bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can simple blood markers predict the outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection?
Authors: Elmorshedy Reham M. , El-Kholy Maha M. , Abdel Moniem Alaa E. , Hassan Shimaa A. , Sadek Samiaa H. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background
Several millions of humans all over the world were affected by the novel coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan, Hubei, China, at the end of December 2019, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The epidemic has gradually spread to 208 countries, leading to the death of more than two million and a half people, and this number is rapidly increasing. The rationale of the current study was to assess the role of some simple blood markers in suspecting the outcome of patients with severe infection.

Patients and methods
A cohort retrospective study was carried out that included critically ill coronavirus disease 2019-infected patients with positive PCR test result who were admitted to the critical care unit within 2 months. Information concerning clinical presentation, laboratory, and radiological findings was collected; moreover, the outcome and the length of critical care stay were documented. Statistical analysis was done, where collected data were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used for the assessment of sensitivity and specificity of blood markers in predicting mortality.

Results
The number of patients included in the present study was 103. Most patients presented with fever and cough, and the main radiological finding was bilateral ground-glass lesions. On comparing both groups, the group that survived had elevated baseline values of PaO2/FiO2 ratio and lymphocyte count. However, the number of neutrophils, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, D-dimer, and serum level of ferritin were lower in this group; nonsurvivors had longer ICU stay. The following parameters were predictors for mortality: older age; increased neutrophil count, NLR, and D-dimer levels; and lower values of PaO2/FiO2 ratio. D-dimer and NLR had the highest sensitivity (81.3 and 87.5%, respectively) with area under the curve of 0.82 and 0.76, respectively.

Conclusion
Simple blood markers are sensitive parameters for suspecting outcome of severe coronavirus disease 2019 infection.
Indications and prognostic outcome of inferior vena cava filter
Authors: Eldaboosy Safwat A.M. , Farouk Mahmoud , Farouk Abdullah , Antar Ahmad , Awad Amgad , Nour Mohamed O. , Ahmed Gasmelseed Y. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background
An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is useful in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) who have any of the following conditions: contraindications to anticoagulants, recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE) despite anticoagulants or complications related to anticoagulants, and low cardiopulmonary reserve. This study aimed to assess indications, efficacy, and outcome of IVC filter insertion for patients with VTE.

Patients and methods
A retrospective study was conducted at Almoosa Hospital, Al Alhsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the period between August 2017 and September 2020. All adult patients who underwent IVC filter were included.

Results
The study included 1350 cases. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included 1310 patients who had VTE without the need for an IVC filter, and group 2 included 40 patients, 39 of whom had VTE and required an IVC filter, and one patient with polytrauma (cerebral hemorrhage, pelvic hematoma) in whom an IVC filter was used prophylactically. A total of 40 IVC filters were used. Thirty (75%) patients had submassive PE with pulmonary hypertension and low pulmonary vascular reserve, nine (22.5%) patients had VTE with contraindications for an anticoagulant (due to gastrointestinal bleeding, cerebral hemorrhage, or major trauma), while one (2.5%) patient had an IVC filter inserted prophylactically although no VTE was present. The rate of IVC removal was 30% (12 cases), with no reported complications of IVC insertion or removal, except in one case where the filter was removed in two separate sessions.

