bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
63 Effects of Surgery, Chemotherapy, and Radiation on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A SEER-Based Cohort study
Authors: Kar I. , Qayum K. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Aim
To assess the effect of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation on the mortality risk in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Method
A retrospective cohort study, obtaining HCC patients' data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We used Pearson's chi-square test for evaluating the association between the different variables, the Kaplan–Meier, and the Cox regression tests in the univariate and multivariate analyses respectively.

Results
A total of 68270 HCC patients were analysed. In patients who performed surgery, the mortality risk was higher in patients aged ≥50 years, Black, single, and widowed, regional, and distant stages, and grades II, III, and IV (HR, 1.143), (HR, 1.057), (HR, 1.095), (HR, 1.284), (HR, 1.341), (HR, 2.291), (HR, 1.125), (HR, 1.711), and (HR, 1.894) respectively. In patients who received chemotherapy, the risk was lower in females (HR, 0.948), but higher in widowed (HR, 1.143), in regional and distant stages (HR, 1.479), and (HR, 2.439) respectively, and grades III, and IV (HR, 1.741), and (HR, 1.688) respectively. In patients who received beam radiation, the risk was higher in Black (HR, 1.195), widowed (HR, 1.181), regional (HR, 1.439), and distant stages (HR, 2.287), and in grades III (HR, 1.594), and IV (HR, 1.694).

Conclusions
In HCC patients, Black, widowed, regional, and distant stages, grades III and IV had higher mortality risks in several treatment options. In patients who underwent surgery, ≥50 years years and grade II also had a higher risk. We recommend future research to assess the radiation sequence with surgery.
92 Evaluation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) System to Augment Clinical Risk Prediction of Trauma Induced Coagulopathy: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Marsden M. , Perkins Z. , Marsh W. , Christian M. , Lyon R. , Davenport R. , Tai N. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Introduction
The potential of AI systems to support pre-hospital clinical decision-making is significant. However, whilst such algorithms are increasingly available, far less attention has been paid to understanding the impact of such systems on clinical performance. This study had two aims; first, to compare the performance of expert clinicians against an AI system in a real-world clinical setting and second, to assess the impact of augmenting expert clinical prediction with an AI system.

Method
We performed a prospective study at two UK Air Ambulances services over a six-month period. Expert pre-hospital clinicians’ judgement of the risk of Trauma Induced Coagulopathy (TIC) in injured patients was assessed and compared to the performance of an AI system. Two TIC risk predictions were generated for every patient: an AI prediction and a human prediction.

Results
Overall, 51 expert clinicians were enrolled in the study providing 184 patient interactions for analysis.

Aim 1
The AI system performed better than clinicians; higher discrimination [AUROC 0.87 (0.79, 0.95) versus 0.83 (0.74, 0.92)] better calibration [0.37 (-0.14, 0.89) versus -1.19 (-1.73, -0.65)] and more accurate [Brier Skill Score 0.34 (0.19, 0.48) versus 0.00 (-0.41, 0.30)].

Aim 2
Risk prediction was better in all performance metrics when clinicians were assisted with the AI system [AUROC 0.88 (0.80, 0.95) versus 0.83 (0.74, 0.92)]

Conclusions
AI systems can improve human risk prediction in the pre-hospital setting. In settings of low resources where a lack of senior clinical expertise may affect outcomes, the benefit of implementing predictive AI is substantial.
Profitability and drug discovery
Authors: Işık Enes , Orhangazi Özgür 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Pharmaceutical firms are highly profitable due to high markups enabled by high drug prices. This is justified by the argument that high profits provide incentives for innovation and help fund high research and development (R&D) costs. We investigate the link between past profitability and drug discovery for large publicly-listed pharmaceutical firms between 1980 and 2018. Our sample includes 118 firms with 2534 firm-year observations and in terms of sales corresponds to 55% of the global spending on drugs. By merging three data sets on firm financials, new patent applications, and new drug approvals, we show that pharmaceutical firms’ markups and profitability are consistently higher than average nonfinancial firm profitability, with secularly increasing trends since 1980. Whereas R&D spending has also increased, the number of new drug approvals has not increased at the same pace and the productivity of R&D spending has been declining. In statistical analysis, we fail to identify any strong positive relationship between profitability and new drug discovery. Results are broadly in line with the earlier findings of research on the pharmaceutical industry and provide a contribution to the discussion on the link between profitability and innovation as well as on formulating policies for increasing drug innovation and ensuring the provision of essential drugs while keeping their costs low.
Well-rounded pharmacists: a longitudinal evaluation of a multi-sector pre-registration programme
Authors: Bartlett Sophie , Bullock Alison , Broad Bethan , Doyle Laura 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Pharmacists traditionally work in either hospital or community settings and increasingly in primary care. As demands on health care continue to rise, pharmacists need a well-rounded understanding of the patient journey and transfer of care and be capable of working in any setting. In response, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) launched a multi-sector pre-registration pharmacy training programme. Trainees experience all three pharmacy settings throughout the year, in contrast to the traditional, single-sector programmes.

