bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding and application of restoring endodontically treated teeth among dentists of Islamabad and Rawalpindi - a twin city survey
Authors: Rabia Qamar  , Seemi Tanvir  , Quratulain Khan  , Nouman Noor  , Sadaf Humayoun  , Ayesha Fazal  
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Endodontically treated teeth undergo loss of tooth structure resulting in increased fracture susceptibility as compared to unrestored vital teeth. The final restoration following the root canal treatment is of paramount importance. This study aimed to determine current concepts, opinions, and techniques used for restoration of Endodontically Treated Teeth among dentists of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and compare their knowledge with their clinical practice in order to determine the gap between their understanding and application.
METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study, conducted in Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad from February-June 2022 after ethical approval. Convenience sampling technique was used. About 235 dentists including house officers, general dentists, postgraduate trainees and consultants of Endodontics of Islamabad/Rawalpindi participated. Data was collected by structured questionnaire widely accepted with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.75, through electronic media. Its first part included demographics while second part included questions regarding understanding and practice of endodontically treated teeth restoration. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 2, chi-square test and fisher’s exact test were applied.
RESULTS: Mean age of study participants was 29.0±4.54 years. Out of 235 participants, 76(32.3%) were males and 159(67.75%) were females. The responses regarding technical management of endodontically treated teeth showed significant difference with p-value≤0.001 in the understanding and applications of general dental practitioners and endodontists.
CONCLUSION: Significant difference was found among dentists regarding their understanding and practice of restoring endodontically treated teeth.
Fossil weaver ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Oecophyllini) of the early Eocene Okanagan Highlands of far-western North America
Authors: Archibald S. Bruce , Mathewes Rolf W. , Perfilieva Ksenia S. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
We examine the fossil weaver ants (Formicidae, Formicine, Oecophyllini) of the early Eocene Okanagan Highlands fossil localities of British Columbia, Canada and Washington, United States of America, naming Eoecophylla quilchenensisn. gen.
et
sp. from Quilchena (British Columbia), formally transferring Camponotites kraussei Dlussky and Rasnitsyn (Republic, Washington) to the genus Oecophylla Smith, F., and describing but not naming a worker (McAbee, British Columbia), treated as Oecophyllinisp. A. These are the oldest known Oecophyllini (Oecophylla + Eoecophylla) and Oecophylla. Forewing vein stubs of E. quilchenensis and its well-developed hind wing vein M are plesiomorphies; this M is unique within the subfamily, suggesting Oecophyllini is sister to other Formicine. The head shape of O. kraussein. comb. indicates a close relationship to Oecophylla longiceps Dlussky from Eocene Messel, Germany. The ant Titanomyrma Archibald et al. is also known from the Okanagan Highlands and Messel, consistent with Late Cretaceous/early Paleogene intercontinental dispersal. We discuss possible host plants and trophobionts of these ants. Although Okanagan Highlands localities were cooler than the Paleotropical range of modern Oecophylla, their presence there might be explained by mild winters without significant frost.
Improving Athletic Trainers’ Knowledge of Clinical Documentation Through Novel Educational Interventions: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kasamatsu Tricia M. , Nottingham Sara L. , Bay R. Curtis , Welch Bacon Cailee E. 
Published: January 2024

Context
Athletic trainers (ATs) have reported the need for more educational resources about clinical documentation.

Objective
To investigate the effectiveness of passive and active educational interventions to improve practicing ATs’ clinical documentation knowledge.

Design
Randomized controlled trial, sequential explanatory mixed methods study.

Setting
Online module(s), knowledge assessment, and interviews.

Patients or Other Participants
We emailed 18 981 practicing ATs across employment settings, of which 524 ATs were enrolled into a group (personalized learning pathway [PLP = 178], passive reading list [PAS = 176], control [CON = 170]) then took the knowledge assessment. A total of 364 ATs did not complete the intervention or postknowledge assessment; therefore, complete responses from 160 ATs (PLP = 39, PAS = 44, CON = 77; age = 36.6 ± 11.2 years, years certified = 13.9 ± 10.7) were analyzed.

