bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternity care coordinator’s experiences at the department of Veteran Affairs
Authors: Ndakuya-Fitzgerald Florine , Farkas Amy , Lopez Alexa A , Whittle Jeff , Haeger Kristin O , Mu Qiyan 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides maternity care by paying for Veterans to receive pregnancy-related care in community settings and by utilizing maternity care coordinators (MCCs) at each medical facility. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to understand the MCC’s experiences performing their role across VA facilities. Thirty MCCs were recruited and interviewed virtually using Microsoft Teams. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using thematic analysis, transcripts were coded, and themes were derived. MCC’s roles include being a liaison, care coordinator, and supporter. MCCs improve Veterans’ care during pregnancy and postpartum by education, monitoring health status, and connecting Veterans to providers within VA and the community. Across VA facilities, there was variation in how MCCs engaged with Veterans and in the services provided. A challenge shared was the lack of dedicated time to the role. In the VA, MCCs are valuable in ensuring high-quality care coordination of pregnant/postpartum Veterans despite the fragmentation of care between VA and community providers. To improve inconsistencies in how the MCC program is implemented, systematic strategies such as ensuring dedicated time are needed.
The efficient enforcement challenge of secured transactions law reforms in civil law systems—self-help repossession, strict foreclosure, and other methods for the acceleration of enforcement of security interests
Authors: Tajti (Thaythy) Tibor 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Although the forging of an efficient system for enforcement of security interest is one of the central expectations of secured transaction law reforms in civil law systems, the results hardly give reason for satisfaction. As the reforms tend to be supported and influenced by various international organizations’ projects (especially the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law, and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law), most out-of-court methods of enforcement of security interests have played a central role. Yet due to civil law’s general hostility towards self-help as such, either the introduction of the concept has been rejected or the local limited-reach kin have been merely ‘paper tigers’. Similarly, although security interests on several types of collateral (accounts, investment property) or on the workhorse of the English financial system—the floating charge—have also been enforced extrajudicially (save the exceptions), little attention has been attributed to these enforcement modalities. The same applies to strict foreclosure in civil law systems still being prohibited, or restricted, and thus rarely resorted to, due to the inherited hostility towards the doctrine of lex commissoria. Rethinking local laws on preliminary and temporary court orders to match them with such globally known ex parte preliminary measures as the English Mareva Injunction or the French Saisie Conservatoire, which allow creditors to swiftly freeze debtors’ assets and thus substitute self-help repossession, has also been given short shrift. The enforcement segment, consequently, remains the Achilles’ heel of secured transaction law reforms in civil law systems. This article desires to contribute to reform literature by addressing these deficiencies and by offering tested, fully or partially fitting, functional equivalents of self-help repossession.
Retirement through rose-colored glasses: greater positivity bias in retired relative to working older adults
Authors: Ferguson Lorena A , Harikumar Amritha , Leal Stephanie L 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Retirement has been associated with declines in memory beyond typical age-related memory decline. This may impact the ability to remember distinct events, as older adults (OA) are susceptible to interference in memory across experiences with overlapping features. Impaired hippocampal pattern separation, a computation that allows for the disambiguation of similar experiences as unique events, is thought to underlie age-related impairment in memory. Furthermore, positive experiences tend to be better remembered than neutral or negative experiences in aging. Socioemotional selectivity theory suggests that awareness of a limited remaining lifespan leads OA to prioritize emotionally fulfilling experiences, often leading to a bias towards positive information compared to negative or neutral information. However, the potential role of retirement in contributing to these age-related changes in memory has yet to be examined. Memory measures that tax hippocampal pattern separation may be more sensitive to memory impairment in retirement compared to standard memory measures. Retirement may exacerbate awareness of reduced remaining time, such that retired OA may experience a greater positivity bias in memory than their working peers. Here, we utilized an emotional memory task that taxes hippocampal pattern separation to examine memory in age-matched retired and working OA. We found that retired OA show selective impairments for memories with high interference and a greater positivity bias in memory compared to their working peers. These findings suggest that retirement may accelerate age-related memory changes, including greater susceptibility to interference as well as a bias toward remembering positive relative to neutral information.
Outcomes of Accelerated 3-Year MD Graduates at NYU Grossman School of Medicine During Medical School and Early Residency
Authors: Satyamoorthi Nivedha , Marin Marina , Ludlow Peter , Triola Marc M. , Gillespie Colleen , Cohen Elisabeth , Abramson Steven , Cangiarella Joan 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Purpose
For accelerated 3-year MD (3YMD) pathways to be fully adopted in medical education, a comprehensive analysis of outcome data is needed. This study includes 7 accelerated 3YMD graduating classes at NYU Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSOM) and reports on outcomes from both medical school and internship compared with their 4-year MD (4YMD) counterparts.

