bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socio-economic and demographic determinants of undernutrition among 6-59 months old children living in Malawian stunting hotspots: A cross-sectional community study
Authors: Ndovie Patrick , Geresomo Numeri , Nkhata Smith G. , Fungo Robert , Munthali Justice , Nyau Vincent 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Globally, malnutrition is prevalent, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 171 million under-five children suffer from stunting, and 45% of mortalities are reported. This study aimed to identify socio-economic and demographic factors contributing to undernutrition among 6–59 months old children in Malawian stunting hotspots.
Methods
Stata 17.0 was used to analyse descriptive statistics and logistic regression for nutritional status associations, using WHO Z-Scores and 95% confidence. This cross-sectional community study was conducted in Mzimba, Mchinji and Mangochi and involved 1,275 caregivers and children.
Results
The results in the study revealed that 6–59 months old children had varying risks of wasting and stunting. Caregivers who engaged in farming, business, or unemployed had lower risk of being wasted, whereas unemployed and student caregivers had higher odds of stunting (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.14–2.36, p = 0.008) and underweight (OR = 3.66, 95% CI: 1.52–8.80, p = 0.004). Caregivers who had attained junior education level had increased odds of having wasted and underweight children, while those who attained junior and senior secondary education showed reduced risks. Low household income (below 50,000MK per month) increase the risk wasting (OR = 8.35, 95% CI: 5.09–13.68, p = 0.000), while those with higher incomes had a decreased risk. Christian caregivers had lower odds of having a wasted child while muslim caregivers had higher odds (OR = 8.35, 95% CI: 5.09–13.68, p = 0.000). Households with less than five members had reduced underweight odds, in contrast to those with more than five members who had increased odds.
Conclusion
Caregivers in farming, business, and with higher education have lower risks of child wasting and stunting. Unemployed, less educated, and low-income or larger households face higher risks.
Pilot feasibility study to determine the utility of direct access and quantitative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the assessment of suspected acute biliary or ductal gallstone presentations.
Authors: Novak Alex , Acharya Anita , Beer Sally , Espinosa Alexis , Bond-Smith Giles , Saga Cyrene , Andrews Jane , Bailey Adam , Soonawalla Zahir , Bungay Helen , Pavlides Michael 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Patients with suspected acute gallstone disease typically undergo abdominal ultrasound. MRCP is often used for patients with abnormal LFTs, potentially making ultrasound unnecessary for this group. Despite high inter-reader variability in MRCP interpretation, new AI technologies may automate and standardize detection and measurement.
Method
Patients with suspected acute gallstone disease and abnormal liver function tests were randomized into two diagnostic pathways, direct MRCP and standard care. Admission data, healthcare resource use, and clinical outcomes were recorded. National Health Service national 20/21 tariffs were used to calculate and compare healthcare costs. MRCP scans were subsequently analysed using MRCP + software (Perspectum Ltd).
Results
27 participants were enrolled over 12 months, 15 to direct MRCP and 11 to standard care. One patient was excluded from analysis. Mean patient time to diagnostic report and mean per patient associated direct medical cost and mean cost to diagnosis for the direct MRCP and standard of care group was 2.53 days, £449.54, and £647 respectively for the direct MRCP group and 4.18 days costing £742.06 and £896 for standard care. MRCP + analysis of 11 scans showed significant differences between the groups in terms of gallbladder volume (80.2mm3 gallstone present versus 30.1mm3 without, p = 0.018 and cystic duct median width (4.6mm gallstone present versus 2.7mm without, p = 0.042).
Conclusions
Direct MRCP may be a feasible and potentially cost-effective diagnostic strategy for patients with suspected acute gallstone disease and deranged LFTs. Automated measurement of MRCP parameters shows promise in detecting obstruction. Larger trials are warranted to assess this potential.
Registration details
This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03709030).