Conclusion
IVC filter insertion, when used correctly, is a safe and effective method of preventing a potentially fatal PE by blocking the passage of thrombi from the lower extremities and pelvis to the lungs when used correctly.
A case series of interventional pulmonology in the era of coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Singh Gurmeet , Fauzi Nova B. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still ongoing, and respirology associations globally are updating and releasing guidelines to provide appropriate care for health care workers and patients. The virus can become airborne if aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) are performed. Interventional pulmonology procedures were performed on 63 patients within the period of March–May 2020. During this pandemic, personnel involved per procedure is limited, personal protective equipment level 3 is utilized in AGPs, and level 2 personal protective equipment is used in non-AGPs. The majority of patients were male (54%) and were aged 30–49 years (35%). Bronchoscopy was the most frequent procedure performed (62%). The most common pulmonary conditions in these patients were pneumonia, pleural effusion, and lung mass/consolidation (all 24%). There were seven (11%) patients diagnosed as having probable COVID-19. Interventional pulmonology procedures can still be performed in the era of COVID-19 pandemic.
Role of chest ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the causes of acute respiratory failure
Authors: Azab Nourane Y. , El Wahsh Rabab A. , Ammar Mohammed E. , El-Koa Amal A. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the role of chest ultrasonography (US) in diagnosing the causes of acute respiratory failure (ARF).

Background
ARF is a common critical problem and can arise from many diseases. Several modalities such as chest radiograph, US, and computed tomography (CT) scan are being used to diagnose and detect the causes of ARF.

Patients and methods
The study included 50 patients with ARF admitted to the ICU of Menoufia University Hospital and ICU of Kafr El-Sheikh Chest Hospital. We compared between chest radiograph, chest US, and CT as diagnostic tools to detect the etiology of ARF.

Results
The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value and accuracy of lung US in the detection of chest disorders causing ARF were 93.7, 50, 97.8, 45, and 92%, respectively, compared with chest CT as a gold-standard Bedside Lung Ultrasonography in Emergency department protocol was used in the diagnosis of different causes of ARF. Lung US was free in 6% of patients, A profile was found in 12%, A’ profile was found in 2%, A’ profile with anechoic area or hypoechoic area in 6%, B profile was found in 12%, B’ profile in 12%, B’ profile with anechoic area or hypoechoic area in 32%, A/B profile in 6%, no color sign was found in 10%, and hypoechoic simple effusion in 2% of selected patients.

Conclusion
Chest US is a reliable, quick, bedside, low-cost, noninvasive, and nonionizing imaging tool for early detection of chest-disease causes of ARF.
Does pulmonary fibrosis increase lung cancer risk?
Authors: Ali Ahmed , El-Helbawy Rana , Khaled Nagwan S. , Al-Dahdouh Sami 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background
The concepts in lung fibrosis and increased lung cancer risk have arisen from clinical observations of the concurrent findings during the autopsy of lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. Scar carcinoma attributes the origin of carcinomas to abutting areas of scarring. The association between fibrosis and lung cancer risk immediately raises a query: whether lung fibrosis induces lung cancer?

Aim
The study was done to elucidate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of lung cancer in diffuse lung fibrosis.

Patients and methods
A cohort study was done based on a prospective group of 50 patients with diffuse lung fibrosis to evaluate the incidence of lung cancer, as well as a retrospective group of 50 patients with lung cancer to search for background of pulmonary fibrosis between 2019 and 2020. Demographic, radiographic, and histologic characteristics were reviewed for both groups.

Results
Among 50 patients with interstitial lung disease, lung cancer developed in 2/50 (4%) during the follow-up, whereas in the retrospective group, 8/50 (16%) were diagnosed as having lung cancer with diffused lung fibrosis between 2019 and 2020. Lung cancer risk factors were male sex, smoking, and occupational dust exposure. Squamous carcinoma followed by adenocarcinoma was the commonest histologic form.

Conclusion
Evidence shows an association between interstitial lung diseases and lung cancer emergence. Epidemiological evidence differs owing to the various study designs and populations.
Accuracy of chest ultrasonography in the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia
Authors: Ahmed Mostafa K. , Abdelaleem Nermeen A. , Mohamed Marwan N. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus infection is an ongoing, catastrophic, worldwide pandemic with significant morbidity and mortality. Large numbers of people who are getting COVID-19 virus infection are at high risk of developing COVID-19 pneumonia; early diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia, patient care, and isolation using simple, less expensive images are required. High-resolution computed tomography chest (HRCT chest) is the reference standard method for the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia; however, it is expensive with increasing the exposure risk; chest ultrasonography (CUS) may be an alternative method.

