bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circular RNA circSMARCA5 is a prognostic biomarker in patients with malignant tumor: a meta-analysis
Authors: Chao Fan , Wang Shiyu , Zhang Cong , Han Dunsheng , Ma Zhe , Chen Gang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Malignant tumor is one of the most serious diseases endangering human health. Circular RNAs play an important role in the tumorigenesis and progression of various malignant tumors. Although various studies have investigated the biological function of circular RNA circSMARCA5 in malignant tumors, the prognostic value of circSMARCA5 in malignant tumor patients has not been systematically analyzed.

Methods
Relevant studies were obtained from the PubMed and Web of Science database. The quality of the enrolled studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale quality assessment system. Survival features and clinicopathological features were assessed using pooled hazard ratios and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals, respectively.

Results
Overall, 7 relevant publications were enrolled in the meta-analysis. CircSMARCA5 expression was significantly correlated with better OS (HR = 0.51, 95%CI 0.41–0.65) or DFS/RFS/PFS (HR = 0.56, 95%CI 0.43–0.73) in malignant tumors. In the pooled analyses of clinicopathological characteristics, malignant tumors with higher circSMARCA5 were better differentiated (OR = 0.41, 95%CI 0.19–0.88). CircSMARCA5 expression was correlated with less advanced TNM stage (OR = 0.33, 95%CI 0.19–0.55). Moreover, malignant tumors with higher circSMARCA5 expression have less advanced lymph node metastasis (OR = 0.26, 95%CI 0.08–0.79).

Conclusion
These results indicated that circSMARCA5 was a promising biomarker in malignant tumors, which may potentially facilitate clinical decisions in the future.
The effectiveness of NEPA in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea vomiting among chemo naive patients in an Indian setting
Authors: Vaswani Bharat , Dattatreya Palanki Satya , Bhagat Sagar , Patil Saiprasad , Barkate Hanmant 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Chemotherapy induced nausea- vomiting (CINV) is considered as the most common, feared and most troublesome side effect of chemotherapy. NEPA (NEtupitant 300 mg + PAlonosetron 0.50 mg) is the first commercially available oral fixed-dose combination (FDC) of two active antiemetic agents in India. The present study was planned to evaluate the effectiveness of NEPA in the real world setting of India.

Methods
This was a multicentric retrospective study conducted in two centers in India. The data of all chemonaive patients, who were prescribed NEPA was analyzed. Effectiveness i.e. complete response and complete protection in controlling overall, acute and delayed phase was analyzed.

Results
A total of 329 patients were enrolled in the study. 260 received highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) regimen and 69 received moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) regimen. Among all the enrolled patients, complete response in acute, delayed and overall phase was 93, 85.71 and 85.41% respectively; and completed protection was 88.44, 81.76 and 80.54% respectively. Those who received HEC regimen, the completed response and complete protection in overall phase was 84.61 and 79.61% respectively and those who received MEC regimen the completed response and complete control in overall phase was 84.05 and 84.05% respectively.

Conclusion
A single oral dose of NEPA targeting dual pathways showed effective control of nausea-vomiting in patients on the HEC and MEC regimens and had good control over nausea-vomiting in acute, delayed and overall phase of nausea-vomiting.
Long term surgical outcome for persistent pupillary membranes with associated ocular abnormalities: a retrospective case series study
Authors: Huang Yu-Te , Lin Hui-Ju 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Deprivation amblyopia is a great concern in hyperplastic persistent pupillary membranes (PPM) which blocked visual axis. Other ocular abnormality may accompany and further hinder the visual development of the infants.
We evaluate the long-term visual prognosis and complications in patients with dense PPM and other associated abnormalities treated with early surgical intervention and timely visual rehabilitation.

