bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social Outcomes of School Leavers With Cerebral Palsy Living in Victoria
Authors: Imms Christine , Reddihough Dinah , Shepherd Daisy A. , Kavanagh Anne 
Published: December 2021

Objective:In Australia, the National Disability Strategy provides a framework to guide actions and investment to achieve equity in social inclusion and economic participation for people with disability. We investigated the social outcomes of school leavers with cerebral palsy (CP) in Victoria, Australia and explored the determinants of desirable outcomes.Methods:We used the Victorian CP Register to invite all adults with CP aged 18–25 years (n= 649). On-line and/or paper-based surveys explored participation in education, employment, community activities, living situation, relationships and life satisfaction. Functional and health status data were collected. Social outcomes were summarized descriptively and compared between individuals with CP and non-disabled peers aged 18–25 years from the Household Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia dataset. Within the CP cohort we explored whether physical and mental health and level of functioning were associated with social outcomes. In addition, a descriptive comparison was undertaken between the social outcomes of the current CP cohort with that of a previously reported 2007 cohort.Results:Ninety participants (57% male; mean age 22.4 years (SD: 2.2) in 2020; 61.1% self-reported) provided data for analyses; response rate 16.9%. CP characteristics were similar between respondents and non-respondents. In comparison to similar aged peers, 79.8% had completed secondary school (compared to 83.2%); 32.6% (compared to 75.8%) were in paid work; 87.5% (compared to 48.2%) were living in their parental home; and 3.4% (compared to 31.6%) were married or partnered. Individuals with CP and higher levels of functional capacity and better physical health were more likely to undertake post-secondary education. Higher levels of functional capacity and physical health, as well as lower mental health status were associated with being employed.Conclusions:While foundational education completion rates were similar to non-disabled peers, significant gaps in social outcomes remain, including residence in the parental home and single status. While addressing these issues is challenging, substantial efforts are needed to reduce these disparities—work that needs to be done in collaboration with people with CP and their families.
Multimodality Characterization of the Clot in Acute Stroke
Authors: LaGrange Daniela Dumitriu , Wanke Isabel , Machi Paolo , Bernava Gianmarco , Vargas Maria , Botta Daniele , Berberat Jatta , Muster Michel , Platon Alexandra , Poletti Pierre-Alexandre , Lövblad Karl-Olof 
Published: December 2021

Aim: Current treatment of occluded cerebral vessels can be done by a variety of endovascular techniques. Sometimes, the clot responds in varying degrees to the treatment chosen. The Ex vivo characterization of the clot occluding the arteries in acute ischemic stroke can help in understanding the underlying imaging features obtained from pre-treatment brain scans. For this reason, we explored the potential of microCT when combined with electron microscopy for clot characterization. Results were compared to the clinical CT findings.Methods: 16 patients (9 males, 8 females, age range 54–93 years) who were referred to our institution for acute stroke underwent dual-source CT.Results: Clinical CT clots were seen as either iso or hyperdense. This was corroborated with micro-CT, and electron microscopy can show the detailed composition.Conclusion: MicroCT values can be used as an indicator for red blood cells-rich composition of clots. Meaningful information regarding the clot composition and modalities of embedding along the stent retrievers can be obtained through a combination of microCT and electron microscopy.
A Review of Speech Perception of Mandarin-Speaking Children With Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Gao Qi , Wong Lena L. N. , Chen Fei 
Published: December 2021