Objectives
To explore the views of the now-qualified pharmacists, their tutors and line managers on the multi-sector programme and how it prepares pharmacists for practice.

Methods
This longitudinal study followed pharmacists through the multi-sector programme, to approximately 1 year post-registration. Data were collected via interviews (n = 27) with pharmacists, tutors and line managers. All data were pattern coded and analysed thematically.

Key findings
Pharmacists maintained that they benefited from the multi-sector training programme and would choose this option again. Pharmacists, tutors and line managers considered that the programme provided a more holistic perspective of pharmacy than single-sector programmes and a greater understanding of patient journeys and transfer of care. Nonetheless, there remains a lack of consensus on how the programme is best structured, and there is scope to increase the hands-on experience in primary care settings.

Conclusions
Greater communication across sectors and smoother transfer of patient care benefit employers and patients as well as the pharmacists. Recommendations for future multi-sector programmes are suggested.
Fighting Organized Crime by Targeting their Revenue: Screening, Mafias, and Public Funds
Authors: Daniele Gianmarco , Dipoppa Gemma 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Repressive policies to fight criminal organizations are often met with a violent response from criminal groups. Are non-repressive strategies more effective? Targeting criminal revenues can be a powerful tool if the threat of investigation is credible and if criminals are unable to displace their activity to avoid controls. We study an Italian policy designed to tackle mafia misappropriation of public funds by screening companies applying for subsidies over 150,000 Euros. Using all subsidies to firms co-financed by the European Union from 2008 to 2015, we find that a group of firms starts self-selecting below the threshold immediately after its introduction. Those firms are concentrated in mafia-affected cities, are lower performing, operate in typical mafia sectors, and have balance sheet indicators of money laundering. While avoiding violence, non-repressive strategies might have different unintended consequences: criminal organizations react with an immediate strategic displacement which reduces states’ capacity to detect them, highlighting the importance of designing policies that anticipate the sophistication of criminal organizations.
Perceptions of Symptom Duration are Associated With Emotional Distress and Functioning in Adolescents With Protracted Concussion Recovery
Authors: Plourde Vickie , Silverberg Noah D , Cairncross Molly , Virani Shane , Brooks Brian L 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Adolescents with persisting post-concussive symptoms often report high levels of emotional distress, which can impact their daily functioning. The associations between modifiable factors, such as perceptions of recovery, and emotional distress have not been investigated in this age group.

Objective
To evaluate perceptions about recovery duration (e.g., “my symptoms will last a long time”, “my symptoms will be permanent rather than temporary”) and its associations with emotional distress and functioning in children and adolescents with a slower post-concussive recovery.

Methods
Participants (N = 49, 69% girls, 11–17 years old, M = 15.8 years old, SD = 1.8) were recruited from a concussion clinic on average 7.7 months after injury (SD = 2.5). Measures included the Illness Perception Questionnaire Revised (perceived duration of symptoms only) to evaluate recovery expectations, the Health and Behavior Inventory (self and parent reports) to evaluate current post-concussive symptoms (cognitive and somatic symptoms), the emotional distress subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ—self-report), and the emotional functioning subscale of the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL—self-report).

Results
Regression analyses (linear models with all covariates entered at once) suggested that greater expectations for symptom persistence were significantly associated with higher emotional distress on both SDQ and PedsQL subscales, after controlling for post-concussive symptom severity and other confounds. Emotional distress/functioning was not associated with perceptions of symptom duration reported by parents, severity of post-concussive symptoms (self- and parent reports), age, number of concussions, time since injury, or a history of mental health concern or diagnosis (parent-reported).

