Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Trace Elem Med Biol 2021 Apr 2;66:126755. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Institute of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510515, China. Electronic address:

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association between baseline plasma zinc and the development of proteinuria as well as possible effect modifiers in hypertensive patients.

Methods: This is a subset of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) Renal Sub-Study. In the CSPPT, participants were randomized to receive a daily oral dose of 1 tablet containing 10 mg enalapril and 0. Read More

Can J Ophthalmol 2021 Mar 19. Epub 2021 Mar 19.

Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. Electronic address:

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a 3D-printed custom mask fitter in lieu of N95 respirators among ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals who may not be prioritized to receive N95 respirators amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Methods: This was a proof-of-concept study from a tertiary eye care center in Oakville, Canada. All participants underwent the N95 Qualitative Fit Test with a custom mask fitter secured over an American Society for Testing and Materials Level 3 face mask. Read More

Age Ageing 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Background: The global population is ageing, and rates of multimorbidity and chronic illness are rapidly rising. Given specialist palliative care has been shown to improve overall care and reduce health care costs, how best to provide this care to older people is internationally significant.

Aim: To examine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of geriatricians in providing palliative care and working with specialist palliative care services. Read More

Chin J Integr Med 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.

Objective: To conduct a pilot trial to explore the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion robots in treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and evaluate its feasibility in clinic.

Methods: A total of 70 participants with PD were allocated to either moxibustion robot (MR) group (35 cases) or manual moxibustion (MM) group (35 cases) using computer-generated randomization. One acupoint Guanyuan (CV 4) was selected to receive moxa heat stimulation. Read More

Trials 2021 Apr 9;22(1):262. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.

Objectives: The primary objective is to determine the effect of a daily dose of ivermectin administered in three consecutive days to non-severe COVID-19 patients with no more than 96 hours of symptoms, on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by PCR from nasopharyngeal swabs at day seven post-treatment initiation. The secondary objectives are: 1. To assess the efficacy of ivermectin to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the nasopharyngeal swab on days 4, 7, 14 and 21 post-treatment initiation 2. Read More

Trials 2021 Apr 9;22(1):263. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

National Institute for Health Research, Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, 9th Floor, Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2NT, UK.

Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of randomising dissemination of the Germ Defence behaviour change website via GP practices across England UK.

Trial Design: A two-arm (1:1 ratio) cluster randomised controlled trial implementing Germ Defence via GP practices compared with usual care.

Participants: Setting: All Primary care GP practices in England. Read More

Trials 2021 Apr 9;22(1):265. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1200, Cai-Lun Road, Shanghai, China.

Background: Statistics show that every year, 5.4 million people in the world suffer a stroke. Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is one of the most common complications after stroke with a rate of 75%, which leads to decreased functions for independent living and reduced quality of life (QOL). Read More

BMC Pediatr 2021 Apr 9;21(1):167. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, BL-341, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.

Background: Human milk is recommended for very preterm infants, but its variable macronutrient content may contribute to undernutrition during a critical period in development. We hypothesize that individually targeted human milk fortification is more effective in meeting macronutrient requirements than the current standard of care.

Methods: We designed a single-center randomized, controlled trial enrolling 130 infants born < 31 completed weeks' gestation. Read More

J Affect Disord 2021 Mar 31;287:367-371. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

McGovern Medical School, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and potential efficacy of a 7-week psychoeducation intervention implemented in a group setting. The intervention was based on Miklowitz's (2008) psychoeducation component of Family-Focused Therapy.

Method: This was a feasibility randomized controlled trial study using a 2-group design (intervention and wait-list control). Read More

PLoS One 2021 9;16(4):e0250037. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Medical Emergency, Hossana College of Health Science, Hossana, Ethiopia.

