bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced radiation fluoroscopy technique for implantation of sacral neuromodulation
Authors: Groegler Jason , Hajiha Mohammad , Wagner Hillary , Jellison Forrest , Amasyali Akin S , Moghisi Reihaneh , Dickinson Mark , Yune Junchan Joshua , Baldwin D Duane , Staack Andrea 
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a Food and Drug Administration–approved treatment option for urinary urgency and fecal incontinence. Fluoroscopic imaging is used at various steps during lead placement, which exposes the operating room staff and patient to the harmful effects of radiation. The aim of this study is to describe a reduced radiation technique during lead placement for treatment with SNM. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 51 consecutive patients who underwent lead insertion and SNM placement at a single academic institution were investigated. Reduced fluoroscopy (RF; n=11) involved C-arm settings to 1 pulse/second and an activated “low-dose” setting, while conventional fluoroscopy (CF; n=40) involved 30 pulses/second and a deactivated “low-dose” setting. The automatic brightness control and collimation were used optionally in both groups. Comparison of imaging quality, fluoroscopy settings, and radiation exposure during RF and CF was performed. Results: RF settings resulted in significant reduction of radiation compared to CF settings, including the fluoroscopy time (8.61 vs. 48.16 seconds; p<0.001), dose (2.66 vs. 26.25 mGy; p=0.001), and current (1.67 vs. 4.18 mAs; p<0.001). There was no significant difference in total operative time (59.18 vs. 61.33 minutes; p=0.77) and the rate of progression from stage 1 to stage 2 during follow-up (75% vs. 84%; p=0.55). Conclusions: Lead placement for treatment with SNM can be achieved using RF settings without compromising clinical outcomes. Applying the RF technique reduces overall radiation exposure to the patient and the operating room staff. Further validation of RF in a larger prospective cohort study is needed. Level of evidence: Level 4.
California Dentists’ Engagement in Media Advocacy for Sugar Restriction Policies
Authors: Kearns C.E. , Urata J. , Chaffee B.W. 
Published: March 2021

Objectives: Increasing dentists’ visibility in the media to make the case for sugary beverage taxes can help advance public policy that improves oral health outcomes. We assessed California dentists’ media engagement behaviors related to sugar restriction policies for dental caries prevention and correlates of engaging in such behavior. Methods: Survey items related to sugar policies and media engagement were embedded in an electronically distributed statewide survey of dentists’ tobacco cessation counseling behaviors. Descriptive statistics were calculated for respondent characteristics, perceived professional responsibility to discuss selected topics with patients, and attitudes and behaviors related to sugar restriction policy and media communication. Multivariable models identified independent correlates of media engagement. Results: Of 624 respondents, most had never talked to traditional media (78%) or posted to social media (64%) about sugar or sugar policies for dental caries prevention. Respondents with the highest level of media engagement were more likely to agree that sugary beverage taxes are effective at reducing dental caries, that they had support from dental professional organizations to talk to the media, that it is realistic for patients to reduce their sugar consumption, and that sugar and sugary drinks are extremely harmful to health. Conclusions: Efforts to increase dentists’ media engagement related to sugar restriction policies for dental caries prevention should address dentists’ negative attitudes toward the effectiveness of sugar restriction policies and may require increased support from dental professional societies. Knowledge Transfer Statement: Study findings identify dentists’ low engagement in media advocacy to support sugar restriction policy adoption. The results identify correlates of media engagement and of dentists’ willingness and confidence to act, which could serve to inform interventions to support and enhance engagement.
Azithromycin and the microbiota of cystic fibrosis sputum
Authors: Acosta Nicole , Thornton Christina S. , Surette Michael G. , Somayaji Ranjani , Rossi Laura , Rabin Harvey R. , Parkins Michael D. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Azithromycin is commonly prescribed drug for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), with demonstrated benefits in reducing lung function decline, exacerbation occurrence and improving nutrition. As azithromycin has antimicrobial activity against components of the uncultured microbiome and increasingly the CF microbiome is implicated in disease pathogenesis – we postulated azithromycin may act through its manipulation. Herein we sought to determine if the CF microbiome changed following azithromycin use and if clinical benefit observed during azithromycin use associated with baseline community structure.

