bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining the role of person-to-person transmission during a verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli outbreak in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Hovdey Roksolana , Sargeant Jan M. , Fisman David N. , Greer Amy L. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Objective
Person-to-person transmission can occur during outbreaks of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC), however the impact of this transmission route is not well understood. This study aimed to examine the role of person-to-person transmission during a VTEC outbreak, and how targeting this route may reduce outbreak size. A deterministic compartmental model describing a VTEC outbreak was constructed and fit to data from a 2008 outbreak in Ontario, Canada. Using the best-fit model, simulations were run to calculate the: reduction in transmission rate after implementing interventions, proportion of cases infected through both transmission routes, and number of cases prevented by interventions. Latin hypercube sensitivity analysis was conducted to examine the sensitivity of the outbreak size to the model parameters.

Results
Based on the best-fit model, ~ 14.25% of the cases likely arose due to person-to-person transmission. Interventions reduced this transmission rate by ~ 73%, causing a reduction in outbreak size of ~ 17% (47 cases). Sensitivity analysis showed that the model was highly sensitive to changes in all parameters of the model. The model demonstrates that person-to-person could be an important transmission route during VTEC outbreaks. Targeting this route of transmission through hand hygiene and work exclusions could reduce the final outbreak size.
The new era of add-on asthma treatments: where do we stand?
Authors: Calhoun William J. , Chupp Geoffrey L. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractGlobally, a small proportion (5–12%) of asthma patients are estimated to have severe disease. However, severe asthma accounts for disproportionately high healthcare resource utilization. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) management committee recommends treating patients with asthma with inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting β2-agonists and, when needed, adding a long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist or biologic agent. Five biologics, targeting different effectors in the type 2 inflammatory pathway, are approved for asthma treatment. However, biologics have not been compared against each other or add-on inhaled therapies in head-to-head clinical trials. As a result, their positioning versus that of current and anticipated small-molecule strategies is largely unknown. Furthermore, with the emergence of biomarkers for predicting response to biologics, a more personalized treatment approach—currently lacking with inhaled therapies—may be possible. To gain perspective, we reviewed recent advances in asthma pathophysiology, phenotypes, and biomarkers; the place of biologics in the management and personalized treatment of severe asthma; and the future of biologics and small-molecule drugs. We propose an algorithm for the stepwise treatment of severe asthma based on recommendations in the GINA strategy document that accounts for the broad range of phenotypes targeted by inhaled therapies and the specificity of biologics. In the future, both biologics and small molecules will continue to play key roles in the individualized treatment of severe asthma. However, as targeted therapies, their application will continue to be focused on patients with certain phenotypes who meet the specific criteria for use as identified in pivotal clinical trials.
Simultaneous retrograde venous and anterograde arterial bullet embolism: a case report
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Ahmad , Moeini Farsani Mohammad , Mahmoudi Mohamad Mahdi , Hekmatnia Ahmadreza , Ghasemi Gorji Meghdad , Asnaashari Majid , Ghoddusi Johari Hamed , Shahriarirad Reza 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Bullet embolus is a rare condition following gunshot injuries and represents a clinical challenge regarding both diagnosis and management.

Case presentation
We report the case of a 35-year-old Iranian (Middle-Eastern) male patient with a shotgun injury to both buttocks, which traveled to the heart and the popliteal area through the femoral vein and superficial femoral artery, respectively. Surgical intervention was applied for the popliteal pellet, and the patient was discharged without further complications.

Conclusion
Although bullet emboli can be a clinical challenge, with the advent of modern procedures, removal has become safer. X-ray, computed tomography, and transthoracic and/or transesophageal echocardiography may be used as adjuncts to help establish the diagnosis.
Focal seizures during adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy in a school-aged boy: a case report
Authors: Ota Yoshitaka , Shimakawa Shuichi , Tsuda-Kitahara Hikaru , Fukui Miho , Kashiwagi Mitsuru , Ashida Akira 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy for infantile spasms, including West syndrome, has been previously reported to induce seizures. We present the findings for a school-aged child with epilepsy who developed new focal seizures during adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy.

Case presentation
The Japanese patient had posttraumatic epilepsy and developed intractable focal seizures at the age of 13 years. Adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy was administered when the patient was 14 years of age. On day 10 of treatment, he developed new focal seizures, which were characterized by left arm contractions followed by movements of touching things with his right hand and writhing and rocking his body left and right and back and forth as automatisms. The focal seizures clustered for 40 minutes and disappeared after suppository administration of 10 mg diazepam. These focal seizures did not reoccur after more than 2 years of follow-up.

