bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Effects of Amendment Rules in Federal Systems: Australia and Switzerland Compared
Authors: Freiburghaus Rahel , Vatter Adrian 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The effects of formal constitutional amendment rules are still contested, yielding mixed and inconsistent findings. The key issue lies in overlooking the broader institutional context in which amending clauses are situated. This article presents a novel theoretical argument centered on the “institutional embeddedness.” Empirically, we leverage a unique, most different systems design that compares Australia and Switzerland to assess the direct and indirect effects of formal amendment clauses. Both federations implement an identical “direct-democratic model of constitutional change,” despite differences in size, the underlying societal structure, the federalism model, and form of democratic governance. Our empirical results reveal similar direct effects on minority protection, but differing indirect effects on federal dynamics differ significantly. The formal amendment rule sustains Switzerland’s decentralized federal order, while contributing to pronounced centralizing trends in Australian federalism. These findings have vital implications for constitutional design, highlighting that the specific institutional context is decisive, not just the formal amendment rule.
Prediction of new likely emergent amino acid point mutations from USA, UK, Italy, France, Brazil, and India SARS-CoV-2 variants: a possible source for more reliable cocktail coronavirus vaccine
Authors: Alhaji Saganuwan Saganuwan 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Objectives
The interaction between genome components of the vaccines, host cells, and SARS-CoV-2 variants can cause mutation of amino acids at high random frequency. Hence, the present study is aimed at using the codon bases—amino acids components of some available strains with a view to determining new likely emergent strains of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods
Some genome sizes and lengths of SARS-CoV-2 variants were searched from literatures and other parameters were calculated. Point mutation of a single amino acid was deduced from 2/3 of sets of codon bases responsible for expression of amino acids. One base pair of 0.0047 nm Codon Base Table was used to deduce the likely missense amino acids at probability of one-twentieth.

Key findings
New generated codon bases gave rise to new emergent strains of varying numbers of amino acid pairs. Amino acids have reappeared and disappeared in some strains. Nine strains altogether have shown stop codon bases and the remaining strains have a tendency to form stop codons. Adenine has the highest frequency of the stop codon bases whereas cytosine is not among stop codons. A total of 906 new variants were deduced from 54 coronavirus strains which initially lacked stop codons. The newly predicted strains may become less pathogenic and could serve as immunogens via glycosylation. Strains with a higher number of codon bases undergo mutation faster and may end up in stop codons.

Conclusion
Hence the likely emergent strains could be less virulent, less pathogenic, and may fom glycans that could serve as a source for manufacturing of more reliable coronavirus vaccines.
Transfer of university patents and its impact on follow-on invention
Authors: Kwon Seokbeom 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This study examines the effects of granting firms exclusive rights to use university inventions on the creation of follow-on inventions. By analyzing a dataset of transferred patents from research universities to firms in the USA between 2000 and 2013, we find that allowing firms to exclusively utilize university inventions through patent transfers leads to an increase in follow-on inventions among patent nonrecipients. However, we find no evidence of an impact on the patent recipient’s follow-on inventions. Our analysis also shows evidence of a positive impact of the transfer of patents on government-funded inventions on the rate of follow-on inventions by nonrecipients of the university patents. This research contributes to the ongoing debate regarding the necessity of granting firms the exclusive right to use university knowledge to foster innovation.
Evaluation of mailed results versus telephone disclosure of normal cancer genetic test results in a low-risk underserved population
Authors: Gilmore Marian J , Leo Michael C , Amendola Laura M , Goddard Katrina A B , Ezzell Hunter Jessica , Joseph Galen , Kauffman Tia L , Rolf Bradley , Shuster Elizabeth , Zepp Jamilyn M , Wilfond Benjamin S , Biesecker Barbara B 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Scalable models for result disclosure are needed to ensure large-scale access to genomics services. Research evaluating alternatives to genetic counseling suggests effectiveness; however, it is unknown whether these findings are generalizable across populations. We assessed whether a letter is non-inferior to telephone genetic counseling to inform participants with no personal or family history of cancer of their normal results. Data were collected via self-report surveys before and after result disclosure (at 1 and 6 months) in a study sample enriched for individuals from underserved populations. Primary outcomes were subjective understanding of results (global and aggregated) and test-related feelings, ascertained via three subscales (uncertainty, negative emotions, and positive feelings) of the Feelings About genomiC Testing Results (FACToR) measure. Secondary outcomes related to satisfaction with communication. Non-inferiority tests compared outcomes among disclosure methods. Communication by letter was inferior in terms of global subjective understanding of results (at 1 month) and non-inferior to telephoned results (at 6 months). Letter was non-inferior to telephone for aggregated understanding (at 6 months). Letter was superior (at 1 month) to telephone on the uncertainty FACToR subscale. Letter was non-inferior to telephone on the positive-feelings FACToR subscale (at 6 months). Letter was non-inferior to telephone for satisfaction with mode of result delivery and genetic test results. Communication via letter was inferior to telephone in communicating the “right amount of information.” The use of written communication to relay normal results to low-risk individuals is a promising strategy that may improve the efficiency of care delivery.
Outcomes of treatment for developmental dislocation of the hip when the Pavlik method has failed
Authors: Sacks Hayley , Pargas-Colina Carlos , Masrouha Karim , Castañeda Pablo 
Published: January 2024

