bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Duration of peripheral nerve blocks in opioid‐tolerant individuals: A study protocol
Authors: Jensen Mikkel Schjødt Heide , Sørensen Johan Kløvgaard , Nikolajsen Lone , Runge Charlotte 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundPeripheral nerve blocks effectively alleviate postoperative pain. Animal studies and human research suggest that opioid tolerance may reduce the effectiveness of local analgesics. The reduced effectiveness has been observed in opioid‐tolerant humans and animals undergoing spinal and infiltration anaesthesia with both lidocaine and bupivacaine. However, the impact on peripheral nerve blocks in humans has not been evaluated. This study aims to assess the onset time and duration of a radial nerve block in opioid‐tolerant individuals compared to opioid‐naive individuals. We hypothesise that peripheral nerve blocks may be less effective in producing sensory and motor blockades in opioid‐tolerant individuals compared to their opioid‐naive counterparts.MethodsTwenty opioid‐tolerant individuals will be matched by sex and age with opioid‐naïve counterparts. Participants will receive an ultrasound‐guided radial nerve block. The primary outcome is the difference in the duration of sensory nerve blockade between the two groups. The secondary outcomes include the onset time of sensory blockade, onset time of motor blockade, and difference in duration of motor nerve blockade.ConclusionThis study will compare the effectiveness of a peripheral nerve block between opioid‐tolerant and opioid‐naïve individuals. Any found differences could support a specific postoperative protocol for opioid‐tolerant individuals regarding the use of peripheral nerve blocks.
Antibiotic stewardship with multiplex PCR for pneumonia in intensive care patients: A retrospective study
Authors: Wichmann Sine , Christensen Dorthe Ørsnes , Jensen Claus Antonio Juel , Bangsborg Jette , Kolpen Mette , Bestle Morten Heiberg 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundEarly initiation of targeted antibiotic therapy is important to achieve the best patient outcomes in intubated patients with pneumonia in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to investigate the applicability of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in an ICU by comparing the test results to the results of conventional microbiological methods to assess the possible impact on antibiotic therapy.MethodThis retrospective study investigated adult patients with pneumonia on mechanical ventilation in the ICU. Tracheal aspirates were collected within 24h after intubation and the initiation of mechanical ventilation. Samples were initially tested by conventional microbiological methods and subsequently re‐evaluated with rapid multiplex PCR on stored samples. Concordance between the two methods was assessed. An intensivist and a microbiologist retrospectively reviewed the patients' electronic health records for relevant clinical details to evaluate the potential impact of multiplex PCR results on antibiotic therapy.ResultsIn this study, 76 patients were enrolled and 55 (72.4%) tested positive for 95 pathogens using multiplex PCR, while conventional microbiological methods identified 40 pathogens in 32 (42.2%) patients. Concordance between the two methods was observed in 42 (55.3%) patients. Multiplex PCR detected 39 additional pathogens in 31 (40.7%) patients. Retrospective analysis indicated potential antibiotic de‐escalation in 35 (46.1%) patients and escalation in 4 (5.3%) patients. Multiplex PCR significantly reduced the turnaround time for test results.ConclusionIn ICU patients with suspected pneumonia, multiplex PCR identified a higher number of pathogens compared to CMM. A retrospective assessment indicates that the use of multiplex PCR could potentially have prompted the de‐escalation of antibiotic therapy in nearly half of the patients. Therefore, multiplex PCR may serve as a supplement to CMM in guiding antibiotic stewardship.
