bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase-specific Deep Brain Stimulation revisited: effects of stimulation on postural and kinetic tremor
Authors: Reis Carolina , He Shenghong , Pogosyan Alek , Haliasos Nikolaos , Low Hu Liang , Misbahuddin Anjum , Aziz Tipu , Fitzgerald James , Green Alexander L. , Denison Timothy , Cagnan Hayriye 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn Essential tremor (ET), involuntary shaking of the upper limbs during isometric muscle contraction closely reflects the patterns of neural activity measured in the thalamus - a key element of the tremorgenic circuit. Phase-specific deep brain stimulation (DBS) builds upon this observation while using accelerometery of the trembling limb to trigger repetitive electrical perturbations to the thalamus and surrounding areas at a specific time within the tremor cycle. This closed-loop strategy has been shown to induce clinically significant postural tremor relief while delivering less than half the energy of conventional DBS.ObjectiveThe main aim of the study was to evaluate treatment efficacy across different contexts and movement states.MethodsWe used accelerometery and a digitizing tablet to record the peripheral tremor dynamics of 4 DBS implanted ET patients while alternating stimulation strategies (no stimulation, continuous open-loop and phase-specific) and movement states (intermittent posture holding and spiral drawing).ResultsIn addition to observing a suppressive effect of phase-specific DBS on both postural and kinetic tremor, our results reinforce the key role of phase-specificity to achieve tremor control in postural motor states and highlight the difficulty of quantifying phase-dependent effects during continuous movement. Moreover, this study supports the hypothesis that ET patients with more stable tremor characteristics benefit the most from phase-specific DBS.ConclusionsBy creating a better understanding of the dynamic relationship between central and peripheral tremor activity, this study provides important insights for the development of effective patient and context-specific therapeutic approaches for ET.
Vaccination and testing as a means of ending the COVID-19 pandemic: comparative and statistical analysis
Authors: Nesteruk Igor 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundRecord numbers of new cases and deaths registered in Japan and European countries in early 2022 once again proved that existing vaccines cannot stop the new infections and deaths caused by SARS-CoV-2 and aroused new questions about methods of overcoming the pandemic.Aim of the studyto compare the pandemic waves in Japan, Ukraine, USA, Hong Kong, mainland China, European and African countries in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to investigate the influence of testing and vaccination levels.MethodsThe smoothed daily numbers of new cases and deaths per capita, the ratio of these characteristics and the non-linear correlation with the tests per case ratio were used.ResultsAs in other countries, the deaths per case ratio in Japan decreases with the increase of the vaccination level. Non-linear correlation revealed, that the daily number of new cases drastically decreases with the increase of the tests per case ratio.ConclusionsIncreasing the level of testing (especially for people who may have contact with infected persons) and adhering to quarantine restrictions for the entire population, including vaccinated people, may be recommended to end the pandemic.
Ethnically Diverse Midlife Women’s Menopausal Transition Symptom Experience and Access to Medical and Integrative Health Care: Informing the Development of an Integrative Medicine Group Visit for the Menopausal Transition
Authors: Taylor-Swanson Lisa , Stoddard Kari , Fritz Julie , Anderson Belinda “Beau” , Cortez Melissa , Conboy Lisa , Sheng Xiaoming , Flake Naomi , Sanchez-Birkhead Ana , Stark Louisa , Woods Nancy Fugate , Gardiner Paula 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACTObjectiveIndividuals in the menopausal transition often seek healthcare in the United States. However, many individuals who seek healthcare do not receive treatments for their symptoms. And, some lack access to providers of both medical care and evidence-based integrative health interventions such as acupuncture, acupressure, or massage. A potential solution to this problem is medical group visits. Medical group visits are when multiple patients are seen by one provider. The present study gathered the opinions of diverse midlife women about interest in and desired design elements of medical group visits for menopause-related symptoms and concerns.MethodsWe conducted one focus group with ethnically diverse midlife women to learn about their experiences in the menopausal transition, specifically their symptom experience, barriers, and facilitators to accessing medical and integrative health providers, and their interest in and suggestions for the design of an integrative medical group visit. Qualitative research methods were used to summarize session results.ResultsNine women participated and were diverse in terms of race/ethnicity and religious affiliation, and were highly educated. Themes included: an interest in participating in this conversation; that medical terms were mostly unfamiliar, and that terminology was less important than having a conversation; many symptoms were experienced; social factors affected participants, stressing the need for communication on this topic; receiving both unhelpful and helpful healthcare, a desire for whole person care; a need for information about what conditions Integrative Health interventions can treat, barriers to accessing both conventional and integrative care providers and facilitators include knowledge about insurance coverage and word of mouth. The group expressed great interest in the proposed integrative medical group visit (IMGV) model but expressed barriers such as a lack of time available, and needing childcare. Women indicated that an online format may help to overcome barriers.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of engagement with stakeholders before the design and implementation of IMGV and the great need among midlife women for education about the menopausal transition and relevant interventions and self-care.
