bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treating relapsed and refractory metastatic germ cell tumours with high-dose chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Erturk Ismail , Karadurmus Nuri , Kızıloz Halil , Acar Ramazan , Yildiz Birol , Aykan Musa Baris , Esen Ramazan , Buyukturan Galip , Urun Yuksel , Erdem Gokhan , Arpacı Fikret 
Published: October 2020

Introduction and aim To demonstrate the real-life data about patients who underwent AHSCT due to GCT. Methods Between November 2016 and April 2020, 64 patients who received CE as high-dose chemotherapy for AHSCT in the Gulhane Education and Research Hospital were included in the study. Sixty-one patients received one AHSCT with CE chemotherapy regimen. Survival data and clinical characteristics were evaluated retrospectively. Results The mean age of the patients were 31.9 ± 9 (min-max:18–55). With a median follow-up of 10.7 ± 8.7 months, the 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 57.8%, and the 1-year overall survival rate was 77.5%. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) times were 21.5 ± 1.8 (95% CI: 14.5–33.4) and 20 ± 2 months, respectively. The response rate was 72%. There were three treatment-related deaths. Conclusion This sizeable single-centre study shows that patients with relapsed metastatic GCT are curable by CE as high dose chemotherapy plus AHSCT with reliable toxicity even for a single cycle.
The Impact of Mobile Health on Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review
Authors: Salmani Hosna , Ahmadi Maryam , Shahrokhi Nafiseh 
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Mobile health is an emerging technology around the world that can be effective in cancer screening. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of mobile health applications on cancer screening. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review of studies related to the use of mobile health applications in cancer screening. We also conducted a comprehensive search of articles on cancer screening related to the use of mobile health applications in journals published between January 1, 2008, and January 31, 2019, using 5 databases: IEEE, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and PubMed. Results: A total of 23 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present review. All studies have identified positive effects of applications on cancer screening and clinical health outcomes. Furthermore, more than half of mobile applications had multiple functions such as providing information, planning and education. Moreover, most of the studies, which examined the satisfaction of patients and quality improvement, showed healthcare application users have significantly higher satisfaction of living and it leads to improving quality. Conclusion: This study found that the use of mobile health applications has a positive impact on health-related behaviours and outcomes. Application users were more satisfied with applying mobile health applications to manage their health condition in comparison with users who received conventional care.
Lifestyle and Long-Term Smoking Cessation
Authors: Sohlberg Tove , Bergmark Karin Helmersson 
Published: October 2020

Background: Since smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, discouraging smoking initiation, encouraging smoking cessation, and exploring factors that help individuals to stay smoke free are immensely important. One such relevant factor may be the impact of lifestyle for long-term smoking cessation. Method: A representative sample of successful quitters was recruited for a study about smoking cessation. These respondents are now part of a 7-year follow-up with the overall aim of revealing factors affecting long-term smoking cessation. Descriptive analyses were carried out at baseline and at follow-up, as well as a further two-step cluster analysis to explore profiles of long-term smoke-free individuals. Results: A majority did not make any particular lifestyle changes, but among those who did, most adopted a healthier lifestyle and/or increased their quota of physical training, where permanent changes in this direction seem to promote a more enduring smoke-free life. Conclusions: Individuals who want to quit smoking should be encouraged to increase their level of physical activity. Swedish health care institutions should be able to provide support for this both initially and over time to promote the long-term maintenance of a smoke-free lifestyle.
Epicardial and Endocardial Validation of Conduction Block After Thoracoscopic Epicardial Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Vroomen Mindy , Maesen Bart , Luermans Justin L. , Maessen Jos G. , Crijns Harry J. , La Meir Mark , Pison Laurent 
Published: October 2020