Objectives
Despite the success rate of the Pavlik method in the treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip, there is a subset of hips that do not reduce with harness use. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes after closed reduction (CR), open reduction (OR) and combined open reduction and pelvic osteotomy (OR+PO) in patients with infantile hip dislocations who initially failed the Pavlik method.

Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with infantile hip dislocations who failed the Pavlik method and subsequently underwent a secondary procedure for persistent hip dislocation. The primary outcome measure was the Severin classification of the involved hip 3 years after the secondary procedure. Other outcomes assessed included rates of redislocation, residual acetabular dysplasia and proximal femoral growth disturbance.

Results
Twenty-three patients were included; seven subsequently underwent CR, three underwent isolated OR and 13 proceeded directly to OR+PO. The overall successful outcome rate at final follow-up (as determined by radiographic Severin class I or II) was 11/23 (48%). However, patients undergoing OR+PO had significantly higher rates of successful outcomes (77%) compared with CR (15%) and OR (0%), P < 0.05. The rate of residual acetabular dysplasia and proximal femoral growth disturbance was significantly lower in patients treated with OR+PO compared with CR and isolated OR, P < 0.05.

Conclusion
Patients with dislocated hips who failed Pavlik harness treatment had better radiographic outcomes 3 years after OR+PO in comparison to patients undergoing CR or isolated OR.
The Impact of Posterior Intervertebral Osteophytes on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures After L5-S1 Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Zhao Eric , Hirase Takashi , Kim Andrew G. , Du Jerry Y. , Amen Troy B. , Araghi Kasra , Subramanian Tejas , Kamil Robert , Shahi Pratyush , Fourman Mitchell S. , Asada Tomoyuki , Simon Chad Z. , Singh Nishtha , Korsun Maximilian , Tuma Olivia C. , Zhang Joshua , Lu Amy Z. , Mai Eric , Kim Ashley Yeo Eun , Allen Myles R.J. , Kwas Cole , Dowdell James E. , Sheha Evan D. , Qureshi Sheeraz A. , Iyer Sravisht 
Published: January 2024

Study Design.
Retrospective cohort study.

Objective.
(1) To develop a reliable grading system to assess the severity of posterior intervertebral osteophytes and (2) to investigate the impact of posterior intervertebral osteophytes on clinical outcomes after L5-S1 decompression and fusion through anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and minimally-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).

Background.
There is limited evidence regarding the clinical implications of posterior lumbar vertebral body osteophytes for ALIF and MIS-TLIF surgeries and there are no established grading systems that define the severity of these posterior lumbar intervertebral osteophytes.

