bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment failure among Sub-Sahara African children living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Walle Belete Gelaw , Tiruneh Chalie Marew , Wubneh Moges , Chekole Bogale , Kassaw Amare , Assefa Yibeltal , Abebe Kelemu , Yigzaw Zeamanuel Anteneh 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Antiretroviral treatment failure is a global issue, particularly in developing countries such as Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior research findings were highly variable and inconsistent across areas. As a result, the goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the pooled prevalence of treatment failure among children receiving antiretroviral medication in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods
To find qualifying papers, we searched databases (such as PubMed, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library). The data were retrieved using Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA Version 14 for analysis. To check for publication bias, we employed Egger and Begg’s regression tests. A random-effects model was used to assess the pooled prevalence of treatment failure due to high levels of variability.

Results
Following the removal of duplicated articles and quality screening, a total of 33 primary articles were determined to be appropriate for inclusion in the final analysis for this study. Overall, the pooled prevalence of treatment failure among HIV-infected children was 25.86% (95% CI: 21.46, 30.26). There is great variety across the included studies, with the majority of them being conducted in Ethiopia. Cameroon had the greatest pooled prevalence of treatment failure among HIV-infected children, at 39.41% (95% CI: 21.54, 57.28), while Ethiopia had the lowest, at 13.77% (95% CI: 10.08, 17.47).

Conclusions
The pooled estimate prevalence of treatment failure among HIV-infected children in Sub-Saharan Africa was high. The implementation of national and international policies and strategies on ART clinic care services should be given special focus in order to reduce treatment failure in children living with HIV/AIDS.

Trial registration
The protocol has been registered in the PROSPERO database under the registration number CRD-429011.
Differences in sarcopenia indices in elderly Japanese women and their relationships with obesity classified according to waist circumference, BMI, and body fat percentage
Authors: Nishida Chihiro , Iemitsu Motoyuki , Kurihara Toshiyuki , Kishigami Keiko , Miyachi Motohiko , Sanada Kiyoshi 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is defined as a decrease in lean body mass and an increase in body fat mass (BFM) due to aging. Detecting SO in elderly women is important from the perspective of extending healthy life expectancy. While various indices of SO are currently used, there is no global consensus regarding diagnostic criteria for SO. This study aimed to examine the relationship between obesity indices (waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage (BFP)) and sarcopenia indices (total body muscle mass (TBM), appendicular lean mass (ALM), skeletal mass index (SMI)), and physical function (gait speed (GS), handgrip strength (HGS)).

Methods
Subjects were 170 community-dwelling healthy elderly women aged 65–79 years (mean: 72.7 ± 5.78 years) who underwent measurements for WC, BMI, and BFP. A WC of ≥ 90cm was defined as the obese group, BMI was determined as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m2) and a cutoff of ≥ 25 kg/m2 was used to define the obesity group. BFM was measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method and BFP was calculated from body weight and a cutoff of ≥ 30% was used to define the obesity group. TBM and ALM (kg) were measured using the BIA method, ALM (kg) was corrected for height (m2) to obtain SMI (kg/m2). Physical function was assessed by GS and HGS, which were measured by the 5-m walk test and a digital grip strength meter, respectively.

Results
When obesity was assessed using BMI, WC and BFP, obese individuals had higher TBM, ALM and SMI, and lower GS among the sarcopenia indicators. HGS did not differ significantly between the non-obese and obese groups.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest HGS is thought to reflect muscle strength without being affected by obesity indices, suggesting that it may be useful in detecting possible sarcopenia in obese individuals.
Association of brown adipose tissue activity with circulating sex hormones and fibroblast growth factor 21 in the follicular and luteal phases in young women
Authors: Taniguchi Hirokazu , Hashimoto Yuka , Dowaki Narumi , Nirengi Shinsuke 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Thermogenesis is influenced by fluctuations in sex hormones during the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women. The thermogenic activity and mass of brown adipose tissue (BAT) are regulated by endocrine factors, including sex hormones and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). However, the relationship between human BAT and these endocrine fluctuations within individuals remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to assess variations in BAT activity between the luteal and follicular phases and identify correlations with circulating levels of sex hormones and FGF21.

