bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying sustainable lifestyle strategies for maintaining good glycemic control: a validation of qualitative findings
Authors: Weller Susan C , Vickers Benjamin N 
Published: April 2021

IntroductionDiabetes self-care practices are less effective outside of controlled research settings, and almost half of patients do not achieve good glycemic control. Qualitative studies suggest some lifestyle strategies may be linked to good control, but those strategies have not been validated. This study provides population-based evidence that dietary strategies identified in qualitative studies are associated with glycemic control in US patients with diabetes.Research design and methodsIn a cross-sectional sample of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), qualitative self-management themes were matched to survey questions and used to predict good glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c <7.0% (53 mmol/mol)). Patients were limited to those 50 years of age and older with a diagnosis of diabetes for at least 1 year (N=465).ResultsPatients averaged 65 years of age with a body mass index of 32.56 kg/m2and 42% reported no physical activity. In logistic regression models controlling for sociodemographic and medical history variables, self-monitoring of blood glucose, weight loss, and physical activity were not significantly associated with glycemic control. Instead, dietary practices such as consuming low-calorie foods (OR=4.05, 95% CI 1.64 to 10.01), eating less fat (OR=2.15, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.47), and reducing sodium (OR=1.94, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.17) were significantly associated with good glycemic control, as was diabetes education or consultation with a dietitian (OR=3.48, 95% CI 1.28 to 9.45). Non-adherence to medications (OR=0.27, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.68) and general dietary descriptions, such as following a ‘diabetic diet’ (OR=0.32, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.57) and ‘changing eating habits for weight loss’ (OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.77), were associated with poorer glycemic control.ConclusionsThe NHANES validation of lifestyle management strategies suggests practices that may be sustainable. In a population that tends to be obese with low physical activity, successful self-care might emphasize specific dietary practices offering concrete touchpoints for patient communication and guidance. These strategies might help maintain glycemic control.
How do Canadian public health agencies respond to the COVID-19 emergency using social media: a protocol for a case study using content and sentiment analysis
Authors: Kothari Anita , Foisey Lyndsay , Donelle Lorie , Bauer Michael 
Published: April 2021

IntroductionKeeping Canadians safe requires a robust public health (PH) system. This is especially true when there is a PH emergency, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Social media, like Twitter and Facebook, is an important information channel because most people use the internet for their health information. The PH sector can use social media during emergency events for (1) PH messaging, (2) monitoring misinformation, and (3) responding to questions and concerns raised by the public. In this study, we ask: what is the Canadian PH risk communication response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of social media?Methods and analysisWe will conduct a case study using content and sentiment analysis to examine how provinces and provincial PH leaders, and the Public Health Agency of Canada and national public heath leaders, engage with the public using social media during the first wave of the pandemic (1 January–3 September 2020). We will focus specifically on Twitter and Facebook. We will compare findings to a gold standard during the emergency with respect to message content.Ethics and disseminationWestern University’s research ethics boards confirmed that this study does not require research ethics board review as we are using social media data in the public domain. Using our study findings, we will work with PH stakeholders to collaboratively develop Canadian social media emergency response guideline recommendations for PH and other health system organisations. Findings will also be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles and conference presentations.
Swiss-wide multicentre evaluation and prediction of core outcomes in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: protocol for the ARCR_Pred cohort study
Authors: Audigé Laurent , Bucher Heiner C C , Aghlmandi Soheila , Stojanov Thomas , Schwappach David , Hunziker Sabina , Candrian Christian , Cunningham Gregory , Durchholz Holger , Eid Karim , Flury Matthias , Jost Bernhard , Lädermann Alexandre , Moor Beat Kaspar , Moroder Philipp , Rosso Claudio , Schär Michael , Scheibel Markus , Spormann Christophe , Suter Thomas , Wieser Karl , Zumstein Matthias ,   ARCR_Pred Study Group, Müller Andreas M 
Published: April 2021

