bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Azithromycin ameliorates sulfur dioxide-induced airway epithelial damage and inflammatory responses
Authors: Joelsson Jon Petur , Kricker Jennifer A. , Arason Ari J. , Sigurdsson Snaevar , Valdimarsdottir Bryndis , Gardarsson Fridrik Runar , Page Clive P. , Lehmann Fredrik , Gudjonsson Thorarinn , Ingthorsson Saevar 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The airway epithelium (AE) forms the first line of defence against harmful particles and pathogens. Barrier failure of the airway epithelium contributes to exacerbations of a range of lung diseases that are commonly treated with Azithromycin (AZM). In addition to its anti-bacterial function, AZM has immunomodulatory effects which are proposed to contribute to its clinical effectiveness. In vitro studies have shown the AE barrier-enhancing effects of AZM. The aim of this study was to analyze whether AE damage caused by inhalation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in a murine model could be reduced by pre-treatment with AZM.

Methods
The leakiness of the AE barrier was evaluated after SO2 exposure by measuring levels of human serum albumin (HSA) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Protein composition in BALF was also assessed and lung tissues were evaluated across treatments using histology and gene expression analysis.

Results
AZM pre-treatment (2 mg/kg p.o. 5 times/week for 2 weeks) resulted in reduced glutathione-S-transferases in BALF of SO2 injured mice compared to control (without AZM treatment). AZM treated mice had increased intracellular vacuolization including lamellar bodies and a reduction in epithelial shedding after injury in addition to a dampened SO2-induced inflammatory response.

Conclusions
Using a mouse model of AE barrier dysfunction we provide evidence for the protective effects of AZM in vivo, possibly through stabilizing the intracellular microenvironment and reducing inflammatory responses. Our data provide insight into the mechanisms contributing to the efficacy of AZM in the treatment of airway diseases.
Quality of life and factors affecting it in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Akpınar Söylemez Burcu , Küçükgüçlü Özlem , Akyol Merve Aliye , Işık Ahmet Turan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Quality of life (QoL) is a growing area of interest in dementia research. However, it remains a controversial topic. This study aimed to determine the QoL of people with Alzheimer’s disease (PwAD) and investigate the factors affecting patients’ and caregivers’ QoL scores.

Methods
A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 98 home-dwelling PwADs and their primary caregivers were recruited in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics and QoL scores, activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL), Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI), and NPI–distress were determined to assess the relevant outcomes. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0. Descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlation, and multinomial regression were used for analysis.

Results
The patients’ ratings of their QoL were higher than those of the caregivers. Caregiver education, patients’ ADL, and IADL were associated with the patients’ score on the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD) scale. In addition to these variables, MMSE, NPI, and NPI–distress were associated with the caregiver scores on QoL-AD.

Conclusion
From a clinical point of view, the proxy-rated scores of QoL cannot replace the self-ratings of the patients. This study suggests that both self- and proxy-rated QoL scores should be applied whenever possible. Focusing on the management of behavioral problems and supporting functionality and cognitive functions may be modifiable factors that may represent targets for intervention to improve the QoL. The findings of this study should also be used to design caregiver educational programs about the determinants of QoL.
SIRT3 deficiency exacerbates fatty liver by attenuating the HIF1α-LIPIN 1 pathway and increasing CD36 through Nrf2
Authors: Barroso Emma , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Rosalía , Zarei Mohammad , Pizarro-Degado Javier , Planavila Anna , Palomer Xavier , Villarroya Francesc , Vázquez-Carrera Manuel 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Deficiency of mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a NAD+-dependent protein deacetylase that maintains redox status and lipid homeostasis, contributes to hepatic steatosis. In this study, we investigated additional mechanisms that might play a role in aggravating hepatic steatosis in Sirt3-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods
Studies were conducted in wild-type (WT) and Sirt3−/− mice fed a standard diet or a HFD and in SIRT3-knockdown human Huh-7 hepatoma cells.

Results
Sirt3−/− mice fed a HFD presented exacerbated hepatic steatosis that was accompanied by decreased expression and DNA-binding activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and of several of its target genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, compared to WT mice fed the HFD. Interestingly, Sirt3 deficiency in liver and its knockdown in Huh-7 cells resulted in upregulation of the nuclear levels of LIPIN1, a PPARα co-activator, and of the protein that controls its levels and localization, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). These changes were prevented by lipid exposure through a mechanism that might involve a decrease in succinate levels. Finally, Sirt3−/− mice fed the HFD showed increased levels of some proteins involved in lipid uptake, such as CD36 and the VLDL receptor. The upregulation in CD36 was confirmed in Huh-7 cells treated with a SIRT3 inhibitor or transfected with SIRT3 siRNA and incubated with palmitate, an effect that was prevented by the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385.

