bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accelerated Resolution Therapy for Early Maladaptive Grief Study Protocol
Authors: Tofthagen Cindy , Sheffield Kathy , Pachman Deirdre R. , Mandrekar Jay , Szalacha Laura A. , Chesak Sherry S. , Rhudy Lori M. , Kilpatrick Molly , Buck Harleah 
Published: September 2024

The objective of this manuscript is to present the protocol of a study aiming to test the effects of Accelerated Resolution Therapy® (ART) on pre-loss grief and prolonged grief among older adult family caregivers. This study also aims to better understand predictors of response to ART®, and cognitive processes that occur among grieving individuals following ART®. Design: The study is a double-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Setting: This study takes place at both inpatient and outpatient palliative care and hospice programs at two Mayo Clinic sites. Participants: Participants include older adult ([Formula: see text] 60 years) immediate family members who are primary caregivers of someone with an advanced illness and life expectancy of less than 12 months. Intervention: Participants are randomized to either the ART® intervention group or the attention control group. In the ART® intervention, caregivers engage in imaginal exposure, lateral eye movements, and imagery rescripting via 4 sessions lasting 1-1.5 hours each. The attention control group receives a standard social work intervention, including education, resources, and active listening, which is matched for time and attention. Both interventions will longitudinally follow caregivers from active caregiving into bereavement. Outcomes Measured: The primary outcomes of pre-loss grief and prolonged grief will be measured with the Pre-Loss Grief 12 item (PG-12-R) before the care recipient’s death, and with the Prolonged Grief-13 (PG-13-R) afterwards.
Efficacy of ranibizumab and aflibercept on reducing maximum diameter of largest cyst in diabetic cystoid macular edema: MARMASIA study group
Authors: Tokuç Ecem Önder , Karabaş V. Levent , Sevik Mehmet Orkun , Kaplan Fatih Bilgehan , Kutlutürk Karagöz Işıl , Kanar Hatice Selen , Yayla Uğur , Sönmez Ayşe Demirciler , Aykut Aslan , Limon Utku , Bozkurt Erdinç , Özsoy Saygın Işılay , Aydoğan Gezginaslan Tuğba , Erçalık Nimet Yeşim , Kumral Türkseven Esra , Aydın Öncü Özlem , Çelik Erkan , Başaran Emengen Ece , Özkaya Abdullah , Öncel Banu Açıkalın , Yenerel Nursal Melda , Şahin Özlem 
Published: September 2024

Purpose This study aimed to compare the effect of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) and ranibizumab (IVR) on the maximal diameter of the largest intraretinal cyst (mdIRC), indicating chronicity in patients with diabetic cystoid macular edema (CME). Methods This retrospective, comparative study included a subgroup of patients from the MARMASIA Study with treatment-naïve diabetic CME who had IVA (IVA group) or IVR (IVR group) on a pro re nata regimen after a loading dose of 3-monthly injections and followed-up for 24 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR), central macular thickness (CMT, µm), and mdIRC (µm) and their changes during the study period in the IVA and IVR groups were compared. Results A total of 175 eyes (65 [37.1%] in IVA and 110 [62.9%] in IVR group) of 113 patients were included in the study analysis. Both groups had statistically significant improvements in BCVA and CMT during the follow-up (p < 0.05 for all), which were comparable between the groups at each time point. However, the mean reduction in mdIRCs was consistently and significantly higher in the IVA group compared to the IVR group at each follow-up examination (F[1, 3.52] = 6.93, p = 0.009). Conclusion IVA seems to have a greater impact in reducing cyst sizes than IVR in diabetic CME.
Training for ultrasound-guided implantation of central venous catheters eliminates venolysis in pediatric patients
Authors: Finazzi Paolo , Rodriguez Perez Carmen , Risso Francesco Maria , Giannini Alberto Michele 
Published: September 2024

