bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel 3D-Printed Head Holder for Guinea Pig Ear Surgery
Authors: Valentini Chris , Ryu Young Jae , Szeto Betsy , Yu Michelle , Lalwani Anil K. , Kysar Jeffrey 
Published: June 2021

Background:
Otologic surgery in guinea pig requires head immobilization for microscopic manipulation. Existing commercially available stereotaxic frames are expensive and impede access to the ear as they rely on ear bars or mouthpieces to secure the head.

Method:
Prototype head holders were designed using the Solidworks 2019 software and 3D-printed using Formlabs Form 2 Printers with photopolymer resin. The head holder consists of a C-shaped brace with adjustable radial inserts of 1/4-20 UNC standard screws with cone point tips providing head fixation for animals of various sizes. The C-shaped brace is attached to a rod that can be secured to a commercially available micromanipulator. The head holder design was tested during in vivo guinea pig experiments where their head motion with (n = 22) and without the head holder (n = 2) was evaluated visually through a stereotaxic microscope at 24× magnification during surgery.

Results:
The head holder design was easy to use and allowed for both nose cone administration of anesthesia and access to the ear for intraoperative auditory testing and manipulation. Functionally, the head holder successfully minimized head movement. Furthermore, harvested round window membranes evaluated at 72 hours following surgery showed precise perforations with the use of head holder.

Conclusion:
The novel 3D-printed head holder enables simultaneous access for nose cone administration of anesthesia and surgical manipulation of the ear and brain. Moreover, it provides a modular, intuitive, and economical alternative to commercial stereotaxic devices for minimizing head motion during small animal surgery.
Breaking and restoring immune tolerance to pancreatic beta-cells in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Erdem Neslihan , Montero Enrique , Roep Bart O. 
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the loss of immune tolerance to pancreatic beta-cells leading to their destruction. Immune intervention therapies tested in T1D so far delayed progression but failed to restore tolerance, which partly explains their lack of durable clinical efficacy.

Recent findings
The role of beta-cells and islets themselves in dialogue with their micro- and macro-environment including the immune system and the intestinal microbiome is increasingly evident. Indeed, islets can both maintain and break immune tolerance. Some recent immune therapies in cancer that block immune regulation also break tolerance. Induction of immune tolerance requires activating immune activation too, whereas immune suppression precludes this process. Immunotherapy alone my not suffice without engaging islets to restore tolerance and preserve beta-cell function.

Summary
New insight into the role of islet tissue and its interaction with its environment in preserving or breaking tolerance has contributed to understand the development of islet autoimmunity and T1D. Knowing which factors in islets and the immune system contribute to maintaining, breaking, and restoring the balance in the immune system is critical to prevent initiation and reverse disease progression, and guides the design of novel tolerogenic strategies for durable therapeutic intervention and remission that target both the immune system and distressed islets.
The link between obesity and puberty: what is new?
Authors: Huang Alyssa , Roth Christian L. 
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review
The objective of this review is to assess the most recent literature on pubertal trends in boys and girls as well as evaluate genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors implicated in the timing of pubertal progression.

Recent findings
Recent studies confirm the previously described link between increased adiposity and earlier onset of puberty in girls, and more recent studies shed light onto the previously unclear situation in boys as a preponderance of recent longitudinal studies suggests that increased adiposity is linked with earlier pubertal timing also in boys. Discoveries of novel pathways highlights the complexity of pubertal development and suggest mechanistic links between nutrition, obesity, leptin, insulin resistance, and puberty. Furthermore, genetic and epigenetic variants can be linked to early puberty. Other factors, such as prenatal and postnatal environment, gut microbiota, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals have also been linked to both obesity and earlier puberty.

