bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A common Matrix metalloproteinase 8 promoter haplotype enhances the risk for hypertension via diminished interactions with nuclear factor kappa B
Authors: Maghajothi Sakthisree , Subramanian Lakshmi , Mani Preethi , Singh Mrityunjay , Iyer Dhanya R. , Sharma Saurabh , Khullar Madhu , Victor Suma M. , Asthana Shailendra , Mullasari Ajit S. , Mahapatra Nitish R. 
Published: August 2022

Objectives:
Matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP8) has a prominent role in collagen turnover in blood vessels and vascular remodeling. The contribution of regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms in MMP8 to cardiovascular diseases is unclear. We aimed to delineate the influence of MMP8 promoter variations on hypertension.

Methods:
A case–control study in unrelated individuals (n = 2565) was carried out. Resequencing of the MMP8 proximal promoter, linkage disequilibrium analysis, genotyping of variants and regression analyses were performed. MMP8 promoter–reporter constructs were generated and expressed in human vascular endothelial cells under various conditions.

Results:
We identified four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of MMP8: −1089A/G (rs17099452), −815G/T (rs17099451), −795C/T (rs11225395), −763A/T (rs35308160); these SNPs form three major haplotypes. Hap3 (viz., GTTT haplotype) carriers showed significant associations with hypertension in two geographically distinct human populations (e.g., Chennai: odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16–1.86, P = 2 × 10−3; Chandigarh: OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.21–2.81, P = 4 × 10−3). Hap3 carriers also displayed elevated systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure levels. Hap3 promoter–reporter construct showed lower promoter activity than the wild-type (Hap1) construct. In silico analysis and molecular dynamics studies predicted diminished binding of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) to the functional −815T allele of Hap3 compared to the −815G wild-type allele; this prediction was validated by in-vitro experiments. Hap3 displayed impaired response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment, possibly due to weaker binding of NF-κB. Notably, MMP8 promoter haplotypes were identified as independent predictors of plasma MMP8 and endothelial dysfunction markers (von Willebrand factor and endothelin-1) levels.

Conclusion:

MMP8 promoter GTTT haplotype has a functional role in reducing MMP8 expression during inflammation via diminished interaction with NF-κB and in enhancing the risk of hypertension.
Examining Relational Dimensions of Service Encounters for Disadvantaged People Who Use Drugs
Authors: Moensted Maja Lindegaard , Buus Niels , Day Carolyn A. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Disadvantaged groups in general, and people who use illicit drugs in particular, have consistently been found to mistrust welfare services and service providers. Therefore, knowledge is needed on the relational aspects of service design that facilitate engagement and supportive relationships with disadvantaged consumers.

Methods
We draw on qualitative interviews investigating the experiences of adults with histories of problematic drug use participating in a health justice partnership, to identify facilitators of engagement from the perspective of the consumers.

Findings
Common relational facilitators of engagement were identified. These included embedding the service into the local community, foregrounding proximity and relationships in the service encounters, giving consumers' agency, priorities, and concerns primacy over program aims, and safe services acting as gateways to accessing a wider range of resources, services, and programs.

