bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Case report: Paralytic ileus resulted from nirmatrelvir/ritonavir-tacrolimus drug-drug interaction in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient with COVID-19
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhang Xingguo , Han Jinming , Zhang Wen , Xu Jiarui , Zhang Xin , Bian Hongjun , Meng Chong , Shang Deya , Zhou Yi , Wang Dawei , Feng Baobao 
Published: March 2024

Patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases are at a high risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and effective antiviral treatments including nirmatrelvir/ritonavir can improve their outcomes. However, there might be potential drug-drug interactions when these patients take nirmatrelvir/ritonavir together with immunosuppressants with a narrow therapeutic window, such as tacrolimus and cyclosporine. We present a case of paralytic ileus resulting from tacrolimus toxicity mediated by the use of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 37-year-old female SLE patient was prescribed nirmatrelvir/ritonavir without discontinuing tacrolimus. She presented to the emergency room with symptoms of paralytic ileus including persistent abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, which were verified to be associated with tacrolimus toxicity. The blood concentration of tacrolimus was measured &gt;30 ng/mL. Urgent medical intervention was initiated, while tacrolimus was withheld. The residual concentration was brought within the appropriate range and tacrolimus was resumed 8 days later. Physicians must be aware of the potential DDIs when prescribing nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, especially to those taking immunosuppresants like tacrolimus.
Study on the biomechanical properties of 3D printed blended esophageal stents with different structural parameters based on patient CT
Authors: Wu Guilin , Wei Guihong , Huang Shenghua , Zhang Qilin , Zeng Shuai , Feng Jun , Zeng Bo , Yu Peng 
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Esophageal stenting is a widely used treatment for esophageal diseases, which can also be used for adjuvant therapy and feeding after chemotherapy for esophageal cancer. The structural parameters of the stent have a significant impact on its mechanical properties and patient comfort.Methods: In the present work, we reconstructed the esophagus model based on the patient’s computed tomography (CT) data, and designed stents with different structural parameters. We used 3D printing technology to achieve rapid production of the designed stents by using Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) blends as the materials. The mechanical properties and effects on the esophagus of polymer stents with four different structural parameters of diameter, wall thickness, length and flaring were investigated by in vitro tests of radial compression and migration of the stents, as well as by finite element simulations of the stent implantation process in the esophagus and of the stent migration process. An artificial neural network model was established to predict the radial force of the stent and the maximum equivalent stress of the esophagus during implantation based on these four structural parameters.Results: The results show that wall thickness was the structural parameter that had the greatest impact on the radial force of the stent (statistically significant, p &lt; 0.01), and flaring was the structural parameter that had the greatest impact on the maximum equivalent stress of the esophageal wall after stent implantation (statistically significant, p &lt; 0.01). No. 6 stent had a maximum radial force of 18.07 N, which exceeded that of commercial esophageal stents and had good mechanical properties. And the maximum equivalent force on the esophagus caused by its implantation was only 30.39 kPa, which can improve patient comfort. The predicted values of the constructed back propagation (BP) neural network model had an error of less than 10% from the true values, and the overall prediction accuracies were both above 97%, which can provide guidance for optimizing the design of the stent and for clinical research.Discussion: 3D printing technology presents a wide range of applications for the rapid fabrication of personalized TPU/PCL blend stents that are more suitable for individual patients.
The oral contraceptive cycle and its influences on maximal and submaximal endurance parameters in elite handball players
Authors: Mathy Astrid , Wessner Barbara , Haider Patricia , Tschan Harald , Triska Christoph 
Published: March 2024

The usage of the oral contraceptive pill is widespread among athletes of various levels. However, there is limited knowledge on how the intake of the pill alters the submaximal and maximal endurance parameters between the oral contraceptive phases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine potential differences between the pill intake and withdrawal phase on endurance-related parameters in first-division handball players. In total, 15 female team handball players performed two graded exercise tests until volitional exhaustion on a motorized treadmill. Tests were performed during the pill intake (days 16–17) and withdrawal phase (day 2–3). Throughout the test, respiratory gases were measured breath-by-breath, and the heart rate was measured continuously. Before and after the graded exercise test, blood samples were obtained in order to assess the blood lactate concentration. Before each test, venous blood samples were taken to determine endogenous sex hormone levels. Ventilatory parameters (V˙O2, V˙CO2, and V˙E, and respiratory equivalents for V˙O2 and V˙CO2) were measured, and the oxidation of fat and carbohydrates was calculated. A paired-sample t-test was used to assess differences between the two time points, and the significance was accepted as p &lt; 0.050. Significant differences with lower values during the consumption phase were found for absolute (mean difference ± SD: 88 ± 131 mL∙min−1; p = 0.021) and relative V˙O2peak (mean difference ± SD: 1 ± 2 mL∙min−1∙kg−1; p = 0.012). Higher values during the consumption phase were found for submaximal respiratory equivalents for V˙O2 (mean difference ± SD: −1.1 ± 1.7; p = 0.028) and V˙CO2 (mean difference ± SD: −0.9 ± 1.5; p = 0.032). No differences were found for all other parameters, including differences for endogenous sex hormones (p &gt; 0.050). The results of the current study suggest only marginal and physiologically insignificant differences in endurance-related parameters between oral contraceptive phases.
