bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy with minimal x-ray exposure prevented genitourinary tract injury patients with urolithiasis in Taiwan
Authors: Chiang Yi-Te , Chen Shao-Ming , Tsui Hsuan-Mao , Juang Horng-Heng , Lin Chia-Wei , Chiang Meng-Han , Liu Chia-Hung , Hu Su-Wei , Kao Wei-Tang , Chen Kuan-Chou , Tzou Kai-Yi , Wu Chia-Chang , Wu Wen-Ling , Tsui Ke-Hung 
Published: December 2023

Background: This study investigated the use of ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to break stones in the genitourinary tract and prevent genitourinary injury. Our goals were to achieve accurate focusing and minimal X-ray exposure for the benefit of the patients. Methods: The LiteMed LM-9200 lithotripter with ultrasonography and fluoroscopy was used for two different procedures: autoaimed and autoperiodical. These procedures enabled dual focusing on stone localization and tracking. Results: Out of 108 patients who underwent autoperiodical procedures, 29 had no gross hematuria. Among the 335 patients who received autoaimed procedures, 194 had no gross hematuria. The average duration of X-ray exposure during autoperiodical and autoaimed procedures was 120 and 50 s, respectively. Conclusion: The ultrasound-guided ESWL with minimal X-ray exposure was found to be useful in treating genitourinary upper-tract urolithiasis in the autoaimed procedure. Patients who underwent the autoaimed procedure experienced less gross hematuria compared to those who underwent the autoperiodical procedure.
“Healthcare Disparities in the Care of Children with Craniosynostosis in the United States: A Systematic Review”
Authors: Valenti Alyssa B. , Munabi Naikhoba , Obinero Chioma G. , Demetres Michelle , Greives Matthew R , Imahiyerobo Thomas A. 
Published: December 2023

Background Healthcare inequity is a pressing concern in pediatric populations with craniofacial conditions. Little is known about the barriers to care affecting children with craniosynostosis. This systematic review investigates disparities impacting care for children with craniosynostosis in the U.S. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed in the following databases from inception to December 2022: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library. Studies were screened for eligibility by two authors. All original articles that focused on disparities in access, treatment, or outcomes of craniosynostosis surgery were included. Studies describing disparities in other countries, those not written English, and review articles were excluded (Figure 1). Results An initial database search revealed 607 citations of which 21 met inclusion criteria (Figure 1). All included studies were retrospective reviews of databases or cohorts of patients. The results of our study demonstrate that barriers to access in treatment for craniosynostosis disproportionally affect minority children, children of non-English speaking parents and those of lower socioeconomic status or with Medicaid. Black and Hispanic children, non-English speaking patients, and children without insurance or with Medicaid were more likely to present later for evaluation, ultimately undergoing surgery at an older age. These patients were also more likely to experience complications and require blood transfusions compared to their more privileged, white peers. Conclusions There is a discrepancy in treatment received by minority patients, patients with Medicaid, and those who are non-English speaking. Further research is needed to describe the specific barriers that prevent equitable care for these patients.
The Quality of CLP-Related Information for Patients Provided by ChatGPT
Authors: Duran Gökhan Serhat , Yurdakurban Ebru , Topsakal Kübra Gülnur 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveTo assess the quality, reliability, readability, and similarity of the data that a recently created NLP-based artificial intelligence model ChatGPT 4 provides to users in Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP)-related information.DesignIn the evaluation of the responses provided by the OpenAI ChatGPT to the CLP-related 50 questions, several tools were utilized, including the Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) tool, Reliability Scoring System (Adapted from DISCERN), Flesh Reading Ease Formula (FRES) and Flesch-Kinkaid Reading Grade Level (FKRGL) formulas, Global Quality Scale (GQS), and Similarity Index with plagiarism-detection tool. Jamovi (The Jamovi Project, 2022, version 2.3; Sydney, Australia) software was used for all statistical analyses.ResultsBased on the reliability and GQS values, ChatGPT demonstrated high reliability and good quality attributable to CLP. Furthermore, according to the FRES results, ChatGPT's readability is difficult, and the similarity index values of this software exhibit an acceptable level of similarity ratio. There is no significant difference in EQIP, Reliability Score System, FRES, FKGRL, GQS, and Similarity Index values among the two categories.ConclusionOpenAI ChatGPT provides a highly reliable, high-quality, but challenging to read, and acceptable similarity rate in providing information related to CLP. Ensuring that information obtained through these models is verified and assessed by a qualified medical expert is crucial.
Deceptively Stable? How the Stability of Aggregate Abortion Attitudes Conceals Partisan Induced Shifts
Authors: Deckman Melissa , Elder Laurel , Greene Steven , Lizotte Mary-Kate 
Published: December 2023

