bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an online tool about the expected course of disease for glioblastoma patients—A qualitative study
Authors: van Diest Eva , Oldenmenger Wendy H , Eland Marit , Taal Walter 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Background
Patients with glioblastoma have a short life-expectancy, with median survival rates of 9 to 12 months. Providing information about the expected course of the disease can be complicated. Therefore, an online tool has been developed. The objective of this tool is to better inform patients and proxies, and decrease their uncertainties and improve their quality of life. This study aims to gather experiences of an initial cohort of patient-proxy dyads, to identify if the tool meets the previously mentioned objectives.

Methods
This is a qualitative study based on thematic analysis. Interviews were conducted with 15 patient-proxy dyads. For these interviews, a combined method of think-aloud sessions and semi-structured interviews were used. Audiotapes of these interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed.

Results
The analysis revealed four major themes, namely, unmet information needs, improvement possibilities, effects of the tool and clinical implementation. Participants indicated that this tool could decrease uncertainties and increase their perceived quality of life. Also, they often mentioned that it could have a positive effect on the efficiency and quality of consultations.

Conclusion
Participants considered this tool to be useful and effective in decreasing uncertainties for both patients with glioblastoma and their proxies. Moreover, participants brought up that this tool could positively influence the efficiency and quality of consultations. This could lead to more patient participation and empowerment, and could therefore enhance shared decision making and timely advanced care planning.
Reconfiguration from emergency to urgent elective neurosurgery for glioblastoma patients improves length of stay, surgical adjunct use, and extent of resective surgery
Authors: Sun Rosa , Sharma Shivam , Benghiat Helen , Meade Sara , Sanghera Paul , Bramwell Gregory , Nagaraju Santhosh , Pohl Ute , Dawson Camilla , Petrik Vladimir , Ughratdar Ismail , White Anwen , Zisakis Athanasios , Ramalingam Satheesh , Sawlani Vijay , Watts Colin , Wykes Victoria 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Background
Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common intrinsic brain cancer and is notorious for its aggressive nature. Despite widespread research and optimization of clinical management, the improvement in overall survival has been limited. The aim of this study was to characterize the impact of service reconfiguration on GB outcomes in a single centre.

Methods
Patients with a histopathological confirmation of a diagnosis of GB between 01/01/2014 and 31/12/2019 were retrospectively identified. Demographic and tumour characteristics, survival, treatment (surgical and oncological), admission status, use of surgical adjunct (5-aminolevulinic acid, intra-operative neuro-monitoring), the length of stay, extent of resection, and surgical complications were recorded from the hospital databases.

Results
From August 2018 the neurosurgical oncology service was reconfigured to manage high-grade tumours on an urgent outpatient basis by surgeons specializing in oncology. We demonstrate that these changes resulted in an increase in elective admissions, greater use of intra-operative adjuncts resulting in the improved extent of tumour resection, and a reduction in median length of stay and associated cost-savings.

Conclusions
Optimizing neuro-oncology patient management through service reconfiguration resulted in increased use of intra-operative adjuncts, improved surgical outcomes, and reduced hospital costs. These changes also have the potential to improve survival and disease-free progression for patients with GB.
Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Respiratory Illnesses in Persons With HIV Compared With Persons Without HIV
Authors: Keintz Mackenzie R , Abbas Anum , Lyden Elizabeth , Ma Jihyun , Bares Sara H , Van Schooneveld Trevor C , Marcelin Jasmine R 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Background
Antibiotic overuse increases health care cost and promotes antimicrobial resistance. People with HIV (PWH) who develop acute respiratory infections (ARIs) may be assumed to be “higher risk,” compared with non-PWH, but comparative antibiotic use evaluations have not been performed.

Methods
This observational, single-center study compared antibiotic prescribing in independent clinical encounters for PWH and non-PWH diagnosed with ARI in outpatient clinical practices using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes between January 1, 2014, and April 30, 2018. The Fisher exact test compared categorical variables with antibiotic prescribing patterns.

Results
There were 209 patients in the PWH cohort vs 398 patients in the non-PWH cohort. PWH had a median CD4+ count of 610 cells/mm3, with 91% on antiretroviral therapy and 78% virally suppressed. Thirty-seven percent of all visits resulted in an antibiotic prescription, and 89% were inappropriate. Antibiotics were prescribed more frequently in non-PWH (35% PWH vs 40% non-PWH; P = .172) and managed according to guidelines more often in PWH (37% PWH vs 30% non-PWH; P = .039). Antibiotics were prescribed appropriately most frequently in PWH managed by HIV clinicians (29% PWH managed by HIV clinician vs 12% PWH managed by non-HIV clinician vs 8% non-PWH; P = .010). HIV clinicians prescribed antibiotics for a mean duration of 5.9 days vs PWH managed by a non-HIV clinician for 9.1 days vs non-PWH for 7.6 days (P &lt; .0001).

