bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal and infant outcomes in pregnancies of women with axial spondyloarthritis compared with matched controls: results from nationwide health insurance data
Authors: Redeker Imke , Strangfeld Anja , Callhoff Johanna , Marschall Ursula , Zink Angela , Baraliakos Xenofon 
Published: July 2022

ObjectivesTo investigate pregnancy outcomes in women with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) under different pharmacological treatments in comparison with matched controls.MethodsUsing health insurance data from 2006 to 2019, pregnancy outcomes of women with axSpA were compared with those of age-matched and calendar year-matched controls without axSpA. Women with axSpA were further stratified by treatment prior to delivery and pregnancy outcomes compared. Adjusted ORs (aORs) with 95% CIs were calculated using generalised estimating equation analyses.ResultsA total of 1021 pregnancy outcomes in patients with axSpA were identified (928 deliveries, 80 abortions, 13 ectopic pregnancies) and compared with 10 210 pregnancy outcomes in controls (9488 deliveries, 615 abortions, 147 ectopic pregnancies). Compared with controls, women with axSpA showed higher odds of elective caesarean section (aOR 1.52; 1.25 to 1.85).Among women with axSpA, the risk of preterm birth was higher under non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) treatment (aOR 2.22; 1.09 to 4.52) than without any anti-inflammatory treatment. The risks of preterm birth (aOR 4.01; 1.93 to 8.34) and small-for-gestational-age (aOR 3.22; 1.34 to 7.73) were increased under NSAIDs treatment in combination with conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), steroids or analgesics. Non-significant increased risks of small-for-gestational-age (aOR 1.68; 0.43 to 6.57) and preterm birth (aOR 1.56; 0.51 to 4.83) were found under biological DMARDs.ConclusionsWomen with axSpA have significantly increased odds of caesarean section compared with matched controls. Risks of preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age vary by type of anti-inflammatory treatment.
The exclusive vision of rare K and B decays and of the quark mixing in the standard model
Authors: Buras Andrzej J. , Venturini Elena 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe most common predictions for rareKandBdecay branching ratios in the Standard Model in the literature are based on the CKM elements$$|V_{cb}|$$|Vcb|and$$|V_{ub}|$$|Vub|resulting from global fits, that are in the ballpark of their inclusive and exclusive determinations, respectively. In the present paper we follow another route, which to our knowledge has not been explored for$$\Delta M_{s,d}$$ΔMs,dand rareKandBdecays by anybody to date. We assume, in contrast to the prevailinginclusiveexpectations for$$|V_{cb}|$$|Vcb|, that the future true values of$$|V_{cb}|$$|Vcb|and$$|V_{ub}|$$|Vub|will be both fromexclusivedeterminations; in practice we use the most recent averages from FLAG. With the