bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
INFLUENCE OF AIRWAY GEOMETRY ON RADON RISK ASSESSMENT IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN (MICRODOSIMETRIC APPROACH)
Authors: Böhm Radoslav , Bulko Martin , Holý Karol 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The aim of this work was to use the microdosimetric threshold energy model to study the effects of alpha-emitting 222Rn progeny on the probability of developing lung cancer. The results suggest that the radiation risk may increase by several times as the thickness of the surface layer decreases. The thicker the protective mucus layer and the deeper the sensitive target cells are located in the tissue, the less radiation damage the same dose produces. These findings have been applied to children of various ages. As children grow older, their lungs enlarge, the mucus layer thickens and the cells sensitive to radiation damage move deeper into the lung tissue, resulting in a reduction of radiation risk. The fraction of affected target cells is not only a function of dose but also of lung tissue depth. The results indicate that children can be several times more vulnerable to radiation than adults.
MONTE CARLO SIMULATIONS OF OUT-OF-FIELD LET SPECTRA IN WATER PHANTOM IRRADIATED BY SCANNING PENCIL PROTON BEAM
Authors: Štika Jan , Jelínek Michaelidesová Anna , Davídková Marie 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
LET spectra can be measured by track-etched detectors. However, these detectors are not able to identify the type of interacting particles. Monte Carlo simulations can provide this missing information. In this work, Monte Carlo simulations based on the EURADOS Work Group 9 experiment consisting of systematic 3D mapping of out-of-field doses and LET spectra in a prototype water phantom were performed. The simulations aimed to identify the types of particles contributing to the out-of-field LET spectra. The total absorbed dose, LET and energy spectra were calculated. The calculated dose distributions and LET spectra were compared with the ones measured by radiophotoluminiscence and track-etched detectors. The out-of-field particles and their LET values were identified. No statistically significant differences between the measured and simulated spectra were revealed in the LET range of 100–2000 keV μm−1.
RADON MONITORING IN SELECTED KINDERGARTENS IN SLOVAKIA
Authors: Müllerová Monika , Holý Karol , Kureková Patrícia , Smetanová Iveta 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
In 17 kindergartens in Slovakia indoor radon survey was performed over a period of 1 y. In selected kindergartens also continuous monitoring of indoor radon activity concentration was conducted for ~2 weeks, as well as soil radon measurements. Annual average of indoor radon concentration, measured using track detectors, ranged between 75 and 1810 Bq m−3. Soil radon concentration ranged from 13 to 320 kBq m−3. The relationship between activity concentrations measured in soil air and indoors has a linear character.
Economic nostalgia: the salience of economic identity for the Brexit campaign
Authors: Suckert Lisa 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe rise of ‘new populism’ is commonly explained by two opposing approaches known as cultural backlash and economic deprivation. Their antagonism perpetuates a dichotomous understanding of economy versus identity. This article contributes to scholarly attempts to overcome this dichotomy by introducing the concept of economic identity. It suggests to bring ‘the economic’ back into culturalist explanations as a discursive motif that can be charged with identity and tradition. I argue that shared assumptions about what economic practices, institutions and conventions appear appropriate for the nation can serve the purpose of national identification. A qualitative discourse analysis of almost 400 Brexit campaign documents shows that those in favour of withdrawal and often considered ‘populist’ did not neglect economic arguments. But instead of relying on brute economic calculus, they referred to Britain’s economic traditions and images of a glorious economic past. By linking economic critique of the EU to issues of British heritage, Leave made Brexit a question of national economic identity—a discursive strategy particularly resonating with those economically deprived.
Regulation of sleep quantity and intensity by long and short isoforms of SLEEPY kinase
Authors: Xu Junjie , Zhou Rui , Wang Guodong , Guo Ying , Gao Xue , Zhou Shuang , Ma Chengyuan , Chen Lin , Shi Bihan , Wang Haiyan , Wang Fengchao , Liu Qinghua 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
In Sleepy (Sik3Slp) or Sik3S551A mice, deletion or mutation of inhibitory phosphorylation site serine551 from salt-inducible kinase 3 (SIK3) markedly increases daily non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) amount, accompanied with constitutively elevated NREMS delta power density–a measure of sleep intensity. Multiple SLP/SIK3 isoforms are expressed in mouse brain neurons, however, their respective roles in sleep regulation remain to be elucidated. Here, we identified a new and most abundant short isoform of SLP/SIK3 and examined sleep phenotypes resulted from isoform-specific expression of SLP-short (S) and long (L) isoforms. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated adult brain chimeric (ABC)-expression of SLP-S in neurons, but not in astrocytes, significantly and constitutively elevates NREMS delta power, whereas slightly increases NREMS amount. The ability of SLP-S to regulate sleep quantity/intensity is abrogated by kinase-inactivating mutations, suggesting that the sleep-promoting activity of SLP-S is dependent on its kinase activity. In Sik3S551A-L knock-in mice, isoform-specific expression of SIK3S551A-L (or SLP-L) significantly increases NREMS amount with a modest effect on NREMS delta power. ABC-expression of SLP-S complements the sleep phenotypes of heterozygous Sik3S551A-L mice by further increasing NREMS amount and NREMS delta power to levels of Sik3Slp or Sik3S551A mice. Taken together, these results indicate that both SLP-L and SLP-S isoforms contribute critically to the increases of sleep quantity and intensity in Sik3Slp or Sik3S551A mice.
KCNQ5 activation by tannins mediates vasorelaxant effects of barks used in Native American botanical medicine
Authors: Manville Rían W. , Redford Kaitlyn E. , van der Horst Jennifer , Hogenkamp Derk J. , Jepps Thomas A. , Abbott Geoffrey W. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractTree and shrub barks have been used as folk medicine by numerous cultures across the globe for millennia, for a variety of indications, including as vasorelaxants and antispasmodics. Here, using electrophysiology and myography, we discovered that the KCNQ5 voltage‐gated potassium channel mediates vascular smooth muscle relaxant effects of barks used in Native American folk medicine. Bark extracts (1%) from Birch, Cramp Bark, Slippery Elm, White Oak, Red Willow, White Willow, and Wild Cherry each strongly activated KCNQ5 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Testing of a subset including both the most and the least efficacious extracts revealed that Red Willow, White Willow, and White Oak KCNQ‐dependently relaxed rat mesenteric arteries; in contrast, Black Haw bark neither activated KCNQ5 nor induced vasorelaxation. Two compounds common to the active barks (gallic acid and tannic acid) had similarly potent and efficacious effects on both KCNQ5 activation and vascular relaxation, and this together with KCNQ5 modulation by other tannins provides a molecular basis for smooth muscle relaxation effects of Native American folk medicine bark extracts.
Identifying Chronic Pain Subgroups in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Sil Soumitri , Manikowski Alison , Schneider Mallory , Cohen Lindsey L. , Dampier Carlton 
Published: August 2022

