bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of aprepitant on post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery or catheterization procedures: a retrospective study with subjects as their own historical control
Authors: Belk John W. , Twite Mark D. , Klockau Katherine S. , Silveira Lori J. , Clopton Rachel G. 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionFor patients undergoing cardiac surgery and catheterization procedures, severe post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) can occur despite standard anti-emetic interventions. Aprepitant, a neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor blocker, is safe and effective at preventing PONV resistant to standard therapies.MethodsPatients with a history of severe PONV presenting for cardiac surgery or catheterization procedures from January 1, 2018 to January 6, 2021 were identified. After pharmacist approval, patients received aprepitant pre-operatively (Dose: 80 mg for weight &gt;50 kg, 40 mg for weight 30–50 kg). A retrospective chart review was performed. Primary outcomes of the incidence of PONV and PONV-related complications were evaluated.ResultsSeventeen patients were included with a mean age of 16.0 years at the time of their initial procedure, which acted as the “control” procedure, and 17.5 years when they received aprepitant. After the control procedure 64.7% of patients required rescue anti-emetics. When this group of patients received aprepitant pre-operatively at their subsequent procedure, only 17.6% required rescue medication (p = 0.005). Similarly, 64.7% of patients suffered at least one PONV-related complication after the control procedure. With aprepitant use pre-operatively, 5.9% of the same patients experienced a PONV-complication (p = 0.0003). Specifically, unplanned ICU admission due to severe PONV after catheterization procedures decreased from 55.6% (5/9) in the control group to 0 after these patients were treated pre-emptively with aprepitant (p = 0.01). For surgical patients, there were significant decreases in PONV-related complications including delayed oral intake and delayed ambulation (p = 0.04) in the aprepitant group compared to the control group.DiscussionThis small, retrospective study supports the conclusion that preoperative aprepitant administration in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization or cardiac surgery with a history of congenital heart disease and severe PONV significantly reduces the incidence of PONV and PONV-related complications. Decreasing these complications will likely improve the surgical experience for patients and families while also decreasing hospital costs and improving efficiency.
Transvenous lead extraction in children with bidirectional rotational dissection sheaths
Authors: Heck Roland , Peters Björn , Lanmüller Pia , Photiadis Joachim , Berger Felix , Falk Volkmar , Starck Christoph , Kramer Peter 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesDue to the limited longevity of endovascular leads, children require thoughtful lifetime lead management strategies including conservation of access vessel patency. Consequently, there is an increasing interest in transvenous lead extraction (TLE) in children, however, data on TLE and the use of powered mechanical dissection sheaths is limited.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study analyzing all children &lt;18 years that underwent TLE in our institution from 2015 to 2022. Procedural complexity, results and complications were defined as recommended by recent consensus statements.ResultsTwenty-eight children [median age 12.8 (interquartile range 11.3–14.6) years] were included. Forty-one leads were extracted [median dwell time 85 (interquartile range 52–102) months]. Extractions of 31 leads (76%) in 22 patients (79%) were complex, requiring advanced extraction tools including powered bidirectional rotational dissection sheaths in 14 children. There were no major complications. Complete procedural success was achieved in 18 (64%) and clinical success in 27 patients (96%), respectively. Procedural success and complexity varied between lead types. The Medtronic SelectSecure™ lead was associated with increased odds of extraction by simple traction (p = 0.006) and complete procedural success (p &lt; 0.001) while the Boston Scientific Fineline™ II lead family had increased odds of partial procedural failure (p = 0.017).ConclusionsTLE with the use of mechanical powered rotational dissection sheaths is feasible and safe in pediatric patients. In light of rare complications and excellent overall clinical success, TLE should be considered an important cornerstone in lifetime lead management in children. Particular lead types might be more challenging and less successful to extract.
Study on the setting characteristics of filling slurry with different aggregate combinations
Authors: Deng Daiqiang , Wang Ye , Liang Wei , Fan Jinkuan 
Published: September 2023

To grasp the phase change characteristics of the filling slurry from fluid to solid state in time, conducted a study on the setting characteristics of the filling slurry with different aggregate combinations, and analyzed the law of the initial and final setting time with the change of the amount of cementation powder, filling plant tailings, tailing pond tailings, and water. The results show that the initial and final setting time of the filling slurry prepared from the tailings of the filling plant is proportional to the concentration, and is positively correlated with the slope decline of the sand-cement ratio. The filling slurry prepared from the tailings of the tailing pond shows roughly the same change trend as the above slurry, but the change law is not obvious, which cannot be expressed by one kind of functional model, and the initial setting time and final setting time are less than the above slurry, which is because the tailings of the tailing pond contain more fine particles, which play a role in delaying setting in the slurry. For example, for five kinds of filling materials with different aggregates of 4:1, 6:1, 8:1, 12:1, and 20:1 sand-to-ash ratios and concentrations of 66%–72%, the initial setting times of filling slurry prepared from tailings of filling plant and tailings of tailing pond were 75.3 h–112.3 h, 77.6 h–122.2 h, and the final setting times were 82.8 h–123.4 h, 85.5 h–133.9 h. Therefore, it shows that the use of filling plant tailings containing fewer fine particles to prepare filling slurry can obtain a better treatment effect of the mining area, and the shortening of the solidification and hardening process of filling slurry can accelerate the mining cycle operation, and increase the amount of solid waste disposal per unit time, thus creating the necessary technical conditions for the enterprise to improve production efficiency and sustainable development.
