bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of smoking on the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: results from a nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Bae Won , Lee Chang-Hoon , Lee Jinwoo , Kim Young Whan , Han Kyungdo , Choi Sun Mi 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundSmoking has been considered an important risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) incidence. However, there are no population-based large-scale studies demonstrating the effects of smoking on the development of IPF. We aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking on IPF development using a nationwide population-based cohort.MethodsUsing the Korean National Health Information Database, we enrolled individuals who had participated in the health check-up service between 2009 and 2012. Participants having a prior diagnosis of IPF were excluded. The history of smoking status and quantity was collected by a questionnaire. We identified all cases of incident IPF through 2016 on the basis of ICD-10 codes for IPF and medical claims. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the adjusted HR (aHR) of the development of IPF.ResultsA total of 25 113 individuals (0.11%) with incident IPF were identified out of 23 242 836 participants registered in the database. The risk of IPF was significantly higher in current and former smokers than in never smokers, with an aHR of 1.66 (95% CI 1.61 to 1.72) and 1.42 (95% CI 1.37 to 1.48), respectively. Current smokers had a higher risk of IPF than former smokers (aHR 1.17, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.21). The risk of IPF development increased as the smoking intensity and duration increased.ConclusionSmoking significantly increased the risk of IPF development. Current smokers had a higher risk of IPF than former smokers. A dose–response relationship was observed between smoking and the development of IPF.
Dyslipidemia and Associated Risk Factors in the Elderly Population in Asmara, Eritrea: Results from a Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Achila Oliver Okoth , Araya Mathewos , Berhe Arsiema Brhane , Haile Niat Habteab , Tsige Luwam Kahsai , Shifare Bethelihem Yemane , Bitew Tesfalem Abel , Berhe Israel Eyob , Mengistu Samuel Tekle , Yohaness Eyob Garoy 
Published: September 2021

Background. The ultimate goal of the study was to approximate the burden and patterns of dyslipidemia in a subset of the elderly population (≥60–85 years) living in Asmara, Eritrea, and to identify modifiable risk drivers. Methods. A total of 319 (145 (45.5%) male vs. 174 (54.5%) female, mean

age
±
SD

(68.06 ± 6.16 years), participants from randomly selected estates within Asmara were enrolled. Demographic and medical information was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Anthropometric, lipid panel, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and blood pressure (BP) measurements were subsequently taken. Results. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 70.5%. The proportions of dyslipidemias were (in order of decreasing frequency) high TC (51.2%), LDL-C (43.7%), low HDL-C (28.2%), and TG (27.6%). The average (±SD) concentrations in mg/dL of TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, TG, HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C were

202.2
±
40.63

,

125.95
±
33.16

,

151.72
±
37.19

,

129
±
57.16

,

50.48
±
10.91

,

4.11
±
0.91

, and

2.72
±
1.49

, respectively. Furthermore, 17.5%, 21.6%, 11.0%, and 5.0% had abnormalities in 1, 2, 3, and 4 lipid disorders with the copresence of TC+LDL-C abnormalities dominating. Regarding National Cholesterol Education Program Third Adult Treatment Panel risk strata, 18.5%, 14.5%, 28.2%, and 12.9% were in high or very high-risk categories for TC, LDL-C, TG, and HDL-C, respectively. The high burden of dyslipidemia coexisted with an equally high burden of abdominal obesity (43.1%),

FPG
≥
100

mg
/
dL

(16%), hypertension (28.5%), and physical inactivity. Overall, dyslipidemia was associated with sex (females:

aOR
=
2.6

,

95
%
CI
=
1.1
–
6.1

,

p
=
0.017

) and daily physical activity—higher in individuals undertaking physical activity for <1 hour (

