bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Previous external beam radiation therapy for pelvic malignancy increases complications of total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Pondugula Pushpak , Spiering Tyler , Parel Philip M , Agarwal Amil R , Bahoravitch Tyler J , Golladay Gregory J 
Published: December 2023

Introduction: External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has known effects on bone health. No large database studies have looked at the effects of pelvic EBRT on total hip arthroplasty (THA) outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 90-day and long-term (>2 years) complication rates following THA in patients with a history of pelvic malignancy and EBRT. Methods: Patients were retrospectively identified using a national insurance claims database. Subjects who underwent THA for osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis were included if they had at least 2-year follow-up and were stratified into 3 cohorts: (1) prior pelvic malignancy diagnosis (prostate, cervical, uterine, ovarian, or rectal) and EBRT (Group A); (2) prior malignancy diagnosis but no EBRT (Group B); and (3) neither prior malignancy diagnosis nor EBRT (Group C). Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate for an association between prior EBRT and the incidence of 90-day and 2-year complication rates using chi-square, student t-tests, and logistic regression analyses where appropriate. Results: 671,554 patients met the inclusion criteria. Group A had higher odds of all-cause revision, septic revision, and loosening with revision after 2 years when compared to Group C and Group B ( p < 0.001). Group A subjects had higher rates of 90-day deep vein thrombosis, sepsis, and stroke ( p < 0.001) than groups B and C. Conclusions: Prior EBRT for pelvic malignancy was associated with significantly increased rates of all-cause revision, septic revision, and loosening as well as 90-day medical complications.
Diameter and depth of femoral vessels by duplex ultrasound
Authors: Zambetti Benjamin R , Kankaria Aman , Fang Francia , Kim Nahye , Nagarsheth Khanjan , Sarkar Rajabrata 
Published: December 2023

Background: The anatomy of the femoral artery and vein plays an integral role in vascular access. Both technical feasibility and complication rates are associated with femoral vessel diameter and depth. The goal of this study is to establish normative values for common femoral artery (CFA) and vein (CFV) depth and diameter using a large, diverse patient population. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing lower extremity venous duplex imaging over a 1 year period were reviewed. Patients with inadequate imaging or with evidence of deep vein thrombosis were excluded. The index image of all studies was a non-compressed view of the common femoral vein at the saphenous-femoral junction. All measurements were taken from this still. Vessel diameters were measured from intima to intima. Depth was measured from skin to intima. BMI and BSA were calculated using standard formulas. Chi square was used for univariate analysis. Linear regression was used to establish correlation. Results: Over the 1 year period, 983 patients met criteria for inclusion. The majority were male (53%) with a mean age of 55. The patients were 47% white and 44% black. The majority had hypertension (53%). The mean BMI and BSA were 29 and 2, respectively. Mean CFA depth was 1.7 cm, while mean CFV depth was 1.8 cm. The mean CFA and CFV diameters were 0.9 and 1.1 cm, respectively. Amongst height, weight, BMI, and BSA, weight correlated best with CFA ( R = 0.548) and CFV ( R = 0.552) depth, while BSA correlated best for diameter for both CFA ( R = 0.390) and CFV ( R = 0.440). Conclusions: This study establishes mean diameters and depths for the common femoral artery and vein using a large, diverse patient group. BSA was most closely associated with vessel diameter, while weight was correlated with depth. This study provides normative diameter and depth values for the common femoral vasculature, which may assist in vascular access planning for providers.
Complete stent graft relining of the hemodialysis access circuit for access salvage
Authors: Aronhime Shimon , Balan Shmuel , Cherniavsky Alexei , Avital Yaniv 
Published: December 2023