Results
Drawing from a prospectively collected biobank we identified patients with sputum samples prior to, during and after initiating azithromycin and determined the composition of the CF microbial community by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. We categorized patients as responders if their rate of lung function decline improved after azithromycin initiation. Thirty-eight adults comprised our cohort, nine who had not utilized azithromycin in at least 3 years, and 29 who were completely naïve. We did not observe a major impact in the microbial community structure of CF sputum in the 2 years following azithromycin usage in either alpha or beta-diversity metrics. Seventeen patients (45%) were classified as Responders – demonstrating reduced lung function decline after azithromycin. Responders who were naïve to azithromycin had a modest clustering effect distinguishing them from those who were non-Responders, and had communities enriched with several organisms including Stenotrophomonas, but not Pseudomonas.

Conclusions
Azithromycin treatment did not associate with subsequent large changes in the CF microbiome structure. However, we found that baseline community structure associated with subsequent azithromycin response in CF adults.
Neurological manifestations and complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yassin Ahmed , Nawaiseh Mohammed , Shaban Ala , Alsherbini Khalid , El-Salem Khalid , Soudah Ola , Abu-Rub Mohammad 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
The spectrum of neurological involvement in COVID-19 is not thoroughly understood. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic review with meta-analysis and a sub-group comparison between severe and non-severe cases has been published. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of neurological manifestations and complications, identify the neurodiagnostic findings, and compare these aspects between severe and non-severe COVID-19 cases.

Methods
A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for studies published between the 1st of January 2020 and 22nd of April 2020. In addition, we scanned the bibliography of included studies to identify other potentially eligible studies. The criteria for eligibility included studies published in English language (or translated to English), those involving patients with COVID-19 of all age groups, and reporting neurological findings. Data were extracted from eligible studies. Meta-analyses were conducted using comprehensive meta-analysis software. Random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled percentages and means with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of individual studies on the summary estimate. A subgroup analysis was conducted according to severity. The main outcomes of the study were to identify the frequency and nature of neurological manifestations and complications, and the neuro-diagnostic findings in COVID-19 patients.

Results
44 articles were included with a pooled sample size of 13,480 patients. The mean age was 50.3 years and 53% were males. The most common neurological manifestations were: Myalgia (22.2, 95% CI, 17.2 to 28.1%), taste impairment (19.6, 95% CI, 3.8 to 60.1%), smell impairment (18.3, 95% CI, 15.4 to 76.2%), headache (12.1, 95% CI, 9.1 to 15.8%), dizziness (11.3, 95% CI, 8.5 to 15.0%), and encephalopathy (9.4, 95% CI, 2.8 to 26.6%). Nearly 2.5% (95% CI, 1 to 6.1%) of patients had acute cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). Myalgia, elevated CK and LDH, and acute CVD were significantly more common in severe cases. Moreover, 20 case reports were assessed qualitatively, and their data presented separately.

Conclusions
Neurological involvement is common in COVID-19 patients. Early recognition and vigilance of such involvement might impact their overall outcomes.
Identification and development of an independent immune-related genes prognostic model for breast cancer
Authors: Chen Lin , Dong Yuxiang , Pan Yitong , Zhang Yuhan , Liu Ping , Wang Junyi , Chen Chen , Lu Jianing , Yu Yun , Deng Rong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Breast cancer is one of the main malignant tumors that threaten the lives of women, which has received more and more clinical attention worldwide. There are increasing evidences showing that the immune micro-environment of breast cancer (BC) seriously affects the clinical outcome. This study aims to explore the role of tumor immune genes in the prognosis of BC patients and construct an immune-related genes prognostic index.

Methods
The list of 2498 immune genes was obtained from ImmPort database. In addition, gene expression data and clinical characteristics data of BC patients were also obtained from the TCGA database. The prognostic correlation of the differential genes was analyzed through Survival package. Cox regression analysis was performed to analyze the prognostic effect of immune genes. According to the regression coefficients of prognostic immune genes in regression analysis, an immune risk scores model was established. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to probe the biological correlation of immune gene scores. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results
In total, 556 immune genes were differentially expressed between normal tissues and BC tissues (p < 0. 05). According to the univariate cox regression analysis, a total of 66 immune genes were statistically significant for survival risk, of which 30 were associated with overall survival (P < 0.05). Finally, a 15 immune genes risk scores model was established. All patients were divided into high- and low-groups. KM survival analysis revealed that high immune risk scores represented worse survival (p < 0.001). ROC curve indicated that the immune genes risk scores model had a good reliability in predicting prognosis (5-year OS, AUC = 0.752). The established risk model showed splendid AUC value in the validation dataset (3-year over survival (OS) AUC = 0.685, 5-year OS AUC = 0.717, P = 0.00048). Moreover, the immune risk signature was proved to be an independent prognostic factor for BC patients. Finally, it was found that 15 immune genes and risk scores had significant clinical correlations, and were involved in a variety of carcinogenic pathways.

