bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High triglyceride levels increase the risk of diabetic microvascular complications: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Jiahang , Shi Lei , Zhao Guohong , Sun Fei , Nie Zhenxing , Ge Zhongli , Gao Bin , Yang Yan 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
The prevalence of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing. The effect of lipid profiles on diabetic microvascular complications remains debated. This research aimed to study the correlation between lipid profiles and microvascular complications.

Methods
This retrospective cross-sectional study included 1096 T2DM patients. The patients were divided into the control, diabetic retinopathy (DR), nephropathy (DKD), and peripheral neuropathy (DPN) groups based on the existence of corresponding complications. The lipid profiles were analyzed, and the effect on complications was assessed by logistic regression.

Results
Compared with the control group, the diabetic microvascular complications group had a higher dyslipidemia rate. The rate of high TGs increased significantly with an increasing number of complications. High TG levels contributed to the risk of DKD, DR, and DPN [odds ratios (ORs): 2.447, 2.267, 2.252; 95% confidence interval: 1.648–3.633, 1.406–3.655, 1.472–3.445]. In the age (years) > 55, T2DM duration (years) > 10, and HbA1c (%) ≥ 7 groups, the risk of high TGs was higher for DKD (ORs: 2.193, 2.419, 2.082), DR (ORs: 2.069, 2.317, 1.993), and DPN (ORs: 1.811, 1.405, 1.427).

Conclusion
High TG levels increase the risk of diabetic microvascular complications, and patients with older age, longer T2DM duration, and higher HbA1c levels are recommended to keep lipid levels more strictly.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a Mendelian randomization and mediation analysis
Authors: Cao Jiali , Wang Ziwen , Zhu Mengpei , Huang Yumei , Jin Ze , Xiong Zhifan 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
A previous study demonstrated that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the causality between them has not been proven due to conflicting research results and the interference of confounders. This study utilized Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between LDL-C and HCC and identify the mediating factors.

Methods
LDL-C, HCC, and coronary artery disease (CAD) genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were obtained from a public database. To investigate causality, inverse variance weighting (IVW) was the main analysis approach. MR‒Egger, simple mode, weighted median (WM), and weighted mode were employed as supplementary analytic methods. In addition, horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity were tested. To evaluate the stability of the MR results, a "leave-one-out" approach was used. Multivariate MR (MVMR) was utilized to correct the confounders that might affect causality, and mediation analysis was used to investigate the potential mediating effects. Finally, we used HCC risk to infer the reverse causality with LDL-C level.

Results
Random effects IVW results were (LDL-C-HCC: odds ratio (OR) = 0.703, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [0.508, 0.973], P = 0.034; CAD–HCC: OR = 0.722, 95% CI = [0.645, 0.808], P = 1.50 × 10–8; LDL-C–CAD: OR = 2.103, 95% CI = [1.862, 2.376], P = 5.65 × 10–33), demonstrating a causal link between LDL-C levels and a lower risk of HCC. Through MVMR, after mutual correction, the causal effect of LDL-C and CAD on HCC remained significant (P < 0.05). Through mediation analysis, it was proven that CAD mediated the causative connection between LDL-C and HCC, and the proportion of mediating effect on HCC was 58.52%. Reverse MR showed that HCC could affect LDL-C levels with a negative correlation (ORIVW = 0.979, 95% CI = [0.961, 0.997], P = 0.025).

Conclusion
This MR study confirmed the causal effect between LDL-C levels and HCC risk, with CAD playing a mediating role. It may provide a new view on HCC occurrence and development mechanisms, as well as new metabolic intervention targets for treatment.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers (HCWs) in Sindh Province of Pakistan
Authors: Saifullah  , Ma Zhiqiang , Li Mingxing , Maqbool Muhammad Qasim 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
In Pakistan, the COVID-19 outbreak posed a significant challenge for healthcare workers in the country’s public hospitals. The HCWs faced several problems in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore this study investigated how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the medical staff at the public hospital in Sindh Province, Pakistan.

Methods
In this study, a qualitative exploratory design was used. Semi-Structure interviews (SSI) were conducted by using an open-indeed questionnaire (OIQ) for data collection. An inductive approach was used for theoretical data analysis. A total of 320 HCWs participated to complete the criteria of the study from 10 different public hospitals.

Results
The study result showed the Sindh public hospital’s insufficient infrastructure, lack of health protective equipment, shortages of isolation rooms and beds, and emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic caused HCWs to experience physical and psychological weariness, sleep disturbance, mental stress, and fear of infection.

