bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Medicaid coverage on receipt of tobacco dependence treatment among Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorder
Authors: Patel Sadiq Y. , Wayne Geoffrey F. , Progovac Ana M. , Flores Michael , Moyer Margo , Mullin Brian , Levy Douglas , Saloner Brendan , Cook Benjamin Lê 
Published: May 2022

AbstractObjectiveIndividuals with substance use disorder (SUD) smoke cigarettes at a rate that is more than double the rate of the general population. Tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) is effective at reducing smoking, yet it is unclear whether expanding insurance coverage of these services increases TDT use among Medicaid beneficiaries with SUD.Data Source2009–2013 Medicaid data in all 50 states and Washington DC.Study DesignWe conducted a retrospective analysis of the 2009–2013 de‐identified Medicaid Analytic Extract (MAX) claims for a 100% national sample of fee‐for‐service (FFS) Medicaid adult beneficiaries. Using a difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences analysis, we assessed the association of full TDT coverage on TDT medication use and tobacco cessation counseling services between beneficiaries with and without SUD. We adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, diagnosis of co‐occurring chronic illness, state tobacco taxes, and state and year fixed effects.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe excluded patients not continuously enrolled in Medicaid for 12 months during the calendar year, adults aged 65 and older (given their dual enrollment in Medicaid and Medicare), minors aged 12–17, and pregnant women (for whom different TDT coverage policies apply).Principal FindingsWe separately modeled the association between full coverage of (1) counseling, (2) over‐the‐counter nicotine replacement therapy, and (3) prescription cessation medications on TDT medication treatment and counseling services. We found that each coverage led to increases in any TDT medication treatment and counseling services for beneficiaries with SUD. The effects of each coverage on medication treatment were greater for beneficiaries with SUD compared to beneficiaries without SUD (ranging from 4.9 to 6.1 percentage point difference).ConclusionCoverage of tobacco cessation counseling, over‐the‐counter nicotine replacement therapy, and prescription cessation medications holds promise for reducing the wide disparities in rates of smoking between those with and without SUD.
Impact of time interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery on oncological outcomes of locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Cheung Irene Hing‐fong , Lo Michelle Hau‐ching , Poon Michael Chi‐ming 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe optimal interval between completion of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery in rectal adenocarcinoma was controversial.AimTo study the impact of standard versus extended time interval for surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in relation to the surgical outcomes in locally advanced rectal cancer.MethodRetrospective review on consecutive patients with rectal adenocarcinoma completed long course neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery in New Territories West cluster, Hong Kong. Patients were divided into three groups according to time interval before surgery: group A (<12 weeks), group B (13–15 weeks) and group C (>15 weeks). Primary outcome was overall recurrence, including local and distant recurrence. Secondary outcomes included surgical morbidities, complete pathological responses and 5‐year survival.ResultsA total of 107 patients were recruited between January 2010 and December 2014. The waiting period had no impact on medical and surgical complications, pathological complete response (pCR), and downstaging effect. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and permanent stoma rate were significantly increased with waiting period more than 15 weeks. The 2‐year and 5‐year overall recurrence rate, 5‐year disease‐free and overall survival were similar among the three groups. Time interval of surgery more than 15 weeks had six times higher risk of 5‐year overall recurrence in multivariable logistic regression analysis.ConclusionInterval of surgery more than 12 weeks after completion of long course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy did not improve oncological outcomes.
