bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross- analyzing the opinions and experiences of nurses, physiotherapists, dentists, midwives, and pharmacists with respect to addictive disorder screening in primary care: A qualitative study
Authors: Edeline Agathe , Tripault Amelie , Lebeau Jean Pierre , Pautrat Maxime
Published: January 2025

Early addiction disorders screening is recommended in primary care. The goal of health system reform is to include allied health professionals in this screening. The appropriation of their new role has not yet been explored. The main aim of this study was to examine the perspective of allied health professionals in primary care on the screening of addictive disorders. This qualitative study inspired by the grounded theory was carried out between August 2018 and July 2019. Semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups were organized to include of primary care health professionals (physiotherapist, nurse, midwife, pharmacist, and dentist). Thirteen semi-structured individual interviews and four focus groups were recorded and coded. The paramedics described the advantages of their professions for the detection of addictions: home visits, prescription history, habit of intimate subjects, close consultations, etc. Despite daily practice-specific observation posts, they sometimes remained silent witnesses, and their helplessness hindered identification. They felt both closer to the patients and less legitimate than the doctors in dealing with addictions. Finally, their desire for a multidisciplinary approach was limited by the fear of disturbing the doctor and the confusion between betrayal and medical secrecy. Paramedical professionals claimed to have a complementary role to play in identifying addictions. Their reluctance echoed the concept of self-censorship, already described in studies with addictologists and patients. These results must be compared with the opinions of general practitioners and patients.
mGBP2 engages Galectin-9 for immunity against Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Kravets Elisabeth , Poschmann Gereon , Hänsch Sebastian , Raba Veronica , Weidtkamp-Peters Stefanie , Degrandi Daniel , Stühler Kai , Pfeffer Klaus
Published: January 2025

Guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) are large interferon-inducible GTPases, executing essential host defense activities against Toxoplasma gondii, an invasive intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite of global importance. T. gondii establishes a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) which shields the parasite from the host’s intracellular defense mechanisms. Murine GBPs (mGBPs) recognize T. gondii PVs and assemble into supramolecular mGBP homo- and heterocomplexes that are required for the disruption of the membrane of PVs eventually resulting in the cell-autonomous immune control of vacuole-resident pathogens. We have previously shown that mGBP2 plays an important role in T. gondii immune control. Here, to unravel mGBP2 functions, we report Galectin-9 (Gal9) as a critical mGBP2 interaction partner engaged for immunity to T. gondii. Interestingly, Gal9 also accumulates and colocalizes with mGBP2 at the T. gondii PV. Furthermore, we could prove the requirement of Gal9 for growth control of T. gondii by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing. These discoveries clearly indicate that Gal9 is a crucial factor for the mGBP2-coordinated cell-autonomous host defense mechanism against T. gondii.
Prognostic value of composite inflammatory markers in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A retrospective cohort study based on the MIMIC-IV database
Authors: Liu Xingxing , Guo Yikun , Qi Wensheng
Published: January 2025

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease, and inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of COPD. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between systemic immune inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI),pan-immune inflammation value (PIV), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to evaluate the effect of composite inflammatory markers on the prognosis of COPD patients. We obtained data on COPD patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) -IV database and divided patients into four groups based on quartiles of baseline levels of inflammatory markers, The primary outcomes were in-hospital and ICU mortality. We comprehensively explored the association between composite inflammatory markers and mortality in patients with COPD using restricted cubic splints (RCS), COX proportional hazards regression models, Kaplan-Meier curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and subgroup analyses. A total of 1234 COPD patients were included in this study. RCS results showed that SII, SIRI, PLR, PIV and NLR were positively and non-linearly correlated with the increased risk of in-hospital mortality in COPD patients. Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that compound inflammatory markers were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in COPD patients. The KM curve results showed that COPD patients with higher SII, SIRI, PLR and PIV had a significantly lower survival probability. 5 kinds of compound between inflammatory markers and mortality in patients with COPD is related to nonlinear correlation, can increase the risk of mortality in patients with COPD is a risk factor for the prognosis of patients with COPD, and may serve as potential biomarkers for clinical COPD risk stratification and treatment management in critical patients.
The extent of western lowland gorilla social relationships within and between groups
Authors: Cooksey Kristena , Funkhouser Jake , Sanz Crickette , Marie Massamba Jean , Fabrice Ebombi Thierry , Teberd Prospère , Abea Gaston , Mbebouti Gaeton , Judson Kathryn , Brogan Sean , Stephens Colleen , Morgan David
Published: January 2025

