bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prescribing engagement in environmental risk assessment for gene drive technology
Authors: Hartley Sarah , Kokotovich Adam , McCalman Caroline 
Published: March 2022

AbstractGene drive technology is a nascent biotechnology with the potential to purposefully alter or eliminate a species. There have been broad calls for engagement to inform gene drive governance. Over the past seven years, the gene drive community has been developing risk assessment guidelines to determine what form future gene drive risk assessments take, including whether and how they involve engagement. To explore who is developing these guidelines and how engagement in risk assessment is being prescribed, we conduct a document analysis of gene drive risk assessment guideline documents from 2014 to 2020. We found that a narrow set of organizations have developed 10 key guideline documents and that with only one exception the documents prescribe a narrow, vague, or completely absent role for engagement in gene drive risk assessment. Without substantively prescribed engagement in guidelines, the relevance, rigor, and trustworthiness of gene drive risk assessment and governance will suffer.
Temporal analysis of desertification vulnerability in Northeast Brazil using Google Earth Engine
Authors: Moura Marks Melo , Walter Letícia Siqueira , Lins Tarcila Rosa da Silva , Araujo Emmanoella Costa Guaraná , da Cunha Neto Ernandes Macedo , Santana Gabriel Mendes , Brasil Iací Dandara Santos , Silva Thiago Cardoso 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntensive agricultural production has negative environmental impacts, increasing predisposition to desertification in areas with inadequate soil management. To evaluate the effects of agriculture, we aimed to perform a temporal analysis and analyze the development of desertification in Northeast Brazil. Initially, the region was separated into four climatic zones, grouping the locations with similar characteristics of air temperature and rainfall. In the analyses, images of the northeast region acquired from the Landsat 5 (1989, 1999, and 2009) and Landsat 8 (2019) satellites were processed using the Google Earth Engine platform. The periods were separated into dry and rainy periods, according to the climatic zones. The evaluation of vegetation index, characterization of the remaining vegetation cover, landscape pattern, and meteorological conditions were performed, respectively, through the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Modified Soil‐Adjusted Vegetation Index, and albedo of the terrestrial surface. The desertification index showed an increase in susceptible areas when comparing the interval from 1989 to 2019. In general, our results showed that there is less predisposition for desertification to occur during the rainy season. Also, when the results of our study were compared to official data released by the National Program of Action to Combat Desertification and Mitigate the Effects of Drought, there was disagreement regarding the classification of areas.
Simplified regimen for the management of hypertension with telemedicine and blood pressure self-monitoring (SIMPLE): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Li Yao , Maimaitiaili Rusitanmujiang , Zhang Yi , Feng Tienan , Xu Yawei , Yang Haotian , Zhang Ji , Shi Jia , Wang Mingliang , Zhao Fang , Gao Junqing , Hu Jun , Jiang Chenghua , Zhao Yifan 
Published: March 2022

IntroductionTelemedicine and blood pressure (BP) self-monitoring conduces to management of hypertension. Recent hypertension guidelines highly recommended single pill combination (SPC) for the initial treatment of essential hypertension. Based on this fact, an SPC-based telemedicine titration regimen with BP self-monitoring could be a better way in managing hypertension. This trial aims to elucidate whether telemedicine combined with BP self-monitoring is superior to self-monitoring alone during hypertension management.Methods and analysisThis study will be a multicentred, open-labelled, randomised controlled trial. A minimum sample of 358 hypertensive patients with uncontrolled BP from four centres will be included. The intervention group will include BP self-monitoring and tele-monitoring plus a free SPC-based telemedicine titration therapy for 6 months, they will be recommended to take BP measurements at least once every 7 days, in the meantime, researchers will call to give a consultation on lifestyle or titration advice once a fortnight. The control group will be required to self-monitor BP at the same time interval as intervention group, without any therapy change. Primary outcome of the trial will be the difference in systolic blood pressure at 6-month follow-up between intervention and control group, adjusted for baseline variables. Secondary outcomes such as BP control rate, major adverse cardiovascular events, medication adherence, quality of life will be investigated.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was granted by Ethical Committee of Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital (SHSY-IEC-4.1/20-194/01). The results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed literature, and to policy-makers and healthcare partners.Trial registration numberChiCTR2000037217.
Analysis on the willingness and influencing factors of choosing primary healthcare institutions among patients with chronic conditions in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Teng Li , Li Yueping 
Published: March 2022

