bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Influence of the Preoperative Albumin to Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio on Overall Survival in Post-Radical Surgery for Colorectal Cancer and the Construction of a Nomogram Prediction Model
Authors: Jiang Wenliang , Xun Feng , Li Zhenchi , Xia Yong , Hu Haoran , Liu Yujun , Zhao Zhibin , Wang Honggang 
Published: September 2023

Purpose The albumin to alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) is a newly developed blood biomarker that has been reported to have prognostic value in several types of cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of AAPR in overall survival after radical colon cancer surgery in patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods The clinical data of 221 eligible patients with stage I ∼ III CRC were retrospectively analyzed. A series of survival analyses were performed to assess the prognostic value of AAPR. Univariate and multifactorial Cox analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors. Columnar graph prediction models were further constructed based on independent risk factors such as AAPR, and their predictive properties were validated. Results The optimal cutoff value of preoperative AAPR for postoperative overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical CRC was .495 as shown by univariate and multifactorial Cox regression analysis. The factors of age ≤65 years, Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage I-II, tumor grading (high/medium differentiation), CEA ≤5, and AAPR ≥.495 were associated with better OS ( P < .05). Conclusions Preoperative AAPR level was a good predictor of postoperative survival in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical CRC surgery, and AAPR <.495 was an independent risk factor for decreased postoperative OS.
Bone destruction in chronic otitis media is not mediated by the RANKL pathway or estrogen receptor-alpha
Authors: Heo Kyung Wook , Noh MinHye , Hur Dae Young , Hong Tae Ui , Park Sung Yool , Kim Woo Jin 
Published: September 2023

Background Chronic otitis media with or without cholesteatoma progresses with various degrees of bone resorption and remodeling. Estrogen mediates osteoprotective effects through the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) pathway, which is mainly mediated by estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α). Objectives The present study investigated the expression patterns of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), osteoprotegerin (OPG), RANKL, and ER-α in pathological tissue from patients with chronic otitis media to determine the roles of those factors in osteolytic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media. Methods Normal and pathological specimens from 18 patients with chronic otitis media were examined. Results There were no significant differences in RANK, OPG, RANKL, or ER-α mRNA expression between normal and pathological specimens of epithelial tissue. Conclusions Our findings suggested that RANK, OPG, RANKL, and ER-α are not associated with the bone destruction in chronic otitis media; other cytokines may directly activate the osteoclasts in chronic otitis media.
Direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists: Which one is more effective in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Khodadadiyan Alireza , Jazi Kimia , Bazrafshan drissi Hamed , Bazroodi Helia , Mashayekh Mina , Sadeghi Erfan , Gholamabbas Ghazal , Bazrafshan Mehdi , Rahmanian Mahdi 
Published: September 2023

Background The optimal approach for anticoagulation in patients with bioprosthetic valves and atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a subject of debate. A meta-analysis using updated evidence to evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with AF and bioprosthetic valves to address this controversy. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, up until March 2023. The search aimed to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the efficacy and safety outcomes of both direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with bioprosthetic valves and atrial fibrillation. The primary outcomes of interest were major bleeding and all-cause mortality. Results Our study demonstrated that despite the difference was not significant, the hazard of all-cause mortality was 2.5% higher in the DOAC group (HR = 1.03, 95% CI = [0.88, 1.19], p-value = .75). Similarly, the hazard of stroke (HR = 1.03, 95% CI = [0.87, 1.32], p-value = .71) and major bleeding (HR = 1.11, 95% CI = [0.89, 1.38], p-value = .36) were found to be respectively 3.2 and 10.7% higher in the DOAC group, although the difference was not significant. However, the hazard of intracranial hemorrhage was found to be 28.8 lower in the DOAC treatment group (HR = 0.71, 95% CI = [0.39, 1.31], p-value = .27), which again was not statistically significant. Conclusions Our meta-analysis demonstrates that in patients undergoing bioprosthetic valve surgery and presenting with AF afterward, DOAC and VKA are similar regarding life-threatening and all-cause mortality outcomes, including major bleeding, stroke, and intracranial hemorrhage.
Efficacy of combined ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with hyaluronic acid and physical therapy in patients with adhesive capsulitis: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wu Shang-Yu , Hsu Po-Cheng , Tsai Yuan-Yuan , Huang Jian-Ru , Wang Kevin A , Wang Jia-Chi 
Published: September 2023

