bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Androgen deprivation therapy and radiation for prostate cancer—cognitive impairment, sleep, symptom burden: a prospective study
Authors: Tulk Joshua , Rash Joshua A , Thoms John , Wassersug Richard , Gonzalez Brian , Garland Sheila N 
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesThis paper (1) sought to compare sleep, mood and physical symptom profiles of men with prostate cancer (PCa) who experienced subjective and objective cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) during the first year of treatment and (2) examine if fluctuations in mood and physical symptoms are associated with change in subjective or objective CRCI.MethodsThis prospective observational cohort study examined 24 new patients with PCa receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and radiation therapy (RT) during the first 12 months of treatment. Participants completed subjective and objective assessments of cognition, sleep continuity and self-report measures of insomnia, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Independent sample t-tests, correlations and hierarchical regressions were used to compare groups, explore associations, and assess change over time. Effects are reported as corrected Cohen’s d (dc).ResultsMen with objective CRCI reported worse subjective time asleep (dc=0.47) and more depression (dc=0.55). Men with subjective CRCI reported worse insomnia (dc=0.99), hot flashes (dc=0.76), sleep quality (dc=0.54), subjective total sleep time (dc=0.41), wake after sleep onset (dc=0.71), sleep efficiency (dc=0.49), fatigue (dc=0.67) and objectively estimated sleep latency (dc=0.72) than men without subjective CRCI. Declines in perceived cognition was associated with higher anxiety (p=0.05), fatigue (p≤0.01) and symptoms of insomnia (p=0.01). Finally, subjective time awake during the night (p=0.03) and fatigue (p=0.02) were associated with subjective cognitive decline, controlling for objective change.ConclusionsSubjective concerns of CRCI appear more critical to patient experience than objective measurements in men with PCa who have received RT and ADT. Interventions to improve sleep may result in an improved perception of cognition.
Occupational and environmental exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in and around infected mink farms
Authors: de Rooij Myrna M T , Hakze-Van der Honing Renate W , Hulst Marcel M , Harders Frank , Engelsma Marc , van de Hoef Wouter , Meliefste Kees , Nieuwenweg Sigrid , Oude Munnink Bas B , van Schothorst Isabella , Sikkema Reina S , van der Spek Arco N , Spierenburg Marcel , Spithoven Jack , Bouwstra Ruth , Molenaar Robert-Jan , Koopmans Marion , Stegeman Arjan , van der Poel Wim H M , Smit Lidwien A M 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveUnprecedented SARS-CoV-2 infections in farmed minks raised immediate concerns regarding transmission to humans and initiated intensive environmental investigations to assess occupational and environmental exposure.MethodsAir sampling was performed at infected Dutch mink farms, at farm premises and at nearby residential sites. A range of other environmental samples were collected from minks’ housing units, including bedding materials. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was analysed in all samples by quantitative PCR.ResultsInside the farms, considerable levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA were found in airborne dust, especially in personal inhalable dust samples (approximately 1000–10 000 copies/m3). Most of the settling dust samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (82%, 75 of 92). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in outdoor air samples, except for those collected near the entrance of the most recently infected farm. Many samples of minks’ housing units and surfaces contained SARS-CoV-2 RNA.ConclusionsInfected mink farms can be highly contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 RNA. This warns of occupational exposure, which was substantiated by considerable SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in personal air samples. Dispersion of SARS-CoV-2 to outdoor air was found to be limited and SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in air samples collected beyond farm premises, implying a negligible risk of environmental exposure to nearby communities. Our occupational and environmental risk assessment is in line with whole genome sequencing analyses showing mink-to-human transmission among farm workers, but no indications of direct zoonotic transmission events to nearby communities.
Secukinumab provides sustained improvement in signs and symptoms and low radiographic progression in patients with psoriatic arthritis: 2-year (end-of-study) results from the FUTURE 5 study
Authors: Mease Philip J , Landewé Robert , Rahman Proton , Tahir Hasan , Singhal Atul , Boettcher Elke , Navarra Sandra , Readie Aimee , Mpofu Shephard , Delicha Eumorphia Maria , Pricop Luminita , van der Heijde Desirée 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveSecukinumab provided sustained efficacy, low radiographic progression and consistent safety over 52 weeks in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the FUTURE 5 study. Here, we report 2-year (end-of-study) results from this study.MethodsAdults with active PsA were randomised 2:2:2:3 to receive subcutaneous secukinumab 300 mg load (300 mg), 150 mg load (150 mg), 150 mg no load or placebo at baseline; weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4; and every 4 weeks thereafter. Secukinumab could be escalated from 150 mg to 300 mg starting at week 52, if active signs of disease were observed based on physician’s assessment. Assessments at week 104 (2 years) included clinical end points and radiographic damage (mean change in van der Heijde-modified total Sharp score (vdH-mTSS)). Safety analysis included all patients who received ≥1 dose of study medication.ResultsOf the 996 patients randomised, 783 patients (78.6%) completed 2 years of treatment. Improvement in clinical end points was sustained through 2 years. The vdH-mTSS (mean change (SD)) was 0.10 (1.74; 300 mg), 0.52 (2.66; 150 mg) and 0.41 (2.20; 150 mg no load) at 2 years. The proportion of patients with no radiographic progression (change from baseline in vdH-mTSS ≤0.5) at 2 years was 89.5% (300 mg), 82.3% (150 mg) and 81.1% (150 mg no load).ConclusionSecukinumab with and without loading regimen provided sustained clinical efficacy and low radiographic progression through 2 years in patients with PsA. No new safety findings were reported.Trial registration numberNCT02404350.
Prognostic Value of Minimal Left Atrial Volume in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Shin Sung‐Hee , Claggett Brian , Inciardi Riccardo M. , Santos Angela B. S. , Shah Sanjiv J. , Zile Michael R. , Pfeffer Marc A. , Shah Amil M. , Solomon Scott D. 
Published: July 2021

