bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel study to investigate the effect of sex and dietary nitrate on COVID-19 vaccine-induced vascular dysfunction in healthy men and women: protocol of the DiNOVasc-COVID-19 study
Authors: Shabbir Asad , Chhetri Ismita , Khambata Rayomand S. , Parakaw Tipparat , Lau Clement , Aubdool Muhammad A. B. N. , Massimo Gianmichele , Dyson Nicki , Kapil Vikas , Godec Thomas , Apea Vanessa , Flint Jan , Orkin Chloe , Rathod Krishnaraj S. , Ahluwalia Amrita 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Cardiovascular events, driven by endothelial dysfunction, are a recognised complication of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infections remain a persistent concern globally, and an understanding of the mechanisms causing endothelial dysfunction, particularly the role of inflammation, nitric oxide, and whether sex differences exist in this response, is lacking. We have previously demonstrated important sex differences in the inflammatory response and its impact on endothelial function and separately that the ingestion of inorganic nitrate can protect the endothelium against this dysfunction. In this study, we will investigate whether sex or a dietary inorganic nitrate intervention modulates endothelial function and inflammatory responses after the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods
DiNOVasc-COVID-19 is a double-blind, randomised, single-centre, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 98 healthy volunteers (49 males and 49 females) will be recruited. Participants will be randomised into 1 of 2 sub-studies: part A or part B. Part A will investigate the effects of sex on vascular and inflammatory responses to the COVID-19 vaccine. Part B will investigate the effects of sex and dietary inorganic nitrate on vascular and inflammatory responses to the COVID-19 vaccine. In part B, participants will be randomised to receive 3 days of either nitrate-containing beetroot juice (intervention) or nitrate-deplete beetroot juice (placebo). The primary outcome for both sub-studies is a comparison of the change in flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) from baseline after COVID-19 vaccination. The study has a power of > 80% to assess the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints include change from baseline in inflammatory and leukocyte counts and in pulse wave analysis (PWA) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) following the COVID-19 vaccination.

Discussion
This study aims to evaluate whether sex or dietary influences endothelial function and inflammatory responses in healthy volunteers after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04889274. Registered on 5 May 2023. The study was approved by the South Central – Oxford C Research Ethics Committee (21/SC/0154).
Characterization of green synthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) in two different indigenous halophilic bacteria
Authors: Tabibi Maryam , Aghaei Soheil , Amoozegar Mohammad Ali , Nazari Razieh , Zolfaghari Mohammad Reza 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
In the biological method, using nonpathogenic and extremophile bacteria systems are not only safe and highly efficient but also a trump card for synthesizing nanoparticles. Halomonas elongata QW6 IBRC-M 10,214 (He10214) and Salinicoccus iranensis IBRC-M 10,198 (Si10198), indigenous halophilic bacteria, can be used for synthesizing selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs).

Methods
SeNP biosynthesis was optimized in two halophilic bacteria and characterized by UV–Vis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX).

Results
Optimized conditions for synthesizing SeNPs was at 300 °C at 150 rpm for 72 h and 6 mM or 8 mM concentration of Na2SeO3. UV–Vis indicated a sharp absorption peak at 294 nm. Spherical-shaped nanoparticles by a diameter of 30–100 nm were observed in FESEM and TEM microscopy images. The produced SeNPs were identified by a peak in FTIR spectra. In XRD analysis, the highest peak diffraction had a relationship with SeNPs. The zeta potential analysis showed SeNP production, and elemental selenium was confirmed by EDX.

Conclusions
Halophilic bacteria, owing to easy manipulation to create optimization conditions and high resistance, could serve as appropriate organisms for the bioproduction of nanoparticles. The biological method, due to effectiveness, flexibility, biocompatibility, and low cost, could be used for the synthesis of reproducible and stable nanoparticles.
The association between prenatal famine, DNA methylation and mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Eichenauer Heike , Ehlert Ulrike 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Undernutrition in pregnant women is an unfavorable environmental condition that can affect the intrauterine development via epigenetic mechanisms and thus have long-lasting detrimental consequences for the mental health of the offspring later in life. One epigenetic mechanism that has been associated with mental disorders and undernutrition is alterations in DNA methylation. The effect of prenatal undernutrition on the mental health of adult offspring can be analyzed through quasi-experimental studies such as famine studies. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to analyze the association between prenatal famine exposure, DNA methylation, and mental disorders in adult offspring. We further investigate whether altered DNA methylation as a result of prenatal famine exposure is prospectively linked to mental disorders.

Methods
We conducted a systematic search of the databases PubMed and PsycINFO to identify relevant records up to September 2022 on offspring whose mothers experienced famine directly before and/or during pregnancy, examining the impact of prenatal famine exposure on the offspring’s DNA methylation and/or mental disorders or symptoms.

