bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Genetic Risk of End-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis Treated with Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Kulm Scott , Kolin David A. , Langhans Mark T. , Kaidi Austin C. , Elemento Olivier , Bostrom Mathias P. , Shen Tony S. 
Published: August 2022

Background:End-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly debilitating disease for which total knee arthroplasty (TKA) serves as an effective treatment option. Although a genetic component to OA in general has been described, evaluation of the genetic contribution to end-stage OA of the knee is limited. To this end, we present a genome-wide association study involving patients undergoing TKA for primary knee OA to characterize the genetic features of severe disease on a population level.Methods:Individuals with the diagnosis of knee OA who underwent primary TKA were identified in the U.K. Biobank using administrative codes. The U.K. Biobank is a data repository containing prospectively collected clinical and genomic data for >500,000 patients. A genome-wide association analysis was performed using the REGENIE software package. Logistic regression was also used to compare the total genetic risk between subgroups stratified by age and body mass index (BMI).Results:A total of 16,032 patients with end-stage knee OA who underwent primary TKA were identified. Seven genetic loci were found to be significantly associated with end-stage knee OA. The odds ratio (OR) for developing end-stage knee OA attributable to genetics was 1.12 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 1.14), which was lower than the OR associated with BMI (OR = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.78 to 1.83) and age (OR = 2.38; 95% CI, 2.32 to 2.45). The magnitude of the OR for developing end-stage knee OA attributable to genetics was greater in patients <60 years old than in patients ≥60 years old (p = 0.002).Conclusions:This population-level genome-wide association study of end-stage knee OA treated with primary TKA was notable for identifying multiple significant genetic variants. These loci involve genes responsible for cartilage development, cartilage homeostasis, cell signaling, and metabolism. Age and BMI appear to have a greater impact on the risk of developing end-stage disease compared with genetic factors. The genetic contribution to the development of severe disease is greater in younger patients.Level of Evidence:PrognosticLevel III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Sorafenib alleviates inflammatory signaling of tumor microenvironment in lung cancer
Authors: Cicek Betul , Hayme Serhat , Kuzucu Mehmet , Cetin Ahmet , Yeni Yesim , Genc Sidika , Yildirim Serkan , Bolat Ismail , Kantarci Mecit , Gul Mustafa , Hacimuftuoglu Ahmet 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: This study was designed to assess the possible beneficial effects of sorafenib (SOR) in diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced lung carcinogenesis in male rats and also to examine its probable mechanisms of action. Methods and results: A total of 30 adult male rats were divided into three groups as (1) control, (2) DEN, and (3) DEN+SOR. The chemical induction of lung carcinogenesis was performed by injection of DEN intraperitoneally at 150 mg/kg once a week for two weeks. The DEN-administered rats were co-treated with SOR of 10 mg/kg by oral gavage for 42 alternate days. Serum samples were analyzed to determine SOX2 levels. Levels of SOX2, TNF-α and IL-1β were measured in lung tissue supernatants. Lung sections were evaluated histopathologically. Also, COX-2 and JNK were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence methods respectively. SOR reduced the level of SOX2 that maintenance of cancer stemness and tumorigenicity, and TNF-α and IL-1β levels. Furthermore, SOR reduced lung histopathological structure and suppressed COX-2 and JNK expressionConclusions: These results suggest that SOR reduces inflammation in the tumor microenvironment and decreases the level of SOX2 which has an important role in maintaining cancer stem cell properties.
Vaping is Associated with Less Tooth Loss Among Medical Marijuana Users in the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Authors: ALHarthi Shatha , Binshabaib Munerah , ALShami Abeer , Abdellatif Hoda , Karimbux Nadeem 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
In the United States (US), the prevalence of periodontitis is adults has been estimated to be as high as 46%, and chronic periodontitis leads to tooth loss. Tobacco use is an established risk factor for periodontitis and tooth loss, but evidence behind the relationship between marijuana use and periodontitis remains unclear. Recent innovations have led health-conscious individuals to switch from smoking to inhaling vaporized tobacco and MM (“vaping”). This paper aims 1) to characterize United States (US) MM users in the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS); 2) to determine if vaping (compared to other MM use methods) is independently associated with oral healthcare utilization and outcomes and 3) to explore potential effect modification between tobacco and MM use and oral health outcomes.
