bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of gratitude and affection journaling interventions on relationship quality and gratitude for Chinese adolescent – mother dyads
Authors: Chen-Bouck Li , Qiao Bixi , Patterson Meagan M. 
Published: April 2024

This study examined the effects of journaling-based interventions on perceived relationship quality (i.e., mother-adolescent interactions and conflict) and gratitude among Chinese adolescents (ages 12–14 years) and their mothers ( N = 339 dyads). Mother-adolescent dyads were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (i.e., gratitude, affection, and control), and kept a daily journal on assigned topics for 21 days. Participants’ mother-adolescent relationship quality and level of gratitude were measured before and after the 21-day period. The findings showed that both the gratitude and affection interventions had positive impacts on mother-adolescent relationship quality (i.e., more positive mother-adolescent interactions and less conflict) with a small to medium effect size for adolescents but no impact for mothers. Gratitude did not change from pre-to post-intervention. The current study provides some preliminary support for implementing gratitude and affection interventions with Chinese adolescents to promote relationship quality, but suggests that the intervention works better for adolescents than mothers.
Symptom burden, service use and care dissatisfaction among older adults with cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, dementia and neurological disease during the last 3 months before death: A pooled analysis of mortality follow-back surveys
Authors: Miyashita Mitsunori , Evans Catherine J , Yi Deokee , Gomes Barbara , Gao Wei 
Published: April 2024

Background: Variation in the provision of care and outcomes in the last months of life by cancer and non-cancer conditions is poorly understood. Aims: (1) To describe patient conditions, symptom burden, practical problems, service use and dissatisfaction with end-of-life care for older adults based on the cause of death. (2) To explore factors related to these variables focussing on the causes of death. Design: Secondary analysis of pooled data using cross-sectional mortality follow-back surveys from three studies: QUALYCARE; OPTCare Elderly; and International Access, Right, and Empowerment 1. Setting/participants: Data reported by bereaved relatives of people aged ⩾75 years who died of cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, dementia or neurological disease. Results: The pooled dataset contained 885 responses. Overall, service use and circumstances surrounding death differed significantly across causes of death. Bereaved relatives reported symptom severity from moderate to overwhelming in over 30% of cases for all causes of death. Across all causes of death, 28%–38% of bereaved relatives reported some level of dissatisfaction with care. Patients with cardiovascular disease and dementia experienced lower symptom burden and dissatisfaction than those with cancer. The absence of a reliable key health professional was consistently associated with higher symptom burden ( p = 0.002), practical problems ( p = 0.001) and dissatisfaction with care ( p = 0.001). Conclusions: We showed different trajectories towards death depending on cause. Improving symptom burden and satisfaction in patients at the end-of-life is challenging, and the presence of a reliable key health professional may be helpful.
Psilocybin promotes neuroplasticity and induces rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects in mice
Authors: Zhao Xiangting , Du Yingjie , Yao Yishan , Dai Wei , Yin Yongyu , Wang Guyan , Li Yunfeng , Zhang Liming 
Published: April 2024

Background: Psilocybin offers new hope for treating mood disorders due to its rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, as standard medications require weeks or months to exert their effects. However, the mechanisms underlying this action of psilocybin have not been identified. Aims: To investigate whether psilocybin has rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects in mice and investigate whether its potential mechanisms of action are related to promoted neuroplasticity. Methods: We first examined the antidepressant-like effects of psilocybin in normal mice by the forced swimming test and in chronic corticosterone (CORT)-exposed mice by the sucrose preference test and novelty-suppressed feeding test. Furthermore, to explore the role of neuroplasticity in mediating the antidepressant-like effects of psilocybin, we measured structural neuroplasticity and neuroplasticity-associated protein levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. Results: We observed that a single dose of psilocybin had rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects in both healthy mice and chronic CORT-exposed mice. Moreover, psilocybin ameliorated chronic CORT exposure-induced inhibition of neuroplasticity in the PFC and hippocampus, including by increasing neuroplasticity (total number of dendritic branches and dendritic spine density), synaptic protein (p-GluA1, PSD95 and synapsin-1) levels, BDNF-mTOR signalling pathway activation (BDNF, TrkB and mTOR levels), and promoting neurogenesis (number of DCX-positive cells). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that psilocybin elicits robust, rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects which is accompanied by the promotion of neuroplasticity in the PFC and hippocampus.
Investigating Alexithymia as a Moderator of Outcomes in a Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Intervention for Co-Occurring Depression and Hazardous Alcohol Use: Enquête sur l'alexithymie en tant que modérateur des résultats dans un essai randomisé contrôlé d'une intervention en ligne pour la dépression concomitante et la consommation dangereuse d'alcool
Authors: Schell Christina , Quilty Lena C. , Cunningham John A. 
Published: April 2024