Responses to COVID-19 Threats: An Evolutionary Psychological Analysis
Authors: Colarelli Stephen M. , Mirando Tyler J. , Han Kyunghee , Li Norman P. , Vespi Carter , Klein Katherine A. , Fales Charles P. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractResponses to COVID-19 public health interventions have been lukewarm. For example, only 64% of the US population has received at least two vaccinations. Because most public health interventions require people to behave in ways that are evolutionarily novel and mismatched with evolved human perceptual and decision-making mechanisms, it is imperative that we gain a better understanding of how people respond to public health information, including how they respond under different pandemic conditions and how specific groups may differ in their responses. We conducted two studies, using data from primarily public sources. We found that state-level COVID-19 threats (e.g., infection and mortality rates) had no relationships with mental health symptoms, suggesting that people were not attending to threat information. This result is consistent with the evolutionary psychological explanation that COVID-19 threat information is insufficient to activate the human behavioral immune system. Furthermore, individual differences affected how people responded to COVID-19 threats, supporting a niche picking explanation. Finally, aggregate state IQ levels correlated positively with aggregate vaccination rates, suggesting that intelligence can partially counteract the evolutionary novelty of abstract threat information, supporting the savanna-IQ interaction hypothesis. We conclude with policy implications for improving interventions and promoting greater compliance.
INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND SOME SIDE EFFECTS OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY (HBOT) IN CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Zayed Khalid Mahmoud El Sayed 
Published: June 2022

DisclaimerThe author has withdrawn their manuscript because, upon further review of the results, the pertinent patients’ data were found to be erratic in some of the performed examinations and medical tests. In addition, some aspects of the data analysis tests were found to be in error and need to be revised and corrected. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author at drzayed@outlook.com.
Vascular differences between glioblastoma IDH-wildtype and astrocytoma IDH-mutant grade 4 at imaging and transcriptomic level
Authors: Álvarez-Torres María del Mar , López-Cerdán Adolfo , de la Iglesia Vayá Maria , Fuster-Garcia Elies , García-García Francisco , García-Gómez Juan M 
Published: June 2022

A global agreement in Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors classification is essential in order to decide treatment correctly, predict prognosis, evaluate treatment response, compare outcomes, and select adequate patients for clinical trials at international level.The last update of the World Health Organization (WHO) of CNS tumor classification and grading 2021 considered for the first time glioblastoma IDH-wildtype and astrocytoma IDH-mutant grade 4 as different tumors. IDH mutation produces a metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells, thus affecting the processes of hypoxia and vascularity. The differences in the aggressiveness of these gliomas, which affect patient survival, are evident, with a clear advantage for those patients who present IDH mutated tumors.Despite the clinical relevance of IDH mutation, current protocols do not include full sequencing for every patient. Alternative biomarkers could be useful and complementary to get a more reliable classification. In this sense, MRI-perfusion biomarkers, such as relative cerebral blood and flow (rCBV and rCBF), could be key because they are non-invasive, can be used from the presurgical moment, and do not suppose additional economical or effort costs.The main purpose of this work is to evaluate and validate the association between MRI-DSC biomarkers and IDH mutation status in high-grade astrocytomas. In addition, to get a deeper understanding of the vascular differences, we aim to study the transcriptomic bases of these vascular differences between these two high-grade astrocytomas.