Methods
Those reporting MM use with valid tobacco use variables were included in the analysis. After descriptive analysis, logistic regression was used to estimate whether method of MM use was independently associated with oral health outcomes in tobacco users and non-users.
Results
Of the 7,077 respondents reporting MM use, 69% smoked, 8% vaped, and 50% were also current tobacco users. In regression analysis, among tobacco users, vaping MM and vaping tobacco were associated with lower odds of having lost six or more teeth (compared to smoking both, and eating/drinking MM). Among tobacco non-users, vaping MM was associated with much lower odds of tooth loss than eating/drinking MM (compared to smoking, odds ratio [OR] vaping 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22–0.72, OR eating/drinking 0.73, 95% CI 0.57–0.95).
Conclusions
Our findings point to a potentially anti-inflammatory effect of vaping MM that deserves further examination. Additional studies should seek to accurately measure both tobacco and MM use, and determine whether there is indeed effect modification in terms of their relationship to oral health outcomes.
The Advantages of Domestic Ear Molding System in Molding Bilateral Neonatal Congenital Auricular Deformities
Authors: Li Jie , Tan Junlong , Yang Denghua , Chen Liyan 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
There are different types of ear molding devices on the market. However, with high cost, the wide application of the ear molding is hindered, especially for children with bilateral congenital auricular deformities (CAD). This study is designed to correct the bilateral CAD with the flexible use of Chinese domestic ear molding system.
Methods
Newborns diagnosed with bilateral CAD were recruited in our hospital from September 2020 to October 2021. For each subject, one ear wore a set of domestic ear molding system, while the contralateral ear used only matching Retractor and Antihelix Former. Medical charts were reviewed to collect data on the types of CAD, the incidence of complications, the initiation and duration of treatment, as well as the satisfaction after treatment. Treatment outcomes were graded into three levels: excellent, good, and poor, according to the improvement of auricular morphology evaluated by both doctors and parents, respectively.
Results
A total of 16 infants (32 ears) were treated with the Chinese domestic ear molding system, which contains 4 cases with Stahl’s ear (8 ears), 5 cases with Helical rim deformity (10 ears), 3 cases with Cup ear (6 ears), 4 cases with Lop ear (8 ears ). All infants accomplished the correction completely. Both parents and doctors were satisfied with the outcomes. No obvious complication was encountered.
Conclusions
Ear molding is an effective nonsurgical treatment for CAD. Molding with Retractor and Antihelix Former is simple and effective. Domestic ear molding system can be flexibly used in correcting bilateral CAD. With this approach, infants with bilateral CAD will benefit more in the near future.
Anchovy booms and busts linked to trophic shifts in larval diet
Authors: Swalethorp Rasmus , Landry Michael , Semmens Brice , Ohman Mark , Aluwihare Lihini , Chargualaf Dereka , Thompson Andrew 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Biomass fluctuations of small coastal-pelagic fishes represent perhaps the most iconic temporal record of the impacts of natural climate variability on marine ecosystems1,2,3. These fishes are key constituents of the marine pelagic food web as primary feeders on plankton, prey to higher trophic level foragers such as birds, marine mammals, piscivore fishes4,5 and valued for human consumption and industry6. Despite over a century of research, the mechanisms governing their population volatility remain elusive7,8. Here, we use a 45-year record of nitrogen stable isotopes measured in larvae of Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax) in the California Current to assess patterns in food chain length. Larval trophic efficiency associated with a shortened food chain increased for boom periods of high adult biomass, during which the ratio of large to small larvae decreased by an order of magnitude. In contrast, the ratio increased during periods of low adult biomass, likely reflecting a higher rate of early larval mortality. For the first time, we connect energy transfer efficiency to early larval survival, which in turn regulates the decadal-scale volatility of anchovy biomass, leading to the proposal of the Trophic Efficiency in Early Life (TEEL) hypothesis. Our findings illustrate a potential for trophic indicators to inform on the condition and recruitment to coastal-pelagic fish populations.
