bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of uteroplacental insufficiency on growth-restricted rats with altered lung development: A metabolomic analysis
Authors: Yuliana Merryl Esther , Huang Zheng-Hao , Chou Hsiu-Chu , Chen Chung-Ming 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is among the most challenging problems in antenatal care. Several factors implicated in the pathophysiology of IUGR have been identified. We aimed to investigate the effect of UPI on lung development by identifying metabolic changes during the first seven days of postnatal life.Materials and methodsOn gestation day 17, four time-dated pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were randomized to a IUGR group or a control group, which underwent an IUGR protocol comprising bilateral uterine vessel ligation and sham surgery, respectively. On gestation day 22, 39 control and 26 IUGR pups were naturally delivered. The rat pups were randomly selected from the control and IUGR group on postnatal day 7. The pups' lungs were excised for histological, Western blot, and metabolomic analyses. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was performed for metabolomic analyses.ResultsUPI induced IUGR, as evidenced by the IUGR rat pups having a significantly lower average body weight than the control rat pups on postnatal day 7. The control rats exhibited healthy endothelial cell healthy and vascular development, and the IUGR rats had a significantly lower average radial alveolar count than the control rats. The mean birth weight of the 26 IUGR rats (5.89 ± 0.74 g) was significantly lower than that of the 39 control rats (6.36 ± 0.55 g; p &lt; 0.01). UPI decreased the levels of platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGF-A) and PDGF-B in the IUGR newborn rats. One-way analysis of variance revealed 345 features in the pathway, 14 of which were significant. Regarding major differential metabolites, 10 of the 65 metabolites examined differed significantly between the groups (p &lt; 0.05). Metabolite pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant between-group differences in the metabolism of glutathione, arginine–proline, thiamine, taurine–hypotaurine, pantothenate, alanine–aspartate–glutamate, cysteine–methionine, glycine–serine–threonine, glycerophospholipid, and purine as well as in the biosynthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA, pantothenate, and CoA.ConclusionsUPI alters lung development and metabolomics in growth-restricted newborn rats. Our findings may elucidate new metabolic mechanisms underlying IUGR-induced altered lung development and serve as a reference for the development of prevention and treatment strategies for IUGR-induced altered lung development.
The burden of hospital-attended influenza in Norwegian children
Authors: Bøås Håkon , Bekkevold Terese , Havdal Lise Beier , Kran Anne-Marte Bakken , Rojahn Astrid Elisabeth , Størdal Ketil , Debes Sara , Døllner Henrik , Nordbø Svein Arne , Barstad Bjørn , Haarr Elisebet , Vázquez Fernández Liliana , Nakstad Britt , Leegaard Truls Michael , Hungnes Olav , Flem Elmira ,   Norwegian Enhanced Pediatric Immunisation Surveillance (NorEPIS) Network
Published: September 2022

BackgroundNorwegian health authorities do not recommend universal pediatric vaccination against seasonal influenza. We aimed to estimate the incidence of influenza by age and underlying medical conditions in hospitalized Norwegian children aged &lt;18 years.MethodsActive surveillance for influenza in children &lt;18 years was implemented in five hospitals during 2015–18. Children with respiratory symptoms and/or fever were prospectively enrolled and tested for influenza. Surveillance data were linked to health registry data to estimate the national burden of influenza in hospitals.ResultsIn 309 (10%) out of 3,010 hospital contacts, the child tested positive for influenza, corresponding to an average incidence of 0.96 hospital-attended influenza cases per 1,000 children &lt;18 years of age. Children &lt;1 year of age (3.8 per 1,000 children) and children with underlying medical conditions (17 per 1,000 children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia) had the highest average incidence. Among &lt;1 year old children, 3% tested positive for influenza, compared to 25% for children aged 6–17. Few children were vaccinated against influenza.ConclusionsChildren &lt;1 year of age and children with underlying medical conditions had a higher incidence of influenza requiring hospital treatment compared to the general population. Effective interventions against seasonal influenza for children in Norway should be considered.
