bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department attendances and acute medical admissions
Authors: Reschen Michael E. , Bowen Jordan , Novak Alex , Giles Matthew , Singh Sudhir , Lasserson Daniel , O’Callaghan Christopher A. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
To better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital healthcare, we studied activity in the emergency department (ED) and acute medicine department of a major UK hospital.

Methods
Electronic patient records for all adult patients attending ED (n = 243,667) or acute medicine (n = 82,899) during the pandemic (2020–2021) and prior year (2019) were analysed and compared. We studied parameters including severity, primary diagnoses, co-morbidity, admission rate, length of stay, bed occupancy, and mortality, with a focus on non-COVID-19 diseases.

Results
During the first wave of the pandemic, daily ED attendance fell by 37%, medical admissions by 30% and medical bed occupancy by 27%, but all returned to normal within a year. ED attendances and medical admissions fell across all age ranges; the greatest reductions were seen for younger adults in ED attendances, but in older adults for medical admissions. Compared to non-COVID-19 pandemic admissions, COVID-19 admissions were enriched for minority ethnic groups, for dementia, obesity and diabetes, but had lower rates of malignancy. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, non-COVID-19 pandemic admissions had more hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, liver disease, and obesity. There were fewer low severity ED attendances during the pandemic and fewer medical admissions across all severity categories. There were fewer ED attendances with common non-respiratory illnesses including cardiac diagnoses, but no change in cardiac arrests. COVID-19 was the commonest diagnosis amongst medical admissions during the first wave and there were fewer diagnoses of pneumonia, myocardial infarction, heart failure, cellulitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, urinary tract infection and other sepsis, but not stroke. Levels had rebounded by a year later with a trend to higher levels of stroke than before the pandemic. During the pandemic first wave, 7-day mortality was increased for ED attendances, but not for non-COVID-19 medical admissions.

Conclusions
Reduced ED attendances in the first wave of the pandemic suggest opportunities for reducing low severity presentations to ED in the future, but also raise the possibility of harm from delayed or missed care. Reassuringly, recent rises in attendance and admissions indicate that any deterrent effect of the pandemic on attendance is diminishing.
Drug-free tracheal intubation by specialist paramedics (critical care) in a United Kingdom ambulance service: a service evaluation
Authors: Houghton Budd Silas , Alexander-Elborough Eleanor , Brandon Richard , Fudge Chris , Hardy Scott , Hopkins Laura , Paul Ben , Philips Sloane , Thatcher Sarah , Winsor Paul 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Drug-free tracheal intubation has been a common intervention in the context of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest for many years, however its use by paramedics has recently been the subject of much debate. Recent international guidance has recommended that only those achieving high tracheal intubation success should continue to use it.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective service evaluation of all drug-free tracheal intubation attempts by specialist paramedics (critical care) from South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust between 1st January and 31st December 2019. Our primary outcome was first-pass success rate, and secondary outcomes were success within two attempts, overall success, Cormack-Lehane grade of view, and use of bougie.

Results
There were 663 drug-free tracheal intubations and following screening, 605 were reviewed. There was a first-pass success rate of 81.5%, success within two attempts of 96.7%, and an overall success rate of 98.35%. There were ten unsuccessful attempts (1.65%). Bougie use was documented in 83.4% on the first attempt, 93.5% on the second attempt and 100% on the third attempt,

