bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic effects of fatty acid binding protein 1 in mice with pulmonary fibrosis by regulating alveolar epithelial regeneration
Authors: Fu Zhenli , Yin Hang , Liu Jiani , He Ying , Song Shengren , Peng Xiaomin , Huang Xihui , Lai Yunxin , Li Shuang , Luo Qun , Su Jin , Yang Penghui 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive fibrotic lung disease with limited therapeutic options and high lethality, related to alveolar type II epithelial (ATII) cell dysregulation, the abnormal repair of alveolar epithelial cells and activation of fibroblasts promote the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1) was significantly downregulated in the fibrotic state by proteomics screening in our previous date, and the ATII cell dysregulation can be mediated by FABP1 via regulating fatty acid metabolism and intracellular transport. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role and potential mechanism of FABP1 in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.MethodsProteomics screening was used to detect changes of the protein profiles in two different types (induced by bleomycin and silica, respectively) of pulmonary fibrosis models. The localisation of FABP1 in mouse lung was detected by Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Experimental methods such as lung pathology, micro-CT, western blotting, small animal imaging in vivo, EdU, etc were used to verify the role of FABP1 in pulmonary fibrosis.ResultsThe expression of FABP1 in the mouse lung was significantly reduced in the model of pulmonary fibrosis from our proteomic analysis and immunological methods, the double immunofluorescence staining showed that FABP1 was mainly localised in type II alveolar epithelial cells. Additionally, the expression of FABP1 was negatively correlated with the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Further in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that overexpression of FABP1 alleviated pulmonary fibrosis by protecting alveolar epithelium from injury and promoting cell survival.ConclusionOur findings provide a proof-of-principle that FABP1 may represent an effective treatment for pulmonary fibrosis by regulating alveolar epithelial regeneration, which may be associated with the fatty acid metabolism in ATII cells.
Association between air pollutant exposure, body water distribution and sleep disorder indices in individuals with low-arousal-threshold obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Yu , Liu Ming , Huang Huei-Tyng , Hsu Wen-Hua , Kuan Yi-Chun , Majumdar Arnab , Lee Kang-Yun , Feng Po-Hao , Tseng Chien-Hua , Chen Kuan-Yuan , Kang Jiunn-Horng , Lee Hsin-Chien , Wu Cheng-Jung , Liu Wen-Te 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundAir pollution may alter body water distribution, it may also be linked to low-arousal-threshold obstructive sleep apnoea (low-ArTH OSA). Here, we explored the mediation effects of air pollution on body water distribution and low-ArTH OSA manifestations.MethodsIn this retrospective study, we obtained sleep centre data from healthy participants and patients with low-ArTH OSA (N=1924) in northern Taiwan. Air pollutant exposure at different time intervals (1, 3, 6 and 12 months) was estimated using the nearest station estimation method, and government air-quality data were also obtained. Regression models were used to assess the associations of estimated exposure, sleep disorder indices and body water distribution with the risk of low-ArTH OSA. Mediation analysis was performed to explore the relationships between air pollution, body water distribution and sleep disorder indices.ResultsFirst, exposure to particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of ≤10 µm (PM10) for 1 and 3 months and exposure to PM with a diameter of ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) for 3 months were significantly associated with the Apnoea–Hypopnoea Index (AHI), Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), Arousal Index (ArI) and intracellular-to-extracellular water ratio (I-E water ratio). Significant associations were observed between the risk of low-ArTH OSA and 1- month exposure to PM10(OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.84), PM2.5(OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.74) and ozone (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.6). I-E water ratio alternation caused by 1-month exposure to PM10and 3-month exposure to PM2.5and PM10had partial mediation effects on AHI and ODI.ConclusionAir pollution can directly increase sleep disorder indices (AHI, ODI and ArI) and alter body water distribution, thus mediating the risk of low-ArTH OSA.
