bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal assessment of chemotherapy-induced brain connectivity changes in cerebral white matter and its correlation with cognitive functioning using the GQI
Authors: Chen Vincent Chin-Hung , Chuang Wei , Tsai Yuan-Hsiung , McIntyre Roger S. , Weng Jun-Cheng 
Published: February 2024

ObjectiveBreast cancer was the most prevalent type of cancer and had the highest incidence rate among women worldwide. The wide use of adjuvant chemotherapy might have a detrimental effect on the human brain and result in chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CICI) among breast cancer patients. Furthermore, prior to chemotherapy, patients reported cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), which might be due to physiological factors or mood symptoms. The present longitudinal study aimed to investigate microstructural and macroscale white matter alterations by generalized q-sampling imaging (GQI).MethodsThe participants were categorized into a pre-chemotherapy group (BB) if they were diagnosed with primary breast cancer and an age-matched noncancer control group (HC). Some participants returned for follow-up assessment. In the present follow up study, 28 matched pairs of BB/BBF (follow up after chemotherapy) individuals and 28 matched pairs of HC/HCF (follow up) individuals were included. We then used GQI and graph theoretical analysis (GTA) to detect microstructural alterations in the whole brain. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between longitudinal changes in GQI indices and neuropsychological tests as well as psychiatric comorbidity.FindingsThe results showed that disruption of white matter integrity occurred in the default mode network (DMN) of patients after chemotherapy, such as in the corpus callosum (CC) and middle frontal gyrus (MFG). Furthermore, weaker connections between brain regions and lower segregation ability were observed in the post-chemotherapy group. Significant correlations were observed between neuropsychological tests and white matter tracts of the CC, MFG, posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF).ConclusionThe results provided evidence of white matter alterations in breast cancer patients, and they may serve as potential imaging markers of cognitive changes. In the future, the study may be beneficial to create and evaluate strategies designed to maintain or improve cognitive function in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Outpatient care for facial palsy—a survey on patient satisfaction in uni- and interdisciplinary approaches
Authors: Machetanz Kathrin , Oberle Linda , Wang Sophie S. , Weinbrenner Eliane , Gorbachuk Mykola , Lauer Henrik , Daigeler Adrien , Tatagiba Marcos , Naros Georgios , Schäfer Ruth C. 
Published: February 2024

ObjectiveThe various causes of facial palsy, diagnostic methods and treatment approaches frequently involve different medical specialities. Nevertheless, there exist only few specialized consultation and therapy services for patients with facial palsy (FP) in Germany. The aim of the present study was to evaluate factors affecting quality of life (QoL) and treatment satisfaction of patients presenting to an interdisciplinary facial nerve outpatient clinic.MethodsThe study analyzed patients presenting to the interdisciplinary facial palsy outpatient clinic in Tuebingen between February 2019 and December 2022. General satisfaction and QoL was estimated by numerous self-rating questionnaires: ZUF-8, SF-36, FDI, FaCE, PHQ-9. An ANOVA was performed to analyze determinants affecting the ZUF-8. Correlation analyses between cause and regeneration of FP as well as questionnaire scores were performed. Results were compared with a group of patients who were managed in an unidisciplinary setting.ResultsIn total, 66 patients with FP were enrolled. FP patients showed increased levels of depression (PHQ-9: 14.52 ± 3.8) correlating with recovery of the palsy (p = 0.008), FaCE (p &lt; 0.001) and FDI ratings (p &lt; 0.001). There was a high level of satisfaction with the services provided during the uni-and interdisciplinary consultation (ZUF-8: 24.59 ± 6.2), especially among the 12/66 patients who received reconstructive, surgical treatment. However, some patients requested more psychological and ophthalmological support.ConclusionHigh levels of treatment satisfaction can be achieved in both an uni-and interdisciplinary setting. However, multimodal therapy approaches should be applied, considering physical and psychological aspects. In the absence of recovery, surgical interventions must be considered as treatment options. Further studies should continue to investigate potential differences between uni-and interdisciplinary treatment.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of optokinetic after-nystagmus in vestibular disorders
Authors: Reynders Marie , Van der Sypt Lynn , Bos Jelte , Cools Wilfried , Topsakal Vedat 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionTo date, no systematic review or meta-analysis has critically evaluated the relevance of using optokinetic after-nystagmus (OKAN) in diagnosis of vestibular disorders. To assess the role of OKAN in diagnosis of vestibular disorders, the OKAN time constant (TC) between patients with vestibular disorders and healthy participants will be compared.MethodsAutomated search strategies were carried out in the Embase, Medline PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception to December 2023. The following inclusion criteria were applied: (1) evaluation of OKAN in individuals with vestibular disorders, (2) clinical trials, and (3) inclusion of healthy individuals as the control group. Exclusion criteria were: (1) animal studies, (2) non-clinical trial study designs, (3) assessment of non-vestibular disorders, (4) no examination of OKAN TC, (5) only examination of healthy participants, (6) studies published in a language other than English, (7) no healthy participants as control group, (8) case reports, and (9) only abstract available. The random-effects model was used to pool the data. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools was used to assess the risk of bias. The quality assessment was performed with the aid of the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies, provided by NHLBI. The PRISMA guidelines were used as reporting guidelines. The main outcome of this study was the between-group mean difference (MDbetween) in OKAN TC and its 95% confidence interval between patients with vestibular disorders and healthy participants.ResultsSeven out of 244 screened articles were included that studied 289 participants. The overall mean difference (MD = −7.08) with a 95% CI of [−10.18; −3.97] was significant (p = 0.014). The heterogeneity was significant (p = 0.02). Quality assessment was generally good (76%). The risk of bias was low in five studies and moderate in two studies.ConclusionThe results demonstrate that OKAN TC is significantly shorter in patients with vestibular disorders compared to healthy controls. This finding is important for future research, particularly with the emergence of novel clinical tools and diagnostic syndromes.Systematic Reviewhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=442695.
