bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sarcopenia and osteopenia are independent risk factors for proximal junctional disease after posterior lumbar fusion
Authors: Ruffilli Alberto , Barile Francesca , Cerasoli Tosca , Manzetti Marco , Viroli Giovanni , Ialuna Marco , Traversari Matteo , Salamanna Francesca , Mazzotti Antonio , Fini Milena , Faldini Cesare 
Published: March 2023

Study Design:
This was a retrospective study.

Objective:
Since a better understanding of modifiable risk factors for proximal junctional disease (PJD) may lead to improved postoperative outcomes and less need of revision surgery, the aim of the present study is to determine whether sarcopenia and osteopenia are independent risk factors for PJD in patients undergoing lumbar fusion.

Summary of Background Data:
PJD is one of the most frequent complications following posterior instrumented spinal fusion. It is characterized by a spectrum of pathologies ranging from proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) to proximal junctional failure (PJF). The etiology of PJD is multifactorial and currently not fully understood. Patient-specific factors, such as age, body mass index, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and the presence of other comorbidities, can represent potential risk factors.

Materials and Methods:
A retrospective review of patients, aging 50–85 years, who underwent a short (≤3 levels) posterior lumbar fusion for degenerative diseases was performed. Through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), central sarcopenia and osteopenia were evaluated, measuring the psoas-to-lumbar vertebral index (PLVI) and the M-score. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the independent risk factors for PJD, PJK, and PJF.

Results:
A total of 308 patients (mean age at surgery 63.8 ± 6.2 years) were included. Ten patients (3.2%) developed a PJD and all required revision surgery. Multivariate regression identified PLVI (P = 0.02) and M-score (P = 0.04) as independent risk factors for both PJK (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively) and PJF (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions:
Sarcopenia and osteopenia, as measured by PLVI and M-score, proved to be independent risk factors for PJD in patients who undergo lumbar fusion for degenerative diseases.

Clinical Trial Registration:
The present study was approved by the Institutional Review Board, CE AVEC 208/2022/OSS/IOR.
Evaluation of long-term clinical outcomes and the incidence of adjacent proximal segment degenerative disease with algorithmic transforaminal interbody fusion
Authors: Byvaltsev Vadim A. , Kalinin Andrei A. , Pestryakov Yurii Ya , Spiridonov Alexey V. , Krivoschein Artem V. 
Published: March 2023

Study Design:
This was a prospective multicenter study.

Background:
Adjacent segment degenerative disease (ASDd) is a common complication of open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (O-TLIF), the leading cause of which is initial adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). To date, various surgical techniques for the prevention of ASDd have been developed, such as, simultaneous use of interspinous stabilization (IS) and preventive rigid stabilization of the adjacent segment. The use of these technologies is often based on the subjective opinion of the operating surgeon, or on the assessment of one of the predictors of ASDd. Only sporadic studies are devoted to a comprehensive study of risk factors of ASDd development and personalized performance of O-TLIF.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes and the incidence of degenerative disease of the adjacent proximal segment using clinical-instrumental algorithm for preoperative planning to O-TLIF.

Materials and Methods:
The prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter cohort study included 351 patients who underwent primary O-TLIF, and the adjacent proximal segment had initial ASD. Two cohorts were identified. The prospective cohort included 186 patients who were operated by using the algorithm of personalized O-TLIF performance. The control retrospective cohort consisted of patients (n = 165), from our own database who had been operated on previously without the algorithmized approach. Treatment outcomes were analyzed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) assessment of pain syndrome, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) scores of the Short Form 36 questionnaire, frequency of ASDd was compared between studied cohorts.

Results:
Thirty-six months after follow-up, the prospective cohort had better SF36 MCS/PCS outcomes, less disability according to ODI, and lower pain level according to VAS (P < 0.05). The incidence of ASDd in the prospective cohort was 4.9%, which was significantly lower than in the retrospective cohort (9%).