The impact of ChatGPT on higher education
Authors: Dempere Juan , Modugu Kennedy , Hesham Allam , Ramasamy Lakshmana Kumar 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThis study explores the effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots, with a particular focus on OpenAI’s ChatGPT, on Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). With the rapid advancement of AI, understanding its implications in the educational sector becomes paramount.MethodsUtilizing databases like PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar, we systematically searched for literature on AI chatbots’ impact on HEIs. Our criteria prioritized peer-reviewed articles, prominent media outlets, and English publications, excluding tangential AI chatbot mentions. After selection, data extraction focused on authors, study design, and primary findings. The analysis combined descriptive and thematic approaches, emphasizing patterns and applications of AI chatbots in HEIs.ResultsThe literature review revealed diverse perspectives on ChatGPT’s potential in education. Notable benefits include research support, automated grading, and enhanced human-computer interaction. However, concerns such as online testing security, plagiarism, and broader societal and economic impacts like job displacement, the digital literacy gap, and AI-induced anxiety were identified. The study also underscored the transformative architecture of ChatGPT and its versatile applications in the educational sector. Furthermore, potential advantages like streamlined enrollment, improved student services, teaching enhancements, research aid, and increased student retention were highlighted. Conversely, risks such as privacy breaches, misuse, bias, misinformation, decreased human interaction, and accessibility issues were identified.DiscussionWhile AI’s global expansion is undeniable, there is a pressing need for balanced regulation in its application within HEIs. Faculty members are encouraged to utilize AI tools like ChatGPT proactively and ethically to mitigate risks, especially academic fraud. Despite the study’s limitations, including an incomplete representation of AI’s overall effect on education and the absence of concrete integration guidelines, it is evident that AI technologies like ChatGPT present both significant benefits and risks. The study advocates for a thoughtful and responsible integration of such technologies within HEIs.
Mentoring impact on the transversal competence’s development. An experience of educational accompaniment in the integral formation of the university student
Authors: Crespí Paula , López Jorge 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThe adaptation of universities to the new guidelines set by the European Higher Education Area implies relevant changes. Among them, a teaching model more focused on the student and his or her learning than on the teacher and the subject, new active teaching-learning methodologies and the development of competences through the acquisition of learning outcomes; all with the aim of contributing to the integral formation of the university student. The integral formation, enabling each student to discover and realize their own life project, is nourished by educational accompaniment and the development of competences. A concrete form of educational accompaniment is mentoring. The objective of this study is to evaluate the formative effectiveness of an innovative mentoring program in the development of transversal competences as a means to achieve the ultimate mission of the university: to provide a comprehensive education to students.MethodsThe design of this research is quasi-experimental (pretest-posttest). The sample consists of more than 300 first-year students of the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria who participated in the mentoring program. A questionnaire on transversal competences and group interviews were used as measurement instruments.ResultsThe results showed significant differences in the level of acquisition of intrapersonal competences between the pre-treatment and post-treatment periods, in favor of the latter. This fact suggests that students improved their level of intrapersonal competences thanks to the mentoring program. These results are subsequently supported by the analysis of the group interviews.DiscussionTherefore, it can be concluded that this type of mentoring program is a valid example for the development of intrapersonal competences, which in turn contributes to the integral formation of the student.
