bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
International Survey of Operative Practices for Otologists and Neurotologists During the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Ridge Sarah E. , Chari Divya A. , Kozin Elliott D. , Remenschneider Aaron K. , Adunka Oliver F. , Aristegui Miguel , Chang Wai Tsz , Cheng Yen-Fu , Chung Jong Woo , Cohen Michael S. , Crowson Matthew G. , Golub Justin S. , Handzel Ophir , Isaacson Brandon , Iyer Arunachalam , Kakehata Seiji , Marchioni Daniele , Nogueira João Flávio , Patel Nirmal , Quesnel Alicia M. , Rivas Alejandro , Saeed Shakeel R. , Salzman Richard , Santos Felipe , Saxby Alexander J. , Tarabichi Muaaz , Verhaert Nicolas , Vincent Robert , Wanna George , Wolpert Stephan , Lee Daniel J. 
Published: August 2021

Objective:
To investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on operative practices of otology and neurotology providers internationally.

Study Design:
Cross-sectional survey.

Methods:
A 78-question survey was distributed to otologists and neurotologists between May 12, 2020 and June 8, 2020 to assess the impact of the pandemic on surgical practices. Sections within the survey delineated time periods: prior to the crisis, onset of the crisis, during the crisis, postcrisis transition.

Results:
Of 396 survey respondents, 284 participants from 38 countries met inclusion criteria.
Respondents were 16.9% female and 82.4% male, with a most common age range of 40 to 49 years (36.3%). 69.8% of participants had been in practice for over 10 years and most respondents worked in an academic medical center (79.2%). The average operative weekly caseload was 5.3 (SD 3.9) per surgeon prior to the crisis, 0.7 (SD 1.2) during the COVID-19 crisis, and 3.5 (SD 3.3) for those who had begun a postcrisis transition at the time of survey administration (p < 0.001). 71.5% of providers did not perform an elective otologic or neurotologic operative procedure during the initial crisis period. 49.8% reported modifying their surgical technique due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Use of powered air-purifying respirators and filtering facepiece 2 or 3 (FFP2/FFP3) respirators were in minimal supply for 66.9% and 62.3% of respondents, respectively.

