bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing focus through ear-EEG: a comparative study between conventional cap EEG and mobile in- and around-the-ear EEG systems
Authors: Crétot-Richert Gabrielle , De Vos Maarten , Debener Stefan , Bleichner Martin G. , Voix Jérémie 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionAs our attention is becoming a commodity that an ever-increasing number of applications are competing for, investing in modern day tools and devices that can detect our mental states and protect them from outside interruptions holds great value. Mental fatigue and distractions are impacting our ability to focus and can cause workplace injuries. Electroencephalography (EEG) may reflect concentration, and if EEG equipment became wearable and inconspicuous, innovative brain-computer interfaces (BCI) could be developed to monitor mental load in daily life situations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of EEG recorded inside and around the human ear to determine levels of attention and focus.MethodsIn this study, mobile and wireless ear-EEG were concurrently recorded with conventional EEG (cap) systems to collect data during tasks related to focus: an N-back task to assess working memory and a mental arithmetic task to assess cognitive workload. The power spectral density (PSD) of the EEG signal was analyzed to isolate consistent differences between mental load conditions and classify epochs using step-wise linear discriminant analysis (swLDA).Results and discussionResults revealed that spectral features differed statistically between levels of cognitive load for both tasks. Classification algorithms were tested on spectral features from twelve and two selected channels, for the cap and the ear-EEG. A two-channel ear-EEG model evaluated the performance of two dry in-ear electrodes specifically. Single-trial classification for both tasks revealed above chance-level accuracies for all subjects, with mean accuracies of: 96% (cap-EEG) and 95% (ear-EEG) for the twelve-channel models, 76% (cap-EEG) and 74% (in-ear-EEG) for the two-channel model for the N-back task; and 82% (cap-EEG) and 85% (ear-EEG) for the twelve-channel, 70% (cap-EEG) and 69% (in-ear-EEG) for the two-channel model for the arithmetic task. These results suggest that neural oscillations recorded with ear-EEG can be used to reliably differentiate between levels of cognitive workload and working memory, in particular when multi-channel recordings are available, and could, in the near future, be integrated into wearable devices.
Case report: A simple and reliable approach for progressive internal distraction of the sternum for Jeune syndrome (asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy): preliminary experience and literature review of surgical techniques
Authors: Inserra Alessandro , Zarfati Angelo , Pardi Valerio , Bertocchini Arianna , Accinni Antonella , Aloi Ivan Pietro , Martucci Cristina , Frediani Simone 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundDescribed for the first time in 1954, Jeune syndrome (JS), often called asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy, is a congenital musculoskeletal disease characterized by short ribs, a narrow thorax, and small limbs. In this study, we analyzed and presented our preliminary experience with a device for progressive internal distraction of the sternum (PIDS) in patients with symptomatic JS. In addition, we reviewed the contemporary English literature on existing surgical techniques for treating children with congenital JS.Material and methodsA retrospective analysis of pediatric patients (&lt;18 years old) treated for symptomatic JS at our tertiary center between 2017 and 2023 was performed.ResultsWe presented two patients with JS who underwent surgery using an internal sternal distractor, a Zurich II Micro Zurich Modular Distractor, placed at the corpus of the sternum among the divided halves.ConclusionsWe obtained promising results regarding the safety and effectiveness of this less-invasive device for PIDS in patients with symptomatic JS. Further studies on long-term outcomes are needed to validate these findings.
