bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eligibility for antiamyloid treatment: preparing for disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Dobson Ruth , Patterson Katherine , Malik Reshad , Mandal Uttara , Asif Hina , Humphreys Ros , Payne Michael , O-Charoenrat Eng , Huzzey Lauren , Clare Adam , Green Kate , Morton Maija , Sohrabi Catrin , Singh Navreen , Pasupathy Amirtha , Patel Milan , Whiteman Sam , Maxmin Kate , Bass Nicholas , Gupta Bhavya , Cooper Claudia , Marshall Charles , Weil Rimona Sharon , Mummery Catherine J 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundDisease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have early evidence of efficacy. Widespread delivery of DMTs will require major service reconfiguration. Treatment pathways will need to include triaging for eligibility, regular infusions and baseline and follow-up MRI scanning. A critical step in planning is provision of real-world estimates of patients likely to be eligible for triaging, but these are challenging to obtain.MethodsWe performed a retrospective service evaluation of patients attending five memory services across North and East London and a national specialist cognitive disorders service. We examined the likely proportion of patients who would (1) be referred for triaging for DMTs and (2) potentially be suitable for treatments.ResultsData from a total of 1017 patients were included, 517 of whom were seen in community memory services and 500 in a specialist clinic. In the memory services, 367/517 (71%) were diagnosed with possible AD. After exclusions of those in whom cognitive and frailty scores, MRI contraindications or anticoagulant use indicated they would be unlikely to be suitable, an estimated 32% would be eligible for triaging. In the specialist cognitive clinic, where additional investigations are available, 14% of those seen (70/500) would be potentially eligible for treatment.ConclusionsWhile a sizeable proportion of patients attending memory clinics may be referred for triaging for DMTs for AD, only a minority are likely to be suitable for these, as demonstrated in patients seen in specialist cognitive services. This will need to be considered when designing pathways for DMT delivery.
Flexible ureteroscopy in Chinese air force pilots with renal calculi: a cohort study at a single medical centre
Authors: Li Xintao , Zhang J , Yu D , Wang J , Sheng H , Li D , Chen K , Xing J , Wei X , Yan J , Xiao S , Mu D , Guo H , Sun B , Li J 
Published: June 2024

IntroductionRenal calculi are the predominant urological ailment in air force pilots. Flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) constitutes a valuable approach for renal calculi treatment. This study presents a decade-long exploration of using FURS for renal calculi treatment in air force pilots. Additionally, it investigates the safety and feasibility of granting waiver flights to pilots with renal parenchyma calcification.MethodsFrom December 2009 to December 2019, a retrospective review was conducted on Chinese air force pilots undergoing treatment for renal calculi. Among the pilots assessed, a total of 71 individuals underwent FURS. Endoscopic methodology involved the insertion of a flexible ureteroscope into the ureter and renal pelvis, guided by a safety wire. Stone fragmentation was achieved using a holmium laser fibre, followed by extraction using a soft stone basket. Postoperative non-enhanced CT (NECT) scans was used to confirm stone clearance. Furthermore, clinical diagnoses were classified based on endoscopic findings and postoperative NECT results. All data were presented as mean (SD) or median (minimum-maximum) for continuous variables and frequency counts and percentages for categorical variables.ResultsFURS identified free kidney stones in 60 cases among all patients. The remaining 11 cases, without free stones detected during ureteroscopy, exhibited persistent high-density spots on postoperative NECT. Of the 60 cases with stones, renal calculi were successfully cleared in 30 pilots, while the remaining 30 exhibited persistent high-density spots on NECT postsurgery. Pilots with completely cleared free stones were deemed fit for flight. Pilots with diagnosed renal parenchyma calcification were granted permission to fly under waivers following a meticulous evaluation.ConclusionsFURS could not only effectively eliminate renal calculi but also accurately diagnose renal parenchyma calcification, facilitating a prompt return to flight for pilots. A protocol for managing pilot renal calculi, informed by FURS and our experience, is proposed.
Lessons learned from the experiences of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPP syndrome) with a multidisciplinary consultation: a qualitative study
Authors: Wissing Myrthe C , van der Net Lotte , Engels Yvonne , Vissers Kris C P , Kluivers Kirsten B , Wal Selina van der , Notten Kim J B 
Published: June 2024

