bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scar massage as an intervention for post-surgical scars: A practice survey of Australian hand therapists
Authors: Scott Helen C , Robinson Luke S , Brown Ted 
Published: October 2023

Introduction Scar massage is a commonly used treatment in hand therapy. The current empirical evidence that supports it is disparate and of variable quality, with no established effective dosage and method proposed. This study aimed to identify the current practice among Australian hand therapists using massage as an intervention for scarring following surgery to the hand and upper limb. Methods A purposely designed self-report online survey was emailed to current members of the Australian Hand Therapy Association ( n = 958). Data collected included demographics, intervention techniques, conditions treated and protocols, scar assessment and knowledge and training about scar massage as a clinical intervention. Results A total of 116 completed questionnaires were received (a response rate of 12.1%). All respondents used scar massage as part of their clinical practice with 98% to improve soft tissue glide ( n = 114), 92% for hypersensitivity ( n = 107), and 84% to increase hand function ( n = 97). Only 18% ( n = 21) of respondents used standardised outcome measures, and most therapists had learned scar massage from a colleague (81%). Conclusions Commonalities in how respondents implemented scar massage were found. Participants reported relying primarily on clinical experience to inform their practice. Whilst scar massage was widely used, few respondents had received formal skills training or completed outcome measures regularly to formally evaluate its clinical efficacy or impact. Replication of this study with a larger international sample of participants is warranted to determine if these findings reflect general practice.
Narrative Review: Submental Artery Island Pedicled Flap, Indications, Tips, and Pitfalls
Authors: Mosquera Camilo , Ramirez Carlos 
Published: October 2023

Study Design Narrative review. Objective To describe the advantages, challenges, and potential indications of the submental artery island flap as a local pedicled flap for head and neck reconstruction. Methods We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature to describe the submental artery island flap's surgical technique, indications, and outcomes. Data sources included peer-reviewed articles, case reports, and clinical studies on using the submental flap in head and neck surgery reconstruction. Results The submental artery island flap, while offering advantages such as minimal donor site morbidity, and good cosmetic outcomes, presents challenges related to the pedicle dissection and patient selection. This flap is particularly suitable for defects in the oral cavity, oropharynx, parotid bed, and midface or neck skin. Simultaneous neck dissection is feasible but should be approached with caution in patients with a history of prior neck surgery. Conclusions The submental artery island flap is a valuable option for selected cases. When performed in the right patient with a correct technique, this flap can reconstruct defects in the oral cavity, oropharynx, parotid bed, and skin of the midface or neck with a minimally visible scar of the donor site.
Detecting latent topics and trends of digital twins in healthcare: A structural topic model-based systematic review
Authors: Sheng Bo , Wang Zheyu , Qiao Yujiao , Xie Sheng Quan , Tao Jing , Duan Chaoqun 
Published: October 2023

Objective Digital twins (DTs) have received widespread attention recently, providing new ideas and possibilities for future healthcare. This review aims to provide a quantitative review to analyze specific study contents, research focus, and trends of DT in healthcare. Simultaneously, this review intends to expand the connotation of “healthcare” into two directions, namely “Disease treatment” and “Health enhancement” to analyze the content within the “DT + healthcare” field thoroughly. Methods A data mining method named Structure Topic Modeling (STM) was used as the analytical tool due to its topic analysis ability and versatility. Google Scholar, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure supplied the material papers in this review. Results A total of 94 high-quality papers published between 2018 and 2022 were gathered and categorized into eight topics, collectively covering the transformative impact across a broader spectrum in healthcare. Three main findings have emerged: (1) papers published in healthcare predominantly concentrate on technology development (artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, etc.) and application scenarios(personalized, precise, and real-time health service); (2) the popularity of research topics is influenced by various factors, including policies, COVID-19, and emerging technologies; and (3) the preference for topics is diverse, with a general inclination toward the attribute of “Health enhancement.” Conclusions This review underscores the significance of real-time capability and accuracy in shaping the future of DT, where algorithms and data transmission methods assume central importance in achieving these goals. Moreover, technological advancements, such as omics and Metaverse, have opened up new possibilities for DT in healthcare. These findings contribute to the existing literature by offering quantitative insights and valuable guidance to keep researchers ahead of the curve.
Teledentistry: A bibliometric analysis of the scientific publication’s trend
Authors: Valeri Cristina , Quinzi Vincenzo , Di Giandomenico Daniela , Fani Eda , Leonardi Rosalia , Marzo Giuseppe 
Published: October 2023