Conclusion
These findings demonstrate new mechanisms by which Sirt3 deficiency contributes to hepatic steatosis.

Graphical abstract
Leveraging family dynamics to increase the effectiveness of incentives for physical activity: the FIT-FAM randomized controlled trial
Authors: Finkelstein Eric Andrew , Lim Robyn Su May , Ward Dianne Stanton , Evenson Kelly R. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Insufficient physical activity is a global public health concern. Research indicates incentives can increase physical activity levels of children but has not tested whether incentives targeted at children can be leveraged to increase physical activity levels of their parents. This study evaluates whether a novel incentive design linking children’s incentives to both their and their parent’s physical activity levels can increase parent’s physical activity.

Methods
We conducted a two-arm, parallel, open-labelled randomized controlled trial in Singapore where parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to either (1) rewards to child contingent on child’s physical activity (child-based) or (2) rewards to child contingent on both child’s and parent’s physical activity (family-based). Parents had to be English-speaking, computer-literate, non-pregnant, full-time employees, aged 25–65 years, and with a participating child aged 7–11 years. Parent-child dyads were randomized within strata (self-reported low vs high weekly physical activity) into study arms in a 1:1 ratio. Participants were given activity trackers to assess daily steps. The outcome of interest was the between-arm difference in the change from baseline in parent’s mean steps/day measured by accelerometry at months 6 and 12 (primary endpoint).

Results
Overall, 159 and 157 parent-child dyads were randomized to the child-based or family-based arms, respectively. Outcomes were evaluated on an intent-to-treat basis. At month 6, there was a 613 steps/day (95% CI: 54–1171) differential in favour of family-based parents. At month 12, our primary endpoint, the differential was reduced to 369 steps/day (95% CI: − 88–1114) and was no longer statistically significant.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that novel incentive designs that take advantage of group dynamics may be effective. However, in this design, the effectiveness of the family-based incentive to increase parent’s physical activity was not sustained through one year.

Trial registration
NCT02516345 (ClinicalTrials.gov) registered on August 5, 2015.
Development and psychometric evaluation of a quality of life questionnaire for infertile women: a mixed method study
Authors: Kiani Zahra , Simbar Masoumeh , Hajian Sepideh , Zayeri Farid 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Infertility is one of the most important issues that negatively influences women’s quality of life, especially when the cause is associated with females. Given that no instruments have been designed to assess quality of life among infertile women with focus on female factors, this study was conducted to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a female-centric quality of life questionnaire for infertile women.

Method
This sequential exploratory study was conducted in two stages. First, the concept of quality of life and its dimensions as they relate to infertile women were elucidated through a qualitative inquiry accompanied with a content analysis. Accordingly, infertile women and key informants from a teaching hospital affiliated with the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and a private center for infertility treatment in Sari (north of Iran) were screened through purposive sampling until data saturation. Those who satisfied the inclusion criteria and exhibited maximum variance in terms of age, educational level, employment status, infertility duration, treatment type, and social class were recruited. The conventional content analysis was carried out in accordance with the steps proposed by Graneheim and Lundman, and the accuracy and robustness of the data were verified using Lincoln and Guba’s criteria (credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability and authenticity). Second, the psychometric properties of the instrument developed in the qualitative stage were evaluated using a quantitative method and on the basis of the results of a literature review. The content, face, and construct validity of the instrument was determined, and its test–retest reliability and stability were ascertained using internal correlation and Cronbach’s alpha. The collected data were entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 22) for analysis, and descriptive statistics were calculated.

Discussion
Developing and evaluating the psychometric properties of a valid and reliable female factor-centric instrument that measures quality of life among infertile women will be very useful in the assessment of their future status.
A Duty to treat? A Right to refrain? Bangladeshi physicians in moral dilemma during COVID-19
Authors: Swazo Norman K. , Talukder Md. Munir Hossain , Ahsan Mohammad Kamrul 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Normally, physicians understand they have a duty to treat patients, and they perform accordingly consistent with codes of medical practice, standards of care, and inner moral motivation. In the case of COVID-19 pandemic in a developing country such as Bangladesh, however, the fact is that some physicians decline either to report for duty or to treat patients presenting with COVID-19 symptoms. At issue ethically is whether such medical practitioners are to be automatically disciplined for dereliction of duty and gross negligence; or, on the contrary, such physicians may legitimately claim a professional right of autonomous judgment, on the basis of which professional right they may justifiably decline to treat patients.

