bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experiences of family members when accompanying patients in intensive care units: A qualitative study
Authors: Abdollahimohammad Abdolghani , Rahnama Mozhgan , Firouzkouhi Mohammadreza 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundFamily members of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients encounter numerous challenges while providing companionship to their hospitalized loved ones.AimThis study aims to explore the experiences of family members with loved ones hospitalized in ICUs.Study designQualitative research was conducted using a content analysis approach. Ten family members of ICU patients were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews and analysed following Graneheim and Lundman's suggested steps.FindingsAnalysis of interviews with ten family members of ICU patients revealed a theme of “challenging companionship on an obscure path,” encompassing four categories (1–4) and nine subcategories (a, b and c). These included (1) the interplay between the patient and the family: a. family affected by the patient's condition; b. patient affected by the family's condition; (2) mixed emotions of apprehension and anticipation regarding ICU admission: a. fear of ICU hospitalization; b. hope for ICU hospitalization; (3) unaddressed needs and concerns: a. pressure from the ICU's visiting limitations; b. lack of a resting room to settle; c. vague information about the patient's condition; (4) two‐way care suffering for families a. direct suffering associated with companionship; b. indirect suffering while observing the patients' suffering.ConclusionsFamilies of ICU patients encounter various challenges, revealing the complex interplay of emotions, needs and challenges within the ICU. This highlights the intricate dynamics in this critical health care environment.Relevance to Clinical PracticeA holistic and empathetic approach in clinical practice is crucial in ICU care, particularly during the challenging journey patients and their families undergo in this critical setting. Health care systems and providers should adapt ICU rules to address evolving needs, alleviate concerns and enhance the overall family experience during their loved one's hospitalization in the ICU.
Clinical outcomes of spinal cord stimulation in patients with intractable leg pain in Japan
Authors: Ueno Keisuke , Tachibana Koichi , Masunaga Nobutaka , Shinoda Yukinori , Minamisaka Tomoko , Inui Hirooki , Amiya Ryohei , Inoue Soki , Murakami Arisa , Hoshida Shiro 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundNeuromodulation through spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a therapeutic option for relieving leg pain and improving the chances of limb salvage in patients with intractable chronic limb‐threatening ischemia (CLTI); however, there is no consensus on its indications.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes of SCS in patients with intractable leg pain caused by various diseases treated in the department of cardiovascular medicine in Japan.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of patients who underwent SCS for pain management. Patients were considered eligible for the therapy if they met the following criteria: (1) intractable leg pain (numerical rating scale [NRS] score of 10), (2) no revascularization option, and (3) no septicemia.ResultsTwenty patients (mean age: 77 years; men/women: 11/9) were included in this study. The NRS score of the patients significantly reduced from 10 ± 0 before procedure to 4 ± 3 at discharge (p < 0.001). The clinical response rate of the entire cohort was 65% (13/20) at 17 ± 14 months after implantation; however, patients with intractable CLTI showed a low response rate (45%), whereas those with subacute limb ischemia showed a high response rate (100%). A multivariable regression analysis showed that hemoglobin level was significantly associated with treatment response, even after adjusting for age and sex (p = 0.026). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the correlation between hemoglobin level (cutoff, 11.4 g/dL) and clinical response to SCS was 0.824 (0.619–1).ConclusionsSCS can reduce clinical symptoms in majority of patients with intractable leg pain. Although implantation of an SCS device has been shown to improve microvascular perfusion insufficiency, the correlation between hemoglobin level and the clinical effect of SCS indicates that a preserved microcirculatory vascular bed is essential for the therapy to be effective.
“Our Hair, Our Strength, Our Identity”: Native American reflections and what dermatologists can learn
Authors: Rangel Dante , Choate Evan , Toya Yolandra , Fleg Anthony , Smidt Aimee C. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIssues of health equity are rightfully in the national spotlight. Here we present a narrative piece on the sacred importance of hair and its ties to cultural identity among many Native communities in the United States. We introduce unique values ascribed to hair in some Native cultures, and include examples of how hair has played an important role in both abuse and generational trauma for many individuals and families. By sharing experiences, we hope to illuminate perspectives often underrepresented, and to enable more culturally humble, responsive, and informed dermatologic care.
