bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi-Parametric Whole Body MRI before and after Bone Marrow Transplantation in Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Basilious Samer Nasser Kamel , El-Kader Hanaa Abd , Khalaf Mohamed Hamed , Abd El-Hamid Hetta Walid Mohamed , El-Metwally El-Diasty Shaimaa 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Myeloma is the most common primary malignancy affecting the skeletal system. Most of the patients are presented and diagnosed late at the disease process, so early detection is very beneficial for patient management and choice of treatment. Multiparametric MRI with the added value of diffusion weighted images together with PETCT had been beneficial for early patient diagnosis, choice of treatment and follow up management after treatment. The study was conducted on 24 patients with bone marrow biopsy and aspiration proven multiple myeloma who also underwent PET-CT within 10 days of each other.

Main body of the Abstract
Whole body MRI had high diagnostic accuracy during initial staging and in disease assessment before treatment. After treatment, whole body MRI also showed high diagnostic accuracy in assessing progressive disease activity, while it proved low accuracy in stable disease and regressive disease activity. Whole body MRI showed sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 50%, positive predictive value of 78%, and negative prediction value of 67% (p = 0.01). PET had sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 75%, positive predictive value of 85%, and negative predictive value of 60% (p = 0.05). Whole body MRI findings was in agreement with PET-CT in most of the cases.

Short Conclusion
During the initial disease assessment, whole body MRI with DWI performed better than PET-CT in detecting small lesions &lt; 5mm, diffuse (salt and pepper appearance) marrow involvement and total number of marrow lesions, having higher sensitivity and specificity. PET-CT performed better than whole-body MRI in assessment of disease activity before and after treatment. Whole body MRI is recommended for re-assessment if the patient had remission/exacerbation or progressive course of the disease. PET-CT is recommended if the patient had stationary or regressive course of the disease by clinical and laboratory data. When whole body MRI and PET-CT findings of the same patient combined with each other, it is found to have a high satisfactory results for patient management, which may be of value to hematologists in assessing the response of bone marrow transplantation
Non-Acute Shoulder Pain: Correlation between Ultrasonography and MRI Findings
Authors: Nabwy Shaymaa Zakaria , Ibrahim Ayman Mohamed , Mohamed Mona Ali 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Shoulder pain affects people of all ages and activity levels, from elite athletes to sedentary individuals. The imaging workup of shoulder pain is important because it is the second most common musculoskeletal complaint after back pain for which patients seek medical attention. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well established as a powerful imaging modality for the shoulder. In the last decade, ultrasound has emerged as an effective imaging option alongside MRI for evaluation of the shoulder. With MRI and ultrasound, clinicians now have two viable advanced imaging options for the diagnostic evaluation of shoulder pain.

Aim
to assess the value added, sensitivity and specificity of US in non-acute shoulder pain using conventional MRI as a gold standard.

Material & Method
Our study was carried out on 47 patients, based on age ≥ 18 years, having shoulder pain for 6 months &more. the patients had both US & MRI examination, the findings of the 2 modalities were recorded and compared.

Results
There was significant statistical agreement (P value &lt;0.001) between US & conventional MRI, US demonstrated SST, SS partial &full thickness tear, LHBT pathologies, AC morphological changes and bursitis.

Conclusion
Based on the results, high resolution US with dynamic real-time assessment was proven to be fairly sensitive, specific with significant agreement to conventional MRI in detecting different causes of chronic shoulder pain. So US can be used as an initial modality for patients with painful shoulder.
Serum CXCL10 in Clinical and Subclinical Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Elghandour Lamiaa E , El Ganzoury Amal M , Fouda Neven M , Leithy Sally A El 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Aim of the Work
To measure CXCL10 serum level to assess its role in Psoriatic disease.

Patients and Methods
45 female adult Egyptian patients with psoriatic disease were classified into 3 equal groups: PsA, subclinical PsA, and psoriasis. Full clinical assessment and laboratory investigations were done including Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Leeds Enthesitis Index (LEI), PsA disease activity score (DAPSA), MAdrid Sonographic Enthesitis Index (MASEI), and serum CXCL10.

