bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liver Disease and Cell Therapy: Advances Made and Remaining Challenges
Authors: Khan Sheeba , Mahgoub Sara , Fallatah Nada , Lalor Patricia F , Newsome Philip N 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The limited availability of organs for liver transplantation, the ultimate curative treatment for end stage liver disease, has resulted in a growing and unmet need for alternative therapies. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with their broad ranging anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties have therefore emerged as a promising therapeutic agent in treating inflammatory liver disease. Significant strides have been made in exploring their biological activity. Clinical application of MSC has shifted the paradigm from using their regenerative potential to one which harnesses their immunomodulatory properties. Reassuringly, MSCs have been extensively investigated for over 30 years with encouraging efficacy and safety data from translational and early phase clinical studies, but questions remain about their utility. Therefore, in this review, we examine the translational and clinical studies using MSCs in various liver diseases and their impact on dampening immune-mediated liver damage. Our key observations include progress made thus far with use of MSCs for clinical use, inconsistency in the literature to allow meaningful comparison between different studies and need for standardized protocols for MSC manufacture and administration. In addition, the emerging role of MSC-derived extracellular vesicles as an alternative to MSC has been reviewed. We have also highlighted some of the remaining clinical challenges that should be addressed before MSC can progress to be considered as therapy for patients with liver disease.
Pulmonary immune response regulation, genotoxicity, and metabolic reprogramming by menthol- and tobacco-flavored e-cigarette exposures in mice
Authors: Muthumalage Thivanka , Rahman Irfan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Menthol and tobacco flavors are available for almost all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigs). These flavors are a mixture of chemicals with overlapping constituents. There are no comparative toxicity studies of these flavors produced by different manufacturers. We hypothesized that acute exposure to menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cig aerosols induces inflammatory, genotoxicity, and metabolic responses in mouse lungs. We compared two brands, A and B, of e-cig flavors (PG/VG, menthol, and tobacco) with and without nicotine for their inflammatory response, genotoxic markers, and altered genes and proteins in the context of metabolism by exposing mouse strains, C57BL/6J (Th1-mediated) and BALB/cJ (Th2-mediated). Brand A nicotine-free menthol exposure caused increased neutrophils and differential T-lymphocyte influx in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and induced significant immunosuppression, while brand A tobacco with nicotine elicited an allergic inflammatory response with increased Eotaxin, IL-6, and RANTES levels. Brand B elicited a similar inflammatory response in menthol flavor exposure. Upon e-cig exposure, genotoxicity markers significantly increased in lung tissue. These inflammatory and genotoxicity responses were associated with altered NLRP3 inflammasome and TRPA1 induction by menthol flavor. Nicotine decreased surfactant protein D and increased PAI-1 by menthol and tobacco flavors, respectively. Integration of inflammatory and metabolic pathway gene expression analysis showed immunometabolic regulation in T cells via PI3K/Akt/p70S6k-mTOR axis associated with suppressed immunity/allergic immune response. Overall, this study showed the comparative toxicity of flavored e-cig aerosols, unraveling potential signaling pathways of nicotine and flavor-mediated pulmonary toxicological responses, and emphasized the need for standardized toxicity testing for appropriate premarket authorization of e-cigarette products.
When the weight of evidence does not weigh enough: EFSA’s draft scientific opinion on BPA
Authors: Zagorski Joseph W , Kaminski Norbert E 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
In November of 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released a draft scientific opinion on bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and health outcomes released to the public. EFSA concluded that the most sensitive outcome category to BPA exposure is the immune system. In this scientific opinion, EFSA utilized a weight of evidence approach to conclude that it is likely that BPA exposure promotes the development of TH17 cell-mediated atopic respiratory disease (eg, wheezing, rhinitis and asthma). Here, we present a dissenting analysis to that put forward in the draft EFSA scientific opinion and raise concerns about the studies and EFSA’s interpretation of data that were used to arrive at their conclusion.
Decreased DANCR contributes to high glucose‐induced extracellular matrix accumulation in human renal mesangial cell via regulating the TGF‐β/Smad signaling
Authors: Liu Feng , Cao Yiling , Zhang Chun , Su Hua 
Published: April 2023

