bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between psychotropics use and occurrence of falls in hospitalized patients: A matched case–control study
Authors: Morishita Chihiro , Masuya Jiro , Ishii Yoshitaka , Seki Tomoteru , Deguchi Ayaka , Iwata Yoshio , Tamada Yu , Fujimura Yota , Honyashiki Mina , Harada Kazuharu , Taguri Masataka , Inoue Takeshi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimUnderstanding the appropriate prescription of psychotropics for hospitalized patients in terms of preventing falls is an important issue. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between the occurrence of falls and the use of various individual psychotropics in hospitalized patients.MethodsA retrospective matched case–control study was conducted on adult patients admitted to every department of Tokyo Medical University Hospital, with the outcome being in‐hospital falls. A total of 447 hospitalized patients who had had in‐hospital falls at some point in their hospitalization between January 2016 and December 2016 were included as cases. A total of 447 hospitalized patients who did not have in‐hospital falls, and were individually matched to the cases by sex, age, and clinical department, were included as controls. All data were extracted from electronic medical records. Conditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between the exposure to 16 psychotropic medications and the occurrence of in‐hospital falls. The multivariable logistic regression model adjusted sex, age, clinical department, body mass index, fall risk score on the fall risk assessment measure, and use of psychotropic medications.ResultsThe multivariable conditional logistic regression model showed a significant association between the use of risperidone (odds ratio [OR] = 3.730; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.229–11.325) and flunitrazepam (OR = 4.120; 95% CI = 1.105–15.364) and an increased OR of falls among hospitalized patients.ConclusionThe use of risperidone and flunitrazepam were identified as risk factors for falls among hospitalized patients.
Establishment and identification of cardiomyocyte arhGEF18 gene conditional knockout mice
Authors: Wan Kun , Yuan Wenjing , Lv Tiewei 
Published: August 2023

AbstractLeft ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a heterogeneous disorder with unclear genetic causes. The arhGEF18 gene is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor related to the Rho pathway and a possible predisposing gene for LVNC. In this study, a mouse model of arhGEF18 gene conditional knockout (cKO) in cardiomyocytes was established using the Cre‐LoxP system to provide an animal model for the genetic study of LVNC. ArhGEF18 cKO mice were obtained by crossing arhGEF18f/+/myh6‐Cre+ and arhGEF18f/f mice. The mRNA and protein expression levels of arhGEF18 in different tissues were verified. The myocardial cytoskeleton and polar protein expression, the survival rate, cardiac function, and cardiac histology of model mice were determined. ArhGEF18 cKO mice were successfully established. ArhGEF18 was confirmed to be specifically knocked out in the myocardial tissue of arhGEF18f/f/myh6‐Cre+ mice at the mRNA and protein levels, and the knockout rate was approximately 75%. The relative expression levels of cytoskeleton and cell polarity proteins such as α/β‐tubulin, Scribble, Crb2, and PAR3 in the cKO group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). During monitoring, the survival rate, cardiac systolic function, and myocardial structure of arhGEF18f/f/myh6‐Cre+ mice were not significantly different from those of control mice. A mouse model of cardiomyocyte arhGEF18 gene cKO was successfully established, and it was confirmed that knocking out arhGEF18 changed cytoskeleton and cell polar protein expression levels in the myocardium. However, there was no obvious LVNC phenotype in the constructed arhGEF18 cKO mice.
Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease associated with the central nervous system in children
Authors: Huang Yuyao , Wang Xinpeng , Wang Ling , Wang Juan , Tan Chengbing , Cheng Min , Jiang Yan , Jiang Li 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe clinical data of patients with Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease (KFD) combined with the involvement of the central system is limited, particularly for children. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features and prognosis of KFD associated with the central nervous system in children. We collected the clinical data of patients diagnosed with KFD combined with the involvement of the central system, hospitalized at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (CHCMU). Furthermore, we summarized the clinical features and outcomes in children by reviewing the published literature. Together with the two patients from CHMCU enrolled in this study, we identified 19 children diagnosed with KFD combined with the involvement of the central nervous system, including eight males and 11 females. The onset age ranges from 6 to 18 years (the median age was 14 and the interquartile range was 9–16). Sixteen patients were diagnosed with aseptic meningitis. Headache (78.9%, 15/19) was the most common symptom. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure was increased in 3 patients (60.0%, 3/5), cell count was elevated in 14 patients (73.7%, 14/19), glucose was decreased in 4 patients (21.0%, 4/19), and protein was elevated in 12 patients (63.1%, 12/19). A total of 9 patients had cranial imaging changes. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was performed on seven patients and 4 patients presented abnormal EEG (57.1%, 4/7). A total of 12 patients received steroid therapy; two were combined with antiepileptic treatment. In children, KFD complicated with the involvement of the central nervous system was rare and aseptic meningitis was the primary manifestation. Most patients had a good prognosis and a few had residual sequelae of neurological damage.
Transplacental methadone exposure and risk of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Authors: Bhatt‐Mehta Varsha , Jing Xinyue , Wang Xinwen , Zhu Hao‐Jie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractStudy ObjectiveNeonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is a condition that often occurs in neonates born to mothers who received methadone treatment for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Early identification and treatment of infants at risk of NOWS may improve clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether maternal and umbilical cord plasma concentrations of methadone and its metabolite, 2‐ethylidene‐1,5‐dimethyl‐3,3‐diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), could predict the need for NOWS treatment.DesignSingle‐center prospective study.SettingUniversity of Michigan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.PatientsThe study included 11 opioid‐dependent mother–infant dyads, where the mothers were treated with methadone at 34 weeks' gestation or later.InterventionMaternal and cord blood samples were collected from the study participants.Measurements and Main ResultsMaternal and cord plasma concentrations of methadone and EDDP were determined. Six out of the 11 infants required treatment for NOWS. Maternal methadone plasma concentrations were comparable between infants requiring and not requiring NOWS treatment (329.1 ± 229.7 ng/mL vs. 413.2 ± 329.8 ng/mL). However, the average cord plasma methadone concentration in infants who did not require NOWS treatment was 2.9‐fold higher than in those who required the treatment (120.0 ± 88.6 ng/mL vs. 40.9 ± 24.4 ng/mL), although the difference was not statistically significant. The ratios of maternal‐to‐cord methadone plasma concentrations were significantly higher in patients who required treatment for NOWS compared with those who did not (7.7 ± 1.9 vs. 3.5 ± 1.6, p = 0.003). Maternal and cord plasma EDDP concentrations and the maternal‐to‐cord plasma EDDP concentration ratios did not differ between patients who required and did not require treatment for NOWS.ConclusionsThe results suggest that methadone permeability across the blood–placental barrier may affect in utero exposure to methadone, and the maternal‐to‐cord methadone plasma concentration ratio could be a potential biomarker for predicting the need for NOWS treatment.
Noninvasive brain stimulation for spasticity rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Alashram Anas R. , Janada Qusai , Ghrear Tamara 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effects of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).Literature SurveyWe searched PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, REHABDATA, PEDro, CINAHL, AMED, and Web of Science until December 2022.MethodologyStudies were selected if they included PwMS, used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a main intervention, and were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including at least one outcome measure evaluating spasticity. Two researchers individually screened the selected studies. The study's quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaborations tool. The researchers decided that the meta‐analysis was not possible because the treatment interventions varied among the selected studies.SynthesisIn total, 147 studies were reviewed. Of them, nine studies met the eligibility criteria and included 193 PwMS (mean age = 43.2 years), 54.4% of whom were female. Eight studies were considered “high” quality and one was considered “moderate” quality. Seven studies that used rTMS demonstrated a significant decrease in spasticity in PwMS after the intervention. The remaining studies that provided tDCS did not show meaningful effects.ConclusionsThe evidence for the influences of rTMS on spasticity in PwMS is promising. The evidence for the impact of tDCS on spasticity in PwMS was limited. Further RCTs with long‐term follow‐ups are encouraged.
