bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Primary Culture of Human Corpora Cavernosal Tissue from Prostatectomy, Diabetic, and Peyronie’s Patients
Authors: Martin Sarah , Deng Jiangping , Searl Timothy , Ohlander Samuel , Harrington Daniel A. , Stupp Samuel I. , Dynda Danuta , McVary Kevin T. , Podlasek Carol A. 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACT

Background
Cavernous nerve (CN) injury causes penile remodeling, including smooth muscle apoptosis and increased collagen, which results in erectile dysfunction (ED), and prevention of this remodeling is critical for novel ED therapy development.

Aim
We developed 2 peptide amphiphile (PA) hydrogel delivery vehicles for Sonic hedgehog (SHH) protein to the penis and CN, which effectively suppress penile distrophic remodeling (apoptosis and fibrosis), in vivo in a rat CN injury model, and the aim of this study is to determine if SHH PA can be used to regenerate human corpora cavernosal smooth muscle deriving from multiple ED origins.

Methods
Corpora cavernosal tissue was obtained from prostatectomy, diabetic, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and Peyronie’s (control) patients (n = 21). Primary cultures (n = 21) were established, and corpora cavernosal cells were treated with SHH protein, MSA (control), 5E1 SHH inhibitor, and PBS (control). Growth was quantified by counting the number of cells at 3–4 days. Statistics were performed by ANOVA with Scheffe’s post hoc test. Concentration of SHH protein for maximal growth was optimized, and a more active SHH protein examined.

Outcomes
Cultures were characterized by immunohistochemical analysis with ACTA2, CD31, nNOS and P4HB, and smooth muscle was quantified in comparison to DAPI.

Results
Cultures established were &gt;97% smooth muscle. SHH protein increased growth of smooth muscle cells from prostatectomy, diabetic, and Peyronie’s patients in a similar manner (49%–51%), and SHH inhibition decreased growth (20%–33%). There was no difference in growth using 25 ug and 10 ug SHH protein, suggesting a threshold concentration of SHH protein above which smooth muscle growth is enhanced. A more active lipid modified SHH peptide further enhanced growth (15%), indicating a more robust growth response. SHH increased growth in smooth muscle cells from hypertension (37%) and cardiovascular disease (32%) patients. SHH protein increased growth under normal and high glucose conditions, suggesting that high glucose conditions that may be present in under controlled diabetic patients would not detract from SHH regenerative capacity.

Clinical Implications
SHH PA would be beneficial to enhance smooth muscle regeneration in patients with ED of multiple etiologies.

Strengths and Limitations
Understanding how human corpora cavernosal tissue responds to SHH treatment is critical for clinical translation of SHH PA to ED patients.

Conclusion
Corpora cavernosal smooth muscle from all ED patients responded to SHH treatment with increased growth.
Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Men – Findings from a Meta-analysis on the Time-related Measure of Risk of Exogenous Testosterone
Authors: Fallara Giuseppe , Pozzi Edoardo , Belladelli Federico , Corsini Christian , Boeri Luca , Capogrosso Paolo , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACT

Background
In the context of established male hypogonadism, testosterone therapy (TTh) has been employed to regain physiologic levels of circulating testosterone and improve sexual function and overall quality of life.

Aim
To assess the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality as time-dependent outcomes in treated vs TTh untreated hypogonadal men.

Methods
A meta-analysis using weighted time-related measure of risk (hazard ratios (HRs)) for each of the outcome for all included studies was performed. Studies investigating male adults (≥18 years old) diagnosed with hypogonadism and divided into 2 arms (a treatment arm [any TTh] and a control arm [observation or placebo]) and assessing the risk of death and/or cardiovascular events were included. Single arm, non–comparative studies were excluded as well as studies that did not report the HRs for the chosen outcomes. This systemic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022301592) and performed according to MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines.

Outcomes
Overall mortality and cardiovascular events of any type.

