bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of Tai Chi exercise on sleep quality among the elderly: a study based on polysomnographic monitoring
Authors: Wang Chao , Jiang Tao , Li Hansen , Cao Guikang , Zhang Guodong 
Published: March 2024

BackgroundSleep disorders contribute to an increased risk of depression, cardiovascular issues, and various other diseases among older individuals. Consequently, enhancing the sleep quality of this demographic population has become a pressing concern. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of an 8-week Tai Chi exercise intervention in the sleep quality of older adults.MethodsSixty individuals aged 60 years and above, recruited from the community around Southwest University in Beibei District, Chongqing City, were randomly assigned to either a control group (30 participants) or an intervention group (30 participants). The control group adhered to their normal daily routines during the 8-week experimental period, while the intervention group engaged in a 60-min Tai Chi practice three times a week for 8 weeks. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Additionally, the Polysomnographic Sleep Quality Monitoring System (PSG) was employed to monitor the sleep process before and after the Tai Chi intervention.ResultsAfter the experiment, significant differences were observed in PSQI and IEI scores between the intervention and control groups (p &lt; 0.05). In the experimental group, the pre-post comparisons revealed a significant increase in time spent in bed (p &lt; 0.05), total sleep time (p &lt; 0.05), and non-REM sleep stage 2 (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionThe findings indicate that Tai Chi exercise may improve subjective reported sleep quality. In addition, Tai Chi exercise may alleviate general drowsiness, extend sleep duration, and optimize the sleep process and structure. Consequently, Tai Chi exercise may be a suitable exercise to improve sleep quality in older individuals.
Using the gross motor function measure evolution ratio to compare different dosage of hyperbaric treatment with conventional therapies in children with cerebral palsy – could it end the controversy?
Authors: Marois Pierre , Letellier Guy , Marois Mikaël , Ballaz Laurent 
Published: March 2024

The Gross Motor Function Measure is used in most studies measuring gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. In many studies, including those evaluating the effect of hyperbaric treatment, the Gross Motor Function Measure variations were potentially misinterpreted because of the lack of control groups. The Gross Motor Function Measure Evolution Ratio (GMFMER) uses historical data from the Gross Motor Function Classification System curves and allows to re-analyze previous published studies which used the Gross Motor Function Measure by considering the natural expected evolution of the Gross Motor Function Measure. As the GMFMER is defined by the ratio between the recorded Gross Motor Function Measure score increase and the expected increase attributed to natural evolution during the duration of the study (natural evolution yields a GMFMER of 1), it becomes easy to assess and compare the efficacy of different treatments.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to revisit studies done with different dosage of hyperbaric treatment and to compare the GMFMER measured in these studies with those assessing the effects of various recommended treatments in children with cerebral palsy.MethodsPubMed Searches were conducted to included studies that used the Gross Motor Function Measure to evaluate the effect of physical therapy, selective dorsal rhizotomy, botulinum toxin injection, hippotherapy, stem cell, or hyperbaric treatment. The GMFMER were computed for each group of the included studies.ResultsForty-four studies were included, counting 4 studies evaluating the effects of various dosage of hyperbaric treatment in children with cerebral palsy. Since some studies had several arms, the GMFMER has been computed for 69 groups. The average GMFMER for the groups receiving less than 2 h/week of physical therapy was 2.5 ± 1.8 whereas in context of very intensive physical therapy it increased to 10.3 ± 6.1. The GMFMER of stem cell, selective dorsal rhizotomy, hippotherapy, and botulinum toxin treatment was, 6.0 ± 5.9, 6.5 ± 2.0, 13.3 ± 0.6, and 5.0 ± 2.9, respectively. The GMFMER of the groups of children receiving hyperbaric treatment were 28.1 ± 13.0 for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and 29.8 ± 6.8 for hyperbaric air.ConclusionThe analysis of the included studies with the GMFMER showed that hyperbaric treatment can result in progress of gross motor function more than other recognized treatments in children with cerebral palsy.
