bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects ofEurycoma longifolia Jackstandardised water extract (Physta) on well-being of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: protocol for a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group study
Authors: Muniandy Subashini , Yahya Hanis Mastura , Shahar Suzana , Kamisan Atan Ixora , Mahdy Zaleha Abdullah , Rajab Nor Fadilah , George Annie , Chinnappan Sasikala M 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionEurycoma longifolia Jack(EL), profoundly recognised as ‘Tongkat Ali’, is a medicinal herb originating from Southeast Asia. It is commonly used in traditional ‘antiageing’ treatments to address decreased energy, mood, libido and hormonal imbalances. While the benefits of EL have been extensively studied among the male population, less attention has been given to its effects on women. Menopause can impact the overall well-being of middle-aged women and incorporation of herbal supplements can aid them in managing the menopausal symptoms.Methods and analysisThis 12-week randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the standardised water extract of EL known as Physta in increasing the quality of life of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The study involves 150 women aged 40–55 years who score more than 61 on the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) assessment. These participants will be randomised into three groups, receiving Physta at either 50 mg or 100 mg or a placebo. The outcomes measures include mood state, quality of life, fatigue, sleep quality, sexual function and pain score assessed using Profile of Mood State, MENQOL, Chalder Fatigue Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Female Sexual Function Index and the Brief Pain Inventory questionnaires, respectively. The secondary outcome of the study includes full blood analysis, urine analysis, female reproductive hormone profiling, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers analysis.Ethics and disseminationThe research protocol of the study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM/PPI/111/8/JEP-2021-898). The findings will be disseminated to participants, healthcare professionals and researchers via conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration numberACTRN12622001341718.
Cohort profile: recruitment and retention in a prospective cohort of Canadian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Cherry Nicola , Adisesh Anil , Burstyn Igor , Durand-Moreau Quentin , Galarneau Jean-Michel , Labrèche France , Ruzycki Shannon M , Zadunayski Tanis 
Published: November 2023

PurposeHealthcare workers were recruited early in 2020 to chart effects on their health as the COVID-19 pandemic evolved. The aim was to identify modifiable workplace risk factors for infection and mental ill health.ParticipantsParticipants were recruited from four Canadian provinces, physicians (medical doctors, MDs) in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and healthcare aides (HCAs) in Alberta and personal support workers (PSWs) in Ontario. Volunteers gave blood for serology testing before and after vaccination. Cases with COVID-19 were matched with up to four referents in a nested case-referent study.Findings to dateOverall, 4964/5130 (97%) of those recruited joined the longitudinal cohort: 1442 MDs, 3136 RNs, 71 LPNs, 235 PSWs, 80 HCAs. Overall, 3812 (77%) were from Alberta. Prepandemic risk factors for mental ill health and respiratory illness differed markedly by occupation. Participants completed questionnaires at recruitment, fall 2020, spring 2021, spring 2022. By 2022, 4837 remained in the cohort (127 had retired, moved away or died), for a response rate of 89% (4299/4837). 4567/4964 (92%) received at least one vaccine shot: 2752/4567 (60%) gave postvaccine blood samples. Ease of accessing blood collection sites was a strong determinant of participation. Among 533 cases and 1697 referents recruited to the nested case-referent study, risk of infection at work decreased with widespread vaccination.Future plansSerology results (concentration of IgG) together with demographic data will be entered into the publicly accessible database compiled by the Canadian Immunology Task Force. Linkage with provincial administrative health databases will permit case validation, investigation of longer-term sequelae of infection and comparison with community controls. Analysis of the existing dataset will concentrate on effects on IgG of medical condition, medications and stage of pregnancy, and the role of occupational exposures and supports on mental health during the pandemic.
Barriers and facilitators to dementia care in long-term care facilities: protocol for a qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis
Authors: Zhang Xi , Guan Chengguo , He Jinjie , Wang Jing 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionLong-term care needs for people with dementia are predicted to increase due to increased life expectancy and dementia diagnoses. Most published meta- syntheses of dementia care focus on hospitals or home settings. When focusing on long-term care facilities, most reviews about dementia care only focus on a single outcome, such as feeding, behavioural symptoms management, palliative care and others, which is limited. The present study aims to synthesise qualitative data and examine barriers and facilitators to caring for people with dementia in long-term care facilities.Methods and analysisThis is the protocol for our systematic review and meta-synthesis, which describes the design of this study, and we plan to complete the study from October 2023 to November 2024. The systematic review and meta-synthesis will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. Nine databases (five English and four Chinese) were searched, including Embase, Web of Science, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Wan Fang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP and Chinese Biomedical Medicine, from inception to August 2023. Qualitative and mixed-approach research about barriers and facilitators to caring for people with dementia in long-term care facilities, which are reported in English or Chinese, will be included. Covidence software will help with study selection, assessment and data extraction. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research (2020) will be used for included studies’ quality assessment. Data extraction will be based on the JBI Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument Data Extraction Tool for Qualitative Research. The JBI aggregation approach will be used to synthesise data. We will use the JBI ConQual tool to assess the credibility and dependability of each synthesised finding to establish confidence in the synthesised findings. All review steps will be managed by two reviewers independently, and disparities will be discussed. If consensus cannot reach a resolution, a third reviewer will be consulted.Ethics and disseminationThe present study is a secondary analysis of published qualitative data. So ethical approval is not required. The findings may be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference papers or elsewhere.PROSPERO registration numberThe protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) in May 2022, and the registration number is CRD42022326178.
Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty compared with ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty: a meta-analysis
Authors: Sela Tal Corina , Iflah Moti , Muhsen Khitam , Zahavi Alon 
Published: November 2023

