bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation increases eye-gaze on salient facial features and oxytocin release
Authors: Zhu Siyu , Qing Yanan , Zhang Yingying , Zhang Xiaolu , Ding Fangyuan , Zhang Rong , Yao Shuxia , Kendrick Keith , Zhao Weihua 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique with promising therapeutic potential in the context of epilepsy, pain, and depression and which may also have beneficial effects on social cognition. However, the underlying mechanisms of taVNS are unclear and evidence regarding its role in social cognition improvement is limited.ObjectiveIn order to investigate the impact of taVNS on social cognition we have studied its effects on gaze towards emotional faces using an eye-tracking task and also on release of the neuropeptide oxytocin which plays a key role in influencing social cognition and motivation.MethodsA total of fifty-four subjects were enrolled in a sham-controlled, participant-blind crossover experiment, consisting of two treatment sessions, separated by one week. In one session participants received 30-min taVNS (tragus), and in the other, they received 30-min sham (earlobe) stimulation with the treatment order counterbalanced across participants. Gaze duration towards the faces and facial features (eyes, nose, and mouth) were measured together with resting pupil size. Additionally, saliva samples were taken for the measurement of oxytocin concentrations by enzyme-linked immunoassay.ResultsSaliva oxytocin concentrations increased significantly after taVNS compared to sham stimulation, while resting pupil size did not. In addition, taVNS increased fixation time on the nose region irrespective of face emotion, and this was positively correlated with increased saliva oxytocin concentrations.ConclusionOur findings suggest that taVNS biases visual attention towards socially salient facial features across different emotions and this is associated with its effects on increasing endogenous oxytocin release.
Health systems performance for hypertension control using a cascade of care approach in South Africa, 2008-2017
Authors: Benade Mariet , Prasad Sridevi K. , Mchiza Zandile , Yan Lily D. , Brennan Alana T. , Davies Justine , Sudharsanan Nikkil , Manne-Goehler Jennifer , Fox Matthew P. , Bor Jacob , Rosen Sydney B. , Stokes Andrew C. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundHypertension is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. In South Africa, the government has employed a whole systems approach to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. We used a novel incident care cascade approach to measure changes in the South African health system’s ability to manage hypertension between 2008 and 2017.MethodsWe used data from Waves 1-5 of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) to estimate trends in the hypertension care cascade and unmet treatment need across four successive cohorts with incident hypertension. We used a negative binomial regression to identify factors that may predict higher rates of hypertension control, controlling for socio-demographic and healthcare factors. The largest cascade attrition occurred prior to diagnosis.ResultsIn 2011, 19·6% (95%CI 14·2, 26·2) of individuals with incident hypertension were diagnosed, 15·4% (95%CI 10·8, 21·4) were on treatment and 7.1% had controlled blood pressure. By 2017, the proportion of individuals with diagnosed incident hypertension had increased to 24·4% (95%CI 15·9, 35·4) with increases in treatment (23·3%, 95%CI 15·0, 34·3) and control (22·1%, 95%CI 14·1, 33·.0) were also observed, translating to a decrease in unmet need from 92·9% in 2011 to 77·9% in 2017. Multivariable regression showed that participants with incident hypertension in 2017 were 3·01 (95%CI 1·77, 5·13) times more likely to have a controlled blood pressure compared to those in 2011.ConclusionsThe proportion of people with incident hypertension who successfully progressed to controlled blood pressure tripled between 2011 and 2017 in South Africa. Despite these improvements, a low absolute proportion of the population were able to control their blood pressure and a high burden of unmet need remains.Summary BoxWhat is already knownPrevalent cascades provide insight to where losses in care cascades occur.While mostly used in the management of HIV, recently they have also been adopted in studying the management of non-communicable diseases on a population level.Prevalent hypertension cascades in South Africa showed a high burden of unmet need, with the biggest losses where lost between disease development and diagnosis.What are the new findingsIncident hypertension cascades improved from 2008 to 2017 in South Africa.What do the new findings implyIncident cascades provide an improved means to measure changes in management cascades as this allows us to distinguish between historical and current health system performance.Our data show that while substantial improvements in the care cascade occurred between 2008 and 2017, a large burden of unmet need remains.
