bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Prevalence Trends Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States, 2007‐2016
Authors: Arshad Tamoore , Paik James M. , Biswas Rakesh , Alqahtani Saleh A. , Henry Linda , Younossi Zobair M. 
Published: July 2021

Understanding the burden of NAFLD among adolescents and young adults has become increasingly relevant. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of NAFLD among adolescents and young adults in the United States. Data were obtained from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007‐2016. Adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 29 years were included. NAFLD was determined by the U.S. Fatty Liver Index in the absence of secondary causes of liver disease, and the differences in prevalence trends were analyzed based on age, gender, and race. Complete data were available for 4,654 adolescents and young adults (mean age 21 years; 50.9% male; 56.8% White, 20.9% Hispanic, and 13.3% Black). The overall prevalence of NAFLD among adolescents and young adults was 18.5%, ranging from 13.2% among early and middle adolescents (12‐17 years) to 18.7% among late adolescents and young adults (18‐24 years), to 24.0% among older young adults (25‐30 years) (trend P < 0.001). The prevalence of NAFLD was higher for boys than for girls (aged 12‐17: 15.1% vs. 11.3%; aged 18‐24: 21.1% vs. 16.2%; aged 25‐30: 28.7% vs. 19.2%, all P < 0.030). Among all age groups, Hispanics had a higher prevalence of NAFLD than Whites and Blacks (pairwise P < 0.001). Over the study time period, the prevalence of NAFLD among early and middle adolescents and young adults did not change (trend P > 0.80). In contrast, NAFLD prevalence among late adolescents increased (trend P = 0.018). In fact, White and Hispanic late adolescents were the drivers behind this increase in the prevalence of NAFLD. Conclusion: These data indicate an increasing trend in NAFLD prevalence among 18‐24‐year‐olds. These data have important public health and policy implications.
Poor Awareness of Liver Disease Among Adults With NAFLD in the United States
Authors: Alqahtani Saleh A. , Paik James M. , Biswas Rakesh , Arshad Tamoore , Henry Linda , Younossi Zobair M. 
Published: July 2021

Population‐based studies that estimate awareness of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the United States are scant. We aimed to understand public awareness of NAFLD and its temporal trends. Our study included 11,700 adults (18+ years old) from five National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2007‐2016). NAFLD was determined by the improved Fatty Liver Index for the multiethnic U.S. population (US‐FLI) in the absence of secondary causes of liver disease. Overall prevalence of NAFLD, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus were 36.6%, 1.02% and 0.35%, respectively. From 2007‐2008 to 2015‐2016, awareness of liver disease among adults with NAFLD improved from 4.4% to 6.3% (trend P = 0.026) but 4 to 10 times lower than awareness about viral hepatitis. In 2015‐2016, among adults with NAFLD, awareness of liver disease was lower among young adults (aged 18‐29 years) compared with those aged ≥ 30 years (0% vs. 6.9%) and lower among non‐Hispanic Blacks compared with other races (0.7% vs. 6.6%) (all P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, young adults (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.29; confidence interval [CI] 0.10‐0.87) and non‐Hispanic Blacks (aOR = 0.43; CI 0.20‐0.96) were negatively associated with awareness of liver disease among adults with NAFLD, whereas diabetes (aOR = 2.22; CI 1.37‐3.58), advanced fibrosis (aOR = 2.34; CI 1.17‐4.68), and a higher number of health care visits (aOR = 1.33; CI 1.15‐1.50) were positively associated with awareness of liver disease. Nearly 96% of adults with NAFLD in the United States were unaware they had liver disease, especially among young adults and non‐Hispanic Blacks. Findings indicate efforts are needed to improve awareness of NAFLD.