Results
Overall, 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis, involving 179,631 hypogonadal men. Hypogonadal men treated with TTh were found to be at lower mortality risk from all causes relative to the control (observation or palcebo) arm (HR: 0.70; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.54–0.90; P &lt; .01), whilst any unfavorable effect of TTh in hypogonadal men in terms of cardiovascular events compared to untreated/observed hypogonadal men was found (HR: 0.98; 95% CI 0.73–1.33; P = .89).

Clinical implications
TTh in hypogonadal men might play a role in reducing the overall risk of death without increasing cardiovascular events risk.

Strengths & Limitation
Main limitations are represented by the high heterogeneity among the studies in terms of included population, definition for hypogonadism, type of TTh, definition of cardio-vascular event used, and the length of follow-up.

Conclusion
According to time-related measures of risk only, an increased risk of long-term morbidity and early mortality for untreated hypogonadal men was depicted, further outlining the clinical importance and safety of TTh in true hypogonadal men, with the urgent need of collecting long-term follow-up data.
Can Identity Theory Improve Survey Design?
Authors: Britton Logan L. , Norwood F. Bailey 
Published: June 2022

AbstractQuestion effects are important when designing and interpreting surveys. Question responses are influenced by preceding questions through ordering effects. Identity Theory is employed to explain why some ordering effects exist. A conceptual model predicts respondents will display identity inertia, where the identity cued in one question will be expressed in subsequent questions regardless of whether those questions cue that identity. Lower amounts of identity inertia are found compared to habitual inertia, where respondents tend to give similar answers to previous questions. The magnitude of both inertias is small, suggesting they are only minor obstacles to survey design.
Investigation of factors influencing inpatient antibiotic prescribing decisions in the Veterans’ Health Administration
Authors: Economos Evan T. , Goedken Cassie Cunningham , Sherlock Stacey Hockett , Suda Katie J. , Goetz Matthew , Balkenende Erin , Chasco Emily E. , Scherer Aaron M. , Goto Michihiko , Perencevich Eli N. , Schacht Reisinger Heather , Livorsi Daniel J. ,   for the Veterans’ Affairs–Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Practice–Based Research Network (VA-CDC PBRN)
Published: June 2022

Abstract
To investigate factors that influence antibiotic prescribing decisions, we interviewed 49 antibiotic stewardship champions and stakeholders across 15 hospitals. We conducted thematic analysis and subcoding of decisional factors. We identified 31 factors that influence antibiotic prescribing decisions. These factors may help stewardship programs identify educational targets and design more effective interventions.
Impact of provider-selected indication requirement on urine test utilization and positivity
Authors: Penney Jessica A. , Rodday Angie Mae , Sebastiani Paola , Snydman David R. , Doron Shira I. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Objective:
To evaluate the impact of the addition of an indication specification requirement to isolated urine-culture ordering on testing utilization.

Design:
Retrospective study utilizing interrupted time series analysis with negative binomial regression. The preintervention period was October 1, 2018–November 11, 2019, and the postintervention period was November 12, 2019–October 31, 2020. The primary outcome was isolated culture rate per 1,000 patient days. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of all urine tests ordered as isolated urine culture and culture positivity. An exploratory analysis assessed the appropriateness of selected testing indications.

Setting:
A 415-bed, urban, academic medical center.

Patients:
Adult patients with urine testing performed during hospital admission. In total, 1,494 unique isolated urine-culture orders were included in the analysis.

Interventions:
On November 12, 2019, the laboratory order interface was changed to require the ordering provider to select an indication for isolated urine culture.

Results:
Isolated urine-culture rates did not significantly change after the intervention (11.2–7.8 cultures per 1,000 patient days; P = .17) nor did culture positivity (26.9% vs 26.8%). Most ordering providers left the indication for testing blank, and of those charts reviewed, 67% did not have a documented condition for which isolated urine culture was the most appropriate initial test.

