bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Healthy South Texas Asthma Program on improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities among the underserved Hispanic population: using the RE-AIM model
Authors: Carrillo Genny , Roh Taehyun , Baek Juha , Chong-Menard Betty , Ory Marcia 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
In the United States, childhood asthma prevalence is higher among low-income communities and Hispanic populations. Previous studies found that asthma education could improve health and quality of life, especially in vulnerable populations lacking healthcare access. This study aims to describe Healthy South Texas Asthma Program (HSTAP), an evidence-based asthma education and environmental modification program in South Texas, and evaluate its associations with health-related outcomes among Hispanic children with asthma and their families.

Methods
The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) planning and evaluation framework was used as an overarching tool to evaluate the impact of the HSTAP. This educational program included 451 children with asthma and their families living in South Texas, an impoverished area at the Texas-Mexico border. The program consisted of (a) the asthma education (2-h) for children with asthma provided by Respiratory Therapy students at the children’s schools and (b) the home visit Asthma and Healthy Homes education and walk-through sessions (at baseline and 3 months) for parents and two follow-up visits (6 and 9–12 months later) led by community health workers. The education was provided in either English or Spanish between September 2015 and August 2020 as part of the Healthy South Texas Initiative. A pre-and post-test design was implemented to assess the differences in health outcomes, knowledge, and behaviors using standardized self-reported surveys as reported by parents. Analyses included primary descriptive analyses, generalized estimating equation models, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the McNemar test.

Results
The HSTAP was significantly associated with improved individual-level outcomes on the frequency of asthma-related respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, and sleep difficulty, among children with asthma, as well as an enhanced asthma knowledge in their family. This study also showed significant associations with children’s school attendance and participation in physical activities and family social events and decreased families’ worry about their asthma management.

Conclusions
The RE-AIM model was a helpful framework to assess the HSTAP on all its components. The results suggest that participation in an asthma education and environmental modification program was associated with improved individual-level health conditions and reduced health disparities among children with asthma in low-income communities.
Epigenetic age acceleration and cardiovascular outcomes in school-age children: The Generation R Study
Authors: Monasso Giulietta S. , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Küpers Leanne K. , Felix Janine F. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Hypertension and atherosclerosis may partly originate in early life. Altered epigenetic aging may be a mechanism underlying associations of early-life exposures and the development of cardiovascular risk factors in childhood. A discrepancy between chronological age and age predicted from neonatal DNA methylation data is referred to as age acceleration. It may either be positive, if DNA methylation age is older than clinical age, or negative, if DNA methylation age is younger than chronological age. We examined associations of age acceleration at birth (‘gestational age acceleration’), and of age acceleration at school-age, with blood pressure and with intima-media thickness and distensibility of the common carotid artery, as markers of vascular structure and function, respectively, measured at age 10 years.

Results
This study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study. We included 1115 children with information on cord blood DNA methylation and blood pressure, carotid intima-media thickness or carotid distensibility. Gestational age acceleration was calculated using the Bohlin epigenetic clock, which was developed specifically for cord blood DNA methylation data. It predicts gestational age based on methylation levels of 96 CpGs from HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. We observed no associations of gestational age acceleration with blood pressure, carotid intima-media thickness or carotid distensibility at age 10 years. In analyses among children with peripheral blood DNA methylation measured at age 6 (n = 470) and 10 (n = 449) years, we also observed no associations of age acceleration at these ages with the same cardiovascular outcomes, using the ‘skin and blood clock,’ which predicts age based on methylation levels at 391 CpGs from HumanMethylation450 BeadChip.