Method
Outcomes across the undergraduate-graduate medical education continuum for the first 7 classes of NYUGSOM graduates (matriculated from 2013–2019) from the accelerated 3YMD (n = 136) and 4YMD pathways (n = 681) were compared. For the internship outcomes, 3YMD interns were compared with 4YMD interns who graduated from NYUGSOM and all 4YMD interns (4YMD graduates from NYUGSOM and any other medical school) at NYUGSOM residencies.

Results
Accelerated 3YMD students were approximately 5 months older at admission and had higher multiple mini-interview scores than 4YMD students. Overall, accelerated 3YMD students performed similarly to 4YMD students during medical school and internship. Significant differences included higher performance by 3YMD students on preclerkship exams and lower performance on Steps 1 and 2 (average: 5.6 and 5.4 fewer points, respectively) and the physical examination portion of the NYUGSOM Comprehensive Clinical Skills Exam. Internship data indicated comparable team assessments across all residencies, statistically significant higher performance on Step 3 when compared with all 4YMD interns, and, in internal medicine, comparable clinical reasoning between 3YMD and all 4YMD interns. When comparing 3YMD interns to all 4YMD interns in the internal medicine residency program, 3YMD interns had a statistically significantly higher performance on milestones.

Conclusions
The outcomes from 7 years of graduating accelerated 3YMD students at NYUGSOM show similar performance in medical school and early residency to 4YMD graduates. Long-term study of accelerated 3YMD students from NYUGSOM and other medical schools is needed to further validate the success of this innovative medical education pathway.
The Implications of Sacralized Transitional Vertebra on Spinal Alignment
Authors: Khalifé Marc , Vergari Claudio , Lafage Renaud , Elysée Jonathan , Finoco Mikael , Gille Olivier , Assi Ayman , Skalli Wafa , Lafage Virginie , Ferrero Emmanuelle 
Published: October 2024

Study design:
Retrospective study of a multicentric prospective database.

Objective:
This study aimed to determine, in a cohort of healthy volunteers, the impact of sacralized lumbo-sacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) on spinal alignment according to its grade, particularly regarding lumbar lordosis magnitude and distribution, and the implications for spinopelvic parameters measurement.

Summary of Background Data:
There is little data regarding spinopelvic alignment assessment in LSTV patients.

Methods:
This study included healthy volunteers with full-body stereoradiographs in free-standing position aged over 18. Castellvi grade, pelvic parameters (measured on S1 and L5), L1-S1 lumbar lordosis (LL) and segmental lordosis for each disc and vertebral body, thoracic kyphosis, cervical lordosis, lower limb, and global alignment parameters were assessed. Castellvi I and II were considered as Low-grade and Castellvi III and IV as High-grade LSTV. Alignment parameters between No-LSTV, Low- and High-grade LSTV were compared. Propensity score matching was used to match PI in No-LSTV and Low-grades. Spinopelvic parameters measured on S1 in No-LSTV group and on L5 in High-grade were compared.

Results:
713 subjects were included, of whom 23 Low-grades and 27 High-grades. Mean pelvic incidence was 51.0±11.0° and mean age was 37.5±16.2 years. LL distribution was different between groups, with an apex and inflexion point significantly higher in High-grade (P<0.001). Kyphosis in the LSTV segment was compensated for by a steeper increase of LL above L5 in the High-grades. Low-grades and PI-matched No-LSTV presented similar alignment parameters. There were minor differences in parameters measured on S1 in No-LSTV and no L5 in High-grades.

