bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Cancer Care in Ukraine: Insights From Doctor Perspectives on Diagnosis and Treatment Quality
Authors: Liakh Anastasiia , Dzhemiliev Ali , Antoniv Marta , Naumova Marta , Kopetskyi Viacheslav , Huivaniuk Inesa , Beznosenko Andriy , Melnitchouk Nelya , Kizub Darya 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Optimizing cancer care, including during the time of war, often begins with a needs assessment. We surveyed oncologists in Ukraine to evaluate existing gaps and describe strategies to address them. METHODS In January 2024, medical and surgical oncologists in Ukraine completed electronic surveys that were designed together with oncologists at the National Cancer Institute of Ukraine. These surveys included an open-ended question about how to improve the efficiency and quality of cancer care in one's practice. Surveys were distributed through oncology-focused social media in Ukraine. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. RESULTS Fifty-three medical oncologists completed the survey. The most common suggestion for optimizing cancer care is improving provision of targeted cancer treatments and immunotherapy, cited by 19 (35.8%). Eighteen (34.0%) suggested ameliorating personnel shortages), while 10 (18.9%) desired an increased number of machines for chemotherapy infusion and 6 (11.3%) requested greater hospital bed capacity. Eighty-eight surgical oncologists completed the survey. The most common suggestion for improvement was increasing availability of disposable surgical kits and instruments, catheters, and drainage systems, cited by 23 (26.1%). Other common recommendations included more consistent provision of surgical equipment cited by 20 (22.72%), increasing the number of number of surgical staff cited by 13 (14.77%), improved healthcare facility funding cited by 12 (13.64%), increasing the quantity of operating rooms by 9 (10.23%), improved surgical staff training cited by 9 (10.23%), and reduced paperwork for surgeons recommended by 2 (2.27%). CONCLUSION We identified important gaps in medical and surgical oncology care in Ukraine, as well as strategies to address these from the point of view of physicians working in these areas. Results are limited by online convenience sampling.
Exploring the Lived Experiences of Colorectal Cancer Patients With Diagnosis and Treatment in Egypt: A Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Gebreal Assem , Helmi Muhammed , Kolkas Samr , Khaled Aya , Tarek Omar , Hesham Omar , Foaud Omnia , Adel Yara , Hussin Omnia , Mahmoud Hamza , Khamess Somaia , Hansen Barbara , Abdeltawab Karim , Arafat Waleed , Foaud Mona , Ebied Mahmoud , Mansour Maryam , Bassiony Mahmoud , Mikhail Karim , Bateman Lori 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health challenge in Egypt with an alarming 46.4% early-onset rate in people younger than 50 years and an overall 2 years of survival post-diagnosis. Understanding patient's experiences is necessary to enhance health outcomes. This study aims to explore patients' lived experiences of diagnoses, treatment, and perceptions of a healthy diet and physical activity. METHODS The Social Ecological Model (SEM), exploring variable-specific barriers and facilitators at individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels, served as our theoretical framework. One-hour, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with CRC patients in Alexandria, Egypt, between August and September 2023. Audio recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed by thematic analysis. RESULTS Our study involved 19 participants;12 males and 7 females with a mean age of 53 years. All participants came from low-income backgrounds, 70% were urban residents, 80% were unemployed, and 52% were either illiterate or had not completed their primary education. Nearly half of the participants were in advanced cancer stage (stage 3 or higher). We identified facilitators and barriers to optimal care in patients experiences at several levels of the SEM. The main barriers were as follows: at the individual level, lack of CRC awareness and neglect of symptoms, fear of colonoscopy, loss of appetite, decreased physical activity, and being unemployed during treatment; at the health services organization level, misdiagnosis, negative colonoscopy experiences, and a lack of comprehensive treatment guidance. The main facilitators perceived by the participants were as follows: at the individual level, resilience in accepting diagnosis and treatment, and appreciation of the healthcare team; at the interpersonal level, social support from family, neighbors, and other patients; at the health services organization level, seamless and free access to oncology care, provider recommendations for a healthy diet and physical activity; and at the community level, religious faith in accepting one's destiny. CONCLUSION The findings of this study emphasize the need for early detection of CRC through screening programs and health campaigns for cancer symptoms awareness. It is also crucial to improve healthcare teams' communication with patients to ensure a higher likelihood of a positive experience.
Longitudinal Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With High-Risk Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma Treated on the Children's Oncology Group AHOD 1331 Study
Authors: Williams AnnaLynn M. , Rodday Angie Mae , Pei Qinglin , Henderson Tara O. , Keller Frank G. , Punnett Angela , Kelly Kara M. , Castellino Sharon M. , Parsons Susan K. 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE
There have been no previous longitudinal assessments of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during treatment for pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). The addition of brentuximab vedotin (BV) to a multidrug chemotherapy backbone demonstrated superior efficacy to standard chemotherapy for patients with pediatric high-risk HL in the AHOD 1331 trial. However, the impact on HRQoL is unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
After treatment random assignment, 268 participants older than 11 years were enrolled in a prespecified, longitudinal, patient-reported outcomes substudy. HRQoL was assessed using the seven-item Child Health Ratings Inventories (CHRIs)–Global scale before treatment (T1) and at cycle 2 (T2), cycle 5 (T3), and end of treatment (T4). A clinically meaningful increase in HRQoL was considered 7 points on the CHRIs-Global. Multivariable linear regression estimated associations between demographic/clinical variables and HRQoL at T1. Linear mixed models estimated changes in HRQoL across the treatment arm.

