bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness and safety of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops for mass treatment of active trachoma in a highly endemic district in Cameroon
Authors: Bella Assumpta Lucienne , Einterz Ellen , Huguet Pierre , Bensaid Philippe , Amza Abdou , Renault Didier 
Published: November 2020

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops under field conditions to reduce active trachoma in a highly endemic district in Cameroon. This is a follow-up of an initial report published in 2010.Methods and analysisThree annual campaigns were performed in 2008, 2009 and 2010 to treat the population (~1 20 000 individuals) of the Kolofata Health District with topical azithromycin 1.5% (one drop in each eye, morning and evening for three consecutive days). The effectiveness of this intervention against active trachoma was assessed in children aged 1–9 years in cross-sectional studies prior to each mass treatment using a systematic sampling procedure (in 2008, 2009 and 2010) and then 1 year (2011) and 3 years (2013) after the last intervention among the villages with previously high active trachoma prevalence or never tested.ResultsThe prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) dropped from 24.0% (95% CI 20.7 to 27.5) before treatment to 2.8% (95% CI 2.2 to 3.7) 1 year after completion of the 3 year campaign. Trachomatous inflammation—intense was present in only 4 (0.2%) children 1 year after the third round of treatment. Three years after the last campaign, the surveillance survey among the most prevalent villages and villages never tested before showed a prevalence of 5.2% (95% CI 3.6 to 7.2) of active trachoma. Tolerance was excellent, with no report of treatment interruption, serious ocular or systemic adverse events.ConclusionAnnual mass treatment with azithromycin eye drops was shown to be effective in reducing TF to a level ≤5% one year after a 3-round annual mass treatment in an endemic region at the district level.
Marijuana use and repeated attempted suicide among senior high school students in Ghana: Evidence from the WHO Global School-Based Student Health Survey, 2012
Authors: Tetteh John , Ekem-Ferguson George , Swaray Swithin Mustapha , Kugbey Nuworza , Quarshie Emmanuel Nii-Boye , Yawson Alfred Edwin 
Published: November 2020

BackgroundThe association between substance use including marijuana use and attempted suicide has been well documented. However, little is known about marijuana use and its association with attempted suicide repetition among young people in low-income and middle-income contexts.AimsThis analysis was conducted to assess the factors associated with marijuana use and ascertain marijuana use as a determinant of repeated attempted suicide among senior high school (SHS) students in Ghana.MethodsData from the 2012 Global School-Based Student Health Survey in Ghana was used for this study. Modified Poisson, Logistic and Probit models weighted with Mahalanobis distance matching within propensity calliper were employed separately to determine the hypothetical association between marijuana use and repeated attempted suicide. All analysis was performed using Stata 16 and p≤0.05 was deemed statistically significant.ResultsThe prevalence estimates of marijuana use and repeated attempted suicide among SHS students in Ghana were 3.4% (95% CI: 2.3 to 5.1) and 11.5% (95% CI: 9.1 to 14.4), respectively. The prevalence of marijuana use was significantly associated with school grade, smoking exposure, parent smoker, alcohol intake and truancy. Marijuana use was positively associated with repeated attempted suicide among SHS in Ghana (φ correlation=0.23, p<0.001). Repeated attempted suicide among students who use marijuana was approximately threefold and fivefold significant compared with non-marijuana use students, based on the Poisson (adjusted prevalence ratio: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.67 to 5.43, p<0.001) and Logistic (adjusted OR:5.06; 95% CI: 3.19 to 11.64, p<0.001) estimates respectively. Also, the Probit model showed that marijuana use significantly increased the log count of repeated attempted suicide by 95% (aβ: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.49 to 1.41, p<0.001).ConclusionMarijuana use does not only influence the onset of suicidal attempts but also repeated attempted suicide among SHS students in Ghana. Special attention is required for suicide attempters with a history of repeated attempts and current marijuana use among SHS students in Ghana. Early identification of the potential risk and protective factors is recommended to inform school-based interventions. National level structured school-based substance abuse interventions and health promotion programmes would be useful.
SSTR2a is constantly expressed in lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with squamous differentiation other than that with glandular differentiation
Authors: Tao LiLi , Chen Yaoli , Huang Yuhua , Yin Weihua , Yu Guangyin 
Published: November 2020