Summary
Understanding how the interactions of these factors contribute the relationship between obesity and early pubertal onset is crucial as early puberty has been linked with long-term consequences, such as short stature, earlier type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor psychological and behavioral outcomes.
Liver Involvement in Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Colantuono Rossella , D’Acunto Elisa , Melis Daniela , Vajro Pietro , Freeze Hudson H. , Mandato Claudia 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTAn ever-increasing number of disturbances in glycosylation have been described to underlie certain unexplained liver diseases presenting either almost isolated or in a multi-organ context. We aimed to update previous literature screenings which had identified up to 23 forms of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) with associated liver disease. We conducted a comprehensive literature search of three scientific electronic databases looking at articles published during the last 20 years (January 2000–October 2020). Eligible studies were case reports/series reporting liver involvement in CDG patients. Our systematic review led us to point out 41 forms of CDG where the liver is primarily affected (n = 7) or variably involved in a multisystem disease with mandatory neurological abnormalities (n = 34). Herein we summarize individual clinical and laboratory presentation characteristics of these 41 CDG and outline their main presentation and diagnostic cornerstones with the aid of two synoptic tables. Dietary supplementation strategies have hitherto been investigated only in seven of these CDG types with liver disease, with a wide range of results. In conclusion, the systematic review recognized a liver involvement in a somewhat larger number of CDG variants corresponding to about 30% of the total of CDG so far reported, and it is likely that the number may increase further. This information could assist in an earlier correct diagnosis and a possibly proper management of these disorders.
High Seroconversion Rate Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Symptomatic Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients
Authors: Ruan Wenly , Nguyen Huyen , Wyatt Allyson , Ihekweazu Faith , Vartabedian Bryan S. , Karam Lina , Walsh Seema , Kellermayer Richard 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT
Understanding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) is important. We describe a single-center cohort of COVID-19 PIBD patients where seroconversion against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was examined.
Immunosuppressed PIBD patients at Texas Children's Hospital who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction were included in the study. The clinical course of IBD, concurrent medications, COVID-19 related symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 testing date, and SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody testing date and result were examined. Of 14 SARS-CoV-2 positive PIBD patients, 12 were tested for qualitative anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (seven with transient COVID-19 symptoms, five asymptomatic). All symptomatic (7/7) and 60% of asymptomatic (3/5) patients seroconverted. No patients required hospitalization attributed to COVID-19.
High rates of COVID-19 seroconversion occurred in immunosuppressed and symptomatic PIBD patients. More research to evaluate the significance of COVID-19 seroconversion is needed.
Racial Discrimination and Stress Across the Life Course
Authors: Gillespie Shannon L. , Bose-Brill Seuli , Giurgescu Carmen , Gondwe Kaboni W. , Nolan Timiya S. , Spurlock Elizabeth J. , Christian Lisa M. 
Published: June 2021

Background
Among Black Americans, interpersonal racial discrimination is common. Stress, including following discrimination, contributes to pregnancy complications. In this secondary analysis, we provide data on associations among discrimination, stress, and their interaction across the life course and inflammation, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

Methods
During the early third trimester, Black American women (n = 93) completed the Experiences of Discrimination Scale, the Stress and Adversity Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Inventory. Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-β levels were quantified. Associations were examined by linear regression, controlling for demographic, behavioral, and clinical covariates.

Results
Associations among racial discrimination and plasma IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-β levels depended upon average ratings of life course stress. When stress was low, discrimination in the mid tertile was associated with the highest levels of IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-β. Subscale analyses suggested that findings related to IL-8 were driven by chronic stress whereas findings related to TNF-α and IL-β were driven by acute stress. When examined together, greater discrimination but not greater life course stress was associated with higher prenatal perceived stress. In subscale analyses, the association between discrimination and prenatal perceived stress depended upon average ratings of life course acute stress. When acute stress was low, discrimination in the midtertile was associated with the highest levels of prenatal perceived stress. When acute stress was high, discrimination in the high tertile was associated with the highest levels of prenatal perceived stress. There were also direct associations among greater life course chronic stress, prenatal perceived stress, and prenatal depressive symptoms. Associations were attenuated when discrimination was included as a covariate.

Conclusions
The current analyses suggest that, among Black Americans, prenatal inflammation, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms may be shaped by racial discrimination and stress across the life course. In many cases, associations among discrimination and prenatal parameters depended upon how stressful exposures to life course stressors had been rated. The data suggest the potential for adaptive plasticity under some stress and highlight the deleterious nature of compounding stress.
Pain and Self-Efficacy Among Patients With Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Wojeck Robyn K. , Silva Susan G. , Bailey Donald E. , Knisely Mitchell R. , Kwakkenbos Linda , Carrier Marie-Eve , Nielson Warren R. , Bartlett Susan J. , Pope Janet , Thombs Brett D. 
Published: June 2021

Background
Pain is one of the most common symptoms affecting patients with systemic sclerosis; however, little is known about the relationship between self-efficacy and pain and changes in pain over time.

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to describe the relationships between self-efficacy and pain in patients with systemic sclerosis, as well as determine whether changes in self-efficacy mediate changes in pain.

