bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expert CONsensus on Visual Evaluation in Retinal disease manaGEment: the CONVERGE study
Authors: Anderson Roger S , Roark Mark , Gilbert Rose , Sumodhee Dayyanah 
Published: July 2024

Background/Aims
Recent decades have seen significant advances in both structural and functional testing of retinal disease. However, the current clinical value of specific testing modalities, as well as future trends, need to be clearly identified in order to highlight areas for further development in routine care and clinical trials.

Methods
We designed a modified two-round Delphi study to obtain the opinion of a multidisciplinary group of 33 international experts involved in the field of retinal disease management/research to determine the level of agreement and consensus regarding the value and performance of specific structural and functional testing methods for retinal disease. On a Likert scale, a median of 1–2 indicated disagreement with the statement, and 5–6 indicated agreement with the statement. An IQR of ≤2 indicated consensus in the responses. Several questions also allowed comments on responses.

Results
There was overall agreement that structural testing currently predominates for detection and monitoring. There was moderate agreement that functional testing remains important and will continue to do so in the future because it provides complementary information. Certain respondents considered that properly designed and applied psychophysical tests are as reliable and repeatable as structural observations and that functional changes are the most important in the long run. Respondents considered future care and research to require a combination of structural and functional testing with strong consensus that the relative importance will depend on disease type and stage.

Conclusion
The study obtained important insights from a group of international experts regarding current and future needs in the management of retinal disease using a mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches. Responses provide a rich range of opinions that will be of interest to researchers seeking to design tests for future patient care and clinical trials.
Choroidal involvement in acute retinal necrosis: case series and review of the literature
Authors: Patel Anamika , Pathengay Avinash , Pavesio Carlos , Testi Ilaria 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
To show the role of multimodal imaging in identifying choroidal involvement in acute retinal necrosis (ARN).

Methods
Retrospective case series of ARN patients. Clinical data, including medical history, clinical features and multimodal imaging findings, were collected.

Results
Three patients were included. Imaging modalities, such as indocyanine green angiography and optical coherence tomography, were critical in showing choroidal involvement in ARN.

