bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlations of vancomycin trough concentration and its efficacy and toxicity in patients in the intensive care unit
Authors: Guo Teng , Du Li-Ying , Liu Ming-Feng , Zhou Xia-Jin , Chen Xin-Ran 
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND
Plasma concentration monitoring is crucial for optimizing vancomycin use, particularly in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, the reference interval for vancomycin plasma concentration remains undetermined.
AIM
To evaluate the correlations of area under the curve (AUC0-24) and trough concentration (Cmin) with efficacy and nephrotoxicity in patients in the ICU.
METHODS
A total of 103 patients treated with vancomycin for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections were analyzed in this study. The associations of clinicodemographic characteristics (including sex, age, weight, infection sites, main etiologies of ICU cases, comorbidities, acute physiological chronic health evaluation II score, and mechanical ventilation) and pharmacokinetics (daily dose, Cmin, AUC0-24, and AUC0-24/minimum inhibitory concentration) with efficacy and nephrotoxicity of vancomycin were evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. AUC0-24 was calculated using VCM-TDM software based on vancomycin population pharmacokinetics and Bayesian feedback method.
RESULTS
Cmin over 9.4 μg/mL and AUC0-24 exceeding 359.6 μg × hour/mL indicated good efficacy against infection. Cmin below 14.0 μg/mL predicted no significant nephrotoxicity.
CONCLUSION
In this study, the effective and safe concentration interval for vancomycin in patients in the ICU was Cmin 9.4-14.0 μg/mL. Close attention should be paid to adverse effects and renal function during vancomycin treatment.
FOURTH-GENERATION PERCUTANEOUS TRANSVERSE OSTEOTOMIES FOR HALLUX VALGUS: A SERIES OF 729 FEET
Authors: Lam Peter , Newton Ayla , Murphy Evelyn , Chua Min Jia , Ray Robbie , Watt Clare , Robinson Peter , Dalmau-Pastor Mikai , Lewis Thomas 
Published: February 2025

BackgroundFourth-generation percutaneous or minimally invasive hallux valgus surgery utilizes a transverse osteotomy to achieve deformity correction. There are only a small number of series reporting the clinical and radiological outcomes of transverse osteotomies, many of which have methodological limitations such as small sample size, limited radiographic follow up or use of non-validated outcome measures. The aim of this study was to provide a methodological robust investigation into percutaneous transverse osteotomies for hallux valgus deformity.MethodA prospective series of consecutive patients undergoing fourth generation metatarsal extra-capsular transverse osteotomy (META) performed by a single surgeon (PL) between November 2017 and January 2023. The primary outcomes were radiographic deformity correction and clinical foot function assessed using the Manchester-Oxford Foot questionnaire (MOXFQ). Radiographic deformity (Hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA), sesamoid position) was assessed according to AOFAS guidelines. Secondary outcomes included Visual Analogue Scale for Pain and radiographic deformity recurrence (defined as HVA &gt;20° at final radiographic follow up).Results729 feet from 483 patients (456 Female, 27 Male, mean age 57.9±11.9 years) underwent META. Radiographic data (minimum 12 months post-surgery) was available for 99 .7% of feet with mean follow up of 2.6±1.3 years (range 1.0–5.7). There was a statistically significant improvement (p&lt;0.05) in both HVA; 29.5±8.5° to 7.3±6.7°, and IMA, 12.9±3.4° to 4.6±2.5°. All MOXFQ domains showed significant improvement (p&lt;0.05); Index 36.6±19.1 to 11.8±13.8, Pain 40.1±22.1 to 15.6±16.4, Walking/Standing 32.2±23.2 to 10.2±15.8 and Social Interaction 40.0±20.6 to 9.7±14.0. The recurrence rate was 4.5% (n=33). The complication rate was 6.1% which included a screw removal rate of 2.9%ConclusionThis is the largest consecutive series of any percutaneous osteotomy technique to correct hallux valgus deformity. This study demonstrates that the technique leads to significant improvement in clinical and radiographic outcomes with a low rate of recurrence.
DOES CLINICAL PRONATION OF THE TOE CORRELATE WITH METATARSAL ROTATION? A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF WEIGHTBEARING CT IMAGES
Authors: Welck Matt , Beer Alexander , Al-Omar Hussain , Najefi Ali , Patel Shelain , Cullen Nicholas , Koç Togay , Malhotra Karan 
Published: February 2025