Background
Maximal left atrial (LA) volume is reported by most echocardiography laboratories and is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Recent studies suggest that minimal LA volume may better reflect left ventricular filling pressure and may be more prognostic than maximal LA volume. This study assessed the prognostic value of indexed minimal LA volume (LAVImin) in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction.

Methods and Results

We assessed the relationship of LAVImin with a primary composite end point of cardiovascular death, aborted cardiac death, or HF hospitalization in 347 patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction enrolled from the Americas region in TOPCAT (Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure With an Aldosterone Antagonist Trial). We compared LAVImin with indexed maximal LA volume with respect to their prognostic values. In addition, we assessed if LA functional parameters provide additional prognostic information over LAVImin. During a median follow‐up of 2.5 years, 107 patients (31%) experienced a primary composite end point. LAVImin was associated with increased risk of a primary composite outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 1.35; 95% CI, 1.12–1.61) and HF hospitalization alone (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.17–1.71) after adjusting for clinical confounders and ejection fraction. In contrast, indexed maximal LA volume was not related to the primary composite outcome, but related to HF alone (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02–1.54). In comparison with indexed maximal LA volume, LAVImin was significantly more prognostic for primary composite outcome (
P
for comparison=0.032). Both LA emptying fraction and LA strain were prognostic of primary outcome independent of LAVImin (all
P
<0.05).

