bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving quality of life in patients with rare autoimmune liver diseases by structured peer-delivered support (Q.RARE.LI): study protocol for a transnational effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial
Authors: Uhlenbusch Natalie , Bal Arpinder , Balogh Boglárka , Braun Annika , Geerts Anja , Hirschfield Gideon , Janik Maciej K. , Lohse Ansgar W. , Milkiewicz Piotr , Papp Mária , Poppe Carine , Schramm Christoph , Löwe Bernd 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Psychosocial support is a crucial component of adequate rare disease care, but to date psychosocial support needs of this patient population are insufficiently met. Within Q.RARE.LI, we strive to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, transdiagnostic, and location-independent psychosocial support intervention in routine care of patients with rare autoimmune liver diseases in five countries and prepare its implementation.

Methods
Within an effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial, we aim to a) investigate the effectiveness of the intervention in routine care in five diverse healthcare systems and b) assess implementation outcomes, examine and prepare the implementation context, and develop country-specific implementation strategies. To assess effectiveness, we will include N = 240 patients with rare autoimmune liver diseases. Within a two-armed randomized controlled trial (allocation ratio 1:1), we will compare structured and peer-delivered psychosocial support in addition to care-as-usual (CAU) with CAU alone. Outcomes will be assessed via electronic database entry prior to intervention, directly after, and at a three-month follow-up. Our primary effectiveness outcome will be mental health-related quality of life at post-assessment. Secondary outcomes include depression and anxiety severity, perceived social support, helplessness, and disease acceptance. Implementation outcomes will be assessed within a mixed-methods process evaluation. In a quantitative cross-sectional survey, we will examine perceived acceptability and feasibility in patients, peer-counselors, and healthcare providers involved in delivery of the intervention. In qualitative focus groups, we will analyze the implementation context and determine barriers and facilitators for implementation with different stakeholders (patients and/or representatives, peer-counselors, healthcare providers, health insurers). Based on these results, we will derive country-specific implementation strategies and develop a concrete implementation plan for each country.

Discussion
The intervention is expected to help patients adjust to their disease and improve their mental quality of life. The transdiagnostic and location-independent program has the potential to reach patients for psychosocial support who are usually hard to reach. By preparing the implementation in five countries, the project can help to make low-threshold psychosocial support available to many patients with rare diseases and improve comprehensive healthcare for an often neglected group.

Trial registration
ISRCTN15030282
Effect of joint line orientation parameters on initial bone resection in mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective clinicoradiological correlation study
Authors: Wen Liang , Yu Yang , Ma Desi , Wang Zhiwei 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Discrepancies in bone resection between the medial and lateral compartments are very common in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) when mechanical alignment (MA) is used. The purpose of this study was to explore whether and how joint line orientation affects the initial bone resection in mechanically aligned TKA.

Methods
A total of 194 patients (225 knees) diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) were included. Virtual bone resection was conducted in the coronal view using full-length weight-bearing radiographs according to the technical requirements of MA, and the reliability of the virtual resection was verified via intraoperative caliper measurements. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted between the initial bone resection within the extension gap (EG) and various parameters, including the hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), joint line congruence angle (JLCA), and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA). Moreover, the correlation between intraoperative bone resection adjustments and joint line orientation parameters was also investigated.

Results
All knees in the current case series were artificially divided into 4 subgroups: subgroup 1, containing 148 varus knees (65.8%) with valgus femurs; subgroup 2, containing 48 varus knees (21.3%) with varus femurs; subgroup 3, containing 17 valgus knees (7.6%) with varus tibias; and subgroup 4, containing 12 valgus knees (5.3%) with valgus tibias. In subgroup 1, the mLDFA and MPTA were positively correlated with the initial bone resection with regression coefficients of 0.670 and 0.089, respectively. Moreover, in all varus knees, intraoperative bone resection adjustments were negatively correlated with mLDFA and MPTA, with categorical regression coefficients of -0.426 and − 0.230, respectively.