Conclusions
Our findings do not provide support for the hypothesis that altered epigenetic aging during the earliest phase of life is involved in the development of cardiovascular risk factors in childhood.
Drug shops for stronger health systems: learning from initiatives in six LMICs
Authors: Lamba Geetanjali , Shroff Zubin Cyrus , Babar Zaheer-Ud-Din , Ghaffar Abdul 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Private sector retail pharmacies, or drug shops, play an important role in access to essential medicines and services in low-and-middle-income countries. Recognising that they have the potential to contribute to health system strengthening efforts, many recent initiatives to engage with drug shops have been launched. These include initiatives that focus on changes in policy, regulation and training. However, the specific factors that influence their success remain poorly understood. Seven country case studies supported under the Alliance’s programme of work ‘Strengthening health systems: the role of drug shops’ help to explore this issue.

Methods
Country case studies from the above programme of research from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia were used as the main sources of data for this paper. A modified version of Bigdeli et al.’s Access to Medicines framework was applied within a partially grounded approach to analyze each country case study and compare themes between countries.

Results
Many factors may help initiatives targeting drug shops successfully achieve their intended outcomes. At the micro level, these include community demand for drug shops and a positive relationship between drug shops and their clients. At the meso level, facilitators of initiative success include training and positive attitudes from drug shops towards the initiative. Barriers include client pressure, procurement challenges and financial and administrative costs associated with initiatives. At the macro level, collaboration between stakeholders, high-level buy in and supervision, monitoring and regulation may influence initiative success. These factors are inter-dependent and interact with each other in a dynamic way.

Conclusions
Using a framework approach, these country case studies demonstrate common factors that influence how drug shops can strengthen health systems. These learnings can help inform the design and implementation of successful strategies to engage drug shops towards sustainable systems change.
Heritability of distichiasis in Havanese dogs in Norway
Authors: Bellamy Kim K. L. , Lingaas Frode , Madsen Per 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Distichiasis is a presumed inherited eyelid disease, characterized by misplaced eyelashes. The effect on eye health and animal welfare varies between individuals; most mild cases show no clinical signs, but some affected animals develop painful corneal disease.
In this study, we investigated the prevalence and heritability of distichiasis in the Norwegian population of Havanese dogs.

Results
A total of 1156 Havanese were included in the study. Out of these, 168 were affected with distichiasis, making the prevalence in our sample 14.5% (95% CI 12.5–16.6%). There was no sex predisposition. Most affected individuals were graded “mildly affected”.
The estimates generally showed high heritabilities, which varied between 0.276 (linear model) and 0.720 (Bayesian threshold model). The linear estimates, after conversion to the underlying scale (h2l = 0.664–0.674), corresponds well to the results of the Bayesian models.

Conclusions
The estimated heritability of distichiasis in Havanese is high and the prevalence is moderate. The high heritability indicate that a significant selection response could be obtained by simple mass selection. To secure good animal welfare, it’s important to control the number of affected individuals and especially the severely affected.
Valorisation of corncob into furfuryl alcohol and furoic acid via chemoenzymatic cascade catalysis
Authors: Ni Jiacheng , Di Junhua , Ma Cuiluan , He Yu-Cai 
Published: November 2021

