bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and pilot study of passive heat therapy on cardiovascular performance and laboratory values in older adults
Authors: Flynn Brigid , Vitztum Michelle , Miller Joshua , Houchin Abigail , Kim Jaromme , He Jianghua , Geiger Paige 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Chronic heat therapy may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular function. These effects may be more pronounced in older adults. We performed a pilot feasibility study of repeated heat therapy sessions in a hot tub (40.5 °C) in older adults while wearing a noninvasive hemodynamic monitor. As part of the protocol, the volunteers underwent cardiovascular performance testing pre- and post-intervention.

Methods
Fifteen volunteers > 50 years old underwent 8–10 separate 45-min hot tub session over 14 days in this exploratory and mixed methods trial. The participants had maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and other cardiovascular data measured via exercise treadmill testing prior to and after all hot tub sessions. The participants also wore noninvasive fingertip volume clamp monitors while immerged in hot water that calculated systemic vascular resistance, heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output in order to ascertain the feasibility and utility of this data. Other laboratory studies were obtained pre- and post-intervention. The protocol was determined feasible if the heat therapy and cardiovascular testing was completed by at least 90% (14/15 subjects). Feasibility of the noninvasive monitor was determined by the fidelity of the results. Secondary exploratory outcomes were analyzed for differences to identify if they are acceptable to include in an efficacy trial.

Results
All participants completed the study protocol identifying the feasibility of the protocol. The noninvasive hemodynamic monitors successfully recorded cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, heart rate, and blood pressure with fidelity based on the analysis of recordings. In the secondary analyses, we found no difference in the pre- to post-intervention measurement of VO2 max but did find increased exercise duration following hot tub therapy compared with prior to the therapy (571 s versus 551 s).

Conclusions
The current pilot study protocol is feasible for the purpose of analyzing the effects of heat therapy and cardiovascular performance in older adults while wearing a noninvasive hemodynamic monitor and undergoing treadmill stress testing. Secondary analyses found increased exercise tolerance but no differences in VO2 max following heat sessions.
Self-reported adverse events associated with ∆8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8-THC) Use
Authors: Leas Eric C. , Harati Raquel M. , Satybaldiyeva Nora , Morales Nicolas E. , Huffaker Shelby L. , Mejorado Tomas , Grant Igor 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
There is an expanding unregulated market for a psychotropic compound called ∆8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC) that is being derived from hemp, but a summary of adverse events related to delta-8-THC has not been publicly reported.

Methods
This case series assessed adverse events reported by delta-8-THC users on the Reddit forum r/Delta8 and compared these to delta-8-THC AEs in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Delta-8-THC and cannabis AEs reported in FAERS were also compared. The r/Delta8 forum was selected because it includes a large sample of 98,700 registered individuals who publicly discuss their experiences using delta-8-THC. All r/Delta8 posts were obtained from August 20, 2020, through September 25, 2022. A random sample of r/Delta8 posts was drawn (n = 10,000) and filtered for posts in which delta-8-THC users reported an adverse event (n = 335). FAERS reports that listed delta-8-THC (N = 326) or cannabis (N = 7076) as a suspect product active ingredient were obtained. Adverse events claimed to result from delta-8-THC use were coded using Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities to system organ class and preferred term categories.

Results
The absolute number of delta-8-THC adverse event reports (N = 2184, 95% CI = 1949–2426) and serious adverse event reports (N = 437; 95% CI = 339–541) on r/Delta 8 were higher than the adverse event reports (N = 326) and serious adverse event reports (N = 289) to FAERS. Psychiatric disorders were the most frequently cited system organ class in r/Delta8 adverse event reports, mentioned in 41.2% (95% CI = 35.8%-46.3%) of reports, followed by respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders (29.3%, 95% CI = 25.1%-34.0%) and nervous system disorders (23.3%, 95% CI = 18.5%-27.5%). Anxiety (16.4%, 95% CI = 12.8–20.6), Cough (15.5%, 95% CI = 11.9–20.0) and Paranoia (9.3%, 95% CI = 6.3–12.5) were the most frequently cited preferred terms in adverse event reports. The overall prevalence of AEs reported for cannabis and delta-8-THC on FAERS were also similar when analyzed by system organ class (Pearson’s r = 0.88).