Conclusion
Specialist paramedics (critical care) are able to deliver drug-free tracheal intubation with good first-pass success and high overall success and are therefore both safe and competent at this intervention.
On clinical trial fragility due to patients lost to follow up
Authors: Baer Benjamin R. , Fremes Stephen E. , Gaudino Mario , Charlson Mary , Wells Martin T. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundClinical trials routinely have patients lost to follow up. We propose a methodology to understand their possible effect on the results of statistical tests by altering the concept of the fragility index to treat the outcomes of observed patients as fixed but incorporate the potential outcomes of patients lost to follow up as random and subject to modification.MethodsWe reanalyse the statistical results of three clinical trials on coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to study the possible effect of patients lost to follow up on the treatment effect statistical significance. To do so, we introduce the LTFU-aware fragility indices as a measure of the robustness of a clinical trial’s statistical results with respect to patients lost to follow up.ResultsThe analyses illustrate that clinical trials can either be completely robust to the outcomes of patients lost to follow up, extremely sensitive to the outcomes of patients lost to follow up, or in an intermediate state. When a clinical trial is in an intermediate state, the LTFU-aware fragility indices provide an interpretable measure to quantify the degree of fragility or robustness.ConclusionsThe LTFU-aware fragility indices allow researchers to rigorously explore the outcomes of patients who are lost to follow up, when their data is the appropriate kind. The LTFU-aware fragility indices are sensitivity measures in a way that the original fragility index is not.
Capsular extension at ultrasound is associated with lateral lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective study
Authors: Ye Lei , Hu Lei , Liu Weiyong , Luo Yuanyuan , Li Zhe , Ding Zuopeng , Hu Chunmei , Wang Lin , Zhu Yajuan , Liu Le , Ma Xiaopeng , Kong Yuan , Huang Liangliang 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
In patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) must be carefully assessed to determine the extent of lymph node dissection required and patient prognosis. Few studies attempted to determine whether the ultrasound (US) appearance of the primary thyroid tumor could be used to predict cervical lymph node involvement. This study aimed to identify the US features of the tumor that could predict cervical LNM in patients with PTC.

Methods
This was a retrospective study of patients with pathologically confirmed PTC. We evaluated the following US characteristics: lobe, isthmus, and tumor size; tumor position; parenchymal echogenicity; the number of lesions (i.e., tumor multifocality); parenchymal and lesional vascularity; tumor margins and shape; calcifications; capsular extension; tumor consistency; and the lymph nodes along the carotid vessels. The patients were grouped as no LNM (NLNM), central LNM (CLNM) alone, and lateral LNM (LLNM) with/without CLNM, according to the postoperative pathological examination.

Results
Totally, 247 patients, there were 67 men and 180 women. Tumor size of > 10 mm was significantly more common in the CLNM (70.2%) and LLNM groups (89.6%) than in the NLNM group (45.4%). At US, capsular extension > 50% was most common in the LLNM group (35.4%). The multivariable analysis revealed that age (OR = 0.203, 95%CI: 0.095–0.431, P < 0.001) and tumor size (OR = 2.657, 95%CI: 1.144–6.168, P = 0.023) were independently associated with CLNM compared with NLNM. In addition, age (OR = 0.277, 95%CI: 0.127–0.603, P = 0.001), tumor size (OR = 6.069, 95%CI: 2.075–17.75, P = 0.001), and capsular extension (OR = 2.09, 95%CI: 1.326–3.294, P = 0.001) were independently associated with LLNM compared with NLNM.

Conclusion
Percentage of capsular extension at ultrasound is associated with LLNM. US-guided puncture cytology and eluent thyroglobulin examination could be performed as appropriate to minimize the missed diagnosis of LNM.
A comprehensive approach to risk factors for upper arm morbidities following breast cancer treatment: a prospective study
Authors: Klein Ifat , Kalichman Leonid , Chen Noy , Susmallian Sergio 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Breast cancer surgery frequently causes deficiencies in shoulder functioning. The study pourpode is to identify risk factors for prolonged pain, reduction in function, and decrease in range of motion (ROM) in BC patients.

Methods
A prospective cohort study was designed in a private hospital; between October 2018 and April 2019 with a follow-up of 6 months. Patients following BC surgery, were divided by arm morbidities, and the different risk facrors were evaluated using univariate analysis and logistic regression.

