bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stretcher Angles: Impact on Vital Signs and Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Prehospital Stroke Patients
Authors: BAKIRCI Bektas , OZHASENEKLER Ayhan , OZENSOY Habibe Selmin , BEKGOZ Burak , SENER Alp 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Post-stroke hypoperfusion of brain tissue often results from increased intracranial pressure (ICP), which compromises cerebral blood flow. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the stretcher angles of stroke patients brought to the emergency department by emergency medical services (EMS) and the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and vital signs.
Methods
This was a prospective, cross-sectional, single-center study. The study included individuals over 18 years of age at stroke according to the Cincinnati Stroke Scale. Patient age, sex, time to hospital arrival with an EMS, the ONSD, vital signs, clinical findings, the stretcher angle, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were recorded. Stretcher angles were adjusted to 4 different groups. Group 1, 0–30°; Group 2, 31–45°; Group 3, 46–60°; and Group 4, 61–90°.
Results
The study included 82 patients, 42.7% of whom were male, and the average age was 74 years. Group 1 had 16 patients (19.5%), Group 2 had 27 patients (32.9%), Group 3 had 22 patients (26.8%), and Group 4 had 17 patients (20.7%). The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 163 ± 35 mmHg, the mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 91 ± 17 mmHg, the mean right ONSD was 0.36 ± 0.07 cm, and the mean left ONSD was 0.37 ± 0.07 cm. The mean GCS of the patients was 13. The GCS was lower in Group 1 than in Group 3 (p = 0.002), the DBP was greater in Group 4 than in Group 3 (0.023), and the ONSD was greater in Group 4 than in Group 2 (p = 0.007).
Conclusion
The stretcher angle of patients transported by the EMS is related to the patient's GCS, ONSD, and DBP. We recommend that EMS personnel carry stroke patients at 46–60° at a stretcher angle during transport. Prehospital EMS personnel need to pay more attention to the stretcher angle and be informed about it when transporting patients with suspected strokes.
Clinical Significance, Immune Landscape and Immunotherapy Efficacy Analyses of Cuproptosis-Tumor Immunological Phenotype-Related Gene Score Based Prognostic Model in Breast Cancer
Authors: Hu Fengyuan , Wang JunYang , Chen YanKe , Wang WenJuan , Jiao Min , Bai ShuHeng , Zhang XiangXiang , Li Wenyang , Liu Wanyi , Wu Fang , Chen Min , Meng Ruijie , Wang Siyi , Duan Yile , Gao Ying , Ren Juan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and exhibits the highest mortality rate among female cancers. Furthermore, the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the progression of BRCA. Copper ions are essential metal elements in vivo, and cuproptosis, a recently identified mode of cell death, significantly influences tumor progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Utilizing 10 cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs), we developed a novel cuproptosis-tumor immunological phenotype-related gene score (CTIPRGs) comprising 14 genes through Univariate Cox (UniCOX) regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm to predict prognosis and response to immunotherapy in BRCA. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that CTIPRGs serve as an independent prognostic predictor. Subsequently, we constructed nomograms to provide quantitative tools for clinical practice. Kaplan-Meier (KM) plot analysis demonstrated that CTIPRGs could significantly distinguish overall survival (OS) in BRCA patients, with low-CTIPRGs groups exhibiting better prognosis. High and low-CTIPRGs groups exhibited distinct biological behaviors, mutational characteristics, and immune cell infiltration patterns. Notably, low-CTIPRGs groups were classified as an immune-inflamed phenotype with abundant immune cells, whereas high-CTIPRGs groups were identified as immune-desert phenotypes characterized by extensive stromal cell infiltration. Additionally, notable differences in tumor immunogenicity, tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE), and tumor mutation burden (TMB) were observed between high and low-CTIPRGs groups, indicating that low-CTIPRGs groups exhibited higher sensitivity to immunotherapy. In conclusion, the identified CTIPRGs can facilitate the prediction of prognosis and treatment efficacy in BRCA patients.