Conclusion
Adrenocorticotropic hormone-induced seizures can occur in children older than previously reported, and can occur in children with intractable seizures other than epileptic spasms.
Acute bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction as a rare cause of hypertensive crisis: a case report
Authors: Casipit Bruce Adrian , Pelayo Jerald , Paguio Joseph Alexander , Yao Jasper Seth , Shah Niel 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction is a common cause of secondary hypertension in the pediatric population, often due to congenital malformation. On the other hand, it is less frequently encountered in the adult population and is usually due to an acquired condition, most commonly by a bilaterally obstructing nephrolithiasis causing hydronephrosis and subsequent hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate and highlight the underlying mechanisms by which acute bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction causes hypertensive crisis and why early detection and prompt treatment are necessary to mitigate the effects of elevated blood pressure on target organs.

Case presentation
A 41-year-old African American man with hypertensive cardiomyopathy presented with anuria. He was found to have elevated blood pressure with evidence of target organ damage on laboratory examination, demonstrated by sudden elevation of his serum creatinine level. He was initially treated with oral and intravenous antihypertensives, with minimal improvement. The work-up was unremarkable apart from the imaging finding of acute bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction from obstructing nephrolithiasis causing hydronephrosis. Bilateral ureteral stents were placed for decompression, with resolution of the hypertensive crisis and improvement of renal function.

Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of underlying acute bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction to mitigate the deleterious effects of sudden blood pressure elevation on target organs.
Myoglobin expression by alternative transcript in different mesenchymal stem cells compartments
Authors: Scrima Rosella , Agriesti Francesca , Pacelli Consiglia , Piccoli Claudia , Pucci Pietro , Amoresano Angela , Cela Olga , Nappi Luigi , Tataranni Tiziana , Mori Giorgio , Formisano Pietro , Capitanio Nazzareno 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The metabolic phenotype of stem cells is increasingly recognized as a hallmark of their pluripotency with mitochondrial and oxygen-related metabolism playing a not completely defined role in this context. In a previous study, we reported the ectopic expression of myoglobin (MB) in bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Here, we have extended the analysis to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from different tissues.

Methods
MSCs were isolated from human placental membrane, mammary adipose tissue and dental pulp and subjected to RT-PCR, Western blotting and mass spectrometry to investigate the expression of MB. A combination of metabolic flux analysis and cyto-imaging was used to profile the metabolic phenotype and the mitochondria dynamics in the different MSCs.

Results
As for the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, the expression of Mb was largely driven by an alternative transcript with the protein occurring both in the monomer and in the dimer forms as confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis. Comparing the metabolic fluxes between neonatal placental membrane-derived and adult mammary adipose tissue-derived MSCs, we showed a significantly more active bioenergetics profile in the former that correlated with a larger co-localization of myoglobin with the mitochondrial compartment. Differences in the structure of the mitochondrial network as well as in the expression of factors controlling the organelle dynamics were also observed between neonatal and adult mesenchymal stem cells. Finally, the expression of myoglobin was found to be strongly reduced following osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp-derived MSCs, while it was upregulated following reprogramming of human fibroblasts to induce pluripotent stem cells.

Conclusions
Ectopic expression of myoglobin in tissues other than muscle raises the question of understanding its function therein. Properties in addition to the canonical oxygen storage/delivery have been uncovered. Finding of Mb expressed via an alternative gene transcript in the context of different stem cells with metabolic phenotypes, its loss during differentiation and recovery in iPSCs suggest a hitherto unappreciated role of Mb in controlling the balance between aerobic metabolism and pluripotency. Understanding how Mb contributes through modulation of the mitochondrial physiology to the stem cell biology paves the way to novel perspectives in regenerative medicine as well as in cancer stem cell therapy.

