bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of painful temporomandibular disorders, psychological characteristics, sleep quality, and oral health-related quality of life of patients seeking care before and during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Yap Adrian Ujin , Lei Jie , Liu Chengge , Fu Kai-Yuan 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundLiterature concerning Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and the Covid-19 pandemic is limited and disparate findings related to TMD frequencies, psychological distress, and quality of life were presented. This study investigated the prevalence of painful Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and compared the psychological, sleep, and oral health-related quality of life profiles of patients seeking TMD care before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.MethodsData were accrued from consecutive adult patients 12 months before (BC; control) and during (DC; case group) the Covid-19 pandemic. The Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs (DC/TMD), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS)-21, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-TMDs were utilized and statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square/non-parametric tests (α = 0.05).ResultsThe prevalence of painful TMDs was 50.8% before and 46.3% during the pandemic. Significant differences in PSQI and OHIP component scores were discerned between the BC and DC groups contingent on TMD pain. Total-DASS was moderately correlated to total-PSQI/OHIP (rs= 0.41–0.63).ConclusionThe covid-19 pandemic did not appear to exacerbate psychological distress but affected sleep and increased unease over TMD dysfunction.
Advanced directives’ knowledge among Portuguese palliative patients and caregivers: do the sociodemographic factors influence it? A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Martins Catarina Sampaio , Nunes Rui 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
The influence of demographic factors on the completion and knowledge of the Portuguese Advance Directives (PAD) and the Health Care Proxy’s (HCP) role is still not clear.

Objectives
To identify sociodemographic features associated with knowledge and adherence to PAD and HCP in palliative care.

Design
Cross-Sectional analysis of the sociodemographic data, PAD and HCP role knowledge, and PAD Register from a group of Portuguese palliative patients and their caregivers enrolled on the DAVPAL trial to test the PAD efficacy in promoting better concordance between patients and caregivers.

Participants
One hundred twenty participants (60 palliative patients and 60 caregivers).

Methods
After enrollment, the participants' sociodemographic data was acquired, their knowledge of PAD and the role of an HCP was questioned, and their prior register of the PAD was asked.

Results
60 patients and 60 caregivers were included (n=120), with differences among them regarding age (p<.001), gender (p=.003), education (p<.001), job (p<.001), marital status (p=.043), and access to the internet (p=.003), but not regarding religion (p=.21). Only 13.3% of the participants were aware of PAD, 15.0% were aware of the HCP role, and 5.0% had previously filled a PAD. Religious beliefs (Non-Catholic) were the only sociodemographic factor significantly related to these three topics.

