bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Risk Factors of LTBI at Madura Boarding School as a High-Risk Congregate Setting
Authors: Ananto Muhammad Arif , Setyoningrum Retno Asih , Lestari Pudji 
Published: September 2024

Highlights:

Boarding school is a high-risk location for TB transmission. Therefore, stricter early prevention measures are required.
Gender and knowledge level were significantly related to LTBI, but there was no significant relationship between age and nutritional status.
Low level of knowledge was the highest risk factor compared to other factors, with a five times greater risk of contracting LTBI.

Abstract
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is a highly contagious airborne disease. High-risk environments with frequent close interactions contribute to the spread of TB. This study examined latent TB infection (LTBI) epidemiology in such settings to inform public health interventions and strategies to curb TB transmission in similar environments.
Methods: This cross-sectional observational study, conducted from January to August 2022 at two boarding schools in Bangkalan, involved 100 adolescents aged 10-18 years old tested for LTBI using interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assay (IGRA). Data were collected via questionnaires. Bivariate analysis was used to determine the correlation between LTBI prevalence and each research variable using Pearson correlation and odds ratio (OR). A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: This study found that 30% of 100 adolescents in boarding schools had LTBI. Risk analysis showed a significant association between gender and LTBI, with males having a 1.02 times higher risk (p-value 0.000). Additionally, lower education levels were significantly associated with a 5.2 times higher risk of LTBI (p-value 0.021).
Conclusion: Boarding schools pose a TB transmission risk. Early LTBI screening is essential for TB eradication in Indonesia, and these findings emphasize the need to improve LTBI detection and prophylaxis therapy as a preventive measure against TB outbreaks.
Effect of Ajwa Date Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera) Methanol Extract on Blood Glucose Levels in Mice with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Dewanti Anggita Annisa Wahyu , Susanto Joni , Apriliawati Dwi , Yuliawati Tri Hartini 
Published: September 2024

Highlights:

The widespread incidence of DM leads to costly treatments and often results in undesirable side effects.
Flavonoids in ajwa date fruit are believed to lower blood glucose levels through several mechanisms.
Methanol extract of ajwa date fruit can effectively lower blood glucose levels in diabetic mice at specific optimal doses.

Abstract
Introduction: High diabetes mellitus (DM) cases result in costly medical expenses. Ajwa date fruit contains triterpenoids, carbohydrates, and flavonoids believed to lower blood glucose, which requires research validation using methanol extract on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced mice. This study aimed to determine the effect of methanol extract of ajwa dates with several dose levels, namely 3 g/WB, 5 g/WB, and 7 g/WB, given orally to mice induced by STZ.
Methods: This study utilized a randomized pre- and post-test control group design to assess ajwa date fruit methanol extract effects on blood glucose in Swiss-Webster mice (Mus musculus). The mice were divided into four groups: Group K (6 mice without date extract intervention), P1 (6 mice with 3 g/WB/day oral dose date extract intervention), P2 (7 mice with 5 g/WB/day oral dose date extract intervention), and P3 (7 mice with 7 g/WB/day oral dose date extract intervention) and were induced with 100 mg/WB streptozotocin. Administered daily for three weeks, ajwa dates fruit extract showed varying impacts. Weekly blood glucose measurements and analysis of variance (ANOVA) in the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0 disclosed significant group differences.
Results: In the third week, blood glucose measurements revealed significant differences (p = 0.017), with an optimal reduction in P3 (7 mice with 7 g/WB/day oral dose date extract intervention).
Conclusion: In the third week, ajwa dates fruit extract, at an optimal 7 g/WB dose, effectively reduced blood glucose levels via flavonoid hypoglycemic mechanisms.
Investigating Motor Complications and Thyroid Hormones, Sex Hormonal/Menstrual Links in Female Parkinson's Patients
Authors: Wan Zhirong , Wang Fan , Zhao Jing , Du Jichen , Li Jilai , Wang Peifu , Yi Zhong , Feng Tao 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is known to impact both sexes, yet women exhibit unique clinical profiles and require tailored disease management strategies. This study sought to delineate the differences in sex and thyroid hormone levels, along with menstrual factors, in postmenopausal women with PD with motor complications and to evaluate their correlation with motoric issues. A cohort of 95 postmenopausal women with PD provided data encompassing menarche and menopause timing, menstrual cycle characteristics, and thyroid and gynecological histories. Hormonal and thyroid function assessments were conducted, correlating with PD patients’ clinical features and disease severity. Key findings include lower serum prolactin in women with PD and motor complications, a negative correlation between estradiol levels and HAMA scores, and no significant differences in menstrual characteristics between those with and without motor complications. Menarche age negatively correlated with cognitive scores, while the menstrual cycle and its duration showed associations with motor symptom severity. Women with motor complications demonstrated specific correlations between menopause timing, menstrual cycle, and psychological scores and presented with lower T3 and higher thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. T3 and FT3 levels were negatively linked to motor symptom severity and H-Y staging in this group. Motor complications in female PD patients are potentially linked to prolactin and T3 levels, underscoring the need for vigilant thyroid function monitoring. Advanced age at PD onset appears protective against motor complications, contrasting with the risks of extended disease duration and elevated NMSS scores.
