bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of 11 added items of the outpatient version of the Utrecht Symptom Diary in patients receiving chemotherapy or targeted therapy
Authors: Koldenhof Josephine J. , Akpobome Bernice O. , Zweers Danielle , Klaasse Stance , Teunissen Saskia C. C. M. , Witteveen Petronella O. , Suijkerbuijk Karijn P. M. , de Graeff Alexander , van der Baan Frederieke H. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Introduction
The Utrecht Symptom Diary (USD) is a validated Dutch patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) tool - based on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System - to assess and monitor symptoms in cancer patients. The USD contains 11 items concerning frequently occurring symptoms in cancer patients (pain, sleeping problems, dry mouth, dysphagia, lack of appetite, abnormal stool, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, anxiety and depressed mood) and an item on overall well-being. For the outpatient USD 11 items concerning frequently occurring signs and symptoms in patients receiving chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy were added to the USD: taste alteration, oral pain, weight loss, diarrhoea, hair changes, skin problems, nail problems, eye problems, tingling, concentration problems and problems with sexuality. This current study aimed to evaluate the 11 added items on this treatment specific outpatient USD in cancer patients receiving intravenous chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy.

Methods
Observational longitudinal retrospective cohort study including all adult outpatients with cancer receiving intravenous chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy in an academic hospital in the Netherlands who completed at least one outpatient USD as part of routine care (2012–2021). Relevance, comprehensiveness as well as criterion and construct validity were assessed.

Results
1733 patients who completed ≥ 1 outpatient USD during intravenous chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy were included for analysis. Relevance as well as comprehensiveness of the items on the outpatient USD in this patient population was shown. Criterion validation was demonstrated for all added items of the outpatient USD – except for the item on oral pain. An additional analysis showed that mouth problems were detected with both outpatient USD items oral pain and dry mouth. Construct validity was demonstrated for the items hair changes and skin and nail problems. Construct validity on eye problems was not tested due to the low number of paired outpatient USDs.

Conclusions
The treatment specific outpatient USD is a validated PROM in outpatients with cancer receiving intravenous chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy. Considering its validity in this broad group of patients, we think the treatment-specific outpatient USD is widely applicable. In addition to providing tailored supportive symptom care, the USD-data can be used to increase knowledge about symptom burden in daily practice in this population.
Gadolinium-based coronary CT angiography on a clinical photon-counting-detector system: a dynamic circulating phantom study
Authors: Kravchenko Dmitrij , Gnasso Chiara , Schoepf U. Joseph , Vecsey-Nagy Milan , Tremamunno Giuseppe , O’Doherty Jim , Zhang Andrew , Luetkens Julian A. , Kuetting Daniel , Attenberger Ulrike , Schmidt Bernhard , Varga-Szemes Akos , Emrich Tilman 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) offers non-invasive diagnostics of the coronary arteries. Vessel evaluation requires the administration of intravenous contrast. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) as an alternative to iodinated contrast for CCTA on a first-generation clinical dual-source photon-counting-detector (PCD)-CT system.

Methods
A dynamic circulating phantom containing a three-dimensional-printed model of the thoracic aorta and the coronary arteries were used to evaluate injection protocols using gadopentetate dimeglumine at 50%, 100%, 150%, and 200% of the maximum approved clinical dose (0.3 mmol/kg). Virtual monoenergetic image (VMI) reconstructions ranging from 40 keV to 100 keV with 5 keV increments were generated on a PCD-CT. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated from attenuations measured in the aorta and coronary arteries and noise measured in the background tissue. Attenuation of at least 350 HU was deemed as diagnostic.

Results
The highest coronary attenuation (441 ± 23 HU, mean ± standard deviation) and CNR (29.5 ± 1.5) was achieved at 40 keV and at the highest GBCA dose (200%). There was a systematic decline of attenuation and CNR with higher keV reconstructions and lower GBCA doses. Only reconstructions at 40 and 45 keV at 200% and 40 keV at 150% GBCA dose demonstrated sufficient attenuation above 350 HU.

Conclusion
Current PCD-CT protocols and settings are unsuitable for the use of GBCA for CCTA at clinically approved doses. Future advances to the PCD-CT system including a 4-threshold mode, as well as multi-material decomposition may add new opportunities for k-edge imaging of GBCA.

Relevance statement
Patients allergic to iodine-based contrast media and the future of multicontrast CT examinations would benefit greatly from alternative contrast media, but the utility of GBCA for coronary photon-counting-dector-CT angiography remains limited without further optimization of protocols and scanner settings.

