bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disseminated small cortical lesions of stroke‐like episodes in a patient with MELAS with an m.3271 T > C mutation
Authors: Shibata Ken‐ichi , Mukai Tatsuya , Nakagaki Hideaki , Nagano Sukehisa 
Published: July 2022

AbstractLittle is known about magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke‐like episodes (MELAS) with the m.3271 A > G mutation. A 31‐year‐old man presented with headache and left‐sided homonymous hemianopsia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintensities in the right occipital lobe on diffusion‐ and T2‐weighted imaging. MELAS was diagnosed, and the etiological mutation was identified as m.3271 T > C. Although his symptoms gradually resolved, magnetic resonance imaging revealed disseminated small cortical lesions in the left occipital lobe. We report a rare case of atypical stroke‐like lesions in a patient with MELAS with the m.3271 T > C mutation.
Resistance, tolerance and competence for a root pathogen in six woody species
Authors: Marchand Marylise , Allery Tatiana , Massot Marie , Capdevielle Xavier , Robin Cécile 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe outcome of host–pathogen interactions depends on host defence and pathogen infection strategies. On the host side, two strategies, resistance and tolerance, have long been identified. They differ in their underlying mechanisms and their effects on pathogens. However, the dynamics of disease transmission also rely on host competence. This trait, defined as the ability of the host to allow pathogen transmission, is rarely studied for pathogen‐supporting plants. We assessed the competence for Phytophthora cinnamomi of seedlings of five Quercus and one Castanea species and studied how this trait is correlated with resistance and tolerance. P. cinnamomi is responsible for the chestnut ink disease, alongside with Phytophthora × cambivora, which has a much less generalist behaviour. Each seedling was inoculated in minirhizotrons by root–mycelium contact and phenotyped for its resistance, tolerance and competence. The amount of necrosis (lesion length), the effect of infection on plant performance (root growth) and the sporangia number were measured. Moreover, we developed a droplet digital (dd) PCR assay to quantify the pathogen within host tissues near the inoculation point. This measure was used as a proxy of pathogen load. We were thus able to relate individual host competence to the pathogen content measured in the same root fragment. No significant correlation between the phenotyped traits was found at the individual level. However, at the species level, the least competent species (Q. robur, Q. petraea) proved to be the most resistant. These results may have important implications for management of chestnut and oak ecosystems threatened by ink disease.
A stochastic model for malaria and its behavior under insecticide‐treated nets
Authors: Đorđević Jasmina 
Published: July 2022

AbstractStochastic model for malaria transmission is introduced, and its behavior under insecticide‐treated nets (which is used as a prevention) is considered. A white noise is introduced into the model, representing fluctuations in the environment that manifest themselves naturally on the transmission coefficient rate. Existence and uniqueness of a global positive solution of the stochastic model are proved, as well as the conditions under which extinction and persistence in mean hold are establish. Numerical simulations are provided, which illustrate that the theoretical results and conclusions are derived on the impact of the fluctuations that are caused by the environment.
Political Consumer Gap between Foreign Residents and Swiss Citizens: The Explanatory Relationship of Political Resources and Citizenship Status
Authors: Kalte Deborah 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn most Western democracies, non‐institutionalized political activities such as political consumerism often represent the only accessible means of political expression for foreign residents. However, the few studies available to date show that foreign residents consume significantly less politically than national citizens. This study examines how the key political resources education, political interest, and organization membership may account for this gap. By means of original survey data from Switzerland, I find that (i) organization membership is the strongest predictor for political consumerism but does not explain the participation gap; (ii) political interest is the most important resource to explain why foreign residents consume less politically than Swiss citizens; and (iii) the three resources work similarly for both groups, whereas political interest and education act as partial mediators. The results of this study suggest that political resources mediate rather than moderate political consumer differences based on citizenship status.
Análisis de la formación posgradual en la disciplina contable a partir de la aceptación de las NIIF en un departamento colombiano, 2009-2018
Authors: Collante Caiafa Carmen Elena , Caballero Urieles Gleinys Julieth 
Published: July 2022

El objetivo de este estudio fue develar las tendencias de formación posgradual en la disciplina contable a partir de la aceptación de las Normas Internacionales de Información Financiera (NIIF) en Barranquilla durante el período 2009-2018. Se trató de una investigación de tipo descriptivo de diseño longitudinal. La información analizada fue extraída de la base de datos del Sistema Nacional de Información de la Educación Superior. Los resultados revelaron la conveniencia y la pertinencia de estos programas frente al panorama del mercado laboral nacional e internacional. El estudio concluyó que el programa con mayor continuidad en factores como oferta y demanda fueron las especializaciones en tributación, ofertados por la Universidad del Norte y la Universidad Autónoma del Caribe, que, además, presentan una tasa de vinculación laboral promedio superior al 90 % y un mayor número de asignaturas con relación a las NIIF.
Warming Up With a Dynamic Moment of Inertia Bat Can Increase Bat Swing Speed in Competitive Baseball Players
Authors: Castonguay Tristan , Roberts Mary , Dover Geoff 
Published: July 2022