Methods
Medical records of patients with surgical removal of PPM from 2000 to 2020 and also receiving visual rehabilitation were retrospectively reviewed. Besides visual axis blocked PPM, patients combined with other amblyopic risk factors or ocular abnormalities were included.
Due to preparation for subsequent lens extraction if an underlying cataract was present, the surgical settings including the instruments and wound direction were similar to cataract surgery. All patients were enrolled in a visual rehabilitation program as soon as possible. The results including sex, age, timing of operation, initial and final visual acuity, refractive errors, and complications were recorded.

Results
Seven cases of five patients were included in this case series. Mean age at surgery was 42.3 ± 21.1 months (range, 5 to 66 months) and the post-operative follow-up period was 4.9 years (range, 1.2 to 8.2 years).
The patient age at time of surgery ranged from 2.5 months to 2.5 years (mean, 14 months). Mean postoperative follow-up was 5.3 years (range, 2.5–8 years). There were no intra-operative and post-operative complications. Final BCVA varied with a mean value of 0.29 logMAR (range, 0 to 1 logMAR). An associated ocular abnormality of ametropia and strabismus led to the best visual prognosis.

Conclusions
In patients with PPM, there were no significant complications in any patient using our technique. The surgical settings are easier to handle and more familiar with pediatric surgeons. Besides deprivation with patching, early PPM intervention and timely visual rehabilitation achieve the best visual prognosis in patients associated with risk of ametropic and strabismic amblyopia.

Trial registration
This retrospective, interventional case series study was conducted at China Medical University Hospital between April 1, 2000 and April 31, 2020. (IRB number: CMUH109-REC2–069).
The social support, mental health, psychiatric symptoms, and functioning of persons with schizophrenia participating in peer co-delivered vocational rehabilitation: a pilot study in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Kan-Yuan , Yen Chia-Feng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Vocational peer support (VPS) services are recovery-oriented interventions in modern psychiatric care for persons with schizophrenia. However, few VPS services are found in Taiwan. Hence, a pilot program of peer co-delivered vocational rehabilitation to support persons with schizophrenia in Taiwan was proposed and evaluated.

Methods
Six peers were trained and were willing to co-lead and assist workplace problem-solving groups and care skills training in an extended vocational rehabilitation program from August 2017 to December 2018. The social support, mental health, psychiatric symptoms, and functioning of service users were assessed before and after peer co-delivered services, and the assessments were based on the following: Social Support Scale (SSS), Chinese Health Questionnaire-12 (CHQ-12), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Global Assessment of Function (GAF), and the Chinese version of the Social Functioning Scale (C-SFS).

Results
The recruited 46 service users were mostly middle-aged (49.1 ± 9.8), with 27 being male (58.7%). After interventions, 42 service users who completed the program had a significantly increased SSS score (149.1 ± 31.8 vs. 161.2 ± 35.0, df = 41, t = 2.70, p = 0.01) and subscale of friend-peer dimension (44.4 ± 12.0 vs. 53.2 ± 13.2, df = 41, t = 4.72, p < 0.001). The objective (GAF: 69.8 ± 9.8 vs. 72.6 ± 8.8, df = 41, t = 3.50, p = 0.001) and subjective social functional scores (C-SFS: 75.2 ± 8.8 vs. 78.1 ± 9.5, df = 41, t = 2.59, p = 0.01) both significantly increased. The weekly wage elevated significantly (37.5 ± 35.5 vs. 43.6 ± 38.0, df = 41, t = 2.57, p = 0.01) and the BPRS-18 score decreased significantly, too (31.2 ± 6.7 vs. 29.3 ± 5.0, df = 41, t = − 2.83, p = 0.007).

