bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community implementation of a brief parent mediated intervention for toddlers with probable or confirmed autism spectrum disorder: feasibility, acceptability, and drivers of success (IE Drmic et al.)
Authors: Drmic Irene , Brian Jessica , Roncadin Caroline , Shaver Chantelle , Pase Marlene , Rugajs Natalie , Tofano Kristina , Dowds Erin , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Smith Isabel M. , Bryson Susan E. 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundSocial ABCs is a caregiver-mediated Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention for toddlers with confirmed/suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with evidence in controlled research settings. Information is lacking on implementation in community settings. We reported on the treatment effectiveness of this program within a community setting, and the current paper describes the implementation phase of this work. Distinguishing between treatment and implementation effectiveness is critical for transporting interventions from laboratory to community.ObjectivesDescribe the implementation of Social ABCs through a large public autism service, supported by a research-community partnership.MethodsWe describe this project through the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework as it focuses on implementation of evidence-based practices in publicly funded services. We apply this framework to the reporting stage. This project took place in the context of a 3-year government-funded pilot at a hospital-based publicly funded autism service. Participants: Program developers; Autism Service team; toddlers with suspected/confirmed ASD aged 14–34 months (M = 25.18 months) and their caregivers. Training/supervision: Provided by program developers at tapering intensity. Evaluation: Caregivers completed the Caregiver Diary and satisfaction surveys. We explored training processes, intervention uptake, acceptability, adaptations to fit community context, appropriateness, perceived impact, and facilitators/barriers.ResultsSix coaches were trained to fidelity, and three of these were further trained as Site Trainers. 183 clinically referred families enrolled and 89.4% completed the 12-week program. Caregivers reported increases in adherence and competence, high satisfaction and perceived benefits for their children. Coaches reported high satisfaction. Toddlers were appropriately identified to receive the intervention. Referral processes improved, including decreased referral age, and increased family readiness for diagnostic assessment and subsequent services.ConclusionsSocial ABCs was successfully implemented in a community service through a research-community partnership. The program was feasible, acceptable, and appropriate within a community context. Drivers of success included funding, institutional support, shared decision-making, adaptations to fit context, leadership support, perceived positive impact, and commitment to evaluation.
Unravelling the role of Sildenafil and SB204741 in suppressing fibrotic potential of peritoneal fibroblasts obtained from PD patients
Authors: Chaturvedi Saurabh , Singh Harshit , Agarwal Vikas , Jaiswal Akhilesh , Prasad Narayan 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) results in technique failure in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Peritoneal fibroblasts are characterized by increase in the ACTA2 gene, responsible for alpha smooth muscle actin (α−SΜΑ), extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and inflammatory cytokines production, which are the are key mediators in the pathogenesis of PF. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) induces ECM synthesis in fibroblasts in a transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) dependent manner. The purpose of our study was to identify the potential mechanism and role of sildenafil and 5HT2B receptor inhibitor (SB204741) combination in attenuating PD-associated peritoneal fibrosis.Methods: Studies were performed to determine the effect of TGF-β1, sildenafil, and SB204741 on human peritoneal fibroblasts (HPFBs) isolated from the parietal peritoneum of patients in long-term PD patients (n = 6) and controls (n = 6). HPFBs were incubated with TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) for 1 h and later with TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL)/[sildenafil (10 µM) or SB204741 (1 µM)] and their combination for 24 h (post-treatment strategy). In the pre-treatment strategy, HPFBs were pre-treated with sildenafil (10 µM) or SB204741 (1 µM) and a combination of the two for 1 h and later with only TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) for 24 h.Results: The anti-fibrotic effects of the combination of sildenafil and SB204741 were greater than that of each drug alone. In TGF-β1-stimulated HPFBs, pro-fibrotic genes (COL1A1, COL1A2, ACTA2, CTGF, FN1, and TGFB1) exhibited higher expression than in controls, which are crucial targets of sildenafil and SB204741 against peritoneal fibrosis. The synergistic approach played an anti-fibrotic role by regulating the pro- and anti-fibrotic gene responses as well as inflammatory cytokine responses. The combination treatment significantly attenuated peritoneal fibrosis, as evident by the almost complete amelioration of ACTA2 expression, restoration of anti-fibrotic genes (MMP2/TIMP1), and, at least, by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β1) along with an increase in IL-10 levels.Discussion: Taken together, the above research evidences that the combination of sildenafil and SB204741 may have therapeutic potential in suppressing peritoneal fibrosis due to peritoneal dialysis.
