bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increasing burden of nursing care on the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the ageing society: analyses during the first to the third wave of pandemic in Kyoto City, Japan
Authors: Fujita Kohei , Kashihara Eriko , Kanai Osamu , Hata Hiroaki , Yasoda Akihiro , Odagaki Takao , Mio Tadashi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is associated with a heavy burden on patients’ mental and physical health, regional healthcare resources, and global economic activity. An ageing society such as Japan has many retirement homes and long-term stay hospitals for the elderly and their inhabitants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, disease clusters are often identified in retirement homes and long-term stay hospitals. Although we hypothesize that additional burdens of nursing care for elderly patients will reinforce the anxiety and exhaustion of medical staff and healthcare resources in the ageing society, the actual situation is not well understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the current situation and countermeasures of the COVID-19 pandemic in the ageing society.
Methods
We reviewed COVID-19 patients who required hospitalization at the National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, a 600-bed capacity hospital located in Kyoto, Japan, between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021. We assessed the characteristics of the COVID-19 patients, disease severity, duration of hospitalization, outcome at discharge, degree of activities of daily living (ADLs), and complications unique to elderly patients.
Results
We enrolled 118 patients who required hospitalization during the study period. Approximately 40% of the patients were aged ≥ 80 years. Dementia (27.1%) was the most prevalent underlying disease, followed by diabetes mellitus (23.7%) and chronic kidney disease (23.7%). Approximately 60% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients had impaired ADL at admission. The COVID-19 patients aged 80 years or older required significantly more longer-term hospitalization than the COVID-19 patients aged under 80 years (15.5 ± 8.2 vs. 13.1 ± 7.7, P = 0.032). In elderly patients aged 80 years or older, approximately 50% of patients had geriatric mental disorders, and approximately 70% had bedridden status and feeding difficulty.
Conclusions
The proportion of elderly patients aged 80 years or older was relatively high during the hospitalization for COVID-19. We should keep in mind that healthcare workers are forced to have an additional burden of nursing care in the ageing society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, interventions to reduce the burden are urgently required.
Use of continuous ketamine infusion as an adjunctive agent in neonates and infants with refractory and super refractory status epilepticus
Authors: DeVine Mackenzie N. , Gordon Sharon E. , Press Craig A. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

Continuous ketamine infusions have been studied as an adjunctive agent for refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) in older children and adults. However, minimal information exists on the efficacy, safety, and dosing for continuous ketamine in neonates and young infants. The purpose of our study was to review the safety and efficacy of continuous ketamine infusions in neonates and infants with RSE and super refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) at our institution.
Methods

Safety and clinical outcomes for neonates and infants who received continuous ketamine for RSE or SRSE at Children’s Hospital Colorado between June 2019 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were included if they were less than or equal to 3 months of age and received continuous ketamine infusion for RSE defined as unresolved seizures despite administration of at least one first- and at least one second-line rescue medication or SRSE defined as unresolved seizures despite administration of third-line agents.
Results

We identified three patients who met inclusion criteria and received continuous ketamine infusion for RSE or SRSE during our study period. Patients included were refractory to an average of six anti-seizure medications prior to initiation of continuous ketamine infusion. Each patient was initiated on a continuous ketamine infusion rate of 1 mg/kg/hr with one patient requiring titration to a maximum of 6 mg/kg/hr. In one case, the concomitant use of continuous ketamine allowed for a reduction in benzodiazepine continuous infusion rate. In all cases, ketamine was well tolerated especially in the setting of hemodynamic instability.
Conclusion

Ketamine may provide a safe alternative in the acute setting in severe RSE and SRSE, especially in the setting of hemodynamic instability. This is the first small retrospective study to document the use of continuous ketamine as a treatment modality in neonates and infants with RSE or SRSE secondary to various underlying etiologies without adverse events.
Increased maternal leptin levels may be an indicator of subclinical hypotyroidsm in newborn
Authors: Karpuzoglu Hande , Ucal Yasemin , Kumru Pınar , Muhcu Murat , Eroğlu Mustafa , Serdar Muhittin , Serteser Mustafa , Ozpinar Aysel 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

