bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety and potential usefulness of sequential intracoronary acetylcholine and ergonovine administration for spasm provocation testing
Authors: Kinoshita Yasusuke , Saito Yuichi , Kikuta Yuetsu , Sato Katsumasa , Taniguchi Masahito , Goto Kenji , Takebayashi Hideo , Haruta Seiichi , Kobayashi Yoshio 
Published: February 2024

Background: Although guidelines recommend intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) and ergonovine (ER) provocation testing for diagnosis of vasospastic angina, the feasibility and safety of sequential (combined) use of both pharmacological agents during the same catheterization session remain unclear. Objectives: In this study, we investigated the feasibility and safety of sequential intracoronary ACh and ER administration for coronary spasm provocation testing. Methods: The study included 235 patients who showed positive results on ACh and ER provocation testing. Initial intracoronary ACh administration was followed by ER administration for left coronary artery (LCA) spasm provocation testing. Subsequently, the right coronary artery (RCA) was subjected to sequential ACh and ER administration for provocation testing. The primary outcome of the study was the safety of sequential intracoronary ACh and ER provocation testing, which was assessed based on a composite of all-cause death, sustained ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, and cardiogenic shock. Results: Even in patients with negative results on sequential intracoronary ACh and ER provocation testing in the LCA and only ACh administration into the RCA, additional administration of ER into the RCA showed a positive provocation test result in 33 of 235 (14.0%) patients; three (1.3%) patients developed adverse effects (cardiogenic shock occurred in all cases) during LCA provocation testing. We observed no deaths attributable to spasm provocation testing. Conclusion: Sequential administration of intracoronary ACh and ER was associated with a relatively low major complication rate and may be safe and potentially useful for diagnosis of vasospastic angina.
Comparison of elastic stable intramedullary nailing versus Kirschner wires in treatment of pediatric radial neck fractures
Authors: Tian Kaixuan , Cao Jinchao , Pei Xinjian , Liu Yuchang , Li Tianyou , Li Yazhou 
Published: February 2024

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the different internal fixations between elastic stable intramedullary nailing and Kirschner wires in treatment of angulated radial neck fractures. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patients with radial neck fracture without associated injuries who underwent surgery approach in our department during April 2011–March 2020. There were 62 patients meeting all the criteria with complete clinical data, with median age of 7.5 (IQR 5.8–9.5) years, 34 males and 28 females. The preoperative fracture pattern was assessed according to the Judet classification system. Depending on the materials implanted and fixation strategy, the patients could be divided into a Kirschner wire group and an elastic stable intramedullary nailing group. Final functional outcomes of patients were assessed by the Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Tibone–Stoltz functional evaluation classification. Results: The Kirschner wire group included 37 patients, with 4.8 years median follow-up. The elastic stable intramedullary nailing group included 25 patients with 5.9 years median follow-up. There were no significant differences in gender, age, Judet classification, average operative time, Mayo Elbow Performance Score, Tibone–Stoltz classification, or length of hospital stay between groups. However, the time to union in the Kirschner wire group was significantly shorter than that in the elastic stable intramedullary nailing group (p < 0.05). Both groups achieved satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. Conclusion: In the management of pediatric radial neck fractures, both elastic stable intramedullary nailing and Kirschner wire internal fixation have shown equivalent therapeutic results, leading to satisfactory functional outcomes. The selection of the internal fixation approach can be influenced by the patient’s fracture characteristics and the surgeon’s preferences. Level of evidence: Level III; Retrospective Comparison; Treatment Study.
Experience of compassion-based practice in mindfulness for health for individuals with persistent pain
Authors: Gray Callum , Jones Fergal , Agostinis Alessio , Morris Julia 
Published: February 2024

Purpose of the Study Research indicates that acquiring compassion is an integral part to positive outcomes to Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI), yet there is both theoretic and empirical literature suggesting that people with persistent pain are more likely to experience challenges and distress when engaging compassion-based practices. Mindfulness for Health is a standardised MBI for people with persistent pain and health conditions. This study sought to explore the positive, neutral and difficult experiences of compassion-based practice and meditation for participants in Mindfulness for Health to further understand implications and risks for participants of MBI’s. Method and Design A qualitative design using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was applied to explore how participants understood of the experience of compassion-based practice and the meaning they gave to it. Eight participants who had completed the Mindfulness for Health from four separate groups were interviewed about their experience. Results Five master themes were identified ‘turning away from self-with-pain’, ‘self-with-pain experienced as shameful’, ‘facilitating change’, ‘turning towards self-with-pain’, and ‘accepting self’. Participants identified both perceived positive changes and difficult emotional experiences during the meditation practice, which they related to the context of compassion in their past and present life. Conclusions Developing compassion is an important part of Mindfulness for Health, which is salient for participants as both a challenging and potentially valuable experience. Acquisition of mindfulness skills, supporting group dynamics and modelling compassion are understood as helpful in overcoming personal barriers and challenging experiences. Further research is needed to understand processes involved and explore the experience of non-completers.
Acute kidney injury should not be neglected – optimization of quick Pitt bacteremia score for predicting mortality in critically ill patients with bloodstream infection: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cai Jiaqi , Yang Ming , Deng Han , Bai Hao , Zheng Guanhao , He Juan 
Published: February 2024

