bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lumbar multifidus characteristics and body composition in university level athletes
Authors: Anstruther Meagan , Rizk Amanda , Frenette Stephane , Fortin Maryse 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionBody composition is well known to affect sport performance and previous studies suggested that structural and functional lumbar multifidus (LM) impairments in athletes were associated with low back pain and lower leg injuries. However few studies have examined the relationship between LM characteristics and body composition in athletic populations.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included a total of 134 university varsity athletes (hockey, soccer, rugby, and football players). Ultrasound imaging was used to examined LM characteristics at the L5 bilaterally [e.g., size, thickness at rest, thickness during contraction, echo-intensity (EI) and % thickness change from rest to contraction] and body composition parameters (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry). Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between LM characteristics and body composition parameters. One-way ANOVA assessed differences in LM characteristics and body composition between sports. All analyses were performed separately by sex.ResultsLM size and thickness were positively correlated with weight, height, lean body mass and total bone mass (male: r = 0.23–0.55, p &lt; 0.01–0.05; female: r = 0.30–0.39, p &lt; 0.01–0.05). LM EI was strongly correlated with % body fat (male: r = 0.62, female: r = 0.71, p &lt; 0.01). LM thickness at rest (r = 0.42, p &lt; 0.01) and contracted (r = 0.27, p &lt; 0.05) were positively correlated and % thickness change was negatively correlated with % body fat in male athletes (r = −0.43, p &lt; 0.01).DiscussionThe significant differences in body composition and LM characteristics between sports may be attributed to sport specific demands. Understanding connections between body composition and LM may aid in preseason screening for athletes at risk of low back pain or lower leg injuries during the season.
High-resolution DNA methylation screening of the major histocompatibility complex in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ma Qin , Augusto Danillo G. , Montero-Martin Gonzalo , Caillier Stacy J. , Osoegawa Kazutoyo , Cree Bruce A. C. , Hauser Stephen L. , Didonna Alessandro , Hollenbach Jill A. , Norman Paul J. , Fernandez-Vina Marcelo , Oksenberg Jorge R. 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundThe HLA-DRB1 gene in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region in chromosome 6p21 is the strongest genetic factor identified as influencing multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility. DNA methylation changes associated with MS have been consistently detected at the MHC region. However, understanding the full scope of epigenetic regulations of the MHC remains incomplete, due in part to the limited coverage of this region by standard whole genome bisulfite sequencing or array-based methods.MethodsWe developed and validated an MHC capture protocol coupled with bisulfite sequencing and conducted a comprehensive analysis of the MHC methylation landscape in blood samples from 147 treatment naïve MS study participants and 129 healthy controls.ResultsWe identified 132 differentially methylated region (DMRs) within MHC region associated with disease status. The DMRs overlapped with established MS risk loci. Integration of the MHC methylome with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genetic data indicate that the methylation changes are significantly associated with HLA genotypes. Using DNA methylation quantitative trait loci (mQTL) mapping and the causal inference test (CIT), we identified 643 cis-mQTL-DMRs paired associations, including 71 DMRs possibly mediating causal relationships between 55 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and MS risk.ResultsThe results describe MS-associated methylation changes in MHC region and highlight the association between HLA genotypes and methylation changes. Results from the mQTL and CIT analyses provide evidence linking MHC region variations, methylation changes, and disease risk for MS.
Dysfunction of the glymphatic system in childhood absence epilepsy
Authors: Pu Wanqing , Wei Shanzhen , Qiu Mengdi , Chen Xiaoyu , Zou Wenwei , Ge Yingchao , Qiu Wenchao 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the glymphatic system in childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) using diffusion tensor image analysis along the paravascular space (DTI-ALPS) index. Methods: Forty-two CAE patients and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were included in this study. All participants underwent scanning using a Siemens 3.0 T magnetic resonance scanner, and the DTI-ALPS index was calculated. The study compared the differences of DTI-ALPS index between CAE patients and the healthy controls. Additionally, this study also assessed the relationship between the DTI-ALPS index and clinical characteristics such as age, seizure frequency, and duration of epilepsy.ResultsThe DTI-ALPS index was lower in CAE patients compared to the healthy controls (1.45 ± 0.36 vs. 1.66 ± 0.30, p &lt; 0.01). The DTI-ALPS index showed a negative correlation with the duration of epilepsy (r = −0.48, p &lt; 0.01) and a positive correlation with age (r = 0.766, p &lt; 0.01) in CAE patients. However, no significant correlation was observed between the DTI-ALPS index and seizure frequency.ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that children with CAE exhibit dysfunction in the glymphatic system of the brain, which might contribute to understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of CAE. The DTI-ALPS, as a non-invasive diagnostic marker, can be used to assess the function of the glymphatic system in CAE patients, providing promising applications in the diagnosis and research of CAE.
