bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishing the Association Between Snus Use and Mental Health Problems: A Study of Norwegian College and University Students
Authors: Tjora Tore , Skogen Jens Christoffer , Sivertsen Børge 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Smoking and mental health problems are public health concerns worldwide. Studies on smoke-free tobacco products, especially snus are scarce. Snus is considered less harmful than smoking and in the United States allowed to be marketed accordingly, but may still add to the burden of disease.

Aims and Methods
Data stem from the Norwegian Students’ Health and Wellbeing Study (SHoT study) in 2018 (162 512 invited, 50 054 (30.8%) completed). Smoking, snus use, health service and medication usage and mental health problems, including the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25), were assessed using self-report. The aims were to explore the associations between smoking and snus use and mental health problems and treatments. Furthermore, the association between both daily smoking and daily snus use and mental health problems. Associations were tested with χ2-, t-tests, and logistic regression.

Results
Daily snus users had 38% increased odds (odds ratio [OR]: 1.38, CI: 1.30 to 1.46), and daily smokers had 96% increased odds (OR: 1.96, CI: 1.65 to 2.34) of having a high HSCL-25 score, adjusted for gender, low socioeconomic status (SES), using tobacco, participating in therapy and using antidepressants daily.

Conclusions
Both daily smoking and daily snus use were associated with an increased level of mental health problems. The adjusted probability for mental health problems was lower for snus use; however, snus use prevalence was tenfold in our sample.

Implications
Despite the lack of causal and directional conclusions, these associations may have implications for future legislation on snus. They also highlight the importance of more research, especially as snus is considered less harmful and seemingly replacing smoking in Norway.
Hepatitis B–Related Hepatic Flare During Immune Reconstitution Syndrome After Antiretroviral Treatment Initiation in an HBV Surface Antigen–Positive Patient With HIV: Viroimmunological and Histological Characterization
Authors: Iannetta Marco , Crea Angela M A , Di Lorenzo Andrea , Campogiani Laura , Teti Elisabetta , Malagnino Vincenzo , Compagno Mirko , Coppola Luigi , Piermatteo Lorenzo , Palmieri Giampiero , Cimino Carolina , Salpini Romina , Zingaropoli Maria A , Ciardi Maria R , Mastroianni Claudio M , Parisi Saverio G , Svicher Valentina , Andreoni Massimo , Sarmati Loredana 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection is relatively common. Initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people with HIV (PWH) causes a progressive restoration of cell-mediated immune functions. In the presence of overt or occult coinfections, immune restoration might lead to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Here, we describe the clinical, immunological, virological, and histological characterization of a case of HBV-related IRIS hepatitis in a PWH after ART initiation. A liver biopsy was performed during HBV-related IRIS hepatic flare, and liver samples were analyzed through immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques, with the assessment of intrahepatic HBV-DNA, covalently closed circular DNA, and HBV pregenomic RNA through a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction system. Immune activation and senescence were also longitudinally assessed. In this clinical case, the hepatic flare occurred 6 weeks after ART initiation with a therapeutic regimen including tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and emtricitabine (FTC). The episode was self-limiting, characterized by hyperactivation of peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, and resolved without ART discontinuation, leading to the achievement of HBsAg seroconversion (HBsAg-/HBsAb+) and HBV-DNA plasma undetectability. Notably, hyperactivation of the immune system plays a pivotal role in promoting the control of HBV replication, thus triggering the achievement of HBsAg seroconversion during treatment with TAF/FTC.
Plankton digital twins—a new research tool
Authors: Flynn Kevin J , Torres Ricardo , Irigoien Xabier , Blackford Jerry C 
Published: August 2022

