bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revisiting $$B\rightarrow K^{(*)} \nu {\bar{\nu }}$$ decays in the Standard Model and beyond
Authors: Bečirević Damir , Piazza Gioacchino , Sumensari Olcyr 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn this letter we revisit the Standard Model predictions for $${\mathcal {B}}(B\rightarrow K^{(*)}\nu {\bar{\nu }})$$

B
(
B
→

K

(

∗
)

ν

ν

¯

)

and discuss the opportunities that open up when combining its partial decay rate with that of $$B\rightarrow K^{(*)}\ell \ell $$

B
→

K

(

∗
)

ℓ
ℓ

. In the Standard Model a suitable ratio of these two modes can be used to extract $$C_9^\textrm{eff}$$

C
9
eff

, which is essential for a reliable phenomenological analysis of the $$B\rightarrow K^{(*)}\ell \ell $$

B
→

K

(

∗
)

ℓ
ℓ

angular observables. The same ratio also proves to be more sensitive to the presence of New Physics in many plausible extensions of the Standard Model. We also suggest that the separate measurement of $${\mathcal {B}}(B\rightarrow K\nu {\bar{\nu }})$$

B
(
B
→
K
ν

ν

¯

)

for high and for low $$q^2$$

q
2

’s can be helpful for testing the assumed shape of the vector form factor, because the lattice QCD data are obtained at high $$q^2$$

q
2

’s, whereas the low $$q^2$$

q
2

region is obtained through an extrapolation.
Acceptability of self-collected vaginal swabs for sexually transmitted infection testing among youth in a community-based setting in Zimbabwe
Authors: Rochford Helena , Larsson Leyla , Simms Victoria , Mavodza Constancia , Sigwadhi Lovemore , Dauya Ethel , Machiha Anna , Mavhura Mitchell , Bipiti Tatenda , Mangena Chido , Bandason Tsitsi , Ferrand Rashida A , Francis Suzanna C , Chikwari Chido Dziva 
Published: March 2023

Background Youth are a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To increase access to STI testing, convenient approaches for sampling and testing are needed. We assessed the acceptability of self-collected vaginal swabs (SCVS) for STI testing among young women (16–24 years) attending a community-based sexual and reproductive health service in Zimbabwe. Methods A SCVS was used for point-of-care testing for Trichomonas vaginalis and a urine sample for testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A questionnaire was administered to investigate the acceptability of SCVS versus self-collected urine samples. In-depth interviews (IDIs) explored the experience of SCVS and reasons for sample collection preference. Qualitative analysis was predominantly deductive. Results We recruited 129 women who took up STI testing (median age 20 years, IQR 18–22 years) and conducted 12 IDIs. Most participants reported that they understood the instructions (93.0%) and found SCVS easy (90.7%). Many participants felt relaxed (93.0%), in control (88.4%) and that they had enough privacy (90.7%). Pain or discomfort were reported by 16.3% and embarrassment by 15.5%. Among the 92 (71.3%) participants who provided both a SCVS and urine sample, 60.9% preferred SCVS. Sample collection method preferences were similar between 16–19 and 20–24year-olds. In IDIs, clear instructions, privacy, trust in the service and same-day results were perceived as important facilitators to taking up SCVS. Participants frequently described feeling relaxed and confident whilst taking a SCVS. Pain and discomfort were uncommon experiences. Conclusions SCVS for STI testing are acceptable to young women and a feasible method of sample collection in community-based settings.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Windlass Mechanism Using Weightbearing Computed Tomography in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Kihara Takumi , Kimura Tadashi , Saito Mitsuru , Suzuki Naoki , Hattori Asaki , Kubota Makoto 
Published: March 2023