Main Outcome Measure(s)
Knowledge assessment (34 items) and interview guides (12–13 items) were developed, validated, and piloted with ATs before study commencement. We summed correct responses (1 point each, 34 points maximum) and calculated percentages and preknowledge and postknowledge mean change scores. Differences among groups (PLP, PAS, CON) and time (preintervention, postintervention) were calculated using a 3 × 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance (P ≤ .05) with post hoc Tukey HSD. Semistructured interviews were conducted (PLP = 15, PAS = 14), recorded, transcribed, and analyzed following the consensual qualitative research tradition.

Results
No differences in the preknowledge assessment were observed between groups. We observed a group × time interaction (F2,157 = 15.30, P &lt; .001; partial η2 = 0.16). The PLP group exhibited greater mean change (M = 3.0 ± 2.7) than the PAS (M = 1.7 ± 3.0, P = .049) and CON (M = 0.4 ± 2.2, P &lt; .001) groups. Descriptively, ATs scored lowest on the legal (61.3% ± 2.1%), value of the AT (63.7% ± 4.3%), and health information technology (65.3% ± 3.7%) items. Whereas ATs described being confident in their documentation knowledge, they also identified key content (eg, legal considerations, strategies) which they deemed valuable.

Conclusions
The educational interventions improved ATs’ knowledge of clinical documentation and provided valuable resources for their clinical practice; however, targeted continuing education is needed to address knowledge gaps.
Comparing Effectiveness and Safety of Intravenous Atropine with Topical Tetracaine in Preventing and Relieving Oculocardiac Reflex in Patients Undergoing Strabismus Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Moradi Farsani Darioush , Shakerinia Seyed Ehsan 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background:
Oculocardiac reflex (OCR) is one of the serious complications following surgical therapeutic procedures for strabismus. Various medications have been tested to prevent or mitigate this complication. We aimed to compare the effect of intravenous atropine and topical tetracaine on the incidence and severity of OCR in strabismus surgery.

Materials and Methods:
In this triple-blind randomized clinical trial study, 120 patients who were candidates for strabismus surgery were randomly assigned to receive intravenous atropine, topical tetracaine, or artificial tears as the control. The incidence of OCR and its severity along with the changes in hemodynamic conditions were compared across the groups.

Results:
The incidence rate of OCR in the groups receiving atropine, tetracaine, and the control was found to be 17.5%, 25.0%, and 32.5% in the releasing phase without any difference, respectively (P = 0.303); however, it was 2.5%, 7.5%, and 25.0%, respectively, in the cutting phase, indicating a lower rate in the group receiving tetracaine (P = 0.004). Similarly, there was no difference in the severity of OCR across the three study groups in the releasing phase (P = 0.666); however, in the cutting phase, OCR was revealed to be milder in the group receiving atropine as compared to other groups (P = 0.033). Prescribing atropine led to higher mean systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure during surgery.

Conclusion:
The injection of atropine can effectively reduce the incidence of OCR during strabismus surgery and reduce its severity if this reflex occurs.
The Application of Artificial Intelligence and Drug Repositioning for the Identification of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors: A Review
Authors: Zarei Parvin , Ghasemi Fahimeh 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Artificial intelligence talks about modeling intelligent behavior through a computer with the least human involvement. Drug repositioning techniques based on artificial intelligence accelerate the research process and decrease the cost of experimental studies. Dysregulation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors as the tyrosine kinase family of receptors plays a vital role in a wide range of malignancies. Because of their functional significance, they were considered promising drug targets for the therapy of various cancers. This review has summarized small molecules capable of inhibiting FGF receptors that progressed using artificial intelligence and repositioning drugs examined in clinical trials associated with cancer therapy. This review is based on a literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases to gather the necessary information in each chapter by employing keywords like artificial intelligence, computational drug design, drug repositioning, and FGF receptor inhibitors. To achieve this goal, a spacious literature review of human studies in these fields—published over the last 20 decades—was performed. According to published reports, nonselective FGF receptor inhibitors can be used for cancer management, and multitarget kinase inhibitors are the first drug class approved due to more advanced clinical studies. For example, AZD4547 and BGJ398 are gradually entering the consumption cycle and are good options as combined treatments. Artificial intelligence and drug repositioning methods can help preselect suitable drug targets more successfully for future inhibition of carcinogenicity.
Effectiveness of Group Emotional Schema Therapy on Psychological Distress, Severity and Frequency of Symptoms in Women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Erfan Arefeh , Aghaei Asghar , Golparvar Mohsen 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background:
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of emotional schema therapy on psychological distress, severity and frequency of symptoms in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Materials and Methods:
This semi-experimental two-group three-stage (pre and post-test and two-month follow-up) study was done on 30 women of 18-50 years old with IBS. They were randomly assigned to two groups (experimental and control). Psychological distress and Bowel symptoms severity and frequency in the three stages were measured. The emotional schema therapy group was treated for 8 sessions and the control group remained on the waiting list.