Clinical outcomes of atezolizumab versus standard-of-care docetaxel with and without ramucirumab in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer who received prior immunotherapy
Authors: Li Shenduo , Manochakian Rami , Chen Ruqin , Patel Jaydeepbhai , Inampudi Jyothik Varun , Hiren Koshiya R. , Zhao Yujie , Lou Yanyan 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundAtezolizumab is superior to docetaxel for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are pretreated with platinum-based chemotherapy based on the POPLAR and OAK trials. However, patients who received prior immunotherapy were excluded from these trials. The standard of care second-line therapy for these patients remains to be docetaxel with or without ramucirumab. The efficacy and safety of atezolizumab as a subsequent therapy in immunotherapy-pretreated patients are unknown.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of all patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who were pretreated with immunotherapy at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville and Rochester from 2016 to 2022. Patients who received subsequent therapy of atezolizumab alone (Atezo), docetaxel (Doce), or docetaxel + ramucirumab (Doce+Ram) were included.ResultsIn this cohort of 165 patients, 12.7% (n=21), 49.1% (n=81), and 38.2% (n=63) patients received subsequent Atezo, Doce, and Doce+Ram, respectively. 1-year landmark progression-free survival (PFS) were 23.8%, 6.2%, and 3.2% (p=0.006), and 2-year landmark PFS were 14.3%, 0%, and 0% (p&lt;0.0001), in the Atezo, Doce, and Doce+Ram groups, respectively. About 20% patients with positive PD-L1 had durable response to atezolizumab. The Atezo group showed significantly greater overall survival (OS) improvement over Doce group (median OS 17.7 vs. 7.7 months, HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.29 – 0.76, p=0.008), and over Doce+Ram group (median OS 17.7 vs. 8.9 months, HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.32 – 0.95, p=0.047). 4 of 21 (19%) patients in the Atezo group developed immune-related adverse events (irAE).ConclusionWe observed statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival benefits of atezolizumab monotherapy compared with docetaxel +/- ramucirumab in patients with advanced NSCLC who were pretreated with immunotherapy. The survival benefit seems to be mainly from PD-L1 positive patients. Subsequent immunotherapy with Atezolizumab did not increase irAE rate.
Risk of potential hepatotoxicity from pirfenidone or nintedanib in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: results of a retrospective analysis of a large insurance database in Taiwan
Authors: Liao Kuang-Ming , Chen Chung-Yu 
Published: February 2024

Background: A growing population of individuals diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are receiving treatment with nintedanib and pirfenidone. The aim of our study was to assess the incidence of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) associated with the use of pirfenidone and nintedanib in patients with IPF in Taiwan.Methods: We collected a cohort of adult patients diagnosed with IPF between 2017 and 2020. The research outcomes involved assessing the incidence of DILI in patients treated with nintedanib or pirfenidone. Poisson regression analysis was employed to estimate incidence rates, with and without adjustments for covariates, to calculate and present both unadjusted and adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs).Results: The risk of DILI was greater in patients who received nintedanib than in those who received pirfenidone during the 1-year follow-up. Patients treated with nintedanib exhibited a heightened risk of DILI based on inpatient diagnoses using specific codes after adjusting for variables such as gender, age group, comorbidities and concomitant medications, with an adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) of 3.62 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–11.78). Similarly, the risk of DILI was elevated in patients treated with nintedanib according to a per-protocol Poisson regression analysis of outcomes identified from inpatient diagnoses using specific codes. This was observed after adjusting for variables including gender, age group, comorbidities, and concomitant medications, with an aIRR of 3.60 (95% CI 1.11–11.72).Conclusion: Data from postmarketing surveillance in Taiwan indicate that patients who received nintedanib have a greater risk of DILI than do those who received pirfenidone.
