bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of levetiracetam in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy
Authors: Pang Qiming , Li Bangtao , Zhang Suli , Li Jiaoyang , Gu Shuo 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background:
To systematically collect, critically evaluate, and synthesize current evidence with respect to the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of levetiracetam as mono- or adjunctive therapy for children and adolescents with all types of epilepsy.

Methods:
The presentation of methods and results in this systematic review was performed according to the evaluation guidelines for health care interventions provided in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol. Literature retrieval will use the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Database, and Ongoing Clinical Trials Database.
The risk of bias of included studies is estimated by taking into consideration the characteristics including random sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding of patients, blinding of outcome assessment, completeness of outcome data, selective reporting and other bias by Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Data synthesis and analyses are performed using RevMan 5.4 software.

Results:
The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Conclusion:
Levetiracetam seems to be effective and safe for the treatment of pediatric epilepsy.
Effect of platelet-rich plasma injections for chronic nonspecific low back pain
Authors: Won Sun Jae , Kim Da-ye , Kim Jae Min 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background:
Patient with chronic nonspecific low back pain is weakened ligament, and prolotherapy is the effective treatment but their use remains controversial. These ligaments can be strengthened by platelet-rich plasma injection. We hypothesized that the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma injection and prolotherapy may decrease pain and improved disability of patient with chronic low back pain

Methods:
This study was a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial and was conducted for 3 years for patient enroll and follow-up. Thirty-four patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (duration of at least 3 months) refectory to conventional management were randomized to platelet-rich plasma injection and lidocaine injection. Patients were treated with weekly platelet-rich plasma or lidocaine injections at the lumbopelvic ligaments for 2 weeks and then weekly prolotherapy with 15% glucose for 2 weeks and followed up 6 months. Visual analog scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire were evaluated at initial, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Four patients did not complete this trial. Three were in the platelet-rich plasma injection and 1 was in the lidocaine injection.

Results:
The intensity of pain was significantly decreased in platelet-rich plasma injections at 6 months as compared lidocaine injections; between-group differences were 0.9 (95% confidence interval 0.10–1.75 [P = .027]). All participants were significantly decreased pain and disability index at 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months but there were no significant differences between groups except for visual analog scale at 6 months. The baseline parameters were no significant differences in both groups.

Conclusions:
In chronic nonspecific low back pain, the platelet-rich plasma injection in combination with prolotherapy is an effective intervention and either lidocaine or platelet-rich plasma injection significantly reduced disability. And injection at the lumbopelvic ligaments using the platelet-rich plasma and prolotherapy is also an effective treatment for pain.
Demographic and Clinical Factors Related to Severe COVID-19 Infection and Mortality in Patients With Schizophrenia
Authors: Ekinci Okan , Erkan Ekinci Asli 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
We aimed to explore the prevalence and determinants of severe COVID-19 disease and mortality in patients with schizophrenia in this study. We conducted a retrospective observational study of 1620 patients with schizophrenia. Of the 1620 patients, 52 (3.2%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-19. Among SARS-CoV-2–positive patients, 40 patients were hospitalized, and 17 patients required intensive care unit admission due to COVID-19 (76.9% and 32.7%, respectively). Severe COVID-19 disease was noted in 17 patients (32.7%) requiring intubation. In the logistic regression analysis, antipsychotic dose, and comorbidity score were independently associated with a greater risk of severe COVID-19 disease in patients with schizophrenia. Our study suggests that factors such as age, sex, comorbidities, and a daily antipsychotic dose may have effects on the poor outcome of SARS-CoV-2 disease in schizophrenia patients. In addition, the current findings propose that mortality may be associated with an older age, comorbidity score, and a longer duration of psychiatric disease among the SARS-CoV-2–positive patients with schizophrenia. However, the findings of our study should be verified in prospective and larger sample studies.
Effect of Combining 0.01% Atropine with Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses on Myopia Progression in Children
Authors: Jones Jenny Huang , Mutti Donald O. , Jones-Jordan Lisa A. , Walline Jeffrey J. 
Published: February 2022

SIGNIFICANCE
Combining 0.01% atropine with soft multifocal contact lenses (SMCLs) failed to demonstrate better myopia control than SMCLs alone.