Conclusion
When MA-TKAs are performed in varus knees with valgus femurs, the initial bone resection within the EG is mainly positively correlated with mLDFA, while the intraoperative bone resection adjustment is significantly correlated with mLDFA and MPTA in all varus knees.
The cross-sectional area ratio of a specific part of the flexor pollicis longus tendon- a stable sonographic measurement for trigger thumb: a cross-sectional trial
Authors: Zhu Wenbin , Zhou Huan , Hu Zhe , Chen Hongyan , Liu Juan , Li Jin , Feng Xiaoyuan , Li Xueqin 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Trigger thumb is a pathologic condition of the digital pulleys and flexor tendons. To find a cutoff value of the cross-sectional area ratio of specific parts of the flexor pollicis longus tendon to diagnosis trigger thumb in the high-frequency ultrasound examination.

Methods
We evaluated 271 healthy volunteers and 57 patients with clinical diagnosis of trigger thumb. The cross-sectional area of the metacarpophalangeal joint of flexor pollicis longus tendon (C1) and the cross-sectional area of the midpoint of the first metacarpal of flexor pollicis longus tendon (C2) were analyzed.

Results
There is no difference between gender, age and left and right hands in the ratio of C1 to C2 (C1/ C2). The mean of C1/ C2 in the healthy thumb was 0.983 ± 0.103, which was significantly smaller in comparison to the diseased thumb (P < 0.05). Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, we chose the diagnostic cut-off value for the C1/ C2 to be 1.362 and 1.153 in order to differ a trigger thumb from children and adults.

Conclusions
The C1/ C2 of the healthy thumb was relatively stable, with a mean value of 0.983 ± 0.103. The cutoff value of C1/C2 to distinguish healthy thumb from diseased thumb in children and adults were 1.362 and 1.153, respectively.
The effect of sandblasting versus acid etching on the surface roughness and biaxial flexural strength of CAD/CAM resin-matrix ceramics (In vitro study)
Authors: Muhammed Heba A. , Mahmoud Elsayed M. , Fahmy Amal E. , Nasr Dina M. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
CAD/CAM resin matrix ceramics are one of the materials used in dental offices. The long-term success of the restoration depends on the bond strength of the restoration to the tooth and other materials; thus, surface treatment of the restoration is necessary to achieve this. But such treatment may affect the restoration strength. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of various surface treatments on the surface roughness (Ra) and the biaxial flexural strength of two CAD-CAM resin-matrix ceramics.

Methods
Thirty-six-disc-shaped specimens, each measuring 1.2 mm in thickness and 12 mm in diameter, were machined from two resin-matrix ceramic blocks (Lava Ultimate and Cerasmart) (n = 18). Based on the surface treatments, each material was divided into 3 groups: control (no treatment), 50-μm Al2O3 sandblasting, or 9% hydrofluoric acid etching (n = 6). The surface roughness (Ra) was evaluated by the 3D laser scanning microscope. Then, specimens were aged by thermal cycling (5000 cycles) and tested for biaxial flexural strength using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min.

Results
No significant differences in flexural strength or Ra were found for Lava Ultimate among the surface treatment groups. For Cerasmart, only the sandblasting group showed significantly higher Ra values than the control group. Also, the Ra values for the sandblasting group were significantly higher than those for the acid etching group. The flexural strengths of the sandblasting and acid etching groups for Cerasmart were statistically similar, and both were significantly lower than the control group.

Conclusions
Although all of the applied surface conditioning techniques improved Ra, they had a negative impact on the flexural strength of resin-matrix ceramics. Thus, clinicians should utilize the appropriate surface treatment techniques, taking into account their effects on the surface roughness and mechanical properties of resin-matrix ceramics.
Using the embryo-uterus statistical model to predict pregnancy chances by using cleavage stage morphokinetics and female age: two centre-specific prediction models and mutual validation
Authors: van Marion Eva S. , Baart Esther B. , Santos Margarida , van Duijn Linette , van Santbrink Evert J. P. , Steegers-Theunissen Régine P. M. , Laven Joop S. E. , Eijkemans Marinus J. C. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
The predictive capability of time-lapse monitoring (TLM) selection algorithms is influenced by patient characteristics, type and quality of data included in the analysis and the used statistical methods. Previous studies excluded DET cycles of which only one embryo implanted, introducing bias into the data. Therefore, we wanted to develop a TLM prediction model that is able to predict pregnancy chances after both single- and double embryo transfer (SET and DET).

