bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Somatic mutations show no clear association with red blood cell or human leukocyte antigen alloimmunization in de novo or therapy‐related myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Adkins Brian D. , Mehta Ajay , Selesky Margaret , Vittitow Stephany , Smolkin Mark E. , Ratcliffe Sarah J. , Luckey Chance J. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundMyelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a marrow failure disease. As patients often require chronic transfusion, many develop red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization or immune‐mediated platelet refractoriness. MDS represents a spectrum of diseases with specific categorizations and genetic abnormalities, and we set out to determine if these characteristics predispose patients to antibody formation.Study Design and MethodsA natural language search identified MDS patients with pre‐transfusion testing from 2015 to 2020. Marrow reports, cytogenetic results, and next‐generation sequencing panels were gathered. Transfusion history and testing were collected from the laboratory information system.ResultsThe group consisted of 226 biopsy‐proven MDS patients. The prevalence of RBC alloimmunization was 11.1% (25 of 226). Half (23 of 46) of all RBC alloantibodies were against Rh (C, c, E, e) and Kell (K) antigens. There was a relative enrichment for JAK2 positivity among the RBC alloimmunized group. A total of 7.1% (16 of 226) of patients had immune‐mediated platelet refractoriness and had increased transfusion requirements (p ≤ 0.01). No disease type or genetic abnormality was significantly associated with alloimmunization or immune‐mediated platelet refractoriness.DiscussionWhile JAK2 specific mutations were enriched among RBC alloimmunized patients, this association failed to reach statistical significance in our single‐center cohort. Further study using larger patient cohorts is warranted. Overall, this cohort of MDS patients had very similar RBC alloimmunization prevalence and anti‐RBC antibody specificities as other recent literature. Our data reinforce the finding that MDS patients are at greater risk for alloimmunization and support the use of extended phenotype matching for these at‐risk patients.
Physical Activity Measured by Pedometer in a Peri-Urban Mozambican Population
Authors: Macicame Ivalda , Katzmarzyk Peter T. , Lauchande Carlos , Uate Jorge , Cavele Nílzio , Manhiça Cremildo , Saathoff Elmar , Parhofer Klaus G. , Prista António 
Published: October 2022

Aim: This study was performed to describe physical activity behavior and its demographic associations in a peri-urban population from Mozambique, using device-based data. Methods: Physical activity was assessed by pedometers in a sample of 15- to 64-year-old subjects from Maputo, Mozambique. Participants wore a pedometer for 7 consecutive days, and physical inactivity was classified using a variety of approaches: sedentary (<5000 steps/d), physically inactive (<7500 steps/d), and no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA < 1 min/d). Results: The percentage of sedentary subjects was 17.8%, and the percentage who were physically inactive was 41.8%. A total of 9.0% of participants participated in no MVPA (<1 min/d). Logistic regression analysis showed that females had a higher odds of being sedentary or inactive and having no MVPA compared with males. Unemployed participants were more sedentary and inactive than those who were employed. Socioeconomic status and body mass index did not show any significant association with physical activity. Conclusions: Findings suggest that physical activity levels of this peri-urban African city population are insufficient relative to the amount of activity recommended to improve health. Moreover, being sedentary and inactive was associated with occupation and gender but not with other sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index.
One-Dimensional Inverse Problem of Passive Acoustic Thermometry Using the Heat Conductivity Equation: Computer and Physical Simulation
Authors: Anosov A. A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAn algorithm for reconstructing the time-varying one-dimensional distribution of the deep temperature of the human body under local heating is proposed and experimentally tested on a model. The algorithm requires that the temperature obey the heat conduction equation, the integration of which with a weight that takes into account absorption in the object, makes it possible to obtain the time dependence of the acoustic brightness temperature (measured signal), which in turn is determined by the parameters of the equation. The desired temperature is obtained by solving the heat conduction equation with the found parameters. The algorithm reconstructs two parameters: blood flow and the amplitude of the heating source, which are not determined each time anew, but only refined. In this case, the integration time increases, but the temporal resolution does not suffer: new results can be obtained after any period of time. After 2 min of heating, it is possible to reconstruct the temperature and size of the heated region with an accuracy acceptable for medical applications: 0.5°C and 0.5 mm, respectively.
