bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life after coronary artery bypass surgery
Authors: Assmann Anna Kathrin , Assmann Alexander , Waßenberg Sebastian , Kojcici Besnik , Schaal Nora K , Lichtenberg Artur , Ennker Jürgen , Albert Alexander 
Published: January 2023

AbstractOBJECTIVESTo achieve a beneficial impact on long-term outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the goal of the present study was the early identification of patients at risk of impaired postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL), particularly evaluating the significance of socio-demographic variables.METHODSIn this prospective, single-centre cohort study of patients having an isolated CABG (January 2004–December 2014), preoperative socio-demographic (preSOC) and preoperative medical variables as well as 6-month follow-up data including the Nottingham Health Profile were analysed in 3,237 patients.RESULTSAll preSOC (gender, age, marriage and employment) and follow-up (chest pain, dyspnoea) variables proved to have significant influence on HRQoL (P &lt; 0.001), male patients below 60 years being particularly impaired. The effects of marriage and employment on HRQoL are modulated by age and gender. The significance of the predictors of reduced HRQoL differs between the 6 Nottingham Health Profile domains. Multivariable regression analyses revealed explained proportions of variance amounting to 7% for preSOC and 4% for preoperative medical variables.CONCLUSIONSThe identification of patients at risk of impaired postoperative HRQoL is decisive for providing additional support. This study reveals that the assessment of 4 preoperative socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, marriage, employment) is more predictive of HRQoL after CABG than are multiple medical variables.
O02 Improving antimicrobial use in HSE older persons residential care facilities
Authors: Shah M , Clancy A , Regan M , Maher A M , Armitage S , Ryan C , Mannion C , Sheehan P , Gallagher O , Foran R , Fagan S , Donnelly M , Love B 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Antimicrobial use in Irish older persons residential care facilities (OP RCFs) is higher than in other European countries. In 2020/21, for the first time, an antimicrobial pharmacist (AMP) was appointed to each community healthcare organization (CHO) to monitor, develop and promote antimicrobial stewardship in community settings.

Objectives
To establish baseline antibiotic use, develop antimicrobial stewardship tools for OP RCFs, promote best practice in relation to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and monitor trends in antimicrobial use in HSE (state-run) OP RCFs.

Methods
A baseline point prevalence survey (PPS) of antimicrobial use was conducted across all HSE OP RCFs between October 2020 and August 2021. Following the survey, key national recommendations and AMS resources were developed in collaboration with the national Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Programme. Feedback was provided to participating facilities by CHO AMPs with antimicrobial stewardship support and education for nursing and medical staff. In September 2021, monthly monitoring of antibiotic use was established in HSE OP RCFs in collaboration with local managers, to capture the proportion of antibiotics used for prophylaxis or treatment each month.

Results
A baseline PPS of antimicrobial use in 2020/21 showed that 11.9% (528/4446) of residents were on a systemic antibiotic, with 6.3% on antibiotic prophylaxis. Urinary tract infection accounted for 51% of antibiotic prescriptions. Following the baseline PPS, CHO AMPs developed an AMS toolkit for OP RCFs, engaged with nursing and medical staff to communicate PPS results, AMS resources and support implementation of AMS recommendations. Subsequently, monthly self-reporting of antimicrobial use in HSE OP RCFs was commenced in September 2021 and showed a sustained decrease in antimicrobial use with 7.9% residents on an antibiotic in Quarter 2 2022, with 2.7% on antibiotic prophylaxis.

Conclusions
Newly appointed CHO AMPs have successfully promoted AMS across HSE OP RCFs. Following audit, feedback, education, development and promotion of antimicrobial stewardship resources, there was a sustained decrease in the proportion of residents on antibiotics used for treatment and prophylaxis of infection.
P10 Phage-encoded lysins as promising antibacterials against uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Hanif Sarmad , Das Ritam , Chavan Bhakti , Shah Sanket , Bajpai Urmi , Ahmed Syed 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a major public health issue. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a pathogen implicated in the vast majority of UTIs. Although treatable, the rampant and indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to an alarming emergence of MDR strains. This can lead to complications, treatment failure, and increased rates of mortality and morbidity. Given the prevalence of these strains, we are exploring phage encoded-lysins as potential alternatives to antibiotics.

