bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of EBV infected Gastric cancer in increasing miR-124 promoter methylation and EZH2 gene expression
Authors: Ghoreshi Zohreh-Al-Sadat , Rukerd Mohammad Rezaei Zadeh , Askarpour Hedyeh , khah ali asghar kheir , Arefinia Nasir 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The tumor suppressor microRNAs, miR-21, miR-124, and miR-494, participate in the controlling several cellular processes. In our study, target miRs methylation levels in the 304 pairs of GC (as non-tumor tissues) were assessed. To detect EBV and H. Pylori DNA in GC tissues, a commercial real time PCR EBV and H. Pylori kit was used. Following the discovery of hyper-methylation of the miR-124 gene promoter, its expression level was assessed by qPCR. miR-124 is identified as the EZH2 target by bioinformatics analysis. The association between EZH2 and miR-124 EZH2 was confirmed using qPCR. EBV and H. Pylori DNA were detected in 9.5% and 15.1% of GC patients of the 304 subjects. Among the miRs studied, miR-124 methylation level were significantly difference in EBV-infected GC patients in comparison to total GC patients, H. pylori infected GC patients, GC patients without EBV and H. pylori infection, and non-tumor tissue. The analysis of bioinformatics and qPCR assays indicated an inverse relationship between the levels of expression of EZH2 and miR-124 in EBV-infected GC patients. According to our data, miR-124 gene promoter was hyper-methylated, and its expression was significantly reduced in EBV-infected GC tissues. It is possible that miR-124 plays a role in the development of EBV-infected GC by targeting EZH2, given its capability to bind to the 3'-UTR of the EZH2 gene.
Hospital governance accountability structure: a scoping review
Authors: Jalilvand Mohammad Ali , Raeisi Ahmad Reza , Shaarbafchizadeh Nasrin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Introduction: hospital, as a complex organization with clinical, financial, and social functions, faces different barriers to providing high-quality and safe services at reasonable costs. Various initiatives have been carried out in hospital governance to improve quality, safety, and accountability. This research aims to identify the structures and dimensions that make hospital governance accountable. Methods: The research used Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework to examine the research literature on hospital governance structure and accountability. The literature review included PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus ProQuest, Google search engine, and Google Scholar databases from 2010 to 2023. Data were analyzed using content analysis method. Results: excluding the unrelated and duplicate sources, 40 articles and reports were included in the study. The studies were reviewed and analyzed based on organizational type, type of source, year of publication, objectives, and key findings. Accountable governance features extracted from the selected articles and reports. Four main themes including inclusive governance, Commitment to accountability, Planning for accountability, and autonomous governance. Thirteen sub-themes were extracted from the study literature. Conclusion: Various initiatives have been implemented regarding the reform of the governance structure of public hospitals in different countries. Many of these reforms aim to improve financial and clinical accountability. The study results could be used to identify the structures and dimensions that make hospital governance accountable.
Early-melting snowpatch plant communities are transitioning into novel ecosystems
Authors: Morgan John , Walker Zac 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Snowpatch plant community distribution and composition is strongly tied to the duration of long-lasting snow cover in alpine areas; they are vulnerable to global climatic changes that result in warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons. We used a multi-decadal revisitation study to quantify early-melting snowpatch floristic and functional diversity change in southern Australia, and document shrub size-class distributions over time to detect evidence for their encroachment patterns into snowpatches, a key prediction with climatic change. Early-melting snowpatches have declined in areal extent, changed in species composition, shrub and tussock grass cover has increased, but the effects of these changes on functional trait diversity were less clear. Species gains accounted for most of the floristic change observed. Shrub recruitment into early-melting snowpatches is ongoing by most shrub species. Biotic differentiation is occurring; many early-melting snowpatches are transitioning to a novel community with changed composition and taller vegetation structure, but there is little evidence for species loss having occurred. Given enough time, however, the long-term loss of snowpatch species is likely (i.e. biotic homogenisation) if taller shrubs outcompete short-statured snowpatch species. We believe that the changes observed provide evidence that this alpine ecosystem is on the verge of collapse.
