bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Let's talk about sex(ual) wellbeing! Staff perceptions of implementing a novel service for people with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Jarvis Laura , McConville Kevin , Devereux Sonia , O’Riordan Jonathan 
Published: January 2022

Background In people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), a complex interplay of neurological dysfunction, polypharmacy and psychological issues, contrive to impair their sexual and reproductive wellbeing. Realising an unmet need, the Tayside MS service in collaboration with a sexual health clinician (LJ), established a ‘Pelvic Health Clinic’ to improve quality of life for PwMS. Objective To explore clinician's perceptions of implementing an MS Pelvic Health service with a view to establishing future outcomes for health care professionals about the utility in such a service. Method In this small-scale qualitative case study, we explored clinician's perceptions of such a clinic adjunct. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and thematically analysed in a reflexive manner. Results Five participants consented. Ten sub-themes emerged, which were organised into three main themes: service tensions, patient needs and practitioner feelings. Conclusion Clinicians highly valued the new MS ‘pelvic health clinic’. Knowing that there was a service available empowered clinicians to ask patients about sexual health needs. Specific referral criteria may help further develop the service and improve patient care. Staff welcome training and support in this area or the option to signpost onwards; either mechanism lends itself to enhancing MS patient needs.
Cardioprotective effects of alantolactone on isoproterenol-induced cardiac injury and cobalt chloride-induced cardiomyocyte injury
Authors: Liu Miaomiao , Liu Panpan , Zheng Bin , Liu Yu , Li Li , Han Xue , Liu Yangshuang , Chu Li 
Published: January 2022

Objectives Alantolactone (AL) is a compound extracted from the roots of Inula Racemosa that has shown beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease. However, the cardioprotective mechanism of AL against hypoxic/ischemic (H/I) injury is still unclear. This research aimed to determine AL’s ability to protect the heart against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI injury in vivo and cobalt chloride (CoCl2) induced H/I injury in vitro. Methods Electrocardiography (ECG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assays in addition to histological analysis of the myocardium were used to investigate the effects of AL in vivo. Influences of AL on L-type Ca2+ current (ICa-L) in isolated rat myocytes were observed by the patch-clamp technique. Furthermore, cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress injury, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular Ca2+ concentration were examined in vitro. Results The results indicated that AL treatment ameliorated the morphological and ECG changes associated with MI, and decreased levels of LDH, CK, and cTnI. Furthermore, pretreatment with AL elevated antioxidant enzyme activity and suppressed ROS production. AL prevented H/I-induced apoptosis, mitochondria damage, and calcium overload while reducing ICa-L in a concentration and time dependent fashion. The 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) and maximal inhibitory effect (Emax) of AL were 17.29 μmol/L and 57.73 ± 1.05%, respectively. Conclusion AL attenuated MI-related injury by reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, calcium overload, and mitochondria damage. These cardioprotective effects may be related to the direct inhibition of ICa-L.
Nitric oxide synthase-2 (CCTTT)n polymorphism is associated with local gene expression and clinical manifestations in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Takemoto Kota , Takeno Sachio , Ishino Takashi , Ueda Tsutomu , Hamamoto Takao , Horibe Yuichiro , Takahara Daisuke , Kawasumi Tomohiro 
Published: January 2022

Introduction Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized through NO synthase (NOS). The proximal NOS2 gene promoter contains the pentanucleotide CCTTT repeat polymorphism. We examined whether CCTTT repeats are associated with NOS2 expression in the sinonasal tissues and clinical manifestations in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods Mucosal specimens were obtained from the ethmoid sinus and inferior turbinate of 30 eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) and 28 non-ECRS patients. CCTTT repeats were classified into short alleles (S), with less than or equal to 14, and long alleles (L), with more than 14. The subjects were classified into the L/S + L/L and S/S groups. Results In ECRS, the NOS2 mRNA levels of the ethmoid sinus mucosa were significantly higher in the L/S + L/L group than in the S/S group (median, 1.66 and 0.77, respectively). On the ther hand, ECRS patients showed no significant difference in the NOS2 mRNA level of the inferior turbinate between the L/S + L/L group and the S/S group (median, 0.63 and 0.88, respectively). In ECRS, preoperative SNOT-22 were significantly higher in the L/S + L/L group than in the S/S group, whereas the former group showed a lower postoperative recurrence risk. Conclusion CCTTT repeat polymorphism in the NOS2 promotor gene may be a useful indicator to evaluate ECRS severity and prognosis.
Symptoms COVID 19 Positive Vapers Compared to COVID 19 Positive Non-vapers
Authors: McFadden David D. , Bornstein Shari L. , Vassallo Robert , Salonen Bradley R. , Bhuiyan Mohammed Nadir , Schroeder Darrell R. , Croghan Ivana T. 
Published: January 2022

