bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ranking Age-at-Death Distributions Using Dominance: Robust Evaluation of United States Mortality Trends, 2006–2021
Authors: Issa Jawa , Van Ourti Tom , van Baal Pieter , O'Donnell Owen 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Diverging mortality trends at different ages motivate the monitoring of lifespan inequality alongside life expectancy. Conclusions are ambiguous when life expectancy and lifespan inequality move in the same direction or when inequality measures display inconsistent trends. We propose using nonparametric dominance analysis to obtain a robust ranking of age-at-death distributions. Application to U.S. period life tables for 2006–2021 reveals that, until 2014, more recent years generally dominate earlier years, implying improvement if longer lifespans that are less unequally distributed are considered better. Improvements were more pronounced for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic individuals than for non-Hispanic White individuals. Since 2014, for all subpopulations—particularly Hispanics—earlier years often dominate more recent years, indicating worsening age-at-death distributions if shorter and more unequal lifespans are considered worse. Dramatic deterioration of the distributions in 2020–2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic is most evident for Hispanic individuals.
Stable germline transgenesis using the Minos Tc1/mariner element in the sea urchin Lytechinus pictus
Authors: Jackson Elliot W. , Romero Emilio , Kling Svenja , Lee Yoon , Tjeerdema Evan , Hamdoun Amro 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT
Stable transgenesis is a transformative tool in model organism biology. Although the sea urchin is one of the oldest animal models in cell and developmental biology, studies in this animal have largely relied on transient manipulation of wild animals, without a strategy for stable transgenesis. Here, we build on recent progress to develop a more genetically tractable sea urchin species, Lytechinus pictus, and establish a robust transgene integration method. Three commonly used transposons (Minos, Tol2 and piggyBac) were tested for non-autonomous transposition, using plasmids containing a polyubiquitin promoter upstream of a H2B-mCerulean nuclear marker. Minos was the only transposable element that resulted in significant expression beyond metamorphosis. F0 animals were raised to sexual maturity, and spawned to determine germline integration and transgene inheritance frequency, and to characterize expression patterns of the transgene in F1 progeny. The results demonstrate transgene transmission through the germline, the first example of a germline transgenic sea urchin and, indeed, of any echinoderm. This milestone paves the way for the generation of diverse transgenic resources that will dramatically enhance the utility, reproducibility and efficiency of sea urchin research.
Evaluation of a safety-engineered peripherally inserted intravenous catheter with multiple access blood control: clinician acceptability and ease of use
Authors: Yeh Jesson , Valencia Diana , Curtin Christopher R. , Ballek Susan , Marshall-Hudson Allyson , Tuley Michael , Karpf Angela 
Published: July 2024

Aim: Acceptability of a new safety-engineered peripherally inserted intravenous catheter (PIVC) with multiple access blood control (MBC) was evaluated in this observational study by experienced volunteer clinicians on healthy volunteers. Methods: Clinicians and healthy volunteers were recruited for this study. Observers documented study procedures, including if there was any blood leakage from the catheter hub at various times during hub connections and disconnections and how many attempts it took a clinician to get a successful stick. Clinicians responded to yes-or-no and Likert-scale questionnaires describing their experiences with PIVC with MBC after each procedure. Questionnaire data were summarized by frequency and percent of responses; analyses were conducted using binomial statistics. Results: Overall, clinicians considered PIVC with MBC to be acceptable (93.6% agreement). Clinicians were able to easily remove the catheter protective cap, insert the catheter, visualize primary and secondary flashbacks, easily remove the needle from the catheter hub and determine if the safety clip was activated after withdrawing the needle. In addition, they were able to connect or disconnect and flush extension sets. Clinicians did not have to change their insertion technique, found the catheter easy to insert, and believed the catheter would protect them from blood exposure during insertion of the catheter and subsequent hub accesses (agreement ranged from 82.3% to 98.9%). Conclusions: No blood leakage was observed from the catheter hub at any time during the procedures. Overall, clinicians found the new PIVC with MBC to be acceptable, easy to use, and functioned properly. HIGHLIGHTS Acceptability, usability, and ease of use of a new safety-engineered PIVC with MBC was evaluated. PIVC with MBC was >93% acceptable: prevented blood exposure after multiple insertions/removals. Most clinicians (96%) achieved first stick success when using their product. PIVC with MBC was easy to use, worked properly and allowed clinicians to keep their PIVC technique.
A retrospective analysis thyroid function and ultrasonography in a group of subjects with lepramatous leprosy in Turkey
Authors: Ozkan Zeynep , Kanat Zekiye , Alatas Ozkan , Karagoz Zuhal Karaca 
Published: July 2024

Background
There are several studies on thyroid functions and thyroid gland features in patients with leprosy in the literature. The relationship between them have not been clarified yet. These studies are time-expired and don’t contain ultrasonography examination. The purpose of the study is to investigate thyroid functions and gland characteristics in leprosy patients by ultrasonography (US) and current laboratory techniques.

Patients and Methods
This retrospective study was conducted by collecting the data of patients with lepramatous leprosy. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, anti-thyroid peroxidase, antithyroglobulin, and thyroglobulin values and thyroid ultrasonography reports were collected from previous records.

Results
The mean age is 75.12±9.89 years of total 17 subjects and 10 patients (58.8%) were male. Thyroid US was performed on 14 of the patients, nodules were detected in a total of 7 (50%) patients. The mean FT3, FT4, TSH, Anti-Tpo, Anti-TG, and TG values of the patients were found to be within normal limits.

