bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diphtheria resurgence in Sada'a-Yemen, 2017–2020
Authors: Al-Dar Ahmed Abdallah , Al-Qassimi Mutahar , Ezzadeen Faten Hamid , Qassime Mohammed , Al murtadha Ahmed Mohamed , Ghaleb Yasser 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Diphtheria is a contagious vaccine-preventable disease that contributes to the high morbidity and mortality among under 5 children, especially in Yemen. As a consequence of war and collapse of the health system, a fatal epidemic occurred at the end of 2017. This study aims to describe the epidemiology of diphtheria by time, place, and person and vaccination status of affected children.

Methods
A study was conducted in Sada'a governorate by using accumulative line list of diphtheria from November 2017 to September 2020 at electronic Integrated Disease Early Warning System (eIDEWS). The case definition of WHO was adopted. Data was analyzed by Microsoft Excel and Epi info- version 7.2 and multivariable logistic analysis used for identifying significant associated factors.

Results
747 cases were met of WHO case definition. The annual peak of cases started during week 31 and weak 49. Males were slightly more than females (51% vs 49%) and about 35% of cases involved children aged 10 to < 15 years. The overall incidence of diphtheria and case fatality rate (CFR) were 69/ 100,000 and 6.4%, respectively. The highest CFR was among age groups under 5 years 11% (P < 0.001) and among females was 8%. Dysphagia and swollen lymph nodes were the predominant symptoms 98%, 92%, respectively. Based on the Vaccination status, the percentage of unvaccinated and unknown were 53% and 41% respectively, with CFR 11% among cases who received one dose. Furthermore, the most case were from Sahar 40% with case fatality rate 8% and the highest CFR was significantly higher among cases in border and ongoing conflict district (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
The findings highlight that diphtheria is still an ongoing cause of morbidity and mortality among under 5 children in Sada'a that is rising with the low diphtheria immunization coverage. Therefore, concomitant efforts should now focus on improving and monitoring routine immunization across all age groups and healthcare services, especially in borders and continuing conflict districts.
Axial length growth difference between eyes after monocular laser refractive surgery: eight patients who underwent myopic laser ablation for both eyes at intervals of several years
Authors: Weng Chenghai , Xia Fei , Xu Dang , Zhou Xingtao , Wu Liangcheng 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Myopia is a global public health issue. Controlling myopia progression is a primary focus of myopia studies today. Peripheral retinal myopic defocus is considered the mechanism for reduced myopia progression in orthokeratology studies. The topographic change in the front corneal surface after laser refractive surgery and orthokeratology procedures may appear similar. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of myopic laser ablation on axial length (AL) growth.

Methods
Myopic patients who underwent monocular excimer laser refractive surgery first in one eye and then in another eye several years later because of myopia occurrence or myopia progression were recruited. The axial length elongation and refraction (spherical equivalent) between the two eyes were observed and compared.

Results
A total of 8 myopic patients were enrolled in the study. The AL increased from 24.52 ± 0.96 mm to 24.68 ± 1.03 mm but without significance (T = 1.49, P > 0.05) in the ablated eyes. The AL increased significantly from 23.73 ± 0.91 mm to 24.26 ± 0.95 mm in the nonablated eyes (T = 6.76, P < 0.001). The AL elongation of the ablated eyes with 0.16 ± 0.30 mm growth was significantly lower than that of the nonablated eyes with 0.53 ± 0.32 mm growth (T = 8.98, P < 0.001). The spherical equivalent (SE) increased significantly in the ablated eyes (− 0.59 ± 0.21 (D), T = 6.36, P < 0.001) and in the nonablated eyes (− 0.97 ± 0.55 (D), T = 4.91, P < 0.01), and the difference between the two eyes was significant (T = 3.05, P < 0.05).

Conclusions
The inhibitory effect of myopic laser ablation on AL elongation reported in the limited case studies argues for animal research on its efficacy as a new intervention for myopia progression.
A case report of renal calyceal diverticulum with hypertension in children and review of literature
Authors: Zhao Yongxiang , Zhang Ruimin , Yun Ye , Wu Xiangming , Li Haowei , Wang Jun , Wang Wei , Jia Chunmei , Song Hongcheng 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Renal calyx diverticulum refers to a cystic lesion covered with the transitional epithelium in the renal parenchyma. Although there is no clear evidence that calyx diverticulum can cause hypertension, there exists a close association between the two, and there are few related reports. Herein, we reported the case of a child with renal calyx diverticulum complicated with hypertension and summarized the diagnosis and treatment.

