bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Quasi-Experimental Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Hot Water Footbath Therapy on Quality of Sleep among Cancer Patients
Authors: Kumar Virendra , Rawat Alok , Charan Gopal Singh 
Published: November 2024

Background:
Sleep disruptions are common among cancer patients, adversely affecting their quality of life and treatment outcomes. Warm foot baths have emerged as a potential intervention to improve sleep quality in this population, offering a noninvasive and holistic approach.

Materials and Methods:
A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 200 cancer patients in Rajasthan, India, with 100 participants in experimental and control groups. The hot water footbath intervention was administered to the experimental group, while the control group received standard care. Data were collected using demographic pro forma and the Groningen Sleep Quality Scale.

Results:
Baseline comparison revealed similar sleep quality levels between groups, but postintervention analysis showed significant differences. The experimental group exhibited higher proportions of disturbed and poor sleep, indicating a nuanced response to footbath intervention. However, the experimental group demonstrated a significantly higher mean sleep quality score (9.85 ± 2.47) compared to controls (8.97 ± 2.44). Statistical analysis confirmed the effectiveness of footbath therapy in improving sleep quality among cancer patients.

Conclusion:
Hot water footbath therapy effectively improved sleep quality among cancer patients despite varied responses within the experimental group. Integrating footbath therapy into cancer care regimens is recommended to alleviate sleep disturbances and enhance overall well-being during chemotherapy. Further research should explore additional nonpharmacological interventions to alleviate the challenges faced by cancer patients, aiming to optimize their quality of life.
Efficacy of Nebulized Dexmedetomidine and Lignocaine Inhalation versus Lignocaine Alone as Premedication for Flexible Fiber-optic Bronchoscopy under Sedation: A Randomized Comparative Study
Authors: Priyadarshini Anjali , Hembrom Boniface , Lakra Ladhu , Kumar Tushar 
Published: November 2024

Introduction:
Airway management is an integral part of general anesthesia, allowing ventilation and oxygenation and working as a mode for delivering anesthetic gases. Awake fiber-optic-guided intubation is an essential component of airway management in difficult cases. We aim to study the benefits of nebulized dexmedetomidine with lignocaine over lignocaine alone for anesthetizing the airway for flexible fiber-optic bronchoscopy.

Materials and Methods:
In the study, after written informed consent, 50 patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups of 25 each. The intervention group received dexmedetomidine with lignocaine nebulization, while the control group received lignocaine nebulization alone. Baseline pulse rate, blood pressure, and, at regular intervals, cough, sedation, and pain scores were recorded along with the patient satisfaction score. Parametric data were analyzed by the Student’s t-test, while nonparametric data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon Mann–Whitney U test.

Results:
Out of a total of 54 patients, 4 patients did not give consent to participate in the study. The demographic profile was comparable in both groups. The pulse rate was comparable in both groups throughout the procedure; however, 10 min after the procedure, the pulse rate in the lignocaine group was (mean ± standard deviation) 114.2 ± 11.52, while in the intervention group, it was 87.32 ± 7.24 with a P = 0.027. The mean blood pressure was comparable throughout the procedure. The cough score yielded a Z-score of −5.12 and a P < 0.00001 favoring the dexmedetomidine group. Similarly, Richmond agitation-sedation score and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) also favored the intervention group, with P < 0.00054 and P < 0.00001 in RASS and VAS, respectively. Patient satisfaction score analysis found a Z-score of −5.29 and a P < 0.00001.

Conclusion:
The overall results favored dexmedetomidine with lignocaine nebulization over lignocaine alone for anesthetizing airways for flexible fiber-optic bronchoscopy.
Prevalence and Association of Components of Metabolic Syndrome and Uric Acid among Commercial Drivers in South-West Nigeria
Authors: Ajayi David D. , Raimi Taiwo H. , Dada Samuel A. 
Published: November 2024

Introduction:
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex cluster of metabolic abnormalities characterized by central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose metabolism. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between uric acid levels and MetS, and commercial drivers are exposed to unique occupational hazards that may predispose them to MetS and hyperuricemia.

Objectives:
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MetS and its relationship with serum uric acid among commercial drivers in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among commercial drivers in Ado-Ekiti. Relevant information was obtained with a questionnaire, and anthropometry and blood pressure were measured. Fasting plasma glucose and lipid profiles were determined by the standard protocol. MetS was determined with the harmonized criteria. Bivariate correlation and Chi-square were used to determine the relationship between serum uric acid and MetS and its components.

