bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Luz e sombra”: Aspectos do cotidiano de mulheres com transtorno disfórico pré-menstrual.
Authors: Nascimento Lavínia Barbosa do , Constantinidis Teresinha Cid , Coutinho Sabrine Mantuan dos Santos
Published: December 2024

Este estudo buscou conhecer a concepção de mulheres sobre o Transtorno Disfórico Pré-menstrual (TDPM), e discutir as mudanças ocasionadas pelo transtorno em seus cotidianos, além das medidas adotadas por elas para a realização de suas atividades cotidianas. Trata-se de pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, de caráter descritivo e exploratório. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com cinco mulheres diagnosticadas com TDPM. O tratamento do material deu-se por intermédio da análise de conteúdo, resultando em três categorias – configuração do diagnóstico, concepção do TDPM e cotidiano. A não banalização dos sintomas, o autoconhecimento e auto-observação do ciclo menstrual, e a observação de pessoas próximas são apontadas como facilitadoras para a configuração do diagnóstico. São apresentadas concepções a respeito da TDPM, que aparecem vinculadas ao sofrimento e ao estigma vivenciado por essas mulheres. O cotidiano com o TDPM é marcado pelo isolamento, prejuízo nas relações, baixa produtividade, dificuldade em dar prosseguimento a planos e projetos, além de comprometimento do lazer e do aproveitamento de momentos significativos de suas vidas. Para lidar com mudanças no cotidiano, as medidas adotadas por elas centram-se no cuidado e no autocuidado.
Assistência ao homem na Atenção Primária à Saúde: uma avaliação do atributo acesso
Authors: Silva Júnior José Antonio da , Dantas Maiara Bezerra , Leal Maryanna Damasceno , Nascimento Ellany Gurgel Cosme do , Santos Paula Fernanda Brandão Batista dos
Published: December 2024

Introdução: a presença do homem nos serviços de saúde ainda é um desafio uma vez que estes espaços são pouco reconhecidos como um espaço masculino. A não formação profissional voltada para necessidades masculinas, assim como o déficit de protocolos orientadores, a pouca divulgação e a inobservância pelos governantes, dificultam este acesso ao público masculino. Objetivo: Avaliar o acesso e satisfação dos usuários homens nos serviços de APS em um município do interior do Rio Grande do Norte. Materiais e métodos: Pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, de abordagem mista. Foram incluídos homens de 20 a 59 anos, totalizando uma amostra de 364 participantes. A coleta se deu por meio de um instrumento semiestruturado construído pelos pesquisadores, foi feita uma análise univariada dos dados. Resultados: As Unidades Básicas de Saúde foram consideradas acolhedoras pela maioria dos participantes, porém a participação em consultas de planejamento sexual e reprodutivo e em pré-natal é baixa. A utilização do serviço se caracterizou pelo adoecimento, para acesso a prescrições medicamentosas, e, em menor número em busca de serviços de prevenção e promoção da saúde Conclusões: As narrativas demonstraram as dificuldades para o acesso e utilização do serviço das UBS, relacionadas ao processo de trabalho e organização das equipes e funcionamento da UBS. Tem-se que o acesso dos homens aos serviços de saúde deve ser um importante ponto de debate entre as equipes, principalmente no âmbito da APS.
Análise de viabilidade de implantação de telhados verdes em edificações de interesse social: impacto da sobrecarga sobre a estrutura e fundação
Authors: Silva Leyziane Naianne Pinheiro da , Bello Maria Isabela Marques da Cunha Vieira , Alves Luis Eduardo Santos
Published: December 2024

O telhado verde é uma solução construtiva sustentável que tem sido adotado para mitigar as más consequências da urbanização, trazendo equilíbrio entre as construções e o meio ambiente, e atuando como uma importante ação tática pela gestão ambiental das cidades. Este artigo apresenta uma análise de viabilidade da implantação de telhados verdes quanto ao impacto causado pela sobrecarga gerada na estrutura e na fundação. Trata-se de uma edificação de 4 pavimentos tipo, mais térreo, com sistema construtivo em paredes de concreto e fundação por radier estaqueado apoiada sobre espessos depósitos de solos de baixa resistência, configuração típica de habitação de interesse social construída na Região Metropolitana de Recife, Pernambuco. O dimensionamento estrutural foi realizado para cinco cenários: 1) laje comum em concreto armado; 2) telhado verde extensivo com camada drenante de argila expandida; 3) telhado verde extensivo com camada drenante de brita; 4) telhado verde intensivo com vegetação arbustiva; 5) telhado verde intensivo com vegetação de pequenas árvores e arbustos. Para analisar o desempenho da fundação modelou-se todo sistema construtivo no software SAP 2000. Os recalques gerados foram comparados com os resultados dos recalques estimados e monitorados no Cenário 1. Verificou-se que todas as coberturas verdes poderiam ser implantadas, pois não houve acréscimo significativo nos deslocamentos da estrutura sobre o solo, não sendo exigido reforço na estrutura e na fundação. O Cenário 3 seria o mais indicado para implantação em edificações de interesse social semelhantes a edificação estudada, pois é de fácil instalação, manuseio e manutenção, fornecendo benefícios ambientais e econômicos.
Innovations in coeliac disease diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Alsararatee Hasan H
Published: December 2024

