bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socio-demographic and environmental factors associated with diarrhoeal disease among children under five in India
Authors: Paul Pintu 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Globally, diarrhoea is the second leading cause of death in children under five and a major public health problem. Despite several health care initiatives taken by the government, a large proportion of children still experience diarrhoeal diseases which cause high childhood death in India. This study aims to examine the socio-demographic and environmental factors associated with diarrhoea in children under five in India.Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed using the recent round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), conducted in 2015–16. A total of 247,743 living children below five years of age were included in the analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were carried out to assess the factors associated with childhood diarrhoeal disease.Results: In India, about 9% of under-five children experience diarrhoeal disease in the past two weeks preceding the survey. Children living in rural areas (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.09), belonged to scheduled tribe (aOR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.89) and other castes (aOR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.97), Muslim children (aOR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.24), and children resided in the central (aOR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.52, 1.70) and west (aOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.15) regions were significantly associated with higher likelihood of diarrhoea in the past two weeks. Concerning environmental factors, child stool disposal (aOR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.09), floor materials (aOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.12) and roof materials (aOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.13) of the household were found to be significant factors of childhood diarrhoea occurrence.Conclusions: Diarrhoeal disease is common among children who lived in rural areas, scheduled castes, Muslims, and children from poor families. Regarding environmental factors, stool disposal practices in the household, dirt floor, and thatch roof materials of the household unit are risk factors for diarrhoeal disease. Targeted approach should be initiated to mitigate the problem of the poor health status of children by providing adequate health care. The policy-makers and stakeholders should address adverse environmental conditions by the provision of latrine and improved housing facilities.
Molecular Screening of PROKR2 Gene in Girls with Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty.
Authors: Aiello Francesca , Cirillo Grazia , Cassio Alessandra , Mase Raffaella Di , Tornese Gianluca , Umano Giuseppina Rosaria , Giudice Emanuele Miraglia del , Grandone Anna 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2) loss of function mutations have been describedas cause of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. In 2017, a first case of central precocious puberty(CPP) caused by PROKR2 heterozygous gain of function mutation was described in a 3.5 years-oldgirl. No other cases have been reported yet. This study performs a molecular screening ingirls with early onset CPP (breast budding before 6 years of age) to identify possiblealterations in PROKR2.Methods: We analysed DNA of 31 girls with idiopathic CPP diagnosed via basal LH levels >0.3IU/L or peak-LH>5IU/L after stimulation, without any MKRN3 mutations. The Fisher exact test was used to compare polymorphism allele frequency to corresponding ones in genome aggregation database (gnomAD).Results: No rare variants were identified. Five polymorphisms were found (rs6076809, rs8116897, rS3746684, rs3746682, rs3746683). All except one (i.e. rs3746682) had a minor allele frequency (MAF) similar to that reported in literature. rs3746682 presented a MAF higher than that described in the gnomAD (0.84 in our cohort vs 0.25 from gnomAD).Conclusions: As for other G protein-coupled receptors (i.e. GPR54), mutations in PROKR2 donot seem to be a frequent cause of CPP in girls.
On Jones et al.’s method for extending Bland-Altman plots to limits of agreement with the mean for multiple observers
Authors: Christensen Heidi S. , Borgbjerg Jens , Børty Lars , Bøgsted Martin 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background To assess the agreement of continuous measurements between a number of observers, Jones et al. introduced limits of agreement with the mean (LOAM) for multiple observers, representing how much an individual observer can deviate from the mean measurement of all observers. Besides the graphical visualisation of LOAM, suggested by Jones et al., it is desirable to supply LOAM with confidence intervals and to extend the method to the case of multiple measurements per observer.Methods We reformulate LOAM under the assumption the measurements follow an additive two-way random effects model. Assuming this model, we provide estimates and confidence intervals for the proposed LOAM. Further, this approach is easily extended to the case of multiple measurements per observer.Results The proposed method is applied on two data sets to illustrate its use. Specifically, we consider agreement between measurements regarding tumour size and aortic diameter. For the latter study, three measurement methods are considered. Conclusions The proposed LOAM and the associated confidence intervals are useful for assessing agreement between continuous measurements.
Synthesis, Characterisation and Cytotoxicity of Gold Microwires for Ultra-Sensitive Biosensor Development
Authors: Lah Nurul Akmal Che , Gray Robert , Trigueros Sonia 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
With the long-term goal of developing an ultra-sensitive microcantilever-based biosensor for versatile biomarker detection, new controlled bioreceptor-analytes systems are being explored to overcome the disadvantages of conventional ones. Gold (Au) microwires have been used as a probe to overcome the tolerance problem that occurs in response to changes in environmental conditions. However, the cytotoxicity of Au microwires is still unclear. Here, we examined the cytotoxicity of Au microwires systems using both commercial and as-synthesised Au microwires. In vitro experiments show that commercial Au microwires with an average quoted length of 5.6 µm are highly toxic against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) at 50 µg/ml. However, this toxicity is due to the presence of CTAB surfactant not by the microwires. Conversely, the as-synthesised Au microwires show non-cytotoxicity even at the maximum viable concentration (330µg/ml). These findings may lead to the development of potentially life-saving cytotoxicity -free biosensors for an early diagnostic of potential diseases.
Joint modeling of longitudinal lipids and time to coronary heart disease in the Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Kassahun-Yimer Wondwosen , Valle Karen A , Oshunbade Adebamike A , Hall Michael E , Min Yuan-I , Cain-Shields Lorreta , Anugu Pramod , Correa Adolfo 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Multiple longitudinal responses together with time-to-event outcome are common in biomedical studies. There are several instances where the longitudinal responses are correlated with each other and at the same time each longitudinal response is associated with the survival outcome. The main purpose of this study is to present and explore a joint modeling approach for multiple correlated longitudinal responses and a survival outcome. The method will be illustrated using the Jackson Heart Study (JHS), which is one of the largest cardiovascular studies among African Americans.

