bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors that influence clinical decisions about offering parent coaching for autistic youth served within the Medicaid system
Authors: Straiton Diondra , Frost Kyle , Ingersoll Brooke 
Published: February 2023

Background Parent coaching is an evidence-based practice for young autistic children, but it is underutilized in lower-resourced community settings like the Medicaid system. Clinicians often struggle to implement parent coaching with low-income and marginalized families, but little is known about which factors influence clinician decision-making processes about providing parent coaching to this population. Method This qualitative analysis used the framework method and thematic analysis. We used the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) framework to identify factors in the clinical decision-making process that community providers use when offering parent coaching to families of Medicaid-enrolled autistic children. Interviews with 13 providers and a focus group with 13 providers were analyzed. Results The following themes emerged: (a) Policies drive provider task priorities and affect competing demands; (b) Providers are more likely to use parent coaching when agency leaders monitor parent coaching benchmarks, though this is rarely done; (c) Logistical factors like scheduling and treatment location affect perceived feasibility of using parent coaching; (d) Previous experience or coursework in parent coaching and/or family systems supports the quality of parent coaching implementation; (e) Provider perceptions of “parent readiness” are initially indicated by overt expressions of parent interest. Conclusions In the absence of outer-context and inner-context policies, providers have more decision-making power to offer parent coaching based on their own judgments and preferences, which may result in fewer families being offered parent coaching and increased bias related to which families are offered this service. State-, agency-, and clinician-level recommendations are provided for increasing equitable provision of this evidence-based practice for autism.
DRaW: prediction of COVID-19 antivirals by deep learning—an objection on using matrix factorization
Authors: Hashemi S. Morteza , Zabihian Arash , Hooshmand Mohsen , Gharaghani Sajjad 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Due to the high resource consumption of introducing a new drug, drug repurposing plays an essential role in drug discovery. To do this, researchers examine the current drug-target interaction (DTI) to predict new interactions for the approved drugs. Matrix factorization methods have much attention and utilization in DTIs. However, they suffer from some drawbacks.

Methods
We explain why matrix factorization is not the best for DTI prediction. Then, we propose a deep learning model (DRaW) to predict DTIs without having input data leakage. We compare our model with several matrix factorization methods and a deep model on three COVID-19 datasets. In addition, to ensure the validation of DRaW, we evaluate it on benchmark datasets. Furthermore, as an external validation, we conduct a docking study on the COVID-19 recommended drugs.

Results
In all cases, the results confirm that DRaW outperforms matrix factorization and deep models. The docking results approve the top-ranked recommended drugs for COVID-19.

Conclusions
In this paper, we show that it may not be the best choice to use matrix factorization in the DTI prediction. Matrix factorization methods suffer from some intrinsic issues, e.g., sparsity in the domain of bioinformatics applications and fixed-unchanged size of the matrix-related paradigm. Therefore, we propose an alternative method (DRaW) that uses feature vectors rather than matrix factorization and demonstrates better performance than other famous methods on three COVID-19 and four benchmark datasets.
Reduced numbers of regulatory T cells in chronic heart failure seems not to be restored by cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Martins Sílvia , António Natália , Carvalheiro Tiago , Laranjeira Paula , Rodrigues Ricardo , Gonçalves Lino , Tomaz Cândida , Paiva Artur 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
T cells have been implicated in the development and progression of inflammatory processes in chronic heart failure (CHF). Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has beneficial effects on symptoms and cardiac remodeling in CHF. However, its impact on the inflammatory immune response remains controversial. We aimed to study the impact of CRT on T cells in heart failure (HF) patients.

Methods
Thirty-nine HF patients were evaluated before CRT (T0) and six months later (T6). Quantification of T cells, their subsets, and their functional characterization, after in vitro stimulation, were evaluated by flow cytometry.