Conclusion
In conclusion, our study provides a new perspective for the expression of immune genes in BC. The constructed model has potential value for the prognostic prediction of BC patients and may provide some references for the clinical precision immunotherapy of patients.
NOX5 is expressed aberrantly but not a critical pathogenetic gene in Hirschsprung disease
Authors: Wang Jing , Xiao Jun , Meng Xinyao , Chu Xufeng , Zhuansun Di Di , Xiong Bo , Feng Jiexiong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundHirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital disorder characterized by the absence of intramural ganglion cells in the distal gastrointestinal tract (GI), which results in tonic contraction of the aganglionic gut segment and functional intestinal obstruction. Recent studies have suggestedNADPH oxidase 5(NOX5) as a candidate risk gene for HSCR. In this study, we examined the function ofNOX5to verify its role in the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS).MethodsHSCR tissue specimens (n = 10) were collected at the time of pull-through surgery and control specimens (n = 10) were obtained at the time of colostomy closure in patients. TheNOX5expression in aganglionic and ganglionic segments of HSCR colon and normal colon were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blot and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The gene expression levels and spatiotemporal expression spectrum ofNOX5in different development stages of zebrafish embryo were determined using qPCR and in-situ hybridization (ISH). The enteric nervous system inNOX5Morpholino (MO) knockdown and wild type (WT) zebrafish embryo was analyzed by whole-mount immunofluorescence (IF). Intestinal transit assay was performed to analyze the gastrointestinal motility inNOX5knockdown and control larvae.ResultsNOX5is strongly expressed in the ganglion cells in the proximal segment of HSCR colons and all segments of normal colons. Moreover, the expression ofNOX5is markedly decreased in the aganglionic segment of HSCR colon compared to the ganglionic segment. In zebrafish,NOX5mRNA level is the highest in the one cell stage embryos and it is decreased overtime with the development of the embryos. Interestingly, the expression ofNOX5appears to be enriched in the nervous system. However, the number of neurons in the GI tract and the GI motility were not affected uponNOX5knockdown.ConclusionsOur study shows thatNOX5markedly decreased in the aganglionic segment of HSCR but didn’t involve in the ENS development of zebrafish. It implies that absence of intestinal ganglion cells may lead to down-regulation ofNOX5.
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Mahanintangtong and its constituent herbs, a formula used in Thai traditional medicine for treating pharyngitis
Authors: Dechayont Bhanuz , Phuaklee Pathompong , Chunthorng-Orn Jitpisute , Juckmeta Thana , Prajuabjinda Onmanee , Jiraratsatit Kitrawee 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundMahanintangtong is listed in the Thailand’s National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). It is used to treat non-specific fevers and illnesses such as pharyngitis and chickenpox. In this study, we investigated the biological activities of the different medicinal plants used in the Mahanintangtong formula.MethodsThe plant materials were extracted by maceration and decoction. Antimicrobial activity, assessed by disc diffusion method, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were compared with commercially available standard antibiotics. To elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) production was tested by Griess and ELISA techniques. Antioxidant activity was measured by ABTS and DPPH scavenging assays.ResultsThe extracts with the best antimicrobial activities were carbonizedTectona grandisshowing againstStreptococcus pyogenes,Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) andPseudomonas aeruginosa. The ethanol extract ofDracaena loureiroiwood exhibited the highest NO and IL-6 inhibitory activity with IC50values of 9.42 ± 1.81 and 12.02 ± 0.30 μg/mL, respectively. The ethanol extract ofPogostemon cablinhad the highest TNF-α inhibitory with IC50values of 10.68 ± 0.02 μg/mL. In anti-free radical testing, the ethanol extract ofD. loureiroidisplayed high antioxidant activity by both ABTS and DPPH assays.ConclusionThe ethanol extracts from carbonizedT. grandisand Mahanintangtong showed good antimicrobial activity, especially againstS. pyogenes, and good anti-inflammatory activity. These findings are relevant to the pathogenesis of pharyngitis and justify additional studies to see if Mahanintangtong could have clinical utility.
