bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome and its association with studying medicine, a cross‐sectional study in Al‐Baath University, Syria
Authors: Daher Mohanad , Abbas Sara , Asaad Zainab , Khalil Karam , Jadid Ghania 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to assess the prevalence rate of fibromyalgia (FM) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among Al‐Baath University students and find out whether studying medicine has an association with a higher prevalence rate.MethodsThe participants of this observational cross‐sectional study were students aged 18–30 years from Al‐Baath University. A structured self‐estimated electronic questionnaire developed by Google Forms was distributed using social media platforms from 15 February to 15 March, 2023. We used The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2016 and Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool criteria to assess the prevalence rate of FM. We used The ROME IV criteria to asses IBS prevalence rate.ResultsThe final sample size was 800 individuals. The prevalence of IBS in the study population was 26.8%. Overall, IBS‐Constipation was the most common subtype, and the prevalence rate was higher among medical students (14%) compared to other colleges (12.8%) (p = .002). The difference in IBS prevalence between males and females was (9.3% vs. 17.5%, p = .283), but this did not reach the statistical significance. The prevalence of FM according to The ACR in the study population was 3.6%. Females had higher prevalence rate than males (3.1% vs. 0.5%, p = .007). The prevalence of FM was also higher in other colleges compared to medicine (2.3% vs. 1.4%, p = .547), but this did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionWe found an increased prevalence of IBS among medical students. The prevalence of FM did not show any relation to studying medicine. We recommend additional prospective studies to assess whether studying medicine could be a risk factor for these disorders or not.
Hippocampal resting‐state connectivity is associated with posterior‐cortical cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Pourzinal Dana , Yang Jihyun , McMahon Katie L. , Copland David A. , Mitchell Leander , O'Sullivan John D. , Byrne Gerard J. , Dissanayaka Nadeeka N. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimFrontal and posterior‐cortical cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease (PD) present with executive/attention and memory/visuospatial deficits, respectively. As the posterior‐cortical subtype is predicted to progress rapidly toward dementia, the present study aimed to explore biological markers of this group using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI).MethodsK‐means cluster analysis delineated subtypes (cognitively intact, frontal, posterior‐cortical, and globally impaired) among 85 people with PD. A subset of PD participants (N = 42) and 20 healthy controls (HCs) underwent rs‐fMRI. Connectivity of bilateral hippocampi with regions of interest was compared between posterior‐cortical, cognitively intact, and HC participants using seed‐based analysis, controlling for age. Exploratory correlations were performed between areas of interest from the group analysis and a series of cognitive tests.ResultsThe posterior‐cortical subtype (N = 19) showed weaker connectivity between the left hippocampus and right anterior temporal fusiform cortex compared to the cognitively intact (N = 11) group, p‐false discovery rate (FDR) = .01, and weaker connectivity between bilateral hippocampi and most fusiform regions compared to HCs (N = 20). No differences were found between HCs and cognitively intact PD. Exploratory analyses revealed strongest associations between connectivity of the right anterior temporal fusiform cortex and left hippocampus with category fluency (p‐FDR = .01).ConclusionResults suggest that weakened connectivity between the hippocampus and fusiform region is a unique characteristic of posterior‐cortical cognitive deficits in PD. Further exploration of hippocampal and fusiform functional integrity as a marker of cognitive decline in PD is warranted.
Factors associated with age of presentation of pediatric feeding disorder
Authors: Galai Tut , Friedman Gal , Kalmintzky Nataly , Shemer Kim , Gal Dana L , Cohen Shlomi , Moran‐Lev Hadar 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimUnderstanding the association between pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and age of presentation is limited. We aimed to investigate factors associated with PFD among different age groups.MethodsRetrospective analysis of medical records of infants and toddlers diagnosed with PFD, according to the World Health Organization‐based definition. We compared children aged 1–12 months to those aged 13–72 months.ResultsIncluded were 253 children with PFD (median [interquartile range] age 16.4 [9.5–33] months at diagnosis, 56% boys). Significantly more children in the younger age group were girls (52.6% vs. 34.4%, respectively, p = .03) and preterm (25% vs. 14%, p = .03). They had more hospitalizations (34% vs. 23%, p = .03) and needed more prescription medications (36% vs. 17%, p < .01). Additionally, disturbances in oral intake were primarily linked to feeding skills dysfunction in the younger group and nutritional dysfunction in the older group (39.6% vs. 23.7% and 55% vs. 38%, respectively, p = .02).ConclusionsInfants under 1 year old with PFD represent a distinct patient group with unique characteristics and outcomes. The age of presentation plays a significant role in children with PFD, necessitating tailored treatment strategies.