This article provides healthcare professionals, particularly gastroenterology nurses, with a forward-looking perspective on the management of coeliac disease that emphasises an evolving, patient-centred approach. This article also examines emerging advancements in diagnosis, treatment and management, alongside their implications for nursing practice. Current diagnostic methods, while considered the gold standard, remain invasive and burdensome for patients. However, recent innovations, including no-biopsy strategies and biomarkers such as serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) and HLA-DQ–gluten tetramers, present less invasive alternatives. Advances in imaging techniques and artificial intelligence promise to further enhance diagnostic accuracy. Therapeutic developments, such as enzyme-based treatments and immune modulators, offer potential to reduce dependency on a strict gluten-free diet, thereby improving patients’ quality of life. The integration of digital health tools, telemedicine and psychological support highlights the importance of a holistic, patient-centred care model. Gastroenterology nurses play a pivotal role in implementing these advancements, particularly through education, community engagement and multidisciplinary collaboration. This article also addresses critical ethical considerations, including equitable access to care and the psychological impact of genetic screening, to ensure that all patients can benefit from these innovations.
We've explored…: nursery pets
Authors: Rawstrone Annette
Published: December 2024

Having animals in residence helps the children at one setting in Derbyshire care for them while learning about things such as where food comes from. By Annette Rawstrone
Good night
Authors: Rawstrone Annette
Published: December 2024

A decent night's sleep is important for both child and parents, but how much sleep do different ages need, and how can common problems be resolved? By Annette Rawstrone
All about …: AI
Authors: Crown Hannah
Published: December 2024

What is AI, will it transform early education, and should we be scared? By Hannah Crown
Body and soul
Authors: Mountain Julie , Robinson Felicity
Published: December 2024

It may seem gruesome at first, but dissection teaches children in an unforgettable and meaningful way about the circle of life. By Julie Mountain and Felicity Robinson
recruit & retain: Part of the farm-ly
Authors: Morton Katy
Published: December 2024

As the recruitment and retention crisis in the early years continues, in the first part of a new series, Katy Morton talks to a setting in Essex about how its staff incentives and benefits are helping buck the trend
Counting sheep: human experience vs. Yolo algorithm with drone to determine population
Authors:   Departamento Académico de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Junín, Huancayo 12006, Perú Universidad Peruana Los Andes, Huancayo, 120101, Perú, Carhuas Jordan Ninahuanca , Grados Luigüi Andre Cerna ,   Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo, 130101, Perú, Payano Ide Unchupaico ,   Departamento Académico de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Junín, Huancayo 12006, Perú, Garcia-Olarte Edgar ,   Departamento Académico de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Junín, Huancayo 12006, Perú, Mauricio-Ramos Yakelin ,   Departamento Académico de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Junín, Huancayo 12006, Perú, Eulogio Carlos Quispe ,   Universidad Peruana Los Andes, Huancayo, 120101, Perú., Hadi Mohamed Mohamed M. ,   Universidad Peruana Los Andes, Huancayo, 120101, Perú.
Published: December 2024

This study assessed the efficiency of traditional human counting methods and the YOLOv7 algorithm in sheep population management at SAIS Pachacutec S.A.C., Peru. Human counters with varying experience levels (M1-M4) and the YOLOv7 algorithm (M5) were evaluated across six sheep flocks of different sizes. Traditional counting involved "linear pair counting" with human assistants, while the YOLOv7 algorithm utilized drone-captured images for automated counting. Using ANOVA and post-hoc tests, data analysis indicated that 24 months of human experience achieved 100% accuracy, highlighting the importance of expertise in accurate population management. The YOLOv7 algorithm achieved 85% accuracy, affected by factors such as the number of training images, hardware limitations, and training parameters. Despite its lower accuracy, YOLOv7 significantly reduced counting time compared to manual methods, making it a viable option for rapid object counting tasks. Further improvements in algorithm training and computational resources could enhance the algorithm's accuracy. These findings suggest that while human expertise remains critical for precise sheep counting, advancements in computer vision algorithms like YOLOv7 offer promising support, particularly for reducing counting time.
Mesophilic Aeromonas spp. isolated from live Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum): virulence properties and multidrug resistance
Authors:   Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea, Dahanayake Pasan Sepala ,   Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand, Majeed Sana ,   Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea, Kumarage Prasanga Madhushani ,   Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea, Heo Gang-Joon ,   Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the virulence determinants and multidrug resistance properties of mesophilic Aeromonas isolated from live Manila clams marketed in Korea. A total of 36 Aeromonas spp., comprising eleven A. hydrophila, eleven A. salmonicida, seven A. media, four A. veronii, two A. allosaccharophila, and one A. caviae isolate, were used in this study. The most common virulence traits observed were DNase and phospholipase activity, which were present in 100% of tested isolates, followed by gelatinase (94%), lipase (83%), hemolysis (78%), caseinase (75%), and slime production (31%). High prevalence of virulence genes; ahyB, fla, hlyA, gcat, ast, lip, ser, aerA, ascV, act, and alt, was identified in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Three A. hydrophila and seven A. salmonicida isolates were positive for all tested virulence genes. In contrast, three enterotoxin genes (alt/ast/act) were observed in A. salmonicida, A. hydrophila, and A.veronii. Alarmingly, in our study, 97% of Aeromonas isolates had MAR (multiple antibiotic resistance) values >0.2, indicating that they are from sources with a high risk of antibiotic-resistant contamination. Statistically significant differences were found between the frequency of virulence genes among Aeromonas spp. as well as the frequency of antibiotic resistance among Aeromonas spp. (p < 0.05). The incidence of potentially virulent and enterotoxigenic Aeromonas spp. showing multidrug resistance raises concern regarding the potential health risks of consuming raw or undercooked Manila clams.
Ulcerative colitis and bullous pemphigoid: Direct association or a medication side effect: A case report
Authors: Haddad Gaelle-Christie , El Dada Anthony , Sbeih Sergio , Kazzi Tony , Karam Karam , Chaptini Louis A
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering skin disorder. It is associated with other autoimmune disorders and the use of certain drugs. We describe a case of BP in a patient with ulcerative colitis (UC) treated with mesalamine.