Results
PsA patients had higher HAQ scores with high statistical significant differences compared to the other two groups. PsA patients had higher LEI compared to subclinical PsA patients with a statistical significant difference and to psoriasis patients with a high statistical significant difference. Subclinical PsA patients had higher LEI compared to psoriasis patients with a statistical significant difference. PsA patients had higher CXCL10 compared to the other 2 groups (median: 243.2 (211.2 – 415.4)). CXCL10 could detect the possibility of PsA development among subclinical PsA patients (cut-off &gt;151 ng/l, sensitivity: 93.33% and specificity: 86.67%) and psoriasis patients (cut-off &gt;95.5 ng/l, sensitivity, and specificity: 93.33%). CXCL10 is positively correlated with MASEI with high statistical significance in subclinical PsA and psoriasis groups and positively correlated with PASI with statistical significance in subclinical PsA group.

Conclusion
CXCL10 could be used to detect the possibility of PsA development among subclinical PsA and psoriasis patients. Musculoskeletal US is a screening tool to detect enthesitis in psoriasis patients.
Effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy versus conventional physiotherapy in treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy
Authors: Abd elazeem Walaa Salah Hussein , Hussein Arafa Mona Mahmoud , El Zohiery Abeer Ahmed Kadry , Mousa Salwa Galal 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is one of the most frequent overuse injuries in athletes. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has been proposed as an effective conservative treatment in chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Conventional physical therapy is also beneficial in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy.

Aim of the Work
To compare the effect of ESWT versus conventional physiotherapy (therapeutic ultrasound, LASER, deep friction massage) in the treatment of chronic AT, by using musculoskeletal ultrasound and other clinical parameters for assessment.

Methods
Thirty chronic AT patients were randomly divided in to two groups (15 per group): group 1 received ESWT and group 2 received conventional physical therapy for 6 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hind foot scale were used to assess pain, function and physical activity. Ultrasonography was also used to assess the ultrasonographic findings in chronic AT. All patients were evaluated at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment.

Results
Our study revealed that both ESWT and conventional physical therapy recorded highly significant VAS reduction and highly significant improvement in VISA-A and AOFAS after 6 weeks of treatment. Moreover, ESWT showed significant improvement in the tendon thickness and heterogenicity with no significant effect on calcifications or neovascularization.

Conclusion
ESWT and Conventional physical therapy are both effective in reducing pain, improving function and physical activity in chronic Achilles tendinopathy patients. Moreover, ESWT is superior to conventional physiotherapy in improving tendon thickness and heterogenicity with no significant effect on calcifications or neovascularization.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as a Marker of Response to Sorafenib Treatment in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hassan Israa Mohammed Mohammed , Elgindy Eman Mohamed , Ali Heba Ismail Saad , Askar Safaa Ragab , Abdelghany Amani Mohamed 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Liver cancer remains a global health challenge and its incidence is growing worldwide. It is estimated that by year 2025, more than one million individuals will be affected by liver cancer annually. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer and accounts for 90% of cases. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most prominent risk factor for HCC development, accounting for 40% of cases and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of HCC in Egypt by 84%.

Aim of the Work
The present study aimed to evaluate the level of VEGF before and after 3 months of treatment with Sorafenib, and evaluate the efficacy of VEGF as a prognostic marker by Correlating it’s level with the radiological response after 3 months of Sorafenib.

Patients and Methods
This was a prospective cohort study that was carried out in The Hepatocellular carcinoma outpatient clinic and Tropical Medicine department, at Ain Shams University Hospitals. A total of 30 patients were enrolled, including 23 males and 7 females, with a mean age 62 years (51-76 years). all the included patients were CHILD A or B score 7 with performance status zero or 1 during the interval between June 2022 and June 2023.

