bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE ROLE OF LEADERS IN PREVENTING HEALTH INEQUALITIES
Authors: Allen Y. , Shah S. 
Published: February 2025

The aim of this literature review was to review the evidence for the importance of effective leadership and to identify key features of leadership that promote the reduction of health inequalities within healthcare systems. Methods: The review used search and MeSh terms related to “leadership” and “health inequalities” and the PubMed search engine. Inclusion criteria were: published in the last 10 years and available in English. Results: One thousand three hundred and eighty five papers were found, of which 52 papers were identified, by the sole reviewer, as relevant to leadership and health inequalities. The themes focussed on 11key areas of the role of leadership in reducing health inequalities. These included adequate representation amongst leaders to reflect the demographic distributions within populations. Gender inequality amongst leaders was identified as an area that could potentially have an impact of health inequalities within populations. The political impact on the wellbeing and inequalities present within populations highlighted the role of health and social care in partnership with political groups to reduce disparities and the need for collaborative working, from a political global perspective, to have a greater impact on worldwide health inequalities. The literature suggested that Community leaders within populations can empower communities, reduce health inequalities and promote social change. Community leaders can also act as leverage points in the wider public health agenda working with leaders within the health sector. Given that these inequalities are related to health and health outcomes, many papers discussed the role of clinical leadership across health professions and the responsibility to appropriately train and develop clinical leaders and to ensure leadership succession, sustainability and the legacy of programmes to reduce health inequalities. Key issues in the future are the continual change within health services and the need to ensure consistent leadership in relation to reducing inequalities through change, and having an understanding of digital enablers to reduce inequalities. Conclusions: These results suggest that key features of good leaders are: inter-professional working and networking, political awareness, empowering others and a strong drive and vision with resilience. Drivers for the reduction of health inequalities included, political input and influence, representative workforce and leaders and inequalities within leadership roles, global and local collaboration, involvement of the third sector and community leadership, clinical leadership, succession planning for clinical leaders and a knowledge and understanding of the digital enablers to reduce health inequalities. However some health inequalities are ingrained and built into the health systems. Analysis via institutional theory suggests that leaders are required to promote change at all levels to tackle the underlying causes of health inequalities.
DENTAL CARIES: A PATENT ANALYSIS
Authors: Bencze Z. , Varga O. 
Published: February 2025

Although there have been significant achievements in dental caries prevention and management in the European Union (EU), there is still a lot to be done. One approach to reduce caries prevalence is to promote novel technologies in prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The current EU Health Strategy supports and sets development of new technologies as a priority since new technologies can contribute to the efficiency and sustainability of health systems. Aim: The aim of this work was to provide a patent landscape analysis to detect patterns of innovation in the area of caries research. Methods: Patent analysis is a well-established method for studying development in a particular research area. In this study patents and patent applications were extracted from the Patbase, an international database from over 100 patent issuing authorities worldwide. The patents were searched combining different search terms related to dental caries in the titles, abstract, claims and examples of documents. Searches were limited to human necessities (CPC A61). Results: The analysis was based on patenting activity trend, geographical distribution, research topics and patent holders. The patent search resulted in 2089 patent families with 12640 applications. The analysis of the place of patent filing resulted in 80 jurisdictions, with strong US dominance. To understand the technology focus, patents were grouped under three concepts: prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The highest numbers of patented innovation was associated with a few directions in treatment research. The overall patenting trend showed an increase in filings up to 1992, then a second spike up to 2015. Although the main patent holder was the Colgate Palmolive Co. out of 1371 assignees, in the field of prevention Johnson and Johnson had an important role. Conclusion: Patenting activity was found to have been intense in the last 10-15 years. Private sector companies dominate a wide variety of types of research, including the field of prevention.
KNOWLEDGE OF ORAL CANCER RISK FACTORS AMONG LITHUANIANS
Authors: KŠČenaviČiŪtĖ V. , Puriene A. , Zaleckas L. , Rasteniene R. 
Published: February 2025