RESULTS

Participant characteristics were balanced by treatment arm. Ninety-three percent of participants completed the CHRIs at T1, 92% at T2, 89% at T3, and 77% at T4. At T1, female sex and fever (
P
< .05) were each associated with worse HRQoL. By T2, participants in the BV arm experienced a statistically and clinically significant improvement in HRQoL (β = 7.3 [95% CI, 3.2 to 11.4];
P
≤ .001), which was greater than the change in the standard arm (difference in change β = 5.1 [95% CI, −0.2 to 10.3];
P
= .057). The standard arm did not experience a statistically or clinically significant increase in HRQoL until T4 (β = 9.3 [95% CI, 4.7 to 11.5];
P
< .001).

CONCLUSION
These data demonstrate successful collection of serial HRQoL from youth with high-risk pediatric HL and improvement in HRQoL over the course of initial therapy, sooner and to a greater extent in the group receiving the novel agent BV.
Use of a Smartphone Application to Promote Adherence to Oral Medications in Patients With Breast Cancer
Authors: Sathe Claire , Raghunathan Rohit , Ulene Sophie , McAuley Fiona , Bhatt Kishan A. , McGuinness Julia E. , Trivedi Meghna S. , Vasan Neil , Kalinsky Kevin M. , Crew Katherine D. , Faheem Khadija F. , Harden Erik , Law Cynthia , Hershman Dawn L. , Accordino Melissa K. 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE
Medication nonadherence is common among patients with breast cancer (BC) and increases BC mortality and complications from comorbidities. There is growing interest in mobile health interventions such as smartphone applications (apps) to promote adherence.

METHODS
Use of Medisafe, a medication reminder and tracking app, was tested over 12 weeks among patients on BC treatment and at least one oral medication. Study participants were instructed to generate adherence reports every 4 weeks through Medisafe and were deemed to have completed the intervention if >50% of reports were generated. The primary end point was feasibility of the intervention, defined as a completion rate of ≥75% of consented patients. Secondary end points included changes in self-reported nonadherence from baseline to 12 weeks and patient-reported outcomes including reasons for nonadherence and satisfaction with Medisafe. We conducted univariable and multivariable analyses to evaluate demographic and clinical factors associated with intervention completion.

RESULTS
Among 100 patients enrolled, 78 (78.0%) completed the intervention. Age, race, ethnicity, clinical stage, and type of medication were not associated with odds of intervention completion. Self-reported nonadherence rates did not improve from baseline to postintervention in the overall study population. However, among patients with self-reported nonadherence at baseline, 26.3% reported adherence postintervention; these patients frequently reported logistical barriers to adherence. Study participants reported high levels of satisfaction with Medisafe, noting that the app was highly functional and provided high-quality information.