The nature of western lowland gorilla social relationships within and between groups is largely understudied, partly due to the challenges of monitoring associations between individuals who live in neighboring groups. In this study, we examined the social relationships of four western lowland gorilla groups in the Ndoki landscape of northern Republic of Congo. To do so, we compiled all-occurrence social interaction and silverback nearest neighbor social networks from data collected during daily group follows conducted over several years. We observed a total of 5,923 dyadic all-occurrence social interactions (1,350 ± 489 per group, 138 intergroup interactions) and 54,989 dyadic silverback nearest neighbor associations (13,747 ± 3,963 observations per group, 105 nearest neighbor observations of intergroup partners during group scans). For all groups, we found that males were more social than females, younger individuals were more social than older gorillas, and slightly greater rates of social behaviors were observed during periods of higher fruit availability. While there was a considerable amount of interindividual variation in social behavior, the network of social interactions demonstrated a large extent of social relationships within and between groups. Additionally, we performed simulated network removals to assess the impact on social dynamics. Across all groups and the total population, the removal of blackback and immature individuals markedly decreased the number of intra- and intergroup relationships (>60% decrease). The documented extent of western lowland gorilla social relationships has direct implications for the conservation of species with multi-level social dynamics. Gaining clarity on the ways in which western lowland gorilla groups naturally occur in the wild, not only provides a greater understanding for their conservation, but also offers insights for managing their social dynamics within captive environments.
Unraveling the transcriptomic effects of leucine supplementation on muscle growth and performance in basketball athletes
Authors: Wang Sinan , Guo Weishuai , Dong Rui
Published: January 2025

Leucine has gained recognition as an athletic dietary supplement in recent years due to its various benefits; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, 20 basketball players were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. Baseline exercise performance—assessed through a 282-foot sprint, free throws, three-point field goals, and self-rated practice assessments—was measured prior to leucine supplementation. Participants were then given a functional drink containing either leucine (50 mg/kg body weight) or a placebo for 28 days. After supplementation, the same exercise performance metrics were reassessed. Following leucine supplementation, biceps brachii muscle tissue from both groups was collected for transcriptome sequencing and qPCR verification. Our results suggested that leucine supplementation significantly improved 282-foot sprint performance, reducing times from 17.4 ± 0.9 to 16.2 ± 0.9 seconds in the leucine group, compared to minimal changes in the control group (from 17.3 ± 0.9 to 17.1 ± 0.8 seconds; P = 0.034). For other exercise performance metrics, no significant differences were observed (P > 0.05); however, trends toward improvement were noted. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 3,658 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups. These DEGs were enriched in pathways related to immune response (P < 0.0001), positive regulation of cytokine production (P < 0.0001), and neutrophil extracellular trap formation (P < 0.0001), among others. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified a module (turquoise) strongly associated with muscle growth, with DEGs in this module enriched in cytoskeletal pathways in muscle cells. Gene expression changes (α-tubulin, β-tubulin, CK18, CK8, vimentin, cofilin, gelsolin, profilin, MAP1, MAP2, MAP4, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin) were verified by qPCR. In summary, leucine supplementation improved exercise performance, particularly by significantly reducing sprint times and showing trends of improvement in other performance metrics, including three-point field goals, free throws, and self-rated well-being. Identified DEGs enriched in pathways related to immune response, cytokine production, and cell adhesion. WGCNA highlighted a key module associated with muscle growth, enriched in cytoskeletal pathways. qPCR validation confirmed the upregulation of cytoskeleton-related genes, supporting the transcriptomic findings. These results suggest that leucine enhances muscle adaptation by regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, providing molecular insights into its role in improving athletic performance.
Genetic tracking of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic orthonairovirus in Hyalomma population infesting cattle in Nigeria
Authors: Daodu Oluwafemi Babatunde , Shaibu Joseph Ojonugwa , Audu Rosemary Ajuma , Oluwayelu Daniel Oladimeji
Published: January 2025

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), a Biosafety level 4 pathogen transmitted by ticks, causes severe haemorrhagic diseases in humans but remains clinically silent in animals. Over the past forty years, Nigeria lacks comprehensive genetic data on CCHFV in livestock and ticks. This study aimed to identify and characterize CCHFV strains in cattle and their Hyalomma ticks, the primary vector, in Kwara State, Nigeria. Blood samples and Hyalomma ticks were collected from cattle, with ticks identified to species, pooled, and homogenized for RNA extraction. The CCHFV S-segment was detected using specific primers via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, followed by sequencing of amplicons. Among 318 cattle, 318 sera samples and 2855 Hyalomma ticks (H. dromedarii (49.0%), H. truncatum (44.5%), and H. rufipes (6.5%)) were obtained. Only two tick pools of H. truncatum tested (2/319 pools) were positive for CCHFV, with no positive cattle sera detected. The sequenced positive pools, denoted as CCHFV/NGR/ILN/2021/F22_S-segment (1228 bp) and CCHFV/NGR/ILN/2021/F101_S-segment (863 bp), showed 98.21% nucleotide identity with 15 variations. These strains shared 98.13% and 98.93% nucleotide identity with CCHFV IbAr10200/UCCR4401 isolated from Nigerian ticks, but only 93.88% and 93.63% similarity with CCHFV isolated in 2016 from humans in Nigeria. Additionally, compared to CCHFV isolate IbAr10200 (KY484036), sequences from this study exhibited 9–23 nucleotide variable positions with 3–4 non-synonymous amino acid replacements. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering of these strains around IbAr10200, suggesting ongoing circulation. This study underscores the need for broader surveillance to understand the full spectrum of CCHFV strains and clades circulating in Nigeria.
Long-acting reversible and permanent contraceptives utilization and its associated factors among married women who desire no more children in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Tsega Nuhamin Tesfa , Biset Wondimnew Mersha , Aragaw Getie Mihret , Abiy Saron Abeje , Godana Tilahun Nega , Dagnaw Abera Dessie , Haile Gashaw Awoke , Belay Daniel Gashaneh , Mengistie Berihun Agegn
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to investigate long-acting reversible and permanent contraceptives (LARPCs) utilization and its associated factors among married women who desire no more children in Ethiopia.

