bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
737 Demographic Features and Length of Stay of Scald Injuries: Review from a Northeastern Burn Center
Authors: Chung Vivian , Dolinak Joan , Roberts Tamara L , Wratney Angela T 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Multitude of demographic and clinical features that affect the incidence and outcome of a burn injury have been identified. However, prognostic factors associated with the incidence and length of stay (LOS) of scald specific injuries is still unclear. The present study aims to identify and understand the factors that affect LOS in patients with scald injuries that present to a Northeastern tertiary burn center and characterize populations at risk for scald injury.

Methods
A retrospective nonexperimental descriptive study was performed from the record of all burn patients presenting to our ABA verified burn center from January 01, 2015 to December 31, 2022. Data of patients with scald injuries were isolated and organized using an Excel Spreadsheet. Scald admission variables reviewed and analyzed included: age, sex, race, suspected abuse, TBSA, Surgical visits, payor source, and LOS. SPSS version 29.0 was used to obtain descriptive statistics and perform Kruskal-Wallis 1-Way ANOVA and Mann Whitney U. Statistical significance was defined at p&lt; 0.05

Results
A total of 2266 patients were admitted to the burn center during 2015-2022. From this, 383 patients were admitted for scald burns, which is 16.9% of all burn admissions. Scald burn patient’s demographics included male (62.1%), female (37.9%) with a mean age of 26.82. Major race was Caucasian (62.4%) and the primary payor source was Medicaid (52.7%). Approximately 12% of these cases were identified as suspected abuse. Of these abuse cases, pediatric patients composed the majority (80.4%). There was no significant difference in LOS when patients were stratified by sex (p=.366) or whether suspected abuse was involved (p=.186). However, there were differences in distribution of LOS when patients were stratified by age (p &lt; .001), race (p=.013), surgical visits (p &lt; .001), and primary payor (p &lt; .001) The mean TBSA was 5.6%. There was no significant difference in the distribution of TBSA when patients were stratified by age, abuse, sex, race, or payor source. However, the association between TBSA and total surgical visits was found to be significant.

Conclusions
Longer LOS was associated with patients &gt; 65 when compared to patients &lt; 18 and with patients 18-64 when compared to patients 5 and under. Longer LOS was also associated with Medicare patients in comparison to Medicaid, Private/Commercial, and self pay patients. The association between Race and LOS was also found to be statistically significant when comparing Caucasians to patients in the “Other” group. This study highlighted differences in scald injuries between age, race, and primary payor method.

Applicability of Research to Practice
The risk factors for scald specific injuries differ from previous literature addressing wider burn etiologies. Identification of populations at increased risk for scald injuries can guide public health initiatives and prevention.
738 Electrical Burn Injuries in Occupational and Non-occupational Settings from 2010 to 2021: Cross-sectional Design
Authors: Ayala Karen P , Teherán Aníbal A , Pombo Luis M , Tocanchon Ginna P , Zuluaga-Ortíz Carol A , Camero-Ramos Gabriel , Ávila Albert A 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Burns affect 11 million people worldwide annually. Electrically related burns are renowned for inflicting extensive harm and long-term consequences that can lead to severe illness and fatalities. In occupational and non-occupational settings people may be exposed to electrical burns (EBs), which can lead to functional or anatomical consequences. We identified sociodemographic features related to electrical burns in occupational (EBs-occ) and non-occupational (EBs-non_occ) settings.

Methods
A cross sectional design, using an open dataset of electrical injuries occurred during 2010-2021 period. Sociodemographic features of people injured in EBs-occ and EBs-non_occ were described counts (%), Incidence*million people (I0;95%CI). To identify related factors (age-sex adjusted) with injuries in EBs-occ and EBs-non_occ, we applied a Binary Logistic Regression (aOR).