The in vivo study on antioxidant activity of wendan decoction in treating hyperlipidemia: a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model
Authors: Xu Nan , Ijaz Muhammad , Shu Yishuo , Wang Peng , Ma Lei , Wang Ping , Ding Hailing , Shahbaz Muhammad , Shi Haiyan 
Published: January 2024

Background: Wendan Decoction (WDD) is a six-herb Chinese medicine recipe that was first mentioned in about 652 AD. It is frequently used to treat hyperlipidemic patients’ clinical complaints. According to reports, oxidative stress has a significant role in hyperlipidemia.Purpose: There has not yet been a thorough pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) examination of the clinical efficacy of WDD in the context of hyperlipemia-related oxidative stress. Therefore, the goal of this research is to explore the antioxidant essence of WDD by developing a PK-PD model, ordering to assure its implication in treating hyperlipidemia in medical practice.Methods: The model rats of foodborne hyperlipidemia were established by feeding with high-fat feed, and the lipid-lowering effect of WDD was explored. The plasma drug concentration of rats at different doses were measured by UPL-MS/MS technology, and PK parameters were calculated using Phoenix WinNonlin 8.1 software. The level of lipid peroxide (LPO) in plasma at different time points was measured by enzyme labeling instrument. Finally, the PK-PD model was established by using Phoenix WinNonlin 8.1 software, to explore the lipid-lowering effect of WDD and the relation between the dynamic changes of chemical components and antioxidant effect.Results: The findings suggested that, WDD can reduce the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in plasma, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was related to the dosage. Between the peak drug levels and the WDD’s maximal therapeutic response, there existed a hysteresis. WDD’s effect-concentration curves displayed a counterclockwise delaying loop. Alternatively, among the ten components of WDD, hesperetin, quercetin, naringenin and tangeretin might exert more significant effects in regulating the LPO levels in hyperlipidemic rats.Conclusion: This study can be helpful for other investigators to study the lipid-lowering effect of WDD.
Effectiveness and economic evaluation of rhTPO and rhIL-11 in the treatment of cancer therapy induced thrombocytopenia based on real-world research
Authors: Gong Fa-Min , Liu Fu-Yue , Ma Xue , Ma Song-Tao , Xiao Hong-Tao , Jiang Gang , Qi Ting-Ting 
Published: January 2024

Objective: Based on real-world research, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and economy of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) and recombinant human interleukin 11 (rhIL-11) in the treatment of cancer therapy induced thrombocytopenia (CTIT).Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data of patients with CTIT who were treated with rhTPO or rhIL-11 in a single cancer hospital from January 2020 to December 2021. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to eliminate confounding factors. The measurements of effectiveness analysis were the platelet compliance rate, days of medication, days of compliance, highest platelet count after medication, platelet count elevation before and after medication, and the lowest platelet count after next-cycle cancer therapy. The economic evaluation was performed according to the results of the effectiveness evaluation. At the same time, patients were stratified according to type of tumor and grade of thrombocytopenia for subgroup analysis.Results: A total of 262 patients were collected and 174 patients were enrolled after PSM, 87 in the rhTPO group and 87 in the rhIL-11 group. In all patients, there were no significant differences in the platelet compliance rate, mean days of medication, median days of compliance, median highest platelet count after medication, and the median platelet count elevation before and after medication between the two groups (p &gt; 0.05), but the median lowest platelet count after next-cycle cancer therapy in the rhTPO group was lower than that in the rhIL-11 group (p = 0.014). The subgroup analysis showed that the rhTPO group had longer mean days of medication than the rhIL-11 group in patients with hematological malignancies (p = 0.042), and a lower median lowest platelet count after next-cycle cancer therapy in patients with grade I/II thrombocytopenia than rhIL-11 group (p = 0.022), with no significant difference in other outcome indicators (p &gt; 0.05). As there was no statistically significant difference in platelet compliance rate between the two groups, the cost-minimization analysis showed that the rhIL-11 group had lower treatment costs than the rhTPO group.Conclusion: RhTPO and rhIL-11 showed similar effectiveness in the treatment of CTIT, but rhIL-11 was more advantageous in economic cost.