Conclusions
This study suggests that pessimistic attitudes for recovery duration may be more strongly associated with emotional distress than current post-concussive symptom severity or a history of mental health concern or diagnosis.
Energy justice in a net-zero world
Authors: Tomain Joseph P 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Net-zero energy (NZE) plans have been announced by federal and state governments, international corporations and domestic utilities, and by think tanks and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These plans often identify one or more of the five dimensions of energy justice. This article finds that individual NZE plans emphasize different dimensions of energy justice. Think tanks, as an example, address distributive justice while corporate and utility plans provide for procedural and recognition justice. The article concludes by noting that energy justice is not well served in many NZE plans and closes with recommendations for greater attention to energy justice in an NZE future.
Helium absorption in exoplanet atmospheres is connected to stellar coronal abundances
Authors: Poppenhaeger K 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Transit observations in the helium triplet around 10 830 Angstrom are a successful tool to study exoplanetary atmospheres and their mass loss. Forming those lines requires ionization and recombination of helium in the exoplanetary atmosphere. This ionization is caused by stellar photons at extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths; however, no currently active telescopes can observe this part of the stellar spectrum. The relevant part of the stellar EUV spectrum consists of individual emission lines, many of them being formed by iron at coronal temperatures. The stellar iron abundance in the corona is often observed to be depleted for high-activity low-mass stars due to the first ionization potential (FIP) effect. I show that stars with high versus low coronal iron abundances follow different scaling laws that tie together their X-ray emission and the narrow-band EUV flux that causes helium ionization. I also show that the stellar iron to oxygen abundance ratio in the corona can be measured reasonably well from X-ray CCD spectra, yielding similar results to high-resolution X-ray observations. Taking coronal iron abundance into account, the currently observed large scatter in the relationship of EUV irradiation with exoplanetary helium transit depths can be reduced, improving the target selection criteria for exoplanet transmission spectroscopy. In particular, previously puzzling non-detections of helium for Neptunic exoplanets are now in line with expectations from the revised scaling laws.
More about Poverty and Public Benefit— Re Jim Crerar Charitable Trust
Authors: Nitikman Joel 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
In a recent decision, the British Columbia Supreme Court held that a trust created to assist people who had been terminated improperly from their employment was not established for a valid charitable purpose because (a) it was an inefficient method of relieving poverty and (b) may not have assisted a sufficiently large segment of society. Joel Nitikman outlines the facts and reasoning of the Court and suggests that its reasons may not have been altogether correct.
Muscle Splitting Augmentation Mastopexy: A l3-year Analysis and Outcome of Primary and Secondary Procedures
Authors: Khan Umar Daraz 
Published: February 2022

Background:
The muscle splitting technique is a submuscular pocket used for augmentation mammoplasty. Its use and results following primary and secondary procedures are presented.

Methods:
A retrospective study that analyzed complication and revision rates following primary and secondary mastopexy with augmentation in a muscle splitting pocket performed between April 2007 and March 2020 was carried out. Data were divided into two groups: primary and secondary single-stage mastopexies with augmentation.

Results:
A total of 169 patients had a primary procedure and 49 had secondary procedures. The mean ages of patients in the primary and secondary were 32.3 ± 9.89 and 38.2 ± 9.63 years, respectively. Five (3.0%) patients had periprosthetic or wound infections in the primary group when compared with 0% in secondary surgery group. Wound breakdown was seen in 13 (7.7%) patients with a primary procedure compared with one patient (2%) with a secondary procedure. One patient had partial nipple loss and another had total nipple loss in the primary group (1.2%) when compared with one patient (2.0%) who had partial nipple loss in the secondary group. Revision surgeries were carried out in 16 (10.1%) of the primary procedures compared with five (10.2%) of the secondary procedures.

Conclusion:
Even though there was a higher prevalence of complications in the primary procedures group than in the secondary procedures group, the overall complications following muscle splitting mastopexy with augmentation are within an acceptable range.
Prevalence of Deep Venous Thrombosis in Abdominoplasty Patients after COVID-19 Convalescence: An Alarming Flag
Authors: Reyad Khaled A. , Abelhalim Mohamed M. , Tallal Raghda E. 
Published: February 2022

Background:
The incidence of thrombotic manifestations during aesthetic procedures may be overwhelming, as it may endanger patients’ lives. Lipoabdominoplasty is one of the precarious aesthetic treatments with risk for thrombosis. COVID-19 convalescent patients may have an abnormally high rate of thrombotic events, which should be studied further. Patients with a history of COVID-19 infection who undergo the aesthetic procedure may have a greater risk of thrombosis than non-COVID-19 patients who undergo lipoabdominoplasty.

Methods:
Thirty-seven patients who underwent lipoabdominoplasty were followed retrospectively for the occurrence of thrombotic events postoperatively and their relationship to previous COVID-19 infection. The study design comprised an examination of their medical records for prior COVID-19 infection, a history of thrombotic events before, during, or following COVID-19 infection, and D-dimer levels during and after COVID-19 infection. Thrombotic signs were studied in COVID-19 convalescent and non-COVID-19 patients following lipoabdominoplasty. The universal prophylactic measures for anticoagulation were followed.

Results:
Four patients out of 37 (10.18%) had thrombotic manifestations, with a high incidence in the COVID-19 convalescent group. The occurrence rate in COVID-19 patients was 30.7%, much higher than the global rate (0.2%). The presence of D-dimers was discovered to be abundant.

