bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrograde sclerotherapy of male varicocele with veno-venous shunts – incidence and management: a single-centre experience
Authors: Pitrone Pietro , Silipigni Salvatore , Stagno Alberto , Cinquegrani Antonella , Cattafi Antonino , Bottari Antonino 
Published: February 2023

Objectives:
The aim of our study is to compare the incidence of veno-venous shunts in male varicocele and evaluate the possibility to exclude them with manual compression or/and scrotal ligation in order to carry out the procedure of retrograde sclero-embolization.

Methods:
In our retrospective study, all patients undergone retrograde sclerotherapy for varicocele in our Interventional Radiology Unit in the last four years were evaluated. Collaterals toward other venous shunts were identified and how many and which patients would be able to complete the procedure safely were considered.

Results:
Of the 91 patients, as many as 22 (i.e., 24.17%) patients presented anatomical variants, consisting on shunting into left iliac vein (9 [9.89%]), lumbar left veins (3 [3.29%]), right iliac vein (1 [1.09%]), both iliac veins (1 [1.09%]), left femoral vein (1 [1.09%]) or a more proximal portion of the ISV itself without shunting (3 [3.29%]). Patients with duplication could benefit from a more distal injection in order to prevent back-flow; of the 19 left, nine successfully underwent sclerotherapy with manual compression or/and scrotal ligation, whereas in 10 flow through the collaterals could not be interrupted and patients were demanded for surgery.

Conclusions:
Many patients with abnormal communications between the internal spermatic vein and the iliac veins (that is, shunts towards the iliac veins) may as well undergo retrograde sclerotherapy safely if compression/ligation is applied.

Advances in knowledge:
No large previous study highlighted the impact of veno-venous shunts in technical feasibility of retrograde sclerotherapy of varicocele.
Transcatheter arterial embolization of the subclavian and axillary artery branches for hemorrhage control
Authors: Onishi Yasuyuki , Shimizu Hironori , Ando Saya , Kawamura Hitomi , Onishi Motofumi , Taniguchi Takanori , Isoda Hiroyoshi , Nakamoto Yuji 
Published: February 2023

Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the branches of the subclavian and axillary arteries for hemorrhage control.

Methods:
Between January 2015 and June 2022, 35 TAE procedures were performed for hemorrhage from the branches of the subclavian and axillary arteries in 34 patients (22 men, 12 women; 1 male underwent TAE twice; mean age = 76 years). Pre-TAE CT showed hematomas in the chest (n = 25) and abdominal walls (n = 3), shoulder (n = 2), and lower neck (n = 2). CT showed hemothorax in eight cases. Angiographic findings, embolization technique, and technical and clinical success of TAE were retrospectively assessed in all cases.

Results:
TAE was performed by transfemoral (n = 16), transradial (n = 12), and transbrachial (n = 7) approaches. Angiography revealed contrast media extravasation or pseudoaneurysms in 32 cases (91.4%). The most commonly embolized arteries were the internal thoracic (n = 12), lateral thoracic (n = 6), and thoracoacromial (n = 6) arteries. Technical and clinical success rates were 100 and 85.7%, respectively. A complication (skin necrosis after injection of the liquid embolic agent) developed in only one patient (2.9%) and was conservatively managed.

Conclusion:
TAE is an effective and safe treatment for hemorrhage from the branches of the subclavian and axillary arteries.

Advances in knowledge:
Transfemoral approach has been used for TAE of the branches of the subclavian and axillary artery. Transradial and transbrachial approaches can also be considered.
Gene expression data visualization tool on the o²S²PARC platform
Authors: Ben Aribi Hiba , Ding Mengyuan , Kiran Anmol 
Published: February 2023

Background: The identification of differentially expressed genes and their associated biological processes, molecular function, and cellular components are essential for genetic disease studies because they present potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Methods: In this study, we developed an o²S²PARC template to instantiate an interactive pipeline for gene expression data visualization, ontological mapping, and statistical evaluation. To demonstrate the tool's usefulness, we performed a case study on a publicly available dataset. Results: The tool enables users to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and visualize them in a volcano plot format. Ontologies associated with the DEGs are assigned and visualized in barplots. Conclusions: The “Expression data visualization” template is publicly available on the o²S²PARC platform.
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the doublesex (dsx) gene splice sites and relevance for its alternative splicing in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Djihinto Oswald , Saizonou Helga D.M. , Djogbenou Luc S. 
Published: February 2023