Background: Dietary diversity has continued to receive a global attention among pregnant women as they have been considered susceptible to malnutrition because of their increased nutrient demands. Thus, a variety of foodstuffs in their diet are necessary for ensuring the appropriateness of their nutrient consumptions. This study, therefore assessed the dietary diversity practice and its determinants among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Wachemo University Nigist Eleni Mohammed memorial referral hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Read More

Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Background And Objectives: In the CaLIPSO study, intravenous administration of SNF472 (300 or 600 mg) during hemodialysis significantly attenuated progression of coronary artery and aortic valve calcification. SNF472 selectively inhibits formation of hydroxyapatite, the final step in cardiovascular calcification. Because bone mineral is predominantly hydroxyapatite, we assessed changes in bone mineral density in CaLIPSO. Read More

J Gen Intern Med 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA.

Background: Given the rising rates of obesity there is a pressing need for medical schools to better prepare students for intervening with patients who have overweight or obesity and for prevention efforts.

Objective: To assess the effect of a multi-modal weight management curriculum on counseling skills for health behavior change.

Design: A pair-matched, group-randomized controlled trial (2015-2020) included students enrolled in eight U. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2021 Apr 1;4(4):e215226. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York.

Importance: Concentrated epidemics of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have persisted among Black women in community supervision programs (CSPs) in the United States. Accumulating research has highlighted the effectiveness of culturally tailored HIV/STI interventions for Black women; however, there is a dearth of such interventions for the large number of Black women in CSPs.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a 5-session culturally tailored group-based intervention (Empowering African-American Women on the Road to Health [E-WORTH]) with individualized computerized modules and streamlined HIV testing in reducing STIs and condomless sex vs a 1-session streamlined HIV testing control condition. Read More

Integr Cancer Ther 2021 Jan-Dec;20:15347354211002919

Xiyuan Hospital of Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Objective: To provide higher level evidence on the benefits of a Chinese patent medicine (CPM) (Fufang E'jiao Syrup, FFEJS) for alleviating cancer-related fatigue (CRF), this article describes a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Methods/design: We designed a double-blind, placebo-controlled stratified permuted block randomization clinical trial on CRF among 3 types of cancer in China. Participants will be equally allocated to FFEJS group or placebo group according to the randomization sequence and the hospitals they were enrolled at. Read More

J Am Geriatr Soc 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Geriatrics and Extended Care Data Analysis Center, Palo Alto, Canandaigua, Philadelphia.

Background: Interdisciplinary team (IDT) care is central to home-based primary care (HBPC) of frail elders. Traditionally, all HBPC disciplines managed a patient (Full IDT), a costly approach to maintain. The recent PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) regulation provides for a flexible approach of annual assessments from a core team with involvement of additional disciplines dependent upon patient needs (Core+). Read More

J Spine Surg 2021 Mar;7(1):1-7

Department of Orthopaedics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Background: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients may have osteoporosis, predisposing them to an increased risk for surgical complications. Prior studies have demonstrated that treating osteoporosis improves surgical outcomes. In this study we determine the prevalence of osteoporosis in ASD patients undergoing long spinal fusions and the rate at which osteoporosis is treated. Read More

J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2021 Mar 8. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Objective: Cardiac surgical pain is of moderate-to-severe intensity. Ineffective pain control may lead to increased cardiopulmonary complications and poor surgical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in providing analgesia in adult cardiac surgeries. Read More

Encephale 2021 Apr 5. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: Despite the ubiquity of sleep disturbance in schizophrenia, it has generally been overlooked as a potential contributor to cognitive impairments. The main aim of this study was to find out if impaired sleep quality contributes to cognitive impairments in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who are in remission.

Methods: The study was conducted at the University College Hospital, Ibadan and State Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Read More

J Osteopath Med 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

St. Luke's Spine and Pain Medicine Associates, Easton, PA, USA.

Context: Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for various headache types, with limited evidence of its use for headaches related to mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). No studies prior studies were found regarding OMT for headaches in patients with postconcussion syndrome (PCS), defined as symptom persistence for longer than 3 months after MTBI.

Objectives: To evaluate OMT for headaches in patients with PCS. Read More

Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2021 Mar 21;53:102366. Epub 2021 Mar 21.

