bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
C-type Natriuretic Peptide–induced PKA Activation Promotes Endochondral Bone Formation in Hypertrophic Chondrocytes
Authors: Hirota Keisho , Hirashima Tsuyoshi , Horikawa Kazuki , Yasoda Akihiro , Matsuda Michiyuki 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Longitudinal bone growth is achieved by a tightly controlled process termed endochondral bone formation. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) stimulates endochondral bone formation through binding to its specific receptor, guanylyl cyclase (GC)-B. However, CNP/GC-B signaling dynamics in different stages of endochondral bone formation have not been fully clarified, especially in terms of the interaction between the cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathways. Here, we demonstrated that CNP activates the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and that this activation contributed to the elongation of the hypertrophic zone in the growth plate. Cells of the chondrogenic line ATDC5 were transfected with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)–based cGMP and PKA biosensors. Dual-FRET imaging revealed that CNP increased intracellular cGMP levels and PKA activities in chondrocytes. Further, CNP-induced PKA activation was enhanced following differentiation of ATDC5 cells. Live imaging of the fetal growth plate of transgenic mice, expressing a FRET biosensor for PKA, PKAchu mice, showed that CNP predominantly activates the PKA in the hypertrophic chondrocytes. Additionally, histological analysis of the growth plate of PKAchu mice demonstrated that CNP increased the length of the growth plate, but coadministration of a PKA inhibitor, H89, inhibited the growth-promoting effect of CNP only in the hypertrophic zone. In summary, we revealed that CNP-induced cGMP elevation activated the cAMP/PKA pathway, and clarified that this PKA activation contributed to the bone growth–promoting effect of CNP in hypertrophic chondrocytes. These results provide insights regarding the cross-talk between cGMP and cAMP signaling in endochondral bone formation and in the physiological role of the CNP/GC-B system.
A Clinical Update on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Sweeting Arianne , Wong Jencia , Murphy Helen R , Ross Glynis P 
Published: January 2022

AbstractGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) traditionally refers to abnormal glucose tolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. GDM has long been associated with obstetric and neonatal complications primarily relating to higher infant birthweight and is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for future maternal and offspring cardiometabolic disease. The prevalence of GDM continues to rise internationally due to epidemiological factors including the increase in background rates of obesity in women of reproductive age and rising maternal age and the implementation of the revised International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups’ criteria and diagnostic procedures for GDM. The current lack of international consensus for the diagnosis of GDM reflects its complex historical evolution and pragmatic antenatal resource considerations given GDM is now 1 of the most common complications of pregnancy. Regardless, the contemporary clinical approach to GDM should be informed not only by its short-term complications but also by its longer term prognosis. Recent data demonstrate the effect of early in utero exposure to maternal hyperglycemia, with evidence for fetal overgrowth present prior to the traditional diagnosis of GDM from 24 weeks’ gestation, as well as the durable adverse impact of maternal hyperglycemia on child and adolescent metabolism. The major contribution of GDM to the global epidemic of intergenerational cardiometabolic disease highlights the importance of identifying GDM as an early risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, broadening the prevailing clinical approach to address longer term maternal and offspring complications following a diagnosis of GDM.
Modeling Age Patterns of Under-5 Mortality: Results From a Log-Quadratic Model Applied to High-Quality Vital Registration Data
Authors: Guillot Michel , Romero Prieto Julio , Verhulst Andrea , Gerland Patrick 
Published: January 2022

AbstractInformation about how the risk of death varies with age within the 0–5 age range represents critical evidence for guiding health policy. This study proposes a new model for summarizing regularities about how under-5 mortality is distributed by detailed age. The model is based on a newly compiled database that contains under-5 mortality information by detailed age in countries with high-quality vital registration systems, covering a wide array of mortality levels and patterns. It uses a log-quadratic approach in predicting a full mortality schedule between ages 0 and 5 on the basis of only one or two parameters. With its larger number of age-groups, the proposed model offers greater flexibility than existing models in terms of both entry parameters and model outcomes. We present applications of this model for evaluating and correcting under-5 mortality information by detailed age in countries with problematic mortality data.
Do Pregnancy Intentions Matter? A Research Note Revisiting Relationships Among Pregnancy, Birth, and Maternal Outcomes
Authors: Mark Nicholas D. E. , Cowan Sarah K. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The prevention of unplanned or unintended pregnancies continues to be a cornerstone of U.S. reproductive health policy, but the evidence that such pregnancies cause adverse maternal and child outcomes is limited. In this research note, we examine these relationships using recent large-scale data and inverse propensity weights estimated from generalized boosted models. We find that pregnancy timing is related to maternal experience during pregnancy, but not to infant outcomes at birth—both of which are consistent with prior research. In an addition to the literature, we show that pregnancy timing is relevant for a number of maternal outcomes, such as the onset of depression and intimate partner violence, changes in smoking behavior, and receipt of medical care. These findings suggest that policy intended to improve infant welfare by preventing unintended pregnancies has little empirical support, but that policy focused on increasing reproductive autonomy and maternal well-being has the potential to improve outcomes.
Understanding the Natural History of Postoperative Pain and Patient-Reported Opioid Consumption After Elective Spine and Nerve Surgeries With an Automated Text Messaging System
Authors: Punchak Maria A. , Agarwal Anish K. , Joshi Disha , Xiong Ruiying , Malhotra Neil R. , Marcotte Paul J. , Ozturk Ali , Petrov Dmitriy , Schuster James , Welch William , Delgado M. Kit , Ali Zarina 
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND:
There is a gap in understanding how to ensure opioid stewardship while managing postoperative neurosurgical pain.