Background: Malaria burden continues to be significant in tropical regions, and conventional vector control methods are faced with challenges such as insecticide resistance. To overcome these challenges, additional vector control interventions are vital and include modern genetic approaches as well as classical methods like the sterile insect technique (SIT). In the major human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, a candidate gene favourable for sterility induction is the doublesex (dsx) gene, involved in mosquitos’ somatic sexually dimorphic traits determination. However, the pathways that trigger the signal of dsx gene exon skipping alternative splicing mechanism in anopheline mosquitoes are not well characterized. This study aims to screen the An. gambiae dsx gene splice site sequences for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that could be critical to its alternative splicing. Methods: Variant annotation data from Ag1000G project phase 2 was analysed, in order to identify splice-relevant SNPs within acceptor and donor splice sites of the An. gambiae dsx gene (Agdsx). Results: SNPs were found in both donor and acceptor sites of the Agdsx. No splice-relevant SNPs were identified in the female-specific intron 4 acceptor site and the corresponding region in males. Two SNPs (rs48712947, rs48712962) were found in the female-specific donor site of exon 5. They were not specific to either males or females as the rs48712947 was found in female mosquitoes from Cameroon, and in both males and females from Burkina Faso. In the other splice sites, the intron 3 acceptor site carried the greatest abundance of SNPs. Conclusions: There were no gender association between the identified SNPs and the random distribution of these SNPs in mosquito populations. The SNPs in Agdsx splice sites are not critical for the alternative splicing. Other molecular mechanisms should be considered and investigated.
LET EVALUATE HUMAN CAPITAL AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INVESTMENTS INVESTED IN IT. PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP
Authors: Tverdola N. 
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this article is to form a methodology for assessing the human capital of organization and the effectiveness of investments in it based on proactive leadership and a meta-program approach. Achieving the goal is based on solving two problems: firstly, the essence of the concepts of leadership, proactive leadership, and related concepts of human capital, human asset is analyzed, and secondly, the relationship between the concepts of human capital, proactive leadership and the effectiveness of organizations. The methodological basis of the study was the concepts of modern leadership developed by D. Goldman, R. Boyatzis and E. Mackey et al., the metaprogram approach of Patrick Merlevede, Michael Hall, the ideas of Jim Collins, the investment assessment model of Andre Mayo (Andrew Mayo ) — “The Human Capital Monitor®”, the theory of spiral dynamics. Considered the essence of the proactive leadership’s concept and highlighted the quality characteristics of proactive leadership. Analyzed the approach to personnel assessment based on meta-programs and behavioral models. Proposed for discussion the author’s view on the structure of human capital and methods for assessing the effectiveness of investments in its development.
Patient characteristics and the use of seclusion in an adult forensic inpatient mental health service in Australia: a quantitative analysis and examination of clinical interventions
Authors: Barr Lesley , Wynaden Dianne , Heslop Karen 
Published: February 2023

Background/Aims In Australia, national data indicate that the rate of seclusion use in public forensic mental health inpatient settings has almost tripled since 2008, with the number of patients being admitted to these settings being secluded more often but for shorter durations. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the use of seclusion within an adult forensic mental health inpatient setting in Australia. The study also sought to compare and examine the characteristics of patients who experienced seclusion and those who did not. Methods This quantitative study was achieved by completing a retrospective case file audit. Data were collected on all patients admitted to the adult forensic mental health inpatient unit during a 6-month period (January to June 2016). Data were obtained from medical records including age, sex, ethnicity, primary and secondary diagnosis, referral source and previous admissions to acute and forensic mental health inpatient settings. Results During the 6-month study period, 117 admissions to the service occurred involving 109 patients. There were 61 seclusion events involving 20 (18%) patients. Data indicated that patient gender and diagnosis increased the likelihood of a seclusion event occurring. Conclusions Seclusion was used on a small number of patients who presented a high risk, specifically young, white men with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or a psychotic disorder and drug-related symptoms. Identifying patient characteristics that increase the risk of seclusion is important so that services can design early intervention strategies to enhance patient safety.
Use of autologous whole blood clot in the treatment of complex surgical wounds: a case series
Authors: Gurevich Maxim , Heinz Stephen M , Fridman Ruhama , Hawkins Jessie , Wachuku Chinenye D 
Published: February 2023

