bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcome for concomitant mitral regurgitation after surgery for aortic insufficiency
Authors: Xu Hao , Gu Ruiming , Liu Donghai , Qiao Chenhui , Zhang Xin 
Published: April 2023

Background Moderate/severe aortic regurgitation (AR) with concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) is a common multiple valve disease for which treatment strategies are controversial. The current study explored long-term outcomes of concomitant MR after AR surgery and the effect of combined mitral valvuloplasty. Methods A total of 506 patients with moderate/severe AR and concomitant MR undergoing aortic valve surgery between January 2013 and December 2021 in our cardiac center were enrolled. Risk factors for early mortality, late mortality and persistent MR were identified by logistic regression and generalized linear mixed model. Results At least one follow-up record was available for 96.3% patients up to May 2022 and 264 (66.8%) patients had no or trivial MR, 112 (28.4%) had mild MR, 16 (4.1%) had moderate MR and 3 (0.8%) patients had severe MR. Persistent MR was recorded for 92 (23.3%) patients during follow-up. Combined mitral valvuloplasty (odds ratio: 0.23; 95% confidential interval: 0.08–0.64; p = 0.005) and better left ventricular reverse remodeling (odds ratio: 0.99; 95% confidential interval: 0.986–0.996); p < 0.001) were found likely to reduce the possibility of persistent MR during follow-up. Conclusions Most patients with moderate/severe AR and concomitant MR had a good long-term post-surgical outcome for MR. However, a few had persistent MR during follow-up. Combined mitral valvuloplasty and better left ventricular reverse remodeling reduced the possibility of long-term persistent MR.
Association of gender-based violence with sexual and drug-related HIV risk among female sex workers who use drugs in Kazakhstan
Authors: Mukherjee Trena I , Terlikbayeva Assel , McCrimmon Tara , Primbetova Sholpan , Mergenova Guakhar , Benjamin Shoshana , Witte Susan , El-Bassel Nabila 
Published: April 2023

Background Little is known about the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) or client violence, and associated HIV risk among women who engage in sex work (WESW) and use drugs in Kazakhstan, despite a growing HIV epidemic. Methods Women who reported engaging in sex work and using illicit drugs were recruited from Almaty and Temirtau, Kazakhstan between 2015 and 2017. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted to determine prevalence and correlates of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by intimate partners and clients. Associations between each type of violence with sexual and drug-related HIV risk behaviors were assessed with negative-binomial and logistic regression models, respectively. Results Of the 400 women, 45% and 28% reported recent IPV and client violence, respectively. IPV and client violence was associated with a greater number of sex work clients [IPV: adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR)physical: 1.86, 1.28–2.71; aIRRsexual: 2.28, 1.56–3.35]; [client violence: aIRRphysical: 2.20, 1.44–3.42; aIRRsexual: 2.54, 1.72–3.83], and client violence was associated with greater frequency of condomless sex with clients [aIRRphysical: 2.33, 1.41–4.03; aIRRsexual: 2.16, 1.35–3.56]. Violence was not associated with injection drug use, despite exchanging sex for drugs being associated with higher odds of violence. Conclusion HIV prevention programs for WESW in Kazakhstan should consider multi-sectoral approaches that address economic hardship and relationship-based components, in addition to violence reduction.
Optimization of sound-absorbing and insulating structures with 3D printed recycled plastic and tyre rubber using the TOPSIS approach
Authors: Astrauskas Tomas , Grubliauskas Raimondas , Januševičius Tomas 
Published: April 2023