Fecal microbiota transplantation promotes functional recovery in mice with spinal cord injury by modulating the spinal cord microenvironment
Authors: Xie Huan , Zhang Hui , Zhou Liyi , Chen Junjie , Yao Shun , He Quanxin , Li Zhizhong , ZHOU ZHILAI 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts the gut microbiota, worsening the injury’s impact. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is increasingly recognized as a promising strategy to improve neural function post-SCI, yet its precise mechanisms are still far from clear. The present study aims to elucidate how FMT influences motor function recovery and its underlying mechanisms utilizing a SCI mouse model.
Methods
Mice with SCI received FMT from healthy donors. We used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to analyze the alterations of gut microbes. Pathological alterations in the spinal cord tissue, including neuronal survival, axonal regeneration, cell proliferation, and neuroinflammation, were assessed among experimental groups. Additionally, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to explore alterations in relevant signaling pathways.
Results
Significant shifts in gut microbiota composition following SCI were observed through 16S rRNA analysis. FMT promoted neuronal survival and axonal regeneration, leading to notable improvements in motor function compared to control mice. Immunofluorescence staining showed increased neuronal survival, alleviated extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, diminished glial scar formation, and reduced inflammation in FMT-treated mice. RNA-seq analysis indicated that FMT induced transcriptomic changes associated with material metabolism, ECM remodeling, and anti-inflammatory responses.
Conclusions
FMT restored gut microbiota balance in SCI mice, mitigated inflammation, and promoted ECM remodeling, establishing an optimal environment for neural recovery. These findings demonstrated that FMT may represent a valuable approach to enhance functional recovery following SCI.
Sustainable Approach for Developing High-Performance Activated Carbon from Agricultural Wastes: Exploring the Impact of Carbonization Parameters and Activating Agents for Enhanced Physiochemical Properties
Authors: Kumar Krishna , Tyagi Uplabdhi , Maity Saurav Kumar , Singh Shagun , Sheoran Nikita , Kumar Gulshan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Activated carbon, with its notable porosity and large surface area, holds significant promise for various applications. However, the limited exploration of diverse biomass precursors and the insufficient correlation between pore distribution and performance present several challenges. This study addresses these issues by synthesizing activated carbon from banana peel (BP), potato peel (PP), and tea residue (TR) biomass, by optimizing parameters such as temperature (350–900°C), time (30–480 min), pH (1–12), dosage (1–10 g), and particle size (> 0.841 − 0.105 mm). The findings revealed that banana peel-derived activated carbon achieved the highest carbonization yield of 69.867% under optimal conditions (temperature = 350°C, time = 30 min, pH = 1, dosage = 3 g, and particle size > 0.841 mm). Significant enhancements in the characteristics of the activated carbon were observed compared to raw biomass. XRD confirmed the existence of graphitic carbon with (002), (100), and (004) planes, which was further supported by the Raman spectroscopy showing D and G bands near 1320 cm− 1 and 1568 cm− 1. Morphological analysis revealed that maximum surface area (49.374 m²g− 1) was achieved for banana peel-derived activated carbon compared to those derived from potato peel (40.218 m²g− 1) and tea residue (45.355 m²g− 1). Furthermore, the synthesized activated carbon exhibited superior thermal stability compared to the raw biomass, with minimal weight loss of ~ 17–19% across the temperature 20–900°C. This research highlights the significant contribution towards waste management and resource utilization while supporting the development of green technologies for activated carbon synthesis.
Steering nonlocality in high-speed telecommunication system without detection loophole
Authors: Qiang Zeng , Yuan Huihong , Wang Haoyang , Zhou Lai , Yuan Zhiliang 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Nonlocal correlation represents the key feature of quantum mechanics, and is an exploitable resource in quantum information processing.
However, the loophole issues and the associated applicability compromises hamper the practical applications.
We report the first detection-loophole-free demonstration of steering nonlocality in a fully chip-fiber telecommunication system, with an ultra fast measurement switching rate (2.5~GHz).
In this endeavor, we propose the phase-encoding measurement scheme to adapt the system to the GHz-level modulation rate.
We design and fabricate a low-loss silicon chip for efficient entanglement generation, and come up with an asymmetric paradigm to mimic the measurement implementation at the steering party thus avoiding the phase-encoding loss.
Consequently, we build a fiber-optic setup that can overcome the detection efficiency that is required by conclusive quantum steering with actively switched multiple measurement settings.
