bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Uric acid relationships with lipid profile and adiposity indices: Impact of different hyperuricemic thresholds
Authors: Maloberti Alessandro , Vanoli Jennifer , Finotto Alessandra , Bombelli Michele , Facchetti Rita , Redon Pau , Mancia Giuseppe , Grassi Guido 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPrevious studies focused on the relationships between Serum Uric Acid (SUA) and lipids have found an association mainly with triglycerides. Furthermore, previous studies on adiposity indices have been focused on the evaluation of the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI). The present study was aimed at providing within the same population a systematic evaluation of lipids and adiposity indices with SUA, employing both the classic cutoff for hyperuricemia and the newly one identified by the Uric Acid Right for Heart Health (URRAH) study. We analyzed data collected in 1892 subjects of the Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate E loro Associazioni (PAMELA) study with available SUA, lipid profile and variables necessary to calculate VAI, Cardio‐Metabolic Index (CMI) and Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP). At linear regression model (corrected for confounders) SUA correlated with all the lipids values (with the strongest β for triglycerides) and adiposity indices. When the two different cutoffs were compared, the URRAH one was significantly related to atherogenic lipids profile (OR 1.207 for LDL and 1.33 for non‐HDL, P < 0.001) while this was not the case for the classic one. Regarding adiposity indices the classic cutoff displays highest OR as compared to the URRAH one. In conclusions, newly reported URRAH cutoff for hyperuricemia better relate to atherogenic lipoprotein (LDL and non‐HDL) when compared to the classic one. The opposite has been found for adiposity indexes where the classic cut‐off seems to present highest performance. Among adiposity indexes, LAP present the highest OR for the relationship with hyperuricemia.
Multiple machine learning methods aided virtual screening of NaV1.5 inhibitors
Authors: Kong Weikaixin , Huang Weiran , Peng Chao , Zhang Bowen , Duan Guifang , Ma Weining , Huang Zhuo 
Published: December 2022

AbstractNav1.5 sodium channels contribute to the generation of the rapid upstroke of the myocardial action potential and thereby play a central role in the excitability of myocardial cells. At present, the patch clamp method is the gold standard for ion channel inhibitor screening. However, this method has disadvantages such as high technical difficulty, high cost and low speed. In this study, novel machine learning models to screen chemical blockers were developed to overcome the above shortage. The data from the ChEMBL Database were employed to establish the machine learning models. Firstly, six molecular fingerprints together with five machine learning algorithms were used to develop 30 classification models to predict effective inhibitors. A validation and a test set were used to evaluate the performance of the models. Subsequently, the privileged substructures tightly associated with the inhibition of the Nav1.5 ion channel were extracted using the bioalerts Python package. In the validation set, the RF‐Graph model performed best. Similarly, RF‐Graph produced the best result in the test set in which the Prediction Accuracy (Q) was 0.9309 and Matthew's correlation coefficient was 0.8627, further indicating the model had high classification ability. The results of the privileged substructures indicated Sulfa structures and fragments with large Steric hindrance tend to block Nav1.5. In the unsupervised learning task of identifying sulfa drugs, MACCS and Graph fingerprints had good results. In summary, effective machine learning models have been constructed which help to screen potential inhibitors of the Nav1.5 ion channel and key privileged substructures with high affinity were also extracted.
The main features of physician assistants/associates and insights for the development of similar professions in China
Authors: Jiang Huili , Zhao Qianqian , Chen Keyu , Yang Juntao , Li Qing 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe physician assistant/associate (PA) profession originated in the United States; PAs play an active role in alleviating the shortage of health and medical resources and improving the quality of medical care. This position has been introduced in and developed by many countries. Based on extensive literature research, this article summarizes the three main features of PAs, namely, that there is professional education for training PAs, the PA is an independent and exclusive professional type and PAs assist doctors in completing medical work. With reference to the innovative concept of the PA profession, this article summarized the existing “assistant” position in China that is similar to the PA position, compared it with the three features of PAs, revealed the shortcomings of the existing “assistant” position in China, provided a reference for the development of relevant careers in China, and provided solutions for solving the problems of medical and health resources in China.