CASE SUMMARY

A 38-year-old male patient with UC and a history of multiple flares was maintained on mesalamine with good clinical response. One year after starting mesalamine, he sought medical care following the onset of a severe itchy rash of several weeks’ duration with a recent appearance of skin bullae. A biopsy of the skin revealed subepidermal blistering dermatitis with focal eosinophilic spongiosis. Direct immunofluorescence studies revealed linear IgG and C3 immune reactant deposits at the dermoepidermal junction, consistent with the diagnosis of BP. Prednisone therapy alleviated his symptoms. However, tapering prednisone led to re-eruption of the bullae.

CONCLUSION

BP should be considered when patients with UC develop skin manifestations. Although BP is not one of the extraintestinal manifestations of UC, there may be an association between these two conditions. Whether treatment with mesalamine or other therapeutic agents plays a role in the development of BP remains unclear.
Atezolizumab and bevacizumab combination in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients: The imperative for safety assessment studies
Authors: Tharwat Mina , Tawheed Ahmed , El-Kassas Mohamed
Published: December 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent cancer of the hepatobiliary tract and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Atezolizumab and bevacizumab combination is currently considered among the front-line treatment modalities for advanced unresectable HCC. Most studies examining this combination were focused on evaluating its effectiveness. Despite numerous case reports documenting some side effects, there is a limited number of large-scale studies assessing these side effects. In this article, we comment on the case report by Park et al published recently, reporting a fatal intra-tumoral hemorrhage in a patient with HCC who received systemic therapy in the form of the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab.
Small cell lung cancer with peripheral neuropathy as the first symptom: Two case reports
Authors: Luo Man , Lu Xiao-Xi , Meng Dan-Yang , Hu Jin
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most malignant type of lung cancer. Even in the latent period and early stage of the tumor, SCLC is prone to produce distant metastases with complex and diverse clinical manifestations. SCLC is most closely related to paraneoplastic syndrome, and some cases present as paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathy (PPN). PPN in SCLC appears early, lacks specificity, and often occurs before diagnosis of the primary tumor. It is easy to be misdiagnosed as a primary disease of the nervous system, leading to missed diagnosis and delayed diagnosis and treatment.

CASE SUMMARY

This paper reports two cases of SCLC with limb weakness as the first symptom. The first symptoms of one patient were rash, limb weakness, and abnormal electromyography. The patient was repeatedly referred to the hospital for limb weakness and rash for > 1 year, during which time, treatment with hormones and immunosuppressants did not lead to significant improvement, and the condition gradually aggravated. The patient was later diagnosed with SCLC, and the dyskinesia did not worsen as the dermatomyositis improved after antineoplastic and hormone therapy. The second case presented with limb numbness and weakness as the first symptom, but the patient did not pay attention to it. Later, the patient was diagnosed with SCLC after facial edema caused by tumor thrombus invading the vein. However, he was diagnosed with extensive SCLC and died 1 year after diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The two cases had PPN and abnormal electromyography, highlighting its correlation with early clinical indicators of SCLC.
Expression rates of p16, p53 in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma based on human-papillomavirus positivity
Authors: Nam Ha-Jong , Ryu Heongrae , Lee Da-Woon , Byeon Je Yeon , Kim Jun Hyuk , Lee Ji Hye , Lim Soomin , Choi Hwan Jun
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

The high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is well established, and p16 expression is a strong predictor. HPV-related tumors exhibit unique mechanisms that target p16 and p53 proteins. However, research on HPV prevalence and the combined predictive value of p16 and p53 expression in head and neck cutaneous SCC (HNCSCC), particularly in Asian populations, remains limited. This retrospective study surveyed 62 patients with HNSCC (2011-2020), excluding those with facial warts or other skin cancer.

AIM

To explore the prevalence of HPV and the predictive value of p16 and p53 expression in HNCSCC in Asian populations.