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of combining ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with hyaluronic acid and physical therapy compared with physical therapy alone in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Design A prospective, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Setting Single medical centre. Participants Patients with adhesive capsulitis ( N = 62) were divided into group A: ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with hyaluronic acid + physical therapy ( N = 31) and group B: physical therapy alone ( N = 31). Interventions Group A received three doses of ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with hyaluronic acid-based injectates (20 mL in total). Both groups underwent structured physical therapy. Outcome measures The primary outcome measure was Constant score, while secondary outcomes included Shoulder Pain and Disability Index score, numerical rating scale (at rest, night, and during motion), 36-item Short Form Health Survey, and range of motion of the shoulder. All measurements were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks post-injection. Results At week 12, the Constant scores were 68.29 ± 14.55 and 62.77 ± 14.44 for groups A and B, respectively. There was a greater reduction in the Constant score, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and numerical rating scale between the baseline and 6 weeks and between the baseline and 12 weeks in group A (Constant score: p < 0.05, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index: p < 0.01, and numerical rating scale: p < 0.05). Conclusion The combination of ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with hyaluronic acid in conjunction with physical therapy provides additional benefits compared to physical therapy alone for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis at up to 12 weeks. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02708706.
Attitudes toward COVID-19 pandemic measures and clinical symptom severity in schizophrenia patients: a preliminary cross-sectional study
Authors: Onur Durmaz , Usta Haluk , Ayık Batuhan , Sönmez Ekin , Özdemir Cemre 
Published: September 2023

Objectives The study aim was to compare clinical symptom severity and quality of life (QoL) among schizophrenia patients according to their attitudes toward pandemic measures and reported lockdown-related disruption. Methods Patients with schizophrenia attending follow-up sessions at two community mental health centers were included in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients were assessed using a standardized form and the following psychometric instruments: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Heinrich–Carpenter Quality of Life Scale and Clinical Global Impressions Ratings-Severity scale. Patients were grouped according to their attitudes toward pandemic measures (positive attitudes or non-positive attitudes). Results No significant differences were found in sociodemographic and clinical variables, clinical symptom severity or QoL between schizophrenia patients with positive attitudes and those without positive attitudes toward pandemic measures. Guilt feelings and trait anxiety levels were positively related to lockdown-related disruption. Conclusions Positive attitudes toward pandemic measures may be affected by factors other than the sociodemographic and clinical status of schizophrenia patients. It is important that such factors are assessed in future studies to better manage pandemic-related challenges among schizophrenia patients.
Improving film adhesive joining performance of poly(phenylene sulfide)/carbon fiber thermoplastic composite laminates by plasma surface treatment
Authors: Uşak Adem Can , Kaynak Cevdet 
Published: September 2023

The main purpose of this study was to observe the degree of the improvement on the film adhesive joining performance of Poly(phenylene sulfide)/Carbon Fiber (PPS/CF) thermoplastic composite laminates when their surfaces were treated by atmospheric plasma technique. For this purpose, plasma treated surfaces were compared with untreated and the traditional grit-blasted surfaces. Treated surfaces were characterized by various techniques including contact angle, surface energy, surface roughness, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Then, joining performance of the PPS/CF composite samples bonded by an epoxy-based film adhesive was determined by using three different mechanical tests; single-lap shear strength, mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness energy, and drop-weight impact toughness. Grit-blasting surface treatment increased surface roughness of the specimens enormously (7 times more), leading to mechanical interlocking as the dominant bonding mechanism. Contrarily, plasma surface treatment resulted in formation of chemically reactive sites, thus dominant bonding mechanisms in the film adhesive joining were certain polar interactions and chemical bonding. Mechanical tests pointed out that compared to grit-blasting, plasma surface treatment resulted in considerably higher joint performance regarding interlaminar shear strength (35% more), interlaminar fracture toughness (67% more) and impact toughness (28% more), with the cohesive failure mode. Accordingly, it could be stated that traditional grit-blasting could be replaced with plasma surface treatment applied before film adhesive joining of PPS/CF composite parts in aircraft industry.
Adverse Events After Ankle Fracture Open Reduction Internal Fixation Among Patients With and Without Documented Cannabis and Tobacco Use
Authors: Dhodapkar Meera M. , Oghenesume Oghenewoma P. , Halperin Scott J. , Modrak Maxwell , Yoo Brad J. , Grauer Jonathan N. 
Published: September 2023

