The association between serum fructosamine and random spot urine fructose levels with the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – an analytical cross-sectional study by H Kamuzinzi, M Kgomo, P Rheeder, N Dada, P Bester

“…Using a cross-sectional study design, 65 patients with three different levels of NAFLD, as detected by imaging, were enrolled. …”
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Skin graft take rate among minor burns – A cohort study to investigate the effect of factors such as burn depth, burn size, and timing of the operation by Sinan Dogan, Arina Mahmoud, Ingrid Steinvall, Elin Albertsson, Elina Bergman, Jamila Halimi, Moustafa Elmasry

“…The conclusion is, however, tempered by the retrospective study design and the relatively low discriminatory power in our study.…”
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Correlation Between the Ratio of Uric Acid to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (UHR) and Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:A Cross-Sectional Study by Wang L, Liu L, Luo H, Wu Y, Zhu L

“…Leran Wang,1 Lei Liu,2 Huilan Luo,3– 5 Yiling Wu,3– 5 Lingyan Zhu3– 5 1Queen Mary School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Endocrinology, Lu’an Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Lu’an City, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, People’s Republic of China; 4Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, People’s Republic of China; 5Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang City, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lingyan Zhu, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, No. 17, Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13870690788, Email zly982387@126.comBackground/Objective: Considering the uncertain relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and uric acid (UA) with diabetic retinopathy (DR),this study investigates the link between Uric Acid to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (UHR) and DR in T2DM patients, evaluating its potential for DR diagnosis and early prediction.Study Design and Data Collection: This retrospective study analyzed 1450 type 2 diabetes patients, divided into NDR and DR groups by retinal exams. …”
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Political economy analysis of health financing reforms in times of crisis: findings from three case studies in south-east Asia by Sophie Witter, Maria Paola Bertone, Sushil Baral, Ghanshyam Gautam, Saugat K. C. Pratap, Aungsumalee Pholpark, Nurmala Selly Saputri, Arif Budi Darmawan, Nina Toyamah, Rizki Fillaili, Valeria de Oliveira Cruz, Susan Sparkes

“…Methods The study adopted a retrospective, comparative case study design, using a shared framework and tools. The case studies mapped the contexts, including economic, political, social trends and any shocks which had recently occurred. …”
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Looking under the hood of a hybrid two-way texting intervention to improve early retention on antiretroviral therapy in Malawi: an implementation fidelity evaluation by Robin E. Klabbers, Caryl Feldacker, Jacqueline Huwa, Christine Kiruthu-Kamamia, Agness Thawani, Hannock Tweya

“…Although implementation fidelity monitoring of mHealth interventions is complex, it should be integrated into study design.…”
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Which variables are associated with recruitment failure? A nationwide review on obstetrical and gynaecological multicentre RCTs (2003–2023) by Ben W Mol, Madelon van Wely, L Ramos, J J Duvekot, J B Derks, Fulco van der Veen, Ruben Duijnhoven, H J van Beekhuizen, M J E Mourits, J A M van der Post, E Pajkrt, M A Oudijk, H C J Scheepers, Mariette Goddijn, J Huirne, Marijke C van der Weide, A Kwee, C Willekes, M Y Bongers, Judith Rikken, Romee Casteleijn, S Middeldorp, I M Custers, M P Lambregtse – van den Berg, V Mijatovic, F J M Broekmans, A Hoek, J P de Bruin, M H Mochtar, S Mastenbroek, J P W R Roovers, F Mol, A Vollebregt, C H van der Vaart, K B Kluivers, M E Vierhout, R C Painter, P M A J Geomini

“…In all RCTs, we collected information on variables with a potential effect on recruitment failure, recorded at five levels; patient, doctor, participating centre, study organisation and study design.Results In total, 46 of 83 RCTs (55%) did not achieve their targeted recruitment within the preplanned study period with a maximal extension period of 6 months. …”
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Increased Mortality After Lower Extremity Amputation in a Danish Nationwide Cohort: The Mediating Role of Postoperative Complications by Brix ATH, Petersen TG, Nymark T, Schmal H, Lindberg-Larsen M, Rubin KH

