bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal Smoking and Risk of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Effect Modification by Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain
Authors: Dunn Morgan C. , Ananth Cande V. , Rosen Todd 
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:
Although smoking cigarettes has been shown to have a protective effect on preeclampsia, quitting smoking also results in weight gain. Weight gain leading to an obese body mass index is a risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).

METHODS:
The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between smoking status, body mass index, and gestational weight gain on the risk of HDP. A cross-sectional analysis was performed utilizing US birth certificate data. We examined HDP risks in relation to maternal smoking, body mass index, and gestational weight gain. Associations were expressed as rate ratios with 95% CIs and adjusted for potential confounders. Clinically important outcomes of smoking throughout pregnancy were also evaluated.

RESULTS:
Of the 22 191 568 women studied, HDP rates among nonsmokers, those who quit smoking, and persistent smokers were 6.8%, 8.6%, and 7.0%, respectively. The rate ratio of HDP was higher for women who quit smoking, especially evident among those with excessive gestational weight gain. Corrections for exposure misclassification and unmeasured confounding strengthened the associations among women who quit smoking. There was an almost 6-fold increase in the rate of stillbirth for persistent smokers (2.3%) compared with those who quit smoking (0.4%) and nonsmokers (0.4%).

CONCLUSIONS:
Women who quit smoking during pregnancy were more likely to gain excessive weight and develop HDP. Although quitting smoking during pregnancy may be associated with an increase in the risk of HDP, it is also associated with a reduced risk of stillbirth. Pregnant women counseled to quit smoking should also receive counseling on nutrition and exercise to prevent excessive gestational weight gain.
The External Validity of College Remediation Effects: Caveats about Compliers in Fuzzy-discontinuity Designs
Authors: Cordes Lucy , McEwan Patrick , Weerapana Akila 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Fuzzy regression-discontinuity evaluations of college remediation often find negative and null estimates of local average treatments effects (LATEs), but with substantial heterogeneity. We find that a remedial quantitative skills course at Wellesley College has a modestly positive LATE on participation in mathematically intensive fields of study—including the sciences, mathematics, and economics courses. Yet, LATEs are a weighted average of average causal effects (at the passing cutoff) in two principal strata: students who voluntarily comply with remediation, and those who are coerced to comply after scoring below the cutoff on an optional retest. In the retest sample, we show that average causal effects are close to zero among (1) coerced compliers, and (2) never-takers. By implication, there are even larger effects among a smaller group of voluntary compliers at the cutoff. The results help interpret the mixed findings in the literature, in which compliance varies widely, and demonstrate methods for assessing external validity in fuzzy-discontinuity designs.
“He would Thunder from an Artificial Sky, as Salmoneus”: Constantine Komnenodoukas’ Patronage of a ‘Persian’ soufa in Naupaktos (ca. 1220)
Authors: Riccardi Lorenzo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Around 1220, Constantine Komnenodoukas undertook the construction of an unconventional building in Naupaktos, Greece, referred to as a ‘Persian’ soufa. Information on this construction is contained in a letter written by the city’s metropolitan, John Apokaukos, who maintained an adversarial rapport with him. The soufa is described as a rectangular structure with two levels. In the higher one, reserved for Constantine and his retinue, a throne shaped as an episcopal throne was placed. Conversely, the lower level accommodated more humble guests who could only listen to him thundering like Salmoneus from an artificial sky. This architectural venture served as a symbolic manifestation of Constantine’s secular authority, deliberately positioned in contrast to the ecclesiastical figure of the bishop. Noteworthy is Constantine’s deliberate appropriation of ideas, forms, and language acquired during his sojourn in Asia Minor several years before. The resulting structure stands as a singular manifestation, representing a distinctive historical juncture influenced by the personality of Constantine Komnenodoukas, wherein elements of both Byzantine and Islamic art are combined.
Sufi Glimpses in the Representation of Tolstoy’s Hadji Murat
Authors: Leccese Francesco Alfonso 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Literature, not infrequently, provides a starting point to learn about the cultural framework of specific historical events. It is the case of Tolstoy’s novel Hadji Murat (published posthumously in 1912). By analysing this work, we can catch a Sufi dimension in the author’s representation of the Caucasian resistance movement, so the novel can be seen as a tool that brings out the hidden Sufi heritage of the Caucasian society. As a matter of fact, the words Sufi or Sufism are never mentioned in the novel, even though, from a peculiar historical prospective, the Sufi characterization of this resistance movement is a well-known fact.
Yet, the religious practices of the main characters of the Caucasian resistance described by Tolstoy, as well as some specific Arabic terms related to them, represent a clear, albeit unaware, echo of a Sufi imprinting, through Sufism’s peculiar institutions and religious rituals, on the 19th century Caucasian society.
An overview of the peer review process in biomedical sciences
Authors: Miller Edward , Weightman Michael James , Basu Ashna , Amos Andrew , Brakoulias Vlasios 
Published: February 2024

