bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning Can Predict Total Death After Radiofrequency Ablation in Liver Cancer Patients
Authors: Tong Jianhua , Liu Panmiao , Ji Muhuo , Wang Ying , Xue Qiong , Yang Jian-Jun , Zhou Cheng-Mao 
Published: March 2021

Objective: Over 1 million new cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are diagnosed worldwide every year. Its prognosis remains poor, and the 5-year survival rate in all disease stages is estimated to be between 10% and 20%. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become an important local treatment for liver cancer, and machine learning (ML) can provide many shortcuts for liver cancer medical research. Therefore, we explore the role of ML in predicting the total mortality of liver cancer patients undergoing RFA. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of public database data from 578 liver cancer patients. We used Python for ML to establish the prognosis model. Results: The results showed that the 5 most important factors were platelet count (PLT), Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), age, tumor size, and total bilirubin, respectively. Results of the total death model for liver cancer patients in test group: among the 5 algorithm models, the highest accuracy rate was that of gbm (0.681), followed by the Logistic algorithm (0.672); among the 5 algorithms, area under the curve (AUC) values, from high to low, were Logistic (0.738), DecisionTree (0.723), gbm (0.717), GradientBoosting (0.714), and Forest (0.693); Among the 5 algorithms, gbm had the highest precision rate (0.721), followed by the Logistic algorithm (0.714). Among the 5 algorithms, DecisionTree had the highest recall rate (0.642), followed by the GradientBoosting algorithm (0.571). Conclusion: Machine learning can predict total death after RFA in liver cancer patients. Therefore, ML research has great potential for both personalized treatment and prognosis of liver cancer.
Efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants combined with antiplatelet drugs for patients with peripheral artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lv Meina , Jiang Shaojun , Wu Tingting , Chen Wenjun , Zhang Jinhua 
Published: March 2021

Background The efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) combined with antiplatelet drugs in patients with peripheral artery disease remain largely unknown. Objective The aim of this meta-analysis was to explore the effects of NOACs combined with antiplatelet drugs versus antiplatelet drugs alone in this population. Methods A comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials published in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library in 30 September 2020 and before. According to the I2 statistic, a random or fixed-effect model was used to analyze the safety and effectiveness of NOACs combined with antiplatelet drugs in peripheral artery disease patients. Results Three RCTs met the inclusion criteria, with a total sample size of 11,761 participants. Compared with antiplatelet drugs alone, NOACs combined with antiplatelet drugs resulted in lower risk of ischemic stroke events (OR = 0.75, 95%CI 0.57–0.98, p =  0.03), while other treatment effects were not worse than those of single antiplatelet drugs ( p ≥  0.05). In addition, although compared with single antiplatelet drugs alone, NOACs combined with antiplatelet drugs had a higher risk of major bleeding and clinically related nonmajor bleeding, their risk was not higher for intracranial hemorrhage, which may endanger the life of patients, or for fatal bleeding. Conclusions In summary, for peripheral artery disease patients, a combination of NOACs plus antiplatelet drugs may offer additional benefit in reducing ischemic stroke outcome, yet it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Temporary application of lower body positive pressure improves intracranial velocities in symptomatic acute carotid occlusion or tight stenosis: A pilot study
Authors: Crassard Isabelle , Berthet Karine , Lavallée Philippa , Houot Marion , Payen Didier , Baron Jean-Claude , Amarenco Pierre , Lukaszewicz Anne-Claire 
Published: March 2021

