bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of spirometry-gated computed tomography to measure lung volumes in emphysema patients
Authors: Bakker Jens T. , Klooster Karin , Bouwman Jan , Pelgrim Gert Jan , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn , Slebos Dirk-Jan 
Published: December 2021

IntroductionIn emphysema patient being evaluated for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR), accurate measurement of lung volumes is important. Total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV) are commonly measured by body plethysmography but can also be derived from chest computed tomography (CT). Spirometry-gated CT scanning potentially improves the agreement of CT and body plethysmography. The aim of this study was to compare lung volumes derived from spirometry-gated CT and “breath-hold-coached” CT to the reference standard: body plethysmography.MethodsIn this single-centre retrospective cohort study, emphysema patients being evaluated for BLVR underwent body plethysmography, inspiration (TLC) and expiration (RV) CT scan with spirometer guidance (“gated group”) or with breath-hold-coaching (“non-gated group”). Quantitative analysis was used to calculate lung volumes from the CT.Results200 patients were included in the study (mean±sdage 62±8 years, forced expiratory flow in 1 s 29.2±8.7%, TLC 7.50±1.46 L, RV 4.54±1.07 L). The mean±sdCT-derived TLC was 280±340 mL lower compared to body plethysmography in the gated group (n=100), and 590±430 mL lower for the non-gated group (n=100) (both p<0.001). The mean±sdCT-derived RV was 300±470 mL higher in the gated group and 700±720 mL higher in the non-gated group (both p<0.001). Pearson correlation factors were 0.947 for TLC gated, 0.917 for TLC non-gated, 0.823 for RV gated, 0.693 for RV non-gated, 0.539 for %RV/TLC gated and 0.204 for %RV/TLC non-gated. The differences between the gated and non-gated CT results for TLC and RV were significant for all measurements (p<0.001).ConclusionIn severe COPD patients with emphysema, CT-derived lung volumes are strongly correlated to body plethysmography lung volumes, and especially for RV, more accurate when using spirometry gating.
Using DNA testing for the precise, definite, and low-cost diagnosis of sickle cell disease and other Haemoglobinopathies: findings from Tanzania
Authors: Christopher Heavenlight , Burns Adam , Josephat Emmanuel , Makani Julie , Schuh Anna , Nkya Siana 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an important cause of under-five mortality. Tanzania is the 5th country in the world with the highest births prevalence of SCD individuals. Significant advances in the neonatal diagnosis of SCD using rapid point-of-care testing have been made. However genetic confirmation is still required for positive cases, in uncertain cases, in multiply transfused patients, to resolve compound heterozygosity (Hb S/ β0 Thal or Hb S/ β+ thal) not uncommon in the coastal regions of East Africa and increasingly also for pre-marital counselling and potentially for future curative approaches such as gene therapy. The currently available DNA tests are prohibitively expensive. Here, we describe an easy-to-use, affordable and accurate β-globin sequencing approach that can be easily integrated within existing NBS for SCD and other haemoglobinopathies especially in Low- and Middle-income Countries.

Aim
To evaluate an affordable DNA technology for the diagnosis of Sickle cell disease and other haemoglobinopathies in a resource-limited setting.

Methods
Laboratory-based validation study was conducted by Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences and the University of Oxford involving sequencing of the entire β -haemoglobin locus using the Oxford Nanopore MinION platform. A total number of 36 Dried blood spots and whole blood samples were subjected to conventional protein-based methods (isoelectric focusing, HPLC), and/or sequenced by the Sanger method as comparators.

Results
Sequencing results for SCD using the MinION were 100% concordant with those from the Sanger method. In addition, the long-read DNA sequencing method enabled the resolution of cases with unusual phenotypes which make up 1% of all children in Tanzania. The cost is £11/ sample for consumables, which is cheaper compared to other sequencing platforms.

Conclusions
This is the first report of a comprehensive single DNA assay as a definitive diagnostic test for SCD and other haemoglobinopathies. The test is fast, precise, accurate and affordable.
Reduction of peripheral regulatory T cells in active rheumatoid arthritis patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Su Rui , Li Baochen , Guo Qiaoling , Hu Fangyuan , Yu Xiaopu , Ma Mingxia , Wang Lizhi , Gao Chong , Li Xiaofeng , Wang Caihong 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Objective
To identify lymphocyte and CD4 + T cell subset characteristics, particularly regulatory T cells (Tregs), in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods
A total of 54 RA patients with CAD (RA-CAD group), 43 RA patients without CAD (pure RA group), and 43 healthy controls (HC group) were enrolled. The absolute number and frequency of lymphocyte subpopulations and CD4 + T cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum levels of cytokines were analyzed using a cytometric bead array. Clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively and their correlation with CD4 + T subsets were analyzed.

