bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trust in public health policy in the time of the COVID-19 epidemic in Israel
Authors: Benbassat Jochanan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe government of Israel provides universal health care through four health care organizations (“sick funds”) that enjoy general public trust. In hindsight, the response of the government to the COVID-19 epidemic seems reasonable. In the first year of the epidemic, tests and vaccines were developed and other measures were taken, including social distancing, focusing on risk factors for infection and disease severity, and improving treatment. The COVID-19 mortality rate between January 2000 and June 2021 was around 750 per million inhabitants, well below the OECD average of 1300. Still, although the control measures were largely well received, the media and an ad hoc non-governmental Emergency Council for the coronavirus crisis in Israel criticized the government’s response to the epidemic thereby contributing to a decline in public trust in government policy. This commentary provides an overview of the importance of trust in medical institutions and the difficulties of evaluating healthcare decisions in an attempt to justify three conclusions. First, when physicians and self-appointed experts publicly disapprove of a government policy, they should consider the trade-off between improving care and undermining public trust. Second, when evaluating a medical decision, experts should not ask, “Would I have acted differently?” but rather, “Was the decision under review completely unreasonable?” Thirdly, criticism is certainly worth listening to. However, I believe that by calling for organized resistance against the government, the publicly announced establishment of the Emergency Council for the Corona crisis blatantly crossed the line between constructive criticism and destructive mistrust.
Gene-expression profiling of individuals resilient to Alzheimer's disease reveals higher expression of genes related to metallothionein and mitochondrial processes and no changes in the unfolded protein response
Authors: de Vries Luuk E. , Jongejan Aldo , Monteiro Fortes Jennifer , Balesar Rawien , Rozemuller Annemieke J. M. , Moerland Perry D. , Huitinga Inge , Swaab Dick F. , Verhaagen Joost 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Some individuals show a discrepancy between cognition and the amount of neuropathological changes characteristic for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This phenomenon has been referred to as ‘resilience’. The molecular and cellular underpinnings of resilience remain poorly understood. To obtain an unbiased understanding of the molecular changes underlying resilience, we investigated global changes in gene expression in the superior frontal gyrus of a cohort of cognitively and pathologically well-defined AD patients, resilient individuals and age-matched controls (n = 11–12 per group). 897 genes were significantly altered between AD and control, 1121 between resilient and control and 6 between resilient and AD. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that the expression of metallothionein (MT) and of genes related to mitochondrial processes was higher in the resilient donors. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified gene modules related to the unfolded protein response, mitochondrial processes and synaptic signaling to be differentially associated with resilience or dementia. As changes in MT, mitochondria, heat shock proteins and the unfolded protein response (UPR) were the most pronounced changes in the GSEA and/or WGCNA, immunohistochemistry was used to further validate these processes. MT was significantly increased in astrocytes in resilient individuals. A higher proportion of the mitochondrial gene MT-CO1 was detected outside the cell body versus inside the cell body in the resilient compared to the control group and there were higher levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and X-box-binding protein 1 spliced (XBP1s), two proteins related to heat shock proteins and the UPR, in the AD donors. Finally, we show evidence for putative sex-specific alterations in resilience, including gene expression differences related to autophagy in females compared to males. Taken together, these results show possible mechanisms involving MTs, mitochondrial processes and the UPR by which individuals might maintain cognition despite the presence of AD pathology.
Effect of spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets on choroidal thickness in myopic children: a 3-year follow-up study
Authors: Huang Yingying , Li Xue , Zhuo Zuopao , Zhang Jiali , Que Tianxing , Yang Adeline , Drobe Björn , Chen Hao , Bao Jinhua 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
To investigate the impact of wearing spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) for 3 years and the impact of switching from single-vision lenses (SVL) to HAL on choroidal thickness (ChT).

Methods
Fifty-one participants who had already worn HAL for 2 years continued wearing them for an additional year (HAL group). Further, 50 and 41 participants who had worn spectacle lenses with slightly aspherical lenslets (SAL) and SVL for 2 years, respectively, switched to wearing HAL for another year (SAL-HAL and SVL-HAL groups). Additionally, 48 new participants aged 10–15 years were enrolled to wear SVL at the third year (new-SVL group). ChT was measured every 6 months throughout the study.

