bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of a theory-informed and user-centered stroke information campaign on the public’s behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge when facing acute stroke: a controlled before-and-after study. Cover title: Impact of the ReACT stroke campaign
Authors: Haesebaert Julie , Laude C. , Termoz A. , Bravant E. , Perreton N. , Bony T. , Trehard H. , Porthault S. , Derex L. , Nighoghossian N. , Schott AM. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Public awareness of stroke symptoms is a key factor to ensure access to reperfusion strategies in due time. We designed and launched a regional theory-informed and user-centered information campaign and assessed its impact on emergency medical services (EMS) calls for stroke suspicion, time-to-call, and public attitudes and awareness concerning stroke.Methods: A controlled before-and-after study was conducted during 3 sequential time-periods in 2 separate counties. Key messages of the campaign were underpinned by stroke representations and the theory of planned behavior, and focused on recognition of stroke warning signs and the need to call EMS urgently. The campaign included posters, leaflets, adverts and films displayed in bus and subway stations, internet, social networks, and local radio. Outcome measures on behavior, attitudes, and knowledge were assessed before the launch of the campaign, at 3 months, and 12 months.Results: The number of EMS calls for stroke suspicion increased by 21% at 12 months in the intervention county and this change was significantly different to that observed in the control county (p=0.02). No significant changes were observed regarding self-reported attitudes in case of stroke. An 8% significant increase in recognizing at least 2 stroke warning signs was observed in the intervention county (p=0.04) at 3 months, while it did not change significantly in the control county (p=0.6). However, there was no significant difference in warning sign recognition between both counties (p=0.16).Conclusion: The campaign significantly improved public’s behavior of calling EMS, although stroke knowledge was not improved as much as expected. Repeating these campaigns over time might further help improve timeliness and access to reperfusion strategies.Clinical Trial Registration-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02846363.
Association between insulin resistance and left ventricular hypertrophy in asymptomatic Black sub-Saharan African hypertensive patients: A case-control study
Authors: PHANZU Bernard KIANU , Aliocha Nkodila Natuhoyila , Eleuthère Kintoki Vita , Jean-René M’Buyamba Kabangu , Benjamin Longo-Mbenza 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Conflicting information exists regarding the association between insulin resistance (IR) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Here, we described the associations between parameters of obesity, fasting insulinaemia, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and LVH in Black patients with essential hypertension.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted at the Centre Médical de Kinshasa (CMK), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, between January and December 2019. Cases and controls were hypertensive patients with and without LVH, respectively. The relationships between obesity indices, physical inactivity, parameters of glucose metabolism and lipid disorders and LVH were assessed using linear and logistic regression analyses in simple and univariate exploratory analyses, respectively. When differences were observed between LVH and the independent variables, the effect of potential confounders was studied by adjustment in multiple linear regression and conditional logistic regression in multivariate analysis. The coefficients of determination (R2), the adjusted ORs and their 95% CIs were calculated to determine the association between LVH and the independent variables.

Results: Eighty-eight cases (52 men) were compared to 132 controls (81 men). Nineteen percent (19%) of left ventricular mass (LVM) variation was predicted by age; 31.3%, by the duration of hypertension; 44.4%, by body mass index (BMI); 42.5%, by waist circumference (WC); 20%, by glycaemia; 44.8%, by insulinaemia; and 43.7%, by HOMA-IR. In multiple linear regression analysis, duration of hypertension, BMI, insulinaemia and HOMA-IR explained 68.3% of the variability in the increase in LVM. In the logistic model, obesity multiplied the risk of LVH by 3 (aOR: 2.8, 95% CI (1.06-7.4), p = 0.038) and IR by 8 (aOR: 8.4, 95: (3.7-15.7), p <0.001).

