bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Revascularization in Different Suzuki Stages of Ischemic Moyamoya Disease by Whole-Brain CT Perfusion
Authors: Han Qingdong , Yao Feirong , Zhang Zhengyu , Huang Yabo 
Published: July 2021

Objective: This study compared the clinical features and hemodynamic characteristics of patients in different Suzuki stages of ischemic moyamoya disease (iMMD) before and after treatment with extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery combined with encephalo-duro-myo-synangiosis and whole-brain computed tomography perfusion (WB-CTP).Methods: A total of 126 patients in different Suzuki stages (II, III, IV, and V) of iMMD who underwent bypass surgery from April 2013 to August 2020 were included in this retrospective study. MIStar automatic analysis of Whole brain CT perfusion imaging software (WB-CTP, Apollo Medical Imaging Technology, Melbourne, Australia) was used. The patients also underwent WB-CTP 1 day before and 1 week and 3 months after the surgery. The relationships between hemodynamic parameters in WB-CTP including delay time (DT) &gt; 3 s, relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) &lt; 30%, mismatch and mismatch ratio, and clinical outcomes were evaluated for different Suzuki stages, with comparisons between early (II and III) and late (IV and V) stages.Results: Combined bypass surgery was performed in 161 hemispheres of 126 patients with iMMD. Brain volume with DT &gt; 3 s was decreased 1 week (51.5 ± 11.8 ml, P &lt; 0.05) and 3 months (41.5 ± 10.7 ml, P &lt; 0.05) after bypass compared to 1 day before bypass (104.7 ± 15.1 ml) in early-stage patients. In late-stage patients, the volume was increased 1 week after bypass compared to the preoperative value (154.3 ± 14.7 vs. 118.3 ± 19.1 ml, P &lt; 0.05). Preoperative brain volume with rCBF &lt; 30% was lower (9.8 ± 3.9 vs. 33.5 ± 11.0 ml) whereas preoperative mismatch ratio was higher (11.2 ± 2.8 vs. 3.6 ± 1.6) in early-stage as compared to late-stage patients (both P &lt; 0.05). A higher modified Rankin scale score (0–1) was achieved by early-stage patients than by those in the late stage (93.8 vs. 80.4%, P &lt; 0.05) at the 3-month follow-up.Conclusions: WB-CTP is useful for assessing the effectiveness of combined bypass/revascularization in different Suzuki stages of iMMD. Patients in the early stage of disease with higher preoperative brain volume with DT &gt; 3 s and mismatch ratio show greater improvements in hemodynamic parameters and fewer postoperative complications associated with hemodynamic disturbance following bypass than patients in the late stage. Preoperative mismatch ratio can serve as a marker for assessing the status of collateral circulation in different Suzuki stages of iMMD.
Characterization of Genetic Variants in the SLC5A5 Gene and Associations With Breast Milk Iodine Concentration in Lactating Women of African Descent: The NUPED Study
Authors: Siro Sicelosethu S. , Baumgartner Jeannine , Schoonen Maryke , Ngounda Jennifer , Malan Linda , Symington Elizabeth A. , Smuts Cornelius M. , Zandberg Lizelle 
Published: July 2021