Objectives
Our study involved the development of an in silico strategy for the discovery and characterization of prophage-derived lysin sequences targeting the E. coli cell wall and evaluating the antibacterial activity of the recombinant lysins using in vitro assays.

Methods
Novel lysin sequences were searched by BLAST homology and by screening E. coli prophages in the database (using PHASTER). They were computationally characterized and their domain architecture was examined. Based on the desired physicochemical properties of the 16 lysins, 7 were selected for cloning, expression, and purification as recombinant proteins for the in vitro antibacterial activity.

Results
In silico analysis showed lysozyme-like domain in 9 out of 16 lysins and the predicted structure was either modular or globular. Cationic and hydrophobic residues at the C-terminal end and cationic residues in the catalytic domains indicate intrinsic bactericidal activity. Lysins (7) were cloned in pET28 vector and purified as His-tagged recombinant proteins by Ni-NTA chromatography. Using spot assay, 3 out of 7 lysins (9–12 μg) showed lysis of E. coli cells (BL21 DE3). The most promising was lysin sequence 5, which showed lysis of E. coli cells, both at stationary as well as mid-log phase cells. Turbidity reduction assay showed a 74.94% drop in OD600 in lysin (15 μM) treated cells after 3 h of incubation, at 37°C. Log killing assay showed 4 log10 reduction in the treated cells. Lysozyme assay demonstrates higher than / comparable lysozyme activity of lysin sequence 5 with the positive control.

Conclusions
Sixteen novel prophage-encoded lysin sequences have been identified to create a lysin bank (to screen against E. coli), and 7 of them have been purified. Screening shows three lysins having intrinsic bactericidal activity and hence did not require the addition of an Outer Membrane Permeabilizer (OMP). Lysin sequence 5 has exhibited the highest activity against E. coli cells. Enzyme stability and kinetics studies and screening of clinical isolates of E. coli from UTI patients is underway. Investigating this bank of lysins is aimed at the identification and development of a lead ‘enzybiotic’ with desired PK/PD characteristics against UTI-causing E. coli.
P16 Overuse of antibiotics during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
Authors: Owsianka Izabella , Gajda Mateusz , Krzyściak Paweł , Gryglewska Barbara , Różańska Anna , Wójkowska-Mach Jadwiga 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
It was a retrospective study conducted at the University Hospital in Kraków in Poland (UHC). The objectives of the study identify the trends of the antimicrobial consumption profile from February 2020 to February 2021, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. The hospital records data have been analysed to identify factors that were associated with antimicrobial consumption and illustrate how the situation evolved over time. The secondary objective is to identify the determinants of antimicrobial use.

Methods
The analysis was carried out on data based on electronically registered health care data from the UHC and hospital pharmacy. We included 250 adult patients, divided into 5 groups, and hospitalized with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study began on 13 February 2020, when the patient with a confirmed hospital-acquired (HA)-COVID-19 in March was admitted to UHC. Next, we enrolled 49 consecutive patients and then, consecutive 50 patients admitted to the UHK on 13 May 2020, 13 August 2020, 13 November 2020 and 13 February 2021. Patients with HA-COVID-19 were eligible for inclusion in this study.

Results
In total, 178 patients received antimicrobials (ABX), 71.2% of all and the incidence rate of laboratory confirmed healthcare-associated infection (LC-HAI) was 20%. No patients had laboratory-confirmed bacterial co-infection at admission. The severity of COVID-19 was mild in 102 (40.8%), moderate in 92 (36.8%), and severe in 56 (22.4%) patients. Forty-three (17.2%) patients were hospitalized in an ICU, and 97.7% of them were treated with antimicrobials. The length of stay was greater among patients receiving ABX. The percentage of patients receiving antibiotic therapy changed throughout the covered time periods. The lowest proportion was recorded in May 2020 (48.0%), whereas the highest was observed in November 2021 and February 2021 (84.0% both). Systemic glucocorticoids (GCS) were used in 117 patients, 46.8% of all, significantly more frequently in patients with ABXs P&lt;0.001. Patients with severe COVID-19 had the highest antimicrobial consumption values, the median DDD in this group was 20.92, P&lt;0.001. Patients admitted at the beginning of the pandemic (February, May 2020) had significantly higher median DDD values, respectively 25.3 and 16.0 compared with those admitted in later months of the pandemic (August, November 2020; February 2021), 11.0, 11.0 and 11.2.