A Novel Theta-Controlled Vibrotactile Brain-Computer Interface To Treat Chronic Pain: A Pilot Study
Authors: Demarest Phillip , Rustamov Nabi , Swift James , Xie Tao , Adamek Markus , Cho Hohyun , Wilson Elizabeth , Han Zhuangyu , Belsten Alexander , Luczak Nicholas , Brunner Peter , Haroutounian Simon , Leuthardt Eric C. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Limitations in chronic pain therapies necessitate novel interventions that are effective, accessible, and safe. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) provide a promising modality for targeting neuropathology underlying chronic pain by converting recorded neural activity into perceivable outputs. Recent evidence suggests that increased frontal theta power (4–7 Hz) reflects pain relief from chronic and acute pain. Further studies have suggested that vibrotactile stimulation decreases pain intensity in experimental and clinical models. This longitudinal, non-randomized, open-label pilot study's objective was to reinforce frontal theta activity in six patients with chronic upper extremity pain using a novel vibrotactile neurofeedback BCI system. Patients increased their BCI performance, reflecting thought-driven control of neurofeedback, and showed a significant decrease in pain severity and pain interference scores without any adverse events. Pain relief significantly correlated with frontal theta modulation. These findings highlight the potential of BCI-mediated cortico-sensory coupling of frontal theta with vibrotactile stimulation for alleviating chronic pain.
Efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids use in patients with COVID- 19: a systematic review and network meta‑analysis
Authors: He Qiaolan , Wang Chen , Wang Yingqin , Chen Guannan , Zhou Yue , Wu Yuanyuan , Zhong Ming 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Currently, some meta-analyses on COVID-19 have suggested that glucocorticoids use can reduce the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients, utilization rate of invasive ventilation, and improve the prognosis of patients. However, optimal regimen and dosages of glucocorticoid remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this network meta-analysis is to analyze the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids in treating COVID-19 at regimens.
Methods
This meta-analysis retrieved randomized controlled trials from the earliest records to December 30, 2022, published in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI Database and Wanfang Database, which compared glucocorticoids with placebos for their efficacy and safety in the treatment of COVID-19, Effects of different treatment regimens, types and dosages (high-dose methylprednisolone, very high-dose methylprednisolone, Pulse therapy methylprednisolone, medium-dose hydrocortisone, high-dose hydrocortisone, high-dose dexamethasone, very high-dose dexamethasone and placebo) on 28-day all-caused hospitalization mortality, hospitalization duration, mechanical ventilation requirement, ICU admission and safety outcome were compared.
Results
In this network meta-analysis, a total of 10544patients from 19 randomized controlled trials were finally included, involving a total of 9 glucocorticoid treatment regimens of different types and dosages. According to the analysis results, the 28-day all-cause mortality rate was the lowest in the treatment with pulse therapy methylprednisolone (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02, 0.42), but the use of high-dose methylprednisolone (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.59, 1.22), very high-dose dexamethasone (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.67, 1.35), high-dose hydrocortisone (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.34, 1.22), medium-dose hydrocortisone (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.49, 1.31) showed no benefit in prolonging the 28-day survival of patient. Compared with placebo, the treatment with very high-dose methylprednisolone (MD= -3.09;95%CI: -4.10, -2.08) had the shortest length of hospital stay, while high-dose dexamethasone (MD= -1.55;95%CI: -3.13,0.03) and very high-dose dexamethasone (MD= -1.06;95%CI: -2.78,0.67) did not benefit patients in terms of length of stay.
Conclusions
Considering the available evidence, this network meta‑analysis suggests that the prognostic impact of glucocorticoids in patients with COVID-19 may depend on the regimens of glucocorticoids. It is suggested that pulse therapy methylprednisolone is associated with lower 28-day all-cause mortality, very high-dose methylprednisolone had the shortest length of hospital stay in patients with COVID-19.
Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42022350407 (22/08/2022).
Nitrogen addition increases root biomass allocation and changes functional traits of two dominant tree species in North China
Authors: Zhang Qinze , Zhu Jiyou , Liang Jiaan , Li Meiyang , Huang Shuo , Li Hongyuan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAims Nitrogen (N) is one of the limiting nutrients for plant growth in terrestrial ecosystems. Numerous studies that have explored the effects of N addition on the eco-physiological traits and biomass production of plants, but the underlying mechanism of N deposition on biomass allocation has not been clarified, especially for urban greening trees. Methods A greenhouse simulated experiment was conducted by two dominating urban street trees in North China, including coniferPinus tabuliformisand broadleavedFraxinus chinensis. We set up three levels of N addition: ambient, low N addition, and high N addition (0, 3.5, and 10.5 gN m− 2year− 1) and determined the biomass distribution, plant functional traits, and soil nutrient traits of the two trees. Results Our results showed that N addition had positive effects on the aboveground and belowground biomass ofP. tabuliformis, which also shifted its functional traits to fast. WhileF. chinensisonly increased root biomass distribution and root acquisitive traits as N increased. Furthermore, N addition increased the soil N and phosphorus contents of both two trees and improved the root nutrient uptake capacity, resulting in the increase of root-shoot ratio. We found that optimal partitioning theory could better explain that trees would invest more resources in roots in the poor-resource area. Conclusion Trees changed their root structure and increased root biomass allocation to adapt to the high N deposition environment. Our findings highlight the importance of plant functional traits in driving the responses of biomass allocation to environmental factors for urban greening-dominated tree species.
The impact of COVID-19 on Immigrants and Refugees living with Mental Health and Addiction Disorders: A Population-Based Cohort study: in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Vahabi Mandana , Koh Maria , Wong Josephine , Palma Luis , Kopp Alexander , Lofters Aisha K. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background:
While the COVID-19 pandemic has taken an enormous toll on communities across Canada and the globe, its negative impacts have not been experienced equally. People with mental health and addiction disorders (MH&A) have been found to be at greater risk of COVID-19 infection and worse COVID-19 outcomes. Similarly, although immigrants and refugees contribute to one-quarter of Ontario’s population they make up nearly half of Ontario’s COVID-19 cases. There is a paucity of information on the impact of COVID-19 on people who are at the intersection of MH&A and socioeconomic deprivation. Our study aimed to address this gap.
Methods:
A population-based retrospective cohort study over a one-year period (January 15, 2020, to Feb 15, 2021) was conducted using multiple linked provincial-administrative databases. The study aimed to determine the differential impact of COVID-19 on immigrants and non-immigrants with MH& A and the general population without MH&A across sociodemographic and health-related factors like age, sex, neighbourhood income, Ontario marginalization index, comorbidities, and access to primary care. We used multivariable regression to adjust for potential confounders.
Results:
Our cohort comprised 10,994,464 Ontario residents aged 18 or older and of which approximately 17% lived with MH&A, with immigrants and refugees with MH&A making up 2.6%. People with preexisting MH&A were generally younger and more likely to live in deprived neighbourhoods compared to the general population. Immigrants and refugees with MH&A were more likely to reside in neighbourhoods with greater material deprivation, residential instability, and ethnic concentration compared to non-immigrants with MH&A. Even though the COVID-19 testing rate was lower among immigrants living with MH&A compared to non-immigrants with MH&A (32.7% vs. 37.6%), the confirmed positivity was significantly higher (12.4% vs. 4.5%). Adjusting for confounders we also found Covid 19 testing, hospital admission, intensive care admission, and mortality rates related to COVID-19 were considerably higher among people with MH&A than in the general population.
Conclusion:
Our findings provide evidence of the need to accelerate the development of targeted evidence-based policies that can effectively support and protect people living at the intersection of clinical and social inequities in this and future crises.