Methods
Healthy young women were enrolled in an observational study. Measurement of BAT activity and blood analyses were performed in both the follicular and luteal phases. BAT activity was analyzed using thermography with 2-h cold exposure. Plasma 17β-estradiol, progesterone, and FGF21 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A comparative analysis within individuals was conducted in 13 women to compare the follicular and luteal phases. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was carried out in 21 women during the follicular phase only.

Results
Plasma 17β-estradiol and progesterone levels were significantly higher in the luteal phase, whereas plasma FGF21 level was significantly higher in the follicular phase. Comparison analysis found no significant differences in cold-induced BAT activity between the follicular and luteal phases in young women. Correlation analysis in both comparison and sensitivity analyses found that plasma 17β-estradiol and progesterone levels were not associated with BAT activity, whereas plasma FGF21 levels were significantly and positively correlated with BAT activity only in the follicular phase. In addition, plasma 17β-estradiol levels in the follicular phase were significantly and positively associated with plasma FGF21 levels in both the comparison and sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions
The thermogenic activity of BAT during cold exposure was comparable between the follicular and luteal phases in young women. Higher BAT activity was associated with elevated levels of plasma FGF21 only in the follicular phase, which is related to increased plasma 17β-estradiol levels.
Ten-year trends of delayed sequential bilateral cataract surgery (DSBCS) in Sweden: a register-based study
Authors: Viberg Andreas , Bro Tomas , Behndig Anders , Kugelberg Maria , Zetterberg Madeleine , Nilsson Ingela , Lundström Mats 
Published: October 2024

AbstractPurposeTo study the trend of delayed sequential bilateral cataract surgery (DSBCS) in Sweden in the past decade.MethodsThis register-based cohort study utilized data from the Swedish National Cataract Register (NCR) from 2010 through 2019. Register files from patients who underwent cataract surgery in both eyes during the study period were linked using their social security numbers. Bilateral surgeries on different days were classified as DSBCS. The study investigated the association between DSBCS within 3 months and several variables with stratification and multivariate logistic regression. The following variables were used: operation year, region, private or public unit, age, sex, indication for surgery, type of intraocular lens (IOL), preoperative visual acuity, ocular comorbidity, posterior capsule rupture and perioperative difficulties.ResultsDuring the study period, 368,106 patients underwent DSBCS, of which 62.6% (n = 230,331) had bilateral surgery within 3 months. The median time between the surgeries was 61 days (interquartile range 26–161 days), showing regional variations. Better visual acuity in the fellow eye, presence of ocular comorbidity, various perioperative events and complications were associated with longer time to surgery of the second eye. Conversely, cataract surgery in more recent years, private clinic, increasing age, anisometropia and multifocal IOL were associated with shorter timespan between surgeries.ConclusionsThe majority of DSBCS were conducted within a 3-month timeframe, with the interval between surgeries decreasing throughout the study period. Several rational factors were associated with the time difference, in addition to regional variations. Many patients would probably benefit from less time between the surgeries, and we encourage a clinical practice taking the whole patient’s visual function into account.
Identification of necroptosis genes and characterization of immune infiltration in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Zhang Huan , He Yongqiang , Zhao Yuqing , Axinbai Malina , Hu Yuwei , Liu Shilei , Kong Jingmin , Sun Jinhui , Zhang Liping 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
The most common progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterized by the development of cirrhosis, and requires liver transplantation. We screened for the differentially expressed necroptosis-related genes in NASH in this study, and analyzed immune infiltration through microarray and bioinformatics analysis to identify potential biomarkers, and explore the molecular mechanisms involved in NASH.

