bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adherence to different forms of plant‐based diets and pregnancy outcomes in the Danish National Birth Cohort: A prospective observational study
Authors: Hedegaard Signe , Nohr Ellen Aagaard , Olsen Sjurdur Frodi , Halldorsson Thorhallur Ingvi , Renault Kristina Martha 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionThe number of people adhering to plant‐based diets has been increasing dramatically in recent years, fueled by both environmental and animal welfare concerns. Beneficial or possible adverse consequences of such diets, particularly the most restrictive forms during pregnancy, have been minimally explored. The aim of this prospective observational study was to examine associations between different forms of plant‐based diets during pregnancy with birth outcomes and pregnancy complications.Material and methodsThe Danish National Birth Cohort included 100 413 pregnancies to 91 381 women in 1996–2002. The population consisted of 66 738 pregnancies, about which sufficient dietary data were available and included in the study. Dietary and supplemental intake was assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire in gestational week 25 and women were characterized as fish/poultry‐vegetarians, lacto/ovo‐vegetarians, vegans or omnivorous, based on their self‐report in gestational week 30. Main outcome measures were pregnancy and birth complications, birthweight and small for gestational age.ResultsA total of 98.7% (n = 65 872) of participants were defined as omnivorous, whereas 1.0% (n = 666), 0.3% (n = 183) and 0.03% (n = 18) identified themselves as fish/poultry vegetarians, lacto/ovo‐vegetarians or vegans, respectively. Protein intake was lower among lacto/ovo‐vegetarians (13.3%) and vegans (10.4%) than among omnivorous participants (15.4%). Intake of micronutrients was also considerably lower among vegans, but when dietary supplements were taken into consideration, no major differences were observed. Compared with omnivorous mothers, vegans had a higher prevalence of preeclampsia and their offspring had on average −240 g (95% confidence interval −450 to −30) lower birthweight.ConclusionsThe women reporting that they adhered to vegan diets during pregnancy had offspring with lower mean birthweight and higher risk of preeclampsia compared with omnivorous mothers. Low protein intake might be one plausible explanation for the observed association with birthweight.
Economic precarity and changing levels of anxiety and stress among Canadians with disabilities and chronic health conditions throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Pettinicchio David , Maroto Michelle 
Published: January 2024

AbstractEarly in the COVID‐19 pandemic, multiple event stressors converged to exacerbate a growing mental health crisis in Canada with differing effects across status groups. However, less is known about changing mental health situations throughout the pandemic, especially among individuals more likely to experience chronic stress because of their disability and health status. Using data from two waves of a targeted online survey of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions in Canada (N = 563 individuals, June 2020 and July 2021), we find that approximately 25% of respondents experienced additional increases in stress and anxiety levels in 2021. These increases were partly explained by worsening perceived financial insecurity and, in the case of stress, additional negative financial effects tied to the pandemic. This paper understands mental health disparities as a function of social status and social group membership. By linking stress process models and a minority stress framework with a social model of disability, we allude to how structural and contextual barriers make functional limitations disabling and in turn, life stressors.
