bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavioural phenomena in persons with an intellectual developmental disorder according to the level of emotional development
Authors: Hermann H. , Berndt N. , Lytochkin A. , Sappok T. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundChallenging behaviours in people with an intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) are complex and often difficult to understand. The developmental perspective may provide additional insights into the specific behavioural patterns and underlying motives in different emotional reference ages.MethodsThe behaviours of 185 adults with IDD who were admitted to psychiatry were systematically assessed with the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC) and the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). The association of the different behaviours with various emotional reference age groups as assessed with the Scale of Emotional Development – Short (SED‐S) was analysed to deduce behavioural patterns typical for a certain level of functioning.ResultsOverall, the severity of challenging behaviours decreases in higher emotional reference age groups. Physical aggression was most prevalent in persons in the second phase of emotional development (7–18 months reference age). In SED‐S‐1 (reference age 0–6 months), the persons appeared to be searching for physical comfort and showed high scores in social withdrawal, stereotypies and aggression towards the self. Persons functioning in SED‐S‐2 (reference age 7–18 months) scored highest in irritability and physical aggression (searching for security), while those in SED‐S‐3 (19–36 months) exhibited the searching for autonomy type characterised by defiant and socially inappropriate behaviours. Persons with an emotional reference age of 4–7 years (SED‐S‐4) showed inappropriate speech, verbal self‐regulation and depressive‐like behavioural aspects (searching for identity).ConclusionsThe behavioural phenomena exhibited in a certain emotional reference age may support the clinician to differentiate behavioural problems from psychopathological symptoms to yield the proper diagnosis.
Comparison of unmet health care needs in children with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and both disorders combined
Authors: Haller K. , Stolfi A. , Duby J. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to assess the unmet health care needs of children with intellectual disability (ID) compared with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and whether access to health insurance coverage is a contributing factor. Children with ID may be masked in the health care system due to increased diagnosis and awareness of ASD. The needs, unmet needs and insurance coverage of children with ID alone, ASD alone, and co‐occurring ID and ASD were assessed in this study.MethodsThe 2016 to 2019 United States' Census Bureau National Survey of Children's Health was used to determine differences in unmet needs, care not received and health insurance coverage during the past year for children with ID and/or ASD. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for care not received were determined controlling for sex, insurance, race, age and parents' highest education level.ResultsChildren with ID were nearly four times more likely not to receive needed medical care as children with ASD. Results were similar for unmet hearing and mental health care. Children with both ID and ASD were more likely to have unmet health care but less likely to have unmet medical care compared with children with ASD alone. There were no significant differences for unmet dental or vision care. Children with ID were 3.58 (95% confidence interval: 1.6–8.0) times more likely to have inconsistent health insurance compared with children with ASD.ConclusionsChildren with ID alone are more likely to have unmet medical, hearing and mental health care needs than children with ASD alone. Children with co‐occurring ID and ASD have a large amount of general unmet health care needs but less unmet medical needs. Children with ID are less likely to have consistent health insurance than children with ASD. This hinders the ability of children with ID to receive quality care. Further research is needed to determine if the diagnosis of ASD in children in the United States is negatively affecting children with ID alone.
An appetite for growth: The role of the hypothalamic – pituitary – growth hormone axis in energy balance
Authors: Dumbell Rebecca 
Published: March 2022

AbstractLinks between the regulation of growth and energy balance are clear; to fuel growth, there must be consumption of energy. Therefore, it is perhaps intuitive that interactions between the hypothalamic – pituitary – growth hormone axis (growth axis) and pathways that drive metabolic processes exist. Overproduction of growth hormone has been associated with diabetes and metabolic disease for decades and the opposing effects of growth hormone and insulin have been studied since early experiments almost a century ago. The relationship between neuroendocrine axes can be complex and the growth axis is no exception, interacting with energy balance in several organ systems, both in the periphery and centrally in hypothalamic nuclei. Much is known about peripheral interactions between growth axis hormones and processes such as glucose homeostasis and adipogenesis. More is still being learned about the molecular actions of growth axis hormones in adipose and other metabolically active tissues, and recent findings are discussed in this perspective. However, less is known about interactions with central energy balance pathways in the hypothalamus. This perspective aims to summarise what is known about these interactions, taking lessons from human studies and animal genetic and seasonal models, and discusses what this may mean in an evolving landscape of personalised medicine.