Effect of active and passive techniques used in thromboembolic prophylaxis on venous flow velocity in the post-procedure period
Authors: Zsenák István , Makai Alexandra , Kiss Gabriella , Faludi Béla , Straub Alexandra , Szilágyi Brigitta , Velényi Anita , Járomi Melinda 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionStudies have shown that using mechanical thromboembolic prophylaxis methods speeds up venous flow and decreases stasis. These studies examine the post-intervention period of 1–10 min. The length of the effect of procedures to raise venous flow velocity cannot be determined by clinical trials. To apply mathematical techniques to estimate how long mechanical thromboembolism prophylaxis procedures will increase venous flow rate.MethodsIn the survey, we examined 25 persons (poststroke patients), with an average age of 57.2 ± 6.3 years. Regarding the proportion of genders, 13 (52%) participants were male and 12 (48%) female. The peak venous blood flow velocity was measured with a HADECO BIDOP ES-100V II type Doppler ultrasound device, using an 8 MHz head, in the femoral vein, at the level of the hip joint. We estimated the change of the venous blood flow velocity from the available sampled data using the method of least squares. For the calculations, we used Microsoft Excel, version Mac Excel 2019.ResultsThe decrease in peak venous flow velocity can be approximated by a logarithm function. Mathematical calculations show that after active thromboembolic prophylaxis interventions, resting venous flow velocity is restored at 26.8 min on the intact limb and 85.1 min on the hemiparetic side. Resting flow velocity is restored in 131.9 min after passive mobilization of the hemiparetic side and in 137.7 min after the consensual effect.DiscussionAn elementary mathematical function can be used to estimate the time to recovery of peak venous flow velocity to resting state from measurements taken 15 min after the intervention. Active and passive mechanical thromboembolic prophylaxis after the intervention has a longer-term effect on venous flow velocity.
Climate and soil stressed elevation patterns of plant species to determine the aboveground biomass distributions in a valley-type Savanna
Authors: He Guangxiong , Shi Zhengtao , Fang Haidong , Shi Liangtao , Wang Yandan , Yang Haozhou , Yan Bangguo , Yang Chaolei , Yu Jianlin , Liang Qiaoling , Zhao Lei , Jiang Qin 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionExtreme environments such as prolonged high temperatures and droughts can cause vulnerability of vegetation ecosystems. The dry-hot valleys of Southwestern China, known for their extremely high annual temperature, lack of water, and unique non-zonal “hot island” habitat in the global temperate zone, provide exceptional sites for studying how plant adapts to the prolonged dry and hot environment. However, the specific local biotic-environment relationships in these regions remain incompletely elucidated. The study aims to evaluate how valley-type Savanna vegetation species and their communities adapt to long-term drought and high-temperature stress environments.MethodsThe study investigated the changes in species diversity and communities’ aboveground biomass of a valley-type Savanna vegetation along an elevation gradient of Yuanmou dry-hot valley in Jinsha River basin, southwest China. Subsequently, a general linear model was utilized to simulate the distribution pattern of species diversities and their constituent biomass along the elevation gradient. Finally, the RDA and VPH mothed were used to evaluate the impacts and contributions of environmental factors or variables on the patterns.Results and discussionThe field survey reveals an altitudinal gradient effect on the valley-type Savanna, with a dominant species of shrubs and herbs plants distribution below an elevation of 1700m, and a significant positive relationship between the SR, Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, and Pielou indices and altitudes. Relatively, the community aboveground biomass did not increase significantly with elevation, which was mainly due to a decreased biomass of herbaceous plants along the elevation. Different regulators of shrub-herbaceous plant species and their functional groups made different elevation patterns of species diversity and aboveground biomass in valley-type Savannas. Herbaceous plants are responsible for maintaining species diversity and ensuring stability in the aboveground biomass of the vegetation. However, the influence of shrubs on aboveground biomass became more pronounced as environmental conditions varied along the altitudinal gradient. Furthermore, species diversity was mainly influenced by soil and climatic environmental factors, whereas community biomass was mainly regulated by plant species or functional groups. The study demonstrates that the spatial pattern of valley-type Savanna was formed as a result of different environmental responses and the productive capacity of retained plant species or functional groups to climate-soil factors, highlighting the value of the Yuanmou dry-hot Valley as a microcosm for exploring the intricate interactions between vegetation evolution and changes in environmental factors.
