Publications by authors named "SMITH G"

Context: During pregnancy, women who experience certain pregnancy complications show elevations in biomarkers of inflammation and insulin resistance; however, few studies have examined these cardiometabolic biomarkers in the decade following pregnancy.

Objective: To examine the association between pregnancy complications and cardiometabolic biomarkers 9 years postpartum including: blood pressure, blood lipids, body fat percentage, insulin resistance (glucose, insulin, proinsulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, leptin, adiponectin) and inflammation (hs-C-reactive protein).

Methods: Using data from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) cohort study (2008-2021) we determined 3 groups of pregnancy complications: 1) hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) (n=35); any pregnancy complication in the index pregnancy, defined as preterm birth, HDP, impaired glucose tolerance or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (n=55); or self-reported recurrence of one of these pregnancy complications (n=19).

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Background: Self-guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) achieves greater reach than ICBT delivered with therapist guidance, but demonstrates poorer engagement and fewer clinical benefits. Alternative models of care are required that promote engagement and are effective, accessible, and scalable.

Objective: This randomized trial evaluated whether a stepped care approach to ICBT using therapist guidance via videoconferencing for the step-up component (ICBT-SC[VC]) is noninferior to ICBT with full therapist delivery by videoconferencing (ICBT-TG[VC]) for child and adolescent anxiety.

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Background And Aims: Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The two diseases share elevated very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) carrying both triglycerides and cholesterol; however, in NAFLD mainly triglycerides accumulate in liver cells while in myocardial infarction mainly cholesterol accumulates in the atherosclerotic plaque. We hypothesized that VLDL triglycerides preferentially associate with risk of NAFLD, while VLDL cholesterol preferentially associates with risk of myocardial infarction.

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Gap junctions (GJs) play a pivotal role in intercellular communication between eukaryotic cells, including transfer of biomolecules that contribute to the innate and adaptive immune response. However, if and how viruses affect gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) remains largely unexplored. Here, we describe how the alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PRV) triggers ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation of the main gap junction component connexin 43 (Cx43) and closure of GJIC, which depends on the viral protein pUL46.

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Background And Aims: Kalanchoe is a diverse genus in the Crassulaceae, with centres of diversity in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa. The genus is known for its popularity in horticulture, its use as a model system for research on CAM photosynthesis and vegetative reproduction, its high invasive potential, and its use in traditional medicine. The genus-rank circumscription and infrageneric classification of Kalanchoe have been the subject of debate for centuries, especially regarding the status and rank of what is now treated as K.

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Background: We investigated hospitalized carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) cases with and without COVID-19, as identified through Emerging Infections Program surveillance in 10 sites from 2020 to 2022.

Methods: We defined a CRE case as the first isolation of , complex, , , , or resistant to any carbapenem. We defined an ESBL-E case as the first isolation of , , or resistant to any third-generation cephalosporin and nonresistant to all carbapenems tested.

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The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics and trends of therapeutic errors in non-healthcare facility settings associated with antithrombotic medications reported to United States Poison Centers by analyzing data from the National Poison Data System from 2000 to 2021. There were 57 288 reported therapeutic error-related exposures involving antithrombotic medications as the primary substance. The rate of therapeutic errors increased by 590.

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Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are often performed on ratios composed of a numerator trait divided by a denominator trait. Examples include body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-hip ratio, among many others. Explicitly or implicitly, the goal of forming the ratio is typically to adjust for an association between the numerator and denominator.

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Background: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) commonly have autonomic dysreflexia (AD) with increased sympathetic activity. After SCI, individuals have decreased baroreflex sensitivity and increased vascular responsiveness.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between baroreflex and blood vessel sensitivity with AD symptoms.

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Background And Objectives: Some families faced difficulties accessing speech therapy in some areas of Malaysia and/or during the COVID-19 lockdown. Therefore, parent-mediated intervention could be one of the ways to solve this issue, as it has been proven to effectively improve communication skills among children with communication disorders. Hence, a Mandarin parental guidebook comprising a series of language stimulation activities was developed to explore the perception of parents of children with communication disorders, ranging from 3 to 6 years old, regarding the feasibility of (1) conducting speech-language home programs and (2) using a home-based parental guidebook as a tool to deliver a speech-language home program.

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Objective: This study aims to evaluate extrinsic tooth stain removal and whitening efficacy of two experimental dentifrices containing (i) 5% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP)/1% micronized alumina or (ii) 5% STP/1% micronized alumina with abrasive silica (ED2) compared to a regular fluoride dentifrice (RFD) following 8 weeks of use.

Materials And Methods: This was a single-center, randomized, controlled, blind, three-arm, stratified, parallel-group study. Eligible participants underwent clinical assessment of stain on the facial/lingual surfaces of maxillary and mandibular teeth using the modified Lobene stain index (MLSI), and shade of the facial surfaces of the central and lateral maxillary incisors using the VITA Bleachedguide 3D-Master (VITA) shade guide.

