bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation and analysis of a multifaceted intervention for alcohol use disorder from a single academic urban emergency department
Authors: Duvalyan Eva , Falade Israel , Fan Winnie , Foe Meghan , Mvemba Audrey , Zussman Jay W. , Geier Curtis , LeSaint Kathy T. , Graglia Sally 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundFrom 2006 to 2014, alcohol‐related visits to the emergency department (ED) increased by 76% in the United States, highlighting the need for improved ED‐driven interventions addressing alcohol use disorder (AUD). Naltrexone is an FDA‐approved medication for AUD shown to decrease craving and self‐administration of alcohol. While oral naltrexone and extended‐release naltrexone have been long utilized in primary care and inpatient hospital settings, the use of naltrexone in the ED is limited.MethodsThis study implemented and analyzed a multifaceted intervention regarding ED naltrexone prescribing at a large safety net, academic, urban hospital. A baseline assessment of preintervention conditions and perspectives on naltrexone prescribing was conducted through a chart review and standardized interviews with ED providers, respectively. The interview results guided design of interventions that addressed identified barriers. These included provider education, prescribing aids, and zero‐cost naltrexone tablets supplied by the ED pharmacy to patients upon discharge.ResultsBetween September 1, 2019, and August 31, 2020, of 753 unique patients who had a primary diagnosis or chief complaint containing the word “alcohol,” only five (0.66%) were prescribed naltrexone. ED providers identified lack of training regarding naltrexone, lack of a prescribing protocol, and limited patient and provider education materials as barriers to prescribing naltrexone. Following the intervention, among 278 eligible patients, 11 oral naltrexone prescriptions were written (3.96%) between April 13, 2021, and August 1, 2021. This represents a sixfold increase over the preintervention period.ConclusionsAn intervention to increase ED oral naltrexone prescriptions for AUD was successfully implemented, addressing lack of provider education, lack of prescribing resources, and patient barriers to accessing prescribed medications. Longer‐term follow‐up is needed to assess the efficacy and sustainability of these interventions. Nevertheless, ED clinicians are well positioned to initiate naltrexone prescriptions for patients presenting with AUD.
Intracorporeal LVAD implantation in pediatric patients: A single‐center 10 years' experience
Authors: Cao Irene , Italiano Enrico G. , Bertelli Francesco , Motta Raffaella , Castaldi Biagio , Pergola Valeria , Guariento Alvise , Scattolin Fabio , Di Salvo Giovanni , Vida Vladimiro , Padalino Massimo A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundMechanical cardiac support is currently an effective strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. However, solid evidence regarding the feasibility of intracorporeal devices in children still needs to be provided. We report our 10‐year experience with intracorporeal left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) in children.Materials and MethodsWe included all patients undergoing intracorporeal, continuous‐flow LVAD implantation between 2012 and 2022. Baseline and postoperative data were collected from the institutional database.ResultsSeven HeartWare and 4 HeartMate3 were implanted in 11 patients (median age 13.9 years, median body surface area – BSA – 1.42 m2, IQR 1.06–1.68). The most frequent indication to LVAD implant was dilated cardiomyopathy (72.7%). All candidates underwent a thorough preoperative advanced imaging. Three‐dimensional reconstructions and implant fit simulation were performed when BSA was <1.2 m2, weight <30 kg, or internal transverse thoracic diameter <20 cm. There was no operative death. The most common postoperative complication was surgical re‐exploration due to bleeding (27.3%). One patient died of severe neurological complications after about 3 months of hospitalization. No late deaths or unplanned re‐hospitalizations occurred in the remaining 10, 6 of whom were discharged home. There were no major complications at the follow‐up. All survivors underwent successful heart transplantation.ConclusionsIntracorporeal LVAD implantation proved to be a potentially feasible and safe option in young teenagers and children whose BSA was >1.0 m2. In borderline cases, the 3D reconstruction with implant fit simulation can effectively help to identify those patients who can safely undergo intrathoracic LVAD implantation.