A double blind randomized controlled trial to assess efficacy of nutritional therapy for prevention of recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Ahuja Hardik , Sharma Barjesh Chander , Sachdeva Sanjeev , Mahajan Bhawna , Sharma Ashok , Bara Sushma , Srivastava Siddharth , Kumar Ajay , Dalal Ashok , Sonika Ujjwal 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackground and AimOvert hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) has high risk of recurrence and is associated with poor survival. The role of nutrition therapy is well documented in cirrhosis, but its efficacy in preventing the recurrence of OHE has not been studied.MethodsIn double blind RCT, we randomly assigned 150 patients with liver cirrhosis, with history of OHE in recent past to receive nutrition therapy (group I) or no nutrition therapy (group II) and followed up for 6 months. The primary efficacy end points were occurrence of breakthrough episodes and time to breakthrough episode of OHE. Secondary end points were OHE related hospitalizations and time to hospitalization involving OHE. Other parameters included anthropometry, changes in serum cytokines (IL‐1, IL‐6, IL‐10, and TNF‐α), endotoxin and myostatin.ResultsThere was significant reduction in occurrence of breakthrough episodes of OHE in group I [10 vs 36, hazard ratio 0.20; P < 0.001], OHE‐related hospitalization [8 vs 24, hazard ratio 0.27; P < 0.001)]. Times to breakthrough episode of OHE and OHE‐related hospitalization were longer in group I. At the end of 6 months, inflammatory and anthropometry parameters showed significant improvement in group I compared with worsening of serum albumin, anthropometric parameters, IL‐6, IL‐10 and TNF‐α in group II. At the end of 6 months, ascites (50 vs 66, P = 0.01), gastrointestinal bleed (2 vs 11, P = 0.007), and jaundice (16 vs 41, P < 0.001) were lower in group I.ConclusionsTreatment with nutrition therapy prevented recurrence of OHE and decreased OHE‐related hospitalizations as compared with no nutrition therapy.
Ambulance use and subsequent fragmented hospital readmission among older adults
Authors: Turbow Sara D. , Culler Steven D. , Vaughan Camille P. , Rask Kimberly J. , Perkins Molly M. , Clevenger Carolyn K. , Ali Mohammed K. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundInterhospital care fragmentation, when a patient is readmitted to a different hospital than they were originally discharged from, occurs in 20%–25% of readmissions. Mode of transport to the hospital, specifically ambulance use, may be a risk factor for fragmented readmissions. Our study seeks to further understand the relationship between ambulance transport and fragmented readmissions in older adults, a population that is at increased risk for poor outcomes following fragmented readmissions.MethodsWe analyzed inpatient claims from Medicare beneficiaries in 2018 who had a hospital admission for select Hospital Readmission Reduction Program Conditions (acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia) as well as dehydration, syncope, urinary tract infection, or behavioral issues. We evaluated the associations between ambulance transport and a fragmented readmission using logistic regression models adjusted for demographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics.ResultsThe study included 1,186,600 30‐day readmissions. Of these, 46.8% (n = 555,847) required ambulance transport. In fully adjusted models, taking an ambulance to the readmission hospital increased the odds of a fragmented readmission by 38% (95% CI 1.32, 1.44). When this association was examined by readmission major diagnostic category (MDC), the strongest associations were seen for Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services (i.e., rehabilitation, aftercare) (AOR 3.66, 95% CI 3.11, 4.32), Mental Diseases and Disorders (AOR 2.69, 95% CI 2.44, 2.97), and Multiple Significant Trauma (AOR 2.61, 95% CI 1.56, 4.35). When the model was stratified by patient origin, ambulance use remained associated with fragmented readmissions across all locations.ConclusionsAmbulance use is associated with increased odds of a fragmented readmission, though the strength of the association varies by readmission diagnosis and origin. Patient‐, hospital‐, and system‐level interventions should be developed, implemented, and evaluated to address this modifiable risk factor.
