bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of tacrolimus as long-term immunotherapy for neuronal surface antibody-mediated autoimmune encephalitis
Authors: Liu Chenchen , Ji Suqiong , Gao Huajie , Bi Zhuajin , Zhang Qin , Shang Ke , Cao Jie , Bu Bitao 
Published: January 2022

Aims: We aimed to verify the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus as long-term immunotherapy for the treatment of neuronal surface antibody-mediated autoimmune encephalitis (AE) during the first attack. Methods: In this retrospective observational cohort study, patients with neuronal surface antibody-mediated AE who experienced the first attack were enrolled. We compared the outcomes of 17 patients who received tacrolimus with those of 47 patients treated without tacrolimus. Patients were assessed at onset and 3, 6, and 12 months, as well as at the last follow-up, by using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and the Clinical Assessment Scale in Autoimmune Encephalitis (CASE). The efficacy of tacrolimus was also compared in a subgroup of patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Results: Among all patients with neuronal surface antibody-mediated AE, those receiving tacrolimus had lower median mRS scores [1 (IQR = 0–1) versus 2 (IQR = 1–3) in controls, p = 0.001)], CASE scores [2 (IQR = 1–3) versus 3 (IQR = 2–7), p = 0.006], and more favorable mRS scores (94.1% versus 68.1%, p = 0.03) at the 3-month follow-up. No difference was found at the last follow-up. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of relapse and adverse events between the two groups (11.8% versus 14.9%, p = 0.75). In the subgroup of patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, patients treated with tacrolimus had a lower median mRS score at the 3-month follow-up [1 (IQR = 0–2) versus 2 (IQR = 1–3), p = 0.03]; however, no difference in the outcome was detected at the last follow-up. Conclusion: Tacrolimus can be used as long-term immunotherapy in patients with neuronal surface antibody-mediated AE during the first attack. Treatment with tacrolimus appears to accelerate the clinical improvement of neuronal surface antibody-mediated AE.
Lipid ratios and obesity indices are effective predictors of metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Kałużna Małgorzata , Czlapka-Matyasik Magdalena , Kompf Pola , Moczko Jerzy , Wachowiak-Ochmańska Katarzyna , Janicki Adam , Samarzewska Karolina , Ruchała Marek , Ziemnicka Katarzyna 
Published: January 2022