Methods
This ethical issue is examined with a view to providing some guidance and recommendations, insofar as the conditions of medical practice in an under-resourced country such as Bangladesh are vastly different from medical practice in an industrialized nation such as the USA. The concept of moral dilemma as discussed by philosopher Michael Shaw Perry and philosopher Immanuel Kant’s views on moral appeal to “emergency” are considered pertinent to sorting through the moral conundrum of medical care during pandemic.

Results
Our analysis allows for conditional physician discretion in the decision to treat COVID-19 patients, i.e., in the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE) combined with claim of duty to family. Physicians are nonetheless expected to provide a minimum of initial clinical assessment and stabilization of a patient before initiating transfer of a patient to a “designated” COVID-19 hospital. The latter is to be done in coordination with the national center control room that can assure admission of a patient to a referral hospital prior to ambulance transport.

Conclusions
The presence of a moral dilemma (i.e., conflict of obligations) in the pandemic situation of clinical care requires institutional authorities to exercise tolerance of individual physician moral decision about the duty to care. Hospital or government authority should respond to such decisions without introducing immediate sanction, such as suspension from all clinical duties or termination of licensure, and instead arrange for alternative clinical duties consistent with routine medical care.
Radiotherapy in oncological emergencies: fast-track treatment planning
Authors: Nierer Lukas , Walter Franziska , Niyazi Maximilian , Shpani Roel , Landry Guillaume , Marschner Sebastian , von Bestenbostel Rieke , Dinkel Dominika , Essenbach Gabriela , Reiner Michael , Belka Claus , Corradini Stefanie 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background and purpose
To report on our clinical experience with a newly implemented workflow for radiotherapy (RT) emergency treatments, which allows for a fast treatment application outside the regular working-hours, and its clinical applicability.

Methods
Treatment planning of 18 emergency RT patients was carried out using diagnostic computed tomography (CT) without a dedicated RT simulation CT. The cone-beam CT (CBCT) deviations of the first RT treatment were analyzed regarding setup accuracy. Furthermore, feasibility of the “fast-track” workflow was evaluated with respect to dose deviations caused by different Hounsfield unit (HU) to relative electron density (rED) calibrations and RT treatment couch surface shapes via 3D gamma index analysis of exemplary treatment plans. The dosimetric uncertainty introduced by different CT calibrations was quantified.

Results
Mean patient setup vs. CBCT isocenter deviations were (0.49 ± 0.44) cm (x), (2.68 ± 1.63) cm (y) and (1.80 ± 1.06) cm (z) for lateral, longitudinal and vertical directions, respectively. Three out of four dose comparisons between the emergency RT plan calculated on the diagnostic CT and the same plan calculated on the treatment planning CT showed clinically acceptable gamma passing rates, when correcting for surface artifacts. The maximum difference of rED was 0.054, while most parts of the CT calibration curves coincided well.

Conclusion
In an emergency RT setting, the use of diagnostic CT data for treatment planning might be time-saving and was shown to be suitable for many cases, considering reproducibility of patient setup, accuracy of initial patient setup and accuracy of dose-calculation.
Dynamic spinal posture and pelvic position analysis using a rasterstereographic device
Authors: Michalik Roman , Hamm Juliane , Quack Valentin , Eschweiler Jörg , Gatz Matthias , Betsch Marcel 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Until recently, rasterstereographic analysis of the spine was limited to static measurements. However, understanding and evaluating the motion of the spine under dynamic conditions is an important factor in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal pathologies. The aim of this study was to study the spinal posture and pelvic position under dynamic conditions and compare it to static measurements using a dynamic rasterstereographic system.

Methods
A total of 121 healthy volunteers (56 females; 65 males) were included in this observational study. The parameters trunk inclination, trunk imbalance, pelvic obliquity, kyphotic angle, lordotic angle, surface rotation, and lateral deviation were studied and compared under static and dynamic (1, 2, 4, 5 km/h) conditions using the system “Formetric 4D Motion®“ (DIERS International GmbH, Germany).

Results
Female volunteers had a higher lordotic angle than males under static conditions (p < 0.001). Trunk inclination (5.31° vs. 6.74°), vertebral kyphotic angle (42.53° vs. 39, 59°), and surface rotation (3.35° vs. 3.81°) increase under dynamic conditions (p < 0.001). Trunk inclination and lordotic angle both show significant changes during walking compared to static conditions (p < 0.001).

Conclusion
The spinal posture differs between females and males during standing and during walking. Rasterstereography is a valuable tool for the dynamic evaluation of spinal posture and pelvic position, which can also be used to quantify motion in the spine and therefore it has the potential to improve the understanding and treatment of spinal pathologies.

