bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions to Improve Gait and Balance in Individuals with Lower Limb Amputations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Abou Libak , Fliflet Alexander , Zhao Luqi , Du Yiting , Rice Laura 
Published: March 2022

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of exercise interventions to improve gait and balance in individuals with lower limb amputations.MethodsA systematic search was conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscuss, and CINAHL databases until January 2022. Only randomized control trials that evaluated adults (>18 years old) with lower limb amputations and compared any exercise intervention with a traditional prosthetic training were included in the study. Two independent researchers screened articles for inclusion, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological quality of the trials. Findings were summarized and meta-analysis was conducted.ResultsFifteen randomized clinical trials with 594 participants were included in the study and 12 in quantitative synthesis. Meta-analysis indicates that exercise interventions significantly improved walking distance measured with the 2-Minute Walking Test compared to traditional training (mean difference-MD: 8.38, 95% CI: 2.54−14.23; P < 0.01). Gait speed performance also significantly improved after exercise interventions compared to traditional training (MD: 0.10, 95% CI, 0.03−0.16, P <0.01). Meta-analysis of exercise interventions compared to traditional training on the Locomotor Capabilities Index, Timed Up and Go, and Activities-specific Balance Confidence did not show a statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). However, the qualitative analysis demonstrated significant improvement in balance performance after different exercise interventions and traditional training. The studies demonstrated overall good methodological quality.ConclusionSpecific exercise interventions are more effective than traditional prosthetic training to improve walking speed and walking distance among people with lower limb amputation. Findings on balance outcomes are inconsistent and deserve further exploration.
Treatment of redo-microvascular decompression or internal neurolysis plus microvascular decompression for recurrent trigeminal neuralgia: a review of long-term effectiveness and safety
Authors: Wang Baisheng , Zhang Li , Yu Yanbing 
Published: March 2022

Objective We examined the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with recurrent trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and assessed the long-term efficacy and safety of microvascular decompression (MVD) to treat typical recurrent TN. Methods We identified 3024 patients who underwent MVD for treatment of TN at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from March 2009 to December 2020. We retrospectively analyzed the data and outcomes of 137 patients who underwent redo-MVD and 74 patients who did not undergo redo-MVD as the control group. These outcomes were evaluated using the Barrow Neurological Institute scoring system. Results Recurrence in 68 of the 137 patients was due to incomplete or absent decompression or new responsible vessels. To ensure thorough pain relief, redo-MVD should include decompression of both the trigeminal root entry zone and the peripheral nerve segments, where blood vessels can cause symptoms. Factors associated with reduced effectiveness of redo-MVD were no period of initial pain relief after the first MVD and a longer duration of symptoms before the first MVD. Conclusions Redo-MVD should not be excluded as a treatment option for patients with refractory TN who develop recurrent pain after a first MVD procedure.
Use of telemedicine for follow-up of lupus nephritis in the COVID-19 outbreak: The 6-month results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: So Ho , Chow Evelyn , Cheng Isaac T , Lau Sze-Lok , Li Tena K , Szeto Cheuk-Chun , Tam Lai-Shan 
Published: March 2022

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the short-term patient satisfaction, compliance, disease control, and infection risk of telemedicine (TM) compared with standard in-person follow-up (FU) for patients with lupus nephritis (LN) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method This was a single-center open-label randomized controlled study. Consecutive patients followed at the LN clinic were randomized to either TM or standard FU (SF) group in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the TM group received FU via videoconferencing. SF group patients continued conventional in-person outpatient care. The 6-month data were compared and presented. Results From June to December 2020, 122 patients were randomized (TM: 60, SF: 62) and had at least 2 FUs. There were no baseline differences, including SLEDAI-2k and proportion of patients in lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS), between the two groups except a higher physician global assessment score (PGA) in the TM group. After a mean FU of 19.8 ± 4.5 weeks, the overall patient satisfaction score was higher in the TM group. More patients in the TM group had hospitalization (15/60, 25.0% vs 7/62, 11.3%; p = .049) with higher baseline PGA (OR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.08–1.26) being the independent predictor. The proportions of patients remained in LLDAS were similar in the two groups (TM: 75.0% vs SF: 74.2%, p = .919). None of the patients had COVID-19. Conclusions TM FU resulted in better patient satisfaction and similar short-term disease control in patients with LN compared to standard care. However, it was associated with more hospitalizations and might need to be complemented by in-person visits especially in patients with higher PGA.
The relationship between serum A proliferation-inducing ligand and B-cell activating factor levels with disease activity and organ involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sari Selma , Cinar Suzan , Yalcinkaya Yasemin , Artim-Esen Bahar , Ozluk Yasemin , Gul Ahmet , Ocal Lale , Deniz Günnur , Inanc Murat 
Published: March 2022

