bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between prelabour caesarean section and perinatal outcomes: analysis of demographic and health surveys from 26 low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Opiyo Newton , Bellizzi Saverio , Torloni Maria Regina , Souza Joao Paulo , Betran Ana Pilar 
Published: January 2022

ObjectivesCaesarean section (CS) conducted before labour (prelabour CS (PLCS)), compared with vaginal birth, may pose additional maternal and perinatal risks. No multicountry analysis has examined PLCS in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study assessed rates, risk factors and associations of PLCS with perinatal outcomes in LMICs.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional surveys.SettingDemographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2015 and 2018 in 26 LMICs (13 countries in Africa, 11 in Asia and 2 in the Americas).ParticipantsWomen aged 15–49 years with singleton term births.Outcome measuresMain outcomes were early neonatal mortality, neonatal mortality, early breastfeeding (within 1 hour of birth), skin-to-skin contact and duration of hospital stay.Results255 227 women were included in the main analysis. Average rates of primary PLCS ranged from 1.3% in Zambia to 19.5% in Maldives. Median PLCS rate was 1.8% in the poorest versus 5.8% in the richest subgroups.Higher maternal age, education, economic status and BMI, lower parity, urban residence, delivery in private hospitals, larger baby size, having health insurance, more antenatal care (ANC) visits, ANC by a doctor and ANC in private hospitals were associated with increased primary PLCS.Across the 26 countries, primary PLCS, compared with vaginal delivery, was associated with increased neonatal mortality (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.5), decreased early breastfeeding (aOR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.5) and skin-to-skin contact (aOR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.5) and longer hospital stay (aOR 6.6, 95% CI 5.9 to 7.4). No significant association was found for early neonatal mortality (aOR 1.2, 95% CI 0.9 to 1.5).ConclusionPrimary PLCS, compared with vaginal birth, is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton term pregnancies in LMICs. Caesarean births should be audited regularly to monitor trends, appropriateness and context-specific drivers of CS.
Camu Camu effects on microbial translocation and systemic immune activation in ART-treated people living with HIV: protocol of the single-arm non-randomised Camu Camu prebiotic pilot study (CIHR/CTN PT032)
Authors: Isnard Stéphane , Fombuena Brandon , Ouyang Jing , Royston Léna , Lin John , Bu Simeng , Sheehan Nancy , Lakatos Peter L , Bessissow Talat , Chomont Nicolas , Klein Marina , Lebouché Bertrand , Costiniuk Cecilia T , Routy Bertrand , Marette André , Routy Jean-Pierre 
Published: January 2022

IntroductionDespite the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in transforming HIV disease into a chronic infection, people living with HIV (PLWH) remain at risk for various non-AIDS inflammatory comorbidities. Risk of non-AIDS comorbidities is associated with gut dysbiosis, epithelial gut damage and subsequent microbial translocation, and increased activation of both circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. Therefore, in addition to ART, novel gut microbiota-modulating therapies could aid in reducing inflammation and immune activation, gut damage, and microbial translocation. Among various gut-modulation strategies under investigation, the Amazonian fruit Camu Camu (CC) presents itself as a prebiotic candidate based on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in animal models and tobacco smokers.Method and analysisA total of 22 PLWH on ART for more than 2 years, with a viral load <50 copies/mL, a CD4 +count >200 and a CD4+/CD8 +ratio <1 (suggesting increased inflammation and risk for non-AIDS comorbidities), will be recruited in a single arm, non-randomised, interventional pilot trial. We will assess tolerance and effect of supplementation with CC in ART-treated PLWH on reducing gut damage, microbial translocation, inflammation and HIV latent reservoir by various assays.Ethics and disseminationThe Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)/Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN) pilot trial protocol CTNPT032 was approved by the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate of Health Canada and the research ethics board of the McGill university Health Centre committee (number 2020-5903). Results will be made available as free access through publications in peer-reviewed journals and through the CIHR/CTN website.Trial registration numberNCT04058392.
PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcomE followIng major lower limb amputation: a collaboratiVE study (PERCEIVE)—protocol for the PERCEIVE qualitative study
Authors: Milosevic Sarah , Brookes-Howell Lucy , Gwilym Brenig Llwyd , Waldron Cherry-Ann , Thomas-Jones Emma , Preece Ryan , Pallmann Philip , Harris Debbie , Massey Ian , Stewart Philippa , Samuel Katie , Jones Sian , Cox David , Twine Christopher P , Edwards Adrian , Bosanquet David C 
Published: January 2022