Methods

Secondary datasets from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey was used for the study. A total weighted sample of 3,756 married or in union reproductive age women who desire no more children were included in the analysis. Data was cleaned, weighted, and analyzed using STATA Version 14 software. A multi-level logistic regression analysis was conducted to consider the hierarchal nature of the demographic and health survey data. In a multivariable multilevel logistic regression model, an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) and p value <0.05 was used to declare the significant associated factors of LARPCs utilization.

Results

The overall utilization of LARPCs among married women who desire no more children was 12% [95%CI: 10.99, 13.07]. In the multivariable multilevel analysis; being female household heads [AOR = 0.60; 95%CI: 0.40, 0.92], husband primary level of education [AOR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.18, 2.07], employed women [AO R = 1.34; 95%CI: 1.04, 1.74], women from middle wealth index [AOR = 1.45; 95%CI: 1.02, 2.07], women who visited health facility in the last 12 months [AOR = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.54, 0.88], women residing in small peripherals [AOR = 0.20, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.82], and women from communities with low poverty [AOR = 2.25, 95%CI: 1.26, 3.99] were significantly associated with LARPCs utilization.

Conclusion

In Ethiopia, LARPCs utilization among married women who desire no more children was very low. Both individual and community-level factors were significantly associated with LARPCs utilization. Thus, individual and community-level interventions that encourage husband education, maternal occupation, and giving special attention for women who live in small peripheral areas and female-headed households are better.
Enhancing trauma cardiopulmonary resuscitation simulation training with the use of virtual reality (Trauma SimVR): Protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lintschinger Josef Michael , Metelka Philipp , Kapral Lorenz , Kahlfuss Florian , Reischmann Lena , Kaider Alexandra , Holaubek Caroline , Kaiser Georg , Wagner Michael , Ettl Florian , Sixt Leonhard , Schaden Eva , Hafner Christina
Published: January 2025

Background

With the increasing availability and use of digital tools such as virtual reality in medical education, there is a need to evaluate their impact on clinical performance and decision-making among healthcare professionals. The Trauma SimVR study is investigating the efficacy of virtual reality training in the context of traumatic in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods and analysis

This study protocol (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT06445764) for a single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled trial focuses on first-year residents in anesthesiology/intensive care, traumatology, and emergency medicine. The study will compare the clinical performance in a simulated scenario between participants who received virtual reality training and those who received traditional e-learning courses for preparation. The primary endpoint is the time to a predefined intervention to treat the underlying cause of the simulated traumatic cardiac arrest. Secondary endpoints include protocol deviations, cognitive load during simulated scenarios, and the influence of gender and personality characteristics on learning outcomes. The e-learning and the virtual reality training content will be developed in collaboration with experts from various medical specialties and nursing, focusing on procedural processes, guideline adherence specific to trauma patient care, and traumatic in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Results

The results of this study will provide valuable insights into the efficacy of virtual reality training, contributing to the advancement of medical education, and serve as a foundation for future research in this rapidly evolving field.
Examining hurricane–related social media topics longitudinally and at scale: A transformer-based approach
Authors: Murthy Dhiraj , Kurz Sophia Elisavet , Anand Tanvi , Hornick Sonali , Lakuduva Nandhini , Sun Jerry
Published: January 2025

Instead of turning to emergency phone systems, social media platforms, such as Twitter, have emerged as alternative and sometimes preferred venues for members of the public in the US to communicate during hurricanes and other natural disasters. However, relevant posts are likely to be missed by responders given the volume of content on platforms. Previous work successfully identified relevant posts through machine-learned methods, but depended on human annotators. Our study indicates that a GPU-accelerated version of BERTopic, a transformer-based topic model, can be used without human training to successfully discern topics during multiple hurricanes. We use 1.7 million tweets from four US hurricanes over seven years and categorize identified topics as temporal constructs. Some of the more prominent topics related to disaster relief, user concerns, and weather conditions. Disaster managers can use our model, data, and constructs to be aware of the types of themes social media users are producing and consuming during hurricanes.
Efficacy of videoconferencing-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy to reduce anxiety disorder severity in LGBTQ+ people: An exploratory trial protocol
Authors: Dunn Isaac B. J. M. D. , Power Emma , Casey Liam J. , Wootton Bethany M.
Published: January 2025