Introduction Teledentistry is a specialized area within telemedicine employs digital technology and telecommunications to remotely manage dental patients, offering care, advice, education, and treatment. The significance of teledentistry escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective This study presents a bibliometric analysis of teledentistry, based on a retrospective search of the Scopus database. Materials and methods The research utilized Bibliometrix and VOSviewer software. Results Publications on teledentistry have shown a recent surge, particularly since 2020, attributed to the pandemic. Out of 369 articles, just 28 (7.5%) were single-authored, while most involved collaborative efforts. These articles were dispersed across 160 journals, with the Journal Of Telemedicine And Telecare, International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, and Telemedicine And E-Health each publishing over 15 articles. Remarkably, 66% of the journals featured open-access content. The University of Western Australia emerged as the most prolific institution, with 12 publications, while the United States, Chile, and Brazil led in the number of published documents. Conclusions The growing interest in teledentistry, mainly fueled by the pandemic, has promising implications for dental practice. Despite the existing limitations, it holds potential. This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the field and offers valuable quantitative insights for shaping future research and funding strategies, especially concerning protocol development and digital risk assessment.
Temporary Partial Weight-Bearing Restriction in Elderly Patients Treated With a Plate Fixation After a Distal Femur Fracture had a Negative Long-Term Impact on Gait Recovery
Authors: Paulsson Martin , Ekholm Carl , Rolfson Ola , Geijer Mats , Tranberg Roy 
Published: October 2023

Background Restricted weight-bearing is still used after lower extremity fracture surgery in elderly patients. The long-term effect on gait recovery in elderly patients with distal femur fractures (DFF) and their ability to comply with the restrictive weight-bearing regime is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of restricted postoperative weight-bearing on gait recovery (actual weight-bearing and cadence) during a 1-year follow-up. Methods This study evaluated secondary outcomes from a randomized controlled trial (32 patients ≥65 years, with a traumatic DFF). Internal fixation was achieved using an anatomical lateral plate. Patients were allocated to either immediate full weight-bearing (FWB) or partial weight-bearing (PWB) (30% of body weight) for 8 weeks. Pressure-sensitive sensors (F-scan™ system, Tekscan, Massachusetts, USA) were used to measure weight-bearing and cadence postoperatively and at 8-, 16-, and 52-week follow-ups. Twenty-six patients with at least 1 measurement were included. Results There was a statistically significant difference in actual weight-bearing between the PWB and FWB groups postoperatively of 32.3% (95% confidence interval CI, −50.0; −13.0, P < .001) and at the 8-week follow-up of 36.8% (95% CI −61.0; −18.0, P = .01), but not at later follow-ups. The PWB group presented a consistently lower cadence compared to the FWB group, which was statistically significant at the 16-week follow-up with 9.0 steps/min (95% CI -16.2; −1.1, P = .047) and 52-week follow-up with 9.3 steps/min (95% CI −18.0; −3.9, P = .009). Conclusions Restricting postoperative weight-bearing in elderly patients with a DFF had a significant effect on postoperative weight-bearing. The effect lingered with a delayed return to FWB and persistent significantly lower cadence in the PWB group. These findings suggest that even temporary weight-bearing restrictions most likely have negative long-term effects on gait function at 1 year and, therefore, cannot be recommended.
Health Care Experiences of Stateless People in Canada
Authors: Kane Jocelyn , Schuurmans Gezy , Kitamura Miho 
Published: October 2023

