bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic Cigarettes: Chemicals and Cytotoxicity are Similar to Heated-Coil Pod-Style Electronic Cigarettes
Authors: Omaiye Esther E. , Luo Wentai , McWhirter Kevin J. , Pankow James F. , Talbot Prue 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTOur purpose was to test the hypothesis that ultrasonic cigarettes (u-cigarettes), which operate at relatively low temperatures, produce aerosols that are less harmful than heated-coil pod-style electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The major chemicals in SURGE u-cigarette fluids and aerosols were quantified, their cytotoxicity and cellular effects were assessed, and a Margin of Exposure risk assessment was performed on chemicals in SURGE fluids. Four SURGE u-cigarette flavor variants (“Watermelon Ice,” “Blueberry Ice,” “Green Mint,” and “Polar Mint”) were evaluated. Flavor chemicals were quantified in fluids and aerosols using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Cytotoxicity and cell dynamics were assessed using the MTT assay, live-cell imaging, and fluorescent microscopy. WS-23 (a coolant) and total flavor chemical concentrations in SURGE were similar to e-cigarettes, while SURGE nicotine concentrations (13 - 19 mg/mL) were lower than many 4thgeneration e-cigarettes. Transfer efficiencies of dominant chemicals to aerosols in SURGE ranged from 44 - 100%. SURGE fluids and aerosols had four dominant flavor chemicals (> 1 mg/mL). Toxic aldehydes were usually higher in SURGE aerosols than in SURGE fluids. SURGE fluids and aerosols had aldehyde concentrations significantly higher than pod-style e-cigarettes. Chemical constituents, solvent ratios, and aldehydes varied among SURGE flavor variants. SURGE fluids and aerosols inhibited cell growth and mitochondrial reductases, produced attenuated and round cells, and depolymerized actin filaments, effects that depended on pod flavor, chemical constituents, and concentration. The MOEs for nicotine, WS-23, and propylene glycol were < 100 based on consumption of 1 - 2 SURGE cigarettes/day. Replacing the heating coil with a sonicator did not eliminate chemicals, including aldehydes, in aerosols or diminish toxicity in comparisons between SURGE and other pod products. The high concentrations of nicotine, WS-23, flavor chemicals, and aldehydes and the cytotoxicity of SURGE aerosols do not support the hypothesis that aerosols from u-cigarettes are less harmful than those from e-cigarettes.
Heterogeneity of comprehensive clinical phenotype and longitudinal adaptive function and correlation with computational predictions of severity of missense genotypes in KIF1A-associated neurological disorder
Authors: Sudnawa Khemika K. , Li Wenxing , Calamia Sean , Kanner Cara H. , Bain Jennifer M. , Abdelhakim Aliaa H. , Geltzeiler Alexa , Mebane Caroline M. , Provenzano Frank A. , Sands Tristan T. , Fee Robert J. , Montes Jacqueline , Shen Yufeng , Chung Wendy K. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPurposePathogenic variants in Kinesin Family Member 1A (KIF1A) are associated withKIF1A-associated neurological disorder (KAND). We report the clinical phenotypes and correlate genotypes of individuals with KAND.MethodsMedical history and adaptive function were assessed longitudinally. In-person evaluations included neurological, motor, ophthalmologic and cognitive assessments.ResultsWe collected online data on 177 individuals. Fifty-seven individuals were also assessed in-person. Most individuals hadde novoheterozygous missense likely pathogenic/pathogenicKIF1Avariants. The most common characteristics were hypotonia, spasticity, ataxia, seizures, optic nerve atrophy, cerebellar atrophy, and cognitive impairment. Mean Vineland Adaptive Behavior Composite score (VABS-ABC) was low (M=62.9,SD=19.1). The mean change in VABS-ABC over time was -3.1 (SD=7.3). The decline in VABS-ABC was associated with the age at first assessment and abnormal electroencephalogram/seizure. There was a positive correlation between Evolutionary Scale Model (ESM) score for the variants and final VABS-ABC (p=0.003). Abnormal electroencephalogram/seizure, neuroimaging result, and ESM explain 34% of the variance in final VABS-ABC (p<0.001).ConclusionIn-person assessment confirmed caregiver report and identified additional visual deficits. Adaptive function declined over time consistent with both the neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative nature of the condition. Using ESM score assists in predicting phenotype across a wide range of unique variants.
