bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EXT1 and NCAM1-associated membranous lupus nephritis in a cohort of patients undergoing repeat kidney biopsies
Authors: Miller Paul P , Caza Tiffany , Larsen Christopher P , Charu Vivek 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundExostosin 1/2 (EXT1/2) and neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1) associated membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) may represent distinct disease phenotypes with prognostic significance.MethodsWe searched our archives for patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and at least two kidney biopsies demonstrating MLN. Each biopsy was stained for EXT1 and NCAM1 and scored as positive or negative. Histopathologic and clinical data were reviewed.ResultsWe identified 31 patients with a clinical diagnosis of SLE and at least two kidney biopsies with MLN. A total of 28 patients (90%) showed concordant staining for EXT1 and NCAM1 in both biopsies; 8 patients (26%) were EXT1 positive and NCAM1 negative, 18 patients (58%) were EXT1 negative and NCAM1 negative and 2 patients (7%) were EXT1 negative and NCAM1 positive. A total of three patients (10%) had discordant EXT1 staining between their first and last biopsies; two patients (7%) were EXT1 positive in their first biopsy and EXT1 negative in the last biopsy and one patient (3%) was EXT1 negative in his first biopsy and EXT1 positive in the last biopsy. Compared with the EXT1-negative cohort at the time of the first biopsy, the EXT1-positive cohort had a higher average estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; 141 versus 108 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.04), lower average percent global glomerulosclerosis (0.5 versus 12%; P = 0.05), lower average interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (2.5 versus 11.7%; P = 0.06) and lower average total National Institutes of Health (NH) chronicity scores (0.75 versus 2.33; P = 0.05). On long-term follow-up, the rate of change in eGFR did not significantly differ between the two groups (P = 0.24). One EXT1-positive patient (12.5%) developed stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) compared with four patients (20%) in the EXT-negative group and two of the three EXT1-discordant patients (P = 0.38).ConclusionsWe performed the largest retrospective repeat-biopsy study to evaluate EXT1 and NCAM1 autoantigens in MLN. Our data demonstrate that EXT1 positivity is associated with better kidney function at the time of diagnosis and raises the possibility that EXT1 status may change throughout the disease course of MLN.
The harmful effects of partisan polarization on health
Authors: Fraser Timothy , Aldrich Daniel P , Panagopoulos Costas , Hummel David , Kim Daniel 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Partisan polarization significantly drives stress and anxiety among Americans, and recent aggregate-level studies suggest polarization may be shaping their health. This individual-level study uses a new representative dataset of 2,752 US residents surveyed between December 2019 and January 2020, some US residents report more days of poor physical and mental health per month than others. Using negative binomial models, zero inflated models, and visualizations, we find evidence that polarization is linked to declines in physical health: the more distant an individual feels politically from the average voter in their state, the worse health outcomes he or she reports. By uncovering the individual-level political correlates of health, this study aims to encourage further study and attention to the broader consequences of political polarization on American communities.
Continuous genomic diversification of long polynucleotide fragments drives the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
Authors: Murugadoss Karthik , Niesen Michiel J M , Raghunathan Bharathwaj , Lenehan Patrick J , Ghosh Pritha , Feener Tyler , Anand Praveen , Simsek Safak , Suratekar Rohit , Hughes Travis K , Soundararajan Venky 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Highly transmissible or immuno-evasive SARS-CoV-2 variants have intermittently emerged, resulting in repeated COVID-19 surges. With over 6 million SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced, there is unprecedented data to decipher the evolution of fitter SARS-CoV-2 variants. Much attention has been directed to studying the functional importance of specific mutations in the Spike protein, but there is limited knowledge of genomic signatures shared by dominant variants. Here, we introduce a method to quantify the genome-wide distinctiveness of polynucleotide fragments (3- to 240-mers) that constitute SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Compared to standard phylogenetic metrics and mutational load, the new metric provides improved separation between Variants of Concern (VOCs; Reference = 89, IQR: 65–108; Alpha = 166, IQR: 149–181; Beta 131, IQR: 114–149; Gamma = 164, IQR: 150–178; Delta = 235, IQR: 217–255; and Omicron = 459, IQR: 395–521). Omicron's high genomic distinctiveness may confer an advantage over prior VOCs and the recently emerged and highly mutated B.1.640.2 (IHU) lineage. Evaluation of 883 lineages highlights that genomic distinctiveness has increased over time (R2 = 0.37) and that VOCs score significantly higher than contemporary non-VOC lineages, with Omicron among the most distinctive lineages observed. This study demonstrates the value of characterizing SARS-CoV-2 variants by genome-wide polynucleotide distinctiveness and emphasizes the need to go beyond a narrow set of mutations at known sites on the Spike protein. The consistently higher distinctiveness of each emerging VOC compared to prior VOCs suggests that monitoring of genomic distinctiveness would facilitate rapid assessment of viral fitness.
Cognitive processing of a common stimulus synchronizes brains, hearts, and eyes
Authors: Madsen Jens , Parra Lucas C 
Published: March 2022

