bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of core stabilization exercises in addition to conventional therapy in improving trunk mobility, function, ambulation and quality of life in stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mahmood Wajeeha , Ahmed Burq Hafiz Syed Ijaz , Ehsan Sarah , Sagheer Basita , Mahmood Tahir 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundStroke is a major cause of disability with mainly affecting trunk mobility and function. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of core stabilization exercises versus conventional therapy on trunk mobility, function, ambulation, and quality of life of stroke patients.DesignAssessor blinded randomized control trial.SettingIbrahim polyclinic—Shadman, Ch Muhammad Akram teaching hospital-Raiwind, Rasheed hospital-Defence.SubjectsChronic ischemic stroke patients.InterventionControl group (n = 21) underwent conventional treatment for stroke for 40 min/ day, 5 times/ week for 8 weeks. Experimental group (n = 20) received core stability training for additional 15 min along with conventional treatment.Main measuresMain outcome measures were Trunk impairment scale (TIS), functional ambulation category (FAC), stroke specific quality of life (SSQOL) and trunk range of motion (ROM).ResultsThe differences between the control group and experimental group post-treatment were statistically significant for trunk impairment, functional ambulation, quality of life, and frontal plane trunk motion (p-value < 0.05) with higher mean values for core stabilization training. The frontal plane trunk mobility and rotation showed non-significant differences post-treatment (p-value > 0.05).ConclusionThis study concluded that core stabilization training is better as compared to the conventional physical therapy treatment for improving trunk impairments, functional ambulation and quality of life among patients of stroke. The core stabilization training is also more effective in improving trunk mobility in sagittal plane. This study is registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20210614051578N1 and was approved by the local research ethics committee of Riphah International University.
The assessment of a novel lower body resistance garment as a mechanism to increase the training stimulus during running: a randomised cross-over study
Authors: Hoffmann Samantha M. , Di Domenico Isaiah , Collins Paul K. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
This study examined the physiological and perceived impact of wearing a novel lower body resistance garment during exercise and recovery.

Methods
Using a randomised cross-over design, 15 recreationally-active males performed 2 × 10-min steady-state runs followed by a 10-min passive recovery with concomitant monitoring of oxygen consumption (V̇O2), heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE; exercise portion only), wearing either the resistance garment (experimental) or running shorts (control).

Results
During exercise, there was a trend for V̇O2 and RPE to be higher (4.5% and 7.7% respectively) in experimental than control (V̇O2: r = 0.24, p > 0.05; RPE: r = 0.32, p > 0.05) and for HR to be lower (− 0.4%, r = − 0.05, p > 0.05). During recovery, V̇O2 and HR tended to be lower (4.7% and 4.3% respectively) in experimental than control (V̇O2: r = − 0.32, p > 0.05; HR: r = − 0.27, p > 0.05).

Conclusions
Though effects were trivial to small, and not statistically significant, these findings provide proof of concept and suggest that this garment design may increase the training stimulus during running and aid post-exercise recovery.
Epigenetics of early-life adversity in youth: cross-sectional and longitudinal associations
Authors: Sumner Jennifer A. , Gambazza Simone , Gao Xu , Baccarelli Andrea A. , Uddin Monica , McLaughlin Katie A. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Altered DNA methylation (DNAm) may be one pathway through which early-life adversity (ELA) contributes to adverse mental and physical health outcomes. This study investigated whether the presence versus absence of ELA experiences reflecting the dimensions of threat and deprivation were associated with epigenome-wide DNAm cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a community-based sample of children and adolescents.

Methods
In 113 youths aged 8–16 years with wide variability in ELA, we examined associations of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional; indicating threat-related experiences) and neglect (emotional, physical; indicating deprivation-related experiences) with DNAm assessed with the Illumina EPIC BeadChip array, with DNA derived from saliva. In cross-sectional epigenome-wide analyses, we investigated associations of lifetime abuse and neglect with DNAm at baseline. In longitudinal epigenome-wide analyses, we examined whether experiencing abuse and neglect over an approximately 2-year follow-up were each associated with change in DNAm from baseline to follow-up.

Results
In cross-sectional analyses adjusting for lifetime experience of neglect, lifetime experience of abuse was associated with DNAm for four cytosine-phosphodiester-guanine (CpG) sites (cg20241299: coefficient = 0.023, SE = 0.004; cg08671764: coefficient = 0.018, SE = 0.003; cg27152686: coefficient = − 0.069, SE = 0.012; cg24241897: coefficient = − 0.003, SE = 0.001; FDR < .05). In longitudinal analyses, experiencing neglect over follow-up was associated with an increase in DNAm for one CpG site, adjusting for abuse over follow-up (cg03135983: coefficient = 0.036, SE = 0.006; FDR < .05).