Conclusions
Peer co-delivered vocational rehabilitation services may enhance the social support received by persons with schizophrenia and improve their occupational outcomes. The pilot program proposed can thus be a model for non-Western countries with limited resources allocated by governments to support persons with schizophrenia. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials NCT04767204, retrospectively registered on Feb 23, 2021.
Psychosomatic symptoms questionnaire (PSQ-39): a psychometric study among general population of Iranian adults
Authors: Heidari Zahra , Feizi Awat , Rezaei Sara , Roohafza Hamidreza , Adibi Peyman 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundPsychosomatic symptoms, characterized by physical-bodily complaints not fully explained by organic reasons, are highly prevalent. The present study aimed to culturally adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of Psychosomatic Symptoms Questionnaire 39-item version (PSQ-39) among Iranian general adult population.MethodsThis study included 996 Persian-speaking people, living in Isfahan, Iran. The translation of the PSQ-39 was performed using the forward-backward method. Test-retest reliability was evaluated through Intraclass correlation (ICC) coefficient and internal consistency by using Cronbach’s α. Construct validity was investigated by using both exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analysis. Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess divergent validity. Known-group validity was also assessed.ResultsThe Persian version of the PSQ-39 showed excellent test-retest reliability in all domains (ICCs: 0.95–0.99). The computed Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for domains of PSQ-39 were in the range good to excellent. The PSQ-39 showed good known-group validity and differentiated patients from the general population (Area under the curve [AUC] of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.84). Construct validity evaluated by EFA led to extraction of seven factors (Cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, psychological, gastrointestinal, general, body balance and Globus), and the CFA confirmed the adequacy of extracted factors by EFA (CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, PCFI = 0.77, PNFI = 0.71, CMIN = 1413.18 (df = 654), CMIN/DF = 2.16, and RMSEA = 0.06). Significant negative correlations between all domains of PSQ and SF-36 revealed an acceptable divergent Validity.ConclusionsThe Persian version of the PSQ-39 is a reliable and valid questionnaire with applicability in a broad range of Persian language populations for assessing common psychosomatic symptoms in research as well as in clinical practice.
Examining the relation between the subjective and objective social status with health reported needs and health-seeking behaviour in Dande, Angola
Authors: Rosário Edite Vila Nova , Severo Milton , Francisco Diogo , Brito Miguel , Costa Diogo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Assessing subjective social status (SSS) may be easily accommodated in the context of a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). To our knowledge, no prior studies have examined the association of SSS and health in Angola. Subjective socioeconomic measures may provide a rapid assessment of a relevant social status construct, important for studying health inequalities. In this study, we addressed social determinants of health by examining the relationship between the subjective and objective social status, reported health and healthcare-seeking behaviour.

Methods
This research results from a cross-sectional study performed during 2015 in the Dande HDSS, in Angola. We tested the application of the MacArthur scale as a measure of SSS in a developing setting, in a sample of 12,246 households. First, we investigated its relation to objective socioeconomic indicators, and then we explored how subjective and objective social status associate with health reported needs and health-seeking behaviour of the surveyed population.
Chi-square, ANOVA tests, and Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) Curves analysis were computed for testing relationships between subjective status ladder quartiles, sociodemographic and household characteristics. Logistic regression was used to examine the influence of subjective perception of status in self-reported health and health-seeking behaviour.

Results
Our findings suggest that the SSS follows a gradient distribution obtained with more objective socioeconomic indicators. Additionally, we found that subjective perception of status influence health needs reporting and health-seeking behaviour and its significant effect remained after controlling for the objective socioeconomic markers. Individuals standing in the second quartile of the social ladder have more odds of reporting illness and those in the highest quartiles of the ladder were twice more likely (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.52–3.26) to seek help from formal health services than those at the bottom of the ladder.

Conclusions
The MacArthur Scale is a valuable tool to measure SSS in the Dande HDSS, relevant for studying socioeconomic disparities and health inequalities. It is also an easier alternative to traditional measures such as income, usually difficult to measure in developing settings. The social perception of status should be considered as a complement with objective indicators when exploring social determinants of health.
ADVANCE integrated group intervention to address both substance use and intimate partner abuse perpetration by men in substance use treatment: a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Authors: Gilchrist Gail , Potts Laura , Radcliffe Polly , Halliwell Gemma , Dheensa Sandi , Henderson Juliet , Johnson Amy , Love Beverly , Gilchrist Elizabeth , Feder Gene , Parrott Steve , Li Jinshuo , McMurran Mary , Kirkpatrick Sara , Stephens-Lewis Danielle , Easton Caroline , Berbary Cassandra , Landau Sabine 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Substance use is a risk factor for intimate partner abuse (IPA) perpetration. Delivering perpetrator interventions concurrently with substance use treatment shows promise.

