bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between handgrip strength and timed up-and-go test on hospitalization costs in older adults: a population-based study
Authors: Chua Kevin Yiqiang , Tan Kelvin Bryan , Tong Rachel , Barrenetxea Jon , Koh Woon-Puay , Chen Cynthia
Published: January 2025

Background

Weak handgrip strength and slow timed up-and-go (TUG) time are known risk factors for hospitalization among older adults; however, few studies have investigated the relationships between these physical tests and future hospitalization costs.

Methods

We used data from 13,613 participants in the population-based Singapore Chinese Health Study who underwent assessment for handgrip strength and TUG time at a mean age of 74 years. Hospitalization costs for the subsequent year, among those who survived for at least one year thereafter, were ascertained via linkage with administrative healthcare finance data. We analyzed costs using a two-part model that contained a probit regression model in the first part, and a generalized linear regression model with gamma distribution and log link in the second.

Results

Handgrip strength showed a dose-dependent inverse relationship with hospitalization costs (P
trend<0.001). Compared to the strongest quartile, participants in the weakest quartile experienced a 38.2% (95% CI: 18.0-58.5%) increase of US$599 (US$281-US$917) in mean costs. Conversely, TUG time demonstrated a dose-dependent positive association with hospitalization costs (P
trend<0.001). Compared to the fastest quartile, participants in the slowest quartile had a 103.0% (72.1-133.9%) increase of US$1431 (US$1002-US$1859) in mean costs. We then examined combinations of handgrip strength and TUG time. Compared to participants who were both strong and fast, participants who were either weak or slow only had 12.9–48.7% higher mean costs. Meanwhile, participants who were both weak and slow experienced a 99.9% (68.5-131.4%) increase of US$1630 (US$1116-US$2144) in mean costs.

Conclusions

Weak handgrip strength and slow TUG time were independently associated with increased hospitalization costs among older adults.
Use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy combined with standard rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Shin Jaehyung , Rhim Hye Chang , Kim James , Guo Raymond , Elshafey Ramy , Jang Ki-Mo
Published: January 2025

Background

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most common sports injuries, accounting for approximately 50% of knee-related injuries. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), in the form of the radial (R-SWT) or focused shockwave (F-SWT), has been shown effective in treating various orthopaedic conditions. Recently, studies have investigated whether ESWT combined with standard rehabilitation may improve outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether ESWT can improve clinical outcomes following ACLR.

Methods

This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science and included studies involving ESWT treatment following ACLR, which consisted of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies. Two authors independently extracted the outcome measurements and used a revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2) for RCTs and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) for a cohort study to assess the risk of bias. A random effects pairwise meta-analysis was used to compare patient-reported outcomes between ESWT and controlled treatments.

Results

Five studies (Level I: 4; Level II: 1) with 242 participants (male: 167; female: 75) were included. Regarding the patient-reported outcomes, the risk of bias for all RCTs was ‘high’ and ‘serious’ for a non-randomized study. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the Lysholm scores were significantly higher in ESWT groups than those of controls at 12 months (Weighted mean difference [WMD]: 7.037, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.172–7.902, I2: 0%) and 24 months (WMD: 5.463, 95% CI: 2.870–8.056, I2: 0%). Furthermore, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were also significantly higher in the ESWT group than that of the control at 12 months (WMD: 6.371, 95% CI: 3.397–9.344, I2: 68.8%). However, the WMDs for these outcomes between the two groups did not exceed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID).

Conclusion

Based on the meta-analyses performed with a few studies, ESWT combined with standard rehabilitation may potentially lead to better patient-reported outcomes. However, these differences may not be clinically significant. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm our review’s findings.
‘Striving to achieve control’. Registered nurses’ experiences of palliative care quality during the COVID-19 pandemic – a qualitative study
Authors: Sandsdalen Tuva , Helgesen Ann Karin , Grøndahl Vigdis Abrahamsen , Bååth Carina , Larsson Maria , Johansson Christina Melin , Olsson Cecilia , Tillfors Maria , Österlind Jane , Hov Reidun , Granrud Marie Dahlen
Published: January 2025

Background

Providing quality palliative care during a pandemic was challenging. Both specialist and community healthcare services cared for patients that faced life-threatening illness and who were influenced by the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Little knowledge has yet been provided on how registered nurses (RNs) experienced the palliative care quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to explore RN’s experiences of providing palliative care quality during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This qualitative study had a descriptive design. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted between November 2021 and January 2022 with 18 RNs who worked in intensive care units in hospitals, dementia care or palliative care units in nursing homes in Norway during the pandemic. Data were analysed by using qualitative content analysis. The study was conducted and reported according to the COREQ’s checklist.