Background: The windlass mechanism (WM) increases the longitudinal arch of the foot via tension of the plantar aponeurosis during dorsiflexion of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. The purpose of this study was to perform a 3-dimensional evaluation of the displacement of each joint and the height of the navicular during dorsiflexion of the first MTP joint by using weightbearing computed tomography (CT). Methods: Participants were 6 men and 8 women with 23 healthy feet. CT of the foot with a load equivalent to the participant’s body weight was performed. The first MTP joint was in the neutral position and dorsiflexed 30 degrees. Between the conditions, we measured the (1) rotation of each bone, (2) rotation of the distal bone with respect to the proximal bone at each joint, and (3) height of the navicular. Results: With respect to the tibia, the calcaneus was at 0.8 ± 0.7 degrees dorsiflexion and 1.4 ± 0.9 degrees inversion, while the talus was at 2.0 ± 1.2 degrees dorsiflexion and 0.1 ± 0.8 degrees eversion. The navicular was at 1.3 ± 1.2 degrees dorsiflexion and 3.2 ± 2.1 degrees inversion, whereas the medial cuneiform was at 0.3 ± 0.6 degrees plantarflexion and 1.3 ± 1.1 degrees inversion. At the talonavicular joint, the navicular was at 0.7 ± 1.3 degrees plantarflexion, whereas at the cuneonavicular joint, the medial cuneiform bone was at 1.4 ± 1.4 degrees plantarflexion. The height of the navicular increased by 1.1 ± 0.6 mm. Conclusion: We 3-dimensionally confirmed the dynamics of WM and found that the calcaneus, navicular, and medial cuneiform moved in all 3 planes. The results suggest that the cuneonavicular joint has the greatest movement among the joints. We believe that these findings will help to elucidate the pathogenesis of WM-related diseases and lead to advances in treatments for pathologies involving the longitudinal arch. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
A Simple Method for Robust and Accurate Intrinsic Subtyping of Breast Cancer
Authors: Hamaneh Mehdi , Yu Yi-Kuo 
Published: March 2023

Motivation: The PAM50 signature/method is widely used for intrinsic subtyping of breast cancer samples. However, depending on the number and composition of the samples included in a cohort, the method may assign different subtypes to the same sample. This lack of robustness is mainly due to the fact that PAM50 subtracts a reference profile, which is computed using all samples in the cohort, from each sample before classification. In this paper we propose modifications to PAM50 to develop a simple and robust single-sample classifier, called MPAM50, for intrinsic subtyping of breast cancer. Like PAM50, the modified method uses a nearest centroid approach for classification, but the centroids are computed differently, and the distances to the centroids are determined using an alternative method. Additionally, MPAM50 uses unnormalized expression values for classification and does not subtract a reference profile from the samples. In other words, MPAM50 classifies each sample independently, and so avoids the previously mentioned robustness issue. Results: A training set was employed to find the new MPAM50 centroids. MPAM50 was then tested on 19 independent datasets (obtained using various expression profiling technologies) containing 9637 samples. Overall good agreement was observed between the PAM50- and MPAM50-assigned subtypes with a median accuracy of 0.792, which (we show) is comparable with the median concordance between various implementations of PAM50. Additionally, MPAM50- and PAM50-assigned intrinsic subtypes were found to agree comparably with the reported clinical subtypes. Also, survival analyses indicated that MPAM50 preserves the prognostic value of the intrinsic subtypes. These observations demonstrate that MPAM50 can replace PAM50 without loss of performance. On the other hand, MPAM50 was compared with 2 previously published single-sample classifiers, and with 3 alternative modified PAM50 approaches. The results indicated a superior performance by MPAM50. Conclusions: MPAM50 is a robust, simple, and accurate single-sample classifier of intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer.
Neurophysiological MEG markers of cognitive impairment and performance validity in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Simon Shira , Nauta Ilse M , Hillebrand Arjan , Schoonheim Menno M , Uitdehaag Bernard MJ , van Dam Maureen , Hulst Hanneke E , Klein Martin , Stam Cornelis J , de Jong Brigit A , Strijbis Eva MM 
Published: March 2023