Background: Stent grafts (SGs) are widely used in hemodialysis access procedures to maintain function and patency of the access circuit. There are no reports to date describing complete relining of the access circuit with SGs for extreme access salvage. Objective: To report outcomes and experience with complete SG relining of the hemodialysis access circuit. Methods: From April 2020 to May 2023, all hemodialysis salvage procedures that included complete relining of the access circuit with SGs were retrospectively analyzed from a prospectively collected database of 970 hemodialysis access interventions. SGs were placed for various pathologies including residual stenosis, perforation, aneurysm, and thrombosis. Follow up outcomes included primary patency, primary assisted patency, and secondary patency. Results: A total of 16 patients were included in the study. Average stented length was 30 cm. Average follow up was 283 days (range 38–647 days). The primary patency of the entire covered segment was 80% and 68% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The primary assisted patency of the segment was 88% and 77% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Secondary patency of the access circuit was 94% at both 6 and 12 months. There were no issues with SG cannulation and zero cases of SG fracture or infection. Conclusions: Salvage of failing hemodialysis access circuits by complete SG relining should be considered for a limited subgroup of patients where the access circuit would otherwise be deemed unsalvageable. Complete SG relining has both good immediate outcomes and 6- and 12-month patency rates.
Progression of insulin resistance in individuals with type 1 diabetes: A retrospective longitudinal study on individuals from Thailand
Authors: Jirawatwarakul Thanes , Pruktanakul Thakorn , Churuangsuk Chaitong , Aunjitsakul Warut , Tsutsumi Wantanee D. , Leelawattana Rattana , Soonthornpun Supamai , Ajjan Ramzi A. , Kietsiriroje Noppadol 
Published: December 2023

Aims To investigate temporal changes in glycaemic control and weight contributing to insulin resistance (IR), in Thai individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods Longitudinal data of 69 individuals with T1D were retrospectively collected over a median follow-up of 7.2 years. The estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), a marker of IR, was calculated using an established formula. Individuals were assigned as insulin-sensitive T1D (the latest eGDR≥8 mg/kg/min), or insulin-resistant T1D/double diabetes (the latest eGDR<8 mg/kg/min). Generalised linear mixed model was employed to compare the temporal patterns of HbA1c, BMI, and eGDR between the two groups. Results 26 insulin-resistant T1D had a gradual decline in eGDR, corresponding with increased weight and HbA1c. In contrast, 43 insulin-sensitive T1D had stable insulin sensitivity with an improvement in HbA1c over time, associated with a modest weight gain. Fluctuations of glucose levels were observed during the early diabetes course leading to unstable eGDR, thus limiting the use of eGDR to classify insulin-resistant T1D. Conclusion T1D individuals who eventually develop IR are likely to experience early increasing IR over time. In contrast, those who ultimately do not have IR, maintain their insulin sensitivity throughout their course at least in the medium term.
Comparative Study of Soil Microbial Diversity on Different Slope Orientations in Karst Rocky Mountains of Guangxi, China
Authors: Zhu Keye , Liu Jiaying , Ge Yang , Dong Ruiyao , Tian Qi , Zhu Wenxu , Liao Nanyan , Li Wuzheng 
Published: December 2023

Background and Research aim: Slope orientations can have a significant impact on the establishment of soil bacterial communities by influencing microclimate, soil properties and hydrological processes such as temperature, water content, pH and soil nutrients. Moreover, soil organic matter in karst ecosystems is more sensitive to environmental changes due to its lower resistance to disturbance. Methods: In this study, we analysed the multiple effects on soil bacterial community structure in karst landscapes at different slope orientations. The chemical properties of the soil of the sunny slope, the shady slope and the hilltop are compared and soil microbial communities are analyzed by high throughput sequencing. Results: We found that soil chemical properties (Total Carbon, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Total carbon/Total Nitrogen ratio, Total carbon/Total Phosphorus ratio, Total nitrogen/Total Phosphorus ratio) differed between different slope orientations, but pH didn’t differ significantly. In contrast, areas with high carbon to nitrogen ratios showed lower bacterial abundance. Conclusions: This study uncovered distinct soil chemical properties among soils with different slope orientations. At the bacterial and fungal levels, the sunny slope exhibits the properties of having more ASVs. Moreover, although the soil microbial communities exhibited similar structures across these slope orientations, there were substantial variations in species abundance and microbial characteristics. Notably, the abundance of thermophilic bacterial groups increases significantly with increasing altitude, while the bacterial communities with the highest abundance of tree species at low altitude tend to be mesophilic. This study reveals the differences in soil microbial community structure under the influence of different slope orientations, which has practical implications for the overall understanding of soil microbes in karst landscapes and the influence of slope orientation on soil microbial diversity. Implications for Conservation: This study aims to provide a reference and scientific basis for the conservation of karst microbial diversity.
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the second wave of the pandemic among university students in Ethiopia: application of the health belief model
Authors: Tilahun Befkad Derese , Adane Tiruneh , Fentanew Molla , Alene Tilahun Dessie , Abebe Gebremeskel Kibret , Ngusie Habtamu Setegn 
Published: December 2023

