bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Predictors of Mortality Among Persons With Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, and HIV, Mozambique (2015-2020)
Authors: Nacarapa Edy , Jose Benedita , Munyangaju Isabelle , Osório Dulce , Ramos-Rincon Jose-Manuel 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Drug Resistance Tuberculosis (DRTB) is associated with a high risk of mortality during treatment. This study aims to describe the incidence and baseline characteristics associated with mortality in persons with drug resistance tuberculosis (P-DRTB) in a rural setting, in Mozambique. We analyzed cohort data collected retrospectively from paper medical files and electronic medical records of persons with DRTB (P-DRTB) who were routinely treated at Carmelo Hospital of Chokwe (Gaza province, Mozambique), from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2020. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and adjusted Cox regression analyses were used to model the time to death and associated factors of mortality. Overall, 151 P-DRTB contributed to a total number of 1812 person-months (PM) of treatment follow-up. The overall mortality rate was 1.9 per 100 person-months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3–2.1). Adjusted Cox regression predicted higher risk of mortality in those treated with DRTB injectable SLD, (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.72, 95% CI 1.23–11.22, p = 0.020), had a parenchymal lesion with more than 50% fibrosis (aHR 3.06, 95% CI 1.38–6.79, p = 0.006), presented right ventricular dysfunction on the venous cardio ultrasound (aHR 3.18, 95% CI 1.15–8.83, p = 0.026), and manifested baseline hemoglobin (Hgb) = 8.0–9.9 g/dL as well Hgb < 7.9 g/dL (aHR 2.82, 95% CI 1.09–7.27, p = 0.032; aHR 3.06, 95%CI 1.24–7 .51, p = 0.015) respectively. However, lower risk of mortality was predicted in those who had an optimal immunovirological response to ART (aHR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04–0.93, p = 0.040). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed higher cumulative incidence of mortality after 3 months of follow-up, above 26% in those with immunovirological failure to ART therapy p = 0.006), 45% with Hgb < 7.9g/dL (p < 0.001), 23% in treated with injectables-based drugs (p = 0.03), 39% with parenchymal lesion > 50% fibrosis on the chest X-ray (test p = < 0.001), 56% with right ventricular dysfunction (p = 0.003). Mortality risk among P-DRTB was higher in those with anemia, injectable DRTB medications, lung lesions > 50% fibrosis, and right ventricular dysfunction.
Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Neuropsychiatric Disease: A Drug Target Mendelian Randomisation Study
Authors: Schindler Louise , Gill Dipender , Oppenheimer Hannah , Barth Claudia , Andreassen Ole , Draganski Bogdan , Westlye Lars T. , Topiwala Anya , de Lange Ann-Marie 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The effects of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on neurological and psychiatric disease risk have shown conflicting results across epidemiological and clinical studies. Given the widespread propagation of MHT among females experiencing menopausal symptoms, clarifying causality and impact is critical for informed decision-making. Although randomised controlled trials can establish causal effects, they are associated with significant costs and often of limited duration. Here, we present the first study using Mendelian randomisation (MR) to estimate causal effects of MHT on key neuropsychiatric and brain structural outcomes. To mimic the effects of MHT on oestrogen receptors (ER) α and β, we leveraged genetic variations located in the ESR1 and ESR2 genes that were significantly associated with positive controls as instrumental variables. In two-sample MR analyses, we used GWAS data on late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), key brain structural endophenotypes (cortical grey matter volume, hippocampal volume, and white matter hyperintensity volume), as well as depression and anxiety as outcomes, adjusting the p-values for multiple comparisons using false discovery rate correction with an α level of 0.05. There was no evidence for an impact of genetically proxied perturbation of ERα (β = -0.08, 95% CI [-0.34, 0.20], p=0.69 and β = -0.005, 95% CI [-1.45, 1.44], p=1.00) and ERβ (β = 0.35, 95% CI [-0.77, 1.47], p=0.69) on AD risk. Similarly, we found no significant impact of genetically proxied perturbation of ERα and ERβ on associated brain structural outcomes. Genetically proxied perturbation of ERβ was significantly related to higher depression risk (β = -0.66, 95% CI [-0.99, -0.32], p=0.002), but not anxiety risk. Our study provides support for a causal impact of genetically predicted oestrogen receptor perturbation on increased risk of depression, highlighting the importance of considering the implications of targeting these proteins with MHT, for psychiatric outcomes in clinical contexts. However, there was no support for either a harmful or protective causal effect of MHT on AD risk.
Efficient Configuration of Heterogeneous Resources and Task Scheduling Strategies in Deep Learning Auto-Tuning Systems
Authors: Ken Pao-Yi , Wu Chao-Chin 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Deep Learning Automatic Hyperparameter Tuning plays a crucial role in advancing Artificial Intelligence applications, eliminating the need for complex expertise and costly manual operations. Ray Tune, developed by the University of California, Berkeley, has gained widespread adoption among notable companies like Amazon and Uber. In contrast to large enterprises, the hardware commonly used by the general public is often a mix of old and new machines with varying specifications, creating a highly heterogeneous computing environment. This study focuses on optimizing the utilization of heterogeneous resources during machine learning training to improve overall system performance. Through experiments and analysis utilizing Ray Tune, two optimization strategies are explored for different configurations: checkpoint location optimization and a scheduling strategy for consolidating heterogeneous resources. Experimental results show that, with reasonable configurations, storing checkpoints in both main memory and external storage can effectively reduce overall training time. Adopting the heterogeneous resource consolidation scheduling strategy and dynamically allocating tasks based on the computing capabilities of each configured node results in a significant 2.36-fold improvement in overall training time. These optimization strategies offer valuable insights into effectively leveraging heterogeneous resources in automatic hyperparameter tuning.
Interaction between amorphous and crystalline SiO2 with ZnO obtained by various methods: implications for rhodamine 6G elimination
Authors: Daza-Gómez Lucy-Caterine , Escobar Brandon Enrique Vargas , Díaz David , García-Peña Nidia Guadalupe , Redón Rocío 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

