bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
UNFERTILIZED EMBRYO SAC 12 phosphorylation plays a crucial role in conferring salt tolerance
Authors: He Zihang , Wang Zhibo , Nie Xianguang , Qu Ming , Zhao Huimin , Ji Xiaoyu , Wang Yucheng 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) UNFERTILIZED EMBRYO SAC 12 (AtUNE12) belongs to the basic helix–loop–helix DNA-binding superfamily of proteins. However, its function is not well known. Here, we found that AtUNE12 plays an important role in mediating salt tolerance. AtUNE12 is a transcriptional activator located in the nucleus whose expression is induced by NaCl, mannitol, and abscisic acid. In addition to binding to the G-box “CACGTG”, AtUNE12 also binds to the low temperature responsive element 15 (LTRE15) “CCGAC”. Furthermore, the serine residue at position 108 of AtUNE12 is phosphorylated during the salt stress response, enabling AtUNE12 to trigger gene expression by binding to G-box and/or LTRE15 motifs. Phosphorylated AtUNE12 regulates the expression of the genes involved in ion transport leading to reduced Na+ accumulation and K+ loss. At the same time, phosphorylation of AtUNE12 also induces the expression of AtMYB61 to decrease stomatal aperture, leading to a reduced transpiration rate. Overall, AtUNE12 serves as a transcriptional activator that is induced and phosphorylated upon salt stress, and the induction and phosphorylation of AtUNE12 in turn activate the salt-overly-sensitive pathway and decrease the stomatal aperture, enabling improved salt tolerance.
Research funding randomly allocated? A survey of scientists’ views on peer review and lottery
Authors: Philipps Axel 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The bold idea of random grant allocation is heatedly discussed as an alternative to peer review. The debate centers on advantages and disadvantages of the established measures to control scientific quality, compared to funding by chance. Recently, studies also investigated acceptance of lotteries in the scientific field. However, they provide only inconclusive findings due to their restricted scope. This paper examines scientists’ views on current funding conditions and the idea of random grant distribution. An online survey of PhD holders reveals that most participants are against pure randomness, although they would try random elements if such procedures were combined with peer review. Moreover, while fewer established and recognized scientists differ in their assessments of peer review and expectancies on lotteries’ impact, they hardly vary in their positions on random elements. Funding organizations therefore should be encouraged to further experiment with, and closely examine, practiced lotteries.
Vapor Cannabis Exposure Generationally Affects Male Reproductive Functions in Mice
Authors: Shi Mingxin , Langholt Esther M , Butler Logan C , Harvey Madeleine E , Wheeler Emma C , Zhao Liang , MacLean James A , Oh Yeongseok , Sabrowsky Emily , Yu Sue , Watson Shane , Davis Jon F , Hayashi Kanako 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
This study was performed to examine whether vapor exposure to cannabis plant matter negatively impacts male reproductive functions and testis development in mice. Adult CD-1 male mice (F0) were exposed to air (control) or 200 mg of vaporized cannabis plant matter 3×/day over a 10-day period. Subsequently, F0 males were bred with drug-naïve CD-1 females to generate F1 males, and F1 offspring were used to generate F2 males. Cannabis vapor exposure decreased sperm count and/or motility in F0 and F1 males and disrupted the progression of germ cell development, as morphometric analyses exhibited an abnormal distribution of the stages of spermatogenesis in F0 males. Although plasma levels of testosterone were not affected by cannabis exposure in any ages or generations of males, dysregulated steroidogenic enzymes, Cyp11a1 and Cyp19a1, were observed in F0 testis. In the neonatal testis from F1 males, although apoptosis was not altered, DNA damage and DNMT1, but not DNMT3A and DNMT3B, were increased in germ cells following cannabis exposure. In contrast, the alterations of DNA damage and DNMT1 expression were not observed in F2 neonatal males. These results suggest that cannabis vapor exposure generationally affects male reproductive functions, probably due to disruption of spermatogenesis in the developing testis.
Persistent high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in a resource-limited setting: threat to India's TB Free campaign
Authors: Bhat Jyothi , Sharma Ravendra K , Yadav Rajiv , Mishra Prashant , Nigam Samridhi , Lingala Mercy Aparna , Rao V G 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem among Saharia, a particularly vulnerable tribal group residing in remote rural areas in central India. This article presents the findings from the baseline survey among Saharias and provides comprehensive prevalence data of pulmonary TB (PTB) in this marginalised community.

