bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hypolipidemic and Hypoglycemic Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Milk Thistle) Ethanol Seed Extract in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes in Rats
Authors: Maaliah Mai S. , Haddadin Malik , Abdalla Shtaywy 
Published: February 2024

Background Metabolic syndrome (MS) is considered a challenging health problem worldwide. However, the search for alternative treatments to alleviate MS is lacking. Purpose This study defines Silybum marianum (milk thistle) ethanol seed extract (SMESE) in terms of polyphenol and flavonoid content, antiglycation effect, α-amylase activity, and hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods S. marianum seeds were collected, ground, and extracted with 80% ethanol. The α-amylase inhibitory activities of 10, 30, and 100 µg/mL SMESE were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods. The inhibitory activity of SMESE against advanced glycation end-product formation was evaluated using fluorescence spectrophotometry. In vivo, 48 Wistar male albino rats were used. Eight animals served as the normal control (group 1), and 40 rats were injected with 60 mg/kg STZ to induce diabetes. Diabetic rats were divided into five groups: diabetic control (group 2) and positive control that received the hypoglycemic reference drug metformin at 100 mg/kg (group 3). Groups 4, 5, and 6 were administered the seed extract orally at 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, respectively. Body weight, serum glucose, lipid profile, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured weekly for five weeks after SMESE administration. Results SMESE administration inhibited BSA glycation and α-amylase activity. In vivo, SMESE administration increased body weight (BW), decreased serum glucose levels, and reduced triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and MDA levels but increased high-density lipoprotein levels. Conclusion Data indicate the beneficial hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of SMESE, suggesting its potential use in controlling lipid metabolism.
Facial Analysis of Patients with Unilateral or Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Using 3D Stereophotogrammetry
Authors: Nogueira Vanessa Ota , Neves Maria Carolina , Neppelenbroek Karin , Oliveira Thaís Marchini , Sforza Chiarella , Soares Simone 
Published: February 2024

Objectives To evaluate the quantitative values of linear and angular facial anthropometrics in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and compare them with those of patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) using three-dimensional (3D) facial imaging. Design Retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional study. Setting Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies/USP (HRAC/USP). Patients/ Participants In total, 61 non-syndromic patients with CLP who underwent multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitated with a prosthesis were enrolled and divided into those with UCLP (G1; n = 31) and those with BCLP (G2; n = 30). Intervention Facial images were captured using a 3D camera after landmarks were marked on each patient's face. The software evaluated linear and angular parameters. Statistical tests were applied. Significance was determined as P < 0.05. Main Outcome Measurements Overall, 22 linear and 13 angular measurements were evaluated. Results The nasal length ( P = 0.08), middle third of the face ( P = 0.06), base nose width ( P < 0.001), nasal root width ( P < 0.001), nasal tip angle ( P = 0.018), philtrum width ( P < 0.001), lower face width ( P = 0.039) and midfacial depth ( P = 0.040) were significantly higher in G2; the upper cutaneous lip height was significantly higher in G1. Sexual dimorphism was observed except for linear measurements (linear distance between the labiale superius and labiale inferius landmarks, nasal root width, and upper cutaneous lip length) and angular measurements. Conclusions G2 had a greater length and width of nose and nasal root, nasal tip angle, philtrum width, and lower face width, midfacial depth, and midface third than G1. These findings also revealed the presence of sexual dimorphism.
Study to evaluate awareness about medication errors and impact of an educational intervention among healthcare personnel in a cancer hospital
Authors: Kunwor Puskar , Basyal Bijaya , Pathak Nabin , Vaidya Pankaj , Shrestha Sudip 
Published: February 2024

Introduction Medication errors (MEs) are preventable incidents that can result in harm to patients. Therefore, it is essential for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to be well-informed about MEs. This study aims to assess the awareness levels of HCPs and the impact of educational intervention on their understanding of MEs. Methods Responses to a 17-question structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing the awareness of HCPs regarding fundamental aspects of MEs, ME reporting systems, and their ability to make recommendations for improving the system for handling the MEs were collected both before and after two weeks of educational intervention administration. Results Of a total of 114 HCPs who initially participated in the study, six dropped following the intervention. The awareness regarding the Class A questionnaire was good in most physicians (60%), nurses (60%), and pharmacists (57%) before the intervention, which improved postintervention, with physicians (80%), nurses (32%), and pharmacists (78%) demonstrating excellent awareness. The awareness level in the Class B questionnaire was also improved to excellent in most physicians (70%), pharmacists (85%), and nurses (85%) following the intervention, while it was excellent only in 50%, 35%, and 1% of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses, respectively, preintervention. In the Class C questionnaire, most physicians (40%) and nurses (60%) had good awareness, while pharmacists (35%) demonstrated excellent awareness preintervention. Postintervention, most physicians (70%), nurses (77%), and pharmacists (64%) exhibited excellent awareness. Conclusion Most oncology practice HCPs demonstrate a good to average level of awareness regarding MEs. Clinical pharmacists’ educational interventions can significantly enhance awareness among HCPs concerning MEs.
A Randomized, Phase 3, Double-Blind, Crossover Comparison of Multilayer, Extended-Release Methylphenidate (PRC-063), and Lisdexamfetamine in the Driving Performance of Young Adults With ADHD
Authors: Madaan Vishal , Bhaskar Sailaja , Donnelly Graeme A. E. , Cox Daniel J. 
Published: February 2024