Universal healthy school start intervention reduced the body mass index of young children with obesity
Authors: Patterson Emma , Nyberg Gisela , Norman Åsa , Schäfer Elinder Liselotte 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effect of a universal, school‐based family support programme on body mass index (BMI) of children aged 5–7 years, using pooled data from three trials.MethodsThe programme has three to four components and is delivered during the first school year. It aims to promote healthy dietary and physical activity behaviours, and secondarily prevent unhealthy weight gain. Three cluster‐randomised controlled trials were conducted between 2010 and 2018 in low and mixed socioeconomic status areas in Sweden. Weight and height were measured. Multiple mixed linear regression analysis was performed on the pooled data.ResultsIn total, 961 children were included (50% girls, mean age 6.3 years). The post‐intervention effect on BMI z‐score in all children was small, but in those with obesity at baseline, we observed a significant, clinically relevant, decrease in BMI z‐score (−0.21). This was most pronounced in children with a non‐Nordic born parent (−0.24). Five to six months after the intervention, decreases were no longer statistically significant.ConclusionThe intervention resulted in changes in BMI comparable to obesity treatment programmes focusing on behaviour change. However, the effect attenuated with time suggesting the programme should be sustained and evaluated for a longer time.
Effect of stearyl alcohol on imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like skin inflammation in mice
Authors: Dai Yu‐Hang , Sun Fang‐Li , Wei Rui‐Miao , Guo Jia‐Ji , Dong De‐Li , Sun Zhi‐Jie 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Topical medicines are the preferred treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis, but the effect of excipients used in semi‐solid preparations on psoriasis‐like skin inflammation is not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the effect of stearyl alcohol, a commonly used excipient, on imiquimod (IMQ)‐induced psoriasis‐like skin inflammation in mice. Psoriasis‐like skin inflammation was induced by topical IMQ treatment on the back of mice. Skin lesion severity was evaluated by using psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores. The skin sections were stained by haematoxylin–eosin and immunohistochemistry. Stearyl alcohol (20% in vaseline) treatment significantly reduced the IMQ‐induced increase of PASI scores and epidermal thickness in mice. IMQ treatment increased the number of Ki67‐ and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)‐positive cells in the skin, and the increases were inhibited by stearyl alcohol (20% in vaseline) treatment. Stearyl alcohol treatment (1%, 5%, 10% in vaseline) dose‐dependently ameliorated IMQ‐induced increase of PASI scores and epidermal thickness in mice. Hexadecanol (20% in vaseline), stearic acid (20% in vaseline) and vaseline treatment had no significant effect on IMQ‐induced psoriasis‐like skin inflammation in mice. In conclusion, stearyl alcohol has the effect of improving IMQ‐induced psoriasis‐like skin inflammation in mice.
Assessment of fit of the time‐varying dynamic partial credit model using the posterior predictive model checking method
Authors: Castro‐Alvarez Sebastian , Sinharay Sandip , Bringmann Laura F. , Meijer Rob R. , Tendeiro Jorge N. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSeveral new models based on item response theory have recently been suggested to analyse intensive longitudinal data. One of these new models is the time‐varying dynamic partial credit model (TV‐DPCM; Castro‐Alvarez et al., Multivariate Behavioral Research, 2023, 1), which is a combination of the partial credit model and the time‐varying autoregressive model. The model allows the study of the psychometric properties of the items and the modelling of nonlinear trends at the latent state level. However, there is a severe lack of tools to assess the fit of the TV‐DPCM. In this paper, we propose and develop several test statistics and discrepancy measures based on the posterior predictive model checking (PPMC) method (PPMC; Rubin, The Annals of Statistics, 1984, 12, 1151) to assess the fit of the TV‐DPCM. Simulated and empirical data are used to study the performance of and illustrate the effectiveness of the PPMC method.
Becoming fictional storytellers: African American children's oral narrative development in early elementary school
Authors: Gardner‐Neblett Nicole 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOral storytelling skills are a complex oral discourse competency with implications for children's academic and social well‐being, yet few studies have investigated the development of these skills among typically developing African American children. The current study used longitudinal data, collected between 2012 and 2013, from 130 African American children (59–95 months old; 66 girls) to explore the development of fictional oral narrative skills. Results showed growth in macrostructure (i.e., story grammar) and microstructure productivity (i.e., number of total words; number of different words) over the school year. There was no evidence of growth in microstructure complexity. Nonverbal cognitive skills emerged as an individual difference in predicting oral narrative production. This study contributes to increasing the knowledge base needed to support African American children's oral language development.