Background Patients with isolated cervical carotid artery occlusion not eligible to recanalization therapies but with compromised intracranial hemodynamics may be at risk of further clinical events. Apart from lying flat until spontaneous recanalization or adjustment of the collateral circulation hopefully occurs, no specific treatment is currently implemented. Improving collateral flow is an attractive option in this setting. Lower body positive pressure (LBPP) is known to result in rapid venous blood shift from the lower to the upper body part, in turn improving cardiac preload and output, and is routinely used in acute hemorrhagic shock. We report here cerebral blood flow velocities measured during LBPP in this patient population. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of the clinical, physiological, and transcranial Doppler monitoring data collected during and 15 min after LBPP in 21 consecutive patients (10 females, median age: 54 years) with recently symptomatic isolated carotid occlusion/tight stenosis (unilateral in 18) mostly due to atherosclerosis or dissection. LBPP was applied for 90 min at a median 5 days after symptom onset. Results At baseline, middle-cerebral artery velocities were markedly lower on the symptomatic, as compared to asymptomatic, side. LBPP significantly improved blood flow velocities in both the symptomatic and asymptomatic middle-cerebral artery as well as the basilar artery, which persisted 15 min after discontinuing the procedure. LBPP also resulted in mild but significant increases in mean arterial blood pressure. Conclusions LBPP improved intracranial hemodynamics downstream recently symptomatic carotid occlusion/tight stenosis as well as in the contralateral and posterior circulations, which persisted after LBPP deflation. Randomized trials should determine if this easy-to-use, noninvasive, nonpharmacologic approach has long-lasting benefits on the intracranial circulation and improves functional outcome.
Drip-and-ship versus mothership for endovascular treatment of acute stroke: A comparative effectiveness analysis
Authors: Wu Xiao , Wira Charles R , Matouk Charles C , Forman Howard P. , Gandhi Dheeraj , Sanelli Pina , Schindler Joseph , Malhotra Ajay 
Published: March 2021

Background Triage for suspected acute stroke has two main options: (1) transport to the closest primary stroke center (PSC) and then to the nearest comprehensive stroke center (CSC) (Drip-and-Ship) or (2) transport the patient to the nearest CSC, bypassing a closer PSC (mothership). The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of drip-and-ship versus mothership models for acute stroke patients. Methods A Markov decision-analytic model was constructed. All model parameters were derived from recent medical literature. Our target population was adult patient with sudden onset of acute stroke within 8 h of onset over a one-year horizon. The primary outcome was quantified in terms of quality-adjusted-life-years (QALYs). Results The base case scenario show that the drip-and-ship strategy has a slightly higher expected health benefit, 0.591 QALY, as compared to 0.586 QALY in the mothership strategy when the time to PSC is 30 min and to CSC is 65 min, although the difference in health benefit becomes minimal as the time to PSC increases towards 60 min. Multiple sensitivity analyses show that when both PSC and CSC are far from place of onset (>1.5 h away), drip-and-ship becomes the better strategy. Mothership strategy is favored by smaller difference between distances to PSC and CSC, shorter transfer time from PSC to CSC, and longer delay in reperfusion in CSC for transferred patients. Drip-and-ship is favored by the reverse. Conclusion Drip-and-ship has a slightly higher utility than mothership. This study assesses the complex issue of prehospital triage of acute stroke patients and can provide a framework for real-world data input.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in pregnancy evolving towards fulminant hepatitis
Authors: Simard Camille , Tardif Marie-Lou 
Published: March 2021

Background Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare disorder, especially in pregnancy, characterized by excessive immune activation leading to hemophagocytic activity. Case Report A 34-year-old woman presented at 31 weeks’ gestation with fever, cytopenias, hyperferritinemia and fulminant hepatitis. Bone marrow biopsy was non-contributory, and no trigger was identified. Liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and she received dexamethasone and etoposide, which was changed to anakinra to allow breastfeeding. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is crucial to the survival of pregnant women, but no consensus exists regarding the most appropriate therapy during pregnancy. Conclusion Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is life-threatening and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Important treatment considerations in pregnancy include maternal health, fetal prematurity and treatment toxicity. Anakinra has been successfully used in pregnancy and provides a promising alternative.
Increased mortality associated with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis: a single US cohort study
Authors: Archuleta Solana , Gharamti Amal A. , Sillau Stefan , Castellanos Paula , Chadalawada Sindhu , Mundo William , Bandali Mehdi , Oñate Jose , Martínez Ernesto , Chastain Daniel B. , DeSanto Kristen , Shapiro Leland , Schwartz Ilan S. , Franco-Paredes Carlos , Henao-Martínez Andrés F. 
Published: March 2021

