bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Androgen Action in Adipose Tissue and the Brain are Key Mediators in the Development of PCOS Traits in a Mouse Model
Authors: Cox Madeleine J , Edwards Melissa C , Rodriguez Paris Valentina , Aflatounian Ali , Ledger William L , Gilchrist Robert B , Padmanabhan Vasantha , Handelsman David J , Walters Kirsty A 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder characterized by endocrine, reproductive, and metabolic abnormalities. Despite PCOS being the most common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age, the etiology of PCOS is poorly understood, so there is no cure and symptomatic treatment is suboptimal. Hyperandrogenism is the most consistent feature observed in PCOS patients, and recently aberrant neuroendocrine signaling and adipose tissue function have been proposed as playing a role in the development of PCOS. To investigate the role of adipose tissue and the brain as key sites for androgen receptor (AR)-mediated development of PCOS, we combined a white and brown adipose and brain-specific AR knockout (AdBARKO) mouse model with a dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced mouse model of PCOS. As expected, in wildtype (WT) control females, DHT exposure induced the reproductive PCOS traits of cycle irregularity, ovulatory dysfunction, and reduced follicle health, whereas in AdBARKO females, DHT did not produce the reproductive features of PCOS. The metabolic PCOS characteristics of increased adiposity, adipocyte hypertrophy, and hepatic steatosis induced by DHT in WT females were not evident in DHT-treated AdBARKO females, which displayed normal white adipose tissue weight and no adipocyte hypertrophy or liver steatosis. Dihydrotestosterone treatment induced increased fasting glucose levels in both WT and AdBARKO females. These findings demonstrate that adipose tissue and the brain are key loci of androgen-mediated actions involved in the developmental origins of PCOS. These data support targeting adipocyte and neuroendocrine AR-driven pathways in the future development of novel therapeutic strategies for PCOS.
Meeting report – the Microtubules, Motors, Transport and Trafficking (M2T2) 2019 meeting
Authors: Ananthanarayanan Vaishnavi , Mylavarapu Sivaram V. S. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT
The Molecular Motors, Transport and Trafficking (M2T2) meeting serves as a platform for both Indian and global scientists working on the cytoskeleton, cytoskeletal motors and membrane trafficking to gather and discuss the latest developments in the field. The 2019 edition of the meeting, held from 18–20 October at the National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar, India and organised by Mahak Sharma (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali) and Anindya Ghosh Roy (NBRC), was witness to stimulating research on a range of topics related to the cytoskeleton, including cytoskeletal organization, motor protein function and regulation, mechanical forces and vesicular transport, and trafficking in health and disease.
Improved scan method for dental imaging using multidetector computed tomography: a phantom study
Authors: Sakai Yuki , Okamura Kazutoshi , Kitamoto Erina , Kami Yukiko N , Shirasaka Takashi , Mikayama Ryoji , Tatsumi Masato , Kondo Masatoshi , Kato Toyoyuki , Yoshiura Kazunori 
Published: April 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to propose an improved scan method to shorten irradiation time and reduce radiation exposure. Methods: The maxilla of a human head CT phantom and a Catphan phantom were used for qualitative and quantitative assessment, respectively. The phantoms were scanned by a 160-row multidetector CT scanner using volumetric and helical scanning. In volumetric scanning, the tube current varied from 120 to 60 to 30 to 20 mA with a tube voltage of 120 kV. Images were reconstructed with a bone kernel using iterative reconstruction (IR) and filtered back projection. As a reference protocol, helical scanning was performed using our clinical setting with 120 kV. Two dental radiologists independently graded the quality of dental images using a 4-point scale (4, superior to reference; 1, unacceptable). For the quantitative assessment, we assessed the system performance from each scan. Results: There was no significant difference between the image quality of volumetric scanning using the 60 mA protocol reconstructed with IR and that of the reference (3.08 and 3.00, p = 0.3388). The system performance values at 1.0 cycles/mm of volumetric scanning and 60 mA protocol reconstructed with IR and reference were 0.0038 and 0.0041, respectively. The effective dose of volumetric scanning using the 60 mA protocol was 51.8 µSv, which is a 64.2% reduction to that of the reference. Conclusions: We proposed an improved scan method resulting in a 64.2% reduction of radiation dose with one-fourth of irradiation time by combining volumetric scanning and IR technique in multidetector CT.
Frequency and Awareness of Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases among University Students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Rahamathulla Mohamudha Parveen , M Mohemmed Sha 
Published: April 2020

