bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How the 1963 Equal Pay Act and 1964 Civil Rights Act Shaped the Gender Gap in Pay
Authors: Bailey Martha J , Helgerman Thomas , Stuart Bryan A 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In the 1960s, two landmark statutes—the Equal Pay and Civil Rights Acts—targeted the long-standing practice of employment discrimination against U.S. women. For the next 15 years, the gender gap in median earnings among full-time, full-year workers changed little, leading many scholars to conclude that the legislation was ineffectual. This article revisits this conclusion using two research designs, which leverage (i) cross-state variation in preexisting state equal pay laws and (ii) variation in the 1960 gender gap across occupation-industry-state-group cells to capture differences in the legislation's incidence. Both designs suggest that federal antidiscrimination legislation led to striking gains in women's relative wages, which were concentrated among below-median wage earners. These wage gains offset preexisting labor market forces, which worked to depress women's relative pay growth, resulting in the apparent stability of the gender gap at the median and mean in the 1960s and 1970s. The data show little evidence of short-term changes in women's employment but suggest that firms reduced their hiring and promotion of women in the medium to long term. The historical record points to the key role of the Equal Pay Act in driving these changes.
The Class Ceiling in the United States: Class-Origin Pay Penalties in Higher Professional and Managerial Occupations
Authors: Laurison Daniel , Friedman Sam 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Gender and racial pay penalties are well-known: women (of all races) and people of color (of all genders) earn less, on average, even when they gain access to occupations historically reserved for White men. Studies of social mobility show that people from working-class backgrounds in the US have also been excluded from top professional and managerial occupations. But do working-class-origin people who attain top US jobs face a class-origin pay penalty? Despite evidence of class-origin pay gaps in higher professional and managerial occupations elsewhere, we might expect that the central role of race and racism in US stratification processes, along with the relatively low salience of class identities, would render class origins irrelevant to earnings in exclusive occupations, at least within racial groups. Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to link childhood class position to adult occupation and earnings, we describe the racial and class-origin composition of different high-status occupations and the earnings of people within them. We show that when people who are from working-class backgrounds are upwardly mobile into high-status occupations, they earn almost $20,000 per year less, on average, than individuals who are themselves from privileged backgrounds. The difference is partly explained by the upwardly mobile being less likely to have college degrees, but it remains substantial (around $11,700) even after accounting for education, race and other important predictors of earnings. The gap is largest among White people; there is a class-origin penalty in top US occupations that is distinct from the racial pay gap.
KDM4C promotes mouse hippocampal neural stem cell proliferation through modulating ApoE expression