Molecular rotors of naphthalimide and benzodithiophene as effective solvent polarity probes, temperature sensors, and for g‐C3N4 sensitization
Authors: Kumari Anita , Sharma Sushil , Sengupta Sanchita 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAcceptor–donor–acceptor (A–D–A) molecular rotors have drawn substantial attention for their applications in monitoring temperature variations within cellular microenvironments, biomimetic photocatalysis, and bioimaging. In this study, we have synthesized two novel rotor molecules, NBN1 and NBN2, by incorporating benzodithiophene (BDT) as the donor core and naphthalic anhydride/naphthalimide (NA/NI) moieties as acceptors using Pd‐catalyzed Stille coupling reactions. These molecules exhibited distinct charge transfer (CT) behavior in both their absorption and emission spectra and displayed prominent emission solvatochromism. Notably, NBN1 exhibited better CT properties among the two molecules. Moreover, these A–D–A molecular rotors demonstrated remarkable sensitivities of their emission spectra toward solvent polarities and temperatures. Rotors NBN1 and NBN2 showed positive temperature coefficients with internal temperature sensitivities of 0.34% °C−1 and 0.13% °C−1 in chloroform, respectively, and thus hold significant promise for detecting temperature variations in cellular microenvironment. Furthermore, we have modeled these molecules with graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) to form composite systems and performed theoretical calculations to obtain valuable insights into their charge transfer behavior. Theoretical results suggested that these molecules have the potential to efficiently sensitize and modulate the band gap of g‐C3N4 and show potential for diverse photocatalytic applications.
Evaluation of pancreatic cancer specimens for comprehensive genomic profiling
Authors: Washimi Kota , Hiroshima Yukihiko , Sato Shinya , Ueno Makoto , Kobayashi Satoshi , Yamamoto Naoto , Hasegawa Chie , Yoshioka Emi , Ono Kyoko , Okubo Yoichiro , Yokose Tomoyuki , Miyagi Yohei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractInadequate specimen quality or quantity hinders comprehensive genomic profiling in identifying actionable mutations and guiding treatment strategies. We investigated the optimal conditions for pancreatic cancer specimen selection for comprehensive genomic profiling. We retrospectively analyzed 213 pancreatic cancer cases ordered for comprehensive genomic profiling and compared results from pancreatic biopsy, liver biopsy of pancreatic cancer metastases, pancreatectomy, liquid, and nonliver metastatic organ specimens. We examined preanalytical conditions, including cellularity (tumor cell count/size). The successfully tested cases were those that underwent comprehensive genomic profiling tests without any issues. The successfully tested case ratio was 72.8%. Pancreatic biopsy had the highest successfully tested case ratio (87%), with a high tumor cell percentage, despite the small number of cells (median, 3425). Pancreatic biopsy, liver biopsy of pancreatic cancer metastases, and non‐liver metastatic organ had higher successfully tested case ratios than that for pancreatectomy. Liver biopsy of pancreatic cancer metastases and pancreatectomy cases with tumor size (mm2) × tumor ratio (%) > 150 and >3000, respectively, had high successfully tested case ratios. The success of comprehensive genomic profiling is significantly influenced by the tumor cell ratio, and pancreatic biopsy is a potentially suitable specimen for comprehensive genomic profiling.