This study investigates ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via different methods, consistently revealing a hexagonal wurtzite crystalline phase using XRD, Raman, and XPS analyses. The use of CTAB in the precipitation method resulted in smaller particles. ZnO nanoparticles supported on amorphous SiO2 exhibited reduced size due to the distribution of the precursor salt. rhodamine 6G adsorption of was observed to be higher on amorphous supports, attributed to increased deprotonation of silanol groups. Furthermore, it was observed that the nature of the support, whether amorphous or crystalline, significantly influenced photocatalytic activity. While amorphous supports mainly facilitated rhodamine 6G removal through adsorption, while crystalline supports favored degradation. The concentration increases in supported catalyst affected both degradation and adsorption, leading to reduced photodegradation efficiency without significant changes in adsorbed rhodamine 6G. Although rhodamine 6G degradation was lower compared to unsupported ZnO nanoparticles, only 10% of the supported sample consisted of active ZnO. ZnO nanoparticles on crystalline SiO2 showed minimal reduction in photocatalytic activity after five cycles, indicating their practical advantages for applications.
Risk Factors Analysis for Rapid In-Hospital Mortality among Covid-19 Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Indonesia
Authors: Febriawati Juwita , Putra Ngakan Putu Parsama , Listyoko Aditya Sri , Djajalaksana Susanthy 
Published: October 2024