Conclusions:
The prospective use of a clinical-instrumental algorithm for preoperative planning of rigid stabilization, depending on the biometric parameters of the proximal adjacent segment, significantly reduced the incidence of ASDd and improved long-term clinical outcomes compared with the retrospective group.
Case Report: A Case of Post-Transplant Chagas Reactivation after Negative Trypanosoma cruzi Testing
Authors: Shakhtour Omar , Aberra Tsion , Ahmad Huzaifa , Saxena Abhinav , Isaac Imad , Meda Namratha , Gadodia Ritika , Marcus Rachel 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT.
Patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy carry a significant risk of reactivation after heart transplantation. Reactivation of Chagas disease can lead to graft failure or systemic complications such as fulminant central nervous system disease and sepsis. As such, careful screening for Chagas seropositivity prior to transplant is crucial to preventing negative outcomes in the post-transplant setting. One challenge in screening these patients is the variety of laboratory tests available and their differing sensitivities and specificities. In this case report, we present a patient who tested positive by a commercial Trypanosoma cruzi antibody assay and later tested negative by CDC confirmatory serological analysis. After the patient underwent orthotopic heart transplant, he underwent protocol-based polymerase chain reaction surveillance for reactivation as a result of persistent concerns for T. cruzi infection. It was discovered shortly thereafter that the patient had reactivation of Chagas disease, confirming that he did have Chagas cardiomyopathy prior to transplantation, despite negative confirmatory testing. This case illustrates the complexities of serological diagnosis of Chagas disease and the importance of additional testing for T. cruzi when the post-test probability remains high even with a commercial, negative serologic test.
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction from Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests to Detect Borrelia crocidurae, the Agent of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, in Febrile Patients in Senegal
Authors: El Hadji Ibrahima Ndiaye , Diatta Georges , Adama Zan Diarra , Bassene Hubert , Sokhna Cheikh , Parola Philippe 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT.
In endemic malaria areas, Plasmodium is currently diagnosed mainly through the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). However, in Senegal, many causes of fever remain unknown. Tick-borne relapsing fever, an often-neglected public health problem, is the main cause of consultation for acute febrile illness after malaria and flu in rural areas. Our objective was to test the feasibility of extracting and amplifying DNA fragments by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) from malaria-negative RDTs for Plasmodium falciparum (malaria Neg RDTs P.f) to detect Borrelia spp. and other bacteria. Between January and December 2019, malaria Neg RDTs P.f were collected on a quarterly basis in 12 health facilities in four regions of Senegal. The DNA extracted from the malaria Neg RDTs P.f was tested using qPCR and the results were confirmed by standard PCR and sequencing. Only Borrelia crocidurae DNA was detected in 7.22% (159/2,202) of RDTs. The prevalence of B. crocidurae DNA was higher in July (16.47%, 43/261) and August (11.21%, 50/446). The annual prevalence was 9.2% (47/512) and 5.0% (12/241) in Ngayokhem and Nema-Nding, respectively, health facilities in the Fatick region. Our study confirms that B. crocidurae infection is a frequent cause of fever in Senegal, with a high prevalence of cases in health facilities in the regions of Fatick and Kaffrine. Malaria Neg RDTs P.f are potentially a good source of pathogen sampling for the molecular identification of other causes of fever of unknown origin, even in the most remote areas.
Emerging Maripa Hantavirus as a Potential Cause of a Severe Health Threat in French Guiana
Authors: Matheus Séverine , Houcke Stéphanie , Lontsi Ngoula Guy Roger , Lecaros Pablo , Pujo Jean Marc , Higel Nicolas , Ba Absetou , Cook Fabrice , Djahi Patrick , Resiere Dabor , Hommel Didier , Lavergne Anne , Kallel Hatem 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT.
We describe the clinical parameters and management of nine confirmed cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome reported in French Guiana since 2008. All patients were admitted to Cayenne Hospital. Seven patients were men and the mean age was 48 years (range, 19–71 years). Two phases characterized the disease. The prodromal phase was characterized by fever (77.8%), myalgia (66.7%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting and diarrhea; 55.6%) starting, on average, 5 days before the illness phase, which was characterized by respiratory failure in all patients. Five patients died (55.6%) and the length of stay in the intensive care unit was 19 days (range, 11–28 days) for survivors. Detection of two back-to-back recent cases highlights the reason to screen for hantavirus infection during the nonspecific phase of the disease, in particular when concomitant pulmonary infection and digestive disorders are observed. Specific longitudinal serological surveys must also be used to identify other potential clinical forms of the disease in French Guiana.
Emziren Annelerin Kontraseptif Kullanma Niyetleri ve Etkileyen Faktörler
Authors: ÖZDEMİR GÜL Özden , BEYDAĞ Kerime Derya 
Published: March 2023