Objective It is unknown whether epicardial and endocardial validation of bidirectional block after thoracoscopic surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation is comparable. Epicardial validation may lead to false-positive results due to epicardial tissue edema, and thus could leave gaps with subsequent arrhythmia recurrence. It is the aim of the present study to answer this question in patients who underwent hybrid atrial fibrillation ablation (combined thoracoscopic epicardial and endocardial catheter ablation). Methods After epicardial ablation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) and connecting inferior and roof lines (box lesion), exit and entrance block were epicardially and endocardially evaluated using an endocardial His Bundle catheter and electrophysiological workstation. If incomplete lesions were found, endocardial touch-up ablation was performed. Validation results were also compared to predictions about conduction block based on tissue conductance measurements of the epicardial ablation device. Results Twenty-five patients were included. Epicardial validation results were 100% equal to the endocardial results for the left superior, left inferior, and right inferior PVs and box lesion. For the right superior PV, 85% similarity was found. Based on tissue conductance measurements, 139 lesions were expected to be complete; however, in 5 (3.6%) a gap was present. Conclusions Epicardial bidirectional conduction block in the PVs and the box lesion corresponded well with endocardial bidirectional conduction block. Conduction block predictions by changes in tissue conductance failed in few cases compared to block confirmation. This emphasizes that tissue conduction measurements can provide a rough indication of lesion effectiveness but needs endpoint confirmation by either epicardial or endocardial block testing.
Emergency Department Utilization After Administration of Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Upper Extremity Surgery
Authors: Loewenstein Scott N. , Bamba Ravinder , Adkinson Joshua M. 
Published: October 2020

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of upper extremity peripheral nerve blocks on emergency department (ED) utilization after hand and upper extremity surgery. Methods We reviewed all outpatient upper extremity surgeries performed in a single Midwestern state between January 2009 and June 2019 using the Indiana Network for Patient Care. These encounters were used to develop a database of patient demographics, comorbidities, concurrent procedures, and postoperative ED visit utilization data. We performed univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Among 108 451 outpatient surgical patients, 9079 (8.4%) received blocks. Within 1 week of surgery, a greater proportion of patients who received peripheral nerve blocks (1.4%) presented to the ED than patients who did not (0.9%) ( P < .001). The greatest risk was in the first 2 postoperative days (relative risk, 1.78; P < .001). Pain was the principal reason for ED utilization in the block cohort (53.6%) compared with those who did not undergo a block (35.1%) ( P < .001). When controlling for comorbidities and demographics, only peripheral nerve blocks (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.71; P = 0.007) and preprocedural opioid use (adjusted OR, 1.43; P = .020) conferred an independently increased risk of ED utilization within the first 2 postoperative days. Conclusions Peripheral nerve blocks used for upper extremity surgery are associated with a higher risk of unplanned ED utilization, most likely related to rebound pain. Through proper patient education and pain management, we can minimize this unnecessary resource utilization.
Risk of community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization in patients with spondyloarthritis
Authors: Chung Ho Yin , Tam Lai Shan , Chan Shirley Chiu Wai , Cheung Jason Pui Yin , Wong Pui Yan , Ciang Chu Oi , Ng Hoi Yan , Law Mei Yan , Lai Tin Lok , Wong Ching Han ,   Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology
Published: October 2020

Aims: To compare the risk of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring hospitalization in spondyloarthritis (SpA) and non-specific back pain (NSBP), and to identify the risk factors for CAP in SpA. Methods: A total of 2984 patients with SpA from 11 rheumatology centers and 2526 patients with NSBP from orthopedic units were reviewed from the centralized electronic database in Hong Kong. Incidence of CAP requiring hospitalization and demographic data including age, gender, smoking and drinking status, use of sulfasalazine, individual biological-disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used, micro-organisms, other immunosuppressants or immunosuppressive states, use of steroid for more than ½ year, and co-morbidities were identified. Risks of CAP in SpA were compared with those in NSBP using propensity score regression method. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to identify the risk factors in SpA. Results: CAP requiring hospitalization was found in 183 patients with SpA and 138 patients with NSBP. Increased risk for CAP was found in the following groups with SpA: all subgroups (hazard ratio (HR) 2.14, p < 0.001), without use of DMARDs (HR 2.64, p < 0.001), without psoriasis and not taking DMARDs (HR 2.38, p < 0.001). Infliximab (HR2.55, p = 0.04), smoking (HR 1.68, p = 0.003), comorbid psoriasis (HR 1.67, p = 0.003), and use of steroid for more than ½ year (HR 1.94, p = 0.003) were found to associate with CAP after adjustments for traditional risk factors. Conclusion: Risk of CAP is increased in patients with SpA. Our data favor universal influenza and pneumococcal vaccination programs in the population. Rheumatologists should also advise smoking cessation and avoid long term steroid therapy.
An Overview of Vesicobullous Conditions Affecting the Oral Mucosa
Authors: Hayes Emma , Challacombe Stephen J 
Published: October 2020

