bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Safety of Negative Pressure Aspiration in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Infectious Kidney Stones: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Chen Wei , He Hui , Chen Xingfa , Long Qinzhi , Zhang Na , LI Xiang 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the preferred treatment for large and complex infectious kidney stones but is associated with a risk of urosepsis due to elevated renal pelvic pressure. Negative pressure aspiration during PCNL may mitigate this risk by continuously evacuating irrigation fluid, stone fragments, and bacteria, thereby lowering intrarenal pressure and reducing postoperative complications. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of PCNL with negative pressure aspiration for treating infectious kidney stones.
Methods
A retrospective study included 126 patients with infectious renal stones treated from October 2017 to May 2024. Among them, 57 underwent conventional mini-PCNL, and 69 received mini-PCNL with negative pressure aspiration. Demographic data and perioperative parameters, including operation time, blood loss, hospital stay, and stone clearance rate (SCR), were recorded. Blood loss was assessed by hemoglobin changes, and inflammatory responses were measured using serum IL-6 and procalcitonin (PCT) levels. Postoperative complications were classified using the Modified Clavien-Dindo Classification system.
Results
Negative pressure aspiration significantly improved primary SCR (79.7% vs. 59.6%) and reduced postoperative fever incidence (8.7% vs. 31.6%) compared to conventional PCNL. The incidence of urosepsis was lower (2.9% vs. 14%), and blood loss was reduced, with fewer transfusions required. Patients treated with negative pressure aspiration recovered faster, resuming normal activities in an average of 2.41 ± 1.35 days compared to 3.05 ± 1.78 days for conventional PCNL patients. The average hospital stay was shorter for patients with negative pressure aspiration (3.44 vs. 4.47 days).
Conclusions
Negative pressure aspiration during PCNL offers significant benefits, including improved stone clearance, reduced postoperative complications, lower infection risk, and faster recovery. This technique should be considered a preferred option for treating infectious kidney stones, demonstrating superior surgical outcomes and enhanced patient recovery compared to traditional PCNL.
The application effectiveness of the “One Case to the End” teaching model based on BOPPPS in Pediatric Nursing: A quasi-experimental study
Authors: Xiao Xuejun , Xie Ying , Zhao Xiangfeng , Dai Xiaohong , Liang Feng , Wang Wanchao , Zhang Xianhua 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background/Aim The traditional teacher-centered teaching method of pediatric nursing only focuses on the imparting of knowledge, ignoring the cultivation of students’ autonomous learning abilities and the establishment of critical thinking skills. Moreover, the humanized care for pediatric patients is merely a formality, which can’t make a deep impression. This study aimed to explore the application effectiveness of the “One Case to the End” teaching model based on BOPPPS in pediatric nursing teaching. Materials&methods A quasi-experimental research design was conducted in this study. A total of 276 nursing undergraduates from Grades 2020 and 2021 of a medical college were randomly selected, with 138 students in the Grade 2020 serving as the control group and receiving the traditional teaching model, while the students of Grade 2021 served as the experimental group and implemented the “One Case to the End” teaching model based on BOPPPS. At the end of the semester, the study compared the two groups of students’ academic performance, the level of nurses’ professional values and critical thinking abilities. Additionally, it surveyed the experimental group’s satisfaction with the curriculum teaching reform. Results The academic performance, the score of nurses’ professional values and the score of critical thinking abilities of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P < 0.01), and the students in the experimental group had a relatively high evaluation of the reform satisfaction with the new teaching model. Conclusion The “One Case to the End” teaching model based on BOPPPS can effectively enhance students’ academic performance, nurses’ professional values and critical thinking abilities, and improve the teaching quality of pediatric nursing.
Sex-Related Disparities in Outcomes of Survival in Biliary Tract Cancer Patients
Authors: Sever Nadiye , Yunusov Emil , Majidova Nargiz , Kocaaslan Erkam , Erel Pınar , Ağyol Yeşim , Güren Ali Kaan , Çelebi Abdussamet , Işık Selver , Bayoğlu İbrahim Vedat , Köstek Osman , Sarı Murat 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a rare and aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. Despite treatment, overall survival is less than 12 months. It is a proven fact that women have better chemotherapy responses and survival than men in almost all cancer types. We believe that gender is one of the important factors affecting the prognosis of BTC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of gender on prognosis in this type of cancer.
Methods
This study was designed as a single-centre retrospective analysis of patients with BTC. All patients, regardless of operability, were included in the study. Prognostic factors were analysed using univariate and multivariate analysis.