Methods
A community-based cross-sectional PTB prevalence survey was carried out during January–May 2019 in selected villages using multistage stratified cluster sampling. All eligible adults (≥15 years of age) were screened for the symptoms of PTB. Sputum samples were collected and processed for microscopy and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Results
A total of 20 114 eligible individuals were screened for symptoms of PTB. Among these, 3001 (14.9%) individuals reported at least one PTB symptom and sputum was collected from 2890 (96.3%) individuals. Among these, 273 (9.4%) were bacteriologically positive for PTB. The overall prevalence was 1357 per 100 000 population.

Conclusions
The findings indicate that TB continues to be a major health problem in this marginalised community despite large investments by the government for TB control. This emphasizes the need to look into the causes and barriers in implementation of the TB elimination programme in the community, especially in view of India's TB elimination goal by 2025.
Local steroid injection versus surgical release for treatment of persistent De Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis (DQST): a prospective comparative study
Authors: Mazrou Ibrahim , Ramadan Mohamed , Atef Ashraf , El Elemy Ahmed 
Published: November 2021

Background:
De Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis (DQST) can prevent patients from performing minor tasks as opening jars and texting. It is common in pregnant women and nursing mothers. The etiology is thought to be from repetitive manual work with thumb abduction and wrist ulnar deviation. The aim of this study was to compare steroid injection versus surgical release results for treatment of persistent DQST.

Methods:
Thirty-one hands of 30 patients with DQST who fulfilled the study selection criteria and treated during 2020 were included in this prospective study after institutional ethics committee approval. Patients were grouped into the mini-injection (group A) or surgical category (group B). Retrograde injection parallel to the tendons was used for injection. Transverse skin incision followed by longitudinal dissection and incision of the extensor retinaculum was used for surgical release. Clinical assessment of patients was done using a functional De Quervain’s score modified after the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score and Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire.

Results:
At the final follow-up, 13 out of 16 hands in group A improved. The mean score was 14±12.38, with nine, four, one, and two hands having excellent, good, fair, and absolute disability results, respectively. All 15 hands of group B improved. The mean score was 9.87±5.17, with nine, five, and one hands having excellent, good, and fair results, respectively.

Conclusions:
Both corticosteroid injection and surgical release were effective in persistent DQST treatment with insignificant differences, therefore the less invasive injection would be preferred.

Level of Evidence:
Level II.
Activation of Silent Information Regulator 6 Signaling Attenuates Myocardial Fibrosis by Reducing TGFβ1-Smad2/3 Signaling in a Type 2 Diabetic Animal Model
Authors: Yu Liming , Wang Jian , Dong Xue , Hu Yue , Luo Linyu , Xue Xiaodong , Wang Yang 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Objective:
Long-term diabetes can result in ventricular hypertrophic remodeling, tissue fibrosis, myocardial metabolic defection, and eventually, heart failure. Silent information regulator 6 (SIRT6) exerts beneficial effects against cardiovascular diseases. This study is aimed to investigate whether the direct regulation of myocardial SIRT6 signaling affects cardiac performance in the case of diabetes. Meanwhile, we sought to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods:
Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used in this experiment. Briefly, type 2 diabetic animal model was generated by streptozotocin administration along with feeding a high-fat diet. The SD rats were randomly assigned to non-diabetic group, diabetic group, diabetic injected with empty adenoviral vectors group and diabetic injected with adenoviral vectors expressing SIRT6 group (n = 10, respectively). The animals were kept for another 4 weeks before sacrifice. Cardiac performance was evaluated by echocardiography. Myocardial fibrosis was determined by Masson's trichrome staining. Myocardial SIRT6 signaling and fibrosis related molecules were measured by western blotting.

