bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the High Risk and Unmet Need in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease and Type 2 Diabetes: A Descriptive Retrospective Cohort Study (ATHENA)
Authors: Bian Liya , Qiu Miaohan , Li Jing , Zhang Lijiao , Hunt Phillip R , Kuster Marco , Han Yaling 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Objective:
Ticagrelor on Health Outcomes in diabEtes Mellitus patients Intervention Study (THEMIS) filled an important data gap by showing a significant reduction of ischemic cardiovascular events in a ticagrelor plus aspirin cohort compared with placebo plus aspirin cohort among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but without a history of myocardial infarction. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of the THEMIS results in a real-world clinical setting in China.

Methods:
This retrospective, observational cohort study used data from the Optimal antiPlatelet Therapy for Chinese patients with Coronary Artery Disease (OPT-CAD) study which enrolled participants who were hospitalized between November 2012 and December 2013. The 24-month cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), major bleeding, and all-cause death in patients with T2DM and CAD (T2DM-CAD), T2DM and stable CAD (SCAD)(T2DM-SCAD), and T2DM and SCAD without prior myocardial infarction or stroke (THEMIS-like) were analyzed.

Results:
Data from 13,296 patients with CAD were included; the T2DM-CAD, T2DM-SCAD, and THEMIS-like cohorts comprised 3,344 (25.2%), 949 (7.1%), and 509 (3.8%) patients, respectively. The corresponding 24-month cumulative incidence of major bleeding was 38 (1.1%), 16 (1.7%), and 8 (1.6%), and that of MACEs was 250 (7.5%), 87 (9.2%), and 29 (5.7%), and all-cause death was 181 (5.4%), 84 (8.9%), 29 (5.7%), respectively. The risk of MACE in the THEMIS-like cohort was approximate to that in the THEMIS trial (7.7% vs. 8.5% in ticagrelor and placebo group, respectively).

Conclusion:
The incidence of MACE was substantial in the THEMIS-like cohort, suggesting that cardiovascular risk for future events correlates with the presence of cardiovascular disease across the CAD risk continuum.
Identification of sentinel lymph nodes in esophageal cancer patients using contrast-enhanced EUS with peritumoral injections
Authors: Liu Ji-Bin , Machado Priscilla , Eisenbrey John R. , Gummadi Sriharsha , Forsberg Flemming , Wessner Corinne E. , Kumar Anand Raman , Chiang Austin , Infantolino Anthony , Schlachterman Alexander , Kowalski Thomas , Coben Robert , Loren David 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Objectives
The objective of this pilot study was to compare the performance of contrast-enhanced EUS (CE-EUS)–guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with EUS-FNA for lymph node (LN) staging in esophageal cancer.

Methods
Thirty-seven subjects with esophageal cancer undergoing EUS staging were enrolled, and 30 completed this institutional review board–approved study. A Prosound F75 US system (Hitachi Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) with harmonic contrast imaging software and GF-UCT180 curvilinear endoscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) was utilized. All LNs identified by standard EUS were first noted. Sonazoid (dose: 1 mL; GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway) was administered peritumorally, and all enhanced LNs were recorded. Fine-needle aspiration was performed on LNs considered suspicious by EUS alone, as well as LNs enhanced on CE-EUS. Performance of each modality was compared using FNA cytology as reference standard.

Results
A total of 132 LNs were detected with EUS, of which 59 showed enhancement on CE-EUS. Fifty-three LNs underwent FNA, and 22 LNs were determined to be malignant. Among the latter, 10 were considered suspicious by EUS, whereas the other 12 LNs underwent FNA only because of CE-EUS enhancement. Contrast-enhanced EUS showed enhancement in 19 of the 22 malignant LNs. The rate of metastatic node identification from EUS was 45% (10/22), and it was 86% (19/22; P = 0.008) for CE-EUS. Eight subjects (8/30 [27% of study total]) had nodal status upgraded by the addition of CE-EUS, which influenced LN staging and clinical management.