IntroductionDeciding whether to proceed with a major lower limb amputation is life-changing and complex, and it is crucial that the right decision is made at the right time. However, medical specialists are known to poorly predict risk when assessing patients for major surgery, and there is little guidance and research regarding decisions about amputation. The process of shared decision-making between doctors and patients during surgical consultations is also little understood. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse in depth the communication, consent, risk prediction and decision-making process in relation to major lower limb amputation.Methods and analysisConsultations between patients and surgeons at which major lower limb amputation is discussed will be audio-recorded for 10–15 patients. Semi-structured follow-up interviews with patients (and relatives/carers) will then be conducted at two time points: as soon as possible/appropriate after a decision has been reached regarding surgery, and approximately 6 months later. Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted with 10–15 healthcare professionals working in the UK National Health Service (NHS) involved in amputation decision-making. This will include surgeons, anaesthetists and specialist physiotherapists at 2–4 NHS Health Boards/Trusts in Wales and England. Discourse analysis will be used to analyse the recorded consultations; interviews will be analysed thematically. Finally, workshops will be held with patients and healthcare professionals to help synthesise and interpret findings.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by Wales REC 7 (20/WA/0351). Study findings will be published in international peer-reviewed journal(s) and presented at national and international scientific meetings. Findings will also be disseminated to a wide NHS and lay audience via presentations at meetings and written summaries for key stakeholder groups.
Adoption and continued use of mobile contact tracing technology: multilevel explanations from a three-wave panel survey and linked data
Authors: Horvath Laszlo , Banducci Susan , Blamire Joshua , Degnen Cathrine , James Oliver , Jones Andrew , Stevens Daniel , Tyler Katharine 
Published: January 2022

ObjectiveTo identify the key individual-level (demographics, attitudes, mobility) and contextual (COVID-19 case numbers, tiers of mobility restrictions, urban districts) determinants of adopting the NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app and continued use overtime.Design and settingA three-wave panel survey conducted in England in July 2020 (background survey), November 2020 (first measure of app adoption) and March 2021 (continued use of app and new adopters) linked with official data.ParticipantsN=2500 adults living in England, representative of England’s population in terms of regional distribution, age and gender (2011 census).Primary outcomeRepeated measures of self-reported app usage.Analytical approachMultilevel logistic regression linking a range of individual level (from survey) and contextual (from linked data) determinants to app usage.ResultsWe observe initial app uptake at 41%, 95% CI (0.39% to 0.43%), and a 12% drop-out rate by March 2021, 95% CI (0.10% to 0.14%). We also found that 7% of nonusers as of wave 2 became new adopters by wave 3, 95% CI (0.05% to 0.08%). Initial uptake (or failure to use) of the app associated with social norms, privacy concerns and misinformation about third-party data access, with those living in postal districts with restrictions on mobility less likely to use the app. Perceived lack of transparent evidence of effectiveness was associated with drop-out of use. In addition, those who trusted the government were more likely to adopt in wave 3 as new adopters.ConclusionsSuccessful uptake of the contact tracing app should be evaluated within the wider context of the UK Government’s response to the crisis. Trust in government is key to adoption of the app in wave 3 while continued use is linked to perceptions of transparent evidence. Providing clear information to address privacy concerns could increase uptake, however, the disparities in continued use among ethnic minority participants needs further investigation.
Efficacy of ultrasound therapy for the treatment of lateral elbow tendinopathy (the UCICLET Trial): study protocol for a three-arm, prospective, multicentre, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sun Ziyang , Chen Shuai , Liu Weixuan , Sun Guixin , Liu Junjian , Wang Jian , Wang Wei , Zheng Yuanyi , Fan Cunyi 
Published: January 2022

IntroductionLateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) is a highly prevalent disease among the middle-aged population, with no consensus on optimal management. Non-operative treatment is generally accepted as the first-line intervention. Ultrasound (US) therapy has been reported to be beneficial for various orthopaedic diseases, including tendinopathy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of US for LET treatment.Methods and analysisThis protocol entails a three-arm, prospective, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Seventy-two eligible participants with clinically confirmed LET will be assigned to either (1) US, (2) corticosteroid injections or (3) control group. All participants will receive exercise-based therapy as a fundamental intervention. The primary outcome is Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation. The secondary outcomes include Visual Analogue Scale for pain, shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand for upper limb disability, pain free/maximum grip strength, Work Limitations Questionnaire-25 for functional limitations at work, EuroQol-5D for general health, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for mental status, Global Rating of Change for treatment success and recurrence rate, and Mahomed Scale for the participant’s satisfaction. Adverse events will be recorded. Intention-to-treat analyses will be used.Ethics and disseminationEthics committees of all clinical centres have approved this study. The leading centre is Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, whose approval number is 2021–153. New versions with appropriate amendments will be submitted to the committee for further approval. Final results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at local, national and international conferences.Trial registration numberChiCTR2100050547.
Hyperacute stroke thrombolysis via telemedicine: a multicentre study of performance, safety and clinical efficacy
Authors: Evans Nicholas Richard , Sibson Lynda , Day Diana J , Agarwal Smriti , Shekhar Raj , Warburton Elizabeth A 
Published: January 2022

ObjectivesTimely thrombolysis of ischaemic stroke improves functional recovery, yet its delivery nationally is challenging due to shortages in the stroke specialist workforce and large geographical areas. One solution is remote stroke specialist input to regional centres via telemedicine. This study evaluates the usage and key metrics of performance of the East of England Stroke Telemedicine Partnership—the largest telestroke service in the UK—in providing hyperacute stroke care.DesignProspective observational study.SettingThe East of England Stroke Telemedicine Partnership provides a horizontal ‘hubless’ model of out-of-hours hyperacute stroke care to a population of 6.2 million across a 7500 square mile semirural region.ParticipantsAll (2709) telestroke consultations between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2019.Main outcome measuresThrombolysis decision, pre-thrombolysis and post-thrombolysis stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS), haemorrhagic complications, and hyperacute pathway timings.ResultsOver the period, 1149 (42.4%) individuals were thrombolysed. Thrombolysis rates increased from 147/379 (38.8%) in 2014 to 225/490 (45.9%) in 2019. Median (IQR) pre-thrombolysis NIHSS was 10 (6–17), reducing to 6 (2–14) 24-hour post-thrombolysis (p<0.001). Post-thrombolysis haemorrhage occurred in 27 cases (2.3%). Over the period, median (IQR) door-to-needle time reduced from 85 (65–108) min to 68 (55–97.5) min (p<0.01), driven by improved imaging-to-needle times from 52.5 (38–72.25) min to 42 (30.5–62.5) min (p<0.01). However, the same period saw an increase in median onset-to-hospital arrival time from 77.5 (60–109.25) min to 95 (70–135) min (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe results from this large hyperacute telestroke cohort indicate two important points for clinical practice. First, telemedicine via a hubless horizontal model provides a clinically effective and safe method for delivering hyperacute stroke thrombolysis. Second, improved door-to-needle times were offset by a concerning rise in prehospital timings. These findings indicate that although telemedicine may benefit in-hospital hyperacute stroke care, improvements across the whole stroke pathway are essential.
‘This bloody rona!’: using the digital story completion method and thematic analysis to explore the mental health impacts of COVID-19 in Australia
Authors: Vaughan Priya , Lenette Caroline , Boydell Katherine 
Published: January 2022