Safety and efficacy of topical metformin 30% cream versus triple combination cream (Kligman's formula) in treating melasma: A randomized controlled study
Authors: AboAlsoud Eman Said , Eldahshan Ramadan Mohamed , AbouKhodair Mohammed Hassan , Elsaie Mohamed L. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundMelasma is an acquired common pigmentary condition that mostly presents as pigmented macules on the face. Triple combination creams (TCC), commonly known as kligman's formula, had been regarded as the mainstay of treatment for years. Topical metformin was recently studied for its melanopenic effects and potential use in melasma.Aim of the workThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using 30% metformin cream to that of triple combination creams (Kligman's formula) in treating melasma.Patients and MethodsAbout 40 patients complaining of melasma were recruited for this controlled randomized trial and were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 20) subjects received 30% metformin cream whereas group 2 (n = 20) were treated with TCC for eight consecutive weeks. Pigmentation severity and improvements were assessed using the melasma area severity index (MASI) at baseline and after 8 weeks of using treatment.ResultsMASI score decreased dramatically from 12.18 ± 9.33 before treatment to 5.59 ± 4.61 at Week 8 with a mean decrease percentage of 55.97 ± 16.77 for group 1 (p = 0.001) and from 16.05 ± 8.73 to 7.54 ± 5.77 with a mean decrease percentage of 56.50 ± 19.44 for group 2 (p = 0.001). No significant difference was reported between the two treatment modalities regarding the reduction in melasma throughout the study period (p = 0.968).ConclusionMetformin cream is a safe, potential effective treatment for melasma, which needs to be verified by long‐term large scale studies in diffident populations.
Rural‐urban differences in family and paid caregiving utilization in the United States: Findings from the Cornell National Social Survey
Authors: Sterling Madeline R. , Cené Crystal W. , Ringel Joanna Bryan , Avgar Ariel C. , Kent Erin E. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposeWhile rates of family caregiving and paid caregiving are increasing, how often they occur together (“shared care”) and whether utilization varies geographically are unknown. We examined differences in family and paid caregiving utilization by rurality and region in the United States.MethodsThe 2020 Cornell National Social Survey is an annual cross‐sectional telephone‐based survey of a random sample of 1,000 US adults. Participants were asked if they have been a family caregiver, including if they provided care alongside a paid caregiver. Rural‐Urban Commuting Area Codes and Census areas classified rurality and region. The association between residence and the prevalence of caregiving was determined with multivariable Poisson regression.FindingsAmong 857 participants with geographic and caregiving data, 11.8% (n = 101) were rural dwellers and 34.2% were family caregivers. Rural residence (vs urban) was associated with a higher prevalence of family caregiving (PR: 1.59 [1.22, 2.06]), and Western residence (vs Northeast) was associated with a lower prevalence of family caregiving (PR: 0.63 [0.46, 0.87], P = .01). Forty percent of family caregivers shared care with a paid caregiver. There was no significant difference in shared care by rural residence in unadjusted (31.8% rural vs 43.1% urban, P = .22) or adjusted models (PR: 0.85 [0.51, 1.41], P = .53).ConclusionsAlthough family caregiving was more prevalent in rural areas and certain regions, shared care did not differ by rurality or region. Studies are needed to understand why rural residents do more family caregiving without additional support from paid caregivers, and what the implications are for caregivers and care recipients.
Progressive muscle relaxation increases slow‐wave sleep during a daytime nap
Authors: Simon Katharine C. , McDevitt Elizabeth A. , Ragano Rocco , Mednick Sara C. 