The NLRP3 inhibitor Dapansutrile improves the therapeutic action of lonafarnib on progeroid mice
Authors: Muela‐Zarzuela Inés , Suarez‐Rivero Juan Miguel , Boy‐Ruiz Daniel , López‐Pérez Juan , Sotelo‐Montoro Marta , del Mar Navarrete‐Alonso Maria , Collado Isidro G. , Botubol‐Ares José Manuel , Sanz Alberto , Cordero Mario D. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe role of the inflammasomes in aging and progeroid syndromes remain understudied. Recently, MCC950, a NLRP3 inhibitor, was used in Zmpste24−/− mice to ameliorate the phenotypes. However, the safety of MCC950 was questioned due to liver toxicity observed in humans. Nevertheless, inhibition of the inflammasomes would be a beneficial therapy for progeria. Here, we show that OLT1177 (dapansutrile), other NLRP3 inhibitor, improved cellular and animal phenotypes using progeroid fibroblasts and a LmnaG609G/G609G mouse model. In both cases dapansutrile reduced progerin accumulation, NLRP3‐inflammasome activation and secretory phenotype of senescence, extended the lifespan of progeroid animals, preserved bodyweight, and reduced kyphosis, inflammation, and senescence. Interestingly, dapansutrile further improved the effect of lonafarnib, the only FDA‐approved drug for the progeria. The combination of both drugs reduced the inflammation and senescence, extended survival and ameliorated various progeroid defects both in vitro and in vivo, compared with treatment using lonafarnib alone. These findings and the safety of dapansutrile demonstrated in several clinical trials proposes it as a possible co‐adjuvant treatment with lonafarnid in HGPS.
Premature cognitive decline in a mouse model of tuberous sclerosis
Authors: Krummeich J. , Nardi L. , Caliendo C. , Aschauer D. , Engelhardt V. , Arlt A. , Maier J. , Bicker F. , Kwiatkowski M. D. , Rolski K. , Vincze K. , Schneider R. , Rumpel S. , Gerber S. , Schmeisser M. J. , Schweiger S. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractLittle is known about the influence of (impaired) neurodevelopment on cognitive aging. We here used a mouse model for tuberous sclerosis (TS) carrying a heterozygous deletion of the Tsc2 gene. Loss of Tsc2 function leads to mTOR hyperactivity in mice and patients. In a longitudinal behavioral analysis, we found premature decline of hippocampus‐based cognitive functions together with a significant reduction of immediate early gene (IEG) expression. While we did not detect any morphological changes of hippocampal projections and synaptic contacts, molecular markers of neurodegeneration were increased and the mTOR signaling cascade was downregulated in hippocampal synaptosomes. Injection of IGF2, a molecule that induces mTOR signaling, could fully rescue cognitive impairment and IEG expression in aging Tsc2+/− animals. This data suggests that TS is an exhausting disease that causes erosion of the mTOR pathway over time and IGF2 is a promising avenue for treating age‐related degeneration in mTORopathies.
Treatment engagement in comorbid alcohol use disorder and alcohol‐related liver disease: A qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators with service users
Authors: Hemrage Sofia , Parkin Stephen , Kalk Nicola , Shah Naina , Deluca Paolo , Drummond Colin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundEffective interventions to improve patient outcomes in comorbid alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol‐related liver disease (ARLD) remain a clinical unmet need. While the choice of abstinence is the cornerstone for the prevention of disease progression and mortality, evidence suggests a suboptimal engagement with treatment supporting recovery. This qualitative investigation aims to understand barriers and facilitators to treatment as experienced by this clinical population by applying a multidimensional adherence model proposed by the World Health Organization.MethodsTwenty‐four participants with comorbid AUD and ARLD were recruited from an inpatient clinical setting. Data for this study were collected through semistructured, in‐depth interviews. Deductive analysis was organized by the Framework method, and theory‐driven themes were identified according to the multidimensional adherence model. This included factors across the social and economic, patient, condition, treatment, and healthcare system levels.ResultsThe findings in this study indicate systematic challenges in maintaining continuity between primary, secondary, and community care. Aspects related to social and economic context, treatment, and healthcare systems were found to hinder engagement. Identified facilitators to engagement included the participatory role of family, shared lived experience of addiction/recovery, and therapeutic alliance with healthcare providers.ConclusionThe understanding of these barriers and facilitators from a service user's perspective can bridge the treatment gap for this clinical population. This can provide an opportunity for the implementation of effective interventions and inform the development of policies promoting accessible care. Government and public health bodies have fundamental roles in shifting treatment paradigms in comorbid AUD and ARLD.
Long‐term effects of alcohol‐avoidance training: Do changes in approach bias predict who will remain abstinent?
