bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving the standardisation, timeliness and efficiency of the occupational therapy admission process in an older adult inpatient service
Authors: Ige Joshua Jesudunsin , Hunt David Fancis , Mitchell Amanda , Eaton Emma , Walker Anne , Fearn Rachael , Kirkham Lizzie , Staples Abigail , Giles Adam , Wilson Bethany 
Published: December 2023

Occupational therapists (OTs) are at the forefront of providing recovery-oriented care for older people through timely assessments of patient’s engagement in daily living activities among many other interventions. This aids a timely, safe and successful discharge from hospital.This project built on the foundations of previous work while considering the context and requirements of two older adult wards, the rates of admission and staff retention. The specific aim agreed was for 90% of patients admitted to the older adults’ inpatient units to be assessed by the occupational therapy (OTY) team within days of admission by December 2022.The OTs worked in collaboration to initiate two tests of change with a total of five PDSA cycles.Our tests of change resulted in an increase of patients engaging in OTY initial assessments within seven days of admission from 47.65% (May to November 2021) to 78% (December 2021 to December 2022).Our team embarked on a quality improvement project to improve standardisation, efficiency and timeliness of the OTY process in an older adult inpatient service by using a pragmatic measure and tests of change evidenced in a previous study. This evidenced the generalisability of the findings of this study. While we were able to improve the timeliness of OTY initial assessments, we concluded that the overall impact on outcomes such as timely discharge was also dependent on other clinical and social factors.
Early kinetics of C reactive protein for cancer-agnostic prediction of therapy response and mortality in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Barth Dominik A , Moik Florian , Steinlechner Sarah , Posch Florian , Mayer Marie-Christina , Sandner Amelie M , Berton Franziska , Schlintl Verena , Koch Lukas , John Nikolaus , Wurm Robert , Pichler Martin , Bauernhofer Thomas , Reimann Patrick , Wohlkönig Christoph , Richtig Erika , Winder Thomas , Preusser Matthias , Jost Philipp J , Ay Cihan , Gerger Armin , Terbuch Angelika , Riedl Jakob Michael 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundC reactive protein (CRP) kinetics have recently been suggested as predictive biomarkers for the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in selected cancer types. The aim of this study was to characterize early CRP kinetics as a tumor-agnostic biomarker for ICI treatment outcomes.MethodsIn this multicenter retrospective cohort study, two independent cohorts of patients with various cancer types undergoing palliative ICI treatment at Austrian academic centers served as the discovery (n=562) and validation cohort (n=474). Four different patterns of CRP kinetics in the first 3 months of ICI therapy were defined (CRP-flare responders, CRP-responders, CRP non-responders, patients with all-normal CRP). Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were defined as coprimary endpoints. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression, landmark analysis and Cox regression including CRP kinetics as time-dependent variable were performed.ResultsThe ORR in patients with all-normal CRP, CRP responders, CRP flare-responders and CRP non-responders was 41%, 38%, 31% and 12%, respectively. The median OS and PFS estimates were 24.5 months (95% CI 18.5 to not reached) and 8.2 months (95% CI 5.9 to 12.0) in patients with all-normal CRP, 16.1 months (95% CI 12.6 to 19-8) and 6.1 months (95% CI 4.9 to 7.2) in CRP-responders, 14.0 months (95% CI 8.5 to 19.4) and 5.7 months (95% CI 4.1 to 8.5) in CRP flare-responders and 8.1 months (95% CI 5.8 to 9.9) and 2.3 months (95% CI 2.2 to 2.8) in CRP non-responders (log-rank p for PFS and OS<0.001). These findings prevailed in multivariable analysis and could be fully confirmed in our validation cohort. Pooled subgroup analysis suggested a consistent predictive significance of early CRP kinetics for treatment efficacy and outcome independent of cancer type.ConclusionEarly CRP kinetics represent a tumor-agnostic predictor for treatment response, progression risk and mortality in patients with cancer undergoing ICI therapy.
