bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chest computed tomography imaging features in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Darwish Hoda Salah , Habash Mohamed Yasser , Habash Waleed Yasser 
Published: May 2021

Objective To analyze computed tomography (CT) features of symptomatic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods Ninety-five symptomatic patients with COVID-19 confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction from 1 May to 14 July 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. Follow-up CT findings and their distributions were analyzed and compared from symptom onset to late-stage disease. Results Among all patients, 15.8% had unilateral lung disease and 84.2% had bilateral disease with slight right lower lobe predilection (47.4%). Regarding lesion density, 49.4% of patients had pure ground glass opacity (GGO) and 50.5% had GGO with consolidation. Typical early-stage patterns were bilateral lesions in 73.6% of patients, diffuse lesions (41.0%), and GGO (65.2%). Pleural effusion occurred in 13.6% and mediastinal lymphadenopathy in 11.5%. During intermediate-stage disease, 47.4% of patients showed GGO as the disease progressed; however, consolidation was the predominant finding (52.6%). Conclusion COVID-19 pneumonia manifested on lung CT scans with bilateral, peripheral, and right lower lobe predominance and was characterized by diffuse bilateral GGO progressing to or coexisting with consolidation within 1 to 3 weeks. The most frequent CT lesion in the early, intermediate, and late phases was GGO. Consolidation appeared in the intermediate phase and gradually increased, ending with reticular and lung fibrosis-like patterns.
Establishment of a prognostic model based on the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score for patients with first-time acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Zheng Shuai , Lyu Jun , Han Didi , Xu Fengshuo , Li Chengzhuo , Yang Rui , Yao Lu , Wu Yuntao , Tian Guoxiang 
Published: May 2021

Objective This study aimed to identify the prognostic factors of patients with first-time acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to establish a nomogram for prognostic modeling. Methods We studied 985 patients with first-time AMI using data from the Multi-parameter Intelligent Monitoring for Intensive Care database and extracted their demographic data. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine outcome-related variables. We also tested a new predictive model that includes the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and compared it with the SOFA-only model. Results An older age, higher SOFA score, and higher Acute Physiology III score were risk factors for the prognosis of AMI. The risk of further cardiovascular events was 1.54-fold higher in women than in men. Patients in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit had a better prognosis than those in the coronary heart disease intensive care unit. Pressurized drug use was a protective factor and the risk of further cardiovascular events was 1.36-fold higher in nonusers. Conclusion The prognosis of AMI is affected by age, the SOFA score, the Acute Physiology III score, sex, admission location, type of care unit, and vasopressin use. Our new predictive model for AMI has better performance than the SOFA model alone.
Thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention improved outcome in patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden
Authors: Bin Ning , Zhang Feifei , Song Xuelian , Xie Yuetao , Jia Meixue , Dang Yi 
Published: May 2021

Background The benefit of thrombus aspiration (TA) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) to patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains controversial. This study aimed to assess TA's impact on the outcome and prognosis for patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden during PPCI. Methods This retrospective study evaluated consecutive patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden (thrombolysis in myocardial infraction [TIMI] thrombus grade ≥4) who underwent conventional PPCI (n = 126) or PPCI + TA (n = 208) between February 2017 and January 2019. The procedure outcome and clinical prognosis were compared. Results Postprocedural vessel diameter was larger, and corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) was lower in the PPCI + TA compared with the PPCI group. The proportion of postprocedural TIMI 3 flow was 83.3% in the PPC group and 94.2% in the PPCI+TA group. During the 12-month follow-up, no significant differences existed in the incidence of cardiac death, reinfarction, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization, or stroke. Conclusion Application of TA in patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden during PPCI may improve the procedural outcome, but it showed no benefit on the clinical prognosis in the 12-month follow-up. Longer follow-up studies are needed to confirm TA's clinical implications in patients with STEMI.
Effect of Adhesive Boosters on Bond Strength of Bleached Teeth in Orthodontic Bonding
Authors: Ranganayakulu I , Varma D Praveen Kumar , Priya CV Padma , Ram RSVM Raghu , Viswanadh K Anand , Harsha GV Durga 
Published: May 2021

