bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contemporary outcomes of distal radial artery ligation for access related hand ischemia
Authors: Fitzgibbon James J , Heindel Patrick , Hentschel Dirk M , Ozaki Charles Keith , Hussain Mohamad A 
Published: December 2023

Objectives: Access related hand ischemia (ARHI) is a rare albeit morbid complication of hemodialysis access creation. Distal radial artery ligation (DRAL) has been described as a strategy to improve perfusion to the hand while maintaining the access. The objective of this study was to report longitudinal outcomes of DRAL for ARHI. Methods: Retrospective cohort study (2015–2021) of all patients who underwent DRAL for ARHI at a tertiary care vascular center. Subjects were identified using the Mass General Brigham clinical data warehouse and data collection was supplemented with chart adjudication. Outcomes captured included 30-day complications and improvement in ARHI-related symptoms at 1 year. Results: Thirty-one patients were included. Mean (SD) age was 59.9 (14.5) and 67.7% were male. Wrist radial-cephalic (74.2%) and proximal radial-cephalic (9.7%) configurations were most common. ARHI severity was: 9.7% stage 1 (retrograde flow without symptoms); 38.7% stage 2 (pain during exercise or dialysis); 41.9% stage 3 (pain at rest); and 9.7% stage 4 (tissue loss). High flow was present in 35.5% of patients at baseline with median (IQR) flow of 1670 ml/min (1478–1954). After DRAL, median (IQR) flow reduction in the high flow group was 953 ml/min (645–993); concurrent precision banding was performed in 29% to reduce flow. The 30-day risk of complication was 3.2% ( n = 1 access thrombosis). During follow-up, 82.1% showed improvement in symptoms and 3.6% of patients needed an additional procedure for ARHI. Carpal tunnel surgery was required for improvement in 7.1% of patients and was suspected as the culprit of symptoms in 7.1%. Conclusion: Distal radial artery ligation for ARHI is safe and can improve ischemic symptoms in most patients while salvaging access function. Precision banding can serve as a useful adjunct in high flow accesses. Carpal tunnel syndrome should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of hand pain in this population.
Listening to autistic voices regarding competing for social status
Authors: Caldwell-Harris Catherine , Schwartz Anna M 
Published: December 2023

Autistic atypicality sociality has been historically attributed to mentalizing deficits. Examination of specific domains of social functioning could broaden the explanatory possibilities. We illustrate this for the domain of navigating social hierarchies. We review writings by autistic people, including advice books, memoirs, book reviews, online discussion posts, and the mission-statement of an autistic-led organization. These suggest that autistic people find status-seeking illogical, and prefer egalitarian relationships. Researchers are urged to study status seeking (and its avoidance) in autistic individuals, an approach that could illuminate autistic ethical strengths. Lay abstract Human social organizations are complex. Yet little research exists on autistic people’s attitudes about social hierarchies. Clinicians and the medical establishment regard social deficits as a key aspect of autism. If social deficits are paramount, then we expect autistic people to have difficulty navigating social hierarchies. We reject the premise of social deficits (while acknowledging that social misunderstandings interfere in the daily life of autistics) but suggest that researchers learn by listening to what autistic adults say about social hierarchies. We review writings by autistic people, including advice books, memoirs, book reviews, online discussion posts, and the mission-statement of an autistic-led organization. These suggest that autistic people find status-seeking illogical and prefer egalitarian relationships. The consistency of these themes across different types of writings is a reason for researchers to systematically study reduced status-seeking in autistic individuals.
Comprehension of who- and which-questions in monolingual and bilingual acquisition: Explicating the difficulty of set restriction
Authors: Harel Efrat , Armon-Lotem Sharon , Botwinik Irena 
Published: December 2023

Objectives: Object wh-questions are more difficult for monolingual children to comprehend than subject questions. Especially difficult are object- which questions that appear to be significantly more difficult than both (object/subject) who and subject- which questions. Our research examines the manifestation of this difficulty among bilingual preschool children (L1-English, L2-Hebrew) as compared with their Hebrew monolingual peers, exploring the two languages of the bilinguals. Approach: Using a character selection task, the empirical goal of the study is to analyze the differences between monolinguals and bilinguals and between the languages of the bilinguals. The theoretical goal is to explain the difficulty which cuts across the two populations, namely, the comprehension of object- which questions. Data and Analysis: A total of A total of 55 preschool children, aged 4.4–6.4, participated in the study: 20 monolinguals and 35 bilinguals. A mixed linear model analysis, a general linear model, multiple linear regression analyses, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Findings: (1) Monolingual and bilingual children (in their L2) have similar trajectories: object- which questions present difficulties to all participants, and their comprehension systematically follows the comprehension of object- who questions; (2) similar trajectories are also found in the two languages of the bilingual children, with L1-English object- which questions lagging behind L2-Hebrew object- which questions. Originality: The comparison between the two populations, and especially between the two languages of the bilinguals, led us to take a closer look at the syntactic processing of which-questions. We explored the possibility that the set restriction computation is the source of children’s difficulty, overloading their working memory resources. Significance: Our research demonstrates that monolingual and bilingual (syntactic) development is essentially the same. However, when syntactic processes interact with additional factors, such as working memory resources and language-specific properties, as is the case in object- which questions in Hebrew versus English, the gap between the two populations might widen.
Impacts of temperature and solar radiation changes in northern Europe on key population health behaviors: a scoping review of reviews
Authors: Wennman Heini , Partonen Timo 
Published: December 2023