Results
There was a significant decrease in the absolute number of Treg cells (CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + T cells) in the RA-CAD group compared to the pure RA group (p < 0.001). Similarly, both the absolute number (p = 0.001) and frequency (p = 0.011) of Tregs in the RA-CAD group were decreased compared to the HCs, causing a Th17/Treg imbalance (p = 0.044). No difference was found in the absolute number and frequency of Treg cells between the pure RA and HC groups. However, the absolute Th17 cell count was increased in the pure RA group (p = 0.032). The serum level of cytokine IL-17 was lower in the RA-CAD group than in the pure RA group (p = 0.023). In the RA-CAD group, the Treg number was negatively correlated with the RA disease activity score and ESR value, and LDL and ApoB100 levels were negatively correlated with the number of Th17 cells.

Conclusions
Active RA patients with CAD sustain more severe immune tolerance damage and Th17/Treg disorder. Monitoring of lymphocyte and CD4 + T cell subsets, particularly Treg cells, is crucial to understanding immune status in this group. Focusing on RA activity and CAD risk control, immune-regulatory therapy based on the Treg level may be more beneficial for RA patients with CAD.
Genome-wide identification of PIP5K in wheat and its relationship with anther male sterility induced by high temperature
Authors: Liu Hongzhan , Sun Zhongke , Hu Lizong , Yue Zonghao 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Phosphatidylinositol 4 phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) plays a key enzyme role in the inositol signal transduction system and has essential functions in plants in terms of growth, development, and stress responses. However, systematic studies on the wheat PIP5K gene family and its relation to male sterility have not been reported yet.

Results
Sixty-four TaPIP5K genes were identified. The TaPIP5K genes contained similar gene structures and conserved motifs on the same branches of the evolutionary tree, and their cis-regulatory elements were related to MeJA-responsiveness. Furthermore, 49 pairs of collinearity genes were identified and mainly subjected to purification selection during evolution. Synteny analyses showed that some PIP5K genes in wheat and the other four species shared a relatively conserved evolutionary process. The expression levels of many conservative TaPIP5K genes in HT-ms anthers were significantly lower than that in Normal anthers. In addition, HT-ms anthers have no dehiscence, and levels of OPDA and JA-ILE are significantly lower at the trinucleus stage.

Conclusion
These results indicate that the PIP5K gene family may be associated with male sterility induced by HT, and the reduction of JA-ILE levels and the abnormal levels of these genes expression may be one reason for the HT-ms anthers having no dehiscence, ultimately leading to the abortion of the anthers.
Oxidative damage, antioxidant mechanism and gene expression in tomato responding to salinity stress under in vitro conditions and application of iron and zinc oxide nanoparticles on callus induction and plant regeneration
Authors: Aazami Mohammad Ali , Rasouli Farzad , Ebrahimzadeh Asghar 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundSalinity is one of the most challenging abiotic stresses restricting the growth of plants.In vitroscreening will increase the efficiency and speed of salinity tolerant genotypes identifications. The response of four tomato cultivars under salinity was analyzedin vitroto evaluate the seedlings growth, biochemical, and gene expression responses as well as the effect of nano zinc and iron on callus induction and plant regeneration.ResultsThe results showed that an increase in salinity stress in the medium decreased the germination percentage, fresh and dry weight of shoot, root length, chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids content, K and Ca content, and on the other hand, Na content was increased. MDA content (‘Nora’, ‘PS-10’, ‘Peto’ and ‘Roma’: 1.71, 1.78, 1.66 and 2.16 folds, respectively), electrolyte leakage (‘PS-10’: 33.33%; ‘Roma’: 56.33%), were increased with salinity of 100 mM compared to control. Proline content was increased in 50 mM NaCl (10.8 fold). The most activity of antioxidant enzymes including CAT, SOD, APX, GPX, and GR was observed in the ‘PS-10’ cultivar, and the lowest activity of these enzymes was observed in ‘Roma’ under salinity stress. The AsA and GSH were decreased and DHA and GSSG were increased with the increased intensity of salinity. The relative expression ofSOD,APX, andGRgenes varied in different cultivars at different salinity concentrations. The most percentage of callus induction was observed with applying iron oxide nanoparticles, and the most regeneration rate was recorded using zinc oxide nanoparticles.ConclusionThe results showed that salt-tolerant cultivars such as ‘PS-10’ with better osmotic adjustment, are suitable candidates for the future production and breeding programs. The use of nutrient nanoparticles under salinity stress for different tomato cultivars increased their performance.
Co-designing a remote rehabilitation tool for Parkinson’s disease: exploratory values and challenges
Authors: Abril-Jiménez Patricia , Merino-Barbancho Beatriz , Vera-Muñoz Cecilia , Arredondo Waldmeyer María Teresa 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Impaired motor function is one of the early symptoms shown in patients with Parkinson Disease (PD). For this reason, rehabilitative interventions have been used for many years to improve motor and non-motor symptoms. Among them, the use of music therapy has shown benefits in helping to overcome some of the most common motor dysfunction. Addressing the challenge of providing access to this type of therapy, this document presents the collaborative design process to develop a remote training support tool for PD based on music therapy.