Gut microbial metabolites lower 24-hour systolic blood pressure in untreated essential hypertensive patients
Authors: Jama Hamdi A. , Rhys-Jones Dakota , Nakai Michael , Yao Chu K , Climie Rachel E. , Sata Yusuke , Anderson Dovile , Creek Darren J. , Head Geoffrey A. , Kaye David M. , Mackay Charles R. , Muir Jane , Marques Francine Z. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundFibres remain undigested until they reach the colon, where some are fermented by gut microbiota, producing metabolites called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs lower blood pressure (BP) of experimental models, but their translational potential is unknown. We aimed to determine whether SCFAs lower 24-hour systolic BP (SBP) in untreated participants with essential hypertension.MethodsWe performed a phase II randomized placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over trial using SCFA-supplementation, delivered as acetylated and butyrylated high amylose maize starch (HAMSAB). Twenty treatment-naïve hypertensive participants were recruited from the community and randomised to 40g/day of HAMSAB or placebo. Participants completed each arm for three-weeks, with a three-week washout period between them. The primary endpoint was a 24-hour SBP decrease.ResultsParticipants were on average 55.8±11.2-years old (mean±SD), had a body mass index (BMI) of 25.7±2.5km2/m, 30% were female, baseline 24-hour SBP 136±6mmHg. No adverse effects were reported. After the intervention, the placebo-subtracted reduction in 24-hour SBP was 6.1±9.9mmHg (P= 0.027). This was independent of age, sex, BMI and study arm. There was no statistical significance in the placebo arm. Day and night SBP were reduced by 6.5±12.3mmHg (P=0.01) and 5.7±9.8mmHg (P=0.02), respectively, and 24-h central SBP by 7.2±14.7 mmHg (P=0.005). HAMSAB increased levels of acetate and butyrate by 7.8-fold (P=0.016), shifted the microbial ecosystem, and expanded the prevalence of SCFA-producers.ConclusionsWe observed a clinically relevant reduction in 24-hour SBP in participants with essential hypertension treated with the gut microbial-derived metabolites acetate and butyrate. These metabolites may represent a novel option for lowering BP.
Overall and sex-specific effect of berberine for dyslipidemia: systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials
Authors: Blais Joseph E , Huang Xin , Zhao Jie V 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundBerberine is a nutraceutical that may improve lipid profiles. Berberine may also affect sex hormones and exert sex-specific effects, which has been overlooked.ObjectivesTo comprehensively review the efficacy and safety of lipid-lowering effect of berberine with consideration of potential sex disparity.MethodsEligible studies were randomized controlled trials in adults that compared berberine versus placebo and measured blood lipids or lipoproteins. Studies were identified from Medline, Embase, Wanfang, CNKI, two clinical trial registries and previous systematic reviews. Mean differences (MD) were estimated using inverse variance weighting with random effects models. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials.Results16 studies were included with treatment of 4 to 24 weeks. Berberine reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (−0.45 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.31, 12 studies, n=1,224), total cholesterol (−0.47 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.33, 15 studies, n=1,397), triglycerides (−0.32 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.44 to -0.19, 16 studies, n=1,421) and apolipoprotein B (−0.25 mg/dL, 95% CI -0.40 to -0.11, 2 studies, n=127). Berberine increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 0.06 mmol/L (95% CI 0.00 to 0.12, 13 studies, n=1,248). Notably, the effect on HDL cholesterol was different in women (0.11 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.13) from that in men (−0.07 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.16 to 0.02). Gastrointestinal adverse events were the most frequently reported adverse events.ConclusionsBerberine decreased LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B, with a potential sex-specific effect on HDL cholesterol. Large-scale trials considering sex disparity are required.