Objective Alexithymia is characterized by difficulty identifying and/or describing emotions, reduced imaginal processes, and externally oriented thinking. High levels of alexithymia may increase the challenge of supporting individuals with co-occurring depression and hazardous alcohol use. This secondary analysis sought to investigate whether or not alexithymia moderated the outcomes of an online intervention for depression and alcohol use. Method As part of a randomized controlled trial, 988 participants were randomly assigned to receive an intervention dually focused on depression and alcohol use, or an intervention only focused on depression. The pre-specified mediation hypothesis was that changes in drinking at 3 months follow-up would effect the association between the intervention and change in depression at 6 months. This secondary analysis extends the investigation by adding alexithymia as a moderator. Results The current analysis demonstrated that including alexithymia as a moderator resulted in a conditional direct effect. Specifically, there was an intervention effect where participants who received the combined depression and alcohol intervention had larger improvements in their depression scores at 6 months, but this was only when their alexithymia score at baseline was also high (60.5 or higher). Conclusion These results suggest that treatment planning and intervention effectiveness could be informed and optimized by taking alexithymia severity into consideration. This is especially merited as alexithymia can contribute to the weaker therapeutic alliance, more distress and dysphoria, shorter periods of abstinence, and more severe depression, compounding the complexity of supporting individuals with comorbid conditions. More research is needed to systematically investigate these possible modifying effects. Plain Language Title Does difficulty identifying/describing emotions or externally-oriented thinking influence the effectiveness of an intervention among people with both depression and hazardous alcohol use?
Evaluation of Tacrolimus Concentrations and Clinical Outcomes Between Extended and Immediate Release Formulations in Kidney Transplant
Authors: Naguib Hannah , Katz-Greenberg Goni , Harris Matt , Gommer Jennifer , Yang Lexie Z. , Erkanli Alaattin , Byrns Jennifer 
Published: April 2024

