bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Case of Complete Resolution of Cauda Equina Syndrome Caused by Extensive Iliocaval Thrombosis: The Role of Thrombolysis and Venous Stents
Authors: Bakas Jay M. , Bijdevaate Diederik C. , Lauw Mandy N. , van Veelen-Vincent Marie-Lise C. , van Rijn Marie Josee E. 
Published: June 2023

Purpose: The cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare condition affecting less than 1 in 100,000 patients annually. Diagnosing CES is challenging because of its rare incidence, potentially subtle presentation, and various underlying etiologies. Vascular causes, such as inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis, are uncommon but should be considered, since timely recognition and treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as a cause of CES can avoid irreversible neurological damage. Case report: A 30-year-old male presented with partial CES caused by nerve root compression due to venous congestion from an extensive iliocaval DVT. He completely recovered after thrombolysis and stenting of the IVC. His iliocaval tract remained patent until the last date of follow-up at 1 year without signs of post-thrombotic syndrome. Broad molecular, infectious, and hematological laboratory tests did not reveal any underlying disease for the thrombotic event, particularly no hereditary or acquired thrombophilia. Conclusion: Timely recognition of venous thrombosis as a cause of CES is essential. This is the first case report of CES caused by an extensive iliocaval DVT successfully treated with thrombolysis and venous stenting with good resolution of DVT and CES. Clinical Impact This case-report describes a patient with cauda equina syndrome resulting from an extensive iliocaval deep vein thrombosis due to an underlying stenosis of the inferior vena cava. Thrombolysis and venous stenting succesfully restored venous patency and thereby relieved symptoms and signs of cauda equina syndrome, in addition to (long-term) therapeutic dose anticoagulation. It is important to timely recognize deep vein thrombosis as a cause of cauda equina syndrome and to consider endovenous treatment in a specialized center.
Patient-centric holistic integrative therapies as an adjuvant in checking the progression of chronic kidney disease: A case study
Authors: Silwal Karishma , Sharma Hemanshu , Tewani Gulab Rai , Nair Pradeep MK 
Published: June 2023

Objective Chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) characterized by progressive loss of kidney function impart significant burden on the patients. Besides physical disabilities, CKD affects the mental health and quality of life of the patients. Recent studies suggest the need for interdisciplinary patient-centric care in the management of CKD. Methods The present study introduced patient-centric holistic integrative therapies (YNBLI) in a 64-year-old female diagnosed with CKD in 2021, who presented with breathlessness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and anxiety. She is a known case of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and osteoarthritis of knee. She was advised for dialysis by her nephrologists’, however, she was reluctant to undergo dialysis due to anxiety about the side effects and lifelong dependency on dialysis. She initially underwent a 10-day YNBLI program at our inpatient setting followed by adhering to the home-based YNBLI for 16 weeks. Results She showed significant improvement in the kidney function, hemoglobin levels, quality of life and symptoms with no adverse events. The improvements were consistent throughout the 16 weeks after discharge. Discussion This study presents the effective use of patient-centric holistic integrative therapies (YNBLI) as an adjuvant in the management of CKD. Future studies are warranted to substantiate these findings.
Content Analysis of Chenopodium formosanum (Djulis) Collected From Two Production Areas and Evaluation of Their Ability to Improve Insulin Resistance
Authors: Lin Hui-Li , Tseng Yu-Hsiu , Cheng Pei-Wen , Hao Chi-Long , Tu Yi-Chen , Yeh Bor-Chun , Shen Kuo-Ping 
Published: June 2023