Conclusion:
Subjects with low-grade LSTV present similar alignment as PI-matched No-LSTV subjects, and S1 should be taken as reference to measure spinopelvic parameters. High-grade LSTV subjects have kyphotic L5-S1 segment with more cranial lumbar apex and thoracolumbar inflexion point. In these subjects, spinopelvic parameters should be measured on L5.
Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of FFX Facet Cages Compared With Pedicle Screw Fixation in Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Long-Term Study
Authors: Houari Omar , Douanla Arnaud , Ben Ammar Mehdi , Benmekhbi Mustapha , Mortada Jihad , Lungu Gabriel , Magheru Cristian , Voirin Jimmy , Lebedinsky Pablo Ariel , Musacchio Mariano , Bolognini Federico , Srour Robin 
Published: October 2024

Study Design:
Hybrid retrospective/prospective study.

Objective:
The study evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of the FFX facet cage versus pedicle screw (PS) fixation in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Summary of Background Data:
A previous single-arm study reported on the safety, fusion rate, and patient outcomes associated with the use of the FFX facet cage in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. There are no long-term studies reporting outcomes with this device compared with the use of pedicle screw fixation.

Methods:
Following a medical records review, subjects meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were consented to and enrolled in the prospective arm of the study. CT scans and dynamic X-rays were performed to assess fusion rates, range of motion, and translation. Adverse events during the 2-year post-index procedure were also analyzed. Preoperative and 2+ year Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) back and leg scores and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were also obtained.

Results:
A total of 112 subjects were enrolled with 56 patients included in the PS and FFX groups. Mean age was 63.1±11.2 and 67.1±10.9 years and the mean number of levels operated was 1.8±0.8 and 2.3±1.0, respectively, for the PS and FFX groups. There was no difference between the 2 groups for the primary composite fusion endpoint assessed with the FFX group achieving a 91% bony facet fusion rate. There was also no difference in postoperative complications or adverse events during the 2-year follow-up period. A higher percentage of patients in the PS group (10.7%) required reoperation compared with the FFX group (3.6%). Although both groups experienced significant improvements in VAS and ODI scores versus preoperative assessment, there was no difference between the 2 groups.

Conclusion:
The present study documents the long-term safety and efficacy of the FFX device in patients with LSS with a reduction in reoperation rate when compared with PS fixation.

Level of evidence:
Level III.
Angiotensin-II and Thromboembolic Events: A Systematic Review*
Authors: Caragata Rebecca , Johnston Samuel A. , Chan Jian Wen , Starkey Graham , Bellomo Rinaldo 
Published: October 2024

OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate and synthesize the existing evidence for the association of angiotensin-II with thromboembolic events.

DATA SOURCES:
PubMed, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases.

STUDY SELECTION:
This systematic review included randomized trials and comparative observational studies that reported on the occurrence of venous and/or arterial thromboembolic events in adult patients receiving treatment for shock with angiotensin-II vs. a comparator.

DATA EXTRACTION:
A total of 1689 records were screened by two independent investigators. Seven studies were deemed eligible for inclusion, encompassing 1461 patients. This included two randomized controlled trials and five nonrandomized studies of intervention. Data were extracted independently and in duplicate. Risk of bias assessments were performed using the Risk of Bias 2 and Risk Of Bias In Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions tools.

DATA SYNTHESIS:
The included studies reported on a variety of individual and composite thromboembolic events as exploratory endpoints. Overall, they demonstrated an elevated risk of bias, predominantly related to confounding, measurement of outcomes and selection of reported results, which precluded quantitative synthesis. Within these limitations, we found that thromboembolic event rates were similar between the angiotensin-II and comparator groups. Venous thromboembolic events were described in 8.8% of patients receiving angiotensin-II and 9.4% of controls, while arterial thromboembolic events were reported in 11.3% and 12.7%, respectively. Total event rates were broadly comparable when utilizing data derived from the primary publications and when adjusted for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration account of trial data.