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the effect of adhesion boosters on shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets on bleached teeth. Materials and Methods: A sample of 90 extracted maxillary premolars was equally divided into 2 groups of bleached and non-bleached teeth. Twenty-two percent carbamide peroxide gel was used as an agent for bleaching. Each group was further divided equally into 3 subgroups depending on the type of adhesive booster used (Enhance LC, All-bond 2, and no adhesive booster [control]) and maxillary premolars brackets were bonded. Debonding was done with a universal testing machine, and the SBS was recorded. Results: The SBS of non-bleached teeth was highest for All-bond 2 (14.78 ± 2.47 MPa) followed by Enhance LC (13.15 ± 3.49 MPa) and control (10.30 ± 1.06 MPa). The SBS of bleached teeth was highest for All bond 2 (12.23 ± 1.41 MPa) followed by Enhance LC (11.76 ± 1.71 MPa) and control (9.63 ± 1.06 MPa). All subgroups showed a significant difference in SBS (P = .000) on bleached and non-bleached teeth. The SBS showed a significant difference between the bleached and non-bleached teeth in All-bond 2 group (P = .019). Conclusion: Adhesive boosters increased the SBS of both bleached and non-bleached teeth significantly. Among the two adhesive boosters used, All-bond 2 showed more SBS values.
Evaluating the Lower Anterior Facial Height in Patients Treated with Extraction Versus Non-extraction Fixed Mechanotherapy: “A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis”
Authors: Jain Atam Dev , Goyal Manish , Kumar Mukesh , Premsagar Shruti , Mishra Shalini , Tomar Sumit 
Published: May 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the four first premolars extraction compared with a non-extraction treated control group on the lower anterior facial height. Methods: Electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Lilacs, Scielo, clinical trials, and opengrey.eu databases; only article published in English were included. The eligibility criteria were extraction of four first premolars compared with a non-extraction control group treated with fixed mechanotherapy. Anterior Nasal Spine to Menton (ANS-Me) (mm) was taken as the primary outcome; Frankfurt mandibular plane angle (FMA) and Nasion to Menton (N-Me) were selected as secondary outcomes. Non-randomized Studies-of Intervention (ROBINS-I) tool was used for the quality assessment and risk of bias. Heterogeneity was analyzed using statistical tests, including chi-squared-based Q-statistic, tau-square, and I-squared statistics. Review Manager was used for quantitative assessment and meta-analysis. Results: Five retrospective studies were included for quantitative assessment and three were included in the meta-analysis due to certain missing data. Extraction of four first premolars did not affect both primary and secondary outcomes with P = .65, P = .93, and P = .91, respectively, for ANS-Me, FMA, and N-Me. Conclusion: This review and meta-analysis concluded that there was no statistically significant effect of extraction of four first premolars on lower anterior facial height.
Occupations creating joy for people living with advanced cancer: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Bentz Hannah Holt , Madsen Stine Hviid , Pilegaard Marc Sampedro , Østergaard Lisa Gregersen , Brandt Åse , Offersen Sara Marie Hebsgaard , la Cour Karen 
Published: May 2021

Introduction For people living with advanced cancer, the possibilities for experiences of joy are seriously influenced by the consequences of the illness. Due to the limited expected lifetime, the need to support such experiences that may entail joy and contribute to quality of life are of importance. Research shows that people with advanced cancer experience quality of life through occupations they are able to perform and enjoy. The aim of this study was to describe which occupations contribute to joy for people living with advanced cancer and explore how they reflect upon these occupations during an occupational therapy intervention. Methods In total, 111 people with advanced cancer from the intervention group in a randomised controlled trial participated in the present study. Thirty-six of these participants were interviewed, and for 10 participants, this was combined with participant observations. A directed and a conventional content analysis were applied. Results 148 occupations contributing to joy were categorised into self-care, leisure and productivity. Most occupations were placed into leisure (89%). Participants had three distinct approaches to occupations contributing to joy: Finding solutions to maintain occupations contributing to joy; having an all or nothing approach; and hoping to resume occupations contributing to joy. Conclusion This study found a wide range of occupations contributing to joy and shows the importance of focusing on enabling leisure occupations for people living with advanced cancer. The wide range of occupations as well as participants’ approaches to occupations may be useful to inform future interventions to enable enjoyment for people living with advanced cancer.
Virtual reality in social skills training programs for people with schizophrenia: A systematic review and focus group
Authors: Oliveira Catarina , Simões de Almeida Raquel , Marques António 
Published: May 2021

Introduction This study aims to determine the guidelines for the design of a social skills training programme for people with schizophrenia using virtual reality. Methods This article encompasses two studies: Study 1, a systematic review of five articles indexed in the databases B-on, PubMed, Clinical trials and Cochrane Library (2010–2020); Study 2, a focus group of occupational therapists trained in mental health and multimedia professionals, in which they discussed the outline of such a programme. Results A set of guidelines were identified as central and consensual which should be included in the programme. It must have multilevel logic and gradual learning, with simulations of everyday situations, in which it is possible to practise the skills of conversation and communication. Virtual reality provides people with schizophrenia with unlimited opportunities, enhancing a personalized intervention. Conclusion Social skills training could be part of the treatment for people with schizophrenia, and virtual reality is a promising tool to complement traditional training, although still little implemented in mental health services. Occupational therapists have a prominent role in the development and application of this because of their knowledge of activity analysis and their ability to facilitate the generalization of skills in different contexts.
Proposing a new short screening test for upper limb apraxia
Authors: Yamada Mai , Koyanagi Masahiko , Kawaguchi Miyo , Sato Yuki , Tsujihata Mitsuhiro , Higashi Toshio 
Published: May 2021