Background: Ankle fractures are common orthopaedic injuries that may be indicated for open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). Although the negative impact of tobacco use on perioperative outcomes of ankle fracture ORIF has been described, the potential impact of cannabis use on related outcomes is not as well established. Methods: Retrospective database study of adult patients undergoing ankle ORIF for closed, isolated, ankle fractures from the 2010-2021 Q1 PearlDiver M151 data set. Subcohorts without and with cannabis and/or tobacco use were identified based on coding and matched based on patient age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) scores to yield groups of nonusers, tobacco users, tobacco and cannabis users, and cannabis users. Ninety-day adverse events were assessed between matched subcohorts with multivariable logistic regression controlling for age, sex, and ECI. Results: A total of 149 289 patients met study inclusion criteria for whom tobacco only use was documented for 14 989 (10.0%), tobacco and cannabis use for 2726 (1.8%), and cannabis only use for 867 (0.6%). Matching yielded 823 for each group. On multivariable analyses, isolated tobacco users were at higher odds of 90-day urinary tract infections (UTIs) (odds ratio [OR] 2.64), minor adverse events (OR 2.33), all-cause adverse events (OR 2.17), readmissions (OR 1.85), and severe adverse events (OR 1.84). Tobacco and cannabis comorbid users were at a marginally higher odds of 90-day UTI (OR 2.82), minor adverse events (OR 2.51), readmissions (OR 2.39), and any adverse events (OR 2.22). Cannabis only users were not at greater odds of 90-day adverse events relative to nonusers. Conclusion: Patients with tobacco use (alone or with cannabis) were at greater odds of 90-day adverse events following ankle fracture ORIF, but cannabis only users were not. Level of Evidence: Level III, Retrospective database study.
Effect of Peritalar Subluxation Correction for Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity on Patient-Reported Outcomes
Authors: de Cesar Netto Cesar , Barbachan Mansur Nacime Salomao , Lalevee Matthieu , Carvalho Kepler Alencar Mendes de , Godoy-Santos Alexandre Leme , Kim Ki Chun , Lintz Francois , Dibbern Kevin 
Published: September 2023

Background: Peritalar subluxation (PTS) is part of progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD). This study aimed to evaluate initial deformity correction and PTS optimization in PCFD patients with flexible hindfoot deformity undergoing hindfoot joint-sparing surgical procedures and its relationship with improvements in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at latest follow-up. We hypothesized that significant deformity/PTS correction would be observed postoperatively, positively correlating with improved PROMs. Methods: A prospective comparative study was performed with 26 flexible PCFD patients undergoing hindfoot joint-sparing reconstructive procedures, mean age 47.1 years (range, 18-77). We assessed weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT) overall deformity (foot and ankle offset [FAO]) and PTS markers (distance and coverage maps) at 3 months, as well as PROMs at final follow-up. A multivariate regression model assessed the influence of initial deformity correction and PTS optimization in patient-reported outcomes. Results: Mean follow-up was 19.9 months (6-39), and the average number of procedures performed was 4.8 (2-8). FAO improved from 9.4% (8.4-10.9) to 1.9% (1.1-3.6) postoperatively ( P < .0001). Mean coverage improved by 69.6% ( P = .012), 12.1% ( P = .0343) and 5.2% ( P = .0074) in, respectively, the anterior, middle, and posterior facets, whereas the sinus tarsi coverage decreased by an average 57.1% ( P < .0001) postoperatively. Improvements in patient-reported outcomes were noted for all scores assessed ( P < .03). The multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that improvement in both FAO and PTS measurements significantly influenced the assessed PROMs. Conclusion: This study demonstrated significant improvements in the overall 3D deformity, PTS markers, and PROMs following hindfoot joint-sparing surgical treatment in patients with flexible PCFD. More importantly, initial 3D deformity correction and improvement in subtalar joint coverage and extraarticular impingement have been shown to influence PROMs significantly and positively. Addressing these variables should be considered as goals when treating PCFD. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective cohort study.
Investigating effective methods of clinical pharmacy training on oncology for community pharmacists: An observational study
Authors: Fukawa Takahiro , Mohri Junichi , Inano Hiroshi , Atsuda Koichiro , Otori Katsuya 
Published: September 2023

Introduction Kitasato University Hospital offers a training course for community pharmacists that focus on advanced pharmacy management care in outpatient cancer chemotherapy. The objective of this training program is to facilitate the transition from general to oncology certification for community pharmacists with limited experience in outpatient oncology to support the acquisition of an oncology specialty. Aim To evaluate the relationship between the changes in awareness, knowledge, and self-assessment that advanced pharmacy management care traineeship in an outpatient oncology unit for community pharmacists brings to trainees and the duration of training. Methods A quantitative text analysis was conducted of the daily training reports of six community pharmacists who had participated previously in the training course and had received in-service training in oncology for at least 30 days. The pre- and post-training results of the knowledge tests and self-assessments of confidence, understanding, and performance were compared. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Kitasato Institute Hospital in October 2019 (Study No. 19044). Results The terms Prescription, Recommendation were extracted from the daily report after the 21st day of oncology in-service training. Furthermore, factors such as knowledge of cancer pharmacotherapy, confidence in patient education regarding the side effects of chemotherapy, and understanding of the work of pharmacists in outpatient cancer chemotherapy significantly increased at the end of the training. Conclusions Community pharmacists with limited experience in outpatient oncology could improve their knowledge, understanding, and awareness of outpatient oncology patient care through 30 days of in-service oncology training in a hospital setting. The issues that emerged included training pharmacists to send follow-up documents on the patients’ side effects and medication status as well as developing the literature search environment in community pharmacies.
Medium-term visual and refractive outcomes in patients with pseudoexfoliation implanted with a toric or multifocal intraocular lens
Authors: Rementería-Capelo Laureano A. , Villar Ester , Puerto Beatriz , López-Caballero Cristina , Fernández-Cuenca Sara , Contreras Inés 
Published: September 2023

