bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Post‐COVID‐19 vaccination Guillain–Barré syndrome with sensory ataxia, gaze‐evoked nystagmus, mental‐status change and positive pathological reflex
Authors: Saso Nanami , Toru Shuta , Iwasaru Keiichi , Yokote Hiroaki , Uchihara Toshiki 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundVarious neurological disorders have been reported after vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019, one of which is Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS).Case PresentationWe report a case of a 73‐year‐old woman who developed GBS and extra‐GBS manifestations 19 days after the second dose of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. She presented lower limb predominant muscle weakness and loss of tendon reflexes. Nerve conduction study showed acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy. In addition, she developed notable deep sensory ataxia, and showed positive pathological reflex, gaze‐evoked nystagmus and altered consciousness, which suggested brainstem involvement.ConclusionsThis is the first coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine‐related GBS complicated with such central nervous system manifestations.
Electromyography in the prognostication of recovery in patients with acute peripheral facial nerve palsy: A systematic review
Authors: Petrides George Andrew , Hayler Raymond , Lee Jennifer W. , Jankelowitz Stacey , Low Tsu‐Hui 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectivesNeedle electromyography (EMG) may be used to characterise the severity of the injury in acute peripheral facial nerve palsy (FNP) to predict recovery and guide management, but its prognostic value and clinical utility remain controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the role of EMG to prognosticate the recovery of facial motor function in patients with acute peripheral FNP.DesignA comprehensive search strategy was applied in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. The main outcome measure was the accuracy of EMG in predicting long‐term facial function at least 6 months following symptom onset.ResultsEleven studies were included comprising 3837 participants, with 91.6% of these diagnosed with Bell's palsy (BP). In BP patients, the positive predictive value and negative predictive value for a good outcome based on EMG findings ranged from 82.1% to 100% and 66.7% to 80.5%, respectively, with two out of three studies finding that EMG remained a significant predictor of the outcome on multivariate analysis. Three studies addressed the role of EMG in non‐idiopathic FNP with two of these studies supporting EMG to predict prognosis.ConclusionsEMG is a useful tool to gain insight into the likely outcome to guide management decisions and counsel patients on their expectations, particularly in BP. However, given inconsistencies in its application and lack of evidence around non‐idiopathic FNP, it should not currently be relied on to predict recovery. Ultimately, its prognostic value and widespread adoption are dependent on the implementation of a clear and standardised protocol in future high‐quality studies and routine clinical settings.
Digital health technology derived measures: Biomarkers or clinical outcome assessments?
Authors: Izmailova Elena S. , Demanuele Charmaine , McCarthy Marie 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDigital health technologies (DHTs) present unique opportunities for clinical evidence generation but pose certain challenges. These challenges stem, in part, from existing definitions of drug development tools, which were not created with DHT‐derived measures in mind. DHT‐derived measures can be leveraged as either clinical outcome assessments (COAs) or as biomarkers since they share properties with both categories of drug development tools. Examples from the literature indicate a variety of applications for DHT‐derived data, including capturing disease physiology, symptom tracking, or response to therapies. The distinction between the categorization of DHT‐derived measures as COAs or as biomarkers can be very fine, with terminology variability among regulatory authorities. This has significant implications for integration of DHT‐derived measures in clinical trials, leading to confusion regarding the evidence required to support these tools' use in drug development. There is a need to amend definitions and create clear evidentiary requirements to support broad adoption of these new and innovative tools. The biopharma industry, the technology sector, consulting businesses, academic researchers, and regulators need a dialogue via multi‐stakeholder collaborations to clarify questions around DHT‐derived measures, to unify definitions, and to create the foundations for evidentiary package requirements, providing a path forward to predictable results.
