bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decoding force production of skeletal muscle from the female brain using functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Kim Hojeong 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objective
Noninvasive neural decoding enables predicting motor output from neural activities without physically damaging the human body. A recent study demonstrated the applicability of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to decode muscle force production from hemodynamic signals measured in the male brain. However, given the sex differences in cerebral blood flow and muscle physiology, whether the fNIRS approach can also be applied to the female brain remains elusive. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether fNIRS can be used to identify the optimal cortical region and hemodynamic predictor to decode muscle force output in females.

Results
Statistical group analysis for eight healthy female adults showed that the cortical region for wrist control was topologically dorsal to that for finger control over the primary sensorimotor cortex. This cortical area was maximally activated while the wrist flexor muscles were contracted to hold a load on the subject’s palm, as was the case for males. However, the dynamics of oxyhemoglobin concentration measured from the most activated cortical area differed between females and males. The signal intensity during 100% maximal voluntary contraction and the signal increase rate at 50% maximal voluntary contraction was lower and faster in females. Eight predictors were used to characterize hemodynamic signals’ amplitude and temporal variation in the female cortex. Unlike the case for males, only the trajectory predictors for the amplitude of oxyhemoglobin concentration change were strongly correlated with the strengths of force produced by the wrist flexor muscles, showing a linear relationship. These results suggest gender-specific hemodynamics must be considered for decoding low-level motor control with fNIRS in females.
Hepatocellular carcinoma vascularization: CT angiography variations identifying arteries feeding the tumour
Authors: Abou Khadrah Rania Sobhy , Abedelmalik Mona Hassan , Alameldeen Mohammed Abed Elhameed , Elbarbary Aly Aly 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Hepatic arterial anatomy is important in performing many surgical and endovascular procedures. Familiarity with variations in the hepatic arterial anatomy is essential to achieving adequate embolization. In some patients, in addition to anatomic variations of the hepatic arteries, different extrahepatic collateral arteries may provide partial or total vascular supply to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which makes transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) technically challenging. We aim to evaluate the different feeding vessels of HCC using multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) as a pre-procedural step before planning suitable management.

Results
One hundred patients with 150 focal HCC lesions were involved in our study. The anatomy of the blood supply and the morphological characteristics of HCC, including the size, location, and history of previous hepatitis, were quantitatively assessed and statistically analysed. The number of patients who had classic hepatic arterial supply for the HCC lesions in our study was 54 (54%). The number of patients with additional extrahepatic supply is 26, while the number of patients with anatomical vascular variants is 20. Among these 26 patients with extrahepatic (parasitic) blood supply, six patients were supplied by the right inferior phrenic artery, four patients were supplied by the right internal mammary artery, and two patients were supplied by each other type of extrahepatic feeder, which are the left inferior phrenic artery, left internal mammary artery, left gastric artery, cystic artery, right lumbar artery, direct branch from the aorta, omental arteries, right renal artery, and LHA from the LGA. Twelve of the 20 patients with anatomical vascular variants had replaced RHA from the SMA; four patients had replaced LHA from the LGA; two patients had replaced RHA from the GDA; and two patients had replaced CHA from the SMA. Only 50 cases of CT findings were correlated with the data from the interventional procedures of these patients.