Objectives:
Youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) and chronic pain, defined in this study as pain on most days for 3 months, experience variability in daily pain and physical and psychosocial functioning. This study aimed to (1) empirically derive chronic pain subgroups based on pain characteristics among youth with chronic SCD pain; and (2) investigate derived subgroups for differences in sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and psychosocial and functional outcomes.

Materials and Methods:
Youth with chronic SCD pain (n=62, M
age=13.9, SD=2.5, 10 to 18 y; 58% female, 60% HbSS) completed a battery of questionnaires. Clinical characteristics (eg, medications, treatments) and health care utilization were abstracted from electronic medical records. Hierarchical cluster analysis informed the number of clusters at the patient level. k-means cluster analysis used multidimensional pain assessment to identify and assign patients to clusters.

Results:
Cluster 1 (n=35; Moderate Frequency, Moderate Pain) demonstrated significantly lower worst pain intensity, number of pain days per month, number of body sites affected by pain, and pain quality ratings. Cluster 2 (n=27; Almost Daily, High Pain) reported high ratings of worst pain intensity, almost daily to daily pain, greater number of body sites affected by pain, and higher ratings of pain quality (all P’s <0.05). There were no differences between subgroups by sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, or health care utilization. The Almost Daily, High Pain subgroup reported significantly higher pain interference, depressive symptoms, and pain catastrophizing than the Moderate Frequency, Moderate Pain subgroup.

Discussion:
Identifying chronic SCD pain subgroups may inform tailored assessment and intervention to mitigate poor pain and functional outcomes.
Do Interventions Improve Symptoms Among ICU Surrogates Facing End-of-Life Decisions? A Prognostically-Enriched Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: DeForge Christine E. , George Maureen , Baldwin Matthew R. , South Katherine , Beauchemin Melissa , McHugh Marlene E. , Smaldone Arlene 
Published: August 2022

OBJECTIVES:
Evaluate the efficacy of interventions to improve symptoms for ICU surrogates at highest risk of developing psychologic distress: those facing end-of-life care decisions.

DATA SOURCES:
MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through April 16, 2022.

STUDY SELECTION:
Following an a priori protocol, randomized trials of interventions delivered to surrogates of adult ICU patients who died or had high likelihood of mortality evaluating surrogate symptoms were identified.

DATA EXTRACTION:
Two reviewers performed screening and data extraction and assessed risk of bias (Cochrane Risk of Bias [RoB] 2 tool). Trials were eligible for meta-analysis if group mean symptom scores were provided at 3 or 6 months. Pooled effects were estimated using a random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed (Cochrane Q, I
2). Certainty of evidence was assessed (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation).

