bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Navigating appendicitis care during the Covid-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study in China
Authors: Fu Guang , Xu Zishun , Zhang Shao 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 initiated a global transformation in healthcare practices, particularly with respect to hospital management. PCR testing mandates for medical treatment seekers were introduced to mitigate virus transmission.

Aims
This study examines the impact of these changes on the management of patients with appendicitis.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records for 748 patients diagnosed with appendicitis who underwent surgery at a tertiary care hospital during two distinct periods, the pre-pandemic year 2019 and the post-pandemic year 2021. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory data, surgical outcomes, and hospital stay duration were assessed.

Results
While no significant differences were observed in the general characteristics of patients between the two groups, the time from hospital visit to operation increased significantly during the pandemic. Unexpectedly, delayed surgical intervention was associated with shorter hospital stays but did not directly impact complication rates. There was no discernible variation in the type of surgery or surgical timing based on symptom onset. The pandemic also prompted an increase in appendicitis cases, potentially related to coronavirus protein expression within the appendix.

Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the landscape of appendicitis management. This study underscores the complex interplay of factors, including changes in hospital protocols, patient concerns, and surgical timing. Further research is needed to explore the potential link between COVID-19 and appendicitis. These insights are valuable for informing healthcare practices during and beyond the pandemic.
Orthodontic camouflage treatment of a hyperdivergent adolescent patient with anterior open bite and TMD: a case report
Authors: Jiang Yilin , Wang Yajing , Wang Tianqi , Liu Dongqiao , Lin Chen , Wang Jing , Zhi Cheng , Qiu Ziqian , Hou Yuanfu , Zhang Chunxiang 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
In orthodontics, anterior open bite is a common malocclusion that recurs frequently. Because the causes of anterior open bite are so varied, medical professionals must create customized treatment programs for each patient based on their unique etiology. Through the lowering of the posterior teeth, closure of the anterior teeth gap, and cooperation with intermaxillary traction, the treatment plan outlined in this case study sought to achieve a stable occlusion.

Case presentation
This case report aims to describe an orthodontic camouflage treatment of a 15-year-old female patient with anterior open bite, arch width discrepancy and a history of temporomandibular joint disorder. The patient was treated with intermaxillary vertical elastics and the multiple edgewise arch wire (MEAW) approach. A satisfactory occlusion with a neutral molar relationship was attained after 29 months of orthodontic therapy. The condylography recording showed that this patient’s occlusion tended to be more stable both before and after our treatment. The purpose of this case study is to provide an overview of an orthodontic camouflage treatment for a female patient, who had a history of temporomandibular joint disease, anterior open bite, and arch width disparity.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrated that more attention should be paid to levelling the occlusal plane, intrusion of the molars, decompression of temporomandibular joints and the etiology factors of malocclusion during the orthodontic period for those patients with anterior open bite.
Ease and practicability of the 2017 classification of periodontal diseases and conditions: a study of dental electronic health records
Authors: Raza Muhammad , Abud Daniela Gurpegui , Wang Joseph , Shariff Jaffer Ahmed 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
A new classification for Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions was introduced in the 2017 World Workshop. In the past the 1999 Armitage Classification was commonly used in practice. This study aimed to assess the ease and practicability of retroactively diagnosing a subset of patients formerly diagnosed using the 1999 AAP/CDC classification with the 2017 AAP/EFP disease classification.

Methods
A random subset of 10% of all patients referred over a 7-year period (2011–2018) to the Post-Doctoral Periodontics Clinic at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine were reviewed by accessing the Electronic Health Records (EHRs) on axiUm. Patients diagnosed with periodontal disease based on the 1999 AAP/CDC classification (including chronic and aggressive Periodontitis) were reclassified using the 2017 classification (stage: I, II, III and grade: A, B, C).

Results
A sample of 336 patient records were examined. 132 were diagnosed with gingivitis, and 204 with periodontitis. Of these 204 patients, 68 (33.3%) were diagnosed with aggressive and 136 (66.7%) with chronic periodontitis. Patients diagnosed with aggressive periodontitis, 10% were reclassified as stage II, 47% as stage III, and 43% as stage IV periodontitis, and 100% were reclassified as grade C. Among patients with chronic periodontitis, 7% were reclassified as stage I, 65% as stage II, 21% as stage III, and 7% as stage IV; 11% of these were reclassified as grade A, 63% grade B, and 26% grade C.