Purpose To report medium-term visual acuity and refractive outcomes of patients with pseudoexfoliation implanted with toric or multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with pseudoexfoliation who had undergone phacoemulsification between 2016 and 2020 with at least 24 months follow-up. Results Mean follow-up was 44.17 ± 14.95 months. Toric IOLs were implanted in 48 eyes: mean uncorrected LogMAR visual acuity one month after surgery was 0.03 ± 0.09, decreasing to 0.08 ± 0.11 at the last visit ( p = .01). Mean refractive cylinder was −0.12 ± 0.36 diopters one month after surgery and −0.25 ± 0.44 diopters at the last follow-up visit, p = .012. Multifocal IOLs were implanted in 42 patients: binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity was −0.02 ± 0.04 one month after surgery and 0.01 ± 0.05 at the last visit ( p = .004); near acuity was 0.01 ± 0.03 and 0.04 ± 0.06 respectively ( p = .001). In eyes with pseudoexfoliation, absolute spherical equivalent prediction error was 0.22 ± 0.20 diopters for toric and 0.21 ± 0.19 diopters for multifocal IOLs. One month after surgery 68.6% of eyes with toric IOLs and 74.2% of eyes with multifocal IOLs were within ±0.25 diopters of target spherical equivalent and 91.6% and 90.5% were within ±0.5 diopters, respectively. Spherical equivalent did not change significantly during follow-up for either group. Conclusion Prediction error in eyes with pseudoexfoliation implanted with toric or multifocal IOLs was low and similar to values reported for normal eyes. Postoperative refractive cylinder with toric IOLs was low, with little change during follow-up. Visual function in patients receiving multifocal IOLs was excellent. Therefore, the implantation of these IOLs in eyes with pseudoexfoliation does not seem to cause medium-term problems.
Distinct intrathecal inflammatory signatures following relapse and anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bruno Antonio , Buttari Fabio , Dolcetti Ettore , Azzolini Federica , Borrelli Angela , Lauritano Gianluca , Di Caprio Veronica , Rizzo Francesca Romana , Gilio Luana , Galifi Giovanni , Furlan Roberto , Finardi Annamaria , Guadalupi Livia , Musella Alessandra , Mandolesi Georgia , Centonze Diego , Stampanoni Bassi Mario 
Published: September 2023

Background: The role of vaccine-mediated inflammation in exacerbating multiple sclerosis (MS) is a matter of debate. Objective: In this cross-sectional study, we compared the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammation associated with MS relapses or anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: We dosed CSF cytokines in 97 unvaccinated RRMS patients with clinical relapse within the last 100 days. In addition, we enrolled 29 stable RRMS and 24 control patients receiving COVID-19 vaccine within the last 100 days. Results: In RRMS patients, a negative association was found between relapse distance and the CSF concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 (beta = −0.265, p = 0.016), IL-6 (beta = −0.284, p = 0.01), and IL-17 (beta = −0.224, p = 0.044). Conversely, vaccine distance positively correlated with a different set of cytokines including IL-12 (beta = 0.576, p = 0.002), IL-13 (beta = 0.432, p = 0.027), and IL-1ra (beta = 0.387, p = 0.05). These associations were significant also considering other clinical characteristics. No significant associations emerged between vaccine distance and CSF molecules in the control group. Conclusion: Vaccine for COVID-19 induces a central inflammatory response in RRMS patients that is qualitatively different from that associated with disease relapse.
Drivers of Corporate Investment in India: Assessing the Impact of Monetary Policy and COVID
Authors: Gupta Kashyap , Kumar Sunil , Gulati Sarthak 
Published: September 2023

Empirical investigation finds that firm-specific factors, namely deleveraging of balance sheets, comfortable cash flows and improving debt servicing capacity impact fixed investment in private corporate sector positively. Monetary policy impacts fixed assets investment growth of financially constrained firms more compared to non-financially constrained firms. Furthermore, the impact of COVID pandemic on investment was more adverse in case of weak firms. JEL Codes: G3, E22, O16, E52