AimsThis study aims to compare the clinical outcome of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) in patients with corneal endothelial dysfunction due to Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.MethodsWe conducted a meta-analysis using a literature search of Embase, PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP databases. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that compared DMEK and UT-DSAEK (graft<130 µm), with a follow-up of ≥12 months, published until 20 February 2022. We used the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCTs and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies-of Interventions system for cohort studies.ResultsOut of 144 records, 8 studies (3 RCTs, 2 fellow-eye studies and 3 cohort studies) were included, encompassing 376 eyes, (N=187 DMEK vs N=189 UT-DSAEK). The 12-month logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was better post-DMEK (mean difference −0.06 (95% CI −0.10 to –0.02)), but with higher rebubbling risk: OR 2.76 (95% CI 1.46 to 5.22). Heterogeneity was significant I2=57%. Findings were consistent when excluding retrospective studies, including only studies with low risk of bias or RCTs only. An analysis of studies with mean DSAEK grafts <70 µm showed no significant difference in BCVA between the procedures. Publication bias was found in the BCVA analysis (Egger’s test p=0.023).ConclusionsPost-DMEK BCVA is superior to post-UT-DSAEK when using <130 µm grafts. DSAEK grafts <70 µm may not significantly differ from DMEK. The higher risk of rebubbling with DMEK necessitates an appropriate selection of patients.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022340805.
Risk identification for the development of large-artery vasospasm after aneurysmatic subarachnoid hemorrhage – a multivariate, risk-, and location-adjusted prediction model
Authors: Schwarting Julian , Trost Dominik , Albrecht Carolin , Jörger Ann-Kathrin , Zimmer Claus , Wostrack Maria , Meyer Bernhard , Bodden Jannis , Boeckh-Behrens Tobias 
Published: November 2023

Background
Vasospasm of the large cerebral arteries (CVS) after aneurysmatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) reduces cerebral perfusion and causes delayed cerebral ischemia. Although endovascular spasmolysis shows convincing angiographic results, patients often do not improve in outcome. Delayed recognition of CVS contributes substantially to this effect. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm established and to identify unknown risk factors for CVS, which can be used for risk stratification.

Methods
In this monocentric, retrospective cohort study of 853 patients with aSAH, we compared demographics, clinical, and radiographic parameters at the time of aneurysm occlusion between patients who developed CVS and those who did not. Significant cohort differences were included as predictors in a multivariate analysis to address confounding. Logistic regression models were used to determine odds ratios (ORs) for the presence of CVS for each predictor.

Results
Of the 853 patients treated with aSAH, 304 (32%) developed CVS. In the univariable analysis, CVS was significantly associated with young age, female sex, aneurysm location, modified Fisher score, Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) score, and surgical interventions. In the multivariable regression analysis, we identified BNI score (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.58, p=0.002), decompressive craniectomy (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.04, p=0.005), and aneurysm clipping (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.50 to 3.29, p<0.001), as independent risk factors.

Conclusions
Young female patients with high BNI scores who undergo surgical interventions are more likely to develop CVS and should therefore be monitored most intensively after aneurysm occlusion.
CLinical EValuation of WEB 17 device in intracranial aneuRysms (CLEVER): procedural, 30-day and 1-year safety results for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms
Authors: Spelle Laurent , Costalat Vincent , Caroff Jildaz , Wodarg Fritz , Fischer Sebastian , Herbreteau Denis , Möhlenbruch Markus A , Januel Anne-Christine , Papagiannaki Chrysanthi , Klisch Joachim , Numminen Jussi , Rautio Riitta , Berlis Ansgar , Mihalea Cristian , Chalumeau Vanessa , Downer Jonathan , Cortese Jonathan , Ikka Léon , Gallas Sophie , Bester Maxim , Liebig Thomas , Velasco Stéphane , Grimaldi Lamiae , Byrne James , Szikora Istvan , Pierot Laurent , Cognard Christophe 
Published: November 2023

Background
Intrasaccular flow disruption is an endovascular approach for the treatment of wide-neck aneurysms and, more specifically, wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms, which are challenging to treat with previously developed technologies. The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device has demonstrated its efficacy and safety, for both unruptured and ruptured aneurysms.