Association of vitamins B1 and B2 intake with early-onset sarcopenia in the general adult population of the US: a cross-sectional study of NHANES data from 2011 to 2018
Authors: Yang Sha , Dong Zhenyu , Zhao Jiaqi , Yuan Lijia , Xiao Yao , Luo Xing , Zhao Zhuyang , Kang Xia , Tang Kanglai , Chen Ming , Feng Liu 
Published: March 2024

BackgroundEarly-onset sarcopenia refers to the progressive loss of muscle mass and function that occurs at an early age. This condition perpetuates the vicious cycle of muscle loss and is associated with adverse outcomes. It is important to identify the contributing factors for early intervention and prevention. While diet is known to impact muscle mass, the association of B vitamins with early-onset sarcopenia remains unexplored.ObjectivesTo investigate the association of B vitamins intake with early-onset sarcopenia risk in a cross-sectional study.MethodsWe conducted data analysis on a total of 8,711 participants aged between 20 and 59 years who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2018. Early-onset sarcopenia was defined as a SMI measured by DXA that was one standard deviation below the sex-specific mean of the reference population. B vitamins intake (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12) was assessed by 24-h dietary recall. We used weighted multiple logistic regression and RCS models to estimate the OR and 95% CI of sarcopenia by B vitamins intake, adjusting for demographic, physical, lifestyle, comorbidities, and nutritional covariates.ResultsHigher intake of vitamin B1 was associated with a 22% lower sarcopenia risk (OR = 0.78, CI = 0.63–0.97, p = 0.022), and higher intake of vitamin B2 with a 16% lower risk (OR = 0.84, CI = 0.74–0.97, p = 0.012) in both genders. Gender-specific analyses showed a 28% reduction in sarcopenia risk among males with each additional mg of vitamin B1 intake (OR = 0.72, CI = 0.52–0.97, p = 0.038), and a 26% decrease among females with each additional mg of vitamin B2 intake (OR = 0.74, CI = 0.57–0.96, p = 0.021). No significant differences were found between vitamin B2 and males, or between vitamin B1 and females. The RCS model suggested a nonlinear relationship between vitamin B2 intake and sarcopenia risk (POverall = 0.001, PNonlinear = 0.033), with a plateau effect above 3 mg/d.ConclusionHigher intake of vitamin B1 and B2 may lower the risk of early-onset sarcopenia, with gender differences. This suggests the potential of nutritional intervention by increasing these vitamins intake through diet and supplements. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and design targeted interventions.
Clinical aspects of reimbursement policies for orphan drugs in Central and Eastern European countries
Authors: Jakubowski Szczepan , Kawalec Pawel , Holko Przemyslaw , Kowalska-Bobko Iwona , Kamusheva Maria , Petrova Guenka , Draganić Pero , Fuksa Leos , Männik Agnes , Ispán Fanni , Briedis Vitalis , Bianchi Ioana , Paveliu Marian Sorin , Tesar Tomas 
Published: March 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize the reimbursement policy for orphan drugs (ODs) in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in relation to the availability and impact of clinical evidence, health technology assessment (HTA) procedure, selected economic indicators, and the drug type according to indications.Materials and methods: A list of authorized medicines with orphan designation and information about active substance, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification, and therapeutic area was extracted from the web-based register of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A country-based questionnaire survey was performed between September 2021 and January 2022 in a group of selected experts from nine CEE countries (an invitation was sent to 11 countries). A descriptive and statistical analysis was conducted to determine statistical significance, correlations, between the drug or country characteristic and the positive recommendation or reimbursement of ODs.Results: The proportion of reimbursed orphan drugs differed between countries, ranging from 17.7% in Estonia to 49.6% in Hungary (p &lt; 0.001). The odds that ODs were reimbursed were reduced in countries with a “strong” level of impact of drug safety and efficacy on reimbursement decisions (p=0.018), the presence of other additional specific clinical aspects (e.g., genomic data) considered in the reimbursement decision (p &lt; 0.001) and mandatory (without exception) safety assessments (p=0.004). The probability that ODs were reimbursed was increased in countries with a “moderate” level of impact of drug safety and efficacy on reimbursement decisions (p=0.018), when reimbursement decisions are dependent on the EMA registration status and orphan drug designation (p &lt; 0.001), the presence of the “positive HTA recommendation guarantees reimbursement” policy (p &lt; 0.001), higher GDP per inhabitant (p=0.003), and higher healthcare expenditure (p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: We found that there are differences among CEE countries in the reimbursement of orphan drugs, and we identified aspects that may influence these differences. Safety, efficacy, and specific clinical aspect issues significantly influenced reimbursement decisions. Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents drugs were the largest group of ODs and increased the chance of getting a positive recommendation. The higher GDP per inhabitant and healthcare expenditures per inhabitant were positively linked to the chance that an OD receives reimbursement.