Temporal dynamic of the hippocampal structural plasticity associated with the fear memory destabilization/reconsolidation process
Authors: Comas Mutis Ramiro , Espejo Pablo Javier , Martijena Irene Delia , Molina Victor Alejandro , Calfa Gastón Diego 
Published: July 2021

AbstractReconsolidation of a contextual fear memory is a protein synthesis‐dependent process in which a previously destabilized memory returns to a stable state. This process has become the subject of many studies due to its importance in memory processing, maintenance and updating, and its potential role as a therapeutical target in fear memory disorders such as phobias and post‐traumatic stress disorder. In this sense, understanding the underlying mechanisms of memory reconsolidation is paramount in developing potential treatments for such memory dysfunctions. In the present work, we studied the interaction between two key neural structures involved in the reconsolidation process: the basolateral amygdala complex of the amygdala (BLA) and the dorsal hippocampus (DH). Our results show changes in the structural plasticity of the CA1 region of the DH in the form of dendritic spines density changes associated with the destabilization/reconsolidation process. Furthermore, we demonstrate a modulatory role of BLA over such structural plasticity by infusing different drugs such as ifenprodil, a destabilization blocker, and propranolol, a reconsolidation disruptor, in this brain structure. Altogether our work shows a particular temporal dynamic in the CA1 region of DH that accompanies the destabilization/reconsolidation process and aims to provide new information on the underlying mechanisms of this process that potentially contributes for a better understanding of memory storage, maintenance, expression and updating, and its potential medical applications.
Developing and validating regression models for predicting household consumption to introduce an equitable and sustainable health insurance system in Cambodia
Authors: Nakamura Haruyo , Amimo Floriano , Yi Siyan , Tuot Sovannary , Yoshida Tomoya , Tobe Makoto , Rahman Md. Mizanur , Yoneoka Daisuke , Ishizuka Aya , Nomura Shuhei 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundFinancial protection is a challenge for low‐ and middle‐income countries, where the fiscal space is limited, and majority of the population is engaged in the informal economy. This study developed and validated household consumption predictive models for Cambodia to collect contributions according to one's ability to pay.MethodsThis study used nationally representative survey data collected annually between 2010 and 2017, involving 38,472 households. We developed four alternative models: the manually selected linear model, the linear model with stepwise technique, the mixed effects linear model, and the model with regularisation technique. Subsequently, we performed out‐of‐sample cross‐validation for each model, and evaluated the model prediction performance.ResultsOverall, observed and predicted household consumptions were linearly related in all four models. While the prediction performance of the models did not substantially differ, the stepwise linear model showed the best performance. The regularisation and the mixed effects were not particularly effective in these regressions. The household consumption was better predicted for those with lower consumption, and the predictivity declined as the consumption level increased.ConclusionsThis study suggests the possibility of predicting household consumption at a reasonable level. This would maximise the contribution revenue, optimise the government subsidy, and ensure equity in healthcare access.
Darcy–Forchheimer flow of Ree–Eyring fluid over an inclined plate with chemical reaction: A statistical approach
Authors: Purna Chandar Rao Darapuneni , Thiagarajan Swaminathan , Srinivasa Kumar Vajha 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn spite of various reports on non‐Newtonian fluids, little is known on the impact of chemical reaction on the Darcy–Forchheimer flow of Ree–Eyring fluid when Cattaneo–Christov (C‐C) heat flux (HF) is significant. The inclusion of porous medium occurs in various procedures which include heat transfer, geophysics design, and so forth. It also influences oil production recovery, energy storage units, solar receivers, and many others. The Darcy–Forchheimer flow model is important in the fields where a high flow rate effect is a common phenomenon, for instance, in petroleum engineering. In this study, we aim to analyze the dissipative Darcy–Forchheimer flow of Ree–Eyring fluid by an inclined (stretching) plate with chemical reaction. We have included the C‐C HF model to investigate the heat transfer characteristics of the fluid. Equations in the mathematical model are metamorphosed as ordinary differential equations and then unriddled with the aid of shooting strategy. The main advantage of the shooting method is that it is easy to apply. The shooting method requires good initial guesses for the first derivative and can be applied to both linear and nonlinear problems. Results are explicated through graphs. We took the help of a statistical tool, that is, correlation coefficient to analyze the impression of crucial parameters on surface friction drag (skin friction coefficient), heat and mass transfer rates. The main inferences of this study are porosity parameter and Forchheimer numbers deprecate the fluid velocity, Eckert number ameliorates fluid temperature and concentration minifies with larger chemical reaction parameter. It is discovered that the Forchheimer and Weissenberg numbers deprecate the surface friction drag. Mass transfer rate has a substantial positive relationship with Schmidt number and chemical reaction. Furthermore, the heat transfer rate has a substantial positive correlation with the thermal relaxation parameter and a substantial negative correlation with the Eckert number.