Our setup presents an immediate platform for exploring applications based on steering nonlocality, especially for quantum communication.
Exploring the Lived Experience of Chinese Family Caregivers Caring for End-Of-Life Cancer Patients at Home: A Phenomenological Study in Singapore
Authors: Ang Seng Hock Martin , Poon Wing Hong Edward , Best Odette , Graham Coralie 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The Chinese community constitutes the largest demographic and faces the highest rates of cancer incidence in Singapore. Given this, palliative care plays a crucial role in supporting individuals, particularly those nearing the end of life, with family serving as their primary source of support. Many Chinese family caregivers in Singapore reported significant unmet needs in cancer care provision, with studies indicating that they often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities. Despite this, there has been a lack of research exploring the needs and perspectives of Chinese Singaporean family caregivers caring for terminally ill cancer patients at home. Thus, this study seeks to address this gap by investigating the lived experiences of Chinese Singaporean family caregivers providing end-of-life cancer care in a home setting.
Methods
This study employed a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, guided by the framework developed by van Manen (1990), to uncover the essential meaning of each participant's lived experience. In-depth, semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted face-to-face with ten Chinese Singaporean family caregivers. These caregivers shared their personal journeys of caring for a loved one with advanced cancer during their final stage of life at home. The interviews were audio recorded, and open-ended questions were used to facilitate discussion. Each interview lasted between thirty minutes to one hour. The researcher manually transcribed all audio recordings. Additionally, an external transcriber translated the interviews into written form to ensure accuracy and authenticity. The interview texts were then analysed and interpreted using the philosophical underpinnings rooted in phenomenology.
Results
The attempts to identify meanings and make sense of the Chinese Singaporean’ lived experience led to the development of two main themes and eight sub-themes. Under the primary theme of ‘experiences from caregiving’ comprises the sub-themes, ‘being a caregiver’, ‘suffering’, and ‘well-being’, and the major theme of ‘expectations in caregiving’, encompasses the sub-themes, ‘caregiving support’, ‘decision-making’, ‘communication’, ‘spirituality’ and ‘being a Chinese Singaporean’.
Conclusion
The results of this study have several important implications for practice, policy, and future research to support the Chinese family caregivers to ease their burden of caring.
The association between Anorexia of Aging assessed via Chinese version of Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, Frailty, Nutrition and Psychological status in Community- dwelling Older People：A cross-sectional study
Authors: Feng Gaojie , Liu Xiaohong , Li Jiaojiao , Lu Fei , Zhou Yaru , Sun Xiaohong 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background: Anorexia of aging (AA) has become a common geriatric syndrome that endangers the health of older people in China. While there is a lack of research and attention to AA in China. Our team has used Chinese version of the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) to screen for AA in community-dwelling populations and to explore adverse outcomes associated with AA, providing ideas for the early prevention of AA.
Methods: According to the principle of voluntarism, the multi-stage sampling method was used to select older adults ≥65 years from communities in Beijing for face-to-face questionnaire survey. Meanwhile, online questionnaire survey for older people ≥65 years old was conducted through the Questionnaire Star and WeChat APPs. The survey was conducted from June 2023 to June 2024. In addition to participants' general information, clinical status, the Chinese version of SNAQ was used to investigate AA. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associated adverse outcomes with AA and the association of SNAQ Four-Item with frailty, malnutrition, depression and anxiety.
Results: The study included 385 older people living in the community, with an average age of 73.8±7.1 years old (68.2% female), who were divided into poor appetite group and normal group according to SNAQ ≤14. The results showed that the detection rate of AA was 20%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that AA and frailty, malnutrition, psychosocial status were independently associated after adjusting for confounding factors (age, gender, and CCI). Timing of fullness [OR (95% CI):0.562(0.387-0.816)], and diminished taste [OR (95% CI):0.553(0.369-0.829)] were significantly associated with higher frailty risk. Poor appetite [OR (95% CI):0.436(0.283-0.671)] was associated with higher malnutrition risk. Poor appetite [OR (95% CI): 0.594(0.4-0.883)] and diminished taste [OR (95% CI): 0.598(0.393-0.912)] were associated with higher depression risk. Poor taste [OR (95% CI): 0.456(0.261-0.794)] was associated with higher anxiety risk.
Conclusion: The study indicated that the prevalence of AA was high in community-dwelling older people. The items of the SNAQ can serve as risk factors for frailty, malnutrition, and psychological status. Early intervention for AA may be meaningful for the prevention of adverse outcomes.
The Meaning of Leadership in Medical Education and Others in the Pan America Health Organization Member States: A Stakeholder Analysis and Interviews
Authors: Rodriguez-Feria Pablo , Giraldo-Noack Natalia , Garcia-Arango Susana , Paric Martina , Babish Suzanne , Valladares Laura Magaña , Flores Luis Jorge Hernandez , Czabanowska Katarzyna 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
The well-being and health of people are the primary goals of health systems and services (HSS). Education and training (E&T) in leadership within undergraduate medical education (UME), the health workforce (HWF), and other professions are important for having resilient HSS that promote societal changes and transformations. The member states of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/MS) have not explored the conceptualization of leadership based on a robust methodology that provides guidelines for evidence-based leadership development in the Americas.