AimsSomatostatin receptor 2a (SSTR2a) is an important diagnostic marker of meningioma and neuroendocrine tumours and is frequently expressed in primary and metastatic non-keratinising nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NK-NPC). Since NK-NPC cases are considered a kind of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELCs) which originate from the nasopharynx, information on the expression profile of SSTR2a in LELC in other sites with squamous and glandular differentiations is still lacking. This study aimed to assess the expression of SSTR2a in LELC of various organs and clarify its expression profile.MethodsExpression of SSTR2a in 164 cases of LELC was retrospectively analysed by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded tissues, including 146 cases of LELC with squamous differentiation (120 cases of the nasopharynx, 21 cases of the lung and 5 cases of the parotid gland) and 18 cases of LELC with glandular differentiation (15 cases of the stomach and 3 cases of the liver).ResultsWe found that all (100%) cases of LELC of the lung (21/21) and parotid gland (5/5), and 93.3% (112/120) cases of LELC of the nasopharynx showed a diffused and strong expression of SSTR2a, while cases of gastric (0/15) and biliary (0/3) showed no SSTR2a expression.ConclusionSSTR2a is constantly expressed in LELC with squamous differentiation, but not expressed in LELC with glandular differentiation. However, the selective expression mechanism of SSTR2a remains unknown, which needs further investigation. Our novel findings might provide potential therapeutic approaches for the treatment of LELC with squamous cell differentiation.
AAC Redwater hard red spring wheat
Authors: Zi Y. , Humphreys D.G. , Olson A. , McCallum B.D. , Fetch T.G. , Gilbert J.A. , Lukow O.M. , Menzies J.G. , Brown P.D. , Fox S.L. 
Published: November 2020

AAC Redwater is a hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) adapted to the shorter season wheat-growing regions of the Canadian prairies. AAC Redwater was evaluated in the Parkland Wheat Cooperative Test in 2009, 2010, and 2011. AAC Redwater was significantly (P < 0.05) higher yielding than Katepwa (6.4%) and AC Splendor (7.5%) and was not significantly different in grain yield compared to CDC Teal and CDC Osler. AAC Redwater had maturity similar to AC Splendor, matured a day earlier than Katepwa, and was significantly earlier maturing (2 d) than CDC Teal and CDC Osler. AAC Redwater was significantly shorter than all check cultivars and had a similar mean lodging score to the check cultivars. AAC Redwater is resistant to moderately resistant to leaf and stem rust, comparable to AC Splendor. AAC Redwater was resistant to intermediate in its field reaction to stripe rust and intermediate in its reaction to the Ug99 stem rust race, similar to CDC Teal. At the time of registration, AAC Redwater met the end-use quality specifications of the Canada Western Red Spring wheat class.
Study of the process $$e^+e^- \rightarrow \eta \pi ^0\gamma $$ in the energy range $$\sqrt{s} = {1.05-2.00}$$ GeV with the SND detector
Authors: Achasov M. N. , Barnyakov A. Yu. , Baykov A. A. , Beloborodov K. I. , Berdyugin A. V. , Berkaev D. E. , Bogdanchikov A. G. , Botov A. A. , Dimova T. V. , Druzhinin V. P. , Golubev V. B. , Kirpotin A. N. , Kardapoltsev L. V. , Kasaev A. S. , Kharlamov A. G. , Koop I. A. , Korol A. A. , Kovrizhin D. P. , Kupich A. S. , Martin K. A. , Melnikova N. A. , Muchnoy N. Yu. , Obrazovsky A. E. , Pakhtusova E. V. , Pugachev K. V. , Rabusov D. V. , Rogovsky Yu. A. , Savchenko Y. S. , Senchenko A. I. , Serednyakov S. I. , Shatilov D. N. , Shatunov Yu. M. , Shtol D. A. , Shwartz D. B. , Silagadze Z. K. , Surin I. K. , Timoshenko M. V. , Usov Yu. V. , Zhabin V. N. , Zhulanov V. V. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe process $$e^+e^-\rightarrow \eta \pi ^0\gamma $$

e
+

e
-

→
η

π
0

γ

is studied in the center-of-mass energy range 1.05–2.00 GeV using data with an integrated luminosity of 94.5 $$\hbox {pb}^{-1}$$

pb

-
1

collected by the SND detector at the VEPP-2000 $$e^{+}e^{-}$$

e
+

e
-

collider. The $$e^+e^-\rightarrow \eta \pi ^0\gamma $$

e
+

e
-

→
η

π
0

γ

cross section is measured for the first time. It is shown that the dominant mechanism of this reaction is the transition through the $$\omega \eta $$

