bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women’s health in focus: Real-world data on valproate prescriptions during pregnancy – a cohort study in Catalonia (Spain)
Authors: Bellas Lucía , Camacho-Arteaga Lina , Giner-Soriano Maria , Prats-Uribe Albert , Aguilera Cristina , Vedia Urgell Cristina , Agustí Antonia 
Published: August 2024

ObjectivesTo characterise the exposure to valproate within a cohort of pregnant women using electronic health records (EHRs) from Catalonia (System for the Development of Research in Primary Care, SIDIAP).DesignDrug-utilisation cohort study covering the period from January 2011 to June 2020. The study included pregnancy episodes of women from Catalonia identified by the algorithm.SettingData were sourced from SIDIAP, a comprehensive EHR repository that includes information from various data sources: recorded prescriptions (both hospital and primary care), diagnoses and sociodemographic characteristics identified by primary care physicians, and sexual and reproductive health data from ASSIR (used by gynaecologists and midwives).ParticipantsWomen aged 12–50 with at least one pregnancy episode occurred during January 2011–June 2020 and at least a prescription of valproate during pregnancy.Primary and secondary outcomesPrimary outcomes included valproate exposure, measured through prevalence and cumulative incidence in pregnancy episodes and by trimester. The impact of regulatory measures (risk mitigation measures, RMMs) was assessed, and prescriptions over time were analysed using interrupted time series analysis. Secondary outcomes included health issues, pregnancy outcomes, smoking habits and socioeconomic characteristics.ResultsA total of 99 605 pregnancies were identified, with at least 3.03‰ (95% CI 2.69‰ to 3.39‰) exposed to valproate at some point (302 pregnancies, 276 women). The median pregnancy duration was 38.30 weeks (IQR 12.6–40.1), and the median age at pregnancy was 32.37 years (IQR 27.20–36.56). Epilepsy was the most frequent health issue. The prevalence and cumulative incidence of valproate prescriptions decreased during pregnancy and increased postpregnancy. The RMMs implemented in 2014 led to a reduction in monthly valproate prescriptions during pregnancy in this cohort.ConclusionsThe study highlights the decline in valproate prescriptions during pregnancy due to RMMs and underscores the need for standardised methodologies in future studies to ensure the safety of pregnant patients and optimise scientific evidence.
Equity-informed social media COVID-19 risk communication strategies: a scoping review
Authors: Peter Nedra , Donelle Lorie , George Catherine , Kothari Anita 
Published: August 2024