Conclusions
Fine-needle aspiration of LNs identified by CE-EUS may increase metastasis positive rate by ruling out LNs not associated with the tumor drainage pattern. In addition, CE-EUS seems to identify more metastatic LNs that would not be biopsied under the standard EUS criteria.
The skewer technique combined with phacoemulsification to remove the lens dislocated into the vitreous cavity
Authors: Zhou Zigan , Guo Binghua , Lin Zhong , Hu Zhixiang , Wu Xingyi , Wu Ronghan 
Published: October 2024

Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of our newly developed skewer technique in the management of lens dislocation.

Methods:
A total of 21 eyes with lens dislocation were treated with this surgical technique. We focused on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, and complications of retinal damage at 3 months post-surgery.

Results:
The mean age of the patients was 60.20 ± 10.73 (range: 41-85) years, and the average axial length was 25.40 ± 2.35 (range: 22.30-32.35) mm. The BCVA at 3 months post-surgery showed a significant improvement compared to preoperative measurements. No intraoperative or postoperative retinal damage occurred in any eyes treated with this new technique.

Conclusion:
The “skewer” technique we developed is an innovative solution for addressing lens dislocation. Phacoemulsification can be performed in the anterior chamber utilizing a light guide to control the position and movement of the lens. This approach eliminates the need for perfluorocarbon liquid or extensive pars plana scleral sclerotomy. Based on postoperative outcomes from a series of patients who underwent this procedure, the technique is highly safe and feasible.
Compensation models and earnings incongruities among dermatology physician assistants in Pennsylvania
Authors: Griffith Cynthia F. , Froman Richard , Middleton Hayden 
Published: October 2024

Background:
This study investigates compensation structures and earnings differentials among dermatology physician assistants (PAs), focusing on variations in compensation models.

Methods:
Data from a survey of 346 members of the Pennsylvania Dermatology PAs were analyzed. The primary objectives were to examine the relationship between collections and salary and assess variations in salary based on compensation models.

Results:
Our findings indicate a significant difference in earnings among dermatology PAs based on compensation models. Specifically, those under a production-based and salary-plus-bonus model demonstrated significantly higher earnings compared with their counterparts on salary alone.

Limitations:
Our cohort was localized to Pennsylvania. This constraint emphasizes the necessity for additional research to extrapolate findings to dermatology PAs in other states and nationally. Future investigations should also explore factors such as benefits offerings as part of a PA compensation package, not addressed in this study.

Conclusions:
This research contributes valuable insights into the compensation landscape of dermatology PAs, emphasizing the need for a more extensive examination of factors influencing earnings. The findings underscore the importance of considering compensation models when assessing the broader landscape of health care workforce economics.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Health Care Workers
Authors: Hsieh Chen , Yen Yung-Feng , Chen Chu-Chieh , Chou Yi-Chang , Chen Mei-Ju 
Published: October 2024

Objectives
This cohort study aimed to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among health care workers at a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Taiwan.

Methods
This study recruited 397 health care workers who completed health checkups before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The differences of MetS and its components prevalence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared using the paired samples t tests for normally distributed variables, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for nonnormally distributed variables.

Results
The prevalence of MetS among health care workers significantly increased from 20.9% to 28.7% during the pandemic (P < 0.001). Central obesity and hypertension were the primary contributors to the development of MetS.

Conclusions
COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increasing prevalence of MetS in health care workers, necessitating health-promoting measures to mitigate this risk.
Effect of Long COVID on Work Performance and Annual Monetary Loss Among Infected Health Care Workers at a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia
Authors: Lim Say Hiang , Lim Yin Cheng , Ahmad Zaki Rafdzah , Megat Johari Bushra , Chang Chung Yuan , Syed Omar Sharifah Faridah , Azzeri Amirah , Dahlui Maznah , Kamarulzaman Adeeba 
Published: October 2024

Objective
The aim of the study is to assess and compare the work performance loss (absenteeism and presenteeism) and the estimated annual monetary loss among health care workers with and without long COVID.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted between October 2022 and April 2024 using an online questionnaire. The shortened version of the Health and Work Performance Questionnaire was used to estimate the work performance effect among health care workers with a history of COVID-19 infection.

