bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of urticaria in China: a population-based study
Authors: Li Jiaqing , Mao Dandan , Liu Shuoshuo , Liu Ping , Tian Jing , Xue Chenhong , Liu Xiaojing , Qi Ruiqun , Bai Bingxue , Nie Jianjun , Ye Siqi , Wang Yu , Li Yuye , Sun Qing , Tao Juan , Guo Shuping , Fang Hong , Wang Jianqin , Mu Qiri , Liu Quanzhong , Ding Yan , Zhang Jianzhong 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Background:
Urticaria is a common skin disease characterized by episodes of wheals, and it has a negative effect on patients’ quality of life. Large-scale population-based epidemiological studies of urticaria are scarce in China. The aim of this survey was to determine the prevalence, clinical forms, and risk factors of urticaria in the Chinese population.

Methods:
This survey was conducted in 35 cities from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities of China. Two to three communities in each city were selected in this investigation. Participants completed questionnaires and received dermatological examinations. We analyzed the prevalence, clinical forms, and risk factors of urticaria.

Results:
In total, 44,875 questionnaires were distributed and 41,041 valid questionnaires were collected (17,563 male and 23,478 female participants). The lifetime prevalence of urticaria was 7.30%, with 8.26% in female and 6.34% in male individuals (P < 0.05). The point prevalence of urticaria was 0.75%, with 0.79% in female and 0.71% in male individuals (P < 0.05). Concomitant angioedema was found in 6.16% of patients. Adults had a higher prevalence of urticaria than adolescents and children. Living in urban areas, exposure to pollutants, an anxious or depressed psychological status, a personal and family history of allergy, thyroid diseases, and Helicobacter pylori infection were associated with a higher prevalence of urticaria. Smoking was correlated with a reduced risk of urticaria.

Conclusion:
This study demonstrated that the lifetime prevalence of urticaria was 7.30% and the point prevalence was 0.75% in the Chinese population; women had a higher prevalence of urticaria than men. Various factors were correlated with urticaria.
Pharmacokinetic Model Based on Stochastic Simulation and Estimation for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Tacrolimus in Korean Adult Transplant Recipients
Authors: Choi Suein , Hong Yunjeong , Jung Sook-Hyun , Kang Gaeun , Ghim Jong-Ryul , Han Seunghoon 
Published: July 2022

Background:
Tacrolimus shows high variability in inter- and intraindividual pharmacokinetics (PK); therefore, it is important to develop an appropriate model for accurate therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) procedures. This study aimed to develop a pharmacokinetic model for tacrolimus that can be used for TDM procedures in Korean adult transplant recipients by integrating published models with acquired real-world TDM data and evaluating clinically meaningful covariates.

Methods:
Clinical data of 1829 trough blood samples from 269 subjects were merged with simulated data sets from published models and analyzed using a nonlinear mixed-effect model. The stochastic simulation and estimation (SSE) method was used to obtain the final parameter estimates.

Results:
The final estimated values for apparent clearance, the volume of distribution, and absorption rate were 21.2 L/h, 510 L, and 3.1/h, respectively. The number of postoperative days, age, body weight, and type of transplant organs were the major clinical factors affecting tacrolimus PK.

Conclusions:
A tacrolimus PK model that can incorporate published PK models and newly collected data from the Korean population was developed using the SSE method. Despite the limitations in model development owing to the nature of TDM data, the SSE method was useful in retrieving complete information from the TDM data by integrating published PK models while maintaining the variability of the model.
Factors Associated With New Sexual Partnerships During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Online Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Platform Users
Authors: Hamill Matthew M. , Yu Tong , Armington Gretchen S. , Hsieh Yu-Hsiang , Manabe Yukari C. , Melendez Johan H. 
Published: July 2022

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has coincided with an explosion of online platforms for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing using self-collected, mail-in specimens. Reports on the effect of COVID-19–associated restrictions on sexual behaviors have been mixed, but STI transmissions have continued during the pandemic. We sought to understand the pandemic impact on sexual habits associated with STIs among IWantTheKit users.

Methods
Users of IWantTheKit, a free, online STI testing platform, were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe survey responses. Associations with reports of new sex partnerships were explored as a marker of STI risk. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze individual characteristics and reported behaviors associated with self-reported new sexual partnerships during the first 2 COVID-19 pandemic waves.

