bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of gut microbial metabolites and therapeutic approaches in hypertension
Authors: Olalekan Samuel Oluwadare , Bakare Olalekan Olanrewaju , Faponle Abayomi Samson , Okwute Patrick Godwin 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Hypertension is a prevalent and complex disease that is increasingly recognized to be influenced by the gut microbiome and its metabolites. Understanding the relationship between gut microbial metabolites and blood pressure regulation could provide new therapeutic avenues.

Main body
This review examines the role of key microbial metabolites—short-chain fatty acids, trimethylamine N-oxide, tryptophan derivatives, polyamines, bile acids, and phenylacetylglutamine—in blood pressure regulation. Short-chain fatty acids, produced through dietary fiber fermentation, can lower blood pressure by modulating immune responses and reducing inflammation. Elevated trimethylamine N-oxide levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and hypertension, influencing cholesterol metabolism and promoting atherosclerosis. Tryptophan derivatives interact with vascular and renal functions to modulate blood pressure. Polyamines affect blood pressure regulation through their impact on nitric oxide synthesis and vascular tone. Bile acids influence blood pressure via gut microbiota modulation and activation of metabolic receptors. Phenylacetylglutamine has been linked to hypertension through its effects on platelet hyperactivity and thrombosis. Therapeutic approaches targeting these metabolites, including probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary interventions, and polyphenols, have shown varying degrees of success. Probiotics and prebiotics promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and may lower blood pressure. Dietary interventions, such as the Mediterranean diet, positively affect blood pressure and cardiovascular health by modulating the gut microbiota. Polyphenols, known for their antioxidant properties, are associated with blood pressure reductions and improved vascular function. Fecal microbiota transplantation shows promise in restoring gut microbial balance and improving metabolic health, potentially influencing blood pressure regulation.

Conclusion
The review highlights the significant role of gut microbial metabolites in regulating blood pressure, offering new avenues for hypertension management. Key metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, trimethylamine N-oxide, and bile acids, play critical roles in blood pressure modulation. Therapeutic strategies targeting these metabolites, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary interventions, hold promise, though further research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms and optimize their use. Advancing microbiota-based interventions through large-scale studies and exploring personalized therapies will be essential for developing effective treatments in hypertension management.
Retro-maxillary nasal recess: a case report with a new finding
Authors: El-Anwar Mohammad Waheed 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Retro-maxillary recess of the nasal cavity is an area that has not yet described in the literature.

Objective
To report, present, and describe a previously non-reported case which has bilateral retro-maxillary nasal recess by multi-slices computed tomography (MSCT).

Case presentation
A CT of a 22-year-old male showed bilateral retro-maxillary nasal recess extends beyond the posterior maxillary sinus wall and anterior to the pterygopalatine fossa as an extension of the middle meatus laterally and bounded by the maxillary sinus anterior, the orbital floor superior, the inferior turbinates lateral attachment inferior, and the pterygopalatine fossa anterior. The retro-maxillary nasal recess anteroposterior, lateral, and vertical dimensions were 11.53, 8.24, and 11.6 mm respectively at the left side and 5.6, 4.61, and 6.16 mm respectively at the right side.

Conclusion
This study reports and describes a new retro-maxillary nasal recess that could represent a new hidden challenging area for ESS.
Association Between Medicaid Coverage Continuity and Survival in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Pediatric and Adolescent Cancers
Authors: Hu Xin , Castellino Sharon M. , Kirchhoff Anne C. , Williamson Lewis Rebecca S. , DeGroote Nicholas P. , Cornwell Patricia , Mertens Ann C. , Lipscomb Joseph , Ji Xu 
Published: September 2024