Vesicobullous diseases are characterised by the presence of vesicles or bullae at varying locations in the mucosa. The most common occurring in the oral cavity are mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) and pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Both are autoimmune diseases with a peak age onset of over 60 years and females are more commonly affected than men. This paper reviews the structure of the oral mucosa, with specific reference to the basement membrane zone, as well as bullous conditions affecting the mucosa, including PV and pemphigoid, their aetiology, clinical presentation, and management. Learning outcomes • Understand the common presentation of vesicobullous diseases. • Appreciate the role of investigations in diagnosis and its interpretation. • Appreciate the roles of both primary and secondary care in patient management.
Dental Pain: Dentine Sensitivity, Hypersensitivity and Cracked Tooth Syndrome
Authors: Longridge Nicholas Neil , Youngson Callum Cormack 
Published: October 2020

Dentine hypersensitivity is a frequently encountered patient complaint that can present with a number of associated factors including erosion and abrasion. The hydrodynamic mechanism responsible for dentine hypersensitivity is intimately related to the anatomical and physiological composition of teeth. Alterations to the integrity of the enamel and dentine through processes of trauma, decay and toothwear can increase dentine permeability. This gives rise to symptoms of sensitivity as dentinal fluid movement in response to thermal, chemical and mechanical cues stimulate the pulpal Aδ fibres. Restorative procedures can also rapidly change the architecture of the protective enamel and dentine layers leading to pulpal inflammation and increased thermal sensitivity of the tooth. Patient-reported symptoms of dentine hypersensitivity can be attributed to a number of possible causes and a definitive diagnosis can therefore be difficult. A full history including social and medical factors such as occupation, diet and/or medication is likely to provide significant information to aid a diagnosis. Consideration of occlusal factors should not be overlooked as these may contribute to symptoms arising from a cracked tooth. Management strategies are linked to the diagnosis – from topically applied desensitising pastes and resin bonding agents to direct restorations and possibly more advanced restorative procedures such as root canal treatment. Management should, however, be staged to enable more conservative strategies to prevail prior to considering irreversible dental interventions.
Treatment patterns of women with endometriosis in Canada
Authors: Singh Sukhbir , Soliman Ahmed M , Rahal Yasmine , Robert Catherine , Defoy Isabelle , Nisbet Paul , Leyland Nicholas 
Published: October 2020