Results:
The mean score of pre-test, post-test and follow-up of emotional therapy schema group in psychological distress were 21.23 ± 8.18, 16.08 ± 6.05 and 14.69 ± 4.05; in symptom intensity 7.46 ± 1.98, 5.23 ± 1.30 and 6.46 ± 1.33 and in symptom frequency 7.46 ± 1.98, 6.08 ± 1.66 and 7.54 ± 2.18 respectively. In the control group, there was no difference between the scores of different tests; in the pre-test, post-test and follow-up, the scores of psychological distress were 20.23 ± 5.39, 20.08 ± 5.59, and 20.38 ± 4.75, in the symptoms severity 7.69 ± 1.49, 7.62 ± 1.33, and 7.69 ± 1.80, and in the symptoms frequency 6.92 ± 2.75, 6.54 ± 2.40 and 6.62 ± 2.63 respectively. In the control group, there was no difference between the scores in different tests. In the pre-test, post-test and follow-up, in psychological distress, the scores were 20.23 ± 5.39, 20.08 ± 5.59, and 20.38 ± 4.75 in the symptom severity 7.69 ± 1.49, 7.62 ± 1.33, and 7.69. ±1.80 and in the symptoms frequency 6.92 ± 2.75, 6.54 ± 2.40 and 6.92 ± 2.75 respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Emotional schema therapy can be used as a complementary psychological treatment to reduce psychological distress and severity and frequency of symptoms in women with IBS.
Implantation of thyroid tissue after total thyroidectomy in quadriceps femoris muscle
Authors: Aly Mohamed A.H. , Hassanin Mostafa A.G. , Eldin Abu Elnga Ahmed Nagm , Ayoub Mahmoud T. 
Published: January 2024

Background
It appears to be relatively simple to control postoperative hypothyroidism after total thyroidectomy (TT) with L-T4 replacement therapy, but from the patient’s perspective, a daily reliance on L-T4 administration and regular follow-up visits to the hospital may become somewhat of a burden and may interfere with reaching euthyroid status utilizing replacement therapy because of patient noncompliance.

Aim and objectives
To evaluate implantation of thyroid tissue in the thigh muscle after TT for benign simple nodular goiter to avoid lifelong use of thyroid hormones as replacement therapy and preservation of autoregulatory mechanism of thyroid hormone production.

Patients and methods
From April 2021 to September 2022, with approval from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine at Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt, 40 individuals with simple nodular goiter who required TT participated in a prospective case series study.

Results
There was significant relation between 12 months follow up thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and preoperative TSH levels. There was significant relation between 12 months follow up free T4 levels and preoperative TSH levels.

Conclusion
When performed on individuals who have benign thyroid disorders, TT is followed by autotransplantation of the patient’s own thyroid tissue. This technique is safe, straightforward, and applicable, and it results in a postoperative euthyroid state in the vast majority of carefully selected individuals without the need for additional replacement therapy.
Outcome of carotid endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic carotid near occlusion with partial collapse
Authors: Fahada Shabin , Shirsath Sayali , Elmallah Ahmed 
Published: January 2024

Background
Symptomatic carotid near occlusion with partial collapse (CNOPC) of the distal internal carotid artery (ICA) is an uncommon condition. Guidelines for its treatment have recommended conservative management, although surgery may be indicated for many patients. In this work, our goal was to examine the postoperative outcomes of CNOPC patients who had undergone carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for symptomatic disease.

