bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Normal and Abnormal Pregnancy
Authors: Yig¢iter Alin Basşgül 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT
The high resolution, safety and ease of performance make ultrasound the procedure of choice for routine ultrasonography in the first half of pregnancy as a standard of obstetric care. Transvaginal ultrasound has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of early pregnancy. Pregnancies can be detected earlier compared with abdominal ultrasound, patients reassured by showing normal development, accurate gestational age determination, sufficiently early characterization of multiple pregnancy, early diagnosis of lethal anomalies and screening of chromosomal defects can be done with first trimester ultrasonography. Furthermore, recent introduction of three-dimensional and fourdimensional ultrasounds combined with the transvaginal approach has produced more objective and accurate information on embryonal and early fetal development and made it possible to visualize fascinating aspects of embryonic differentiation.
Differences in 5-hydroxytryptamine-3B haplotype frequencies between Asians and Caucasians
Authors: Perwitasari Dyah A. , Van Der Straaten Robert J.H.M. , Mustofa Mustofa , Wessels Judith A.M. , Gelderblom Hans , Guchelaar Henk-Jan 
Published: November 2011

Background The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) receptor is a ligand-operated ion channel with five different receptor subunits (5-HT3A, B, C, D, and E) found in humans. Activation of 5-HT3 receptors influences various effects such as drug-induced emesis and causes behavioral problems such as anxiety, depression and cognitive disorders. To explore interethnic differences in the response to 5-HT3 antagonists, we studied haplotype frequencies in the gene encoding the 5-HT3B receptor in Asians and Caucasians. Methods Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the 5-HT3B receptor gene, i.e., deletion AAG at the 5′-UTR position, 18792A>G at the intron position, and 46698G>A at the 3′ near gene position, were selected and genotyped in 165 Indonesian cancer patients and 188 Caucasian healthy volunteers. Haplotypes were set with gPlink, whereas the differences in haplotype frequencies between Indonesians and Caucasians were compared using multivariate analysis. Results The haplotype profiles based on the deletion AAG, 18792A>G and 46698G>A were AAGAA, AAGAG, AAGGG, and deletion AG in both Indonesians and Caucasians. The frequency of the AAGAG haplotype was 54.8% in Indonesians and 39.9% in Caucasians (p<0.05). The frequency of the AAGGG haplotype was 14.3% in Indonesians and 29.3% in Caucasians. Moreover, there were significant differences in the frequencies of haplotype pairs between Indonesians and Caucasians (p<0.001). Conclusion Indonesian cancer patients had significantly different AAGAG and AAGGG haplotype frequencies of the gene encoding the 5-HT3B receptor compared to healthy Caucasians. This finding could be useful for understanding interethnic differences in the response to drugs targeting the 5-HT3B receptor in cancer-treatment-related emesis.
Married Life, Gay Life as a Work of Art, and Eternal Life:
Authors: Vatter Miguel 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThis article examines the motif of eternal life in Walter Benjamin’s work. Whereas myth understands natality and sexuality as characterized by guilt and deserving of death, this article argues that Benjamin seeks to develop an alternative conception of life that is no longer caught up in guilt and thus no longer fated to die—this is the idea of eternal life. By offering a reading of Benjamin’s essay on Goethe’s Elective Affinities, the article maintains that for Benjamin the possibility of eternal life was always linked to a sexual politics that turns around the problematization of heterosexual, patriarchal conceptions of married life. The outlines of this sexual politics are then further traced in his later work on Baudelaire and compared with Foucault’s reading of Baudelaire in the context of working out an idea of life as a work of art.