Changes in adhesion molecules: β-catenin, E-cadherin and Galectin-3 in cells of testicular seminoma
Authors: Młynarczyk Grzegorz , Domian Natalia , Kasacka Irena 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThe most common testicular tumors are seminomas. They are characterized by rapid growth and a very high potential for metastasis to other organs. Mutual interactions of tumor cells play an important role in the invasiveness and metastatic capacity, in which complexes of adhesion proteins play a special role. There is a lack of studies on changes in these molecules and their behaviour in testicular cancer. The aim of the study was immunohistochemical identification and evalutaion of adhesive molecules β-catenin, E-cadherin, galectin-3 in testicular cancer – seminoma.MethodsTests were performed on sections of testicular cancer – seminoma in comparison with unchanged tissue samples as a control. Material was taken from 30 patients who underwent orchiectomy. Immunohistochemistry and PCR were used to identify β-catenin, E-cadherin and galectin-3 and gene expression.ResultsImmunoreactivity and expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin in seminomas were markedly decreased compared to non-cancerous testicular tissue. Galectin-3 immunoreactivity was found in both control and cancerous tissue, but in different location. In non-cancerous tissue, it was localized in the cytoplasm of the cells of the seminiferous tubules, in seminomas it was localized mainly in the endothelium. The expression of the Lgals3 gene encoding galectin-3 in seminomas was slightl higher in relation to the tissue unchanged by the carcinogenetic process.ConclusionsThe results of the study suggest a significant role of β-catenin, E-cadherin and galectin-3 in the carcinogenesis of seminomas and may indicate new aspects of the patomechanism of seminomas formation, and thus time lead to better understand the biology of these tumors.
A single scalp nodule as the first presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (KMT2A::MLLT3) in a healthy-appearing infant: a case report
Authors: Pellegrino Francesco , Coppo Paola , Barisone Elena , Bertorello Nicoletta , Spadea Manuela , Fagioli Franca 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundInfant leukemia is a rare form of acute leukemia diagnosed prior to the age of 1 and is characterized by an extremely poor prognosis due to its dismal response to current therapeutic approaches. It comprises about 4% of all childhood cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Isolated initial cutaneous involvement in ALL is uncommon, and even more so in infant ALL.Case presentationHere, we present the case of a 2-month-old healthy-appearing infant, initially presenting with a single scalp nodule and subsequently diagnosed with an infant ALL. The leukemia was characterized by the most immature B-lineage immunophenotype [pro-B ALL/B-I, according to the European Group for the Immunological Characterization of Leukaemias (EGIL) classification] and chromosomal translocation t(9;11)(p22;q23), resulting in fusion gene KMTLA2::MLLT3, which is considered a negative prognostic factor. The patient underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and is still in remission.ConclusionsThis case is peculiar because of the rare occurrence of isolated initial cutaneous involvement in ALL. Despite the healthy appearance of the patient, every suspicious symptom suggestive of malignancies should be further investigated to anticipate the diagnosis and start treatment early.
Clinical and economic impact of partnered pharmacist medication charting in the emergency department
Authors: Atey Tesfay Mehari , Peterson Gregory M. , Salahudeen Mohammed S. , Simpson Tom , Boland Camille M. , Anderson Ed , Wimmer Barbara C. 
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Partnered pharmacist medication charting (PPMC), a process redesign hypothesised to improve medication safety and interdisciplinary collaboration, was trialed in a tertiary hospital’s emergency department (ED).Objective: To evaluate the health-related impact and economic benefit of PPMC.Methods: A pragmatic, controlled study compared PPMC to usual care in the ED. PPMC included a pharmacist-documented best-possible medication history (BPMH), followed by a clinical conversation between a pharmacist and a medical officer to jointly develop a treatment plan and chart medications. Usual care included medical officer-led traditional medication charting in the ED, without a pharmacist-obtained BPMH or clinical conversation. Outcome measures, assessed after propensity score matching, were length of hospital or ED stay, relative stay index (RSI), in-hospital mortality, 30-day hospital readmissions or ED revisits, and cost.Results: A total of 309 matched pairs were analysed. The median RSI was reduced by 15.4% with PPMC (p = 0.029). There were no significant differences between the groups in the median length of ED stay (8 vs. 10 h, p = 0.52), in-hospital mortality (1.3% vs. 1.3%, p &gt; 0.99), 30-day readmission rates (21% vs. 17%; p = 0.35) and 30-day ED revisit rates (21% vs. 19%; p = 0.68). The hospital spent approximately $138.4 for the cost of PPMC care per patient to avert at least one medication error bearing high/extreme risk. PPMC saved approximately $1269 on the average cost of each admission.Conclusion: Implementing the ED-based PPMC model was associated with a significantly reduced RSI and admission costs, but did not affect clinical outcomes, noting that there was an additional focus on medication reconciliation in the usual care group relative to current practice at our study site.
