bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occupational cold exposure is associated with upper extremity pain
Authors: Stjernbrandt Albin , Pettersson Hans , Wahlström Viktoria , Wahlström Jens , Lewis Charlotte 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundOccupational cold exposure is common in Sweden but potential impacts on musculoskeletal disorders have not been thoroughly investigated. The primary aim of this study was to determine the associations between occupational contact and ambient cooling in relation to pain in the upper extremity.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a digital survey was conducted on a population-based sample of women and men between 24 and 76 years of age, living in northern Sweden. Occupational cold exposure, heavy manual handling, work with vibrating tools as well as the presence of upper extremity pain at different sites were subjectively reported. Associations between exposure and outcome were evaluated using multiple binary logistic regression.ResultsThe final study sample included 2,089 (54.4%) women and 1,754 men, with a mean age of 56 years. Hand pain was reported by 196 (5.2%), lower arm pain by 144 (3.8%), and upper arm pain by 451 (11.9%). Severe ambient cooling for more than half of the working time was statistically significantly associated with hand pain (OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.23–4.29) and upper arm pain (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.00–2.47) but not lower arm pain (OR: 1.87; 95% CI: 0.96–3.65) after adjusting for gender, age, body mass index, current daily smoking, heavy manual handling, and work with vibrating tools.ConclusionsOccupational cold exposure was statistically significantly associated with hand pain and upper arm pain. Therefore, occupational cold exposure should be recognized as a potential risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremity.
Modified gradual ulnar lengthening for treatment of Masada type IIb forearm deformity in children with hereditary multiple osteochondromas
Authors: Fan Jingyi , Zhang Xuejun , Sun Lin , Li Chengxin , Qi Xinyu , Sun Baosheng 
Published: May 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of modified gradual ulnar lengthening in the treatment of Masada type IIb forearm deformity in children with hereditary multiple osteochondromas (HMO).Patients and methodsFrom May 2015 to October 2020, 12 children with Masada type IIb forearm deformity caused by HMO underwent modified gradual ulnar lengthening in our hospital. Clinical and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical evaluation included wrist flexion and extension, wrist ulnar and radial deviation, forearm pronation and supination, and elbow range of motion. The radiographic parameters measured included the radial articular angle, carpal slip, and relative ulnar shortening.ResultsThe mean operative age of the 12 patients (9 male, 3 female) was 8.5 ± 2.7 years, the mean follow-up was 31.5 ± 5.7 months, and the mean ulnar lengthening was 43.3 ± 9.9 mm. There was no significant difference in the radial articular angle between the preoperative period and the last follow-up (from 36.5° ± 9.2° to 33.8° ± 5.1°, p &gt; 0.05). However, significant changes were found in carpal slip (from 61.3% ± 18.8% to 33.8% ± 20.8%) and relative ulnar shortening (from 5.8 ± 3.5 mm to −0.9 ± 4.85 mm) (p &lt; 0.05). The range of motion significantly improved after modified gradual ulnar lengthening, including wrist flexion (from 38.3° ± 6.2° to 55.8° ± 9.0°), wrist extension (from 45.0° ± 9.8° to 61.7° ± 8.1°), wrist ulnar deviation (from 41.3° ± 8.6° to 29.6° ± 7.8°), wrist radial deviation (from 18.3° ± 6.2° to 30.0° ± 5.6°), forearm pronation (from 44.6° ± 7.2° to 62.1° ± 8.6°), forearm supination (from 50.0° ± 7.1° to 52.9° ± 6.6°), and elbow range of motion (from 117.1° ± 10.1° to 127.9° ± 5.4°) (all p &lt; 0.05). During follow-up, there was one case of needle tract infection and one case of bone nonunion.ConclusionModified gradual ulnar lengthening can effectively treat Masada type IIb forearm deformity caused by HMO and improve forearm function.