Methods: Four longitudinal responses, i.e., total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and inflammation measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP); and time-to-coronary heart disease (CHD) were considered from the JHS. The repeated lipid and hsCRP measurements from a given subject overtime are likely correlated with each other and could influence the subject's risk for CHD. A joint modeling framework is considered. To deal with the high dimensionality due to the multiple longitudinal profiles, we use a pairwise bivariate model fitting approach that was developed in the context of multivariate Gaussian random effects models. The method is further explored through simulations.

Results: The proposed model performed well in terms of bias and relative efficiency. The JHS data analysis showed that lipid and hsCRP trajectories could exhibit interdependence in their joint evolution and have impact on CHD risk.

Conclusions: We applied a unified and flexible joint modeling approach to analyze multiple correlated longitudinal responses and survival outcome. The method accounts for the correlation among the longitudinal responses as well as the association between each longitudinal response and the survival outcome at once. This helps to explore how the combination of multiple longitudinal trajectories could be related to the survival process.
Should we care about Plasmodium vivax and HIV coinfection? A systematic review and a cases series from the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Del-Tejo Paola López , Cubas-Vega Nadia , Caraballo-Guerra Cecilia , Silva Bernardo Maia da , Valente Jefferson da Silva , Sampaio Vanderson Souza , Baia Djane Clarys , Castro Daniel Barros , Martinez-Espinosa Flor Ernestina , Siqueira André Machado , Lacerda Marcus Vinícius Guimarães , Monteiro Wuelton Marcelo , Val Fernando 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background. Malaria and HIV are two important public health issues. However, evidence on HIV-Plasmodium vivax co-infection (HIV/PvCo) is scarce, with most of the available information related to P. falciparum on the African continent. It is unclear whether HIV can change the clinical course of Plasmodium vivax (Pv) malaria, and increase the risk of complications. In this study, we present a systematic review of the HIV/PvCo, and include recent cases from the Brazilian Amazon. Methods. Medical records from a tertiary care center in the Western Brazilian Amazon (2009 - 2018) were reviewed to identify HIV/PvCo hospitalized patients. Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes are reported. We also performed a systematic review of published studies on HIV/PvCo. Metadata, number of HIV/PvCo cases, demographic, clinical, and outcome data were extracted. Results. A total of 1048 vivax malaria patients were hospitalized in the 10-year period; 21 (2.0%) were HIV/PvCo cases, of which nine (42.9%) had AIDS-defining illnesses. This was the first malaria episode in eleven (52.4%) patients. Seven (33.3%) patients were unaware of their HIV status and were diagnosed on hospitalization. Severe malaria was diagnosed in 5 (23.8%) patients. One patient died. The systematic review search provided 17 articles (12 cross-sectional or longitudinal studies and 5 case report studies). A higher prevalence of studies involved cases in African and Asian countries (35.3% and 29.4%, respectively), and the prevalence of reported co-infections ranged from 0.1 to 60%. Conclusion. Reports of HIV/PvCo are scarce in the literature, with only a few studies describing clinical and laboratory outcomes. Systematic screening for both co-infections is not routinely performed, and therefore, the real prevalence of HIV/PvCo is unknown. This study showed a low prevalence of HIV/PvCo, despite the high prevalence of malaria and HIV locally. Even though relatively small, this is the largest case series to describe HIV/PvCo.
Effect of Opium Consumption on Cardiovascular Diseases – A cross- sectional study based on data of Rafsanjan cohort study
Authors: khalili parvin , Ayoobi Fatemeh , Mohamadi Maryam , Jamalizadeh Ahmad , Vecchia Carlo La , Esmaeili-nadimi Ali 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: There are differences of opinion about the beneficial or detrimental effects of opium consumption on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). So, we aimed to study the association between opium use and CVDs. Methods: We used data obtained from the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS), as a part of the prospective epidemiological research studies in IrAN (PERSIAN), with detailed, validated data on opium consumption and some other exposures. A total of 10,000 adults were enrolled in the study. Logistic regression models were used to assess the possible relationships of opium consumption with the prevalence of ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and myocardial infarction (MI). Results: In this study, 9990 participants in the baseline phase of the Rafsanjan adult cohort study were included according to their completed questionnaire. Among all participants, 870 and 296 individuals were found to suffer from IHD and MI, respectively. Opium consumption was found to be relatively high in the RCS participants, especially in men (men= 2150 and women= 228). Opium use was associated with a higher odds of IHD and MI, with the adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of 1.51 (1.22-1.86) and 1.79 (1.31-2.45), respectively. Also, dose-response increases were observed with the highest odds ratios in the 4th quartile for MI and IHD (p-values for trend < 0.001). Increased odds were observed for the two main methods of opium consumption, i.e. oral and smoking, but oral administration had higher odds ratio.Conclusions: Opium consumption is associated with the increased odds of both IHD and MI diseases.
