bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and risk factors of pre‐hypertension and high blood pressure among adolescents in Cameroonian schools
Authors: Kamdem Felicite , Bika Léle Elysée Claude , Hamadou Ba , Obe Meyong Marie Ange Prisca , Fenkeu Kweban Jaff , Moussa Oumarou , Mouliom Sidick , Viché Lade , Ngoté Henri , Kenmegne Caroline , Ndom Ebongue Marie Solange , Djibrilla Siddikatou , Dzudié Anastase 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBlood pressure (BP) is the main driver of mortality with 12.8% of all deaths worldwide. Adolescents are not spared, precisely in Cameroon where they constitute more than half of its population. The objective of our work was to describe the prevalence and risk factors of pre‐hypertension and high blood pressure (HBP) among adolescents in Cameroonian schools. Descriptive study over 5 months; from January to May 2019. The study population consisted of students from private and public schools in the city of Douala. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and personal background data were collected. Physical activity (PA) was assessed using the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with pre‐hypertension and HBP. Differences were considered significant for p < .05. We recruited 771 students with an average age of 16 ± 1 years with female predominance (51.4%). The prevalences of pre‐hypertension and HBP were 6.6% and 3%, respectively. Overweight/obesity (OR = 4.6; p < .0001), hyperglycemia [(OR = 4.06; p = .001)] physical inactivity (OR = 1.85; p = .019), and public institutions (OR = 1.87; p = .02) were associated with pre‐hypertension. Similarly, overweight/obesity (OR = 2.99; p = .022), hyperglycemia (OR = 14.05; p < .0001), and physical inactivity (OR = 8.58; p < .0001) were correlated with HBP. Pre‐hypertension and HBP are high in Cameroonian school adolescents and their risk factors are overweight/obesity, hyperglycemia, and physical inactivity.
Sexual orientation and mental health in a US cohort of children: a longitudinal mediation study
Authors: Feinstein Brian A. , van der Star Arjan , Dorrell Kate D. , Blashill Aaron J. 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundSexual minorities, including children, are at increased risk for adverse mental health outcomes compared to their heterosexual peers, but longitudinal studies are needed to determine the factors that explain the associations between sexual minority identification and adverse mental health outcomes during this developmental period. We examined longitudinal associations between sexual orientation and mental health over 2 years in a US cohort of children (aged 9–10 at baseline) and two explanatory factors (increased social problems such as getting teased and decreased perceived school safety). We hypothesized that beginning to identify as gay/bisexual and consistently identifying as gay/bisexual would be associated with increases in internalizing (e.g. depression, anxiety) and externalizing (e.g. aggression) problems compared to consistently identifying as heterosexual, and these associations would be partially explained by increased social problems and decreased perceived school safety.MethodsWe used data from Waves 1–3 of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. The analytic sample included 5,574 children (46.0% female; 55.1% non‐Hispanic White).ResultsBeginning to identify as gay/bisexual was associated with increased internalizing/externalizing problems, and consistently identifying as gay/bisexual was associated with increased internalizing problems, compared to consistently identifying as heterosexual. For those who consistently identified as gay/bisexual, increased disparities in internalizing problems were partially explained by increased social problems and decreased perceived school safety, and increased disparities in externalizing problems were partially explained by increased social problems.ConclusionsThese findings suggest the health disparities affecting sexual minority children include both internalizing and externalizing problems, and social problems and feeling unsafe at school may be contributing factors.