Conclusion/Contribution
The findings suggest that the centrality of relationships may be further heightened in services seeking to assist people in positions of severe disadvantage, including the drug and alcohol arena. In addition, the findings highlight the importance of services paying greater attention to how social and community embeddedness shapes experiences of inclusion and exclusion and designing services best able to accommodate this. This research contributes to the broader understanding of consumer engagement with services by developing a more nuanced understanding of consumer refusal and resistance to service engagement. These findings are important in the development of justice programs for disadvantaged people and people who use illicit substances specifically.
Expanded Conceptual Framework for Ethical Action by Nurses on the “Further Upstream and Farther Downstream” Determinants of Health Equity
Authors: Fornili Katherine Smith 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Determinants of health (DOH) are key predictors of health, wellness, morbidity, and mortality. The more familiar social DOH are not the only DOH. By themselves, the social DOH do not adequately explain how individuals and populations achieve and maintain health equity or inequity. Other DOH also exert political, economic, and institutional forces at all levels of the socioecological systems in which humans interact with their environment.
According to the American Nurses Association, the Nursing Code of Ethics is a “non-negotiable moral standard for the profession” (Fowler, 2015a, p. viii). Provision 9 of the Code of Ethics states that social justice is of primary concern for social ethics (p. 159) and that professional nurses are obligated to advocate for and integrate principles of social justice into nursing practice and health policy (p. 151).
In search of conceptual explanations for these phenomena, and to locate health equity/inequity within a wide array of upstream DOH, a comprehensive review of the interdisciplinary professional literature and conceptual analysis were conducted. A new conceptual framework that acknowledges nursing's collective responsibility for ethical action for transformative change was developed. The framework addresses both “further upstream” antioppression efforts and “farther downstream” efforts to remediate the impacts of health inequity.
The purpose of this Policy Watch column was to introduce a new “Expanded Conceptual Framework for Ethical Action by Nurses on the ‘Further Upstream and Farther Downstream’ Determinants of Health Equity” (Fornili, 2022).
Standardizing Screening for Preeclampsia Risk Factors to Improve Prescribing of Low-Dose Aspirin
Authors: Burgess Adriane , Dalke Kara , Wheeling Julia , Clark Kelley 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACT
Preeclampsia is a serious health condition and leading cause of perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Research supports the use of low-dose aspirin therapy to prevent preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant people. This quality improvement project outlines the implementation of a preeclampsia risk screen in the electronic health record to ensure standardized screening for, and provision of, low-dose aspirin therapy consistent with professional guidelines. Two thousand three hundred seventy-one patients were seen between March and November 2020 at 13 OB/GYN and family practice offices at a large health system in our state. Provider screening and prescribing rates were evaluated at the first prenatal visit, and at 3-month intervals using an analytics dashboard built in the EHR. In the first 3 months after rollout visits at all offices in our system (March to May 2020), the average screening rate during first prenatal visits at all offices was 74.2% (n = 561), 41% (n = 230) had a positive screen, and 81.3% (n = 187) of those who screened high risk were prescribed aspirin as recommended. At 9 months after rollout, the screening rate during first prenatal visits at all offices improved to 95.6% (n = 782), 39.6% (n = 310) of those screened, screened positive, and 97.1% (n = 301) were prescribed low-dose aspirin therapy appropriately.
Single-Sided Deafness: Using Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential to Improve Cochlear Implant Fitting
Authors: Távora-Vieira Dayse , Wedekind Andre , Voola Marcus 
Published: August 2022

Objective
To investigate if acoustic cortical auditory evoked potential (aCAEP) measures can be used to verify the cochlear implant (CI) map and consequently improve auditory outcomes in adults with single-sided deafness (SSD).

Design
aCAEPs were measured in SSD-CI recipients using speech tokens /m/, /g/, /t/, and /s/. If aCAEP responses were present for all speech tokens at the outset, no map adjustments were implemented. If aCAEP responses were absent for one or more tokens, the map was adjusted until aCAEPs were observed for all four tokens. Speech in noise testing using BKB-SiN was performed before and after aCAEP recording. The results of the speech testing results at presurgery, 6, 12, and 24 months post-CI were also analyzed.

Results
Sixty-seven CI users with SSD participated in this study. All CIs had been mapped according to the conventional subjective loudness perception method. Twenty-three SSD-CI users exhibited an aCAEP response for all four speech tokens and were therefore considered optimized at outset. Forty-four participants lacked an aCAEP response from at least one speech token and had their most comfortable levels adjusted accordingly. Of these, map adjustments allowed aCAEPs to be elicited for all four speech tokens in 23 individuals. Speech in noise testing significantly improved pre– to post–aCAEP-based adjustment.