Graphical abstract
Multiple in-hospital counseling increases six-month smoking abstinence among individuals participating in a hospital-initiated smoking cessation program
Authors: Kuo Chin-Wei , Chen Chuan-Yu , Wu Chih-Hsing , Chen Chang-Wen , Guo Fei-Ran , Yang Szu-Chun 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundA cessation program for hospitalized smokers is an effective strategy to achieve smoking abstinence. The effects of multiple in-hospital counseling sessions on 6-month smoking abstinence require further investigation.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of smokers who participated in hospital-initiated cessation programs at a medical center between 2017 and 2019. Data on age, sex, comorbidities, daily number of cigarettes, cessation motivation, nicotine dependence, cessation medications, discharge diagnosis, length of hospitalization, and intensive care unit admission were collected. We conducted multiple logistic regression analysis to investigate the effect of multiple in-hospital counseling sessions on 6-month sustained smoking abstinence. Sensitivity analyses were carried out excluding participants who underwent post-discharge cessation programs and assuming that the loss to follow-up participants had failure in 6-month smoking abstinence.ResultsA total of 1943 participants aged ≥ 20 years were analyzed. Compared with single in-hospital counseling session, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for 2 and ≥ 3 counseling sessions were 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 to 1.98) and 2.02 (95% CI 1.27 to 3.22), respectively, with a significant trend for increasing the number of counseling sessions (P < 0.001). The results remained significant after excluding participants who underwent a post-discharge cessation program or when assuming that lost to follow-up participants had failure in smoking abstinence.ConclusionMultiple in-hospital counseling sessions were associated with a higher 6-month sustained smoking abstinence rate. This strategy could be used to reduce the prevalence of smoking.
An empirical assessment of how the government policies influenced the performance of the SMEs in Zimbabwe
Authors: Musabayana Godfrey Tambudzayi , Mutambara Emmanuel , Ngwenya Tony 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe government policy framework provides the roadmap that can be used to implement the enacted policies to support the performance of SMEs. The Zimbabwean government came up with sound policies that were deliberately crafted to improve the performance of SMEs, but the main challenge was on the communication, implementation and support of the policies hence their impact was highly insignificant. This study established the extent to which how the government policies were effective in influencing the performance of SMEs in Zimbabwe. The study used mixed research method following the sequential exploratory strategy. The findings of this study indicate that the government managed to inform the elite group, its officers who are well versed with SME policies and government intentions were clearly communicated to all the experts in the SME sector, but this information did not cascade down to the SME implementers. The findings will assist the government to re-focus and develop a new strategic framework that will bring on board all the stakeholders in the SME sector. From the findings of the study, the researcher deduces that the poor performance of Zimbabwean SMEs is basically an issue of the government which failed to communicate its intentions to the implementers and this had a ripple negative effect across the whole economy of the country.
What evidence exists on the impact of climate change on some of the worst invasive fish and shellfish? A systematic map protocol
Authors: Azra Mohamad Nor , Noor Mohd Iqbal Mohd , Sung Yeong Yik , Lawrence Elizabeth R. , Ghaffar Mazlan Abd 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has estimated that invasive alien species (IAS) might cause billions of dollars of losses every year across the world. One example is South-East Asia, where IAS have caused an estimated loss of 33.5 billion USD, affecting the environment, human health, and agricultural production. Factors associated with climate change, such as increased carbon dioxide (CO2), heavy precipitation, and elevated temperatures is expected to facilitate biological invasion, leading only to further financial and public health loss. Thus, further study is needed to identify, collate and categorise what evidence exists on the impacts of climate change on fish and shellfish species that contribute to the list of “One Hundred of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species” as identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN). Such mapping will identify regions more at risk of biological invasion as climate change progresses.

Methods
We outline a systematic mapping review protocol that follows the Guideline and Standards for Evidence Synthesis in Environmental Management and RepOrting standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES). We describe how peer-reviewed articles will be collected from Web of Science and Scopus, and then analyzed to create knowledge maps on the impact climate change has on invasive species. Finally, we speculate on how our results will aid future management of invasive species in the light of climate change.
Anti-obesity effects of isoacteoside on 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Choi Chang Geun , Lee Deok Jae , Chung Namhyun , Joo Yong Hoon 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIsoacteoside is a caffeoyl phenylethanoide glycoside found in various plant parts, such as the flower of Magnolia denudata. In particular, magnolia has been studied for its anti-obesity, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, isoacteoside has not been extensively studied, except for its anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of isoacteoside were investigated in 3T3-L1 mouse pre-adipocytes. Isoacteoside treatment did not induce cytotoxicity in 3T3-L1 cells up to a concentration of 1000 μM. The anti-obesity effects on 3T3-L1 cells were confirmed using oil red O staining. In addition, the expression of obesity-related proteins and genes, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated acceptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), and perilipin (PLIN1), was determined by western blotting and qRT-PCR assays to confirm the anti-obesity effects of isoacteoside. The results of this study suggest that isoacteoside, a natural substance isolated from plant extracts, is not highly toxic to normal cells, such as pre-adipocytes, and displays anti-obesity effects in vitro.
A rare phenomenon of pregorexia in Pakistani women: need to understand the related behaviors
Authors: Saleem Tamkeen , Saleem Shemaila , Shoib Sheikh , Shah Jaffer , Ali Syeda Ayat-e-Zainab 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
In Pakistan, for a decade or so, there has been a huge increase in body ideals, and thinness and eating disorders reported during pregnancy. The purpose of the present research was to study the lived experiences and behaviors characterized by pregorexia in Pakistani young women.