Results
Significant differences were observed in the changes in ChT among the four groups at the third year (all P < 0.05 except for the outer nasal region: P = 0.09), with the new-SVL group showing larger reductions compared with the other three groups. However, none of the three HAL-wearing groups showed significant changes in ChT at the third year (all P > 0.05). When comparing the changes in ChT for 3 years among the HAL, SAL-HAL, and SVL-HAL groups, significant differences were found before switching to HAL, but these differences were abolished after all participants switched to HAL.

Conclusions
Compared to those in the SVL group, choroid thinning was significantly inhibited in all the HAL groups. Wearing HAL for 3 years no longer had a choroidal thickening effect but could still inhibit choroidal thinning compared to wearing SVL.

Trial registration
The study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800017683), http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=29789.
Socioeconomic profile of families with spina bifida children in Turkey
Authors: Ay Larisa Andrada , Alataş Ibrahim , Özel Şeyhmus Kerem , Alizada Orkhan , Akkoyun Nesrin 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Spina bifida’s prevalence and incidence vary across geographical regions with sociodemographic characteristics and socioeconomic status of the populations having a significate influence over its epidemiology. This study aimed to outline the socioeconomic profile of families with spina bifida children, based on sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods
Between August and December 2022, 86 surveys completed by parents of children that underwent spina bifida repair in our institution were included in this analysis. The first part of the survey included questions based on sociodemographic characteristics. The second part of the survey was based on care provided by the families, regular follow-ups, participation in rehabilitation programs, and type of burdens perceived by the caregivers.

Results
A close look at the highest level of parent education showed that more than half of them were only middle school graduates. Occupational status in the perioconceptional period revealed that 77% of mothers were housewives/unemployed. 23% had a history of induced or spontaneous abortion. A high number of consanguine marriages were registered with 58% of the subjects being biologically related. 53% of the spina bifida children came from families with low household income. Only 15% of the spina bifida children had access to physiotherapy and 18% to rehabilitation programs.

Conclusions
Children with spinal dysraphism were more likely to come from families resulted from consanguineous marriages, with at least two children, low level of parent education and household income. Emotional and financial burden perceived by caregivers should be addressed in order to diminish the numerous challenges that this group of families encounter.
Autophagy-related genes in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: an integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Yang Man , Li Yinchao , Liu Xianyue , Zou Shangnan , Lei Lei , Zou Qihang , Zhang Yaqian , Fang Yubao , Chen Shuda , Zhou Liemin 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Autophagy plays essential roles in the development and pathogenesis of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE). In this research, we aim to identify and validate the autophagy-related genes associated with mTLE through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validations.

Methods
We obtained the dataset GSE143272 and high-throughput sequencing results of mTLE from public databases. Potential differentially expressed autophagy-related genes related to mTLE were identified using R software. Subsequently, genomes pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interactions (PPIs), and the gene ontology (GO) enrichment were performed for the selected autophagy-related genes. The mRNA expression profiles of hub genes were then used to establish a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) model. Finally, seven hub candidate autophagy-related genes were confirmed in hippocampus using the lithium-pilocarpine chronic epilepsy model.

Results
A total of 40 differential expression genes (DEGs) among the core autophagy-related genes were identified. The analysis results of PPI revealed that interactions among these DEGs. KEGG pathway and GO analysis of selected candidate autophagy-related genes indicated that those enriched terms mainly focused on macroautophagy, regulation of autophagy, cellular response to extracellular stimulus and mitochondrion disassembly. The results suggested that SQSTM1, VEGFA, BNIP and WIPI2 were consistent with the bioinformatics analysis. The expression levels of SQSTM1 and VEGFA in epilepsy model samples were significantly higher than those in normal control, while BNIP and WIPI2 expression levels were notably decreased. The final hub gene-based LASSO regression model accurately predicted the occurrence of epilepsy (AUC = 0.88).