METHODS

All patients underwent wide excision and biopsy. Immunohistochemical staining for HPV, p16, and p53 yielded positive and negative results. The relevance of each marker was investigated by categorizing the tumor locations into high-risk and middle-risk zones based on recurrence frequency.

RESULTS

Of the 62 patients, 20 (32.26%) were male, with an average age of 82.27 years (range 26-103 years). High-risk included 19 cases (30.65%), with the eyelid and lip being the most common sites (five cases, 8.06%). Middle-risk included 43 cases (69.35%), with the cheek being the most common (29 cases, 46.77%). The p16 expression was detected in 24 patients (38.71%), p53 expression in 42 patients (72.58%), and HPV in five patients (8.06%). No significant association was found between p16 expression and the presence of HPV (P > 0.99), with a positive predictive value of 8.33%.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that p16, a surrogate HPV marker in oropharyngeal SCC, is not reliable in HNCSCC, providing valuable insights for further research in Asian populations.
Toxicological study of calcium from Jeju Lava Seawater: acute and
90-day repeated-dose oral administration in rats
Authors: Kim Yeong Eun , Park Hee Jung
Published: December 2024

A series of toxicity trials was conducted to analyze the acute and subchronic
oral toxicity of calcium from Jeju Lava Seawater (CJLS) in Sprague-Dawley rats.
In the acute toxicity trial, rats were administered 0 or a daily dose of 2,000
mg/kg body weight (BW) of CJLS. General behavior, side effects, and mortality
were monitored over 14 days. In the subacute and subchronic trials, daily doses
of 0, 250, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg BW were administered to the rats over 28 and 90
days, respectively. Clinical signs were examined daily, and changes in body
weight, relative organ weight (ROW), and hematological, biochemical, and
pathological parameters were recorded. The acute toxicity trial showed that the
maximum tolerated dose of CJLS was >2,000 mg/kg BW, with no adverse
effects or mortality observed during the 14-day period. In subacute and
subchronic trials, oral administration of CJLS at a dosage of 1,000 mg/kg BW/day
did not result in significant changes in BW, ROW, or hematological and
biochemical biomarkers. These results indicate that the oral administration of
CJLS at doses lower than 1,000 mg/kg BW/day is safe for rats, providing a basis
for the clinical use of CJLS.
Calibration for the magnification of a submersible digital holographic camera during the study of particles in natural conditions
Authors: Dyomin Victor , Polovtsev Igor , Davydova Alexandra
Published: December 2024

One of the key tasks in the study of plankton by underwater digital holography is to determine the coordinates and sizes of particles based on their digital images reconstructed from digital holograms recorded in the medium. The use of a lens in the object beam of a submersible digital holographic camera complicates the process of obtaining accurate data on the size and spatial characteristics of particles. To solve this problem, we proposed earlier the concept of an equivalent imaging optical system for obtaining an image in a digital holographic camera, based on a geometric-optical model of the image formation. The concept includes a mathematical model that establishes a one-to-one correspondence between the dimensional and spatial parameters of the digital holographic image and the displayed particles. This paper presents the results of using this model in a submersible digital holographic camera (DHC) during laboratory and field experiments. The proposed mathematical model requires a single calibration, since the error in determining the position and size of particles for different salinities changes slightly (within 5%). The results of the laboratory calibration can be used for field experiments without the calibration directly in the water area, taking into account the range of change in natural salinity.
Optical method for dissolution/diffusion process multiparameters simultaneous measurement based on liquid-core cylindrical lenses
Authors: Zeng Rui , Li Zhiwei , Wang Danyang , Wang Yuanfangzhou , Sun Licun
Published: December 2024

The dissolution/diffusion process of solid in a liquid is a kind of widespread physical phenomenon. Parameters involved in this process include the dissolution rate (dC/dt), dissolution rate constant (K), and diffusion coefficient (D), whose accurate measurement is particularly important in fields such as biopharmaceuticals, materials science, agriculture, etc. However, the commonly used measurement methods at present cannot obtain these parameters simultaneously. Besides that, the measurement process is always not intuitive and time-consuming. This study introduces a method for measuring the multiple parameters of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) dissolving and diffusing in water under three states (powder, solid, and crystal) based on a compound liquid-core cylindrical lens (SLCL-Doublet) using a real-time optical image feature extraction method. Based on the relationship between the dissolution/diffusion image width and the solution concentration, dynamic spatiotemporal distribution of the solution concentration can be established, which can be used to calculate the D values based on Fick’s second law, and the dC/dt, K values based on Noyes-Whitney equation, accordingly. At last, the area of solid-liquid contact surfaces is determined based on the relationship between K and D in the Nernst-Brunner equation, confirming the accuracy of the measurement data from the side. The optical method for simultaneously measuring the multiple parameters in the dissolution/diffusion process introduced in this study can be widely used to quickly expand the basic data required for chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Design of high-voltage deep ultraviolet LED sub-mesas toward improved optoelectronic performance
Authors: Liao Zhefu , Lv Zhenxing , Tang Bin , Jiang Jingjing , Liu Sheng , Zhou Shengjun
Published: December 2024

