bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preventing variceal rebleeding in cirrhotic patients with portal vein thrombosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhu Junyuan , Xia Yifu , Liu Xiao , Zhang Chunqing 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackground and AimPreventing rebleeding is crucial, but the best prevention technique for patients with cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) remains debatable. Therefore, this systematic review and meta‐analysis compared a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with endoscopic therapy (ET) plus nonselective beta‐blockers (NSBBs) for preventing variceal rebleeding in this patient population.MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched from their inception until May 18, 2023. The studies were screened using predetermined criteria, relevant data were extracted, and pooled analyses were performed using the Reviewer Manager 5.4.1 software.ResultsWe retrieved 1032 studies, of which 5 studies comprising a total of 272 patients were included. The postoperative variceal rebleeding rate was significantly lower in the TIPS group than in the ET + NSBBs group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.11–0.35, P < 0.05, I2 = 0%), but the portal vein recanalization rate was higher (OR = 7.92, 95% CI = 3.04–20.67, P < 0.05, I2 = 0%). The rates of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and mortality did not differ between the groups.ConclusionsOur results suggest that TIPS prevents variceal rebleeding without increasing the hepatic encephalopathy risk more effectively than ET plus NSBBs, but this benefit did not translate into improved survival. Thus, it may be preferable to ET plus NSBBs for preventing variceal rebleeding in patients with cirrhosis and PVT. However, more large‐scale and multicenter randomized controlled trials involving other patient populations are required to verify the clinical efficacy of both these treatments and ensure generalizability.
Ubiquitination, SUMOylation, and NEDDylation related genes serve as prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Deng Shi‐Zhou , Wu Xuechen , Kong Lingshu , Cheng Bo , Dai Lin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundUbiquitination, small ubiquitin‐related modifiers, and NEDDylation are now found to function in cancer biology; however, its role in the oral cancer patients remains unclear.MethodsA set of bioinformatic tools was integrated to analyze the expression and prognostic significance of ubiquitin and ubiquitin‐like (UB/UBL) genes. A UB/UBL‐related risk score was developed via correlation analyses, univariate Cox regression, and multivariate Cox regression. Nomogram analysis evaluates the model's prediction performance. The drug sensitivity analysis, immune profiles of UB/UBL‐classified oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients, and their related function pathway were investigated, and the role of UB/UBL‐related genes in drug therapy was analyzed.ResultsA total of six prognostic UB/UBL‐related genes were obtained. PSMD3, PCGF2, and H2BC10 were significantly downregulated in OSCC tissue and associated with longer survival time. OSCC patients in the high‐risk group showed a significantly lower overall survival and enriched in cancer‐related pathways. The prognostic potential of genes associated with UB/UBL was discovered, and patients with high‐risk scores showed an increase of protumor immune infiltrates and a high expression of immune checkpoints. Moreover, the area under the curve of the annual survival rate was 0.616, 0.671, and 0.673, respectively. Besides, patients in the high‐risk group are more sensitive to docetaxel, doxorubicin, and methotrexate therapy.ConclusionsWe construct a prognosis model for OSCC patients with UB/UBL‐related genes and try to find a new approach to treating oral cancer patients. The UB/UBL‐related signature is helpful in developing new tumor markers, prognostic prediction, and in guiding treatment for OSCC patients.
Persistence of antibodies 5 years after hepatitis B vaccination in preterm birth children: A retrospective cohort study using real‐world data
Authors: Qin Wei , Shao Ling , Wang Jun , Zhang Huan , Wang Yao , Zhang Xiaqing , Xie Shaoyu , Pan Fan , Cheng Kai , Ma Liguo , Chen Yafei , Song Jian , Gao Dawei , Chen Zhichao , Yang Wei , Zhu Rui , Su Hong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPrevious studies did not provide substantial evidence for long‐term immune persistence after the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) in preterm birth (PTB) children. Consequently, there is ongoing controversy surrounding the booster immunization strategy for these children. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the disparities in immune persistence between PTB children and full‐term children. A total of 1027 participants were enrolled in this study, including 505 PTB children in the exposure group and 522 full‐term children in the control group. The negative rate of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) in the PTB group was significantly lower than that in the control group (47.9% vs. 41.4%, p = .035). The risk of HBsAb‐negative in the exposure group was 1.5 times higher than that in the control group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–2.0). The geometric mean concentration (GMC) of HBsAb was much lower for participants in the exposure group compared to participants in the control group (9.3 vs. 12.4 mIU/mL, p = .029). Subgroup analysis showed that the very preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks) and the preterm low birth weight infants (birth weight <2000 g) had relatively low GMC levels of 3.2 mIU/mL (95% CI: 0.9–11.1) and 7.9 mIU/mL (95% CI: 4.2–14.8), respectively. Our findings demonstrated that PTB had a significant impact on the long‐term persistence of HBsAb after HepB vaccination. The very preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks) and the preterm low birth weight infants (birth weight <2000 g) may be special populations that should be given priority for HepB booster vaccination.