Conclusions
Because of the differences in HCC blood supply between typical, parasitic, and anatomical vascular variants, MDCTA has significant clinical significance prior to TACE and any interventional procedure.
Meigs syndrome after treatment for catamenial pneumothorax
Authors: Takayama Mao , So Tetsuya , Yamashita Naoki , Yamaoka Masatoshi , Yoshimatsu Takashi , Oyama Tsuneiro 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn the field of thoracic surgery, catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is known as a disease peculiar to women, but it is rare among female pneumothoraces and is rarely encountered in clinical practice. Meigs syndrome (MS) is another female-specific disease, defined as a benign ovarian tumor with pleural and ascites effusions, but it is rare and the details of the pathogenesis of MS have not yet been elucidated.A 40-year-old Japanese woman came in with dyspnea. Chest radiography revealed a collapsed right lung. She underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, which revealed multiple diaphragmatic foramens. She was therefore diagnosed with CP. Later, when she was 50-year-old, returned with chest pain. Computed tomography of the chest and abdomen showed right massive pleural effusion and a large tumor and ascites in the pelvis. This condition was suggestive of MS. The patient underwent bilateral oophorectomy, and the right pleural effusion and ascites resolved promptly after surgery.In conclusion, both menstrual-associated CP and MS are very rare conditions, and to the best of our knowledge, there are no reported cases of the combination of the two. However, it is possible that some MS patients may have MS without CP, and the present case is considered to be valuable because a small diaphragmatic foramen was identified via thoracoscopy, which has been a minority opinion among the mechanisms of pleural effusion in MS.
Women's experiences with solitary childbirth support in Ohio during COVID‐19: Results from a qualitative study
Authors: Church Anna Claire 
Published: November 2023

AbstractContextWomen, transgender men, and gender non‐binary individuals who gave birth during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic experienced strict visitor restrictions that significantly disrupted their support networks. This study sought to examine women's perceptions and experiences of solitary support, particularly from male partners, during labor and delivery.MethodsFrom April 2020 through August 2021, I conducted in‐depth interviews with women who had given birth in the previous 12 months in the state of Ohio. I used a multi‐modal recruitment strategy and conducted all interviews virtually. I analyzed transcripts to identify themes using inductive and deductive techniques.ResultsI interviewed 12 women who gave birth after the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic and all opted to have their male partner as their solitary support person. Most women reported putting pressure on their male partners to “step up” in the absence of other sources of support, such as doulas. Couples engaged in intensive communication and planning prior to the delivery, which contributed to increased feelings of emotional closeness. Participants reported mixed feelings about birthing with a solitary support person including having a sense of increased privacy and an ability to focus while also feeling afraid and isolated.ConclusionsWomen who gave birth in the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic and prior to the widespread availability of vaccines were particularly vulnerable to adverse perinatal outcomes, including stillbirth and postpartum depression. Understanding the impact of solitary support from male partners can help inform future person‐centered and equitable maternity care visitor policies.
A systematic review of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Myanmar
Authors: Swe Myo Maung Maung , Phyo Aung Pyae , Cooper Ben S. , White Nicholas J. , Smithuis Frank , Ashley Elizabeth A. 
Published: November 2023

Background
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect most impoverished communities in developing countries, like Myanmar in Southeast Asia. NTDs have been understudied and underreported in Myanmar.

Methods
A systematic review of published and grey literature (1900–2023) on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Myanmar was conducted. The literature search included five international databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid Global Health, and Web of Science Core Collection and one national database: the Myanmar Central Biomedical Library (locally published papers and grey literature). The selection criteria included articles with all types of study designs of current or previous infections conducted in humans, that reported NTDs, recognised by WHO, US CDC, and listed in PLoS NTDs. We included melioidosis and rickettsioses which we consider also meet the definition of an NTD.

Results
A total of 5941 records were retrieved and screened, of which, 672 (11%) met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Of the included articles, 449 (65%) were published after 2000 and 369 (55%) were from two regions (Yangon and Mandalay) of Myanmar. Of the included articles, 238 (35%) reported bacterial NTDs, 212 (32%) viral NTDs, 153 (23%) helminth NTDs, 25 (4%) protozoal NTDs and 39 (6%) reported more than one aetiology. Based on reported frequency in descending order, the bacterial NTDs were leprosy, Escherichia coli enteritis, salmonellosis, cholera, shigellosis, melioidosis, leptospirosis and rickettsioses; the viral NTDs were dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection; the protozoal NTDs were amoebiasis, giardiasis and leishmaniasis, and the helminth NTDs were ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm disease, filariasis and strongyloidiasis.

