bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Partisanship, elections and lockdowns: Evidence from US states
Authors: Pacheco Gail , Wesselbaum Dennis 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this article, we use state‐level variation in Senate elections and partisanship to understand the variation in lockdown characteristics in the US. We argue that the state‐level decision makers and their parties weigh off the perceived political costs in an election year of a depressed economy against risks to public health. Democrats and Republicans, and their voters, vary in the weights they attach to these costs and benefits. We are thus exploring the marginal effect of the party–election interaction after accounting for other likely drivers of variations in lockdown characteristics. We find that Republican states with an election have less strict and shorter lockdowns compared to Democratic states with an election. Our results have implications for the communication of pandemic policies, including vaccination strategies.
“We don't show everything”: Queer identity concealment in rural Australia
Authors: Lewis Clifford , Redshaw Sarah 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRural communities can be perceived as conservative and, therefore, hostile towards queer people who depart from heteronormative renditions of sexual orientation and gender identity. Such perceptions can force rural queer people to conceal their identity, fostering an environment of invisibility and displacement. This study consequently explores why queer people conceal their identity in rural communities. Drawing on a sample of rural queer Australians, this study examines why those who are out (public about their orientation) adopt identity‐concealing strategies. Using semi‐structured in‐depth interviews, the study draws on the experiences of 9 participants from rural towns varying in population size from 50,000 to under 3000. The findings highlight how perceptions of prejudice were based on historical experiences and still emerged through the people, systems and institutions. Such prejudice serves to stigmatise queer identities and motivates the adoption of concealment strategies as a coping mechanism. Four reasons for identity concealment were reported: to avoid exclusion, to avoid accusations of inappropriate behaviour, to avoid confrontation and to enhance perceptions of the queer communities. The findings highlight that there remain beliefs that concealing identity to various extents is necessary within certain rural contexts.
Tuberculosis impacts multiple aspects in quality of life in a Romanian cohort of drug‐susceptible and drug resistant patients: A patient‐reported outcome measures study
Authors: Margineanu Ioana , Butnaru Teodora , Lam Marjolein , Baiceanu Dragos , Dragomir Raluca , Arbore Adriana Sorete , Mahler Beatrice , Munteanu Ioana , Mihaltan Florin , Akkerman Onno , Alffenaar Jan‐Willem , Stienstra Ymkje 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundTuberculosis (TB), and especially its drug resistant forms, is responsible for not only significant mortality, but also considerable morbidity, still under‐quantified. This study used four Patient‐Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS) to assess the status of persons affected by drug‐susceptible and drug‐resistant TB during their TB treatment or after treatment completion, in Romania, the highest TB burden country in the EU.MethodsPeople affected by TB in two different regions in Romania were included during and after treatment, following a cross‐sectional design. PROMs used were SF‐36, EQ‐5D‐5L, WPAI and the app‐based audiometry screening tool ‘uHear.’ Descriptive statistics and relevant statistical tests were used to compare groups between themselves and with the general Romanian population.ResultsBoth patients with drug‐susceptible and drug‐resistant TB experience, with drug‐resistant patients experiencing statistically significantly more pain and hearing loss. PROMs show some improvement in the after‐treatment group; however, compared with the general Romanian population for which data were available, all groups scored lower on all outcome measures.ConclusionPROMs offer the possibility of obtaining a more comprehensive view of patients' status, by involving them directly in the medical process and could guide a rehabilitation strategy.