Background: In the pediatric setting, the procurement of vascular access can be particularly difficult. Surgical venolysis was the first technique described but, in recent years, the literature has shown that ultrasound-guided implantation has fewer complications. The principal aim of this paper is to state how after a structured training to place ultrasound-guided central lines, venolysis was definitively abandoned in our hospital. We also analyzed the impact of training on the duration of procedures. Finally, the number of procedures performed per operator to maintain the quality standard achieved. Method: In this observational retrospective study, we analyzed data from 2013 to 2020 of 1497 pediatric and neonatal central venous access placements in a single center during a training path. Results: Venolysis performed by the pediatric surgeons was used in 11% of total placements, the most in the smallest patients (76.1%, <1 year of age). With the implementation of training, this invasive technique became obsolete to the point where it was no longer practiced (24.6% of vascular placement in 2013 to 0% in 2020). In the placement performed by the pediatric anesthesiologists, time progressively decreased from 51.5 min in 2013 to 29.4 min in 2022. From the analysis of the number of procedures performed by pediatric anesthesiologists, the first consultant involved performed averaging 48 procedures per year, while the other consultants had an overall average of 16.7–25 placements per year. Conclusion: Echo-guided vascular cannulation was found to be safe, reliable, and reproducible in pediatric patients and neonates and permits to deletion definitively venolysis. Well-structured training is essential and should be standardized in the future.
Comparing Deep Learning Performance for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Cell Segmentation in Brightfield Microscopy Images
Authors: Vašinková Markéta , Doleží Vít , Vašinek Michal , Gajdoš Petr , Kriegová Eva 
Published: September 2024

Objectives: This article focuses on the detection of cells in low-contrast brightfield microscopy images; in our case, it is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells. The automatic detection of cells from brightfield time-lapse microscopic images brings new opportunities in cell morphology and migration studies; to achieve the desired results, it is advisable to use state-of-the-art image segmentation methods that not only detect the cell but also detect its boundaries with the highest possible accuracy, thus defining its shape and dimensions. Methods: We compared eight state-of-the-art neural network architectures with different backbone encoders for image data segmentation, namely U-net, U-net++, the Pyramid Attention Network, the Multi-Attention Network, LinkNet, the Feature Pyramid Network, DeepLabV3, and DeepLabV3+. The training process involved training each of these networks for 1000 epochs using the PyTorch and PyTorch Lightning libraries. For instance segmentation, the watershed algorithm and three-class image semantic segmentation were used. We also used StarDist, a deep learning-based tool for object detection with star-convex shapes. Results: The optimal combination for semantic segmentation was the U-net++ architecture with a ResNeSt-269 background with a data set intersection over a union score of 0.8902. For the cell characteristics examined (area, circularity, solidity, perimeter, radius, and shape index), the difference in mean value using different chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cell segmentation approaches appeared to be statistically significant (Mann–Whitney U test, P < .0001). Conclusion: We found that overall, the algorithms demonstrate equal agreement with ground truth, but with the comparison, it can be seen that the different approaches prefer different morphological features of the cells. Consequently, choosing the most suitable method for instance-based cell segmentation depends on the particular application, namely, the specific cellular traits being investigated.
Diagnostic performance of central vein sign versus oligoclonal bands for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Toljan Karlo , Daboul Lynn , Raza Praneeta , Martin Melissa L , Cao Quy , O’Donnell Carly M , Rodrigues Paulo , Derbyshire John , Azevedo Christina J , Bar-Or Amit , Caverzasi Eduardo , Calabresi Peter A , Cree Bruce AC , Freeman Leorah , Henry Roland G , Longbrake Erin E , Oh Jiwon , Papinutto Nico , Pelletier Daniel , Samudralwar Rohini D , Schindler Matthew K , Sotirchos Elias S , Sicotte Nancy L , Solomon Andrew J , Shinohara Russell T , Reich Daniel S , Sati Pascal , Ontaneda Daniel 
Published: September 2024