Results
T regulatory (Treg) cells were decreased in CHF patients (healthy group (HG): 1.08 ± 0.50 versus (heart failure patients (HFP)-T0: 0.69 ± 0.40, P = 0.022) and remaining diminished after CRT (HFP-T6: 0.61 ± 0.29, P = 0.003). Responders (R) to CRT presented a higher frequency of T cytotoxic (Tc) cells producing IL-2 at T0 compared with non-responders (NR) (R: 36.52 ± 12.55 versus NR: 24.71 ± 11.66, P = 0.006). After CRT, HF patients presented a higher percentage of Tc cells expressing TNF-α and IFN-γ (HG: 44.50 ± 16.62 versus R: 61.47 ± 20.54, P = 0.014; and HG: 40.62 ± 15.36 versus R: 52.39 ± 18.66, P = 0.049, respectively).

Conclusion
The dynamic of different functional T cell subpopulations is significantly altered in CHF, which results in an exacerbated pro-inflammatory response. Even after CRT, it seems that the inflammatory condition underlying CHF continues to evolve with the progression of the disease. This could be due, at least in part, to the inability to restore Treg cells levels.
Trial registration: Observational and prospective study with no trial registration.
Blood levels of nicotinic acid negatively correlate with hearing ability in healthy older men
Authors: Nakagawa-Nagahama Yoshiko , Igarashi Masaki , Miura Masaomi , Kashiwabara Kosuke , Yaku Keisuke , Fukamizu Yuichiro , Sato Toshiya , Sakurai Takanobu , Nakagawa Takashi , Kadowaki Takashi , Yamauchi Toshimasa 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a common phenomenon observed during aging. On the other hand, the decrease in Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD +) levels is reported to be closely related to the age-related declines in physiological functions such as ARHL in animal studies. Moreover, preclinical studies confirmed NAD + replenishment effectively prevents the onset of age-related diseases. However, there is a paucity of studies on the relationship between NAD+ metabolism and ARHL in humans.

Methods
This study was analyzed the baseline results of our previous clinical trial, in which nicotinamide mononucleotide or placebo was administered to 42 older men (Igarashi et al., NPJ Aging 8:5, 2022). The correlations between blood levels of NAD+-related metabolites at baseline and pure-tone hearing thresholds at different frequencies (125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz) in 42 healthy Japanese men aged > 65 years were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed with hearing thresholds as the dependent variable and age and NAD+-related metabolite levels as independent variables.

Results
Positive associations were observed between levels of nicotinic acid (NA, a NAD+ precursor in the Preiss-Handler pathway) and right- or left-ear hearing thresholds at frequencies of 1000 Hz (right: r = 0.480, p = 0.001; left: r = 0.422, p = 0.003), 2000 Hz (right: r = 0.507, p < 0.001, left: r = 0.629, p < 0.001), and 4000 Hz (left: r = 0.366, p = 0.029). Age-adjusted multiple linear regression analysis revealed that NA was an independent predictor of elevated hearing thresholds (1000 Hz (right): p = 0.050, regression coefficient (β) = 1610; 1000 Hz (left): p = 0.026, β = 2179; 2000 Hz (right): p = 0.022, β = 2317; 2000 Hz (left): p = 0.002, β = 3257). Weak associations of nicotinic acid riboside (NAR) and nicotinamide (NAM) with hearing ability were observed.

Conclusions
We identified negative correlations between blood concentrations of NA and hearing ability at 1000 and 2000 Hz. NAD+ metabolic pathway might be associated with ARHL onset or progression. Further studies are warranted.

Trial registration
The study was registered at UMIN-CTR (UMIN000036321) on 1st June 2019.

Graphical Abstract
Struggle in the bubble - a prospective study on the effect of remote learning and distance education on confidence in practical surgical skills acquired during COVID-19
Authors: Kneifel Felicia , Morgul Haluk , Katou Shadi , Hölzen Jens P. , Strücker Benjamin , Juratli Mazen , Pascher Andreas , Becker Felix 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has significantly changed healthcare systems and medical education. Universities were required to develop innovative curricula based on remote and distance education to continue medical education. This prospective questionnaire-based study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19-associated remote learning on the surgical training of medical students.

