bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of menopause apps with an emphasis on osteoporosis
Authors: Paripoorani Deborah , Gasteiger Norina , Hawley-Hague Helen , Dowding Dawn 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Menopause can significantly hasten bone loss. Mobile phones provide an efficient way to manage, track and understand menopause using apps. A previous review of menopause apps found numerous apps designed to help women manage menopause. However, it did not use validated measures to assess the quality of the apps and did not focus on content related to osteoporosis.

Methods
This app review aligns with the updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The keywords used to search for the apps were “menopause” and “menopausal”. Apps were included if they were in English, for individuals or groups and had a lifestyle focus. Apps that looked at other aspects of women’s health, required external devices, cost to download, or were symptom-tracking were excluded. The quality and functionality were assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale and IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics Functionality score. Data were synthesised descriptively.

Results
Twenty-eight apps were selected and reviewed from the 236 apps screened from the Apple store and Google play store. Only 57% of the apps reviewed (n = 16) had content on osteoporosis which was educational in purpose. The readability of the apps was complex and best understood by university graduates. The average functionality score of the apps reviewed was 4.57 out of 11 and that of quality is 3.1 out of 5, both of which need improvement.

Conclusions
Existing menopause apps need more input from experts to improve the quality and functionality, using simple language. More emphasis on specific health problems during menopause, including osteoporosis, is required.

Trial registration
Not relevant.
The increased risk of colorectal cancer in the women who underwent hysterectomy from the South Korean National Health Insurance Database
Authors: Yuk Jin -Sung , Yang Seung-Woo , Yoon Sang-Hee , Kim Myoung Hwan , Seo Yong-Soo , Lee Yujin , Kim Jungbin , Yang Keunho , Gwak Geumhee , Cho Hyunjin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Several population-based studies and observational studies have shown that oophorectomy is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), and hormone replacement therapy has been associated with a reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer. This study was carried out to investigate whether hysterectomy, which may affect the levels of female hormones, is associated with a risk of cancer of the specific gastrointestinal tract.

Methods
This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using insurance data provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2020. The hysterectomy group included 40- to 59-year-old women who underwent hysterectomy with uterine leiomyoma or uterine endometriosis from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2014. The control group included women aged 40 to 59 years who visited medical institutions for medical examination from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014.

Results
The hysterectomy and non-hysterectomhy groups comprised 66,204 and 89,768 subjects, respectively. The median ages in the non-hysterectomy group and hysterectomy group were 48 (range: 43–53) and 46 (range: 44–49) years, respectively. In the unadjusted results of the analysis, all colorectal cancer (CRC) increased in the hysterectomy alone group (HR 1.222, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.016–1.47, p = 0.033), sigmoid colon cancer increased in the hysterectomy alone group (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.073–2.724, p = 0.024), and rectal cancer increased in the hysterectomy with adnexal surgery group (HR 1.924, 95% CI 1.073–2.724, p = 0.002). The adjusted results showed that all CRC increased in the hysterectomy alone group (HR 1.406, 95% CI 1.057–1.871, p = 0.019), colon cancer increased in the hysterectomy alone group (HR 1.523, 95% CI 1.068–2.17, p = 0.02), and rectal cancer increased in the hysterectomy with adnexal surgery group (HR 1.933, 95% CI 1.131–3.302, p = 0.016). The all-cause mortality of GI cancer increased in the hysterectomy alone group (HR 3.495, 95% CI 1.347–9.07, p = 0.001).

Conclusions
This study showed that the risk of all CRC increased in women who underwent hysterectomy compared with women who did not. In particular, the risk of rectal cancer was significantly higher in the women who underwent hysterectomy with adnexal surgery than in the controls. There was no association between hysterectomy and other GI cancers.
Factors affecting patient satisfaction at a plastic surgery outpatient department at a tertiary centre in South Africa
Authors: Sofianos Chrysis 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
The main purpose of a medical facility is to improve the welfare of patients, and user satisfaction is one of its primary goals. This study aimed to identify variables influencing patient satisfaction at the Plastic Surgery Outpatient Department of Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Gauteng, South Africa. By identifying factors affecting patient satisfaction, the services provided to patients may be improved.

Methods
A questionnaire was compiled focusing on patients over 18 years of age and using a Likert scale to measure factors influencing patients’ satisfaction with the services received. Descriptive statistics were applied.