IntroductionChronic pelvic pain syndrome is a complex multifactorial condition with an increasing prevalence probably due to a rising awareness. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is pain in the pelvic area and often accompanied with complaints in other organ systems of the lesser pelvis. Patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome who present at our center are evaluated in a standardized care pathway with an integrated multidisciplinary consultation. The team works in a single center and consists of gynecologists, pain specialists, urologists, a pelvic floor physiotherapist and a psychologist. The aim of this interview study is to evaluate the value of the multidisciplinary consultation from the patient’s perspectives.MethodsIn a qualitative study, we evaluated the experiences and perspectives of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome concerning the multidisciplinary consultation at the Radboud University Medical Center. Semistructured interviews were conducted with patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome who attended a multidisciplinary consultation between 2019 and 2022. All interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed via ATLAS.ti with the conventional content analysis.ResultsData saturation was reached after seven interviews, followed by three confirmative interviews. In total, 10 patients (22–76 years) participated in the study. Three relevant themes were identified in the interviews: the deleterious effects of pain on overall health, the importance of the design of the multidisciplinary consultation, and the performance of healthcare professionals (knowledge, skills and interaction with patients and colleagues). Participants suggested that although the consultation did not improve their pain experience, there was value in having a comprehensive assessment of their disease. Patients preferred the consultation to occur at the beginning of the care. Additionally, they acknowledged the performance of healthcare providers and having their complaints recognized. However, some participants suggested the need for additional attention to mental health issues during the multidisciplinary consultation.DiscussionEven though patients did not perceive the multidisciplinary consultation to improve their pain experience, they appreciated the sense of recognition by this team.ConclusionA multidisciplinary consultation is of value from the patients’ perspective. A suggestion for improvement emerged where the multidisciplinary consultation should occur at the beginning of the patient journey.
CT informs detection and treatment options in rheumatoid arthritis complicated by pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease from the FIRST registry
Authors: Funada Masashi , Miyazaki Yusuke , Nakayamada Shingo , Sonomoto Koshiro , Kubo Satoshi , Miyagawa Ippei , Tanaka Hiroaki , Tanaka Yoshiya 
Published: June 2024

ObjectiveTo investigate the early detection of pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) disease by CT before the initiation of molecular-targeted therapeutic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the efficacy and safety of combined treatment with antibiotics.MethodsPatients with RA underwent chest CT before the introduction of molecular-targeted therapies in the Further Improvement of Rheumatoid arthritis Treatment registry. The primary endpoint was the number of patients who were detected by CT as having PNTM disease, complicating RA.ResultsOf 4447 patients with RA who underwent chest CT, 107 had suspected PNTM disease, and 33 diagnoses were confirmed by culture. In 14 of the 33 patients, plain radiographs showed no abnormalities; PNTM disease was only observed on CT scans. The prevalence of PNTM disease in patients with RA requiring molecular-targeted treatment was six times higher than that in healthy individuals. 31 patients initiated molecular-targeted therapeutic drugs in combination with anti-NTM treatment, and 28 were followed up for 24 months. No significant difference was observed in the retention rate and RA disease activity at 24 months between the PNTM and non-PNTM groups. Coexisting PNTM disease did not affect treatment discontinuation. None of the 28 patients in the PNTM group experienced exacerbation of PNTM disease.ConclusionCT screening before the initiation of molecular-targeted treatment enabled the detection of asymptomatic PNTM that was undetectable on plain radiographs. This study showed that molecular-targeted therapeutic drugs in combination with anti-NTM treatment could control the disease activity of both PNTM and RA.
The Bocharova–Bronnikov–Melnikov–Bekenstein black hole’s exact quasibound states and Hawking radiation
Authors: Senjaya David 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this letter, we investigate behaviour of massive and massless scalar field that is represented by the covariant Klein–Gordon equation with Bocharova–Bronnikov–Melnikov–Bekenstein (BBMB) black hole background. We successfully solve analytically the governing relativistic wave equation and discover the exact quasibound states’ wave functions and energy levels of both massive and massless cases. The corresponding quasibound states have complex-valued energy $$E=E_R+iE_I$$