The Impact of Non-Price In-premise Marketing on Food and Beverage Purchasing and Consumer Behaviour: A Systematic Review
Authors: Whitehead R. , Greci S. , Thomson H , Armour G. , Angus K. , Martin L. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn-premise marketing is commonly used to promote foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt. In order to inform development of public policy in this area, this systematic review sought to determine the quantity and quality of English-language evidence which examines the role and impact of in-premise advertising (e.g., signage, posters) and positional promotions (e.g., checkout displays) on consumer behaviour and diet-related outcomes in retail, out-of-home (i.e., cafés, restaurants, takeaways) and online purchasing environments. Sixty-two studies met inclusion criteria, of which 69% (n=42) were identified as being methodologically weak. The best-available evidence constitutes findings from four methodologically strong studies, and ten moderate studies which are not confounded by additional promotions such as price or availability. These studies predominantly found evidence that in-premise marketing is likely to be successful in influencing consumer behaviour towards targeted items, across retail and out-of-home settings. These findings provide a basis for authorities to consider acting to restrict in-premise marketing of unhealthy foods and encouraging the in-premise marketing of healthier products. This review identified gaps in the evidence available on non-sales outcomes, and on online purchase environments. These gaps, and identified methodological limitations of the extant evidence remain to be addressed by future research.
Integrative multi-omics analysis of childhood aggressive behavior
Authors: Hagenbeek Fiona A. , van Dongen Jenny , Pool René , Roetman Peter J. , Harms Amy C. , Hottenga Jouke Jan , Kluft Cornelis , Colins Olivier F. , van Beijsterveldt Catharina E.M. , Fanos Vassilios , Ehli Erik A. , Hankemeier Thomas , Vermeiren Robert R. J. M. , Bartels Meike , Déjean Sébastien , Boomsma Dorret I. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study introduces and illustrates the potential of an integrated multi-omics approach in investigating the underlying biology of complex traits such as childhood aggressive behavior. In 645 twins (cases=42%), we trained single- and integrative multi-omics models to identify biomarkers for subclinical aggression and investigated the connections among these biomarkers. Our data comprised transmitted and two non-transmitted polygenic scores (PGSs) for 15 traits, 78772 CpGs, and 90 metabolites. The single-omics models selected 31 PGSs, 1614 CpGs, and 90 metabolites, and the multi-omics model comprised 44 PGSs, 746 CpGs, and 90 metabolites. The predictive accuracy for these models in the test (N=277, cases=42%) and independent clinical data (N=142, cases=45%) ranged from 43% to 57%. We observed strong connections between DNA methylation, amino acids, and parental non-transmitted PGSs for ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, intelligence, smoking initiation, and self-reported health. Aggression-related omics traits link to known and novel risk factors, including inflammation, carcinogens, and smoking.
Episodic future thinking and compassion reduce public health guideline noncompliance urges: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: van Baal Simon , Verdejo-García Antonio , Hohwy Jakob 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, public health departments have issued guidelines to limit viral transmission. In this environment, people will feel urges to engage in activities that violate these guidelines, but research on guideline adherence has been reliant on surveys asking people to self-report their typical behaviour, which may fail to capture these urges as they unfold. Guideline adherence could be improved through behaviour change interventions, but considering the wide range of behaviours that COVID-19 guidelines prescribe, there are few methods that allow observing changes of aggregate guideline adherence in the ‘wild’.MethodsIn order to administer interventions and to obtain contemporaneous data on a wide range of behaviours, we use ecological momentary assessment. In this preregistered parallel randomised trial, 95 participants aged 18-65 from the UK were assigned to three conditions using blinded block randomisation, and engage in episodic future thinking (n = 33), compassion exercises (n = 31), or a sham procedure (n = 31) and report regularly on the intensity of their occurrent urges (min. 1, max. 10) and their ability to control them. We investigate whether state impulsivity and vaccine attitudes predict guideline adherence, while assessing through which mechanism these predictors affect behaviour.FindingsWe found that episodic future thinking (b = -1.60) and compassion exercises (b = -1.40) reduce the intensity of urges. State impulsivity is associated with stronger urges, but we found no evidence that vaccine hesitancy predicts lesser self-control.InterpretationWe conclude that episodic future thinking exercises and compassion training may be used to stimulate compliance of individuals who are a risk for the community, such as those in voluntary self-isolation.