Background: The first case of COVID-19 virus was reported in Africa on 14 February 2020. The pandemic became more aggressive in the continent during the second wave than the first wave. Promoting vaccination behavior is an unparalleled measure to curb the spread of the pandemic. Regarding this, the health belief model (HBM) is the major model for understanding health behaviors. This study aimed to examine predictors of intended COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the second wave of the pandemic among university students in Ethiopia using HBM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 randomly selected medical and health science students at the University of Gondar from 21 August to 15 September 2020. Analysis of data was performed using STATA 14.0. Linear regression analysis was applied and a p value of less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: Among the total participants, 293 [72.2% (95.0%: CI: 67.2–76.8)] of them scored above the mean of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. HBM explained nearly 46.3% (adjusted R2 = 0.463) variance in intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Year of study (β = 0.288; 95% CI: 0.144–0.056), using social media (β = 0.58; 95% CI: 1.546–2.804), existing chronic disease (β = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.042–0.433), perceived overall health condition (β = 0.117; 95% CI: 0.307–0.091), perceived susceptibility (β = 0.58; 95% CI: 1.546–2.804), perceived benefit (β = 0.338; 95% CI: 1.578–2.863), and cues to action (β = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.388–0.99) were significantly associated with intended COVID-19 vaccine acceptance at p value < 0.5. Conclusion: Approximately, three-quarters of the participants were above the mean score of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, which is higher compared to previous reports in resource-limited settings. Interventions in this study setting chould include placing emphasis on the risks of acquiring COVID-19, enhancing perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and improving cues to action by advocating COVID-19 vaccination. Our findings also implied that social media health campaigns are significant factor in COVID-19 vaccination behavioral change in this study setting.
The six spot step test is superior in detecting walking capacity impairments compared to short- and long-distance walk tests in persons with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Skjerbæk Anders G , Dalgas Ulrik , Stenager Egon , Boesen Finn , Hvid Lars G 
Published: December 2023

Background Walking capacity is important not only to persons with multiple sclerosis but also to clinical practice and research. The present study aims to compare the extent of impairments (relative to healthy controls) across three commonly used walking capacity outcomes in persons with multiple sclerosis. Methods In a two-hospital cross-sectional study, walking capacity was assessed using the timed-25-footwalk-test (timed 25-ft walk test; ‘walking speed’), the six-minute-walk-test (‘walking endurance’) and the six-spot-step-test (‘walking balance and coordination’). Data were compared to normative reference data in healthy controls. Results A total of 228 persons with multiple sclerosis (68% females) were involved in the study: age 53.7 ± 11.6 y (range 26–81 y); patient-determined-disease-steps 3 [IQR; 1; 4] (range 0–7); time since diagnosis 12.6 ± 9.9 y (range 0–49 y); MS-phenotype (relapse remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, primary progressive MS) 146/39/41; and co-morbidity n = 80 (35%). Compared to healthy controls, deficits were observed across all walking capacity outcomes ( p < 0.001): timed 25-foot walk test −26 [−30; −23]%, 6 minute-walk-test −36 [−39; −32]% and six-spot-step-test −44 [−47; −40]%. Deficits differed across walking capacity outcomes ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Altogether, persons with multiple sclerosis performed substantially worse than healthy controls across all three walking capacity outcomes. The results showed that the six-spot-step-test was superior to the timed 25-foot walk test and the 6 minute-walk-test in detecting walking capacity impairments in persons with multiple sclerosis.
Comparison of Revision ACL Reconstruction Using Iliotibial Band Augmented With Allograft Versus Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Autograft With Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis
Authors: Abou Al Ezz Morad , Gerometta Antoine , Valentin Eugenie , Meyer Alain , Grimaud Olivier , Lefevre Nicolas , Bohu Yohan , Hardy Alexandre 
Published: December 2023