Conclusions
Through bioinformatics analysis of public data, we identified 40 candidate autophagy-related genes associated with mTLE. SQSTM1, VEGFA, BNIP and WIPI2 may play significant roles in autophagy, influencing the onset and development of mTLE by regulating autophagy pathway. These findings deepen our understanding of mTLE, and may serve as sensitive and valuable indicators for the prognosis and diagnosis of this condition.
The gut-liver nexus: exploring gut microbiota dysbiosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its therapeutic implications
Authors: Swamikkannu Dinesh Mohan , Dasarapu Santhosha , Siva Rajendra Prasad Velivela , Nallam Javali , Pabba Satvika 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
The human gut microbiota (GM) is a diverse ecosystem crucial for health, impacting physiological processes across the host's body. This review highlights the GM's involvement in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and explores its diagnosis, treatment, and management.

Main Text
The GM influences gut functionality, digestion, immunity, and more. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by microbial fermentation, regulate metabolism, inflammation, and immune responses. Bile acids (BAs) modulate the microbiome and liver functions, affecting NAFLD progression. Dysbiosis and increased gut permeability contribute to NAFLD through bacterial components and metabolites reaching the liver, causing inflammation and oxidative stress. The microbiome's impact on immune cells further exacerbates liver damage. Symptoms of NAFLD can be subtle or absent, making diagnosis challenging. Imaging techniques assist in diagnosing and staging NAFLD, but liver biopsy remains vital for accurate assessment. Promising treatments include FXR agonists, GLP-1 agonists, and FGF19 and FGF21 mimetics, targeting various pathways associated with NAFLD pathogenesis. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) emerges as a potential therapeutic avenue to restore gut microbiota diversity and alleviate NAFLD. Lifestyle interventions, such as dietary modifications, exercise, and probiotics, also play a pivotal role in managing NAFLD and restoring gut health.

Conclusion
Despite significant progress, the complex interplay between the gut microbiome, NAFLD, and potential treatments necessitates further research to unravel underlying mechanisms and develop effective therapeutic strategies.
Producing focused extreme ultraviolet vortex with Fermat-spiral photon sieves
Authors: Zhang Junyong , Cui Huaiyu , Liu Yuanyuan , Zhang Xiuping , Li You , Zhao Dongdi , Zhao Yongpeng , Zhan Qiwen 
Published: April 2024

AbstractExtreme ultraviolet (EUV) light is difficult to focus due to strong absorption of most materials. Photon sieves (PS), rather than Fresnel zone plates (FZP), can focus EUV to smaller spot and suppress the higher orders of secondary maxima by several orders of magnitude. The number of pinholes used in PS is far more than that of transparent rings used in FZP, providing a great flexibility to manipulate structured focusing in EUV. In this work we investigate the Fermat-spiral PS to produce focused vortices with different topological charges. Experiment at the wavelength of 46.9 nm is carried out and multi-planar coherent diffractive imaging is used to retrieve the phase map of the focused EUV vortices. These results show the enormous potential of PS for manipulating EUV light. This study not only provides a compact, affordable substitute to focusing vortices where transmissive optics materials are unavailable, but also provides a route of converting various complex light manipulation ranging from visible light to EUV and soft x-ray.
Exploring the Concordance Between High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infections in Cervical and Oral Sites Among Females: A Cross-Sectional Study in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Minhas Sadia , Kashif Muhammad , Idrees Muhammad , Ansari Farheen 
Published: April 2024