Systemic inflammation plays an important role in pathogenesis of Covid-19, especially in development of ARDS which is characterized by decrease of PaO2/FiO2 ratio. CRP and procalcitonin are inflammatory markers that are closely associated with severity and mortality of Covid-19. Although several studies have addressed benefit of CRP and procalcitonin as markers on Covid-19 severity, the benefit of these inflammatory markers for in-hospital mortality remain inadequately understood. The aim of this study was to analyze PaO2/FiO2 ratio,comorbidity,CRP,and procalcitonin as risk factors that affect time of in-hospital mortality Covid-19 patient. This was a retrospective observational cohort study of 250 Covid-19 patients who died during hospitalization and data was retrieved from medical record. Laboratory data was collected from three different times, including at time of admission,third day of hospital care,and before patient’s death. Data were analyzed using Chi square test,Mann Whitney test,Wilcoxon test, Friedman test, and binary logistic regresion. There were significant differences between CRP and procalcitonin at admission and time of in-hospital mortality (p<0.001; p=0.007). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed significant relationship between CRP and time of in-hospital mortality with p=0.007. ROC curve showed optimal threshold of 11.75mg/L with sensitivity 72.3%; specificity 59.6%, RR 3.24(95% CI: 1.84-5.70). Significant changes were observed regarding PaO2/FiO2 ratio,CRP,and procalcitonin at admission as compared to before patient’s death with p<0.001;p=0.017;p<0.001 respectively. This study showed significant decrease of PaO2/FiO2 ratio, elevated CRP and procalcitonin at admission as compared to before patient’s death. The increase of CRP could serve as predictor for time of in-hospital mortality for Covid-19 patient.
Effects of Virtual Reality Therapy for Patients With Breast Cancer During Chemotherapy: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Li Mengdan , Yu Zhifu , Li Hui , Cao Li , Yu Huihui , Deng Ning , Liu Yunyong 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Patients with breast cancer endure high levels of psychological and physical pain. Virtual reality (VR) may be an acceptable, safe intervention to alleviate the negative emotions and pain of patients with cancer.

Objective
We aimed to test the long-term effects of VR on psychological distress and quality of life (QOL) with traditional care in Chinese patients with breast cancer. We also explored the intervention mechanism and the acceptability of VR.

Methods
A total of 327 eligible participants were randomly assigned to a VR intervention group or a control group. The Distress Thermometer, QLQ-C30 (Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3.0), and Virtual Reality Symptom Questionnaire were assessed at baseline, postintervention (3 mo), and follow-up (6 mo). Analysis followed the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. The generalized estimating equations model was used to analyze the longitudinal data, and the PROCESS macro was used to analyze the mediating effect.

Results
Compared with the control group, patients with breast cancer in the VR group had lower distress scores (P=.007), and higher health-related QOL scores (physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning) after 6 months (P<.05). Psychological distress had mediating effects on the longitudinal association between VR and the health-related QOL (indirect effect=4.572‐6.672, all P<.05).

Conclusions
VR intervention technology may help reduce distress and improve QOL for patients with breast cancer over time. By incorporating a mediating analysis, we showed that the QOL benefits of VR intervention was manifested through positive effects on psychological distress risk factors.
Phenotyping Adherence Through Technology-Enabled Reports and Navigation (the PATTERN Study): Qualitative Study for Intervention Adaptation Using the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment Framework
Authors: Pack Allison P , Bailey Stacy C , O'Conor Rachel , Velazquez Evelyn , Wismer Guisselle , Yeh Fangyu , Curtis Laura M , Alcantara Kenya , Wolf Michael S 
Published: October 2024

Background
Older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and polypharmacy often face challenges with medication adherence. Nonadherence can lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes, adverse drug events, and poor quality of life.

Objective
To facilitate medication adherence among older adults with MCC and polypharmacy in primary care, we are adapting a technology-enabled intervention previously implemented in a specialty clinic. The objective of this study was to obtain multilevel feedback to inform the adaptation of the proposed intervention (Phenotyping Adherence Through Technology-Enabled Reports and Navigation [PATTERN]).

Methods
We conducted a formative qualitative study among patients, clinicians, and clinic administrators affiliated with a large academic health center in Chicago, Illinois. Patient eligibility included being aged 65 years or older, living with MCC, and contending with polypharmacy. Eligibility criteria for clinicians and administrators included being employed by any primary care clinic affiliated with the participating health center. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted remotely by a trained member of the study team using interview guides informed by the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment Framework. Thematic analysis of interview audio recordings drew from the Rapid Identification of Themes from Audio Recordings procedures.