Prediction of prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma using infrared microspectroscopy
Authors: Whitley Conor A. , Ellis Barnaby G. , Triantafyllou Asterios , Gunning Philip J. , Gardner Peter , Barrett Steve D. , Shaw Richard J. , Smith Caroline I. , Weightman Peter , Risk Janet M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundEstimation of prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is inaccurate prior to surgery, only being effected following subsequent pathological analysis of the primary tumour and excised lymph nodes. Consequently, a proportion of patients are overtreated, with an increase in morbidity, or undertreated, with inadequate margins and risk of recurrence. We hypothesise that it is possible to accurately characterise clinical outcomes from infrared spectra arising from diagnostic biopsies. In this first step, we correlate survival with IR spectra derived from the primary tumour.MethodsInfrared spectra were collected from tumour tissue from 29 patients with OSCC and subject to classification modelling.ResultsThe model had a median AUROC of 0.89 with regard to prognosis, a median specificity of 0.83, and a hazard ratio of 6.29 in univariate Cox proportional hazard modelling.ConclusionThe data suggest that FTIR spectra may be a useful early biomarker of prognosis in OSCC.
Learning from the COVID‐19 pandemic: Improving academic continuity in workforce development programs
Authors: Shakour Katie , Ransom Tim , Gallagher Eliza , Johnson Karen , Short Rebecca , Beck Jonathan , Chalil Madathil Kapil 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic caused an abrupt change in educational programs worldwide, including workforce development education in community colleges. Given the hands‐on requirements of these programs, considerations for changes included if and how instructors and students could maintain academic continuity during the pandemic. This article focuses on aviation maintenance technology schools (AMTS) as a case study to understand how programs that rely heavily on hands‐on learning responded to COVID‐19 significant disruption to education. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must approve educational training for aviation maintenance careers, and the FAA requires specific hands‐on activities in the curriculum. Of the 182 AMTS in the United States, 143 are located within community colleges. We conducted 43 interviews with AMTS students, administrators, and instructors from 18 different community colleges. Following content analysis of the interviews, the authors identified six findings related to how these programs responded to the pandemic, with special attention to maintaining academic stability. The article advocates for integrating digital learning tools (DLT) to create resilient educational programs when disruptions occur. These tools allow for students to continue to asynchronously practice the procedures and familiarize themselves with the materials needed for projects, provide students immediate feedback on their learning, and save schools money on expensive resources when students require extra practice on certain skills and processes. The application of these tools is relevant beyond the pandemic, helping students in many scenarios succeed in the face of natural disasters, family obligations, and the need for extra learning resources.
Advancing randomized controlled trial methodologies: The place of innovative trial design in eating disorders research
Authors: Ryan Elizabeth G. , Gao Caroline X. , Grantham Kelsey L. , Thao Le Thi Phuong , Charles‐Nelson Anaïs , Bowden Rhys , Herschtal Alan , Lee Katherine J. , Forbes Andrew B. , Heritier Stephane , Phillipou Andrea , Wolfe Rory 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRandomized controlled trials can be used to generate evidence on the efficacy and safety of new treatments in eating disorders research. Many of the trials previously conducted in this area have been deemed to be of low quality, in part due to a number of practical constraints. This article provides an overview of established and more innovative clinical trial designs, accompanied by pertinent examples, to highlight how design choices can enhance flexibility and improve efficiency of both resource allocation and participant involvement. Trial designs include individually randomized, cluster randomized, and designs with randomizations at multiple time points and/or addressing several research questions (master protocol studies). Design features include the use of adaptations and considerations for pragmatic or registry‐based trials. The appropriate choice of trial design, together with rigorous trial conduct, reporting and analysis, can establish high‐quality evidence to advance knowledge in the field. It is anticipated that this article will provide a broad and contemporary introduction to trial designs and will help researchers make informed trial design choices for improved testing of new interventions in eating disorders.Public SignificanceThere is a paucity of high quality randomized controlled trials that have been conducted in eating disorders, highlighting the need to identify where efficiency gains in trial design may be possible to advance the eating disorder research field. We provide an overview of some key trial designs and features which may offer solutions to practical constraints and increase trial efficiency.
