bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Verbal memory following weight gain in adult patients with anorexia nervosa: A longitudinal study
Authors: Terhoeven Valentin , Faschingbauer Sandra , Huber Julia , Herzog Wolfgang , Friederich Hans‐Christoph , Simon Joe J. , Nikendei Christoph 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundPatients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) show a moderate deficit in overall neuropsychological functioning. Since previous studies on memory performance mainly employed cross‐sectional designs, the present study aims to investigate changes in verbal memory following weight‐gain.MethodsVerbal memory was assessed with the Wechsler Memory Scale‐Revised (WMS‐R; ‘logical memory’‐story‐recall‐subtest) and the California Verbal Learning Test‐II (CVLT‐II; ‘verbal learning’). Included were 31 female patients with AN (18 restricting‐, 13 purging‐subtype; average disease duration: 5.1 years; average baseline BMI: 14.4 kg/m2) and 24 medication‐free normal‐weight healthy women adjusted for age at baseline (T0). In a post‐treatment assessment of approx. 6 weeks with weight increase (T1), 18 patients with AN and 20 healthy women were assessed again. Group differences in verbal memory (i.e., WMS‐R, CVLT‐II) were assessed for the baseline comparisons with a multivariate ANOVA and longitudinal data were analysed with repeated measures (RM) ANOVAs.ResultsAt baseline, patients with AN as compared to healthy women displayed deficits in logical memory. In the follow‐up assessment, patients with AN improved their logical memory significantly compared to healthy controls (p < 0.006). Furthermore, groups did not differ in verbal learning neither before nor after inpatient treatment.ConclusionsEnhanced logical memory in patients with AN following weight‐gain is probably due to the impaired memory as compared to healthy controls at T0. A survivorship bias could explain the improved memory performance in longitudinal data in contrast to cross‐sectional studies. Patients with AN with poorer memory performance before inpatient treatment are at higher risk to drop out and need support.
White matter brain structure predicts language performance and learning success
Authors: Sánchez Stella M. , Schmidt Helmut , Gallardo Guillermo , Anwander Alfred , Brauer Jens , Friederici Angela D. , Knösche Thomas R. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIndividual differences in the ability to process language have long been discussed. Much of the neural basis of these, however, is yet unknown. Here we investigated the relationship between long‐range white matter connectivity of the brain, as revealed by diffusion tractography, and the ability to process syntactically complex sentences in the participants' native language as well as the improvement thereof by multiday training. We identified specific network motifs by singular value decomposition that indeed related white matter structural connectivity to individual language processing performance. First, for two such motifs, one in the left and one in the right hemisphere, their individual prevalence significantly predicted the individual language performance, suggesting an anatomical predisposition for the individual ability to process syntactically complex sentences. Both motifs comprise a number of cortical regions, but seem to be dominated by areas known for the involvement in working memory rather than the classical language network itself. Second, we identified another left hemispheric network motif, whose change of prevalence over the training period significantly correlated with the individual change in performance, thus reflecting training induced white matter plasticity. This motif comprises diverse cortical areas including regions known for their involvement in language processing, working memory and motor functions. The present findings suggest that individual differences in language processing and learning can be explained, in part, by individual differences in the brain's white matter structure. Brain structure may be a crucial factor to be considered when discussing variations in human cognitive performance, more generally.
Effects of Medicare Part D coverage gap closure on utilization of branded and generic drugs
Authors: Liu Judith , Zhang Yuting , Kaplan Cameron M. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe Affordable Care Act included a provision to gradually eliminate the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap between 2011 and 2020, which substantially lower medication costs in the gap. Using 2007–2016 Medicare claims data, we estimate how filling the gap affects individuals' out‐of‐pocket spending and medication use, separately for branded and generic drugs. One important difficulty in estimating the policy impact is that around the same time, many blockbuster drugs commonly used by the Medicare population experienced patent expiration and began to see generic entry. Because generic entries affected different therapeutic classes at different times, we run difference‐in‐differences models by therapeutic category at the beneficiary‐month level to isolate the effect of the gap closure from that of generic entry. Overall, we find that filling the gap substantially reduced out‐of‐pocket spending and increased the use of branded drugs, which had larger discount rates during the analysis period. Beneficiaries reaching the gap, at older ages, or with comorbidities experienced larger reduction in out‐of‐pocket spending. We show that without accounting for generic entry, the effect of filling the coverage gap on medication use is underestimated for branded drugs and overestimated for generic drugs.
