bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Testing of the Chinese Version of the Self-care of Heart Failure Index Version 7.2
Authors: Li Fenna , Lin Lixia , Sun Xingyuan , Chair Sekying , Liu Xu , Cao Xi 
Published: December 2022

Background
Self-care is essential in patients with heart failure (HF).

Objective
Our objective was to test psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Self-care of Heart Failure Index version 7.2 (SCHFI v7.2-C).

Methods
The English version of SCHFI v7.2 was translated into Chinese using the modified Brislin translation model. Psychometric tests of the SCHFI v7.2-C were performed in 320 Chinese patients with HF. Content validity, confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were examined to determine validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Validity and reliability were assessed for the self-care maintenance, symptom perception, and self-care management scales. SPSS 25.0 and Mplus 8.3 were used for data analysis.

Results
Mean (SD) age of the sample was 61.2 (14.20) years. Scale content validity index ranged from 0.93 to 0.97 across the 3 scales. Results of confirmatory factor analysis supported structural validity of the 3 scales. Self-care was significantly associated with quality of life, and those with more HF experience had significantly better self-care than those with less experience, supporting construct validity. The SCHFI v7.2-C was associated with the 12-item European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale. Cronbach α coefficients for the self-care maintenance, symptom perception, and self-care management scales were 0.79, 0.89, and 0.77, respectively; their test-retest reliability was 0.76, 0.78, and 0.75, respectively.

Conclusion
The SCHFI v7.2-C is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used in Chinese patients with HF.
Males, Older Age, Increased Training, Chronic Diseases, Allergies, and History of Injury Are Independent Risk Factors Associated With a History of Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramping in Distance Runners in 76 654 Race Entrants – SAFER XXIX
Authors: de Jager Izaan , Schwellnus Martin , Sewry Nicola , Viljoen Carel , Korkie Elzette , Swanevelder Sonja , Jordaan Esme 
Published: December 2022

Objective:
To determine independent risk factors associated with a history of exercise-associated muscle cramps (hEAMCs) in distance runner race entrants in a community-based mass participation event.

Design:
Cross-sectional study.

Setting:
2012 to 2015, Two Oceans marathon races (21.1 and 56 km), South Africa.

Participants:
Seventy six thousand six hundred fifty-four consenting race entrants.

Assessment of Risk Factors:
Entrants completed an online prerace medical screening questionnaire as part of the entry process. In a multiple model, sex, age, training variables, history of chronic disease, allergies, and running injuries were included as potential factors associated with hEAMC in 21.1 and 56 km entrants.

Main Outcome Measures:
Prevalence (%) and prevalence ratios (PRs, 95% confidence intervals) are reported.

Results:
Men (P < 0.0001) and older age (>40 years, P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with hEAMC. Therefore, the model was adjusted for sex and age group and run separately for 21.1- and 56-km entrants. Specific independent risk factors associated with hEAMC in 21.1- and 56-km entrants were: a history of chronic diseases (21.1 km: PR = 1.9; 56 km: PR = 1.6; P < 0.0001), running injury in the last 12 months (21.1 km: PR = 1.7; 56 km: PR = 1.4; P < 0.0001), history of allergies (21.1 km: PR = 1.4; 56 km: PR = 1.2; P < 0.0001), and various training variables (PR = 1.0-1.1).

Conclusion:
In 21.1- and 56-km race entrants, independent risk factors associated with hEAMC were men, older age, longer race distances, training variables, chronic diseases, history of allergies, and history of a running injury in the past 12 months.
Pilot study to estimate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxyurea and methotrexate recurrent langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH-HU-pilot)
Authors: Sakamoto Kenichi , Kikuchi Kayoko , Sako Mayumi , Kato Miho , Takimoto Tetsuya , Shioda Yoko 
Published: December 2022

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is the most frequent type of histiocytosis and is characterized by both “inflammation/immune dysregulation” and “neoplastic disorder.” Although overall survival has remarkably improved through consecutive previous studies, the relapse-free survival rate is still only 60% to 70%, even in the latest clinical trials. Relapse of LCH is the most significant risk factor for permanent consequences in the central nervous system, such as diabetes insipidus, anterior pituitary hormone deficiency, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this trial, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of hydroxyurea and methotrexate in recurrent LCH. Treatments in this study consisted of only orally administered drugs and not intravascularly administered drugs. Hydroxyurea therapy for patients with LCH is expected to be safer, less painful, and more cost-effective than other treatments for LCH. The results of this study could provide new therapeutic alternatives for recurrent LCH.