Results
The systematic review showed that adults who were prenatally exposed to famine had an increased risk of schizophrenia and depression. Several studies reported an association between prenatal famine exposure and hyper- or hypomethylation of specific genes. The largest number of studies reported differences in DNA methylation of the IGF2 gene. Altered DNA methylation of the DUSP22 gene mediated the association between prenatal famine exposure and schizophrenia in adult offspring. Meta-analysis confirmed the increased risk of schizophrenia following prenatal famine exposure. For DNA methylation, meta-analysis was not suitable due to different microarrays/data processing approaches and/or unavailable data.

Conclusion
Prenatal famine exposure is associated with an increased risk of mental disorders and DNA methylation changes. The findings suggest that changes in DNA methylation of genes involved in neuronal, neuroendocrine, and immune processes may be a mechanism that promotes the development of mental disorders such as schizophrenia and depression in adult offspring. Such findings are crucial given that undernutrition has risen worldwide, increasing the risk of famine and thus also of negative effects on mental health.
Effect of Purpureocillium lilacinum on inter-root soil microbial community and metabolism of tobacco
Authors: Zhang Jili , Song Jiayi , Wei Jianyu , Qi Shi , Li Junlin , Jin Yabo , Luan Xinbo , Li Ping , Yan Jian 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Numerous chemical pesticides have been used in agricultural production to combat crop diseases and pests. Despite ensuring certain economic advantages, they have also resulted in issues like environmental contamination, declining soil quality, and pesticide residues. Because biological control is environmentally friendly and difficult to acquire resistance to, it has been used in practice recently.

Methods
In this study, we isolated the endophytic fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum from Portulaca oleracea L., which was previously found to have inhibitory effects on soil pathogens in tobacco fields. To find out how the biocontrol agent P. lilacinum affects soil microorganisms and plant metabolism in tobacco cultivation, we used amplicon sequencing technology and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to look at the structure of soil microbial communities and the networks of interactions between microorganisms and metabolites in the inter-rhizosphere soil of tobacco fields treated with different amounts of P. lilacinum.

Results
The findings showed that there was a trend toward less microbial diversity among inter-root microorganisms as solid-state fermentation (SSF) products of P. lilacinum increased; however, submerged fermentation (SmF) had no discernible impact on microbial diversity when compared to the direct use of SSF. Additionally, the relationship between inter-root fungi and volatile compounds in tobacco leaves was dominated by a negative correlation.

Conclusions
The result demonstrated that P. lilacinum’s antagonistic interaction in the inter-rhizosphere microbial community was dominant and valuable for biopesticide application. P. lilacinum can work more effectively on tobacco roots by using SSF products. P. lilacinum’s opposition to fungal colonies may enhance the volatile chemicals in tobacco leaves. These provide some implications for the biocontrol application of P. lilacinum.
Immunoglobulin utilization in Canada: a comparative analysis of provincial guidelines and a scoping review of the literature
Authors: Harmon Megan , Riazi Kiarash , Callum Jeannie , Arnold Donald M. , Barty Rebecca , Sidhu Davinder , Heddle Nancy M. , MacLeod Laurie , Li Na 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundCanada has high immunoglobulin (IG) product utilization, raising concerns about appropriate utilization, cost and risk of shortages. Currently, there is no national set of standardized IG guidelines, and considerable variations exist among the existing provincial guidelines. The aims of this study were: (1) to compare the existing Canadian provincial guidelines on the use of IG products to identify their consistencies and differences and (2) to examine the existing research in Canada on IG supply and utilization following the establishment of IG guidelines to understand the scope of research and pinpoint the gaps.MethodsA comparative analysis accounted for the differences across provincial IG guidelines. We highlighted similarities and differences in recommendations for medical conditions. A scoping review of citations from MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus and Embase databases was conducted for studies published from January 01, 2014, to April 12, 2023.ResultsWhile provincial guidelines represented a considerable overlap in the medical conditions delineated and relatively uniform dose calculations, numerous differences were observed, including in recommendation categories, provision of pediatric dosing, and divergent recommendations for identical conditions based on patient demographics. The scoping review identified 29 studies that focused on the use of IG in Canada. The themes of the studies included: IVIG utilization and audits, the switch from IVIG to SCIG, patient satisfaction with IVIG and/or SCIG, the economic impact of self-administered SCIG versus clinically administered IVIG therapy, and the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of alternative medications to IG treatment.ConclusionThe differences in guidelines across provinces and the factors influencing IVIG/SCIG use, patient satisfaction, and cost savings are highlighted. Future research may focus on clarifying costs and comparative effectiveness, exploring factors influencing guideline adherence, and evaluating the impact of updated guidelines on IG use and patient outcomes.
Systematic characterization of a non-transgenic Aβ1–42 amyloidosis model: synaptic plasticity and memory deficits in female and male mice
Authors: Jiménez-Herrera Raquel , Contreras Ana , Djebari Souhail , Mulero-Franco Jaime , Iborra-Lázaro Guillermo , Jeremic Danko , Navarro-López Juan , Jiménez-Díaz Lydia 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
The amyloid-β (Aβ) cascade is one of the most studied theories linked to AD. In multiple models, Aβ accumulation and dyshomeostasis have shown a key role in AD onset, leading to excitatory/inhibitory imbalance, the impairments of synaptic plasticity and oscillatory activity, and memory deficits. Despite the higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in women compared to men, the possible sex difference is scarcely explored and the information from amyloidosis transgenic mice models is contradictory. Thus, given the lack of data regarding the early stages of amyloidosis in female mice, the aim of this study was to systematically characterize the effect of an intracerebroventricular (icv.) injection of Aβ1–42 on hippocampal-dependent memory, and on associated activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal CA1–CA3 synapse, in both male and female mice.

