to measure/assess knowledge and attitudes.

Conclusions
Few instruments for the assessment of knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals towards antibiotic use and UTI treatment are available. None of the instruments underwent the full development process to ensure that all psychometric properties were met. Furthermore, none of the instruments assessed all domains of knowledge and attitudes. Therefore, the ability of the instruments to provide a robust measurement of knowledge and attitudes is doubtful. There is a need for an instrument that fully and accurately measures the constructs of knowledge and attitude of healthcare professionals in the treatment of UTIs.
Spatial analysis and influencing factors of pulmonary tuberculosis among students in Nanning, during 2012–2018
Authors: Yang Dan-ling , Li Wen , Pan Meng-hua , Su Hai-xia , Li Yan-ning , Tang Meng-ying , Song Xiao-kun 
Published: May 2022

Background
Economically underdeveloped areas in western China are hotspots of tuberculosis, especially among students. However, the related spatial and temporal patterns and influencing factors are still unclear and there are few studies to analyze the causes of pulmonary tuberculosis in students from the perspective of space.

Methods
We collected data regarding the reported incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among students at township level in Nanning, from 2012 to 2018. The reported incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among students in Nanning was analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and spatial scan statistical analysis to depict hotspots of PTB incidence and spatial and temporal clustering. Spatial panel data of the reported incidence rates and influencing factors at district and county levels in Nanning were collected from 2015 to 2018. Then, we analyzed the spatial effects of incidence and influencing factors using the spatial Durbin model to explore the mechanism of each influencing factor in areas with high disease prevalence under spatial effects.

Results
From 2012 to 2018, 1609 cases of PTB were reported among students in Nanning, with an average annual reported incidence rate of 14.84/100,000. Through the Joinpoint regression model, We observed a steady trend in the percentage of cases reported each year (P>0.05). There was spatial autocorrelation between the annual reported incidence and the seven-years average reported incidence from 2012 to 2018. The high-incidence area was distributed in the junction of six urban areas and spread to the periphery, with the junction at the center. The population of college students, per capita financial expenditure on health, per capita gross domestic product, and the number of health technicians per 1,000 population were all influencing factors in the reported incidence of PTB among students.

Conclusion
We identified spatial clustering of the reported incidence of PTB among students in Nanning, mainly located in the urban center and its surrounding areas. The clustering gradually decreased from the urban center to the surrounding areas. Spatial effects influenced the reported incidence of PTB. The population density of college students, per capita health financial expenditure, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and the number of health technicians per 1,000 were all influencing factors in the reported incidence of PTB among students.
Impact of colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms on antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with cirrhosis and variceal bleeding
Authors: Mücke Victoria T. , Peiffer Kai-Henrik- , Kessel Johanna , Schwarzkopf Katharina M. , Bojunga Jörg , Zeuzem Stefan , Finkelmeier Fabian , Mücke Marcus M. 
Published: May 2022

Background
The efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent rebleeding or infection after variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis colonized with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is unknown.

Methods
In this retrospective study, patients with liver cirrhosis and endoscopically confirmed variceal bleeding who were treated at a tertiary care center in Germany and were screened for MDROs at the time of bleeding were eligible for inclusion. Efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis was evaluated in patients stratified according to microbiological susceptibility testing.

Results
From 97 patients, the majority had decompensated liver cirrhosis (median MELD Score 17) and ACLF was present in half of the patients (47.4%). One third of patients were colonized with MDRO at baseline. De-novo infection until day 10 or the combination of de-novo infection or rebleeding were comparable among both groups (p = 0.696 and p = 0.928, log-rank-test). Risk of de-novo infection or rebleeding was not significantly increased in patients who received antibiotic prophylaxis that did not cover the MDRO found upon baseline screening. Acute-on-chronic liver failure at baseline was the strongest and only independent risk factor that was associated with both outcomes (OR 5.52, 95%-CI 1.48–20.61, p = 0.011 and OR 11.5, 95%-CI 2.70–48.62, p<0.001). Neither MDRO colonization at baseline nor covering all detected MDRO with antibiotic prophylaxis (i.e. “adequate” prophylaxis) impacted transplant-free survival. Again, the presence of ACLF was the strongest independent risk factor associated with mortality (OR 9.85, 95%-CI 3.58–27.12, p<0.0001).