Authors: Schenkel Edwin J. , Schöneck Robert , Becker Eni S. , Wiers Reinout W. , Lindenmeyer Johannes , Rinck Mike 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundPatients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) tend to selectively approach alcohol cues in the environment, demonstrating an alcohol‐approach bias. Alcohol‐approach‐bias modification (Alcohol‐ApBM) effectively increases abstinence rates in patients with AUD when added to abstinence‐focused treatment, but the evidence for its proposed working mechanism (reduction of the alcohol‐approach bias) is limited. Moreover, not all patients benefit from Alcohol‐ApBM, and previous research did not identify reliable pretreatment predictors of Alcohol‐ApBM effectiveness. Therefore, the current study focused on learning processes during the Alcohol‐ApBM training itself. Specifically, we examined whether changes in approach‐avoidance tendencies over the course of Alcohol‐ApBM would predict abstinence after inpatient treatment.MethodsThe training data of 543 AUD patients in Germany (70% male, M = 47.96, SD = 9.08), receiving Alcohol‐ApBM training during inpatient treatment, were used to examine whether various aspects of learning during training predicted abstinence 1 year after treatment discharge, both separately and in interaction with potential sociodemographic and clinical moderators of Alcohol‐ApBM effectiveness.ResultsOverall, successful learning across six Alcohol‐ApBM training sessions was observed; that is, the approach tendency toward alcoholic stimuli was reduced over time. However, none of the examined learning parameters were predictive of abstinence, neither separately nor in combination with clinical or sociodemographic variables.ConclusionsPrevious studies have shown that Alcohol‐ApBM is an effective add‐on to abstinence‐focused treatment for AUD, and this study showed that learning took place during Alcohol‐ApBM training. However, specific learning parameters during training did not predict abstinence 1 year after treatment discharge. Therefore, we cannot specify which patients are most likely to benefit from ApBM with regard to abstinence after 1 year.
Maternal allergy‐preventive diet index, offspring infant diet diversity, and childhood allergic diseases
Authors: Venter Carina , Pickett‐Nairne Kaci , Leung Donald , Fleischer David , O'Mahony Liam , Glueck Deborah H. , Dabelea Dana 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundStudies of childhood diet diversity and allergic disease have not examined additional associations with an offspring allergy‐linked maternal diet index during pregnancy. We studied both associations in a pre‐birth cohort.MethodsOffspring allergic disease diagnoses were obtained from electronic medical records. Maternal and infant diet were self‐reported. Adjusted parametric Weibull time‐to‐event models assessed associations between maternal diet index, infant diet diversity and time to development of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, wheeze, IgE‐mediated food allergy, and a combined outcome of any allergic disease except for wheeze.ResultsInfant diet diversity at 1 year was associated with the risk of the combined outcome between 1 and 4 years of age (p = .002). While both maternal diet index and infant diet diversity at 1 year were associated with the risk of the combined outcome between 1 and 4 years of age (both p < .05), infant diet diversity at 1 year did not modify the association between maternal diet index and the risk of the combined outcome between 1 and 4 years of age (p = .5). The group with the lowest risk of the combined allergy outcome had higher maternal diet index and higher infant diet diversity.ConclusionsThe novel finding that both maternal diet index during pregnancy and infant diet diversity at 12 months are associated with the risk of a combined allergic disease outcome points to two targets for preventive interventions: maternal diet index scores during pregnancy and offspring diet diversity during infancy.
