bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
D-dimer as a Predictive Biomarker of Response to Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Alkhoder Lubana , Salamoon Maher , Saifo Maher , Alwassouf Sulaf 
Published: October 2024

Background: Tumor-induced coagulation is widely observed in cancer patients. Moreover, it is associated with tumorigenesis, tumor progression and metastasis, by creating a proliferative and proangiogenic microenvironment. Therefore, D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, correlates with tumor prognosis in several cancer types. Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether D-dimer levels can be a predictive and monitoring indicator for chemotherapy response in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Design: This was a prospective study. Methods: This study included two groups, 76 patients diagnosed with metastatic breast carcinoma and 25 patients with primary breast carcinoma. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured prospectively before chemotherapy initiation, and after the fourth treatment cycle in MBC patients. D-dimer levels before chemotherapy (D0) were analyzed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves to determine the optimal cut-off baseline values of D0, and to evaluate their discriminatory abilities in predicting response to chemotherapy. Results: In the preliminary response evaluation, the mean level of D-dimer significantly decreased by 0.65 μg/ml in patients with partial response patterns, and by 0.5 μg/ml in patients with stable disease. In the disease progression group, a marked increase was seen in D-dimer levels by 1.2 μg/ml. Analysis of ROC curves showed that D-dimer levels at D0 could discriminate the response to chemotherapy, whereas progressive disease rate correlated with higher levels of D-dimer. Conclusion: D-dimer level in plasma is a useful predictive and monitoring marker of response to chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer.
Effects of High-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Diets on Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Nervous Activities: An Experimental Study Using Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Satoh Toru , Kobayashi Hidetoshi 
Published: October 2024

Background: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is affected by several factors, including major nutrients. However, their effects on the ANS remains unclear. Most studies had several limitations. They focused on humans, therefore they had difficulties excluding factors other than the nutrients. Their observation periods were too short (<4 hours) to align with typical absorption times of carbohydrates versus fats. They assessed the effects compared with the pre-prandial state rather than comparisons between different nutrient types. Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of carbohydrates and fats on the ANS. Method: We employed a rat model to exclude the effects of external stimuli, used sufficient observation period, and compared the ANS parameters among animals fed 3 different diets. The rats were divided into carbohydrate-rich-diet (carb group) and fat-rich-diet (fat group) groups. We investigated the effects of carbohydrates and fats on the ANS by measuring heart rate variability parameters in rats. Electrodes and electrocardiography (ECG) transmitters were implanted in 14 Wistar rats maintained on a standard diet for 2 days followed by the experimental diets for 2 days. ECG readings were continuously recorded for 4 days. The R waves, function of the R-R interval, and time were calculated. A fast Fourier transform was used to obtain the power spectrum of the fluctuation (low frequency [LF: 0.2-0.75 Hz]; high frequency [HF: 0.75-3.0 Hz]; LF/HF ratio). Result: Compared with the standard-diet group, the carb group showed significantly increased HF activity, while the fat group showed a significantly increased LF/HF ratio. Conclusion: The results reveal a link between macronutrients and ANS activity.
Prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant women in north Shewa, Ethiopia: A multi-center cross-sectional study
Authors: Demisew Meron , Fekadu Gemede Habtamu , Ayele Kassahun 
Published: October 2024

Background: Maternal undernutrition remains a public health issue, particularly in low-income countries such as Ethiopia, which increases the possibility of a cycle of malnutrition in future generations. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant women in Minjar Shenkora district north Shewa, Ethiopia. Design: The study used a multicenter cross-sectional study design. Methods: The study was conducted from June to August 2021 with 334 pregnant women selected using systematic random sampling techniques. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the sociodemographic, obstetric, and dietary data. The nutritional status of the pregnant women was assessed using mid-upper arm circumference measurements. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent variables associated with maternal undernutrition, with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of p < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results: The prevalence of undernutrition was 22.2%. Low monthly household average income (AOR = 3.69, 95% CI: 1.62–8.40), women’s education limitation (AOR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.28–5.46), poor nutritional attitude (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.21–5.32), and inadequate dietary diversity score (AOR = 4.42, 95% CI: 1.53–12.8) were significantly associated with undernutrition. Conclusion: Maternal undernutrition prevalence was very high based on the WHO standards, and low monthly household average income, women’s education level, poor nutritional attitude, and inadequate dietary diversity scores were associated with undernutrition. Therefore, policies and programs aimed at reducing maternal undernutrition are needed. Socioeconomic strengthening and nutritional counseling during pregnancy are also recommended for improved nutritional status.
Burden, risk factors, and maternal postpartum and birth outcomes of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in Ethiopia, 2024: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alemayehu Astawus , Demissie Abebaw , Ibrahim Ibsa , Geremew Addisalem , Mohammed Feysal , Gudeta Mogos , Oljira Lamessa , Dessie Yadeta , Assefa Nega 
Published: October 2024