“…Secondarily, to examine the mediation role of post-amputation complications.Study Design and Setting: With data from the Danish National Patient Registry, 11,695 first-time MLEAs in patients aged ≥ 50 years were identified between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021, along with 58,466 unamputated persons matched 1:5 by year of birth, sex, and region of residence. …”
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Clinical Features and Genetic Characteristics of XLID Patients With KDM5C Gene Mutations: Insights on Phenotype–Genotype Correlations From 175 Previous Cases and Identification of... by Mohammad‐Reza Ghasemi, Zahra Esmaeilizadeh, Sahand Tehrani Fateh, Hossein Sadeghi, Saman Bagheri, Farzad Hashemi‐Gorji, Morteza Sheikhi Nooshabadi, Rasoul Madannezhad, Toktam Sadat Tavabe Ghavami, Reza Mirfakhraie, Mohammad Miryounesi

“…This study also conducted a narrative review of the literature to identify key clinical and genetic characteristics of XLID caused by mutations in the KDM5C gene. Study Design Whole‐exome sequencing was performed on the proband's DNA, and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm and analyze the identified variant in a 20‐month‐old male patient with motor and speech delays. …”
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High HDL-C and high LDL-C are risk factors of pterygium in a population-based cross-sectional study in Southern China: the Dongguan Eye Study by Liang Zhang, Min Zhang, Ying Cui, Lixin Zhang, Guanrong Zhang, Qingyang Liu, Haike Guo, Qianli Meng, Siwen Zang, Chun-Han Lo, Yanlei Chen, Jin Zeng

“…Objectives To investigate the relationship between serum lipids and pterygium in a large-scale rural population aged 40 years or older from Southern China.Study design The Dongguan Eye Study was a cross-sectional population-based study from September 2011 to February 2012.Setting The area was set in the rural area of Dongguan, Southern China.Participants Adult rural population aged 40 or older.Methods Participants underwent physical, haematological and ophthalmic examinations.Primary and secondary outcome measures The frequency and risk factors of pterygium.Results A total of 11 357 participants were eligible for inclusion and 8952 (78.8%) participants were enrolled for the systemic and ophthalmic examinations. …”
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Exploring urban-rural inequalities of maternal healthcare utilization in Bangladesh by A.T.M. Shariful Alam, Shorful Alam, Kashfia Mobasshira, S.M. Nuruzzaman Anik, Mohammad Nayeem Hasan, Muhammad Abdul Baker Chowdhury, Md Jamal Uddin

“…This study aims to assess the impact of different factors and describe the urban-rural inequalities in maternal healthcare service utilization. Methods & study design: This study's analysis is based on data extracted from the 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), following STROBE guidelines. …”
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A quantitative amplitude of vagus nerve obtained by intraoperative neuromonitoring predicts postoperative vocal cord paralysis among patients in thyroid/parathyroid surgery as a se... by Hiroshi Katoh, MD, FACS, Riku Okamoto, MD, Kanako Naito, MD, Tomoya Mitsuma, MD, Mariko Kikuchi, MD, Takaaki Tokito, MD, Takeshi Naitoh, MD, FACS, Naoki Hiki, MD, Yusuke Kumamoto, MD, Takafumi Sangai, MD

“…Accordingly, the universal usefulness of quantitative amplitude value per se among patients were assessed. Study design: IONM using a 4-step method (Vagus nerve (V1)-RLN (R1)-R2-V2) was applied to 777 RLNs (510 patients). …”
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Digital health data security practices among health professionals in low-resource settings: cross-sectional study in Amhara Region, Ethiopia by Ayenew Sisay Gebeyew, Wondwossen Zemene, Binyam Chaklu Tilahun, Nebyu Demeke Mengestie, Berhanu Fikade Endehabtu, Zegeye Regasa Wordofa, Mitiku Kassaw Takillo, Gedefaw Belete Ashagrie, Melaku Molla Sisay

“…Method A cross-sectional study design supplemented by a qualitative purposive sampling method was used to measure the digital data security practices of health professionals. …”
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Admission outcomes and their associated factors among children admitted to the paediatric emergency unit within 24 hours of Dilla University Referral Hospital, Ethiopia, 2023: a cr... by Binyam Tariku Seboka, Tomas Yeheyis, Yihenew Ayehu Dessie, Samuel Jigso Dube, Abel Desalegn Demeke, Mekdes Mekonnen Feleke, Abdo Hajo Jarso, Asresu Feleke Bati, Etaferaw Udo, Selam Tadele Markos, Chalachew Kassaw, Amdehiwot Aynalem Debebe, Ephrem Geja Gechere