Evaluations of the Annoyance Effects of Noise
Authors: Rimskaya-Korsakova L. K. , Pyatakov P. A. , Shulyapov S. A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractNoise is defined as audible sound that disrupts silence and causes annoyance. Such annoyance is traditionally assessed by the A-weighted sound pressure level of noise, roughly corresponding to the level of perceived loudness. However, the A-weighted scale is inapplicable for analyzing tonal, pulsed, and predominantly low-frequency noise; therefore, methods have been developed for calculating noise loudness in linear units, sones, which take into account not only auditory sensitivity, but also masking properties and auditory temporal effects. The existence of noise reduction limits and their informational significance have led to other methods for assessing noise annoyance. Annoyance, in addition to loudness, is caused by such subjective noise qualities as sharpness, roughness, fluctuation strength, tonality, etc. Units of measurements have been defined for these and calculation methods developed. Taking such qualities into account, a metric of short-term psychoacoustic annoyance (PAA) has been proposed, which is valid for many types of noise. Another method for evaluating PAA includes conducting an auditory examination and constructing a mathematical model that relates the rank of auditory annoyance to the measured subjective qualities of the noise. The resulting model helps to identify the causes of annoyance (subjective annoying qualities); develop work plans aimed at noise suppression, the formation of pleasant noise by machines and mechanisms; and control changes in the rank of annoyance in the implementation of such plans. This paper compares different methods for assessing the annoyance caused by noise recorded in Moscow subway cars.
Enabling research capacity strengthening within a consortium context: a qualitative study
Authors: Aiyenigba Abiola , Abomo Pierre , Wiltgen Georgi Neele , Bates Imelda , Pulford Justin 
Published: October 2022

IntroductionWe explore how health research consortia may be better structured to support research capacity strengthening (RCS) outcomes. The primary research questions include: in what ways do consortium members perceive that they and their respective institutions’ research capacity is strengthened from said membership? And, drawing on member experiences, what are the common factors that enable these perceived gains in research capacity to be realised?MethodsA qualitative study set within the ‘Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science’ (DELTAS) Africa initiative. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 69 participants from seven institutions across six African countries belonging to three DELTAS Africa consortia. Data were analysed thematically via a general inductive approach.ResultsA diverse array of perceived individual and institutional benefits of RCS consortium membership were reported. Individual benefits included access to training, resources and expertise as well as research and research leadership opportunities. Many institutional-level benefits of consortium membership were also driven through investment in individuals. Four enabling factors presented as especially influential in realising these benefits or realising them to a greater extent. These included: (1) access to funding; (2) inclusive and engaging leadership; (3) a diverse array of facilitated interactions for consortium members; and (4) an efficient interface between a consortium and their respective member institutions.ConclusionMany reported benefits of RCS consortium membership were realised through funding access, yet attention to the other three enabling factors may further amplify the advantages conferred by funding access or, when funds are insufficient, ensure worthwhile gains in RCS are still achieved.
Association between maternal adversity, DNA methylation, and cardiovascular health of offspring: a longitudinal analysis of the ALSPAC cohort study
Authors: Hyde Natalie K , Dowty James G , Scovelle Anna , Armstrong Gregory , Sutherland Georgina , Olive Lisa , Lycett Kate , O’Neil Adrienne 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesMaternal adversity during pregnancy has been shown to be associated with some health outcomes in the offspring. This study investigated the association of maternal adversity during pregnancy and DNA methylation with offspring cardiovascular (CV) health.DesignLongitudinal observational cohort studySettingAll pregnant residents in county Avon (∼0.9 million), UK, were eligible to participate if their estimated delivery date was between 1 April 1991 and 31 December 1992.ParticipantsMother–offspring pairs enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort at seven (n=7431) and 17 years of age (n=3143).Primary and secondary outcome measuresOffspring CV health primary measures were heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and secondary measures were pulse-wave velocity and carotid intima–media thickness.ResultsOverall, there was no association between maternal adversity scores (number or perceived impact) and primary CV measures (Perceived impact; HR: 0.999-fold change 95% CI 0.998 to 1.001; systolic BP (SBP): 1.000-fold change 95% CI 0.999 to 1.001; diastolic BP: 1.000-fold change 95% CI 0.999 to 1.002). Some small offspring sex effects were observed and there was also a small association between methylation of some CpG sites and offspring BP measures.ConclusionsWe found little evidence to support the overall association of maternal adversity during pregnancy and DNA methylation with offspring CV measures. Offspring sex-specific and age-specific associations require further investigation.