Using X-ray Velocimetry to measure lung function and assess the efficacy of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage therapy for cystic fibrosis
Authors: Harker Stephanie A. , Preissner Melissa , Chang Rachel Yoon , Trevascus David , Liu Chengxi , Wang Yuncheng , Chow Michael Yee , Cmielewski Patricia , Reyne Nicole , How Ying Ying , Pollock James A. , Klein Mitzi , Wright Christopher A. , Dubsky Stephen , Donnelley Martin , Chan Hak-Kim , Morgan Kaye S. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Phase contrast x-ray imaging (PCXI) provides high-contrast images of weakly-attenuating structures like the lungs. PCXI, when paired with 4D X-ray Velocimetry (XV), can measure regional lung function and non-invasively assess the efficacy of emerging therapeutics. Bacteriophage therapy is an emerging antimicrobial treatment option for lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF), particularly with increasing rates of multi-drug-resistant infections. Current efficacy assessment in animal models is highly invasive, typically requiring histological assessment. We aim to use XV techniques as non-invasive alternatives to demonstrate efficacy of bacteriophage therapy for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa CF lung infections, measuring functional changes post-treatment. Time-resolved in vivo PCXI-CT scans of control, Pseudomonas-infected, and phage-treated mouse lungs were taken at the Australian Synchrotron Imaging and Medical Beamline. Using XV we measured local lung expansion and ventilation throughout the breath cycle, analysing the skew of the lung expansion distribution. CT images allowed visualisation of the projected air volume in the lungs, assessing structural lung damage. XV analysis demonstrated changes in lung expansion between infection and control groups, however there were no statistically significant differences between treated and placebo groups. In some cases where structural changes were not evident in the CT scans, XV successfully detected changes in lung function.
Molecular assays versus mycological methods for diagnosis of rhino orbital mucormycosis: analysis of 120 fresh clinical specimens from COVID-19 patients
Authors: Soltani Sajedeh , Erami Mahzad , Ahmadikia Kazem , Aboutalebian Shima , Rouhi Faezeh , Fakhrei Mojtaba , Mohammadimanesh Reza , Mirhendi Hossein 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Mucormycosis, a fungal emergency, poses a serious threat to both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 individuals due to its invasive nature, rapid progression, and high rates of morbidity and mortality which highlights the crucial need for its timely detection and management. Here, we investigated the utility of Mucorales-specific real-time PCR (rt-PCR) assays for the detection of mucormycosis from clinical specimens and compared with conventional methods and duplex PCR. Methods: Both SYBR Green and TaqMan rt-PCR methodologies were optimized using Mucorales-specific oligonucleotides to amplify the conserved 18S rDNA targets. DNAs extracted from 120 rhino sinus specimens, which all were collected from COVID-19 patients upon suspicion of invasive fungal infections, were used for molecular diagnosis. The results of both rt PCR assays were compared with the result of direct microscopy, culture, and duplex Mucorales-specific PCR assay. Results: SYBR Green rt-PCR detected Mucorales in 51 out of 120 (91.67% of K0H-positive samples), yielding a unique Tm pattern (80.24 ± 0.70°C), whereas TaqMan-probe PCR and culture methods detected it in 34 (73.84%) and 24 samples, respectively. The SYBR Green-based PCR was also more sensitive/specific than the duplex PCR technique. The lower sensitivity in probe-based PCR can be influenced by various factors such as probe degeneracy, which can lead to false-negative results. Conclusion: SYBR Green-based PCR showed superiority over duplex PCR, culture, and TaqMan-probe PCR in terms of cost-effectiveness, rapidness, and sensitivity for the diagnosis of mucormycosis. As there is no serological test, SYBR Green-based PCR can be used as an affirmatory test to rule in or rule out mucormycosis, particularly in cases with atypical hyphae or septate and non-septate hyphae suggestive of mixed infections in direct examination but negative culture.