Conclusion
This review summarises NTDs reported in Myanmar over the past 100 years. The findings suggest that most NTDs are likely to be under reported, especially from the majority of the country which is far from academic centres. Research capacity building together with strengthening of laboratory systems would lead to better understanding of the true burden of NTDs in Myanmar.

Trial registration
PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42018092627.
A comprehensive survey and analysis of international drinking water regulations for inorganic chemicals with comparisons to the World Health Organization’s drinking-water guidelines
Authors: Mitchell Erika J. , Frisbie Seth H. 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) has published criteria for determining the quality of drinking water since 1958. Since 1984, these criteria were termed “guidelines” to emphasize that they are not national standards, but rather guidelines for nations to develop their own national standards, which may take into account local environmental, social, economic, and cultural conditions. When calculating guideline values (GVs), the WHO reviews the toxicological literature, calculates a health-based value (HBV), and determines whether the HBV should be adopted as a GV. The WHO also considers aesthetic aspects of drinking water quality, such as taste and the staining of plumbing fixtures, and additionally supplies aesthetic values (AVs) for certain drinking water contaminants. There is no central registry for national drinking water standards, so the degree of variation of national drinking water standards is not known.MethodsWe examined standards, guidelines, and background documents for all inorganic contaminants published by the WHO from 1958–2022. We also searched for national drinking water standards for all independent countries.ResultsWe found the WHO currently has 16 GVs, six HBVs without GVs, and six AVs without HBVs or GVs for inorganic drinking water contaminants, excluding disinfection agents and their byproducts. More than half of the point of departure studies used to support these values were published in 2005 or earlier. Ninety-eight percent of the world’s population lives in jurisdictions with drinking water standards, and 14 countries directly link their national standards to the current WHO’s drinking water guidelines. Lack of transparency (standards available only through purchase) and typographical errors are common problems, especially for resource-limited countries.ConclusionsThe WHO drinking water guidelines are crucially important for drinking water safety; they are used for guidance or as official standards throughout the world. It is crucial that they be based on the best available science.
Exploring the impact of varying definitions of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in routinely collected electronic medical records
Authors: Whittaker Hannah , Rothnie Kieran J. , Quint Jennifer K. 
Published: November 2023

Background
Validity of exposure and outcome measures in electronic medical records is vital to ensure robust, comparable study findings however, despite validation studies, definitions of variables used often differ. Using exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as an example, we investigated the impact of potential misclassification of different definitions commonly used in publications on study findings.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study was performed. English primary care data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum database with linked secondary care data were used to define a population of COPD patients ≥40 years old registered at a general practice. Index date was the date eligibility criteria were met and end of follow-up was 30/12/19, death or end of data collection. Exacerbations were defined using 6 algorithms based on definitions commonly used in the literature, including one validated definition. For each algorithm, the proportion of frequent exacerbators (≥2 exacerbations/year) and exacerbation rates were described. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to investigate each algorithm on the association between heart failure and risk of COPD exacerbation.

Findings
A total of 315,184 patients were included. Baseline proportion of frequent exacerbators varied from 2.7% to 15.3% depending on the algorithm. Rates of exacerbations over follow-up varied from 19.3 to 66.6 events/100 person-years. The adjusted hazard ratio for the association between heart failure and exacerbation varied from 1.45, 95% confidence intervals 1.42–1.49, to 1.01, 0.98–1.04.

Interpretation
The use of high validity definitions and standardisation of definitions in electronic medical records is crucial to generating high quality, robust evidence.
Inflammatory cytokines and two subtypes of breast cancer: A two-sample mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhou Heran , Cai Zelin , Yang Qujia , Yang Xuefei , Chen Jihao , Huang Ting 
Published: November 2023

Background
Breast cancer is a common cancer type that leads to cancer-related deaths among women. HER2-positive breast cancer, in particular, is associated with poor prognosis due to its high aggressiveness, increased risk of recurrence, and metastasis potential. Previous observational studies have explored potential associations between inflammatory cytokines and the risk of two breast cancer subtypes (HER2-positive and HER2-negative), but the results have been inconsistent. To further elucidate the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and the two breast cancer subtypes, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods
We employed a two-sample bidirectional MR analysis using publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) statistics. After obtaining instrumental variables, we conducted MR analyses using five different methods to ensure the reliability of our results. Additionally, we performed tests for heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. Subsequently, we conducted a reverse MR study by reversing exposure and outcome variables.