The 2022 Dobbs decision, striking down constitutional protection for abortion, sent shockwaves through the American political system. For the 50 years prior, however, public opinion on abortion was distinctive for its stability, with almost the same percent of Americans supporting legal abortion in the twenty-first century as in the 1970s. This stasis persisted during a period of dramatic change in the political landscape. We employ General Social Survey (GSS) data to explore the ways that partisanship, as well as demographic and attitude changes among key groups, have contributed to underlying shifts in abortion attitudes and, on an aggregate level, the appearance of stability. We show that demographic changes combined with meaningful attitude change balance each other out leading to deceptive stability. We also show the growing power of partisanship as a predictor of abortion attitudes for both Democrats and Republicans, especially Republican women, who have become more opposed to legal abortion than Republican men. Our findings provide a baseline for understanding abortion attitudes in post-Roe America and insights as to where continuity and change can be expected.
Application of Femoral Nerve Block in Treating Great Saphenous Vein Insufficiency by Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation Combined with Punctate Stripping
Authors: Li Ying-hao , Wang Tao , Qian Cheng , Chen Guo-ping , Lou Wen-sheng , Gu Jian-ping 
Published: December 2023

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block (FNB) in treating great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency by endovenous radiofrequency ablation (EVRA) combined with punctate stripping (PS). Methods This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study. A total of 135 patients were divided into Group A (59 patients) and Group B (76 patients). All patients received tumescent anesthesia during the operation, and group A received an additional ultrasound-guided FNB before the procedure. Intraoperative and postoperative pain score, the volume of tumescent anesthesia solution (TAS), and other indicators were compared in two groups. Results Group A had a significantly lower intraoperative pain visual analog scale than group B (2.7 ± 1.2 vs 5.2 ± 1.5, P < 0.001). The volume of TAS in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (198 ± 26.6 ml vs 338 ± 34.7 ml, P < 0.001). Postoperative muscle strength of group A was significantly decreased compared with group B (54.2% vs 3.90%, P < 0.001); no patient had severe limitation of active movements in both groups, and all motor blocks recovered within 24 h. The incidence of skin ecchymosis in group A was lower than that in group B (18.6% vs 46.1%, P = 0.001). The operation duration of the two groups had no statistically significant difference. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided FNB in treating GSV insufficiency by EVRA combined with PS significantly relieved intraoperative pain and reduced the dosage of TAS and the incidence of skin ecchymosis without increasing the complications of anesthesia or any other surgical complications.
Design of a bulk-lead zirconate titanate ultrasonic transducer array addressing specific excitation modes
Authors: Song Shoupeng , Wei Minghui 
Published: December 2023

Conventional ultrasonic transducer arrays generally use simultaneous or delayed excitation methods to generate various types of wave fronts in ultrasonic testing. Such array excitation modes are relatively simple and unable to maximize the functions of the array elements or element apertures. Accordingly, this study developed a novel excitation ultrasonic transducer array with flexible excitation aperture. A minimum row-column-addressing planar array structure for ultrasonic transducers based on bulk lead zirconate titanate (PZT) was designed for industrial ultrasonic testing. In addition, a transducer structure design scheme and truth table for array addressing with excitation logic were provided. By performing an acoustic field simulation, this study analyzed the relationship between the longitudinal amplitude and resonant frequency of the array elements and the impedance distribution. The transducer was fabricated and packaged using a circuit board and bulk PZT array elements. Testing revealed that the resonant frequency of the array was 1.07 MHz, the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient was 0.40, and the fractional bandwidth of the pulse echo response and spectrum was 38.46%. Using an aluminum block, performance in single-element, row-, column-, and full-array excitation was tested, and echo curves were obtained for multiple apertures. Using a single-circuit module, the transducer realized flexible gating and excitation of the array elements. The research provided a new method for industrial ultrasonic transducer array design.
Urine Metabolite Analysis to Identify Pathomechanisms of Long COVID: A Pilot Study
Authors: Taenzer Maja , Löffler-Ragg Judith , Schroll Andrea , Monfort-Lanzas Pablo , Engl Sabine , Weiss Günter , Brigo Natascha , Kurz Katharina 
Published: December 2023