Conclusions
The results show that despite COVID-19 being a viral disease, the use of antimicrobials has been common in infected patients, especially at the beginning of the pandemic. The observed incidence of LC-HAI did not change during 12 months of follow-up and was very high, despite the fact that only 1/5 of the patients were hospitalized in the ICU.
Upper age limits for US male human papillomavirus vaccination for oropharyngeal cancer prevention: a microsimulation-based modeling study
Authors: Landy Rebecca , Haber Gregory , Graubard Barry I , Campos Nicole G , Sy Stephen , Kim Jane J , Burger Emily A , Cheung Li C , Katki Hormuzd A , Gillison Maura L , Chaturvedi Anil K 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HVP)–positive oropharyngeal cancer is the most common HPV-associated cancer in the United States. The age at acquisition of oral HPV infections that cause oropharyngeal cancer (causal infections) is unknown; consequently, the benefit of vaccination of US men aged 27-45 years remains uncertain.MethodsWe developed a microsimulation-based, individual-level, state-transition model of oral HPV16 and HPV16-positive oropharyngeal cancer among heterosexual US men aged 15-84 years, calibrated to population-level data. We estimated the benefit of vaccination of men aged 27-45 years for prevention of oropharyngeal cancer, accounting for direct- and indirect effects (ie, herd effects) of male and female vaccination.ResultsIn the absence of vaccination, most (70%) causal oral HPV16 infections are acquired by age 26 years, and 29% are acquired between ages 27 and 45 years. Among men aged 15-45 years in 2021 (1976-2006 birth cohorts), status quo vaccination of men through age 26 years is estimated to prevent 95% of 153 450 vaccine-preventable cancers. Assuming 100% vaccination in 2021, extending the upper age limit to 30, 35, 40, or 45 years for men aged 27-45 years (1976-1994 cohorts) is estimated to yield small benefits (3.0%, 4.2%, 5.1%, and 5.6% additional cancers prevented, respectively). Importantly, status quo vaccination of men through age 26 years is predicted to result in notable declines in HPV16-positive oropharyngeal cancer incidence in young men by 2035 (51% and 24% declines at ages 40-44 years and 45-49 years, respectively) and noticeable declines (12%) overall by 2045.ConclusionMost causal oral HPV16 infections in US men are acquired by age 26 years, underscoring limited benefit from vaccination of men aged 27-45 years for prevention of HPV16-positive oropharyngeal cancers.
Beyond law and politics: an empirical study of judicial mediation in China
Authors: Fan Kun 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Beyond law and politics, how will other factors influence individual judicial behaviour in China? How do the gains of efficiency and substantive justice compare with the potential losses of procedural protections? Do judges see their role as to resolve the disputes between the parties by the most appropriate means, or is it only an attempt to render and enforce an authoritative binding decision? Through a series of interviews with Chinese judges, the research provides an empirical narrative on how judicial mediation is actually practiced in China and analyses values and limitations of judicial mediation. The article empirically illustrates the multiplicity of influences on judicial behaviour in China, and the perception of the role of judges in China. Conceptually, the article aspires to contribute to the field of comparative judicial behaviour. It attempts to expand our inquiry beyond the focus on the role of politics and law when analysing judicial behaviour.