Reduced levels of convalescent neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 B.1+L249S+E484K lineage
Authors: Álvarez-Díaz Diego A. , Laiton-Donato Katherine , Torres-García Orlando Alfredo , Ruiz-Moreno Hector Alejandro , Franco-Muñoz Carlos , Beltran Maria Angie , Mercado-Reyes Marcela , Rueda Miguel Germán , Muñoz Ana Luisa 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTThe E484K mutation at the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein emerged independently in different variants around the world, probably as part of the ongoing adaptation of the virus to the human host, and has been widely associated with immune escape from neutralizing antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination. In this work, the B.1+L249S+E484K lineage was isolated along with A.1, B.1.420 and B.1.111 SARS-CoV-2 lineages without the E484K mutation and the neutralizing titer of convalescent sera was compared using microneutralization assays. While no significant differences in the neutralizing antibody titers were found between A1 and B lineages without the E484K mutation, the neutralizing titers against B.1+L249S+E484K were 1.5, 1.9, 2.1, and 1.3-fold lower than against A.1, B.1.420, B.1.111-I, and B.1.111-II, respectively. However, molecular epidemiological data indicate that there is no increase in the transmissibility rate associated with this new lineage. Hence, although the evidence provided in this study support a Variant of Interest Status (VOI) for the B1+L249S+E484K lineage, enhanced laboratory characterization of this particular lineage and other emerging lineages with the E484K mutation should be carried out in individuals with immunity acquired by natural infection and vaccination. This study accentuated the capability of new variants with the E484K mutation to be resistant to neutralization by humoral immunity, and therefore the need to intensify surveillance programs.HIGHLIGHT⍰The E484K mutation in B.1+L249S+E484K appears not to affect the viral titer⍰Sensitivity of lineages without E484K mutation to neutralizing antibodies did not change⍰B.1+L249S+E484K lineage shows a reduction in its neutralizing capacity
Intraoperative microseizure detection using a high-density micro-electrocorticography electrode array
Authors: Sun James , Barth Katrina , Qiao Shaoyu , Chiang Chia-Han , Wang Charles , Rahimpour Shervin , Trumpis Michael , Duraivel Suseendrakumar , Dubey Agrita , Wingel Katie E. , Rachinskiy Iakov , Voinas Alex S. , Ferrentino Breonna , Southwell Derek G. , Haglund Michael M. , Friedman Allan H. , Lad Shivanand P. , Doyle Werner K. , Solzbacher Florian , Cogan Gregory , Sinha Saurabh R. , Devore Sasha , Devinsky Orrin , Friedman Daniel , Pesaran Bijan , Viventi Jonathan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractOne-third of epilepsy patients suffer from medication-resistant seizures. While surgery to remove epileptogenic tissue helps some patients, 30–70% of patients continue to experience seizures following resection. Surgical outcomes may be improved with more accurate localization of epileptogenic tissue. We have previously developed novel thin-film, subdural electrode arrays with hundreds of microelectrodes over a 100–1,000 mm2 area to enable high-resolution mapping of neural activity. Here we used these high-density arrays to study microscale properties of human epileptiform activity. We performed intraoperative micro-electrocorticographic recordings within epileptic cortex (the site of seizure onset and early spread) in nine patients with epilepsy. In two of these patients, we obtained recordings from cortical areas distal to the epileptic cortex. Additionally, we recorded from two non-epileptic patients with movement disorders undergoing deep brain stimulator implantation as non-epileptic tissue controls. A board-certified epileptologist identified microseizures, which resembled electrographic seizures normally observed with clinical macroelectrodes. Epileptic cortex exhibited a significantly higher microseizure rate (2.01 events/min) than non-epileptic cortex (0.01 events/min; permutation test, P=0.0068). Using spatial averaging to simulate recordings from larger electrode contacts, we found that the number of detected microseizures decreased rapidly with increasing contact diameter and decreasing contact density. In cases in which microseizures were spatially distributed across multiple channels, the approximate onset region was identified. Our results suggest that micro-electrocorticographic electrode arrays with a high density of contacts and large coverage are essential for capturing microseizures in epilepsy patients and may be beneficial for localizing epileptogenic tissue to plan surgery or target brain stimulation.