Executive Summary Statelessness in Canada is an emerging site of inquiry with recent investigations into its causes and consequences, focusing on legislative and policy analyses and the lived experiences of stateless persons. Yet, health care experiences generally and access to mental and physical health care in particular remain under-researched. This study attempts to bridge this gap by examining how statelessness impacts physical health, mental health, access to health care services, and overall well-being. To answer these questions, we conducted semi-structured interviews with stateless or formerly stateless persons to understand their views and experiences. The study reports on negative health outcomes in four broad areas: The limited ability of stateless persons (SPs) to access health care. Mental health challenges. The failure to treat health issues until they have reached a dangerous point and the reliance on self-care strategies. The negative impact of lack of status on four social determinants of health: employment, education, housing, and food security. From these findings, the paper makes three arguments: Legal Status is a key determinant of health and lack of status leads to negative health outcomes. SPs heavily depend upon others for their life-needs, which can lead to exploitation and encourage forms of adaptive and negotiated agency. SPs in Canada experience a physical and mental liminality [a condition of uncertainty]. The paper concludes that Canada should recognize stateless individuals either as stateless or as Canadian nationals, and should implement a context-tailored institutional response to statelessness.
Fast Estimation of Loader’s Shovel Load Volume by 3D Reconstruction of Material Piles
Authors: Wu Binyun , Wang Shaojie , Lin Haojing , Li Shijiang , Hou Liang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractFast and accurate measurement of the volume of earthmoving materials is of great significance for the real-time evaluation of loader operation efficiency and the realization of autonomous operation. Existing methods for volume measurement, such as total station-based methods, cannot measure the volume in real time, while the bucket-based method also has the disadvantage of poor universality. In this study, a fast estimation method for a loader’s shovel load volume by 3D reconstruction of material piles is proposed. First, a dense stereo matching method (QORB–MAPM) was proposed by integrating the improved quadtree ORB algorithm (QORB) and the maximum a posteriori probability model (MAPM), which achieves fast matching of feature points and dense 3D reconstruction of material piles. Second, the 3D point cloud model of the material piles before and after shoveling was registered and segmented to obtain the 3D point cloud model of the shoveling area, and the Alpha-shape algorithm of Delaunay triangulation was used to estimate the volume of the 3D point cloud model. Finally, a shovel loading volume measurement experiment was conducted under loose-soil working conditions. The results show that the shovel loading volume estimation method (QORB–MAPM VE) proposed in this study has higher estimation accuracy and less calculation time in volume estimation and bucket fill factor estimation, and it has significant theoretical research and engineering application value.
Diagnosis and management of elevated intracranial pressure in the emergency department
Authors: Patel Sima , Maria-Rios Jose , Parikh Amay , Okorie Okorie Nduka 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Elevated intracranial pressure is a devastating complication of catastrophic brain injury. Intracranial hypertension is commonly seen in neurologic injury secondary to traumatic brain injuries. Uncontrolled pressures can lead to permanent neurologic damage, but acute medical management is often overlooked when pursuing surgical management options that may not always be indicated.

Discussion
Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death in patients with severe neurologic injury. Diagnosing elevated intracranial pressures is imperative in initiating prompt treatment to reduce secondary central nervous system injury, morbidity, and mortality. Although the initial injury to the brain is typically irreversible, intracranial pressure control can assist in salvaging the remaining brain tissue from additional damage. We will discuss the initial medical and surgical management of traumatic brain injury to prevent further neurologic deterioration and reduce mortality.

Conclusion
Recent literature has reported several methods to detect elevated intracranial pressure easily and studies describing multiple treatment modalities. These investigations suggest that early detection and timely treatment of intracranial hypertension are beneficial in reducing mortality.
The novel developed microsatellite markers revealed potential hybridization among Cymbidium species and the interspecies sub-division of C. goeringii and C. ensifolium
Authors: Ning Hui-Juan , Gui Fang-Fang , Tian En-Wei , Yang Li-Yuan 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Orchids (Cymbidium spp.) exhibit significant variations in floral morphology, pollinator relations, and ecological habitats. Due to their exceptional economic and ornamental value, Cymbidium spp. have been commercially cultivated for centuries. SSR markers are extensively used genetic tools for biology identification and population genetics analysis.

