bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fatigue in Chinese Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Associated Factors and Impact on Quality of Life
Authors: An Ran , Li Cheng , Li Xin , Wu Yuan , He Xianghua , Ai Shaolong , Xu Yanming , He Chengqi 
Published: February 2022

ObjectivesFatigue was considered as a common symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Previous studies about the impact of fatigue on Quality of Life (QoL) in patients with ALS were limited and inconsistent. Besides, a systematic investigation of fatigue in Chinese patients with ALS was lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the frequency and associated factors of fatigue and impact on QoL in Chinese patients with ALS.Participants and MethodsProbable and definitive patients with ALS and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were consecutively recruited. The frequency of fatigue between both the groups was determined by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Disease severity, sleep quality, sleepiness, anxiety, depression, and QoL were evaluated in patients with ALS by the ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) and the ALS Severity Scale (ALSSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL). Then, clinical characteristics of patients with ALS with fatigue were compared with those without fatigue. Lastly, associated factors of fatigue and impact on QoL in Chinese patients with ALS were assessed.ResultsA total of 175 patients with ALS and 175 HCs were included. Fatigue was significantly more frequent in patients with ALS than in controls (32.6 vs. 17.7%, p = 0.001). Patients with ALS with fatigue scored lower on the ALSFRS-R, the ALSSS [lower extremity (LE) + upper extremity (UE)], the total ALSSS, higher in the HARS, HDRS, PSQI, ESS scores, and a poorer QoL. Daytime dysfunction and the ALSSS (LE + UE) score were associated with a higher risk of fatigue. The ALSSS (LE + UE), the FSS, age, the HARS, and the HDRS score were significantly associated with various aspects of QoL.ConclusionThis study has described fatigue in Chinese patients with ALS and finding daytime dysfunction and the lower ALSSS (LE + UE) were associated with a higher risk of fatigue. Also, we identified an inverse relationship of fatigue intensity with the psychological domain of QoL.
The Effect of Breastfeeding on Intelligence Quotient and Social Intelligence Among Seven- to Nine-Year-Old Girls: A Pilot Study
Authors: AlThuneyyan Danyah Abdullah , AlGhamdi Faten Fahad , AlZain Ragad Nasser , AlDhawyan Zainab Sami , Alhmly Haya Fahad , Purayidathil Tunny Sebastian , AlGindan Yasmin Yussuf , Abdullah Ahmed Amr 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundBreastfeeding is an optimal infant feeding method that provides adequate nutrients, achieves healthy growth and development, and enhances the health status of both infants and mothers. Breast milk contains a variety of substances that might positively affect cognition and the development of children's psychomotor abilities.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the variations in intelligence quotient (IQ), social intelligence (SI), and body mass index (BMI) among 7- to 9-year-old girls who were exclusively breastfed, exclusively bottle-fed, or mixed-fed during their first 6 months of life.MethodsThis study involved 111 healthy girls, aged 7 to 9 years, who were recruited from nine government and private schools in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices were used to measure the participants' IQs, and the Vineland Social Maturity Assessment was used to measure their SI through individual interviews. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard methods.ResultsThe breastfed group showed a greater number of above-average IQ test scores (35 vs. 23%; P = 0.479) and better SI scores (78 vs. 55%; P = 0.066) compared with the bottle-fed group. The number of girls with normal BMIs was significantly higher in the breastfed group than in the bottle-fed (68 vs. 41%; P = 0.045) or mixed-fed groups.ConclusionExclusively breastfed girls had higher IQ and SI results compared with bottle-fed girls. However, unlike the BMI differences, these results were not statistically significant. This study provides fundamental observational data and can be further modified for use on a larger national-scale level.