Exploring longitudinal relationships between fitness tracking and disordered eating outcomes in college‐aged women
Authors: Berry Rachel A. , Driscoll Geneva , Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz Matthew , Rodgers Rachel F. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveA growing body of research, primarily cross‐sectional, suggests a relationship between the practice of tracking one's food intake and exercise behaviors using fitness‐tracking smartphone applications (“apps”) or wearable devices (“wearables”) and disordered eating symptomatology. The aim of the present study was to explore longitudinal relationships between fitness tracking and disordered eating outcomes among college‐aged women, as well as to determine whether the individual‐level risk factors of pre‐existing eating concerns, perfectionism, and rumination about food moderated the relationship.MethodN = 68 female undergraduates used the MyFitnessPal app for 8 weeks while completing a series of self‐report measures.ResultsAt the trait level, fitness tracking frequency was positively associated with weight/shape concerns, but not with the other outcome measures. Daily levels of fitness tracking did not predict next‐day levels for any of the outcome measures. Within‐day fitness tracking at one timepoint was associated with lower reports of dietary restraint efforts at the next timepoint. None of the proposed moderators significantly interacted with the relationships over time.DiscussionThese results suggest that while those who engage in fitness tracking may experience higher weight/shape concerns as a trait, over time fitness tracking was not associated with an increase in concerns. Further work exploring whether fitness tracking may affect particular subgroups in different ways is warranted.
Relative gene expression analysis of catalase in environmental RNA from Japanese medaka exposed to toxic chemicals
Authors: Hiki Kyoshiro , Watanabe Haruna , Yamamoto Hiroshi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEnvironmental RNA (eRNA) has the potential as a non‐invasive tool for assessing the physiological status of macro‐organisms, yet the quantitative method for relative gene expression analysis is still underexplored. To bridge this gap, this study introduces a relative quantification method for eRNA, employing quantitative PCR (qPCR) to evaluate the expression of the antioxidant gene, catalase (cat), in the Japanese medaka Oryzias latipes exposed to two toxic chemicals for 96 h: chlorpyrifos (CPS) and carbamazepine. Our results showed that, in eRNA, genes frequently used as a reference for tissue or cells in conventional expression analysis correlated with each other. Also, one of them (elfa) exhibited less variability, showing its potential suitability as a reference gene in eRNA analyses. Additionally, cat expression levels in eRNA increased with increasing CPS concentrations, in a concentration‐response manner. These results suggest the promising potential of qPCR applications for eRNA in the monitoring of an organism's health and response to environmental changes. However, we observed disparities in gene expression levels of cat and beta‐actin (actb) between eRNA and whole fish body, indicating eRNA might have a biased origin. Further research is needed to uncover the origin of eRNA and determine the limitations and applicability domain of eRNA analysis.