Background This study compared the contents of extracts of Chenopodium formosanum (Djulis) originating from 2 aboriginal areas (Kaohsiung and Taitung, Taiwan) and evaluated their efficacy in ameliorating insulin resistance in vitro. Methods First, we analyzed the anti-oxidant compositions and activity, and α-glucosidase, α-amylase inhibitory effects of 2 Djulis and their extracts, and then evaluated the ability of the 2 extracts to ameliorate insulin resistance in HepG2 cell. To do this, we incubated the cells in DMEM medium spiked with insulin and TNF-α. Results Taitung Djulis extract (TDE) had higher concentrations of flavonoids and polyphenols than the Kaohsiung Djulis extract (KDE). However, KDE had a greater anti-oxidative effect and greater ability to inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory than TDE. In the cellular experiment, insulin promoted cell glucose uptake, and increased the protein expression of glucose transporter-2 (GLUT-2). However, when adding TNF-α with insulin, TNF-α worsened insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism. This might be associated with TNF-α induced mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) expression. Treating the insulin resistant cells with either TDE or KDE significantly reversed the effect of TNF-α on glucose uptake and related protein expressions. Conclusion Although both TDE and KDE reduced TNF-α-induced insulin resistance, KDE was found to be more potent. KDE might have more bioactivity or other undetected components that lead to more efficiency than TDE. Taken together, Djulis extract could potentially be used to control insulin resistance.
Clinical Problem Solving: A 38-year-Old Woman With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting With Headache, Nausea, and Vomiting
Authors: Silverman Andrew , Dugue Rachelle , George Paul M. 
Published: June 2023

A 38-year-old woman with migraine headaches and systemic lupus erythematosus with recent cessation of her immunosuppressive therapy presents with prolonged headache and hypertensive emergency. Her examination is notable for a peripheral right facial palsy and stable malar rash. There are no signs of systemic infection nor systemic symptoms of a lupus flare. Initial CT head reveals bilateral hypodensities in the basal ganglia. Within 8 hours of presentation, she develops right hemiplegia and becomes encephalopathic. MRI shows multifocal acute infarcts (most notably in the left basal ganglia), enhancement of the right facial nerve, and multifocal vessel wall enhancement in the anterior and posterior circulation. We discuss the differential diagnosis, comprehensive workup, and subsequent treatment decisions in the management of this immunocompromised patient with encephalopathy, headache, and rapidly progressing focal neurologic deficits.
The effects of degassing, neutralization, and dewatering on the CMC-g-poly (acrylic acid-co-methacrylic acid) hydrogel
Authors: Pourkhatoun Mina , Kalantari Maryam , Kamyabi Ata , Moradi Ali 
Published: June 2023

CMC-g-poly (acrylic acid-co-methacrylic acid) hydrogel was prepared by free radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and methacrylic acid (MAA) onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) backbone using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and N, N′-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. For investigating the effects of before and after treatments of the hydrogel on the swelling equilibrium, gel fraction, and weight loss, 3 sets of experiments with 5 samples were designed and the effect of degassing (using N2), neutralization with NaOH 1 M, and two stages of dewatering with acetone and ethanol was studied. The results confirmed the positive effects of all the after-treatment stages. The final data indicate that sample (v) with N2 as reaction atmosphere, one neutralization stage, and two dewatering stages exhibit a maximum swelling of 167 g/g, maximum gel fraction of 61.4%, and also maximum weight loss of 38.6%. These outcomes show that these treatments exhibit hydrogel with a good swelling ratio which is desirable in smart delivery systems, healthcare, and biomedical applications. The optimized sample was characterized by FT-IR, SEM, and TGA too.
Minimal Kidney Disease Phenotype in Shroom3 Heterozygous Null Mice
Authors: Lawlor Allison , Cunanan Kristina , Cunanan Joanna , Paul Amy , Khalili Hadiseh , Ko Doyun , Khan Ahsan , Gros Robert , Drysdale Thomas , Bridgewater Darren 
Published: June 2023

