bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quadriceps Tendon Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients: 3-Year Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes
Authors: Cordasco Frank A. , Hidalgo Perea Sofia , Uppstrom Tyler J. , Chipman Danielle E. , Pascual-Leone Nicolas , Aitchison Alexandra Hunter , Lijesen Emilie , Ann Asaro Lori , Green Daniel W. 
Published: June 2024

Background: The rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in active, skeletally immature patients is increasing. Although hamstring tendon autograft (HTA) was previously deemed the gold standard, recent studies have shown HTA to have a high failure rate in this high-risk population of young competitive athletes, and quadriceps tendon autograft (QTA) has yielded excellent preliminary outcomes in some studies examining this population. Purpose: To evaluate 3-year clinical and patient-reported functional outcomes of primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR) with soft tissue QTA in skeletally immature patients. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Skeletally immature patients who underwent ACLR with a full-thickness soft tissue QTA were included. Preoperative patient and surgical data were collected. The ACLR technique was selected predicated upon skeletal age and included all-epiphyseal and complete transphyseal techniques. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years with successive clinical visits or were contacted via telephone. Patients who did not have minimum 2-year follow-up after 3 contact attempts via telephone were excluded. Information regarding return to sports (RTS) and concomitant or subsequent surgical procedures was collected. Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC), Hospital for Special Surgery Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS), and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores were collected. Results: Of 85 adolescent patients aged 11.1 to 17.6 years (mean age, 14.1 ± 1.2 years), 2 patients were determined to be lost to follow-up after 3 failed contact attempts. Of the patients included in this study (N = 83), 26 patients (31%) underwent all-epiphyseal and 57 patients (69%) underwent complete transphyseal ACLR. Additionally, 48 patients (58%) underwent concomitant lateral extra-articular tenodesis using the iliotibial band with a modified Lemaire technique. The mean follow-up time was 3.7 ± 1.2 years (range, 2-7 years). Twenty (24%) patients had subsequent surgical procedures, of which 3 (4%) were due to graft failures. At a mean 3-year follow-up, the mean Pedi-IKDC, HSS Pedi-FABS, and SANE scores were 90, 23, and 94 respectively; the RTS rate was 100%; and the rate of RTS at the previous level of performance was 93%. Conclusion: Use of a soft tissue QTA for ALCR in a high-risk skeletally immature population of athletes resulted in excellent postoperative outcomes with low rates of graft failure and high return to sport rates.
Near infrared spectroscopy models to predict sensory and texture traits of sweetpotato roots
Authors: Nantongo Judith Ssali , Serunkuma Edwin , Davrieux Fabrice , Nakitto Mariam , Burgos Gabriela , Thomas Zum Felde , Eduardo Porras , Carey Ted , Swankaert Jolien , Mwanga Robert OM , Alamu Emmanuel Oladeji , Ssali Reuben 
Published: June 2024

High-throughput phenotyping technologies successfully employed in plant breeding and precision agriculture could facilitate the screening process for developing consumer-preferred traits. The current study evaluated the potential of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to predict visual, aromatic, flavor, taste and texture traits of sweetpotatoes. The focus was to develop predicting models that would be cost-effective, efficient and high throughput. The roots of 207 sweetpotato genotypes from six agroecological zones of Uganda were collected from breeding trials. The spectra were collected in the wavelengths of 400 – 2500 nm at 2 nm intervals. Using the plsR package, the calibrations were carried out using external validation models. The best calibration equation between the sensory and texture reference values (10-point scales) and spectral data was identified based on the highest coefficient of determination (R2) and smallest RMSE in calibration and validation. Of the visual traits, orange color intensity was well calibrated using NIR spectroscopy (r2val = 0.92, SEP = 0.92), and the model is sufficient for field application. Pumpkin aroma (r2val = 0.67, SEP = 0.33) was the highest predicted among the aromas. The pumpkin flavour model exhibited the highest coefficient of determination in the calibration (r2val = 0.52, SEP = 0.45) for the traits considered under flavor and taste. Different models for textural traits exhibited moderate calibration coefficients: mealiness (chalky/floury) by hand (r2val = 0.75; SEP = 1.31), crumbliness (r2val = 0.73, SEP = 1.21), moisture in mass (r2val = 0.73, SEP = 1.26), fracturability (r2val = 0.60, SEP = 1.52), hardness by hand (r2val = 0.61, SEP = 1.27) and dry matter (r2val = 0.70, SEP = 3.10). The range error ratio (RER) values were mostly >6.0. These models could be used for preliminary screening. The predictability of the traits varied among different modes of samples. Models could be improved with an increased range of reference values and/or exploiting the correlations between chemical compounds and sensory traits.
Bloom’s taxonomy—Can evidence-based teaching improve junior medical officers’ knowledge of the mental health and guardianship acts?
Authors: Koessler Trent , Kealy-Bateman Warren 
Published: June 2024