Investigation on the antipyretic mechanism of Chaiqin Qingning capsule for the treatment of fever based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experimental validation
Authors: Huang Lianzhan , Chen Zhengwei , Gao Hongjin , Wang Zhen , Ding Xuansheng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractChaiqin Qingning Capsule (CQQNC), a traditional Chinese patent medicine, can effectively shorten the duration of fever and significantly improve fever symptoms. However, the mechanism of its antipyretic effect needs to be further elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of CQQNC in the treatment of fever. We used the network pharmacology method to analyze the mechanism of action of CQQNC in the treatment of fever and validated our study primarily by molecular docking. Finally, the predictive results were verified by IL‐1β‐induced bEnd.3 cells. The results showed that quercetin, kaempferol, cubebin, chenodeoxycholic acid, isorhamnetin, bilirubin, cholic acid, and baicalin were the major components of CQQNC against fever. A total of 381 common targets have been crossed by CQQNC for the treatment of fever. Furthermore, we found that CQQNC targets several deregulated genes in fever such as AKT1, COX2, AVP, cAMP, IL6, IL1B, TNF, mPGES1, and PI3K, biological functions such as endopeptidase, cytokine receptor binding, and phosphatase activity, and signaling pathways such as the PI3K‐Akt pathway and the AGE‐RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications. The docking study revealed that the core components of CQQNC both had high affinity for hub targets, especially the targets of COX‐2, cAMP, mPGES1, and PI3K proteins. To further investigate the mechanism of CQQNC, an Elisa assay and Western blot detection were performed as part of an in vitro study. Elisa's result showed that CQQNC can significantly decrease the expression levels of cPLA2, sPLA2, PGE2, cAMP, and 15‐PGDH after stimulating IL‐1β to bEnd.3 cells in a dose‐dependent manner (p < .01, p < .001, p < .0001). In addition, detection of the PGE2/ COX /cMAP pathway via immunoblotting showed that CQQNC can significantly downregulate the protein expression of COX‐1, COX‐2, EP3, cAMP, and mPGES1 in bEnd.3 (p < .0001, p < .001, p < .01). In conclusion, our study confirmed that the antipyretic mechanism of CQQNC affects the synthesis and secretion processes of PGE2 via the PGE2/ COX/cAMP pathway, providing insight into the antipyretic mechanism of CQQNC in clinical application.
Diagnostic accuracy of eosinophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and eosinophil‐to‐neutrophil ratio as biomarkers for differentiating between fungal and bacterial infection in necrotising otitis externa
Authors: Kaminer Benyamin M. , El‐Saied Sabri , Lasry Batel , Kaplan Daniel M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionNecrotizing otitis externa (NOE) is a serious, progressive, and potentially life‐threatening infection of the external auditory canal, affecting soft tissue and bone. The most common organism causing NOE is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and less common are Fungal infections. When managing a patient with NOE, a culture is taken from the EAC in order to tailor the appropriate antimicrobial treatment, however commonly, the culture is sterile. Inflammation biomarkers may be used as adjuncts to inform on the differential diagnosis and as prognostic markers.AimTo characterize and compare values and ratios of components of the complete blood count (CBC) at admission, at patients with positive swab culture.MethodsA retrospective study of NOE patients was conducted. We included all patients admitted between the years 2001‐2023, for whom a culture swab tested positive. We compared CBC findings at hospitalization between bacteria and fungi‐positive culture patients.ResultsEosinophils‐to‐Neutrophils Ratio (ENR) was significantly lower in the fungal group compared to the bacterial group 0.023 ± 0.02 and 0.04 ± 0.03, respectively (p‐value = 0.025). Eosinophils‐to‐Leukocyte Ratio (ELR) was significantly lower in the fungal group compared to the bacterial group 0.058 ± 0.04 and 0.12 ± 0.1 respectively (p‐value = 0.009). For definition of ELR ≤ 0.1 we found that, sensitivity was 88% (95%CI = 0.679‐0.979) and NPV 90% (95%CI = 0.709‐0.982). For definition of ENR ≤ 0.03 sensitivity was 88% (95%CI = 0.679‐0.979) and NPV 88% (95%CI = 0.679‐0.979).ConclusionLower values of ELR and ENR in patients with NOE are associated with fungal infection and can serve as a tool in adjusting an appropriate antimicrobial therapy in cases of sterile or when no culture is available.
Tumour deposits are independently associated with recurrence in colon cancer
Authors: Hakki Lynn , Khan Asama , Do Eric , Gonen Mithat , Firat Canan , Vakiani Efsevia , Shia Jinru , Widmar Maria , Wei Iris H. , Smith J. Joshua , Pappou Emmanouil P. , Nash Garrett M. , Paty Philip B. , Garcia‐Aguilar Julio , Weiser Martin R. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAimTumour deposits are focal aggregates of cancer cells in pericolic fat and mesentery, distinct from vessels, nerves and lymphatics. Their presence upstages lymph node negative patients but is ignored in lymph node positive patients. We investigated the clinicopathological factors associated with tumour deposits and their impact on recurrence in lymph node positive and negative patients.MethodClinicopathological variables were collected from the medical records of patients with Stage I–III colon cancer who underwent resection in 2017–2019. Pathology was reviewed by a gastrointestinal pathologist. Patients with rectal cancer, metastasis, and concurrent malignancy were excluded.ResultsTumour deposits were noted in 69 (9%) of 770 patients. They were associated with the presence of lymph node metastasis, advanced T category, poorly differentiated tumours, microsatellite stable subtype and lymphovascular and perineural invasion (p < 0.05). The presence of tumour deposits (hazard ratio 2.48, 95% CI 1.49–4.10) and of lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio 3.04, 95% CI 1.72–5.37) were independently associated with decreased time to recurrence. There was a weak correlation (0.27) between the number of tumour deposits and the number of positive lymph nodes.ConclusionTumour deposits are associated with more advanced disease and high‐risk pathological features. The presence of tumour deposits and lymph node metastasis were found to be independent risk factors for decreased time to recurrence. A patient with both lymph node metastasis and tumour deposits is more than twice as likely to have recurrence compared with a patient with only lymph node metastasis. Tumour deposits independently predict recurrence and should not be ignored in lymph node positive patients.