Background: The sodium iodide symporter is responsible for the transfer of iodine into breast milk and is encoded for by the SLC5A5 gene. The role of genetic variants in the SLC5A5 gene locus in relation to the transfer of iodine from plasma into breast milk in healthy lactating individuals has, to our knowledge, not been explored.Objective: To identify and characterize possible genetic variants of the SLC5A5 gene in women of African descent living in urban South Africa, and to study associations with breast milk iodine concentrations (BMIC) in lactating women.Methods: This study is affiliated to the Nutrition during Pregnancy and Early Development (NuPED) cohort study (n = 250 enrolled pregnant women). In a randomly selected sub-sample of 32 women, the SLC5A5 gene was sequenced to identify known and novel variants. Of the identified variants, genotyping of selected variants was performed in all pregnant women who gave consent for genetic analyses (n = 246), to determine the frequency of the variants in the study sample. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in spot urine samples and BMIC were measured to determine iodine status. Associations of SLC5A5 genetic variants with BMIC were studied in lactating women (n = 55).Results: We identified 27 variants from sequencing of gene exomes and 10 variants were selected for further study. There was a significant difference in BMIC between the genotypes of the rs775249401 variant (P = 0.042), with the homozygous GG group having lower BMIC [86.8 (54.9–167.9) μg/L] compared to the (A) allele carriers rs775249401(AG+AA) [143.9 (122.4–169.3) μg/L] (P = 0.042). Of the rs775249401(GG), 49% had UIC &lt;100 μg/L and 61% had BMIC &lt;100 μg/L. On the other hand, 60% of the rs775249401(AG+AA) carriers had UIC &lt;100 μg/L, and none had a BMIC &lt;100 μg/L.Conclusion: Our results suggest that A-allele carriers of rs775249401(AG+AA) are likely to have higher iodine transfer into breast milk compared to the homozygous GG counterparts. Thus, genetic variations in the SLC5A5 gene may play an important role in the transfer of iodine from plasma into breast milk and may partially explain inter-individual variability in BMIC.
Risk–Benefit Assessment of Consumption of Rice for Adult Men in China
Authors: Fang Haiqin , Zhang Quantao , Zhang Shengjie , Zhang Tongwei , Pan Feng , Cui Yufeng , Thomsen Sofie Theresa , Jakobsen Lea S. , Liu Aidong , Pires Sara M. 
Published: July 2021

Objective: To evaluate the health impact of current and alternative patterns of rice consumption in Chinese adult men (40–79 years of age).Methods: We applied a risk–benefit assessment (RBA) model that took into account the health effects of selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), and inorganic arsenic (i-As). The health effects included the prevention of prostate cancer associated with exposure to Se, and an increased risk of lung, bladder, and skin cancer for i-As and chronic kidney disease (CKD) for Cd. We defined the baseline scenario (BS) as the current individual mean daily consumption of rice in the population of interest and two alternative scenarios (AS): AS1 = 50 g/day and AS2 = 200 g/day. We estimated the health impact for different age groups in terms of change in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (ΔDALY).Results: The BS of rice consumption was 71.5–105.4 g/day in different age groups of adult men in China. We estimated that for AS1, the mean ΔDALY was −2.76 to 46.2/100,000 adult men of 40–79 years old. For AS2, the mean ΔDALY was 41.3 to 130.8/100,000 individuals in this population group.Conclusion: Our results showed that, based on associated exposure to selenium, cadmium, and i-As in rice, the current consumption of rice does not pose a risk to adult men in China. Also, a lower (50 g/day) or higher (200 g/day) rice consumption will not bring larger beneficial effects.
Enhancement of Insulin/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway and Modulation of Gut Microbiome by Probiotics Fermentation Technology, a Kefir Grain Product, in Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease Model in Mice
Authors: El Sayed Nesrine S. , Kandil Esraa A. , Ghoneum Mamdooh H. 
Published: July 2021

Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder with cognitive dysfunction. Remarkably, alteration in the gut microbiome and resultant insulin resistance has been shown to be connected to metabolic syndrome, the crucial risk factor for AD, and also to be implicated in AD pathogenesis. Thus, this study, we assessed the efficiency of probiotics fermentation technology (PFT), a kefir product, in enhancing insulin signaling via modulation of gut microbiota to halt the development of AD. We also compared its effectiveness to that of pioglitazone, an insulin sensitizer that has been confirmed to substantially treat AD. AD was induced in mice by a single injection of intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (STZ; 3 mg/kg). PFT (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (30 mg/kg) were administered orally for 3 weeks. Behavioral tests were conducted to assess cognitive function, and hippocampal levels of acetylcholine (Ach) and β-amyloid (Aβ1–42) protein were assessed along with histological examination. Moreover, the expression of the insulin receptor, insulin degrading enzyme (IDE), and the phosphorylated forms of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and tau were detected. Furthermore, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers were estimated. Treatment with PFT reversed STZ-induced neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment, enhanced hippocampal Ach levels, and reduced Aβ1–42 levels after restoration of IDE activity. PFT also improved insulin signaling, as evidenced by upregulation of insulin receptor expression and activation of PI3K/Akt signaling with subsequent suppression of GSK-3β and mTOR signaling, which result in the downregulation of hyperphosphorylated tau. Moreover, PFT significantly diminished oxidative stress and inflammation induced by STZ. These potential effects were parallel to those produced by pioglitazone. Therefore, PFT targets multiple mechanisms incorporated in the pathogenesis of AD and hence might be a beneficial therapy for AD.
South African Regulatory Authority: The Impact of Reliance on the Review Process Leading to Improved Patient Access
Authors: Keyter Andrea , Salek Sam , Danks Lorraine , Nkambule Portia , Semete-Makokotlela Boitumelo , Walker Stuart 
Published: July 2021