aOR
=
2.6

,

95
%
CI
=
1.1
–
6.1

,

p
=
0.029

), 1-2 hours (

aOR
=
3.2

,

95
%
CI
=
1.24
–
8.5

,

p
=
0.016

), and 2-3 hours (

aOR
=
2.0

,

95
%
CI
=
0.7
–
5.8

,

p
=
0.192

) (Ref: >3 hours). Additional associations included increasing FPG (

aOR
=
1.02

,

95
%
CI
=
1.0
–
1.04

,

p
=
0.039

), and BMI (

aOR
=
1.19

,

95
%
CI
=
1.09
–
1.3

,

p
<
0.001

). These factors, along with waist circumference (WC), consumption of traditional foods, systolic BP, and diastolic BP, were, with some variations, associated with disparate dyslipidemias. Conclusions. The burden of dyslipidemia in the elderly population in Asmara is high. Modifiable risk drivers included FPG, WC, physical inactivity, and low consumption of traditional food. Overall, efforts directed at scaling up early recognition and treatment, including optimal pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapy, at all levels of care, should be instituted.
Innovative Training of University Students in Cardiac Arrest in Clinical Simulation
Authors: Segura Azuara Nancy de los Angeles , Lopez Cabrera Mildred , Hidalgo Juan Carlos , Salvador Brenda , Vázquez Camacho Elsie , Martín Albo Santiago 
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Statistics show nowadays, bystanders provided Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in 40-46% of all out-of-the-hospital cardiac arrests. Strategies must focus on specialized training for non-medical personnel. Engaging new generations in self-care depends on the development of new approaches to address the issue. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of an innovative training in CPR through the perception of the participants. Material and methods: This study considered a quantitative approach with a descriptive and correlational design. This study had a convenience sample of 103 participants from undergraduate programs in different disciplines: Engineering, Health, Law, and Design with participated voluntarily in the innovate training. To understand the efficacy of the innovative training data was collected of the participants through a self-assessment rubric. While participants were taken part in the training, an expert assessor was observing the performance and scored the procedure using a similar rubric. Both rubrics use a 5-point Likert scale to assess the level of agreement with each sentence. Results: Self-assessment results show that students excel on identifying if a patient has a pulse (mean=4.47) and if a patient is breathing (mean=4.52). The results of the expert assessment indicate a higher level of performance in hand positioning (mean=4.75) and compression-ventilation coordination (mean=4.77).
Discussion: These results are encouraging as participants gained confidence on basic procedures, the main challenges are still on skills that rely deeply on practice. Therefore, this training might need to be offered periodically, as any certification offered for health professionals. This study is a first attempt to design an innovative short term and effective training that universities can replicate to prepare their students for these life-saving skills.
Keywords: CPR; educational innovation; clinical simulation; non-health personnel.
Targeting an Inducible SALL4-Mediated Cancer Vulnerability with Sequential Therapy
Authors: Yang Junyu , Gao Chong , Liu Miao , Liu Yao-Chung , Kwon Junsu , Qi Jun , Tian Xi , Stein Alicia , Liu Yanjing V. , Kong Nikki R. , Wu Yue , Yin Shenyi , Xi Jianzhong , Chen Zhiyuan , Kumari Kalpana , Wong Hannan , Luo Hongbo , Silberstein Leslie E. , Thoms Julie A.I. , Unnikrishnan Ashwin , Pimanda John E. , Tenen Daniel G. , Chai Li 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Oncofetal protein SALL4 is critical for cancer cell survival. Targeting SALL4, however, is only applicable in a fraction of cancer patients who are positive for this gene. To overcome this limitation, we propose to induce a cancer vulnerability by engineering a partial dependency upon SALL4. Following exogenous expression of SALL4, SALL4-negative cancer cells became partially dependent on SALL4. Treatment of SALL4-negative cells with the FDA-approved hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC) resulted in transient upregulation of SALL4. DAC pretreatment sensitized SALL4-negative cancer cells to entinostat, which negatively affected SALL4 expression through a microRNA, miRNA-205, both in culture and in vivo. Moreover, SALL4 was essential for the efficiency of sequential treatment of DAC and entinostat. Overall, this proof-of-concept study provides a framework whereby the targeting pathways such as SALL4-centered therapy can be expanded, sensitizing cancer cells to treatment by transient target induction and engineering a dependency.