Thymoquinone affects the gemcitabine sensitivity of pancreatic cancer by regulating collagen via hypoxia inducible factor-1α
Authors: Zhao Zhanxue , Liu Linxun , Chen Hekai , Li Shuai , Guo Yan , Hou Xiaofan , Yang Jinyu 
Published: May 2023

Objective: To clarify the potential therapeutic effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on pancreatic cancer and its gemcitabine (GEM) sensitivity.Methods: The expression levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), collagens (COL1A1, COL3A1, and COL5A1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) in pancreatic cancer and para-carcinoma tissues were compared using immunohistochemical methods, and their relationships with TNM staging were analyzed. The effects of TQ on apoptosis, migration, invasion, and GEM sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells were assessed using in vitro and in vivo experiments. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of HIF-1α, extracellular matrix (ECM) production pathway-related proteins, and TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins.Results: The expression levels of HIF-1α, COL1A1, COL3A1, COL5A1, and TGFβ1 in pancreatic cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in para-carcinoma tissues and correlated with TNM staging (p &lt; 0.05). TQ and GEM administration inhibited the migration and invasion of the human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 and promoted the apoptosis of PANC-1 cells. The combination of TQ and GEM was more effective than GEM alone. Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of HIF-1α, ECM production pathway-related proteins, and TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins were significantly decreased when TQ was used to treat PANC-1 cells (p &lt; 0.05), and the expression levels of these proteins in the TQ + GEM group were significantly more decreased than those in the GEM group. Overexpression or knockdown of HIF-1α in PANC-1 cells showed the same effects as those induced by TQ administration. In vivo experiments showed that in PANC-1 tumor-bearing mice, tumor volume and tumor weight in mice treated with GEM and TQ were significantly lower than those in control or GEM-treated mice, whereas cell apoptosis was significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05). Western blot and immunohistochemistry results showed that the levels of HIF-1α, ECM production pathway-related proteins, and TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins in the GEM + TQ treatment group were further decreased compared to the control group or the GEM treatment group (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: In pancreatic cancer cells, TQ can promote apoptosis, inhibit migration, invasion, and metastasis, and enhance the sensitivity to GEM. The underlying mechanism may involve the regulation of ECM production through the TGFβ/Smad pathway, in which HIF-1α plays a key role.
Silicon mitigates iron deficiency in two energy cane cultivars by modulating physiological and nutritional mechanisms
Authors: Teixeira Gelza Carliane Marques , Prado Renato de Mello , Rocha Antonio Márcio Souza , Princi Murilo Bassan , Andrade Caio Soares de 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionAlkaline soils with iron (Fe) deficiency are found in many regions of the world, and the use of silicon (Si) can mitigate the damages caused by such deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Si in mitigating a moderate deficiency of Fe in two energy cane cultivars.MethodsTwo experiments were performed, one with the VX2 cultivar and the other with the VX3 cultivar of energy cane, which were cultivated in pots with sand and a nutrient solution. In both experiments, treatments followed a factorial scheme 2x2, designed based on the sufficiency and deficiency of Fe, being combined with the absence or presence of Si (2.5 mmol L-1), disposed in a randomized blocks design with six replicates. In the condition of Fe sufficiency, plants were cultivated in a solution containing 368 µmol L-1 of Fe, while plants cultivated under deficiency were initially submitted to cultivation with a 54 µmol L-1 concentration of Fe for 30 days, and later, with Fe complete omission for 60 days. The supply of Si was carried out by applying 15 fertirrigations with Si (via root and leaf) during the initial stage of seedling development, and after transplanting, the nutrient solution was added daily (via root).Results and discussionBoth cultivars of energy cane were sensitive to Fe deficiency in the absence of Si, impairing its growth by causing stress and pigment degradation, thus reducing the photosynthesis efficiency. The supply of Si mitigated the damages caused by Fe deficiency in both cultivars, by increasing Fe accumulation in new and intermediate leaves, stem, and roots in the VX2 cultivar, and in new, intermediate, and old leaves and stem in the VX3 cultivar, which in turn reduced stress and favored both the nutritional and photosynthesis efficiency, while increasing the dry matter production. Si by modulating physiological and nutritional mechanisms, mitigates Fe deficiency in two energy cane cultivars. It was concluded that Si can be used as a strategy to improve growth and nutrition of energy cane in environments that are susceptible to Fe deficiency.
The 2021 Madrilenian regional election: how can the incumbent improve its results in times of crisis?