First‐in‐human trial to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of zagociguat (CY6463), a CNS‐penetrant soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulator
Authors: van Kraaij Sebastiaan J. W. , Gal Pim , Borghans Laura G. J. M. , Klaassen Erica S. , Dijkstra Francis , Winrow Christopher , Glasser Chad , Groeneveld Geert Jan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSoluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and its product, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, play a role in learning and memory formation. Zagociguat (CY6463) is a novel stimulator of sGC being developed for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Single zagociguat doses of 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 20, 30, and 50 mg were administered once to healthy participants in a single‐ascending‐dose phase; then zagociguat 2, 5, 10, and 15 mg was administered q.d. for 14 days in a multiple‐ascending‐dose phase; and, finally, zagociguat 10 mg was administered once in both fed and fasted state in a food‐interaction phase. Safety of zagociguat was evaluated by monitoring treatment‐emergent adverse events, suicide risk, vital signs, electrocardiography, and laboratory tests. Pharmacokinetics of zagociguat were assessed through blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid sampling. Pharmacodynamic effects of zagociguat were evaluated with central nervous system (CNS) tests and pharmaco‐electroencephalography. Zagociguat was well‐tolerated across all doses evaluated. Zagociguat exposures increased in a dose‐proportional manner. Median time to maximum concentration ranged from 0.8 to 5 h and mean terminal half‐life from 52.8 to 67.1 h. CNS penetration of the compound was confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid sampling. Zagociguat induced up to 6.1 mmHg reduction in mean systolic and up to 7.5 mmHg reduction in mean diastolic blood pressure. No consistent pharmacodynamic (PD) effects on neurocognitive function were observed. Zagociguat was well‐tolerated, CNS‐penetrant, and demonstrated PD activity consistent with other sGC stimulators. The results of this study support further development of zagociguat.
Phoronida—A small clade with a big role in understanding the evolution of lophophorates
Authors: Gąsiorowski Ludwik 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPhoronids, together with brachiopods and bryozoans, form the animal clade Lophophorata. Modern lophophorates are quite diverse—some can biomineralize while others are soft‐bodied, they could be either solitary or colonial, and they develop through various eccentric larval stages that undergo different types of metamorphoses. The diversity of this clade is further enriched by numerous extinct fossil lineages with their own distinct body plans and life histories. In this review, I discuss how data on phoronid development, genetics, and morphology can inform our understanding of lophophorate evolution. The actinotrocha larvae of phoronids is a well documented example of intercalation of the new larval body plan, which can be used to study how new life stages emerge in animals with biphasic life cycle. The genomic and embryonic data from phoronids, in concert with studies of the fossil lophophorates, allow the more precise reconstruction of the evolution of lophophorate biomineralization. Finally, the regenerative and asexual abilities of phoronids can shed new light on the evolution of coloniality in lophophorates. As evident from those examples, Phoronida occupies a central role in the discussion of the evolution of lophophorate body plans and life histories.
Cholinergic‐related pupil activity reflects level of emotionality during motor performance
Authors: Vidal Marc , Onderdijk Kelsey E. , Aguilera Ana M. , Six Joren , Maes Pieter‐Jan , Fritz Thomas Hans , Leman Marc 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPupil size covaries with the diffusion rate of the cholinergic and noradrenergic neurons throughout the brain, which are essential to arousal. Recent findings suggest that slow pupil fluctuations during locomotion are an index of sustained activity in cholinergic axons, whereas phasic dilations are related to the activity of noradrenergic axons. Here, we investigated movement induced arousal (i.e., by singing and swaying to music), hypothesising that actively engaging in musical behaviour will provoke stronger emotional engagement in participants and lead to different qualitative patterns of tonic and phasic pupil activity. A challenge in the analysis of pupil data is the turbulent behaviour of pupil diameter due to exogenous ocular activity commonly encountered during motor tasks and the high variability typically found between individuals. To address this, we developed an algorithm that adaptively estimates and removes pupil responses to ocular events, as well as a functional data methodology, derived from Pfaffs' generalised arousal, that provides a new statistical dimension on how pupil data can be interpreted according to putative neuromodulatory signalling. We found that actively engaging in singing enhanced slow cholinergic‐related pupil dilations and having the opportunity to move your body while performing amplified the effect of singing on pupil activity. Phasic pupil oscillations during motor execution attenuated in time, which is often interpreted as a measure of sense of agency over movement.