Results:
The diabetic myocardium exhibited markedly enhanced TGFβ1-Smad2/3-induced myocardial fibrosis and reduced SIRT6 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. After 4 weeks of SIRT6 adenoviral vector infection, myocardial tissues exhibited markedly enhanced SIRT6 and AMPK signaling. Additionally, myocardial fibrosis and TGFβ1-Smad2/3 signaling were both attenuated in the diabetic injected with adenoviral vectors expressing SIRT6 group.

Conclusions:
SIRT6-AMPK signaling suppressed the progression of tissue fibrosis in diabetes mellitus rats by inhibiting TGFβ1 and its downstream effector Smad2/3. SIRT6 might serve as an alternative therapeutic target for diabetes-related cardiovascular diseases.
Normal-Weight Abdominal Obesity: A Risk Factor for Hypertension and Cardiometabolic Dysregulation
Authors: Sun Jinyu , Qu Qiang , Yuan Yue , Sun Guozhen , Kong Xiangqing , Sun Wei 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Objective:
This study aimed to examine the associations of waist circumference with hypertension and cardiometabolic dysregulation among normal-weight adults.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 8795 normal-weight participants aged 20 to 79 years from the 2009–2018 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The demographic characteristics and cardiometabolic risk factors across waist circumference quartiles were summarized. We used adjusted multivariate logistic regression models, subgroup analysis, and restricted cubic spline to analyze the association between waist circumference and the prevalence of hypertension. Thereafter, we used the random forest supervised machine learning method, together with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, to select hypertension-related features and created a predictive model based on regression analysis to identify hypertension in normal-weight individuals.

Results:
Waist circumference was positively correlated with hypertension in the non-adjusted, minimally adjusted, and fully adjusted models, with odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 2.28 (2.14–2.44), 1.27 (1.12–1.44), and 1.27 (1.12–1.44), respectively. In the fully adjusted model, participants in the highest waist circumference quartile had a higher risk of hypertension relative to those in the lowest quartile, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 3.87 (1.59–10.34). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the robustness of the association. In the testing set, the predictive model exhibited good performance, with an area under the curve of 0.803, sensitivity of 0.72, specificity of 0.76, and negative predictive value of 0.84.

Conclusions:
Measuring waist circumference may improve the evaluation of the risk of hypertension and help to manage cardiometabolic risk in normal-weight individuals.
Simplifying the Combined Use of Fibula Flap and Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Oromandibular Reconstruction
Authors: Tsai Hsu-Yun , Lee Yao-Chou 
Published: November 2021

Summary:
Although the preferred technique for reconstruction of extensive composite oromandibular defects involves the use of a fibula flap for the inner mucosal lining and mandibular bone reconstruction and an anterolateral thigh flap for outer skin coverage and soft tissue replenishment, this approach is complicated and manpower-dependent. It also often involves prolonged operations requiring nighttime surgery with insufficient manpower in an era of restricted working hours for residents, which can negatively affect the surgical outcomes. Traditionally, the mucosal defect is first defined and the fibula flap is then dissected to ensure a size-matching skin flap for the inner lining. This flap is transferred first after mandibulectomy is completed, but is delayed by the fibula bone shaping process. Finalizing the flap inset is a sophisticated process involving the fibula bone, fibula skin, and anterolateral thigh skin. Thus, we developed a strategy to overcome the late start of fibula flap harvest, the delayed initiation of defect-site reconstruction, and the troublesome flap inset. Briefly, we dissected both flaps sequentially or simultaneously from contralateral limbs before the mucosal defect was defined, so that the flaps were ready in the daytime. Once the mandibulectomy was completed, we transferred the anterolateral thigh flap first while the fibula bone was shaped, and simplified the flap inset by using the anterolateral thigh skin for the inner lining and outer coverage and the fibula skin as a monitoring flap. We employed this approach in five patients and completed postmandibulectomy reconstruction in as fast as 4 hours.
A tale of two balloons: technical and procedural difference between cryoballoon systems
Authors: Tomaiko-Clark Emrie , Bai Rong , Khokhar Mateen , Su Wilber W. 
Published: November 2021