Conclusions
In patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction, LAVImin was more predictive of cardiovascular outcome than indexed maximal LA volume, suggesting this measure may be more physiologically relevant and might better identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular events. LA functional parameters provide prognostic information independent of LAVImin.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00094302.
Molecular characterization of China aster (Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees) genotypes using SSR markers
Authors: Bhargav Veluru , Kumar Rajiv , Sane Anuradha , Rao T. Manjunatha , Bharathi T. Usha , Shankara K.S. Shiva , Reddy D.C. Lakshmana 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Understanding genetic diversity in target populations is of great importance in breeding and a prerequisite for association mapping of traits. In this study, 57 cross species simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were screened for amplification in China aster. Twenty six polymorphic markers were used to estimate the genetic diversity in forty two China aster genotypes. The observed and expected heterozygosities within the genotypes were ranged from 0.00 to 0.80 and 0.17 to 0.50, respectively. Weighted Neighbor Joining method, grouped China aster genotypes into five major clusters which coincided for morphological traits mostly flower color and form, but not correlated for their geographical locations. The results suggested that, population may be useful for the genome-wide marker–trait association mapping. These set of cross species transferable SSR markers would enable the application of the SSR technique in China aster crop improvement.
Exploring Administrative Capacity and Local Governance in the Peruvian Waste Sector: Implications for Complex Service Delivery in the Global South
Authors: de la Riva Agüero Renzo 
Published: July 2021

Municipalities in the Global South confront significant implementation challenges for the delivery of services, especially as service complexity increases. Waste management, which includes services of different complexity such as simple waste collection and complex waste disposal, is a useful sector to study. This article conducts an exploratory case study in four Peruvian municipalities to learn about the relationship between administrative capacity, political influence, and civil society participation and the performance of two waste services. The findings highlight the need to more closely consider service-specific administrative capacity in future research on performance, particularly when analyzing more complex services. Accounting for service complexity may also be important for practitioners when planning measures to strengthen administrative capacity.
Internalizing symptoms impede adolescents’ ability to transition from in-person to online mental health services during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic
Authors: Mekori-Domachevsky Ehud , Matalon Noam , Mayer Yael , Shiffman Noga , Lurie Ido , Gothelf Doron , Dekel Idit 
Published: July 2021

Introduction Online mental health services were previously found to be effective in many studies. However, this method was not generally used in Israel. By the end of 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic erupted, forcing mental health services to transition to online meetings to maintain the standard of care. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the attitudes of adolescent patients toward this involuntary new mode of care. Methods Forty-four adolescents (mean age 14.62 ± 2.12 years, 54.5% females) and 40 of their primary caregivers completed a battery of questionnaires that included the telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire, session evaluation questionnaire, working alliance inventory, and pediatric symptom checklist. Results Both adolescents and their caregivers reported a reasonable experience with the online medium and a feeling that the meetings were overall powerful, helpful, and comfortable as demonstrated by medium to high scores on the telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire and session evaluation questionnaire questionnaires. A therapeutic alliance was generally maintained according to working alliance inventory scores. However, working alliance inventory scores were negatively correlated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms and parental stress. Discussion Our findings point to the possibility that anxious/depressed adolescents will have greater difficulties re-establishing therapeutic alliance when transitioned from in-person to online meetings. This may be due to the introduction of an “invisible” third party to the therapeutic setting—the computer. Psychologists and psychiatrists should be aware of these difficulties and respond adequately to maintain the standard of care.
The Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire: Development and validation of a questionnaire to monitor and assess health care providers' experiences
Authors: Tensen Esmée , van Buggenum Johan , Witkamp Leonard , Jaspers Monique WM , Peute Linda WP 
Published: July 2021

