bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of body composition with pubertal timing in children and adolescents from Guangzhou, China
Authors: Zheng Yijin , Liang Jianping , Zeng Ding , Tan Weiqing , Yang Lun , Lu Shuang , Yao Wanwen , Yang Yi , Liu Li 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveAn ongoing debate surrounds the relationship between body composition and pubertal timing, in particular for boys. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association of body composition with pubertal timing among children and adolescents.MethodsA total of 1,493 boys and 1,261 girls who entered puberty were enrolled in Guangzhou, China. Tanner stages were evaluated by examination of breast development for girls and testicular volume for boys. Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Parameters for body composition were transformed into age-and gender-specific Z-scores. The association of body composition with pubertal timing was examined using multinomial logistic regression with inverse probability weighting (IPW) based on the propensity score.ResultsFor boys, IPW analysis showed Z-scores of body fat percentage (BF%) and FM index (FMI) were negatively associated with early puberty (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.64–0.87; OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.63–0.88). As for girls, in contrast to boys, positive associations were seen between BF% and FMI with early puberty (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.19–1.64; OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.33–1.90). With respect to appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), there was a positive association with early puberty and a negative one with late puberty in boys (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.07–1.49; OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.69–0.99).ConclusionThere is a positive association of FM with early puberty for girls while negative for boys. FFM yields a positive association with early puberty and a negative one with late puberty in boys, but not in girls. Our findings highlight the gender differences in the connection between body composition and pubertal onset.
Sacubitril-valsartan for the treatment of hypertension in China: A cost-utility analysis based on meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lou Yake , Yu Ying , Liu Jinxing , Huang Jing 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundSacubitril-valsartan was recommended for heart failure (HF) and proven cost-effective in HF. Recently, sacubitril-valsartan has been recommended to treat hypertension by the Chinese expert consensus. The cost utility of sacubitril-valsartan for hypertension remains uninvestigated.MethodsA meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to investigate the real efficacy of sacubitril-valsartan on blood pressure, compared with angiotensin receptor blockers or placebo. A lifetime Markov model was developed to compare the cost utility of sacubitril-valsartan vs. valsartan. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR), representing the ratio of incremental costs to the incremental utility. The willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold was three times of per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in China in 2021. Sacubitril-valsartan was considered cost-effective if the ICUR obtained was lower than the WTP threshold, otherwise, sacubitril-valsartanis was not cost-effective.ResultsA total of 10 RCTs of 5,781 patients were included in the meta-analysis. For comparison of sacubitril-valsartan 400 mg/day vs. valsartan 320 mg/day, a reduction in blood pressure (BP) of −5.97 (−6.38, −5.56) (p &lt; 0.01) was observed. Cost-utility analysis showed that for a 60-year-old patient with hypertension, if sacubitril-valsartan was prescribed as the antihypertensive agent, he had a life expectancy of 11.91 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) with costs of 65,066 CNY, and if valsartan was prescribed as the antihypertensive agent, the life expectancy would be 11.82 QALY with costs of 54,769 CNY; thus, an ICUR of 108,622 CNY/QALY was obtained, lower than the WTP threshold.ConclusionCompared with valsartan, sacubitril-valsartan is more effective in reducing blood pressure and may result in more quality-adjusted life-year, although with higher costs. Sacubitril-valsartan is cost-effective for hypertension in the current China setting under the willingness-to-pay threshold of 3 times of per capita GDP.