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to assess and describe the severity of symptoms reported by Covid-19 positive patients who vaped (smoked e-cigarettes) when compared to those who did not vape or smoke at the time of the diagnosis of Covid-19. Methods: Patients from this study are from a well-characterized patient cohort collected at Mayo Clinic between March 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021; with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis defined as a positive result on reverse-transcriptase–polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assays from nasopharyngeal swab specimens. Among the 1734 eligible patients, 289 patients reported current vaping. The cohort of vapers (N = 289) was age and gender matched to 1445 covid-19 positive patients who did not vape. The data analyzed included: date of birth, gender, ethnicity, race, marital status, as well as lifestyle history such as vaping and smoking and reported covid-19 symptoms experienced. Results: A logistic regression analysis was performed separately for each symptom using generalized estimating equations (GEE) with robust variance estimates in order to account for the 1:5 age, sex, and race matched set study design. Patients who vaped and developed Covid-19 infection were more likely to have chest pain or tightness (16% vs 10%, vapers vs non vapers, P = .005), chills (25% vs 19%, vapers vs non vapers, P = .0016), myalgia (39% vs 32%, vapers vs non vapers, P = .004), headaches (49% vs 41% vapers vs non vapers, P = .026), anosmia/dysgeusia (37% vs 30%, vapers vs non vapers, P = .009), nausea/vomiting/abdominal pain (16% vs 10%, vapers vs non vapers, P = .003), diarrhea (16% vs 10%, vapers vs non vapers, P = .004), and non-severe light-headedness (16% vs 9%, vapers vs non vapers, P < .001). Conclusion: Vapers experience higher frequency of covid-19 related symptoms when compared with age and gender matched non-vapers. Further work should examine the impact vaping has on post-covid symptom experience.
Factors Associated With Disordered Eating Behavior Among Adolescent Girls: Screening and Education
Authors: Dunn Catherine P. , Riley Joan B. , Hawkins Kirsten B. , Tercyak Kenneth P. 
Published: January 2022

Introduction/Objectives: An unhealthy relationship with food can lead to disordered eating in adolescence, highlighting the importance of screening. This study describes the frequency of disordered eating behavior among female adolescents, as well as associated characteristics and health behaviors. Methods: Data are from a multidimensional risk factor screening survey administered at a university medical center’s adolescent clinic from 2016 to 2018. The instrument was adapted from existing screening tools such as the Rapid Assessment for Adolescent Preventive Services (RAAPS), the American Medical Association’s Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services (GAPS), and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Analysis was limited to self-reported responses provided by females aged 10 to 21 years (N = 915). Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and independent sample T-tests. Results: Of the N = 915 females who reported on disordered eating behavior, n = 57 (6.2%) had engaged in some form of disordered eating behavior within the past 12 months. Disordered eating was significantly associated ( P < .001) with not consistently wearing a helmet while biking, having tried e-cigarettes, being bullied in the past 30 days, having an adverse childhood experience (ACE), and being African American ( P = .005). Subgroup analysis of the relationship between disordered eating and bullying, by race, yielded significant findings: disordered eating was more highly associated with being bullied in the past 30 days among African American females ( P = .038). The relationship between disordered eating and ACE was also significant ( P < .001) among Caucasian girls when stratified by race. Conclusions: Adolescent risk behaviors often co-occur, and disordered eating behavior may be differentially observed by race. Findings highlight the importance of education and screening to prevent the development of disordered eating, and identify those who may be struggling. These results can be useful to community health education and in healthcare to develop and implement health promotion and eating disorder prevention strategies. Further studies are needed to assess additional factors that promote or protect against disordered eating to improve prevention.
A Covid -19 Virtual Ward Model: A Preliminary Retrospective Clinical Evaluation From a UK District General Hospital
Authors: O’Malley Emily-Jane , Hansjee Shanil , Abdel-Hadi Basil , Kendrick Elizabeth , Lok She 
Published: January 2022