A catchment water balance assessment of an abrupt shift in evapotranspiration at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA
Authors: Green Mark B. , Bailey Scott W. , Campbell John L. , McGuire Kevin J. , Bailey Amey S. , Fahey Timothy J. , Lany Nina , Zietlow David 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSmall catchments have served as sentinels of forest ecosystem responses to changes in air quality and climate. The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire has been tracking catchment water budgets and their controls – meteorology and vegetation – since 1956. Water budgets in four reference catchments indicated an approximately 30% increase in the evapotranspiration (ET) as estimated by the difference between precipitation (P) and runoff (RO) starting in 2010 and continuing through 2019. We analyzed the annual water budgets, cumulative deviations of the daily P, RO and water budget residual (WBR = P − RO), potential ET (PET) and indicators of subsurface storage to gain greater insight into this shift in the water budgets. The PET and the subsurface storage indicators suggest that this change in WBR was primarily due to increasing ET. While multiple long‐term hydrological and micrometeorological data sets were used to detect and investigate this change in ET, additional measurements of groundwater storage and soil moisture would enable better estimation of ET within the catchment water balance. Increasing the breadth of long‐term measurements across small gauged catchments allows them to serve as more effective sentinels of substantial hydrologic changes like the ET increase that we observed.
Physiochemical and bactericidal activity evaluation: Silver‐augmented 3D‐printed scaffolds—An in vitro study
Authors: Nayak Vasudev Vivekanand , Tovar Nick , Hacquebord Jacques Henri , Duarte Simone , Panariello Beatriz H. D. , Tonon Caroline , Atria Pablo J. , Coelho Paulo G. , Witek Lukasz 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHypothesisInjuries requiring resection of tissue followed by autogenous bone transfer may be prone to infection by Staphylococcus aureus, impeding recovery and increasing medical costs. For critical sized defects, the common approach to reconstruction is a tissue transfer procedure but is subject to limitations (e.g., donor site morbidity, cost, operating time). Utilizing beta tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) as bone grafting material augmented with silver (Ag), a custom graft may be 3D printed to overcome limitations and minimize potential infections.ExperimentsScaffolds were 3D printed and augmented with Ag by external attack on the surface by silver nitrate (AgNO3) at varying concentrations (0.1, 1.0, 10% wt/wt of scaffold). The augmented scaffolds were evaluated utilizing X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP‐MS) to verify the presence of Ag and phosphate (PO4) groups followed by electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to gather information of chemical and physical properties. Preliminary biocompatibility and bactericidal capacity of the scaffolds were tested using human osteoprogenitor (hOP) cells and methicillin‐sensitive S. aureus strain, respectively.ResultsXRD, FTIR, ICP‐MS, TGA, and DSC confirmed presence of Ag and PO4 groups, whereas electron microscopy showed a decrease in Ca and an increase in Ag ions, decreasing Ca/P ratio with increasing surfactant concentrations. PrestoBlue assays yielded an increase in fluorescence cell counts among experimental groups with lower concentrations of Ag characterized by their characteristic trapezoidal shape whereas cytotoxicity was observed at higher concentrations. Similar observations were made with alkaline phosphatase assays. Antimicrobial evaluation showed reduced colony‐forming units (CFU) among all experimental groups when compared to 100% β‐TCP. β‐TCP scaffolds augmented with Ag ions facilitate antibacterial effects while promoting osteoblast adhesion and proliferation.