Conclusions:
The addition of an order-specification requirement for isolated urine-culture testing did not significantly affect ordering practices. The test remains overused as the initial diagnostic evaluation for a suspected urinary tract infection. Further provider education and continued changes in provider workflow are needed to achieve lasting change in practice.
The second moment of Rankin–Selberg L-functions
Authors: Jana Subhajit 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
We prove an asymptotic expansion of the second moment of the central values of the

$\mathrm {GL}(n)\times \mathrm {GL}(n)$

Rankin–Selberg L-functions

$L(1/2,\pi \otimes \pi _0)$

for a fixed cuspidal automorphic representation

$\pi _0$

over the family of

$\pi $

with analytic conductors bounded by a quantity that is tending to infinity. Our proof uses the integral representations of the L-functions, period with regularised Eisenstein series and the invariance properties of the analytic newvectors.
Prevalence and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria at academic and critical-access hospitals—Opportunities for stewardship efforts
Authors: Liu Funnce , MacDonald Barbara , Jain Rupali , Bryson-Cahn Chloe , Martinez-Paz Natalia , Lynch John B. , Pottinger Paul S. , Chan Jeannie D. , Kassamali Escobar Zahra 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAsymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is common among hospitalized patients and often leads to inappropriate antimicrobial use. Data from critical-access hospitals are underrepresented. To target antimicrobial stewardship efforts, we measured the point prevalence of ASB and detected a high frequency of ASB overtreatment across academic, community, and critical-access hospitals.
ON LÜROTH EXPANSIONS IN WHICH THE LARGEST DIGIT GROWS WITH SLOWLY INCREASING SPEED
Authors: ZHANG MENGJIE , WANG WEILIANG 
Published: June 2022

AbstractLet
$0\leq \alpha \leq \infty $
,
$0\leq a\leq b\leq \infty $
and
$\psi $
be a positive function defined on
$(0,\infty )$
. This paper is concerned with the growth of
$L_{n}(x)$
, the largest digit of the first n terms in the Lüroth expansion of
$x\in (0,1]$
. Under some suitable assumptions on the function
$\psi $
, we completely determine the Hausdorff dimensions of the sets
$$\begin{align*}E_\psi(\alpha)=\bigg\{x\in(0,1]: \lim\limits_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{\log L_n(x)}{\log\psi(n)}=\alpha\bigg\} \end{align*}$$
and
$$\begin{align*}E_\psi(a,b)=\bigg\{x\in(0,1]: \liminf\limits_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{\log L_n(x)}{\log\psi(n)}=a, \limsup\limits_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{\log L_n(x)}{\log\psi(n)}=b\bigg\}. \end{align*}$$
Alterations in resting-state functional activity and connectivity for major depressive disorder appetite and weight disturbance phenotypes
Authors: Piccolo Mayron , Belleau Emily L. , Holsen Laura M. , Trivedi Madhukar H. , Parsey Ramin V. , McGrath Patrick J. , Weissman Myrna M. , Pizzagalli Diego A. , Javaras Kristin N. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is often accompanied by changes in appetite and weight. Prior task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings suggest these MDD phenotypes are associated with altered reward and interoceptive processing.MethodsUsing resting-state fMRI data, we compared the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and seed-based connectivity (SBC) among hyperphagic (n = 77), hypophagic (n = 66), and euphagic (n = 42) MDD groups and a healthy comparison group (n = 38). We examined fALFF and SBC in a mask restricted to reward [nucleus accumbens (NAcc), putamen, caudate, ventral pallidum, and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)] and interoceptive (anterior insula and hypothalamus) regions and also performed exploratory whole-brain analyses. SBC analyses included as seeds the NAcc and also regions demonstrating group differences in fALFF (i.e. right lateral OFC and right anterior insula). All analyses used threshold-free cluster enhancement.ResultsMask-restricted analyses revealed stronger fALFF in the right lateral OFC, and weaker fALFF in the right anterior insula, for hyperphagic MDD v. healthy comparison. We also found weaker SBC between the right lateral OFC and left anterior insula for hyperphagic MDD v. healthy comparison. Whole-brain analyses revealed weaker fALFF in the right anterior insula, and stronger SBC between the right lateral OFC and left precentral gyrus, for hyperphagic MDD v. healthy comparison. Findings were no longer significant after controlling for body mass index, which was higher for hyperphagic MDD.ConclusionsOur results suggest hyperphagic MDD may be associated with altered activity in and connectivity between interoceptive and reward regions.
Integrating Empirical Analysis and Normative Inquiry in Health Technology Assessment: The Values in Doing Assessments of Health Technologies Approach
Authors: van der Wilt Gert Jan , Bloemen Bart , Grin John , Gutierrez-Ibarluzea Iñaki , Sampietro-Colom Laura , Refolo Pietro , Sacchini Dario , Hofmann Bjørn , Sandman Lars , Oortwijn Wija 
Published: June 2022