The efficacy of N‐acetylcysteine in decreasing airway inflammation and mucus accumulation in horses with 18 hours of head confinement
Authors: Tavanaeimanesh Hamid , Alinia Zahra , Sadeghian Chaleshtori Sirous , Moosavian Hamidreza , Mohebi Zeinab , Daneshi Mojtaba 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundDuring transportation many horses develop post‐transportation infection, which can be life‐threatening and end their sport career. Preventing mucus accumulation and inflammation during transportation is vital, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to enhance overall horse health welfare.ObjectivesAssess the impact of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) on mucus accumulation and inflammation in horses subjected to 18 hours of head confinement.AnimalsSix healthy crossbred horses, 5.3 ± 2.1 years of age and weighing 387 ± 30 kg.MethodsProspective placebo‐controlled cross‐over design study. The horses' heads were restrained in their stalls for a period of 18 hours. They were studied under 4 conditions: Not confined (NC): before head confinement, placebo (P), and confined head (CH): 18 hours of head confinement without treatment, and N‐Acetylcysteine (NAC): 18 hours of head confinement treated with NAC before confinement (15 mg/kg/day NAC PO for 3 days). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in each condition. Mucus accumulation along the trachea was evaluated by endoscopy.ResultsEndoscopic scores were significantly different between CH and other conditions, whereas no significant differences were found among NC, P, and NAC. The BAL cell count (34 291 ± 2624 cells/μL), neutrophil and lymphocyte count (18 601 ± 3193 cells/μL and 3337.4 ± 593 cells/μL, respectively) in CH were significantly higher compared to NAC. Neutrophil percentage was significantly higher in CH (53.8 ± 8%) compared to horses that received NAC (20.08 ± 8%). Conversely, in comparison to NAC (66.33 ± 9%), the percentage of macrophages was significantly lower in CH (35.7 ± 10%).ConclusionsN‐acetylcysteine was found to significantly decrease mucus accumulation and inflammatory cell counts in horses with head confinement.
Effect of meloxicam or robenacoxib administration timing on renal function and postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy: A randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Krekis Alex , King Jonathan N. , D'Arcy‐Howard Duncan , Stapleton Nadene , Elliott Jonathan , Pelligand Ludovic 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe evaluated the effect of administration timing of meloxicam and robenacoxib on renal function, platelet cyclo‐oxygenase and perioperative analgesia in 60 cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy, in a prospective randomized blinded controlled study. Twelve cats were randomly allocated to one subcutaneous treatment group: meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) or robenacoxib (2 mg/kg) at admission (MA, RA), at induction (MI, RI) and robenacoxib at the end of surgery (RE). All cats received the same anaesthesia protocol. Plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma creatinine, drug concentrations and serum thromboxane (TxB2) were measured sequentially. Anaesthesia significantly increased PRA, as activity at end of the surgery was higher than 2 h later (mean ± SD: 26.6 ± 2.8 versus 10.0 ± 3.9 ng/mL/h). PRA remained higher at 2 h post‐surgery in admission groups compared to induction groups (p = .01). Serum TxB2 was lower with meloxicam than robenacoxib (p = .001), and was lower in the MA than each robenacoxib group at catheter placement. Admission groups (16/24 from RA and MA groups) received earlier rescue analgesia than other groups (p = .033). In conclusion, the renin‐angiotensin system was activated during anaesthesia despite cyclo‐oxygenase inhibition, possibly due to hypotension or surgical stimulation. There was no effect of drug or timing on the markers of renal function but one cat receiving meloxicam at induction had suspected IRIS grade II acute kidney injury.
Prevalence of food insecurity among caregivers of young children during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Ireland
Authors: O'Sullivan Elizabeth J. , Daly Caoimhe , Kennedy Aileen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractOur objectives were to explore the prevalence of food insecurity in primary caregivers of young children in Ireland and to compare two tools for measuring food insecurity during the COVID‐19 crisis. A cross‐sectional online survey was conducted among caregivers of children aged <2 years in Ireland in May/June 2020. Relevant survey questions were closed‐ended using two established tools for measuring food poverty/insecurity; the Irish Food Poverty Indicator and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the prevalence of food poverty/insecurity. To explore agreement in the classification of food insecurity by the Food Poverty Indicator and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, Cohen's κ was used. Analyses are based on 716 participants; most had a 3rd‐level education and were married or in a partnership. Per the food poverty index, Ireland's national measure of food poverty, 3.9% (n = 28) of our sample were experiencing food poverty. This rose to 10.5% (n = 75) experiencing food insecurity when using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, which also measures worry/anxiety around access to food. There was low agreement between the tools, with 11.3% of the sample classified as food secure by one tool and food insecure by the other. Our current measure of food poverty in Ireland may not be sufficient to describe the food‐access struggles or worry/anxiety about food access, experienced by the population, particularly during an emergency like COVID‐19.