Neuroinflammation: The next target of exosomal microRNAs derived from mesenchymal stem cells in the context of neurological disorders
Authors: Hajinejad Mehrdad , Sahab‐Negah Sajad 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAmong different types of mechanisms involved in neurological disorders, neuroinflammation links initial insults to secondary injuries and triggers some chronic outcomes, for example, neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, anti‐inflammatory substances can be targeted as a novel therapeutic option for translational and clinical research to improve brain disease outcomes. In this review, we propose to introduce a new insight into the anti‐inflammatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as the most frequent source for stem cell therapy in neurological diseases. Our insight incorporates a bystander effect of these stem cells in modulating inflammation and microglia/macrophage polarization through exosomes. Exosomes are nano‐sized membrane vesicles that carry cell‐specific constituents, including protein, lipid, DNA, and RNA. microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been detected in exosomes that can be taken up by other cells and affect the behavior of recipient cells. In this article, we outline and highlight the potential use of exosomal miRNAs derived from MSCs for inflammatory pathways in the context of neurological disorders. Furthermore, we suggest that focusing on exosomal miRNAs derived from MSCs in the course of neuroinflammatory pathways in the future could reveal their functions for diverse neurological diseases, including brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. It is hoped that this study will contribute to a deep understanding of stem cell bystander effects through exosomal miRNAs.
Healthcare worker training to improve quality of care for sexual and gender minority people in sub‐Saharan Africa: learning from efforts in Uganda
Authors: Keuroghlian Alex S , Mujugira Andrew , Mayer Kenneth H 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionTraining in care for sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations is critical for ending the HIV epidemic. SGM people, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women, experience disproportionate HIV infection across the globe. The objective of this commentary was to synthesize facilitators of and barriers to SGM health training efforts for healthcare workers in Uganda, in order to help inform potential priorities, strategies and next steps to advance culturally responsive HIV‐related care for SGM communities across Uganda and sub‐Saharan Africa.DiscussionSGM health training often includes education on: foundational concepts and language; stigma, discrimination and SGM health disparities; understanding and addressing implicit bias; sensitive and effective communication and building SGM‐inclusive and welcoming healthcare environments. Clinicians’ education includes sexual and gender histories, sex‐positive HIV counselling, sexually transmitted infections, HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis and gender‐affirming hormone therapy. SGM communities in sub‐Saharan Africa have often experienced discrimination, persecution, incarceration and physical violence, and they encounter unique barriers to engagement in sexual health services and HIV prevention and treatment. SGM health training efforts in Uganda reveal challenges to and opportunities for advancing equity for SGM communities in sexual health and HIV medical care across the region. In Uganda, SGM community advocacy, as well as policies and programmes of the Ministry of Health and US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, have increased readiness and need for scaling up training and skills‐sharing in SGM‐focused HIV and sexual healthcare, including Ugandan‐led and international initiatives.ConclusionsNumerous challenges exist to widespread culturally responsive HIV and sexual healthcare for SGM communities in sub‐Saharan Africa. Lessons learned from healthcare worker training efforts in Uganda may inform future replication, adaptation and dissemination initiatives to meet the needs of more SGM communities in the region. Evaluation of SGM health training programmes to determine the impact on HIV virological suppression and sexual health outcomes will be critical for identifying best practices and strategies that may support advancing HIV epidemic control for SGM communities in Uganda and across sub‐Saharan Africa.