Objective

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a well-established treatment for anxiety disorders in the general population. However, the efficacy of CBT for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and otherwise non-heterosexual or non-cisgender (LGBTQ+) people with anxiety disorders is still emerging in the literature. This protocol proposes an exploratory, two-group, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of CBT for anxiety disorders against a waitlist control group.

Methods

The trial will recruit 52 LGBTQ+ adults with a primary anxiety disorder diagnosis. The treatment will consist of videoconferencing-delivered CBT using the Unified Protocol (UP). The treatment will be provided in eight weekly individual sessions. Following treatment completion, the waitlist control participants will receive an LGBTQ+ adapted CBT intervention delivered via videoconferencing. The control group will receive the LGBTQ+ adapted UP in weekly sessions for eight weeks. Diagnostic status and symptom severity will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and three-month follow-up. Post-treatment qualitative exit interviews will collect participant perspectives on treatment acceptability.

Results

Outcome measures will be compared across groups and benchmarked with existing literature to assess efficacy and feasibility, while qualitative analysis will explore intervention acceptability.

Conclusion

The results are anticipated to inform best-practice remote transdiagnostic treatment of anxiety disorders in LGBTQ+ people.
Social influence and consensus building: Introducing a q-voter model with weighted influence
Authors: Mullick Pratik , Sen Parongama
Published: January 2025

We present a model of opinion formation where an individual’s opinion is influenced by interactions with a group of agents. The model introduces a novel bias mechanism that favors one opinion, a feature not previously explored. In the absence of bias, the system reduces to a mean field voter model. We identify three regimes: favoring negative opinions, favoring positive opinions, and a neutral case. In large systems, equilibrium outcomes become independent of group size, with only the bias influencing the final consensus. For smaller groups, however, the time to reach equilibrium depends on group size. Our results show that even a small initial bias leads to a consensus, with all agents eventually sharing the same opinion if the bias is not zero. The system also exhibits critical slowing down near the neutral bias, which acts as a dynamical threshold. The time to reach consensus scales logarithmically for non-neutral biases and linearly with system size for the neutral case. While short-term dynamics are influenced by group size, long-term behavior is determined solely by the bias.
A spatial interpolation method based on 3D-CNN for soil petroleum hydrocarbon pollution
Authors: Miao Sheng , Ni Guoqing , Kong Guangze , Yuan Xiuhe , Liu Chao , Shen Xiang , Gao Weijun
Published: January 2025

Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution causes significant damage to soil, so accurate prediction and early intervention are crucial for sustainable soil management. However, traditional soil analysis methods often rely on statistical methods, which means they always rely on specific assumptions and are sensitive to outliers. Existing machine learning based methods convert features containing spatial information into one-dimensional vectors, resulting in the loss of some spatial features of the data. This study explores the application of Three-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Networks (3DCNN) in spatial interpolation to evaluate soil pollution. By introducing Channel Attention Mechanism (CAM), the model assigns different weights to auxiliary variables, improving the prediction accuracy of soil hydrocarbon content. We collected soil pollution data and validated the spatial distribution map generated using this method based on the drilling dataset. The results indicate that compared with traditional Kriging3D methods (R2 = 0.318) and other machine learning methods such as support vector regression (R2 = 0.582), the proposed 3DCNN based method can achieve better accuracy (R2 = 0.954). This approach provides a sustainable tool for soil pollution management, supports decision-makers in developing effective remediation strategies, and promotes the sustainable development of spatial interpolation techniques in environmental science.
Environmental judicature and firm productivity: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment
Authors: Huang Xiaoqi , Yao Wenbo , Cao Zhi
Published: January 2025

The impact of environmental governance on firm productivity has been widely discussed, but few studies have examined the function of environmental judicature. Using the establishment of environmental courts as a quasi-natural experiment, this paper examines the relationship between environmental judicature and firm productivity. Our findings show that environmental courts will reduce firm productivity in the short term, chiefly owing to the increased environmental violation costs, environmental reputation costs and environmental compliance costs. The conclusion remains robust after mitigation of heterogeneous treatment effects, PSM-DID estimation, placebo tests and IV estimation. This negative effect is more pronounced for firms located in regions with high legal scores and low government intervention, for firms located in the eastern region, for firms with weak market power, and for firms with high pollution intensity. In addition, our further analysis suggests that environmental courts would improve the long-term firm productivity and regional green productivity, indicating that strengthening environmental judicature are conducive to firms’ sustainable growth and regions’ green transformation in the long run.
Factors associated with malnutrition inflammation score among hemodialysis patients: A cross-sectional investigation in tertiary care hospital, Palestine
Authors: Hamdan Zakaria , Nazzal Zaher , Al-Amouri Fatima Masoud , Ishtayah Sanaa , Sammoudi Sarah , Bsharat Lawra , Badrasawi Manal
Published: January 2025