Results
Of the 3462 users of the online STI testing platform between June 2020 and February 2021, 1088 (31.4%) completed the online survey; 705 (66.2%) of 1065 reported a new sex partner. One-quarter met their sex partners using apps. Overall, 10% were symptomatic and almost 18% were concerned that their partner had an STI. White race in men (odds ratio, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–3.16), women younger than 25 years (odds ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–3.14), and increased condom use in both men and women were significantly associated with reports of new sexual partnerships in adjusted analysis.

Conclusions
Despite pandemic restrictions on social gatherings, new sexual partnerships were common in this population, associated with common risk factors, and may help to explain ongoing STI transmission.
Investigation of the 12-month efficacy and safety of low-dose mifepristone in the treatment of painful adenomyosis
Authors: Chen Shu-Yi , Zhao Meng-Dan , Sun Wen-Ting , Zhu Li-Bo , Zhang Xin-Mei 
Published: July 2022

Objective:
To study the 12-month effects and possible mechanisms of low-dose mifepristone in the treatment of adenomyosis.

Methods:
Patients included in this retrospective study had painful adenomyosis and previously received 5 mg mifepristone daily (group A, n = 45) or 5 mg mifepristone daily with a poor-effect levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (group B, n = 13) for 12 months. Uterine size, serum CA125 levels, estradiol levels, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, endometrial thickness, and hemoglobin levels were compared before and after treatment and investigated again at 3 to 6 months after drug withdrawal. Another 8 patients with adenomyosis (group C, n = 8) who underwent surgery for severe dysmenorrhea during the same period were only used as a control group for immunohistochemical research. Endometrial biopsy results and expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and nuclear-associated antigen Ki-67 (Ki-67) in endometrial tissues and adenomyotic lesions were also analyzed.

Results:
The VAS scores in both experimental groups at all time points during treatment and follow-up were significantly lower (P <0.001) than those before treatment. The uterine size was significantly reduced, and endometrial thickness was distinctly thicker after 12 months of treatment than that before treatment in group A receiving 5 mg/d mifepristone. The immunohistochemical expression of NGF and COX-2 decreased in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium after treatment, whereas that of Ki-67 slightly increased in eutopic endometrium after treatment and rapidly recovered to the baseline value after stopping mifepristone. There were no signs of hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, or malignancy in the endometrial biopsies.

Conclusions:
The results suggested that a daily dose of 5 mg mifepristone for 12 months down-regulated the expression of NGF and COX-2 and was effective in treating painful adenomyosis with few side effects.
Comparing Minimally Invasive Sacrocolpopexy With Vaginal Uterosacral Ligament Suspension: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study Through the Fellows' Pelvic Research Network
Authors: Noor Nabila , Bastawros Dina , Florian-Rodriguez Marian E. , Hobson Deslyn , Eto Chidimma , Lozo Svjetlana , Lavelle Erin , Antosh Danielle , Hacker Michele R. , Elkadry Eman , Von Bargen Emily 
Published: July 2022

Importance
Comparing one-year surgical outcomes of two widely used surgical procedures for apical suspension.

Objectives
The objective of this study is to compare anatomic outcomes after minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (MISC) and vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension (vUSLS).

Study Design
This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study through the Fellows' Pelvic Research Network. Patients with ≥ stage II pelvic organ prolapse (POP) who underwent MISC or vUSLS from January 2013 to January 2016, identified through the Current Procedural Terminology codes, with 1 year or longer postoperative data were included. Patients with prior POP surgery or history of connective tissue disorders were excluded. Anatomic success was defined as Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System measurements: Ba/Bp ≤ 0 or C ≤ -TVL/2. Data were compared using χ2 or Fisher exact tests. Continuous data were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results
Three hundred thirty-seven patients underwent MISC (171 laparoscopic, 166 robotic) and 165 underwent vUSLS. The MISC group had longer operative time (205.9 minutes vs 187.5 minutes, P = 0.006) and lower blood loss (77.8 mL vs 187.4 mL; P < 0.001). Two patients (0.6%) in the MISC group had mesh exposure requiring surgical excision. Permanent suture exposure was higher after vUSLS (6.1%). At 1 year, anatomic success was comparable in the apical (322 [97%] MISC vs 160 [97%] vUSLS, P = 0.99) and posterior compartments (326 [97.6%] MISC vs 164 [99.4%] vUSLS; P = 0.28). Anterior compartment success was higher in the MISC group (328 [97.9%] vs 156 [94.9%], P = 0.04) along with longer total vaginal length (9.2 ± 1.8 vs 8.4 ± 1.5, P < 0.001).

