bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recurrence patterns and evolution of submicroscopic and asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax infections in malaria-endemic areas of the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Garcia Castillo Stefano S. , Abanto Alvarez Caroline , Rosas-Aguirre Ángel , Acosta Carlos , Corder Rodrigo M. , Gómez Joaquín , Guzmán Mitchel , Speybroeck Niko , Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro , Castro Marcia C. , Rosanas-Urgell Anna , Ferreira Marcelo U. , Vinetz Joseph M. , Gamboa Dionicia , Torres Katherine 
Published: October 2024

Background
In the Peruvian Amazon, Plasmodium vivax malaria transmission is maintained due to the high frequency of recurrences. By understanding the recurrence rates of submicroscopic and asymptomatic cases, we can develop informed strategies to prevent transmission more efficiently and disrupt the silent transmission cycle.

Methods
A three-year, population-based cohort study was conducted in two sites, Cahuide and Lupuna, within the Loreto region in Peru from 2013 to 2015. The study included 385 individuals and aimed to examine the temporal dynamics of malaria recurrences and their impact on transmission and control.

Results
Individuals from Lupuna presented a higher risk of P. vivax infections compared to Cahuide, where most recurrences were asymptomatic and submicroscopic. It is estimated that a great proportion of these recurrences were due to relapses in both communities. The application of molecular diagnostic method proved to be significantly more effective, detecting 2.3 times more episodes during the follow-up (PCR, 1068; microscopy, 467). PCR identified recurrences significantly earlier, at 151 days after an initial infection, compared to microscopy, which detected them on average after 365 days. Community, occupation and previous malaria infections were factors associated with recurrences. Finally, potential infection evolution scenarios were described where one frequent scenario involved the transition from symptomatic to asymptomatic infections with a mean evolution time of 240 days.

Conclusions
This study explores the contrast in malaria recurrence risk among individuals from two endemic settings, a consequence of prolonged exposure to the parasite. Through the analysis of the evolution scenarios of P. vivax recurrences, it is possible to have a more complete vision of how the transmission pattern changes over time and is conditioned by different factors.
Clinical features of and severity risk factors for COVID-19 in adults during the predominance of SARS-CoV-2 XBB variants in Okinawa, Japan
Authors: Ideguchi Shuhei , Miyagi Kazuya , Kami Wakaki , Tasato Daisuke , Higa Futoshi , Maeshiro Noriyuki , Nagamine Shota , Nakamura Hideta , Kinjo Takeshi , Nakamatsu Masashi , Haranaga Shusaku , Tokushige Akihiro , Ueda Shinichiro , Fujita Jiro , Yamamoto Kazuko 
Published: October 2024

Background and objective
Since 2023, COVID-19 induced by SARS-CoV-2 XBB variants have been a global epidemic. The XBB variant-induced epidemic was largest in the Okinawa Prefecture among areas in Japan, and healthcare institutions have been burdened by increased COVID-19 hospitalizations. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features of XBB variant-induced COVID-19 and risk factors for severe COVID-19.

Methods
This retrospective study included adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between May and July 2023 at four tertiary medical institutions in Okinawa, Japan. Patients with bacterial infection-related complications were excluded. According to oxygen supplementation and intensive care unit admission, patients were divided into two groups, mild and severe. Patient backgrounds, symptoms, and outcomes were compared between both groups, and the risk factors for severe COVID-19 were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results
In total of 367 patients included, the median age was 75 years, with 18.5% classified into the severe group. The all-cause mortality rate was 4.9%. Patients in the severe group were more older, had more underlying diseases, and had a higher mortality rate (13.2%) than those in the mild group (3.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus was an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002–3.772), whereas bivalent omicron booster vaccination was an independent factor for less severe COVID-19 (95% CI, 0.203–0.862).

Conclusion
This study implies that assessing risk factors in older adults is particularly important in the era of omicron variants.
Impact of sample processing delays on plasma markers of inflammation, chemotaxis, cell death, and blood coagulation
Authors: Gyorffy Vanessa J. , Dwivedi Dhruva J. , Liaw Patricia C. , Fox-Robichaud Alison E. , Tsang Jennifer L. Y. , Binnie Alexandra 
Published: October 2024

Background
Biosampling studies in critically ill patients traditionally involve bedside collection of samples followed by local processing (ie. centrifugation, aliquotting, and freezing) and storage. However, community hospitals, which care for the majority of Canadian patients, often lack the infrastructure for local processing and storage of specimens. A potential solution is a “simplified” biosampling protocol whereby blood samples are collected at the bedside and then shipped to a central site for processing and storage. One potential limitation of this approach is that delayed processing may alter sample characteristics.