Case report: Microcirculatory leukocytes in a pediatric patient with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Findings of leukocytes trafficking beyond the lungs
Authors: Bottari Gabriella , Ince Can , Confalone Valerio , Perdichizzi Salvatore , Casamento Tumeo Chiara , Nunziata Joseph , Bernardi Stefania , Calò Carducci Francesca , Lancella Laura , Bernaschi Paola , Russo Cristina , Perno Carlo Federico , Cecchetti Corrado , Villani Alberto 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 can lead to excessive coagulation and thrombo-inflammation with deposition of microthrombi and microvascular dysfunction. Several studies in human and animal models have already evidenced biomarkers of endothelial injury during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Real-time observation of sublingual microcirculation using an handheld vital microscopy with an Incident Dark Field (IDF) technique could represent a non-invasive way to assess early signs of microvascular dysfunction and endothelial inflammation in patients with severe COVID-19 infection.Clinical caseWe report for the first time in a pediatric patient with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia findings about microcirculatory leukocytes in the sublingual microcirculation of a 7 month-old patient admitted to our PICU using handheld vital microscopy with IDF technique.ResultsSublingual microcirculation analysis revealed the presence of microcirculatory alterations and an extensive presence of leukocytes in the patient’s sublingual microcirculation. It’s significant to underline how the patient didn’t show a contextual significant increase in inflammatory biomarkers or other clinical signs related to an inflammatory response, beyond the presence of severe hypoxic respiratory failure.ConclusionLeukocyte activation in multiple organs can occur at the endothelial lining of the microvasculature where a surge of pro-inflammatory mediators can result in accumulation of activated leukocytes and degradation of the endothelium. The introduction of a method to assess in a non-invasive, real-time manner the extent of inflammation in a patient with COVID19 could lead to potential clinical and therapeutic implications. However, more studies are required to prove that studying leukocytes microcirculation using sublingual microcirculation analysis could be useful as a bedside point of care monitor to predict the presence of systemic inflammation associated with the impact of COVID-19, leading in a late phase of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection to a microvascular dysfunction and micro-thrombosis.
Insula deep rTMS and varenicline for smoking cessation: A randomized control trial study protocol
Authors: Ibrahim Christine , Malik Saima , Barr Mera S. , Blumberger Daniel M. , Daskalakis Zafiris J. , Le Foll Bernard 
Published: September 2022

Background: Current approved therapies for smoking cessation have modest long-term effects for abstinence. The insular cortex has been identified by preclinical and clinical studies as a critical target for addiction treatment. Insula functions can be modulated non-invasively using brain stimulation. It is unknown if deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the insula can improve smoking cessation of smokers trying to quit using varenicline.Methods: This will be a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial with 50 nicotine dependent smokers looking to quit. They will be randomly assigned to receive either active (10 Hz) or sham insula deep rTMS. Deep rTMS will be administered for 4 weeks (5 days/week). All participants will receive open label varenicline for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure will be the 7-day point prevalence abstinence at the end of 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes will be Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence, Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale, Tiffany Questionnaire of Smoking Urges, expired carbon monoxide measurements, cigarettes smoked per day, point prevalence abstinence at end of 4 weeks, prolonged and continuous abstinence at 6 months. The measures will be collected throughout the 3-month treatment period as well as at the 6-month follow up.Discussion: This trial will test for the first time the impact of deep insula rTMS on smoking cessation in smokers treated with varenicline. This trial will use an H-coil specific to the insula, while previous studies have targeted both the insula and prefrontal cortex. This trial will inform on the utility to combine insula deep rTMS with varenicline to improve smoking abstinence rates.Clinical Trial Registration: Trial registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04083144 (Identifier: NCT04083144).
Post-traumatic stress disorder among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: Effectiveness of an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing intervention protocol
Authors: Fernandez Isabel , Pagani Marco , Gallina Eugenio 
Published: September 2022

AimThe Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents one of the most catastrophic events of recent times. Due to the hospitals’ emergency situation, the population of healthcare workers was the most affected. Healthcare workers who were exposed to COVID-19 patients are most likely to develop psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study aimed at investigating PTSD in a sample of Italian healthcare workers during this outbreak and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy with this population.MethodsA total of 744 healthcare workers were included. 587 healthcare workers were treated with EMDR, while the other 157 were not treated. Participants were asked to provide sociodemographic information; the post-traumatic symptomatology was evaluated through Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and to investigate the level of intensity of emotional activation was used The Emotion Thermometer (THERMO) at two time points (pre-post treatment).ResultsThe results obtained between EMDR treatment and non-EMDR treatment were evaluated on only 2 hospitals. Treatment group n = 68 vs. waitlist non-treatment group n = 157. All scores pre- and post-EMDR decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.001) showing an evident effect of EMDR. The differences between pre- and post-treatment of the IES-R scores of subjects in which EMDR was performed as compared to the scores pre- and post-12 weeks of waiting list subjects in which it was not performed were significantly different (p &lt; 0.001).LimitationThe emergency situation did not provide an opportunity to explore further aspects that would have been important for research. One limitation is the use and analysis of only two standardized tests. In addition, other psychopathologies were not investigated as outcome measures. A limitation is the comparison of subjects treated online and de visu. Although the protocol used was the same, the mode of intervention may have influenced the results. In addition, the effectiveness of EMDR treatment was only evaluated at two time points (pre-post) with no possibility of follow-up and the lack of a control group.Discussion/conclusionThe findings of the present study suggest that healthcare workers were at high risk of developing PTSD when confronted with COVID-19 outbreak and suggest the importance of psychological support during this humanitarian emergency.