Background: The aims of this study were to compare the overall regulatory review timelines achieved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) in 2020 to the timelines historically achieved by the Medicines Control Council (MCC). This study also aimed to evaluate the regulatory review processes and the good review practices that have been implemented by SAHPRA to support the assessment of new chemical entities and generic product applications for market authorization in the business-as-usual and backlog process streams.Methods: A questionnaire was completed and verified by SAHPRA to describe the structure of the organization, the resources available, the process for regulatory review of new chemical entities and generic products and the level of implementation of good review practices and regulatory decision-making practices for market authorization. Data were collected and analyzed on the overall approval timelines for new chemical entities and generic products registered by SAHPRA in 2020 in the business-as-usual and backlog process streams.Results: A full, independent scientific review was conducted for all new chemical entities and generic product applications in the business-as-usual stream. Facilitated regulatory pathways were introduced for the review of new chemical entities and generic products in the backlog stream. As a result, the timelines for approval of applications in the backlog stream were 68% quicker for both new chemical entities and generics, using facilitated regulatory pathways, such as abridged and verification review models.Conclusion: The comparisons made through this study provided insight into the improvements that have been made through the establishment of SAHPRA and the transition in 2018 from the MCC. The re-engineered processes that have been developed and implemented by SAHPRA to address the backlog in the review of the applications for market authorization have demonstrated a decrease in the overall median approval times. The expansion of these processes into the routine review of medical products will contribute to the enhanced regulatory performance of SAHPRA and patients’ access to new medicines.
Rehospitalization and “Revolving Door” in Anorexia Nervosa: Are There Any Predictors of Time to Readmission?
Authors: Marzola Enrica , Longo Paola , Sardella Federica , Delsedime Nadia , Abbate-Daga Giovanni 
Published: July 2021

Objective: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric illness with multifactorial etiology and unsatisfactory treatment outcomes. Hospitalization is required for a substantial number of patients, and readmission (RA) commonly occurs. Some individuals need multiple hospitalizations sometimes over a short amount of time, thus, delineating the “revolving door” (RD) phenomenon. However, very little is known about readmissions and their frequency in AN. Therefore, we aimed to longitudinally investigate readmissions in AN in order to: (a) characterize patients with AN who need readmission (i.e., RA-AN), sometimes rapidly (RD-AN); (b) ascertain differences between RA-AN and non-RA-AN groups during baseline hospitalization; (c) investigate as to whether clinical or psychometric parameters worsened on RA; and (d) analyze predictors of time-to-readmission in AN.Methods: A total of 170 inpatients with AN were enrolled at their baseline hospitalization; all their subsequent rehospitalizations were recorded with a longitudinal design by which each patient has been observed for 3 years. Patients were classified as RD-AN if requiring a readmission &lt;12 months since last discharge. Clinical characteristics were measured upon admission and discharge for each hospitalization, and at all time points, patients completed questionnaires assessing eating and general psychopathology, and body shape concerns.Results: Sixty-seven patients (39.4%) needed at least one readmission and 62 (92.5% of RA-AN) reported RD. Compared with non-RA-AN, those with RA-AN were younger, reported a shorter duration of illness, and were more frequently diagnosed with AN-BP. Also, greater severity of anxious and depressive symptoms and body shape concerns emerged in the RA-AN group. The outcome of baseline hospitalization did not differ between groups, and only depressive symptoms worsened at readmission. Shorter duration of AN and low weight gain during baseline hospitalization predicted early readmission but did not survive statistical control. In contrast, high scores on drive for thinness upon baseline hospital entry robustly predicted a shorter time to readmission even after statistical control.Discussion: Individuals with AN who require readmission do so over a short period notwithstanding a positive treatment outcome during their baseline hospitalization. Shorter time-to-readmission can be predicted mostly in case of marked drive for thinness and poor weight gain at baseline hospital admission.
Impact of Warning Pop-Up Messages on the Gambling Behavior, Craving, and Cognitions of Online Gamblers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Caillon Julie , Grall-Bronnec Marie , Saillard Anaïs , Leboucher Juliette , Péré Morgane , Challet-Bouju Gaelle 
Published: July 2021