Methods
To do so, we evaluated long term potentiation (LTP) with ex vivo electrophysiological recordings as well as encoding and retrieval of spatial (working, short- and long-term) and exploratory habituation memories using Barnes maze and object location, or open field habituation tasks, respectively.

Results
Aβ1–42 administration impaired all forms of memory evaluated in this work, regardless of sex. This effect was displayed in a long-lasting manner (up to 17 days post-injection). LTP was inhibited at a postsynaptic level, both in males and females, and a long-term depression (LTD) was induced for the same prolonged period, which could underlie memory deficits.

Conclusions
In conclusion, our results provide further evidence on the shifting of LTP/LTD threshold due to a single icv. Aβ1–42 injection, which underly cognitive deficits in the early stages of AD. These long-lasting cognitive and functional alterations in males and females validate this model for the study of early amyloidosis in both sexes, thus offering a solid alternative to the inconsistence of amyloidosis transgenic mice models.
Perioperative mortality of emergency and elective surgical patients in a low-income country: a single institution experience
Authors: Degu Samrawit , Kejela Segni , Zeleke Henok TekleSelassie 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
The perioperative mortality rate is an indicator of access to safe anesthesia and surgery. Studies showed higher perioperative mortality rates among low- and middle-income countries. But the specific causes and factors contributing to perioperative death have not been adequately studied in the Ethiopian context.

Methods
This is a retrospective institutional study of the largest academic medical center in Ethiopia. Data of all patients who were admitted to surgical wards or intensive care and underwent surgical interventions were evaluated for perioperative mortality rate determination. All mortality cases were then evaluated in depth.

Results
Of the 3295 patients evaluated, a total of 148 patients (4.5%) died within 30 days of surgery. By the 7th postoperative day, 69.5% of the perioperative mortality had already occurred. Septic shock contributed to 54.2% of deaths. Emergency surgery patients had more than a twofold higher mortality rate than elective surgery patients (p value < 0.001) and had a 2.6-fold higher rate of dying within 7 days of surgery (p value of 0.02). Patients with ASA performance status of 3 or more had a 1.7-fold higher rate of death within 72 h of surgery (p value of 0.015).

Conclusion
More than two thirds of patients died within 7 postoperative days. More emergency patients died than elective counterparts, and emergency cases had a higher rate of dying within 7 days of surgery. Poor ASA performance score was associated with earlier postoperative death. Further prospective multi-institutional studies are warranted to elucidate the factors that contribute to higher postoperative mortality in low-income country patients.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of common infections in primary care and the change to antibiotic prescribing in England
Authors: Yang Ya-Ting , Zhong Xiaomin , Fahmi Ali , Watts Simon , Ashcroft Darren M. , Massey Jon , Fisher Louis , MacKenna Brian , Mehrkar Amir , Bacon Sebastian C. J. , Goldacre Ben , Hand Kieran , van Staa Tjeerd , Palin Victoria 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
There is concern that the COVID-19 pandemic altered the management of common infections in primary care. This study aimed to evaluate infection-coded consultation rates and antibiotic use during the pandemic and how any change may have affected clinical outcomes.

Methods
With the approval of NHS England, a retrospective cohort study using the OpenSAFELY platform analysed routinely collected electronic health data from GP practices in England between January 2019 and December 2021. Infection coded consultations and antibiotic prescriptions were used estimate multiple measures over calendar months, including age-sex adjusted prescribing rates, prescribing by infection and antibiotic type, infection consultation rates, coding quality and rate of same-day antibiotic prescribing for COVID-19 infections. Interrupted time series (ITS) estimated the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on infection-coded consultation rates. The impact of the pandemic on non- COVID-19 infection-related hospitalisations was also estimated.