Several factors may influence newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations and cause subclinical hypothyroidism in the newborn. A sufficient level of leptin signaling is needed for the normal production of TSH and the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. In our study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between maternal serum leptin concentration during the third trimester of pregnancy and newborn screening-TSH levels.
Methods

This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in clinics of obstetrics and gynecology of a state hospital between June and August 2013. Maternal venous blood samples were collected from 270 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester just before delivery. Measurement of maternal fT3, fT4, TSH, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies from serum samples were performed by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Maternal serum leptin levels were determined by ELISA. Dried capillary blood spots were used to measure newborn TSH levels.
Results

Subjects were divided into two groups according to the neonatal TSH levels using a cut-point of 5.5 mIU/L. Median leptin levels were significantly higher in newborns whose TSH levels were higher than > 5.5 mIU/L [13.2 µg/L (1.3–46.5) vs. 19.7 µg/L (2.4–48.5), p < 0.05]. Serum leptin showed a negative correlation with maternal fT4, fT3, and positive correlation with BMI, and newborn TSH levels.
Conclusion

Our results suggest that high leptin levels in the third trimester of pregnancy influence maternal thyroid functions and increase newborn TSH levels. High leptin levels may be a reason for subclinical hypothyroidism.
Public acceptability of a technology-mediated stool sample collection platform to inform community-based surveillance of infectious intestinal disease: a pilot study
Authors: Davies Rowan , Iturriza-Gomara Miren , Glennon-Alty Rebecca , Elliot Alex J , Vivancos Roberto , Nishio Anica Alvarez , Cunliffe Nigel A , Hungerford Daniel 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background In the UK approximately a quarter of the population experience infectious intestinal disease (IID) each year. However, only 2% present to primary care, preventing a true determination of community burden and pathogen aetiology. The aim of this pilot study was to gauge public acceptability of a technology-mediated platform for reporting episodes of IID and for providing stool samples. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional online survey design, targeting individuals 16+ years old within Liverpool City Region, UK. Information sought included demographics, comfortability of reporting illness and IID symptoms, willingness to provide stool, and favoured stool-provision method. Univariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between demographic variables and providing a stool sample. Odds ratios (OR) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were produced. Results A total of 174 eligible participants completed the survey, with 69% female. The sample was skewed towards younger populations, with 2.9% aged 65+ years. Nearly a third (29%) had a household income of less than £30,000 per annum and 70% had attained a degree or higher. The majority identified as White British (81%) and 11% identified as ethnicities typically grouped Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME). Three quarters of participants were either ‘Comfortable’ or ‘Very Comfortable’ with reporting illness (75%) and with answering symptom-related questions (79%); 78% reported that they would provide a stool sample. Upon univariable analysis, increasing age – being 55+ (OR 6.28, 95% CI 1.15-117.48), and lower income (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.02-6.60), was associated with providing a stool sample. Additionally, respondents identifying as BAME ethnicities and men may be less inclined to provide a stool sample. Conclusions This study assessed the acceptability of technology-mediated platforms for reporting IID and provision of stool samples in the community. Respondents were biased towards younger, technologically inclined, more affluent and educated populations. Acceptability for reporting illness and providing a stool sample through technology-mediated platforms was high. While older populations were under-represented, they were more likely to provide a stool sample. Qualitative research is required to better reach older and more deprived populations, and to understand potential age, gender and ethnic differences in compliance with stool sampling.
Instruments to Measure E-Cigarette Related Constructs: A Systematic Review
Authors: Park Eunhee , Kwon Misol , Chacko Thomas , Goniewicz Maciej , Li Chin-Shang , Chang Yu-Ping 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are relatively new tobacco products that are attracting public attention due to their unique features, especially their many flavor options and their potential as an alternative to cigarettes. However, uncertainties remain regarding the determinants and consequences of e-cigarette use because current research on e-cigarettes is made more difficult due to the lack of valid and reliable instruments that measure e-cigarette related constructs. This systematic review therefore seeks to identify the instruments proposed by researchers in the field that are designed to assess various aspects of e-cigarette use or its related constructs and analyze the evidence presented regarding the psychometric properties of the identified instruments.Methods This systematic review utilized six search engines: PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and EMBASE, to identify articles published in the peer-reviewed journals from inception to June 2018 that contained development or validation processes for these instruments.Results Eighteen articles describing the development or validation of 20 unique instruments were identified. Beliefs, perception, motive, e-cigarette use, and dependence, were the most commonly assessed e-cigarette related constructs. The included studies reported either construct or criterion validity, with 14 studies reporting both. Most studies did not report the content validity; for reliability, most reported internal consistencies using Cronbach’s alpha, with 15 instruments reporting Cronbach’s alpha > 0.70 for the scale or its subscales.Conclusions Twenty instruments with a reported development or validation process to measure e-cigarette related constructs are currently available for practitioners and researchers.
Construction and validation of a clinicopathologic signature for predicting the prognosis of stage II and III colorectal cancer
Authors: You Weiqiang , Cai Zerong , Sheng Nengquan , Yan Li , Wan Huihui , Wang Yongkun , Ouyang Jian , Xie Lu , Wu Xiaojian , Wang Zhigang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Various clinical and pathological indicators affect the prognosis of stage II and III colorectal cancer (CRC). Nevertheless, few studies have systematically integrated these indicators to construct a signature for assessing the prognostic risk.Methods: Patients with stage II-III CRC underwent R0 radical resection from 2009 to 2016 were included in this study. All clinical and follow-up data were collected. Our study mainly incorporated an internal training cohort and an external validation cohort from two centers. Data processing and data analysis were performed in the R language. Cox proportional hazard regression was used for univariate and multivariable analyses. The log-rank test was performed to compare prognosis among groups.Results: A total of 1200 eligible patients were included in our study. 8 variables, including T/N stage, lymphatic/vascular infiltration, preoperative CEA, CA125 and CA199, were included and the nomogram was established in the signature for predicting OS. The concordance index of the signature was 0.72. The 3-year and 5-year calibration curves of CRC based on the nomogram showed perfect correlation between predicted and observed outcomes. Obvious differences were observed in the survival of different risk groups (p < 0.001). Patients with low risk score signature had a 5-year OS rate of 77%, whereas patients with high risk score signature had the worst 5-year OS rate (only 8%). Furthermore, our signature also achieved similar performance in external cohort validation.Conclusions: The signature based on clinical and pathologic factors had favorable accuracy for predicting the prognosis of CRC. Therefore, our signature may provide significant suggestions for clinical work, particularly in identifying high-risk stage II and III CRC.
Melatonin Sensitize the Ovarian Cancer Cells to Cisplatin through suppression of PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Baghalsadriforoush Sahar , BAGHERI Morteza , abdirad isa , Sotoodehnejadnematalahi Fattah 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The present study elucidated the effect of melatonin on oxidative stress status, the expression of pro-apoptotic protein (caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 3), anti-apoptotic proteins (X-linked apoptosis inhibitor protein (XIAP) and Survivin), and the activity of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in human ovarian cancer cell line.Methods: Human ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR3) were treated with cisplatin, melatonin, cisplatin + melatonin, and siRNA Akt. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using fluorimetric assay in the different groups. Moreover, protein expression of caspase-3, cleaved caspase 3, PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated (p)-Akt, XIAP, and Survivin were determined by Western blotting in all experimental groups.Results: Our results showed that administration of melatonin significantly increased intracellular ROS generation, the cleavage of caspase 3 and phosphorylation of Akt. This effect was more prominent in the combination therapy with cisplatin versus cisplatin alone. Akt siRNA transfection had similar effects on ROS generation, the cleavage of caspase 3, and phosphorylation of Akt. Interestingly, the levels of XIAP, PI3K, and Survivin were not significantly changed by any of these treatments.Conclusions: Taken together, this study suggests that combination therapy of cisplatin and melatonin increases apoptosis in the OVCAR-3 cells by inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and exacerbation of oxidative stress.
Pharmacokinetic-based failure of a detergent virucidal for SARS-COV-2 nasal infections
Authors: Esther Charles R. , Kimura Kyle S. , Mikami Yu , Edwards Caitlin E. , Das Suman R. , Freeman Michael H. , Strickland Britton A. , Brown Hunter M. , Wessinger Bronson C. , Gupta Veerain C. , Von Wahlde Kate , Sheng Quanhu , Huang Li Ching , Bacon Daniel R. , Kimple Adam J. , Ceppe Agathe S. , Kato Takafumi , Pickles Raymond J. , Randell Scott H. , Baric Ralph S. , Turner Justin H. , Boucher Richard C. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The nose is the portal for SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting the nose as a target for topical antiviral therapies. Because detergents are virucidal, Johnson and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (J&J) was tested as a topical virucidal agent in SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects. Twice daily irrigation of J&J in hypertonic saline, hypertonic saline alone, or no intervention were compared (n = 24/group). Despite demonstrated safety and robust efficacy in in vitro virucidal assays, J&J irrigations had no impact on viral titers or symptom scores in treated subjects relative to controls. Similar findings were observed administering J&J to infected cultured human airway epithelia using protocols mimicking the clinical trial regimen. Additional studies of cultured human nasal epithelia demonstrated that lack of efficacy reflected pharmacokinetic failure, with the most virucidal J&J detergent components rapidly absorbed from nasal surfaces. This study emphasizes the need to assess the pharmacokinetic characteristics of virucidal agents on airway surfaces to guide clinical trials.
Enhanced disease progression due to persistent HPV-16/58 infections in Korean women: A systematic review and the Korea HPV cohort study
Authors: Seong Jaehyun , Ryou Sangmi , Lee JeongGyu , Yoo Myeongsu , Hur Sooyoung , Choi Byeong-Sun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a key factor for the development and progression of cervical cancer. We sought to identify the type-specific HPV prevalence by cervical cytology and assess disease progression risk based on high-risk persistent HPV infection in South Korea.
Methods