Authors: Zhu Kun , Zhang Hanyue , Luan Yan , Hu Baoqi , Shen Tu , Ma Bo , Zhang Zhichao , Zheng Xiaoyan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractKDM4C is implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance in various stem cell types. However, its function in neural stem cells (NSCs) remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of KDM4C in NSCs. Primary hippocampal NSCs were isolated from neonatal mice, and both in vivo and in vitro lentivirus‐mediated overexpression of KDM4C were induced in these hippocampal NSCs. Staining results revealed a significant increase in BrdU‐ and Ki‐67‐positive cells, along with an elevated number of cells in S phases due to KDM4C overexpression. Subsequently, RNA‐seq was employed to analyze gene expression changes following KDM4C upregulation. GO enrichment analysis, KEGG analysis, and GSEA highlighted KDM4C‐regulated genes associated with development, cell cycle, and neurogenesis. Protein‐protein interaction analysis uncovered that ApoE protein interacts with several genes (top 10 upregulated and downregulated) regulated by KDM4C. Notably, knocking down ApoE mitigated the proliferative effect induced by KDM4C overexpression in NSCs. Our study demonstrates that KDM4C overexpression significantly upregulates ApoE expression, ultimately promoting proliferation in mouse hippocampal NSCs. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms governing neurodevelopment, with potential implications for therapeutic strategies in neurological disorders.
Temporal Trends in Methamphetamine Use in Patients Admitted to the Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Suto Daniel J. , Xiao Jessica , Bellinghausen Amy L. , Odish Mazen , Sweeney Daniel A. , Wardi Gabriel , Owens Robert L. 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesAlthough methamphetamine use is common, the scope of methamphetamine use and outcomes for patients admitted to the hospital is unclear. This study aims to identify the prevalence of methamphetamine use from January 2012 to January 2022, coingestions, hospital course, and readmission rate of admitted patients.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study conducted on patients admitted to our center with the following inclusions: age older than 18 years, positive/“pending confirm” value for methamphetamine on urine drug screen, and/or anInternational Classification of Diseases,Tenth Revision, code related to stimulant use disorder as an active issue. Urine drug screen data are reported as methamphetamine +/− and polysubstance (PS) +/−. Patient demographics, admission diagnosis, and hospital course were extracted. Statistical tests used includedttests and Mann-WhitneyUtests.ResultsA total of 19,159 encounters were included, representing 12,057 unique patients. The median (interquartile range) age was 43 (33–54) years. Of all encounters, 35.3% were methamphetamine + and PS −, and 46.3% were methamphetamine + and PS +. Hospitalizations increased from 883 in 2012 to 2532 in 2021. The median (IQR) hospital stay was 48 (48–120) hours. Of all encounters, 16.8% included an intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and the median ICU stay was 42 (21–87) hours. A total of 2988 patients (24.7%) were readmitted within the study period, and 4988 (71.5%) returned within 1 year of the previous encounter. In context of all emergency department admissions from 2013 to 2022, 13.1% had a urine drug screen + for methamphetamine.ConclusionsHospitalizations with recent methamphetamine use doubled at our institution from 2012 to 2022. In addition, 1 in 4 is readmitted (typically within 1 year), and a minority requires ICU care.
Applying Tension to the Transcervical Foley Balloon and Delivery Times in Term Nulliparous Women Undergoing Induction of Labor
Authors: Benson Meagan , Younes Lena , Watson Alisha , Saade George R. , Saad Antonio F. 
Published: February 2024

OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of applying tension to a transcervical Foley balloon on delivery time in term nulliparous patients undergoing labor induction.

METHODS:
This cluster randomized clinical trial included 279 term nulliparous women presenting for labor induction with a plan for cervical ripening through transcervical Foley balloon placement. Participants were assigned to either the tension group (n=138) or the no-tension group (n=141) on the basis of randomized, weekly clusters (26 total clusters). The primary outcome measured was the time from initial Foley balloon insertion to delivery. Secondary outcomes included cesarean delivery rates, peripartum infection, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Our prior data suggested that delivery time in the tension group would be about 1,053 minutes. We estimated a sample size of 260 (130 per group, 26 clusters) on the basis of a 25% difference, power of 80%, and two-sided α of 0.05.

RESULTS:
A total of 279 term nulliparous patients were included in the analysis. The median time from Foley placement to delivery was 1,596 minutes (range 430–3,438 minutes) for the tension group and 1,621 minutes (range 488–3,323 minutes) for the no-tension group (P=.8); similar results were noted for time to vaginal delivery. No significant differences were observed in the secondary outcomes, including the rates of cesarean delivery (34.1% vs 29.8%, P=.7), peripartum infection, and NICU admission, between the two groups.

CONCLUSION:
Applying tension to a transcervical Foley balloon in term nulliparous women undergoing labor induction did not significantly reduce delivery time or improve secondary outcomes.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05404776.
Atherosclerotic Plaque Erosion: Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Potential Therapeutic Strategies—A Review
Authors: Bruoha Sharon , Galli Mattia , Sabouret Pierre , Yosefy Chaim , Taha Louay , Gragnano Felice , Savage Michael P. , Shuvy Mony , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Glikson Michael , Asher Elad 
Published: February 2024

Abstract:
Atherosclerosis is an insidious and progressive inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of lipid-laden plaques within the intima of arterial walls with potentially devastating consequences. While rupture of vulnerable plaques has been extensively studied, a distinct mechanism known as plaque erosion (PE) has gained recognition and attention in recent years. PE, characterized by the loss of endothelial cell lining in the presence of intact fibrous cap, contributes to a significant and growing proportion of acute coronary events. However, despite a heterogeneous substrate underlying coronary thrombosis, treatment remains identical. This article provides an overview of atherosclerotic PE characteristics and its underlying mechanisms, highlights its clinical implications, and discusses potential therapeutic strategies.
Chorioretinal Anastomosis and Retinal Detachment with Laser Photocoagulation Treated Incontinentia Pigmenti
Authors: Burt Spencer S. , Campbell J. Peter , Young Benjamin K. 
Published: February 2024

Purpose:
To describe a case of incontinentia pigmenti in which chorioretinal anastomosis occurred after laser photocoagulation, which was ultimately complicated by tractional and rhegmatogenous detachment.

Methods:
Observational case report.

Results:
A 2-month-old was referred to ophthalmology for a rash characteristic of incontinentia pigmenti due to concern for ocular involvement and was found to have peripheral avascular retina with early neovascularization. Following several rounds of panretinal photocoagulation, a chorioretinal anastomosis was noted on follow up fluorescein angiography in the left eye. Subsequently, a tractional retinal detachment formed and was treated initially with a lens sparing pars plana vitrectomy, endolaser, and scleral buckle. Despite treatment, it progressed to a combined tractional/rhegmatogenous detachment and was deemed inoperable.

Conclusion:
Chorioretinal anastomosis is a rare complication of laser photocoagulation.
ATF4 inhibits TRPV4 function and controls itch perception in rodents and nonhuman primates
Authors: Xie Man-Xiu , Rao Jun-Hua , Tian Xiao-Yu , Liu Jin-Kun , Li Xiao , Chen Zi-Yi , Cao Yan , Chen An-Nan , Shu Hai-Hua , Zhang Xiao-Long 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Acute and chronic itch are prevalent and incapacitating, yet the neural mechanisms underlying both acute and chronic itch are just starting to be unraveled. Activated transcription factor 4 (ATF4) belongs to the ATF/CREB transcription factor family and primarily participates in the regulation of gene transcription. Our previous study has demonstrated that ATF4 is expressed in sensory neurons. Nevertheless, the role of ATF4 in itch sensation remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that ATF4 plays a significant role in regulating itch sensation. The absence of ATF4 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons enhances the itch sensitivity of mice. Overexpression of ATF4 in sensory neurons significantly alleviates the acute and chronic pruritus in mice. Furthermore, ATF4 interacts with the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 (TRPV4) and inhibits its function without altering the expression or membrane trafficking of TRPV4 in sensory neurons. In addition, interference with ATF4 increases the itch sensitivity in nonhuman primates and enhances TRPV4 currents in nonhuman primates DRG neurons; ATF4 and TRPV4 also co-expresses in human sensory neurons. Our data demonstrate that ATF4 controls pruritus by regulating TRPV4 signaling through a nontranscriptional mechanism and identifies a potential new strategy for the treatment of pathological pruritus.
Neurocognitive Functions After 6-Month Buprenorphine (Naloxone)–Based Opioid Agonist Maintenance Treatment
Authors: Ghosh Abhishek , Shaktan Alka , Nehra Ritu , Verma Abhishek , Rana Devender K. , Ahuja Chirag K. , Modi Manish , Singh Paramjit , Basu Debasish 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) may influence neurocognitive functions. Inadequate power, confounders, and practice effects limit the validity of the existing research. We examined the change in cognitive functions in patients with OUD at 6-month buprenorphine (naloxone) posttreatment and compared the cognitive performance of the buprenorphine-treated group with control subjects.