Conclusion
At 1 year, patients who underwent MISC or vUSLS had similar apical support. Low rates of mesh and suture exposures, less anterior recurrence, and longer TVL were noted after MISC.
A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Telemedicine Versus In-Person Office Visits for the Follow-Up of Overactive Bladder
Authors: Mossack Spencer , Inoyatov Igor , Fonseca Philip , Du Chris , Lee Edwin , Ruan Heng , Kim Jason 
Published: July 2022

IMPORTANCE
Overactive bladder is a condition that may be ideally suited for the use of telemedicine because initial treatment options are behavioral modification and pharmacotherapy.

OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate if there was an overall difference in patient follow-up rates between telemedicine and in-person visits.

STUDY DESIGN
New patients presenting with overactive bladder from July 2020 to March 2021 were randomized into telemedicine and in-person visits groups. A prospective database was maintained to compare follow-up rates, satisfaction rates, and time commitment.

RESULTS
Forty-eight patients were randomized, 23 to the telemedicine group and 25 to the in-person visits group. There was no significant difference in follow-up rates between the telemedicine and in-person follow-up groups at 30 days (39% vs 28%, P = 0.41), 60-days (65% vs 56% P = 0.51) or 90 days (78% vs 60%, P = 0.17). There was no significant difference in satisfaction rates between the 2 groups. There was a significant difference between the average telemedicine visit time and in-person visit time (12.1 ± 6.9 minutes vs 22.8 ± 17.1 minutes; P = 0.02). For in-person visits, the average travel time was 49 minutes (interquartile range, 10–90 minutes) and average miles traveled was 22.1 miles (interquartile range, 10–70 miles).

CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference in follow-up or satisfaction rates between telemedicine and in-person visits. Telemedicine visits took half the length of time compared with in-person visits. On average, patients in the telemedicine group saved approximately 1 hour per follow-up visit. Telemedicine visits save both the health care provider and patient significant amounts of time without sacrificing patient satisfaction and follow-up rates.
CCAAT/Enhancer-binding Protein Homologous Protein Promotes ROS-mediated Liver Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Mitophagy in Hepatocytes
Authors: Zhou Shun , Rao Zhuqing , Xia Yongxiang , Wang Qi , Liu Zheng , Wang Ping , Cheng Feng , Zhou Haoming 
Published: July 2022

Background.
Liver ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury represent a major risk factor in both partial hepatectomy and liver transplantation. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) is a key regulator of cell death, its precise molecular basis in regulating hepatocyte death during liver IR has not been delineated.

Methods.
Hepatocellular CHOP deficient mice were generated by bone marrow chimera models using global CHOP knockout mice. Liver partial warm ischemia model and hypoxia/reoxygenation model of primary hepatocytes were applied. Liver injury and mitophagy-related signaling pathways were investigated. IR-stressed patient liver tissues and serum samples were analyzed as well.

Results.
Mice with hepatocellular CHOP deficiency exhibited alleviated cell death, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression, and enhanced mitophagy in hepatocytes after IR, confirmed by in vitro studies of hepatocytes after hypoxia/reoxygenation. Mitochondria ROS scavenge by Mito TEMPO effectively attenuated hepatocyte death and liver IR injury of wild-type mice, whereas no significant effects were observed in hepatocellular CHOP-deficient mice. CHOP depletion upregulated dynamin-related protein 1 and Beclin-1 activation in the mitochondria of hepatocytes leading to enhanced mitophagy. Following IR, increased CHOP expression and impaired mitophagy activation were observed in the livers of patients undergoing hepatectomy. N-acetyl cysteine pretreatment significantly improved the liver function of patients after surgery.