Background and Objective: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. This study has evaluated the frequency of the risk factors of NCDs and its awareness among students in a University in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 374 female students of Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in Wadi Al Dawaser, Saudi Arabia. The study was carried out for a duration of six months, from August 2019 to January 2020. Standard self-administered questionnaire, anthropometric and biochemical parameters were used for data collection, analysed through SPSS version 20.0.
Results: The mean age of the students was 20.6 years. The results showed that 64.7% of students were physically inactive, 52.4% spend more than two hours watching TV. The intake of adequate amount of fruits (14%) and vegetables (6.8%) was very little. Junk food was consumed >11 times per week by 37.1%. The prevalence of overweight and severe obesity was 25.9% and 5.1% respectively. Blood sugar analysis showed 1.1% had pre-diabetes and 0.8% had diabetes. About 56.2% of students had no knowledge about NCDs and their risk factors.
Conclusion: A high prevalence of risk factors for NCDs was found among students. Awareness programs about healthy lifestyle practices; periodic screening of school and college students at regular intervals with appropriate advice are warranted to control the rising epidemic of NCDs.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.2400
How to cite this:Rahamathulla MP, Sha MM. Frequency and Awareness of Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases among University Students in Saudi Arabia. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(4):740-745. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.2400
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Bio-electrosprayed human neural stem cells are viable and maintain their differentiation potential
Authors: Helenes González Citlali , Jayasinghe Suwan N. , Ferretti Patrizia 
Published: April 2020

Background: Bio-electrospray (BES) is a jet-based delivery system driven by an electric field that has the ability to form micro to nano-sized droplets. It holds great potential as a tissue engineering tool as it can be used to place cells into specific patterns. As the human central nervous system (CNS) cannot be studied in vivo at the cellular and molecular level, in vitro CNS models are needed. Human neural stem cells (hNSCs) are the CNS building block as they can generate both neurones and glial cells. Methods: Here we assessed for the first time how hNSCs respond to BES. To this purpose, different hNSC lines were sprayed at 10 kV and their ability to survive, grow and differentiate was assessed at different time points. Results: BES induced only a small and transient decrease in hNSC metabolic activity, from which cells recovered by day 6, and no significant increase in cell death was observed, as assessed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, bio-electrosprayed hNSCs differentiated as efficiently as controls into neurones, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes as shown by morphological, protein and gene expression analysis. Conclusions: This study highlights the robustness of hNSCs and identifies BES as a suitable technology that could be developed for the direct deposition of these cells in specific locations and configurations.
In silico identification of vaccine targets for 2019-nCoV
Authors: Lee Chloe H. , Koohy Hashem 
Published: April 2020

Background: The newly identified coronavirus known as 2019-nCoV has posed a serious global health threat. According to the latest report (18-February-2020), it has infected more than 72,000 people globally and led to deaths of more than 1,016 people in China. Methods: The 2019 novel coronavirus proteome was aligned to a curated database of viral immunogenic peptides. The immunogenicity of detected peptides and their binding potential to HLA alleles was predicted by immunogenicity predictive models and NetMHCpan 4.0. Results: We report in silico identification of a comprehensive list of immunogenic peptides that can be used as potential targets for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) vaccine development. First, we found 28 nCoV peptides identical to Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS CoV) that have previously been characterized immunogenic by T cell assays. Second, we identified 48 nCoV peptides having a high degree of similarity with immunogenic peptides deposited in The Immune Epitope Database (IEDB). Lastly, we conducted a de novo search of 2019-nCoV 9-mer peptides that i) bind to common HLA alleles in Chinese and European population and ii) have T Cell Receptor (TCR) recognition potential by positional weight matrices and a recently developed immunogenicity algorithm, iPred, and identified in total 63 peptides with a high immunogenicity potential. Conclusions: Given the limited time and resources to develop vaccine and treatments for 2019-nCoV, our work provides a shortlist of candidates for experimental validation and thus can accelerate development pipeline.
Development and validation of the English version of the Moral Growth Mindset measure
Authors: Han Hyemin , Dawson Kelsie J. , Choi YeEun Rachel , Choi Youn-Jeng , Glenn Andrea L. 
Published: April 2020

Background: Moral Growth Mindset (MGM) is a belief about whether one can become a morally better person through efforts. Prior research showed that MGM is positively associated with promotion of moral motivation among adolescents and young adults. We developed and tested the English version of the MGM measure in this study with data collected from college student participants. Methods: In Study 1, we tested the reliability and validity of the MGM measure with two-wave data (N = 212, Age mean = 24.18 years, SD = 7.82 years). In Study 2, we retested the construct validity of the MGM measure once again and its association with other moral and positive psychological indicators to test its convergent and discriminant validity (N = 275, Age mean = 22.02 years, SD = 6.34 years). Results: We found that the MGM measure was reliable and valid from Study 1. In Study 2, the results indicated that the MGM was well correlated with other moral and positive psychological indicators as expected. Conclusions: We developed and validated the English version of the MGM measure in the present study. The results from studies 1 and 2 supported the reliability and validity of the MGM measure. Given these, we found that the English version of the MGM measure can well measure one’s MGM as we intended.
Implementation barriers for mHealth for non-communicable diseases management in low and middle income countries: a scoping review and field-based views from implementers
Authors: van Olmen Josefien , Erwin Erica , García-Ulloa Ana Cristina , Meessen Bruno , Miranda J. Jaime , Bobrow Kirsty , Iwelunmore Juliet , Nwaozuru Ucheoma , Obiezu Umeh Chisom , Smith Carter , Harding Chris , Kumar Pratap , Gonzales Clicerio , Hernández-Jiménez Sergio , Yeates Karen 
Published: April 2020