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Metabolic syndrome (MS) involves IR, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and visceral fat accumulation. Therefore, fatness indices and blood lipid ratios can be considered as screening markers for MS. Our study aimed to evaluate the predictive potential of selected indirect metabolic risk parameters to identify MS in PCOS. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 596 women aged 18–40 years, including 404 PCOS patients diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria and 192 eumenorrheic controls (CON). Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken, and blood samples were collected to assess glucose metabolism, lipid parameters, and selected hormone levels. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and triglycerides-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) were calculated. MS was assessed using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) criteria. Results: MS prevalence was significantly higher in PCOS versus CON. Patients with both MS and PCOS had more unfavorable anthropometric, hormonal, and metabolic profiles versus those with neither MS nor PCOS and versus CON with MS. LAP, TG/HDL-C, VAI, and WHtR were the best markers and strongest indicators of MS in PCOS, and their cut-off values could be useful for early MS detection. MS risk in PCOS increased with elevated levels of these markers and was the highest when TG/HDL-C was used. Conclusions: LAP, TG/HDL-C, VAI, and WHtR are representative markers for MS assessment in PCOS. Their predictive power makes them excellent screening tools for internists and enables acquiring accurate diagnoses using fewer MS markers.
Symptom cluster analysis of long COVID-19 in patients discharged from the Temporary COVID-19 Hospital in Mexico City
Authors: Wong-Chew Rosa María , Rodríguez Cabrera Edwin Xchel , Rodríguez Valdez Carlos Alberto , Lomelin-Gascon Julieta , Morales-Juárez Linda , de la Cerda Mariana Lizbeth Rodríguez , Villa-Romero Antonio Rafael , Arce Fernández Stephanie , Serratos Fernandez Mariana , Bello Héctor Herrera , Castañeda Lidia Moreno , Avendaño Mónica Arboleya , Hernández-Cruz Jesús Abraham , Álvarez Martínez Nelson , Fernanda Contreras Liza , Rafael González de la Cerda Luis , Juárez Flores Arturo , Martínez-Juarez Luis Alberto , Álvarez-Hernández Diego-Abelardo , Gallardo-Rincón Héctor , Fajardo Dolci German , Tapia-Conyer Roberto , Valdez-Vázquez Rafael Ricardo 
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Several reports have emerged describing the long-term consequences of COVID-19 and its effects on multiple systems. Methods: As further research is needed, we conducted a longitudinal observational study to report the prevalence and associated risk factors of the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 by symptom clusters in patients discharged from the Temporary COVID-19 Hospital (TCH) in Mexico City. Self-reported clinical symptom data were collected via telephone calls over 90 days post-discharge. Among 4670 patients, we identified 45 symptoms across eight symptom clusters (neurological; mood disorders; systemic; respiratory; musculoskeletal; ear, nose, and throat; dermatological; and gastrointestinal). Results: We observed that the neurological, dermatological, and mood disorder symptom clusters persisted in >30% of patients at 90 days post-discharge. Although most symptoms decreased in frequency between day 30 and 90, alopecia and the dermatological symptom cluster significantly increased ( p < 0.00001). Women were more prone than men to develop long-term symptoms, and invasive mechanical ventilation also increased the frequency of symptoms at 30 days post-discharge. Conclusion: Overall, we observed that symptoms often persisted regardless of disease severity. We hope these findings will help promote public health strategies that ensure equity in the access to solutions focused on the long-term consequences of COVID-19.
Marijuana Use is Not a Contraindication for Tranexamic Acid Utilization in Lumbar Spine Surgery
Authors: Jakoi Andre M. , Kirchner Gregory J. , Lieber Alexander M. , Khalsa Amrit S. 
Published: January 2022

Study Design Retrospective cohort study Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety in lumbar spinal fusion with tranexamic acid (TXA) utilization in patients using marijuana. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study involving a single surgeon’s cases of 1 to 4 level lumbar fusion procedures. Two hundred and ninety-four patients were followed for ninety days post-operatively. Consecutive patients were self-reported for daily marijuana use (n = 146) and compared to a similar cohort of patients who denied usage of marijuana (n = 146). Outcomes were collected, which included length of stay (LOS), estimated blood loss (EBL), post-operative myocardial infarction, seizures, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, death, readmission, need for further surgery, infection, anaphylaxis, acute renal injury, and need for blood product transfusion. Results Patients in the marijuana usage cohort had similar age (58.9 years ±12.9 vs 58.7 years ±14.8, P = .903) and distribution of levels fused ( P = .431) compared to the non-usage cohort. Thromboembolic events were rare in both groups (marijuana usage: 1 vs non-usage: 2). Compared to the non-usage cohort, the marijuana usage cohort had a similar average EBL (329.9 ± 298.5 mL vs 374.5 ± 363.8 mL; P = .254). Multivariate regression modeling demonstrated that neither EBL (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.64-2.49) nor need for transfusion (OR 1.56, 95% CI 0.43-5.72) varied between cohorts. The non-usage cohort had twice the risk of prolonged LOS compared to the marijuana usage cohort (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.15-3.63). Conclusion Marijuana use should not be considered a contraindication for TXA utilization in lumbar spine surgery.
Improved Outcomes with Concurrent Instrumentation and Fusion of the Sacroiliac Joint in Patients with Long Lumbosacral Constructs
Authors: Noureldine Mohammad Hassan A. , Farooq Jeffrey , Kumar Jay I. , Pressman Elliot , Coughlin Emily , Mhaskar Rahul , Alikhani Puya 
Published: January 2022

