bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Potential of Personalized Virtual Reality in Palliative Care: A Feasibility Trial
Authors: Perna, MSc, MSW Letizia , Lund Sam , White Nicola , Minton Ollie 
Published: February 2021

Background: Virtual Reality can help alleviate symptoms in a non-palliative care population. Personalized therapy can further alleviate these symptoms. There is little evidence in a palliative care population. Aim: To understand the feasibility of repeated personalized virtual reality sessions in a palliative care population. Design: A feasibility randomized control trial. Intervention: personalized virtual reality, Control: non-personalized virtual reality. All participants completed a 4-minute virtual reality session for 4 weeks. At each point, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised (scored 0 = none up to 100 = worst) was completed pre- and post- each session. A time-series regression analysis was completed for the overall effect. Setting/Participants: The research took place in one hospice. The main inclusion criteria was: (1) under the care of the hospice (2) advanced disease (3) over 18 years (4) physically able to use virtual reality set (5) capacity (6) proficient English. Results: Twenty-six participants enrolled, of which 20 (77%) completed all sessions. At baseline, the intervention group had a mean pre- score of 26.3 (SD 15.1) which reduced to 11.5 (SD 12.6) after the first session. At the same time point, the control group had a mean pre- score of 37.9 (SD 21.6) which reduced to 25.5 (SD 17.4) post-session. The mean scores dropped following each session, however this was not significant (mean difference = −1.3, 95% CI: −6.4 to 3.7, p = 0.601). Conclusions: It is feasible to complete repeated virtual reality sessions within a palliative care population. Future research should explore the structure and effectiveness of virtual reality in a fully powered trial.
Administration of Single-Dose Antibiotic Does Not Decrease Oronasal Fistula Rates After Primary Palatoplasty
Authors: Mamidi Ishwarya Shradha , Mantilla-Rivas Esperanza , Ichiuji Brynne A. , Rana Md Sohel , Ramirez Karen I. , Stein Jason R. , Aivaz Marudeen , Manrique Monica , McGrath Jennifer , Rogers Gary F. , Oh Albert K. 
Published: February 2021

Objective: Oronasal fistula (ONF) is a known complication after primary palatoplasty (PP). Studies investigating the effect of perioperative antibiotics on fistula rates after PP are limited by inadequate sample size or reliance on self-reporting through national databases. In this study, the authors evaluated the association between single-dose perioperative antibiotics and postoperative fistula rates after PP at a single institution. Design: A retrospective study. Participants: Children younger than 2 years who underwent PP from April 2009 to September 2019 were included. Interventions: Patients were divided into 2 categories: Group 1 received a single intraoperative dose of IV antibiotic, while group 2 did not. Main Outcome Measure(s): Outcome measures included ONF formation, length of stay (LOS), and 30-day readmission rates. Multivariable firth logistic regression, quantile regression, and χ2 tests were performed. Results: Of the 424 patients, 215 and 209 patients were in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The overall ONF rate was 1.9% among all patients. Patients in group 1 experienced an ONF rate of 3.3%, while patients in group 2 had an ONF rate of 0.5%. After correcting for confounding variables, the difference in ONF rates was not statistically different ( P = .68). Median LOS was 35.7 hours and 35.5 hours ( P = .17), while the rate of readmission within 30 days was 4.7% and 2.4% for group 1 and 2, respectively ( P = .96). Conclusions: Administration of a single-dose perioperative antibiotic did not decrease fistula formation after PP, nor did it affect the patient’s LOS or 30-day readmission rate.
Parenting Children With a Cleft Lip With or Without Palate or a Visible Infantile Hemangioma: A Cross-Sectional Study of Distress and Parenting Stress
Authors: van Dalen M. , Leemreis W.H. , Kraaij V. , De Laat P.C.J. , Pasmans S.G.M.A. , Versnel S.L. , Koudstaal M.J. , Hillegers M.H.J. , Utens E.M.W.J. , Okkerse J.M.E. 
Published: February 2021