Factors predicting death and cancer in patients with giant cell arteritis in Western Norway 1972–2012: a retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Brekke Lene Kristin , Assmus Jörg , Fevang Bjørg-Tilde Svanes 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesEvidence as to whether or not giant cell arteritis (GCA) confers added risk of cancer or death is conflicting. Our aim was to identify factors predicting death or cancer in a large Norwegian GCA-cohort.MethodsThis is a retrospective observational cohort study including patients diagnosed with GCA in Western Norway during 1972–2012. Patients were identified through computerized hospital records using the International Classification of Diseases coding. Medical records were reviewed and data about registered deaths and cancer occurrences were extracted from the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry and the Cancer Registry of Norway. We investigated predicting factors using Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsWe identified 881 cases with a validated diagnosis of GCA (60% biopsy-verified). 490 patients (56%) died during the study period. Among 767 patients with no registered cancer prior to GCA diagnosis, 120 (16%) were diagnosed with cancer during the study period. Traditional risk factors were the main predictors of death; age at time of GCA-diagnosis [hazard ratio (HR) 2.81], smoking (HR 1.61), hypertension (HR 1.48) and previous cardiovascular disease (HR 1.26). Hemoglobin (Hb) level was also associated with risk of death with increasing Hb-levels at time of GCA-diagnosis indicating decreased risk of death (HR 0.91). Other GCA-related factors were not predictive of death. We did not identify any predictors of cancer risk.ConclusionIn our cohort of GCA-patients, the risk of death was predominantly predicted by age and traditional risk factors. We found no significant associations with regards to the risk of incident cancer.
Neutrophil CD64–a prognostic marker of sepsis in intensive care unit: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Pham Huy Minh , Nguyen Duy Ly Minh , Duong Minh Cuong , Phan Xuan Thi , Tran Linh Thanh , Trang Duong Hong Thuy , Pham Thao Thi Ngoc 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundLittle is known about the prognostic ability of nCD64 in critically ill patients. This study aimed to assess the prognostic values of nCD64 in adult ICU patients with sepsis.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted at the ICU of Cho Ray Hospital in Vietnam between January 2019 to September 2020. All newly admitted 86 septic patients diagnosed based on sepsis-3 criteria were included. An evaluation of nCD64 was performed at admission (T0) and 48 h thereafter (T48). Delta nCD64 (nCD64 T48 – nCD64 T0), %delta nCD64 [(nCD64 T48 – nCD64 T0)/nCD64 T0 x 100%], APACHE II and SOFA scores were calculated and examined. Serum procalcitonin levels and white blood cell counts were documented. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between nCD64 and severity scores. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the sepsis parameters.ResultsPatients with septic shock had significantly higher nCD64 levels than septic patients [3,568 (2,589; 5,999) vs. 1,514 (1,416;2,542) molecules/cell, p &lt; 0.001]. nCD64 T0 and SOFA scores had a moderately positive linear correlation (R = 0.31, p = 0.004). In the survivor group, nCD64 levels significantly decreased within the first 48 h of admission (p &lt; 0.001), while this trend was not statistically significant in the non-survivor group (p = 0.866). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of %delta nCD64 combined with APACHE II score (0.81) was higher than that of any other parameter alone or in combination with each other.ConclusionThe nCD64 index may serve as a valuable biomarker for predicting the course of sepsis. Monitoring changes in nCD64 during the initial 48 h of admission can aid in predicting the prognosis of septic patients. The use of a combination of the trends of nCD64 index in the first 48 h with APACHE II score would further enhance the predictive accuracy. More studies with longer follow-ups are needed to fully understand the implications of serial trend and kinetics of nCD64 in septic patients.
Differences in motor inhibition in young and older musicians and non-musicians at rest
Authors: Izbicki Patricia , Mendoza Tessa , Zaman Andrew , Stegemöller Elizabeth L. 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionOlder adults experience a decline in motor inhibition. These declines have been implicated in instrumental activities of daily living. However, studies have revealed that older musicians have behavioral and neurophysiological enhancements in various motor domains compared to non-musicians. This suggests that music training may delay the decline in motor inhibition with aging. Nevertheless, motor inhibition has not been studied in young or older musicians and non-musicians. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the neurophysiological differences in motor inhibition in aging musicians and non-musicians.MethodsA total of 19 healthy young adult musicians, 16 healthy young non-musicians, 13 healthy older adult musicians, and 16 healthy older adult non-musicians were recruited for the study. Transcranial magnetic stimulation single-pulse (SP) and short interval cortical inhibition (SICI) were performed at rest and then converted into inhibition percentage.ResultsWe did not observe significant differences between young and older musicians and non-musicians in resting SP MEP. Older adults had lower resting SICI MEP than young adults. Older adults (36%) had a greater percentage of inhibition than young adults (16%). However, when controlling for background EMG activity, musicians had a lower inhibition percentage than non-musicians.DiscussionThe results revealed that, despite the greater use of spinal mechanisms, decreased SICI, and increased inhibition percentage in older adults, motor inhibitory circuitry remains intact and functional in both young and older musicians and non-musicians. Future studies will reveal whether there are differences in motor inhibition during movement in musicians across a person's lifespan.