Amaç: Bu araştırma, 0-6 aylık bebeği olup bebeğine sadece anne sütü veren annelerin kontraseptif kullanma niyetlerini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı tipteki araştırma, Mart-Temmuz 2021 tarihleri arasında, İstanbul ili Avrupa yakasında hizmet veren bir aile sağlığı merkezine başvuran 165 anne ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler, tanıtıcı soru formu ve Kontraseptif Niyet Ölçeği ile elde edilmiştir.
Bulgular: Annelerden üç ve üzeri gebeliği olanların, gebeliği plansız olanların, önceki gebeliğinin üzerinden iki yıldan fazla süre geçenlerin, tekrar gebe kalmayı düşünmeyenlerin, gebelik öncesinde modern yöntem kullananların, şu anda yöntem kullananların ve aile planlaması danışmanlığı almayanların kontraseptif kullanma niyetinin daha yüksek; aile planlaması yöntemini eşi seçen ve emzirmenin yöntem seçimindeki kararını etkilediğini belirtenlerin ise kontraseptif kullanma niyetinin daha düşük olduğu saptanmıştır (p
Investigating Foreign Language Learning Anxiety: A Case of French Students in Ghana
Authors: Nkrumah James 
Published: March 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate foreign language learning anxiety amongst French students in Ghana.
Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and a methodological gap relating to investigating foreign language learning anxiety among French students in Ghana. Preliminary empirical review reveals that that French-speaking students at Ghanaian educational institutions suffer from moderate anxiety. Because the French language system is distinct from their own and the English language system, this may be a source of anxiety. Pre-university exposure to the French language, particularly in elementary and secondary school, may assist to reduce anxiety to a moderate degree.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Horwitz, Horwitz and Cope’s Theory. The Cognitive theory and the Krashen’s Affective Filter Theory may be used to anchor future studies relating to foreign language learning anxiety. The study will be beneficial to EFL teachers and other relevant stakeholders in establishing policies and strategies to create a conducive environment to allow foreign language learners have an easy time in acquisition of a foreign language.
Body Image: A Study Concerning Teenage Social Media Involvement and Body Satisfaction
Authors: Phan Marilyn , Dinh Ana 
Published: March 2023

People have been influenced by social media, through both subtle and explicit means that appearance is crucial to a positive and successful experience as a person. While the message may not be directly stated, the strong implication that society needs to fit the ideal body standard can have detrimental consequences, especially amongst impressionable teen audiences. The social media platform, Instagram, is greatly responsible for this trend due to its focus on photo-sharing. My research investigated Instagram's portrayal of an unrealistic body image and social media's influence over the perception of one's body image. It aimed to answer the question “What effect does social media's portrayal of the unrealistic ideal body have on male and female Californian high school students’ own body satisfaction?”. To do this, I conducted a survey of reviewing students' body satisfaction before and after reviewing images of popular influencers through Google Forms. I had participants identify social media's portrayal and reflect on their interactions with social media. After analyzing the data, I concluded that while both genders' body satisfaction was impacted negatively by social media, young women were impacted more significantly than young men. The results of this study give insight into how society influences body image and how social media can be used as a method to promote the ideal body standard. It explores males and their experiences with social media more deeply and in comparison to women.
The Emotional Effects of Extended Breaks on Elementary Students in School Speech Therapy Programs
Authors: Dorman Alexis 
Published: March 2023

With the COVID-19 pandemic drastically affecting everyone across the United States and the rest of the world, people of all ages have experienced, and continue to experience, a wide variety of social and emotional challenges. Unforeseen closures have subsequently affected people’s lives, across the globe. Many of these people rely on school, work, and a variety of other special programs for academic, financial, psychological, and emotional support. With lack to these support systems, many are left feeling lost and falling behind.
Language delays are seen in 1.9 to 2.3 percent of children between the ages of two and seven years. (McLaughlin, 2011). With that being said, school speech therapy programs are essential to the success and development of students across the country; especially in cases where private speech therapy is not feasible. Although these programs have proven to be both necessary and important, very limited research have been done on the emotional effects of the specific methods in use.
Collegiate Athletes and Sexual Assault: Justice for Victims Amid Perpetrator Protections
Authors: Warfel Samantha , Houseknecht Jennifer 
Published: March 2023

This research paper reviews existing research and attitudes on the paradigm of a quiet, yet pervasive reality that exists within collegiate level athletics. A reality that defies federal law, and protects male athletes from facing repercussions for perpetrating acts of sexual misconduct--disproportionately affecting young women, typically of college age, and already the most vulnerable to sexual abuses such as assault and harassment. In the US, women face disproportionate rates of sexual assault-- their male counterparts making up the overwhelming perpetrator demographic. But, few know collegiate male athletes, and inter-collegiate athletic authorities and leadership perpetrate and enable these crimes, on college campuses at even more alarming rates. This raises the question of how do the ethical protections provided to collegiate level male athletes in the U.S. accused of sexual assault disproportionately impact the justice of victims? And, how must stakeholders act to resolve the injustices and disproportionalities that exist? The research findings conclude that The NCAA and OCR must be held accountable, via an Athlete and Accomplice Accountability Act (Quad-A), a framework devised for a legislative mandate that provides for the eliminations of current “recommendations” for handling sexual assault allegations, in addition to furthered enforcement of victim protections among other facets.
The Growing Flows of E-waste - International and Domestic Policy Reforms
Authors: Wang Alice , Nam Rosemari , Lyons Kathryn 
Published: March 2023