Genome-wide characterization of heavy metal-associated isoprenylated plant protein gene family from Citrus sinensis in response to huanglongbing
Authors: Huang Guiyan , Hu Yanan , Li Fuxuan , Zuo Xiru , Wang Xinyou , Li Fengyao , Li Ruimin 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionHeavy metal-associated isoprenylated plant proteins (HIPPs) play vital roles in maintaining heavy metal balance and responding to both biotic and abiotic stresses in vascular plants. However, the role of HIPPs in the response to Huanglongbing (HLB), a harmful disease of citrus caused by the phloem-colonizing bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), has not been examined.Methods and resultsIn this study, a total of 26 HIPP genes were identified in Citrus sinensis, and they were grouped into 5 clades. The CsHIPP genes are distributed on 8 chromosomes and exhibited considerable synteny with HIPPs found in Arabidopsis thaliana. Additionally, we analyzed the gene structure, conserved motifs and domains of the CsHIPPs. Various cis-acting elements related to plant hormones and stress responses were identified in the promoters of CsHIPPs. Public transcriptome data and RT-qPCR analysis showed that the expression level of CsHIPP03 was significantly reduced in samples infected by CLas and Xanthomonas citri ssp. citri (Xcc). Furthermore, silencing the homologous gene of CsHIPP03 in Nicotiana benthamiana increased the disease resistance of plants to bacteria.DiscussionOur results provide a basis for functional studies of HIPP gene family in C. sinensis, highlighting their functions in bacterial resistance, and improve our understanding to the susceptibility mechanism of HLB.
Stress and burnout in the context of workplace psychosocial factors among mental health professionals during the later waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
Authors: Molnár László , Zana Ágnes , Stauder Adrienne 
Published: March 2024

BackgroundWhile literature is abundant on the negative mental health impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, few studies focus on the Central and Eastern European region.ObjectivesWe examined stress, burnout, and sleeping troubles among mental health professionals in the context of psychosocial risk factors related to participation in COVID care during the fourth and fifth waves.Materials and methodsMental health professionals (N=268) completed an online cross-sectional survey in Hungary, between November 2021 and April 2022. Of the respondents, 58.2% directly participated in COVID care. The main data collection instrument was the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ II), including 20 subscales on work-related psychosocial factors and 3 outcome scales (stress, burnout, and sleeping troubles). We added a question on competence transgression, and items on sociodemographic and professional background.ResultsParticipation in COVID care was associated with higher work pace (59.08 versus 49.78), more role conflicts (55.21 versus 45.93), lower scores on the influence at work (38.18 versus 51.79), predictability (44.71 versus 57.03), reward (55.82 versus 65.03), role clarity (70.19 versus 75.37), social support from supervisor (59.24 versus 65.55), job satisfaction (54.36 versus 62.84), trust regarding management (55.89 versus 67.86), justice and respect (44.51 versus 54.35) scales. Among those involved in COVID care, only the stress score was higher (47.96 vs. 42.35) in the total sample; however, among psychiatrists, both stress (52.16 vs. 38.60) and burnout scores (58.30 vs. 47.06) were higher. Stepwise multiple regression revealed that work-family conflict, emotional demands and workplace commitment were independent predictors of higher stress and burnout scores; furthermore, competence transgression had a significant effect on stress, and being a psychiatric specialist had a significant effect on burnout. These models explained 40.5% of the variance for stress and 39.8% for burnout.ConclusionDuring the fourth and fifth waves, although COVID care was more well-organized, psychiatrists, as specialist physicians responsible for the quality of the care, were still experiencing challenges regarding their competence and influence at work, which may explain their increased levels of stress and burnout.
The relationship between psychopathy and autism: a systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Maguire Kate , Warman Hayley , Blumenfeld Frances , Langdon Peter E. 