AbstractHeterogeneous tin-based sulfonated graphite (Sn-GP) catalyst was prepared with graphite as carrier. The physicochemical properties of Sn-GP were captured by FT-IR, XRD, SEM and BET. Organic acids with different pKa values were used to assist Sn-GP for transforming corncob (CC), and a linear equation (Furfural yield  = − 7.563 ×  pKa  + 64.383) (R2  =  0.9348) was fitted in acidic condition. Using sugarcane bagasse, reed leaf, chestnut shell, sunflower stalk and CC as feedstocks, co-catalysis of CC (75.0 g/L) with maleic acid (pKa  =  1.92) (0.5 wt%) and Sn-GP (3.6 wt%) yielded the highest furfural yield (47.3%) for 0.5 h at 170 °C. An effective furfural synthesis was conducted via co-catalysis with Sn-GP and maleic acid. Subsequently, E. coli CG-19 and TS completely catalyzed the conversion of corncob-derived FAL to furfurylalcohol and furoic acid, respectively. Valorisation of available renewable biomass to furans was successfully developed in tandem chemoenzymatic reaction.
Graphical Abstract
Nest site tenacity and mate fidelity in the Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Authors: Piro Simon , Schmitz Ornés Angela 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBreeding philopatry is well known in the Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus). Using a capture-mark-recapture method, we studied if Black-headed Gulls show nest site tenacity and mate fidelity as well, and investigated if there are differences between a stable, and a newly established and fast-growing colony, as well as for differences between the center and edges of these colonies located in north-eastern Germany. We found a high level of nest site tenacity in the center of the stable colony on Böhmke Island, and lower degrees of nest site tenacity at the edge of the same colony and in the newly established and fast-growing colony on Riether Werder. Mate fidelity was very strong in all individuals which returned to their previous breeding place, regardless of the nest site location.
Effect of under-nutrition during pregnancy on low birth weight in Tigray regional state, Ethiopia; a prospective cohort study
Authors: Berhe Kidanemaryam , Weldegerima Lemlem , Gebrearegay Freweini , Kahsay Amaha , Tesfahunegn Afewerki , Rejeu Mehammedseid , Gebremariam Brhane 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Under-nutrition during pregnancy affects birth outcomes and neonatal outcomes. Worldwide, 20.5 million children were low birth weight, mainly in poor countries. However, there is no longitudinal-based evidence on the effect of under-nutrition during pregnancy on birth weight in Tigray regional state. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the effect of under-nutrition during pregnancy on low birth weight in Tigray regional state.

Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study among consecutively selected 540 pregnant women attending antenatal care in hospitals from October 2019 to June 2020. Pregnant women with mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) < 23 cm were exposed and those with MUAC≥23 cm were unexposed. Data on socio-demographic, diet, hygiene and anthropometry measurements were collected using pretested and structured questionnaires. SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. A log-binomial model was used to estimate the adjusted risk ratio and its 95%CI of the risk factors for low birth weight. Multi-collinearity was checked using the variance inflation factor (VIF) at a cut-off point of 8 and there was no multi-collinearity.

Result
The overall incidence of low birth weight was 14% (95%CI: 11.1, 17.4%). The incidence of low birth weight was 18.4 and 9.8% among the exposed and unexposed women, respectively. The difference in low birth weight incidence between the exposed and unexposed groups was statistically significant (p-value = 0.006). The risk factors of low birth weight were maternal illiteracy (ARR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.01, 3.3), low monthly family income < 50 US Dollar (ARR: 1.6, 95%CI: 1.07, 2.2), lack of latrine utilization (ARR: 0.47, 95%CI: 0.28, 0.78), and diet diversity score < 5 (ARR: 1.9, 95%CI: 1.05, 2.61).