Targeting blood brain barrier—Remote ischemic conditioning alleviates cognitive impairment in female APP/PS1 rats
Authors: Ma Yuxuan , Sun Wuxiang , Bai Jing , Gao Fujia , Ma Haoran , Liu Huiyu , Hu Jiewei , Xu Chao , Zhang Xin , Liu Zixuan , Yuan Tao , Sun Chenxu , Huang Yuanyuan , Wang Ruimin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimsAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a significant global health concern, and it is crucial that we find effective methods to prevent or slow down AD progression. Recent studies have highlighted the essential role of blood vessels in clearing Aβ, a protein that contributes to AD. Scientists are exploring blood biomarkers as a potential tool for future AD diagnosis. One promising method that may help prevent AD is remote ischemic conditioning (RIC). RIC involves using sub‐lethal ischemic–reperfusion cycles on limbs. However, a comprehensive understanding of how RIC can prevent AD and its long‐term effectiveness is still lacking. Further research is essential to fully comprehend the potential benefits of RIC in preventing AD.MethodsFemale wild‐type (WT) and APP/PS1 transgenic rats, aged 12 months, underwent ovariectomy and were subsequently assigned to WT, APP/PS1, and APP/PS1 + RIC groups. RIC was conducted five times a week for 4 weeks. The rats' depressive and cognitive behaviors were evaluated using force swimming, open‐field tests, novel objective recognition, elevated plus maze, and Barnes maze tests. Evaluation of the neurovascular unit (NVU), synapses, vasculature, astrocytes, and microglia was conducted using immunofluorescence staining (IF), Western blot (WB), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the cerebro‐vasculature was examined using micro‐CT, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured using Speckle Doppler. Blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability was determined by measuring the Evans blue leakage. Finally, Aβ levels in the rat frontal cortex were measured using WB, ELISA, or IF staining.ResultsRIC enhanced memory‐related protein expression and rescued depressive‐like behavior and cognitive decline in APP/PS1 transgenic rats. Additionally, the intervention protected NVU in the rat frontal cortex, as evidenced by (1) increased expression of TJ (tight junction) proteins, pericyte marker PDGFRβ, and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), as well as decreased VCAM1; (2) mitigation of ultrastructure impairment in neuron, cerebral vascular, and astrocyte; (3) upregulation of A2 astrocyte phenotype markers and downregulation of A1 phenotype markers, indicating a shift toward a healthier phenotype. Correspondingly, RIC intervention alleviated neuroinflammation, as evidenced by the decreased Iba1 level, a microglia marker. Meanwhile, RIC intervention elevated CBF in frontal cortex of the rats. Notably, RIC intervention effectively suppressed Aβ toxicity, as demonstrated by the enhancement of α‐secretase and attenuation of β‐secretase (BACE1) and γ‐ secretase and Aβ1‐42 and Aβ1‐40 levels as well.ConclusionChronic RIC intervention exerts vascular and neuroprotective roles, suggesting that RIC could be a promising therapeutic strategy targeting the BBB and NVU during AD development.
Long‐term post‐transplantation outcomes in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Single‐center 35‐year experience
Authors: Mazur Matylda , Bhat Geetha , Popjes Eric , Dowling Robert , Eisen Howard J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundHeart transplantation (HT) is the only option for most patients with end‐stage heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who fail medical therapy. Data on the long‐term outcomes post‐transplant in HCM individuals remain scarce.MethodsWe analyzed data of 319 adult patients who underwent HT between 1984 and 2019. Patients were followed for cardiac allograft rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), death, or re‐transplantation.ResultsOutcomes of 24 patients with HCM, 160 with ischemic, and 135 with dilated cardiomyopathy were compared. During a mean follow‐up of 11.6 ± 7.2 (max 27.8), 16.7 ± 8.2 (max 32.7), and 16.1 ± 9.7 (max 34.6) years after HT in hypertrophic, ischemic, and dilated cardiomyopathy groups, respectively: 10‐year survival rate was 67%, 62%, 69%, respectively (p = .04). Post‐transplantation, HCM individuals more often than the other two studied groups required prolonged inotropic support (37%, 12%, 17%, respectively, p = .02), temporary mechanical circulatory support (45%, 13%, 14%, respectively, p < .01), and renal replacement therapy immediately post‐HT (55%, 19%, 24%, respectively, p < .01). No significant inter‐group differences were noted in the 10‐year freedom from acute allograft rejection (38%, 46%, 43%, respectively, p = .38) or 10‐year freedom from CAV (88%, 78%, 81%, respectively, p = .57).ConclusionsThe long‐term post‐transplant prognosis of adult patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is favorable despite more challenging immediate post‐HT course.
