bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence of chronic subdural haematoma: a single-centre exploration of the effects of an ageing population with a review of the literature
Authors: Stubbs D. J. , Vivian M. E. , Davies B. M. , Ercole A. , Burnstein R. , Joannides A. J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundChronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) is a common neurosurgical pathology frequently occurring in older patients. The impact of population ageing on cSDH caseload has not been examined, despite relevance for health system planning.MethodsThis is a single-centre study from the UK. Operated cases of cSDH (n = 446) for 2015–2018 were identified. Crude and directly standardised incidence rates were calculated. Medline and EMBASE were systematically searched to identify studies reporting on the incidence of cSDH by year, so an estimate of rate of incidence change could be determined. Local incidence rates were then applied to population projections for local catchment area to estimate operated cSDH numbers at 5 yearly intervals due to shifting demographics.ResultsWe identified nine studies presenting incidence estimates. Crude estimates for operative cases ranged from 1.3/100,000/year (1.4–2.2) to 5.3/100,000/year (4.3–6.6). When non-operated cases were included, incidence was higher: 8.2/100,000/year (6.0–11.2) to 48/100,000/year (37.7–61.1). Four pairs of studies demonstrated incidence rate increases of 200–600% over the last 50 years, but data was deemed too heterogeneous to generate formal estimate of incidence change. Local crude incidence of operated cSDH was 3.50/100,000/year (3.19–3.85). Directly standardised incidence was 1.58/100,000/year (1.26–1.90). After applying local incidence rates to population projections, case numbers were predicted to increase by 53% over the next 20 years.ConclusionsThe incidence of cSDH is increasing. We project a 53% increase in operative caseload within our region by 2040. These are important findings for guiding future healthcare planning.
Covariation of psychobiological stress regulation with valence and quantity of social interactions in everyday life: disentangling intra- and interindividual sources of variation
Authors: Stoffel Martin , Abbruzzese Elvira , Rahn Stefanie , Bossmann Ulrike , Moessner Markus , Ditzen Beate 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWhile the overall effects of social relationships on stress and health have extensively been described, it remains unclear how the experience of social interactions covaries with the activity of psychobiological stress in everyday life. We hypothesized that the valence as well as quantitative characteristics of social interactions in everyday life would attenuate psychobiological stress. Sixty healthy participants provided data for the analyses. Using an ecological momentary assessment design, participants received 6 prompts on their smartphone for 4 days. At each prompt, they reported on social interactions since the last prompt (any occurrence, frequency, duration, quality, and perceived social support), current subjective stress, and provided one saliva sample for the analyses of cortisol (sCort) and alpha-amylase (sAA). Experiencing any contact within days as well as higher daily levels of contact quality and perceived social support were associated with reduced levels of sCort. Furthermore, on a daily level, experiencing at least one contact in-between prompts more often as well as having more contacts on average attenuated the sAA output. Perceived social support and contact quality as well as higher daily contact durations were associated with lower subjective stress. For sCort, daily levels of stress moderated the effects of experiencing any contact within days while daily perceived social support moderated the effects of subjective stress. For sAA, experiencing at least one contact in-between prompts more often on a daily level moderated the effects of subjective stress. There were no between-person effects throughout all analyses. The results show ecologically valid evidence for direct attenuating effects of social interactions on psychobiological stress as well as for the stress-buffering hypothesis in everyday life. Increasing the quantity and improving the valence of social interactions on an intrapersonal level can possibly reduce psychobiological stress and prevent its consequences.
Love is in the hair: arginine methylation of human hair proteins as novel cardiovascular biomarkers
Authors: Marsden Alistair James , Riley David R. J. , Birkett Stefan , Rodriguez-Barucg Quentin , Guinn Barbara-ann , Carroll Sean , Ingle Lee , Sathyapalan Thozhukat , Beltran-Alvarez Pedro 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCardiovascular disease is the major cause of death worldwide. Extensive cardiovascular biomarkers are available using blood tests but very few, if any, investigations have described non-invasive tests for cardiovascular biomarkers based on readily available hair samples. Here we show, first, that human hair proteins are post-translationally modified by arginine methylation (ArgMe). Using western blot, proteomic data mining and mass spectrometry, we identify several ArgMe events in hair proteins and we show that keratin-83 is extensively modified by ArgMe in the human hair. Second, using a preliminary cohort (n = 18) of heterogenous healthy donors, we show that the levels of protein ArgMe in hair correlate with serum concentrations of a well-established cardiovascular biomarker, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Compared to blood collection, hair sampling is cheaper, simpler, requires minimal training and carries less health and safety and ethical risks. For these reasons, developing the potential of hair protein ArgMe as clinically useful cardiovascular biomarkers through further research could be useful in future prevention and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.
