bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A preliminary study on the establishment of a cyst and cystic neoplasm tissue-mimicking model
Authors: Li Bin , Li Xiaoguang 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Context:
The present experimental models of cystic diseases are not adequate and require further investigation.

Aim:
In this study, a new way of producing a tissue-mimicking model of cysts and cystic neoplasms was evaluated.

Settings and Design:
To simulate cysts and cystic neoplasms, ex vivo rabbit normal bladders and VX2-implanted tumor bladders were produced, fixed, and embedded in agarose gel.

Methods and Materials:
The samples were classified into four groups based on tumor features and the maximal transverse diameter of the rabbit bladder, which were assessed using computer tomography (CT) imaging and statistically analyzed.

Statistical Analysis Used:
Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The t-test was used for analyzing enumeration data.

Results:
Twenty-one rabbit bladders (21/24) were successfully removed and prepped for this experiment, comprising eleven normal bladders (11/24) and ten implanted with VX2 tumors (10/24). The gelling ingredient used to form the visualization and fixation matrix was agarose at a concentration of 4 g/200 mL. The temperature of the agarose solution was kept constant at 40-45°C, which is the optimal temperature range for ex vivo normal bladder and implanted VX2 tumor bladder insertion. The average time required to embed and fix the bladders in agarose gel was 45.0 ± 5.2 minutes per instance. The gel-fixing matrix’s strength and light transmittance were enough for building the models.

Conclusion:
We created an experimental tissue-mimicking model of cysts and cystic neoplasms with stable physicochemical features, a safe manufacturing method, and high repeatability. These models may be used to assist with cystic lesion diagnosis and treatment techniques.
Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting operating time in laparoscopic anterior resection of rectal cancer
Authors: Yuan Wenguang , Wang Xiao , Wang Yi , Wang Haoran , Yan Chuanwang , Song Gesheng , Liu Chang , Li Aiyin , Yang Hui , Gao Chengsheng , Chen Jingbo 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Aims:
The goal of this study is to create and verify a nomogram estimate operating time in rectal cancer (RC) patients based on clinicopathological factors and MRI/CT measurements before surgery.

Materials and Methods:
The nomogram was developed in a cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic anterior resection (L-AR) for RC. The clinicopathological and pelvis parameters were collected. Risk factors for a long operating time were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and a nomogram was established with independent risk factors. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated. An independent cohort of consecutive patients served as the validation dataset.

Results:
The development group recruited 159 RC patients, while 54 patients were enrolled in the validation group. Independent risk factors identified in multivariate analysis were a distance from the anal verge <5 cm (P = 0.024), the transverse diameter of the pelvic inlet (P < 0.001), mesorectal fat area (P = 0.017), and visceral fat area (P < 0.001). Then, a nomogram was built based on these four independent risk factors. The C-indexes of the nomogram in the development and validation group were 0.886 and 0.855, respectively. And values of AUC were the same with C-indexes in both groups. Besides, the calibration plots showed satisfactory consistency between actual observation and nomogram-predicted probabilities of long operating time.

Conclusions:
A nomogram for predicting the risk of long operating duration in L-AR of RC was developed. And the nomogram displayed a good prediction effect and can be utilized as a tool for evaluating operating time preoperatively.
Initial experience of the treatment of large glioma with microwave ablation-assisted surgical resection
Authors: Zhao Wenpeng , Chen Shichao , Shao Xihong , Du Hongliu , Li Peiliang , Wang Fang , Chen Jiamin , Feng Enshan , Li Changqing 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Aim:
This study aimed to investigate the preliminary clinical outcomes of microwave ablation (MWA)-assisted surgical treatment for large glioma.

Materials and Methods:
In total, six cases of large glioma (diameter >4 cm) were described. All cases were treated with MWA-assisted surgical resection, which was performed using ultrasound to guide the accurate placement of the antenna in the central region of the tumor. The MWA power was 40–45 W, and 6 min was applied. Changes in the ablation area were observed using intraoperative Doppler ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Ten patients treated with surgical resection alone were included in the control group. Data on surgical times (i.e., the time from the incision of the dura to the removal of the tumor), intraoperative blood loss, and complications were recorded.

Results:
The median patient age was 45 years (range: 36.5–60.3 years). The median lesion diameter was 4.9 cm (range: 4.3–5.8). The microwave power was 40–45 W, and the median ablation time was 240 s (range: 208–297 s). The intra-tumoral vascular flow was significantly reduced after MWA. The median surgical time was shorter (38.5 min [range: 34.3–42.8 min]) and the median intraoperative blood loss was less (400 mL, [range: 400–450 mL]) in the combination treatment group than in the surgery-alone group. During the ablation process, no obvious additional neurological deficits were detected; however, a tube-shaped carbonide was found after the operation.