Conclusion:
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the otology and neurotology community globally, resulting in significant changes in operative volume and case selection. Modification of surgical technique and shortages of personal protective equipment were frequently reported.
Clinical study of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following influenza A H1N1
Authors: Liu Yi , Xie Zuo-Zhou , Wang Xiang , Zhu Zheng-Hua , Yang Chen 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This study to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) following influenza A (H1N1) infection.
We retrospectively analyzed 10 cases with IPA following H1N1 infection. The clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results, chest computed tomography, and treatments were analyzed.
Clinical manifestations: all 10 cases had typical flu-like symptoms at the onset of the disease, among which 7 patients developed dyspnea in the late stage, and 8 patients had hemoptysis. Laboratory examination: the absolute and percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes in all 10 patients were declined, among which 5 cases were with decreased CD3+ CD4+ T cells/lymphocytes; 9 cases with increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid galactomannan; 6 cases with increased serum galactomannan; 1 case with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cultured aspergillus fumigatus; and 2 cases with aspergillus by second-generation sequencing. Chest computed tomography: all patients showed multiple diffused ground-glass opacities at the beginning, along with linear or reticular interstitial changes. Two cases had multiple subarachnoid nodules with halo signs, 3 cases had consolidation in multiple segments of both lungs, 2 cases had cavities, and 4 cases were with pleural effusion. Treatment: 10 patients were treated with antiviral and anti-Aspergillus drugs after admission. Four patients received respiratory support. All 10 cases were cured and discharged.
Early diagnosis of IPA in influenza A (H1N1) patients is the key to successful treatment.
Expression and clinical significance of AURKB gene in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Gao Xiaoyan , Jiang Aigui , Shen Yahui , Lu Huiyu , Chen Rong 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of aurora B kinase (AURKB) gene in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) by collecting relevant data in Oncomine database.
Firstly, mRNA expression level of AURKB in LUAD was systematically analyzed using the ONCOMINE and the cancer genome atlas databases. Then, the association between AURKB expression and clinical parameters was investigated by UALCAN. The Kaplan–Meier Plotter was used to assess the prognostic significance of AURKB.
Pooled analysis showed that AURKB was frequently up-regulated expression in LUAD. In addition, immunohistochemistry showed that AURKB was highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma tissues, while it was weakly expressed in normal tissues. Subsequently, AURKB expression was identified to be negatively associated with Overall survival (P < 1e−16), post-progression survival (P = .017), first progression (P = 9.8e−09).
This study confirms that increased expression of AURKB in LUAD is associated with poor prognosis, suggesting that AURKB might be used as a promising prognostic biomarker and novel therapeutic target for LUAD.
Long-term cardiac remodeling associated with heart failure following left-ventricular valve replacement surgery
Authors: Chen Mengyuan , Yao Xin , Wang Daowen , Li Chenze , Ma Fei , Li Rui , Wang Hong , Wei Sheng , Zhou Qiang 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
To investigate long-term cardiac remodeling and prognosis of patients post-left-ventricular valve replacement, and explored related risk factors of heart failure and management strategies.
Retrospective cohort of patients with left-ventricular valve replacement between 2005 and 2007. Major adverse cardiac events were recorded, including death, hospitalization, stroke, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classifications. Cardiac remodeling was assessed by comparing pre-operative, post-operative, and follow-up echocardiographic images.
LA enlargement and TR after left-ventricular valve replacement surgery were time-dependent events, which represented cardiac remodeling and were closely related to post-operative long-term consequences of heart failure. It is important to be cognizant of and to explore long-term preventive and treatment strategies for adverse cardiac events in patients following left-ventricular valve replacement.
Effectiveness of bisphosphonates on bone mineral density in osteopenic postmenopausal women
Authors: Dong Su-li , Jiao Yongqiang , Yang Hai-liang 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background:
Various bisphosphonate agents have been proven to be effective in preventing bone loss and fracture in osteopenic postmenopausal women. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of various BPs on preventing the loss of bone mineral density (BMD) for postmenopausal women with osteopenia.

Methods:
PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were screened up to identify randomized controlled trails comparing effectiveness of BPs or placebo on the BMD of postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Network meta-analysis and standard pair-wise meta-analyses were performed. The main outcomes include the percentage changes of 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month BMD at lumbar, total hip and femoral neck, and frequencies of new fractures and severe adverse events.

Results:
Fourteen randomized controlled trials were eligible, involving 11,540 participants. No significant difference was presented among the available interventions for the 6-month BMD at 3 different sites, but the magnitudes of differences among the treatment regimens became gradually increased along with the extending of follow-up periods. Daily aledronate of more than 5 mg provided the maximal percentage increase on BMD of femoral neck and lumbar spine, while zoledronate provided maximal change on BMD of total hip, at different follow-up periods. This network meta-analysis also demonstrated similar frequencies of new clinical fractures and severe adverse events among different interventions.