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor for bacterial infections, but its role in cryptococcosis is unclear. The study aimed to determine whether uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c >7%) was an independent risk factor for mortality in cryptococcosis. Methods: A retrospective case–control study partially matched by age and gender was performed in patients tested for Cryptococcus infection at the University of Colorado Hospital from 2000 to 2019. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify mortality predictors. Cox proportional hazard model was used for survival analysis. Results: We identified 96 cases of cryptococcosis and 125 controls. Among cases, cryptococcal meningitis (49.0%) and pneumonia (36.5%) constituted most infections. Cases with pulmonary cryptococcosis with uncontrolled diabetes had a higher mortality at 10 weeks (50% versus 7%, p = 0.006) and 1 year (66.7% versus 13.8%, p = 0.005) compared to pulmonary cases with controlled or no diabetes. Unadjusted Cox proportional hazard model found an increased rate of death for uncontrolled diabetes at 10 weeks [hazard ratio 8.4, confidence interval (CI): 1.4–50.8, p = 0.02] and 1 year (hazard ratio 7.0, CI: 1.7–28.4, p = 0.007) among pulmonary cryptococcosis cases. Multivariable analysis showed a significantly increased odds of 10 weeks [odds ratio (OR) = 4.3, CI: 1.1–16.5, p = 0.035] and 1 year (OR = 5.0, CI: 1.4–18.3, p = 0.014) mortality for uncontrolled diabetes among pulmonary cryptococcosis cases. After adjustment for gender, age, and case/control, for every 1% increase in HbA1c levels, the odds of pulmonary cryptococcosis mortality at 1 year increased by 11% (OR = 1.6, CI 95%: 1.1–2.3, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Uncontrolled diabetes is associated with worse outcomes in pulmonary cryptococcosis, including a 4-fold and 6-fold increased odds of death at 10 weeks and 1 year, respectively. Glucose control interventions should be explored to improve clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis.
Clinical examination of the sacroiliac joint
Authors: Líška D , Zelník R , Hegedüšová N 
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) can be a nociceptive source of the pain in lower back. Clinical diagnosis of SIJ pain remains yet problematic. The cause of SIJ pain is multifactorial. The pain may be a result of an inflammatory disease, arthrosis, traumatic injury, infectious process or overload. The potential role in SIJ examination have pain provocation tests. Objective: To review and further discuss the validity of some of the mostly used clinical provocation tests such as Distraction test, Thigh Thrust test, Compression test, Sacral Thrust test, Patrick’s (FABER), Gaenslen’s test, Standing Flexion Test, Gillet Test and Shimpi Prone test. Method: A literature search was conducted using PubMed. Reviewed were studies between 2005 and 2020 in English, Slovak and Czech with keywords: sacroiliac joint, sacroiliac assessment, provocation tests. The methodology of studies was not considered. Discussion: It is challenging to determine whether SIJ is the actual source of the pain by using only one of the provocation tests. Therefore, it is beneficial to combine more compression tests, what will also increase the validity of testing. Other widely used SIJ tests are palpation test, however their validity is poor.
Conservative treatment of chronic unreduced shoulder dislocations in Cameroon: Key results concerning 33 cases
Authors: Theophile Nana C , Pius Fokam , Nchinda E Choffor , Farikou I , Handy Daniel E , Chichom-Mefire A 
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Chronic unreduced shoulder dislocations are rare in orthopaedics. The aim of this study is to report how conservative treatment of chronic unreduced shoulder dislocations is done and evaluate the functional outcome in a low-middle income environment. Patients and methods: This was a hospital based prospective observational study carried out from January 2008 to January 2018. Cases of unreduced shoulder dislocations of at least 1 month duration were included in the study. Closed reduction was done by progressive soft maneuvers described by Kocher. Epi Info software was used to analyze this data. Results were represented on tables to ease organization and comprehension. Results: One of the 33 had a bilateral chronic unreduced anterior dislocation. The ages ranged from 21 to 80 years, with a mean age of 42.71 ± 16.13 years. The male to female ratio was 3.2:1. The duration of dislocation ranged from 1 to 120 months. Majority of the cases 79.4% (n = 27) had successful closed reduction. The average score was 78.04/100, representing a good score. Conclusion: Although treatment by non-operative method is a challenge, fair to good functional outcome can be obtained if this procedure is carried out under general anesthesia and adequate relaxation.
Injury Profile of Mixed Martial Arts Competitions in the United States
Authors: Ross Austin J. , Ross Bailey J. , Zeoli Tyler C. , Brown Symone M. , Mulcahey Mary K. 
Published: March 2021

