bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Longo Umile Giuseppe , De Salvatore Sergio , Denaro Luca , Mazzola Alessandro , Piergentili Ilaria , Denaro Vincenzo 
Published: March 2024

Study Design:
Epidemiological study.

Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the annual incidence of spondylolisthesis requiring surgery in Italy and the epidemiological characteristics of the patients.

Background:
The health care system continues to incur considerable costs as a result of low-back pain. Segmental instability of the lumbar spine has attracted significant interest from researchers as a potential mechanism leading to mechanical low back pain.

Materials and Methods:
The Italian Ministry of Health’s National Hospital Discharge Reports database in the 2001–2016 period was considered.

Results:
A total of 55,804 hospital admissions for spondylolisthesis were performed in Italy. The cumulative incidence was 6.8 interventions for every 100,000 Italian adult residents. The highest amount of procedures was recorded in the 65–69 years of age group. The overall patient's age was 56.8 ± 15.1 years. The 62.2% of patients were females. The average hospital stay length was 8.1 ± 7.3 days. On average, older patients require more days of hospital stay. Over the study period, it was observed a decreasing trend in the average number of days of hospital stay. The main primary diagnoses included were “acquired spondylolisthesis” [International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code: 738.4; 57.8%] and “spondylolisthesis” (ICD code: 756.12; 42.2%). By far, the main primary procedure performed was “lumbar and lumbosacral fusion of the anterior column, posterior technique” (ICD code: 81.08; 60.3%).

Conclusions:
Spondylolisthesis is a problem in Italy and a leading cause requiring spine surgery. Females were the majority of patients requiring surgery for spondylolisthesis. However, for younger age groups, males showed superior or equal need for spine surgery. The socioeconomic impact of spondylolisthesis in Italy is relevant, affecting patients still in the working population. The increasing trend of spine surgery for spondylolisthesis in Italy may be attributable to the widespread diffusion of modern diagnostic and surgical technologies.

Level of Evidence:
Level II.
External Validation of Prognostic Models in Critical Care: A Cautionary Tale From COVID-19 Pneumonitis
Authors: Bate Sebastian , Stokes Victoria , Greenlee Hannah , Goh Kwee Yen , Whiting Graham , Kitchen Gareth , Martin Glen P. , Parker Alexander J. , Wilson Anthony ,   on behalf of the MRI Critical Care Data Group
Published: March 2024

OBJECTIVES (BACKGROUND):
To externally validate clinical prediction models that aim to predict progression to invasive ventilation or death on the ICU in patients admitted with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonitis.

DESIGN:
Single-center retrospective external validation study.

DATA SOURCES:
Routinely collected healthcare data in the ICU electronic patient record. Curated data recorded for each ICU admission for the purposes of the U.K. Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC).

SETTING:
The ICU at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom.

PATIENTS:
Three hundred forty-nine patients admitted to ICU with confirmed COVID-19 Pneumonitis, older than 18 years, from March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2022. Three hundred two met the inclusion criteria for at least one model. Fifty-five of the 349 patients were admitted before the widespread adoption of dexamethasone for the treatment of severe COVID-19 (pre-dexamethasone patients).

OUTCOMES:
Ability to be externally validated, discriminate, and calibrate.

METHODS:
Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were identified, and those that gave sufficient details on predictors used and methods to generate predictions were tested in our cohort of patients, which matched the original publications’ inclusion/exclusion criteria and endpoint.

RESULTS:
Thirteen clinical prediction articles were identified. There was insufficient information available to validate models in five of the articles; a further three contained predictors that were not routinely measured in our ICU cohort and were not validated; three had performance that was substantially lower than previously published (range C-statistic = 0.483–0.605 in pre-dexamethasone patients and C = 0.494–0.564 among all patients). One model retained its discriminative ability in our cohort compared with previously published results (C = 0.672 and 0.686), and one retained performance among pre-dexamethasone patients but was poor in all patients (C = 0.793 and 0.596). One model could be calibrated but with poor performance.

CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings, albeit from a single center, suggest that the published performance of COVID-19 prediction models may not be replicated when translated to other institutions. In light of this, we would encourage bedside intensivists to reflect on the role of clinical prediction models in their own clinical decision-making.
Simultaneous Determination of Ibrutinib, Dihydroxydiol Ibrutinib, and Zanubrutinib in Human Plasma by Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Guo Yu-Jiao , Du Tian-Tian , Yang Yan-Ling , Zhao Yang , Chen Xiang-Long , Ma Hong , Sun Lu-Ning , Wang Yong-Qing 
Published: March 2024

Background:
Ibrutinib and zanubrutinib are Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors used to treat mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Dihydroxydiol ibrutinib (DHI) is an active metabolite of the drug. A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to detect ibrutinib, DHI, and zanubrutinib in human plasma.