Objective: Dehiscence and infection of hard-to-heal surgical wounds results in an increased risk of complications and mortality. A hard-to-heal surgical wound will present decreased levels of growth factors along with increased levels of debris and matrix metalloproteinases, resulting in the destruction of the extracellular matrix (ECM). ActiGraft (RedDress Ltd., Israel) is an autologous whole blood clot treatment, created at a point of care, to promote wound healing. We hereby present the efficacy of ActiGraft in a case series of hard-to-heal surgical wounds. Method: A registry study of patients with surgical wounds was conducted in private clinics and hospitals across the US and Israel (NCT04699305). Autologous whole blood clot was created at point of care using the patient's own blood. Results: A total of 14 patients took part in the study. Autologous whole blood clot treatment resulted in a mean percent wound area reduction of 72.33% at four weeks, with 33.33% of wounds achieving complete closure by week 4. At week 12, 78.54% of the wounds achieved complete closure. Conclusion: Surgical wounds in patients with comorbidities may fail to initiate the natural wound healing mechanism which in turn may cause deterioration of the wound into a hard-to-heal stage. In this case series, autologous whole blood clot treatment was able to restore wound healing, avoiding the risk of infection and amputation of an affected limb. The properties of autologous whole blood clot as an ECM reduce the risk of infection, causing the wound to progress from the inflammatory phase to the proliferative phase. Autologous whole blood clot treatment in hard-to-heal surgical wounds was found to be an effective approach, reducing the risk of infection and promoting cell granulation, resulting in wound closure.
An Evolving Disabled Professor Training Highly Qualified Teachers Committed to Disability Rights and Social Justice
Authors: Ressa Theodoto 
Published: February 2023

<p style="text-align:justify">I use the disability studies framework and autoethnography method in this qualitative research to examine my lived experiences in education and their impact on the disability community. The qualitative research method focuses on obtaining data through open-ended and conversational communication. This method is about what people think and why they think so. Disability Studies is an interdisciplinary body of intellectual work that positions disability positively and complexly, interrogating rhetoric that disability is a deficit that experts should remedy. Autoethnography is a research method and methodology which uses the researcher’s personal experience as data to describe, analyze and understand cultural experience. I focus on my disability community membership, professional development, and ways I integrate social justice in teacher education to correct education systems into ones that value disabled people. Using the self-study technique, I review my education journey and identities and how they have shaped me into a teacher educator who believes education leverages us to question happenings and provide solutions. I, therefore, reflect on the entwinement of my scholarship and community outreach and how they are geared towards creating and advancing a local and global pluralistic society that values disabled people. My values of collaboration, innovation, integrity, excellence, access, diversity, equity, equality, and inclusion are best practices that dismantle educational barriers and empower educators and disabled people. </p>
Robust bound states in the continuum in a dual waveguide system
Authors: Gu Zhiyuan , Jiang Sen , Liu Chang , Zhang Nan 
Published: February 2023

