bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term effect of COVID-19 infection on kidney function among COVID-19 patients followed in post-COVID-19 recovery clinics in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Atiquzzaman Mohammad , Thompson Jordyn R , Shao Selena , Djurdjev Ognjenka , Bevilacqua Micheli , Wong Michelle M Y , Levin Adeera , Birks Peter C 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

Background
We investigated the effect of Post–Acute COVID Syndrome or “long-COVID” on kidney function among patients followed in post-COVID recovery clinics (PCRC) in British Columbia, Canada.

Methods
Long-COVID patients referred to PCRC between July 2020 to April 2022, aged ≥18 years who had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) value recorded at 3 months from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis (index) date were included. Those requiring renal replacement therapy prior to index date were excluded. Primary outcome was change in eGFR and urine albumin–creatinine ratio (UACR) after COVID-19 infection. The proportion of patients in each of the six eGFR categories (&lt;30, 30–44, 45–59, 60–89, 90–120 and &gt;120 mL/min/1.73 m2) and three UACR categories (&lt;3, 3–30 and &gt;30 mg/mmol) in all of the study time points were calculated. Linear mixed model was used to investigate change in eGFR over time.

Results
The study sample included 2212 long-COVID patients. Median age was 56 years, 51% were male. Half (∼47%–50%) of the study sample had normal eGFR (≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2) from COVID-19 diagnosis to 12 months post-COVID and &lt;5% of patients had an eGFR &lt;30 mL/min/1.73 m2. There was an estimated 2.96 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease in eGFR within 1 year after COVID-19 infection that was equivalent to 3.39% reduction from the baseline. Decline in eGFR was highest in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 (6.72%) followed by diabetic patients (6.15%). More than 40% of patients were at risk of CKD.

Conclusions
People with long-COVID experienced a substantial decline in eGFR within 1 year from the infection date. The prevalence of proteinuria appeared to be high. Close monitoring of kidney function is prudent among patients with persistent COVID-19 symptoms.
Indoxyl sulfate inhibits muscle cell differentiation via Myf6/MRF4 and MYH2 downregulation
Authors: Bataille Stanislas , McKay Nathalie , Koppe Laetitia , Beau Alice , Benoit Bérengère , Bartoli Marc , Da Silva Nathalie , Poitevin Stéphane , Aniort Julien , Chermiti Rania , Burtey Stéphane , Dou Laetitia 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

Background
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a significant decrease in muscle strength and mass, possibly related to muscle cell damage by uremic toxins. Here, we studied in vitro and in vivo the effect of indoxyl sulfate (IS), an indolic uremic toxin, on myoblast proliferation, differentiation and expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRF)—myoblast determination protein 1 (MyoD1), myogenin (Myog), Myogenic Factor 5 (Myf5) and myogenic regulatory factor 4 (Myf6/MRF4)—and expression of myosin heavy chain, Myh2.

Methods
C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in vitro and differentiated in myotubes for 7 days in the presence of IS at a uremic concentration of 200 µM. Myocytes morphology and differentiation was analyzed after hematoxylin-eosin staining. MRF genes’ expression was studied using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in myocytes and 5/6th nephrectomized mice muscle. Myf6/MRF4 protein expression was studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; MYH2 protein expression was studied using western blotting. The role of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR)—the cell receptor of IS—was studied by adding an AHR inhibitor into the cell culture milieu.

Results
In the presence of IS, the myotubes obtained were narrower and had fewer nuclei than control myotubes. The presence of IS during differentiation did not modify the gene expression of the MRFs Myf5, MyoD1 and Myog, but induced a decrease in expression of Myf6/MRF4 and MYH2 at the mRNA and the protein level. AHR inhibition by CH223191 did not reverse the decrease in Myf6/MRF4 mRNA expression induced by IS, which rules out the implication of the ARH genomic pathway. In 5/6th nephrectomized mice, the Myf6/MRF4 gene was down-regulated in striated muscles.