Studies on recycled materials emerged during recent years. This paper investigates the properties of sound absorption and transmission loss of the structures of the perforated plastic panel (PPP) backed with the rubber granule panel (RGP). Under production conditions, such a structure could be produced using only waste. The normal incidence sound absorption and transmission loss of the structure was measured using ISO 10534-2 and ASTM E2611-17 standard methods, respectively. In this study, the plastic panel perforation holes were tilted in steps of 15°–45° compared to the vertical axis of the sample. Different thickness rubber panels were used as backing (12 mm, 22 mm and 27 mm). The results showed that the sound absorption and transmission loss increased with the angle of the perforation pore. To compare the different structures, the multi-criteria analysis using the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach was done. The RGP thickness, sound absorption coefficient (SAC) and sound transmission loss (STL) were weighted as a criterion. The results of the multi-criteria analysis showed that the optimal structure for a possible application is PPP45°+ RGP 22 mm, which was ranked highest of all alternatives. The first peak of SAC reached 0.97 at 1000 Hz. In the frequency range of 250–1000 Hz, STL values reached up to 10.4 dB and in the frequency range of 1–4 kHz – 20.1 dB. The results obtained using RGP and PPP show promising development potential for sound absorption and insulation applications.
Focal Nodular Hyperplasia in the Pediatric Population: A Multicenter Experience
Authors: González Iván A. , Wang Donghai , Pacheco Maria Cristina , Zhang Xuchen , Russo Pierre 
Published: April 2023

Background: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign liver lesion classically presenting in young females. In children, FNH is rare and its detailed clinicopathologic characteristics remain largely unknown. Furthermore, there are no studies comparing pediatric FNH features to those presenting in adults. Methods: In this study, we analyzed a total of 47 FNH cases in pediatric patients (age range: 23 days to 18 years) from 3 centers and compared them to a cohort of 31 FNH cases in adult patients (age range: 20–64 years). Results: Of the pediatric cases, 13 cases (28%) had a history of a prior malignancy of which 4 were treated with chemoradiation and stem cell transplantation (SCT), 5 with chemoradiation alone and 3 with chemotherapy and SCT. In the pediatric cases 41 (87%) had a central scar and 46 (98%) had fibrous septa. Both pediatric and adult FNH were more common in female patients. Cases in pediatric patients were also significantly associated with larger size ( P = .047), absence of dystrophic vessels ( P = .001), absence of sinusoidal dilatation ( P = .029), pseudoacini formation ( P = .013), and steatosis ( P = .029). Conclusion: In our experience although most cases of pediatric FNH show the classic histologic features seen in adults, some significant differences exist, and awareness of these findings could aid in the evaluation of these rare cases.
Impact response of a sandwich with a foam aluminum core enhanced by a ceramic tile: An experimental study
Authors: Ren Jianwei , Sun Minqian , Zhou Yilai , Wang Tao , Zhao Zhenyu 
Published: April 2023

This research proposes using a hybrid core consisting of foam metal and a ceramic tile to enhance the impact resistance of the sandwich construction. We assess the impact response of such an enhanced sandwich under a low-velocity drop-hammer load. Two thicknesses and three positions of the ceramic tile were considered. The low-velocity impact experiment was performed with a 16 mm hemispherical hammerhead and an impact energy range of 30–70 J. The results indicate that the ceramic tile significantly increases the impact resistance of the sandwich. A sandwich with a ceramic tile in the middle of the aluminum foam core had the highest peak force, perforation resistance, and energy absorption. Moreover, the performance was better for the thicker ceramic tiles, and the different damage patterns of the post-mortem sandwiches were analyzed. The underlying mechanisms of enhanced performance are discussed schematically in detail for the sandwiches. These results indeed showed that this proposed sandwich construction could be considered as a potential candidate in high-performance protective component.
Choroidal thickness measurements of subjects with pseudoexfoliative syndrome and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma: A contralateral eye study
Authors: Un Yasemin , Sonmez Murat 
Published: April 2023