Role of radiomics in predicting immunotherapy response
Authors: Kothari Gargi 
Published: May 2022

SummaryImmunotherapies have revolutionised cancer management. Despite their success, durable responses are limited to a subset of patients. Prediction of immunotherapy response in patients has proven to be difficult due to a lack of robust biomarkers. Routinely collected imaging may offer an additional information source to personalise patient treatment, with advantages over tissue‐based biomarkers. Quantitative image analysis or radiomics, which involves the high‐throughput extraction of imaging features, has the potential to non‐invasively predict cancer histology, outcomes and prognosis. This review evaluates the value of radiomics in patients undergoing immunotherapy, with a summary provided of the performance of radiomics models in predicting immunotherapy response and toxicity, as well as immune correlates. Much of the literature focussed on clinical endpoints and correlates to tissue biomarkers, particularly in lung cancer, while few studies investigated association with immune‐related adverse events. Strengths of the studies included more frequent use of clinical trial datasets, homogenous patient cohorts and high‐quality diagnostic scans. Limitations of the studies include heterogeneity in study methodology, lack of well‐defined homogenous imaging datasets, limited open publishing of imaging datasets, coding and parameters used for radiomics signature development and limited use of external validation datasets. Future research should address the above limitations, as well as further explore the relationship between radiomics and immune‐related adverse effects and less well‐studied biological correlates such tumour mutational burden, and incorporate known clinical prognostic scores into radiomics models.
Comparison of recurrence risk between patients with clinically node‐positive and ‐negative stage I non‐small cell lung cancer following surgery: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Huang Kuo‐Yang , Chen Hung‐Jen , Lin Ching‐Hsiung , Wang Bing‐Yen , Cheng Ching‐Yuan , Lin Sheng‐Hao 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying patients with stage I non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at increased risk of tumor recurrence following surgery remains a major challenge. The current study aimed to compare disease‐free survival (DFS) rates after surgery between patients with clinically node‐positive (cN+) and ‐negative (cN0) stage I NSCLC.MethodsPatients with pathological stage I resected NSCLC were identified from the lung cancer database of Changhua Christian Hospital in Taiwan. Patients with clinical N status 1 or 2 and pathological N status 0 were identified as the cN+/pN0 cohort, whereas others were identified as the cN0/pN0 cohort. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline characteristics between both cohorts. Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to evaluate DFS.ResultsFrom January 2010 to July 2019, 754 eligible patients were enrolled into the study, among whom 41 (5.4%) were cN+/pN0. The median follow‐up time was 43.4 months. Before PSM, the 5‐year DFS rate was 79.0% and 90.3% in cN+/pN0 and cN0/pN0 cohorts (log‐rank test,p = 0.009), respectively. After a 1:4 PSM, multivariate analysis showed that the cN+/pN0 cohort still had a poorer DFS compared to the cN0/pN0 cohort in (hazard ratio, 3.17;p = 0.040).ConclusionAmong patients with stage I resected NSCLC, cN+ patients had a worse DFS compared to cN0 patients. Surgeons should therefore consider more aggressive adjuvant therapy or frequent follow‐up in patients with surgically resected stage I NSCLC with cN+ status.
The use of melatonin in Danish intensive care departments—A nationwide observational study
Authors: Sørensen Kasper Mørk , Olesen Charlotte , Meyhoff Christian Sylvest , Andersen Lars Peter Kloster 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundMelatonin is widely employed as a hypnotic in various patient groups. In intensive care patients, melatonin seems to be increasingly used due to potential clinical effects and a favourable safety profile.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the extend of usage and clinical practice of melatonin therapy in intensive care departments in Denmark.DesignData from regional hospital pharmacies and the Danish Intensive Care Database were used to estimate defined daily dose and defined daily dose per 1000 ICU admission days. Also, related expenses in the period 2015–2019. Finally, a questionnaire describing the clinical practice of melatonin therapy was provided to all Danish intensive care departments.Principal ObservationsThe usage of melatonin in intensive care departments in Denmark increased from 21,300 DDD (200.0 DDD per 1000 ICU admission days) in 2015 to 52,170 DDD (560.7 DDD per 1000 ICU admission days) in 2019. A total of 32 ICU departments participated in the study (97% of all Danish ICU departments). All included ICU departments employed melatonin as a hypnotic. Nineteen percent of included departments administered melatonin to all admitted patients, whereas 25% of departments rarely administered melatonin. Magistral melatonin 3‐mg tablets was the most employed drug dose/formulation. Increased doses of melatonin were administered in selected patients. Melatonin was considered safe by prescribing clinicians.ConclusionsMelatonin is widely and increasingly used in Danish intensive care departments. The more than doubled usage of melatonin in the study period advocates for further studies employing validated outcomes of sleep and other patient‐relevant outcomes.Editorial CommentThis study documents that melatonin is frequently used as a hypnotic in Danish intensive care units during recent years despite a shortage of reliable evidence to support a recommendation to treat with melatonin in this context. These results support a need for conducting clinical trials to determine whether or not there is a beneficial effect of melatonin treatment in critically ill patients.