Results

Analysis of the data resulted in an overall theme: ‘Striving to achieve control’. This theme comprised six categories: (1) when the toolbox does not fit; (2) protective equipment—social distance and opportunities for closeness; (3) unpredictable workday; (4) the right person to the right assignment at the right time; (5) presence and absence of relatives and friends; and (6) situations that required creativity. RNs had various experiences regarding how the quality of care was perceived; being worse, preserved, or in some cases even better than before the pandemic.

Conclusions

The provision of quality palliative care was experienced by RNs as challenging during the pandemic. The pandemic forced them to be creative and to strive for control to provide the best palliative care possible given the situation. The results of this study may contribute to important knowledge for leaders, policy makers and RNs to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and planning for future pandemics or crises. Especially to optimise factors perceived by RNs to be important for the palliative care quality, related to the specific situation and care context, to include the perspectives of those involved and take into consideration the time perspective of the pandemic.
Development and pilot testing of a nurse-led common-sense model of self-regulation-based heart failure self-care program
Authors: Huang Zehao , Chair Sek Ying
Published: January 2025

Background

Self-care practices among people with heart failure (HF) remain suboptimal. Nurse-led self-care interventions hold promise in managing this condition. The Common-Sense Model (CSM) of Self-Regulation is a widely adopted theoretical framework that promotes behavior change and improves disease prognosis among patients. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the development and pilot testing of a nurse-led CSM of Self-Regulation-based self-care intervention among people with HF.

Methods

Intervention development was informed by a comprehensive review of the relevant literature, the CSM of self-regulation, international and national guidelines, and findings from our previous systematic reviews. The pilot study utilized a single-blinded, two-arm, parallel group, randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, adhering to the CONSORT Statement. Eligible participants were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the control group. Data were collected at baseline and immediately after the intervention, with a focus on evaluating feasibility, acceptability, and potential effects.

Results

We developed and validated a nurse-led, theory-driven, evidence-based, and need-oriented HF self-care program. A total of 26 participants were enrolled in the pilot study, achieving an eligibility of 79.4%, a recruitment rate of 96.3%, and a retention rate of 92.3%. Most participants (83.3%) recognized the benefits of the intervention. The intervention significantly improved illness perceptions, self-care self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors among people with HF.

Conclusion

The nurse-led CSM of Self-Regulation-based self-care intervention is feasible, acceptable, and potentially beneficial for people with HF. A full-scale mixed-method RCT is recommended to further examine the intervention’s effectiveness.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No., ChiCTR2300068156; February 9, 2023).
Utilization of ultrasonic aspirator for combined aortic and mitral valve decalcification: a case study
Authors: Alomari Mohammad , Paciotti Breah , Garg Pankaj , Noor Sibat , Celik Nafiye Busra , Sareyyupoglu Basar
Published: January 2025

Mitral and aortic annular calcification is an age-related degenerative process that can result in severe mitral and/or aortic stenosis and/or regurgitation. Annular calcification not only increases the surgical complexity but also increases the risk of complications. In this case report, we present the innovative use of the Sonopet ultrasonic surgical aspirator for aortic and mitral annular decalcification in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, mild aortic stenosis and moderate mitral regurgitation in the presence of mitral annular calcification (MAC) and aorto-mitral curtain calcification.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae detections in children with acute respiratory infection, 2010–2023: a large sample study in China
Authors: Miao Yuzhu , Li Jungen , Huang Linlin , Shi Ting , Jiang Tingbo
Published: January 2025

Background

This study aimed to describe the epidemiological trends of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection among children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluating the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on the epidemiology of MP infection.

Methods

Children with ARTIs admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Soochow University (SCH) from January 2010 to December 2023 and underwent MP nucleic acid PCR assay were included. Clinical data on age, sex, onset time and detection result were collected and analyzed.

Results

All of the 122,984 inpatients were enrolled, in which 20.8% (25659/122984) of the children with MP tested positive, including 19.4% (14139/72662) for male and 22.9% (11520/50322) for female. It was a statistically significant difference between the two genders (p < 0.05). In addition, the positive rate of MP was the highest in the age group > 6 years old each year (p < 0.05). During 14-year period, the detection rate of MP has experienced four peaks in 2012, 2013, 2019, and 2023. Before the NPIs the prevalence of MP showed seasonality, and the number and rate of MP positivity reached their peak in August. However, the rate of MP positivity remained at a low level during the NPIs. After the abolition of NPIs, the MP positivity rate obviously increased and remained at a high level.