Phenotyping the Responses to Systemic Corticosteroids in the Management of Asthma Attacks (PRISMA): protocol for an observational and translational pilot study
Authors: Celis-Preciado Carlos Andrés , Leclerc Simon , Duval Martine , Cliche Dominic O. , Larivée Pierre , Lemaire-Paquette Samuel , Lévesque Simon , Côté Andréanne , Lachapelle Philippe , Couillard Simon 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionAsthma and its associated exacerbation are heterogeneous. Although severe asthma attacks are systematically prescribed corticosteroids and often antibiotics, little is known about the variability of response to these therapies. Blood eosinophils and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) are type 2 inflammation biomarkers that have established mechanistic, prognostic and theragnostic values in chronic asthma, but their utility in acute asthma is unclear. We speculate that the clinical and biological response to those treatments varies according to inflammometry and microbiological test results.Methods and analysisAn observational longitudinal pilot study with multimodal clinical and translational assessments will be performed on 50 physician-diagnosed ≥12-year-old asthmatics presenting with an asthma attack and 12 healthy controls, including blood eosinophil count (venous and point-of-care (POC) capillary blood), FeNO and testing for airway infection (sputum cultures and POC nasopharyngeal swabs). People with asthma will be assessed on day 0 and after a 7-day corticosteroid course, with home monitoring performed in between. The primary analysis will be the change in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s according to type 2 inflammatory status (blood eosinophils ≥0.15×109/L and/or FeNO ≥25 ppb) after treatment. Key secondary analyses will compare changes in symptom scores and the proportion of patients achieving a minimal clinically important difference. Exploratory analyses will assess the relationship between clinical, lung function, inflammatory and microbiome parameters; satisfaction plus reliability indices of POC tests; and sex–gender variability in treatment response. Ultimately, this pilot study will serve to plan a larger trial comparing the clinical and biological response to systemic corticosteroids according to inflammatory biomarkers, offering valuable guidance for more personalised therapeutic strategies in asthma attacks.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the CIUSSS de l'Estrie–CHUS, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada (#2023-4687). Results will be communicated in an international meeting and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05870215).
Seat belt use among pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates: the Mutaba’ah Study
Authors: Abdullahi Aminu S. , Yasin Yasin J. , Shah Syed M. , Ahmed Luai A. , Grivna Michal 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionMotor vehicle collisions are a major cause of death and injury among pregnant women and their fetuses. Seat belt use compliance during pregnancy varies in different populations. We aimed to study seat belt use among pregnant women and factors affecting seat belt use during pregnancy in Al Ain City, the United Arab Emirates.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis used the baseline data collected from pregnant women participating in the Mutaba’ah Study from May 2017 to November 2022. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Variables included sociodemographic, gestation periods and seat belt-related information. All pregnant women who responded to the questions related to seat belt use were included (N=2354).ResultsSeat belt use before and during pregnancy was estimated at 69.7% (95% CI 67.9% to 71.6%) and 65.5% (95% CI 63.6% to 67.4%), respectively. The reasons for not using seat belts during pregnancy included being uncomfortable to wear, habitual non-use and considering them unsafe for pregnancy. Age, higher levels of education of the pregnant woman or her spouse, being employed, having a sufficient household income, lower gestational age, and using a seat belt before pregnancy were positively associated with using a seat belt during pregnancy in the bivariate analyses. Pregnant women in their third trimester had independently significant lower odds of using a seat belt compared with those in the first trimester (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.76).ConclusionsThe findings indicate decreased compliance with seat belt use during pregnancy and as gestation progressed. The decrease was related to several reasons, including feeling uncomfortable wearing seat belts, habitual non-use and unsafe for pregnancy, necessitating appropriate measures to increase awareness. Raising public awareness about the advantages of wearing seat belts during pregnancy and the involvement of healthcare professionals in educating pregnant women are warranted.