E
=

E
R

+
i

E
I

where the real part $$E_R$$

E
R

can be interpreted as the scalar’s relativistic quantized energy while the imaginary part represents decay as the quasibound states tunnels through the black hole’s horizon. The Hawking radiation coming out of the BBMB black hole’s horizon is also discussed and calculated via the Damour–Ruffini method, i.e. by singling out the particle–anti-particle parts of the obtained exact scalar’s exact wave function from where, the radiation distribution function is derived and the Hawking temperature is obtained.
Behavioral design in video games
Authors: Birk Max V. , van der Hof Simone , van Rooij Antonius J. 
Published: June 2024

Game design has an impact on health and well-being. Due to their evolving capacities, young people and children are especially sensitive to the negative and positive impacts of media design choices. To protect vulnerable people, ethical and responsible game design practices are necessary. But what constitutes “ethical” and responsible game design?
Defining “behavioral design” as video game design decisions that elicit, either accidentally or purposefully, self-negative or self-beneficial behavior in the gamer, we draw from expertise in public health, game design, and legal scholarship to analyze current game design practices. Our work illustrates the centrality of changing business models with game design and the resulting tension within games. In practice, monetization strategies regularly guide decision-making in game design, facilitating risks for gamer welfare and finances.
Religion and Coronavirus Response in Kano State, Nigeria
Authors: Okorie Mitterand Mvono 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
In April 2020 there was an inordinate spike in COVID-19 related deaths in Kano State, northern Nigeria, due to a lack of adherence to the national public health emergency recommendations. This article aims to explain why this public health fiasco occurred. Utilizing secondary academic literature and news reports from local media, the article interrogates the manifestation of Islam in northern Nigeria and the resulting undermining of the country’s coronavirus mitigation response. The evidence from Kano State indicates that religious authorities failed to heed the suspension of congregational prayers as the relevant health agencies advised, due to a belief in the exceptionality of northern Nigeria as a theocratic substate in a secular federation. The article therefore highlights the challenges of communicating public health risk in a context where the authority of religious leaders, real or imagined, undercuts the power of state institutions.
Study of the Future Evolution of the Urban Climate of Paris by Statistical–Dynamical Downscaling of the EURO-CORDEX Ensemble
Authors: Le Roy Benjamin , Lemonsu Aude , Schoetter Robert , Machado Tiago 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
High-resolution urban climate projections are needed for local decision-making on climate change adaptation. Regional climate models have resolutions that are too coarse to simulate the urban climate at such resolutions. A novel statistical–dynamical downscaling (SDD) approach is used here to downscale the EURO-CORDEX ensemble to a resolution of 1 km while adding the effect of the city of Paris (France) on air temperature. The downscaled atmospheric fields are then used to drive the Town Energy Balance urban canopy model to produce high-resolution temperature maps over the period 1970–2099, while maintaining the city’s land cover in its present state. The different steps of the SDD are evaluated for the summer season. The regional climate models simulate minimum (maximum) temperatures (TN/TX) that are too high (low). After correction and downscaling, the urban simulations inherit some of these biases but give satisfactory results for summer urban heat islands (UHIs), with average biases of −0.6 K at night and +0.3 K during the day. Changes in future summer temperatures are then studied for two greenhouse gas emission scenarios, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Outside the city, the simulations project average increases of 4.1 and 4.8 K for TN and TX for RCP8.5, respectively. In the city, warming is lower, resulting in a decrease in UHIs of −0.19 K at night (from 2.1 to 1.9 K) and −0.16 K during the day. The changes in UHIs are explained by higher rates of warming in rural temperatures due to lower summer precipitation and soil water content and are partially offset by increased ground heat storage in the city.
Anticancer effect of Poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone/chitosan/silver nanoparticles) nanocomposite synthesized by gamma radiation
Authors: Ali Hassan Mohamed , S El-Deap Mohamed , Mahmoud Farag Ahmed , Abdelrahman Ibrahim Y , Abdel-Ghaffar Ashraf Maher 
Published: June 2024

Poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone/chitosan/Ag nanoparticles) Poly (NVP/CS/AgNPs) nanocomposite was prepared by using gamma radiation. Silver nitrate was reduced to AgNPs by using gamma radiation to create highly stable, and evenly dispersed AgNPs within the nanocomposite network. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis are used to identify the characteristics of the prepared nanocomposite. The newly biocompatible Poly (NVP/CS/AgNPs) nanocomposite prepared by the gamma radiation is used as a model for an anticancer drug. Regarding its application on cancer cells, the results of the outcome demonstrate that the Poly (NVP/CS/AgNPs) nanocomposite significantly decreased the HepG2 cell viability from 100% to 1.5% after 72 hours using the concentration of 30 µg/ml, and the IC50 recorded 10.024 µg/ml at 72 hours of treatment. Moreover, the treatment with the Poly (NVP/CS/AgNPs) nanocomposite increases the cytotoxicity against cancer cells at different concentrations 30 µg/ml and 3.75 µg/ml at different time intervals of 24, 48, and 72 hours. The percent change of MDA, and H2O2 increased in treated cells, and was recorded at 127%, and 69%, respectively, but the CAT activity decreased by 47% in comparison with untreated cells. Relative gene expression was performed in the control, and treated group. The gene expression revealed that the Bcl-2 gene expression as the anti-apoptotic gene was downregulated in the treated group. In contrast, the apoptotic gene BAX was upregulated, and reached 7383-fold in the group treated. The Bax/ Bcl2 ratio reached 625.19 which is an excellent indicator of apoptosis. Using western blot, the protein expression increased for Caspse-3 and P53 recorded at 203% and 109%, respectively. In conclusion, Poly (NVP/CS/AgNPs) nanocomposite has a potent effect on killing cancer cells.
Discontinuation of maintenance peritoneal dialysis in children—A 10-year review from a single center in a low resource setting
Authors: Aujo Judith Caroline , Coetzee Ashton , Masu Adelaide , Enimil Anthony , Luyckx Valerie A , Nourse Peter J , McCulloch Mignon I 
Published: June 2024

Introduction In South Africa, only children considered eligible for transplantation are offered dialysis as bridge to kidney transplantation. Maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD) is preferred and has several advantages over hemodialysis (HD). While awaiting transplantation, PD may be discontinued due to permanent transfer to HD or death while on PD, of which the occurrence and burden is not known in our setting. We investigated the rate of discontinuation of maintenance PD, and associated factors among children awaiting a kidney transplant under challenging socio-economic circumstances in a low resource setting. Methods Single center retrospective analysis of children receiving maintenance PD. Outcomes included the proportion of children who discontinued PD before transplantation, associated factors and timing of discontinuation, and the proportion transplanted. Time to discontinuation or transplantation was displayed using a Kaplan–Meier curve. Results Sixty-seven children who received maintenance automated PD as initial dialysis modality were identified from the kidney transplant waiting list between January 2009 and December 2018. Complete data was available for 52 of the 67 children. Four children had prior failed kidney transplants. The median age was 11 years (interquartile range 6.0, 13.1). Overall, 17/52 (32.7%) children discontinued PD, with 13 (25%) transfers to HD and 4 deaths (7.7%), whereas 29/52 (55.8%) received a kidney transplant. Three of the deaths were PD related. Six children remained on maintenance PD at the end of the study period. Over a half of our patients discontinued PD by 12 months, and 80% by 30 months. Most PD discontinuations were associated with peritonitis. Conclusions The proportion discontinuing PD was high, highlighting the need to optimize measures to improve retention rates, especially through prevention of peritonitis.
Skin cancer screening recommendations by U.S. cancer centers: Inconsistency with national guidelines
Authors: Lee Joyce , Han Lynn K , Morris Luc G.T. , Korenstein Deborah , Marti Jennifer L 
Published: June 2024

