bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Explore the Staging of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Through Fibrinolytic Indicators
Authors: Lan Duo , Guo Yibing , Zhang Xiaoming , Huang Xiangqian , Zhou Da , Ji Xunming , Meng Ran 
Published: December 2024

Background The stage of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is crucial to guide treatment decisions. This study aims to examine changes in fibrinolytic indicators throughout CVT onset and validate a predictive model using admission fibrinolytic indicators to estimate the CVT stage. Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 292 CVT patients. We utilized linear regression, time series, and univariate ANOVA analyses to explore characteristics of change in fibrinolytic indicators with CVT duration and identified time point at which fibrinolysis indexes showed significant changes as the time point for acute and chronic stages of CVT. A nomogram was employed to construct a prediction model using a training set, which was then evaluated for discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility. Results Prolonged onset duration independently correlated with decreased fibrinogen and D-dimer after adjusting for all variables, with adjusted correlation coefficients of −0.003 (−0.005, −0.001) and −0.004 (−0.007, −0.001), respectively. Significant changes in fibrinolytic indicators were observed around 14 days after CVT onset. The training set demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.851 (95% CI: 0.7989-0.904) for the prediction model. Internal validation showed that the nomogram accurately predicted acute CVT with an AUC of 0.828 (95% CI: 0.738-0.918). Conclusion According to the trend of fibrinolysis index, 14 days of onset can be used as the dividing point of acute and chronic stages of CVT. For patients with unclear onset, the present model, based on admission fibrinogen and D-dimer values, can accurately predict the stage of CVT. The high discriminative ability indicates the potential of this model for classifying the acute patient.
Prevalence of Food Insecurity Among HIV-Positive Smokers in Vietnam
Authors: Guevara Alvarez Gloria , Kapur Reet , Nguyen Trang , Nguyen Nam , Armstrong-Hough Mari , Parekh Niyati , Shelley Donna 
Published: December 2024

Introduction Smoking causes disparate health outcomes among people living with HIV, who also experience higher rates of food insecurity compared to HIV-negative adults. Objective Aiming to characterize household food insecurity among HIV + smokers in Vietnam, we surveyed 182 smokers undergoing HIV-care at 5 clinics in Hanoi, Vietnam. Methods We estimated the proportion of food insecurity among our sample using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and analyzed covariates associated with food insecurity, like income, and moderators of smoking, like drug use. Results Food insecurity was reported by 13.3% of our sample. The mean (SD) of years living with HIV was 12.8 (6.45). Moderate-to-severe food insecurity was associated with tobacco dependence [RR = 1.68 (1.27, 2.22); P = .05] and readiness-to-quit smoking [RR = .45 (.24, .86); P = .002]. Conclusions Our findings suggest people living with HIV who smoke are vulnerable to food insecurity and face very high or high tobacco addiction. We also find evidence that food insecurity is linked to several other conditions that alone or together are barriers to quitting. Considering these findings and the increasing interest in HIV and co-existing chronic conditions like smoking and food insecurity, further research is needed to understand how food insecurity and tobacco use intersect and impact people living with HIV who experience these concomitant conditions.
The effects of two Alzheimer's disease related genes APOE and MAPT in healthy young adults: An attentional blink study
Authors: Zeng Jianmin , Gao Ziyun , Xiong Xiong , Hou Xingrong , Qin Huihui , Liu Yong , Bowman Howard , Ritchie Craig , O’Brien John T , Su Li 
Published: December 2024