Linking functional composition moments of the sub-Mediterranean ecotone with environmental drivers
Authors: de Tomás Marín Sergio , Galán Díaz Javier , Rodríguez-Calcerrada Jesús , Prieto Iván , de la Riva Enrique G. 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionFunctional trait-based approaches are extensively applied to the study of mechanisms governing community assembly along environmental gradients. These approaches have been classically based on studying differences in mean values among species, but there is increasing recognition that alternative metrics of trait distributions should be considered to decipher the mechanisms determining community assembly and species coexistence. Under this framework, the main aim of this study is to unravel the effects of environmental conditions as drivers of plant community assembly in sub-Mediterranean ecotones.MethodsWe set 60 plots in six plant communities of a sub-Mediterranean forest in Central Spain, and measured key above- and belowground functional traits in 411 individuals belonging to 19 species, along with abiotic variables. We calculated community-weighted mean (CWM), skewness (CWS) and kurtosis (CWK) of three plant dimensions, and used maximum likelihood techniques to analyze how variation in these functional community traits was driven by abiotic factors. Additionally, we estimated the relative contribution of intraspecific trait variability and species turnover to variation in CWM.Results and discussionThe first three axes of variation of the principal component analyses were related to three main plant ecological dimensions: Leaf Economics Spectrum, Root Economics Spectrum and plant hydraulic architecture, respectively. Type of community was the most important factor determining differences in the functional structure among communities, as compared to the role of abiotic variables. We found strong differences among communities in their CWMs in line with their biogeographic origin (Eurosiberian vs Mediterranean), while differences in CWS and CWK indicate different trends in the functional structure among communities and the coexistence of different functional strategies, respectively. Moreover, changes in functional composition were primarily due to intraspecific variability.ConclusionWe observed a high number of strategies in the forest with the different communities spreading along the acquisitive-conservative axis of resource-use, partly matching their Eurosiberian-Mediterranean nature, respectively. Intraspecific trait variability, rather than species turnover, stood as the most relevant factor when analyzing functional changes and assembly patterns among communities. Altogether, our data support the notion that ecotones are ecosystems where relatively minor environmental shifts may result in changes in plant and functional composition.
Relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone, BDNF levels, and hippocampal volume in antipsychotic-naïve first-episode psychosis patients
Authors: Toll Alba , Blanco-Hinojo Laura , Berge Daniel , Manzano Ana , El Abidi Khadija , Perez-Solà Víctor , Mané Anna 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThyroid hormones play an essential role in hippocampal development, a key structure in psychosis. However, the role of these hormones in first-episode psychosis (FEP) has received limited attention. It has been hypothesized that thyroid hormones could cause morphological modifications in the hippocampal structure through the upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In this study, we primarily aimed to determine the relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, peripheral BDNF levels, and hippocampal volume in antipsychotic-naïve FEP patients. We also aimed to determine whether TSH levels were associated with clinical symptomatology.Materials and methodsA total of 50 antipsychotic-naïve FEP patients were included in the study. At baseline, we collected fasting blood samples and registered sociodemographic and clinical variables (substance use, DUP, PANSS, GAF, and CDSS). Structural T1 MRI was performed at baseline to quantify brain volumes. No control group was used for this study.ResultsOf the 50 patients, more than one-third (36%) presented alterations in TSH levels, mainly elevated levels (32% of patients). The TSH levels were inversely correlated with both peripheral BDNF and hippocampal volume. On the multivariate analysis, the model that best predicted the relative hippocampal volume was a single variable model (TSH levels). No significant association was observed between TSH levels and clinical symptomatology.DiscussionThese results suggest that thyroid hormones could have a neuroprotective effect on the hippocampus in FEP patients, possibly through their effect by increasing BDNF concentrations, which could attenuate brain injury and neuroinflammation. Nevertheless, thyroid hormones could also affect hippocampal volume through other pathways.
Spatiotemporal evolution of healthcare service capacity at township health centers in China
Authors: Chen Hong , Zhao Liyang , Yu Jin 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThis study analyzes the efficiency, spatiotemporal evolution, and influencing factors of provincial township health centers' healthcare service capacity in China.MethodIt utilizes an unexpected output super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SBM) model, exploratory spatiotemporal data analysis methods, and a quantile regression model.ResultsThe results show that the healthcare service capacity of township health centers is better in provinces with a larger proportion of hierarchical diagnoses and treatments pilot projects in cities, and the regional efficiency trend is ordered central &gt; eastern &gt; western &gt; northeastern. The healthcare service capacity of provincial township health centers mainly shows significant spatial correlation and a spatiotemporal distribution pattern of “high agglomeration, low differentiation.”DiscussionRural population density and per capita GDP significantly improve the healthcare service capacity of township health centers, while local governments' healthcare and health expenditure increases the healthcare service capacity of township health centers in certain quantiles. The urbanization rate and per capita disposable income inhibit the improvement of the healthcare service capacity of township health centers in certain quantiles. The provinces should accelerate the promotion of hierarchical diagnoses and treatment pilot projects in cities and establish national cooperative development models to promote public health.