Objectives We aim to investigate the association between serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) levels with disease activity and clinical findings in SLE patients. Methods Seventy-nine patients with SLE and 27 healthy controls were included into the study. Serum BAFF and APRIL levels were measured by using ELISA. In 19 patients with active disease at the time of the assessment, BAFF/APRIL levels were reassessed after 6 months of follow-up and disease activity was evaluated by using SLEDAI-2K. The relationship between renal histopathology index scores and lupus nephritis (LN) classes with serum BAFF/APRIL levels was examined in 16 patients who had recent renal involvement and underwent biopsy during the study. Results Although both BAFF/APRIL levels were higher in patients with SLE compared to the control group ( p < 0.001), no correlation was found between BAFF/APRIL levels and SLEDAI scores. Serum BAFF levels were higher in patients with renal disease activity ( p = 0.01), and there was a significant correlation between APRIL levels and proteinuria (r = 0.42, p = 0.02). A weak inverse correlation was observed between BAFF and C3 levels (r = 0.25, p = 0.02). No correlation was found between BAFF/APRIL levels and renal SLEDAI scores, renal histopathology, activity, and chronicity index scores. In the active disease group after treatment, there was no significant change in serum BAFF levels, but a significant increase in serum APRIL levels was observed. Conclusion These results suggest that both cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE and that serum BAFF can be valuable as a biomarker in SLE especially in patients with renal activity.
Childhood Experiences and Perspectives of Individuals With Orofacial Clefts: A Qualitative Systematic Review
Authors: Jensen Emilija D. , Poirier Brianna F. , Oliver Kelly J. , Roberts Rachel , Anderson Peter J. , Jamieson Lisa M. 
Published: March 2022

Objective Children and adolescents with orofacial clefts may experience ongoing psychosocial impacts due to the continuous nature of cleft treatments, facial and dental differences, and speech and hearing difficulties. The aim of this qualitative systematic review was to better understand the experiences of children and adolescents with orofacial clefts. Design A systematic search strategy using PubMed, Embase, Emcare, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was performed to identify relevant qualitative studies evaluating the lived experience of children and adolescents with orofacial clefts from inception through to June 2021. Eligible studies were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs methodology and a meta-aggregative approach. Results The search identified 2466 studies, with 13 found to meet the inclusion criteria. Extraction of 155 findings resulted in 27 categories, which were meta-aggregated into 7 overarching synthesized findings. These 7 core findings included aspects of child experience and findings that enhanced or impeded child experience at the individual, family, and community levels. Conclusions Factors that impeded child experience at the individual, family, and community levels were more pronounced than factors that enhanced their experience among children and adolescents with orofacial clefts. Further initiatives are needed to provide support to individuals, families, and school communities to enhance children's experience of orofacial cleft during the formative childhood and adolescent years.
Retrospective drug utilization review of meropenem and role of infectious disease pharmacist in specialized cancer care hospital
Authors: Khan Muhammad Rehan , Saleem Zikria , Batool Narjis , Babar Mahrukh , Shabbir Aleena 
Published: March 2022