AbstractHealth technology assessment (HTA) aims, through empirical analysis, to shed light on the value of health technologies (O’Rourke et al. [2020,International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care36, 187–90]). HTA is, then, where facts and values meet. But how, where, and when do facts and values meet in HTA? Currently, HTA is usually portrayed as a sequential process, starting with empirical analysis (assessment), followed by a deliberation on the implications of the findings for a judgment of a health technology’s value (appraisal). In this paper, we will argue that in HTA, empirical analysis and normative inquiry are much more closely entwined. In fact, as we hope to show, normative commitments act as an indispensable guide for the collection and interpretation of empirical evidence. Drawing on policy sciences, we will suggest a concrete methodology that can help HTA practitioners to integrate empirical analysis and normative inquiry in a transparent way. The proposed methodology can be conceived as a concrete means for conducting a scoping exercise in HTA. Moreover, it offers a distinct way of giving stakeholders a structural and constructive role in HTA. This paper outlines the approach developed by the values in doing assessments of health technologies project, a project funded by the Erasmus+ program (contract number 2018-1-NL01-KA203-038960), which is the European Union’s program to support education, training, youth, and sport in Europe. The project has resulted in an E-learning course, an accompanying handbook, and a consensus statement, all freely available from the project’s websitewww.validatehta.eu.
Red meat consumption, incident CVD and the influence of dietary quality in the Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Bigornia Sherman J , Noel Sabrina E , Porter Caitlin , Zhang Xiyuan , Talegawker Sameera A , Carithers Teresa , Correa Adolfo , Tucker Katherine L 
Published: June 2022

AbstractObjectives:We investigated the prospective associations between meat consumption and CVD and whether these relationships differ by dietary quality among African American (AA) adults.Design:Baseline diet was assessed with a regionally specific FFQ. Unprocessed red meat included beef and pork (120 g/serving); processed meat included sausage, luncheon meats and cured meat products (50 g/serving). Incident total CVD, CHD, stroke and heart failure were assessed annually over 9·8 years of follow-up. We characterised dietary quality using a modified Healthy Eating Index-2010 score (m-HEI), excluding meat contributions.Setting:Jackson, MS, USA.Participants:AA adults (n 3242, aged 55 y, 66 % female).Results:Mean total, unprocessed red and processed meat intakes were 5·7 ± 3·5, 2·3 ± 1·8 and 3·3 ± 2·7 servings/week, respectively. Mostly, null associations were observed between meat categories and CVD or subtypes. However, greater intake of unprocessed red meat (three servings/week) was associated with significantly elevated risk of stroke (hazard ratio = 1·43 (CI: 1·07,1·90)). With the exception of a more positive association between unprocessed meat consumption and stroke among individuals in m-HEI Tertile 2, the strength of associations between meat consumption categories and CVD outcomes did not differ by m-HEI tertile. In formal tests, m-HEI did not significantly modify meat–CVD associations.Conclusions:In this cohort of AA adults, total and processed meat were not associated with CVD outcomes, with the exception that unprocessed red meat was related to greater stroke risk. Dietary quality did not modfiy these associations. Research is needed in similar cohorts with longer follow-up and greater meat consumption to replicate these findings.
A Trait-Based Network Perspective on the Validation of the French Short Boredom Proneness Scale
Authors: Martarelli Corinna S. , Baillifard Ambroise , Audrin Catherine 
Published: June 2022