Choice of Isolation method has a significant impact on average murine Telomere Length estimates
Authors: Kidd E. , Meimaridou E. , Williams J. , Metherell LA. , Walley A. J. , Fairbrother UL. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background Telomere Length (TL) and integrity is significantly associated with age-related disease, multiple genetic and environmental factors. We observe mouse genomic DNA (gDNA) isolation methods have a significant impact on average TL estimates. The canonical qPCR method does not measure TL directly but via the ratio of telomere repeats to a single copy gene (SCG) generating an TS ratio. We use an mmqPCR method which multiplexes the PCR and enables quantification of the target and the single copy gene within the same qPCR reaction. Results We demonstrate TL measurements, from murine gDNA, isolated via Spin Columns (SC) and Magnetic Beads (MB), generate significantly smaller T/S ratios compared to gDNA isolated via traditional phenol/chloroform methods. The former methods may impede correct TL estimation by producing non representative fragment sets and reducing qPCR efficacy. Conclusions This work highlights discrepancies in TL measurements due to different extraction techniques. We recommend the use of gDNA isolation methods that are shown to preserve DNA length and integrity, such as phenol/chloroform isolation. We propose that widely used high throughput DNA isolation methodologies can create spurious associations within a sample set, thus creating misleading data. We suggest that published TL associations should be revisited in the light of these data.
Electronic cigarettes use and ‘dual-use’ among the youth in 75 countries- Estimates from Global Youth Tobacco Surveys (2014-2019)
Authors: Sreeramare Chandrashekhar T , Acharya Kiran , Manoharan Anusha 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background We report the country-level prevalence of awareness about and electronic cigarette use, and ‘dual use’ and its associations with age, sex, and country income,e and e-cigarette regulatory status. Methods We analyzed the most recent Global Youth Tobacco Surveys done on nationally representative samples of school-going youth aged 13–15 years in 75 countries. The weighted prevalence of ‘awareness’ (heard about e-cigarettes), ‘ever use’ (even tried a few puffs), ‘current use’ (during the last 30 days), and ‘dual-use’ (e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking during the last 30 days) were estimated. Results Awareness was > 80% in 13 countries mostly from Europe, Poland being the highest at 95.8% (95% CI94.8- 96.6). In seven countries, 30–50% of the youth had ever used an e-cigarette, Italy was the highest at 55.1% (95%CI 51 − 3,58.9). In 30 countries, current e-cigarette use was > 10%, highest of 35.1% (95%CI 32.4–38.0) in Guam. Awareness and use were highest in the European region (74.6% and 34.5%) and HIC (83.6% and 39.4%). Youth from HIC and countries having restrictive e-cigarette regulations had 1.1 times (aOR 1.03, 95% CI 1.03, 1.24) and 1.8 times (aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.63, 2.01) higher odds of being current e-cigarette users. Youth in countries with the most restrictive e-cigarette regulations had 0.6 times lower odds of being current e-cigarette users (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.56, 0.72). Conclusion Awareness and e-cigarette use varied by sex, country income level, and region. Continued global surveillance of youth e-cigarette use to assist in the formulation of e-cigarette regulatory policy. Implications Awareness and use of e-cigarettes including dual-use were higher among boys, in countries in Europe and America regions, and those with higher income and restrictive policies, whereas lower in most restrictive policies. Higher awareness strongly correlated with a trial and current use of e-cigarettes. E-cigarette marketing should be restricted, and continued surveillance of e-cigarette use is needed. Most restrictive policies such as the ban on e-cigarettes appear to reduce e-cigarette use among the youth.