Patient‐reported outcomes during telehealth versus in‐person follow‐up visits for patients treated with extracorporeal shockwave therapy
Authors: Vu Kevin , Rhim Hye Chang , McCormack Molly , Fee Jonathan , Gureck Ashley , DeLuca Stephanie , Robinson David M. , Tenforde Adam S. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe limited research describing clinical outcomes using telehealth for management of musculoskeletal conditions is primarily within orthopedic surgery care.ObjectiveTo characterize differences in patient reported outcomes using telehealth compared with in‐person follow‐up visits in patients with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) or plantar fasciitis (PF) treated using extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT).DesignRetrospective chart review.SettingOutpatient sports medicine clinic.Patients82 patients with AT and 46 patients with PF.InterventionsIn‐person (n = 76) and telehealth (n = 52) follow‐up visits.Main Outcome MeasurementsVictorian Institute of Sports Assessment‐Achilles (VISA‐A) for AT and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) for PF as well as billing level.ResultsThere was significant improvement from baseline to final VISA‐A (p < .01) and FAAM (p < .01) following ESWT. No significant difference existed in the proportion of patients who met the minimal clinically important difference based on in‐person (71.1%) versus telehealth (71.2%) follow‐up (p = .99). The in‐person group demonstrated higher billing levels compared to the telehealth group (Level: 3.5 ± 0.6 vs. 2.8 ± 0.7, p < .01).ConclusionsGiven no significant differences in outcomes between two modes of follow‐ups, telehealth may serve as an alternative method to guide management of musculoskeletal injuries with ESWT and other procedures.
Engineering the catalytic activity of an Antarctic PET‐degrading enzyme by loop exchange
Authors: Blázquez‐Sánchez Paula , Vargas Jhon A. , Furtado Adriano A. , Griñen Aransa , Leonardo Diego A. , Sculaccio Susana A. , Pereira Humberto D'Muniz , Sonnendecker Christian , Zimmermann Wolfgang , Díez Beatriz , Garratt Richard C. , Ramírez‐Sarmiento César A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSeveral hydrolases have been described to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at moderate temperatures ranging from 25°C to 40°C. These mesophilic PET hydrolases (PETases) are less efficient in degrading this plastic polymer than their thermophilic homologs and have, therefore, been the subject of many protein engineering campaigns. However, enhancing their enzymatic activity through rational design or directed evolution poses a formidable challenge due to the need for exploring a large number of mutations. Additionally, evaluating the improvements in both activity and stability requires screening numerous variants, either individually or using high‐throughput screening methods. Here, we utilize instead the design of chimeras as a protein engineering strategy to increase the activity and stability of Mors1, an Antarctic PETase active at 25°C. First, we obtained the crystal structure of Mors1 at 1.6 Å resolution, which we used as a scaffold for structure‐ and sequence‐based chimeric design. Then, we designed a Mors1 chimera via loop exchange of a highly divergent active site loop from the thermophilic leaf‐branch compost cutinase (LCC) into the equivalent region in Mors1. After restitution of an active site disulfide bond into this chimera, the enzyme exhibited a shift in optimal temperature for activity to 45°C and an increase in fivefold in PET hydrolysis when compared with wild‐type Mors1 at 25°C. Our results serve as a proof of concept of the utility of chimeric design to further improve the activity and stability of PETases active at moderate temperatures.