Significance:
These findings provide a therapeutic approach for patients harboring no suitable target by induction of a SALL4-mediated vulnerability.
LncRNA HIF1A-AS1 Promotes Gemcitabine Resistance of Pancreatic Cancer by Enhancing Glycolysis through Modulating the AKT/YB1/HIF1α Pathway
Authors: Xu Fengyu , Huang Mengqi , Chen Qingyong , Niu Yi , Hu Yuhang , Hu Ping , Chen Ding , He Chi , Huang Kang , Zeng Zhu , Tang Jiang , Wang Fan , Zhao Yong , Wang Chunyou , Zhao Gang 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Gemcitabine (GEM) resistance is a major challenge for chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Previous studies have reported on the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in tumorigenesis of pancreatic cancer, however, the involvement of lncRNA in the development of GEM resistance of pancreatic cancer remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that the antisense RNA1 of HIF1α (HIF1A-AS1) was significantly elevated in the GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer cells. Gain- and lost-of-function experiments validated that HIF1A-AS1 promoted GEM resistance of pancreatic cancer cells both in vitro and vivo. We further revealed that HIF1A-AS1 upregulated HIF1α expression and thus promoted glycolysis to enhance GEM resistance of pancreatic cancer cells. Mechanistically, HIF1A-AS1 facilitated the interaction between serine/threonine kinase AKT and Y-box–binding protein 1 (YB1), which promoted phosphorylation of YB1 (pYB1). Meanwhile, HIF1A-AS1 recruited pYB1 to HIF1α mRNA that consequently promoted translation of HIF1α. Furthermore, HIF1α promoted HIF1A-AS1 transcription by directly binding to the HIF1α response element in the promoter area of HIF1A-AS1 to form a positive feedback. Consistently, both HIF1A-AS1 and HIF1α were upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues and associated with poor overall survival. Together, our results underline a reciprocal loop of HIF1A-AS1 and HIF1α that contributes to GEM resistance of pancreatic cancer and indicate that HIF1A-AS1 might serve as a novel therapeutic target for GEM resistance of pancreatic cancer.

Significance:
These findings show that a reciprocal feedback of HIF1A-AS1 and HIF1α promotes gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer, which provides an applicable therapeutic target.
CCL2 (C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2) Biomarker Responses in Central Versus Peripheral Compartments After Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Shi Jingfei , Li Wenlu , Zhang Fang , Park Ji Hyun , An Hong , Guo Shuzhen , Duan Yunxia , Wu Di , Hayakawa Kazuhide , Lo Eng H. , Ji Xunming 
Published: September 2021

Background and Purpose:
Inflammatory mediators in blood have been proposed as potential biomarkers in stroke. However, a direct relationship between these circulating factors and brain-specific ischemic injury remains to be fully defined.

Methods:
An unbiased screen in a nonhuman primate model of stroke was used to find out the most responsive circulating biomarker flowing ischemic stroke. Then this phenomenon was checked in human beings and mice. Finally, we observed the temporospatial responsive characteristics of this biomarker after ischemic brain injury in mice to evaluate the direct relationship between this circulating factor and central nervous system–specific ischemic injury.

Results:
In a nonhuman primate model, an unbiased screen revealed CCL2 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 2) as a major response factor in plasma after stroke. In mouse models of focal cerebral ischemia, plasma levels of CCL2 showed a transient response, that is, rapidly elevated by 2 to 3 hours postischemia but then renormalized back to baseline levels by 24 hours. However, a different CCL2 temporal profile was observed in whole brain homogenate, cerebrospinal fluid, and isolated brain microvessels, with a progressive increase over 24 hours, demonstrating a mismatch between brain versus plasma responses. In contrast to the lack of correlation with central nervous system responses, 2 peripheral compartments showed transient profiles that matched circulating plasma signatures. CCL2 protein in lymph nodes and adipose tissue was significantly increased at 2 hours and renormalized by 24 hours.