Objective This paper aims to provide an introductory resource for beginner peer reviewers in psychiatry and the broader biomedical science field. It will provide a concise overview of the peer review process, alongside some reviewing tips and tricks. Conclusion The peer review process is a fundamental aspect of biomedical science publishing. The model of peer review offered varies between journals and usually relies on a pool of volunteers with differing levels of expertise and scope. The aim of peer review is to collaboratively leverage reviewers’ collective knowledge with the objective of increasing the quality and merit of published works. The limitations, methodology and need for transparency in the peer review process are often poorly understood. Although imperfect, the peer review process provides some degree of scientific rigour by emphasising the need for an ethical, comprehensive and systematic approach to reviewing articles. Contributions from junior reviewers can add significant value to manuscripts.
Is antipsychotic augmentation associated with improved functioning in patients on clozapine?
Authors: Cho Jae Hee , Mukherjee Hindol , Sazhin Vladimir 
Published: February 2024

Objective We aimed at exploring the relationship between functional outcomes in patients on clozapine augmented with antipsychotics in treatment-resistant schizophrenia using standard outcome measures Health of Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) and Life Skills Profile (LSP-16). Method In a cross-sectional study of 83 patients on clozapine treated in a psychiatric rehabilitation hospital, the association between the primary outcome measure, LSP-16 including its subscales, and treatment with antipsychotic augmentation (AA) were analysed using linear regression. Result The presence of moderate-to-severe positive symptoms on the HoNOS 6 dichotomised item measure was the only statistically significant predictor of functional impairment as determined by total LSP-16 score. The group of patients with ongoing positive symptoms (partial responders) were characterised by higher total LSP-16 scores, higher numbers of AA agents, and higher chlorpromazine equivalence. There was an inverse linear relationship between chlorpromazine equivalence of AA and total score of LSP-16 scale in the group of partial responders. Conclusion Augmentation with other antipsychotic agents was associated with higher functioning in a cross-sectional study of patients with schizophrenia with poor response of positive symptoms to clozapine. This might be an important clinical factor to consider when prescribing antipsychotics to patients with clozapine-resistant schizophrenia.
Unique Patterns of Eye Movements Characterizing Inattentive Reading in ADHD
Authors: Stern Pnina , Kolodny Tamar , Tsafrir Shlomit , Cohen Galit , Shalev Lilach 
Published: February 2024

Objective: We aimed to identify unique patterns of eye-movements measures reflecting inattentive reading among adults with and without ADHD. Method & Results: We recorded eye-movements during uninterrupted text reading of typically developed (TD) and ADHD adults. First, we found significantly longer reading time for the ADHD group than the TD group. Further, we detected cases in which words were reread more than twice and found that such occasions were much more frequent in participants with ADHD than in TD participants. Moreover, we discovered that the first reading pass of these words was less sensitive to the length of the word than the first pass of words read only once, indicating a less meaningful reading. Conclusion: We propose that high rate of words that were reread is a correlate of inattentive reading which is more pronounced among ADHD readers. Implications of the findings in the context of reading comprehension are discussed.
Return to Play, Performance, and Earnings Analysis After Lumbar Disc Herniation in National Hockey League Players
Authors: Gaudiani Michael A. , Castle Joshua P. , Easton Matthew K. , Sprys-Tellner Thomas J. , Wolterink Trevor D. , Haan Jager W. , George Gary F. , Wager Susan G. , Lynch T. Sean , Berger Ryan J. 
Published: February 2024

Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Objective Professional hockey players have a high incidence of lumbar disc herniations (LDH). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of LDH on the performance and financial earnings of National Hockey League (NHL) players. Methods NHL players who sustained a LDH were retrospectively reviewed utilizing an online database and a 2:1 matched control cohort. Player performance and game usage was compared at one- and three-season(s) pre- and post-injury season within the cohorts. Injured and matched players were divided into 3 groups based on the player’s adjusted index season salary. Results A total of 181 players were included, with 62 LDH players matched to 119 healthy controls. Return to play after LDH was 79%. The LDH cohort had fewer seasons played throughout their career compared to the matched group (12.5 ± 4.3 vs 14.2 ± 3.8; P = .031). At 1 season post-index, the LDH cohort had significantly fewer goals per 60 and points per 60 when compared to pre-index. At 3 seasons post-index, the LDH cohort exhibited a significant decline in time-on-ice per game played, goals per 60, and points per 60 compared to pre-index. Conclusion The majority of NHL players who sustained a LDH returned to play (79%) but had shorter careers overall and decreased performance outcomes when compared to matched cohorts at both 1 and 3 seasons post-injury.
Home noninvasive ventilation in severe COPD: in whom does it work and how?
Authors: Raveling Tim , Vonk Judith M. , Hill Nicholas S. , Gay Peter C. , Casanova Ciro , Clini Enrico , Köhnlein Thomas , Márquez-Martin Eduardo , Schneeberger Tessa , Murphy Patrick B. , Struik Fransien M. , Kerstjens Huib A.M. , Duiverman Marieke L. , Wijkstra Peter J. 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundNot all hypercapnic COPD patients benefit from home noninvasive ventilation (NIV), and mechanisms through which NIV improves clinical outcomes remain uncertain. We aimed to identify “responders” to home NIV, denoted by a beneficial effect of NIV on arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and survival, and investigated whether NIV achieves its beneficial effect through an improvedPaCO2.MethodsWe used individual patient data from previous published trials collated for a systematic review. Linear mixed-effect models were conducted to compare the effect of NIV onPaCO2, HRQoL and survival, within subgroups defined by patient and treatment characteristics. Secondly, we conducted a causal mediation analysis to investigate whether the effect of NIV is mediated by a change inPaCO2.FindingsData of 1142 participants from 16 studies were used. Participants treated with lower pressure support (<14versus≥14 cmH2O) and with lower adherence (<5versus≥5 h·day−1) had less improvement inPaCO2(mean difference (MD) −0.30 kPa, p<0.001 and −0.29 kPa, p<0.001, respectively) and HRQoL (standardised MD 0.10, p=0.002 and 0.11, p=0.02, respectively), but this effect did not persist to survival.PaCO2improved more in patients with severe dyspnoea (MD −0.30, p=0.02), and HRQoL improved only in participants with fewer than three exacerbations (standardised MD 0.52, p=0.03). The results of the mediation analysis showed that the effect on HRQoL is mediated partially (23%) by a change inPaCO2.InterpretationWith greater pressure support and better daily NIV usage, a larger improvement inPaCO2and HRQoL is achieved. Importantly, we demonstrated that the beneficial effect of home NIV on HRQoL is only partially mediated through a reduction in diurnalPaCO2.
vissE: a versatile tool to identify and visualise higher-order molecular phenotypes from functional enrichment analysis
Authors: Bhuva Dharmesh D. , Tan Chin Wee , Liu Ning , Whitfield Holly J. , Papachristos Nicholas , Lee Samuel C. , Kharbanda Malvika , Mohamed Ahmed , Davis Melissa J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFunctional analysis of high throughput experiments using pathway analysis is now ubiquitous. Though powerful, these methods often produce thousands of redundant results owing to knowledgebase redundancies upstream. This scale of results hinders extensive exploration by biologists and can lead to investigator biases due to previous knowledge and expectations. To address this issue, we present vissE, a flexible network-based analysis and visualisation tool that organises information into semantic categories and provides various visualisation modules to characterise them with respect to the underlying data, thus providing a comprehensive view of the biological system. We demonstrate vissE’s versatility by applying it to three different technologies: bulk, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics. Applying vissE to a factor analysis of a breast cancer spatial transcriptomic data, we identified stromal phenotypes that support tumour dissemination. Its adaptability allows vissE to enhance all existing gene-set enrichment and pathway analysis workflows, empowering biologists during molecular discovery.
Systematic evaluation of B-cell clonal family inference approaches
Authors: Balashova Daria , van Schaik Barbera D. C. , Stratigopoulou Maria , Guikema Jeroen E. J. , Caniels Tom G. , Claireaux Mathieu , van Gils Marit J. , Musters Anne , Anang Dornatien C. , de Vries Niek , Greiff Victor , van Kampen Antoine H. C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe reconstruction of clonal families (CFs) in B-cell receptor (BCR) repertoire analysis is a crucial step to understand the adaptive immune system and how it responds to antigens. The BCR repertoire of an individual is formed throughout life and is diverse due to several factors such as gene recombination and somatic hypermutation. The use of Adaptive Immune Receptor Repertoire sequencing (AIRR-seq) using next generation sequencing enabled the generation of full BCR repertoires that also include rare CFs. The reconstruction of CFs from AIRR-seq data is challenging and several approaches have been developed to solve this problem. Currently, most methods use the heavy chain (HC) only, as it is more variable than the light chain (LC). CF reconstruction options include the definition of appropriate sequence similarity measures, the use of shared mutations among sequences, and the possibility of reconstruction without preliminary clustering based on V- and J-gene annotation. In this study, we aimed to systematically evaluate different approaches for CF reconstruction and to determine their impact on various outcome measures such as the number of CFs derived, the size of the CFs, and the accuracy of the reconstruction. The methods were compared to each other and to a method that groups sequences based on identical junction sequences and another method that only determines subclones. We found that after accounting for data set variability, in particular sequencing depth and mutation load, the reconstruction approach has an impact on part of the outcome measures, including the number of CFs. Simulations indicate that unique junctions and subclones should not be used as substitutes for CF and that more complex methods do not outperform simpler methods. Also, we conclude that different approaches differ in their ability to correctly reconstruct CFs when not considering the LC and to identify shared CFs. The results showed the effect of different approaches on the reconstruction of CFs and highlighted the importance of choosing an appropriate method.
Regulation of overexpressed efflux pump encoding genes by cinnamon oil and trimethoprim to abolish carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical strains
Authors: Saleh Neveen M. , Ezzat Hadeer , El-Sayyad Gharieb S. , Zedan Hamdallah 
Published: February 2024