IntroductionIn the field of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), reporting standards of published studies differ dramatically, notably concerning adverse events (AEs). In addition, prognostic studies are overall methodologically poor, based on small data sets and explore only limited numbers of influencing factors. We aim to develop prognostic models for individual ARCR patients, primarily for the patient-reported assessment of shoulder function (Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS)) and the occurrence of shoulder stiffness 6 months after surgery. We also aim to evaluate the use of a consensus core event set (CES) for AEs and validate a severity classification for these events, considering the patient’s perspective.Methods and analysisA cohort of 970 primary ARCR patients will be prospectively documented from several Swiss and German orthopaedic clinics up to 24 months postoperatively. Patient clinical examinations at 6 and 12 months will include shoulder range of motion and strength (Constant Score). Tendon repair integrity status will be assessed by ultrasound at 12 months. Patient-reported questionnaires at 6, 12 and 24 months will determine functional scores (subjective shoulder value, OSS), anxiety and depression scores, working status, sports activities, and quality of life (European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level questionnaire). AEs will be documented according to a CES. Prognostic models will be developed using an internationally supported regression methodology. Multiple prognostic factors, including patient baseline demographics, psychological, socioeconomic and clinical factors, rotator cuff integrity, concomitant local findings, and (post)operative management factors, will be investigated.Ethics and disseminationThis project contributes to the development of personalised risk predictions for supporting the surgical decision process in ARCR. The consensus CES may become an international reference for the reporting of complications in clinical studies and registries. Ethical approval was obtained on 1 April 2020 from the lead ethics committee (EKNZ, Basel, Switzerland; ID: 2019-02076). All participants will provide informed written consent before enrolment in the study.Trial registration numberNCT04321005.Protocol versionVersion 2 (13 December 2019).
Modelling the impact of the tier system on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the UK between the first and second national lockdowns
Authors: Laydon Daniel J , Mishra Swapnil , Hinsley Wes R , Samartsidis Pantelis , Flaxman Seth , Gandy Axel , Ferguson Neil M , Bhatt Samir 
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveTo measure the effects of the tier system on the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK between the first and second national lockdowns, before the emergence of the B.1.1.7 variant of concern.DesignThis is a modelling study combining estimates of real-time reproduction number Rt (derived from UK case, death and serological survey data) with publicly available data on regional non-pharmaceutical interventions. We fit a Bayesian hierarchical model with latent factors using these quantities to account for broader national trends in addition to subnational effects from tiers.SettingThe UK at lower tier local authority (LTLA) level. 310 LTLAs were included in the analysis.Primary and secondary outcome measuresReduction in real-time reproduction number Rt.ResultsNationally, transmission increased between July and late September, regional differences notwithstanding. Immediately prior to the introduction of the tier system, Rt averaged 1.3 (0.9–1.6) across LTLAs, but declined to an average of 1.1 (0.86–1.42) 2 weeks later. Decline in transmission was not solely attributable to tiers. Tier 1 had negligible effects. Tiers 2 and 3, respectively, reduced transmission by 6% (5%–7%) and 23% (21%–25%). 288 LTLAs (93%) would have begun to suppress their epidemics if every LTLA had gone into tier 3 by the second national lockdown, whereas only 90 (29%) did so in reality.ConclusionsThe relatively small effect sizes found in this analysis demonstrate that interventions at least as stringent as tier 3 are required to suppress transmission, especially considering more transmissible variants, at least until effective vaccination is widespread or much greater population immunity has amassed.
New forehead device in positional obstructive sleep apnoea: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Hidalgo Armas Laura , Ingles Sandra , Vaca Rafaela , Cordero-Guevara Jose , Duran Carro Joaquin , Ullate Jorge , Barbé Ferran , Durán-Cantolla Joaquin 
Published: April 2021

Rationale
Approximately 60% of the patients with obstructive sleep apnoea suffer from a positional effect, and approximately 25% of these patients present events only in the supine position.

Objective
To validate a new positional vibrating device and evaluate its efficacy in reducing the Apnoea–Hypopnoea Index and the total sleep time in the supine position without disturbing sleep.