Conclusions:
These findings may provide a cautionary tale for biomarker pursuits in plasma. Besides a direct central nervous system response, peripheral organs may also contribute to blood signatures in complex and indirect ways.
Does Developmental Education Reform Help or Hinder the Success of Language Minority Students? An Exploration by Language Minority, ESOL, and Foreign-Born Status
Authors: Mokher Christine G. , Park-Gaghan Toby J. , Hu Shouping 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Community colleges may face challenges supporting the unique needs of language minority (LM) students whose primary language is not English. Florida provides a unique context for examining whether LM students who are considered underprepared for college-level coursework benefit more from traditional developmental education programs in reading and writing, or reformed programs that allow most students to accelerate or even bypass developmental requirements while providing additional support services. Utilizing statewide data from first-time-in-college students at all twenty-eight Florida College System institutions, we use an interrupted time-series design with an analysis of heterogenous effects to compare first year course-taking outcomes in English before and after Florida's developmental education reform for LM versus non-LM students. We also consider the intersecting identities of LM students by further disaggregating results based on whether students took high school courses in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and for native-born versus foreign-born students. The findings suggest that while the reform's benefits are similar for LM and non-LM students overall, there are important differences among LM subgroups indicating that ESOL and foreign-born students may benefit most.
Analyzing sentiments in peer review reports: Evidence from two science funding agencies
Authors: Luo Junwen , Feliciani Thomas , Reinhart Martin , Hartstein Judith , Das Vineeth , Alabi Olalere , Shankar Kalpana 
Published: September 2021

AbstractUsing a novel combination of methods and data sets from two national funding agency contexts, this study explores whether review sentiment can be used as a reliable proxy for understanding peer reviewer opinions. We measure reviewer opinions via their review sentiments on both specific review subjects and proposals’ overall funding worthiness with three different methods: manual content analysis and two dictionary-based sentiment analysis algorithms (TextBlob and VADER). The reliability of review sentiment to detect reviewer opinions is addressed by its correlation with review scores and proposals’ rankings and funding decisions. We find in our samples that review sentiments correlate with review scores or rankings positively, and the correlation is stronger for manually coded than for algorithmic results; manual and algorithmic results are overall correlated across different funding programs, review sections, languages, and agencies, but the correlations are not strong; and manually coded review sentiments can quite accurately predict whether proposals are funded, whereas the two algorithms predict funding success with moderate accuracy. The results suggest that manual analysis of review sentiments can provide a reliable proxy of grant reviewer opinions, whereas the two SA algorithms can be useful only in some specific situations.
Easterly Waves in the East Pacific during the OTREC 2019 Field Campaign
Authors: Huaman Lidia , Maloney Eric D. , Schumacher Courtney , Kiladis George N. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Easterly waves (EWs) are off-equatorial tropical synoptic disturbances with a westward phase speed between 11 and 14 m s−1. Over the east Pacific in boreal summer, the combination of EWs and other synoptic disturbances, plus local mechanisms associated with sea surface temperature (SST) gradients, define the climatological structure of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The east Pacific ITCZ has both deep and shallow convection that is linked to deep and shallow meridional circulations, respectively. The deep convection is located around 9°N over warm SSTs. The shallow convection is located around 6°N and is driven by the meridional SST gradient south of the ITCZ. This study aims to document the interaction between east Pacific EWs and the deep and shallow meridional circulations during the Organization of Tropical East Pacific Convection (OTREC) field campaign in 2019 using field campaign observations, ERA5, and satellite precipitation. We identified three EWs during the OTREC period using precipitation and dynamical fields. Composite analysis shows that the convectively active part of the EW enhances ITCZ deep convection and is associated with an export of column-integrated moist static energy (MSE) by vertical advection. The subsequent convectively suppressed, anticyclonic part of the EW produces an increase of moisture and column-integrated MSE by horizontal advection that likely enhances shallow convection and the shallow overturning flow at 850 hPa over the southern part of the ITCZ. Therefore, EWs appear to strongly modulate shallow and deep circulations in the east Pacific ITCZ.
Impact of the Agulhas Current on southern Africa precipitation: a modelling study
Authors: Imbol Nkwinkwa Njouodo Arielle Stela , Rouault Mathieu , Keenlyside Noel , Koseki Shunya 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe Agulhas Current (AC) creates a sharp temperature gradient with the surrounding ocean, leading to a large turbulent flux of moisture from ocean to atmosphere. We use two simulations of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to show the seasonal impact of the warm core of the AC on southern Africa precipitation. In one simulation the sea surface temperature (SST) of the AC is similar to satellite observations, while the second uses satellite SST observations spatially smoothed to reduce the temperature of the core of the AC by ~1.5°C. We show that decreasing the SST of the AC reduces the precipitation of the wettest seasons (austral summer and autumn) inland. Over the ocean, reducing the SST reduces precipitation, low-level wind convergence, SST and SLP Laplacian above the AC in all seasons, consistent with the pressure adjustment mechanism. Moreover, winter precipitation above the Current may be also related to increased latent flux. In summer and autumn, the AC SST reduction is also associated with decreased precipitation further inland (more than 1.5 mm/day), caused by an atmospheric circulation that decreases the horizontal moisture flux from the AC to South Africa. The reduction is also associated with higher geopotential height extending from the surface east and over the AC to the mid-troposphere over southeastern Africa. The westward tilted geopotential height is consistent with the linear response to shallow diabatic heating in midlatitudes. An identical mechanism occurs in spring but is weaker. Winter rainfall response is confined above the AC.
Bridging Endocrine Therapy for HR+/HER2- Resectable Breast Cancer: Is it Safe?
Authors: Iles Kathleen A. , Thornton Madeline , Park Jihye , Roberson Mya , Spanheimer Philip M. , Ollila David W. , Gallagher Kristalyn 
Published: September 2021