Mediator kinase inhibition drives myometrial stem cell differentiation and the uterine fibroid phenotype through super-enhancer reprogramming
Authors: Khadka Subash , Lukas Brandon , Sun Claire Xin , Muralimanoharan Sribalasubashini , Shanmugasundaram Karthigayan , Khosh Azad , Schenken Claire , Stansbury Nicholas , Schenken Robert , Firestein Ron , Dai Yang , Boyer Thomas 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Uterine fibroids (UFs) are the most common non-cutaneous tumors in women worldwide. UFs arise from genetic alterations in myometrial stem cells (MM SCs) that trigger their transformation into tumor initiating cells (UF SCs). Mutations in the RNA polymerase II Mediator subunit MED12 are dominant drivers of UFs, accounting for 70% of these clinically significant lesions. Biochemically, UF driver mutations in MED12 disrupt CDK8/19 kinase activity in Mediator, but how Mediator kinase disruption triggers MM SC transformation remains unknown. Here, we show that pharmacologic inhibition of CDK8/19 in MM SCs removes a barrier to myogenic differentiation down an altered pathway characterized by molecular phenotypes characteristic of UFs, including oncogenic growth and extracellular matrix (ECM) production. These perturbations appear to be induced by transcriptomic changes, arising in part through epigenomic alteration and super-enhancer reprogramming, that broadly recapitulate those found in MED12-mutant UFs. Altogether these findings provide new insights concerning the biological role of CDK8/19 in MM SC biology and UF formation.
Association of sleep duration and sleep disorders with post-stroke depression and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in US stroke survivors: Results from NHANES 2005-2018
Authors: Chen Weirong , Shen Yingying , Song Shina , Li Xiaofeng 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Sleep disturbance is a common concern among stroke survivors, yet the association of sleep duration and sleep disorders with post-stroke depression and all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality remains elusive. We aimed to explore these associations using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Methods
Adult stroke survivors from NHANES 2005–2018 were included. Sleep information and stroke diagnoses were derived from self-reports on relevant questionnaires. Mortality data were collected by prospectively matching to the National Death Index. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to explore these associations and calculate the odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR), respectively.
Results
A total of 1101 stroke participants were included. In the fully adjusted model, sleep disorders were associated with increased odds of post-stroke depression (OR 2.689, p = 0.0146). Sleep duration was inversely associated with the odds of post-stroke depression; compared to normal sleep duration, short sleep duration was associated with increased odds of post-stroke depression (OR 2.196, p = 0.0059), whereas long sleep duration was not (p = 0.1435). Sleep disorders were associated with CVD mortality (HR of 1.948, p = 0.026) but not all-cause mortality (p = 0.224) in stroke survivors. Sleep duration was positively associated with all-cause mortality in stroke survivors (HR 1.075, p = 0.042); however, neither short nor long sleep duration was associated with mortality compared to normal sleep duration. Restricted cubic spline modeling suggested that sleep duration was nonlinearly and linearly associated with post-stroke depression and all-cause mortality, respectively. Age influenced the association between sleep disorders and CVD mortality in stroke survivors.
Conclusions
Sleep disorders and short sleep duration were associated with increased odds of post-stroke depression, whereas sleep disorders were associated with increased CVD mortality in stroke survivors. These findings underscore that achieving normal sleep duration and improving sleep disorders may reduce the odds of post-stroke depression and mortality.
Trends in Incidence, Prevalence, and Mortality of Non-communicable Diseases in Iraq (2003-2021)
Authors: Merzah Mohammed 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a major public health concern in Iraq, playing a significant role in the country's morbidity and mortality rates. To offer a thorough overview of the patterns and the overall impact of NCDs on public health, this study aim to map the trends in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates of NCDs in Iraq between 2003 and 2021.
Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021were utilized. The focus was on Iraq from 2003 to 2021, a period marked by significant social and political changes. Using the GBD results tool, age-standardized prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates (ASPR, ASIR, ASMR) for 12 major NCDs were extracted and expressed per 100,000 population. Descriptive statistics with 95% uncertainty intervals were calculated, and trends were analyzed.