Objective: To compare PRC-063 (multilayer-release methylphenidate) and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) on the driving performance of young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Method: Following up to 21 days of each treatment in each treatment course (PRC-063/LDX or LDX/PRC-063), subjects completed a 15-hour driving simulator laboratory assessment. The primary outcome measure was the Tactical Driving Quotient (TDQ) and the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scale was a secondary outcome measure. Results: Forty-four subjects completed the study. PRC-063 and LDX had equivalent effects on driving performance through a 15-hour time period (least square mean difference −0.3 [standard error 1.08], 95% confidence interval [−2.4, 1.8], p = .793). Consistent improvement in CGI-I was observed. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar for each treatment sequence. Conclusions: PRC-063 and LDX had comparable effects on driving performance, from 1 through 15 hours, the last time point measured.
The Value of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography-Based Radiomics in the Evaluation of Interstitial Fibers of Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma
Authors: Bing Xue , Wang Ning , Li Yuhan , Sun Haitao , Yao Jian , Li Ruobing , Li Zhongyuan , Ouyang Aimei 
Published: February 2024

Objective We investigated the potential of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) radiomics in assessing cancer-associated fibroblasts in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 132 patients with ccRCC. The arterial and venous phase iodine-based material decomposition images (IMDIs), virtual non-contrast images, 70 keV, 100 keV, and 150 keV virtual monoenergetic images, and mixed energy images (MEIs) were obtained from the DECT datasets. On the Radcloud platform, radiomics feature extraction, feature selection, and model establishment were performed. Seven radiomics models were established using the support vector machine. The predictive performance was evaluated by utilizing receiver operating characteristic and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Nomograms were constructed. Results The combined model demonstrated high efficiency in evaluating pseudocapsule thickness with AUC, specificity, and sensitivity of 0.833, 0.870, and 0.750, respectively in the validation set, surpassing those of other models. The precision, F1-score, and Youden index were also higher for the combined model. For evaluating the number of collagen fibers, the combined model exhibited the highest AUC (0.741) among all models, with a specificity of 0.830 and a sensitivity of 0.330. The AUC in the 150 kv model and IMDI model were slightly lower than those in the combined model (0.728 and 0.710, respectively), with corresponding sensitivity and specificity of 0.560/0.780 and 0.670/0.830. The nomogram exhibited that Rad-score had good prediction efficiency. Conclusion DECT radiomics features have significant value in evaluating the interstitial fibers of ccRCC. The combined model of IMDI + MEI exhibits superior performance in assessing the thickness of the pseudocapsule, while the combined, 150 keV, and IMDI models demonstrate higher efficacy in evaluating collagen fiber number. Radiomics, combined with imaging features and clinical features, has excellent predictive performance. These findings offer crucial support for the clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of ccRCC and provide valuable insights into the application of DECT.
A single center study of the efficacy and safety of Pro-Glide used for closure in thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with previous groin intervention
Authors: Gulmez Recep , Altunova Mehmet , Sahin Ahmet Anil , Celik Omer 
Published: February 2024