Conclusions

The NPIs could reduce the spread of MP infection and change its epidemic season, but it has not changed the susceptible population of MP infection.
Pretreatment with serine protease inhibitors impairs Leishmania amazonensis survival on macrophages
Authors: de Almeida Machado Patrícia , Gomes Pollyanna Stephanie , Coimbra Elaine Soares , de Matos Guedes Herbert Leonel
Published: January 2025

Background

Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases with great clinical and epidemiological importance. The current chemotherapy available for the treatment of leishmaniasis presents several problems, such as adverse effects, toxicity, long treatment time, and parasite resistance. The discovery of new therapeutic alternatives is extremely essential, and the discovery of cellular targets is a tool that helps in the development of new drugs. Serine proteases emerge as important virulence factors in the Leishmania genus, as they participate in important processes involved in their infectivity, virulence, and survival. In this work, we evaluated the leishmanicidal effect of different serine protease inhibitors (Benzamidine, PF-429242, PMSF, TLCK, and TPCK). Additionally, we determined the implication of pretreatment with these inhibitors on the entry and survival of parasites within macrophages, as well as the conversion of promastigotes into amastigotes, to discover the importance of serine proteases in the establishment of infection and, consequently, as targets for new drugs for Leishmania.

Results

In general, the inhibitors had low toxicity in host macrophages, and three showed some effect in promastigote and amastigote forms of L. amazonensis (PF-429242, TLCK, and TPCK). Using a short incubation interval, we pretreated L. amazonensis promastigotes with these five compounds before in vitro infection. Pretreatment with PF-429242, TLCK, and TPCK considerably compromised the survival of these parasites inside host macrophages, without altering the entry of promastigotes into these cells and differentiation into amastigotes. In addition, treatment with PF-429242 and TPCK was able to reduce the serine proteases’ enzymatic activity using subtilisin substrate on L. amazonensis promastigote lysate.

Conclusions

This work highlights the importance of serine proteases in L. amazonensis as a possible target for new therapeutic alternatives in Leishmania spp.

Graphical Abstract
Assessing tick attachments to humans with citizen science data: spatio-temporal mapping in Switzerland from 2015 to 2021 using spatialMaxent
Authors: Bald Lisa , Ratnaweera Nils , Hengl Tomislav , Laube Patrick , Grunder Jürg , Tischhauser Werner , Bhandari Netra , Zeuss Dirk
Published: January 2025

Background

Ticks are the primary vectors of numerous zoonotic pathogens, transmitting more pathogens than any other blood-feeding arthropod. In the northern hemisphere, tick-borne disease cases in humans, such as Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis, have risen in recent years, and are a significant burden on public healthcare systems. The spread of these diseases is further reinforced by climate change, which leads to expanding tick habitats. Switzerland is among the countries in which tick-borne diseases are a major public health concern, with increasing incidence rates reported in recent years.

Methods

In response to these challenges, the “Tick Prevention” app was developed by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and operated by A&K Strategy Ltd. in Switzerland. The app allows for the collection of large amounts of data on tick attachment to humans through a citizen science approach. In this study, citizen science data were utilized to map tick attachment to humans in Switzerland at a 100 m spatial resolution, on a monthly basis, for the years 2015 to 2021. The maps were created using a state-of-the-art modeling approach with the software extension spatialMaxent, which accounts for spatial autocorrelation when creating Maxent models.

Results

Our results consist of 84 maps displaying the risk of tick attachments to humans in Switzerland, with the model showing good overall performance, with median

$$\hbox {AUC}_{\textrm{ROC}}$$

AUC
ROC

values ranging from 0.82 in 2018 to 0.92 in 2017 and 2021 and convincing spatial distribution, verified by tick experts for Switzerland. Our study reveals that tick attachment to humans is particularly high at the edges of settlement areas, especially in sparsely built-up suburban regions with green spaces, while it is lower in densely urbanized areas. Additionally, forested areas near cities also show increased risk levels.

Conclusions

This mapping aims to guide public health interventions to reduce human exposure to ticks and to inform the resource planning of healthcare facilities. Our findings suggest that citizen science data can be valuable for modeling and mapping tick attachment risk, indicating the potential of citizen science data for use in epidemiological surveillance and public healthcare planning.

Graphical Abstract
Remote assessment of physical fitness via videoconferencing: a systematic review
Authors: Klein Thorsten , Worth Annette , Niessner Claudia , Hanssen-Doose Anke
Published: January 2025