Community Belonging and Flourishing in Youth: The role of Positive Coping and Racial and Ethnic Identity
Authors: Kerai Salima , Karim Mohammad Ehsanul , Oberle Eva 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Objectives
Community belonging, and positive coping are two distinct protective factors contributing to positive mental health in youth. It is currently unknown whether these two factors shape youth mental health independently or whether community belonging shapes youth mental health through an indirect pathway of positive coping. To address this gap, we evaluated the mediating role of positive coping skills in the relationship between community belonging and positive mental health in youth. We further explored if the mediation pathway through positive coping skills differs between youth who self-identify as White versus those who do not.
Methods
We analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of 5,338 Canadian youth (15–29 years old; 47.5% female). We performed a mediation analysis using a counterfactual approach adjusting for national survey design and key demographic, lifestyle and health-related factors.
Results
We found that positive coping skills mediated the relationship between community belonging and positive mental health in Canadian youth (effect mediated was 13.9%; 95% CI 6.1–23.8%). Furthermore, compared to youth identifying as White, those who did not have a higher likelihood of flourishing more directly from experiencing a stronger sense of belonging than indirectly through positive coping skills.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that part of the association between community belonging, and mental health can be explained through enhanced positive coping skills in youth. The strength of the pathway differs by youths' racial and ethnic backgrounds. Thus, community connectedness and positive coping - understood as protective mechanisms - can be targeted for mental health promotion in youths.
Baseline Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra Cycle Threshold provides a good estimate of bacterial load and has added value as a predictor of smear positivity in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Martin-Higuera MC. , Rivas Gonzalo , Rolo Marta , Muñoz-Gallego Irene , Lopez-Roa Paula 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Traditionally, smear microscopy has been used as to estimate bacillary burden in order to assess infectiousness in tuberculosis patients. Xpert Ultra has the potential to replace smear. However, there are scarce data available to support its use as a quantitative marker. This study assessed the correlation between CT (with and without normalization), smear, culture time-to-positivity (TTP), and clinical factors in patients with Xpert ultra positive sputum during a four-year period. A cut off CT value for smear positivity was also determined. Two hundred and four samples were included. Strong correlation between both Xpert Ultra CT values (raw and normalized) and smear grade was obtained (r = 0.78 and − 0.79, respectively). The association between CT and TTP was weaker than smear (r = 0.50) but strong correlation (-0.70) between TTP and normalized- CT (N- CT) was observed. A cut off N- CT value of 5.2 was found to best predict smear positivity. Only cavitation and cough were significantly related to a higher bacillary burden. Our study suggests that Xpert Ultra N-Ct correlates well with smear and TTP, and demonstrates the added value of N-Ct as a predictor of positive smear status.
Clinical and cone-beam CT analysis of the effectiveness of anterior repositioning splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular joint click in different age groups
Authors: Li Chuanjie , Zhang Qingbin 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackground:Joint click is a typical symptom for TMD and can be treated by anterior repositioning splint (ARS) therapy. However, the effect of treatment in different age groups has not been evaluated. To analysis of the effectiveness of ARS therapy in the management of TMJ click in different age groups based on the results of clinical and CBCT examination.Methods:Patients with TMJ click admitted to TMJ Diagnosis and Treatment Center in 2021 were included in this study. They divided into 2 groups according to ages: ≤22Y and >22Y. Clinical features included click severity, symptom duration and CBCT imaging characteristics (condylar position and condylar ratio) were analyzed.Results:169 patients with 338TMJs were studied in this study. The mean age of paitents was 18.78±2.8 in the ≤22Y group (78 patients) and 30.53±10.6 in the >22Y group (91 patients). Sex distribution, CSV, ratio of CSV=1, ratio of CSV=2, symptom duration showed no statistical differences between the two groups. Before ARS treatment, there was no significant difference in AJS, PJS and condylar ratio, but the proportion of posteriorly positioned condyle in ≤22Y group (72, 46.2%) was significantly smaller than that in the >22Y group (100, 54.9%). After ARS treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in AJS, PJS, condylar ratio and condylar position, but the change of condylar ratio in ≤22Y group (0.03±0.10) was significantly higher than that in >22Y group (-0.02±0.11). The positive results (39.7%) in ≤22Y group were greater than >22Y group (17.9%). The time required for CSV=0 in ≤22Y group (2.03±1.14) was significantly shorter than that in >22Y group (2.66±1.41). In the first and second months of follow-up, the ratio for CSV=0 (46.1%, 65.8%) in ≤22Y group was significantly higher than that in >22Y group (22.5%, 50.0%).Conclusions:ARS is more effective in joint clicking treatment in the group ≤22Y. Although AJS, PJS, condylar ratio and condylar position did not change significantly after ARS treatment, the rate of positive results in condylar position was higher in the ≤22Y group.Trial registration:This study was retrospectively registered On 28/03/2022 and endorsed by the Ethics committee (LCYJ2022014).