Methods
We recruited 498 patients with OUD within a week of initiating buprenorphine. Assessments were done twice—at baseline and 6 months. Those abstinent from illicit opioids and adherent to treatment (n = 199) underwent follow-up assessments. Ninety-eight non–substance-using control subjects were recruited from the community. The neurocognitive assessments comprised the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Iowa Gambling Task, Trail-Making Tests A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B), and verbal and visual N-Back Test. We controlled for potential effect modifiers.

Results
Twenty-five of the 32 test parameters significantly improved with 6 months of buprenorphine treatment; 20 parameters withstood corrections for multiple comparisons (P < 0.001). The improved test domains spread across cognitive tests: Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (perseverative errors and response, categories completed, conceptual responses), TMTs (time to complete), verbal and visual N-Back Tests (hits, omission, and total errors). After treatment, OUD (vs control subjects) had less perseverative response and error (P < 0.001) and higher conceptual response (P = 0.004) and took lesser time to complete TMT-A (P < 0.001) and TMT-B (P = 0.005). The baseline neurocognitive functions did not differ between those who retained and those who discontinued the treatment.

Conclusion
Cognitive functions improve in patients with OUD on buprenorphine. This improvement is unlikely to be accounted for by the practice effect, selective attrition, and potential confounders.
Applied Improvisation
Authors: Davis Kasey , Kessler David , Lemke Daniel , Doughty Cara 
Published: February 2024

Summary Statement
Behavioral skills, sometimes referred to as nontechnical skills or team-based skills, are fundamental to simulation-based team training. These skills should be afforded the same deliberate practice and development as clinical knowledge and procedural skills in health care education. Applied improvisation, the use of theater games designed to improve individual and team performance, is gaining traction in health care education to train behavioral skills. Simulation educators are experts in experiential learning with debriefing and therefore well poised to incorporate applied improvisational exercises into team training activities.
Characterization of Group A streptococci causing invasive diseases in Sri Lanka
Authors: Weerasekara Madumali , Vidanapathirana Gihani , Li Carmen , Tennegedara Asanka , Dissanayake Rasadanie , Ekanayake Asela , Abeykoon Muditha , Kothalawala Mahen , Liyanapathirana Veranja , Ip Margaret 
Published: February 2024

Group A, β haemolytic streptococci (GAS) or Streptococcus pyogenes is a human pathogen which can cause an array of infections including pharyngitis, cellulitis, impetigo, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome etc. the present study aimed to characterize GAS isolates obtained from patients with invasive diseases from selected sites in Sri Lanka by identifying their resistance profiles, genetic markers of resistance and selected virulence markers. Fifty one GAS isolates causing invasive diseases were used for the study. All isolates were tested for sensitivity to penicillin, erythromycin and tetracycline. Then, the presence of erm(A), erm(B), mef(A) were detected in erythromycin resistant isolates while tet(M) was detected in the tetracycline resistant isolates. SpeA, SpeB, SpeC, SpeF, SpeG, smez and ssa virulence markers were identified through PCRs. Selected GAS isolates were emm typed using the updated CDC protocol.
All 51 isolates were susceptible to penicillin. The number of isolates non-susceptible to erythromycin was 16 and 11 of them had the erm(B) gene, while three isolates had the mef(A) gene and one had the ermA gene. Tetracycline non susceptibility was found in 36 (70.6%) isolates and 26 six of them contained the tet(M) gene. Thirteen (25.5%) isolates were resistant to both tetracycline and erythromycin while 12 (23.5%) isolates were sensitive to both antibiotics. Seven isolates (13.7%) harboured both tet(M) and erm(B) genes. The commonest virulence markers detected among the isolates was SpeB (44, 86.3%), SpeG (36, 70.6%), SpeF (35, 68.6%) while SpeJ (15, 29.4%), SpeA (10, 19.6%) and ssa (5,9.8%) were less common.In conclusion, resistant to erythromycin and tetracycline is emerging in GAS isolates in Sri Lanka while the universal susceptibility to penicillin remains unchanged. Further, these isolates are from diverse backgrounds with different patterns of virulence genes and emm types.
Comparative virulome analysis of four Staphylococcus epidermidis strains from human skin and platelet concentrates using whole genome sequencing
Authors: Yousuf Basit , Flint Annika , Weedmark Kelly , Pagotto Franco , Ramirez-Arcos Sandra 
Published: February 2024

Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the predominant bacterial contaminants in platelet concentrates (PCs), a blood component used to treat bleeding disorders. PCs are a unique niche that triggers biofilm formation, the main contributor to S. epidermidis infections. We performed whole genome sequencing of four S. epidermidis strains isolated from the skin of healthy human volunteers (AZ22 and AZ39) and contaminated PCs (ST10002 and ST11003) to unravel phylogenetic relationships and decipher virulence mechanisms compared to 25 complete S. epidermidis genomes in GenBank. AZ39 and ST11003 formed a separate unique lineage with 14.1.R1 and SE95 strains, while AZ22 formed a cluster with 1457 and ST10002 closely grouped with FDAAGOS_161. The four isolates were assigned to sequence types ST1175, ST1174, ST73, and ST16, respectively. All four genomes exhibited biofilm-associated genes ebh, ebp, sdrG, sdrH, and atl. Additionally, AZ22 had sdrF and aap, whereas ST10002 had aap and icaABCDR. Notably, AZ39 possesses truncated ebh and sdrG and harbors a toxin encoding gene. All isolates carry multiple antibiotic resistance genes conferring resistance to fosfomycin (fosB), β-lactams (blaZ) and fluoroquinolones (norA). This study revealed a unique lineage for S. epidermidis and provided insight into the genetic basis of virulence and antibiotic resistance in transfusion-associated S. epidermidis strains.
Assessment of Technical Efficiency in the Moroccan Public Hospital Network: Using the DEA Method
Authors: Youssef Er-Rays , Meriem M’dioud 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe public hospital network in Morocco plays a crucial role in providing healthcare services. However, this network faces challenges in terms of technical efficiency in healthcare management.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the technical efficiency of the public hospital network in Morocco.MethodsThis article compares the efficiency of 77 public hospital networks from 2017 to 2020. Data were collected from the Directorate of Planning and Financial Resources (DPFR) of the Health Ministry Marocco. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method was employed, using three inputs (Hospital, Physician and Paramedical) and four outputs (Functional capacity, Hospitalization days and Admission). Additionally, the Malmquist index (MI) is utilized to analyse the factors of production, and peer modelling is incorporated to address hospital inefficiency.ResultsThe average technical efficiency of public hospital networks under the CRS hypothesis from 2017 to 2020 is 0.697 (71% of DMUs have a score lower than 1), indicating that these networks need to minimize their inputs by approximately 30.3%. The Malmquist index reveals a decline in productivity gain from 2017/2018 (score of 0.980) followed by improvement in 2018/2019 (score of 1.163). In terms of peer modelling, 72.7% of the DMUs should emulate the most effective DMUs beginning in 2020, whereas the lowest score was observed in 2019.ConclusionThese findings highlight the need for the public hospital network in Morocco to enhance the effective and efficient utilization of inputs, such as the number of hospitals and medical and paramedical staff, to produce the same outputs, including the number of surgical procedures, hospitalization days, admissions, and functional capacity.
Hippocampal DNA methylation promotes memory persistence by facilitating systems consolidation and cortical engram stabilisation
Authors: Kupke Janina , Loizou Stefanos , Bengtson C. Peter , Sticht Carsten , Oliveira Ana M.M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe long-term stabilization of memory traces or engram involves the rapid formation of cortical engrams during encoding that mature functionally over time guided by the activity of the hippocampus. The molecular mechanisms that regulate this process remain largely unknown. Here, we found that hippocampal DNA methylation converts short-lasting into long-lasting memories by promoting systems consolidation and the stabilization of cortical engrams.