Background: Shroom family member 3 (SHROOM3) encodes an actin-associated protein that regulates epithelial morphology during development. Several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variances primarily in the 5’ region of SHROOM3, associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and poor transplant outcomes. These genetic variants are associated with alterations in Shroom3 expression. Objective: Characterize the phenotypic abnormalities associated with reduced Shroom3 expression in postnatal day 3-, 1-month and 3-month-old mice. Methods: The Shroom3 protein expression pattern was determined by immunofluorescence. We generated Shroom3 heterozygous null mice ( Shroom3Gt/+) and performed comparative analyses with wild type littermates based on somatic and kidney growth, gross renal anatomy, renal histology, renal function at postnatal day 3, 1 month, and 3 months. Results: The Shroom3 protein expression localized to the apical regions of medullary and cortical tubular epithelium in postnatal wild type kidneys. Co-immunofluorescence studies confirmed protein expression localized to the apical side of the tubular epithelium in proximal convoluted tubules, distal convoluted tubules, and collecting ducts. While Shroom3 heterozygous null mice exhibited reduced Shroom3 protein expression, no differences in somatic and kidney growth were observed when compared to wild type mice. Although, rare cases of unilateral hypoplasia of the right kidney were observed at postnatal 1 month in Shroom3 heterozygotes. Yet renal histological analysis did not reveal any overt abnormalities in overall kidney structure or in glomerular and tubular organization in Shroom3 heterozygous null mice when compared to wild type mice. Analysis of the apical-basolateral orientation of the tubule epithelium demonstrated alterations in the proximal convoluted tubules and modest disorganization in the distal convoluted tubules at 3 months in Shroom3 heterozygotes. Additionally, these modest abnormalities were not accompanied by tubular injury or physiological defects in renal and cardiovascular function. Conclusion: Taken together, our results describe a mild kidney disease phenotype in adult Shroom3 heterozygous null mice, suggesting that Shroom3 expression and function may be required for proper structure and maintenance of the various tubular epithelial parenchyma of the kidney.
Benzodiazepine-related dementia risks and protopathic biases revealed by multiple-kernel learning with electronic medical records
Authors: Hayakawa Takashi , Nagashima Takuya , Akimoto Hayato , Minagawa Kimino , Takahashi Yasuo , Asai Satoshi 
Published: June 2023

Objectives To simultaneously estimate how the risk of incident dementia nonlinearly varies with the administration period and cumulative dose of benzodiazepines, the duration of disorders with an indication for benzodiazepines, and other potential confounders, with the goal of settling the controversy over the role of benzodiazepines in the development of dementia. Methods The classical hazard model was extended using the techniques of multiple-kernel learning. Regularised maximum-likelihood estimation, including determination of hyperparameter values with 10-fold cross-validation, bootstrap goodness-of-fit test, and bootstrap estimation of confidence intervals, was applied to cohorts retrospectively extracted from electronic medical records of our university hospitals between 1 November 2004 and 31 July 2020. The analysis was mainly focused on 8160 patients aged 40 or older with new onset of insomnia, affective disorders, or anxiety disorders, who were followed up for [Formula: see text] years. Results Besides previously reported risk associations, we detected significant nonlinear risk variations over 2–4 years attributable to the duration of insomnia and anxiety disorders, and to the administration period of short-acting benzodiazepines. After nonlinear adjustment for potential confounders, we observed no significant risk associations with long-term use of benzodiazepines. Conclusions The pattern of the detected nonlinear risk variations suggested reverse causation and confounding. Their putative bias effects over 2–4 years suggested similar biases in previously reported results. These results, together with the lack of significant risk associations with long-term use of benzodiazepines, suggested the need to reconsider previous results and methods for future analysis.
Social media use and COVID-19 vaccine status among a nationally representative population sample in Uganda
Authors: Greenleaf Abigail R , Croker-Benn Ashley , Aibo Dorothy , Biraro Sam , Mugisha Veronica , Kwizera Muhire H , Kabanda Richard , Justman Jessica , El-Sadr Wafaa M 
Published: June 2023

Objectives The effect of social media on COVID-19 vaccination behavior is sub-Saharan Africa is unclear. We conducted a study to determine social media use among a random nationally representative sample of adults in Uganda and assessed the association between recent social media use and COVID-19 vaccination uptake. Methods We used data from the 2020 general population survey in Uganda, the Population-based HIV Impact Assessment Survey, to identify a probability sample for a mobile phone survey and included nonphone owners in the phone survey by asking phone owners to pass the phone. Results In March 2022, of the 1022 survey participants, 213 (20%) did not own a mobile phone, 842 (80%) owned a mobile phone, of whom 199 (24%) indicated social media use, and 643 (76%) of whom did not use social media. Among all participants, the most frequent source of COVID-19 vaccine information was radio. Overall, 62% reported receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. The multivariable logistic regression model found that social media use was not associated with vaccination status. Conclusion Social media users in this population sample from Uganda—who were mainly young, urban residents with higher educational attainment—continue to utilize TV, radio and health care workers for public health messages, thus the Government of Uganda should continue to conduct public health communication through these mediums.
Percutaneous Curved Vertebroplasty and Bilateral-Pedicle-Approach Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in the Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: He Yanxing , Yu Zhentang , Yin Jianjian , Wang Hao , Xu Nanwei , Nong Luming , Jiang Yuqing 
Published: June 2023