Patients and Methods.
A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing L5-S1 ALIF or MIS-TLIF was performed. Preoperative and postoperative patient-reported outcome measures of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and leg Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 2-week, 6-week, 12-week, and 6-month follow-up time points were assessed. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for ODI of 14.9 and VAS leg of 2.8 were utilized. Osteophyte grade was based on the ratio of osteophyte length to foraminal width. “High-grade” osteophytes were defined as a maximal osteophyte length >50% of the total foraminal width.

Results.
A total of 70 consecutive patients (32 ALIF and 38 MIS-TLIF) were included in the study. There were no significant differences between the two cohorts in patient-reported outcome measures or achievement of MCID for Leg VAS or ODI preoperatively or at any follow-ups. On multivariate analysis, neither the surgical approach nor the presence of high-grade foraminal osteophytes was associated with leg VAS or ODI scores at any follow-up time point. In addition, neither the surgical approach nor the presence of high-grade foraminal osteophytes was associated with the achievement of MCID for leg VAS or ODI at 6 months.

Conclusion.
ALIF and MIS-TLIF are both valid options for treating degenerative spine conditions and lumbar radiculopathy, even in the presence of high-grade osteophytes that significantly occupy the intervertebral foramen.

Level of Evidence.
3.
Impact of altering the invitation package on screening participation among never-screeners in the Flemish population-based cancer screening programs
Authors: Kellen Eliane , Meers Zoi , Pil Lore , Goossens Mathijs C. 
Published: January 2024

Background
The total coverage of both the Flemish breast cancer and cervical screening program remain suboptimal, with approximately 63% for both. Of all the women invited to the breast cancer screening program, 14.1% never underwent any type of breast cancer screening (any type of mammogram, ultrasound, or clinical breast examination). For the cervical cancer screening, this proportion of ‘never-screeners’ is 12.1%. We conducted two randomized controlled trials to assess whether various communication and presentation styles in the invitation package, were effective at motivating women who had never participated to attend.

Methods
The study population was limited to never-screeners (women who had never participated in the screening program). The RCT embedded in the breast cancer screening consisted of seven intervention arms and one control arm (all of them included a fixed appointment by letter). The RCT embedded in the cervical cancer screening consisted of three intervention arms and two control arms. In both RCTs, several content and style adaptations were made to the invitation letter, information leaflet, and envelope.

Results
None of the intervention arms in either the breast cancer screening or the cervical cancer screening had a statistically significant impact on the participation rate compared to ‘usual care’ (the regular invitation package used in the screening program).

Conclusion
Sending adapted invitation packages to never-screeners, from the Flemish breast and cervical cancer screening program, does not seem to be effective in increasing the proportion of women screened. Innovative methods are needed to motivate never-screeners to be screened.
Dietary insulin indices and low-carbohydrate diet and the odds of colorectal cancer: a case-control study
Authors: Bahrami Alireza , Parastouei Karim , Taghdir Maryam , Ghadyani Mojtaba 
Published: January 2024

Background
Regarding the role of insulin and insulin-inducing dietary factors in some cancers’ etiology, we hypothesized that the risk of colorectal cancer may be lessened by following a lower carbohydrate and insulinogenic diet. Therefore, we performed this study to explore the association between a low-carbohydrate diet and insulin indices and the odds of colorectal cancer.

Method
This hospital-based case-control study was conducted on 150 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients and 300 healthy age- and sex-matched hospitalized controls. A valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate the insulin indices and low-carbohydrate diet score. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the association between insulin indices and low-carbohydrate diet and the odds of colorectal cancer.

Result
After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals in the highest tertile of insulin indices had a higher risk of colorectal cancer (ORinsulin index = 3.46; 95% CI, 2.00–5.96; ORinsulin load = 2; 95% CI, 1.17–3.41). No association was found between a low-carbohydrate diet and colorectal cancer (OR = 1.55; 95% CI, 0.85–2.84).