Patients and methods
CUS is performed on patients accepting to participate in the study at presentation of COVID-19 suspicious cases. HRCT chest to confirm COVID-19 pneumonia were done within 24 h of CUS examination. Two chest consultants who are experts in CUS at Assiut University Hospital performed CUS. The CUS is done using a convex probe of 3.5 MHz. The CUS was considered positive for pneumonia if the examiners find the presence of abnormal multiple vertical B lines with or without the presence of consolidation dots unilateral or bilateral with good cardiac function; HRCT chest results are recorded.

Results
In all, 197 patients were included in the study (102 males, mean age 48 ± 16.2 years). Regarding comorbidity: 10% had diabetes mellitus and 9% had hypertension. Ten (5%) patients needed hospitalization with a mean oxygen saturation of 95 ± 5%. One hundred fifty-two patients confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia with HRCT chest, while 45 patients had normal HRCT chest. CUS showed positive pneumonic finding in 128 patients and normal picture in 69 patients. There was good association (r=0.690, P<0.001) between both diagnostic modalities in COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity and accuracy of CUS in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia were 84.56, 95.83, and 87.31%, respectively, when compared with HRCT chest. One hundred and two patients were successfully followed; all of them showing clinical and ultrasonographic improvement.
Effect of mandibular advancement device in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Saleh Yousra A.G. , Fouda Ahmed M. , El sayed Morsy Nesreien , Abdel-Khalek Elsayed , Saleh Abdelbaset 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a situation of repetitive and interrupted collapse of the upper airways (UAs) during sleep. The physiopathology of OSA is multifactorial. Provided that continuous positive airway pressure is the gold standard for treatment of OSA, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in 2015 stated that mandibular advancement device (MAD) was indicated as a first-line therapy for mild OSA and a second-line therapy for moderate to severe OSA with lower BMI.

Aim
This study is aimed to evaluate the MAD success rate in patient with OSA and to assess improvement in sleep quality.

Patients and methods
This was a prospective one-group pretest–post-test quasiexperimental study carried out on 30 patients with OSA admitted to the sleep center at Chest Medicine Department of Mansoura University Hospitals through the period from February 2019 to January 2021. All patients had thorough clinical examination. The clinical assessment was scored according to the following questionnaires: the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Berlin questionnaire, the STOP-Bang questionnaire, and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Patients also had polysomnography, drug-induced sleep endoscopy, and dental volumetric computerized tomography (CT) scan. All patients were treated by MAD, and then patients began home adjustment as patients were instructed to advance the device 0.5 mm each night as tolerated. After two weeks, patients repeated PSG and CBCT to assess airway volume and airway area after treatment of OSA by the MAD.

Results
A total of 30 patients with OSA were included, comprising 14 males and 16 females, with a mean age of 42.9 ± 7.0 years. The types of UA obstruction were detected by both drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and dental volumetric cone-beam CT (CBCT). A total of 30 patients were studied and showed that multiple-level obstruction was the most frequent type of UA obstruction detected by both dental volumetric CBCT and DISE, representing 53.3 and 60%, respectively. Regarding polysomnographic data of the studied patients before and after treatment by MAD, there is very high significant improvement of apnea-hypopnea index among the studied patients whose were treated by MAD.

Conclusion
MAD has a high success rate in treatment of OSA and improves sleep quality. DISE and CBCT can be useful tools for assessing the success of MAD in the treatment of OSA.
Prediction of development of disease among contacts of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Ibrahim Dalia A. , Hassan Tarek H. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Objectives
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a very progressive disease that concerns everyone regarding its infection and spread. This study predicted infection among people who came in contact with COVID-19-infected patients. The authors observed many categories of patients to get the best results. The aim of this work was to study the contact status of patients with COVID-19 in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, and to assess the criteria of contacts being infected.