Combined Effect of Inflammation and Hyperglycemia on Mild Cognitive Impairment and Associated Dietary Patterns in an Older Taiwanese Population
Authors: Fan Yen-Chun , Chou Chia-Chi , Bintoro Bagas Suryo , Pan Wen-Harn , Bai Chyi-Huey 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated that C-reactive protein (CRP) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels are independently associated with neurodegenerative diseases, which can be improved by altering dietary patterns. This study investigates the combined effect of CRP and HbA1c, as well as the influence of dietary patterns, on the risk of dementia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 536 participants aged ≥65 years who were recruited from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan between 2014 and 2016. The high levels of inflammation and glycation were defined as a CRP level of &gt;0.21 mg/dl and a HbA1c level of ≥6.50%, respectively. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. The dietary patterns associated with CRP and HbA1c levels were assessed using the reduced rank regression (RRR). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of both complete and imputed datasets was performed.ResultsParticipants with high levels of both CRP and HbA1c were associated with the highest odds ratio (OR) of MCI (adjusted OR [aOR] = 3.52; 95% CI = 3.48, 3.56; p &lt; 0.001), followed by a high level of only HbA1c (aOR = 1.73; p &lt; 0.001) and a high level of CRP (aOR = 1.49; p &lt; 0.001). Using the reduced rank regression, an inverse relationship between higher consumption nuts and seeds and lower levels of CRP and HbA1c was found (both factors loading &lt; −0.2). Concerning the combined effect of tertiles among the factor 1 and factor 2 analyzed by dietary patterns, group 1 with both T3 (high tertiles) was associated with the greatest OR of MCI (aOR = 4.38; 95% CI = 4.34, 4.42; p &lt; 0.001) using multiple imputation.ConclusionsThe combined effect of high levels of inflammation and hyperglycemia was associated with an increased likelihood of MCI. Moreover, dietary patterns positively related to inflammation and hyperglycemia were associated with MCI, while eating nuts and seeds promoted better cognition.
Ciclopirox Olamine Exerts Tumor-Suppressor Effects via Topoisomerase II Alpha in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yin Jie , Che Gang , Jiang Kan , Zhou Ziyang , Wu Lingyun , Xu Mengyou , Liu Jian , Yan Senxiang 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundGlobally, lung cancer is one of the most malignant tumors, of which lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common subtype, with a particularly poor prognosis. Ciclopirox olamine (CPX) is an antifungal drug and was recently identified as a potential antitumor agent. However, how CPX and its mechanism of action function during LUAD remain unclear.MethodsThe effects of CPX on cell proliferation, cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and apoptosis were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, colony formation, western blotting, flow cytometry assays, and immunohistochemistry. Global gene expression levels were compared between control and CPX-treated LUAD cells. A LUAD xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate the potential in vivo effects of CPX.ResultsWe observed that CPX displayed strong antitumorigenic properties in LUAD cells, inhibited LUAD proliferation, induced ROS production, caused DNA damage, and activated the ATR-CHK1-P53 pathway. Topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) is overexpressed in LUAD and associated with a poor prognosis. By analyzing differentially expressed genes (DEGs), TOP2A was significantly down-regulated in CPX-treated LUAD cells. Furthermore, CPX treatment substantially inhibited in vivo LUAD xenograft growth without toxicity or side effects to the hematological system and internal organs.ConclusionsCollectively, for the first time, we showed that CPX exerted tumor-suppressor effects in LUAD via TOP2A, suggesting CPX could potentially function as a promising chemotherapeutic for LUAD treatment.