Digitalized mass distribution campaign of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in the particular context of Covid-19 pandemic in Benin: challenges and lessons learned
Authors: AIKPON ROCK , Affoukou Cyriaque , Hounkpatin Benjamin , Eclou Dieu-Donné , Cyaka Yves , Egwu Elijah , Agbessi Narcisse , Tokponon Filémon , Salifou Sahidou , Salami Lamidhi , Hounto Aurore Ogouyemi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: In 2020, Benin has implemented a digitalized mass distribution campaign of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in the particular context of COVID-19 pandemic. This paper describes the implementation process as well as the challenges and lessons learned from this campaign. Methods: A descriptive design was used for reporting the planning and implementation process of ITNs campaign. Moreover, the changes and adaptations related to COVID-19 pandemic are described. Results: A total of 3,175,773 households were registered corresponding to a total of 14,423,998 persons (13.55% more from projection). Moreover, 94.16 % (13,581,637 people) of enumerated population were protected. A total of 7,652,166 ITNs were distributed countrywide. Conclusions: High political commitment, engagement and support add to the financial and technical supports from partners were the essential factors that make 2020 ITNs mass campaign success in Benin despite the particular context of COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential to maintain the prevention activities for malaria and this could substantially reduce the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for the populations at malaria risk.
Estimating malaria incidence from routine health facility-based surveillance data in Uganda
Authors: Epstein Adrienne , Namuganga Jane Frances , Kamya Emmanuel Victor , Nankabirwa Joaniter I , Bhatt Samir , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Staedke Sarah G , Kamya Moses R , Dorsey Grant , Greenhouse Bryan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Accurate measures of malaria incidence are essential to track progress and target high-risk populations. While health management information system (HMIS) data provide counts of malaria cases, quantifying the denominator for incidence using these data is challenging because catchment areas and care-seeking behaviors are not well defined. This study’s aim was to estimate malaria incidence using HMIS data by adjusting the population denominator accounting for travel time to the health facility. Methods: Outpatient data from two public health facilities in Uganda (Kihihi and Nagongera) over a three year period (2011-2014) were used to model the relationship between travel time from patient village of residence (available for each individual) to the facility and the relative probability of attendance using Poisson generalized additive models. Outputs from the model were used to generate a weighted population denominator for each health facility and estimate malaria incidence. Among children aged 6 months to 11 years, monthly HMIS-derived incidence estimates, with and without population denominators weighted by probability of attendance, were compared with gold standard measures of malaria incidence measured in prospective cohorts. Results: A total of 48,898 outpatient visits were recorded across the two sites over the study period. HMIS incidence correlated with cohort incidence over time at both study sites (correlation in Kihihi = 0.64, p < 0.001; correlation in Nagongera = 0.34, p = 0.045). HMIS incidence measures with denominators unweighted by probability of attendance underestimated cohort incidence aggregated over the three years in Kihihi (0.5 cases per person-year [PPY] versus 1.7 cases PPY) and Nagongera (0.3 cases PPY versus 3.0 cases PPY). HMIS incidence measures with denominators weighted by probability of attendance were closer to cohort incidence, but remained underestimates (1.1 cases PPY in Kihihi and 1.4 cases PPY in Nagongera). Conclusions: Although malaria incidence measured using HMIS underestimated incidence measured in cohorts, even when adjusting for probability of attendance, HMIS surveillance data are a promising and scalable source for tracking relative changes in malaria incidence over time, particularly when the population denominator can be estimated by incorporating information on village of residence.
Temperature impact on monochloramine, free ammonia, and free chlorine indophenol methods
Authors: Waters Thomas E. , Alexander Matthew T. , Wahman David G. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
A commercial colorimetric indophenol (IP) method is used for determining monochloramine (NH2Cl) concentrations for process control in chloraminated public water systems and chloramine-related research. The NH2Cl – IP method excludes some quality control procedures typically included in drinking water methods and is not approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for compliance monitoring. Therefore, the authors developed and validated a more complete NH2Cl–IP method, building on the commercial technique, as a candidate for future approval. During method development, temperature impact on color development was investigated. Color development time increased as temperature decreased. Below 20 °C, times needed for full color development were greater than those reported in the commercial method, reaching nearly three times longer at 5 °C. This observed temperature dependence also applies to free ammonia and free chlorine indophenol methods. To avoid measurement errors of samples analyzed below 20 °C, use of reaction times determined in this study is recommended for these indophenol methods.
The Association between Migraine and Depression based on miRNA Biomarkers and Cohort Studies
Authors: Chen Yi-Hau , Wang Hsiuying 
Published: November 2020