Objectives Carbapenem antimicrobials are considered for the treatment of serious bacterial infections. The objective of this study was to review the use of meropenem in cancer patients and to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacist's intervention in this practice to reduce possible risks associated with use of meropenem. Methods This retrospective study was conducted among 100 patients who received meropenem at hospital. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the collected data. Results A total of 100 patients were included in this retrospective study with aim to review rationality and possible side effects associated with meropenem use in our study population. It was revealed that meropenem used was associated with rise in bilirubin in many of our study patients. Pharmacist were found to be instrumental in placing timely interventions for either de-escalation or switch of meropenem to imipenem/cilastatin to reduce that risk. Interventions were accepted by physicians in most of the cases. Conclusion De-escalation and switching were performed in accordance with pharmacist recommendations in more than half of study population with empirically started/ study population in which meropenem was used.
Real-world incidence of venetoclax toxicities in British Columbia
Authors: Lee Cassandra , Markarian Adeline , Ladha Fatima , Nakashima Lynne , de Lemos Mario , Schaff Kimberly , Woo Stephanie , Gerrie Alina 
Published: March 2022

Introduction Venetoclax is used to treat relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (r/r CLL). Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) is a serious toxicity associated with venetoclax, and real-world studies suggest that the incidence may be higher than in clinical trials. The purpose of this study is to describe the incidence of venetoclax toxicities in British Columbia (BC). Methods Retrospective review of electronic medical charts for patient characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients treated with venetoclax for r/r CLL in BC. Patients were classified according to their risk for developing TLS. The incidence of TLS was categorized based on laboratory metrics or clinical diagnosis. Other non-TLS toxicities were also collected. Results Of 33 patients identified, 40%, 33%, and 27% were at low, intermediate, and high risk for TLS, respectively. Laboratory TLS occurred in 1/33 patients (3%), and no clinical TLS was reported. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities occurred in 19/33 patients (58%). Of these, neutropenia was the most common, occurring in 16 patients (84%) followed by thrombocytopenia, which occurred in 8 patients (42%). Conclusions The incidence of TLS in patients treated with venetoclax for r/r CLL in BC was lower than in other real-world studies. Findings may warrant further investigation to determine if the higher incidence of TLS in real-world reports may be mitigated through modifying TLS risk categorization and associated prophylactic measures. Neutropenia was the most common grade 3 or 4 venetoclax toxicity reported, and the incidence in BC is comparable to other centres.
Stochastic Zener model with complex order fractional derivatives
Authors: Atanacković Teodor , Pilipović Stevan , Seleši Dora 
Published: March 2022

We analyze the dissipation inequality for the constitutive equation of a complex order fractional Zener model and obtain appropriate thermodynamical restrictions for the wave-type model equation in terms of its Laplace transform. These constraints obtained on the model parameters are less restrictive than the ones known in the previous literature. The main results of this paper are related to explicitly solving this equation in spaces of tempered distributions, proving the existence and uniqueness of the solution and discussing its regularity properties. The second set of results is related to the analysis of including random perturbations such as white noise in the model resulting in stochastic wave propagation models. We analyze various stochastic body forces, random initial excitations, and random initial velocities as input data followed by deriving the stochastic solution and calculating its most important statistical characteristics. All these results significantly extend our previous results related to a real order fractional Zener model. MSC[2020]: 26A33, 35L05, 35R11, 35R60, 60G10, 60G15, 74D05, 74J05, 82D30
COVID-19 Mitigation Compliance and Vaccination Status Among Formerly Incarcerated Individuals in the United States
Authors: Testa Alexander , Fahmy Chantal 
Published: March 2022

Background To examine the relationship between incarceration history and an individual’s compliance toward COVID-19 mitigation strategies and vaccination status/intentions. Method Data are from the Crime, Health, and Politics Survey ( N = 1,735), a national probability sample of community-dwelling adults aged 18 and above living in the United States. Data were collected from May 10, 2021 to June 1, 2021. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between incarceration history and COVID-19 mitigation strategies and vaccination status/intentions. Results Individuals with a history of incarceration reported approximately twice the relative risk of rarely/never using hand sanitizer and rarely/never wearing a mask compared with always/very often. Incarceration history was associated with more than 3 times greater relative risk of reporting not being vaccinated and not planning to get vaccinated compared with currently being vaccinated. Conclusion Formerly incarcerated individuals are less likely to abide by key COVID-19 mitigation protocols and exhibit higher levels of vaccine hesitancy. These findings suggest that formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as their families and communities, may therefore be at greater risk of accelerated spread of COVID-19 because of these factors.
Combined nasal goniotomy – temporal trabeculotomy (NGTT) for circumferential angle surgery in primary congenital glaucoma
Authors: Abdelrahman Ahmed Mostafa , Amin Rana Hussein 
Published: March 2022