Ethnobotanical Survey on Bitter Tea in Taiwan
Authors: Chao Jung , Chen Ting-Yang , Pao Li-Heng , Deng Jeng-Shyan , Cheng Yung-Chi , Su Shan-Yu , Huang Shyh-Shyun 
Published: February 2022

Ethnopharmacological evidence: In Taiwan, herbal tea is considered a traditional medicine and has been consumed for hundreds of years. In contrast to regular tea, herbal teas are prepared using plants other than the regular tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze. Bitter tea (kǔ-chá), a series of herbal teas prepared in response to common diseases in Taiwan, is often made from local Taiwanese plants. However, the raw materials and formulations have been kept secret and verbally passed down by store owners across generations without a fixed recipe, and the constituent plant materials have not been disclosed.Aim of the study: The aim was to determine the herbal composition of bitter tea sold in Taiwan, which can facilitate further studies on pharmacological applications and conserve cultural resources.Materials and methods: Interviews were conducted through a semi-structured questionnaire. The surveyed respondents were traditional sellers of traditional herbal tea. The relevant literature was collated for a systematic analysis of the composition, characteristics, and traditional and modern applications of the plant materials used in bitter tea. We also conducted an association analysis of the composition of Taiwanese bitter tea with green herb tea (qing-cao-cha tea), another commonly consumed herbal tea in Taiwan, as well as herbal teas in neighboring areas outside Taiwan.Results: After visiting a total of 59 stores, we identified 32 bitter tea formulations and 73 plant materials. Asteraceae was the most commonly used family, and most stores used whole plants. According to a network analysis of nine plant materials used in high frequency as drug pairs, Tithonia diversifolia and Ajuga nipponensis were found to be the core plant materials used in Taiwanese bitter tea.Conclusion: Plant materials used in Taiwanese bitter tea were distinct, with multiple therapeutic functions. Further research is required to clarify their efficacy and mechanisms.
Hengli® Chinese Botulinum Toxin Type A for Treatment of Patients With Overactive Bladder: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Liao Limin , Liu Qinggang , Cong Huiling , Xu Zhihui , Li Enhui , Weng Zhiliang , Jiang Haihong , Liu Ben , Huang Xiao , Xia Shujie , Wen Wei , Wu Juan , Shi Guowei , Wang Yang , Li Peijun , Yu Yang , Fang Zujun , Zheng Jie , Tian Ye , Shang Donghao , Li Hanzhong , Huang Zhongming , Zhou Liqun , Xiao Yunxiang , Zhang Yaoguang , Wang Jianlong , Zhang Xiaodong , Zhang Peng , Wang Dongwen , Zhang Xuhui , Xie Keji , Wang Bin , Ma Lulin , Tian Xiaojun , Chen Lijun , Dong Jinkai 
Published: February 2022

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Hengli® Chinese botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A; 100 U) in Chinese patients with overactive bladder.Methods: This study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Chinese patients who were inadequately managed with anticholinergic medications. Eligible patients were randomized 2:1 to receive intradetrusor injections of Hengli® BTX-A (n = 144) or placebo (n = 72). The primary endpoint was the change in the number of daily micturition episodes at week 6 from baseline. The secondary efficacy endpoints included the average frequency of urgency and urinary incontinence (UI) episodes per day, urgency score, average micturition volume per day, OABSS, and QoL score.Results: In the Hengli® BTX-A group, there was a significantly greater reduction in the average number of micturition episodes per 24 h compared with the placebo group (3.28 vs. 1.43; p = 0.003). Moreover, there was a significantly greater improvement in the daily number of urgency episodes, micturition volume and OABSS score. An increased post-void residual urine volume, dysuria, and urinary tract infection represented adverse events (AEs) in the Hengli® BTX-A group. Most AEs were mild or moderate in severity. One patient in the BTX-A group initiated clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) during treatment.Conclusion: Hengli® BTX-A treatment was well-tolerated and resulted in significant improvements in OAB symptoms among Chinese patients inadequately managed by anticholinergics.Clinical Trial Registration:http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/clinicaltrials.prosearch.dhtml, Identifier: CTR20131190.