Case report: A late and isolated presentation of meningoencephalomyelitis uncovers a novel pathogenic variant in the CIITA gene
Authors: Alosaimi Mohammed F. , Hamad Muddathir H. , AlShammari Muneera J. , Jamjoom Dima Z. , Musibeeh Najd S. 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundBare lymphocyte syndrome type II (BLS II) is a rare form of severe combined immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the CIITA gene, which regulates major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) expression.ObjectiveWe report the case of a Saudi boy with a novel mutation in the CIITA gene who presented with acute and late meningoencephalomyelitis, resulting in severe neurodevelopmental regression.MethodsWe reviewed the patient's clinical and laboratory data obtained from medical records and performed a literature search on BLS II.ResultsThe patient presented with acute meningoencephalomyelitis confirmed by MRI findings and was later found to carry a homozygous pathogenic variant in the CIITA gene p.(Leu473Hisfs*15). The patient had no MCH II expression, confirming the genetic diagnosis of autosomal recessive BLS II. Surprisingly, the patient's prior clinical history was unremarkable for significant infections or autoimmunity.ConclusionsWe report a case with a novel CIITA gene mutation presenting atypically with a late and isolated severe infection. Isolated severe meningoencephalomyelitis may be a manifestation of primary immunodeficiency.
A study on the preparation conditions of lidocaine microemulsion based on multi-objective genetic algorithm
Authors: Qiao Yuchao , Wang Xuchun , Ren Hao , Cui Yu , Ren Jiahui , Hao Chongqi , Zhao Zhiyang , Liu Jing , Zhao Ruiqing , Li Yiting , Tian Qingping , Qiu Lixia 
Published: September 2023

Background: Topical lidocaine microemulsion preparations with low toxicity, low irritation, strong transdermal capability and convenient administration are urgently needed.Methods: Box-Behnken design was performed for three preparation conditions of 5% lidocaine microemulsions: mass ratio of the mass ratio of surfactant/(oil phase + surfactant) (X1), the mass ratio of olive oil/(α-linolenic acid + linoleic acid) (X2) and the water content W% (X3). Then, five multi-objective genetic algorithms were used to optimize the three evaluation indices to optimize the effects of lidocaine microemulsion preparations. Finally, the ideal optimization scheme was experimentally verified.Results: Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II was used for 30 random searches. Among these, Scheme 2: X1 = 0.75, X2 = 0.35, X3 = 75%, which resulted in Y1 = 0.17 μg/(cm2·s) and Y2 = 0.74 mg/cm2; and the Scheme 19: X1 = 0.68, X2 = 1.42, X3 = 75% which resulted in Y1 = 0.14 μg/(cm2·s) and Y2 = 0.80 mg/cm2, provided the best matches for the objective function requirements. The maximum and average fitness of the method have reached stability after 3 generations of evolution. Experimental verification of the above two schemes showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the measured values of Y1 and Y2 and the predicted values obtained by optimization (p &gt; 0.05) and are close to the target value.Conclusion: Two lidocaine microemulsion preparation protocols were proposed in this study. These preparations resulted in good transdermal performance or long anesthesia duration, respectively.
Overexpression of a pseudo-etiolated-in-light-like protein in Taraxacum koksaghyz leads to a pale green phenotype and enables transcriptome-based network analysis of photomorphogenesis and isoprenoid biosynthesis
Authors: Wolters Silva Melissa , Benninghaus Vincent Alexander , Roelfs Kai-Uwe , van Deenen Nicole , Twyman Richard M. , Prüfer Dirk , Schulze Gronover Christian 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionPlant growth and greening in response to light require the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophylls and carotenoids, which are derived from isoprenoid precursors. In Arabidopsis, the pseudo-etiolated-in-light phenotype is caused by the overexpression of repressor of photosynthetic genes 2 (RPGE2), which regulates chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthetic genes.MethodsWe investigated a homologous protein in the Russian dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz) to determine its influence on the rich isoprenoid network in this species, using a combination of in silico analysis, gene overexpression, transcriptomics and metabolic profiling.ResultsHomology-based screening revealed a gene designated pseudo-etiolated-in-light-like (TkPEL-like), and in silico analysis identified a light-responsive G-box element in its promoter. TkPEL-like overexpression in dandelion plants and other systems reduced the levels of chlorophylls and carotenoids, but this was ameliorated by the mutation of one or both conserved cysteine residues. Comparative transcriptomics in dandelions overexpressing TkPEL-like showed that genes responsible for the synthesis of isoprenoid precursors and chlorophyll were downregulated, probably explaining the observed pale green leaf phenotype. In contrast, genes responsible for carotenoid synthesis were upregulated, possibly in response to feedback signaling. The evaluation of additional differentially expressed genes revealed interactions between pathways.DiscussionWe propose that TkPEL-like negatively regulates chlorophyll- and photosynthesis-related genes in a light-dependent manner, which appears to be conserved across species. Our data will inform future studies addressing the regulation of leaf isoprenoid biosynthesis and photomorphogenesis and could be used in future breeding strategies to optimize selected plant isoprenoid profiles and generate suitable plant-based production platforms.