Conclusion
In conclusion, IS inhibits Myf6/MRF4 and MYH2 expression during differentiation of muscle cells, which could lead to a defect in myotube structure. Through these new mechanisms, IS could participate in muscle atrophy observed in CKD.
Pathways toward wearable and high-performance sensors based on hydrogels: toughening networks and conductive networks
Authors: Zhu Junbo , Tao Jingchen , Yan Wei , Song Weixing 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT
Wearable hydrogel sensors provide a user-friendly option for wearable electronics and align well with the existing manufacturing strategy for connecting and communicating with large numbers of Internet of Things devices. This is attributed to their components and structures, which exhibit exceptional adaptability, scalability, bio-compatibility, and self-healing properties, reminiscent of human skin. This review focuses on the recent research on principal structural elements of wearable hydrogels: toughening networks and conductive networks, highlighting the strategies for enhancing mechanical and electrical properties. Wearable hydrogel sensors are categorized for an extensive exploration of their composition, mechanism, and design approach. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of wearable hydrogels and offers guidance for the design of components and structures in order to develop high-performance wearable hydrogel sensors.
Organic, Earth-Friendly Tobacco With a Charcoal Filter and Smooth Taste: A Randomized Experiment Testing Effects of Natural American Spirit’s “Sky” Cigarette Advertising on Consumer Perceptions
Authors: Gratale Stefanie K , Pearson Jennifer L , Mercincavage Melissa , Wackowski Olivia A 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntroductionThe Natural American Spirit (NAS) brand has a history of marketing tactics that may convey reduced harm. While no longer allowed to use “additive-free” or natural descriptors (except in the brand name), it continues promoting potentially misleading attributes. This study examined perceptions of NAS’s newer “Sky” style, promoted as organic tobacco with a charcoal filter.Aims and MethodsIn an online experiment, we randomized 1927 adult past 30-day tobacco or nicotine product users to one of six conditions showing Sky ads with different descriptors: (1) charcoal filter, (2) charcoal + organic, (3) charcoal + earth-friendly, (4) charcoal + smooth taste, (5) charcoal + all other descriptors, and (6) no-descriptor control (Sky ads without target descriptors). Product perceptions were compared by condition. Participants also reported perceived benefits of charcoal filters.ResultsOverall, 28% of participants indicated Sky is less harmful and 38% believed it exposes users to fewer chemicals. Participants in the “charcoal + organic,” “charcoal + earth-friendly,” and the all-descriptor conditions had higher odds of believing Sky reduces chemical exposure (respectively, 43%, 40%, and 42%), relative to the no-descriptor control. Fewer control participants endorsed beliefs that Sky has a “better filter” and is “more environmentally friendly”. Many believed cigarettes with charcoal filters could confer benefits relative to other cigarettes, such as reducing chemical exposure, or being cleaner, purer or safer (though research on relative safety of charcoal filters in cigarettes is inconclusive).ConclusionsSky marketing may promote misperceptions about product safety and composition, and ads using both charcoal and organic text may particularly reinforce them.ImplicationsThis study examined the impact of new cigarette advertising promoting the use of charcoal filters and organic tobacco along with other suggestive claims (“environmentally friendly,” “smooth taste”) on tobacco users’ perceptions of the advertised product—NAS Sky cigarettes. Our study provides new data about positive consumer perceptions of charcoal-filtered cigarettes, and results suggest that combinations of these marketing terms evoke perceptions about reduced harm and reduced exposure to harmful chemicals that may be misleading to the public. Our findings underscore a need for additional regulatory action regarding tobacco marketing that makes use of natural-themed marketing.
Endurance Exercise Training Attenuates the Waterpipe Smoke Inhaling-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment in Rats: Role of Neurotrophic Factors and Apoptotic System
Authors: Taghipour Mohsen , Joukar Siyavash , Sadat Alavi Samaneh , Mohammadi Fatemeh , Asadi-Shekari Majid , Alibolandi Zahra 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Introduction
The increasing prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) and its detrimental effects on memory function have been reported. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity endurance exercise on the detrimental effects of WTS on learning and spatial memory in rats.

Aims and Methods
Animals were divided into the Control group (CTL), the exercise group (Ex) which trained for 8 weeks, the WTS group (Wp) exposed to smoke inhalation (30 minutes per day, 5 days each week, and for 8 weeks), and the group that did exercise training and received waterpipe smoke together (Ex + Wp). Thereafter, learning and spatial memory were assessed by the Morris water maze test and hippocampal molecular measurements were done.