The Utilisation of Payment Models Across the HIV Continuum of Care: Systematic Review of Evidence
Authors: Rua Tiago , Brandão Daniela , Nicolau Vanessa , Escoval Ana 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe increasing chronicity and multimorbidities associated with people living with HIV have posed important challenges to health systems across the world. In this context, payment models hold the potential to improve care across a spectrum of clinical conditions. This study aims to systematically review the evidence of HIV performance-based payments models. Literature searches were conducted in March 2020 using multiple databases and manual searches of relevant papers. Papers were limited to any study design that considers the real-world utilisation of performance-based payment models applied to the HIV domain. A total of 23 full-text papers were included. Due to the heterogeneity of study designs, the multiple types of interventions and its implementation across distinct areas of HIV care, direct comparisons between studies were deemed unsuitable. Most evidence focused on healthcare users (83%), seeking to directly affect patients' behaviour based on principles of behavioural economics. Despite the variability between interventions, the implementation of performance-based payment models led to either a neutral or positive impact throughout the HIV care continuum. Moreover, this improvement was likely to be cost-effective or, at least, did not compromise the healthcare system’s financial sustainability. However, more research is needed to assess the durability of incentives and its appropriate relative magnitude.
Effect of Exoskeleton-Assisted Rehabilitation Over Prefrontal Cortex in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Neuroimaging Pilot Study
Authors: Sulpizio V. , Berchicci M. , Di Russo F. , Galati G. , Grasso M. G. , Iosa M. , Lucci G. , Paolucci S. , Ripani M. , Pitzalis Sabrina 
Published: June 2021

AbstractApplication of a passive and fully articulated exoskeleton, called Human Body Posturizer (HBP), has been demonstrated to improve mobility, response accuracy and ambulation in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. By using functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) during a visuomotor discrimination task, we performed a pilot study to evaluate the effect of HBP over the neural correlates of motor and cognitive functions which are typically impaired in MS patients. Specifically, we tested the effect of a 6-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation intervention on two groups of MS patients: a control group who followed a standard physiotherapeutic rehabilitation protocol, and an experimental group who used the HBP during physical exercises in addition to the standard protocol. We found that, after treatment, the experimental group exhibited a significant lower activity (as compared to the control group) in the inferior frontal gyrus. This post-treatment activity reduction can be explained as a retour to a normal range, being the amount of iFg activity observed in the experimental patients very similar to that observed in healthy subjects. These findings indicate that the use of HBP during rehabilitation intervention normalizes the prefrontal activity, mitigating the cortical hyperactivity associated to MS.
“I Spent Most of Freshers in my Room”—A Qualitative Study of the Social Experiences of University Students on the Autistic Spectrum
Authors: Goddard Helen , Cook Anna 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAutistic university students face extra challenges in both their academic and social life. Barriers to socialising appear to be less well understood and supported by universities than academic requirements. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten autistic university students to explore their social experiences. Questions explored their social experiences, satisfaction with social life, disclosure of ASD to others, and the impact of mental wellbeing on university life. Thematic analysis indicated most participants were unsatisfied with their social lives and experienced mental health issues. Factors exacerbating social isolation included lack of suitable social events, lack of social support and feeling unable to disclose to peers. Factors which reduced social isolation included joining an autism or special interest society and receiving social mentoring.
Bringing disgust in through the backdoor in healthy food promotion: a phenomenological perspective
Authors: de Boer Bas , Lemke Mailin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObesity has been pointed out as one of the main current health risks leading to calls for a so-called “war on obesity”. As we show in this paper, activities that attempt to counter obesity by persuading people to adjust a specific behavior often employ a pedagogy of regret and disgust. Nowadays, however, public healthcare campaigns that aim to tackle obesity have often replaced or augmented the explicit negative depictions of obesity and/or excessive food intake with the positive promotion of healthy food items. In this paper, we draw on a phenomenological perspective on disgust to highlight that food-related disgust is connected to the character and behavior of a perceived individual even in the context of promoting healthy food items. We argue that the focus on “making the healthy food choice the easy choice” might be an important step towards the de-stigmatization of people that are affected by obesity. However, so we suggest, this focus threatens to bring back an image of individuals affected by obesity as disgusting “through the backdoor”. It does so not by portraying bodies with overweight as disgusting, but instead by implying that lifestyle choices, character and habits of people that are affected by obesity are markers of a lack of control. We argue that the close relationship between disgust and the perception of self-control in the context of obesity should be taken into consideration in the context of assessing the implications of new health promotion strategies to minimize the risk of stigmatizing people.