Methods
Symptomatic CNOPC patients were identified in this single-center retrospective study from January 2019 to February 2022. Patients’ demographics, comorbidities, and CEA indications were gathered. At 30 days and 1 year after surgery, postoperative complications including stroke and death, hospital stay, and operational details were evaluated.

Results
In the 3-year study period, 128 CEAs were done, and 21 (16.4%) patients had CNOPC. Males were 15 (71.4%) with no sex difference in comorbidities except a significantly higher IHD in men, P less than 0.01. The mean ipsilateral to contralateral distal ICA luminal narrowing ratio was 34.1%. All patients had carotid patches. General anesthesia was associated with more shunt usage, P less than 0.05. High carotid bifurcation lengthened CEA time (P<0.05), but neither anesthetic type, nor the use of a shunt or patch did. At 30-day post CEA, there was only 1 (4.7%) recorded cerebrovascular event (CVA), no mortality, and no carotid restenosis or occlusion was found. At 1-year, no new CVA were reported but 1 (4.7%) fatality was recorded.

Conclusion
Carotid endarterectomy for patients with carotid near occlusion and partial distal collapse is safe and may be considered despite marginally higher procedural risks than patients with low-to-moderate risk anatomy.
Comparative study between anterior component separation and transversus abodominis muscle release in reconstruction of abdominal wall defect
Authors: Rasmy Joseph E. , ElShafei Mahmoud A. , Kamal Ahmed M. , Ayman M. Boutros  , Boutros Ayman M. 
Published: January 2024

Background
Ventral hernia repair is one of the most common operations performed today, yet when complex and huge, it presents a true challenge for the surgical team.

Patients and methods
Based on our prospective randomized study, a few preliminary conclusions can be drawn. There was no significant difference in most outcomes between patients who underwent repair with the Transversus abdominis muscle release (TAR) technique or with perforator-preserving component separation when using the same type of polyprolene mesh and in the same retro-muscular position.

Results
The mean hospital stay was slightly higher when performing the TAR technique (5.2 days), while it was 4.3 days after the perforator-preserving approach. There is a nearly equal incidence of postoperative wound complications and also no statistically significant difference in the rate of recurrence between the two methods, and the rate of wound complications and recurrence is significantly lower than the classic, commonly used method of anterior component separation.

Conclusion
After this comparative study, both the TAR and anterior component separation (perforator preserving) techniques are effective and reliable methods in experienced hands, and if there is no special indication for one of them, the choice between both should depend on surgeon preference and experience.
Intersphincteric resection of low rectal cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Gabr Hany G.M. , El-Sibai Olfat , Shafik Ali A. , El-Gamal Ahmed S. , El-Satar Mohamed H.A. 
Published: January 2024

Background
The use of sphincter-saving resection without a permanent stoma in place of abdominoperineal resection (APR) has been one of the greatest advancements in the area of surgical therapy for low rectal cancer.

Aim
To assess the oncological and functional outcomes of inter-sphincteric resection of low rectal cancer in order to achieve radicality and a standard of living.

Patients and methods
At the hospitals affiliated with Menoufia University, a retrospective analysis was done. Forty patients with rectum cancer who were undergoing general surgery at Menoufia University Hospitals were the subject of this investigation. We comprised: older than 18 years old, sexes of both genders, low rectum and anal canal, with internal sphincter or rectal wall restriction on magnetic resonance imaging, differentiated tumour, tumour diameter of 1–5, and good continence.

Results
Mean operative time was 261.8 (±96.6 SD), the mean blood loss was 185.8 (±156.5 SD). Mean postoperative hospital stay was 11.2 (±4.1S D), the mean pain severity 1 h postoperatively was 5.5 (±1.0 SD), the mean 1 day postoperatively was 5.9 (±1.5 SD), the mean 5 day postoperatively was 3.3 (±1.2 SD), there were three with Anastomotic leakage, two with wound infection, two with hemorrhage, one with urinary tract infection, one with ileus. Regarding complications, mean score of micturition problems was 28.2 (±4.1 SD), the mean GIT symptoms was 32.2 (±3.1 SD), the mean weight loss was 5.5 (±1.0 SD), the mean CTX side effects was 13.9 (±1.5 SD), the mean body image was 70.3±6.2.