Authors: Coulbois Jaime 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionAlthough there is a considerable amount of work on the effect of catastrophes on elections, we still do not have much work on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on them. This article focuses on the case of the Madrilenian regional election of 2021, looking for the causes of the improvement of the ruling party's results, the Popular Party (PP), which went from having 22.23% of the vote share in 2019 to 44.76% in 2021, and more concretely to the role that COVID-19 had on this. This election is especially interesting for this matter because the main issue was the question of how to manage the pandemic: The right-wing parties (and mainly the PP) criticized the restrictions imposed by the central government, led by the socialist Pedro Sánchez, while the left-wing parties defended them.MethodsThe article runs separate analyses at the aggregate and individual levels. At the aggregate level, it uses municipal and district-level data with electoral and socio-demographic variables; at the individual level, it uses a post-electoral survey.ResultsThere was a higher improvement in PP's results in areas with higher increase in the turnout rate, and both individual and aggregate-level data show that this improvement was also led by upper-class and young voters. However, there is no significant association with the cumulated cases of COVID-19 in the area.DiscussionThe article contributes to the understanding of the 2021 Madrilenian regional election, showing that, despite the politicization of the pandemic, there was no relationship between how hardly were the areas hit by the pandemic and the outcome of the election at the aggregated-level.
A latent profile analysis of sleep disturbance in relation to mental health among college students in China
Authors: Chen Chunping , He Zigeng , Xu Bingna , Shao Jianyao , Wang Dongfang 
Published: May 2023

AimsThis study aimed to examine the subtype classification characteristics of sleep disturbance (SD) in college students and their associations with sample characteristic factors and mental health outcomes.MethodsThe sample comprised 4,302 college students (Mean age = 19.92 ± 1.42 years, 58.6% females). The Youth Self-Rating Insomnia Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, 8-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences, and 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were used to assess adolescents’ sleep disturbance, depressive symptoms, psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), and resilience. Latent profile analysis, logistic regression, and liner regression analysis were used to analyze the data.ResultsThree subtypes of SD in college students were identified: the high SD profile (10.6%), the mild SD profile (37.5%), and the no SD profile (51.9%). Compared with college students in the “no SD” profile, risk factors for “high SD” include being male and poor parental marital status. Sophomores were found to predict the “high SD” profile or “mild SD” profile relative to the “no SD” profile. College students in the “mild SD” profile or “high SD” profile were more likely to have a higher level of depressive symptoms and PLEs, while a lower level of resilience.ConclusionThe findings highlighted that target intervention is urgently needed for male college students, sophomores, and those with poor parental marital status in the “mild SD” profile or “high SD” profile.
Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among health workers in India: a case control study
Authors: George Leyanna Susan , Tomy Chitra , Retnakumar Charutha , Narlawar Uday , Bhardwaj Pankaj , Krishnan Jayasree , Rao R. L. Lakshman , Patel Prakash , Bilimale Anil S. , Baby Poornima , Mathew Minu Maria , Cassini Alessandro , Simniceanu Alice , Yin Mo , Allegranzi Benedetta , Ahmad Mohammed , Rahman Anisur , Mohiuddin Syed Ahmed , Thakre Sushama , Bhansali Suman Suman , Vohra Rajaat , Krishnan Hari , Logaraj M. , Maheriya Vaishali , Gharat Vaibhav , Dipu T. S. , Solomon Hilda , Sharma Sarita , Shwethashree M. , Hegde Rahul , Ansari Mohammad Waseem Faraz , Misra Sanjeev 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundCOVID-19 was declared as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30th January 2020. Compared to the general population, healthcare workers and their families have been identified to be at a higher risk of getting infected with COVID-19. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the risk factors responsible for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection among health workers in different hospital settings and to describe the range of clinical presentations of SARS-CoV-2 infection among them.MethodologyA nested case–control study was conducted among healthcare workers who were involved in the care of COVID-19 cases for assessing the risk factors associated with it. To get a holistic perspective, the study was conducted in 19 different hospitals from across 7 states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan) of India covering the major government and private hospitals that were actively involved in COVID-19 patient care. The study participants who were not vaccinated were enrolled using the incidence density sampling technique from December 2020 to December 2021.ResultsA total of 973 health workers consisting of 345 cases and 628 controls were recruited for the study. The mean age of the participants was observed to be 31.17 ± 8.5 years, with 56.3% of them being females. On multivariate analysis, the factors that were found to be significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 were age of more than 31 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.407 [95% CI 1.53–1.880]; p = 0.021), male gender (aOR 1.342 [95% CI 1.019–1.768]; p = 0.036), practical mode of IPC training on personal protective equipment (aOR 1. 1.935 [95% CI 1.148–3.260]; p = 0.013), direct exposure to COVID-19 patient (aOR 1.413 [95% CI 1.006–1.985]; p = 0.046), presence of diabetes mellitus (aOR 2.895 [95% CI 1.079–7.770]; p = 0.035) and those received prophylactic treatment for COVID-19 in the last 14 days (aOR 1.866 [95% CI 0.201–2.901]; p = 0.006).ConclusionThe study was able to highlight the need for having a separate hospital infection control department that implements IPC programs regularly. The study also emphasizes the need for developing policies that address the occupational hazards faced by health workers.