Background Genetic risk factors start to affect the brain and behavior in Alzheimer's disease (AD) before clinical symptoms occur. Although AD is mainly associated with memory deficits, attention and executive dysfunctions can present at the early presymptomatic stages in middle age for those with non-modifiable risks. Objective Here, we investigated whether known risk genes for AD already affected attention in young adulthood. Methods A total of 392 healthy young adults aged around 20 years underwent genetic testing for risks of dementia ( APOE and MAPT) and performed a computerized cognitive test for temporal attention called the Attentional Blink (AB) task, in which patients with dementia tested in previous studies often showed reduced performance. Here, the AB task was analyzed using repeated-measurements analysis of variance for the ability of visual perception, attention deployment and temporal memory encoding/binding performance. Results The results showed that all participants exhibited AB effects. Importantly, genetic risk factors had statistically significant influence on temporal attention depending on sex in healthy young adults. APOE4 status was associated with enhanced attention deployment in males but not females, while MAPT AA carriers had poorer performance in AB but only in females. No genetic effects were found for visual perception and temporal memory binding errors between high and low risk groups. Conclusions We provided evidence that both APOE and MAPT start to affect attentional function as early as young adulthood. Furthermore, unlike previous findings in older people, these genes had a differential effect for males and females in young adults.
Articulatory precision from connected speech as a marker of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease risk-enriched cohorts
Authors: Xu Lingfeng , Chen Kewei , Mueller Kimberly D , Liss Julie , Berisha Visar 
Published: December 2024

Background Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been recognized as a possible precursor to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent research focusing on connected speech has uncovered various features strongly correlated with MCI due to AD and related dementias. Despite these advancements, the impact of early cognitive decline on articulatory precision has not been thoroughly investigated. Objective This study introduced the phoneme log-likelihood ratio (PLLR) to assess the articulatory precision of speakers across different cognitive status levels and compared its effectiveness to existing well-studied acoustic features. Methods The study utilized speech recordings from a picture description task, which included data from 324 cognitively unimpaired participants with low amyloid-β burden (CU, Aβ([Formula: see text])), 47 cognitively unimpaired participants with high amyloid-β burden (CU, Aβ([Formula: see text])), 69 participants with MCI, and 20 participants with dementia. Nine acoustic features were extracted from the speech recordings, covering three categories: speech fluency, speech pace, and articulatory precision. Welch’s [Formula: see text]-test and Hedge’s [Formula: see text] were adopted to assess their discriminative ability. Results A reduction in speech fluency and pace was observed among participants in the MCI and dementia groups. The PLLR shows large effect sizes in distinguishing between cognitively unimpaired participants with low Aβ burden and those diagnosed with MCI or dementia. Additionally, the test-retest reliability experiment indicated moderate repeatability of the features under study. Conclusions The study reveals PLLR as a sensitive indicator capable of detecting subtle articulatory variations across groups, while also providing further support for the association between reduced articulatory precision and early cognitive decline.
Loss of the mitochondrial protein mitoNEET in mice is associated with cognitive impairments and increased neuroinflammation
Authors: Geldenhuys Werner J , Wilson Gina N , Hernandez Katrina , Monaghan Kailee , Smith Kaitlynn , Cicala Dominick S , Poling Terri J , Walton James C , Han Peng Cheng , Huber Jason D 
Published: December 2024

Background Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases associated with memory and cognitive deficits, including Alzheimer's disease. Changes in bioenergetic function results in reactive oxygen species, oxidative damage and consequently neuroinflammation, which contributes to neuronal cell loss. Objective In this study, we evaluated the impact of the loss of the redox active [2Fe-2S] mitochondrial-associated protein mitoNEET (CISD1) on neuroinflammation and cognition using an age-appropriate preclinical model. While associations between neuroinflammation and poor cognitive impacts have been shown in recent work, little has been done to assess whether loss of mitoNEET is associated with changes in neuroinflammatory markers or negative cognitive-behavioral outcomes. Methods Using 9–11-month-old mitoNEET knockout (CISD1-/-) and wild-type mice, we conducted a battery of cognitive tests to assess the impact of mitoNEET loss on performance. We then histologically evaluated the effect of absence of mitoNEET on markers of neuroinflammation in the aged brain. Results We found loss of mitoNEET in mice was associated with a significant reduction in willingness to explore within an open field and impaired short-term spatial working memory in the Y-maze. We also found a significant reduction in novel object recognition memory that was gene-dependent and accompanied by reduced c-fos expression in hippocampus and cortical regions. Conclusions Our findings indicate that mitoNEET loss is significantly associated with impairments in cognitive-behavioral and neuroinflammatory outcomes; specifically, learning and memory, anxiety-like behaviors, neuroinflammation, and neural activation. This is the first study to demonstrate cognitive-associated behavioral deficits with neuroinflammation in the mitoNEET knockout mouse model.
Uveitis in paediatric Behçet disease: a large multicentric Italian cohort
Authors: Maccora Ilaria , Orsini Sara Immacolata , Gallizzi Romina , Montin Davide , Cattalini Marco , La Torre Francesco , Spagnolo Alessandra , Diomeda Federico , Simonini Gabriele 
Published: December 2024