Isohemagglutinin titration in pooled and apheresis platelets
Authors: Hua QingYun , Lyon Bruce W. , Duke Jennifer , Felske Amanda , Hobbs Karen , Holman Ryan , Radwi Ghazala , Sidhu Davinder , Clarke Gwen , Nahirniak Susan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundPlatelet inventory constraints necessitate ABO‐incompatible platelet transfusion. Many minimize the hemolytic impact by confirming low titre (LT) donor isohemagglutinins. This process is costly. Pathogen‐reduced platelets (PRP) in platelet additive solutions (PAS) will dilute plasma and decrease high‐titre isohemagglutinins (HT). We determined the proportion of HT platelets and incompatible transfusions for units suspended in plasma to reassess the need for titres following introduction of PRP/PAS.Study Design and MethodsOur titre method is manual tube (1:50) dilution of platelet supernatant from apheresis or whole blood derived buffy coat pools suspended in plasma, tested with A1/B red cells. Testing included 49,058 pooled and 11,738 apheresis platelets over 4 years. The HT proportion, rate of out‐of‐group transfusions, and hemolytic reactions were determined. The impact of PAS dilution was estimated.ResultsTotally 60,796 platelet units were tested. Group O pooled and group B apheresis platelets had HT in 6.6% and 5.7%, respectively. Group A pooled and apheresis platelets included 2% with HT. Approximately 25% of platelets transfused were ABO‐incompatible and no hemolytic reactions were reported. Based on the proportions of PAS‐E and plasma for PRP platelets, plasma from each donor comprises 11 mL (6% of total volume) vs 20‐257 mL in untreated pools. PAS‐E will replace and dilute residual plasma by at least 50%.DiscussionRare platelet pools may demonstrate HT. PRP platelets with PAS will reduce titres and may abrogate the need for titration. A strategy of group specific transfusion or transfusion of group A PRP platelet transfusions may be a safe alternative.
A pro‐reparative bioelectronic device for controlled delivery of ions and biomolecules
Authors: Asefifeyzabadi Narges , Nguyen Tiffany , Li Houpu , Zhu Kan , Yang Hsin‐ya , Baniya Prabhat , Medina Lopez Andrea , Gallegos Anthony , Hsieh Hao‐Chieh , Dechiraju Harika , Hernandez Cristian , Schorger Kaelan , Recendez Cynthia , Tebyani Maryam , Selberg John , Luo Le , Muzzy Elana , Hsieh Cathleen , Barbee Alexie , Orozco Jonathan , Alhamo Moyasar A. , Levin Michael , Aslankoohi Elham , Gomez Marcella , Zhao Min , Teodorescu Mircea , Isseroff Roslyn Rivkah , Rolandi Marco 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWound healing is a complex physiological process that requires precise control and modulation of many parameters. Therapeutic ion and biomolecule delivery has the capability to regulate the wound healing process beneficially. However, achieving controlled delivery through a compact device with the ability to deliver multiple therapeutic species can be a challenge. Bioelectronic devices have emerged as a promising approach for therapeutic delivery. Here, we present a pro‐reparative bioelectronic device designed to deliver ions and biomolecules for wound healing applications. The device incorporates ion pumps for the targeted delivery of H+ and zolmitriptan to the wound site. In vivo studies using a mouse model further validated the device's potential for modulating the wound environment via H+ delivery that decreased M1/M2 macrophage ratios. Overall, this bioelectronic ion pump demonstrates potential for accelerating wound healing via targeted and controlled delivery of therapeutic agents to wounds. Continued optimization and development of this device could not only lead to significant advancements in tissue repair and wound healing strategies but also reveal new physiological information about the dynamic wound environment.
Exposure to urban particulate matter (UPM) impairs mitochondrial dynamics in BV2 cells, triggering a mitochondrial biogenesis response
Authors: Morris Rebecca H. , Counsell Serena J. , McGonnell Imelda M. , Thornton Claire 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWorld Health Organisation data suggest that up to 99% of the global population are exposed to air pollutants above recommended levels. Impacts to health range from increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease to chronic respiratory conditions, and air pollution may contribute to over 7 million premature deaths a year. Additionally, mounting evidence suggests that in utero or early life exposure to particulate matter (PM) in ambient air pollution increases the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment with obvious lifelong consequences. Identifying brain‐specific cellular targets of PM is vital for determining its long‐term consequences. We previously established that microglial‐like BV2 cells were particularly sensitive to urban (U)PM‐induced damage including reactive oxygen species production, which was abrogated by a mitochondrially targeted antioxidant. Here we extend those studies to find that UPM treatment causes a rapid impairment of mitochondrial function and increased mitochondrial fragmentation. However, there is a subsequent restoration of mitochondrial and therefore cell health occurring concomitantly with upregulated measures of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial load. Our data highlight that protecting mitochondrial function may represent a valuable mechanism to offset the effects of UPM exposure in the neonatal brain.
imageKey points
Air pollution represents a growing risk to long‐term health especially in early life, and the CNS is emerging a target for airborne particulate matter (PM).
