bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tic disorder in allergic rhinitis children and adolescents: a case-control study
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Hossein , Yousefi Mohammad Reza , Mortazavi Negar , Gholami Mohammad Amin , Vali Mohebat , Dastgheib Seyed Ali 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Allergic rhinitis is the most common allergic disease. It can accompany psychological disorders such as tic disorders due to the prolonged course of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. This pioneer case-control study aims to investigate tic disorders in children and adolescents under 18 years of age diagnosed with allergic rhinitis.

Method
The case group in this study consisted of patients who had both allergic rhinitis and tic disorders. Patients with allergic rhinitis without tic disorders were also enrolled as the control group with matched gender and age. Demographic characteristics, tic classifications, and contributing factors for allergic rhinitis and tic disorders were studied among the cases. Tic disorders were evaluated using DSM-5 criteria for the classification of tic disorders.

Results
47 patients in the case group and 47 patients in the control group were included in this study. 53.2% and 46.8% were males and females in the case group, respectively. The mean age of the patients was 10.46 ± 3.97 years old. Sound tics were more common among the patients compared to motor tics. Patients with concomitant AR and tic disorders had more days per week with AR symptoms (P-value ≤ 0.001; OR (every day vs. three days a week = 11.02(2.98, 40.76))). Most patients with sound tick were women (p: 0.026), and most patients with motion tic were in the Provisional tic disorder group (p: 0.001). The history of infantile eczema was seen more in patients without sound tic (p: 0.025), and otitis media was significantly less common among patients with sound tics (p: 0.026). Provisional tic disorder was the most common class among the patients. In the case group (coexistence between allergic rhinitis and tic) compared to the control group, patients had significantly more days with AR symptoms per week.

Conclusion
This preliminary study indicates that Provisional tic disorder was the most common classification of tic among patients with allergic rhinitis, especially in patients with motor tics. Asthma in motor tics, a history of food allergy in infancy, and a history of infantile eczema were also common among patients with vocal tics. Also, patients with allergic rhinitis and tic had more severe disease (more symptoms per week) than those with rhinitis alone. These findings emphasize the association of tic disorders with immunological pathways.
Associations between sleep problems and emotional/behavioural difficulties in healthy children and adolescents
Authors: Fulfs Theresa , Poulain Tanja , Vogel Mandy , Nenoff Kolja , Kiess Wieland 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to (1) characterise sleep disturbances and emotional/behavioural difficulties among healthy German children and adolescents aged 3 to 13 years, (2) examine the association between parent-reported sleep problems and emotional/behavioural difficulties, (3) point out possible relations between specific kinds of sleep disturbances and different behavioural difficulties.MethodsData were collected between 2011 and 2015 within the LIFE Child study in Germany. The sample included 1101 3- to 13-year-old children and adolescents. Information on sleep disturbances—assessed via the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), emotional/behavioural difficulties—assessed via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and socioeconomic status was provided by participants’ parents. Multiple regressions were applied to analyse the associations between general and specific sleep disturbances (independent variables) and emotional/behavioural difficulties (dependent variables).ResultsThe total CSHQ score was positively associated with the total SDQ score and all SDQ subscales (emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems). Most of the CSHQ subscales were related to SDQ subscale scores, except for a few non-significant relations with hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems. The CSHQ total score, daytime sleepiness, sleep duration and parasomnias showed the strongest associations with the SDQ total score.ConclusionThis study confirms an association between children’s and adolescents’ sleep habits and psychological health. We were able to demonstrate the association between sleep problems and emotional/behavioural difficulties in a large sample of healthy participants. In particular, we observed a significant relation between parasomnias and hyperactive/inattentive behaviour as well as a significant association between emotional problems and sleep problems, especially daytime sleepiness, sleep anxiety and parasomnias.
Why did middle-aged and older people retire since the first COVID-19 lockdown? A qualitative study of participants from the Health and Employment After Fifty study
Authors: D’Angelo Stefania , Bloom Ilse , Ntani Georgia , Walker-Bone Karen 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Governments of Western countries need people to work to older ages, however the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the workforce by pushing older adults to retire. Socio-demographic factors that influence the decision to retire in the pre-pandemic period were, poor or good health, finances, marital status, and gender. The aim of this study was to explore aspects that contributed to the decision to retire among middle-aged and older people in England who retired during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
In September 2022 semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of participants from the Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) study who retired since March 2020. Consenting participants were purposively selected to achieve a wide spread of characteristics deemed important in the retirement process. Telephone interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed and then thematically analysed.

