bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in poststroke cognitive impairment: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Li Zhen-Dong , Qiu Hang-Jian , Wang Xiao-Qian , Zhang Cheng-Cheng , Zhang Yue-Juan 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundAs one of the most common stroke sequelae, poststroke cognitive impairment significantly impacts 17.6%–83% of survivors, affecting their rehabilitation, daily living and quality of life. Improving cognitive abilities among patients in stroke recovery is therefore critical and urgent. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (TAVNS) is a non-invasive, safe, cost-effective treatment with great potential for improving the cognitive function of poststroke patients. This clinical research will evaluate the effectiveness, and help elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms, of TAVNS for improving poststroke cognitive function.Methods and analysisA single-centre, parallel-group, allocation concealment, assessor-blinded randomised controlled clinical trial. We will allocate 88 recruited participants to the TAVNS or sham group for an intervention that will run for 8 weeks, 5 days per week with twice daily sessions lasting 30 min each. Blood tests will be performed and questionnaires issued at baseline and 8-week and 12 week follow-ups. Primary outcomes will be changes in cognitive function scores. Secondary outcomes will be changes in activities of daily living, quality of life and serum oxidative stress indicators.Ethics and disseminationThe Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine has approved the protocol (No. HN-LL-YJSLW-2022200). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and presented at scientific conferences.Trial registration numberChiCTR2200057808.
Impacts of economic inequality on healthcare worker safety at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional analysis of a global survey
Authors: Harrigan Sean P , Tsang Vivian W L , Yassi Annalee , Zungu Muzimkhulu , Spiegel Jerry M 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesTo assess the extent to which protection of healthcare workers (HCWs) as COVID-19 emerged was associated with economic inequality among and within countries.DesignCross-sectional analysis of associations of perceptions of workplace risk acceptability and mitigation measure adequacy with indicators of respondents’ respective country’s economic income level (World Bank assessment) and degree of within-country inequality (Gini index).SettingA global self-administered online survey.Participants4977 HCWs and healthcare delivery stakeholders from 161 countries responded to health and safety risk questions and a subset of 4076 (81.2%) answered mitigation measure questions. The majority (65%) of study participants were female.ResultsWhile the levels ofriskbeing experienced at the pandemic’s onset were consistently deemed as unacceptable across all groupings, participants from countries with less income inequality were somewhat less likely to report unacceptable levels of risk to HCWs regarding both workplace environment (OR=0.92, p=0.012) and workplace organisational factors (OR=0.93, p=0.017) compared with counterparts in more unequal national settings. In contrast, considerable variation existed in the degree to whichmitigationmeasures were considered adequate. Adjusting for other influences through a logistic regression analysis, respondents from lower middle-income and low-income countries were comparatively much more likely to assess both occupational health and safety (OR=10.91, p≤0.001) and infection prevention and control (IPC) (OR=6.61, p=0.001) protection measures as inadequate, despite much higher COVID-19 rates in wealthier countries at the time of the survey. Greater within-country income inequality was also associated with perceptions of less adequate IPC measures (OR=0.94, p=0.025). These associations remained significant when accounting for country-level differences in occupational and gender composition of respondents, including specifically when only female care providers, our study’s largest and most at-risk subpopulation, were examined.ConclusionsEconomic inequality threatens resilience of health systems that rely on health workers working safely to provide needed care during emerging pandemics.
Risk factors for the prevalence of poor sleep quality in lecturers during COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia: an institution-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Hailu Tesfaye Amensisa , Alemayehu M , Abere Giziew , Kabito Gebisa Guyasa 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to assess the prevalence and risk factors of poor sleep quality (SQ) among the academic staff at the University of Gondar, Northwestern Ethiopia.DesignAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021. A validated, self-administered, standardised Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to quantify the amount of self-reported poor SQ. The collected data were entered into EpiData V.4.6 and analysed using Stata V.14 software. Binary logistic regressions were computed to determine the association between variables. The association was determined using an adjusted OR (AOR) with a 95% CI at a p value of <0.05.SettingThe study was conducted at the University of Gondar, Northwestern Ethiopia.ParticipantsA total of 607 lecturers participated in this study.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome is the prevalence of poor SQ, which was measured using the PSQI.ResultsOverall response rate was 95.60% (N=607). The age of the participants ranges from 21 to 70 with a mean of 32.39 (SD±6.80) years. The magnitude of poor SQ during the COVID-19 pandemic in the last month was 60.30% (95% CI (56.28% to 64.21%)). Working greater than 10 hours per day (AOR=2.19, 95% CI (1.16 to 4.27)), electronic device use before bedtime (AOR=1.53, 95% CI (1.04 to 2.27)), high-risk perception of COVID-19 infections (AOR=1.60, 95% CI (1.04 to 2.46)) and perceived job stress (AOR=2.15 (95% CI (1.50 to 3.08)) were risk factors for poor SQ.ConclusionThe study revealed that the prevalence of poor SQ was high during the COVID-19 pandemic. The finding highlights the importance of optimising the working hours per day, minimising electronic device use before bedtime, promoting risk perception toward COVID-19 infection and developing workplace coping strategies for stress, which play a substantial role in minimising poor SQ.
Peer-support interventions for women with cardiovascular disease: protocol for synthesising the literature using an evidence map
Authors: Parry Monica , Visintini Sarah , Johnston Amy , Colella Tracey JF , Kapur Deeksha , Liblik Kiera , Gomes Zoya , Dancey Sonia , Liu Shuangbo , Goodenough Catherine , Hay Jacqueline L , Noble Meagan , Adreak Najah , Robert Helen , Tang Natasha , O'Hara Arland , Wong Anice , Mullen Kerri-Anne 
Published: October 2022