OBJECTIVE:
To describe self-reported opioid consumption and pain intensity after common neurosurgery procedures gathered using an automated text messaging system.

METHODS:
A prospective, observational study was performed at a large, urban academic health system in Pennsylvania. Adult patients (≥ 18 years), who underwent surgeries between October 2019 and May 2020, were consented. Data on postoperative pain intensity and patient-reported opioid consumption were collected prospectively for 3 months. We analyzed the association between the quantity of opioids prescribed and consumed.

RESULTS:
A total of 517 patients were enrolled. The median pain intensity at discharge was 5 out of a maximum of pain score of 10 and was highest after thoracolumbar fusion (median: 6, interquartile range [IQR]: 4-7). During the follow-up period, patients were prescribed a median of 40 tablets of 5-mg oxycodone equivalent pills (IQR: 28-40) and reported taking a median of 28 tablet equivalents (IQR: 17-40). Responders who were opioid-naive vs opioid-tolerant took a similar median number of opioid pills postoperatively (28 [IQR: 17-40] vs 27.5 [17.5-40], respectively). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the quantity of opioids prescribed and used during the 3-month follow-up (Pearson R = 0.85, 95% CI [0.80-0.89], P < .001). The correlation was stronger among patients who were discharged to a higher level of care.

CONCLUSION:
Using real-time, patient-centered pain assessment and opioid consumption data will allow for the development of evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines after spinal and nerve surgery.
Clinical Relevance of the Tumor Location-Modified Laurén Classification System for Gastric Cancer in a Western Population
Authors: Moore J. L. , Davies A. R. , Santaolalla A. , Van Hemelrijck M. , Maisey N. , Lagergren J. , Gossage J. A. , Kelly M. , Baker C. R. ,   on behalf of the Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Esophago-gastric Research Group, Jacques A. , Griffin N. , Goh V. , Ngan S. , Lumsden A. , Owczarczyk K. , Qureshi A. , Deere H. , Green M. , Chang F. , Mahadeva U. , Gill-Barman B. , George S. , Meenan J. , Hill M. , Waters J. , Cominos M. , Hynes O. , Tham G. , Bott R. K. , Dunn J. M. , Zeki S. S. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
The Tumor Location-Modified Laurén Classification (MLC) system combines Laurén histologic subtype and anatomic tumor location. It divides gastric tumors into proximal non-diffuse (PND), distal non-diffuse (DND), and diffuse (D) types. The optimum classification of patients with Laurén mixed tumors in this system is not clear due to its grouping with both diffuse and non-diffuse types in previous studies. The clinical relevance of the MLC in a Western population has not been examined.

Methods
A cohort study investigated 404 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2005 and 2020. The classification of Laurén mixed tumors was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and comparison of clinicopathologic characteristics (chi-square). Survival analysis was performed using multivariable Cox regression.

Results
The ROC curve analysis demonstrated a slightly higher area under the curve value for predicting survival when Laurén mixed tumors were grouped with intestinal-type rather than diffuse-type tumors (0.58 vs 0.57). Survival, tumor recurrence, and resection margin positivity in mixed tumors also was more similar to intestinal type. Distal non-diffuse tumors had the best 5-year survival (DND 64.7 % vs PND 56.1 % vs diffuse 45.1 %; p = 0.006) and were least likely to have recurrence (DND 27.0 % vs PND 34.3 % vs diffuse 48.3 %; p = 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that MLC was an independent prognostic factor for survival (PND: hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.16–2.32 vs diffuse: HR, 2.20; 95 % CI, 1.56–3.09)