Conclusions
Outpatient antibiotic overuse remains prevalent among patients evaluated for ARI. We found less frequent inappropriate antibiotic use in PWH. Prescriber specialty, rather than HIV diagnosis, was related to appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing.
Serotonin facilitates late-associative plasticity via synaptic tagging/cross-tagging and capture at hippocampal CA2 synapses in male rats
Authors: Benoy Amrita , Wong Lik-Wei , Ather Niha , Sajikumar Sreedharan 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal Cornu Ammonis (CA) subfield, CA2, is tightly regulated. However, CA2 receives projections from several extra-hippocampal modulatory nuclei that release modulators that could serve to fine-tune plasticity at CA2 synapses. Considering that there are afferent projections from the serotonergic median raphe to hippocampal CA2, we hypothesized that the neuromodulator serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) could modulate CA2 synaptic plasticity. Here, we show that bath-application of serotonin facilitates the persistence of long-term depression (LTD) at the CA3 Schaffer collateral inputs to CA2 neurons (SC-CA2) when coupled to a weak low frequency electrical stimulation, in acute rat hippocampal slices. The observed late-LTD at SC-CA2 synapses was protein synthesis- and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent. Moreover, this late-LTD at SC-CA2 synapses paves way for the associative persistence of transient forms of LTD as well as long-term potentiation to long-lasting late forms of plasticity through synaptic tagging and cross-tagging respectively, at the entorhinal cortical synapses of CA2. We further observe that the 5-HT-mediated persistence of activity-dependent LTD at SC-CA2 synapses is blocked in the presence of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor scavenger, TrkB/Fc.
A pragmatic reevaluation of the efficacy of nonhuman primate optogenetics for psychiatry
Authors: Bliss-Moreau Eliza , Costa Vincent D , Baxter Mark G 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Translational neuroscience is committed to generating discoveries in the laboratory that ultimately can improve human lives. Optogenetics has received considerable attention because of its demonstrated promise in rodent brains to manipulate cells and circuits. In a recent report, Tremblay et al. [28] introduce an open resource detailing optogenetic studies of the nonhuman primate (NHP) brain and make robust claims about the translatability of the technology. We propose that their quantitative (e.g. a 91% success rate) and theoretical claims are questionable because the data were analyzed at a level relevant to the rodent but not NHP brain. Injections were clustered within a few monkeys in a few studies in a few brain regions, and their definitions of success were not clearly relevant to human neuropsychiatric disease. A reanalysis of the data with a modified definition of success that included a behavioral and biological effect revealed a 62.5% success rate that was lower when considering only strong outcomes (53.1%). This calls into question the current efficacy of optogenetic techniques in the NHP brain and suggests that we are a long way from being able to leverage them in ‘the service of patients with neurological or psychiatric conditions’ as the Tremblay report claims.
Dramatic effects of COVID-19 public health measures and mass reverse migration on youth sexual and reproductive health in rural Uganda
Authors: Khan Sundus , Kemigisha Elizabeth , Turyakira Eleanor , Chaput Kathleen , Kabakyenga Jerome , Kyomuhangi Teddy , Manalili Kimberly , Brenner Jennifer L 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Youth (aged 10 to 24 years) comprise nearly one-third of Uganda’s population and often face challenges accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, with a disproportionately high incidence of negative SRH outcomes. Responding to COVID-19, Uganda implemented strict public health measures including broad public transportation, schooling, and business shut-downs, causing mass reverse-migration of youth from urban schools and workplaces back to rural home villages. Our study aimed to qualitatively describe the perceived unintended impacts of COVID-19 health measures on youth SRH in two rural districts.

Methods
Semi-structured focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) with purposively selected youth, parents, community leaders, community health worker (CHW) coordinators and supervisors, health providers, facility and district health managers, and district health officers were conducted to explore lived experiences and impressions of the impacts of COVID-19 measures on youth SRH. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using deductive thematic analysis.

Results
Four COVID-19-related themes and three subthemes resulted from 15 FGDs and 2 KIIs (n=94). Public transportation shutdown and mandatory mask-wearing were barriers to youth SRH care-seeking. School/workplace closures and subsequent urban youth migration back to rural homes increased demand at ill-prepared, rural health facilities, further impeding care-seeking. Youth reported fear of discovery by parents, which deterred SRH service seeking. Lockdown led to family financial hardship, isolation, and overcrowding; youth mistreatment, gender-based violence, and forced marriage ensued with some youth reportedly entering partnerships as a means of escape. Idleness and increased social contact were perceived to lead to increased and earlier sexual activity. Reported SRH impacts included increased severity of infection and complications due to delayed care seeking, and surges in youth sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and abortion.