Conclusions
The findings of this case series suggest that most of the adverse events reported by delta-8-THC users are like those reported during acute cannabis intoxication. This finding suggests that health care professionals follow similar treatment and management protocols, and that jurisdictions should clarify whether delta-8-THC can be sold as a hemp product.
Fire severity influences large wood and stream ecosystem responses in western Oregon watersheds
Authors: Coble Ashley A. , Penaluna Brooke E. , Six Laura J. , Verschuyl Jake 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Wildfire is a landscape disturbance important for stream ecosystems and the recruitment of large wood (LW; LW describes wood in streams) into streams, with post-fire management also playing a role. We used a stratified random sample of 4th-order watersheds that represent a range of pre-fire stand age and fire severity from unburned to entirely burned watersheds to 1) determine whether watershed stand age (pre-fire) or fire severity affected riparian overstory survival, riparian coarse wood (CW; CW describes wood in riparian areas), LW, or in-stream physical, chemical, and biological responses; and 2) identify relationships of LW with riparian vegetation and in-stream physical, chemical, and biological factors.

Results
At higher fire severities, LW and CW diameter was smaller, but volume did not change in the first year post-fire. Larger size of CW in riparian areas versus LW in streams suggests potential future recruitment of larger-diameter wood into streams from riparian zones in severely burned watersheds. Fire severity exerted strong control on stream responses across watersheds, explaining more of the variation than stand age. At higher fire severities, riparian tree mortality, salvage logging, light, dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentrations, and fish densities were higher, whereas canopy cover, LW diameter, macroinvertebrate diversity, and amphibian density were lower. In watersheds with older stand ages, elevation and mean annual precipitation were greater but mean annual temperature, specific ultra-violet absorption at 254 nm, and phosphorus concentrations were lower. Overstory mortality in burned riparian areas was lower for red alder (12%) than western redcedar (69%).

Conclusions
Our results link forested streams, fire, and LW by identifying key relationships that change with fire severity and/or watershed stand age. Severe fires burn more overstory riparian vegetation, leading to increased light, DOM concentrations, and macroinvertebrate and fish densities, along with reduced canopy cover, LW diameter, macroinvertebrate diversity, and amphibian densities. We highlight an important function of red alder in riparian zones—as a fire-resistant species, it may help facilitate a more rapid recovery for streams in fire-prone landscapes. Continued comprehensive aquatic and riparian ecosystem monitoring of these watersheds will aid in understanding long-term effects of post-fire management activities (salvage logging) on aquatic ecosystems.
Treatment with succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor Y12196 protects strawberries from boscalid-resistant Botrytis cinerea with the H272R mutation in SDH B
Authors: Wu Jianyan , Mao Hanxin , Sun Yanan , Wei Fanglin , Wang Hancheng , Zhang Chuanqing 
Published: May 2023

AbstractGray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, poses a significant threat to the strawberry industry worldwide. B. cinerea is a high-risk pathogen in the sense of fungicide resistance. The sensitivities of B. cinerea isolates collected from Zhejiang Province, China, to the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs) boscalid and Y12196 were determined based on discriminatory dose or 50% effective concentration (EC50). Of the 42 isolates collected in 2018, 15 were resistant to boscalid (35.7%), and 3 were resistant to Y12196 (7.1%). Among the 84 isolates collected in 2019, the EC50 values for boscalid ranged from 0.097 to 54.162 mg/L, while the EC50 values for Y12196 ranged from 0.284 to 20.147 mg/L. Sequence analysis showed that the B. cinerea isolates carrying P225F (proline → phenylalanine) and N230I (asparagine → isoleucine) mutations in SDH subunit B exhibited cross-resistance between boscalid and Y12196. However, boscalid-resistant isolates with a point mutation at position 272 of SDH B (H272R, histidine → arginine) were more sensitive to Y12196. Consistent with this, Y12196, but not boscalid, could successfully inhibit the growth of B. cinerea carrying the H272R mutation (BcSDHB−H272R) on detached strawberries and leaves. Molecular docking simulations further revealed that the hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions were formed between Y12196 and BcSDHB−H272R, but not between boscalid and BcSDHB−H272R, explaining why the boscalid-resistant B. cinerea H272R mutant isolates were sensitive to Y12196. Together, our results suggested that Y12196 could effectively control boscalid resistance associated with the H272R mutation.
Fresh versus frozen embryo transfer in women with polycystic ovaries syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilisation
Authors: Hussein Mohamed , Sayed Abdullah , Eldaly Ashraf , AlSawaf Ahmed H. , Eid Marwa M. , Abdel-Rasheed Mazen , Rashwan Ahmed S. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) cases undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are widely at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation; therefore, elective freezing of all embryos to be transferred in a later cycle is preferred. We aimed to compare the pregnancy outcome between the fresh and the frozen embryo transfer (ET) in PCOS cases undergoing IVF with antagonist ovarian induction using human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) as a trigger.