Adverse reactions to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in medical staffs with a history of allergy
Authors: Inoue Sumito , Igarashi Akira , Morikane Keita , Hachiya Osamu , Watanabe Masafumi , Kakehata Seiji , Sato Shinya , Ueno Yoshiyuki 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) vaccination is progressing globally. Several adverse reactions have been reported with vaccination against COVID-19. It is unknown whether adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccination are severe in individuals with allergies. We administered the COVID-19 vaccine to the medical staff at Yamagata University Hospital from March to August 2021. Subsequently, we conducted an online questionnaire-based survey to investigate the presence of allergy and adverse reactions after vaccination and examined the association between allergy and adverse reactions after immunization.Responses were collected from 1586 subjects after the first vaccination and 1306 subjects after the second administration of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Adverse reactions included injection site pain, injection site swelling, fever, fatigue or malaise, headache, chills, nausea, muscle pain outside the injection site, and arthralgia. The frequency and severity of most adverse reactions were higher after the second vaccination compared to the first. The frequency of some adverse reactions and their severity were higher, and the duration of symptoms was longer in subjects with allergies than in subjects without allergies. Although several participants visited the emergency room for treatment after the first and second vaccinations, nobody was diagnosed with anaphylaxis.Given the serious consequence of COVID-19 and the reported high efficacy of this vaccine against this disease, we conclude that vaccination of allergic individuals is generally recommended.
Selective ensemble methods for deep learning segmentation of major vessels in invasive coronary angiography
Authors: Park Jeeone , Kweon Jihoon , Bark Hyehyeon , Kim Young In , Back Inwook , Chae Jihye , Roh Jae-Hyung , Kang Do-Yoon , Lee Pil Hyung , Ahn Jung-Min , Kang Soo-Jin , Park Duk-Woo , Lee Seung-Whan , Lee Cheol Whan , Park Seong-Wook , Park Seung-Jung , Kim Young-Hak 
Published: September 2021

AbstractInvasive coronary angiography is a primary imaging modality that visualizes the lumen area of coronary arteries for the diagnosis of coronary artery diseases and guidance for interventional devices. In the current practice of quantitative coronary analysis (QCA), semi-automatic segmentation tools require labor-intensive and time-consuming manual correction; this limits their application in the catheterization room. For a more automated QCA, it is necessary to minimize operator intervention through robust segmentation methods with improved predictability. In this study, we introduced two selective ensemble methods that integrated the weighted ensemble approach with per-image quality estimation. In our selective ensemble methods, the segmentation outcomes from five base models with different loss functions were ranked by mask morphology or estimated dice similarity coefficient (DSC). The final output was determined by imposing different weights according to the ranking. The ranking criteria based on mask morphology were determined empirically to avoid frequent types of segmentation errors, whereas the estimation of DSCs was performed by comparing the pseudo-ground truth generated from a meta-learner. In the assessment with 7,426 frames from 2,924 patients, the selective ensemble methods improved segmentation performance with DSCs of up to 93.11% and provided a better delineation of lumen boundaries near the coronary lesion with local DSCs of up to 94.04%, outperforming all individual models and hard voting ensembles. The probability of mask disconnection at the most narrowed region could be minimized to <1%. The robustness of the proposed methods was evident in the external validation. Inference time for major vessel segmentation was approximately one-third, indicating that our selective ensemble methods may allow the real-time application of QCA-based diagnostic methods in routine clinical settings.