Barriers and facilitators to cognitive impairment screening among older adults with diabetes mellitus and hypertension by primary healthcare providers in rural Uganda
Authors: Muwanguzi Moses , Obua Celestino , Maling Samuel , Wong Wilson , Owokuhaisa Judith , Wakida Edith K. 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundThe burden of non-communicable diseases and cognitive impairment exhibit a linear rise in sub-Saharan Africa due to the increase in life expectancy. Non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus and hypertension increase the risk for cognitive impairment. To improve our understanding of the underpinnings of the cognitive impairment screening, this study explored the barriers and facilitators of routine cognitive impairment screening in a primary healthcare setting guided by the Capacity, Opportunity, Motivation Behavioral change (COM-B) model.MethodsThis was a descriptive qualitative study with primary healthcare providers who provide care to older adults with diabetes mellitus and hypertension at three primary healthcare centers in Mbarara district southwestern Uganda. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the framework approach along the COM-B components. Each COM-B component factors were categorized as barriers and facilitators.ResultsWe conducted 20 in-depth interviews with clinical officers, enrolled nurses, and a psychiatric nurse. The questions were guided by the Capacity, Opportunity and Motivation Behavioral change (COM-B) framework to identify barriers and facilitators to cognitive impairment screening. The factors that negatively affected the screening were considered as barriers, while the positive as facilitators. Capacity related barriers to cognitive impairment screening included chronic understaffing, primary healthcare provider non-involvement, lack of training/skills, lack of knowledge and awareness in screening, absence of caretakers, lack of patient awareness of cognitive problems; while facilitators were staff recruitment, primary healthcare provider involvement, and specialized training. Opportunity related barriers to screening included patient overload, infrastructure shortage, and time constraints. Motivation related barriers included lack of screening guidance and policy, while the facilitators were availability of mentorship programs for primary healthcare providers.ConclusionsIntegrating cognitive impairment screening in primary health care requires engagement of relevant stakeholders with the focus on addressing implementation challenges through capacity development. Timely cognitive impairment screening at the first point of care initiates a cascade of interventions for timely enrollment into care, thus arresting the progress of cognitive impairment that leads to dementia.
AAV9-mediated gene delivery to liver grafts during static cold storage in a rat liver transplant model
Authors: Gao Qimeng , Kesseli Samuel J. , Gonzalez Trevor , Zhang Min , Kahan Riley , Krischak Madison , Halpern Samantha E. , Song Mingqing , Xu Hongzhi , Abraham Nader , Anwar Imran J. , Alderete Isaac , Asokan Aravind , Hartwig Matthew G. , Barbas Andrew S. 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionRecombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is a novel strategy used clinically for gene delivery, but has not been characterized in the context of organ transplantation. We sought to determine the efficacy of rAAV-mediated gene delivery during static cold storage (SCS) prior to liver transplantation.MethodsA triple-plasmid transfection protocol was used to produce rAAV subtype-9 vectors containing firefly luciferase genomes in HEK293 cells. Lewis rat liver grafts were flushed and stored in cold HTK solution. Three experimental groups received rAAV at different doses, administered via the portal vein as a bolus during SCS. A control group did not receive rAAV (N = 2). Recipients then underwent syngeneic liver transplantation. Bioluminescence imaging to quantify in vivo luciferase expression was performed on post-operative days 7, 14, 28, and 56.ResultsControl animals demonstrated no bioluminescent activity, while animals receiving rAAV-treated livers had increasing bioluminescence, peaking at four weeks but sustained to the eight-week endpoint. This result was confirmed by experimental endpoint tissue luciferase activity assay.DiscussionrAAV mediates gene transduction in liver grafts when administered during SCS and has potential for gene therapy applications in solid organ transplantation.