Physical fitness is a critical marker of overall health across all age groups, influencing longevity and quality of life. This systematic review assessed the use of remote physical fitness assessments, a crucial adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic that broadened access to health monitoring outside traditional settings. The review included 35 studies, covering various age groups and health conditions, and evaluated 48 physical fitness tests across eight physical fitness components. Balance, muscular strength, and endurance were the most frequently assessed, with tests like the 30-second sit-to-stand (30s-STS) showing strong validity, reliability, and feasibility for remote use. However, the study population was mainly adults and older adults, with nearly no focus on children, revealing a significant gap in research for younger populations. Additionally, the review identified gaps in assessing components such as body composition, reaction time, and agility, which are crucial for a comprehensive assessment of physical fitness. These gaps underscore the need for further research and development of reliable and valid remote assessment tools. The findings of this review emphasize the importance of standardizing remote physical fitness assessments to ensure their validity, reliability, and feasibility making them effective tools for health monitoring across diverse populations and settings.
Extraction camouflage treatment of a skeletal Class III malocclusion with severe anterior crowding by miniscrews and driftodontics in the mandibular dentition
Authors: Zhang Kai , Li Jiaojiao , Yu Liyuan , Sun Wentian , Xia Kai , Zhao Zhihe , Liu Jun
Published: January 2025

An 18-year-old Chinese woman presented with chief complaints of crowded teeth and mild mandibular prognathism. Clinical and imaging examinations revealed a concave profile, a protruded chin, increased lower anterior facial height mild, skeletal Class III and Angle’s Class III malocclusion, with anterior crossbites, and crowded teeth. Extraction camouflaged therapy combined with miniscrews skeletal anchorage was employed to relieve crowding and retract the mandibular anterior teeth. The total active treatment time was 31 months. After treatment, functional occlusion and smile esthetics were significantly improved.
Twenty years of EU accession: learning lessons from Central and Eastern European agriculture and rural areas
Authors: Jambor Attila , Gorton Matthew
Published: January 2025

Twenty years have passed since the first eastern enlargements of the European Union (EU). This paper assesses the impacts of EU accession on agriculture and rural regions of Central and Eastern European countries and identifies the reasons behind differences in country performance. Results suggest that EU accession brought modest convergence with established Member States. However, countries capitalised on the opportunities given by EU membership to differing extents. Specifically, the Baltic countries and Poland performed best post-accession, while Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary witnessed much slower rates of convergence. The findings are consistent with the notion of convergence clubs, with persistent variations in catch up rates between groups of states. To explain membership of lower- and higher-speed convergence clubs, the paper identifies four sets of factors, namely initial conditions, pre-accession policy frameworks and actions, administrative preparedness, and post-accession policies.
Dysregulation of transposable elements and PIWI-interacting RNAs in myelodysplastic neoplasms
Authors: Krejcik Zdenek , Kundrat David , Klema Jiri , Hrustincova Andrea , Trsova Iva , Belickova Monika , Cermak Jaroslav , Jonasova Anna , Dostal Jiri , Dostalova Merkerova Michaela
Published: January 2025

Background

Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) are heterogeneous hematopoietic disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and genome instability. Mobilization of transposable elements (TEs) is an important source of genome instability leading to oncogenesis, whereas small PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) act as cellular suppressors of TEs. However, the roles of TEs and piRNAs in MDS remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, we examined TE and piRNA expression through parallel RNA and small RNA sequencing of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells from MDS patients.

Results

Comparative analysis of TE and piRNA expression between MDS and control samples revealed several significantly dysregulated molecules. However, significant differences were observed between lower-risk MDS (LR-MDS) and higher-risk MDS (HR-MDS) samples. In HR-MDS, we found an inverse correlation between decreased TE levels and increased piRNA expression and these TE and piRNA levels were significantly associated with patient outcomes. Importantly, the upregulation of PIWIL2, which encodes a key factor in the piRNA pathway, independently predicted poor prognosis in MDS patients, underscoring its potential as a valuable disease marker. Furthermore, pathway analysis of RNA sequencing data revealed that dysregulation of the TE‒piRNA axis is linked to the suppression of processes related to energy metabolism, the cell cycle, and the immune response, suggesting that these disruptions significantly affect cellular activity.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate the parallel dysregulation of TEs and piRNAs in HR-MDS patients, highlighting their potential role in MDS progression and indicating that the PIWIL2 level is a promising molecular marker for prognosis.

Graphical Abstract
Comments on “Enormously large tippers observed in southwest China: can realistic 3‑D EM modeling reproduce them?” by S. Xu et al. (2023)
Authors: Utada Hisashi , Tang Ji
Published: January 2025

Graphical Abstract
Retrospective Analyses of Stability and Variability in Relative Age Effects of Handball Talents Over Seventeen Years
Authors: Schorer Jörg , Büsch Dirk , Faber Irene , Wattie Nick
Published: January 2025