Conclusions
The majority of those originally diagnosed with aggressive (90%) and chronic (80%) periodontitis were reclassified as either molar/incisor pattern stage III grade C or stage IV grade C periodontitis, and stage II or III periodontitis, respectively. The study demonstrated that it is practical to retroactively reassign a diagnosis according to the new 2017 classification using available information included in dental EHRs.
Distress among healthcare providers who provided end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal survey study (the CO-LIVE study)
Authors: Zee Masha S. , Onwuteaka-Philipsen Bregje D. , Witkamp Erica , Heessels Benthe , Goossensen Anne , Korfage Ida J. , Becqué Yvonne N. , Nierop-van Baalen Corine , van der Heide Agnes , Pasman H. Roeline 
Published: May 2024

Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on care at the end-of-life due to restrictions and other circumstances such as high workload and uncertainty about the disease. The objective of this study is to describe the degree of various signs experienced by healthcare providers throughout the first 18 months of the pandemic and to assess what provider’s characteristics and care circumstances related to COVID-19 are associated with distress.

Methods
A longitudinal survey study among healthcare providers from different healthcare settings who provided end-of-life care during the pandemic’s first 18 months. Data of four time periods were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression analysis and Generalized Estimating Equation.

Results
Of the respondents (n=302) the majority had a nursing background (71.8%) and most worked in a hospital (30.3%). Although reported distress was highest in the first period, during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers reported signs of distress in all four time periods. Being more stressed than usual and being regularly exhausted were the most common signs of distress. Healthcare providers working in nursing homes and hospitals were more likely to experience signs of distress, compared to healthcare providers working in hospice facilities, during the whole period of 1.5 years. When HCPs were restricted in providing post-death care, they were more likely to feel more stressed than usual and find their work more often emotionally demanding.

Conclusion
A substantial amount of healthcare providers reported signs of distress during the first 1.5 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cause of distress appears to be that healthcare providers cannot provide the care they desire due the pandemic. Even though the pandemic is over, this remains an important and relevant finding, as high workload can sometimes force healthcare providers to make choices about how they provide care. Given that this can cause prolonged stress and this can lead to burnout (and HCPs leaving their current positions), it is now especially important to continue observing the long term developments of the well-being of our healthcare providers in palliative care and provide timely and adequate support where needed.
Learning semi-supervised enrichment of longitudinal imaging-genetic data for improved prediction of cognitive decline
Authors: Seo Hoon , Brand Lodewijk , Wang Hua ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive memory disorder that causes irreversible cognitive decline. Given that there is currently no cure, it is critical to detect AD in its early stage during the disease progression. Recently, many statistical learning methods have been presented to identify cognitive decline with temporal data, but few of these methods integrate heterogeneous phenotype and genetic information together to improve the accuracy of prediction. In addition, many of these models are often unable to handle incomplete temporal data; this often manifests itself in the removal of records to ensure consistency in the number of records across participants.ResultsTo address these issues, in this work we propose a novel approach to integrate the genetic data and the longitudinal phenotype data to learn a fixed-length “enriched” biomarker representation derived from the temporal heterogeneous neuroimaging records. Armed with this enriched representation, as a fixed-length vector per participant, conventional machine learning models can be used to predict clinical outcomes associated with AD.ConclusionThe proposed method shows improved prediction performance when applied to data derived from Alzheimer’s Disease Neruoimaging Initiative cohort. In addition, our approach can be easily interpreted to allow for the identification and validation of biomarkers associated with cognitive decline.
Perceived barriers and opportunities for implementing an integrated psychological intervention for depression in adolescents living with HIV in Tanzania
Authors: Njau Tasiana , Mwakawanga Dorkasi L. , Sunguya Bruno , Minja Agape , Kaaya Sylvia , Fekadu Abebaw 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Adolescents living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have an increased risk of depression, negatively affecting their adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and treatment outcomes. Integrating mental health care in HIV care and treatment settings improves comprehensive care. However, integration remains challenging in Tanzania, like in other high-burden and low-resource settings. The overall objective of this work is to inform the development of a psychological intervention for depression in adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV). We describe perceived barriers and opportunities for implementing an integrated, evidence-based psychological intervention to manage adolescent depression in HIV care and treatment centers (HIV-CTC) from the perspectives of adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers (HCPs) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods
To inform intervention development and implementation, this study utilized a qualitative design through a phenomenological approach informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to explore implementation barriers and facilitators in ALWHIV, HCPs, and caregivers. Forty-five in-depth interviews were conducted in three HIV-CTCs in Kinondoni Dar es Salaam. Audio records were transcribed verbatim and analyzed deductively through NVIVO software.