Results
Evidence from our IVW analysis revealed that genetically predicted levels of IL-5 [odds ratio (OR): 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–1.35, P = 0.012], IL-7 (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01–1.22, P = 0.037), and IL-16 (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02–1.25, P = 0.025) were associated with an increased risk of HER2-positive breast cancer. Conversely, IL-10 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.26, P = 0.012) was associated with an increased risk of HER2-negative breast cancer. These results showed no evidence of heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy (P > 0.05). Results from the reverse MR analysis indicated no potential causal association between breast cancer and inflammatory cytokines (P > 0.05).

Conclusion
Our findings demonstrate that IL-5, IL-7, and IL-16 are risk factors for HER2-positive breast cancer, with varying degrees of increased probability of HER2-positive breast cancer associated with elevated levels of these inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, IL-10 is a risk factor for HER2-negative breast cancer. Reverse studies have confirmed that breast cancer is not a risk factor for elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines. This series of results clarifies the causal relationship between different types of inflammatory cytokines and different subtypes of breast cancer. Based on this research, potential directions for the mechanism research of different inflammatory cytokines and different subtypes of breast cancer have been provided, and potential genetic basis for identifying and treating different subtypes of breast cancer have been suggested.
Immunogenicity and safety of heterologous boost immunization with PastoCovac Plus against COVID-19 in ChAdOx1-S or BBIBP-CorV primed individuals
Authors: Eybpoosh Sana , Biglari Alireza , Sorouri Rahim , Ashrafian Fatemeh , Sadat Larijani Mona , Verez-Bencomo Vicente , Toledo-Romani Maria Eugenia , Valenzuela Silva Carmen , Salehi-Vaziri Mostafa , Dahmardeh Sarah , Doroud Delaram , Banifazl Mohammad , Mostafavi Ehsan , Bavand Anahita , Ramezani Amitis 
Published: November 2023

Background
This study aimed at evaluation and comparison of PastoCovac Plus protein-subunit vaccine in parallel with ChAdOx1-S (AstraZeneca) and BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) in primarily vaccinated volunteers with two doses of ChAdOx1-S or BBIBP-CorV.

Materials and methods
194 volunteers enrolled the study who were previously primed with 2 doses of ChAdOx1-S or BBIBP-CorV vaccines. They were divided into two heterologous regimens receiving a third dose of PastoCovac Plus, and two parallel homologous groups receiving the third dose of BBIBP-CorV or ChAdOx1-S. Serum samples were obtained just before and 4 weeks after booster dose. Anti-spike IgG and neutralizing antibodies were quantified and the conventional live-virus neutralization titer, (cVNT50) assay was done against Omicron BA.5 variant. Moreover, the adverse events data were recorded after receiving booster doses.

Results
ChAdOx1-S/PastoCovac Plus group reached 73.0 units increase in anti-Spike IgG rise compared to the ChAdOx1-S/ ChAdOx1-S (P: 0.016). No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding neutralizing antibody rise (P: 0.256), indicating equivalency of both booster types. Adjusting for baseline titers, the BBIBP-CorV/PastoCovac Plus group showed 135.2 units increase (P<0.0001) in anti-Spike IgG, and 3.1 (P: 0.008) unit increase in mean rise of neutralizing antibodies compared to the homologous group.
Adjustment for COVID-19 history, age, underlying diseases, and baseline antibody titers increased the odds of anti-Spike IgG fourfold rise both in the ChAdOx1-S (OR: 1.9; P: 0.199) and BBIBP CorV (OR: 37.3; P< 0.0001) heterologous groups compared to their corresponding homologous arms. The odds of neutralizing antibody fourfold rise, after adjustment for the same variables, was 2.4 (P: 0.610) for the ChAdOx1-S heterologous group and 5.4 (P: 0.286) for the BBIBP CorV heterologous groups compared to their corresponding homologous groups. All the booster types had the potency to neutralize BA.5 variant with no significant difference.
The highest rate of adverse event incidence was recorded for ChAdOx1-S homologous group.