Conclusions
The MLC was an independent prognostic marker in this Western cohort of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. The patients with PND and D tumors had worse survival than those with DND tumors.
Frequency of hearing loss among medical students using electroacoustic device
Authors: Asghar Saba , Khan Hurtamina , Parveen Saima , Rafi SM Tariq 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To determine frequency of hearing loss among medical students using electroacoustic devices like hands free, headphone etc. through Pure Tone Audiometry.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among students at JSMU from December 2019 till February 2020. Ethical approval was obtained against Ref: JSMU/IRB/2019/-215. Calculated sample size was 194. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was employed. Students were invited to ENT OPD JPMC, Karachi. After informed consent, sociodemographic and electroacoustic device usage history was recorded. PTA was performed at octave frequencies for air (0.25-8kHz) and bone conduction (0.5kHz-4kHz). WHO grading of hearing impairment was used. Statistical analyses carried through IBM SPSS. Chi square test, Fischer exact test and independent t test were applied at 95% CI and p value <0.05 as statistical significance.
Results: Out of 246 students, 221 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Male to female ratio was 1:3. Mean age was 21 years (S.D: ±0.927). 96.4% were regularly using electroacoustic devices. 47.9% reported their use over five years. Insert type earbuds (73.8%) were the most preferred. Smartphone being the most common source (90%). Upon PTA, one third of medical students demonstrated sensorineural hearing loss at 0.25kHz and 0.5kHz. 9.5% reported associated tinnitus. Daily listening duration exceeded one hour among 78.8% while 26.4% practiced high volume setting. Males’ average listening duration exceeded that of females (p=0.013). However, their mean audiometric thresholds did not vary significantly.
Conclusions: Mild sensorineural hearing loss was detected among one third of participants using personal listening devices. Precautions should be practiced while using these devices.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4927
How to cite this:Asghar S, Khan H, Parveen S, Rafi SMT. Frequency of hearing loss among medical students using electroacoustic device. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4927
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
ContactJ: Lipid droplets-mitochondria contacts characterization through fluorescence microscopy and image analysis
Authors: Martín Gemma , Bosch Marta , Coll Elisenda , Parton Robert G. , Pol Albert , Calvo Maria 
Published: January 2022

Lipid droplets (LDs) are the major lipid storage organelles of eukaryotic cells and together with mitochondria key regulators of cell bioenergetics. LDs communicate with mitochondria and other organelles forming “metabolic synapse” contacts to ensure that lipid supply occurs where and when necessary. Although transmission electron microscopy analysis allows an accurate and precise analysis of contacts, the characterization of a large number of cells and conditions can become a long-term process. In order to extend contact analysis to hundreds of cells and multiple conditions, we have combined confocal fluorescence microscopy with advanced image analysis methods. In this work, we have developed the ImageJ macro script ContactJ, a novel and straight image analysis method to identify and quantify contacts between LD and mitochondria in fluorescence microscopy images allowing the automatic analysis. This image analysis workflow combines colocalization and skeletonization methods, enabling the quantification of LD-mitochondria contacts together with a complete characterization of organelles and cellular parameters. The correlation and normalization of these parameters contribute to the complex description of cell behavior under different experimental energetic states. ContactJ is available here: https://github.com/UB-BioMedMicroscopy/ContactJ/tree/1.0
Fractionation of Averrhoa bilimbi hexane extract corresponding to brown adipocytes stimulation
Authors: Hamzah Mohamad Faiz , Amanah Azimah , Lau Wai Kwan 
Published: January 2022

Averrhoa bilimbi is a fast-growing tree widely found in countries of tropical Asia. Due to easy accessibility and traditional knowledge, various parts of this plant are adopted as folk medicine and a natural health remedy. Recently, beneficial effects of bilimbi in combating obesity including its potential antihyperlipidemic and hypoglycemic activities have been discovered. This paper reports the successive extraction, partitioning and fractionation of bioactive compounds from the leaf of bilimbi that corresponds to brown adipocyte activation. In this study, the bilimbi crude ethanolic extract underwent bioassay-guided partitioning with increading polarity namely n-hexane (n-Hex), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH) and aqueous (H2O). The n-hexane partition extract exhibited highest brown adipogenesis potential via adipomyocytes differentiation. Further fractionation of this active partition extract yielded 10 fractions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS was used to analyse the chemical constituents of active fractions.
Measuring the motives of informal entrepreneurs
Authors: Othman Noor Shahaliza , Marthandan Govindan , Ab Aziz Kamarulzaman 
Published: January 2022

