Tag: pubmed

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2023 Oct 20;309:78-82. doi: 10.3233/SHTI230743.

ABSTRACT

Clinical texts are written with acronyms, abbreviations and medical jargon expressions to save time. This hinders full comprehension not just for medical experts but also laypeople. This paper attempts to disambiguate acronyms with their given context by comparing a web mining approach via the search engine BING and a conversational agent approach using ChatGPT with the aim to see, if these methods can supply a viable resolution for the input acronym. Both approaches are automated via application programming interfaces. Possible term candidates are extracted using natural language processing-oriented functionality. The conversational agent approach surpasses the baseline for web mining without plausibility thresholds in precision, recall and F1-measure, while scoring similarly only in precision for high threshold values.

PMID:37869810 | DOI:10.3233/SHTI230743

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2023 Oct 20;309:38-42. doi: 10.3233/SHTI230735.

ABSTRACT

In multiple publications over 3 decades, most recently in The Book of Why, Judea Pearl has led what he regards as the ‘causal revolution’. His central contention is that, prior to it, no discipline had produced a rigorous ‘scientific’ way of making the causal inferences from observational data necessary for policy and decision making. The concentration on the statistical processing of data, outputting frequencies or probabilities, had proceeded without adequately acknowledging that this statistical processing is operating, not only on a particular set of data, but on a set of causal assumptions about that data, often unarticulated and unanalysed. He argues that the arrival of the directed acyclic graph (DAG), a ‘language of causation’ has enabled this fundamental weakness to be remedied. We outline the DAG approach to the extent necessary to make the key point, captured in this paper’s title regarding DAG’s potential contribution to improved decision or policy making.

PMID:37869802 | DOI:10.3233/SHTI230735

Low Urin Tract Symptoms. 2023 Oct 22. doi: 10.1111/luts.12506. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) causes voiding lower urinary tract symptoms (vLUTS). In the present study, we investigated the association between vLUTS and pelvic organ mobility (POM), including relevant supportive structures, on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI).

METHODS: We included 118 patients who had POP of stage II or less before straining and stage III or more when straining during dMRI. The presence of vLUTS and overactive bladder (OAB) was determined by a voiding subscore of the International Prostate Symptom Score (vIPSS) ≥5 and the OAB symptom score, respectively. POM was measured by dMRI before and during straining, and patients with and without vLUTS as well as patients with and without vLUTS and/or OAB were compared. p < .05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS: According to vIPSS, 42 patients (35.6%) had vLUTS. On dMRI, patients with vLUTS showed a significantly more ventral position and/or movement of the bladder and cervix. Moreover, patients with vLUTS and OAB had significantly more ventral movement of the uterine cervix and a larger strain on imaginary uterosacral and cardinal ligaments than those without these symptoms. In addition, patients with vLUTS and OAB had significantly higher vIPSS than those with vLUTS alone.

CONCLUSIONS: vLUTS may be associated with the proximity of the bladder and cervix to the pubic bone and consequent compression of the urethra by the prolapsed organs. vLUTS with OAB might indicate more advanced lower urinary tract dysfunction than vLUTS alone.

PMID:37866821 | DOI:10.1111/luts.12506

World Neurosurg. 2023 Oct 20:S1878-8750(23)01480-8. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.10.076. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of neuroendoscopic hematoma evacuation (NHE) and burr hole craniotomy (BHC) for treating Septated chronic subdural hematoma (sCSDH) and analyze the technical advantages of NHE in sCSDH treatment by data anylise.

METHODS: This study recruited 77 patients with sCSDH According to the type of operation, the patients were divided into NHE (n = 45) or BHC (n = 32) groups. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of NHE and BHC for treating sCSDH.

RESULTS: NHE demonstrated higher complete hematoma clearance and postoperative midline recovery rates and shorter subdural drainage and postoperative bed rest durations compared with BHC (P < 0.05). The average NHE time (72.27 ± 18.27 min) was longer than that of BHC (54.91 ± 16.04 min) (P < 0.05). The average follow-up period was 30.9 (range, 7-51) months. The results revealed that 1 and 12 cases recurred in the NHE (2.2%) and BHC (18.8%) groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Additionally, a statistically significant difference in the Modified Rankin Scale scores of the two groups was observed 6 months after the operation (P < 0.05). During the follow-up period, neither group demonstrated any obvious operative complications.

CONCLUSION: NHE is more effective than BHC for treating sCSDH and is worth popularizing on a large scale; however, ways to better deal with the outer membrane of hematoma warrant further consideration.

