bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discharge Prescription Patterns for Antiplatelet Therapy Following Lower Extremity Peripheral Vascular Intervention
Authors: Singh Nikhil , Ding Li , Magee Gregory A. , Shavelle David M. , Kashyap Vikram S. , Garg Parveen K. 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Despite current guidelines suggesting a benefit for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following peripheral vascular intervention (PVI), there are limited data on antiplatelet prescribing patterns post-procedure. We attempted to determine variables associated with DAPT prescription following lower extremity PVI.

Methods:
Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing lower extremity PVI in the Vascular Quality Initiative (2017–2018) was performed. Participants not on anticoagulation or DAPT before the procedure were considered for the final analysis. Postdischarge antiplatelet therapy regimen rates were determined (none, aspirin only, P2Y12 inhibitor only, and DAPT). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine variables associated with DAPT initiation compared with those discharged on single-agent or no antiplatelet therapy.

Results:
A total of 16 597 procedures were included for analysis, with 49% initiated on DAPT post-PVI. Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.12 [95% CI, 1.05–1.20]), smoking (OR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.09–1.32]), and coronary artery disease (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.11–1.27]) were associated with an increased likelihood of post-PVI DAPT prescription. Procedures requiring multiple types of interventions (OR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.15–1.42]), stent placement (OR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.06–1.27]), and with complications (OR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.14–1.52]) were also positively associated with DAPT prescription.

Conclusions:
In patients not already receiving anticoagulation or on DAPT at the time of lower extremity PVI, prescription of DAPT following intervention is ≈50%. Multiple factors were associated with the decision for DAPT versus single antiplatelet therapy, and further study is required to understand how this affects postintervention adverse limb and cardiovascular events.
The Use of the Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) of the Embryonic Chick for the Direct Assessment of Implant Toxicity
Authors: Monro P.P. , Knight D.P. , Pringle W.S. , Fyfe D.M. , Shearer J.R. 
Published: August 2020

The toxicity of implant materials requires investigation prior to clinical use. We have developed a method where materials are directly applied to the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of 9-day-old chick embryos and toxicity is assessed using histological criteria. We evaluated the method using metal foils. The number and organisation of fibroblasts seemed to be the most useful criteria for assessing metal toxicity. Differences were greatest after 10 days of culture on the CAM. The method is sensitive enough to enable us to discriminate between the less toxic aluminium and titanium and the highly toxic cobalt, nickel and tungsten. The proposed method has advantages over in vitro techniques which provide an abnormal fluid environment and in which the more complex interactions that are possible between implant materials and tissue in vivo cannot be modelled.
Qualification of EYTEX® Data: A User's Guide
Authors: Martin Cliff G. 
Published: August 2020

The EYTEX® system has been shown to be a very useful tool in the in vitro testing of toiletry raw materials. However, the interpretation of the results is not always simple. It requires an understanding of the physicochemical characteristics of the samples and of their interactions with components of the EYTEX® system. The results of 364 assays using the EYTEX® standard assay, membrane partition assay, rapid membrane assay and upright membrane assay protocols have been collated against the problem areas for each method. These assays were performed on a collection of 18 pure surfactant raw materials and also on blends of surfactants. The results for 18 surfactants are reviewed according to surfactant type and interpreted with reference to the concentration-response curve for each material. This paper describes the problem areas of inhibition, interference and negative optical densities associated with the non-qualification of EYTEX® assays, and shows how they have been overcome. In conclusion, some guidelines for using a concentration-response assay are given, so that the optimum concentration for a dose-response assay for a new sample can be obtained with the minimum waste of time or reagents.
Evaluation of the Immunotoxicity of Antiretroviral Drugs Using an In Vitro Method for the Induction and Measurement of a Specific Antibody Response in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes
Authors: Luzzati Alma L. , Giacomini Elena , Giordani Luciana 
Published: August 2020

We studied the effects of the antiretroviral drugs 3’-azido-3’-deoxythymidine (AZT) and 2’,3’-dideoxycytidine (DDC) on the induction of a specific primary antibody response to the antigen SRC and on Pokeweed mitogen-induced polyclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) production in cultures of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The results presented here show that AZT and DDC inhibited both systems in a dose-dependent way. However, inhibition of the antigen-specific antibody response occurred at drug concentrations significantly lower than those effective on the mitogen-driven polyclonal response. This was particularly striking for DDC, which was approximately 100 times more powerful, on a molar basis, on the specific antibody response than on polyclonal Ig production. Thus, in vitro systems for the induction of antigen-specific antibody responses in human lymphocytes may be important, sensitive tools for preclinical studies of the immunotoxicity of antiretroviral drugs.
COVID-19 and Hospital Palliative Care – A service evaluation exploring the symptoms and outcomes of 186 patients and the impact of the pandemic on specialist Hospital Palliative Care
Authors: Hetherington Lucy , Johnston Bridget , Kotronoulas Grigorios , Finlay Fiona , Keeley Paul , McKeown Alistair 
Published: August 2020