Shizao decoction for cirrhotic ascites: assessing potential targets based on network analysis combined with pharmacokinetics and metabolomics
Authors: Li Wenjing , Hou Yujiao , Wang Yanping , Liu Ronghong , Zhang Han , Luo Yanqiong , Li Qian , Njolibimi Mosesmanaanye , Hong Bo , Xu Tao 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Shizao decoction (SZD) is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction that has therapeutic effects on cirrhotic ascites (CAS). Because of the unclear treatment mechanism, in the current study, the anti-CAS activity of SZD and molecular mechanisms were analyzed by network analysis combined with pharmacokinetics and metabolomics.Methods: Firstly, we assessed the anti-CAS efficacy of SZD by hematoxylin-eosin (H&amp;E), liver function tests, NO and ET-1 levels, and portal venous pressure. Secondly, network analysis was applied to dig out the metabolites, targets, and pathways related to SZD and CAS. Then, the pharmacokinetics of the pharmacokinetically relevant metabolites (PRM) were analyzed. Thirdly, the serum and urine metabolic biomarkers of rats with CAS were identified using metabolomics by comparing them with the SZD treatment group. In addition, MetaboAnalyst was utilized to conduct metabolic pathway analysis. Finally, the correlation analysis established a dynamic connection between absorbed PRM from SZD and CAS-associated endogenous metabolites.Results: Pharmacodynamic analysis indicated that SZD effectively mitigated liver injury symptoms by ameliorating inflammatory cell infiltration in CAS rats. The network analysis results indicated that twelve RPM contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of SZD against CAS; the key signaling pathways involved might be hepatitis B and PI3K-Akt. Pharmacokinetics results showed that the 12 RPM were efficiently absorbed into rat plasma, ensuring desirable bioavailability. The metabolomic analysis yielded 21 and 23 significantly distinct metabolites from the serum and urine, respectively. The 12 bioavailable SZD-PRM, such as luteolin, apigenin, and rutin, may be associated with various CAS-altered metabolites related to tryptophan metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, glycine metabolism, etc.Discussion: A novel paradigm was provided in this study to identify the potential mechanisms of pharmacological effects derived from a traditional Chinese medicine decoction.
Mindful breathing as an effective technique in the management of hypertension
Authors: Natarajan Aravind , Emir-Farinas Hulya , Su Hao-Wei 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most important, modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The popularity of wearable devices provides an opportunity to test whether device guided slow mindful breathing may serve as a non-pharmacological treatment in the management of hypertension.Methods: Fitbit Versa-3 and Sense devices were used for this study. In addition, participants were required to own an FDA or Health Canada approved blood pressure measuring device. Advertisements were shown to 655,910 Fitbit users, of which 7,365 individuals expressed interest and filled out the initial survey. A total of 1,918 participants entered their blood pressure readings on at least 1 day and were considered enrolled in the study. Participants were instructed to download a guided mindful breathing app on their smartwatch device, and to engage with the app once a day prior to sleep. Participants measured their systolic and diastolic blood pressure prior to starting each mindful breathing session, and again after completion. All measurements were self reported. Participants were located in the United States or Canada.Results: Values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reduced following mindful breathing. There was also a decrease in resting systolic and diastolic measurements when measured over several days. For participants with a systolic pressure ≥ 130 mmHg, there was a decrease of 9.7 mmHg following 15 min of mindful breathing at 6 breaths per minute. When measured over several days, the resting systolic pressure decreased by an average of 4.3 mmHg.Discussion: Mindful breathing for 15 min a day, at a rate of 6 breaths per minute is effective in lowering blood pressure, and has both an immediate, and a short term effect (over several days). This large scale study demonstrates that device guided mindful breathing with a consumer wearable for 15 min a day is effective in lowering blood pressure, and a helpful complement to the standard of care.
