bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Net Water Uptake Calculated in Standardized and Blindly Outlined Regions of the Middle Cerebral Artery Territory Predicts the Development of Malignant Edema in Patients With Acute Large Hemispheric Infarction
Authors: Xu Hai-Bin , Sun Yu-Fei , Luo Na , Wang Jia-Qi , Chang Guo-Can , Tao Lin , Yang Ben-Qiang , Chen Hui-Sheng 
Published: March 2021

Background and purpose: Previous studies have demonstrated that Net Water Uptake (NWU) is associated with the development of malignant edema (ME). The current study aimed to investigate whether NWU calculated in standardized and blindly outlined regions of the middle cerebral artery can predict the development of ME.Methods: We retrospectively included 119 patients suffering from large hemispheric infarction within onset of 24 h. The region of the middle cerebral artery territory was blindly outlined in a standard manner to calculate NWU. Patients were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of ME, which is defined as space-occupying infarct requiring decompressive craniotomy or death due to cerebral hernia in 7 days from onset. The clinical characteristics were analyzed, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to assess the predictive ability of NWU and other factors for ME.Results: Multivariable analysis showed that NWU was an independent predictor of ME (OR 1.168, 95% CI 1.041–1.310). According to the ROC curve, NWU≥8.127% identified ME with good predictive power (AUC 0.734, sensitivity 0.656, specificity 0.862).Conclusions: NWU calculated in standardized and blindly outlined regions of the middle cerebral artery territory is also a good predictor for the development of ME in patients with large hemispheric infarction.
The Quebec Diabetes Empowerment Group Program: Program Description and Considerations Regarding Feasibility and Acceptability of Implementation in Primary Health Care Settings
Authors: Hersson-Edery Fanny , Reoch Jennifer , Gagnon Justin 
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Diabetes is a highly prevalent chronic disease that frequently coexists with other medical conditions and implies a high burden for patients and the healthcare system. Clinicians currently are challenged to provide effective interventions that are both multidisciplinary and empower patient self-care. The Diabetes Empowerment Group Program (DEGP) was developed with the aims of fostering patient engagement in diabetes self-care through the lens of empowerment and to support the empowerment of patients with diabetes by providing multidisciplinary group-based care. This research's objectives were to: (1) develop a comprehensive description of the DEGP for potential adopters, and (2) explore the factors influencing the feasibility and acceptability of implementing it in other healthcare settings in Montreal.Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, following a participatory approach. Data were obtained from: (1) semi-structured interviews with 14 patients who participated in the pilot program; (2) from semi-structured group interviews with patient partners, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders from 4 Montreal family medicine groups, and (3) discussions among the participatory research team during various knowledge translation activities. Inductive content analysis of the data was performed.Results: The DEGP identified seven key elements: medical visit, continuity of care, group-based dynamics, multi-disciplinarity, clinician facilitation, patient-centered agenda, and a theoretical framework of empowerment. The content and organization of the group visits were conceived to address each of these four domains. The empowerment framework comprises four domains of self-care: emotional (attitude), cognitive (knowledge), behavioral (skills), and relational (relatedness). Factors impacting the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the DEGP in other primary care settings were identified.Discussion: The DEGP fits within the discourse around the need for more patient-centered programs for people living with diabetes, following a more comprehensive empowerment model. This research could facilitate the development or adaptation of similar programs in other settings.