Social isolation and loneliness among people living with experience of homelessness: A scoping review
Authors: Lachaud James , Yusuf Ayan A. , Maelzer Faith , Perri Melissa , Gogosis Evie , Ziegler Carolyn , Mejia-Lancheros Cilia , Hwang Stephen W. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Social isolation and loneliness (SIL) are public health challenges that disproportionally affect individuals who experience structural and socio-economic exclusion. The social and health outcomes of SIL for people with experiences of being unhoused have largely remained unexplored. Yet, there is limited synthesis of literature that focused on SIL to appropriately inform policy and facilitate targeted social interventions for people with homelessness experience. The aim of this scoping review is to synthesize evidence on SIL among people with lived experience of homelessness and explore how it negatively impacts their wellbeing. We carried out a comprehensive literature search from Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science's Social Sciences Citation Index and Science Citation Index for peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 to on January 3rd, 2023. Studies went through title, abstract and full-text screening conducted independently by at least two reviewers. Included studies were then analyzed and synthesized to identify the conceptualizations of SIL, measurement tools and approaches, prevalence characterization, and relationship with social and health outcomes. The literature search yielded 5,294 papers after removing duplicate records. After screening, we retained 27 qualitative studies, 23 quantitative studies and two mixed method studies. SIL was not the primary objective of most of the included articles. The prevalence of SIL among people with homelessness experience varied from 25–90% across studies. A range of measurement tools were used to measure SIL making it difficult to compare results across studies. Though the studies reported association between SIL, health, wellbeing, and substance, we found substantial gaps in the existing literature. Most of the quantitative studies were cross-sectional, and no study reported on interventions that targeted SIL as a main or secondary outcome. More studies are needed to better understand SIL among this population and to build evidence for actionable strategies and policies to address its social and health impacts.
Large-vocabulary forensic pathological analyses via prototypical cross-modal contrastive learning
Authors: Lian Chunfeng , Chen Shen , Zhang Wanqing , Wang Fan , Zhang Jianhua , Fan Shuanliang , Wei Xin , Wang Gongji , Li Kehan , Mu Hongshu , Wu Hao , Liang Xinggong , Ma Jianhua , Wang Zhenyuan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Forensic pathology is critical in determining the cause and manner of death through post-mortem examinations, both macroscopic and microscopic. The field, however, grapples with issues such as outcome variability, laborious processes, and a scarcity of trained professionals. This paper presents SongCi, an innovative visual-language model (VLM) designed specifically for forensic pathology. SongCi utilizes advanced prototypical cross-modal self-supervised contrastive learning to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and generalizability of forensic analyses. It was pre-trained and evaluated on a comprehensive multi-center dataset, which includes over 16 million high-resolution image patches, 2,228 vision-language pairs of post-mortem whole slide images (WSIs), and corresponding gross key findings, along with 471 distinct diagnostic outcomes. Our findings indicate that SongCi surpasses existing multi-modal AI models in many forensic pathology tasks, performs comparably to experienced forensic pathologists and significantly better than less experienced ones, and provides detailed multi-modal explainability, offering critical assistance in forensic investigations. To the best of our knowledge, SongCi is the first VLM specifically developed for forensic pathological analysis and the first large-vocabulary computational pathology (CPath) model that directly processes gigapixel WSIs in forensic science.
Different MRI-based radiomics machine learning models to predict CD3+ Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) in rectal cancer
Authors: ma Weili , Hou Chuanling , Yang Minxia , Wei Yuguo , Mao Jiwei , Guan Le , Zhao Zhenhua 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objectives
We aim to develop various machine learning models using contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (T1-CE) to differentiate between low-/high-infiltration of total T lymphocytes (CD3) in rectal cancer.
Methods
We retrospectively selected 157 patients (103 men, 54 women) with pathologically confirmed rectal cancer diagnosed between March 2015 and October 2019. The patients were randomly split into training (n = 109) and test (n = 48) datasets for further analysis. Seven radiomic features were selected to generate three models: LR, RF, and SVM. Diagnostic performance of the four models was compared using the Delong test. To assess DFS in patients with high and low CD3 + TIL density, Kaplan-Meier analysis was used.