Methods
The aim was to conceptualize leadership in UME in PAHO/MS. Stakeholders who worked in a PAHO/MS were interviewed, and three steps were followed to identify them: Kammi Schmeer’s guide for stakeholder analysis, networking by the authors, and snowballing by the stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews were done in Spanish or English and each one was transcribed into English. Authors used inductive content analysis and a member checking process to achieve agreement on the themes and codes.
Results
Thirty-four stakeholders were interviewed. Health-promoting leadership and expanding the borders of medicine are the central concepts for E&T in leadership as they focus on achieving people’s well-being and health. Leading and leadership antonyms, models of our own: Leadership signature in the Americas, and challenges: health, public health, and HSS are the peripheral domains that aim to differentiate leadership from other concepts and the target audience, which includes UME, other professions, and individuals without a profession. Furthermore, the distinctive mark of leadership in the Americas and the challenges that will be faced through leadership were highlighted.
Conclusions
We encourage PAHO/MS to consider this research as foundation for leadership E&T to strengthen capacities in UME and related fields. E&T should begin with a conceptualizing leadership exercise that focuses on developing leadership competencies aimed at enhancing the well-being and health of both humans and our ecosystem.
Correlation Analysis of DNA Load, Drug-resistant Mutations and Clinical Manifestation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection in Children
Authors: Yang Shuang , Liu Xi Xiao , Hu Yi Min , Peng Li , Zhang Xiao , Yu Ai Qing 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Objective
This work aims to analyze the correlation of the macrolide-resistant mutation of A2063G site in 23S rRNA,DNA load,and the clinical manifestation in children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP).
Methods
Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) admitted to hospital between March 2023 and February 2024 were selected for the study.The pharyngeal swab specimens of the patients were collected to detect MP drug-resistance site mutations,MP DNA loads,and different common markers of infection.The information of the clinical symptoms,medication,and hospitalization time of the patients were collected.The correlation of the macrolide-resistant mutation of A2063G site in 23S rRNA,DNA load,and the clinical symptoms were analyzed by statistical analysis using SPSS 27.0 software.
Results
MP DNA load,fever time,cough disappearance time,hospitalization time,disease duration,and the mean levels of C-reactive protein(CRP),leukocyte,IL-6,γ-interferon,quantitative fibrinogen,lactate dehydrogenase,cardiac creatine kinase of the positive group were higher than those of negative group;the duration of macrolides use of the positive group was shorter than that of the negative group.
Conclusion
Children infected with MP resistant to macrolide antibiotics had higher MP DNA loads,longer hospitalization time,shorter macrolide use,higher levels of CRP,quantitative fibrinogen,and lactate dehydrogenase, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01);the duration of fever,the disappearance of cough,the duration of the disease,and the levels of leukocytes,calcitoninogen,interleukin-6,γ-interferon,and cardiac creatine kinase were not statistically significant different (P > 0.05) between patients infected with MP carrying the macrolide-resistant mutation and patients infected with MP without macrolide-resistant mutation.
Design of hyaluronic acid-based scaffold containing human endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (hEnMSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles for bone tissue engineering: in-vivo and vitro studies
Authors: Habibi Soha , Mohammadi Toraj , Hossein Kargar Jahromi , Asadi Amir Atabak 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The main challenges in using stem cells (SCs) are cellular survivability, undifferentiated cells, their dose-dependent effects, or age-related deteriorating functions. In this study, it is first focused on designing a bio-substrate with suitable physicomechanical properties to provide a cell-to-cell interactive microenvironment and then on studying the role of extracellular vesicle (EV), as an alternative biologic agent to overcome the SCs limitations, and its dosage, to induce bone formation. To this end, an optimized volume ratio of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (CS) solution was first selected and mixed with hyaluronic acid (HA) Accordingly, adding HA to the PVA/CS structure resulted in a more coherent network (~ 5% decrease in fiber diameter, ~ 25% and 1.28-fold increase in porosity and modulus) and better cellular adhesion. The results of the EV encapsulation with different dosages (low and high) on the PVA/CS/HA scaffold network and implantation in the rat skull-defect model also indicated that this scaffold provides a burst release of EV, however, the higher dosage possesses the slower release with gentler gradient in the release profile. Moreover, the in-vivo studies exhibited that the high-dose treatment group possesses more ossification in line of the defect with more numerous, active osteoblasts and ossification in the osteoid, along with more symmetrical restoration (after 8 weeks) than the empty scaffold and the low-dose treatment group.