Results
Barriers to implementing an integrated psychological intervention to address depression in ALWHIV included (A) poor mental health awareness among caregivers, adolescents, HCPs, and policy-makers, (B) high level of stigma against mental health care, (C) poor communication between adolescents and HCPs concerning mental health care, (D) lack of contextualized intervention of proven effectiveness and guidelines of mental health care, and (E) inadequate mental health care supportive supervision and mentorship. Facilitators for implementation included supportive infrastructure, positive pressure from HIV implementing partners, tension for change, and participant’s perception of the advantage of a psychological intervention as compared to just usual HIV care and treatment counseling.

Conclusion
Despite several modifiable barriers to implementing a psychological intervention in HIV CTC, there were encouraging facilitators and opportunities for implementing an integrated, evidence-based psychological intervention to address depression in ALWHIV in Kinondoni Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The protein phosphatase PP6 promotes RIPK1-dependent PANoptosis
Authors: Bynigeri Ratnakar R. , Malireddi R. K. Subbarao , Mall Raghvendra , Connelly Jon P. , Pruett-Miller Shondra M. , Kanneganti Thirumala-Devi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
The innate immune system serves as the first line of host defense. Transforming growth factor-β–activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a key regulator of innate immunity, cell survival, and cellular homeostasis. Because of its importance in immunity, several pathogens have evolved to carry TAK1 inhibitors. In response, hosts have evolved to sense TAK1 inhibition and induce robust lytic cell death, PANoptosis, mediated by the RIPK1-PANoptosome. PANoptosis is a unique innate immune inflammatory lytic cell death pathway initiated by an innate immune sensor and driven by caspases and RIPKs. While PANoptosis can be beneficial to clear pathogens, excess activation is linked to pathology. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating TAK1 inhibitor (TAK1i)-induced PANoptosis is central to our understanding of RIPK1 in health and disease.

Results
In this study, by analyzing results from a cell death-based CRISPR screen, we identified protein phosphatase 6 (PP6) holoenzyme components as regulators of TAK1i-induced PANoptosis. Loss of the PP6 enzymatic component, PPP6C, significantly reduced TAK1i-induced PANoptosis. Additionally, the PP6 regulatory subunits PPP6R1, PPP6R2, and PPP6R3 had redundant roles in regulating TAK1i-induced PANoptosis, and their combined depletion was required to block TAK1i-induced cell death. Mechanistically, PPP6C and its regulatory subunits promoted the pro-death S166 auto-phosphorylation of RIPK1 and led to a reduction in the pro-survival S321 phosphorylation.

Conclusions
Overall, our findings demonstrate a key requirement for the phosphatase PP6 complex in the activation of TAK1i-induced, RIPK1-dependent PANoptosis, suggesting this complex could be therapeutically targeted in inflammatory conditions.
Development of a highly effective combination monoclonal antibody therapy against Herpes simplex virus
Authors: Seyfizadeh Narges , Kalbermatter David , Imhof Thomas , Ries Moritz , Müller Christian , Jenner Leonie , Blumenschein Elisabeth , Yendrzheyevskiy Alexandra , Grün Frank , Moog Kevin , Eckert Daniel , Engel Ronja , Diebolder Philipp , Chami Mohamed , Krauss Jürgen , Schaller Torsten , Arndt Michaela 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Infections with Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 or -2 usually present as mild chronic recurrent disease, however in rare cases can result in life-threatening conditions with a large spectrum of pathology. Monoclonal antibody therapy has great potential especially to treat infections with virus resistant to standard therapies. HDIT101, a humanized IgG targeting HSV-1/2 gB was previously investigated in phase 2 clinical trials. The aim of this study was to develop a next-generation therapy by combining different antiviral monoclonal antibodies.

Methods
A lymph-node derived phage display library (LYNDAL) was screened against recombinant gB from Herpes simplex virus (HSV) -1 and HDIT102 scFv was selected for its binding characteristics using bio-layer interferometry. HDIT102 was further developed as fully human IgG and tested alone or in combination with HDIT101, a clinically tested humanized anti-HSV IgG, in vitro and in vivo. T-cell stimulating activities by antigen-presenting cells treated with IgG-HSV immune complexes were analyzed using primary human cells. To determine the epitopes, the cryo-EM structures of HDIT101 or HDIT102 Fab bound to HSV-1F as well as HSV-2G gB protein were solved at resolutions < 3.5 Å.