Results
The three radiomics models perform well in predicting the infiltration of CD3 + TILS, with AUC values of 0.871, 0.982, and 0.913, respectively, in the training set for the LR, RF, and SVM models. The AUC values in the validation group were 0.869, 0.794, and 0.837, respectively. The LR model exhibited superior diagnostic performance and robustness among the radiomics models. The merged model, composed of radiomics features from SVM model and clinical features from clinical model, outperformed the radiomics models in terms of diagnostic performance, with AUCs of 0.8932 and 0.8829 in the training and test cohorts, respectively. A lower expression level of CD3 + TILs cohort was independently correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.0041).
Conclusion
The combined model showed higher discriminatory capability of an abundance of CD3 + TILs in rectal cancer. The expression of CD3 + TILs was significantly correlated with DFS.
Advances in knowledge:
This study is the first attempt to compare the predictive TILs performance of three machine learning models, logistic regression (LR), random forests (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) models, based on the combination of radiomics and immunohistochemistry. MRI-based combined model, composed of radiomics features from SVM model and clinical features from clinical model, exhibited higher discriminatory capability of an abundance of CD3 + TILs in rectal cancer.
Prognosis and influencing factors of stereotactic intracranial hematoma aspiration for primary brainstem hemorrhage
Authors: Shi Yetong , Cui Deqiu , Wei Xinming , Feng Keke , Cheng Yifeng 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Primary brainstem hemorrhage (PBSH) is a very dangerous disease with a high mortality rate. There are few reports on stereotactic intracranial hematoma aspiration for PBSH, and its safety and efficacy have not been fully elucidated. Our objective was to investigate the prognostic and influencing factors of stereotactic intracranial hematoma aspiration for treating PBSH.
METHODS
The clinical data of patients with PBSH admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery and Intensive Care Unit of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital between January 2017 and December 2022 were retrospectively analysed. The clinical efficacy and factors affecting the prognosis were assessed using t tests, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
53 patients with primary brainstem hemorrhage underwent stereotactic intracranial hematoma aspiration with no intraoperative deaths. 33 patients survived, while 20 died within one year of surgery. The 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month mortality rates were 28.30%, 33.96%, and 37.74%, respectively. 20 patients (37.74%) recovered fully consciousness after surgery. Blood pressure was within the normal range (p = 0.000) and significantly correlated with 12-month mortality and level of consciousness. Preoperative hematoma volume (p = 0.036) correlated significantly with 12-month mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hematoma volume (B: 1.509, OR: 4.524, 95% CI: 1.027–19.927, p = 0.046) and controlled blood pressure within the normal range (B: -2.765, OR: 0.063, 95% CI: 0.013–0.302, p = 0.001) were independent factors for 12-month mortality. The blood pressure was within the normal range (B: -2.714, OR: 0.066, 95% CI: 0.015–0.294, p = 0.000), which independently influenced 12-month consciousness status.
CONCLUSION
Patients with smaller hematoma volumes and postoperative blood pressure control in the normal range had a relatively better prognosis. Stereotactic intracranial hematoma aspiration for PBSH has been shown to significantly reduce mortality and improve neurological function when the patient has a hematoma volume of 5 to 15 ml.
Prehospital scale to differentiate intracerebral hemorrhage from large-vessel occlusion patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Freixa-Cruz A. , Jimenez-Jimenez G. , Mauri-Capdevila Gerard , Gallego-Sánchez Y. , García-Díaz A. , Mitjana-Penella R. , Paul-Arias M. , Pereira-Priego C. , Ruiz-Fernández E. , Salvany-Montserrat S. , Sancho-Saldaña A. , San-Pedro-Murillo E. , Saureu E. , Vázquez-Justes D. , Purroy Francisco 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Evaluating scales to detect large vessel occlusion (LVO) could aid in considering early referrals to a thrombectomy-capable center in the prehospital stroke code setting. Nevertheless, they entail a significant number of false positives, corresponding to intracranial hemorrhages (ICH). Our study aims to identify easily collectible variables for the development of a scale to differentiate patients with ICH from LVO.
Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study of stroke code patients between May 2021 and January 2023. Patients were evaluated with CT/CT-Angiography at arrival. We compared clinical variables and vascular risk factors between ICH and LVO patients.