Conclusion
Choroidal involvement may occur in ARN along with the well-known retinal features.
Differential effects of balloon pulmonary angioplasty on chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease
Authors: Minatsuki Shun , Hatano Masaru , Hirose Kazutoshi , Saito Akihito , Yagi Hiroki , Takeda Norifumi , Komuro Issei 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundDecreased diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLco) is associated with microvascular damage in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an effective treatment for CTEPH, but the efficacy of BPA in patients with CTEPH with low DLco remains unclear because BPA does not directly address microvascular damage. This study investigates the influence of microvasculopathy on BPA in CTEPH according to DLco.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed data from patients with inoperable CTEPH who underwent BPA at the University of Tokyo Hospital from July 2011 to August 2023. The patients were classified into two groups based on their preprocedural DLco (normal DLco (ND) and low DLco (LD) groups), with a DLco cut-off value of 80%. We compared the patient characteristics and effectiveness of BPA between the groups.ResultsAmong the 75 patients, 36 were in the LD group. The LD group had a shorter 6-minute walking distance (324±91 vs 427±114 m) than the ND group but the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was similar (38.9±7.3 vs 41.1±9.2 mm Hg) before BPA. BPA improved the haemodynamic status and exercise tolerance in both groups. The LD group exhibited a higher mPAP (25.1±7.4 vs 21.5±5.6 mm Hg) and required more sessions of BPA (median 6 vs 4). Based on the analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline values, low DLco significantly correlated with mPAP (sβ=−0.304, 95% CI −7.015 to –1.132, p=0.007) and pulmonary vascular resistance (sβ=−0.324, 95% CI −141.0 to –29.81, p=0.003).ConclusionsBPA was associated with an improvement in the haemodynamic status and exercise tolerance in patients with CTEPH even with low DLco. However, low DLco may attenuate the effect of BPA on mPAP and pulmonary vascular resistance and require more treatment sessions.
Tirzepatide and blood pressure reduction: stratified analyses of the SURMOUNT-1 randomised controlled trial
Authors: Krumholz Harlan M , de Lemos James A , Sattar Naveed , Linetzky Bruno , Sharma Palash , Mast Casey J , Ahmad Nadia N , Bunck Mathijs C , Stefanski Adam 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundTreating obesity may be a pathway to prevent and control hypertension. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial in people with obesity or overweight with weight-related complications, 72-week tirzepatide treatment led to clinically meaningful body weight and blood pressure reduction. Post hoc analyses were conducted to further explore the effects of tirzepatide on the pattern of blood pressure reduction and whether the effects were consistent across various subgroups.MethodsThe mixed effect for repeated measure model was used to compare changes in overall blood pressure, across demographic and clinical subgroups, baseline blood pressure subgroups and hypertension categories between SURMOUNT-1 participants randomised to treatment with tirzepatide and placebo. The association between weight changes and blood pressure and adverse events associated with low blood pressure were also evaluated by mediation analysis.ResultsTirzepatide treatment was associated with a rapid decline in systolic and diastolic blood pressure over the first 24 weeks, followed by blood pressure stabilisation until the end of the observation period, resulting in a significant net reduction by 72 weeks of 6.8 mm Hg systolic and 4.2 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure versus placebo. Participants randomly assigned to any tirzepatide group were more likely than those assigned to placebo to have normal blood pressure at week 72 (58.0% vs 35.2%, respectively). The effects were broadly consistent across baseline blood pressure subgroups, shifting the blood pressure distribution curve to lower blood pressure levels. The mediation analysis indicated that weight loss explained 68% of the systolic and 71% of the diastolic blood pressure reduction. Low blood pressure adverse events were infrequent, but the rate was higher in the tirzepatide group.ConclusionsIn these post hoc analyses, in participants with obesity or overweight, tirzepatide was associated with reduced blood pressure consistently across participant groups primarily via weight loss, with relatively few blood pressure-related adverse events.Trial registration numberNCT04184622.
Large-scale analysis to identify risk factors for ovarian cancer
Authors: Madakkatel Iqbal , Lumsden Amanda L , Mulugeta Anwar , Mäenpää Johanna , Oehler Martin K , Hyppönen Elina 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveOvarian cancer is characterized by late-stage diagnoses and poor prognosis. We aimed to identify factors that can inform prevention and early detection of ovarian cancer.MethodsWe used a data-driven machine learning approach to identify predictors of epithelial ovarian cancer from 2920 input features measured 12.6 years (IQR 11.9 to 13.3 years) before diagnoses. Analyses included 221 732 female participants in the UK Biobank without a history of cancer. During the follow-up 1441 women developed ovarian cancer. For factors that contributed to model prediction, we used multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the association with ovarian cancer, with evidence for causality tested by Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses in the Ovarian Cancer Genetics Consortium (25 509 cases).ResultsGreater parity and ever-use of oral contraception were associated with lower ovarian cancer risk (ever vs never OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.84). After adjustment for established risk factors, greater height, weight, and