Near-frictionless ion transport from rigid nanoconfinement by triazine framework membranes
Authors: Yang Zhengjin , Zuo Peipei , Ye Chunchun , Jiao Zhongren , Luo Jian , Fang Junkai , Schubert Ulrich , McKeown Neil , Liu Tianbiao , Xu Tongwen 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Many separation, purification processes and electrochemical technologies such as water electrolysers1,2, fuel cells3,4, redox flow battery5,6 and ion-capture electrodialysis7 hinge on the development of low-resistance and high-selectivity ion-transport membranes (SIMs). The transport of ions through SIMs depends on the overall energy barrier which are imposed by the collective interplay of pore architecture and pore-analytes interaction8,9. However, it remains challenging to design efficient, scalable and low-cost SIMs with low-energy-barrier ion channels. Here we pursue a strategy to approach the diffusion limit of ions in water for large-area free-standing synthetic membranes using covalently bonded polymer frameworks with rigidity-confined ion channels. The near-frictionless ion flow is synergistically fulfilled by robust micropore confinement and multi-interaction between ion and membrane, which afford, for instance, a Na+ diffusion coefficient of is 1.18×10-9 square meter per second, close to the value in pure water at infinite dilution and an area-specific membrane resistance as low as 0.17 Ohm square centimeter. We demonstrate the great efficacy of membranes in fast-charging aqueous organic redox flow batteries that deliver both high energy efficiency and high capacity utilization at extremely high current densities (up to 500 milliampere per square centimeter), while avoiding crossover-induced capacity decay. This membrane design concept may be broadly applicable to membranes for a wide range of electrochemical devices and for precise molecular separation.
EGCG promotes Aβ clearance of microglia through blockage of the HDAC6-PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling axis followed by autophagy activation
Authors: Hong Honghai , Mo Yousheng , Chen Yan , Li Dongli , Liao Yanfang , Fang Jiansong , Zhang Zongtao , Shao Ling , Lai Yiyi , Fu Xiaomei , Wang Qi , Xia Yong , Fang Shuhuan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackground Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterised with signature pathological lesions of extracellular senile plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles comprising amyloid beta (Aβ) protein and hyperphosphorylated tau protein, respectively. Microglia, the major players of innate immune cells in the brain, can cleave Aβ via phagocytosis and autophagy. Methods To examine the effects of EGCG on the cognitive deficit of APP/PS1 mice, behavioural tests such as open-field test and Y-maze were performed and hippocampus tissues were collected for Immunofluorescence assay after EGCG treatment. We estimated expression levels of various related proteins by western blot to evaluate the role of EGCG in AD progression. To investigate whether EGCG protects SH-SY5Y cells following microglial cell-mediated clearance of Aβ1−42,we performed a co-culture experiment with SH-SY5Y cells and N9 microglia. Results Our results demonstrate that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major green tea phytochemical, could improve the learning and memory abilities of AD mice, erase Aβ deposition, and promote microglial proliferation. The EGCG-induced Aβ clearance by microglia is mediated through the blockade of the histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and the subsequent activation of autophagy. EGCG protects neuronal cells from Aβ1−42-mediated toxicity through the clearance of Aβ by microglia. Conclusion Our work describes an EGCG-HDAC6-PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling axis that influences microglial autophagy, and suggests that the therapeutic targeting of this axis could enhance the cognitive function in AD by Aβ clearance.