bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Osteoarthritis and sarcopenia-related traits: the cross-sectional study from NHANES 2011–2014 and Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Shuai , Han Huawei , Jin Jie , Zhou Guowei , Li Zhiwei 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) and sarcopenia are common musculoskeletal disorders in the aged population, and a growing body of evidence indicated that they mutually influence one another. Nevertheless, there was still substantial controversy and uncertainty about the causal relationship between sarcopenia and OA. We explored the complex association between sarcopenia-related traits and OA using cross-sectional analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods
The cross-sectional study used the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014. Weighted multivariable-adjusted logistic regression and subgroup analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between sarcopenia, grip, appendicular lean mass (ALM) and the risk of OA. Then, we further performed MR analysis to examine the causal effect of sarcopenia-related traits (grip strength, ALM) on OA. Instrumental variables for grip strength and ALM were from the UK Biobank, and the summary-level data for OA was derived from the Genetics of Osteoarthritis (GO) Consortium GWAS (n = 826,690).

Results
In this cross-sectional analysis, we observed that sarcopenia, grip were significantly linked with the risk of OA (OR 1.607, 95% CI 1.233–2.094, P < 0.001), (OR 0.972, 95% CI 0.964–0.979, P < 0.001). According to subgroup analyses stratified by gender, body mass index (BMI), and age, the significant positive relationship between sarcopenia and OA remained in males, females, the age (46–59 years) group, and the BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2) group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, MR analysis and sensitivity analyses showed causal associations between right grip, left grip and KOA (OR 0.668; 95% CI 0.509 to 0.877; P = 0.004), (OR 0.786; 95% CI 0.608 to 0.915; P = 0.042). Consistent directional effects for all analyses were observed in both the MR-Egger and weighted median methods. Subsequently, sensitivity analyses revealed no heterogeneity, directional pleiotropy or outliers for the causal effect of grip strength on KOA (P > 0.05).

Conclusions
Our research provided evidence that sarcopenia is correlated with an increased risk of OA, and there was a protective impact of genetically predicted grip strength on OA. These findings needed to be verified in further prospective cohort studies with a large sample size.
Icariin promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells in patients with osteoporosis and T2DM by upregulating GLI-1
Authors: Xia Sheng-li , Ma Zi-yuan , Wang Bin , Gao Feng , Guo Sheng-yang , Chen Xu-han 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
The function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from patients with osteoporosis (OP) is impaired and worsens in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Icariin (ICA) is the major active flavonoid glucoside isolated from traditional Chinese herbal Epimedium pubescens, and confirmed able to improve bone mass of OP patients.

Objective
To investigate the effect of ICA on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone-derived MSCs (BMSCs) from patients with OP and T2DM and uncover the potential mechanism.

Methods
BMSCs were treated with ICA, and proliferation and osteogenic potency were evaluated using the 2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and detection of osteogenic markers (ALP, RUNX2, SPP1, COL1A1, and mineralized nodules) was performed. RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after ICA treatment and screen proliferation- and osteogenic differentiation-related processes. Gene gain and loss were performed to confirm the role of the key candidate gene.

Results
ICA significantly promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. A total of 173 DEGs were identified after ICA treatment. Six DEGs (GLI-1, IGF2, BMP6, WNT5A, PTHLH, and MAPK14) enriched in both proliferation- and osteogenic differentiation-related processes were screened; GLI-1 had the highest validated |log2FC| value. Overexpression of GLI-1 enhanced the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and knockdown of GLI-1 weakened the positive effect of ICA on BMSCs.

Conclusion
ICA promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of impaired BMSCs by upregulating GLI-1.
The mental health toll of COVID-19: significant increase in admissions to ICU for voluntary self-inflicted injuries after the beginning of the pandemic
Authors: Mongodi Silvia , Salve Giulia , Ravasi Marta , Rizzi Damiano , Mangiagalli Matteo , Musella Valeria , Klersy Catherine , Ansaloni Luca , Mojoli Francesco 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
COVID-19 outbreak deeply impacted on mental health, with high rate of psychological distress in healthcare professionals, patients and general population. Current literature on trauma showed no increase in ICU admissions for deliberate self-inflicted injuries in the first weeks after the beginning of COVID-19.

Objectives
We tested the hypothesis that self-inflicted injuries/harms of any method requiring ICU admission increased in the year following COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods
Retrospective cohort single-center study comparing admissions to ICU the year before and the year after the pandemic start. All patients admitted to polyvalent ICUs—Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy from February 21st, 2019 to February 21st, 2020 (pre-COVID) and from February 22nd, 2020 to February 22nd, 2021 (post-COVID) were enrolled.