Gender and ethnicity intersect to reduce participation at a large European hybrid HIV conference
Authors: Howe Alice , Wan Yize I , Gilleece Yvonne , Aebi-Popp Karoline , Dhairyawan Rageshri , Bhagani Sanjay , Paparini Sara , Orkin Chloe 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveTo evaluate how gender and ethnicity of panel members intersect to effect audience participation at a large European hybrid conference.DesignAn observational cross-sectional study design was used to collect data at the conference and descriptive survey was used to collect data retrospectively from the participants.SettingEuropean AIDS Clinical Society 18th Conference; a 3223-delegate, hybrid conference held online and in London over 4 days in October 2021.Main outcome measuresWe observed the number and type of questions asked at 12 of 69 sessions and described characteristics of the panel composition by ethnicity, gender and seniority. A postconference survey of conference attendees collated demographic information, number of questions asked during the conference and the reasons for not asking questions.ResultsMen asked the most questions and were more likely to ask multiple questions in the observed sessions (61.5%). People from white ethnic groups asked >95% of the questions in the observed sessions. The fewest questions were asked in the sessions with the least diverse panels in terms of both ethnicity and gender. Barriers to asking questions differed between genders and ethnicities.ConclusionsOur study aims to provide evidence to help conference organisers improve leadership, equality, diversity and inclusion in the professional medical conference setting. This will support equitable dissemination of knowledge and improve education and engagement of delegates. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing conference participation by both ethnicity and gender in panellists and delegates within a hybrid conference setting.
Neurological injury following peripheral nerve blocks: a narrative review of estimates of risks and the influence of ultrasound guidance
Authors: Lemke Ethan , Johnston David F , Behrens Matthew B , Seering Melinda S , McConnell Brie M , Swaran Singh Tejinder Singh , Sondekoppam Rakesh V 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundPeripheral nerve injury or post-block neurological dysfunction (PBND) are uncommon but a recognized complications of peripheral nerve blocks (PNB). A broad range of its incidence is noted in the literature and hence a critical appraisal of its occurrence is needed.ObjectiveIn this review, we wanted to know the pooled estimates of PBND and further, determine its pooled estimates following various PNB over time. Additionally, we also sought to estimate the incidence of PBND with or without US guidance.Evidence reviewA literature search was conducted in six databases. For the purposes of the review, we defined PBND as any new-onset sensorimotor disturbances in the distribution of the performed PNB either attributable to the PNB (when reported) or reported in the context of the PNB (when association with a PNB was not mentioned). Both prospective and retrospective studies which provided incidence of PBND at timepoints of interest (>48 hours to <2 weeks; >2 weeks to 6 weeks, 7 weeks to 5 months, 6 months to 1 year and >1 year durations) were included for review. Incidence data were used to provide pooled estimates (with 95% CI) of PBND at these time periods. Similar estimates were obtained to know the incidence of PBND with or without the use of US guidance. Additionally, PBND associated with individual PNB were obtained in a similar fashion with upper and lower limb PNB classified based on the anatomical location of needle insertion.FindingsThe overall incidence of PBND decreased with time, with the incidence being approximately 1% at <2 weeks’ time (Incidence per thousand (95% CI)= 9 (8; to 11)) to approximately 3/10 000 at 1 year (Incidence per thousand (95% CI)= 0. 3 (0.1; to 0.5)). Incidence of PBND differed for individual PNB with the highest incidence noted for interscalene block.ConclusionsOur review adds information to existing literature that the neurological complications are rarer but seem to display a higher incidence for some blocks more than others. Use of US guidance may be associated with a lower incidence of PBND especially in those PNBs reporting a higher pooled estimates. Future studies need to standardize the reporting of PBND at various timepoints and its association to PNB.
New Zealand community pharmacists’ perspectives on supplying smoked tobacco as an endgame initiative: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Hoek Janet , Muthumala Charika , Fenton Elizabeth , Gartner Coral E , Petrović-van der Deen Frederieke Sanne 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionTobacco endgame strategies often include measures to reduce tobacco availability by decreasing retailer numbers. Recently, some US pharmacies have delisted tobacco, though overall retailer numbers have not reduced markedly. Paradoxically, others have suggested limiting tobacco sales to pharmacies, to reduce supply and support cessation. We explored how pharmacists from Aotearoa New Zealand, a country planning to reduce tobacco supply, perceived supplying tobacco.MethodsWe undertook in-depth interviews with 16 pharmacists from Ōtepoti Dunedin; most served more deprived communities with higher smoking prevalence. We probed participants’ views on supplying tobacco, explored factors that could limit implementation of this policy, and analysed their ethical positions. We used qualitative description to analyse data on limiting factors and reflexive thematic analysis to interpret the ethical arguments adduced.ResultsMost participants noted time, space and safety concerns, and some had strong moral objections to supplying tobacco. These included concerns that supplying tobacco would contradict their duty not to harm patients, reduce them to sales assistants, undermine their role as health experts, and tarnish their profession. A minority focused on the potential benefits of a pharmacy supply measure, which they thought would use and extend their skills, and improve community well-being.ConclusionsPolicy-makers will likely encounter strongly expressed opposition if they attempt to introduce a pharmacy supply measure as an initial component of a retail reduction strategy. However, as smoking prevalence falls, adopting a health-promoting supply model, using pharmacies that chose to participate, would become more feasible and potentially enhance community outreach and cessation support.