Conclusions
In this study, we identified examples of epigenetic patterns associated with ELA experiences of threat and deprivation that were already observable in youth. We provide novel evidence for change in DNAm over time in relation to ongoing adversity and that experiences reflecting distinct ELA dimensions may be characterized by unique epigenetic patterns.
Clinical trial of insulin-like growth factor-1 in Phelan-McDermid syndrome
Authors: Kolevzon A. , Breen M. S. , Siper P. M. , Halpern D. , Frank Y. , Rieger H. , Weismann J. , Trelles M. P. , Lerman B. , Rapaport R. , Buxbaum J. D. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is caused by haploinsufficiency of the SHANK3 gene and is characterized by global developmental delays and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Based on several converging lines of preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the use of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in PMS, this study aims to follow-up a previous pilot study with IGF-1 to further evaluate this novel therapeutic for core symptoms of ASD in children with PMS.

Methods
Ten children aged 5–9 with PMS were enrolled. Participants were randomized to receive IGF-1 or placebo (saline) using a 12-week, double-blind, crossover design. Efficacy was assessed using the primary outcome of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist—Social Withdrawal (ABC-SW) subscale as well as secondary outcome measures reflecting core symptoms of ASD. To increase power and sample size, we jointly analyzed the effect of IGF-1 reported here together with results from our previous controlled trail of IGF-1 in children with PMS (combined N = 19).

Results
Results on the ABC-SW did not reach statistical significance, however significant improvements in sensory reactivity symptoms were observed. In our pooled analyses, IGF-1 treatment also led to significant improvements in repetitive behaviors and hyperactivity. There were no other statistically significant effects seen across other clinical outcome measures. IGF-1 was well tolerated and there were no serious adverse events.

Limitations
The small sample size and expectancy bias due to relying on parent reported outcome measures may contribute to limitations in interpreting results.

Conclusion
IGF-1 is efficacious in improving sensory reactivity symptoms, repetitive behaviors, and hyperactivity in children with PMS.
Trial registration NCT01525901.
Renal functional and interstitial fibrotic assessment with non-Gaussian diffusion kurtosis imaging
Authors: Li Anqin , Yuan Guanjie , Hu Yao , Shen Yaqi , Hu Xuemei , Hu Daoyu , Li Zhen 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Objectives
To evaluate the application value of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) for monitoring renal function and interstitial fibrosis.

Methods
Forty-two patients suspected of having primary nephropathy, hypertension or diabetes with impaired renal function were examined with DKI. DKI metrics of renal cortex and medulla on both sides of each patient were measured, including mean kurtosis (MK), axial kurtosis (Ka), radial kurtosis (Kr), mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA). The differences in DKI metrics between stable and impaired estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) patients as well as between mild and severe interstitial fibrosis patients were compared. Correlations of DKI metrics with clinical indicators and pathology were analyzed. Diagnostic performance of DKI to assess the degree of renal dysfunction was analyzed.

Results
Cortical MK, parenchymal Ka, MD and medullary FA were different in stable vs impaired eGFR patients and mild vs severe interstitial fibrosis patients (all p < .05). Negative correlation was found between Ka and eGFR (cortex: r = − 0.579; medulla: r = − 0.603), between MD and interstitial fibrosis (cortex: r = − 0.899; medulla: r = − 0.770), and positive correlation was found between MD and eGFR (cortex: r = 0.411; medulla: r = 0.344), between Ka and interstitial fibrosis (cortex: r = 0.871; medulla: r = 0.844) (all p < .05). DKI combined with mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and urea showed good diagnostic power for assessing the degree of renal dysfunction (sensitivity: 90.5%; specificity: 89.5%).

Conclusions
Noninvasive DKI has certain application value for monitoring renal function and interstitial fibrosis.
Association of acute hepatitis B and acute myopathy: a case report
Authors: Zangeneh Mehrangiz , Mesgarian Masoomeh , Khosravani-Nezhad Yasamin 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health problem. Although hepatitis B virus primarily affects hepatocytes, it sometimes develops disease manifestations outside the liver, such as myopathy, which is commonly caused by chronic hepatitis B.

Case presentation
This case report describes a 57-year-old Iranian woman admitted to the hospital with jaundice, fever, body itching, abdominal pain, progressive muscle weakness, icteric sclera, right upper quadrant pain, and decreased muscle force. Examination on the first day of admission revealed that the patient was negative for hepatitis D antibody, positive for hepatitis B core (IgM) antibody, positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, and negative for hepatitis B e antibody but positive for hepatitis B e antigen. Moreover, she showed high levels of hepatitis B virus DNA viral load, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase, and electromyography/nerve conduction velocity showed acute myopathic process.