Association between trace metals exposure and hearing loss
Authors: Zou Peixi , Li Menghuan , Chen Wei , Ji Junfeng , Xue Fei , Wang Zhiyi , Xu Li , Cheng You 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundTrace metals have side-effect on human health. The association between trace metals exposure and hearing loss remains unclear.MethodsA total of 8,128 participants were exacted for analysis of association between trace metals and hearing loss from the database of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2013–2018). Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were used to examine the association between trace metals and hearing loss.ResultsParticipants with hearing loss had a higher level of lead, cadmium, molybdenum, tin, thallium, and tungsten (all p &lt; 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, compared with the reference of the lowest quartile, the ORs with 95%CIs for hearing loss across quartiles were 1.14 (0.86, 1.51), 1.49 (1.12, 1.98), 1.32 (0.97, 1.80) for cobalt, and 1.35 (0.98, 1.87), 1.58 (1.15, 2.16), 1.75 (1.28, 2.40) for tin. Individuals with the level of cobalt at third quartile had 49% higher risks of hearing loss than those at lowest quartile. And participants with highest quartile of tin had 1.75-folds risks of hearing loss than those with lowest quartile of tin. There were increasing trends in risks of hearing loss with a raised level of thallium (p for trend &lt;0.05). Restricted cubic spline regression analysis indicated that there was a nonlinear association between hearing loss and the levels of tin (p for nonlinearity = 0.021). Subgroup analysis showed that individuals of female, without hypertension and diabetes, and with a higher level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol had modified effects on the associations between hearing loss and exposure to tin.ConclusionsOur study indicated that exposure to cobalt and tin were significantly associated with hearing loss.
Strategies for the implementation of a nasal decolonization intervention to prevent surgical site infections within the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Hockett Sherlock Stacey , Goedken Cassie Cunningham , Balkenende Erin C. , Dukes Kimberly C. , Perencevich Eli N. , Reisinger Heather Schacht , Forrest Graeme N. , Pfeiffer Christopher D. , West Katelyn A. , Schweizer Marin 
Published: August 2022

As part of a multicenter evidence-based intervention for surgical site infection prevention, a qualitative study was conducted with infection control teams and surgical staff members at three Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems in the USA. This study aimed to identify strategies used by nurses and other facility champions for the implementation of a nasal decolonization intervention. Site visit observations and field notes provided contextual information. Interview data were analyzed with inductive and deductive content analysis. Interview data was mapped to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) compilation of implementation strategies. These strategies were then considered in the context of power and relationships as factors that influence implementation. We found that implementation of this evidence-based surgical site infection prevention intervention was successful when nurse champions drove the day-to-day implementation. Nurse champions sustained implementation strategies through all phases of implementation. Findings also suggest that nurse champions leveraged the influence of their role as champion along with their understanding of social networks and relationships to help achieve implementation success. Nurse champions consciously used multiple overlapping and iterative implementation strategies, adapting and tailoring strategies to stakeholders and settings. Commonly used implementation categories included: “train and educate stakeholders,” “use evaluative and iterative strategies,” “adapt and tailor to context,” and “develop stakeholder interrelationships.” Future research should examine the social networks for evidence-based interventions by asking specifically about relationships and power dynamics within healthcare organizations. Implementation of evidence-based interventions should consider if the tasks expected of a nurse champion fit the level of influence or power held by the champion.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02216227.
Investigating routine care non-pharmacological treatment for adolescents with ADHD
Authors: Sibley Margaret H. , Reyes Francisco Juan Carlos , Rios-Davis Alexandria , Graziano Paulo A. 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveTo characterize routine non-pharmacological care for youth with ADHD.Methods76 audio-recorded work-samples were collected from community mental health therapists in a large metropolitan area in the United States and were analyzed for operationally defined practice elements commonly included in evidence-based non-pharmacological treatment for ADHD. Analyses characterized community provider practices and examined predictors of using evidence-based (vs.low-value) practices.ResultsIndividually delivered social skills training was the most commonly detected practice element (31.6% of practice samples). Parent involvement in routine care was uncommon (53.9% of sessions had no parental presence). Core elements of evidence-based practices were rarely delivered (e.g., organization skills training: 18.4% of tapes; operant reinforcement: 13.2%); when evidence-based content was introduced, it was typically implemented at a very low intensity. Patient and provider characteristics did not predict use of evidence-based practices.ConclusionsRoutine non-pharmacological care for adolescent ADHD primarily consisted of low value practices such as youth-directed treatment and social skills training with low parent involvement and only occasional therapy homework. To improve quality of care, efforts to de-implement low value practices should be coupled with efforts to implement evidence-based practices (i.e., parent involvement, measurement-based care, organization skills training, use of operant reinforcement).