Methods
A total of 128 patients were recruited for this multicentre, prospective, parallel, randomised controlled trial and were distributed in three arms (general recommendations, inactive and active device). Full overnight polysomnography was performed at baseline and at 12 weeks. Anthropometric variables and sleep and quality of life questionnaires were collected at 4, 8 and 12 weeks.

Results
The Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index decreased from 30.6 per hour to 20.4 per hour (p<0.001) in the active device (AD) group. In this group the reduction was 2.3-fold and 3.3-fold than the ones in the general recommendations (GR) and inactive device (ID) groups, respectively (p=0.014). Sleep time in supine position decreased 17.7%±26.3% in GR group (p<0.001), 13.0%±22.4% with ID group (p<0.001) and 21.0%±25.6% in the AD group (p<0.001). Furthermore, total sleep time increased significantly only in the AD group (22.1±57.5 min, p=0.016), with an increased percentage of time in the N3 (deep sleep) and N3+REM (rapid eye movement) stages, without sleep fragmentation.

Conclusion
The device was effective in reducing the Apnoea–Hypopnoea Index and time spent in the supine position also in improving sleep architecture. Therefore, the device could be a good option for the management of patients with positional obstructive sleep apnoea.

Trial registration details

The trial was registered at
www.clinicaltrials.gov
(
NCT03336515
).
Impact of acute circuit training on irisin in younger and older overweight adults
Authors: Rioux Brittany V. , Brunt Keith R. , Eadie Ashley L. , Bouchard Danielle R. , Fox Jill , Sénéchal Martin 
Published: April 2021

Studies show aerobic exercise increases irisin and leads to health benefits. The impact of circuit training (CT) on irisin in overweight younger and older adults is unknown. The objectives were to determine whether, during an acute bout of CT, changes in irisin differed between overweight younger and older adults, and if irisin is associated with body composition, fitness level, or muscle strength. Inactive, overweight adults aged between 19–35 (25.9 ± 5.0; n = 15) and 60–75 years (67.7 ± 4.1; n = 14) participated in this study. The primary exposure variable was an acute bout of CT (12–15 repetitions; 65–70% of 1-repetition maximum; 3 loops). The primary outcome measure was the concentration of irisin determined by ELISA before, during, and after exercise. Repeated-measures analyses showed no effect of time on irisin levels during acute CT, and no interaction effect between age and time (p > 0.05). No associations were observed between changes in irisin and body composition, fitness, or strength (p > 0.05). In conclusion, acute CT does not increase irisin in overweight individuals, and irisin is not associated with the measured outcomes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the release of irisin by different types of exercise across the lifespan. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03715088). Novelty: Younger and older adults show a similar irisin response to an acute bout of circuit training. Irisin response is not associated with measures of body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, or muscle strength.
Policies for establishing hybrid poplar plantations on private and public lands in western Canada for bioethanol feedstock: a forest-level financial analysis
Authors: Shooshtarian Ashan , Anderson Jay A. , Armstrong Glen W. , Luckert Martin K. 
Published: April 2021

A forest-level model is developed that estimates how policies towards hybrid poplar plantations on private and public land impact harvest levels and values for producing biofuel feedstock. We simulate three policy changes: (i) permitting an increase in harvest levels on public land as a result of establishing hybrid poplar plantations on private land; (ii) permitting the establishment of hybrid poplar plantations on public land; and (iii) including forest carbon emission offsets in the net benefits realized by the forest operator. We are interested in whether the increase in harvest created by the policies might be enough to supply a biorefinery, and how the value of the operation changes. Our results suggest that jointly managing public and private lands under sustained yield can increase harvest by between 7% and 93%, and increase the value of the operation by between 39% and 263%. Results also suggest that hybrid poplar plantations could enable a leaseholder of one million hectares of public forestland to initiate an allowable cut effect and thereby increase harvest enough to supply a new biorefinery, in addition to its existing pulp mill. Carbon offsets further increase the value of the forest, although harvest begins to decline at high carbon prices.
Increased Circulatory Interleukin-17A Levels in Patients with Progressive and Leukotrichial Vitiligo
Authors: Le Thai Van Thanh , Ngoc Phan Huy , Dang Tran Ngoc , Pham Le Duy 
Published: April 2021