Conclusion
aCAEP recordings were successfully used to verify CI mapping and improve resultant speech outcomes in SSD-CI users.
Efficacy and safety of optional parenteral antimicrobial therapy for complicated skin and soft tissue infections: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Li Huijuan , Liang Xueyan , Mo Guangyan , Guo Sitong , Chen Xiaoyu , Li Yan 
Published: August 2022

Background:
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) carry significant economic burden, as well as morbidity and mortality, especially when caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of optional antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of complicated SSTIs (cSSTIs).

Methods:
We searched PubMed, Medline (Via Ovid SP), Embase (Via Ovid SP), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from their inception to March 22, 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that studied the use of optional antimicrobial therapy for cSSTIs. Citations’ screening, study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were independently performed by 2 authors. The primary outcomes were clinical and microbiological treatment success, and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed.

Results:
A total of 48 trials covering 24,381 patients assessing 20 types of antimicrobial treatment modalities were included. Overall, omadacycline was associated with the highest beneficial effect on clinical and microbiological treatment success and with the largest rank probability based on surface under the cumulative ranking curve values, avarofloxacin was closely followed. Both had, however, omadacycline was related to moderately safety profiles. Lefamulin ranked as the best option was associated with the lowest risk of severe AEs. Subgroup analysis showed similar results. The quality of primary outcomes was moderate to low.

Conclusions:
The use of omadacycline was associated with higher rates of clinical and microbiological treatment success for the treatment of cSSTIs, with a relative low risk of AEs. Due to the limitations of the included RCTs, high-quality and well-designed RCTs are needed to further confirm the results.
Effects of Phellinus linteus extract on immunity improvement: A CONSORT-randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Ku Yong Ho , Kang Jae Hui , Lee Hyun 
Published: August 2022

Background:
Immunity protects the body from external threats and prevents the development of cancer. Biological response modifiers extracted from natural sources are being actively studied, and the immunostimulatory and anticancer effects of various types of fungi have been reported. However, there are no previous clinical studies on the immune-enhancing effect of Phellinus linteus (PL). Lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay is a prerequisite in order to get approval for using PL as a raw material in functional supplements and medicines in Korea. However, due to the absence of precedent clinical trials, the use of PL in supplements has been hindered. but there is no precedent clinical trial using it. We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to confirm the efficacy and safety of PL extract for the improvement of immunity using the lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay.

Methods:
A total of 98 subjects were enrolled and randomly assigned to 2 groups. Subjects in the PL and placebo groups received 1000 mg of PL extract and 1000 mg of dextrin per day, respectively (one capsule, twice every day for 8 weeks). The primary outcome measured was the activity of natural killer cells. Secondary outcomes were the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IgG1, IgG2, and IgM. Safety was evaluated using laboratory tests.

Results:
NK cell activity was significantly increased in the PL group compared to the placebo group (P < .05). Despite the absence of significant changes in secondary outcomes, there was a tendency for improvement in the PL group. PL extract-related adverse outcomes, particularly in liver and renal function, were not observed.

Conclusion:
PL extract may improve immunity and is safe to be consumed orally.
Diffused bladder wall calcification in a survivor with severe coronavirus disease 2019: A case report
Authors: Cheng Pai-Yu , Huang Yi-You , Jaw Fu-Shan , Chung Shiu-Dong , Tsai Chung-You 
Published: August 2022

Rationale:
Bladder calcification is a rare presentation that was first interpreted to be related to a urea-splitting bacterial infection. Aside from infection, other hypotheses such as schistosomiasis, tuberculosis, cancer, and cytokine-induced inflammatory processes have also been reported. Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known for its provoking cytokine storm and uninhibited systematic inflammation, and calcification over the coronary artery or lung has been reported as a long-term complication.

Patient concerns:
We presented a 68 years old man who had persistent lower urinary tract symptoms after recovery from severe COVID-19. No urea-splitting bacteria were identified from urine culture.