Study Design Retrospective Cohort Study Objective Spinal fusion, specifically constructs connected to pelvic bones, has been consistently reported as a predisposing factor to sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain. The aim of this study is to compare SIJ outcomes in patients with constructs to the pelvis following instrumentation vs instrumentation plus fusion of the SIJ. Methods Data of study subjects was extracted from a prospectively maintained database as well as retrospectively collected from records at a tertiary academic medical center in the United States between 2018 and 2020. Results A cohort of 103 patients was divided into 2 groups: 65 in Group 1 [S2AI screw without fusion device] and 38 in Group 2 [S2AI screw with fusion device]. None of the patients in Group 2 developed postoperative SIJ pain compared to 44.6% in Group 1. Sacroiliac joint fusion occurred in all Group 2 but none of Group 1 patients. The postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for lower extremity (LE) pain (.8 vs .5; P = .03) and postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (18.7 vs 14.2; P < .01) were significantly higher in Group 1. The rate of distal junctional break, failure, and/or kyphosis (DJBFK) and time to DJBFK were not significantly different between the two groups, and the rate of DJBFK did not change in the presence of multiple covariates. Conclusion The SIJs carry the heavy load of long lumbosacral fusion constructs extending to the pelvis. Simultaneous SIJ instrumentation and fusion decreases the risk of disability, prevents the development of postoperative SIJ pain, and may also protect the S2AI screw from loosening and failure.
Rapid Mobilization of Medical Student Volunteers to Administer Vaccines During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sinclair Taneisha , Bell Brett I. , Perez Karol , Klyde Daniel , Veith Mitchell , Weinstock Rachel , Cassese Todd , Nosanchuk Joshua D. 
Published: January 2022

In December 2020, the first COVID-19 vaccines were approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and vaccination efforts rapidly launched across the country. Concurrently, New York City experienced an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. This created an immediate need to inoculate frontline workers in a strained health system that lacked sufficient personnel to meet the demand. In response, New York State permitted medical students with appropriate clinical experience to administer vaccinations. Albert Einstein College of Medicine students rapidly stepped in to administer vaccines and serve as clinic navigators. Student leaders at Einstein collaborated with Montefiore Medical Center to rapidly implement a student vaccination initiative. Medical students underwent virtual and on-site training regarding COVID-19 vaccines and their administration. In January 2021, students began to staff vaccine clinics across the Bronx. By July 2021, 291 out of 830 eligible medical and Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) students (35.1%) had volunteered >2400 h. Of the 291 volunteers, 77 (26.5%) worked as vaccinators and administered approximately 2929 COVID-19 vaccines from January to May 2021. We demonstrate success using the concept of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) in the context of training medical students in a specific clinical skill. Our framework resulted in the administration of approximately 2929 COVID-19 vaccines from January to May 2021. The authors believe that this framework can be implemented at peer institutions to alleviate the burden on hospital systems and outpatient clinics vaccinating their communities against COVID-19, or to meet future clinical needs.
Identification of biomarkers of chronic kidney disease among kidney-derived proteins
Authors: Higashisaka Kazuma , Takeya Sonoko , Kamada Haruhiko , Obana Masanori , Maeda Makiko , Kabayama Mai , Yamamoto Koichi , Ishida Nanan , Isaka Ryo , Tsujino Hirofumi , Nagano Kazuya , Tomiyama Noriyuki , Rakugi Hiromi , Fujio Yasushi , Kamide Kei , Tsutsumi Yasuo 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has few objective symptoms, and it is difficult to make an early diagnosis by using existing methods. Therefore, new biomarkers enabling diagnosis of renal dysfunction at an early stage need to be developed. Here, we searched for new biomarkers of CKD by focusing on kidney-derived proteins that could sensitively reflect that organ’s disease state.

Methods
To identify candidate marker proteins, we performed a proteomics analysis on renal influx and efflux blood collected from the same individual.

