bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of maternal risk factors with infant maltreatment: an administrative data cohort study
Authors: Smith Jennifer N , Guttmann Astrid , Kopp Alexander , Vandermorris Ashley , Shouldice Michelle , Harron Katie L 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the risk of infant maltreatment associated with commonly used criteria for home visiting programmes: young maternal age, maternal adversity (homelessness, substance abuse, intimate partner violence), newcomer status and mental health concerns in Ontario, Canada.DesignThis retrospective cohort study included infants born in hospital in Ontario from 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2017 captured in linked health administrative and demographic databases. Infants were followed from newborn hospitalisation until 1 year of age for child maltreatment captured in healthcare or death records. The association between type and number of maternal risk factors, and maltreatment, was analysed using multivariable logistic regression modelling, controlling for infant characteristics and material deprivation. Further modelling explored the association of each year of maternal age with maltreatment.ResultsOf 989 586 infants, 434 (0.04%) had recorded maltreatment. Maternal age <22 years conferred higher risk of infant maltreatment (adjusted OR (aOR) 5.5, 95% CI 4.5 to 6.8) compared with age ≥22 years. Maternal mental health diagnoses (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6 to 2.5) were also associated with maltreatment, while refugee status appeared protective (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.0). The odds of maltreatment increased with higher numbers of maternal risk factors. Maternal age was associated with maltreatment until age 28 years.ConclusionInfants born to young mothers are at greater risk of infant maltreatment, and this association remained until age 28 years. These findings are important for ensuring public health interventions are supporting populations experiencing structural vulnerabilities with the aim of preventing maltreatment.
GPi-DBS-induced brain metabolic activation in cervical dystonia
Authors: Honkanen Emma A , Rönkä Jaana , Pekkonen Eero , Aaltonen Juho , Koivu Maija , Eskola Olli , Eldebakey Hazem , Volkmann Jens , Kaasinen Valtteri , Reich Martin M , Joutsa Juho 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundDeep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus interna (GPi) is a highly efficacious treatment for cervical dystonia, but its mechanism of action is not fully understood. Here, we investigate the brain metabolic effects of GPi-DBS in cervical dystonia.MethodsEleven patients with GPi-DBS underwent brain 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging during stimulation on and off. Changes in regional brain glucose metabolism were investigated at the active contact location and across the whole brain. Changes in motor symptom severity were quantified using the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS), executive function using trail making test (TMT) and parkinsonism using Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).ResultsThe mean (SD) best therapeutic response to DBS during the treatment was 81 (22)%. The TWSTRS score was 3.2 (3.9) points lower DBS on compared with off (p=0.02). At the stimulation site, stimulation was associated with increased metabolism, which correlated with DBS stimulation amplitude (r=0.70, p=0.03) but not with changes in motor symptom severity (p>0.9). In the whole brain analysis, stimulation increased metabolism in the GPi, subthalamic nucleus, putamen, primary sensorimotor cortex (PFDR<0.05). Acute improvement in TWSTRS correlated with metabolic activation in the sensorimotor cortex and overall treatment response in the supplementary motor area. Worsening of TMT-B score was associated with activation of the anterior cingulate cortex and parkinsonism with activation in the putamen.ConclusionsGPi-DBS increases metabolic activity at the stimulation site and sensorimotor network. The clinical benefit and adverse effects are mediated by modulation of specific networks.
Environmental risk scores of persistent organic pollutants associate with higher ALS risk and shorter survival in a new Michigan case/control cohort
Authors: Goutman Stephen A , Boss Jonathan , Jang Dae-Gyu , Mukherjee Bhramar , Richardson Rudy J , Batterman Stuart , Feldman Eva L 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, progressive neurogenerative disease caused by combined genetic susceptibilities and environmental exposures. Identifying and validating these exposures are of paramount importance to modify disease risk. We previously reported that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) associate with ALS risk and survival and aimed to replicate these findings in a new cohort.MethodParticipants with and without ALS recruited in Michigan provided plasma samples for POPs analysis by isotope dilution with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. ORs for risk models and hazard ratios for survival models were calculated for individual POPs. POP mixtures were represented by environmental risk scores (ERS), a summation of total exposures, to evaluate the association with risk (ERSrisk) and survival (ERSsurvival).ResultsSamples from 164 ALS and 105 control participants were analysed. Several individual POPs significantly associated with ALS, including 8 of 22 polychlorinated biphenyls and 7 of 10 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). ALS risk was most strongly represented by the mixture effects of OCPs alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane, hexachlorobenzene,trans-nonachlor andcis-nonachlor and an interquartile increase in ERSriskenhanced ALS risk 2.58 times (p<0.001). ALS survival was represented by the combined mixture of all POPs and an interquartile increase in ERSsurvivalenhanced ALS mortality rate 1.65 times (p=0.008).ConclusionsThese data continue to support POPs as important factors for ALS risk and progression and replicate findings in a new cohort. The assessments of POPs in non-Michigan ALS cohorts are encouraged to better understand the global effect and the need for targeted disease risk reduction strategies.