Association between equol and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Japanese women in their 50s and 60s
Authors: Takahashi Atsushi , Takahata Yosuke , Kokubun Masae , Anzai Yukio , Kogure Atsuko , Ogata Takashi , Abe Naoto , Sugaya Tatsuro , Fujita Masashi , Imaizumi Hiromichi , Hayashi Manabu , Abe Kazumichi , Ohira Hiromasa 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackground and AimEquol is a metabolite of soy isoflavone and has estrogenic activity. The incidence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increases after menopause in women, which is thought to result in a decrease in estrogen. This study aimed to evaluate the association between equol and NAFLD.MethodsWe evaluated 1185 women aged 50–69 years who underwent health check‐ups at four health centers in Fukushima, Japan. Equol producers were defined by a urinary equol concentration of 1.0 μM or more. In addition to comparison between equol producers and non‐producers, the association between equol and NAFLD was estimated using logistic regression analysis adjusting for fast walking and eating habits.ResultsOf the 1185 participants, 345 (29.1%) women were equol producers. The proportions of women who had NAFLD (34.8% vs 45.2%) were significantly lower in the equol‐producing group than in the non‐producing group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that equol production was significantly associated with NAFLD (odds ratio = 0.66, 95% confidence interval: 0.51–0.86).ConclusionsEquol production was significantly associated with NAFLD in women in their 50s and 60s.
Morphogenesis of the pulmonary vein and left atrial appendage in human embryos and early fetuses
Authors: Fukui Narumi , Kanahashi Toru , Matsubayashi Jun , Imai Hirohiko , Yoneyama Akio , Otani Hiroki , Yamada Shigehito , Takakuwa Tetsuya 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe left atrium wall has several origins, including the body, appendage, septum, atrial‐ventricular canal, posterior wall, and venous component. Here, we describe the morphogenesis of left atrium based on high‐resolution imaging (phase‐contrast X‐ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging). Twenty‐three human embryos and 19 fetuses were selected for this study. Three‐dimensional cardiac images were reconstructed, and the pulmonary veins and left atrium, including the left atrial appendage, were evaluated morphologically and quantitatively. The positions of the pericardial reflections were used as landmarks for the border of the pericardial cavity. The common pulmonary vein was observed in three specimens at Carnegie stages 17–18. The pericardium was detected at the four pulmonary veins (left superior, left inferior, right superior, and right inferior pulmonary veins) at one specimen at Carnegie stage 18 and all larger specimens, except the four samples. Our results suggest that the position of the pericardial reflections was determined at two pulmonary veins (right and left pulmonary vein) and four pulmonary veins almost simultaneously when the dorsal mesocardial connection between the embryo and heart regressed. The magnetic resonance images and reconstructed heart cavity images confirmed that the left atrium folds were present at the junction between the body and venous component. Three‐dimensional reconstruction showed that the four pulmonary veins entered the dorsal left atrium tangentially from the lateral to the medial direction. More specifically, the right pulmonary veins entered at a greater angle than the left pulmonary veins. The distance between the superior and inferior pulmonary veins was shorter than that between the left and right pulmonary veins. Three‐dimensional reconstruction showed that the venous component increased proportionally with growth. No noticeable differences in discrimination between the right and left parts of the venous component emerged, while the junction between the venous component and body gradually became inconspicuous but was still recognizable by the end of the observed early fetal period. The left superior pulmonary vein had the smallest cross‐sectional area and most flattened shape, whereas the other three were similar in area and shape. The left atrial appendage had a large volume in the center and extended to the periphery as a lobe‐like structure. The left atrial appendage orifice increased in the area and tended to become flatter with growth. The whole left atrium volume^(1/3) increased almost proportionally with growth, parallel to the whole heart volume. This study provided a three‐dimensional and quantitative description of the developmental process of the left atrium, comprising the venous component and left atrial appendage formation, from the late embryonic to the early fetal stages.