Key Points

GBCA-enhanced coronary PCD-CT angiography is not feasible at clinically approved doses.

GBCAs have potential applications for the visualization of larger vessels, such as the aorta, on PCD-CT angiography.

Higher GBCA doses and lower keV reconstructions achieved higher attenuation values and CNR.

Graphical Abstract
Effect of individual quick freezing treatment and cold storage on the host egg (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) quality for the production of the parasitoid Anastatus japonicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae)
Authors: Wu Yi-Hui , Lee Shih-Yang , Chuang Yi-Yuan , Tzeng Hsy-Yu , Lai Jui-Sheng , Chou Ming-Yi 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
The augmentative release of the parasitoid species Anastatus japonicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is essential for managing the recent invasion of litchi stink bugs (Tessaratoma papillosa (Drury)) (Hemiptera: Tessaratomidae) in Taiwan. The mass release program in the spring targets this univoltine pest’s reproduction cycle. Low-temperature storage for the host eggs and parasitoids is required to maximize the production for the annual release program. This study aimed to enhance the shelf life of Samia cynthia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) eggs using the combination of refrigeration and individual quick freezing (IQF) as a storage treatment. Storage of A. japonicus in the IQF-treated S. cynthia eggs was evaluated to determine the optimal production process during the short preparation window before the release.

Results
The influences of cold storage and IQF treatment on the host eggs were evaluated for different storage durations. The host quality was determined according to the emergence rate and female ratio of A. japonicus. The study’s results demonstrated that the host quality of S. cynthia eggs did not change significantly compared to the control group after 28 d of refrigeration at 7 °C. IQF treatment extended S. cyathia’s shelf life to 5 months without significantly affecting the host quality. Applying IQF at different developmental stages of the host eggs affected the parasitism rates of A. japonicus. Significantly higher emergence rates of A. japonicus were recorded in the eggs treated during the initial development (D0 to D2). However, storing parasitoids in the IQF-treated eggs under the current storage condition for one month at 12 °C significantly impacted the parasitoid’s emergence rate.

Conclusions
The results of this study highlight the potential benefits of the individual quick freezing technique. This technique didn’t alter the egg quality of S. cynthia, a crucial factor for the mass production of A. japonicus. The IQF treatment extends the shelf life of the host eggs to 5 months when stored at − 20 °C, a significant improvement compared to the 4-week shelf life without IQF treatment. This technology offers a promising and efficient approach for the mass production of A. japonicus and supports field releases. The treatment allowed for the stockpiling of host eggs during the off-season, which can help expedite the mass production of A. japonicus to fit an eight-week production window.
Recovery and purification of kish graphite from steelmaking dust by using acid leaching with physical auxiliary methods
Authors: Chen Ying-Liang , Chiang Wei-Ping , Lin Ching-Huai , Wu I-Min , Chang Juu-En 
Published: October 2024

AbstractGraphite has been a critical raw material in recent years due to its high economic importance and high risk of supply disruptions. The traditional source of graphite is natural graphite ores; however, the production of natural graphite ores is controlled by few countries. It is thus important to find an alternative source of graphite, and steelmaking byproducts, such as dust and slag, can be considered because of their high potential for the recovery of kish graphite. The original kish graphite normally has a low carbon content and large amounts of impurities, and purification is necessary before using kish graphite in industry. The purpose of this study was to recover kish graphite from steelmaking dust by combining multi-stage froth flotation and acid leaching processes. The conditions of acid leaching were examined, and physical auxiliary methods (heating, microwave irradiation, and ultrasonication) were studied. After the multi-stage froth flotation process, the carbon content of the kish graphite was approximately 84 wt%, and Fe, Ca, Al, Na, K, Si, and Mg were the major elements of impurities. The acid leaching process was useful for enhancing the carbon content of the kish graphite and removing the impurities, particularly when using HCl and HBF4. However, HCl should be a more appropriate selection for acid leaching when considering the price of acids. The carbon content of the kish graphite reached ~ 95 wt% when using 1.0 N HCl with ≥ 30 min of reaction time and a ≥ 5 L kg−1 liquid-to-solid ratio. The physical auxiliary methods can further increase the carbon content of the kish graphite. The kish graphite purified by heating 1.0 N HCl at 80 °C for 5 min had the highest carbon content of approximately 97 wt%. The purified kish graphite and the natural graphite had similar crystallinity and lamellar structures, but the purified kish graphite had more structural defects. The recovery of kish graphite from steelmaking dust can obtain valuable materials and should have benefits for the environment.
Validation of abdominal ultrasound examination for assessment of abdominal wall thickness and size of left lobe of liver in morbidly obese patients in comparison with CT and operative findings
Authors: Abdelwahab Amr Abdalla , Nashed George Abdelfady , Elkafas Khaled Helmy , Abdelhakam Mahmoud Abdelazeem , Mahmoud Athar Samir 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Increased abdominal wall thickness and size of left lobe of liver affect the ergonomics of bariatric surgery increasing its difficulty and leading to need of special preparations such as extra-long instruments. Computed tomography (CT) abdomen is the gold standard modality in assessment of abdominal wall thickness and size of left lobe of liver, but it has many drawbacks such as radiation and contrast. In this study, we validate ultrasound as an alternative to CT by comparing its results with CT abdomen and operative findings.