AbstractGlomerulosclerosis is one of the major histopathologic changes in diabetic kidney diseases (DKD), which is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the glomerulus mainly produced by mesangial cells in response to transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) stimuli under diabetic conditions. Despite TGF‐β has been implicated as a major pathogenic factor in the development of diabetic glomerulosclerosis, clinical trials of monoclonal antibodies against TGF‐β failed to demonstrate therapeutic benefits. Thus, developing alternative therapeutic strategies to effectively block the TGF‐β/Smad signaling could be of paramount importance for DKD treatment. Emerging evidence indicates that dysregulation of certain lncRNAs can lead to aberrant activation of TGF‐β/Smad signaling. Herein, we identified a novel lncRNA, named DANCR, which could efficiently function as a negative regulator of TGF‐β/Smad signaling in mesangial cells. Ectopic expression of DANCR could specifically block the activation of TGF‐β/Smad signaling induced by high‐glucose or TGF‐β in human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs). Mechanistically, DANCR functions to stabilize nemo‐like kinase (NLK) mRNA through interaction with insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA‐binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2), resulting in enhanced phosphorylating on the linker region of activated Smad2/3 in the nucleus. Taken together, our data have uncovered an lncRNA‐based regulatory modality of the TGF‐β/Smad signaling and identified DANCR as an endogenous blocker of TGF‐β/Smad signaling in HRMCs, which may represent a potential therapeutic target against the diabetic glomerulosclerosis.
Association of Hearing Status and Cognition With Fall Among the Oldest-Old Chinese: A Nationally Representative Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Jun , Chen Xing-Xing , Liu Dan , Tian E. , Guo Zhao-Qi , Chen Jing-Yu , Kong Wei-Jia , Zhang Su-Lin 
Published: April 2023

Objectives:
The oldest-old (aged ≥80 years) are the most rapidly growing population and age is related to hearing impairment (HI) and cognitive decline. We aimed to estimate the association between HI and fall, and the effect of different cognitive states on this association among the oldest-old Chinese population.

Design:
A total of 6931 Chinese oldest-old were included in the 2018 cross-cohort from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). The presence of HI was identified by using a dichotomized metric of self-reported hearing status. Cognitive function was evaluated by using the modified Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Cognitive impairment was defined as the MMSE score below 24 points. Data on fall history were collected by questionnaires survey from the participants or their relatives. We studied the association of hearing status and cognitive function with fall by using multivariable logistic regressions, upon adjustment of sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles, and health conditions.

Results:
Our participants were aged 92 (range 80 to 117) on average, with 60.1% being women. In total, 39.1% of the participants had reported HI, 50.1% had cognitive impairment, and 26.2% had a history of falling. Participants with HI had a higher incidence of cognitive impairment (79.4%), as compared with their counterparts without HI (31.3%). Compared with those without HI, HI patients had a higher risk of falling after full adjustment for potential confounders (OR = 1.16 [95% confidence interval, CI, 1.01, 1.32], p = 0.031). In comparison with HI participants without cognitive impairment, HI patients with cognitive impairment had a higher fall risk (OR = 1.45 [95% CI = 1.23, 1.72], p < 0.001).

Conclusions:
Association of hearing status and cognition with fall was, for the first time, examined on the basis of a nationally-representative oldest-old Chinese population. Poor cognitive performance was common in individuals with HI, and those with HI and cognitive impairment further increased the risk of falling.
Evaluation of Two Spectro-Temporal Ripple Tests and Their Relation to the Matrix Speech-in-Noise Sentence Test in Cochlear Implant Recipients
Authors: van Groesen N.R.A. , Briaire J.J. , Frijns J.H.M. 
Published: April 2023

Objectives:
Spectro-temporal ripple tests are commonly used in cochlear implant (CI) research as language-independent indicators of speech recognition (in noise) or as stand-alone tests. Test-retest reliability of these tests has been scarcely documented. We evaluated the test-retest reliability of spectral-temporally modulated ripple test (SMRT) and spectro-temporal ripple for investigating processor effectiveness (STRIPES) and correlated their findings to the Dutch/Flemish Matrix speech-in-noise sentence test (MST) in CI recipients. This is the first time spectro-temporal ripple tests are correlated to an MST.