Performance Comparison Between Isothermal Hot Corrosion And In Situ Cyclic Hot Corrosion of Nickel-Based Superalloys
Authors: Syed Adnan. U. , Martinez Fabian Duarte , Roberts Tracey , Encinas-Oropesa Adriana , Morar Nicolau I. , Grohne Marlene , Frommherz Martin , Nicholls John R. , Gray Simon 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAlthough a lot of work has been done to understand both major mechanisms of hot corrosion, namely type I (high-temperature hot corrosion) and type II (low temperature hot corrosion), there is very little information available on more representative cyclic performance in these regimes. This work addresses this by assessing the performance of isothermal (type I and type II) hot corrosion tests against combined (short and long) cyclic corrosion tests. Single-crystal alloy PWA 1484 and directionally solidified alloy MAR-M247 were assessed in all test regimes. Pre- and post-exposure dimensional metrology was used to quantify the corrosion damage and characterised using SEM/EDX. This paper highlights that the results of short cycle test conditions are more damaging compared to long cycle and standard isothermal type I and II test conditions. The cast nickel-based alloy MAR-M247 was found to be a better performer compared to PWA 1484 single-crystal alloy.
Stay at Home! Governance Quality and Effectiveness of Lockdown
Authors: Alfano Vincenzo , Ercolano Salvatore 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn order to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, during the first wave of the pandemic numerous countries decided to adopt lockdown policies. It had been a considerable time since such measures were last introduced, and the first time that they were implemented on such a global scale in a contemporary, information intensive society. The effectiveness of such measures may depend on how citizens perceive the capacity of government to set up and implement sound policies. Indeed, lockdown and confinement policies in general are binding measures that people are not used to, and which raise serious concerns among the population. For this reason governance quality could affect the perception of the benefits related to the government’s choice to impose lockdown, making citizens more inclined to accept it and restrict their movements. In the present paper we empirically investigate the relation between the efficacy of lockdown and governance quality (measured through World Governance Indicators). Our results suggest that countries with higher levels of government effectiveness, rule of law and regulatory quality reach better results in adopting lockdown measures.
Effects of Vector Maturation Time on the Dynamics of Cassava Mosaic Disease
Authors: Al Basir F. , Kyrychko Y. N. , Blyuss K. B. , Ray S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMany plant diseases are caused by plant viruses that are often transmitted to plants by vectors. For instance, the cassava mosaic disease, which is spread by whiteflies, has a significant negative effect on plant growth and development. Since only mature whiteflies can contribute to the spread of the cassava mosaic virus, and the maturation time is non-negligible compared to whitefly lifetime, it is important to consider the effects this maturation time can have on the dynamics. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model for dynamics of cassava mosaic disease that includes immature and mature vectors and explicitly includes a time delay representing vector maturation time. A special feature of our plant epidemic model is that vector recruitment is negatively related to the delayed ratio between vector density and plant density. We identify conditions of biological feasibility and stability of different steady states in terms of system parameters and the time delay. Numerical stability analyses and simulations are performed to explore the role of various parameters, and to illustrate the behaviour of the model in different dynamical regimes. We show that the maturation delay may stabilise epidemiological dynamics that would otherwise be cyclic.
Three Dimensional Approaches to Personality Disorders: a Review on Personality Functioning, Personality Structure, and Personality Organization
Authors: Hörz-Sagstetter Susanne , Ohse Ludwig , Kampe Leonie 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe concept of personality functioning (Alternative DSM-5 Model of Personality Disorders) has led to increased interest in dimensional personality disorder diagnosis. While differing markedly from the current categorical classification, it is closely related to the psychodynamic concepts of personality structure and personality organization. In this review, the three dimensional approaches, their underlying models, and common instruments are introduced, and empirical studies on similarities and differences between the concepts and the categorical classification are summarized. Additionally, a case example illustrates the clinical application.Recent FindingsNumerous studies demonstrate the broad empirical basis, validated assessment instruments and clinical usefulness of the dimensional concepts. Their advantages compared to the categorical approach, but also the respective differences, have been demonstrated empirically, in line with clinical observations.SummaryEvidence supports the three dimensional concepts, which share conceptual overlap, but also entail unique aspects of personality pathology, respectively.
Serum secreted frizzled-related protein 5 in relation to insulin sensitivity and its regulation by insulin and free fatty acids
Authors: Rydzewska Marta , Nikołajuk Agnieszka , Matulewicz Natalia , Stefanowicz Magdalena , Karczewska-Kupczewska Monika 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is an adipokine, which acts as an inhibitor of noncanonical WNT signaling pathway. It has been suggested to exert anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects, however, contradictory data has also been reported. The aim of this study was to assess serum SFRP5 concentration in a young healthy population in relation to insulin sensitivity and its regulation by hyperinsulinemia and/or serum free fatty acids (FFA) elevation.

Methods
We examined 150 healthy subjects (83 normal-weight and 67 overweight/obese). Insulin sensitivity (M) was measured with hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. In 20 male subjects, clamp was prolonged to 6 h and after 1 week another clamp with the concurrent Intralipid/heparin infusion was performed. Independent group of 10 male subjects received infusions of Intralipid/heparin or saline in 1-week interval.