PURPOSE
The Bifocal & Atropine in Myopia (BAM) Study investigated whether combining 0.01% atropine and SMCLs with +2.50-D add power leads to greater slowing of myopia progression and axial elongation than SMCLs alone.

METHODS
Participants of the BAM Study wore SMCLs with +2.50-D add power daily and administered 0.01% atropine eye drops nightly (n = 46). The BAM subjects (bifocal-atropine) were age-matched to 46 participants in the Bifocal Lenses in Nearsighted Kids Study who wore SMCLs with +2.50-D add power (bifocal) and 46 Bifocal Lenses in Nearsighted Kids participants who wore single-vision contact lenses (single vision). The primary outcome was the 3-year change in spherical equivalent refractive error determined by cycloplegic autorefraction, and the 3-year change in axial elongation was also evaluated.

RESULTS
Of the total 138 subjects, the mean ± standard deviation age was 10.1 ± 1.2 years, and the mean ± standard deviation spherical equivalent was −2.28 ± 0.89 D. The 3-year adjusted mean myopia progression was −0.52 D for bifocal-atropine, −0.55 D for bifocal, and −1.09 D for single vision. The difference in myopia progression was 0.03 D (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.14 to 0.21 D) for bifocal-atropine versus bifocal and 0.57 D (95% CI, 0.38 to 0.77 D) for bifocal-atropine versus single vision. The 3-year adjusted axial elongation was 0.31 mm for bifocal-atropine, 0.39 mm for bifocal, and 0.68 mm for single vision. The difference in axial elongation was −0.08 mm (95% CI, −0.16 to 0.002 mm) for bifocal-atropine versus bifocal and −0.37 mm (95% CI, −0.46 to −0.28 mm) for bifocal-atropine versus single vision.

CONCLUSIONS
Adding 0.01% atropine to SMCLs with +2.50-D add power failed to demonstrate better myopia control than SMCLs alone.
Comparison of Epithelial Thickness Mapping in Normal Corneas with Different Types of Astigmatism
Authors: Sedaghat Mohammad-Reza , Momeni-Moghaddam Hamed , Azimi Abbas , Saadati Omolbanin , Reinstein Dan Z. , Vida Ryan S. 
Published: February 2022

SIGNIFICANCE
Corneal epithelial thickness mapping has a wide range of applications including screening for keratoconus, screening for anterior basement membrane dystrophy, and assessment of dry eye. It also plays an important role in corneal laser refractive surgery. These all require an understanding of the epithelial thickness profile in a normal cornea as a reference.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to compare corneal epithelial thickness along different meridians in normal eyes with different types of corneal astigmatism.

METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, corneal topography and epithelial thickness mapping by anterior segment optical coherence tomography was performed for 154 normal eyes. Corneal astigmatism was classified based on the orientation of the steepest corneal meridian (with-the-rule [WTR], against-the-rule [ATR], and oblique) and the amount (low, moderate, and high). On a 9-mm epithelial thickness map, the thickness along the horizontal (180°), vertical (90°), and diagonal (45 and 135°) meridians was calculated.

RESULT
With-the-rule, oblique, and ATR astigmatisms were observed in 40, 31, and 29% of the eyes, respectively. In all types of astigmatism, the mean epithelial thickness was greater along the 180° meridian and thinner along the 90° meridian. There was no statistically significant difference in mean thickness along different meridians for WTR (P = .24) and oblique (P = .46) astigmatism, whereas the difference along the 180 and 90° meridians (P = .003) for ATR astigmatism was statistically significant. Also, there was a statistically significant difference in thickness in different types of astigmatism separately for each meridian (P < .05) so that the highest and lowest thicknesses were seen for ATR and oblique astigmatisms, respectively. The epithelial thickness showed no statistical difference in various amounts of astigmatism along different meridians.