Predicting Patient Weight from Intracardiac Electrograms: A Study in Electrophysiological Signal Analysis
Authors: Alagöz Celal 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe analysis of electrophysiological signals from the human body has become increasingly crucial, especially given the widespread adoption of wearable technologies and the growing trend of remote and online monitoring. In situations where demographic patient data is unavailable, the evaluation of such information from electrophysiological signals becomes imperative for making well-informed diagnostic and therapeutic decisions, particularly in ambulatory and urgent cases. This study underscores the significance of this necessity by utilizing intracardiac electrograms to predict patient weight.Intracardiac electrograms were recorded from 44 patients (14 female, with an average age of 59.2±11.5 years) using a 64-pole basket catheter over a duration of 60 seconds. A dataset comprising 2,816 unipolar electrogram signal segments, each lasting 4 seconds, was utilized. Weight, considered as a continuous variable, underwent discretization into k bins with uniformly distributed widths, where various values of k were experimented with. As the value of k increases, class imbalance also increases.The state-of-the-art time series classification algorithm, Minirocket, was employed alongside the popular machine learning algorithm eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). Minirocket consistently demonstrates superior performance compared to XGBoost across all class number scenarios and across all evaluation metrics, such as accuracy, F1 score, and Area Under the Curve (AUC) values, achieving scores of approximately 0.96. Conversely, XGBoost shows signs of overfitting, particularly noticeable in scenarios with higher class imbalance. Tuning probability thresholds for classes could potentially mitigate this issue. Additionally, XGBoost’s performance improves with reduced bin numbers, emphasizing the importance of balanced classes. This study provides novel insights into the predictive capabilities of these algorithms and their implications for personalized medicine and remote health monitoring.
Improvement of Survival Outcomes of Cholangiocarcinoma by Ultrasonography Surveillance: Multicenter Retrospective Cohorts
Authors: Chamadol Nittaya , Laopaiboon Vallop , Jareanrat Apiwat , Thanasukarn Vasin , Srisuk Tharatip , Luvira Vor , Sarkhampee Poowanai , Ungpinitpong Winai , Khamvijite Phummarat , Chumnanua Yutthapong , Nethuwakul Nipath , Sodarat Passakorn , Thammarit Samrit , Techasen Anchalee , Thuanman Jaruwan , Tawarungruang Chaiwat , Thinkhamrop Bandit , Sa-Ngiamwibool Prakasit , Loilome Watcharin , Prajumwongs Piya , Titapun Attapol 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionMost cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients present with late stage of disease because of the difficulty to diagnosis at an early stage, resulting in poor survival of CCA patients. The Cholangiocarcinoma Screening and Care Program showed that ultrasound screening was an effective tool for detecting early stage CCA. This study aims to evaluate the survival outcome of patients diagnosed by ultrasound screening (US) compared to walk-in symptomatic patients.Methods5-year survival rates (5-YSR) and median survival time (MST) of CCA were calculated using Log-Rank test. Multivariate analyses were performed for significant factors from univariate analyses.ResultsA total of 711 histologically proven CCA cases were examined including ultrasound screening and walk-in groups. The screening group having 5-YSR was 53.9%, and MST was of 67.2 months, while walk-in group, the 5-YSR was 21.9% and MST was 15.6 months (p<0.001). In addition, multivariate analyses revealed that screening program was an independent factor to predict a good outcome of CCA patients when compared with walk-in group (p= 0.014).ConclusionUS is an effective tool for detecting early stage CCA leading to improve clinical outcome of CCA patients. Practically, US should be considered as a first tool for screening CCA in risk populations.Author SummaryMost cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients in Thailand have poor survival due to late-stage detection and patients walk-in to hospital with any symptoms. This study purpose to evaluate the survival outcome of CCA patients diagnosed by ultrasound screening (US). We found that US provided early stage and improved survival of CCA patients.