Conclusion:
MWA may be a useful complement to conventional techniques for the surgical resection of large glioma.
Incomplete radiofrequency ablation following transarterial chemoembolization accelerates the progression of large hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Mu Shangdong , Chen Qingjuan , Li Shuo , Wang Dongfeng , Zhao Yongchang , Li Xiang , Fu Wei , Fan Zhigang , Tian Shan , Li Zeng 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Purpose:
To examine post-operative progression and risk impact of insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA) following transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the prognosis of large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and Methods:
From January 2014 to January 2021 were analyzed. A total of 343 patients with large HCC (diameter >5 cm) who received TACE combined with RFA were enrolled and were divided into two groups: complete ablation (CA, n = 172) and insufficient ablation (IA, n = 171). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined by the Kaplan-Meier curve and compared with the log-rank test. To find parameters influencing OS and PFS, clinicopathological variables underwent univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results:
The cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and PFS rates of the CA group were significantly higher than that of the IA group (P < 0.001). 25 (41%) patients in local tumor progression (LTP), 36 (59%) in intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR), and 0 (0%) in extrahepatic distant recurrence (EDR) in the CA group. 51 (32.1%) patients in LTP, 96 (60.4%) patients in IDR, and 12 (7.5%) cases in EDR in the IA group. The recurrence patterns of the two groups were statistically significant difference (P = 0.039). In multivariate analysis, inadequate ablation and conjunction with TKIs were both significant risk factors for OS and PFS. Apart from these, older age and >7 cm of tumor size were indicators of poor OS and multiple tumors were indicators of poor PFS.

Conclusion:
Insufficient ablation causes a poor survival outcome of TACE combined with RFA for large HCC, particularly, which can promote IDR.
Application of respiratory sensing technique in CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of liver malignancies
Authors: You Xiang , Huang Bingyu , Chen Jin , Lin Zhengyu 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Objective:
This study aimed to examine the effectiveness and safety of respiratory sensing methods in nonvascular interventional therapy of liver tumors.

Materials and Methods:
In this study, 64 patients with primary liver cancer or liver metastasis were retrospectively analyzed. According to two widely used clinical techniques to limit respiratory movement—breath holding and respiratory sensing technology—they were randomly allocated into two groups: respiratory gated and respiratory training. We aimed to compare the application and effect of these two techniques in the nonvascular interventional therapy of liver tumors.

Results:
The puncture times of the respiratory-gated and respiratory training groups were 5.34 ± 2.47 and 8.41 ± 3.63 min, respectively. Puncture errors were 10.00 ± 2.65 and 12.81 ± 8.57 mm, respectively. Puncture adjustment times were 3.06 ± 1.26 and 4.87 ± 1.69 times, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:
Respiratory sensing technology has been effectively used to assist in puncturing liver malignant tumors using a radiofrequency (RF) ablation (RFA) system that is guided by computed tomography (CT) scans. It is superior to the classical breath-holding step puncture technique in terms of puncture time, puncture error, and puncture needle adjustment times.
Dietary diversity and nutritional status of adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Olatona Foluke A. , Ogide Precious I. , Abikoye Ebunoluwa T. , Ilesanmi Oluwafemi T. , Nnoaham Kelechi E. 
Published: August 2023

Background/Objectives:
Adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, such as Nigeria, are at increased risk of malnutrition, especially obesity, but there is limited data describing the risk. We assessed this risk by examining the nutritional status and associated factors such as dietary habits, dietary diversity, nutritional knowledge and sociodemographic characteristics among adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study in which 682 adolescents were selected from their communities using a multistage sampling technique. Dietary habits were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, and dietary diversity was assessed through nonquantifiable 24-h diet recall. Anthropometric measurements were taken to determine nutritional status. Data were analyzed using Epi-Info software version 7.2.3.1. Nutritional status was evaluated using WHO AnthroPlus software. Chi-square was used to test for an association between categorical variables, and P values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:
The mean age of the adolescents was 13.6 ± 2.3 years, and only 47.4% of them had good nutritional knowledge. Dietary habits were poor and dietary diversity was low. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 13.4% and 7.0%. Eating dinner, dieting to control weight and daily consumption of foods outside the home were associated with overweight and obesity (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:
Dietary habits and diversity of the adolescents were poor, while overweight and obesity were high. Eating dinner and daily consumption of foods outside the home were factors associated with being overweight and obesity. Our findings emphasize the critical need for adolescent nutrition programs that address weight control, especially among those who eat outside their homes.
A pilot study on the capability of artificial intelligence in preparation of patients’ educational materials for Indian public health issues
Authors: Mondal Himel , Panigrahi Muralidhar , Mishra Baidyanath , Behera Joshil K. , Mondal Shaikat 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Patient education is an essential component of improving public health as it empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for making informed decisions about their health and well-being. Primary care physicians play a crucial role in patients’ education as they are the first contact between the patients and the healthcare system. However, they may not get adequate time to prepare educational material for their patients. An artificial intelligence-based writer like ChatGPT can help write the material for physicians.