Purpose of review
The cryoballoon catheter has been an option for the treatment of atrial fibrillation for over a decade. The most widely used device is the Medtronic Arctic Advance cryoballoon catheter. Recently, Boston Scientific has released the POLARx cryoballoon catheter. Here we review the major changes in the catheter system's design and its implications for procedural practice.

Recent findings
The POLARx cryoballoon catheter has been approved for use in Europe. Some studies have been published detailing the first clinical experiences in vivo with this newest technology.

Summary
The changes to the POLARx cryoballoon catheter, particularly its ability to maintain balloon size and pressure, will improve occlusion and theoretically improve procedural outcomes.
Incontinence and Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis in Acute Care
Authors: Kayser Susan A. , Koloms Kimberly , Murray Angela , Khawar Waqaar , Gray Mikel 
Published: November 2021

PURPOSE:
To evaluate the prevalence of incontinence and treatment of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and associations with outcomes including total cost of care, length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, sacral area pressure injuries present on admission and hospital acquired pressure injuries, and progression of all sacral area pressure injuries to a higher stage.

DESIGN:
Retrospective analysis.

SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS:
Data were retrieved from the Premier Healthcare Database and comprised more than 15 million unique adult patient admissions from 937 hospitals. Patients were 18 years or older and admitted to a participating hospital between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019.

METHODS:
Given the absence of an IAD International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code, we categorized patients treated for IAD by selecting patients with a documented incontinence ICD-10-CM code and a documented charge for dermatology products used to treat IAD. The t test and χ2 tests determined whether incontinence and treatment for IAD were associated with outcomes.

RESULTS:
Incontinence prevalence was 1.5% for the entire sample; prevalence rate for IAD among incontinent patients was 0.7%. As compared to continent patients, incontinent patients had longer LOS (6.4 days versus 4.4 days), were 1.4 times more likely to be readmitted, 4.7 times more likely to have a sacral pressure injury upon admission pressure injury, 5.1 times more likely to have a sacral hospital-acquired pressure injury, and 5.8 times more likely to have a sacral pressure injury progress to a severe stage. As compared to incontinent patients without IAD treatment, those with IAD treatment had longer LOS (9.7 days versus 6.4 days), were 1.3 times more likely to be readmitted, and were 2.0 times more likely to have a sacral hospital-acquired pressure injury. Total index hospital costs were 1.2 times higher for incontinent patients and 1.3 times higher for patients with IAD treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:
Incontinence and IAD prevalence are substantially lower than past research due to underreporting of incontinence. The lack of an ICD-10-CM code for IAD further exacerbates the underreporting of IAD. Despite low prevalence numbers, our results show higher health care costs and worse outcomes for incontinent patients and patients with IAD treatment.
Epidemiology of personality disorders in individuals with gender dysphoria
Authors: Furlong Yulia , Janca Aleksandar 
Published: November 2021

Purpose of review
Prevalence estimates of personality disorders (PD) in individuals with gender dysphoria (GD) are variable and heterogeneous, as psychiatric comorbidity and long-term follow-up data from gender-diverse samples are still limited. This review aims to assess prevalence rates across age groups and discuss potential reasons for variability in PD prevalence estimates among transgender people.