Results
Abdominal ultrasound examination gives accurate results in assessment of anterior abdominal wall thickness and size of left lobe of liver in morbidly obese patients compared to CT and intra-operative with slight difference between values which is clinically accepted. Accuracy of ultrasound examination was 78.6%, 74.1%, and 100% for midline measurements, midclavicular line measurements and size of lt lobe of liver measurements, respectively. Ultrasound examination has sensitivity of 75%, 66.7% and 63.2% for midline measurements, midclavicular line measurements and size of lt lobe of liver measurements, respectively. Ultrasound examination specificity was 50%, 77.1% and 75.3% for midline measurements, midclavicular line measurements and size of lt lobe of liver measurements, respectively.

Conclusion
Abdominal ultrasound examination is a valid method in preoperative assessment of anterior abdominal wall thickness and size of left lobe of liver in morbidly obese patients. It is reliable, easy, and cheap and avoids drawbacks of CT.
A qualitative exploration of the implementation facilitators and challenges of a community health worker program to address health disparities for people recently released from incarceration using the consolidated framework for implementation research
Authors: Hood Quinn O. , Irvine Natalia , Shah Krina , Ali Shahmir H. , Mezzacca Tamar Adjoian , Serrano Michael , Thorpe Lorna E. , Huang Terry T. K. , Khan Maria R. , Islam Nadia 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Despite the potential for community health worker (CHW)-led programs to improve the health of people with justice involvement (PWJI), little is known about the practical implementation of such models. We explored barriers and facilitators to implementation of a municipal CHW program, the Health Justice Network (NYC HJN), led by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) in partnership with three reentry-focused community-based organizations (CBOs) and three federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that was designed to serve the health and social service needs of PWJI.

Methods
Eighteen in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of CHWs, partner site supervisors, and DOHMH staff. Interviews were conducted virtually and transcribed verbatim. Codes and themes were developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to understand facilitators and barriers to NYC HJN implementation.

Results
Important facilitators to implementation included: lived experience of CHWs, as well as NYC HJN’s voluntary nature, lack of onerous eligibility criteria, and prioritization of participant needs. One barrier was the lack of a formal implementation protocol. Themes identified as facilitators in some instances and barriers in others were CHW integration into site partners, the expansive scope of work for CHWs, the integration of a trauma-informed approach, values alignment and existing infrastructure, leadership engagement, CHW training and support, and input, feedback, and communication.

Conclusions
Findings will help inform how to successfully implement future CHW-led interventions for PWJI with municipal, health, and social service partners.
Factors affecting time to recovery from diabetic ketoacidosis in adult diabetic patients in Alexandria Main University Hospital
Authors: Sabry Ahmed A. , Alkafafy Asmaa Mohamed , Morsy Eman Youssef , Aiad Ahmed , Montasser Mina 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition as a complication of diabetes and represents a significant healthcare global burden. The current study goal was to determine factors affecting time to recovery from DKA in Alexandria Main University Hospital.

Patients and methods
One hundred fifty patients who had been admitted with DKA were included in this study. All patients were managed with hospitalization for IV fluids, continuous intravenous insulin infusion, electrolyte correction, as well as detection and treatment of the predisposing factor until the full resolution of DKA.

Results
Males contributed to 58.7% of the total patients in this study with a mean age of 32.16 ± 15.06 years. DKA mean time of resolution was 18.76 ± 14.07 h. The majority of patients were with T1DM (86%), while T2DM were 14%. Missed insulin dose was the leading precipitating factor (60.7%) followed by infections (38.7%). There was a statistically significant relationship between DKA resolution time with age, time of presentation, type of diabetes, initial pH, initial serum K+ level, initial HCO3− level, initial anion gap, initial base excess, and initial RBS (p value < 0.001).