Conclusion
Current results demonstrated that a high insulinemic diet was associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
Retrospective Evaluation of Cystatin C as a Measure of Renal Function in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients Receiving Foscarnet for Cytomegalovirus Reactivation
Authors: Pickett Logan R. , Daukshus Nicole P. , Camacho-Bydume Christine , Mathew Sherry , Mauguen Audrey , Cohen Nina , Cancio Maria 
Published: January 2024

Background:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation has considerable morbidity and mortality, and foscarnet is a treatment option that requires renal dose adjustment. Serum creatinine (SCr)-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations are used to estimate renal function for patients receiving foscarnet, but cystatin C (cysC) has been shown as a possible alternative. Data examining cysC-based eGFR in this population is sparse. Our primary objective was to evaluate outcomes of patients treated with foscarnet dosed utilizing cysC-based eGFR versus SCr-based eGFR.

Methods:
We analyzed patients on the transplantation and cellular therapies service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Kids from January 2011 to September 2021 who received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and ≥14 days of foscarnet for CMV infection. Patients with cysC-based eGFR were compared to a historical cohort of patients who only had SCr-based eGFR. Outcomes included time to CMV clearance, death or change in anti-CMV therapy. Cumulative incidence curves and cause-specific hazards model were used for analysis.

Results:
In 61 analyzed patients, no differences were found between the cohorts in cumulative incidence of change in anti-CMV therapy (P = 0.17) or death (P = 0.69). After adjustment for multiple confounders, patients in the SCr cohort seemed to have a higher chance of CMV clearance compared with the cysC cohort, but the difference was not statistically significant (hazard ratio = 2.42, P = 0.089). Patients who received corticosteroids appeared to have lower incidence of CMV clearance (P = 0.056).

Conclusions:
We did not find differences in outcomes when dosing foscarnet using cysC versus SCr for treatment of CMV infection.
The Unneglectable Disease Burden of Otitis Media Among Children in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Lin Wanjing , Wang Biying , Wang Mengzhen , Wang Yujie , Tuerdibieke Yelina , Qian Chen , Zhao Genming , Zhang Tao 
Published: January 2024

Background:
Otitis media (OM) is one of the most commonly diagnosed infections among children yet with obscure disease burden.

Methods:
The literature published from 1980 to 2022 was retrieved in PubMed, Ovid-EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP. Literature screening, quality assessment and data extraction were conducted by 2 independent reviewers. Heterogeneity and publication bias were detected by I
2, Egger’s and Begg’s tests. The data were pooled using the random-effects model. The number of OM cases was estimated by the multiplied model based on pooled results and the 2020 China census data.

Results:
A total of 28,378 literatures were identified with 67 finally included for data analysis. The OM incidence among children was 7.89% [95% confidence interval (CI): 5.43%–11.33%] and the prevalence of OM was 5.13% (95% CI: 3.49%–7.49%). The most common pathogen of the OM cases was Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), with a positive rate of 33.52% (95% CI: 26.55%–41.29%). The most common serotypes of S. pneumoniae isolated from OM cases were serotypes 19F, 19A, 6B, 23F and 3, with 85.8% covered by the PCV13. We estimated that there were 8,950,797 (95% CI: 6,080,533–12,928,051) OM cases among under-fives in China in 2020, of which 3,374,451 (95% CI: 1,698,901–6,277,862) cases of OM were caused by S. pneumoniae.

Conclusions:
The burden of OM in China was considerable yet neglected. To date, S. pneumoniae was the most frequently detected bacterial pathogen of OM. Vaccination may be effective to protect young children from OM.
Sense of Coherence as a Mediator Between Functional Status and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: LEE Hsiao-Ping , HSU Wen-Yu , LIU Yu-Hsuan , CHANG Yue-Cune , CHENG Shu-Meng , CHIANG Hui-Hsun 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Background
Poor functional status relating to heart failure (HF) negatively affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients with HF, especially those with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV HF, often exhibit poor HRQOL because of physical limitations and HF-related symptoms. Although sense of coherence (SOC) has been reported to be a determinant of HRQOL, its role as a mediator between functional status and HRQOL remains unclear, and few studies have explored the prevalence of HF in patients in NYHA Classes I and II.