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Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical diagnosis representing early symptom changes with preserved functional independence. There are multiple potential etiologies of MCI. While often presumed to be related to Alzheimer's disease (AD), other neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative causes are common.

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Purpose: We examined whether end-to-end deep-learning models could detect moderate (≥50%) or severe (≥70%) stenosis in the left anterior descending artery (LAD), right coronary artery (RCA) or left circumflex artery (LCX) in iodine contrast-enhanced ECG-gated coronary CT angiography (CCTA) scans.

Methods: From a database of 6293 CCTA scans, we used pre-existing curved multiplanar reformations (CMR) images of the LAD, RCA and LCX arteries to create end-to-end deep-learning models for the detection of moderate or severe stenoses. We preprocessed the images by exploiting domain knowledge and employed a transfer learning approach using EfficientNet, ResNet, DenseNet and Inception-ResNet, with a class-weighted strategy optimised through cross-validation.

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Purpose: This study aims to explore the current practices and challenges faced by speech-language pathologists in three Southeast Asian countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam) in assessing and treating multilingual children with developmental language disorder.

Method: A survey was designed and administered to 110 speech-language pathologists across Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The survey contained 60 questions on current practices and knowledge of existing resources for assessing and treating multilingual children with developmental language disorder.

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Prior studies have highlighted significant challenges in the readability of patient educational materials in dermatology, which may represent a barrier to optimal treatment outcomes. As newer Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) gain FDA approval and are integrated into treatment regimens, it is crucial for patients to understand their usage, risks, and benefits. We evaluated the readability of FDA-approved JAKi medication guides to see if lessons from prior readability studies have been incorporated into these newer materials.

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Purpose: Although there is a robust literature on the benefits and outcomes of active learning in medical education, little is known about the faculty experience of transitioning from lecture-based teaching to active learning in the preclinical, foundational science curriculum. The authors explored how faculty describe changing from lecture to active learning and how that change relates to the loci of control and basic psychological needs of faculty.

Method: Using a phenomenographic approach, the authors interviewed faculty at 3 medical schools who taught before, during, and after required shifts to active learning.

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Classical preimplantation embryo culture is performed in static fluid environments. Whether a dynamic fluid environment, like the fallopian tube, is beneficial for embryo development remains to be determined across mammalian species. Objectives of these proof-of-concept studies were to determine if controllable dynamic microfluidic culture would enhance preimplantation murine, bovine, and human embryo development compared to static culture.

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Background: Three major parties are involved in the hypospadias treatment journey - the patient, their parents/carers, and the surgeon. There is a strong trend towards involving all three, where possible, in deriving evidence around the care pathways. Currently, there are little data available on surgeons' perspectives of distal hypospadias care.

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The cellular concentrations of splicing factors (SFs) are critical for controlling alternative splicing. Most serine and arginine-enriched (SR) protein SFs regulate their own concentration via a homeostatic feedback mechanism that involves regulation of inclusion of non-coding 'poison exons' (PEs) that target transcripts for nonsense-mediated decay. The importance of SR protein PE splicing during animal development is largely unknown despite PE ultra-conservation across animal genomes.

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Background:  Nephrotoxin exposure may worsen kidney injury and impair kidney recovery if continued in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).

Objectives:  This study aimed to determine if tiered implementation of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) would reduce nephrotoxin use in cardiac surgery patients with AKI.

Methods:  We assessed patients admitted to the cardiac surgery intensive care unit at a tertiary care center from January 2020 to December 2021, and August 2022 to September 2023.

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Introduction: Hypospadias is a common congenital anomaly of the male genitalia that poses significant management and treatment challenges. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of priority research questions in hypospadiology will be essential to reach agreement on the optimal approach to assessment, treatment, and outcome prediction for affected patients.

Methods: We employed a consensus-building Delphi method to identify and prioritize research questions in the hypospadias field.

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Background: Through-knee amputation (TKA) has potential advantages over above-knee amputation (AKA) but is rarely performed in the United Kingdom (UK). This mixed methods study aimed to explore clinicians' perceptions of TKA compared to AKA.

Method: An online survey of vascular surgeons, prosthetists, and physiotherapists between May 2019 and April 2020.

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Objectives: Daily-use fluoride products are first-line protection against enamel wear from dietary-acid exposure (DAE). This study aimed to understand effects of fluoride concentration, fluoride salt, product form and ingredients in daily-use products on remineralisation and demineralisation, via network meta-analysis (NMA) of 14 studies using one well-established in-situ model. Remineralisation (surface-microhardness recovery, SHMR) after treatment, and protection against subsequent demineralisation (acid-resistance ratio, ARR) were measured.

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Introduction: Tianeptine is an atypical tricyclic antidepressant not approved for medical use in the US but is found in dietary supplements. This study investigates single-substance tianeptine exposures reported to US poison centers.

Methods: We analyzed cases involving tianeptine reported to the National Poison Data System from 2015 to 2023.

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