Re‐evaluating the honing framework: Naturalistic observation of same‐ and different‐sex couples' conversations
Authors: Robbins Megan L. , Spahr Chandler M. , Karan Alexander 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe current study tested the honing framework, which posits that people in same‐, versus different‐, sex couples may reduce their social networks to primarily include members perceived as supportive, facilitating more satisfying social interactions and enjoying more positive affect. The honing framework also predicts similarities among people in same‐ and different‐sex couples, including quantity of social interactions, and social interaction links to well‐being. Seventy‐eight couples participated: 25 women with women, 19 men with men, and 34 different‐sex couples. Over two weekends, both partners wore the Electronically Activated Recorder, a device that records audible, naturally‐occurring social interactions. Additionally, each partner completed well‐being questionnaires. Actor‐partner interdependence models mostly supported the honing framework, revealing similarities among same‐ and different‐sex couples, including the quantity of social interactions, as well as interaction quantity links to well‐being. The data also revealed a novel, unpredicted component of the honing framework: people in same‐sex couples tended to have more one‐on‐one and fewer group interactions compared to people in different‐sex couples. This lends support to and further develops the honing framework, revealing that people in same‐sex couples manage to hone their social networks to close, supportive members with whom they have one‐on‐one, satisfying interactions.
Photodynamic therapy in periodontitis: A narrative review
Authors: Nie Min , Zhang Peipei , Pathak Janak Lal , Wang Xiaoyu , Wu Yafei , Yang Jingmei , Shen Yuqin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundPeriodontitis, a chronic infectious disease, is primarily caused by a dysbiotic microbiome, leading to the destruction of tooth‐supporting tissues and tooth loss. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which combines excitation light with photosensitizers (PS) and oxygen to produce antibacterial reactive oxygen species, is emerging as a promising adjuvant treatment for periodontitis.MethodsThis review focuses on studies examining the antibacterial effects of PDT against periodontal pathogens. It also explores the impact of PDT on various aspects of periodontal health, including periodontal immune cells, human gingival fibroblasts, gingival collagen, inflammatory mediators, cytokines in the periodontium, vascular oxidative stress, vascular behavior, and alveolar bone health. Clinical trials assessing the types of PSs and light sources used in PDT, as well as its effects on clinical and immune factors in gingival sulcus fluid and the bacterial composition of dental plaque, are discussed.ResultsThe findings indicate that PDT is effective in reducing periodontal pathogens and improving markers of periodontal health. It has shown positive impacts on periodontal immune response, tissue integrity, and alveolar bone preservation. Clinical trials have demonstrated improvements in periodontal health and alterations in the microbial composition of dental plaque when PDT is used alongside conventional treatments.ConclusionsPDT offers a promising adjunctive treatment for periodontitis, with benefits in bacterial reduction, tissue healing, and immune modulation. This article highlights the potential of PDT in periodontal therapy and emphasizes the need for further research to refine its clinical application and efficacy.
Modelling the displacement and coexistence of clonal lineages of Phytophthora infestans through revisiting past outbreaks
Authors: Huang Chih‐Chiang , Liew Edward C. Y. , Wan Justin S. H. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe continuous changes in the lineage proportions of populations in the clonal plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans on potato and tomato crops have been perplexing to researchers and disease managers. Sudden outbreaks of newly emergent genotypes are often associated with these rapid composition changes. Modelling can predict the persistence and displacement of pathogen genotypes with differential fitness among hosts. Building upon previous models, we combined analytical and simulation methods to model the outcome of interactions between competing lineages on different hosts. Model inputs include pathogenesis parameters, and the outputs are fitness and lineage proportions within each host. Analytical solutions yielding complete displacement, partial coexistence‐displacement and complete coexistence were described. In a retrospective study, the lesion growth rate and sporulation density of P. infestans lineages on potato and tomato from pathogenicity trials were used as inputs. Output lineage frequencies were compared with historical epidemiological situations to check model accuracy. The results showed that pathogenesis traits measured from empirical trials could simulate lineage constituents on potato and tomato and estimate genotypic fitness with reasonable accuracy. The model also showed promise in predicting ongoing lineage displacements in the subsequent year or few years, even when the displaced lineage was still highly prevalent during the time of isolation. However, large uncertainties remain at temporal–spatial scales owing to complex meta‐population dynamics in some regions and adaptation to local environmental factors. This simulation model provides a new tool for forecasting pathogen compositions and can be used to identify potentially problematic genotypes based on pathogen life‐history traits.