Braid stability after flow diverter treatment of intracranial aneurysms: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ortega-Gutierrez Santiago , Rodriguez-Calienes Aaron , Vivanco-Suarez Juan , Cekirge H Saruhan , Hanel Ricardo A , Dibas Mahmoud , Lamin Saleh , Rice Hal , Saatci Isil , Fiorella David , Lylyk Pedro , Baltacioglu Feyyaz , Lylyk Ivan , Mendes Pereira Vitor , Gounis Matthew J , Fiehler Jens 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the overall rates of braid changes associated with flow diverter (FD) treatment for intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Additionally, we sought to provide an overview of the currently reported definitions related to these complications.MethodsA systematic search was conducted from the inception of relevant literature up to April 2023, encompassing six databases. The included studies focused on patients with IAs treated with FDs. We considered four main outcome measures as FD braid changes: (1) fish-mouthing, (2) device braid narrowing, (3) device braid collapsing, and (4) device braid deformation. The data from these studies were pooled using a random-effects model.ResultsA total of 48 studies involving 3572 patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 14 studies (39%) provided definitions for fish-mouthing. However, none of the included studies offered specific definitions for device braid narrowing, collapsing, or deformation, despite reporting rates for these complications in six, five, and three studies, respectively. The pooled rates for braid changes were as follows: 3% (95% CI 2% to 4%, I2=27%) for fish-mouthing, 7% (95% CI 2% to 20%, I2=85%) for narrowing, 1% (95% CI 0% to 3%, I2=0%) for collapsing, and 1% (95% CI 1% to 4%, I2=0%) for deformation.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that FD treatment for IAs generally exhibits low rates of fish-mouthing, device braid narrowing, collapsing, and deformation. However, the lack of standardized definitions hinders the ability to compare device outcomes objectively, emphasizing the need for uniform definitions for FD braid changes in future prospective studies on FD.
Increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with mechanically expandable transcatheter aortic valve and without permanent pacemaker
Authors: Hájek Petr , Horvath Martin , Hansvenclova Eva , Pecková Monika , Adlova Radka 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionUse of the mechanically expandable transcatheter aortic valve (MEV) has been recently linked to increased risks of valve dysfunction and cardiovascular mortality. The risk of developing conduction disturbance with the MEV valve is well known, and the negative prognostic impact of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation is another consideration.AimThis study aimed to compare the mid-term survival of patients with MEV and self-expandable valves (SEV), and to examine survival of both groups according to the presence or absence of PPI.MethodsThis single-centre, retrospective, observational study examined data from MEV and SEV groups comprising 92 and 373 patients, respectively. The mean clinical follow-up was 2.5±1.7 years. Mortality information was obtained from the National Institutes of Health Information and Statistics.ResultsBaseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. The log-rank test showed higher cardiovascular mortality in the MEV group (p=0.042; the relative risk (RR) 1.594 (95% CI 1.013 to 2.508)). The Cox proportional hazards model identified MEV implantation as an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality. The rate of PPI was twice as high in the MEV vs SEV group (33.7% vs 16.1%; p<0.001). We compared the survival of both groups according to the presence or absence of PPI and found higher mortality in the MEV group without PPI versus the SEV group without PPI (p=0.007; RR 2.156 (95% CI 1.213 to 3.831)). Survival did not differ in the groups with PPI.ConclusionsA higher mid-term cardiovascular mortality rate was observed with MEV versus SEV implants. Comparing both groups according to the presence or absence of PPI, we observed a higher mortality risk in patients with MEV without PPI than in SEV without PPI. In contrast, mortality did not differ between the groups when PPI was implanted.
Clinical risk associated with COVID-19 among 86000 patients with congenital heart disease