greater red blood cell distribution width were associated with increased ovarian cancer risk, while higher aspartate aminotransferase levels and mean corpuscular volume were associated with lower risk. MR analyses confirmed observational associations with anthropometric/adiposity traits (eg, body fat percentage per standard deviation (SD); OR inverse-variance weighted (ORIVW) 1.28, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.46) and aspartate aminotransferase (ORIVW0.87, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.98). MR also provided genetic evidence for a protective association of higher total serum protein on ovarian cancer, higher lymphocyte count on serous and endometrioid ovarian cancer, and greater forced expiratory volume in 1 s on serous ovarian cancer among other findings.ConclusionsThis study shows that certain risk factors for ovarian cancer are modifiable, suggesting that weight reduction and interventions to reduce the number of ovulations may provide potential for future prevention. We also identified blood biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer years before diagnoses, warranting further investigation.
Week-to-week changes in training were not prospectively associated with injuries among Wisconsin high school cross-country runners
Authors: Joachim Mikel Renee , Heiderscheit Bryan C , Kliethermes Stephanie A 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundTraining characteristics, such as volume and duration, have been studied in relation to running-related injury (RRI) risk, with mixed findings in adult runners. There is a lack of research assessing how training characteristics relate to RRI in youth runners, despite the high RRI rates observed in this population.PurposeTo prospectively determine associations between (1) total weekly running volume and duration and (2) week-to-week changes in running volume, duration, intensity and training stress with in-season RRI among high school cross-country runners.MethodsRunners completed a preseason demographics and injury history survey and daily surveys regarding training distance, duration, intensity and current RRI. Values were summed weekly and change scores were calculated relative to the prior week. Runners completing ≥75% of daily surveys were analysed; sensitivity analyses for those completing ≥50% and ≥90% were conducted. Generalised estimating equations assessed associations between change in each predictor, including interactions with sex and RRI within the subsequent week, controlling for year in school, prior RRI and repeated observations.Results434 runners enrolled in the study; 161 (37%) completed ≥75% of daily surveys. No associations between total volume, total duration or week-to-week change in training characteristics and in-season RRI were observed (p≥0.54). Sensitivity analyses did not detect any significant associations.ConclusionTotal weekly running volume and duration and weekly changes in training were not associated with RRI. RRI are multifactorial and assessing the interaction between training characteristics and other lifestyle factors is likely necessary for determining RRI risk in youth runners.
White matter abnormalities in healthy E200K carriers may serve as an early biomarker for genetic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (gCJD)
Authors: Omer Nurit , Droby Amgad , Silbak Rawan , Trablus Noa , Bar David Aya , Shiner Tamara , Alcalay Yifat , Alcalay Roy , Nathan Talya , Thaler Avner , Mirelman Anat , Gana Weisz Mali , Goldstein Orly , Glinka Tal , Orr-Urtreger Avi , Giladi Nir , Bregman Noa 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundMRI is an important tool for disease diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), yet its role in identifying preclinical stages of disease remains unclear. Here, we explored subtle white matter (WM) alterations in genetic CJD (gCJD) patients and in asymptomatic E200K mutation carriers using MRI, depending on total tau protein (t-tau) levels in CSF.MethodsSix symptomatic gCJD patients and N=60 healthy relatives of gCJD patients were included. Participants underwent genetic testing for the E200K mutation, MRI scans at 3T and a lumbar puncture (LP) for t-tau. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics were calculated along WM tracts.ResultsgCJD patients demonstrated higher mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD) and lower fractional anisotropy (FA) values compared with healthy relatives in several WM tracts (p<0.05). Out of the healthy relatives, 50% (N=30) were found to be carriers of the E200K mutation. T-tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were above the normal range (>290 pg/mL) in N=8 out of 23 carriers who underwent an LP. No significant differences in FA, MD, axial diffusivity (AD) and RD were detected between healthy mutation carriers (HMC) and healthy non-carriers within the WM tracts. Finally, significantly higher FA and lower MD, RD and AD along several WM tracts were found in HMC with elevated t-tau compared with HMC with normal t-tau (p<0.05).ConclusionsDTI abnormalities along WM tracts were found in healthy E200K mutation carriers with elevated t-tau in CSF. Longer follow-up is required to determine whether these subtle WM alterations are predictive of future conversion to symptomatic gCJD.Trial registration numberNCT05746715.
One-year opioid consumption trajectories among individuals receiving multidisciplinary postsurgical care: a single-center observational study from the Toronto General Hospital Transitional Pain Service