Conclusion:
Additional precautions should be taken to closely monitor patients with a prior history of COVID-19 infection who seek aesthetic surgery, particularly riskier procedures such as lipoabdominoplasty.
Effects of different doses of canagliflozin on blood pressure and lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis
Authors: Geng Qiang , Hou Fangjie , Zhang Yonghuan , Wang Zhengzhong , Zhao Meiling 
Published: February 2022

Background:
Canagliflozin is a sodium glucose-cotransporter-2 receptor inhibitor approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, it is less prescribed due to increased LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), high incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI), high cost. Data on the effect of canagliflozin on blood pressure (BP) are also limited. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to review dosedependent effects of canagliflozin on BP and lipids in patients with T2DM.

Methods:
A meta-analysis of RCTs in patients with T2DM was conducted. MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library of Trials and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched for relevant studies from January 2008 to May 2021.

Results:
Compared with placebo, canagliflozin 100 mg reduced SBP by 3.43 mmHg and DBP by 1.05 mmHg. Canagliflozin 100 mg increased LDL-C by 0.10mmol/l and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) by 0.05 mmol/l. Compared with placebo, canagliflozin 300 mg reduced SBP by 4.75 mmHg and DBP by 1.69 mmHg. Canagliflozin 300 mg increased LDL-C by 0.16 mmol/l and HDL-C by 0.06 mmol/l. Compared with canagliflozin 100 mg, canagliflozin 300 mg further reduced SBP by 1.21 mmHg and DBP by 0.64 mmHg, and further increased LDL-C by 0.06 mmol/l and HDL-C by 0.02 mmol/l. Compared with placebo and canagliflozin 100 mg, canagliflozin 300 mg increased the risk of UTI.

Conclusion:
The current meta-analysis provides new evidence on different doses of canagliflozin as an antihypertensive agent in T2DM complicated by hypertension; however, LDL-C and the risk of UTI should be monitored.
The Protective Effects of Soft Contact Lenses for Contact Sports: A Novel Porcine Model for Corneal Abrasion Biomechanics
Authors: Hou Andrew , Jin Man Li , Goldman David 
Published: February 2022

Purpose:
The aim of this study was to determine whether soft contact lenses provide protection for the corneal surface.

Methods:
Fresh porcine eyes were inflated to intraocular pressures of 11 to 22 mm Hg and secured to a Styrofoam head. Newton meters affixed with artificial acrylic nails were placed at angles of 0°, 45°, and 90° from a porcine corneal surface. The force of impact was recorded at which corneal abrasions were induced. The experiment was repeated with Senofilcon A and Lotrafilcon A soft contact lenses placed upon porcine eyes.

Results:
The mean forces required to induce a corneal abrasion with force at 0°, 45°, and 90° from corneal surface were 11±5.09, 9.18±2.76, and 7.72±2.61 Newtons, respectively. With soft contact lens barrier, the maximum measurable force of 50 Newtons could not produce a corneal abrasion.

Conclusion:
The force required to create corneal abrasions varies depending on the angle of the force vector. The use of contact lenses can withstand a minimum of five times the average force needed to create corneal abrasions.
Children's Hospital Transfers From Referring Emergency Departments
Authors: Baca Jacqueline E. , Foster Carolyn C. , Simon Norma-Jean E. , Lorenz Doug , Gregg Mary E. , Schinasi Dana A. 
Published: February 2022

Objectives
Children are increasingly transferred from emergency departments (EDs) to children's hospitals for inpatient care. The existing literature on the use of direct admission (DA) specifically among pediatric patients transferred from referring EDs remains sparse.
The objective of this study was to identify demographic, clinical, and contextual factors associated with the use of direct-to-inpatient versus ED-to-inpatient admission among patients transferred to children's hospitals from EDs.

Methods
This was a retrospective chart review of nontrauma patients admitted to inpatient services at a single tertiary children's hospital after interfacility transfer from EDs between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017. Characteristics of the patient population and referring EDs were described; unadjusted associations between rates of DA and the demographic, clinical, and contextual variables of encounters were performed; and a logistic model quantified the relevant associations as odds ratios (ORs).

Results
Of 2939 study encounters, 78% resulted in DA. Among White patients, private insurance was associated with decreased direct admission (OR, 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4–0.8). Younger patients and patients with respiratory diagnoses (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.8–5.3) had increased likelihood of DA. Patients with gastrointestinal diagnoses had decreased likelihood of DA (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4–0.7).

Conclusions
At a tertiary hospital with a high rate of DA among patients transferred from other EDs, we identified factors that were associated with the use of direct versus ED admission. Our results identify specific populations in which future work could inform admission processes for interfacility transfers.