IntroductionThe leading cause of death for women is cardiovascular disease (CVD), including ischaemic heart disease, stroke and heart failure. Previous literature suggests peer support interventions improve self-reported recovery, hope and empowerment in other patient populations, but the evidence for peer support interventions in women with CVD is unknown. The aim of this study is to describe peer support interventions for women with CVD using an evidence map. Specific objectives are to: (1) provide an overview of peer support interventions used in women with ischaemic heart disease, stroke and heart failure, (2) identify gaps in primary studies where new or better studies are needed and (3) describe knowledge gaps where complete systematic reviews are required.Methods and analysisWe are building on previous experience and expertise in knowledge synthesis using methods described by the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information (EPPI) and the Coordinating Centre at the Institute of Education. Seven databases will be searched from inception: CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus. We will also conduct grey literature searches for registered clinical trials, dissertations and theses, and conference abstracts. Inclusion and exclusion criteria will be kept broad, and studies will be included if they discuss a peer support intervention and include women, independent of the research design. No date or language limits will be applied to the searches. Qualitative findings will be summarised narratively, and quantitative analyses will be performed using R.Ethics and disseminationThe University of Toronto’s Research Ethics Board granted approval on 28 April 2022 (Protocol #42608). Bubble plots (ie, weighted scatter plots), geographical heat/choropleth maps and infographics will be used to illustrate peer support intervention elements by category of CVD. Knowledge dissemination will include publication, presentation/public forums and social media.
Contribution of sex, sports and activity types and curriculum load distribution to intracurricular injury risk in physical education teacher education: a cohort study
Authors: Barendrecht Maarten , Tak Igor , Barten Carl , Verhagen Evert 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesTo investigate the influence of sports/activity types and their distribution over the curriculum years on intracurricular injury risk differences between curriculum years and sexes in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) studies.MethodsIn a cohort study over 14 years (2000–2014), injuries reported at the medical facility of a Dutch vocational institute by PETE students who completed their full curriculum were registered. Intracurricular injury rates (IR) per 1000 hours and 95% CIs were calculated per sport, sex and curriculum year and compared with injury rate ratios (RR) and 95% CI. Exposure times per sports category per curriculum year were compared with the χ2test.ResultsIntracurricular IR was highest for gymnastics, team ball sports and track and field (0.76–1.23, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.45). IRs were higher for female compared with male students (RR 2.38, 95% CI 1.97 to 2.87). Comparisons for all individual sports and for all three curriculum years showed the same pattern. IR for the first year was higher than for the second (RR 1.79, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.21) and third year (RR 2.74, 95% CI 2.13 to 3.54) with similar patterns for all sports categories. Over the curriculum years, exposure time distributions per sport showed small differences (p<0.001, Cramer’s V=0.07).ConclusionCurriculum year, sex and sports types are risk factors to be independently targeted for preventive and rehabilitative measures in PETE studies. The nature and aetiology of injuries in mixed sports, and the adaption to increased loads in first-year and female PETE students, need further investigation.
Effect of different helmet types in head injuries: a case–control study in northern Ghana
Authors: Baffour Appiah Anthony , Akweongo Patricia , Sackey Samuel Oko , Morna Martin Tangnaa , Kenu Ernest , Buunaaim Alexis Dun Bo-ib , Debrah Samual Akobour Yaw , Ojo Thomas K , Donkor Peter , Mock Charles N 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundMotorcycle helmet use is low in Ghana and many helmets are non-standard. There are limited data on the effectiveness of the different helmet types in use in the real-world circumstances of low-income and middle-income countries. This study assessed the effect of different helmet types on risk of head injury among motorcycle crash victims in northern Ghana.MethodsA prospective unmatched case–control study was conducted at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). All persons who had injuries from a motorcycle crash within 2 weeks of presentation to TTH were consecutively sampled. A total of 349 cases, persons who sustained minor to severe head injury, and 363 controls, persons without head injury, were enrolled. A semistructured questionnaire was used to interview patients and review their medical records. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds for head injury.ResultsAfter adjusting for confounders, the odds of head injuries were 93% less in motorcyclists with full-face helmet (FFH) (adjusted OR, AOR 0.07, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.15) or open-face helmet (OFH) (AOR 0.07, 95% CI 0.04, 0.13), compared with unhelmeted motorcyclists. Half-coverage helmets (HCH) were less effective (AOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.92). With exception of HCH, the AORs of head injury for the different types of helmets were lower in riders (FFH=0.06, OFH=0.05 and HCH=0.47) than in pillion riders (FFH=0.11, OFH=0.12 and HCH=0.35).ConclusionEven in this environment where there is a high proportion of non-standard helmets, the available helmets provided significant protection against head injury, but with considerably less protection provided by HCHs.
PreferentialMGMThypermethylation in SDH-deficient wild-type GIST
Authors: Giger Olivier T , ten Hoopen Rogier , Shorthouse David , Abdullahi Shukri , Bulusu Venkata Ramesh , Jadhav Saili , Maher Eamonn R , Casey Ruth T 
Published: October 2022