Results
24 interviews were conducted (10 men and 14 women, mean age 65 years). Six themes were identified: four of them were non-COVID-19 aspects while two can be interpreted as impact of COVID-19 on the workforce. Work-related factors were of major importance. A sense of appreciation and attachment in relation to their employer, and conversely high work demands and stress, as well as changes in work responsibilities and work practices since lockdown and/or perception of personal safety in the workplace during the pandemic influenced their retirement decision, as did physical and mental health issues. Another theme suggested that some participants felt they had reached the ‘right’ age and needed to spend more time with family. Having the financial capacity to retire was widely mentioned but was never the main factor.

Conclusions
The decision to retire during the pandemic was multi-factorial although changes to work during lockdown were of great importance. Post-pandemic, our findings suggest that there are modifiable aspects of work, including appreciation and fair pay and work conditions, that employers and policy makers could encourage to retain their older workers.
A systematic review of factors associated with student use of campus food pantries: implications for addressing barriers and facilitating use
Authors: Idehai Oisemujaime Victoria , Mbaya Pindar , Chung Tammy , Bhurosy Trishnee 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
While campus food pantries have been important safety net programs for alleviating food insecurity among college students, factors related to accessing these vital resources have not been fully researched and summarized. This study systematically synthesized peer-reviewed literature on the predictors, barriers to, and facilitators of using campus food pantries among college students.

Methods
A search was conducted on PubMed, CINAHL Complete, PsychInfo, PsycARTICLES, and ScienceDirect in April 2023. Included studies needed to be peer-reviewed, written in English, and focused on college or university students. Three authors independently screened all articles retrieved from the five databases based on titles, titles and abstracts, and a full article review. The Study Quality Assessment Tool from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute was used to assess the risk of bias in the included cross-sectional studies. The risk of bias and quality of mixed methods or qualitative studies were assessed as well.

Results
Eight studies were included in the systematic review. Students likely to use a college food pantry were food-insecure, who most often identified as Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Filipino or Pacific Islander; were first-generation to college; international students; sophomores and juniors; had student loans; were living off-campus; and were without stable housing. Stigma was the most frequently mentioned barrier to using a food pantry. Participants mentioned facilitators such as convenient location and hours of operation, access to fresh produce and nutritious and safe foods, availability of a variety of foods, friendly and helpful service, social support, and awareness of a pantry through fellow students and other members of the university such as staff and faculty.

Conclusions
Continued research must address students' systemic barriers to accessing food pantries. Campus food pantry leaders, university administrators, and policymakers need to work together to create cost-effective and sustainable solutions that will alleviate the stigma and burden of food-insecure students and provide them with safe, nutritious, and culturally acceptable foods.
Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: Assessing the relationship between feminine/vaginal washes and other factors among Ghanaian women
Authors: Otoo-Annan Emmanuel , Senoo-Dogbey Vivian Efua 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) is a public health problem, with approximately 30–50% of women affected at least once during their lifetime. Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (RVVC) is diagnosed following three or four repeated episodes of VVC in a calendar year. This condition poses health concerns with significant impacts on the quality of life of women. This cross-sectional study estimated the prevalence of RVVC and assessed the relationship between feminine/vaginal washes and other factors on RVVC among Ghanaian women in the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis.

Methodology
A cross-sectional study was employed to gather data from 304 women. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analyses, including chi-square/Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression, were performed using Jamovi (R Core Team 2021) software. Proportions were calculated, and odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed with the level of significance set at 0.05.

Results
The prevalence of RVVC was estimated as 48.4% (95% CI 42.6%, 54.1%). Feminine Vaginal wash use (aOR = 3.86; 95% CI = 2.18, 6.84); age 36–45 years (aOR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.17, 0.76) marital status (aOR = 2.37; 95% CI = 1.17, 4.79) and Sexual activity (aOR:0.43: 95%CI = 0.21, 0.88) were significantly associated with RVVC with p < 0.005.

Conclusion
RVVC is prevalent among women in the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana. Feminine/Vaginal washes could be cautiously linked to the development of RVVC.
Effects of conditioned media derived from human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells on diabetic nephropathy and hepatopathy via modulating TGF-β and apelin signaling pathways in male rats
Authors: Karimi Zeinab , Daryabor Gholamreza , Masjedi Fatemeh 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Diabetic nephropathy and hepatopathy are health problems described by specific renal and hepatic structure and function disturbances. The protective effects of the stem cell secretome have been shown in several kidney and liver diseases. The current study aims to evaluate the capability of conditioned media derived from human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJ-MSCs-CM) to alleviate diabetic complications.