Background: Suboptimal performance during neuropsychological testing frequently occurs in multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to unreliable cognitive outcomes. Neurophysiological alterations correlate with MS-related cognitive impairment, but studies have not yet considered performance validity. Objectives: To investigate neurophysiological markers of cognitive impairment in MS, while explicitly addressing performance validity. Methods: Magnetoencephalography recordings, neuropsychological assessments, and performance validity testing were obtained from 90 MS outpatients with cognitive complaints. Spectral and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) properties were compared between cognitively impaired (CI), cognitively preserved (CP), and suboptimally performing (SUB) patients using regression models and permutation testing. Results: CI had higher power in low-frequency bands and lower power in high bands compared to CP, indicating neuronal slowing. CI also showed lower beta power compared to SUB. Overall power spectra visually differed between CI and CP, and SUB showed overlap with both groups. CI had lower rsFC than CP and SUB patients. CP and SUB patients showed no differences. Conclusion: Neuronal slowing and altered rsFC can be considered cognitive markers in MS. Patients who performed suboptimally showed resemblance with patients with and without cognitive impairments, and although their overall neurophysiological profile was more similar to patients without impairments, it suggests heterogeneity regarding their pathophysiology.
Mental-health profiling with person-centred analysis: A study of adolescents in Sweden
Authors: Eriksson Charli , Stattin Håkan 
Published: March 2023

Background: Studies that have examined time trends in adolescents’ mental health have frequently been based on analyses of adolescents’ psychosomatic symptoms. Adolescents’ reports of psychosomatic complaints need to be seen in the light of their overall evaluations of their health. The objectives of this study were to apply a person-centred approach to identifying adolescents’ mental-health profiles based on evaluations of their overall health and psychosomatic complaints. The relationships between these mental-health profiles and indicators of positive mental health and psychological and social-adjustment problems are examined. Methods: A dual-factor approach was used for nationally representative adolescent samples and examined adolescents’ self-rated psychosomatic complaints and perceived overall health simultaneously. Cluster analyses of data from the Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) 2017/18 survey, including 3222 children aged 11, 13 and 15, were used to identify mental-health profiles. Results: Four mental-health profiles were identified by cluster analyses in all age groups. The profiles showed good construct validity in relation to mental well-being, life satisfaction and self-esteem. The poorest psychological adjustment was found among the adolescents with high levels of psychosomatic symptoms together with low levels of perceived overall health. Adolescents with high levels of psychosomatic symptoms only or with low levels of overall health only showed considerably better psychological adjustment. Conclusions: Cluster analyses identified distinct, valid and consistent mental-health profiles based on differing levels of perceived health and psychosomatic complaints. The dual-factor model in population health research may increase our potential to understand the mental health of adolescents better.
Technical Feasibility of Renal Artery Embolization on a Transplanted Kidney Due to Intractable Unilateral Hydronephrosis After En Bloc Kidney Transplantation: Case Report
Authors: Kim Dong-Hwan , Park Hyung Sub , Shin Young-Heun , Yoon Chang Jin , Lee Taeseung 
Published: March 2023

Introduction: En bloc kidney transplantation (EBKT) is a technique used to transplant pediatric kidneys to adult recipients, but can lead to certain complications seldom found in single-kidney transplantation. We report a case of renal artery embolization after EBKT due to intractable unilateral hydronephrosis and highlight the technical details and challenges of the procedure. Case: An 18-year-old female with MELAS syndrome underwent EBKT from a 10-month-old male baby. Two months later, the patient developed unilateral hydronephrosis and recurrent urinary tract infections, which was intractable to conventional therapy. Therefore, we underwent embolization of the problematic transplanted left kidney. Owing to the complicated anatomy and multiple angulations, multiple microcatheters, wires and support catheters were needed to select the renal arteries. Repeated procedures were required due to remnant flow from small branches and accessory renal arteries that were not easily visualized by conventional angiography, which were eventually detected by adjunctive use of 3-dimensional rotational angiography. Conclusions: Selective renal artery embolization after EBKT is challenging due to the short renal artery length and multiple angulations, yet it can still be performed safely and effectively by use of meticulous catheter-wire interactions and adjunctive intraoperative imaging techniques to delineate the precise anatomy of the target arteries. Clinical Impact Selective renal artery embolization, which is less invasive than nephrectomy, can be considered if the culprit kidney must inevitably be sacrificed in en bloc kidney transplantation.
Trans-Arterial Balloon-Assisted Embolization of Traumatic Giant Hepatic Pseudoaneurysm With Thrombin
Authors: Ghasemi-Rad Mohammad , Shastri Ravi , Amaresh Amar , Wynne David , Whigham Cliff 
Published: March 2023