Methods
A prospective longitudinal study was conducted using data from the Scleroderma Patient-Centered Intervention Network Cohort. The baseline sample included 1,903 adults, with a trajectory subsample of 427 who completed 3-month assessments across 3 years. Hierarchical (sequential) forward multivariable regression, covarying for participant characteristics, was conducted to determine the association between self-efficacy and patient characteristics on pain outcomes. Trajectory models, covarying for participant characteristics, were used to examine changes in self-efficacy and pain outcomes across time and whether self-efficacy mediated the pain trajectories.

Results
Mean time since diagnosis was 9.5 years, with 39.2% diagnosed with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Greater self-efficacy was associated with less pain interference and intensity. Increasing age, female gender, finger ulcers, and small joint contractures were related to greater pain interference and intensity. Esophageal gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with more pain interference. Self-efficacy and pain trajectories remained stable across time, and self-efficacy did not mediate the pain trajectories.

Discussion
This study identified self-efficacy, age, gender, finger ulcers, small joint contractures, and esophageal gastrointestinal symptoms as important correlates associated with pain in patients with systemic sclerosis. In addition, this study found that self-efficacy and pain outcomes remained stable over time, providing important insights into the longitudinal pain experiences of patients with systemic sclerosis.
Maternal Experiences of Racial Discrimination, Child Indicators of Toxic Stress, and the Minding the Baby Early Home Visiting Intervention
Authors: Condon Eileen M. , Londono Tobon Amalia , Jackson Brianna , Holland Margaret L. , Slade Arietta , Mayes Linda , Sadler Lois S. 
Published: June 2021

Background
Racism is a significant source of toxic stress and a root cause of health inequities. Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to vicarious racism (i.e., racism experienced by a caregiver) is associated with poor child health and development, but associations with biological indicators of toxic stress have not been well studied. It is also unknown whether two-generation interventions, such as early home visiting programs, may help to mitigate the harmful effects of vicarious racism.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to examine associations between maternal experiences of racial discrimination and child indicators of toxic stress and to test whether relationships are moderated by prior participation in Minding the Baby (MTB), an attachment-based early home visiting intervention.

Methods
Ninety-seven maternal–child dyads (n = 43 intervention dyads, n = 54 control dyads) enrolled in the MTB Early School Age follow-up study. Mothers reported on racial discrimination using the Experiences of Discrimination Scale. Child indicators of toxic stress included salivary biomarkers of inflammation (e.g., C-reactive protein, panel of pro-inflammatory cytokines), body mass index, and maternally reported child behavioral problems. We used linear regression to examine associations between maternal experiences of racial discrimination and child indicators of toxic stress and included an interaction term between experiences of discrimination and MTB group assignment (intervention vs. control) to test moderating effects of the MTB intervention.

Results
Mothers identified as Black/African American (33%) and Hispanic/Latina (64%). In adjusted models, maternal experiences of racial discrimination were associated with elevated salivary interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in children, but not child body mass index or behavior. Prior participation in the MTB intervention moderated the relationship between maternal experiences of discrimination and child interleukin-6 levels.

Discussion
Results of this study suggest that racism may contribute to the biological embedding of early adversity through influences on inflammation, but additional research with serum markers is needed to better understand this relationship. Improved understanding of the relationships among vicarious racism, protective factors, and childhood toxic stress is necessary to inform family and systemic-level intervention.
Challenges of Cognitive Interviewing in Sensitive Health Topic Research
Authors: Arthur Elizabeth K. , Menon Usha , Browning Kristine , Overcash Janine , Wills Celia E. 
Published: June 2021

Background
Cognitive interviewing is a qualitative methodology for generating valid, reliable patient-centered outcome measures. There are challenges inherent in research on sensitive topics that require thoughtful approach by the scientist for data collection methods, analysis, and interpretation.

Objective
The purpose of this article is to provide principles of cognitive interviewing for sensitive health topics.

Methods
We review the challenges inherent in cognitive interviewing for sensitive topics scale development. We illustrate adaptations to general cognitive interviewing for sensitive topics through the presentation and analysis of a research exemplar.

Results
Researchers must consider threats to quality of sensitive topic data collection and potential harms to participants and researchers. We provide specific examples of how these risks were mitigated in a sensitive topic scale development study.