The durable effect of acupuncture for episodic migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shi Hangyu , Miao Runyu , Gao Shuai , Zhu Lili , Fang Jiufei , Liu Zhishun 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundMigraine is a common and recurrent type of headache. Avoiding trigger factors is not often successful in reducing headache frequency, duration, and severity. Prophylactic medications may be effective but are limited by strict indications and daily medication intake. This review aimed to investigate the durable effect of acupuncture on episodic migraine.MethodsSeven databases including Medline, Embase, PubMed, etc., were searched for English and Chinese literature from their inception to 23 November 2022. Two independent reviewers screened the retrieved studies and extracted the data. Primary outcomes were monthly migraine days, monthly migraine attacks, and VAS score at 3 months post-treatment. The risk of bias in included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Meta-analysis was conducted where applicable.ResultsFifteen studies were included in this review. Acupuncture reduced the number of migraine attacks (MD -0.68; 95% CI –0.93, −0.43; p &lt; 0.001), the number of days with migraine (MD –0.86; 95% CI –1.18, −0.55; p &lt; 0.001), and VAS score (MD –1.01; 95% CI –1.30, −0.72; p &lt; 0.001) to a greater degree than sham acupuncture at 3 months after treatment. Significant differences in reducing pain intensity of migraine in favor of acupuncture compared with waitlist (MD –1.84; 95% CI –2.31, −1.37; p &lt; 0.001) or flunarizine (MD –2.00; 95% CI –2.35, −1.65; p &lt; 0.001) at 3 months after treatment were found, and the differences reached the minimal clinically important difference (MCID).ConclusionThis review found that the durable effect of acupuncture for episodic migraine lasted at least 3 months after treatment. More high-quality studies with longer follow-up periods in the future are needed to confirm the findings.
Can flaxseed supplementation affect circulating adipokines in adults? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Abbasi Shaghayegh , Karimi Kiana , Hossein Moridpour Amir , Musazadeh Vali , Faghfouri Amir Hossein , Jozi Hannane 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThe findings of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effect of flaxseed on adipokine concentrations are conflicting. Therefore, the present meta-analysis was conducted to provide definite and conclusive results.MethodsSystematically, Scopus, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science databases, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant literature published up to December 2022. Based on random-effect models, standard mean differences (SMDs) were calculated for net changes in adipokine concentrations.ResultsOverall, 13 RCTs (15 arms) were eligible to be included. The results indicated that leptin was significantly reduced after the intervention with flaxseed supplement (SMD = −0.69, 95% CI: −1.37, −0.01; p = 0.048; I2 = 92.0%, p &lt; 0.001). In addition, flaxseed supplements had no considerable effect on plasma adiponectin (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI: −0.20, 1.25, p = 0.159; I2 = 92.0%, p &lt; 0.001).DiscussionFlaxseed significantly improves leptin but does not affect adiponectin concentrations. Additional future well-designed trials are required to further assess the potential benefits of flaxseed on adipokines in humans.
CCL22 and Leptin associated with steroid resistance in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Zhaoyang Peng , Wei Li , Yanyan Jin , Wenqing Xiang , Haidong Fu , Jianhua Mao 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivePrevious studies have indicated a decrease in T regulatory cells (Tregs) among patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. CCL22 and Leptin influenced the immune function of Tregs through their respective pathways. This study aimed to compare patients with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in terms of CCL22 and Leptin levels.MethodsThis prospective study included 117 children diagnosed with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). Peripheral blood samples were collected before initiating steroid therapy, and serum levels of CCL22 and Leptin were measured. Patients were categorized into three groups based on their response to steroid treatment. Renal biopsies were recommended for all children diagnosed with INS, with higher acceptance rates in glucocorticoid resistance patients.ResultsBased on the response to steroid treatment, 117 children were divided as groups of SSNS (82 cases), frequent relapse nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) (10 cases), and SRNS (25 cases). A total of 41 patients underwent kidney biopsy, 11 cases (13.4%) in SSNS, 7 cases (70.0%) in FRNS and 24 cases (96.0%) in SRNS. 30 cases were minimal change disease (MCD), 9 cases were mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) and 3 cases were focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The levels of Leptin were significantly higher in SR patients (1208.1 ± 1044.1 pg/ml) compared to SS patients (515.4 ± 676.9 pg/ml) and controls (507.9 ± 479.8 pg/ml), regardless of the pathological type. CCL22 levels were significantly elevated in SRNS (92.2 ± 157.0 pg/ml), but the difference seemed to be attributed to the specific type of pathology, such as Minimal change disease (MCD) (127.4 ± 206.7 pg/ml) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (114.8 ± 22.0 pg/ml). For SRNS prediction, the AUC of Leptin, CCL22, and the joint prediction index were 0.764, 0.640, and 0.806, respectively.ConclusionSerum levels of CCL22 and Leptin, detected prior to steroid therapy, were associated with steroid resistance in childhood INS.