Conclusion
In this study, MDRO colonization did not increase the risk of rebleeding, infections nor death, even if antibiotic prophylaxis administered did not cover all MDRO detected at MDRO screening. Patients with ACLF had an increased risk of bleeding, infections and death.
Risk stratification for hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism in medical patients (RISE): Protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: Choffat Damien , Farhoumand Pauline Darbellay , Jaccard Evrim , de la Harpe Roxane , Kraege Vanessa , Benmachiche Malik , Gerber Christel , Leuzinger Salomé , Podmore Clara , Truong Minh Khoa , Dumans-Louis Céline , Marti Christophe , Reny Jean-Luc , Aujesky Drahomir , Rakovic Damiana , Limacher Andreas , Rossel Jean-Benoît , Baumgartner Christine , Méan Marie 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundHospital-acquired venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the leading preventable causes of in-hospital mortality. However, its risk assessment in medically ill inpatients is complicated due to the patients’ heterogeneity and complexity of currently available risk assessment models (RAMs). The simplified Geneva score provides simplicity but has not yet been prospectively validated. Immobility is an important predictor for VTE in RAMs, but its definition is inconsistent and based on subjective assessment by nurses or physicians. In this study, we aim to prospectively validate the simplified Geneva score and to examine the predictive performance of a novel and objective definition of in-hospital immobilization using accelerometry.Methods and analysisRISE is a multicenter prospective cohort study. The goal is to recruit 1350 adult inpatients admitted for medical illness in three Swiss tertiary care hospitals. We collect data on demographics, comorbidities, VTE risk and thromboprophylaxis. Mobility from admission to discharge is objectively measured using a wrist-worn accelerometer. Participants are followed for 90 days for the occurrence of symptomatic VTE (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes are the occurrence of clinically relevant bleeding, and mortality. The evolution of autonomy in the activities of daily living, the length of stay, and the occurrence of readmission are also recorded. Time-dependent area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values are calculated for each RAM (i.e. the simplified and original Geneva score, Padua, and IMPROVE score) with and without the objective mobility measures to assess their accuracy in predicting hospital-acquired VTE at 90 days.Ethics and expected impactThe ethics committee approved the protocol and the study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov asNCT04439383. RISE has the potential to optimize VTE risk stratification, and thus to improve the quality of care of medically hospitalized patients.
Information about dissemination of trial results in patient information leaflets for clinicals trials in the UK and Ireland: The what and the when
Authors: Bjorklund Matilda , Shiely Frances , Gillies Katie 
Published: May 2022

Introduction
Complete and understandable information is vital for informed consent and this includes how and when potential participants can expect to receive trial results. Informing participants during informed consent about the sharing of trial results is important for addressing participants’ needs, ensuring adherence to regulatory guidance, and in fulfilling a moral obligation.

Methods
Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) were collated from across the UK and Ireland. Trial characteristics and data on disseminating trial results was extracted. Analysis included descriptive statistics and a directed content analysis approach. The content analysis framework was informed by regulatory guidance on PIL content and existing research on dissemination of trial results. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and presented as a narrative summary as appropriate.

Results
238 PILs from 178 trials were analysed. Of the 238 PILs, 74% (n = 176) provided information on sharing results with participants, 70% (n = 123) of which described passive methods of disseminating results that require active engagement from the trial participants, i.e., effort required by the participant to seek the results. The majority (90%) of PILs included more than one proposed mode of dissemination that largely targeted healthcare professionals rather than participants. Only 8% of PILs specified a time period for when results could be expected, 47% did not specify a time period (e.g. at end of trial), and 45% included no information on when trial results would be available.

Conclusion
This study found that majority of the PILs included did include some information about dissemination of trial results. However, modes of dissemination tended to target researchers and clinicians rather than participants and information on when results would be available was often lacking. The findings highlight the need for further research that includes stakeholder input to identify what information on results summaries participants need at the point of making a decision about trial participation.
The Ability of Lipoprotein (a) Level to Predict Early Carotid Atherosclerosis Is Impaired in Patients With Advanced Liver Fibrosis Related to Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Wu Tingfeng , Ye Junzhao , Shao Congxiang , Lin Yansong , Wang Wei , Feng Shiting , Zhong Bihui 
Published: May 2022

INTRODUCTION:
Hepatic fibrosis reduces the serum level of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and may affect its accuracy in cardiovascular disease prediction of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). We aimed to estimate the association between Lp(a) levels and the risk of carotid atherosclerosis in MAFLD patients with advanced fibrosis.