Non‐enzymatic function of WRN RECQL helicase regulates removal of topoisomerase‐I‐DNA covalent complexes and triggers NF‐κB signaling in cancer
Authors: Gupta Pooja , Majumdar Ananda Guha , Patro Birija Sankar 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMutation in Werner (WRN) RECQL helicase is associated with premature aging syndrome (Werner syndrome, WS) and predisposition to multiple cancers. In patients with solid cancers, deficiency of the WRN RECQL helicase is paradoxically associated with enhanced overall survival in response to treatment with TOP1 inhibitors, which stabilize pathological TOP1‐DNA‐covalent‐complexes (TOP1cc) on the genome. However, the underlying mechanism of WRN in development of chemoresistance to TOP1 inhibitors is not yet explored. Our whole‐genome transcriptomic analysis for ~25,000 genes showed robust activation of NF‐κB‐dependent prosurvival genes in response to TOP1cc. CRISPR‐Cas9 knockout, shRNA silencing, and under‐expression of WRN confer high‐sensitivity of multiple cancers to TOP1 inhibitor. We demonstrated that WRN orchestrates TOP1cc repair through proteasome‐dependent and proteasome‐independent process, unleashing robust ssDNA generation. This in turn ensues signal transduction for CHK1 mediated NF‐κB‐activation through IκBα‐degradation and nuclear localization of p65 protein. Intriguingly, our site‐directed mutagenesis and rescue experiments revealed that neither RECQL‐helicase nor DNA‐exonuclease enzyme activity of WRN (WRNE84A, WRNK577M, and WRNE84A‐K577M) were required for TOP1cc removal, ssDNA generation and signaling for NF‐κB activation. In correlation with patient data and above results, the TOP1 inhibitor‐based targeted therapy showed that WRN‐deficient melanoma tumors were highly sensitive to TOP1 inhibition in preclinical in vivo mouse model. Collectively, our findings identify hitherto unknown non‐enzymatic role of WRN RECQL helicase in pathological mechanisms underlying TOP1cc processing and subsequent NF‐κB‐activation, offering a potential targeted therapy for WRN‐deficient cancer patients.
Expression profiles of circular RNA in human placental villus and decidua and prediction of drugs for recurrent spontaneous abortion
Authors: Liu Junwei , Gu Yan , Zhu Weiqiang , Zhang Zhaofeng , Xin Yawei , Shen Yupei , He Lin , Du Jing 
Published: May 2022

AbstractProblemWe aimed to evaluate potential biomarkers and candidate drugs for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and explore functional circular RNA pathways involved in regulating RSA.Method of studyExpression profiles of placental villus and decidua samples derived from females with RSA and those with healthy pregnancies who underwent induced abortion were analyzed using high‐throughput RNA whole transcriptome sequencing. Abnormally expressed circular RNAs in a larger cohort of samples were validated using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Drug discovery and molecular docking were performed using online databases and the Autodock tool, respectively.ResultsIn total, 2103 and 2160 circular RNAs were detected in three pairs of villi and three pairs of decidual tissues, respectively. A total of 22 circular RNAs, 58 miRNAs, and 393 mRNAs with significantly different expression patterns were identified. Five circular RNAs were verified, and the expression of hsa_circ_0088485 was significantly upregulated in the RSA group (P = .041) with a high area under the curve value (.727), sensitivity (76.5%), and specificity (64.7%). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that differentially expressed genes were associated with angiogenesis and cell adhesion. Drug discovery and molecular docking were analyzed based on 93 differentially expressed mRNAs of the ceRNA network. A total of 36 chemicals were identified as putative bioactive molecules for RSA, and one representative chemical was identified for docking with six proteins.ConclusionsThese findings provide novel insights into the mechanism of regulation of RSA by circular RNA and its clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Reduction in preterm birth rates during and after the COVID‐19 lockdown in Queensland Australia