CONCLUSIONS
Thicker epithelium along the horizontal meridian in ATR may point to the surface regularizing functions of the epithelium to create a regular and smooth surface, but thickness assessment along the different meridians in oblique and WTR showed no curvature-dependent changes.
Assessment of Tear Film Parameters in Smokers and Subjects with a High Body Mass Index
Authors: Fagehi Raied , El-Hiti Gamal A. , Almojalli Abdullah , Alzuhairi Faisal S. , Alanazi Mana A. , Masmali Ali M. , Almubrad Turki 
Published: February 2022

SIGNIFICANCE
The current study compares the ocular tear film parameters in three different groups using a single noninvasive, practical, and easy-to-use tool.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to assess the tear film in smokers, those with a high body mass index (BMI), and healthy subjects using the EASYTEAR view+.

METHODS
Thirty men with a high BMI (>25 kg/m2; 24.4 ± 6.4 years), 30 smokers (25.1 ± 6.1 years), and 30 healthy subjects (22.2 ± 3.5 years) were recruited. Each subject completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index, followed by the assessment of noninvasive tear breakup time, tear meniscus height (TMH), and lipid layer patterns (LLPs).

RESULTS
Significant differences were found in the median TMH scores between smokers and healthy subjects (P = .03) and between subjects with a high BMI and the healthy ones (P = .04). The median LLP score was significantly (P < .001) higher in normal subjects (4.0 [1.0]) than in smokers (2.4 [1.0]) and subjects with high BMI (2.0 [1.3]). For subjects with a high BMI, the noninvasive tear breakup time score was strongly correlated (Spearman rank correlation coefficient; r) with TMH (r = 0.552, P = .002) and LLP (r = 0.555, P = .001). The LLP showed that grade B (lipid layer thickness, 30 to 50 nm; more compact) was common in subjects with a high BMI, grade C (50 to 80 nm, gray waves) was predominant in smokers, and grade D (~80 nm, dense white-blue layer) represented the majority of normal eye subjects.

CONCLUSIONS
Smokers and individuals with a high BMI showed significantly lower lipid layer grades and tear meniscus height scores compared with the control group. The assessment of tear film parameters using the EASYTEAR view+ supports the findings of previous studies that implicate smoking and high BMI as risk factors for dry eye.
Comparison of Two Thermal Pulsation Systems in the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Randomized, Multicenter Study
Authors: Wesley Gina , Bickle Katherine , Downing Johnathon , Fisher Bret , Greene Brennan , Heinrich Colton , Kading David , Kannarr Shane , Miller Jason , Modi Satish , Ludwick David , Tauber Joseph , Srinivasan Sruthi , Manoj Venkiteshwar 
Published: February 2022

SIGNIFICANCE
Given the significance of meibomian gland dysfunction subjects in evaporative dry eye, its chronic and progressive nature, limited promising treatment options, and novel treatment techniques are important. This randomized clinical study evaluated the noninferiority of SYSTANE iLux with LipiFlow in meibomian gland dysfunction treatment at 12 months.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to demonstrate noninferiority of SYSTANE iLux compared with LipiFlow at 12 months after single treatment in meibomian gland dysfunction subjects with evaporative dry eye.

METHODS
In this prospective, randomized, multicenter, assessor-masked, parallel-group trial, subjects (N = 236; aged ≥18 years) with meibomian gland score (MGS) of ≤12 in lower eyelids, noninvasive tear breakup time (NITBUT; first breakup) of <10 seconds, and Impact of Dry Eye on Everyday Life—Symptom Bother (IDEEL-SB) module score of >16 were randomized (1:1) to receive SYSTANE iLux (n = 119) or LipiFlow (n = 117). Subjects attended a total of eight visits, including screening, treatment, and follow-up visits at 2 weeks and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months/exit, to evaluate change from baseline in MGS, NITBUT, IDEEL-SB module score, and safety outcomes.