Background:
An association between migraine and Major Depression (MD)
has been revealed in a number of clinical studies. Both diseases have affected a large
global population. More understanding of the comorbidity mechanism of these two diseases
can shed light on developing new therapies for their treatment.

Methods:
To the best of our knowledge, there have not been any researches in the literature
based on microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers to investigate the relationship between
MD and migraine. In this study, we have discussed the association between these two diseases
based on their miRNA biomarkers. In addition to miRNA biomarkers, we have also
demonstrated epidemiological evidence for their association based on Taiwan
Biobank (TWB) data.

Results:
Among the 12 migraine miRNA biomarkers, 11 are related to MD. Only
miR-181a has no direct evidence to be involved in the mechanism of MD. In addition to
the biological biomarker evidence, the statistical analysis using the large-scale epidemiologic
data collected from TWB provides strong evidence on the relationship between MD
and migraine.

Conclusions:
The evidence based on both molecular and epidemiological data reveals the
significant association between MD and migraine. This result can help investigate the correlated
underlying mechanism of these two diseases.
Metal Nanocomposites Based Electrochemical Sensor Platform for Few Emerging Biomarkers
Authors: Maduraiveeran Govindhan 
Published: November 2020

:Design of high-performance electrochemical sensor and biosensor platforms has attracted much devotion for the sensitive and selective detection of emergent biomarkers. Electrochemical sensor offers numerous advantageous features include cost-effective and ease of miniaturization, rapid and online monitoring, simultaneous detection ability, etc., which have captivated the potential interdisciplinary research. In this review, the advances and challenges towards the electrochemical detection of emergent biomarkers such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, β-nicotinamide adenine acetaminophen, dinucleotide (NADH) in biofluids are highlighted based on the recent research outcomes. In fact, the effective utility and benefits of transition metal nanocomposites without the utilization of biological materials, including enzymes, antibodies, etc. as electrode materials towards the detection of selected biomarkers in practical biofluids, monitoring early-stage and diagnosis of disease related biomarkers, are also described. These promising metal nanomaterials based electrochemical sensor platforms concrete the tactic for a new generation of sensing devices.
Towards a New Cyberdefense Generation: Proposition of an Intelligent
Cybersecurity Framework for Malware Attacks
Authors: Abdel Ouahab Ikram Ben , Bouhorma Mohammed , El Aachak Lotfi , Boudhir Anouar Abdelhakim 
Published: November 2020

Objective:
Newborn malware increase significantly in recent years, becoming more dangerous for many
applications. So, researchers are focusing more on solutions that serve the defense of new malwares trends and variance,
especially zero-day malware attacks. The prime goal of our proposition is to reach a high security level by defending against
malware attacks effectively using advanced techniques.

Methods:
In this paper, we propose an Intelligent Cybersecurity Framework specialized on malware attacks in a layered
architecture. After receiving the unknown malware, the Framework Core layer use malware visualization technique to
process unknown samples of the malicious software. Then, we classify malware samples into their families using: K-Nearest
Neighbor, Decision Tree and Random Forest algorithms. Classification results are given in the last layer, and based on a
Malware Behavior Database we are able to warn users by giving them a detail report on the malicious behavior of the given
malware family. The proposed Intelligent Cybersecurity Framework is implemented in a graphic user interface easy to use.

Results:
Comparing machine learning classifiers, Random Forest algorithm gives best results in the classification task with
a precision of 97,6%.

Conclusion:
However, we need to take into account results of the other classifiers for more reliability. Finally, obtained
results are as efficient as fast that meets cybersecurity frameworks general requirements.