Abstract: The Short Boredom Proneness Scale (SBPS) has recently been developed. Using a standard confirmatory factor analysis, we report on the structural validation of the French SBPS, which provided support for the original construct. A network analysis ( n = 490) revealed the structure of the relationships between the SBPS and the two facets of Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II (CEI-II). The analysis revealed positive connections between the boredom and curiosity items, whereas the connections between the boredom and exploration items were negative. To evaluate measurement invariance, we compared the French-speaking sample ( n = 490) with an English-speaking sample ( n = 364). Full configural, metric, and scalar invariance was established; thus, we provide a valid French translation of a widely used measure of boredom that may advantage future research.
Quantifying Scaling Effect on Gross Primary Productivity Estimation in the Upscaling Process of Surface Heterogeneity
Authors: Xie Xinyao , Li Ainong , Chen Jing M. , Guan Xiaobin , Leng Jiye 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAccurate estimation of gross primary productivity (GPP) is essential for understanding the terrestrial carbon budget. Current large‐scale GPP estimates are often obtained at coarse resolutions without considering the subpixel heterogeneity, leading to scaling errors in results. Here, to further characterize (a) the critical sub‐upscaling process causing the largest error and (b) the contributions of various heterogeneity factors in causing the scaling errors, a hydrology‐vegetation model was used to estimate GPP at the 30 m resolution (assumed as reality), and other coarser resolutions (60, 120, 240, 480, and 960 m, assumed as approximations) for 16 mountainous watersheds. Then, GPP scaling errors in the upscaling process of surface heterogeneity were investigated by the root mean squared error between the reality and approximations. Results showed that any surface heterogeneity aggregation from fine to coarse resolutions (e.g., 30–960 m) could cause GPP scaling errors (133 ± 40 gCm−2yr−1), and the aggregation from medium to coarse resolutions (e.g., 240–960 m) may be the largest source. More specifically, GPP scaling errors caused by the vegetation heterogeneity aggregation from fine to medium resolutions were relatively small, and the GPP errors caused by the surface topography aggregation from fine to coarse resolutions were all non‐negligible. Elevation aggregation caused larger GPP scaling error than the aggregations of land cover, leaf area index, slope, and aspect. This work highlights the need to consider surface heterogeneity (especially the elevation information) when modeling mountain vegetation GPP at coarse resolutions.
Poleward Moving Auroral Arcs and Pc5 Oscillations
Authors: Sakurai T. , Wright A. N. , Takahashi K. , Elsden T. , Ebihara Y. , Sato N. , Kadokura A. , Tanaka Y. , Hori T. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe present an example of one‐to‐one correspondence between poleward moving auroral arcs (PMAAs) and Pc5 oscillations observed at the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) Ground Based Observatory station Gillam. The PMAAs consisted of four successive intensifications (named PMAA1, PMAA2, PMAA3 and PMAA4) with a period of 3∼4 min over the magnetic latitudes from 68° to 70° in the auroral oval and varied coherently with the H‐component of magnetic field Pc5 oscillations. PMAA1 and PMAA2 appeared clearly at the magnetic latitude ∼69°, and the following two PMAAs, which were dimmer, appeared at the magnetic latitude ∼68°. PMAA1 and PMAA2 exhibited features of field‐line resonances with the maximum luminosity at the magnetic latitude ∼69.5° and ∼69.4°, respectively. The ground Pc5 oscillations were concurrent with toroidal mode Pc5 oscillation observed at the THEMIS‐D, ‐E, and ‐A satellites at ∼4 MLT in the outer magnetosphere. The magnetic and electric field oscillations at THEMIS were synchronized with the PMAAs. The magnetic energy of the THEMIS Pc5 oscillations is estimated using a numerical model of damped toroidal oscillations and compared with the kinetic energy of precipitating electrons associated with the field aligned current carried by the toroidal oscillations. The result reveals that the Pc5 magnetic energy is much larger than the kinetic energy, implying the magnetic energy is important for producing auroral emissions in the ionosphere. We also perform a simulation of the relationship between PMAAs and toroidal mode Pc5 oscillations. The simulation explains the observed spatial and temporal structures of the PMAAs.