Results
Health care workers with long COVID have a significantly lower absolute presenteeism and higher annual monetary loss of presenteeism. The mean annual monetary loss of presenteeism was higher in those with long COVID (MYR 10,866.61) compared to those without (MYR 9243.85).

Conclusions
Implementing supportive work strategies in hospital settings is recommended to reduce absolute presenteeism and the annual monetary loss of presenteeism.
Perceptions of Cancer Risk and Gear Decontamination Among Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Firefighters
Authors: Millet Barbara , Kobetz Erin N. , Schaefer Solle Natasha , Caban-Martinez Alberto J. 
Published: October 2024

Objectives
The aims of the study are to characterize Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) firefighters’ perceptions of occupational exposure, health impacts, and decontamination practices and describe barriers to effective gear cleaning.

Methods
A convergent parallel mixed methods design was employed, collecting and analyzing quantitative survey data (n = 81) and qualitative focus group data (n = 52) from ARFF firefighters at three Florida airports.

Results
ARFF firefighters expressed concerns about chronic exposure to hazardous materials and perceived a heightened cancer risk. Despite acknowledging the importance of gear decontamination, they reported infrequent cleaning behaviors due to persistent contamination and barriers, including lack of a second set of gear. Firefighters’ perceived norms emerged as the primary predictor of gear-cleaning behavior.

Conclusions
Targeted interventions and policies are needed to address the unique challenges faced by ARFF firefighters in reducing occupational exposure risks and improving gear decontamination practices.
Dual hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion of the liver reduces post-transplant biliary complications: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Pereyra David , Dingfelder Jule , Riha Moriz , Kacar Sertac , Rauter Laurin , Becker Nikolaus , Saffarian Zadeh Tina , Tortopis Chiara , Starlinger Patrick , Ristl Robin , Silberhumer Gerd , Salat Andreas , Soliman Thomas , Berlakovich Gabriela , Gyoeri Georg 
Published: October 2024

Background:
Corroborating evidence for the use of hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) prior to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) suggests a beneficial effect in regard to biliary complications. Here, the authors aim to evaluate whether perfusion via portal vein alone (sHOPE) or via additional perfusion of the hepatic artery (dHOPE) have diverging impact on outcomes after OLT when compared to the use of static cold storage (SCS).

Methods:
Consecutive patients undergoing OLT at the Medical University of Vienna (2018–2023) were retrospectively analyzed. Donor organs were procured using SCS, or subjected to end-ischemic sHOPE or dHOPE. The severity of biliary complications was classified according to the degree of therapeutic intervention (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or surgical revision).

Results:
Two hundred forty-seven patients were included (69 SCS, 76 sHOPE, and 102 dHOPE). Hospitalization was shorter for patients after HOPE (median in days: SCS=25 vs HOPE=20, P=0.019). Biliary complications were less frequent in patients after HOPE (SCS=37.7% vs HOPE=22.5%, P=0.015). A significantly lower incidence of surgical revisions for biliary complications was observed in the HOPE cohort (24.6% vs 11.8%, P=0.012). When evaluating outcome according to HOPE-modality, a significant reduction in biliary complications (P=0.006) and surgical revisions (P=0.002) was only observed in dHOPE patients in comparison to SCS. Further, only dHOPE was significantly associated with a reduced need for surgical revision for biliary complications upon univariable and multivariable logistic regression (odds ratio=0.336, P=0.011).

