bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expert consensus on neurodevelopmental outcomes in pregnancy pharmacovigilance studies
Authors: Bromley R. L. , Bickle Graz M. , Bluett-Duncan M. , Chambers C. , Damkier P. , Dietrich K. , Dolk H. , Grant K. , Mattson S. , Meador K. J. , Nordeng H. , Oberlander T. F. , Ornoy A. , Revet A. , Richardson J. , Rovet J. , Schuler-Faccini L. , Smearman E. , Simms V. , Vorhees C. , Wide K. , Wood A. , Yates L. , Ystrom E. , Supraja T. A. , Adams J. 
Published: June 2023

Background: Exposure in utero to certain medications can disrupt processes of fetal development, including brain development, leading to a continuum of neurodevelopmental difficulties. Recognizing the deficiency of neurodevelopmental investigations within pregnancy pharmacovigilance, an international Neurodevelopmental Expert Working Group was convened to achieve consensus regarding the core neurodevelopmental outcomes, optimization of methodological approaches and barriers to conducting pregnancy pharmacovigilance studies with neurodevelopmental outcomes.Methods: A modified Delphi study was undertaken based on stakeholder and expert input. Stakeholders (patient, pharmaceutical, academic and regulatory) were invited to define topics, pertaining to neurodevelopmental investigations in medication-exposed pregnancies. Experts were identified for their experience regarding neurodevelopmental outcomes following medicinal, substances of misuse or environmental exposures in utero. Two questionnaire rounds and a virtual discussion meeting were used to explore expert opinion on the topics identified by the stakeholders.Results: Twenty-five experts, from 13 countries and professionally diverse backgrounds took part in the development of 11 recommendations. The recommendations focus on the importance of neurodevelopment as a core feature of pregnancy pharmacovigilance, the timing of study initiation and a core set of distinct but interrelated neurodevelopmental skills or diagnoses which require investigation. Studies should start in infancy with an extended period of investigation into adolescence, with more frequent sampling during rapid periods of development. Additionally, recommendations are made regarding optimal approach to neurodevelopmental outcome measurement, comparator groups, exposure factors, a core set of confounding and mediating variables, attrition, reporting of results and the required improvements in funding for potential later emerging effects. Different study designs will be required depending on the specific neurodevelopmental outcome type under investigation and whether the medicine in question is newly approved or already in widespread use.Conclusion: An improved focus on neurodevelopmental outcomes is required within pregnancy pharmacovigilance. These expert recommendations should be met across a complementary set of studies which converge to form a comprehensive set of evidence regarding neurodevelopmental outcomes in pregnancy pharmacovigilance.
Arum palaestinum delays hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation through the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway and exhibits anticoagulant effects with antimicrobial properties
Authors: Dwikat Majdi , Amer Johnny , Jaradat Nidal , Salhab Ahmad , Rahim Ahmad Abdal , Qadi Mohammad , Aref Aseel , Ghanim Mustafa , Murad Haya , Modallal Ali , Shalabni Kawkab 
Published: June 2023

Background:Arum palaestinum Boiss (AP) is a wild plant in Palestine whose leaves have a long history as food and medicine in Middle Eastern countries. The current study aimed to evaluate the biological characteristics of AP flower extract, including its antimicrobial and coagulation cascade activities and its effects on anticancer molecular pathways.Methods: The antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract of AP flowers was assessed using a microdilution assay against eight pathogens. The coagulation properties were assessed by prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and thrombin time (TT) tests using standard hematological methods. The biological effects of AP on hepatocellular carcinoma were measured by assessing the impact of AP on cell cycle, proliferation (CFSE), apoptosis (annexin-v+/PI), and tumorigenicity (αFP and HBsAg), as well as its effects on the PI3K-AKT-mTOR molecular signaling pathway.Results: The antimicrobial screening results revealed that the aqueous extract of AP had potent antibacterial effects against P. vulgaris and E. faecium compared to ampicillin, with MIC values of 6.25, 6.25, and 18 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the AP aqueous extract exerted anticoagulant activity, with significant prolonged results in the aPTT and TT tests (25 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL, respectively) and slightly prolonged results in the PT test (50 μg/mL). The anticancer results indicated a delay in the cell cycle through decreased cell proliferation rates following incubation with AP fractions. The effect of the aqueous fraction was most evident in a delay in the S phase. The aqueous and DMSO fractions maintained the cells in the G2-M phase, similar to the DOX, while the flower extract in methanol accelerated the cells in the G2-M phase, suggesting that AF flower extracts may have anti-cancer properties. The aqueous extract of AP 1) reduced secretions of HCC αFP by 1.55-fold and 3.3-fold at the 50 and 100 μg/mL concentrations, respectively (p = 0.0008); 2) decreased phosphorylation in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway (p &lt; 0.05); and 3) shifted cells from necrosis to apoptosis by 50% and 70% at the 50 and 100 μg/mL concentrations, respectively (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: The results of this study showed the activities of the bioactive components for the treatment of infectious diseases and blood coagulation disorders, which could also be a potential therapeutic approach for delaying HCC tumorigenicity.