Objectives: This review aimed to report the estimated pooled level of prevalence, risk factors, and birth outcome of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in Ethiopia, in 2024. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis approach was utilized. Data Sources and Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, African Index Medicus, Web of Science, and CINHAL (EBSCO) search was carried out. The result was written according to the PRISMA-updated guidelines. To estimate the pooled prevalence and effect sizes, a random-effect model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed and investigated using I2 test statistics and meta-regression, respectively. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and Egger’s test statistics. Statistical tests result at p-value < 0.05 were declared as having significance. Result: From a total of 52 primary studies with a total sample size of 269, 158 were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of hypertensive disorder in pregnancy was 8%. Egger’s test statistics ( p = 0.8013) showed there is no publication bias. Having a history of kidney disease (AOR: 3.47), being rural resident (AOR: 2.5), having fruit intake during pregnancy (AOR: 0.39), being overweight (AOR: 2.24), and having multiple pregnancy (AOR: 2.1) were found to have a significant association with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Conclusion: Overall, the level of prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Ethiopia was significantly increasing. Having a history of kidney disease was found to have a strong association with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among factors. The most common or dominant adverse maternal and childbirth outcomes were low birth weight, preterm birth, fifth minute low APGAR score; and eclampsia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome, and acute kidney injury. The governments and other stakeholders should work to broaden and strengthen the existing maternal and c﻿hild h﻿ealth (MCH) practice by incorporating all possible risk factors of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in MCH guidelines. In addition, a large-scale study is required that considers those important missed variables, especially, in the eastern part of Ethiopia.
Rates of Reporting and Analyzing Race and Ethnicity in Athlete-Specific Sports Medicine Research: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sonnier John Hayden , Coladonato Carlo , Khan Irfan A. , Connors Gregory , Paul Ryan W. , Hall Anya T. , Johnson Emma E. , Bishop Meghan E. , Tjoumakaris Fotios P. , Freedman Kevin B. 
Published: October 2024

Background: Race- and ethnicity-based differences in treatment access and outcomes have been reported in the orthopaedic sports medicine literature. However, the rate at which race and ethnicity are reported and incorporated into the statistical analysis of sports medicine studies remains unclear. Purpose: To determine the rate at which race and ethnicity are reported and analyzed in athlete-specific sports medicine literature. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, articles published by the 3 journals of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine between 2017 and 2021 were considered for inclusion. Original sports medicine research studies that focused on athletes were included. Outcome measures included reporting and analysis of patient demographics (age, sex, race, ethnicity). Studies that included demographic variables in a multivariate analysis or that performed a race-/ethnicity-based stratified analyses were considered to have analyzed that variable. Studies that reported and/or analyzed patient demographics were examined. Chi-square tests were performed to determine statistical significance. Results: A total of 5140 publications were screened, and 842 met the inclusion criteria. Age and sex were well reported (84.1% and 87.0%, respectively), while race (3.8%) and ethnicity (2.0%) were poorly reported. There was no difference in rates of reporting age, sex, race, or ethnicity between the American Journal of Sports Medicine ( AJSM), the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ( OJSM), or Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach ( Sports Health). The rate of analysis was also calculated as a percentage of the studies that reported that variable. Of the studies that reported age, 38.5% analyzed age. Using this method, 26.2% of studies analyzed sex, 40.6% analyzed race, and 17.6% analyzed ethnicity. Although there was no difference in the overall rate at which studies from the 3 journals analyzed ethnicity, Sports Health studies analyzed age ( P = .044), sex ( P = .001), and race ( P = .027) more frequently than studies published in AJSM and OJSM. Of the studies that analyzed race, most of those studies (8/13, 61.5%) found significant race-based differences in reported outcomes. Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrated that race and ethnicity are poorly reported and analyzed in athlete-specific sports medicine literature, despite the fact that a majority of studies analyzing race found significant differences between racial groups. Improved reporting of race and ethnicity can determine whether race- and ethnicity-based differences exist in patient interventions to ameliorate disparities in patient outcomes.
How social workers are positioned and constructed as contributors within national palliative care policies in Sweden: a policy analysis
Authors: Ågren Axel , Holmberg Bodil 
Published: October 2024