Methods
The GSE24807 microarray dataset of NASH patients and healthy controls was downloaded, and we identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Necroptosis-related differential genes (NRDEGs) were extracted from these DEGs, and functionally annotated by enrichment analyses. The core genes were obtained by constructing gene co-expression networks using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Finally, the transcription factor (TF) regulatory network and the mRNA-miRNA network were constructed, and the infiltrating immune cell populations were analyzed with CIBERSORT.

Results
We identified six necroptosis-related genes (CASP1, GLUL, PYCARD, IL33, SHARPIN, and IRF9), and they are potential diagnostic biomarkers for NASH. In particular, PYCARD is a potential biomarker for NAFLD progression. Analyses of immune infiltration showed that M2 macrophages, γδ T cells, and T follicular helper cells were associated with the immune microenvironment of NASH, which is possibly regulated by CASP1, IL33, and IRF9.

Conclusions
We identified six necroptosis-related genes in NASH, which are also potential diagnostic biomarkers. Our study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms and immune microenvironment of NASH.
Prevalence, rate, and predictors of virologic failure among adult HIV-Infected clients on second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Tanzania (2018–2020): a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mwavika Ester Timothy , Kunambi Peter Ponsian , Masasi Samuel Joseph , Lema Nsiande , Kamori Doreen , Matee Mecky 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been proven to be highly effective in reducing the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, as more people receive initial ART treatment, the risk of developing resistance and eventual treatment failure increases, leading to the need for second-line treatment regimens. Understanding the factors that contribute to virologic failure to second-line ART is crucial in preventing switching to the more expensive and toxic third-line regimens. This study provides information on the prevalence, rate, and predictors of virologic failure (VF) among clients on second-line ART in Tanzania.

Results
We followed 4718 clients for 15100 person-years (PY) of observations. Of them, 1402 (29.72%) experienced virologic failure at a rate of 92.85 per 1000 PY of observations (95% CI 88.11, 97.84). Factors that were associated with VF included: having a viral load count of ≥ 1000 copies/mL during first-line ART, with a hazard ratio (HR) 4.65 (95% CI 3.57, 6.07), using lopinavir (LPV/r) as a protease inhibitor during second-line ART (HR 4.20 (95% CI 3.12, 7.10), having a CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 during second-line ART (HR 1.89 (95% CI 1.46, 2.44), and being on ART for 13–35 months (HR 8.22 (95% CI 2.21, 30.61). Paradoxically, having a CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 during first-line ART treatment was associated with a reduced risk of virologic failure (HR 0.77 (95% CI 0.60, 0.99).

Conclusions
In Tanzania, approximately 30% of adult clients on second-line ART experience VF at a rate of 92.71 per 1000 person-years. This high virologic failure rate underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions, such as enhancing adherence support, optimizing drug regimens, and regular viral load monitoring. These interventions will reduce the need for switching to the more costly and toxic third-line ART therapy and are also crucial for achieving the UNAIDS goal of 95% viral suppression among treated individuals by 2030.
Measurement of validity and reliability of Bengali-translated Incontinence Severity Index questionnaire
Authors: Nipa Shamima Islam , Sriboonreung Thanyaluck , Paungmali Aatit , Phongnarisorn Chailert 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Objective
The purpose of the study was to verify the psychometric properties of the Bengali-translated Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) questionnaire.

Materials and methods
A test–retest data collection method was conducted with 47 respondents using the Bengali-translated ISI questionnaire.

Results
The mean age of the respondents was 41.4 years; standard deviation (S.D.) ± 9.90. Most of the women were suffering with moderate severity of urinary incontinence 48.9% (n = 23). The present study determined that Bengali-translated ISI questionnaire was valid and reliable. In addition, present study reflected on the content validity of the Bengali version of ISI questionnaire was 1 > 0.75; internal consistency α = 0.80 and intra-class correlation (ICC) = 0.86 respectively.