Tide impacts the dispersion of eDNA from nearshore net pens in a dynamic high‐latitude marine environment
Authors: Baetscher Diana S. , Pochardt Meredith R. , Barry Patrick D. , Larson Wes A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) is increasingly used to detect animals in aquatic habitats, but uncertainty remains about the relationship between the present location of an animal relative to eDNA detections. In marine environments, physical characteristics—such as tides and currents—can influence the distribution of eDNA. In this study, we make use of hatchery net pens containing >46 million juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in nearshore Southeast Alaska to test for dispersion of eDNA and the effects of tide. Initially, we collected and filtered surface water every 80 m along a 2 km transect to test eDNA attenuation over surface distance during incoming and outgoing tides on a single day. The following year, we sampled at three depths (0 m, 5 m, and 10 m) every 500 m along the same transect as well as along a perpendicular transect, to understand dispersion by depth and in additional directions. Chum salmon eDNA was quantified using species‐specific qPCR. We found that surface samples showed a consistent signal of decreasing chum salmon eDNA across the 2 km transect (R2 = 0.665), with the majority of eDNA detections within 1.5 km of the net pens. Tide had a significant effect, resulting in higher concentrations of chum DNA throughout the transect during incoming tide and a steeper decline in eDNA over distance during outgoing tide (R2 = 0.759). Depth affected chum salmon DNA concentration, with the majority of eDNA at the surface and a decreasing amount of DNA with increasing depth. This study addresses one of the critical knowledge gaps in applying eDNA to marine fisheries management by providing empirical evidence of eDNA dispersion and demonstrating that most eDNA detections are likely from nearby individuals that are either currently or recently present. Yet even at close proximity, eDNA signal strength fluctuates and depends on the physical environmental variables during a given sampling event.
U‐shaped association between serum calcium and in‐hospital mortality in patients with congestive heart failure
Authors: Zhang Kai , Han Yu , Cai Tianyi , Gu Fangming , Gu Zhaoxuan , Zhao JiaYu , Chen Jianguo , Chen Bowen , Gao Min , Hou Zhengyan , Yu Xiaoqi , Gao Yafang , Hu Rui , Xie Jinyu , Liu Tianzhou , Huang MaoXun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimsSerum calcium level is widely used for evaluating disease severity, but its impact on clinical outcomes in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) remains poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum calcium levels and in‐hospital mortality in CHF patients.Methods and resultsWe conducted a retrospective analysis utilizing clinical data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database, encompassing a cohort of 15 983 CHF patients. This cohort was stratified based on their serum calcium levels, with the primary objective being the determination of in‐hospital mortality. To assess the impact of admission serum calcium levels on in‐hospital mortality, we employed various statistical methodologies, including multivariable logistic regression models, a generalized additive model, a two‐piecewise linear regression model, and subgroup analysis. Comparative analysis of the reference group (Q3) revealed increased in‐hospital mortality in the first quintile (Q1, the group with the lowest blood calcium level) and the fifth quintile (Q5, the group with the highest blood calcium level), with fully adjusted odds ratios of 1.38 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–1.68, P = 0.002] and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.01–1.5, P = 0.038), respectively. A U‐shaped relationship was observed between serum calcium levels and in‐hospital mortality, with the lowest risk occurring at a threshold of 8.35 mg/dL. The effect sizes and corresponding CIs below and above this threshold were 0.782 (95% CI: 0.667–0.915, P = 0.0023) and 1.147 (95% CI: 1.034–1.273, P = 0.0094), respectively. Stratified analyses confirmed the robustness of this correlation.ConclusionsOur study identifies a U‐shaped association between serum calcium levels and in‐hospital mortality in CHF patients, with a notable inflection point at 8.35 mg/dL. Further investigation through prospective, randomized, and controlled studies is warranted to validate the findings presented in this study.
Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors influence skeletal muscle pathology in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Wood Nathanael , Straw Sam , Cheng Chew W. , Hirata Yu , Pereira Marcelo G. , Gallagher Harrison , Egginton Stuart , Ogawa Wataru , Wheatcroft Stephen B. , Witte Klaus K. , Roberts Lee D. , Bowen T. Scott 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimsPatients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) exhibit skeletal muscle pathology, which contributes to symptoms and decreased quality of life. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve clinical outcomes in HFrEF but their mechanism of action remains poorly understood. We aimed, therefore, to determine whether SGLT2i influence skeletal muscle pathology in patients with HFrEF.Methods and resultsMuscle biopsies from 28 male patients with HFrEF (New York Heart association class I–III) treated with SGLT2i (>12 months) or without SGLT2i were compared. Comprehensive analyses of muscle structure (immunohistochemistry), transcriptome (RNA sequencing), and metabolome (liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry) were performed, and serum inflammatory profiling (ELISA). Experiments in mice (n = 16) treated with SGLT2i were also performed. Myofiber atrophy was ~20% less in patients taking SGLT2i (p = 0.07). Transcriptomics and follow‐up measures identified a unique signature in patients taking SGLT2i related to beneficial effects on atrophy, metabolism, and inflammation. Metabolomics identified influenced tryptophan metabolism in patients taking SGLT2i: kynurenic acid was 24% higher and kynurenine was 32% lower (p < 0.001). Serum profiling identified that SGLT2i treatment was associated with lower (p < 0.05) pro‐inflammatory cytokines by 26–64% alongside downstream muscle interleukin (IL)‐6‐JAK/STAT3 signalling (p = 008 and 0.09). Serum IL‐6 and muscle kynurenine were correlated (R = 0.65; p < 0.05). Muscle pathology was lower in mice treated with SGLT2i indicative of a conserved mammalian response to treatment.ConclusionsTreatment with SGLT2i influenced skeletal muscle pathology in patients with HFrEF and was associated with anti‐atrophic, anti‐inflammatory, and pro‐metabolic effects. These changes may be regulated via IL‐6–kynurenine signalling. Together, clinical improvements following SGLT2i treatment in patients with HFrEF may be partly explained by their positive effects on skeletal muscle pathology.
Unsymmetrical Anthracene Platforms as Singlet Oxygen Batteries: Effects of Substituents on Photooxygenation and Endoperoxide Thermolysis
Authors: De Bonfils Paul , Nun Pierrick , Coeffard Vincent 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAromatic architectures able to capture, store and release singlet oxygen have sparked the interest of the scientific community as an attractive strategy to generate singlet oxygen. Among these structures, anthracenes are efficient singlet oxygen batteries with applications in various fields such as chemistry, materials science or medicine. Until now, studies have mainly focused on symmetrical 9,10‐disubstituted anthracenes bearing (hetero)aryl groups or substituted alkyne motifs. In this work, we investigated unsymmetrical anthracene molecules to explore their propensity to trap and to release singlet oxygen. Kinetic studies confirmed the impact of electron‐rich and electron‐deficient substituents on the photooxygenation step and on the release of singlet oxygen triggered by thermolysis of the endoperoxides.
Multi‐decadal quantification of interactions between coarse sediment fluxes and channel management in South Tyrol, Eastern European Alps
Authors: Scorpio Vittoria , Andreoli Andrea , Dinkelaker Nicola , Marchese Enrico , Coviello Velio , Gems Bernhard , Vignoli Gianluca , Comiti Francesco 
Published: March 2024

AbstractChannel incision and narrowing have occurred in the 20th century in most Alpine rivers. However, the causal links between sediment‐related human engineering and exploitation and morphological changes in rivers are mostly unclear. This study presents an analysis of the evolutionary trajectories of the main active channels in the upper Etsch/Adige River basin (Eastern European Alps) coupled with their modifications in terms of coarse sediment transport. Channel planform variations were quantified in 15 rivers (total length of 630 km) using multi‐temporal analysis of historical maps and orthophotos. Sediment volumes excavated from river channels or trapped by hydraulic structures (dams and retention basins) were retrieved from historical records, along with geospatial information regarding the presence of lateral and longitudinal consolidation works and land use variations. Results indicate that most rivers underwent slight narrowing and some of them experienced widening, from the mid‐19th century to the 1950s. From the 1950s to the late 1990s, severe variations in terms of narrowing and morphological simplification took place in all rivers. The analysis of channel changes in relation to human activities shows that gravel mining carried out in the period 1970s–1990s appears to have been the main cause of sediment imbalance in the rivers which narrowed the most. Since the 2000s, when gravel mining was banned by law, channel adjustments have become negligible throughout study area. Nevertheless, the trapping of a large share of coarse sediment fluxes—at the river basin scale—by retention check dams and hydropower dams has impeded rivers from recovering to their original conditions.