Methods
A qualitative study with creative co-design methods was used in which different groups of healthcare professionals, patients, and relatives participated in six iterative sessions. Workshops were designed and structured to incrementally discover requirements and needs and validate the proposed prototype ideas.

Results
The study provided key aspects that were used for the development and validation of the proposed prototypes for the remote music-based training support tool for PD. Up to 20 factors that had a positive and/or negative influence on patient access to training were detected. These factors were classified into three common themes: daily activities and independence, participation in treatment and barriers to daily treatment, and self-management and personalization of information and telecommunication technologies (ICT).

Conclusions
This paper shows the results of a collaborative design process aimed at identifying the different factors, relevant to patients with PD, to improve their access to remote ICT-based training therapy and their expectations regarding alternative therapies, such as music. The participatory design methods and the iterative model used helped overcome many of the traditionally barriers that this type of technological support solutions usually have, facilitating the future participation.
The prevalence of premature ejaculation and its relationship with polygamous men: a cross-sectional observational study at a tertiary hospital in Somalia
Authors: Mohamed Abdikarim Hussein , Mohamud Hussein Ali , Yasar Adem 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common and prevalent sexual disorder among men. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study aimed at evaluating the relationship of PE among polygamous men.

Method
Over a 1-year period, a cross-sectional observational study was carried out among 202 married men who visited the urology polyclinic due to different clinical conditions and contributed by completing a standardized structured questionnaire regarding their sociodemographic data, as well as sexual and past medical history.

Results
In our study, the prevalence of PE was 37.1%; half of the monogamous men (50%) complained of PE, while 22% of men with two wives, 20% of men with three wives, and 12% of men with four wives complained of PE (p < 0.0001, 95% CI 0.122–1.920). Seventy percent of erectile dysfunction (ED) patients had PE concurrence (p < 0.0001, 95% CI 0.057–5.543). Regarding frequency of sexual intercourse, 48% of patients who complained of PE performed sexual intercourse less than two times/week, while two-thirds of the participants who did not complain of PE had sexual intercourse two to four times/week (p < 0.0001, 95% CI 0.203–0.568). Among the men who reported ED, 42% had one wife, 21.5% had two wives, 40% had three wives, and 12.5% had four wives (p < 0.029, 95% CI 0.417–0.962).

Conclusions
We report that polygamous men have a lower incidence of premature ejaculation and higher sexual satisfaction than monogamous men. There is a significant association between ED and PE, showing a complex and bidirectional relationship between the two conditions. The new taxonomic entity called loss of control of erection and ejaculation (LCEE) views the two sexual symptoms as deeply interrelated. The study results indicate that a sexual intercourse frequency of two or more times per week significantly lowers the risk of PE.
Imaging findings of uterine adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth: two case reports, emphasizing restricted diffusion on diffusion weighted imaging
Authors: Nakai Go , Matsutani Hiroki , Yamada Takashi , Ohmichi Masahide , Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Osuga Keigo 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Adenosarcoma is classified as a mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumor composed of a benign epithelial component and a malignant stromal component. The stromal component in adenosarcoma is usually low grade, and consequently the prognosis is relatively favorable. While, adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth (SO) is defined as an adenosarcoma in which the sarcomatous component constitutes more than 25% of the tumor. The stromal component is also high-grade sarcoma showing greater nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic activity, thus, it is associated with worse prognosis. MRI findings of adenosarcoma without SO have been described in previous literatures but the imaging findings in adenosarcoma with SO may be poorly defined. Therefore we present two cases of uterine adenosarcoma with SO.

Case presentation
Patient 1 was a 76-year-old woman referred to our hospital with complaint of abdominal distension and postmenopausal bleeding. Patient 2 was a 57-year-old woman with complaint of lower abdominal pain and abnormal uterine bleeding. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T2 weighted imaging showed a large, heterogeneous high-intensity mass with hyperintense tiny cysts that expanded the uterine cavity and extended into the cervical canal for both patients. On diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), both masses appeared as high signal intensity. Patient 2 also had a right ovarian adult granulosa cell tumor that may have contributed to development of the adenosarcoma. Patient 1 recurred with peritoneal sarcomatosis 6 months after surgery and died of the disease. Patient 2 also recurred with a left upper lung metastasis 3 months after surgery.

