bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of pre-existing conditions on the severity of post-COVID syndrome among workers in healthcare and social services in Germany
Authors: Barnekow Tiana , Peters Claudia , Dulon Madeleine , Nienhaus Albert 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
The underlying mechanisms of post-COVID syndrome (PCS) are still not fully understood. While pre-existing conditions have been described as a risk factor for severe PCS in the general population, data specific to different occupational groups in this context is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the impact of pre-existing conditions on severe post-COVID syndrome among the occupational group of healthcare and social services employees.

Methods
Baseline data from a longitudinal, observational study were analysed. In February 2021, health workers who had a COVID-19 infection in 2020 were surveyed about sequelae of the infection. Factors influencing severe PCS with at least one persistent symptom categorised as severe were subjected to a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results
Of a total of 2,053 participants, 21.5% had severe PCS. Underlying respiratory (OR 1.94; CI 1.44–2.61), cardiovascular (OR 1.35; CI 1.04–1.77) and urogenital (OR 1.79; CI 1.10–2.91) disease were risk factors for severe PCS overall. Respiratory and mental illnesses had a statistically significant impact on persistent fatigue/exhaustion, concentration/memory difficulties and shortness of breath categorised as severe. Urogenital disease was associated with severe fatigue/exhaustion. Other significant risk factors for severe PCS were female sex, smoking, physical exercise and hospitalisation due to COVID-19 infection.

Conclusion
Workers in healthcare and social services with pre-existing conditions may face a higher risk of developing severe PCS. Additional analyses performed as part of the longitudinal study will show if and how this result changes over time.
Three-dimensional analysis of palatal morphology and PAS in patients with cleft lip and palate prior to orthodontic treatment
Authors: Tabellion Maike , Lisson Jörg Alexander 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Since many different conclusions of craniofacial anomalies and their relation to the posterior airway space coexist, this comparative clinical study investigated the palatal morphology concerning volumetric size, posterior airway space dimension and the adenoids of patients with and without a cleft before orthodontic treatment.

Methods
Three-dimensional intraoral scans and cephalometric radiographs of n = 38 patients were used for data acquisition. The patients were divided into three groups: unilateral cleft lip and palate (n = 15, 4 female, 11 male; mean age 8.57 ± 1.79 years), bilateral cleft lip and palate (n = 8, 0 female, 8 male; mean age 8.46 ± 1.37 years) and non-cleft control (n = 15, 7 female, 8 male; mean age 9.03 ± 1.02 years). The evaluation included established procedures for measurements of the palatal morphology and posterior airway space. Statistics included Shapiro-Wilk-Test and simple ANOVA (Bonferroni) for the three-dimensional intraoral scans and cephalometric radiographs. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results
The palatal volume and cephalometric analysis showed differences between the three groups. The palatal volume, the superior posterior face height and the depth of the bony nasopharynx of patients with cleft lip and palate were significantly smaller than for non-cleft control patients. The superior posterior face height of bilateral cleft lip and palate patients was significantly smaller than in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients (BCLP: 35.50 ± 2.08 mm; UCLP: 36.04 ± 2.95 mm; p < 0.001). The percentage of the adenoids in relation to the entire nasopharynx and the angle NL/SN were significantly bigger in patients with cleft lip and palate than in the non-cleft control. In particular, the palatal volume was 32.43% smaller in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and 48.69% smaller in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate compared to the non-cleft control.

Conclusions
Skeletal anomalies relate to the dimension of the posterior airway space. There were differences among the subjects with cleft lip and palate and these without a cleft. This study showed that the morphology of the palate and especially transverse deficiency of the maxilla resulting in smaller palatal volume relates to the posterior airway space. Even the adenoids seem to be affected, especially for cleft lip and palate patients.
Clinical outcomes and risk stratification in unresectable biliary tract cancers undergoing radiation therapy
Authors: Amit Uri , Shagun Misra , Plastaras John P. , Metz James M. , Karasic Thomas B. , Lubas Maryanne J. , Ben-Josef Edgar 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are rare and aggressive malignancies originating from intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts and the gallbladder. Surgery is the only curative option, but due to late-stage diagnosis, is frequently not feasible, leaving chemotherapy as the primary treatment. Radiotherapy (RT) can be an effective alternative for patients with unresectable, non-metastatic BTC despite the generally poor prognosis and significant variability. To help manage patients with unresectable BTC who receive RT, we aimed to identify prognostic markers that could aid in predicting overall survival (OS).

Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, involving seventy-eight patients with unresectable BTC treated with definitive intent RT. Comprehensive demographic, clinical, and treatment-related data were extracted from the electronic medical records. Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions were employed to identify predictors of OS after RT. A biomarker model was developed for refined survival prediction.