Director of Research and Faculty Development, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Dry needling (DN) has been consistently shown to decrease pain sensitivity and increase flexibility local to the site of treatment, however it is unclear whether these effects are limited to the region of treatment or can be observed remote to the area of treatment.

Objective: To determine the immediate, short-term effects of DN to the thoracolumbar junction on regional and remote flexibility, and to observe if changes in pain sensitivity can occur remote to site of treatment.

Design: Double-blind randomized clinical trial. Read More

J Dent 2021 Apr 5:103657. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Matsudo, Japan.

Objectives: This randomised controlled trial aimed to compare the masticatory function between the silicone-based resilient denture liner and conventional denture among edentulous patients.

Methods: The trial included edentulous patients who were willing to have a new set of complete dentures. Participants were randomly assigned to receive mandibular complete dentures with either a 1) conventional denture base (CD group) or (2) silicone-based resilient denture liner (RD group). Read More

J Consult Clin Psychol 2021 Mar;89(3):156-165

Department of Community Health Systems.

Background: Disclosure of one's sexual orientation as a sexual-minority (SM) person (i.e., being "out") may affect HIV-related health outcomes. Read More

J Clin Nurs 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Surgical Department, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Aims And Objectives: To describe patients' experiences of coping with daily life practically and emotionally during the first years after stoma surgery.

Background: For people with a stoma, a new life awaits with altered bowel function and body image. This means a profound change in a person's life. Read More

Pharm Pract (Granada) 2021 Jan-Mar;19(1):2276. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Can Tho University. Can Tho (Vietnam).

Background: COVID-19 vaccine development is proceeding at an unprecedented pace. Once COVID-19 vaccines become widely available, it will be necessary to maximize public vaccine acceptance and coverage.

Objective: This research aimed to analyze the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Russia. Read More

Br J Ophthalmol 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used in paediatric ophthalmology. However, little is known about the distribution of PROM scores among children and young people with visual impairment.

Aim: To investigate the distributions and predictors of scores on the VQoL_CYP () and FVQ_CYP (). Read More

BMJ Open 2021 Apr 7;11(4):e044193. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.

Introduction: Patients with cancer undergoing surgery often suffer from reduced quality of life and various forms of distress. Untreated distress can negatively affect coping resources as well as surgical and oncological outcomes. A virtual reality-based stress reduction intervention may increase quality of life and well-being and reduce distress in the perioperative phase for patients with cancer. Read More

BMJ Open 2021 Apr 7;11(4):e042042. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, USA.

Objective: To report the clinical characteristics of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Southeast Michigan.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Eight hospitals in Southeast Michigan. Read More

BMJ Open 2021 Apr 7;11(4):e041742. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.

Introduction: This double-blind, randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to estimate the effect of a physiotherapist-led intervention with targeted strengthening compared with a physiotherapist-led intervention with standardised stretching, on hip-related quality of life (QOL) or perceived improvement at 6 months in people with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. We hypothesise that at 6 months, targeted strengthening physiotherapist-led treatment will be associated with greater improvements in hip-related QOL or greater patient-perceived global improvement when compared with standardised stretching physiotherapist-led treatment.

Methods And Analysis: We will recruit 164 participants with FAI syndrome who will be randomised into one of the two intervention groups, both receiving one-on-one treatment with the physiotherapist over 6 months. Read More

Res Social Adm Pharm 2021 Mar 13. Epub 2021 Mar 13.

School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11404 - 87 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1C9, Canada. Electronic address:

In many countries around the world, people go to community pharmacies to receive primary health care services. Awareness of public views and experiences may help to identify opportunities for greater uptake of primary health care services provided by pharmacists and ways to improve care. Arts-informed research offers the possibility to provide additional insights into public perceptions of community pharmacy services. Read More

Trials 2021 Apr 7;22(1):258. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China.

Background: Hearing loss is quite prevalent and can be related to people's quality of life. To our knowledge, there are limited studies assessing the efficacy of hearing interventions on quality of life in adults. Therefore, we aim to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine the impact and cost-effectiveness of community-based hearing rehabilitation on quality of life among Chinese adults with hearing loss. Read More