In the last thirty years research on relative age effects (RAEs) has exploded in numbers. However, the stability and variability of these effects have hardly been investigated. The three aims of this retrospective study were first to investigate the stability and variability of RAEs over 17 years, second to compare these effects for young female and male athletes, and third to compare these effects between selected and non-selected athletes relative to variability estimates from 17 years prior to assess possible changes in athlete development trends. For this study, birth dates were provided for all participants of the talent selection camps by the German Handball Federation from 2008 to 2024. Results show that first while some variability was observed, the effects remained stable. Second, there are only small differences between sexes in general, although these increased with selection. And thirdly, that selections create stronger effects for male athletes, but not for female ones. Taken together, this study provides an interesting picture of the variability and stability of relative age effects over 17 years.
Exploring the Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Physical Performance: An EEG Study in the Context of High-Intensity Endurance
Authors: Zhao Shanguang , Alhumaid Majed M. , Li Hai , Wei Xin , Chen Steve SHYH-Ching , Jiang Hongke , Gong Yuwu , Gu Yun , Qin Haiquan
Published: January 2025

Background

While the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function are well-documented, its impact on high-intensity endurance performance and underlying neural mechanisms remains underexplored, especially in the context of search and rescue operations where both physical and mental performance are essential. This study examines the neurophysiological basis of sleep deprivation on high-intensity endurance using electroencephalography (EEG). In this crossover study, twenty firefighters were subjected to both sleep deprivation (SD) and normal sleep conditions, with each participant performing endurance treadmill exercise the following morning after each condition. EEG signals were recorded before and after high-intensity endurance exercise, and power spectrum analysis and functional connectivity analysis were performed on sleep related frequency bands rhythm: δ (0.5–4 Hz) and θ (4–8 Hz). The EEG power spectral and functional connectivity were measured by repeated measure analysis of variance.

Results

The SD condition had an average sleep duration of 3.78 ± 0.69 h, while the duration for normal sleep was 7.63 ± 0.52 h. After high-intensity endurance exercise, the SD condition had a higher maximum heart rate (p < 0.05) and shorter exercise time (p < 0.05) than normal sleep. Compared with before exercise, the δ band in the left parietal lobe P7 channel increased significantly (p < 0.01), and the θ band in the central Cz channel and the left and right parietal lobe P7 and P8 channel increased significantly (p < 0.01 & p < 0 0.05) in SD and normal sleep conditions after exercise. After exercise, compared with normal sleep, the δ band power in occipital O1 and Oz channels and parietal P7 and TP7 channels in SD significantly decreased (p < 0.05 & p < 0.01); the power of the θ band decreased significantly in the occipital O1 channel, central CZ channel and the left and right parietal P7 and P8 channel (p < 0.05 & p < 0.01). Whole connectivity showed a significant increase (p = 0.001) in the δ band for the SD condition at post-exhaustion. Local connectivity analysis identified a localized network in the δ band with reduced (p < 0.001) post-exhaustion in the SD condition displaying inter-hemispheric differences in certain connections (FP1-CP4, T7-C4, T7-TP8, and O1-FT8) and intra-hemispheric (C3-CPz and Pz-P4) variations.

Conclusions

Sleep deprivation significantly reduced maximum endurance performance, indicating decreased neural activity in the central and parietal brain regions. Alterations in δ and θ frequency band power, along with disrupted connectivity, may highlight the neurophysiological basis underlying this decline.
Patient-centered outcomes for clinical trials in chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis
Authors: Klooster Brittany , Chatterton Kaitlin , Ibrahim Nazifa , Bernstein Madison C. , Shields Alan L. , Allen Veleka
Published: January 2025

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (inclusive of subtypes with nasal polyps [CRSwNP], without nasal polyps [CRSsNP], and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis [AFRS]) causes inflammation of the nose mucosa and paranasal sinuses. Unfortunately, evidence supporting use of clinical outcome assessments (COAs) in regulated clinical trials to assess key measurement concepts of these conditions is limited.

Objective

To identify key disease-related symptoms and impacts, potential outcomes of interest for new treatments, and COAs available to measure those outcomes among adult and adolescent individuals living with CRSwNP, CRSsNP, and AFRS.

Methods

Literature, clinical trial, and product label reviews were conducted to identify symptoms, impacts, and COAs used to assess CRSwNP, CRSsNP, and AFRS patient experiences in clinical trials. The disease related concepts identified in the literature were mapped to selected COAs to determine conceptual coverage of each COA.

Results

Twenty-five articles, twenty-five clinical trial records, and four product labels were included in the review. Across conditions, nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, and altered smell were the most frequently identified symptoms. The most frequently identified impacts of CRSwNP and CRSsNP were on emotional functioning and sleep, and adopting new behaviors for AFRS. Findings for key symptoms and impacts in adolescents were limited. More than 20 COAs used in these conditions were identified, and 14 COAs (e.g., Sinonasal Outcome Test [SNOT-22]) were evaluated for conceptual coverage of the concepts identified in the literature.