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) provide a fascinating platform to route/manipulate waves with ultralow loss by patterning low-refractive-index materials on a high-refractive-index substrate. Principally, the phase of leaking channels can be manipulated via tuning the structural parameters to achieve destructive interference (i.e., the BIC condition), surprisingly leading to the total elimination of dissipation to the continuum of the substrate. Despite recent developments in BIC photonics, the BIC conditions can only be satisfied at specified geometric sizes for waveguides that dim their application prospects. Here, we propose a dual waveguide system that support BICs under arbitrary waveguide sizes by solely changing the intervals between the two waveguides. Our calculation results show that robust BICs in such architectures stem from the interaction (destructive interference) between leaking waves from the two waveguides. Furthermore, a cladding layer is introduced to improve the fabrication tolerance and reduce the sensitivity of the low-loss condition on the waveguide intervals of the presented dual waveguide system. The proposed approach offers an intriguing solution to establish a BIC concept and may be helpful to improve the potential of BIC photonic devices and circuits.
Cognitive impairment following traumatic brain injury in Uganda: Prevalence and associated factors
Authors: Kintu Timothy Mwanje , Katengeke Vanessa , Kamoga Ronald , Nguyen Tricia , Najjuma Josephine Nambi , Kitya David , Wakida Edith K. , Obua Celestino , Rukundo Godfrey Zari 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundAs the burden of dementia continues to rise in sub-Saharan Africa, it is crucial to develop an evidence base for potentially modifiable risk factors such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Cognitive impairment may result from TBI and since it is an established prodromal form of dementia, we investigated the burden of cognitive impairment and associated factors in persons with a history of TBI in southwestern Uganda.MethodsThis was a community-based quantitative study with a cross-sectional design among 189 persons with a history of TBI in southwestern Uganda. Data were collected by the research team in March and June 2022 and entered into Kobo Toolbox before being transferred to RStudio version 4.1.0 for cleaning and analysis. Data were analyzed at a 5% level of significance.ResultsMost study participants had some form of cognitive impairment (56.1%), with 43.1% of the participants having mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Cognitive impairment was associated with older age (p-value<0.001); loss of consciousness following the TBI (p-value = 0.019) and a history of tobacco use (p-value = 0.003). As a measure of severity of the TBI, loss of consciousness (aOR = 4.09; CI = 1.57–11.76;p<0.01) and older age (aOR = 1.04; CI = 1.01–1.07;p<0.01) were identified as risk factors for cognitive impairment.ConclusionThere is a high burden of cognitive impairment among individuals with a history of TBI in southwestern Uganda, and most associated risk factors are potentially modifiable. Long-term follow-up of TBI patients would enable early identification of some risks. Patients with TBI could benefit from behavioural modifications such as restriction of alcohol intake and tobacco use to slow down the progression into dementia.
Safety and clinical efficacy of endoscopic procedures for the treatment of adjacent segmental disease after lumbar fusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Nan , Xie Yimin , Liu Xiyu , Zheng Yawei , Xi Zhipeng , Xu Wenqiang , Deng Rongrong , Tang Tian , Liu Xin 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundAdjacent segment disease (ASD) is a common complication after lumbar fusion and is still traditionally treated by open surgery. In recent years, with the development of minimally invasive techniques, percutaneous endoscopic surgery(PES) has been used for the treatment of ASD after lumbar fusion due to its unique benefits. Nevertheless, it remains unclear about its significant clinical efficacy and advantages over conventional open surgery.ObjectivesTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of PES in the treatment of ASD after lumbar fusion.Study designA systematic review and meta-analysis studies about the role of PES in managing ASD after lumbar fusion.MethodsA systematic search review was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, WanFang, and SinoMed databases from the start of their construction to 15 November 2021. Eligible studies included references to clinical trials of PES for ASD after open lumbar fusion. Observations included pain relief, recovery of postoperative function, overall excellent rates, and indicators of the advantages of minimally invasive surgery compared to conventional surgery. Postoperative complications and recurrence rates were also recorded.ResultsA total of 24 studies, including 20 single-arm studies and 4 clinical control studies, all involving 928 patients were included. A total of 694 patients were included in the single-arm analysis. The results of the single-arm meta-analysis showed that PES could significantly reduce low back and leg pain and improve the functional status of the lumbar spine in patients with ASD after open lumbar fusion compared to preoperatively, and had good clinical efficacy after surgery. A total of 234 patients were included in the four clinically controlled studies, and the results of the meta-analysis showed that PES could clearly reduce pain and improve lumbar function, with no significant difference in efficacy between PES and open surgery. However, PES has a lower surgical incision, less intraoperative bleeding, and shorter operative time and length of hospital stay compared to open surgery. Moreover, it has a lower rate of postoperative recurrence as well as complications and a longer duration of efficacy.ConclusionsOn the basis of the available clinical literature and the results of this study, PES could achieve satisfactory clinical effects in ASD treatment after lumbar fusion. Compared with conventional open surgery, PES can not only obtain similar clinical results, but also had the advantages of less trauma and faster recovery. Nevertheless, a randomized controlled study is still needed to validate the findings of this study.Trial registrationSystematic review registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifierCRD42022298387.
Knowledge of postpartum complications and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last 12 months in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia, 2019: A community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Yaya Tessema Godana , Ayele Gistane , Fikadu Tessema Kassahun , Gendisha Ukke Gebresilasea , Godana Boynito Wanzahun 
Published: February 2023

Introduction
The knowledge of women about obstetric complications can helps them to seek health care earlier before obstetric complications arise. Most maternal deaths occur due to the poor health care seeking behavior after childbirth, but little is done on maternal knowledge of postpartum complications. Therefore this study aimed to assess knowledge of postpartum complications and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last 12 months in Arba Minch Town, Sothern Ethiopia.

Methods
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 418 women from December 01 to 15, 2019. A multi-stage sampling method was applied to reach study units. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data using face-to-face interviews. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was applied to examine the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Statistical significance was declared at a P-value ≤ 0.05 with the corresponding 95% confidence level.

Results
Knowledge of women on postpartum complications was 23.9%. Secondary and above educational level (AOR = 3.82, 95% CI: [1.70, 8.65]), Grand multiparity (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: [1.13, 4.71]), having four and above ANC visit (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI: [1.10, 3.81]) and self-decision making power to seek care (AOR = 3.68, 95% CI: [2.21, 6.11]) were statistically significant factors.

Conclusion and recommendation
Mothers’ knowledge of postpartum complications was low in this study area. Improving women’s educational level, decision-making power to seek health care, and counseling during ANC follow-up may be useful approaches to increase their knowledge of postpartum complications.