bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Interaction of Cognitive Profiles and Text-to-Speech Software on Reading Comprehension of Adolescents With Reading Challenges
Authors: Silvestri Robert , Holmes Alana , Rahemtulla Rafiq 
Published: July 2021

This study utilized the Simple View of Reading (SVR) model cognitive subtypes to determine the impact of text-to-speech (TTS) software on the reading comprehension of 94 grade 8 students with reading difficulties. Method: paired samples t tests for all four SVR groups were conducted to examine reading comprehension scores under TTS and no-TTS conditions. Results: only those participants with a dyslexic profile (listening comprehension greater than decoding skills), demonstrated significant gains in reading comprehension in the TTS compared to the no-TTS condition; a large effect size (1.58 grade level increase) was found. Furthermore, this group’s literal comprehension improved much more than their inferential comprehension when utilizing TTS. Implications: a one-size fits all approach for the selection of TTS for struggling readers is not recommended. SVR subtyping incorporated into psychoeducational assessments can inform appropriate assignment of TTS to struggling readers.
GABAergic modulation of performance in response inhibition and interference control tasks
Authors: Faßbender Kaja , Bey Katharina , Lippold Julia V , Aslan Behrem , Hurlemann René , Ettinger Ulrich 
Published: July 2021

Background: Inhibitory control is a crucial executive function with high relevance to mental and physical well-being. However, there are still unanswered questions regarding its neural mechanisms, including the role of the major inhibitory neurotransmitter, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Aims: This study examined the effects of lorazepam (0.5 mg and 1 mg), a positive allosteric modulator at the GABAA receptor, on response inhibition and interference control. We also explored the heterogeneity of inhibitory control and calculated delta plots to explore whether lorazepam affects the gradual build-up of inhibition and activation over time. Methods: N = 50 healthy participants performed antisaccade, Eriksen flanker and Simon tasks in a within-subjects, placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized design. Results: Lorazepam increased reaction time (RT) and error rates dose dependently in all tasks ( p ⩽ 0.005). In the antisaccade and Simon tasks, lorazepam increased congruency effects for error rate ( p ⩽ 0.029) but not RT ( p ⩾ 0.587). In the Eriksen flanker task, both congruency effects were increased by the drug ( p ⩽ 0.031). Delta plots did not reflect drug-induced changes in inhibition and activation over time. Delta plots for RT in the Simon task were negative-going, as expected, whereas those for the antisaccade and flanker tasks were positive-going. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for GABAergic involvement in performance on response inhibition and interference control tasks. Furthermore, our findings highlight the diversity of the broader construct of inhibitory control while also pointing out similarities between different inhibitory control tasks. In contrast to RT and error rates, the cognitive processes indexed by delta plots may not be sensitive to GABAergic modulation.
The impacts of caffeine administration, expectancies, and related stimuli on coffee craving, withdrawal, and self-administration
Authors: Shephard Aaron , Barrett Sean P 
Published: July 2021

Background: Caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance, yet its potential reinforcing properties have been understudied. Aims: This study examined the impact of caffeine administration and expectancy on coffee-related craving, withdrawal, and cue reactivity via a balanced-placebo design. Methods: Following 18-h caffeine abstinence, 65 daily coffee consumers (54% male) received either caffeine-containing (100 mg) or placebo gum, along with either accurate or inaccurate information regarding the gum’s caffeine content. Participants were exposed to neutral and coffee-related stimuli using different sensory modalities (visual and combined auditory/olfactory). Craving, withdrawal, and heart rate were assessed at baseline and after each cue presentation. Following the cue-reactivity assessments, participants were provided with an opportunity to self-administer units of coffee. Results: Caffeine expectancy was associated with reduced subjective withdrawal 30 min following the gum administration but was not significantly impacted by actual caffeine administration. The presentation of coffee-related cues was found to increase self-reported craving and heart rate, regardless of the expectation that caffeine had been administered. Visual, but not auditory/olfactory, cue reactivity appeared blunted when participants received a prior dose of caffeine. Prior caffeine ingestion also reduced the probability of subsequent coffee self-administration. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first examination of the impact of caffeine administration and expectancy on cue-elicited coffee craving and coffee consumption. Although there was some evidence that caffeine expectancy and administration were found to impact subjective withdrawal and self-administration respectively, neither was found to exert strong consistent effects on cue reactivity.
Subjective executive function deficits in hazardous alcohol drinkers
Authors: Powell Anna , Sumnall Harry , Kullu Cecil , Owens Lynn , Montgomery Catharine 
Published: July 2021