AimsWild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumours (wtGIST) are frequently caused by inherited pathogenic variants, or somatic alterations in the succinate dehydrogenase subunit genes (SDHx). Succinate dehydrogenase is a key enzyme in the citric acid cycle. SDH deficiency caused bySDHxinactivation leads to an accumulation of succinate, which inhibits DNA and histone demethylase enzymes, resulting in global hypermethylation. Epigenetic silencing of the DNA repair gene MGMT has proven utility as a positive predictor of the therapeutic efficacy of the alklyating drug temozolomide (TMZ) in tumours such as glioblastoma multiforme. The aim of this study was to examine MGMT promoter methylation status in a large cohort of GIST.MethodsMGMT methylation analysis was performed on 65 tumour samples including 47 wtGIST (33 SDH-deficient wtGIST and 11 SDH preserved wtGIST) and 21 tyrosine kinase (TK) mutant GIST.ResultsMGMTpromoter methylation was detected in 8 cases of SDH-deficient (dSDH) GIST but in none of the 14 SDH preserved wild-type GIST or 21 TK mutant GIST samples analysed. Mean MGMT methylation was significantly higher (p 0.0449) and MGMT expression significantly lower (p<0.0001) in dSDH wtGIST compared with TK mutant or SDH preserved GIST. No correlation was identified betweenSDHxsubunit gene mutations or SDHC epimutation status and mean MGMT methylation levels.ConclusionMGMT promoter hypermethylation occurs exclusively in a subset of dSDH wtGIST. Data from this study support testing of tumour MGMT promoter methylation in patients with dSDH wtGIST to identify those patients who may benefit from most from TMZ therapy.
Short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and readmissions for heart failure among 3660 post-discharge patients with hypertension in older Chinese adults
Authors: Xu Ruijun , Tian Qi , Wei Jing , Ye Yunshao , Li Yingxin , Lin Qiaoxuan , Wang Yaqi , Liu Likun , Shi Chunxiang , Xia Wenhao , Liu Yuewei 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundDespite ambient air pollution being associated with various adverse cardiovascular outcomes, the acute effects of ambient air pollution on hospital readmissions for heart failure (HF) among post-discharge patients with hypertension remain less understood.MethodsWe conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study among 3660 subjects 60 years or older who were admitted to hospital for HF after discharge for hypertension in Guangzhou, China during 2016–2019. For each subject, individualised residential exposures to ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤1 µm (PM1), ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5), ≤10 µm (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone were extracted from our validated grid dataset.ResultsAn IQR increase of lag 04-day exposure to PM1(IQR: 11.6 μg/m3), PM2.5(IQR 21.9 μg/m3), PM10(IQR 35.0 μg/m3), SO2(IQR 4.4 μg/m3), NO2(IQR 23.3 μg/m3) and CO (IQR 0.25 mg/m3) was significantly associated with a 9.77% (95% CI 2.21% to 17.89%), 8.74% (95% CI 1.05% to 17.00%), 13.93% (95% CI 5.36% to 23.20%), 10.81% (95% CI 1.82% to 20.60%), 14.97% (95% CI 8.05% to 22.34%) and 7.37% (95% CI 0.98% to 14.16%) increase in odds of HF readmissions, respectively. With adjustment for other pollutants, the association for NO2exposure remained stable, while the associations for PM1, PM2.5, PM10, SO2and CO exposures became insignificant. Overall, an estimated 19.86% of HF readmissions were attributable to NO2exposure, while reducing NO2exposure to the WHO and China air quality standards would avoid 12.87% and 0.54% of readmissions, respectively. No susceptible populations were observed by sex, age or season.ConclusionShort-term exposure to ambient NO2was significantly associated with an increased odds of HF readmissions among post-discharge patients with hypertension in older Chinese adults.
Horizon problem for Bianchi type-V universe model
Authors: Çi̇l B. , Çevi̇k I. , Yildiz G.D. Açan , Kara E. , Güdekli̇ E. 
Published: October 2022