Results
The cohort primarily comprised patients with good performance status without significant hepatic dysfunction at presentation. The predominant treatment approach involved hypofractionated RT or concurrent 5FU-based chemoRT. Median OS after RT was 12.3 months, and 20 patients (15.6%) experienced local progression with a median time of 30.1 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified CA19-9 (above median) and higher albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grades at presentation as significant predictors of poor OS. Median OS after RT was 24 months for patients with no risk factors and 6.3 months for those with both.

Conclusions
Our study demonstrates generally poor but significantly heterogeneous OS in patients with unresectable BTC treated with RT. We have developed a biomarker model based on CA19-9 and ALBI grade at presentation that can distinguish sub-populations with markedly diverse prognoses. This model can aid the clinical management of this challenging disease.
How to build resiliency in autistic individuals: an implication to advance mental health
Authors: Ghanouni Parisa , Raphael Rebeccah , Seaker Liam , Casey Amanda 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Individuals on the autism spectrum (ASD) often experience poor mental health and coping strategies compared to their peers due to social exclusion and co-occurring conditions. Resiliency has been identified as a key factor in preventing adverse outcomes and promoting mental health. Therefore, it is important to determine what strategies can be used to build resiliency among autistic individuals. The current paper is one of the first studies that aims to collect information from autistic individuals and their caregivers on potential strategies to enhance resiliency.

Methods
We interviewed 18 participants from various provinces in Canada, comprising of 13 autistic individuals and 5 parents. We used thematic analysis to identify patterns in the data.

Results
Thematic analysis revealed three themes to indicate strategies that could be used to enhance resiliency, including: (a) self-reliant strategies, (b) using community-based facilities, and (c) contextual and individual characteristics.

Conclusion
Although the body of literature on resiliency is evolving, this paper provides a unique perspective as it is one of the few studies that considers the experiences of individuals on the spectrum. In addition, this study focuses on identifying and describing specific strategies that can be used to enhance resiliency and mental health, which consequently can help address the existing gaps in knowledge and practice.
Long-term outcomes of percutaneous transluminal renal artery intervention: a retrospective study at a single center
Authors: Kang In Sook , Choi Donghoon , Ko Young-Guk , Shin Dong-Ho , Kim Jung-Sun , Kim Byeong-Keuk , Hong Myeong-Ki , Jang Yangsoo 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
The indications, benefits, and outcomes of percutaneous transluminal renal artery intervention (PTRI) remain controversial. The study purpose was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of PTRI in clinical practice.

Methods
A retrospective review of 217 subjects (254 renal arteries; mean age, 59.8 years) who underwent PTRI based on medical database.

Results
The most common cause of renal artery stenosis was atherosclerosis in 217 (85.4%), followed by Takayasu arteritis (TA) in 23 (9.1%), fibromuscular dysplasia in five (2.0%) and others in nine (3.5%). Mean follow-up duration was 5.7 ± 3.7 years. The first restenosis rate was 7.5% (n = 19; highest in TA: n = 9, 47.4%) and second restenosis occurred in six arteries (five TAs, one fibromuscular dysplasia). Follow-up blood pressure improved from 142.0/83.5 to 122.8/73.5 mmHg (P < 0.001). There was no change within 5 years’ follow-up in estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.44), whereas TA changed from 69.8 ± 20.5 to 84.2 ± 17.9 mL/min/1.73 m² (P = 0.008). Progressive renal dysfunction was related to diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and peripheral artery obstructive disease on multivariate analysis with hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 2.24 (1.21–4.17), 2.54 (1.33–4.84), and 3.93 (1.97–7.82), respectively.

Conclusions
PTRI was associated with a blood pressure reduction. Despite a higher rate of restenosis, patients with TA showed significant improvement in estimated glomerular filtration rate. Diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and peripheral artery obstructive disease were related with progressive renal dysfunction after PTRI.
Enhancing community engagement, public involvement, and social capital through researchers’ participation in community dance projects: unexpected outcomes in underserved communities
Authors: Pritchard Rebecca , Darko Natalie , Stevenson Elizabeth 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
The Dance and Health project aimed to promote public involvement in health research. Public involvement leads worked with project partner community groups, Aakash Odedra Dance Company and Moving Together, to develop a community engagement project with people living in low-socioeconomic areas/deprivation and diverse ethnic minority groups. Dance and Health included a weekly 60-min dance class and 30 min of facilitated health science discussion, that could either be a public involvement discussion for a research project, an activity about a particular biomedical research theme or ongoing discussions with a visiting researcher. The goal of this paper is to explore the impact of the Dance and Health project on the social capital of participants and provide key learnings on how to engage and build partnerships with people from underserved groups in health research contexts.