Climacteric symptoms, age, and sense of coherence are associated with sexual function scores in women after menopause
Authors: Armeni Anastasia , Armeni Eleni , Augoulea Areti , Stergiotis Stefanos , Kaparos George , Alexandrou Andreas , Eleftheriadis Makarios , Georgopoulos Neoklis , Vlahos Nicolaos , Lambrinoudaki Irene 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundPostmenopausal sexual function presupposes the integration of hormonal, neural, and vascular interactions and is subject to optimal crosstalk among psychological, interpersonal, cultural, and environmental factors. Sense of coherence (SOC) reflects a person’s ability to cope with stressors and may influence the occurrence of menopausal symptoms and sexual dysfunction.AimTo investigate the association of severity of climacteric symptoms, cardiometabolic risk factors, and SOC with sexual function in postmenopausal women.MethodsOverall 281 sexually active postmenopausal women without significant psychopathology or cardiovascular disease attending the Menopause Unit of Aretaieion Hospital were evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Greene Climacteric Scale, Beck Depression Scale, and Sense of Coherence Scale. Hormonal and biochemical parameters and cardiometabolic risk factors were evaluated. FSFI scores &lt;26.5 were considered pathologic.OutcomesTotal and subdomain scores of sexual response were determined.ResultsPathologic FSFI scores were found in 79.7% of the sample. Linear models of multivariable regression analysis showed that FSFI scores were associated with (1) Beck scores (b  = −0.200; 95% CI, −0.472 to −0.073, P = .001), vasomotor symptom severity (b = −0.324; 95% CI, −0.985 to 0.051; P &lt; .001), and age and (2) SOC (b = 0.150, 95% CI, 0.036-0.331; P = .008), vasomotor symptom severity (b = −0.361; 95% CI, −0.743 to 0.245; P &lt; .001), and age. Both models were adjusted for menopausal age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, type of menopause, and menopausal hormone therapy intake. SOC was associated with Beck depression scores (β = −0.487, P &lt; .001; Greene Climacteric Scale total scores, β = −0.199, P &lt; .001). FSFI score &lt;26.5 vs &gt;26.5 was associated with SOC (odds ratio, 0.982; 95% CI, 0.563 to 1.947; P = .006) and moderate to severe vasomotor symptom severity (odds ratio, 2.476; 95% CI, 1.478 to 3.120; P = .009) independent of age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, menopausal hormone therapy intake, type of menopause, or Beck depression classification.Clinical ImplicationsThe results indicate the importance of psychometric assessment of postmenopausal women when presenting with scores of low sexual function. The severity of vasomotor symptoms should also be addressed in any case.Strengths and LimitationsThis is the first study investigating the relationship between SOC and sexuality in menopause in a carefully selected homogenous population. Limitations included the cross-sectional design and the fact that sexual distress was not assessed.ConclusionsPathologic FSFI scores were highly prevalent in this sample of postmenopausal women. FSFI is associated positively with age and severity of vasomotor symptoms and negatively with SOC.
Facilitating transcriptional transitions: an overview of chromatin bivalency in plants
Authors: Faivre Léa , Schubert Daniel 
Published: January 2023