Methods and analysis:
This study was a non-blinded, multicenter, single-arm study. Recurrent (relapsed) LCH is defined as the appearance of new lesions or the enlargement of preexisting lesions due to LCH. In this study, all patients received hydroxyurea, and if the treatment response was unsatisfactory, methotrexate was added. The duration of treatment was 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was the rate of non-active disease achievement, which was 24 weeks after initiating hydroxyurea administration. No active disease is defined as the resolution of all the signs and symptoms related to LCH.
Efficacy and quality of life of Romiplostim in adults and children with immune thrombocytopenia: A review
Authors: He Xin , Ran Ningyuan , Wang Ting , Shao Zonghong 
Published: December 2022

Background:
To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy, drug safety and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Romiplostim in adult and child immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients.

Methods:
PubMed, EMBASE and Cohrane library databases were searched for all randomized controlled trials published until 2022, and the Review Manager 5.3 was used for meta-analysis.

Results:
A total of 9 randomized controlled trials were included in this study. The results of meta-analysis showed that the total platelet response rate and long-term platelet response rate in treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in the side effects, serious side effects, bleeding events and serious bleeding events between 2 groups (P>0.05). Compared with control group, the HRQoL in ITP adults and children, and parents of ITP children had no statistical significance (P>0.05).

Conclusion:
Romiplostim has a certain clinical efficacy in ITP adults and children, and relatively small adverse drug reactions. The improvement of Romiplostim on HRQoL in ITP adults and children is not clear.
Pharyngeal Gonorrhea in Heterosexual Male and Female Sex Partners of Persons With Gonorrhea
Authors: McLaughlin Stephanie E. , Golden Matthew R. , Soge Olusegun O. , Berzkalns Anna , Thibault Christina S. , Barbee Lindley A. 
Published: December 2022

Background
Current guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends empiric treatment for persons exposed to sexually transmitted infections, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). As an antimicrobial stewardship measure, some clinics now recommend a test and treat strategy, but reliance on urogenital testing only may miss cases.

Methods
We conducted a descriptive analysis of pharyngeal NG infection in men who have sex with women (MSW) and women seeking care at a sexual health clinic in Seattle, WA, from February 2017 to July 2021 because of sexual contact to a partner diagnosed with gonorrhea. We also explored behavioral factors associated with pharyngeal NG positivity (by culture or nucleic acid amplification test by χ
2 analysis.

Results
Among 352 NG contacts tested for urogenital or pharyngeal infection, 34% were positive for NG at ≥1 anatomic site (27% for MSW and 40% for women). Among 161 NG contacts tested at the pharynx, 30% (n = 48) were positive: 20% of 54 MSW (n = 11) and 35% (n = 37) of 107 women. If only urogenital testing were performed, 36% of MSW NG infections (n = 5) and 19% of female NG infections (n = 9) would have remained unidentified.

