bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Current practices in neonatal pain management: a decade after the last Italian survey
Authors: Lago Paola , Garetti Elisabetta , Savant Levet Patrizia , Arenga Immacolata , Pirelli Anna , Frigo Anna Chiara , Merazzi Daniele ,   on behalf Pain Study Group of Italian Society of Neonatology
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), as well as maternity nurseries, typically undergo painful invasive procedures during their hospital stay. We aim to report on current bedside analgesia/sedation and pain assessment practices, 10 years after the previous Italian survey.

Methods
This study employed a cross-sectional electronic survey. A 21-item questionnaire was distributed to directors of birth centers and NICUs to ascertain the policy for pain assessment and management in their respective units. A separate questionnaire was dispatched to neonatologists and nurses registered with the Italian Society of Neonatology. They reported on the analgesic strategies implemented for various painful bedside procedures. Both non-pharmacological and pharmacological analgesia interventions, as well as pain assessment, were analyzed. A regression model was utilized to identify factors that predict pain management practices.

Results
Data on pain management practices were collected from the directors of 153 NICUs and birth centers. Of these, 88.9% reported pain control following guidelines and 47.7% confirmed the presence of a local pain specialist promoting pain management in their unit. A minority, ranging from 16.3% to 41.8%, reported the use of a pain scale, a finding corroborated by the 200 doctors and 239 nurses who responded. At least one non pharmacological intervention (i.e., pacifier, sweet solution, or sensory saturation) was reported in 97.8% of the heel lances performed in the NICU and 96.5% in the maternity nursery, meanwhile for intramuscular injections in 73.8% and 70.3%, respectively. Additionally, it was reported that 22.9% of laryngoscopies were still performed without analgesia. Observations were made over 297 mechanical ventilation and 277 non-invasive ventilation courses, with non-pharmacological analgesia administered in 56.4% and 86.9% and the use of analgesic or sedative drugs in 81.7% and 17.1% of the cases, respectively. Furthermore, routine pain assessment was only undertaken in 68.0% and 64.9% of the cases.

Conclusions
We found a largely common propensity among Italian directors, neonatologists, and nurses to perform analgesic interventions for the most frequently encountered invasive neonatal painful procedures, though the practices are still highly variable. The availability of written guidelines and local pain specialists are confirmed as factors that contribute to the proper management of pain. However, pain assessment is still inadequate and urgently needs to be implemented to allow for tailored pain and stress control and prevention in all infants.
Functional improvement of natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains by cell surface molecular engineering
Authors: Granuzzo Sara , Rossetto Monica , Zennaro Lucio , Righetto Francesca , Antoniali Paolo , Lopreiato Raffaele 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Cellular boundaries of microorganisms can be modified by the expression in the cell wall of specific proteins endowed with relevant properties, improving their functional performance. So far, the surface display (SD) technique had been widely employed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but it was limited to few laboratory strains and never explored in sauvage strains, i.e., isolated from natural environment, which are featured by higher levels of genetic variability, leading to peculiar phenotypic traits of possible advantage in biotechnology.

Results
In this work, a series of plasmids performing SD in natural yeast strains have been generated and further characterized by multiple functional and biochemical assays, providing the first experimental evidence that natural strains of S.cerevisiae can be genetically modified to express on their cell wall a protein-of-interest, which retains its biological competence. Interestingly, data further demonstrated that engineered strains expressing (transiently or stably) metal-binding proteins or peptides on cell surface exhibit significantly enhanced metal adsorption properties.

Conclusions
The molecular tools presented here can be very useful for yeast research community, as the plasmids efficiently support the surface engineering in virtually all S.cerevisiae strains, independently from either genetic background, source, or applications (wine, beer, bread). Overall, data strongly suggest that, upon genetic modification, S. cerevisiae strains isolated from natural environments could serve as promising platforms for biotechnological applications, as heavy metals removal or enzymes immobilization. Importantly, the strains investigated here represent only a small fraction of the multitude of S. cerevisiae strains present in nature yet to be isolated.
Pulsed electromagnetic field ameliorates the progression of osteoarthritis via the Sirt1/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Zhou Siqi , Wen Haiyan , He Xiongwei , Han Xiaotao , Li Haohuan 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes electromagnetic fields to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. However, PEMFs’ anti-inflammatory effect on osteoarthritis (OA) and the potential mechanism has not been fully elucidated.

Methods
Human chondrocytes (C28/I2) were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β with or without the treatment of PEMF. CCK-8 assay Kit was used to detect cell viability. RT-qPCR, ELISA, immunofluorescent staining and western blot was used to analyze relative markers of inflammatory response and extracellular matrix (ECM) under the treatment of PEMF and related mechanism. Besides, the significance role of Sirt1 was assessed by using the Sirt1 inhibitor (EX-527). Moreover, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were carried out to evaluate the curative effect of PEMF on OA mice induced by the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM).