Comparison of visfatin levels in patients with breast cancer and endometrial cancer with healthy individuals: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ghaneialvar Hori , Shiri Samira , Kenarkoohi Azra , Fallah Vastani Zahra , Ahmadi Alireza , Khorshidi Ali , Khooz Roghayeh 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackground and aimsEndometrial cancer (EC) and breast cancer (BC) are prevalent in women. Visfatin is an adipokine that, in addition to being involved in metabolism and inflammation, may also be interested in carcinogenesis. Visfatin measurement in cancer patients has shown that visfatin levels in cancer patients differed from those in healthy subjects. Various studies have shown that the level of visfatin is increased in people within EC and BC, and this difference has a significant relationship with prognosis.MethodsA comprehensive search of related articles from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Google Scholar database was done by November 2021. Eligible articles measured visfatin levels in patients with breast cancer and EC. After selecting the eligible studies, the data were extracted and analyzed using the random effect method.ResultsGiven the effect size and the confidence interval obtained, the total level of visfatin in cancer patients was different from that in healthy individuals, and this difference was statistically significant. However, the difference in visfatin levels in patients with breast cancer was much more significant than in patients with EC compared to the control group.ConclusionsDue to the significant increase in visfatin levels in these patients, visfatin may be a potential prognostic factor in breast and ECs. Visfatin levels in cancer patients differed from those in healthy subjects, and this difference was also statistically significant (p‐values = 0.00). Visfatin levels also differed between breast cancer patients and healthy individuals, which was statistically significant (p‐values = 0.00). The difference in visfatin levels between patients with EC and healthy subjects was statistically significant (p‐values = 0.047).
How to improve information technology strategic planning effectiveness using balanced scorecard, risk and maturity analysis, case study health information technology? A qualitative study
Authors: Moinzad Hossein , Akbarzadeh Mohammad H. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsAlthough many health strategic plans have been developed by scholars and organizations, they still suffer from a limited view. Since most health‐related strategies in the future will depend on information technology (IT), as the main driver of today's industry, technology, and society, IT merits attention in health strategic plans. While the majority of the health strategic plan developed based on the interviews and questioner and these plans didn't consider the role of IT in their actions, this research will develop a framework to integrate risk and maturity analysis with the strategic planning process in health information technology strategic plan.MethodsThe present research introduces an integrated framework based on a balanced scorecard (BSC) and control objectives for information and related technologies (COBIT). Also, The American Productivity & Quality Centre framework and COBIT were employed in this model to define the processes and activities of health IT (HIT) organizations. The organization's maturity and risk are analyzed in terms of information and management criteria using BSC, COBIT, and the analytical hierarchy process.ResultsLater this model was implemented in a Remote Health care System to improve the strategic management process for this technology. Using this framework, 17 business goals have been developed and presented for the case. Also, the total related risk was 48% and the maturity level was at 1/18. The results are presented as decision‐making parameters and strategies for successful IT implementation.ConclusionThe presented framework provides deeper insight for the decision‐maker through integrating risk and maturity analysis in the HIT strategic planning process. The results are presented as decision‐making parameters and strategies for successful IT implementation. These strategies help investors decide about resource allocation based on the risk‐taking capability, certainty, and uncertainty results of the plan.
The potential link between Covid‐19 and multiple myeloma: A new saga
Authors: Al‐Kuraishy Hayder M. , Al‐Gareeb Ali I. , Mohammed Ali A , Alexiou Athanasios , Papadakis Marios , Batiha Gaber El‐Saber 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundCovid‐19 is considered a primary respiratory disease‐causing viral pneumonia and, in severe cases, leads to acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In addition, though, extra‐pulmonary manifestations of Covid‐19 have been shown. Furthermore, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection may coexist with several malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM).MethodsThis critical literature review aimed to find the potential association between SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and MM in Covid‐19 patients with underlying MM. Narrative literature and databases search revealed that ARDS is developed in both MM and Covid‐19 due to hypercalcemia and proteasome dysfunction.ResultsNotably, the expression of angiogenic factors and glutamine deficiency could link Covid‐19 severity and MM in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications. MM and Covid‐19 share thrombosis as a typical complication; unlike thrombosis in Covid‐19, which reflects disease severity, thrombosis does not reflect disease severity in MM. In both conditions, thromboprophylaxis is essential to prevent pulmonary thrombosis and other thromboembolic disorders. Moreover, Covid‐19 may exacerbate the development of acute kidney injury and neurological complications in MM patients.ConclusionThese findings highlighted that MM patients might be a risk group for Covid‐19 severity due to underlying immunosuppression and most of those patients need specific management in the Covid‐19 era.