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) has been hailed as a potential gamechanger for non-communicable disease (NCD) management, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Individual studies illustrate barriers to implementation and scale-up, but an overview of implementation issues for NCD mHealth interventions in LMIC is lacking. This paper explores implementation issues from two perspectives: information in published papers and field-based knowledge by people working in this field. Methods: Through a scoping review publications on mHealth interventions for NCDs in LMIC were identified and assessed with the WHO mHealth Evidence Reporting and Assessment (mERA) tool. A two-stage web-based survey on implementation barriers was performed within a NCD research network and through two online platforms on mHealth targeting researchers and implementors. Results: 16 studies were included in the scoping review. Short Message Service (SMS) messaging was the main implementation tool. Most studies focused on patient-centered outcomes. Most studies did not report on process measures and on contextual conditions influencing implementation decisions. Few publications reported on implementation barriers. The websurvey included twelve projects and the responses revealed additional information, especially on practical barriers related to the patients’ characteristics, low demand, technical requirements, integration with health services and with the wider context. Many interventions used low-cost software and devices with limited capacity that not allowed linkage with routine data or patient records, which incurred fragmented delivery and increased workload. Conclusion: Text messaging is a dominant mHealth tool for patient-directed of quality improvement interventions in LMIC. Publications report little on implementation barriers, while a questionnaire among implementors reveals significant barriers and strategies to address them. This information is relevant for decisions on scale-up of mHealth in the domain of NCD. Further knowledge should be gathered on implementation issues, and the conditions that allow universal coverage.
Lack of change in CA1 dendritic spine density or clustering in rats following training on a radial-arm maze task
Authors: Craig Emma , Dillingham Christopher M. , Milczarek Michal M. , Phillips Heather M. , Davies Moira , Perry James C. , Vann Seralynne D. 
Published: April 2020

Background: Neuronal plasticity is thought to underlie learning and memory formation. The density of dendritic spines in the CA1 region of the hippocampus has been repeatedly linked to mnemonic processes. Both the number and spatial location of the spines, in terms of proximity to nearest neighbour, have been implicated in memory formation. To examine how spatial training impacts synaptic structure in the hippocampus, Lister-Hooded rats were trained on a hippocampal-dependent spatial task in the radial-arm maze. Methods: One group of rats were trained on a hippocampal-dependent spatial task in the radial arm maze. Two further control groups were included: a yoked group which received the same sensorimotor stimulation in the radial-maze but without a memory load, and home-cage controls. At the end of behavioural training, the brains underwent Golgi staining. Spines on CA1 pyramidal neuron dendrites were imaged and quantitatively assessed to provide measures of density and distance from nearest neighbour. Results: There was no difference across behavioural groups either in terms of spine density or in the clustering of dendritic spines. Conclusions: Spatial learning is not always accompanied by changes in either the density or clustering of dendritic spines on the basal arbour of CA1 pyramidal neurons when assessed using Golgi imaging.
Family history of cardiovascular disease and risk of premature coronary heart disease: A matched case-control study
Authors: Chacko Manas , Sarma P. Sankara , Harikrishnan Sivadasanpillai , Zachariah Geevar , Jeemon Panniyammakal 
Published: April 2020

Background: Self-reported family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an independent risk factor for future coronary heart disease (CHD) events. However, inclusion of family history of CVD in the traditional risk scores failed to improve risk prediction of CHD. It is proposed that family history of CVD may substantially increase the risk of CHD among younger individuals. Methods: We conducted a matched case-control study with 170 hospital-based premature CHD patients (<55 years in men and <65 years in women) from a tertiary care centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and age and sex matched community-based controls in 1:1 ratio. Conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the independent association of family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature CHD. We estimated McNemar's odds ratios and their 95 percent confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of any family history of CVD and CHD in the control population was 24% and 21%, respectively. The family history of CVD was independently associated with premature CHD (odds ratio (OR) = 9.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.7–17.3). There was a dose-response relationship between family history and premature CHD as the risk increased linearly with increase in number of affected family members. Conclusions: Family history of CVD is an independent risk factor for premature CHD. The risk of premature CHD increases linearly with increase in number of affected family members. Collecting family history beyond parental history of CVD is important for risk stratification. Targeting young individuals with family history of CVD for intensive risk reduction interventions may help to prevent future events.
Case Report: Co-existence of sarcoidosis and Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Poudel Jiwan , Risal Ujjwol , Sigdel Keshav Raj , Paudyal Buddhi Prasad , Adhikari Sudeep , Basnyat Buddha 
Published: April 2020