Introduction: We aimed to characterize the treatment patterns of women with a self-reported diagnosis of endometriosis in Canada. Methods: Between December 2018 and January 2019 an online cross-sectional survey was administered to women aged 18 to 49 who were members of the Survey Sampling International and two partner panels in Canada. The survey included a prevalence screener and an endometriosis-focused section. Self-reported treatment patterns among women reporting endometriosis diagnosis were analyzed descriptively. Results: Of 30,000 survey respondents, 2004 reported an endometriosis diagnosis (prevalence after weighting of 7%). Treatment status reported by these women was: 34.2% currently treated, 35.9% with prior but no current treatment, and 27.1% never treated. Among women with prior or current treatment, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, contraceptive pills/patches, and surgical procedures were used by 42.0%, 37.1%, and 26.4%, respectively, prior to diagnosis and by 39.9%, 33.0%, and 43.5%, respectively, following diagnosis. First treatments for endometriosis most commonly reported were OTC medications (28.9%) and surgical procedures (21.6%). Second treatments were reported by 46.5% of women, with surgical procedures (26.1%) being the most frequently reported. The most commonly reported endometriosis-associated surgeries were surgical ablation/excision (37.4%). Conclusion: A relevant proportion of women with endometriosis in Canada have multiple therapies with medical management as a first line followed by surgical options. These results emphasize the need to identify more effective and specific endometriosis treatment options and novel strategies.
Understanding the risks of total hip arthroplasty in patients with von Willebrand’s disease
Authors: Yun Andrew G. , Qutami Marilena , Fischer Sean A. , Dylan Pasko Kory B. 
Published: October 2020

Purpose: Patients with von Willebrand’s disease (VWD) have either a qualitative or quantitative deficiency in a key clotting protein called von Willebrand’s factor. Type Ⅰ disease is the most common variant, but its clinical implications in total hip arthroplasty (THA) are unclear. Our purpose is to describe the perioperative impact of VWD in THA. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a total of 17 primary THAs in 14 patients with type Ⅰ VWD performed between 2008 and 2019. Almost all cases (88%) received tranexamic acid, and most (59%) received DDAVP. All patients had a direct anterior approach (DAA) THA. Results: None of these cases required a blood transfusion. Mean estimated blood loss was 229 mL, and the mean hemoglobin dropped from 13.9 g/dL to 10.2 g/dL. There were no major bleeding complications. After a mean follow-up of 4 years, the mean hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score, junior (HOOS, JR) was 79, and there were no reoperations or revisions for any cause. Conclusion: Patients with type Ⅰ VWD do not experience severe bleeding with routine chemoprophylaxis combined with DAA THA.
Distal Chevron Osteotomy Increases Anatomic Intermetatarsal Angle in Hallux Valgus
Authors: Chan Jeremy Y. , Noori Naudereh , Chen Stephanie , Pfeffer Glenn B. , Charlton Timothy P. , Thordarson David B. 
Published: October 2020