Widening the frontiers of elastography in biomechanics: simultaneous muscle elasticity measurements at high-sample rate with surface wave elastography
Authors: Grinspan Gustavo A. , Oliveira Liliam Fernandes De , Brandao Maria Clara , Benech Nicolás 
Published: February 2024

Introduction: In recent years, elastography has become a widely accepted methodology to assess the longitudinal shear elastic modulus of skeletal muscle. Ultrasound shear wave elastography is the gold standard used for such a purpose. However, its low sample rate (1–2 Hz) and the impossibility of being used in several muscles simultaneously limit potential biomechanical applications. In this work, we overcome such limitations by using a surface wave elastography method (NU-SWE).Methods: The NU-SWE comprises a wearable device suitable for measuring several muscles simultaneously. Elasticity can be measured at high-frequency rates (∼15 Hz), by propagating several pulse trains of low-frequency (∼100 Hz) superficial waves separated by a short time interval. These pulses propagate along the medium surface and are recorded by a linear array of vibration sensors placed on the skin of each measured muscle. In this context, this work carried out a proof of concept, showing how NU-SWE enables performing experimental protocols previously impracticable with ultrasound elastography. Thus, we measured the longitudinal shear elasticity of the biceps brachii and brachioradialis muscles simultaneously at 15 Hz during isometric elbow flexions exerted at different torque development rates. Furthermore, for comparison, we measured the electromyographic activity of both muscles.Results: Our results show that the maximum elasticity reached by the brachioradialis increases with contraction rate, while the biceps brachii behaves inversely.Discussion: This study provides new insights concerning muscle synergism, evidenced by changes in muscle elasticity during torque production. More generally, it shows that NU-SWE could help widen elastography-driven research in biomechanics.
Stressors and coping strategies among secondary school male students in Abha City, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alsaleem Safar Abadi , Al-qahtani Abdulaziz Hassan , Al-qahtani Essa Hasan , AlKhaldi Yahia Mater 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundStress is a biological process in which exposure to stressors is associated with bad health effects, decreased ability of disease management, and a higher likelihood for disease-related complications and comorbidities. Stress has been considered the main factor in the etiology of many diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiac diseases, and body aches for centuries. Students meet many stressful situations such as the need for success, academic demands, homesickness, and lack of social support. Coping with stress can be a leading cause in preventing psychological distress and a serious illness.MethodsA correlational cross-sectional approach was applied to the current research. The research targeted all secondary school male students in Abha city. A multistage cluster sample was applied by selecting schools and students from the Directorate of Education in Abha. Self-administered questionnaire sheets were distributed to students in their classes. The questionnaire covered students’ sociodemographic data such as age, grades, parents’ education and work, living conditions, and comorbidities. Stressors to which the students were exposed were also enumerated with the degree of stress for each. Stress was assessed using the Holmes–Rahe Stress Inventory for youth. Coping skills were measured using the abbreviated version of the COPE Inventory.ResultsThe study included 324 students whose ages ranged from 15 to 20 years old with a mean age of 17 ± 0.9 years old. Approximately 33% of the students were in first grade; 44.4% of the students had no or minimal level of stress while major stress was recorded among 26.5% of the students. In total, 77.8% of the students had moderate coping and none had high coping ability.ConclusionThe study revealed that more than half of the students had significant levels of stress and one out of each four had major stress. The most common stressors were due to the school environment and future planning. Young age, low socioeconomic status, parents’ separation, and having chronic health problems were the most important determinants of stress among the students.
Sustained training with novel distractors attenuates the behavioral interference of emotional pictures but does not affect the electrocortical markers of emotional processing
Authors: Ferrari Vera , Canturi Francesca , De Cesarei Andrea , Codispoti Maurizio 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionResearch has recently shown that behavioral interference prompted by emotional distractors is subject to habituation when the same exemplars are repeated, but promptly recovers in response to novel stimuli. The present study investigated whether prolonged experience with distractors that were all novel was effective in shaping the attentional filter, favoring stable and generalizable inhibition effects.MethodsTo test this, the impact of emotional distractors was measured before and after a sustained training phase with only novel distractor pictures, and that for a group of participants depicted only a variety of neutral contents, whereas a different group was exposed only to emotional contents.ResultsResults showed that emotional interference on reaction times was attenuated after the training phase (compared to the pre-test), but emotional distractors continued to interfere more than neutral ones in the post-test. The two groups did not differ in terms of training effect, suggesting that the distractor suppression mechanism developed during training was not sensitive to the affective category of natural scenes with which one had had experience. The affective modulation of neither the LPP or Alpha-ERD showed any effect of training.DiscussionAltogether, these findings suggest that sustained experience with novel distractors may attenuate attention allocation toward task irrelevant emotional stimuli, but the evaluative processes and the engagement of motivational systems are always needed to support the monitoring of the environment for significant cues.