We previously showed that microglial‐like BV2 cells were vulnerable to urban (U)PM exposure, which impaired cell survival and promoted reactive oxygen species production.
Here we find that, following UPM exposure, BV2 mitochondrial membrane potential is rapidly reduced, concomitant with decreased cellular bioenergetics and increased mitochondrial fission.
However, markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial mass are subsequently induced, which may represent a cellular mitigation strategy.
As mitochondria are more vulnerable in the developing brain, exposure to air pollution may represent a greater risk to lifelong health in this cohort; conversely, promoting mitochondrial integrity may offset these risks.
Are Young Female Basketball Players Adequately Prepared for a Force–Velocity Jumping and Sprinting Assessment?
Authors: Rial-Vázquez Jessica , Nine Iván , Rúa-Alonso María , Fariñas Juan , Fernández-Seoane Roberto , Jiménez-Reyes Pedro , Fernández-del-Olmo Miguel , Iglesias-Soler Eliseo 
Published: May 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the interday reliability of mechanical variables obtained from the horizontal and vertical force–velocity (FV) profiles in adolescent female basketball players. If found to be reliable, the associations between FV parameters (theoretical maximal force, velocity, and power), squat jump (SJ) height, 30-m sprint, and change of direction (COD) times were evaluated. Methods: After familiarization, SJ against incremental loads, 30-m sprint, and 505-COD tests were obtained twice in 36 adolescent female basketball players (age = 15.4 [1.2] y). Results: Reliability for vertical FV parameters was unacceptable, whereas 505-COD times and FV horizontal parameters (except for theoretical maximal power) showed a moderate to high reliability. 505-COD time was correlated with FV horizontal parameters (range: r = −.821, −.451), and a large association was observed with both SJ height (r = −.678, −.600) and 30-m sprint time (r = .813, .858). Conclusions: Due to low levels of strength, our athletes were not adequately prepared to obtain a reliable vertical FV profile. Practitioners can expect acceptable reliability of the horizontal FV profile. Given the association between COD performance and SJ height and 30-m sprint time, we encouraged practitioners with limited equipment at their disposal to use COD and/or 30-m sprint tests.
Biomarkers of neurodegeneration in schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wilson Jack Christopher , Liu Kathy Y , Jones Katherine , Mahmood Jansher , Arya Utkarsh , Howard Rob 
Published: May 2024

QuestionDoes neurodegenerative disease underlie the increased rate of dementia observed in older people with schizophrenia? Several studies have reported a higher prevalence of dementia in people with schizophrenia compared with the general population. This may reflect a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as vascular dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Alternatively, this may reflect non-pathological, age-related cognitive decline in a population with low cognitive reserve.Study selection and analysisWe reviewed papers that compared postmortem findings, hippocampal MRI volume or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of AD, between patients with schizophrenia with evidence of cognitive impairment (age ≥45 years) with controls. We subsequently performed a meta-analysis of postmortem studies that compared amyloid-β plaques (APs) or neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in cognitively impaired patients with schizophrenia to normal controls or an AD group.FindingsNo studies found a significant increase of APs or NFTs in cognitively impaired patients with schizophrenia compared with controls. All postmortem studies that compared APs or NFTs in patients with schizophrenia to an AD group found significantly more APs or NFTs in AD. No studies found a significant differences in CSF total tau or phosphorylated tau between patients with schizophrenia and controls. The two studies which compared CSF Aβ42 between patients with schizophrenia and controls found significantly decreased CSF Aβ42 in schizophrenia compared with controls. Hippocampal volume findings were mixed.ConclusionsStudies have not found higher rates of AD-related pathology in cognitively impaired individuals with schizophrenia compared with controls. Higher rates of dementia identified in population studies may reflect a lack of specificity in clinical diagnostic tools used to diagnose dementia.