Authors: Jasper Brittany , Stillerova Tereza , Anstey Christopher , Weaver Edward 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundPreventative strategies for preterm birth are lacking. Recent evidence proposed COVID‐19 lockdowns may have contributed to changes in preterm birth.AimsTo determine the prevalence of preterm birth and birth outcomes during and after the COVID‐19 lockdown at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the overall state of Queensland, Australia.MethodsRetrospective cohort analysis of all births in Queensland including the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, during two epochs, April 1–May 31, 2020 (lockdown) and June 1–July 31, 2020 (post‐lockdown), compared to antecedent calendar‐matched periods in 2018–2019. Prevalence of preterm birth, stillbirth, and late terminations were examined.ResultsThere were 64 989 births in Queensland from April to July 2018–2020. At the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, there was a significantly higher chance of birth at term during both lockdown (odds ratio (OR) 1.81, 95% CI 1.17, 2.79; P = 0.007) and post‐lockdown (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.27, 3.18; P = 0.003). At the same centre, prevalence of preterm birth was 5.5% (30/547) during lockdown, compared to 9.1% (100/1095) in previous years, a 40.0% relative reduction (P = 0.016). At this centre during lockdown, emergency caesareans concurrently decreased (P < 0.01) and instrumental vaginal births increased (P < 0.01). In Queensland overall, there was a nonsignificant decrease in the prevalence of preterm birth during lockdown.ConclusionsThere is a link between lockdown and a reduction in the prevalence of preterm birth on the Sunshine Coast. The cause is speculative at present, although increased influenza vaccination rates, decreased transmission of infections, and improved air quality may have been favourable in reducing preterm birth. Further research is needed to determine a causal link.
Birth outcomes by type of attendance at antenatal education: An observational study
Authors: Shand Antonia W. , Lewis‐Jones Bronwyn , Nielsen Timothy , Svensson Jane , Lainchbury Anne , Henry Amanda , Nassar Natasha 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundAntenatal education aims to prepare expectant parents for pregnancy, birth, and parenthood. Studies have reported antenatal education teaching breathing and relaxation methods for pain relief, termed psychoprophylaxis, is associated with reduction in caesarean section rates compared with general birth and parenting classes. Given the rising rates of caesarean section, we aimed to determine whether there was a difference in mode of birth in women based on the type of antenatal education attended.Materials and methodsA cross‐sectional antenatal survey of nulliparous women ≥28 weeks gestation with a singleton pregnancy was conducted in two maternity hospitals in Sydney, Australia in 2018. Women were asked what type of antenatal education they attended and sent a follow‐up survey post‐birth. Hospital birth data were also obtained. Education was classified into four groups: psychoprophylaxis, birth and parenting, other, or none.ResultsFive hundred and five women with birth data were included. A higher proportion of women who attended psychoprophylaxis education had a vaginal birth (instrumental/spontaneous) (79%) compared with women who attended birth and parenting, other or no education (69%, 67%, 60%, respectively P = 0.045). After adjusting for maternal characteristics, birth and hospital factors, the association was attenuated (odds ratio 2.03; 95% CI 0.93–4.43).ConclusionsWomen who attended psychoprophylaxis couple‐based education had a trend toward higher rates of vaginal birth. Randomised trials comparing different types of antenatal education are required to determine whether psychoprophylaxis education can reduce caesarean section rates and improve other birth outcomes.