CONCLUSION
Smartphone apps such as Medisafe are feasible and associated with high patient satisfaction. They may improve adherence in nonadherent patients and those who face logistical challenges interfering with medication-taking. Future trials of mobile health interventions should target patients at high risk for medication nonadherence.
Clinical and Biochemical Data for the Diagnosis of Endogenous Hypercortisolism: The “Cushingomic” Approach
Authors: Ceccato Filippo , Bavaresco Alessandro , Ragazzi Eugenio , Barbot Mattia , Boscaro Marco , Basso Daniela , Scaroni Carla , Antonelli Giorgia 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Context
The clinical presentation of Cushing syndrome (CS) overlaps with common conditions. Recommended screening tests are serum cortisol after 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST), urinary free cortisol (UFC), and late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC).

Objective
We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of screening tests in 615 patients without CS (263 suspected CS, 319 adrenal and 33 pituitary incidentaloma) and 40 with CS.

Methods
Principal component analysis, K-means clustering, and neural network were used to compute an integrated analysis among tests, comorbidities, and signs/symptoms of hypercortisolism.

Results
The diagnostic accuracy of screening tests for CS was high; DST and UFC were slightly superior to LNSC. The threshold of DST should be adapted to the population considered, especially in adrenal incidentaloma (AI) with mild autonomous cortisol secretion: The cutoff to differentiate CS should be increased to 196 nmol/L. Diabetes, hypertension, and obesity were more common in patients without CS: The direction of their vectors was not aligned and their correlation with screening tests was poor. Clustering allowed us to differentiate those patients without CS into cluster 1 (aged osteoporotic patients with impaired screening tests), cluster 2 (hypertensive and metabolic phenotype), and cluster 3 (young individuals with a low likelihood of overt CS). A neural network model that combined screening tests and clinical presentation was able to predict the CS diagnosis in the validation cohort with 99% precision and 86% accuracy.

Conclusion
Despite the high diagnostic accuracy of screening tests to detect CS, cortisol-related comorbidities or AI should be considered when interpreting a positive test.
Cardiometabolic Risk Markers in Children With Obesity and Variants in MC4R Pathway-related Genes
Authors: Salama Mostafa , Pinto e Vairo Filippo , Hentz Roland , Al Nofal Alaa , Hassan Sara , Ibrahim Samar H , Lteif Aida , Creo Ana , Pittock Siobhan , Kumar Seema 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Context
Variants in melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) pathway-related genes have been associated with obesity. The association of these variants with cardiometabolic parameters are not fully known.

Objective
We compared the severity of obesity and cardiometabolic risk markers in children with MC4R pathway-related clinically reported genetic variants relative to children without these variants.

Methods
A retrospective chart review was performed in children with obesity who underwent multigene panel testing for monogenic obesity.

Results
Data on a total of 104 children were examined, with 93 (89%) identified as White. Thirty-nine (37.5%) patients had clinically reported variants in the MC4R pathway, and the remaining 65 patients did not have reported MC4R pathway-related variants. Among the MC4R-related variants, PCSK1 risk alleles were most common, reported in 15 children (14%). The maximum body mass index percent of the 95th percentile was not different between groups (P = .116). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was not different between groups (P = .132). However, subgroup analysis demonstrated higher LDL cholesterol in children with the PCSK1 c.661A&gt;G risk allele relative to those with MC4R-related variant of uncertain significance (P = .047), negative genetic testing (P = .012), and those with non-MC4R related variants (P = .048). The blood pressure, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1C, total cholesterol, alanine transaminase, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were not different between groups.