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal bands (OCB) are a diagnostic biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS). The central vein sign (CVS) is an imaging biomarker for MS that may improve diagnostic accuracy. Objectives: The objective of the study is to examine the diagnostic performance of simplified CVS methods in comparison to OCB in participants with clinical or radiological suspicion for MS. Methods: Participants from the CentrAl Vein Sign in MS (CAVS-MS) pilot study with CSF testing were included. Select-3 and Select-6 (counting up to three or six CVS+ lesions per scan) were rated on post-gadolinium FLAIR* images. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value for Select-3, Select-6, OCB, and combinations thereof were calculated for MS diagnosis at baseline and at 12 months. Results: Of 53 participants, 25 were OCB+. At baseline, sensitivity for MS diagnosis was 0.75 for OCB, 0.83 for Select-3, and 0.71 for Select-6. Specificity for MS diagnosis was 0.76 for OCB, 0.48 for Select-3, and 0.86 for Select-6. At 12 months, PPV for MS diagnosis was 0.95 for Select-6 and 1.00 for Select-6 with OCB+ status. Discussion: Results suggest similar diagnostic performance of simplified CVS methods and OCB. Ongoing studies will refine whether CVS could be used in replacement or in conjunction with OCB.
Brain reserve and timing of clinical onset in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Petracca Maria , Ruggieri Serena , Nistri Riccardo , Tomasso Ilaria , Barbuti Elena , Pozzilli Valeria , Haggiag Shalom , Tortorella Carla , Gasperini Claudio , Pozzilli Carlo , Prosperini Luca 
Published: September 2024

Background: A latent period of variable length elapses between multiple sclerosis (MS) biological onset and the occurrence of the first clinical episode reflecting a central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating event. Factors affecting the duration of such interval are unknown. Objective: To explore whether brain reserve, which moderates the impact of structural damage along MS course, could also affect the timing of MS clinical onset. Methods: We conducted a time-to-event analysis in 326 relapsing-onset multiple sclerosis patients to ascertain the effect of brain reserve, that is, larger maximal lifetime brain growth (MLBG) estimated as intracranial volume, on the risk of an earlier disease onset. For this purpose, we carried out a Cox proportional hazards regression model stratified by sex and adjusted by site and pre-morbid MS risk factors. All patients reached the event (i.e. the disease onset) with no censored case; the age (years) at disease onset was set as the main time variable. Results: We identified a protective effect of brain reserve on the time to disease onset (HR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.02–0.83, p = 0.032), unchanged when accounting for MS risk factors. Conclusion: Brain reserve might counteract the pathological mechanisms ongoing after biological initiation, thus delaying the disease overt clinical manifestation.
Gamification and economic behavior: Geospatial insights into mobile exercise app usage in South Korea
Authors: Jang Seongsoo , Kim Jinwon , Kim Changwook 
Published: September 2024

This study investigates how mobile exercise app-enabled gamified benefits (epistemic, personal integrative, and social integrative) independently and interactively influence economic outcomes from a nationwide perspective. Utilizing unique data on physical exercise and shopping activities collected from 7558 South Korean exercise app users over 3 years, we employed aspatial and spatial econometric models, along with visualization techniques, to examine the spatially varying relationships between gamified benefits and shopping behaviors at the municipality level. The results indicate that while social integrative benefits decreased shopping frequency and amount, the interaction terms of epistemic and social integrative benefits positively influenced shopping frequency. Furthermore, our spatial analysis suggests that the gamification–shopping relationship varied based on specific gamified benefits and across individual and clustered districts, cities, and counties across South Korea. These insights can guide local governments and tourism firms, suggesting opportunities to promote destination-specific gamified services for boosting the local economy.
Atypical vocal imitation of speech and song in autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from Mandarin speakers
Authors: Wang Li , Pfordresher Peter Q , Jiang Cunmei , Liu Fang 
Published: September 2024