Conclusions:
A ranking spectrum depicting the effectiveness on BMD percentage change following interventions with different bisphosphonate regimens was provided. Generally, regimens with zoledronate and aledronate were found to be the most effective interventions in the 3 sites at different end points.
Screening cardiovascular risk factors of diabetes patients in the primary diabetes clinics
Authors: An Lingwang , Wang Yanlei , Cao Chenxiang , Chen Tao , Zhang Yonghong , Chen Linhui , Ren Shuhong , Tang Manni , Ma Fenglian , Li Xianglan , Yuan Shuang , Zhao Wenhui , Lee Yaujiunn , Xiao Jianzhong 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
To evaluate the atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) risk factors in type 2 diabetes patients from the primary diabetes clinics for further comprehensive intervention in China.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 primary diabetes chain hospitals in Beijing, Lanzhou, Harbin, Chengdu, and Taiyuan in continuous patients with type 2 diabetes from March 2016 to December 2019. The data collected at the first visit were analyzed, and proportions of patients reached the targets (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] < 7%, blood pressure < 130/80 mm Hg, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] < 2.6mmol/l) were calculated. The clinical characteristics and the associated factors with achievement in HbA1c, blood pressure, and LDL-C targets were analyzed.
A total of 20,412 participants, including 11,353 men (55.6%), with an average age of (59.4 ± 10.4) years were enrolled. Nearly 95% diabetes had one or more ASCVD risk factors other than hyperglycemia. The control rates of HbA1c, blood pressure, and LDL-C were 26.5%, 27.8%, and 42.6%, respectively. Only 4.1% patients achieved all 3 targets. Nearly 95% patients had one or more ASCVD risk factors other than hyperglyciemia. Diabetes duration, family history, and overweight/obesity were associated with the number of aggregated ASCVD risk factors. The patients with older age, no overweight/obesity, not smoking, less ASCVD risk factors, and having special diabetes care insurance (Chengdu) were associated with a higher control rates.
To deal with poor control status, global management of ASCVD risk factors, weight loss, and smoking cessation must be emphasized in the primary diabetes care settings. Special diabetes care insurance should be advocated.
Current ClinicalTrial.gov protocol ID NCT03707379. Date of Registration: October 16, 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov.
Association between chronic pain medications and the severity and mortality of COVID-19
Authors: Serrano Afonso Andrés Ancor , Pérez Hernández Concepción , Ochoa Mazarro Dolores , Román Martínez Manuel , Failde Martínez Inmaculada , Montes Pérez Antonio , López Pais Pablo , Cánovas Martínez Luz , Revuelta Rizo Miren , Padilla del Rey María Luz , Peiró Perió Ana , Aberasturi Fueyo Teresa , Margarit Ferrí César , Rojo Rodríguez Elena , Mendiola de la Osa Agustín , Muñoz Martinez Manuel José , Domínguez Bronchal María Jesús , Herrero Trujillano Manuel , Cid Calzada José , Fabregat-Cid Gustavo , Hernández-Cádiz María José , Mareque Ortega Manuel , Gómez-Caro Álvarez Palencia Leticia , Mayoral Rojals Víctor 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
In patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, common drugs may exacerbate symptoms and negatively impact outcomes. However, the role of chronic medications on COVID-19 effects remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that certain chronic pain medications would influence outcomes in patients with COVID-19.
The main aim is to assess the effect of these medications on the course of the disease in COVID-19 patients. Secondary aims are to compare disease severity and outcomes in patients with COVID-19 receiving chronic treatment with analgesics or other medications versus untreated patients and to determine prevalence of chronic pain medications in specific subgroups of hospitalized patients for COVID-19.
Multicenter case-population study in 15 care centers for patients ≥18 years of age diagnosed and hospitalized with COVID-19. Controls will include patients treated at participating centers for chronic pain during the six-month period prior to March 15th, 2020. Each case will be age- and sex-matched to 10 controls. Patients will be grouped according to disease severity criteria. The primary outcome measures in patients admitted for COVID-19 will be:
Secondary outcome measures include:
Patients and controls will be paired by age, sex, and geographic residence. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals will be calculated to determine the association between each drug and clinical status. Univariate and multivariate analyses will be performed.
This is a study protocol. Data is actually being gathered and results are yet not achieved. There is no numerical data presented, so the conclusions cannot be considered solid at this point.
Pain medications are likely to influence severity of COVID-19 and patient survival. Identifying those medications that are most closely associated with severe COVID-19 will provide clinicians with valuable data to guide treatment and reduce mortality rates and the long-term sequelae of the disease.
Relationship between statins and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Chang Min Cheol , Kwak Sang Gyu , Park Jin-Sung , Park Donghwi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Objective:
Previous studies on overlapping surveillance databases have suggested that statin use was associated with the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-like syndrome. However, the association between statin use and ALS incidence has not been clearly elucidated. To further explore this issue, we performed a systemic review and meta-analysis of all available clinical studies on the association between statin use and ALS incidence.