Results
A total of 157 patients were included in the study. Risk factors for functional disabilities included; pain levels during hospitalization NPRS 1.2 (±0.8) compared to patients with no disabilities 0.5 ± 0.7 (p = .006), the size of tumors more than 1.4 ± 0.8 cm. compared with no morbidities 0.8 ± 0.9 cm. (p = .046), and breast reconstructions (p = .030). Risk factors for prolonged pain includes mastectomy (p = .006), breast reconstruction (p = .011), more than three dissected lymph nodes (p = .002), the presence of preoperative pain (p < .001), in-hospital pain (p < .001), axillary web syndrome (p < .001) and lymphedema (p < .001). Risk factors for decreased ROM were more than three dissected lymph nodes (p = .027), radiation (p = .018), and the size of dissected tissue (p = .035). Postoperative physical therapy appears to reduce the incidence of prolonged pain (p = .013) and regular physical activity may reduce long term functional disabilities (p = .021).

Conclusions
Upper arm morbidity following BC treatments affect up to 70% of the patients. Identifying the different risk and beneficial factors may improve awareness among physicians to refer patients to early rehabilitation programs and thus avoid chronic morbidity and improve the course of recovery.

Trial registration
The study was registered in Clinical trial with the ID number: NCT03389204.
The association between serum ferritin levels and malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms
Authors: Zhuge Xiaoling , Zhou Hao , Chen Liming , Chen Hui , Chen Xiao , Guo Chuangen 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Serum ferritin levels are elevated in many malignancies. In this study, we showed the performance of serum ferritin in identifying malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs).

Methods
A total of 151 patients with pathologically confirmed IPMNs were enrolled. Serum tumor biomarker (carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19–9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)) levels and serum ferritin levels were recorded. Lesion location, tumor size, diameter of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), mural nodule, and IPMN type, were collected from imaging examinations. IPMNs with high grade dysplasia and associated invasive carcinoma were considered malignant IPMNs.

Results
Serum ferritin levels in patients with malignant IPMNs were higher than those in patients with nonmalignant IPMNs (p <  0.05). Serum ferritin was an independent factor for the occurrence of malignant IPMNs (odds ratio (OR) = 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.01–1.39). A similar trend was found between high serum ferritin (> 149 ng/ml) and malignant IPMNs (OR = 5.64, 95% CI:1.78–17.92). The area under the curve (AUC) of serum ferritin was higher than that of CEA and CA19–9 in identifying malignant IPMNs (AUC = 0.67 vs. AUC = 0.58, 0.65). The combination of serum ferritin with IPMN type showed a similar performance to MPD diameter and the combination of serum CA19–9 with IPMN types in identifying malignant IPMNs (AUC = 0.78 vs. AUC = 0.79, 0.77) and invasive carcinoma (AUC = 0.77 vs. AUC = 0.79, 0.79).

Conclusions
Elevated serum ferritin is a factor associated with malignant IPMNs. Serum ferritin may be a useful marker for identifying malignancy in IPMNs.
Analysis of lung cancer measures of the National Cancer Network pilot study in Poland for potential improvement in the quality of advanced-stage lung cancer therapy
Authors: Trembecki Łukasz , Sztuder Aleksandra , Pawlak Ireneusz , Matkowski Rafał , Maciejczyk Adam 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to present the performance of the National Cancer Network’s (NCN) pilot program in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship (southwestern province of Poland with a population of 2,9 million in 2019), to analyse measures describing lung cancer patients and to determine whether those measures can be used to improve the treatment outcomes of stage III and IV patients with lung cancer in Poland.

Methods
Three measures of the NCN pilot programme were analysed: “Percentage of patients with genetic and molecular testing for predictive factors”, “Assessment of the completeness of a pathological examination”, and “Percentage of stage III and IV cancer patients”. As many as 2,218 patients with ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C34 were included in the NCN pilot program from 1 to 2019 to 31 December 2020, in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. The scores of each measure were calculated quarterly by the Regional Coordinating Centre, Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wroclaw, Poland.