Objective
To determine whether delays in blood sample processing affect the stability of cytokines (IL-6, TNF, IL-10, IFN-γ), chemokines (IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, MCP-4, MIP-1α, MIP-1β), cell-free DNA (cfDNA) (released by dying cells), and blood clotting potential in human blood samples.

Methods
Venous blood was collected into EDTA and citrate sample tubes and stored at room temperature (RT) or 4°C for progressive intervals up to 72 hours, prior to processing. Plasma cytokines and chemokines were quantified using single or multiplex immunoassays. cfDNA was measured using Picogreen DNA Quantification. Blood clotting potential was measured using a thrombin generation assay.

Results
Blood samples were collected from 9 intensive care unit (ICU) patients and 7 healthy volunteers. Admission diagnoses for the ICU patients included sepsis, trauma, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleed, and hyperkalemia. After pre-processing delays of up to 72 hours at RT or 4°C, no significant changes were observed in plasma cytokines, chemokines, cfDNA, or thrombin formation.

Conclusions
Delayed sample processing for up to 72 hours at either RT or 4°C did not significantly affect cytokines, chemokines, cfDNA, or blood clotting potential in plasma samples from healthy volunteers and ICU patients. A “simplified” biosampling protocol is a feasible solution for conducting biosampling research at hospitals without local processing capacity.
Peripapillary vessels density is closely related to cerebral white matter hyperintensities: An OCTA study
Authors: Song Yuanyue , Lai Zehua , Ding Kaiqi , Sun Yue , Zeng Lili 
Published: October 2024

Background
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion triggers the development of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), common in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). However, conventional imaging techniques cannot visualize cerebral small vessels. The retina, a direct extension of the central nervous system, has an unclear correlation with WMHs. This study employs Optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) to investigate vascular changes in the retina and explore its correlation with WMHs, aiming to provide a new method for assessing perfusion in early ischemic brain WMHs.

Methods
Forty-nine patients with WMHs were stratified into mild and moderate/severe WMHs groups based on MRI findings, utilizing the Fazekas and Scheltens scales. OCTA assessed fundus vessel microcirculation. Logistic regression analyzed the correlation between ocular fundus microcirculation and WMH severity and location. Additionally, ROC curves evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of each fundus vascular microcirculation index in determining WMH severity.

Results
After adjusting for multiple confounders, finding consistently indicated that the moderate/ severe WMHs group exhibited lower vessel density (VD) in the superior quadrant of the inner peripapillary region compared to the mild group [OR = 0.487, CI (0.255,0.929), p < 0.05]. ROC curves revealed that when combined with age, diabetes, and superior quadrant VD of the inner peripapillary region, specificity could be increased to 94.1%.

Conclusion
Peripapillary vessel density correlates closely with the severity of cerebral WMHs. Early morphological changes due to chronic hypoperfusion may initiate from the inner layer of the optic disc, and OCTA could offer a novel method for evaluating blood perfusion in ischemic WMHs.
Determinants of fertility experience among reproductive women age (15–49) in Ethiopia: Application of count regression models
Authors: Yirsaw Bantie Getnet , Taye Birhan Ambachew , Seretew Wullo Sisay , Belete Aychew Kassa , Tesfie Tigabu Kidie 
Published: October 2024

Introduction
Fertility refers to the average number of children born to a woman over her reproductive years. Due to cultural norms, economic development, education, access to healthcare, and government policies, fertility rates vary significantly across different countries and regions of the world. Ethiopia is one of the developing countries in Sub-Sahara Africa and its fertility rate has consistently been one of the highest in the world. Hence the main goal of this study was to identify the leading factors for the total number of children born per mother in Ethiopia.

