bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of firearms in a cohort of women exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) in Central Pennsylvania
Authors: Leuenberger Laura , Lehman Erik , McCall-Hosenfeld Jennifer 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlmost one-half of U.S. women will experience intimate partner violence (IPV), defined as physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner. IPV is associated with an increased risk of homicide, with firearms as the most commonly used weapon. We designed this study to better understand the correlation of interpersonal trauma exposures and demographic factors on firearm perceptions among a cohort of IPV-exposed women.MethodsTwo hundred sixty-seven women in central Pennsylvania with exposure to IPV were surveyed about perceptions of gun access, safety, and gun presence in the home. Trauma variables included IPV type, IPV recency, unwanted sexual exposure, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Multivariable analyses examined three questions examining firearm perceptions controlling for trauma exposures and demographics.ResultsEase of firearm acquisition: Women who were older (mean 44.92 years +/− SD 12.05), compared to women who were younger (40.91 +/− SD 11.81 years) were more likely to describe it as easy or very easy to acquire a gun (aOR 1.05, 95%CI 1.004, 1.10).Perceived safety in the proximity of a gun: Women with the highest ACE score were less likely to feel safe with a gun nearby (aOR 0.31, 95%CI 0.14, 0.67).Odds of guns in the home: Women who were divorced or separated (aOR 0.22, 95%CI 0.09, 0.54), women were widowed or single (aOR0.23, 95%CI 0.08, 0.67), and women who were partnered (aOR 0.45 95%CI 0.20, 0.97) had lower odds of having a gun in the home, compared to married women. There was no significant effect of the trauma variables on the odds of having a gun at home.ConclusionsWomen with more severe childhood trauma felt less safe around firearms, but trauma exposures did not predict the perception of gun prevalence in the local community or gun ownership. Instead, demographic factors of marriage predicted presence of a gun in the home.
The impact of integrating environmental health into medical school curricula: a survey-based study
Authors: Kligler Benjamin , Pinto Zipp Genevieve , Rocchetti Carmela , Secic Michelle , Ihde Erin Speiser 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Inclusion of environmental health (EH) in medical education serves as a catalyst for preparing future physicians to address issues as complex as climate change and health, water pollution and lead contamination. However, previous research has found EH education to be largely lacking in U.S. medical education, putting future physicians at risk of not having the expertise to address patients’ environmental illnesses, nor speak to prevention.

Methods
Environmental health (EH) knowledge and skills were incorporated into the first-year medical school curriculum at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (Nutley, New Jersey), via a two-hour interactive large group learning module with follow up activities. Students completed the Environmental Health in Med School (EHMS) survey before and after the year 1 EH module. This survey evaluates medical students’ attitudes, awareness and professionalism regarding environmental health. In year 2, students completed the Environmental Health Survey II, which measured students’ perceptions of preparedness to discuss EH with future patients. The research team created both surveys based upon learning objectives that broadly aligned with the Institute of Medicine six competency-based environmental health learning objectives.

Results
36 year 1 students completed both the pre and post EHMS surveys. McNemar’s test was used for paired comparisons. Results identified no statistically significant changes from pre to post surveys, identifying a dramatic ceiling.
When comparing year 2, EHS II pre-survey (n = 84) and post-survey (n = 79) responses, a statistically significant positive change in students’ self-reported sense of preparedness to discuss environmental health with their patients following the curriculum intervention was noted.

Conclusions
Our conclusion for the EHMS in Year 1 was that the current generation of medical students at this school is already extremely aware of and concerned about the impact of environmental issues on health.
Through the EHS II in Year 2, we found that the six-week environmental health module combining didactic and experiential elements significantly increased medical students’ self-reported sense of preparedness to discuss environmental health issues, including climate change, with their patients.
The impact of research intercalation during medical school on post-graduate career progression
Authors: Sorial Antony K. , Harrison-Holland Morgan , Young Helen S. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Medical students at The University of Manchester have the option of research intercalation on the Master of Research programme. There is a paucity of evidence for the benefits of research intercalation. However, we hypothesised that research intercalation would accelerate post-graduate career progression and aimed to objectively measure the career enhancing impact, quantify the benefits and determine the alumni perception of research intercalation.

Methods
Data was collected retrospectively by electronic questionnaire (in 2018) from those commencing research intercalation between 2005 and 2012.

Results
Participants (n=52) returned questionnaires (68% response), demonstrating that the cohort had completed 67 postgraduate qualifications, published 304 manuscripts (median 3 publications per person (PP); range: 0–53) and made 430 presentations (median 7 PP; range: 0–37). Alumni had been awarded 49 research grants; funding disclosed on 43% totalled £823,000. Career progression of 73% of alumni had taken the minimum number of years; 27% took longer due to time spent working abroad or to gain additional experience prior to specialty training. Fifty-five publications and 71 presentations were directly related to MRes projects.