Objective The incidence of melanoma has increased dramatically over the past four decades, while overall mortality has remained stable. This increase in incidence without a change in overall mortality may be due to overdiagnosis through skin cancer screening. Despite the USPSTF citing insufficient evidence for or against professional skin cancer screening in average-risk adults, U.S. skin cancer screening practices may be leading to overdiagnosis of skin cancers. Methods Two reviewers examined the online recommendations for skin cancer screening of 1113 U.S. cancer centers accredited by the Commission on Cancer, including 66 designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Recommendations on skin cancer screening, such as age, frequency, and patient population (i.e. high-risk of developing skin cancer, “people of color”) were documented. Results We found that 18% of centers (202) recommended professional screening in average-risk adults, 35.8% (399) advised regular self-examination, and only 3.4% (38) cited insufficient evidence for screening practices; 49% of NCI centers (32/66) recommended screening in high-risk adults compared to 13% of non-NCI centers (135/1047; p = 0.0004); 0.45% of centers (5) mentioned the potential harms of screening, while 3.5% (39) specifically recommended screening for people of color. Conclusion Our study reveals that many U.S. cancer centers advise some form of skin cancer screening despite a lack of evidence for or against these practices. Few centers mentioned the potential harms of screening, including overdiagnosis. This indicates a need for stronger evidence for specific screening guidelines and for greater public awareness of the potential benefits and harms of routine skin cancer screening.
Hospital and intensive care unit stay associated with body mass index affect cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Pleguezuelos Eulogio , Del Carmen Amin , Serra Mateu , Moreno Eva , Miravitlles Marc , Garnacho-Castaño Manuel Vicente 
Published: June 2024

Background The effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the cardiorespiratory fitness of hospitalized and obese patients are of utmost relevance. This study aimed to analyze how hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay together with body mass index affect cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with COVID-19. Methods 251 participants (males, n = 118; females, n = 133) were assigned to four groups: non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients ( n = 65, age: 45.3 years), hospitalized COVID-19 patients ( n = 63, age: 57.6 years), COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU ( n = 61, age: 56.9 years), and control group ( n = 62, age: 49.8 years). An incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed between 3 and 6 weeks after medical discharge from hospital. Results Higher peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), ventilatory efficiency and power output were found in ICU patients with normal weight (NW) than in overweight (OW) (Mean difference: 0.1 L·min−1, −5.5, 29.0 W, respectively) and obese (OB) ICU patients (Mean difference: 0.1 L·min−1, −5.0, 26.2 W, respectively) ( p < .05). In NW, OW and OB participants, higher VO2peak and power output were observed in control group compared with non-hospitalized (Mean difference: NW: 0.2 L·min−1, 83.3 W; OW: 0.2 L·min−1, 60.0 W; OB: 0.2 L·min−1, 70.9 W, respectively), hospitalized (Mean difference: NW: 0.2 L·min−1, 72.9 W; OW: 0.1 L·min−1, 58.3 W; OB: 0.2 L•min−1, 91.1 W, respectively) and ICU patients (Mean difference: NW: 0.1 L·min−1, 70.9 W; OW: 0.2 L·min−1, 91.1 W; OB: 0.3 L·min−1; 65.0 W, respectively) ( p < .05). Conclusions The degree of severity of COVID-19, especially identified by hospitalization and ICU stay, together with obesity and overweight were key factors in reducing cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with COVID-19.