Vocal imitation in English-speaking autistic individuals has been shown to be atypical. Speaking a tone language such as Mandarin facilitates vocal imitation skills among non-autistic individuals, yet no studies have examined whether this effect holds for autistic individuals. To address this question, we compared vocal imitation of speech and song between 33 autistic Mandarin speakers and 30 age-matched non-autistic peers. Participants were recorded while imitating 40 speech and song stimuli with varying pitch and duration patterns. Acoustic analyses showed that autistic participants imitated relative pitch (but not absolute pitch) less accurately than non-autistic participants for speech, whereas for song the two groups performed comparably on both absolute and relative pitch matching. Regarding duration matching, autistic participants imitated relative duration (inter-onset interval between consecutive notes/syllables) less accurately than non-autistic individuals for both speech and song, while their lower performance on absolute duration matching of the notes/syllables was presented only in the song condition. These findings indicate that experience with tone languages does not mitigate the challenges autistic individuals face in imitating speech and song, highlighting the importance of considering the domains and features of investigation and individual differences in cognitive abilities and language backgrounds when examining imitation in autism. Lay abstract Atypical vocal imitation has been identified in English-speaking autistic individuals, whereas the characteristics of vocal imitation in tone-language-speaking autistic individuals remain unexplored. By comparing speech and song imitation, the present study reveals a unique pattern of atypical vocal imitation across speech and music domains among Mandarin-speaking autistic individuals. The findings suggest that tone language experience does not compensate for difficulties in vocal imitation in autistic individuals and extends our understanding of vocal imitation in autism across different languages.
Short-Term and Long-Term Fluvastatin Inhibit Effects of Thrombospondin-1 on Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Maier Kristopher , Helkin Alex , Stein Jeffrey J. , Yuan Helen L. , Seymour Keri , Ryabtsev Boris , Iwuchukwu Chinenye , Gahtan Vivian 
Published: September 2024

Introduction Vascular smooth muscle cells are important in intimal hyperplasia. Thrombospondin-1 is a matricellular protein involved in the vascular injury response. Statins are cholesterol lowering drugs that have beneficial cardiovascular effects. Statis have been shown to inhibit smooth muscle migration through the mevalonate pathway. This effect is thought to be mediated by small G protein Ras and Rho turnover which requires many hours. While many patients undergoing treatment for vascular disease are on statins, many are not. Thus immediate pretreatment with statins before surgery may be beneficial. We hypothesized that statins have effects independent of the mevalonate pathway and thus have an immediate effect. Methods Human vascular smooth muscle cells were pretreated for 20 h (long-term) or 20 min (short-term) with fluvastatin, or mevalonolactone plus fluvastatin. Thrombospondin-1-induced migration, activation of p42/p44 extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Src, focal adhesion kinase and PI3 kinase was determined. The effect of fluvastatin on thrombospondin-1-induced expression of THBS1, FOS, HAS2 and TGFB2 was examined. Results Both treatments inhibited thrombospondin-1-induced chemotaxis back to the control group. Mevalonolactone reversed the long-term statin effect by increasing migration but had no effect on the short-term statin response. p42/p44 extracellular signal-regulated kinase was activated by thrombospondin-1 and both treatments augmented activation. Neither treatment affected c-Src activity, but both inhibited focal adhesion kinase and PI3 kinase activity. Only long-term statin treatment inhibited THBS1 expression while both treatments inhibited FOS and TGFB2 expression. Neither treatment affected HAS2. FOS knockdown inhibited thrombospondin-1-induced HAS2 but not TGFβ2 gene expression. Conclusion Long-term fluvastatin inhibited thrombospondin-1-induced chemotaxis through the mevalonate pathway while short-term fluvastatin inhibited chemotaxis through an alternate mechanism. Short-term stains have immediate effects independent of the mevalonate pathway. Acute local treatment with statins followed by longer term therapy may limit the vascular response to injury.
Women veteran transition mental health and well-being support group programs: A scoping review
Authors: Lawn Sharon , Waddell Elaine , Roberts Louise , McNeill Liz , Rioseco Pilar , Wadham Ben , Sharp Tiffany , Beks Tiffany , Lane Jon , Hooff Miranda Van , Mohammadi Leila 
Published: September 2024