AbstractDigital twins (DT) are simulation models that so closely replicate reality in their behaviour that experts may believe model output to be real. Plankton offer worthy yet tractable biological targets for digital twinning, due to their relatively simply physiology and significant role in ecology from theoretical studies through to planetary scale biogeochemistry. Construction of dynamic plankton DT (PDT), representing a supreme test of our understanding of plankton ecophysiology, would form the basis of education and training aids, provide platforms for hypothesis setting/testing, experiment design and interpretation, and support the construction and testing of large-scale ecosystem models and allied management tools. PDTs may be constructed using concepts from systems biology, with system dynamics, including feedback controls akin to biological (de)repression processes, to provide a robust approach to model plankton, with flexible core features enabling ready and meaningful configuration of phenotypic traits. Expert witness validation through Turing Tests would provide confidence in the end product. Through deployment of PDTs with appropriate input controls and output (visualization) tools, empiricists are more likely to engage with modelling, enhancing future science and increasing confidence in predictive operational and also in long-term climate simulations.
Kinetic mixing, custodial symmetry, and a lower bound on the mass of a dark gauge boson
Authors: Napsuciale M , Rodríguez S , Hernández-Arellano H 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
We consider the extension of the standard model by dark fields with an Abelian spontaneously broken gauge symmetry in a hidden dark matter scenario. The dimension-four gauge-invariant terms include a kinetic mixing term and a Higgs mixing term, and we show that, after spontaneous symmetry breaking, the tree-level relation $M^{2}_{W}=M^{2}_{\tilde{Z}} \cos ^{2} \tilde{\theta }_{w}$ holds and permits us to write the mixing angle induced by the kinetic mixing in the neutral massive gauge boson sector, θζ, in terms of the values of MZ, the weak mixing angle, and of the mass of the physical dark gauge boson ZD. At the loop level, a similar relation is obtained in the $\overline{MS}$ scheme. Using the result extracted from the global fit to electroweak precision data for the ratio $\rho _{0}=M^{2}_{W}/\hat{c}^{2}_{Z} M^{2}_{Z}\hat{\rho }$, we obtain the lower bound $M_{Z_{D}}\gt M_{Z}$ for the dark gauge boson mass at the $94\%$ confidence level. We argue that this lower bound holds in the general case of theories for physics beyond the standard model with an extra U(1) gauge factor subgroup, whenever the extended Higgs potential respects custodial symmetry.
Potential protective effect of escin from Aesculus hippocastanum extract against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress on rat tissues
Authors: Küçükkurt İsmail , Akbel Erten , İnce Sinan , Acaröz Damla Arslan , Demirel Hasan Hüseyin , Kan Fahriye 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Cyclophosphamide (CP)—also known as cytophosphan—is an alkylating agent that has many side effects in humans and rats. Rats were divided into 5 different groups to evaluate the protective effect of escin (ES) obtained from the horse-chestnut plant (Aesculus hippocastanum) against acute damage induce by CP. Groups: control group, ethanol group, ES group (100 mg/kg body weight (bw) ES for 14 days by gastric gavage), ES + CP group (100 mg/kg bw ES for 14 days by gastric gavage and 75 mg/kg bw CP i.p. on 14th day), and CP group (75 mg/kg bw CP i.p. on 14th day). After the experiment was completed, blood and tissue samples (liver, kidney, heart, brain, lung, and testis) were taken from the rats under anesthesia. When the CP group was compared with the control group, an increase was observed in the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood and all tissues except the lung, but when it was given together with escin, there was a decrease except kidney and lung (P &lt; 0.05). Glutathione (GSH) level decreased in the blood and all tissues when CP was given, whereas an increase was observed in the heart, brain, and lung when given with escin (P &lt; 0.05). There was no statistical change in the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in all tissues. ES reduced CP-induced damage in all tissues except the kidney. As a result, it was determined that ES had a protective effect against CP-induced tissue damage in rats due to its antioxidant properties.
COVID-19 Pandemic: Effects of Replacing Clinical Hours With Virtual Simulation in BSN Prelicensure Nursing Education
Authors: Roberts Sterling , Warren Talecia , Moore Leslie C. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many academic institutions suspended in-person instruction and clinical experiences. Virtual simulation played an essential role in providing alternatives. The current study used faculty and student surveys, along with standardized exit exams and NCLEX-RN® pass rates, to determine the effect of using virtual simulation instead of traditional hospital clinical experiences during the final semester of a prelicensure BSN program. Results indicated a small decrease in exit exam scores compared to those who completed the traditional clinical experience and no significant relationship between NCLEX-RN pass/fail rates.
Utilizing Telehealth Modalities for Veteran Nursing Students’ Primary Health Care Clinical Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Patel Sarah E. , Chalaron Kathleen , Liesveld Judy 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Clinical experiences are critical for undergraduate nursing students to apply didactic learning experiences and meet the core competencies established for licensure. However, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic severely limited access to clinical experiences for undergraduate nursing students. The VA Home Telehealth program provided unique clinical experiences for veteran undergraduate nursing students, increased the use of technology, and limited the adverse effects of the pandemic in a rural, vulnerable population. This collaboration was crucial in helping students progress with their nursing education during a time of crisis.
Best Practice Guidelines for Surgical Site Infection in High-risk Pediatric Spine Surgery: Definition, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Authors: Badin Daniel , Leland Christopher R. , Matsumoto Hiroko , Roye Benjamin , Vitale Michael , Flynn John , Samdani Amer , Larson A. Noelle , Yaszay Burt , Pahys Joshua , Glotzbecker Michael , Bachmann Keith R. , Newton Peter O. , Betz Randal , Miyanji Firoz , Shah Suken , Sturm Peter F. , Hwang Steven , Erickson Mark , Cahill Patrick J. , Fletcher Nicholas , Upasani Vidyadhar V. , Sucato Daniel J. , Sponseller Paul D. 
Published: August 2022