Aim: Climate change threatens health directly as well as indirectly through impacts on health-related behaviors. Physical activity, nutrition and sleep are key health-related behaviors for population health. We aimed at elucidating the impacts of climate change which emerge gradually on these three key health-related behaviors, particularly focusing on scenarios and projections relevant to people living in the northern Europe. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search in three different databases in January 2023 to identify English language review articles summarizing the effects of climate change on either physical activity, nutrition, sleep, or their combination. Results: We identified 15 review articles on the topic. Data on climate change impacts on nutrition and sleep were sparse, and those on physical activity were heterogeneous. The climate in northern Europe will become warmer and sunnier in summer as well as warmer and darker in winter, which will probably increase the level of physical activity, but decrease the consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as increase the occurrence of sleep disturbances in a population. Conclusions: The anticipated changes in physical activity, nutrition and sleep driven by climate change influence population health and call for grass-roots action plans for adaptation.
Challenges and options for management of stones in anomalous kidneys: a review of current literature
Authors: Wani Mudassir , Mohamed Ahmed Haider Abdalla , Brown Gareth , Sriprasad Seshadri , Madaan Sanjeev 
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) represent a wide range of disorders that result from developmental abnormalities of the kidneys, urinary collecting tract, and lower urinary tract. There has been extensive development in approaches to the management of stones in normal kidneys with the advent of retrograde intra-renal surgeries (RIRS)/ureteroscopies, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy/robotics). However, the management of stones in CAKUT is not straightforward and is often challenging for urologists. There are no clear guidelines available to help navigate stone management in such patients. Materials and methods: The aim of this literature review was to focus on stone management in anomalous kidneys. Most common abnormalities were considered. The studies were very heterogeneous with different approaches. The methodology involved evaluating studies looking into individual surgical approaches to the management of stones in these anomalous kidneys as well as looking at different approaches to stone management, in particular renal abnormality. Results: We found RIRS is a feasible approach in most stones with sizes <20 mm and PCNL holds the upper hand in stones more than 20 mm. However, ESWL, laparoscopy, and robotics have their places in managing some of these cases. Conclusion: We concluded that stones in anomalous kidneys can be challenging but can be managed safely. There is no straightforward answer to the right technique but rather the right planning based on the anatomy of the kidney in terms of vascularity and drainage, stone size and density, and expertise available.
Health indicators in Brazil and Spain: strategies for health promoting universities
Authors: Venturoso Gongora Buckeridge Serra Maysa , Montesanti Adriana P. , Brunherotti Marisa A. A. , Martínez-Riera José R. 
Published: December 2023

Aims: The study aims to identify and compare health indicators collected by national research in Spain and in Brazil that can generate action strategies for health promoting universities. Methods: This is an epidemiological, descriptive, cross-sectional study that uses the database of the Secretariat of Health Surveillance of the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the database of the National Statistics Institute of Spain. Based on the National Health Promotion Policy, the analyzer axis prioritizes defined themes; percentage of physical exercise, daily smokers, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and self-perception of health status were evaluated. The data were collected from 2014 to 2020. Results: In Brazil, physical exercise is the highest percentage indicator, whereas in Spain, sedentary lifestyle is the highest. Regarding the age group, Brazil presented the lowest prevalence of daily smokers in the age group from 18 to 24, with little increase in older age groups; in Spain, older age groups presented the highest rates of sedentary lifestyle and obesity. In 2020, 4.5% of Brazilians reported a negative self-perception of health and in Spain 6.6%. Conclusion: The indicators ‘physical exercise’, ‘daily smokers’ and ‘sedentary lifestyle’ presented better results in Brazil than in Spain. Brazil presents a better perspective on health when compared with Spain, as the results showed that older ages present higher rates of sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Our study results also show that Brazilians report better self-perception in health, which can be interpreted by health promotion strategies.
Using natural language processing to explore characteristics and management of patients with axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis treated under real-world conditions in Spain: SpAINET study
Authors: Benavent Diego , Muñoz-Fernández Santiago , De la Morena Isabel , Fernández-Nebro Antonio , Marín-Corral Judith , Castillo Rosa Eva , Taberna Miren , Sanabra Cristina , Sastre Carlos ,   SAVANA Research Group
Published: December 2023