Background - Handling non-observed activities pose major challenges to the governments and other stakeholders. Non-observed activities refer to underground activities, illegal activities, informal sector and any other activities that result in goods or services consumed by the household. The impact of these non-observed activities shows that the volume of people involved in the informal sector will rapidly increase. Informal economic activities are technically illegal yet are not intended as antisocial, thereby remaining acceptable to many individuals within the society. This research aimed to identify the factors that lead to entrepreneurial necessity and opportunity. Methods – The data of 51 respondents who were employed as informal entrepreneurs in Klang Valley areas in Malaysia was collected with the use of a questionnaire and convenient and proportionate sampling techniques. The data were analysed using SPSS software. Results – The two primary drivers of informal entrepreneurial activity were necessity and opportunity. The inability to find a formal job was an example of being driven by necessity. Meanwhile, individuals that are driven by opportunity chose to work independently in these informal sectors. Between necessity and engagement, refinement acted as a mediator. Often, necessity and opportunity do not automatically translate into successful entrepreneurship; further refinement is required in terms of market potential, technology usage, location preferences, and capital requirements. Improved refinement results in increased entrepreneurial engagement. Conclusions - The role and contribution of the informal sector entrepreneurship in economic development need to be evaluated and not just observed as an opportunity for individuals who choose this type of career. Therefore, further research is required in a wider variety of contexts to evaluate whether the same remains true in different populations. The results of this study can be useful for the government to set policies to encourage the transition of informal to formal entrepreneurships in Malaysia.
BASiCS workflow: a step-by-step analysis of expression variability using single cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: O'Callaghan Alan , Eling Nils , Marioni John C. , Vallejos Catalina A. 
Published: January 2022

Cell-to-cell gene expression variability is an inherent feature of complex biological systems, such as immunity and development. Single-cell RNA sequencing is a powerful tool to quantify this heterogeneity, but it is prone to strong technical noise. In this article, we describe a step-by-step computational workflow that uses the BASiCS Bioconductor package to robustly quantify expression variability within and between known groups of cells (such as experimental conditions or cell types). BASiCS uses an integrated framework for data normalisation, technical noise quantification and downstream analyses, propagating statistical uncertainty across these steps. Within a single seemingly homogeneous cell population, BASiCS can identify highly variable genes that exhibit strong heterogeneity as well as lowly variable genes with stable expression. BASiCS also uses a probabilistic decision rule to identify changes in expression variability between cell populations, whilst avoiding confounding effects related to differences in technical noise or in overall abundance. Using a publicly available dataset, we guide users through a complete pipeline that includes preliminary steps for quality control, as well as data exploration using the scater and scran Bioconductor packages. The workflow is accompanied by a Docker image that ensures the reproducibility of our results.
Enhancing the implementation of the Making Every Contact Count brief behavioural intervention programme in Ireland: protocol for the Making MECC Work research programme
Authors: Meade Oonagh , O'Brien Maria , Mc Sharry Jenny , Lawless Agatha , Coughlan Sandra , Hart Jo , Hayes Catherine , Keyworth Chris , Lavoie Kim L , Murphy Andrew W , Murphy Patrick , Noone Chris , O'Reilly Orlaith ,   Health Psychology Public Advisory Panel, Byrne Molly 
Published: January 2022

Background: Brief behavioural interventions offered by healthcare professionals to target health behavioural risk factors (e.g. physical activity, diet, smoking and drug and alcohol use) can positively impact patient health outcomes. The Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Programme supports healthcare professionals to offer patients brief opportunistic behavioural interventions during routine consultations. The potential for MECC to impact public health depends on its uptake and implementation. Aim: This protocol outlines the ‘Making MECC Work’ research programme, a HSE/Health Behaviour Change Research Group collaboration to develop an implementation strategy to optimise uptake of MECC in Ireland. The programme will answer three research questions: (1) What determines delivery of MECC brief interventions by healthcare professionals at individual and organisational levels? (2) What are patient attitudes towards, and experiences of, receiving MECC interventions from healthcare professionals? (3) What evidence-informed implementation strategy options can be consensually developed with key stakeholders to optimise MECC implementation? Methods: In Work Package 1, we will examine determinants of MECC delivery by healthcare professionals using a multi-methods approach, including: (WP1.1) a national survey of healthcare professionals who have participated in MECC eLearning training and (WP1.2) a qualitative interview study with relevant healthcare professionals and HSE staff. In Work Package 2, we will examine patient attitudes towards, and experiences of, MECC using qualitative interviews. Work Package 3 will combine findings from Work Packages 1 and 2 using the Behaviour Change Wheel to identify and develop testable implementation strategy options (WP 3.1). Strategies will be refined and prioritised using a key stakeholder consensus process to develop a collaborative implementation blueprint to optimise and scale-up MECC (WP3.2). Discussion: Research programme outputs are expected to positively support the integration of MECC brief behaviour change interventions into the Irish healthcare system and inform the scale-up of behaviour change interventions internationally.