The Impact of a National Stewardship Policy on the Usage Patterns of Key Monitoring Drugs in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Authors: Li Haiyan , McIver David J. , Ji Wenjing , Du Jiaxi , Zhao Hang , Jia Xiaoni , Zhai Yuyao , Xue Xiaorong 
Published: February 2022

Background: The management of Key Monitoring Drugs has become one of important aspects to control the growth of pharmaceutical expenditures in China. The first batch of the China National Key Monitoring Drugs (NKMDs) policy was released in July 2019. However, little is known about the impact of the national stewardship on the trends of NKMDs prescribing practice in hospitals, especially in the Northwestern China.Methods: We collected 8-years of monthly NKMDs usage data from a tertiary hospital between 2014 and 2021. A segmented regression model of interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was used to evaluate the Defined Daily Doses (DDDs) and spending trends of ten NMKDs in the hospital throughout the study period. The pre-implementation period was from January 2014 to November 2019 and the post-implementation period was from December 2019 to June 2021.Results: Prior to the implementation of the NKMDs policy, there was an increasing trend both in DDDs and spending for 8 of 10 NKMDs. The interventions managed by clinical pharmacists after the implementation of the national stewardship policy led to a significant decreasing trend of DDDs in the 19 months following implementation, of 430 fewer DDDs per month in total, compared to the pre-implementation period (p &lt; 0.001). A similar decrease in spending was seen in the post-implementation period, with a trend of $4,682 less total spending on medications in those months compared to the pre-implementation trend (p = 0.003). There was a significant decrease in both monthly DDDs and spending for 6 of the 10 medications in the post-implementation period, while there was a significant increased trend both in monthly DDDs and spending on 1 medication in that period.Conclusion: Using ITS analysis, the total DDDs and spending on 10 NKMDs in this hospital indicated sustained reductions over 19 months after multidimensional interventions under the implementation of the national policy guidance. The national stewardship policy could therefore be considered an effective strategy. Additional comprehensive policies should be introduced to further improve the rational use of NKMDs.
Chemo-Mechanical Factors That Limit Cellular Force Generation
Authors: Vazquez-Hidalgo Esteban , Farris Carly M. , Rowat Amy C. , Katira Parag 
Published: February 2022

Cellular traction forces that are dependent on actin-myosin activity are necessary for numerous developmental and physiological processes. As traction force emerges as a promising cancer biomarker there is a growing need to understand force generation in response to chemical and mechanical cues. Our goal is to present a unified modeling framework that integrates actin-myosin activity, substrate stiffness, integrin bond type, and adhesion complex dynamics to explain how force develops under specific conditions. Our simulation results show that substrate stiffness and number of myosin motors contribute to the maximum actin-myosin forces that can be generated but do not solely control the force transmitted by the cells to the surface, i.e., the traction force. The kinetics of the bonds between the cell and the substrate plays an equally important role. Overall, we find that while the cell can generate large actin-myosin forces in individual stress fibers (> 300 pN), the maximum force transmitted to the surface per cell-substrate attachment only reaches a fraction of these values (approx. 50 pN). Traction stress, the sum of forces transferred by all cell-substrate attachments in a unit area, is biphasic or sigmoidal with increasing substrate stiffness depending on the number of active myosin motors generating forces. Finally, we conclude that adhesions < 1 μm2 generate widely variable traction forces and that impulse, the magnitude and duration of a force generating event, is a key limiting factor in traction stress.
Is the Duration of Diabetes Diseases Positively Associated With Knowledge About Diabetic Complications? Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus Complications and Associated Factors Among Type-2 Diabetic Patients in Public Hospitals of Addis Ababa, 2020
Authors: Chekol Getachew Zewdu , Mengistu Daniel , Tadesse Addisu Waleligne 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundAlthough the importance of educational programs in the prevention and control of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complication is well-recognized, there are concerns about whether these programs are achieving the desired goal of increasing knowledge of DM and its complication in developing countries. Therefore, this study assessed knowledge of DM complications and associated factors among type-2 diabetic patients in public hospitals of Addis Ababa.MethodSimple random sampling technique was used to select 422 participants. Data were entered to EpiData Version 4.6.0.1 and analyzed using SPSS Version 25 software. Multicollinearity and model goodness-of-fit was checked. A multivariate logistic regression model at 95% CI was used to identify the predictors.ResultThe overall knowledge of diabetes complications among diabetic patients in the Hospitals of Addis Ababa was 54.9%. In the fitted model, being a profession of governmental workers [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.12, 95% CI (1.33, 7.34)] and merchants [AOR = 2.54, 95% CI (1.16, 5.56)]; DM duration 5–10 years [AOR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.23, 0.73)] and ≥10 years [AOR = 0.36, 95% CI (0.19, 0.69)]; family history of DM [AOR = 1.68, 95% CI (1.03, 2.75)]; and participating in diabetic counseling [AOR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.50, 3.86)] were significantly associated with knowledge about DM complications.Conclusion and RecommendationThe overall knowledge of diabetes complications among diabetic patients in the Hospitals of Addis Ababa was 54.9%. It was determined by the duration of DM, current profession, family history, and participation in diabetes counseling. Hence, emphasis on sustaining knowledge about diabetes complications for patients who are more than 5 years since diagnosis and attention is needed about knowledge diabetic farmers.