Authors: Pagé M Gabrielle , Katz Joel , Darville Rasheeda , Gabriel Gretchen , Ladha Karim S , Huang Alexander , Ganty Praveen , Katznelson Rita , Tamir Diana , Fiorellino Joseph , Kahn Michael , Tao Leeping , Slepian Maxwell , Wieskopf Jeffrey , Clarke Hance 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionThe Transitional Pain Service (TPS) is an innovative, personalized approach to postsurgical opioid consumption and pain management. The objectives of this study were to identify trajectories of opioid consumption and pain intensity within 12 months after initiating treatment through the TPS, identify biopsychosocial factors associated with trajectory membership, and examine the relationship between trajectory membership and other outcomes of interest over the same 12-month period.MethodsConsecutive patients referred to the TPS were included in the present study (n=466). After providing informed consent, they completed self-report questionnaires at the initial visit at the TPS (either pre surgery or post surgery) and at every TPS visit until 12 months. Growth mixture modeling was used to derive trajectories and identify associated factors.ResultsResults showed three distinct opioid consumption trajectories for both presurgical opioid consumers and opioid-naïve patients. These trajectories all decreased over time and among those who were consuming opioids before surgery that returned to presurgical levels. Being man, having a substance use disorder, or reporting higher levels of pain interference were associated with higher daily opioid consumption for presurgical opioid consumers. For presurgical opioid-naïve individuals, higher opioid consumption trajectories were associated with higher levels of psychological distress. Five pain intensity trajectories were identified, and there were no significant association between opioid consumption and pain intensity trajectories.ConclusionsResults suggest that opioid consumption and pain intensity trajectories mostly decrease after surgery in a high-risk population enrolled in a TPS. Results also show heterogeneity in postsurgical recovery and highlight the importance of using personalized interventions to optimize individual trajectories.
Long-term explantation risk in patients with chronic pain treated with spinal cord or dorsal root ganglion stimulation
Authors: Gatzinsky Kliment , Brink Beatrice , Eyglóardóttir Kristin Lilja , Hallén Tobias 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveTo investigate long-term explantation risks and causes for the explantation of neuromodulation devices for the treatment of chronic pain from different manufacturers.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included patients implanted with a system for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation at Sahlgrenska University Hospital between January 2012 and December 2022. Patient characteristics, explantation rates and causes for explantation were obtained by reviewing medical records.ResultsIn total, 400 patients were included in the study. Including all manufacturers, the cumulative explantation risk for any reason was 17%, 23% and 38% at 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Explantation risk due to diminished pain relief at the same intervals was 10%, 14% and 23%. A subgroup comparison of 5-year explantation risk using Kaplan-Meier analysis did not show a statistically significant difference between the manufacturers. In multivariable Cox regression analyses, there was no difference in explantation risk for any reason, but for explantation due to diminished pain relief, a higher risk was noted for Medtronic (preferably older types of SCS devices) and DRG stimulation. No other predictive factor for explantation was found.ConclusionsAlthough SCS and DRG stimulation are well-established and safe treatments for chronic pain, the long-term explantation risk remains high. The difference between manufacturers highlights the importance of technological evolution for improving therapy outcomes. Increased stringency in patient selection and follow-up strategies, as well as further development of device hardware and software technology for increased longevity, could possibly reduce long-term explantation risks.
Economic evaluation of the recent French tobacco control policy: a model-based approach
Authors: Devaux Marion , Dorfmuller Ciampi Marina , Guignard Romain , Lerouge Aliénor , Aldea Alexandra , Nguyen-Thanh Viêt , Beck François , Arwidson Pierre , Cecchini Michele 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundOne in four French adults smoked daily in 2021, compared with one in six in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. To strengthen its tobacco control policy, in 2016, France has started implementing a policy package that includes a 3-year gradual price increase, plain packaging, an annual social marketing campaign promoting cessation and the reimbursement of nicotine replacement products. This study aims to evaluate the health and economic impact of this policy package.MethodsThe long-term policy impact on disease cases, healthcare expenditure and gains in labour participation and productivity was evaluated by using the OECD microsimulation model for Strategic Public Health Planning for Non-Communicable Diseases. The model was fed with historical and projected trends on tobacco smoking prevalence as produced by the policy package.ResultsOver the period 2023–2050, the policy package is estimated to avoid about 4.03 million (2.09–11.84 million) cases of chronic diseases, save €578 million (365–1848 million) per year in health expenditure and increase employment and workforce productivity by the equivalent to 19 800 (9100–59 900) additional full-time workers per year, compared with a scenario in which the intervention package is not implemented. The intervention cost is estimated at about €148 million per year. For each euro invested in the policy package, €4 will be returned in long-term savings in healthcare expenditure.ConclusionsThe tobacco control policy package implemented by France, targeting smoking initiation and promoting tobacco cessation is an effective intervention with an excellent return on investment.
Analysis of axisymmetric thermoelastic diffusive half-space with variable material properties using hyperbolic two-temperature model
Authors: Bajpai Ankit , Sharma P.K. , Mishra Krishna C. 
Published: July 2024