Methods
Twenty Sprague Dawley rats were made diabetic through injection of STZ (60 mg/kg, i.p.). At week 8, diabetic rats were divided into two groups: treated [DM + hWJ-MSCs-CM (500 µl/rat for three weeks, i.p.)] and not treated (DM). At the 11th week, three groups (control, DM, and DM + hWJ-MSCs-CM) were kept in metabolic cages, and urine was collected for 24 h. The serum samples were maintained for measuring fasting blood glucose (FBG) and kidney and liver functional analysis. The left kidney and liver parts were kept at -80 °C to assess apelin and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) expression. The right kidney, pancreas, and liver parts were used for histopathologic evaluation.

Results
DM was detected by higher FBG, microalbuminuria, increased albumin/creatinine ratio, and pancreas, renal, and hepatic structural disturbances. Diabetic hepatopathy was determined by increasing liver enzymes and decreasing total bilirubin. The TGF-β gene expression was significantly upregulated in the diabetic kidney and liver tissues. Apelin gene expression was significantly downregulated in the diabetic liver tissue but did not change in kidney tissue. Administration of hWJ-MSCs-CM improved renal and hepatic functional and structural disturbances. Moreover, CM therapy significantly decreased TGF-β expression and enhanced apelin expression in the kidney and liver tissues.

Conclusion
Human WJ-MSCs-CM may have protective effects on diabetic renal and hepatic complications. These effects may happen through the regulation of TGF-β and apelin signaling pathways.
The association of endodontic prognostic factors with the presence of periapical lesion, its volume, and bone characteristics in endodontically treated molars: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zargar Nazanin , Khosravi Kamyar , Zadsirjan Saeede , Safi Yaser , Vatankhah Mohammadreza , Akbarzadeh Baghban Alireza , Aghajani Varzaneh Fatemeh 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
This study intended to evaluate the association between several endodontic prognostic factors with the presence of periapical lesions (PLs), their volume, and bone characteristics including cortical bone destruction (CBD) and buccal plate bone height (BPBH) in root-filled molar teeth using cone-beam computed tomography.

Methods
A collection of 143 scans of endodontically treated maxillary/mandibular first or second molars recorded over 8 years, were obtained from a specialized radiology center. Data on prognostic factors including tooth number, gender, jaw type, the status and number of missed canals, obturation length, restoration type, presence of a separated instrument, presence of a post or screw in the canals, and presence of perforation were collected. The assessed outcomes included PL presence, PL volume, CBD, and BPBH. The association between prognostic factors and outcomes was evaluated using multiple logistic regression models with adjusted covariates and multifactorial ANOVA at a significance level of 0.05.

Results
A total of 282 molars from 82 women and 50 men with a mean age of 40.6 ± 12.27 were included. Among those, 139 teeth presented PL with a mean volume of 18.68 mm3. CBD was prevalent in 137 teeth and the mean BPBH appeared to be 9.45 mm. The presence of a missed canal (OR = 10.022, P < .05), underfilled canal (OR = 3.725, P < .05), overfilled canal (OR = 15.859, P = .018), and perforation (OR = 15.261, P = .013) was significantly associated with PLs. None of the prognostic factors could considerably contribute to the CBD (P > .05). The presence of a missed canal was positively associated with the PL volume (P < .05). Similarly, missed canals (P < .05), perforation (P < .05), and separated instruments (P = .004) were associated with a significantly reduced BPBH.

Conclusions
Overfillings, perforations, missed canals, and underfillings were identified as remarkable predictors of PL, arranged in descending order of their respective impact. The only factor capable of significantly increasing the PL volume was the missed canal. In brief, obturation length errors, perforations, missed canals, and separated instruments were robustly correlated with endodontic failure, which highlights the importance of mitigating the potential for errors by following the fundamentals of endodontics.
Comparing quality indicator rates for home care clients receiving palliative and end-of-life care before and during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Kruizinga Julia , Fisher Kathryn , Guthrie Dawn , Northwood Melissa , Kaasalainen Sharon 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
The consensus among Canadians with regards to end-of-life preferences is that with adequate support the majority prefer to live and die at home.

Purpose
To compare quality indicator (QI) rates for home care clients receiving palliative and end-of-life care prior to and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
A retrospective population-based cohort design was used. Sixteen QIs informed by existing literature and a preliminary set of QIs recently evaluated by a modified Delphi panel were compared. Data were obtained from the interRAI Palliative Care instrument for Ontario home care clients for two separate cohorts: the pre-COVID (January 14, 2019 to March 16, 2020) and COVID cohort (March 17, 2020 to May 18, 2021). A propensity score analysis was used to match (using nearest neighbour matching) on 21 covariates, resulting in a sample size of 2479 unique interRAI Palliative Care assessments in each cohort. Alternative propensity score methods were explored as part of a sensitivity analysis.