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the safety, utilization, ability to reduce length of hospitalization and overall outcomes of a COVID-19 virtual ward providing ongoing treatment at home. Method: A retrospective single-center study of patients discharged to the COVID-19 virtual “step down” ward between January 27th 2021 and March 2nd 2021. The referral process, length of hospitalization, length of stay on the virtual ward, readmissions, and ongoing treatment requirements including supplemental oxygen, antibiotics, and/or steroids were all noted. Results: A total of 50 patients were referred to the virtual ward. 43 referrals were accepted, 39 of which were from the respiratory ward. Four patients were readmitted, all due to hypoxia. All readmissions occurred within 5 days of discharge. 72% (n = 31) were discharged home with an ongoing oxygen requirement. 14.3% of patients were discharged with antibiotics only, 9.5% with steroids only and 23.8% with both antibiotics and steroids. The mean length of hospital stay for patients discharged to the virtual ward was 10.3 ± 9.7 days and 11.9 ± 11.6 days for all covid positive patients during this time. On average, patients spent 13.7 ± 7.3 days on the virtual ward. The average number of days spent on oxygen on the virtual ward was 11.6 ± 6.0 days. Conclusion: The virtual ward model exemplifies the potential benefits of collaborative working between primary and secondary care services, relieving pressure on hospitals whilst providing ongoing treatments at home such as supplemental oxygen. It also facilitates an early supported discharge of clinically stable patients with an improving clinical trajectory by managing them in the community.
Incidence of Obesity at 1 and 3 Years Among Community Dwelling Adults: A Population-Based Study
Authors: DeJesus Ramona S. , Croghan Ivana T. , Jacobson Debra J. , Fan Chun , St. Sauver Jennifer 
Published: January 2022

Objective: This study determined the incidence rates for obesity among adult patients ages 20 and older empaneled in primary care practice in Midwest United States to potentially identify an optimum timeframe for initiating intervention. Background: Primary care practice patients are likely to reflect underlying community trends in overweight and obesity; however, data on overweight and obesity in primary care patients is limited. While childhood incidence rates of obesity have been well reported, there is still a paucity of data on the incidence of obesity among adult population; literature has mainly focused on its prevalence. Methods: Medical record review of identified cohort with BMI data was conducted. Population was stratified by age and sex and overweight category was subdivided into tertiles. Results: Majority of 40 390 individuals who comprised the final population and had follow-up data, consisted of adults ages 40 to 69 years (47.5%), female (59.8%) of non-Hispanic ethnicity (95.9%) with 21 379 (52.8%) falling in weight category of overweight. Incidence of obesity was 7% at 1 year and 16% at 3 years follow-up. Highest percentages of individuals who became obese at 1 and 3 years were in age category of 40 to 69 years among men and 20 to 39 years among women. In Cox regression analysis, there was statistically significant association to developing obesity among all tertile groups in the overweight category. Age and particularly gender appeared to be modifying factors to likelihood of developing obesity. Conclusion: Study results suggest that while obesity incidence is higher among certain age groups in both genders, middle-aged women, and men in all tertiles of overweight category are at highest risk and may be the optimum population to target for weight loss interventions. Findings support the initiation of population-based interventions before onset of obesity.
Inflammasome activation in neutrophils of patients with severe COVID-19
Authors: Aymonnier Karen , Ng Julie , Fredenburgh Laura E. , Zambrano-Vera Katherin , Münzer Patrick , Gutch Sarah , Fukui Shoichi , Desjardins Michael , Subramaniam Meera , Baron Rebecca M , Raby Benjamin A. , Perrella Mark A. , Lederer James A. , Wagner Denisa D. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) engages the inflammasome in monocytes and macrophages and leads to the cytokine storm in COVID-19. Neutrophils, the most abundant leukocytes, release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Our recent study shows that activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is important for NET release in sterile inflammation. However, the role of neutrophil inflammasome formation in human disease is unknown. We hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 infection may induce inflammasome activation in neutrophils. We also aimed to assess the localization of inflammasome formation (ie, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD [ASC] speck assembly) and timing relative to NETosis in stimulated neutrophils by real-time video microscopy. Neutrophils isolated from severe COVID-19 patients demonstrated that ∼2% of neutrophils in both the peripheral blood and tracheal aspirates presented ASC speck. ASC speck was observed in neutrophils with an intact poly-lobulated nucleus, suggesting early formation during neutrophil activation. Additionally, 40% of nuclei were positive for citrullinated histone H3, and there was a significant correlation between speck formation and nuclear histone citrullination. Time-lapse microscopy in lipopolysaccharide -stimulated neutrophils from fluorescent ASC reporter mice showed that ASC speck formed transiently and at the microtubule organizing center long before NET release. Our study shows that ASC speck is present in neutrophils from COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure and that it forms early in NETosis. Our findings suggest that inhibition of neutrophil inflammasomes may be beneficial in COVID-19.
Novel volumetric capnography indices measure ventilation inhomogeneity in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Fouzas Sotirios , Kentgens Anne-Christianne , Lagiou Olga , Frauchiger Bettina Sarah , Wyler Florian , Theodorakopoulos Ilias , Yammine Sophie , Latzin Philipp 
Published: January 2022