In this technologically conscious and advanced age, electronics have been a boon in raising the standard of living. However, there is an insidious monster awaiting us beyond the shiny LED lights and AI programs: electronic disposal in the form of e-waste has been growing at an alarming rate of 3-5% per year and can reach up to 75 megatons (Mt) by 2030 (Forti et al., 2020). Even among those of us who are aware of the problem of e-waste, few bother to investigate beyond the garbage truck that drives away from our homes. Often, this waste is shipped off unprocessed to other countries where waste is nearly untrackable. E-waste is of particular concern due to the toxic materials that are not found in other kinds of waste. But, due to the economic benefits and convenience it provides for both the countries that are selling and the countries that are receiving the waste, the e-waste issue is multifaceted. This paper will attempt to track the current international e-waste trade through the countries and industries that participate in it. Current international policy towards e-waste is examined with the 1989 Basel Convention marking the first attempt to define and corral e-waste. To truly make lasting changes in the e-waste market, e-waste must be properly defined and regulated with an international standard. Furthermore, the formal recycling industries must be strengthened in all countries with strict enforcement of the rules in countries that export the e-waste.
Top Portable ECGs in the Status Quo
Authors: Chellarapu Sai Ashutosh , Cavanaugh Chloe 
Published: March 2023

Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are devices that measure the heart’s electrical activity. ECGs have shown to identify issues with a person’s heart. It is quite well known that heart disease has been a leading cause of death. Using ECGs for those who have heart issues is crucial for preventing serious implications, but it’s not always possible to have immediate access to a 12-lead ECG used in healthcare facilities. For this reason, it’s important to have a portable ECG that suits the user’s needs. In the status quo, there are many portable ECGs with splendid features offered. However, a deeper dive into the categories of statistical data, mechanical qualities, price, and tech features of these ECGs reveals that we can reduce the number of high-quality portable ECG options available to a select few. Over 10 devices were identified originally. However, the number was reduced to 8 as only those had statistical data. Devices that did not have information about a subcategory or category were excluded in the analysis of identifying the best ECG for their respective categories. The study concluded with identifying AliveCor Kardia Mobile SL as the “winner” of the 8 ECG lineup, with the Microlife WatchBP Home A and AliveCor Kardia Mobile 6L devices following in second and third places, respectively. In conclusion, this study allows the consumer to make an educated decision, based on their preferences, which ECG would suit best for him/her.
Keywords: Preventive Care, Heart Disease, EKG, ECG, Portable, Sensitivity, Specificity, Price
Is Free Will Compatible with Lewis’s Account of Time Travel?
Authors: Conchillo Jaime , Oosterum Kyle van 
Published: March 2023

Time travel may be possible but whether time travellers are free to do what they want isn’t so clear. It is generally thought that free will isn’t compatible with the possibility of backwards time travel because of the things that time travellers can’t do. Since they can’t create logical contradictions, it seems they can’t do anything to change the past. What does this say about a time traveller’s free will and free will more generally? This paper aims to look through the different views of philosophers to come to a conclusion.
To prove that free will is compatible with Lewis´s account of time travel we will go through incompatibilism and compatibilism, which hold different views about whether causally determined things (like the past) can be compatible with the existence of free will. I will show why a compatibilist view is defensible when talking about free will in the context of time travel.
Through this paper, I will start by looking at some models of time travel. Then I will examine how the logic of time travel commits us to an unsatisfying view of free will. Afterward, I will discuss distinct models of free will and how those may help us understand the problem and then conclude with discussion of a common objection to Lewis’s account of time travel and free will.
Impact of Adolescent Social Media Use on Body Image, Mental Health and Eating Disorders: A Review
Authors: Rajesh Shraddha , Draper Lucy 
Published: March 2023

Adolescents are considered vulnerable to negative influences on social media because their use of the medium expands at a time when they are in a transition period in their lives dealing with many other issues such as puberty, exam stress and anxiety about their future. This review focuses on primary research articles exploring the impact of social media on adolescents’ mental health, body image and eating disorder related issues. This review also includes articles regarding how social media can be used to deliver positive messages, recruit vulnerable subjects for early intervention and explore the effectiveness of new treatment strategies. Based on the reviewed articles, it seems that girls, boys and transgender persons are similarly at-risk from negative social media influence. Going ahead, there is a need to focus on the nature of social media activity rather than just time spent to identify vulnerable young persons. It is possible that in some cases social media usage can drive a vicious cycle that amplifies negative psychological attitudes initiated due to social and personal context. Further research is required to explore the role parents and social media platforms can play in maintaining positive attitudes and effecting early intervention programs.