Results
Over the course of 11 years occurred 1.274 EBs (I0: 2.47;2.34-2.61), 287 EBs-occ (I0: 1.35;1.20-1.51) and 987 EBs-non_occ (I0: 3.25;3.05-3.46). Age median was 31 years, most cases distributed in middle adulthood (52.8%), male (88.1%), and people with high school/technician (42.8%), urban location (73.7%), weekdays (95.3%), and during daytime hours (85.5%). Factors related to EBs-occ were male sex, middle adulthood, high school/technician, and occurred mainly on thursday and daytime hours. Otherwise, EBs-non_occ factors were early childhood, primary school, urban location, and occurred mostly on weekends.

Conclusions
Both occupational and non-occupational settings pose a risk of injuries to individuals in the workplace. We have identified sociodemographic factors related to these injuries in both occupational and non-occupational settings, which could help to avoid damages and long-term complications, especially among vulnerable individuals such as those at an extreme age.

Applicability of Research to Practice
This information could be helpful in refining existing preventive measures, particularly for non-occupational electrical burns.
770 Rehabilitation Evaluation and Treatment for the Management of Skin Graft Complication of the Genitalia
Authors: Tremblay Chloe , Jean Stephanie , Schneider Genevieve , Nedelec Bernadette , Edger-Lacoursière Zoë 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Skin graft complications can include pain, contractures, hypertrophic scars, sensitivity issues, recurrent wounds and infections. Genitalia, perineum and/or buttocks graft complications have a direct impact on walking, sitting, voiding, bowel elimination, sexual function, intimacy, thereby reducing quality of life. Perineal and pelvic rehabilitation is used for many pelvic floor disorders, however, has not been described after burn injury or necrotizing fasciitis. Thus, this case report describes, a new rehabilitation evaluation template following perineal grafting and treatment outcomes reported after necrotizing fasciitis.

Methods
Assessments included Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), penile deviation measure, sensitivity using monofilaments, Burn Survivor Fear Avoidance Questionnaire (BSFAQ), sexual function and satisfaction. Evaluation and treatment were conducted by a certified pelvic floor physiotherapist (PT) and occupational therapist (OT). The initial evaluation occurred 4 months post surgery with interventions occurring every 3-4 weeks thereafter.

Results
The patient is a 37-year-old male who had skin grafts and reconstructive surgery complications following necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and the genitalia with 30% TBSA. He presented with complex wounds which closed in 4 months, contractures, hypertrophic scars, hypersensitivity, fecal incontinence, and sexual intimacy dysfunction. Treatment included pelvic floor approach, education, desensitization, vesical and bowel movement rehabilitation, adapted pressure garment, gel application, scar massage, cutaneous and myofascial stretching and manual therapy. There was an improvement in BSFAQ score (5 points), pelvic floor muscle tension, PT observed scar, resolution of fecal incontinence, reduced penile deviation in the frontal plane, decreased hypersensitivity and ability to engage in pain-free sexual intercourse after 2 months of treatment. The patient is still progressively accepting his new body image but feels more confident with sexual intimacy. The results for POSAS and sensitivity are still ongoing.

Conclusions
The patient has improved scars as well as reduced penile deviation, and sensitivity allowing masturbation and sexual intercourse without pain, which helped him regain intimacy with his partner.

Applicability of Research to Practice
This is the first report of a standardized evaluation and treatment approach for the rehabilitation of skin graft complications after necrotizing fasciitis involving the perineum, genitalia and/or buttocks. Rehabilitation interventions improved his sexual function, body image satisfaction, and quality of life.
773 Managing Facial Contractures Through Intraoral Stretching
Authors: Kerr Kathleen , Arguello Lori 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Surgical management of scar tissue and contractures from facial burns has systematic approaches, yet nonsurgical management continues to lack consensus regarding therapeutic approaches capable of providing stretching of the facial skin and muscles for both treating and preventing microstomia and orofacial contractures. This exploratory study introduces an intraoral splinting system designed to provide low-load, prolonged stretching of orofacial skin and musculature to treat contractures following a facial burn injury. The treatment adjunct described here has potential application across disciplines treating microstomia and orofacial contractures.