Comparing two extracellular additives to facilitate extended storage of red blood cells in a supercooled state
Authors: William Nishaka , Isiksacan Ziya , Mykhailova Olga , Olafson Carly , Yarmush Martin L. , Usta O. Berk , Acker Jason P. 
Published: June 2023

Background: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels guide many aspects of the red blood cell (RBC) hypothermic storage lesions. As a result, efforts to improve the quality of hypothermic-stored red cell concentrates (RCCs) have largely centered around designing storage solutions to promote ATP retention. Considering reduced temperatures alone would diminish metabolism, and thereby enhance ATP retention, we evaluated: (a) whether the quality of stored blood is improved at −4°C relative to conventional 4°C storage, and (b) whether the addition of trehalose and PEG400 can enhance these improvements.Study Design and Methods: Ten CPD/SAGM leukoreduced RCCs were pooled, split, and resuspended in a next-generation storage solution (i.e., PAG3M) supplemented with 0–165 mM of trehalose or 0–165 mM of PEG400. In a separate subset of samples, mannitol was removed at equimolar concentrations to achieve a fixed osmolarity between the additive and non-additive groups. All samples were stored at both 4°C and −4°C under a layer of paraffin oil to prevent ice formation.Results: PEG400 reduced hemolysis and increased deformability in −4°C-stored samples when used at a concentration of 110 mM. Reduced temperatures did indeed enhance ATP retention; however, in the absence of an additive, the characteristic storage-dependent decline in deformability and increase in hemolysis was exacerbated. The addition of trehalose enhanced this decline in deformability and hemolysis at −4°C; although, this was marginally alleviated by the osmolarity-adjustments. In contrast, outcomes with PEG400 were worsened by these osmolarity adjustments, but at no concentration, in the absence of these adjustments, was damage greater than the control.Discussion: Supercooled temperatures can allow for improved ATP retention; however, this does not translate into improved storage success. Additional work is necessary to further elucidate the mechanism of injury that progresses at these temperatures such that storage solutions can be designed which allow RBCs to benefit from this diminished rate of metabolic deterioration. The present study suggests that PEG400 could be an ideal component in these solutions.
Investigating the moral compensatory effect of unethical pro-organizational behavior on ethical voice
Authors: Xia Fubin , Lu Ping , Wang Lifang , Bao Jiangdong 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionUnethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) can hinder the development of the organization. The existing literature on UPB rarely examines whether and how employees remedy such ethical misconduct after they have committed it. Based on moral compensation theory and social exchange theory, this study explores the self-moral compensation process of employees who engage in UPB.MethodsSpecifically, we adopt a moderated mediating model to examine how and when UPB facilitates ethical voice. We tested our theoretical model using data from 415 full-time employees in Chinese companies, which we obtained via a three-stage questionnaire.ResultsThe results of the regression analysis revealed that UPB has a significant positive effect on ethical voice, and that moral ownership plays a mediating role between UPB and ethical voice. Furthermore, the results support the moderating role of benevolent leadership in the positive direct effect of UPB on ethical voice, and the positive indirect effect of UPB on ethical voice via moral ownership. When benevolent leadership is strong, the direct effect of UPB on ethical voice and indirect mediating effect of moral ownership are both significantly positive, whereas neither are significant when benevolent leadership is weak.DiscussionThese findings show the ethical compensation effect of UBP on ethical voice and provide a novel and comprehensive understanding of the consequences of UPB. They also have significant value for ethical practices in managing employee (mis)behavior.
Female intrasexual competitiveness interacts with body mass index to predict willingness to use a risky diet pill
Authors: Arnocky Steven , Brennan Hillary , Denomme Brittany , Davis Adam C. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionPrevious research has highlighted the putative role of intrasexual competition (IC) in predicting women’s body dissatisfaction, weight loss effort, and, at its extreme, eating disorders. However, extant research reporting on these links is limited by its exclusion of potential confounds, including psychopathologies such as depression. Moreover, it is presently unclear whether women higher in body mass index (BMI) may be more prone to the influence of IC in taking dieting risks.MethodsTo address these gaps in the literature, 189 young adult women completed measures of IC, depressive symptoms, willingness to use a risky diet pill, and had their height and weight measured.ResultsResults showed that IC interacted with BMI to predict willingness to use a risky diet pill, such that women high in both IC and BMI were most likely to take the risky diet pill. Further exploratory analyses considering potential directional links between BMI and depression supported mediating roles of depression (from BMI) and BMI (from depression) in predicting willingness to use a risky diet pill.DiscussionResults suggest that links between IC and dieting risks may be moderated by women’s BMI, and that these links hold when considering depressive symptoms. Future longitudinal research would benefit from a better understanding of the potential directional links between BMI, depression, and diet pill use.