Methods
A 16-item questionnaire-based survey was distributed to medical students at the University Hospital of Münster before and after a surgical skills laboratory (SSL). Two cohorts were included: summer semester 2021 (COV-19), with rigorous social-distancing restrictions requiered SSL to be remotely, and winter semester 2021 (postCOV-19), in which the SSL was provided as a face-to-face, hands-on course.

Results
Both, cohorts showed a significant improvement in self-assessment of pre- and post-course confidence. While no significant difference in the average gain in self-confidence for sterile working was observed between the two cohorts, improvement in self-confidence was significantly higher in the COV-19 cohort regarding skin suturing and knot tying (p < 0.0001). However the average improvement regarding history and physical was significantly higher in the postCOV-19 cohort (p < 0.0001). In subgroup analysis, gender-associated differences varied in the two cohorts and were not related to specific subtasks, while age-stratified analysis revealed superior results for younger students.

Conclusion
The results of our study underline the usability, feasibility, and adequacy of remote learning for the surgical training of medical students. The on-site distance education version, presented in the study, allows the continuing of hands-on experience in a safe environment in compliance with governmental social-distancing restrictions.
How do inpatients’ costs, length of stay, and quality of care vary across age groups after a new case-based payment reform in China? An interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Chen Ya-jing , Zhang Xin-yu , Tang Xue , Yan Jia-qi , Qian Meng-cen , Ying Xiao-hua 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Context
A patient classification-based payment system called diagnosis-intervention packet (DIP) was piloted in a large city in southeast China in 2018.

Objective
This study evaluates the impact of DIP payment reform on total costs, out-of-pocket (OOP) payments, length of stay (LOS), and quality of care in hospitalised patients of different age.

Methods
An interrupted time series model was employed to examine the monthly trend changes of outcome variables before and after the DIP reform in adult patients, who were stratified into a younger (18–64 years) and an older group (≥ 65 years), further stratified into young-old (65–79 years) and oldest-old (≥ 80 years) groups.

Results
The adjusted monthly trend of costs per case significantly increased in the older adults (0.5%, P = 0.002) and oldest-old group (0.6%, P = 0.015). The adjusted monthly trend of average LOS decreased in the younger and young-old groups (monthly slope change: -0.058 days, P = 0.035; -0.025 days, P = 0.024, respectively), and increased in the oldest-old group (monthly slope change: 0.107 days, P = 0.030) significantly. The changes of adjusted monthly trends of in-hospital mortality rate were not significant in all age groups.

Conclusion
Implementation of the DIP payment reform associated with increase in total costs per case in the older and oldest-old groups, and reduction in LOS in the younger and young-old groups without deteriorating quality of care.
Polycomb group genes are required for neuronal pruning in Drosophila
Authors: Bu Shufeng , Lau Samuel Song Yuan , Yong Wei Lin , Zhang Heng , Thiagarajan Sasinthiran , Bashirullah Arash , Yu Fengwei 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Pruning that selectively eliminates unnecessary or incorrect neurites is required for proper wiring of the mature nervous system. During Drosophila metamorphosis, dendritic arbourization sensory neurons (ddaCs) and mushroom body (MB) γ neurons can selectively prune their larval dendrites and/or axons in response to the steroid hormone ecdysone. An ecdysone-induced transcriptional cascade plays a key role in initiating neuronal pruning. However, how downstream components of ecdysone signalling are induced remains not entirely understood.