Malnutrition is a prevalent complication in hemodialysis patients and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with malnutrition among hemodialysis patients including patient’s general characteristics, functional status, and dietary intake. This study involved hemodialysis patients in An-Najah National University Hospital at Nablus/Palestine. An interview-based questionnaire was used to collect data related to sociodemographic, lifestyle, hemodialysis, medical history, anthropometrics, biochemical indices, dietary data using 3-days diet recall, and functional status. Malnutrition-inflammation score tool (MIS) was used for malnutrition screening of the studied patients. The study involved 188 patients, with a mean age of 57.8±14 years. A total of 28.2% participants are reported malnourished. Malnutrition was significantly associated with being female (p = 0.001), unemployed (p = 0.009), nonsmoker or ex-smoker (p = 0.018). Patients with CVDs (p = 0.006), higher months on dialysis (p = 0.002), lower BMI (p = 0.018), and using catheter for dialysis access are more likely to develop malnutrition (p = 0.018). Furthermore, patients with poor functional status (poor handgrip strength (p<0.001), inability to walk (p<0.001), needing help in daily activity or in transfer (p<0.001)) were significantly associated with malnutrition. Additionally, malnutrition was significantly higher among patients who does not meet their recommended calorie intake (p = 0.008), whose sodium intake within recommendation (p = 0.049), patients with low levels of hemoglobin (p = 0.022), albumin (p<0.001), TIBC (p = 0.002), phosphate (p<0.001), and patients with higher levels of ferritin (p<0.001). Higher months on dialysis (Exp(B) = 1.02), unmet calorie intake (Exp(B) = 4.3), needing help in daily activities (Exp(B) = 0.238), and low albumin level (Exp(B) = 0.048) were the independent predictors of malnutrition. This study highlights the significant association between malnutrition and various demographic, clinical, functional, and dietary factors in hemodialysis patients, revealing the burden of malnutrition during HD. It also necessitates targeted intervention to address these risk factors and improve nutritional status and the overall health outcomes of HD patients.
Association between asymptomatic submicroscopic and microscopic malaria infections and anemia: A study in southern Benin
Authors: Chaves Alejandro Rojas , Dossou Yannelle , Djènontin Armel , Adimi Elisée , Akoho Romuald , Bailly Justine , Bouraïma Aziz , Matondo Déborah , Sissinto Yolande , Houinato Dismand , Massougbodji Achille , Dechavanne Célia , Cottrell Gilles
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Recently, efforts to eliminate malaria have shifted focus from symptomatic cases alone to include asymptomatic carriers, who are now recognized as significant contributors to the disease’s transmission and control. This study examines the relationship between asymptomatic malaria infection and hemoglobin levels in Benin.

Methods

A cohort in Benin was enrolled and categorized into three age groups (under 5 years, 5–15 years, and over 15 years) for follow-up from August to November 2021. Participants were monitored over two months and assessed for malaria infection through microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) during their three visits. A questionnaire was employed to gather general and clinical characteristics. Multivariate models were utilized to analyze the associations between asymptomatic infection, anemia, and hemoglobin levels.

Results

Among 393 participants, 58.2% were diagnosed at enrolment with malaria via PCR, and 30.5% through microscopy. Anemia, defined as hemoglobin levels < 11 g/dL, was observed in 40.5% of the cohort. The risk of anemia declined with increasing age (OR for ages 5–15: 0.64, 95% CI [0.37; 1.09]; OR for over 15 years: 0.34, 95% CI [0.20; 0.59]) compared to children under 5. Individuals with both microscopic and submicroscopic infections exhibited higher odds of anemia (respectively OR = 4.15, 95% CI [2.41; 7.13] and OR = 2.09 [1.22; 3.57]) relative to those uninfected. Hemoglobin levels were consistently lower in participants with microscopic malaria across all age groups (β = -2.73, 95% CI [-3.41; -2.05] for those under 5, β = -1.35, 95% CI [-1.89; -0.82] for ages 5–15, and β = -0.72, 95% CI [-1.34; -0.07]) compared to non-infected individuals.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that asymptomatic malaria infections, including submicroscopic cases, are associated with anemia and decreased hemoglobin levels. This underscores the importance of employing ultrasensitive diagnostic methods for such infections and acknowledging their potential health implications.
Study protocol for a hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial of Game Changers for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Uganda
Authors: Wagner Glenn J. , Bogart Laura M. , Matovu Joseph K. B. , Gwokyalya Violet , Beyeza-Kashesya Jolly , Ober Allison , Green Harold D. , Nakami Sylvia , Juncker Margrethe , Namisango Eve , Luyirika Emmanuel , McBain Ryan K. , Bouskill Kathryn , Wanyenze Rhoda K.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Cervical cancer (CC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Uganda women, yet rates of CC screening are very low. Training women who have recently screened to engage in advocacy for screening among women in their social network is a network-based strategy for promoting information dissemination and CC screening uptake.