Results
Proteomics analysis revealed 662 proteins in influx blood and 809 in efflux. From these identified proteins, we selected complement C1q as a candidate; the plasma C1q level was significantly elevated in the renal efflux of donors. Moreover, the plasma concentration of C1q in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy was significantly increased, in association with increases in blood glucose concentration and urinary protein content. Importantly, we demonstrated that the tendency of C1q to increase in the plasma of CKD patients was correlated with a decrease in their estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Conclusion
Overall, our results indicate that our approach of focusing on kidney-derived proteins is useful for identifying new CKD biomarkers and that C1q has potential as a biomarker of renal function.
ChromoMap: an R package for interactive visualization of multi-omics data and annotation of chromosomes
Authors: Anand Lakshay , Rodriguez Lopez Carlos M. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
The recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing have resulted in the availability of annotated genomes, as well as of multi-omics data for many living organisms. This has increased the need for graphic tools that allow the concurrent visualization of genomes and feature-associated multi-omics data on single publication-ready plots.

Results
We present chromoMap, an R package, developed for the construction of interactive visualizations of chromosomes/chromosomal regions, mapping of any chromosomal feature with known coordinates (i.e., protein coding genes, transposable elements, non-coding RNAs, microsatellites, etc.), and chromosomal regional characteristics (i.e. genomic feature density, gene expression, DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, etc.) of organisms with a genome assembly. ChromoMap can also integrate multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics and epigenomics) in relation to their occurrence across chromosomes. ChromoMap takes tab-delimited files (BED like) or alternatively R objects to specify the genomic co-ordinates of the chromosomes and elements to annotate. Rendered chromosomes are composed of continuous windows of a given range, which, on hover, display detailed information about the elements annotated within that range. By adjusting parameters of a single function, users can generate a variety of plots that can either be saved as static image or as HTML documents.

Conclusions
ChromoMap’s flexibility allows for concurrent visualization of genomic data in each strand of a given chromosome, or of more than one homologous chromosome; allowing the comparison of multi-omic data between genotypes (e.g. species, varieties, etc.) or between homologous chromosomes of phased diploid/polyploid genomes. chromoMap is an extensive tool that can be potentially used in various bioinformatics analysis pipelines for genomic visualization of multi-omics data.
Early fluid bolus in adults with sepsis in the emergency department: a systematic review, meta-analysis and narrative synthesis
Authors: Kabil Gladis , Frost Steven A. , Hatcher Deborah , Shetty Amith , Foster Jann , McNally Stephen 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Early intravenous fluids for patients with sepsis presenting with hypoperfusion or shock in the emergency department remains one of the key recommendations of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines to reduce mortality. However, compliance with the recommendation remains poor. While several interventions have been implemented to improve early fluid administration as part of sepsis protocols, the extent to which they have improved compliance with fluid resuscitation is unknown. The factors associated with the lack of compliance are also poorly understood.

Methods
We conducted a systematic review, meta-analysis and narrative review to investigate the effectiveness of interventions in emergency departments in improving compliance with early fluid administration and examine the non-interventional facilitators and barriers that may influence appropriate fluid administration in adults with sepsis. We searched MEDLINE Ovid/PubMed, Ovid EMBASE, CINAHL, and SCOPUS databases for studies of any design to April 2021. We synthesised results from the studies reporting effectiveness of interventions in a meta-analysis and conducted a narrative synthesis of studies reporting non-interventional factors.

Results
We included 31 studies out of the 825 unique articles identified in the systematic review of which 21 were included in the meta-analysis and 11 in the narrative synthesis. In meta-analysis, interventions were associated with a 47% improvement in the rate of compliance [(Random Effects (RE) Relative Risk (RR) = 1.47, 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.25–1.74, p-value < 0.01)]; an average 24 min reduction in the time to fluids [RE mean difference = − 24.11(95% CI − 14.09 to − 34.14 min, p value < 0.01)], and patients receiving an additional 575 mL fluids [RE mean difference = 575.40 (95% CI 202.28–1353.08, p value < 0.01)]. The compliance rate of early fluid administration reported in the studies included in the narrative synthesis is 48% [RR = 0.48 (95% CI 0.24–0.72)].

Conclusion
Performance improvement interventions improve compliance and time and volume of fluids administered to patients with sepsis in the emergency department. While patient-related factors such as advanced age, co-morbidities, cryptic shock were associated with poor compliance, important organisational factors such as inexperience of clinicians, overcrowding and inter-hospital transfers were also identified. A comprehensive understanding of the facilitators and barriers to early fluid administration is essential to design quality improvement projects.