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating worldwide impact but most prominent was its effect on marginalised, underserved and equity-deserving populations. Social media arose as an important platform from which health organisations could rapidly disseminate information to equity-deserving populations about COVID-19 risks and events, provide instructions on how to mitigate those risks, motivate compliance with health directives, address false information, provide the opportunity for engagement and immediate feedback. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesise the academic and grey literature on equity-informed social media risk communication strategies developed during the pandemic.DesignThe review followed the Arksey and O’Malley framework and focused on the research question: What are the promising principles, processes, and practices for producing equity-informed social media risk communications?Data sourcesCINAHL Complete, MEDLINE (OVID), Business Source Complete, EMBASE database OVID, Scopus and PubMed’s curated COVID-19 literature hub: LitCovid, PsycINFO OVID were searched using terms related to access to health services, social media, risk communication, misinformation, community engagement, infectious disease, pandemics and marginalisation, supplemented by grey literature from relevant health organisations.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesStudies were eligible if the population of interest was an equity-deserving population, the concept discussed was COVID-19 risk communication and the article was published in English between January 2019 and December 2022.Data extraction and synthesisCOVIDENCE facilitated screening and extraction. Charted data were thematically analysed following Braun and Clarke’s phased process. Preliminary findings were collaboratively discussed with representatives from health agencies and community organisations focused on serving equity-deserving groups.Results12 studies were included. In terms of principles and process, studies emphasised the need to collaboratively create plans for message construction and targeted dissemination using a risk communication framework, capitalise on access to community resources and pre-established communication mediums and be considerate of population-specific needs and concerns. Practice entails careful consideration of communication mediums, language usage, communication frequency and evaluation.ConclusionThis scoping review provides valuable insights for health agencies and community organisations in developing principles, processes and practices to equitably communicate risk information through social media. Engagement with stakeholders further refined and confirmed the findings, offering insights for future crisis communication strategies.
Exploring the social and cultural aspects of Chinese family caregivers’ experience as they support loved ones with dementia transitioning into nursing homes: a qualitative study protocol
Authors: Yuan Yiyang , Dube Catherine E , Xu Shu , Lim Emily , Qu Shan , McPhillips Emily , Lapane Kate L 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionAsian American caregivers supporting loved ones with dementia experience greater burden and more stress than other racial/ethnic groups, warranting the need for more culturally and linguistically appropriate formal support, such as in nursing homes. Transitioning loved ones into nursing homes with dementia care units is a complex process that can be impacted by a multitude of factors. Employing several established frameworks, including the socioecological model, this qualitative study will focus on the largest Asian American subgroup (people of Chinese descent) and explore the experience of family caregivers as they support the transition of their loved ones with dementia into nursing homes in the USA. Our focus will be on the nuanced influences of the Chinese language and culture and COVID-19-related social isolation and racial discrimination.Methods and analysisRecruitment will take place starting in January 2024. Current or former Chinese caregivers for Chinese loved ones with dementia, able to communicate in Mandarin Chinese or English, and currently residing in the USA will be eligible. Key informants with intimate understanding and experience with this population will also be included. Data will be collected through 2024 using semistructured, in-depth interviews with each participant. Depending on participants’ preferences, interviews will be conducted in either Mandarin Chinese or English and either in person, via Zoom or by phone. Interviews will be transcribed verbatim. Iterative thematic analysis will be employed. A coding structure will be developed based on interview questions and themes and patterns that are revealed through data immersion. Transcripts, prepared in their original language, will be dual-coded by bilingual researchers using NVivo 14. Consensus summaries of themes will be prepared. Relevant direct quotes for each thematic area will be identified (those in Chinese will be translated into English) and cited in reports and manuscripts.Ethics and disseminationThe study is approved by the UMass Chan Medical School Institutional Review Board (ID: STUDY00001376). Findings will be published in peer-review journals following the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research.
Efficacy and safety of low-dose sesame oral immunotherapy in paediatric patients: a protocol for a single-centre, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zielinska Joanna , Zagórska Wioletta , Krupa-Łaska Anna , Łyżwa Klementyna , Lewandowski Zbigniew , Kulus Marek , Grzela Katarzyna 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionSesame allergy, though with low prevalence, can result in severe, potentially life-threatening reactions and poses challenges in allergen avoidance due to hidden sources. In the majority of patients, sesame allergy persists and there is currently no effective long-term treatment available. Therefore, oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a promising alternative approach to managing sesame allergy. In this study protocol, we present a randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of OIT with low-dose sesame protein in paediatric patients. The study’s aim is to compare OIT with a 300 mg maintenance dose of sesame protein against controls.Methods and analysis39 participants aged 3–17 with IgE-mediated sesame allergy confirmed by oral food challenge will be enrolled into the study. The trial will be conducted at the Paediatric Hospital of the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. The study comprises two arms—sesame OIT and control. In the sesame OIT group, interventions will be administered once daily for up to 18 months. During the first phase, the dose will be escalated every 2–4 weeks, and in the second phase, the maintenance dose of 300 mg sesame protein will continue for 3 months. Members of the control group will receive standard treatment, which includes an elimination diet and will remain under observation for 1 year. The primary outcome is the proportion of participants tolerating a single dose of 4000 mg of sesame protein during the final oral food challenge in the experimental group versus the control group. Secondary outcomes assess adverse events, changes in immunological parameters and the maximum tolerated doses of sesame protein in each group.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical University of Warsaw (approval number: KB/269/2023). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated via presentations at international conferences.Trial registration numberNCT06261554.
Autoimmune diseases, autoantibody status and silicosis in a cohort of 1238 workers from the artificial stone benchtop industry
Authors: Tomic Dunya , Hoy Ryan F , Sin Jesselyn , Jimenez Martin Javier , Gwini Stella May , Barnes Hayley , Nikpour Mandana , Morrisroe Kathleen , Lim Yuan Z , Walker-Bone Karen 
Published: August 2024