Background: Dependent alcohol drinkers exhibit differences in the structure and function of the brain, and impairments in cognitive function, including executive functions (EFs). Less is known about the impact of non-dependent but hazardous use (that which raises the risk of harm), and it is also unclear to what extent executive impairments in this cohort affect real-world function. The current study examines the relationship between alcohol use, EF and alcohol-related problems, in the general population. Methods: A between-groups cross-sectional design assessed EF across two levels of drinking; hazardous (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of ⩾8) and non-hazardous. Alcohol drinkers ( n = 666; 136 male; 524 female; six not disclosed; aged 28.02 ± 10.40 years) completed validated questionnaires online assessing subjective EF, alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Results: Organisation, Strategic Planning, Impulse Control and overall function were significantly impaired in hazardous drinkers. Furthermore, the effect of alcohol on EF, partially mediated the relationship between alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Conclusion: Hazardous drinking was associated with lower subjective EF, and this mediated the effect of alcohol on alcohol-related problems. This may be due to changes in prefrontal brain regions, which could indicate greater risk for the development of alcohol dependence (AD). Future research should use additional means to assess EF in hazardous drinkers, including recovery of function, development of AD and the relationship between cognition and alcohol-related daily problems.
The diagnostic efficiency of the perfusion-related parameters in assessing the vascular disrupting agent (CA4P) response in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model
Authors: Meng Fanhua , Zou Biao , Yang Rong , Duan Qingqing , Qian Ting 
Published: July 2021

Background There are inconsistencies when concomitantly using dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) to evaluate diagnostic efficiency. Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of perfusion-related parameters in assessing the effect of Combretastatin-A4-phosphate (CA4P) in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model using DCE and IVIM. Material and Methods Twenty rabbits implanted with VX2 tumors were included in the study. The perfusion-parameters of DCE ( Ktrans and iAUC60) and IVIM ( f and D*) were measured at baseline and 4 h after administration of CA4P. Subsequently, the rabbits were euthanized. Pre- and post-treatment perfusion parameters were analyzed using paired t-test. Correlation between the various perfusion parameters and correlation of perfusion parameters with microvascular density (MVD) were assessed using Pearson correlation analysis. The diagnostic efficiency was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results All perfusion parameters ( Ktrans, iAUC60, f and D*) showed significant decrease after 4 h of CA4P administration (all P < 0.001). Post-treatment perfusion parameters showed a moderate correlation with MVD (r = 0.663, r = 0.567, r = 0.685, r = 0.618, respectively; all P < 0.05). At baseline and after treatment, Ktrans values and iAUC60 showed correlation with f and D* (all P < 0.05). Concomitant use of perfusion parameters of DCE and IVIM showed the best diagnostic performance, which was slightly greater than that observed with individual application of DCE or IVIM (AUC = 0.915, 0.880, and 0.895, respectively). Conclusion Although concomitant application of DCE and IVIM can slightly improve the diagnostic value in assessing the effect of CA4P, the values were relatively small.
The mechanism of myocardial fibrosis is ameliorated by myocardial infarction-associated transcript through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to relieve heart failure
Authors: Zhao Xingsheng , Ren Yu , Ren Hongkun , Wu Yun , Liu Xi , Chen Hua , Ying Chun 
Published: July 2021

Objective This study aimed to investigate the role of long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) in a heart failure (HF) model in vivo and in vitro by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Methods We established HF models in vivo and in vitro and evaluated the collagen content of these models and other factors. Results We found that when LncRNA MIAT was silenced, vascular endothelial growth factor, phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt), and phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) mRNA and protein levels were significantly downregulated, which suggested that MIAT activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Akt and PI3K expression was not significantly changed. We also found that when LncRNA MIAT was silenced, collagen expression was significantly downregulated. This finding suggested that MIAT promoted myocardial fibrosis during the development of HF. The levels of inflammatory factors were also significantly reduced with silencing of LncRNA MIAT. This finding suggested that MIAT promoted the expression of inflammatory factors in myocardial fibrosis by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Conclusion This study indicates that silencing LncRNA MIAT may improve myocardial fibrosis and alleviate HF through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which may be helpful for patients with HF to obtain a better therapeutic effect.
Naratriptan is as effective as sumatriptan for the treatment of migraine attacks when used properly. A mini-review
Authors: Tfelt-Hansen Peer 
Published: July 2021