Students’ perceptions and experiences of remote learning amid covid-19 pandemic in Ghana
Authors: Kumi Rockson , Quartey Jonathan , Kwakye Samuel Koranteng , Oppong Emmanuella Dufie 
Published: November 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on students, instructors, and educational organisations all around the world. Remote learning was an emergency response by most universities in Ghana during this pandemic to ensure the continuation of their academic calendar. Conducting this study among Ghanaian undergraduate students is crucial because factors like socioeconomic status, technological resources, and individual learning preferences can significantly impact their experience and the perception of remote learning, which may differ from studies conducted elsewhere. Objective: To determine the perceptions and experiences of remote learning among allied health sciences students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 218 second, third, and final year Allied Health Sciences students in the University of Ghana. A questionnaire was used to obtain data concerning health professions students’ perception and experience of remote learning. The readiness of students in respect to the emergency remote learning, attitudes towards remote learning, perception of remote learning, satisfaction, and the level of anxiety was calculated using mean and mean percentages. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to analyse differences between programmes of study and the perceptions and experiences of remote learning. Results: One hundred and fifteen (53.1%) of the participants had moderate perceptions of independence and responsibility in their learning experiences while 80 (36.7%) students reported that their satisfaction levels regarding remote learning was high. Seventy-seven (38.4%) students reported that they had a burden of anxiety. There was no statistically significant difference between anxiety level and programme of study. Conclusion: Ghana Allied Health Sciences students had positive perceptions and experiences towards remote learning. They could adapt to the new teaching method with appropriate technology integration. Despite a number of students who were anxious about using remote learning. Adequate support towards transitioning into the use of technology may be a good consideration.
Major Facilitator Superfamily Domain Containing 5 Inhibition Reduces Lipoprotein(a) Uptake and Calcification in Valvular Heart Disease
Authors: Rogers Maximillian A. , Bartoli-Leonard Francesca , Zheng Kang H. , Small Aeron M. , Chen Hao Yu , Clift Cassandra L. , Asano Takaharu , Kuraoka Shiori , Blaser Mark C. , Perez Katelyn A. , Natarajan Pradeep , Yeang Calvin , Stroes Erik S.G. , Tsimikas Sotirios , Engert James C. , Thanassoulis George , O’Donnell Christopher J. , Aikawa Masanori , Singh Sasha A. , Aikawa Elena 
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:
High circulating levels of Lp(a) (lipoprotein[a]) increase the risk of atherosclerosis and calcific aortic valve disease, affecting millions of patients worldwide. Although atherosclerosis is commonly treated with low-density lipoprotein–targeting therapies, these do not reduce Lp(a) or risk of calcific aortic valve disease, which has no available drug therapies. Targeting Lp(a) production and catabolism may provide therapeutic benefit, but little is known about Lp(a) cellular uptake.

METHODS:
Here, unbiased ligand-receptor capture mass spectrometry was used to identify MFSD5 (major facilitator superfamily domain containing 5) as a novel receptor/cofactor involved in Lp(a) uptake.

RESULTS:

Reducing
MFSD5
expression by a computationally identified small molecule or small interfering RNA suppressed Lp(a) uptake and calcification in primary human valvular endothelial and interstitial cells.
MFSD5
variants were associated with aortic stenosis (
P
=0.027 after multiple hypothesis testing) with evidence suggestive of an interaction with plasma Lp(a) levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

MFSD5
knockdown suppressing human valvular cell Lp(a) uptake and calcification, along with meta-analysis of
MFSD5
variants associating with aortic stenosis, supports further preclinical assessment of
MFSD5
in cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death worldwide.