Results
Genetic and molecular testing among stage III and IV patients was performed in only 40% and 60% of patients, respectively. The incompleteness of histopathological examinations did not exceed 0.5%. Stage III and stage IV patients accounted for 37% and 35% of the analysed patients, respectively.

Conclusions
The NCN pilot program measures presented in this study appear to be highly sensitive, simple, and transparent tools to monitor the quality of lung cancer diagnosis and assess clinical staging in patients within a specific region.
An increase in the proportion of stage III and IV patients who will undergo genetic and molecular testing in the era of modern drug therapies should result in improved treatment outcomes in this patient group. In the present analysis, the values of the main analysed measure, which evaluates the number of genetic and molecular tests for predictive factors for lung cancer, were subject to significant fluctuations during the pilot project. Both upwards and downwards trends were observed. Further analysis in the future is warranted to eliminate the unfavourable factors influencing the obtained values of the measure.
The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide links perineural invasion with lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Yu , Chen Mingtao , Liu Zheqi , Wang Xu , Ji Tong 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Objective
Although perineural invasion (PNI) is well-known to be correlated with and able to predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the clinical and molecular correlation between PNI and LNM has not been elucidated, and preoperative biomarkers for LNM prediction in OSCC are urgently needed.

Materials and methods
The correlation between PNI and LNM was retrospectively evaluated using a cohort of 218 patients diagnosed with OSCC. Candidate neuropeptides were screened based on TCGA database and verified via immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. ELISA was used to detect calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in patient plasma. In vitro assays were used to explore the effects of CGRP on OSCC cells.

Results
OSCC patients with PNI had a higher incidence of LNM (69.86% vs. 26.2%, P < 0.0001, n = 218). CGRP expression was upregulated in the PNI niche and in metastatic lymph nodes, and was correlated with poor overall survival of OSCC patients. Preoperative plasma CGRP levels were higher in OSCC patients (n = 70) compared to healthy donors (n = 60) (48.59 vs. 14.58 pg/ml, P < 0.0001), and were correlated with LNM (P < 0.0001) and PNI (P = 0.0002). Preoperative plasma CGRP levels alone yielded an AUC value of 0.8088 to predict LNM, and CGRP levels combined with preoperative T stage reached an AUC value of 0.8590. CGRP promoted proliferation and migration abilities of OSCC cells, which could be antagonized by either pharmacological or genetic blockade of the CGRP receptor.

Conclusions
The neuropeptide CGRP links PNI and LNM in OSCC, and preoperative plasma CGRP levels can be used to predict LNM in OSCC.
Fatigue in children and adolescents perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus: an observational study
Authors: ter Haar A. M. , der Vlist M. M. Nap-van , Van den Hof M. , Nijhof S. L. , van Litsenburg R. R. L. , Oostrom K. J. , Pajkrt D. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Fatigue is common among adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well as children with a chronic disease (CCD). Fatigue can have disastrous effects on health status, including health related quality of life (HRQOL). Even so, fatigue is underexplored in children and adolescents perinatally infected with HIV (PHIV+) in the Netherlands. The objective of this observational study is to explore fatigue in PHIV+ and its association with their HRQOL.

Methods
We measured HRQOL and fatigue using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL 4.0) and the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS). The PedsQL MFS encompasses three subscales: general fatigue, sleep/rest fatigue and cognitive fatigue, and a total fatigue score. We compared outcomes of PHIV+ children and adolescents in the Amsterdam University Medical Centre with three groups: 1) HIV-uninfected controls (HIV-) matched for age, sex, region of birth, socioeconomic status and adoption status, 2) CCD, and 3) the general Dutch population. Within the PHIV+ group we explored associations between fatigue and HRQOL.