Case presentation
Physical examination of the patient, an 11-year-old child, revealed a left renal cyst with hypertension (155/116 mmHg). There were no related symptoms. Routine urine and blood biochemical examinations showed no abnormalities. Imaging revealed left renal cyst compression causing the hypertension. She underwent renal cyst fluid aspiration and injection of a sclerosing agent into the capsule, but her blood pressure increased again 3 days postoperatively. Color Doppler ultrasonography showed that the size of the left renal cyst was the same as that preoperatively. To further confirm the diagnosis, cystoscopic retrograde ureteropyelography was performed to confirm the diagnosis of renal calyx diverticulum. Subsequently, renal calyceal diverticulum resection and calyx neck enlargement were performed. The operation went smoothly and the blood pressure returned to normal postoperatively. No abnormalities were noted at the 7-month postoperative follow-up.

Conclusion
There exists an association between renal calyx diverticulum and hypertension. Therefore, hypertension can be considered a surgical indication for renal calyx diverticulum. Moreover, renal calyceal diverticulum in children can be easily misdiagnosed as a renal cyst. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant to prevent a series of complications, such as postoperative urine leakage, in such cases.
Acceptability and feasibility of a vestibular nerve stimulation headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: McConnell Karen , Topley Daniel , McKeown Jason , Kerr Claire 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Research suggests electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) may improve balance for people with neurological impairments. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VeNS headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods
Children aged 5–18 years with ambulant CP, their parents, and healthcare professionals were recruited via social media. Children completed a battery of balance tests and wore a sham VeNS headset one hour per day for four weeks. Perspectives on the balance tests and headset were ascertained from children, parents and healthcare professionals using semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analysed thematically.

Results
Two families and four healthcare professionals participated. Balance outcome measures were fully completed and deemed acceptable. Adherence with wearing the headset was 89–100% but discomfort with self-adhesive electrodes was reported. Four themes emerged from interview data: headset issues, perceptions about VeNS, the importance of balance, and modifications for future study.

Conclusions
Although the VeNS headset had high acceptability, the volunteer sample was small, potentially suggesting limited interest in VeNS as a treatment for children with CP, or reluctance to trial a ‘non-active’ headset. Recruitment via clinicians known to the family and use of an ‘active’ headset may increase participation in future research.
Health and wellbeing needs and priorities in mining host communities in South Africa: a mixed-methods approach for identifying key SDG3 targets
Authors: Rice Brian , Boccia Delia , Carter Daniel J. , Weiner Renay , Letsela Lebohang , de Wit Mariken , Pursell Rebecca , Jana Michael , Buller Ana Maria , Gafos Mitzy 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
The global mining industry has an opportunity to mobilize resources to advance progress against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2018, the Anglo-American Group outlined aspirations for mining host communities to meet the SDG3 health targets. To progress from aspiration to action we designed and implemented a mixed-methods approach to attain a deeper understanding of the health and wellbeing priorities within the local context of host communities of fifteen mines in South Africa.

Methods
To identify local needs and priorities relating to SDG3 targets in host communities, stakeholder workshops and key informant interviews were conducted between June and August 2019. A baseline assessment of health data, related to each of the SDG3 targets and indicators and to each host community location, was also conducted. Findings emerging from the qualitative and quantitative baseline assessments were compared to identify the extent to which health issues aligned and health and wellbeing priority areas for action.

Results
A total of 407 people participated in the workshops, and 85 key informants were interviewed. Quantitative data were available at sub-national level for seven of the nine SDG3 targets and eleven of the 21 indicators. Key priority areas for action identified through alignment of the qualitative and quantitative data were maternal mortality (SDG3.1), HIV (SDG3.3.1), tuberculosis (SDG3.3.2), substance abuse (SDG3.5), and road traffic accidents (SDG3.6) We found consistency in the individual, interpersonal, community, societal, and structural factors underlying these priority areas. At a structural level, poor access to quality healthcare was raised at every workshop as a key factor underlying the achievement of all SDG3 targets. Of the five priority areas identified, HIV, TB and substance abuse were found to overlap in the study communities in terms of risk, burden, and underlying factors.

Conclusions
We demonstrate a mixed method approach for identifying local health needs and prioritised SDG3 targets in mining host communities. Consistency in reporting suggests the need for effective, efficient and feasible interventions to address five priority areas. Given the prominent economic role of the mining sector in South Africa, it can play a critical role in implementing programmatic activities that further progress towards achieving the SDG3 targets.
The evaluation of cytotoxicity and cytokine IL-6 production of root canal sealers with and without the incorporation of simvastatin: an invitro study
Authors: Sharma Apoorva , Sanjeev Kavitha , Selvanathan Vinola M. J. , Sekar Mahalaxmi , Harikrishnan Nikhil 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Freshly mixed root canal sealers when proximate the periapical tissues, trigger varying degrees of cytotoxicity/inflammatory reactions. Simvastatin, a class of the drug statin, is a widely used cholesterol-lowering agent with additional anti-inflammatory activities. This study assessed the effects of simvastatin on cytotoxicity and the release of IL-6 (Interleukin-6) production when incorporated in zinc oxide eugenol and methacrylate resin-based sealers.