Efficacy of education on injection technique for patients diagnosed with diabetes with lipohypertrophy: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ichikawa Masahiro , Akiyama Tomoaki , Tsujimoto Yasushi , Anan Keisuke , Yamakawa Tadashi , Terauchi Yasuo 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the efficacy of providing education on injection technique to patients with diabetes with lipohypertrophy (LH).DesignWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsWe included patients with diabetes who use insulin and have LH, and excluded patients without LH. We performed a literature search on CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov in November 2021 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We used the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool to evaluate the risk of bias in each outcome in each study. We then pooled the data using a random-effects model and evaluated the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.Outcome measuresThe primary endpoints were change in total daily dose (TDD) of insulin, change in HbA1c levels and prevalence of hypoglycaemia.ResultsWe screened 580 records and included three RCTs (637 participants) in the meta-analysis. Education on injection technique may slightly increase the change of TDD of insulin (three studies, 637 participants: mean difference (MD) −6.26; 95% CI −9.42 to –3.10; p<0.001; I2=38%; low certainty of evidence) and may have little to no effect on change in HbA1c but the evidence is very uncertain compared with that in the control group (three studies, 637 participants: MD −0.59; 95% CI −1.71 to 0.54; p=0.31; I2=98%; very low certainty of evidence). Providing education about injection technique may have little to no effect on the prevalence of hypoglycaemia (three studies, 637 participants: risk ratio 0.44; 95% CI 0.06 to 3.13; p=0.41; I2=90%; very low certainty of evidence).ConclusionsThe present meta-analysis suggests that injection technique education may result in a slight reduction in the TDD of insulin. However, the effect of education on HbA1c, hypoglycaemia and cured LH is uncertain.Protocol registrationDOI:dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.btiinkce
Meditation and yoga for irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial (MY-IBS study)
Authors: D'Silva Adrijana , Marshall Deborah A , Vallance Jeffrey , Nasser Yasmin , Rajagopalan Vidya , MacKean Gail , Raman Maitreyi 
Published: October 2022

IntroductionWhen delivered in person, yoga has been shown to be effective in managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Research is needed to test the feasibility and effectiveness of yoga as a therapeutic option when delivered virtually. The primary aim of the mind and yoga for IBS randomised controlled trial is to determine the effects of an 8-week virtual meditation and yoga intervention on IBS symptom severity compared with an advice-only active control group.Methods and analysisAdults diagnosed with IBS will be randomised to receive either a Upa Yoga intervention or an advice-only control group. The intervention will consist of weekly online classes for 8 weeks delivered by a facilitator using Microsoft Office Teams and daily home practice. Feasibility will be evaluated by examining recruitment and attrition rates, adherence, participant satisfaction with the programme and safety. The primary outcome is IBS symptom severity, and key secondary outcomes include (but not limited to) quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms, COVID-19-related stress and anxiety, and fatigue. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks. An embedded design experimental model substudy will be conducted post intervention using qualitative research methods to identify participants’ experiences in the yoga programme.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB ID 20-0084). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, conference presentation and social media.Trial registration numberNCT04302623.
18F-FDG-PET hypometabolism as a predictor of favourable outcome in epilepsy surgery: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Courtney Merran R , Antonic-Baker Ana , Sinclair Benjamin , Nicolo John-Paul , Neal Andrew , Law Meng , Kwan Patrick , O'Brien Terence J , Vivash Lucy 
Published: October 2022

IntroductionA substantial proportion of patients who undergo surgery for drug resistant focal epilepsy do not become seizure free. While some factors, such as the detection of hippocampal sclerosis or a resectable lesion on MRI and electroencephalogram-MRI concordance, can predict favourable outcomes in epilepsy surgery, the prognostic value of the detection of focal hypometabolism with18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positive emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) hypometabolism is uncertain. We propose a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether localisation with18F-FDG-PET hypometabolism predicts favourable outcomes in epilepsy surgery.Methods and analysisA systematic literature search of Medline, Embase and Web of Science will be undertaken. Publications which include evaluation with18F-FDG-PET prior to surgery for drug resistant focal epilepsy, and which report ≥12 months of postoperative surgical outcome data will be included. Non-human, non-English language publications, publications with fewer than 10 participants and unpublished data will be excluded. Screening and full-text review of publications for inclusion will be undertaken by two independent investigators, with discrepancies resolved by consensus or a third investigator. Data will be extracted and pooled using random effects meta-analysis, with heterogeneity quantified using the I2analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required. Once complete, the systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022324823.