AimsFirst metatarsal Pronation is increasingly recognised as an important component of Hallux valgus (HV) and can contribute towards intraoperative malreduction, postoperative recurrence and patient reported outcome measures (1,2,3). There are numerous radiological ways to measure metatarsal rotation on plain radiographs and weight bearing CT (WBCT), however there are no clinical tests to evaluate metatarsal pronation pre- or intra-operatively. This study therefore aimed to examine the relationship between clinical pronation of the toe and metatarsal pronation.MethodsSingle-centre, retrospective analysis over 5 years. Measurements were performed on WBCT images with digital reconstructions to add soft tissues. First metatarsal rotation was measured using the Metatarsal Pronation Angle as previously described (4). Toe rotation was measured by the Phalangeal Condylar Angle (PCA), the angle between the condyles of the proximal phalanx and the floor, and the Nail Plate Angle (NPA), the angle of the base of the nail plate to the floor in the coronal Plane. These were obtained from 50 feet in Hallux valgus patients, and 50 control patients with CTs done for osteochondral lesions without hallux valgus or hindfoot malalignment.ResultsThe HV group comprised 41 women and 9 men, mean age 52.4. Control group, 23 women and 23 male, mean age 40.25. Inter and Intra Observer reliability both excellent (ICC &gt;0.95) for all measurements. When comparing HV vs control, MPA was 11.7 vs 6.0 (p&lt;0.001), PCA 31.8 vs 4.7 (p&lt;0.001), NPA 18.3 vs 6.0 (p&lt;0.0001). NPA correlated with PCA. NPA and PCA correlate with Hallux valgus Angle (p&lt;0.001), but not with MPA (p 0.567).ConclusionThese results suggest that clinical toe pronation increases as HV angle increases but not with metatarsal pronation, which therefore cannot be used as a clinical marker. Toe pronation is similar at the base and at the nail, suggesting rotation happens at the MTPJ.
Identifying children who develop severe chronic kidney disease using primary care records
Authors: Plumb Lucy , Sinha Manish D. , Jones Timothy , Redaniel M. Theresa , Ridd Matthew J. , Owen-Smith Amanda , Caskey Fergus J. , Ben-Shlomo Yoav 
Published: February 2025

Background
Understanding whether symptoms suggestive of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are reported to primary care before diagnosis may provide opportunities for earlier detection, thus supporting strategies to prevent progression and improve long-term outcomes. Our aim was to determine whether symptoms/signs or consultation frequency recorded in primary care could predict a subsequent diagnosis of chronic kidney disease in children.

Methods
We undertook a case-control study within Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Cases were children <21 years with an incident code for severe CKD during the study period (January 2000-September 2018). Controls were matched on age (+/-3 years), sex, and practice-level kidney function testing rate. Conditional logistic regression modelling was used to identify symptoms predictive of severe CKD and differences in consultation frequency in 24- and 6-month timeframes before the index date.

Results
Symptoms predictive of severe CKD in the 24 months before the index date included growth concerns (OR 7.4, 95% CI 3.5, 15.4), oedema (OR 5.7, 95% CI 2.9, 11.2) and urinary tract infection (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.1, 5.4); within 6 months of the index date, effect estimates and specificity strengthened although sensitivity decreased. Overall, positive predictive value of symptoms was low. Cases consulted more frequently than controls in both timeframes. In combination, symptoms and consultation frequency demonstrated modest discrimination for CKD (c-statistic after bootstrapping 0.70, 95% CI 0.66, 0.73).

Conclusion
Despite increased consultation frequency and several symptoms being associated with severe chronic kidney disease, the positive predictive value of symptoms is low given disease rarity making earlier diagnosis challenging.
A multicenter cross-sectional survey of the role of community pharmacists, attitudes, and perceptions in preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Motlohi Nthabiseng Florina , Mensah Kofi Boamah , Padayachee Neelaveni , Petrus Ruwayda , Alqifari Saleh F. , Bangalee Varsha 
Published: February 2025

Background
Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality globally and impose suffering and economic difficulties, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Community pharmacists present an opportunity for effective prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases. The overarching aim of the study was to evaluate factors associated with the extent of involvement, barriers and facilitators, and perceptions of Lesotho community pharmacists in preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases.