Objectives: Tacrolimus remains the mainstay of immunosuppression in kidney transplantation. Understanding the relationship between therapeutic tacrolimus levels and outcomes of acute rejection, patient/graft survival, and tolerability are important. The relationship between time to therapeutic tacrolimus levels and outcomes has not been well established, specifically with the use of extended release tacrolimus formulation (LCP-Tac). This study investigated time to therapeutic tacrolimus levels of 2 tacrolimus formulations, LCP-Tac and immediate release tacrolimus (IR-Tac), as a predictor of clinical outcomes. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, cohort study of kidney transplant recipients at Duke Hospital between 2013-2021. The primary objective evaluated the difference in time to therapeutic tacrolimus levels with LCP-Tac vs IR-Tac regimens. Secondary endpoints included time within therapeutic range during the first 3 months post-transplant, incidence of biopsy-proven rejection, development of de novo donor specific antibodies, and patient and allograft survival at 12 months post-transplant. Results: 128 patients were included (63 in LCP-Tac group and 65 in IR-Tac group). The time to therapeutic tacrolimus level was similar between formulations (7.2 days with LCP-Tac compared to 6.7 days with IR-Tac, P = .63). The time within therapeutic range during the first 3 months post-transplant, via modified Rosendaal, was similar with LCP-Tac and IR-Tac (56.1% vs 64.8%, respectively). Rates of biopsy-proven acute rejection at 12 months were similar (7/63 (11.1%) compared to 4/65 (6.2%)). There was no difference in patient/graft survival between groups. Conclusions: The time to therapeutic tacrolimus levels did not differ based on tacrolimus formulation and was not correlated with clinical outcomes.
Role of Emotional and Artificial Intelligence in Employee Performance: A Perspective from the Indian Service Industry
Authors: Sharma Shivani , Saxena Parul 
Published: April 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) and emotional intelligence (EI) are primary game changers in Industry 4.0. To ensure growth, organisations look to technological advances for support but should remain focused on developing people and resources that power organisations and drive it forward. This study attempts to combine these two concepts. This research investigates the impact of EI and AI on employee performance with focus on the Indian service industry. The data was collected from different service industry employees. Employee performance has been observed through internal and external services provided to customers and co-workers, respectively. Descriptive statistics and PROCESS macro were used to test the mediation (Model 4) and moderation model (Model 1). Both EI and AI significantly impact employee performance. All the bivariate correlations were significant at the 0.01 level. Correlations between the dimensions of EI and dimensions of employee performance were higher as compared to dimensions of AI and employee performance. To conclude, EI has a major impact on employee performance, while AI moderates the relationship between EI and employee performance.
Pitfalls in the Interpretation of Biomarkers in Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Ganesamoorthi Rajasri Ambalam , Kumarasamy Poongodi Santhana 
Published: April 2024

Background: In India, 25%–65% of neonatal deaths are due to sepsis. Since it produces nonspecific symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose and manage. The present study assessed the value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) to predict sepsis along with blood culture. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from 90 neonates with suspected sepsis, submitted for blood culture, CRP by latex agglutination kit, and BNP by ELISA. Results: Of the 90 cases, blood culture was positive in 25 (28%) cases, BNP in 45 (50%) cases, and CRP in 36 (40%) cases. BNP was positive among 25 (100%) blood culture-positive cases. CRP, BNP, and blood culture were positive in 16 (18%) cases. Conclusion: Although BNP is an equally good marker in predicting sepsis, it is not widely available. Hence, screening by serial CRP along with blood culture alone reinforces the diagnosis.
Comparative Efficacy of Monotherapy of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors Versus Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Treating Essential Hypertension – A Meta-analysis
Authors: Rathod Jaydeep Himmatlal , Kavathia Shrenil Ashrut , Pandya Tejas Rajendrakuamr , Rana Devang Ashwinkumar 
Published: April 2024

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely used medications for treating essential hypertension, but there is limited research comparing their effectiveness. To address this gap, a recent meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate and compare the efficacy of these two drug classes in decreasing blood pressure (BP) among patients with essential hypertension. Objective: Evaluating of comparative efficacy of ACEIs versus ARBs in reducing BP in essential hypertension. Methods: An extensive literature search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) following PRISMA guidelines (2020), with inclusion criteria of age ≥18 years, with either gender and diagnosed of essential hypertension and receiving ACEIs or ARBs for at least 4 weeks. Patients with secondary hypertension, malignancy, symptomatic cardiovascular system (CVS) disease, hepatic involvement, and studies with Fimasartan and Allisartan were excluded. For this study, all RCTs that reported changes in mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) before and after administration of the drugs were gathered. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated using RevMan 5.4.1 software. The significance level was set at a P < 0.05. Results: A total of 28 RCTs ( n = 9778) were included in our study. Both groups reduce SBP and DBP from the baseline values. Pooled analyses of studies showed that ARBs were superior to ACEIs with SMD = 0.179 in the random-effect model, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.0975–0.260), P < 0.001, and in the fixed-effect model, SMD = 0.207, 95% CI (0.167–0.248), P < 0.001 in the mean reduction of SBP. Furthermore, for a mean reduction in DBP, ARBs were superior to ACEIs with SMD = 0.329 in the random-effect model, 95% CI (0.161–0.496), P < 0.001, and in the fixed-effect model, SMD = 0.317, 95% CI (0.276–0.357), P < 0.001. Our study included 28 RCTs with a combined sample size of 9778 participants. Both ACEIs and ARBs were found to effectively reduce SBP and DBP from their baseline values. However, our pooled analysis of the studies revealed that ARBs were more effective than ACEIs in reducing mean SBP, with an SMD of 0.179 in the random-effect model and 0.207 in the fixed-effect model. The 95% CIs for these estimates were (0.0975–0.260) and (0.167–0.248), respectively, with P < 0.001. Similarly, for a mean reduction in DBP, ARBs were found to be superior to ACEIs with a SMD of 0.329 in the random-effect model and 0.317 in the fixed-effect model, with 95% CIs of (0.161–0.496) and (0.276–0.357), respectively, and a P < 0.001. Conclusion: ARBs are more efficacious as compared to ACEIs in essential hypertension.
Towards a Reconciliation Between Simulational, Ludic, and Historiographical Practices in Research
Authors: Marino Carvalho Vinicius 
Published: April 2024