External validation of biochemical recurrence definition to predict oncologic outcomes following focal therapy for localized prostate cancer using high intensity focused ultrasound
Authors: Mattlet Aurore , Limani Ksenija , Alexandre Peltier , Hawaux Eric , Abou Zahr Rawad , Aoun Fouad , Diamand Romain 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurposeThis is an external validation of several biochemical recurrence definitions based on prostate specific antigen criteria (PSA). The purpose is to predict the need of additional treatment and failure after focal therapy using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for localized prostate cancer (PCa).Materials and MethodsA total of 343 consecutive patients who underwent HIFU with Ablatherm® and Focal One® devices between June 2001 and November 2020 were identified. Treatment failure was defined as clinically significant PCa on postoperative biopsy, the need for salvage radical or systematic treatment, metastasis, or PCa‐related death. The biochemical recurrence definitions tested were PSA nadir, time to PSA nadir, percentage of PSA reduction, Huber et al. criteria defined as PSA nadir + 1 ng/mL at 12 months or PSA nadir + 1.5 ng/mL at 24−36 months. Multivariable Cox regression analysis and decision‐curve analysis were used to validate and compare criteria. Kaplan−Meier analysis was used to assess criteria associated with the highest accuracy.ResultsOne hundred seventy‐eight patients met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Overall, 61 (34%) and 41 (23%) patients had an additional treatment and failure with a median follow‐up of 52 months. At multivariable analysis, model including Huber et al. criteria exhibited the highest Harrell's C‐index for the prediction of the need of additional treatment (hazard ratio [HR]: 10, p < 0.001, c‐index: 84%) and treatment failure (HR: 9.1, p < 0.001, c‐index: 82%) as well as higher net benefit. The 60‐months need of additional treatment and treatment failure‐free survival were 89% and 98% compared to 26% and 49%, respectively, when stratified according to Huber et al. criteria (Log‐rank test, p < 0.001). Similar results were found after excluding patient with non‐clinically significant PCa at initial biopsy.ConclusionsWe report an external validation of biochemical recurrence definitions predicting the need of additional treatment and failure after focal therapy using HIFU for localized PCa. Huber et al. criteria were identified as the most accurate and could be used to guide clinicians toward further evaluation and salvage treatments.
Gut microbiota crosstalk mechanisms are key in pulmonary hypertension: The involvement of melatonin is instrumental too
Authors: Jacobs Steve , Payne Carmen , Shaboodien Sara , Kgatla Thato , Pretorius Amy , Jumaar Chrisstoffel , Sanni Olakunle , Butrous Ghazwan , Maarman Gerald 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe microbiota refers to a plethora of microorganisms with a gene pool of approximately three million, which inhabits the human gastrointestinal tract or gut. The latter, not only promotes the transport of nutrients, ions, and fluids from the lumen to the internal environment but is linked with the development of diseases including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and lung diseases. The exact mechanism of how the microbiota achieves crosstalk between itself and distant organs/tissues is not clear, but factors released to other organs may play a role, like inflammatory and genetic factors, and now we highlight melatonin as a novel mediator of the gut‐lung crosstalk. Melatonin is present in high concentrations in the gut and the lung and has recently been linked to the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). In this comprehensive review of the literature, we suggest that melatonin is an important link between the gut microbiota and the development of PH (where suppressed melatonin‐crosstalk between the gut and lungs could promote the development of PH). More studies are needed to investigate the link between the gut microbiota, melatonin and PH. Studies could also investigate whether microbiota genes play a role in the epigenetic aspects of PH. This is relevant because, for example, dysbiosis (caused by epigenetic factors) could reduce melatonin signaling between the gut and lungs, reduce subcellular melatonin concentrations in the gut/lungs, or reduce melatonin serum levels secondary to epigenetic factors. This area of research is largely unexplored and further studies are warranted.