The aim of the current study is to investigate the variable thermal conductivity and diffusivity impact on the transient response of an axisymmetric thermodiffusive elastic half-space under axisymmetric thermal, mechanical, and concentration loads in the light of hyperbolic two-temperature generalized fractional thermoelastic diffusion model. With the help of Kirchhoff’s transform, the governing equations are converted into linear form. The resulting equations are solved by imposing the combined Laplace–Hankel transform. In converted space, the solutions for different field quantities are presented in compact form. The copper material is considered for numerical computation. By employing a mathematical inversion procedure, the solutions are converted into the original space. Numerically computed solutions for various physical quantities are illustrated in the form of graphs to show the impact of variable thermal conductivity and diffusivity, hyperbolic two temperature, and fractional parameters. Validation of the obtained results is also presented.
Analysis of the $$\Xi _c^* {\bar{K}}$$ molecular pentaquark state by its electromagnetic properties
Authors: Özdem Ulaş 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe are systematically studying the electromagnetic characteristics of multiquark systems to shed light on their internal structure, whose nature and quantum numbers are controversial. In this study, we investigate the magnetic dipole, electric quadrupole, and magnetic octupole moments of the $$\Xi _c^*{\bar{K}}$$

Ξ
c
∗

K

¯

state within the context of the QCD light-cone sum rule. During this analysis, we posit that the $$\Xi _c^*{\bar{K}}$$

Ξ
c
∗

K

¯

state assumes a molecular structure with quantum numbers $$J^P = \frac{3}{2}^-$$

J
P

=

3
2

-

. The extracted outcomes are given as $$\mu _{\Xi _c^*{\bar{K}}} = 0.15^{+0.04}_{-0.03}\,\mu _N$$

μ

Ξ
c
∗

K

¯

=
0
.

15

-
0.03

+
0.04

μ
N

, $${\mathcal {Q}}_{\Xi _c^*{\bar{K}}} = (-0.93^{+0.22}_{-0.17})\times 10^{-3}\,\textrm{fm}^{\textrm{2}}$$

Q

Ξ
c
∗

K

¯

=

(
-
0
.

93

-
0.17

+
0.22

)

×

10

-
3

fm
2

, and $${\mathcal {O}}_{\Xi _c^*{\bar{K}}} = (-0.45^{+0.10}_{-0.09})\times 10^{-4}\,{\textrm{fm}}^{\textrm{3}}$$

O

Ξ
c
∗

K

¯

=

(
-
0
.

45

-
0.09

+
0.10

)

×

10

-
4

fm

3

. The findings of this study, when considered alongside other pertinent characteristics, may assist in elucidating the nature of this controversial phenomenon.
What Goes Around Comes Around... And Around...
Authors: Stonebraker Michael , Pavlo Andrew 
Published: July 2024

Two decades ago, one of us co-authored a paper commenting on the previous 40 years of data modelling research and development [188]. That paper demonstrated that the relational model (RM) and SQL are the prevailing choice for database management systems (DBMSs), despite efforts to replace either them. Instead, SQL absorbed the best ideas from these alternative approaches.
We revisit this issue and argue that this same evolution has continued since 2005. Once again there have been repeated efforts to replace either SQL or the RM. But the RM continues to be the dominant data model and SQL has been extended to capture the good ideas from others. As such, we expect more of the same in the future, namely the continued evolution of SQL and relational DBMSs (RDBMSs). We also discuss DBMS implementations and argue that the major advancements have been in the RM systems, primarily driven by changing hardware characteristics.