CONCLUSIONS:
Published evidence does not currently support or refute an association between angiotensin-II and an increased risk of venous or arterial thromboembolic events. Given the limited quality of available data, future studies should explicitly define diagnostic and reporting criteria for such events.
Low-Level Laser and LED Therapy in Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Perez Sofia M. , Vattigunta Mounika , Kelly Colin , Eber Ariel 
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND
Low-level laser/LED therapy (LLLT) has been described as a treatment option for alopecia, but no study has comprehensively reviewed its efficacy in multiple alopecia types.

OBJECTIVE
To review and evaluate LLLT for various alopecia types.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL was conducted to identify studies assessing the effect of LLLT on patients diagnosed with alopecia. Prespecified outcome measure was the change in hair density. Meta-analysis was performed to calculate the standardized mean difference in hair density before and after LLLT compared with placebo.

RESULTS
Thirty-eight studies were included that described 3,098 patients with androgenetic alopecia (2,930/3,098), scarring alopecia (49/3,098), alopecia areata (50/3,098), telogen effluvium (17/3,098), and chemotherapy-induced alopecia (32/3,098). The mean change in hair density increased significantly in androgenetic alopecia patients after LLLT for 4 to 26 weeks compared with placebo (<20 weeks: SMD = 1.14; 95% CI [0.51–1.78]; p = .000; I2 = 88.26%; >20 weeks: SMD = 1.44; 95% CI [0.97–1.91]; p = .000; I2 = 80.81%). Change in hair density was reported in 5 studies evaluating other alopecia types; however, statistical information was insufficient for meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION
LLLT is a promising treatment option for patients with androgenetic alopecia, but future studies are needed to better understand its efficacy in other alopecia types.
Breast Reconstruction Using Combined Unilateral Hemiabdominal DIEP Flap with Lipofilling from the Contralateral Abdomen
Authors: Noto Minami , Satake Toshihiko , Taki Kyona , Ikeda Tatsuya , Tsukura Kahori , Ikusaka Keisuke , Katsuragi Ryohei , Onoda Satoshi 
Published: October 2024

Summary:
The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is the gold standard breast reconstruction procedure for patients with adequate lower abdominal tissue and is often elevated, including the unilateral DIEP. In patients with a lower midline abdominal surgical scar, the volume of the DIEP flap used for breast reconstruction may be limited because of the cessation of blood perfusion over the scar. Several options have been used for increasing the flap volume using bipedicled flaps; however, they are more invasive for the abdominal donor site and require longer operation time for complex vascular anastomoses. To overcome these disadvantages, we propose immediate breast reconstruction with simultaneous fat grafting combined with a DIEP flap, which can achieve an adequate breast volume. The patient was a 46-year-old woman with left-sided invasive ductal carcinoma. She underwent a left nipple-sparing mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and one-stage immediate DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Indocyanine green angiography was used to evaluate the blood supply to the DIEP flap, and lipofilling was performed from the unstained flap area. The fat was injected into and under the pectoralis major muscle, and the total volume of the fat graft was 66 mL. The advantages of immediate lipofilling harvested from the unstained flap area include minimal sacrifice, the expectation of simultaneous restoration of the overall appearance of the breast with a minimal number of operations, the simplicity of the procedure, and the best use of viable tissues. Therefore, breast reconstruction combined with fat grafting is effective for volume augmentation.
INFLUENCE OF FOVEAL GLIAL TISSUE AFTER MACULAR HOLE SURGERY ON OUTER RETINAL RESTORATION AND VISUAL ACUITY
Authors: Iwasaki Masanori , Nakashizuka Hiroyuki , Tanaka Koji , Wakatsuki Yu , Onoe Hajime , Nakagawa Naoya , Fujimiya Taishi , Koutari Sawako , Sakakibara Takuya , Shoda Chiho , Hanaguri Junya , Yokota Harumasa , Takayuki Hattori , Mori Ryusaburo , Shimada Hiroyuki , Nagaoka Taiji , Yamagami Satoru 
Published: October 2024

Purpose:
To investigate the impact of foveal glial tissue on the anatomical and functional results after macular hole (MH) surgery.