Background: The popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) continues to grow in the United States. Although prior work has provided valuable insight concerning injuries in the sport, much of the available literature is limited by factors such as small sample sizes, varying athlete demographics, and inconsistent data collection methods. Purpose: To report injury rates and types in MMA and analyze potential variance between competition and match variables. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of injuries sustained by fighters during MMA contests between 2018 and 2019 using ringside physician postmatch injury reports from Wisconsin and Arizona. The prevalence of overall injuries and specific injury types was compared by location (Arizona vs Wisconsin), competition level (amateur vs professional), match result (decisions vs any other result), and match winners versus losers. Results: In 503 contests, 285 (57%) had at least 1 injury. In these 285 matches, participants experienced 401 injuries: 197 (49%) in professional bouts and 204 (51%) in amateur bouts. The match injury rate was higher in professional bouts than in amateur contests (68% vs 51%; P < .001). Amateur fighters had more contusions and hematomas (31% vs 22%; P < .001), while professional fighters had more lacerations (39% vs 23%; P < .001). Losers exhibited a higher match injury rate than winners (48% vs 24%; P < .001). Winners experienced a higher proportion of fractures (19% vs 9%; P = .005), and losers experienced more concussions (17% vs 2%; P < .001). Conclusion: Professional fighters and losers of MMA bouts exhibited higher injury rates relative to amateurs and winners. The prevalence of specific injury types varied by competition level, match result, and match winners versus losers. The results of this study may be used to better understand the current injury profile in MMA and to develop targeted strategies for injury prevention.
Knowledge and Confidence of Final-Year Medical Students Regarding Critical Care Core-Concepts, a Comparison between Problem-Based Learning and a Traditional Curriculum
Authors: Al Ansari Mariam , Al Bshabshe Ali , Al Otair Hadil , Layqah Layla , Al-Roqi Abdullah , Masuadi Emad , Alkharashi Nawaf , Baharoon Salim 
Published: March 2021