Results:
There were 106 participants with a median age (interquartile range) of 50 (11) years, with no difference between those with or without MetS. More than 70% of the participants drank alcohol and 75 (70.8%) participants had hyperuricemia. There was no significant correlation between serum uric acid and components of MetS. The prevalence of MetS among all the participants was 21.7% (23/106), with no difference among men with normal uric acid (25.8%) and those with elevated uric acid (20.0%), P = 0.509. Similarly, there was no statistical difference in the prevalence of the components of MetS between the two groups.

Conclusions:
The prevalence of MetS among the commercial drivers was high, with no difference among men with or without hyperuricemia. Given the importance of this group of people, a system-level public health approach should be adopted to promote a healthy lifestyle to save the lives of the populace.
Associations of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection with male infertility and intrauterine insemination outcomes
Authors: Wan Yang-Yang , Shi Xiao-Yun , Liu Wen-Jing , Bai Shun , Chen Xin , Li Si-Yao , Jiang Xiao-Hua , Wu Li-Min , Zhang Xian-Sheng , Hua Juan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is one of the most commonly occurring pathogens associated with genital tract infections in infertile males, but the impact of seminal UU infection in semen on intrauterine insemination (IUI) outcomes is poorly understood. We collected data from 245 infertile couples who underwent IUI at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Hefei, China) between January 2021 and January 2023. The subjects were classified into two groups according to their UU infection status: the UU-positive group and the UU-negative group. We compared semen parameters, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal birth outcomes to investigate the impact of UU infection on IUI outcomes. There were no significantly statistical differences in various semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, sperm morphology, leukocyte count, the presence of anti-sperm antibody, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups of male infertile patients (all P > 0.05). However, the high DNA stainability (HDS) status of sperm differed between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups, suggesting that seminal UU infection may affect sperm nuclear maturation (P = 0.04). Additionally, there were no significant differences in pregnancy or neonatal birth outcomes between the two groups (all P > 0.05). These results suggest that IUI remains a viable and cost-effective option for infertile couples with UU infection who are facing infertility issues.
Lacrimal Gland Inflammation as the First Manifestation of Adult-onset Still’s Disease
Authors: Alhumud Atheer Mohammed , Alakel Raghad Mohammed , Alkhayyal Mashael A. , Althaqib Rawan N. , Alsulaiman Hamad M. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a systemic idiopathic autoinflammatory disorder with rare ocular involvement. Few cases in the literature reported lacrimal gland inflammation as a manifestation of AOSD. Here, we present a case of a 38-year-old man who presented with an isolated unilateral lacrimal gland inflammation, few months later, he developed fever and arthritis and was investigated, diagnosed, and treated by rheumatology as AOSD. Resolution of lacrimal gland enlargement was achieved while on prednisolone and methotrexate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to present with lacrimal gland inflammation as a first manifestation of AOSD.
Potential Impact of Online Self-Help Groups on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Quality of Life on Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Study, in Saudi Arabia 2023/2024
Authors: Alkhdairi Ahmad Abdulaziz , Alsugair Mashael Mohammed , Alrashdi Mousa Naser , Alrasheedi Sami Moteq , Alzweihari Ali Mohammed , Alharbi Mariyyah Muqbil , Alqubays Mayyaz Mohammed , Aljemeeli Feras Abdulrahman 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical inflammation of the joints and reduced quality of life (QoL). Limited research exists on how online self-help groups contribute to knowledge acquisition and enhancement.

Aims:
This study aims to fill this knowledge gap and estimate the impact of these groups on knowledge and QoL in RA patients.

Subjects and Methods:
An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in WhatsApp and Telegram online groups in Saudi Arabia from September 1, 2023, to April 2024. The target population is the RA patients participating in online supervised self-help groups. A nonconvenient sampling technique is used to collect the data, and SPSS software is used to analyze the results.

Results:
97.9% of participants were female, while only 2.1% of males participated in this research. 43.2% of participants were between the ages of 31 and 45 years. 36.9% of participants suffered from other rheumatoid or immune disease. All participants joined WhatsApp, Telegram, or both to learn about RA. Overall, most of the participants had satisfactory knowledge of RA. Their perceptions of joining the groups regarding RA were also clear and helpful.

Conclusions:
Findings indicate a notable understanding of RA via WhatsApp/Telegram, with improved QoL, yet revealing room for growth, mainly through targeted public education campaigns across diverse media platforms. Emphasizing inclusive online support networks could enhance RA management and improve the QoL of affected individuals in Saudi Arabia.
Factors Associated with Acute Respiratory Infection among Children Under 5 Years in India: Results from 2019 to 2021 National Family Health Survey
Authors: Thakkar Nandan , George Paul E. , Alam Prima , Yasobant Sandul , Saxena Deepak , Shah Jay 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) remain the leading global cause of death in children under-five. Targeted initiatives are needed to address healthcare inequities and reduce under-five mortality, particularly in disproportionately impacted low- and middle- income countries. To inform initiatives and identify high-risk groups, this study explored regional risk factors for ARIs among Indian children.