Background: Patients hospitalised with COVID-19 have increased morbidity and mortality, which requires extensive involvement of specialist Hospital Palliative Care Teams. Evaluating the response to the surge in demand for effective symptom management can enhance provision of Palliative Care in this patient population. Aim: To characterise the symptom profile, symptom management requirements and outcomes of hospitalised COVID-19 positive patients referred for Palliative Care, and to contextualise Palliative Care demands from COVID-19 against a ‘typical’ caseload from 2019. Design: Service evaluation based on a retrospective cohort review of patient records. Setting/participants: One large health board in Scotland. Demographic data, patient symptoms, drugs/doses for symptom control, and patient outcomes were captured for all COVID-19 positive patients referred to Hospital Palliative Care Teams between 30th March and 26th April 2020. Results: Our COVID-19 cohort included 186 patients (46% of all referrals). Dyspnoea and agitation were the most prevalent symptoms (median 2 symptoms per patient). 75% of patients were prescribed continuous subcutaneous infusion for symptom control, which was effective in 78.6% of patients. Compared to a ‘typical’ caseload, the COVID-19 cohort were on caseload for less time (median 2 vs 5 days; p < 0.001) and had a higher death rate (80.6% vs 30.3%; p < 0.001). The COVID-19 cohort replaced ‘typical’ caseload; overall numbers of referrals were not increased. Conclusions: Hospitalised COVID-19 positive patients referred for Palliative Care may have a short prognosis, differ from ‘typical’ caseload, and predominantly suffer from dyspnoea and agitation. Such symptoms can be effectively controlled with standard doses of opioids and benzodiazepines.
The efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases: a retrospective evaluation of 515 patients
Authors: Tekeli Arzu Esen , Eker Esra , Bartin Mehmet Kadir , Öner Muzaffer Önder 
Published: August 2020

Objective To compare patients that received intravenous (i.v.) analgesics with those that received transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods This retrospective study enrolled patients that had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy and divided them into two groups: the i.v. analgesic group (controls; group A) and the TAP block group (group T). Data retrieved from the medical records included postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, total hospital stay, additional analgesic requirements and the occurrence of nausea and vomiting. Results A total of 515 patients were included (group A, n = 247; group T, n = 268). Postoperative VAS pain scores at 0, 2, 4 and 6 h and the need for additional analgesics were significantly lower in group T than in group A. Postoperative VAS pain scores at 12 and 24 h were significantly higher in group T than in group A. Postoperative nausea and vomiting were significantly lower in group T than in group A. The rate of ICU admission in group T was significantly lower than in group A. Conclusions Effective postoperative analgesia can be achieved with TAP block and undesirable effects can be reduced.
Artificial dermal substitutes for tissue regeneration: comparison of the clinical outcomes and histological findings of two templates
Authors: De Francesco Francesco , Busato Alice , Mannucci Silvia , Zingaretti Nicola , Cottone Giuseppe , Amendola Francesco , De Francesco Marialuisa , Merigo Flavia , Riccio Valentina , Vaienti Luca , Parodi Pier Camillo , Sbarbati Andrea , Riccio Michele 
Published: August 2020

Objective Artificial dermal substitutes (DSs) are fundamental in physiological wound healing to ensure consistent and enduring wound closure and provide a suitable scaffold to repair tissue. We compared the clinical and histological features of two DSs, Pelnac and Integra, in the treatment of traumatic and iatrogenic skin defects. Methods This prospective observational study involved 71 randomly selected patients from our hospital. Wound healing was analyzed using the Wound Surface Area Assessment, the Vancouver Scar Scale, and a visual analog scale. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluations were also performed. Results At 2 weeks, greater regeneration with respect to proliferation of the epidermis and renewal of the dermis was observed with Pelnac than with Integra. At 4 weeks, the dermis had regenerated with both DSs. Both templates induced renewed collagen and revascularization. Differences in the Vancouver Scar Scale score were statistically significant at 4 weeks and 1 year. Pelnac produced a significant increase in contraction at 2 weeks with increasing effectiveness at 4 weeks. Integra produced a higher percentage reduction in the wound surface area and a shorter healing time than Pelnac for wounds >1.5 cm deep. Conclusion Our observational data indicate that both DSs are effective and applicable in different clinical contexts.
Ikaros is heterogeneously expressed in lung adenocarcinoma and is involved in its progression
Authors: Zhao Wei , Chen Tong-bing , Wang Hui 
Published: August 2020

Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of the Ikaros transcription factor (IKZF1) in lung adenocarcinoma and investigate whether expression levels of Ikaros are correlated with lung adenocarcinoma progression. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 325 cases of resected stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma, in which histological subtyping was performed according to the 2015 World Health Organization classification. We performed immunohistochemical examinations to assess expression of Ikaros in pulmonary adenocarcinomas and evaluated the correlation between Ikaros expression and cancer progression. Results Immunohistochemical staining was heterogeneous, with the majority of well-differentiated and moderately differentiated lung adenocarcinomas being weakly positive and the majority of the poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinomas exhibiting strong positive staining. Higher expression of Ikaros was associated with tumor recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions Ikaros is heterogeneously expressed in different subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma; higher expression of Ikaros was found to be associated with cancer progression.
Analysis of characteristics of vulvo-vaginal infections in 14- to 18-year-old girls in late puberty
Authors: Xu Ling , Hu Zhengqiang , Yu Fan , Tang Yuanting 
Published: August 2020

Objective This study aimed to determine the characteristics of vulvo-vaginal infections in 14- to 18-year-old girls in late puberty. Methods From July 2016 to June 2019, 487 14- to 18-year-old girls with vulvo-vaginal infection in late puberty in West China Second University Hospital were retrospectively studied. The incidence of bacterial vaginosis (BV), the intermediate type of BV, vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (VVC), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), and differences among the incidence of these infections for patients with different ages were analyzed. Results The incidence of BV, the intermediate type of BV, TV, VVC, and unknown pathogenic vaginitis was 25.67%, 19.30%, 2.46%, 29.37%, and 23.20%, respectively. The incidence of BV and VVC was significantly higher than that of TV. The incidence of BV in the 17-year-old group was significantly higher than that in other age groups. The incidence of VVC and non- albicans Candida infection in the 17- and 18-year-old groups was significantly higher than that in the 14-year-old group. Conclusion Girls in late puberty are more susceptible to suffer from BV and VVC than TV infections. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the effects of menstrual hygiene, female estrogen levels, the vaginal internal environment, and hygiene in vulvo-vaginal infection at this stage.
Symptom Burden and Unmet Needs in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Exploratory Analyses From the RESPECT-Meso Study
Authors: Hoon Siao Nge , Lawrie Iain , Qi Cathy , Rahman Najib , Maskell Nick , Forbes Karen , Gerry Stephen , Monterosso Leanne , Chauhan Anoop , Brims Fraser J. H. 
Published: August 2020

Objective: Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) has a poor prognosis and high symptom burden. RESPECT-Meso was a multicenter randomized study examining the role of early specialist palliative care (SPC) on quality of life (QoL) with MPM. This is a post-hoc exploratory analysis of the symptom burden and unmet needs identified from RESPECT-Meso participants. Methods: Exploratory analysis from 174 participants using the General Health Status (GHS) measure (from the EORTC QLQ-C30 QoL questionnaire) and 87 participants using validated assessment questionnaires in those randomized to SPC. Eligibility for the study included confirmed MPM with diagnosis <6 weeks prior, performance score (PS) 0 or 1, no significant physical or psychological comorbidity. Cox proportional hazards models were derived to examine for relationships with survival. Free text was assessed using content analysis, looking for common themes and words. Results: Participants were predominantly male (79.9%), mean age 72.8 years, PS was 0 in 38%, 78% of MPM was epithelioid. At least 3 symptoms were reported in 69.8% of participants, including fatigue (81%), dyspnea (73.3%), pain (61.2%), weight loss (59.3%). Anxiety was reported by 54.7% of participants, 52.3% low mood and 48.8% anhedonia symptoms. After multivariable adjustment, only pain remained statistically significant with a hazard ratio (HR) 2.9 (95% CI 1.3-6.7; p = 0.01). For each 1 unit increase in GHS score, the HR for death was 0.987 (0.978-0.996; p = 0.006), indicating a worse reported QoL is related to shorter survival. Unmet needs were common: 25.9% wanted more information about their condition, 24.7% about their care and 21.2% about their treatment. 79.1% were concerned about the effect of their illness on family. Conclusion: There is a high symptom burden in mesothelioma despite good baseline performance status. A worse QoL is associated with a worse survival. Unmet needs are common, perhaps highlighting a need for improved communication and information sharing.
Female Authorship in Radiology: Trends in the Past Decade in CARJ
Authors: Li Nicole , Alabousi Mostafa , Patlas Michael N. 
Published: August 2020