Septohippocampal cholinergic system at the intersection of stress and cognition: Current trends and translational implications
Authors: Kniffin Alyssa , Bangasser Debra A. , Parikh Vinay 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDeficits in hippocampus‐dependent memory processes are common across psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders such as depression, anxiety and Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, stress is a major environmental risk factor for these pathologies and it exerts detrimental effects on hippocampal functioning via the activation of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The medial septum cholinergic neurons extensively innervate the hippocampus. Although, the cholinergic septohippocampal pathway (SHP) has long been implicated in learning and memory, its involvement in mediating the adaptive and maladaptive impact of stress on mnemonic processes remains less clear. Here, we discuss current research highlighting the contributions of cholinergic SHP in modulating memory encoding, consolidation and retrieval. Then, we present evidence supporting the view that neurobiological interactions between HPA axis stress response and cholinergic signalling impact hippocampal computations. Finally, we critically discuss potential challenges and opportunities to target cholinergic SHP as a therapeutic strategy to improve cognitive impairments in stress‐related disorders. We argue that such efforts should consider recent conceptualisations on the dynamic nature of cholinergic signalling in modulating distinct subcomponents of memory and its interactions with cellular substrates that regulate the adaptive stress response.
Studying the function of ecosystem in preventing aeolian dust emission in the dryland areas of China
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Ferreira Carla Sofia Santos 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAeolian dust emissions can cause many environmental hazards, like accelerating land degradation and desertification, polluting air, harming human health, and so on. The dryland areas of China (DAC) are hot spots of aeolian dust emissions. To date, many efforts have been paid to researching dust emissions processes and effects, but research studies on ecosystems' function in preventing dust emissions are still very limited. In this study, we investigated the function of DAC ecosystems in preventing dust emissions, and the corresponding driving factors through integrated wind erosion modelling system (IWEMS) modelling. The main results indicate that: (1) from 2001 to 2020, the ecosystems of DAC prevented the emission of dust ~40,554 Tg, approximately 15 times as much as the total actual dust emission (~2776 Tg); (2) the function of DAC ecosystems in preventing dust emissions was relatively strong in spring and winter; (3) grassland ecosystems had the strongest function in preventing dust emissions among all the land cover types, avoiding the emission of dust ~20,857 Tg over 2001–2020; (4) dust emission prevention function provided by the DAC ecosystems benefits almost every region of China, which provides a theoretical basis for formulating ecological compensation policies; and (5) the changes in dust emissions were dominated by wind speed in most areas of DAC.
Femininity work: The gendered politics of women managing violence in bar work
Authors: Coffey Julia , Farrugia David , Gill Rosalind , Threadgold Steven , Sharp Megan , Adkins Lisa 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis paper explores how women bar workers manage violence at work. Women bar workers in our study described that the capacity to recognize, intervene, and defuse potentially violent situations was a pragmatic response to the problem of men's violence in the night‐time economy. We analyze the gendered norms and expectations at play in how violence in bar work is managed by staff and locate this as a form of “femininity work” extending from the modes of attentive, emotionally‐attuned femininity that labor feminist labor studies theorists have described. In a context where hospitality labor already makes complex and often unexamined demands on young workers, the positioning of women bar staff as being more adept at managing violent situations suggests a particularly important demand made of women bar workers, central for understanding the enduring gendered power relations in contemporary interactive service labor.
Preparation of MgAl2O4 solar thermal storage ceramics from different magnesium sources
Authors: Wu Jianfeng , Hao Shuai , Xu Xiaohong , Ma Sitong , Li Peixian , Shi Xinxin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn order to study the performance and feasibility of magnesia‐alumina spinel (MgAl2O4) ceramics for thermal storage in solar thermal power generation, MgAl2O4 was prepared by theoretical composition using α‐Al2O3 as aluminium source, fused magnesia, magnesite, and light burned magnesia as different magnesium sources and kaolin as additive. The effects of magnesium source and the additive on sintering properties, thermal shock resistance and thermal properties of MgAl2O4 ceramics were researched. The results shown sample A1 (with fused magnesia) sintered at 1670°C possessed the optimum comprehensive properties, the bending strength increased by 7.71% after 30 thermal shock times (room temperature‐1000°C, air cooling), the specific heat capacity was 1.05 J/ (g·K). Therefore, the MgAl2O4 ceramics exhibited great potential in high‐temperature thermal storage material.