Predicting suicide attempts among Norwegian adolescents without using suicide-related items: a machine learning approach
Authors: Haghish E. F. , Czajkowski Nikolai O. , von Soest Tilmann 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionResearch on the classification models of suicide attempts has predominantly depended on the collection of sensitive data related to suicide. Gathering this type of information at the population level can be challenging, especially when it pertains to adolescents. We addressed two main objectives: (1) the feasibility of classifying adolescents at high risk of attempting suicide without relying on specific suicide-related survey items such as history of suicide attempts, suicide plan, or suicide ideation, and (2) identifying the most important predictors of suicide attempts among adolescents.MethodsNationwide survey data from 173,664 Norwegian adolescents (ages 13–18) were utilized to train a binary classification model, using 169 questionnaire items. The Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm was fine-tuned to classify adolescent suicide attempts, and the most important predictors were identified.ResultsXGBoost achieved a sensitivity of 77% with a specificity of 90%, and an AUC of 92.1% and an AUPRC of 47.1%. A coherent set of predictors in the domains of internalizing problems, substance use, interpersonal relationships, and victimization were pinpointed as the most important items related to recent suicide attempts.ConclusionThis study underscores the potential of machine learning for screening adolescent suicide attempts on a population scale without requiring sensitive suicide-related survey items. Future research investigating the etiology of suicidal behavior may direct particular attention to internalizing problems, interpersonal relationships, victimization, and substance use.
Depression, anxiety, insomnia and interleukins in the early postpartum period
Authors: Drozdowicz-Jastrzębska Ewa , Mach Anna , Skalski Michał , Januszko Piotr , Jabiry-Zieniewicz Zoulikha , Siwek Marcin , Wawrzyniak Zbigniew Maciej , Radziwoń-Zaleska Maria 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundSome new mothers have been shown to suffer from anxiety and depression associated with insomnia during the postpartum period. Our study assessed the impact of demographic, psychopathological, and biochemical factors on the incidence of depression in women during the early postpartum period.MethodsA total of 119 women were evaluated at 24–48 h postpartum with the following psychometric scales: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). In addition, blood was drawn to assay interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10).ResultsThe factors that had the greatest impact on the risk of postpartum depression detected with the HDRS were high HARS scores and evidence of insomnia in the AIS. There were no significant differences in IL-6 or IL-10 levels in women with and without depression (based on either HDRS or EPDS scores) and insomnia (based on AIS) after childbirth. Considering demographic factors, divorced and single women were shown to be at higher risk of postpartum depression (based on EPDS scores).LimitationsSmall sample size and short observation span.ConclusionThis study highlights the relationship between postpartum depression and both anxiety and insomnia and emphasises the importance to assess symptoms of anxiety and sleep quality as part of screening in women at risk of postpartum depression.