Acute exercise induces distinct quantitative and phenotypical T cell profiles in men with prostate cancer
Authors: Hanson Erik D. , Sakkal Samy , Bates-Fraser Lauren C. , Que Shadney , Cho Eunhan , Spielmann Guillaume , Kadife Elif , Violet John A. , Battaglini Claudio L. , Stoner Lee , Bartlett David B. , McConell Glenn K. , Hayes Alan 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundReduced testosterone levels can influence immune system function, particularly T cells. Exercise during cancer reduces treatment-related side effects and provide a stimulus to mobilize and redistribute immune cells. However, it is unclear how conventional and unconventional T cells (UTC) respond to acute exercise in prostate cancer survivors compared to healthy controls.MethodsAge-matched prostate cancer survivors on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and those without ADT (PCa) along with non-cancer controls (CON) completed ∼45 min of intermittent cycling with 3 min at 60% of peak power interspersed by 1.5 min of rest. Fresh, unstimulated immune cell populations and intracellular perforin were assessed before (baseline), immediately following (0 h), 2 h, and 24 h post-exercise.ResultsAt 0 h, conventional T cell counts increased by 45%–64% with no differences between groups. T cell frequency decreased by −3.5% for CD3+ and −4.5% for CD4+ cells relative to base at 0 h with CD8+ cells experiencing a delayed decrease of −4.5% at 2 h with no group differences. Compared to CON, the frequency of CD8+CD57+ cells was −18.1% lower in ADT. Despite a potential decrease in maturity, ADT increased CD8+perforin+ GMFI. CD3+Vα7.2+CD161+ counts, but not frequencies, increased by 69% post-exercise while CD3+CD56+ cell counts increased by 127% and were preferentially mobilized (+1.7%) immediately following the acute cycling bout. There were no UTC group differences. Cell counts and frequencies returned to baseline by 24 h.ConclusionFollowing acute exercise, prostate cancer survivors demonstrate normal T cell and UTC responses that were comparable to CON. Independent of exercise, ADT is associated with lower CD8+ cell maturity (CD57) and perforin frequency that suggests a less mature phenotype. However, higher perforin GMFI may attenuate these changes, with the functional implications of this yet to be determined.
Measures to Contain the Transmission of Hepatitis C in a Chronic Kidney Care Hospital Unit in the Triângulo Mineiro in Brazil: A Case Study
Authors: Gomide Geisa Perez Medina , Pereira Lívia Helena de Morais , Camargo Fernanda Carolina , Rodrigues Lara Maximiano , Souza Regiane da Silva , Melo Isadora Vieira de , Pereira Thayná Andreza Ribeiro , Oliveira Cristina da Cunha Hueb Barata de 
Published: May 2023

Objectives: Hepatitis C virus elimination is complex. The objective was to analyze measures to eliminate virus transmission in a hemodialysis unit.Methods: Case study composed of multiple units of analysis. The scenario is the hemodialysis unit of a Brazilian public hospital. Population composed of health service records. Descriptive analyzes were performed and the beginning of the event was considered as the moment of increased incidence of HCV. The intentional and purposeful collection of information for understanding the event and implementing interventions.Results: The subunits of analysis were related to: clinical-epidemiological profile, active search, transmission routes, management protocol and results achieved. In August 2019, out of 45 patients, six were reactive for anti-HCV. All received treatment. Patients had exposure to contaminated medical equipment, objects or hands of professionals. Preventive measures were adopted and routine techniques were corrected. Situational Analysis Committee guided the management of the event. No new cases were detected.Conclusions: Strategies for the microelimination of the C virus in a dialysis environment are demonstrated and it shows the multidisciplinary efforts in conducting the event.