In this study, we examined the horizon problem in the Bianchi type-V cosmological model. Our investigation showed that we could not obtain the solution to the horizon problem without neglecting the strong energy condition. As a result, we have shown no horizon problem in our model with figures and calculations.
Does United Kingdom parliamentary attention follow social media posts?
Authors: Bollenbacher John , Loynes Niklas , Bryden John 
Published: October 2022

AbstractNews and social media play an important role in public political discourse. It is not clear what quantifiable relationships public discussions of politics have with official discourse within legislative bodies. In this study we present an analysis of how language used by Members of Parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom (UK) changes after social media posts and online reactions to those posts. We consider three domains: news articles posted on Facebook in the UK, speeches in the questions-debates in the UK House of Commons, and Tweets by UK MPs. Our method works by quantifying how the words used in one domain become more common in another domain after an event such as a social media post. Our results show that words used in one domain later appear more commonly in other domains. For instance after each article on Facebook, we estimate that on average 4 in 100,000 words in Commons speeches had changed, becoming more similar to the language in the article. We also find that the extent of this language change positively correlates with the number of comments and emotional interactions on Facebook. The observed language change differs between political parties; in particular, changes in word use by Labour MPs are more strongly related to social media content than that of Conservative MPs. We argue that the magnitude of this word flow is quite substantial given the large volume of news articles shared on Facebook. Our method and results quantify how parliamentary attention follows public interest as expressed on Facebook and also indicate how this effect may be stronger for posts which evoke reactions on Facebook associated with laughter or anger.
Bio-Functional Potential and Biochemical Properties of Propolis Collected from Different Regions of Balochistan Province of Pakistan
Authors: Akbar Ali , Gul Zareen , Aziz Saliha , Sadiq Muhammad Bilal , Achakzai Jahangir Khan , Saeed Shazia , Chein Su Hlaing , Sher Hassan 
Published: October 2022