Background: Bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is one of the conventional techniques in the revision setting especially after a primary hamstring tendon graft. The use of the iliotibial band (ITB) augmented with allograft (AG) is an encouraging graft alternative for ACLR in terms of clinical and biomechanical data in the literature. Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of BTB graft with lateral extra-articular tenodesis, modified Lemaire (BTB-LET), and an ITB graft augmented with hamstring AG (ITB-AG) in the setting of revision ACLR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Descriptive data and clinical outcomes were prospectively collected from patients who underwent revision ACLR with either the BTB-LET or ITB-AG technique between 2012 and 2020 and who had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The clinical outcomes were assessed by the Lysholm, Tegner, Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Return to Sport after Injury, International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee evaluation form, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Return to sports, complications, and revisions were also analyzed. Results: A total of 167 patients were included, with 106 patients in the BTB-LET group and 61 patients in the ITB-AG group. There were no significant group differences in sociodemographic characteristics; however, the mean follow-up was significantly longer in the BTB-LET compared with the ITB-AG group (52.0 vs 38.8 months, respectively; P = .0001). There were no significant differences in postoperative outcome scores; however, patients in the ITB-AG group had a higher rate of return to competitive pivoting sports (32.8% vs 17.9%; P = .0288) and a higher overall rate of return to preinjury sport (63.9% vs 47.2%; P = .0365). Complications, including revisions for meniscal or chondral lesions and retears (8 [8.3%] in the BTB-LET group and 2 [4.0%] in the ITB-AG group), were not significantly different. All retears were due to sports-related accidents. Conclusion: In this study, ITB-AG was not different from BTB-LET in terms of functional outcomes scores but allowed better return to sport rate. Performing ITB-AG reconstruction in the setting of revision ACLR appears to be safe, effective, and associated with a satisfying return-to-sports rate.
Disparities in Lung Cancer Clinical Trial Discussion and Enrollment at a Safety Net Hospital
Authors: Dudipala Harshitha , Burns Laura , Jani Chinmay T , Radwan Amr , Al Omari Omar , Patel Mohini , Kilic Seyda , Zhao Jenny , Mak Kimberley , Suzuki Kei , Tapan Umit 
Published: December 2023

Background In the United States, less than 5% of all adult cancer patients enroll in clinical trials. Few studies explore participation in cancer clinical trials at safety net hospitals, which disproportionately care for minoritized, low-income, uninsured, and underinsured populations. Our study aims to investigate disparities in clinical trial discussions and enrollment among lung cancer patients at Boston Medical Center, the largest safety net hospital in New England. Methods We included 1121 patients diagnosed with lung cancer between January 2015 and December 2020. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) were queried, and patients were categorized into three groups: (1) clinical trial discussed and the patient enrolled, (2) clinical trial discussed but the patient not enrolled, and (3) clinical trial not discussed. Sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, city, primary language, median household income, medical insurance type, and education level were also collected. Chi-squared, t test, and multivariate regression analysis was done using SPSS version 26.0. Results Of the 1121 patients, clinical trials were discussed in 141 patients (12.6%), of which 22 (15.6%) were enrolled. Clinical trial discussions were conducted more with younger patients (68.19 vs 71.37, p = .001), but on multivariate analysis there was no significant difference (OR = 1.023; 95% CI 0.998-1.048; p = .068). There was no significant difference in clinical trial discussion or enrollment between the other sociodemographic factors. Conclusion Additional study of barriers to cancer clinical trial discussion and enrollment at safety net institutions can serve as a prerequisite to ameliorating racial disparities observed on a national scale.
Community Groups Co-Design Evidence-Based Docudramas to Communicate About Child Spacing in Bauchi State, Nigeria: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Ansari Umaira , Omer Khalid , Gidado Yagana , Baba Muhd Chadi , Gamawa Adamu Ibrahim , Daniel Lois Ezekiel , Andersson Neil , Cockcroft Anne 
Published: December 2023