Background: Behçet disease (BD) is a rare disease in childhood and its uveitis may lead to blindness if not properly treated. Objectives: We aim to describe a cohort of paediatric BD patients with uveitis. Design: This is a multicentric retrospective study. Methods: Six paediatric rheumatology units in Italy were involved including children with a diagnosis of paediatric BD according to the International Criteria for BD Criteria and/or to the International Study Group Criteria for BD, or Paediatric BD classification criteria if they had uveitis. Demographic, laboratory and clinical data were collected and followed up to March 2023. Ocular characteristics and treatment response were assessed according to Standardization Uveitis Nomenclature. Results: Among the 97 children with BD followed, 33 (34%) had uveitis (22 males, 66.7%). The median age at onset of BD and uveitis were, respectively, 11.5 years (2.5–17.1) and 11 years (3–17.3). Uveitis preceded BD diagnosis in 18 children (54.5%). Seventeen children had HLA B51 positivity (51.5%). Uveitis was bilateral in 25 (75.8%), and panuveitis in 16 (48.5%). All the patients received at least 1 systemic treatment for uveitis: 25 adalimumab, 2 tocilizumab, 1 abatacept, 3 infliximab, 4 azathioprine, 1 methotrexate and 1 corticosteroid. The remission was achieved with 30/35 treatments (85.7%) after a median time of 8 months (6–24). Six children had a relapse in therapy after the achievement of remission (20%). Fourteen patients stopped the therapy for persistent remission, but 5 relapsed (35.7%) after a median time of 9 months (range 1–48). Conclusion: Uveitis in BD is a sight-threatening condition, and it is more frequently a panuveitis. Biologic treatments seem to be often required to control ocular inflammation.
Efficacy and safety of avatrombopag in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Yang Huiyan , Gao Jingyu , Ruan Yongsheng , Chen Zhaokun , Fang Ruihan , Zhang Lei , Wang Zhibiao , Yi Tiantian , Zhang Qian , Luo Yang , Chen Libai , Wu Xuedong 
Published: December 2024

Background: Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) commonly exacerbates the difficulty of cancer treatment, increasing bleeding risks and potentially reducing chemotherapy dosage, ultimately impacting its efficacy. However, there are limited studies about avatrombopag application in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) CIT. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of avatrombopag in treating CIT patients diagnosed with ALL. Design: This retrospective study, using propensity score matching, included 42 pairs of cases treated with and without avatrombopag (CAT: 54 cases, CAT+: 30 cases). Methods: Data of CIT-ALL children were retrospectively collected. The primary endpoint was platelet count (PC) response rate on day 10 ± 2 (defined as an increase of PC to ⩾75 × 109/L with the exclusion of platelet transfusion). Secondary efficacy endpoints, safety endpoints, and factors that predict PC response were also analyzed. Results: In the avatrombopag group, the PC response rate was prominently higher on day 10 ± 2 (89.1%) versus the control group (56.4%, p = 0.005). On day 10 ± 2, the difference in median PC change from baseline was predominantly distinct in the avatrombopag group compared to the control group ( p = 0.001). In the avatrombopag group, platelet recovery to ⩾25 and ⩾50 × 109/L was faster ( p = 0.001, p = 0.002), and quicker platelet reaching ⩾75 × 109/L and ⩾100 × 109/L was achieved ( p = 0.023, p = 0.011). The avatrombopag group not only increased the nadir PC ( p = 0.009) but also reduced the total platelet transfusion compared to the control group ( p = 0.047). Only one case (2.4%) experienced bleeding events after medication. Nine cases of secondary thrombocythemia were noted without other adverse events. There was no difference in event-free survival between the two groups ( p = 0.648). Drug administration was prediction factor for PC response. Conclusion: Avatrombopag is a potentially safe and effective treatment option for CIT in pediatric ALL.
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device for the relief of neuropathic pain in NMOSD: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial
Authors: Vishnevetsky Anastasia , Romanow Gabriela , Levy Michael 
Published: December 2024