Methods:
The method involved a protein precipitation step, followed by chromatographic separation using a gradient of 10 mM ammonium acetate (containing 0.1% formic acid)–acetonitrile. Ibrutinib-d5 was used as an internal standard. Analytes were separated within 6.5 minutes. The optimized multiple reaction monitoring transitions of m/z 441.1 → 304.2, 475.2 → 304.2, 472.2 → 455.2, and 446.2 → 309.2 were selected to inspect ibrutinib, DHI, zanubrutinib, and the internal standards in positive ion mode.

Results:
The validated curve ranges included 0.200–800, 0.500–500, and 1.00–1000 ng/mL for ibrutinib, DHI, and zanubrutinib, respectively. The precisions of the lower limit of quantification of samples were below 15.5%, the precisions of the other level samples were below 11.4%, and the accuracies were between −8.6% and 8.4%. The matrix effect and extraction recovery of all compounds ranged between 97.6%–109.0% and 93.9%–105.2%, respectively. The selectivity, accuracy, precision, matrix effect, and extraction recovery results were acceptable according to international method validation guidelines.

Conclusions:
A simple and rapid method was developed and validated in this study. This method was used to analyze plasma concentrations of ibrutinib and zanubrutinib in patients with mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The selected patients were aged between 44 and 74 years.
Effects of empagliflozin on liver fat in patients with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease without diabetes mellitus: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Cheung Ka Shing , Ng Ho Yu , Hui Rex Wan Hin , Lam Lok Ka , Mak Lung Yi , Ho Yuen Chi , Tan Jing Tong , Chan Esther W. , Seto Wai Kay , Yuen Man Fung , Leung Wai K. 
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims:
We investigated whether empagliflozin reduces hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease without diabetes mellitus.

Approach and Results:
This was an investigator-initiated, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial recruiting adult subjects from the community. Eligible subjects without diabetes mellitus (fasting plasma glucose < 7 mmol/L and HbA1c < 6.5%) who had magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) ≥ 5% were randomly allocated to receive empagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo (1:1 ratio) for 52 weeks (end of treatment, EOT). MRI-PDFF was conducted at baseline and EOT. The primary outcome was the difference in change of MRI-PDFF between the 2 groups at EOT. Secondary outcomes were hepatic steatosis resolution (MRI-PDFF < 5%), alanine aminotransferase drop ≥ 17 U/L, MRI-PDFF decline ≥ 30%, a combination of both, and changes of anthropometric and laboratory parameters at EOT. All outcomes were based on intention-to-treat analysis. Of 98 recruited subjects (median age: 55.7 y [IQR:49.5–63.4]; male:54 [55.1%]), 97 (empagliflozin:49, placebo:48; median MRI-PDFF:9.7% vs 9.0%) had MRI-PDFF repeated at EOT. The Empagliflozin group had a greater reduction in median MRI-PDFF compared to the placebo group (–2.49% vs. –1.43%; p = 0.025), with a nonsignificant trend of resolution of hepatic steatosis (44.9% vs. 28.6%; p = 0.094). There was no significant difference in alanine aminotransferase drop ≥ 17 U/L (16.3% vs. 12.2%; p = 0.564), MRI-PDFF drop ≥ 30% (49.0% vs. 40.8%; p = 0.417), and composite outcome (8.2% vs. 8.2%; p = 1.000). Empagliflozin group had a greater drop in body weight (–2.7 vs. –0.2 kg), waist circumference (–2.0 vs. 0 cm), fasting glucose (–0.3 vs. 0 mmol/L), and ferritin (–126 vs. –22 pmol/L) (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions:
Empagliflozin for 52 weeks reduces hepatic fat content in subjects with nondiabetic metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04642261).
What Happens Next? Maintenance of Gains After Discharge From VA Residential PTSD Treatment
Authors: Grau Peter P. , Harpaz-Rotem Ilan , Ilgen Mark A. , Ganoczy Dara , Sripada Rebecca K. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Residential posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment in the Department of Veterans Affairs is helpful for many Veterans, yet the majority experience symptom rebound after discharge. This study examined a national cohort of Veterans (n = 1872) who completed VA residential PTSD treatment and identified factors associated with maintenance of gains from discharge to 4-month follow-up. We generated three logistic regression models based on response profiles during residential treatment. In the “marginal responders” group, 1–3 “booster” sessions of PTSD treatment were associated with decreased odds of maintenance of gains (odds ratio [OR], 0.42), whereas in the “clinically significant responders” group, these sessions were associated with increased odds of maintenance of gains (OR, 2.89). Greater pain severity was associated with decreased odds of maintenance of gains in the “clinically significant responder” group (OR, 0.90). Results demonstrate several avenues for intervention including targeting pain severity and matching aftercare psychotherapy to Veteran residential treatment response.
68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT in 2 Siblings With Von Hippel–Lindau Disease
Authors: G.B. Priyanka , Damle Nishikant Avinash , Reddy K. Ravindranath , Tandon Nikhil , Naranje Priyanka , Kandasamy Devasenathipathy , Subudhi Kishan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Von Hippel–Lindau disease is a rare multisystem disorder that shows autosomal dominant inheritance. It is a cancer syndrome that is characterized by the development of a variety of benign and malignant tumors—CNS hemangioblastomas, retinal angiomas, endolymphatic sac tumors, renal cysts and tumors, pancreatic cysts and tumors, adrenal pheochromocytomas, and epididymal cystadenomas. Here we present the 68Ga-labeled DOTANOC scans of 2 siblings who show an interesting spectrum of findings consistent with Von Hippel–Lindau disease.
Charting the Course of Targeted α Therapy With First-in-Human, Postadministration Image-Guided Dosimetry and Response Assessment of 212Pb-VMT-α-NET in Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Singh Navneet , Rana Nishant , Thakral Parul , Malik Dharmender , Schultz Michael K. , Sen Ishita B. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