Methods
An 18-year-old male with full thickness head and neck burns participated in a 5-week trial using intraoral splints to provide stretch to areas of contracture in the mid and lower face. The trial commenced 4 ½ months after his burn injury. Prescriptive placement, sizing and time for use of the splints were provided. Changes in distance between facial landmarks were identified for 13 measurements taken for 9 facial expressions. Change between landmarks was measured in millimeters of distance between landmarks.

Results
Lengthening (+measurements) or shortening (-measurements) of the distances between two landmarks indicated the potential benefit from stretching the oral cavity with intraoral splints. For the expression “open mouth wide”, increased distance between two endpoints was noted in 11 of 13 measurements, ranging from 1.6 mm to 10.8 mm. This represents a lengthening of tissue, allowing for wider oral opening. Negative measurements between two endpoints occurred in 2 of 13 measurements, demonstrating elevation of the left and right nostrils. Visual data also demonstrated the appearance of change over the 5-week trial. Pre- and post-treatment photographs are shown in Figure 1. Week 1 is shown above and week 5 is shown below. Facial expressions left to right are: open mouth wide, wrinkle nose, at rest. Figure 2 includes data from the expression "open wide".

Conclusions
When treating microstomia and orofacial contractures, consideration should be given to the use and further exploration of a more targeted intraoral methodology which uses a low load and prolonged stretch to improve functional and aesthetic deficits. Oral splinting using an intraoral methodology is underutilized in the burn patient population and has application in both the acute care and chronic phases of recovery.

Applicability of Research to Practice
This research methods described here are appropriate to incorporate into clinical practice patterns in both acute and post-acute rehabilitation of the patient with an orofacial burn or orofacial contractures. The methodology highlighted within this research is relevant to and has potential use for all members of the burn care team.
Potential zoonotic role of the tick Amblyomma cf. oblongoguttatum (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in the bacterial transmission of Ehrlichia chaffeensis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in a deciduous tropical forest in Mexico
Authors: Guzmán-Cornejo Carmen , Herrera-Mares Angel , García-Prieto Luis , Oceguera-Figueroa Alejandro , López-Pérez Andrés M , Dzul-Rosado Karla 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Ehrlichia chaffeensis is a bacterium belonging to the Anaplasmataceae family. In Mexico, only 2 species have been recorded in association with tick species and humans. The objective of the present study was to detect the presence of bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia in ticks collected from the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, Jalisco, Mexico. The collected ticks were identified and analyzed individually by polymerase chain reaction to amplify a fragment of the Anaplasmataceae 16S rRNA gene and the Ehrlichia-specific dsb gene. A total of 204 ticks, corresponding to 5 species of Ixodidae and 1 of Argasidae, were collected from 147 mammals of 6 species and 4 orders; 57 ticks collected from vegetation were also included. Among the total ticks collected, 1.47% (3/204) was positive for Ehrlichia sp. DNA was obtained using the primers EHR 16SD and EHR 16SR for 16S rRNA and DSB-330 and DSB-728 for dsb. The positive samples corresponded to a larva (Amblyomma sp.) associated with Didelphis virginiana and 2 nymphs (Amblyomma cf. oblongoguttatum) infesting Nasua narica. None of the ticks collected from the vegetation tested positive for Ehrlichia sp. DNA on the basis of the 16S rRNA and dsb genes. The sequences from the larvae of Amblyomma sp. and the nymphs of A. cf. oblongoguttatum were similar to those of E. chaffeensis. The phylogenetic analysis inferred with maximum likelihood corroborated the identity as E. chaffeensis. Although the role of these tick species as vectors of E. chaffeensis is still undetermined, the presence of infected ticks in the area indicates a potential zoonotic risk.
The ‘no greater rights’ principle: heading to a new Calvo Clause?
Authors: Alvarez Contreras Juan Miguel 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Recently, the very developed countries that championed the spread of international investment agreements began to challenge these treaties on the grounds that they afford foreign investors with greater rights vis-à-vis domestic investors and thus violate the constitutional principle of equality. This represented, under the banner of the ‘no greater rights’ principle, the resurgence of a once fiercely opposed doctrine of international law that originated in Latin America during the XIX century: The Calvo Doctrine. This contribution seeks to establish the actual breadth and significance of this new Calvo Doctrine. It concludes that the ‘no greater rights’ has a political, rather than a legal meaning, and is thus generally unsuitable to assure the desired equality between foreign and domestic investors. It also reveals that a recent decision of the Colombian Constitutional Court may give the ‘no greater rights’ a new (more real) meaning, by reviving a forgotten by-product of the Calvo Doctrine, the Calvo Clause.
Temporal variations in international air travel: implications for modelling the spread of infectious diseases
Authors: Wardle Jack , Bhatia Sangeeta , Cori Anne , Nouvellet Pierre 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
The international flight network creates multiple routes by which pathogens can quickly spread across the globe. In the early stages of infectious disease outbreaks, analyses using flight passenger data to identify countries at risk of importing the pathogen are common and can help inform disease control efforts. A challenge faced in this modelling is that the latest aviation statistics (referred to as contemporary data) are typically not immediately available. Therefore, flight patterns from a previous year are often used (referred to as historical data). We explored the suitability of historical data for predicting the spatial spread of emerging epidemics.