Morbidity of oral oropharyngeal cancer and a lack of knowledge of risk factors is a concern in Lithuania. The aim of present study was to assess the knowledge of oral cancer risk factors among Lithuanians. Methods: An anonymous pretested 20-item survey was distributed to all patients who were examined in four hospitals of Lithuania during oral cancer prevention events on 2016, February 22-26. The Lithuanian Bioethics Committee stated that approval for the study was not required. The survey included questions about background characteristics, unhealthy behaviours and risk factors for oral cancer. The collected data were analysed using SPSS v21.0. Spearman’s rank order correlation, ANOVA tests were used. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results: 803 people participated in events of Mouth Cancer Action Week and a convenience sample of 724 completed the survey; response rate 90.2%. Male to female ratio: 1:2.6. Average age of the patients was 57.5 ± 16.6 years. 537 (74.2%) were from urban areas. The majority of respondents had university level education (n=357, 49.1%). 324 (44.6%) were workers and 334 (45.9%) were pensioners. Patients agreed smoking (86.8%), older age (63%), alcohol consumption (56.3%), sunlight exposure (47.3%), lip and buccal mastication (40%), HPV (33.7%), low consumption of fruits and vegetables (33.1%) were risk factors of oral cancer. Only 18 (2.5%) respondents agreed that they have enough information about oral cancer. The mean knowledge seemed to be medium (3.62 ± 1.86 from a maximum score of 7). Socioeconomic status and alcohol consumption were associated with level of oral cancer primary prevention knowledge (p=0.02, p=0.03 respectively). Better knowledge was found in patients who receive dental treatment in private clinics (p=0.005). Conclusions: A gap in oral cancer risk factors knowledge was found among Lithuanian patients, preventive programs and educational measures may decrease the prevalence of unhealthy behaviours and oral cavity malignancies.
REPORTED INTERNET AND COMPUTER USE AMONG SENIOR DENTAL STUDENTS, TEHRAN
Authors: Bonabi M. 
Published: February 2025

Computers and the internet has revolutionised all aspects of medicine and dentistry, and internet and social networks are now common among young doctors. The aim of this study was to evaluate information technology (IT) literacy among senior dental students of Tehran, Iran. Method: A questionnaire was constructed based on previous literature and some researcher- made questions. After checking for reliability and validity, we collected data on self-reported internet and computer use. The ethics committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) approved the survey. All numerical data were entered and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 18). Initial descriptive statistics were expressed as frequency, mean and standard deviation. A regression model served for statistical analysis. Results: In total 218 questionnaires out of 250 were returned for an overall response rate of 85%. The student score for computer use ranged between 7 and 28 with a mean of 18.6(±4) out of a maximum of 28. Also their score for internet searching ranged between 6 and 24 with a mean of 15.3(±4) out of a maximum of 24. Among students 67% (n=145) searched daily in Medline, 73% (n=160) used search engines such as Google. Most, 81% (n=176) of students had skills in windows, 72% (n=157) in advanced web searching, 77% (n=168) in Microsoft Office software and 16% (n=34) in SPSS. In the regression model we found that internet searching is related to computer use with a relation coefficient of 0.607 among respondents (p<0.001). Conclusion: Considering the mean scores, senior dental students’ IT literacy is not sufficient and most of the students reported the need to gain more searching skills. This suggests more training and providing better infrastructure to promote their IT literacy.
Analysis of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, and their genetic polymorphisms in patients with acute aortic dissection and coronary heart disease
Authors: Li Yang , Xiao Zongwei 
Published: February 2025

Background This study aimed to elucidate the distinctions between the expression levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2, as well as their genetic polymorphisms, in patients with acute aortic dissection (AD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods A cohort of 86 patients was enrolled, comprising 34 individuals with acute AD (encompassing Stanford types A and B), 18 with ascending aortic aneurysm, 21 with CHD, and 13 healthy controls. Aortic tissue samples were procured from 44 patients during surgical interventions. Results Statistically significant differences were observed in ACE and ACE2 expression levels among the ascending aortic aneurysm, CHD, and control groups ( p < 0.05). However, the expression of ACE messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the aortic wall was significantly higher in the AD group than in the ascending aortic aneurysm and CHD groups ( p < 0.05). Additionally, the expression of ACE2 mRNA and the ACE/ACE2 ratio in the aortic wall were significantly different in the AD group compared with the ascending aortic aneurysm and CHD groups ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Plasma ACE levels, and the gene expressions of ACE and ACE2, are markedly reduced in patients with acute AD. The observed imbalance in ACE and ACE2 expressions may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AD.
Association between systemic coagulation-inflammation index and proximal upper-extremity arteriovenous graft thrombosis in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Cetintas Demir , Guven Hakan 
Published: February 2025