Would you like to become a union leader? Analysing leadership intentions through a generational lens
Authors: Smith Christopher Gordon , Zhang Tingting , Frangi Lorenzo , Duxbury Linda 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIdentifying the next generation of leaders is fundamental for union renewal. Taking a sequential mixed methods approach using interview (n = 25) and survey (n = 4765) data, our study seeks to identify roadblocks members may face on the path to union leadership. Specifically, we explore the impact of union efficacy, perceived role ambiguity and perceived work role overload on union members' intentions to pursue a leadership role. We found perceptions of union efficacy positively influenced leadership intentions, while perceived work role ambiguity and overload had a negative impact. Generational cohort (Boomer, Gen X, Millennial) moderated the relationship between perceived work role overload and leadership intentions, but not the other relationships in the model. Findings from this study help unions develop strategies to motivate members to take on leadership roles.
RETRACTED: Risk factors for postoperative surgical site wound problems after metastatic and primary spine tumour surgery: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhu Jiwen , Si Mengdi , Huang Zongqiang 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA meta‐analysis study was conducted to assess the risk factors (RFs) for postoperative surgical site wound problems (POSSWPs) after metastatic and primary spine tumour surgery (STS). A comprehensive literature examination until February 2023 was implemented, and 1786 linked studies were appraised. The 18 picked studies contained 18 580 subjects with surgery in the studies' baseline with and without different RFs. Odds ratio (OR) in addition to 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the consequence of RFs for POSSWPs after metastatic and primary STS using the dichotomous and continuous styles and a fixed or random model. Subjects with surgical instrumentation in their surgery had a significantly higher rate of POSSWPs in STS (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.49–3.49, P < 0.001) compared with those without surgical instrumentation. Subjects with preoperative chemotherapy had a significantly higher rate of POSSWPs in STS (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.09–3.00, P = 0.02) compared with those without preoperative chemotherapy. Subjects with preoperative radiotherapy had a significantly higher rate of POSSWPs in STS (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.12–3.34, P = 0.02) compared with those without preoperative radiotherapy. Subjects with corticosteroid intake had a significantly higher rate of POSSWPs in STS (OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.73–4.82, P < 0.001) compared with those without corticosteroid intake. No significant difference was found between males and females in the rate of POSSWPs in STS (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.66–1.37, P = 0.78). Surgical instrumentation, preoperative chemotherapy, preoperative radiotherapy and corticosteroid are RFs for the higher rate of POSSWPs in STS; however, gender was not shown to be a risk factor. Though precautions should be taken when commerce with the consequences since some of the studies picked for this meta‐analysis had low sample sizes.
COMPARISON OF CLARITHROMYCIN SUSPENSION AND AMOXYCILLIN SYRUP FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH PHARYNGITIS AND/OR TONSILLITIS
Authors: Kearsley NL , Campbell A , Sanderson AAF , Weir RD , Kamdar MK , Coles SJ 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYTwenty‐three general practices in the UK randomised 229 paediatric patients (aged 1‐12 years, body weight >8 kg) with clinical evidence suggestive of streptococcal tonsillitis and/or pharyngitis in this physician‐blind study. Patients received either clarithromycin suspension (7.5 mg/kg twice daily) or amoxycillin syrup (125 mg/kg three times daily body weight <25 kg, or 250 mg/kg three times daily body weight 25 kg) for 7 days and were followed up 3‐8 days post treatment and 21‐28 days later. Clinical and microbiological assessments were made at each visit. A total of 189 patients (98 on clarithromycin and 91 on amoxycillin) were clinically evaluable. At the post‐treatment visit, clinical success rates were high and comparable: 98% on clarithromycin and 97% on amoxycillin. Streptococcus pyogenes was eradicated in 88% of clarithromycin patients and 86% of amoxycillin patients. Both treatments were well tolerated. In conclusion, clarithromycin suspension was as safe and at least as effective as amoxycillin syrup for the treatment of pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis in children, and would be a suitable alternative therapy.