Authors: Williams Simon G. , Frain Simon , Guo Hui , Carr Matthew J , Ashcroft Darren M , Keavney Bernard D 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveTo determine the magnitude of any excess risk of mortality and hospitalisation due to COVID-19 infection in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) in the UK healthcare system.MethodsMatched case–control study within the Clinical Practice Research Datalink study of anonymised general practice records in the National Health Service in England. Patients with CHD were stratified for disease severity according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Presence of a positive COVID-19 test, hospitalisation with a diagnosis of COVID-19 and COVID-19-related mortality were compared in case and control groups.Results86 441 patients with CHD and 335 839 controls were studied. Of patients with a positive COVID-19 test, patients with CHD were more likely than controls to be hospitalised (22.4% vs 14.5%; OR=1.77 (95% CI 1.60 to 1.96); p=2.11e−28) and suffer COVID-19-related death (6.1% vs 3.8%; OR=1.60 (95% CI 1.35 to 1.89); p=7.00e−08). The excess risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation and death rose with increasing physiological severity of CHD (presence of pulmonary vascular disease and/or cyanosis), rather than anatomical complexity.ConclusionsIn this study of the COVID-19 pandemic experience, using population health records in over 86000 patients with CHD in England, patients with CHD with COVID-19 were at around 50–75% higher risk of hospitalisation and mortality compared with matched controls with COVID-19. We provide the first primary care-derived estimates for COVID-19 hospitalisation and case-fatality rates in patients with CHD. Some factors predictive of worse COVID-19 outcome in general populations (such as non-white ethnic group), and other CHD-specific comorbidities (such as pulmonary hypertension), influenced outcomes among patients with CHD.
Country and health expenditure are major predictors of withholding anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients at high risk of stroke
Authors: Siegal Deborah M , Verbrugge Frederik H , Martin Anne-Celine , Virdone Saverio , Camm John , Pieper Karen , Gersh Bernard J , Goto Shinya , Turpie Alexander G G , Angchaisuksiri Pantep , Fox Keith A A 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundGuidelines for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at high thromboembolic risk recommend oral anticoagulants (OACs) for preventing stroke and systemic embolism (SE). The reasons for guideline non-adherence are still unclear.AimThe aim is to identify clinical, demographic and non-patient characteristics associated with withholding OAC in patients with AF at high stroke risk.MethodsPatients in the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-AF, newly diagnosed with AF between March 2010 and August 2016, and with CHA2DS2-VASc Score≥2 (excluding sex), were grouped by OAC treatment at enrolment. Factors associated with OAC non-use were analysed by multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOf 40 416 eligible patients, 12 126 (30.0%) did not receive OACs at baseline. Globally, OAC prescription increased over time, from 60.4% in 2010–2011 to 74.7% in 2015–2016. Country of enrolment was the major predictor for OAC withholding (χ2−df=2576). Clinical predictors of OAC non-use included type of AF (χ2−df=404), history of bleeding (χ2−df=263) and vascular disease (χ2−df=99). OACs were used most frequently around the age of 75 years and decreasingly with younger as well as older age beyond 75 years (χ2−df=148). Non-cardiologists (χ2−df=201) and emergency room physicians (χ2−df=14) were less likely to prescribe OACs. OAC prescription correlated positively with country health expenditure.ConclusionsApproximately one out of three AF patients did not receive OAC, while eligible according to the guidelines. Country of enrolment was the major determinant of anticoagulation strategy, while higher country health expenditure was associated with lower likelihood of withholding anticoagulation.
Medical oncologist stereotypes among medical students, residents and physicians: a national cross-sectional study
Authors: Piffoux Max , Delaye Matthieu , Gouy Evan , Rolland Franck , Truong Linh-Nam , Frajerman Ariel , Vinchon Florent , Hadouiri Nawale 
Published: December 2023