Binding of human ACE2 and RBD of Omicron enhanced by unique interaction patterns among SARS‐CoV‐2 variants of concern
Authors: Kim Seonghan , Liu Yi , Ziarnik Matthew , Seo Sangjae , Cao Yiwei , Zhang X. Frank , Im Wonpil 
Published: November 2022

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the virus causing COVID‐19, has continued to mutate and spread worldwide despite global vaccination efforts. In particular, the Omicron variant, first identified in South Africa in late November 2021, has become the dominant strain worldwide. Compared to the original strain identified in Wuhan, Omicron features 50 genetic mutations, with 15 mutations in the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein, which binds to the human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for viral entry. However, it is not completely understood how these mutations alter the interaction and binding strength between the Omicron RBD and ACE2. In this study, we used a combined steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulation and experimental microscale thermophoresis (MST) approach to quantify the interaction between Omicron RBD and ACE2. We report that the Omicron brings an enhanced RBD‐ACE2 interface through N501Y, Q498R, and T478K mutations; the changes further lead to unique interaction patterns, reminiscing the features of previously dominated variants, Alpha (N501Y) and Delta (L452R and T478K). Among the Q493K and Q493R, we report that Q493R shows stronger binding to ACE2 than Q493K due to increased interactions. Our MST data confirmed that the Omicron mutations in RBD are associated with a five‐fold higher binding affinity to ACE2 compared to the RBD of the original strain. In conclusion, our results could help explain the Omicron variant's prevalence in human populations, as higher interaction forces or affinity for ACE2 likely promote greater viral binding and internalization, leading to increased infectivity.
Gastrointestinal Langerhans cell histiocytosis with unifocal, single‐system involvement in adults: Cases report and literature review
Authors: Wang Li , Yang Fang , Ding Yong , Lu Lixia , Li Haili , Cui Yangyang , Lu Lu , Shen Xiaohan , Ge Rong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundLangerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterized by unifocal, multifocal single‐system, or multi‐system disease that occurs in all age groups, while it primarily attacks pediatric patients. Solitary gastrointestinal (GI) LCH in adults is exceedingly rare, so we aimed to investigate GI LCH in adults with unifocal single‐system involvement and clarified the clinicopathologic characteristics of this disease.MethodsTwo cases of solitary GI LCH in adults were presented, and the clinicopathologic features of this diagnosis in the literature were reviewed.ResultsThe main diagnostic feature of LCH is the morphologic identification of the characteristic Langerhans cells with prominent nuclear grooves and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, accompanied by a variable number of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and plasma cells. The distinctive cells expressed S100, CD1a, and langerin (CD207) on immunohistochemistry. BRAF V600E mutations were detected in the two patients.ConclusionsGastrointestinal Langerhans cell histiocytosis in adults with unifocal, single‐system involvement is extremely rare. Most patients were asymptomatic and usually a small solitary polyp in GI tract can be observed under routine endoscopy. Although the overall prognosis of unifocal single‐system LCH is favorable, long‐term follow‐up is still necessary to rule out systemic disease.
Molecular epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Clostridioides difficile infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease from a teaching hospital
Authors: Li Yan‐ming , Liao Jing‐zhong , Jian Zi‐juan , Li Hong‐ling , Chen Xia , Liu Qing‐xia , Liu Pei‐lin , Wang Zhi‐qian , Liu Xuan , Yan Qun , Liu Wen‐en 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is of increasing concern. This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibilities of toxigenic C. difficile isolated from IBD patients and to evaluate the risk factors for CDI in IBD population.MethodsLoose or watery stools from IBD patients were tested for glutamate dehydrogenase, C. difficile toxins A&B and anaerobic culture. Toxigenic C. difficile isolates were characterized by multi‐locus sequence typing, ribotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.ResultsThe prevalence of CDI in IBD patients was 13.6% (43/317). The dominant sequence types (STs) were ST35 (20.9%), ST2 (18.6%) and ST37 (16.3%). The most common ribotypes (RTs) were RT 017 (18.6%), RT 012 (14.0%), and RT 220 (14.0%), whereas RT 027 and RT 078 were not detected in this study. All the isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and metronidazole. The multidrug resistance rate of C. difficile RT 017 was higher (p < 0.01) than that of other RT strains. Recent hospitalization, use of corticosteroids and proton pump inhibitors were related to increased risk of CDI in IBD patients; of these, recent hospitalization and proton pump inhibitors use were independent risk factors.ConclusionPatients with IBD have a relatively high incidence rate of CDI. C. difficile RT 017 is most frequently isolated from IBD patients in this region and warrants more attention to its high resistance rate. Clinicians should pay greater attention to CDI testing in IBD patients with diarrhea to ensure early diagnosis and initiation of effective treatment.