Results
Thirty patients were included in the current study, twenty-sex of them were with BCLC-C and 4 patients were with BCLC-B with multiple untreatable sessions of TACE. The etiology of HCC in 28 patients was due to HCV infection while the etiology of 2 patients was due to HBV infection. Before treatment there were 17 patients of the included patients with CHILD A score 5, six patients were with CHILD A score 6 and 7 patients were with CHILD B score 7. After 3 months of Sorafenib, there was deterioration of liver function as 9 patients of the included patients were with CHILD A score 5, ten patients were with CHILD A score 6, seven patients were with CHILD B score 7 and 4 patients were with CHILD B score 8. Nine of the included patients achieved disease control (DC) in the form of either partial response (PR) {4 patients} or stationary disease (SD) {5 patients}. The level of VEGF before Sorafenib couldn’t predict the clinical and the radiological outcomes of the included patients. While, the post-treatment VEGF level showed a significant relation with the radiological assessment (mRECIST) 3 months after treatment as the highest level of VEGF was in patients with progressive disease (PD) and the lowest value in partial response (PR).

Conclusion
This study characterizes the pattern of VEGF levels before and 3 months after treatment of Sorafenib in post-hepatitis HCC cirrhotic patients. The pre-therapeutic serum VEGF levels in HCC patients couldn’t predict the clinical and the radiological outcomes of the included patients but the post-treatment level showed a significant correlation with a HCC progression according to mRECIST criteria.
Evaluation of the Clinical Utility of Detecting Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) Mutation Gene Locus TP53 rs28934571 (c.747G&gt;T) Using Real Time PCR (RT-PCR) and Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) in Egyptian Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Maghraby Safeya Ramadan , Ibrahim Amany Ahmad , Montasser Iman Mohamed Fawzy , Hefny Zeinab Mohamed , Abdelwahed Marwa Ali , Massoud Yasmine Mahmoud 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
the detection and analysis of circulating nucleic acids in blood may aid not only in disease diagnosis but also in guiding molecular targeted therapy, monitoring response to such or other treatments, as well as identifying mutations associated with drug resistance. Furthermore, unlike a tumor biopsy, circulating nucleic acids may provide useful information regarding tumor heterogeneity.

Objective
compare ctDNA by targeting the hotspot mutation gene locus TP53 rs28934571 (c.747G&gt;T) in normal persons, chronic liver disease patients, early and late HCC cases to evaluate its diagnostic value and analyse ctDNA

Patients and Methods
It was performed on 100 adult subjects. Patients were recruited from October 2020 through June 2022 from Ain Shams Centre for Organ Transplantation and Tropical Medicine Department, Ain Shams University Hospitals, including: Eighty (80) patients diagnosed with HCC on top of HCV according to European Association for Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines. In addition, a non-HCC group was included: ten (10) HCV-positive patients and ten (10) healthy controls were recruited to the study (non-HCC group). HCC clinical stage was determined according to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging classification and Child-Pugh classification

Results
There was no significant statistical difference between the HCC group, healthy control and HCV control group as regards age (p value = .09), sex (p value = 1) and comorbidities. AST was found statistically significant in HCC group in comparison with healthy control group (p value = .018) and there was statistical significant difference between HCC group and (healthy and HCV) control groups as regards albumin(p value = .03) and INR (p value &lt;.001). 40 patients (50 %) were within Milan criteria, 12 patients (15%) were within USCF, 28 patients (35%)were beyond all and 39 patients (48.75%) were child A. Mean meld score was 12.45 ± 5.94. As regards the tumor charecterictics in the explant pathology of HCC patients
Evaluation of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in Management of Renal Stones in Adult Patients with Body Mass Index Above Normal Range
Authors: El Sadek Nowier Amr Mohamed , Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed , Zaki Abanob Ibrahim Waheb 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Caused obesity and raised body mass index (BMI). People with BMI &gt;25 are at a high risk of cardiovascular problems, tumours, metabolic worse changes and sudden death. In addition, increase of weight and obesity has been demonstrated to raise the risk of renal stone formation. Various research have also concluded that obesity is a major risk factor for anaesthetic and surgical complications like atelectasis, thromboembolic problems, and wound sepsis.