Methods

Drawing on the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) framework for implementation science, this hybrid type 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a peer-led, group advocacy training intervention, Game Changers for Cervical Cancer Prevention (GC-CCP), will examine efficacy for increasing CC screening uptake as well as how it can be implemented and sustained in diverse clinic settings. In the Preparation phase we will prepare the four study clinics for implementation of GC-CCP and the expected increase in demand for CC screening, by using qualitative methods (stakeholder interviews and client focus groups) to identify and address structural barriers to easy access to CC screening. In the Implementation phase, GC-CCP will be implemented over 36 months at each clinic, with screened women (index participants) enrolled as research participants receiving the intervention in the first 6 months as part of a parallel group RCT overseen by the research study team to evaluate efficacy for CC screening uptake among their enrolled social network members. All research participants will be assessed at baseline and months 6 and 12. Intervention implementation and supervision will then be transitioned to clinic staff and offered as part of usual care in the subsequent 30 months as part of the Sustainability phase. Using the RE-AIM framework, we will evaluate engagement in GC-CCP and CC advocacy (reach), alter CC screening (effectiveness), adoption into clinic operations, implementation outcomes (acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, cost-effectiveness) and maintenance.

Discussion

This is one of the first studies to use a network-driven approach and empowerment of CC screened peers as change agents to increase CC screening. If shown to be an effective and sustainable implementation strategy for promoting CC screening, this peer advocacy model could be applied to other preventative health behaviors and disease contexts.

Trial registration

NIH Clinical Trial Registry NCT06010160 (clinicaltrials.gov; date: 8/17/2023).
Computational design of multi-epitope vaccine against Hepatitis C Virus infection using immunoinformatics techniques
Authors: Zubair Sara , Parvaiz Fahed , Abualait Turki , Al-Regaiey Khalid , Anwar Tasneem , Zafar Mahnoor , Kaleem Imdad , Bashir Shahid
Published: January 2025

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a blood borne pathogen that affects around 200 million individuals worldwide. Immunizations against the Hepatitis C Virus are intended to enhance T-cell responses and have been identified as a crucial component of successful antiviral therapy. Nevertheless, attempts to mediate clinically relevant anti-HCV activity in people have mainly failed, despite the vaccines present satisfactory progress. In this study, we used an array of immunoinformatics approaches to design a multiepitope peptide-based vaccine against HCV by emphasizing 6 conserved epitopes from viral protein NS5B. The potential epitopes were examined for their possible antigenic combination with each other along with GPGPG linkers using structural modeling and epitope-epitope interaction analysis. An adjuvant (β-defensin) was introduced to the N-terminus to increase the immunogenicity of the vaccine construct. Molecular dynamics simulation discloses the most stable structure of the proposed vaccine. The designed vaccine is potentially antigenic in nature and can form stable and significant interaction with both receptors TLR2 and TLR3. The vaccine construct was also subjected to In-Silico cloning which confirmed its expression efficiency in a vector. The findings indicate that the designed multi-epitope vaccine have a great potential for preclinical and clinical research, which is an important step in addressing the problems related to HCV infection.
Fiscal vertical imbalance and income inequality: A threshold effect analysis based on government expenditure
Authors: Mao Lan
Published: January 2025

This study aims to investigate the complex relationship between vertical fiscal imbalance, public expenditure structure, and income distribution disparities, with the goal of providing policy insights for achieving shared prosperity. Employing Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and threshold analysis, the research reveals key findings: (1) an exacerbation of vertical fiscal imbalance significantly widens the urban-rural income gap; (2) public expenditure structure exhibits threshold effects, resulting in non-linear impacts on income disparity; (3) a unique contribution of our study is the identification of varying threshold effects of urban public expenditure on income disparities within rural areas, urban areas, and the gap between them, underscoring the need for targeted fiscal interventions. These findings highlight the critical role of public expenditure in addressing income distribution issues and offer valuable guidance for upcoming fiscal and tax reforms.
Activation of S1PR2 on macrophages and the hepatocyte S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK1/MLC2 pathway in vanishing bile duct syndrome
Authors: Miyagawa-Hayashino Aya , Imura Tetsuya , Takezawa Toshiaki , Hirai Maki , Shibata Saya , Ogi Hiroshi , Tsujikawa Takahiro , Konishi Eiichi
Published: January 2025