Objective To determine whether a brief educational intervention for Junior Medical Officers (JMOs), using teaching methods aimed at achieving higher outcomes on Bloom’s Taxonomy, significantly improved participant confidence and knowledge in decision making about restrictive care. Method JMOs received a teaching session on restrictive medical and mental health care. Groups were randomly assigned to either sessions including a component of modern pedagogical interventions (Think-Pair-Share and SNAPPS), or sessions including a control period focusing on reviewing a condensed summary of relevant information. Pre- and post-intervention measures were recorded for subjective self-ratings of confidence and scores on standardized clinically relevant extended matching questions (EMQs). Results There was no difference in subjective confidence improvement between groups; however, the group receiving the modern pedagogical intervention demonstrated significantly greater objective performance on knowledge-based EMQs. Conclusions A brief modern pedagogical intervention using interactive teaching methods shows promise for improving knowledge of restrictive care and the Mental Health and Guardianship Acts. In the control group, similarly increased confidence in knowledge did not equate to increased competence on a knowledge assessment. Refurbishing educational interventions presents opportunities for improving clinical outcomes and engaging junior doctors in psychiatry.
The Spatio-Temporal Expression Profiles of Silkworm Pseudogenes Provide Valuable Insights into Their Biological Roles
Authors: Wan Linrong , Su Siyuan , Liu Jinyun , Zou Bangxing , Jiang Yaming , Jiao Beibei , Tang Shaokuan , Zhang Youhong , Deng Cao , Xiao Wenfu 
Published: June 2024

Background: Pseudogenes are sequences that have lost the ability to transcribe RNA molecules or encode truncated but possibly functional proteins. While they were once considered to be meaningless remnants of evolution, recent researches have shown that pseudogenes play important roles in various biological processes. However, the studies of pseudogenes in the silkworm, an important model organism, are limited and have focused on single or only a few specific genes. Objective: To fill these gaps, we present a systematic genome-wide studies of pseudogenes in the silkworm. Methods: We identified the pseudogenes in the silkworm using the silkworm genome assemblies, transcriptome, protein sequences from silkworm and its related species. Then we used transcriptome datasets from 832 RNA-seq analyses to construct spatio-temporal expression profiles for these pseudogenes. Additionally, we identified tissue-specifically expressed and differentially expressed pseudogenes to further understand their characteristics. Finally, the functional roles of pseudogenes as lncRNAs were systematically analyzed. Results: We identified a total of 4410 pseudogenes, which were grouped into 4 groups, including duplications (DUPs), unitary pseudogenes (Unitary), processed pseudogenes (retropseudogenes, RETs), and fragments (FRAGs). The most of pseudogenes in the domestic silkworm were generated before the divergence of wild and domestic silkworm, however, the domestication may also involve in the accumulation of pseudogenes. These pseudogenes were clearly divided into 2 cluster, a highly expressed and a lowly expressed, and the posterior silk gland was the tissue with the most tissue-specific pseudogenes (199), implying these pseudogenes may be involved in the development and function of silkgland. We identified 3299 lncRNAs in these pseudogenes, and the target genes of these lncRNAs in silkworm pseudogenes were enriched in the egg formation and olfactory function. Conclusions: This study replenishes the genome annotations for silkworm, provide valuable insights into the biological roles of pseudogenes. It will also contribute to our understanding of the complex gene regulatory networks in the silkworm and will potentially have implications for other organisms as well.
No association between oral contraceptive exposure and subsequent MS: A population-based nested case–control study in primary care
Authors: Zhang Qiqi , Noyce Alastair J , Robson John , Giovannoni Gavin , Marshall Charles R , Dobson Ruth 
Published: June 2024