Conclusion
The study concluded that public hospitals’ insufficient infrastructure, furniture, emergency wards, and safety equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly damaged HCWs’ physical and psychological health, generating fear of infection and sleep disturbance. Additionally, Sindh healthcare workers’ fear of illness and isolation may impair family connections.
Fingertip coverage with uni-pedicled volar rotational advancement flap with large Z-plasty: a report on 112 cases
Authors: Park Seong Oh , Kim Dae Kwan , Ahn Hee Chang , Kim Youn Hwan 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Simple and safe fingertip reconstruction methods involve the use of local neurovascular islands flaps that can preserve functional length and sensitivity, and reconstruction with skin of the same texture. However, techniques involving flaps have numerous drawbacks and do not satisfy all the requirements for fingertip reconstruction. A particular problem is the persistence of contracture deformity due to lack of full flap advancement. We present a new technique using uni-pedicled volar rotational advancement flap with large Z-plasty, and describe the results of long-term follow-up.

Methods
From October 1993 to December 2009, 112 fingers of 98 patients were covered with uni-pedicled volar rotational advancement flap with large Z-plasty after sustaining various types of injuries or finger pulp avulsion. A longitudinal incision was made along the lateral border of the digit and a large neurovascular volar flap was elevated just above the pulleys and flexor tendon sheath. To release tension, a large Z-plasty was applied at the metacarpophalangeal joint or interphalangeal joint crease. The final patient outcomes were reviewed retrospectively.

Results
All fingertip injuries were treated without flap necrosis. Partial wound dehiscence was observed in two patients and average static two-point discrimination was 5.2 mm. There were no postoperative contracture deformities, joint stiffness, paresthesia, or hypersensitivity. Most patients were left with acceptable scarring and were free of postoperative pain and cold intolerance during the long-term follow-up.

Conclusions
Our novel technique provides durable, completely sensate, and well-vascularized coverage of the fingertip with minimal discomfort to patients.
Opportunities and challenges: interleukin-22 comprehensively regulates polycystic ovary syndrome from metabolic and immune aspects
Authors: Geng Yuli , Liu Zhuo , Hu Runan , Ma Wenwen , Wu Xiao , Dong Haoxu , Song Kunkun , Xu Xiaohu , Huang Yanjing , Li Fan , Song Yufan , Zhang Mingmin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is known as a prevalent but complicated gynecologic disease throughout the reproductive period. Typically, it is characterized by phenotypic manifestations of hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovary morphology, and persistent anovulation. For now, the therapeutic modality of PCOS is still a formidable challenge. Metabolic aberrations and immune challenge of chronic low-grade inflammatory state are significant in PCOS individuals. Recently, interleukin-22 (IL-22) has been shown to be therapeutically effective in immunological dysfunction and metabolic diseases, which suggests a role in the treatment of PCOS. In this review, we outline the potential mechanisms and limitations of IL-22 therapy in PCOS-related metabolic disorders including its regulation of insulin resistance, gut barrier, systemic inflammation, and hepatic steatosis to generate insights into developing novel strategies in clinical practice.
Prevalent diabetes and long-term cardiovascular outcomes in adult sepsis survivors: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Angriman Federico , Lawler Patrick R. , Shah Baiju R. , Martin Claudio M. , Scales Damon C. ,   the Sepsis Canada Network
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Sepsis survivors are at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease during long-term follow-up. Whether diabetes influences cardiovascular risk after sepsis survival remains unknown. We sought to describe the association of diabetes with long-term cardiovascular outcomes in adult sepsis survivors.

Methods
Population-based cohort study in the province of Ontario, Canada (2008–2017). Adult survivors of a first sepsis-associated hospitalization, without pre-existing cardiovascular disease, were included. Main exposure was pre-existing diabetes (any type). The primary outcome was the composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Patients were followed up to 5 years from discharge date until outcome occurrence or end of study period (March 2018). We used propensity score matching (i.e., 1:1 to patients with sepsis but no pre-existing diabetes) to adjust for measured confounding at baseline. Cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models with robust standard errors were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) alongside 95% confidence intervals (CI). A main secondary analysis evaluated the modification of the association between sepsis and cardiovascular disease by pre-existing diabetes.

Results
78,638 patients with pre-existing diabetes who had a sepsis-associated hospitalization were matched to patients hospitalized for sepsis but without diabetes. Mean age of patients was 71 years, and 55% were female. Median duration from diabetes diagnosis was 9.8 years; mean HbA1c was 7.1%. Adult sepsis survivors with pre-existing diabetes experienced a higher hazard of major cardiovascular disease (HR 1.25; 95% CI 1.22–1.29)—including myocardial infarction (HR 1.40; 95% CI 1.34–1.47) and stroke (HR 1.24; 95% CI 1.18–1.29)—during long-term follow-up compared to sepsis survivors without diabetes. Pre-existing diabetes modified the association between sepsis and cardiovascular disease (risk difference: 2.3%; 95% CI 2.0–2.6 and risk difference: 1.8%; 95% CI 1.6–2.0 for the effect of sepsis—compared to no sepsis—among patients with and without diabetes, respectively).