Results
In total, we conducted 25 interviews, including 12 with clinicians and administrators, and 13 with patients. Thematic analysis revealed participants largely found the idea of technology-based medication adherence monitoring to be acceptable and appropriate for the target population in primary care, although several concerns were raised; we discuss these in detail.

Conclusions
Our medication adherence monitoring intervention, adapted from specialty care, will be implemented in primary care. Formative interviews, informed by the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment Framework and conducted among patients, clinicians, and administrators, have identified intervention adaptation needs. Results from this study could inform other interventions using the patient portal with older adults.
Personalized and Culturally Tailored Features of Mobile Apps for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Their Impact on Patient Self-Management: Scoping Review
Authors: Jones Catherine , Cui Yi , Jeminiwa Ruth , Bajracharya Elina , Chang Katie , Ma Tony 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasingly common high-risk pregnancy condition requiring intensive daily self-management, placing the burden of care directly on the patient. Understanding personal and cultural differences among patients is critical for delivering optimal support for GDM self-management, particularly in high-risk populations. Although mobile apps for GDM self-management are being used, limited research has been done on the personalized and culturally tailored features of these apps and their impact on patient self-management.

Objective
This scoping review aims to explore the extent to which published studies report the integration and effectiveness of personalized and culturally tailored features in GDM mobile apps for patient self-management support.

Methods
We examined English-language peer-reviewed articles published between October 2016 and May 2023 from PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.gov, Proquest Research Library, and Google Scholar using search terms related to digital tools, diabetes, pregnancy, and cultural tailoring. We reviewed eligible articles and extracted data using the Arskey and O’Malley methodological framework.

Results
Our search yielded a total of 1772 articles after the removal of duplicates and 158 articles for full-text review. A total of 21 articles that researched 15 GDM mobile apps were selected for data extraction. Our results demonstrated the stark contrast between the number of GDM mobile apps with personalized features for the individual user (all 15 mobile apps) and those culturally tailored for a specific population (only 3 of the 15 mobile apps). Our findings showed that GDM mobile apps with personalized and culturally tailored features were perceived to be useful to patients and had the potential to improve patients’ adherence to glycemic control and nutrition plans.

Conclusions
There is a strong need for increased research and development to foster the implementation of personalized and culturally tailored features in GDM mobile apps for self-management that cater to patients from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. Personalized and culturally tailored features have the potential to serve the unique needs of patients more efficiently and effectively than generic features alone; however, the impacts of such features still need to be adequately studied. Recommendations for future research include examining the cultural needs of different ethnicities within the increasingly diverse US population in the context of GDM self-management, conducting participatory-based research with these groups, and designing human-centered mobile health solutions for both patients and providers.
Rasgos del perfil profesional del profesorado universitario influencer: voces de la población estudiantil
Authors: Corrales- Escalante Xinia , Hernández-Chaves Carolina 
Published: October 2024

Este trabajo investigativo es acerca de las características que debe tener un docente universitario para ser considerado influencer educativo desde la perspectiva del estudiantado perteneciente a la generación Z. La población de estudio la conforman 23 estudiantes de la carrera Administración de Oficinas y 10 estudiantes de la carrera Educación Comercial de la Escuela de Secretariado Profesional, de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica, a quienes se les realizó una entrevista para obtener información empírica y develar la opinión de cada participante, garantizando el anonimato. El enfoque metodológico que se utiliza en este estudio es de corte cualitativo y considera un diseño exploratorio con el propósito de realizar una interpretación contextual de la realidad y comprender el objeto de estudio, a partir de las vivencias, los aprendizajes y los comportamientos del estudiantado en los cursos universitarios. El principal resultado de esta investigación evidenció la naturaleza multifacética del docente influencer universitario, quien requiere tener un equilibrio entre conocimientos técnicos, habilidades blandas, un profundo compromiso con el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje apoyado en las tecnologías digitales y las redes sociales para contribuir en una formación integral del estudiantado. Se concluye que el estudiantado destaca características intrínsecas y personales del docente universitario influencer, tales como la motivación, la empatía, la paciencia y la pasión por la enseñanza, así como los conocimientos y la mediación pedagógica, aspectos que van más allá de una presencia en redes sociales.
Exploring Structural and Molecular Features of Sciatic Nerve Lesions in Diabetic Neuropathy: Unveiling Pathogenic Pathways and Targets
Authors: Schwarz Daniel , Le Marois Maxime , Sturm Volker , Peters Andreas S. , Longuespée Rémi , Helm Dominic , Schneider Martin , Eichmüller Bastian , Hidmark Asa S. , Fischer Manuel , Kender Zoltan , Schwab Constantin , Hausser Ingrid , Weis Joachim , Dihlmann Susanne , Böckler Dittmar , Bendszus Martin , Heiland Sabine , Herzig Stephan , Nawroth Peter P. , Szendroedi Julia , Fleming Thomas 
Published: October 2024