Methods
In this prospective randomised study, 110 infertile PCOS women underwent fresh ET (group A) or frozen ET (group B) with GnRH-antagonist protocol. The primary outcome was the chemical and clinical pregnancy rates. The secondary outcomes were the ongoing pregnancy rate, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate, pregnancy loss rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, and congenital anomalies rate.

Results
There was no significant difference between both groups regarding chemical pregnancy rate (44.23% vs 47.27%, P = 0.752), clinical pregnancy rate (42.31% vs 43.64%, P = 0.89), ongoing pregnancy rate (38.46% vs 41.82%, P = 0.723), pregnancy loss rate (17.39% vs 15.4%, P = 1), ectopic pregnancy rate (1.92% vs 0%, P = 0.486) and anomaly malformation rate (4.35% vs 3.85%, P = 1). On the other hand, the incidence of OHSS was significantly less in group B than in group A (3.64% vs 19.23%, P = 0.011), and the OHSS grade was less severe in group B than in group A (P = 0.033). However, there was no statistically significant difference between both regarding the need for hospitalisation (P = 0.111), ICU admission (P = 0.486), and ascites tapping (P = 0.486).

Conclusions
Under GnRH-antagonist protocol, frozen ET has the upper hand in PCOS undergoing IVF treatment for infertility, as it protects against OHSS and decreases its severity.

Trial registration
It was first registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 22/12/2021 with registration number NCT05167838.
Apical but not basal RV strain reflects right ventricular dysfunction in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ali Asmaa Ahmed , Mohammed Safaa Abo Alfadl , Hamdy Amal Mohamed 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
RV dysfunction is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in cardiac patients, especially those having dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Deformation imaging parameters (strain and strain rate) are established as new echocardiographic measures that allow for both global and regional RV function assessment. Previous studies showed that heterogeneous segmental deformation affects global RV function differently in various disease states. Echo-Doppler parameters of RV and LV function including RV global longitudinal strain, basal & apical RV strain, LV ejection fraction and LV global longitudinal strain were evaluated in 42 DCM patients & 28 normal subjects, aiming to assess the value of apical versus basal RV strain in detection of RV dysfunction in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Results
DCM patients had significantly lower values of both RV global longitudinal strain and apical RV strain compared to normal subjects (p < 0.001). Basal RV strain did not significantly differ in DCM from normal. The apical RV strain correlated significantly with RV global longitudinal strain, LV ejection fraction and LV global longitudinal strain (p < 0.001 for all). Using ROC curve, a cut-off value of apical RV strain ≤ 29.5 distinguished RV dysfunction from normal with 91.2% sensitivity & 100% specificity.