Value of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Histogram Analysis in the Differential Diagnosis of Nasopharyngeal Lymphoma and Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Based on Readout-Segmented Diffusion-Weighted Imaging
Authors: Song Chengru , Cheng Peng , Cheng Jingliang , Zhang Yong , Xie Shanshan 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundThis study aims to explore the utility of whole-lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis for differentiating nasopharyngeal lymphoma (NPL) from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) following readout-segmented echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging (RESOLVE sequence).MethodsThirty-eight patients with NPL and 62 patients with NPC, who received routine head-and-neck MRI and RESOLVE (b-value: 0 and 1,000 s/mm2) examinations, were retrospectively evaluated as derivation cohort (February 2015 to August 2018); another 23 patients were analyzed as validation cohort (September 2018 to December 2019). The RESOLVE data were obtained from the MAGNETOM Skyra 3T MR system (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). Fifteen parameters derived from the whole-lesion histogram analysis (ADCmean, variance, skewness, kurtosis, ADC1, ADC10, ADC20, ADC30, ADC40, ADC50, ADC60, ADC70, ADC80, ADC90, and ADC99) were calculated for each patient. Then, statistical analyses were performed between the two groups to determine the statistical significance of each histogram parameter. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was conducted to assess the diagnostic performance of each histogram parameter for distinguishing NPL from NPC and further tested in the validation cohort; calibration of the selected parameter was tested with Hosmer–Lemeshow test.ResultsNPL exhibited significantly lower ADCmean, variance, ADC1, ADC10, ADC20, ADC30, ADC40, ADC50, ADC60, ADC70, ADC80, ADC90 and ADC99, when compared to NPC (all, P &lt; 0.05), while no significant differences were found on skewness and kurtosis. Furthermore, ADC99 revealed the highest diagnostic efficiency, followed by ADC10 and ADC20. Optimal diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.790, sensitivity = 91.9%, and specificity = 63.2%) could be achieved when setting ADC99 = 1,485.0 × 10−6 mm2/s as the threshold value. The predictive performance was maintained in the validation cohort (AUC = 0.817, sensitivity = 94.6%, and specificity = 56.2%)ConclusionWhole-lesion ADC histograms based on RESOLVE are effective in differentiating NPC from NPL.
Induction Chemotherapy Plus Simultaneous Modulated Accelerated Radiation Therapy in Non-operative Hypopharyngeal and Supraglottic Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Long-Term Outcome of a Prospective Phase 2 Study
Authors: Cai Boning , Meng Lingling , Mo Jingzi , Xu Shouping , Qu Baolin , Liu Fang , Ma Lin 
Published: March 2021

Background: To evaluate the toxicities and long-term outcomes of induction chemotherapy (ICT) plus simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy (SMART) in non-operative hypopharyngeal and supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCCH/L).Materials and Methods: This was a prospective phase 2 study. Patients diagnosed with SCCH/L, aged from 18 to 75, staged from III to IVB in accordance with the AJCC 2010 criteria, and refusing surgery were eligible. The patients were treated with 2–3 cycles of docetaxel-cisplatin-based ICT and SMART combined with 2–3 cycles of cisplatin-based concurrent chemotherapy. The prescription dose to the primary tumor and metastatic nodes was 69 Gy in 30 fractions. Acute and late toxicities were assessed according to the established Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (RTOG/EORTC) criteria, and long-term outcomes were analyzed.Results: Between February 2013 and June 2015, 55 newly diagnosed SCCH/L patients were enrolled. No grade 2 or worse acute xerostomia was noted. The incidences of grade 3 acute dermatitis, oral mucositis, and pharyngoesophagitis were 12.7, 3.6, and 12.7%, respectively. The median follow-up time was 48 months (range 5.5–74 months). The main late toxicity was hoarseness or sore throat, with an incidence of 32.7%. The 5-year functional larynx-preservation survival was 51.5%. The 3- and 5-year locoregional control and overall survival were 58.2, 51.5, 63.6, and 54.1%, respectively.Conclusions: The ICT plus SMART with a regimen of 69 Gy/30 F for the treatment of SCCH/L demonstrated acceptable severe toxicity, satisfactory long-term outcomes, and laryngeal function preservation.