Increased luminal area of large conducting airways in patients with COVID-19 and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 A retrospective case-control study
Authors: Zaremba Solomiia , Miller Alex J. , Ovrom Erik A. , Senefeld Jonathon W. , Wiggins Chad C. , Dominelli Paolo B. , Ganesh Ravindra , Hurt Ryan T. , Bartholmai Brian J. , Welch Brian T. , Ripoll Juan G. , Joyner Michael J. , Ramsook Andrew H. 
Published: March 2024

SummaryBackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with enlarged luminal areas of large conducting airways. In 10-30% of patients with acute COVID-19 infection, symptoms persist for more than 4 weeks (referred to as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, or PASC), and it is unknown if airway changes are associated with this persistence. Thus, we aim to investigate if luminal area of large conducting airways is different between PASC and COVID-19 patients, and healthy controls.MethodsIn this retrospective case-control study seventy-five patients with PASC (48 females) were age-, height-, and sex-matched to 75 individuals with COVID-19 and 75 healthy controls. Using three-dimensional digital reconstruction from computed tomography imaging, we measured luminal areas of seven conducting airways, including trachea, right and left main bronchi, bronchus intermediate, right and left upper lobe, and left lower lobe bronchi.FindingsAirway luminal areas between COVID-19 and PASC groups were not different (p>0.66). There were no group differences in airway luminal area (PASC vs control) for trachea and right main bronchus. However, in the remaining five airways, airway luminal areas were 12% to 39% larger among PASC patients compared to controls (p<0.05).InterpretationPatients diagnosed with COVID-19 and PASC have greater airway luminal area in most large conducting airways compared to healthy controls. No differences in luminal area between patients with COVID-19 and PASC suggest persistence of changes or insufficient time for complete reversal of changes.FundingNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (F32HL154320 to JWS; 5R35HL139854 to MJJ); Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (AHR).
Patterns of mental disorders in a nationwide child psychiatric sample (N=67,815): A DREAMS study
Authors: van der Mheen Malindi , Zijlmans Josjan , van der Doelen Daniël , Klip Helen , van der Lans Rikkert M. , Ruisch I. Hyun , de Vries Ymkje Anna , Tieskens Jacintha M. , Wildschut Marleen , Buitelaar Jan K. , Hoekstra Pieter J. , Lindauer Ramón J.L. , Popma Arne , Vermeiren Robert R.J.M. , Staal Wouter ,   DREAMS consortium, Polderman Tinca J.C. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo provide a comprehensive overview of the prevalence and comorbidity patterns of mental disorders in a large, nationwide child and adolescent psychiatry sample.MethodsWe retrieved data on DSM diagnoses from medical records of children (0.5-23 years old) who received care at a DREAMS center between 2015 and 2019. DREAMS is a consortium of four academic centers for child and adolescent psychiatry in the Netherlands that provide both outpatient and inpatient care. Diagnoses were assigned in regular clinical practice.ResultsBetween 2015 and 2019, 67,815 children received care at a DREAMS center (age at admissionM=11.0 years,SD=4.3; 59.7% male). Of these children, 48,342 (71.3%) had a registered DSM disorder. The most prevalent primary diagnoses were ASD (34.1%), ADHD (24.4%) and trauma and stressor-related disorders (8.7%). Approximately half of all children (47.4%) had at least one comorbid diagnosis, of which intellectual disabilities were the most prevalent (14.0%).ConclusionDiagnostic patterns across sex and age as well as comorbidity patterns were generally consistent with previous research, but the prevalence of ASD and ADHD was higher than in other studies. Real-world diagnostic information such as presented here is essential to understand the use of DSM-5 in clinical practice, put differences between contexts and countries into perspective, and ultimately improve our diagnostic protocols and treatments.