Results
Baseline SFRP5 was lower in the overweight/obese group (p = 0.01) and was positively associated with M (r = 0.23, p = 0.006) and serum adiponectin (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) and negatively with BMI (r = −0.18, p = 0.03). In multiple regression analysis, adiponectin was independently associated with SFRP5. Insulin infusion resulted in a decrease in serum SFRP5, both at 120′ (p = 0.02) and 360′ (p = 0.031). This effect was not observed during the clamp with Intralipid/heparin as well as during Intralipid/heparin alone or saline infusions.

Conclusions
The relation between SFRP5 and insulin sensitivity is mainly dependent on adiponectin. FFA abolish a decrease in circulating SFRP5 caused by insulin, but Intralipid/heparin infusion alone does not regulate SFRP5 concentration. Insulin seems to be more important factor in the regulation of circulating SFRP5 levels than FFA.
“Thyroid nodular disease and PTEN mutation in a multicentre series of children with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS)”
Authors: Tuli Gerdi , Munarin Jessica , Mussa Alessandro , Carli Diana , Gastaldi Roberto , Borgia Paola , Vigone Maria Cristina , Abbate Marco , Ferrero Giovanni Battista , De Sanctis Luisa 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To report the incidence of 4–12% of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and up to 50% of benign thyroid nodular disease and to describe nodular thyroid disease in a multicentre pediatric population with PTEN mutations. Methods: Retrospective data of pediatric patients with PTEN mutations collected from tertiary Departments of Pediatric Endocrinology of Turin, Milan and Genua, Italy, in the period 2010–2020.

Results
Seventeen children with PTEN mutations were recruited in the study. Thyroid involvement was present in 12/17 (70.6%) subjects, showing a multinodular struma in 6/17 (35.3%), nodules with benign ultrasound features in 5/17 (29.4%) and a follicular adenoma in 1/17 (6%). No correlation was found between thyroid disease and gender, puberty, vascular manifestations, delayed development, or brain MRI abnormalities, while multiple lipomas were associated with thyroid disease (p = 0.03), as was macrocephaly. Standard Deviation (SD) score head circumference was 4.35 ± 1.35 cm in subjects with thyroid disease, 3 ± 0.43 cm (p = 0.02) in the group without thyroid disease. Thyroid involvement was present in all subjects with mutations in exon 6 (4/4) and exon 8 (3/3) of the PTEN gene (p = 0.02).

Conclusion
In the presented cohort, benign thyroid disorders were prevalent, with no evidence of DTC. A correlation was found between thyroid lesions and head circumference and the occurrence of multiple lipomas. Future studies in larger cohorts should assess whether risk stratification is needed when recommending surveillance strategies in children or young adolescents with PTEN hamartoma syndrome.
Psychological consequences of hospital isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic - research on the sample of polish firefighting academy students
Authors: Walecka Irena , Ciechanowicz Piotr , Dopytalska Klaudia , Mikucka-Wituszyńska Agata , Szymańska Elżbieta , Bogucki Jacek , Kock Janusz , Kułakowska Karolina , Tuszyńska-Bogucka Wioletta 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCurrently, a very important thread of research on COVID-19 is to determine the dimension of the psychopathological emotional reactions induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. A non-experimental online research project was designed to determine the predictors of the severity of psychopathological symptoms, such as depression and PTSD symptoms, and the nature of the feedback mechanism between them in groups of men, remaining in hospital isolation due to infection and at-home isolation during the COVID-19 epidemic. The presence of symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a sense of threat due to the pandemic were assessed using the following screening tests: IES-R by Weiss and Marmar, PHQ-9 by Spitzer et al., and a self-constructed sliding scale for assessing COVID-19 anxiety. The study was carried out on a group of 57 firefighting cadets, hospitalized in a COVID-19 isolation room (Mage = 23.01), staying in isolation due to SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and a control group of 57 healthy men (Mage = 41.38) staying at home during quarantine and national lockdown. COVID-19 pandemic causes many psychopathological reactions. The predictive models revealed that the predictors of symptoms of PTSD in isolated patients included depression and the experienced sense of COVID-19 threat resulting from the disease, while in the control group the symptoms of depression were the only predictor of PTSD. PTSD experiences are usually associated with depression. It may also be a form of the re-experiencing process or the effect of high affectivity, indirectly confirmed by the participation of hyperarousal in the feedback loop. Our findings highlight the importance of mental health aspects in patients treated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic requires social distancing, quarantine and isolation, which may cause psychopathological symptoms not only in affected people, but also in the general population. Moreover, the need for greater psychological support can be emphasized for both: the sick and the general population.