Conclusions
Interestingly, myopathy symptoms improved after improving hepatitis symptoms and decreasing hepatitis B viral load, suggesting a close association between hepatitis B infection and myopathy.
A smooth approximation approach for optimization with probabilistic constraints based on sigmoid function
Authors: Ren Yong H. , Xiong Ying , Yan Yu H. , Gu Jian 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMany practical problems, such as computer science, communications network, product design, system control, statistics and finance, etc.,can be formulated as a probabilistic constrained optimization problem (PCOP) which is challenging to solve since it is usually nonconvex and nonsmooth. Effective methods for the probabilistic constrained optimization problem mostly focus on approximation techniques, such as convex approximation, D.C. (difference of two convex functions) approximation, and so on. This paper aims at studying a smooth approximation approach. A smooth approximation to the probabilistic constraint function based on a sigmoid function is analyzed. Equivalence of PCOP and the corresponding approximation problem are shown under some appropriate assumptions. Sequential convex approximation (SCA) algorithm is implemented to solve the smooth approximation problem. Numerical results suggest that the smooth approximation approach proposed is effective for optimization problems with probabilistic constraints.
An analysis of the role of HnRNP C dysregulation in cancers
Authors: Mo Liyi , Meng Lijuan , Huang Zhicheng , Yi Lan , Yang Nanyang , Li Guoqing 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHeterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins C (HnRNP C) is part of the hnRNP family of RNA-binding proteins. The relationship between hnRNP C and cancers has been extensively studied, and dysregulation of hnRNP C has been found in many cancers. According to existing public data, hnRNP C could promote the maturation of new heterogeneous nuclear RNAs (hnRNA s, also referred to as pre-mRNAs) into mRNAs and could stabilize mRNAs, controlling their translation. This paper reviews the regulation and dysregulation of hnRNP C in cancers. It interacts with some cancer genes and other biological molecules, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). Even directly binds to them. The effects of hnRNP C on biological processes such as alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification differ among cancers. Its main function is regulating stability and level of translation of cancer genes, and the hnRNP C is regarded as a candidate biomarker and might be valuable for prognosis evaluation.
Assessing critical thinking through L2 argumentative essays: an investigation of relevant and salient criteria from raters’ perspectives
Authors: Sato Takanori 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAlthough some second language (L2) pedagogical approaches recognize critical thinking (CT) as an important skill, its assessment is challenging because it is not a well-defined construct with varying definitions. This study aimed to identify the relevant and salient features of argumentative essays that allow for the assessment of L2 students’ CT skills. This study implemented a convergent mixed-methods research design, collecting and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data to collate the results. Five raters assessed 140 causal argumentative essays written by Japanese university students attending Content and Language Integrated Learning courses based on five criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and CT Skills. A standard multiple regression was conducted to examine the relationships among these criteria. Additionally, raters’ written verbal protocols were collected to identify the essay features to be considered when assessing students’ CT skills. The results indicated that raters’ judgments of students’ CT were closely linked to Task Achievement. Furthermore, their assessments were affected by the essay’s relevancy to the question, content development, logicality, and quality of ideas. This study’s findings help to conceptualize CT as a construct and should be incorporated into the assessment criteria of various L2 educational contexts.
Muscle histological changes in a large cohort of patients affected with Becker muscular dystrophy
Authors: Ripolone Michela , Velardo Daniele , Mondello Stefania , Zanotti Simona , Magri Francesca , Minuti Elisa , Cazzaniga Sara , Fortunato Francesco , Ciscato Patrizia , Tiberio Francesca , Sciacco Monica , Moggio Maurizio , Bettica Paolo , Comi Giacomo P. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBecker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a severe X-linked muscle disease. Age of onset, clinical variability, speed of progression and affected tissues display wide variability, making a clinical trial design for drug development very complex. The histopathological changes in skeletal muscle tissue are central to the pathogenesis, but they have not been thoroughly elucidated yet. Here we analysed muscle biopsies from a large cohort of BMD patients, focusing our attention on the histopathological muscle parameters, as fibrosis, fatty replacement, fibre cross sectional area, necrosis, regenerating fibres, splitting fibres, internalized nuclei and dystrophy evaluation. We correlated histological parameters with both demographic features and clinical functional evaluations. The most interesting results of our study are the accurate quantification of fibroadipose tissue replacement and the identification of some histopathological aspects that well correlate with clinical performances. Through correlation analysis, we divided our patients into three clusters with well-defined histological and clinical features. In conclusion, this is the first study that analyses in detail the histological characteristics of muscle biopsies in a large cohort of BMD patients, correlating them to a functional impairment. The collection of these data help to better understand the histopathological progression of the disease and can be useful to validate any pharmacological trial in which the modification of muscle biopsy is utilized as outcome measure.