Postoperative antibiotics and infection rates after implant-based breast reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Yang , Zhou Xuan , Tong Xiaofei , Chen Xiangyu , Wang Mingzhu , Wu Xianrui , Li Peiting , Tang Fengjie , Zhou Jianda , Li Ping 
Published: August 2022

PurposeInfection is the most common complication following breast implant surgery. Nevertheless, the systematic administration of antibiotics after breast implant surgery has been subjected to controversial debate. In this study, we sought to elucidate the association between infection and the use of antibiotics as an aftermath of breast implantation surgical procedures.MethodsRelevant studies were identified from PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE search mining. The extracted data included study type, basic characteristics, administrated antibiotic information, and clinical outcomes. Random-effects models were utilized to estimate outcomes, while study quality, statistical bias, and heterogeneity were also analyzed.ResultsA total of 7 studies involving a total of 9,147 subjects were included. The results demonstrated that the use of antibiotics after breast implantation reduced the incidence of infection (risk ratio [RR]: 0.65, 95% CI, 0.46–0.90). Nevertheless, smoking, obesity and diabetes type II are risk factors for postoperative infections. Sensitivity analysis verified the robustness of the results.ConclusionsOur study identified the administration of antibiotics after breast implantation as an intervention that decreased the incidence of infection. Smoking, obesity, and diabetes type II are risk factors for postoperative infections. These findings strongly suggest that timely and effective antibiotic interventions will be crucial in future clinical practice, which may reduce the risk of postoperative infection following breast implantation.
TIMM13 as a prognostic biomarker and associated with immune infiltration in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM)
Authors: Zhou Sitong , Han Yuanyuan , Yang Ronghua , Pi Xiaobing , Li Jiehua 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveProviding protection against aggregation and guiding hydrophobic precursors through the mitochondria’s intermembrane space, this protein functions as a chaperone-like protein. SLC25A12 is imported by TIMM8 as a result of its interaction with TIMM13. In spite of this, it is still unknown how TIMM13 interacts with skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).MethodsAberrant expression of TIMM13 in SKCM and its clinical outcome was evaluated with the help of multiple databases, including the Xiantao tool (https://www.xiantao.love/), HPA, and UALCAN. TISIDB and Tumor Immune Estimation Resources (TIMER) databases were applied to explore the association between TIMM13 and tumor infiltration immune cells. OS nomogram was constructed, and model performance was examined. Finally, TIMM13 protein expression was validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC).ResultsTIMM13 expression was higher in SKCM samples than in peritumor samples. TIMM13 was strongly associated with sample type, subgroup, cancer stage, lymph node stage, and worse survival. Further, upregulation of TIMM13 was significantly associated with immunoregulators, and chemokines, as well as T cells, B cells, monocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, and T-cell regulators. An analysis of bioinformatic data uncovered that TIMM13 expression was strongly associated with PD1 (T-cell exhaustion marker). The nomogram showed good predictive performance based on calibration plot. TIMM13 was highly expressed in melanoma tissue samples than in normal samples.ConclusionIn brief, TIMM13 may be a prognostic biomarker for SKCM. It might modulate the tumor immune microenvironment and lead to a poorer prognosis. In addition, it is necessary to study the targeted therapy of TIMM13.
Mid-Infrared Imaging Characterization to Differentiate Lung Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Kontsek E. , Pesti A. , Slezsák J. , Gordon P. , Tornóczki T. , Smuk G. , Gergely S. , Kiss A. 