Material and Methods:
Our retrospective, observational study utilized India’s National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). Bivariate and multivariable models were employed to investigate associations between respiratory infections and explanatory variables, including environmental factors, child characteristics, maternal characteristics, enabling factors, and household characteristics.

Results:
Of the 201,133 children under-five included in our sample, 2.85% [2.78-2.92%] experienced a recent respiratory infection. In multivariate analysis, children from northern and central regions had the highest odds of infection, while those from the southern region had the lowest. Healthcare accessibility, maternal smoking, caste, age (child), and birthweight were among additional variables associated with infections. Our study revealed significant regional differences in prevalence of acute respiratory infection symptoms. Notably, inability to access healthcare increased a child’s risk of infection. Several states in southern India, which typically had lower ARI symptom rates, have adopted initiatives to strengthen public health infrastructure, including the WHO’s Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses program. Such initiatives could serve as models for broader health improvement efforts across regions. Furthermore, observed variability in disease burden suggests that with detailed and deliberate implementation of programs, advancements in under-five mortality due to ARI can be achieved.
“Even though Doctor has Advised to Practice Foot Care I have not Practiced Soaking Feet in Lukewarm Water so Far” Self-care Practices, Enablers, and Barriers: A Mixed Methods Study among Individuals with Diabetes from a Rural Area of South India
Authors: Nirgude Abhay S. , Revathi TM , Navya Nagendra , Naik Poonam R. 
Published: November 2024

Background:
Self-efficacy is the ability by which a person confronts problems in day-to-day life with goal- centered attitude. The clinician plays a vital role in promoting self-care though a series of social, cultural and economic factors also contribute positively towards it. This study was conducted to assess the self-care practices among diabetic individuals aged 30 years and above and to understand its enablers and barriers.

Materials and Methods:
Explanatory mixed method study was conducted from August 2018 to October2020. Quantitative assessment was done wherein a questionnaire was administered to 297 study participants enrolled by simple random sampling followed by in-depth interviews by purposive sampling as qualitative component. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to study the relationship of independent variables with various domains of self- care practice. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results:
Study found educational status, occupation and religion had a statistically significant association with self-care practices. Regular physical activity, good dietary practices and family support were a few enablers, whereas lack of awareness, time constraints, co-morbidities and environmental factors were some of the barriers to self-care practice.

Conclusions:
In the present study, self-care practice in terms of diet and physical activity were found to be good whereas blood sugar level monitoring and foot care practices were poor.
Parietal Cell Antibodies in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Implications for Iron Deficiency: A Tertiary Centre Experience from North India
Authors: Bhat Khurshid A. , Verma Sonali , Bhatia Eesh , Bhatia Vijayalakshmi , Sudhanshu Siddhnath 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Parietal cell antibody (PCA)-mediated auto-immune gastritis is known to increase the risk of iron-deficiency and pernicious anaemia in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, in children and young adults with type 1 diabetes, these data are scarce. We aimed to study the prevalence of parietal cell antibodies (PCAs) and its clinical associations in people with type 1 diabetes with onset below 30 years.

Methods:
In a cross-sectional study, 224 children and young adults with type 1 diabetes and 171 healthy controls were enrolled. We measured haemoglobin, serum ferritin, vitamin B12, PCA, thyroid peroxidase, and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies in all patients. Mann–Whitney U test for continuous data and Chi square test for categorical data were used. Linear regression analysis was performed with haemoglobin as a dependent variable.

Results:
The prevalence of PCA was significantly higher in patients than in controls (22% vs 10.2%; P = 0.002). Patients with PCA had a higher frequency of anaemia (60% vs 30%, P < 0.001), lower haemoglobin [7.3 (1.6) vs 7.8 (1.1) mmol/L; P = 0.002], and lower serum ferritin [46.9 (70.8) pmol/L vs 66.0 (105.3) pmol/L; P = 0.04], as compared to those without PCA. On multivariate analysis, haemoglobin was associated with PCA (β = -0.174, P = 0.005) and serum ferritin (β =0.247, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
Presence of PCA was an independent risk factor for iron deficiency and anaemia in children and young adults with type 1 diabetes.
A note on an effective characterization of covers with an application to higher rank representations
Authors: Aougab Tarik , Lahn Max , Loving Marissa , Miller Nicholas 
Published: November 2024