Results
A total of 142 participants, 69% of whom were under age 40 and 52.8% were male, were recruited using a systematic sampling technique. In 78% of cases, this was the patient’s first visit to the clinic. The results revealed that the patients were not satisfied with the ease of appointment scheduling and waiting times. A high level of satisfaction was reported for both nursing staff and doctors, aside from a lack of clear and prominent display of name badges. Overall satisfaction was at the “satisfied” level, and no participants reported lower than neutral feelings. The CSAT score was 79.5%, which is considered “good” for healthcare. The participant’s level of education was significant in multiple items; those with the lowest education reported higher overall satisfaction. A model produced by regression analysis was found to be strongly significant statistically.

Discussion
Batho Pele principles in South Africa provide a framework for consulting with service consumers, ascertaining their happiness, and identifying methods to enhance their experience. According to this survey, people are happy with the human part of the services received, although areas such as scheduling appointments and the physical surroundings still need much work.

Conclusion
These aspects of treatment are occasionally disregarded in a medical organisation with insufficient finances. Developing these areas can help turn patients into devoted patrons of a healthcare facility. An effective strategy to boost customer satisfaction has been suggested to enhance service quality and, especially in South Africa, conform to Batho Pele service standards.
Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the solute carrier family and preliminary exploration of SLC25A29 in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zheng Pengdou , Mao Zhenyu , Luo Miao , Zhou Ling , Wang Lingling , Liu Huiguo , Liu Wei , Wei Shuang 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAccording to the latest epidemiological investigation, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most fatal cancer among both men and women. Despite continuous advancements in treatment approaches in recent years, the prognosis for LUAD remains relatively poor. Given the crucial role of the solute carrier (SLC) family in maintaining cellular energy metabolism stability, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the association between SLC genes and LUAD prognosis. In the present study, we identified 71 genes among the SLC family members, of which 32 were downregulated and 39 were upregulated in LUAD samples. Based on these differentially expressed genes, a prognostic risk scoring model was established that was composed of five genes (SLC16A7, SLC16A4, SLC16A3, SLC12A8, and SLC25A15) and clinical characteristics; this model could effectively predict the survival and prognosis of patients in the cohort. Notably, SLC2A1, SLC25A29, and SLC27A4 were identified as key genes associated with survival and tumor stage. Further analysis revealed that SLC25A29 was underexpressed in LUAD tissue and regulated the phenotype of endothelial cells. Endothelial cell proliferation and migration increased and apoptosis decreased with a decrease in SLC25A29 expression. Investigation of the upstream regulatory mechanisms of SLC25A29 revealed that SLC25A29 expression gradually decreased as the lactate concentration increased. This phenomenon suggested that the expression of SLC25A29 may be related to lactylation modification. ChIP-qPCR experiments confirmed the critical regulatory role played by H3K14la and H3K18la modifications in the promoter region of SLC25A29. In conclusion, this study confirmed the role of SLC family genes in LUAD prognosis and revealed the role of SLC25A29 in regulating endothelial cell phenotypes. These study results provided important clues to further understand LUAD pathogenesis and develop appropriate therapeutic strategies.
Cytosine–phosphate–guanine oligodeoxynucleotides alleviate radiation-induced kidney injury in cervical cancer by inhibiting DNA damage and oxidative stress through blockade of PARP1/XRCC1 axis
Authors: Zhang Deyu , Zhang Shitai , He Zheng , Chen Ying 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Radiotherapy can cause kidney injury in patients with cervical cancer. This study aims to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms by which CpG-ODNs (Cytosine phosphate guanine-oligodeoxynucleotides) regulate the PARP1 (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1)/XRCC1 (X-ray repair cross-complementing 1) signaling axis and its impact on radiation kidney injury (RKI) in cervical cancer radiotherapy.

Methods
The GSE90627 dataset related to cervical cancer RKI was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Bioinformatics databases and R software packages were used to analyze the target genes regulated by CpG-ODNs. A mouse model of RKI was established by subjecting C57BL/6JNifdc mice to X-ray irradiation. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were measured using an automated biochemical analyzer. Renal tissue morphology was observed through HE staining, while TUNEL staining was performed to detect apoptosis in renal tubular cells. ELISA was conducted to measure levels of oxidative stress-related factors in mouse serum and cell supernatant. An in vitro cell model of RKI was established using X-ray irradiation on HK-2 cells for mechanism validation. RT-qPCR was performed to determine the relative expression of PARP1 mRNA. Cell proliferation activity was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, and Caspase 3 activity was measured in HK-2 cells. Immunofluorescence was used to determine γH2AX expression.