Background: Many features of Internet gambling may impact problem severity, particularly for vulnerable populations (availability, anonymity, a convenience and ease of play, digital forms of payment, and a higher level of immersion). To prevent the risks associated with excessive gambling and to inform gamblers, we need responsible gambling strategies. Gambling-related warning messages are one possible strategy that can help minimizing gambling-related harm.Methods: Our experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-appraisal and informative pop-up messages compared to a control condition (blank pop-up messages), for both at-risk (ARG) and low risk/non-problem Internet gamblers (LR/NPG) according to their favorite type of game, in a semi naturalistic setting and with a 15-day follow-up. During the experimental session, participants were invited to gamble on their favorite website with their own money in the laboratory. Effectiveness was investigated through the impact of pop-ups on gambling behavior (money wagered and time spent), craving, cognitive distortions, and gambling experience, taking into account message recall. We analyzed data from 58 participants, playing preferentially either to skill and chance bank games (sports betting, horse race betting) and skill and chance social games (poker).Results: We observed a significant decrease in the illusion of control for ARG in the informative pop-up condition at the 15-day follow-up. A significant effect of self-appraisal pop-ups compared to blank pop-up messages was also demonstrated only for sport and horse bettors, with a decrease on time spent gambling and an increase of gambling-related expectancies at the follow-up. Finally, we also observed that a majority of the participants were disturbed and irritated by pop-ups during their gambling session.Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrated the limited impact of pop-up warning messages on gambling behavior and cognition in Internet gamblers according to the type of game and the status of gamblers. The limited impact of warning messages on gambling behavior and the inconvenience of the pop-ups for Internet gamblers lead us to only consider warning messages as one piece of a larger responsible gambling strategy.Trial Registration Number: NCT01789580 on February 12, 2013.
Identification of 24-O-β-d-Glycosides and 7-Deoxy-Analogues of Okadaic Acid and Dinophysistoxin-1 and -2 in Extracts from Dinophysis Blooms, Dinophysis and Prorocentrum Cultures, and Shellfish in Europe, North America and Australasia
Authors: Wilkins Alistair L. , Rundberget Thomas , Sandvik Morten , Rise Frode , Knudsen Brent K. , Kilcoyne Jane , Reguera Beatriz , Rial Pilar , Wright Elliott J. , Giddings Sabrina D. , Boundy Michael J. , Rafuse Cheryl , Miles Christopher O. 
Published: July 2021

Two high-mass polar compounds were observed in aqueous side-fractions from the purification of okadaic acid (1) and dinophysistoxin-2 (2) from Dinophysis blooms in Spain and Norway. These were isolated and shown to be 24-O-β-d-glucosides of 1 and 2 (4 and 5, respectively) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and enzymatic hydrolysis. These, together with standards of 1, 2, dinophysistoxin-1 (3), and a synthetic specimen of 7-deoxy-1 (7), combined with an understanding of their mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns, were then used to identify 1–5, the 24-O-β-d-glucoside of dinophysistoxin-1 (6), 7, 7-deoxy-2 (8), and 7-deoxy-3 (9) in a range of extracts from Dinophysis blooms, Dinophysis cultures, and contaminated shellfish from Spain, Norway, Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand. A range of Prorocentrum lima cultures was also examined by liquid chromatography–high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS/MS) and was found to contain 1, 3, 7, and 9. However, although 4–6 were not detected in these cultures, low levels of putative glycosides with the same exact masses as 4 and 6 were present. The potential implications of these findings for the toxicology, metabolism, and biosynthesis of the okadaic acid group of marine biotoxins are briefly discussed.
Fingerprinting sources of salinity in a coastal chalk aquifer in Denmark using trace elements
Authors: Knudsen Christian , Hinsby Klaus , Jakobsen Rasmus , Juul Kjærgård Lars , Rasmussen Per 
Published: July 2021