Method
A phenomenological approach was used to study eating disorder-related behaviors among pregnant women. A criterion sample of 15 women (22–34 years of age) having difficulty with their body image, the decline in caloric intake, skipping meals, and extensive exercise from a private gynae clinic of Islamabad was selected. The participants were screened on the DSM-5 criteria of anorexia nervosa. They were also asked questions about their diet intake, behaviors executed to lose or maintain weight, use of any medical or chemical substance to control weight, any social activities/behaviors, type of exercise if any, duration or frequency of exercise, and behaviors that made them feel better.

Results
The findings revealed that 93.33% of women met the complete criteria of Anorexia nervosa. 86.6% had never been diagnosed or treated with anorexia nervosa, however, 13.33% were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa comorbid with depression. Results indicated a likelihood of having anorexic tendencies in 40% of women and the other 60% developed the symptoms during pregnancy only. Behaviors related to pregorexia were found to be: skipping meals, eating small portions, control on calorie intake, following diet plans available on YouTube, taking fat burn tea, avoiding the presence of elders of the family while taking meals, eating alone to limit food portion, taking laxatives or medicine to control weight, induced vomiting after eating, eating to match the norm of eating (supervised eating by elders) being pregnant and later self-induced vomiting, or eating slowly and consuming more time, pretending to eat the suitable amount of food. Women also engaged in fast walking, light exercise, and intensive cardio to control weight and stay in body shape. Around 86% reported that controlling weight, calorie intake, and exercising made them feel better.

Conclusion
There is a need to understand and differentiate pregorexia from other eating behaviors and problems among pregnant women with respect to cultural context.
Focused self-explanation prompts and segmenting foster pre-service teachers’ professional vision - but only during training!
Authors: Martin Monika , Farrell Meg , Seidel Tina , Rieß Werner , Könings Karen D. , van Merriënboer Jeroen J. G. , Renkl Alexander 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWhen analyzing classroom video, pre-service teachers can improve their professional vision, that is, their ability to notice important events in a classroom and to interpret them based on theoretical knowledge. However, learning with video is especially challenging for novice learners. Thus, video needs to be embedded into an instructional context to be effective. In an experimental study with 89 pre-service biology teachers, we investigated the effect of a short professional vision training and whether two design principles from multimedia learning research—namely segmenting and self-explanation prompts—could additionally increase training effects. In a one-hour training session on small-group tutoring strategies, participants watched practice video examples either as a whole or segmented. After each video or video segment, respectively, they received either open or focused self-explanation prompts to analyze the scene. We assessed participants’ professional vision skills before and after training. Overall, participants’ performance substantially increased from pretest to posttest. Moreover, during training, both segmented video examples and focused self-explanation prompts led to increased noticing of relevant strategies. This advantage during training, however, did not result in higher professional vision improvement in posttest scores compared to participants who worked in the less supported training phase conditions. We discuss possible explanations why additional support increased training performance but not learning gains and suggest an additional fading phase as a means to achieve persistent effects.
Comparative cytotoxic activity of Convolvulus pluricaulis against human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) and normal cell line (L929) via apoptosis pathways by flow cytometry analysis
Authors: Tamboli Ashpak Mubarak , Wadkar Kiran Anna 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to use the MTT test to assess the cytotoxic effects of different extracts ofConvolvulus pluricaulisleavesin vitro.Convolvulus pluricaulisleaf ethanolic extract has been demonstrated to trigger apoptosis on HepG2 cancer cell lines, implying anti-cancer activity.MethodsThe cells were grown in culture DMEM and incubated with different concentrations of the plant extracts. Survival rates were quantified by MTT assays by 24 h of exposure to (640–20 µg/ml) the PEE, CHCl3E, EAE, ETHE and AQE of the plant, while monitoring changes on cellular shapes by inverted phase contrast microscopy (PEE—petroleum ether extract, CHCl3—chloroform extract, EAE—ethyl acetate extract, ETHE—ethanol extract, AQE—aqueous extract).ResultsTheConvolvulus pluricaulisleaves extract showed IC50value < 1000 μg/ml on HepG2 and IC50value > 1000 µg/ml on L-929 cell lines. Hence,Convolvulus pluricaulisleaves extracts are non-toxic against the normal cell line L-929. Treatments with standard as a control exhibited necrotic features in both cell lines. On the basis of these findings, and because a highly effective extract ETHE has a partial polarity, this plant cytotoxicity and apoptotic activities were also investigated. On HepG2 cell line, the ETHE showed higher cytotoxicity activities compared to AQE, EAE, CHCl3E, and PEE extracts (P < 0.0001) with inhibitory concentration IC50values of 35.873 μg/ml that is < 1000 μg/ml. The percentage of apoptotic cells of ETHE was determined using propidium iodide (PI) staining of DNA fragments by flow cytometry.ConclusionsThe extract ofConvolvulus pluricaulishas cytotoxic and apoptotic action against the HepG2 cell line, indicating that it should be studied further for cancer therapies.