Design:
Take-home data from 15 participants over 2 test days were analyzed. Participants were fitted with their clinical speech encoding strategy (Advanced Bionics HiRes Optima) or a 14-channel non-steered monopolar strategy. Test-retest reliability was calculated through intraclass correlation coefficients and visualized through Bland Altman plots. Association of the spectro-temporal ripple tests with the MST was evaluated through linear regression analysis.

Results:
The SMRT and STRIPES possessed a similarly rated “good” test-retest reliability (SMRT: ICC = 0.81, confidence interval = 0.67 to 0.92; STRIPES: ICC = 0.87, confidence interval = 0.76 to 0.95) and an identical linear relationship to speech recognition in noise (SMRT: R
2 = 0.28, p = 0.04; STRIPES: R
2 = 0.28, p = 0.04). Both tests revealed a stable variability between session 1 and 2 outcome scores on Bland Altman plots.

Conclusion:
On the basis of our data, both spectro-temporal ripple tests possess similar test-retest reliability and a similar association with the MST. The SMRT and STRIPES can therefore both be used equally well as a quick indicator of across-listener differences in speech recognition in noise in CI recipients.
Guidelines for the Management of Adult Acute and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in the ICU: Neurology, Peri-Transplant Medicine, Infectious Disease, and Gastroenterology Considerations
Authors: Nanchal Rahul , Subramanian Ram , Alhazzani Waleed , Dionne Joanna C. , Peppard William J. , Singbartl Kai , Truwit Jonathon , Al-Khafaji Ali H. , Killian Alley J. , Alquraini Mustafa , Alshammari Khalil , Alshamsi Fayez , Belley-Cote Emilie , Cartin-Ceba Rodrigo , Hollenberg Steven M. , Galusca Dragos M. , Huang David T. , Hyzy Robert C. , Junek Mats , Kandiah Prem , Kumar Gagan , Morgan Rebecca L. , Morris Peter E. , Olson Jody C. , Sieracki Rita , Steadman Randolph , Taylor Beth , Karvellas Constantine J. 
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIVES:
To develop evidence-based recommendations for clinicians caring for adults with acute liver failure (ALF) or acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) in the ICU.

DESIGN:
The guideline panel comprised 27 members with expertise in aspects of care of the critically ill patient with liver failure or methodology. We adhered to the Society of Critical Care Medicine standard operating procedures manual and conflict-of-interest policy. Teleconferences and electronic-based discussion among the panel, as well as within subgroups, served as an integral part of the guideline development.

INTERVENTIONS:
In part 2 of this guideline, the panel was divided into four subgroups: neurology, peri-transplant, infectious diseases, and gastrointestinal groups. We developed and selected Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes (PICO) questions according to importance to patients and practicing clinicians. For each PICO question, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis where applicable. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. We used the evidence to decision framework to facilitate recommendations formulation as strong or conditional. We followed strict criteria to formulate best practice statements.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
We report 28 recommendations (from 31 PICO questions) on the management ALF and ACLF in the ICU. Overall, five were strong recommendations, 21 were conditional recommendations, two were best-practice statements, and we were unable to issue a recommendation for five questions due to insufficient evidence.

CONCLUSIONS:
Multidisciplinary, international experts formulated evidence-based recommendations for the management ALF and ACLF patients in the ICU, acknowledging that most recommendations were based on low quality and indirect evidence.
Where do Physiotherapists Search for Information? Barriers in Translating Scientific Information into Clinical Practice
Authors: Nunes Guilherme S. , Guterres Brenda D. , Machado Anna Carolina O. , Dangui Anna Julia M. , Schreiner Rafaela A. , Benincá Inaihá Laureano , Haupenthal Alessandro 
Published: April 2023

Introduction:
Comprehending scientific information have been reported as a barrier in evidence-based practice (EBP) adoption. This survey research aimed to verify the preferred sources of information for acquiring knowledge about physiotherapy and the association between types of information source and barriers in EBP implementation.