Recent findings
International epidemiological data from several countries indicate that the best available estimates of the prevalence of any PD diagnosis in transgender youth are around 20% for adolescents and tend to increase to nearly 50% in trans-adults. The paucity of available data on personality dysfunction in children and adolescents with GD precluded us from definitive conclusions on the trends of emerging PDs in this population. Estimates of PD prevalence in transgender and gender-diverse people seem to be highly affected by methodological characteristics of the studies with no universally agreed reference standards for this population.

Summary
The review of epidemiological studies on PD among gender-diverse people highlights the need for using more standardized study methodologies to make findings comparable. Nevertheless, international epidemiological data seem to support the link association between the development of PD and GD.
Multimorbidity and its associated risk factors among the older adults in India
Authors: Khan Mohd Rashid , Malik Manzoor Ahmad , Akhtar Saddaf Naaz , Yadav Suryakant 
Published: November 2021

AbstractHealth at older ages is a key public health challenge especially among the developing countries. Older adults are at greater risk of vulnerability due to their physical and functional health risks. With rapidly rising ageing population and increasing burden of non-communicable diseases elderly in India are at a greater risk for multi-morbidities. Therefore, to understand this multimorbidity transition and its determinants we used a sample of older Indian adults to examine multimorbidity and its associated risk factors among the Indian elderly aged 45 and above. Using the sample of 72250 older adults this study employed the multiple regression analysis to study the risk factors of multimorbidity. Multimorbidity was computed based on the assumption of elderly having one or more than one of the diseases risks. Our results confirm the emerging diseases burden among the older adults in India. One of the significant findings of the study was the contrasting prevalence of multimorbidity among the wealthiest groups, which diverges from some earlier studies in developing countries examining the multimorbidity. Thus, given the contrasting results and rise of multimorbidity among older adults India, there is paper argues for an immediate need for proper policy measures and health system strengthening to ensure the better health of older adults in India.HighlightsMultimorbidity is emerging as key challenge especially in the developing countries.There is a significant association between multimorbidity and its associated demographic and socio-economic key risk factors.Contrasting prevalence of multimorbidity among the affluent groups as compared to earlier studies.Increasing longevity has significant consequences on morbidity pattern of older adult requiring an immediate policy attention to avert the challenges of morbidity, disability and death at older ages.
The challenge of SARS-CoV-2 environmental monitoring in schools using floors and portable HEPA filtration units: Fresh or relic RNA?
Authors: Zuniga-Montanez Rogelio , Coil David A. , Eisen Jonathan A. , Pechacek Randi , Guerrero Roque G. , Kim Minji , Shapiro Karen , Bischel Heather N. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractTesting surfaces in school classrooms for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can provide public-health information that complements clinical testing. We monitored the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in five schools (96 classrooms) in Davis, California (USA) by collecting weekly surface-swab samples from classroom floors and/or portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) units. Twenty-two surfaces tested positive, with qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) values ranging from 36.07–38.01. Intermittent repeated positives in a single room were observed for both floor and HEPA filter samples for up to 52 days, even following regular cleaning and HEPA filter replacement after a positive result. We compared the two environmental sampling strategies by testing one floor and two HEPA filter samples in 57 classrooms at Schools D and E. HEPA filter sampling yielded 3.02% and 0.41% positivity rates per filter sample collected for Schools D and E, respectively, while floor sampling yielded 0.48% and 0% positivity rates. Our results indicate that HEPA filter swabs are more sensitive than floor swabs at detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in interior spaces. During the study, all schools were offered weekly free COVID-19 clinical testing. On-site clinical testing was offered in Schools D and E, and upticks in testing participation were observed following a confirmed positive environmental sample. However, no confirmed COVID-19 cases were identified among students associated with classrooms yielding positive environmental samples. The positive samples detected in this study appeared to reflect relic viral RNA from individuals infected before the monitoring program started and/or RNA transported into classrooms via fomites. The high-Ct positive results from environmental swabs further suggest the absence of active infections. Additional research is needed to differentiate between fresh and relic SARS-CoV-2 RNA in environmental samples and to determine what types of results should trigger interventions.