Cardiac Phase and Flow Compensation Effects on REnal Flow and Microstructure AnisotroPy MRI in Healthy Human Kidney
Authors: Sigmund Eric E. , Mikheev Artem , Brinkmann Inge M. , Gilani Nima , Babb James S. , Basukala Dibash , Benkert Thomas , Veraart Jelle , Chandarana Hersh 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundRenal diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) involves microstructure and microcirculation, quantified with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), and hybrid models. A better understanding of their contrast may increase specificity.PurposeTo measure modulation of DWI with cardiac phase and flow‐compensated (FC) diffusion gradient waveforms.Study TypeProspective.PopulationSix healthy volunteers (ages: 22–48 years, five females), water phantom.Field Strength/Sequence3‐T, prototype DWI sequence with 2D echo‐planar imaging, and bipolar (BP) or FC gradients. 2D Half‐Fourier Single‐shot Turbo‐spin‐Echo (HASTE). Multiple‐phase 2D spoiled gradient‐echo phase contrast (PC) MRI.AssessmentBP and FC water signal decays were qualitatively compared. Renal arteries and velocities were visualized on PC‐MRI. Systolic (peak velocity), diastolic (end stable velocity), and pre‐systolic (before peak velocity) phases were identified. Following mutual information‐based retrospective self‐registration of DWI within each kidney, and Marchenko‐Pastur Principal Component Analysis (MPPCA) denoising, combined IVIM‐DTI analysis estimated mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), and eigenvalues (λi) from tissue diffusivity (Dt), perfusion fraction (fp), and pseudodiffusivity (Dp, Dp,axial, Dp,radial), for each tissue (cortex/medulla, segmented on b0/FA respectively), phase, and waveform (BP, FC). Monte Carlo water diffusion simulations aided data interpretation.Statistical TestsMixed model regression probed differences between tissue types and pulse sequences. Univariate general linear model analysis probed variations among cardiac phases. Spearman correlations were measured between diffusion metrics and renal artery velocities. Statistical significance level was set at P < 0.05.ResultsWater BP and FC signal decays showed no differences. Significant pulse sequence dependence occurred for λ1, λ3, FA, Dp, fp, Dp,axial, Dp,radial in cortex and medulla, and medullary λ2. Significant cortex/medulla differences occurred with BP for all metrics except MD (systole [P = 0.224]; diastole [P = 0.556]). Significant phase dependence occurred for Dp, Dp,axial, Dp,radial for BP and medullary λ1, λ2, λ3, MD for FC. FA correlated significantly with velocity. Monte Carlo simulations indicated medullary measurements were consistent with a 34 μm tubule diameter.Data ConclusionCardiac gating and flow compensation modulate of measurements of renal diffusion.Evidence Level2Technical Efficacy Stage2
Prepandemic viral community‐acquired pneumonia: Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of nasopharyngeal swabs and performance of clinical severity scores
Authors: Berastegui‐Cabrera Judith , Aguilar‐Guisado Manuela , Crespo‐Rivas Juan Carlos , López‐Verdugo Macarena , Merino Laura , Escoresca‐Ortega Ana , Calero‐Acuña Carmen , Carrasco‐Hernández Laura , Toral‐Marín Javier Ignacio , Abad‐Arranz María , Ramírez‐Duque Nieves , Barón‐Franco Bosco , Pachón Jerónimo , Álvarez‐Marín Rocío , Sánchez‐Céspedes Javier 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe objectives of this work were to assess the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs for viral community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) and the performance of pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB‐65 severity scores in the viral CAP in adults. A prospective observational cohort study of consecutive 341 hospitalized adults with CAP was performed between January 2018 and March 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, symptoms/signs, analytical data, severity scores, antimicrobials, and outcomes were recorded. Blood, NP swabs, sputum, and urine samples were collected at admission and assayed by multiplex real time‐PCR, bacterial cultures, and Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila antigens detection, to determine the etiologies and quantify the viral load. The etiology was identified in 174 (51.0%) patients, and in 85 (24.9%) it was viral, the most frequent rhinovirus and influenza virus. The sensitivity of viral detection in sputum (50.7%) was higher than in NP swabs (20.9%). Compared with sputum, the positive predictive value and specificity of NP swabs for viral diagnosis were 95.8% and 96.9%, respectively. Performance of PSI and CURB‐65 scores in all CAP with etiologic diagnosis were as expected, with mortality associated with higher values, but they were not associated with mortality in patients with viral pneumonia. NP swabs have lower sensitivity but high specificity for the diagnosis of viral CAP in adults compared with sputum, reinforcing the use NP swabs for the diagnostic etiology work‐up. The PSI and CURB‐65 scores did not predict mortality in the viral CAP, suggesting that they need to be updated scores based on the identification of the etiological agent.