ObjectivesAutoimmune disorders are multifactorial but occupational exposures have long been implicated, including respirable crystalline silica (RCS). A modern epidemic of silicosis is emerging internationally, associated with dry processing of engineered stone with high (>90%) RCS content. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of clinical autoimmune disease and common autoantibodies in exposed workers.MethodsStone benchtop industry workers in Victoria, Australia were offered free screening for silicosis and related disorders. Symptoms or diagnoses of autoimmune disease were evaluated by questionnaire and blood tests taken for rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and extractable nuclear antigens (ENAs).ResultsAmong 1238 workers (93.3% male) screened from 2019 to 2021, 0.9% were confirmed with autoimmune disease. Among those without clinical disease, 24.6% had detectable ANAs (93.5% male), 4.6% detectable ENAs and 2.6% were positive for RF. Silicosis was diagnosed in 253 workers (24.3% of those with diagnostic information available). Of those with ANA readings, 54 (6.6%) had ANA titre >1:320. The likelihood of positive autoantibodies increased with age; smoking; higher exposure to RCS and silicosis diagnosis.ConclusionThe proportion of workers with detectable ANAs or ENAs was considerably higher than the 5%–9% expected in the general population. Some of the antibodies detected (eg, Scl-70, CENPB) have high sensitivity and specificity for systemic sclerosis. Long-term follow-up will be needed to estimate incidence. Rheumatologists should explore occupational history in new cases of autoimmune disease. Screening for autoimmune disease is indicated in workers exposed to RCS as these individuals need specialised management and may be entitled to compensation.
Differential response by seedlings of three sub-boreal conifer species to high- and low-carbon wood ash amendment
Authors: Rutherford P. Michael , Massicotte Hugues B. , McGill William B. , Elkin Ché E. , Tackaberry Linda E. 
Published: August 2024

In Canada, there is a need to implement value-added uses for wood ash (hereafter ash) generated from bioenergy facilities as most ash is landfilled. Ash application to forests can provide benefit via nutrient supply, amelioration of soil acidity and, sometimes, increased tree growth. However, information is limited on the response of conifer species to different wood ash types applied to fine-textured soil typical of north-central B.C. We conducted a 16-month seedling pot trial that examined the response of Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii), lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta var. latifolia), and hybrid white spruce ( Picea glauca × engelmannii) to high- (HCA) and low-carbon ashes (LCA) applied (up to 10 Mg mineral matter ha−1 equiv.), with and without fertilizer N (200 kg N ha−1 equiv.), to fine-textured forest soil. Pine and spruce exhibited a 1.6- and 1.4-fold increase in shoot biomass at the high rate of HCA with fertilizer N. At study end, the high rate of LCA had the greatest soil pH, EC and total K in the upper forest floor, but the HCA had greater total B, P and Zn. LCA elicited increased foliar B in pine, but HCA increased foliar Ca in spruce when co-applied with fertilizer N. In general, Douglas-fir growth did not respond to ash treatments, and seedling mortality was observed in some LCA treatments. Ash treatments helped offset some nutrient deficiencies induced by N fertilization. Ash type influenced soil chemical as well as seedling growth and nutrition responses.
cLFV leptophilic $$Z^\prime $$ as a dark matter portal: prospects for colliders
Authors: Goudelis Andreas , Kriewald Jonathan , Pinsard Emanuelle , Teixeira Ana M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractExtensions of the Standard Model featuring light vector bosons have been explored with the goal of resolving certain tensions between theory and experiment, among them the discrepancy in the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, $$\Delta a_{\mu }$$

Δ

a
μ

. In particular, this is the case of a minimal construction including a leptophilic, strictly flavour violating, vector boson $$Z^\prime $$