Conclusion
COVID-19 public health measures reportedly reduced youth care seeking while increasing risky behaviours and negative SRH outcomes. Investment in youth SRH programming is critical to reverse unintended pandemic effects and regain momentum toward youth SRH targets. Future pandemic management must consider social and health disparities, and mitigate unintended risks of public health measures to youth SRH.
Cross-species metabolomic analysis of tau- and DDT-related toxicity
Authors: Kalia Vrinda , Niedzwiecki Megan M , Bradner Joshua M , Lau Fion K , Anderson Faith L , Bucher Meghan L , Manz Katherine E , Schlotter Alexa Puri , Fuentes Zoe Coates , Pennell Kurt D , Picard Martin , Walker Douglas I , Hu William T , Jones Dean P , Miller Gary W 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Exposure to the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) has been associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a disease also associated with hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein aggregation. We investigated whether exposure to DDT can exacerbate tau protein toxicity in Caenorhabditiselegans using a transgenic strain that expresses human tau protein prone to aggregation by measuring changes in size, swim behavior, respiration, lifespan, learning, and metabolism. In addition, we examined the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) p-tau protein—as a marker of postmortem tau burden—and global metabolism in both a human population study and in C. elegans, using the same p-tau transgenic strain. From the human population study, plasma and CSF-derived metabolic features associated with p-tau levels were related to drug, amino acid, fatty acid, and mitochondrial metabolism pathways. A total of five metabolites overlapped between plasma and C. elegans, and four between CSF and C. elegans. DDT exacerbated the inhibitory effect of p-tau protein on growth and basal respiration. In the presence of p-tau protein, DDT induced more curling and was associated with reduced levels of amino acids but increased levels of uric acid and adenosylselenohomocysteine. Our findings in C. elegans indicate that DDT exposure and p-tau aggregation both inhibit mitochondrial function and DDT exposure can exacerbate the mitochondrial inhibitory effects of p-tau aggregation. Further, biological pathways associated with exposure to DDT and p-tau protein appear to be conserved between species.
Sleep pattern in the dromedary camel: a behavioral and polysomnography study
Authors: El Allali Khalid , Beniaich Younes , Farsi Hicham , M′hani Mohammed El Mehdi , Jabal Mohamed Sobhi , Piro Mohammed , Achaâban Mohamed Rachid , Ouassat Mohammed , Challet Etienne , Besson Mireille , Mounach Jamal , Pévet Paul , Satté Amal 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Study Objectives
To investigate sleep patterns in the camel by combining behavioral and polysomnography (PSG) methods.

Methods
A noninvasive PSG study was conducted over four nights on four animals. Additionally, video recordings were used to monitor the sleep behaviors associated with different vigilance states.

Results
During the night, short periods of sporadic sleep-like behavior corresponding to a specific posture, sternal recumbency (SR) with the head lying down on the ground, were observed. The PSG results showed rapid shifts between five vigilance states, including wakefulness, drowsiness, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, non-REM (NREM) sleep, and rumination. The camels typically slept only 1.7 hours per night, subdivided into 0.5 hours of REM sleep and 1.2 hours of NREM sleep. Camels spent most of the night being awake (2.3 hours), ruminating (2.4 hours), or drowsing (1.9 hours). Various combinations of transitions between the different vigilance states were observed, with a notable transition into REM sleep directly from drowsiness (9%) or wakefulness (4%). Behavioral postures were found to correlate with PSG vigilance states, thereby allowing a reliable prediction of the sleep stage based on SR and the head position (erected, motionless, or lying down on the ground). Notably, 100% of REM sleep occurred during the Head Lying Down-SR posture.

Conclusions
The camel is a diurnal species with a polyphasic sleep pattern at night. The best correlation between PSG and ethogram data indicates that sleep duration can be predicted by the behavioral method, provided that drowsiness is considered a part of sleep.
Forced heirship and Jersey trusts—the Islamic perspective
Authors: Chien Nancy , Carter Lydia 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Sharia law is very specific about how a deceased person’s estate is to be divided between their close relatives. For those of Islamic faith who wish to have more freedom in these cases where there is difficulty in freely passing wealth down to family members, the concept known as “forced heirship”, Jersey trusts law may provide one solution. Under Jersey trusts law, the settlor has complete freedom over how the property is to be held and who should benefit from the trust. Article 9 of the Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984 sets out that where a testator who would otherwise be subject to forced heirship provisions settles property on a Jersey law trust, all matters in respect of the trust shall be determined by Jersey law, even if there is another conflicting law at play. Article 9 also provides that no judgment of a foreign court will be given effect to the extent that it is inconsistent with Article 9. Jersey’s firewalls have not been tested specifically with regard to Sharia law forced heirship claims. However, they have been shown to be robust in respect of other foreign law claims. There are some practical constraints which could weaken the protection afforded by Article 9, e.g. where the assets are not located in Jersey so that a foreign court would have jurisdictional reach over the assets. As such, one should consider carefully how to draft the trust documents in order to mitigate such risks.
Decreasing susceptibility of bacteria to ampicillin/ sulbactam and third generation cephalosporins in urinary tract infections
Authors: Vallo Stefan , Wirth Patrick , Kukic Adnan , Nafez Omar , Neagoe Ladislau , Nestler Sebastian , Jones Jon 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Background:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide and have become more difficult to treat over the years. Inappropriate antibiotic use has led to increased antibiotic resistance.