Background: Considering the therapeutic difficulties and mortality associated with bloodstream infection (BSI), it is essential to investigate other potential factors affecting mortality in critically ill patients with BSI and examine the utility of the quick Pitt bacteremia (qPitt) score to improve the survival rate. Objectives: To improve the predictive accuracy of the qPitt scoring system by evaluating the five current components of qPitt and including other potential factors influencing mortality in critically ill patients with BSI. Design: This was a retrospective cohort study. Methods: Medical information from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database was used in this retrospective cohort study. The risk factors associated with mortality were examined using a multivariate logistic regression model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess the discriminatory capability of the prediction models. Results: In total, 1240 eligible critically ill patients with BSI were included. After adjustment for age, community-onset BSI, indwelling invasive lines, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ⩽ 8, acute kidney injury (AKI) was identified as a notable risk factor for 14-day mortality. Except for altered mental status, the four other main components of the original qPitt were significantly associated with 14-day mortality. Hence, we established a modified qPitt (m-qPitt) by adding AKI and replacing altered mental status with GCS ⩽ 8. The AUCs for m-qPitt and qPitt were 0.723 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.683–0.759] and 0.708 (95% CI: 0.669–0.745) in predicting 14-day mortality, respectively. Moreover, m-qPitt also had acceptable performance and discrimination power [0.700 (95% CI: 0.666–0.732)] in predicting 28-day mortality. Conclusion: AKI significantly influenced the survival of critically ill patients with BSIs. Compared with the original qPitt, our new m-qPitt was proven to have a better predictive performance for mortality in critically ill patients with BSI. Further studies should be conducted to validate the practicality of m-qPitt.
Risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and stroke associated with treatment with GLP-1 or the dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Stefanou Maria-Ioanna , Theodorou Aikaterini , Malhotra Konark , Aguiar de Sousa Diana , Katan Mira , Palaiodimou Lina , Katsanos Aristeidis H , Koutroulou Ioanna , Lambadiari Vaia , Lemmens Robin , Giannopoulos Sotirios , Alexandrov Andrei V , Siasos Gerasimos , Tsivgoulis Georgios 
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Mounting evidence suggests that glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor-agonists (GLP-1 RAs) attenuate cardiovascular-risk in type-2 diabetes (T2DM). Tirzepatide is the first-in-class, dual glucose-dependent-insulinotropic-polypeptide GIP/GLP-1 RA approved for T2DM. Patients and methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) was performed to estimate: (i) the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE); and (ii) incidence of stroke, fatal, and nonfatal stroke in T2DM-patients treated with GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 RAs (vs placebo). Results: Thirteen RCTs (9 and 4 on GLP-1 RAs and tirzepatide, respectively) comprising 65,878 T2DM patients were included. Compared to placebo, GLP-1RAs or GIP/GLP-1 RAs reduced MACE (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.81–0.94; p < 0.01; I2 = 37%), all-cause mortality (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.82–0.96; p < 0.01; I2 = 21%) and cardiovascular-mortality (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80–0.96; p < 0.01; I2 = 14%), without differences between GLP-1 versus GIP/GLP-1 RAs. Additionally, GLP-1 RAs reduced the odds of stroke (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.76–0.93; p < 0.01; I2 = 0%) and nonfatal stroke (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76–0.94; p < 0.01; I2 = 0%), whereas no association between fatal stroke and GLP-1RAs was uncovered (OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.61–1.05; p = 0.105; I2 = 0%). In secondary analyses, GLP-1 RAs prevented ischemic stroke (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61–0.91; p < 0.01; I2 = 0%) and MACE-recurrence, but not hemorrhagic stroke (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.51–1.66; p = 0.792; I2 = 0%). There was no association between GLP-1RAs or GIP/GLP-1 RAs and fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction. Discussion and conclusion: GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 RAs reduce cardiovascular-risk and mortality in T2DM. While there is solid evidence that GLP-1 RAs significantly attenuate the risk of ischemic stroke in T2DM, dedicated RCTs are needed to evaluate the efficacy of novel GIP/GLP-1 RAs for primary and secondary stroke prevention.
Performance of blockboard using particle composite bagasse waste as core layer materials
Authors: Mawardi Indra , Nurdin Nurdin , Fakhriza Fakhriza , Jannifar Ali , Razak Hanif , Putra Jaya Ramadhansyah 
Published: February 2024