Here, we systematically investigate the effect of mesa/sub-mesa sidewall engineering on single-junction (SJ) and high-voltage (HV) deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (DUV LEDs). The configuration of ∼46° inclined angle of the mesa/sub-mesa sidewall and Al reflector optimally promotes light extraction of SJ/HV DUV LEDs. We further observe substantial improvements in the self-heating and external quantum efficiency (EQE) droop effects of HV DUV LEDs with an increasing number of sub-mesas. Specifically, the EQE droops are 27.6% and 34.6% for HV DUV LEDs with two and four sub-mesas, respectively, at an input power of 6.4 W. These values are markedly lower than the 51.6% droop observed in the SJ DUV LEDs, which is partly attributed to the superior heat dissipation and light extraction facilitated by a high perimeter-to-area ratio of the sub-mesas. This investigation sheds light on mesa design-related efficiency droop behaviors and contributes to enhancing the optoelectronic performance of AlGaN-based DUV LEDs.
Postoperative intraocular lens tilt from preoperative full crystalline lens geometry using machine learning
Authors: Martinez-Enriquez Eduardo , Velarde-Rodríguez Gonzalo , Alba Nicolás Alejandre , Ansah Derick , Kishore Sindhu , De la Peña Álvaro , Natarajan Ramya , Vadavalli Pravin , Zhao Yue , Okudolo Joseph , McBee Dylan , Celik Ugur , Cetin Mujdat , Dong Jen-Li , Wang Li , Lim Yuli , Koch Douglas , MacRae Scott , Marcos Susana
Published: December 2024

In cataract surgery, the opacified crystalline lens is replaced by an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), requiring precise preoperative selection of parameters to optimize postoperative visual quality. Three-dimensional customized eye models, which can be constructed using quantitative data from anterior segment optical coherence tomography, provide a robust platform for virtual surgery. These models enable simulations and predictions of the optical outcomes for specific patients and selected IOL. A critical step in building these models is estimating the IOL’s tilt and position preoperatively based on the available preoperative geometrical information (ocular parameters). In this study, we present a machine learning model that, for the first time, incorporates the full shape geometry of the crystalline lens as candidate input features to predict the postoperative IOL tilt. Furthermore, we identify the most relevant features for this prediction task. Our model demonstrates significantly lower estimation errors compared to a simple linear correlation method and a state-of-the art approach that excludes full shape crystalline lens features, reducing the estimation error by approximately 5% compared to the latter. These findings highlight the potential of this approach to enhance the accuracy of postoperative predictions, paving the way to improve visual outcomes in cataract patients.
Dyslipidemia in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome patients: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Guo Shuai , Zhang Jingliang , Dong Qing , Yan Yunjun , Wang Chunjuan , Zhang Jingyao , Tu Lirui , Guo Shougang
Published: December 2024

Background

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a rapidly progressive infectious disease triggered by a novel bunyavirus (SFTSV). Despite the critical role of host lipid metabolism in viral infections, research on dyslipidemia in SFTS remains limited.

Methods

This retrospective study included 433 SFTS patients, who were stratified into survival group (n = 365) and death group (n = 68) and who were treated at the Shandong Public Health Clinical Center from September 2021 to December 2023. Additionally, 96 healthy controls with matching baseline characteristics were included from Shandong Provincial Hospital. Cross-sectional analysis based on admission data and longitudinal analysis over time were employed to survey the correlation between serum lipid profiles and mortality in SFTS patients.

Results

SFTS patients exhibited elevated triglyceride (TG) levels and reduced total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels compared to healthy individuals. Cross-sectional analysis demonstrated that lower LDL-C and apolipoprotein-B (ApoB) levels were related to elevated mortality risk in SFTS patients. Longitudinal analysis demonstrated that LDL-C and ApoB levels remained consistently lower in the death group, while TG levels gradually declined, and HDL-C levels gradually increased as the disease progressed.

Conclusion

SFTS patients exhibit significant dyslipidemia compared to healthy individuals. Lower LDL-C and ApoB levels may independently influence mortality in SFTS patients. Elevated TG and reduced HDL-C levels may associate with disease progression.
Bioinformatic characterization of ENPEP, the gene encoding a potential cofactor for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Arppo Antti , Barker Harlan , Parkkila Seppo
Published: December 2024