Results
Waterpipe smoke significantly impaired learning and spatial memory, decreased expression of neurotrophic factors IGF-1 and BDNF (p &lt; .01 and p &lt; .05 vs. CTL group, respectively), increased BAX to BCL-2 ratio (p &lt; .001 vs. CTL group) in hippocampal tissue, and increased the percent of damaged neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area (p &lt; .05 vs. CTL group). Combination of exercise training with WTS prevented learning and spatial memory disturbances and recovered expression of neurotrophic factors IGF-1 (p &lt; .05 vs. Wp group), decreased BAX to BCL-2 ratio (p &lt; .001 vs. Wp group), and reduced percentage of damaged neurons (p &lt; .05 vs. Wp group).

Conclusions
Findings suggest that moderate-intensity endurance exercise training can ameliorate learning and memory impairment caused by waterpipe smoke in rats. This effect partly results from increasing the expression of neurotrophic factors BDNF and IGF-1 and correcting pro/anti-apoptotic proteins balance in the hippocampal tissue.

Implications
The popularity of WTS especially among youth is increasing. We assessed the effect of hookah smoke with/without exercise on learning and memory. Hookah smoke leads to CA1-neural injury and impairs learning and memory in rats. A combination of exercise training with hookah smoke attenuates these complications. This positive effect of exercise is partially mediated by the balancing of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and also the BAX to BCL-2 ratio, a significant predictor of cell susceptibility to apoptosis. Extrapolation of these positive findings to humans needs complementary studies.
Transcription factor NnMYB5 controls petal color by regulating GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE2 in Nelumbo nucifera
Authors: Liu Juan , Wang Yuxin , Deng Xianbao , Zhang Minghua , Sun Heng , Gao Lei , Song Heyun , Xin Jia , Ming Ray , Yang Dong , Yang Mei 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Lotus (Nelumbo spp.) is an important aquatic ornamental genus in the family Nelumbonaceae comprising only 2 species: Nelumbo lutea with yellow flowers and Nelumbo nucifera with red or white flowers. The petal color variations between these 2 species have previously been associated with the potential activities of FLAVONOL SYNTHASE (FLS) and MYB5. However, the underlying genetic mechanisms of flower color divergence within the N. nucifera species remain unclear. Here, quantitative trait locus mapping led to the identification of MYB5, a candidate gene controlling petal color in N. nucifera. Genotyping of 213 natural lotus accessions revealed an 80 kb presence/absence variant (PAV) of the NnMYB5 gene that is associated with petal color variation. Transcriptome analysis, dual-luciferase, and yeast 1-hybrid assays showed that NnMYB5 could directly activate the anthocyanin transporter gene GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE2 (NnGST2). Heterologous expression of NnGST2 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and its overexpression in lotus petals induced anthocyanin accumulation. Deletion of the 80 kb PAV within NnMYB5 inactivated NnGST2 expression and blocked anthocyanin accumulation in white N. nucifera petals. In contrast, the anthocyanin deficiency of N. lutea occurred due to pseudogenized NlMYB5 alleles. Our results establish a regulatory link between NnMYB5 and NnGST2 in petal anthocyanin accumulation and demonstrate the independent mechanisms controlling flower coloration in Nelumbo.
Neuroimaging modalities in the detection of Alzheimer's disease-associated biomarkers
Authors: Dang Chun , Wang Yanchao , Li Qian , Lu Yaoheng 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Neuropathological changes in AD patients occur up to 10–20 years before the emergence of clinical symptoms. Specific diagnosis and appropriate intervention strategies are crucial during the phase of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. The detection of biomarkers has emerged as a promising tool for tracking the efficacy of potential therapies, making an early disease diagnosis, and prejudging treatment prognosis. Specifically, multiple neuroimaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography, optical imaging, and single photon emission-computed tomography, have provided a few potential biomarkers for clinical application. The MRI modalities described in this review include structural MRI, functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and arterial spin labelling. These techniques allow the detection of presymptomatic diagnostic biomarkers in the brains of cognitively normal elderly people and might also be used to monitor AD disease progression after the onset of clinical symptoms. This review highlights potential biomarkers, merits, and demerits of different neuroimaging modalities and their clinical value in MCI and AD patients. Further studies are necessary to explore more biomarkers and overcome the limitations of multiple neuroimaging modalities for inclusion in diagnostic criteria for AD.
Helping children and adolescents who lost a caregiver during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Browne-Bradwisch Sarah A. , Smith Erin Murphy , Wilson-Mooney Catherine 
Published: June 2023