ObjectiveTo use the digital story completion method to prompt participants to describe thoughts, fears and mental health experiences in response to a story stem about COVID-19, to capture a specific sociohistoric moment.DesignWe used digital story completion, a qualitative research method, to gather narratives from Australians coping with physical distancing and social restriction measures. Our reflexive thematic analysis of the data was underpinned by a constructionist approach to reflect the importance of social context in understanding health experiences.SettingAustralia.Participants52 people living in Australia (aged 18 years and over).ResultsFour meta-themes were prevalent across 52 stories submitted: (1) expressions of mental distress linked to COVID-19; (2) various coping strategies offered by characters in stories; (3) narratives outlining social support offered to alleviate distress; and (4) specialised COVID-19 vocabulary.ConclusionWe cautiously propose that points of convergence across stories indicate a level of shared experience among participants relating to COVID-19 in Australia. We suggest this is due to intensive media coverage of the pandemic, persistent public health messaging, engagement with social media and instant messaging technologies, and extended lockdowns that impacted the mental health of vast numbers of Australians.
Predicting flow diverter sizing using the AneuGuideTMsoftware: a validation study
Authors: Tong Xin , Shan Yejie , Leng Xiaochang , Chen Jigang , Fiehler Jens , Siddiqui Adnan H , Hu Xuebin , Liu Aihua , Xiang Jianping 
Published: January 2022

BackgroundStent sizing remains a challenging task for flow diverter implantation because of stent foreshortening. In this study, we aimed to quantify the change in length after implantation and assess the error in length prediction using AneuGuideTMsoftware.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort of 101 patients with 102 aneurysms undergoing treatment with a pipeline embolization device (PED; Covidien, Irvine, California, USA), we used AneuGuideTMsoftware to obtain measured lengths (ML) and calculated lengths (CL) after stent implantation. Stent elongation was defined as the ratio of ML-LL to the labeled length (LL). Simulation error was defined as the ratio of the absolute value of CL-ML to ML. The correlation and consistency between ML and LL and between ML and CL were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation test and the Bland–Altman plot. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.ResultsThe mean elongation of ML was 32.6% (range 26.3–109.2%). Moderate consistency was observed between LL and ML (ρ=0.74, p<0.001). With the AneuGuideTMsoftware, the mean simulation error was 6.6% (range 0.32–21.2%). Pearson’s correlation test and the Bland–Altman plot showed a high correlation and consistency between ML and CL (ρ=0.96, p<0.001).ConclusionLabeled length provides only a low reference value for predicting the actual length of the flow diverter after implantation. The high consistency between ML and CL obtained from AneuGuideTMsoftware shows its great potential for the optimization of the flow diverter sizing process.
A microscopic study of spin-polarized 40K atoms in one dimension using the static fluctuation approximation (SFA)
Authors: Al-Khzon H.A. , Al-Qahtani M.M. 
Published: January 2022

The thermodynamic and magnetic properties of a spin-mixture of 40K atoms in a 1D harmonic trap, in the presence of an external magnetic field H, are studied using the static fluctuation approximation (SFA). The two-body interaction used is the contact potential. The thermodynamic properties include the chemical potential, energy per particle, specific heat capacity, and entropy per particle. The magnetic properties comprise the magnetization per particle and susceptibility per particle. A phase transition is observed for the repulsive interactions around 0.35TF and 0.5TF in the channels {–9/2, –7/2} and {–9/2, –5/2}, respectively. A peak appears in the entropy and susceptibility at effective scattering length |a1d| ≈ 0.16 μm. For the attractive interactions, three different behaviors depending on H are found in the low-temperature limit. The first behavior is when H < Hc, where Hc is the critical magnetic field, and typical peaks emerge. The second behavior is at H = Hc, and a magnetic phase transition occurs. The third behavior is when H > Hc and the system becomes a partially polarized phase. Our results are consistent with the reported results obtained by the local density approximation, thermal Bethe ansatz method, mean-field approximation, and quantum transfer matrix method.
Effects of ferulic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids on Fusarium community structure and abundance in cucumber seedling rhizosphere
Authors: Xie Huilin , Zhou Xingang 
Published: January 2022