Purpose: To identify trends in female authorship in the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal (CARJ) from 2010 to 2019. Methods: We retrieved papers published in the CARJ over a 10-year period, and retrospectively reviewed 602 articles. All articles except editorials and advertisements were included. We categorized the names of the first and last position authors as female or male and excluded articles that had at least one author of which gender was not known. We compared the trends in the first and last position authors of the articles from 2010 to 2019. For statistical analysis, logistic regression was performed with reported odds ratios (ORs), and a P value of <.05 was defined as statistically significant. Results: Five hundred thirteen articles met inclusion criteria. Among them, 23 articles with a single author were classified as having only a first author. 39.8% (204/513) of first authors were female and 26.9% (132/490) of last authors were female. There has been an overall temporal increase in the odds of both the first and last author being female in CARJ publications (OR: 1.11, P = .034). Similarly, the odds a CARJ publication’s first author being female increased over time (OR: 1.07, P = .033). Female last author did not predict female first author (OR: 1.48, P = .056). There was no association identified between female last author and year of publication (OR: 1.04, P = .225). Conclusion: There has been an overall increase in engagement of female authorship in CARJ.
Treatment Limitation Decisions in Critically Ill Patients With a Malignancy on the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: van der Zee Esther N. , Epker Jelle L. , Bakker Jan , Benoit Dominique D. , Kompanje Erwin J. O. 
Published: August 2020

Background: Treatment limitation decisions (TLDs) on the ICU can be challenging, especially in patients with a malignancy. Up-to-date literature regarding TLDs in critically ill patients with a malignancy admitted to the ICU is scarce. The aim was to compare the incidence of written TLDs between patients with an active malignancy, patients with a malignancy in their medical history (complete remission, CR) and patients without a malignancy admitted unplanned to the ICU. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a large university hospital in the Netherlands. We identified all unplanned admissions to the ICU in 2017 and categorized the patients in 3 groups: patients with an active malignancy (study population), with CR and without a malignancy. A TLD was defined as a written instruction not to perform life-saving treatments, such as CPR in case of cardiac arrest. A multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify whether having a malignancy was associated with TLDs. Results: Of the 1046 unplanned admissions, 125 patients (12%) had an active malignancy and 76 (7.3%) patients had CR. The incidence of written TLDs in these subgroups were 37 (29.6%) and 20 (26.3%). Age (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01 -1.04), SOFA score at ICU admission (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.05 -1.18) and having an active malignancy (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.04-2.96) compared to no malignancy were independently associated with written TLDs. SOFA scores on the day of the TLD were not significantly different in patients with and without a malignancy. Conclusions: This study shows that the presence of an underlying malignancy is independently associated with written TLDs during ICU stay. Patients with CR were not at risk of more written TLDs. Whether this higher incidence of TLDs in patients with a malignancy is justified, is at least questionable and should be evaluated in future research.
Rapid polymerase chain reaction test for the early diagnosis of gonococcal keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Wang Chia-Yu , Shen Elizabeth P 
Published: August 2020

Purposes: A case of gonococcal keratoconjunctivitis rapidly diagnosed by a vaginal swab PCR Xpert® CT/NG assay. Methods: Case report. Results: A 26-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with severe perilimbal stromal melting in both eyes and profuse purulent discharge for one day. Upon emergent ocular consultation, gonococcal keratoconjunctivitis was suspected. A vaginal swab was sent for rapid PCR Xpert® CT/NG assay which reported positive Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia Trachoma (CT) DNA detection within 90 min. Due to the rapid diagnosis, adequate medical intervention with ceftriaxone injection was administered. Gonococcal keratitis with stromal melting was stabilized within 5 days of presentation. The patient was discharged with complete epithelial healing by the 8th day. However, 10 weeks after discharge, inadvertent rubbing of the left eye resulted in corneal perforation with iris prolapse. Lamellar keratoplasty with corneal patch graft was performed with amniotic membrane grafting. Xpert® CT/NG assay was performed again with conjunctival swab for recurring mild eye discharge. Both NG and CT were negative. The patient thus stabilized with no further complications. Conclusions: Rapid stromal melting can occur with un-diagnosed or delayed diagnosis of gonorrhea with ocular involvement. Speedy and accurate diagnosis by the highly sensitive and specific Xpert® CT/NG assay can provide early definite diagnosis for prompt treatment in prevention of gonococcal infection induced corneal perforations.