Methods
The feasibility of conducting an efficacy and cost-effectiveness trial of the ADVANCE 16-week intervention to reduce IPA by men in substance use treatment was explored. A multicentre, parallel group individually randomised controlled feasibility trial and formative evaluation was conducted. Over three temporal cycles, 104 men who had perpetrated IPA towards a female (ex) partner in the past year were randomly allocated to receive the ADVANCE intervention + substance use treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 54) or TAU only (n = 50) and assessed 16-weeks post-randomisation. Participants’ (ex) partners were offered support and 27 provided outcome data. Thirty-one staff and 12 men who attended the intervention participated in focus groups or interviews that were analysed using the framework approach. Pre-specified criteria assessed the feasibility of progression to a definitive trial: 1) ≥ 60% of eligible male participants recruited; 2) intervention acceptable to staff and male participants; 3) ≥ 70% of participants followed-up and 4) levels of substance use and 5) IPA perpetrated by men in the intervention arm did not increase from average baseline level at 16-weeks post-randomisation.

Results
70.7% (104/147) of eligible men were recruited. The formative evaluation confirmed the intervention’s acceptability. Therapeutic alliance and session satisfaction were rated highly. The overall median rate of intervention session attendance (of 14 compulsory sessions) was 28.6% (range 14.3–64.3% by the third cycle). 49.0% (51/104) of men and 63.0% (17/27) of their (ex) partners were followed-up 16-weeks post-randomisation. This increased to 100% of men and women by cycle three. At follow-up, neither substance use nor IPA perpetration had worsened for men in the intervention arm.

Conclusions
It was feasible to deliver the ADVANCE intervention in substance use treatment services, although it proved difficult to collect data from female (ex)partners. While some progression criteria were met, others were not, although improvements were demonstrated by the third cycle. Lessons learned will be implemented into the study design for a definitive trial of the ADVANCE intervention.

Trial registration
ISRCTN79435190 prospectively registered 22nd May 2018.
The influence of preoperative knee flexion contracture severity on short-term outcome of orthopedic surgery in ambulatory children with bilateral cerebral palsy
Authors: Pantzar-Castilla Evelina , Chen Brian Po-Jung , Miller Freeman , Riad Jacques 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Indications and cutoff value of deformities to determine surgical procedures for flexed knee gait are not clear. The aim was to determine the influence of none or mild, and moderate preoperative knee flexion contracture on the improvement of gait after orthopedic surgery in children with bilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods
Inclusion criteria; bilateral CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System level I-III, and pre- and post operative-gait analysis. The 132 individuals identified were categorized into 2 groups based on the severity of knee flexion contracture (group 1: none or less than 11°; group 2: greater than or equal to 11°), and then matched according to the exact same soft tissue and/or bony orthopedic surgical procedures performed. The indication for surgery was to prevent progressive development of knee flexion contracture and stance phase flexed knee gait. Pre- and postoperative physical examination and gait analysis data were analyzed retrospectively.

Results
Sixty (30 + 30) children, with mean age 10.6 years in each group, were included. The average follow-up time was 17 months.
Gait Deviation Index (GDI) improved in group 1 from mean 66 (SD 19) to 74 (15), p = 0.004, and in group 2 from 60 (13) to 69 (15), p = 0.001. Knee flexion in stance improved in group 1 from 21.4 (16.1) to 12.1 (16.0) degrees, p = 0.002, and in group 2 from 32.2 (14.2) to 17.0 (15.9), p = 0.001. Step length improved in both groups, p = 0.017 and p = 0.008, respectively.
Only in group 2 significant improvement was noted in walking speed, p = 0.018 and standing function, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-D), p = 0.001. Knee flexion contracture decreased in group 1 from mean 4.6 (5.3) to 2.1 (8.3) degrees, p = 0.071 and in group 2 from 17.2 (4.9) to 9.6 (9.3), p = 0.001.
There was no statistical difference between groups in pre-post improvement of GDI or other variables, except GMFM-D.