AbstractResistance mechanisms are a shelter for Acinetobacter baumannii to adapt to our environment which causes difficulty for the infections to be treated and WHO declares this organism on the top of pathogens priority for new drug development. The most common mechanism that develops drug resistance is the overexpression of the efflux pump, especially Resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) family, to almost most antibiotics. The study is designed to detect RND efflux pump genes in A. baumannii, and its correlation to multidrug resistance, in particular, the carbapenems resistance Acinetobacterbaumannii (CRAB), and using different inhibitors that restore the antibiotic susceptibility of imipenem. Clinical A. baumannii isolates were recovered from different Egyptian hospitals in Intensive care unit (ICU). The expression of genes in two strains was analyzed using RT-PCR before and after inhibitor treatment. About 100 clinical A. baumannii isolates were recovered and identified and recorded as MDR strains with 75% strains resistant to imipenem. adeB, adeC, adeK, and adeJ were detected in thirty- seven the carbapenems resistance Acinetobacterbaumannii (CRAB) strains. Cinnamomum verum oil, Trimethoprim, and Omeprazole was promising inhibitor against 90% of the carbapenems resistance Acinetobacterbaumannii (CRAB) strains with a 2-6-fold decrease in imipenem MIC. Downregulation of four genes was associated with the addition of those inhibitors to imipenem for two the carbapenems resistance Acinetobacterbaumannii (CRAB) (ACN15 and ACN99) strains, and the effect was confirmed in 24 h killing kinetics. Our investigation points to the carbapenems resistance Acinetobacterbaumannii (CRAB) strain’s prevalence in Egyptian hospitals with the idea to revive the imipenem activity using natural and chemical drugs as inhibitors that possessed high synergistic activity.
Transcriptomic and physiological analysis of the response of Spirodela polyrrhiza to sodium nitroprusside
Authors: Zhang Yamei , Jia Rong , Hui Tanyue , Hu Yue , Wang Wenjing , Wang Yi , Wang Yong , Zhu Yerong , Yang Lin , Xiang Beibei 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Spirodela polyrrhiza is a simple floating aquatic plant with great potential in synthetic biology. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) stimulates plant development and increases the biomass and flavonoid content in some plants. However, the molecular mechanism of SNP action is still unclear.