Conclusion
Variants in the MC4R pathway-related genes were not associated with severity of obesity and cardiometabolic risk markers except for the c.661A&gt;G PCSK1 risk allele, which was associated with higher LDL-C levels.
Integrative multi-omics increase resolution of the sea urchin posterior gut gene regulatory network at single-cell level
Authors: Voronov Danila , Paganos Periklis , Magri Marta S. , Cuomo Claudia , Maeso Ignacio , Gómez-Skarmeta Jose Luis , Arnone Maria Ina 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT
Drafting gene regulatory networks (GRNs) requires embryological knowledge pertaining to the cell type families, information on the regulatory genes, causal data from gene knockdown experiments and validations of the identified interactions by cis-regulatory analysis. We use multi-omics involving next-generation sequencing to obtain the necessary information for drafting the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Sp) posterior gut GRN. Here, we present an update to the GRN using: (1) a single-cell RNA-sequencing-derived cell atlas highlighting the 2 day-post-fertilization (dpf) sea urchin gastrula cell type families, as well as the genes expressed at the single-cell level; (2) a set of putative cis-regulatory modules and transcription factor-binding sites obtained from chromatin accessibility ATAC-seq data; and (3) interactions directionality obtained from differential bulk RNA sequencing following knockdown of the transcription factor Sp-Pdx1, a key regulator of gut patterning in sea urchins. Combining these datasets, we draft the GRN for the hindgut Sp-Pdx1-positive cells in the 2 dpf gastrula embryo. Overall, our data suggest the complex connectivity of the posterior gut GRN and increase the resolution of gene regulatory cascades operating within it.
Spatial resolution and optical sensitivity in the compound eyes of two common European wasps, Vespula germanica and Vespula vulgaris
Authors: Gutiérrez Daniel , Rigosi Elisa , Nagloo Nicolas , O'Carroll David , Warrant Eric J. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT
Vespula germanica and Vespula vulgaris are two common European wasps that have ecological and economic importance as a result of their artificial introduction into many different countries and environments. Their success has undoubtedly been aided by their capacity for visually guided hunting, foraging, learning and using visual cues in the context of homing and navigation. However, the visual systems of V. germanica and V. vulgaris have not received any deep attention. We used electrophysiology, together with optical and anatomical techniques, to measure the spatial resolution and optical sensitivity of the compound eyes of both species. We found that both wasps have high anatomical spatial resolution with narrow interommatidial angles (Δϕ between 1.0 and 1.5 deg) and a distinct acute zone in the fronto-ventral part of the eye. These narrow interommatidial angles are matched to photoreceptors having narrow angular sensitivities (acute zone acceptance angles Δρ below 1.3 deg), indicating eyes of high spatial resolution that are well suited to their ecological needs. Additionally, we found that both species possess an optical sensitivity that is typical of other day-flying hymenopterans.
Wind gradient exploitation during foraging flights by black skimmers (Rynchops niger)
Authors: Mendez Laura X. , Hedrick Tyson L. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT
Birds commonly exploit environmental features such as columns of rising air and vertical windspeed gradients to lower the cost of flight. These environmental subsidies may be especially important for birds that forage via continuous flight, as seen in black skimmers. These birds forage through a unique behavior, called skimming, where they fly above the water surface with their mandible lowered into the water, catching fish on contact. Thus, their foraging flight incurs costs of moving through both air and water. Prior studies of black skimmer flight behavior have focused on reductions in flight cost due to ground effect, but ignored potential beneficial interactions with the surrounding air. We hypothesized a halfpipe skimming strategy for skimmers to reduce the foraging cost by taking advantage of the wind gradient, where the skimmers perform a wind gradient energy extraction maneuver at the end of a skimming bout through a foraging patch. Using video recordings, wind speed and wind direction measurements, we recorded 70 bird tracks over 4 days at two field sites on the North Carolina coast. We found that while ascending, the skimmers flew more upwind and then flew more downwind when descending, a pattern consistent with harvesting energy from the wind gradient. The strength of the wind gradient and flight behavior of the skimmers indicate that the halfpipe skimming strategy could reduce foraging cost by up to 2.5%.
Job satisfaction of paediatric nurses working in tertiary care hospitals in Greece — Determining factors
Authors: Kontogianni Evanthia , Georgousopoulou Vasiliki , Vlahioti Efrosyni , Perdikaris Pantelis , Mantziou Theodora , Konstantaki Evanthia , Boutopoulou Barbara , Kasimis Ioannis , Koumpagioti Despoina , Matziou Vasiliki 
Published: July 2024