Autophagy activity is inhibited by hnRNP R
Authors: Ji Changhe 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAutophagy is a self-eating intracellular degradation process in eukaryotic cell. Muti-pathways have been found can regulate autophagy activity through different mechanisms. In this study, we found that a nuclear abundant RNA binding protein, hnRNP R is involved in autophagy process by binding with ATG3, p62, Lamp1, LC3 and ATG9. On the other hand, hnRNP R also can regulate autophagy, we found depletion hnRNP R can activate the autophagy flux and activity. Furthermore, we also checked that autophagy has not connection with stress granules. This finding highlights some novel and nuclear located RNA binding proteins play important role in the regulation of autophagy activity.
Cluster analysis of angiotensin biomarkers to identify antihypertensive drug treatment in population studies
Authors: Woldeyes Arisido M , Luisa Foco , Robin Shoemaker , Roberto Melotti , Christian Delles , Martin Gögele , Stefano Barolo , Stephanie Baron , Michel Azizi , Anna Dominiczak , Christina Zennaro M , Peter Pramstaller P , Marko Poglitsch , Cristian Pattaro 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundHypertension is a leading cause of death worldwide. Population-based studies offer an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of anti-hypertensive drugs (AHD) in real-world scenarios. However, lack of quality AHD documentation, especially when electronic health record linkage is unavailable, leads to reporting and classification bias. Here we assessed to which extent Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) biomarkers can identify AHD treatments in the general population.MethodAngiotensin I, angiotensin II and aldosterone levels were simultaneously determined through mass-spectrometry analysis in 800 participants of the Cooperative Health Research In South Tyrol (CHRIS) study with documented AHD treatment. We conducted unsupervised cluster analysis, assessing agreement, sensitivity and specificity of the resulting clusters against known AHD treatment. Through lasso penalized regression we identified clinical characteristics associated with RAAS biomarkers, accounting for the effects of cluster and treatment classifications.ResultsWe identified three well-separated clusters: cluster 1 (n=444) preferentially including individuals not receiving RAAS-targeting AHD; cluster 2 (n=235) identifying angiotensin type 1 receptor blockers (ARB) users (weighted kappa κw=74%; sensitivity=73%; specificity=83%); and cluster 3 (n=121) well discriminating angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) users (κw=81%; sensitivity=55%; specificity=90%). Individuals in clusters 2 and 3 had higher frequency of diabetes as well as higher fasting glucose and BMI levels. Age, sex and kidney function were strong predictors of the RAAS biomarkers independently of the cluster structure.ConclusionsUnsupervised clustering of angiotensin I, angiotensin II and aldosterone is a viable technique to identify individuals on ACEi and ARB AHD treatment outside of a controlled clinical setting.
Prevalence of untreated HIV and HIV incidence among occupational groups in Rakai, Uganda: a population-based longitudinal study, 1999-2016
Authors: Popoola Victor O. , Kagaayi Joseph , Ssekasanvu Joseph , Ssekubugu Robert , Kigozi Grace , Ndyanabo Anthony , Nalugoda Fred , Chang Larry W. , Lutalo Tom , Tobian Aaron A.R. , Kabatesi Donna , Alamo Stella , Mills Lisa A. , Kigozi Godfrey , Wawer Maria J. , Santelli John , Gray Ronald H. , Reynolds Steven J , Serwadda David , Lessler Justin , Grabowski M. K. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIntroductionCertain occupations have been associated with heightened risk of HIV acquisition and spread in sub-Saharan Africa, including bar work and transportation. However, data on changes in prevalence of untreated HIV infection and HIV incidence within occupations following rollout of antiretroviral therapy and voluntary medical male circumcision programs in 2004 are limited.MethodsWe evaluated 12 rounds of survey data collected between 1999-2016, from the Rakai Community Cohort Study, a population-based study of adolescents and adults 15-49 years in Uganda, to assess changes in the prevalence of untreated HIV infection and incidence by self-reported primary occupation. Adjusted prevalence risk ratios (adjPRR) for untreated HIV and incidence rate ratios for HIV incidence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Poisson regression. Primary outcomes were stratified by gender and HIV incidence compared over three time periods (1999-2004; 2005-2011; 2011-2016) representing, respectively, the period prior to scale up of combined HIV prevention and treatment, the scale up period, and full implementation.Results33,866 individuals, including 19,113 (56%) women participated. Of these participants, 17,840 women and 14,244 men who were HIV-negative at their first study visit contributed 57,912 and 49,403 person-years of follow-up, respectively. Agriculture was the most common occupation at all study visits, though its prevalence declined from 39 to 29% among men and from 61 to 40% among women between 1999 and 2016. Untreated HIV infection substantially declined between 1999 and 2016 across most occupational subgroups, including by 70% among men (12 to 4.2%; adjPRR=0.30; 95%CI:0.23-0.41) and by 78% among women working in agriculture (14.7 to 4.0%; adjPRR=0.22; 95%CI:0.18-0.27), along with increasing antiretroviral therapy coverage. Exceptions included men working in transportation and women working in tailoring/laundry services. HIV incidence declined in most occupations, but there were no reductions in incidence among female bar and restaurant workers or men working in transportation.ConclusionUntreated HIV infection and HIV incidence have declined in most occupational sub-groups in Rakai, Uganda. However, women working in bars and restaurants and men working in transportation continue to have relatively high burden of untreated HIV and HIV incidence, and as such should be considered key priority populations for targeted HIV programming.