Dose‐dependent response of prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation on the heart rate variability: An electric field modeling study
Authors: Razza Laís B. , De Smet Stefanie , Cornelis Xander , Nikolin Stevan , Pulopulos Matias M. , De Raedt Rudi , Brunoni Andre R. , Vanderhasselt Marie‐Anne 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) modulates the autonomic nervous system by activating deeper brain areas via top‐down pathway. However, effects on the nervous system are heterogeneous and may depend on the amount of current that penetrates. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the variable effects of tDCS on heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of the functional state of the autonomic nervous system. Using three prefrontal tDCS protocols (1.5, 3 mA and sham), we associated the simulated individual electric field (E‐field) magnitude in brain regions of interest with the HRV effects. This was a randomized, double‐blinded, sham‐controlled and within‐subject trial, in which healthy young‐adult participants received tDCS sessions separated by 2 weeks. The brain regions of interest were the dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC), anterior cingulate cortex, insula and amygdala. Overall, 37 participants were investigated, corresponding to a total of 111 tDCS sessions. The findings suggested that HRV, measured by root mean squared of successive differences (RMSSD) and high‐frequency HRV (HF‐HRV), were significantly increased by the 3.0 mA tDCS when compared to sham and 1.5 mA. No difference was found between sham and 1.5 mA. E‐field analysis showed that all brain regions of interest were associated with the HRV outcomes. However, this significance was associated with the protocol intensity, rather than inter‐individual brain structural variability. To conclude, our results suggest a dose‐dependent effect of tDCS for HRV. Therefore, further research is warranted to investigate the optimal current dose to modulate HRV.
The interactive roles of narrative processing and emotion negativity/lability in relation to autonomic coordination
Authors: Song Qingfang , Kamliot Deborah Z. , Slonecker Emily , Musser Erica D. , Klemfuss J. Zoe 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEmotion regulation (ER) is a multifaceted construct, involving behavioral, cognitive, and physiological processes. Although autonomic coordination is theorized to play a crucial role in adaptive functioning, few studies have examined how different individual and contextual factors together may contribute to such coordination. This study examined the joint influences of narrative processing and emotional negativity/lability (N/L) traits on the coordination of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in a sample of 112 children, ages 8–12 years (Mage = 10.15 years, SD = 1.33). Children completed a stress‐induction task followed by an interview about the task. Children's trait‐level N/L was assessed via parent‐report on the Emotion Regulation Checklist. Narrative processing was assessed and coded based on children's narrative accounts of the event (i.e., causal coherence, overall emotional tone). Indexes of sympathetic (skin conductance response, SCR) and parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA) functioning were derived from physiological data obtained during the interview. Results revealed that children's trait‐level N/L and narrative processing of the stressful event interacted to predict the RSA–SCR correlation. Specifically, children who were high on either N/L or narrative causal coherence, but not both, demonstrated significant RSA–SCR correlation. Similarly, children with high N/L and negative‐to‐neutral narratives, as well as those with low N/L and neutral‐to‐positive narratives, exhibited significant RSA–SCR correlation. This work provides empirical evidence that narrative processing and trait N/L, together with RSA–SCR correlation, work in tandem to regulate emotional arousal.
The truth is in there: Belief processes in the human brain
Authors: Gerchen Martin Fungisai , Glock Carina , Weiss Franziska , Kirsch Peter 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBelief, defined by William James as the mental state or function of cognizing reality, is a core psychological function with strong influence on emotion and behavior. Furthermore, strong and aberrant beliefs about the world and oneself play important roles in mental disorders. The underlying processes of belief have been the matter of a long debate in philosophy and psychology, and modern neuroimaging techniques can provide insight into the underlying neural processes. Here, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging study with N = 30 healthy participants in which we presented statements about facts, politics, religion, conspiracy theories, and superstition. Participants judged whether they considered them as true (belief) or not (disbelief) and reported their certainty in the decision. We found belief‐associated activations in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left superior parietal cortex, and left lateral frontopolar cortex. Disbelief‐associated activations were found in an anterior temporal cluster extending into the amygdala. We found a larger deactivation for disbelief than belief in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex that was most pronounced during decisions, suggesting a role of the vmPFC in belief‐related decision‐making. As a category‐specific effect, we found disbelief‐associated activation in retrosplenial cortex and parahippocampal gyrus for conspiracy theory statements. Exploratory analyses identified networks centered at anterior cingulate cortex for certainty, and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex for uncertainty. The uncertainty effect identifies a neural substrate for Alexander Bain's notion from 1859 of uncertainty as the real opposite of belief. Taken together, our results suggest a two‐factor neural process model of belief with falsehood/veracity and uncertainty/certainty factors.