Objective: Parents of children with a medical condition and a visible difference can experience challenging situations. We evaluated distress and parenting stress in parents of children with a cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL±P) or a visible infantile hemangioma (IH). Setting: This cross-sectional study took place in an academic medical hospital in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Participants: Three-hundred nine parents (mean age = 40.30, 56.00% mothers) of children with CL±P and 91 parents (mean age = 36.40, 58.24% mothers) of children with IH. Main Outcome Measures: The Dutch version of the Parenting Stress Index – Short Form and the subscales Anxiety, Depression, and Hostility of the Symptom Checklist – 90. Results: One sample t tests and mixed linear modeling were used. On average, parents of children with CL±P and of children with IH showed significantly lower parenting stress compared to normative data. Anxiety was significantly lower in parents of children with CL±P than that in the norm group. Visibility of the condition was not related to distress or parenting stress. Child behavioral problems were positively related to parenting stress, depression, and hostility. Conclusions: Parents of children with CL±P and IH report less distress and parenting stress compared to the norm. On average, these parents seem well adjusted. A practical implication is to monitor parents of children with behavioral problems.
Visual outcomes in advanced keratoconus using different strategies: Scleral lens, intracorneal ring segment and lamellar keratoplasty
Authors: Rocha Guilherme , Vieira Bruna Viana , Mendes Bárbara Mírian Silva , Iguma Camila Ishii , Silva Thairis Cássia Santana , de Sousa Luciene Barbosa , Tzelikis Patrick Frensel 
Published: February 2021

Purpose: To compare VA outcomes in patients with advanced keratoconus wearing SCL or after ICRS or DALK. In addition, determine the percentage of complimentary treatments after ICRS and DALK, and which of these was fitting a SCL, and final visual acuity (f-VA) results. Methods: Retrospective case series analyzed 55 eyes with advanced keratoconus fitted with SCL, or after ICRS or a DALK between 2010 and 2018. The variables analyzed were sex, age, UDVA, CDVA, SEQ, K-readings, and f-VA after complimentary treatments. Results: Twenty-eight eyes underwent a DALK, 14 were fitted with a SCL, and other 13 underwent ICRS insertion. Patients after DALK and after ICRS showed statistically significant improvement in UDVA and CDVA after surgery, with no difference between these groups. Patients fitted with SCL showed statistically higher CDVA improvement when compared to ICRS. After DALK and ICRS, respectively, nine eyes (32.14%) and seven eyes (53.85%) were fitted with SCL. Comparison between f-VA with SCL in three groups showed that the best result was achieved in DALK + SCL, with statistically significant difference to only SCL. Conclusion: We showed that the CDVA of eyes fitted with SCL without any surgical treatment was statistically better than CDVA of eyes after ICRS insertion. After DALK and ICRS insertion, many patients needed a complimentary treatment to improve CDVA. The most chosen treatment was fitting a SCL. After this, all eyes showed statistically significant improvement in f-VA, with statistically better results for DALK + SCL when compared to SCL fitted in advanced keratoconus without any surgical treatment.
Psychological Distress and Its Correlates among Newly Diagnosed People Living with HIV in Northwest Ethiopia: Ordinal Logistic Regression Analyses
Authors: Moges Nurilign Abebe , Adesina Olubukola Adeponle , Okunlola Micheal A , Berhane Yemane , Akinyemi Joshua Odunayo 
Published: February 2021

Background: Although there is a high burden of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), studies on mental health issues among people living with HIV are scarce. The study addressed the transition to “test and treat” guidelines for HIV, which makes it unique regarding its evaluation of psychological distress amongst newly initiated people living with HIV in the test and treat era. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 689 people newly diagnosed with HIV. Symptoms of psychological distress were measured using the Kessler-10 psychological distress assessment scale. Factors associated with psychological distress were captured using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of psychological distress. Results: The magnitude of psychological distress was 58.63% (95% CI = 55.2%-62.3%). The severity of the psychological distress of which, 17.42% had severe distress. Psychological distress was observed more among female patients (β = 0.47, AOR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.27), patients presented with opportunistic infections (β = 0.50, AOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.03, 2.66) and being non-working functional status (β = 0.99, AOR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.64, 4.45). Moreover, patients who were malnourished (β = 0.46, AOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.26), having good level of knowledge on HIV prevention (β = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.55, 0.39, 0.78), presented with sexually transmitted infection (β = 0.48, AOR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.58), history of alcohol use (β = 0.44, AOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.21), perceived stigma (β = 0.08, AOR = 1.09 95% CI = 1.04, 1.15) and treated in health centers (β = 0.55, AOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.25, 2.41) had higher odds of psychological distress. Conclusion: The large majority of newly diagnosed HIV patients suffered from psychological distress. An increased vulnerability was observed among females, those with opportunistic and sexually transmitted infections, those having poor functional status and malnourished. Furthermore, HIV patients treated in health centers, those who had history of alcohol use and patients with high level of HIV related stigma are more negatively affected by the HIV diagnosis. Hence, all intervention strategies should target all the identified predictors.
Challenges in the Management of Thyrotoxicosis Associated with Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure: Two Case Reports
Authors: Sadiq Abid M , Chamba Nyasatu G 
Published: February 2021