Results
PEMF inhibited IL-1β-mediated the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. Besides, PEMF alleviated IL-1β-induced degradation of ECM by increasing the expression of Col2a1 and ACAN, while inhibiting the expression of MMP13 and ADAMTS5. At the mechanism level, PEMF increased the expression of Sirt1 and inhibited IL-1β-induced the activation of NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, blocking Sirt1 with EX-527 attenuated the effect of PEMF on the inhibition of NF-κB pathway and the expression of ECM in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. In vivo, PEMF-treated OA mice showed low modified mankin scores, reduced the number of osteophytes and preserved joint structure.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that PEMF inhibits NF-κB pathway and blocks the expression of inflammatory factors by activating the expression of Sirt1, which may be a novel strategy for OA.
An individual’s trust in government is a major determinant in the decision to voluntarily join a public health initiative
Authors: Golan Orit , Satran Carmit , Bord Shiran 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Recently, there has been a growing trend of incorporating technology using health applications by official organizations such as health organizations and governmental bodies. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Israel implemented a health application to be voluntarily downloaded by citizens (VA). Additionally, the Israeli authorities used mandatory mobile tracking to monitor citizens’ movements (GT). The current study aims to identify the factors associated with individuals’ decisions to download the voluntary contact-tracing app. We hypothesized that (a) attitudes toward GT will mediate the relations between trust in the healthcare system and downloading VA, and (b) attitudes toward GT will mediate the relations between the perceived COVID-19 threat and downloading VA.

Methods
Data were collected among 741 respondents who completed an online survey on July 19–21, 2020. The survey was designed to represent the diversity of the Israeli population. A logistic regression was calculated with downloading VA as the dependent variable and trust in the healthcare system, perceived threat and attitudes toward GT as independent variables. Then, the extent to which attitudes toward GT mediated the associations between trust in the healthcare system and downloading VA and between the perceived threat and downloading the voluntary app was assessed using the Process procedure.

Results
The findings reveal that 47.1% of respondents perceive governmental tracing as an invasion of privacy, while 24.4% report that it increased their sense of security. About a third report having downloaded the voluntary app. Both research hypotheses were supported; attitudes played a mediating role in the relationship between an individual’s level of trust and an individual’s level of perceived threat and behavior, i.e., higher trust and higher perceived COVID-19 threat were associated with more favorable attitudes towards GT, which was associated with more substantial odds of downloading VA.

Conclusions
The results emphasize the crucial importance of public trust. Building trust with the public is essential to encourage voluntary actions that ultimately benefit public health. Achieving and maintaining the public’s trust requires addressing concerns about the potential misuse of government power and fostering an environment that promotes voluntary participation and engagement.
Patient characteristics associated with their level of twelve-step attendance prior to entry into treatment for substance use disorders
Authors: Galanter Marc , White William L. , Dennis Michael L. , Hunter Brooke , Passetti Lora , Lustig Dan 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
The availability of the fellowships of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous in community settings is extensive and patients admitted to treatment programs for substance use disorder may therefore have previously attended meetings of these two Twelve Step (TS) programs. Data on such prior attendance and related clinical findings, however, are not typically available. They can, however, be relevant to how ensuing treatment is planned. We therefore undertook this study to ascertain the feasibility of evaluating how the level of TS attendance prior to treatment entry can be evaluated, and to determine clinically relevant findings that are associated with such attendance.

Methods
Over the course of 2022, 3,125 patients were admitted to a large urban multimodal United States-based treatment center. All patients were administered the structured interview-based Global Appraisal of Individual Needs upon admission. This instrument is employed to evaluate substance use, demographics, and related psychosocial variables. Clinically related variables were analyzed relative to whether given respondents have a history of any TS group attendance prior to admission.

Results
Distinctions were found between the 57.3% of respondents who had previously attended any TS meetings and the 42.6% who had not attended any meetings. Compared to respondents who had never attended TS meetings, those who had ever attended scored higher on emotional problems (p <.001, d = -0.58), and had more likely undergone previous SUD treatment (p <.001, d = 0.80). They were less likely to use substances in unsafe situations (p <.001, d = -0.55) and were less likely to express reluctance to remain abstinent (p <.001, d = -0.50). The 11% of respondents who considered themselves regular TS members reported a lower frequency of recent substance use (p <.001, d = -0.80) and were more likely to have attended intensive outpatient (p <.001, 0.46) and residential (p <.001, 0.44) treatment than patients who did not consider themselves regular attenders.