Discussion
Unique challenges of cognitive interviewing for sensitive health topics can be addressed with a well-planned data collection strategy, anticipating participant safety concerns, and consideration to researcher well-being.
Use of Food to Cope With Culturally Relevant Stressful Life Events Is Associated With Body Mass Index in African American Women
Authors: Woods-Giscombe Cheryl L. , Lobel Marci , Zimmer Catherine , Brooks Jada , Sheffield-Abdullah Karen , Bey Ganga , Bravo Lilian , Lackey Charity , Smith Raven , Frazier Taleah , Muhirwa Amnazo 
Published: June 2021

Background
Although stress is an established contributor to obesity (in general population studies), mechanisms to explain this association in African American women that incorporate culturally relevant frameworks have received little attention.

Objective
To investigate how stress is associated with body mass index (BMI) in this population, we examined multivariate models of BMI predicted by race-related, gender-related, and generic stressful life events and by use of food to cope with stress. We hypothesized that the three types of stressful life events would be indirectly associated with BMI through using food to cope with stress.

Methods
Psychometrically robust measures were included in surveys administered to a socioeconomically diverse sample of 189 African American women aged 21–78 years. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. We examined race-related, gender-related, and generic stressful life events as latent constructs indicated by exposure to and appraisal of potential stressors predicting a mediator, using food to cope, which predicted BMI; this model also included direct paths from the three latent stressful life event constructs to BMI.

Results
Almost every participant reported using food in some way to cope with stress; 33% and 42% met established criteria for overweight and obesity, respectively. The race-related stressful life event construct was the only latent construct predicting using food to cope with stress, and using food to cope with stress predicted BMI. A significance test of indirect effects demonstrated that the race-related stressful life event construct was indirectly associated with BMI through the mediator, using food to cope.

Discussion
Culturally relevant stress exposures and stress-related eating are important areas of foci for tackling overweight, obesity, and related health inequities in African American women. Findings highlight the importance of developing more complex models to understand the stress-related factors that elevate risk for overweight and obesity in this population.
Racialized Experiences Differentiate Food Security Among African American Adults
Authors: Chisolm Deena J. , Bell Bethany A. , Yamoah Owusua , Freedman Darcy A. 
Published: June 2021

Background
Patterns of food security persistently vary by race, yet limited research has examined how community-specific experiences of race and racism are associated with nutritional outcomes.

Objectives
This analysis describes a novel approach for classifying experiences of race and racism and explores the relationship between identified classes and measures of food security and diet quality.

Methods
Cross-sectional self-reported survey data from 306 African American adults living in two urban midwestern cities were collected in 2017–2018. Measures of racialized experiences assessed consciousness of race, perceived discrimination, and health effects of perceived discrimination. Food security was measured with a six-item screener and diet quality with the Healthy Eating Index-2010. Latent class analysis was used to generate racialized classes. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine differences in class membership by sociodemographics and nutrition outcomes.

Results
Participants were majority women who were receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Three racialized classes were identified: Class 1 reported few racialized experiences (42.8% of the sample), Class 2 was racially conscious with few experiences of discrimination (45.1%), and Class 3 was both racially conscious and affected by racialized actions (12.1%). Racialized classes were significantly different in mean household income, level of education, home ownership, and job loss in the past year. Class 3 was the least represented among those that were food secure and the most represented among those that were very low food secure. There were no differences by class in Healthy Eating Index-2010 scores.

Discussion
Findings offer an innovative method for measuring exposures to racism and for assessing its relationship to food security. Findings highlight heterogeneity of racialized experiences in similar contexts as well as potential root cause targets such as wages, education, home ownership, and employment that may be modulated to mitigate the effects of racism on food insecurity.
Observational Studies
Authors: Donzelli Sabrina , Loss Karla Loureiro , Zaina Fabio , Negrini Stefano 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The development of high-quality research is desired in all healthcare fields. Experimental and nonexperimental designs are used to investigate the effect or association of an intervention and clinical or surrogate outcome. The aims of these methods are to improve knowledge and to develop new strategies to manage a disease or condition. Randomized clinical trials are considered one of the standard methods to test the efficacy of a new drug or intervention; however, they are costly, have reduced generalizability, and cannot be feasible in all scenarios. Well-designed observational studies can provide valuable information regarding exposure factor and the event under investigation. In physical and rehabilitation medicine, where complex procedures and multiple risk factors can be involved in the same disease, the use of observational study must be planned in detail and a priori to avoid overestimations. In this article, we will give an overview of the methods used for observational design studies in physical and rehabilitation medicine using clinical examples to illustrate each method. We will describe when it is appropriate and how to use the observational studies in different scenarios explaining how to deal with potential bias and confounders using the adequate design and statistical plan for the situation.