Results
We enrolled 14 PHIV+ (median age 10.2 years [IQR 9.2–11.4]) and 14 HIV-. Compared to CCD, PHIV+ significantly reported less general fatigue (mean difference 13.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 24.8). PHIV+ did not score significantly different on any of the other PedsQL MFS scales compared to HIV-, CCD or the general Dutch population. PHIV children scored relatively low on the cognitive fatigue scale in comparison to HIV-uninfected matched controls, CCD and the general population, although these differences did not reach significance. Among PHIV+, a lower score on total fatigue, general fatigue and cognitive fatigue was associated with a lower HRQOL score.

Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that PHIV children and adolescents do not experience more symptoms of fatigue than their healthy peers. However, PHIV children and adolescents may be more likely to experience cognitive fatigue. Fatigue in PHIV also appears to be associated with children’s HRQOL. Further research should confirm these exploratory findings.
The effects of self-management interventions on depressive symptoms in adults with chronic physical disease(s) experiencing depressive symptomatology: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ould Brahim Lydia , Lambert Sylvie D. , Feeley Nancy , Coumoundouros Chelsea , Schaffler Jamie , McCusker Jane , Moodie Erica E. M. , Kayser John , Kolne Kendall , Belzile Eric , Genest Christine 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. It is estimated that 20% of adults with chronic physical diseases experience concomitant depression, increasing their risk of morbidity and mortality. Low intensity psychosocial interventions, such as self-management, are part of recommended treatment; however, no systematic review has evaluated the effects of depression self-management interventions for this population. The primary objective was to examine the effect of self-management interventions on reducing depressive symptomatology in adults with chronic disease(s) and co-occurring depressive symptoms. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the effect of these interventions on improving other psychosocial and physiological outcomes (e.g., anxiety, glycemic control) and to assess potential differential effect based on key participant and intervention characteristics (e.g., chronic disease, provider).

Methods
Studies comparing depression self-management interventions to a control group were identified through a) systematic searches of databases to June 2018 [MEDLINE (1946 -), EMBASE (1996 -), PsycINFO (1967 -), CINAHL (1984 -)] and b) secondary ‘snowball’ search strategies. The methodological quality of included studies was critically reviewed. Screening of all titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility was assessed independently by two authors. Data were extracted by one author and verified by a second.

Results
Fifteen studies were retained: 12 for meta-analysis and three for descriptive review. In total, these trials included 2064 participants and most commonly evaluated interventions for people with cancer (n = 7) or diabetes (n = 4). From baseline to < 6-months (T1), the pooled mean effect size was − 0.47 [95% CI −0.73, − 0.21] as compared to control groups for the primary outcome of depression and − 0.53 [95% CI −0.91, − 0.15] at ≥ 6-months (T2). Results were also significant for anxiety (T1) and glycemic control (T2). Self-management skills of decision-making and taking action were significant moderators of depression at T1.

Conclusion
Self-management interventions show promise in improving depression and anxiety in those with concomitant chronic physical disease. The findings may contribute to the development of future Self-management interventions and delivering evidence-based care to this population. Further high-quality RCTs are needed to identify sources of heterogeneity and investigate key intervention components.
Using prediction polling to harness collective intelligence for disease forecasting
Authors: Sell Tara Kirk , Warmbrod Kelsey Lane , Watson Crystal , Trotochaud Marc , Martin Elena , Ravi Sanjana J. , Balick Maurice , Servan-Schreiber Emile 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
The global spread of COVID-19 has shown that reliable forecasting of public health related outcomes is important but lacking.

Methods
We report the results of the first large-scale, long-term experiment in crowd-forecasting of infectious-disease outbreaks, where a total of 562 volunteer participants competed over 15 months to make forecasts on 61 questions with a total of 217 possible answers regarding 19 diseases.

Results
Consistent with the “wisdom of crowds” phenomenon, we found that crowd forecasts aggregated using best-practice adaptive algorithms are well-calibrated, accurate, timely, and outperform all individual forecasters.

Conclusions
Crowd forecasting efforts in public health may be a useful addition to traditional disease surveillance, modeling, and other approaches to evidence-based decision making for infectious disease outbreaks.