COVID-19 rebound after Paxlovid and Molnupiravir during January-June 2022
Authors: Wang Lindsey , Berger Nathan A. , Davis Pamela B. , Kaelber David C. , Volkow Nora D. , Xu Rong 
Published: June 2022

AbstractImportanceRecent case reports document that some patients who were treated with Paxlovid experienced rebound COVID-19 infections and symptoms 2 to 8 days after completing a 5-day course of Paxlovid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory to update the public on the potential for COVID-19 rebound after Paxlovid treatments. However, the rates of COVID-19 rebound in a real-world population or whether rebound is unique to Paxlovid remains unknown.ObjectivesTo examine the rates and relative risks of COVID-19 rebound in patients treated with Paxlovid or with Molnupiravir and to compare characteristics of patients who experienced COVID-19 rebound to those who did not.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsRetrospective cohort study of electronic health records (EHRs) of 92 million patients from a multicenter and nationwide database in the US. The study population comprised 13,644 patients age ≥ 18 years who contracted COVID-19 between 1/1/2022-6/8/2022 and were treated with Paxlovid (n =11,270) or with Molnupiravir (n =2,374) within 5 days of their COVID-19 infection.ExposuresPaxlovid or Molnupiravir.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThree types of COVID-19 rebound outcomes (COVID-19 infections, COVID-19 related symptoms, and hospitalizations) were examined. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 7-day and 30-day risk for COVID-19 rebound between patients treated with Paxlovid and patients treated with Molnupiravir were calculated before and after propensity-score matching.ResultsThe 7-day and 30-day COVID-19 rebound rates after Paxlovid treatment were 3.53% and 5.40% for COVID-19 infection, 2.31% and 5.87% for COVID-19 symptoms, and 0.44% and 0.77% for hospitalizations. The 7-day and 30-day COVID-19 rebound rates after Molnupiravir treatment were 5.86% and 8.59% for COVID-19 infection, 3.75% and 8.21% for COVID-19 symptoms, and 0.84% and 1.39% for hospitalizations. After propensity-score matching, there were no significant differences in COVID-19 rebound risks between Paxlovid and Molnupiravir: infection (HR 0.90, 95% CI: 0.73-1.11), COVID-19 symptoms (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.83-1.27), or hospitalizations (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.56-1.55). Patients with COVID-19 rebound had significantly higher prevalence of underlying medical conditions than those without.Conclusions and RelevanceCOVID-19 rebound occurred both after Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, especially in patients with underlying medical conditions. This indicates that COVID-19 rebound is not unique to Paxlovid and the risks were similar for Paxlovid and Molnupiravir. For both drugs the rates of COVID-19 rebound increased with time after treatments. Our results call for continuous surveillance of COVID-19 rebound after Paxlovid and Molnupiravir treatments. Studies are necessary to determine the mechanisms underlying COVID-19 rebounds and to test dosing and duration regimes that might prevent such rebounds in vulnerable patients.