Relationship between injectate volume and disposition in erector spinae plane block: a cadaveric study
Authors: Gadsden Jeffrey , Gonzales Jeffrey , Chen An 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionErector spinae plane (ESP) blocks can be used to provide analgesia following thoracoabdominal and lumbar spine surgical procedures. However, the influence of injectate volume and injection location on the spread of anesthetic with ESP blocks remain unclear.MethodsUltrasound-guided ESP injections were performed on two fresh cadavers using a solution of iopamidol radiographic contrast, indocyanine green or methylene blue dye, and saline. The relationship between injectate volume and cephalocaudal spread was assessed using real-time fluoroscopic recordings after incremental ESP injections to the lumbar and thoracic region. Cadavers were then dissected to expose tissue staining and document the precise disposition of the dye within the ES muscle, paravertebral space, dorsal and ventral rami, and other relevant structures.ResultsLarger injection volumes resulted in more extensive cephalocaudal spread in most cases, with fluoroscopic images revealing a small but direct relationship between injectate volume and contrast spread. Dissection reinforced the radiographic findings, with staining ventral to the ES muscle ranging from 4 to 7 paravertebral levels with injections of 30–40 mL vs 12–13 levels following injections of 60–80 mL. No spread of dye to the lamina, transverse processes, paravertebral space, epidural space, or pleura was observed following any injection.ConclusionsIncreased ESP injection volumes resulted in more extensive cephalocaudal spread, resulting in anesthetic spread to the dorsal rami and ventral ES muscle without involvement of the ventral rami or other anterior structures. Injection volumes of 30 mL may be optimal for ESP blocks requiring analgesia across 4–7 levels.
Benign and Radical Africanization in International Investment Law and Investor-State Dispute Settlement in Africa
Authors: Mbori Harrison Otieno 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The current Africanization approaches mask some nuances present in current reform efforts of international investment law (IIL) and investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) in Africa. I adopt the categorization of international law scholarship in Africa developed elsewhere into two trends: contributionist (weak) and critical (strong) scholarship. For reforms in African IIL and ISDS, I relabel this trends benign Africanization representing the contributionist (weak) strand and radical Africanization representing the critical (strong) strand. I argue that African states must focus on wider economic justice engendered in the radical Africanization approach. I propose three lines of action that will implement radical Africanization: first African States, in their reforms, must focus on both extra and intra-African investment; second, the reforms must engage deeply seated substantive issues in addition to the current procedural reforms; and finally, African States must have a real reckoning and engagement with the imperial history of IIL generally and ISDS specifically.
International Investment Law Reforms and the Draft Business and Human Rights Treaty: The More Things Change, the More They Remain the Same?
Authors: Lichuma Caroline 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Foreign investors enjoy the best of both worlds, often to the detriment of local communities, indigenous groups and other rightsholders who suffer violations in their wake. Such investors operate transnationally and access vast amounts of resources in host States around the world enjoying substantial rights secured through numerous trade and investment agreements while their human rights and other obligations remain less clear and more difficult to enforce. Given the relatively undertheorized interaction between efforts to come up with a binding treaty within the regime of business and human rights (BHR) and the reforms currently underway in the regime of international investment law (IIL), this contribution argues that despite reforms in IIL and progress towards a BHR treaty, rightsholders are likely to remain under protected in reality.
Analysis of asymptomatic Drosophila models for ALS and SMA reveals convergent impact on functional protein complexes linked to neuro-muscular degeneration
Authors: Garcia-Vaquero Marina L. , Heim Marjorie , Flix Barbara , Pereira Marcelo , Palin Lucile , Marques Tânia M. , Pinto Francisco R. , de Las Rivas Javier , Voigt Aaron , Besse Florence , Gama-Carvalho Margarida 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) share phenotypic and molecular commonalities, including the fact that they can be caused by mutations in ubiquitous proteins involved in RNA metabolism, namely SMN, TDP-43 and FUS. Although this suggests the existence of common disease mechanisms, there is currently no model to explain the resulting motor neuron dysfunction. In this work we generated a parallel set of Drosophila models for adult-onset RNAi and tagged neuronal expression of the fly orthologues of the three human proteins, named Smn, TBPH and Caz, respectively. We profiled nuclear and cytoplasmic bound mRNAs using a RIP-seq approach and characterized the transcriptome of the RNAi models by RNA-seq. To unravel the mechanisms underlying the common functional impact of these proteins on neuronal cells, we devised a computational approach based on the construction of a tissue-specific library of protein functional modules, selected by an overall impact score measuring the estimated extent of perturbation caused by each gene knockdown.