Conclusions
Sepsis survivors with pre-existing diabetes experience a higher long-term hazard of major cardiovascular events when compared to sepsis survivors without diabetes. Compared to patients without sepsis, the absolute risk increase of cardiovascular events after sepsis is higher in patients with diabetes (i.e., diabetes intensified the higher cardiovascular risk induced by sepsis).
A day-to-day management model improves patient compliance to treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection: a prospective, randomized controlled study
Authors: Yang Zhen , Xiong Wenjie , Yang Ruoyun , Qian Haisheng , He Zhi , Chen Meihong , Yang Jiajia , Sang Huaiming , Yan Jin , Xu Xiaobing , Wang Yun , Zhang Guoxin , Ye Feng 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
The day-to-day (DTD) management model encourages patients to actively participate in their healthcare by setting goals. We determined the effectiveness of the DTD model in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, as compared with conventional outpatient education (OE).

Methods
We randomized 254 H. pylori-positive patients into a DTD group (127 patients) and an OE group (127 patients) prior to primary treatment with 14-day bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, including esomeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. Both groups received consistent medication instructions. Patients in the DTD group recorded daily attendance after completing their daily medication plan from day 1 to day 14. The medication compliance, follow-up compliance, H. pylori eradication rates, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated.

Results
In the modified intention-to-treat (MITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses, the DTD group showed significantly higher medication compliance than the OE group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.031, respectively). Both the MITT and PP analyses showed significant differences in follow-up compliance (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively) and timing of the review urea breath test (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively) between the two groups. However, no significant differences were observed in the H. pylori eradication rates (95.8% vs. 93.8%, P = 0.529) in the PP analysis, or AEs incidence (25.4% vs. 28.3%, P = 0.603) between the two groups.