Effects of whole-body vibration training on physical function, activities of daily living, and quality of life in patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zeng Duchun , Zhao Kun , Lei Wei , Yu Yanmei , Li Weili , Kong Yurou , Lai Junmei , Ma Fenghao , Ye Xiangming , Zhang Xiaofeng 
Published: January 2024

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) in patients with stroke, specifically focusing on its effects on physical function, activities of daily living (ADL), and quality of life (QOL). Additionally, potential moderators influencing WBVT outcomes were explored.Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to September 2022. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials employing WBVT in patients with stroke. Two investigators independently extracted the data and calculated the standardized mean difference (SMD) using random-effect models.Results: Twenty-five studies involving 991 patients were included in this meta-analysis. WBVT demonstrated significant reductions in spasticity (SMD = −0.33, 95% CI = −0.61 to −0.06, p = 0.02), improvements in motor function (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.61, p &lt; 0.01), and enhancements in balance function (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.47, p &lt; 0.01) in patients with stroke. However, no significant effects were observed for gait (SMD = −0.23, 95% CI = −0.50 to 0.04, p = 0.10), ADL (SMD = −0.01, 95% CI = −0.46 to 0.44, p = 0.97), or QOL (SMD = 0.12, 95% CI = −0.30 to 0.53, p = 0.59). Subgroup analyses revealed that variable frequency vibration and side-alternating vibration exhibited significant efficacy in reducing spasticity and improving motor and balance functions, while fixed frequency vibration and vertical vibration did not yield significant therapeutic benefits in these domains.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that WBVT may serve as a viable adjunct therapy for stroke patients to alleviate spasticity and enhance motor and balance functions. Variable frequency and side-alternating vibration appear to be crucial factors influencing the therapeutic effects of WBVT on these dysfunctions. Nonetheless, WBVT did not show significant effects on gait, ADL, or QOL in stroke patients.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier (CRD42022384319)
Intracardiac electrophysiology to characterize susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias in murine models
Authors: Ferrand Marine C. , Giordano Gauthier , Mougenot Nathalie , Laporte Pierre-Léo , Vignier Nicolas , Leclerc Arnaud , Algalarrondo Vincent , Extramiana Fabrice , Charpentier Flavien , Neyroud Nathalie 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) and ventricular fibrillation are rare but severe complications of many cardiovascular diseases and represent a major health issue worldwide. Although the primary causes are often acute or chronic coronary diseases, genetic conditions, such as inherited channelopathies or non-ischemic cardiomyopathies are leading causes of SCD among the young. However, relevant experimental models to study the underlying mechanisms of arrhythmias and develop new therapies are still needed. The number of genetically engineered mouse models with cardiac phenotype is growing, making electrophysiological studies in mice essential tools to study arrhythmogenicity and arrhythmia mechanisms and to test novel treatments. Recently, intracardiac catheterization via the jugular vein was described to induce and record ventricular arrhythmias in living anesthetized mice. Several strategies have been reported, developed in healthy wild-type animals and based on aggressive right ventricular stimulation.Methods: Here, we report a protocol based on programmed electrical stimulation (PES) performed in clinical practice in patients with cardiac rhythm disorders, adapted to two transgenic mice models of arrhythmia - Brugada syndrome and cardiolaminopathy.Results: We show that this progressive protocol, based on a limited number of right ventricular extrastimuli, enables to reveal different rhythmic phenotypes between control and diseased mice. In this study, we provide detailed information on PES in mice, including catheter positioning, stimulation protocols, intracardiac and surface ECG interpretation and we reveal a higher susceptibility of two mouse lines to experience triggered ventricular arrhythmias, when compared to control mice.Discussion: Overall, this technique allows to characterize arrhythmias and provides results in phenotyping 2 arrhythmogenic-disease murine models.