AbstractNeural, physiological, and behavioral signals synchronize between human subjects in a variety of settings. Multiple hypotheses have been proposed to explain this interpersonal synchrony, but there is no clarity under which conditions it arises, for which signals, or whether there is a common underlying mechanism. We hypothesized that cognitive processing of a shared stimulus is the source of synchrony between subjects, measured here as intersubject correlation (ISC). To test this, we presented informative videos to participants in an attentive and distracted condition and subsequently measured information recall. ISC was observed for electro-encephalography, gaze position, pupil size, and heart rate, but not respiration and head movements. The strength of correlation was co-modulated in the different signals, changed with attentional state, and predicted subsequent recall of information presented in the videos. There was robust within-subject coupling between brain, heart, and eyes, but not respiration or head movements. The results suggest that ISC is the result of effective cognitive processing, and thus emerges only for those signals that exhibit a robust brain–body connection. While physiological and behavioral fluctuations may be driven by multiple features of the stimulus, correlation with other individuals is co-modulated by the level of attentional engagement with the stimulus.
Research calls, competition for funding and inefficiency
Authors: Osório António , Bornmann Lutz 
Published: March 2022

AbstractResearch groups spend time and resources in the process of applying for funding. This issue raises important questions regarding inefficiency and whether the currently used funding mechanisms are adequate. This article aims to identify ways of reducing the inefficiency and the waste of resources when making research funding calls. We look at four ways of reducing inefficiency. Inefficiency decreases when: (1) the most productive research groups are favoured over the less productive ones, (2) the call is restricted to a small number of research groups actively working on the subject of the call, (3) the funding process is less dependent on the amount of effort spent on fund-seeking activities by the research groups, and (4) the number of research groups competing in the same call is small. However, not all these mechanisms are equally powerful or easy to implement. Our results suggest that (1) reducing the dependence of the funding process on funding activities’ efforts, or (2) reducing the number of research groups by narrowing the subject of the call to groups that are very active in the call’s subject might be particularly effective in reducing inefficiency.
Immigration and Redistribution
Authors: Alesina Alberto , Miano Armando , Stantcheva Stefanie 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Does immigration change support for redistribution? We design and conduct large-scale surveys and experiments in six countries to investigate how people perceive immigrants and how these perceptions influence their support for redistribution. We find striking misperceptions about the number and characteristics of immigrants. In all countries, respondents greatly overestimate the total number of immigrants, think immigrants are culturally and religiously more distant from them, and economically weaker—less educated, more unemployed, and more reliant on and favoured by government transfers—than they actually are. In the experimental part of our article, we show that simply making respondents think about immigration before asking questions about redistribution makes them support less redistribution, including actual donations to charities. The perception that immigrants are economically weaker and more likely to take advantage of the welfare system is strongly correlated with lower support for redistribution, much more so than the perceived cultural distance or the perceived share of immigrants. These findings are confirmed by further experimental evidence. Information about the true shares and origins of immigrants does not change support for redistribution. An anecdote about a “hard-working” immigrant has somewhat stronger effects but is unable to counteract the negative priming effect of making people think about immigration. Our results further suggest that narratives shape people’s views on immigration more deeply than hard facts.
Hallucinations in Hearing Impairment: How Informed Are Clinicians?
Authors: Marschall Theresa M , van Dijk Pim , Kluk Karolina , Koops Sanne , Linszen Mascha M J , Griffiths Timothy D , Toh Wei Lin , Malicka Alicja N , Kovačić Damir , Mulert Christoph , Sommer Iris E C , Ćurčić-Blake Branislava 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackground and HypothesisPatients with hearing impairment (HI) may experience hearing sounds without external sources, ranging from random meaningless noises (tinnitus) to music and other auditory hallucinations (AHs) with meaningful qualities. To ensure appropriate assessment and management, clinicians need to be aware of these phenomena. However, sensory impairment studies have shown that such clinical awareness is low.Study DesignAn online survey was conducted investigating awareness of AHs among clinicians and their opinions about these hallucinations.Study ResultsIn total, 125 clinicians (68.8% audiologists; 18.4% Ear-Nose-Throat [ENT] specialists) across 10 countries participated in the survey. The majority (96.8%) was at least slightly aware of AHs in HI. About 69.6% of participants reported encountering patients with AHs less than once every 6 months in their clinic. Awareness was significantly associated with clinicians’ belief that patients feel anxious about their hallucinations (β = .018, t(118) = 2.47, P &lt; .01), their belief that clinicians should be more aware of these hallucinations (β =.018, t(118) = 2.60, P &lt; .01), and with confidence of clinicians in their skills to assess them (β = .017, t(118) = 2.63, P &lt; .01). Clinicians felt underequipped to treat AHs (Median = 31; U = 1838; PFDRadj &lt; .01).ConclusionsAwareness of AHs among the surveyed clinicians was high. Yet, the low frequency of encounters with hallucinating patients and their belief in music as the most commonly perceived sound suggest unreported cases. Clinicians in this study expressed a lack of confidence regarding the assessment and treatment of AHs and welcome more information.
Sex-related differences within sleep–wake dynamics, cataplexy, and EEG fast-delta power in a narcolepsy mouse model
Authors: Piilgaard Louise , Rose Laura , Gylling Hviid Camille , Kohlmeier Kristi A , Kornum Birgitte Rahbek 
Published: March 2022

AbstractNarcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a sleep–wake disorder caused by selective loss of hypocretin (HCRT, also called orexin) neurons. Although the prevalence of NT1 is equal in men and women, sex differences in NT1 symptomatology have been reported in humans and other species. Yet, most preclinical studies fail to include females, resulting in gender bias within translational drug development. We used hcrt-tTA;TetO DTA mice (NT1 mice) that lose their HCRT neurons upon dietary doxycycline removal to examine in detail the effect of sex on NT1 symptoms and sleep–wake characteristics. We recorded 24-h electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and video in adult male and female NT1 mice for behavioral state quantification. While conducting this study, we recognized another type of behavioral arrest different from cataplexy: shorter lasting and with high δ power. We termed these delta attacks and propose a set of criteria for quantifying these in future research. Our findings show that both sexes exhibit high behavioral state instability, which was markedly higher in females with more behavioral arrests interrupting the wake episodes. Females exhibited increased wake at the expense of sleep during the dark phase, and decreased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep during the 24-h day. During the dark phase, fast-δ (2.5–4 Hz) in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and θ (6–10 Hz) EEG spectral power in REM sleep were lower in females compared to males. We demonstrate that biologically driven sex-related differences exist in the symptomatology of NT1 mice which calls for including both sexes in future research.
Chemical-Empowered Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells with Lower Immunogenicity and Enhanced Pro-angiogenic Ability Promote Fast Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Yi Junzhi , Zhang Jiayan , Zhang Qin , Chen Xuri , Qi Rujie , Liang Renjie , Wang Ying , Wang Fei , Zhong Yuliang , Zhang Xianzhu , Chin Grace , Liu Qi , Zhou Wenyan , Liu Hua , Chen Jiansong , Ouyang Hongwei 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used as functional components in tissue engineering. However, the immunogenicity and limited pro-angiogenic efficacy of MSCs greatly limited their pro-regenerative ability in allogenic treatment. Herein, utilizing a chemically defined cocktail in the culture system, including cytokines, small molecules, structural protein, and other essential components, we generated the immunoprivileged and pro-angiogenic cells (IACs) derived from human adipose tissues. Conventional adipose-derived MSCs (cADSCs) were used as a control in all the experiments. IACs show typical MSC properties with enhanced stemness capacity and a robust safety profile. IACs induce a significantly milder immune response of allogenic peripheral blood mononuclear cells in an H3K27me3-HLA axis-dependent manner. IACs, through superior paracrine effects, further promote nitric oxide production, anti-apoptotic ability, and the tube formation of human vein endothelial cells. Embedded in a photo-reactive hydrogel (Gel) termed as GelMA/HA-NB/LAP for tissue engineering treatment, IACs promote faster tissue regeneration in a xenogeneic full-thickness skin defect model, eliciting a milder immune response and enhanced blood vessel formation in IACs-treated defect areas. Together with its excellent pro-regenerative potential and robust safety, our findings suggest that IACs may be a promising candidate for clinically relevant stem cell and tissue engineering therapeutics.