DATA SYNTHESIS:
Of 1,660 records, 10 trials met inclusion criteria representing 3,824 surrogates; eight were included in the meta-analysis. Overall RoB was rated Some Concerns. Most (n = 8) interventions focused on improving communication and enhancing psychologic support in the ICU. All trials measured anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. Significant improvement was seen at 3 months (depression, mean difference [MD], –0.68; 95% CI, –1.14 to –0.22, moderate certainty; posttraumatic stress, standardized MD, –0.25; 95% CI, –0.49 to –0.01, very low certainty) and 6 months (anxiety, MD, –0.70; 95% CI, –1.18 to –0.22, moderate certainty). Sensitivity analyses suggest significant findings may be unstable. Subgroup analyses demonstrated differences in effect by trial location, interventionist, and intervention dose.

CONCLUSIONS:
Communication and psychological support interventions in the ICU yielded small but significant improvement in psychological symptoms with moderate to very low certainty evidence in a prognostically-enriched sample of ICU surrogates facing end-of-life care decisions. A new approach to interventions that extend beyond the ICU may be needed.
Facelift Surgery after Permanent Filler: Outcomes after Removal of Permanent Filler under Local Anesthesia
Authors: Alaslawi Ahmad A. F. , Zeina Ahmed M. , Zahra Tarek 
Published: August 2022

Background:
Permanent fillers were previously used to fix wrinkles associated with aging as they were considered a reasonable choice for facial rejuvenation. However, the subsequent removal of permanent fillers is of great concern to surgeons before performing a facelift surgery. Many studies have evaluated the outcomes of facelift surgery; however, we sought to evaluate the outcomes of facelift surgery which required removal of fillers beforehand.

Methods:
This retrospective cohort study evaluated the outcomes of 50 patients with regard to patient satisfaction and postoperative complications of facelift surgery with removal of permanent filler under local anesthesia. A short scar rhytidectomy with superficial muscular aponeurotic system plication was performed. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were analyzed by two independent surgeons to report asymmetry scores ranging from one to three (one none, two slight, and three obvious asymmetries). Patient satisfaction scores were also recorded.

Results:
The preoperative presentations of the permanent filler were asymmetry (82%) and disfiguring facial edema (26%). Removing fillers under local anesthesia is generally tolerable, with 56% of patients tolerating rhytidectomy. The degree of the participants’ satisfaction after follow-up was satisfactory; two-thirds of patients (62%) were satisfied. There was a significant difference between surgeons’ preoperative and postoperative assessment of asymmetry scores (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:
Permanent filler removal with concomitant face-neck lift surgery has satisfactory outcomes. The procedure length was primarily determined by the patient’s skin characteristics and the severity of the local condition.
Standard Precaution Knowledge and Behavioral Intentions Among Students in the Healthcare Field: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: LIVSHIZ-RIVEN Ilana , HURVITZ Nancy , ZIV-BARAN Tomer 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACT

Background
Infectious diseases are a major threat to healthcare workers and patients alike. Standard precautions (SPs) are a pivotal element in controlling their spread. However, worldwide reported compliance with SP guidelines is suboptimal among workers and students in the healthcare field.

Purpose
The objective of this study was to identify the knowledge and behavioral intent patterns of students in the healthcare field as well as the relationship of these patterns to the students' study program, clinical exposure, and attitudes.

Methods
This cross-sectional study employed a web-based structured questionnaire. Participants were students of nursing, emergency medicine for paramedics, physiotherapy, and medicine studying at a public university in Israel. The questionnaire assessed SP-related knowledge and behavioral intent, perceptions of personal responsibility, and the presence of mentors as role models. The K-means clustering method was used.

Results
The 259 students (33% response rate) who completed the questionnaire were enrolled as participants and divided into two knowledge and behavioral intent clusters. Cluster 1 (n = 156) had a higher proportion of nursing students and a lower proportion of medical students than Cluster 2 (n = 103). Emergency medicine for paramedics and physiotherapy students were more evenly distributed between the clusters. Participants who were classified in Cluster 1 reported higher intent with regard to proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and decontamination practices. In multivariable analysis, only three variables predicted belonging to Cluster 1: nursing students, perception of their mentors as role models, and perception of having higher personal responsibility for microbiological safety.

Conclusions
We observed clear patterns of knowledge and behavior among the students in the healthcare field examined in this study. These patterns were influenced by profession, role mentoring, and sense of responsibility. This use of cluster analysis may contribute to the development of better SP educational endeavors. The patterns identified highlight the need for improved training and the importance of role modeling for healthcare students in all areas of specialization.
Do Physician Assistant Students Use Retrieval-Based Strategies While Studying?
Authors: Pinheiro Sandro O. , Hibbard Susan T. , Hudak Nicholas M. 
Published: August 2022

Introduction
Research on learning indicates that active retrieval of information (ie, testing) enhances student retention of knowledge, yet, it is underutilized by learners. This research investigated physician assistant (PA) students’ study strategies and the extent to which retrieval-based strategies (RBS) are used.