RESULTS
A total of 227 subjects completed the study (mean ± standard deviation age, 57.3 ± 13.8 years). At 12 months, least squares mean change from baseline in MGS was similar between iLux and LipiFlow (17.4 ± 1.97 vs. 17.8 ± 1.98). Noninferiority of SYSTANE iLux compared with LipiFlow in change from baseline in MGS (95% lower confidence limit of least squares mean difference, >−5), NITBUT (>−2.5 seconds), and IDEEL-SB score (95% upper confidence limit, <12) was achieved at all post-treatment visits. No other serious ocular or device-related adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS
The treatment outcomes with SYSTANE iLux were noninferior to LipiFlow during the 12-month follow-up in subjects with dry eye–associated meibomian gland dysfunction.
Lactate, Base Excess, and the Pediatric Index of Mortality: Exploratory Study of an International, Multicenter Dataset
Authors: Morris Kevin P. , Kapetanstrataki Melpo , Wilkins Barry , Slater Anthony J. , Ward Victoria , Parslow Roger C. 
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the relationship between ICU admission blood lactate, base excess, and ICU mortality and to explore the effect of incorporating blood lactate into the Pediatric Index of Mortality.

DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study based on data prospectively collected on every PICU admission submitted to the U.K. Pediatric Intensive Care Audit Network and to the Australia and New Zealand Pediatric Intensive Care Registry.

SETTING:
Thirty-three PICUs in the United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland and nine PICUs and 20 general ICUs in Australia and New Zealand.

PATIENTS:
All ICU admissions between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2015.

INTERVENTIONS:
None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
One hundred twenty-three thousand two hundred fifty-two admissions were recorded in both datasets; 81,576 (66.2%) in the United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland and 41,676 (33.8%) in Australia and New Zealand. Of these 75,070 (61%) had a base excess recorded, 63,316 (51%) had a lactate recorded, and 60,876 (49%) had both base excess and lactate recorded. Median lactate value was 1.5 mmol/L (interquartile range, 1–2.4 mmol/L) (United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland: 1.5 [1–2.5]; Australia and New Zealand: 1.4 [1–2.3]). Children with a lactate recorded had a higher illness severity, were more likely to be invasively ventilated, admitted after cardiac surgery, and had a higher mortality rate, compared with admissions with no lactate recorded (p < 0.001). The relationship between lactate and mortality was stronger (odds ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.31–1.34) than between absolute base excess and mortality (odds ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.12–1.14). Addition of lactate to the Pediatric Index of Mortality score led to a small improvement in performance over addition of absolute base excess, whereas adding both lactate and absolute base excess achieved the best performance.

CONCLUSIONS:
At PICU admission, blood lactate is more strongly associated with ICU mortality than absolute base excess. Adding lactate into the Pediatric Index of Mortality model may result in a small improvement in performance. Any improvement in Pediatric Index of Mortality performance must be balanced against the added burden of data capture when considering potential incorporation into the Pediatric Index of Mortality model.
Airway Characteristics of Patients With 22q11 Deletion Undergoing Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction Surgery: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Sganga Danielle , Meister Kara , Sidell Douglas R. , Wise-Faberowski Lisa , Shek Jennifer , Ma Michael , Martin Elisabeth , Hanley Frank L. , McElhinney Doff , Asija Ritu 
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVES:
We have previously shown that patients with a chromosome 22q11 microdeletion are at risk for prolonged respiratory failure after pulmonary artery reconstruction surgery compared with those with normal genotype. We sought to describe preexisting airway abnormalities in this patient population and examine relationships between airway abnormalities and outcomes.

DESIGN:
Single-center retrospective chart review from Society of Thoracic Surgery and Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium databases and the electronic medical record.

SETTING:
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford from September 2017 to February 2019.

PATIENTS:
All patients undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction surgery were considered for inclusion.

INTERVENTIONS:
We identified 127 patients meeting study inclusion criteria. Thirty-nine patients met specific criteria and underwent screening preoperative bronchoscopy including microdirect laryngoscopy and lower airway examination. Postoperative bronchoscopy was performed at the discretion of the intensive care team.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
Airway abnormalities were detected in 25/26 of children (96%) with a chromosome 22q11 deletion who underwent preoperative bronchoscopy. Upper and lower airway pathologies were found in 19/25 (73%) and 21/25 (81%) patients, respectively, and it was common for patients to have more than one abnormality. Presence of 22q11 deletion was associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation (9.1 vs 4.3 d; p = 0.001), use of noninvasive positive pressure support (13 vs 6 d; p = 0.001), and longer hospital stays (30 vs 14 d; p = 0.002). These outcomes were worse when compared with patients with known airway abnormalities who did not have 22q11 deletion.