Background: Palliative care is expected to acknowledge physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and social needs, to which social workers can contribute with expertise on recognizing the importance of social relations and how social inequalities impact on individuals. The social work profession faces challenges in claiming their contributions in the hierarchies of medical professions. Polices play an important role in constructing and positioning responsibilities of professions. Objectives: To analyze how social workers are positioned as contributors to palliative care within national-level policies in Sweden. Methods and materials: A policy analysis was conducted through a constructivist lens. Data were collected from 10 Swedish national-level policy documents on palliative care. Results: Three themes emerged: “A natural presence conveying special expertise”; “Emotional conversational support before and after death”; and “Practical support.” Overall, social workers’ contribution was vaguely described and in similar ways as registered nurses. Conclusion: In Swedish policies analyzed, social workers’ contributions were difficult to differentiate from that of registered nurses, which may complicate their mutual collaborations and cause confusion for individuals at the end of life and their next of kin. Future research on how different professions are positioned within palliative care is needed to reduce risks of role blurring between professions with similar aims. Moreover, given social workers long history of psychosocial knowledge, meanings of this concept need to be further acknowledged.
Influence of parboiling conditions on rice grain quality characters and insect infestation with rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae. L) of some rice cultivars
Authors: Salam Khaled M. H. Abd El , El-Soud Germine M. Abou , Marei Abd El Salam M. , Abdel-Rheim Khaled H. M. , Abdel‑Megeed Ahmed , Lamlom Sobhi F. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractParboiling improves rice grain hardness and reduces susceptibility to Sitophilus oryzae infestation by gelatinizing the starch and enhancing resistance.A newly designed electric machine was used to parboil four Egyptian rice cultivars—Sakha 108, Giza 178, Super 300, and Egyptian Yasmin—at 70, 75, and 80 °C and determine their susceptibility to Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infestation. Results indicated that heating affected most traits in all four rice cultivars during both study seasons 2021 and 2022. Super 300 rice cultivar exhibited the highest hulling values (81.23 and 81.42%) when heated to 80 °C, while the Yasmin rice cultivar showed the lowest values for hulling (77.66 and 77.45%) at 70 °C. while Giza 178 cultivar showed a significant decrease in broken percentage (90.85 and 94.02%) compared to control when heated to 80 °C. The results also indicated that the Yasmin rice cultivar had the highest values for white belly, hardness, and gel consistency at 80 °C, while the Sakha 108 cultivar showed the lowest values for these traits at 70 °C. Furthermore, the protein, elongation, and water uptake characters significantly responded to the different investigated treatments. Yasmin cultivar at 80 °C showed the highest significant values for protein (9.26 and 9.47%), elongation (65.02 and 65.44%), and water uptake (453.2 and 455.1 ml water/100 g milled grains) in both seasons. Sakha 108 cultivar had the lowest values for these traits at 70 °C. The S. oryzae insects responded differently to the rice cultivars. Using Dobie’s Index of Susceptibility, all cultivars were classified as resistant to S. oryzae infestation. Super 300 was moderately resistant before parboiling but resistant after heat treatment. In conclusion, the study underscores the influence of pre-storage parboiling on rice weevil infestation, suggesting that heat treatment could serve as an effective control measure. These findings emphasize the importance of parboiling conditions in enhancing rice grain quality and bolstering resistance to insect infestation.
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis reveals ancestry and genetic diversity of cultivated and wild grapevines in Croatia
Authors: Marinov Luka , Magris Gabriele , Di Gaspero Gabriele , Morgante Michele , Maletić Edi , Bubola Marijan , Pejić Ivan , Zdunić Goran 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Croatia is a geographically small country with a remarkable diversity of cultivated and spontaneous grapevines. Local germplasm has been characterised by microsatellite markers, but a detailed analysis based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is still lacking. Here we characterize the genetic diversity of 149 accessions from three germplasm repositories and four natural sites using 516,101 SNPs to identify complete parent-offspring trios and their relations with spontaneous populations, offering a proof-of-concept for the use of reduced-representation genome sequencing in population genetics and genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Results
Principal component analysis revealed a clear discontinuity between cultivated (V. vinifera subsp. sativa) and spontaneous grapevines, supporting the notion that the latter represent local populations of the wild progenitor (V. vinifera subsp. sylvestris). ADMIXTURE identified three ancestry components. Two sativa components are alternatively predominant in cultivars grown either in northern Adriatic Croatia and Continental Croatia or in Dalmatia (i.e. central and southern Adriatic Croatia). A sylvestris component, which is predominant in accessions from spontaneous populations, is a minor ancestry component in cultivated accessions. TREEMIX provided evidence of unidirectional migration from the vineyards to natural sites, suggesting that gene flow has gone preferentially from the introduced domesticated germplasm into local wild populations rather than vice versa. Identity-by-descent analysis indicated an extensive kinship network, including 14 complete parent-offspring trios, involving only cultivated accessions, six full-sibling relationships and invalidated a presumed pedigree of one of the most important varieties in Croatia, ‘Plavac Mali’. Despite this strong population structure, significant association was found between 143 SNPs and berry skin colour and between 2 SNPs and leaf hairiness, across two previously known genomic regions.