Published: March 2022

SummarySleep is critical for health, cognition, and restorative processes, and yet, many experience chronic sleep restriction. Sleep interventions have been designed to enhance overnight sleep quality and physiology. Components of these interventions, like relaxation‐based progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), have been studied in isolation and have shown direct effects on sleep architecture, including increasing time in restorative, slow‐wave sleep (SWS). These relaxation methods have been understudied in naps, which are effective fatigue countermeasures that reduce deleterious effects of chronic sleep restriction. We hypothesised that PMR should boost SWS in a nap, as compared to an active control. We used a between‐subject design in which healthy young adults underwent PMR training or listened to Mozart music (control) prior to a 90‐min nap opportunity. We assessed changes in the amount and lateralisation of SWS, as evidence suggests left hemispheric lateralisation may be a proxy for recuperative sleep needs, and changes to state‐dependent anxiety and fatigue before and after the nap to assess intervention success. We found PMR participants spent ~10 min more in SWS, equivalent to 125% more time, than the control group, and concomitantly, significantly less time in rapid eye movement sleep. PMR participants also had greater right lateralised slow‐wave activity and delta activity compared to the control suggesting a more well‐rested brain profile during sleep. Further, pre‐sleep anxiety levels predicted nap architecture in the intervention group, suggesting benefits may be impacted by anxiety. The feasibility and accessibility of PMR prior to a nap make this an interesting research avenue to pursue with strong translational application.
The COVID‐19 pandemic and long‐term incentives for developing vaccines: Patent law under stress
Authors: Kovac Mitja , Rakovec Lana 
Published: April 2022

AbstractContinents are facing an apocalyptic pandemic that is terribly dangerous for millions of their inhabitants. This paper seeks to address the role of intellectual property (IP) law in addressing the problem of the COVID‐19 pandemic. We suggest that the current international IP law regime and the Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement are not insurmountable obstacles for access to a successful COVID‐19 vaccine. The publicly advocated fundamental reform or even abolition of the present IP law regime under serious information asymmetries might be counterproductive and distortive. Via existing compulsory licensing, advance purchase agreements and the employment of patent‐pools, research subsidies, reward mechanisms and reputational sanctions, governments can take the steps needed to effectively overcome any IP‐associated barriers to access to crucial medicines/vaccines, particularly during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Moreover, the current wave of medical research on COVID‐19 suggests the previous vaccine R&D ‘failures’ were driven by the modest demand for such vaccines and were not due to an inadequate IP‐incentive stream. The paper also suggests today's EU competition law rules on the horizontal exchange of information could be seen as an impediment to innovation and thus be temporary suspended.
High‐risk liver transplant recipients with grade 3 acute on chronic liver failure should receive the good quality graft
Authors: Singal Ashwani K. , Kuo Yong‐Fang , Waleed Muhammad , Wong Robert J. , Sundaram Vinay , Jalan Rajiv 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackground & AimWe aimed to develop a risk score for LT recipients and donor selection among patients with ACLF‐3.Methods and ResultsA total of 7166 adult LT recipients (mean age 53 years, 63% males, 56% Caucasians, 42% obese, median MELD score 36.5) using deceased donor grafts in the UNOS database (01/2002–06/2018) who were in ACLF‐3 at LT as per EASL‐CLIF criteria were analysed. Cox regression model on the derivation dataset (N = 3583) showed recipient age, non‐alcohol aetiology, pulmonary failure, brain failure and cardiovascular failure to be associated with 1‐year patient survival. Observed and expected post‐transplant 1‐year survival showed excellent correlation (R = .920). Risk score from cox model on derivation dataset stratified 3583 recipients in validation cohort using cut‐off scores 7.55 and 11.57 to low (N = 1211), medium (N = 1168) and high risk (N = 1199), with 1‐year patient survival of 89%, 82% and 80% respectively. Based on poor versus good quality graft (donor risk index cut‐off at 1.50), 1‐year patient survival for low, medium and high‐risk categories were 90 versus 89% (p = .490), 83 versus 82% (p = .390) and 83 versus 78% (p = .038) respectively. Among recipients with a high‐risk score, donor factors of age ≥60 years, grafts obtained from national sharing and macro‐steatosis >15% were associated with 1‐year patient survival below 66%.ConclusionAmong ACLF‐3 liver transplant recipients, those with high risk at the time of transplant receiving better quality graft will improve post‐transplant outcomes. Prospective studies using additional characteristics are needed to derive an accurate risk score model in predicting post‐transplant outcomes among recipients with ACLF‐3.