Patients and methods
This is a retrospective cohort study that used the data of Zagazig University Hospitals in Sharkia Governorate, reviewing people who came in contact with COVID-19 cases for appearance of symptoms, so that the authors can predict (later on) the probability of contacts getting infected.

Results
Of the 101 contacts, 49 were positive according to symptoms, 27 were positive according to computed topography (CT), and 38 were positive according to laboratory investigations, so contacts who were getting infected were according to the definition of suspect and probable cases. Overall, the suspect and probable contacts were 61, and about 27 (of 68 contacts who did CT from our sample) were moderate and severe cases.

Conclusion
Contact cases with comorbidity and old age were more liable to get infected and to be more serious cases than young age with no comorbidity. Of all contacts (101), 42 had comorbidities and about 31 of them had the disease.
Role of miRNA-204 as a putative diagnostic marker in nonsmall-cell lung cancer
Authors: Younan Ramy A. , Korraa E. , Elsayed Mohamed Ali , Abdelkader Maryam A. , El-khazragy Nashwa 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background
The most common cause of deaths related to cancer worldwide is lung cancer. In the GLOBOCAN 2018 database, two million newly diagnosed cases and 1.7 million deaths from lung cancers were estimated. This study aimed to detect the efficacy of miR-204 as a novel early diagnostic marker in nonsmall-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) via comparing its value in both serum and bronchial tissue samples.

Patients and methods
Serum and tissue samples were collected from 50 patients who participated in the study. They were subclassified into two groups, including patients with NSCLC (n=25) and nonmalignant patients who resemble the NC group (n=25). The miR-204 expression level was measured using quantitative real-time PCR.

Results
miR-204 expression was significantly downregulated by twofold in serum and tissue samples of patients with NSCLC compared with nonmalignant patients.

Conclusion
miR-204-5p is a promising non-invasive blood-based diagnostic biomarker in patients with NSCLC, which reflect its significant diagnostic and prognostic potential; thus, it could be used as a therapeutic biomarker in the near future.
Occupational pulmonary embolism − A silent killer on the roads
Authors: Ojha Umesh Chandra , Choudhari Omkar K. , Dipti Gothi , Sonam Spalgis 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Some occupation-related practices contribute significantly to the morbidity because both employer and employee are unaware of the risk. The authors have described two subjects with job profile of ticketing on board (bus conductors) who had a habit of sitting continuously at a designated conductor place for ticketing in their 8-h duty and rarely getting up in between. They presented with dyspnea in the outpatient department of pulmonary medicine without an antecedent history of any chronic ailment or family history of coagulopathy. These professionals had venous stasis, leading to pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). PTE was diagnosed on the basis of contrast-enhanced computed tomography pulmonary angiography. The other causes of PTE were ruled out. They were treated as per the guidelines on PTE and were advised frequent walking in the bus during their duty hours. However, this has to be instructed to all the employees by the employer.
A Comparative Analysis of Nondescent Vaginal Hysterectomy, Laparoscopy-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy, and Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for Benign Uterine Diseases at a Rural Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Kanti Vaibhav , Verma Vandana , Singh Mamta , Vishwakarma Soniya , Mittal Nupur , Singh N. P. 
Published: August 2022

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to compare operative data and postoperative complications among nondescent vaginal hysterectomy (NDVH), laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) at a rural tertiary care center.

Materials and Methods:
This is a prospective analytical study, of 145 hysterectomies for benign conditions with or without salpingo-oophorectomy in women from 30 to 60 years, over 3 years from January 2016 to December 2019, with 60 cases of NDVH, 46 cases of LAVH, and 39 cases of TLH. The three groups were compared intraoperatively in terms of blood loss, operating time, and intraoperative complications and postoperative complications and postoperative duration of hospital stay.

