bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between implanted cardioverter-defibrillators and mortality for patients with left ventricular ejection fraction between 30% and 35%
Authors: Wasfy Jason H , Achanta Aditya , Hidrue Michael K , Urbut Sarah , Axtell Andrea L , Berman Adam N , Zhao Yunong , Chen Julian , Gustus Sarah , Picard Michael H 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundConsensus guidelines support the use of implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with either non-ischaemic or ischaemic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%. However, evidence from trials for efficacy specifically for patients with LVEF near 35% is weak. Past trials are underpowered for this population and future trials are unlikely to be performed.MethodsPatients with lowest LVEF between 30% and 35% without an ICD prior to the lowest-LVEF echo (defined as ‘time zero’) were identified by querying echocardiography data from 28 November 2001 to 9 July 2020 at the Massachusetts General Hospital linked to ICD treatment status. To assess the association between ICD and mortality, propensity score matching followed by Cox proportional hazards models considering treatment status as a time-dependent covariate was used. A secondary analysis was performed for LVEF 36%–40%.ResultsInitially, 526 440 echocardiograms representing 266 601 unique patients were identified. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 6109 patients remained for the analytical cohort. In bivariate unadjusted comparisons, patients who received ICDs were substantially more often male (79.8% vs 65.4%, p<0.0001), more often white (87.5% vs 83.7%, p<0.046) and more often had a history of ventricular tachycardia (74.5% vs 19.1%, p<0.0001) and myocardial infarction (56.1% vs 38.2%, p<0.0001). In the propensity matched sample, after accounting for time-dependence, there was no association between ICD and mortality (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.15, p=0.482).ConclusionsICD therapy was not associated with reduced mortality near the conventional LVEF threshold of 35%. Although this treatment design cannot definitively demonstrate lack of efficacy, our results are concordant with available prior trial data. A definitive, well-powered trial is needed to answer the important clinical question of primary prevention ICD efficacy between LVEF 30% and 35%.
Lifetime Body Weight Trajectories and Risk of Renal Cell Cancer: A Large U.S. Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Deng Zhengyi , Hajihosseini Morteza , Moore Justin X. , Khan Saira , Graff Rebecca E. , Bondy Melissa L. , Chung Benjamin I. , Langston Marvin E. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background:
Body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for renal cell cancer (RCC), but data are limited as to the effect of lifetime exposure to excess body weight.

Methods:
Using the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (N = 138,614, 527 incident RCCs), we identified several anthropometric measures to capture the lifetime BMI patterns: (i) BMI at specific ages; (ii) adulthood BMI trajectories; (iii) cumulative exposure to overweight/obesity denoted as weighted years of living overweight/obese (WYO); and (iv) weight change during each age span. We conducted multivariable Cox model to quantify the association between each anthropometric metric and incident RCC.

Results:
A higher BMI at ages 20 and 50 and at baseline was associated with a greater hazard of RCC. Compared with individuals who retained normal BMI throughout adulthood, we observed an increased hazard of RCC for BMI trajectory of progressing from normal BMI to overweight [HR, 1.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19–1.87], from normal BMI to obesity (HR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.70–2.90), and from overweight to obesity (HR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.81–4.27). Compared with individuals who were never overweight (WYO = 0), elevated HRs were observed among individuals who experienced low (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.99–1.74), medium (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.20–2.05), and high (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.62–2.72) WYO tertile. Weight gain of ≥10 kg was associated with increased RCC incidence for each age span.

Conclusions:
Across the lifespan, being overweight/obese, weight gain, and higher cumulative exposure to excess weight were all associated with increased RCC risk.