Results
Out of 989 stroke code patients, we included 190 (66.7%) LVO cases and 95 (33.3) ICH cases. In the multivariate analysis, headache (odds ratio [OR] 3.56; 1.50–8.43), GCS < 8 (OR 8.19; 3.17–21.13), SBP > 160mmHg (OR 6.43; 3.37–12.26) and male sex (OR 2.07; 1.13–3.80) were associated with ICH, while previous hypercholesterolemia (OR 0.35; 0.19–0.65) with LVO. The scale design was conducted, assigning a score to each significant variable based on its specific weight: +2 points for SBP > 160, + 1 points for headache, + 1 points for male sex, + 2 points for GCS < 8, and − 1 points for HCL. The area under the curve was 0.82 (0.77–0.87). A score ≥ 4 exhibited a sensitivity of 0.10, a specificity of 0.99, a positive predictive value of 0.21, and a negative predictive value of 0.98 .
Conclusion
We present the development of a prehospital scale to discriminate between ICH and LVO patients, utilizing easily detectable variables in the prehospital setting.
Choice of open side affects clinical outcomes of unilateral open-door laminoplasty for inconsistent cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament
Authors: Qiao Pan , Zhang Wen , Xu Tiantong , Shao Rui , Tian Rong 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
The best open side for a unilateral open-door laminoplasty (UODL) to treat inconsistent cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) must be identified.
Methods
Retrospective analysis involving 31 individuals with inconsistent OPLL who received UODL between January 2016 and December 2018 were divided into two groups: when the side of the open door was consistent to the larger ossification occupancy area side, patients were placed into the Consistent Group; when the side of the open door was contralateral to the larger ossification occupancy area side, patients were placed into the Contralateral Group. The following parameters were evaluated; neck disability index (NDI) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, postoperative laminoplasty opening width and angle, and diameter of spinal cord ratio. To assess the clinical results between the two groups, the spinal cord shift was also evaluated.
Results
Patient demographics and major problems did not differ significantly between groups. Transient pain in the deltoid region was more frequent in the Consistent Group. The diameter-to-spinal cord ratio, VAS and NDI scores did not significantly differ from one another, opening width and angle in postoperative laminoplasty between the two groups. The JOA scores improved in the Consistent Group. The diameter of spinal cord ratio was more significantly improved in the Consistent Group, as well as the spinal cord shift.
Conclusions
For inconsistent cervical OPLL, the side of the open door that was consistent with the larger ossification occupancy area side is preferred in UODL.
Validation of the Turkish Version of the “Quality of Recovery 15 (QoR-15)” Questionnaire
Authors: Sunter Kaan , Turker Kadir Yagiz , Ates Can , Koc Mehmet Ali , Sevim Yusuf , Ensari Cemal , Dincer Onur Ilkay , Eray Ismail Cem , Yavuz Burak , Erol Timucin , Ersoz Siyar , Kutlu Burak , Kuzu Mehmet Ayhan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Quality of Recovery 15 questionnaire in Turkey.Methods The QoR-15 was translated into Turkish through a rigorous process involving independent translations, consensus, back-translation, and review. The questionnaire was administered to patients undergoing elective major gastrointestinal surgery preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 7, and 30. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α and intra-class correlation coefficient. Construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis, and responsiveness was analyzed using Cohen's effect size and standardized response mean.Results A total of 510 patients participated in the study. The Turkish version of QoR-15 (QoR-15T) demonstrated good internal consistency with Cronbach's α of 0.896 and 0.888 for preoperative and postoperative administrations, respectively. Intra-class correlation coefficient values indicated good reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the construct validity of QoR-15T. QoR-15T showed responsiveness to changes in health status, with Cohen's effect size and standardize response mean indicating its ability to detect clinically important changes.Conclusion The Turkish version of QoR-15 (QoR-15T) is a reliable, valid, and responsive questionnaire for assessing the quality of recovery in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Its ability to capture patients' perspectives and multidimensional aspects of recovery makes it a valuable tool for clinical and research purposes.