Spatiotemporal analysis of the association between residential eviction and fatal overdose in Rhode Island
Authors: Skinner Alexandra , Li Yu , Jent Victoria , Goedel William C , Hallowell Benjamin D , Allen Bennett , Leifheit Kathryn M , Cartus Abigail R , Macmadu Alexandria , Pratty Claire , Samuels Elizabeth A , Ahern Jennifer , Cerdá Magdalena , Marshall Brandon DL 
Published: May 2024

ObjectivePolicy ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic shape the concurrent housing and overdose crises in the USA. Housing insecurity is a known risk factor for overdose, yet how residential eviction may influence fatal overdose risk is understudied. We sought to evaluate the spatiotemporal relationship between neighbourhood-level residential eviction rates and overdose mortality in Rhode Island (RI) before and during a statewide eviction moratorium in response to COVID-19.MethodsWe conducted an ecological study at the census tract level in RI (N=240) by modelling the association between quintiles of eviction rates and fatal overdose rates from 2016 to 2021. We applied a Bayesian spatiotemporal approach using an integrated nested Laplace approximation and adjusted for an a priori determined set of time-varying demographic and policy covariates.ResultsDescriptively, we observed a direct, dose–response relationship between quintiles of eviction incidence rates over the full study period and fatal overdose. Prior to the implementation of a statewide eviction moratorium, census tracts in the highest eviction quintile had increased rates of overdose mortality, relative to those in the lowest quintile (posterior mean relative rate = 1.49, 95% credible interval: 1.05 to 2.13). Associations during the periods of eviction moratorium were non-significant.ConclusionThis work highlights the neighbourhood-level relationship between residential eviction and fatal overdose risk in the absence of an eviction moratorium. Enhanced investment in eviction prevention policies, such as rent relief and limitations to the circumstances under which landlords can file for eviction, may complement harm reduction efforts to reduce neighbourhood-level overdose inequalities.
Pronounced benefits of JAK inhibition with baricitinib in COVID-19 pneumonia in obese but not lean subjects
Authors: David Paula , Hen Or , Ben-Shabbat Niv , Macleod Tom , Amital Howard , Watad Abdulla , McGonagle Dennis G 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveObesity and age are strongly linked to severe COVID-19 pneumonia where immunomodulatory agents including Janus kinase inhibitors have shown benefits but the efficacy of such therapy in viral pneumonia is not well understood. We evaluated the impact of obesity and age on survival following baricitinib therapy for severe COVID-19.MethodsA post hoc analysis of the COV-BARRIER multicentre double-blind randomised study of baricitinib versus placebo (PBO) with an assessment of 28-day mortality was performed. All-cause mortality by day 28 was evaluated in a Cox regression analysis (adjusted to age) in three different groups according to body mass index (BMI) (<25 kg/m2, 25–30 kg/m2and >30 kg/m2) and age <65 years and ≥65 years.ResultsIn the high BMI group (>25 kg/m2), baricitinib therapy showed a significant survival advantage compared with PBO (incidence rate ratio (IRR) for mortality by day 28 0.53 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.87)) and 0.66 (95% CI 0.46 to 0.94) for the respective <65 years and ≥65 years, respectively. The 28-day all-cause-mortality rates for BMI over 30 were 5.62% for baricitinib and 9.22% for PBO (HR=0.6, p<0.05). For BMI under 25 kg/m2, irrespective of age, baricitinib therapy conferred no survival advantage (IRR of 1.89 (95% CI 0.49 to 7.28) and 0.95 (95% CI 0.46 to 1.99) for <65 years and ≥65 years, respectively) ((mortality 6.6% baricitinib vs 8.1 in PBO), p>0.05).ConclusionThe efficacy of baricitinib in COVID-19 pneumonia is linked to obesity suggesting that immunomodulatory therapy benefit is associated with obesity-associated inflammation.