Propolis is a well-known resinous natural substance collected by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) from plants exudations. Variations in chemical composition of propolis are due to different sources from which it is collected and change in climate and geographical location. In this study, different propolis samples were collected from different regions of Balochistan and examined for its chemical composition, total phenolics and total flavonoid contents, and antioxidant potential by using DPPH radical scavenging assay and antimicrobial activity. Bioactive components analysis revealed the presence of steroids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, quinones, anthraquinones, terpenoids, tannins, and phlobatannins at different levels. The total phenolics contents were ranged from

2.9343
±
1.247

to

6.0216
±
2.873

mg GAE g-1, and flavonoid contents were found to be

0.1546
±
0.087

to

0.6586
±
0.329

mg QE g-1, respectively. The antioxidant ability of each extract was analyzed by their concentration having 50% inhibition (

I

C

50

). The propolis sample P3 possessed lower

I

C

50

27.07
±
0.73

mg mL−1 with higher % inhibition of DPPH radical, and P8 showed lower % inhibition by having

I

C

50

84.43
±
2.07

mg mL−1. The antibacterial activity of all samples was analyzed against a wide group of bacteria including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia and propolis extract (P4) was highly active against Klebsiella pneumoniae with the maximum diameter of zone of inhibition

20.33
±
1.52

mm, and propolis extract (P3) showed maximum zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli

19.06
±
1.90
,

while propolis extract (P2) was found less active with minimum diameter of zone of inhibition

7.46
±
1.50

mm

. The antifungal activity of extract was considered as active against the fungal species. Propolis extract (P3) showed 82% of zone of inhibition against Aspergillus Niger, and propolis extract (P1) was highly active against Aspergillus parasiticus with 80% of zone of inhibition. By comparing the vibration frequencies in wave numbers of the sample spectrograph acquired from an FTIR spectrophotometer, the functional groups present in the extracts were identified. The presence of seven elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr) was analyzed through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The obtained concentrations were within the permissible ranges established by the World Health Organization. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 80 different compounds belonged to different classes. The obtained results confirmed the imperative potential of propolis which can be used in various biological applications.
Response to BRAF-targeted Therapy Is Enhanced by Cotargeting VEGFRs or WNT/β-Catenin Signaling in BRAF-mutant Colorectal Cancer Models
Authors: Tran Khanh B. , Kolekar Sharada , Wang Qian , Shih Jen-Hsing , Buchanan Christina M. , Deva Sanjeev , Shepherd Peter R. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe fact that 10% of colorectal cancer tumors harbor BRAF V600E mutations suggested targeting BRAF as a potential therapy. However, BRAF inhibitors have only limited single-agent efficacy in this context. The potential for combination therapy has been shown by the BEACON trial where targeting the EGF receptor with cetuximab greatly increased efficacy of BRAF inhibitors in BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer. Therefore, we explored whether efficacy of the mutant BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib could be enhanced by cotargeting of either oncogenic WNT/β-catenin signaling or VEGFR signaling. We find the WNT/β-catenin inhibitors pyrvinium, ICG-001 and PKF118-310 attenuate growth of colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro with BRAF-mutant lines being relatively more sensitive. Pyrvinium combined with vemurafenib additively or synergistically attenuated growth of colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro. The selective and potent VEGFR inhibitor axitinib was most effective against BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro, but the addition of vemurafenib did not significantly increase these effects. When tested in vivo in animal tumor models, both pyrvinium and axitinib were able to significantly increase the ability of vemurafenib to attenuate tumor growth in xenografts of BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer cells. The magnitude of these effects was comparable with that induced by a combination of vemurafenib and cetuximab. This was associated with additive effects on release from tumor cells and tumor microenvironment cell types of substances that would normally aid tumor progression. Taken together, these preclinical data indicate that the efficacy of BRAF inhibitor therapy in colorectal cancer could be increased by cotargeting either WNT/β-catenin or VEGFRs with small-molecule inhibitors.