Background This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Pro-Glide, a suture-mediated vascular closure device, regarding technical success and complications in patients who had undergone aortic intervention and had previous groin intervention (PGI). Methods One hundred and thirty-five patients who underwent percutaneous thoracic endovascular aortic repair via the femoral artery and were closed with the Pro-Glide device were analyzed retrospectively. PGI was defined as a history of open surgical access to the femoral artery or wide sheath (>18 F) placement due to endovascular or valvular intervention. The patients were divided into two groups 38 cases with PGI and 97 cases without PGI. Results The overall success rate of closure of the femoral artery with Pro-Glide was not statistically significant between the two groups (93.8% vs 92.1%, p = .711). Sheath sizes were compared between the groups and PGI (+) group had significantly higher sheath sizes compared to PGI (−) group (24.3 ± 1.1 F vs 23.8 ± 1.0 F, p = .011). Three patients in the PGI (+) group and six patients in the PGI (−) group experienced technical failure of the percutaneous femoral approach. Femoral complications were seen after the procedures in four patients in the PGI (+) group and four in the PGI (−) group. The PGI (+) group had a higher complication rate when compared to the PGI (−) group; however, this was not statistically significant ( p = .181). Conclusion The present study was conducted on a significantly larger sample compared to previous studies and the findings suggest that the Pro-Glide vascular closure device is a safe option for patients with a history of PGI and may not be considered as a contraindication.
Classification of anatomic patterns of peripheral artery disease with automated machine learning (AutoML)
Authors: Rusinovich Yury , Rusinovich Volha , Buhayenka Aliaksei , Liashko Vitalii , Sabanov Arsen , Holstein David J.F. , Aldmour Samer , Doss Markus , Branzan Daniela 
Published: February 2024

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of novel automated machine learning (AutoML) in vascular medicine by developing a discriminative artificial intelligence (AI) model for the classification of anatomical patterns of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Material and methods Random open-source angiograms of lower limbs were collected using a web-indexed search. An experienced researcher in vascular medicine labelled the angiograms according to the most applicable grade of femoropopliteal disease in the Global Limb Anatomic Staging System (GLASS). An AutoML model was trained using the Vertex AI (Google Cloud) platform to classify the angiograms according to the GLASS grade with a multi-label algorithm. Following deployment, we conducted a test using 25 random angiograms (five from each GLASS grade). Model tuning through incremental training by introducing new angiograms was executed to the limit of the allocated quota following the initial evaluation to determine its effect on the software’s performance. Results We collected 323 angiograms to create the AutoML model. Among these, 80 angiograms were labelled as grade 0 of femoropopliteal disease in GLASS, 114 as grade 1, 34 as grade 2, 25 as grade 3 and 70 as grade 4. After 4.5 h of training, the AI model was deployed. The AI self-assessed average precision was 0.77 (0 is minimal and 1 is maximal). During the testing phase, the AI model successfully determined the GLASS grade in 100% of the cases. The agreement with the researcher was almost perfect with the number of observed agreements being 22 (88%), Kappa = 0.85 (95% CI 0.69–1.0). The best results were achieved in predicting GLASS grade 0 and grade 4 (initial precision: 0.76 and 0.84). However, the AI model exhibited poorer results in classifying GLASS grade 3 (initial precision: 0.2) compared to other grades. Disagreements between the AI and the researcher were associated with the low resolution of the test images. Incremental training expanded the initial dataset by 23% to a total of 417 images, which improved the model’s average precision by 11% to 0.86. Conclusion After a brief training period with a limited dataset, AutoML has demonstrated its potential in identifying and classifying the anatomical patterns of PAD, operating unhindered by the factors that can affect human analysts, such as fatigue or lack of experience. This technology bears the potential to revolutionize outcome prediction and standardize evidence-based revascularization strategies for patients with PAD, leveraging its adaptability and ability to continuously improve with additional data. The pursuit of further research in AutoML within the field of vascular medicine is both promising and warranted. However, it necessitates additional financial support to realize its full potential.
Postoperative Length of Stay in Patients With Stress Hyperglycemia Compared to Patients With Diabetic Hyperglycemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Shiffermiller Jason , Anderson Matthew , Thompson Rachel 
Published: February 2024

Background: Postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS) is longer in patients with diabetes than in patients without diabetes. Stress hyperglycemia (SH) in patients without a history of diabetes has been associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. The effect of SH on postoperative LOS is uncertain. The aim of this study is to compare postoperative LOS in patients with SH to patients with diabetic hyperglycemia (DH) following noncardiac surgery. Methods: We carried out a retrospective cohort study of inpatients with at least two glucose measurements ≥180 mg/dL. Two groups were compared. Patients with SH had no preoperative history of diabetes. Patients were considered to have DH if they had an established preoperative diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or a preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥6.5%. The primary outcome measure was hospital LOS. Results: We included 270 patients with postoperative hyperglycemia—82 in the SH group and 188 in the DH group. In a linear regression analysis, hospital LOS was longer in the SH group than in the DH group (10.4 vs 7.3 days; P = .03). Within the SH group, we found no association between LOS and prompt treatment of hyperglycemia within 12 hours ( P = .43), insulin dose per day ( P = .89), or overall mean glucose ( P = .13). Conclusions: Postoperative LOS was even longer in patients with SH than in patients with DH, representing a potential target for quality improvement efforts. We did not, however, find evidence that improved treatment of SH was associated with reduction in LOS.
Harvesting value: Corporate strategies of data assetization in agriculture and their socio-ecological implications
Authors: Hackfort Sarah , Marquis Sarah , Bronson Kelly 
Published: February 2024