Conclusion
The Bengali version of ISI questionnaire is valid and reliable measurement tool to extent the severity of urinary incontinence in the cultural context of Bangladesh.
The impact of environmental factors on Egyptian children with delayed language development
Authors: Baz Hemmat , Hammad May Fathi , Zayed Ahmed Mohamed , Amer Ayman 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
The current study was aimed at constructing a questionnaire for evaluating the role of variant environmental factors on language acquisition in the three surrounding levels of communication that include familial level, preschool or nursery level, and surrounding social environmental level among children with delayed language development (DLD) due to environmental deprivation. The current study was a retrospective case–control study that was performed on 100 Egyptian Arabic-speaking children aged from 2 to 5 years. The study was carried out among preschool age children in the Mansoura governmental and private preschools (53 males and 47 females). They were divided into 2 groups: Group I (case group) consisted of 50 children with DLD due to environmental deprivation, and group II (control group) consisted of 50 typically developed children.

Results
The present study demonstrated several factors for prediction of DLD due to environmental deprivation. Univariable analysis revealed multiple factors as number of hours that parents present at home, time of the mother’s job, the relation between the child and the mother, the parents select certain time to talk and play with their child, joint attention of the mother, mother asking her child what he wants, long time using multimedia, divorce as a traumatic stress, bad social performance, and low socioeconomic status. Multivariate analysis revealed that longer time of the mother’s job and less time the mother select to talk and play with her child were the environmental deprivation factors which had the most precipitating effect on predicting DLD.

Conclusions
The constructed Arabic questionnaire was proved to be valid, reliable, and homogenous and is likely to produce consistent responses in evaluating the variant environmental factors on language development among children with DLD due to environmental deprivation in the three surrounding communications levels.
An experimental study of the anisotropic and dispersion signature of shale reservoirs: Implications for seismic well tie
Authors: Long Teng , Chen Feng , Han De-hua , Sun Min , McNease Joseph D , Zheng Yingcai 
Published: October 2024

To investigate velocity anisotropy and dispersion in lacustrine shales, we conducted laboratory measurements of acoustic properties at seismic frequencies (2–100 Hz) and ultrasonic frequencies (1 MHz) under varying effective pressures. Our study reveals significant transverse isotropy, accompanied by notable velocity dispersion and attenuation, with anisotropy coefficients ranging from 0.45 to 0.74 for P waves and 0.44 to 0.95 for S waves. Attenuation exhibited a weak dependence on frequency and pressure but showed a strong positive correlation with the clay content. We interpreted the data by integrating geologic and physical analyses. Using rock-physics modeling and the propagation matrix method, we found that velocity dispersion primarily caused a mismatch between seismic data and synthetic seismograms, whereas anisotropy had minimal impact on near-offset seismic data. Our findings suggest that anisotropy and dispersion observed at the core scale persist at the seismic scale. Incorporating these effects into seismic workflows is crucial for improving data processing, inversion, and reservoir characterization. This study provides valuable insights for exploration and production strategies in the study area and similar settings.
Approach to the Patient: Diagnosis and Treatment With Growth Hormone of Turner Syndrome and Its Variants
Authors: Zhou Zhibo , Qiang Jiaqi , Hao Na , Guo Xiaoyuan , Yao Fengxia , Yang Hongbo , Jiang Yulin , Zhu Huijuan , Chen Shi , Pan Hui 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Context
Turner syndrome (TS) is characterized by a partial or complete absence of the second X chromosome in female individuals. Here, patients with Xp deletion involving SHOX haploinsufficiency caused by unbalanced X-autosome translocations were discussed and considered as TS variants.

Objective
This work aimed to expand the current knowledge of TS and unbalanced X-autosome translocations and to suggest the definition, clinical characteristics, diagnosis workflow, and growth hormone (GH) treatment strategy of TS and its variants.

Methods
A 9.0-year-old patient of TS variant with tall target height (+2.03 SD) but low height velocity (3.6 cm/y) and height (−1.33 SD) was evaluated as an example. Reports of patients similar to the index patient were systematically searched for in MEDLINE and EMBASE and summarized. A diagnosis workflow and scores for risk assessment of GH treatment (RiGHT scores) for TS variants were also proposed in this study.