Z
′

. These new vector bosons are also well-motivated dark matter portals, with non-trivial couplings to stable, weakly interacting states which can account for the correct dark matter density. Here we study the prospects of a Standard Model extension (via a vector boson and a fermionic dark matter candidate) concerning signatures at the LHC, and at future lepton and hadron colliders. We discuss the cross-sections of several processes leading to same- and opposite-sign muon-tau lepton pairs in the final state, as well as final states with missing energy (in the form of neutrinos and/or dark matter). Our findings suggest that a future muon collider offers the best prospects to probe this model (together with searches for dilepton pairs and missing energy signatures at the FCC-ee running at the Z-pole); moreover, the complementarity of the different future high-energy colliders is also paramount to probing distinct $$Z^\prime $$

Z
′

mass regimes.
An Efficient Electrochemical Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide on Zn-Based Coordination Polymer Decorated Carbon Paste Electrode
Authors: Sherino Bibi , Afzal Saba , Mohamad Sharifah , Sarwar Aziza , Naeem Rabia , Abdul Manan Ninie Suhana 
Published: August 2024

Due to the important role of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in biological systems and its wide range of practical applications, the development of efficient electrochemical H2O2 sensors has become a highly attractive research area. Herein, we reports the synthesis and fabrication of zinc-based coordination polymer [Zn(bim)(L1)(Cl)]n (CP-a): [bim = 1-benzylimidazole, L1 = terephthalic acid] on modified carbon paste electrode (CP-a/CPE) for the electrochemical detection of H2O2. The surface morphology of CP-a/CPE was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical sensing features were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chrono-amperometry. The linear range at the potential of −0.5 V based on CP-a/CPE for H2O2 was 0.001 mM–60 mM, with a low detection limit (LOD) of 0.0004 mM. The effect of interfering species on the reduction peak current response shows a minor change of signals (>5%). The as-synthesized CP-a/CPE sensor exhibited efficient reproducibility and stability. The electrocatalytic activity and good performance imply that the metal-based coordination polymers are potential candidates for fabricating electrochemical sensors.
Proportional Hazards Violations in Phase III Cancer Clinical Trials: A Potential Source of Trial Misinterpretation
Authors: Lin Timothy A. , McCaw Zachary R. , Koong Alex , Lin Christine , Abi Jaoude Joseph , Patel Roshal , Kouzy Ramez , El Alam Molly B. , Sherry Alexander D. , Noticewala Sonal S. , Fuller Clifton D. , Thomas Charles R. , Sun Ryan , Lee J. Jack , Lin Ruitao , Yuan Ying , Shyr Yu , Meirson Tomer , Ludmir Ethan B. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose:
Survival analyses of novel agents with long-term responders often exhibit differential hazard rates over time. Such proportional hazards violations (PHV) may reduce the power of the log-rank test and lead to misinterpretation of trial results. We aimed to characterize the incidence and study attributes associated with PHVs in phase III oncology trials and assess the utility of restricted mean survival time and maximum combination test as additional analyses.

Experimental Design:
Clinicaltrials.gov and PubMed were searched to identify two-arm, randomized, phase III superiority-design cancer trials with time-to-event primary endpoints and published results through 2020. Patient-level data were reconstructed from published Kaplan–Meier curves. PHVs were assessed using Schoenfeld residuals.

Results:
Three hundred fifty-seven Kaplan–Meier comparisons across 341 trials were analyzed, encompassing 292,831 enrolled patients. PHVs were identified in 85/357 [23.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 19.7%, 28.5%] comparisons. In multivariable analysis, non–overall survival endpoints [OR, 2.16 (95% CI, 1.21, 3.87); P = 0.009] were associated with higher odds of PHVs, and immunotherapy comparisons [OR 1.94 (95% CI, 0.98, 3.86); P = 0.058] were weakly suggestive of higher odds of PHVs. Few trials with PHVs (25/85, 29.4%) prespecified a statistical plan to account for PHVs. Fourteen trials with PHVs exhibited discordant statistical signals with restricted mean survival time or maximum combination test, of which 10 (71%) reported negative results.