ObjectiveTo assess the willingness and factors influencing the choice of primary healthcare (PHC) institutions among patients with chronic conditions in China.DesignA nationwide population-based study with binary logistic regression was conducted and used to estimate the ORs of the influencing factors of health-seeking at PHC institutions using the Anderson model as a theoretical framework.SettingThe China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) database.ParticipantsThe study sample included 7967 patients with chronic conditions identified from the 2016 and 2018 CFPS databases.ResultsFrom 2016 to 2018, the rate of choosing PHC institutions for patients with chronic conditions dropped from 51.0% to 47.7%. The logistic regression results showed that patients with low family income (OR value of >60 000 group was 0.57, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.74), low education level (OR value of bachelor degree or above was 0.54, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.83;), older age (OR value of >65 group was 1.31, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.60;), hypertension and diabetes (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.41), living in rural areas (OR value of urban was 0.47, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.60), immigrating from rural to urban areas (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.13), reporting good health (OR value of very good was 1.33, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.68) and those from areas with a high proportion of PHC institutions (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.07) were more inclined to choose PHC institutions. Conversely, patients with urban employee health insurance (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.80) and more than one chronic disease (OR 0,83, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.92) preferred choosing a hospital.ConclusionsThe patients’ willingness to choose PHC institutions was low. The health-seeking preference of patients with chronic conditions is derived from medical needs and is influenced by the predisposing factors and tendencies of enabling resources. Measures should be taken to improve the capacity of PHC institutions.
Pregnancy Outcomes: Effects of Metformin (POEM) study: a protocol for a long-term, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: van Hoorn Eline G M , van Dijk Peter R , Prins Jelmer R , Lutgers Helen L , Hoogenberg Klaas , Erwich Jan Jaap H M , Kooy Adriaan 
Published: March 2022

IntroductionGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common disorder of pregnancy with health risks for mother and child during pregnancy, delivery and further lifetime, possibly leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Current treatment is focused on reducing hyperglycaemia, by dietary and lifestyle intervention and, if glycaemic targets are not reached, insulin. Metformin is an oral blood glucose lowering drug and considered safe during pregnancy. It improves insulin sensitivity and has shown advantages, specifically regarding pregnancy-related outcomes and patient satisfaction, compared with insulin therapy. However, the role of metformin in addition to usual care is inconclusive and long-term outcome of metformin exposure in utero are lacking. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the early addition of metformin on pregnancy and long-term outcomes in GDM.Methods and analysisThe Pregnancy Outcomes: Effects of Metformin study is a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled trial. Participants include women with GDM, between 16 and 32 weeks of gestation, who are randomised to either usual care or metformin added to usual care, with insulin rescue in both groups. Metformin is given up to 1 year after delivery. The study consists of three phases (A–C): A—until 6 weeks after delivery; B—until 1 year after delivery; C—observational study until 20 years after delivery. During phase A, the primary outcome is a composite score consisting of: (1) pregnancy-related hypertension, (2) large for gestational age neonate, (3) preterm delivery, (4) instrumental delivery, (5) caesarean delivery, (6) birth trauma, (7) neonatal hypoglycaemia, (8) neonatal intensive care admission. During phase B and C the primary outcome is the incidence of T2DM and (weight) development in mother and child.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects in the Netherlands. Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNCT02947503.
Family-based intervention for prevention and self-management of disabilities due to leprosy, podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis versus usual care in Ethiopia: study protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial
Authors: van 't Noordende Anna Tiny , Aycheh Moges Wubie , Moges Nurilign Abebe , Tadesse Tesfaye , Schippers Alice P. 
Published: March 2022

IntroductionLeprosy, podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis (LF) are three skin-related neglected tropical diseases. All three conditions can lead to temporary and permanent impairments. These impairments progressively worsen and are major determinants of stigma, discrimination and participation restrictions. Self-care is essential to prevent disabilities and chronic disease complications. Many persons with leprosy-related, LF-related and podoconiosis-related disabilities need to practice self-management routines their entire life. This is difficult without support and encouragement of others. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a family-based intervention in terms of physical outcomes related to prevention and self-management of disabilities due to leprosy, podoconiosis and LF and family quality of life and well-being compared with usual practice and care.Methods and analysisThe study will use a cluster-randomised controlled trial design with two study arms. The project will be carried out in endemic districts in East and West Gojjam zones in the Amhara region in Ethiopia. Clusters consist of kebeles (lower administrative structures in the district) that have been merged, based on their geographical proximity and the number of cases in each kebele. A total of 630 participants will be included in the study. The intervention group will consist of 105 persons affected by leprosy, 105 persons affected by LF or podoconiosis, and 210 family members. The control group will consist of 105 persons affected by leprosy and 105 persons affected by LF or podoconiosis. The family-based intervention comprises an essential care package that consists of the following three main components: (1) self-management of disabilities, (2) economic empowerment and (3) psychosocial support. Participants in the control areas will receive usual practice and care. Data analysis includes, but is not limited to, calculating the percentage of change and corresponding 95% CI of physical impairment outcomes in each group, before and after the intervention is implemented, effect sizes, intention to treat and difference in difference analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the Debre Markos University Health Sciences Institutional Research Ethics Review Committee. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and workshops.Trial registration numberPACTR202108907851342.
Incremental significance and sex discrepancies of neck circumference on the odds of ischaemic stroke: a multistage, population-based, cross-sectional study from Northeast China
Authors: Li Guangxiao , Li Ying , Jing Li , Tian Yuanmeng , Shi Lei , Jiang Cuiqin , Sun Qun , Ren Guocheng , Dai Dong , Sun Jixu , Wang Weizhong , Xue Weishuang , Yang Zuosen , Liu Shuang , Xing Liying 
Published: March 2022