Relationships between barley consumption and gut microbiome characteristics in a healthy Japanese population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Matsuoka Tsubasa , Hosomi Koji , Park Jonguk , Goto Yuka , Nishimura Mao , Nakashima Satoko , Murakami Haruka , Konishi Kana , Miyachi Motohiko , Kawashima Hitoshi , Mizuguchi Kenji , Kobayashi Toshiki , Yokomichi Hiroshi , Kunisawa Jun , Yamagata Zentaro 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveBarley contains abundant soluble β-glucan fibres, which have established health benefits. In addition, the health benefits conferred by the gut microbiota have attracted considerable interest. However, few studies have focused on the barley intake and microbiota of the Japanese population. In this study, we aimed to identify the relationship between the barley consumption and gut microbiota composition of the Japanese population.Research Methods & ProceduresA total of 236 participants were recruited in Japan, and 94 participants with no complication of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were selected for the study. We analysed faecal samples from the participants, their medical check-up results, and responses to questionnaires about dietary habits. The participants were grouped according to their median barley intake. Then, we assessed the relative abundance of 50 microbial genera throughout the group and selected 20 that differed at P < 0.1 (Mann–Whitney U-test). We also analysed the networks and clustering of the 20 selected genera.ResultsAccording to their relative abundance, Bifidobacterium, Anaerostipes, and Butyricicoccus were candidate characteristic microbiota of the group that consumed large amounts of barley (P < 0.05). Furthermore, network and cluster analyses revealed that barley directly correlated with Bifidobacterium and Butyricicoccus.ConclusionsBarley consumption generates changes in the intestinal microbiota of the Japanese population. We found that Bifidobacterium, Anaerostipes, and Butyricicoccus abundance was positively associated with barley consumption. This study showed that barley is important for gut microbiota and relates to Japanese traditional food like natto.
SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike IgG antibody responses after second dose of ChAdOx1 or BNT162b2 and correlates of protection in the UK general population
Authors: Wei Jia , Pouwels Koen B. , Stoesser Nicole , Matthews Philippa C. , Diamond Ian , Studley Ruth , Rourke Emma , Cook Duncan , Bell John I , Newton John N , Farrar Jeremy , Howarth Alison , Marsden Brian D. , Hoosdally Sarah , Jones E Yvonne , Stuart David I , Crook Derrick W. , Peto Tim E. A. , Walker A. Sarah , Eyre David W. ,   COVID-19 Infection Survey team
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe investigated anti-spike IgG antibody responses and correlates of protection following second doses of ChAdOx1 or BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in the UK general population. In 222,493 individuals, we found significant boosting of anti-spike IgG by second doses of both vaccines in all ages and using different dosing intervals, including the 3-week interval for BNT162b2. After second vaccination, BNT162b2 generated higher peak levels than ChAdOX1. Older individuals and males had lower peak levels with BNT162b2 but not ChAdOx1, while declines were similar across ages and sexes with ChAdOX1 or BNT162b2. Prior infection significantly increased antibody peak level and half-life with both vaccines. Anti-spike IgG levels were associated with protection from infection after vaccination and, to an even greater degree, after prior infection. At least 67% protection against infection was estimated to last for 2-3 months after two ChAdOx1 doses and 5-8 months after two BNT162b2 doses in those without prior infection, and 1-2 years for those unvaccinated after natural infection. A third booster dose may be needed, prioritised to ChAdOx1 recipients and those more clinically vulnerable.