Background Naratriptan, marketed in a low oral dose of 2.5 mg, is generally regarded as a less-effective triptan with a slower onset of action than most other triptans in the treatment of migraine attacks. In this review, naratriptan will be compared with sumatriptan, the standard triptan. Methods Papers on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and results from comparative clinical trials with oral and subcutaneous naratriptan versus other triptans were retrieved from PubMed. Results Naratriptan and sumatriptan have similar effects in relevant animal models. In a randomized controlled trial, oral naratriptan 2.5 mg is less effective than oral sumatriptan 100 mg after both 2 h and 4 h. In contrast, oral naratriptan 10 mg has a similar time-effect curve as oral sumatriptan 100 mg, in both its steepness and the efficacy at 2 h and 4 h. Subcutaneous naratriptan 10 mg (88% pain free at 2 h) was in one trial superior to subcutaneous sumatriptan 6 mg (55% pain free at 2 h). Conclusion Naratriptan was marketed for the treatment of migraine attacks as the “gentle triptan” in a low oral dose of 2.5 mg, a dose with no more adverse events than placebo. This low dose results in the slow onset of action and low efficacy of oral naratriptan, but in high doses oral naratriptan is similar to oral sumatriptan. Based on one randomized controlled trial, subcutaneous naratriptan has probably the greatest effect of any triptan.
Pain in the temple? Headache, muscle pain or both: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Exposto Fernando G , Renner Nicole , Bendixen Karina H , Svensson Peter 
Published: July 2021

Aim Headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders and myalgia are two diagnoses included in the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD). However, it is not clear if these two diagnoses are different clinical entities given their similar presentation and way in which they are diagnosed, when the myalgia is within the temporalis muscle. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the overlap between headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders and myalgia of the temporalis muscle. Methods The charts of 671 patients seeking treatment at the Section of Orofacial Pain and Jaw Function, Aarhus University, Denmark, between January 2015 and February 2020 were screened for a diagnosis of headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders, myalgia of the temporalis muscle, or both. Results A total of 89 patients fulfilled the DC/TMD criteria for either headache attributed to TMD, myalgia of the temporalis or both. Of these, two had a diagnosis of headache attributed to TMD, 16 of myalgia of the temporalis, and 71 were diagnosed with both. In 97.3% of the times that headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders was diagnosed, the patient was also diagnosed with myalgia of the temporalis. The Jaccard index was 0.8, indicating a substantial overlap between the two diagnoses. Finally, the overlap of pain location between the two diagnoses was substantial, with a Jaccard index of 0.9. Conclusions In the present study, headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders was almost exclusively diagnosed together with myalgia of the temporalis. Therefore, we propose that headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders and myalgia of the temporalis muscle have more clinical similarities than differences and as such could be considered one single clinical entity. Further studies will be needed to address the clinical consequences of this proposal.
Caste-Based Inequality in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in India
Authors: Choudhury Samira , Shankar Bhavani , Aleksandrowicz Lukasz , Tak Mehroosh , Dangour Alan 
Published: July 2021

Objective: Fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is of central importance to many diet-related health outcomes. In India, caste is a major basis of socioeconomic inequality. Recent analysis shows that more disadvantaged “lower” castes consume less F&V than the rest. This article explores whether this consumption gap arises due to differential distribution of drivers of consumption such as income and education across castes, or whether behavioral differences or discrimination may be at play. Design: The Oaxaca-Blinder regression decomposition is applied to explain the gap in F&V consumption between “upper” castes and “lower” castes, using data from the 68th (2011-2012) round of the National Sample Survey Organization household survey. Results: Differences in the distribution of F&V drivers account for all of the 50 grams/person/day consumption gap between upper and lower castes. In particular, much of the gap is explained by income differential across castes. Conclusions: In the long run, India’s positive discrimination policies in education and employment that seek to equalize income across castes are also likely to help close the F&V consumption gap, leading to health benefits. In the medium run, interventions acting to boost lower caste income, such as cash transfers targeting lower castes, may be effective.
The ‘Playing a Blinder’ myth: The Republic of Ireland's pandemic response revisited
Authors: Kirwan Jordan 
Published: July 2021