Impact:
It is important to avoid weight gain and assess BMI from a life-course perspective to reduce RCC risk.
The Legitimacy of the International Court of Justice from the Vantage Point of UN Members
Authors: Godzimirska Zuzanna 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Significant scholarly commentary exists on the legal aspects of the relationship between the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly. Legal scholars have mused about the role of General Assembly resolutions in the jurisprudence of the Court and dissected the General Assembly’s (mis)use of requests for advisory opinions from the Peace Palace. Yet one essential aspect of the interaction between the two institutions tends to be overlooked. Each fall, UN Members meet in the hall of the General Assembly to offer their comments on the annual Report of the ICJ. The debate constitutes one of few occasions on which UN Members get the opportunity to express views on the Court’s activities and exercise of authority. Taking government statements issued in General Assembly debates over the past thirty years as its point of departure, the article teases out factors that, in the eyes of UN Members, contribute to or detract from the Court’s legitimacy. The article finds that four sets of sources affect UN Members’ assessments of the institution: 1) the Court’s outreach efforts and access to its various outputs, 2) diversity, representativeness, and the quality of its jurisprudence, 3) independence and impartiality of its judges, and 4) its efficiency, flexibility, and transparency. In so doing, the article contributes novel and empirically grounded perspectives to ongoing debates about the legitimacy of the principal judicial organ of the UN from the vantage point of its primary constituents, UN Members.
Understanding Chest CT Scan Usage Among Adolescent Blunt Trauma Patients at Adult Trauma Centers
Authors: Groszman Lilly , McCook Kem-Maria , Xiang Laurel , Parker Laurel , Villamor Laurie Lynne , Koganti Deepika , Smith Randi Nicole , Sola Richard 
Published: August 2023

Purpose The utility of chest computed tomography (CCT) is not well established in the diagnostic algorithm of adolescent blunt trauma patients. Our study’s aim was to review CCT usage in the initial evaluation of adolescent blunt trauma. Methods We retrospectively reviewed adolescent blunt trauma patients treated at our urban level 1 adult trauma center from 2015 to 2019. Our primary outcome was the rate of positive CCT findings. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results There were 288 patients that met our inclusion criteria and 153 positive CCT and 135 negative CCT. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in terms of age, gender, and race. Those with a positive CCT were found to have a statistically significant higher ISS than the negative CCT group (20.6 ± 12.3 vs 12.3 ± 7.6; P < .01). Those with a positive CCT were more likely to have a GCS <15 (40% vs 25%), have a positive CXR (38% vs 2%), have chest pain (16% vs 7%), and have an abnormal chest exam (27% vs 7%) than those with a negative CCT ( P < .01). On multivariate analysis, positive CXR ( P < .05, OR = 13.96) and ISS ( P < .05, OR = 3.10) were independently associated with a positive CCT. Conclusion While CCT may provide valuable information, clinical exam coupled with low-ionizing radiographic imaging (i.e., CXR) may sufficiently identify chest trauma after blunt mechanisms. This shift in management can potentially reduce the risk of radiation without compromising the care of adolescent trauma patients at adult trauma centers.
Effect of diabetes mellitus on physical activity in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Fujita Remi , Ota Susumu , Yamamoto Yuri , Kataoka Akito , Warashina Hideki , Inoue Tomoe , Ozeki Shinya , Sugiura Hideshi 
Published: August 2023

Purpose Knee osteoarthritis (OA) may be comorbid with diabetes mellitus (DM), and physical activity is a recommended lifestyle strategy for both diseases. The present study investigated the physical activity differences by intensity between knee OA patients with or without DM, and evaluated if physical activity was associated with the presence of DM in knee OA patients. Methods A total of 183 patients (mean age 74.9 ± 6.4 years) with moderate-to-severe knee OA underwent evaluation of knee function (i.e., knee flexion/extension range-of-motion, knee-extension muscle strength, and knee pain), the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, and physical activity measurement using an accelerometer. Physical activity by intensity was compared between knee OA patients with and without DM. The association between physical activity, including knee function and the TUG test time, and DM was assessed. Results The 2 groups (with or without DM) did not differ significantly in knee OA severity or age. Compared to knee OA patients without DM, knee OA patients with DM had a significantly lower average daily step count ( p < 0.001), and significantly shorter times spent performing light-intensity physical activity (LPA; p < 0.001) and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA; p = 0.006). After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, we found that a lower average daily step count and shorter LPA time significantly correlated with DM ( β = −0.200, p = 0.006; β = −0.216, p = 0.004, respectively) and a longer TUG test time ( β = −0.196, p = 0.014; β = −0.208, p = 0.011, respectively). A shorter MVPA time significantly correlated with lower contralateral knee-extension muscle strength ( β = 0.187, p = 0.032). Conclusion Knee OA patients with DM had significantly lower physical activity levels than those without DM. Furthermore, the presence of DM correlated with a lower step count and a shorter LPA time in knee OA patients.
A guide to support trainee’s success in the psychotherapy written case submission
Authors: Northwood Korinne , Warren Nicola , Cutbush Jimsie , Parker Stephen 
Published: August 2023