Background: Conflicting data exist around oral contraceptive exposure and subsequent multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To use routinely collected primary healthcare data to explore the potential association between oral contraceptive exposure and subsequent MS in females at population level. Methods: We performed a nested case–control study using electronic primary care data, with complete electronic ascertainment from 1990. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between contraceptive exposure and MS, without and with adjusting for age, ethnicity and deprivation. Results: A total of 4455 females were included: 891 cases and 3564 controls. No association was seen between oral contraceptive exposure and subsequent MS, or between any contraceptive, combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) or progesterone-only pill (POP) use 0–2, 2–5 or >5 years prior to MS. Conclusions: In the largest population-based study to date, we find no evidence of an association between oral contraceptive exposure and subsequent MS diagnosis.
The effect of microwave irradiation on the molecular diffusion of the ethyl acetate (EA) into the blend of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)/ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber (EPDM)
Authors: Jourabchi Shahab , Ostad Movahed Saeed 
Published: June 2024

The rubbers mix to prepare a blend to improve performance and reduce the costs of rubber-made articles. To achieve optimal mechanical and dynamical properties, strong interphases must form between different polymers in a blend. The solvent uptake into the structure of a polymer blend, whether organic or inorganic, is a significant concern in polymer-made articles. In this research, several blends and compounds based on styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber (EPDM) were prepared. The prepared samples were pre-irradiated by microwaves and immersed in the ethyl acetate (EA) for doing the dynamic swelling experiment. The swelling results were used to determine the molecular diffusion characteristics of the polymer-solvent system. Also, a new method for quantitatively evaluating the interphase between two polymers in a blend was developed using the diffusion characteristics obtained from the swelling experiments. To validate the findings, conventional analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed. The diffusion parameters found in the study were used to determine the degradation mechanism of the immersed SBR/EPDM blend in an organic (EA) solvent and also, to develop a new technique for efficient separation of EA from a solution. In addition, the EPDM/SBR blend with a 20/80 wt ratio at 25°C associated with the lowest interphase showed the highest solvent uptake.
Exploring how military culture shapes veterans’ perception of aortic aneurysm repair: A qualitative study
Authors: Banks C. Adam , Slay Laurie , Williams Beverly R. , Sargent Emily , Alabi Olamide , Jackson Elizabeth A , Spangler Emily 
Published: June 2024

Background Veterans represent a distinct cultural group whose perceptions of illness and treatment are influenced by military culture. The study explores how prior military service shapes Veterans’ assumptions and behaviors in the setting of aneurysm repair surgery. Study Design We conducted content and thematic analysis of a case series of 10 transcripts from telephone interviews with older (76.7 ± 4.3 years) African American and White male Veterans now residing in the Southern U.S. who underwent open or endovascular aneurysm surgery at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers or university affiliates between 2004 and2019. Results Throughout the continuum of care, Veterans described deferring to authority and not questioning provider’s decisions [“ I just can’t make a judgment on that, because I’m not a doctor”]. Veterans valued commitment and articulated pride in keeping logistically challenging surveillance appointments [ I always took them very seriously. . . If I’m scheduled for something by the doctor, I always make it.”]. The routine structure of VA care aligned with Veterans military experiences, facilitating compliance with doctor’s orders. However, procedural deviations in VA care were disconcerting for patients [“ They haven’t reached out to me in at least three years, since my surgery; I was being seen once a year and then all of a sudden, they just quit.”]. While Veterans praised VA care, they exhibited sensitivity to signs of untoward treatment from clinical and support staff “…my surgeon, he never talked to me before, nor after, no anytime…I thought that maybe that wasn’t right” Conclusions Military culture embodies rank, order, and respect, and remains a source of strength and stability for Veterans in their medical care late in life. Cultural competency about how military service has shaped Veterans’ expectations can enhance providers’ awareness of patients’ military mindsets and inform surgeons’ efforts to engage Veterans in shared decision making.
Symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and cycle phase are associated with enhanced facial emotion detection: An online cross-sectional study
Authors: Boboc Bianca , Oinonen Kirsten A 
Published: June 2024

Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a depressive disorder affecting 5%–8% of people with menstrual cycles. Despite evidence that facial emotion detection is altered in depressive disorders, with enhanced detection of negative emotions (negativity bias), minimal research exists on premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms and the premenstrual phase on accuracy and intensity at detection of facial emotions. Design: Cross-sectional quasi-experimental design. Method: The Facial Emotion Detection Task was administered to 72 individuals assigned female at birth with no premenstrual dysphoric disorder ( n = 30), and provisional PMDD ( n = 42), based on a retrospective Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fifth Edition-based measure of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Facial emotion detection was examined both irrespective of menstrual cycle phase, and as a function of premenstrual phase (yes, no). The task used neutral-to-emotional facial expression morphs (15 images/morph). Participants indicated the emotion detected for each image within the progressive intensity morph. For all six basic emotions (sad, angry, fearful, happy, disgust, and surprise), two scores were calculated: accuracy of responses and the intensity within the morph at which the correct emotion was first detected (image number). Results: Individuals reporting moderate/severe symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder had more accurate and earlier detection of disgust, regardless of cycle phase. In addition, those with provisional premenstrual dysphoric disorder detected sad emotions earlier. A premenstrual dysphoric disorder group × cycle phase interaction also emerged: individuals reporting premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms were more accurate at detecting facial emotions during the premenstrual phase compared to the rest of the cycle, with a large effect size for sad emotions. Conclusion: The findings suggest enhanced facial emotion processing in individuals reporting symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, particularly for sadness and disgust. However, replication is required with larger samples and prospective designs. This premenstrual dysphoric disorder premenstrual emotion detection advantage suggests an adaptive cognitive mechanism in premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and challenges stigma surrounding premenstrual experiences.
Comparative effectiveness and safety of triple therapy and non-triple therapy interventions for COPD: an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Zhang Shujuan , Wang Jun , Li Xuanlin , Zhang Hailong 
Published: June 2024

Background: Some systematic reviews (SRs) on triple therapy (consisting of long-acting β2-agonist, long-acting muscarinic antagonist, and inhaled corticosteroid, LABA/LAMA/ICS) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have reported conflicting results. As the number of syntheses increases, the task of identifying and interpreting evidence becomes increasingly complex and demanding. Objectives: To provide a comprehensive overview of the efficacy and safety of triple therapy for COPD. Design: Overview of SRs. Methods: Two independent reviewers conducted comprehensive searches in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant SRs that compared triple therapy with any non-triple therapy for COPD, from the inception of these databases until 1 June 2023. The AMSTAR 2 and GRADE tools were utilized to assess the quality of the included studies and the evidence for each outcome. Results: Eighteen SRs encompassing 30 original studies and involving 47,340 participants were analyzed. The overall AMSTAR 2 rating revealed that 3 SRs were of low quality, 13 SRs were of critically low quality, and 2 SRs were of high quality. No high-certainty evidence revealed a significant advantage of triple therapy in improving lung function or reducing acute exacerbations. However, all evidence, including one high certainty, supported the benefits of improving quality of life. Regarding all-cause mortality, no significant difference was found when compared to LAMA or ICS/LABA; however, high-certainty evidence confirmed its effectiveness when compared with LABA/LAMA. Notably, high-certainty evidence indicated that triple therapy was associated with a significant increase in the risk of pneumonia compared to LABA/LAMA. Conclusion: Triple therapy demonstrated notable benefits in improving lung function, reducing exacerbations, improving quality of life, and reducing all-cause mortality. However, it is important to note that it may also significantly increase the risk of pneumonia. Trial registration: This overview protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (No. CRD42023431548).
Occlusive wound dressings: A greenhouse for bacteria?
Authors: Scheer Vendela M , Scheer Johan H , Kalén Anders , Serrander Lena 
Published: June 2024