Conclusions:
PHVs are common across therapy types, and attempts to account for PHVs in statistical design are lacking despite the potential for results exhibiting nonproportional hazards to be misinterpreted.
Traces of Hunger in Colum McCann's Dancer
Authors: Guanaes Alvany 
Published: August 2024

O escritor irlandês Colum McCann apresenta Rudi, o protagonista em "Dancer" – uma narrativa ficcional inspirada na biografia do bailarino Rudolf Nureyev. Encarnando o que McCann chamou de "o maior exílio do século" (Cusatis, 2011, p. 125), Rudi nos convida a revisitar a saga de Nureyev, começando pela infância de Rudi durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial na Rússia até seu estrelato após ter desertado para o Ocidente. McCann organiza a vida de Rudi entre a escassez e os excessos vividos pelo protagonista em contextos econômicos, emocionais, sociais e culturais e entre o Oriente e o Ocidente. Além do tema do exílio, a fome é outro aspecto de "Dancer" que está relacionado à experiência irlandesa. Considerando esses temas transnacionais, o presente trabalho aborda as maneiras de comer e a fome neste romance como um "sistema de comunicação" (Roland Barthes, 1997) para analisar o protagonista sensível e faminto pela vida no Ocidente, incluindo o estilo de vida indulgente que o acompanhou. Diversos itens gastronômicos, eventos e comportamentos serão abordados conotativamente para contemplar a alimentação simbólica e conversar com a fome física e metafórica. Ao longo deste trabalho, as instâncias psicológicas e físicas do personagem dialogarão com o panorama político que pavimentou o caminho para suas escolhas.
Loss of TGFβ-Mediated Repression of Angiopoietin-2 in Pericytes Underlies Germinal Matrix Hemorrhage Pathogenesis
Authors: Dave Jui M. , Chakraborty Raja , Agyemang Alex , Ntokou Aglaia , Saito Junichi , Ballabh Praveen , Martin Kathleen A. , Greif Daniel M. 
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:

TGF (transforming growth factor)-β pathway is central to blood-brain barrier development as it regulates cross talk between pericytes and endothelial cells. Murine embryos lacking TGFβ receptor
Alk5
(activin receptor-like kinase 5) in brain pericytes (mutants) display endothelial cell hyperproliferation, abnormal vessel morphology, and gross germinal matrix hemorrhage-intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH), leading to perinatal lethality. Mechanisms underlying how ALK5 signaling in pericytes noncell autonomously regulates endothelial cell behavior remain elusive.

METHODS:
Transcriptomic analysis of human brain pericytes with ALK5 silencing identified differential gene expression. Brain vascular cells isolated from mutant embryonic mice with GMH-IVH and preterm human IVH brain samples were utilized for target validation. Finally, pharmacological and genetic inhibition was used to study the therapeutic effects on GMH-IVH pathology.

RESULTS:

Herein, we establish that the TGFβ/ALK5 pathway robustly represses ANGPT2 (angiopoietin-2) in pericytes via epigenetic remodeling. TGFβ-driven SMAD (suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic) 3/4 associates with TGIF1 (TGFβ-induced factor homeobox 1) and HDAC (histone deacetylase) 5 to form a corepressor complex at the
Angpt2
promoter, resulting in promoter deacetylation and gene repression. Moreover, murine and human germinal matrix vessels display increased ANGPT2 expression during GMH-IVH. Isolation of vascular cells from murine germinal matrix identifies pericytes as a cellular source of excessive ANGPT2. In addition, mutant endothelial cells exhibit higher phosphorylated TIE2 (tyrosine protein kinase receptor). Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of ANGPT2 in mutants improves germinal matrix vessel morphology and attenuates GMH pathogenesis. Importantly, genetic ablation of
Angpt2
in mutant pericytes prevents perinatal lethality, prolonging survival.

CONCLUSIONS:
This study demonstrates that TGFβ-mediated ANGPT2 repression in pericytes is critical for maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity and identifies pericyte-derived ANGPT2 as an important pathological target for GMH-IVH.