Methods
This study used the most recent secondary data obtained from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey. A total weighted sample of 8885 women aged 15 to 49 was included in the study. The primary outcome variable in this study was the number of children born per mother, and different socio-demographic and economic factors that could influence fertility experience were included. The analysis was performed using STATA version 17 software. Negative Binomial regression model was used to assess the association between outcome and predictor variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results
From a total of 8885 women, on average approximately 2.73 children were born per mother. Age of mothers (IRR = 1.08, 95% CI: (1.077, 1.082)), religion for Muslim (IRR = 1.13, 95% CI: (1.08, 1.18)) and others (IRR = 1.16, 95% CI: (1.11, 1.22)), level of education secondary and above (IRR = .61, 95% CI: (.58, .65)) and primary (IRR = .84, 95% CI: (.81, .87)), household member of six to nine (IRR = 1.24, 95% CI: (1.20, 1.28)) and household members more than nine people (IRR = 1.14, 95% CI: (1.07, 1.21)), wealth index for rich (IRR = .94, 95%, CI: (.91, .98)), marital status for not married (IRR = .49, 95%, CI: (.48, .51)), pregnant mothers (IRR = 1.08, 95%, CI: (1.02, 1.13)) and contraceptive users (IRR = 1.12, 95%, CI: (1.09, 1.16)) were the signficant variables for number of children ever born per mother.

Conclusion
In Ethiopia, the average number of children born per mother was approximately 2.73. Poisson and Negative Binomial regression models were compared, and we found the Negative Binomial regression model to be better to identify the determinants of fertility experience in Ethiopia. Age of mothers, religion, current pregnancy, use of contraceptive methods, mothers’ education level, household members, wealth index, number of children aged five and under, region (Somali, Gambela, and Addis Ababa), and marital status were the determinants responsible for fertility experience among mothers in Ethiopia. These findings are helpful for policymakers and healthcare professionals for developing targeted interventions and programs aimed at improving the high fertility rate experience in Ethiopia.
When and What to Test for Diarrhea: Focus on Stool Testing
Authors: Camilleri Michael 
Published: October 2024

INTRODUCTION:
To review stool diagnostic tests in acute and chronic diarrhea.

METHODS:
Narrative review of published literature.

RESULTS:
In acute diarrhea, stool tests are indicated when there is strong pretest probability of infectious etiology or Clostridioides difficile infection suggested by >3 unformed bowel movements per 24 hours, symptoms lasting >7 days, and circumstances that are suggestive of infection. Several commercially available rapid tests for bacterial, viral, or protozoal infections may be offered in addition to traditional methods (e.g. culture, microscopy) and provide a result within 6 hours. For C. difficile infections, a highly sensitive test such as glutamate dehydrogenase test is required; however, this does not distinguish infection from carrier state. That differentiation requires specialized nucleic acid amplification test (for toxin B) or enzyme immunoassays for toxin A or B, which are unfortunately not generally offered by microbiology laboratories. Chronic diarrhea may result from inflammatory, fatty, osmotic, or secretory causes; the commonest cause is diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome/functional diarrhea. Current recommendations in societal guidelines or clinical practice updates regarding stool tests in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome/functional diarrhea in the absence of alarm symptoms include testing for Giardia, calprotectin, fecal immunochemical test, and bile acid diarrhea. Comprehensive stool biochemical analyses (osmolality, pH, electrolytes) differentiate osmotic from secretory diarrhea and identify laxative abuse. Specific stool diagnostic tests for bile acid diarrhea and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can lead to specific diagnosis and treatments. Surrogate markers associated with high fecal output and rapid transit in chronic diarrhea are stool form and colonic transit.

DISCUSSION:
Fecal testing is still very relevant in the practice of gastroenterology and deserves introduction of advanced microbiological and biochemical tests.
Is ChatGPT a reliable tool in Autoimmune Hepatitis?
Authors: Colapietro Francesca , Piovani Daniele , Pugliese Nicola , Aghemo Alessio , Ronca Vincenzo , Lleo Ana 
Published: October 2024

Background and aims:
Artificial intelligence-based chatbots offer a potential avenue for delivering personalized counselling to Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) patients. We assessed accuracy, completeness, comprehensiveness and safety of ChatGPT-4 responses to 12 inquiries out of a pool of 40 questions posed by four AIH patients.