Methods
Experimental groups consisted of conventional zinc oxide eugenol and methacrylate based-EndoREZ sealers (ZE & ER respectively) and 0.5 mg/mL simvastatin incorporated sealers (ZES & ERS). L929 mouse fibroblast cells were exposed to freshly mixed experimental sealers and evaluated for cytotoxicity (MTT assay) and inflammation levels (inflammatory marker IL-6 for ELISA) at various time intervals (0h, 24h and 7th day). The values were compared to the cell control (CC; L929 cells alone) and solvent control (SC; L929 cells + DMSO) groups. All the experiments were conducted in triplicates and subjected to statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics software. Non parametric tests were conducted using Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests for inter-group and intra-group comparisons respectively. Pairwise comparison was conducted by post hoc Dunn test followed by Bonferroni correction. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results
All the experimental groups (ZE, ER, ZES, ERS) exhibited varying degree of cytotoxicity and IL-6 expression compared to the control groups CC and SC. The cell viability for ZE and ER decreased on day 7 as compared to 24 h. ZES and ERS had higher viable cells (75.93% & 79.90%) compared to ZE and ER (54.39% & 57.84%) at all time periods. Increased expression of IL-6 was observed in ZE & ER (25.49 pg/mL & 23.14 pg/mL) when compared to simvastatin incorporated ZE & ER (ZES-12.70 pg/mL & ERS-14.68 pg/mL) at all time periods. Highest level of cytotoxicity and inflammation was observed in ZE compared to all the other groups on day 7.

Conclusions
Addition of 0.5 mg/mL of simvastatin to the sealers (ZES and ERS) decreased the cytotoxicity in the freshly mixed state and reduces their inflammatory effect.
Effectiveness of maturity of Rubus occidentalis on hyperalgesia induced by acidic saline injection in rats
Authors: Choi Geun Joo , Kang Hyun , Lee Oh Haeng , Ahn Eun Jin , White Fletcher A. , Cho Ye Jin , Baek Chong Wha , Jung Yong Hun , Kwon Ji Wung 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Rubus occidentalis, also known as black raspberry, contains several bioactive components that vary depending on the maturity of the fruit. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of immature Rubus occidentalis extract(iROE) on acid-induced hyperalgesia, investigate the mechanism involved, and compare the antihyperalgesic effect of immature and mature ROEs.

Methods
In adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, chronic muscle pain was induced via two injections of acidic saline into one gastrocnemius muscle. To evaluate the dose response, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.9% saline or iROE (10, 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg) following hyperalgesia development. To evaluate the mechanism underlying iROE-induced analgesia, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with saline, yohimbine 2 mg/kg, dexmedetomidine 50 μg/kg, prazosin 1 mg/kg, atropine 5 mg/kg, mecamylamine 1 mg/kg, or naloxone 5 mg/kg 24 h after hyperalgesia development, followed by iROE 300 mg/kg administration. To compare immature versus mature ROE, the rats were injected with mature ROE 300 mg/kg and immature ROE 300 mg/kg after hyperalgesia development. For all experiments, the mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT) was evaluated using von Frey filaments before the first acidic saline injection, 24 h after the second injection, and at various time points after drug administration. Data were analysed using multivariate analysis of variance(MANOVA) and the linear mixed-effects model(LMEM). We compared the MWT at each time point using analysis of variance with the Bonferroni correction.

Results
The iROE 300 mg/kg injection resulted in a significant increase in MWT compared with the control, iROE 30 mg/kg, and iROE 100 mg/kg injections at ipsilateral and contralateral sites. The iROE injection together with yohimbine, mecamylamine, or naloxone significantly decreased the MWT compared with iROE alone, whereas ROE together with dexmedetomidine significantly increased the MWT. According to MANOVA, the effects of immature and mature ROEs were not significantly different; however, the LMEM presented a significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions
Immature R. occidentalis showed antihyperalgesic activity against acid-induced chronic muscle pain, which may be mediated by the α2-adrenergic, nicotinic cholinergic, and opioid receptors. The iROE displayed superior tendency regarding analgesic effect compared to mature ROE.
Toward scientific dissemination of undergraduate thesis in physical therapy programs – a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nunes Guilherme S. , Adami Samantha L. , Pellenz Maitê M. , Rigo Daniela , Estivalet Rafael A. , Diel Ane Priscila , Benincá Inaihá Laureano , Haupenthal Alessandro 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
The execution of undergraduate thesis is a period in which students have an opportunity to develop their scientific knowledge. However, many barriers could prevent the learning process. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the scientific dissemination of results from undergraduate theses in physical therapy programs and verify the existence of barriers and challenges in the preparation of undergraduate thesis. Second, to investigate whether project characteristics and thesis development barriers were associated with the dissemination of undergraduate thesis results.