Conclusions
PastoCovac Plus booster application in primed individuals with BBIBP-CorV or ChAdOx1-S successfully increased specific antibodies’ levels without any serious adverse events. This vaccine could be administrated in the heterologous regimen to effectively boost humoral immune responses.
Asesoría de lactancia materna, un nuevo enfoque
Authors: Zamora Delmás Lucía , Nueno Mairal Berta , Gonzalo del Moral Teresa , Gallego Córdoba Sandra , Jara Villamuera Elena , Vilarrasa García Martina , Pequeño Álvarez Judith , Jové Ortega Eva 
Published: November 2023

Introducción: El apoyo profesional durante la lactancia materna tiene efectos beneficiosos sobre la experiencia y duración de la misma. Sin embargo, no está exento de dificultades y se necesita más conocimiento sobre los requisitos previos para que el acompañamiento sea realmente útil y satisfactorio. El objetivo de este artículo es reflexionar sobre las dificultades y los errores en la atención profesional a la lactancia materna en los servicios sanitarios públicos, así como describir y explorar unas condiciones más favorables para que el apoyo profesional sea realmente valioso para las mujeres y sus familias.
Métodos: El diseño del artículo es de tipo discursivo. Las ideas expuestas se basan en nuestras propias experiencias y están respaldadas por la literatura y la teoría.
Resultados: La formación continuada y la atención entusiasta no son suficientes para lograr el objetivo. Además de acompañar y tratar los problemas concretos más evidentes, será imprescindible indagar cómo afectan dichas dificultades en las diferentes esferas o sistemas, valorando las necesidades principales, con especial interés en lo emocional, relacional y la interiorización de las vivencias.
Conclusiones: Es necesario un profundo cambio de paradigma que implique a todo un equipo que esté dispuesto a explorar sus propias creencias y valores, y a proporcionar una atención integral e individualizada centrada holísticamente en la díada madre-bebé y en su entorno, confiando en su capacidad para organizarse durante el proceso hasta lograr un mayor equilibrio y autonomía. El nuevo modelo deberá ser evaluado en investigaciones posteriores. Se pretende mejorar la prevención y la resolución eficaz de problemas, proporcionar mayor satisfacción y mejorar las tasas de lactancia materna, por lo que se espera un balance coste-beneficio positivo.
Tapped /r/ in RP: a corpus-based sociophonetic study across the twentieth century
Authors: Belando Delia 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This paper aims to explore the use of the tap allophone [ɾ] in Received Pronunciation (RP) in word-internal and linking /r/ contexts over three decades (1940s–1960s) and considering three age cohorts (<35 years old, 35–54 years old, and ≥55 years old). A spoken corpus of formal register materials was compiled to conduct further perceptual and acoustic analysis and classify the articulation of /r/ into tap versus no tap. Results show a decreasing tendency of tap production across decades, and the initial stage of its replacement by the approximant variant. From a sociolinguistic perspective, tapped /r/ may have potentially changed its status, from an indicator to a marker. The fact that the tap allophone has become a sociolinguistic marker can encourage future research on intra-speaker variation. Women and middle-aged speakers (35–54 years old) are the ones leading this sound change, opting for the innovative approximant. This may be due to professional pressures or aspects of social identity, yet further research is needed. Furthermore, the word-internal context seems to favour the production of taps, which could be due to the general low frequency of linking /r/ and the formal register of the materials.