Results: The analysis revealed a nuanced trajectory of NCDs in Iraq between 2003 and 2021. The ASPR of all NCDs increased slightly (change %: 0.07, 95% UI: −0.06 to 0.14), with a notable decline in chronic respiratory diseases (change %: −14.41, 95% UI: −21.63 to −14.30) and a significant rise in neoplasms (change %: 32.66, 95% UI: 31.16 to 32.12). The ASIR of diabetes and kidney diseases showed the largest increase (change %: 42.92, 95% UI: 36.00–49.78), while chronic respiratory diseases had the greatest decline (change %: −12.09, 95% UI: −26.23–2.94). Cardiovascular diseases remained the leading cause of mortality in both sexes, with ASMRs increasing slightly for males and decreasing for females over the period. Skin and subcutaneous diseases showed the highest increase in ASMR (change %: 48.15), while digestive diseases experienced the largest decline (change %: −21.41).
Conclusion: The GBD 2021 study highlights progress in reducing NCD mortality in Iraq, especially among younger people. However, older males still face high death rates from cardiovascular diseases. Rising cases of cancer, diabetes, and kidney diseases signal the need for targeted interventions. Continued focus on risk factors and healthcare access is essential.
Interpretable machine learning models classify minerals via spectroscopy
Authors: Spano Tyler , Smith Robert , McDonnell Marshall , Drane Lance , Gibbs Ian , Miskowiec Andrew , Niedziela Jennifer , Shields Ashley 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Developing methods to identify mineral species confidently and rapidly from Raman spectral analysis is critical to numerous fields. Traditionally, analysis relies on pattern matching the Raman spectrum of an unknown dataset with a supporting library of well characterized spectral data, which may prove difficult for environmental samples that are poorly crystalline or phase mixtures. Here, we developed interpretable machine learning models that can classify uranium minerals by secondary oxyanion chemistry and other physicochemical properties based solely on Raman spectra. This new ML method produces a mineral profile of physical and chemical properties for an unknown sample and can rapidly classify or identify unknown minerals from Raman data, without the need for an exact pattern match in a spectral library. Training models are validated by 1. Strong correlation of high confidence model regions with published spectroscopic assignments and 2. Correct classification of a mineral not present in training data. Training data are from the Compendium of Uranium Raman and Infrared Experimental Spectra and available crystallographic information files within the open-source Smart Spectral Matching scientific framework. Physically meaningful classifier models can rapidly identify key structural and chemical information about unknown uranium minerals and the overall methodology is broadly applicable for mineral phases.
Effect of KRAS mutation status on clinicopathological characteristics and over survival in patients wtih rectal cancer
Authors: Yang Guohua , Zheng Shengbin , You Zhijie , Guo Guodon , Lin Zhijing , Wang Siming 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background KRAS mutations in rectal cancer are associated with a conflict prognosis. This study aimed to assess the clinicopathological characteristics of mutated KRAS and to explore the impact of specific KRAS mutation sites on patient survival.Methods The research retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 293 patients who received surgical treatment for rectal adenocarcinoma between May 2015 and December 2023. The patients were categorized into two groups according to their KRAS status: wild-type KRAS (wKRAS) and mutant KRAS (mKRAS), with performing research on mKRAS G12D and mKRAS G13D mutation.Results The mKRAS group included 100 patients (51.8%) and had no significantly difference in age,sex,distance from anus,TNM,LVI,TD,PNI,CEA level than that in wKRAS group.KRASG12D group had significantly more poorer differenation caner tissue(9/34,26.5% vs. 10/93,10.7%,p = 0.046), PNI(24/34,70.6%vs.42/93,45.2%,p = 0.016)and higher TD(8/34,23.5% vs.8/93,8.6%,p = 0.035) respectively,p < 0.05. Compared with the wKRAS group, the OS of mKRAS group was worse ,but had no significant difference(p = 0.0866). In comparison to the wKRAS group, the overall survival duration was notably reduced in the KRASG12D group (p = 0.0482), whereas no significant difference was observed in the KRASG13D group (p = 0.1848). Additionally, a COX survival analysis was conducted, revealing that KRASG12D, along with higher TNM stage, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), tumor differentiation (TD), and perineural invasion (PNI), were all associated with a decrease in survival time for patients with rectal cancer; however, these factors did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05).Conclusion The overall survival duration for wKRAS was superior to that of mKRAS; however, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. In contrast, the survival time for KRASG12D was significantly poorer than that for wKRAS, while no such difference was observed forKRASG13D.