Potential drug repurposing of ruxolitinib to inhibit the JAK/STAT pathway for the treatment of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Yunianto Irfan , Currie Margaret , Chitcholtan Kenny , Sykes Peter 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimThis review aimed to describe the potential for therapeutic targeting of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by repurposing the clinically‐approved JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib in the patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (OC) setting.MethodsWe reviewed publications that focus on the inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway in hematological and solid malignancies including OC.ResultsPreclinical studies showed that ruxolitinib effectively reduces OC cell viability and metastasis and enhances the anti‐tumor activity of chemotherapy drugs. There are a number of recent clinical trials exploring the role of JAK/STAT inhibition in solid cancers including OC. Early results have not adequately supported efficacy in solid tumors. However, there are preclinical data and clinical studies supporting the use of ruxolitinib in combination with both chemotherapy and other targeted drugs in OC setting.ConclusionInflammatory conditions and persistent activation of the JAK/STAT pathway are associated with tumourigenesis and chemoresistance, and therapeutic blockade of this pathway shows promising results. For women with OC, clinical investigation exploring the role of ruxolitinib in combination with chemotherapy agents or other targeted therapeutics is warranted.
Public capital and institutions' quality in the Italian regions
Authors: Aresu Federico , Marrocu Emanuela , Paci Raffaele 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the role played by public capital on the production level of Italian regions by specifically accounting for the quality of institutions. Our analysis, carried out over the period 2000–2019, benefits from a rich data set on public expenditures. This allows us to build the regional public capital stock by distinguishing among public institutions in charge of the investments and sectors of intervention. While controlling for several contextual variables (human capital, technological capital, and population density), the main results show that public capital has a positive and significant effect on production. Most interestingly, looking at Mezzogiorno's regions, public capital carried out by local institutions turns out to have a lower impact than in the rest of the Italian regions. On the other hand, central bodies in the South exhibit an impact higher than the average. Moreover, institutions' quality exhibits a positive and significant effect on regional economic performance. These results cast serious doubts about the local Southern administrations' capacity to effectively manage the National Recovery and Resilience Plan's enormous resources and the new European Union cohesion framework 2021–2027. Our results are also relevant for other European regions that, featuring structural traits similar to Southern Italian regions, are expected to face the same difficulties in managing public funding.
The utility of clinicopathological findings and point‐of‐care ultrasound in increasing the index of suspicion of ureteral obstruction in azotaemic cats presenting to the emergency room
Authors: Beeston D. , Dirrig H. , Cole L. 
Published: August 2023

ObjectivesUreteral obstruction is a common post‐renal cause of azotaemia in cats. The objective of this study was to describe clinicopathological and point‐of‐care ultrasound findings in azotaemic cats that may increase the index of suspicion of ureteral obstruction.Materials and MethodsA retrospective case–control study was conducted of azotaemic cats presenting to the emergency room of a referral teaching hospital. Cats were included if they were azotaemic and had point‐of‐care ultrasound and formal ultrasound performed. Cats were grouped into obstructed and non‐obstructed groups based on formal specialist ultrasound and pyelography. Point‐of‐care ultrasound findings were described, including renal size and symmetry, renal pelvis dilation, perinephric fluid, and visualisation of the proximal ureter or calculi. Univariate analysis was performed to identify historical, biochemical and point‐of‐care ultrasound findings associated with ureteral obstruction before multivariate analysis.ResultsOne hundred twenty‐two azotaemic cats met the inclusion criteria. Seventy‐four cats were included in the obstructed azotaemic group and 48 cats in the non‐obstructed azotaemic groups. Point‐of‐care ultrasound abnormalities were detected in 60 of 74 (81.1%) obstructed cats and 18 of 48 (37.5%) non‐obstructed cats. Renal pelvis dilation (odds ratio 38.8; 95% confidence interval 2.9 to 515), hyporexia (odds ratio 5.9; 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 30.13), hypercalcaemia (odds ratio 16.6; 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 223.0) and hypokalaemia (odds ratio 21.7; 1.33 to 354.62) were more likely to be associated with ureteral obstruction than non‐obstructive disease.Clinical SignificancePoint‐of‐care ultrasound abnormalities are documented frequently in azotaemic cats with ureteral obstruction. Cats with renal pelvis dilation were 39 times more likely to have ureteral obstruction than non‐obstructive acute kidney injury.
Refrigerated multi‐dose insulin vials remain sterile through 6 months of use
Authors: Berg A. S. , Jacob M. E. , Mamo L. B. , Pluta D. H. , Lunn K. F. 