Background Individuals with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) often suffer from severe, disabling, and treatment-refractory neuropathic pain. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy is a non-invasive, pain-modifying device. Objective To determine whether TENS therapy is safe, tolerable, and effective for neuropathic pain in patients with NMOSD. Methods We conducted a four-week, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, remote trial of TENS in patients with NMOSD who have neuropathic pain, followed by a 12-week open-label extension period. The difference in the Numeric Rating Scale current pain scores between 0 weeks and 4 weeks was the primary outcome measure. Results Forty-six patients (23 per arm) were enrolled in this trial, of which 40 were included in the primary analysis (four in the intervention arm and two in the sham arm withdrew prior to assessment of the primary outcome). Both the sham and intervention arms demonstrated significant decreases in average pain, worst pain, and current pain rating between baseline and 4 weeks, but there was no significant difference between the two arms. Conclusions In conclusion, there was no demonstrated benefit of TENS over sham TENS treatment, however, both arms demonstrated significant decreases in reported pain between baseline and 4 weeks. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04614454.
Magnitude and Determinants of job Stress among pre-Hospital Care Providers Working in Ambulance Centers, Addis Ababa
Authors: Alehegn Selamawit , Abraha Mebratu , Fikadu Ayele , Kasahun Gashaw , Mekonen Migbar Sibhat , Tiruneh Kasie Gebeyehu , Ashine Taye Mezgebu , Mesfin Edmealem Getahun 
Published: December 2024

Introduction Pre-hospital care personnel, including paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), are crucial frontline responders in emergency medical situations. They are critical in delivering timely medical assistance to individuals in emergencies. However, the demanding nature of their work can subject them to significant job stress, which may adversely affect their well-being and job performance. Objectives This study aimed to assess the levels of job stress and explore associated factors among pre-hospital care providers in Addis Ababa. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted at a healthcare facility, involving 134 ambulance healthcare providers. Participants were selected through a simple random sampling technique. Data collection employed pretested, self-administered questionnaires utilizing a nursing stress scale. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize the findings. Logistic regression analysis was employed to ascertain associations between variables while controlling for potential confounders. The strength of the association between dependent and independent variables was evaluated using odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval. Result Of the 134 study participants, 47% (95% CI: 38.2, 55.8) of them had job stress. Notably, several factors were significantly associated with job stress among pre-hospital healthcare providers working in ambulances. Conflict with leaders (AOR = 5.07; 95% CI: 2.98, 12.53), fear of mistakes (AOR = 8.22; 95% CI: 1.86, 36.34), lack of resources (AOR = 11.06; 95% CI: 5.19, 22.41), overloaded with ambulance care (AOR = 18.94; 95% CI: 4.33, 38.73) and inadequate information from dispatchers (AOR = 7.35; 95% CI: 3.32, 16.62) were identified as significant associated factors of job stress among these providers. These findings highlight the critical need to address leadership conflicts, fear of errors, and communication deficiencies to mitigate job stress among pre-hospital healthcare providers working in ambulances. Conclusion This study highlights the prevalence of job stress among pre-hospital healthcare providers working in ambulances, and found it as a significant problem. Notably, conflict with leaders, fear of mistakes, lack of resources, work overload and inadequate information from dispatchers emerged as significant associated factors contributing to job stress among pre-hospital health care providers. Efforts to foster better communication channels between providers and dispatchers, promote supportive leadership practices, and implement error-reduction strategies are essential. By addressing these challenges, healthcare organizations can create a more conducive work environment that supports the mental and emotional health of pre-hospital healthcare providers.
Pharmacology Knowledge Among Nurses Working in Nursing Homes in Norway: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Taasen Siv Eriksen , Kvam Fred-Ivan , Blytt Kjersti Marie , Messaoudi El Houcine 
Published: December 2024