Aim In this study, we aimed to investigate the peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) and macular choroidal thickness (MCT) in pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome and compare the data of the contralateral eyes according to the presence of biomicroscopic eye involvement and glaucoma. Method In this cross-sectional case-control study, PPCT and MCT measurements were analyzed in 162 eyes of 81 subjects with PEX syndrome, diagnosed biomicroscopically with the detection of PEX material. The sample included 63 eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PG), 49 eyes with visible PEX material alone without glaucoma (PM), 50 fellow eyes without biomicroscopically visible PEX material (F), and 48 eyes of 24 healthy individuals (controls) without any sign of PEX in the detailed ophthalmologic examination. The PEX syndrome group consisted of 25 PM-F, 25 PG-F, 19 PG-PG, and 12 PM-PM eye pairs. The PPCT and MCT values were compared between the eye-pairs of the subjects with the PEX syndrome. Results The mean PPCT measurements were 183.3 ± 8.1 µm, 158.5 ± 5.4 µm, 167.8 ± 5.9 µm, and 149.9 ± 5.5 µm for the eyes in the control, F, PM, and PG groups, respectively. The eyes in the PG group had statistically significantly lower measurements than those in the control group (p < 0.01). In the contralateral eye comparison of the subjects with PEX syndrome, no significant difference was found in relation to the mean PPCT and MCT measurements between the PM-F, PG-F, and PG-PG eye pairs (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusion Although the eye groups with PEX syndrome had lower mean PPCT measurements than the controls, the contralateral eye analysis of the asymmetrically involved eye pairs showed no significant differences.
Brodalumab for Plaque Psoriasis: A Canadian Real-World Experience at 2-Years Post-Launch
Authors: Gaudet Véronique , Yap Belinda , Hassan Shazia , Barbeau Martin 
Published: April 2023

Background There is limited real-life evidence with brodalumab in patients with plaque psoriasis in Canada. Objectives To examine real-world effectiveness of brodalumab in Canadian routine care with a focus on clinician and patient-reported outcomes, as well as measuring continuation rates and persistency. Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on data collected through the brodalumab patient support program (PSP) in Canada for patients initiating brodalumab between June 2018 (PSP launch)- June 2020 with a minimum of 16 weeks follow-up from first dose. Effectiveness was assessed by improvements in PASI, BSA and DLQI; continuation rates and persistency on therapy were reported. Results Overall, 864 patients (male, 59%; median age, 52 years) were included in the analysis. In a subset of patients with both baseline and follow-up scores, statistically significant improvements were observed: PASI improved from 13.9 to 1.8, BSA improved from 16.6% to 2.5% and DLQI improved from 16.2 to 2.9. Brodalumab demonstrated high continuation rates (89.9%), with similar rates in biologic-naïve and biologic-experienced patients (92.1% and 88.6%, respectively) and in patients who received secukinumab or ixekizumab as their most recent biologic therapy (89.0% and 86.2%, respectively). Persistence at 6, 12, and 18 months was 82.0%, 69.9%, and 63.4%, respectively. Conclusions The effectiveness of brodalumab was demonstrated in this Canadian routine care study, with significant improvements in disease severity and patient-reported outcomes. High continuation rates were achieved; including in patients previously treated with IL-17A inhibitors. Future studies will provide further evidence of brodalumab’s benefits for the management of plaque psoriasis in the real-world setting.
The Efficacy and Safety of the Shouzu Ning Decoction Treatment Versus Halometasone Plus Celecoxib Treatment in Patients With Grade 2 HFSR: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Shou Liumei , Shao Tianyu , Chen Jialu , Zhang Yao , Shu Qijin 
Published: April 2023

Objectives: To compare the effects of the Shouzu Ning Decoction (SND) and Halometasone plus Celecoxib (Hal/Cxb) as therapy in patients with grade 2 hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR). Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with grade 2 HFSR participated in a randomized, single-center, open-label study. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive the SND or Hal/Cxb treatment, twice daily for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of post-treatment follow-up. The primary endpoint was clinical remission of HFSR at the end of the fourth week (W4). The secondary endpoints were recurrence rate, quality of life (QoL), pain intensity, and safety. Results: In this study, 46 patients successfully completed the study, and 4 patients were excluded. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups on demographic and baseline clinical characteristics. In the SND group, 56.52% of patients showed clinical remission at W4, which was significantly superior to that achieved in the Hal/Cxb group (26.09%, P = .036). In addition, the HF-QoL score was statistically lower in the SND group compared to the Hal/Cxb group at W2 ( P = .007), W3 ( P = .005), and W4 ( P = .005), respectively. In line with this, the inter-group difference in NRS score was statistically significant ( P = .004). Conclusion: In the present study, SND treatment has been observed to be effective and well tolerated for patients with grade 2 HFSR. Thus, SND treatment could be considered a suitable option for HFSR patients. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900027518. Registered on 17 Nov 2019.
Biphasic Dose-Response of Mn-Induced Mitochondrial Damage, PINK1/Parkin Expression, and Mitophagy in SK-N-SH Cells
Authors: Zhang Yue , Hu Hong-Tao , Cao Yu-Min , Jiang Zhi-Gang , Liu Jie , Fan Qi-Yuan 
Published: April 2023