Conclusion
Research intercalation provides graduates with an opportunity to learn valuable transferrable skills, contribute to translational research, and objectively enhances medical career progression.
Evaluation of a training program for life skills education and financial literacy to community health workers in India: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Sharma Shantanu , Arora Kanishtha , Chandrashekhar  , Sinha Rajesh Kumar , Akhtar Faiyaz , Mehra Sunil 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are community health workers responsible for improving the health status of people by facilitating their access to healthcare services. The life skills of ASHA are known to be effective in negotiating behaviour change in the community; however, there has been a meagre focus towards improving them. Considering this gap, we adopted a comprehensive training program, known as Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.), to empower ASHAs on life skills and financial literacy. The present study intends to assess the training program in two districts of Uttar Pradesh, India, by examining changes in knowledge, perceptions, and practices of ASHAs about life skills and financial literacy.

Methods
We conducted a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, controlled study with pre-and post-test assessments. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and practices related to life skills (communication skills, self-confidence, problem–solving and decision-making skills, time and stress management skills) and financial literacy. Additionally, change perceptions on gender-, life skills-, and savings-related practices at the personal, community, and workplace levels were assessed in the intervention group. Factor analysis was performed to obtain the change patterns by assessing the degree to which the four life skills, financial literacy, and change perceptions on practices were correlated. A general linear regression model was performed to assess associations among change pattern scores and socio-demographic variables.

Results
We analyzed the data of 171 ASHAs (intervention group:86 and control group:85). There was a significant improvement in the average post-test scores of all the life skills and financial literacy in the intervention group (p < 0.001). Three distinct change patterns were found post-training in the intervention group. Factor 1 (high loadings for change perceptions on practices) was positively associated with ASHAs aged 38 and above and with experience of ≤12 years. On the contrary, the change in financial literacy and self-confidence scores was common among ASHAs with more than 12 years of experience.

Conclusions
The P.A.C.E training program was found effective in improving the life skills and financial literacy of ASHAs in India.
Dietary patterns and chronic kidney disease risk: a systematic review and updated meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: He Ling-Qiong , Wu Xu-Hong , Huang Yi-Qian , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Shu Long 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
A number of studies have reported the association between dietary patterns and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), however a consistent perspective hasn’t been established to date. Herein, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to assess the association between dietary patterns and CKD.

Methods
MEDLINE, EBSCO and references from eligible studies were searched for relevant articles published up to 9 May 2020 that examined the association of common dietary patterns and CKD. The heterogeneity among studies was assessed by Cochran’s Q test and I2 methods.

Results
Seventeen eligible studies, involving 149,958 participants, were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. The highest compared with the lowest category of healthy dietary pattern was significantly associated with a lower risk of CKD (OR=0.69; CI: 0.57, 0.84; P=0.0001). A higher risk of CKD was shown for the highest compared with the lowest categories of Western-type dietary pattern (OR=1.86; CI: 1.21, 2.86; P=0.005). There were evidence of a lower risk of CKD in the highest compared with the lowest categories of light-moderate drinking pattern (OR=0.76; CI: 0.71, 0.81; P< 0.0001) and heavy drinking pattern (OR=0.67; CI: 0.56, 0.80; P< 0.0001).

Conclusions
The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis show that a healthy dietary pattern and alcohol drinking were associated with lower risk of CKD, whereas a Western-type dietary pattern was associated with higher risk of CKD.
Tailoring interventions for social isolation among older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges and pathways to healthcare equity
Authors: Dassieu Lise , Sourial Nadia 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Social isolation among older adults raises major issues for equity in healthcare in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main text
This commentary describes current challenges in preventing social isolation among older adults and proposes pathways to develop inclusive approaches to intervention in this vulnerable population. Building interventions that take account of structural inequities among older persons, as well as their subjective experiences, expectations and perspectives, appears fundamental to improve their health and quality of life in pandemic and post-pandemic contexts.