Results
Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the downstream targets regulated by CpG-ODNs in cervical cancer RKI were primarily PARP1 and XRCC1. CpG-ODNs may alleviate RKI by inhibiting DNA damage and oxidative stress levels. This resulted in significantly decreased levels of BUN and creatinine in RKI mice, as well as reduced renal tubular and glomerular damage, lower apoptosis rate, decreased DNA damage index (8-OHdG), and increased levels of antioxidant factors associated with oxidative stress (SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx). Among the CpG-ODNs, CpG-ODN2006 had a more pronounced effect. CpG-ODNs mediated the inhibition of PARP1, thereby suppressing DNA damage and oxidative stress response in vitro in HK-2 cells. Additionally, PARP1 promoted the formation of the PARP1 and XRCC1 complex by recruiting XRCC1, which in turn facilitated DNA damage and oxidative stress response in renal tubular cells. Overexpression of either PARP1 or XRCC1 reversed the inhibitory effects of CpG-ODN2006 on DNA damage and oxidative stress in the HK-2 cell model and RKI mouse model.

Conclusion
CpG-ODNs may mitigate cervical cancer RKI by blocking the activation of the PARP1/XRCC1 signaling axis, inhibiting DNA damage and oxidative stress response in renal tubule epithelial cells.
Oxamate enhances the efficacy of CAR-T therapy against glioblastoma via suppressing ectonucleotidases and CCR8 lactylation
Authors: Sun Ting , Liu Bin , Li Yanyan , Wu Jie , Cao Yufei , Yang Shuangyu , Tan Huiling , Cai Lize , Zhang Shiqi , Qi Xinyue , Yu Dingjia , Yang Wei 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T immunotherapy fails to treat solid tumors due in part to immunosuppressive microenvironment. Excess lactate produced by tumor glycolysis increases CAR-T immunosuppression. The mechanism of lactate inducing the formation of immunosuppressive microenvironment remains to be further explored.

Methods
Immunocyte subpopulations and molecular characteristics were analyzed in the orthotopic xenografts of nude mice using flow cytometry assay and immunohistochemical staining after oxamate, a lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) inhibitor, and control T or CAR-T cells injection alone or in combination. RT-qPCR, western blot, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation and ELISA were performed to measure the effect of lactate on the regulation of CD39, CD73 and CCR8 in cultured glioma stem cells, CD4 + T cells or macrophages.

Results
Oxamate promoted immune activation of tumor-infiltrating CAR-T cells through altering the phenotypes of immune molecules and increasing regulatory T (Treg) cells infiltration in a glioblastoma mouse model. Lactate accumulation within cells upregulated CD39, CD73 and CCR8 expressions in both lactate-treated cells and glioma stem cells-co-cultured CD4 + T cells and macrophages, and intracellular lactate directly elevated the activities of these gene promotors through histone H3K18 lactylation.

Conclusions
Utilizing lactate generation inhibitor not only reprogramed glucose metabolism of cancer stem cells, but also alleviated immunosuppression of tumor microenvironment and reduced tumor-infiltrating CAR-Treg cells, which may be a potential strategy to enhance CAR-T function in glioblastoma therapy.
Assessment of radio(chemo)therapy-related dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients based on cough-related acoustic features: a prospective phase II national clinical trial (ACCOUGH-P/A trial)
Authors: Mootassim-Billah Sofiana , Van Nuffelen Gwen , Schoentgen Jean , De Bodt Marc , Van Gestel Dirk 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Radiation-associated dysphagia is defined as impaired swallowing efficiency/safety following (chemo)radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. In a dysphagia framework, impaired coughing may lead to lung aspiration and fatal lung infection. Although cough efficacy is a predictor of the risk of aspiration, cough investigation is minimal in patients with radiation-associated dysphagia. Because cough is a transient signal, existing software for speech analysis are not appropriate. The goal of our project is to develop an assessment method using acoustic features related to voluntary and reflexive coughs as biomarkers of the risk of penetration/aspiration in patients with radiation-associated dysphagia.