Conclusions
There is low awareness of PAD and the HCP’s role in palliative care, and there is higher knowledge on these topics among non-Catholic individuals. End-of-life decisions seem to be influenced by similarities in religious beliefs between patients and HCP. Improving education is necessary, namely in palliative care.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05090072. Retrospectively registered on 22/10/2021.
In-silico and in-vitro assessments of some fabaceae, rhamnaceae, apocynaceae, and anacardiaceae species against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and triple-negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Nyambo Kudakwashe , Adu-Amankwaah Francis , Tapfuma Kudzanai Ian , Baatjies Lucinda , Julius Lauren , Smith Liezel , Ngxande Mkhuseli , Govender Krishna , Mabasa Lawrence , Traore Afsatou , Masiphephethu Maano Valerie , Niang Idah Sithole , Mavumengwana Vuyo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMedicinal plants play a huge role in the treatment of various diseases in the Limpopo province (South Africa). Traditionally, concoctions used for treating tuberculosis and cancer are sometimes prepared from plant parts naturally occurring in the region, these include (but not limited to)Schotia brachypetala, Rauvolfia caffra, Schinus molle, Ziziphus mucronate, and Senna petersiana. In this study, the aim was to evaluate the potential antimycobacterial activity of the five medicinal plants againstMycobacterium smegmatismc2155,Mycobacterium aurumA + , andMycobacterium tuberculosisH37Rv, and cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB 231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Phytochemical constituents present inR. caffraandS. mollewere tentatively identified by LC-QTOF-MS/MS as these extracts showed antimycobacterial and cytotoxic activity. A rigorous Virtual Screening Workflow (VSW) of the tentatively identified phytocompounds was then employed to identify potential inhibitor/s ofM. tuberculosispantothenate kinase (PanK). Molecular dynamics simulations and post-MM-GBSA free energy calculations were used to determine the potential mode of action and selectivity of selected phytocompounds. The results showed that plant crude extracts generally exhibited poor antimycobacterial activity, except forR. caffraandS. mollewhich exhibited average efficacy againstM. tuberculosisH37Rv with minimum inhibitory concentrations between 0.25–0.125 mg/mL. Only one compound with a favourable ADME profile, namely, norajmaline was returned from the VSW. Norajmaline exhibited a docking score of –7.47 kcal/mol, while, pre-MM-GBSA calculation revealed binding free energy to be –37.64 kcal/mol. All plant extracts exhibited a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of < 30 μg/mL against MDA-MB 231 cells. Flow cytometry analysis of treated MDA-MB 231 cells showed that the dichloromethane extracts from S. petersiana,Z. mucronate,and ethyl acetate extracts fromR. caffraand S. molleinduced higher levels of apoptosis than cisplatin. It was concluded that norajmaline could emerge as a potential antimycobacterial lead compound. Validation of the antimycobacterial activity of norajmaline will need to be performed in vitro and in vivo before chemical modifications to enhance potency and efficacy are done.S. petersiana,Z. mucronate,R.caffraandS. mollepossess strong potential as key contributors in developing new and effective treatments for triple-negative breast cancer in light of the urgent requirement for innovative therapeutic solutions.
Comprehensive chemical profiling of two Dendrobium species and identification of anti-hepatoma active constituents from Dendrobium chrysotoxum by network pharmacology
Authors: Jie Xia , Feng Yin , Jiahao Fang , Ganggui Lou , Jiani Yu , Zhongyu Xu , Yuan Yuan , Tinggang Zhang , Xiaodan Zhang , Zongsuo Liang 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Dendrobium nobile and Dendrobium chrysotoxum are important species of the genus Dendrobium and have great economic and medicinal value. However, the medicinal properties of these two plants remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the medical properties of D. nobile and D. chrysotoxum by conducting a comprehensive chemical profiling of the two plants. Additionally, active compounds and predictive targets for anti-hepatoma activity in D. chrysotoxum extracts were identified using Network Pharmacology.

Results
Chemical profiling showed that altogether 65 phytochemicals were identified from D. nobile and D. chrysotoxum, with major classes as alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, bibenzyls and phenanthrenes. About 18 compounds were identified as the important differential metabolites in D. nobile and D. chrysotoxum. Furtherly, CCK-8 results showed that the extracts of stems and leaves of D. nobile and D. chrysotoxum could inhibit the growth of Huh-7 cells, and the anti-hepatoma activity of extracts were dose-dependent. Among the extracts, the extract of D. chrysotoxum showed significant anti-hepatoma activity. In order to find the potential mechanism of anti-hepatoma activity of D. chrysotoxum, five key compounds and nine key targets were obtained through constructing and analyzing the compound-target-pathway network. The five key compounds were chrysotobibenzyl, chrysotoxin, moscatilin, gigantol and chrysotoxene. Nine key targets, including GAPDH, EGFR, ESR1, HRAS, SRC, CCND1, HIF1A, ERBB2 and MTOR, could be considered as the core targets of the anti-hepatoma activity of D. chrysotoxum.

Conclusions
In this study, the chemical composition difference and anti-hepatoma activity of stems and leaves of D. nobile and D. chrysotoxum were compared, and the potential anti-hepatoma mechanism of D. chrysotoxum was revealed in a multi-target and multi-pathway manner.
Eye-tracking during simulation-based echocardiography: a feasibility study
Authors: Hafner Christina , Scharner Vincenz , Hermann Martina , Metelka Philipp , Hurch Benedikt , Klaus Daniel Alexander , Schaubmayr Wolfgang , Wagner Michael , Gleiss Andreas , Willschke Harald , Hamp Thomas 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Due to the technical progress point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly used in critical care medicine. However, optimal training strategies and support for novices have not been thoroughly researched so far. Eye-tracking, which offers insights into the gaze behavior of experts may be a useful tool for better understanding. The aim of this study was to investigate the technical feasibility and usability of eye-tracking during echocardiography as well as to analyze differences of gaze patterns between experts and non-experts.