Research on SARS-CoV-2, the viral pathogen that causes COVID-19, has identified angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the primary viral receptor. Several genes that encode viral cofactors, such as TMPRSS2, NRP1, CTSL, and possibly KIM1, have since been discovered. Glutamyl aminopeptidase (APA), encoded by the gene ENPEP, is another cofactor candidate due to similarities in its biological role and high correlation with ACE2 and other human coronavirus receptors, such as aminopeptidase N (APN) and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). Recent studies have proposed a role for ENPEP as a viral receptor in humans, and ENPEP and ACE2 are both closely involved in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system proposed to play an important role in SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology. We performed bioinformatic analyses using publicly available bulk (>17,000 samples from 49 distinct tissues) and single-cell (>2.5 million cells) RNA-Seq gene expression datasets to evaluate the expression and function of the ENPEP gene. We also investigated age- and sex-related changes in ENPEP expression. Overall, expression of ENPEP was highest in the small intestine enterocyte brush border and the kidney cortex. ENPEP is widely expressed in a subset of vascular smooth muscle cells (likely pericytes) in systemic vasculature, the heart, and the brain. ENPEP is expressed at low levels in the lower respiratory epithelium. In the lung, ENPEP is most highly expressed in para-alveolar fibroblasts. Single-cell data revealed ENPEP expression in a substantial fraction of ependymal cells, a finding not reported before in humans. Age increases ENPEP expression in skeletal muscle and the prostate, while decreasing it in the heart and aorta. Angiogenesis was found to be a central biological function associated with the ENPEP gene. Tissue-specific roles, such as protein digestion and fat metabolism, were also identified in the intestine. In the liver, the gene is linked to the complement system, a connection that has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Expression of ENPEP and ACE2 is strongly correlated in the small intestine and renal cortex. Both overall and in blood vessels, ENPEP and ACE2 have a stronger correlation than many other genes associated with SARS-CoV-2, such as TMPRSS2, CTSL, and NRP1. Possible interaction between glutamyl aminopeptidase and SARS-CoV-2 should be investigated experimentally.
Access barriers and facilitators to implement mass drugs administration strategies for eliminating trachoma and geohelminthiasis in the department of Amazonas, Colombia
Authors: Trujillo-Trujillo Julián , Zamora Sara Milena , Bernal Lizarazu María Consuelo , Torres Pérez Myriam Leonor , Bellido Cuéllar Olga Esther , Araque Carol Viviana , Pulido Martínez Sonia Jaqueline , Vargas Peláez Claudia Marcela , Rossi Francisco , Moyano Ariza Luisa Fernanda , Bernal Parra Luz Mery
Published: December 2024

Background

One of the most important pillars of action to achieve the elimination of trachoma and soil-transmitted helminth infections as a public health problem is the mass administration, at regular intervals, of azithromycin and anthielmintics, respectively, to a high proportion of the eligible population in endemic areas.

Objective

The objective of the study was to identify access barriers and facilitators for achieving coverage goals in the mass drugs administration, azithromycin and albendazole, in the department of Amazonas, Colombia.

Methodology

Implementation research was used, combining three types of qualitative research methodologies to collect information about access barriers and facilitators already described; These were individual and group interviews, focus group discussions and face-to-face intercultural dialogues. We design, validate and apply different instruments with questions adapted to the context and role of the participants, and recorded and transcribed the sessions and analyzed them in qualitative analysis software. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to complement the above instrument questions, to guide data analysis, and apply the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

Results

Records of 159 participants were included; 21 individual and 3 group interviews, 6 focus group discussions and 4 intercultural dialogues were carried out. 21 strong, 30 weak, 6 neutral barriers as well as 5 weak and 11 strong facilitators were identified. 62% of the strong barriers and 40% of the weak ones were concentrated in the “Outer Setting Domain”. Only 16 facilitators were identified, 44% in the “Innovation” domain.

Conclusions

Multiple political, administrative, geographical, logistical and cultural access barriers, as well as external and internal migration of the population, explain low coverage in mass administration of azithromycin and albendazole. It is necessary to review them individually to implement an improvement plan that also recognizes the identified facilitators.
A contextual-compositional approach to discover associations between health determinants and health indicators for neonatal mortality rate monitoring in situations of anomalies
Authors: Baroni Laís , Scoralick Lucas , Reis Augusto , Belloze Kele , Pedroso Marcel , Alves Ronaldo , Boccolini Cristiano , Boccolini Patricia , Ogasawara Eduardo
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Epidemiology is considered both a field of research and a methodological approach within the broader health sciences. It aims to understand health-related events’ causes and effects and provide the evidence necessary to prevent disease and implement effective control and prevention strategies. One of the main focuses of epidemiology is identifying the determinant factors in the health situation of populations since health-related anomalies are not randomly distributed among people. This understanding brings up the necessity of considering each place’s particularities and observing the regularity of diseases in a population context.

Methods

We present the Contextual-Compositional Approach (CCA) for the discovery of associations between Health Indicators (HI) and Health Determinants (HD) for neonatal mortality rate monitoring in situations of anomalies. CCA uses time series concepts, anomaly detection, and data distribution between classes for studying HD under expected conditions and comparing them to the anomaly conditions indicated by the anomaly detection in the HI. CCA is evaluated using a neonatal mortality database in health facilities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Results

The results show that CCA can reveal essential associations between the health condition and the population’s social, economic, and cultural characteristics on different scales.