Introduction: While most baseball players’ warm-up with a weighted bat/donut, there is evidence to suggest the swing speed decreases after the warm-up even though the bat feels lighter. Warming up with a dynamic moment of inertia bat may not decrease the swing speed and therefore improve the performance of baseball players. The hypothesis is that a dynamic moment of inertia bat will negate the effect of the kinesthetic illusion observed with a weighted bat. Objective: To measure the difference in bat swing speed between warming up with the dynamic moment of inertia bat compared with a weighted bat. Methods: Thirty-nine competitive baseball players participated in the study. All players were randomly assigned a warm-up tool that could be either a dynamic moment of inertia bat or a weighted bat. After the players’ warm-up, they swung their normal bat, and the bat swing speed was measured using a high-speed camera. We used motion analysis software to calculate the swing speed which measured the linear displacement during the last 15 frames before ball contact. The process was then repeated so that each player had the chance to try both warm-up bats. Results: The post warm-up swing speeds using the dynamic moment of inertia bat were significantly faster compared with a weighted bat warm-up. There was a 0.56 (0.78) m/s (1.26 [1.74] mph) increase in swing speed when using the dynamic moment of inertia bat (P = .0001), which is an average increase of 2.10% compared with a weighted bat warm-up. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that using a dynamic moment of inertia bat before an at-bat can increase swing speed compared with a weighted warm-up. Future studies are needed to determine if using a dynamic moment of inertia bat as part of rehabilitation can facilitate returning to competition after injury by focusing on swing speed.
Fever therapy in febrile adults: systematic review with meta-analyses and trial sequential analyses
Authors: Holgersson Johan , Ceric Ameldina , Sethi Naqash , Nielsen Niklas , Jakobsen Janus Christian 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effects of fever therapy compared with no fever therapy in a wide population of febrile adults.DesignSystematic review with meta-analyses and trial sequential analyses of randomised clinical trials.Data sourcesCENTRAL, BIOSIS, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection, searched from their inception to 2 July 2021.Eligibility criteriaRandomised clinical trials in adults diagnosed as having fever of any origin. Included experimental interventions were any fever therapy, and the control intervention had to be no fever therapy (with or without placebo/sham).Data extraction and synthesisTwo authors independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. Primary outcomes were all cause mortality and serious adverse events. Secondary outcomes were quality of life and non-serious adverse events. Aggregate data were synthesised with meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, and trial sequential analyses, and the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.ResultsForty two trials assessing 5140 participants were included. Twenty three trials assessed 11 different antipyretic drugs, 11 trials assessed physical cooling, and eight trials assessed a combination of antipyretic drugs and physical cooling. Of the participants, 3007 were critically ill, 1892 were non-critically ill, 3277 had infectious fever, and 1139 had non-infectious fever. All trials were assessed as being at high risk of bias. Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis showed that the hypothesis that fever therapy reduces the risk of death (risk ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.90 to 1.19; I2=0%; P=0.62; 16 trials; high certainty evidence) and the risk of serious adverse events (risk ratio 1.02, 0.89 to 1.17; I2=0%; P=0.78; 16 trials; high certainty evidence) could be rejected. One trial assessing quality of life was included, showing no difference between fever therapy and control. Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis showed that the hypothesis that fever therapy reduces the risk of non-serious adverse events could be neither confirmed nor rejected (risk ratio 0.92, 0.67 to 1.25; I2=66.5%; P=0.58; four trials; very low certainty evidence).ConclusionsFever therapy does not seem to affect the risk of death and serious adverse events.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42019134006
Persistent symptoms are diverse and associated with health concerns and impaired quality of life in patients with paediatric coeliac disease diagnosis after transition to adulthood
Authors: Vuolle Satu , Laurikka Pilvi , Repo Marleena , Huhtala Heini , Kaukinen Katri , Kurppa Kalle , Kivelä Laura 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and associated factors of persistent symptoms despite a strict gluten-free diet in adult patients with coeliac disease diagnosed in childhood.DesignMedical data on 239 currently adult patients with paediatric diagnosis were collected from patient records. Also, patients completed structured study questionnaire. All variables were compared between those with and without persistent symptoms.ResultsAltogether 180 patients reported adhering to a strict gluten-free diet. Of these, 18% experienced persistent symptoms, including various gastrointestinal symptoms (73%), arthralgia (39%), fatigue (39%), skin symptoms (12%) and depression (6%). Those reporting persistent symptoms had more often gastrointestinal comorbidities (19% vs 6%, p=0.023), health concerns (30% vs 12%, p=0.006) and experiences of restrictions on daily life (64% vs 43%, p=0.028) than the asymptomatic subjects. The patients with symptoms had poorer general health (median score 13 vs 14, p=0.040) and vitality (15 vs 18, p=0.015) based on a validated Psychological General Well-Being Questionnaire and more severe symptoms on a Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale scale (total score 2.1 vs 1.7, p<0.001). Except for general health, these differences remained significant after adjusting for comorbidities. The groups were comparable in current sociodemographic characteristics. Furthermore, none of the childhood features, including clinical, serological and histological presentation at diagnosis, and adherence and response to the diet after 6–24 months predicted symptom persistence in adulthood.ConclusionAlmost one-fifth of adult patients diagnosed in childhood reported persistent symptoms despite a strict gluten-free diet. The ongoing symptoms were associated with health concerns and impaired quality of life.
Efficacy and safety of guanabenz acetate treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a study protocol for a randomised investigator-initiated phase IIa study
Authors: Iwaki Michihiro , Kessoku Takaomi , Tanaka Kosuke , Ozaki Anna , Kasai Yuki , Yamamoto Atsushi , Takahashi Kota , Kobayashi Takashi , Nogami Asako , Honda Yasushi , Ogawa Yuji , Imajo Kento , Yoneda Masato , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Saito Satoru , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: July 2022

IntroductionNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic syndrome phenotype in the liver and thus obviously associated with metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance-related to hyperglycaemic and hyperlipidaemia. The prevalence of NAFLD is increasing worldwide. However, currently, there is no consensus regarding the efficacy and safety of drugs used to treat patients with NAFLD/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Guanabenz acetate, a selective α2-adrenoceptor stimulator used in the treatment of hypertension, binds at a high-affinity constant to a nuclear transcriptional coregulator, helicase with zinc finger 2 (Helz2) and inhibits Helz2-medaited steatosis in the liver; chronic oral administration of guanabenz acetate produces a dose-dependent inhibition of lipid accumulation by inhibiting lipogenesis and activating fatty acid Β-oxidation in the liver of obese mice, resulting in improvement of insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia. Taken all together, guanabenz acetate has a potentially effective in improving the development of NAFLD/NASH and metabolic abnormalities. In this randomised, open label, parallel-group, phase IIa study, we made attempts to conduct a proof-of-concept assessment by evaluating the efficacy and safety of guanabenz acetate treatment in patients with NAFLD/NASH.Methods and analysisA total of 28 adult patients with NAFLD or NASH and hypertension complications meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be enrolled. Patients will be randomised to receive either 4 or 8 mg guanabenz acetate (n=14 per group). Blood tests and MRI will be performed 16 weeks after commencement of treatment. The primary endpoint will be the percentage reduction in hepatic fat content (%) measured using MRI-proton density fat fraction from baseline by at least 3.46% at week 16 after treatment initiation.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Yokohama City University Hospital before participant enrolment (YCU021001). The results of this study will be submitted for publication in international peer-reviewed journals, and the key findings will be presented at international scientific conferences. Participants wishing to know the results of this study will be contacted directly on data publication.Trial registration numberThis trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (number: NCT05084404).Protocol versionV.1.1, 19 August 2021.
Characteristics of US hospitals using extraordinary collections actions against patients for unpaid medical bills: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hashim Farah , Hennayake Sanuri , Walsh Christi M , Dun Chen , Paturzo Joseph Giuseppe , Das Indrani G , Stewart Emily A , Vervoort Dominique , Teinor Jonathan A , Schochet Morissa A , Keslar Allyson , Bai Ge , Makary Martin 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveThis study aims to characterise and evaluate the largest 100 hospitals in the USA that have adopted aggressive collection tactics to pursue patients with unpaid medical bills, such as lawsuits, wage garnishments and liens.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingWe examined state and county court record systems to measure the magnitude and prevalence of these practices at the largest 100 hospitals in the UA between 1 January 2018 and 31 July 2020.Main outcomes measuresThe main outcome of this study was the number of lawsuits, wage garnishments and liens. A secondary outcome was the characterisation of a hospital’s safety, charitability, size and financial practices.ResultsBetween 1 January 2018 and 31 July 2020, 26 hospitals filed 38 965 court actions (lawsuits, wage garnishments and liens) against patients for unpaid medical debt. For 16 of 26 hospitals, the dollar amount pursued in the court claim was available for 100% of cases, totalling US$71.8 million. The average aggregate amount sought by hospital lawsuits during the study period was US$4.5 million. Three hospitals filed US$56.2 million in amounts pursued in court, or 78.3% of the total amount pursued by all hospitals in the sample. In the remaining 74 hospitals, the study team did not identify extraordinary collection actions through the court system.ConclusionsStandardised medical debt collections best practices and metrics of medical debt collections quality are needed to increase public accountability for hospitals, particularly non-profit hospitals. There is a need to re-evaluate Internal Revenue Service rules pertaining to non-profit hospitals’ tax-exempt status to ensure tax-exempt hospitals provide community benefits commensurate with the value of tax exemption.
Prospective surveillance study to detect antimalarial drug resistance, gene deletions of diagnostic relevance and genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum in Mozambique: protocol
Authors: Mayor Alfredo , da Silva Clemente , Rovira-Vallbona Eduard , Roca-Feltrer Arantxa , Bonnington Craig , Wharton-Smith Alexandra , Greenhouse Bryan , Bever Caitlin , Chidimatembue Arlindo , Guinovart Caterina , Proctor Joshua L , Rodrigues Maria , Canana Neide , Arnaldo Paulo , Boene Simone , Aide Pedro , Enosse Sonia , Saute Francisco , Candrinho Baltazar 
Published: July 2022