Published: August 2023

ObjectivesTo evaluate sterility in refrigerated multi‐dose insulin vials through 6 months of routine aspiration.Materials and MethodsTwelve vials of insulin, six of insulin glargine U100 (Lantus®, 10 mL multi‐dose vial, Sanofi, Bridgewater, NJ) containing the preservative metacresol, and six of protamine zinc insulin U40 (ProZinc®, 10 mL multi‐dose vial, Boehringer Ingelheim, Duluth, GA) containing the preservative phenol, were refrigerated and aspirated twice daily for 6 months, using a new insulin syringe each time. Three vials of each insulin type were wiped with a single‐use alcohol swab before sampling. Three times weekly, aspirated samples were inoculated in Tryptic Soy Broth enrichment media and incubated for evidence of microbial growth. Positive broth was cultured and speciated. Endpoints were microbial vial contamination (defined as three consecutive positive cultures of the same organism) and completion of the six‐month study period.ResultsMicrobial contamination was not identified in any vial throughout the study period. A total of 454 aspirated samples were cultured, one of which exhibited non‐repeatable growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis. This vial was prematurely lost to breakage after 59 culture samples (29 after the positive growth).Clinical SignificanceRefrigerated phenol‐ and metacresol‐containing multi‐dose insulin products carry minimal risk for iatrogenic infection through 6 months of use, regardless of alcohol swab preparation.
Investor sentiment contagion and network connectedness: Evidence from China and other international stock markets
Authors: Liu Yandi , Zhang Jun , Guo Na , Liu Jingshan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractInternational economic exchanges have become more frequent, and the degree of the mutual influences of investor sentiment in the stock markets of various countries has been increasing. Therefore, the study of cross‐country spillover effects of investor sentiment is of great relevance to the analysis of financial market linkage and the diffusion mechanisms between countries. This study examined the directions and levels of investor sentiment spillovers in 10 countries from 2003 to 2020 by constructing aggregate and directional spillover indices and analyzing the static and dynamic characteristics as well as the network structures of the spillover effects. The results revealed that (1) investor sentiment had significant cross‐country spillover effects and their intensities were time‐varied, with the total sentiment spillover index rising sharply in response to extreme events, such as the subprime mortgage crisis, the European sovereign debt crisis, the United Kingdom's (U.K.) Brexit policy, and the coronavirus pandemic. (2) The spillover effects were impacted by the level of economic and financial development. Overall, developed countries had higher levels of spillover than did developing countries. (3) Countries that were highly correlated with extreme events had stronger spillover effects. For example, the United States and the U.K. were the main net “exporters” of sentiment during the subprime crisis, and Germany became the top “exporter” during the European sovereign debt crisis. Our findings have important implications for policymakers who aim to understand capital markets correlations and promote regulatory coordination across countries.
Analysis on Braess paradox and network design considering parking in the autonomous vehicle environment
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Waller Steven Travis , Lin Dung‐Ying 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis study is the first in the literature to examine the Braess paradox considering parking behavior in the autonomous vehicle (AV) environment, based on which the network design problem for the autonomous transportation system (NDP‐ATS) is modeled. First, we introduce the AV commuting pattern considering the self‐driving process for the parking purpose. We then illustrate the existence of two distinct Braess paradoxes that can occur in AV traffic networks with regards to parking space addition and network capacity expansion. They show that these two types of “improvement” measures might deteriorate the network system performance in an AV situation. Second, motivated to avoid the deterioration due to the introduced Braess paradoxes, we develop a bi‐level programming model for NDP‐ATS. The lower‐level program addresses the network‐equilibrium traffic assignment for AVs. The upper‐level program aims to minimize the network‐wide travel cost considering both occupied and empty AV trips by selecting the optimal design option accounting for road capacity enhancement and parking facility deployment simultaneously. To solve the developed bi‐level model, the simplicial homology global optimization algorithm is employed along with the Frank–Wolfe algorithm and the CPLEX. Finally, the efficacy of the modeling framework is validated through case studies on the Sioux Falls city network and the Anaheim network. The results show that the developed methodology is capable of producing high‐quality solutions with respect to savings in system‐level travel costs for AV traffic. The results also highlight the impacts of parking fees on the system performance for the optimized network. Additionally, it is found that the two objectives, which minimize the total system travel cost and minimize that for empty AV trips only, are conflicting for certain scenarios. The methodological approach introduced in this work serves as a critical modeling device for infrastructure development and policy assessment for AV traffic.