Background Apraxia has a major impact on activities of daily living in stroke patients. The proper assessment and treatment of apraxia is important for maintaining a good quality of life. We developed a short evaluation test for upper limb apraxia. Patients and Methods The present Screening Test of Gestures for Stroke consists of 10 items for each verbal instruction and imitation. Each item includes three meaningless gestures, three meaningful gestures and four pantomimes. The Screening Test of Gestures for Stroke is scored based on a 3-point system: 10, 5 or 0 (maximum score: 200). The test took approximately 2–5 min to complete. We recruited 65 patients admitted to our hospital with left hemisphere stroke and 50 healthy subjects. Results The reliability of the Screening Test of Gestures for Stroke was as follows: the intraclass correlation coefficient of intra-rater reliability was 0.93 for both verbal instructions and imitations, and the intraclass correlation coefficient total scores for inter-rater reliability for verbal instructions and for imitations were 0.97 and 0.95, respectively. The alpha coefficient was ≥0.80. Conclusions The Screening Test of Gestures for Stroke is a reliable and valid bedside test that has a short assessment time, does not require special equipment and can evaluate upper limb apraxia in stroke patients from the acute to the chronic phase.
Can we use neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in the diagnosis and prediction of extracapsular extension in localized prostate cancer?
Authors: Merder Erkan , Arıman Ahmet , Dinçer Selvi , Altunrende Fatih 
Published: May 2021

Purpose: We investigated role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis and prediction of extracapsular extension (ECE) in clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and methods: A total of 396 patients with clinically localized PCa who underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP), and 260 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent suprapubic prostatectomy were included in the study. Preoperative NLR, prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate specific antigen density (PSAD), free PSA, prostate volume (PV), free/total PSA (f/t PSA) in both groups, and relation of NLR with PSA, Gleason Score (GS), and pathologic stage in PCa group were investigated. Records of patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results: NLR, free PSA, f/t PSA, and PV were statistically higher in BHP, and PSAD was higher in PCa group. In PCa group, NLR was found to be higher in patients with PSA >10 ng/ml compared to those with less than ⩽10 ng/ml. NLR increases as the preoperative GS increases, and it was higher in pT3 patients than pT2 patients. NLR was statistically higher in those patients with positive lymph nodes than those without after RRP ( p = 0.029). Conclusion: NLR is not a sufficient biomarker in differentiating clinically localized PCa from BPH. NLR increases as preoperative GS and pathologic stage increases. Lymph node involved patients after RRP have statistically higher NLR. NLR can be an indicator of ECE and lymph-node involvement in clinically localized PCa.
Influence of structural physiognomies of pawpaw fiber–glass fiber hybrid–based green composites on mechanical properties and biodegradation potential of epoxy composites
Authors: Oladele Oluwole I , Makinde-Isola Baraka A , Adediran Adeolu A , Ayanleye Oluwaseun T , Taiwo Samuel A 
Published: May 2021

The demand for durable and sustainable eco-friendly materials in recent times has caused many researchers to consider the use of plant fibers in composite development. In this research, the suitability of treated pawpaw fiber as a substitute for glass fiber was considered. The pawpaw fiber was extracted from the plant stem by dew retting and treated before been incorporated into the epoxy matrix. Two distinct fiber structures in linear and network forms were identified, separated, and used for the development of the composites. The composites were produced by incorporating a fixed amount of pawpaw fiber with a varied amount of glass fiber within 3–15 wt% in epoxy-based polymer matrix after which mechanical and biodegradation tests were carried out on the developed samples. Fractured surface morphology was also observed using a scanning electron microscope. The results revealed that the fiber structures influence the properties of the material. While mechanical properties were mostly enhanced by treated linear structure pawpaw fiber, biodegradation was highly promoted by treated network structure pawpaw fiber. Tensile (except for strain), hardness, and flexural properties were enhanced by the linear-structured treated pawpaw fiber, while biodegradability, impact, and tensile strain were improved by the network-structured treated pawpaw fiber compared to the control sample.
Combine effect of exposure to petrol, kerosene and diesel fumes: On hepatic oxidative stress and haematological function in rats
Authors: Owumi Solomon E , Oladimeji Bidemi N , Elebiyo Tobiloba C , Arunsi Uche O 
Published: May 2021