Results
We enrolled 1038 pre-COVID and 854 post-COVID patients. In post-COVID, the incidence of self-inflicted injuries was 32/854 (3.8% [2.5–5.1]), higher than in pre-COVID (23/1038, 2.2%–p = 0.0014—relative increase 72.7%). The increase was more relevant when excluding COVID-19 patients (suicide attempts 32/697 (4.6% [3.0–6.2])–relative increase 109.1%; p < 0.0001).
Both in pre-COVID and post-COVID, the most frequent harm mean was poisoning [15 (65.2%) vs. 25 (78.1%), p = 0.182] and the analysed population was younger than general ICU population (p = 0.0015 and < 0.0001, respectively). The distribution of admissions for self-inflicted injuries was homogeneous in pre-COVID along the year. In post-COVID, no admissions were registered during the lockdown; an increase was observed in summer with pandemic curve at minimal levels.

Conclusions
An increase in ICU admissions for self-inflicted injuries/harms was observed in the year following COVID-19 outbreak.
Study of novel bidentate heterocyclic amine-based metal complexes and their biological activities: cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity evaluation
Authors: Fahmy Heba M. , Abdel-Rahman Fatma M. , El-Sayed Anwar A. , El-Sherif Ahmed A. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMetallic antitumor drugs with heterocyclic ligands, such as novel AMI (amino methyl imidazole) complexes [Pd(AMI)Cl2](1), [Cu(AMI)L1](2), and [Cu(AMI)L2·2H2O](3) where L1 = oxalate and L2 = malonate, were synthesized and characterized. Assessments included elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The cytotoxicity of AMI complexes compared to cisplatin was assessed using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl] 2,5diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay with breast (MCF-7) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. After treating these cells with the AMI complexes' IC50 values for 48 h, malondialdehyde levels and catalase activity were used to assess oxidative stress, antioxidant activity was evaluated with DPPH radical scavenging method, comet assays assessed DNA damage, and DNA fragmentation was evaluated using the gel electrophoresis. In vitro, antimicrobial activity was assessed using a disc diffusion method. The anticancer activity results showed that IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) values of complex one, two, and three against MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cells are 0.156 ± 0.0006, 0.125 ± 0.001, 0.277 ± 0.002 μM respectively for MCF-7 cells and 0.222 ± 0.0005, 0.126 ± 0.0009, 0.152 ± 0.001 μM respectively for HeLa cells. Complex two demonstrated strong anticancer activity against MCF-7 and Hela cells. The study of oxidative stress parameters revealed that Malondialdehyde levels increased in cancer cell lines treated with complexes compared to untreated cells. Catalase activity decreased in cells treated with palladium chelate. The DPPH radical scavenging assay results identified that complex one was a more potent antioxidant in MCF-7 and Hela cells than other complexes with SC50 values of 227.5 ± 0.28 and 361 ± 1.2 μL/mL, respectively. The comet assay results showed that complex two caused significant DNA damage in MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cells treated. Antimicrobial assays identified complex three as the most effective. Copper complexes give better antifungal activity against A. flavus than the palladium complex. We conclude that complex two is the most active in both cell types and might be assessed as a clinically useful drug for breast cancer treatment. The significance of the current study is the synthesis of antitumor drugs containing heterocyclic ligands, such as novel AMI complexes, and the study of their biological activities.
Potential diagnostic value of CSF metabolism-related proteins across the Alzheimer’s disease continuum
Authors: Paciotti Silvia , Wojdała Anna Lidia , Bellomo Giovanni , Toja Andrea , Chipi Elena , Piersma Sander R. , Pham Thang V. , Gaetani Lorenzo , Jimenez Connie R. , Parnetti Lucilla , Chiasserini Davide 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) core biomarkers (Aβ42/40 ratio, p-tau, and t-tau) provide high diagnostic accuracy, even at the earliest stage of disease. However, these markers do not fully reflect the complex AD pathophysiology. Recent large scale CSF proteomic studies revealed several new AD candidate biomarkers related to metabolic pathways. In this study we measured the CSF levels of four metabolism-related proteins not directly linked to amyloid- and tau-pathways (i.e., pyruvate kinase, PKM; aldolase, ALDO; ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1, UCHL1, and fatty acid-binding protein 3, FABP3) across the AD continuum. We aimed at validating the potential value of these proteins as new CSF biomarkers for AD and their possible involvement in AD pathogenesis, with specific interest on the preclinical phase of the disease.

Methods
CSF PKM and ALDO activities were measured with specific enzyme assays while UCHL1 and FABP3 levels were measured with immunoassays in a cohort of patients composed as follows: preclinical AD (pre-AD, n = 19, cognitively unimpaired), mild cognitive impairment due to AD (MCI-AD, n = 50), dementia due to AD (ADdem, n = 45), and patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD, n = 37). Individuals with MCI not due to AD (MCI, n = 30) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD, n = 52) with negative CSF AD-profile, were enrolled as control groups.