Background: Thyrotoxicosis is a clinical syndrome with high amounts of free thyroid hormone levels causing elevated thyroid hormone function in body tissues. Prolonged effects of free thyroid hormones may lead to cardiac complications such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). Case 1: A 31-year-old female, was admitted due to difficulty in breathing, generalised body swelling and jaundice. She was dyspnoeic with an irregular heart rate, and presented with abnormal vitals, liver and thyroid function tests which were diagnostic for thyroid storm. She was managed over 32 days in-hospital stay with carbimazole, propranolol, hydrocortisone, digoxin and furosemide. Unfortunately, she was readmitted 6 months later with worsened HF symptoms and passed away. Case 2: A 57-year-old female, was admitted due to difficulty in breathing, bilateral lower limb swelling and jaundice. She was tachypnoeic with an irregular heart rate, and presented with abnormal liver enzymes and thyroid function tests which were diagnostic for thyrotoxicosis. She was managed with carbimazole, propranolol, digoxin and furosemide, and was discharged on the 6th hospital day. Conclusion: Prolonged untreated thyrotoxicosis increases the risk of AF and HF. Early and monitored treatment and follow-up of hyperthyroidism is key to the management of AF and HF in achieving a better outcome.
Virtual Reality Augmented Feedback Rehabilitation Associated to Action Observation Therapy in Buccofacial Apraxia: Case Report
Authors: Emedoli Daniele , Arosio Maddalena , Tettamanti Andrea , Iannaccone Sandro 
Published: February 2021

Background: Buccofacial Apraxia is defined as the inability to perform voluntary movements of the larynx, pharynx, mandible, tongue, lips and cheeks, while automatic or reflexive control of these structures is preserved. Buccofacial Apraxia frequently co-occurs with aphasia and apraxia of speech and it has been reported as almost exclusively resulting from a lesion of the left hemisphere. Recent studies have demonstrated the benefit of treating apraxia using motor training principles such as Augmented Feedback or Action Observation Therapy. In light of this, the study describes the treatment based on immersive Action Observation Therapy and Virtual Reality Augmented Feedback in a case of Buccofacial Apraxia. Participant and Methods: The participant is a right-handed 58-years-old male. He underwent a neurosurgery intervention of craniotomy and exeresis of infra axial expansive lesion in the frontoparietal convexity compatible with an atypical meningioma. Buccofacial Apraxia was diagnosed by a neurologist and evaluated by the Upper and Lower Face Apraxia Test. Buccofacial Apraxia was quantified also by a specific camera, with an appropriately developed software, able to detect the range of motion of automatic face movements and the range of the same movements on voluntary requests. In order to improve voluntary movements, the participant completed fifteen 1-hour rehabilitation sessions, composed of a 20-minutes immersive Action Observation Therapy followed by a 40-minutes Virtual Reality Augmented Feedback sessions, 5 days a week, for 3 consecutive weeks. Results: After treatment, participant achieved great improvements in quality and range of facial movements, performing most of the facial expressions (eg, kiss, smile, lateral angle of mouth displacement) without unsolicited movement. Furthermore, the Upper and Lower Face Apraxia Test showed an improvement of 118% for the Upper Face movements and of 200% for the Lower Face movements. Conclusion: Performing voluntary movement in a Virtual Reality environment with Augmented Feedbacks, in addition to Action Observation Therapy, improved performances of facial gestures and consolidate the activations by the central nervous system based on principles of experience-dependent neural plasticity.
Use of single-bed rooms may decrease the incidence of hospital-acquired infections in geriatric patients: A retrospective cohort study in Central Denmark region
Authors: Gregersen Merete , Mellemkjær Anders , Foss Catherine H , Blandfort Sif 
Published: February 2021