Methods
The study utilised a quantitative cross-sectional survey. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to licensed community pharmacists across four districts between March and July 2023. Parametric and non-parametric tests were performed for data analysis using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.

Results
Apart from medicine dispensing, community pharmacists were mostly involved in hypertension (mean = 4.38±.73) and diabetes (mean = 4.17±.91) screening, weight management advice (mean = 3.81±.87), disease education (mean = 3.93±.83), medication management therapy (mean = 3.74±.99, 3.81±.88), referral of and follow up on patients (mean = 3.70±.98 and 3.87±.92). There was a significant association between the extent of involvement and pharmacy location, experience of community pharmacists, availability of tools, number of patients seen daily, and presence of other healthcare professionals at a community pharmacy (p<0.05). The most common barriers were related to patient factors (>75% agree to strongly agree), such as lack of awareness of community pharmacists’ services. Community pharmacists possessed positive (mean >3) attitudes and perceptions regarding their role in cardiovascular disease management.

Conclusions
Besides dispensing medicine, community pharmacists had varying extent of involvement in health promotion activities. The provision of these services differed between socio-demographic groups. Community pharmacists possessed good knowledge, positive attitudes towards their cardiovascular disease management role. Thus, they can improve cardiovascular disease outcomes. However, the barriers potentially limit their scope of practice and encourage inconsistent community pharmacy services. The findings present pertinent information to policy-makers, regulators, and pharmacists that can inform the development of frameworks to improve clinical and pharmacy practice in Lesotho and low- and middle-income countries.
Cost analysis of corneal tissue processing: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Maidana Gustavo Moura , Ferreira Júnior Marcos Antônio , Mota Felipe Machado , Cardoso Andréia Insabralde de Queiroz , Abes Bruna Dias , Dias Mayra , Meza Letícia Lima 
Published: February 2025

Introduction
Diseases affecting the cornea are a group of pathological conditions responsible for the main causes of blindness worldwide. Corneal transplantation aims to replace dysfunctional corneal tissue with a transparent tissue graft obtained from a deceased donor, which enables the full recovery of lost vision. Processes are initially performed to prepare the corneal tissue for transplantation in order for this transplant to be viable. There is a gap in knowledge regarding the costs of these processes. This review aims to carry out a robust, broad and current mapping of studies which analyze the costs of processing corneal tissue for transplantation.

Objective
The objective of this study is to map the evidence produced in the literature on cost analysis studies of corneal tissue processing.

Materials and methods
A scoping review will be conducted to map the topic, gather different research designs and identify the available scientific evidence on corneal tissue processing. To this end, a scoping review protocol was developed, registered in the Open Science Framework (accessed at: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/2X89U), following the good practices described by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The review report will be guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. The data will be presented descriptively, with a summary of the studies found. The guiding research question of the study is: What is the scope of scientific evidence on the cost analysis of corneal tissue processing for transplants?
Gaps, challenges and opportunities towards achieving the 95-95-95 targets in Cameroon: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Ngoufack Jagni Semengue Ezechiel , N. K. A. Alex Durand , Tueguem Pamela Patricia , Ka’e Christelle Aude , Molimbou Evariste , Forgwei Lum Yah , Etame Naomi-Karell , Kengni Ngueko Aurelie Minelle , Takou Désiré , Abah Abah Aristide Stephane , Ketchadji Alice , Bouba Pamen , Kob Same David , Etogo Oscar , Keugoung Basile , Bacha Abdelkader , Habimana Phanuel , Sosso Martin Samuel , Ndjolo Alexis , Perno Carlo-Federico , Colizzi Vittorio , Ajeh Rogers , Z-K Bissek Anne-Cecile , Ndembi Nicaise , Fokam Joseph 
Published: February 2025

Background
Given HIV elimination by 2030, the World Health Organization and the United Nations’ Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have set three programmatic goals that all countries should have achieved before 2025; 95% of people living with HIV should know their status (target-1); 95% of people who know their status should be linked to treatment (target-2); and 95% of people on treatment should achieve viral load suppression (i.e. VL<1000 copies/ml; target-3). Despite considerable global progress over the past decade, many low-middle-income countries are still below the expected targets. This review protocol aims to provide a standardized document for in-depth analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) towards achieving these programmatic targets in Cameroon.