Low-Dose Corticosteroids for Critically Ill Adults With Severe Pulmonary Infections
Authors: Pirracchio Romain , Venkatesh Balasubramanian , Legrand Matthieu 
Published: June 2024

ImportanceSevere pulmonary infections, including COVID-19, community-acquired pneumonia, influenza, and Pneumocystis pneumonia, are a leading cause of death among adults worldwide. Pulmonary infections in critically ill patients may cause septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or both, which are associated with mortality rates ranging between 30% and 50%.ObservationsCorticosteroids mitigate the immune response to infection and improve outcomes for patients with several types of severe pulmonary infections. Low-dose corticosteroids, defined as less than or equal to 400 mg hydrocortisone equivalent daily, can reduce mortality of patients with severe COVID-19, community-acquired pneumonia, and Pneumocystis pneumonia. A randomized clinical trial of 6425 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who required supplemental oxygen or noninvasive or invasive mechanical ventilation reported that dexamethasone 6 mg daily for 10 days decreased 28-day mortality (23% vs 26%). A meta-analysis that included 7 randomized clinical trials of 1689 patients treated in the intensive care unit for severe bacterial community-acquired pneumonia reported that hydrocortisone equivalent less than or equal to 400 mg daily for 8 days or fewer was associated with lower 30-day mortality compared with placebo (10% vs 16%). In a meta-analysis of 6 randomized clinical trials, low-dose corticosteroids were associated with lower mortality rates compared with placebo for patients with HIV and moderate to severe Pneumocystis pneumonia (13% vs 25%). In a predefined subgroup analysis of a trial of low-dose steroid treatment for septic shock, patients with community-acquired pneumonia randomized to 7 days of intravenous hydrocortisone 50 mg every 6 hours and fludrocortisone 50 μg daily had decreased mortality compared with the placebo group (39% vs 51%). For patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by various conditions, low-dose corticosteroids were associated with decreased in-hospital mortality (34% vs 45%) according to a meta-analysis of 8 studies that included 1091 patients. Adverse effects of low-dose corticosteroids may include hyperglycemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, neuropsychiatric disorders, muscle weakness, hypernatremia, and secondary infections.Conclusions and RelevanceTreatment with low-dose corticosteroids is associated with decreased mortality for patients with severe COVID-19 infection, severe community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, and moderate to severe Pneumocystis pneumonia (for patients with HIV). Low-dose corticosteroids may also benefit critically ill patients with respiratory infections who have septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or both.
Individual Variation in the Distribution of Apolipoprotein B Levels Across the Spectrum of LDL-C or Non–HDL-C Levels
Authors: Sayed Ahmed , Peterson Eric D. , Virani Salim S. , Sniderman Allan D. , Navar Ann Marie 
Published: June 2024

ImportanceAlthough apolipoprotein B (apoB) is a superior marker of lipid-related risk compared with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), few data exist to translate the goals and thresholds from LDL-C to their apoB equivalent. In addition, although current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines provide a relative indication for apoB measurement among individuals with hypertriglyceridemia, whether discordance is limited to those subgroups is unknown.ObjectivesTo assess the variability in apoB level across the spectrum of LDL-C or non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non–HDL-C) levels and evaluate whether discordance between apoB and LDL-C or non–HDL-C is limited to specifiable subgroups.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study used data from a nationally representative sample of 12 688 adult participants not using statins in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005 and 2016. Statistical analysis was performed from April 2023 to February 2024.Main Outcomes and MeasuresQuantile regression was used to assess the population distribution of apoB across LDL-C or non–HDL-C levels. Discordance between apoB and LDL-C was the difference between measured apoB and median apoB levels for an individual’s LDL-C level. Discordance was evaluated by age, sex, race and ethnicity, obesity, diabetes, triglyceride level, hemoglobin A1c level, body mass index (BMI), statin use, and metabolic health (defined as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, triglyceride level &amp;lt;150 mg/dL, and no diabetes).ResultsAmong the sample of 12 688 participants (median age, 41.0 years [IQR, 29.0-54.0 years]; 52.9% women) for LDL-C values of 55, 70, 100, and 190 mg/dL, the corresponding population median apoB levels were 49, 60, 80, and 140 mg/dL, respectively. For given levels of LDL-C, a range of apoB values was observed. At an LDL-C level of 100 mg/dL, the 95% population distribution of apoB ranged from 66 mg/dL to 99 mg/dL. ApoB variability was highest for LDL-C values estimated using the Friedewald equation, lower when using Sampson or Martin-Hopkins equations, and lowest for non–HDL-C. Although individuals with metabolic risk factors were more likely to have discordantly high apoB levels (ie, had higher median observed apoB levels relative to what was estimated based on LDL-C), significant variability in apoB levels was observed even among metabolically healthy individuals.Conclusions and RelevanceThis study suggests that even metabolically healthy individuals may have discordantly high apoB levels relative to LDL-C or non–HDL-C levels. The current guideline approach for apoB testing only for those with hypertriglyceridemia appears too narrow. Population percentile data can be used to translate LDL-C goals and thresholds to their apoB equivalent to facilitate clinical adoption.