Objective Many trainees find the Psychotherapy Written Case (PWC) requirement of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists training program challenging. The skills developed and assessed through this experience are critical to the competencies expected of a psychiatrist. However, the process of psychodynamic psychotherapy is often dramatically different from the expectations associated with early clinical placements in acute psychiatric settings. To support trainees in achieving success in the PWC, a guide to the written report was developed based on a review of existing resources and various stakeholder perspectives. Conclusions The submission should reflect a training case rather than an idealised or fictionalised story attempting to demonstrate the therapist’s competence. The PWC submission must meet the requirements of a general psychiatric report and provide a considered reflection on the experience of the novice therapist.
Feasibility of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping With Carbon Nanoparticles in Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Sun Wei , Chen Xing , Fu Shilong , Huang Xiaohao 
Published: August 2023

Introduction This retrospective study aims to investigate the feasibility of using carbon nanoparticles to detect sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in cervical cancer. Methods This study involved 174 patients with cervical cancer. Cervix tissues adjacent to the cancer were injected with 1 mL of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions according to the instructions. The pelvic lymph nodes were then dissected, and the black-stained sentinel lymph nodes were sectioned for pathological examination. Results Of 174 cases, 88.5% of patients (154/174) had at least 1 sentinel lymph node, and 131 patients (75.29%) had bilateral pelvic sentinel lymph nodes. The left pelvic lymph node was the most common sentinel lymph node (34.16%). At least 1 sentinel lymph node was observed in 285 out of 348 hemipelvises, with a detection rate of a side-specific sentinel lymph node of 81.89%. In total, 47 hemipelvises had metastasis of the lymph node, and 33 involved the sentinel lymph node, with a sensitivity of 70.21% and a false-negative rate of 29.79%. There were 238 hemipelvises with no metastasis of the lymph node, as well as negative sentinel lymph nodes, with a specificity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 94.44%. The univariate analysis demonstrated that risk factors included tumor size (OR .598, 95% CI: .369-.970) and deep stromal invasion (OR .381, 95% CI: .187-.779). The deep stromal invasion was the only variable for the false-negative detection of a sentinel lymph node. Conclusion Sentinel lymph node mapping with carbon nanoparticles might be applied to predict the metastasis of pelvic lymph nodes in cervical cancer. However, tumor size and deep stromal invasion might negative influence the detection rate of SLN.
Exposure to Cadmium Telluride Quantum Dots and Gene Expression Profile of Huh-7 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line
Authors: Alothaid Hani , Al-Anazi Mashael R. , Al-Qahtani Arwa A. , Colak Dilek , Yusuf Azeez , Aldughaim Mohammed S. , Mahzari Ali M. , Habibullah Mahmoud M. , Alarifi Saud , Alkahtani Saad , Al-Qahtani Ahmed A. 
Published: August 2023