Conclusions: Obesity and IR appear to be the main predictors of LVH in Black sub-Saharan African hypertensive patients. The comprehensive management of cardiovascular risk factors should be emphasized with particular attention to obesity and IR. A prospective Black sub-Saharan population-based study with serial imaging remains essential to better understand subclinical LV deterioration over time and to confirm the role of IR in Black sub-Saharan individuals with hypertension.
Just Say “No”: Can Dentists Refuse Care on the Basis of Finances? A Survey Using an Ethical Vignette in an Iranian Dental School
Authors: Kazemian Ali , Fayyazi Mahsa , Shafiee Shahrzad 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Decision making when patients ask a dentist for fee reduction is a real ethical dilemma at dental settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate how dental students and tutors think about their position for, or against fee reduction at dental offices. Method: It was a questionnaire-based survey, which examined the ethical attitudes of students and tutors of an Iranian Dental School. The questionnaire included a vignette about an ethical dilemma at a dental office. Different ethical approaches, i.e. duty-based, virtue-oriented and consequentialist arguments, for or against fee reduction at dental office were suggested. Respondents were asked to rank those ethical options. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS 16.0.Result: 121 dental students and thirty-six faculty members (dental specialists) participated in this study. It revealed that a majority of dental students and tutors (68%) are in favor of charging patients less, when facing an imagined request at dental office, using either virtue-oriented (54%) or consequentialist (14%) argument for fee reduction. The difference between rankings of four options was statistically significant, while no statistically significant difference exists neither between male and female respondents, nor students and tutors. Conclusion: This case study provides a basis for fruitful discussions in ethics courses for dental students. Our study suggests that financial issues should be considered as a part of ethical training within the dental student's curriculum.
In Utero and Peripubertal Metals Exposure in Relation to Reproductive Hormones and Sexual Maturation and Progression among Boys in Mexico City
Authors: Ashrap Pahriya , Meeker John D. , Sánchez Brisa N. , Basu Niladri , Tamayo-Ortiz Marcela , Solano-González Maritsa ,   Adriana Mercado-García4, Téllez-Rojo Martha M. , Peterson Karen E. , Watkins Deborah 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background: Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as metals have been reported to alter circulating reproductive hormone concentrations and pubertal development in animals. However, the relationship has rarely been investigated among humans, with the exception of heavy metals, such as Pb and Cd. Our aim was to investigate measures of in utero and peripubertal metal exposure in relation to reproductive hormone concentrations and sexual maturation and progression among boys from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) cohorts.Methods: Our analysis included 118 pregnant women and their male children from the ELEMENT study. Essential and non-essential metals were measured in urine collected from the mothers during the third trimester of pregnancy and their male children at 8-14 years. Reproductive hormone concentrations [serum testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), inhibin B, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)] were measured in blood samples from the children at 8-14 years. We also assessed Tanner stages for sexual maturation (genital, pubic hair development, and testicular volume), at two time points (8–14, 10-18 years). We used linear regression to independently examine urinary metal concentrations in relation to each peripubertal reproductive hormones adjusting for child age and BMI. Generalized estimation equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the association of in utero and peripubertal metal exposures with sexual maturation and progression during follow-up based on Tanner staging and testicular volume.Results: In utero and prepubertal concentrations of some urinary metals were associated with increased concentrations of peripubertal reproductive hormones, especially non-essential metal(loid)s As and Cd (in utero), and Ba (peripubertal) as well as essential metal Mo (in utero) in association with testosterone. More advanced pubic hair developmental stage and higher testicular volume at the early teen visit was observed for boys with higher non-essential metal concentrations, including in utero Al and peripubertal Ba, and essential metal Zn concentration (peripubertal). These metals were also associated with slower pubertal progression between the two visits.Conclusion: These findings suggest that male reproductive development may be associated with both essential and non-essential metal exposure during in utero and peripubertal windows.
Eye movement biomarkers allow for the definition of phenotypes in Gaucher Disease
Authors: Donald Aimee , Tan Chong Yew , Chakrapani Anupam , Hughes Derralyn , Sharma Reena , Cole Duncan , Bardins Stanislav , Gorges Martin , Jones Simon Allan , Schneider Erich 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background

Neurological forms of Gaucher disease, the inherited disorder of β-Glucosylceramidase caused by bi-allelic variants in GBA1, is a progressive disorder which lacks a disease-modifying therapy. Systemic manifestations of disease are effectively treated with Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT), however, molecules which cross the blood-brain barrier are still under investigation. Clinical trials of such therapeutics require robust, reproducible clinical endpoints to demonstrate efficacy and clear phenotypic definitions to identify suitable patients for inclusion in trials.

The single consistent clinical feature in all patients with neuronopathic disease is the presence of a supranuclear saccadic gaze palsy, in the presence of Gaucher disease this finding serves as diagnostic of ‘type 3’ Gaucher disease.

Methods

We undertook a study to evaluate saccadic eye movements in Gaucher patients and to assess the role of the EyeSeeCam in measuring saccades. The EyeSeeCam is a video oculography device which was used to run a protocol of saccade measures. We studied 39 patients with non-neurological Gaucher disease (type 1), 21 patients with type 3 (neurological) disease and a series of 35 healthy controls. Mean saccade parameters were compared across disease subgroups.

Results

We confirmed the saccadic abnormality in patients with type 3 Gaucher disease and identified an unexpected subgroup of patients with type 1 Gaucher disease who demonstrated significant saccade parameter abnormalities. These patients also showed subtle neurological findings and shared a GBA1 variant.