AbstractChromatin is an essential contributor to the regulation of transcription. The two histone post-translational modifications H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 act as an activator and repressor of gene expression, respectively, and are usually described as being mutually exclusive. However, recent work revealed that both marks might co-exist at several loci, forming a distinctive chromatin state called bivalency. While this state has been detected on a handful of genes involved in plant development and stress responses, its role in the regulation of transcription remains unclear. In an effort to shed more light on the putative function(s) of bivalency in plants, this review details the potential players involved in its setting and reading, and explores how this chromatin state might contribute to the control of gene expression. We propose that bivalency maintains transcriptional plasticity by facilitating transitions between a repressed and an active state and/or by preventing irreversible silencing of its targets. We also highlight recently developed techniques that could be used for further investigating bivalency.
Valid Arguments as True Conditionals
Authors: Iacona Andrea 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis paper explores an idea of Stoic descent that is largely neglected nowadays, the idea that an argument is valid when the conditional formed by the conjunction of its premises as antecedent and its conclusion as consequent is true. As will be argued, once some basic features of our naïve understanding of validity are properly spelled out, and a suitable account of conditionals is adopted, the equivalence between valid arguments and true conditionals makes perfect sense. The account of validity outlined here, which displays one coherent way to articulate the Stoic intuition, accords with standard formal treatments of deductive validity and encompasses an independently grounded characterization of inductive validity.
A foreground model-independent Bayesian CMB temperature and polarization signal reconstruction and cosmological parameter estimation over large angular scales
Authors: Joseph Albin , Purkayastha Ujjal , Saha Rajib 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT
Recent CMB observations have resulted in very precise observational data. A robust and reliable CMB reconstruction technique can lead to efficient estimation of the cosmological parameters. We demonstrate the performance of our methodology using simulated temperature and polarization observations using cosmic variance-limited future-generation PRISM satellite mission. We generate samples from the joint distribution by implementing the CMB inverse covariance weighted internal-linear-combination (ILC) with the Gibbs sampling technique. We use the Python Sky Model (PySM), d4f1s1 to generate the realistic foreground templates. The synchrotron emission is parametrized by a spatially varying spectral index, whereas the thermal dust emission is described as a two-component dust model. We estimate the marginalized densities of CMB signal and theoretical angular power spectrum utilizing the samples from the entire posterior distribution. The best-fitting cleaned CMB map and the corresponding angular power spectrum are consistent with the CMB realization and the sky angular power spectrum, implying an efficient foreground-minimized reconstruction. The likelihood function estimated by making use of the Blackwell–Rao estimator is used for the estimation of cosmological parameters. Our methodology can estimate the tensor-to-scalar ratio r ≥ 0.0075 for the chosen foreground models and the instrumental noise levels. Our current work demonstrates an analysis pipeline starting from the reliable estimation of CMB signal and its angular power spectrum to the case of cosmological parameter estimation using the foreground model-independent Gibbs–ILC method.
Introduction
Authors: Gray Elizabeth Kelly 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Americans learned more and more about drug dependency from 1776 to 1914, and those who commented on the topic—predominantly members of the white middle class—defended nonmedical drug use by members of the white middle class while criticizing such use by others. Opiate use in America increased extensively in the nineteenth century, and it is important to place this subject in an international context, because news of overseas use both enhanced Americans’ understanding of addiction and ultimately led the government to begin regulating drugs nationally. Understanding of the issue, however, was incomplete. People did not recognize addiction as a brain disease. Also, observers advocated protecting only the white middle class from negative consequences of their own drug use or that of others. For example, they falsely suggested that only members of the white middle class could use drugs without posing a threat to others. This notion would endure.
Habitual Opiate Use in Great Britain, 1821–1877
Authors: Gray Elizabeth Kelly 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In the 1820s, accounts of habitual opiate use in England shocked middle-class Americans who had assumed that educated white Westerners could avoid addiction. Thomas De Quincey published Confessions of an English Opium-Eater in 1821, and accounts of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s longtime dependency became public. Americans found these accounts interesting because they provided new information, especially as domestic habituation was not publicly discussed. Readers learned that Coleridge never ended his use and that he lied to those around him to get money for laudanum. De Quincey wrote the earliest extant first-person account of addiction, and he maintained that there were many English habitués. He described opium’s “pleasures” and “pains” and denied blame for his condition. Some criticized him for publishing his account because many Americans, after reading Confessions, tried the drug out of curiosity. Others, however, dismissed the possibility that drug addiction could become widespread in America.
American Opium Dens, 1850–1910
Authors: Gray Elizabeth Kelly 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Many Chinese men emigrated to the United States in the mid-nineteenth century and Americans criticized their opium smoking, though the practice later caught on among native-born Americans. Xenophobia flourished as Chinese immigrants successfully competed with native-born Americans for jobs. Smoking opium provided solace for Chinese immigrants as they endured prejudice and homesickness. Some Americans suggested that smoking opium was a sinister pastime. Opium dens were typically dark, hidden, underground spaces, and reporters visited Chinatowns and described the dens to their readers. Some suggested that den owners enticed and corrupted white youth—which would become an anti-drug trope—and most of these accusations were revealed to be lies. Opium smoking did spread eastward and catch on with a white clientele, first members of urban underworlds and then more “respectable” people. The earliest law against drugs other than alcohol was a San Francisco ordinance barring opium smoking.