Methods:
A total of 610 physiotherapists were included and answered an online questionnaire about the preferred sources for searching physiotherapy-related information and possible barriers in EBP implementation.

Results:
Physiotherapists reported scientific resources as the preferred source of information, scientific databases (31%), followed by scientific articles (25%). The main barrier cited in EBP implementation was the difficulty in obtaining full-text articles (34%), followed by lack of statistical knowledge (30%). The use of peer-reviewed resources as the most preferred source of information is associated with the presence of issues in comprehending scientific information.

Discussion:
Although the positive attitude toward the use of scientific information, the findings raised question regarding the proper translation of scientific information to clinical practice. The importance of scientific information seems to be a well-established attitude among physiotherapists. However, there is a clear need for strategies aiming to improve the understanding of scientific information and consequently facilitate EBP implementation.
Frailty in kidney transplant candidates and recipients: pathogenesis and intervention strategies
Authors: Cao Huawei , Zhang Jiandong , Sun Zejia , Wu Jiyue , Hao Changzhen , Wang Wei 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
With the rapid aging of the global population posing a serious problem, frailty, a non-specific state that reflects physiological senescence rather than aging in time, has become more widely addressed by researchers in various medical fields. A high prevalence of frailty is found among kidney transplant (KT) candidates and recipients. Therefore, their frailty has become a research hotspot in the field of transplantation. However, current studies mainly focus on the cross-sectional survey of the incidence of frailty among KT candidates and recipients and the relationship between frailty and transplantation. Research on the pathogenesis and intervention is scattered, and relevant review literature is scarce. Exploring the pathogenesis of frailty in KT candidates and recipients and determining effective intervention measures may reduce waiting list mortality and improve the long-term quality of life of KT recipients. Therefore, this review explains the pathogenesis and intervention measures for frailty in KT candidates and recipients to provide a reference for the formulation of effective intervention strategies.
Risk of second primary lung cancer in patients with thyroid cancer: a meta-analysis based on big population studies
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Wang Yan , Yang Ruiyuan , Liu Dan , Li Weimin 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background:
Previous studies have revealed that the number of cancer survivors developing a second primary malignancy is increasing, especially among thyroid cancer patients, and lung cancer is still the main cause of cancer death. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the risk of second primary lung cancer (SPLC) in patients with thyroid cancer.

Methods:
We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases up to November 24, 2021, for relevant research and merged the standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to evaluate the risk of developing SPLC in patients with thyroid cancer.

Results:
Fourteen studies involving 1480,816 cases were included in our meta-analysis. The pooled result demonstrated that thyroid cancer patients may have a higher risk of SPLC than the general population (SIR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07–1.36, P < 0.01, I
2 = 81%, P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis stratified by sex indicated that female patients may have a markedly higher risk of SPLC than male patients (SIR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.40–1.94, P < 0.01, I
2 = 75%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions:
Thyroid cancer patients are more likely to develop SPLC than the general population, especially women. However, other risk factors must be investigated, and more prospective studies are needed to confirm our results.
Registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: No. CRD42021285399.
Effects of Bipolar Radiofrequency on Collagen Synthesis from Patients with Brachial Ptosis
Authors: Cala Uribe Laura C. , Perez Pachon Mauricio E. , Zannin Ferrero Andreina , Neri Morales Constanza , Silva Gutierrez Juliana , Manrique Cruz Angela D. , Maza María F. , Acero Mondragon Edward J. , Celis Regalado Luis G. 
Published: April 2023

Background:
Radiofrequency is frequently used for skin rejuvenation, localized fat elimination and cellulite treatment. It prompts the expression of thermal shock proteins that lead to dermal thickening as a result of collagen synthesis. The authors report a histological and clinical analysis of the arm subdermal changes before and after bipolar radiofrequency treatment plus liposuction to determine their benefits for arm contouring.