PMID:37866781 | DOI:10.1016/j.wneu.2023.10.076

World Neurosurg. 2023 Oct 20:S1878-8750(23)01472-9. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.10.070. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tarlov cysts are known contributors to radiculopathy but are often misdiagnosed and mismanaged due to a paucity of information. This is particularly true of cervical spine Tarlov cysts since most attention has been focused on sacral cysts. In this study we describe our longitudinal experience with patients who underwent surgery for cervical spine Tarlov cysts. We hypothesized that patients undergoing surgical treatment for cervical spine Tarlov cysts would report improvement following surgery.

METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of patients who underwent surgical treatment for cervical Tarlov cysts between 2010 and 2021. The Short-Form 36 (SF-36) survey was administered at preoperative and follow-up visits. Repeated measures analyses were used to assess changes in preoperative to postoperative status.

RESULTS: 37 patients with cervical spine cysts were included in the study, of which follow up data were obtained on 27 with a median follow-up of 1 year. 97.3% of the cohort was female, with an average age of 47.5 ± 10.3 years. Patients reported statistically significant improvement in 2 of the 4 SF-36 physical health domains (physical function, P< 0.001 and bodily pain, P<0.001) and 2 of the 4 mental health domains (vitality/energy, P<0.003 and social functioning, P = 0.007). Patients also reported less interference in work, education, and retirement activities at follow-up (P=0.017).

CONCLUSION: Our longitudinal series consisted of patients with symptomatic cervical spine Tarlov cysts which, to our knowledge, is the largest series described. Significant improvement in SF-36 domains were documented, indicating these patients can be successfully treated surgically.

PMID:37866779 | DOI:10.1016/j.wneu.2023.10.070

Acta Trop. 2023 Oct 20:107044. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107044. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Anthrax is reported globally with varying disease intensity and seasonality among countries. In Vietnam, anthrax epidemiology and ecology remain understudied. We used historical data of human and livestock anthrax from 2004-2021 in Lai Chau province, to identify spatial clusters of human and livestock anthrax, describe epidemiological characteristics, and compare livestock anthrax vaccine coverage to human and livestock disease incidence. Local Moran’s I (LISA) using spatial Bayes smoothed commune-level cumulative incidence (per 10000) for the study period, epidemiological descriptive statistics, livestock vaccine coverage data, and annual incidence rates (per 10000) at provincial level were used. LISA identified a human anthrax hotspot (high-high) in the southeast which did not overlap spatially with livestock anthrax hotspots in southeastern and northeastern communes. Most human cases were male, aged 15-59 years, handled sick animals, and/or consumed contaminated meat. Almost all cases were reported by grassroot health facilities with a delay of 6.3 days between exposure and case notification to the national surveillance system. 80% of human cases were reported from June-October. The increase in disease incidence occurred shortly after livestock anthrax vaccine coverage decreased. This study informs vaccination strategy and targeted surveillance and control measures in newly identified high-risk areas and seasons of anthrax.

PMID:37866728 | DOI:10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107044

Ann Vasc Surg. 2023 Oct 20:S0890-5096(23)00694-5. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.08.037. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since its introduction, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has revolutionized the treatment of type B aortic dissections (TBAD). However, the proximal aspect of the aortic pathology treated may infringe on the origin of the left subclavian artery or even more proximally. Hence, to ensure durable outcomes, the origin of these vessels needs to be covered, but an extra-anatomical bypass is required to perfuse vital branches, known as aortic arch debranching. This series aims to describe and delineate the disparities of aortic arch debranching during TEVAR for TBAD.

METHODS: A retrospective review and analysis of a multicentre international database was conducted to identify patients with TBAD treated with TEVAR between 2005 to 2021. Data analyzed included patient demographics, disease characteristics, operative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes with follow-up on mortality and reintervention. All statistical analyses were carried out using IBM SPSS 26. Patient survival was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were included in the analysis, of which 27 (46.6%) presented with complicated disease and 31 were uncomplicated, of which 10 (17.2%) were classed as high risk and 21 (36.2%) low risk. Zone 2 was the most common proximal landing zone for the stent graft. Left subclavian artery bypass was performed selectively (26%), with one stroke occurring, likely due to embolic reasons. A further 6 underwent more proximal aortic debranching before TEVAR (10%) and was a significant risk factor for mortality and the number of stents deployed. The overall rates of reintervention and mortality were 17.2% (n=10) and 29.3% (n=17).