Conclusion:
HOPE leads to a reduction of biliary complications and associated surgical revisions. This effect seems to be primarily associated with use of dHOPE, while both methods appear as feasible options for preconditioning of donor grafts prior to OLT.
Association of Gut Microbiota With Fatigue in Black Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Slack Julia E. , Kosyakova Natalia , Pelkmans Jordan L. , Houser Madelyn C. , Dunbar Sandra B. , Spencer Jessica B. , Ferranti Erin P. , Narapareddy S. Laren 
Published: October 2024

Background
Fatigue is a highly prevalent symptom for individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); however, characterization of fatigue and investigation into the gut microbiome—a pathway that may contribute to fatigue—remains inadequately explored in Black women with PCOS.

Objectives
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine fatigue and its relationship to the gut microbiome in adult Black women with PCOS.

Methods
Adult Black women with a diagnosis of PCOS were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) and the PROMIS Fatigue Short Form were used to measure fatigue. The V3/V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to investigate gut microbial composition. Relative abundance and diversity values were calculated.

Results
We found that Black women with PCOS experience mild to moderate levels of fatigue. An inverse relationship between fatigue scores and alpha diversity values was found for the gut microbiome. We also found distinct beta diversity profiles based on fatigue. Lastly, when controlling for hypertension and body mass index, Ruminococcus bromii, Blautia obeum, Roseburia, and HT002 were associated with three subscales of the MFI-20.

Discussion
Black women with PCOS experience mild to moderate fatigue. Clinicians should be cognizant of this population’s increased risk for fatigue to adequately address their healthcare needs. We also found that gut microbial composition was associated with fatigue in Black women with PCOS. Specifically, a higher relative abundance of certain gut bacteria involved in short-chain fatty acid production and anti-inflammatory pathways was correlated with lower fatigue levels. Future studies should further investigate the link between the gut microbiome and fatigue to determine whether this relationship is causal as better insight could inform tailored diet and exercise interventions to alter the gut microbiome and reduce fatigue.
Clinical Outcomes of Scapular versus Fibular free flaps in Head and Neck Reconstructions: A Retrospective Study of 120 patients”
Authors: Dimovska Eleonora Olivera Felicity , Aazar Markus , Bengtsson Martin , Thor Andreas , Klasson Stina , Rodriguez-Lorenzo Andrés 
Published: October 2024

Background:
The scapular free flap has increasingly gained popularity as an alternative to the fibular free flap in osseous head and neck reconstruction. The present study aimed to evaluate their use in maxillomandibular reconstructions and examine surgical and patient outcomes.

Methods:
Osseous head and neck defects reconstructed with an angular artery-based scapular flap or fibular flap from 2016 to 2022 at two Swedish University Hospitals were evaluated for their intraoperative execution (osseous and soft tissue combinations) and postoperative outcomes. Facial quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the FACEQ Head and Neck Cancer Module. Donor-site morbidity was assessed using the DASH and SEFAS questionnaires for scapular- and fibular-reconstructed patients, respectively.

Results:
A total of 120 patients were recruited: 86 mandibular reconstructions (26 scapulas, 60 fibulas) and 34 maxillary reconstructions (32 scapulas, 2 fibulas). The concave scapula facilitated fewer osteotomies for curved reconstructions, particularly for lateral mandibular defects (p=0.039). Intraoral lining was primarily achieved with muscle accompanying the scapula and skin accompanying the fibula. Using the latissimus dorsi muscle instead of only teres major decreased fistulas, plate/bone exposure and non-unions (p=0.039) in scapular reconstructions. Both flaps demonstrated comparable facial QoL, but the scapula presented superior donor site outcomes (p=0.001). Donor limb outcomes were unaffected by harvesting the latissimus dorsi with the scapula (p=0.64), and by re-suturing the detached muscles to the remaining scapula. (p=0.35).