PURPOSE Human papillomavirus (HPV) is widely recognized as a key contributing factor in cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. However, there has been limited research on the prevalence of concurrent HPV infections in various anatomic regions. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and specific types of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infections in the cervical and oral regions of females in Punjab, Pakistan. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study involving women seeking care for general gynecologic issues at the gynecologic Outpatient Department of Lady Wallington Hospital in Lahore. After interviews and clinical examinations, we collected whole-saliva samples and high vaginal swabs from each participant. HR-HPV detection and genotyping were performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction at both the anatomic sites. RESULTS In this study, 170 females, averaging 35.36 ± 8.305 years, participated. HR-HPV infection was more prevalent in the cervix (83/170 [48.8%]) than in the oral cavity (19/170 [11.2%]). Concordant HPV infections occurred in 10/170 participants (5.9%). HPV 16 was the most common genotype in cervical and oral locations, at rates of 21.8% and 5.3%, respectively, among concordant HR-HPV types. Socioeconomic status ( P = .013), age at first sexual intercourse ( P = .015), and history of oral sex ( P = .01) were significantly associated with concurrent HR-HPV infection in both regions. CONCLUSION This study suggests that HR-HPV cervical infections may increase the risk of oral transmission, especially during orogenital sexual practices. Thus, it is important to recognize that HPV infections may be linked in both areas. We emphasize the importance of comprehensive cervical and oral examinations and HPV vaccination in young women irrespective of their sexual practices.
Interplay of synchronization and cortical input in models of brain networks
Authors: Sawicki Jakub , Schöll Eckehard 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
It is well known that synchronization patterns and coherence have a major role in the functioning of brain networks, both in pathological and in healthy states. In particular, in the perception of sound, one can observe an increase in coherence between the global dynamics in the network and the auditory input. In this perspective article, we show that synchronization scenarios are determined by a fine interplay between network topology, the location of the input, and frequencies of these cortical input signals. To this end, we analyze the influence of an external stimulation in a network of FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators with empirically measured structural connectivity, and discuss different areas of cortical stimulation, including the auditory cortex.
Tuning of magnetic bistability and domain wall dynamics in magnetic microwires
Authors: Zhukov Arcady , Corte-Leon Paula , Talaat Ahmed , Blanco Juan Maria , Gonzalez Alvaro , García-Gomez Alfonso , Zhukova Valentina 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
A unique combination of unusual magnetic properties, such as magnetic bistability associated with ultrafast domain wall propagation or ultrasoft magnetic properties, together with excellent mechanical and corrosion properties can be obtained in amorphous microwires. Such ferromagnetic microwires coated with insulating and flexible glass-coating with diameters ranging from 0.1 to 100

can be prepared using the Taylor-Ulitovsky method. Magnetic properties of glass-coated microwires are affected by chemical compositions of the metallic nucleus and can be substantially modified by post-processing. We provide an overview of the routes allowing tuning of hysteresis loops and domain wall dynamics in amorphous microwires and new experimental results on the dependence of hysteresis loops on external stimuli, such as applied stress and temperature.
A Body Shape Index as a Simple Anthropometric Marker of Abdominal Obesity and Risk of Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Kajikawa Masato , Maruhashi Tatsuya , Kishimoto Shinji , Yamaji Takayuki , Harada Takahiro , Saito Yusuke , Mizobuchi Aya , Tanigawa Shunsuke , Nakano Yukiko , Chayama Kazuaki , Goto Chikara , Yusoff Farina Mohamad , Nakashima Ayumu , Higashi Yukihito 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Context
A Body Shape Index (ABSI) has been reported to have associations with cardiovascular risk factors. However, there is no information on the association between ABSI and incidence of cardiovascular events.

Methods
We investigated the associations between ABSI and first major cardiovascular events (death from cardiovascular disease, nonfatal acute coronary syndrome, and nonfatal stroke) in 1857 subjects from the database of Flow-Mediated Dilation Japan registry and from Hiroshima University Vascular Function registry.

Results
The areas under the curves of ABSI to predict the first major cardiovascular events were superior to BMI (men: P = .032, women: P = .015) and waist circumference in women (men: P = .078, women: P = .002). The subjects were divided into 2 groups based on the cutoff value of ABSI for predicting first major cardiovascular events: a low ABSI group (&lt;0.0822 in men and &lt;0.0814 in women) and a high ABSI group (≥0.0822 in men and ≥0.0814 in women). During a median follow-up period of 41.6 months, 56 subjects died (23 from cardiovascular causes), 16 had nonfatal acute coronary syndrome, and 14 had nonfatal stroke. The Kaplan-Meier curves for first major cardiovascular events were significantly different between the 2 groups (men, P &lt; .001; women, P &lt; .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that high ABSI remained an independent predictor of first major cardiovascular events (men: hazard ratio, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.07 to 5.06; P = .033; women: hazard ratio, 8.33; 95% CI, 1.06 to 65.49; P = .044).