A Data Science Approach to Analyze the Association of Socioeconomic and Environmental Conditions With Disparities in Pediatric Surgery
Authors: Akbilgic Oguz , Shin Eun Kyong , Shaban-Nejad Arash 
Published: March 2021

Background: Scientific evidence confirm that significant racial disparities exist in healthcare, including surgery outcomes. However, the causal pathway underlying disparities at preoperative physical condition of children is not well-understood.Objectives: This research aims to uncover the role of socioeconomic and environmental factors in racial disparities at the preoperative physical condition of children through multidimensional integration of several data sources at the patient and population level.Methods: After the data integration process an unsupervised k-means algorithm on neighborhood quality metrics was developed to split 29 zip-codes from Memphis, TN into good and poor-quality neighborhoods.Results: An unadjusted comparison of African Americans and white children showed that the prevalence of poor preoperative condition is significantly higher among African Americans compared to whites. No statistically significant difference in surgery outcome was present when adjusted by surgical severity and neighborhood quality.Conclusions: The socioenvironmental factors affect the preoperative clinical condition of children and their surgical outcomes.
A Novel and Reliable Rat Model of Autism
Authors: Qi Zhaoyao , Lyu Mengke , Yang Liping , Yuan Haiyan , Cao Yun , Zhai Linlin , Dang Weili , Liu Juan , Yang Fan , Li Ying 
Published: March 2021

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that lacks an ideal animal model to recapitulate the disease state of ASD. Previous studies have reported that transplanting gut microbiota of ASD patients into pregnant mice is sufficient to promote the changes of autism-like behavior in offspring. This study aims to explore whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can be used as a new method to establish the ASD animal model.Methods: We transplanted the fecal sample extract of ASD children into pregnant rats (rFMT) repeatedly to establish an ASD rat model (oFMT) and compare it with the classical valproic acid (VPA) model (oVPA).Results: First, we reveal that oFMT shows hypoevolutism and typical behavioral characteristics of ASD, consistent with the previous study. Second, the gut microbiota of oFMT mainly consists of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, recapitulating the abnormal gut microbiota of ASD. In oFMT, the abundance of Lactobacillus and Collinsella increased (Lactobacillus: oFMT 60.16%, oVPA 64.13%, oCON 40.11%; Collinsella: oFMT 3.73%, oVPA 1.39%, oCON 1.28%), compared with oVPA, gut microbiota also showed high consistency. Third, the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in oFMT serum increased, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and norepinephrine (NE) in oFMT serum decreased. Fourth, the gut microbiota of oFMT also has some ASD characteristic gut microbiota not found in oVPA. Fifth, pregnant rat with VPA showed significant immune activation, while those with FMT showed relatively minor immune activation.Limitations: Although the mechanism of establishing FMT autism rat model (oFMT) has not clearly defined, the data show that the model has high structural validity, and FMT model is likely to be a new and reliable potential animal model of ASD, and will have potential value in studying gut microbiota of ASD.Conclusions: The FMT autism rat model has high structural validity, and the FMT model is likely to be a new and reliable potential animal model of ASD.
Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy: “Mucosectomy or Not Only Mucosectomy, This Is the Problem”
Authors: Eberspacher Chiara , Magliocca Fabio M. , Pontone Stefano , Mascagni Pietro , Fralleone Lisa , Gallo Gaetano , Mascagni Domenico 
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy was originally defined as a rectal mucosectomy. The aims of our retrospective, single-center study were to demonstrate if the excised specimen comprises only the mucosa or more wall rectal layers and if the latter excision should be considered a technical mistake with an increase in complications.Materials and Methods: We histopathologically analyzed surgical samples from patients who underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy performed between 2014 and 2019. Patients were divided into three groups, according to the stapler used: Group A (single PPH®), Group B (double PPH®), and Group C (CPH34 HV™). We evaluated the actual wall layers included in the stapled rectal ring. For every specimen, we reconstructed the history of the corresponding patient and the incidence of complications.Results: Of the 137 histological slides available, 13 were only mucosectomies (9.5%), and 124 presented also the submucosa and muscularis propria (90.5%)−50/58 patients in Group A, 28/28 in Group B, and 46/51 in Group C. No statistically significant difference in the rate of complications was found when stratifying patients according to the thickness of the resection [mucosectomy (M) or “full thickness” (FT)].Discussion: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is not a simple mucosectomy but a resection of the rectal wall with almost all its layers. This concept defines the entity of the surgical procedure and excludes a direct correlation with an increased rate of complications.