precisely known$$|V_{us}|$$|Vus|the resulting rare decay branching ratios,$$\varepsilon _K$$εK,$$\Delta M_d$$ΔMd,$$\Delta M_s$$ΔMsand$$S_{\psi K_S}$$SψKSdepend then only on the angles$$\beta $$βand$$\gamma $$γin the unitarity triangle that moreover are correlated through the CKM unitarity. An unusual pattern of SM predictions results from this study with some existing tensions being dwarfed and new tensions being born. In particular using HPQCD$$B^0_{s,d}-{{\bar{B}}}^0_{s,d}$$Bs,d0-B¯s,d0hadronic matrix elements a$$3.1\sigma $$3.1σtension in$$\Delta M_s$$ΔMsindependently of$$\gamma $$γis found. For$$60^\circ \le \gamma \le 75^\circ $$60∘≤γ≤75∘the tension in$$\Delta M_d$$ΔMdbetween$$4.0\sigma $$4.0σand$$1.1\sigma $$1.1σis found and in the case of$$\varepsilon _K$$εKbetween$$5.2\sigma $$5.2σand$$2.1\sigma $$2.1σ. Moreover, the room for new physics in$$K^+\rightarrow \pi ^+\nu {\bar{\nu }}$$K+→π+νν¯,$$K_L\rightarrow \pi ^0\nu {\bar{\nu }}$$KL→π0νν¯and$$B\rightarrow K(K^*)\nu {\bar{\nu }}$$B→K(K∗)νν¯decays is significantly increased. We compare the results in this EXCLUSIVE scenario with the HYBRID one in which$$|V_{cb}|$$|Vcb|in the former scenario is replaced by the most recent inclusive$$|V_{cb}|$$|Vcb|and present the dependence of all observables considered by us in both scenarios as functions of$$\gamma $$γ. As a byproduct we compare the determination of$$|V_{cb}|$$|Vcb|from$$\Delta M_s$$ΔMs,$$\Delta M_d$$ΔMd,$$\varepsilon _K$$εKand$$S_{\psi K_S}$$SψKSusing$$B^0_{s,d}-{{\bar{B}}}^0_{s,d}$$Bs,d0-B¯s,d0hadronic matrix elements from LQCD with$$2+1+1$$2+1+1flavours,$$2+1$$2+1flavours and their average. Only for the$$2+1+1$$2+1+1case values for$$\beta $$βand$$\gamma $$γexist for which the same value of$$|V_{cb}|$$|Vcb|is found:$$|V_{cb}|=42.6(4)\times 10^{-3}$$|Vcb|=42.6(4)×10-3,$$\gamma =64.6(16)^\circ $$γ=64.6(16)∘and$$\beta =22.2(7)^\circ $$β=22.2(7)∘. This in turn implies a$$2.7\sigma $$2.7σanomaly in$$B_s\rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-$$Bs→μ+μ-.
Circulating Isovalerylcarnitine and Lung Cancer Risk: Evidence from Mendelian Randomization and Prediagnostic Blood Measurements
Authors: Smith-Byrne Karl , Cerani Agustin , Guida Florence , Zhou Sirui , Agudo Antonio , Aleksandrova Krasimira , Barricarte Aurelio , Barranco Miguel Rodríguez , Bochers Christoph H. , Gram Inger Torhild , Han Jun , Amos Christopher I. , Hung Rayjean J. , Grankvist Kjell , Nøst Therese Haugdhal , Imaz Liher , Chirlaque-López María Dolores , Johansson Mikael , Kaaks Rudolf , Kühn Tilman , Martin Richard M. , McKay James D. , Pala Valeria , Robbins Hilary A. , Sandanger Torkjel M. , Schibli David , Schulze Matthias B. , Travis Ruth C. , Vineis Paolo , Weiderpass Elisabete , Brennan Paul , Johansson Mattias , Richards J. Brent 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Background:
Tobacco exposure causes 8 of 10 lung cancers, and identifying additional risk factors is challenging due to confounding introduced by smoking in traditional observational studies.