Background. Vitiligo is a chronic condition characterized by skin depigmentation. Although not life-threatening, it significantly impacts quality of life. The pathophysiology of vitiligo remains poorly understood, and treatment options are limited. Mounting evidence supports the importance of autoreactive T cells and, particularly interleukin-17A- (IL-17A-) secreting Th17 cells, in vitiligo. IL-17A targeting has been proven successful in various inflammatory dermatological conditions, including psoriasis and lupus erythematosus. Objective. We evaluated the relationship between serum levels of IL-17A and the clinicopathological characteristics of Vietnamese vitiligo patients. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 52 nonsegmental vitiligo patients and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Serum levels of IL-17A were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We evaluated the correlation between IL-17A levels and clinical characteristics including leukotrichia, disease duration, vitiligo activity, and body surface area involvement. Results. Patients with progressive vitiligo had significantly higher IL-17A levels than patients with stable vitiligo (

P

= 0.014) or healthy individuals (

P

= 0.002). In addition, serum IL-17A levels were higher in vitiligo patients with leukotrichia than in patients without it (

P

= 0.04). Furthermore, serum IL-17A levels were negatively correlated with age (r = −0.39,

P

= 0.004) and age of onset (r = −0.33,

P

= 0.016) in vitiligo patients. Conclusions. Higher serum levels of IL-17A in patients with progressive vitiligo and leukotrichia suggest a potential role of IL-17A in melanocyte destruction in the epidermis and the follicular matrix.
TSC2 Interacts with HDLBP/Vigilin and Regulates Stress Granule Formation
Authors: Kosmas Kosmas , Filippakis Harilaos , Khabibullin Damir , Turkiewicz Michal , Lam Hilaire C. , Yu Jane , Kedersha Nancy L. , Anderson Paul J. , Henske Elizabeth P. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is caused by mutations of either the TSC1 or TSC2 tumor suppressor gene. TSC causes tumors of the brain, heart, kidney, skin and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Here we report that the TSC2 protein physically binds to high-density lipoprotein binding protein (HDLBP), also called vigilin, a core stress granule (SG) protein, and that TSC2 localizes to SGs. SGs contain mRNAs and translation initiation complexes, and regulate gene expression by sequestering specific transcripts, thereby serving a cytoprotective role. TSC2 has never before been shown to localize to SGs and knocking down vigilin impacts SG translocation of TSC2. TSC2-deficient cells showed a striking increase in the number of SGs after thermal shock and arsenite treatment relative to Tsc2-expressing cells. Our findings also show that murine kidney lysates from a model of TSC have increased levels of SG components including G3BP1 and Caprin1. G3BP1 and Caprin are elevated in renal angiomyolipomas (a renal tumor common in patients with TSC) compared with control normal kidney. G3BP1 is also elevated in TSC-associated subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. We found that genetic inhibition of G3BP1 inhibits the proliferation of TSC2-deficient cells in vitro. Finally, in a mouse model of TSC, genetic inhibition of SGs suppresses cell growth, suggesting that targeting SGs may have efficacy in the therapy of TSC.

Implications:
This study demonstrates that TSC2 physically interacts with HDLBP/vigilin, a component of SGs, that TSC2 localizes to SG and that TSC2-deficient cells have more SGs, suggesting that SGs represent a novel therapeutic target in TSC.
Cardiovascular Biomarkers and Heart Failure Risk in Stable Patients With Atherothrombotic Disease: A Nested Biomarker Study From TRA 2°P‐TIMI 50
Authors: Berg David D. , Freedman Benjamin L. , Bonaca Marc P. , Jarolim Petr , Scirica Benjamin M. , Goodrich Erica L. , Sabatine Marc S. , Morrow David A. 
Published: April 2021

Background
Patients with stable atherothrombotic disease vary in their risk of developing heart failure (HF). Circulating cardiovascular biomarkers may improve HF risk assessment and identify patients who may benefit from emerging HF preventive therapies.