Examining evidence for a relationship between human-animal interactions and common mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic literature review
Authors: Barr H. K. , Guggenbickler A. M. , Hoch J. S. , Dewa C. S. 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionCOVID-19 lockdowns, shelter in place, closures of transportation and mental health services, and dearth of mental health providers created new barriers to obtaining support for mental health needs at a time of increased rates of anxiety and depression. During the pandemic, a record number of households owned and adopted pets, opening a potential avenue to investigate the relationship between pets and mental health. This systematic literature review examined the question: What is the evidence for a relationship between human-animal interaction and/or animal ownership and common mental disorders among adults who interacted with pets compared to adults who did not during the COVID-19 pandemic?MethodsTo address this question, four databases were searched: Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and SCOPUS for peer-reviewed literature published between 2020 and July 2023. Of the 1,746 articles identified by the searches, 21 studies were included in this review.ResultsResults suggest that there exists a relationship between animal ownership and strong pet attachment and pet interaction, though the directionality of the relationship was not investigated by the included studies. There was an association between having a stronger relationship with a pet and lower feelings of depression and other mental health symptoms. There was also evidence of an association between anxiety and higher levels of animal attachment.ConclusionUnderstanding the association between human-animal interaction and common mental disorders may be helpful to clinicians assessing the mental health of clients. Clinicians may glean additional insight about stressors, risk factors, social supports, and lifestyle of clients based on the client's status as a pet owner. Future research could further explore the direction of the causal relationship of human-animal interaction and/or animal ownership on common mental disorders; this could further inform how the HAI relationship can be used to support clients with mental health struggles.
Ideal Weight and Weight Discrepancy: A Study of Life Course Trajectories and Intercohort Change in the Netherlands
Authors: Leopold Liliya 
Published: February 2024

Objective: This study examined how individuals’ ideal weight and weight discrepancy (between ideal and actual weight) changed over the life course and across cohorts.Methods: The study used population-representative longitudinal data collected in the Netherlands (N = 61,431 observations between 2007 and 2018 among N = 13,409 individuals aged 16 to 80 and born 1927–2000).Results: Ideal weight increased linearly with age. Weight discrepancy showed a bell-shaped age pattern. Approximately half of the age-related increase in ideal weight was associated with concurrent increases in actual weight. Ideal weight and weight discrepancy increased slightly across cohorts. The cohort-related increase in ideal weight vanished after adjusting for change in actual weight. Analyses of population heterogeneity showed similar patterns of change in both outcomes across groups, although levels differed by gender, education, and migration status even after adjusting for differences in actual weight between these groups.Conclusion: These results show that ideal weight and weight discrepancy in the Netherlands change substantially with age and modestly across cohorts. Potential explanations include changes in physical appearance and in the importance of physical appearance.
Detection and Characterization of Zoonotic Pathogens in Game Meat Hunted in Northwestern Italy
Authors: Floris Irene , Vannuccini Andrea , Ligotti Carmela , Musolino Noemi , Romano Angelo , Viani Annalisa , Bianchi Daniela Manila , Robetto Serena , Decastelli Lucia 
Published: February 2024

Wildlife can represent a reservoir of zoonotic pathogens and a public health problem. In the present study, we investigated the spread of zoonotic pathogens (Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), and hepatitis E virus (HEV)) considering the presence of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in game meat from animals hunted in northwest Italy. During two hunting seasons (2020 to 2022), samples of liver and/or muscle tissue were collected from chamois (n = 48), roe deer (n = 26), deer (n = 39), and wild boar (n = 35). Conventional microbiology and biomolecular methods were used for the detection, isolation, and characterization of the investigated pathogens. Two L. monocytogenes serotype IIa strains were isolated from wild boar liver; both presented fosfomycin resistance gene and a total of 22 virulence genes were detected and specified in the text. Eight Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A strains were isolated from chamois (2), wild boar (5), and deer (1) liver samples; all showed streptogramin and beta-lactam resistance genes; the virulence genes found were myfA (8/8 strains), ymoA (8/8), invA (8/8), ystB (8/8), and ail (4/8). Our data underscore the potential role of wildlife as a carrier of zoonotic and antibiotic-resistant pathogens in northwest Italy and a food safety risk for game meat consumers.