Results
Transcriptome analysis revealed that the three proteins do not bind to the same RNA molecules and that only a limited set of functionally unrelated transcripts is commonly affected by their knock-down. However, through our integrative approach we were able to identify a concerted effect on protein functional modules, albeit acting through distinct targets. Most strikingly, functional annotation revealed that these modules are involved in critical cellular pathways for motor neurons, including neuromuscular junction function. Furthermore, selected modules were found to be significantly enriched in orthologues of human neuronal disease genes.

Conclusions
The results presented here show that SMA and ALS disease-associated genes linked to RNA metabolism functionally converge on neuronal protein complexes, providing a new hypothesis to explain the common motor neuron phenotype. The functional modules identified represent promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets, namely given their alteration in asymptomatic settings.
The NIH Comparative Genomics Resource: addressing the promises and challenges of comparative genomics on human health
Authors: Bornstein Kristin , Gryan Gary , Chang E. Sally , Marchler-Bauer Aron , Schneider Valerie A. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractComparative genomics is the comparison of genetic information within and across organisms to understand the evolution, structure, and function of genes, proteins, and non-coding regions (Sivashankari and Shanmughavel, Bioinformation 1:376-8, 2007). Advances in sequencing technology and assembly algorithms have resulted in the ability to sequence large genomes and provided a wealth of data that are being used in comparative genomic analyses. Comparative analysis can be leveraged to systematically explore and evaluate the biological relationships and evolution between species, aid in understanding the structure and function of genes, and gain a better understanding of disease and potential drug targets. As our knowledge of genetics expands, comparative genomics can help identify emerging model organisms among a broader span of the tree of life, positively impacting human health. This impact includes, but is not limited to, zoonotic disease research, therapeutics development, microbiome research, xenotransplantation, oncology, and toxicology. Despite advancements in comparative genomics, new challenges have arisen around the quantity, quality assurance, annotation, and interoperability of genomic data and metadata. New tools and approaches are required to meet these challenges and fulfill the needs of researchers. This paper focuses on how the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Comparative Genomics Resource (CGR) can address both the opportunities for comparative genomics to further impact human health and confront an increasingly complex set of challenges facing researchers.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum Ats-1 enhances exosome secretion through Syntenin-1
Authors: Li Ruirui , Ma Zhongchen , Zheng Wei , Xiao Yangyang , Wang Zhen , Yi Jihai , Wang Yong , Chen Chuangfu 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAnaplasma phagocytophilum is an intracellular obligate parasite that causes granulocytic anaplasmosis. Effector Ats-1 is an important virulence factor of A. phagocytophilum. Multiomics screening and validation has been used to determine that Ats-1 regulates host cell apoptosis and energy metabolism through the respiratory chain mPTP axis. In this study, a total of 19 potential binding proteins of Ats-1 in host cells were preliminarily screened using a yeast two-hybrid assay, and the interaction between syntenin-1 (SDCBP) and Ats-1 was identified through immunoprecipitation. Bioinformatics analysis showed that SDCBP interacted with SDC1, SDC2, and SDC4 and participated in the host exosome secretion pathway. Further studies confirmed that Ats-1 induced the expression of SDC1, SDC2, and SDC4 in HEK293T cells through SDCBP and increased the exosome secretion of these cells. This indicated that SDCBP played an important role in Ats-1 regulating the exosome secretion of the host cells. These findings expand our understanding of the intracellular regulatory mechanism of A. phagocytophilum, which may enhance its own infection and proliferation by regulating host exosome pathways.
How do we define high and low dose intensity of heart failure medications: a scoping review
Authors: Kwak Min Ji , Wang Qian , Onyebeke Chukwuma , Holder Travis , Goyal Parag , Aparasu Rajender , Dhoble Abhjeet , Holmes Holly M. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Older adults with heart failure often experience adverse drug events with high doses of heart failure medications. Recognizing whether a patient is on a high or low dose intensity heart failure medication can be helpful for daily practice, since it could potentially guide the physician on which symptoms to look for, whether from overdosing or underdosing. However, the current guideline does not provide sufficient information about the dose intensity below the target dose. Furthermore, the definition of high or low-intensity heart failure medication is unclear, and there is no consensus.