The transaction cost implications from business angel ownership in the Caribbean
Authors: Hearn Bruce , Tauringana Venancio , Ntim Collins 
Published: January 2024

AbstractResearch question/issueThis is a study of the relationship between business angel retained ownership in investee firms across the Caribbean region and their informational asymmetry costs captured in bid‐ask spreads.Research findings/insightsWe find business angel ownership to be associated with a reduction in transaction costs or bid‐ask spreads. However, this is reversed leading to increasing transaction costs following moderation by whether the investee firm has a subsidiary located within an offshore jurisdiction and separately if the investee firm adopts higher levels of Anglo‐American shareholder value corporate governance.Theoretical/academic implicationsWe undertake a novel application of incomplete contracting theory in theorizing the influence of ownership of business angels on the transaction costs of their investee firms. We extend and contribute to theory development through consideration of the presence of investee firm's subsidiary located in offshore financial centers within the firm's corporate network and the degree to which it adopts Anglo‐American shareholder value corporate governance. In the former, we argue business angels are more prone to collaborate with firm insiders to the detriment of outside minority investors given the enhanced opacity and shift in incentives. In the latter, we argue the incongruity between business angels, insiders, and outside minority expectations regarding the adoption of shareholder value governance also leads to elevated transaction costs.Practitioner/policy implicationsBusiness angel finance is widely lauded as a potential source of development capital within regional and developing economies with the potential to rejuvenate otherwise moribund entrepreneurial ecosystems and business sectors. Our study yields important findings relevant for practitioners in formulating development policy nurturing the development of indigenous economies through enhanced business angel participation. It also considers the moderating influence of firm's adoption of Anglo‐American shareholder value corporate governance and whether the firm has a related party located in an offshore financial center, something of profound importance in regions comprising offshore financial centers.
Peak insulin drip rate associated with decreased infections post‐solid organ transplant
Authors: Upadrasta Gautham , Affinati Alison , Kumar Smita , Zelada Henry , Fulkerson Candace , Gupta Suruchi , Pollack Teresa , Andrei Adin‐Cristian , Oakes Diana Johnson , Schmidt Kathleen , Therasse Ashley , Grady Kathleen , Pham Duc , Wilcox Jane , Levitsky Josh , Parikh Neehar , Ladner Daniela , Aleppo Grazia , Molitch Mark E. , Wallia Amisha 
Published: January 2024

AbstractInfection and rejection outcomes were retrospectively analyzed in patients following liver transplant and separately following heart transplant with patients being stratified by their severity of immediate postoperative insulin resistance as measured by the peak insulin drip rate that was required to reduce glucose levels. For each group, these peak insulin drip rates were divided into quartiles (Q). In liver transplant patients (n = 207), those in Q4 (highest infusion rate) had significantly fewer infections up to 6 months post‐transplant (42.3% vs. 60.0%, p = .036) and borderline fewer rejection episodes (25.0% vs. 40.0%, p = .066) compared to Q1–Q3 patients. To confirm these unexpected results, a subsequent similar analysis in heart transplant (n = 188) patients again showed that Q4 patients had significantly fewer infections up to 6 months (19.1% vs. 53.9%, p < .0001) compared to Q1–Q3 patients. Logistic regression in a subset of 103 cardiac transplant patients showed that the maximum glucose during surgery, prior MI, and hypertension were associated with severe insulin resistance (SIR) status, while the presence of pre‐existing diabetes and BMI were not. We hypothesize that patients are who are able to mount a more robust counter‐regulatory response that causes the insulin resistance may be healthier and thus able to mount a better response to infections.