212Pb emerges as a compelling in vivo α-particle generator for targeted α therapy due to its favorable half-life (t
1/2 = 10.6 hours) aligning with the biological half-lives of small peptides and its potent α-particle emissions within the decay series. However, one of the challenges with 212Pb is to perform appropriate image-guided dosimetry. To date, all the data have been extrapolated from its imaging analog, 203Pb. We present the first-in-human posttherapy image-guided dosimetric estimates of a single cycle of 212Pb VMT-α-peptide, administered in a 41-year-old woman with an advanced grade 2 NET. The patient also demonstrated partial response on treatment.
Recurrent Metastatic Ewing Sarcoma Involving Only in the Muscles of Extremities Shown on FDG PET/CT
Authors: Fleury Anilawan S. , Zhuang Hongming 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is the second most common osseous malignancy in pediatric patient. Metastasis is common due to its aggressive nature, with 25% of patients with metastasis at diagnosis, commonly to the lungs, bone, or bone marrow. Muscle metastasis is uncommon. We report FDG PET/CT findings of multifocal muscle metastases of recurrent Ewing sarcoma in the extremities without lung and bone involvement in a 6-year-old boy.
Benchmark Outcomes for Distal Pancreatectomy: A Multicenter Prospective Snapshot Study from the Spanish Distal Pancreatectomy Project (SPANDISPAN)
Authors: Ramia José M , Alcázar-López Cándido F , Villodre-Tudela Celia , Rubio-García Juan J , Hernández Belén , Aparicio-López Daniel , Serradilla-Martín Mario ,   for the SPANDISPAN Collaborative Study Group
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND:
Improving the quality of care is a priority for health systems to obtain better care and reduce costs. One of the tools for measuring quality is benchmarking (BM). We presented a 1-country prospective study of distal pancreatectomies (DPs) and determined BM.

STUDY DESIGN:
Prospective, multicenter, observational snapshot study of DP carried out at Spanish hepatopancreatobiliary centers for a year (February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023). Hepatopancreatobiliary centers were defined as high volume if they performed more than 10 DPs per year. Inclusion criteria include any scheduled DP for any diagnosis and age older than 18 years. The low-risk group was defined following the criteria given by Durin and colleagues and major complications as Clavien-Dindo ≥III.

RESULTS:
A total of 313 patients from 42 centers and 46.6% from high-volume centers were included. Median DP by center was 7 (interquartile range 5 to 10), median age was 65 years (interquartile range 55 to 74), and 53.4% were female. The surgical approach was minimally invasive in 69.3%. Major complications were 21.1%. Postoperative pancreatic fistula grade B/C rate was 20.1%, and 90-day mortality was 1.6%. One hundred forty-three patients were in low-risk group (43.8%). Compared with previous BM data, an increasing MIS rate and fewer hospital stay were obtained.

CONCLUSIONS:
We present the first determination of DP-BM in a prospective series, obtaining similar results to the previous ones, but our BM values include a shorter hospital stay and a higher percentage of minimally invasive surgery probably related to Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocols and prospective data collection. BM is a multiparameter valuable tool for reporting outcomes, comparing centers, and identifying the points to improve surgical care.
The Robin boundary condition for modelling heat transfer
Authors: Marušić-Paloka Eduard , Pažanin Igor 
Published: March 2024