Conclusion

CCA stands out because it is easy to apply and understand, requiring little computational resources and parameters.
The first-person effect. A reconsideration of two meta-analyses
Authors: Moser Klaus , Paul Karsten I. , Soucek Roman , Eskofier Anett , Galais Nathalie
Published: December 2024

The third-person effect describes a tendency to estimate the influence of mass communication on others (“third persons”) as being stronger than on oneself and this has been well documented in previous research. Though a first-person effect has also been postulated for desirable mass communication messages (for ex. non-profit advertisements or public service announcements (PSAs)), for which reporting more influenceability of the self as compared to others should be a means to self-enhance, it has not been found in the two named meta-analyses. One cause might have been ambiguities in the meaning of “impact” of desirable messages. For ex., whereas the content of the message might intend a desirable impact (for ex. a plead against violence), it can collide with low preferences for the respective message context (for ex. rap music) and thus a reported low impact of the message can result. We assume that this ambiguity with respect to the function of messages is considerably lower if only advertisements are considered because they have one main function: persuasion. We thus present reanalyses of data from two meta-analyses though restricted to studies on the impact of advertising. With data from the first meta-analysis, we not only replicate the well-known third-person-effect for undesirable messages (d = .83; 95%CI [0.72, 0.94]; k = 27), but we also find a first-person-effect for desirable messages (d = -.47; 95%CI [-0.70, -0.24]; k = 7). From the studies included in the second meta-analysis, we reanalyzed the results of studies with PSAs (all socially desirable messages). After the exclusion of some studies due to methodological problems, we find a first-person-effect for PSAs (d = -.16; 95%CI [-0.27, -0.04]; k = 33). Thus, contrary to the conclusions of both meta-analyses, we confirm the existence of a reliable first-person-effect. Replicability of meta-analytic results, the necessity to exclude studies due to methodological problems, and the meaning of “impact of socially desirable messages” are briefly discussed.
Happiness in US military veterans: Results from a nationally representative study
Authors: Kang Hun , Fischer Ian C. , Na Peter J. , Pietrzak Robert H.
Published: December 2024

In line with the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ adoption of a Whole Health approach to healthcare, there has been growing interest in factors linked to veterans’ perceptions of well-being. To date, no known study has examined levels and correlates of perceived happiness in this population. To examine this question, we analyzed data from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 4,069 US military veterans. Overall, veterans reported mean happiness scores of 5.41 out of 7. Greater purpose in life was the strongest correlate of happiness, followed by lower severity of depressive symptoms, and higher optimism, emotional stability, and resilience. Among veterans who screened positive for depression, those who scored higher on measures of optimism, emotional stability, and resilience reported greater happiness. Interventions to leverage these modifiable psychosocial characteristics may help promote happiness and subjective well-being in this population.
ICRA: A study of highly accurate course recommendation models incorporating false review filtering and ERNIE 3.0
Authors: Li Bing , Hou Yuqi , Dong Jiangtao , Yang Biao , Wang Xile
Published: December 2024

The rapid expansion of online education platforms has led to an influx of false reviews, complicating users’ ability to identify suitable courses promptly. Addressing these challenges, this paper introduces ICRA (Intelligent Course Review Analysis), a novel model that identifies and filters false reviews using a custom sentiment lexicon and a pre-trained ERNIE 3.0 model. ICRA enhances data quality by analyzing user reviews and course profiles comprehensively for recommendation purposes. The model utilizes the BERT lexicon and ERNIE 3.0 to obtain deep semantic representations. It integrates BiLSTM with a multi-head attention mechanism to capture essential review details, aiming to minimize overfitting and enhance generalization. By predicting user review scores and verifying review authenticity, ICRA boosts recommendation accuracy and robustness, addressing the cold-start issue. Experimental findings highlight ICRA’s excellence in predicting user ratings and delivering precise course recommendations efficiently. This capability streamlines course selection on online education platforms, improving learning experiences and efficiency.
Widespread loss of safe lake ice access in response to a warming climate
Authors: Culpepper Joshua , Huang Lei , Woolway R. Iestyn , Sharma Sapna
Published: December 2024

Millions of people rely on lake ice for safe winter recreation. Warming air temperatures impact the phenology (timing of formation and breakup) and quality (ratio of black to white ice) of lake ice cover, both critical components of ice safety. Later formation and earlier breakup of lake ice lead to overall shorter periods of use. However, greater proportions of white ice may further inhibit safe ice use owing to its lower weight-bearing capacity. As ice cover duration decreases and ice quality changes in a warming world, the period of safe ice use will similarly diminish. We use a large ensemble modeling approach to predict ice safety throughout the winter period in the Northern Hemisphere. We used the Community Earth System Model Version 2 Large Ensemble (CESM2-LE) to calculate the period when ice first appears until it is of sufficient thickness for safe use, which depends on the ratio of black to white ice. We conducted this analysis for 2,379 to 2,829 ~1° by 1° grid cells throughout the Northern Hemisphere. We focus on the period between ice formation (≥ 2 cm) to a safe thickness for general human use (i.e., ≥10, ≥15, or ≥20 cm, depending on the ratio of black to white ice). We find that the transition period from unsafe to safe ice cover is growing longer, while the total duration of safe ice cover is getting shorter. The transition period of unsafe ice increases by 5.0 ± 3.7 days in a 4°C warmer world, assuming 100% black ice. Diminished ice quality further limits safe ice conditions. The unsafe transition period increases by an average of 19.8 ± 8.9 days and 8.8 ± 6.6 days for the ice formation and breakup periods, respectively in a 4°C warmer world assuming 100% white ice conditions. We show that although many lakes are forecasted to freeze, they will be unsafe to use for an average of 5 to 29 fewer days in a 4°C warmer world for 100% black and 100% white ice ratios, respectively. This wide range indicates that ice quality has a strong influence on ice safety. This work highlights the need to understand both lake ice phenology and quality to better assess safe lake ice use during the formation and melt periods.
Association between physical intimate partner violence and postpartum contraceptive use in the United States–evidence from PRAMS 2016–2021
Authors: Ijdi Rashida-E , Barden-O’Fallon Janine
Published: December 2024