Methods
To close the knowledge gap, we conducted a scoping review of the current literature to identify the most frequently used definition of high versus low doses of heart failure medications. We searched Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library using comprehensive search terms that can capture the intensity of heart failure medications.

Results
We reviewed 464 articles, including 144 articles that had information about beta-blockers (BB), 179 articles about angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), 75 articles about angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), 80 articles about diuretics, 37 articles about mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), and 33 articles about angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI). For hydralazine with isosorbide dinitrate or ivabradine, we could not identify any eligible articles. We identified 40 medications with most frequently used definitions of dose intensity. Four medications (nadolol, pindolol, cilazapril, and torsemide) did not reach consensus in definitions. Most of the BBs, ACEis, or ARBs used the definition of low being < 50% of the target dose and high being ≥ 50% of the target dose from the guideline. However, for lisinopril and losartan, the most commonly used definitions of high or low were from pivotal clinical trials with a pre-defined definition of high or low.

Conclusion
Our comprehensive scoping review studies identified the most frequently used definition of dose intensity for 40 medications but could not identify the definitions for 4 medications. The results of the current scoping review will be helpful for clinicians to have awareness whether the currently prescribed dose is considered high - requiring close monitoring of side effects, or low - requiring more aggressive up-titration.
Hysteresis effects of different levels of storm flooding on susceptible enteric infectious diseases in a central city of China
Authors: Luo Piao-yi , Chen Meng-xiang , Kuang Wen-tao , Ni Han , Zhao Jin , Dai Hao-yun , Ren Xiang , Yi Shang-hui , Hong Xiu-qin , Zha Wen-ting , Lv Yuan 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Recently, attention has focused on the impact of global climate change on infectious diseases. Storm flooding is an extreme weather phenomenon that not only impacts the health of the environment but also worsens the spread of pathogens. This poses a significant challenge to public health security. However, there is still a lack of research on how different levels of storm flooding affect susceptible enteric infectious diseases over time.

Methods
Data on enteric infectious diseases, storm flooding events, and meteorology were collected for Changsha, Hunan Province, between 2016 and 2020. The Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test was used to identify the enteric infectious diseases that are susceptible to storm flooding. Then, the lagged effects of different levels of storm flooding on susceptible enteric infectious diseases were analyzed using a distributed lag nonlinear model.

Results
There were eleven storm flooding events in Changsha from 2016 to 2020, concentrated in June and July. 37,882 cases of enteric infectious diseases were reported. During non-flooding days, the daily incidence rates of typhoid/paratyphoid and bacillary dysentery were 0.3/100,000 and 0.1/100,000, respectively. During flooding days, the corresponding rates increased to 2.0/100,000 and 0.8/100,000, respectively. The incidence rates of both diseases showed statistically significant differences between non-flooding and flooding days. Correlation analysis shows that the best lags for typhoid/paratyphoid and bacillary dysentery relative to storm flooding events may be 1 and 3 days. The results of the distributed lag nonlinear model showed that typhoid/paratyphoid had the highest cumulative RR values of 2.86 (95% CI: 1.71–4.76) and 8.16 (95% CI: 2.93–22.67) after 4 days of general flooding and heavy flooding, respectively; and bacillary dysentery had the highest cumulative RR values of 1.82 (95% CI: 1.40–2.35) and 3.31 (95% CI: 1.97–5.55) after 5 days of general flooding and heavy flooding, respectively.

Conclusions
Typhoid/paratyphoid and bacillary dysentery are sensitive enteric infectious diseases related to storm flooding in Changsha. There is a lagging effect of storm flooding on the onset of typhoid/paratyphoid and bacillary dysentery, with the best lagging periods being days 1 and 3, respectively. The cumulative risk of typhoid/paratyphoid and bacillary dysentery was highest at 4/5 days lag, respectively. The higher of storm flooding, the higher the risk of disease, which suggests that the authorities should take appropriate preventive and control measures before and after storm flooding.
Perceptions of a virtual education platform: how plastic surgery education has progressed during the COVID-19 pandemic at one academic institution
Authors: Song Siyou , Nguyen Audrey , Rosser Micaela , Steiner Gabriela , Kim Esther A. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
To continue education during the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented a Virtual Education Platform (VEP) and Virtual Visiting Professorship (VVP) in March 2020 into our plastic surgery residency curriculum. This study investigated resident and guest speaker perceptions of the VEP since the start of the pandemic.

Methods
The VEP consists of weekly VVP lectures and usual conferences held over Zoom. In May 2020, residents and speakers completed surveys that assessed the perceptions of the VEP using a 5-point Likert scale and open-ended responses. In August 2021, residents also completed follow-up surveys.

Results
A total of 19 (100%) residents and 10 (100%) speakers responded to the 2020 surveys and 15 (88.2%) residents responded to the 2021 follow-up survey. Speakers represented nine academic institutions, one international. 74% of residents responded that they learned a lot or a great deal from the VVP. In 2021, 100% of residents agreed that virtual conferences should remain a core component in PRS residency education, even after social distancing requirements subside.
The VVP lectures were mentioned as the most helpful lectures in both years. Easy accessibility without travel time was the most mentioned advantage of the VEP in both years, with significantly more residents citing this benefit in 2021 (p = 0.0076). The most reported disadvantage for residents was the lack of social interaction and community in both years, with significantly more residents in 2021 citing this as a disadvantage (p = 0.0307). Residents’ attitudes also shifted such that significantly more residents liked and were satisfied with the VVP lectures from 2020 to 2021 (p = 0.04).

Conclusion
Over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, resident perceptions of a virtual education platform and virtual visiting professorship were very positive. The quick development, implementation, and high efficacy of these educational experiences underscore that learning is possible in alternative forms in unprecedented times.