Conclusions
We argue that equity-based and person-centered approaches are critical to counter the negative outcomes of social isolation in the vulnerable older population.
Ratatosk: hybrid error correction of long reads enables accurate variant calling and assembly
Authors: Holley Guillaume , Beyter Doruk , Ingimundardottir Helga , Møller Peter L. , Kristmundsdottir Snædis , Eggertsson Hannes P. , Halldorsson Bjarni V. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA major challenge to long read sequencing data is their high error rate of up to 15%. We present Ratatosk, a method to correct long reads with short read data. We demonstrate on 5 human genome trios that Ratatosk reduces the error rate of long reads 6-fold on average with a median error rate as low as 0.22 %. SNP calls in Ratatosk corrected reads are nearly 99 % accurate and indel calls accuracy is increased by up to 37 %. An assembly of Ratatosk corrected reads from an Ashkenazi individual yields a contig N50 of 45 Mbp and less misassemblies than a PacBio HiFi reads assembly.
The morphological and molecular characterization of Baylisascaris devosi Sprent, 1952 (Ascaridoidea, Nematoda), collected from Pine marten (Martes martes) in Iran
Authors: Sharifdini Meysam , Heckmann Richard A. , Mikaeili Fattaneh 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundBaylisascaris devosiis an intestinal nematode found in several carnivores including fisher, wolverine, Beech marten, American marten and sable in different parts of the world, but this nematode has not been reported from Pine marten. Therefore, this study aimed to identifyBaylisascarisisolated from a Pine marten in Iran using morphological and molecular approaches.MethodsSpecimens ofB. devosiwere collected from one road-killed Pine marten in northern Iran. Morphological features were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis and ion sectioning. The molecular characterization was carried out using partialCox1, LSU rDNA and ITS-rDNA genes.ResultsThe nematodes isolated from the Pine marten were confirmed to beB. devosibased on the morphological features and the sequence of ribosomal and mitochondrial loci. X-ray scans (EDAX) were completed on gallium cut structures (papillae, eggs, male spike and mouth denticles) ofB. devosiusing a dual-beam scanning electron microscope. The male spike and mouth denticles had a high level of hardening elements (Ca, P, S), helping to explain the chemical nature and morphology of the worm. Based on these genetic marker analyses, our sequence had the greatest similarity with RussianB. devosiisolated from sable.ConclusionsIn this study, to our knowledge, the occurrence ofB. devosiinfection in Pine marten is reported for the first time. Molecular analysis showed that these three genes are suitable molecular markers for identification and inferring phylogenetic relationships ofBaylisascarisspecies. Furthermore, the high divergence ofCox1betweenBaylisascarisspecies indicates thatCox1could be used for their phylogenetic and taxonomic studies.Graphical Abstract
Association between polygenic risk score of Alzheimer’s disease and plasma phosphorylated tau in individuals from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Authors:   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative*, Zettergren Anna , Lord Jodie , Ashton Nicholas J. , Benedet Andrea L. , Karikari Thomas K. , Lantero Rodriguez Juan , Snellman Anniina , Suárez-Calvet Marc , Proitsi Petroula , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Recent studies suggest that plasma phosphorylated tau181 (p-tau181) is a highly specific biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related tau pathology. It has great potential for the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of AD, since it identifies AD with the same accuracy as tau PET and CSF p-tau181 and predicts the development of AD dementia in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals and in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Plasma p-tau181 may also be used as a biomarker in studies exploring disease pathogenesis, such as genetic or environmental risk factors for AD-type tau pathology. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for AD and plasma p-tau181.

Methods
Data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) was used to examine the relation between AD PRSs, constructed based on findings in recent genome-wide association studies, and plasma p-tau181, using linear regression models. Analyses were performed in the total sample (n = 818), after stratification on diagnostic status (CU (n = 236), MCI (n = 434), AD dementia (n = 148)), and after stratification on Aβ pathology status (Aβ positives (n = 322), Aβ negatives (n = 409)).

Results
Associations between plasma p-tau181 and APOE PRSs (p = 3e−18–7e−15) and non-APOE PRSs (p = 3e−4–0.03) were seen in the total sample. The APOE PRSs were associated with plasma p-tau181 in all diagnostic groups (CU, MCI, and AD dementia), while the non-APOE PRSs were associated only in the MCI group. The APOE PRSs showed similar results in amyloid-β (Aβ)-positive and negative individuals (p = 5e−5–1e−3), while the non-APOE PRSs were associated with plasma p-tau181 in Aβ positives only (p = 0.02).

Conclusions
Polygenic risk for AD including APOE was found to associate with plasma p-tau181 independent of diagnostic and Aβ pathology status, while polygenic risk for AD beyond APOE was associated with plasma p-tau181 only in MCI and Aβ-positive individuals. These results extend the knowledge about the relation between genetic risk for AD and p-tau181, and further support the usefulness of plasma p-tau181 as a biomarker of AD.
Associations of Alzheimer’s disease risk variants with gene expression, amyloidosis, tauopathy, and neurodegeneration
Authors:   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Tan Meng-Shan , Yang Yu-Xiang , Xu Wei , Wang Hui-Fu , Tan Lin , Zuo Chuan-Tao , Dong Qiang , Tan Lan , Suckling John , Yu Jin-Tai 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Genome-wide association studies have identified more than 30 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk genes, although the detailed mechanism through which all these genes are associated with AD pathogenesis remains unknown. We comprehensively evaluate the roles of the variants in top 30 non-APOE AD risk genes, based on whether these variants were associated with altered mRNA transcript levels, as well as brain amyloidosis, tauopathy, and neurodegeneration.