A network approach to investigating the inter-relationship between health-related quality of life dimensions and depression in 1735 Chinese patients with heterogeneous cancers
Authors: Muhetaer Sulaiman , Mijiti Peierdun , Aierken Kaibinuer , Ziyin Huang , Talapuhan Wulan , Tuoheti Kaibinuer , Lixia Ye , Shuang Qi , Jingjing Wei 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundWe aimed to explore the inter-connection between depression and HRQOL dimensions in cancer patients using a network approach, which might provide new insights for precise interventions to improve cancer patients’ overall HRQOL.MethodsBetween June 1, 2016, and August 31, 2017, a total of 1735 eligible patients with heterogeneous types of cancer were recruited. The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) were used to measure patients’ depression status and HRQOL, respectively. A regularized partial correlation network was established. Central and bridge symptoms/functions were identified using expected influence and bridge expected influence. A directed acyclic graph (DAG) was used to explore the possible causal relationship between depression and HRQOL dimensions.ResultsIn this study, depression and 15 dimensions of the EORTC-QLQ-C30 scale were highly inter-correlated and could be represented as a network. We found that nearly two-thirds of cancer patients experienced various degrees of depression, and depression was consistently the central symptom in the network, in addition to nausea/vomiting, pain, and physical function. DAG and bridge symptoms indicated that depression might influence overall HRQOL in cancer patients mainly through emotional function, pain, physical function, and sleeplessness, particularly in cancer patients with moderate-to-severe depression. The disparity in network structures between mild and moderate-to-severe depression suggested that the relationship between depression and HRQOL dimensions might be bidirectional.ConclusionThe prevalence of depression remained high in Chinese patients with cancer, and depression may influence various symptoms and functions within the HRQOL network. Screening and early treatment of depression were warranted to improve the overall HRQOL of cancer patients, in addition to adequate treatment of pain and nausea/vomiting and improvement in physical function.
Transitions Pop-ups: Co-designing client-centred support for disabled youth transitioning to adult life
Authors: Seko Yukari , Oh Anna , Thompson Laura , Bowman Laura R. , Curran C. J. 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundWhen transitioning to adulthood, youth with disabilities and their families face many service gaps. Successful inter-agency collaborations can promote family-centred, inclusive transition support amenable to personal choice and health conditions. This paper reports the 3-year co-design process of an innovative transition service that links a pediatric hospital and adult service agencies and addresses key areas of transition preparedness with joint accountability.MethodsA team of pediatric rehabilitation professionals, adult service providers, young adults with disabilities and their families, and researchers engaged in a co-design process over three years. Following a design thinking (DT) framework, the team went through an iterative process of Empathize. Define, Ideation, Prototyping, and Testing phases. The trial-and-error process allowed for deeper reflection and an opportunity to pivot the design.ResultsThe co-design yielded Transitions Pop-ups, a nimble service model that can “pop up” at critical times and places to meet clients’ urgent and emergent transition-related needs. Two pilot sessions were conducted at the testing phase with adult service agencies. The final model included five key elements: (1) community partnership; (2) targeted information sharing; (3) peer mentoring; (4) action (on-the-spot completion of a key transition task/activity such as submitting an adult funding application); and (5) warm handover.ConclusionThe co-design process highlighted the importance of open communication and iterative prototype testing as a means for trialing new ideas and clarifying the intent of the project. The DT framework optimally facilitated the co-development of a contextually relevant and sustainable service model for pediatric rehabilitation clients and families.