Conclusions

This striking novel finding of a potentially attenuated type 3 Gaucher phenotype associated with a specific GBA1 variant and detectable saccadic abnormality prompts review of current disease classification. Further, this finding highlights the broad spectrum of neuronopathic Gaucher phenotypes relevant when designing inclusion criteria for clinical trials.
LncRNA LEF1-AS1 promotes metastasis of prostatic carcinoma via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Li Weiyuan , Yang Ganggang , Yang Dengke , Li Dong , Sun Qian 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important functional regulators of many biological processes of cancers. However, the mechanisms by which lncRNAs modulate androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) development remain largely unknown.Methods: Next-generation sequencing technology and RT-qPCR were used to assess LEF1-AS1 expression level in AIPC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Functional in vitro experiments, including colony formation, EDU and transwell assays were performed to assess the role of LEF1-AS1 in AIPC. Xenograft assays were conducted to assess the effect of LEF1-AS1 on cell proliferation in vivo. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were performed to elucidate the regulatory network of LEF1-AS1.Results: The next-generation sequencing results showed that LEF1-AS1 is significantly overexpressed in AIPC. Furthermore, our RT-qPCR assay data showed that LEF1-AS1 is overexpressed in AIPC tissues. Functional experiments showed that LEF1-AS1 promotes the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenic ability of AIPC cells in vitro and tumour growth in vivo by recruiting the transcription factor C-myb to the promoter of FZD2, inducing its transcription. Furthermore, LEF1-AS1 was shown to function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that sponges miR-328 to activate CD44.Conclusion: In summary, the results of our present study revealed that LEF1-AS1 acts as a tumour promoter in the progression of AIPC. Furthermore, the results revealed that LEF1-AS1 functions as a ceRNA and regulates Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity via FZD2 and CD44. Our results provide new insights into the mechanism that links the function of LEF1-AS1 with AIPC and suggests that LEF1-AS1 may serve as a novel potential target for the improvement of AIPC therapy.
The prognostic role of plasma fibrinogen in adult secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Yin Guangli , Man Changfeng , Huang Jiayu , Liao Shengen , Gao Xin , Tian Tian , Duan Limin , Xu Ji , Qiu Hon'gxia 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background In adult patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH), no valid immune biomarker has been available for predicting the prognosis of untreated sHLH patients. Methods: Circulating plasma levels of fibrinogen (FIB) were measured at diagnosis in 293 cases of adult sHLH. We categorized FIB levels into tertiles. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the relationship between FIB and survival. Restricted cubic spline models and two-piecewise Cox proportional hazards models were used to address the nonlinear association between FIB and mortality. Results: During a median follow-up of 52 (interquartile ranges, 18-221) days, 208 deaths occurred, with 137 deaths in malignancy-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (MHLH) and 71 deaths in non-malignancy-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (non-MHLH). After multivariable adjustment, compared with the highest tertile of FIB, the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of survival for tertile 2 and tertile 1 were 1.06 (0.90-1.24) and 0.84 (0.71-0.98), respectively. The restricted cubic spline curve displayed a nonlinear and inverse relationship between FIB and mortality. Furthermore, the threshold effect analysis demonstrated that the inflection point for the curve was at an FIB level of 1.76 g/L. The HRs (95% CIs) for survival were 0.68 (0.55-0.83) and 1.08 (0.96-1.21) on the left and right side of the inflection point, respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that plasma fibrinogen is nonlinearly and inversely associated with the risk of mortality in adult secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
Dissecting the Roles of Kalirin-7/PSD-95/GluN2B Interactions in Different Forms of Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Yeh Mason L. , Yasko Jessica R , Levine Eric S. , Eipper Betty A. , Mains Richard 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Kalirin-7 (Kal7) is a multidomain scaffold and guanine nucleotide exchange factor localized to the postsynaptic density, where Kal7 is crucial for synaptic plasticity. Kal7 knockout mice exhibit marked suppression of long-term potentiation and long-term depression in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and spinal cord, with depressed surface expression of GluN2B receptor subunits and dramatically blunted perception of pain. Kal7 knockout animals show exaggerated locomotor responses to psychostimulants and self-administer cocaine more enthusiastically than wildtype mice. Results: To explore the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms which are deranged by loss of Kal7, we infused candidate intracellular interfering peptides to acutely challenge the synaptic function(s) of Kal7 with potential protein binding partners, to determine if plasticity deficits in Kal7-/- mice are the product of developmental processes since conception, or could be produced on a much shorter time scale. We demonstrated that these small intracellular peptides disrupted normal long-term potentiation and long-term depression, strongly suggesting that maintenance of established interactions of Kal7 with PSD-95 and/or GluN2B is crucial to synaptic plasticity. Conclusions: Blockade of the Kal7-GluN2B interaction was most effective at blocking long-term potentiation, but had no effect on long-term depression. Biochemical approaches indicated that Kal7 interacted with PSD-95 at multiple sites within Kal7.