ω
η

intermediate state. The measured cross section of the subprocess $$e^+e^-\rightarrow \omega \eta \rightarrow \eta \pi ^0\gamma $$

e
+

e
-

→
ω
η
→
η

π
0

γ

is consistent with previous measurements in the $$e^+e^-\rightarrow \pi ^+\pi ^-\pi ^0\eta $$

e
+

e
-

→

π
+

π
-

π
0

η

mode. It is found, with a significance of $$5.6\sigma $$

5.6
σ

, that the process $$e^+e^-\rightarrow \eta \pi ^0\gamma $$

e
+

e
-

→
η

π
0

γ

is not completely described by hadronic vector-pseudoscalar intermediate states. The cross section of this missing contribution, which can originate from radiation processes, e. g. $$e^+e^-\rightarrow a_{0}(1450)\gamma $$

e
+

e
-

→

a
0

(
1450
)

γ

, is measured. It is found to be 15–20 pb in the wide energy range from 1.3 to 1.9 GeV.
Second-Order Differential Equation: Oscillation Theorems and Applications
Authors: Santra Shyam S. , Bazighifan Omar , Ahmad Hijaz , Chu Yu-Ming 
Published: November 2020

Differential equations of second order appear in a wide variety of applications in physics, mathematics, and engineering. In this paper, necessary and sufficient conditions are established for oscillations of solutions to second-order half-linear delay differential equations of the form

ς

y

u

′

y

a

′

+
p

y

u

c

ϑ

y

=
0
,
for
y
≥

y

0

,

under the assumption

∫

∞

ς

η

−

1
/
a

=
∞

. Two cases are considered for

a
<
c

and

a
>
c

, where

a

and

c

are the quotients of two positive odd integers. Two examples are given to show the effectiveness and applicability of the result.
Ultrasound Elastography Predicts Thyroid Nodule Volume Reduction Rate After Percutaneous Ethanol Ablation
Authors: Abdelgawad Mohamed , Shalaby Hosam , Akkera Mounika , Rashad Yasmine , Grace Lee , Ibraheem Kareem , Kandil Emad 
Published: November 2020

Objectives To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous ethanol ablation (PEA) on indeterminate thyroid nodules (Bethesda III and IV) based on ultrasound (US) elastography by assessing the volume reduction rate (VRR), relative reduction in size, resolution of compressive symptoms, and post-procedural complications. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of all thyroid nodules treated with PEA by a single surgeon at a North American tertiary referral center. Study variables included demographics, nodule characteristics, Bethesda classification, US elastography, presence of compressive symptoms, thyroid function, and post-procedural complications. Relative volume reductions and VRR were calculated at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Results Thirty-four thyroid nodules were evaluated in 22 patients. All thyroid nodules underwent a fine needle aspiration prior to PEA. After 6 months, 45% of all thyroid nodules exhibited a VRR of ≥50%. A significant VRR was achieved in the soft thyroid nodules at 6 months (42.15% ± 31), compared to the stiff nodules with 30.92% ± 91.53, P < .05. Post-PEA thyroid stimulating hormone levels did not significantly change after the procedure. Compressive symptoms resolved in all 5 patients who reported it. One patient developed transient vocal cord paresis that resolved in 3 months. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest series of PEA for thyroid nodules in North America. Ultrasound elastography is a useful adjunct in predicting the success of PEA for nonmalignant thyroid nodules. Percutaneous ethanol ablation is both a safe and effective alternative to surgery for relief of compressive symptoms in select patients.
Robotic and Laparoscopic Approaches for Adrenal Surgery in Obese Patients
Authors: Shalaby Hosam , Abdelgawad Mohamed , Omar, MD Mahmoud , Zora, MD Ghassan , Alawwad Saad , Alameer Ehab , Youssef Mohanad , Attia Abdallah S. , Buell Joseph , Grace Lee , Kandil Emad 
Published: November 2020