Melatonin improves the viability and ultrastructure of bovine oocyte‐granulosa complexes of in vitro cultured early antral follicles
Authors: Silva Bianca R. , Nascimento Danisvânia R. , Costa Francisco C. , Azevedo Antônia V. , Paulino Laís R. F. M. , Aguiar Francisco L. N. , Batista Ana L. P. S. , Donato Mariana A. M. , Silva José R. V. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the effects of melatonin on follicular growth, viability and ultrastructure, as well as on the levels of mRNA for antioxidant enzymes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and meiotic progression in oocytes from in vitro cultured bovine early antral follicles. To this end, isolated early antral follicles (500–600 μm) were cultured in TCM‐199+ alone or supplemented with 10−6, 10−7 or 10−8 M melatonin at 38.5°C with 5% CO2 for 8 days. Follicle diameters were evaluated at days 0, 4 and 8 of culture. At the end of culture, ultrastructure, chromatin configuration, viability (calcein‐AM and ethidium homodimer‐1 staining), and the levels of ROS and mRNA for catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were investigated in oocyte‐granulosa cell complexes (OGCs). The results showed that early antral follicles cultured with 10−6 and 10−8 M melatonin had a progressive and significant increase in their diameters throughout the culture period (p < .05). Additionally, oocytes from follicles cultured with 10−7 or 10−8 M melatonin had increased fluorescence for calcein‐AM, while those cultured with 10−6 or 10−7 M had reduced fluorescence for ethidium homodimer‐1. Different from follicles cultured in other treatments, those cultured with 10−8 M melatonin had well‐preserved ultrastructure of oocyte and granulosa cells. Melatonin, however, did not influence the levels of ROS, the mitochondrial activity, oocyte meiotic resumption and expression mRNA for SOD, CAT, GPX1 and PRDX6. In conclusion, the presence of 10−8 M melatonin in culture medium improves viability and preserves the ultrastructure of oocyte and granulosa cells of early antral follicles cultured in vitro.
Fertilization with follicular fluid reduces HSP70 and BAX expression on bovine in vitro embryos
Authors: Homobono Bruno Porpino , das Mercês Marcela Oliveira , Nogueira Leonardo Henrique da Silva , de Souza Eduardo Baia , Cardoso Ana Paloma Lobo , Santos Ana Beatriz Sousa , Ramos Anelise de Sarges , Costa Matheus Hadigo Pires , Santana Priscila Di Paula Bessa , de Almeida Nathalia Nogueira da Costa , Cordeiro Marcela Silva , Santos Simone do Socorro Damasceno 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe in vivo fertilization process occurs in the presence of follicular fluid (FF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of in vitro fertilization medium supplementation with 5% or 10% bovine follicular fluid (BFF) on the production of in vitro bovine embryos. FF was collected from ovarian follicles with a diameter of 8–10 mm, and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were co‐incubated with sperm for 24 h in the commercial medium BotuFIV® (BotuPharma©), being distributed among the experimental groups: oocytes fertilized in a control medium; oocytes fertilized in a medium supplemented with 5% BFF; and oocytes fertilized in a medium supplemented with 10% BFF. After fertilization, the zygotes were cultured in vitro for 8 days. Embryo development was assessed through cleavage rates (day 2) and blastocyst formation rates (day 8). The relative expression of the genes OCT4, IFNT2, BAX, HSP70 and SOD2 was measured using the real‐time polymerase chain reaction method. There was no difference (p > .05) among the different experimental groups in terms of cleavage rates and blastocyst formation rates. Regarding the gene expression results, only the blastocysts from oocytes fertilized with 10% BFF showed significantly lower expression of IFNT2 (p = .003) and SOD2 (p = .01) genes compared to blastocysts from oocytes fertilized in control medium alone, while there was no difference between blastocyst from oocytes fertilized in control medium and the ones from oocytes fertilized with 5% BFF. In addition to this, the blastocysts from oocytes fertilized with 5% BFF showed significantly reduced levels of expression of the heat shock protein HSP70 (p < .001) and the pro‐apoptotic protein BAX (p = .015) compared to blastocysts from oocytes fertilized with control medium. This may indicate that lower supplementation of BFF to the IVF medium creates a more suitable environment for fertilization and is less stressful for the zygote.