Gender differences in externalizing and internalizing problems in Singaporean children and adolescents with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Lau Tsz Wing Ivy , Lim Choon Guan , Acharryya Sanchalika , Lim-Ashworth Nikki , Tan Yi Ren , Fung Daniel 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Studies on gender differences in attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbidities in the Asian populations have been limited and previous studies have shown inconclusive findings. Singapore is a city-state country in Southeast Asia with a population of 5.7 million. This study examined gender differences in internalizing and externalizing problems in Singaporean children and adolescents with ADHD. The plausible social factors underlying the gender differences were discussed.Methods: A total of 773 participants (aged 6 to 18, 88% males) newly diagnosed with ADHD were recruited from the largest public child and adolescent psychiatric center in Singapore. Their internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed using the Child Behavioral Checklist and Teacher’s Report Form by parents and teachers respectively. Demographics and relevant social factors were collected using parent questionnaires.Results: Females with ADHD were reported to have less delinquent and aggressive behavior but more depressive symptoms than their male counterparts, similar to findings in the Western literature. Older age, lower socioeconomic status and parental use of physical punishment were associated with higher internalizing and externalizing problems after controlling for other factors.Conclusions: Gender differences in ADHD comorbidities do exist in the Asian clinical population. The lack of externalizing symptoms in females with ADHD has made timely referral and diagnosis challenging. More research is needed in understanding the gender differences in ADHD and the biopsychosocial mechanism underlying the differences in order to improve the detection of ADHD in females.
Investigation of the piroplasm diversity circulating in wildlife and cattle of the greater Kafue ecosystem, Zambia
Authors: Squarre David , Nakamura Yukiko , Hayashida Kyoko , Kawai Naoko , Chambaro Herman , Namangala Boniface , Sugimoto Chihiro , Yamagishi Junya 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Piroplasms are vector-borne intracellular hemoprotozoan parasites that infect wildlife and livestock. Wildlife species are reservoir hosts to a diversity of piroplasms and play an important role in the circulation, maintenance and evolution of these parasites. The potential for likely spillover of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic piroplasm parasites from wildlife to livestock is underlined when common ecological niche is shared in the presence of a competent vector. Method: To investigate piroplasm diversity in wildlife and cattle population of the greater Kafue ecosystem, we utilized PCR to amplify the 18S rRNA V4 hyper-variable region and meta-barcoding strategy using illumina MiSeq sequencing platform and amplicon sequence variant (ASV) based bioinformatics pipeline to generate high resolution data which discriminate sequences down to a single nucleotide difference. Results: A parasite community of 45 ASVs corresponding to 23 species consisting of 4 genera of Babesia, Theileria, Hepatozoon and Colpodella, were identified in wildlife and cattle population from the study area. Theileria species were detected in buffalo, impala, hartebeest, sable antelope, sitatunga, wild dog and cattle. In contrast, Babesia species were only observed in cattle and wild dog. Our results demonstrate possible spillover of these hemoprotozoan parasites from wildlife, especially buffalo, to cattle population in the wildlife-livestock interface.Conclusion: We demonstrated that the deep amplicon sequencing of the 18S rRNA V4 hyper-variable region for wildlife was informative. Our results illustrated the diversity of piroplasma and the specificity of their hosts. They led us to speculate possible ecological cycle including transmission from wildlife to domestic animals in the greater Kafue ecosystem. Thus, this approach may contribute to the establishment of appropriate disease control strategies in wildlife-livestock interface areas.
Analyzing brain structural differences among undergraduates with different grades of self-esteem using multiple anatomical brain network
Authors: Peng Bo , Pang Gaofeng , Saxena Aditya , Liu Yan , Hu Baohua , Wang Suhong , Dai Yakang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Self-esteem is the individual evaluation of oneself. People with high self-esteem grade have mental health and can bravely cope with the threats from the environment. With the development of neuroimaging techniques, researches on the cognitive neural mechanisms of self-esteem are increased. Existing methods based on brain morphometry and single-layer brain network cannot characterize the subtle structural differences related to self-esteem. Method: To solve this issue, we proposed multiple anatomical brain network framework based on multi-resolution ROI template to study the cognitive neuroscience mechanism of self-esteem. Multiple anatomical brain network consist of ROI features and hierarchal brain network features extracted from structural MRI. For each layer, we calculated the correlation relationship between pairs of ROIs. In order to solve the high-dimensional problem caused by the large amount of network features, hybrid feature selection methods are adopted to reduce the number of features while retaining discriminative information to the maximum extent. Multi-kernel SVM is employed to integrate the various types of features by appropriate weight coefficient.Result: The experimental results show that the proposed method can improve classification accuracy to 97.26% compared with single-layer brain network. Conclusions: The proposed method provides a new perspective for the analysis of brain structure differences of self-esteem, which also has potential guiding significance in other researches involved brain cognitive activity and brain disease diagnosis.