EASE OF HANDLING AND CLINICAL EFFICACY OF FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE ACCUHALER/DISKUS™ INHALER COMPARED WITH THE TURBOHALER™ INHALER IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS
Authors: Williams J , Richards KA ,   UK Study Group
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYA total of 323 children aged 4‐11 years who were receiving, or had symptoms indicating a clinical requirement for, inhaled corticosteroid at a daily dose of 400 μg budesonide (BUD) or beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), or 200 μg fluticasone propionate (FP), were randomised into this multicentre, open‐label, parallel group study. Patients received either FP 100 μg b.d. administered via the Accuhaler/Diskus inhaler (n=159) or BUD 200 μg b.d. administered via a Turbohaler inhaler (n=164) for four weeks and recorded daily their morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF), asthma symptoms and use of relief medication. Device handling was assessed by a questionnaire, with responses recorded on three‐ or five‐point ordinal scales. The primary efficacy parameter was mean percent predicted morning PEF. The device handling results showed the Accuhaler/Diskus inhaler was rated more favourably than the Turbohaler inhaler in terms of ease of correct inhaler use, ease of telling how many doses were left, ease of knowing whether a dose had been inhaled and overall liking of the device. More patients in the Accuhaler/Diskus group (85%) than in the Turbohaler group (58%) said they would be happy to receive the same device again, while 8% and 25% respectively said they would not be happy to be given it again. In addition, the change from baseline to week 4 of treatment in mean percent predicted morning PEF was greater in the FP Accuhaler/Diskus group, indicating that FP 200 μg daily via Accuhaler/Diskus inhaler is at least as clinically effective as BUD 400 μg daily via the Turbohaler inhaler.
NEW LONG‐STAY PATIENTS ON ACUTE PSYCHIATRIC UNITS: DOES AUDIT CHANGE PRACTICE?
Authors: Rowlands P 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYPatients who have prolonged stays on acute psychiatric wards are a feature of many modern community psychiatric services. The present study aimed to determine if the care delivered to these patients could be improved by reflecting back to practitioners easily auditable components of the patients' care. The subjects comprised patients resident on the acute psychiatric units in Sheffield for more than six months. These patients were surveyed in April 1995 and again in February 1996. After the first survey, clinicians received a presentation and feedback regarding aspects of their patients' care. The results demonstrated there had been little change in the percentage of acute bed capacity occupied by patients with inpatient stays in excess of six months, despite improvement in many of the audit standards. The main reason for prolonged inpatient treatment was continued mental state or behavioural disturbance. The mean length of stay of patients in this category actually increased. The results suggest that a simple audit exercise can improve the quality of care delivered to this group of patients, but that they will continue to occupy a substantial proportion of acute bed capacity in the absence of suitable alternative treatment settings.
BEHAVIOURAL AND PSYCHIATRIC ASPECTS OF SILENT CEREBRAL INFARCTION
Authors: Nagaratnam N , Pathma‐Nathan N 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYA number of psychiatric and behavioural symptoms have been described in relation to silent cerebral infarction. At least four symptom clusters were identified, namely, affective, paranoid delusional, confusional state and changes in mood with behavioural disturbances. The mechanisms involved are unclear. Biochemical changes involving neurotransmitter mechanisms, vascular compromise or structural damage to the anatomical pathways may be contributory if not causal. It is clear that in patients presenting with behavioural or psychiatric manifestations without any previous history of mental illness and without any focal or lateralising neurological signs, cerebrovascular disease should be a diagnostic consideration.