Near-infrared spectroscopy combined with vascular occlusion test and acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Peng Ling , Zheng Yeying , Guo Fei , Su Mengdan , Wei Wei 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring combined with vascular occlusion test (VOT) can induce typical changes in tissue oxygen saturation (StO2), but little is known about its associations with patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to observe the associations between StO2-VOT characteristics and lactate level and acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
Methods Between March 2020 and March 2021, 100 adult patients who scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery with mild hypothermic CPB were enrolled to this prospective observational surgery. StO2 was continuously monitored at the posterior rotation muscle of the right forearm and VOT procedure was repeated before, during, and after CPB. The association between the occurrence of AKI and intraoperative hyperlactatemia after cardiac surgery and StO2-VOT parameters were evaluated.
Results In our patient population (n=87), 17 patients (19.54%) presented with peak lactate ≥4 mmol/L and 12 patients (13.79%) developed AKI after surgery. Multivariable analysis revealed that CPB time and post-CPB desaturation speed (D-speed) were independently associated with AKI. Post-CPB D-speed had an area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.66-0.93) with a cutoff value of 0.08 %min-1 in predicting AKI. Pre-CPB resaturation time (T1) and during CPB D-speed were able to predict intraoperative hyperlactatemia with an area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.56 and 0.66.
Conclusions NIRS monitoring combined with VOT shows promise in predicting intraoperative hyperlactatemia and postoperative AKI in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with mild hypothermic CPB.
Trial registration: ChiCTR1900021436 with registered date 21/02/2019.
Comparative Analysis of Drought Indices for Different Climatic Zones in Benin
Authors: D. Abdoul - Aziz BIO BOUKO SIDI , Gao Bing , Abubakar Jabir , Annan Richard F. , Mutelo Admire M. , El–Saadani Zozo , Djessou Randal D. , Lekoueiry Dehah 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) are essential indices for assessing drought characteristics. This study evaluates the performance of SPI and SPEI across three climatic zones in Benin: zone 1 (northern region), zone 2 (central region), and zone 3 (southern region). The evaluation is conducted through analyses of temporal variations, the Mann-Kendall trend test, Pearson correlation, and cross wavelet transformations. Additionally, the relationship between Standardized Relative Humidity Index (SRHI) and both SPI and SPEI were analyzed to identify the most effective index for drought monitoring in Benin. Results revealed increasing consistency in the temporal variations of the SPI and SPEI as the time scales extended across all areas, but significant differences existed in the drought trends identified by the two indices in some areas. Overall, a strong correlation was observed between the two indices. The comparison with the SRHI reveals that both the SPI and the SPEI exhibit a weak positive correlation across all time scales, with the exception of the SRHI–3 and SPEI–3. This exception indicates that at the three-month timescale, SPEI can effectively substitute for SRHI in monitoring drought. Consequently, SPEI demonstrates greater utility than SPI in this context however, the adaptability of the SPI and SPEI may vary depending on the periods and the natural characteristics of the regions.
Identification of Core Genes related to exosomes and Screening of Potential Targets in periodontitis Using transcriptome profiling at the single-cell level
Authors: Wufanbieke Baheti , Dong Diwen , Li Congcong , Chen Xiaotao 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: The progression and severity of periodontitis (PD) are associated with the release of extracellular vesicles by periodontal tissue cells. However, the precise mechanisms through which exosome-related genes (ERGs) influence PD remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role and potential mechanisms of key exosome-related genes in PD using transcriptome profiling at the single-cell level.