PurposeTo assess the safety and efficacy of combining nasal goniotomy with temporal trabeculotomy in the management of primary congenital glaucoma.DesignCase seriesMethodsFifteen eyes of eleven children (3–12 months old at presentation) were enrolled in this study after the establishment of PCG diagnosis based on the criteria placed by the World Glaucoma Association. Combined nasal goniotomy and temporal trabeculotomy were done on each eye in an attempt to perform almost 360 degrees circumferential angle surgery without disturbing the superior 180 degrees of conjunctiva to preserve it for future filtering glaucoma surgeries.ResultsBy first month, average IOP was 10.5 ± 4.3 mmHg with a 65.3% reduction from average pre-operative IOP. Almost the same percentage of reduction was maintained at 3rd,6thand 12thmonths postoperative visits with average IOP of 11.9 ± 4.65, 11.8 ± 2.77 and 13 ± 2.82 mmHg (60.7%, 61.1% and 57.2% reduction from pre-operative average). According to success rates, complete success has been achieved in all eyes but one (93.3%), with minor complications in 4 out of 15 eyes (26.6%) that did not affect IOP outcome. Nine out of fifteen eyes completed 18 months post-operative follow-up visits with a successfully, maintained target average IOP of 13.3 ± 3.0 mmHg (57.2% reduction). All of the mean IOP readings during post-operative follow-up period were significantly lower when compared to pre-operative IOP ( p < 0.0001). Only one eye had persistently elevated IOP of 26 mmHg at 1stand 3rdmonths post-operatively that necessitated a subsequent subscleral trabeculectomy which succeeded in controlling the pressure bringing it down to 15 mmHg on topical medications.ConclusionNasal goniotomy – temporal trabeculotomy (NGTT) is the combination of two well established surgeries that exploits the advantages of circumferential angle surgery while sparing the superior conjunctiva completely for future surgeries if needed. This new procedure was safe and effective in lowering IOP by an average of 60% from pre-operative IOP with a sustained effect till 18 months post-operatively. We believe that this surgery might be added to the armentarium of the surgical management of infantile glaucomas with other circumferential angle surgeries.
Changes in optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with vitamin D deficiency
Authors: Icel Erel , Ucak Turgay , Ugurlu Adem , Erdol Hidayet 
Published: March 2022

Purpose 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] sufficiency has critical biological importance for the human body. Although there are several studies on the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and macular structure, the data in this regard are limited. This study mainly aimed to investigate macular microvascular structure using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in 25(OH)D deficiency. Study Design Prospective, single-center, clinical study. Methods The study included 82 eyes of 82 patients with 25(OH)D deficiency (Group I) and 50 eyes of 50 healthy subjects (Group II). All participants underwent OCTA examinations. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) vessel density (VD) measurements of the participants were statistically compared between the patients and healthy subjects. Results The mean 25(OH)D levels measured from the venous blood samples of the participants were 7.61 ± 3.27 ng/mL in Group I and 25.39 ± 4.16 ng/mL in Group II, and the difference between these values was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The FAZ measurement was significantly higher in Group I. The VDs of the SCP and DCP measurements were significantly higher in Group II. When the central macular thickness values of the participants were compared, Group II had a significantly higher value, but there was no significant difference in the central macular volume and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness analyses. Conclusion The results showed that the FAZ area was significantly higher and the VDs of SCP and DCP were significantly lower in the patients with 25(OH)D deficiency. We found that 25(OH)D deficiency affected macular microvascular architecture.
Visual and refractive outcomes of monofocal toric intraocular lens implantation in amblyopic eyes
Authors: Rementería-Capelo Laureano A. , Fernández-Cuenca Sara , Gros-Otero Juan , García-Pérez Jorge L , Morán Aida , Contreras Inés 
Published: March 2022