Methods:
This study included 141 consecutive eyes that underwent successful vitrectomy for full-thickness MH between January 2015 and December 2022. The best-corrected visual acuity and the length of outer retinal defects were evaluated preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Macular hole with retinal detachment, recurrent MH, and traumatic MH were excluded. Multiple regression analyses were conducted on outer retinal restoration and visual acuity using foveal glial tissue size, surgical technique of internal limiting membrane peeling or inverted internal limiting membrane flap, and high myopia as explanatory variables.

Results:
Analyses revealed that the foveal glial tissue significantly limited the outer nuclear layer, external limiting membrane restoration, and ellipsoid zone restoration as well as best-corrected visual acuity improvement (r = −0.380, P < 0.001; r = −0.314, P = 0.035; r = −0.530, P = 0.015; r = −0.00027, P = 0.001; respectively). Meanwhile, the surgical technique and high myopia did not significantly affect the restoration of outer nuclear layer, external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone, and best-corrected visual acuity after surgery.

Conclusion:
Foveal glial tissue after MH surgery attenuated outer nuclear layer, external limiting membrane, and ellipsoid zone restoration as well as best-corrected visual acuity improvement.
SUB–INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FOVEAL HEMORRHAGE UNDER TENSION
Authors: Miyamoto Shoto , Fukuyama Hisashi , Araki Takashi , Kimura Naoki , Gomi Fumi 
Published: October 2024

Purpose:
To identify preoperative clinical characteristics of macular hole (MH) formation after vitrectomy for submacular hemorrhage because of ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysm.

Methods:
The authors retrospectively analyzed eyes with submacular hemorrhage because of a ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysm in patients who underwent vitrectomy and had more than 1 month of follow-up. Background factors and imaging findings were compared between groups classified by MH presence. The primary outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity, and fundus and optical coherence tomography findings.

Results:
Submacular hemorrhage because of a retinal arterial macroaneurysm rupture was identified in 48 eyes. Macular holes were identified in 8 eyes (16.3%): four intraoperatively and four postoperatively. Preoperative optical coherence tomography findings revealed that all MH cases exhibited the highest retinal thickness at the foveal lesion with sub–internal limiting membrane hemorrhage preoperatively. This finding was termed the “foveal mountain peak” sign, characterized by sub–internal limiting membrane hemorrhage where the peak of the retinal thickness coincides with the fovea. The incidence of foveal mountain peak sign (+) cases was significantly higher in the MH (+) group compared with the MH (−) group (100% vs. 47.5%, respectively; P = 0.006).

Conclusion:
The presence of the foveal mountain peak sign may indicate an increased risk of submacular hemorrhage–associated MH.
Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps in Ironman-Distance Triathletes Over 3 Decades
Authors: Nilssen Paal K. , Johnson Kasey B. , Hiller W. Douglas B. , Miller Thomas K. , Connolly Christopher P. 
Published: October 2024

Objective:This study aimed to explore associations and trends for athletes experiencing exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMC) in ultraendurance competitions.Design:Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.Setting:Medical tent data were collected from annual IRONMAN World Championship events.Participants:In total, 10 533 medical records were reviewed among 49 530 race participants from 1989 to 2019.Assessment of Risk Factors:Athlete demographics data, performance data, and additional medical conditions were examined.Main Outcome Measures:Primary outcome of interest was to compare triathletes with and without EAMC. Secondary outcome was to analyze triathletes with subsequent EAMC.Results:EAMC (N = 2863) occurred in 57.8 per 1000 participants (95% confidence interval = 55.7 to 60.0). The incidence of EAMC did not differ between athlete sex. Athletes with EAMC had greater weight loss but did not differ in serum sodium and serum potassium compared with those without EAMC. Further analysis with a logistic regression analysis revealed that dehydration, exhaustion, hypotension, abdominal pain, headaches, and a previous evaluation for cramping were strongly associated with muscle cramping. The most common treatment for EAMC was intravenous fluids.Conclusions:Findings from the current study support previous reports that electrolyte abnormalities are not associated with cramping. However, our finding that dehydration is associated with muscle cramping contradicts current literature.