Objective:This paper reviewed the literature on the development of and factors affecting speech perception of Mandarin-speaking children with cochlear implantation (CI). We also summarized speech outcome measures in standard Mandarin for evaluating auditory and speech perception of children with CI.Method:A comprehensive search of Google Scholar and PubMed was conducted from March to June 2021. Search terms used were speech perception/lexical tone recognition/auditory perception AND cochlear implant AND Mandarin/Chinese.Conclusion:Unilateral CI recipients demonstrated continuous improvements in auditory and speech perception for several years post-activation. Younger age at implantation and longer duration of CI use contribute to better speech perception. Having undergone a hearing aid trial before implantation and having caregivers whose educational level is higher may lead to better performance. While the findings that support the use of CI to improve speech perception continue to grow, much research is needed to validate the use of unilateral and bilateral implantation. Evidence to date, however, revealed bimodal benefits over CI-only conditions in lexical tone recognition and sentence perception in noise. Due to scarcity of research, conclusions on the benefits of bilateral CIs compared to unilateral CI or bimodal CI use cannot be drawn. Therefore, future research on bimodal and bilateral CIs is needed to guide evidence-based clinical practice.
Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery Versus Surgery Alone for Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Propensity Score-Matched Study
Authors: Hong Zhi-Nuan , Weng Kai , Peng Kaiming , Chen Zhen , Lin Jihong , Kang Mingqiang 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundCombination of neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy (nICT) is a novel treatment for locally esophageal cancer squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of nICT on surgery safety by comparing short-term outcomes between the surgery alone group and the nICT followed by surgery group.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed to identify patients (from January 2017 to July 2021) who underwent surgery for ESCC with or without nICT. A propensity score matching (PSM) comparison (1:1) was conducted to reduce selection biases and balance the demographic and oncologic characteristics between groups.ResultsAfter PSM, the nICT group (n = 38) was comparable to the surgery alone group (n = 38) in the following characteristics: age, sex, BMI, ASA status, smoking, tumor location, lymph node resection, clinical stage, anastomotic location, surgical approach, and surgical approach. The operation time and incidence of postoperative pneumonia in the nICT group were higher than those in the control group (p &lt; 0.05). However, other complications and major complications were comparable between the two groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in intraoperative blood loss, ICU stay time, postoperative hospital stay, and hospitalization cost. The 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission, and ICU readmission rates were also similar in the nICT and control groups. In the nICT group, the pathological complete response rate in primary tumor was 18.4%, and the major pathological response rate in tumor was 42.1%.ConclusionsBased on our preliminary experience, nICT followed by surgery is safe and effective with acceptable increased operation risk, manageable postoperative complications, and promising pathological response. Further multicenter prospective trials are needed to validate our results.
Case Report: Off-Label Liraglutide Use in Children With Wolfram Syndrome Type 1: Extensive Characterization of Four Patients
Authors: Frontino Giulio , Raouf Tara , Canarutto Daniele , Tirelli Eva , Di Tonno Raffaella , Rigamonti Andrea , Cascavilla Maria Lucia , Baldoli Cristina , Scotti Roberta , Leocani Letizia , Huang Su-Chun , Meschi Franco , Barera Graziano , Broccoli Vania , Rossi Greta , Torchio Silvia , Chimienti Raniero , Bonfanti Riccardo , Piemonti Lorenzo 
Published: December 2021