Objective
To compare and assess the safety, efficacy, outcome, intraoperative, postoperative complications and stone free rates of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in prone position in 4 different groups of adult patients with a body mass index (BMI)&lt;25 and &gt; 25kg/m2.

Patients and Methods
A prospective, comparative, non-randomized, multicentric cohort study. 60 adult patients with renal stones their sizes are ranging from 2cm to 3cm in diameter will be treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in prone position. They will be separated into 4 different groups according to their body mass index (BMI); (Group A) normal body weight patients with BMI 18.5-25 kg/m2, (Group B) overweight patients with BMI 25–29 kg/m2, (Group C) obese patients with BMI 30–39 kg/m2 and (Group D) morbidly obese patientswith BMI ≥40 kg/m2. All of them will be treated in Ain Shams University Hospitals, Dar Alshifa Hospital and El Zaitoun Specialized Hospital in Cairo.

Results
Regarding Fluoroscopy time, There wasn't a significant difference between the four studied groups (p = 0.907). Regarding Complication, There wasn't a significant difference between the four studied groups (p = 0.886). Regarding Hemoglobin loss, There wasn't a significant difference between the four studied groups (p = 0.677). Regarding Hospital stay, There wasn't a significant difference between the four studied groups (p = 0.804).

Conclusion
The outcomes of PCNL are not affected by increasing the BMI regarding operative and postoperative complications, as well as operative time, fluoroscopy time and hospital stay. Further comparative studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed to confirm our results and to identify risk factors of adverse events.
Yoga-Based Group Intervention for Inpatients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders—Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Outcomes of a Rater-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hahne Inge , Zierhut Marco , Bergmann Niklas , Hahn Eric , Ta Thi Minh Tam , Calvano Claudia , Bajbouj Malek , Böge Kerem 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background and Hypothesis
The efficacy of yoga as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) has garnered interest. While yoga may positively influence various symptom domains, further investigation is needed due to the limited number, quality, and generalizability of studies. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability (primary outcome) of a yoga-based group intervention (YoGI) developed in a participatory approach and explored its preliminary effectiveness.

Study Design
In addition to the primary outcomes, this preregistered randomized controlled trial examined rater-blinded general psychopathology, positive- and negative symptoms, and self-rated depression, anxiety, stress, body mindfulness, mindfulness, psychological flexibility, cognition, social functioning, quality of life, and medication regime at baseline and postintervention as secondary outcomes.

Study Results
Fifty inpatients with SSD received either TAU (n = 25) or YoGI + TAU (n = 25) for four weeks. Outcomes showed 95% protocol adherence of YoGI, feasibility, and retention rates of 91% and 94%, respectively, and a dropout rate of 6%. ANCOVA revealed significant between-group postintervention improvements for YoGI + TAU in positive symptoms, depression, cognitive fusion, and a mindfulness subscale. Medium-to-large pre- to postintervention effects were found for body mindfulness, positive, negative, and general psychopathology, cognitive fusion, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, and attention in YoGI + TAU, while within-group changes were consistently smaller in TAU. No severe adverse events were reported.