Conclusions
RV apical but not basal strain reflects the status of RV function, and it represents a valuable measure to diagnose RV dysfunction in patients with DCM.
Application of The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to inform understanding of barriers and facilitators to the implementation of opioid and naloxone training on college campuses
Authors: Shelton Rachel C. , Goodwin Kathleen , McNeil Michael , Bernitz Melanie , Alexander Savannah P. , Parish Carrigan , Brotzman Laura , Lee Matthew , Li WaiKwan , Makam Supriya , Ganek Nicholas , Foskett Dean , Warren Chloe , Metsch Lisa R. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
The opioid epidemic in the US continues to worsen. Opioid-only and polysubstance-involved opioid overdose deaths are increasing among adolescents and young adults, who have limited knowledge of opioid overdose prevention, including recognition and response. College campuses have infrastructure to support national-level implementation of evidence-based public health strategies for providing opioid overdose prevention and naloxone training programs among this priority population. However, college campuses are an underutilized, understudied setting for this programming. To address this gap, we conducted research assessing barriers and facilitators to planning and implementing this programming on college campuses.

Methods
We held 9 focus groups among purposively selected campus stakeholders whose perceptions were important to understand in planning for the dissemination and implementation of opioid overdose prevention and naloxone training. Focus group scripts were informed by The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to query about perceptions of opioid and other substance use, opioid and other substance use-related resources, and naloxone administration training. We used a deductive-inductive, iterative approach to thematic analysis.

Results
Themes about implementation barriers included (1) the perception that problematic use of other (non-opioid) substances was more prevalent than opioid use on campus and focus on those substances would be a greater priority on college campuses; (2) student schedules were overwhelmed with academic commitments and extracurricular activities, making delivery of additional training challenging; (3) barriers related to the perceived complexity and decentralization of communication on campus, preventing students from knowing how to access substance use-related resources. Themes about implementation facilitators included (1) framing naloxone training as important in becoming a responsible leader on campus and in the broader community and (2) leveraging existing infrastructure, champions within existing campus groups, and tailored messaging to facilitate participation in naloxone training.

Conclusions
This is the first study to provide in-depth insights into potential barriers and facilitators to widespread, routine implementation of naloxone/opioid education on undergraduate college campuses. The study captured diverse stakeholder perspectives and was theoretically grounded in CFIR, contributing to the growing literature on the application and refinement of CFIR across diverse community and school contexts.
Impact of e-service quality on e-loyalty of online banking customers in Pakistan during the Covid-19 pandemic: mediating role of e-satisfaction
Authors: Khan Fahad Najeeb , Arshad Muhammad Usman , Munir Muhammad 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study explores the mediating role of e-satisfaction during the pandemic on the relationship between e-service quality and e-loyalty of banking customers in Pakistan. The data were collected from 442 customers of online banking services in Pakistan during the Covid-19 pandemic, following a survey-based study. Baron and Kenny (J Personal Soc Psychol, 51(6):1173, 1986) and Preacher and Hayes (Behav Res Methods, 40(3):879-891, 2008) mediation technique which utilizes the bootstrapping method has been used to explore mediation. The findings show that e-service quality has a significant positive effect on the e-loyalty of the customers of online banking services. Relationships between e-service quality and e-loyalty of online banking customers in Pakistan are significantly and fully mediated by their online satisfaction in unusual situations. This study would help the bankers to implement more effective marketing strategies to retain their customers and attract potential customers, particularly during non-normal situations like the Covid-19 pandemic. It will help them identify the areas of e-services that need improvement to enhance the satisfaction and loyalty of the customers. The bootstrap method for mediation along with Baron and Kenny (J Personal Soc Psychol, 51(6):1173, 1986) leads to using a more sophisticated methodological technique to explore the mediation. The Oliver Expectancy-Disconfirmation Paradigm (EDP) in electronic banking setup during non-normal situations like the Covid-19 pandemic also served as a unique contribution to this study. Application of Baron and Kenny (J Personal Soc Psychol, 51(6):1173, 1986) mediation along with Preacher and Hayes (Behav Res Methods, 40(3):879-891, 2008) leads to more robust findings for the study in non-normal situations like the Covid-19 pandemic. The study findings add scientific value as they are applicable to the banking sector in particular in non-normal situations like the Covid-19 pandemic and the overall service sector in general. Further, as two different methods of mediation have been employed and this makes the study more rigorous and scientific.
Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorders: investigation of 39 Dutch case reports (2012–2021)
Authors: Tuffrey-Wijne Irene , Curfs Leopold , Hollins Sheila , Finlay Ilora 
Published: May 2023

Background
Euthanasia review committees (Regionale Toetsingscommissies Euthanasie, RTE) scrutinise all Dutch cases of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (EAS) to review whether six legal ‘due care’ criteria are met, including ‘unbearable suffering without prospect of improvement’. There are significant complexities and ethical dilemmas if EAS requests are made by people with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Aims
To describe the characteristics and circumstances of people with intellectual disabilities and/or ASD who were granted their EAS request; investigate the main causes of suffering that led to the EAS request; and examine physicians’ response to the request.