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Lung cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide. Squamous cell carcinoma (SQ) and adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are the two most frequent histological subtypes. Small cell carcinoma (SCLC) subtype has the worst prognosis. Differential diagnosis is essential for proper oncological treatment. Life science associated mid- and near-infrared based microscopic techniques have been developed exponentially, especially in the past decade. Vibrational spectroscopy is a potential non-destructive approach to investigate malignancies.Aims: Our goal was to differentiate lung cancer subtypes by their label-free mid-infrared spectra using supervised multivariate analyses.Material and Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples were selected from the archives. Three subtypes were selected for each group: 10-10 cases SQ, LUAD and SCLC. 2 μm thick sections were cut and laid on aluminium coated glass slides. Transflection optical setup was applied on Perkin-Elmer infrared microscope. 250 × 600 μm areas were imaged and the so-called mid-infrared fingerprint region (1800-648cm−1) was further analysed with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and support vector machine (SVM) methods.Results: Both “patient-based” and “pixel-based” approaches were examined. Patient-based analysis by using 3 LDA models and 2 SVM models resulted in different separations. The higher the cut-off value the lower is the accuracy. The linear C-support vector classification (C-SVC) SVM resulted in the best (100%) accuracy for the three subtypes using a 50% cut-off value. The pixel-based analysis gave, similarly, the linear C-SVC SVM model to be the most efficient in the statistical indicators (SQ sensitivity 81.65%, LUAD sensitivity 82.89% and SCLC sensitivity 88.89%). The spectra cut-off, the kernel function and the algorithm function influence the accuracy.Conclusion: Mid-Infrared imaging could be used to differentiate FFPE lung cancer subtypes. Supervised multivariate tools are promising to accurately separate lung tumor subtypes. The long-term perspective is to develop a spectroscopy-based diagnostic tool, revolutionizing medical differential diagnostics, especially cancer identification.
Fluid Dynamics in a Continuous Pump-Mixer
Authors: Wirz Dominic , Gründken Simon , Friebel Anne , Rave Kevin , Hermes Mario , Skoda Romuald , von Harbou Erik , Bart Hans-Jörg 
Published: August 2022

The fluid dynamic (flow rates) and hydrodynamic behavior (local droplet size distributions and local holdup) of a continuous DN300 pump-mixer were investigated using water as the continuous phase and paraffin oil as the dispersed phase. The influence of the impeller speed (N = 375 to 425 rpm), the feed phase ratio (φF = 10 to 30 vol.-%), and the flow rate (V˙tot ≈ 0.5 to 2.3 L/min) were investigated by measuring the pumping height, local holdup of the disperse phase, and the droplet size distribution (DSD). The latter one was measured at three different vessel positions using an image-based telecentric shadowgraphic technique. The droplet diameters were extracted from the acquired images using a neural network. The Sauter mean diameters were calculated from the DSD and correlated with an extended model based on Doulah (1975), considering the impeller speed, the feed phase ratio, and additionally the flow rate. The new correlation can describe an extensive database containing 155 experiments of the fluid and hydrodynamic within a 15% error range.
The First Comprehensive Biodiversity Study of Culturable Fungal Communities Inhabiting Cryoconite Holes in the Werenskiold Glacier on Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago, Arctic)
Authors: Borzęcka Justyna , Suchodolski Jakub , Dudek Bartłomiej , Matyaszczyk Lena , Spychała Klaudyna , Ogórek Rafał 
Published: August 2022

Cryoconite holes on glacier surfaces are a source of cold-adapted microorganisms, but little is known about their fungal inhabitants. Here, we provide the first report of distinctive fungal communities in cryoconite holes in the Werenskiold Glacier on Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago, Arctic). Due to a combination of two incubation temperatures (7 °C and 24 ± 0.5 °C) and two media during isolation (PDA, YPG), as well as classical and molecular identification approaches, we were able to identify 23 different fungi (21 species and 2 unassigned species). Most of the fungi cultured from cryoconite sediment were ascomycetous filamentous micromycetes. However, four representatives of macromycetes were also identified (Bjerkandera adusta, Holwaya mucida, Orbiliaceae sp., and Trametes versicolor). Some of the described fungi possess biotechnological potential (Aspergillus pseudoglaucus, A. sydowii, Penicillium expansum, P. velutinum, B. adusta, and T. versicolor), thus, we propose the Arctic region as a source of new strains for industrial applications. In addition, two phytopathogenic representatives were present (P. sumatraense, Botrytis cinerea), as