Background: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of related but phenotypically distinct inflammatory disorders that include axial SpA (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Information on the characteristics and management of these patients in the real world remains scarce. Objectives: To explore the characteristics and management [disease activity assessment and treatment with secukinumab (SEC) or other biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs)] of axSpA and PsA patients using natural language processing (NLP) in Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Design: National, multicenter, observational, and retrospective study. Methods: We analyzed free-text and structured clinical information from EHR at three hospitals. All adult patients with axSpA, PsA or non-classified SpA from 2018 to 2021 with minimum follow-up of three months were included when starting SEC or other bDMARDs. Clinical variables were extracted using EHRead® technology based on Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) terminology. Results: Out of 887,735 patients, 758 were included, of which 328 had axSpA [58.5% male; mean (SD) age of 50.7 (12.7) years], 365 PsA [54.8% female, 53.9 (12.4) years], and 65 non-classified SpA. Mean (SD) time since diagnosis was 36.8 (61.0) and 24.1 (35.2) months for axSpA and PsA, respectively. Only 116 axSpA patients (35.3%) had available Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) or Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) at bDMARD onset, of which 61 presented active disease. Disease Activity in PSoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) or Disease Assessment Score - 28 joints (DAS-28) values at bDMARD onset were available for only 61 PsA (16.7%) patients, with 23 of them having active disease. The number of patients with available tender joint count or swollen joint count assessment was 68 (20.7%) and 59 (18%) for axSpA, and 115 (31.5%) and 119 (32.6%) for PsA, respectively. SEC was used in 63 (19.2%) axSpA patients and in 63 (17.3%) PsA patients. Conclusion: Using NLP, the study showed that around one-third of axSpA and one-sixth of PsA patients have disease activity assessments with ASDAS/BASDAI or DAPSA/DAS-28, respectively, highlighting an area of improvement in these patients’ management.
Effect of the Pavlik harness used in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip on unaided sitting and independent walking age
Authors: Ucpunar Hanifi , Sevencan Ahmet , Erbas Anil , Ozyalvac Osman Nuri , Akpinar Evren , Bayhan Avni Ilhan 
Published: December 2023

Background: Pavlik harness is the most widely used orthosis in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Pavlik harness on the development of “unaided sitting” and “independent walking” in infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip. Methods: This prospective study, conducted from 2017 to 2020, included infants undergoing Pavlik harness therapy. Inclusion criteria comprised gestational age > 37 weeks, treatment initiation before 6 months of age, and no prior treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip. We assessed treatment initiation age, treatment duration, and the age of achieving unaided sitting and independent walking. Results: In the patient group, unaided sitting commenced at a mean age of 6.8 ± 1.6 (range: 4–11) months, while independent walking began at a mean age of 12.7 ± 1.8 (range: 9–18) months. By 15 months, 92% of the patients achieved independent walking. In the control group, unaided sitting occurred at a mean age of 6.1 ± 1.1 (range: 4–8) months, and independent walking at 11.8 ± 1.6 (range: 9–18) months. A significant positive correlation was observed between the duration of Pavlik harness usage and the age of unaided sitting (p < 0.001) and independent walking (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study indicates that Pavlik harness treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip is generally safe and does not lead to clinically significant delays in unaided sitting and independent walking. However, some minor delays may occur due to extended orthosis use. Level of evidence: level III—prospective cohort study.
Design and Usability Assessment of a User-Centered, Modular Platform for Real-World Data Acquisition in Clinical Trials involving Post-bariatric Surgery Patients
Authors: Cossu Luca , Cappon Giacomo , Streicher Olivia , Herzig David , Bally Lia , Facchinetti Andrea 
Published: December 2023