Conclusions
Pharyngeal NG is relatively common among MSW and women who have been exposed to NG, and likely represents an underdiagnosed reservoir of NG infection. If empiric treatment is abandoned in favor of testing and treating, testing the throats of heterosexuals will be necessary.
BLOOD TYPE O IS A RISK FACTOR FOR HYPERFIBRINOLYSIS AND MASSIVE TRANSFUSION AFTER SEVERE INJURY
Authors: DeBot Margot , Eitel Andrew P. , Moore Ernest E. , Sauaia Angela , Lutz Patrick , Schaid Terry R. , Hadley Jamie B. , Kissau Daniel J. , Cohen Mitchell J. , Kelher Marguerite R. , Silliman Christopher C. 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background: Blood type O is the most common blood type and has lower von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels (25%–35% lower than non-O blood types). von Willebrand factor is important for initiating platelet attachment and binding factor VIII. We hypothesized that patients with type O blood are at an increased risk of trauma-induced coagulopathy and bleeding post injury. Study Design: Adult trauma activations with known blood type at a level I trauma center with field systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg were studied retrospectively. The relationships of blood group O versus non-O to coagulation assays, massive transfusion (MT), ventilator-free days, and mortality were adjusted for confounders. Hyperfibrinolysis (HF) was defined as thromboelastogram of percent lysis in 30 min > 3%, and fibrinolysis shutdown was defined as percent lysis in 30 min < 0.9%. von Willebrand factor activity was quantified on 212 injured patients using a STAGO apparatus. Results: Overall, 268 patients met criteria. Type O patients were more likely to develop HF than non–type O blood patients (43% vs. 29%, P = 0.06) and had significantly lower vWF activity (222% vs. 249%, P = 0.01). After adjustment for New Injury Severity Score and blunt mechanism, type O had higher odds of HF (odds ratio, 1.94, 95% confidence interval, 1.09–3.47) and increased odds of MT (odds ratio, 3.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.22–7.49). Other outcomes were not significantly affected. Conclusion: Type O patients with hypotension had increased HF and MT post injury, and these were associated with lower vWF activity. These findings have implications for the monitoring of HF in patients receiving type O whole-blood transfusions post injury.
MULTIMODAL TREATMENT APPROACHES TO COMBINED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK ALTER POSTINJURY INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE
Authors: Wallen Taylor E. , Baucom Matthew R. , England Lisa G. , Schuster Rebecca M. , Pritts Timothy A. , Goodman Michael D. 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The optimal management strategies for patients with polytraumatic injuries that include traumatic brain injury (TBI) are not well defined. Specific interventions including tranexamic acid (TXA), propranolol, and hypertonic saline (HTS) have each demonstrated benefits in patient mortality after TBI, but have not been applied to TBI patients with concomitant hemorrhage. The goals of our study were to determine the inflammatory effects of resuscitation strategy using HTS or shed whole blood (WB) and evaluate the cerebral and systemic inflammatory effects of adjunct treatment with TXA and propranolol after combined TBI + hemorrhagic shock. Methods: Mice underwent TBI via weight drop and were subsequently randomized into six experimental groups: three with HTS resuscitation and three with WB resuscitation. Mice were then subjected to controlled hemorrhagic shock for 1 h to a goal MAP of 25 mmHg. Mice were then treated with an i.p. dose of 4 mg/kg propranolol, 100 mg/kg TXA, or normal saline (NS) as a control. Mice were killed at 1, 6, or 24 h for serum and cerebral biomarker evaluation by multiplex ELISA and serum neuron-specific enolase, a biomarker of cerebral cellular injury. Results: Mice resuscitated with HTS had elevated serum proinflammatory cytokines compared with WB resuscitated groups at 6 and 24 h after injury, with no significant difference in cerebral cytokine levels. Within the TBI/shock + HTS groups, the addition of propranolol or TXA did not significantly alter serum cytokine concentration, but cerebral IL-2, IL-12, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) decreased after propranolol administration. In the TBI/shock + WB cohorts, the addition of both propranolol and TXA increased systemic proinflammatory cytokine levels at 6 and 24 h after injury as demonstrated by serum IL-2, IL-12, MIP-1α, and IL-1β compared with NS control. By contrast, TBI/shock + WB mice demonstrated a significant reduction in cerebral IL-2, IL-12, and MIP-1α in propranolol treated mice 6 h after injury compared with NS group. While serum neuron-specific enolase was significantly increased 1 and 24 h after injury in TBI/shock + HTS + TXA cohorts compared with NS control, it was significantly reduced in the TBI/shock + WB + propranolol mice compared with NS control 24 h after injury. Conclusions: Whole blood resuscitation can reduce the acute postinjury neuroinflammatory response after combined TBI/shock compared with HTS. The addition of either propranolol or TXA may modulate the postinjury systemic and cerebral inflammatory response with more improvements noted after propranolol administration. Multimodal treatment with resuscitation and pharmacologic therapy after TBI and hemorrhagic shock may mitigate the inflammatory response to these injuries to improve recovery.
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION AND PROGNOSTIC UTILITY OF NEURONAL INJURY BIOMARKERS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors: Vrettou Charikleia S. , Vassiliou Alice G. , Pratikaki Maria , Keskinidou Chrysi , Tsipilis Stamatios , Gallos Parisis , Jahaj Edison , Orfanos Stylianos E. , Kotanidou Anastasia , Dimopoulou Ioanna 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 disease severity markers include mostly molecules related to not only tissue perfusion, inflammation, and thrombosis, but also biomarkers of neural injury. Clinical and basic research has demonstrated that SARS-COV-2 affects the central nervous system. The aims of the present study were to investigate the role of neural injury biomarkers and to compare them with inflammatory markers in their predictive ability of mortality. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and in a cohort of patients with moderate/severe disease. S100b, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and inflammatory markers, including soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), were measured on intensive care unit or ward admission, respectively. Statistical comparisons between patient groups were performed for all biomarkers under investigation. Correlations between different biomarkers were tested with Spearman correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted using mortality as the classification variable and the biomarker levels on admission as the prognostic variables. Results: A total of 70 patients with COVID-19 were included in the final analysis. Of all studied biomarkers, s100b had the best predictive ability for death in the intensive care unit, with an area under the curve of 0.73 (0.61–0.83), P = 0.0003. S100b levels correlated with NSE, interleukin (IL)-8, and IL-10 (0.27 < r
s < 0.37, P < 0.05), and tended to correlate with suPAR (r
s = 0.26, P = 0.05), but not with the vasopressor dose (P = 0.62). Conclusion: Among the investigated biomarkers, s100b demonstrated the best predictive ability for death in COVID-19 patients. The overall biomarker profile of the patients implies direct involvement of the nervous system by the novel coronavirus.
Experimental Study on Gastric Labeling by Magnetic Detector Combined With Magnetic Bead
Authors: Hong Donggui , Xie Jiao , Li Dazhou , Jiang Chuanshen , He Xiaojian , Zheng Yunping , Chen Xinjiang , Li Han , Huang Jianxiao , Wang Xiaoling , Dai Lingshuang , Liu Meiyan , Wang Wen 
Published: December 2022