The effect of an online‐supervised exercise program in older people with diabetes on fasting blood sugar, psychological resilience and quality of life: A double blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Terkes Nurten , Aksu Neriman Temel , Yamac Sabriye Ucan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundOnline exercise interventions can improve physical outcomes. Online supervised exercise program is more effective than unsupervised exercise program.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to determine the effect of an online supervised exercise program on fasting blood glucose, body mass index (BMI), resilience and quality of life in older people with diabetes.MethodsThis parallel group randomised controlled study included 70 older patients with Type 2 diabetes. Participants were divided into online supervised and unsupervised exercise training groups. Participants in the online‐supervised exercise group were given an online‐supervised exercise program 3 days a week for 6 weeks. Personal Information Form, Short Resilience Scale and Quality of Life Scale in Older People were used to collect data. In addition, fasting blood sugar BMI and values were measured.ResultsAccording to the results of our study, while there was no significant difference between the pre‐and post‐training scores of the supervised and unsupervised groups on the Psychological Resilience Scale and Quality of Life Scale, it was observed that there was a significant difference in both groups according to time (p < .05). When the difference between the scores of the groups before and after the training was analysed according to time, a significant difference was observed between the online‐supervised and unsupervised exercise groups (p < .05). In addition, it was seen that there was a significant difference in the fasting blood sugar and BMI results of the online‐supervised exercise group according to time (p < .05).ConclusionsOnline supervised exercise program decreases fasting blood sugar and BMI, increases psychological resilience and quality of life of older patients with Type 2 diabetes.Implication for practiceOnline supervised exercise program may be an additional treatment that provides benefits for older people with diabetes who cannot participate in clinical‐based rehabilitation programs.
Modeling of pigmentation disorders associated with MITF mutation in Waardenburg syndrome revealed an impaired melanogenesis pathway in iPS‐derived melanocytes
Authors: Wen Jie , Song Jian , Chen Jiale , Feng Zhili , Jing Qiancheng , Gong Wei , Kang Xiaoming , Mei Lingyun , He Chufeng , Ma Lu , Feng Yong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWaardenburg Syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder that leads to congenital hearing loss and pigmentation defects. Microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) is one of its significant pathogenic genes. Despite the comprehensive investigation in animal models, the pathogenic mechanism is still poorly described in humans due to difficulties accessing embryonic tissues. In this work, we used induced pluripotent stem cells derived from a WS patient carrying a heterozygous mutation in the MITF gene c.626A>T (p.His209Leu), and differentiated toward melanocyte lineage, which is the most affected cell type involved in WS. Compared with the wild‐type cell line, the MITFmut cell line showed a reduced expression of the characteristic melanocyte‐related genes and a lesser proportion of mature, fully pigmented melanosomes. The transcriptome analysis also revealed widespread gene expression changes at the melanocyte stage in the MITFmut cell line. The differentially expressed genes were enriched in melanogenesis and cell proliferation‐related pathways. Interestingly, ion transport‐related genes also showed a significant difference in MITFmut‐induced melanocytes, indicating that the MITF mutant may lead to the dysfunction of potassium channels and transporters produced by intermediate cells in the cochlea, further causing the associated phenotype of deafness. Altogether, our study provides valuable insights into how MITF mutation affects WS patients, which might result in defective melanocyte development and the related phenotype based on the patient‐derived iPSC model.