Aims: Wolfram syndrome type 1 is a rare recessive monogenic form of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with progressive neurodegeneration, poor prognosis, and no cure. Based on preclinical evidence we hypothesized that liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, may be repurposed for the off-label treatment of Wolfram Syndrome type 1. We initiated an off-label treatment to investigate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of liraglutide in pediatric patients with Wolfram Syndrome type 1.Methods: Pediatric patients with genetically confirmed Wolfram Syndrome type 1 were offered off-label treatment approved by The Regional Network Coordination Center for Rare Diseases, Pharmacological Research IRCCS Mario Negri, and the internal ethics committee. Four patients were enrolled; none refused nor were excluded or lost during follow-up. Liraglutide was administered as a daily subcutaneous injection. Starting dose was 0.3 mg/day. The dose was progressively increased as tolerated, up to the maximum dose of 1.8 mg/day. The primary outcome was evaluating the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of liraglutide in Wolfram Syndrome type 1 patients. Secondary endpoints were stabilization or improvement of C-peptide secretion as assessed by the mixed meal tolerance test. Exploratory endpoints were stabilization of neurological and neuro-ophthalmological degeneration, assessed by optical coherence tomography, electroretinogram, visual evoked potentials, and magnetic resonance imaging.Results: Four patients aged between 10 and 14 years at baseline were treated with liraglutide for 8–27 months. Liraglutide was well-tolerated: all patients reached and maintained the maximum dose, and none withdrew from the study. Only minor transient gastrointestinal symptoms were reported. No alterations in pancreatic enzymes, calcitonin, or thyroid hormones were observed. At the latest follow-up, the C-peptide area under the curve ranged from 81 to 171% of baseline. Time in range improved in two patients. Neuro-ophthalmological and neurophysiological disease parameters remained stable at the latest follow-up.Conclusions: We report preliminary data on the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of liraglutide in four pediatric patients with Wolfram Syndrome type 1. The apparent benefits both in terms of residual C-peptide secretion and neuro-ophthalmological disease progression warrant further studies on the repurposing of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists as disease-modifying agents for Wolfram Syndrome type 1.
Safety of Normothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A System Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xiong Tao , Pu Lei , Ma Yuan-Feng , Zhu Yun-Long , Cui Xu , Li Hua , Zhan Xu , Li Ya-Xiong 
Published: December 2021

Objectives: Hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (HCPB) has been used successfully in cardiac surgery for more than half a century, although adverse effects have been reported with its use. Many studies on temperature management during CPB published to date have shown that normothermic CPB (NCPB) provides more benefits to children undergoing cardiac surgery. The present meta-analysis investigated the effect of NCPB on clinical outcomes based on results of randomized controlled trials and observational studies on pediatric cardiac surgery.Methods: Databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinical Trials.gov were searched from inception to May 2021 to identify relevant studies published in English.Results: The present meta-analysis included 13 studies characterizing a total of 837 pediatric patients. The random effects model exhibited that the NCPB group had reduced revision for postoperative bleeding [odds ratio (OR): 0.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01–0.89; I2 = 0%, P = 0.04], serum lactate 2–4 h after CPB (mean difference: −0.60; 95% CI: −1.09 to −0.11; I2 = 82%, P = 0.02), serum creatinemia 24 h after CPB (mean difference: −2.73; 95% CI: −5.06 to −0.39; I2 = 83%, P = 0.02), serum creatinemia 48 h after CPB (mean difference: −2.08; 95% CI: −2.78 to −1.39; I2 = 0%, P &lt; 0.05), CPB time (mean difference: −19.10, 95% CI: −32.03 to −6.18; I2 = 96%, P = 0.04), and major adverse events (OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.15–0.93; Z = 2.12, P = 0.03) after simple congenital surgery compared with the HCPB group.Conclusion: NCPB is as safe as HCPB in pediatric congenital heart surgery. Moreover, NCPB provides more advantages than HCPB in simple congenital heart surgery.
Neuroprotection Against NMDA-Induced Retinal Damage by Philanthotoxin-343 Involves Reduced Nitrosative Stress
Authors: Mohamad Mohamad Haiqal Nizar , Abu Izuddin Fahmy , Fazel Muhammad Fattah , Agarwal Renu , Iezhitsa Igor , Juliana Norsham , Mellor Ian R. , Franzyk Henrik 
Published: December 2021