Enhancing linkage to care for hepatitis B, D, and C patients: A retrospective‐prospective study
Authors: Vargas‐Accarino Elena , Rando‐Segura Ariadna , Palom Adriana , Feliu‐Prius Anna , Martínez‐Campreciós Joan , Barreira Ana , Romero‐Vico Judit , Ruiz‐Cobo Juan Carlos , Llaneras Jordi , Riveiro‐Barciela Mar , Rodríguez‐Frías Francisco , Esteban Rafael , Buti María 
Published: August 2024

SummaryBackgroundThe WHO has set a goal to decrease viral hepatitis‐related fatalities by 65% by 2030.AimsTo locate and retrieve to care all individuals diagnosed with hepatitis B, D or C, and investigate why they were not linked to appropriate medical management.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective‐prospective search for patients with hepatitis B, D or C virus (HBV, HDV and HCV) infection in the central laboratory database of the Barcelona northern health area (catchment population, 450,000). We reviewed records and contacted candidates for retrieval who were offered a specialist medical visit.ResultsWe reviewed records of 3731 patients with viral hepatitis (January 2019–December 2022): 1763 HBsAg+, 69 anti‐HDV+ and 1899 HCV‐RNA+. Among these, 644 (37%) HBV, 20 (29%) HDV and 1116 (56%) HCV patients were not currently linked to care. The proportion of patients receiving appropriate care was higher in HBV and HDV (p < 0.0001), and a higher percentage of unlinked hepatitis C patients had low life expectancy/comorbidities (39%; p < 0.0001). After implementing the linkage strategy, 254 HBV, 16 HDV and 54 HCV patients were successfully reintegrated into care. Among 1780 patients requiring linkage, 638 (35.8%) had moved to another health area or were missing essential contact data.ConclusionsAmong patients with viral hepatitis who required appropriate specialist care and were eligible for contact, 64% with HBV, 100% with HDV and 27% with HCV were successfully reintegrated into care. Overall, 324 (47.2%) eligible patients were linked to care, indicating the success of this strategy.
Measuring plant functional specialization in urban environments with Grime's CSR strategies
Authors: Di Giulio Mara , Lososová Zdeňka , Carboni Marta , Ricotta Carlo 
Published: August 2024

AbstractQuestionSpecialization refers to the degree of niche breadth of a species. Generalist species are able to persist in a broad range of habitats, whereas specialist species are adapted to a restricted range of environmental conditions. Cities host a great heterogeneity of habitats with variable degrees of human impact. This is generally reflected in the functional composition of the urban floras. The aim of our study is thus to explore whether the degree of functional specialization of urban plant assemblages varies among habitats subject to different degrees of human impact and disturbance regimes.LocationThirty‐two cities in Central Europe with more than 100,000 inhabitants.MethodsWe used a data set containing plots of urban floras sampled in seven habitat types within each city: historical city square, boulevard, residential area with a compact building pattern, residential area with an open building pattern, city park, early successional site, and mid‐successional site. These habitats differ in the level of human impact, ranging from moderately urbanized suburban habitats to the most urbanized habitats in the city center. For each plot, we calculated a recently introduced specialization index, which is based on the application of concentration measures to Grime's community‐level mean CSR strategies.ResultsAlong the urbanization gradient, from peripheral to central habitats, we observed a marked intensification in the degree of functional specialization of urban habitats, which is primarily attributable to an increase in the selection of ruderal species.ConclusionsUrban ecosystems are characterized by a wide variety of human impacts that affect the functioning of the resident species. Considering cities as heterogeneous systems is thus of paramount importance for understanding the mechanisms that drive the assembly of urban floras.
Approximating the ZPD? Young children's judgements of appropriate task level for learning
Authors: Jeong Jeein , Frye Douglas A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis research examined how 3–6‐year‐olds judge appropriate levels of counting games based on a person's ability, desire for learning and degree of difficulty. Study 1 found that 3‐year‐olds did not consider a character's ability or desire, whereas older children gave high ability characters large number games and low ability characters small number games when the characters wanted to play a manageable game. However, older children gave large number games to characters who wanted to learn counting, regardless of their ability. In Study 2, in addition to a similar developmental change of jointly considering a character's ability and desire, it was found that 5‐and 6‐year‐olds were more sensitive to the degree of difficulty. They were more careful than younger children to choose exceedingly large number games given the character's ability and desire. Implications for children's understanding of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and goal orientation are discussed.
Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase: Novel biomarker and therapeutic target for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Kitagawa Yuki , Kondo Satoru , Fukuyo Masaki , Wakae Kousho , Dochi Hirotomo , Mizokami Harue , Komura Shigetaka , Kobayashi Eiji , Hirai Nobuyuki , Ueno Takayoshi , Nakanishi Yosuke , Endo Kazuhira , Sugimoto Hisashi , Wakisaka Naohiro , Kaneda Atsushi , Yoshizaki Tomokazu 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCancer cells show a dynamic metabolic landscape, requiring a sufficient supply of nucleotides to proliferate. They are highly dependent on de novo purine biosynthetic pathways for their nucleotide requirements. Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase (PPAT), catalyzing the first step of de novo purine biosynthesis, is highly expressed in various cancers. We observed an increased expression of PPAT in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Moreover, our ribonucleic acid sequencing analysis showed high PPAT expression in Epstein–Barr virus‐positive NPC, which was supported by in vitro analysis. Through a gene knockdown study, we showed that the suppression of PPAT expression reduced the proliferation and invasion of NPC cells. We also demonstrated the regulation of PPAT by glutamine, a cosubstrate for PPAT. A glutamine antagonist, 6‐diazo‐5‐oxo‐L‐norleucine, blocked glutamine‐mediated induction of PPAT and reduced NPC cell proliferation. Immunohistochemical analysis of PPAT in NPC tissues revealed increased expression of PPAT with disease progression, which was significantly associated with poor prognosis. In summary, this study highlighted the biological function of PPAT in NPC, establishing its potential as a novel prognostic biomarker for aggressive NPC and a promising therapeutic target.
The contribution of the amount of linguistic exposure to bilingual language development: Longitudinal evidence from preschool years
Authors: Pérez‐Navarro Jose , Lallier Marie 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study examined the influence of linguistic input on the development of productive and receptive skills across three fundamental language domains: lexico‐semantics, syntax, and phonology. Seventy‐one (35 female) Basque‐Spanish bilingual children were assessed at three time points (Fall 2018, Summer 2019, Winter 2021), between 4 and 6 years of age, by specifically examining language knowledge and spontaneous language use in each language. A direct impact of the amount of linguistic exposure on the longitudinal growth of lexico‐semantic and syntactic abilities was observed in both languages. While phonological skills were not directly influenced by exposure, they were more proficient in the more exposed language. The use of lexically diverse and syntactically rich utterances developed relatively later than language knowledge, both supported by the amount of linguistic exposure.
Problems with combining modelling and social science approaches to understand artisanal fisheries bycatch
Authors: Villar Daniel A. , Gutiérrez Tito Edwin R. , Velásquez‐Noriega Paola , Paca‐Condori Anahi Cosky , Moreno Terrazas Edmundo G. , Balcón Cuno Alfredo , Hinojosa Cárdenas Ronald , Villanueva Carmen , Chapman Patrick , Chiaverini Luca , Marino Jorgelina , Gosler Andrew G. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAimArtisanal fisheries account for 40% of the world's fisheries catch, yet its environmental impacts remain poorly understood. This is especially the case in developing countries. In this study, we sought to integrate Local Fisher's Knowledge with distribution modelling to estimate the annual bycatch of Titicaca Grebe (Rollandia microptera), an endangered endemic bird from Lake Titicaca whose main anthropogenic threat is bycatch.LocationLake Titicaca, Peru and Bolivia.MethodsWe conducted transect and point counts of fishing nets in March–September 2022 and conducted interviews with fishers across the Lake Titicaca region. Using bathymetry, distance from shore, distance from a settlement, distance from the protected area, presence/absence of aquaculture, distance from aquaculture, and wetland cover, we constructed a distribution model of fisheries using maximum entropy modelling. We conducted interviews with fishers asking about the frequency of grebe bycatch and conducted short‐term monitoring at various sites while conducting transect points for dead grebes.ResultsWe estimate 3270 km2 of the surface area of Lake Titicaca is used for fishing, which amounts to 39.40% of the lake's surface area. The area under the curve (AUC) of the distribution model was 0.89 and the True Skill Statistic was 0.67, which suggests maximum entropy modelling can model fisheries occurrence. The results of our interviews suggested a biologically implausible large number of grebes caught as bycatch annually. The cultural context of the interviews, including potential influences of non‐response and social‐desirability bias, being with fishers who often view the Titicaca Grebe as a nuisance species, might have caused over‐reporting of bycatch and hence led to these implausible figures.Main ConclusionsIt is possible to map fisheries using distribution models as one might with species. However, obtaining accurate measures of fisheries bycatch through interviews is more difficult, due to cultural factors which affect the accuracy in fisher's responses. While we hope that this method provides a low‐cost alternative to monitoring, it is not a suitable replacement for it.