Methods
Healthy subjects and head and neck cancer patients with and without dysphagia will produce voluntary coughs, throat clearings and reflexive coughs. Recordings will be made using an acoustic microphone and a throat microphone. The recorded signals will be manually segmented and subsequently analysed with a software under development. Automatic final segmentation enables to measure cough duration. The first method of analysis includes temporal features: the amplitude contour, the sample entropy and the kurtosis. These features report respectively the strength, the unpredictability (turbulence noise due to the air jet) and the impulsive quality (burst) of the signal. The second method of analysis consists of a spectral decomposition of the relative cough signal energy into several frequency bands (0–400 Hz, 400–800 Hz, 800–1600 Hz, 1600–3200 Hz, > 3200 Hz). The primary outcome of this exploratory research project is the identification of a set of descriptive acoustic cough features in healthy subjects as reference data (ACCOUGH). The secondary outcome of this research in head and neck cancer patients with radiation-associated dysphagia includes the identification of (1) a set of descriptive acoustic cough features as biomarkers of penetration-aspiration (ACCOUGH-P/A), (2) swallowing scores, (3) voice features and (4) aerodynamic cough features.

Discussion
This study is expected to develop methods of acoustic cough analysis to enhance the assessment of radiation-associated dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients following (chemo)radiation.

Trial registration
International Standard Randomized Controlled Trials Number (ISRCTN) registry ISRCTN16540497. Accepted on 23 June 2023.
Association of knee and hip osteoarthritis with the risk of falls and fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Youyou , Li Xiaoxi , Wang Yining , Ge Liru , Pan Faming , Winzenberg Tania , Cai Guoqi 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objective
Studies evaluating the association of knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) with falls and fractures have inconsistent findings. We aimed to investigate associations of symptomatic and radiographic knee and hip OA with risk of falls, recurrent falls, and fractures.

Methods
We conducted an electronic search of databases from inception to February 2023. Two authors independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale tool in eligible studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models.

Results
Of 17 studies included (n = 862849), 2 had a high risk of bias. Among studies that evaluated falls or fractures as outcomes, 7/8 (87.5%) and 5/11 (45.5%) were self-reported, respectively. Both symptomatic knee and hip OA were associated with increased risk of recurrent falls (knee: OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.18; hip: OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.28 to 1.75) but not falls or fractures. Radiographic knee OA increased risk of falls (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.59) and did not significantly increase risk of recurrent falls (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.97) or fractures (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.52). Radiographic hip OA decreased the risk of recurrent falls (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.96) but had no statistically significant association with fractures (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.71).

Conclusion
Symptomatic knee and hip OA were both associated with an increased risk of recurrent falls, and radiographic knee OA was associated with an increased risk of falls. No statistically significant associations of radiographic and symptomatic knee or hip OA with fractures were found.
Detection of Parvovirus B19 genome in human heart tissue samples
Authors: Kloc Anna , Campbell Kenneth S. , Espinoza Yarida A. Urbina 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objective
Identifying viral genomes in human heart tissues is critical for disease diagnosis and assessment of cardiovascular damage. Human heart tissue samples obtained during a biopsy procedure are routinely used to test for the presence of viruses, as guided by clinical manifestations and prognosis. Furthermore, heart tissue samples obtained post-mortem or during a cardiac transplant procedure serve as a valuable research tool, as they allow for an in-depth assessment of cardiac pathology that can aid in our understanding of molecular pathways associated with disease. Because viral nucleic acid constitutes only a small portion of each sample’s genetic material, appropriate methods are necessary for positive viral genome identification.

Results
Snap-frozen heart tissue samples obtained either post-mortem or during a cardiac transplant procedure were used to develop conditions for detection of Parvovirus B19. Briefly, total DNA was isolated from the heart tissue under varying conditions. A PCR-based assay with Parvovirus B19 specific primers was implemented to detect the presence of the viral genome, followed by Sanger Sequencing. The mechanical disruption of the heart tissue, as well as the cardiac tissue processing methods, had a significant effect on the DNA quality and the ability to detect the Parvovirus B19 genome.
Curtailing political short-termism in legislatures: a trade-off between influence and institutionalization?
Authors: Koskimaa Vesa , Raunio Tapio 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLegislatures have recently started to invest in anticipatory governance. Alongside new practices, they have introduced designated future committees and organs that connect MPs to future-regarding visioning and advice. Two decades ago, only Finland had a ‘future committee’, today broadly similar organs exist in 10 countries around the world. While signaling an important attempt to take expert-driven anticipatory governance closer to voters, legislative future organs may become short-lasting or remain politically weak, as their efforts to gain power typically threaten established legislative actors. To examine this emerging tension, we theoretically distinguish the unorthodox methods of future committees from traditional legislative practices and empirically compare the operation of all existing legislative future committees and similar organs. We uncover a considerable similarity between these institutions that mostly operate outside of the ordinary legislative process. To survive, they must add value to MPs without endangering the existing division of power. Finding this balance enhances the consolidation of legislative future organs, but it simultaneously limits their conventional political impact.