Methods
Nine experts in echocardiography and six non-experts were equipped with eye-tracking glasses (Tobii, Stockholm, Sweden), while performing six medical cases on a simulator. For each view case specific areas of interests (AOI) were defined by the first three experts depending on the underlying pathology. Technical feasibility, participants’ subjective experience on the usability of the eye-tracking glasses as well as the differences of relative dwell time (focus) inside the areas of interest (AOI) between six experts and six non-experts were evaluated.

Results
Technical feasibility of eye-tracking during echocardiography was achieved with an accordance of 96% between the visual area orally described by participants and the area marked by the glasses. Experts had longer relative dwell time in the case specific AOI (50.6% versus 38.4%, p = 0.072) and performed ultrasound examinations faster (138 s versus 227 s, p = 0.068). Furthermore, experts fixated earlier in the AOI (5 s versus 10 s, p = 0.033).

Conclusion
This feasibility study demonstrates that eye-tracking can be used to analyze experts and non-experts gaze patterns during POCUS. Although, in this study the experts had a longer fixation time in the defined AOIs compared to non-experts, further studies are needed to investigate if eye-tracking could improve teaching of POCUS.
Challenges of medical commodity availability in public and private health care facilities in the Upper East Region of Ghana: a patient-centered perspective
Authors: Atiga Oswald , Walters Jackie , Pisa Noleen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis article is a patient-centered comparison of medical ccommodities availability in public and private health care facilities in the Upper East (UER) of Ghana to determine if significant differences existed. A concurrent mixed method strategy was used where both quantitative and qualitative data were simultaneously collected, independently analysed and triangulated at the intepretation stage. Quantitative data were collected using a systematic sampling method where a total of 1500 patients (750 from public and 750 from private) health care facilities responded to the interviwer-administered questionnaires for this study. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied as a construct validation tool while a T-test was computed to compare if a significant difference existed between both type of patients. Qualitative data were collected from selected patients and heads of public and private healthcare facilities using an interview guide. The qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The results indicated significant differences existed in the availability of medical commodities, frequency of medicine stock-outs, seasonality of medicine stock-outs, patients’ reaction to medicine stock-outs and communication about the medicine stock-outs to patients of private and public facilities. The biggest difference between the two groups of patients was how communication of medicines stock-outs was communicated to them.Health care facility managers in the region must focus seriously on training staff on how to improve communication of medicines stock-outs to patients.
Adipose tissue dysfunction serum markers are associated with high density lipoprotein size and glycation in the early stages of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Jorge-Galarza Esteban , Medina-Urrutia Aida , Reyes-Barrera Juan , Torres-Tamayo Margarita , Montaño-Estrada Luis Felipe , Páez-Arenas Araceli , Massó-Rojas Felipe , Juárez-Rojas Juan Gabriel 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundHigh-density lipoproteins (HDLs) have antiatherogenic properties related to their chemical structure. Adipose tissue (AT) influences HDL reverse cholesterol transport and plasma HDL cholesterol levels. However, whether AT dysfunction affects HDL subpopulations and their glycation in early type 2 diabetes (T2D) is still unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate the association of inflammation and AT dysfunction serum markers with the size and glycation of HDLs in normoglycemic, prediabetes, and T2D subjects.MethodsWe assessed HDL particle size and advanced glycation end-product (AGE) content in HDLs isolated from normoglycemic (n = 17), prediabetes (n = 17), and recently T2D-diagnosed (n = 18) subjects. Insulin, adiponectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) were determined using the Bio-Rad Multiplex Platform, and free fatty acids (FFAs) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were determined by standard procedures. The AT insulin resistance (ATIR) index and ATIR/adiponectin and adiponectin/leptin ratios were calculated.ResultsHDL was progressively smaller (nm) and enriched with AGE (mg-BSA-AGE/mg protein) according to the glucose categories: 8.49 and 7.5 in normoglycemic subjects, 8.44 and 12.4 in prediabetic subjects, and 8.32 and 14.3 in T2D subjects (P = 0.033 andP = 0.009 for size and AGE, respectively). In multivariable regression analysis, the ATIR/adiponectin ratio was inversely associated with HDL size (β = -0.257,P = 0.046), and the ATIR ratio was directly associated with HDL glycation (β = 0.387,P = 0.036). In contrast, adiponectin and the adiponectin/leptin ratio were not associated with alterations in HDL particles. Furthermore, HDL size was associated with resistin (β = -0.348,P = 0.007) and PAI-1 (β = -0.324,P = 0.004). HDL and AGE were related to insulin concentrations (β = 0.458,P = 0.015). Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol.ConclusionHDL size was significantly associated with the ATIR/adiponectin ratio and inflammation, whereas glycation was more strongly related to the ATIR index. These findings have important implications for the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease in T2D patients.
Immunogenicity of adjuvanted versus high-dose inactivated influenza vaccines in older adults: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Schmader Kenneth E. , Liu Christine K. , Flannery Brendan , Rountree Wes , Auerbach Heidi , Barnett Elizabeth D. , Schlaudecker Elizabeth P. , Todd Christopher A. , Poniewierski Marek , Staat Mary A. , Harrington Theresa , Li Rongxia , Broder Karen R. , Walter Emmanuel B. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine (aIIV) and high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (HD-IIV) are U.S.-licensed for adults aged ≥ 65 years. This study compared serum hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibody titers for the A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 and B strains after trivalent aIIV3 and trivalent HD-IIV3 in an older adult population.