Conclusion
This study demonstrated the novel application of the DTD model in the treatment of H. pylori infection, which enabled patients to develop habitual medication-taking behaviors without physician intervention.
Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of treated and untreated adults with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder recruited for a large-scale research study
Authors: Carrino Emily A. , Flatt Rachael E. , Pawar Pratiksha S. , Sanzari Christina M. , Tregarthen Jenna P. , Argue Stuart , Thornton Laura M. , Bulik Cynthia M. , Watson Hunna J. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundEating disorders affect millions of people worldwide, but most never receive treatment. The majority of clinical research on eating disorders has focused on individuals recruited from treatment settings, which may not represent the broader population of people with eating disorders. This study aimed to identify potential differences in the characteristics of individuals with eating disorders based on whether they self-reported accessing treatment or not, in order to contribute to a better understanding of their diverse needs and experiences.MethodsThe study population included 762 community-recruited individuals (85% female, M ± SD age = 30 ± 7 years) with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder (BN/BED) enrolled in the Binge Eating Genetics Initiative (BEGIN) United States study arm. Participants completed self-report surveys on demographics, treatment history, past and current eating disorder symptoms, weight history, and their current mental health and gastrointestinal symptoms. Untreated participants (n = 291, 38%) were compared with treated participants (n = 471, 62%) who self-reported accessing BN/BED treatment at some point in their lives.ResultsUntreated participants disproportionately self-identified as male and as a racial or ethnic minority compared with treated participants. Treated participants reported a more severe illness history, specifically, an earlier age at onset, more longstanding and frequent eating disorder symptoms over their lifetime, and greater body dissatisfaction and comorbid mental health symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, ADHD) at the time of the study. A history of anorexia nervosa was positively associated with treatment engagement. Individuals self-reporting a history of inpatient or residential treatment exhibited the most severe illness history, those with outpatient treatment had a less severe illness history, and untreated individuals had the mildest illness history.ConclusionsHistorically overlooked and marginalized populations self-reported lower treatment access rates, while those who accessed treatment reported more severe eating disorder and comorbid mental health symptoms, which may have motivated them to seek treatment. Clinic-based recruitment samples may not represent individuals with milder symptoms or racial and ethnic diversity, and males. Community-based recruitment is crucial for improving the ability to apply research findings to broader populations and reducing disparities in medical research.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04162574 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04162574).
Geographical visualization of tweets, misinformation, and extremism during the USA 2020 presidential election using LSTM, NLP, and GIS
Authors: Hashemi Mahdi 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDisinformation campaigns on online social networks (OSN) in recent years, have underscored democracies’ vulnerability to such operations and the importance of identifying such operations and dissecting their methods, intents, and source. With a focus on the USA 2020 presidential election, a total of 1,349,373 original Tweets have been collected by our server in real-time from the beginning of April 2020 to the end of January 2021, using four keywords: Trump, Biden, Democrats, and Republicans. In this work, deep learning, natural language processing, geographical information systems, and statistical tools are used to geographically visualize and discover if the political misinformation and extremism, political affiliation, and topics of conversations on social media are correlated with the USA 2020 presidential election results. To this end, a deep neural network is trained using 40,000 manually classified Tweets and further used to automatically classify the entire set of Tweets based on their political affiliation, topic, and whether or not they contain misinformation or extremism. It is shown that, there is a correlation between the aforementioned classes of Tweets and the election results. In other words, the political affiliation of topics and the extent of misinformation and extremism on social media are correlated with the election results to some level. The strongest correlation highlighted that the ratio of Rightist versus Leftist misinformation Tweets has a 0.67 correlation coefficient with the ratio of Trump votes versus Biden votes, across different states.
Robots in travel clinics: building on tourism’s use of technology and robots for infection control during a pandemic
Authors: Bauer Irmgard L 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe arrival of COVID-19 impacted every aspect of life around the world. The virus, whose spread was facilitated overwhelmingly by people’s close contact at home and by travelling, devastated the tourism, hospitality, and transportation industry. Economic survival depended largely on demonstrating to authorities and potential travellers the strict adherence to infection control measures. Fortunately, long before the pandemic, the industry had already employed digital technology, artificial intelligence, and service robots, not to keep the world safe, but to either bridge staff shortages or save costs, reduce waiting times, streamline administration, complete unattractive, tedious, or physical tasks, or use technology as marketing gimmicks. With COVID-19, offering social distancing and touchless service was an easy step by extending quickly what was already there. The question arose: could travellers’ acceptance of technology and robots for infection control be useful in travel medicine? COVID-19 fostered the rapid and increased acceptance of touchless technology relating to all things travel. The public’s expectations regarding hygiene, health and safety, and risk of infection have changed and may stay with us long after the pandemic is ‘the new normal’, or a new one approaches. This insight, combined with the current experience with robots in health and medicine, is useful in exploring how robots could assist travel medicine practice. However, several aspects need to be considered in terms of type of robot, tasks required, and the public’s positive or negative attitudes towards robots to avoid known pitfalls. To meet the crucial infection control measures of social distancing and touch avoidance, the use of robots in travel medicine may not only be readily accepted but expected, and implications for management, practice, and research need to be considered.
Reporting involvement activities with children and young people in paediatric research: a framework analysis
Authors: Preston Jennifer , Biglino Giovanni , Harbottle Victoria , Dalrymple Emma , Stalford Helen , Beresford Michael W. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
The active involvement of patients and the public in the design and delivery of health research has been increasingly encouraged, if not enforced. Knowledge of how this is realised in practice, especially where children and young people (CYP) are concerned, is limited, partly due to the low level of reporting of patient and public involvement (PPI) in general. The aim of this work was to assess how researchers funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) report the involvement of CYP in the design and conduct of child health research to better understand the opportunities offered to CYP, and the realities of involvement in practice.

Methods
A participation matrix, analysis framework and accompanying tools were adapted from existing frameworks, including a child-rights informed framework, the Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public Checklist Short Form (GRIPP2SF), and NIHR reporting expectations. Child-focused research reports were identified from the NIHR Journals Library, including any interventional or observational study involving CYP aged 0–< 24 years. In two co-design workshops with healthcare professionals and CYP, we tested and refined the participation matrix, analysis framework and accompanying tools.

Results
Only thirty-two NIHR reports out of 169 (19%) were identified as relevant and included reporting of PPI with CYP. We identified significant variability in the way PPI with CYP was reported. Only 4/32 (12%) reports fully met NIHR (and GRIPP2SF) reporting criteria. Only 3/32 (9%) reports formally evaluated or self-reflected on PPI activities with CYP, whilst 15/32 (47%) provided minimal information about CYP involvement. The most common approach to involving CYP (23/32, 72%) was through the medium of existing groups or networks.

Conclusion
Despite the NIHR’s commitment to increase the quality, transparency, and consistency of reporting PPI, the reporting of involvement with CYP remains sub-optimal. Neglecting to report key details of involvement methods and impacts deprives the research community of knowledge to advance the field of delivering ‘meaningful’ PPI with CYP. Practical guidance on how researchers can report the processes and outputs of CYP involvement more rigorously may help child health researchers to involve them more meaningfully. This research offers practical tools informed by CYP to aid the reporting process.