Conclusions
Relative mild to moderate preoperative knee flexion contracture does not influence the short-term improvement of gait after orthopedic surgery in children with bilateral CP.
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to pancreas and gastrointestinal tract: a clinicopathological study of 3 cases and review of literature
Authors: Abdul-Ghafar Jamshid , Ud Din Nasir , Saadaat Ramin , Ahmad Zubair 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) metastasizes in approximately 20–30% cases. The most common sites for metastases are the lungs, bones, liver, and brain. Metastases of RCC in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are very rare. Metastatic RCC has a poor prognosis. We herein present a case series of three patients with metastatic disease in the colon, duodenum, and pancreas following complete resection of RCC.

Methods
Hematoxylin and Eosin and immunohistochemical slides of 3 cases of RCC metastatic to GIT were reviewed. These cases were diagnosed between 2002 and 2019 at French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC), Kabul, Afghanistan, and Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan. We also present a detailed review of published literature.

Results
We reviewed cases of three patients, two females and one male, with a mean age of 57.3 years (range 40–67 years) who underwent nephrectomy for RCC. They developed metastases in the colon, pancreas, and duodenum, respectively 12–168 months (median time 156 months) following primary tumor resection. The patient with metastatic RCC in colon presented with abdominal pain and constipation. An ulcerated mass was found on colonoscopy 30 cm from the anal verge. Diagnosis of RCC with rhabdoid features was confirmed in both primary and metastatic tumors. The second patient developed a metastatic nodule in the head of pancreatic while the third patient developed metastatic nodules in the duodenum and pancreas which were detected by Computed Tomography (CT) scanning. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of clear cell RCC in the metastatic nodules in both cases.

Conclusion
Metastatic RCC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mass in the gastrointestinal (including pancreaticobiliary) tract especially in presence of a past history of RCC. These patients should be screened thoroughly by physical examination and appropriate imaging studies.
The prevalence of zinc deficiency in morbidly obese patients before and after different types of bariatric surgery
Authors: Soheilipour Fahimeh , Ebrahimian Mohammad , Pishgahroudsari Mohadeseh , Hajian Maryam , Amirkashani Davoud , Ordooei Mahtab , Radgoodarzi Mohammad , Eskandari Delaram 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
The prevalence of obesity is considered to be increased worldwide. Lack of mineral elements is one of the essential side effects of bariatric surgery as a trending treatment for obesity. We aimed to assess zinc deficiency among morbidly obese patients before and following different types of bariatric surgical procedures.

Methods
In the present retrospective cohort study, 413 morbidly obese patients (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2 or BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with a complication or risk factor, e.g., diabetes mellitus) were enrolled who received bariatric surgery, aged between 18 and 65 years old, and had a negative history of active consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs. Patients were assigned into three groups of bariatric surgeries: mini-gastric bypass, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). We recorded baseline clinical and demographic characteristics and zinc serum levels during the preoperative and postoperative follow-up periods at three, six, and 12 months after the operation.

Results
All patients with a mean age of 40.57 ± 10.63 years and a mean preoperative BMI of 45.78 ± 6.02 kg/m2 underwent bariatric surgery. 10.2% of the bariatric patients experienced zinc deficiency before the surgery, and 27.1% at 1 year after the surgery. The results showed that 27.7% of mini-gastric bypass patients, 29.8% of RYGB, and 13.3% of SG experienced zinc deficiency 12 months following surgery. We observed no statistical differences in the preoperative and postoperative zinc deficiency between different types of surgeries.

Conclusion
A high prevalence of preoperative zinc deficiency among morbidly obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery was observed, which increased during the postoperative periods. We recommend assessing zinc serum levels and prescribing zinc supplements before the bariatric operation to alleviate the prevalence of zinc deficiency after the operation.