Feasibility pilot study of a Japanese teaching kitchen program
Authors: Baden Megu Y. , Kato Sarasa , Niki Akiko , Hara Tomoyuki , Ozawa Harutoshi , Ishibashi Chisaki , Hosokawa Yoshiya , Fujita Yukari , Fujishima Yuya , Nishizawa Hitoshi , Kozawa Junji , Muraki Isao , Furuya Yusuke , Yonekura Akio , Shigyo Tatsuro , Kawabe Taro , Shimomura Iichiro , Eisenberg David M. 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundThis pilot study examined the feasibility of a new lifestyle modification program involving a “Teaching Kitchen” in Japan. Our goal was to explore (1) feasibility of the program; (2) acceptability for class frequency (weekly vs. bi-weekly); and (3) changes in biometrics, dietary intakes, and lifestyle factors.MethodsA total of 24 employees with obesity in a Japanese company were recruited. Participants were randomly divided into two groups (weekly or bi-weekly group), each attending the program consisting of four two-hour classes (lectures on nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and culinary instructions). Participants were observed for changes in dietary intakes, biometrics, and health related quality of life over the subsequent 3 months. We tested the between-group differences in changes using linear mixed-effect models.ResultsThe program completion rates were 83.3% in total (91.7% for weekly group and 75.0% for bi-weekly group). From baseline to post-intervention, significant decreases were observed in weight (p &lt; 0.001), body mass index (p &lt; 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.03), body fat mass (p &lt; 0.001), and dietary intakes in total fat (p = 0.03) and sodium (p = 0.008) among 17 participants who were available for measurements. Improvements in biometrics remained significant 1 month after the intervention (all p ≤ 0.03 in 14 participants). Participants' health related quality of life was significantly improved in bodily pain, general health, vitality, and mental component score (all p ≤ 0.047).ConclusionsThe new Japanese Teaching Kitchen program is feasible with high program completion rates in Japanese office workers with obesity. While this was a small feasibility study, significant multiple improvements in dietary intakes, biometrics, and health related quality of life suggest that this line of inquiry warrants further exploration to address obesity and obesity-related diseases in Japan.
HipHop2SToP a community-led health promotion initiative empowering Aboriginal youth in the Kimberley region of Western Australia: a process evaluation
Authors: McRae Tracy , Walker Roz , Enkel Stephanie , Thomas Hannah M. M. , Jacky John , Sibosado Slade , Mullane Marianne , Maginnis Natasha , Coffin Juli , Carapetis Jonathan R. , Bowen Asha C. 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionFor millennia, Aboriginal people’s ways of knowing, doing and being were shared through art, song, and dance. Colonisation silenced these ways, affecting loss of self-determination for Aboriginal people. Over the past decade in Australia, hip-hop projects have become culturally appropriate approaches for health promotion. When community led, and Aboriginal worldviews centralised, hip-hop workshops are more likely to be effective. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a community-led health promotion hip-hop music video, ‘HipHop2SToP’ was produced involving young people in Dampier Peninsula communities address healthy skin and healthy living practices.MethodsWe report here a qualitative process evaluation of the HipHop2SToP project. Participants who had been involved in the planning and production of HipHop2SToP were selected using a purposive approach and invited either by email or face-to-face to participate in semi-structured interviews and share their experiences. Semi-structured interviews ranged from 30 to 60 min in duration and were conducted either face-to-face or virtually over MS Teams. Due to personal time constraints, two participants provided written responses to the semi-structured questions. All interviews were audio-recorded with consent and saved as a digital recording in a de-identified format. All audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and uploaded into QSR NVivo v12 along with written responses.ResultsAs a health promotion project, the critical success factors were community-ownership and discovering novel ways to collaborate virtually with remote communities using Microsoft (MS) software. Highlights included observing the young people actively engaged in the project and their catchy lyrics and key messaging for environmental health and skin infections. COVID-19 presented some challenges. Gaps in communication, clarification of stakeholder roles and expectations, and post-production outcomes were also identified as challenges.ConclusionHipHop2SToP validates the need for Aboriginal community led health promotion programs. While creating some challenges COVID-19 also strengthened community ownership and created novel ways of maintaining relationships with remote Aboriginal communities. Future hip-hop projects would benefit from clarity of roles and responsibilities. Strengthening post-production outcomes by including a launch and well-planned, targeted communication and dissemination strategy will ensure the wider translation of important health messages and potential strengthen sustainability.