Inequalities in general practice remote consultations: a systematic review
Authors: Parker Ruth F , Figures Emma L , Paddison Charlotte AM , Matheson James IDM , Blane David N , Ford John A 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundCOVID-19 has led to rapid and widespread use of remote consultations in general practice, but the health inequalities impact remains unknown.AimTo explore the impact of remote consultations in general practice, compared to face-to-face consultations, on utilisation and clinical outcomes across socioeconomic and disadvantaged groups.Design & settingSystematic review.MethodThe authors undertook an electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science from inception to June 2020. The study included studies that compared remote consultations to face-to-face consultations in primary care and reported outcomes by PROGRESS Plus criteria. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I. Data were synthesised narratively.ResultsBased on 13 studies that explored telephone and internet-based consultations, this review found that telephone consultations were used by younger people of working age, the very old, and non-immigrants, with internet-based consultations more likely to be used by younger people. Women consistently used more remote forms of consulting than men. Socioeconomic and ethnicity findings were mixed, with weak evidence that patients from more affluent areas were more likely to use internet-based communication. Remote consultations appeared to help patients with opioid dependence remain engaged with primary care. No studies reported on the impact on quality of care or clinical outcomes.ConclusionRemote consultations in general practice are likely to be used more by younger, working people, non-immigrants, older patients, and women, with internet-based consultations more by younger, affluent, and educated groups. Widespread use of remote consultations should be treated with caution until the inequalities impact on clinical outcomes and quality of care is known.
Practitioners’ Opinions on Student Assessment Process in Distance Education in the Context of Educational Technologies
Authors: Yörük Tayfun 
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study is to reveal the views of the practitioners regarding the measurement and evaluation sub-system of distance education applications in higher education. 11 faculty members working at Akdeniz University, determined with an easily accessible sampling of purposeful sampling methods, participated in this study in which qualitative research method was used. The research is in case study design, one of the qualitative research designs. Therefore, to collect data, a semi-structured interview form was prepared and an interview technique was used in the study. The data were analyzed by the content analysis technique. All the data obtained in the study were coded. Various themes and sub-themes suitable for these themes were determined by the purpose of the research, percentages and frequencies related to the sub-themes were calculated. When the findings are evaluated in the context of education management and the use of educational technologies, it was observed that the problems encountered in measurement and evaluation system in distance education in higher education are the lack of technological infrastructure, the safety of exams, failure to provide equal opportunities. As a result, opinions about an effective measurement and evaluation system have been put forward by the practitioners.
An Analysis of Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance of Four- Year Integrated B.Ed. Trainees
Authors: Meher Venkateswar , Baral Rajashree , Bankira Sadhujan 
Published: March 2021

Emotional intelligence plays a vital role in accomplishing the determined objectives of mankind and promoting learning outcomes. For the first time psychologists, Mayer and Salovey coined and used the term “Emotional Intelligence” and defined it as the capacity or ability of an individual for perceiving, processing, knowing and regulating emotional information accurately in an effective manner involving Intra and inter abilities to guide one’s thinking to make certain changes in others. The objectives of the study were to investigate the emotional intelligence scores of four-year integrated B.Ed. Trainees, to compare the emotional intelligence scores of four-year integrated B.Ed. Trainees, in terms of their sex, to compare the academic performance scores of students having high and low emotional intelligence scores and to investigate the relationship between the emotional intelligence scores and academic performance scores of students. To accomplish the objectives of the present study, descriptive survey cum comparative cum correlational methods were used to accomplish the objectives. In the present study, 50 four-year integrated B.Ed. trainees were taken randomly, so the study sample consisted of 150 four-year integrated trainees of Gangadhar Meher University as a whole. To collect data from the sample groups Emotional Intelligence Scale developed by Nicola S. Schutte, John M. Malouff and Navjot Bhullar in 2008 was used, which consists of 33 items in a five-point scale having Cronbach’s alpha reliability of .90 and the test-retest reliability of .78. Along with that, academic performance scores of the last semester of students were taken. The findings of the study revealed that about 6% of students had high emotional intelligence scores and 94% had above-average emotional intelligence scores. The study revealed no significant difference between the emotional intelligence scores of boys and girls. It was also found that the academic achievement scores of students having high emotional intelligence scores were more as compared to the students having low emotional intelligence scores. The study also reported a significant positive correlation between emotional intelligence and the academic performance of students.