Petroleum product fumes (PPFs) containing toxic organic components are pervasive in the environment, emanating from anthropogenic activities, including petroleum exploration and utilization by end-user activities from petrol–gasoline stations. Petrol station attendants are exposed to PPF through inhalation and dermal contact with consequent toxicological implications. We investigated the effects of chronic exposure (60 and 90 days) to petrol (P), kerosene (K) and diesel (D) alone and combined exposure to petrol, kerosene and diesel (PKD) fumes on hepatotoxicity, haematological function and oxidative stress in rats. Following sacrifice, we evaluated hepatic damage biomarkers, blood glucose, oxidative stress and haematological function. Chronic exposure to PPF significantly increased organo-somatic indices, blood glucose, biomarkers of hepatic toxicity and oxidative stress in an exposure duration-dependent manner. There was a simultaneous decrease in the protective capacity of antioxidants. Furthermore, exposure to PPF increased pro-inflammatory biomarkers in rats (90 > 60 days). Regardless of exposure duration, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and red cell distribution width in the coefficient of variation increased, whereas red blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte–basophil–eosinophil mixed counts and platelet count decreased after 60 and 90 days exposure. Microscopic examination of the liver demonstrated hepatic pathological changes paralleling the duration of exposure to PKD fumes. However, the injury observed was lesser to that of rats treated with the diethylnitrosamine – positive control. Our results expanded previous findings and further demonstrated the probable adverse effect on populations’ health occasioned by persistent exposure to PPF. Individuals chronically exposed by occupation to PPF may be at greater risk of developing disorders promoted by continuous oxido-inflammatory perturbation and suboptimal haematological–immunologic function – thereby enabling a permissive environment for pathogenesis notwithstanding the limitation of quantifying PPF absolute values in our model system.
Susceptibility-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Microbleeds in Pediatric Concussion
Authors: Virani Shane , Barton Alexander , Goodyear Bradley G. , Yeates Keith Owen , Brooks Brian L. 
Published: May 2021

Objective: The long-term consequences of pediatric concussion on brain structure are poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the presence and clinical significance of cerebral microbleeds several years after pediatric concussion. Methods: Children and adolescents 8-19 years of age with either a history of concussion (n = 35), or orthopedic injury (n = 20) participated. Mean time since injury for the sample was 30.4 months (SD = 19.6). Participants underwent susceptibility-weighted imaging, rated their depression and postconcussion symptoms, and completed cognitive testing. Parents of participants also completed symptom ratings for their child. Hypointensities in susceptibility-weighted images indicative of cerebral microbleeds were calculated as a measure of hypointensity burden. Results: Hypointensity burden did not differ significantly between participants with a history of concussion and those with a history of orthopedic injury. Depression ratings (self and parent report), postconcussion symptom ratings (self and parent report), and cognitive performance did not significantly correlate with hypointensity burden in the concussion group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that at approximately 2.5 years postinjury, children and adolescents with prior concussion do not have a greater amount of cerebral microbleeds compared to those with orthopedic injury. Future research should use longitudinal study designs and investigate children with persistent postconcussive symptoms to gain better insight into the long-term effects of concussion on cerebral microbleeds.
Standard Care Versus Awake Prone Position in Adult Nonintubated Patients With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure Secondary to COVID-19 Infection—A Multicenter Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jayakumar Devachandran , Ramachandran, DNB Pratheema , Rabindrarajan, DNB Ebenezer , Vijayaraghavan, MD Bharath Kumar Tirupakuzhi , Ramakrishnan, AB Nagarajan , Venkataraman, AB Ramesh 
Published: May 2021

Rationale: The feasibility and safety of awake prone positioning and its impact on outcomes in non-intubated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to COVID-19 is unknown. Results of the observational studies published during this pandemic have been conflicting. In this context, we conducted a multi-center, parallel group, randomized controlled feasibility study on awake prone positioning in non-intubated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen. Methods: 60 patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia requiring 4 or more liters of oxygen to maintain a saturation of ≥92% were recruited in this study. Thirty patients each were randomized to either standard care or awake prone group. Patients randomized to the prone group were encouraged to self-prone for at least 6 hours a day. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients adhering to the protocol in each group. Results: In the prone group, 43% (13 out of 30) of patients were able to self-prone for 6 or more hours a day. In the supine group, 47% (14 out of 30) were completely supine and 53% spent some hours in the prone position, but none exceeded 6 hours. There was no significant difference in any of the secondary outcomes between the 2 groups and there were no adverse events. Conclusions: Awake prone positioning in non-intubated patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure is feasible and safe under clinical trial conditions. The results of our feasibility study will potentially help in the design of larger definitive trials to address this key knowledge gap.