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of percutaneous curved vertebroplasty procedure (PCVP) and bilateral-pedicle-approach percutaneous vertebroplasty (bPVP) for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the scientific literature. Methods A systematic review of the scientific literature in PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and other databases was conducted in conjunction with different keywords. Nine studies were included; all but 3 were randomised controlled studies and all were prospective or retrospective cohort studies. Results We observed statistically significant differences between the PCVP group and the bPCVP group in terms of postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores (mean difference [MD]: −.08; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: −.15 to .00), bone cement leakage rates (OR = .33; 95%CI: .20 to .54), bone cement injection (MD: −1.52; 95%CI: −1.58 to 1.45), operative times (MD: −16.69; 95%CI: −17.40 to −15.99) and intraoperative fluoroscopies (MD: −8.16; 95%CI: −9.56 to −6.67), with the PCVP group being more dominant. There were no statistical differences in postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores (MD: −.72; 95%CI: −2.11 to .67) and overall bone cement distribution rates (MD: 2.14; 95%CI: .99 to 4.65) between the 2 groups. Conclusions Meta-analysis showed more favourable outcomes in the PCVP group compared to the bPVP group. PCVP might be effective and safe in the treatment of OVCFs because it relieves postoperative patient pain, reduces operative time and cement injection, and decreases the risk of cement leakage and radiation exposure to the surgeon and patient.
Why Do Financially Illiterate Students Perceive Lower Education Returns? Evidence From a Survey in Rural China
Authors: Yuan Cheng , Wang Xiaoxiao , Lin Li 
Published: June 2023

This paper studies how students’ financial literacy affects their perceptions of returns to schooling and consequently their schooling decisions. We first propose a model of human capital accumulation where financially illiterate students exhibit a cognitive bias of “ironing heuristic.” With this decision heuristic, students tend to linearize the relationship between educational investments and future earnings, resulting in underestimated returns to education and inadequate study efforts. Using survey data from four rural middle schools in Southwest China, we then find a positive correlation between financial literacy and students’ perceived returns to education. In particular, the estimate of students’ perceived earnings function shows that its curvature significantly increases with students’ financial knowledge of compound interest, supporting the assumption in the theory. Our findings suggest that promoting students’ financial literacy may be an effective policy to motivate students to learn at school, especially in poor rural areas. JEL: I26, G53 (Financial Literacy), D91, J24
French Translation and Validation of the OSTRC-H2 Questionnaire on Overuse Injuries and Health Problems in Elite Athletes
Authors: Beaudart Charlotte , Galvanin Margaux , Hauspy Rosalie , Clarsen Benjamin Matthew , Demoulin Christophe , Bornheim Stephen , Van Beveren Julien , Kaux Jean-François 
Published: June 2023

Background: To evaluate the burden of overuse injuries, the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) questionnaire on health problems (OSTRC-H2) was developed in English in 2013. Purpose: To translate and culturally adapt the OSTRC-H2 into French and investigate the reliability and validity of this new version. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The OSTRC-H2 was translated from English to French according to international guidelines. A total of 80 elite athletes were then invited to complete the OSTRC-H2 weekly for 3 months. Potential ceiling effects, construct validity, and reliability were investigated. Convergent validity was measured using Pearson correlations for continuous items and kappa coefficients for binary items; internal consistency was measured using the Cronbach alpha coefficient; and test-retest reliability was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Separate analyses were performed on the entire cohort of athletes (population 1 [P1]) and on athletes who reported a health problem during the follow-up (P2). Results: A total of 80 elite athletes took part in this study. The response rate was very high, with 909 of 960 questionnaires returned (95%). The mean weekly prevalence of health problems was 19.6% during the follow-up period. Nineteen participants reported a health problem during the follow-up (P2). The OSTRC-H2 showed very good test-retest reliability for both populations (ICC, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.77-0.90] for P1; ICC, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.68-0.98] for P2). Internal consistency was very good for P2 (Cronbach α = .94). The OSTRC-H2 demonstrated high concordance with the visual analog scale of symptom intensity ( r = 0.52; P < .05), and low concordance with the overtraining questions from the Questionnaire de la Société Française de Médecine du Sport (κ from –0.01 to 0.12; P > .05). Conclusion: The French version of the OSTRC-H2 was found to be valid and reliable when applied to French-speaking elite athletes.
Temporal trends in results of endovascular treatment of anterior intracranial large cerebral vessel occlusion: A 7-year study
Authors: Bourcier Romain , Consoli Arturo , Desilles Jean-Philippe , Labreuche Julien , Kyheng Maeva , Desal Hubert , Alias Quentin , Gory Benjamin , Dargazanli Cyril , Janot Kévin , Zhu François , Lapergue Bertrand , Marnat Gaultier 
Published: June 2023