Coaching for Improving Clinical Performance of Surgeons: A Scoping Review
Authors: Wu Shangdi , Zhang Jing , Peng Bing , Cai Yunqiang , Liu Linxun , Liu Jie , Deng Chunlan , Chen Yonghua , Li Ang , Wang Chunrong , Wang Xin , YCPD Youth Committee of Pancreatic Disease of Sichuan Doctor Asso 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Like multiple successful coaching programs in many fields, surgical coaching has been developed and proven to be an effective way for clinical performance improvement. However, the strategy for surgical coaching implementation varied in a multitude of aspects, causing confusion for initializing new programs. The goal of our scoping review was to summarize the current literature about surgical coaching, which can help to direct future coaching programs.
Methods
We reviewed published articles in PubMed/Medline and suppletory manuscripts from reference lists. The protocol of our review was registered (osf.io, Z3S8H). Studies with a detailed description of structured surgical coaching programs for clinical performance improvement were included and research on mentoring, teaching, or other types of coaching not corresponding to our definition was excluded. Variable (authors, year of publication, region, etc.) were extracted and charted for further analysis.
Results
A total of 117 studies were screened, and 11 met our inclusion criteria. 5/11 articles (45%) used objective measurement to assess clinicians’ performance. One study described the overall complication rates within 30 days as an outcome. Surgeons were identified as coachees in 10 studies (91%), and training of a coach was regarded as necessary in 7 studies (64%). More research chose the expert coaching model (6/11, 55%), video-based coaching (9/11, 82%), and after-surgery timeline (7/11, 64%). Multiple coaching models were identified, including PRACTICE, GROW, and WISCONSIN.
Conclusions
As an effective education method, surgical coaching has been conducted in many regions with varied designs. Implementation of structured surgical coaching benefits trainers in an efficient way. Also, more high-level evidence, objective measurement, and combination with new technology, were needed in future investigations.
Exposure of the static magnetic fields on the microbial growth rate and the sludge properties in the complete-mix activated sludge process (a pilot-scale study)
Authors: Asgari Ghorban , Seid-Mohammadi Abdolmotaleb , Shokoohi Reza , Samarghandi Mohammad Reza , Daigger Glen T , Malekolkalami Behrooz , Khoshniyat Ramin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
In this study, the effect of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on improving the performance of activated sludge to enhance the microbial growth rate and improve sludge settling characteristics in real operation conditions has been investigated. The effect of SMFs (15 mT), hydraulic retention time, sludge age, aeration time on mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS), α-factor, and pH in the complete-mix activated sludge (CMAS) process during 30 days of operation were evaluated. There were not any differences between the concentration of MLSS in the case and control samples, however, the mean concentration of MLVSS in the case (1463.4 ± 419.2 mg/L) was more than the control samples (1244.1 ± 295.5 mg/L). Changes of the concentration of MLVSS over time, follow the first and second-order reaction with and without exposure to SMFs respectively. however, the slope of the line in the case samples was 6.255 higher than in the control samples. The mean of α-factor in the case samples increased by -0.001 higher than in the control samples. Changes in pH in both groups of the reactors were not observed. 15 mT intensity of SMFs can promote oxygen transfer to the biomass and, increase the concentration of MLVSS in aeration reactor of CMAS. SMFs have a potential to consider as an alternative method to stimulate the microbial growth rate in the aeration reactor and produce bioflocs with higher density in CMAS.