Methods
This systematic review will include randomized and non-randomized trials, cohorts, case-controls, cross-sectional studies, case reports and governmental notices addressing the achievements, the gaps, the challenges and the opportunities towards the 95-95-95 targets in Cameroon. The search will consider studies from 2017 to 2024, retrieved from PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, online African journals, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. We will include studies reporting HIV diagnosis, HIV link to treatment or HIV viral suppression in Cameroon. Results will be stratified according to time, age-group (adults’ vs adolescents/children) and geographic locations. Primary outcomes will be “estimates on 95-95-95 programmatic goals at the national level”. Secondary outcomes will consist of the SWOT analysis towards achieving these programmatic targets. A random-effects model will be used to calculate pooled prevalence if data permits.

Conclusions
This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol will guide global estimation on the achievement of the 95-95-95 targets as well as the stakes and challenges within the Cameroonian setting. Final evidence from the systematic review will allow identification of the gaps and measures to be taken to fasten our move towards the 95-95-95 in Cameroon by 2025.

Systematic review registration
Systematic review registration: CRD42024502755.
The role of peer support in coping and adjustment to dialysis and transplantation: Study protocol
Authors: Winterbottom Anna , Wood Eleri , Mooney Andrew , Bucknall Keith , Bekker Hilary L. 
Published: February 2025

Introduction
People with kidney failure receiving dialysis or kidney transplantation find it difficult to adapt to treatment related routines and restrictions, and feel frustrated when their expectations aren’t matched by their lived experience. Health professionals provide information to help people prepare for kidney treatments, but it may be that ‘peer supporters’ - people who live with kidney disease - can provide more easily understood and relevant information. This study will explore how learning from peer supporters might improve the experience of treatment, after dialysis initiation and post-transplantation, by helping them to better understand what to expect from treatments.

Methods
Two mixed methods studies including in-depth interviews and questionnaires. In each study, participants will be recruited at two timepoints, before commencing dialysis or transplantation, and 6 months later. Questionnaires and interviews will explore expectations and the lived experience of treatment, and if peer support impacts on adjustment and coping with treatment. Participants will be recruited from two large teaching hospitals in the North and South of England, where one has access to a formal kidney peer support program.

Discussion
Delivering peer support in kidney units is increasingly popular, yet provision is inconsistent and generally low quality. Providing an evidence base for it’s use will help guide the optimal development of peer support programmes and efficient allocation of peer resources. A report will be produced to summarise the our findings, which will help kidney units better help people with kidney failure prepare for kidney treatments.
Gains vs losses in pay-for-performance: Stated preference evidence from a U.S. survey
Authors: Trogdon Justin G. , Khanderia Aveena , Brignole Kathryn , Lewis Jodi A. , Licciardello Queen Tara 
Published: February 2025

Background
Pay-for-performance (P4P) incentives can be paid as a bonus (gain) or a penalty (loss). Diminishing marginal utility of wealth suggests that, starting from the same initial wealth, individuals dislike losses more than they like equivalent gains.

Objective
This study reports the minimum financial gain or loss required to motivate primary care providers and clinical staff to try to increase their human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates.

Data
In 2022, we conducted a national U.S. survey through WebMD’s Medscape Network of clinical staff working in primary care clinics that provided HPV vaccination to children ages 9 through 12 years (N = 2,527; response rate = 57%).

Methods
We randomized respondents to one of two hypothetical HPV vaccine incentive designs: a bonus for reaching an unspecified target HPV vaccination rate and a penalty for failing to reach the unspecified target. The primary outcome is the self-reported smallest incentive amount (U.S. dollars) that would motivate participants to try and increase their HPV vaccination rates. We tested for differences across P4P designs using unadjusted responses and linear regressions adjusting for clinic and respondent characteristics. We also tested for heterogeneous responses by experience with incentizves, training, and rurality.