Association Between Health Literacy and Work Ability in Employees With Health-Related Risk Factors: A Structural Model
Authors: Gernert Madeleine , Stassen Gerrit , Schaller Andrea 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionIn workplace health promotion (WHP), health literacy and work ability are considered as outcomes of high interest. Therefore, the question arises as to what extent individual health literacy skills have an impact on work ability alongside sociodemographic influences.ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the associations between a structural model of health literacy as well as sociodemographic context factors and the work ability among employees with health-related risk factors.Materials and MethodsThe study was based on baseline data of a workplace-related intervention (158 employees with health-related risk factors, 53.8% women, 48 ± 10 years). Health literacy skills were assessed with Lenartz's Questionnaire (measuring “self-perception”, “proactive approach to health”, “dealing with health information”, “self-control”, “self-regulation”, and “communication and cooperation”). Work ability was measured by the German Short Form of the Work Ability Index (WAI). As sociodemographic context factors, sex, age, and educational level were assessed. The associations were examined using structural equation modeling with partial least squares (SmartPLS 2.0.M3). Common quality criteria were applied and significance level was set at α = 5%.ResultsModel's reliability, validity, and structure could be validated. Regarding the impact on work ability, “self-regulation” showed a statistically significant direct effect (ß = 0.32, t(∞) = 4.00, p &lt; 0.01, f2 = 0.09) and “self-perception” had a significant indirect effect (ß = 0.13, t(∞) = 2.53, p &lt; 0.05). The only additional association with work ability was found for age (ß = −0.25, t(∞) = 3.82, p &lt; 0.01, f2 = 0.04). The WAI score variance was explained to 17.5% by the health literacy skills and to 27.5% considering the additional sociodemographic context factors.ConclusionAccording to the structural model of health literacy, in employees with health-related risk factors, a target group-specific WHP approach could be the encouragement of self-regulation and self-perception. However, additional resources and conditions influencing work ability should be considered.
Study of Sawing Parameters for Caragana korshinskii (C.K.) Branches
Authors: Gao Yaoyao , Wang Yutong , Qu Aili , Kan Jiangming , Kang Feng , Wang Yutan 
Published: February 2022

To solve the problems of poor sawing surface quality, severe blade wear and high power consumption caused by unreasonable working parameters in the process of Caragana korshinskii (C.K.) stumping, this study explored the effects of branch diameter (D), sawing speed (vc), feeding speed (vf), cutting inclination (α), number of circular saw teeth (T) and moisture content (M) on sawing power consumption (P) and sawing surface quality (A) through a single-factor test using a homemade branch sawing bench. Based on the Box–Behnken design principle, a multi-factor test was carried out based on a single-factor test with vc, vf, α and T as influencing factors and with P and A as targets, establishing a regression model. The test results show that the sawing power consumption (P) increases with increasing D, decreases with increasing M, and decreases first and then increases with increasing vc, vf, α and T; the sawing surface quality (A) increases first and then decreases with increasing D, increases with increasing M, and first increases and then decreases with increasing vc, vf, α and T. The optimum combination of parameters for the regression model was obtained with vc of 45.24 m/s, vf of 0.34 m/s, α of 10° and T of 100, which resulted in the P of 177.46 J and A of 85.87%. The errors between the predicted and actual values of P and A are 3.1% and 6%, respectively. The study can provide information to support the development of subsequent C.K. stubble equipment.