Nanoparticles have shown promising potential for efficient drug delivery, circumventing biological interferences like immunological and renal clearance and mechanical and enzymatic destruction. However, a handful of research papers have questioned the biomedical use of metal-based nanoparticles like cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe-QDs) for their cytotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic potential. Herein, we examined the effects of CdTe-QD NPs on gene expression profile of hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh-7) cell line. Huh-7 cells were treated with CdTe-QD NPs (10 μg/ml for 6, 12, and 24 hours, and 25 μg/ml for 6 and 12 hours), and transcriptomic analysis was performed using microarray to evaluate the global gene expression profile. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) were observed for both the doses (10 and 25 μg/ml) of CdTe-QD NPs at different time points. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that genes involved in molecular function of cell cycle, organizational injury and abnormalities, cell death and survival, gene expression, cancer, organismal survival, and cellular development were differentially expressed. Overall, we have demonstrated differential expression of several genes, involved in maintaining cell survival, metabolism, and genome integrity. These findings were confirmed by RT-qPCR study for some canonical pathway genes signifying possible implication in NP toxicity-mediated cell survival and inhibition of cell death.
Duration of sick leave after operated and non-operated distal radial fracture: a Finnish cohort study of 19,995 patients
Authors: Ax Maarit , Palola Vili , Ponkilainen Ville , Launonen Antti P. , Mattila Ville M. 
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether operative treatment for distal radial fracture reduces the length of sick leave and the costs of treatment. We identified 19,995 patients from a registry who received a state sick leave allowance between 2010 and 2019 owing to distal radial fractures. We compared these patients to a registry of operations and identified 4346 operated patients. Operated patients had a mean sick leave of 75 days, whereas non-operated patients had a sick leave of 63 days. In the operated group, the cost of sick leave was €7505 (UK£6419; US$8070), which was 34% higher than in the non-operated group. Over the analysed period, the duration of sick leave decreased. Although several studies have shown better early functional outcomes after operation, this does not seem to shorten sick leave. Level of evidence: III
Post-Vaccine SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection and Associated Factors Among Health Care Providers in Addis Ababa Public Hospitals, Addis Ababa, 2022: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Getahun Enyew Belay , Kebede Nigisti Mekonnen , Belay Fidelawit Enyew , Adissu Tewodros Setegn , Haile Zegeye Wubeshet 
Published: August 2023

Background of the study The protection against Coronavirus variants 2019 by pre-existing antibodies due to the current vaccination or natural infection is a global concern. In Ethiopia, case reports show that a significant number of health professionals are reported to get re-infected after vaccination. There are also more studies that revealed the symptomatic SARS-COV-2 re-infection, in particular, among healthcare providers actively engaged in Addis Ababa public health facilities. Objective This study has aimed at assessing the magnitude of post-vaccine reinfection of SARS-COV-2 and associated factors among health care providers in Addis Ababa public hospitals, Addis Ababa, 2022 G.C. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 11 to July 30, 2022. A total of 422 health professionals were included. A simple random sampling method was employed to select 40% of the total hospitals. Then the total sample size was equally allocated to each selected hospital, and then each individual was selected purposefully. The data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The analysis was done using SPSS version 26.0, and for data entry, EPi Info version 7.1 was used. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the p-value. Results Overall, 418 healthcare providers were enrolled in this study, making the response rate 99.05%. The magnitude of SARS-COV-2 reinfection was 60 (14.4%) (95% CI 10.8-17.9). Healthcare professionals who took infection prevention (IP) training on COVID-19 (AOR = 7.177: CI = 4.761-9.698) were associated with SARS-COV-2 reinfection; those with a history of chronic respiratory diseases (AOR = 3.029: CI = 2.406-9.133) were associated with SARS-COV-2 reinfection; health professionals who took the third dose of SARS-COV-2 vaccine (AOR = 1.75: CI = 1.14-2.68) and being a midwife were statistically significant. Conclusion and Recommendation This study showed the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 reinfection among vaccinated healthcare providers with a pre-vaccination infection history was high; IP training on COVID-19 was needed; educational status, profession, type of vaccine taken in the first dose, chronic respiratory diseases, and number of vaccinations were significantly associated with SARS-COV-2 reinfection after vaccination. Giving IP training, encouraging taking the vaccine as protocol, and using proper personal protective equipment are recommended.
Exploring the Diagnostic Role of Spectral Doppler as a Predictor of Malignancy Within Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Akhoundi Neda , Naseri Zahra , Siami Alireza , Hazara Sara , Noorbakhsh Mahta , Hazara Kobra , Rezazadeh Elmira 
Published: August 2023