Salinity levels above the drinking water standard (>250 mg/l Cl–) are observed at shallow depth in a Maastrichtian chalk aquifer on the island of Falster, south-eastern Denmark. To understand the source of the salt, 63 samples from 12 individual, 1 m, screened intervals between 14 and 26 m b.s. were collected from 1 May to 4 June 2018. The samples were collected during a tracer test to estimate the dual porosity properties of the chalk and were analysed for a wide range of elements. Furthermore, samples from the Baltic Sea and from deeper saline aquifers in the area (40 and 85 m b.s.) were analysed for comparison. The geochemical data were analysed using an unsupervised machine-learning algorithm, self-organising maps, to fingerprint water sources. The water composition in the screened intervals at various stratigraphic levels has specific geochemical fingerprints that are maintained for the first days of pumping and are distinct amongst the different levels. This suggests an evolution in water composition because of reaction with the chalk. Water composition is distinct from both seawater from the nearby Baltic Sea and salty water from deeper levels of the reservoir. Thus, neither up-coning of salty water nor intrusion of seawater caused the elevated salinity levels in the area. The slightly saline composition of groundwater in the shallow aquifer (14–26 m b.s.) is more likely because of incomplete refreshing of the salty connate water in the chalk during the Pleistocene and Holocene. Furthermore, the geochemical fingerprint of salty water from the deeper aquifer at 40 m was similar to water from the Baltic Sea, suggesting a Baltic Sea source for salt in the aquifer at 40 m b.s., c. 100 m from the coast. Statistical analysis based on self-organising maps is an effective tool for interpreting a large number of variables to understand the compositional variation in an aquifer and a useful alternative to linear dimensionality-reduction methods such as principal component analysis. The approach using the multi-element analysis combined with the analysis of self-organising maps may be useful in future studies of groundwater quality.
Pengaruh Kebiasaan Merokok terhadap Pembentukan Stain pada Gigi
Authors: Dondokambey Serena D. V. , Pangemanan Damajanty H. C. , Khoman Johanna A. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract: Smoking is a bad habit that has become a necessity of life for some people. Moreover, smoking is found almost everywhere regardless of age, gender, and occupation. One of the consequences of smoking is the formation of stain on the teeth. This study was aimed to obtain the effect of smoking on the formation of stain on teeth. This was a literature review using various databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Wiley. The most frequent smoking frequency found was light smokers with the number of cigarettes smoked 1-4 cigarettes per day. All literatures showed that more stain formation occurred than no stain formation. Based on the frequency of smoking, the formation of stain on the teeth was most common in smokers with light category. In conclusion, smoking habits can affect the formation of stain on teeth. Based on the frequency of smoking the formation of stain on teeth is most commonly found in light-category smokers.Keywords: smoke; stain; discoloration Abstrak: Merokok merupakan salah satu kebiasaan buruk yang sudah menjadi kebutuhan hidup oleh sebagian orang. Selain itu, merokok banyak ditemukan tanpa memandang usia, jenis kelamin, dan pekerjaan. Salah satu akibat dari kebiasaan merokok yaitu terjadinya pembentukan stain pada gigi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh kebiasaan merokok terhadap pembentukan stain pada gigi. Jenis penelitian ialah suatu literature review menggunakan database Google Scholar, PubMed, dan Wiley dengan topik terkait. Terdapat tujuh literatur yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi serta telah melewati tahap penilaian jurnal menggunakan instrumen critical appraisal. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan frekuensi merokok yang paling banyak ditemukan ialah perokok kategori ringan dengan jumlah rokok yang dihisap 1-4 batang per hari. Pembentukan stain gigi secara keseluruhan pada semua literatur menunjukkan bahwa lebih banyak terjadinya pembentukan stain dibandingkan dengan yang tidak terjadi pembentukan stain. Berdasarkan frekuensi merokok, pembentukan stain pada gigi paling banyak terjadi pada perokok dengan kategori ringan. Simpulan penelitian ini ialah kebiasaan merokok dapat berpengaruh terhadap pembentukan stain pada gigi. Berdasarkan frekuensi merokok pembentukan stain pada gigi paling banyak ditemukan pada perokok dengan kategori ringan.Kata kunci: merokok; stain; pewarnaan gigi