CONCLUSIONS:
Preexisting upper and lower airway pathologies are common in patients with a chromosome 22q11 deletion who undergo pulmonary artery reconstruction surgery. Despite similar postoperative hemodynamics and outcomes as their counterparts without 22q11 deletion, 22q11 deletion is associated with more postoperative respiratory complications not entirely explained by preexisting airway abnormalities.
Higher epicardial fat in older adults living with HIV with viral suppression and relationship with liver steatosis, coronary calcium and cardiometabolic risks
Authors: Tumkosit Monravee , Han Win Min , Tankittiwat Kumpol , Chattranukulchai Pairoj , Siwamogsatham Sarawut , Apornpong Tanakorn , Ureaphongsukkit Thornthun , Kerr Stephen J. , Boonyaratavej Smonporn , Avihingsanon Anchalee ,   the HIV-NAT 006/207 study team
Published: February 2022

Objectives:
HIV infection is associated with ectopic fat deposition, which leads to chronic inflammation and cardiometabolic dysregulation. We assessed the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and its associated factors among people with HIV (PWH).

Design:
A cross-sectional study.

Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study among PWH aged at least 50 years and age-matched and sex-matched HIV-negative older individuals in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants underwent a noncontrast, cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan to assess coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and EAT between March 2016 and June 2017. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to investigate HIV-related factors, cardiac and metabolic markers associated with EAT volume.

Results:
Median age was 55 years [interquartile range (IQR) 52–60] and 63% were men. Median duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) was 16 years with 97% had HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/ml and median CD4+ cell count of 617 cells/μl. Median EAT volume was significantly higher in PWH [99 (IQR 75–122) cm3] than HIV-negative individuals [93 (IQR 69–117) cm3], P = 0.022. In adjusted model, factors associated with EAT volume included male sex (P = 0.045), older age (P < 0.001), abnormal waist circumference (P < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (P = 0.01). In addition, higher CAC score was independently associated with EAT volume. Higher mean EAT volume was seen in PWH with severe liver steatosis than those without steatosis (P = 0.018). In adjusted PWH-only model, duration of HIV was significantly associated with higher EAT volume (P = 0.028).

Conclusion:
In an aging cohort, PWH had higher EAT volume than HIV-negative controls. EAT was also independently associated with central fat accumulation, insulin resistance, liver steatosis and CAC score.
Durability of tetanus seroprotection in people living with HIV
Authors: Dauby Nicolas , Gobert Cathy , Benslimane Asma , Nagant Carole , Necsoi Coca , van den Wijngaert Sigi , Corazza Francis , Delforge Marc , De Wit Stéphane 
Published: February 2022

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to estimate the durability of tetanus toxoid specific seroprotection in a cohort of people with HIV (PWH).

Design:
A cross-sectional study.

Methods:
PWH with a last date of tetanus toxoid booster available were identified. Tetanus toxoid specific IgG were detected using commercial ELISA kit. Durability of seroprotection was estimated using a linear regression model and analyzed according to the country of birth. The impact of baseline parameters at the time of vaccination (CD4+ T cell count, viral load, and antiretroviral therapy) was also assessed.

Results:
One hundred three individuals were included. The median duration between last tetanus toxoid booster and sampling was 5.6years (IQR 2.6-8.9). Using a linear regression model, half-life of tetanus toxoid specific antibody was estimated at 9.9 years [95% confidence interval (95% CI: 5.5–50)] in the whole cohort. Half-life was reduced in individuals born outside Europe: 4.4 years (95% CI: 2.9–8.5). PWH born outside Europe had lower CD4+ T cell count at the time of immunization and more frequently a CD4+ T cell count nadir less than 200 cells/μl before vaccination.

Conclusion:
PWH born outside Europe have lower half-life of tetanus toxoid specific antibody as compared to previous study performed in the general population. Possible causes include lower nadir or current CD4+ T cell count or under-immunization status in country of origin before migration. Longer interval of booster vaccination, as recommended in the general population, might not be appropriate in this subgroup of PWH. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.