Immunologic bile duct destruction is a pathogenic condition associated with vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) after liver transplantation and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. As the bile acid receptor sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) plays a critical role in recruitment of bone marrow-derived monocytes/macrophages to sites of cholestatic liver injury, S1PR2 expression was examined using cultured macrophages and patient tissues. Bile canaliculi destruction precedes intrahepatic ductopenia; therefore, we focused on hepatocyte S1PR2 and the downstream RhoA/Rho kinase 1 (ROCK1) signaling pathway and bile canaliculi alterations using three-dimensional hepatocyte culture models that form obvious bile canaliculus-like networks. Multiplex immunohistochemistry revealed increased numbers of S1PR2+CD45+CD68+FCN1+ inflammatory macrophages and S1PR2+CD45+CD68+MARCO+ Kupffer cells in liver tissues showing ductopenia due to graft-versus-host disease and rejection post-liver transplant compared with normal liver. Macrophage expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including MCP1, was reduced following S1PR2 inhibition. Taurocholic acid and S1P2 agonist induced hepatocyte S1PR2 and reduced RhoA/ROCK1 expression, resulting in bile canaliculi dilatation. S1PR2 inhibition reversed the effect on RhoA/ROCK1 expression, resulting in maintenance of bile canaliculi through myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) phosphorylation. Activation of S1PR2 on macrophages and S1PR2 on hepatocytes may disrupt bile canaliculi dynamics in VBDS under regulation by RhoA/ROCK1 through MLC2 phosphorylation.
Estimating the prevalence of adults at risk for advanced hepatic fibrosis using FIB-4 in a Swiss tertiary care hospital
Authors: Strajhar Petra , Berzigotti Annalisa , Nilius Henning , Nagler Michael , Dufour Jean-François
Published: January 2025

Background & aims

Chronic liver diseases pose a serious public health issue. Identifying patients at risk for advanced liver fibrosis is crucial for early intervention. The Fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4), a simple non-invasive test, classifies patients into three risk groups for advanced fibrosis. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of patients at risk for advanced hepatic fibrosis at a Swiss tertiary care hospital by calculating the FIB-4 score in routine blood analysis.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted using data from 36,360 patients who visited outpatient clinics at eight main clinics of the University Hospital Bern in Switzerland. The data collection period ran from January 1st to December 31st, 2022. Patients attending the hepatology outpatient clinic were excluded. We then calculated the overall and clinic-specific prevalence of patients falling into the high risk category for advanced fibrosis according to FIB-4.

Results

Among the 36,360 patients, 26,245 (72.2%) had a low risk of advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 <1.3), whereas 3913 (10.8%) and 2597 (7.1%) patients were flagged to have a high risk of advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 >2.67 and FIB-4 >3.25 respectively). Geriatrics and Cardiology had the highest proportions of patients at risk for advanced fibrosis over all clinics.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a high prevalence of high FIB-4 score in a Swiss tertiary care hospital. The implementation of the automatically generated FIB-4 score in daily practice, not only in primary care, but also within tertiary care hospitals, could be crucial for early identification of outpatients at high risk of advanced liver fibrosis requiring further hepatological investigations.
A protocol for loading Calcein-AM into extracellular vesicles from mammalian cells for clear visualization with a fluorescence microscope coupled to a deconvolution system
Authors: Calderón-Peláez María-Angélica , Castellanos Jaime E. , Velandia-Romero Myriam L.
Published: January 2025

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound structures produced and released into the extracellular space by all types of cells. Due to their characteristics, EVs play crucial roles in cellular communication and signaling, holding an immense potential as biomarkers and molecular transporters. Various methods have been developed to label and characterize EVs, however, visualizing EVs remains a process that requires highly specialized and expensive equipment, which is not always available in all the laboratories. In this study, we adapted a protocol originally designed for EVs analysis by flow cytometry using Calcein-AM, and convert it into a useful and effective tool for visualizing EVs by epifluorescence microscopy coupled with a deconvolution system. This approach can be very useful for basic EVs analyses, enabling researchers to verify their distribution and internalization across cells. Such insights can guide decisions on whether to advance to more detailed analysis using confocal microscopy or to perform additional assays.
Increased sagittal abdominal diameter is associated with a higher risk of kidney stones
Authors: Song Wei , Li Shugen , Wang Guangchun , Gao Shang
Published: January 2025

Background

This study investigates the relationship between sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), a measure of abdominal obesity, and kidney stone disease (KSD) in the U.S. population. Additionally, it explores potential underlying mechanisms and evaluates the clinical utility of a predictive model.

Methods

Data were collected from 11,671 participants, including 1,136 cases of KSD. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, dose-response curves, and mediation effect assessments were employed to examine the association between SAD and KSD. A predictive model was developed and validated using calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and clinical decision curves. Additionally, hematological indicators were analyzed to identify potential mediating factors.