BackgroundVolumetric capnography (VCap) is a simpler alternative to multiple-breath washout (MBW) to detect ventilation inhomogeneity in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, its diagnostic performance is influenced by breathing dynamics. We introduce two novel VCap indices, the capnographic inhomogeneity indices (CIIs), that may overcome this limitation and explore their diagnostic characteristics in a cohort of CF patients.MethodsWe analysed 320 N2-MBW trials from 50 CF patients and 65 controls (age 4–18 years) and calculated classical VCap indices, such as slope III (SIII) and the capnographic index (KPIv). We introduced novel CIIs based on a theoretical lung model and assessed their diagnostic performance compared to classical VCap indices and the lung clearance index (LCI).ResultsBoth CIIs were significantly higher in CF patients compared with controls (mean±sdCII15.9±1.4%versus5.1±1.0%, p=0.002; CII27.7±1.8%versus6.8±1.4%, p=0.002) and presented strong correlation with LCI (CII1r2=0.47 and CII2r2=0.44 in CF patients). Classical VCap indices showed inferior discriminative ability (SIII 2.3±1.0%/Lversus1.9±0.7%/L, p=0.013; KPIv 3.9±1.3%versus3.5±1.2%, p=0.071), while the correlation with LCI was weak (SIII r2=0.03; KPIv r2=0.08 in CF patients). CIIs showed lower intra-subject inter-trial variability, calculated as coefficient of variation for three and relative difference for two trials, than classical VCap indices, but higher than LCI (CII111.1±8.2% and CII211.0±8.0%versusSIII 16.3±13.5%; KPIv 15.9±12.8%; LCI 5.9%±4.2%).ConclusionCIIs detect ventilation inhomogeneity better than classical VCap indices and correlate well with LCI. However, further studies on their diagnostic performance and clinical utility are required.
Assessment of peripheral biomarkers potentially involved in episodic and chronic migraine: a case-control study with a focus on NGF, BDNF, VEGF, and PGE2
Authors: Mozafarihashjin Mohammad , Togha Mansoureh , Ghorbani Zeinab , Farbod Abolfazl , Rafiee Pegah , Martami Fahimeh 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Several inflammatory and vascular molecules, and neurotrophins have been suggested to have a possible role in the development of migraine. However, pathophysiological events leading to migraine onset and transformation of episodic migraine (EM) to chronic migraine (CM) are not fully understood. Thus, we aimed to assess peripheral levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in EM and CM patients, and controls.