Conclusion
High ABSI is independently associated with incidence of cardiovascular events. ABSI calculation should be performed for evaluation of risk of cardiovascular events.
Patient-Reported Outcomes in Autosomal Dominant Osteopetrosis: Findings From the Osteopetrosis Registry Study
Authors: Polgreen Lynda E , Villa-Lopez Eva , Chen Liz , Liu Ziyue , Katz Amy , Parks-Schenck Corinne , Hart Marian , Imel Erik A , Econs Michael J 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Context
Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis (ADO) is a rare sclerotic bone disease characterized by impaired osteoclast activity, resulting in high bone mineral density and skeletal fragility. The full phenotype and disease burden on patients’ daily lives has not been systematically measured.

Objective
We developed an online registry to ascertain population-based data on the spectrum and rate of progression of disease and to identify relevant patient-centered outcomes that could be used to measure treatment effects and guide the design of future clinical trials.

Methods
Cross-sectional data from participants with osteopetrosis were collected using an online REDCap-based database. Thirty-four participants with a confirmed diagnosis of ADO, aged 4-84 years were included. Participants aged 18 years and older completed the PROMIS 57, participants aged 8-17 years completed the PROMIS Pediatric 49, and parents of participants aged &lt;18 years completed the PROMIS Parent Proxy 49.

Results
Based on the PROMIS 57, relative to the general population, adults with ADO reported low physical function and low ability to participate in social roles and activities, and high levels of anxiety, fatigue, sleep problems, and pain interference. Daily pain medications were reported by 24% of the adult population. In contrast, neither pediatric participants nor their parent proxy reported a negative impact on health-related quality of life.

Conclusion
Data from this registry demonstrate the broad spectrum of ADO disease severity and high impact on health-related quality of life in adults with ADO.
Prepubertal Children With Obesity Have High Free IGF-1 Levels and Accelerated Growth Despite Reduced Pappalysin Levels
Authors: Martín-Rivada Álvaro , Martos-Moreno Gabriel Á , Guerra-Cantera Santiago , Campillo-Calatayud Ana , Oxvig Claus , Frystyk Jan , Chowen Julie A , Barrios Vicente , Argente Jesús 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Prepubertal children with obesity frequently have enhanced growth, accelerated skeletal maturation, and changes in the growth hormone–insulin-like growth factor (GH–IGF) axis. However, the involvement of pappalysins (PAPP-A, PAPP-A2) and stanniocalcins (STC1, STC2) as regulators of IGF bioavailability has not been studied in obesity.

Objective
We aimed to determine the effects of childhood obesity and weight reduction on serum levels of PAPP-A, PAPP-A2, STC1, and STC2 and their relationship with IGF bioavailability, growth, and other components of the GH–IGF system.

Methods
Prepubertal children with severe obesity (150, 50% males/females, age: 7.72 ± 2.05 years, BMI z-score: 4.95 ± 1.70, height z-score: 1.28 ± 1.04) were studied at diagnosis and after a minimum of 0.5 BMI z-score reduction. Two hundred and six healthy age- and sex-matched children were used as controls.

Results
Children with obesity had decreased serum concentrations of PAPP-A, PAPP-A2 and STC2, but increased total and free IGF-I, intact IGFBP-3, acid-labile subunit (ALS), IGF-II, and insulin levels, with no difference in the free IGF-I/total IGF-I ratio. Neither the standardized body mass index (BMI) nor height correlated with any biochemical parameter analyzed. A decrease in IGF-II, insulin, and ALS with an increase in IGFBP-2 and -5, STC2, and PAPP-A were observed after weight loss.

Conclusion
Increased circulating total and free IGF-I, insulin, and IGF-II may all contribute to the increased rate of prepubertal growth and bone maturation observed in children with obesity, with STC2 possibly being involved.