Results
Records from 24 million patients were included. The rate of infection-related consultations fell for all infections (mean reduction of 39% in 2020 compared to 2019 mean rate), except for UTI which remained stable. Modelling infection-related consultation rates highlighted this with an incidence rate ratio of 0.44 (95% CI 0.36–0.53) for incident consultations and 0.43 (95% CI 0.33–0.54) for prevalent consultations. Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) saw the largest reduction of 0.11 (95% CI 0.07–0.17). Antibiotic prescribing rates fell with a mean reduction of 118.4 items per 1000 patients in 2020, returning to pre-pandemic rates by summer 2021. Prescribing for LRTI decreased 20% and URTI increased 15.9%. Over 60% of antibiotics were issued without an associated same-day infection code, which increased during the pandemic. Infection-related hospitalisations reduced (by 62%), with the largest reduction observed for pneumonia infections (72.9%). Same-day antibiotic prescribing for COVID-19 infection increased from 1 to 10.5% between the second and third national lockdowns and rose again during 2022.

Conclusions
Changes to consultations and hospital admissions may be driven by reduced transmission of non-COVID-19 infections due to reduced social mixing and lockdowns. Inconsistencies in coding practice emphasises the need for improvement to inform new antibiotic stewardship policies and prevent resistance to novel infections.
Economic effects of food supply chain re-localization on the Croatian economy
Authors: Mikulić Davor , Lovrinčević Željko , Keček Damira 
Published: September 2023

AbstractSecuring the availability of healthy food at affordable prices is of fundamental public interest. The formerly prevailing paradigm of the absolute superiority of free trade in the global food market is changing in favour of re-localization after vulnerabilities were exposed by the war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent disorder in the global food market. Re-localization of food production could also have a positive impact on the environment, public health and sustainable local development. This paper analyses the trends and current conditions in the Croatian food market regarding the potential economic benefits of re-localization of food production. The purpose of the paper is to estimate the economic benefits of food re-localization in Croatia. The method of input–output analysis is applied to test hypotheses. Direct, indirect and induced effects of re-localization of food production are estimated and the results compared with other countries. The results confirm previous findings that re-localization of food production could stimulate the domestic economy. The multipliers estimated for Croatian agricultural and food production do not deviate significantly from the results published for other economies. Output multipliers related to the Croatian food sector are slightly lower than those estimated for new European Union members, while multipliers for the Croatian agriculture sector are in line with those estimated for the same group of countries. It is found that expenditures on domestic food products induce significantly larger economic effects in Croatia than expenditures on imported food. Import substitution and re-localization would also positively affect public finances. Re-localizing 10% of imports of agri-food products could increase the Croatian GDP by 0.32%. The employment effects would be even larger since labour intensity in the food and agriculture sectors is high.
Anxiety and Depression Symptoms among Youth Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Network Analysis
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Jin Yu , Xu Shicun , Luo Xianyu , Wilson Amanda , Li Hui , Wang Xiaofeng , Sun Xi , Wang Yuanyuan 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Previous studies have frequently reported a high prevalence of co-occurring anxiety and depression among people who experienced stressful events in childhood. However, few have noted the symptomatic relationship of this comorbidity among childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors. Therefore, this study’s objectives were as follows: (1) to examine the relationship across symptoms between anxiety and depression among CSA survivors; (2) to compare differences between male and female network structures among CSA survivors.

Methods
A total of 63 Universities and Colleges in Jilin Province, China, covered 96,218 participants in this study, a sub-set data of which met the criteria of CSA was analyzed with the network analysis. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), measured CSA. Anxiety was measured by the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and depression was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The sex difference between anxiety and depression among CSA survivors was compared.

Results
3,479 college students reported the experience of CSA (CTQ-SF total scores ≥ 8), with a prevalence of 3.62% (95% CI: 3.50–3.73%). Among CSA survivors, control worry, sad mood, and energy were central and bridge symptoms of the anxiety and depression network. Meanwhile, male CSA survivors appeared to have a stronger correlation between guilt and suicide, but female CSA survivors seemed to have a stronger correlation between control worry and suicide. Moreover, the edge of control worry-relax-afraid was stronger in the male network, while the edge of restless-relax was stronger in the female network.

Conclusion
Control worry, sad mood, and energy are crucial to offer targeted treatment and to relieve anxiety and depression symptoms for CSA survivors. Guilt needs more attention for male CSA survivors, while control worry remains more important for female CSA survivors to reduce suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.