Method
The online RTE database of 927 EAS case reports (2012–2021) was searched for patients with intellectual disabilities and/or ASD (n = 39). Inductive thematic content analysis was performed on these case reports, using the framework method.

Results
Factors directly associated with intellectual disability and/or ASD were the sole cause of suffering described in 21% of cases and a major contributing factor in a further 42% of cases. Reasons for the EAS request included social isolation and loneliness (77%), lack of resilience or coping strategies (56%), lack of flexibility (rigid thinking or difficulty adapting to change) (44%) and oversensitivity to stimuli (26%). In one-third of cases, physicians noted there was ‘no prospect of improvement’ as ASD and intellectual disability are not treatable.

Conclusions
Examination of societal support for suffering associated with lifelong disability, and debates around the acceptability of these factors as reasons for granting EAS, are of international importance.
Maternally Inherited Diabetes and Deafness (MIDD) – Atypical Clinical Diabetes Features Leading to the Diagnosis
Authors: Kyriakidou Anna , Hadjivassiliou Marilena , Papapostolou Anastasia , Picolos Michalis K 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) syndrome refers to a rarely diagnosed disorder caused by pathogenic variants in mtDNA. It was first identified in 1992 and, to date, is considered underdiagnosed because of misclassification to type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. MIDD reflects a multisystem metabolic syndrome commonly resulting in insulin-requiring diabetes and sensorineural deafness but can also lead to a broad range of other manifestations. The spectrum of pathology differs among individuals, likely because of varied degrees of heteroplasmy associated with mtDNA. Heteroplasmy also creates diagnostic difficulties, with a high index of suspicion required to diagnose MIDD in some cases. Here, we review a patient with MIDD who presented with an atypical clinical diabetes picture, additionally documenting his pedigree. To our knowledge, this is the first Cypriot reported with MIDD.
Radiofrequency Ablation of Cervical Thyroid Cancer Metastases—Experience of Endocrinology Practices in the United States
Authors: Ahmad Shahzad , Aljammal Jules , Orozco Ian , Raashid Sheharyar , Zulfiqar Fizza , Nikravan Sean P , Hussain Iram 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Context
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is used in the United States to treat benign thyroid nodules; however, experience with treating cervical recurrence/persistence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is limited.

Objective
To evaluate the efficacy RFA for the treatment of cervical recurrence/persistence of PTC in the United States.

Methods
This is a retrospective, multicenter study of 8 patients who underwent RFA of 11 cervical metastatic PTC lesions between July 2020 and December 2021. The volume reduction (VR) of the lesions, thyroglobulin (Tg) levels and complications following RFA were assessed. Energy applied per unit volume (E/V) during RFA was also determined.

Results
Nine out of 11 (81.8%) lesions had initial volume under 0.5 mL and showed a complete (n = 8) or near-complete (n = 1) response. The 2 lesions with initial volume over 1.1 mL had a partial response, 1 of which had regrowth. There was a median VR of 100% (range 56.3-100%) after a median follow-up period of 453 days (range 162-570 days), with corresponding decline in Tg levels from a median of 0.7 ng/mL (range 0-15.2 ng/mL) to a median of 0.3 ng/mL (range 0-1.3 ng/mL). All patients with an E/V of at least 4483 J/mL or higher had a complete or near-complete response. There were no complications.

Conclusion
RFA performed in an endocrinology practice is an efficacious treatment option for selected patients with cervical metastases of PTC, particularly those who cannot or do not want to undergo further surgery.