Conclusions
Examination of TS attendance prior to treatment admission is feasible. Findings can be clinically relevant for differential treatment planning and can also serve as a basis for further research into the role of TS participation in community settings.
Prediction of success in sports based on assumed individual genetic predisposition: lack of association with the C > T variant in the ACTN3 gene
Authors: Godina Elena , Khromov-Borisov Nikita , Bondareva Elvira 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Prediction of sports success (sports talent) based on individual genetic characteristics is the main goal of sports genetics/genomics. Most often, markers of predisposition to speed-strength sports, or endurance, are single-nucleotide variants in various parts of DNA. One of the most studied variants is the C/T variant in the ACTN3 gene. The accumulated data on the association of this variant with success in various sports is sufficient to conduct a meta-analysis. The purpose of the present review is to analyze the prognostic utility of the data presented in the literature on molecular genetic markers of genetic predisposition to achieve outstanding sports results using the example of the C > T variant of ACTN3 (rs1815739).

Main body
A total of 42 studies were included in the analysis, with a total number of 41,054 individuals (of which 10,442 were in the athlete group and 30,612 in the control group). For each study included in the analysis, the agreement of genotype frequencies with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was tested, as well as the presence of an excess or deficit of heterozygotes. Prediction intervals for the overall effect size (OR—odds ratio) was estimated. Both in the subgroups of athletes and controls, a significant difference F
IS from zero was found, suggesting inbreeding or outbreeding, as well as a very wide 95% CI for F
IS. A meta-analysis was conducted for dominant, codominant, and recessive inheritance models. The obtained ORs and their 95% CIs were in the range of almost negligible values or have very wide CIs. The evaluation for the recessive model showed 95% PI for the OR lies between 0.74 to 1.92. Statistically, it does not differ from zero, which means that in some 95% of studies comparable to those in the analysis, the true effect size will fall in this interval.

Conclusion
Despite numerous attempts to identify genetic variants associated with success in elite sports, progress in this direction remains insignificant. Thus, no sports or sports roles were found for which the C > T variant of the ACTN3 gene would be a reliable prognostic marker for assessing an individual predisposition to achieve high sports performance. The results of the present meta-analysis support the conclusion that neutral gene polymorphism—from evolutionary or adaptive point of view—is not a trait that can be selected or used as a predictive tool in sports.
Characteristics of people with bipolar disorder I with and without auditory verbal hallucinations
Authors: Javier Aster , Jaworska Natalia , Fiedorowicz Jess , Magnotta Vincent , Richards Jenny G. , Barsotti Ercole John , Wemmie John A. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Approximately half of people with bipolar disorder type I (BD-I) report the presence of psychotic symptoms at least at some point during their illness. Previous data suggest that more than 20% of people with BD-I report the presence of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs), or “voice-hearing” in particular. While work in other disorders with psychotic features (e.g., schizophrenia) indicates that the presence vs. absence of AVHs is associated with poorer clinical outcomes, little is known about their effects on clinical and socioeconomic features in BD-I.

Methods
We investigated whether people with BD-I (N = 119) with AVHs (n = 36) and without AVHs (n = 83) in their lifetime differ in terms of demographic features and clinical measures. Relations with AVHs and other positive symptoms were explored.

Results
People with BD-I and AVHs vs. without AVHs had higher manic and positive symptom scores (i.e., higher scores on the hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior subscales). Further, a greater proportion of those with vs. without AVHs reported lower subjective socioeconomic status and tended to have higher rates of unemployment, thus, speaking to the longer-term consequences of AVH presence.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that people with BD-I with AVHs exhibit more severe psychotic features and manic symptoms compared to those without. This might be associated with more socioeconomic hardship. More in-depth characterization of people with BD-I with/without AVHs is needed to fully understand this subgroup’s unique challenges and needs.

Limitations
The modest sample size of the AVH group and a study population with low racial diversity/representation may limit generalizability.
Anesthetic management in the lateral position in a patient with Parkinson’s disease who developed severe long-seated forward flexion with the face buried between the knees: a case report
Authors: Morimoto Takayuki , Ono Masaaki , Harada Yayoi , Ichinomiya Taiga , Higashijima Ushio , Hara Tetsuya 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Camptocormia, a postural deformity seen in Parkinson’s disease (PD), complicates general anesthesia, especially airway management, owing to severe spinal flexion in advanced stages.

Case presentation
We report the anesthetic management of a 76-year-old man with PD who developed severe long-seated forward flexion with the face buried between the knees, from camptocormia and multiple spinal surgeries. Removal of the exposed spinal implants was necessary, and general anesthesia was planned. Anesthesia was administered in the right lateral position from induction to awakening. Video laryngoscopy enabled successful intubation, and remimazolam with flumazenil ensured good recovery without complications.