Determinants of radiographic progression in early psoriatic arthritis: insights from a real-world cohort
Authors: Koc Gonul Hazal , Kok Marc R. , do Rosario Yvandra , Luime Jolanda J. , Tchetverikov Ilja , Kasiem Fazira R. , Korswagen Lindy-Anne , Bijsterbosch Jessica , Goekoop-Ruiterman Yvonne P. M. , van Oosterhout Maikel , Baudoin Paul , Kok Petra , Dolhain Radboud J. E. M. , Vis Marijn 
Published: May 2024

ObjectivePersistent articular inflammation in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with radiographic damage. Despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, radiographic structural damage remains prevalent in PsA. To elucidate this topic, we studied which baseline clinical characteristics determine radiographic progression.MethodsFor this analysis, data were used from DEPAR (Dutch South West Psoriatic Arthritis) Study, a real-world cohort of patients with newly diagnosed PsA. Radiographic changes were assessed using the modified Total Sharp/van der Heijde Score (mTSS) for PsA. Univariable–multivariable mixed-effects negative binomial regression analysis was applied to define baseline predictors for radiographic progression over time.ResultsThe study included 476 patients with early PsA with 1660 hand and feet radiographs from four different time points (baseline, first, second and third year). The progressive group (n=71) had a higher mTSS compared with the non-progressive group (n=405) at diagnosis (17 (3–36) vs 0 (0–1)). A comparison of the two groups revealed that the progressive group had significantly older (59 (12) vs 49 (13)) and a higher rate of the presence of swollen joints (93% vs 78%) at diagnosis. Multivariable analysis identified age (incidence rate ratio (IRR)=1.10, p=0.000), sex (female) (IRR=0.48, p=0.043) and baseline mTSS (IRR=1.11, p=0.000) as significant determinants of radiographic change over time. For the progressive subset, additionally, the multivariable analysis highlighted baseline Disease Activity in PSoriatic Arthritis (IRR=1.05, p=0.006) and swollen joint count (IRR=1.07, p=0.034) as predictors.ConclusionsAccording to this real-world cohort, patients with early PsA exhibit minimal radiographic progression under current treatment protocols. This study indicates that while old age and initial radiographic damage predict progression, female sex confers a protective effect on it. Furthermore, disease activity score and swollen joints emerged as predictors for radiographic changes during the follow-up in progressive patients.
Natural language processing to identify and characterize spondyloarthritis in clinical practice
Authors: Benavent Diego , Benavent-Núñez María , Marin-Corral Judith , Arias-Manjón Javier , Navarro-Compán Victoria , Taberna Miren , Salcedo Ignacio , Peiteado Diana , Carmona Loreto , de Miguel Eugenio 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveThis study aims to use a novel technology based on natural language processing (NLP) to extract clinical information from electronic health records (EHRs) to characterise the clinical profile of patients diagnosed with spondyloarthritis (SpA) at a large-scale hospital.MethodsAn observational, retrospective analysis was conducted on EHR data from all patients with SpA (including psoriatic arthritis (PsA)) at Hospital Universitario La Paz, between 2020 and 2022. Data were collected using Savana Manager, an NLP-based system, enabling the extraction of information from unstructured, free-text EHRs. Variables analysed included demographic data, SpA subtypes, comorbidities and treatments. The performance of the technology in detecting SpA clinical entities was evaluated through precision, recall and F-1 score metrics.ResultsFrom a hospital population of 639 474 patients, 4337 (0.7%) patients had a diagnosis of SpA or their subtypes in their EHR. The population predominantly comprised men (55.3%) with a mean age of 50.9 years. Peripheral SpA (including PsA) was reported in 31.6%, axial SpA in 20.9%, both axial and peripheral SpA in 3.7%, while 43.7% of patients did not have the SpA subtype reported. Common comorbidities included hypertension (25.0%), dyslipidaemia (22.2%) and diabetes mellitus (15.5%). The use of conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) was documented, with methotrexate (25.3% of patients) being the most used csDMARDs and adalimumab (10.6% of patients) the most used bDMARD. The NLP technology demonstrated high precision and recall, with all the assessed F-1 score values over 0.80, indicating reliable data extraction.ConclusionThe application of NLP technology facilitated the characterisation of the SpA patient profile, including demographics, clinical features, comorbidities and treatments. This study supports the utility of NLP in enhancing the understanding of SpA and suggests its potential for improving patient management by extracting meaningful information from unstructured EHR data.