Methods
Human brain gene expression data were obtained from the UK Brain Expression Consortium (UKBEC), while other data used in our study were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort. We examined the association of AD risk allele carrier status with the levels of gene expression in blood and brain regions and tested the association with brain amyloidosis, tauopathy, and neurodegeneration at baseline, using a multivariable linear regression model. Next, we analyzed the longitudinal effects of these variants on the change rates of pathology using a mixed effect model.

Results
Altogether, 27 variants were detected to be associated with the altered expression of 21 nearby genes in blood and brain regions. Eleven variants (especially novel variants in ADAM10, IGHV1-68, and SLC24A4/RIN3) were associated with brain amyloidosis, 7 variants (especially in INPP5D, PTK2B) with brain tauopathy, and 8 variants (especially in ECHDC3, HS3ST1) with brain neurodegeneration. Variants in ADAMTS1, BZRAP1-AS1, CELF1, CD2AP, and SLC24A4/RIN3 participated in more than one cerebral pathological process.

Conclusions
Genetic variants might play functional roles and suggest potential mechanisms in AD pathogenesis, which opens doors to uncover novel targets for AD treatment.
Conditioned media from endothelial progenitor cells cultured in simulated microgravity promote angiogenesis and bone fracture healing
Authors: Kong Lingchi , Wang Yan , Wang Haixing , Pan Qi , Zuo Rongtai , Bai Shanshan , Zhang Xiaoting , Lee Wayne Yukwai , Kang Qinglin , Li Gang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Paracrine signaling from endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is beneficial for angiogenesis and thus promotes tissue regeneration. Microgravity (MG) environment is found to facilitate the functional potentials of various stem or progenitor cells. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of MG on pro-angiogenic properties and fracture repair capacities of conditioned media (CM) from EPCs.

Methods
Human peripheral blood-derived EPCs were cultured under MG or normal gravity (NG) followed by analysis for angiogenic gene expression. Furthermore, the serum-free CM under MG (MG-CM) or NG (NG-CM) were collected, and their pro-angiogenic properties were examined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In order to investigate the effects of MG-CM on fracture healing, they were injected into the fracture gaps of rat models, and radiography, histology, and mechanical test were performed to evaluate neovascularization and fracture healing outcomes.

Results
MG upregulated the expression of hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and promoted NO release. Comparing to NG-CM, MG-CM significantly facilitated the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of HUVECs through NO-induced activation of FAK/Erk1/2-MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, MG-CM were verified to improve angiogenic activities in fracture area in a rat tibial fracture model, accelerate fracture healing, and well restore the biomechanical properties of fracture bone superior to NG-CM.

Conclusion
These findings provided insight into the use of MG bioreactor to enhance the angiogenic properties of EPCs’ paracrine signals via HIF-1α/eNOS/NO axis, and the administration of MG-CM favored bone fracture repair.

Graphical abstract
A sex-stratified long-term clinical outcome analysis in coronary chronic total occlusion patients
Authors: Gong Xuhe , Zhou Li , Ding Xiaosong , Li Hongwei , Chen Hui 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Differences in outcomes for women and men after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients remain controversial. Herein, we compared the clinical outcomes by sex in CTO patients undergoing PCI.

Methods
A total of 563 consecutive patients (19% women) who were diagnosed with CTO at a single center in China from June 2017 to December 2019 were included in this study. Three hundred patients were revascularized by PCI, and 263 were not revascularized. The clinical outcomes of these patients stratified by sex were examined. The primary endpoints included the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE); the secondary endpoint was cardiac death; hazard ratios were generated using multivariable Cox regression.

Results
Women represented 19% of the cohort (107/563 patients). Women have lower mean body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circumference compared with men; however, the proportion of hypertension, diabetes, and previous coronary heart disease is higher in female patients. At 2-year follow-up, there were no differences between men and women for MACCE (15.8% vs 20.6%, p = 0.234) and cardiac death (3.1% vs 5.6%, p = 0.202). Predictors of CTO recanalization revealed that age < 65 years, absence of prior CABG, no history of DM, and non-triple vessel were predictors of CTO recanalization. Sex did not predict recanalization in this regression model. Successful CTO PCI was associated with reduced MACCE.

Conclusion
Our study suggests an equal benefit of CTO recanalization with a marked reduction in MACCE in women and men alike. Further dedicated studies are needed to confirm these findings.