Prevalence and Treatment Patterns in Patients With Lichen Planopilaris
Authors: Pelet del Toro Natalia , Strunk Andrew , Garg Amit , Han George 
Published: June 2024

ImportanceLichen planopilaris (LPP) is a form of scarring alopecia associated with progressive, permanent hair loss. Symptoms range from burning pain to itching, also carrying substantial psychological morbidity. Yet, disease characteristics, pathophysiology, and effective treatment data are limited, making treatment a challenge.ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence and dermatologist-prescribed treatment patterns of LPP among US adults.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study used the Explorys database. The prevalence analysis used a 15% random sample and identified US adults with LPP diagnoses between 2017 and 2019. The LPP treatment analysis included all patients with LPP diagnoses between 2016 and 2020 and a dermatologist encounter in the first year after diagnosis. Data were analyzed from January 2023 to April 2023.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe main outcomes of the prevalence analysis were the crude and standardized prevalence estimates of US adults with LPP across age, sex, and racial groups. The main outcomes of the treatment analysis were the frequency of LPP treatments within 1 year of diagnosis, and the number of patients who continued treatment beyond 1 year, switched treatments, and combined treatments.ResultsAmong 1 466 832 eligible patients analyzed for prevalence, 241 patients had an LPP diagnosis (222 [92.1%] female; median [IQR] age, 64 [54-73] years). Standardized overall prevalence was 13.4 per 100 000 (95% CI, 11.7-15.1). In the treatment analysis, 991 patients had an LPP diagnosis (907 [91.5%] female; median (IQR) age, 60 [47-69] years). Most received at least 1 type of medication (635 [64.1%]), most frequently intralesional corticosteroids (370 [37.3%]) and topical corticosteroids (342 [34.5%]), followed by doxycycline (104 [10.5%]) and hydroxychloroquine (72 [7.3%]). Treatment continued beyond 1 year in 71 of 200 patients (35.5%) prescribed intralesional corticosteroids and 7 of 29 patients (24.1%) prescribed hydroxychloroquine. Treatment switching at 1 year occurred in 32 of 254 patients (12.6%) first prescribed an intralesional corticosteroid and in 44 of 194 (22.7%) first prescribed a topical corticosteroid. Combinations of 2 or 3 treatment types were given to 137 (13.8%) and 74 (7.5%) patients, respectively.Conclusions and RelevanceThis cross-sectional study reported prevalence and treatment patterns for US adults with LPP in a representative sample. Most patients with LPP received treatment, and many received multiple treatment types and switched treatments, suggesting further research into medication selection offers clinical benefit.
Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale for Prurigo Nodularis
Authors: Kwatra Shawn G. , Yosipovitch Gil , Kim Brian , Stander Sonja , Rhoten Stephanie , Ivanescu Cristina , Haeusler Nadine , Brookes Ella , Msihid Jerome , Makhija Melanie , Bansal Ashish , Thomas Ryan B. , Bahloul Donia 
Published: June 2024

ImportancePrurigo nodularis (PN) is a debilitating skin disease characterized by the hallmark symptom of chronic itch; the intensity of itch in PN was assessed using the Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale (WI-NRS) to evaluate the primary efficacy end point of 2 recent phase 3 studies of dupilumab treatment for PN.ObjectiveTo validate the psychometric properties and to determine the clinically meaningful improvement threshold for WI-NRS in patients with moderate to severe PN.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this secondary analysis of the PRIME and PRIME2 trials, content validity of WI-NRS was assessed through in-depth patient interviews. Psychometric assessments used pooled data from masked, intention-to-treat (ITT) patients with PN from randomized, double-masked, and placebo-controlled studies. Psychometric assessments included test-retest reliability, construct validity, known-groups validity, and sensitivity to change in adult patients with moderate-to-severe PN. Thresholds for meaningful within-patient improvement in the WI-NRS score were determined using anchor and distribution-based approaches. Data were analyzed after completion of each study, December 2019 to November 2021 for PRIME and January 2020 to August 2021 for PRIME2.ExposuresDupilumab (300 mg) or placebo subcutaneously every 2 weeks for 24 weeks.Main outcomes and measuresWI-NRS score at specified time points up to 24 weeks after randomization.ResultsA total of 20 patients were included across the 2 studies (mean [SD] age, 49.3 [17.2] years; 11 female [55%]); 311 patients were included in the pooled intention-to-treat analysis (mean [SD] age, 49.5 [16.1] years; 203 female [65.3%]). The WI-NRS questions (20 of 20 patients), recall period (19 of 20 patients), and response scale (20 of 20 patients) were easy to understand and relevant for patients with PN. Adequate test-retest reliability was observed between screening and baseline (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.72, using Patient Global Impression of Severity [PGIS] to define stable patients). Convergent and discriminant validity was supported by moderate to strong correlations (absolute r range = 0.34-0.73) with other conceptually related measures and weaker correlations (absolute r range = 0.06-0.32) with less-related measures, respectively. WI-NRS was sensitive to change, as demonstrated by differences in change from baseline among groups (per PGIS change and PGI of Change [PGIC]). Using anchor-based approach with PGIS and PGIC, the clinically meaningful improvement threshold was 4 points (range, 3.0-4.5), which was also supported by distribution-based methods.Conclusion and RelevanceThis study found that WI-NRS may be a fit-for-purpose instrument to support efficacy end points measuring the intensity of itching in adults with PN.Trial RegistrationNCT04183335 (PRIME) and NCT04202679 (PRIME2)
Racial Discrimination and Risk for Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms Among Black Youths
Authors: Oshri Assaf , Reck Ava Jane , Carter Sierra E. , Uddin Lucina Q. , Geier Charles F. , Beach Steven R. H. , Brody Gene H. , Kogan Steven M. , Sweet Larry H. 
Published: June 2024

ImportanceRacial discrimination is a psychosocial stressor associated with youths’ risk for psychiatric symptoms. Scarce data exist on the moderating role of amygdalar activation patterns among Black youths in the US.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between racial discrimination and risk for psychopathology moderated by neuroaffective processing.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cohort study used longitudinal self-report and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from Black youth participants in the US from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Data were analyzed from January 2023 to May 2024.ExposuresAt time 1 of the current study (12 months after baseline), youths self-reported on their experiences of interpersonal racial discrimination and their feelings of marginalization. Amygdalar response was measured during an emotionally valenced task that included blocks of faces expressing either neutral or negative emotion.Main Outcomes and MeasuresAt 24 and 36 months after baseline, youths reported their internalizing (anxiety and depressive symptoms) and externalizing symptoms (aggression and rule-breaking symptoms).ResultsA total of 1596 youths were a mean (SD) age of 10.92 (0.63) years, and 803 were female (50.3%). Families in the study had a mean annual income range of $25 000 to $34 999. Two factors were derived from factor analysis: interpersonal racial discrimination and feelings of marginalization (FoM). Using structural equation modeling in a linear regression, standardized β coefficients were obtained. Neural response to faces expressing negative emotion within the right amygdala significantly moderated the association between FoM and changes in internalizing symptoms (β = −0.20; 95% CI, −0.32 to −0.07; P &amp;lt; .001). The response to negative facial emotion within the right amygdala significantly moderated the association between FoM and changes in externalizing symptoms (β = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.43; P = .02). Left amygdala response to negative emotion significantly moderated the association between FoM and changes in externalizing symptoms (β = −0.16; 95% CI, −0.32 to −0.01; P = .04).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study of Black adolescents in the US, findings suggest that amygdala function in response to emotional stimuli can both protect and intensify the affective outcomes of feeling marginalized on risk for psychopathology, informing preventive interventions aimed at reducing the adverse effects of racism on internalizing and externalizing symptoms among Black youths.