Background: Technical improvements in devices, changes in angiographic grading scales and various confounding factors have made difficult the detection of the temporal evolution of angiographic and clinical results after endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic Stroke (AIS). We analyzed this evolution in time using the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) registry. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the efficacy outcomes of EVT performed from January 2015 to January 2022, and modelized the temporal trends using mixed logistic regression models, further adjusted for age, intravenous thrombolysis prior to EVT, general anesthesia, occlusion site, balloon catheter use and the type of first-line EVT strategy. We assessed heterogeneity in temporal trends according to occlusion site, balloon catheter use, cardio embolic etiology, age (<80 years vs ⩾80 years) and first-line EVT strategy. Results: Among 6104 patients treated from 2015 to 2021, the rates of successful reperfusion (71.1%–89.6%) and of complete first pass effect (FPE) (4.6%–28.9%) increase, whereas the rates of patients with >3 EVT device passes (43.1%–17.5%) and favorable outcome (35.8%–28.9%) decrease significantly over time. A significant heterogeneity in temporal trends in successful reperfusion according to the first-line EVT strategy was found (p-het = 0.018). The temporal trend of increasing successful reperfusion rate was only significant in patients treated with contact aspiration in first-line (adjusted overall effect p = 0.010). Conclusion: In this 7-year-old large registry of ischemic stroke cases treated with EVT, we observed a significant increase with time in the rate of recanalization whereas there was a tendency toward a decrease in the rate of favorable outcome over the same period.
Capillary carbon dioxide tension increases in hospital staff wearing filtering facepiece masks: a prospective crossover study
Authors: Roeder Georg , Bilir Aylin , Graf Alexandra , Baron David M. 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has changed worldwide hygiene practices. In particular, the use of filtering face piece (FFP) masks markedly increased. Concerns have been raised regarding possible negative respiratory effects of wearing FFP masks. The aim of this study was to investigate gas exchange and subjective breathing effort in hospital personnel wearing FFP2 or FFP3 masks.MethodsIn this prospective, single-centre, crossover study, 200 hospital workers were assigned to alternately wear FFP2 or FFP3 masks for 1 h during routine activities. Capillary blood gas analysis was performed to evaluate gas exchange while wearing the FFP masks. The primary end-point was the change in capillary partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PcCO2). In addition, capillary partial pressure of oxygen (PcO2), respiratory rate and subjective breathing effort were assessed at the end of each hour. Changes between time points and study groups were estimated using univariate and multivariate models.ResultsPcCO2increased from 36.8±3.5 to 37.2±3.3 mmHg (p=0.047) and 37.4±3.2 mmHg (p=0.003) in individuals wearing FFP2 or FFP3 masks, respectively. Age (p=0.021) and male sex (p<0.001) were significantly associated with increasedPcCO2. Similarly, thePcO2increased from 70.7±8.4 to 73.4±8.8 mmHg (p<0.001) and 72.8±8.5 mmHg (p=0.004) in individuals wearing FFP2 or FFP3 masks, respectively. Respiratory rate and subjective breathing effort increased significantly while wearing FFP2 and FFP3 masks (p<0.001 for all analyses). The order of wearing FFP2 or FFP3 masks did not significantly affect the results.ConclusionsAn hour of wearing FFP2 or FFP3 masks increasedPcCO2values, respiratory rate and subjective breathing effort in healthcare personnel performing routine activities.