Publications by authors named "BW Smith"

Background And Aim: Prognosis in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) has historically been poor. This multicenter retrospective cohort study investigated the natural history and assessed the predictors of outcomes in patients with AIH, PBC, and PSC.

Methods: AIH, PBC, and PSC patients were identified from the state-wide Hepascore and Clinical Outcome cohort.

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  • The study aimed to assess survival rates in patients with autoimmune liver disease overlap syndromes (AILDOS) compared to those with single autoimmune liver diseases, specifically focusing on liver-related mortality.
  • 22 patients were studied over a median of 3.1 years, showing a 57% survival rate free from liver-related mortality at five years, with differences observed between types of AILDOS.
  • The liver outcome score (LOS) was a significant predictor of mortality for those with AIH-PBC, while the commonly used MELD score and others were not effective in predicting outcomes in either group.
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Objective: Common peroneal (fibular) neuropathy is the most common mononeuropathy of the lower extremity. Despite this, there are surprisingly few studies on the topic, and a knowledge gap remains in the literature. As one attempts to address this knowledge gap, a core outcome set (COS) is needed to guide the planning phases of future studies to allow synthesis and comparability of these studies.

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The almost-two-centuries history of spectrochemical analysis has generated a body of literature so vast that it has become nearly intractable for experts, much less for those wishing to enter the field. Authoritative, focused reviews help to address this problem but become so granular that the overall directions of the field are lost. This broader perspective can be provided partially by general overviews but then the thinking, experimental details, theoretical underpinnings and instrumental innovations of the original work must be sacrificed.

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The primary hurdles for small interference RNA (siRNA) in clinical use are targeted and cytosolic delivery. To overcome both challenges, we have established a novel platform based on phage display, called NNJA. In this approach, a lysosomal cathepsin substrate is engineered within the flexible loops of PIII, that is displaying a unique random sequence at its N-terminus.

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  • Treatment for eating disorders should focus on recovery, be personalized, and consider trauma, with an emphasis on social support's role in hope, stigma reduction, and stress management.
  • An integrative review of seven studies was conducted to evaluate the positive outcomes of social support programs for young people with eating disorders, revealing that these interventions are feasible and can enhance traditional treatment.
  • Social support was found to improve relationships, foster open communication, and provide a sense of hope, suggesting that future eating disorder treatments should incorporate psychosocial elements for better recovery outcomes.
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Objective: When considering traumatic brachial plexus and upper extremity nerve injuries, iatrogenic nerve injuries, and nontraumatic nerve injuries, brachial plexus and upper extremity nerve injuries are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Despite this, data synthesis and comparison of available studies are difficult. This is at least in part due to the lack of standardization in reporting and a lack of a core outcome set (COS).

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Wildlife conservation strategies focused on one season or population segment may fail to adequately protect populations, especially when a species' habitat preferences vary among seasons, age-classes, geographic regions, or other factors. Conservation of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) is an example of such a complex scenario, in which the distribution, habitat use, and migratory strategies of this species of conservation concern vary by age-class, reproductive status, region, and season. Nonetheless, research aimed at mapping priority use areas to inform management of golden eagles in western North America has typically focused on territory-holding adults during the breeding period, largely to the exclusion of other seasons and life-history groups.

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  • Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) affects arm movement, and this study investigates how the timing of nerve surgery impacts long-term recovery.
  • Researchers analyzed data from children who had surgery for NBPP between 2005 and 2020, comparing those who had surgery at younger vs. older ages.
  • Results showed that surgery before 9 months old is linked to better recovery in shoulder and elbow movement over time, suggesting that early referral for surgery is important for optimal outcomes.
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  • Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) affects a notable portion of the population, but there is no clear agreement on treatment methods due to inconsistent outcome reporting in studies.
  • This study aimed to create a Core Outcome Set for UNE (COS-UNE) using the modified Delphi method, involving stages like literature review and consensus surveys.
  • The final COS-UNE includes 22 key outcomes spanning various domains, establishes guidelines for reporting, and stresses the importance of consistent data collection in future research on UNE.
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Background And Objectives: There is a relative dearth of published data with respect to recovery of upper extremity movement after nerve reconstruction for neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP). This study aimed to demonstrate long-term recovery of active range of motion (AROM) at the shoulder, elbow, and forearm after nerve reconstruction for NBPP and to compare that with patients managed nonoperatively.

Methods: We interrogated a prospectively collected database of all patients evaluated for NBPP at a single institution from 2005 to 2020.

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  • IN perineuriomas, first described in 1964, are rare and benign tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath that typically affect adolescents or young adults, presenting with painless weakness or sensory loss.
  • Traditional diagnosis relied on tissue biopsy showing distinctive "pseudo-onion bulb" formation, but modern MRI techniques are now allowing some patients to skip the biopsy.
  • Recent genetic research has identified common mutations that could improve diagnosis and treatment, leading to better patient counseling and potential future therapies aimed at restoring function and understanding the condition.
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Aim And Objective: To explore the perceptions of nursing students regarding the treatment of men in nursing during their clinical placement.