Educational Augmented Reality Technology for Language Learning and Teaching: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Karacan Cemil Gökhan , Akoğlu Kemal 
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this paper is to present a review of Augmented Reality (AR) technology as an educational tool for foreign language education. Following a short yet comprehensive literature review, the paper reviews educational AR technology in terms of learning theories, learning pedagogies, teachers, students, culture, infrastructure, and sustainability based on the framework developed by Osterweil et al. (2016) for evaluating the appropriateness of educational technology use in global development programs. The review showed that AR technology provides several benefits for language learning; however, it is not ready for total integration into language classes. The paper also provides practical suggestions for activities enriched with AR in four language skills and recommended applications. This review offers various implications for teachers, teacher educators, researchers and coursebook developers.
АКТУАЛЬНІСТЬ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ СПОЖИВНИХ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИК КОНОПЛЯНИХ ВИРОБІВ, ОДЕРЖАНИХ ЗА ІННОВАЦІЙНИМИ ТЕХНОЛОГІЯМИ
Authors: ДОМБРОВСЬКА О.П. , ЧУРСІНА Л.А. , МАНДРА О.М. 
Published: March 2021

Мета. Метою є вивчення споживних характеристик конопляних виробів,одержаних за інноваційними технологіями. Розробці нових способів отримання конопляних виробів за інноваційними технологіями приділяється значна увага в усьому світі. В роботі доведено, що розширення системи оцінки якості споживних характеристик нових виробів, одержаних зі стебел та насіння конопель, що отримуються за інноваційними технологіями є актуальним питанням.
Методика. Під час дослідження використовували передбачені діючими стандартами методи. Огляд джерел технічної та товарознавчої літератури здійснювали за допомогою інформаційно-аналітичних методів порівняльного та системного аналізу.
Результати. У статті представлено аналіз існуючого стану переробки стебел і насіння конопель в різних країнах світу. Проведено аналіз якості одержаних виробів за різними технологіями. Встановлено, що в Україні, не дивлячись на підвищення технологічної активності виробників конопляного волокна і насіння, майже повністю відсутнє товарознавче оцінювання якісних властивостей одержуваних нових виробів, які впливають на організм людини. В роботі наведено оцінку товарознавчих характеристик конопляної продукції на основі існуючої нормативної бази та визначені завдання з розширення цієї оцінки в залежності від функціонального призначення інноваційних виробів. Особливої уваги потребують дослідження санітарно-гігієнічних властивостей, антисептичних характеристик виробів із конопель, оскільки нормативні документи для їх визначення відсутні. Все це є підґрунтям для подальших досліджень. В перспективі будуть досліджені споживні характеристики з урахуванням санітарно-гігієнічних, антисептичних, фізико-механічних властивостей та енергетичної й лікувальної цінності харчових продуктів з конопель.
Наукова новизна. В роботі виокремлено існуючу систему оцінки якості конопляних виробів на основі застарілої нормативної бази. Показники якості, за якими здійснюється сучасна характеристика конопляних виробів, не відображають функціональне призначення інноваційних товарів із стебел та насіння конопель, у зв’язку з цим не можуть бути використані для визначення їх конкурентоздатності на вітчизняному та світовому ринках. Тому, на основі проведеного аналізу, в роботі доведена необхідність розширення системи показників якості конопляних виробів, які враховували б вплив їх на організм людини, тобто санітарно-гігієнічні, антисептичні, біологічні властивості, а також енергетичну та лікувальну цінність харчових продуктів із конопель.
Практична значимість. Запропоновані дослідження можуть бути використані для створення нормативних документів на конопляні волокна, отримані за інноваційними технологіями. Отримані результати досліджень можуть бути використані при виявленні фальсифікованих конопляних товарів, що перетинають кордон України.