Results:
There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of age, parity, body mass index, and indications for hysterectomies. The mean operative time was significantly shorter (P = 0.000) in the NDVH group (54.67 ± 15.67 min) as compared to the LAVH (102.45 ± 10.53 min) and TLH (126.79 ± 8.7 min) groups. Intraoperative blood loss was greater (P = 0.000) in the TLH group (111.025 mL ± 20.8) as compared to the NDVH (59.50 mL ± 16.7) and LAVH (91.85 mL ± 10.66) groups. The intraoperative complications and postoperative complications were higher in the TLH group as compared to the LAVH and NDVH groups. The duration of hospital stay was almost similar in all the groups.

Conclusion:
NDVH may be the preferred approach for experienced surgeons, as it is less time-consuming, has a small amount of blood loss, and is a scarless surgery, whereas LAVH and TLH may be the preferred approaches in the cases of presence of adnexal masses and adhesions or whenever salpingo-oophorectomy is indicated.
Lin's Self-Retaining Abdominal Ultrasound Probe Method for Hands-Free Ultrasound-Guided Hysteroscopic Procedures
Authors: Lin Bao-Liang , Adlan Aizura-Syafinaz , Azhary Jerilee M. K. 
Published: August 2022

Objectives:
Conventionally, an assistant would be required to hold the ultrasound probe during therapeutic hysteroscopy. To manage without a skilled assistant, Lin developed a self-retaining hands-free probe method that can be used to hold an abdominal ultrasound probe. One can now perform ultrasound-guided hysteroscopic procedures single-handedly. The purpose of this study is to report the successful development of a method to keep an abdominal ultrasound probe self-retained without an assistant's help.

Materials and Methods:
A technique derived from improvisation with available equipment.

Results:
The hands-free ultrasound probe was used successfully in 2680 cases needing therapeutic hysteroscopy management for various endometrial pathologies. We only encountered one case of latex allergy, which serves as a reminder to ask about latex allergy before the procedure. Upon notification, the handle can be improvised to a latex-free solution. Compression indentation marks were of negligible concern as they resolved spontaneously within 1–2 h postsurgery. We have used this method successfully and to good effect, particularly in guiding us to avoid uterine perforations during dilation of the cervix as well as during the therapeutic hysteroscopy surgery itself. This device facilitates efficient and safe therapeutic hysteroscopic surgeries. In addition, this method encourages the reuse and recycling of plastic water bottles.

Conclusion:
The usage of Lin's self-retaining ultrasound probe method is practical, cheap, and not dependent on an assistant's participation during procedures.
Laparoscopic Simulation Training for Residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology Over 12 Months
Authors: Raffel Ryan A. , Fogel Joshua , Itzhak Petr 
Published: August 2022

Objectives:
As gynecology surgical cases are declining across the country, residency programs can benefit by training residents with simulation. We evaluate five Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) tasks over 12 months.

Materials and Methods:
This was a retrospective study of 16 obstetrics and gynecology residents. Residents practiced on a FLS simulation box trainer. They were evaluated on completion time and pass/fail performance for the five tasks of peg transfer, precision cutting, loop ligation, suture with extracorporeal knot, and suture with intracorporeal knot. Resident satisfaction with FLS simulation box training was evaluated.

Results:
We found improvement of reduced time from baseline to 12 months for the tasks of peg transfer, precision cutting, suture with extracorporeal knot, and suture with intracorporeal knot. No time improvement was noted for loop ligation. We only found increased passing rates for the precision cutting task from baseline to 12 months. Residents agreed that simulation training improves surgical skills, improves patient safety, and improves confidence level in the operating room.

Conclusion:
We found improvement of decreased time with FLS simulator box training for FLS tasks of peg transfer, precision cutting, suture with extracorporeal knot, and suture with intracorporeal knot. We recommend that routine practice with the FLS simulator box trainer will increase resident confidence level and potentially improve surgical outcomes when in the operating room. We recommend including a dedicated portion of the academic curriculum for simulation training. FLS box training can be an essential tool for residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology.