bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Superior even skin tone and anti‐ageing benefit of a combination of 4‐hexylresorcinol and niacinamide
Authors: Shariff Rezwan , Du Yaping , Dutta Maitreyee , Kumar Satish , Thimmaiah Sreenivasa , Doraiswamy Chandraprabha , Kumari Annu , Kale Vaidehi , Nair Nirmala , Zhang Shuliang , Joshi Manoj , Santhanam Uma , Qiang Qiu , Damodaran Anita 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo demonstrate the synergistic effect of 4‐hexylresorcinol (4‐HR) with niacinamide in boosting anti‐melanogenic efficacy in vitro and establish the in vivo efficacy and safety of the combination in a human trial.MethodsPrimary human epidermal melanocytes and 3D pigmented skin equivalents were treated with 4‐HR, niacinamide, and their combinations for their effect on pigmentation. This was followed by a randomized, double‐blind, split‐face clinical study in Chinese subjects, and effects on skin tone, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, hydration, and skin firmness were measured for a 12‐week study period.ResultsIn vitro tyrosinase enzyme activity studies showed that 4‐HR is one of the most potent tyrosinase inhibitors. The combination of 4‐HR and niacinamide showed a synergistic reduction in melanin production in cultured melanocytes and lightened the 3D skin equivalent model. In vitro as well as in the human trial, the combination of 4‐HR and niacinamide showed significantly improved efficacy over niacinamide alone on hyperpigmentation spots as measured by L*, the visual appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in crow's feet and perioral area and skin firmness, with no product‐related adverse events.ConclusionsA formulation containing a combination of 4‐HR and niacinamide delivered superior skin tone and anti‐ageing benefits significantly better than niacinamide alone with no adverse events. This study demonstrates that a product designed to affect multiple pathways of melanogenesis, inflammation, and ageing may provide an additional treatment option, beyond hydroquinone and retinoids, for hyperpigmentation and ageing.
HbA1c level may be a risk factor for oxygen therapy requirement in patients with coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Yanagisawa Shinnosuke , Oikawa Yoichi , Takagi Sotaro , Horikoshi Yuta , Satomura Atsushi , Imai Kazuo , Sakai Jun , Ishibashi Noriomi , Tarumoto Norihito , Iida Shinichiro , Nakayama Hideto , Haga Yoshiyuki , Maesaki Shigefumi , Shimada Akira 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionMany clinical studies have identified significant predictors or risk factors for the severity or mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) cases. However, there are very limited reports on the risk factors for requiring oxygen therapy during hospitalization. In particular, we sought to investigate whether plasma glucose and HbA1c levels could be risk factors for oxygen therapy requirement.Materials and MethodsA single‐center, retrospective study was conducted of 131 COVID‐19 patients hospitalized at Saitama Medical University Hospital between March 2020 and November 2020. To identify the risk factors for oxygen therapy requirement during hospitalization, a stepwise multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed using several clinical parameters commonly obtained on admission, including plasma glucose and HbA1c levels.ResultsOf the 131 patients with COVID‐19, 33.6% (44/131) received oxygen therapy during hospitalization. According to the logistic regression analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 8.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.65–46.5, P < 0.05), age (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12, P < 0.01), HbA1c levels (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.09–3.44, P < 0.05), and serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels (OR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.54–3.20, P < 0.01) emerged as independent variables associated with oxygen therapy requirement during hospitalization.ConclusionsIn addition to male sex, age, and serum CRP levels, HbA1c levels on admission may serve as a risk factor for oxygen therapy requirement during the clinical course of COVID‐19, irrespective of diabetes history and status. This may contribute to the efficient delegation of limited numbers of hospital beds to patients at risk for oxygen therapy requirement.
Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) change skin colour in response to crowding stress
Authors: Tveit Guro M. , Anders Neil , Bondø Morten S. , Mathiassen John R. , Breen Mike 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWild capture can be stressful for fish. Stress has the potential to induce mortality in released unwanted catches or negative flesh quality consequences in retained ones. Such effects compromise sustainable natural resource management and industry profitability. Mitigating stress during capture is therefore desirable. Biological indicators of stress can objectively inform fishers as to the functional welfare status of catches during fishing operations. If they are to be of practical use in mitigating stress during wild capture events, such indicators must be quantifiable, respond rapidly, reflect the level of induced stress and be easily observable. Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) are extensively targeted by purse seine fisheries in European waters but are particularly vulnerable to stress. Excessive crowding in the net is thought to be the principal stress mechanism. There is therefore a need to develop indicators of crowding stress for this species so that catch welfare can be improved. Here, we demonstrate that S. scombrus exhibit a skin colour change from predominately green to predominately blue when exposed to crowding stress. In sea cage trials, we induced various degrees of stress in groups of wild‐caught S. scombrus by manipulating crowding density and its duration. Skin colour was quantified in air using digital photography. The colour change occurred rapidly (within the typical duration of crowding events in the fishery), and its magnitude was correlated to the severity and duration of crowding. Bluer fish were also associated with higher levels of plasma lactate. No appreciable colour change was observed in uncrowded (control) groups during the treatment period. Nonetheless, unstressed S. scombrus did turn blue <1 h after death. Together, these results indicate that skin colour change has the potential to be a useful real‐time indicator of crowding stress for S. scombrus and could therefore be used to improve welfare during wild capture fishing.
Transposing flood risk from extreme rainfall events: A case study of Hurricane Harvey
Authors: Regier Elizabeth , Naughton Joseph , McDonald Walter 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHurricane Harvey produced unprecedented flooding that altered flood frequency statistics near Houston, Texas. While Harvey could have made landfall elsewhere along the Gulf coast, traditional flood frequency methodologies only consider the risk of Harvey in the region that it hit. This may be a shortcoming of flood frequency methodologies as the intensity of Harvey was greater due to climate change; therefore, Harvey may be more indicative of future hurricanes than other historical observations. To that end, this study investigates what effect Harvey would have had on flood frequency statistics if it had made landfall elsewhere. To do so, a Monte Carlo simulation was used to shift Harvey's rainfall within alternative landfall locations. This rainfall was then applied to synthetic unit hydrographs to estimate peak flows that were applied in Log Pearson III and Regional Flood Frequency Analyses. Log Pearson III analyses with simulated Harvey streamflows produced median 100‐year peak flows that were 17%–66% higher than analyses that only used historical records. A regional flood frequency analysis in the central coastal geomorphologic region of Texas showed that predictive equations, based upon basin area and shape factor, had an average increase of 30.2% in the 100‐year peak discharge.
Spermidine supplementation influences mitochondrial number and morphology in the heart of aged mice
Authors: Messerer Jil , Wrede Christoph , Schipke Julia , Brandenberger Christina , Abdellatif Mahmoud , Eisenberg Tobias , Madeo Frank , Sedej Simon , Mühlfeld Christian 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAging is associated with cardiac hypertrophy and progressive decline in heart function. One of the hallmarks of cellular aging is the dysfunction of mitochondria. These organelles occupy around 1/4 to 1/3 of the cardiomyocyte volume. During cardiac aging, the removal of defective or dysfunctional mitochondria by mitophagy as well as the dynamic equilibrium between mitochondrial fusion and fission is distorted. Here, we hypothesized that these changes affect the number of mitochondria and alter their three‐dimensional (3D) characteristics in aged mouse hearts. The polyamine spermidine stimulates both mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis, and these are associated with improved cardiac function and prolonged lifespan. Therefore, we speculated that oral spermidine administration normalizes the number of mitochondria and their 3D morphology in aged myocardium. Young (4‐months old) and old (24‐months old) mice, treated or not treated with spermidine, were used in this study (n = 10 each). The number of mitochondria in the left ventricles was estimated by design‐based stereology using the Euler‐Poincaré characteristic based on a disector at the transmission electron microscopic level. The 3D morphology of mitochondria was investigated by 3D reconstruction (using manual contour drawing) from electron microscopic z‐stacks obtained by focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy. The volume of the left ventricle and cardiomyocytes were significantly increased in aged mice with or without spermidine treatment. Although the number of mitochondria was similar in young and old control mice, it was significantly increased in aged mice treated with spermidine. The interfibrillar mitochondria from old mice exhibited a lower degree of organization and a greater variation in shape and size compared to young animals. The mitochondrial alignment along the myofibrils in the spermidine‐treated mice appeared more regular than in control aged mice, however, old mitochondria from animals fed spermidine also showed a greater diversity of shape and size than young mitochondria. In conclusion, mitochondria of the aged mouse left ventricle exhibited changes in number and 3D ultrastructure that is likely the structural correlate of dysfunctional mitochondrial dynamics. Spermidine treatment reduced, at least in part, these morphological changes, indicating a beneficial effect on cardiac mitochondrial alterations associated with aging.
Prolonged use of paracetamol and the prescribing patterns on rehabilitation facilities
Authors: Jasat Homairah , Thompson John , Sonneborn Olivia , Dayment Jessica , Miller Charne 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAims and ObjectivesThe study investigated: (a) the usage patterns of paracetamol, and (b) the association between paracetamol use and patient outcomes such as liver and kidney functions among older people.BackgroundParacetamol is a well‐known analgesic and antipyretic drug, with an excellent safety profile when used within its recommended dose. It is a commonly used drug by people aged over 65 years to treat chronic pain. Prolonged use of paracetamol in the elderly is poorly understood. As such, there is a genuine risk among older people of unintentional overdose.MethodsA retrospective analysis of medical records in rehabilitation wards was undertaken from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. Patients' paracetamol use, prescribing patterns and biochemical results were analysed to assess for differences in admission and discharge biochemistry results. The TREND Statement was utilised to guide study reporting (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research, 2021).ResultsA total of 1119 patients were admitted for seven or more days in a metropolitan tertiary hospital in Melbourne. Almost three‐quarters (74%) of patients were administered paracetamol; 76.1% received ‘Immediate‐Release Paracetamol’ (IRP), and 23.9% were given ‘Sustained‐Release Paracetamol’ (SRP). A proportion (4.5%) of patients in both the IRP and SRP groups received more than the daily recommended dose. There were limited statistically significant differences between patients' admission and discharge biochemistry results; group or time differences were observed, which were indicative of improvements within the paracetamol group.ConclusionParacetamol was a commonly used medication among long‐stay elderly patients. Precaution to ensure paracetamol use does not exceed recommended daily doses is required. This study suggests that paracetamol used at a therapeutic level in older patients had limited, negative associations with liver and kidney function.Relevance to clinical practiceThe clinical practice regarding prolonged use of paracetamol is ambitious. The increased risk of paracetamol toxicity among the frail elderly is a concern. Optimising the dose adjustment in the elderly is important to avoid adverse outcomes.
Cortico‐striatal functional connectivity and cerebral small vessel disease: Contribution to mild Parkinsonian signs
Authors: Hengenius James B. , Bohnen Nicolaas I. , Rosso Andrea , Huppert Theodore J. , Rosano Caterina 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTBackground and PurposeMild Parkinsonian signs (MPS) are common in older adults. We hypothesized that MPS are associated with lower functional connectivity (FC) in dopamine‐dependent cortico‐striatal networks, and these associations vary with white matter hyperintensity (WMH), a risk factor for MPS.MethodsWe examined resting‐state functional MRI in 266 participants (mean age 83; 57% female; 41% African American) with data on MPS (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale), demographics, cognition, muscle‐skeletal, and cardiometabolic health. FC between cortex and striatum was examined separately for sensorimotor, executive, and limbic functional subregions. Logistic regression tested the association of FC in each network with MPS, adjusted for covariates. Interactions of FC by WMH were tested; and analyses were repeated stratified by WMH above/below the median.ResultsCompared to those without MPS, those with MPS had lower cortico‐striatal FC in the left executive network (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], p‐value: 0.188 [0.043, 0.824], .027). The interaction with WMH was p = .064; left executive FC was inversely associated with MPS for high WMH (0.077 [0.010, 0.599], .014) but not low WMH participants (1.245 [0.128, 12.132], .850).ConclusionsMPS appear related to lower executive network FC, robust to adjustment for other risk factors, and stronger for those with higher burden of WMH. Future longitudinal studies should examine the interplay between cerebral small vessel disease and connectivity influencing MPS.
Autoimmune and viral risk factors are associated with achalasia: A case‐control study
Authors: Gaber Charles E. , Cotton Cary C. , Eluri Swathi , Lund Jennifer L. , Farrell Timothy M. , Dellon Evan S. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundAchalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder of uncertain etiology. While past studies have indicated that autoimmune conditions and viral infections may be associated with development of achalasia, these associations are yet to be examined in large, population‐based studies.MethodsA matched case‐control study was performed using administrative claim data from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database between 2000 and 2019. A history of selected autoimmune conditions and viral infections was assessed using past medical claims. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to account for the matched nature of the study design and further control for confounding by demographic and clinical characteristics when reporting adjusted odds ratios (aORs).Key ResultsAmong 6769 cases and 27,076 controls, presence of any of the autoimmune conditions studied was associated with increased odds of achalasia (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.42). Scleroderma or systemic sclerosis (aOR = 8.13, 95% CI: 3.34, 19.80) and Addison's disease (aOR = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.83, 8.04) had the strongest associations with achalasia. Presence of any of the viral infections studied was also associated with an increased risk of achalasia (aOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.01). Varicella zoster virus (aOR = 3.84, 95% CI: 1.94, 7.62) and human papillomavirus (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.15, 2.73) both had strong relationships with achalasia.Conclusions and InferencesThese findings suggest that achalasia may have autoimmune and viral components contributing to its etiology. Future mechanistic studies could target specific diseases and agents highlighted by this research.
Qing‐Dai for pediatric ulcerative colitis multicenter survey and systematic review
Authors: Kudo Takahiro , Jimbo Keisuke , Shimizu Hirotaka , Iwama Itaru , Ishige Takashi , Mizuochi Tatsuki , Arai Katsuhiro , Kumagai Hideki , Uchida Keiichi , Abukawa Daiki , Shimizu Toshiaki 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundPediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) is more challenging to treat than adult UC. Qing‐Dai therapy is effective in adults but reports of its efficacy in children are unavailable. We conducted a questionnaire survey on Qing‐Dai use among pediatric patients with UC in Japan to determine its efficacy and safety.MethodsQuestionnaires were sent to 31 high‐volume centers treating pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The number of patients using Qing‐Dai, short‐term and long‐term effects, and adverse events were assessed. A systematic review of studies on the efficacy and safety of Qing‐Dai usage for UC was also performed.ResultsOverall, 29/31 facilities (93.5%) responded, Qing‐Dai was used in 107 patients with UC, and 84/107 patients (78.5%) initiated treatment. Within 6 months, 81/101 (80.2%) patients had clinical remission, while 59/92 (64.1%) patients had no relapse and 29/92 (31.5%) experienced only one to two relapses yearly. Eighty‐seven percent of the patients underwent regular follow ups for adverse events, among whom one patient was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), five with enteritis, and one with headache. In the systematic review, the clinical remission rate was 50–80%, and PAH was observed in 14 of 1,158 patients (1.2%).ConclusionsQing‐Dai is highly effective in treating pediatric UC. However, Qing‐Dai should be administered with caution as it may cause adverse events such as PAH.
Public health nurses fostering self‐help health promotion groups for older people
Authors: Hada Yayoi , Izumi Hisako 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivePublic health nurses foster self‐help groups that are intended to solve health problems and improve the health of older people. This study aims to clarify how public health nurses foster such self‐help groups.DesignThis is a qualitative study that utilizes one‐to‐one semi‐structured interviews.SampleThe participants comprised 11 full‐time public health nurses who had experience in fostering self‐help groups and had at least 5 years of experience as public health nurses.MeasurementsInterview transcripts were created, and a qualitative analysis was performed inductively.ResultsIn total, 33 themes, 14 theme clusters, and four categories were extracted. The categories were as follows: coordinating with relevant occupations and residents to collect community information and solve health problems, organizing classes from health promotion to member‐centered group activities, ensuring group development support and establishing a support system, and supporting leaders behind the scenes.ConclusionsPublic health nurses begin by gathering information about a given community and sharing local health problems with public health authorities and residents. The nurses build trusting partnerships with members and assign appropriate roles to them to better address their problems. Additionally, the nurses provide indirect group support by encouraging leaders as needed.
Building Polyvalent DNA‐Functionalized Anisotropic AuNPs using Poly‐Guanine‐Mediated In‐Situ Synthesis for LSPR‐Based Assays: Case Study on OncomiR‐155
Authors: Borghei Yasaman‐Sadat , Hosseinkhani Saman 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTDNA‐functionalized gold nanoparticles (DNA‐AuNPs) hold great promise for numerous biomedical applications, especially the building of well‐defined nanosystems. Previously reported methods for the preparation of DNA‐AuNPs all rely on the use of DNA‐bearing free thiol or disulfide groups at their 3′/5′ ends. But here we report a novel polyvalent DNA‐AuNPs conjugation approach by in‐situ fast synthesis of AuNPs at the polyguanine (G12) strands. As confirmed by both TEM images and gel electrophoresis analysis, many poly G strand can form an individual anisotropic AuNP and so each AuNP functionalized with a dense layer of DNA, resulting in the formation of polyvalent (p)DNA–AuNPs. The general applicability of this novel approach was further verified in hybridization test and UV‐Vis spectroscopy results show that pDNA–AuNPs conjugation is more attractive in biomedical diagnosis and specific sequence detection like microRNA‐155 by using an extra‐strand poly G with “sticky end” that are complementary to the target sequence.
Retrospective analysis of commercial heterospermic and homospermic cooled boar semen: Effect of the season, sample type and shipping temperature on sperm quality
Authors: Gonzalez‐Castro Raul , Porflidt Carolina , Patton Toni , Goins Donna , Herickhoff Lisa 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe retrospectively analysed data from heterospermic and homospermic boar semen for motility and morphology during a 2‐year period. Homospermic doses were also evaluated for viability, acrosome integrity, DNA fragmentation, osmolality and pH. Additionally, we investigated the effect of temperature upon arrival and the agreement between viability and motility as evaluating tool. We observed lower (p < .05) total motility (TM) and normal sperm morphology within summer and fall. Conversely, lower (p < .05) progressive motility (PM) was found at the beginning and end of each year. Viability and acrosome integrity were reduced (p < .05) in summer months but not exclusively, suggesting that samples could be compromised by transport temperature. Sperm DNA fragmentation was <6% with a small variation. Medium osmolality and pH slightly changed (p < .05). Sperm count was not source of variation on sperm parameters. Sample temperature upon arrival correlated with PM and VSL (p < .05), while motility was reduced <12°C (p < .05). Homospermic doses were less affected by season and arrival temperature, having better parameters (p < .05) than contemporaneous heterospermic samples but influenced by genetic line (p < .05). We found a high agreement between viable acrosome‐intact sperm and TM, especially when TM was ≥80%. Our data verify the improvement of sperm quality during time as sperm count/dose does not affect quality, but season effect persists regardless of ejaculate selection at the stud. Homospermic doses exhibited better parameters than heterospermic doses, seemingly being more resilient to temperature variations, suggesting that selection for sperm quality within boars selected by growth traits can improve the product quality.