Conclusion

Results specify several symptom and impact outcomes, that if improved, would reflect treatment benefit for patients living with CRSwNP, CRSsNP, and/or AFRS. Several COAs demonstrated coverage of key measurement concepts and warrant further evaluation for use in clinical trials.
MULTI-BOREHOLE 3D DC RESISTIVITY DETECTION METHOD FOR GROUTING MONITORING AND EVALUATION IN TUNNELS: A CASE STUDY IN NORTHWEST CHINA
Authors: Zhang Yongheng , Liu Zhengyu , Bai Peng , Gao Chao , Guo Qian , Liu Benchao
Published: January 2025

Low-frequency electrical methods are increasingly being used for detecting water-bearing structures within tunnels, particularly through boreholes on the tunnel face, including horizontal probe boreholes and grouting boreholes. This case study focuses on grouting process monitoring and evaluation in an under-river tunnel located in Northwest China. The geological conditions of the tunnel pose a considerable risk for water inrush, with several notable incidents having previously occurred. This has resulted in tunnel construction being delayed by over two years. In this case study, a probing borehole reveals a large stream of water flow, and grouting is needed to prevent the potential threat of a water inrush disaster. To guide the grouting operation, multi-borehole three-dimensional (3D) direct current (DC) resistivity detections are conducted. Novel electrode arrays and arrangements are proposed for the irregularly distributed boreholes on the tunnel face, with their feasibility and effectiveness verified through numerical analysis. Furthermore, the attributes of the two tomography modes are discussed. Based on the proposed method, two detections are carried out before and after grouting to monitor and evaluate the grouting results. The initial detection results provide a basis for selecting grouting positions. However, the water stream in the boreholes further increases after this grouting. Subsequent detection results indicate a shift in the position of the water-bearing structures. The interpretation result indicates that the high-pressure grouting may have induced extra fractures in the surrounding rock, leading to a shift in the position of the water-bearing structures. The constructors then adopted an appropriate grouting strategy and successfully passed through this fractured section. This case study highlights the effective application of the multi-borehole 3D electrical detection method for monitoring and evaluating grouting.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Breast Cancer Patient Care: Results From a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon
Authors: Zahwe Mariam , Zalaquett Nader , Kamel Rima , Mourhli Joodi , Abdul Baki Rami , Osgueritchian Ryan , Hamdan Hadi , Lakkis Karim , Sinno Lilass , Habib Salim G. , El Hout Walid , Tulimat Tamam , Are Chandrakanth , Assi Hazem , Khalifeh Mohamad Jawad , Musharrafieh Umayya , Ghazeeri Ghina , Harakeh Ayman , Sbaity Eman
Published: January 2025

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on breast cancer care in terms of the stage at presentation, treatment delays, and follow-up in a tertiary care center in Lebanon.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study compared patients with breast cancer who presented to a tertiary care center in Lebanon before (September 2019-December 2019) and during (September 2020-December 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. We extracted data from the electronic medical records of patients with breast cancer who had their initial presentation, were under treatment, or were on follow-up during our period of interest.

RESULTS

Of the 333 patients, 186 visited the hospital in the pre–COVID-19 period and 147 during the pandemic, showing almost a 12% reduction in the number of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the pre-COVID period, more patients were presented for screening (52%); however, more symptomatic patients were presented during the pandemic (51.4%). Almost 54% had an advanced stage at presentation during the pandemic compared with 48% before the pandemic but with no statistical significance (
P
= .50). Significantly fewer patients came for chemotherapy in the COVID-19 period (38.1%) compared with the pre–COVID-19 period (52.2%). Fewer patients underwent surgery during the pandemic, although the difference was not statistically significant. Multivariate analysis showed that the COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with having an advanced stage at presentation (
P
= .24).

CONCLUSION

The management of breast cancer was not substantially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of Lebanese patients. However, 4 months might not be sufficient to draw a solid conclusion.
Are intrinsic decoherence models physical theories?
Authors: Danelli Maria , Paris Matteo G. A.
Published: January 2025

Intrinsic decoherence models (IDMs) have been proposed in order to solve the mea- surement problem in quantum mechanics. In this work, we assess the status of two of these models as physical theories by establishing the ultimate bounds on the estimability of their parameters. Our results show that dephasing and dissipative IDMs are amenable to falsification and should be considered physical theories worth of experimental study.
Perspectives on modelling epidemics with human mobility
Authors: Lu Xin , Feng Jiawei , Tan Suoyi
Published: January 2025