Methods:
A comprehensive database search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS was conducted. We included studies up to January 31, 2020 that fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statin use between the ALS and control groups was collected for the meta-analysis.

Results:
Three case-control studies and 1 cohort study, that related the risk of ALS to statin use, satisfied the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in statin use between the ALS and control groups (odds ratio, 0.75 [95% confidence interval, 0.53–1.08]).

Conclusion:
No definite association was found between statin use and the development of ALS. Further large-scale prospective randomized control studies are necessary to draw definite conclusions.
Efficacy of water-based vitamin E solution versus placebo in the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight infants
Authors: Romero-Maldonado Silvia , Montoya-Estrada Araceli , Reyes-Muñoz Enrique , Guzmán-Grenfell Alberto Martín , Torres-Ramos Yessica Dorin , Sánchez-Mendez Mario David , Tolentino-Dolores Maricruz , Salgado-Valladares Manuel Bernardo , Belmont-Gómez Aurora , Najéra Nayelli , Ceballos Guillermo , Cardona-Pérez Jorge Arturo , Hicks Juan José , Mancilla-Ramírez Javier 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background:
Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, which help in scavenging free radicals, thereby reducing oxidation of lipids and proteins. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of oral vitamin E supplementation in preventing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and decreasing oxidative stress 15 and 28 days post-intervention.

Methods:
Ninety VLBW infants were randomly assigned to two groups:
Each group received 25 IU of vitamin E (T) or placebo (C).

Results:
The incidence of ROP in groups T and C was 12.5% (n=6) and 31% (n = 13), respectively (RR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.10–0.96). There were no differences in mortality between groups. As expected, the vitamin E concentration was significantly increased 28 days post-intervention in group T.

Conclusion:
Oral supplementation with vitamin E may effectively prevent ROP development in VLBW infants with RDS. Oxidative damage markers were significantly lower, whereas total antioxidant capacity was increased in group T. However, levels of other antioxidants as vitamin A and C were not measured in two groups.
Comparison of 2 effect-site concentrations of remifentanil with midazolam during percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty under monitored anesthesia care
Authors: Lai Hou-Chuan , Tsai Yi-Ting , Huang Yi-Hsuan , Wu Ke-Li , Huang Ren-Chih , Lin Bo-Feng , Chan Shun-Ming , Wu Zhi-Fu 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background:
Until now, target-controlled infusion of remifentanil with midazolam in percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty for dysfunctional hemodialysis fistulas has not been described. Here, we investigate 2 effect-site concentrations of remifentanil with intermittent bolus midazolam for percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty under monitored anesthesia care.

Methods:
A prospective, randomized controlled trial including patients who received a percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty between March 2019 and March 2021 was conducted. Group 1 and Group 2 were, respectively, administered an initial effect-site concentration of remifentanil of 1.0 and 2.0 ng/mL by a target-controlled infusion pump with Minto model. In both groups, maintenance of the effect-site concentration of remifentanil was adjusted upward and downward by 0.5 ng/mL with intermittent bolus midazolam to keep the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scale between 2 and 4, mean arterial pressure and heart rate at baseline levels ± 30%, and patient comfort (remaining moveless). The primary outcome was to determine the appropriate effect-site concentration of remifentanil for the procedure in terms of patient comfort (remaining moveless), hemodynamic conditions, and adverse events. Secondary endpoints included the total dosage of anesthetics and total times of target-controlled infusion pump adjustments.