Purpose To evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes of monofocal toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation after cataract surgery in amblyopic eyes Methods Our center’s database was used to identify patients who had undergone bilateral cataract surgery between 2016 and 2020 with the implantation of a toric IOL in their amblyopic eye. Exclusion criteria were the presence of strabismus, ocular pathologies other than cataract or intra-surgical complications. The outcomes analysed were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), subjective refraction and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) one month after surgery. Results Ninety patients were included, with a mean age of 68.96 ± 7.81years. CDVA was lower for the amblyopic eye, both before and after surgery. There was a mean improvement in CDVA of 0.23 ± 0.21 LogMAR for the dominant eye and of 0.39 ± 0.33 for the amblyopic eye, p < 0.001 in both cases. Postoperative subjective refractive cylinder was higher in the amblyopic eye (-0.24 ± 0.39 D versus −0.10 ± 0.25 D, p < 0.01), as well as mean cylinder prediction error (-0.30 ± 0.47 D versus 0.02 ± 0.42 D, p < 0.01), compared to the dominant eye. There was a statistically significant correlation between preoperative and postoperative CDVA in amblyopic eyes (Spearmańs Rho = 260, p = 0.013). Mean postoperative UCVA was 0.15 ± 0.25 for amblyopic and 0.03 ± 0.12 for dominant eyes. Only one patient required distance spectacle correction due to residual astigmatism. Conclusions Cataract surgery with toric IOL implantation in amblyopic eyes leads to an improvement in visual acuity and to spectacle independence in almost all cases, even in the presence of a higher cylinder prediction error.
Early Clinical Outcomes of Initial Launch of the Zenith Alpha Abdominal Endovascular Graft in Japan
Authors: Fujimura Naoki , Ichihashi Shigeo , Obara Hideaki , Asakura Toshihisa , Komooka Masatoshi , Onitsuka Seiji , Kurimoto Yoshihiko , Kato Hiroaki , Ohki Takao 
Published: March 2022

Purpose: This study retrospectively evaluated the 12-month outcomes of the Zenith Alpha Abdominal Endovascular graft (Zenith Alpha AAA, Cook, Inc, Bloomington, Indiana), which was launched partially in Japan in March 2019, starting with 9 selected sites. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of all endovascular aneurysm repairs (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms using the Zenith Alpha AAA. Late complications were defined as any aneurysm-related events occurring >30 days after EVAR, including an aneurysm sac enlargement of >5 mm and any reinterventions performed. Endoleaks without sac enlargement or reinterventions were excluded from late complications. Results: During the study period, 79 EVARs using the Zenith Alpha AAA were performed. The mean age was 76.6±6.9 years old, 91.1% of patients were male, and the mean aneurysm diameter was 51.1±7.5 mm. Instructions for use violation was observed in 27 patients (34.2%), most frequently being a severely angulated proximal neck (>60°). There were 4 intraoperative complications, including 2 unintentional partial renal artery coverages caused by the premature anchoring of the exposed suprarenal stent barb to the aortic wall, which was a result of the design change of the top cap deletion. Since it was a partial coverage without flow impairment and since renal stenting was unsuccessful, it was left untreated and had no subsequent renal function impairment. During the mean follow-up of 444±123 days, 74 patients completed 12 months of follow-up. Freedom from late complications at 12 months was 90.8%, which included 2 limb occlusions (2.5%). Of 71 patients with a 12-month computed tomography scan, there was only 1 type 1a endoleak (1.3%), 1 sac enlargement of >5 mm (1.3%), and an aneurysm sac shrinkage of >5 mm was observed in 42.2% of patients. There was no type 3 endoleak during the follow-up. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the new generation of low-profile Zenith Alpha AAA has satisfactory early clinical outcomes, comparable to those obtained with the conventional Zenith endovascular graft. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine whether these favorable outcomes persist.