Objective:Preoperative labeling of gastric cancer is an important means to determine the surgical margin. At present, there are many commonly used labeling methods. However, which is more accurate and has fewer complications remains to be studied. Through animal experiments, this study explored the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of a magnetic detector combined with magnetic beads for the preoperative labeling of gastric cancer.Methods:A total of 10 beagle dogs were included in the study. Each dog was randomly labeled with magnetic beads in the gastric body and antrum. After labeling, the magnetic detector was used to explore the gastric serosa surface, and the positioning titanium clip was released at the detected magnetic bead. The main monitoring index was to measure the distance between the labeled magnetic beads and the positioning titanium clamped. The secondary indexes were detection time, magnetic induction intensity, magnetic bead shedding rate, mucosal injury rate, bleeding, and leukocyte and C-reactive protein levels before and 24 hours after the operation.Results:All 10 beagle dogs completed the marking and exploration successfully. The average distance between the magnetic beads and the positioning titanium clip in 20 cases was 5.90±2.36 mm. The average detection time was 1.60±0.69 min, and the average magnetic induction intensity was 3.76±1.11 mT. No magnetic beads were found to fall off, 1 case had a mild mucosal injury, and 2 cases had a small amount of bleeding when releasing the positioning titanium clip. The white blood cells before and 24 hours after the operation were 7.43±0.94(×109/L) versus 7.79±0.67(×109/L) (P=0.34). The C-reactive protein before and 24 hours after the operation were 5.24±0.97 µg/mL versus 5.95±1.02 µg/mL (P=0.13).Conclusion:A magnetic detector combined with magnetic beads for gastric cancer labeling is feasible, accurate, and safe. It is expected to be further applied in the clinic.
USES OF THE SKEW-LOGISTIC FUNCTION FOR MULTI-WAVE FUNCTIONS
Authors: Cheng Russell , Williams Brian 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACTThe Skew-Logistic (SL) function has been proposed to model a real-life dynamic process which rises monotonically to a peak followed by a monotonic decline. It was introduced to model the first stage of the Covid-19 pandemic to forecast the behaviour of Covid. Then, with different controls and variants, Covid levels rose and fell in what might be called a Multi-Wave (MW) behaviour; with the waves not necessarily the same size. This paper shows how using the SL function for one wave can be modified to model the MW situation. We apply it to two examples. One is to Covid -19, to examine its most recent behaviour. The other is to climate change, the most serious issue of our time. Ensuring that the world simply achieves carbon-equality is not enough. We have to rapidly achieve carbon-negativity to prevent bringing an end to the world as we know it.
Applying a computational transcriptomics-based drug repositioning pipeline to identify therapeutic candidates for endometriosis
Authors: Oskotsky Tomiko T , Bhoja Arohee , Bunis Daniel , Le Brian L , Kosti Idit , Li Christine , Houshdaran Sahar , Sen Sushmita , Vallvé-Juanico Júlia , Wang Wanxin , Arthurs Erin , Mahoney Lauren , Lang Lindsey , Gaudilliere Brice , Stevenson David K , Irwin Juan C , Giudice Linda C , McAllister Stacy , Sirota Marina 
Published: December 2022