Conclusion
Low birth weight was significantly higher among the exposed pregnant women. Maternal illiteracy, low monthly income, lack of latrine utilization, and low DDS were risk factors of low birth weight. It is then important to strengthen nutritional assessment and interventions during pregnancy, with a special attention for illiterate, and low monthly income pregnant women. Again, there has to be a promotion of latrine utilization and consumption of diversified diets.
May the palps be with you – new insights into the evolutionary origin of anterior appendages in Terebelliformia (Annelida)
Authors: Kalke Paul , Beckers Patrick , Helm Conrad 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundHead appendages in Annelida contribute significantly to the immense morphological diversity in this spiralian taxon. Nevertheless, the evolutionary origin of annelid antennae, palps, cirri and tentacles are part of vast theories and debates that took place over decades. One of these heavily discussed groups are the Terebelliformia, which bear numerous anterior tentacles originating from different regions of the head. The question, whether these tentacles are homologous to feeding palps in other annelids or if these structures evolved convergently in terebellids and the remaining taxa, has been highly debated in the past.ResultsBy using morphological methods including immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, Azan-stained serial sections and 3D-visualisation, we are able to shed new light and a fresh look on the old question of the evolutionary origin of the buccal tentacles and their associated head structures in Terebelliformia. Our investigations show that the brains of the ampharetidHypania invalidaand the aulophora larvae ofLanice conchilega(Terebellidae) consist of a dorsal, more prominent and a more slender, ventral brain region. Neurite bundles innervating the buccal tentacles split off from the ventral and dorsal root within the ventral brain region and thus originate from the dorsal and ventral root of the circumoesophageal connectives. Hence, the observed neurite bundles fulfil the morphological criteria for the innervating neurite bundles of feeding palps known from Paleoannelida.ConclusionsWe disagree with former conclusions that buccal tentacles are part of the alimentary canal. Based on the presented data, the buccal tentacles of terebelliform taxa are innervated by neurite bundles and can be homologized with peristomial feeding palps of other Annelida.Our comparative investigations reveal important insights into morphological changes during the evolution of anterior head appendages in Terebelliformia and Annelida in general. Nevertheless, our analyses also illustrate the gaps in knowledge and that more investigations throughout the annelid tree are necessary to explain and understand the huge diversity of annelid anterior appendages.
Hearing screening program for school going children in India: necessity, justification, and suggested approaches
Authors: Ansari Mohammad Shamim 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
It is estimated that about 15% of students have transient hearing loss worldwide sufficient enough to interfere with communication, psychosocial relationship, and learning resulting in poor educational achievement and poverty. However, these conditions are reversible through timely detection and effective interventions. India is home to the largest number of school age children with hearing impairment, and majority of them remain undetected and untreated due to the absence of any dedicated hearing screening program. Therefore, this paper attempts to convince all stakeholders for planning and implementing early detection and intervention program for children with hearing impairment in school settings.

Methods
Recent literature estimates that children between the ages 0 and 14 years contribute 25.9% of the total Indian population. As per the global estimates of the prevalence of hearing impairment, India houses the largest number of school age children with hearing impairment. Many of them either remain out of school or perform poorly in school curriculum.

Results
The children in educational programs are readily and easily available for applying hearing screening procedures to detect hearing impairment and instituting audiological and educational remedial measures. But unfortunately, India has not yet envisaged any dedicated early detection and intervention program for school-going children consequently majority of children with hearing impairment undetected and untreated in the classroom.

Conclusion
Hearing impairment is a serious health concern among school age children which can adversely impact on communication, educational achievement, and vocational options. However, screening approaches for early identification in school age children across the world which are simple, effective, and cost-efficient can be considered for countries like India to reverse the ill effects of hearing impairment.

Potential implication
The paper may heighten the awareness among school personnel, educational administrators, and policymakers to consider planning and implementation of early detection and intervention program for children with hearing impairment in school settings.
Thermodynamic Stabilities of PdRuM (M = Cu, Rh, Ir, Au) Alloy Nanoparticles Assessed by Wang–Landau Sampling Combined with DFT Calculations and Multiple Regression Analysis
Authors: Nanba Yusuke , Koyama Michihisa 
Published: November 2021