ObjectivesThe perception of oncologists could impact the attractiveness of the specialty and dialogue between oncologists and other physicians. The aim of the study was to describe and understand the stereotypes and social representation (SR) associated with oncologists among medical students, residents and physicians in France.MethodsThis nationwide web-based survey conducted in 2021 was based on hierarchical evocation methods. Qualitative analyses were based on the Reinert method with factorial analyses. Each respondent’s SR was graded from 1 to 5 (from 1: very positive SR to 5: very negative SR).ResultsOncologists suffer from a rather negative SR. The negative representation was mostly related to difficulties in practising and the proximity with death and end of life. Oncologists were also associated with more positive notions like interdisciplinarity or intellectual complexity. Attendance to an oncology course was associated with a better SR of oncology (p=0.036), whereas having someone in the family practising oncology had a negative impact (p=0.028).ConclusionsSR of oncologists is rather contrasted. It was positively influenced by attendance to an oncology course, which could be an option to correct stereotypes and update on this rapidly evolving specialty.
Fracture morphology of desiccation cracks in clayey soil
Authors: Cai Zhao-Lin , Tang Chao-Sheng , Cheng Qing , Shi Bin 
Published: December 2023

Desiccation cracks compromise soil integrity and weaken its strength, causing a range of detrimental consequences across various domains. Elucidating the cracking mechanism can aid in managing crack propagation and mitigating the associated risks. This study monitored and compared the evolution of crack patterns on the soil surface and fracture morphologies on the soil cross-section during the drying process using a tested soil sample. Multiple fracture morphological features are discerned on the soil cross-section, encompassing initiation points and plumose structures. Soil fracture morphologies are categorized into three cases based on the initiation point's location, referred to as “Top-initiated structure”, “Bottom-initiated structure”, and “Truncated structure”. Experimental results demonstrate that plumose structures result from the division of the crack front under mixed-mode loading. Cracking under mixed-mode I + II loading leads to cross-section tilting, resulting in curved surface cracks. Conversely, cracking under mixed-mode I + III loading causes cross-section twisting, generating hackle lines and step structures. Furthermore, the crack front radiates from the initiation point, creating orthogonal hackle lines. The geometric relationship confirms that the soil fracture morphology is a good indicator of the cracking process, both in laboratory tests and field observations.
Regge trajectories for the light diquarks
Authors: Chen Jiao-Kai , Xie Jia-Qi , Feng Xia , Song He 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe attempt to present an unified description of the light meson spectra and the light diquark spectra by applying the Regge trajectory approach. However, we find that the direct application of the linear Regge trajectory formula for the light mesons and baryons fails. To address this issue, we fit the experimental data of light meson spectra and the light diquark spectra obtained by other theoretical approaches. By considering the light quark mass and the parameter C in the Cornell potential, we provide a provisional Regge trajectory formula. We also crudely estimate the masses of the light diquarks (ud), (us), and (ss), and find that they agree with other theoretical results. The diquark Regge trajectory not only becomes a new and very simple approach for estimating the spectra of the light diquarks, but also can explicitly show the behavior of the masses with respect to l or $$n_r$$

n
r

. Moreover, it is expected that the diquark Regge trajectory can provide a simple method for investigating the $$\rho $$
ρ
-mode excitations of baryons, tetraquarks and pentaquarks containing diquarks.
Restoring strong cosmic censorship in Reissner–Nordström–de Sitter black holes via non-minimal electromagnetic-scalar couplings
Authors: Jiang Jie , Tan Jia 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe investigate whether the Strong Cosmic Censorship (SCC) Conjecture can be reinstated at the classical level in Reissner–Nordström–de Sitter (RNdS) black holes by introducing non-minimal couplings between the electromagnetic and scalar fields in Einstein–Maxwell-scalar (EMS) theory. By conducting numerical calculations, we find that the SCC can be restored within a specific range of the coupling constant. Notably, for a given value of the cosmological constant, there exists a critical coupling constant above which the EMS theory satisfies the SCC. These findings suggest that the non-minimal couplings between the electromagnetic and scalar fields may play a crucial role in the restoration of the SCC in RNdS spacetime. Additionally, under negative coupling constants, the low-lying modes of nearly extremal black holes exhibit $$\beta > 1,$$

β
>
1
,

enabling $$C^2$$

C
2

extensions beyond the Cauchy horizon and intensifying the violation of the SCC.
Which Groups of Children Are at More Risk of Fatality during COVID-19 Pandemic? A Case-Control Study in Yazd, Iran
Authors: Shafaei Behnam , Nafei Zahra , Karimi Mehran , Behniafard Nasrin , Shamsi Farimah , Faisal Masoud , Amel Shahbaz Amir Pasha , Akbarian Elahe 
Published: December 2023