Human mobility serves as a fundamental component in shaping the contact networks through which infectious diseases propagate during pandemics. It significantly influences the spatial and temporal patterns of disease transmission among individuals. Traditional epidemic models often struggle to capture the complexity of these heterogeneous contact patterns. In contrast, models incorporating human mobility, which account for the movement of individuals across regions, offer a detailed perspective on micro-level interactions and their impact on disease spread. The discussion highlights four types of epidemic models that integrate human mobility, including compartment models, complex network models, agent-based models and machine learning models, emphasising their crucial roles in epidemic prediction and control. Additionally, it provides insights into the broader implications of human mobility on dynamic-modelling and decision-making within the context of epidemics.
The Role of the Parametric Thyroid Feedback Quantile Index in Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation Among Euthyroid Koreans
Authors: Choe Hun Jee , Choi Yun Mi , Ha Yeonjung , Kim Jinseob , Kim Minhyuk , Cha Ho Jin , Lee Jiwoo , Kwak Mi Kyung , Hong Eun-Gyoung
Published: January 2025

Context

Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in metabolic regulation and maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. The Parametric Thyroid Feedback Quantile-based Index (PTFQI) assesses central thyroid hormone sensitivity by standardizing the inverse relationship between free thyroxine (T4) and TSH.

Objective

To investigate the relationship between PTFQI and cardiovascular risk in the euthyroid Korean population.

Methods

Using data from the 2013 through 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we included 5160 euthyroid adults aged 18 to 80 years who were not previously diagnosed with cardiovascular or thyroid disease. Cardiovascular risk was evaluated using the Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease EVENTs and pooled cohort equations scores.

Results

Stratification by PTFQI quartiles revealed an inverse relationship between PTFQI and cardiovascular risk. Higher PTFQI quartiles were associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], -0.55; 95% CI, -.92 to -.18), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (aOR, -0.31; 95% CI, -.53 to -.08), heart failure (aOR, -0.26; 95% CI, -.47 to -.05), coronary heart disease (aOR, -0.15; 95% CI, –.28 to -.02), and ischemic stroke (aOR, -0.18; 95% CI, -.30 to -.06). These associations persisted after adjusting for thyroid peroxidase antibodies, iodine intake, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and income level. The pooled cohort equations score demonstrated a strong correlation with the Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs score.

Conclusion

The PTFQI inversely correlated with cardiovascular risk among euthyroid Koreans, indicating that reduced central sensitivity to thyroid hormone is associated with lower cardiovascular risk. These results underscore the importance of considering population-specific thyroid function parameters in cardiovascular risk assessment.
Classification and characteristics of bacterial glycosaminoglycan lyases, and their therapeutic and experimental applications
Authors: Zou Ruyi , Xu Xiangyu , Li Fuchuan
Published: January 2025

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), as animal polysaccharides, are linked to proteins to form various types of proteoglycans. Bacterial GAG lyases are not only essential enzymes that spoilage bacteria use for the degradation of GAGs, but also valuable tools for investigating the biological function and potential therapeutic applications of GAGs. The ongoing discovery and characterization of novel GAG lyases has identified an increasing number of lyases suitable for functional studies and other applications involving GAGs, which include oligosaccharide sequencing, detection and removal of specific glycan chains, clinical drug development and the design of novel biomaterials and sensors, some of which have not yet been comprehensively summarized. GAG lyases can be classified into hyaluronate lyases, chondroitinases and heparinases based on their substrate spectra, and their functional applications are mainly determined by their substrates, with different lyases exhibiting differing substrate selectivity and preferences. It is thus necessary to understand the properties of the available enzymes to determine strategies for their functional application. Building on previous studies and reviews, this Review highlights small yet crucial differences among or within the various GAG lyases to aid in optimizing their use in future studies. To clarify ideas and strategies for further research, we also discuss several traditional and novel applications of GAG lyases.
Clinical Impact of Neoadjuvant Therapy for Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Shimane Gaku , Kitago Minoru , Yagi Hiroshi , Abe Yuta , Hasegawa Yasushi , Hori Shutaro , Tanaka Masayuki , Tsuzaki Junya , Yokoyama Yoichi , Masugi Yohei , Takemura Ryo , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: January 2025

Background

Neoadjuvant therapy is recommended for treating resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, its appropriate use in patients with resectable PDAC remains debatable.

Objective

This study aimed to identify independent poor prognostic factors and evaluate the clinical significance of neoadjuvant therapy in patients with resectable PDAC.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients diagnosed with resectable PDAC at our institute between January 2003 and December 2022. We analyzed poor prognostic factors at the time of diagnosis in patients who underwent upfront surgery using the Cox proportional hazards model for overall survival (OS). The prognostic score was calculated by adding the individual prognostic factor scores.

Results

Overall, 359 patients were included in this study, with 308 patients undergoing upfront surgery and the remaining 51 patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy. The R0 resection rate was significantly higher in the neoadjuvant therapy group (70.6%) than in the upfront surgery group (64.0%). Multivariate analysis in the upfront surgery group revealed the following independent poor prognostic factors: tumor size ≥ 35 mm, serum albumin level ≤ .5 g/dL, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥ 3.5, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level ≥ 250 U/mL, and Duke pancreatic monoclonal antigen type 2 level ≥ 750 U/mL. Among patients with prognostic scores of 0–1 (n = 263), the intention-to-treat OS did not significantly differ between the neoadjuvant therapy and upfront surgery groups. Among those patients with a prognostic score of ≥ 2 (n = 96), the neoadjuvant therapy group had significantly longer intention-to-treat OS than the upfront surgery group.