Effect of rhizobium inoculation on rhizosphere phosphorous dynamics and fertilised phosphorous use efficiency in a maize–pigeon pea intercropping system in weathered tropical soil
Authors: Yamamoto Saki , Okazaki Shin , Monica Nakei D. , Ohkama‐Ohtsu Naoko , Tanaka Haruo , Sugihara Soh 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionLow phosphorus (P) use efficiency (PUE) of fertiliser is a critical problem in sustainable crop production, especially in strongly weathered tropical soils with a high P‐fixation capacity. Both intercropping and rhizobium inoculation have shown to improve the P availability of rhizosphere soil, but the effect of a combined approach of using both intercropping and rhizobium inoculation is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of rhizobium inoculation on the soil–plant P dynamics and fertilised PUE under the intercropping system in strongly weathered tropical soil.Materials and MethodsWe conducted an 85‐day cultivation pot experiment with pigeon pea (PP) and maize using highly weathered tropical soil under eight treatments: monocropping (CS) or intercropping, with or without rhizobium (Bradyrhizobium elkanii USDA61) inoculation (−I, +I) and with or without P fertilisation (0P, 50P) (2 × 2 × 2 = 8 treatments). We evaluated the effects of intercropping and rhizobium inoculation on plant growth parameters, P dynamics of the rhizosphere and bulk soil using the Hedley P fractionation method, the amount of organic acid from plant roots as a plant P‐mobilising capacity, and fertilised PUE.ResultsTotal plant P uptake per pot was significantly increased by intercropping but not by combining intercropping and rhizobium inoculation, resulting in better fertilised PUE only in intercropping. The available inorganic P (Pi) and less labile Pi of the soil were higher in the rhizosphere than those in the bulk by intercropping under 50P and were similar in PP + I under 50 P. The amount of organic acid per pot under 50P increased with each treatment, that is, intercropping and rhizobium inoculation, but not with their combination.ConclusionThe intercropping system has a strong potential to improve PUE by stimulating the P‐mobilising capacity of intercropping plant roots, whereas rhizobium inoculation of the intercropping system did not improve PUE in this study.
Sustainable and coordinated development: Green transition as a new driving force of regional economy
Authors: Xu Shengxia , Liu Qiang , Yang Jiahui 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA high‐quality green transition is essential to achieving sustainable and coordinated global development. In this paper, a new method of two‐step geometric average is proposed to measure green transition, and a comprehensive framework on the relationship between sustainability and coordination via the propelling force of green transition is constructed at both the national and provincial levels. In addition, the mediating effect model and the threshold model are employed to empirically verify the mechanisms and influences. According to the results, green transition can contribute to regional economic growth at national level and to the coordinated development of regional economies at provincial level in China. Meanwhile, the non‐linear ‘U‐shaped’ relationships between green transition and regional economy are demonstrated in Asia and the eastern region of China, and spillover effect of technological innovation can indirectly promote regional development. In addition, the heterogeneity effect of green transition fully releases the dividend of economic quality and environmental governance capacity, promoting the coordinated development of regional economies. In the meantime, the driving force of green transition on regional economy is dependent on the external environment, particularly before and after the outbreak of COVID‐19, when its impact has altered substantially. Therefore, it is necessary to promote green transition via greater technological innovation efficiency, and then to restore the vitality of regional economic development; which could provide policy makers and professionals in the regional economy with information for enhancing sustainable and coordinated development.
Semiparametric probit regression model with misclassified current status data
Authors: Fang Lijun , Li Shuwei , Sun Liuquan , Song Xinyuan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCurrent status data arise when each subject under study is examined only once at an observation time, and one only knows the failure status of the event of interest at the observation time rather than the exact failure time. Moreover, the obtained failure status is frequently subject to misclassification due to imperfect tests, yielding misclassified current status data. This article conducts regression analysis of such data with the semiparametric probit model, which serves as an important alternative to existing semiparametric models and has recently received considerable attention in failure time data analysis. We consider the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation and develop an expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm by incorporating the generalized pool‐adjacent‐violators (PAV) algorithm to maximize the intractable likelihood function. The resulting estimators of regression parameters are shown to be consistent, asymptotically normal, and semiparametrically efficient. Furthermore, the numerical results in simulation studies indicate that the proposed method performs satisfactorily in finite samples and outperforms the naive method that ignores misclassification. We then apply the proposed method to a real dataset on chlamydia infection.