Long‐term survival of ischemic cardiomyopathy patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction after CABG vs heart transplantation: A single center retrospective analysis
Authors: Zhang Tailong , Masroor Matiullah , Jiang Chen , Xu Li , Wang Yixuan , Deng Cheng , Dong Nianguo 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundThere are no guidelines on the surgical management for ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. The present study aims to assess the long‐term survival of these patients treated with two different surgical techniques, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and heart transplantation (HTx).MethodsThis retrospective study included 218 ICM patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35% who underwent CABG (n = 106) and HTx (n = 112) from 2011 to 2021 in a single center. After propensity adjustment analysis each group consisted of 51 patients. Clinical characteristics were evaluated for all‐cause follow‐up mortality by the Cox proportional hazards regression model. A risk prediction model was generated from multivariable‐adjusted Cox regression analysis and applied to stratify patients with different clinical risks. The long‐term survival was estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis for different surgery groups.ResultsLong‐term survival was comparable between CABG and HTx groups. After being stratified into different risk subgroups according to risk predictors, the HTx group exhibited superior survival outcomes compared to the CABG group among the high‐risk patients (67.8% vs 44.4%, 64.1% vs 38.9%, and 64.1% vs 33.3%, p = 0.047) at 12, 36, and 60 months respectively, while the survival was comparable between HTx and CABG groups among low‐risk patients (87.0% vs 97.0%, 82.4% vs 97.0%, and 70.2% vs 91.6%, p = 0.11) at 12, 36, and 60 months respectively in the PSM cohort.ConclusionLong‐term survival in ICM patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction who received CABG or HTx was comparable in general. Nonetheless, a favorable outcome of HTx surgery compared to CABG was observed among high‐risk patients.
Myocardial strain of the left ventricle by speckle tracking echocardiography: From physics to clinical practice
Authors: Gherbesi Elisa , Gianstefani Silvia , Angeli Francesco , Ryabenko Khrystyna , Bergamaschi Luca , Armillotta Matteo , Guerra Emiliano , Tuttolomondo Domenico , Gaibazzi Nicola , Squeri Angelo , Spaziani Cristina , Pizzi Carmine , Carugo Stefano 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSpeckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a reliable imaging technique of recognized clinical value in several settings. This method uses the motion of ultrasound backscatter speckles within echocardiographic images to derive myocardial velocities and deformation parameters, providing crucial insights on several cardiac pathological and physiological processes. Its feasibility, reproducibility, and accuracy have been widely demonstrated, being myocardial strain of the various chambers inserted in diagnostic algorithms and guidelines for various pathologies. The most important parameters are Global longitudinal strain (GLS), Left atrium (LA) reservoir strain, and Global Work Index (GWI): based on large studies the average of the lower limit of normality are −16%, 23%, and 1442 mmHg%, respectively. For GWI, it should be pointed out that myocardial work relies primarily on non‐invasive measurements of blood pressure and segmental strain, both of which exhibit high variability, and thus, this variability constitutes a significant limitation of this parameter. In this review, we describe the principal aspects of the theory behind the use of myocardial strain, from cardiac mechanics to image acquisition techniques, outlining its limitation, and its principal clinical applications: in particular, GLS have a role in determine subclinical myocardial dysfunction (in cardiomyopathies, cardiotoxicity, target organ damage in ambulatory patients with arterial hypertension) and LA strain in determine the risk of AF, specifically in ambulatory patients with arterial hypertension.
Qualitative research in dental traumatology—A narrative review
Authors: Kenny Kate P. , Chauhan Amrit , Pavitt Sue , Foy Robbie , Day Peter F. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis review highlights the recent contributions of qualitative research in advancing understanding of dental trauma injury and the barriers and enablers to guide policy for improved patient‐centred care including transitional care. It summarises the common approaches and methods used and outlines the key factors that guide the appraisal of qualitative studies. It highlights the importance of the application of qualitative research methods in dental research to generate rich and detailed data to provide explanations and insights into people's experiences, beliefs and attitudes and the complexity of human decision‐making and behaviour. In the past decade while there have been a growing number of publications of qualitative studies in dental journals, qualitative studies remain a small percentage of the published dental traumatology research. This may be because of limited understanding about the background, methods and rigour of qualitative research.