Background: The military is a male-dominated environment and culture in which women veterans can experience significant institutional prejudice. Transition can be confusing and isolating for women veterans. Group programs are an important source of transition support. However, we know little about the specific group program needs of women veterans. Objectives: To examine mental health and well-being support group programs delivered to women veterans, to understand what they value and find most helpful. Eligibility Criteria: Women military veterans (all types); empirical studies using any design; published between 1990 and 2022; group programs focused on transition issues (such as housing, employment, education, physical health, mental health). Sources of Evidence: Peer-reviewed journals and theses. Charting Methods: Six databases searched: Medline (via Ovid SP), PsycINFO (via Ovid SP), EmCare (via Ovid SP), CINAHL, Scopus, and ProQuest. Results: There was significant heterogeneity across 35 included studies in type of groups, program content and structure, length of sessions, measurement of impact, follow-up, and so forth. Most programs were delivered face to face. Physical health and preventative healthcare were important topics for women veterans, particularly reproductive health, mental health, and chronic pain. Groups that included physical activity, creative arts, and alternative therapies were beneficial to women’s physical and mental health. Strengths-based women-only groups, facilitated by women, that created safe spaces for women veterans to share their experiences, enhanced self-expression, agency, and self-empowerment. This was particularly important for women who had experience military sexual trauma. Conclusion: This review found a small but diverse range of group programs available for women veterans. Many program evaluations were of moderate or low quality and lacked sufficient information to determine whether benefits were sustained over time. No studies involved Australian women veterans. Despite these concerns, this review highlighted several useful lessons that could help inform improved design, delivery, and evaluation of group programs for women veterans.
Effect of psychoeducational program and relaxation training on critical care nurses’ stress regarding care of patients with delirium
Authors: Abdullah Saleh O , El Din M Darweesh Alaa , A Mohammed Naglaa , A Alkubati Sameer , Alrasheeday Awatif M 
Published: September 2024

Background: Critical care nurses (CCNs) face difficulties and stress when caring for patients with delirium, and the level of delirium-related stress may be related to gaps in their knowledge and skills. Aim: This study aimed to assess the impact of a psychoeducational and relaxation program on reducing the stress of CCNs caring for patients with delirium in intensive care units (ICUs) in Taiz city, Yemen. Methods: From June to the end of December 2022, a quasi-experimental study was conducted among 60 CCNs from two ICUs of Al-Thawra Hospital in Taiz. Demographic characteristics were collected using a pre-designed data collection sheet, and the levels of CCNs’ stress were measured using the Delirium Nursing Stress Scale (DNSS). To assess the impact of the developed psychoeducational and relaxation program, stress levels were measured before and after the program, as well as at a 3-month follow-up for long-term impact. The association of demographic characteristics with delirium-related stress was also studied. Data were then analyzed using appropriate statistical tests at a significance level of <0.05. Results: Before the program, the mean score of CCNs’ stress was 60.48 ± 9.51, corresponding to a moderate stress level of 86.7%. However, this score was significantly reduced to 30.98 ± 4.35 immediately after the program and was sustained at 33.13 ± 5.31 3 months after the program, corresponding to a mild stress level. The highest mean score of CCNs’ stress related to caring for patients with delirium was observed before the program for all causes of stress on the DNSS, being 4.95 ± 1.77 for the nursing environment, 9.37 ± 2.16 for relationships with peers, 14.40 ± 4.02 for knowledge about delirium, and 31.77 ± 5.78 for nursing practice and work. However, the mean stress scores related to all these causes showed a significant reduction after the program (2.85 ± 0.95, 4.70 ± 1.33, 7.20 ± 1.67, and 16.23 ± 2.80, respectively) and at the 3-month follow-up (3.15 ± 1.05, 4.95 ± 1.23, 7.67 ± 1.66 and 17.37 ± 3.57, respectively). On the other hand, the mean score of total stress for all DNSS items showed a significant reduction from 60.48 ± 9.51 before the program to 30.98 ± 4.35 after the program and 33.13 ± 5.31 at the 3-month follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean scores of delirium-related stress before and after the program, or at the 3-month follow-up for any of the demographic characteristics of CCNs. Conclusion: Psychoeducational and relaxation programs have a positive impact on stress reduction in CCNs caring for patients with delirium, improving the standard of care provided to these patients. Regular assessment of CCNs for delirium-related stress and educating them to acquire knowledge and skills are recommended to reduce this stress when caring for delirious patients.