Results
CSF UCHL1 and FABP3 levels, and PKM activity were significantly increased in AD patients, already at the pre-clinical stage. CSF PKM activity was also increased in FTD patients compared with control groups, being similar between AD and FTD patients. No difference was found in ALDO activity among the groups.
UCHL1 showed good performance in discriminating early AD patients (pre-AD and MCI-AD) from controls (AUC ~ 0.83), as assessed by ROC analysis. Similar results were obtained for FABP3. Conversely, PKM provided the best performance when comparing FTD vs. MCI (AUC = 0.80). Combination of PKM, FABP3, and UCHL1 improved the diagnostic accuracy for the detection of patients within the AD continuum when compared with single biomarkers.

Conclusions
Our study confirmed the potential role of UCHL1 and FABP3 as neurodegenerative biomarkers for AD. Furthermore, our results validated the increase of PKM activity in CSF of AD patients, already at the preclinical phase of the disease. Increased PKM activity was observed also in FTD patients, possibly underlining similar alterations in energy metabolism in AD and FTD.
High-strength and flexible mechanism for body weight support
Authors: Sugiura Sojiro , Unde Jayant , Zhu Yaonan , Hasegawa Yasuhisa 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWearable body weight support systems can assist individuals with mobility impairments in performing daily living activities with greater ease and independence. However, existing systems have limitations in terms of balancing their strength, compact size, interaction with the ground, and driving. In this paper, we present the High-Strength and Flexible Mechanism (HSFM) designed for body weight support. The HSFM utilizes a coiling truss mechanism to perform flexible transformation between a straight and spiral shape. Its complex linkages create the mechanical constraints of the structure and enhance its stiffness. Additionally, the HSFM achieved a high extension rate, effective wire-driven mechanism, and smooth shift of the grounding point. We provide a detailed description of the HSFM, including the simplest 4-linkage mechanism, its mechanical constraints, and the wire-driven mechanism. Moreover, we conducted parametric analysis and geometric calculation on the link structure. The results justified the mechanical constraints of the HSFM and ensured the high extension rate. Further, its functionality for body weight support was evaluated with the hardware and showed sufficient results in terms of strength, smooth grounding, and wire-driven. This novel mechanism has the potential to develop a wearable body weight support robot enhancing daily living activities such as sit-to-stand transfer and walking.
Adherence to Injury Prevention Exercise Programmes in Amateur Adolescent and Adult Football: A Detailed Description of Programme Use from a Randomised Study
Authors: Lindblom Hanna , Waldén Markus , Hägglund Martin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundInjury prevention exercise programmes (IPEPs) efficaciously reduce injuries. However, it is challenging to achieve sufficient adherence across a season. The main aim was to describe adherence to IPEPs in three groups of coaches and players partaking in a cluster randomised trial. Secondary aims were to describe perceptions of IPEPs, use of programme material, and overall preventive strategies.MethodsThis is a sub-study analysing data from a three-armed randomised trial with teams randomised to use either a comprehensive IPEP (extendedKnee Control) or an adductor strength programme, and non-randomised teams that already used a self-chosen IPEP regularly at study start (comparison group). Teams were instructed to use their respective intervention across the 2020 football season. Male and female, adolescent (≥ 14 years of age), and adult amateur players took part. Coaches and players responded to weekly and end-of-season questionnaires. Data were presented descriptively.ResultsWeekly player data were reported by 502 players (weekly response rate 65%), 289 (58%) responded to end-of-season questionnaires. Teams in the extendedKnee Controland comparison group used their respective IPEP in 483/529 (91%) and 585/641 (91%) of training sessions, and teams in the adductor group in in 199/315 (63%) sessions. Regarding utilisation fidelity, 42–52% of players in each group used 1–10 repetitions per exercise. Seven out of 17 teams in the adductor group had progressed as recommended in terms of number of repetitions. Two teams (10%) in the extendedKnee Controlgroup, and 7/24 of comparison teams used the same exercises across the season. Coaches accessed the IPEPs by different means (printed material, films, workshops, etc.), but half did not use the provided digital material. The players appreciated that the IPEPs could reduce injury risk and that they improved their exercise performance, but disliked that they had less time for football and that the exercises were boring. Forty-nine players had experienced pain during IPEP performance.ConclusionsAdherence with the IPEPs was generally high. To meet different coach needs, programme material should be available via different digital and printed resources. The number of players reporting pain during IPEP performance is a noteworthy finding.Trial registrationClinical Trials gov identifier: NCT04272047. Registered February 17, 2020.https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04272047.
Integrated in vivo and in silico evaluation of sweet basil oil as a protective agent against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in mice
Authors: Mohamed Doaa Shaaban , Shehata Olfat , Labib Mai Mohamed , Shaban Nema Sayed 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Cisplatin is a wide-ranging antineoplastic drug. Neurotoxicity is one of cisplatin’s side effects that restrict its usage. This study aimed to investigate the possible protective properties of sweet basil oil against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in mice. A docking study was carried out to elucidate the fundamental mechanism of sweet basil oil’s ameliorative influence. Thirty male mice were allocated into three groups as follows: control group, cisplatin group (2.3 mg/kg), and sweet basil oil group (25 µl/kg basil oil + cisplatin 2.3 mg/kg). Cisplatin was given for five successive days, followed by five days of rest, for two cycles, while sweet basil oil was orally administered for 21 successive days.