Using wood as the core blockboard material has affected forest exploration, which causes damage to the ecosystem and the environment. The availability of large amounts of bagasse and styrofoam waste has become a potential alternative to replace wood. This study evaluates the properties of blockboards made from a composite of bagasse waste particles as the core layer, combined with thin plywood as the face layers, and styrofoam waste as the matrix for the bagasse particle composites. The blockboards were prepared through cold compression, and the effects of particles size and the ratio of particles to styrofoam on physical and mechanical properties such as density, moisture content, water resistance, bending strength, internal bond, and screw withdrawal resistance were investigated. The results demonstrated a linear improvement in both physical and mechanical properties with an increase in styrofoam content and a decrease in the particle size of bagasse. The blockboard with fine particles and 70 wt % of styrofoam exhibited the highest density of 0.59 g/cm3, moisture content of 8.54%, water absorption resistance of 33.71%, bending strength of 11.88 MPa, internal bond of 0.64 MPa, and screw withdrawal of 823.36 N. An increase in the density of the core layer was found to enhance all physical and mechanical properties of the blockboard. Consequently, the blockboard produced exhibits the potential to serve as an alternative to traditional blockboards.
Proteomic insights into the pathophysiology of hypertension-associated albuminuria: Pilot study in a South African cohort
Authors: Govender Melanie A. , Stoychev Stoyan H. , Brandenburg Jean-Tristan , Ramsay Michèle , Fabian June , Govender Ireshyn S. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Hypertension is an important public health priority with a high prevalence in Africa. It is also an independent risk factor for kidney outcomes. We aimed to identify potential proteins and pathways involved in hypertension-associated albuminuria by assessing urinary proteomic profiles in black South African participants with combined hypertension and albuminuria compared to those who have neither condition.

Methods
The study included 24 South African cases with both hypertension and albuminuria and 49 control participants who had neither condition. Protein was extracted from urine samples and analysed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Data were generated using data-independent acquisition (DIA) and processed using Spectronaut™ 15. Statistical and functional data annotation were performed on Perseus and Cytoscape to identify and annotate differentially abundant proteins. Machine learning was applied to the dataset using the OmicLearn platform.

Results
Overall, a mean of 1,225 and 915 proteins were quantified in the control and case groups, respectively. Three hundred and thirty-two differentially abundant proteins were constructed into a network. Pathways associated with these differentially abundant proteins included the immune system (q-value [false discovery rate] = 1.4 × 10− 45), innate immune system (q = 1.1 × 10− 32), extracellular matrix (ECM) organisation (q = 0.03) and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (q = 0.04). Proteins with high disease scores (76–100% confidence) for both hypertension and chronic kidney disease included angiotensinogen (AGT), albumin (ALB), apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1), and uromodulin (UMOD). A machine learning approach was able to identify a set of 20 proteins, differentiating between cases and controls.

Conclusions
The urinary proteomic data combined with the machine learning approach was able to classify disease status and identify proteins and pathways associated with hypertension-associated albuminuria.
Assessing the Genetic Diversity of Parents for Developing Hybrids Through Morphological and Molecular Markers in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Nivedha Rakkimuthu , Manonmani Swaminathan , Kalaimagal Thiyagarajan , Raveendran Muthurajan , Kavitha Shanmugam 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe advancement of hybrid technology plays a crucial role in addressing yield plateau and diminishing resources in rice cultivating regions. The knowledge of genetic diversity among parental lines is a prerequisite for effective hybrid breeding program. In the current study, a set of 66 parental lines was studied for diversity based on both morphological characters and microsatellite SSR markers. The genetic variability parameters unveiled that number of productive tillers per plant, single plant yield and hundred grain weight exhibited additive gene action. Mahalanobis D2 statistics grouped the genotypes into ten clusters based on yield and grain traits. The principal component analysis identified four PCs with eigen value more than one accounting for 71.28% of cumulative variance. The polymorphic SSR markers produced 122 alleles among which the marker RM474 recorded the highest values for Polymorphic Information Content (0.83) and heterozygosity index (0.85). The genotypes were assembled in seven clusters based on jaccard distances using the Unweighted Pair Group method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA). The population structure divided the entire population into 3 subpopulations. In both clustering, there was difference in the assembling of genotypes, but, good performing genotypes identified through PCA were positioned in different clusters in both approaches. The genotypes CBSN 495 and CBSN 494 located in different clusters were identified as the potential restorers for high yielding and short duration hybrids. The hybridization among CRR Dhan 310, CRR Dhan 315, IR64 DRT, CB 17135 and WGL 347 can be performed to develop climate smart varieties with improved nutrition.
A parametric additive hazard model for time-to-event analysis
Authors: Voeltz Dina , Hoyer Annika , Forkel Amelie , Schwandt Anke , Kuß Oliver 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn recent years, the use of non- and semi-parametric models which estimate hazard ratios for analysing time-to-event outcomes is continuously criticized in terms of interpretation, technical implementation, and flexibility. Hazard ratios in particular are critically discussed for their misleading interpretation as relative risks and their non-collapsibility. Additive hazard models do not have these drawbacks but are rarely used because they assume a non- or semi-parametric additive hazard which renders computation and interpretation complicated.MethodsAs a remedy, we propose a new parametric additive hazard model that allows results to be reported on the original time rather than on the hazard scale. Being an essentially parametric model, survival, hazard and probability density functions are directly available. Parameter estimation is straightforward by maximizing the log-likelihood function.ResultsApplying the model to different parametric distributions in a simulation study and in an exemplary application using data from a study investigating medical care to lung cancer patients, we show that the approach works well in practice.ConclusionsOur proposed parametric additive hazard model can serve as a powerful tool to analyze time-to-event outcomes due to its simple interpretation, flexibility and facilitated parameter estimation.
Urokinase in the treatment of tuberculous pleurisy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jing Wenyao , Weng Ruolan , Lin Ping , Luo Miao 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy of urokinase (UK) treatment for tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE).