Introduction With wider adoption of store-and-forward telemedicine accelerating, particularly post-coronavirus disease 2019, it is essential to understand health care providers’ (HCPs) satisfaction with digital solutions offered by telemedicine organizations to (continuously) guarantee service quality. We developed the Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire to monitor and assess HCPs’ experiences with contracted telemedicine organizations. Methods Questionnaire construction (phase 1) consisted of exploratory literature search on validated telemedicine satisfaction questionnaires, a telemedicine domain and human factors expert focus group, stakeholder focus group (customer service employee and telemedicine account managers), and two pre-testing rounds among 18 HCPs. The pilot questionnaire (phase 2) was sent to 2179 HCPs for validity and reliability assessment. Results Phase 1: Two validated questionnaires (73 items overall) were used as input for Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire. Revisions resulted in 61 items. Phase 2: the pilot 61-item Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire instrument was completed by 181 of 2179 invited HCPs. Forty-one mandatory items of the pilot Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire rated on a 5-point Likert scale were included in psychometric analyses and resulted in six reliable scales: training, communication, organization policy and strategy, interaction platform, usage platform, and working conditions. Discussion The Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire is a reliable and valid questionnaire for measuring HCPs’ satisfaction with store-and-forward telemedicine services as part of a continuous quality improvement cycle. Reimbursement questions were excluded due to low response. As adoption of telemedicine may be impeded by financial compensation issues, this requires consideration in future telemedicine questionnaires. Store-and-Forward Telemedicine Service User-satisfaction Questionnaire including video consultation items is needed to monitor also synchronous services as these expanded in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Neoadjuvant Intraperitoneal and Systemic Chemotherapy Versus Neoadjuvant Systemic Chemotherapy With Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin, and S-1 for Gastric Cancer With Peritoneal Metastasis: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xin , Huang Hejing , Yang Dejun , Wang Peng , Huang Xin , Hu Zunqi , Zhang Yu , Yan Ronglin , Zhu Zhenxin , Cai Qingping 
Published: July 2021

Background: The optimal treatment for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) remains debatable. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (NIPS) versus neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy (NSC) for GCPM. Methods: Patients of GCPM received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel, oxaliplatin and S-1 between January 2011 and June 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Propensity score matched (PSM) analysis was carried out to reduce the selection bias. Multivariate Cox regression model was applied to screen the prognostic factors. Results: After PSM processing, 71 patients in each group were matched among the 186 GCPM patients included. NIPS yielded a better ascites and cytology response to chemotherapy, higher conversion resection rate and R0 resection rate than NSC. The overall survival (OS) rate in NIPS group was better than that in NSC group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the P stage, ascites response, conversion surgery rate and R0 resection rate were independent prognostic factors. Subgroup analysis indicated that NIPS showed a survival benefit over NSC only in patients with cT3-4a, P1-2, whose cytology turned negative, and who received conversion surgery; while not in patients with cT4b, P0 or P3, whose cytology did not turn negative, or who did not receive conversion surgery. Conclusions: NIPS is a safe and feasible treatment for GCPM, which showed more benefit than NSC.
The minimal important change for the QuickDASH in patients with thumb carpometacarpal arthritis
Authors: Jørgensen Rasmus Wejnold , Nyring Marc Randall Kristensen 
Published: July 2021

Evaluating the effect of treatment through change in patient-reported outcomes requires an understanding of the minimal important change. The aim of this study was to report the minimal important change for the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) in patients receiving surgical treatment for thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Three hundred and fifteen patients were seen before and 6 months following surgery. Two methods were used to calculate the minimal important change: a distribution-based method calculating the standard error of measurement and an anchor-based method based on the receiver operating characteristic curve. The minimal important change for QuickDASH was estimated to be 18.2 points using the anchor-based method. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.82, indicating a satisfactory accuracy. The minimal important change was estimated to be 10.3 points using the distribution-based method. These values may be useful in future research on thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Level of evidence: III
Rare findings of spontaneous hemothorax and small subpleural lung hematoma in a COVID-19 patient: A case report
Authors: Brogna Barbara , Romano Annamaria , Tibullo Loredana , Montuori Mariagrazia , Nunziata Mariagrazia , Russo Giuseppe , Musto Lanfranco A 
Published: July 2021