Purpose
This study was designed to investigate SOC as a mediator between different functional status classes and HRQOL in patients with HF.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with HF recruited from a hospital in northern Taiwan from April 2020 to September 2020. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire and a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics; functional classification in terms of NYHA Classes I, II, and III; and SOC were administered. The PROCESS v3.5 (by Andrew F. Hayes) macro was applied to analyze the effects, and Model 4 was used to examine the mediating role of SOC on the relationship between NYHA functional class and HRQOL.

Results
Of the 295 participants, SOC was found to mediate the effects of functional status on HRQOL more significantly in patients in Class II than those in Class III but not more significantly in patients in Class I than those in Class III. A weaker mediating effect of SOC was noted on the relationship between functional status and HRQOL in patients with HF in NYHA Class II than those in Class III.

Conclusions
In patients with HF, poor functional status often reduces HRQOL significantly. SOC mediates the relationship between functional status and HRQOL more significantly in those in NYHA Class II than those in Class III. Nursing staff should work to increase patients' SOC by strengthening their coping capacity and improving their functional status to improve their HRQOL.
Improving outcomes in emergency general surgery: Construct of a collaborative quality initiative
Authors: Hemmila Mark R. , Neiman Pooja U. , Hoppe Beckie L. , Gerhardinger Laura , Kramer Kim A. , Jakubus Jill L. , Mikhail Judy N. , Yang Amanda Y. , Lindsey Hugh J. , Golden Roy J. , Mitchell Eric J. , Scott John W. , Napolitano Lena M. 
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUNDEmergency general surgery conditions are common, costly, and highly morbid. The proportion of excess morbidity due to variation in health systems and processes of care is poorly understood. We constructed a collaborative quality initiative for emergency general surgery to investigate the emergency general surgery care provided and guide process improvements.METHODSWe collected data at 10 hospitals from July 2019 to December 2022. Five cohorts were defined: acute appendicitis, acute gallbladder disease, small bowel obstruction, emergency laparotomy, and overall aggregate. Processes and inpatient outcomes investigated included operative versus nonoperative management, mortality, morbidity (mortality and/or complication), readmissions, and length of stay. Multivariable risk adjustment accounted for variations in demographic, comorbid, anatomic, and disease traits.RESULTSOf the 19,956 emergency general surgery patients, 56.8% were female and 82.8% were White, and the mean (SD) age was 53.3 (20.8) years. After accounting for patient and disease factors, the adjusted aggregate mortality rate was 3.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2–3.7), morbidity rate was 27.6% (95% CI, 27.0–28.3), and the readmission rate was 15.1% (95% CI, 14.6–15.6). Operative management varied between hospitals from 70.9% to 96.9% for acute appendicitis and 19.8% to 79.4% for small bowel obstruction. Significant differences in outcomes between hospitals were observed with high- and low-outlier performers identified after risk adjustment in the overall cohort for mortality, morbidity, and readmissions. The use of a Gastrografin challenge in patients with a small bowel obstruction ranged from 10.7% to 61.4% of patients. In patients who underwent initial nonoperative management of acute cholecystitis, 51.5% had a cholecystostomy tube placed. The cholecystostomy tube placement rate ranged from 23.5% to 62.1% across hospitals.CONCLUSIONA multihospital emergency general surgery collaborative reveals high morbidity with substantial variability in processes and outcomes among hospitals. A targeted collaborative quality improvement effort can identify outliers in emergency general surgery care and may provide a mechanism to optimize outcomes.LEVEL OF EVIDENCETherapeutic/Care Management; Level III.