The impact of morally injurious events in a refugee sample: A quantitative and qualitative study
Authors: Mooren Nora , Boelen Paul A. , de la Rie Simone M. 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundPosttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often reported by refugees that faced violence and persecution. Some stressful events may also entail moral conflicts or dilemmas, described as “potentially morally injurious events” (PMIE). Very few studies have yet investigated the nature of these PMIEs in traumatized refugees, using both quantitative and qualitative data.MethodFor this retrospective study, secondary data analysis was used to examine the traumatic events of 183 patients. Based on established definitions of a PMIE, participants were allocated to a Moral Injury (MI) group if they reported lasting distress after exposure to an event of which they indicated that it transgressed their moral beliefs. The remaining participants were allocated to the No-MI group. The type of PMIEs was categorized using qualitative analysis. The groups were compared in terms of PTSD severity, feelings of guilt, and general mental health symptoms.ResultsOf the total sample, 55 participants reported one or more acts of transgression (MI group) and 128 reported no acts of transgression (No-MI group). Analyses of PMIEs revealed six themes 1) failing to prevent harm to others, 2) not giving aid to people in need, 3) leaving family members behind that consequently lead to injury or death of others, 4) making indirect and direct moral decisions leading to injury or death of others, 5) betrayal, and 6) engaging in the harm of others. No differences were found between groups on the clinical outcomes, except for feelings of guilt.ConclusionA considerable number of traumatized refugees reported confrontation with PMIEs. Experiencing PMIEs appeared unrelated to elevated posttraumatic mental health issues.
The nomograms for predicting overall and cancer-specific survival in elderly patients with early-stage lung cancer: A population-based study using SEER database
Authors: Yu Gen , Liu Xiaozhu , Li Yunhe , Zhang Yang , Yan Ruxin , Zhu Lingfeng , Wang Zhongjian 
Published: September 2022

PurposeLung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer and the number of operable elderly lung cancer patients is increasing, with advanced age being associated with a poorer prognosis. However, there is no easy and comprehensive prognostic assessment method for these patients.MethodsClinicopathological data of patients aged 65 years or older with TNM stage I-II lung cancer from 2004 to 2018 were downloaded from the SEER database. Patients from 2004 to 2015 were randomized into a training group (n = 16,457) and a validation group (n = 7,048). Data from 2016 to 2018 (n = 6,231) were used for external validation. Two nomogram prognostic models were created after independent prognostic factors connected to both overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in the training set by using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. In turn, overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were predicted for patients at 1, 3, and 5 years. Based on the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC), the time-dependent area under the ROC curve, the validity, accuracy, discrimination, predictive ability, and clinical utility of the models were evaluated. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the clinical value of the models.ResultsA total of 29,736 patients were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses suggested that age, race, gender, marriage, disease grade, AJCC stage, T-stage, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and tumor size were independent risk factors for patient prognosis. These 11 variables were included in nomogram to predict OS and CSS of patients. C-indexes of OS for the training, validation and external validation sets were 0.730 (95% CI, 0.709–0.751), 0.734 (95% CI, 0.722–0.746), and 0.750 (95% CI, 0.734–0.766), respectively. The AUC results for the training and validation sets indicated good accuracy for this nomogram. The calibration curves demonstrated a high degree of concordance between actual and anticipated values, and the DCA demonstrated that the nomograms had better clinical application than the traditional TNM staging approach.ConclusionThis study identified risk factors for survival in operable elderly lung cancer patients and established a new column line graph for predicting OS and CSS in these patients. The model has good clinical application and can be a good clinical decision-making tool for physicians and patients.