Effect of educational intervention in reducing exposure to second hand tobacco smoke among 12-year-old children as determined by their salivary cotinine levels and knowledge, attitude and behavior - a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rao Ashwini , Rungta Nikita , Nandini M. , Unnikrishnan B. , Shenoy Ramya , Rao Arathi , Shetty Mranali K. 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundTobacco use is one of the most important public health concerns, with approximately 8.7 million tobacco-related deaths each year, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Even more concerning is the fact that 1.3 million of these deaths are seen in nonsmokers, including babies and children. This study was performed to determine whether a school-based “tobacco-free” educational intervention program among 12-year-old children would be effective in reducing their exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS) by improving their knowledge, attitude and behavior post intervention and estimating salivary cotinine levels as markers of SHS exposure.Materials and methodA randomized controlled trial was performed by a cluster random sampling technique, with 30 participants each in the experimental and control arms. A knowledge, attitude, avoidance behavior and self-efficacy of avoidance questionnaire was administered, followed by estimation of salivary cotinine levels. The experimental arm received the “tobacco-free” intervention, which comprised a 40-min health education session, with the first follow-up at 15 days and the second at 30 days after the intervention. After the intervention, the questionnaire was readministered, followed by re-estimation of salivary cotinine levels.ResultsOne month after the intervention, the number of participants who had a smoker who lived with them and the number of people who smoked inside the house were reduced in the experimental group compared to the control group. In the knowledge domain and the attitude domain, 80% and 60% of the items showed a statistically significant improvement in the experimental group compared to the control group. In the avoidance behavior domain and the Self-Efficacy of Avoidance Domain, all the items showed improvement in the experimental group compared to the control group. When the mean salivary cotinine levels were compared pre- and postintervention, it was found that although the mean postintervention salivary cotinine levels increased in both the experimental and control groups, the increase was less in the experimental group than in the control group.ConclusionThe present study has been shown to be effective in improving the knowledge, attitude and avoidance behavior of adolescents toward exposure to secondhand smoke.
Ageing, sport and physical activity participation in Scotland
Authors: Davison R. C. Richard , Cowan Daryl T. 
Published: September 2023

AimAs sport and physical activity are vital to support extended health spans, this study aimed to analyse the current trends in sports participation and physical activity rates among individuals aged 65 years and older in Scotland. Data were compared with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) guidelines and analysed the influence of key factors on participation rates.MethodsThe study used data from the Scottish Health Survey and the Scottish Household Survey (2019) to investigate self-reported participation in physical activity and sports across different age groups. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations were used to analyse the relationships between participation rates and influencing factors. Participation data for Parkrun events in Scotland were also analysed for the years 2008–2018.ResultsThe study found a clear decline in sports participation with age, with a steep decline after the age of 65, particularly in women. The majority of participation among individuals aged 65+ was in walking, with a sport participation rate of only 31.2% when walking was excluded. Physical activity and sport participation was lower in women across all age ranges but particularly so in the 75+ age group. The most popular sporting activities in the older age group were keep fit/aerobics, swimming and golf. Additionally, the study found that social deprivation had a major impact on sports participation rates, with the most deprived households exhibiting the lowest participation levels irrespective of age. The prevalence of loneliness was lower among individuals who participated in sports or adhered to the CMO guidelines for moderate/vigorous physical activity and strength-building exercises.DiscussionThe findings of this study have implications for promoting physical activity and sports participation among older adults, particularly in deprived communities. This study highlights the importance of balance exercises within sport and the need for more targeted efforts to increase participation rates among older adults. The study also emphasizes the positive impact of sports participation on reducing loneliness among older adults. Overall, the findings suggest the need for ongoing efforts to promote physical activity and sports participation among older adults to improve their overall health and well-being.