Soil microorganisms play an important role in agricultural ecosystem. However, there is little information about the effects of putative allelochemicals on specific soil microorganisms in vivo. Cucumber seedlings were treated with four concentrations of ferulic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids (0–1.0 μmol·g−1 soil) in soil. Effects of ferulic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids on rhizosphere Fusarium community structures and abundance were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and real-time PCR techniques, respectively. The results showed that ferulic acid at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 μmol·g−1 soil significantly reduced the number of bands of Fusarium, and ferulic acid at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 μmol·g−1 soil significantly reduced Shannon–Wiener and evenness index of Fusarium community. All concentrations of p-hydroxybenzoic acid changed the community structure of Fusarium, including decreasing the number of bands, Shannon–Wiener, and evenness index. Ferulic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids at all concentrations significantly promoted the abundance of Fusarium. Ferulic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids at 0.5 μmol·g−1 soil had the highest Fusarium abundance among all treatments. These results indicate that four concentrations of ferulic acid had various effects on Fusarium, which was different from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and this may be related to the cucumber autotoxicity, giving us a further understanding of soil sickness.
Preoperative Predictions of Distal Screw Length for the Osteosynthesis of Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: TOTOKI Yasukazu , YOSHII Yuichi , OGAWA Takeshi , HARA Yuki , ISHII Tomoo , YAMAZAKI Masashi 
Published: January 2022

Background: The objective of this study was to clarify whether anteroposterior dimension of the radius along the screw axis of a fixed angle volar locking plate (VLP) can be predicted from the width of the radius on the VLP. Methods: Sixty-nine wrists in 68 patients with distal radius fractures that underwent fixation with a fixed angle VLPs were evaluated. All patients underwent pre- and postoperative computed tomographic scans of the distal radius. The transverse width of the radius was measured at the position of the third screw hole from the proximal edge. The anteroposterior dimension of the radius (R) was measured along the axes of the distal screws. The distal row screw holes were defined as R1, R2, R3, and R4 from the radial to the ulnar side. Correlation analysis between the width and the anteroposterior dimension, and single regression analysis were performed for each screw hole. The correlations amongst the R values for the different distal row screws were also assessed. Results: The correlation coefficients between the transverse width and anteroposterior dimensions were 0.54, 0.58, 0.55, and 0.42 for R1, R2, R3, and R4 respectively (p < 0.05). The regression equations were R1 = 0.49W + 7.99, R2 = 0.47W + 11.8, R3 = 0.52W + 10.8, and R4 = 0.41W + 11.5 respectively. The correlation coefficients among anteroposterior dimensions were 0.85, 0.64, 0.59, 0.70, 0.61, and 0.80 for R1/R2, R1/R3, R1/R4, R2/R3, R2/R4, and R3/R4 respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusions: There were significant correlations in the anteroposterior dimensions amongst the distal row screw lengths. The regression equations used in this study may be helpful to predict the length of distal row screw and prevent complications due to inappropriate screw choices. Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)
The Prevalence of Osteoporosis in Patients Older than 50 Years with Distal Radius Fractures in an Institutional Registry of 2,572 Patients in Singapore
Authors: SIEW  Ka Fai Stephen , SATKU Mala 
Published: January 2022

Background: The distal radius is one of the common sites for fragility fractures. A fracture of the distal radius in the elderly is often associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). It is an early predictor of osteoporosis and increased risk of subsequent fragility fractures of the hip and the spine with greater morbidity. Osteoporosis is becoming an increasing cause for concern in the elderly population. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis in patients aged 50 years and above with distal radius fractures in our local population. Methods: This is a retrospective study of all patients aged 50 years and above who were treated for a distal radius fracture at our institution over a 4-year period. Data regarding gender, mechanism of injury (low or high energy), and outcome of BMD scans were collected. The data were analyzed to look at the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia and the relation amongst BMD, gender, and the mechanism of injury. Results: About 2,572 patients aged 50 years and above were treated at our institution over a 4-year period from 2013 to 2016. The average age of the patients was 67.7 years old and 1,938 (75.3%) were women. A total of 1,034 patients had BMD scans and of these 56.0% had osteoporosis and 37.4% had osteopenia. There was no correlation between the prevalence of osteoporosis and gender or the mechanism of injury. Conclusions: The prevalence of osteoporosis in patients aged 50 and above with distal radius fractures is a significant cause for concern in Singapore. Routine assessment for osteoporosis is recommended for all patients above 50 years old with distal radius fractures. Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)