ObjectivesAccumulated evidence suggests that neck circumference (NC) is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. However, limited studies are available regarding the association between NC or height normalised NC (neck-to-height ratio (NHR)) and risk of ischaemic stroke (IS) in the Chinese population. Therefore, we aimed at examining the associations between NC or NHR and odds of IS and exploring the discrepancies between men and women.DesignA multistage cluster cross-sectional study.SettingA population-based study carried out in Northeast China.MethodsA cross-sectional study was undertaken in Northeast China between September 2017 and March 2019, involving 7236 men and 11 352 women, respectively. The median age of participants was 60.30 years, ranging from 40 to 97 years. The associations between NC or NHR and odds of IS were calculated using multiple logistic regression models. Dose–response relationships were depicted using restricted cubic spline functions. Reclassification analyses were carried out to determine the incremental significance of NC or NHR on the odds of IS.ResultsIn women, NC and NHR were significantly associated with the odds of IS, independent of traditional risk factors and other anthropometric parameters for obesity. The highest quartile of NC and NHR had a 1.60 (95% CI 1.16 to 2.22)-and 1.72 (95% CI 1.23 to 2.41) times higher odds of IS compared with the lowest quartile. Furthermore, the odds of IS increased by 1.10 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.20) and 1.12 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.22) times per 1 SD increase in NC and NHR, respectively. Reclassification analyses showed that the proportion of correct classification increased by 11.5% (95% CI 2.2% to 20.7%) and 22.8% (95% CI 13.5% to 32.0%) after the addition of NC or NHR into established models, respectively. However, the findings could not be replicated in men.ConclusionNC and NHR might be promising independent indicators for women IS. Their incremental value in the risk stratification of IS enables the individualised prevention of IS in women.
Large difference but high correlation between creatinine and cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rate in Mesoamerican sugarcane cutters
Authors: Andersson Axel , Hansson Erik , Ekström Ulf , Grubb Anders , Abrahamson Magnus , Jakobsson Kristina , Xu Yiyi 
Published: March 2022

ObjectivesTo explore the relationship between creatinine and cystatin C based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in actively working sugarcane cutters.MethodsThis cohort study included 458 sugarcane cutters from Nicaragua and El Salvador. Serum samples were taken before and at end of harvest seasons and analysed for creatinine and cystatin C. Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formulas were used to calculate eGFRs based on creatinine (eGFRcr), cystatin C (eGFRcys) and both creatinine and cystatin C (eGFRcrcys) at each time point. Bland-Altman plots and paired t-tests were used to compare the difference between eGFRcrand eGFRcys, and the difference in eGFRs between before and at end of the harvest seasons.ResultsThe mean eGFRcrwas higher than eGFRcysin both cohorts; absolute difference 22 mL/min/1.73 m2(95% CI 21 to 23) in Nicaragua and 13 mL/min/1.73 m2(95% CI 11 to 15) in El Salvador. Correlations between eGFRcrand eGFRcyswere high, with r=0.69, 0.77 and 0.67 in Nicaragua at pre-harvest, end-harvest and cross-harvest, and r=0.89, 0.89 and 0.49 in El Salvador.ConclusionsCreatinine increases among heat-stressed workers reflect reduced glomerular filtration as estimated using eGFRcys, a marker independent of muscle mass and metabolism. The discrepancy between eGFRcrand eGFRcysmay indicate reduced glomerular filtration of larger molecules and/or systemic bias in CKD-EPI performance in this population.
Isoentropic equations of state of $$\beta $$-stable hadronic matter with a quark phase transition
Authors: Logoteta Domenico , Bombaci Ignazio , Perego Albino 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe construct isoentropic equations of state (EOSs) of $$\beta $$
β
-stable dense hadronic matter considering the possibility that a quark deconfinement phase transition can take place. These conditions can be actually realized in different astrophysical contexts like core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe), during the early stages of the evolution of a newly formed neutron star (protoneutron star, PNS) or in the postmerger compact object formed in binary neutron star (BNS) mergers. We consider four different EOSs to describe the hadronic phase: three EOSs from relativistic mean field theory and one EOS recently derived from microscopic calculations in the framework of the Brueckner–Hartree–Fock approach. We combine these hadronic EOSs with a quark matter EOS obtained from a modified MIT-Bag model which takes into account some perturbative corrections in the grand canonical potential due to the quark–quark interaction. The two phases are then joined up through a Gibbs construction. For each model we study thermal and neutrino trapping effects on the matter composition and consequently on the EOS. We finally determine the PNS static structure integrating the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equations. We find that the thermal contribution and particularly the effect of neutrino trapping play an important role on the full EOS. The latter can get softer or stiffer according to the strangeness content in the hadronic phase. These effects are thus crucial to provide a proper description of the dynamical evolution of both the postmerger compact object formed in a BNS merger or the PNS formed in a CCSN.
Popliteal artery branching variations on computed tomography angiography of 1542 lower limbs and its associated factors
Authors: Arayapithak Karakkada , Suwannanon Ruedeekorn , Hongsakul Keerati 
Published: March 2022