Comparison of treatment costs for primary localized prostate cancer in Austria and Vienna: an economic analysis
Authors: Moll Matthias , Goldner Gregor 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundProstate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Several efficient treatments are available for primary prostate cancer, but an economic comparison of these modalities has not been done in Austria.Objective and settingThe current study provides an economic comparison of radiotherapy and surgery for prostate cancer in Vienna and Austria.MethodsWe analyzed the catalog of medical services of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection and present the treatment costs for the public health sector with an LKF-point value and monetary value in 2022.ResultsExternal beam radiotherapy, especially ultrahypofractionated, is the least costly treatment modality for low-risk prostate cancer, with costs of 2,492 € per treatment. For intermediate-risk prostate cancer, differences between moderate hypofractionation and brachytherapy are small, with costs of 4,638–5,140 €. In a high-risk setting, differences between radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy are small (7,087 € vs. 7474.06 €).ConclusionFrom a purely financial point of view, treatment of low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer in Vienna and Austria should consist of radiotherapy as long as the current catalog of services is up to date. For high-risk prostate cancer, no major difference was found.
Nutritional status of a young adult population in saline-prone coastal Bangladesh
Authors: Mazumder Tapas , Rutherford Shannon , Rahman Syed Moshfiqur , Talukder Mohammad Radwanur 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionLike many low- and middle-income countries, understanding the nutritional status of the young population in Bangladesh has had less attention. With projected climate change and associated sea level rise, the existing problem of salinity in coastal Bangladesh will significantly increase and further worsen agrobiodiversity. This research aimed to examine the nutritional status of a young population in climate-vulnerable coastal Bangladesh to inform appropriate intervention strategies to reduce the burden on health and economic outcomes.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2014, and anthropometric measures were conducted for 309 young people aged 19–25 years in a rural saline-prone subdistrict in southwestern coastal Bangladesh. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from body height and weight, and data about socio-demographic factors were collected. To identify the socio-demographic risk factors affecting undernutrition (BMI &lt;18.5 kg/m2) and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2), multinomial logistic regression analysis was used.ResultsOverall, one-fourth of the study population was classified as underweight, and nearly one-fifth were overweight or obese. The proportion of underweight was significantly higher in women (32.5%) compared to that of men (15.2%). Overall, employment, especially in women, was associated with reduced odds of being underweight (adjusted odds ratio—aOR: 0.32; 95% confidence interval - CI: 0.11, 0.89). Subjects with secondary education incomplete (grades 6-9) compared to those with primary or below education (grades 0-5; aOR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.59) and employed compared to those unemployed groups (aOR: 5.84; 95% CI: 2.67, 12.74) were more likely to be overweight or obese in this study population. These associations were more pronounced in women.DiscussionMultisectoral program strategies are required to tackle the growing burden of malnutrition (both under and overweight) in this young age group tailored to local contexts including in climate-vulnerable coastal Bangladesh.
Fluctuations in emergency department visits related to acute otitis media are associated with extreme meteorological conditions
Authors: Nieratschker Michael , Haas Markus , Lucic Mateo , Pichler Franziska , Brkic Faris F. , Parzefall Thomas , Riss Dominik , Liu David T. 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundClimate change has been associated with a higher frequency of extreme weather events, resulting in an overall increase in morbidity and mortality. Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common otolaryngological infections and accounts for 1.5% of emergency department visits. This study aimed to identify associations between extreme weather events and the immediate and delayed risks for AOM-related emergency department visits (EV).MethodsA total of 1,465 AOM-related EVs were identified in the Vienna General Hospital between 2015 and 2018. A distributed lag non-linear model was applied to evaluate the relationship between extreme weather conditions and the total number of AOM-related EVs per day. The relative risk (RR) and cumulative RR (cRR) of single-day events and extended weather events over three days were analyzed over a lag period of 14 days.ResultsAOM-related EVs showed a pronounced seasonality, with the highest occurrence during winter. Single-day weather events affected AOM-related EVs only at high relative humidity. Prolonged extreme weather conditions over three days, however, significantly increased the cRR for AOM-related EVs to 3.15 [1.26–7.88; p = 0.014] and 2.14 [1.14–4.04; p = 0.018] at mean temperatures of −4°C (1st-percentile - p1) and 0°C (p5) on the same day. Relative humidity of 37% (p1) decreased RR to 0.94 [0.88–0.99; p = 0.032] on day 7, while extremely high humidity of 89% (p99) led to an increased cRR of 1.43 [1.03–2.00; p = 0.034] on day 7. Heavy prolonged precipitation of 24mm (p95) reduced cRR beginning day 4 up until day 14 to 0.52 [0.31–0.86; p = 0.012]. Prolonged low atmospheric pressure events of 985hPa (p5) reduced the RR to 0.95 [0.91–1.00; p = 0.03], whereas extremely high atmospheric pressure events of 1013hPa (p99) increased the RR to 1.11 [1.03–1.20; p = 0.008]. Extremely low wind speeds significantly diminished the RR of AOM-related EVs.ConclusionsWhile single-day extreme weather events had little impact on the occurrence of AOM-related EVs, extended periods of extreme temperatures, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speeds and atmospheric pressure significantly impacted the RR for AOM-related EVs. These findings could help improve healthcare resource allocation in similar climates and aid in educating patients about the role of environmental factors in AOM.