Oxidative Stress-induced Autophagy Compromises Stem Cell Viability
Authors: Prakash Ravi , Fauzia Eram , Siddiqui Abu Junaid , Yadav Santosh Kumar , Kumari Neha , Shams Mohammad Tayyab , Naeem Abdul , Praharaj Prakash P , Khan Mohsin Ali , Bhutia Sujit Kumar , Janowski Miroslaw , Boltze Johannes , Raza Syed Shadab 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Stem cell therapies have emerged as a promising treatment strategy for various diseases characterized by ischemic injury such as ischemic stroke. Cell survival after transplantation remains a critical issue. We investigated the impact of oxidative stress, being typically present in ischemically challenged tissue, on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSC) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). We used oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) to induce oxidative stress in hDPSC and hMSC. OGD-induced generation of O2•− or H2O2 enhanced autophagy by inducing the expression of activating molecule in BECN1-regulated autophagy protein 1 (Ambra1) and Beclin1 in both cell types. However, hDPSC and hMSC pre-conditioning using reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers significantly repressed the expression of Ambra1 and Beclin1 and inactivated autophagy. O2•− or H2O2 acted upstream of autophagy, and the mechanism was unidirectional. Furthermore, our findings revealed ROS-p38-Erk1/2 involvement. Pre-treatment with selective inhibitors of p38 and Erk1/2 pathways (SB202190 and PD98059) reversed OGD effects on the expression of Ambra1 and Beclin1, suggesting that these pathways induced oxidative stress-mediated autophagy. SIRT3 depletion was found to be associated with increased oxidative stress and activation of p38 and Erk1/2 MAPKs pathways. Global ROS inhibition by NAC or a combination of polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD) and polyethylene glycol-catalase (PEG-catalase) further confirmed that O2•− or H2O2 or a combination of both impacts stems cell viability by inducing autophagy. Furthermore, autophagy inhibition by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) significantly improved hDPSC viability. These findings contribute to a better understanding of post-transplantation hDPSC and hMSC death and may deduce strategies to minimize therapeutic cell loss under oxidative stress.
Catastrophic Health Expenditures With Pregnancy and Delivery in the United States
Authors: Peterson Jessica A. , Albright Benjamin B. , Moss Haley A. , Bianco Angela 
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVE:
To describe prevalence, trends, and risk factors for catastrophic health expenditures in the year of delivery among birth parents (delivering people).

METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2008–2016. We identified newborn birth parents and a 2:1 nearest-neighbor propensity-matched control cohort of nonpregnant reproductive-aged individuals, then assessed for catastrophic health expenditures (spending greater than 10% of family income) in the delivery year. We applied survey weights to extrapolate to the noninstitutionalized U.S. population and used the adjusted Wald test for significance testing. We compared risk of catastrophic health expenditures between birth parents and the control cohort and described time trends and risk factors for catastrophic spending with subgroup comparisons.

RESULTS:
We analyzed 4,056 birth parents and 7,996 reproductive-aged females without pregnancy in a given year. Birth parents reported higher rates of unemployment (52.6% vs 46.6%, P<.001), and high rates of gaining (22.4%) and losing (25.6%) Medicaid in the delivery year. Birth parents were at higher risk of catastrophic health expenditures (excluding premiums: 9.2% vs 6.8%, odds ratio [OR] 1.95, 95% CI 1.61–2.34; including premiums: 21.3% vs 18.4%, OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.32–1.82). Birth parents living on low incomes had the highest risk of catastrophic health expenditures (18.8% vs 0.7% excluding premiums for 138% or less vs greater than 400% of the federal poverty level, relative risk [RR] 26.9; 29.8% vs 5.9% including premiums, RR 5.1). For birth parents living at low incomes, public insurance was associated with lower risks of catastrophic health expenditures than private insurance, particularly when including premium spending (incomes 138% of the federal poverty level or lower: 18.8% public vs 67.9% private, RR 0.28; incomes 139–250% of the federal poverty level: 6.5% public vs 41.1% private, RR 0.16). The risk of catastrophic spending for birth parents did not change significantly over time from before to after Affordable Care Act implementation.

CONCLUSION:
Pregnancy and delivery are associated with increased risk of catastrophic health expenditures in the delivery year. Medicaid and public coverage were more protective from high out-of-pocket costs than private insurance, particularly among low-income families.
Active surveillance in favorable intermediate risk prostate cancer: outstanding questions and controversies
Authors: Russell J. Ryan , Siddiqui M. Minhaj 
Published: March 2022

Purpose of review
Active surveillance has become the preferred management strategy for patients with low risk prostate cancer, but it is unclear if active surveillance can be safely extended to favorable intermediate risk (FIR) prostate cancer patients. Furthermore, defining a favorable intermediate risk prostate cancer population safe for active surveillance remains elusive due to paucity of high-level data in this population. This article serves to review relevant data, particularly the safety of active surveillance in grade group 2 patients, and what tools are available to aid in selecting a favorable subset of intermediate risk patients.

Recent findings
Active surveillance studies with long-term data appear to report worsened survival outcomes in intermediate risk patients when compared to those undergoing definitive treatment, but there exists a subset of intermediate risk patients with nearly equivalent outcomes to low risk patients on active surveillance. Tools such as percentage and total length of Gleason pattern 4, tumor volume, prostate specific antigen density, magnetic resonance imaging, and genomic modifiers may help to select a favorable subset of intermediate risk prostate cancer appropriate for active surveillance.

Summary
Active surveillance is a viable strategy in select patients with low volume group grade 2 (GG2) prostate cancer. Prospective and retrospective data in the FIR population appear to be mostly favorable in regards to survival outcomes, but there exists some heterogeneity with respect to long-term outcomes in this patient population.
Impact of Patient Education via WeChat on Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy
Authors: Li Peng , He Xueqian , Chen Sufeng 
Published: March 2022

Supplemental digital content is available in the text.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of education via WeChat on the quality of bowel preparation in patients undergoing colonoscopy through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Randomized controlled trials of bowel preparation education provided via WeChat for patients undergoing colonoscopy were screened from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Papers published from the date of database construction to May 1, 2021, were extracted, and a meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager software. A total of four randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that for patients undergoing colonoscopy, education via WeChat significantly improves the quality of bowel preparation for colonoscopy, reduces the insertion time, and increases the adenoma detection rate and the patient's compliance and willingness to repeat bowel preparation. In conclusion, education via WeChat before colonoscopy can significantly improve the quality of bowel preparation.