Aim:
This study aimed to ascertain the capability of ChatGPT for generating patients’ educational materials for common public health issues in India.

Materials and Methods:
This observational study was conducted on the internet using the free research version of ChatGPT, a conversational artificial intelligence that can generate human-like text output. We conversed with the program with the question - ”prepare a patients’ education material for X in India.” In the X, we used the following words or phrases – ”air pollution,” “malnutrition,” “maternal and child health,” “mental health,” “noncommunicable diseases,” “road traffic accidents,” “tuberculosis,” and “water-borne diseases.” The textual response in the conversation was collected and stored for further analysis. The text was analyzed for readability, grammatical errors, and text similarity.

Result:
We generated a total of eight educational documents with a median of 26 (Q1-Q3: 21.5-34) sentences with a median of 349 (Q1-Q3: 329-450.5) words. The median Flesch Reading Ease Score was 48.2 (Q1-Q3: 39-50.65). It indicates that the text can be understood by a college student. The text was grammatically correct with very few (seven errors in 3415 words) errors. The text was very clear in the majority (8 out of 9) of documents with a median score of 85 (Q1-Q3: 82.5-85) in 100. The overall text similarity index was 18% (Q1-Q3: 7.5-26).

Conclusion:
The research version of the ChatGPT (January 30, 2023 version) is capable of generating patients’ educational materials for common public health issues in India with a difficulty level ideal for college students with high grammatical accuracy. However, the text similarity should be checked before using it. Primary care physicians can take the help of ChatGPT for generating text for materials used for patients’ education.
A cross-sectional study of anthropometry and immunization coverage of Anganwadi children in a rural area of Karnataka
Authors: Debata Ipsita , Ranganath T. S. , Priya K Josephine , Tejas J 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Children are a supreme asset to a nation. Beginning six years of life is pivotal for the social, emotional, cognitive, physical, motor, and psychological upbringing of the child. National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 5 data shows 41.9% of children die before the age of five years, with greater mortality in the rural areas (45.7%). The present study was conducted to assess the anthropometric profile and immunization status of children in Anganwadi centers.

Materials and Methods:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 21 Anganwadi centers in a rural area in South India. The anthropometry (height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference), morbidity profile, and immunization status of the enrolled and available children were assessed with the help of WHO growth charts, Salter scale, clinical examination, immunization cards, and data from Anganwadi registers.

Statistical analysis:
Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Descriptive data were interpreted as mean and percentages and associations were tested with the Chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test. A P value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results:
Around 400 children, aged 0-6 years, participated in the study. The mean age of the study population was 42.08 ± 12.55 months. The overall prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was 52%, 54%, and 47.5% respectively. The most common morbidity was upper respiratory tract infection (11.5%). A majority (97.5%) of children were found to be immunized appropriately as per age.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of malnutrition was alarmingly high which warrants urgent referral and follow-up. The ICDS services, although substantially beneficial, need focal strengthening with regard to the nutritional status of enrolled children.
Efficacy and Safety of Topical Timolol for the Treatment of Facial Angiofibroma in Children with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Ghazavi Mohammadreza , Taheri Sareh , Sabzghabaee Ali Mohammad , Tavakolifard Negah , Yaghini Omid , Faghihi Gita , Afshar Kimia , Abtahi-Naeini Bahareh 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Objective:
This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of topical timolol in treating facial angiofibromas (FAs) in pediatric patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

Methods:
A prospective clinical trial was conducted involving 15 children diagnosed with TSC and presenting with FAs. The participants were administered topical timolol gel 0.5% twice daily. Prior to the intervention, the severity of FAs in each patient was evaluated using the FA severity index (FASI), which assessed erythema, size, and extent of lesions. Clinical response was assessed at weeks 2 and 4 during the intervention period as well as 1 month after discontinuation of treatment.