Glucocorticoid‐sensitive period of corticotroph development—Implications for mechanisms of early life stress
Authors: Peles Guy , Swaminathan Amrutha , Levkowitz Gil 
Published: December 2022

AbstractCorticotrophs are intermediaries in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which plays a crucial role in stress response in vertebrates. The HPA axis displays an intricate mode of negative feedback regulation, whereby the peripheral effector, cortisol inhibits the secretion of its upstream regulator, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from proopiomelanocortin (POMC)‐expressing cells in the pituitary. While the feedback regulation of the HPA axis is well characterized in the adult organism, the effect of feedback regulation on the development of corticotrophs is poorly understood. Here, we studied the effect of glucocorticoids on the development of POMC‐expressing cells in the zebrafish pituitary. The development of POMC cells showed a steady increase in numbers between 2–6 days post fertilization. Inhibition of endogenous glucocorticoid synthesis resulted in an increase in POMC cell number due to reduced developmental feedback inhibition of cortisol on POMC cells. Conversely, addition of exogenous dexamethasone at a critical developmental window led to a decrease in corticotroph cell number, mimicking greater feedback control due to increased cortisol levels. Finally, developmental dysregulation of ACTH levels resulted in impaired anxiety‐like and stress‐coping behaviours. Hence, we identified a sensitive developmental window for the effect of glucocorticoids on corticotrophs and demonstrate the downstream effect on stress‐responsive behaviour.
Parental protection in fathers with negative caregiving experiences: Heightened amygdala reactivity to infant threatening situations
Authors: Riem Madelon M. E. , Witte Annemieke M. , Lotz Anna M. , Cima Maaike , van IJzendoorn Marinus H. , Bakermans‐Kranenburg Marian J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractParental protection is an important, yet understudied, aspect of parenting behavior. Predictors of the quality of protection and potential underlying neural mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we examined whether negative caregiving experiences in fathers’ own childhood are related to protective behavior and neural reactivity to infant threatening situations. Paternal protective behavior was measured with self‐ and partner‐reported protective behavior and behavioral observations in an experimental set‐up (auditory startling task) in 121 first‐time fathers (mean age child = 19.35 weeks, SD = 11.27). Neural activation during exposure to videos of infant‐threatening (vs. neutral) situations was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We found a significant and positive association between negative caregiving experiences and amygdala reactivity to infant‐threatening situations. A history of negative caregiving experiences was not significantly related to reported or observed paternal protective behavior. Our findings suggest that fathers with negative caregiving experiences show emotional hyperreactivity to cues of infant threat.
Prolactin and glucocorticoid receptors in the prefrontal cortex are associated with anxiety‐like behavior in prenatally stressed adolescent offspring rats
Authors: Yao Dan , Lu Yong , Li Li , Wang Shan , Mu Yingjun , Ding Chenxi , Zhao Jing , Liu Mingzhe , Xu Meina , Wu Haoyue , Dou Chengyin , Zhu Zhongliang , Li Hui 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPrenatal stress (PS) causes anxiety in mothers and their offspring and chewing is a commonly observed behavior during maternal stress. Prolactin (PRL) is an anti‐anxiety factor that suppresses the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Here, we studied the roles of PRL, corticosterone (CORT), and their receptors in PS‐induced anxiety‐like behavior in dams and their offspring. We further investigated whether chewing during maternal stress could prevent PS‐induced harmful consequences. Pregnant rats were randomly divided into PS, PS + chewing, and control groups. Anxiety‐like behaviors of dams and their adolescent offspring were assessed using the open field test and elevated plus maze. Serum levels of PRL and CORT were measured by ELISA. Expression of mRNA and protein of PRLR and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were evaluated by qRT‐PCR and western blotting, respectively. Compared to the control rats, dams and their female offspring, but not male offspring, in the PS group showed increased anxiety‐like behaviors. The PS‐affected rats had a lower serum PRL level and increased PRLR expression in the PFC. In contrast, these rats had a higher serum CORT level and decreased GR expression in the PFC. Chewing ameliorated anxiety‐like behaviors and counteracted stress‐induced changes in serum PRL and CORT, as well as the expression of their receptors in the PFC. Conclusion: PS‐induced anxiety‐like behavior is associated with changes in the serum levels of PRL and CORT and expression of their receptors in the PFC. Moreover, chewing blunts the hormonal and receptor changes and may serve as an effective stress‐coping method for preventing PS‐induced anxiety‐like behavior.