Methods
From September 2017 to June 2020, 89 subjects were enrolled in a case-control study; 23 and 36 EM and CM patients, respectively, and 30 age and sex-matched controls. Demographic data and medical history were obtained from all patients. Headache characteristics were recorded at baseline visit and ensuing 30 days for persons with migraine disease. Serum levels of NGF, BDNF, VEGF, and PGE2 were measured once for controls and EM and CM patients, and adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index.

Results
Serum levels of NGF were significantly lower in EM patients compared to controls and CM patients (P-value=0.003 and 0.042, respectively). Serum levels of BDNF were significantly lower in EM and CM patients as opposed to controls (P-value<0.001), but comparable between EM and CM patients (P-value=0.715). Peripheral blood levels of VEGF were significantly higher in EM and CM patients as opposed to controls (P-value<0.001), but not different between EM and CM patients (P-value=0.859). Serum levels of PGE2 were significantly lower in EM patients compared to controls (P-value=0.011), however similar between EM and CM patients (P-value=0.086). In migraine patients, serum levels of NGF and PGE2 positively correlated with headache frequency (NGF: ρ = 0.476 and P-value<0.001; PGE2: ρ = 0.286 and P-value=0.028), while corresponding levels of BDNF and VEGF did not correlate with headache frequency (BDNF: ρ = 0.037 and P-value=0.778; VEGF: ρ= -0.025 and P-value=0.850).

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that NGF, BDNF, PGE2, and VEGF may play a significant role in migraine pathogenesis and/or chronification, and therefore might bear potential value for novel targeted abortive and prophylactic migraine therapy. Further prospective cohort studies with larger sample sizes can more robustly evaluate the implications of these findings.
Specificity of H2O2 signaling in leaf senescence: is the ratio of H2O2 contents in different cellular compartments sensed in Arabidopsis plants?
Authors: Zentgraf Ulrike , Andrade-Galan Ana Gabriela , Bieker Stefan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLeaf senescence is an integral part of plant development and is driven by endogenous cues such as leaf or plant age. Developmental senescence aims to maximize the usage of carbon, nitrogen and mineral resources for growth and/or for the sake of the next generation. This requires efficient reallocation of the resources out of the senescing tissue into developing parts of the plant such as new leaves, fruits and seeds. However, premature senescence can be induced by severe and long-lasting biotic or abiotic stress conditions. It serves as an exit strategy to guarantee offspring in an unfavorable environment but is often combined with a trade-off in seed number and quality. In order to coordinate the very complex process of developmental senescence with environmental signals, highly organized networks and regulatory cues have to be in place. Reactive oxygen species, especially hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are involved in senescence as well as in stress signaling. Here, we want to summarize the role of H2O2 as a signaling molecule in leaf senescence and shed more light on how specificity in signaling might be achieved. Altered hydrogen peroxide contents in specific compartments revealed a differential impact of H2O2 produced in different compartments. Arabidopsis lines with lower H2O2 levels in chloroplasts and cytoplasm point to the possibility that not the actual contents but the ratio between the two different compartments is sensed by the plant cells.
High-Hole-Mobility Metal–Organic Framework as Dopant-Free Hole Transport Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Ruonan , Yu Weikang , Sun Cheng , Chiranjeevulu Kashi , Deng Shuguang , Wu Jiang , Yan Feng , Peng Changsi , Lou Yanhui , Xu Gang , Zou Guifu 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA dopant-free hole transport layer with high mobility and a low-temperature process is desired for optoelectronic devices. Here, we study a metal–organic framework material with high hole mobility and strong hole extraction capability as an ideal hole transport layer for perovskite solar cells. By utilizing lifting-up method, the thickness controllable floating film of Ni3(2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene)2 at the gas–liquid interface is transferred onto ITO-coated glass substrate. The Ni3(2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene)2 film demonstrates high compactness and uniformity. The root-mean-square roughness of the film is 5.5 nm. The ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and the steady-state photoluminescence spectra exhibit the Ni3(HITP)2 film can effectively transfer holes from perovskite film to anode. The perovskite solar cells based on Ni3(HITP)2 as a dopant-free hole transport layer achieve a champion power conversion efficiency of 10.3%. This work broadens the application of metal–organic frameworks in the field of perovskite solar cells.
Graphical Abstract