Background: Distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy (DCO) is a common technique to address hallux valgus (HV), which involves coronal translation of the capital fragment resulting in a nonanatomic first metatarsal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic effect of the DCO on the anatomic vs the mechanical axis of the first metatarsal. Our hypothesis was that patients undergoing DCO would have improvement in the mechanical metatarsal axis but worsening of the anatomic axis. Methods: This was a retrospective case series of consecutive patients who underwent DCO for HV. The primary outcomes were the change in anatomic first–second intermetatarsal angle (a1-2IMA) vs mechanical first–second intermetatarsal angle (m1-2IMA). Secondary outcomes included the change in hallux valgus angle (HVA) and medial sesamoid position. Results: 40 feet were analyzed with a mean follow-up of 21.2 weeks. The a1-2IMA increased significantly (mean, 4.1 degrees) whereas the m1-2IMA decreased significantly (mean, 4.6 degrees) following DCO. There was a significant improvement in HVA (mean, 12.5 degrees). Medial sesamoid position was improved in 21 feet (52.5%). Patients with no improvement in sesamoid position were found to have a larger increase in a1-2IMA (mean, 4.7 vs 3.5 degrees, P = .03) and less improvement in m1-2IMA (mean, 3.8 vs 5.2 degrees, P = .02) compared to patients with improvement in sesamoid position. Conclusion: Distal chevron osteotomy for HV was associated with worsening of the anatomic axis of the first metatarsal despite improvements in the mechanical metatarsal axis, HVA, and medial sesamoid position. Greater worsening of the anatomic axis was associated with less improvement of sesamoid position. Our findings may suggest the presence of intermetatarsal instability, which could limit the power of DCO in HV correction for more severe deformities and provide a mechanism for HV recurrence. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Hydration of Na-saturated synthetic stevensite, a peculiar trioctahedral smectite
Authors: Vinci Doriana , Lanson Bruno , Lanson Martine , Magnin Valérie , Findling Nathaniel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSmectite interlayer water plays a key role in the mobility of elements and molecules and affects a variety of geological processes. In trioctahedral smectites, in contrast to saponite and hectorite, the layer charge of which originates from isomorphic substitutions, the stevensite layer charge originates from the presence of octahedral vacancies. Despite its common occurrence in lacustrine environments, stevensite hydration has received little attention compared to saponite and hectorite. Early reports mention a specific hydration behaviour, however, with the systematic presence of a low-angle reflection attributed to the regular interstratification of various hydration states. The present study aims to revisit this specific hydration behaviour in more depth. Within this scope, the hydration behaviour of the three smectite varieties above are compared using synthetic trioctahedral smectites of similar layer charge and various compositions of their octahedral sheets. The chemical composition of the octahedral sheet does not appear to influence significantly smectite hydration for saponite and hectorite. Compared to its saponite and hectorite equivalents, H2O content in stevensite is lower by ~2.0 mmol H2O per g of dry clay. Consistent with this lower H2O content, Zn-stevensite lacks a stable monohydrated state, with dehydrated layers prevailing from 60% to 0% relative humidity. The presence of the regular interstratification of 0W and 1W layers is responsible for the low-angle reflection commonly observed for stevensite under air-dried conditions. Finally, the stevensite identification method based on X-ray diffraction of heated and ethylene glycol-solvated samples is challenged by the possible influence of the octahedral sheet chemical composition (Zn or Mg in the present study) on hectorite swelling behaviour in synthetic Zn-smectites. The origin of this effect remains undetermined and further work is needed to propose a more general identification method.
Salt-induced expression of intracellular vesicle trafficking genes, CaRab-GTP, and their association with Na+ accumulation in leaves of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Sweetman Crystal , Khassanova Gulmira , Miller Troy K. , Booth Nicholas J. , Kurishbayev Akhylbek , Jatayev Satyvaldy , Gupta Narendra K. , Langridge Peter , Jenkins Colin L.D. , Soole Kathleen L. , Day David A. , Shavrukov Yuri 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Chickpea is an important legume and is moderately tolerant to salinity stress during the growing season. However, the level and mechanisms for salinity tolerance can vary among accessions and cultivars. A large family of CaRab-GTP genes, previously identified in chickpea, is homologous to intracellular vesicle trafficking superfamily genes that play essential roles in response to salinity stress in plants.

Results
To determine which of the gene family members are involved in the chickpea salt response, plants from six selected chickpea accessions (Genesis 836, Hattrick, ICC12726, Rupali, Slasher and Yubileiny) were exposed to salinity stress and expression profiles resolved for the major CaRab-GTP gene clades after 5, 9 and 15 days of salt exposure. Gene clade expression profiles (using degenerate primers targeting all members of each clade) were tested for their relationship to salinity tolerance measures, namely plant biomass and Na+ accumulation. Transcripts representing 11 out of the 13 CaRab clades could be detected by RT-PCR, but only six (CaRabA2, −B, −C, −D, −E and −H) could be quantified using qRT-PCR due to low expression levels or poor amplification efficiency of the degenerate primers for clades containing several gene members. Expression profiles of three gene clades, CaRabB, −D and −E, were very similar across all six chickpea accessions, showing a strongly coordinated network. Salt-induced enhancement of CaRabA2 expression at 15 days showed a very strong positive correlation (R2 = 0.905) with Na+ accumulation in leaves. However, salinity tolerance estimated as relative plant biomass production compared to controls, did not correlate with Na+ accumulation in leaves, nor with expression profiles of any of the investigated CaRab-GTP genes.

Conclusion
A coordinated network of CaRab-GTP genes, which are likely involved in intracellular trafficking, are important for the salinity stress response of chickpea plants.