The heat exchange between a rigid body and a fluid is usually modelled by the Robin boundary condition saying that the heat flux through the interface is proportional to the difference between their temperatures. Such interface law describes only the unilateral heat exchange. The goal of this paper is to compare the Robin boundary condition starting with the transmission condition (the temperature and the flux continuity) using rigorous mathematical analysis. Our main results are the following. We first show that a generalized version of the Robin boundary condition can be justified. Second, we prove that replacing the generalized by the standard Robin condition can be justified for high convection velocity if the conductivity of the surrounding liquid is much lower than that of the body. On the other hand, if the fluid conducts much better than the body, then the effective boundary condition is shown not to be the Robin one, but it involves second-order derivatives. We strongly believe that those findings bring new insights to the physics of the heat exchange processes and, thus, could prove useful in engineering practice.
Computational Deconvolution of Cell Type-Specific Gene Expression in COPD and IPF Lungs Reveals Disease Severity Associations
Authors: Ryu Min Hyung , Yun Jeong H. , Kim Kangjin , Gentili Michele , Ghosh Auyon , Sciurba Frank , Barwick Lucas , Limper Andrew , Criner Gerard , Brown Kevin K. , Wise Robert , Martinez Fernando J. , Flaherty Kevin R. , Cho Michael H. , Castaldi Peter J. , DeMeo Dawn L. , Silverman Edwin K. , Hersh Craig P. , Morrow Jarrett D. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTRationaleChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are debilitating diseases associated with divergent histopathological changes in the lungs. At present, due to cost and technical limitations, profiling cell types is not practical in large epidemiology cohorts (n>1000). Here, we used computational deconvolution to identify cell types in COPD and IPF lungs whose abundances and cell type-specific gene expression are associated with disease diagnosis and severity.MethodsWe analyzed lung tissue RNA-seq data from 1026 subjects (COPD, n=465; IPF, n=213; control, n=348) from the Lung Tissue Research Consortium. We performed RNA-seq deconvolution, querying thirty-eight discrete cell-type varieties in the lungs. We tested whether deconvoluted cell-type abundance and cell type-specific gene expression were associated with disease severity.ResultsThe abundance score of twenty cell types significantly differed between IPF and control lungs. In IPF subjects, eleven and nine cell types were significantly associated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), respectively. Aberrant basaloid cells, a rare cells found in fibrotic lungs, were associated with worse FVC and DLCO in IPF subjects, indicating that this aberrant epithelial population increased with disease severity. Alveolar type 1 and vascular endothelial (VE) capillary A were decreased in COPD lungs compared to controls. An increase in macrophages and classical monocytes was associated with lower DLCO in IPF and COPD subjects. In both diseases, lower non-classical monocytes and VE capillary A cells were associated with increased disease severity. Alveolar type 2 cells and alveolar macrophages had the highest number of genes with cell type-specific differential expression by disease severity in COPD and IPF. In IPF, genes implicated in the pathogenesis of IPF, such as matrix metallopeptidase 7, growth differentiation factor 15, and eph receptor B2, were associated with disease severity in a cell type-specific manner.ConclusionUtilization of RNA-seq deconvolution enabled us to pinpoint cell types present in the lungs that are associated with the severity of COPD and IPF. This knowledge offers valuable insight into the alterations within tissues in more advanced illness, ultimately providing a better understanding of the underlying pathological processes that drive disease progression.
Equal, equitable or exacerbating inequalities? Patterns and predictors of social prescribing referrals in 160,128 UK patients
Authors: Bu Feifei , Hayes Daniel , Burton Alexandra , Fancourt Daisy 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundSocial prescribing (SP) is growing rapidly globally as a way to tackle social determinants of health. However, whom it is reaching and how effectively it is being implemented remains unclear.AimsTo gain a comprehensive picture of SP in the UK, from referral routes, reasons, to contacts with link workers and prescribed interventions.MethodsThis study undertook the first analyses of a large database of administrative data from over 160,000 individuals referred to SP across the UK. Data were analysed using descriptive analyses and regression modelling, including logistic regression for binary outcomes and negative binomial regression for count variables.ResultsMental health was the most common referral reason and mental health interventions the most common interventions prescribed. Between 72% and 85% of SP referrals were from medical routes (primary or secondary health care). While these referrals demonstrate equality in reaching across socio-demographic groups, individuals from more deprived areas, younger adults, men, and ethnic minority groups were reached more equitably via non-medical routes (e.g. self-referral, school, charity). Despite 90% of referrals leading to contact with a link worker, only 38% resulted in any intervention being received. A shortage of provision of community activities - especially ones relevant to mental health, practical support, and social relationships - was evident. There was also substantial heterogeneity in how SP is being implemented across UK nations.ConclusionsMental health is the leading reason for SP referrals, demonstrating its relevance to psychiatrists. But there are inequalities in referrals. Non-medical referral routes could play an important role in addressing inequality in accessing social prescribing, therefore should be prioritised. Additionally, more financial and infrastructural resource and strategic planning are needed to address low intervention rates. Further investment into large-scale data platforms and staff training are needed to continue monitoring the development and distribution of social prescribing.