PURPOSE

Many patients with cancer do not gain Medicaid coverage until a cancer diagnosis, which can reduce access to early cancer detection and timely treatment, potentially driving inferior survival. Little is known about whether continuous Medicaid coverage prediagnosis through postdiagnosis (
v
gaining Medicaid at/after diagnosis) provides survival benefits for pediatric/adolescent oncology patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
We identified patients newly diagnosed with cancer at age 21 years or younger in a large pediatric health system between 2007 and 2016. Electronic medical records (EMRs) were linked to Medicaid administrative data to differentiate insurance continuity patterns during the 6 months preceding through the 6 months after cancer diagnosis (assessment window): continuous Medicaid, newly gained Medicaid (at or after diagnosis), and other Medicaid enrollment patterns. For patients not linked to Medicaid data, we used EMR-reported insurance types at diagnosis. We followed patients from 6 months postdiagnosis up to 5 years, death, or December 2020, whichever came first. Multivariable regressions estimated all-cause and cancer-specific survival, controlling for sociodemographic and cancer-related factors.

RESULTS

Among 1,800 patients included in the analysis, 1,293 (71.8%) had some Medicaid enrollment during the assessment window; among them, 47.6% had continuous Medicaid and 36.3% had newly gained Medicaid. Patients not linked with Medicaid data had private (26.9%) or other/no insurance (1.2%) at diagnosis. Compared with patients with continuous Medicaid, those with newly gained Medicaid had higher risks of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.41 [95% CI, 1.10 to 1.81];
P
= .008) and cancer-specific death (HR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.12 to 1.90];
P
= .005).

CONCLUSION
Continuous Medicaid coverage throughout cancer diagnosis is associated with survival benefits for pediatric/adolescent patients. This finding has critical implications as millions of American individuals have been losing coverage since the unwinding of the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Provision.
Using Oncology Treatment Pathway Data to Evaluate Serious Illness Communication, Care Utilization, and End-of-Life Care for Patients With Cancer
Authors: Cotner Cody E. , Tramontano Angela C. , Post Alex , Finn Brian , Awan Saima , Gwynne Nathaniel , Mwesigwa Sishemo , Lindvall Charlotta , Tulsky James A. , Jacobson Joseph O. , Jackman David M. , Wright Alexi A. , Manz Christopher R. 
Published: September 2024

PURPOSE
Oncology treatment pathways provide decision support and encourage guideline adherence. Pathway data combined with electronic health record (EHR) data can identify patient populations with poor prognoses, low serious illness conversation (SIC) rates, and high acute care utilization that may benefit from targeted interventions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis among adults with cancer treated at seven affiliated sites of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) who had navigations within 21 treatment pathways between July 29, 2019, and March 8, 2023. DFCI clinicians previously identified pathway nodes with an estimated survival less than 1 year, termed poor prognosis (PP) nodes. We combined pathway data with EHR data to calculate the median overall survival (OS) and proportion of patients with SICs, acute care utilization (hospitalizations and emergency department visits), and outpatient palliative care 6 months after treatment node navigation for all, PP, and nonpoor prognosis (nPP) nodes. SICs were identified using the EHR advanced care planning (ACP) tab.

RESULTS
There were 15,261 navigations for 10,203 patients (median age 66 years, 55% female, 85% White). The median OS was 13.8 months for all nodes, 7.8 months for PP nodes, and 21.0 months for nPP nodes. The ACP section of the EHR rate 6 months after navigation was 19.6% for PP nodes versus 11.0% for nPP nodes. There was substantial intragroup variability in OS and SIC rates among all nodes. SICs were recorded in the ACP tab for only 34.3% of decedents. Patients who navigated to PP nodes had higher levels of acute care utilization and palliative care encounters.