Impact of race‐neutral eGFR calculations on African American kidney transplant candidate wait time: A single center retrospective analysis
Authors: Khaim Rafael , Todd Rachel , Rosowicz Andrew , Shapiro Ron , Florman Sander , Kim‐Schluger Leona , Tedla Fasika 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRace‐inclusive estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) could contribute to racial disparity in access to kidney transplantation. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) issued a policy allowing waiting time modification for candidates affected by race‐inclusive eGFR calculations. Implementation of the new OPTN policy at the kidney transplant program of the Mount Sinai Hospital involved review of 921 African American candidates, of whom 240 (26%) candidates gained a median of 1 year and 10 months. The duration of time candidates gained varied from a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 12 years and 3 months; 45.4% gained at least 2 years, and 12% gained at least 4 years of wait time. Among those who gained wait time, 20 (8.3%) candidates received deceased donor kidney transplants. Candidates who gained wait time had similar sociodemographic characteristics as those who did not, except that the median age for the former was higher by 3 years (59 vs. 56). Our early data suggest that the current policy on waiting time modification for candidates affected by race‐inclusive estimation of GFR has the potential to improve racial disparity in access to kidney transplantation. However, the generalizability of our findings to other centers requires further study.
Occlusive cutaneous vasculopathies as cause of chronic ulcers
Authors: Ronicke Moritz , Berking Carola , Erfurt‐Berge Cornelia 
Published: February 2024

SummaryThe term occluding vasculopathies covers a large number of different conditions. These often manifest as skin ulcers. Occluding vasculopathies should be considered in the differential diagnosis of leg ulcers. The term “occlusive vasculopathies” encompasses pathophysiologically related entities that share structural or thrombotic obliteration of small cutaneous vessels. In this article, we will focus on livedoid vasculopathy with and without antiphospholipid syndrome and calciphylaxis with differentiation from hypertonic leg ulcer as the most relevant differential diagnoses of leg ulcer. The term also includes vascular occlusion, for example due to oxalate or cholesterol embolism, and septic vasculopathy. This often leads to acral ulceration and is therefore not a differential diagnosis with classic leg ulcers. It will not be discussed in this article.Occlusive vasculopathy may be suspected in the presence of the typical livedo racemosa or (non‐inflammatory) retiform purpura as a sign of reduced cutaneous perfusion in the wound area. Inflammatory dermatoses, especially vasculitides, must be differentiated. This is achieved by histopathological evaluation of a tissue sample of sufficient size and depth taken at the appropriate time. In addition, specific laboratory parameters, particularly coagulation parameters, can support the diagnosis.
funspace: An R package to build, analyse and plot functional trait spaces
Authors: Carmona Carlos P. , Pavanetto Nicola , Puglielli Giacomo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimFunctional trait space analyses are pivotal to describe and compare organisms' functional diversity across the tree of life. Yet, there is no single application that streamlines the many sometimes‐troublesome steps needed to build and analyse functional trait spaces.InnovationTo fill this gap, we proposefunspace, an R package to easily handle bivariate and multivariate functional trait space analyses. The six functions that constitute the package can be grouped in three modules: ‘Building and exploring’, ‘Mapping’ and ‘Plotting’. The building and exploring module defines the main features of a functional trait space (e.g. functional diversity metrics) by leveraging kernel density‐based methods. The mapping module uses general additive models to map how a target variable distributes within a trait space. The plotting module provides many options for creating flexible and publication‐ready figures representing the outputs obtained from previous modules. We provide a worked example to demonstrate a completefunspaceworkflow.Main Conclusionsfunspacewill provide researchers working with functional traits across the tree of life with a new tool to easily explore: (i) the main features of any functional trait space, (ii) the relationship between a functional trait space and any other biological or non‐biological factor that might contribute to shaping species' functional diversity.