Impact of a Mediterranean diet on hepatic and metabolic outcomes in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: The MEDINA randomised controlled trial
Authors: George Elena S. , Reddy Anjana , Nicoll Amanda J. , Ryan Marno C. , Itsiopoulos Catherine , Abbott Gavin , Johnson Nathan A. , Sood Siddharth , Roberts Stuart K. , Tierney Audrey C. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is predominantly managed by lifestyle intervention, in the absence of effective pharmacotherapies. Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is the recommended diet, albeit with limited evidence.AimsTo compare an ad libitum MedDiet to low‐fat diet (LFD) in patients with NAFLD for reducing intrahepatic lipids (IHL) by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS). Secondary outcomes include insulin resistance by homeostatic model of assessment (HOMA‐IR), visceral fat by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and other metabolic outcomes.MethodsIn this parallel multicentre RCT, subjects were randomised (1:1) to MedDiet or LFD for 12 weeks.ResultsForty‐two participants (25 females [60%], mean age 52.3 ± 12.6 years) were included, 23 randomised to LFD and 19 to MedDiet.; 39 completed the study. Following 12 weeks, there were no between‐group differences. IHL improved significantly within the LFD group (−17% [log scale]; p = .02) but not within the MedDiet group (−8%, p = .069). HOMA‐IR reduced in the LFD group (6.5 ± 5.6 to 5.5 ± 5.5, p < .01) but not in the MedDiet group (4.4 ± 3.2 to 3.9 ± 2.3, p = .07). No differences were found for LSM (MedDiet 7.8 ± 4.0 to 7.6 ± 5.2, p = .429; LFD 11.8 ± 14.3 to 10.8 ± 10.2 p = .99). Visceral fat reduced significantly in both groups; LFD (−76% [log scale], p = <.0005), MedDiet (−61%, p = <.0005).ConclusionsThere were no between‐group differences for hepatic and metabolic outcomes when comparing MedDiet to LFD. LFD improved IHL and insulin resistance. Significant improvements in visceral fat were seen within both groups. This study highlights provision of dietary interventions in free‐living adults with NAFLD is challenging.
Microbial communities in sandy beaches from the three domains of life differ by microhabitat and intertidal location
Authors: Okamoto Noriko , Keeling Patrick J. , Leander Brian S. , Tai Vera 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe microbial communities of sandy beaches are poorly described despite the biogeochemical importance and ubiquity of these ecosystems. Using metabarcoding of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes, we investigated the diversity, microhabitats (with or between sand grains) and intertidal distributions of microorganisms (including meiofauna) from pristine sandy beaches in British Columbia, Canada, and hypothesized that abiotic variations due to microhabitat or intertidal gradients influence the distribution of microorganisms on local scales. Bacterial, archaeal and protistan communities of the sand were clearly distinct from interstitial communities, and from planktonic communities of the overlying seawater, which correlated with differences in function and lifestyle (e.g., sulphur reduction and gliding motility). In contrast, meiofaunal communities could not be distinguished by sample type, suggesting that they are more frequently mobilized between these microhabitats. Across intertidal zones, high intertidal, mid intertidal and low intertidal/swash communities were distinct and correlated with moisture, organic carbon and phosphate content, implying that the distribution of microorganisms is influenced by intertidal abiotic gradients. However, few taxa at the genus or species level individually contributed to this zonation pattern; rather, a unique combination of multiple microbial taxa was probably responsible. Although significant differences in microbial community composition on sandy beaches can be attributed to microhabitat and intertidal gradients, further investigations are needed to assess community assembly processes, the consistency of these distributions, and the functions of the majority of the microorganisms observed in the sand and their effects on the biogeochemistry and ecology of sandy beaches.