Objective Minimally invasive adrenalectomy is a challenging procedure in obese patients. Few recent studies have advocated against robot-assisted adrenalectomy, particularly in obese patients. This study aims to compare operative outcomes between the robotic and laparoscopic adrenalectomy, particularly in obese patients. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on all consecutive patients undergoing adrenalectomy for benign disease by a single surgeon using either a laparoscopic or robotic approach. Adrenal surgeries for adrenal cancer were excluded. Demographics, operative time, length of hospital stays, estimated blood loss (EBL), and intraoperative and postoperative complications were evaluated. Patients were divided into 2 groups; obese and nonobese. A sub-analysis was performed comparing robotic and laparoscopic approaches in obese and nonobese patients. Results Out of 120, 55 (45.83%) were obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2). 14 (25.45%) of the obese patients underwent a laparoscopic approach, and 41 (74.55%) underwent a robotic approach. Operative times were longer in the obese vs. nonobese groups (173.30 ± 72.90 minutes and 148.20 ± 61.68 minutes, P = .04) and were associated with less EBL (53.77 ± 82.48 vs. 101.30 ± 122, P = .01). The robotic approach required a longer operative time when compared to the laparoscopic approach (187 ± 72.42 minutes vs. 126.60 ± 54.55 minutes, P = .0102) in the obese but was associated with less blood loss (29.02 ± 51.05 mL vs. 138.30 ± 112.20 mL, P < .01) and shorter hospital stay (1.73 ± 1.23 days vs. 3.17 ± 1.27 days, P < .001). Conclusion Robot-assisted adrenal surgery is safe in obese patients and appears to be longer; however, it provides improvements in postoperative outcomes, including EBL and shorter hospital stay.
Is NBATS-2 up to the Task? Actual vs. Predicted Patient Volume Shifts With the Addition of Another Trauma Center
Authors: Dooley Jennings H. , Dennis Bradley M. , Magnotti Louis J. , Sharpe John P. , Guillamondegui Oscar D. , Croce Martin A. , Fischer Peter E. 
Published: November 2020

Introduction Version 2 of the Needs-Based Assessment of Trauma Systems (NBATS) tool quantifies the impact of an additional trauma center on a region. This study applies NBATS-2 to a system where an additional trauma center was added to compare the tool’s predictions to actual patient volumes. Methods Injury data were collected from the trauma registry of the initial (legacy) center and analyzed geographically using ArcGIS. From 2012 to 2014 (“pre-”period), one Level 1 trauma center existed. From 2016 to 2018 (“post-”period), an additional Level 2 center existed. Emergency medical service (EMS) destination guidelines did not change and favored the legacy center for severely injured patients (Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15). NBATS-2 predicted volume was compared to the actual volume received at the legacy center in the post-period. Results 4068 patients were identified across 14 counties. In the pre-period, 72% of the population and 90% of injuries were within a 45-minute drive of the legacy trauma center. In the post-period, 75% of the total population and 90% of injuries were within 45 minutes of either trauma center. The post-predicted volume of severely injured patients at the legacy center was 434, but the actual number was 809. For minor injuries (ISS £15), NBATS-2 predicted 581 vs. 1677 actual. Conclusion NBATS-2 failed to predict the post-period volume changes. Without a change in EMS destination guidelines, this finding was not surprising for severely injured patients. However, the 288% increase in volume of minor injuries was unexpected. NBATS-2 must be refined to assess the impact of local factors on patient volume.
Use of Artificial Intelligence Deep Learning to Determine the Malignant Potential of Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms With Preoperative Computed Tomography Imaging
Authors: Watson Michael D. , Lyman William B. , Passeri Michael J. , Murphy Keith J. , Sarantou John P. , Iannitti David A. , Martinie John B. , Vrochides Dionisios , Baker Erin H. 
Published: November 2020

Background Society consensus guidelines are commonly used to guide management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs). However, downsides of these guidelines include unnecessary surgery and missed malignancy. The aim of this study was to use computed tomography (CT)-guided deep learning techniques to predict malignancy of PCNs. Materials and Methods Patients with PCNs who underwent resection were retrospectively reviewed. Axial images of the mucinous cystic neoplasms were collected and based on final pathology were assigned a binary outcome of advanced neoplasia or benign. Advanced neoplasia was defined as adenocarcinoma or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with high-grade dysplasia. A convolutional neural network (CNN) deep learning model was trained on 66% of images, and this trained model was used to test 33% of images. Predictions from the deep learning model were compared to Fukuoka guidelines. Results Twenty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria, with 18 used for training and 9 for model testing. The trained deep learning model correctly predicted 3 of 3 malignant lesions and 5 of 6 benign lesions. Fukuoka guidelines correctly classified 2 of 3 malignant lesions as high risk and 4 of 6 benign lesions as worrisome. Following deep learning model predictions would have avoided 1 missed malignancy and 1 unnecessary operation. Discussion In this pilot study, a deep learning model correctly classified 8 of 9 PCNs and performed better than consensus guidelines. Deep learning can be used to predict malignancy of PCNs; however, further model improvements are necessary before clinical use.
Laser Tattoo Removal: A New Tool for Hospital-based Violence Prevention?
Authors: Foran Christopher P. , Clark Damon H. , Alling Torey , Meza Sanchez Irene , Fischer Briah , Henry Reynold , Matsushima Kazuhide , Inaba Kenji , Demetriades Demetrios G. 
Published: November 2020