Methods
This is a retrospective study of couples (n = 1770) undergoing an in vitro fertilization cycle at the Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam (clinic A) or the Reinier de Graaf Hospital (clinic B). This resulted in 2058 transferred embryos with time-lapse and pregnancy outcome information. For each dataset a prediction model was established by using the Embryo-Uterus statistical model with the number of gestational sacs as the outcome variable. This process was followed by cross-validation.

Results
Prediction model A (based on data of clinic A) included female age, t3-t2 and t5-t4, and model B (clinic B) included female age, t2, t3-t2 and t5-t4. Internal validation showed overfitting of model A (calibration slope 0.765 and area under the curve (AUC) 0.60), and minor overfitting of model B (slope 0.915 and AUC 0.65). External validation showed that model A was capable of predicting pregnancy in the dataset of clinic B with an AUC of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.61–0.69; slope 1.223, 95% CI: 0.903–1.561). Model B was less accurate in predicting pregnancy in the dataset of clinic A (AUC 0.60, 95% CI: 0.56–0.65; slope 0.671, 95% CI: 0.422–0.939).

Conclusion
Our study demonstrates a novel approach to the development of a TLM prediction model by applying the EU statistical model. With further development and validation in clinical practice, our prediction model approach can aid in embryo selection and decision making for SET or DET.
α7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: a key receptor in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway exerting an antidepressant effect
Authors: Liu Huiyang , Zhang Xiaomei , Shi Peng , Yuan Jiyuan , Jia Qiang , Pi Chao , Chen Tao , Xiong Linjin , Chen Jinglin , Tang Jia , Yue Ruxu , Liu Zerong , Shen Hongping , Zuo Ying , Wei Yumeng , Zhao Ling 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDepression is a common mental illness, which is related to monoamine neurotransmitters and the dysfunction of the cholinergic, immune, glutamatergic, and neuroendocrine systems. The hypothesis of monoamine neurotransmitters is one of the commonly recognized pathogenic mechanisms of depression; however, the drugs designed based on this hypothesis have not achieved good clinical results. A recent study demonstrated that depression and inflammation were strongly correlated, and the activation of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR)-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) in the cholinergic system exhibited good therapeutic effects against depression. Therefore, anti-inflammation might be a potential direction for the treatment of depression. Moreover, it is also necessary to further reveal the key role of inflammation and α7 nAChR in the pathogenesis of depression. This review focused on the correlations between inflammation and depression as well-discussed the crucial role of α7 nAChR in the CAP.
A role for heritable transcriptomic variation in maize adaptation to temperate environments
Authors: Sun Guangchao , Yu Huihui , Wang Peng , Lopez-Guerrero Martha , Mural Ravi V. , Mizero Olivier N. , Grzybowski Marcin , Song Baoxing , van Dijk Karin , Schachtman Daniel P. , Zhang Chi , Schnable James C. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Transcription bridges genetic information and phenotypes. Here, we evaluated how changes in transcriptional regulation enable maize (Zea mays), a crop originally domesticated in the tropics, to adapt to temperate environments.