Methods
We analysed monthly flight passenger data from the International Air Transport Association to assess how baseline air travel patterns were affected by outbreaks of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Zika and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) over the past decade. We then used a stochastic discrete time susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) metapopulation model to simulate the global spread of different pathogens, comparing how epidemic dynamics differed in simulations based on historical and contemporary data.

Results
We observed local, short-term disruptions to air travel from South Korea and Brazil for the MERS and Zika outbreaks we studied, whereas global and longer-term flight disruptions occurred during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. For outbreak events that were accompanied by local, small and short-term changes in air travel, epidemic models using historical flight data gave similar projections of the timing and locations of disease spread as when using contemporary flight data. However, historical data were less reliable to model the spread of an atypical outbreak such as SARS-CoV-2, in which there were durable and extensive levels of global travel disruption.

Conclusion
The use of historical flight data as a proxy in epidemic models is an acceptable practice, except in rare, large epidemics that lead to substantial disruptions to international travel.
A practical guide to the discovery of biomolecules with biostimulant activity
Authors: Li Jing , Lardon Robin , Mangelinckx Sven , Geelen Danny 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The growing demand for sustainable solutions in agriculture, which are critical for crop productivity and food quality in the face of climate change and the need to reduce agrochemical usage, has brought biostimulants into the spotlight as valuable tools for regenerative agriculture. With their diverse biological activities, biostimulants can contribute to crop growth, nutrient use efficiency, and abiotic stress resilience, as well as to the restoration of soil health. Biomolecules include humic substances, protein lysates, phenolics, and carbohydrates have undergone thorough investigation because of their demonstrated biostimulant activities. Here, we review the process of the discovery and development of extract-based biostimulants, and propose a practical step-by-step pipeline that starts with initial identification of biomolecules, followed by extraction and isolation, determination of bioactivity, identification of active compound(s), elucidation of mechanisms, formulation, and assessment of effectiveness. The different steps generate a roadmap that aims to expedite the transfer of interdisciplinary knowledge from laboratory-scale studies to pilot-scale production in practical scenarios that are aligned with the prevailing regulatory frameworks.
Inequality of opportunity and life satisfaction
Authors: Becchetti Leonardo , Colcerasa Francesco , Peragine Vitorocco , Pisani Fabio 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This article attempts to shed light on the contrasting findings about the effect of inequality on subjective wellbeing by decomposing income inequality into inequality of opportunity (due to factors that individuals cannot control) and inequality of effort. The two inequality components, calculated using EU-SILC data at regional and wave level, are matched with individual data on life satisfaction and its controls from the European Social Survey. We find that inequality of opportunity affects negatively and significantly subjective wellbeing, while inequality due to effort does not play a negative role. The negative effect of inequality of opportunity is stronger for women, the young, and the less educated. Our findings support the hypothesis that individuals are generally hit by that component of inequality (inequality of opportunity) that they perceive as unfair and beyond their control.
Taurine Inhibits Lung Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Modulating Macrophage Polarization Through PTEN-PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
Authors: Lin Yufeng , Huang Yongtong , Zheng Yifan , Chen Wanting , Zhang Yongcheng , Yang Yongxia , Huang Wenbin 
Published: April 2024