Objective Patients accommodated in single-bed rooms may have a reduced risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) compared to those in multi-bed rooms. This study aimed to examine the effect of single-bed accommodation on HAIs in older patients admitted to a geriatric ward. Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to geriatric wards in a university hospital in Central Denmark Region linked to a move to a newly built hospital, involving all consecutively admitted patients aged 65 years and over from 15 September to 19 December 2016 and a similar cohort admitted in the same three months in 2017. We compared the incidence of HAIs in patients in single-bed accommodation to those in multi-bed accommodation using retrospective review of electronic patient records, with all infections verified microbiologically or by X-ray with onset between 48 hours after admission to 48 hours after discharge from hospital. Results In total 446 patients were included. The incidence of HAIs in multi-bed accommodation was 30% compared to 20% in single-bed accommodation. The hazard ratio was 0.62 (95% Confidence Interval 0.43–0.91, p = 0.01) for single-bed accommodation. This finding remained robust after adjustment for age, sex, infection at admission, risk of sepsis, use of catheter, treatment with prednisone or methotrexate, and comorbidity index. Conclusion Accommodation in single-bed rooms appeared to reduce HAIs compared to multi-bed rooms in two geriatric wards. This finding should be considered as hypothesis-generating and be examined further using an experimental design.
Who should we ask about mental health symptoms in adolescents with CFS/ME? Parent-child agreement on the revised children’s anxiety and depression scale
Authors: Serafimova Teona , Loades Maria , Gaunt Daisy , Crawley Esther 
Published: February 2021

Background: One in three adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) have mental health problems. Multi-informant perspectives are key to psychological assessment. Understanding parent-child agreement is crucial to accurate diagnosis, particularly where severe fatigue limits self-report. Methods: Agreement on the revised children’s anxiety and depression scale (RCADs) was assessed between parents and children with CFS/ME ( n = 93) using Bland-Altman plots, cross tabulations and regression analyses. Results: Diagnostic thresholds were met more frequently based on child-report. Parent- and child-report had similar sensitivity and specificity on RCADS compared to gold-standard diagnostic interviews. Regression analysis found similar accuracy between both reports. For anxiety diagnoses, odds ratio (OR) for child-report was 1.10 (CI = 1.06–1.14), and 1.10 (CI = 1.05–1.14) for parent-report. For depression, OR for child report was 1.26 (CI = 1.11–1.43), while for parent-report is was 1.25 (CI = 1.10–1.41). For total score, OR for child-report was 1.10 (CI = 1.05–1.13) while OR for parent-report was 1.09 (CI = 1.05–1.13). Conclusions: Reasonable agreement was observed between parent- and child-report of mental health symptoms in paediatric CFS/ME. While parent-report can facilitate psychological evaluation in CFS/ME, this is not a substitute for a child’s own report.
Astragalus Polysaccharide Injection (PG2) Normalizes the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer Receiving Immunotherapy
Authors: Tsao Shih Ming , Wu Tz Chin , Chen JiZhen , Chang Feichi , Tsao Thomos 
Published: February 2021