Hemothorax (HT) and pulmonary hematoma represent rare complications of anticoagulant therapy. We present a rare case of a 53-year-old man with COVID-19 pneumonia who showed, in a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan 13 days after hospitalization, a left HT and a small hyperdense area in a subpleural location and compatible with a small subpleural hematoma. This patient was being treated with a subcutaneous administration of low-molecular-weight heparin (100UI/kg/BID). No vascular malformations were visualized on the CT pulmonary angiography. Herein, we report the first case of both a spontaneous HT and a lung subpleural hematoma in a COVID-19 patient, probably caused by anticoagulant therapy.
Computed tomography findings, temporal course, and clinical relevance of subpleural pulmonary interstitial emphysema in patients with pneumomediastinum
Authors: Nakamata Akihiro , Tsuchiya Nanae , Miyara Tetsuhiro , Shiotani Murasaki , Gibo Shinji , Murayama Sadayuki 
Published: July 2021

Background Subpleural pulmonary interstitial emphysema is defined as the air in the subpleural portion of the lung, and the clinical relevance is not well understood. Purpose to evaluate the frequency, temporal course, risk factors, and clinical significance of subpleural pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) in patients with pneumomediastinum resulting from ruptured alveoli and other causes. Material and Methods This was a retrospective study of 130 patients with pneumomediastinum on CT between January 2009 and December 2019 at 2 hospitals. Patients were divided into 3 groups as follows: spontaneous pneumomediastinum ( n = 101), pneumomediastinum due to blunt trauma ( n = 16), and pneumomediastinum due to another known cause ( n = 13). The frequencies of radiographic features (subpleural PIE, peribronchovascular PIE, pneumothorax, pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysematous changes) between the 3 groups were compared by the χ2 or Kruskal–Wallis test. Odds ratios were calculated to evaluate candidate risk factors for subpleural and peribronchovascular PIE. Results Subpleural PIE was observed in 0%, 15.8%, and 31.3% of patients with pneumomediastinum due to another cause, spontaneous mediastinum, and blunt trauma, respectively. In most patients, subpleural PIE resolved spontaneously (85.7% within 8 days). Two patients with pulmonary fibrosis showed recurrent subpleural PIE on follow-up. Young age showed increased risk for subpleural PIE (odds ratio [OR] 0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0–0.99). Conclusion Subpleural PIE was only detected in patients with pneumomediastinum due to ruptured alveoli and resolved spontaneously and rapidly. Subpleural PIE may be one route the air from ruptured alveoli to the mediastinum.
Instrumentation Techniques to Prevent Proximal Junctional Kyphosis and Proximal Junctional Failure in Adult Spinal Deformity Correction: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies
Authors: Vercoulen Timon F. G. , Doodkorte Remco J. P. , Roth Alex , de Bie Rob , Willems Paul C. 
Published: July 2021

Study Design: Systematic review. Objectives: To summarize the results of clinical studies investigating spinal instrumentation techniques aiming to reduce the postoperative incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and/or failure (PJF) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients. Methods: EMBASE and Medline® were searched for articles dating from January 2000 onward. Data was extracted by 2 independent authors and methodological quality was assessed using ROBINS-I. Results: 18 retrospective- and prospective cohort studies with a severe or critical risk of bias were included. Different techniques were applied at the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV): tethers in various configurations, 2-level prophylactic vertebroplasty (2-PVP), transverse process hooks (TPH), flexible rods (FR), sublaminar tapes (ST) and multilevel stabilization screws (MLSS). Compared to a pedicle screw (PS) group, significant differences in PJK incidence were found using tethers in various configurations (18% versus 45%, P = 0.001, 15% versus 38%, P = 0.045), 2-PVP (24% vs 36%, P = 0.020), TPH (0% vs. 30%, P = 0.023) and FR (15% versus 38%, P = 0.045). Differences in revision rates for PJK were found in studies concerning tethers (4% versus 18%, P = 0.002), 2-PVP (0% vs 13%, P = 0.031) and TPH (0% vs 7%, P = n.a.). Conclusion: Although the studies are of low quality, the most frequently studied techniques, namely 2-PVP as anterior reinforcement and (tensioned) tethers or TPH as posterior semi-rigid fixation, show promising results. To provide a reliable comparison, more controlled studies need to be performed, including the use of clinical outcome measures and a uniform definition of PJF.