Methods
The CLEVER study was an observational, multicenter, prospective study conducted in 17 European investigational sites using the WEB 17 device, for the treatment of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. The study objective was to provide safety and efficacy data on the WEB 17 device in the treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms. Imaging results were assessed independently by a Corelab and adverse events adjudicated by a Clinical Event Adjudicator. This analysis reports procedural results and safety at 30 days and 12 months.

Results
A total of 163 patients (mean age 58.1 years; 68.1% women) with 103 unruptured aneurysms and 60 ruptured aneurysms were enrolled. Most aneurysms were located on the anterior communicating artery (ACom) (37.4%) or the middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation (30.1%). Aneurysm widths ranged from 2.0–9.2 mm, and the mean sac width was 5.0 mm. The WEB procedure was successfully completed in 163 patients (100%). At the 12-month follow-up, major stroke events occurred in 3 of 163 patients (1.8%), and no device-related mortality was observed.

Conclusion
Endovascular treatment of ruptured and unruptured wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms using WEB 17 is safe, with a low complication rate and no device-related mortality. In particular, none of the ruptured aneurysms bled again up to 1 year of follow-up.

Trial registration number

NCT03844334
.
SurfaceCast: Ubiquitous, Cross-Device Surface Sharing
Authors: Echtler Florian , Maierhöfer Vitus , Hansen Nicolai Brodersen , Wimmer Raphael 
Published: November 2023

Real-time online interaction is the norm today. Tabletops and other dedicated interactive surface devices with direct input and tangible interaction can enhance remote collaboration, and open up new interaction scenarios based on mixed physical/virtual components. However, they are only available to a small subset of users, as they usually require identical bespoke hardware for every participant, are complex to setup, and need custom scenario-specific applications.
We present SurfaceCast, a software toolkit designed to merge multiple distributed, heterogeneous end-user devices into a single, shared mixed-reality surface. Supported devices include regular desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and mixed-reality headsets, as well as projector-camera setups and dedicated interactive tabletop systems.
This device-agnostic approach provides a fundamental building block for exploration of a far wider range of usage scenarios than previously feasible, including future clients using our provided API.
In this paper, we discuss the software architecture of SurfaceCast, present a formative user study and a quantitative performance analysis of our framework, and introduce five example application scenarios which we enhance through the multi-user and multi-device features of the framework.
Our results show that the hardware- and content-agnostic architecture of SurfaceCast can run on a wide variety of devices with sufficient performance and fidelity for real-time interaction.
Patient Willingness to Use a Pharmacy-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening Service: A National Survey of U.S. Adults
Authors: Shah Parth D. , Wangen Mary , Rohweder Catherine L. , Waters Austin R. , Odebunmi Olufeyisayo O. , Marciniak Macary W. , Ferrari Renée M. , Wheeler Stephanie B. , Brenner Alison T. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background:
We aimed to understand U.S. adults’ willingness to use a pharmacy-based fecal immunochemical test (FIT) distribution service for routine colorectal cancer screening called PharmFIT using Diffusion of Innovation Theory, evaluating patient's appraisals of the program's relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity.

Methods:
From March to April 2021, we conducted a national online survey of 1,045 U.S. adults ages 45 to 75. We identified correlates of patient willingness to use PharmFIT using structural equation modeling.

Results:
Most respondents (72%) were willing to get a FIT from their pharmacy for their regular colorectal cancer screening. Respondents were more willing to participate in PharmFIT if they perceived higher relative advantage ($\hat{\beta}$= 0.184; confidence interval, CI95%: 0.055–0.325) and perceived higher compatibility ($\hat{\beta}$ = 0.422; CI95%: 0.253–0.599) to get screened in a pharmacy, had longer travel times to their primary health care provider ($\hat{\beta}$ = 0.007; CI95%: 0.004–0.010). Respondents were less willing to participate in PharmFIT if they were 65 years or older ($\hat{\beta}$ = −0.220; CI95%: −0.362 to −0.070).

Conclusions:
Most U.S. adults would be willing to participate in PharmFIT for their routine colorectal cancer screening. Patient perceptions of the relative advantage and compatibility of PharmFIT were strongly associated with their willingness to use PharmFIT. Pharmacies should account for patient preferences for these two traits of PharmFIT to increase adoption and use.