In a previous paper, ‘The Playing a Blinder Myth and why we must not forget shortcomings in unprecedented times’, it was argued that acting Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar's response to the pandemic was one of opportunism rather than one of competency. By adopting a similar method to the previous article, this piece will provide an updated discussion and commentary, based on newspaper articles covering the newly formed Irish (Republic of Ireland) government's response to the pandemic to date. This paper discusses the governance of the coalition of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and The Green Party to examine whether the context of the pandemic deflected the Irish public's attention from what was simply a continuation of the Government's normal approach to welfare, housing and healthcare. Therefore, this paper will focus on the coalition's decision to screen and tax recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, the enactment of housing strategies that have not met the existing issues within the housing market and how previous measures have not provided adequate protection for the healthcare system during the pandemic. In this short article, the Republic of Ireland's government response to the pandemic is revisited after a year of living with coronavirus within the context of welfare, housing and healthcare.
Ultrasound guided interventional procedures on arteriovenous fistulae
Authors: Napoli Marcello , Bacchini Giuseppe , Scarpati Luisa , Loizzo Giuliana , Zito Anna 
Published: July 2021

Autogenous (AVF) and prosthetic (AVG) arteriovenous fistulas are the vascular accesses (VA) of choice for hemodialysis thanks to their improved patency, reduced costs, and lower rate of infections relative to catheters. In an effort to maximize the number of primary AVF and AVG, shorten maturation times for AVF, and reduce the number of indwelling catheters, several new techniques have been developed within the context of an overall program designed to optimize access care. This approach includes: (a) Primary Intraoperative Balloon Angioplasty on the vessels selected for AV creation whether small-sized or altered by pre-existing lesions; (b) Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) on AVF and AVG stenosis, performed under ultrasonographic (UG) or fluoroscopic guide (FG). We report the experience of two Center in performing the above mentioned procedures on even complex VA. The wise adoption of these techniques may avail to meet the stringent demands for reliable VA placement as defined by KDOQI and, thereby, expand the duration and quality of life for hemodialysis patients.
Preclinical Evaluation of the Temporary Drug-Coated Spur Stent System in Porcine Peripheral Arteries
Authors: Brunacci Nadia , Schurmann-Kaufeld Sebastian , Haase Tobias , Gemeinhardt Ole , Schnorr Beatrix , Löchel Melanie , Rizk Isa , Jimenez Teo , Bettink Stephanie , Scheller Bruno 
Published: July 2021

Background: Drug penetration into the deeper arterial wall of heavily calcified lesions is one of the limitations of drug-coated balloons and drug-eluting stents in vascular interventions. The Temporary Spur Stent (TSS) system is characterized by a self-expanding nitinol stent that is uniformly covered in radialspikes, which, when coated, should allow a deeper penetration and longer retention of the drug into the diseased artery walls by penetrating through the calcified plaques. Materials and Methods and Results: Uncoated TSS and paclitaxel (PTX)-coated TSS systems have been deployed in porcine peripheral arteries. Four weeks after the deployment of uncoated TSS systems, no adverse vascular remodeling or neointimal formation in the treated vessel segments were noticed. PTX-coated TSS systems transferred 9%±7% of the drug that was on the device to the targeted vessel area (196±163 ng PTX/mg arterial tissue) and the addition of the fluorescent dye Nile red to the coating showed that the spikes promote the transfer of the coating to the deeper layers of the vessel wall. The PTX-coated TSS systems showed a significant reduction in neointimal proliferation compared to the uncoated TSS systems: quantitative angiography showed a vessel diameter stenosis of 37.2%±11.0% and 16.4%±8.8% 4 weeks after the treatment with uncoated and PTX-coated TSS systems, respectively. Conclusion: The treatment with the TSS system was well tolerated and the spikesfacilitate the transfer of the coating into deeper layers of the vessel wall. Moreover, the PTX-coated TSS systems effectively inhibit neointimal proliferation.
The perplexing role of RAGE in pulmonary fibrosis: causality or casualty?
Authors: Perkins Timothy N. , Oury Tim D. 
Published: July 2021

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease in which most patients die within 3 years of diagnosis. With an unknown etiology, IPF results in progressive fibrosis of the lung parenchyma, diminishing normal lung function, which results in respiratory failure, and eventually, death. While few therapies are available to reduce disease progression, patients continue to advance toward respiratory failure, leaving lung transplantation the only viable option for survival. As incidence and mortality rates steadily increase, the need for novel therapeutics is imperative. The receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) is most highly expressed in the lungs and plays a significant role in a number of chronic lung diseases. RAGE has long been linked to IPF; however, confounding data from both human and experimental studies have left an incomplete and perplexing story. This review examines the present understanding of the role of RAGE in human and experimental models of IPF, drawing parallels to recent advances in RAGE biology. Moreover, this review discusses the role of RAGE in lung injury response, type 2 immunity, and cellular senescence, and how such mechanisms may relate to RAGE as both a biomarker of disease progression and potential therapeutic target in IPF. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.