well as one potentially harmful to humans (Cladosporium cladosporioides). To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report the occurrence of A. pseudoglaucus, C. allicinum, C. ramotenellum, P. sumatraense, P. velutinum, P. cumulodentata, B. adusta, and T. versicolor in polar regions. In all likelihood, two unassigned fungus species (Orbiliaceae and Dothideomycetes spp.) might also be newly described in such environments. Additionally, due to experimenting with 10 sampling sites located at different latitudes, we were able to conclude that the number of fungal spores decreases as one moves down the glacier. Considering the prevalence and endangerment of glacial environments worldwide, such findings suggest their potential as reservoirs of fungal diversity, which should not be overlooked.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Deficiency Induces Apoptosis Mediated by Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and the CHOP Pathway in HepG2 Cells
Authors: Zhang Bo , Cao Jun-Ting , Wu Yong-Bao , Gao Ke-Xin , Xie Ming , Zhou Zheng-Kui , Tang Jing , Hou Shui-Sheng 
Published: August 2022

Riboflavin is an essential micronutrient and a precursor of flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide for maintaining cell homeostasis. Riboflavin deficiency (RD) induces cell apoptosis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is considered to induce apoptosis, and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) is a key pathway involved in this process. However, whether RD-induced apoptosis is mediated by ER stress and the CHOP pathway remains unclear and needs further investigation. Therefore, the current study presents the effect of RD on ER stress and apoptosis in the human hepatoma cell line (HepG2). Firstly, cells were cultured in a RD medium (4.55 nM riboflavin) and a control (CON) medium (1005 nM riboflavin). We conducted an observation of cell microstructure characterization and determining apoptosis. Subsequently, 4-phenyl butyric acid (4-PBA), an ER stress inhibitor, was used in HepG2 cells to investigate the role of ER stress in RD-induced apoptosis. Finally, CHOP siRNA was transfected into HepG2 cells to validate whether RD triggered ER stress-mediated apoptosis by the CHOP pathway. The results show that RD inhibited cell proliferation and caused ER stress, as well as increased the expression of ER stress markers (CHOP, 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein, activating transcription factor 6) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, RD increased the cell apoptosis rate, enhanced the expression of proapoptotic markers (B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X, Caspase 3), and decreased the expression of the antiapoptotic marker (B-cell lymphoma 2) (p < 0.05). The 4-PBA treatment and CHOP knockdown markedly alleviated RD-induced cell apoptosis. These results demonstrate that RD induces cell apoptosis by triggering ER stress and the CHOP pathway.
GPs’ perceptions of teaching methods in shared decision-making training: a qualitative study
Authors: Nyamapfene Taona , Butterworth Joanne , Merchant Haider , Eaton Mike 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundAlthough shared decision making (SDM) is key to delivering patient-centred care, there are barriers to GPs implementing SDM in practice. SDM training is undergoing development by organisations, including the Royal College of General Practitioners. However, GPs’ perceptions of the delivery of SDM training in general practice remain largely unexplored.AimTo explore GPs’ perceptions of teaching methods in SDM training.Design and settingQualitative study of GPs with teaching roles at the University of Exeter Medical School.MethodPurposive sampling recruited 14 GPs. Semi-structured interviews explored their SDM educational experiences. Data were analysed using thematic framework analysis.ResultsThree themes were identified. The GPs described role-play, receiving feedback, and on-the-job learning as modes of delivering SDM training that mostly informed their SDM in clinical practice positively. Learning from knowledgeable individuals and using realistic patient cases were perceived as beneficial components of SDM learning, although most learning occurred implicitly through reflections on their clinical experiences. The GPs identified that their training on SDM should reflect the uncertainty that is present when sharing decisions with patients in real-life general practice consultations. GPs also identified the targeting of individual GPs’ SDM learning needs and explanation of the potential benefits of SDM on consultation outcomes as important methods to facilitate the implementation of SDM in practice.ConclusionTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first UK study to explore GPs’ perceptions of SDM training and provide recommendations for practice. As SDM occurs in partnership with patients, further research should obtain and incorporate patients’ views alongside those of GPs in the evaluation of future programmes.