Materials and Methods:
We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to screen 207 metabolites for their role in lung cancer predisposition using independent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of blood metabolite levels (n = 7,824) and lung cancer risk (n = 29,266 cases/56,450 controls). A nested case–control study (656 cases and 1,296 matched controls) was subsequently performed using prediagnostic blood samples to validate MR association with lung cancer incidence data from population-based cohorts (EPIC and NSHDS).

Results:
An MR-based scan of 207 circulating metabolites for lung cancer risk identified that blood isovalerylcarnitine (IVC) was associated with a decreased odds of lung cancer after accounting for multiple testing (log10-OR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.29–0.63). Molar measurement of IVC in prediagnostic blood found similar results (log10-OR = 0.39; 95% CI, 0.21–0.72). Results were consistent across lung cancer subtypes.

Conclusions:
Independent lines of evidence support an inverse association of elevated circulating IVC with lung cancer risk through a novel methodologic approach that integrates genetic and traditional epidemiology to efficiently identify novel cancer biomarkers.

Impact:
Our results find compelling evidence in favor of a protective role for a circulating metabolite, IVC, in lung cancer etiology. From the treatment of a Mendelian disease, isovaleric acidemia, we know that circulating IVC is modifiable through a restricted protein diet or glycine and L-carnatine supplementation. IVC may represent a modifiable and inversely associated biomarker for lung cancer.
Facts and Hopes in Immunotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Bockorny Bruno , Grossman Joseph E. , Hidalgo Manuel 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat. For patients with advanced and metastatic disease, chemotherapy has yielded only modest incremental benefits, which are not durable. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of other solid tumors by leading to cures where none existed only a decade ago, yet it has made few inroads with PDAC. A host of trials with promising preclinical data have failed, except for in a small minority of patients with selected biomarkers. There is, however, a glimmer of hope, which we seek to cultivate. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of the uniquely immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in PDAC, learnings from completed trials of checkpoint inhibitors, TME modifiers, cellular and vaccine therapies, oncolytic viruses, and other novel approaches. We go on to discuss our expectations for improved preclinical models of immunotherapy in PDAC, new approaches to modifying the TME including the myeloid compartment, and emerging biomarkers to better select patients who may benefit from immunotherapy. We also discuss improvements in clinical trial design specific to immunotherapy that will help us better measure success when we find it. Finally, we discuss the urgent imperative to better design and execute bold, but rational, combination trials of novel agents designed to cure patients with PDAC.
Statistical Considerations for Analyses of Time-To-Event Endpoints in Oncology Clinical Trials: Illustrations with CAR-T Immunotherapy Studies
Authors: Li Yimei , Hwang Wei-Ting , Maude Shannon L. , Teachey David T. , Frey Noelle V. , Myers Regina M. , Barz Leahy Allison , Liu Hongyan , Porter David L. , Grupp Stephan A. , Shaw Pamela A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractChimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is an exciting development in the field of cancer immunology and has received a lot of interest in recent years. Many time-to-event (TTE) endpoints related to relapse, disease progression, and remission are analyzed in CAR-T studies to assess treatment efficacy. Definitions of these TTE endpoints are not always consistent, even for the same outcomes (e.g., progression-free survival), which often stems from analysis choices regarding which events to consider as part of the composite endpoint, censoring or competing risk in the analysis. Subsequent therapies such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are common but are not treated the same in different studies. Standard survival analysis methods are commonly applied to TTE analyses but often without full consideration of the assumptions inherent in the chosen analysis. We highlight two important issues of TTE analysis that arise in CAR-T studies, as well as in other settings in oncology: the handling of competing risks and assessing the association between a time-varying (post-infusion) exposure and the TTE outcome. We review existing analytical methods, including the cumulative incidence function and regression models for analysis of competing risks, and landmark and time-varying covariate analysis for analysis of post-infusion exposures. We clarify the scientific questions that the different analytical approaches address and illustrate how the application of an inappropriate method could lead to different results using data from multiple published CAR-T studies. Codes for implementing these methods in standard statistical software are provided.
Pensar a lusofonia: o diálogo sul-sul
Authors: Nascimento Josyane Malta 
Published: July 2022

A ideia da lusofonia tem origem com o advento da expansão marítima portuguesa e, desde então, passou por diferentes compreensões. O imaginário que enreda a noção de lusofonia agrega povos culturalmente diversos, sobretudo quando pensamos na multiplicidade étnica das nações africanas que foram colônias de Portugal. Após as independências políticas desses países, fez-se necessário repensar o conceito a partir de uma perspectiva descolonizadora. Nesse sentido, o artigo traz essa problematização, refletindo acerca do protagonismo do diálogo sul-sul para a emancipação também literária dos países africanos de língua portuguesa. Destacamos na discussão a tese de doutorado do escritor brasileiro Gramiro de Matos sobre a importância da literatura brasileira para as africanas, como influência libertadora.
Calcineurin Controls Hypothalamic NMDA Receptor Activity and Sympathetic Outflow
Authors: Zhou Jing-Jing , Shao Jian-Ying , Chen Shao-Rui , Pan Hui-Lin 
Published: July 2022

Rationale:
Hypertension is a common and serious adverse effect of calcineurin inhibitors, including cyclosporine and tacrolimus (FK506). Although increased sympathetic nerve discharges are associated with calcineurin inhibitor–induced hypertension, the sources of excess sympathetic outflow and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Calcineurin (protein phosphatase-2B) is broadly expressed in the brain, including the paraventricular nuclear (PVN) of the hypothalamus, which is critically involved in regulating sympathetic vasomotor tone.

Objective:
We determined whether prolonged treatment with the calcineurin inhibitor causes elevated sympathetic output and persistent hypertension by potentiating synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity in the PVN.