Background:
Prior “best practice guidelines” (BPG) have identified strategies to reduce the risk of acute deep surgical site infection (SSI), but there still exists large variability in practice. Further, there is still no consensus on which patients are “high risk” for SSI and how SSI should be diagnosed or treated in pediatric spine surgery. We sought to develop an updated, consensus-based BPG informed by available literature and expert opinion on defining high-SSI risk in pediatric spine surgery and on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of SSI in this high-risk population.

Materials and Methods:
After a systematic review of the literature, an expert panel of 21 pediatric spine surgeons was selected from the Harms Study Group based on extensive experience in the field of pediatric spine surgery. Using the Delphi process and iterative survey rounds, the expert panel was surveyed for current practices, presented with the systematic review, given the opportunity to voice opinions through a live discussion session and asked to vote regarding preferences privately. Two survey rounds were conducted electronically, after which a live conference was held to present and discuss results. A final electronic survey was then conducted for final voting. Agreement ≥70% was considered consensus. Items near consensus were revised if feasible to achieve consensus in subsequent surveys.

Results:
Consensus was reached for 17 items for defining high-SSI risk, 17 items for preventing, 6 for diagnosing, and 9 for treating SSI in this high-risk population. After final voting, all 21 experts agreed to the publication and implementation of these items in their practice.

Conclusions:
We present a set of updated consensus-based BPGs for defining high-risk and preventing, diagnosing, and treating SSI in high-risk pediatric spine surgery. We believe that this BPG can limit variability in practice and decrease the incidence of SSI in pediatric spine surgery.

Level of Evidence:
Not applicable.
Presence of Antibodies to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 on Admission Is Associated With Decreased Mortality in COVID-19 Critical Illness
Authors: Mabrey F. Linzee , Zelnick Leila R. , Morrell Eric D. , O’Connor Nicholas G. , Hart Andrew , Wurfel Mark M. , Liles W. Conrad , Bhatraju Pavan K. 
Published: August 2022

OBJECTIVES:
To determine whether the early serologic response in COVID-19 critical illness is associated with hospital mortality. To evaluate if time-to-seroconversion differs by receipt of dexamethasone therapy.

DESIGN:
Patients were prospectively enrolled within 24 hours of ICU admission from two University of Washington Hospitals. Plasma was collected on enrollment and on days 3, 7, 10, and 14.

SETTING:
ICUs between March 2020 and April 2021.

PATIENTS:
Consecutive adults with COVID-19 admitted to an ICU.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
We measured longitudinal total antispike protein antibody levels (anti-S abs) and total antinucleocapsid antibody levels (anti-N ab) using a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-authorized Roche instrument. We evaluated whether detectable anti-S abs on ICU admission were associated with host factors, initial disease severity, and hospital mortality. We evaluated whether dexamethasone therapy was associated with time-to-seroconversion. Among 93 unvaccinated participants, 47 (51%) had detectable anti-S abs on ICU admission. There was no difference in Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score or time between first positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 PCR and ICU admission in those with detectable versus undetectable anti-S abs. Adjusting for age, body mass index, and sex, patients with detectable anti-S abs had a lower risk of inhospital death (hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.17–0.94; p = 0.04). Among 21 patients with undetectable anti-S abs on ICU admission and serial measurements available, time-to-seroconversion was not significantly affected by receipt of dexamethasone therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:
In COVID-19 critical illness, a significant proportion of patients do not have detectable antibodies at ICU admission, and this is independent of severity of illness. Detectable anti-S abs were associated with lower risk of inhospital death. Despite concern that corticosteroids may impair an appropriate antiviral serologic response, early antibody kinetics were not significantly affected by administration of dexamethasone; however, CIs were wide and require further study.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from urine cultures in Southern Turkey
Authors: Baran Caner , Küçükcan Akif 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background
Pathogen spectrum and antibiotic susceptibility patterns vary in different regions and should consider the empirical treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Information on susceptibility is the basis for providing reliable treatment. This study aimed to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from urine cultures at Çukurova State Hospital, which is located south of Turkey and east of the Mediterranean region.