Takayasu arteritis is a rare systemic large vessel vasculitis affecting the aorta and its branches. Sarcoidosis, too, is an inflammatory disease. Both entities are granulomatous conditions with a question of possible linkquestionable association in their etiopathogenesis. Only a few cases of their coexistence have been reported in the literature. To our knowledge, no such cases have been reported from Nepal. We report a Nepalese woman who presented with non-productive cough, progressive shortness of breath and chest tightness of 3 years duration. She had a history of recurrent bilateral granulomatous uveitis over the previous 3 years. Examination revealed clubbing of digits, absent pulses over the left radial, ulnar and brachial arteries, and a weak pulse over the right arm including the bilateral carotid arteries. Pulmonary function test showed restrictive pattern, a high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest revealed findings suggestive of pulmonary sarcoidosis. A CT aortogram suggested large vessel vasculitis. Bronchoscopy with biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation, negative for malignancy and tuberculosis. She was hence, diagnosed with co-existing Takayasu arteritis and sarcoidosis, and treated with Prednisolone 60 mg once daily with dramatic improvement over 4 days and was discharged stable on domiciliary oxygen. She is currently on azathioprine 50 mg, prednisolone 10 mg without the need for supplemental oxygen. This case report highlights the importance of a proper physical examination as a guide to the use of modern technology in making a correct diagnosis. Furthermore, in countries where tuberculosis is endemic, it should always come as the most important differential diagnosis of granulomatous inflammation.
Bitewing Radiography for Caries Diagnosis in Children: When and Why?
Authors: Timms Laura , Deery Chris , Chadwick Barbara , Drage Nicholas 
Published: April 2020

Untreated dental caries affects children in the UK, with significant burden to the child, family and health service. High quality bitewing radiography is more effective than clinical observation alone at detecting proximal caries in children. Accurate diagnosis before cavitation allows preventive rather than operative management. Research has demonstrated that most children find bitewing radiography acceptable. It is therefore vital that bitewing radiographs of children are taken as per national guidance in general practice. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Timely and high quality bitewing radiography is required for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning in children.
Tooth autotransplantation part 4: Alternative treatment options
Authors: Barber Sophy , Al-Khayatt Ahmed , Houghton Nadine 
Published: April 2020

Tooth autotransplantation is a versatile and successful technique if used in suitable cases; however, it is not always the optimal treatment choice. This article will explore alternative treatment strategies for managing failing or missing teeth, including methods for managing the bone, orthodontic options and techniques for tooth replacement. These methods may be considered as an adjunct to tooth transplantation, or an alternative, if transplantation is not deemed appropriate. Indications for alternative treatments are discussed with illustrations from treated cases.CPD/Clinical Relevance: A number of approaches are available for managing failing or missing teeth and are dependent on the clinical situation. It is important for dental specialists to understand these options and to work collaboratively to determine the best option for patients on an individual basis.
Laser depilation as adjuvant therapy in prevention of recurrence of pilonidal sinus disease: initial experience of a district general hospital in the UK
Authors: Liyanage ASD , Woods Y , Javed MA , Deftly C , Shaban H , Kalaiselvan R , Rajaganeshan R 
Published: April 2020

Introduction Pilonidal disease is a chronic condition involving the sacrococcygeal area. It can have a significant impact on quality of life, social activities and occupation. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment. However, laser depilation has been proposed as an adjunct to surgery and has shown improved results in some studies. We present our experience of laser depilation in the treatment of pilonidal disease in a district general hospital setting in the UK. Materials and methods A prospectively maintained database of all consecutive patients who received laser depilation after elective surgery for pilonidal disease was analysed. Patients were offered a minimum of two sessions of laser depilation. The primary outcome measure was disease recurrence. Evidence of new symptoms or signs of pilonidal disease after one year from the latest surgical intervention was defined as recurrent disease. Data are presented as medians with interquartile ranges. Results A total of 64 patients underwent laser depilation after elective surgery between 1 June 2013 and 1 June 2018; 57 were eligible for final analysis. Sixty-five per cent of patients received six or more sessions of laser treatment. There were no short- or long-term complications related to laser depilation. Patients who had more than two sessions of laser depilation showed an improved recurrence rate. Overall, recurrence rate in our series was 12% at a median follow-up of 172 weeks. Conclusion Laser depilation is a safe and effective adjunct to surgery in minimising the recurrence of pilonidal disease. Patients with primary pilonidal disease and those who are undergoing minimally invasive surgery may also benefit from adjuvant laser depilation. Further high-quality control trials are required to assess its efficacy and safety.