Background: Clinical trials often face challenges in efficient data collection and participant monitoring. To address these issues, we developed the IMPACT platform, comprising a real-time mobile application for data collection and a web-based dashboard for remote monitoring and management. Methods: This article presents the design, development, and usability assessment of the IMPACT platform customized for patients with post-bariatric surgery hypoglycemia (PBH). We focus on adapting key IMPACT components, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), symptom tracking, and meal logging, as crucial elements for user-friendly and efficient PBH monitoring. Results: The adapted IMPACT platform demonstrated effectiveness in data collection and remote participant monitoring. The mobile application allowed patients to easily track their data, while the clinician dashboard provided a comprehensive overview of enrolled patients, featuring filtering options and alert mechanisms for identifying data collection issues. The platform incorporated various visual representations, including time plots and category-based visualizations, which greatly facilitated data interpretation and analysis. The System Usability Scale questionnaire results indicated a high level of usability for the web dashboard, with an average score of 86.3 out of 100. The active involvement of clinicians throughout the development process ensured that the platform allowed for the collection and visualization of clinically meaningful data. Conclusions: By leveraging IMPACT’s existing features and infrastructure, the adapted version streamlined data collection, analysis, and trial customization for PBH research. The platform’s high usability underscores its alignment with the requirements for conducting research using continuous real-world data in PBH patients and other populations of interest.
Self-medication practice and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tassew Worku Chekol , Ferede Yeshiwas Ayal , Sisay Woldie Samson , Yirdaw Berhanu Wale , Fenta Hussien Habiba , Bayuh Yimer Bimrew , Gismie Hailemariam Dawit , Adane Mengistu Banchigizie , Mengistie Zeleke Agerie 
Published: December 2023

Background: In spite of, the need for evidence-based intervention on the potential harmful effects of self-medication practices during pregnancy, there is no systematic review and meta-analysis study regarding self-medication practices in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine prevalence of self-medication practice and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Method: We used PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, the Wiley Online Library, and African Journals Online to choose important studies. The I-squared statistic method was used to check for heterogeneity between studies. Random effect model was used to estimate the pool prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women. Publication bias was determined by the funnel plot and Egger’s test. Result: A total of 11 studies with 4643 study participants were included in this review. The finding from the current meta-analysis showed that the overall prevalence of self-medication practice among pregnant women is 33.92% (95% CI: 23.15–44.70, I² value = 80.9%). First trimester of pregnancy (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.44–3.47), women who faced health problems during pregnancies at the moment (OR: 5.7, 95% CI: 3.92–8.29), previous self-medication practice (OR: 13.07, 95% CI: 5.14–33.25) and previous pregnancy-related problems (OR: 2.065, 95% CI: 1.44–2.96) were positively associated with self-medication practice among pregnant women. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication practices among pregnant women is found to be high. Self-medication practices of the pregnant women were significantly higher among women who were in first-trimester pregnancy, encountered illness during pregnancy, previous self-medication history, and previous pregnancy-related problems. Prospero registration number: CRD42023394907.
Frequency and etiological denominators of alveolar osteitis at Northern Province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—An observational study
Authors: Khan Zafar Ali , Prabhu Namdeo , Maqsood Afsheen , Issrani Rakhi , Ahmed Naseer , Abbasi Maria Shakoor , Heboyan Artak , Marya Anand 
Published: December 2023

Objective: Alveolar osteitis is a painful complication that often arises after tooth extraction, presenting a significant clinical challenge. It is imperative to gain a comprehensive understanding of both its occurrence and the contributing factors to enhance the quality of dental care. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and prevalence of alveolar osteitis among patients and compare these variables based on demographic characteristics (age and sex), the number of teeth extractions, operator experience, health status, and smoking habits in the target population. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from May 2019 to April 2020. It included all patients above 16 years of age, of both genders, who underwent permanent tooth extraction for various reasons. Patient demographics, smoking habits, health status, operating dental surgeon’s clinical experience, extraction technique, and the number of teeth extracted were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Chi-square test and regression analysis were used to assess differences between age, sex, smoking habit, dentist category, and the number of teeth extractions in relation to alveolar osteitis. Results: A total of 679 permanent tooth extractions were performed in 438 patients. Alveolar osteitis was observed in 107 cases (15.7%) following tooth extractions. Among these, 36 cases (33.6%) occurred in single tooth extraction cases, while 71 cases (66.4%) were present in patients with multiple extractions. Moreover, 67 cases (62.6%) of alveolar osteitis were found in cigarette smokers. In addition, 61 cases (57%) of dry sockets were reported after tooth extractions performed by dental interns, while 46 cases (43.0%) were noted in extractions performed by experienced dental surgeons and specialists. Conclusion: The study found a 15.7% incidence of alveolar osteitis in tooth extraction patients in the Al-Jouf region. Alveolar osteitis was more prevalent in males and the age group of 56–77 years. Multiple tooth extractions were associated with higher alveolar osteitis incidence, while operator inexperience increased post-extraction complication risks. In addition, a promising novel protocol and risk assessment scoring system have been devised which require further validation and future research.