Background Simulations, ludic or otherwise, have so far struggled to gain a foothold in mainstream historiography. Some authors suggest there may be fundamental incompatibilities between history and the language of simulations and scholarly games. Others believe that designing, employing, and validating historical simulations may be simply too costly and/or labor-intensive to justify their widespread adoption. Intervention This paper intends to identify points of friction between historiography and simulation-based research and suggest practical solutions to these issues. Methods My discussion is based on the description and analysis of a case study, the ThomondSim/ The Triumphs of Turlough research project. The initiative consisted of the development and application of an agent-based computational model (ABM) and a scholarly board game to investigate the possible associations between economic, environmental, and military hazards in 13th and 14th centuries Ireland. Results and Discussion Ensuring the simulations matched historical evidence to a standard deemed acceptable by the historiographical community limited their phase space, compromising their capacity to explore emergent phenomena. The intricacy of the underlying conceptual model suited the ABM better than the board game, which struggled to reconcile complexity with good game design practices. The board game, however, proved to be an effective validating tool for the ABM. Limitations and Suggestions for Further Research The project espoused an overt simulation- and game-centric approach, paying little attention to unguided play. Recent literature suggests that fostering, rather than hindering, playful exploration could address some of the pitfalls identified by this project. Conclusion Play could be a means of reconciliation between simulational, ludic, and historiographical practices. However, to ensure that projects adhere to epistemic standards, it is recommended that a methodology is developed to integrate it into research in ways that can be tested and evaluated.
Proposal of a classification of cannulation damage in vascular access grafts based on clinical, ultrasound, and microscopic observations
Authors: Franchin Marco , Vergani Barbara , Huber Veronica , Leone Biagio Eugenio , Villa Antonello , Muscato Paola , Cervarolo Maria Cristina , Piffaretti Gabriele , Tozzi Matteo 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) serve as an alternative to native arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in the context of hemodialysis patient life planning. AVGs are more susceptible to developing outflow stenosis (due to intimal hyperplasia), thrombosis, and infections. However, an often overlooked contributor to AVG failure is cannulation damage. The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of cannulations on AVGs. We aim to establish a classification of AVG damage by comparing clinical data and ultrasound images with microscopic morphological findings obtained from explanted grafts. Materials and methods: This study is conducted at a single center. We included all patients who underwent AVG creation between 2011 and 2019. Comprehensive data on clinical history, follow-up, and complications were collected and reviewed. Duplex ultrasound (DUS) characteristics were documented, and all grafts explanted during the analysis period underwent optical microscopy evaluation. Finally, clinical data, along with DUS and microscopic findings, were integrated to derive a damage classification. Results: During the study period, 247 patients underwent 334 early cannulation AVGs. The median follow-up duration was 714 days (IQR 392, 1195). One hundred eleven (33%) grafts were explanted. Clinical data and DUS findings were utilized to formulate a four-grade classification system indicating increasing damage. Conclusion: Cannulation damage alone does not solely account for AVG failure. It results from a biological host-mediated process that promotes the growth of intimal hyperplasia at the cannulation sites. This process is not clinically significant within the initial 2 years after AVG creation.
The Neurodiversity Attitudes Questionnaire: Development and Initial Validation
Authors: Schuck Rachel K , Choi Sunghee , Baiden Kaitlynn MP , Dwyer Patrick , Uljarević Mirko 
Published: April 2024