Introduction: To the best of our knowledge, the potential predictive association between systemic coagulation-inflammation index (SCI) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) thrombosis following proximal upper-extremity AVG surgery has not yet been investigated. Thus, in this study, we investigated the predictive value of SCI on postoperative early-term AVG thrombosis in patients undergoing proximal upper-extremity AVG surgery for hemodialysis access. Methods: A total of 118 hemodialysis patients undergoing proximal upper-extremity AVG surgery were enrolled to this retrospective observational cohort study. The patients were categorized into two groups in accordance with whether postoperative early-term AVG thrombosis developed; as thrombosed AVG group ( n = 37) and non-thrombosed AVG group ( n = 81). Basic clinical features and laboratory test results of the patients were recorded and compared between the groups. Results: Patients in thrombosed AVG group were significantly older than those in non-thrombosed AVG group. The mean WBC and neutrophil counts were significantly lower whereas the mean fibrinogen and median SCI values were significantly higher in thrombosed AVG group compared to non-thrombosed AVG group. In terms of other basic clinical features and laboratory tests, there were no significant differences between both groups in univariate analyses. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only age and SCI maintained their statistical significance and thus were accepted as independent predictors of AVG thrombosis. ROC analysis demonstrated that SCI of 47 g/L constituted the optimum cut-off value with 94.6% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity rates in predicting AVG thrombosis. Conclusion: Our study revealed for the first time in the literature that SCI independently predicted postoperative early-term AVG thrombosis in hemodialysis patients undergoing proximal upper-extremity AVG surgery.
A Case Series Study of Airway Pressure Release Ventilation in Patients with Intracranial Pathologies and Acute Respiratory Failure
Authors: Schmidt Leon , Lamb Keith , Jankovic Dragan , Kalasauskas Darius , Kosterhon Michael , Ringel Florian , Kerz Thomas 
Published: February 2025

Background: Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) is an alternate mode of ventilation in acute respiratory failure (ARF), but there is inconsistent data to support its use over other modes of ventilation. Because of increased intrathoracic pressure for most of the respiratory cycle, a negative impact of APRV on intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) has been hypothesized. We evaluated the effects of APRV ventilation, with particular attention to ICP, CPP and ICP-directed therapy, in a real-world cohort of neuro-ICU patients. Methods: Retrospective single-center analysis from January 2021 to December 2023 of neurosurgical ICU patients with ICP monitoring. APRV was used as a rescue mode at the physician's discretion when the Horovitz index (PaO2/FIO2 ratio) fell below 150 despite optimized conventional ventilation. Results: Between 2021 and 2023, APRV was utilized in 29 patients undergoing a total of 60 episodes. Forty patients (66.7%) were female, median age was 49.5 (Q1 34; Q3 61.25) years. After transition to APRV, mean FiO2 decreased by 4.3% (t = 3.5, p < .001) and mean PaO2 increased by 22.7 mm Hg (t = 4.2, p < .001). The Horovitz index improved by 44.6 mm Hg (t = 4.9, p < .001). Mean compliance did not differ after transition to APRV (−1.5 ml/mbar, t = −0.9, p = .4). During the APRV episode, mean ICP was 1.2 mm Hg lower (t = 2.6, p = .01), while mean CPP was 1.6 mm Hg higher (t = −0.9, p = .4) and the intensity of ICP-directed therapy (TIL) was significantly lower (X2 = 92.771, p < .001). Conclusion: APRV was hemodynamically tolerated in 29 out of 33 patients, and was safe with regard to ICP, CPP, and the intensity of ICP-directed therapy. Oxygenation was increased by APRV. 4 out of 33 patients would not tolerate APRV for hemodynamic reasons, APRV therefore was stopped immediately.
Association of Number of Oral bacteria with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia and Delirium in Patients in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Arimizu Chika , Akahoshi Tomohiko , Jinno Teppei , Furuta Michiko , Ohashi Ayako , Takamori Shinnosuke , Wada Naohisa 
Published: February 2025

Objectives Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and delirium are major complications among patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The impact of oral bacterial count on these conditions is not well understood. This study aimed to explore the association between oral bacterial load and the incidence of VAP and delirium in ICU patients. Methods In this single-center longitudinal study, 130 patients admitted to the ICU from September 2022 to May 2023 were included. Oral bacteria counts on the tongue were quantified, and assessments of oral health using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) and oral moisture levels were also conducted. We examined the associations between oral bacterial count, OHAT scores, and oral moisture with the incidence of VAP and delirium. Results The incidence rates of VAP and delirium were 31.4% and 35.4%, respectively. Patients with a high oral bacterial load (≥5.0 × 107 CFU/mL) at ICU admission had a higher likelihood of developing VAP (odds ratio [OR] 7.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68-32.87) and delirium (OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.04-10.44) compared with those with lower bacterial counts (<1.0 × 107 CFU/mL). No significant associations were found between OHAT scores and oral moisture and the occurrence of VAP or delirium. Conclusion A higher oral bacterial count at ICU admission was associated with increased incidences of VAP and delirium.
Potential predictors of efficacy outcomes following tofacitinib dose reduction in patients with ulcerative colitis in stable remission: a post hoc analysis of outcomes from the RIVETING study
Authors: Torres Joana , D’Haens Geert R. , Regueiro Miguel , Santana Genoile , Panés Julian , Vermeire Séverine , Gardiner Sean , Kulisek Nicole , Modesto Irene , Su Chinyu , Lawendy Nervin , Mundayat Rajiv , Paulissen Jerome , Dubinsky Marla C. 
Published: February 2025