Auditory brainstem responses are resistant to pharmacological modulation in Sprague Dawley wildtype and Neurexin1α knockout rats
Authors: Marashli Samuel , Janz Philipp , Redondo Roger 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Sensory processing in the auditory brainstem can be studied with auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) across species. Although ABRs have been widely utilized to evaluate abnormalities in auditory brainstem physiology, there is limited understanding if ABRs can be useful tools to assess the effect of pharmacological interventions. Therefore, we set out to understand how pharmacological agents that target key transmitter systems of the auditory brainstem circuitry affect ABR physiology in rats. Given previous studies, demonstrating that Nrxn1α KO Sprague Dawley rats show substantial auditory processing deficits and altered sensitivity to GABAergic modulators, we used both Nrxn1α KO and wildtype littermates in our study. First, we probed how different commonly used anesthetics (isoflurane, ketamine/xylazine, medetomidine) affect ABRs waveforms. In the next step, we assessed the effects of different pharmacological compounds (diazepam, gaboxadol, retigabine, nicotine, baclofen, and bitopertin) either under isoflurane or medetomidine anesthesia. We found that under our experimental conditions, ABRs are largely unaffected by diverse pharmacological modulation. Significant modulation was observed with i.) nicotine, affecting the late ABR components at 90 dB stimulus intensity under isoflurane anesthesia in both genotypes and ii.) retigabine, showing a slight decrease in late ABRs deflections at 80 dB stimulus intensity, mainly in isoflurane-anesthetized Nrxn1α KO rats. Our study suggests that ABRs in anesthetized rats are resistant to a wide range of pharmacological modulators, which has important implications for the applicability of ABRs to study auditory brainstem physiology.
Synthesizing Implications of a Collaborative Project on Socially Sustainable Housing Policies for the Aging Population
Authors: Iwarsson Susanne , Granbom Marianne , Jonsson Oskar 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Objective: Based on findings from four transdisciplinary research studies on housing issues for the aging population, whereof three had a particular focus on marginalized groups, we report a synthesis of implications from a collaborative research project on socially sustainable housing policies. Researchers and non-academic partners in the ongoing Thematic Collaboration Initiative Social Rights and Housing for the Aging Population at Lund University participated in co-creative activities aiming at policy recommendations.
Results: Seven types of implications (i.e., themes) that represent macro and meso level approaches with potential to generate impact on social rights and housing for the aging population were identified. The content of legislation and regulations, financial institution strategies, and housing and neighbourhood development exemplify macro level implications. The three themes education and training, communicating with a diversity of stakeholders, and communicating with the public all relate to an overall need for integrated knowledge translation. The theme involving older adults as a resource delivered insight into underutilized capacities of the diverse target group. As the quest for integrated knowledge translation is growing stronger, this research note contributes to development of approaches to synthesize implications of transdisciplinary collaboration, connecting research, practice and policy on societal challenges that accompany population aging.
Vimentin overexpression correlates with clinicopathologic features and poor prognosis of esophagus cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Rui , Yu Yankai , Qin Hao , Yan Bingwen , Yu Jianzhi , Wen Zhijun 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background: Recently, the association between vimentin expression and esophageal carcinoma (EC) was investigated in several studies. However, the results remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the associations of vimentin expression with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of EC.
Methods: Eligible studies were searched from the PubMed, Web of science, Embase, Medline, and CNKI databases. The associations of vimentin expression with risk, overall survival and clinical features were evaluated by I2 statistics and P values. The hazards ratio (HR), odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess associations of vimentin expression with clinicopathological features and survival time of EC. The meta-analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 software.
Results: In total, 12 eligible studies were included for the meta-analysis. In patients with EC, vimentin overexpression was significantly associated with increased risk (OR=15.97, 95%CI=5.28-48.26, P< 0.05) and poorer prognosis (HR=1.79, 95%CI=1.44-2.15, P< 0.05). Moreover, vimentin overexpression was related to the increased invasion of blood vessels (OR=3.25, 95%CI=1.72-6.13, P< 0.05), advanced tumor stage (OR=2.28, 95%CI=1.26-4.13, P< 0.05), and lower differentiation (OR=0.65, 95%CI=0.45-0.94, P< 0.05) of EC.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that vimentin overexpression might be an effiective biomarker for predicting the clinical progression and prognosis of EC patients.