Results:
A total of 40 patients in Group 1 and 40 patients in Group 2 were eligible for analysis. Most parameters were insignificantly different between 2 groups, except Group 1 having higher peripheral oxygen saturation, while local anesthetic injection compared with Group 2. In addition, Group 1 patients had less apnea with desaturation (peripheral oxygen saturation < 90%; 0 vs 6, P = .034), less remifentanil consumption (189.65 ± 69.7 vs 243.8 ± 76.1 μg, P = .001), but more intraoperative movements affecting the procedure (14 vs 4; P = .016), total times of target-controlled infusion pump adjustment [2 (1-4) vs 1 (1–2), P < .001] compared with Group 2.

Conclusion:
In percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty for dysfunctional hemodialysis fistulas, target-controlled infusion with remifentanil Minto model target 2.0 ng/mL with 3 to 4 mg midazolam use provided appropriate hemodynamic conditions, sufficient sedation and analgesia, and acceptable apnea with desaturation.
Percutaneous pinning with interphalangeal joint locked in phalanx fractures
Authors: Liu Shibo , Sun Bo , Wang Pei , Fu Shijie 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background:
The purpose of the study was to compare the operation time, the fracture healed time, the postoperative function recovery between the techniques that temporary locking of the interphalangeal joint and traditional manual reduction in the treatment of percutaneous pinning of the phalanx fractures.

Methods:
Patients with phalanx fractures from January 2015 to January 2018 who were admitted to our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patients received surgery with traditional manual or temporary locking of the interphalangeal joint reduction. The information of patients, including age, gender, the length of the operation, the fracture healed time, the postoperative function recovery, complication, and length of postoperative hospital stay, was collected. All of the information were evaluated and compared between the 2 groups. All of the surgery were performed by 2 experienced hand surgeons of our department. The patients in the 2 groups were followed up for an average of 6 months after surgery.

Results:
All patients completed the operation and were followed up completely. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the 2 groups (P > .05). The observation group who received surgery with the interphalangeal joint locked technique had significantly shorter in operative time than the control group (P < .05). And postoperative complications in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group (P < .05). However, the postoperative functional recovery in both groups was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P > .05). And there were no significant differences in the fracture healed time and length of postoperative hospital stay between the 2 groups (P > .05).

Conclusion:
Both surgical techniques can enable patients to achieve good function, but the technique of interphalangeal joint locked is effective in the treatment of the phalanx fractures, as it is characterized by short operations and a quick recovery. However, this technique is only suitable for extra-articular phalanx fractures that the AO/ASIF classification of type A2.3 and less than 2 weeks, not for other phalanx fractures.
Prognostic value of HHLA2 expression in solid tumors
Authors: Zhang Chuanmeng , Xu Jie , Ye Jun , Zhang Xiaohong 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background:
Human endogenous retrovirus-H long terminal repeat-associating protein 2 (HHLA2), a newly discovered member of the B7 family, is overexpressed in numerous tumors. However, the prognostic impact of HHLA2 in human cancers remains controversial. Thus, we performed this meta-analysis to explore the prognostic value of HHLA2 in Chinese patients with solid tumors.

Methods:
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang databases were systematically searched for eligible studies that evaluated the impact of HHLA2 on overall survival (OS) in patients with cancer. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to evaluate the association between HHLA2 expression and OS in solid tumors. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were pooled to assess the correlation between HHLA2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics in solid tumors.

Results:
A total of 12 studies, including 15 cohorts and 1747 patients, were included in this meta-analysis. We found that high HHLA2 expression was significantly associated with shorter OS (HR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.12–2.43). Subgroup analysis by cancer type demonstrated that high HHLA2 expression was associated with poor OS in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (HR = 3.42, 95% CI: 2.39–4.91), gastric cancer (HR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.31–3.16), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (HR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.24–2.53), lung cancer (HR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.33–3.44) and other cancer types (HR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.34–3.24), but not in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.08–3.56). Nevertheless, high HHLA2 expression was associated with better OS in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (HR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.32–0.64). Furthermore, high HHLA2 expression was associated with old age (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.03–1.63), lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.41–2.81), and vascular invasion (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.18–2.42).

Conclusions:
HHLA2 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for solid tumors in Chinese population, by predict the prognosis of cancer patients based on their tumor types.