Materials and methods
Urine culture results were retrospectively evaluated between April 2018 and January 2021. Variables, such as age, sex, and medical department, were also recorded. Inclusion criteria were patients aged at least 18 years with pathogenic bacterial growth in their urine cultures. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and bacterial identification were performed using the VITEK 2 automated system.

Results
Of 12,288 urine samples, 2033 (16.5%) had pathogenic growth. The rates of bacterial and yeast growth were 93.3% and 6.7%, respectively. Gram-negative pathogens constituted 91.6% of the cohort. The most prevalent bacteria were Escherichia coli with a 66% rate, followed by Klebsiella (14.2%). According to our results, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ampicillin are not suitable for empirical treatment of UTIs, whereas nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin are rational options.

Conclusions
Uropathogens exhibit an increased resistance rate against ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ciprofloxacin. Nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, and ceftazidime have better efficacy than other investigated antibiotics in urine culture against common uropathogens and are suitable for empirical treatment of UTI.
The treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility
Authors: Spencer Stuart , Lazaridis Alexandros , Grammatis Alexandros , Hirsch Martin 
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review
To review the recent evidence around the treatment of infertility in patients with endometriosis.

Recent findings
The management of endometriosis associated infertility remains challenging. There have been an increasing number of prospective observational studies highlighting the role of surgery to enhance assisted conception amongst those with deep rectovaginal endometriosis. Further validation studies confirm the role of the endometriosis fertility index in prediction of reproductive outcomes after surgery, and confirm that it can be employed in counselling patients prior to surgery on their likelihood of spontaneous conception. Further randomized trials are required to establish the role of surgically treating superficial and deep endometriosis and both spontaneous and assisted conception outcomes.

Summary
Endometriosis continues to present challenges in counselling patients with regards to their fertility prospects. This article reviews the recent research findings that may assist in the management of patients with endometriosis associated infertility.
Progestins of today and tomorrow
Authors: Liu Serena , Kciuk Olga , Frank Madelyn , Tyson Nichole 
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review
To review the current literature on the multiple types and uses of progestins in reproductive healthcare.

Recent findings
Progestins for contraceptive use are available in multiple forms, with the ongoing development of transdermal, intravaginal, and male contraception formulations. Noncontraceptive use of progestins often overlaps with contraceptive indications, which allows for simultaneous multipurpose progestin use, especially in reproductive-aged patients. More studies are needed to determine contraceptive doses of progestins used for noncontraceptive purposes. Side effect profiles of progestins are dependent on their formulation and cross-reactivity with other steroid receptors. Development of newer progestins includes manipulating pharmacologic properties to avoid undesired side effects.

Summary
Progestins have multiple uses in reproductive healthcare, including contraception, menstrual suppression, endometrial protection, and hormonal replacement therapy. The development of progestins for these indications can expand therapy for people with contraindications to estrogen-based hormonal therapy.
Platelet rich plasma for the management of urogynecological disorders: the current evidence
Authors: Prodromidou Anastasia , Grigoriadis Themos , Athanasiou Stavros 
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review
Our objective is to review the currently available literature on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in patients with pelvic floor disorders and to critically appraise the latest evidence on the safety and efficacy of the PRP application.

Recent findings
The evidence on the use of PRP for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) appears promising, although limited to case series, case reports and animal studies. PRP has also been proposed to enhance the surgical outcomes of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) by native tissue repair with promising success rates. The application of PRP in other PFDs including vaginal fistulas, genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), mesh exposure and lichen sclerosus has been also associated with beneficial outcomes and a favorable safety profile.

Summary
The currently available literature indicates that PRP could have a beneficial effect as a single or adjuvant treatment in patients with SUI, POP, GSM, vaginal fistula and genital lichen sclerosus with minimal adverse events. However, valid evidence is still lacking and further well-designed studies are warranted in the field to confirm the validity of the so far reported outcomes.
Branch retinal artery occlusion in a young patient after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Jiahui Elizabeth Chen , Helen Mi Fang 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Purpose:
To report a case of branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) in a young patient who received previous neck radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods:
We describe an interesting case of a branch retinal artery occlusion in a patient with previous neck radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma 14 years ago.

Patient:
The patient was a 49 year old male, who presented to the retina service in Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Results:
Ultrasound of the carotid arteries revealed more than 50% bilateral common carotid arteries stenosis, and 80-99% bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed presence of chronic infarcts. Screening for hypercoaguable states and cardioembolic causes were unremarkable.

Conclusion:
Head and neck irradiation is a significant risk factor for developing carotid stenosis and its consequent complications such as retinal artery occlusions and cerebrovascular events.