Results
A total of 100 patients (48% female) were included in the study. The median follow-up time was 72.2 months (95% CI 39.3–105.0), and the median OS was 9.5 months (95% CI 5.3–13.8) for all study patients. The 72-month survival rate was 13.4%. The observed survival rates at 10.4% for male patients and 15.7% for female patients demonstrate the importance of considering gender as a prognostic factor. A multivariate analysis indicated a significant association between female gender and longer overall survival, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.59 (95% CI 0.38–0.92, p = 0.02).
Conclusion
It is clear that female gender is associated with a better response to chemotherapy and longer survival in BTCs. These findings should be taken into account in treatment selection and prognosis predictions. Further research may help elucidate the mechanisms underlying these sex differences and help develop more effective treatments.
Intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics analysis for prediction of MGMT methylation status in glioblastoma
Authors: Chen Wang-Sheng , Cai Qin-Lei , Wang Fei , Wang Xue-Hua , Fu Fang-xiong , Hong Lan , Su Li 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
The assessment of MGMT promoter methylation is essential for determining the appropriate therapy for glioblastoma. However, prior studies have primarily focused on intratumoral regions, neglecting the peritumoral area. This study aimed to develop a radiomic model utilizing features from both intratumoral and peritumoral regions derived from MRI images.
Methods
The study included 96 glioblastoma patients who were randomly divided into training and testing sets. Radiomic features were extracted from both tumor and peritumor regions. We constructed radiomic models based on intratumoral, peritumoral, and combined features for comparison. The models were evaluated using the area under the receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC).
Results
The combined radiomic model achieved an AUC of 0.814 (95% confidence interval: 0.767–0.862) in the training set and 0.808 (95% confidence interval: 0.736–0.859) in the testing set, surpassing the performance of models based solely on intratumoral or peritumoral features. Additionally, calibration and decision curves indicated excellent model fit and clinical utility.
Conclusions
The radiomics model incorporating both intratumoral and peritumoral features shows promise in differentiating MGMT status, which can inform clinical treatment strategies for glioblastoma.
Impact of a new image enhancement technology on the nuchal translucency thickness
Authors: Elger Tania , Prodan Natalia , Bettecken Kristina , Sonek Jiri , Kagan Karl Oliver 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objective: To examine the impact of a new image enhancement technique on the distribution of NT measurements.
Methods: In this retrospective study, nuchal translucency (NT) images that were taken with the GE Voluson E22 ultrasound machine between May and September 2024 were collected. One operator took manual and automated NT measurements in an NT image without radiant enhancement mode followed by automated measurements in NT images with minimum, medium and maximum radiant mode. The automated measurement in the NT images without radiant mode were considered gold standard. The relative bias of the gold standard, the manual measurement and the automated measurements with the radiant enhancement technology were compared using median and 25-75th interquartile range as well as by the Wilcoxon test.
Results: The database search yielded 352 NT images from 101 pregnant women. Average maternal age of the study population was 34.0 years and average crown rump length was 68.3.
The median NT thickness was 1.7 mm for both the manual and automated measurements done without the use of Radiant mode. The median automated measurement with minimum, medium and maximum radiant mode was 2.00, 2.05 and 2.10 mm, respectively. All automated measurements were significantly higher than the gold standard.
Discussion: The use of the radiant mode results in an increase in the NT thickness. This effect should be taken into account when calculating the risk for chromosomal abnormalities.
Incidence of In-Hospital Mortality and Its Determinants among Intensive Care Unit Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Abate Semagn Mekonnen , Kebede Melkamu , Hailu Seyoum , Adamu Yayeh , Mantefardo Bahru , Meno Abinet , Lafebo Lakew 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a heterogeneous syndrome with substantial morbidity and mortality globally. Body of evidence revealed that the epidemiologic estimates are currently disproportional due to differences in patient populations, risk factors, resources, and practice protocols around the world, and the rate of mortality and its predictors are uncertain in Ethiopia.
Method
A multi-centre longitudinal study was conducted in Ethiopia from January 2018 to June 2023. After receiving ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Dilla University College of Health Science and Medicine, 356 ARDS patients’ records were retrieved with a systematic random sampling technique. A multilevel multivariate analysis was used to control the effect of clustering. A P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.
Results