Objectives: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a prognostic marker in patients with cancer receiving immunotherapy. Recent studies have shown that a high NLR was associated with a poor response and decreased survival. However, there is no intervention to reverse abnormally high NLR and improve clinical outcomes. Astragalus polysaccharide injection (PG2) is an immunomodulatory therapy for cancer-related fatigue. This study aimed to examine whether PG2 might normalize the NLR and affect the overall survival of patients with lung cancer treated with immunotherapy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical records of patients with lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) between October 1, 2015 and November 30, 2019. All patients received ICI combination chemotherapies, and some similarly received PG2 (Control vs PG2). The NLR was assessed before treatment and 6 weeks after ICI initiation, and the survival data was collected at least 4 years after treatment initiation for the first enrolled patient. Results: Fifty-three patients were included. Six weeks after ICI initiation, 91.3% of the patients in the PG2 group exhibited a predefined “Decrease or no change” in the NLR, which was 28% higher than that in the Control group (63.3%) ( P = .028). The NLR significantly decreased by 31.60% from baseline in the PG2 group ( P = .012), whereas it increased by 5.80% in the Control group ( P = .572). Six weeks after ICI treatment initiation, both groups had a median NLR of 3.73, and the overall survival was also similar (PG2 vs Control, 26.1 months vs 25.4 months, respectively); however, the PG2 group had a higher median baseline NLR than the Control group (PG2 vs Control, 4.51 vs 2.81, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that PG2 could normalize the NLR in patients with lung cancer receiving ICI combination treatments.
Is central sensitization an important determinant of functional disability in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritides?
Authors: Adami Giovanni , Gerratana Elisabetta , Atzeni Fabiola , Benini Camilla , Vantaggiato Elisabetta , Rotta Denise , Idolazzi Luca , Rossini Maurizio , Gatti Davide , Fassio Angelo 
Published: February 2021

Background: Central sensitization (CS) is a condition characterized by a disproportionate response to pain stimuli. We sought to investigate the prevalence of CS in patients with inflammatory arthritides and its association with measures of disease activity and functional disability. Methods: We conducted an observational retrospective study in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We administered to all the subjects in the study the CS inventory (CSI), a questionnaire that has been used for the diagnosis of CS. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected as well as measures or disease activity [i.e. Simple Disease Activity Index, Disease Activity Score in PsA (DAPSA)] and functional disability [Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI)]. Patients with fibromyalgia were excluded from the analyses. The primary outcome measure was the presence of functional disability as assessed by HAQ-DI >1. Results: We enrolled 150 patients with inflammatory arthritides (78 PsA and 72 RA). Prevalence of CS was observed in 35.3% of the overall sample (29% in RA, 42.9% in PsA). Binary logistic regressions showed a strong, independent and linear association between functional disability and CS in both PsA and RA patients. The strength of this association was greater in PsA than in RA. Conclusion: CS is an important determinant of functional disability in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritides. PsA appeared to be more vulnerable to CS. In addition, in the presence of CS, DAPSA did not adequately capture the occurrence of functional disability. Therefore, special attention should be paid to PsA patients, in whom the concomitant diagnosis of CS should be routinely ruled out.
The Impact of Maxillary Expansion on Adults’ Nasal Breathing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Calvo-Henriquez Christian , Megias-Barrera Joaquim , Chiesa-Estomba Carlos , Lechien Jerome R. , Maldonado Alvarado Byron , Ibrahim Badr , Suarez-Quintanilla David , Kahn Sandra , Capasso Robson 
Published: February 2021

Objective Nasal surgery fails to restore nasal breathing in some cases. Maxillary constriction is suggested as a major cause of failure. It is thought that maxillary constriction leads to the closure of the internal and external nasal valves. Moreover, it is well established in the literature that maxillary expansion, both in adults and children, increases upper airway volume. However, it is yet unclear whether maxillary expansion may improve nasal function. Review Methods: Pubmed (Medline), the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Trip Database were checked by two authors from the Rhinology Study Group of the Young Otolaryngologists section of the International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies. Two authors extracted the data. The main outcome was expressed as the value (in variable units) prior to treatment (T0), after expansion procedures (T1), after the retention period (T2), and after a follow-up period (T3). Results A total of 10 studies (257 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The data pooled in the meta-analysis reveals a statistically significant reduction of 0.27 Pa/cm3/s (CI 95% 0.15, 0.39) in nasal resistance after palatal expansion As far as subjective changes are concerned, the pooled data for the change in the NOSE score shows a statistically significant mean reduction after maxillary expansion of 40.08 points (CI 95% 36.28, 43.89). Conclusion The initial available evidence is too limited to suggest maxillary expansion as a primary treatment option to target nasal breathing. However the data is encouraging with regards to the effect of maxillary expansion on nasal function. Further higher quality studies are needed in order to define clearer patient selection criteria, distinguish optimal techniques, and demonstrate long-term efficacy in long term follow up studies.