Seroprevalence and trends of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus in Syrian blood donors at Damascus University Blood Center between 2004 and 2021
Authors: Alassad Alia , Al Rahwanji Mhd Jawad , Yousfan Amal , Al Moualem Sally , Farhat Arwa , Youssef Lama A. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionSeroprevalence of transfusion-transmitted viral infections (TTVIs) is a valuable indicator for assessing blood safety, population health and health system performance in the times of peace and conflicts. Only scarce information is available on the impact of the decade-long violent conflict on the prevalence of TTVIs in Syria. Moreover, hepatitis B vaccine was introduced to the national vaccination program in 1993; however, no data is available on the vaccine effectiveness.MethodsIn this retrospective cross-sectional study, we compiled the screening results for major TTVIs, namely hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), of volunteer donors at Damascus University Blood Center from May 2004 to October 2021. Prevalence was expressed in percentages for the entire study group and subgroups. Chi-square test and linear regression were used to examine the differences and describe trends in prevalence, respectively, based on demographic characteristics (i.e., age and gender) and time. P-value of &lt;0.005 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOf the total 307,774 donors (82.27% males, median age 27 years), 5,929 (1.93%) had serological evidence of at least one TTVI, and 26 (0.0085%) had multiple infections. The lowest prevalence (1.09%) was detected in donors aged 18–25 years old, and a higher prevalence (2.05%) was evident in males in comparison with females (1.38%). The seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV was 1.18, 0.52, and 0.23%, respectively. Trend analyses revealed a significant regression in HBV and HIV prevalence from 2011 to 2021. HBV seropositivity depicted a temporal decline by ~80%, from 0.79% in 2011 to 0.16% in 2021 in those born in 1993 and thereafter.DiscussionThe seroprevalence of HBV, HIV, and to a lesser extent HCV dropped over the study 18-year period. Possible explanations may include implementation of the HBV vaccine, robust national health system, conservative sociocultural values, and isolation.
The several faces of the medicalization of birth. Italy and its peculiarities
Authors: Spina Elena 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundMedical-scientific advances in maternal care gradually improved the health of mothers and new-borns. However, this has contributed to increasing levels of medicalization, defined as the overuse of medical interventions even in low-risk pregnancies and childbirths. In Italy pregnancy and birth still appear to be rather medicalized than in the rest of Europe. Moreover, the uneven distribution of these practice over the territory appears to be evident. The purpose of this article is to both highlight and explain the Italian peculiarity in terms of high medicalization of childbirth and its territorial variability.Theoretical frameworkThe extensive literature on medicalization of childbirth was systematized by some scholars who use childbirth as a case study to distinguish four meanings of medicalization, by classifying them into two generations of theories. Alongside this literature several studies attempted to interpret differences in maternity model of care showing the important role played by path dependence.ResultsIn the European scenario, Italy stands out for its high percentage of cesarean sections, but also for its excessive recourse to antenatal visits during pregnancy and the application of interventions during labor and vaginal births. Going into regional detail, however, Italian situation appears rather uneven: relevant differences emerge in relation to medicalization of both pregnancy and birth.DiscussionThe article explores the possibility that areas whit different sociocultural, economic, political and institutional background may have introjected different meanings of medicalization, thus reproducing different maternity models of care. In fact, the simultaneous presence, in Italy, of four different meanings of medicalization seems to be rooted. Even with some similar traits, different conditions and situations emerge in different geographical areas, leading to the prevalence of one meaning rather than another and resulting on different outcomes in terms of medicalization.ConclusionThe data presented in this article seem to deny the existence of a national maternity model of care and. On the contrary, they confirm the idea that medicalization is not necessarily linked to the different health conditions of mothers in different geographical areas and that a path dependent variable is able to explain it.