Impact:
Pharmacy-based colorectal cancer screening may be a viable public health strategy to significantly increase equitable access to screening for U.S. residents.
Optimal treatment of tannic acid for the anti-calcification of bovine jugular veins and the underlying mechanism
Authors: Wang Aili , Wang De , Wang Yumiao , Liu Bixuan , Wei Haiyang , Wang Yibo , Zhou Jianye 
Published: November 2023

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of combined treatment with tannic acid and ferric ions on the biomechanical and anti-calcification properties of glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine jugular veins after xenografting. Methods: Two-point bending test and uniaxial tensile test were used to evaluate the flexural and biomechanical properties; Subcutaneous implantation in rat and right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction of sheep were used to evaluate the anti-calcification effects; The performance of the graft in sheep models was evaluated every month after the surgery with echocardiography examination. Markers of macrophages, T lymphocytes, smooth muscle cell osteogenic differentiation and matrix metalloproteinases in sheep explants were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: The flexibility of the bovine jugular veins cotreated with ferric ions-tannic acid was improved while maintaining biomechanical properties and excellent anti-calcification effects. Echocardiography results showed that the grafts functioned well in the animals without stenosis or reflux of the valve. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the osteogenic differentiation marker (Runx2) was detected in calcified regions and colocalised with the SMC marker (α-SMA). Compared to the glutaraldehyde-treated samples, T-cell marker (CD3), matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 expressions were reduced in the ferric ions-tannic acid treated group. Conclusion: Ferric ions-tannic acid treatment can give the conduits better flexibility with excellent biomechanical properties and anti-calcification effects, making it a promising bovine jugular veins processing method.
Synthesis and characterization of low retardation colorless polyimides containing m-phenylenediamine with different pendant groups
Authors: Li Xiaohong , Mushtaq Nafeesa , Xing Jinglei , Chen Guofei , Fang Xingzhong 
Published: November 2023

In this study, 4-biphenyl-3,5-diaminobenzoate (E- m-PDA) was synthesized by three steps using 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid as a starting material. Two series of colorless polyimides (CPIs) PI-(1a-1d) and PI-(2a-2d) were prepared by traditional two-step polycondensation of m-phenylenediamine ( m-PDA) based diamines with different pendant groups (-H, CF3, COOH and biphenyl ester) with aromatic dianhydrides BPADA and 6FDA, respectively. All of the prepared CPIs exhibited high thermal stability with 5% weight loss at temperatures ranging from 428 to 539°C in nitrogen, and glass transition temperatures ( Tgs) ranging from 228 to 332°C. These PI films displayed a UV-vis absorption cut-off wavelength at 338–376 nm and transparency of 76%–89% at a wavelength of 450 nm. Both series of colorless PI films also showed low birefringence values of 0.0021–0.0100. In addition, the optical retardations of these CPIs were extremely low (48–220 nm), indicating low optical anisotropy of these CPI films. Colorless PI film PI-2d prepared based on E- m-PDA and 6FDA had good comprehensive properties of low birefringence ([Formula: see text] n of 0.0064), high Tg (319°C) and excellent transparency ( T450 of 88%).
Renal tubular and glomerular estrogen receptor ß levels are lower in lupus nephritis than in familial Mediterranean fever-associated renal amyloidosis
Authors: Kor Ahmet , Süngü Nuran , Biçer Cemile , Erten Şükran 
Published: November 2023

Background Estrogen has been thought to play an essential role in the disease pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus, which is 9–10 times more prevalent in the female population. It has been shown that irregular estrogen/estrogen receptor signaling pathways may contribute to the pathophysiology of various renal diseases. In this study, we compared renal estrogen receptors between lupus nephritis, familial Mediterranean fever-associated renal amyloidosis, ANCA-associated nephritis, and intact kidney to investigate their role in the pathophysiology of renal diseases. Methods This study was designed as a retrospective cohort study. Thirty systemic lupus erythematosus patients with lupus nephritis, 12 familial Mediterranean fever amyloidosis and 10 ANCA-associated glomerulonephrites, and 14 individuals with normal renal histology were included in the study. Results Tubular estrogen receptor ß expression score was found to be significantly higher in the familial Mediterranean fever [5 (1–8)] group than in the lupus nephritis [0 (0–1)] (B = 1.385, OR = 3.996, CI %95 = 1.805–8.846, p = .001) and ANCA [4 (1–6.5)] (B = −1.431, OR = 0.239, CI 95% = 0.093–0.614, p = .003) groups. A significant correlation was found between serum creatinine values and tubular estrogen receptor ß expression score (OR = 0.565, CI 95% = 0.622–1.402, p < .0001). In ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis, a significant relationship was found between fibro cellular crescents in renal biopsy and glomerular estrogen receptor ß expression score (OR = 0.247, CI 95% = 0.11–0.999, p = .045) and tubular estrogen receptor ß expression score (OR = 0.282, CI 95% = −0.180–2.812, p = .026). Conclusions This study showed that tubular estrogen receptor ß expression score was elevated in familial Mediterranean fever amyloidosis and correlated with serum creatinine levels and renal crescents.