Conclusions.
IR-induced CHOP activation exacerbates ROS-mediated hepatocyte death by inhibiting dynamin-related protein 1–Beclin-1–dependent mitophagy.
High-resolution Spatiotemporal Changes in Dominant Frequency and Structural Organization During Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Pong Terrence , Aparicio-Valenzuela Joy , Obafemi Oluwatomisin Olurotimi , Cyr Kevin J. , Carlton Cody , Taylor Calvin , Lee Anson M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveAnalyze changes in frequency activity and structural organization that occur over time with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF)BackgroundLittle is known about the frequency characteristics of the epicardium during transition from paroxysmal to persistent AF. Accurate identification of areas of high dominant frequency (DF) is often hampered by limited spatial resolution. Improvements in electrode arrays provide high spatiotemporal resolution, allowing for characterization of the changes that occur during this transition.MethodsAF was induced in adult Yorkshire swine by atrial tachypacing. DF mapping was performed using personalized mapping arrays. Histological analysis and late gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were performed to determine structural differences in fibrosis.ResultsThe left atrial epicardium was associated with a significant increase in DF in persistent AF (6.5 ± 0.2 vs. 7.4 ± 0.5 Hz, P = 0.03). The organization index (OI) significantly decreased during persistent AF in both the left atria (0.3 ± 0.03 vs. 0.2 ± 0.03, P = 0.01) and right atria (0.33 ± 0.04 vs. 0.23 ± 0.02, P = 0.02). MRI analysis demonstrated increased ECV values in persistent AF (0.19 vs 0.34, paroxysmal vs persistent, P = 0.05). Tissue sections from the atria showed increase in fibrosis in pigs with persistent AF compared to paroxysmal AF. Staining demonstrated decreased myocardial fiber alignment and loss of anisotropy in persistent AF tissue.ConclusionsChanges in tissue organization and fibrosis are observed in the porcine model of persistent AF. Alterations in frequency activity and organization index can be captured with high resolution using flexible electrode arrays.
Anion efflux mediates transduction in hair cells of zebrafish lateral line
Authors: Lunsford Elias T. , Bobkov Yuriy V. , Ray Brandon C. , Liao James C. , Strother James A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHair cells are the principal sensory receptors of the vertebrate auditory system, and transduce sounds with mechanically-gated ion channels that permit cations to flow from the surrounding endolymph into the cells. The lateral line of zebrafish has served as a key model system for understanding hair cell physiology and development, and it has often been speculated that these hair cells employ a similar transduction mechanism. In this study, we demonstrate that the hair cells are exposed to an unregulated external environment with cation concentrations that are too low to support transduction. Instead, our results indicate that hair cell excitation is mediated by a fundamentally different mechanism involving the outward flow of anions.
Delivery of loaded MR1 monomer results in efficient ligand exchange to host MR1 and subsequent MR1T cell activation
Authors: Kulicke Corinna A. , Swarbrick Gwendolyn M. , Ladd Nicole A. , Cansler Meghan , Null Megan , Worley Aneta , Lemon Chance , Ahmed Tania , Bennett Joshua , Lust Taylor N. , Heisler Chelsea M. , Huber Megan E. , Krawic Jason R. , Ankley Laurisa M. , McBride Savannah K. , Tafesse Fikadu G. , Olive Andrew J. , Hildebrand William H. , Lewinsohn Deborah A. , Adams Erin J. , Lewinsohn David M. , Harriff Melanie J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMR1-restricted T cells have been implicated in microbial infections, sterile inflammation, wound healing and cancer. Similar to other antigen presentation molecules, evidence supports multiple, complementary MR1 antigen presentation pathways. To investigate ligand exchange pathways for MR1, we used MR1 monomers and tetramers loaded with 5-(2-oxopropylideneamino)-6-d-ribitylaminouracil (5-OP-RU) to deliver the antigen. Using MR1-deficient cells reconstituted with wild-type MR1 or MR1 molecules that cannot bind 5-OP-RU, we show that presentation of monomer-delivered 5-OP-RU is dependent on cellular MR1 and requires the transfer of ligand from the soluble molecule onto MR1 expressed by the antigen presenting cell. This mode of antigen delivery strengthens the evidence for post-ER ligand exchange pathways for MR1, which could represent an important avenue by which MR1 acquires antigens derived from endocytosed pathogens.
Wide-pulse electrical stimulation of the quadriceps femoris allows greater maximal evocable torque than conventional stimulation