Neurodiversity refers to the idea that all brains—no matter their differences—are valuable and should be accepted. Attitudes toward the neurodiversity perspective can have real-life impacts on the lives of neurodivergent people, from effects on daily interactions to how professionals deliver services for neurodivergent individuals. In order to identify negative attitudes toward neurodiversity and potentially intervene to improve them, we first need to measure these attitudes. This article describes the development and initial validation of the Neurodiversity Attitudes Questionnaire (NDAQ), including item revision based on expert review, cognitive interviews, systematic evaluation of participants’ response process, and analysis of the instrument’s internal factor structure using exploratory structural equation modeling. Pilot analysis with 351 individuals mostly living in the United States who were currently working in or intending to pursue helping professions indicates that the NDAQ has construct validity, is well understood by participants, and fits a five-factor structure. While the NDAQ represents the first instrument designed to specifically assess attitudes toward the neurodiversity perspective, further validation work is still needed. Lay Abstract Neurodiversity refers to the idea that brain differences (including disabilities) are valuable and should be accepted. Attitudes toward neurodiversity can have real-life impacts on the lives of neurodivergent people (those whose brains do not fit society’s “standard”). These impacts can include effects on daily interactions, as well as how professionals such as teachers and doctors deliver services to neurodivergent people. In order to identify negative attitudes toward neurodiversity and potentially improve them, we first need to measure these attitudes. This article describes the development of the Neurodiversity Attitudes Questionnaire (NDAQ). NDAQ development included revision of questionnaire items based on feedback from experts and neurodivergent people, systematically evaluating the way participants responded to questionnaire items, and analysis of how the NDAQ items are grouped into different factors. A preliminary analysis with 351 individuals mostly living in the United States who were currently working or planning to work in a helping profession (e.g. doctors, teachers, therapists, and so on) indicates that the NDAQ measures attitudes toward neurodiversity, is well understood by participants, and fits a five-factor structure. While the NDAQ represents the first instrument designed to specifically assess attitudes toward the broad idea of neurodiversity, further work is still needed.
Perception of maxillary incisor inclination and its correlation with dental cephalometric measurements
Authors: Palmares Sara , Caseiro Rui , Pereira Rui , Jardim Luís 
Published: April 2024

Objective: To correlate the clinical perception of maxillary incisor inclination from photographs of the smiling face with cephalometric measurements, using conventional incisor axis reference points and crown reference points. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Lisbon (Portugal). Participants: Eight orthodontists. Methods: The perception of maxillary incisor inclination of 47 female patients (mean age 23.4 ± 1.5 years) was evaluated by eight orthodontists. The participants’ photographs (smiling frontal, smiling three-quarter and smiling profile) were shown to each assessor and a continuous visual analogue rating scale was used to assess the perception of maxillary incisor inclination. Pearson’s correlation and linear regression were calculated between each cephalometric measurement and the perception of incisor inclination. Results: Anatomical crown inclination measurements U1ac-FH (r = 0.854; P < 0.01) and U1ac-SN (r = 0.845; P < 0.01) had the highest correlation values with the assessors’ perception of maxillary incisor inclination. Conventional incisor axis measurements showed the lowest correlation values (r = 0.668–0.756). Conclusion: Cephalometric measurements of the labial surface of the anatomical crown of the maxillary incisors showed the strongest correlations with the clinical perception of maxillary incisor inclination from photographs. For optimal aesthetics, the inclination of the labial surface of maxillary incisor crown should be evaluated.