Conclusion:
The scapular free flap can be advantageous in osseous head and neck reconstructions, enabling non-osteotomized and chimeric reconstructions without compromising surgical outcomes or quality of life.
Crossover in Aromatic Amino Acid Interaction Strength: Tyrosine vs. Phenylalanine in Biomolecular Condensates
Authors: De Sancho David , López Xabier 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBiomolecular condensates often form through the self-assembly of disordered proteins with low-complexity sequences. In these polypeptides, the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine act as key “sticker” residues, driving the cohesion of dense phases. Recent studies on condensates suggest a hierarchy in sticker strength, with tyrosine being more adhesive than phenylalanine. This hierarchy aligns with experimental data on amino acid solubilities and potentials of mean force derived from atomistic simulations. However, it contradicts conventional chemical intuition based on hydrophobicity scales and pairwise contact statistics from folded protein structures, which suggest phenylalanine should be the stronger sticker. In this work, we use molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemistry calculations to resolve this apparent discrepancy. Using simple model peptides and side-chain analogues, we demonstrate that the experimentally observed hierarchy arises both from the possibility of tyrosine forming hydrogen bonds and the lower free energy of transfer of tyrosine into the condensate. The high level of hydration of polypeptides in dense phases drives this effect. Notably, as the dielectric constant of the surrounding environment approaches that of an apolar solvent, the trend reverses, with phenylalanine becoming the stronger sticker. These findings highlight the role of hydration in modulating aromatic interactions and provide a clear explanation for the crossover in sticker strength between tyrosine and phenylalanine in different media.
Structure prediction of stable sodium germanides at 0 and 10 GPa
Authors: Darby James P. , Harper Angela F. , Nelson Joseph R. , Morris Andrew J. 
Published: October 2024

In this paper we used random structure searching (AIRSS) to carry out a systematic search for crystalline Na-Ge materials at both 0 and 10 GPa. The high-throughput structural relaxations were accelerated using a machine-learned interatomic potential (MLIP) fit to density-functional theory (DFT) reference data, allowing ∼1.5 million structures to be relaxed. At ambient conditions we predict three new Zintl phases, Na3Ge2,Na2Ge, and Na9Ge4, to be stable and a number of Ge-rich layered structures to lie in close proximity to the convex hull. The known NaδGe34 clathrate and Na4Ge13 host-guest structures are found to be relatively stabilized at higher temperature by vibrational contributions to the free energy. Overall, the low-energy phases exhibit exceptional structural diversity, with the expected mixture of covalent and ionic bonding confirmed using the electron-localization function (ELF). The local Ge structural motifs present at each composition were determined using smooth overlap of atomic positions (SOAP) descriptors and the Ge-K edge was simulated for representatives of each motif, providing a direct link to experimental x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Two Ge-rich phases are predicted to be stable at 10 GPa; NaGe3 and NaGe2 have simple kagome and simple hexagonal Ge lattices respectively with Na contained in the pores. NaGe3 is isostructural with the MgB3 and MgSi3 family of kagome superconductors and remains dynamically stable at 0 GPa. Removing the Na from NaGe2 results in the hexagonal lonsdalite Ge allotrope, which has a direct band gap.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The role of “localness” in sustainable food consumption: insights from sustainable coffee in Thailand
Authors: Discetti Roberta , Osei Martin , Pruhtpahon Sapon 
Published: October 2024

Purpose We investigated consumers’ environmental, social and local beliefs and their impact on attitudes, subjective norms and willingness to pay for sustainable coffee in the understudied context of Thailand.Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a survey of 253 Thai consumers, analysed through an extended model of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).Findings The study validates the TPB model in the Thai demographic, finding a significant positive impact of environmental and local beliefs and subjective norms on willingness to pay for sustainable coffee. More importantly, it proposes an extended model of TPB, stressing the central role of “local beliefs” in sustainable consumption in a Global South context.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates the importance of “localness” in the practice of sustainable consumption in Thailand, namely the beliefs in the support for the local economy and prosperity for the local community. This expands our understanding of the heterogeneous meanings associated with the practice of sustainable consumption in a South-East Asian context.