The effects of orthobiologics in the treatment of tendon pathologies: a systematic review of preclinical evidence
Authors: Viganò Marco , Ragni Enrico , Marmotti Antonio , de Girolamo Laura 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this systematic review is to explore the current available knowledge about tendon disorders and orthobiologics derived by preclinical experiments to evaluate their role and efficacy in the different stages and conditions related to the tendon healing processes.MethodsThe systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Different electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE) were searched for studies investigating orthobiologics (PRP and cell-based products from adipose tissue or bone marrow) in animal models or veterinary clinical trials for tendon pathologies (complete/partial tendon ruptures, rotator cuff tears, tendinopathy, enthesis-related injuries). Data regarding the specific product used, the treatment site/pathology, the host and the model were collected. The results were classified into the following categories: histological, biomechanical, molecular and imaging.ResultsA large pool of preclinical studies on tendon disorders have been found on platelet-rich plasma (PRP), while data about stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and bone marrow concentrate (BMAC) are still limited and frequently focused on expanded cells, rather than orthobiologics prepared at the point of care.The effect of PRP is related to an acceleration of the healing process, without improvements in the final structure and properties of repaired tendon. Cell-based products have been reported to produce more durable results, but the level of evidence is currently insufficient to draw clear indications.ConclusionsThe preclinical results about orthobiologics applications to tendon pathologies would support the rationale of their clinical use and encourage the performance of clinical trials aimed to confirm these data in human subjects.
Impact of mask use on face recognition: an eye-tracking study
Authors: Hsiao Janet Hui-wen , Liao Weiyan , Tso Ricky Van Yip 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWe examined how mask use affects performance and eye movements in face recognition and whether strategy change reflected in eye movements is associated with performance change. Eighty-eight participants performed face recognition with masked faces either during learning only, during recognition only, or during both learning and recognition. As compared with the baseline condition where faces were unmasked during both learning and recognition, participants had impaired performance in all three scenarios, with larger impairment when mask conditions during learning and recognition did not match. When recognizing unmasked faces, whether the faces were learned with or without a mask on did not change eye movement behavior. Nevertheless, when recognizing unmasked faces that were learned with a mask on, participants who adopted more eyes-focused patterns had less performance impairment as compared with the baseline condition. When recognizing masked faces, participants had more eyes-focused patterns and more consistent gaze transition behavior than recognizing unmasked faces regardless of whether the faces were learned with or without a mask on. Nevertheless, when recognizing masked faces that were learned without a mask, participants whose gaze transition behavior was more consistent had less performance impairment as compared with the baseline condition. Thus, although eye movements during recognition were mainly driven by the mask condition during recognition but not that during learning, those who adjusted their strategy according to the mask condition difference between learning and recognition had better performance. This finding has important implications for identifying populations vulnerable to the impact of mask use and potential remedial strategies.
Current practice for gastroschisis prenatal surveillance among society for maternal fetal medicine (SMFM) members
Authors: Lamoshi Abdulraouf 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundGastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect with potential devastating outcomes, including short bowel syndrome (SBS). The objective of this study is to define current practices in prenatal gastroschisis surveillance.MethodsAn online survey was circulated to the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) providers. Questions focused on timing, type, and frequency of surveillance, proposed interventions, and the impact of gastroschisis defect diameter on plan of care.ResultsResponses were obtained from 150/1104 (14%) SMFM providers. The majority of respondents worked in practices in an academic setting (61%) and more than half (58%) had been in maternal fetal medicine (MFM) practice for > 10 years. Antenatal testing began at 32 weeks for 78% of MFM providers. Surveillance was unanimously uniformly performed with ultrasound. About 40% of the providers would consider all abnormalities in the measured parameters to change their surveillance frequency. In non-complicated gastroschisis, 44% of the providers would recommend delivery at 37 weeks of gestational age, with the vast majority of them (96%) recommending vaginal delivery. Among the 23% who expressed their thoughts, 70% agreed that a smaller defect size correlated with the higher risk for development of SBS. Nevertheless, only 2% declared an absolute cutoff point (< 8 mm–3 cm) at which they would recommend delivery. Only one-fifth of the participants (21%) noted that the abdominal wall defect size has an impact on development of SBS. A higher percentage of SMFM providers (89%) with ≤ 10 years of experience started the antenatal testing at week 32 weeks compared to 66% of senior providers. Senior providers were more inclined (50%) to induce labor at 37 weeks compared to SMFM providers with > 10 years of experience (38%).ConclusionsGastroschisis management does not differ dramatically among SMFM providers, though noticeable differences in surveillance and timing of induction were identified based on years of experience as providers. The impact of gastroschisis defect dimensions on development of SBS may be under appreciated.