In this note we prove an effective characterization of when two finite-degree covers of a connected, orientable surface of negative Euler characteristic are isomorphic in terms of which curves have simple elevations, weakening the hypotheses to consider curves with explicitly bounded self-intersection number. As an application we show that for sufficiently large

N

, the set of unmarked traces associated to simple closed curves in a generically chosen representation to

\mathrm{SL}_{N}(\mathbb{R})

distinguishes between pairs of non-isomorphic covers.
Prognostic prediction models for postoperative patients with stage I to III colorectal cancer based on machine learning
Authors: Ji Xiao-Lin , Xu Shuo , Li Xiao-Yu , Xu Jin-Huan , Han Rong-Shuang , Guo Ying-Jie , Duan Li-Ping , Tian Zi-Bin 
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by high heterogeneity, aggressiveness, and high morbidity and mortality rates. With machine learning (ML) algorithms, patient, tumor, and treatment features can be used to develop and validate models for predicting survival. In addition, important variables can be screened and different applications can be provided that could serve as vital references when making clinical decisions and potentially improving patient outcomes in clinical settings.
AIM
To construct prognostic prediction models and screen important variables for patients with stage I to III CRC.
METHODS
More than 1000 postoperative CRC patients were grouped according to survival time (with cutoff values of 3 years and 5 years) and assigned to training and testing cohorts (7:3). For each 3-category survival time, predictions were made by 4 ML algorithms (all-variable and important variable-only datasets), each of which was validated via 5-fold cross-validation and bootstrap validation. Important variables were screened with multivariable regression methods. Model performance was evaluated and compared before and after variable screening with the area under the curve (AUC). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) further demonstrated the impact of important variables on model decision-making. Nomograms were constructed for practical model application.
RESULTS
Our ML models performed well; the model performance before and after important parameter identification was consistent, and variable screening was effective. The highest pre- and postscreening model AUCs 95% confidence intervals in the testing set were 0.87 (0.81-0.92) and 0.89 (0.84-0.93) for overall survival, 0.75 (0.69-0.82) and 0.73 (0.64-0.81) for disease-free survival, 0.95 (0.88-1.00) and 0.88 (0.75-0.97) for recurrence-free survival, and 0.76 (0.47-0.95) and 0.80 (0.53-0.94) for distant metastasis-free survival. Repeated cross-validation and bootstrap validation were performed in both the training and testing datasets. The SHAP values of the important variables were consistent with the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with tumors. The nomograms were created.
CONCLUSION
We constructed a comprehensive, high-accuracy, important variable-based ML architecture for predicting the 3-category survival times. This architecture could serve as a vital reference for managing CRC patients.
Nomogram model based on γ-glutamyl transferase to albumin ratio predicts survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with transarterial chemoembolization treatment
Authors: Wu Zhen-Ying , Li Han , Chen Jia-Li , Su Ke , Weng Mei-Ling , Han Yun-Wei 
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND
The development of tumor is closely linked to inflammation. Therefore, targeting molecules involved in inflammation may be effective in predicting cancer prognosis. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) holds significant therapeutic significance in addressing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). At present, no studies have evaluated the predictive value of γ-glutamyl transferase to albumin ratio (GAR) on the prognosis of HCC undergoing TACE.
AIM
To explore the potential prognostic significance of the GAR in individuals undergoing TACE for HCC.
METHODS
A total of 1231 patients from seven hospitals in China were randomized into a training cohort (n = 862) and a validation cohort (n = 369). To establish independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS), we utilized multivariate and univariate Cox regression models. The best cut-off value of the GAR was determined with the X-tile software, with OS as the basis. Validations were performed using dual therapy cohort and triple therapy cohort.
RESULTS
X-tile software revealed a GAR threshold of 4.75 as optimal. Both pre- and post-propensity score matching analyses demonstrated that the median OS in the low-GAR group (< 4.75) was notably longer compared to the high-GAR group (≥ 4.75), showing results of 26.9 vs 9.8 months (P < 0.001) initially, and 18.1 vs 11.3 months (P < 0.001) after match. Furthermore, multivariate analysis identified GAR ≥ 4.75 as an independent prognostic factor (P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curves for the nomogram showed area under receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.741, 0.747, and 0.708 for predicting 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival, respectively. Consistent findings were reiterated in the two cohorts involving TACE in combination with targeted therapy and TACE in combination with targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Calibration curve and decision curve analyses substantiated the model’s relatively robust predictive capabilities.
CONCLUSION
Our study validates the effective prognostic capacity of the GAR-based nomogram for HCC patients undergoing TACE or TACE in combination with systemic therapy.