Background: Around 10% of people who had COVID-9 infection suffer from persistent symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnoea, chest pain, arthralgia/myalgia, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction and impairment of mental health. Different underlying pathomechanisms appear to be involved, in particular inflammation, alterations in amino acid metabolism, autonomic dysfunction and gut dysbiosis. Aim: As routine tests are often inconspicuous in patients with Long COVID (LC), similarly to patients suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), accessible biomarkers indicating dysregulation of specific pathways are urgently needed to identify underlying pathomechanisms and enable personalized medicine treatment. Within this pilot study we aimed to proof traceability of altered metabolism by urine analysis. Patients and Methods: Urine metabolome analyses were performed to investigate the metabolic signature of patients with LC (n = 25; 20 women, 5 men) in comparison to healthy controls (Ctrl, n = 8; 7 women, 1 man) and individuals with ME/CFS (n = 8; 2 women, 6 men). Concentrations of neurotransmitter precursors tryptophan, phenylalanine and their downstream metabolites, as well as their association with symptoms (fatigue, anxiety and depression) in the patients were examined. Results and Conclusion: Phenylalanine levels were significantly lower in both the LC and ME/CFS patient groups when compared to the Ctrl group. In many LC patients, the concentrations of downstream metabolites of tryptophan and tyrosine, such as serotonin, dopamine and catecholamines, deviated from the reference ranges. Several symptoms (sleep disturbance, pain or autonomic dysfunction) were associated with certain metabolites. Patients experiencing fatigue had lower levels of kynurenine, phenylalanine and a reduced kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (Kyn/Trp). Lower concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and higher activity of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) were observed in patients with anxiety. Conclusively, our results suggest that amino acid metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis is disturbed in patients with LC and ME/CFS. The identified metabolites and their associated dysregulations could serve as potential biomarkers for elucidating underlying pathomechanisms thus enabling personalized treatment strategies for these patient populations.
National emergency medical teleconsultation: A novel system applied during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Kai-Wen , Shih Hong-Mo , Ng Chip-Jin , Shih Chung-Liang , Chen Wei-Kung 
Published: December 2023

Objective Telemedicine can facilitate social distancing during an infectious disease pandemic and reduce the burden on health-care resources. Moreover, telemedicine can be utilized for medical care in remote island regions, in home health care, and during isolated major disasters such as regional earthquakes. However, the effectiveness of telemedicine for emergency consultation remains unclear. This study introduced and analyzed the national emergency medical teleconsultation (NEMTC) established in Taiwan in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control established a temporary 24-h NEMTC contingency system. Patient information was collected from consultations through the NEMTC from April 28 to June 28, 2022. After successful consultation, physicians made recommendations for home observation, emergency department (ED) visit, or outpatient follow-up. ED visits were divided into two categories, namely self-transport and transport, by the emergency medical service system (EMSS). Results During the aforementioned period, 20,902 consultation requests were made through the NEMTC, and 11,804 consultations (56.5% of 20,902) were successful. Consultation success rates were significantly higher for those who had a consultation between 08:00 and 16:00, had a waiting time of less than 10 min, and were not aged between 18 and 45 years. Moreover, 8.2% of the analyzed patients were advised to visit the ED, and only 0.4% required ambulance transportation. Children and older individuals and patients with cardiovascular symptoms, shortness of breath, or neurological or abdominal symptoms had a significantly higher chance of being referred to the ED than did other individuals. Conclusions The NEMTC response system can enhance the efficiency of the EMSS and can reduce the burden of patients with mild conditions overloading the EMSS and EDs. The NEMTC could serve as an effective rapid response system during future pandemics.
Popliteal artery aneurysm ultrasound criteria for reporting characteristics
Authors: Bellomo Tiffany R , Goudot Guillaume , Gaston Brandon , Lella Srihari , Jessula Samuel , Sumetsky Natalie , Beardsley Jenna , Patel Shiv , Fischetti Chanel , Zacharias Nikolaos , Dua Anahita 
Published: December 2023