Methods and Results

We measured high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I and BNP (B‐type natriuretic peptide) in 15 833 patients with prior myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or peripheral artery disease from the TRA 2°P‐TIMI 50 (Thrombin Receptor Antagonist in Secondary Prevention of Atherothrombotic Ischemic Events‐Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 50) trial, excluding patients with recent myocardial infarction (<30 days). Biomarkers were categorized using a priori cut points. Hospitalization for HF (HHF) end points were adjudicated with blinded structured review of serious adverse events. Associations between biomarkers and HHF outcomes were adjusted for sex and independent clinical risk predictors of HHF in our cohort (age ≥75, prior HF, type 2 diabetes mellitus, polyvascular disease, body mass index, anemia, chronic kidney disease, hypertension). Baseline high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I and BNP each identified a significant graded risk of HHF independent of clinical risk predictors, including in the subgroups of patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus and with and without prior HF. Patients with both high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I ≥5 ng/L and BNP ≥100 pg/mL had the highest HHF event rates. When added to a multivariable Cox regression model with clinical risk predictors (C‐index 0.88; 95% CI, 0.85–0.90), BNP (C ‐index 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90–0.93), and high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I (C‐index 0.90; 95% CI, 0.88–0.92) each significantly improved the prognostic performance of the model (both
P
LRT
<0.001).

Conclusions
Biomarkers of myocardial injury and hemodynamic stress are independent predictors of HHF risk in patients with stable atherothrombotic disease, with and without prior HF and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00526474.
Classification of Autism Spectrum Disorder From EEG-Based Functional Brain Connectivity Analysis
Authors: Alotaibi Noura , Maharatna Koushik 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Autism is a psychiatric condition that is typically diagnosed with behavioral assessment methods. Recent years have seen a rise in the number of children with autism. Since this could have serious health and socioeconomic consequences, it is imperative to investigate how to develop strategies for an early diagnosis that might pave the way to an adequate intervention. In this study, the phase-based functional brain connectivity derived from electroencephalogram (EEG) in a machine learning framework was used to classify the children with autism and typical children in an experimentally obtained data set of 12 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 12 typical children. Specifically, the functional brain connectivity networks have quantitatively been characterized by graph-theoretic parameters computed from three proposed approaches based on a standard phase-locking value, which were used as the features in a machine learning environment. Our study was successfully classified between two groups with approximately 95.8% accuracy, 100% sensitivity, and 92% specificity through the trial-averaged phase-locking value (PLV) approach and cubic support vector machine (SVM). This work has also shown that significant changes in functional brain connectivity in ASD children have been revealed at theta band using the aggregated graph-theoretic features. Therefore, the findings from this study offer insight into the potential use of functional brain connectivity as a tool for classifying ASD children.
University Innovation and Local Economic Growth
Authors: Hausman Naomi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper identifies the extent to which knowledge from U.S. universities drives industry agglomeration. Establishment-level data indicate faster growth in employment, wages, and corporate innovation after the 1980 Bayh-Dole Act's shock to the spread of innovation from universities in industries more closely related to the nearby university's innovative strengths. Federal research funding amplified the effect. University knowledge spillovers strengthen with geographic proximity, density, and local skills. Consistent with spatial equilibrium models, the growth effect is driven by nearby entry in university-linked industries, especially of multiunit expansions; these firms disproportionately partner with universities in R&D, transfer IP, and innovate.
Endogenous Time Variation in Vector Autoregressions
Authors: Leiva-León Danilo , Uzeda Luis 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe introduce a new class of time-varying parameter vector autoregressions (TVP-VARs) where the identified structural innovations are allowed to influence the dynamics of the coefficients in these models. An estimation algorithm and a parameterization conducive to model comparison are also provided. We apply our framework to the U.S. economy. Scenario analysis suggests that once accounting for the influence of structural shocks on the autoregressive coefficients, the effects of monetary policy on economic activity are larger and more persistent than in an otherwise standard TVP-VAR. Our results also indicate that cost-push shocks play a prominent role in understanding historical changes in inflation-gap persistence.