Background: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Objectives: To investigate potential predictors of efficacy in RIVETING. Design: This post hoc analysis included patients with UC in stable remission (⩾6 months) on tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (BID) maintenance therapy (⩾2 years of treatment), who received tofacitinib 5/10 mg BID in RIVETING. Methods: Achievement of modified Mayo (mMayo) remission, remission (based on total Mayo score), partial Mayo score (PMS) remission, and modified PMS (mPMS) remission at month (M)6 was analyzed by baseline characteristics, duration of PMS remission at RIVETING entry, biomarkers, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to identify factors associated with achieving/maintaining efficacy outcomes, including following dose reduction. Results: Seventy patients received tofacitinib 5 mg BID. At M6, PMS remission was maintained in 66.7%, 60.0%, 82.4%, 75.0%, and 90.0% of patients with baseline PMS remission durations of 6 to ⩽12, >12 to ⩽24, >24 to ⩽36, >36 to ⩽48, and >48 months, respectively. Patients in mMayo remission at M6 had smaller increases in PMS at M1 compared with those not in mMayo remission at M6, while numerically higher proportions of patients with a stool frequency subscore/rectal bleeding subscore/mPMS of 0 at M1/M3 achieved most efficacy endpoints at M6 compared with patients with respective subscores >0. Maintenance of mMayo remission was independent of the number of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors failed and/or prior corticosteroid use. In multivariable models (which included tofacitinib 10 mg BID data), endoscopic subscores (1 vs 0) at RIVETING baseline were significantly associated with lower odds of mMayo remission at M6 (odds ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.94; p = 0.0379). Conclusion: Prior duration of remission/baseline endoscopic subscore may help guide tofacitinib dose reduction, while PROs may be useful early indicators of efficacy. Close monitoring of patients following dose reduction could identify those unlikely to achieve/maintain efficacy. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03281304.
Effects of Low-Fat Food on Gallbladder Contraction and Sonographic Image Quality
Authors: Yip Jerica Hiu-Yui , Wong Kwan Shing , Leung Michelle Wing-Yee , Lee Ho Kiu , Au-Yeung Tin Lam , Yip Ching Wang , Hui Jack , Liu Kin Hung , Chiyanika Chileka 
Published: February 2025

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of consuming a navel orange, a low-fat food item, on gallbladder contraction and sonographic image quality. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six healthy Chinese participants underwent sonographic evaluation of their gallbladder volume (GBV) and anterior wall thickness (AWT) after fasting for at least 6 hours. This protocol was repeated 120 minutes after consuming a navel orange. An experienced sonographer rated the quality of the gallbladder images on a five-point Likert scale. Results: There was no significant change in GBV (14.15 cm³ preprandial vs 14.00 cm³ postprandial, p=.073), AWT (0.154 cm vs 0.157 cm, p=.101), or image quality (both rated 5, p=1.000) after orange intake. GBV correlated with body mass index ( p < .05). Among various age groups, no significant differences were noted, across the measured parameters, for both preprandial and postprandial states ( p > .05). Conclusion: In this cohort of participants, navel oranges served as an alternative to fasting for gallbladder sonographic preparation and did not affect image quality.
Characterization and chemoproteomic profiling of protein O-GlcNAcylation in SOD1-G93A mouse model
Authors: Hao Yi , Li Zhongzhong , Du Xinyan , Xie Qingsong , Li Dongxiao , Lei Shaoyuan , Guo Yansu 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motor neuron disease. Protein O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification has been found to affect the processing of several important proteins implicated in ALS. However, the overall level and cellular localization of O-GlcNAc during ALS progression are incompletely understood, and large-scale profiling of O-GlcNAcylation sites in this context remains unexplored.

Methods
By using immunostaining analysis and chemoenzymatic labeling-based quantitative chemoproteomics, we assayed O-GlcNAcylation dynamics of lumbar spinal cords from SOD-G93A mice and their non-transgenic (NTG) littermates, the most widely used animal model for studying ALS pathogenesis.

Results
We discovered that the global O-GlcNAcylation was significantly reduced at the disease end stage. Correlatively, a great increase of OGA was observed. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis showed a higher proportion of O-GlcNAc-positive neurons in the NTG group, while O-GlcNAc colocalization with astrocytes/microglia was elevated in SOD1-G93A mice. Moreover, we reported the identification of 568 high-confidence O-GlcNAc sites from end-stage SOD1-G93A and NTG mice. Of the 568 sites, 226—many of which occurred on neuronal function and structure-related proteins—were found to be dynamically regulated.

Conclusion
These data provide a valuable resource for dissecting the functional role of O-GlcNAcylation in ALS and shed light on promising therapeutic avenues for ALS. The chemoenzymatic labeling-based chemoproteomic approach is applicable for probing O-GlcNAc dynamics in various pathological processes.