Objective

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) continues to be a major global public health concern, impacting physical and psychological well-being of individuals, including their reproductive and sexual health. The objective of this study is to examine the association between physical intimate partner violence and the utilization of contraception during the postpartum period in the United States.

Method

This study used data from the CDC’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey study phase 8, covering 2016–2021. The sample included 165,204 women reporting physical IPV during pregnancy or 12 months before their last pregnancy and their postpartum contraceptive use. Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regressions were used to analyze the relationship between IPV and postpartum contraceptive use, adjusting for relevant factors and addressing sampling weights.

Results

The study found a 3.2% prevalence of physical IPV, with state variances ranging from 2.2% to 5.5%. Among women who experienced physical IPV, 91.0% used contraception, compared to 94.5% of those who did not experience physical IPV. Experiencing physical IPV significantly decreased the likelihood of using any postpartum contraceptive method by 42% (aOR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.48–0.70) compared to those who did not experience physical IPV during the same period, after adjusting for covariates. Factors that increased the probability of using contraception during the postpartum period included women’s higher educational attainment, being married or cohabitating, being employed anytime during pregnancy, and having an unintended last pregnancy.

Conclusion

This study highlights the significant association between physical IPV and reduced use of postpartum contraception in the United States. It calls for the integration of IPV considerations into public health policies and clinical initiatives to improve maternal well-being.
BUSClean: Open-source software for breast ultrasound image pre-processing and knowledge extraction for medical AI
Authors: Bunnell Arianna , Hung Kailee , Shepherd John A. , Sadowski Peter
Published: December 2024

Development of artificial intelligence (AI) for medical imaging demands curation and cleaning of large-scale clinical datasets comprising hundreds of thousands of images. Some modalities, such as mammography, contain highly standardized imaging. In contrast, breast ultrasound imaging (BUS) can contain many irregularities not indicated by scan metadata, such as enhanced scan modes, sonographer annotations, or additional views. We present an open-source software solution for automatically processing clinical BUS datasets. The algorithm performs BUS scan filtering (flagging of invalid and non-B-mode scans), cleaning (dual-view scan detection, scan area cropping, and caliper detection), and knowledge extraction (BI-RADS Labeling and Measurement fields) from sonographer annotations. Its modular design enables users to adapt it to new settings. Experiments on an internal testing dataset of 430 clinical BUS images achieve >95% sensitivity and >98% specificity in detecting every type of text annotation, >98% sensitivity and specificity in detecting scans with blood flow highlighting, alternative scan modes, or invalid scans. A case study on a completely external, public dataset of BUS scans found that BUSClean identified text annotations and scans with blood flow highlighting with 88.6% and 90.9% sensitivity and 98.3% and 99.9% specificity, respectively. Adaptation of the lesion caliper detection method to account for a type of caliper specific to the case study demonstrates the intended use of BUSClean in new data distributions and improved performance in lesion caliper detection from 43.3% and 93.3% out-of-the-box to 92.1% and 92.3% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Source code, example notebooks, and sample data are available at https://github.com/hawaii-ai/bus-cleaning.
Viral microRNA regulation of Akt is necessary for reactivation of Human Cytomegalovirus from latency in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and humanized mice
Authors: Diggins Nicole L. , Pham Andrew H. , Mitchell Jennifer , Parkins Christopher J. , Slind Luke , Turner Rebekah , Lee Byeong-Jae , Yurochko Andrew D. , Caposio Patrizia , Nelson Jay A. , Hancock Meaghan H.
Published: December 2024

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) actively manipulates cellular signaling pathways to benefit viral replication. Phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling is an important negative regulator of HCMV replication, and during lytic infection the virus utilizes pUL38 to limit Akt phosphorylation and activity. During latency, PI3K/Akt signaling also limits virus replication, but how this is overcome at the time of reactivation is unknown. Virally encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) are a key component of the virus arsenal used to alter signaling during latency and reactivation. In the present study we show that three HCMV miRNAs (miR-UL36, miR-UL112 and miR-UL148D) downregulate Akt expression and attenuate downstream signaling, resulting in the activation of FOXO3a and enhanced internal promoter-driven IE transcription. A virus lacking expression of all three miRNAs is unable to reactivate from latency both in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and in a humanized mouse model of HCMV infection, however downregulating Akt restores the ability of the mutant virus to replicate. These findings highlight the negative role Akt signaling plays in HCMV replication in lytic and latent infection and how the virus has evolved miRNA-mediated countermeasures to promote successful reactivation.