Association between systolic blood pressure variability and severity of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in incident intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Moullaali Tom J. , Walters Rachel , Rodrigues Mark , Samarasekera Neshika , Bernal Jose , Wang Xia , Humphreys Catherine , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Farrall Andrew , Smith Colin , Anderson Craig S. , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , McKinstry Brian 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThe role of systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability in the pathogenesis of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) as an underlying cause of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is unknown. We studied SBP variability before ICH according to CAA severity at autopsy.MethodsWe collected office (primary care or hospital clinic) BP readings during 10 years before first-ever ICH onset in adults who died and had brain research autopsy in the Lothian IntraCerebral Hemorrhage, Pathology, Imaging, and Neurological Outcome (LINCHPIN), prospective, population-based, inception cohort study. A neuropathologist assessed CAA severity using a histopathological rating scale, masked to BP readings. Functional principal component analysis was used to model SBP levels by time before ICH, and logistic regression models assessed associations of SBP variability indices with CAA severity (moderate-severe vs. absent-mild) adjusted for age, gender, and mean SBP.ResultsAmong 72 adults (median age 81 [interquartile range 76–86], 56% female, median number of SBP readings 11 [3–19]), patients with moderate-severe CAA had similar mean SBP (143 vs. 145 mmHg, P = 0.588) but lower SBP variability (SBP standard deviation [SD] 14 vs. 17 mmHg, P = 0.033) compared with patients with absent-mild CAA, and their SBP trajectories seemed to differ over 10 years before ICH. The odds of moderate-severe CAA were higher with lower maximum SBP (adjusted OR per 10 mmHg lower: 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–2.15; P = 0.015) and lower SBP range (1.29 [1.03–1.61]; P = 0.028), but not SBP SD (1.95 [0.87–4.38]; P = 0.11).DiscussionCompared with absent-mild autopsy-verified CAA, moderate-severe CAA is associated with lower maximum and range of pre-morbid SBP.
Can the Pfannenstiel skin incision length be adjusted according to the fetal head during elective cesarean delivery?
Authors: Kaya Baris , Ozay Ozlen Emekci , Ozay Ali Cenk , Tüten Abdullah 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveThe study aims to determine whether the Pfannenstiel skin incision can be adjusted according to the fetal head's occipitofrontal diameter (OFD) during primary cesarean delivery.BackgroundEligible 114 nulliparous women delivered at term by cesarean section in which Pfannenstiel skin incision was performed according to the OFD of the fetal head between June 2017 and September 2021 were included. Excluded cases were non-vertex presentations, all emergency cesarean sections, severe preeclampsia, women in an active phase of the first stage of labor and second stage of labor, placenta previa and low-lying placenta, multiple pregnancies, and uncontrolled gestational diabetes mellitus.ResultsAmong 114 eligible nulliparous women, the mean OFD was 116.1 ± 7.2 (99–138) mm, and the measurement of the Pfannenstiel skin incision length, which was performed according to the OFD was found to be 122.8 ± 9.2 (100–155) mm. The difference between OFD and Pfannenstiel incision kept remained within 10 mm in 90 (82.5.2%), 10–20 mm in 17 (15.5%), and more than 20 mm in two women (1.8%). This technique was successful in 109 (95.6%) out of 114 women without extending the skin incision. In five women, skin incision needed to be extended up to 38 mm. In 10 women (8.7%), the rectus abdominis muscle was cut partially to deliver the fetal head. The mean fetal umbilical artery pH was 7.33 ± 0.05. No neonatal hypoxia was encountered in the study.ConclusionPfannenstiel skin incision can be adjusted according to the OFD with minimal margins of error. This technique may provide better cosmetic results by avoiding unnecessarily prolonged incisions with similar newborn outcomes.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov, identifier [NCT05632796].
Exploring Barriers to Vitamin A Supplementation Uptake and Program Implementation Among Children Aged 6–59 Months in Ethiopia: A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Mulaw Getahun Fentaw , Masresha Seteamlak Adane , Feleke Fentaw Wassie 
Published: September 2023

Background: Children in Ethiopia do not receive the recommended dose of vitamin A supplementation (VAS).Objective: This study aimed to explore the barriers to VAS uptake and program implementation among children aged 6–59 months in Ethiopia.Methods: Data were collected qualitatively using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and inductively coded. The results were displayed using thematic analysis and the well-spoken verbatim of the respondents.Results: The barriers to VAS uptake were low parental awareness of the program and low interest or motivation, low promotion of the program among health professionals, an excessive workload for health extension workers, and low professional attention to VAS compared to other health services.Conclusion: Both client-side and supply-side issues posed significant obstacles to the uptake of VAS. It is important to educate mothers about VAS. Health workers should receive refresher training to raise their level of concern about VAS’s importance and its schedule. It’s crucial to initiate outreach programs for remote communities. The departmentalization of health extension packages will improve service and access.