Conclusions
This trial supports the feasibility and acceptability of YoGI for inpatients with SSD and provides preliminary evidence of YoGI’s benefits beyond TAU. Further robust, multicentric RCTs are warranted to deepen our understanding of YoGI’s therapeutic potential and inform clinical interventions for SSD.
Comparing Confidence in Institutions among Latino and White Catholics and Evangelicals: Exploring Religious Differences
Authors: Salazar Esmeralda Sánchez , Chan Esther , Mehta Sharan Kaur 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT
Recent surveys reveal declines in the U.S. public’s confidence in various institutions. Although some studies link these declines to religious factors, few disaggregate these patterns across racial and ethnic groups. Here, we focus on Latinos—a growing segment of the U.S. population and an increasingly religiously diverse part of the electorate. Using original, nationally representative survey data (N=4,321), we compare Latino evangelicals and Catholics to their white counterparts in their confidence in five institutions (religious organizations, higher education, the scientific community, Congress, and the press). We find that Latino and white Catholics consistently show high levels of confidence across institutions relative to white evangelicals. Our findings suggest that there may be more similarities in institutional confidence among those of different racial and ethnic groups who share a similar religious tradition than those who are of the same race or ethnicity but share different religious traditions. Patterns observed highlight the importance of examining institutional confidence through an intersectional lens that considers religious diversity within and across racial and ethnic groups.
Unveiling the interspecies correlation and sensitivity factor analysis of rat and mouse acute oral toxicity of antimicrobial agents: first QSTR and QTTR Modeling report
Authors: Banjare Purusottam , Murmu Anjali , Matore Balaji Wamanrao , Singh Jagadish , Papa Ester , Roy Partha Pratim 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This study aims to identify toxic potential and environmental hazardousness of antimicrobials. In this regard, the available experimental toxicity data with rat and mouse acute oral toxicity have been gathered from ChemID Plus database (n = 202) and subjected to data curation. Upon the data curation 51 and 68 compounds were left for the rat and mouse respectively for the modeling. The quantitative structure toxicity relationship (QSTR) and interspecies correlation analysis by quantitative toxicity-toxicity relationship (QTTR) modeling was approached in this study. The models were developed from 2D descriptors under OECD guidelines by using multiple linear regressions (MLR) with genetic algorithm (GA) for feature selection as a chemometric tool. The developed models were robust (Q2LOO = 0.600–0.679) and predictive enough (Q2Fn = 0.626–0.958, CCCExt = 0.840–0.893). The leverage approach of applicability domain (ad) analysis assures the model’s reliability. The antimicrobials without experimental toxicity values were classified as high, moderate and low toxic based on prediction and ad. The occurrence of the same classification from QSTR and QTTR models revealed the reliability of QTTR models.Finally, the applied “sensitivity factor analysis” typifies the sensitivity of chemicals toward each species. Overall, the first report will be helpful in the toxicity assessment of upcoming antimicrobials in rodents.
A pilot pre-post trial with and without subsidy to promote safe backyard poultry-raising practices to prevent exposure to poultry and poultry feces in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Kwong Laura H. , Sultana Jesmin , Thomas Elizabeth D. , Uddin Mohammad Rofi , Khan Shifat , Shanta Ireen Sultana , Rimi Nadia Ali , Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Winch Peter J. , Huda Tarique Md. Nurul 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundBackyard poultry-raising is common in rural Bangladeshi households. Raising poultry contributes to fecal contamination of the domestic environment, increasing children’s exposure to enteric pathogens, includingCampylobacter, which has been associated with child stunting.ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of a behavior change communication and counseling intervention to encourage households to confine poultry outside of the household dwelling in a shed at night and improve poultry feces management.MethodsWe conducted a two-arm pre-post pilot study. Households in both arms received the behavior change communication and counseling intervention. Households in the subsidy arm also received ~23 USD for the construction of a poultry shed for nighttime housing. We administered a household survey and spot-check before and after intervention implementation among 37 subsidy and 42 non-subsidy households.ResultsAt endline, 58% of all households had a poultry shed (87% of subsidy and 33% of non-subsidy households) and the percentage of households confining all poultry outside the house the previous night was significantly higher at endline (33%) compared to baseline (2.5%) (prevalence difference [PD]: 30 percentage points [pp]; 95% CI: [19, 41]). Additionally, more households had no visible poultry feces piles inside the house compared to baseline (PD: 26pp 95% CI: [12, 41]), but there were no significant differences in the number of poultry feces piles in the courtyard or veranda.DiscussionOur intervention effectively encouraged households to confine poultry outside of household dwellings at night and to maintain an indoor living space free of poultry feces. Households were willing and able to construct a shed even without a subsidy. Households that received a subsidy were more likely to construct a shed. Future studies should assess if housing all poultry outside the household dwelling reduces children’s exposure to poultry feces enough to mitigate health risks associated with poultry ownership.