Pups and prolactin are rewarding to virgin female and pregnant mice
Authors: Swart Judith M. , Grattan David R. , Ladyman Sharon R. , Brown Rosemary S. E. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMaternal interactions with offspring are highly rewarding, which reinforces expression of essential caregiving behaviours that promote offspring survival. In rats, the rewarding effect of pups depends on reproductive state, with lactating females specifically developing strong preferences for pup‐associated contexts. Whether this also occurs in mice is unknown, hence we aimed to characterise pup‐related preference across reproductive states in female mice. In a conditioned place preference (CPP) test, pups were a rewarding stimulus to female mice prior to lactation, with virgin and pregnant females developing a preference for a pup‐associated context. We have previously shown that lactogenic hormones, acting through the prolactin receptor (Prlr), play an important role in maternal motivation. Here, we aimed to investigate whether Prlr action is important for pup‐related reward behaviour in mice. We showed that prolactin itself had a reinforcing effect in a CPP test, and that exposure to pups increased blood prolactin levels in virgin female mice. Prlr expression in CamKIIα‐expressing neurons and GABAergic neurons has previously been shown to be important for different aspects of parental behaviour. However, we found that conditional Prlr deletion from either of these neuronal populations did not disrupt the development of a preference for pup‐associated contexts in pregnant female mice, indicating that lactogenic action on these populations is not necessary for the rewarding effect of pups. Together, these data show that while lactogenic hormones likely contribute to a rewarding effect of pups, their action on two key neuronal populations is not necessary for this effect in female mice.
miR‐297 inhibits expression of progesterone receptor and decidualization in eutopic endometria of endometriosis
Authors: Liu Tingting , Xiao Li , Pei Tianjiao , Luo Bin , Tan Jing , Long Ying , Huang Xin , Ouyang Yunwei , Huang Wei 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAimProgesterone resistance is an epigenetic factor that reduces endometrial receptivity and causes implantation failure in women with endometriosis. In addition, dysregulated miRNAs contribute to the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of endometriosis. This study aimed to determine the effect of miR‐297 on the progesterone receptor (PR) expression and on insufficient decidualization of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) within the eutopic endometria of infertile women with minimal or mild endometriosis.MethodsESCs were isolated from infertile endometriosis and normal patients and were transfected with miR‐297 mimic or miR‐297 inhibitor or respective control. qRT‐PCR and western blot were conducted to quantify the expression of miR‐297 and PR. The effect of miR‐297 on ESCs decidualization was investigated by induced decidualization in vitro.ResultsWe observed an increase in miR‐297 expression and a decrease in the expression of PR in the ESCs from endometriosis patients. Moreover, the expression of PR, most notably PRB, was found to be downregulated following transfection with miR‐297 mimic and upregulated following treatment with miR‐297 inhibitor. In addition, overexpressed miR‐297 inhibited the decidualization of ESCs in vitro. We further determined that miR‐297 exerts direct regulatory effects on PR expression.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that miR‐297 interferes with fertility by repressing the expression of PR and preventing efficient decidualization in eutopic endometria. Further, miR‐297 directly contributes to progesterone resistance in minimal or mild cases of endometriosis. Thus, regulation of miR‐297 may prove to be a promising therapeutic strategy for endometriosis.
South Korean adolescents' delinquency, disclosure, parental knowledge, parent–child closeness, and delinquent peer associations
Authors: Rudy Duane , Han Seunghee , Yu Mansoo 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe present study sought to examine longitudinal associations among delinquency, children's disclosure to parents, parent‐child relationship quality, and parental knowledge in a South Korean sample. Longitudinal research shows that in Western samples, delinquency is negatively associated with the latter three variables. We also sought to test whether the associations varied across gender. We found little evidence of significant reciprocal relationships among the variables and no differences in associations across gender. A second analysis revealed that adolescents’ involvement with delinquent peers was a good predictor of subsequent delinquency for males and females. Implications of the findings for future research and practice are discussed.