Estimating proportions of identical twins and twin survival rates in cetaceans using fetal data
Authors: Drinkwater Ruth W. , Branch Trevor A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMultiplet pregnancies are rare in cetaceans, and live‐born multiple births even rarer. We used whaling data collected from pregnant females and held by the International Whaling Commission to examine multiplets in 16 cetacean species, finding that 0.87% (2,197 out of 252,651) of pregnancies included multiple fetuses, including 12 instances of five or more fetuses in five different species, all rorquals. For six species, we estimate the proportion of twins that are identical using Weinberg's differential rule. Identical twins are less common than fraternal twins in all species (4%–34%) except humpback whales (57%). To infer survival rates of twins to term, we fitted models to the proportion of twins by fetal length, finding that the probability of surviving twins declined exponentially to near zero with increasing fetal length for sei, fin, and blue whales; but not for sperm, humpback, and Antarctic minke whales. Because some fetuses may be missed at smaller lengths, we repeated this analysis excluding fetuses shorter than 2 ft (61 cm), finding that twin survival declined with increasing fetal length for sei, fin, blue, and Antarctic minke whales. We conclude that few multiple pregnancies (<1 in 500) end in live birth, and even these pregnancies experience high mortality after birth.
Molecular insights into the biochemical functions and signalling mechanisms of plant NLRs
Authors: Liu Xiaoxiao , Wan Li 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPlant intracellular immune receptors known as NLR (nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat) proteins confer immunity and cause cell death. Plant NLR proteins that directly or indirectly recognize pathogen effector proteins to initiate immune signalling are regarded as sensor NLRs. Some NLR protein families function downstream of sensor NLRs to transduce immune signalling and are known as helper NLRs. Recent breakthrough studies on plant NLR protein structures and biochemical functions greatly advanced our understanding of NLR biology. Comprehensive and detailed knowledge on NLR biology requires future efforts to solve more NLR protein structures and investigate the signalling events between sensor and helper NLRs, and downstream of helper NLRs.
Fitness cost of malathion resistance in Egyptian Culex pipiens populations
Authors: Elhawary Noura A. , Soliman Mohamed A. , Seif Amal I. , Meshrif Wesam S. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe extensive use of insecticides in agriculture and public health has resulted in the rapid development of insecticide resistance in mosquito populations. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate insecticide resistance costs on the fitness of Culex pipiens. Two Cx. pipiens field populations (Beheira malathion‐resistant and Gharbia malathion‐susceptible) were compared to the reference (sensitive) population. The biochemical composition and expression of four genes relevant to insecticide resistance were estimated in third instar larvae. Adult survival, female fecundity and egg hatchability were also determined. As per our findings, it was found that the total protein and carbohydrate contents in Beheira malathion‐resistant larvae were significantly lower than that in the reference larvae. Beheira malathion‐resistant larvae had higher phenoloxidase (PO) specific activity than the reference population. In terms of the relevant genes, only cytochrome P450 (CYP6F1) expression showed elevated levels in the Gharbia malathion‐susceptible population compared to the Beheira malathion‐resistant population. In esterases (Estα and Estβ) and glutathione S‐transferase, the tested populations did not show any significant differences. Compared to the reference mosquito population, Gharbia malathion‐susceptible Cx. pipiens males exhibited significantly longer median survival. Female fecundity and hatchability showed nonsignificant differences among the populations tested. In conclusion, malathion resistance can induce lower protein and carbohydrate contents, but higher PO activity in larvae.