A chromosome-level genome assembly of Solanum chilense, a tomato wild relative associated with resistance to salinity and drought
Authors: Molitor Corentin , Kurowski Tomasz J. , Fidalgo de Almeida Pedro M. , Kevei Zoltan , Spindlow Daniel J. , Chacko Kaitholil Steffimol R. , Iheanyichi Justice U. , Prasanna H. C. , Thompson Andrew J. , Mohareb Fady R. 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionSolanum chilense is a wild relative of tomato reported to exhibit resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. There is potential to improve tomato cultivars via breeding with wild relatives, a process greatly accelerated by suitable genomic and genetic resources.MethodsIn this study we generated a high-quality, chromosome-level, de novo assembly for the S. chilense accession LA1972 using a hybrid assembly strategy with ~180 Gbp of Illumina short reads and ~50 Gbp long PacBio reads. Further scaffolding was performed using Bionano optical maps and 10x Chromium reads. ResultsThe resulting sequences were arranged into 12 pseudomolecules using Hi-C sequencing. This resulted in a 901 Mbp assembly, with a completeness of 95%, as determined by Benchmarking with Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO). Sequencing of RNA from multiple tissues resulting in ~219 Gbp of reads was used to annotate the genome assembly with an RNA-Seq guided gene prediction, and for a de novo transcriptome assembly. This chromosome-level, high-quality reference genome for S. chilense accession LA1972 will support future breeding efforts for more sustainable tomato production. DiscussionGene sequences related to drought and salt resistance were compared between S. chilense and S. lycopersicum to identify amino acid variations with high potential for functional impact. These variants were subsequently analysed in 84 resequenced tomato lines across 12 different related species to explore the variant distributions. We identified a set of 7 putative impactful amino acid variants some of which may also impact on fruit development for example the ethylene-responsive transcription factor WIN1 and ethylene-insensitive protein 2. These variants could be tested for their ability to confer functional phenotypes to cultivars that have lost these variants.
The effectiveness of web-based training for parents on post-traumatic stress disorder in children
Authors: Omidvar Eshkalak Zakieh , Parvizy Soroor , Seyedfatemi Naima , Haghani Hamid , Nazari Hadis 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after an injury such as accidents is common in children and can affect their overall physical and mental functioning and quality of life. Early intervention can have significant health benefits for children. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of web-based training for parents on post-traumatic stress disorder in children.MethodThis was a quasi-experimental study with intervention and control group. 110 parents of children aged 10–18 years with PTSD after a traumatic event were selected through available sampling and assigned to intervention and control groups. Data was collected by a researcher-made demographic questionnaire and the Child Revised Impact of Events Scale (CRIES-8). Parents in the intervention group received a 4-week training course through a researcher-designed website, but the control group received routine care by the clinical team, which the main focus of care and training was on the physical aspects of the disease, and no intervention was done for PTSD. Two weeks after the intervention, the level of child stress was measured and compared in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS V.22.ResultsThe difference between the mean score of total traumatic stress and its subscales before intervention was not statistically significant (p = 0.23). But after intervention, the mean score of total traumatic stress and its subscales decreased in the intervention group and increased in the control group and this difference was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionE-learning parent training has the potential to support children with PTSD. This available and cost-effective procedure can be recommended to help children with PTSD and possibly increase recovery in these patients.