Abstract:
Between March 2020 and June of 2021, 140,000 children under 18 in the US lost a caregiver. Due to this sudden loss, their lives have been drastically impacted. This article presents interventions for this population's unique and stressful emotional trauma.
Reduced Plasma BDNF Levels in Normal Tension Glaucoma Compared to Open Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Sato Kota , Takada Naoko , Fujioka Amane , Himori Noriko , Yokoyama Yu , Tsuda Satoru , Omodaka Kazuko , Kirihara Tomoko , Ishikawa Makoto , Kunikata Hiroshi , Nakazawa Toru 
Published: June 2023

Précis:
The study suggests that a low level of systemic BDNF may contribute to the pathogenesis of glaucoma in an IOP-independent manner.

Aims:
To evaluate differences in systemic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels between primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients.

Methods:
This study collected blood samples from 260 NTG patients, 220 age-matched POAG patients, and 120 age-matched cataract patients (as controls). BDNF levels were measured with an antibody-conjugated bead assay system (Luminex).

Results:
We found that plasma BDNF levels in the NTG group were significantly lower than in the POAG and cataract control groups. There was no significant difference between the POAG and cataract groups.

Conclusion:
This result suggests that a low level of systemic BDNF may contribute to the pathogenesis of glaucoma in an IOP-independent manner.
What is the Optimal Frequency of Visual Field Testing to Detect Rapid Progression Among Hypertensive Eyes?
Authors: Melchior Bruna , De Moraes C. Gustavo , Paula Jayter S. , Cioffi George A. , Gordon Mae O. , Kass Michael A. , Liebmann Jeffrey M. 
Published: June 2023

Précis:
We evaluated 16,351 visual field (VF) tests from Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) database and showed that more frequent testing resulted in a shorter time to detect glaucoma progression, with the best trade-off being the 6-month intervals for high-risk and 12 months for low-risk patients.

Purpose:
To investigate the effect of different testing intervals on time to detect visual field progression in eyes with ocular hypertension.

Methods:
A total of 16,351 reliable 30-2 VF tests from 1575 eyes of the OHTS-1 observation arm with a mean (95% CI) follow-up of 4.8 (4.7–4.8) years were analyzed. Computer simulations (n = 10,000 eyes) based on mean deviation values and the residuals of risk groups (according to their baseline 5 y risk of developing primary open angle glaucoma: low, medium, and high risk) were performed to estimate time to detect progression with testing intervals of 4, 6, 12, and 24 months using linear regression. The time to detect VF progression (P < 5%) at 80% power was calculated based on the mean deviation slope of −0.42 dB/year. We assessed the time to detect a −3 dB loss as an estimate of clinically meaningful perimetric loss.

Results:
At 80% power, based on the progression of −0.42 dB/year, the best trade-off to detect significant rates of VF change to clinically meaningful perimetric loss in high, medium, and low-risk patients was 6, 6, and 12-month intervals, respectively.

Conclusion:
Given the importance of not missing the conversion to glaucoma, the frequency of testing used in OHTS (6 mo) was optimal for the detection of progression in high-risk patients. Low-risk patients could potentially be tested every 12 months to optimize resource utilization.
A Single Question on Maternal HIV Status Can Improve Identification of Children Living With HIV in South Africa
Authors: Dunlop Jackie L. , Tait Carol L. , Njuguna Christine , Frost Kimberly M. , Ndou Rendani , McIntyre James A. , Struthers Helen E. , Rees Kate 
Published: June 2023

Introduction:
Screening tools to improve identification of children living with HIV (CLHIV) have been validated and used in various settings. The aim of our study was to optimize a screening tool for Primary Healthcare Clinics (PHCs) in South Africa (SA).

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted at PHCs in Johannesburg and Mopani Districts, between June 2021 and June 2022. Children 5–14 years of age with HIV negative or unknown status accompanied by their mothers, or appropriate caregivers, were enrolled. Demographic data, responses to the screening tool questions, and HIV test results were captured. Logistic regression modeling was used to optimize an existing 10-item screening tool, and sensitivity, specificity, and number needed to test (NNT) used to choose the final tool.