Background The modern wound dressing is produced to absorb fluid and protect against external contamination. The choice of which wound dressing to apply after surgery is usually based on local tradition. There are various impervious dressings on the market. Even if the wound is sterile before application, there will be subsequent recolonisation of skin microbiota. Previous studies suggest that a high bacterial load on the skin hampers wound healing and might be a risk for SSI. Aim The aim was to compare bacterial recolonisation on the shoulder under three different wound dressings, 48 h after sterile preparation of the skin as in preparation for surgery. Method In 25 healthy volunteers, a standard pre-surgical skin disinfection for a deltopectoral incision was made on the left shoulder with 0.5% chlorhexidine solution in 70% ethanol. Three different wound dressings were then placed on the shoulder, and 48 h later the skin beneath each dressing was swabbed, subsequently cultured and bacterial density analysed using viable count. Results The bacterial recolonisation under air-dry (gauze) dressing was significantly lower ( p = .0001) compared to semipermeable and occlusive wound dressings. Conclusion Choosing a less permeable wound dressing may lead to an increased bacterial load on the skin during the first 48 h after surgery.
Two distinct age-prognosis patterns in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing surgical and radiotherapy treatments: a combined analysis of 3JECROG and SEER databases
Authors: Li Chen , Chang Xiao , Wang Qifeng , Pang Qingsong , Xiao Zefen , Zhang Wencheng , Yuan Zhiyong 
Published: June 2024

Background: Age is a known prognostic factor for various cancers. However, few studies explored the association between age and prognosis of esophageal cancer (EC) comprehensively, especially from a nonlinear perspective. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objectives: Our study aims to explore the possible nonlinear associations between age and prognosis in EC patients receiving curative surgery and radiotherapy, respectively. Methods: Cox regression models with restricted cubic splines were used to model the possible nonlinear relationship between age and prognosis in surgical and radiotherapy groups, respectively. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to validate the age-prognosis patterns found in Jing-Jin-Ji Esophageal and Esophagogastric Cancer Radiotherapy Oncology Group database. Age-prognosis patterns were further validated by survival comparisons between different age subgroups and in subsequent sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Primary endpoint is overall survival. Secondary endpoints are cancer-specific survival and progression-free survival. Results: A total of 56,457 patients from two large cancer databases were included. Patients receiving surgery and radiotherapy showed two distinct nonlinear age-prognosis patterns. Age showed a U-/J-shaped association with prognosis in the radiotherapy group, with a nadir at approximately 65- to 70-years-old. As for surgical cohort, relative risk for all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality increased with age with p for nonlinearity <0.05. The above age-prognosis relationships were validated by sensitivity, subgroup, and comparative survival analyses. Youngest and middle-aged patients showed better survival results compared to that of other age subgroups in surgical and radiotherapy cohorts, respectively [Radiotherapy, youngest/middle: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.10, p = 0.001; Radiotherapy, oldest/middle: HR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.18–1.24, p < 0.001; Surgical, middle/youngest: HR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.14–1.25, p < 0.001; surgical, oldest/youngest: HR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.75–1.97, p < 0.001]. Conclusion: Patients receiving surgery and radiotherapy showed two distinct age-prognosis patterns. Younger and middle-aged patients were associated with better survival in surgical and radiotherapy groups, respectively. Additional studies are warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of this phenomenon.