Methods: The current study cited GSE16134, GSE10334, GSE171213 datasets and 19,643 ERGs. Initially, differential expression analysis, three machine learning (ML) models, gene expression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were proceeded to identify core genes. Subsequently, a core gene-based artificial neural network (ANN) model was built to evaluate the predictive power of core genes for PD. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and immunoinfiltration analysis were conducted based on core genes. To pinpoint key cell types influencing the progression of periodontal at the single-cell level, a series of single-cell analyses covering pseudo-time series analysis were accomplished. The expression verification of core genes was performed through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Results: CKAP2, IGLL5, MZB1, CXCL6, and AADACL2 served as core genes diagnosing PD. Four core gene were elevated in the PD group in addition to down-regulated AADACL2. The core gene-based-ANN model had AUC values of 0.909 in GSE16134 dataset, which exceeded AUC of each core gene, highlighting the accurately and credibly predictive performance of ANN model. GSEA revealed that ribosome was co-enriched by 5 core genes, manifesting the expression of these genes might be critical for protein structure or function. Immunoinfiltration analysis found that CKAP2, IGLL5, MZB1, and CXCL6 exhibited positive correlations with most discrepant immune cells/discrepant stromal cells, which were highly infiltrated in PD. B cells and T cells holding crucial parts in PD were identified as key cell types. Pseudo-time series analysis revealed that the expression of IGLL5 and MZB1 increased during T cell differentiation, increased and then decreased during B cell differentiation. The qRT-PCR proved the mRNA expression levels of CKAP2 and MZB1 were increased in the blood of PD patients compared to controls. But the mRNA expression levels of AADACL2 was decreased in the PD patients compared to controls. This is consistent with the trend in the amount of expression in the dataset.
Conclusion: CKAP2, IGLL5, MZB1, CXCL6 and AADACL2 were identified as core genes associated with exosomes, helping us to understand the role of these genes in PD.
Study of the Microenvironment of the Lung Flora in Female Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients: From Benign Lesions to Invasive Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Du Cheng-Cheng , Sun Da-Qian , Chen Yu-Xian , Li Jing-Shuo , Meng Hong , Li Chun-Hai , Kong Fan-Lei 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: The number of female lung adenocarcinoma patients is increasing annually, but these patients are difficult to diagnose in the early stage without obvious clinical symptoms, leading to late-stage diagnoses and poor outcomes. Recent studies have shown that the lung microbiota is closely related to the occurrence and development of lung cancer, especially the characteristic changes in the lung microbiota of lung cancer patients, which opens a new research direction for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of the lung flora in different stages of female lung adenocarcinoma.
Methods: 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to analyze the alpha diversity, beta diversity, composition, and function of the pulmonary flora in female patients with benign lesions (n=7), adenocarcinoma in situ (n = 16), microinvasive adenocarcinoma (n = 31), and invasive adenocarcinoma (n = 25).
Results: Progression to invasive lung adenocarcinoma is correlated with reduced alpha diversity in the lung flora. Compared with the other stages, only the invasive adenocarcinoma stage had significant differences in the beta diversity of the lung flora. At the phylum and genus levels, the abundance of major flora species decreased significantly as the disease progressed to the invasive adenocarcinoma stage, whereas the abundance of Bacillus spp. increased significantly. The abundance of phenotypes with mobile elements, biofilm-forming ability, oxidative stress tolerance, parthenogenetic anaerobic properties, and pathogenicity was significantly greater in invasive adenocarcinomas. The abundance of metabolic pathways was significantly lower in invasive adenocarcinomas.
Conclusions: Invasive adenocarcinoma has a unique flora structure characterized by decreased flora diversity and abundance and an increase in specific flora (e.g., Bacillus). In terms of bacterial function, adaptability and pathogenicity increased, and metabolic pathway activity decreased.