Methods
A survey instrument adapting items from Hartwig and Dunlosky’s Study Habits Survey was administered to first-year PA students to investigate their study behaviors over a 4-week time frame in preparation for multiple-choice exams.

Results
Seventy-eight students (88%) completed the survey. The most common study strategies were reviewing lecture slide decks (83%), reading notes (78%), and taking notes (73%). Retrieval-based study strategies most often used were practicing test questions (38%) and creating questions and responding to them (12%).

Discussion
Many PA students are underutilizing retrieval-based study strategies and might benefit from more awareness of this learning approach as well as faculty guidance about how to incorporate it into their exam preparation.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities Among Patients Hospitalized for Acute Cholangitis in the United States
Authors: Wang Melinda , Wadhwani Sharad I. , Cullaro Giuseppe , Lai Jennifer C. , Rubin Jessica B. 
Published: August 2022

Goals:
We sought to determine whether race/ethnicity is associated with hospitalization outcomes among patients admitted with acute cholangitis.

Background:
Few studies have evaluated the association between race and outcomes in patients with acute cholangitis.

Study:
We analyzed United States hospitalizations from 2009 to 2018 using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). We included patients 18 years old or above admitted with an ICD9/10 diagnosis of cholangitis. Race/ethnicity was categorized as White, Black, Hispanic, or Other. We used multivariable regression to determine the association between race/ethnicity and in-hospital outcomes of interest, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), early ERCP (<48 h from admission), length of stay (LOS), and in-hospital mortality.

Results:
Of 116,889 hospitalizations for acute cholangitis, 70% identified as White, 10% identified as Black, 11% identified as Hispanic, and 9% identified as Other. The proportion of non-White patients increased over time. On multivariate analysis controlling for clinical and sociodemographic variables, compared with White patients, Black patients had higher in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-1.6, P<0.001). Black patients were also less likely to undergo ERCP, more likely to undergo delayed ERCP, and had longer LOS (P<0.001 for all).

Conclusions:
In this contemporary cohort of hospitalized patients with cholangitis, Black race was independently associated with fewer and delayed ERCP procedures, longer LOS, and higher mortality rates. Future studies with more granular social determinants of health data should further explore the underlying reasons for these disparities to develop interventions aimed at reducing racial disparities in outcomes among patients with acute cholangitis.
Circulating cell-free messenger RNA secretome characterization of primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Chalasani Naga , Vuppalanchi Raj , Lammert Craig , Gawrieh Samer , Braun Jerome V. , Zhuang Jiali , Ibarra Arkaitz , Ross David A. , Nerenberg Michael , Quake Stephen R. , Sninsky John J. , Toden Shusuke 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND & AIMSPrimary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by multi-focal bile duct strictures. To date, underlying molecular mechanisms of PSC remain unclear and therapeutic options for PSC patients are limited. We performed cell-free messenger RNA (cf-mRNA) next generation sequencing (RNA-Seq) to characterize the circulating transcriptome of PSC and non-invasively investigate potentially bioactive signals that are associated with PSC.METHODSSerum cf-mRNA profiles were compared among 50 individuals with PSC, 20 healthy controls, and 235 individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Tissue and cell type-of-origin genes that are dysregulated in subjects with PSC were evaluated. Subsequently, diagnostic classifiers were built using PSC dysregulated cf-mRNA genes.RESULTSDifferential expression analysis of the cf-mRNA transcriptomes of PSC and healthy controls resulted in identification of 1407 dysregulated genes. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes between PSC and the liver diseases (NAFL and Non-Alcohol Steatohepatitis (NASH)) or healthy controls shared common genes known to be involved in liver pathophysiology. In particular, genes from liver- and specific cell type-origin, including hepatocyte, hepatic stellate cells and Kupffer cells, were highly abundant in cf-mRNA of subjects with PSC. Gene cluster analysis revealed that liver-specific genes dysregulated in PSC form a distinct cluster which corresponded to a subset of the PSC subject population. Finally, we developed a cf-mRNA classifier using liver-specific genes which discriminated PSC from healthy control subjects using gene transcripts of liver origin.CONCLUSIONSBlood-based whole transcriptome cf-mRNA profiling revealed high abundance of liver-specific genes in PSC subject sera which may be used to diagnose PSC patients. We identified several unique cf-mRNA profiles of subjects with PSC. These findings may also have utility for non-invasive molecular stratification of subjects with PSC for pharmacotherapy safety and response studies.Graphical Abstract