Introduction. The study aims to investigate the characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory findings, and clinical manifestations of under 18-year-old patients who died with the diagnosis of COVID-19 and determination of the most prevalent risk factors. Method. This case-control study was performed at a referral hospital in Yazd from March 2020 to August 2021. All patients under 18 years who were diagnosed through real-time RT-PCR, chest computed tomography, and the World Health Organization definition were divided into deceased and survived groups. The characteristics (age and sex), disease severity, comorbidities, laboratory findings, and clinical manifestations of the two groups were compared and analyzed using SPSS, version 18 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, III., USA). Results. A total of 24 patients in the deceased group and 167 patients in the survived group were compared. The highest mortality rate was observed in the age group of 1 month to 5 years, although no statistically significant relationship was found between age groups and the risk of mortality. Disease severity, dyspnea, low oxygen saturation on admission, length of hospital stays, and hospitalization history before the last admission were significantly correlated with mortality (

P

< 0.05). Lymphopenia increased the probability of mortality by more than two times (OR: 2.568; 95% CI (0.962–6.852)), but this was not the case for D-dimer and C-reactive protein. Furthermore, 27.5% of survived patients had normal chest CT scans, which was a statistically significant difference compared to the deceased patients (

P

: 0.031). Conclusion. Based on the findings of this study, dyspnea, low oxygen saturation, and lymphopenia are critical indicators for identifying high-risk children with COVID-19 and triaging them for better care and treatment.
Extent of Abdominal Aortic Calcification Is Associated With Incident Rapid Weight Loss Over 5 Years: The Perth Longitudinal Study of Ageing Women
Authors: Smith Cassandra , Sim Marc , Dalla Via Jack , Gebre Abadi K. , Zhu Kun , Lim Wai H. , Teh Ryan , Kiel Douglas P. , Schousboe John T. , Levinger Itamar , von Haehling Stephan , Woodman Richard , Coats Andrew J.S. , Prince Richard L. , Lewis Joshua R. 
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND:
Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), a marker of vascular disease, is associated with disease in other vascular beds including gastrointestinal arteries. We investigated whether AAC is related to rapid weight loss over 5 years and whether rapid weight loss is associated with 9.5-year all-cause mortality in community-dwelling older women.

METHODS:
Lateral spine images from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (1998/1999) were used to assess AAC (24-point AAC scoring method) in 929 older women. Over 5 years, body weight was assessed at 12-month intervals. Rapid weight loss was defined as >5% decrease in body weight within any 12-month interval. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to assess AAC and rapid weight loss and Cox regression to assess the relationship between rapid weight loss and 9.5-year all-cause mortality.

RESULTS:

Mean±SD age of women was 75.0±2.6 years. During the initial 5 years, 366 (39%) women presented with rapid weight loss. Compared with women with low AAC (24-point AAC score 0–1), those with moderate (24-point AAC score 2–5: odds ratio, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.00–1.85]) and extensive (24-point AAC score 6+: odds ratio, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.10–2.31]) AAC had higher odds for presenting with rapid weight loss. Results remained similar after further adjustment for dietary factors (alcohol, protein, fat, and carbohydrates), diet quality, blood pressure, and cholesterol measures. The estimates were similar in subgroups of women who met protein intake (n=599) and physical activity (n=735) recommendations (extensive AAC: odds ratios, 1.81 [95% CI, 1.12–2.92] and 1.58 [95% CI, 1.02–2.44], respectively). Rapid weight loss was associated with all-cause mortality over the next 9.5 years (hazard ratio, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.17–1.89];
P
=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:
AAC extent was associated with greater risk for rapid weight loss over 5 years in older women, a risk for all-cause mortality. Since the association was unchanged after taking nutritional intakes into account, these data support the possibility that vascular disease may play a role in the maintenance of body weight.