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) overstimulation is known to mediate neurodegeneration, and hence represents a relevant therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders including glaucoma. This study examined the neuroprotective effects of philanthotoxin (PhTX)-343 against NMDA-induced retinal injury in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups; group 1 received phosphate buffer saline as the negative control, group 2 was injected with NMDA (160 nM) to induce retinal excitotoxic injury, and group 3 was pre-treated with PhTX-343 (160 nM) 24 h before NMDA exposure. All treatments were given intravitreally and bilaterally. Seven days post-treatment, rats were subjected to visual behaviour assessments using open field and colour recognition tests. Rats were then euthanized, and the retinas were harvested and subjected to haematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) staining for morphometric analysis and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) ELISA protocol as the nitrosative stress biomarker. PhTX-343 treatment prior to NMDA exposure improved the ability of rats to recognize visual cues and preserved visual functions (i.e., recognition of objects with different colours). Morphological examination of retinal tissues showed that the fractional ganglion cell layer thickness within the inner retina (IR) in the PhTX-343 treated group was greater by 1.28-fold as compared to NMDA-treated rats (p &lt; 0.05) and was comparable to control rats (p &gt; 0.05). Additionally, the number of retinal cell nuclei/100 μm2 in IR for the PhTX-343-treated group was greater by 1.82-fold compared to NMDA-treated rats (p &lt; 0.05) and was comparable to control group (p &gt; 0.05). PhTX-343 also reduced the retinal 3-NT levels by 1.74-fold compared to NMDA-treated rats (p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, PhTX-343 pretreatment protects against NMDA-induced retinal morphological changes and visual impairment by suppressing nitrosative stress as reflected by the reduced retinal 3-NT level.
Cost-Effectiveness of First-Line Versus Second-Line Pembrolizumab or Chemotherapy in Patients With Microsatellite-Instability-High/Mismatch Repair-Deficient Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Chongqing Tan , Sini Li , Xiaohui Zeng , Liubao Peng , Ye Peng , Shuxia Qin , Liting Wang , Meiyu Wu , Xiaomin Wan 
Published: December 2021

Background: Pembrolizumab is a guideline-recommended, both first- and second-line treatment option for microsatellite-instability-high (MSI-H)/mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR)advanced colorectal cancer patients. The aim of the present study is to investigates the health and economic outcomes of three treatment strategies with or without pembrolizumab in MSI-H/dMMR advanced colorectal cancer to define the best treatment strategy from the perspective of the US payer.Methods: A microsimulation model was developed to estimate the cost and effectiveness of three treatment strategies: 1) pembrolizumab used as first-line, 2) pembrolizumab used as second-line and, 3) chemotherapy. Life years (LYs), quality-adjusted LYs (QALYs) and lifetime costs were estimated.Results: The model projected that patients receiving pembrolizumab in the first-line setting gained 5.579 QALYs; this value was 1.501 and 3.941 QALYs more than that for patients receiving pembrolizumab in the second-line setting and chemotherapy, respectively. First-line pembrolizumab strategy dominated second-line pembrolizumab strategy. Compared with chemotherapy, first-line pembrolizumab strategy yielded an incremental cost of $50613.7, which resulted in an ICER of $13441 per QALY.Conclusion: For patients with MSI-H/dMMR advanced colorectal cancer, reserving pembrolizumab for second-line line use is dominated by its first-line use, and first-line use of pembrolizumab is cost-effective compared with chemotherapy.
The PENELOPE Physics Models and Transport Mechanics. Implementation into Geant4
Authors: Asai Makoto , Cortés-Giraldo Miguel A. , Giménez-Alventosa Vicent , Giménez Gómez Vicent , Salvat Francesc 
Published: December 2021