Objective: In recent years, spectral Doppler has become a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing suspected thyroid nodules. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical use of spectral Doppler in managing thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study included 153 patients who underwent thyroid nodule evaluation, using sonography. Peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) were measured, within the suspected lesions. Results: Among the 209 identified thyroid nodules, 193 (92%) were benign and 16 (7.6%) were malignant. The RI and PI values of malignant nodules were significantly higher than measured within benign nodules. There was also a significant difference in the EDV between benign and malignant nodules ( P = .012). The RI had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic, area under the curve, of 0.839 (95% confidence interval, 0.748–0.930). The optimal cutoff value for RI was 0.73. The results indicate that the RI with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.64, in the univariate analysis, and an OR of 2.31, in the multivariate analysis, might be successful in predicting a malignant thyroid nodule. Conclusion: This cohort study demonstrated a high sensitivity and specificity for RI and PI as predictors of malignancy in thyroid nodules, with diagnostic cutoff points of 0.73 and 1.37, respectively.
Magnetic sepiolite/iron(III) oxide composite for the adsorption of lead(II) ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Uygun Osman , Murat Ayşenur , Çakal Gaye Ö. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractClay minerals are effective adsorbents used for the remediation of toxic heavy metals from wastewater due to their large surface areas and great cation-exchange capacities. In this study, the removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions via adsorption was investigated using raw and iron-modified Turkish sepiolite. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of modification and environmental conditions on the sorptive properties of sepiolite samples. Initially, the raw sepiolite (Sep) and magnetic sepiolite/Fe2O3 composite (MagSep) prepared using the co-precipitation method were characterized via mineralogical and petrographical means and the physicochemical properties were determined. Then, the batch adsorption of lead (Pb2+) ions on the sepiolite samples was examined under various conditions (solution pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, initial Pb2+ ion concentration, temperature, shaking rate). The adsorption capacity of MagSep was found to be greater than that of Sep under all experimental conditions. The results showed that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the Langmuir isotherm best correlated with the experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 60.6 and 90.1 mg g–1 for Sep and MagSep, respectively. The characterization of the Pb-adsorbed sepiolite samples showed that lead formed covalent bonds with the sepiolite samples and attached to the sepiolite surface mainly through ion exchange. MagSep can be used efficiently in the field of wastewater treatment for the removal of Pb2+ ions as it does not release any toxic pollutants and can be separated easily with the use of a magnetic field.
Structure and thermal expansion of end-member olivines I: Crystal and magnetic structure, thermal expansion, and spontaneous magnetostriction of synthetic fayalite, Fe2SiO4, determined by high-resolution neutron powder diffraction
Authors: Tripoliti Evangelia K. , Dobson David P. , Fortes A. Dominic , Thomson Andrew R. , Schofield Paul F. , Wood Ian G. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe lattice parameters and the crystal and magnetic structures of Fe2SiO4 have been determined from 10 K to 1453 K by high-resolution time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction. Fe2SiO4 undergoes two antiferromagnetic phase transformations on cooling from room temperature: the first, at 65.4 K, is to a collinear antiferromagnet with moments on two symmetry-independent Fe ions; the second transition, at ~23 K, is to a structure in which the moments on one of the sets of Fe ions (those on the ‘M1 site’) become canted. The magnetic unit cell is identical to the crystallographic (chemical) unit cell and the space group remains Pbnm throughout. The magnetic structures have been refined and the results found to be in good agreement with previous studies; however, we have determined the spontaneous magnetostrictive strains, which have not been reported previously. In the paramagnetic phase of Fe2SiO4, at temperatures of 70 K and above, we find that the temperature dependence of the linear thermal expansion coefficient of the b axis takes an unusual form. In contrast to the behaviour of the expansion coefficients of the unit-cell volume and of the a and c axes, which show the expected reduction in magnitude below ~300 K, that of the b axis remains almost constant between ~70 K and 1000 K.