CONCLUSION
Treatment pathway data enabled identification of patient populations with poor prognoses, low SIC rates, and high acute care utilization.
Cadherin adhesion complexes direct cell aggregation in the epithelial transition of Wnt-induced nephron progenitor cells
Authors: Der Balint , Bugacov Helena , Briantseva Bohdana-Myroslava , McMahon Andrew P. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT
In the developing mammalian kidney, nephron formation is initiated by a subset of nephron progenitor cells (NPCs). Wnt input activates a β-catenin (Ctnnb1)-driven, transcriptional nephrogenic program and the mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) of NPCs. Using an in vitro mouse NPC culture model, we observed that activation of the Wnt pathway results in the aggregation of induced NPCs, which is an initiating step in the MET program. Genetic removal showed aggregation was dependent on β-catenin. Modulating extracellular Ca2+ levels showed cell-cell contacts were Ca2+ dependent, suggesting a role for cadherin (Cdh)-directed cell adhesion. Molecular analysis identified Cdh2, Cdh4 and Cdh11 in NPCs, and the β-catenin directed upregulation of Cdh3 and Cdh4 accompanying the MET of induced NPCs. Mutational analysis of β-catenin supported a role for a Lef/Tcf-β-catenin-mediated transcriptional response in the cell aggregation process. Genetic removal of all four cadherins, and independent removal of α-catenin or of β-catenin-α-catenin interactions, abolished aggregation, but not the inductive response to Wnt pathway activation. These findings, and data in an accompanying article highlight the role of β-catenin in linking transcriptional programs to the morphogenesis of NPCs in mammalian nephrogenesis.
Developmental emergence of first- and higher-order thalamic neuron molecular identities
Authors: Lo Giudice Quentin , Wagener Robin J. , Abe Philipp , Frangeul Laura , Jabaudon Denis 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT
The thalamus is organized into nuclei that have distinct input and output connectivities with the cortex. Whereas first-order (FO) nuclei – also called core nuclei – relay input from sensory organs on the body surface and project to primary cortical sensory areas, higher-order (HO) nuclei – matrix nuclei – instead receive their driver input from the cortex and project to secondary and associative areas within cortico-thalamo-cortical loops. Input-dependent processes have been shown to play a crucial role in the emergence of FO thalamic neuron identity from a ground-state HO neuron identity, yet how this identity emerges during development remains unknown. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing of the developing mouse embryonic thalamus, we show that, although they are born together, HO neurons start differentiating earlier than FO neurons. Within the FO visual thalamus, postnatal peripheral input is crucial for the maturation of excitatory, but not inhibitory, neurons. Our findings reveal different differentiation tempos and input sensitivities of HO and FO neurons, and highlight neuron type-specific molecular differentiation programs in the developing thalamus.
Molecular regulation of reversible cardiac remodeling: lessons from species with extreme physiological adaptations
Authors: Martin Thomas G. , Leinwand Leslie A. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT
Some vertebrates evolved to have a remarkable capacity for anatomical and physiological plasticity in response to environmental challenges. One example of such plasticity can be found in the ambush-hunting snakes of the genus Python, which exhibit reversible cardiac growth with feeding. The predation strategy employed by pythons is associated with months-long fasts that are arrested by ingestion of large prey. Consequently, digestion compels a dramatic increase in metabolic rate and hypertrophy of multiple organs, including the heart. In this Review, we summarize the post-prandial cardiac adaptations in pythons at the whole-heart, cellular and molecular scales. We highlight circulating factors and cellular signaling pathways that are altered during digestion to affect cardiac form and function and propose possible mechanisms that may drive the post-digestion regression of cardiac mass. Adaptive physiological cardiac hypertrophy has also been observed in other vertebrates, including in fish acclimated to cold water, birds flying at high altitudes and exercising mammals. To reveal potential evolutionarily conserved features, we summarize the molecular signatures of reversible cardiac remodeling identified in these species and compare them with those of pythons. Finally, we offer a perspective on the potential of biomimetics targeting the natural biology of pythons as therapeutics for human heart disease.
SmilesUp text message intervention for early childhood dental caries prevention: A protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Chen Rebecca , Irving Michelle , Christian Bradley , Prabhu Neeta , Kumar Harleen , Sohn Woosung , Spallek Heiko , Marschner Simone , Chow Clara K. 
Published: September 2024