The Qurʾān and Knowledge of God in West Africa: The Sufi Tafsīr of Shaykh Ibrāhīm Niasse
Authors: Wright Zachary 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Qurʾān exegesis (tafsīr) in African Muslim societies represented the pinnacle of scholarly achievement, and public explanation of the Qurʾān was the event that marked the emergence of one of Africa’s most successful Sufi revivals, the “Community of the Flood” of the Senegalese Shaykh Ibrāhīm Niasse (d. 1975). Niasse’s network of knowledge transmission, foregrounding the direct experiential knowledge of God (maʿrifa bi-Llāh), continued to emphasize Qurʾān learning, but Niasse’s own recorded Arabic tafsīr demonstrated a shift away from traditional West African sources in this field. Prior understandings of the West African tafsīr discipline locate the fifteenth-century Egyptian Tafsīr al-Jalālayn as the primary influence on West African understandings. But Niasse’s tafsīr exhibits a clear preference for an early eighteenth-century Ottoman multivolume work, Ismāʿīl Ḥaqqī’s “Spirit of Explanation” (Rūh al-bayān), one of the most comprehensive summaries of Sufi understandings of the Qurʾān. This paper not only demonstrates the globally-connected nature of Islamic knowledge production in West Africa but also argues that Niasse’s emphasis on gnosis built on the Rūḥ al-bayān to ultimately occasion a noteworthy addition to the existing literary corpus of Qurʾān exegesis.
Active lupus in Argentina: Results of a multicenter and national registry
Authors: Quintana Rosana M , García Mercedes , Garcia Lucila , Gobbi Carla , Alba Paula , Bellomio Verónica , Roverano Susana , Alvarez Analia Patricia , Graf Cesar Enrique , Pisoni Cecilia , Spindler Alberto , Gomez Catalina , Figueredo Heber Matias , Papasidero Silvia , Paniego Raul , de la Vega Maria Celina , Civit Emma , Gonzalez Lucero Luciana , Martire Maria Victoria , Aguila Maldonado Rodrigo , Gordon Sergio , Micelli Marina , Nieto Romina , Rausch Gretel , Alarcón Graciela S , Pons-Estel Bernardo , Pons-Estel Guillermo ,   on behalf of the SLE Study Group from the RELESSAR Registry
Published: November 2023

Objective To evaluate the association between patients’ characteristics and disease activity in an Argentine lupus registry. Methods Cross-sectional study. Disease activity was stratified into: Remission off-treatment: SLEDAI = 0, without prednisone and immunosuppressive drugs. Low disease activity Toronto Cohort (LDA-TC): SLEDAI ≤2, without prednisone or immunosuppressive drugs. Modified lupus low disease activity (mLLDAS): SLEDAI score of ≤4, with no activity in major organ systems and no new features, prednisone of ≤10 mg/day and/or immunosuppressive drugs (maintenance dose) and Active disease: SLEDAI score of >4 and prednisone >10 mg/day and immunosuppressive drugs. A descriptive analysis and logistic regression model were performed. Results A total of 1346 patients were included. Of them, 1.6% achieved remission off steroids, 0.8% LDA-TC, 12.1% mLLDAS and the remaining 85.4% had active disease. Active disease was associated with younger age ( p ≤ 0.001), a shorter time to diagnosis ( p ≤ 0.001), higher frequency of hospitalizations ( p ≤ 0.001), seizures ( p = 0.022), serosal disease ( p ≤ 0.001), nephritis ( p ≤ 0.001), higher SDI ( p ≤ 0.001), greater use of immunosuppressive therapies and higher doses of prednisone compared to those on mLLDAS. In the multivariable analysis, the variables associated with active disease were the presence of pleuritis (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.9; p = 0.007), persistent proteinuria (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2–5.5; p ≤ 0.011), nephritis (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2–5.6; p = .018) and hospitalizations (OR 8.9, 95% CI 5.3–16.0; p ≤ 0.001) whereas age at entry into the registry was negatively associated with it (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.9–1.0; p = 0.029). Conclusion Active disease was associated with shorter time to diagnosis, worse outcomes (SDI and hospitalizations) and renal, neurological and serosal disease.