Excessive manganese (Mn) exposure produces neurotoxicity with mitochondrial damage. Mitophagy is a protective mechanism to eliminate damaged mitochondria to protect cells. The aim of this study was to determine the dose-response of Mn-induced mitochondria damage, the expression of mitophagy-mediated protein PINK1/Parkin and mitophagy in dopamine-producing SK-N-SH cells. Cells were exposed to 0, 300, 900, and 1500 μM Mn2+ for 24 h, and ROS production, mitochondrial damage and mitophagy were examined. The levels of dopamine were detected by ELISA and neurotoxicity and mitophagy-related proteins (α-synuclein, PINK1, Parkin, Optineurin, and LC3II/I) were detected by western blot. Mn increased intracellular ROS and apoptosis and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner. However, at the low dose of 300 μM Mn, autophagosome was increased 11-fold, but at the high dose of 1500 μM, autophagosome was attenuated to 4-fold, together with decreased mitophagy-mediated protein PINK1/Parkin and LC3II/I ratio and increased Optineurin expression, resulting in increased α-synuclein accumulation and decreased dopamine production. Thus, Mn-induced mitophagy exhibited a novel biphasic regulation: at the low dose, mitophagy is activated to eliminate damaged mitochondria, however, at the high dose, cells gradually loss the adaptive machinery, the PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy weakened, resulting in neurotoxicity.
From therapeutic nihilism to armamentarium: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials assessing safety and efficacy of endovascular therapy for acute large ischemic strokes
Authors: Doheim Mohamed F , Hagrass Abdulrahman Ibrahim , Elrefaey Mohamed , Al-Bayati Alhamza R , Bhatt Nirav R , Lang Michael , Starr Matthew , Rocha Marcelo , Gross Bradley , Nogueira Raul G 
Published: April 2023

Background Three recent randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigated the potential benefit of endovascular therapy (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke patients presenting with large infarcts. We aimed to confirm the safety and efficacy of EVT in patients presenting with large infarcts and provide more precise estimations of the treatment effects using study-level meta-analysis. Methods Comprehensive search of MEDLINE database through PubMed till February 2023 was performed including RCTs only. The data were then extracted from the selected studies and pooled as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results There were a total of 1005 patients across the three qualifying RCTs. Regarding the functional outcomes assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, the analyzed data demonstrated statistically significant differences in favor of thrombectomy for both independent ambulatory status (mRS 0–3: RR = 1.78, 95% CI [1.28, 2.48], p = 0.0006) and functional independence (mRS 0–2: RR = 2.54, 95% CI [1.85, 3.48], p < 0.001). The analyzed data did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences between EVT and medical management alone in terms of 90-day mortality (RR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.78, 1.16], p = 0.61), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (RR = 1.83, 95% CI [0.95, 3.55], p = 0.07), and need for hemicraniectomy (RR = 1.22, 95% CI [0.43, 3.41], p = 0.71). Conclusion This study confirms the benefit of EVT on functional outcomes of patients presenting with large ischemic infarcts without significant differences in the rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, hemicraniectomy, or 90-day mortality.
Co-Designing a Farm Safety Gamified Educational Resource With Secondary School Students and Their Teachers: Qualitative Study Protocol
Authors: Peden Amy E. , Alonzo Dennis , McMillan Faye , Tran Tich Phuoc , Hawke Catherine , Ivers Rebecca , Franklin Richard C. 
Published: April 2023

Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of preventable harm among adolescents. Adolescents also experience an increased risk of farm injury, and in Australia, injury-related farm fatalities among adolescents have remained largely unchanged over the past two decades. A third of all incidents involve farm visitors, indicating the need for population-level safety information. This project uses qualitative data to inform a co-design process with adolescents, and their teachers, to develop a game-based farm injury prevention online educational resource. This protocol describes the multi-phase co-design project. Focus group discussions regarding farm injury prevention will be held with students (Year 7 & 8; ∼12–14 years of age) and teachers at high schools with an agricultural focus across two Australian states. Inductive thematic analysis of discussion transcripts, and analysis of farm injury data, will inform the development of the modules and content of the game. User experience testing of the prototype will form the final phase of the project. This process is supported by a Stakeholder Advisory Group, which includes representatives of youth farming organisations, agricultural educators, and national child safety organisations. This group will assist in interpretation and dissemination of findings and promoting the resultant educational resource in schools. Ethical approval has been granted by the University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, mass media releases, academic conferences, and the agricultural education sector in Australia via the stakeholder advisory group. This study will provide useful insights into co-designing injury prevention resources for adolescents using gamification and result in a co-designed farm injury prevention educational resource for schools and the general community via mobile and web-based applications.
Pharmacists’ knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding frailty: A cross-sectional survey across practice settings in Canada
Authors: Malik Paul , Nakhla Nardine , Guo Yanling , Tadrous Mina , Duqoum Areen , Hogan David B. , Maxwell Colleen J. 
Published: April 2023

Background: Data on Canadian pharmacists’ knowledge and perceptions about frailty in older adults and its assessment in pharmacy practice are scarce. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 349 Canadian pharmacists was conducted to evaluate pharmacists’ knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding frailty. Descriptive analyses summarized responses by practice setting, and a multivariable logistic regression model examined associations between respondent characteristics and the likelihood of assessing frailty. Results: Most respondents were female (70%), aged ≤34 years (47%), Canadian graduates (83%), from Ontario/Quebec (51%) and from urban centres (58%). Although a significant proportion agreed it is important for pharmacists to know (80%) and assess (56%) patient frailty status, only 36% reported assessing frailty in practice. Respondents exclusively practising in a community pharmacy were significantly less likely to agree that it is important for a pharmacist to know or assess frailty status and to report assessing it. Factors associated with a greater likelihood of assessment included positive beliefs about the importance of knowing a patient’s frailty status and having a greater proportion of older patients with cognitive or functional impairment in practice. Discussion: Findings suggest that pharmacists generally agree with the importance of understanding frailty as it relates to the appropriate use of medications, but most do not assess it. Further research is needed to identify the barriers to assessing frailty, while guidance is needed on which of the available screening tools can best be integrated into a clinical pharmacy practice. Conclusion: There is an opportunity to improve pharmaceutical care for older adults by providing pharmacists the means and resources to assess frailty in practice.
Implant-related and medical complications in patients with sarcopenia undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty: A retrospective matched-cohort analysis
Authors: Alex Albright J , Testa Edward J , Chang Kenny , Scott Paxton E , Daniels Alan H 
Published: April 2023

Background In the continually aging United States population, the number of patients with sarcopenia who undergo shoulder arthroplasty may concomitantly increase. This retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the rates of short-term implant-related and medical complications following shoulder arthroplasty in patients with and without a recent diagnosis of sarcopenia. Methods An exact 1:3 matched analysis of 4177 patients was performed using the PearlDiver database. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare complications, Kaplan–Meier failure analysis was used to compare the cumulative hospital readmission rates. Two-sample T-testing was used to compare the 90-day cost of care. Results Sarcopenic patients were significantly more likely to experience postoperative shoulder instability (odds ratio (OR) = 2.32, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.21−4.39) and periprosthetic infection (OR = 3.83, 95% CI, 1.74–8.67) within 1 year of their arthroplasty. Sarcopenic patients were at 25% and 41% greater risk of emergency department presentation and hospital readmission 1-year post-arthroplasty, respectively. Ninty-day total costs were greater among sarcopenics ($16 112.23 vs. 10 679.58, p < 0.001). Conclusion These results are important for orthopaedic surgeons counselling patients with a low muscle mass on the potential for increased complications after undergoing a total shoulder arthroplasty procedure.