Methods:
Questions were categorized into three areas: Diagnosis(1-3), Quality of Life(4-8) and Medical treatment(9-12). 11 Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) evaluated responses using a Likert scale with 6 points for accuracy, 5 points for safety and 3 points for completeness and comprehensiveness.

Results:
Median scores for accuracy, completeness, comprehensiveness and safety were 5(4-6), 2 (2-2) and 3 (2-3); no domain exhibited superior evaluation. Post-diagnosis follow-up question was the trickiest with low accuracy and completeness but safe and comprehensive features. Agreement among KOLs (Fleiss’s Kappa statistics) was slight for accuracy (0.05) but poor for the remaining features (-0.05, -0.06 and -0,02, respectively).

Conclusions:
Chatbots show good comprehensibility but lack reliability. Further studies are needed to integrate Chat-GPT within clinical practice.
NOVAS EVIDÊNCIAS DE VALIDADE E CONFIABILIDADE PARA USO DA ESCALA DE AVALIAÇÃO DA COLABORAÇÃO INTERPROFISSIONAL EM EQUIPE NO BRASIL
Authors: Rossit Rosana Aparecida Salvador , Meireles Everson , Silva Jaqueline Alcântara Marcelino da , Bispo Emanuella Pinheiro de Farias 
Published: October 2024

A colaboração interprofissional é um tipo de trabalho que envolve diferentes profissões comprometidas com o desenvolvimento do cuidado, sendo essencial para a qualidade e eficiência da assistência e dos resultados na saúde. O estudo tem por objetivo avançar no processo de validação da Escala de Avaliação da Colaboração Interprofissional na Equipe (AITCS II–BR), por meio da análise de sua dimensionalidade e demonstração de evidências de validade baseadas na estrutura e consistência interna para a utilização no Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo metodológico de validação da AITCS II-BR, a qual refere-se ao construto da colaboração interprofissional, originalmente disseminado em três dimensões: parceria, cooperação e coordenação. Participaram 395 pós-graduandos de cursos em Ensino na Saúde. Análise fatorial exploratória, análise paralela e de consistência interna foram realizadas. As análises da dimensionalidade da AITCS II-BR-V2 possibilitaram a identificação do índice Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO=0,96). Obteve-se alta consistência interna noα=0,96). O escore do fator Colaboração obteve média=3,34; desvio-padrão=0,78; mediana=3,39; intervalo de confiança [IC 95% para a média]=3,26 a 3,42; amplitude 1 a 5. Conclui-se que o instrumento é válido, apresenta elevado índice de consistência interna e pode ser aplicado no contexto Brasileiro para avaliação da colaboração interprofissional.
The use of ās- ‘sit’ and vas- ‘dwell’ plus participle and gerund from Early Vedic to Epic Sanskrit
Authors: Grieco Beatrice 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The auxiliary ās- ‘sit’ is one of a set of verbs that forms iterative-continuative periphrases in Sanskrit, but it has hardly been studied. While modern-day Sanskrit grammars acknowledge its presence, a comprehensive investigation into its usage is lacking. Given the lack of studies on the ās- periphrasis, this paper explores the verbal construction constituted of the root ās- ‘sit’ plus participle or gerund from Early Vedic to Epic Sanskrit, also offering a brief comparison with vas- ‘dwell, live’. A few passages from Vedic prose show vas- in combination with participles and gerunds in a similar use of that with ās-, but these contexts have never been extensively studied in the literature.
Treatment with BRAF/MEK: inhibitors in mutant BRAF V600E papillary craniopharyngioma
Authors: Erfurth Eva Marie , Siesjö Peter , Sundgren Pia C , Hammar Björn , Kinhult Sara 
Published: October 2024