Background: Professional satisfaction affects the quality and the effectiveness of health services provided to patients. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the job satisfaction of paediatric nurses. Participants and setting: Nurses working at two Pediatric Hospitals in Athens (n=176) were included in the study. The data collection took place during the January-May 2022 period. The completion of the questionnaires was anonymous, all participant data were kept confidential. Methods: Data collection was carried out using the ‘Measure of Job Satisfaction-MJS’ (Cronbach's α=0.95). Statistical processing was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23 (SPSS, Inc. Chigago IL, USA). Univariate analysis of variance (univariate ANOVA) was used to evaluate the means of the job satisfaction questionnaire values. The significance level was set at α <0.05. Finally, Pearson's correlation index test was performed to find correlations between the subcategories of the questionnaire Results: The majority of the sample was female (n=161) and most nurses underwent a 3-year nursing education programme (n=147). The results of the study showed that 45.4% of the participants were generally satisfied with their work whereas 55.9% were dissatisfied with their salary. The factors that appeared to affect the professional satisfaction of nurses were age (p=.049), unit (p=.041), work experience (p=.002) and marital status (p=.034). Nurses, despite their high compassion satisfaction, experienced modest levels of compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress. Pearson's correlation index revealed a positive correlation (r=0.462) between the ‘burnout’ and ‘secondary traumatic stress’ variables. Conclusions: Professional satisfaction of nurses is characterised as moderate. The most important factors influencing professional satisfaction were age, unit, work experience and marital status. Improving nurses' job satisfaction will contribute to effective and safe nursing care provided to paediatric patients. Practical implications: Leaders aiming at optimising nurses' job satisfaction should consider decreasing workload, improving education in the workplace, applying rotation in stressful units, increasing income, increasing the percentage perspectives by improving work circumstances.
Algorithm for detecting airborne objects with a thermal infrared camera to ensure a safe operation of laser-optical ground stations
Authors: Steurer Jakob , Bartels Nils , Hampf Daniel , Niebler Felicitas , Meyer Tristan , Riede Wolfgang , Dekorsy Thomas 
Published: July 2024

Laser-optical ground stations play an important role for satellite
laser communication and satellite laser ranging (SLR). The safe
operation of lasers in public airspace, which usually requires
approval by legal entities, requires reliable, redundant, and
independent systems for airborne object detection to avoid a
potentially hazardous laser exposition. In this work, we propose an
algorithm based on classical image filtering and thresholding to
detect aircraft in images taken with a thermal infrared camera. The
algorithm is optimized and evaluated with an image dataset acquired by
the infrared camera mounted to SLR station miniSLR located in
Stuttgart, Germany. Despite its simplicity and efficiency (7 ms
for an image with 640×512 pixels on a standard consumer PCU),
we find that the proposed algorithm has a high accuracy, yielding a
99.8% correct classification of images. Although laser safety systems
require several independent aircraft detection methods, the proposed
algorithm might be a valuable contribution for companies and
institutes with the need to operate lasers in public airspace.
Simulation of a SiN 2 × 2 adiabatic 3-dB coupler for 800-nm to 1000-nm wavelength range
Authors: Blanco Miguel Ángel Nava , Ávila Gerardo Antonio Castañón 
Published: July 2024

We conducted numerical simulations on a 2×2 adiabatic 3-dB coupler tailored for the 800-nm to 1000-nm range, operating on a silicon-nitride (SiN) platform. Through the finite difference time domain method, we achieved a power splitting ratio close to 3 dB with a tight tolerance of ±0.27dB and an insertion loss below 0.19 dB across the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1000 nm. Additionally, we simulated a 2×2 switch utilizing two 2×2 adiabatic 3-dB couplers, revealing a theoretical extinction loss of approximately −14dB, particularly prominent around 900 nm.