Conclusion
Delayed time of resolution from DKA was associated with initial lower pH, initial lower HCO3− level, initial lower base excess level, initial higher anion gap level, type 2 diabetes mellitus, patients on pre-mixed insulin regimen, old patients, delayed time for seeking medical care, and abnormal serum K+ level.
Effectiveness of video-based teaching in surgery residents: A randomized control trial
Authors: Niaz Khurram , Mehboob Usman , Masood Darakhshan , Maqbool Ali 
Published: October 2024

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of video-based teaching in surgery residents by comparing it to the routine operating room traditional teaching.
Methodology: The randomized control trial was done at four institutions from September 2022 to March 2023. Interventional group underwent video-based instruction of basic surgical skills whereas the control group was taught through traditional operating room teaching. Pre and post-test mean scores were analyzed on SPSS version 20 through paired t-test. Learning gain was calculated. Supervisors’ perceptions were recorded on survey form regarding direct observations and recorded video evaluations of resident skills on post-test.
Results: Out of sixty (n=60), fifty-five newly inducted surgical residents completed the study including both females (n=13) and male residents (n=42). Video intervention Group (27.93±3.72) and control group (23.07±4.62) both showed improvements in their post-test scores as compared to pretest scores of 13.68±3.25 and 13.52±3.60 respectively. Mean score difference improvement was more in video intervention group (13.9±3.8) in comparison to control group (9.5±4.3) provided both groups exhibits improvements in all seven domains of the global rating system (reflected by the p <0.0001). However, learning gain of 65% was observed in intervention group as compared to learning gain (41%) of control group. Evaluators(n=5) observed that recorded video evaluations helped to provide integrated feedback, despite being time (40%) and resource intensive (60%).
Conclusion: Video-based teaching has higher learning gain irrespective of the fact that both groups exhibit statistically significant results in all seven domains of the global rating system. Recorded video evaluation was found feasible and reliable tool for formative assessment.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.7856
How to cite this: Niaz K, Mahboob U, Masood D, Maqbool A. Effectiveness of video-based teaching in surgery residents: A randomized control trial. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(10):2373-2378. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.7856
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Information Disclosure and Competitive Dynamics: Evidence from the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Kao Jennifer 
Published: October 2024

This paper studies how competitive dynamics shape innovative firms’ voluntary disclosure of product quality information. Our empirical context is the pharmaceutical industry, where firms must decide whether to disclose private drug quality information acquired in clinical trials. Using a difference-in-difference strategy, we show that the approval of a competitor’s drug lowers the likelihood of a firm reporting its clinical trial results by 13%. We explore how these effects vary based on the project quality, competitor type, and firm experience. These findings suggest that strategic considerations play a role in firms’ disclosure decisions; in response to a competitor’s drug approval, firms may selectively withhold information to maintain and improve their competitive position. This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy. Funding: This work was funded by the National Institute on Aging [Grant T32-AG000186] and the UCLA Society of Hellman Fellows Program. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.01161 .
Exploring the patients’ and family members’ perspectives on home-based palliative care
Authors: Mushtaq Nadia Sultanali 
Published: October 2024

Background: Healthcare at home is considered a partial substitute for institutional long-term care, because patients and families with known poor prognoses prefer to stay home with their loved ones and are unable to pay for hospital care at the end of life in some countries. Purpose: To explore patients’ and family members’ perspectives and experiences of receiving home-based palliative care services. Method: This was a qualitative exploratory study conducted in Karachi, targeting patients and family members receiving home-based palliative care services. The data collection was done via interviews, and simultaneously, the interviewer recorded field notes, which were all carried out within the confines of the participants’ homes. Moreover, the subjects were recruited through purposive sampling, resulting in a total of six patients and six family members. The final number of participants was determined based on data saturation. The inclusion criteria encompassed individuals of all genders, aged 18 and above, and residents of Karachi, Pakistan. Those who were not able to provide information, due to any reason, were excluded from the study. The study adhered strictly to ethical considerations. Findings: The study uncovered several significant themes that provide valuable insights, including caregivers’ availability, patients’ inclusiveness, improved dietary pattern, psychological wellbeing, and rapid recovery in home-based care. Furthermore, the study identified themes on providing home-based palliative care, like family members’ education and keeping back-ups for unforeseen situations. In contrast, the themes identified as home-based care preference over hospital care were: experienced compromised care, hospital anxiety, restricted to the available resources and higher hospital living expenses for patients and family members. Conclusion: The study underscored the importance of adopting a patient-centric approach. It has become evident that the comfort and familiarity of one’s home environment provide a conducive backdrop for holistic healing and wellbeing.