Diagnosis:
Cystoscopy examination revealed diffuse bladder mucosal and submucosa calcification.

Interventions:
Transurethral removal of the mucosal calcification with lithotripsy.

Outcomes:
The patient’s lower urinary tract symptoms improved, and stone analysis showed 98% calcium phosphate and 2% calcium oxalate. No newly formed calcifications were found at serial follow-up.

Conclusion:
Diffuse bladder calcification may be a urinary tract sequela of COVID-19 infection. Patients with de novo lower urinary tract symptoms after severe COVID-19 should be further investigated.
Efficacy and long-term results of endovascular embolization and surgical clipping for posterior communicating artery unruptured aneurysms complicated with oculomotor nerve palsy
Authors: Shen Xun , Wang Wenlei , Qin Huaihai , Ren Chun-Feng , Gao Bu-Lang 
Published: August 2022

This study aimed
to investigate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of endovascular embolization and surgical clipping for patients with posterior communicating artery unruptured aneurysms (PcomAs) concomitant with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP). No significant (P > .05) difference existed in the age, gender, proportion of complete ONP, and size of eye fissure and pupil before treatment between 2 groups. After compared with before treatment, the eye fissure was widened significantly (P < .05) and the pupil narrowed significantly (P < .05), but no significant (P > .05) differences existed between the 2 groups. Complete ONP recovery was observed in 32 (80%) patients in the embolization group and 31 (77.5%) in the microsurgical group, partial ONP recovery occurred in 6 (15%) in the embolization group and 8 (20%) in the microsurgical group. The recovery rate was 95% in the embolization group and 97.5% in the microsurgical group, with no significant (P > .05) difference between 2 groups. The recovery rate of the ONP was significantly (P < .01) greater in the microsurgical group than that in the embolization group at follow-up of 1 month, 3 months, six and 12 months, respectively. At 18 months, the ONP recovery rate was not significantly different between 2 groups (95% vs 97.5%) Surgical clipping may have a faster effect on the recovery of oculomotor nerve palsy than endovascular embolization for patients with posterior communicating artery unruptured aneurysms complicated with oculomotor nerve palsy, but both approaches may result in a similar effect on the nerve recovery in the long run.
Eighty patients treated with endovascular embolization or surgical clipping were retrospectively enrolled into the endovascular embolization group or surgical clipping and analyzed.
Clinicopathologic and Prognostic Features of Pediatric Follicular Cell–derived Thyroid Carcinomas
Authors: Saliba Maelle , Alzumaili Bayan A. , Katabi Nora , Dogan Snjezana , Tuttle Robert M. , Zoltan Antal , Pandit-Taskar Neeta , Xu Bin , Ghossein Ronald A. 
Published: August 2022