Evaluating different low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol thresholds to initiate statin for prevention of cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A target trial emulation study
Authors: Wan Eric Yuk Fai , Xu Wanchun , Mok Anna Hoi Ying , Chin Weng Yee , Yu Esther Yee Tak , Chui Celine Sze Ling , Chan Esther Wai Yin , Wong Ian Chi Kei , Lam Cindy Lo Kuen , Danaei Goodarz 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimThe present study aimed to evaluate the effect of statin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) when initiating therapy at different baseline low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Materials and MethodsUsing territory‐wide public electronic medical records in Hong Kong, we emulated a sequence of trials on patients with T2DM with elevated LDL‐C levels in every calendar month from January 2008 to December 2014. Pooled logistic regression was applied to obtain the hazard ratios for the major CVDs (stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure), all‐cause mortality and major adverse events (myopathies and liver dysfunction) of statin therapy.ResultsThe estimated hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of CVD incidence for statin initiation were 0.78 (0.72, 0.84) in patients with baseline LDL‐C of 1.8‐2.5 mmol/L (i.e., 70‐99 mg/dL) and 0.90 (0.88, 0.92) in patients with baseline LDL‐C ≥2.6 mmol/L (i.e., ≥100 mg/dL) in intention‐to‐treat analysis, which was 0.59 (0.51, 0.68) and 0.77 (0.74, 0.81) in per‐protocol analysis, respectively. No significant increased risks were observed for the major adverse events. The absolute 10‐year risk difference of overall CVD in per‐protocol analysis was −7.1% (−10.7%, −3.6%) and −3.9% (−5.1%, −2.7%) in patients with baseline LDL‐C 1.8‐2.5 and ≥2.6 mmol/L, respectively. The effectiveness and safety were consistently observed in patients aged >75 years initiating statin at both LDL‐C thresholds.ConclusionsCompared with the threshold of 2.6 mmol/L, initiating statin in patients with a lower baseline LDL‐C level at 1.8‐2.5 mmol/L can further reduce the risks of CVD and all‐cause mortality without significantly increasing the risk of major adverse events in patients with T2DM, including patients aged >75 years.
Loss of CEACAM1 in hepatocytes causes hepatic fibrosis
Authors: Zaidi Sobia , Asalla Suman , Muturi Harrison T. , Russo Lucia , Abdolahipour Raziyeh , Belew Getachew Debas , Iglesias Maria Benitez , Feraudo Mary , Leon Lensay , Kuo Enoch , Liu Xiuli , Kumarasamy Sivarajan , Ghadieh Hilda E. , Gatto‐Weis Cara , Zarrinpar Ali , Duarte Sergio , Najjar Sonia M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe role of insulin resistance in hepatic fibrosis in Metabolic dysfunction‐Associated SteatoHepatitis (MASH) remains unclear. Carcinoembryonic Antigen‐related Cell Adhesion Molecule1 protein (CEACAM1) promotes insulin clearance to maintain insulin sensitivity and repress de novo lipogenesis, as bolstered by the development of insulin resistance and steatohepatitis in AlbuminCre + Cc1fl/fl mice with liver‐specific mouse gene encoding CEACAM1 protein (Ceacam1) deletion. We herein investigated whether these mice also developed hepatic fibrosis and whether hepatic CEACAM1 is reduced in patients with MASH at different fibrosis stages.MethodsAlbuminCre + Cc1fl/fl mice were fed a regular or a high‐fat diet before their insulin metabolism and action were assessed during IPGTT, and their livers excised for histochemical, immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis. Sirius red staining was used to assess fibrosis, and media transfer was employed to examine whether mutant hepatocytes activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Hepatic CEACAM1 protein levels in patients with varying disease stages were assessed by ELISA.ResultsHepatocytic deletion of Ceacam1 caused hyperinsulinemia‐driven insulin resistance emanating from reduced hepatic insulin clearance. AlbuminCre + Cc1fl/fl livers showed inflammation, fibrosis and hepatic injury, with more advanced bridging and chicken‐wire hepatic fibrosis under high‐fat conditions. Media transferred from hepatocytes isolated from mutant mice activated control HSCs, likely owing to their elevated endothelin1 content. Interestingly, hepatic CEACAM1 levels were lower in the livers of patients with MASH and declined gradually with advanced fibrosis stage.ConclusionsHepatic CEACAM1 levels declined with progression of MASH in humans. The phenotype of AlbuminCre + Cc1fl/fl mice assigned a key role to CEACAM1 loss from hepatocytes in hepatic fibrosis independently of other liver cells.