bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The level of medical students’ knowledge regarding the prevention of cervical cancer
Authors: Shrateh Oadi N. , Habib Ashna , Jalamneh Basil , Omar Belal M.M. , Naasan Mashhour 
Published: March 2024

Background:
In Palestine, cervical cancer is the third most common gynaecological cancer, exhibiting higher mortality rates compared to regional counterparts. Late-stage diagnosis and limited awareness contribute to this disparity. This study aims to assess the awareness of Palestinian medical students regarding cervical cancer prevention.

Methods:
A questionnaire-based survey involving 532 medical students from various Palestinian universities was conducted between October 2023 and December 2023. The survey encompassed closed-ended quantitative and demographic questions distributed through social media.

Results:
The study was carried out on a group of 532 medical students (66.3% women and 33.6% men), (average age 21.7 years). Most students (77.7%) knew that the main risk factor for cervical cancer was human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Participants doing the internship had the greatest knowledge, whereas students from the first year had the poorest knowledge about the main risk factors for cancer of the cervix. Only about half, 50.2% of all students, knew that in Palestine, there is no screening program. 84.4% of students correctly indicated that the cervical cancer screening test is a pap smear test. 41.4% of respondents knew that microscopic evaluation of the exfoliated cells from the vaginal part of the cervix is the screening test for cervical cancer which is used. Only about half of the students (45.1%) knew that there were no specific early symptoms of cervical cancer.

Conclusions:
This study highlights the need for enhanced education, particularly regarding screening program awareness, among Palestinian medical students. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial for effective preventive strategies.
Efficacy of bone ring grafts for the reconstruction of alveolar ridge deficiencies: a systematic review. Part II: animal trials
Authors: Zhao Ruimin , Zhang Zhelun , Yang Peixuan , Xu Xu , Yuan Zhenfei , Gong Jiaming 
Published: March 2024

Background:
Bone ring (BR) grafts have been introduced to reconstruct alveolar ridge defects with simultaneous implant placement, but their clinical effectiveness remains undetermined. The aim of the current systematic review was to critically appraise evidence from animal studies regarding the effectiveness of BR grafts in alveolar ridge reconstruction and their variations under different surgical protocols.

Methods:
Electronic retrieval of six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus) and citation search until 11 October 2023, for animal studies on bone augmentation employing BR grafts. The outcome variables were total bone area (BA), bone volume (BV), bone-implant contact (BIC), and histology. The protocol was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023453949).

Results:
Ten studies were included in the qualitative analysis according to the screening criteria. Two studies demonstrated favorable bone remodeling and osseointegration of the BR with both the implant and pristine bone. A comparative study between autogenous BRs and allogenic BRs reported a higher percentage of BA and BIC at 4 months of healing, but conflicting data were observed at 8 months. Another study indicated a significant advantage of autogenous BRs over bovine and biphasic ceramic BRs in terms of BA and BIC after 5 weeks. Three studies found that using collagen membranes did not significantly affect BA, BV, or BIC when used simultaneously with autogenous BRs during implant placement. Two studies evaluated one-stage and two-stage implant placement in conjunction with BR grafts, revealing similar levels of BA, BV, and BIC except for differences in total treatment time. Furthermore, one study found that the use of mucogingival junction incision and split-thickness flap significantly reduced the incidence of wound dehiscence compared with conventional incision and flap.

Conclusions:
Vertical bone augmentation surgery utilizing BR grafts with one-stage implant placement yielded histological and histomorphometric outcomes comparable to those achieved with two-stage implant placement or the additional application of collagen membrane.
An abrupt fatal hemothorax in a stable COVID-19 patient: a case report with literature review
Authors: Ghabally Mike , Shebli Baraa , Yahaya Hassan , Al Ali Yasin , Alhames Samer 
Published: March 2024

Introduction and importance:
COVID-19 has been widely spread in the last 2 years. Hemothorax is considered one of the rarest complications of COVID-19.