Summary:
Taurine (Tau) has been found to inhibit triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) invasion and metastasis. However, its effect on tumor-promoting macrophages and tumor suppressor macrophages in breast cancer progression remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of Tau on macrophage polarization and its role in TNBC cell growth, invasion, and metastasis. We induced human THP-1 monocytes to differentiate into M2 macrophages through exogenous addition of interleukin-4. We used the TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cultured in a conditioned medium from M2 macrophages to investigate the effect of Tau on tumor growth and invasion. We analyzed macrophage subset distribution, M1 and M2 macrophage-associated markers, and mRNA expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We also detected the PTEN-PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway that mediates M1 macrophage to suppress tumor invasion using western blotting. Our results showed that Tau inhibits breast cancer metastasis to the lungs in vivo and cell invasion by altering the polarization of tumor-associated macrophage in vitro. In addition, Tau can up-regulate PTEN expression, suppress the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and promote the M1 polarization of macrophages, which ultimately inhibits the metastasis of TNBC cells. Our findings suggest that Tau inhibits the activation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway by up-regulating PTEN, promotes the proportion of M1 macrophages in tumor-associated macrophage, and suppresses the invasion and metastasis of TNBC. This provides a potential therapeutic approach to influence cancer progression and metastasis.
Development and Validation of the VIOSync Sepsis Prediction Index: A Novel Machine Learning Model for Sepsis Prediction in ICU Patients
Authors: Liliopoulos Sotirios G. , Dejaco Alexander , Dimakopoulos Vasileios S. , Gkouzionis Ioannis A. 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundSepsis is the third leading cause of death worldwide and the main cause of in-hospital mortality. Despite decades of research, sepsis remains a major challenge faced by patients, clinicians, and medical systems worldwide. Early identification and prediction of patients at risk of sepsis and adverse outcomes associated with sepsis are critical. In this work, we aimed to develop an artificial intelligence algorithm that can predict sepsis early.Materials and MethodsWe developed a predictive model for sepsis using data from the Physionet Cardiology Challenge 2019 ICU database. Our cohort consisted of adult patients who were admitted to the ICU. Sepsis diagnoses were determined using the Sepsis-3 criteria. The model, built with the XGBoost algorithm, was designed to anticipate sepsis prior to the appearance of clinical symptoms. An internal validation was conducted using a hold-off test dataset to evaluate the AI model’s predictive performance.ResultsWe have developed the VIOSync Sepsis Prediction Index (SPI), an AI-based predictive model designed to forecast sepsis up to six hours before its clinical onset, as defined by Sepsis-3 criteria. The AI model, trained on a dataset comprising approximately 40,000 adult patients, integrates variables such as vital signs, laboratory data, and demographic information. The model demonstrated a high prediction accuracy rate of 97%, with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 98% in predicting sepsis up to 6 hours before the onset. When compared to the established qSOFA score, which has a specificity of 89% for sepsis prediction, our VIOSync SPI algorithm significantly enhances predictive reliability, potentially reducing false positive rates by a factor of 5.5.ConclusionsThe VIOSync SPI demonstrated superior prediction performance over current sepsis early warning scores and predictive algorithms for sepsis onset. To validate the generalizability of our method across populations and treatment protocols, external validation studies are essential.