METHODS:
This was a cross-sectional study enrolling 4,348 consecutive individuals (1,346 patients with MAFLD and 3,002 non-MAFLD patients) who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, and underwent abdominal and carotid ultrasonography from 2015 to 2021. Lp(a) levels, liver biochemical markers, metabolic indices, and anthropometric parameters were measured. Liver fat content and fibrosis severity were assessed by MRI-PDFF, using the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) of two-dimensional shear wave elastography, respectively.

RESULTS:
There was an L-shaped relationship between Lp(a) levels and LSMs in patients with MAFLD, and Lp(a) levels had a different relationship with liver fat content in MAFLD patients with F1-2 versus those with F3-4. Non-MAFLD patients had higher levels of Lp(a) than MAFLD patients with or without advanced fibrosis (both P < 0.05). Lp(a) levels and degree of liver fibrosis were both positively correlated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with MAFLD. Lp(a) levels performed well on carotid atherosclerosis risk prediction for non-MAFLD patients with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.819, which was significantly better than the carotid atherosclerosis risk prediction for MAFLD patients with NFS ≤ −1.836 (AUC: 0.781), NFS > −1.836 (AUC: 0.692), and LSM ≥ 9.0 kPa (AUC: 0.635) (all P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION:
Advanced liver fibrosis significantly reduces the predictive value of Lp(a) levels for the risk of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with MAFLD.
An unusual presentation of DiGeorge syndrome
Authors: Garkaby Jenny , Abrego Fuentes Laura Edith , Willett Pachul Jessica , Watts-Dickens Abby , Fraser Meghan 
Published: May 2022

Introduction: DiGeorge syndrome is a heterogenous disorder with various clinical presentations. Common features include thymic hypoplasia, T cell lymphopenia, conotruncal heart defects, facial dysmorphism, cleft palate, developmental delay, and hypoparathyroidism. The severity of this condition varies, however typical presentation includes congenital heart defects and characteristic facial features. Isolated hypocalcemia in DiGeorge syndrome is rarely seen in neonates but rather as the sole manifestation in older teenagers or adults.Aim: To report a case of an atypical presentation of DiGeorge syndrome.Results: We report here a case of an infant who was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome, with seizures being the only clinical manifestation displayed by the patient. He was found to have low T cell receptor excision circle levels on a newborn screen (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). He did not have facial dysmorphism nor cardiac defect.Conclusion: Our case shows that severe hypocalcemia can be the only presenting symptom in DiGeorge syndrome. Based on this case, we recommend physicians test for calcium levels and PTH at the first encounter with a patient who screened positive during NBS for SCID.Statement of Novelty: We describe an infant with DiGeorge syndrome who presented with severe hypocalcemia.
Internal quality control – past, present and future trends
Authors: Ricós Carmen , Fernandez-Calle Pilar , Perich Carmen , Westgard James O. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Objectives
This paper offers an historical view, through a summary of the internal quality control (IQC) models used from second half of twentyth century to those performed today and wants to give a projection on how the future should be addressed.

Methods
The material used in this work study are all papers collected referring IQC procedures. The method used is the critical analysis of the different IQC models with a discussion on the weak and the strong points of each model.

Results
First models were based on testing control materials and using multiples of the analytical procedure standard deviation as control limits. Later, these limits were substituted by values related with the intended use of test, mainly derived from biological variation. For measurands with no available control material methods based on replicate analysis of patient’ samples were developed and have been improved recently; also, the sigma metrics that relates the quality desired with the laboratory performance has resulted in a highly efficient quality control model. Present tendency is to modulate IQC considering the workload and the impact of analytical failure in the patent harm.

Conclusions
This paper remarks the strong points of IQC models, indicates the weak points that should be eliminated from practice and gives a future projection on how to promote patient safety through laboratory examinations.
Age and sex specific reference intervals of 13 hematological analytes in Chinese children and adolescents aged from 28 days up to 20 years: the PRINCE study
Authors: Song Wenqi , Yan Ruohua , Peng Mingting , Jiang Hong , Li Guixia , Cao Sancheng , Jiang Yongmei , Guo Zhenxin , Chen Dapeng , Yang Hongling , Xu Jin , Chang Yong , Xiang Yun , Zhao Min , Li Chenbin , Shen Ying , Jin Fang , Li Qiliang , Wang Yan , Peng Yaguang , Hu Lixin , Liu Ying , Zhang Xiaofei , Chen Wenxiang , Peng Xiaoxia , Ni Xin 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Objectives
Pediatric Reference Intervals in China (PRINCE) is a nationwide initiative that aims to establish and validate harmonized reference intervals (RIs) for Chinese children and adolescents, in which 15,150 healthy volunteers aged up to 20 years were recruited from 11 centers to establish RIs and 7,557 children and adolescents were enrolled from 21 centers to validate RIs.