Result
We generated 572 unique RNA-seq datasets from the roots of 340 maize genotypes. Genes involved in core processes such as cell division, chromosome organization and cytoskeleton organization showed lower heritability of gene expression, while genes involved in anti-oxidation activity exhibited higher expression heritability. An expression genome-wide association study (eGWAS) identified 19,602 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 11,444 genes. A GWAS for alternative splicing identified 49,897 splicing QTLs (sQTLs) for 7614 genes. Genes harboring both cis-eQTLs and cis-sQTLs in linkage disequilibrium were disproportionately likely to encode transcription factors or were annotated as responding to one or more stresses. Independent component analysis of gene expression data identified loci regulating co-expression modules involved in oxidation reduction, response to water deprivation, plastid biogenesis, protein biogenesis, and plant-pathogen interaction. Several genes involved in cell proliferation, flower development, DNA replication, and gene silencing showed lower gene expression variation explained by genetic factors between temperate and tropical maize lines. A GWAS of 27 previously published phenotypes identified several candidate genes overlapping with genomic intervals showing signatures of selection during adaptation to temperate environments.

Conclusion
Our results illustrate how maize transcriptional regulatory networks enable changes in transcriptional regulation to adapt to temperate regions.
HOPPSA update: changes in the study protocol of Hysterectomy and OPPortunistic SAlpingectomy, a registry-based randomized controlled trial
Authors: Idahl Annika , Liv Per , Darelius Anna , Collins Elin , Sundfeldt Karin , Pålsson Mathias , Strandell Annika 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
The HOPPSA trial is a multi-center national registry-based randomized controlled trial to test the safety and effectiveness of performing opportunistic salpingectomy at hysterectomy to reduce the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The study protocol was first published in January 2019 and is available at https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-018-3083-8. Here, we report amendments made to the study protocol since commencement of the trial.

Changes in methods and analysis
The primary outcomes analyses have been changed. (1) Complications will be analyzed using binomial generalized estimating equation (GEE) with log link function, while the unadjusted analyses according to Miettinen and Nurminen will be performed as a sensitivity analysis. (2) Absolute change in Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) will primarily be analyzed using a mixed effects model, adjusted for baseline MRS and center as a random effect. (3) Time to EOC will be analyzed using the mixed effects Cox regression model with center as random effect, while the unadjusted log-rank test will be performed as a sensitivity analysis.
The primary outcome Complications will be based solely on the specific assessment in the GynOp quality registry. The Clavien-Dindo classification will be evaluated as a secondary outcome.
Furthermore, MRS is also measured three years postoperatively to better pinpoint the onset of menopausal symptoms.

Discussion
The changes to the protocol mainly concern the analyses of data. No changes to recruitment, randomization, intervention, or follow-up of primary outcomes have been made. An interim analysis during 2021 concluded that the study should continue until the target sample size is reached.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03045965. Registered 8 February 2017.
Gut dysbiosis is associated with aortic aneurysm formation and progression in Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Manabe Yusuke , Ishibashi Tomohiko , Asano Ryotaro , Tonomura Shuichi , Maeda Yuichi , Motooka Daisuke , Ueda Jin , Yanagawa Masahiro , Edamoto-Taira Yuko , Chikaishi-Kirino Tomomi , Masaki Takeshi , Inagaki Tadakatsu , Nakamura Shota , Katada Yoshinori , Okazawa Makoto , Narazaki Masashi , Ogo Takeshi , Kumanogoh Atsushi , Nakaoka Yoshikazu 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundTakayasu arteritis (TAK) is an autoimmune large vessel vasculitis that affects the aorta and its major branches, eventually leading to the development of aortic aneurysm and vascular stenosis or occlusion. This retrospective and prospective study aimed to investigate whether the gut dysbiosis exists in patients with TAK and to identify specific gut microorganisms related to aortic aneurysm formation/progression in TAK.MethodsWe analysed the faecal microbiome of 76 patients with TAK and 56 healthy controls (HCs) using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. We examined the relationship between the composition of the gut microbiota and clinical parameters.ResultsThe patients with TAK showed an altered gut microbiota with a higher abundance of oral-derived bacteria, such asStreptococcusandCampylobacter, regardless of the disease activity, than HCs. This increase was significantly associated with the administration of a proton pump inhibitor used for preventing gastric ulcers in patients treated with aspirin and glucocorticoids. Among patients taking a proton pump inhibitor,Campylobacterwas more frequently detected in those who underwent vascular surgeries and endovascular therapy for aortic dilatation than in those who did not. Among the genus ofCampylobacter,Campylobacter gracilisin the gut microbiome was significantly associated with clinical events related to aortic aneurysm formation/worsening in patients with TAK. In a prospective analysis, patients with a gut microbiome positive forCampylobacterwere significantly more likely to require interventions for aortic dilatation than those who were negative forCampylobacter. Furthermore, patients with TAK who were positive forC. gracilisby polymerase chain reaction showed a tendency to have severe aortic aneurysms.ConclusionsA specific increase in oral-derivedCampylobacterin the gut may be a novel predictor of aortic aneurysm formation/progression in patients with TAK.
Chest computed tomography findings typical of COVID-19 pneumonia in Germany as early as 30 December 2019: a case report
Authors: Petersen Antonia , Nagel Sebastian , Hamm Bernd , Taupitz Matthias 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
The first cases of coronavirus disease 2019 were officially confirmed in Germany and its European neighbors in late January 2020. In France and Italy, there is evidence that coronavirus disease 2019 was spreading as early as December 2019.