Lesioned fascicles (LFs) in the sciatic nerves of individuals with diabetic neuropathy (DN) correlate with clinical symptom severity. This study aimed to characterize the structural and molecular composition of these lesions to better understand DN pathogenesis. Sciatic nerves from amputees with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D) were examined using ex vivo magnetic resonance neurography, in vitro imaging, and proteomic analysis. Lesions were only found in T2D donors and exhibited significant structural abnormalities, including axonal degeneration, demyelination, and impaired blood-nerve barrier (BNB). Although non-LFs from T2D donors showed activation of neuroprotective pathways, LFs lacked this response and instead displayed increased complement activation via the classical pathway. The detection of liver-derived acute-phase proteins suggests that BNB disruption facilitates harmful interorgan communication between the liver and nerves. These findings reveal key molecular mechanisms contributing to DN and highlight potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Article Highlights
Проблемы чтения и понимания: от оцифрованного текста к гипертексту
Authors: Борисенко Наталья Анатольевна , Миронова Ксения Вадимовна 
Published: October 2024

Поднимается проблема неоднородности цифрового чтения. По аналогии с континуумом реальности – виртуальности П. Милгрэма и Ф. Кишино предлагается рассматривать чтение с экрана не как единую монолитную систему, а как континуум, включающий множество модификаций. В теоретической части статьи представлена типология видов электронного текста и модификаций чтения. Анализируются как простые модификации (например, чтение оцифрованного текста), так и сложные, в том числе чтение гипертекста. Показано, что не только чтение интерактивного онлайн-текста, но и монокодового вербального в формате PDF существенно отличается от бумажного по ряду параметров. В качестве ключевого вопроса в проблематике цифрового чтения рассматривается проблема понимания. В практической части на выборке школьников 5–9-х классов представлены результаты эмпирического исследования половозрастных различий в уровне понимания монокодового оцифрованного текста. Выявлено, что при работе с бумажным текстом девочки успешнее (р ≤ 0,05), чем мальчики, выполняют задания на понимание, демонстрируя более внимательное отношение к фактуальной информации и лучше справляясь с определением концепта. Что касается чтения с экрана, значимых гендерных различий не обнаружено (р > 0,05).
In the article, the problem of heterogeneity of digital reading is raised. By analogy with Milgram and Kishino’s reality-virtuality continuum, it is proposed to consider screen reading not as a single monolithic system, but as a continuum that includes many modifications. The theoretical part of the article presents a typology of types of electronic text and modifications of reading. Both simple modifications (e.g., reading digitized text) and complex ones, including reading hypertext, are analyzed. It is shown that not only reading interactive online text, but also mono-code verbal text in PDF format differs significantly from paper reading in a number of parameters. Text comprehension is considered as a key issue in the problems of digital reading. In the practical part, using a sample of students in grades 5–9, the results of an empirical study of gender and age differences in the level of understanding of monocode digitized text are presented. It was revealed that when working with paper text, girls outperform boys in reading comprehension (p ≤ 0.05), demonstrating a more attentive attitude to factual information and better coping with tasks on conceptual information. Regarding screen reading, no significant gender differences were found (p > 0.05).