Patient safety friendly hospital standards and customer orientation among Iranian nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Farahani Maryam , Esmaeili Maryam , Ashrafizadeh Hadis , Hajibabaee Fatemeh , Haghani Shima , Ariyamloo Parasto 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundThe quality of health services is determined on the basis of meeting customers’ needs and expectations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems have faced high degrees of uncertainty as well as a variety of challenges. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between patient safety friendly hospital standards and customer orientation among Iranian nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 266 nurses working in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran selected via stratified sampling in 2020. The study data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic information, patient safety friendly hospital initiatives, and Kim’s customer orientation scale. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS V.16 software and were analysed using descriptive statistics, dispersion indices and correlation tests.ResultsThe mean age and mean duration of working as a nurse were 38.60+7.94 and 13.87+7.41 years, respectively. From the nurses’ perspective, the means of patient safety friendly hospital standards and customer orientation were 97.35±16.59 and 16.40±2.62, respectively, both of which were at the moderate level. In addition, patient safety friendly hospital standards and all its dimensions were positively correlated to customer orientation (p<0.001).ConclusionFrom the nurses’ viewpoint, the patient safety friendly hospital standards and customer orientation were both at the moderate level during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, patient safety friendly hospital standards and all its dimensions were significantly associated with customer orientation. In other words, increase in the patient safety friendly hospital standards was accompanied by an increase in the nurses’ customer orientation. These results can provide the organisations delivering health services with the opportunity for management on the basis of multicriteria decision making so as to adapt with the patient safety friendly hospital standards and to internalise customer orientation among nurses.
Tumor-targeted interleukin-12 synergizes with entinostat to overcome PD-1/PD-L1 blockade-resistant tumors harboring MHC-I and APM deficiencies
Authors: Minnar Christine M , Chariou Paul L , Horn Lucas A , Hicks Kristin C , Palena Claudia , Schlom Jeffrey , Gameiro Sofia R 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundImmune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has achieved unprecedented success in treating multiple cancer types. However, clinical benefit remains modest for most patients with solid malignancies due to primary or acquired resistance. Tumor-intrinsic loss of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) and aberrations in antigen processing machinery (APM) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) pathways have been shown to play an important role in ICB resistance. While a plethora of combination treatments are being investigated to overcome ICB resistance, there are few identified preclinical models of solid tumors harboring these deficiencies to explore therapeutic interventions that can bypass ICB resistance. Here, we investigated the combination of the epigenetic modulator entinostat and the tumor-targeted immunocytokine NHS-IL12 in three different murine tumor models resistant to αPD-1/αPD-L1 (anti-programmed cell death protein 1/anti-programmed death ligand 1) and harboring MHC-I, APM, and IFN-γ response deficiencies and differing tumor mutational burden (TMB).MethodsEntinostat and NHS-IL12 were administered to mice bearing TC-1/a9 (lung, HPV16 E6/E7+), CMT.64 lung, or RVP3 sarcoma tumors. Antitumor efficacy and survival were monitored. Comprehensive tumor microenvironment (TME) and spleen analysis of immune cells, cytokines, and chemokines was performed. Additionally, whole transcriptomic analysis was carried out on TC-1/a9 tumors. Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets were analyzed for translational relevance.ResultsWe demonstrate that the combination of entinostat and NHS-IL12 therapy elicits potent antitumor activity and survival benefit through prolonged activation and tumor infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+T cells, across αPD-1/αPD-L1 refractory tumors irrespective of TMB, including in the IFN-γ signaling-impaired RVP3 tumor model. The combination therapy promoted M1-like macrophages and activated antigen-presenting cells while decreasing M2-like macrophages and regulatory T cells in a tumor-dependent manner. This was associated with increased levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9), and CXCL13 in the TME. Further, the combination therapy synergized to promote MHC-I and APM upregulation, and enrichment of JAK/STAT (janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription), IFN-γ-response and antigen processing-associated pathways. A biomarker signature of the mechanism involved in these studies is associated with patients’ overall survival across multiple tumor types.ConclusionsOur findings provide a rationale for combining the tumor-targeting NHS-IL12 with the histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat in the clinical setting for patients unresponsive to αPD-1/αPD-L1 and/or with innate deficiencies in tumor MHC-I, APM expression, and IFN-γ signaling.