Effectiveness of physical activity in obese children and adolescents and serum interleukin-10 levels: A protocol for systematic review
Authors: Pascoal Andreza Gomes , de Souza Mendes Paula , Rodrigues Lima Luiz Eduardo , Mori Bruno 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundObesity is a global health problem that affects millions of people around the world, especially children and adolescents. The main causes of obesity are a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and lack of reduction in the level of physical activity with negative consequences for physical and mental health, such as increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and inflammation. Therefore, we will carry out a perform a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of physical activity in obese children and adolescents and serum interleukin-10 levels.MethodsThis protocol is based on recommendations from the Cochrane Collaboration on the steps of a systematic review. A literature search will be performed on the following database: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, LILACS (VHL), and Google Scholar. According to the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the level of evidence for results, we will assess the quality of the included studies by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method. The Review Manager (v5.3) software will be applied to statistical analysis.ResultsFrom the study, we will evaluate the effectiveness of physical activity in obese children and adolescents and serum IL-10 levels correlated with age, ethnicity, sex, and body mass index (BMI).PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022355721Strengths and limitations of this studyThis article emphasizes the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of physical activity in obese children and adolescents and provides methodological guidance for evaluating clinical evidence. This study 1)provides a research protocol, 2) facilitates reasonable assessment of physical activity in obese children and adolescents and serum IL-10 levels 3) increases the potential importance of recommending physical activity in obese children and adolescents to improve serum levels of IL-10, which in turn has an immunoprotective effect. The lack of reports of these effects may be limited by the small sample size.
Sex differences in symptomatology and immune profiles of Long COVID
Authors: Silva Julio , Takahashi Takehiro , Wood Jamie , Lu Peiwen , Tabachnikova Alexandra , Gehlhausen Jeff R. , Greene Kerrie , Bhattacharjee Bornali , Monteiro Valter Silva , Lucas Carolina , Dhodapkar Rahul M. , Tabacof Laura , Peña-Hernandez Mario , Kamath Kathy , Mao Tianyang , Mccarthy Dayna , Medzhitov Ruslan , van Dijk David , Krumholz Harlan M. , Guan Leying , Putrino David , Iwasaki Akiko 
Published: March 2024

SummaryStrong sex differences in the frequencies and manifestations of Long COVID (LC) have been reported with females significantly more likely than males to present with LC after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection1–7. However, whether immunological traits underlying LC differ between sexes, and whether such differences explain the differential manifestations of LC symptomology is currently unknown. Here, we performed sex-based multi-dimensional immune-endocrine profiling of 165 individuals8with and without LC in an exploratory, cross-sectional study to identify key immunological traits underlying biological sex differences in LC. We found that female and male participants with LC experienced different sets of symptoms, and distinct patterns of organ system involvement, with female participants suffering from a higher symptom burden. Machine learning approaches identified differential sets of immune features that characterized LC in females and males. Males with LC had decreased frequencies of monocyte and DC populations, elevated NK cells, and plasma cytokines including IL-8 and TGF-β-family members. Females with LC had increased frequencies of exhausted T cells, cytokine-secreting T cells, higher antibody reactivity to latent herpes viruses including EBV, HSV-2, and CMV, and lower testosterone levels than their control female counterparts. Testosterone levels were significantly associated with lower symptom burden in LC participants over sex designation. These findings suggest distinct immunological processes of LC in females and males and illuminate the crucial role of immune-endocrine dysregulation in sex-specific pathology.