Background: Medical undergraduates should be prepared to recognize life threating critical conditions. Undergraduate medical curriculum development to incorporate more critical care education is an essential requirement. Problem Based Learning curriculum has a potential advantage in providing more focused critical care education to medical undergraduate. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the final year medical students’ knowledge and confidence in key critical care concepts in Problem Based Learning (PBL) curriculum compared to those in Traditional (Lecture) Based Learning curriculum. We also aimed to evaluate undergraduate’s level of satisfaction with the exposure to critical care education during medical education and training. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional anonymous self-administered survey questionnaire completed by two groups of final-year medical students (PBL and TBL) from three Saudi medical schools to assess the degree of undergraduate exposure to critical care and their knowledge of key critical care assessment parameters. Results: The responses of 279 final year medical students was analyzed (70% response rate). The majority (53%) was male and the mean age 23.9 ± 1.4 years. Only 13% of students felt confident to manage hypovolemic shock and 15% could recognize the signs of a threatened airway. One third of the students (29%) correctly identified the critical level of lactic acid in shock and less than 2% of the sample responded correctly to all the questions related to the formal assessment of critically ill patients. Lectures were the main source of information in acute care. More than two-thirds (46%) of the sample indicated that they received tuition in critical care, however the total duration spent in a critical care rotation or teaching was 1 day or less. The medical students, who completed their training with a Problem-Based Learning curriculum, had a higher knowledge base and were more confident in many critical care concepts. Only 6.5% choose critical care as their likely future career. Conclusion: Medical undergraduates in PBL have an overall better knowledge on key concepts and assessment tools applicable to evaluating and managing critically ill patients compared to students in TBL. However the gap in knowledge and confidence in assessing ill patients in both groups is evident. Critical care was not chosen as a preferred future career in all surveyed students. There is a need for institutional support and endorsement of undergraduate critical care exposure and education in Saudi Universities both to better prepare medical students for their imminent post-graduates exposure to ill patients and to help in closing the gap in critical care physicians through promoting the specialty.
Combined Central Retinal Vein and Cilioretinal Artery Occlusion in the Setting of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Administration
Authors: Tsui Jonathan Cin-Bon , Crabtree Gordon Scott 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: This work reports a case of combined vascular occlusion in the setting of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) administration. Methods: The authors describe a case of combined central retinal vein and cilioretinal artery that occurred in the setting of IVIg administration. Results: A 52-year-old White man presented with a unilateral subjective scotoma that began during IVIg administered for the treatment of statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy. Examination and optical coherence tomography imaging revealed a combined nonischemic central retinal vein and cilioretinal artery occlusion. Conclusions: To the authors’ review and knowledge, this is the first reported case of combined central retinal vein and cilioretinal artery occlusion occurring in the setting of IVIg administration. This rare adverse effect is an entity to be considered in patients who are treated with IVIg.
Predictive factors of stereopsis outcomes following strabismus surgery
Authors: Eshaghi Mohammad , Arabi Amir , Banaie Shahram , Shahraki Toktam , Eshaghi Sarvin , Esfandiari Hamed 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To determine the predictive factors of post-operative stereopsis in patients with strabismus. Method: In this retrospective study, records of patients who received surgical treatment for strabismus were reviewed. All types of strabismus were included. Pre- and post-treatment stereoacuity were measured using the Titmus Stereo Fly test, and predictive factors of stereopsis were evaluated. Results: A total of 194 patients (132 females and 62 males) with a mean age of 14.8 ± 8.4 years were included. There was a statistically significant improvement in stereopsis following surgery ( p value < 0.001). Patients with a higher amount of deviation at baseline had poorer stereopsis on the final examination ( p value < 0.001). Stereopsis improvement was more prominent in the pure horizontal strabismus group, compared to combined horizontal and vertical deviations. Baseline and the final stereopsis were higher in the “exotropia” group as compared to the “esotropia” group ( p value = 0.003 and 0.0155, respectively); however, the within group change of stereopsis was not significantly different between these two groups ( p value = 0.144). Post surgical residual deviation was associated with a poorer stereopsis ( p value = 0.002, r = 0.251). A longer duration of strabismus before surgery was associated with poorer final stereopsis levels ( p value = 0.026). The presence of amblyopia before surgery was associated with poorer stereopsis on last examination ( p value < 0.001 for both correlations). Conclusion: Based on the result of this study, final stereopsis after strabismus surgery could be affected by the type, duration, and the amount of deviation before surgery, amblyopia, and post operative ocular deviation.
TB research and innovation in Latin America
Authors: Manga Selene 
Published: March 2021

The production of tuberculosis (TB) research and innovation in Latin America during the past decade has notably improved. Its role in the acceleration of the decline of the average annual TB incidence rate by 2.5% from 2017 to 2018 is still unclear, but it is looking promising that the region will meet the End TB Strategy targets set for 2030.Well performed and high-quality research and evidence is critical for improving national TB control programme outcomes. In Latin America, this need is most apparent when responding to the multidrug-resistant TB epidemic.There is an urgent need for technological breakthroughs to accelerate by an average of 17% per year if the decline in TB incidence rate is to meet the target set for 2030. Intensified research and innovation, identified as one of the three essential pillars of the End TB Strategy, has scarcely been achieved in the region due to political and economic context. This will be analysed further in this article.