A translation of thepenelopephysics subroutines to C++, designed as an extension of the Geant4 toolkit, is presented. The Fortran code systempenelopeperforms Monte Carlo simulation of coupled electron-photon transport in arbitrary materials for a wide energy range, nominally from 50 eV up to 1 GeV. Penelopeimplements the most reliable interaction models that are currently available, limited only by the required generality of the code. In addition, the transport of electrons and positrons is simulated by means of an elaborate class II scheme in which hard interactions (involving deflection angles or energy transfers larger than pre-defined cutoffs) are simulated from the associated restricted differential cross sections. After a brief description of the interaction models adopted for photons and electrons/positrons, we describe the details of the class-II algorithm used for tracking electrons and positrons. The C++ classes are adapted to the specific code structure of Geant4. They provide a complete description of the interactions and transport mechanics of electrons/positrons and photons in arbitrary materials, which can be activated from the G4ProcessManager to produce simulation results equivalent to those from the originalpenelopeprograms. The combined code, named PenG4, benefits from the multi-threading capabilities and advanced geometry and statistical tools of Geant4.
Strategies to Estimate Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in a Texas Vulnerable Population: Results From Phase I of the Texas Coronavirus Antibody Response Survey
Authors: Valerio-Shewmaker Melissa A. , DeSantis Stacia , Swartz Michael , Yaseen Ashraf , Gonzalez Michael O. , Kohl Harold W. III , Kelder Steven H. , Messiah Sarah E. , Aguillard Kimberly A. , Breaux Camille , Wu Leqing , Shuford Jennifer , Pont Stephen , Lakey David , Boerwinkle Eric 
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and immunity remains uncertain in populations. The state of Texas ranks 2nd in infection with over 2.71 million cases and has seen a disproportionate rate of death across the state. The Texas CARES project was funded by the state of Texas to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody status in children and adults. Identifying strategies to understand natural as well as vaccine induced antibody response to COVID-19 is critical.Materials and Methods: The Texas CARES (Texas Coronavirus Antibody Response Survey) is an ongoing prospective population-based convenience sample from the Texas general population that commenced in October 2020. Volunteer participants are recruited across the state to participate in a 3-time point data collection Texas CARES to assess antibody response over time. We use the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunoassay to determine SARS-CoV-2 antibody status.Results: The crude antibody positivity prevalence in Phase I was 26.1% (80/307). The fully adjusted seroprevalence of the sample was 31.5%. Specifically, 41.1% of males and 21.9% of females were seropositive. For age categories, 33.5% of those 18–34; 24.4% of those 35–44; 33.2% of those 45–54; and 32.8% of those 55+ were seropositive. In this sample, 42.2% (89/211) of those negative for the antibody test reported having had a COVID-19 test.Conclusions: In this survey we enrolled and analyzed data for 307 participants, demonstrating a high survey and antibody test completion rate, and ability to implement a questionnaire and SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing within clinical settings. We were also able to determine our capability to estimate the cross-sectional seroprevalence within Texas's federally qualified community centers (FQHCs). The crude positivity prevalence for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in this sample was 26.1% indicating potentially high exposure to COVID-19 for clinic employees and patients. Data will also allow us to understand sex, age and chronic illness variation in seroprevalence by natural and vaccine induced. These methods are being used to guide the completion of a large longitudinal survey in the state of Texas with implications for practice and population health.
Current Status of Out-of-Hospital Management of Cancer Patients and Awareness of Internet Medical Treatment: A Questionnaire Survey
Authors: Dai Shuang , Liu Xiaoqin , Chen Xi , Bie Jun , Du Chi , Miao Jidong , Jiang Ming 
Published: December 2021

Objective: To explore the current situation of the out-of-hospital management of patients with cancer and evaluate the feasibility of Internet medical intervention outside the hospital in China.Methods: The questionnaire was designed based on the investigators' clinical experience, literature data, and the Anderson Symptom Scale, and adopted a cross sectional survey method.Results: Totally 1,171 qualified questionnaires were analyzed. The results showed that 92.7% of patients with cancer experienced varying degrees of out-of-hospital symptoms after treatment, and a third of them needed clinical intervention. Abnormal blood test results outside the hospital were basically consistent with the events that occurred during the hospitalization. One third of patients with cancer could not identify abnormal results. The primary approaches to solve these abnormalities were to seek guidance from the physician in charge or from nearby hospitals, but only 6.75% patients sought help online. More than half of the life or work of patients with cancer are still greatly affected under the current management model. 92% of respondents required medical help outside the hospital, and 65% ones were willing to pay for the out-of-hospital management.Conclusions: Out-of-hospital management model needs to be improved. Most users are willing to accept Internet cancer management with fees. The survey has a positive effect on guiding future Internet cancer management practices in China to a certain extent.