Introduction
Despite improvements in health outcomes for children, early childhood dental caries (ECC) remains a chronic lifestyle-mediated disease that affects an estimated 600 million children worldwide. Parental influence on oral health-promoting behaviours is pivotal in preventing ECC. The latest WHO publications Ending Early Childhood Dental Caries and Mobile Technologies for Oral Health highlights the opportunity for mobile Health programs (including text message programs) to improve oral health behaviours and oral health self-efficacy. In response, our team of parents, oral health professionals (academics and health promotion experts), and IT specialists co-designed a 12-week, behavioural theory-informed text message program (called SmilesUp) to address behavioural risk factors specific to ECC. This randomised trial aims to assess whether the SmilesUp program improves parents’ oral health promoting behaviours (like tooth brushing twice a day with toothpaste) and oral health self-efficacy for their children compared to usual care.

Methods and analysis
A randomised controlled trial with a 1:1 parallel design will be conducted among 150 parents with children diagnosed with ECC and accessing public dental care in NSW, Australia. Patients will be stratified by hospital site, and modality of care (Dental General Anaesthetic (DGA) or not) and then randomly assigned to either immediately receive the SMILESup text messaging intervention or receive the program at the end of the study period. The primary outcome at 12 weeks is twice daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Secondary outcomes include changes in the intake frequency of sugared drinks and foods, oral health promoting bedtime routines and oral health self-efficacy. The primary analysis will follow an intention-to-treat principle. In addition, a process evaluation will examine barriers, enablers, and opportunities to scale the program.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethics approval has been obtained from the Western Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee 2022/ETH01920. Study results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences.

Trial registration
Trial registration number: This clinical trial has been prospectively registered on the ANZCTR from the 27th of March 2023. Registration number: ACTRN12623000325606.
Perinatal maternal depression and the risk of childhood asthma in offspring: A meta-analysis
Authors: Jia Xiqun , Lu Liang , Lou Shiyang , Han Siyu , Deng Linli , Liu Shuhua 
Published: September 2024

Background
Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding the link between maternal perinatal depression and asthma in children. To provide a clearer understanding of this relationship, a comprehensive meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the association mentioned above.

Methods
A comprehensive review of observational studies was conducted by searching electronic databases including Medline, Embase, and Web of Science. The data were combined using a randomized-effects model taking into account potential variations. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the possible impact of study characteristics on outcomes.

Results
Ten cohort studies, which included 833,230 mother-child pairs, were examined in the analysis. Maternal depressive symptoms during the perinatal period were associated with an increased risk of asthma in offspring (risk ratio [RR]: 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19 to 1.30, p < 0.001; I2 = 0%). Further sensitivity analyses restricted to multivariate studies (RR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.30, p < 0.001; I2 = 0%) or studies where asthma was diagnosed in children aged three years or older (RR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.30, p < 0.001; I2 = 0%) revealed consistent outcomes. Subgroup analyses according to study design, methods for the diagnosis of maternal depression, timing for the evaluation of maternal depression, methods for the validation of asthma in offspring, adjustment of maternal smoking during pregnancy and of maternal asthma, or study quality score showed similar results (p for subgroup difference all > 0.05).

Conclusions
Maternal perinatal depression appears to be significantly linked to a higher occurrence of childhood asthma in children.
Standards-based audit to improve quality of maternal and newborn care—A stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial in Malawi
Authors: White Sarah Ann , Mgawadere Florence , Gopalakrishnan Somasundari , van den Broek Nynke 
Published: September 2024

Background
Audit is a quality improvement approach used in maternal and newborn health. Our objective was to introduce the practice of standards-based audit at healthcare facility level, and to examine if this would improve quality of care assessed by compliance with standards developed and agreed with healthcare providers. Our focus was on emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC).