In Bauchi State, northern Nigeria, communities recognise short birth interval ( kunika in the Hausa language) as harmful, but family planning is a sensitive topic. This paper describes the development of a culturally safe way to communicate about kunika in a conservative Muslim setting. The objective was to co-design culturally safe communication material, based on local knowledge about short birth interval, to share with women and men in households. Six community co-design groups of women and six of men (total 96 participants) reviewed summaries of their previously created maps of perceived local causes of kunika, categorised as frequent sex, family dynamics and non-use of contraception. They advised how these causes could be discussed effectively and acceptably with women and their husbands in households and suggested storylines for three short video docudramas about the prevention of kunika. The research team created the docudramas with a local producer and fieldworkers piloted their use in households. The design groups advised that communication materials should focus on child spacing rather than on limitation of family size. Even sensitive issues could be covered. People would not change their sexual behaviour but could be advised to use contraceptives to prevent kunika. The groups approved the final videos and six focus groups of visited women and men reported they were acceptable and helpful. Community co-design of communication about kunika was feasible and led to videos about a sensitive topic that were acceptable to ordinary men and women in communities in Bauchi.
Sensitivity to targeted UBA1 inhibition in a myeloid cell line model of VEXAS syndrome
Authors: Chiaramida Adriana , Obwar Sandra G. , Nordstrom Anja E. H. , Ericsson Maria , Saldanha Aisha , Ivanova Elena V. , Griffin Gabriel K. , Khan Dilshad H. , Belizaire Roger 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Somatic UBA1 mutations in hematopoietic cells are a hallmark of Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic (VEXAS) syndrome, which is a late-onset inflammatory disease associated with bone marrow failure and high mortality. The majority of UBA1 mutations in VEXAS syndrome comprise hemizygous mutations affecting methionine-41 (M41), leading to the expression of UBA1M41T, UBA1M41V, or UBA1M41L and globally reduced protein polyubiquitination. Here, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to engineer isogenic 32D mouse myeloid cell lines expressing hemizygous Uba1WT or Uba1M41L from the endogenous locus. Consistent with prior analyses of VEXAS syndrome patient samples, hemizygous Uba1M41L expression was associated with loss of the UBA1b protein isoform, gain of the UBA1c protein isoform, reduced polyubiquitination, abnormal cytoplasmic vacuoles, and increased production of interleukin-1β and inflammatory chemokines. Vacuoles in Uba1M41L cells contained a variety of endolysosomal membranes, including small vesicles, multivesicular bodies, and multilamellar lysosomes. Uba1M41L cells were more sensitive to the UBA1 inhibitor TAK243. TAK243 treatment promoted apoptosis in Uba1M41L cells and led to preferential loss of Uba1M41L cells in competition assays with Uba1WT cells. Knock-in of a TAK243-binding mutation, Uba1A580S, conferred TAK243 resistance. In addition, overexpression of catalytically active UBA1b in Uba1M41L cells restored polyubiquitination and increased TAK243 resistance. Altogether, these data indicate that loss of UBA1b underlies a key biochemical phenotype associated with VEXAS syndrome and renders cells with reduced UBA1 activity vulnerable to targeted UBA1 inhibition. Our Uba1M41L knock-in cell line is a useful model of VEXAS syndrome that will aid in the study of disease pathogenesis and the development of effective therapies.