Background The identification of popliteal artery branching variation is of anatomical importance for surgical and endovascular procedures in the posterior region of the knee and below. Purpose To evaluate the variations and associated factors of popliteal artery branching by computed tomography angiography (CTA). Material and Methods CTA of the lower extremities of 1542 lower limbs in 771 patients (513 men and 258 women) were retrospectively reviewed to assess the popliteal artery branching patterns. The patient's sex, side of lower limbs, and population were recorded and evaluated for their association with popliteal artery branching patterns. P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results Variations in the branching of the popliteal artery were recorded in 9.3% of patients. The three most common variations were found to be hypoplastic-aplastic posterior tibial artery (PT) (3.6%), trifurcation (2.0%), and hypoplastic-aplastic anterior tibial artery (0.8%). A new pattern was detected in 2 (0.1%) cases, which were described as double PTs. Statistically significant differences were noted in the proportion of variation branching between the male and female groups (odds ratio = 1.52; 95% confidence interval = 1.07–2.16; P = 0.02). Conclusion The findings on popliteal variational branching patterns in the present study were in conformance to previous reports. Our study identified a novel variation of popliteal artery branching, which has not been mentioned in the literature so far. Sex was found to be an associated factor of branching variation.
Interleukin 17A rs2275913 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus: A meta and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Padhi Sunali , Sarangi Surjyapratap , Nayak Nisha , Barik Debashis , Pati Abhijit , Panda Aditya K 
Published: March 2022

Background The role of cytokines in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has received much attention. Interleukin-17 A upregulates several inflammation-related genes and is thought to have a crucial role in SLE development. The susceptibility to SLE development has been linked to functional genetic variations of the IL-17A gene; nevertheless, the findings have been conflicting. We conducted a meta-analysis that included previously published reports to establish a definitive conclusion on the role of the IL-17A rs2275913 polymorphism in SLE propensity. Materials and Methods The PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were used to find eligible published articles. All analyses were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-analysis V3.1. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression analysis were used to assess publication bias. Q statistics and I2 test explored the heterogeneity among the included studies. Combined odds ratio, 95% confidence interval were calculated for each comparison model. Results Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of four reports, comprising of 608 SLE patients and 815 healthy controls, were considered for the present meta-analysis. The homozygous comparison (AA vs. GG: combined odds ratio= 2.046, p = 0.005) and recessive genetic model (AA vs. GG+GA: combined odds ratio=1.901, p = 0.010) analysis revealed a significant association of rs2275913 with susceptibility to the development of SLE. However, other genetic comparisons (A vs. G, GA vs. GG, AA+GA vs. GG) failed to demonstrate such association. Furthermore, trial sequential analysis revealed a sufficient number of studies, including enough cases and controls that have already been considered to conclude the role of IL17-A rs2275913 polymorphism in SLE. Conclusions IL-17A rs2275913 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to SLE development.
Cultural Safety as an Outcome of a Dynamic Relational Process: The Experience of Inuit in a Mainstream Residential Addiction Rehabilitation Centre in Southern Canada
Authors: Lauzière Julie , Fletcher Christopher , Gaboury Isabelle 
Published: March 2022

Few addiction treatment options are available in Arctic Canada, leading many Inuit to seek treatment programs in southern cities. We conducted a case study to understand what contributes to a culturally safe experience for Inuit in a mainstream addiction rehabilitation centre in Southern Canada. We carried out more than 700 hours of participant observation, in addition to semi-structured interviews and member-checking activities with 20 Inuit residents, 18 staff and four managers. Data were analysed using an inductive interpretative process. Throughout their journey in the program, Inuit navigated through contrasting situations and feelings that we grouped under six broad themes: having Inuit peers, having limitations imposed on one’s ways of being and doing, facing ignorance and misperceptions, having conversations and dialogue, facing language barriers and being in a supportive and caring environment. This study highlights how cultural safety varies according to people, context and time, and relates to developing trustful relationships.