Introduction Gang-related tattoos may increase an individual’s risk for violent victimization. We present our early experience using a physician-staffed tattoo removal initiative as 1 component of a violence prevention program. Methods Surgeons from our trauma department in partnership with a community advocacy group performed voluntary laser tattoo removal for individuals within our catchment area. Clients were asked to complete a voluntary, anonymous survey. This survey addressed tattoo acquisition, identified motives and goals for tattoo removal, and reported if those goals were met by the tattoo removal service. Issues involving gang affiliation and interpersonal violence were specifically queried. Results are listed as simple percentages. Results 81 of 122 (66%) program enrollees completed the survey. The average number of laser removal sessions at the time of questionnaire was 3 (range 1-15). 41% of respondents possessed gang or “crew” related tattoos. 22% of respondents possessed a tattoo related to an intimate partner who was gang affiliated. 21% of respondents desired tattoo removal for the motive of leaving gang affiliation with 94% of those respondents reporting success. 59% of respondents sought tattoo removal to improve employment opportunities with 81% of those respondents reporting success. 30% of respondents desired tattoo removal to improve personal safety or avoid violence with 80% of those respondents reporting success. Conclusion Stated client goals for tattoo removal and their subjective reports of success achieving these goals demonstrate the possible effectiveness of laser tattoo removal as a tool to help clients avoid future violence and progress toward gang disengagement. Trauma departments should consider laser tattoo removal as part of future violence prevention initiatives.
Periacetabular vascular anatomy in high-riding dysplastic hips: a CT angiographic study
Authors: Demirkale Ismail , Yaradılmış Yüksel Uğur , Uysal Ramadan Selma , Taşkesen Anıl , Ateş Ahmet , Altay Murat 
Published: November 2020

Background: Developmental hip dysplasia (DDH) is shown to have osseous and neural abnormalities but literature is sparse with investigation of vascular structures. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate periacetabular vascular structures. Methods: By computerised tomography angiography (CTA), 13 highly dislocated hips of 11 patients’ iliac bone to external iliac and obturatory artery and vein proximities were measured and compared with the same measurements of 20 healthy hips of 12 patients. Numbering from superior to inferior, a total of 7 axial images were created on the 2D CTA coronal images with 1 cm apart, the 4th being at the level of acetabular dome. Results: The mean age of the patients was 53 (18–72) years. Dysplastic hips tended to have curved (53%) and healthy hips tended to have straight iliac arteries ( p = 0.037). As compared to healthy hips, external iliac veins were significantly closer to the bone at all levels, but the external iliac arteries were closest at 1st to 4th levels ( p < 0.001) in dysplastic hips. The course of the obturatory arteries was similar in both groups ( p = 0.147). Conclusions: The external iliac artery and vein is in close proximity to the iliac bone which dangers acetabular screw, acetabular reaming or retractor placement in highly dislocated hips. The surgeon should be aware of this proximity in operations of these hips to avoid vascular complications.
Substance use identification and follow-up rates among commercial and Medicare health insurance members in primary care and other settings
Authors: Baker John G. , Doxbeck David R. , Washington Melanie E. , Horton Angela , Dunning Adam 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
The objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with substance use disorder identification and follow-up rates among samples of members of a private health insurance plan.

Methods
In an observational study, samples of claims data for 2017 for Commercial and Medicare members from a private health insurer were accessed and analyzed using descriptive statistics, decision tree analysis, and linear regression models.

Results
Commercial and Medicare members differed in age. Medicare members had higher rates of inclusion in a measure of substance use disorder than Commercial members, lower rates of initial short term follow-up, more opioid prescriptions from primary care provides, fewer prescriptions for opioid treatment, and higher rates of selected comorbid conditions. Mental health diagnoses and substance use disorder co-occurred frequently and to a greater extent in the Medicare sample. Among commercial members, there were primarily alcohol problems that increased with age, while opioid problems at about 10% peaked in the mid-twenties. More males were included among all substance types. The overall rate for an initial short term follow-up visit indicating initiation of treatment was 30%. There were large differences in the follow-up rates across settings with a very low rate (4.6% for alcohol and 6.9% for opioid) in primary care settings.

Conclusions
These results suggest that increased attention in primary care to young adult males and to older adults, may help to reduce substance use disorder rates, especially alcohol use disorders.