Results

SAD showed a strong and positive association with KSD, even after adjusting for confounders such as gender, age, and education. The predictive model demonstrated moderate accuracy (AUC =  0.661) and clinical utility. Hematological analyses indicated that granulocyte count (GRAN) significantly mediated the relationship between SAD and KSD (P <  0.001).

Conclusions

SAD is a significant risk factor for KSD, underscoring the role of abdominal obesity in kidney stone formation. The predictive model demonstrates potential clinical applications for early risk assessment and management of KSD.
What sustain Chinese adult second language (L2) learners’ engagement in online classes? A sequential mix-methods study on the roles of L2 motivation and enjoyment
Authors: Li Yanyan , Liu Wentao , Ren Shuai
Published: January 2025

Recent research has integrated positive psychology with the Second Language Motivational Self System (L2MMS) to explore how enjoyment, L2 self-guides (including ideal L2 self and ought-to L2 self), and engagement interact among school-aged second-language (L2) learners. However, there is a significant gap in understanding these dynamics among adult learners, particularly those who primarily learn a second language online—a group that has been largely overlooked. To address this gap, our study examined the underlying mechanisms connecting these constructs. We employed a sequential mixed-methods approach with 367 adult L2 learners enrolled in online language courses at three universities in China. Quantitative data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with Amos 24, revealing several key findings. Enjoyment was found to directly and positively predict engagement. However, contrary to existing literature, ideal L2 self did not directly predict either enjoyment or engagement. In contrast, ought-to L2 self directly and positively predicted both enjoyment and engagement, and it indirectly influenced engagement through enjoyment. Qualitative data, gathered through semi-structured interviews with five participants and analyzed using MAXQDA 2022, provided deeper insights into these statistical trends. This study concludes by discussing its implications and suggesting directions for future research.
Development of a unique crosslinked glycosaminoglycan for soft tissue repair: Treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
Authors: Heidebrecht Richard W. , Jozefiak Thomas H. , Shain Harrison C. , Skrabut Eugene M. , Saunders Debra , Smith Nataliya , Towner Rheal A. , Hurst Robert
Published: January 2025

Chemical modification of naturally derived glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) expands their potential utility for applications in soft tissue repair and regenerative medicine. Here we report the preparation of a novel crosslinked chondroitin sulfate (~200 to 2000 kilodaltons) that is both soluble in aqueous solution and microfilterable. We refer to these materials as “SuperGAGs.” One can further conjugate these materials with diverse capture agents to further modify polymer properties and add new capabilities. A representative material (GLX-100) demonstrated durable restoration of bladder impermeability in a gold standard animal model of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS). Histologic examination of the animal bladders treated with a GLX-100 SuperGAG conjugated to biotin as a reporter demonstrated that the residence time of GLX-100 is superior to chondroitin sulfate (a product that is currently used for clinical treatment of patients with IC/BPS). As expected, this novel crosslinked GAG biopolymer was restricted to the luminal surface of the bladder wall. In this communication we describe a simple and versatile synthesis of a crosslinked glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biopolymer for soft tissue repair. Chondroitin sulfate (~12 kD) was crosslinked to form a water soluble and microfilterable polymer with approximately 200 to 2000 kD molecular weight. The synthesis presented here allows for control of molecular weight while avoiding formation of an extended block gel. Moreover, the procedure enables further chemical modification of the SuperGAG through the selection of a capture agent. A set of agents have been used, demonstrating the preparation of a family of SuperGAGs with diverse capabilities. We can optimize polymer properties, adjust adherence to various tissues, add reporters, and engage the biochemistry of surrounding tissues with peptides and other bioactives.
Assessment of temporospatial and kinematic gait parameters using human pose estimation in patients with Parkinson’s disease: A comparison between near-frontal and lateral views
Authors: Kim Jeongsik , Kim Ryul , Byun Kyeongho , Kang Nyeonju , Park Kiwon
Published: January 2025

Gait disturbance is one of the most common symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) that is closely associated with poor clinical outcomes. Recently, video-based human pose estimation (HPE) technology has attracted attention as a cheaper and simpler method for performing gait analysis than marker-based 3D motion capture systems. However, it remains unclear whether video-based HPE is a feasible method for measuring temporospatial and kinematic gait parameters in patients with PD and how this function varies with camera position. In this study, treadmill and overground walking in 24 patients with early PD was measured using a motion capture system and two smartphone cameras placed on the near-frontal and lateral sides of the subjects. We compared the differences in temporospatial gait parameters and kinematic characteristics between joint position data obtained from the 3D motion capture system and the markerless HPE. Our results confirm the feasibility of analyzing gait in patients with PD using HPE. Although the near-frontal view, where the heel and toe are clearly visible, is effective for estimating temporal gait parameters, the lateral view is particularly well-suited for assessing spatial gait parameters and joint angles. However, in clinical settings where lateral recordings are not feasible, near-frontal view recordings can still serve as a practical alternative to motion capture systems.