Case presentation:
The authors herein report a case of a 52-year-old patient of COVID-19 that was complicated with abrupt massive hemothorax with hemodynamic instability. Emergent thoracostomy drained almost 4500 ml of blood within 48 h. Thoracoscopy was also performed draining an additional 2000 ml of blood and clots. No further bleeding occurred. Unfortunately, the patient died of septic shock and multiorgan dysfunction.

Clinical discussion:
Hemothorax has been reported in seven patients with COVID-19 in the medical literature. Six patients had severe infection with veno-venous extra-corporeal membranous oxygenation (VV-ECMO), and the seventh patient had necrotizing pneumonia. To our knowledge, this represents the first patient of an abrupt massive hemothorax in a COVID-19 patient just before recovery.

Conclusion:
Post-COVID-19 hemothorax should be suspected in severe cases with sudden clinical deterioration and evidence of pleural effusion.
Diagnosing adjustment disorder in patients with cancer: evaluation of the adherence, interrater agreement, and content of a guideline-based interview
Authors: Wijnhoven Lonneke M.A. , van Zutphen Linda , Custers José A.E. , van Beek Florie E. , Holtmaat Karen , Jansen Femke , Verdonck-de Leeuw Irma M. , Kwakkenbos Linda , Prins Judith B. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence, interrater agreement, and content of a guideline-based semistructured interview for adjustment disorder (AD) in patients with cancer.

Methods:
In total, 120 AD interviews with patients with cancer were performed by 9 trained psychologists. The interview contained topics related to stressors, resilience, and symptoms and complaints. Audiotaped interviews of 72 patients were available. Adherence to the interview manual was scored by two researchers independently, and the average adherence was calculated per topic. Interrater agreement was calculated using Cohen's Kappa. The content of the interviews was evaluated using thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews of patients with an AD diagnosis.

Results:
In the interviews, 97% of the topics were covered at least briefly and 78% of all topics were addressed at least adequately. Interviewers asked questions regarding stressors and symptoms and complaints more thoroughly compared with resilience. The interrater agreement regarding the AD diagnosis was moderate (Kappa 0.55). The content analysis showed that stressors and resilience can be additionally specified into physical, psychological, spiritual, and social themes, which are relevant to explore in the context of an AD diagnosis after cancer.

Conclusion:
The guideline-based interview for AD identifies problems and protective factors with adequate adherence and moderate agreement. A balanced investigation of stressors, resilience, and symptoms is important for optimal clinical decision-making regarding AD in the context of cancer.
Para Powerlifting Performance
Authors: Lopes-Silva João Paulo , Franchini Emerson , Kons Rafael 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objective
We analyzed the retrospective performance of para powerlifters over 8 yrs considering sex, the origin of impairment, and sport classification of para powerlifting.

Design
This retrospective study analyzed data from 6791 (4613 and 2178 for male and female, respectively) individual results from 1634 athletes’ performances. We collected absolute load (in kilograms), relative load (in kilogram/body mass), chronological age and origin of impairment (acquired or congenital), and sport classification (leg length difference, limb deficiency, range of movement, impaired muscle power, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, and short stature of para powerlifters.

Results
Males were stronger than females thorough the years with acquired impairment being stronger than congenital impairment. Para powerlifters with acquired impairment were older compared with congenital impairment over the years. Acquired impairment males won 60% more medals than the congenital group. There was a significant association between competition achievement and sports class classification, with a higher number of medals for limb deficiency than other sports classes.

Conclusions
These results demonstrate that the sex, origin of impairment, and sports classification influence performance of athletes in para powerlifting. Thus, this information can help athletes, coaches, sport managers, and sport institutions involved in the sport of para powerlifting.
Risk of Stroke Among HIV Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Global Studies and Associated Comorbidities
Authors: Moawad Mostafa Hossam El Din , Mohamed Shalaby Mahmoud Mohamed , Hamouda Esraa , Mahfouz Amany , Mouffokes Adel , Hamouda Heba , Abbas Abdallah , Abdelgawad Hussien Ahmed H. 
Published: March 2024

Background:
Despite advancements in the management of HIV infection, the factors contributing to stroke development among HIV-positive individuals remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to identify and evaluate the relative risk factors associated with stroke susceptibility in the HIV population.

Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify studies investigating the risk of stroke development in HIV patients and assessing the role of different risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, sex, and race. The quality assessment of case–control studies was conducted using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, whereas cohort studies were assessed using the National Institute of Health tool. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model to determine pooled hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:
A total of 18 observational studies involving 116,184 HIV-positive and 3,184,245 HIV-negative patients were included. HIV-positive patients exhibited a significantly higher risk of stroke compared with HIV-negative patients [OR (95% CI): 1.31 (1.20 to 1.44)]. Subgroup analyses revealed increased risks for both ischemic stroke [OR (95% CI): 1.32 (1.19 to 1.46)] and hemorrhagic stroke [OR (95% CI): 1.31 (1.09 to 1.56)]. Pooled adjusted HRs showed a significant association between stroke and HIV positivity (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.54). Among HIV-positive patients with stroke, hypertension [OR (95% CI): 3.5 (1.42 to 8.65)], diabetes [OR (95% CI): 5 (2.12 to 11.95)], hyperlipidemia, smoking, male gender, and black race were associated with an increased risk.

Discussion:
Our study revealed a significant increased risk of stroke development among people with HIV. A multitude of factors, encompassing sociodemographic characteristics, racial background, underlying health conditions, and personal behaviors, significantly elevate the risk of stroke in individuals living with HIV. The use of observational studies introduces inherent limitations, and further investigations are necessary to explore the underlying mechanisms of stroke in people with HIV for potential treatment strategies.

Conclusion:
HIV patients face a higher risk of stroke development, either ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, male gender, and black race were identified as significant risk factors. Early identification and management of these risk factors are crucial in reducing stroke incidence among patients living with HIV.
Patient-reported outcomes relevant to post-discharge trauma patients in urban India
Authors: David Siddarth , Gerdin Wärnberg Martin ,   Trauma life support training Effectiveness Research Network (TERN) collaborators
Published: March 2024