Results
According to the diagnosis workflow, the girl's karyotype was confirmed as 46,X,der(X)t(X;7)(p11.3; p14.1), and was evaluated as low risk using RiGHT scores. After 2-year GH treatment, she had a significantly increased height (−0.94 SD). Additionally, a total of 13 patients from 10 studies were summarized, characterized as short stature, growth retardation, craniofacial abnormalities, disorders of intellectual development, and psychomotor delays. Risk assessment of GH treatment using RiGHT scores was also applied in these 13 patients.

Conclusion
The patients with Xp deletion caused by unbalanced X-autosome translocations should be considered as TS variants. The diagnosis workflow and RiGHT scores is a useful approach for clinicians in addressing complex cases of TS variants with GH treatment in clinical practice.
Activation of the heat shock response as a therapeutic strategy for tau toxicity
Authors: Stanley Taylor R. , Otero Elizabeth M. , Knight Amy L. , Saxton Aleen D. , Ding Xinxing , Borgen Melissa , Kraemer Brian C. , Kim Guisbert Karen S. , Guisbert Eric 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT
Alzheimer's disease is associated with the misfolding and aggregation of two distinct proteins, beta-amyloid and tau. Previously, it has been shown that activation of the cytoprotective heat shock response (HSR) pathway reduces beta-amyloid toxicity. Here, we show that activation of the HSR is also protective against tau toxicity in a cell-autonomous manner. Overexpression of HSF-1, the master regulator of the HSR, ameliorates the motility defect and increases the lifespan of transgenic C. elegans expressing human tau. By contrast, RNA interference of HSF-1 exacerbates the motility defect and shortens lifespan. Targeting regulators of the HSR also affects tau toxicity. Additionally, two small-molecule activators of the HSR, Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) and Arimoclomol (AC), have substantial beneficial effects. Taken together, this research expands the therapeutic potential of HSR manipulation to tauopathies and reveals that the HSR can impact both beta-amyloid and tau proteotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease.
A Drosophila model for mechanistic investigation of tau protein spread
Authors: Bankapalli Kondalarao , Thomas Ruth E. , Vincow Evelyn S. , Milstein Gillian , Fisher Laura V. , Pallanck Leo J. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT
Brain protein aggregates are a hallmark of neurodegenerative disease. Previous work indicates that specific protein components of these aggregates are toxic, including tau (encoded by MAPT) in Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. Increasing evidence also indicates that these toxic proteins traffic between cells in a prion-like fashion, thereby spreading pathology from one brain region to another. However, the mechanisms involved in trafficking are poorly understood. We therefore developed a transgenic Drosophila model to facilitate rapid evaluation of candidate tau trafficking modifiers. Our model uses the bipartite Q system to drive co-expression of tau and GFP in the fly eye. We found age-dependent spread of tau into the brain, represented by detection of tau, but not of GFP. We also found that tau trafficking was attenuated upon inhibition of the endocytic factor dynamin (encoded by shi) or knockdown of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β, encoded by sgg). Further work revealed that dynamin promoted tau uptake in recipient tissues, whereas GSK-3β appeared to promote tau spread via direct phosphorylation of tau. Our robust and flexible system will promote the identification of tau-trafficking components involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Aesthetic crown lengthening
Authors: Wadia Reena 
Published: October 2024

Ideal smile aesthetics includes ‘pink’ aesthetics and aesthetic crown lengthening surgery is an integral surgical procedure that is commonly used to achieve optimal overall aesthetics. Understanding the reasons for a ‘gummy’ smile, or gingival excess, is key. A thorough assessment and careful treatment planning are required for successful results. Crown lengthening can be carried out as a stand-alone procedure or as part of a wider restorative treatment plan. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article discusses the ideal ‘pink’ aesthetics, indications for crown lengthening as well as the treatment sequence.