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has required new treatment paradigms to limit exposures and optimize hospital resources, including the use of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NAET) as bridging therapy for HR+/HER2-invasive tumors and DCIS. While this approach has been used in locally advanced disease, it is unclear how it may affect outcomes in resectable HR+/HER2- tumors. Methods Women ≥18 years diagnosed with in situ (Tis) or non-metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer from March-May 2019 and 2020 were included. Fisher’s exact test and two-sample t test were used to compare baseline characteristics and surgical outcomes between strata. Sub-analysis was performed between patients who received primary surgery vs a bridging NAET approach. Results Despite similar clinical characteristics, patients in 2019 were more likely to have a surgery-first approach (75% vs 42%, P-value = .0007), receive surgery sooner (22 vs 29 days, P-value < .001), and within 60 days from diagnosis date (100% vs 85%, P-value = .0301). Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy was a more prevalent approach in 2020 (48% vs 7%, P-value < .0001). Rates of clinical to pathologic up-staging remained consistent across primary surgery vs bridging NAET subgroups ( P-value = .9253). Discussion Pandemic-driven treatment protocols provide a unique opportunity to assess the utility of bridging endocrine therapy for resectable HR+/HER2- tumors. Differences in clinical and pathologic staging were similar across groups and did not appear to be affected by receipt of NAET. Our limited cohort demonstrates this strategic therapeutic avenue can optimize health care utilization and may be a reasonable approach when delaying surgery is preferred.
Admission of Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Undergoing Ambulatory Surgery in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
Authors: Wu Vincent , Lo Nick , Lin R. Jun , Zirkle Molly , Anderson Jennifer , Lee John M. 
Published: September 2021

Objectives: Within Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients are frequently encountered. To implement policies and screening measures for admission of OSA patients undergoing ambulatory surgery, actual rates of admission must first be determined. We aimed to evaluate rates and reasons for admission of OSA patients after ambulatory OHNS surgery. Methods: Retrospective chart review was undertaken of all OSA patients undergoing elective day-surgery OHNS procedures at a tertiary center from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. The primary outcome measure was percentage of OSA patients admitted to hospital after ambulatory OHNS surgery. Secondary outcome measures included reasons for admission. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, perioperative complications, and patient demographics were captured. Results: There were 118 OSA patients, out of 1942 cases performed during the review period. Thirty-eight were excluded as the procedures were not considered ambulatory. The remaining 80 OSA patients were included for analysis, with an average age of 51.7, SD 13.8, and 30 (38%) females. The admission rate was 47.5% (38/80 patients). Admitted patients were older ( P = .0061), and had higher ASA ( P = .039). Indication for surgery or type of surgery did not differ among admitted and non-admitted patients. The majority of patients, 97% (37/38 patients), were admitted for post-operative monitoring. Conclusion: More than half of OSA patients did not require admission to hospital after ambulatory OHNS surgery, unaffected by indications for surgery or type of surgery. Higher ASA score and older age were found in admitted as compared to non-admitted patients.