Result
In this study, nine polymorphic EST-SSR loci were isolated from Cymbidium goeringii using RNA-Seq technology. All nine SSR loci showed transferability in seven other congeneric species, including 51 cultivars. The novel SSR markers detected inter-species gene flow among the Cymbidium species and intra-species sub-division of C. goeringii and C. ensifolium, as revealed by neighborhood-joining and Structure clustering analyses.

Conclusion
In this study, we developed nine microsatellites using RNA-Seq technology. These SSR markers aided in detecting potential gene flow among Cymbidium species and identified the intra-species sub-division of C. goeringii and C. ensifolium.
Why healthcare providers are not vaccinated? A qualitative study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
Authors: Kokabisaghi Fatemeh , Akhtar Fatemeh , Taghipour Ali , Javan-Noughabi Javad , Moghri Javad , Tabatabaee Seyed Saeed 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Vaccination has been effective in controlling contagious diseases, especially among high-risk groups such as medical staff. Their unwillingness to be vaccinated might adversely affect individual and public health. This study aimed to explore the factors related to the refusal of COVID-19 vaccines among health service providers.

Methods
A qualitative study was conducted on 28 healthcare providers in Mashhad, Northeast of Iran from March to June 2022. The method of data collection was face-to-face interviews. The purposive method was used for sampling. Data collection continued until the saturation was reached. To analyze the data, the content analysis method was applied, and Maxqda (version 10) software was used.

Results
By analyzing interview transcripts, six themes and ten sub-themes were extracted. Factors that explained employees’ reluctance to be vaccinated against COVID-19 were the opinion of peers, lack of trust in vaccines, fear of vaccination, mistrust to the government and health authorities, low perceived risk of coronavirus disease, and the contradictions of traditional and modern medicine in their approach to controlling the disease.

Conclusions
Among healthcare workers, concerns about the side effects of vaccines were the most influential factors in refusing vaccination. Providing reliable information about vaccines and their safety is key to increasing the trust of health workers in vaccination and facilitating its acceptance.
EuCARE-POSTCOVID Study: a multicentre cohort study on long-term post-COVID-19 manifestations
Authors: Varisco Benedetta , Bai Francesca , De Benedittis Sara , Tavelli Alessandro , Cozzi-Lepri Alessandro , Sala Matteo , Miraglia Federica Gaia , Santoro Maria Mercedes , Ceccherini-Silberstein Francesca , Shimoni Yishai , Ravid Sivan , Kozlovski Tal , König Florian , Pfeifer Nico , Shamsara Elham , Parczewski Milosz , Monforte Antonella d’Arminio , Incardona Francesca , Mommo Chiara , Marchetti Giulia 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Post-COVID-19 condition refers to persistent or new onset symptoms occurring three months after acute COVID-19, which are unrelated to alternative diagnoses. Symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations, pain, concentration difficulties ("brain fog"), sleep disorders, and anxiety/depression. The prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition ranges widely across studies, affecting 10–20% of patients and reaching 50–60% in certain cohorts, while the associated risk factors remain poorly understood.

Methods
This multicentre cohort study, both retrospective and prospective, aims to assess the incidence and risk factors of post-COVID-19 condition in a cohort of recovered patients. Secondary objectives include evaluating the association between circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and the risk of post-COVID-19 condition, as well as assessing long-term residual organ damage (lung, heart, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system) in relation to patient characteristics and virology (variant and viral load during the acute phase). Participants will include hospitalised and outpatient COVID-19 patients diagnosed between 01/03/2020 and 01/02/2025 from 8 participating centres. A control group will consist of hospitalised patients with respiratory infections other than COVID-19 during the same period.
Patients will be followed up at the post-COVID-19 clinic of each centre at 2–3, 6–9, and 12–15 months after clinical recovery. Routine blood exams will be conducted, and patients will complete questionnaires to assess persisting symptoms, fatigue, dyspnoea, quality of life, disability, anxiety and depression, and post-traumatic stress disorders.