Xylazine Awareness, Desire, Use and Exposure: Preliminary Findings from the Rhode Island CUTS Drug Checking Cohort
Authors: Park Ju Nyeong , Serafinski Rachel , Ujeneza Merci , McKenzie Michelle , Tardif Jessica , Krotulski Alex J. , Badea Adina , Grossman Elyse R. , Green Traci C. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundXylazine, an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, is a veterinary sedative that causes severe health complications yet interventions to detect, prevent and treat human exposure remain underdeveloped. Community-based drug checking services (DCS) involve the consensual collection and testing of small amounts of drugs to increase community awareness and reduce drug-related harms. This study characterized xylazine awareness, desire, use and exposure among people who use drugs (PWUD) in Rhode Island, USA.MethodsWe linked and analyzed DCS and survey data from an ongoing cohort of PWUD. Between February and August 2023, 125 PWUD were recruited and enrolled from harm reduction organizations and surveyed about xylazine awareness and use behaviors. Using point-of-care Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-S), at least one drug sample was tested from each participant and confirmed offsite at a laboratory. Results were conveyed in real-time, along with harm reduction education, referrals to resources and care.ResultsVirtually all participants (99%) wanted to avoid xylazine exposure. Half (51%) knew what xylazine was, and a quarter (26%) suspected previous exposure. Xylazine exposure was primarily surmised through sedating (45%) and ulcerative (26%) effects. Only 9% of participants submitted a sample that they perceived to contain xylazine. Xylazine was detected in 14% of samples using FTIR-S and in 21% of samples using a dual laboratory approach of gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Participants thought that these xylazine-positive samples were fentanyl (77%), heroin (14%), or Percocet® (9%).ConclusionImplementing point-of-care DCS at harm reduction organizations could be useful in rapidly increasing xylazine awareness and engaging at-risk individuals in prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and rapid care for xylazine-related wounds.
Relation of frailty with depression among Colombian COPD adults aged over 60 years
Authors: Campo-Arias Adalberto , Pedrozo-Pupo John Carlos , Caballero-Domínguez Carmen Cecilia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionFrailty and depression risk are common in older adults undergoing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. However, little is known about this association in people with COPD residing in low- and middle-income countries. The study aimed to o establish the relationship between frailty and depression among ambulatory adults over 60 years with COPD in Santa Marta, Colombia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was designed in which consecutive patients from the pulmonology outpatient clinic were invited to participate. Frailty was quantified with the FiND (Frail Non-Disabled [FiND] Screening Tool) [Cronbach’s alpha 0.65] and depression with the Primary Care Screening Questionnaire for Depression (PSQD) [Cronbach’s alpha 0.73].ResultsThree-hundred forty-nine patients with COPD between 60 and 98 years participated (M=75.6, SD=8.4), 61.9% were males, and 19.8% presented a C or D combined evaluation. Two hundred eighty-six patients (76.8%) presented frailty with and without mobility disability, and 31.2% presented depression. The relationship of frailty with depression remained significant, even after adjusting for confounding variables (OR=2.80, 95%CI 1.42-5.51).ConclusionsFrailty and depression are significantly associated after adjusting for confounding variables. More studies are welcome.
Low-intensity repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is safe and well tolerated by people living with MS - outcomes of the phase I randomised controlled trial (TAURUS)
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Tram , Zarghami Amin , Makowiecki Kalina , Stevens Natasha , Ezegbe Chigozie , Kyle Kain , Wang Chenyu , Ly Linda , De La Rue Katie , Hinder Mark R , Johnson Lewis , Rodger Jennifer , Cooper Samantha , Cullen Carlie L , Barnett Michael , Young Kaylene M , Taylor Bruce V 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundLow-intensity repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), delivered as a daily intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) for 4 consecutive weeks, increases the number of new oligodendrocytes in the adult mouse brain. rTMS holds potential as a remyelinating intervention for people with MS.ObjectivePrimarily to determine the safety and tolerability of our rTMS protocol in people with MS. Secondary objectives included feasibility, blinding, and an exploration of changes in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and cognitive or motor performance.MethodsA randomised (2:1), placebo controlled, single blind, parallel group, phase 1 trial of 20 rTMS sessions (600 iTBS pulses per hemisphere; 25% maximum stimulator output), delivered over 4-5 weeks, with the coil positioned at 90° (n=7, ‘sham’) or 0° (n=13, active rTMS).ResultsFive adverse events (AEs) including one serious AE reported. None were related to treatment. Protocol compliance was high (85%) and blinding successful. Within participant MRI metrics, PROMs and cognitive or motor performance were unchanged over time.Conclusion20 sessions of rTMS is safe and well tolerated in a small group of people with MS. The study protocol and procedures are feasible. Improvement of sham is warranted before further investigating safety and efficacy.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12619001196134).https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378010&isReview=true