Stimulating research on childhood adversities, borderline personality disorder, and complex post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Krause-Utz Annegret 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTraumatic events of a long-lasting invasive, primarily interpersonal nature (e.g., childhood abuse, intimate partner violence) can have wide-ranging consequences across various life domains. This involves an increased risk of developing mental disorders, such as (complex) post-traumatic stress (PTSD, CPTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Both within and outside of these diagnostic boundaries, complex trauma has been associated with emotional dysregulation, dissociation, distrust, interpersonal problems, and maladaptive coping behaviours, such as self-harm and suicidal behaviour. Knowledge on the devastating consequences of complex trauma has steadily increased. One of the remaining research questions is why some people develop certain psychopathological symptoms or disorders after complex trauma while others do not. Moreover, more research is needed to better understand how disorders such as BPD and CPTSD can be differentiated, both descriptively and empirically. This special issue brings together a collection of review articles and original research articles on this topic to stimulate further research in the field. Findings enhance the understanding of long-term consequences of childhood adversities and highlight important psychopathological mechanisms that may underlie an increased risk to develop certain mental disorders.
PET/CT F18-FDG with soft tissue plasmacytomas in multiple myeloma
Authors: Martí Alejandro , Morón Sarai , Chinchilla Sandra , González Eliana 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMultiple myeloma is characterized by malignant proliferation of clonal plasma cells. Usually, appears as a generalized disease but it can present as solitary bone plasmacytoma or a solitary soft tissue mass or extramedullary plasmacytoma. In the case of extramedullary involvement, it could present as soft tissue plasmacytomas and the prognosis is poor. The 18F-FDG PET/CT could be a valuable tool for characterization of the medullary and extramedullary involvement. We present a case of F18-FDG PET/CT with extramedullary involvement with soft tissue plasmacytomas in the setting of MM.
Neuroimaging evaluation of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of representative neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Peng Shichun , Dhawan Vijay , Eidelberg David , Ma Yilong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBrain stimulation technology has become a viable modality of reversible interventions in the effective treatment of many neurological and psychiatric disorders. It is aimed to restore brain dysfunction by the targeted delivery of specific electronic signal within or outside the brain to modulate neural activity on local and circuit levels. Development of therapeutic approaches with brain stimulation goes in tandem with the use of neuroimaging methodology in every step of the way. Indeed, multimodality neuroimaging tools have played important roles in target identification, neurosurgical planning, placement of stimulators and post-operative confirmation. They have also been indispensable in pre-treatment screen to identify potential responders and in post-treatment to assess the modulation of brain circuitry in relation to clinical outcome measures. Studies in patients to date have elucidated novel neurobiological mechanisms underlying the neuropathogenesis, action of stimulations, brain responses and therapeutic efficacy. In this article, we review some applications of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of several diseases in the field of neurology and psychiatry. We highlight how the synergistic combination of brain stimulation and neuroimaging technology is posed to accelerate the development of symptomatic therapies and bring revolutionary advances in the domain of bioelectronic medicine.
The association of manganese superoxide dismutase gene polymorphism (Rs4880) with diabetic macular edema in a cohort of type 2 diabetic Egyptian patients
Authors: Abdou Doaa M. , Mohammed Nesrine S. , El Fouli Marwa , Medaney Hanan A. , El Kateb Sarah M. , El-Gabrty Safaa A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are the leading causes of blindness in patients with diabetes. Increasing numbers of people with diabetes worldwide suggest that DR and DME will continue to be major contributors to vision loss and associated functional impairment for years to come. Oxidative stress is a key participant in the development and progression of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Antioxidant status can affect vulnerability to oxidative damage, onset and progression of diabetes, and complications of diabetes. Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) is a key mitochondrial enzyme in cell defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS). DR and progression to DME have been associated with polymorphism in the second exon of the Mn-SOD gene at the 16th amino acid (Ala16Val) in the mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) of the protein. The study aimed to investigate the association between Ala16Val Mn-SOD gene polymorphism and the susceptibility to DR and DME in type 2 DM (T2DM).

Results
In this study, 150 patients with type 2 DM were enrolled: 100 patients with DR with and without diabetic macular edema (DME) and 50 patients with type 2 diabetes with a duration of 10 years without DR. Ala16Val SNP of the Mn-SOD gene (rs4880) was detected by TaqMan real-time PCR. The results showed that the homozygous polymorphic variant VV between the DME group is significantly higher than the non-DME group (P 0.018) among the DR group.

Conclusion
Mn SOD A16V polymorphism itself may not be associated with DR; meanwhile, it may be implicated in the pathogenesis of DME.