Introduction:Duplex ultrasound (DUS) is the modality of choice for surveillance of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs). However, noninvasive vascular laboratories have no standard guidelines for reporting results. This study assessed reports of PAA DUS for inclusion of information pertinent to operative decision-making and timing of surveillance.Methods:This study was a retrospective review of a multi-institutional repository that was queried for all patients with a PAA from 2008 to 2022 and confirmed via manual chart review. DUS reports were abstracted and images were individually annotated for features of interest including dimensions, flow abnormalities, and percent thrombus burden.Results:A total of 166 PAAs in 130 patients had at least one DUS available for viewing. Postoperative surveillance of PAAs was performed at several intervals: the first at 30 months (IQR 3.7–113, n = 44), the second at 64 months (IQR 20–172, n = 31), and the third at 152 months (IQR 46–217, n = 16) after the operation. The largest diameter of operative PAAs (median 27.5 mm, IQR 21.8–38.0) was significantly greater than nonoperative PAAs (median 20.9 mm, IQR 16.7–27.3); p < 0.01. Fewer than 33 (21%) reports commented on patency of distal runoff. We calculated an average percent thrombus of 60% (IQR 19–81) in nonoperative PAAs, which is significantly smaller than 75% (IQR 58–89) in operative PAAs; p < 0.01.Conclusion:In this multi-institutional retrospective study, PAAs are often not followed at intervals recommended by the Society for Vascular Surgery guidelines and do not include all measurements necessary for clinical decision-making in the multi-institutional repository studied. There should be standardization of PAA DUS protocols performed by all noninvasive vascular laboratories to ensure completeness of PAA DUS images and inclusion of characteristics pertinent to clinical decision-making in radiology reports.
Clinical crown height changes in adult patients after non-extraction, orthodontic treatment: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tsukada Keizo , Ozeki Yumi , Sato Chikatoshi , Fushima Kenji 
Published: December 2023

Objective: To assess changes in clinical crown height (CCH) in adult orthodontic patients treated by fixed appliances to distalise the molars. Design: Retrospective case series study. Setting and patients: A total of 30 adults with healthy periodontal tissues who received orthodontic treatment at the Department of Orthodontics, Yokohama, Japan and its related orthodontic clinic were assessed. Methods: CCH was measured as the distance from the gingival margin to the crown plane perpendicular to the tooth axis. Treatment changes of CCH of each tooth were examined on the labial/buccal and lingual/palatal side. Results: In the upper dentition, on the labial/buccal side, the CCH of the lateral incisors, canines, first premolars, first molars and second molars were increased significantly ( P < 0.01), with a median value of 0.41 mm, 0.43 mm, 0.28 mm, 0.43 mm and 0.55 mm, respectively. In contrast on the palatal side, the CCH of the central incisors, first molars, and second molars decreased significantly ( P < 0.01), with a median value of −0.41 mm, −0.30 mm and −0.20 mm, respectively. In the lower dentition on the labial/buccal side, the CCH of the first premolars, second premolars and first molars were increased significantly, with a median value of 0.39 mm ( P < 0.01), 0.43 mm ( P < 0.01) and 0.19 mm ( P < 0.05), respectively. The second molars exhibited a significant decrease in CCH with a median value of −0.26 mm ( P < 0.05). On the lingual side, the CCH of the central incisors, lateral incisors, canines, first premolars, second premolars and first molars were increased significantly ( P < 0.01), with a median value of 0.28 mm, 0.22 mm, 0.31 mm, 0.37 mm, 0.26 mm and 0.28 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Significant differences were observed in CCH before and after treatment for many teeth, the average change was less than 0.5 mm. The impact on the long-term health of the periodontal tissue is unknown.
Examination of the permeability of rubberized concrete with different water/cement ratios and their resistance against acid and sulfate attack
Authors: Kandil Ufuk , Bulut H Alperen 
Published: December 2023