Mutuality between nurses and patients with chronic illnesses: A cross‐sectional descriptive study
Authors: Cilluffo Silvia , Bassola Barbara , Pucciarelli Gianluca , Vellone Ercole , Clari Marco , Dimonte Valerio , Lusignani Maura 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground and AimMutuality is a process in which the patient participates and is involved in decision‐making and care interventions. The aim of this study was to measure mutuality in the relationship between nurses and chronic illness patients.MethodsThis study had a cross‐sectional design; the sample included 249 patients and 249 nurses. Mutuality was measured with the Nurse–Patient Mutuality in Chronic Illness scale.ResultsPatients had higher scores in almost all items (p < 0.001). Patients demonstrate high reciprocity towards nurses and the ability to express and share their emotions. Patients consider nurses their point of reference and share with them their health goals. Nurses show more difficulty in being mutual with the patient, especially in the aspects related to the sharing of emotions, objectives, and planning. The egalitarian relationship score was low in both patients and nurses.ConclusionThese findings are important to consider at clinical, educational, organisational, and policy levels. Nurse education and organisation must push towards respect for the wishes of patients, the possibility of expressing their choices, and their involvement in the care plan.Practice ImplicationsIn clinical practice, it is necessary to put the patients more at the centre, involving them in the identification of objectives and in making decisions.
Paradoxical Embolic Stroke Following Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty in a Hemodialysis Patient
Authors: Luo Xun , Yu Jie , Xiao Hailang , Dai Lang , Jiang Yang , Xia Xiaohui , Shi Wenjian , Zhang Fan 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTParadoxical embolism is a medical condition characterized by the migration of an embolus from a venous source into the systemic circulation. This occurs through a specific cardiac abnormality known as a right‐to‐left shunt, ultimately resulting in the possibility of arterial embolism. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the most common cause of intracardiac shunting. We reported a rare case of a 56‐year‐old man on hemodialysis with PFO and arteriovenous fistula dysfunction who suffered a paradoxical embolic ischemic stroke after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. This case emphasized the potential risk of paradoxical embolism in hemodialysis patients with vascular access problems. We aimed to highlight the importance of searching for PFO, as it may serve as a possible source of embolism in these patients.
Acute effects of caffeine supplementation on kinematics and kinetics of sprinting
Authors: Horiuchi Masahiro , Nagahara Ryu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe investigated the acute effects of caffeine supplementation (6 mg･kg−1) on 60‐m sprint performance and underlying components with a step‐to‐step ground reaction force measurement in 13 male sprinters. After the first round sprint as a control, caffeine supplementation‐induced improvement in 60‐m sprint times (7.811 s at the first versus 7.648 s at the second round, 2.05%) were greater compared with the placebo condition (7.769 s at the first versus 7.768 s at the second round, 0.02%). Using average values for every four steps, in the caffeine condition, higher running speed (all six step groups), higher step frequency (5th–16th and 21st–24th step groups), shorter support time (all the step groups except for 13th–16th step) and shorter braking time (9th–24th step groups) were found. Regarding ground reaction forces variables, greater braking mean force (13th–19th step group), propulsive mean force (1st–12th and 17th–20th step groups), and effective vertical mean force (9th–12th step group) were found in the caffeine condition. For the block clearance phase at the sprint start, push‐off and reaction times did not change, while higher total anteroposterior mean force, average horizontal external power, and ratio of force were found in the caffeine condition. These results indicate that, compared with placebo, acute caffeine supplementation improved sprint performance regardless of sprint sections during the entire acceleration phase from the start through increases in step frequency with decreases in support time. Moreover, acute caffeine supplementation promoted increases in the propulsive mean force, resulting in the improvement of sprint performance.