The value of additional electrodes when stereo‐electroencephalography is inconclusive
Authors: Ilyas Adeel , Vilella Laura , Restrepo Carlos E. , Johnson Jessica , Pati Sandipan , Lacuey Nuria , Lhatoo Samden , Thompson Stephen A. , Tandon Nitin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveStereo‐electroencephalography (SEEG) is the preferred method for intracranial localization of the seizure‐onset zone (SOZ) in drug‐resistant focal epilepsy. Occasionally SEEG evaluation fails to confirm the pre‐implantation hypothesis. This leads to a decision tree regarding whether the addition of SEEG electrodes (two‐step SEEG – 2sSEEG) or placement of subdural electrodes (SDEs) after SEEG (SEEG2SDE) would help. There is a dearth of literature encompassing this scenario, and here we aimed to characterize outcomes following unplanned two‐step intracranial EEG (iEEG).MethodsAll 225 adult SEEG cases over 8 years at our institution were reviewed to extract patient data and outcomes following a two‐step evaluation. Three raters independently quantified benefits of additional intracranial electrodes. The relationship between two‐step iEEG benefit and clinical outcome was then analyzed.ResultsFourteen patients underwent 2sSEEG and nine underwent SEEG2SDE. In the former cohort, the second SEEG procedure was performed for these reasons—precise localization of the SOZ (36%); defining margins of eloquent cortex (21%); and broadening coverage in the setting of non‐localizable seizure onsets (43% of cases). Sixty‐four percent of 2sSEEG cases were consistently deemed beneficial (Light's κ = 0.80). 2sSEEG performed for the first two indications was much more beneficial than when onsets were not localizable (100% vs 17%, p = .02). In the SEEG2SDE cohort, SDEs identified the SOZ and enabled delineation of margins relative to eloquent cortex in all cases.SignificanceThe two‐step iEEG is useful if the initial evaluation is broadly concordant with the original electroclinical hypothesis, where it can clarify onset zones or delineate safe surgical margins; however, it provides minimal benefit when the implantation hypothesis is erroneous, and we recommend that 2sSEEG not be generally utilized in such cases. SDE implantation after SEEG minimizes the need for SDEs and is helpful in delineating surgical boundaries relative to ictal‐onset zones and eloquent cortex.
The rhythms of histones in regeneration: The epigenetic modifications determined by clock genes
Authors: da Silveira Ericka J. D. , Barros Caio C. D. S. , Bottino Marco C. , Castilho Rogerio M. , Squarize Cristiane 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe evolutionary establishment of an internal biological clock is a primordial event tightly associated with a 24‐h period. Changes in the circadian rhythm can affect cellular functions, including proliferation, DNA repair and redox state. Even isolated organs, tissues and cells can maintain an autonomous circadian rhythm. These cell‐autonomous molecular mechanisms are driven by intracellular clock genes, such as BMAL1. Little is known about the role of core clock genes and epigenetic modifications in the skin. Our focus was to identify BMAL1‐driven epigenetic modifications associated with gene transcription by mapping the acetylation landscape of histones in epithelial cells responding to injury. We explored the role of BMAL1 in epidermal wound and tissue regeneration using a loss‐of‐function approach in vivo. We worked with BMAL1 knockout mice and a contraction‐resistance wound healing protocol, determining the histone modifications using specific antibodies to detect the acetylation levels of histones H3 and H4. We found significant differences in the acetylation levels of histones in both homeostatic and injured skin with deregulated BMAL1. The intact skin displayed varied acetylation levels of histones H3 and H4, including hyperacetylation of H3 Lys 9 (H3K9). The most pronounced changes were observed at the repair site, with notable alterations in the acetylation pattern of histone H4. These findings reveal the importance of histone modifications in response to injury and indicate that modulation of BMAL1 and its associated epigenetic events could be therapeutically harnessed to improve skin regeneration.