Effectively communicating with local policymakers: a randomized trial of policy brief dissemination to address obesity
Authors: Dodson Elizabeth A. , Parks Renee G. , Jacob Rebekah R. , An Ruopeng , Eyler Amy A. , Lee Nathan , Morshed Alexandra B. , Politi Mary C. , Tabak Rachel G. , Yan Yan , Brownson Ross C. 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionEvidence-based policies are a powerful tool for impacting health and addressing obesity. Effectively communicating evidence to policymakers is critical to ensure evidence is incorporated into policies. While all public health is local, limited knowledge exists regarding effective approaches for improving local policymakers' uptake of evidence-based policies.MethodsLocal policymakers were randomized to view one of four versions of a policy brief (usual care, narrative, risk-framing, and narrative/risk-framing combination). They then answered a brief survey including questions about their impressions of the brief, their likelihood of using it, and how they determine legislative priorities.ResultsResponses from 331 participants indicated that a majority rated local data (92%), constituent needs/opinions (92%), and cost-effectiveness data (89%) as important or very important in determining what issues they work on. The majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that briefs were understandable (87%), believable (77%), and held their attention (74%) with no brief version rated significantly higher than the others. Across the four types of briefs, 42% indicated they were likely to use the brief. Logistic regression models showed that those indicating that local data were important in determining what they work on were over seven times more likely to use the policy brief than those indicating that local data were less important in determining what they work on (aOR = 7.39, 95% CI = 1.86,52.57).DiscussionAmong local policymakers in this study there was no dominant format or type of policy brief; all brief types were rated similarly highly. This highlights the importance of carefully crafting clear, succinct, credible, and understandable policy briefs, using different formats depending on communication objectives. Participants indicated a strong preference for receiving materials incorporating local data. To ensure maximum effect, every effort should be made to include data relevant to a policymaker's local area in policy communications.
The psychosocial aid response after the 22/03/2016 attacks in Belgium: a community case study
Authors: Muysewinkel Emilie , Vesentini Lara , Van Deynse Helena , Stene Lise Eilin , Bilsen Johan , Van Overmeire Roel 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionAfter the terrorist attacks, early psychosocial care is provided to people considered at risk of developing mental health issues due to the attacks. Despite the clear importance of such early intervention, there is very few data on how this is registered, who is targeted, and whether target-recipients accept such aid.MethodsUsing registry data from the Centre General Wellbeingwork (CAW), a collection of centers in the regions Brussels and Flanders that provide psychosocial care, we examined the early psychosocial care response after the terrorist attacks of 22/03/2016 in Belgium.ResultsIn total, 327 people were listed to be contacted by the CAW, while only 205 were reached out to (62.7%). Most were contacted within a month (84.9%), and were victims of the attacks (69.8%). Overall, the majority was female (55.6%).ConclusionOverall, target recipients were witnesses and survivors of the attacks, though a large proportion of people were not reached by the early outreach.
The Importance of Anharmonicity and Solvent Effects on the OH Radical Attack on Nucleobases
Authors: Ekstrøm Anna Thorn , Hansen Vera Staun , Sauer Stephan P. A. 
Published: March 2024

Previous theoretical investigations of the reactions between an OH radical and a nucleobase have stated the most important pathways to be the C5-C6 addition for pyrimidines and the C8 addition for purines. Furthermore, the abstraction of a methyl hydrogen from thymine has also been proven an important pathway. The conclusions were based solely on gas-phase calculations and harmonic vibrational frequencies. In this paper, we supplement the calculations by applying solvent corrections through the polarizable continuum model (PCM) solvent model and applying anharmonicity in order to determine the importance of anharmonicity and solvent effects. Density functional theory (DFT) at the ωB97-D/6-311++G(2df,2pd) level with the Eckart tunneling correction is used. The total reaction rate constants are found to be 1.48 ×10−13 cm3 molecules−1s−1 for adenine, 1.02 ×10−11 cm3 molecules−1s−1 for guanine, 5.52 ×10−13 cm3 molecules−1s−1 for thymine, 1.47 ×10−13 cm3 molecules−1s−1 for cytosine and 7.59 ×10−14 cm3 molecules−1s−1 for uracil. These rates are found to be approximately two orders of magnitude larger than experimental values. We find that the tendencies observed for preferred pathways for reactions calculated in a solvent are comparable to the preferred pathways for reactions calculated in gas phase. We conclude that applying a solvent has a larger impact on more parameters compared to the inclusion of anharmonicity. For some reactions the inclusion of anharmonicity has no effect, whereas for others it does impact the energetics.