Findings:
Four weeks after discontinuing topical timolol 0.5%, statistically significant reductions were observed in the mean FASI score, erythema, size, and extent of lesions (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.012, P = 0.008, respectively). FASI scores at 4 and 12 weeks postintervention, as well as 4 weeks after treatment cessation, demonstrated a significant decrease compared to baseline (P < 0.001). Erythema and extension scores also exhibited a significant decrease 1 month after treatment cessation compared to baseline (P < 0.05), while the mean size of lesions before and after the intervention did not show a statistically significant difference (P = 0.004).

Conclusion:
Topical timolol 0.5% represents a cost-effective and readily available treatment option for pediatric patients with FAs associated with tuberous sclerosis.
Efficacy and Safety Comparison of Two Different Doses of Dexamethasone in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Sadeghi Somayeh , Arezoomandi Nima , Ardestani Marzieh Mollaei , Ardestani Mohammad Emami , Ghiasi Farzin , Farajzadegan Ziba 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Objective:
The current study aims to investigate high- versus low-dose dexamethasone administration to control the disease with minor complications.

Methods:
The current multicentric randomized clinical trial was conducted on 119 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and assigned into two groups of low-dose (8 mg daily intravenous dose for at least 7 days or until discharge) (n = 61) versus high-dose dexamethasone (24 mg for 3 days followed by daily 8 mg for the at least 4 days later or until discharge) (n = 58) during 2020–2021. Oxygen saturation, dyspnea severity based on the Borg scale, and laboratory indices were assessed at 3, 5, and 7 days of corticosteroid therapy. Patients were compared regarding the length of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission requirement, and noninvasive or invasive ventilation. The other investigations included corticosteroid-related adverse effects and mortality rates within a month after the medications.

Findings:
Oxygen saturation, Borg scale, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly altered by the time in both the groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, the trend of improvements in Borg scale (P = 0.007) and lactate dehydrogenase levels (P = 0.034) were superior in high-dose treated cases. Drug-related adverse (P = 0.809), mortality rate (P = 0.612), hospitalization duration (P = 0.312), ICU admission requirement (P = 0.483), and noninvasive (P = 0.396) and invasive ventilation (P = 0.420) did not differ between the groups.

Conclusion:
According to this study, low- versus high-dose dexamethasone therapy did not affect the outcomes, so low-dose dexamethasone is recommended for COVID-19 pneumonia to achieve optimal results and prevent potential adverse events.
Views and Perceptions of Medical Representatives and Physicians about the Role of Medical Representatives and Pharmaceutical Advertisement in Saudi Arabia – A Pilot Study
Authors: Faqeh Sultan , Alansari Safwan , Althagafi Abdulrahman , Abdulaziz Akrm , Alhajjaji Abdulrahman , Kurdi Ahmad , Allihyani Moayad , Qashlan Mutaz , Alhotirshi Raghad , Alhassani Rawan , Alsurayhi Suhail , Alshareef Omar , Ali Majid 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Objective:
Medical representatives (MRs) frequently interact with physicians who may have different perceptions about and expectations from product promotional activities by pharmaceutical companies, especially through MRs. This can affect their prescribing practice. We explored the views and perceptions of MRs and physicians about the role of MRs and pharmaceutical advertisements in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:
Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually through the ZOOM application with five MRs and five physicians from July to October 2022. The participants were recruited from the Makkah region in Saudi Arabia on a convenience sampling basis and through the snowballing method. The interviews were recorded with the consent of the participants, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed.

Findings:
Data saturation was found to be achieved with four interviews from each group of participants. Thematic analysis generated 338 codes which were categorized into 31 subthemes. These subthemes were further categorized into 11 overarching themes: “MR daily work,” “Role of MRs in healthcare and their future,” “Value of MRs in healthcare,” “Pros and cons of the MR career,” “MRs in the COVID-19 pandemic,” “Differences between the pharmaceutical companies,” “Goods and not-so-goods about the MRs,” “Suggestions provided by physicians for MRs and pharmaceutical companies,” “Marketing strategies of different pharmaceutical companies,” “Experience of MRs” and “Support provided by pharmaceutical companies.”

Conclusion:
Our pilot study sheds light on the role of MRs and pharmaceutical advertisement from MRs’ and physicians perspectives. Several recommendations can be drawn from our findings to make the interactions between MRs and physicians more effective and improve pharmaceutical advertisement, prescribing practices, and patient care.