This study demonstrated that the cumulative mortality rate of patients with ARDS was 59% (95% CI: 53.5 to 63.9). The multilevel multivariable model analysis showed that GCS < 8 (AOR = 7.4; 95% CI: 2.79, 19.75), severe form of ARDS (AOR 4.7 95% CI 1.64, 13.36), invasive ventilation (AOR 3.2, 95% CI 1.56, 6.42), and respiratory comorbidity (AOR 4.9, 95% CI 1.71, 14.32) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality among patients with ARDS.
Conclusion
The study revealed that the hospital mortality rate was substantially higher than that of developed nations. The study also highlighted various risk factors that independently predicted in-hospital mortality.The findings of this study call for mitigating strategies to improve ICU care for ARDS patients.
Effect of Sprouting on the Physicochemical, Antioxidant and Digestive Enzyme Inhibitory Properties of Pro-vitamin a Biofortified Yellow Maize Products
Authors: Emmanuel Ajani O. , Adeyeye Quadri Adeyinka , Emmanuel Irondi A. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background Sprouting is one of the many processing techniques the food industry explores to improve the nutritional quality of cereals and other grains. Pro-vitamin biofortified maize alleviates Vitamin A deficiency and serves as an important source of antioxidants. This study aimed to determine the effect of sprouting on the physicochemical, antioxidant, and digestive enzyme inhibitory properties of pro-vitamin A biofortified maize. The maize grown at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) research field, Ibadan was initially subjected to analysis in which the proximate composition, functional properties, bioactive composition, antioxidant activity, and starch hydrolyzing inhibitory activity were carried out before sprouting. The samples of the sprouted maize were collected for different days (Day 1 to 4) and were further analyzed. Samples were further processed into donkwa, tuwo, and corn pudding using the traditional processing method, then analyzed for bioactive contents and blood glucose response in volunteers. Results obtained were analyzed using the SPSS software package and the mean values were compared.Results In the result, the proximate composition, functional properties, bioactive composition, antioxidant activity, and starch hydrolyzing inhibitory activity of the sprouted samples increased considerably compared to the non-sprouted (control). The proximate composition and digestive enzyme inhibitory activity of the samples increased with an increase in the day of sprouting. The bioactive composition of the day 3 sprouted sample varied significantly when compared with others including the control. The antioxidant activity of day 3 and 4 vary significantly compared to the control. The bioactive components in the products increased in their concentration with an increase in the day of sprouting. The blood glucose response in the volunteered subjects was higher in tuwo than donkwa and corn pudding.Conclusion The sprouting of provitamin A biofortified yellow maize enhanced antioxidants, protein, moisture, carbohydrates, hydrolyzing enzymes, and other essential nutritive substances.
Evaluating Implementation Strategies for Clinical Practice Guidelines in Ambulance Services: A Systematic Review Using the CFIR Framework
Authors: Maria A/Pro Sonja , Brewster Lyle , Gray Brianna 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are crucial for standardising care, improving quality, and supporting evidence-based decision-making in emergency medical services. However, their implementation in emergency medical services (EMS) is often hindered by diverse challenges, including resource constraints, workforce variability, and organisational differences. Addressing these barriers requires targeted strategies tailored to the unique demands of paramedic environments.
Methods
This systematic review evaluated implementation strategies for CPGs in EMS using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) as a guiding structure. Following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, focusing on studies from the past 20 years. Included studies examined CPG implementation strategies such as training, leadership interventions, and technology adoption. Data were extracted, synthesised, and analysed within CFIR domains to explore the factors influencing adherence and outcomes.
Results
A total of 41 studies met the inclusion criteria, highlighting significant variability in CPG implementation success across regions and contexts. Key barriers included resource dependency, protocol complexity, and resistance to change, particularly in under-resourced and rural settings. Facilitators included adaptable protocols, leadership engagement, and structured training programs. Tailored interventions, such as scenario-based training and collaborative frameworks, demonstrated improved adherence and patient outcomes, with sustainability influenced by organisational readiness and external pressures.
Conclusion
Effective implementation of CPGs in EMS requires multifaceted approaches that address barriers across CFIR domains. Leadership engagement, adaptable protocols, and equitable resource allocation are critical for enhancing adherence and improving patient outcomes. These findings provide actionable insights to inform policy, practice, and future research.
Dietary Risk Factors of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study in Western Algeria
Authors: Boumansour Naouel Fatima Zohra , Kehili Hakima , Bemgueddach Aicha , Boughrara Wefa , Midoun Nori 
Published: December 2024