AbstractEndometriosis is a common, inflammatory pain disorder comprised of disease in the pelvis and abnormal uterine lining and ovarian function that affects ∼200 million women of reproductive age worldwide and up to 50% of those with pelvic pain and/or infertility. Existing medical treatments for endometriosis-related pain are often ineffective, with individuals experiencing minimal or transient pain relief or intolerable side effects limiting long-term use - thus underscoring the pressing need for new drug treatment strategies. In this study, we applied a computational drug repurposing pipeline to endometrial gene expression data in the setting of endometriosis and controls in an unstratified manner as well as stratified by disease stage and menstrual cycle phase in order to identify potential therapeutics from existing drugs, based on expression reversal. Out of the 3,131 unique genes differentially expressed by at least one of six endometriosis signatures, only 308, or 9.8%, were in common. Similarities were more pronounced when looking at therapeutic predictions: 221 out of 299 drugs identified across the six signatures, or 73.9%, were shared, and the majority of predicted compounds were concordant across disease stage-stratified and cycle phase-stratified signatures. Our pipeline returned many known treatments as well as novel candidates. We selected the NSAID fenoprofen, the top therapeutic candidate for the unstratified signature and among the top-ranked drugs for the stratified signatures, for further investigation. Our drug target network analysis shows that fenoprofen targets PPARG and PPARA which affect the growth of endometrial tissue, as well as PTGS2 (i.e., COX2), an enzyme induced by inflammation with significantly increased gene expression demonstrated in patients with endometriosis who experience severe dysmenorrhea. NSAIDs are widely prescribed for endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea and nonmenstrual pelvic pain. Our analysis of clinical records across University of California healthcare systems revealed that while NSAIDs have been commonly prescribed to the 61,306 patients identified with diagnoses of endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, or chronic pelvic pain (36,543, 59.61%), fenoprofen was infrequently prescribed to those with these conditions (5, 0.008%). We tested the effect of fenoprofen in an established rat model of endometriosis and determined that it successfully alleviated endometriosis-associated vaginal hyperalgesia, a surrogate marker for endometriosis-related pain. These findings validate fenoprofen as a potential endometriosis therapeutic and suggest the utility of future investigation into additional drug targets identified.