Successful laparoscopy‐assisted en bloc resection of bulky omental malignant lymphoma involving the ascending colon and multiple lymph node metastases: Report of a technically demanding case in a pediatric patient
Authors: Murakami Masakazu , Muto Mitsuru , Nakagawa Shunsuke , Kedoin Chihiro , Matsui Mayu , Sugita Koshiro , Yano Keisuke , Onishi Shun , Harumatsu Toshio , Yamada Koji , Yamada Waka , Matsukubo Makoto , Kawano Takafumi , Kodama Yuichi , Nishikawa Takuro , Kaji Tatsuru , Okamoto Yasuhiro , Ieiri Satoshi 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWe herein report a 13‐year‐old boy with a chief complaint of abdominal pain and a palpable mass. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed an abdominal bulky tumor involving the ascending colon causing severe stenosis, with multiple abdominal lymph node metastases detected by positron emission tomography (PET)‐CT. Laparoscopic radical resection with right hemicolectomy and lymph node dissection was planned. The bulky tumor was dissected from the retroperitoneum and resected en bloc with the right‐side colon and omentum. The preoperatively detected metastatic lymph nodes were resected along with the tumor. A 6‐cm longitudinal umbilical incision was made, and the huge tumor was removed, with functional end‐to‐end anastomosis performed for intestinal reconstruction. The pathological diagnosis was Burkitt‐like lymphoma with 11q aberration. The postoperative course was uneventful. Laparoscopy‐assisted extirpation is feasible for pediatric solid tumors involving other organs, but indications and procedures should be carefully determined based on preoperative imaging, intraoperative findings and surgeon's skills.
A cross‐sectional survey of risk factors for the presence of Coxiella burnetii in Australian commercial dairy goat farms
Authors: Hou KW , Wiethoelter AK , Stevenson MA , Soares Magalhaes RJ , Lignereux L , Caraguel C , Stenos J , Vincent G , Aleri JW , Firestone SM 
Published: May 2022

The largest Australian farm‐based outbreak of Q fever originated from a dairy goat herd. We surveyed commercial dairy goat farms across Australia by testing bulk tank milk (BTM) samples using a commercial indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and two quantitative polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Of the 66 commercial dairy goat herds on record, managers from 61 herds were contacted and 49 provided BTM samples. Five of the surveyed herds were positive on at least one of the diagnostic tests, thus herd‐level apparent prevalence was 10% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4 to 22). True prevalence was estimated to be 3% (95% credible interval: 0 to 18). Herd managers completed a questionnaire on herd management, biosecurity and hygiene practices and risk factors were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. Herds with >900 milking does (the upper quartile) were more likely to be Coxiella burnetii positive (odds ratio = 6.75; 95% CI 1.65 to 27.7) compared with farms with ≤900 milking does. The odds of BTM positivity increased by a factor of 2.53 (95% CI 1.51 to 4.22) for each order of magnitude increase in the number of goats per acre. C. burnetii was not detected in samples from the majority of the Australian dairy goat herds suggesting there is an opportunity to protect the industry and contain this disease with strengthened biosecurity practices. Intensification appeared associated with an increased risk of positivity. Further investigation is required to discriminate the practices associated with an increased risk of introduction to disease‐free herds, from practices associated with maintenance of C. burnetii infection in infected dairy goat herds.
Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer in sheep: Effects of embryo developmental stage and quality on viability in vivo under farm conditions
Authors: King CAF , Osborn D , Grupen CG 
Published: May 2022

Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) technologies are integral to genetic improvement programs in the sheep industries. Despite the protocols being well established, previous findings regarding the effects of embryo properties on MOET success remain contradictory. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of embryo developmental stage and quality on embryo viability following transfer to recipient ewes. Data including details of 377 embryos collected from 45 Merino donor ewes were obtained from MOET trials conducted on three separate farms on day 6 after laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI). A total of 270 embryos were classified as being of transferrable grade (grade 1: n = 233; grade 2: n = 37). One or two transferrable grade embryos were transferred to each of 256 synchronised recipient ewes and pregnancy diagnosis was performed on day 36 after embryo transfer. Embryos at the hatched blastocyst stage tended to have greater viability in vivo compared to embryos at the late morula stage (59.0 ± 10.6% vs. 36.2 ± 9.7%; P = 0.083). The viability of grade 1 embryos was greater than that of grade 2 embryos (53.6 ± 7.8% vs. 35.9 ± 10.2%; P < 0.05). The results suggest that the success of the MOET trials was influenced by the transfer of embryos at the late morula stage, almost half of which were classified as grade 2 embryos. These findings highlight the importance of following strict embryo quality grading criteria to inform the most economical management of recipient ewes and maximize pregnancy outcomes.