Results
Here, we identify that Scm, a component of Polycomb group (PcG) complexes, is required for dendrite pruning of ddaC neurons. We show that two PcG complexes, PRC1 and PRC2, are important for dendrite pruning. Interestingly, depletion of PRC1 strongly enhances ectopic expression of Abdominal B (Abd-B) and Sex combs reduced, whereas loss of PRC2 causes mild upregulation of Ultrabithorax and Abdominal A in ddaC neurons. Among these Hox genes, overexpression of Abd-B causes the most severe pruning defects, suggesting its dominant effect. Knockdown of the core PRC1 component Polyhomeotic (Ph) or Abd-B overexpression selectively downregulates Mical expression, thereby inhibiting ecdysone signalling. Finally, Ph is also required for axon pruning and Abd-B silencing in MB γ neurons, indicating a conserved function of PRC1 in two types of pruning.

Conclusions
This study demonstrates important roles of PcG and Hox genes in regulating ecdysone signalling and neuronal pruning in Drosophila. Moreover, our findings suggest a non-canonical and PRC2-independent role of PRC1 in Hox gene silencing during neuronal pruning.
Long non-coding RNA CCL14-AS suppresses invasiveness and lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer cells by regulating MEP1A
Authors: Li Mingzhou , Huang Chengmei , Wu Yuanyuan , Zhu Lina , Zhang Yaxin , Zhou Yi , Li Huali , Liu Zhihao , Pan Xinyan , Wang Xin , Qiu Junfeng , Li Fengtian , Liao Wenting 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the biology of colorectal cancer (CRC). There are several lncRNAs associated with invasion and metastasis have been characterized in CRC. However, studies focusing on the precise molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs function in lymph node (LN) metastasis in CRC are still limited.

Methods
In this study, by analyzing TCGA dataset, we identified that AC244100.2 (termed CCL14-AS), a novel lncRNA enriched in the cytoplasm, was negatively correlated with LN metastasis and unfavorable prognosis of CRC. In situ hybridization was used to examine CCL14-AS expression in clinical CRC tissues. Various functional experiments including migration assay and wound-healing assay were used to investigate the effects of CCL14-AS on CRC cells migration. The nude mice popliteal lymph node metastasis model assay further confirmed the effects of CCL14-AS in vivo.

Results
CCL14-AS expression was significantly downregulated in CRC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. In addition, low CCL14-AS expression was correlated with advanced T classification, LN metastasis, distant metastasis, and shorter disease-free survival of CRC patients. Functionally, CCL14-AS overexpression inhibited the invasiveness of CRC cells in vitro and LN metastasis in nude mice. On the contrary, knockdown of CCL14-AS promoted the invasiveness and LN metastasis abilities of CRC cells. Mechanistically, CCL14-AS downregulated the expression of MEP1A via interacting with MEP1A mRNA and reduced its stability. Overexpression of MEP1A rescued the invasiveness and LN metastasis abilities in CCL14-AS-overexpressing CRC cells. Moreover, the expression levels of CCL14-AS was negatively correlated with that of MEP1A in CRC tissues.

Conclusions
We identified a novel lncRNA, CCL14-AS, as a potential tumor suppressor in CRC. Our findings supported a model in which the CCL14-AS/MEP1A axis serves as critical regulator in CRC progression, suggesting a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in advanced CRC.
[18F] FDG uptake in patients with spondyloarthritis: correlation with serum inflammatory biomarker levels
Authors: Manabe Yuri , Norikane Takashi , Yamamoto Yuka , Murao Mitsumasa , Shimada Hiromi , Wakiya Risa , Nakashima Shusaku , Dobashi Hiroaki , Nishiyama Yoshihiro 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
We aimed to evaluate the correlation between 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) uptake and disease activity assessed by serum inflammatory biomarker levels in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods
A total of 36 SpA patients (24 untreated and 12 treated) were examined using FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography and classified into axial SpA (axSpA) and peripheral SpA (pSpA). FDG uptake was evaluated in 23 regions of the body and scored as follows: 0 = less than liver uptake; 1 = more than or equal to liver uptake; and 2 = more than or equal to twice liver uptake. A score of 1 or 2 was considered positive. The number of positive regions and the total score were counted in each patient. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was calculated for each region, and maximum SUVmax (MaxSUVmax) was used as a representative value. Correlation of PET findings with serum inflammatory biomarker levels, including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), was analyzed.