Description and Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum kapreanum sp. nov, a Cherelle Wilt Pathogen Belonging to the Gigasporum Species Complex
Authors: Takata Yoshiki , Ocampo-Padilla Celynne , Malonzo Mike Andre C. , Pangilinan Dan Charlie Joy Camara , Nozawa Shunsuke , Watanabe Kyoko 
Published: March 2024

Similar to cacao pod rot, cherelle wilt decreases production from cacao fields. Among all known fungal pathogens of the cacao, Colletotrichum spp. are common infectious agents that affect the cherelles and pods of cacao; thus, cacao diseases are often classified by stage. Therefore, knowing whether these pathogens are common in both fruit stages is necessary for implementing disease control measures. Symptoms of cherelle wilt were found in cacao plants in Pangasinan, Philippines, in 2022. The fungal strain obtained from the lesion was found to be pathogenic towards cherelles, but not towards pods. The strain was classified as an unknown species belonging to the gigasporum species complex, based on the morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS, GAPDH, CHS1, ACT, and TUB2. We propose Colletotrichum kapreanum sp. nov. as a causal agent of cacao cherelle wilt, but not pod rot.
Approximate Solution of PHI-Four and Allen–Cahn Equations Using Non-Polynomial Spline Technique
Authors: Haq Mehboob Ul , Haq Sirajul , Ali Ihteram , Ebadi Mohammad Javad 
Published: March 2024

The aim of this work is to use an efficient and accurate numerical technique based on non-polynomial spline for the solution of the PHI-Four and Allen–Cahn equations. A recent discovery suggests that the PHI-Four equation focuses on its implications for particle physics and the behavior of scalar fields in the quantum realm. In materials science, ongoing research involves using the Allen–Cahn equation to understand and predict the evolution of microstructures in various materials as well as in biophysics. It depicts pattern formation in biological systems and the dynamics of spatial organization in tissues. To obtain an approximate solution of both equations, this technique uses forward differences for the time and cubic non-polynomial spline function for spatial descretization. The stability of the suggested technique is addressed using the von Neumann technique. Convergence test is carried out theoretically to show the order of convergence of the scheme. Some numerical tests are carried out to confirm accuracy and efficiency in terms of absolute error LR. Convergence rates for different test problems are also computed numerically. Numerical results and simulations obtained are compared with the existing methods.
Forage Preference, Voluntary Intake, and In Vivo Digestibility of Six Tropical Tree Leaves by Sheep in Semi-Arid Areas in Benin Republic (West Africa)
Authors: Gninkplékpo Euvrard L. R. , Koura Bossima Ivan , Lesse Paolo D. A. , Yaoïtcha Alain , Accalogoun Jodelet , Hornick Jean-Luc , Cabaraux Jean-François , Houinato Marcel R. B. 
Published: March 2024

Livestock supplementation with forage trees is becoming a sustainable alternative to traditional grazing on the open pastures during the dry season in Benin. However, little is known about the feeding preferences of sheep and the digestibility of such native tree/shrub fodder. Such knowledge could improve their use on smallholder farms. Multiple-choice feeding preference tests were conducted on six tree fodders (Annona senegalensis, Blighia sapida, Cassia sieberiana, Gmelina arborea, Khaya senegalensis, and Mangifera indica) to determine the best choice to feed the local rams and ewe Djallonke sheep. The cafeteria test involved four rams and four ewes. In addition, an in vivo trial using metabolic cages was conducted to evaluate the voluntary intake of dried woody leaves and the dry matter digestibility of diets containing these dried leaves. Preferences varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) according to the woody species. Based on relative intake values, sheep preferred, in decreasing order, the leaves of M. indica, B. sapida, K. senegalensis, G. arborea, A. senegalensis, and C. sieberiana. The apparent digestibility of dry matter was highest (p ≤ 0.01) in the G. arborea diet (86.8%); all diets presented a value higher than 70%. This study provided helpful information about better resource utilization to improve animal productivity. Further study could evaluate the growth performance of sheep supplemented with tree fodder.