Materials and methods:
We examined 1921 urine culture samples from a single hospital and analyzed them for bacterial spectrum and antibiotic susceptibility. We further analyzed changes in the rates of detected bacteria and of the sensitivity of these uropathogens to antibiotics over the years.

Results:
In our hospital-based analysis, cystitis was the most frequently diagnosed UTI in women (76%) and men (79%). Escherichia coli (48%) was the most commonly identified uropathogen. Samples demonstrated an increase in the proportion of E. coli (p
< 0.001) and a decrease in Enterococcus faecalis (p
< 0.001) over the study time period. Antimicrobial susceptibility analysis showed an increase over time in the number of isolates with resistance to ampicillin/sulbactam (p
< 0.001) and to third-generation cephalosporins cefotaxime (p
= 0.043) and ceftazidime (p
< 0.001).

Conclusions:
Ampicillin/sulbactam and third-generation cephalosporins are antibiotics frequently used in the treatment of UTIs. When selecting an optimal antimicrobial treatment regimen for patients with UTIs, it is imperative to understand regional and timedependent differences in the prevalence of various uropathogens and antimicrobial resistance patterns. Therefore, continuous surveillance of local pathogen and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for frequently used antibiotics should be prioritized.
ONE-YEAR OUTCOMES OF METAMORPHOPSIA AND RETINAL DISPLACEMENT AFTER EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SURGERY
Authors: Watanabe Amaka , Ishida Masahiro , Shibata Masaki , Fujimoto Taichi , Mizushima Akio , Takeyama Asuka , Imamura Yutaka 
Published: May 2022

Purpose:
To examine 1-year outcomes of metamorphopsia and tangential retinal displacement after epiretinal membrane surgery and identify predictors for metamorphopsia score at 1 year and its improvement from baseline.

Methods:
M-CHARTS were used to measure metamorphopsia. Distances between the intersections of two sets of retinal vessels were measured with infrared or autofluorescence images. Predictors for metamorphopsia scores at 1 year after surgery and their differences from baseline were identified with multivariate regression analysis.

Results:
Ninety-two eyes of 90 consecutive patients were included. The vertical and horizontal distances continued expanding for 1 year (P < 0.001). Both vertical and horizontal metamorphopsia scores improved 3 months after surgery (P = 0.025 and P < 0.001, respectively), and horizontal scores continued improving for a year. Horizontal metamorphopsia scores correlated with retinal displacement more strongly than vertical scores. Higher metamorphopsia score at baseline is predictive for that at 1 year. Older age and being male are predictive for less improvement of the score at 1 year from baseline.

Conclusion:
Metamorphopsia correlates with tangential retinal displacement at 1 year after epiretinal membrane surgery. Horizontal metamorphopsia scores keep improving until 1 year postoperatively. Being male and older age are both independent predictors for poor improvement of metamorphopsia after epiretinal membrane surgery.
Clinical efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on lateral epicondylitis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: ElMeligie Mohamed Magdy , Gbreel Mohamed Ibrahim , Yehia Radwa Mohamed , Hanafy Abeer Farag 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Objectives
Recently, high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) has been used in the therapeutic protocols for pain management. We aim to evaluate the clinical efficacy of HILT versus other different modalities for improving lateral epicondylitis (LE) symptoms.

Methodology
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), and Science Direct till June 2021 using relevant keywords. We analyzed the data using Review Manager software (RevMan 5.4).

Results
Six RCTs with 344 patients were included. There is low-quality evidence that HILT generates a small reduction on pain intensity compared to a control group either during activity (MD = -0.98, 95% CI -1.6 to -0.35, P = 0.002) or during rest (MD = -0.98, 95% CI -1.68 to -0.09, P = 0.03). Also, there is low-quality evidence that HILT provides small improvements in quality of life (physical component) compared to control (MD = 9.76; 95% CI 2.69 to16.83, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion
HILT is an effective therapeutic modality to reduce pain and improve quality of life (SF-36 physical component) in patients suffering from persistent symptoms of LE. However, grip strength, hand function, and quality of life (SF-36) did not show significant differences between HILT and other therapies.