Unveiling measles transmission dynamics: Insights from a stochastic model with nonlinear incidence
Authors: Shi Zhenfeng , Jiang Daqing 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this paper, taking into account the inevitable impact of environmental perturbations on disease transmission, we primarily investigate a stochastic model for measles infection with nonlinear incidence. The transmission rate in this model follows a logarithmic normal distribution influenced by an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) process. To analyze the dynamic properties of the stochastic model, our first step is to establish the existence and uniqueness of a global solution for the stochastic equations. Next, by constructing appropriate Lyapunov functions and utilizing the ergodicity of the OU process, we establish sufficient conditions for the existence of a stationary distribution, indicating the prevalence of the disease. Furthermore, we provide sufficient conditions for disease elimination. These conditions are derived by considering the interplay between the model parameters and the stochastic dynamics. Finally, we validate the theoretical conclusions through numerical simulations, which allow us to assess the practical implications of the established conditions and observe the dynamics of the stochastic model in action. By combining theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the stochastic model's behavior, contributing to the broader understanding of measles transmission dynamics and the development of effective control strategies.
Finding the right combination for self‐directed learning: A focus group study of residents' choice and use of digital resources to support their learning
Authors: Trivedi Shreya P. , Rodman Adam , Eliasz Kinga L. , Soffler Morgan I. , Sullivan Amy M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundThere has been a shift in postgraduate medical education towards digital educational resources—podcasts, videos, social media and other formats consumed asynchronously and apart from formal curricula. It is unclear what drives residents to select and use these resources. Understanding how and why residents choose digital resources can aid programme directors, faculty and residents in optimising residents' informal learning time.MethodThis focus group study was conducted with residents at two US internal medicine residency programmes. The authors used the framework approach to content analysis using self‐determination theory as guide for deductive coding and iteratively assessing connections among codes and identifying themes. Trustworthiness was addressed through use of analytic memos, reflexive practice and member checking.ResultsThe authors conducted eight virtual focus groups (n = 23) from 5/27/20 to 6/11/20. Residents described that a feeling of ‘should know’ drove initial choices towards self‐directed learning outside of work. Regular use of a resource was influenced by how the resource fit into a resident's lifestyle, the personal cognitive energy and the perceived ‘activation energy’ of using a particular resource. Familiarity, increased confidence and in‐person social networks gained from digital resources served to reinforce and further guide resource choice.ConclusionsThe selection of digital resources for self‐directed learning is driven by multiple factors, suggesting an interdependent relationship between the learning environment and a residents' cognitive capacity. Understanding these interconnections can help residents and clinical educators explicitly choose resources that fit their lifestyle and learning needs.
Educating for capability and preparing for practice: Integrating theory and skills
Authors: Carter Harry , Hanks Sally , Johnson Robert , Gale Thomas 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCapability is the ability to perform clinical skills in ever‐changing real world contexts, adapting to challenges and integrating technical and non‐technical skills and competencies, for example, cannulating an uncooperative patient at night. Going beyond teaching competency and ensuring capability is imperative, as recommended by the national outcomes for medical graduates. A course on intravenous cannulation was developed with e‐learning modules and high‐fidelity complex simulation scenarios, aiming to promote capability in practice. The course delivered an intravenous cannulation e‐learning package between two practical simulations to 10 final‐year medical students. The hybrid simulation design consisted of an actor with a bespoke cannulation part‐task trainer strapped to their arm. Each simulation delivered a challenging scenario, requiring the integration of procedural and behavioural skills to succeed. Simulations were video recorded, and participants reviewed their performances before completing semi‐structured interviews. Transcribed interviews were thematically analysed. Interview analysis demonstrated two overarching themes: ‘Impact on Capability’ and ‘Preparedness for Practice’. There was consistent recognition of improved capability from the interviews. Simulation exercises were described as the most valuable tool for developing capability. The e‐learning helped with structure, facilitating students' adaptation to scenarios. Participants felt that training in medical school was largely competency‐based and did not tackle complex interactions. Following e‐learning and simulations, students felt more prepared for clinical practice. The course structure has value for medical professionals in developing capability and preparing for clinical practice, helping to reach standards expected of graduates. Plans to assess capability across multiple undergraduate programmes through Entrustable Professional Activities are in progress.