Discussion
This study aims to understand post-COVID-19 syndrome's incidence and predictors by comparing pandemic waves, utilising retrospective and prospective data. Gender association, especially the potential higher prevalence in females, will be investigated. Symptom tracking via questionnaires and scales will monitor duration and evolution. Questionnaires will also collect data on vaccination, reinfections, and new health issues. Biological samples will enable future studies on post-COVID-19 sequelae mechanisms, including inflammation, immune dysregulation, and viral reservoirs.

Trial registration
This study has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier NCT05531773.
Nosocomial infections in the surgical intensive care unit: an observational retrospective study from a large tertiary hospital in Palestine
Authors: Aiesh Banan M. , Qashou Raghad , Shemmessian Genevieve , Swaileh Mamoun W. , Abutaha Shatha A. , Sabateen Ali , Barqawi Abdel-Karim , AbuTaha Adham , Zyoud Sa’ed H. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Nosocomial infections or hospital-acquired infections are a growing public health threat that increases patient morbidity and mortality. Patients at the highest risk are those in intensive care units. Therefore, our objective was to provide a pattern analysis of nosocomial infections that occurred in an adult surgical intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods
This study was a retrospective observational study conducted in a 6-bed surgical intensive care unit (SICU) at An-Najah National University Hospital (NNUH) to detect the incidence of nosocomial infections from January 2020 until December 2021. The study group included 157 patients who received antibiotics during their stay in the SICU.

Results
The incidence of nosocomial infections, either suspected or confirmed, in the SICU was 26.9% (95 out of 352 admitted patients). Pneumonia (36.8%) followed by skin and soft tissue infections (35.8%) were the most common causes. The most common causative microorganisms were in the following order: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.3%), Acinetobacter baumannii (25.3%), extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)-Escherichia coli (23.2%) and Klebsiella pneumonia (15.8%). The average hospital stay of patients with nosocomial infections in the SICU was 18.5 days.

Conclusions
The incidence of nosocomial infections is progressively increasing despite the current infection control measures, which accounts for an increased mortality rate among critically ill patients. The findings of this study may be beneficial in raising awareness to implement new strategies for the surveillance and prevention of hospital-acquired infections in Palestinian hospitals and health care centers.
DeepHipp: accurate segmentation of hippocampus using 3D dense-block based on attention mechanism
Authors: Wang Han , Lei Cai , Zhao Di , Gao Liwei , Gao Jingyang 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
The hippocampus is a key area of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and other abilities. Accurately segmenting the hippocampus and precisely calculating the volume of the hippocampus is of great significance for predicting Alzheimer’s disease and amnesia. Most of the segmentation algorithms currently involved are based on templates, such as the more popular FreeSufer.

Methods
This study proposes Deephipp, a deep learning network based on a 3D dense block using an attention mechanism for accurate segmentation of the hippocampus. DeepHipp is based on the following novelties: (i) DeepHipp adopts powerful data augmentation schemes to enhance the segmentation ability. (ii) DeepHipp is designed to incorporate 3D dense-block to capture multiple-scale features of the hippocampus. (iii) DeepHipp creatively uses the attention mechanism in the field of hippocampal image segmentation, extracting useful hippocampus information in a massive feature map, and improving the accuracy and sensitivity of the model.

Conclusions
We describe the illustrative results and show extensive qualitative and quantitative comparisons with other methods. Our achievement demonstrates that the accuracy of DeepHipp can reach 83.63%, which is superior to most existing methods in terms of accuracy and efficiency of hippocampus segmentation. It is noticeable that deep learning can potentially lead to an effective segmentation of medical images.