IntroductionGenomic data constitute a valuable adjunct to routine surveillance that can guide programmatic decisions to reduce the burden of infectious diseases. However, genomic capacities remain low in Africa. This study aims to operationalise a functional malaria molecular surveillance system in Mozambique for guiding malaria control and elimination.Methods and analysesThis prospective surveillance study seeks to generate Plasmodium falciparum genetic data to (1) monitor molecular markers of drug resistance and deletions in rapid diagnostic test targets; (2) characterise transmission sources in low transmission settings and (3) quantify transmission levels and the effectiveness of antimalarial interventions. The study will take place across 19 districts in nine provinces (Maputo city, Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Niassa, Manica, Nampula, Zambézia and Sofala) which span a range of transmission strata, geographies and malaria intervention types. Dried blood spot samples and rapid diagnostic tests will be collected across the study districts in 2022 and 2023 through a combination of dense (all malaria clinical cases) and targeted (a selection of malaria clinical cases) sampling. Pregnant women attending their first antenatal care visit will also be included to assess their value for molecular surveillance. We will use a multiplex amplicon-based next-generation sequencing approach targeting informative single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene deletions and microhaplotypes. Genetic data will be incorporated into epidemiological and transmission models to identify the most informative relationship between genetic features, sources of malaria transmission and programmatic effectiveness of new malaria interventions. Strategic genomic information will be ultimately integrated into the national malaria information and surveillance system to improve the use of the genetic information for programmatic decision-making.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol was reviewed and approved by the institutional (CISM) and national ethics committees of Mozambique (Comité Nacional de Bioética para Saúde) and Spain (Hospital Clinic of Barcelona). Project results will be presented to all stakeholders and published in open-access journals.Trial registration numberNCT05306067.
Dietary antioxidant consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes in South Korean adults: a prospective cohort study based on the Health Examinees study
Authors: Tan Li-Juan , Hwang Su Bin , Jun Shinyoung , Joung Hyojee , Shin Sangah 
Published: July 2022

ObjectivesAntioxidants are common dietary compounds with multiple health benefits. This study aimed to identify the association between dietary antioxidant consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus (defined using the Korean Diabetes Association criteria) in South Korean adults.DesignBaseline and follow-up data from the Health Examinees (HEXA) study, a large-scale community-based genomic cohort study conducted in South KoreaSettingA South Korean community.ParticipantsA total of 20 594 participants, aged 40–79 years, who participated in the baseline and follow-up surveys of the HEXA study were included. After an average of 5 years of follow-up, there were 332 men and 360 women with T2D.ResultsParticipants with the highest total flavonoid consumption (Q5) had a lower risk of T2D (men: HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.93; p value for trend=0.0169; and women: HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.438 to 0.78; p value for trend=0.0001) than those with the lowest consumption (Q1). Dietary total antioxidant capacity was significantly inversely associated with the development of T2D mellitus in women participants alone (HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.83; p value for trend=0.0004). Stratified analyses according to age and body mass index (BMI) showed that dietary total flavonoid consumption and total antioxidant capacity had a negative association with the development of T2D in women aged >52 years and women with BMI >25 kg/m2.ConclusionsDietary flavonoid consumption and total antioxidant capacity were associated with a lower risk of T2D in South Korean adults, especially in women aged >52 years and overweight. The findings of this study may provide reference data for the modification of dietary guidelines for South Koreans.