Methods
We searched Chinese biomedical literature database, WanFang data, CNKI, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of urokinase treatment for tuberculous pleurisy from January 2000 to February 2023. Pleural tuberculosis, urokinase and randomized controlled trial were used as keywords. The eligible studies were meta-analyzed by using Revman 5.4.1: risk of bias was assessed, mean difference (MD) and 95% CI were used for continuous variables, pooled studies were conducted using random-effects or fixed-effects models, forest plots were drawn to analyze efficacy, and funnel plots were drawn to discuss publication bias.

Results
Twenty-nine RCTs were included. The meta-analyzed results showed that, on the basis of routine anti-tuberculosis, comparison between the treatment group treated with urokinase and the control group treated with antituberculosis alone, the time of pleural effusion absorption [MD-5.82, 95%CI (− 7.77, − 3.87); P<0.00001] and the residual pleural thickness [MD-1.31, 95%CI (− 1.70, − 0.91); P<0.00001], pleural effusion drainage volume [MD 822.81, 95%CI (666.46,977.96); P<0.00001], FVC%pred [MD 7.95, 95%CI (4.51,11.40); P<0.00001], FEV1%pred [MD 12.67, 95%CI (10.09,15.24); P<0.00001] were significantly different.

Conclusion
The clinical effect of urokinase is better than that of antituberculous therapy alone: it can increase total pleural effusion, decrease residual pleural thickness, improve the pulmonary function, and shorten the time of pleural effusion absorption.
Efficacy of adding levofloxacin to gemcitabine and nanoparticle-albumin-binding paclitaxel combination therapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: study protocol for a multicenter, randomized phase 2 trial (T-CORE2201)
Authors: Imai Hiroo , Sakamoto Yasuhiro , Takahashi Shin , Shibata Hiroyuki , Sato Atsushi , Otsuka Kazunori , Amagai Kenji , Takahashi Masanobu , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Ishioka Chikashi 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Advanced pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, gemcitabine and nanoparticle albumin-binding paclitaxel (nabPTX) combination (GEM/nabPTX) therapy is one of the recommended first-line treatments. Several retrospective studies have suggested that the addition of levofloxacin improves the efficacy of GEM/nabPTX therapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. This prospective study aims to evaluate whether the addition of antibiotics improves the treatment efficacy of GEM/nabPTX as a first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods
This multicenter, prospective, randomized, phase 2 trial will included 140 patients. Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the GEM/nabPTX therapy group or the GEM/nabPTX plus levofloxacin group. The primary endpoint for the two groups is median progression-free survival time (mPFS) for the full analysis set (FAS). The secondary endpoints for the two groups are median overall survival (mOS), response rate (RR), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse event (AE) for the FAS and mPFS, mOS, RR, DCR, and AE for the per-protocol set. This study will enroll patients treated with GEM/nabPTX as the first-line chemotherapy for stage IV pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Discussion
GEM/nabPTX is a standard first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Recently, the superiority of 5-fluorouracil, liposomal irinotecan, and oxaliplatin combination therapy (NALIRIFOX) to GEM/nabPTX as first-line therapy for pancreatic cancer has been reported. However, the efficacy of NALIRIFOX is inadequate. Based on previous retrospective studies, it is hypothesized that treatment efficacy will improve when levofloxacin is added to GEM/nabPTX therapy. If the AEs (such as leukopenia, neutropenia, and peripheral neuropathy) that occur at an increased rate with levofloxacin and GEM/nabPTX combination therapy can be carefully monitored and properly managed, this simple intervention can be expected to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Trial registration
This study was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT; registry number: jRCTs021230005).