Results:
We enrolled 14,147 children in the study, with 62 children testing HIV positive (HIV positivity of 0.4%). The 10-item tool with a single positive response had a sensitivity of 91.9% and specificity of 43.3%. An optimal combination of 5-items with two positive responses had the lowest NNT of 72, 82.3% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity. Maternal HIV status alone, HIV positive or unknown, had a 95.2% sensitivity, 65.0% specificity and NNT of 84. The 1-item tool only would have missed 5% of CLHIV (N = 3) compared with the 5-item tool that missed 18% (n = 11).

Conclusions:
A 1-item screening tool asking about maternal HIV status can improve efficiency of testing of children in primary healthcare facilities in SA and improve identification of CLHIV who are not on treatment.
Corneal crosslinking with riboflavin using sunlight
Authors: Torres-Netto Emilio A. , Abdshahzadeh Hormoz , Lu Nan-Ji , Kling Sabine , Abrishamchi Reyhaneh , Hillen Mark , Hafezi Nikki L. , Koppen Carina , Hafezi Farhad 
Published: June 2023

Purpose:
To assess whether sunlight might be used to induce a biomechanical stiffening effect in riboflavin-soaked corneas similar to the effect observed in corneal crosslinking (CXL) using riboflavin and UV-A light.

Setting:
Center for Applied Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Design:
Experimental study.

Methods:
52 porcine eyes were assayed. The concentration of riboflavin in the corneal stroma was estimated using UV-A transmission in a preliminary experiment. Then, the duration of sunlight exposure to achieve a fluence of 7.2/cm2 was calculated. Finally, de-epithelialized corneas were divided equally into 3 groups and soaked with riboflavin 0.1% (control group and Group 1) or 0.5% (Group 2). Eyes from Groups 1 and 2 were then exposed to sunlight. The elastic modulus was calculated as an indicator of stiffness.

Results:
Riboflavin concentration in Group B was higher by a factor of 2.8 than Group A. According to live illuminance measurements and stromal riboflavin concentration, the sunlight exposure duration varied between 16 minutes and 45 minutes. Groups 1 and 2 had higher elastic modulus than controls (P < .0001) but did not differ between them (P = .194). The stiffening effect was 84% and 55%, respectively.

Conclusions:
Sunlight exposure of ex vivo corneas soaked in both riboflavin 0.1% and 0.5% resulted in increased corneal stiffness. Specifically, riboflavin 0.1% with longer UV-A exposure showed a trend for a greater stiffening effect, which might open new alleys for the use of oral riboflavin and fractioned sunlight exposure as less invasive CXL techniques.
InsectChange: Comment
Authors: Gaume Laurence , Desquilbet Marion 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe InsectChange database (van Klink et al. 2021) underlying the meta-analysis by van Klink et al. (2020a) compiles worldwide time series of the abundance and biomass of invertebrates reported as insects and arachnids, as well as ecological data likely to have influenced the observed trends. On the basis of a comprehensive review of the original studies, we highlight numerous issues in this database, such as errors in insect counts, sampling biases, inclusion of noninsects driving assemblage trends, omission of drivers investigated in original studies and inaccurate assessment of local cropland cover. We show that in more than half of the original studies, the factors investigated were experimentally manipulated or were strong -often not natural- disturbances. These internal drivers created situations more frequently favouring an increase than a decrease in insects and were unlikely to be representative of habitat conditions worldwide. We demonstrate that when both groups were available in original freshwater studies, selecting all invertebrates rather than only insects led to an overestimation of the “insect” trend. We argue that the disparate and non-standardised units of measurement of insect density among studies may have detrimental consequences for users, as was the case for van Klink et al. (2020a, 2022) who log10(x+1)-transformed these heterogeneous data, compromising the comparison of temporal trends between datasets and the estimation of the overall trend. We show that geographical coordinates assigned by InsectChange to insect sampling areas are inadequate for the analysis of the local influence of agriculture, urbanisation and climate on insect change for 68% of the datasets. In terrestrial data, the local cropland cover is strongly overestimated, which may incorrectly dismiss agriculture as a driving force behind the decline in insects. Therefore, in its current state, this database enables the study of neither the temporal trends of insects worldwide nor their drivers. The supplementary information accompanying our paper presents in detail each problem identified and makes numerous suggestions that can be used as a basis for improvement.