Conclusions

Prognostic score-based stratification can help identify patients who could benefit from neoadjuvant therapy.
Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Catheter Drainage in Periappendiceal abscess Management: Retrospective Insights
Authors: Ding Ying-Bin , Wang Wei-Na , Zhan Xue-Lei
Published: January 2025

Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) combined with antibiotic therapy versus emergency laparoscopic surgery (ELS) for treating periappendiceal abscesses.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 90 patients diagnosed with periappendiceal abscesses at Harbin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between March 2022 and December 2023. The study compared clinical outcomes between two groups: one receiving percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) with antibiotic therapy and the other undergoing emergency laparoscopic surgery. The comparison encompassed key outcomes such as operative time, gastrointestinal function recovery, length of hospital stays, postoperative complication rate, recurrence rate, and the need for additional interventions.
Results: The PCD group exhibited a significantly shorter operative time (P=0.02) and fewer postoperative complications (P=0.008) compared to the ELS group. During outpatient follow-up, six patients in the PCD group had a recurrence of appendicitis, which was statistically significant compared to the ELS group.
Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided PCD has been shown to be effective and safe in the management of periappendiceal abscesses in our single-center clinical study. It offers several benefits over ELS, such as reduced operative time and a decreased incidence of postoperative complications. Our results suggest that PCD, in conjunction with antibiotic therapy, is a feasible alternative to surgery, significantly reducing patient discomfort and healthcare resource consumption. However, these findings are specific to our center, and further multicenter studies are required to confirm these results and to establish guidelines for the optimal application of PCD in clinical practice.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.2.10211
How to cite this: Ding YB, Wang WN, Zhan XL. Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Catheter Drainage in Periappendiceal abscess Management: Retrospective Insights. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(2):564-568. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.2.10211
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Prognostic value of chest computer tomography combined with serum platelet count, c-reactive protein levels and oxygenation index in severe community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Yun Wu  , Xu Sijie , Xia Yi
Published: January 2025

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of chest computed tomography (CT), platelet count (PLT), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and oxygenation index (OI) in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data collected from 226 patients with CAP who received treatment in Huzhou Central Hospital from February 2022 to November 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on pneumonia severity: Severe group (patients with severe CAP, n=113) and Typical group (patients with typical pneumonia, n=113). Differences in CT score, PLT, CRP, and OI levels between the two groups were analyzed, as well as the prognostic value of the combined CT score, PLT, CRP, and OI levels in severe CAP.
Results: The CT Score and CRP level in the Severe group were significantly higher than those in the Typical group, whereas PLT and OI were significantly lower (P<0.05). Of 113 patients with severe pneumonia, 42 died and 71 survived. The CT Score and CRP level in the death group were significantly higher, whereas PLT and OI were lower compared to the survival group (P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the combined CT Score, PLT, CRP, OI for the prediction of death in patients with severe CAP was 0.970, sensitivity was 85.7, and specificity was 93.0, which was higher than that of each index alone.
Conclusions: The combined chest CT, PLT, CRP, and OI have high prognostic value for severe CAP.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.2.10405
How to cite this: Wu Y, Xu S, Xia Y. Prognostic value of chest computer tomography combined with serum platelet count, c-reactive protein levels and oxygenation index in severe community-acquired pneumonia. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(2):554-558.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.2.10405
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The effect of yoga on hypertensive women’s blood pressure and sexual life: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Solmaz Gürcan
Published: January 2025

Objectives: To investigate the effects of a 12 weeks yoga program three times a week for one hour on blood pressure and sexual life among hypertensive women.
Methods: This study was a pre-post test randomized controlled trial (NCT06319365) performed in accordance with the CONSORT guidelines. This study was conducted in a public hospital in Turkey between June 15, 2022 and October 30, 2022. Data were collected by blood pressure measurements, Personal Information Form and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale. The sessions of the yoga group were conducted online for one hour three days a week for 12 weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention during the study. No side effects were recorded throughout the study.
Results: Participants in the yoga group had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the control group (p<0.001). In addition, women in the yoga group showed significant improvements in sexual activity, arousal, orgasm, lubrication and overall sexual function (p<0.05).
Conclusion: A 12-week, three times a week yoga program reduced blood pressure and positively affected sexual functioning.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.2.10656
How to cite this: Solmaz G. The effect of yoga on hypertensive women’s blood pressure and sexual life: A randomized controlled trial. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(2):501-504. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.2.10656
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.