Results
All but two patients had at least one positive lesion. PET indices correlated significantly with most of the serum inflammatory biomarker levels in untreated SpA, but not in treated SpA. Further, MaxSUVmax, number of positive regions, and total score correlated significantly with CRP (all P values < 0.001), and the number of positive regions (P = 0.012) and total score (P = 0.007) correlated significantly with MMP-3 in untreated pSpA. PET indices did not correlate with any serum inflammatory biomarker level in untreated axSpA.

Conclusion
FDG uptake in untreated pSpA correlated significantly with serum inflammatory biomarker levels.
Quantum resolution of the cosmological singularity without new physics
Authors: Gielen Steffen , Magueijo João 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
We study a quantum Hot Big Bang in the connection representation, with a matter constant of motion m whose conjugate defines time. Superpositions in m induce a unitary inner product. The wavefunction reveals a resolution of the singularity problem without new physics or supplementary boundary conditions. Backtracking in time, the probability peak eventually halts at a maximum curvature, its height dropping thereafter while a symmetric contracting peak rises. The Big Bang is replaced by a superposition of contracting and expanding regular Universes. We contrast these findings with the situation in the metric representation, where boundary conditions at the singularity are needed for unitary evolution.
Fertility in Acromegaly: A Single-Center Experience of Female Patients During Active Disease and After Disease Remission
Authors: Pirchio Rosa , Auriemma Renata S , Grasso Ludovica F S , Verde Nunzia , Garifalos Francesco , Castoro Michele , Conforti Alessandro , Menafra Davide , Pivonello Claudia , de Angelis Cristina , Minnetti Marianna , Alviggi Carlo , Corona Giovanni , Colao Annamaria , Pivonello Rosario 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Context
Fertility represents a major concern in patients with acromegaly.

Objective
The current retrospective study aimed to investigate gonadal function and fertility rates in acromegalic women.

Methods
In this referral-center study, 50 acromegalic women with disease onset within reproductive age were evaluated for prevalence of gonadal dysfunction and infertility. Anthropometric, metabolic, hormonal parameters, and gynecological ultrasound were evaluated at diagnosis and after disease control. Data about menstrual disturbances, pregnancy, and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) were investigated at disease onset, at diagnosis, and after disease control.

Results
At presumed disease onset, menstrual disturbances were reported in 32% of patients. Uterine leiomyoma, ovarian cysts, and PCOM were diagnosed in 18%, 12%, and 8%, respectively; 36.8% of patients were infertile. At diagnosis, menstrual disturbances were found in 58.1% (P = .02), being significantly more prevalent in patients with higher insulin-like growth factor-I quartiles (Q) (P = .03, Q1 vs Q4). Gynecological ultrasound revealed uterine leiomyoma, ovarian cysts, and PCOM in 39.1% (P = .04), 28.2% (P = .09), and 13% (P = .55), respectively. The infertility rate was 100% (P = .02). At disease control, menstrual disturbances were slightly decreased as compared to diagnosis (P = .09). Noteworthy, menstrual disturbances (P = .05) and particularly amenorrhea (P = .03) were significantly more frequent in patients with active disease duration greater than 5 years (median) as compared to those achieving disease control in less than 5 years. Among patients with pregnancy desire, 73.3% conceived at least once, with resulting infertility significantly decreased compared to diagnosis (26.7%; P = .01). At-term deliveries, preterm deliveries, and spontaneous abortions were recorded in 86.7%, 6.6%, and 6.6%, respectively, of the 15 pregnancies reported by the patients. No neonatal malformations and/or abnormalities were recorded.

Conclusion
Gonadal dysfunction and infertility are common in acromegalic women within reproductive age, being directly influenced by disease status and/or duration.