Methods and Results:
Telemetry recordings showed that systemic administration of FK506 (3 mg/kg per day) for 14 days caused a gradual and profound increase in arterial blood pressure in rats, which lasted at least 7 days after discontinuing FK506 treatment. Correspondingly, systemic treatment with FK506 markedly reduced calcineurin activity in the PVN and circumventricular organs, but not rostral ventrolateral medulla, and increased the phosphorylation level and synaptic trafficking of NMDA receptors in the PVN. Immunocytochemistry labeling showed that calcineurin was expressed in presympathetic neurons in the PVN. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices revealed that treatment with FK506 increased baseline firing activity of PVN presympathetic neurons; this increase was blocked by the NMDA or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor antagonist. Also, treatment with FK506 markedly increased presynaptic and postsynaptic NMDA receptor activity of PVN presympathetic neurons. Furthermore, microinjection of the NMDA or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor antagonist into the PVN of anesthetized rats preferentially attenuated renal sympathetic nerve discharges and blood pressure elevated by FK506 treatment. In addition, systemic administration of memantine, a clinically used NMDA receptor antagonist, effectively attenuated FK506 treatment–induced hypertension in conscious rats.

Conclusions:
Our findings reveal that normal calcineurin activity in the PVN constitutively restricts sympathetic vasomotor tone via suppressing NMDA receptor activity, which may be targeted for treating calcineurin inhibitor–induced hypertension.
High Fluid Shear Stress Inhibits Cytokine‐Driven Smad2/3 Activation in Vascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Deng Hanqiang , Schwartz Martin A. 
Published: July 2022

Background
Atherosclerosis occurs preferentially in regions of low and disturbed fluid shear stress (FSS) but is limited in regions of high laminar FSS as a result of inhibition of endothelial inflammatory pathways. Recent work has identified endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) driven by TGFβ2 (transforming growth factor beta 2)–Smad2/3 (mothers against decapentaplegic) signaling as a critical component of atherogenesis. However, interactions between FSS and EndMT in this context have not been investigated.

Methods and Results
Endothelial cells were treated with TGFβ2 and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor alpha) with or without high FSS in a parallel plate flow chamber. Smad2/3 nuclear translocation and target gene expression, assayed by immunofluorescence and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, revealed that high FSS blocked the Smad2/3‐EndMT pathway. In vivo, mice were injected with TGFβ2 and inflammatory cytokines, then regions of the aorta under low versus high FSS were examined. TGFβ2 and inflammatory cytokine treatment stimulated Smad2/3 nuclear translocation and target gene expression predominantly in regions of low FSS with little effect in regions of high FSS.

Conclusions
High FSS inhibits endothelial Smad2/3 activation and EndMT in response to inflammatory mediators, resulting in selective EndMT at athero‐susceptible, low FSS regions of arteries.
The Effect of Using Goggles and Snorkel for Aquatic Skills Acquisition in Youth Learn-to-Swim Programs
Authors: Misimi Fatmir , Kajtna Tanja , Kapus Jernej 
Published: July 2022

Our purpose in this study was to examine the effects of using goggles and snorkel during a learn-to-swim program on the aquatic skills of young non-swimmers with fear of water. 40 children volunteered to participate in the study and were randomly divided into two groups: one that used goggles and snorkel (GS) and one that did not (NGS). After four weeks (five sessions per week) of learn-to-swim interventions, both groups improved aquatic skills, but improvements in water entry, back gliding, and prone swimming were greater for the GS than for the NGS group. In contrast, the intervention effect on a blowing bubbles skill was smaller for the GS than for the NGS group. Thus, the use of goggles appears to be more beneficial in a learn to swim program for young swimmers with a fear of water than not using goggles for all lessons other than blowing bubbles.
Correlation of SARS-CoV-2 infection severity with ABO blood groups and RhD antigen: a case-control study
Authors: Omer Nazaneen Akbar , Al-Bajalan Sarwer Jamal , Rahman Heshu Sulaiman , Mohammed Maryam Salih 
Published: July 2022

Objective The role of ABO types and RhD antigen in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity has been investigated in several recent studies. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify the relationship of ABO and RhD types with symptomatic COVID-19 disease and determine the groups associated with an increased risk of hospitalization. Methods This observational case-control study was performed in 530 Iraqi-Kurdish patients with COVID-19. Among them, 184 were severe cases that required hospitalization, while 346 were mild to moderate cases that were treated at home. ABO and RhD antigen groups were compared between cases and 1698 control records from 1 year before the pandemic. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was based on real-time polymerase chain reaction tests and high-resolution chest computed tomography scans with the typical clinical presentation. Results There were no significant differences in ABO and RhD antigen distributions between the COVID-19 cases and non-COVID controls. No ABO group was associated with the risk of hospitalization as a marker of the severity of infection. Conclusions There was no significant association between symptomatic COVID-19 disease and any ABO group or RhD antigen type. No impact of ABO groups on hospitalization was documented.
Sleep Quality Predicts Functional Disability in Older Adults with Low Back Pain: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Oliveira Sabrina Dias , Pinto Rafael Z. , Gobbi Cynthia , Fernandes Guilherme L. , Dokkedal-Silva Vinícius , Lemes Ítalo Ribeiro , Andersen Monica L. , Tufik Sergio , Lorenconi Roselene Modolo Regueiro , Morelhão Priscila K. 
Published: July 2022