Methods
A multidimensional incomplete stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial with 8 steps was conducted in 44 healthcare facilities in Malawi. A total of 25 standards of care were developed. At each healthcare facility one (health centres) or two (hospitals) standards were audited per cycle with two consecutive audit cycles conducted. Each cycle consisted of five steps: (i) select standard to be audited, (ii) measure compliance with standard (measurement 1), (iii) review findings and identify what changes are required to increase compliance (iv) implement changes, (v) re-measure compliance (measurement 2). Each compliance measurement assessed 25 women. Multilevel mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyse data for all standards.

Results
The crude overall compliance rate rose from 45% in the control phase (measurement 1) to 63% in the intervention phase (measurement 2) (from 51.6% to70.6% at Basic and from 34.5% to 50.8% at Comprehensive EmONC healthcare facilities. When adjusted for standard, facility type, month, and healthcare facility by month, the adjusted OR (95% CI) was 2.80 (1.65, 4.76). Actions taken to improve compliance with standards included improving staff performance of clinical duties and general conduct through re-orientation and staff meetings as well as improved supervision, and, ensuring basic equipment and consumables were available on site (thermometers, rapid diagnostic tests, partograph).

Conclusion
The introduction of standards-based audit helped healthcare providers identify problems with service provision, which when addressed, resulted in a measurable and significant improvement in quality of care.

Trial registration
ISRCTN registration number: 59931298.
Legislação e censura na Sé7ima Arte em Portugal (1917-1974)
Authors: Lopes Cristina Batista 
Published: September 2024

Este artigo aborda os aspetos legais e regulamentares da censura ao cinema. Serão analisadas as leis que serviram de base ao trabalho dos censores, procurando responder às seguintes questões: Que leis foram criadas? Quando foram publicadas? Até quando vigoraram? Quem as aplicava? Como evoluíram? Quais as alterações? De que forma as mudanças responderam a circunstâncias sociais e políticas específicas?
Um estudo mais completo implicaria examinar a aplicação da lei, o modo de atuação e o funcionamento das Comissões de Censura, mas neste artigo não será possível realizar esse exame. Contudo, pretende-se expor a legislação e os critérios adotados desde a criação da censura ao cinema até ao final do Estado Novo, procurando perceber os traços de continuidade da prática censória ao longo da História. Herdeiro deste legado antigo, o Estado Novo apoderou-se da censura, nunca abdicou da sua aplicação e trabalhou sistematicamente no seu aperfeiçoamento, com um alcance e efetividade sem precedentes.
A review: Enhancing tribological properties of journal bearings composite materials
Authors: Ghani Suadad Noori , Alithari Ali Sadiq , Hasan Hala Salman 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Tribology is the science of studying friction, wear, and lubrication. Composite materials consist of two or more constituents (phases): the discontinuous phase represents the reinforcement and the continuous phase represents the matrix. Journal bearing is manufactured from various composite materials. This article reviews the literature on improving the tribological properties of journal bearings made of composite materials (polymer matrix composite materials and metal matrix composite materials) by dividing the previous studies into six primary sections depending on the kinds of composite materials. An efficient method was utilized to solve the problems of composite journal bearings in water lubrication such as wear resistance, reduced friction, and increased service life of journal bearings in various applications especially in ships. The impact of composite materials, which were added through thermoplastic such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyether-ether-ketone, POM, and PA66, thermoset such as epoxy, polyester, and phenolic reinforced with fibers, and thermoplastic with thermoset (PTFE/epoxy composite) to reduce wear rate and coefficient of friction, and also the addition of nanomaterials to composite journal bearing to enhance the tribological properties in various applications were examined. The last section used metal matrix composite reinforced to other metal or alloy to give the attractive mechanical properties used to improve wear resistance and friction coefficient of journal bearing. The novelty of this article lies in the comprehensive analysis of various composite materials and their effect on the tribological properties of journal bearings, providing future insights into bearing design and optimization to improve performance.