SummaryCraniopharyngiomas (CPs) are rare brain epithelial tumours arising in the suprasellar region, infiltrating adjacent areas causing visual loss, panhypopituitarism, cognitive deficits and morbid obesity. Papillary CPs (PCPs) harbour in 94% BRAF mutation cases. Two patients with PCP and BRAF V600E mutations but with different tumour status were treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. Case I was diagnosed with biopsy and treated for 16 months with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. After 3.5 months, there was a 50% reduction of the tumour volume, and after 13 months, the tumour volume decreased from 2220 to 90 mm3 (96%). Two months after stopping the drugs, he was treated with fractionated cranial irradiation (54 Gy). No recurrence of the PCP was recorded. Eight months after stopping the drugs, he was diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus, which led to his death 12 months later. In case II, a woman had had four surgeries due to recurrences of a PCP, and a BRAF V600E mutation was confirmed. After a new recurrence measuring 14 × 12 × 18 mm, she was started on BRAF and MEK inhibitors. After 4 months of treatment, a significant decrease to 8 × 9 × 13 mm was recorded. The treatment continued for 31 months, and the MRI demonstrated a stable unchanged size including scar tissue, with a volume reduction from 633 to 483 mm3. During treatment, her visual acuity improved in her left eye from 0.05 to 0.3. After stopping the drugs, ‘watchful waiting’ with repeated MRI was decided. She is now off treatment for 25 months, without any recurrence on MRI.Learning pointsCPs are rare primary brain epithelial tumours arising in the suprasellar region from remnants of Rathke’s pouch.CPs infiltrate adjacent areas causing visual loss, panhypopituitarism, cognitive deficits and morbid obesity.PCPs harbour in >90% BRAF V600E mutation.BRAF V600E mutation can successfully be treated with the combination of BRAF V600E and Mekinist inhibitors.It is suggested that PCP patients harbouring BRAF V600E mutation should be offered BRAF V600E and Mekinist inhibitors.
RP, Pronunciation preference polls, dynamic synchrony and SSB Pronunciation
Authors: Akamatsu Tsutomu 
Published: October 2024

We first look at various aspects of RP (Received Pronunciation). One particular aspect of RP that is emphasized is its intelligibility (comprehensibility). Reproduced in this connection are results of a survey conducted by a polling organization on ‘intelligibility’ of British English pronunciation varieties. The concept of ‘dynamic synchrony’, as distinct from ‘static synchrony’, is brought in and explained at fair length. With this concept in mind, we look into the fact that many individual British English speakers show preference for different alternative pronunciations of words (e.g. absurd with [‑s‑] or [‑z‑]; 'contribute or con'tribute). We investigate if such different pronunciation choices correlate with ages, i.e. young speakers, old speakers; born before or after such-and-such year? We closely consult all three editions of Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (LPD) compiled by John Christopher Wells which contains detailed results of his 1988 and 1998 pronunciation preference surveys. LPD records pronunciation details found in ‘a modernized version of the type known as Received Pronunciation, or RP [Wells’s block letters]’ (LPD3: xix). Finally there will be a discussion concentrating on Geoffrey Lindsey’s recent book English after RP (2019) which shows the relationship between regressive RP and progressive SSB (Standard Southern British) pronunciation at the present time.
Стратегії антикризового управління туристичних підприємств в умовах циркулярної економіки
Authors: Замлинський Віктор , Давиденко Ірина , Гура Ольга , Соловйова Ольга , Машин Андрій 
Published: October 2024

Метою проведеного дослідження є виявлення стратегій антикризового менеджменту в туристичних підприємствах, головних факторів їх формування та реалізації. Дослідження спрямоване на виявлення головних передумов успішного впровадження антикризового менеджменту в туристичних підприємствах, визначенні переваг його здійснення та головних напрямків реалізації. Дослідження проводилось на основі статистичних даних країн Європейського Союзу протягом 2019 – 2023 років [1]. В процесі виконання роботи було використано комплексний підхід, який включає опрацювання результатів наукових досліджень, аналіз статистичних даних, порівняльний аналіз результатів туристичної діяльності країн ЄС. За результатами проведеного дослідження було проаналізовано тенденцію розвитку туристичних підприємств протягом 2020 – 2023 років в країнах ЄС і встановлено, що після пандемії COVID-19 частка туризму значно скоротилась. Лише деяким країнам вдалось повернутись до рівня розвитку 2019 року; лише 16,7% країн ЄС мають стабільну тенденцію показника заїзду резидентів/нерезидентів до закладів розміщення туристів. Актуальним стратегічним напрямом розвитку сучасного туризму є функціонування на засадах циркулярності, що утворює підґрунтя для розвитку місцевих постачальників, сприяння зменшення відходів, що стимулює інвестування в розробки та впровадження циклічних бізнес-моделей.