Objective:
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a prevalent cancer in Algeria, where it ranks as the most common cancer of the aerodigestive tract in men,
with an incidence rate of 5.1 cases per 100,000 persons per year. The etiology of NPC is multifactorial. Thus, this research aims to identify specific
dietary risk factors prevalent in the western Algerian region.

Methods:
We conducted a case-control study comprising 120 incident cases of histologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma, carefully matched with
120 controls.

Results:
Nasopharyngeal cancer, more common in males (average age 45.2 ± 2.5 years), is linked to consuming traditionally preserved foods (khlii, salted
fats, boiled milk, processed meats), elevating NPC risk. Significant associations include hot chili peppers, citrus fruits, and dried vegetables, while
increased fruit and coffee intake reduces risk. High-temperature cooking and fried food show a strong link. Multivariate analysis identifies hot
chilli, citrus fruits, fresh fruits, and coffee as the key factors significantly associated with NPC.

Conclusion:
This research provides essential insights for implementing primary prevention measures to combat nasopharyngeal carcinoma effectively. By
identifying specific dietary risk factors prevalent in the western Algerian region, healthcare authorities can focus on targeted interventions to
reduce the burden of NPC in this population.
Identification of a Ubiquitination‑Related Signature for Ovarian Cancer Based on 101 Combinations of Machine Learning Methods
Authors: He Miao , Guo Yu , Yu Minmin , Lin Changsong 
Published: December 2024

Background:
Ovarian cancer is the third most common gynecological cancer worldwide.
The majority of ovarian cancer instances are identified at later stages of progression, resulting in a
significantly elevated mortality rate. Additionally, the absence of reliable prognostic biomarkers
significantly limits the effectiveness of prediction and personalized treatment approaches. Ubiquitination,
a protein modification process intricately associated with diverse tumor-related biological
pathways, occupies a central position within the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, its specific
mechanisms in ovarian cancer remain inadequately understood.

Methods:
In this study, we explored ubiquitination-related genes at both single-cell and bulk transcriptome
levels utilizing algorithms, such as AddModuleScore, single-sample Gene Set Enrichment
Analysis (ssGSEA), and Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). We
then designed a novel machine learning framework featuring 10 algorithms and 101 combinations
to establish a Ubiquitination-Related Signature (URS), which was validated in both training and external
datasets. Additionally, we developed a comprehensive nomogram for clinical prognosis based
on the URS. To thoroughly investigate prognostic characteristics, we applied multi-omics data. This
analysis provided a deep understanding of the prognostic signature. Furthermore, we assessed the
response of different risk subgroups to immunotherapy and identified suitable drugs for specific risk
profiles, thereby advancing personalized medicine.

Results:
In this research, we discovered 35 ubiquitination-related genes significantly linked to the
prognosis of ovarian cancer. Our univariate and multivariate assessments indicated that the low-risk
cohort exhibited a better survival rate than the high-risk cohort, suggesting the potential of the model
as an independent prognostic marker. The nomogram based on the URS offers a quantitative tool
for clinical applications and can be effectively utilized in healthcare settings. Moreover, we observed
significant differences in biological functions, mutation patterns, and immune cell infiltration
within the tumor microenvironment between the high-risk and low-risk groups. Additionally,
we highlighted potential drugs tailored for specific risk categories.

Conclusion:
We developed and validated a signature related to ubiquitination for ovarian cancer,
which shows potential as a reliable predictor of prognosis. Investigating ubiquitination paves the
way for innovative clinical strategies and novel anti-tumor therapies.
Expression of CD68+ Cells in Synovial Tissue from Patients with PsA and its Association with Disease Activity Indices: A Clinical Pilot Study
Authors: Popova-Belova Stanislava , Geneva-Popova Mariela , Popova Velichka , Kraev Krasimir 
Published: December 2024

Introduction:
Investigating CD68+ positive cells in the synovial tissue is crucial for understanding
the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and developing targeted treatment strategies.
The role of CD68+ positive cells in the synovial tissue of patients with PsA for joint destruction
has not been fully studied.

Objective:
The objective of the study was to examine the presence of CD68+ cells in the synovial
tissue of patients with PsA, particularly those with high inflammatory activity.

Methods:
Synovial tissue samples were collected during knee joint replacement surgeries from patients
with PsA (16 patients) and gonarthrosis (25 patients). Immunohistochemical methods were
employed to detect CD68+ cell expression in the tissue samples. The results were analyzed by histologists,
and the staining intensity and percentage of positively stained cells were evaluated. The
data were then divided into three groups for statistical analysis: negative, weakly positive, and
strongly positive histological samples. Routine indices for disease activity, VAS, DAPSA, PASDAI,
and mCPDAI were used to assess PsA activity in all patients and to assess correlations with
CD68+ positive cells in the synovial tissue. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version
26.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results:
The expression of CD68+ positive cells was significantly higher in patients with PsA compared
to those with activated gonarthrosis (p < 0.001). The indices for disease activity, VAS, DAPSA,
PASDAI, mCPDAI, and mCPDAI showed a significant positive relationship with the expression
of CD68 + cells on synovial tissue in patients with PsA (p < 0.01)

Conclusion:
The findings of the study confirm the increased numbers of CD68+ cells in PsA vs.
gonathrosis synovium. This suggests the need to explore therapeutic approaches aimed at suppressing
or blocking CD68+ cells to potentially mitigate joint damage.