Conclusions
This case demonstrates the feasibility of managing the airway and administering anesthesia in the right lateral position in patients with PD with severe long-seated forward flexion. Video-laryngoscopy and remimazolam with flumazenil offer advantages in such cases, although further studies are required to validate their broader applications.
Identification of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction related biomarkers in osteoporosis
Authors: Chen Yuxi , Bi Ke , Zhang Chunzhi , Gu Jiaao , Yu Zhange , Lu Jianping , Yu Lei 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) involved in bone metabolism disorders. However, the particular mechanisms of ERS and MD related genes (ERS&MDRGs) in osteoporosis (OP) have not been elucidated. In present study, biomarkers related to ERS and MD in OP were identified.

Methods
Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained based on GEO dataset. ERS&MDRGs were derived from Genecard database. Initially, ERS&MD related DEGs (ERS&MDRDEGs) were obtained by overlapping DEGs and ERS&MDRGs. The key module was screened by WGCNA. The intersection of ERS&MDRDEGs and key module was screened by machine learning to obtain key genes. Then, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to calculated diagnostic accuracy of key genes. The ssGSEA and Cibersort algorithms were performed to analyze immune cell infiltration. The miRNA-mRNA-TF network were draw by cytoscape software. Moleculaer docking and DGIdb database were employed for screening potential drugs. Finally, the expression of key genes was verified by qRT-PCR.

Results
The 122 ERS&MDRDEGs were obtained by preliminary screening. ERS&MDRDEGs were mainly enriched in lipid metabolism, calcium ion transport, and ossification. The 5 key genes were identified, including AAAS, ESR1, SLC12A2, TAF15, and VAMP2. Immune infiltration analysis showed monocyte and macrophage were different between OP and control groups. The miRNA-mRNA-TF regulatory network indicated has-miR-625-5p, has-miR-296-3p, CTCT and EP300 as potential regulatory targets. The 2 potential small molecule drugs, namely bumetanide and elacestrant were screened. The expression of AAAS, ESR1, VAMP2 were higher, and SLC12A2 and TAF15 were lower in OP than control group.

Conclusion
This research identified 5 key genes AAAS, ESR1, SLC12A2, TAF15 and VAMP2. Bumetanide and elacestrant were potential drugs. These findings provided valuable insights into the pathophysiology of OP and the development of new therapeutic strategies.
The path to strategic fire management planning in the Aran, Pyrenees
Authors: Oliveres Jordi , Castellnou Marc , Castellarnau Xavi , Rosas-Casals Martí , Brotons Lluís , Duane Andrea 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
This paper aims to present insights about the beneficial use of fire within a strategic and operational framework, providing actions for better adaptation to fire regime shifts in the face of climate change and land use changes. Supported by transdisciplinary analysis and aimed at supporting an actual regulation in the Aran (~ 600 km2 in the Spanish Pyrenees), our case study focuses on creating a management path toward landscape resilience at the social and ecological level.

Results
We present a novel approach for fire management in Europe, where fire is no longer treated as an isolated, unpredicted, and unwanted element but where the fire regime (considering both wildfires and prescribed burns) is managed as a whole and under changing conditions. Under this approach, some unplanned ignitions represent a window of opportunity where emergency responders can turn wildfire incidents into land management goals. This way, the present framework helps to reduce uncertainty by proactively anticipating plausible future scenarios. In addition, the subjacent strategic innovation dissolves the trap linked to fully aggressive fire suppression strategies, proposing a transformative role for emergency management organizations to overcome the burden of extinction everywhere, every time.

Conclusions
This work highlights the importance of understanding fire complexity through transdisciplinary knowledge, acknowledging its historical significance for rural populations, and recognizing fire as a cultural heritage and essential ecological process that shapes the landscape. The study expects to serve as a catalyst for fire resilience in the region and inspire other mountainous areas to address similar challenges posed by global change.
Role of protein regulators of cholesterol homeostasis in immune modulation and cancer pathophysiology
Authors: Wang Yu , Bendre Shruti V , Krauklis Steven A , Steelman Andrew J , Nelson Erik R 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Cholesterol metabolism and homeostasis have emerged as important factors governing various aspects of cancer biology. Clinical associations between circulating cholesterol and poor prognosis, or use of cholesterol-lowering medication and improved prognosis have been noted for several different solid tumors. Mechanistically, cholesterol has many different direct and indirect effects on cancer cells themselves, but is also critically involved in shaping the function of other cells of the tumor microenvironment, especially immune cells. There are two major feedback loops regulating cholesterol homeostasis. Here, we highlight the major proteins involved in the so-called oxysterol – bile acid feedback loop and discuss how each one has been implicated in cancer biology. We focus on roles within the immune system with implications for cancer. Given that many of these proteins are enzymes or nuclear receptors, both of which are amenable to small molecule intervention, we posit that this axis may represent a promising area for therapeutic intervention.