To investigate the HPV prevalence by Pap results, we searched seven literature databases without any language or date restrictions until July 17, 2019. To estimate the risk of disease progression by HPV type, we used the Korea HPV Cohort study data. The search included the terms “HPV” and “Genotype” and “Korea.” Studies on Korean women, type-specific HPV distribution by cytological findings, and detailed methodological description of the detection assay were included. We assessed the risk of disease progression according to the high-risk HPV type related to the nonavalent vaccine and associated persistent infections in 686 HPV-positive women with atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions from the Korea HPV Cohort Study. Type-specific HPV prevalence was the proportion of women positive for a specific HPV genotype among all HPV-positive women tested for that genotype in the systematic review.
Results

We included 23 studies in our review. HPV-16 was the most prevalent, followed by HPV-58, -53, -70, -18, and − 68. In women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, including cancer, HPV-16, -18, and − 58 were the most prevalent. In the longitudinal cohort study, the adjusted hazard ratio of disease progression from atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions was significantly higher among those with persistent HPV-58 (increase in risk: 3.54 to 5.84) and HPV-16 (2.64 to 5.04) infections.
Conclusions

While HPV-16 was the most prevalent, persistent infections of HPV-16/58 increased the risk of disease progression to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Therefore, persistent infections of HPV-16 and − 58 are critical risk factors for cervical disease progression in Korea. Our results suggest that equal attention should be paid to HPV-58 and − 16 infections and provide important evidence to assist in planning the National Immunization Program in Korea.
The Effects of Inhaling Hydrogen Gas on Macrophage Differentiation, Fibrosis and Lung Function in Mice with Bleomycin-induced Lung Injury
Authors: Aokage Toshiyuki , Seya Mizuki , Hirayama Takahiro , Nojima Tsuyoshi , Iketani Masumi , Ishikawa Michiko , Terasaki Yasuhiro , Taniguchi Akihiko , Miyahara Nobuaki , Nakao Atsunori , Ohsawa Ikuroh , Naito Hiromichi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

Acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is caused by acute lung injury, is a destructive respiratory disorder caused by a systemic inflammatory response. Persistent inflammation results in irreversible alveolar fibrosis due to excessive activation of M2 macrophages. Because hydrogen gas possesses anti-inflammatory properties, we hypothesized that daily intermittent inhalation of hydrogen gas could suppress persist acute inflammation by inducing functional changes in macrophages, and consequently inhibit lung fibrosis during late-phase lung injury.
Methods

To test this hypothesis, lung injury was induced in mice by intratracheal administration of bleomycin (1.0 mg/kg). Mice were exposed to control gas (air) or hydrogen (3.2% in air) for 6 hours every day for 7 or 21 days. Respiratory physiology, tissue pathology, markers of inflammation, and macrophage phenotypes were examined.
Results

Mice with bleomycin-induced lung injury who received daily hydrogen therapy for 21 days (BH group) exhibited higher static compliance (0.056 mL/cmH2O [95% CI:0.047–0.064] than mice with bleomycin-induced lung injury exposed only to air (BA group; 0.042 mL/cmH2O [95% CI:0.031–0.053], p = 0.02) and lower static elastance (BH 18.8 cmH2O/mL [95% CI:15.4–22.2] vs BA 26.7 cmH2O/mL [95% CI:19.6–33.8], p = 0.02). When the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were examined 7 days after bleomycin administration, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-4 and IL-13 were significantly lower in the BH group than in the BA group. There were significantly fewer M2 macrophages in the alveolar interstitium of the BH group than in the BA group (3.1% [95% CI: 1.6%-4.5%] vs 1.1% [95% CI: 0.3%-1.8%], p = 0.008).
Conclusions

The results suggest that hydrogen inhalation inhibits the deterioration of respiratory physiological function and alveolar fibrosis in this model of acute lung injury by suppressing differentiation of M2 macrophages in the alveolar interstitium.
Reinforcing and Toughening Modification of PPC/PBS blends with Epoxy Terminated Hyperbranched Polymers as Compatibilizer
Authors: Han Xiaolong , Jin Yu juan , Wang Bohua , Tian Huafeng , Weng Yunxuan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Polypropylene carbonate (PPC)/polybutylene succinate (PBS) blends were prepared by melt-blending with terminal epoxy-based hyperbranched polymers (EHBP) as modifier. The thermal properties, mechanical properties, rheological properties and fracture morphology were characterized by dynamic thermomechanical analyzer (DMA), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), electronic universal testing machine, rotating rheometer and scanning electron microscope (SEM), etc. Upon addition of EHBP, the difference between the glass transition temperature of PPC and PBS became smaller, indicating the compatibility of PPC and PBS were improved by EHBP. Furthermore, by adding 0.5phr of EHBP, the impact strength increased from 9.55 kJ/m− 2 to 17.31 kJ/m− 2, the elongation at break increased from 136.29–204.39%, and the tensile strength increased from 10.00 MPa to 16.84 MPa. The fracture surface of the PPC/PBS blends became rough with the increase of EHBP, even with large filamentous structures and tiny holes, which further demonstrated that EHBP acted as an excellent toughening effect on PPC/PBS. Gel content analysis confirmed that both physical and chemical micro-crosslinking were formed after incorporation of EHBP.