Conducting rapid research to aid the design of a health systems governance intervention in the Somali Region of Ethiopia
Authors: Pieterse Pieternella 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionThe rapid research described in this chapter was conducted as an assignment for a UN agency in Ethiopia's Somali Region. The agency's aim was support the implementation of an interim citizen engagement intervention, with a view of supporting of the Ethiopian Government's Citizen Score Card at primary healthcare facilities and hospitals in future. Many health facilities in Somali Region struggle with budget shortages related to ineffective budget planning and budget execution at woreda health office levels. In this context, an intervention to first improve budget accountability, through the implementation of citizen audits, was proposed.MethodologyThe rapid study focused on five woredas (districts) within Somali Region, where interviews were conducted with the heads of woreda health offices. In the same five woredas, directors of healthcare facilities were interviewed and offices and healthcare facilities were observed. The framework of assessment and analysis was based on health systems literature on fragile and conflict affected states guided the questions for the health authorities and health facility management.FindingsThe research yielded five distinct mini case studies covering woreda health office planning and budgeting capacity and support (or lack thereof), and related impressions of challenges regarding healthcare delivery at health facilities in the same five woredas.ResultsThe findings demonstrated that the capacity for healthcare planning and budgeting Somali Region at woreda level varied significantly and that little guidance was available from regional level health authorities. Frontline health services clearly suffered from budget shortages as a result.ConclusionThe research provided an evidence base for the delay of the roll-out of the Community Scorecard implementation across Somali Region. In a context whereby health facilities remain under-resourced due to budgeting constraints, a citizen-service provider-focused accountability intervention would have been of limited utility. The rapid case study research, conducted by condensing the usual case study research process, allowed for the production of evidence that was “robust enough” to demonstrate heterogeneity and challenges regarding budgeting quality across the five research sites. This evidence clearly transcended the hitherto anecdotal evidence that woreda-level health budget planning remains an area that faces significant shortcomings.
Phosphorus Sorption Capacity and Its Relationships With Soil Properties Under Podzolic Soils of Atlantic Canada
Authors: Kedir Amana Jemal , Nyiraneza Judith , Hawboldt Kelly Anne , McKenzie David Bruce , Unc Adrian 
Published: September 2022

Repetitive long-term fertilizer application leads to phosphorus (P) accumulation in agricultural soils. This can pose environmental risks if the soil’s phosphorus storage capacity is not well understood and considered when planning nutrient management. We investigated the P sorption capacity (PSC) in the surface (0-20 cm, n = 23) and subsurface (20-40 cm, n = 23) of long-term managed podzolic soils in Newfoundland (Nfld), Canada, through batch adsorption using two P concentrations of 150 and 500 mg P L-1, and developed pedotransfer functions to estimate PSC using selected soil properties. Also, the correlation between actual PSC, soil properties, and estimated Phosphorus saturation index (PSI) and soil P sorption capacity (SPSC) both from standard soil test were evaluated. The surface and subsurface soils provided similar median PSC (1.34 and 1.32 mg g-1, respectively, p = 0.16) when examined with the 150 mg P L-1 solution. With 500 mg P L-1 solution, the subsurface soils had significantly higher median PSC than the surface soils of the same fields (2.74 and 2.27 mg g-1, respectively, p = 0.02); and had a better linear relationship (R2 &gt;0.40, p &lt;0.05) with SPSC than at the lower P concentration. The surface soils had significantly higher extractable median P in water, citric acid, and Mehlich-3, higher soil organic matter (SOM), moisture content, Mehlich-3-Fe, -Ca, and -K, PSI, electrical conductivity, silt, and clay contents, while Mehlich-3-Al, Mehlich-3-Al : Fe ratio, SPSC, and sand were lower than those in the subsurface soils. All soils had comparable pH (~6.3). Pedotransfer function revealed that the PSC could be predicted using SOM, Mehlich-3-Al, and Mehlich-3-PICP and thus may be employed for developing testable hypotheses relevant to environmentally and economically viable P management strategies for acidic soils in boreal regions.
Association between spinal disorders and different domains of physical activity among young adult men
Authors: Honkanen Tuomas , Vaara Jani P. , Pihlajamäki Harri , Västilä Ville , Kyröläinen Heikki 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundThere is limited evidence of how physical activity (PA) associates with low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP). Particularly, the association between occupational or commuting PA and LBP/NP is unclear. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between spinal disorders and different physical activity domains in young and healthy adult men.MethodsSelf-reported leisure time, occupational and commuting PA, as well as LBP and NP, were studied using questionnaires among young Finnish males (n = 1,630). Logistic regression analysis was used to study the associations of PA domains, physical fitness, and spinal disorders. Regression models were adjusted for age, education, smoking, waist circumference, and the other PA domains.ResultsThere was a positive association between moderate leisure-time PA and both LBP (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.18–1.95) and NP (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.00–1.66) compared to low PA. Furthermore, moderate (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.00–1.71) and high (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.15–2.02) leisure time PA groups had a higher likelihood of lumbago. Moderate (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51–0.90) and high (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48–0.95) occupational PA groups had lower likelihood for radiating LBP, while high occupational PA (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.52–0.99) had lower likelihood for lumbago.ConclusionsThe associations between physical activity and LBP or NP seem to vary between different domains of physical activity among young healthy men. Commuting and occupation-related PA appear not to be harmfully associated with LPB or NP, whereas moderate-level leisure time PA may be associated with increased LBP and NP, and the respective high level may be associated with an increase in the prevalence of lumbago.