Results
The immunogenicity population included 342 participants who received aIIV3 and 338 participants who received HD-IIV3. The proportion of participants that seroconverted to A(H3N2) vaccine strains after allV3 (112 participants [32.8%]) was inferior to the proportion of participants that seroconverted after HD-IIV3 (130 participants [38.5%]) at day 29 after vaccination (difference, − 5.8%; 95%CI, − 12.9% to 1.4%). There were no significant differences between the vaccine groups in percent seroconversion to A(H1N1)pdm09 or B vaccine strains, in percent seropositivity for any of the strains, or in post-vaccination GMT for the A(H1N1)pdm09 strain. The GMTs for the post-vaccination A(H3N2) and B strains were higher after HD-IIV than after aIIV3.

Conclusions
Overall immune responses were similar after aIIV3 and HD-IIV3. For the primary outcome, the aIIV3 seroconversion rate for H3N2 did not meet noninferiority criteria compared with HD-IIV3, but the HD-IIV3 seroconversion rate was not statistically superior to the aIIV3 seroconversion rate.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03183908.
Improving accelerated 3D imaging in MRI-guided radiotherapy for prostate cancer using a deep learning method
Authors: Zhu Ji , Chen Xinyuan , Liu Yuxiang , Yang Bining , Wei Ran , Qin Shirui , Yang Zhuanbo , Hu Zhihui , Dai Jianrong , Men Kuo 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This study was to improve image quality for high-speed MR imaging using a deep learning method for online adaptive radiotherapy in prostate cancer. We then evaluated its benefits on image registration.

Methods
Sixty pairs of 1.5 T MR images acquired with an MR-linac were enrolled. The data included low-speed, high-quality (LSHQ), and high-speed low-quality (HSLQ) MR images. We proposed a CycleGAN, which is based on the data augmentation technique, to learn the mapping between the HSLQ and LSHQ images and then generate synthetic LSHQ (synLSHQ) images from the HSLQ images. Five-fold cross-validation was employed to test the CycleGAN model. The normalized mean absolute error (nMAE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index measurement (SSIM), and edge keeping index (EKI) were calculated to determine image quality. The Jacobian determinant value (JDV), Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and mean distance to agreement (MDA) were used to analyze deformable registration.