Pediatric thyroid carcinomas (TCs) are rare and mainly approached based on data extrapolated from adults. We retrospectively reviewed 222 pediatric TCs (patient age less than or equal to 21 y). Lymph node (LN) disease volume at presentation was considered high if the largest positive LN measured ≥1 cm and/or >5 LNs were positive. High-grade follicular cell–derived thyroid carcinoma (HGFCTC) were defined by the presence of marked mitotic count and/or tumor necrosis and considered as high-risk histology along with papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) diffuse sclerosing variant (DSV). Disease-free survival (DFS) was analyzed. LN involvement at presentation was significantly associated with male sex, larger tumor size, lymphatic invasion, positive surgical margins, and distant metastases at presentation. Five- and 10-year DFS was 84% and 77%, respectively. Only 1 patient with HGFCTC died of disease. Within PTC variants, PTC-DSV was associated with adverse histopathologic parameters and higher regional disease spread, unlike PTC tall cell variant which did not portend worse behavior. The presence of necrosis conferred worse DFS (P=0.006), while increased mitotic activity did not. While the entire HGFCTC group did not correlate with outcome (P=0.071), HGFCTC with necrosis imparted worse DFS (P=0.006). When restricted to PTC-DSV and HGFCTC with necrosis, high-risk histologic classification emerged as an independent prognostic parameter of DFS (P=0.020). The excellent prognosis of pediatric TCs differs from that of adult TCs showing similar histologic features. While neither increased mitotic activity nor PTC tall cell variant histology predict adverse outcome, PTC-DSV and tumors with necrosis constitute high-risk histologic variants with an increased risk of protracted disease.
SCsnvcna: Integrating SNVs and CNAs on a phylogenetic tree from single-cell DNA sequencing data
Authors: Zhang Liting , Bass Hank W. , Irianto Jerome , Mallory Xian 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSingle-cell DNA sequencing enables the construction of evolutionary trees that can reveal how tumors gain mutations and grow. Different whole genome amplification (WGA) procedures render genomic materials of different characteristics, often suitable for the detection of either single nucleotide variation (SNV) or for copy number aberration (CNA), but not for both, hindering the placement of both SNVs and CNAs on the same phylogenetic tree for the study of interplay of SNVs and CNAs. SCARLET places SNVs on a CNA tree, a tree derived based on the copy number profiles, while considering SNV loss due to copy number losses. However, SCARLET requires that the SNVs and CNAs are detected from the same sets of cells, which is technically challenging due to the sequencing errors or the low sequencing coverage associated with a particular WGA procedure. Here we presented a novel computational tool, SCsnvcna, that aims at placing SNVs on a CNA tree whereas the sets of cells rendering the SNVs and CNAs are independent, thus is more practical in terms of the technical challenge from single cell WGA process. SCsnvcna is a Bayesian probabilistic model that utilizes both the genotype constraints on the tree and the cellular prevalence (CP) to search the solution that has the highest joint probability. Both simulated and real datasets show that SCsnvcna is highly accurate in predicting the placement of SNVs and SNV cells. In addition, SCsnvcna has a precise prediction of SNV losses due to copy number loss.
Can hyper/hypo-osmoregulating fiddler crabs from the Atlantic coast of South America mobilize intracellular free amino acids as osmotic effectors during salinity challenge?
Authors: Faria Samuel Coelho , McNamara John Campbell 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWeakly osmoregulating crustaceans use intracellular free amino acids (FAA) to attenuate cell volume changes consequent to alterations in hemolymph osmolality. Whether semi-terrestrial, strong hyper/hypo-osmoregulators exhibit this ability is not known. We investigate FAA mobilization in muscle tissue of ten fiddler crabs from the generaMinuca, LeptucaandUcadistributed along the Atlantic coast of South America. Crabs were subjected to severe hypo- or hyper-osmotic challenge at their upper or lower critical salinity limits for five days; control crabs were held in isosmotic media. Hemolymph osmolality was measured, chela muscle FAA were identified and quantified, and percent contribution to intracellular osmolality (%FAA) was calculated. At isosmoticity, total FAA were nominally 2-fold higher inMinucaspecies (≈116 mmol/kg wet mass) than inUca(≈60 mmol/kg wet mass). Glycine, alanine, arginine and taurine constituted >80% of total FAA. On hyper-osmotic challenge, hemolymph osmolalities ranged from 843 to 1,282 mOsm/kg H2O. FAA increased, although %FAA remained unaltered. Hypo-osmoregulating crabs thus can mobilize FAA, likely owing to a lesser ability to secrete salt near their upper critical limits. On hypo-osmotic challenge, osmolalities were more tightly regulated, between 475 and 736 mOsm/kg H2O. Total FAA and %FAA showed little change, probably due to the crabs’ strong hyper-osmotic extracellular regulation, FAA consequently playing a diminished role in isosmotic intracellular regulation. Total FAA responses to hyper/hypo-osmotic challenge are thus asymmetrical. There was no effect of crab genus on total FAA or on %FAA at isosmoticity or on either osmotic challenge, reinforced by the absence of phylogenetic signal.