Giant hepatic pseudoaneurysms are rare after injury. We report a case of a 20-year-old male, post gunshot injury to his right upper quadrant of the abdomen with delayed blood loss. CTA of the abdomen demonstrated a 6.5 cm right hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm. This was successfully embolized with balloon assisted trans-arterial thrombin injection.
Paediatric liver biopsies: A single-centre experience in Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University
Authors: Kazci Omer , Kadirhan Ozlem , Uner Cigdem , Karavas Erdal , Ucan Berna , Aydin Sonay 
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Liver biopsies are the main method in the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric liver pathologies. Major complication rates of paediatric liver biopsies range from 0% to 6.6% in the literature and minor complication rates range from 0% to 25%. In this study, we aimed to review the complications, indications and results of percutaneous core liver biopsies with paediatric sonography in a tertiary care centre by an interventional radiologist. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the results, indications and complications of paediatric liver biopsies performed in our tertiary health centre between January 2017 and December 2020. Biopsies were performed with a 16G semi-automatic needle in 17 patients (29.8%) and with an 18G semi-automatic needle in 40 patients (70.2%). Biopsies were performed only with local anaesthesia in patients older than 12 years; in younger patients, it was performed under general anaesthesia. Results: Fifty-eight liver biopsies were obtained from 57 children (34 males, 23 females). The most common indications were elevated liver enzymes (33 patients), cholestasis (14 patients), and adiposity and metabolic problems (6 patents). The most common pathological diagnoses were chronic hepatitis (33 patients) and steatosis (10 patients). Major complication in the form of symptomatic subcapsular haematoma developed after liver biopsy performed with 18G needle in only one patient (1.8%). Conclusions: As previously stated in the literature, percutaneous biopsies performed by interventional radiologists in paediatric patients under the guidance of sonography can be used in diagnosis and treatment; the complication rate is low and it is a safe method.
Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in “Kiss nightclub fire” patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A phase II clinical trial
Authors: Marcolin Kathy Aleixo dos Santos , da Cunha Ângelo Batista Miralha , Yoneyama Beatriz Capparros , Ribeiro Tiango Aguiar 
Published: March 2023