Introduction The administration of drugs is an important part of nurses’ professional practice. A basic knowledge of pharmacological principles is required to make accurate decisions about drug management and conduct patient medication education. However, several studies have suggested that nurses have inadequate knowledge of pharmacology and medication management. Objective To explore the level of knowledge in pharmacology and medication management among nurses working in nursing homes (NHs). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study at 24 NHs in Norway. The nurses took a multiple-choice test in pharmacology with 35 questions at their workplace. Each question had four alternative answers with one answer being correct. One point was awarded for a correct answer and zero for a wrong answer. The test included categories in general pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, and medication management. Results In total, 145 nurses completed the questionnaire. In the range of 0–35 correct responses, the mean score for the sum of all questions was 22.5, which equates to 66% of responses being correct. Linear multiple regression showed no association regarding gender, age distribution among the nurses, years since completing basic education in nursing, years of work experience in NHs, postgraduate education, and knowledge of pharmacology and medication management. Knowledge was better in the category medication management ( p < 0.001) than in the category's general pharmacology and clinical pharmacology. When evaluating specific test questions, 38.9% of the nurses answered a question on opioids correct, 64.1% a question on anticoagulants correct, 33.5% knew the prerequisites for generic substitution, and 45.5% did not know the difference between agonists and antagonists. Conclusion Our results are in line with previous findings. The participating nurses working in the NHs have insufficient knowledge in pharmacology and medication management. This may cause harm and undermine patient safety.
Practice and Evaluation of Competence in Assessment of Arterial Circulation of the Lower Limbs among Medical Students and Physicians in Training – A Systematic Review
Authors: Macek Martin , Eek Frida , Wrede Axel , Butt Talha , Acosta Stefan 
Published: December 2024

Introduction A recent study on patients with acute lower limb ischemia showed that the proportion of inadequate examination of lower extremity circulation was associated with higher rate of amputation and death. The aim of this systematic review was to explore evidence for how practical competence in performing a peripheral vascular status of the lower limb among medical students and junior doctors should be taught and examined. Methods The systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and was published in PROSPERO. Articles were searched for in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase. The result was processed by two researchers. After title- and abstract screenings, articles were scrutinized in full text for inclusion, result extraction, risk of bias assessment through Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI), and evidence grading with the GRADE approach. Results Thirteen studies were included. Two studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Study samples varied between medical students (n = 9), junior doctors (n = 3) and residents (n = 3). Interventions varied between theoretical, practical, repetitive training, feedback-based learning, and clinical experience. Assessed measurements (outcomes) were ankle-brachial index (ABI) (n = 9), theoretical knowledge (n = 4), pulse palpation (n = 1) and complete vascular status (n = 1). Experienced residents had better theoretical knowledge than inexperienced residents, but performance of the entire ABI procedure without any mistake according to guidelines was inadequate in both groups. One RCT showed that experimental training significantly increased ability to perform ABI measurements, but this ability decreased after six months without repetition. Conclusion Theoretical training alone is not sufficient in ensuring proficiency in vascular examination of the lower limbs. Continuous practice and clinical exposure are crucial to maintain proficiency in performing vascular examination of the lower limbs. Data is limited and heterogenous. The level of certainty for the evidence was judged to be very low.