AbstractTrauma is a major global health burden with long-term consequences to patients. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are increasingly being recognized and utilised to improve trauma care. It is imperative to identify the PROs that are most relevant, applicable, and suitable to a context. However, there is limited research on PROs in trauma care in low- and middle-income countries, like India, that bear a disproportionate burden of global trauma. This paper aims to examine PROs considered to be most relevant for trauma patients after discharge in the context of urban India.We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews of 11 adult post discharge trauma patients, across demographic and injury groups, and two persons working with trauma patients from five tertiary-care public hospitals in the Indian cities of Mumbai and Kolkata. We performed thematic analysis to identify themes within the participants responses on PROs important to them based on their experiences.Four themes emerged in the analysis of the participant interviews. The need for full physical functioning, the need to address psychological consequences, the need to alleviate economic cost of trauma, and the need for social interactions. Outcomes related to these themes were most relevant to the participants.The findings of this paper can help researchers and clinicians select appropriate PROs, based on the four themes, for trauma research and to improve trauma care in urban India. Future research should focus on PROs relevant to specific demographic and injury groups in India and other LMICs.
The WERA Cancer Center Matrix: Strategic Management of Patient Access to Precision Oncology in a Large and Mostly Rural Area of Germany
Authors: Krebs Markus , Haller Florian , Spörl Silvia , Gerhard-Hartmann Elena , Utpatel Kirsten , Maurus Katja , Kunzmann Volker , Chatterjee Manik , Venkataramani Vivek , Maatouk Imad , Bittrich Max , Einwag Tatjana , Meidenbauer Norbert , Tögel Lars , Hirsch Daniela , Dietmaier Wolfgang , Keil Felix , Scheiter Alexander , Immel Alexander , Heudobler Daniel , Einhell Sabine , Kaiser Ulrich , Sedlmeier Anja M. , Maurer Julia , Schenkirsch Gerhard , Jordan Frank , Schmutz Maximilian , Dintner Sebastian , Rosenwald Andreas , Hartmann Arndt , Evert Matthias , Märkl Bruno , Bargou Ralf , Mackensen Andreas , Beckmann Matthias W. , Pukrop Tobias , Herr Wolfgang , Einsele Hermann , Trepel Martin , Goebeler Maria-Elisabeth , Claus Rainer , Kerscher Alexander , Lüke Florian 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTPurposeOffering equal Patient Access to Precision Oncology (PO) is a major challenge of clinical oncologists and cancer center representatives. Here, we provide an easily transferable model adopted from strategic management science to assess the geographic impact of a cancer center – in terms of general cancer care and PO participation.MethodsAs members of the German WERA alliance, the cancer centers Würzburg, Erlangen, Regensburg and Augsburg merged care data regarding their geographical impact. Specifically, we examined the provenance of patients from WERA’s molecular tumor boards (MTBs) between 2020 and 2022 (n = 2243). As second dimension, we added the provenance of patients receiving general cancer care (termed Total Cancer Care, TCC) by WERA. Clustering our outreach along these two dimensions allowed us to set up a four-quadrant matrix consisting of postal code areas with referrals towards WERA. These areas were re-identified on a map of the Federal State of Bavaria and surrounding regions.ResultsIn terms of positive MTB and general cancer care referrals, the WERA Matrix overlooked an active screening area of n = 821 postal code areas – representing about 50% of Bavaria’s spatial expansion and more than six million inhabitants. The WERA Matrix identified regions successfully connected to our outreach structures in terms of subsidiarity – with general cancer care mainly performed locally but PO performed in cooperation with WERA. At the same time, we detected postal code areas with a potential PO backlog – characterized by high levels of cancer care performed by WERA and low levels or no MTB representation.ConclusionsThe WERA Matrix provided a transparent portfolio of postal code areas, which helped assessing the geographical impact of our PO program. We believe that its intuitive principle can easily be transferred to other cancer centers.
Circulating microvesicles as novel biomarkers for pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Ding Zhe , Qi Fumin , Liu Li , Zhang Na , Lyu Xing , Sun Wenwen , Du Jun , Song Haoming , Hou Hou , Guo Ying , Wang Xiaomei , Liu Ming-Lin , Wei Wei 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with increased mortality. A prothrombotic state may contribute to pathogenesis of SLE-PAH. Microvesicles (MVs) are known to be associated with thrombosis. Here, we investigated circulating MVs and their associations with SLE-PAH. Eighteen SLE-PAH patients, 36 SLE-non-PAH patients, and 36 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Flow cytometry was used to analyze circulating MVs from leukocytes (LMVs), red blood cells (RMVs), platelets (PMVs), endothelial cells (EMVs), and Annexin V+MVs with phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure. Plasma levels of all MV subgroups were elevated in SLE patients with or without PAH compared to HCs. Furthermore, plasma Annexin V+MVs, LMVs, PMVs, RMVs, EMVs, and Annexin V+RMVs were significantly elevated in SLE-PAH patients compared to SLE-non-PAH patients. Additionally, PAH patients with moderate/high SLE showed a significant increase in LMVs, PMVs, RMVs, Annexin V+MVs, and Annexin V+RMVs compared to SLE-non-PAH patients. However, PAH patients with inactive/mild SLE only exhibited elevations in Annexin V+MVs, RMVs, and Annexin V+RMVs. In the SLE-PAH patients, EMVs were positively correlated with pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, while PMVs and EMVs were positively correlated with right ventricular diameter. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that Annexin V+MVs, LMVs, PMVs, RMVs, EMVs and Annexin V+RMVs can predict the presence of PAH in SLE patients. Importantly, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that circulating levels of LMVs or RMVs, anti-nRNP antibody, and serositis were independent risk factors for PAH in SLE patients. Finally, our findings reveal that specific subgroups of circulating MVs contribute to the hypercoagulation state and the severity of SLE-PAH. Higher plasma levels of LMVs or RMVs may serve as biomarkers for SLE-PAH.