Conclusions
DWI may depict pathological changes produced by SO of adenosarcoma as high signal intensity, even though SO does not seem to change MRI findings of adenosarcoma on other sequences. Therefore, DWI could potentially predict SO in presumptive adenosarcoma on MRI and the patient’s prognosis. It is also important for pathologists to know if SO can arise in adenosarcoma because they need to examine the tumor thoroughly to determine the percentage of SO component in the tumor volume when SO is present.
Psychometric evaluation of the 8-item Altarum Consumer Engagement (ACE) Measure™ in community-dwelling adults in Singapore
Authors: Ge Lixia , Yap Chun Wei , Kaur Palvinder , Ong Reuben , Heng Bee Hoon 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
A valid and reliable measure is essential to assess patient engagement and its impact on health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the 8-item Altarum Consumer Engagement Measure™ (ACE Measure) among English-speaking community-dwelling adults in Singapore.

Methods
This cross-sectional study involved 400 randomly selected community-dwelling adults (mean age: 49.7 years, 50.0% were female, 72.3% were Chinese) who completed the English version of the 8-item ACE Measure independently. The item-level statistics were described. The internal consistency of the measure was measured by Cronbach alpha and item-rest correlations. Validity of the tool was assessed by 1) factorial validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), 2) hypothesis-testing validity by correlating ACE subscales (Commitment and Navigation) with health-related outcomes, and 3) criterion validity against the Patient Activation Measure and Health Confidence Measure.

Results
There was no floor or ceiling effect for Commitment and Navigation subscales, and the Cronbach alpha for each subscale was 0.76 and 0.54, respectively. The two-factor structure was confirmed by CFA. In general, Commitment and Navigation subscales were positively correlated with frequency of activity participation (rho = 0.30 - 0.33) and EQ-5D visual analog scale (rho = 0.15 - 0.30). Individuals who perceived better health than peers had higher subscale scores (p < 0.01). Each subscale score had moderate and positive correlations with activation score (rho = 0.48 - 0.55) and health confidence score (rho = 0.35 - 0.47).

Conclusions
The two-subscale ACE Measure demonstrated good construct validity in English-speaking Singapore community-dwelling adults. Evidence in internal consistency was mixed, indicating further investigation.
Training medical educators to teach: bridging the gap between perception and reality
Authors: Trainor Alison , Richards Jeremy B. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTeaching is a core expectation of physicians in academic hospitals and academic medical centers, but best practices for training physicians to teach have not been established. There is significant variability in how physicians are trained to teach medical students and residents across the world, and between Israeli hospitals. In an article published earlier this year in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, Nothman and colleagues describe a survey of 245 Israeli physicians in departments of internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology, at four different faculties of medicine across Israel. The majority of Israeli physicians responding to this survey reported receiving minimal training to teach, with only 35% receiving any training focused on medical education skills, most (55%) receiving training of only 1–2 days duration. In addition, the physicians surveyed perceived their training as inadequate and not aligned with their self-perceived educational needs. Furthermore, the respondents felt strongly that “compensation and appreciation” for medical education was less than for those involved in research. Despite the general lack of training in teaching skills and the perception that teaching physicians are less valued than researchers, survey respondents rated themselves as highly confident in most domains of medical education. In this context, this commentary reviews the disconnect between the general perception that all physicians can and should engage in teaching in the clinical setting with the well-described observation that competence in medical education requires dedicated and longitudinal training. Leveraging best practices in curriculum design by aligning educational interventions for teaching physicians with their self-perceived needs is discussed, and models for dedicated faculty development strategies for teaching medical education skills to physicians are reviewed. Finally, the importance of and potential strategies for assessing teaching physicians’ effectiveness in Israel and elsewhere are considered as a means to address these physicians’ perception that they are not as valued as researchers. Understanding teaching physicians’ perspectives on and motivations for training medical students and residents is critical for supporting the frontline teaching faculty who educate future healthcare providers at the bedside in medical schools, hospitals, and academic medical centers in Israel and beyond.
Impacts of family household dynamics on residential energy demands in Hebei Province of China
Authors: Zeng Yi , Yang Hanmo , Wang Zhenglian , Li Lan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis article presents analyses and projections of the residential energy demands in Hebei Province of China, using the ProFamy extended cohort-component method and user-friendly free software and conventional demographic data as input. The results indicate that the future increase in residential energy demands will be dominated by large increase in small households with 1–2 persons. We found that increase of residential energy demands will be mainly driven by the rapid increase of older adults’ households. Comparisons between residential energy demand projections by household changes and by population changes demonstrate that projections by population changes seriously under-estimate the future residential energy demands. We recommend that China needs to adopt policies to encourage and facilitate older parents and adult children to live together or near-by, and support rural-to-urban family migration. Promoting inter-generation co-residence or living near-by between older parents and young adults would result in a mutually beneficial outcome for both older and younger generations as well as to effectively reduce energy demands. We suggest governments to carefully formulate strategies on efficient residential energy use to cope with the rapid households and population aging, and strengthen data collections/analyses on household residential energy demands for sound policy-making and sustainable development.