Conclusion
The intersphincteric resection approach improves the rate of sphincter preservation while maintaining oncological and functional results. Symptom-specific quality of life may be adversely affected by preoperative radiation.
Rectal cancer complete responders after neoadjuvant chemoradiation: when to spare their organs?
Authors: Saleh Ahmed M. , Mazloum Mohamed , Ismail Abdelsalam , Emara Doaa 
Published: January 2024

Objective
The aim of this study is to identify possible clinical predictors of complete response after neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients.

Materials and methods
This study included 40 LARC patients (16 males and 24 females) who received NAT followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) in the period between August 2020 and February 2023. Two different NAT protocols were used; long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCRT) or consolidation total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) according to the decision of the multidisciplinary team (MDT). Reassessment of response is done after completion of radiotherapy by digital rectal examination (DRE), proctoscopy, and pelvic MRI to define complete responders. All these responders received TME and were classified according to their pathology specimens into the pathological complete response group (pCR=22 patients) and nonpathological complete response group (non-pCR=18 patients). Statistical analyses were performed to compare the two groups and identify clinical factors associated with pCR.

Results
The significant clinical predictors of pCR in the univariate analysis were patients’ age, preneoadjuvant carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and preneoadjuvant lymphocytic ratio (P=0.030, 0.007, and 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, lymphocytic ratio was the only independent predictor for pCR (P=0.017). Lymphocytic ratio (>26%) has high diagnostic performance for predicting pCR, while age (>50 years) and normal CEA (≤5 ng/ml) have lower diagnostic performance which can be much improved when both are used in combination to predict pCR.

Conclusion
Preneoadjuvant lymphocytic ratio and the combined use of age and preneoadjuvant CEA level are significant predictors of pCR, this may help the MDT select rectal cancer patients with complete clinical response (cCR), who are candidates for organ preserving strategies, to spare their rectum and avoid unnecessary radical surgeries.
Meta-analysis of laparoscopic versus open D2 gastrectomy in managing locally advanced gastric cancer: early postoperative course and pathological outcomes
Authors: Attia Abeer M.A. , Gad Khaled H. , El Hefny Amr M.M. , Hamed Mohammed A.A. 
Published: January 2024

Background
With a fifth incidence and a third death rate among all malignancies, stomach cancer is a serious worldwide health problem. The best course of treatment is removing all lymph nodes together with the tumor, increasing the likelihood of survival. Laparoscopic gastrectomy has become more common because of its advantages in terms of appearance, decreased discomfort, and shorter hospital stays; this is especially true in Korea and Japan. For locally advanced gastric cancer, it is still unclear if laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy is more feasible and effective than open surgery.

Patients and methods
This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the differences between laparoscopic and open D2 gastrectomy in terms of feasibility, radicality, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications. PRISMA statement guidelines and Cochrane handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions were followed. Relevant databases were searched, and studies published between 2017 and September 2022 were included. Key outcome measures included operative time, blood loss, postoperative recovery, pathological outcomes, and lymph node involvement.

Results
The meta-analysis included a total of 22 studies. The operative time was significantly shorter for laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy compared with open surgery. However, laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy was associated with higher blood loss. Postoperative recovery measures, such as the time to first flatus and first oral intake, were significantly shorter for laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy. Pathological outcomes showed no significant differences in terms of resection margins and tumor size. The number of harvested lymph nodes did not significantly differ between laparoscopic and open D2 gastrectomy. Laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy demonstrated a lower rate of positive lymph nodes compared with open surgery.

Conclusion
Based on the findings of this meta-analysis, laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy seems to be a safe and practical procedure for treating patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. It is associated with reduced blood loss, faster postoperative recovery, equivalent postoperative complications, and comparable oncological safety. These results support the use of laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy as an effective alternative to open surgery in the management of advanced gastric cancer.