The impact of the titanium cranial hardware in proton single‐field uniform dose plans
Authors: Wang Peng , O'Grady Fionnbarr Timothy , Janson Martin , Kim Daniel , Choe Kevin S. , Grayden MacLennan , Bamberger Caroline K. , Fan Jiajin 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundNeurosurgical cranial titanium mesh and screws are commonly encountered in postoperative radiation therapy. However, only a limited number of reports are available in the context of proton therapy, resulting in a lack of consensus among the proton centers regarding the protocol for handling the hardware.PurposeThis study is to examine the impact of the hardware in proton plans. The results serve as evidence for proton centers to generate standard operating procedures to manage the hardware in proton treatment.MethodsPlans with different gantry angles and material overrides are generated on the CT images of a phantom made of the hardware. The dose distributions of the plans with and without material override, at different depths are compared. Films and ionization chambers are used to measure the plans and the measurements are compared to the treatment planning system (TPS) calculations by gamma analysis.ResultsThere are some overdose and underdose regions downstream of the hardware. The overdose and underdose values are within a few percent of the prescribed dose when multiple fields with large hinge angles are used. The gamma analysis results show that the measurements agree with the TPS calculations within limits that are clinically relevant.ConclusionThe study has demonstrated the influence of the hardware on proton plans. Based on the result of this study, a standard operating procedure of managing the hardware has been implemented in our clinic.
Development of a Mouse Cardiac Sarcoidosis Model Using Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Van Remortel Sophie , Risha Yousef , Parent Sandrine , Nair Vidhya , Birnie David H. , Davis Darryl R. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractSarcoidosis, a granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology affecting multiple organs. It is often a benign disease but can have significant morbidity and mortality when the heart is involved (often presenting with clinical manifestations such as conduction irregularities and heart failure). This study addresses a critical gap in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) research by developing a robust animal model. The absence of a reliable animal model for cardiac sarcoidosis is a significant obstacle in advancing understanding and treatment of this condition. The proposed model utilizes carbon nanotube injection and transverse aortic constriction as stressors. Intramyocardial injection of carbon nanotubes induces histiocytes typical of sarcoid granulomas in the heart but shows limited effects on fibrosis or cardiac function. Priming the immune system with transverse aortic constriction prior to intramyocardial injection of carbon nanotubes enhances cardiac fibrosis, diminishes cardiac function, and impairs cardiac conduction. This novel, easily executable model may serve as a valuable tool for disease profiling, biomarker identification, and therapeutic exploration.
Photoresponsive Drug Delivery Systems: Challenges and Progress
Authors: Yang Yang , Long Kaiqi , Chu Yuxiu , Lu Huiping , Wang Weiping , Zhan Changyou 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPhotoresponsive drug delivery systems (PDDSs) have emerged as a promising toolbox for drug delivery, offering precise control over the site, duration, and dosage of light‐triggered medication. It allows controlled drug release, photo‐triggered targeting, diagnosis, and treatment, improving the precision and efficacy of therapies for various diseases. Despite progress in designing different PDDSs, clinical translation has been limited due to various obstacles. Herein, this review article focuses on three critical challenges of PDDSs: 1) accumulation at diseased lesions, 2) precision of light irradiation, and 3) penetration of light in tissues. Also, this article summarizes and discusses current advancements and strategies to address these challenges. Overall, it emphasizes the need to clarify the current challenges from bench to bedside and develop strategies to enhance therapeutic outcomes, increase compatibility and patient compliance, and unlock the possibilities in different clinical therapies.