AbstractUnique features of alloy nanoparticles (NPs) originate from the configuration of elements within NPs; solid solution and segregated configurations show different properties even with the same overall composition of elements. The configuration space of an alloy NP is exponentially expanded by an increase of the constituent elements. Besides, the configurational entropy in an alloy NP cannot be analytically estimated due to the heterogeneous surface. Revealing the stable configuration and the corresponding entropy in the extensive configuration space is difficult. Herein, Wang–Landau sampling, combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations and multiple regression analysis, was used to assess the thermodynamic stabilities of PdRuM (M = Cu, Rh, Ir, Au) ternary alloy NPs. Specifically, the excess energies calculated by DFT were subjected to multiple regression analysis, and the obtained regression equations were used for Wang–Landau sampling. The thus-obtained configurational densities of states allowed us to estimate thermodynamic quantities, and hence, to predict stable configurations at a finite temperature. We conclude that the developed method is well suited to probing the stable configurations of multinary alloy NPs at a finite temperature.
Catalytic Aerobic Oxidation of Alkenes with Ferric Boroperoxo Porphyrin Complex; Reduction of Oxygen by Iron Porphyrin
Authors: Kimura Kento , Murano Shunpei , Kurahashi Takuya , Matsubara Seijiro 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
We herein describe the development of a mild and selective catalytic aerobic oxidation process of olefins. This catalytic aerobic oxidation reaction was designed based on experimental and spectroscopic evidence assessing the reduction of atmospheric oxygen using a ferric porphyrin complex and pinacolborane to form a ferric boroperoxo porphyrin complex as an oxidizing species. The ferric boroperoxo porphyrin complex can be utilized as an in-situ generated intermediate in the catalytic aerobic oxidation of alkenes under ambient conditions to form oxidation products that differ from those obtained using previously reported ferric porphyrin catalysis. Moreover, the mild reaction conditions allow chemoselective oxidation to be achieved.
An inducible transposon mutagenesis approach for the intracellular human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: O'Neill Colette E. , Skilton Rachel J. , Forster Jade , Cleary David W. , Pearson Sarah A. , Lampe David J. , Thomson Nicholas R. , Clarke Ian N. 
Published: November 2021

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is a prolific human pathogen that can cause serious long-term conditions if left untreated. Recent developments in Chlamydia genetics have opened the door to conducting targeted and random mutagenesis experiments to identify gene function. In the present study, an inducible transposon mutagenesis approach was developed for C. trachomatis using a self-replicating vector to deliver the transposon-transposase cassette - a significant step towards our ultimate aim of achieving saturation mutagenesis of the Chlamydia genome. Methods: The low transformation efficiency of C. trachomatis necessitated the design of a self-replicating vector carrying the transposon mutagenesis cassette (i.e. the Himar-1 transposon containing the beta lactamase gene as well as a hyperactive transposase gene under inducible control of the tet promoter system with the addition of a riboswitch). Chlamydia transformed with this vector (pSW2-RiboA-C9Q) were induced at 24 hours post-infection. Through dual control of transcription and translation, basal expression of transposase was tightly regulated to stabilise the plasmid prior to transposition. Results: Here we present the preliminary sequencing results of transposon mutant pools of both C. trachomatis biovars, using two plasmid-free representatives: urogenital strain C. trachomatis SWFP- and the lymphogranuloma venereum isolate L2(25667R). DNA sequencing libraries were generated and analysed using Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ MinION technology. This enabled ‘proof of concept’ for the methods as an initial low-throughput screen of mutant libraries; the next step is to employ high throughput sequencing to assess saturation mutagenesis. Conclusions: This significant advance provides an efficient method for assaying C. trachomatis gene function and will enable the identification of the essential gene set of C. trachomatis. In the long-term, the methods described herein will add to the growing knowledge of chlamydial infection biology leading to the discovery of novel drug or vaccine targets.
Optimal Genetic Screening for Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: El Hajj Hussein , Bish Douglas R. , Bish Ebru K. 
Published: November 2021

Improving Newborn Screening for Genetic DiseasesScreening newborns for life-threatening genetic diseases is an important public health initiative. Cystic fibrosis is one of the most prevalent diseases in this context. As part of the cystic fibrosis screening process, all states in the United States use multiple tests, including genetic tests that detect a subset of the more than 300 genetic variants (specific mutations) that cause cystic fibrosis. In “Optimal Genetic Screening for Cystic Fibrosis,” El-Hajj, D.R. Bish, and E.K. Bish develop a decision support model to select which genetic variants to screen for, considering the trade-off between classification accuracy and testing cost, and the technological constraints that limit the number of variants selected. Because variant prevalence rates are highly uncertain, a robust optimization framework is developed. Further, two commonly used cystic fibrosis screening processes are analytically compared, and conditions under which each process dominates are established. A case study based on published data are provided.