The global food system is characterized by market concentration and oligopoly. In our article, we focus on the most powerful input supply and machinery companies and analyze how these firms create value, both economic and otherwise, from big data. In digital capitalism, data is valorized across sectors; personal data is aggregated into large-scale datasets, a practice that feeds economic concentration and monopolization. Big data also has become central to the business model for agricultural companies; it is a claim made by the companies themselves. Yet, little is known about their specific strategies to do so. We aim to fill this gap, asking how is agricultural data transformed into value by the most powerful agribusinesses and ag-tech firms? Through the lens of assetization, we examine corporate strategies for transforming agricultural data into value. We draw on literature from food studies, specifically political economic analyses of the historical practices of agricultural corporations, as well as literature from critical data studies that investigates data as an asset. For our analysis, we rely on a variety of gray literature and public-facing documents: financial documents, sustainability and shareholder reports, terms of use, license agreements, and news articles. Our results contribute to the critical data studies literature on agricultural big data by identifying three main strategies of assetization: securing relationships and dependence, price-setting and data sharing, and product development and targeted marketing. The strategies have socio-ecological implications; our results indicate the reproduction of asymmetrical power relations in the agri-food system favoring corporations and the continuation of long-standing dynamics of inequalities.
Feasibility of a mobile health app-based self-management program for Chinese patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: A randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Shi Nuo , Ching Wong Arkers Kwan , Yuet Wong Frances Kam , Zhang Nan , Zhu Weiyi , Shen Kunwei , Lai Xiaobin , Jin Yufei , Gu Chengjia , Nie Lijing , Dong Xiaojing 
Published: February 2024

Objective There are currently an increasing number of mobile health (mHealth) programs offered to patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, but their rate of adherence to app usage has remained low. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of an mHealth app-based program such as the adherence rate of app usage and determine the preliminary effects on self-efficacy, quality of life, symptom burden and healthcare utilization in these patients. Methods We conducted a randomized controlled pilot trial. Ninety-six participants were randomly allocated into either an intervention group or a control group (routine care plus a placebo app). The intervention group engaged in a 6-week self-regulation activity and received nurse-led social support via the app. The intention-to-treat principle was adopted. The generalized estimating equation was utilized to analyze the between-group, within-group and interaction effectiveness of this program. Results Totally 96 participants were enrolled from 16 May to 23 August 2022. The average rate of adherence to app usage increased from 4.8% at week 3 to 51.2% at week 6. There was a statistically significant reduction in the physiological efficacy scores of the intervention (p < .001) and control groups (p < .001) at week 6, compared with the baseline. At week 6, the intervention group reported a significantly lower symptom burden (p = .042) and significantly better physical well-being than the control group (p = .024). Conclusions It is feasible to perform an mHealth app-based self-management program for patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. Nurses can utilize this program to facilitate patient self-management of symptoms during chemotherapy. Registration Clinicaltrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, (NCT05192525).
Frequency of cognitive impairment in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in Mexico
Authors: Valdivia-Tangarife Edgar R , Cortés-Enríquez Fernando , Morlett-Paredes Alejandra , Villaseñor-Cabrera Teresita , Gámez-Nava Jorge I , Mireles-Ramírez Mario A , González-López Laura , Macías-Islas Miguel Á 
Published: February 2024

Background Between 29% and 67% of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients have cognitive alterations. Objective To assess the frequency of cognitive impairment in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in Mexico using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis. Methods We evaluated 40 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients and 40 healthy controls from Mexico. Results 28 (70.0%) patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder had cognitive impairment in two or more cognitive domains. Student´s T test showed statistically poor performance by neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients compared to healthy controls on all three neuropsychological test scores. This significant difference was observed on the Symbols Digit Modalities Test ( t = 8.875; p ≤ 0.001); California Verbal Learning Test-II memory ( t = 10.418; p ≤ 0.001); and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test Revised ( t = 6.123; p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions This study showed that 70% of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients exhibited cognitive impairment in two or more cognitive domains. Determining the frequency of cognitive impairment will guide the decision of Neuropsychologists in planning cognitive rehabilitation across various domains.