Case presentation
We report on a 71-year-old male patient from Germany who was admitted to our hospital on 30 December 2019 with pneumonia of unclear etiology and chest computed tomography findings typical of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Conclusion
This case may indicate that coronavirus disease 2019 was already spreading in Germany as early as December 2019.
Fixed point results of Jaggi–Suzuki-type hybrid contractions with applications
Authors: Jiddah Jamilu Abubakar , Shagari Mohammed Shehu , Noorwali Maha , Kanwal Shazia , Aydi Hassen , De La Sen Manuel 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn this manuscript, a novel general class of contractions, called Jaggi–Suzuki-type hybrid (G-α-ϕ)-contraction, is introduced and some fixed point theorems that cannot be deduced from their akin in metric spaces are proved. The dominance of this family of contractions is that its contractive inequality can be specialized in various manners, depending on multiple parameters. Nontrivial comparative examples are constructed to validate the assumptions of our obtained theorems. Consequently, a number of corollaries that reduce our result to some prominent results in the literature are highlighted and analyzed. Additionally, we examine Ulam-type stability and well-posedness for the new contraction proposed herein. Finally, one of our obtained corollaries is applied to set up unprecedented existence conditions for solution to a class of integral equations. For future aspects of our results, an open problem is noted concerning the discretized population balance model, whose solution may be analyzed using the techniques established herein.
Teaching away from school: do school digital support influence teachers’ well-being during Covid-19 emergency?
Authors: Diaz Lema Melisa L. , Rossi Lidia , Soncin Mara 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe Covid-19 pandemic coerced the closure of most schools around the world and forced teachers and students to change teaching and learning methods. Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) generated consequences to teachers and students in terms of learning outcomes and personal well-being. This study focuses on teachers’ individual and working environment well-being in ERT conditions and intends to explore which factors related to the provision of digital equipment and the implementation of digital strategies by schools explain the school effect on both typologies of well-being during the Covid-19 emergency. To do so, data collected in the Responses to Educational Disruption Survey (REDS) across three countries were used, and a two-step analysis was conducted. A first step involves the use of linear mixed effect models to assess the school effect on teachers individual and working environment well-being. In the second step Regression Trees (RT) are used to investigate which factors and policies related to digital tools explained the identified school effects. The results show that schools and countries played a role in determining teachers perceived well-being during the Covid-19 disruption, in particular the school level explains more than 7% of the work environment well-being and 8% of individual one. In the second step of the analysis results show that a high positive effect on school environment well-being is observed when the school’s activity is not influenced by policies limiting the use of online tools and when teacher’s readiness for remote teaching, like the development of technical skills and the provision of internet access and digital devices, is met. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the impact of digital tactics and instruments provided by schools on teachers’ well-being on a large scale.