Characterization of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity before and during covid-19: an analysis for the Dominican Republic
Authors: Santos-Mercedes Kary Desiree , Coutinho Raquel Zanatta 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTThe Covid-19 pandemic disturbed the delivery of health services, which included obstetric care, in many parts of the word. In countries where maternal mortality was already elevated before the pandemic, this disruption brought about catastrophic events. Using data from the Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (SINAVE) of the maternal morbidity and mortality of the Dominican Republic, this paper estimated the severe maternal morbidity rate and the maternal mortality rate by causes of death (direct, indirect, and specific causes). Mixed effects models were used to identify individual and contextual factors that contribute to a higher risk of dying. Results indicate that the severe maternal morbidity rate decrease from 12.1 to 10.4 per 1,000 live births in 2020 compared to 2019; however, the maternal mortality rate went from 91.4 to 124.2 per 100,000 live births in the same period. In 2021, a significant increase in morbidity and mortality was observed, registering a rate of 16.5 cases of severe maternal morbidity per 1,000 live births and a rate of 153.7 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Additionally, maternal mortality in the Dominican Republic is associated with the sociodemographic and economic conditions of women, revealing inequalities related to national origin, area of residence and access to health services which were worsening during the pandemic.
The protein interactome ofEscherichia colicarbohydrate metabolism
Authors: Chowdhury Shomeek , Fong Stephen S. , Uetz Peter 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCarbohydrate metabolism is strictly regulated by multiple mechanisms to meet cellular needs (i.e. energy production). Several mechanisms modulate the amount and activity of metabolic enzymes. Here, we investigate how carbohydrate metabolism (CHM) inE. coliis regulated by their interaction properties with other proteins and their quantities. We computationally analyze 378 protein-enzyme interactions (PEIs) potentially involved in carbohydrate metabolism. We identified 20 enzymes and 19 interactors that occur at stoichiometries that are highly likely to affect CHM and 174 interactions that are possibly conserved across thousands of bacteria. These PPIs are predicted to be of global importance, including pathogens.Author summaryIn systems biology, “big” data are used to reconstruct biological networks which are then investigated in detail to uncover their functional dynamics. Understanding functional dynamics finally helps in identifying biomarkers in the big networks. We apply this concept to the biological network which is a crosstalk of protein-protein interaction network and carbohydrate metabolic pathway inEscherichia coliK-12. We investigate if proteins regulate enzymes when they bind them and we predict that protein-enzyme interactions (PEIs) regulate carbohydrate metabolism inE. coli.
A conserved protein tyrosine phosphatase, PTPN-22, functions in diverse developmental processes inC. elegans
Authors: Binti Shaonil , Linder Adison G. , Edeen Philip T. , Fay David S. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTProtein tyrosine phosphatases non-receptor type (PTPNs) have been studied extensively in the context of the adaptive immune system; however, their roles beyond immunoregulation are less well explored. Here we identify novel functions for the conservedC. elegansphosphatase PTPN-22, establishing its role in nematode molting, cell adhesion, and cytoskeletal regulation. Through a non-biased genetic screen, we found that loss of PTPN-22 phosphatase activity suppressed molting defects caused by loss-of-function mutations in the conserved NIMA-related kinases NEKL-2 (human NEK8/NEK9) and NEKL-3 (human NEK6/NEK7), which act at the interface of membrane trafficking and actin regulation. To better understand the functions of PTPN-22, we carried out proximity labeling studies to identify candidate interactors of PTPN-22 during development. Through this approach we identified the CDC42 guanine-nucleotide exchange factor DNBP-1 (human DNMBP) as an in vivo partner of PTPN-22. Consistent with this interaction, loss of DNBP-1 also suppressednekl-associated molting defects. Genetic analysis, co-localization studies, and proximity labeling revealed roles for PTPN-22 in several epidermal adhesion complexes, includingC. eleganshemidesmosomes, suggesting that PTPN-22 plays a broad role in maintaining the structural integrity of tissues. Localization and proximity labeling also implicated PTPN-22 in functions connected to nucleocytoplasmic transport and mRNA regulation, particularly within the germline, as nearly one-third of proteins identified by PTPN-22 proximity labeling are known P granule components. Collectively, these studies highlight the utility of combined genetic and proteomic approaches for identifying novel gene functions.