“…Background Children in paediatric emergency units are those who need special attention, and unless treated early, they are a vulnerable population to unwanted outcomes like death, discharge against medical advice or referral to other institutions within 24 hours.Objectives To assess admission outcomes and their associated factors among children admitted to the paediatric emergency unit of Dilla University Referral Hospital, Ethiopia, 2023.Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed among children admitted to the paediatric emergency unit at Dilla University Referral Hospital from 8 May 2023 to 8 June 2023. …”
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On the risks of good intentions and poor evidence – comment on “Back to the future? Conservative grassland management can preserve soil health in the changing landscapes of Uruguay... by J. Paruelo, J. Paruelo, J. Paruelo, L. López-Mársico, P. Baldassini, P. Baldassini, F. Lezama, B. Bazzoni, L. Staiano, A. Nuñez, A. Guido, C. Ríos, A. Tommasino, F. Gallego, F. Pezzani, G. Camba Sans, A. Quincke, S. Baeza, G. Piñeiro, G. Piñeiro, W. Baethgen

“…First, our concerns are related to aspects of the study design and methodology that, in our opinion, introduce biases and critical errors. …”
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Correlation of muscle strength, information processing speed and cognitive function in the elderly with cognitive impairment——evidence from EEG by Xin Xin, Qing Liu, Shuqi Jia, Shufan Li, Peng Wang, Xingze Wang, Xing Wang

“…ObjectiveThis study investigates the interplay between muscle strength, information processing speed, EEG-specific biomarkers, and cognitive function in elderly individuals with cognitive impairments, emphasizing the mediating roles of information processing speed and EEG-specific biomarkers.MethodA cross-sectional study design was employed to recruit 151 elderly participants. …”
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Biological subphenotypes in patients hospitalized with suspected infection in Thailand: a secondary analysis of a prospective observational studyResearch in context by Prapassorn Poolchanuan, Taylor D. Coston, Viriya Hantrakun, Parinya Chamnan, Gumphol Wongsuvan, Pavan K. Bhatraju, Narisara Chantratita, Direk Limmathurotsakul, T. Eoin West, Shelton W. Wright

“…Patient subphenotype assignment was characterized by distinct clinical outcomes and biological profiles which could inform contextualized future study design. Funding: The US National Institutes of Health, the Wellcome Trust, and the Firland Foundation.…”
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Multilevel determinants of racial/ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA: protocol for a concurrent triang... by Bankole Olatosi, Jiajia Zhang, Xiaoming Li, Chen Liang, Jihong Liu, Peiyin Hung, Shan Qiao, Berry A Campbell, Myriam E Torres, Neset Hikmet

“…Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic pregnant women appear to have disproportionate SARS-CoV-2 infection and death rates.Methods and analysis We will use the socioecological framework and employ a concurrent triangulation, mixed-methods study design to achieve three specific aims: (1) examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on racial/ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity and mortality (SMMM); (2) explore how social contexts (eg, racial/ethnic residential segregation) have contributed to the widening of racial/ethnic disparities in SMMM during the pandemic and identify distinct mediating pathways through maternity care and mental health; and (3) determine the role of social contextual factors on racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related morbidities using machine learning algorithms. …”
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Aloe Emodin Reduces Cardiac Inflammation Induced by a High-Fat Diet through the TLR4 Signaling Pathway by Yingfu Chen, Burong Feng, Ye Yuan, Juan Hu, Wei Zhao, Huiwei Jiang, Wen Li, Ziyi Fan, Zhimin Du

“…The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential roles and mechanisms of AE in hyperlipidemia-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in the heart. Study Design. We established a hyperlipidemia-induced cardiac inflammation model in rats and cells then administered AE and observed its effect on hyperlipidemia-induced cardiac inflammation. …”
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Translation and Validation of the Italian Version of the Team-Based Learning Student Assessment Instrument (TBL-SAI) in Nursing Students by Valeria Vannini, Rosario Caruso, Sara Alberti, Sergio Rovesti, Paola Ferri

“…<b>Methods</b>: A methodological-driven translation process and a cross-sectional study design were used. The study was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023 and involved 202 nursing students from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy). …”
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Impact of mother’s own milk expression practices and processing treatments on infant health and growth outcomes: a systematic review protocol by Daniel Klotz, Carolyn Smith, Agnieszka Bzikowska-Jura, Marzia Giribaldi, Tanya Cassidy, Laura Cavallarin, Serena Gandino, Karolina Karcz, Chiara Peila, Bartłomiej Walczak, Aleksandra Wesolowska

“…Two reviewers will independently perform the reference screening, data extraction and risk of bias analysis of eligible studies, by using standardised tools specific for each study design. Quantitative and thematic narrative data synthesis will be performed and statistical heterogeneity between studies tested. …”
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