CONCLUSION: Aortic arch debranching and TEVAR for Type B aortic dissection is associated with significant mortality. Future developments to treat aortic arch pathology could incorporate branched graft devices, eliminating the need for debranching, improving stroke rates, and reducing future reinterventions.

PMID:37866676 | DOI:10.1016/j.avsg.2023.08.037

Genomics. 2023 Oct 20:110733. doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110733. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Big data mining and experiments are widely used to mine new prognostic markers.

METHODS: Candidate genes were identified from CROEMINE and FerrDb. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analysis were applied to assess the association of genes with Overall survival time (OS) and Disease-free survival time (DFS) in two HCC cohorts. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Immunohistochemistry were performed in HCC samples.

RESULTS: 21 and 15 genes that can predict OS and DFS, which had not been reported before, were identified from 719 genes, respectively. Survival analysis showed elevated mRNA expression of GLMP, SLC38A6, and WDR76 were associated with poor prognosis, and three genes combination signature was an independent prognostic factor in HCC. RT-qPCR and Immunohistochemistry confirmed the results.

CONCLUSIONS: We established a novel computational process, which identified the expression levels of GLMP, SLC38A6, and WDR76 as potential ferroptosis-related biomarkers indicating the prognosis of HCC.

PMID:37866659 | DOI:10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110733

Physiol Behav. 2023 Oct 20:114385. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114385. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Wild animals are brought to captivity for different reasons, for example to be kept in zoos and rehabilitation centres, but also for basic research. Such animals usually undergo a process of adjustment to captive conditions. While this adjustment occurs on the behavioural and the physiological level, those are usually studied separately. The aim of this study was to assess both the physiological and behavioural responses of wild wood mice, Apodemus sylvaticus, while adjusting to laboratory conditions. Over the course of four weeks, we measured in wild-caught mice brought to the laboratory faecal corticosterone metabolites and body mass as physiological parameters, stereotypic behaviour and nest-quality, as welfare-linked behavioural parameters, and four personality measures as additional behavioural parameters. The results of our study indicate that mice exhibited an adjustment in both behaviour and physiology over time in the laboratory. While the hormonal stress response decreased significantly, body mass and the proportion of stereotypic behaviours showed a tendency to increase over time. The slight increase of stereotypic behaviours, although not statistically significant, suggests the development of repetitive and non-functional behaviours as a response to laboratory conditions. However, we suggest that those behaviours might have been used by animals as a coping strategy to decrease the physiological stress response. Other behavioural parameters measured, such as boldness and nestbuilding behaviour were stable over time. The information obtained in the present study hints at a complex interplay between behavioural and physiological adjustments of wild animals to laboratory conditions, which should be considered when intending to use wild animals in experimental research.

PMID:37866641 | DOI:10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114385

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Oct 20:167985. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167985. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The interactions of aerosol and planetary boundary layer (PBL) play a crucial role in deteriorating the air quality in vast urban agglomeration areas in eastern China. However, there remains a lacking of report regarding their performance in the hazy events in Mongolian Plateau cities in northern China. In this study, half-month (01-16 January 2020) physical and material datasets of the PBL measured by multi instrumentations mounted in downtown Hohhot, a largest Mongolian Plateau city, are statistically analyzed. Results demonstrate that the aerosol-PBL feedback is of particular importance in promoting the hazy outbreak and the statistical relationship follows PBLH = -76.14 × ln(PM_2.5) + 820.61. The non-linear fitting implies that there exists a potential threshold of 76.14 μg m^-3 for PM_2.5, below which the PBLH decrease rapidly along with the increasing of air pollutants, defined as strong aerosol-PBL interaction phase, while beyond which there is minimal decrease for PBLH even when PM reaches to a high value, i.e., the hazy accumulation phase. Using a large-eddy simulation model named as Dutch Atmospheric Large-Eddy Simulation (DALES) initialized with the synergetical observations in a representative hazy process in 11 January 2020, we found that the DALES is effective to capture the diurnal PBLH in this region. The existence of atmospheric aerosols is essential for lowering PBLH by 51.4 % from 1090 m of clean scenario to 530 m of polluted condition, postponing the development time, and advancing the afternoon lapse time. The enhancement of aerosol absorption ability strengthens the aerosol heating rate, thereby weakening the sensible heat flux, and inhibiting the development of PBLH. While opposite elevation on PBLH is found for the scattering aerosols. These findings highlight the importance of aerosol-PBL interaction in motivating the hazy episodes in Mongolian Plateau cities, which provide scientific references for the local policy-making towards pollution reductions in future.

PMID:37866603 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167985