Authors: Espeit Loïc , Lapole Thomas , Millet Guillaume Y , Rozand Vianney , Maffiuletti Nicola A 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTPurposeThe effectiveness of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) program has been shown to be proportional to the maximal evocable torque (MET), which is potentially influenced by pulse characteristics such as duration and frequency. The aim of this study was to compare MET between conventional and wide-pulse NMES at two different frequencies.MethodsMET - expressed as a percentage of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque - and maximal tolerable current intensity (MTCI) were quantified on 71 healthy subjects. The right quadriceps femoris muscle was stimulated with three NMES protocols using different pulse duration/frequency combinations: conventional NMES (0.2 ms/50 Hz; CONV), wide-pulse NMES at 50 Hz (1 ms/50 Hz; WP50) and wide-pulse NMES at 100 Hz (1 ms/100 Hz; WP100). The proportion of subjects reaching the maximal stimulator output (100 mA; MSO) before attaining MTCI was also quantified for each NMES protocol.ResultsThe proportion of subjects attaining MSO was higher for CONV than WP50 and WP100 (30%, 3% and 4%, respectively; p < 0.001). In subjects who did not attain MSO in any protocol, MET was higher for both WP50 and WP100 than for CONV (45% vs 43% vs 39% MVC; p < 0.001). MTCI was lower for both WP50 and WP100 than for CONV (45, 42, and 77 mA, respectively; p < 0.001) and was also lower for WP100 than for WP50.ConclusionWhen compared to conventional NMES, wide-pulse protocols resulted in greater MET, lower MTCI and consequently in a lower proportion of subjects attaining MSO. Overall, this may lead to better NMES training/rehabilitation effectiveness and less practical issues associated with MSO limitations.
Editing the core region in HPFH deletions alters fetal and adult globin expression for treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies
Authors: Venkatesan Vigneshwaran , Christopher Abisha Crystal , Babu Prathibha , Azhagiri Manoj Kumar K , Walavalkar Kaivalya , Saravanan Bharath , Srinivasan Saranya , Karuppusamy Karthik V , Jacob Annlin , Rangaraj Sumathi , Bagchi Abhirup , Pai Aswin Anand , Nakamura Yukio , Balasubramanian Poonkuzhali , Pai Rekha , Marepally Srujan Kumar , Mohankumar Kumarasamypet Murugesan , Velayudhan Shaji R , Notani Dimple , Srivastava Alok , Thangavel Saravanabhavan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractReactivation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is the commonly adapted strategy to ameliorate β-hemoglobinopathies. However, the continued production of defective adult hemoglobin (HbA) limits the HbF tetramer production affecting the therapeutic benefits. Here, we tested various deletional hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) mutations and identified a 11 kb sequence, encompassing Putative Repressor Region (PRR) to β-globin Exon-1 (βE1), as the core deletion that ablates HbA and exhibit superior production of HbF compared to HPFH or other well-established targets. The PRR-βE1 edited hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) retained engraftment potential to repopulate for long-term hematopoiesis in immunocompromised mice generating HbF+ cells in vivo. Importantly, the editing induces therapeutically relevant levels of HbF to reverse the phenotypes of both sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia major. These results indicate that the PRR-βE1 gene editing in patient HSPCs can potentially lead to superior therapeutic outcomes for β-hemoglobinopathies gene therapy.
Self-cyclisation as a general and efficient platform for peptide and protein macrocyclisation
Authors: Jia Xinying , Chin Yanni K.-Y. , Zhang Alan , Crawford Theo , Zhu Yifei , Fletcher Nicholas L. , Zhou Zihan , Hamilton Brett R. , Stroet Martin , Thurecht Kristofer J. , Mobli Mehdi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMacrocyclisation of proteins and peptides results in a remarkable increase in structural stability, making cyclic peptides and proteins of great interest in drug discovery—either directly as drug leads or as in the case of cyclised nanodiscs (cNDs), as tools for studies of trans-membrane receptors and membrane-active peptides. Various biological methods have been developed that are capable of yielding head-to-tail macrocyclised products. Such enzymatic methods require careful optimisation of cyclisation over polymerisation. Here, we describe the engineering of self-cyclising “autocyclase” proteins, where an intramolecular rearrangement can be triggered to yield a monomeric cyclic product in high yields. We characterise the self-cyclisation reaction mechanism and demonstrate how the unimolecular reaction path can circumvent existing challenges of enzymatic cyclisation. We use the method to produce several notable cyclic peptides and proteins, demonstrating how autocyclases offer a simple and scalable way to access a vast diversity of macrocyclic biomolecules.