Methods:
Inclusion criteria included patients with stage 1, 2a, and 2b brachial ptosis (Duncan classification) and upper limb fat deposits who were considered candidates for third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposculpture plus radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis/skin tightening. Arm subdermal tissue samples (5 mm³) were analyzed before and after the intervention. We used 10% formaldehyde for tissue fixation and stained each sample with hematoxylin/eosin, Masson trichrome, and antibody markers against the cell cycle Ki-67 protein.

Results:
We analyzed a total of 12 biopsies from six patients who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Histological findings with hematoxylin/eosin revealed hyperplastic and metaplastic changes with focal distribution within the papillary and reticular dermis. Masson trichrome staining showed an increase of the characteristic basophilia of thin type-I and type-III collagen fibers. In contrast, molecular analysis reported an increase in fibroblast activity mediated by the activation of the heat shock protein HSP47.

Conclusion:
Radiofrequency may be a great alternative to improve skin retraction in patients with mild to moderate brachial dermatochalasis through the activation of HSP47 heat shock protein and the production of type-I and type-III collagen.
A Scoping Review of Mobile Apps in Plastic Surgery: Patient Care, Trainee Education, and Professional Development
Authors: Jarvis Nicholas R. , Jarvis Tyler , Morris Bryn E. , Verhey Erik M. , Rebecca Alanna M. , Howard Michael A. , Teven Chad M. 
Published: April 2023

Background:
Over the past 10 years, smartphones have become ubiquitous, and mobile apps serve a seemingly endless number of functions in our everyday lives. These functions have entered the realm of plastic surgery, impacting patient care, education, and delivery of services. This article reviews the current uses of plastic surgery mobile apps, app awareness within the plastic surgery community, and the ethical issues surrounding their use in patient care.

Methods:
A scoping review of electronically available literature within PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases was conducted in two waves in November and May 2022. Publications discussing mobile application use in plastic surgery were screened for inclusion.

Results:
Of the 80 nonduplicate publications retrieved, 20 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Articles acquired from the references of these publications were reviewed and summarized when relevant. The average American Society of Plastic Surgeons evidence rating of the publications was 4.2. Applications could be categorized broadly into three categories: patient care and surgical applications, professional development and education, and marketing and practice development.

Conclusions:
Mobile apps related to plastic surgery have become an abundant resource for patients, attending surgeons, and trainees. Many help bridge gaps in patient care and surgeon-patient communication, and facilitate marketing and practice development. Others make educational content more accessible to trainees and performance assessment more efficient and equitable. The extent of their impact on patient decision-making and expectations has not been completely elucidated.
Investigating the Possible Reasons for the Low Reported Morbidity and Mortality of COVID-19 in African Countries: An Integrative Review
Authors: Manna Okubalidet Kiflemariam , Costa Clemens Sue Ann , Clemens Ralf 
Published: April 2023

Background:COVID-19 has impacted the world differentially with the highest mortality and morbidity rate burden in Europe and the USA and the lowest mortality and morbidity burden in Africa. This study aims to investigate the possible reasons why Africa recorded the lowest COVID-19 mortality and morbidity.Methods:The following search terms were used PubMed database: [“mortalit*” (tw) OR “morbidit*” (tw) AND “COVID-19” (tw) AND “Africa” (tw)]. Studies that discuss a factor for the low COVID-19 burden in Africa have a defined methodology, discuss its research question and mention its limitations are selected for review. Data from the final articles were extracted using a data collection tool.Results:Twenty-one studies were used in this integrative review. Results were grouped into 10 themes, which are younger African population, lower health capacity, weather, vaccines and drugs, effective pandemic response, lower population density and mobility, African socioeconomic status, lower prevalence of comorbidities, genetic difference and previous infection exposure. The low COVID-19 mortality and morbidity in Africa is largely a result of a combined effect of the younger African population and underreporting of COVID-19 cases.Conclusions:There is a need to strengthen the health capacities of African countries. Moreover, African countries that have other health problem priorities may use a tailored approach to vaccinating the elderly. More definitive studies are needed to know the role of BCG vaccination, weather, genetic makeup and prior infection exposure in the differential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.