Low back pain (LBP) and sleep quality are two very prevalent complaints in the older population. However, little is known about the prognostic relationship between sleep quality and disability in older adults with LBP. The aim of this study was to examine the association between sleep quality and disability in older adults with LBP. This was a longitudinal study over a 6-month period. Older adults with LBP in the last 12 weeks and who had preserved cognitive functions were recruited. The questionnaires used were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. At baseline, we collected information on demographic/anthropometric variables, cognitive status, depression, daytime sleepiness, and comorbidities. Linear regression adjusted for potential covariates were performed. Poor sleep at baseline predicted higher disability after 6 months [β = 0.30 (CI95%:0.07 to 0.55)]. Our results support the existence of an important relationship between sleep and disability in older adults with LBP.
Hsa_circ_0000285 knockdown inhibits the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by sponging miR-582-3p to regulate CCNB2 expression
Authors: Huang Jing , Zhou Hongchi , Diao Yun , Yang Zhiming 
Published: July 2022

Aim Hsa_circ_0000285, a novel circular RNA, has been proven to extensively take part in the pathogenesis of numerous tumors. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), very little is known about hsa_circ_0000285 until now. Hence, this research aims to determine hsa_circ_0000285’s functional role and underlying mechanisms in HCC. Methods The expressions of miR-582-3p, hsa_circ_000028, and cyclin B2 (CCNB2) among the HCC cells and tumor samples were determined by performing western blotting and qRT-PCR analyses. The impacts of hsa_circ_000028 on the proliferative and migratory abilities of HCC cells were examined through the execution of CCK-8 and wound-healing assays. Meanwhile, the expressions of the proteins Bcl-2 and Bax were detected via western blotting. Tumor xenograft models were established to examine how hsa_circ_000028 functions during the mediation of HCC tumor growth in vivo. RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter experiments were performed for the validation of the interactions of miR-582-3p, hsa_circ_000028, and CCNB2 with each other. Results Elevated hsa_circ_0000285 and CCNB2 expressions, and a decreased miR-582-3p expression were observed among the HCC cell lines and tumors. Hsa_circ_0000285 bound to miR-582-3p competitively to improve CCNB2 levels. Silencing of hsa_circ_0000285 promoted apoptosis and repressed proliferation and migration among HCC cells. Moreover, silencing hsa_circ_0000285 also impeded the growth of HCC tumors in vivo. Inhibiting hsa_circ_0000285 or CCNB2 reversed the miR-582-3p-knockdown-mediated promotion of malignant HCC cell phenotypes. Conclusion Our study has demonstrated that hsa_circ_0000285 fosters the development of malignant HCC cells phenotypes through the modulation of the miR-582-3p/CCNB2 axis. Thus, these results suggest that hsa_circ_0000285 is a prospective target for HCC treatment.
Social capital, food insecurity, and health outcomes in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Choi Y , Kim HH 
Published: July 2022

Aims: The purpose of this study was first, to investigate the harmful effects of food insufficiency on health outcomes – self-rated health (SRH) and self-assessed depressive symptoms – during the COVID-19 pandemic and, second, to test whether these effects fluctuated across the US in terms of state-level social capital. Methods: Data were drawn from the Census Household Pulse Survey (fielded between April 2020 and February 2021) consisting of community-dwelling American adults (N = 1.5M+). Social capital measures were taken from the ‘Social Capital Project’ sponsored by the US Congress. We estimated three-level mixed effects models to analyze multiple waves of repeated cross-sectional surveys. Results: Post-COVID-19 food insufficiency was significantly negatively associated with SRH and positively associated depression, adjusting for controls including food insufficiency prior to the onset of the pandemic. These relationships were also more pronounced in areas with higher aggregate social capital. Conclusions: The health burdens of the new coronavirus disease have fallen disproportionately on the economically marginalized, as measured by food insufficiency. Contrary to the conventional literature, living in a state with a greater stock of social capital worsened its health effects.