Results
To determine the effect of SNP on growth and metabolic flux in S. polyrrhiza, the plants were treated with different concentrations of SNP. Our results showed an inhibition of growth, an increase in starch, soluble protein, and flavonoid contents, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity in plants after 0.025 mM SNP treatment. Differentially expressed transcripts were analysed in S. polyrrhiza after 0.025 mM SNP treatment. A total of 2776 differentially expressed genes (1425 upregulated and 1351 downregulated) were identified. The expression of some genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis and NO biosynthesis was upregulated, while the expression of some photosynthesis-related genes was downregulated. Moreover, SNP stress also significantly influenced the expression of transcription factors (TFs), such as ERF, BHLH, NAC, and WRKY TFs.

Conclusions
Taken together, these findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of underlying the SNP stress response in S. polyrrhiza and show that the metabolic flux of fixed CO2 is redirected into the starch synthesis and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways after SNP treatment.
Risk factors and the CCTA application in patients with vulnerable coronary plaque in type 2 diabetes: a retrospective study
Authors: He Weihong , Fang Tingsong , Fu Xi , Lao Meiling , Xiao Xiuyun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Diabetes is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for vulnerable coronary plaques (VCPs), which are associated with adverse cardiovascular events, and to determine the value of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and VCPs.

Methods
Ninety-eight T2DM patients who underwent CCTA and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were retrospectively included and analyzed. The patients were grouped and analyzed according to the presence or absence of VCPs.

Results
Among the patients with T2DM, time in range [TIR {the percentage of time blood glucose levels were in the target range}] (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.89–0.96; P < 0.001) and the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.09–0.63; P = 0.04) were correlated with a lower risk of VCP, but the triglycerides (TG) concentration was correlated with a higher risk of VCP (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.01–3.18; P = 0.045). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) of TIR, and HDL-C and TG concentrations were 0.76, 0.73, and 0.65, respectively. The combined predicted AUC of TIR, and HDL-C and TG concentrations was 0.83 (P < 0.05). The CCTA sensitivity, specificity, false-negative, and false-positive values for the diagnosis of VCP were 95.74%, 94.12%, 4.26%, and 5.88%, respectively. The identification of VCP by CCTA was positively correlated with IVUS (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.90).

Conclusions
The TIR and HDL-C concentration are related with lower risk of VCP and the TG concentration was related with higher risk of VCP in patients with T2DM. In clinical practice, TIR, HDL-C and TG need special attention in patients with T2DM. The ability of CCTA to identify VCP is highly related to IVUS findings.