Methods
Qualitative interviews and focus groups were completed which explored participant and dance tutor experiences in community venues. Participants were aged between 22 and 90, most were female and were from Asian ethnic minority groups and White British groups living in deprived neighbourhoods in Leicester. Qualitative data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results
The responses to the Dance and Health project were positive across all the focus groups. Central themes identified were Feedback on the Project, Motivation to Exercise, Criticism of the NHS, Mental Wellbeing, Engagement in a Post Pandemic New Normal, Accessibility and Inclusivity, Empowerment and Building Social Capital.

Discussion
The focus groups evidenced that the project had broad impact. Participants expressed empowerment and ownership and described a range of social capital enrichment generated through the project including networks and friendships, access to the institutional resource of health science, and the opportunity to engage with a health and leisure activity that was valued and meaningful.
Roles of NAC transcription factors in cotton
Authors: Xu Yuewei , Zhao Yunlei , Chen Wei , Sang Xiaohui , Zhao Pei , Wang Hongmei 
Published: August 2024

AbstractClimate deterioration, water shortages, and abiotic stress are the main threats worldwide that seriously affect cotton growth, yield, and fiber quality. Therefore, research on improving cotton yield and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses is of great importance. The NAC proteins are crucial and plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) that are involved in cotton growth, development, and stress responses. The comprehensive utilization of cotton NAC TFs in the improvement of cotton varieties through novel biotechnological methods is feasible. Based on cotton genomic data, genome-wide identification and analyses have revealed potential functions of cotton NAC genes. Here, we comprehensively summarize the recent progress in understanding cotton NAC TFs roles in regulating responses to drought, salt, and Verticillium wilt-related stresses, as well as leaf senescence and the development of fibers, xylem, and glands. The detailed regulatory network of NAC proteins in cotton is also elucidated. Cotton NAC TFs directly bind to the promoters of genes associated with ABA biosynthesis and secondary cell-wall formation, participate in several biological processes by interacting with related proteins, and regulate the expression of downstream genes. Studies have shown that the overexpression of NAC TF genes in cotton and other model plants improve their drought or salt tolerance. This review elucidates the latest findings on the functions and regulation of cotton NAC proteins, broadens our understanding of cotton NAC TFs, and lays a fundamental foundation for further molecular breeding research in cotton.
Open-jet facility for bio-inspired micro-air-vehicle flight experiment at low speed and high turbulence intensity
Authors: Liu Zhifeng , Yang Yue 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBio-inspired micro-air-vehicles (MAVs) usually operate in the atmospheric boundary layer at a low Reynolds number and complex wind conditions including large-scale turbulence, strong shear, and gusts. We develop an open jet facility (OJF) to meet the requirements of MAV flight experiments at very low speed and high turbulence intensity. Powered by a stage-driven fan, the OJF is capable of generating wind speeds covering 0.1 – 16.8 m/s, with a velocity ratio of 100:1. The contraction section of the OJF is designed using an adjoint-driven optimization method, resulting in a contraction ratio of 3:1 and a length-to-diameter ratio of 0.75. A modularized design of the jet nozzle can produce laminar or high-turbulence wind conditions. Flow field calibration results demonstrate that the OJF is capable of producing a high-quality baseline flow with steady airspeed as low as 0.1 m/s, uniform region around 80% of the cross-sectional test area, and turbulence intensity around 0.5%. Equipped with an optimized active grid (AG), the OJF can reproduce controllable, fully-developed turbulent wind conditions with the turbulence intensity up to 24%, energy spectrum satisfying the five-thirds power law, and the uniform region close to 70% of the cross-sectional area of the test section. The turbulence intensity, integral length scale, Kolmogorov length scale, and mean energy dissipation rate of the generated flow can be adjusted by varying the area of the triangular through-hole in the wings of the AG.
Harmony in transcripts: a systematic literature review of transcriptome-wide association studies
Authors: Mashhour Mahinaz A. , Kandil Ahmed Hisham , AbdElwahed Manal , Mabrouk Mai S. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTranscriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) goal is to better understand the etiology of diseases and develop preventative and therapeutic approaches by examining the connections between genetic variants and phenotypes while overcoming the limitations of the genome-wide association study (GWAS). It is a valuable complement to GWAS, reducing the negative effects of multiple tests and enabling a more thorough investigation of gene expression patterns in various tissues. A systematic review is presented in this paper to identify articles that utilize TWAS to understand the genetic factors behind complex diseases. A detailed selection process was carried out using standard PRISMA criteria to select relevant articles for the review. Twenty-five articles passed the inclusion criteria and were selected for additional review. The studies cover a diverse range of disorders, including Tourette’s syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and major depression. Leveraging gene expression data from different tissues and populations, these investigations successfully identified novel genes and pathways associated with the studied conditions. The collective findings highlight the transformative impact of integrative genomics in advancing our understanding of complex diseases, providing insights into potential therapeutic targets, and laying the foundation for precision medicine approaches.
Prevalence of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Distress and Suicidal Ideation in Low- and Lower Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Arshad Usman , Abid Mueen , Chaudhry Imran , Chaudhry Nasim , Husain Nusrat 
Published: August 2024

AimsThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems, economies, and global health, raising concerns about its potential effects on mental health. A recent systematic review found a 40% prevalence of poor sleep quality, with 34%, 26%, and 27% prevalence for psychological distress, depression, and anxiety. The systematic review investigated COVID-19-related stress, suicidal ideation, and self-harm thoughts among low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs).MethodsWe search four electronic databases (PsycINFO, Medline, Embase, and PubMed). Quantitative studies, including both published and grey literature, from LLMICs focused on the prevalence of suicidal ideation or psychological distress during COVID-19 were included. Qualitative studies, non-English studies without full-text English translation, meta-analysis, commentary, books, and discussion articles were excluded.Results1157 titles and abstracts were screened for inclusion and exclusion, resulting in 79 full-text articles. After full text screening, 11 articles were included. In Bangladesh, 12.8% of university students reported suicidal ideation (SI), while 19% of young adults had SI, and 18.5% reported suicidal planning. In addition to this, in Iran, 12.8% of pregnant women and in the Philippines, 24.9% of the general population reported SI. Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, female gender, younger age groups, economic loss or financial stress, fear of COVID-19 infection, lack of social support, family problems, lower education levels, smoking, and substance use are identified as risk factors. Moreover, anosmia and dysgeusia symptoms were associated with a 30–80% increased risk of transitioning to suicidal ideation or depression in India. A study from Nepal reported a 44% increase in suicide attempts during lockdown compared with pre-pandemic periods in Nepal.ConclusionThe findings of this review suggest that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in LLMICs is substantial. In addition to the increased risk of SI and suicide attempts, there was a significant rise in depression and SI associated with anosmia and dysgeusia symptoms. These results underscore the urgent need for increased psychosocial support in LLMICs to address the growing mental health burden caused by the pandemic. Moreover, understanding the long-term effects of the pandemic is crucial for developing effective interventions and support systems. Further research is needed to examine the lasting impact of the pandemic on mental well-being and identify future strategies.
A Systematic Review of the Use of Portable Ultra-Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Non-Acute Brain Imaging and Its Potential Use in Dementia Assessment
Authors: Dobrzanski James , Townsend Amelia , Shergill Sukhi , Rodda Joanne 
Published: August 2024

AimsThe aims of this study were to evaluate the literature regarding the use of ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF-MRI) and its potential use in dementia diagnosis.Access to neuroimaging causes bottlenecks in dementia diagnostic pathways and limits overall capacity; there is wide variation across the UK. At present, dementia diagnosis rates in the UK remain below 65% and significant improvements in efficiency and accessibility of assessment services are needed to meet growing demand.Modern MRI scanners use high strength magnetic fields (typically 1.5–3T), are expensive to install and operate, and usually require patients to travel to a general hospital. ULF-MRI systems (typically < 0.1T) are portable, relatively inexpensive, and do not require specialist staff to operate. They do not require shielding and are powered via a standard electrical socket. The use of ULF-MRI has historically been limited by multiple factors including poor image quality. Advances in software and hardware now mean that there is realistic potential to use ULF-MRI across a range of clinical applications.MethodsThe study followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO. Five electronic databases were searched for studies related to ULF-MRI using pre-developed terms. Studies comparing high field and ULF-MRI neuroimaging in adults were included. Studies of acute presentations (e.g. traumatic brain injury or acute cerebrovascular accident) were excluded. A data extraction template was used to synthesise study characteristics and outcomes. Two reviewers completed the selection process and data extraction independently.Results2357 citations were identified, from which 101 studies were selected for further review based on title and abstract, of which eight met criteria for inclusion. Further studies were identified by forward and backward citation searching and through contact with active researchers in the field. The selected publications included both single and multi-centre studies. The Hyperfine Swoop system was used in almost all studies. Mean participant age range was 31 to 63. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons demonstrated good correspondence between high field and ULF-MRI across a range of measures studied, including volumetric measures and moderate to severe white matter hyperintensities.ConclusionThe limited available evidence suggests that there is potential for ULF-MRI to transform the approach to neuroimaging in the assessment of dementia. Dedicated research into the use of ULF-MRI in this specific application will determine if it will be one of the much-needed disruptors to our current processes of dementia assessment.