Methods
Physical therapists who graduated as of 2015, from 50 different educational institutions, answered an online questionnaire about barriers faced during the execution of undergraduate thesis and about scientific dissemination of their results.

Results
Of 324 participants, 43% (n = 138) of participants disseminated their results, and the main form of dissemination was publishing in national journals (18%, n = 58). Regarding the barriers, 76% (n = 246) of participants reported facing some difficulties, and the main challenge highlighted was the lack of scientific knowledge (28%, n = 91). Chances of dissemination were associated with barriers related to scientific understanding and operational factors, such as the type of institution, institutional facilities, and involvement with other projects.

Conclusion
Scientific knowledge seems to be a determining factor for the good development of undergraduate theses. In addition, it is clear the need to stimulate more qualified dissemination that reaches a larger audience. Changes in operational and teaching factors may improve the undergraduate thesis quality. However, the importance of rethinking scientific education within physical therapy programs draws attention.
Motivation and personality factors of Generation Z high school students aspiring to study human medicine
Authors: Holzer Barbara M , Ramuz Oriane , Minder Christoph E , Zimmerli Lukas 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundA new generation of medical students, Generation Z (Gen Z), is becoming the predominant population in medical schools and will join the workforce in a few years’ time. Medicine has undergone serious changes in high-income countries recently. Therefore, it is unclear how attractive the medical profession still is for high school students of Gen Z. The aim of this study was to investigate what motivation leads Gen Z students in their choice to study human medicine, and how they see their professional future. Our study was guided by motivation theory and the influence of personality traits and other personal factors on students’ choice of university major.MethodsIn a cross-sectional online survey, we included third- and fourth-year high school students in Northern Switzerland. We examined the importance of criteria when choosing a university major: personality traits, career motivation, life goals, and other considerations influencing the choice of human medicine versus other fields of study. Results Of 1790 high school students, 456 (25.5%) participated in the survey (72.6% women, mean age 18.4 years); 32.7% of the respondents aspired to major in medicine at university. For all respondents, the foremost criterion for selecting a field of study was ‘interest in the field,’ followed by ‘income’ and ‘job security.’ High school students aiming to study human medicine attached high importance to ‘meaningful work’ as a criterion; supported by 36.2% of those students answering that helping and healing people was a core motivation to them. They also scored high on altruism (p < 0.001 against all groups compared) and intrinsic motivation (p < 0.001) and were highly performance- (p < 0.001) and career-minded (p < 0.001). In contrast, all the other groups except the law/economics group had higher scores on extraprofessional concerns.ConclusionsSwiss Gen Z students aspiring to study human medicine show high intrinsic motivation, altruism, and willingness to perform, sharing many values with previous generations. Adequate work-life balance and job security are important issues for Gen Z. Regarding the current working conditions, the ongoing shortage of physicians, and recent findings on physicians’ well-being, the potential for improvement and optimization is high.
The impact of current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity on health care-seeking behavior in China
Authors: Li Changle , Sun Jing 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
People with lifestyle behaviors, such as current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity, may experience a lack of or delayed health care, leading to severe sickness and higher health care expenditures in the future. Hence, the current study aims to ascertain the effects of current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity on health care-seeking behavior among adults who report physical discomfort in China.

Methods
The data used in this study were obtained from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The final sample consisted of 44,362 individuals who participated in all five waves of data collection. Logistic regression models were used for the analysis.

Results
The results of fixed effects logistic regression showed that among those who reported physical discomfort, adults who currently smoked cigarettes were 0.65 times less likely to seek health care than those who formerly smoked. Compared to nondrinkers, adults who regularly drank alcohol had a decreased likelihood of seeking health care. Adults who never engaged in physical exercise had 24% lower odds of seeking health care than those who engaged in physical exercise.

Conclusions
Current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity decreased the probability of seeking health care among adults who reported physical discomfort. Therefore, screening and brief advice programs should be delivered by primary-level care and should pay more attention to individuals who engage in lifestyle behaviors such as current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity, thus avoiding missed opportunities to treat chronic conditions and detect new diseases early.