Conclusions
The clear genetic separation between Croatian cultivars and sylvestris ruled out the hypothesis that those cultivars originated from local domestication events. On the other hand, the evidence of a crop-to-wild gene flow signals the need for an urgent adoption of conservation strategies that preserve the residual genetic integrity of wild relatives. The use of this reduced-representation genome sequencing protocol in grapevine enables an accurate pedigree reconstruction and can be recommended for GWAS experiments.
Effects of mineral fertilization (NPK) on combined high temperature and ozone damage in rice
Authors: Jo So-Hye , Kim Ju-Hee , Moon Ji-Hyeon , Yang Seo-Yeong , Baek Jae-Kyeong , Song Yeong-Seo , Shon Ji-Young , Chung Nam-Jin , Lee Hyeon-Seok 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Increasing concern has recently been highlighted regarding crop damage due to extreme weather events caused by global warming and the increased production of ground-level ozone. Several studies have investigated rice growth in response to fertilization conditions under various environmental stress conditions; however, studies on growth development in response to fertilization conditions under combined high-temperature/ozone treatment conditions are scarce. In this study, we aimed investigate the growth and physiological development of rice under combined high temperature and ozone treatment conditions and to reveal the damage-mitigation effects of NPK fertilization treatments.

Results
The plants were treated with varying levels of NPK [N2 (N-P-K: 9.0-4.5-4.0 kg/a), P2 (4.5-9.0-4.0 kg/a), K2 (4.5-4.5-8.0 kg/a), and control (4.5-4.5-4.0 kg/10a).] under combined high-temperature (35 ℃) and ozone (150 pb) treatment conditions. Analysis of the growth metrics, including plant height, leaf age, dry weight, and the plant height/leaf age (PH/L) ratio were revealed that combined high-temperature/ozone treatment promoted the phenological development indicated by increasing leaf age but decreased the plant height and dry weight indicating its negative effect on quantitative growth. The effects of this combined high-temperature/ozone treatment on growth were alleviated by NPK fertilization, particularly in K2 treatment but worsened in N2 treatment. Visible damage symptoms in rice leaves induced by exposure to the combined stressors was also alleviated by the K2 treatment. At the physiological level, K2 treatment reduced the expression of OsF3H2, which is associated with antioxidant activity, suggesting that potassium improved stress tolerance. Additionally, expression of genes related to abscisic acid (ABA) metabolism showed increased OsNECD (ABA synthesis) and decreased OsCYP707A3 (ABA degradation) in the K2 treatment, promoting a stronger adaptive stress response. Stomatal conductance measurements indicated a slight increase under K2 treatment, reflecting enhanced regulation of stomatal function during stress.

Conclusion
The study highlights the potential of potassium fertilization to mitigate combined high-temperature and ozone stress in rice, suggesting it as a strategy to improve crop resilience and optimize fertilization. The findings offer insights into fertilization treatments and can guide future research on stress tolerance in crops.
Two-stage group-sequential designs with delayed responses – what is the point of applying corresponding methods?
Authors: Schüürhuis Stephen , Wassmer Gernot , Kieser Meinhard , Pahlke Friedrich , Kunz Cornelia Ursula , Herrmann Carolin 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
In group-sequential designs, it is typically assumed that there is no time gap between patient enrollment and outcome measurement in clinical trials. However, in practice, there is usually a lag between the two time points. This can affect the statistical analysis of the data, especially in trials with interim analyses. One approach to address delayed responses has been introduced by Hampson and Jennison (J R Stat Soc Ser B Stat Methodol 75:3-54, 2013), who proposed the use of error-spending stopping boundaries for patient enrollment, followed by critical values to reject the null hypothesis if the stopping boundaries are crossed beforehand. Regarding the choice of a trial design, it is important to consider the efficiency of trial designs, e.g. in terms of the probability of trial success (power) and required resources (sample size and time).

Methods
This article aims to shed more light on the performance comparison of group sequential clinical trial designs that account for delayed responses and designs that do not. Suitable performance measures are described and designs are evaluated using the R package . By doing so, we provide insight into global performance measures, discuss the applicability of conditional performance characteristics, and finally whether performance gain justifies the use of complex trial designs that incorporate delayed responses.

Results
We investigated how the delayed response group sequential test (DR-GSD) design proposed by Hampson and Jennison (J R Stat Soc Ser B Stat Methodol 75:3-54, 2013) can be extended to include nonbinding lower recruitment stopping boundaries, illustrating that their original design framework can accommodate both binding and nonbinding rules when additional constraints are imposed. Our findings indicate that the performance enhancements from methods incorporating delayed responses heavily rely on the sample size at interim and the volume of data in the pipeline, with overall performance gains being limited.

Conclusion
This research extends existing literature on group-sequential designs by offering insights into differences in performance. We conclude that, given the overall marginal differences, discussions regarding appropriate trial designs can pivot towards practical considerations of operational feasibility.