Results
Our results revealed that sweet basil oil’s antioxidant activity ameliorated the oxidative stress induced by cisplatin in mice’s brains via lowering MDA levels and increasing CAT activity and Nrf2 levels. Also, the anti-apoptotic activity of sweet basil oil was obvious via lowering the gene expression levels of Bid and caspase-3 but did not affect the serum level of P38 MAPK. Changes in acetylcholinesterase activity, serotonin and dopamine levels induced by cisplatin were significantly alleviated by sweet basil oil.

Conclusion
Sweet basil oil can be used as a food supplement to guard against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity.

Graphical abstract
Association of Polygenic Score With Tumor Molecular Subtypes in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Jennifer R , Zafereo Mark E , Wang Wenyi , Joshu Corinne , Ray Debashree 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Context
Genome-wide association studies have identified germline variants associated with elevated PTC risk. It is also known that somatic driver mutations contribute to PTC development and as such PTCs can be further categorized into different molecular subtypes based on their somatic alterations. However, it remains unknown whether identified germline variants predictive of PTC risk are associated with specific molecular subtypes.

Objective
The primary goal of the present study is to determine whether germline genetic risk, as assessed using a polygenic score (PGS) is associated with molecular subtypes of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), defined based on tumor driver mutation status.

Methods
This study was carried out using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) thyroid cancer study. A previously validated 10–single-nucleotide variation PGS for PTC derived from genome-wide association study hits was calculated to ascertain germline genetic risk. The primary molecular subtypes of interest were defined by tumor driver mutation status (BRAFV600E-mutated vs RAS-mutated vs “other”). We also explored associations between PGS and molecular subtypes defined by messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, microRNA expression, and DNA methylation patterns. Polytomous logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between PGS and PTC molecular subtype with and without adjustment for clinical variables. Odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% CIs were estimated.

Results
A total of 359 patients were included in the study. PGS was significantly associated specific tumor molecular subtypes defined by tumor driver mutation status. Increasing germline risk was associated with having a higher odd of BRAFV600E-mutated PTC compared to PTCs without driver mutations in the “other” category. No significant difference was detected in terms of PGS tumor categorization in the RAS subtype compared to BRAFV600E. In exploratory analyses, PGS was also associated with mRNA-, microRNA-, and DNA methylation–defined molecular subtypes, as defined by the TCGA PTC study.

Conclusion
PGS has molecular subtype-specific associations in PTC, which has implications for their use in risk prediction.
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of Bilingual English-Urdu Pakistani Critical Thinking Disposition Scale
Authors: Gul Raisa , Sultana Nuzhat , Victor Gideon , Gowani Ambreen , Rubab Huma 
Published: July 2023

Objective: To develop and test the psychometric properties of the Pakistani Critical Thinking Dispositions Scale.
Methods: In the item generation phase, constructs of the scale were identified through an in-depth literature review and items were written to measure the constructs. Following this, input of the experts was obtained for content validity index. In the item reduction phase, psychometric properties were measured. Initially, the scale was administered to 580 study participants during May 2018-2020 after approval from the institutional review board. Data was analyzed through SPSS v21, AMOS v21 and Omega extension.
Results: First phase identified 54-items for seven constructs including contextual perspective, perseverance, reflection, intellectual integrity, creativity, open-mindedness, and inquisitiveness. Second phase determined KMO test value of 0.974 and Bartlett’s test (P-Value < 0.001). The second-order confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit model explaining 73.37% total variance. Parsimony and baseline comparison indices were favorable. Alpha and Omega value of 42-items was 0.869.
Conclusion: Pakistani Critical Thinking Dispositions scale owning seven constructs and 42-items is valid, reliable, and feasible to use in undergraduate nursing education. However, its utilization in other healthcare disciplines can be tested.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.5.6832
How to cite this: Gul R, Sultana N, Victor G, Gowani A, Rubab H. Development and Psychometric Evaluation of Bilingual English-Urdu Pakistani Critical Thinking Disposition Scale. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.5.6832
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.