Published: March 2024

Background and methodsThe aim of this systematic review was to synthesise research examining the relationship between autism and psychopathy to: (a) better understand the relationship between these two constructs, and (b) describe the clinical manifestation of the two when they co-occur. A systematic search of the literature returned 36 studies.ResultsAcross all ages, autistic individuals and those with elevated autistic traits but no autistic diagnoses appeared to have increased callous and unemotional traits or psychopathy relative to the general population. Several studies evidenced that although both constructs are associated with empathetic dysfunction, the underlying mechanisms differ. In adults, psychopathy/psychopathic traits were associated with diminished affective empathy and intact cognitive empathy, whilst the opposite was seen autistic adults and those with elevated autistic traits. In children, those with autistic traits or a diagnosis of autism had diminished cognitive empathy, but not affective empathy, while the relationship between callous and unemotional traits/psychopathy and empathy amongst children was less clear. The co-occurrence of autism and psychopathy was seen to lead to additional empathic and cognitive impairment, but findings were mixed making it challenging to clearly describe the clinical manifestation.ConclusionThere remains a paucity of research investigating the interaction between autism and psychopathy and included studies were characterised by multiple measurement difficulties. Attention should be directed toward developing better methods for identifying psychopathic traits in autistic individuals to advance our understanding of the relationship between autism and psychopathy to allow for the development of appropriate care pathways for this population.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=413672, identifier CRD42023413672.
Effectiveness and intention to use a COVID-19 self-management app for epidemiological investigation: a web-based survey study
Authors: Song Sihyun , Park Jihwan , Rho Mi Jung 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionNumerous COVID-19-related apps were widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them, those supporting epidemiological investigations were particularly useful. This study explored the effectiveness of apps that support epidemiological investigations, factors influencing users’ intention to use them, and ways to encourage their use.MethodsWe developed and evaluated the KODARI app to demonstrate its importance in epidemiological investigations. After adapting a questionnaire based on an existing evaluation framework for COVID-19–related apps, we collected data from 276 participants through an online survey conducted between April 28 and May 25, 2023. We conducted two independent sample t-tests to determine the differences between each variable according to demographic characteristics and a multiple regression analysis to identify factors affecting intention to use.ResultsUsers were generally satisfied with the KODARI. We observed differences in sex, age, marital status, occupational characteristics, and experience with epidemiological investigation. Females rated the app’s information accuracy higher than males. Males had a higher intention to use than females. Participants aged under 35 years rated information accuracy and transparency highly, whereas single participants rated information accuracy higher than married participants. Occupational groups with frequent interactions with others evaluated their self-determination regarding the application. The app’s self-determination was highly valued among participants with experience in epidemiological investigations. By investigating the factors affecting the intention to use the app, we confirmed that effectiveness, self-determination, and usability significantly affected the intention to use.DiscussionThis study demonstrated the effectiveness of app supporting epidemiological investigations, identified meaningful factors that influence intention to use, and confirmed the applicability of our new framework by considering the specificity of infectious disease situations such as COVID-19. This study provides a new basis for future epidemiological studies.
Impact of health literacy and illness perception on medication adherence among older adults with hypertension in Iran: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Babazadeh Towhid , Ranjbaran Soheila , Pourrazavi Sara , Latifi Arman , Maleki Chollou Khalil 
Published: March 2024

BackgroundAdherence to medication is an essential factor in controlling and reducing the side effects of non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension. Medication adherence varies in older adults due to the effects of various factors. The research aimed to examine the determinants of medication adherence among older adults with hypertension.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed among 300 people aged 60 years or older referring to health centers in Sarab, Iran, between February and May 2023. To collect data, valid and reliable tools were applied.ResultsThere was a significant association between age groups, level of education, and monthly income status with adherence to medication (p-value &lt;0.05). According to the results of hierarchical regression, demographic variables collectively explained 3.2% of the variance in adherence to therapeutic regimens (p-value = 0.143). The inclusion of illness perception at step 2, along with demographic variables, led to a further significant increase in 9.6% of the variance (p-value &lt;0.001). In the final step, health literacy dimensions were added, which explained an additional 8.7% of the variance (p-value &lt;0.001). In total, demographic variables, illness perception, and HL dimensions explained 21.5% of the variance in adherence to therapeutic regimens.ConclusionAccording to the results, demographic variables, illness perception, and HL dimensions were the main determinants of medication adherence among older adults. Health educators should focus on creating interventions that improve medication adherence by addressing illness perception and health literacy dimensions in this particular population.