PROSPERO Registration ID
CRD42021225417.
Validation of the revised Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ-R) in the primary care setting
Authors: Márkus Bernadett , Hargittay Csenge , Iller Barbara , Rinfel József , Bencsik Péter , Oláh Ilona , Kalabay László , Vörös Krisztián 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Available tools measuring self-management in diabetes are often improperly validated or do not correlate with glucose metabolism. The Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ-R) is a valid tool, that showed strong relationship with glucose metabolism in tertiary care among people with mostly type 1 diabetes.

Aim of the study
To validate the translated DSMQ-R questionnaire in a Hungarian sample of people with predominantly type 2 diabetes in primary care.

Methods
We enrolled 492 adults from 38 practices in this cross-sectional cohort study, who filled out the self-administered questionnaire, consisting of DSMQ-R and the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaires. Family doctors provided clinical data. The translation process was performed in six steps, reaching the expert committee appraisal. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated by assessing reliability and construct validity.

Results
Cronbach’s alpha showed the questionnaire to reach good reliability (α = 0.845), although subscales had lower alphas. Contrary to the SDSCA questionnaire, the DSMQ-R sum scale differed significantly between persons on target vs not on target (median (interquartile range): 7.23 (6.17–8.44) vs 6.91 (5.91–8.02), and the DSMQ-R sum scale correlated significantly with BMI, HbA1c and SDSCA sum scale. In multivariate analysis higher DSMQ-R scores were significant predictor of achieving glycemic target goal.

Conclusion
The Hungarian translation of the DSMQ-R is a comprehensible tool to assess self-management of persons with diabetes. The questionnaire is valid and reliable in family practice, although its association with achievement of diabetes HbA1c target is weaker in primary than in tertiary care.
The association of cardio-metabolic risk factors and history of falling in men with osteosarcopenia: a cross-sectional analysis of Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program
Authors: Fahimfar Noushin , Yousefi Shakiba , Noorali Sima , Gharibzadeh Safoora , Sanjari Mahnaz , Khalagi Kazem , Mehri Ahmad , Shafiee Gita , Heshmat Ramin , Nabipour Iraj , Amini Azam , Darabi Amirhossein , Heidari Gholamreza , Larijani Bagher , Ostovar Afshin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundOsteosarcopenia, defined as sarcopenia plus osteopenia/osteoporosis, may increase the risk of fractures and affects morbidity and mortality in the older population. Falling is also common in the elderly and increases the risk of fractures and mortality. We examined the association of cardio-metabolic risk factors with a history of falling in osteosarcopenic men.MethodsWe used the baseline data of the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program. Osteosarcopenia was defined as having both sarcopenia (reduced skeletal muscle mass plus low physical performance and/or low muscle strength) and osteopenia/osteoporosis (T-score ≤ − 1.0). Falling was defined as a self-reported history of an unintentional down on the ground during the previous year before the study. We used logistic regression analysis to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) to quantify the associations.ResultsAll elderly men diagnosed with osteosarcopenia (n = 341), with a mean age of 73.3(±7.4) years, were included. Almost 50(14.7%) participants reported falling. Age showed a positive association with falling (AOR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.04–1.14). An increase of 10 mmHg in systolic blood pressure(SBP), reduces the odds of falling by 26%(AOR:0.74, 95%CI:0.62–0.89), while a positive association was detected for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), as 10 mg/dl increase in the FPG, raises the chance of falling by 14%(AOR = 1.14, 95%CI:1.06,1.23). Hypertriglyceridemia was inversely associated with falling (AOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.89).ConclusionsFalling is a major public health problem in rapidly aging countries, especially in individuals with a higher risk of fragility fractures. Older age-raised fasting plasma glucose and low SBP are associated with falling in osteosarcopenic patients. Considering the higher risk of fracture in osteosarcopenic men, comprehensive strategies are needed to prevent fall-related injuries in this high-risk population.