Results
Compared with the LSHQ, the proposed synLSHQ achieved comparable image quality and reduced imaging time by ~ 66%. Compared with the HSLQ, the synLSHQ had better image quality with improvement of 57%, 3.4%, 26.9%, and 3.6% for nMAE, SSIM, PSNR, and EKI, respectively. Furthermore, the synLSHQ enhanced registration accuracy with a superior mean JDV (6%) and preferable DSC and MDA values compared with HSLQ.

Conclusion
The proposed method can generate high-quality images from high-speed scanning sequences. As a result, it shows potential to shorten the scan time while ensuring the accuracy of radiotherapy.
Isolated giant aortic arch aneurysm repair in a 13-year-old girl: a case report
Authors: Vashkeba Volodymyr , Karpenko Vasyl , Zelenchuk Oleh , Serhii Sudakevych , Maruniak Stepan , Swol Justyna , Todurov Borys , Demyanchuk Vitaly 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Aortic arch aneurysm is a very rare condition in children. Surgery is the life saving procedure but it performing might be challenging due to the complex anatomy.

Case presentation
We describe a 13-year-old girl who was diagnosed to have an isolated giant aortic arch aneurysm. This girl was referred to our institution with persistent cough as a leading symptom, which started two months ago. Surgery was performed as combined approach: left-sided thoracotomy and midline sternotomy. The left subclavian artery was re-implanted via supraclavicular approach to the left common carotid artery end-to-side anastomosis. Aneurysm was excised after midline sternotomy and initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass under mild hypothermia. Histological evaluation of the wall of the aneurysm revealed no evidence of any specific changes.

Conclusions
The using of the combined method was characterised by a good postoperative surgical results. Pediatricians should be aware of persistent cough in children as a symptom of mediastinal mass of different origin and identity.
Integrating network pharmacology and experimental verification to explore the pharmacological mechanisms of asparagus against polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Xing Jinshan , Luo Xin , Jia Keran , Liu Shuang , Chen Shaokun , Qiao Gan , Zhang Chunxiang , Yi Jingyan 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age that still lacks effective treatment. Inflammation is one of the important features of PCOS. Asparagus (ASP) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging pharmacological effects, and its anti-tumor effects have been demonstrated in a variety of tumors. However, the role and mechanism of ASP in PCOS remain unclear.MethodsThe active components of ASP and the key therapeutic targets for PCOS were obtained by network pharmacology. Molecular docking was used to simulate the binding of PRKCA to the active components of ASP. The effects of ASP on inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways in PCOS, and the regulation of PRKCA were examined by KGN, a human derived granulosa cell line. PCOS mouse model validated the results of in vivo experiments.ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 9 major active ingredients of ASP with 73 therapeutic targets for PCOS. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment yielded 101 PCOS-related signaling pathways. The hub gene PRKCA was obtained after taking the gene intersection of the top 4 pathways. Molecular docking showed the binding of PRKCA to the 7 active components in ASP. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that ASP alleviated the course of PCOS through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects. ASP can partially restore the low expression of PRKCA in the PCOS models.ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of ASP on PCOS is mainly achieved by targeting PRKCA through the 7 active components of ASP. Mechanistically, ASP alleviated the course of PCOS through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and PRKCA was its potential target.
Acute-on-chronic liver failure: far to go—a review
Authors: Luo Jinjin , Li Jiaqi , Li Peng , Liang Xi , Hassan Hozeifa Mohamed , Moreau Richard , Li Jun 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAcute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has been recognized as a severe clinical syndrome based on the acute deterioration of chronic liver disease and is characterized by organ failure and high short-term mortality. Heterogeneous definitions and diagnostic criteria for the clinical condition have been proposed in different geographic regions due to the differences in aetiologies and precipitating events. Several predictive and prognostic scores have been developed and validated to guide clinical management. The specific pathophysiology of ACLF remains uncertain and is mainly associated with an intense systemic inflammatory response and immune-metabolism disorder based on current evidence. For ACLF patients, standardization of the treatment paradigm is required for different disease stages that may provide targeted treatment strategies for individual needs.