This study aims to examine the permeability and acid and sulfate attack of waste rubber-substituted concrete containing recycled rubber in three different grain size classes (chips, crumb and powder) with two different water/cement (w/c) ratios (0.4 and 0.5). Waste rubber at different ratios (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16%, 20%, and 24%) was used in concrete by replacing fine and coarse aggregates. Sorptivity, electrical resistivity, and acid and sulfate attack tests were conducted on concrete cured for 90 days. Although the capillarity coefficient values increased with the waste rubber replacement ratio increase, a decrease occurred after the 20% waste rubber replacement ratio. In 12% waste rubber-substituted concrete (0.4WR12) with a water/cement ratio of 0.4, the electrical resistivity value (8.3 kΩ.cm) was the highest, and concretes with low permeability could be produced. As a result of the use of 16% waste rubber in the concrete, 75% less compressive strength loss was observed after the acid attack compared to the control concrete. In concrete with a water/cement ratio of 0.5, when the waste rubber ratio increased by up to 16%, the compressive strength losses caused by the sulfate attack decreased dramatically (95.76% less) compared to the control concrete. The rubberized concrete with a water/cement ratio of 0.5 showed high resistance to acid and sulfate attacks. The experiment results showed that 12% to 16% waste rubbers are ideal ratios. In this study, the water/cement ratio was a valuable parameter for the waste rubber ratio in rubberized concrete.
Qilian Formula Inhibits Tumor Cell Growth in a Bone Metastasis Model of Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Qin , Zhao Bei , Li Jiaqi , Zhao Jingwen , Wang Chengyan , Li Quanyao , Yang Wenxiao , Xu Ling , Gong Yabin 
Published: December 2023

Background: Bone metastasis is frequently common in advanced lung cancer with the major issue of a pathological fracture. Previous studies suggested that Astragalus membranaceus (Qi) and Ampelopsis japonica (Lian), which are used as folk medicine in China, have potential effects on inhibiting tumor growth and protecting bones, respectively. In this study, an experiment on the inhibitory effect of the Qilian formula (AAF) in vivo was designed to examine tumor growth in bone and osteoclast formation. Materials and Methods: The bone metastasis xenograft models were established by implanting NCI-H460-luc2 lung cancer cells into the right tibiae bones of mice. After confirming the model’s viability through optical imaging 7 days post-implantation, 2 groups, namely the AAF group and the control group, were administered 0.3 mL of AAF extract (9 g/kg/day) or normal saline via intragastric delivery for a duration of 4 weeks. Throughout the study, we longitudinally assessed tumor burden, bone destruction, and weight-bearing capacity in vivo using reporter gene bioluminescence imaging (BLI), micro-CT, and dynamic weight-bearing (DWB) tests. Mechanistic insights were gained through Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, western blotting, and flow cytometry. Results: Qilian formula produced significant inhibition to the progress of bone destruction and tumor burden in the right tibiae bone in the treatment group. It was further evidenced by molecular imaging in vivo via small animal micro-CT and BLI with parametric quantification, characterizing significantly lower uptake of BLI signal in the treated tumor lesions and improving the pathological changes in the microstructure of bone. Furthermore, DWB tests revealed that Qilian formula treatment significantly maintained the weight-bearing capacity. According to immunohistochemical analysis, the effect of the Qilian formula appeared to involve the suppression of osteoclast formation by lower expression of the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Cell apoptosis and death induction were evidenced by a higher percentage of Bal2、BAX and caspase 3 expressions of Qilian formula-treated tumor tissues. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect of the Qilian formula on the progression of osteolytic invasion in vivo by suppressing osteoclastogenesis and promoting apoptotic cell death.