Results
HDIT102 Fab showed strong binding to HSV-1F gB with Kd of 8.95 × 10–11 M and to HSV-2G gB with Kd of 3.29 × 10–11 M. Neutralization of cell-free virus and inhibition of cell-to-cell spread were comparable between HDIT101 and HDIT102. Both antibodies induced internalization of gB from the cell surface into acidic endosomes by binding distinct epitopes in domain I of gB and compete for binding. CryoEM analyses revealed the ability to form heterogenic immune complexes consisting of two HDIT102 and one HDIT101 Fab bound to one gB trimeric molecule. Both antibodies mediated antibody-dependent phagocytosis by antigen presenting cells which stimulated autologous T-cell activation. In vivo, the combination of HDIT101 and HDIT102 demonstrated synergistic effects on survival and clinical outcome in immunocompetent BALB/cOlaHsd mice.

Conclusion
This biochemical and immunological study showcases the potential of an effective combination therapy with two monoclonal anti-gB IgGs for the treatment of HSV-1/2 induced disease conditions.
Medical cannabis use in Australia seven years after legalisation: findings from the online Cannabis as Medicine Survey 2022–2023 (CAMS-22)
Authors: Mills Llewellyn , Arnold Jonathon C. , Suraev Anastasia , Abelev Sarah V. , Zhou Cilla , Arkell Thomas R. , McGregor Iain S. , Lintzeris Nicholas 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundCannabis was legalised for medical purposes in 2016. Uptake was initially slow, but since 2019 there has been a large increase in the number of Australians who have been prescribed cannabis for medical reasons. Yet a significant number of consumers continue to treat their medical conditions via illicitly-sourced cannabis. Little is known about how these two groups of medical cannabis consumers differ.MethodsThe anonymous Cannabis-As-Medicine Survey 2022–2023 (CAMS-22) was available for completion online from December 2022 to April 2023 to adult Australians who had used cannabis to treat a medical condition in the previous year. Recruitment occurred through social media, consumer forums, and medical practices. Questions included demographic characteristics, patterns of cannabis use, conditions treated, and self-rated effectiveness.ResultsOf the 3323 respondents included in these analyses, 2352 (73%) mainly used prescribed medical cannabis, 871 (27%) mainly used illicit. Prescribed users were significantly more likely than illicit users to have had their health condition diagnosed (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.3, 2.2), to consume their cannabis via oral (OR = 1.9; CI 1.5, 2.4) or vaporised (OR = 5.2; CI 4.0, 6.8) routes, and to be sure of the composition of their medical cannabis (OR = 25.0; CI 16.7, 50.0). Prescribed users were significantly less likely to have used cannabis non-medically before medical use (OR = 0.6, CI 0.5, 0.7), consume cannabis via smoked routes (OR = 0.2, CI 0.1, 0.2), and to report any side effects (OR = 0.1; CI 0.1, 0.2). The most common conditions among both prescribed and illicit users were pain (37%), mental health (36%), and sleep (15%) conditions. Prescribed users were significantly more likely to use cannabis to mainly treat a pain (OR = 1.3; CI 1.1, 1.5) or sleep condition (OR = 1.4; CI 1.1, 1.7) and less likely to treat a mental health condition (OR = 0.8; CI 0.7, 0.9). There were no between-group differences in effectiveness with 97% saying medical cannabis had improved their symptoms.ConclusionsFrom a harm-reduction perspective there is much to recommend prescribed medical cannabis; it has fewer side-effects than illicit, is used more safely (oral or vaporised versus smoked routes), gives consumers greater certainty regarding the composition and quality of their medicine, and does not risk exposure to the criminal justice system. Of concern, however, is the apparent willingness of prescribers to prescribe for indications for which there is limited evidence of efficacy, such as mental health and sleep conditions.
Implementing Canada’s first national virtual phone based overdose prevention service: lessons learned from creating the National Overdose Response Service (NORS)
Authors: Rioux William , Taplay Pamela , Morris-Miller Lisa , Ghosh S. Monty 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe opioid epidemic remains one of the largest public health crises in North America to date. While there have been many diverse strategies developed to reduce the harms associated with substance use, these are primarily concentrated within a few large urban centers. As a result, there have been increased calls for equitable access to harm reduction services for those who cannot or choose not to access in-person harm reduction services. In December 2020, Canada’s National Overdose Response Service (NORS) a telephone based overdose response hotline and virtual supervised consumption service, was established in collaboration with various agencies and people with lived and living experience of substance use (PWLLE) across Canada to expand access to harm reduction services using novel Opioid Response Technology. In this manuscript we explore the lessons learned from the establishment and continued operation of the service exploring topics related to the initial establishment of the service, securing a phone line, routing technology, EMS dispatch solutions, peer and volunteer recruitment, legal and ethical support, policy and procedure development, securing funding, and marketing. Furthermore, we detail how this service has grown and changed in response to the various needs of service users.