Results
The mean amount required to motivate effort was $2,155 in the gain P4P design and $1,185 in the loss P4P design (unadjusted difference =  $970 [p < 0.001], adjusted difference =  $967 [p < 0.001]). There were no heterogeneous effects by rurality or experience with incentives. Physicians reported the highest differences (in dollars) between gain and loss P4P designs.

Conclusions
Stated preference data from primary care clinical staff suggests that effective P4P incentives could be half as large if designed as losses rather than gains.
Two-dimensional graph model for epitaxial crystal growth with adatoms
Authors: Cristoferi Riccardo , Fissore Gabriele 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We consider a model to describe stable configurations in epitaxial growth of crystals in the two-dimensional case, and in the regime of linearized elasticity.
The novelty is that the model also takes into consideration the adatom density on the surface of the film. These are behind the main mechanisms of crystal growth and formation of islands (or quantum dots).
The main result of the paper is the integral representation of the relaxed energy.
Advanced ANN computational procedure for thermal transport prediction in polymer-based ternary radiative Carreau nanofluid with extreme shear rates over bullet surface
Authors: Darvesh Adil , Maiz Fethi Mohamed , Souayeh Basma , Sánchez-Chero Manuel , AL Garalleh Hakim , Santisteban Luis Jaime Collantes , Leonardo Celso Nazario Purihuamán 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Bullet surface has a significant role in many engineering and industrial sectors, due to its wide fluid-based thermal management systems. The current approach emphasizes heat transfer mechanism in flow of ternary hybrid nanofluid over a bullet shape geometry. The integration of infinite shear rate viscosity-based model of Carreau explored the predictive capabilities of enhanced heat transport in ternary hybrid nanofluid. The purpose of the study is to seek an advanced predictive model that accurately captures the thermal prediction in ternary hybrid nanofluid under varying conditions of shear rate. By utilizing artificial neural networks (ANNs), the aim of this study is to simulate and analyze how these fluids respond to the combined effects of viscous dissipation, non-uniform heat sink source, thermal radiation, and infinite shear rate viscosity when interacting with bullet-shaped geometry. The physical model initially generated a set of partial differential equations, based on assumption in this study, and then this system is converted into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using similarity transformations. This conversion simplifies the system into a more manageable form. The resulting ODEs are then numerically solved using the bvp4c method. The solutions obtained from this process are compiled into a dataset, which is then used to train through ANN. This neural network is designed to predict advanced solutions. The increase in velocity magnitude increases for stretching ratio and infinite shear rate parameter while it decreases for location parameter and velocity slip parameter. On the other hand, temperature profile decreased with augmentation in the numeric values of radiation parameter and Eckert numbers while it demonstrates the opposite trend for heat generation number and magnetic parameter. The rate of temperature increment is highest in ternary hybrid nanofluids compared to nanofluids and hybrid nanofluids.
Quasi-hereditary algebras with all standard modules being isomorphic to submodules of projective modules
Authors: Fang Ming , Hu Jun 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Standard modules over quasi-hereditary algebras are by definition certain quotients of projective modules.
In this article, we study when they can be realized as submodules of projective modules, a property enjoyed by Verma modules in the BGG category

𝒪

{\mathcal{O}}

for a finite-dimensional complex semisimple Lie algebra and by quantum Weyl modules over quantized Schur algebras

S
⁢

(
n
,
r
)

{S(n,r)}

with

n
≥
r

{n\geq r}

.
Computation of endo-fixed closures in free-abelian times free groups
Authors: Roy Mallika , Ventura Enric 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In this paper, we explore the behaviour of the fixed subgroups of endomorphisms of free-abelian times free (FATF) groups. We exhibit an algorithm which, given a finitely generated subgroup

ℋ

{\mathcal{H}}

of a FATF group

𝒢

{\mathcal{G}}

, decides whether

ℋ

{\mathcal{H}}

is the fixed subgroup of some (finite) family of endomorphisms of

𝒢

{\mathcal{G}}

and, in the affirmative case, finds such a family. The algorithm combines both combinatorial and algebraic methods.