Objective: Considered the second biggest tragedy with fatal victims caused by fire, the Kiss nightclub fire tragedy that occurred in the interior of southern Brazil brought several problems to survivors. It is reported that 30–40% of victims of disasters can develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has shown promising results in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Transcranial direct current stimulation similar to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, a neuromodulation technique, has shown promise in treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Method: A clinical trial was conducted from March 2015 to July 2016 in “KISS nightclub fire” disaster patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder without complete remission of symptoms, over 18 years, and who maintained pharmacological treatment. Treatment was given using electrodes as cathode (right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and anode (contralateral deltoid muscle); a current of 2 mA was used for 25 cm² area (0.08 mA/cm² current density); 30 min once a day for 10 days continuously. Patients assessed pre- and post-intervention, 30 days’ and 90 days’ post-intervention. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Civilian version, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale were used. Results: One hundred forty-five subjects were screened and eight analyzed; 87.5% were female; 30.88 ± 7.74 years were of mean age. Post-intervention results: no cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), 60% reduction in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (moderate depression turns normal) ( p < 0.001), 54.39% Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale reduction (moderate-to-severe symptoms turn into mild symptoms) ( p < 0.001), and 20% Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Civilian version scale decrease (high severity post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms turn moderate to moderately high severity) ( p < 0.001). Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms improvement was maintained 30-days post-intervention (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Civilian version, p = 0.025) and improvement in symptoms of depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, p = 0.006) and anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, p = 0.028) in 90 days post-intervention. Conclusion: Despite decrease over time, improvement in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms was maintained throughout the first month after treatment. Transcranial direct current stimulation adjuvant can be an alternative treatment to refractory post-traumatic stress disorder, either as monotherapy or as treatment enhancement strategy. They can also be an option for patients who do not want or do not tolerate pharmacological management.
Diabetes Control in the Community, Under the Management of a Diabetes-Clinic Nurse Specialist, and the Effect of a Parallel Diabetologist Advice
Authors: Gadot Tzipi , Azuri Joseph 
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Nurses play a key role in managing care and educating people with diabetes in various healthcare systems worldwide, while physicians play this role in others. In addition, some healthcare systems authorize specialist nurses to change patient dose regimens. Therefore, we examined diabetes outcomes in the community by the management of a diabetes-clinic nurse only versus parallel management with a diabetologist. Methods: Retrospective data were collected for 100 consecutive people with diabetes registered in a community clinic with a diabetes-clinic nurse specialist as a case manager from 1/2018. About half of the patients selected received parallel advice from a diabetologist. Inclusion criteria included poor control of type 2 diabetes (HbA1c above 9%). Patients using an insulin pump, glucose sensor technologies, or multiple injection insulin programs were excluded. Results: One hundred people with diabetes who met the study criteria were included in the study, 64 males and a mean age of 60.03 ± 11.11. In a follow-up of 161.31 ± 68.65 days, HbA1c levels decreased by 3.17% ± 1.95% and did not change in a further follow-up of 162.36 ± 72.75 days. Significant improvement was also observed in controlling the other risk factors examined. Parallel consultation with a diabetologist and the nurse’s use of her authority for dose modifications showed no differences in all parameters. Logistic regression for analyzing the effect of the variables related to the patient showed only a moderate effect. Conclusions: Access to professional services remains a significant challenge for healthcare systems in long-term diabetes control. Monitoring poorly controlled people with diabetes with the help of a diabetes-clinic nurse specialist in the community clinic significantly improved diabetes and risk factors control and persisted long after the intervention. Healthcare systems should consider expanding the service of the diabetes-clinic nurse specialist in the community. Further studies will be required to examine the results in different patient subgroups.
Improving neurological outcome for acute basilar artery occlusion with sufficient recanalization after thrombectomy by intraarterial tenecteplase (INSIST-IT): Rationale and design
Authors: Liu Liang , Li Wei , Qiu Jing , Nguyen Thanh N , Wei Ming , Wang Feng , Li Di , Shi Huai-Zhang , Wang Shou-Chun , Chen Hui-Sheng 
Published: March 2023

Background: The potential benefit of intraarterial tenecteplase in acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) patients with successful reperfusion following endovascular treatment (EVT) has not been studied. Aims: To explore the efficacy and safety of intraarterial tenecteplase in acute BAO patients with successful reperfusion after EVT. Sample size estimates: A maximum of 228 patients are required to test the superiority hypothesis with 80% power according to a two-side 0.05 level of significance, stratified by center. Design: We will conduct a prospective, randomized, adaptive-enrichment, open-label, blinded-end point, multicenter trial. Eligible BAO patients with successful recanalization after EVT [modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b-3] will be randomly assigned into the experimental and control group with a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the experimental group will receive intraarterial tenecteplase (0.2–0.3 mg/min for 20–30 min), while patients in the control group will receive routine treatment according to the usual practice of each center. Patients in both groups will receive standard guideline-based medical treatment. Outcome: The primary efficacy endpoint is a favorable functional outcome, defined as the modified Rankin Scale 0–3 at 90 days after randomization. The primary safety endpoint is symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score increase ⩾4 caused by intracranial hemorrhage within 48 h after randomization. Subgroup analysis of the primary outcome will be performed by age, gender, baseline NIHSS score, baseline pc-ASPECTS, intravenous thrombolysis, time from estimated symptom onset to treatment, mTICI, blood glucose, and stroke etiology. Conclusions: The results of this study will provide evidence of whether adjunct use of intraarterial tenecteplase after successful reperfusion with EVT is associated with better outcomes for acute BAO patients.