Trial registration
Retrospectively registered
The feasibility for a novel minimally invasive surgery–percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PE-TLIF) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases: a cadaveric experiment
Authors: Yin Peng , Zhang Yaoshen , Pan Aixing , Ding Yi , Zhang Liming , Xu Chunyang , Yang Jincai , Hai Yong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The objective of the study was to evaluate our innovative percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PE-TLIF) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.

Methods
Two fresh-frozen human cadavers with soft tissues were donated for the experiment. Both cadavers had no history of previous spine surgery. The PE-TLIF surgery was performed on 3 levels (L4-5 of the first one, and L3-4, L4-5 of the second one) in October 2015. The PE-TLIF technique mainly included the following aspects: primary guide pins and a specially designed superior articular process (SAP) guide insertion, working channel setup, endoscopic decompression and fusion, and pedicle screw implantation and fixation. Under the surveillance of C-arm fluoroscope, four primary guide pins were inserted. The inferior primary guide in the hypothetically symptomatic side was confirmed as the first guide pin. At the end of the first guide pin, the specially designed SAP guide was installed. The secondary guide pin was inserted in the SAP via self-designed SAP guide. Under the protection cannula, part of the superior articular process was removed by oriented SAP resection device, so the working channel was smoothly put through the Kambin’s triangle. The endoscope was inserted close to the exiting nerve root. Rotation of the working channel kept the nerve root out of it.

Results
Three levels of PE-TLIF were successfully performed in two cadavers. Self-designed SAP guide made the secondary guide pin inserting the SAP accurately. Decompression was adequate and the traversing nerve root was relieved. Three aimed intervertebral levels are implanted with two 7-mm-high PEEK cages and one expandable cage. The expandable cage could be adjusted from 8 mm to 13 mm. Surgical incisions included four 15 mm incisions for percutaneous screw fixation and one 12 mm incision for working channel. There was no nerve injury during the operations.

Conclusions
Our present results showed that the novel minimally invasive surgery PE-TLIF was feasible for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.
The protective effects of grape seed oil on induced osteoarthritis of the knee in male rat models
Authors: Tanideh Nader , Ashkani-Esfahani Soheil , Sadeghi Farid , Koohi-Hosseinabadi Omid , Irajie Cambyz , Iraji Aida , Lubberts Bart , Mohammadi Samani Soleiman 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA), though being treated via various methods and medicines, is still a major healthcare concern mostly due to the increase in diagnosis of these age-related diseases. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of oral and intra articular injection of grape seed oil on OA in male rat models.

Methods and materials
Seventy male rats were selected and their anterior cruciate ligament was cut to induce OA. They were divided into 7 groups (n = 10): C1, no treatment; C2, receiving 300 mg/day of Piascledine per os (PO); C3, 1 mg sodium hyaluronate intra-articularly in days 1, 7, 14; C4, 1 mg methyl-prednisolone acetate intra-articularly; E1, avocado and grape seed oil combination (2:1, 300 mg/day) PO; E2, 500 mg/day of grape seed oil PO; E3, 200 mg/day grape seed oil intra-articularly. After 10 weeks, the rats were anesthetized and evaluated radiologically and histopathologically. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results
All the groups made significant differences with C1 regarding all inspected radiological criteria (P ≤ 0.05). E1 and E3 showed significantly better effects on medial femoral condyle, medial tibial condyle, joint space width, total osteophyte, and OA scores (P ≤ 0.04).
Joint surface, matrix, cell distribution, cell population viability, calcification, and subchondral bone in treatment groups had significantly better scores versus C1 (P ≤ 0.04). E1 and E3 had significantly superior results regarding joint surface, cell viability, and calcification (P ≤ 0.04).

Conclusions
Grape seed oil has protective effects, both in injectable form and PO in combination with avocado, on OA in rats. Further clinical trials are necessary.
sn-spMF: matrix factorization informs tissue-specific genetic regulation of gene expression
Authors: He Yuan , Chhetri Surya B. , Arvanitis Marios , Srinivasan Kaushik , Aguet François , Ardlie Kristin G. , Barbeira Alvaro N. , Bonazzola Rodrigo , Im Hae Kyung ,   GTEx Consortium, Brown Christopher D. , Battle Alexis 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGenetic regulation of gene expression, revealed by expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), exhibits complex patterns of tissue-specific effects. Characterization of these patterns may allow us to better understand mechanisms of gene regulation and disease etiology. We develop a constrained matrix factorization model, sn-spMF, to learn patterns of tissue-sharing and apply it to 49 human tissues from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project. The learned factors reflect tissues with known biological similarity and identify transcription factors that may mediate tissue-specific effects. sn-spMF, available athttps://github.com/heyuan7676/ts_eQTLs, can be applied to learn biologically interpretable patterns of eQTL tissue-specificity and generate testable mechanistic hypotheses.