Methods
The complete blood cell counts (CBC) of venous whole blood were measured by hematology analyzers through Sysmex systems in different centers. Age- and sex-specific RIs were calculated according to the guidelines.

Results
Unlike adults with certain levels of analyte concentrations, hematological parameters of children changed through growth and development. Red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, and hematocrit increased with age, and revealed higher concentrations in boys than girls after puberty. White blood cell counts and platelet counts showed significant higher levels than adults before 2 years of age, and then gradually decreased without distinct sex differences. In addition, lymphocyte counts decreased with age while neutrophil counts showed an opposite trend. The lower and upper limits of pediatric RIs of CBC were different from those of adults.

Conclusions
The validation of RIs indicated that the PRINCE study provided a version of RIs suitable for most of regions in China. This first harmonized pediatric RIs of CBC across China provided a robust database to understand the dynamic changes of hematologic parameters from birth to adolescence, and will contribute to clinical diagnosis and prognosis evaluation for pediatric patients as well.
Convergence of generalized sampling series in weighted spaces
Authors: Acar Tuncer , Alagöz Osman , Aral Ali , Costarelli Danilo , Turgay Metin , Vinti Gianluca 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The present paper deals with an extension of approximation properties of generalized sampling series to weighted spaces of functions. A pointwise and uniform convergence theorem for the series is proved for functions belonging to weighted spaces. A rate of convergence by means of weighted moduli of continuity is presented and a quantitative Voronovskaja-type theorem is obtained.
Verschwörungstheorien und das Erbe der Aufklärung: Auf den Schultern von Scheinriesen
Authors: Spiegel Thomas J. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Conspiracy theories are currently all the rage in philosophy and broader intellectual culture. One of the most common background assumptions in the discourse on conspiracy theories is that conspiracy theorists exhibit certain epistemic vices in the sense of cognitive misconduct. This epistemic vice is mostly seen as a form of irrationality; the corresponding “remedy”, as suggested by some commentators, is a return to the ideals of the Enlightenment. This article argues that this idea is wrongheaded. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that conspiracy theorists are actually motivated by the rational Enlightenment ideal of self-thinking in the first place. In contrast to the standard discourse, the article posits that conspiracism is based on a certain form of social scepticism, according to which conspiracy theorists radically mistrust a certain form of expert testimony, namely “official” statements. This form of social scepticism in turn facilitates a naive appropriation of the Enlightenment ideal of self-thinking. The article closes by drawing connections to the ethical and epistemological debate on trust and offers the pessimistic assessment that there are no easy solutions based on individual epistemic virtues.
Investigation on the atomization characteristics and structure parameters of alcohol-based fuel in small stove
Authors: Hua Quan-Xian , Shi Hai-Gang , Gao Quan , Li Yi-Xuan , Bai Jing , Zheng Peng , Li Pan 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
In this paper, a set of small stoves was designed which is used for alcohol-based fuel combustion. The research object is the atomization process of alcohol-based fuel in the stove. By combining numerical analysis and experiment, this paper investigated the influence of spray pressure on the atomization characteristics of alcohol-based fuel in the stove under the static environment. The results showed that as the increase of spray pressure, the atomization cone angle increased firstly and then decreased slightly and when the spray pressure was 0.8 MPa, the atomization cone angle reached the maximum value of 79.5°; the SMD (Sauter mean diameter) at the same position of the combustion chamber decreased slowly and the spray height increased slowly and both of the SMD and spray height changed slightly when the spray pressure was not less than 0.8 MPa. The experiment verified the correctness of the numerical analysis method, and the coincidence degree between both was more than 92%. This paper also investigated the influence of swirl structure parameters on the atomization characteristics of fuel in the stove under air distribution condition by using numerical analysis method. The results showed that the air central recirculation zone only generated in the stove combustion chamber when the swirl angle was not less than 30°; the minimum SMD and the maximum average velocity of all central recirculation zones sections were obtained when the combustion chamber with 12 swirl plates and 45° swirl angle, and the atomization characteristics of the fuel in this structure were better. Further research showed that when the combustion chamber with 6 swirl plates and 40° swirl angle, the SMD of all the central recirculation zone sections is the smallest and the average velocity was slightly smaller than the maximum value; and after comprehensive analysis, the atomization characteristics of the fuel in the stove with this structure are the best. These above research results will provide reference value for the design and development of alcohol-based fuel special stoves.