Intake of energy, protein, amino acids and minerals by dogs under energy restriction for body weight loss when fed with commercial weight loss diets
Authors: Luis Leticia W. , Goloni Camila , Theodoro Stephanie de Souza , Tozato Maria E. G. , Pacheco Leticia G. , Monti Mariana , Carciofi Aulus C. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThis retrospective study evaluated energy and nutrient intake of dogs in a weight loss programme. Ninety‐four obese dogs were divided into three groups: G5–15: from 5% to 15% body weight (BW) loss (n = 55); G155–25: from 15.1% to 25% BW loss (n = 29); and G > 25: more than 25.1% BW loss (n = 10). Five brands of kibble diets designed for weight loss were analysed for crude protein, amino acids, fat, dietary fibre, and minerals. The food metabolizable energy (ME) was estimated (NRC, 2006). Data were compared inside each group using the paired t test and between groups with analysis of variance and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). The BW loss (weeks in regimen) was: G5–15, 9.8% ± 2.7% (13.5 ± 5.7 weeks); G15–25, 17.5% ± 2.7% (22.6 ± 11.9 weeks); G > 25, 30.0% ± 2.1% (50.4 ± 17.4% weeks; p < 0.01). The mean weekly BW loss rate was similar between groups (0.8% ± 0.3%; p > 0.05) but was higher during the first (0.96.6% ± 0.5%) than in the second (0.64% ± 0.4%) half of the regimen (p < 0.01). At beginning ME intake for BW loss did not differ (251.6 ± 32.2 kJ/kg0.75/day), but it was lower for G > 25 in the second half of the regimen (230.3 ± 44.3; p = 0.02). Considering the observed ME intake of each dog, depending on the commercial product, intake below recommended for maintenance was verified for crude protein in 1%–20% of the dogs, methionine in 4%–38% of dogs, methionine plus cystine in 4%–22% of dogs, tryptophan in 7%–93% of dogs, potassium in 2%–85% of dogs and magnesium in 1% up to 95% of dogs. Although the diets presented elevated nutrient concentrations per MJ, due to the reduced energy allowance, the estimated intake of several nutrients was lower than the recommendations, highlighting the importance of changing the formulation perspective, which must prioritize the actual nutrient intake per kg of BW during the energy deficit.
Impact of educational policies on access to health care in Brazil: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Figueiredo Alexandre Medeiros , de Lima Kenio Costa , McKinley Danette Waller , del Carmen Junco Goméz Maria , Azevedo George Dantas 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIntroductionVarious initiatives to improve access to health care have been implemented internationally. In Brazil, this has included policies intended to expand access to higher education for underrepresented socio‐economic groups. These measures have reduced inequalities in access to medical education, but it is not known whether they influence career choices. We examine the effect of these educational policies on physician practice patterns in primary care and/or in medically underserved areas.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional study that analysed the association between affirmative educational policies and the career choices of physicians who graduated between 2010 and 2015. Multivariate binary regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of affirmative educational policies on physician career choices, including primary care practice, practice in cities with ≤20 000 inhabitants, and practice in less developed municipalities 4 years after graduation.ResultsWe identified the practice patterns of 65 304 (82.8%) physicians 4 years after their graduation. Most physicians included in our analysis were female (54.5%), aged ≤27 years (72.4%), born in developed cities and studied in private medical schools. Physicians admitted to medical school based on racial or social access policies were more likely to practice in municipalities with fewer than 20 000 inhabitants (odds ratio [OR]: 1.64; 1.36–1.98) and in primary care (OR: 1.55; 1.35–1.53). Physicians who benefited from scholarships for under‐represented socio‐economic groups were more likely to practice in small cities (OR: 1.24; 1.07–1.43) and primary care (OR: 1.23; 1.11–1.37). The provision of financial aid also improved the likelihood of practice in primary care and underserved areas. Graduation from medical schools located in smaller cities was associated with practice in municipalities ≤20 000 inhabitants and primary care.ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that educational policies implemented in the Brazilian context are effective in reducing inequities in physician distribution and led to an increase in the number of physicians practicing in primary care.