Results
After matching the pre-COVID and COVID cohorts, five of the 16 QIs had statistically significant differences in the QI rates (change from pre-COVID to COVID): decrease in prevalence of severe or excruciating daily pain (p = 0.03, effect size=-0.08), decrease in prevalence of caregiver distress (p = 0.02, effect size=-0.06), decrease in prevalence of negative mood (p = 0.003, effect size=- 0.17), decrease in prevalence of a delirium-like syndrome (p = 0.001, effect size=-0.25) and decrease in prevalence of nausea or vomiting (p = 0.04, effect size=-0.06). While the alternative propensity score methods produced slightly different results, no clinically meaningful differences were seen between the cohorts when effect sizes were examined. All methods were in agreement regarding the highest QI rates, which included the prevalence of shortness of breath with activity, no advance directives, and fatigue.

Conclusion
This study is the first to examine differences in QI rates for home care clients receiving palliative and end-of-life care before and during COVID in Ontario. It appears that QI rates did not change over the course of the pandemic in this population. Future work should be directed to understanding the temporal variation in these QI rates, risk-adjusting the QI rates for further comparison among jurisdictions, provinces, and countries, and in creating benchmarks for determining acceptable rates of different QIs.
A crossover randomized controlled trial examining the effects of black seed (Nigella sativa) supplementation on IL-1β, IL-6 and leptin, and insulin parameters in overweight and obese women
Authors: Razmpoosh Elham , Safi Sara , Mazaheri Mahta , Khalesi Saman , Nazari Majid , Mirmiran Parvin , Nadjarzadeh Azadeh 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Nigella sativa (NS) oil has been found to have advantageous benefits in the management of inflammation and obesity. This study investigated the effect of NS supplementation on blood mRNA expressions and serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, leptin, and insulin concentrations in overweight/obese women.

Methods
In a crossover design, participants were randomized to receive either NS supplements(2000 mg/day) or placebo for 2 durations(8 weeks). With between-subject and within-subject components and interactions, a repeated-measure ANOVA model was used considering the treatment, time, and the carryover effects. Cohen’s d(d) was used to measure the magnitude of the effects.

Results
Forty-six eligible participants were included. NS supplementation significantly reduced the mRNA expressions(d=-0.68, P = 0.03) and serum levels of IL-1β with medium-high effect sizes(d=-1.6, P < 0.001). Significant reductions with large effect sizes were observed in the gene expression and serum levels of IL-6(d=-1.8, d=-0.78, respectively; P < 0.01) and Leptin(d=-1.9, d=-0.89, respectively; P < 0.01, serum leptin P carryover < 0.001). Despite the meaningful carryover effect for serum leptin, results remained significant following the first intervention period analysis(P < 0.001). A significant but low effect size decrease in serum insulin was observed(d=-0.3, P = 0.02).

Conclusions
The clinical significance of present findings regarding improvements in obesity-related pro-inflammatory markers must be interpreted with caution due to some observed medium-low effect sizes.

Trial registration
IRCT20180430039475N1 (Date:25/6/2018).
An experiential service-learning project on oral health examination and education
Authors: Pang Liangyue , Zhou Yan , Tao Ye , Yu Lixia , Cao Yina , Lin Huancai , Zhi Qinghui 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
It has been demonstrated that experiential service-learning is effective in fields including public health and medicine. Preventive Dentistry is a practical course, and Oral Health Examination and Education is a topic that is suitable for teaching with experiential service-learning. This study describes an example of experiential service-learning in Preventive Dentistry named “Oral Health Examination and Education Project” and also evaluates its effectiveness among dental students.

Methods
A total of 108 dental students in their fourth year participated in this project in 2022. The project was composed of six sections: theoretical teaching, field investigation, data collection and analysis, investigation report writing and creating oral health education materials, oral health education and students’ evaluation of the project.

Results
During this project, students learned how to perform surveys related to oral health, wrote an investigation report, created oral health education materials, and provided oral health education for children. Students were demonstrated an improvement in their academic performance for theoretical knowledge related to Oral Health Examination and Education in comparison with the students in the previous year. Over 90% of students expressed their preference for the learning method of experiential service and believed that it helped them to better understand the course material. They also recommended this teaching method for future classes.

Conclusions
This study indicated that an experiential service-learning approach within this scope was highly beneficial to students because it provided them with the opportunity to understand the practical application of their coursework and obtain valuable experience in the field. This research suggests that oral epidemiology instructors in dental and oral public health programs should pay more attention to incorporate similar experiential projects into their curriculum with the aim of better preparing students for careers in oral public health.