Unraveling the MRI‐Based Microstructural Signatures Behind Primary Progressive and Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Phenotypes
Authors: Boscolo Galazzo Ilaria , Brusini Lorenza , Akinci Muge , Cruciani Federica , Pitteri Marco , Ziccardi Stefano , Bajrami Albulena , Castellaro Marco , Salih Ahmed M.A. , Pizzini Francesca B. , Jovicich Jorge , Calabrese Massimiliano , Menegaz Gloria 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe mechanisms driving primary progressive and relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (PPMS/RRMS) phenotypes are unknown. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies support the involvement of gray matter (GM) in the degeneration, highlighting its damage as an early feature of both phenotypes. However, the role of GM microstructure is unclear, calling for new methods for its decryption.PurposeTo investigate the morphometric and microstructural GM differences between PPMS and RRMS to characterize GM tissue degeneration using MRI.Study TypeProspective cross‐sectional study.SubjectsForty‐five PPMS (26 females) and 45 RRMS (32 females) patients.Field Strength/Sequence3T scanner. Three‐dimensional (3D) fast field echo T1‐weighted (T1‐w), 3D turbo spin echo (TSE) T2‐w, 3D TSE fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery, and spin echo‐echo planar imaging diffusion MRI (dMRI).AssessmentT1‐w and dMRI data were employed for providing information about morphometric and microstructural features, respectively. For dMRI, both diffusion tensor imaging and 3D simple harmonics oscillator based reconstruction and estimation models were used for feature extraction from a predefined set of regions. A support vector machine (SVM) was used to perform patients' classification relying on all these measures.Statistical TestsDifferences between MS phenotypes were investigated using the analysis of covariance and statistical tests (P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant).ResultsAll the dMRI indices showed significant microstructural alterations between the considered MS phenotypes, for example, the mode and the median of the return to the plane probability in the hippocampus. Conversely, thalamic volume was the only morphometric feature significantly different between the two MS groups. Ten of the 12 features retained by the selection process as discriminative across the two MS groups regarded the hippocampus. The SVM classifier using these selected features reached an accuracy of 70% and a precision of 69%.Data ConclusionWe provided evidence in support of the ability of dMRI to discriminate between PPMS and RRMS, as well as highlight the central role of the hippocampus.Level of Evidence2Technical Efficacy Stage3
Cartilage Matrix Changes in Hindfoot Joints in Chronic Ankle Instability Patients After Anatomic Repair Using T2‐Mapping: Initial Experience With 3‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Tao Hongyue , Zhang Yuyang , Hu Yiwen , Li Qianru , Hua Yinghui , Lu Rong , Xie Yuxie , Li Xiangwen , Zhang Bo , Chen Shuang 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundAnatomic repair is widely accepted as the primary surgical treatment for chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). T2‐mapping is a powerful tool for quantitative assessment of biochemical changes in cartilage matrix.PurposeTo longitudinally evaluate cartilage matrix changes in the hindfoot joints of CLAI patients before and after anatomic repair by using T2‐mapping with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Study TypeProspective.SubjectsThirty‐two CLAI patients (males/females = 20/12) and 21 healthy controls (males/females = 13/7).Field Strength/Sequence3 T; sagittal multi‐echo spin‐echo technique (T2‐mapping), coronal, sagittal, and axial spin‐echo PD‐FS, and sagittal T1WI sequences.AssessmentMRI examinations were performed in CLAI patients at baseline (prior to surgery) and 3 years after anatomic repair and in healthy controls. On T2‐maps, the hindfoot joints were segmented into 16 cartilage subregions. The T2 value of each subregion was measured. All patients were evaluated with the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale at baseline and after surgery.Statistical TestsAnalysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t‐test were used. The differences corresponding to P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsAt baseline, the T2 values in most cartilage subregions of talar dome and medial posterior subtalar joint (pSTJ) were higher in CLAI patients than in healthy controls. After surgery, only the T2 value of anteriomedial talar dome decreased from that at baseline (31.11 ± 3.88 msec vs. 34.27 ± 5.30 msec). The T2 values of other subregions with elevated T2 values remained higher than healthy controls. There were no significant differences in T2 values in the midtarsal joints between CLAI patients and healthy controls (P = 0.262, 0.104, 0.169, 0.103). Postoperatively, the patients' AOFAS scores improved significantly from 67.81 to 89.13.Data ConclusionCLAI patients exhibited elevated T2 values in most subregions of talar dome and medial pSTJ. After anatomic repair, although the patients exhibited good clinical outcomes, the elevated T2 values could not be fully recovered.Level of Evidence2Technical Efficacy Stage4