Background: Negative placement experiences of men who are nursing students is a risk factor for student attrition. Hence, exploring gender disparity in treatment during placement from both men and women studying nursing will contribute to improving student experience and reducing attrition.

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Aim: To demonstrate the trajectory of long-term recovery of upper-extremity movement and determine optimal timing of evaluation at multidisciplinary specialty centers in children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP).

Method: All children with conservatively managed NBPP seen at one institution from 2005 to 2020 were considered for inclusion. The cohort was divided according to age at formal evaluation (≤30 or > 30 days).

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This study investigated the effects of an 8-week online positive psychology course on happiness, health, and well-being. There were 65 undergraduate students in the course and a comparison group of 63 undergraduates taking other online psychology courses. The participants were assessed on positive mental health (e.

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Background: Non-invasive tests are widely used to diagnose fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), however, the optimal method remains unclear. We compared the accuracy of simple serum models, a serum model incorporating direct measures of fibrogenesis (Hepascore), and Fibroscan®, for detecting fibrosis in NAFLD.

Methods: NAFLD patients undergoing liver biopsy were evaluated with Hepascore, NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS), FIB-4 and AST-platelet ratio index (APRI), with a subset (n = 131) undergoing Fibroscan®.

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Neonatal brachial plexus palsy describes injury to the brachial plexus in the perinatal period, resulting in motor and sensory deficits of the upper arm. Nerve reconstruction, including graft repair and nerve transfers, can be used to restore function in patients whose injury does not respond to conservative management. Despite the availability of these techniques, 30%-40% of children have lifelong disability, reflecting a 10-fold underutilization of surgery.

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  • Postoperative C5 palsy (C5P) is a common complication after cervical spine surgery, with most patients recovering within 6 months, although severe cases have poor outcomes.
  • This systematic review investigates how C5P severity is classified and defines recovery, aiming to create a scale that can aid in clinical decision-making.
  • Out of 272 articles, 43 were included, indicating that C5P is typically defined by a decline in deltoid strength, and severe cases are recognized as having muscle strength at grade 2 or lower, with recovery defined by improvement back to grade 5.
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  • Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a serious neurological condition primarily affecting children, leading to limb weakness and paralysis, with no standardized treatment protocols established despite heightened awareness since 2014.
  • A systematic review analyzed 99 articles, revealing a strong association between AFM and nonpolio enterovirus infections, with common clinical signs including viral symptoms, spinal cord lesions, and sudden onset of weakness.
  • Management strategies emphasize supportive care and rehabilitation, with emerging evidence suggesting that nerve transfer surgery may improve functionality in patients with ongoing weakness.
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Background: Misconceptions about men in nursing may influence recruitment and retention, further perpetuating the gender diversity imbalance in the nursing workforce. Identifying misconceptions and implementing early intervention strategies to address these deep-rooted stereotypes remain challenging but is considered critical to support students who are commencing a nursing career.

Objective: To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the 'nder sconceptions of me in nursng (GEMINI) Scale.

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Air quality impacts from wildfires are poorly understood, particularly indoors. As frequencies increase, it is important to optimize methodologies to understand and reduce chemical exposures from wildfires. Public health recommendations use air quality estimates from outdoor stationary air monitors, discounting indoor air conditions, and do not consider chemicals in the vapor phase, known to elicit adverse effects.

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This chapter will review the current management of patients with peripheral nerve injuries and nerve compression syndromes that result in favorable surgical outcomes when appropriately evaluated and referred in a timely fashion. Given the fact that neurologists frequently evaluate patients with these conditions and refer patients to neurosurgeons, it is important for them to be aware of the indications for, types and timing of surgical procedures, and expected outcomes with the various types of interventions.

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Objective: Cervical nerve 5 palsy can occur following surgery for cervical spine pathology. The prognosis of C5 palsy is generally favorable, and most patients recover useful function. However, some patients do not recover useful strength.

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Objective: Standard, physician-elicited clinical assessment tools for the evaluation of function after nerve reconstruction for neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) do not accurately reflect real-world arm function. Wearable activity monitors allow for the evaluation of patient-initiated, spontaneous arm movement during activities of daily living. In this pilot study, the authors demonstrate the feasibility of using body-worn sensor technology to quantify spontaneous arm movement in children with NBPP 10 years after nerve reconstruction and report the timing and magnitude of recovered arm movement.

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Objective: Perineural spread of breast cancer to the brachial plexus can lead to pain, sensory alterations, and upper-extremity weakness. Although rare, perineural spread is an often-misdiagnosed long-term complication following breast cancer diagnosis. The objective of this study was to critically review the clinical, radiological, and pathological findings of biopsy-proven perineural spread of breast cancer to the brachial plexus.

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