Conclusion
In the present study, no changes were detected in the thyroid functions and structures of the patients with Lepromatous Leprosy. We consider that prospective randomized studies that will include larger sample sizes are needed to determine whether there is a relationship between leprosy and thyroid disease.
Exploring power and power sharing in participatory health research partnerships: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Burduladze Nino , Jones Laundette P. , Jones Brian D. , Msowoya Uchizi , Salsberg Jon , Whitney Anna , Gilfoyle Meghan 
Published: July 2024

Introduction
Participatory health research (PHR) as a research paradigm, guides the research process and strives to achieve positive change in society in the interest of people’s health. In this scoping review, PHR will be used as an umbrella term considering a wide range of collaborative research approaches in the health context. PHR is conducted ’with’ or ’by’ those it intends to benefit, as opposed to ’on’ and ’for’ them. Their involvement throughout the research process seeks to shift power and decision-making from where they traditionally lay within academia toward community, patient and public end-users. Research cannot be truly participatory without concurrently addressing power dynamics within the partnership and power imbalances in decision making. Therefore, power sharing can be defined as a major factor in building effective academic-community collaborations. This scoping review aims to identify, clarify, and map existing literature on power and power sharing in PHR from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Specifically, we will explore how power is conceptualised throughout the literature, and how power and power sharing are applied and addressed in real-life PHR partnerships.

Materials and methods
This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewer’s Manual. This scoping review will consider both empirical and non-empirical research that report on understanding power and power sharing in participatory health research partnerships. All appropriate studies will be retrieved from the following five electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO, SocIndex. This review will be limited to articles published in English and from January 1998 to March 2024. As the scoping review aims to capture more than peer-reviewed and published literature, it will also include grey literature such as theses and dissertations, reports, conference proceedings, and editorials. Data from the included literature will be extracted based on the data extraction tool, defined in advance.

Ethics and dissemination
As primary data will not be collected, ethical approval is not required to conduct the scoping review. The findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.
The Fulfillment Center Intervention Study: Protocol for a group-randomized control trial of a participatory workplace intervention
Authors: Kelly Erin L. , Siebach Kirsten F. , DeHorn Grace , Lovejoy Megan 
Published: July 2024

Warehousing and storage is an economically vital industry, with 1.2 million workers in 2020. The Fulfillment Center Intervention Study focuses on workers in fulfillment centers in the e-commerce segment of this industry. Fulfillment centers are a growing yet understudied work environment which provides a unique setting to further examine how working conditions and worker voice influence health. The Study involves a group-randomized controlled trial comparing participants in worksites randomized to launch the participatory intervention (Health and Well-Being Committees, or HaWCs) with participants working for the same firm in control sites. HaWCs serve as a new formal voice channel where a small group of frontline workers and supervisors solicit workers’ concerns and ideas about safety (e.g., physical hazards), the psychosocial environment (e.g., how workers feel about their treatment at work), and work organization (e.g., workflow, training opportunities, scheduling) and then develop and implement improvement projects in response. The primary objectives of the study are to evaluate the efficacy of the HaWC intervention and its effect on mental health outcomes and changes in the conditions of work within fulfillment centers, and to conduct a process evaluation of key contextual factors that support effective intervention implementation and sustained engagement. To our knowledge, this will be the first trial of a participatory intervention within a fulfillment center setting. Anticipated challenges include competing demands and company initiatives that may limit management support and high turnover. Should the intervention be shown to be feasible, the outcomes from this study will inform future randomized controlled trials of participatory interventions.
Trial registration: This trial is registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT05199415) and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Protocol: 200800024).
Identification of key genes associated with acute myocardial infarction using WGCNA and two-sample mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yang Xiaohe , Huang Yingtao , Tang Dadong , Yue Liangming 
Published: July 2024

Objective
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a severe condition with high morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to identify hub genes potentially associated with AMI and assess their clinical utility in predicting AMI occurrence.

Methods
Gene microarray data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were conducted on samples from patients with AMI and control samples to identify modules significantly associated with AMI. GO and KEGG analyses were applied to investigate the potential functions of these hub genes. Lastly, the mendelian randomization (MR) method was applied to analyze the causal relationship between the hub gene TNF and AMI.

Results
285 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through WCGNA and were clustered into 6 modules. The yellow module appeared most relevant to AMI. Further exploration through GO and KEGG pathway enrichment showed that key hub genes in the yellow module were linked to positive regulation of cytokine production, cytokine receptor binding, NF—kappa B signaling pathway, IL−17 signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway. The top 10 genes identified through Cytoscape software analysis were IL1B, TNF, TLR4, TLR2, FCGR3B, MMP9, CXCL8, TLR8, ICAM1, and JUK. Utilizing inverse variance weighting (IVW) analysis, we discovered a significant association between TNF and AMI risk, with an OR of 0.946 (95% CI = 0.911–0.984, p = 0.005).

Conclusions
The result of this study indicated that TNF, TLR2, TLR4, IL1B and FCGR3B may be potential biodiagnostic markers for AMI. TNF can inhibit inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in AMI, exerting a protective role in the heart.
Assessment of the quality of life of COVID-19 recovered patients at the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre
Authors: Amedewonu Esinam Aku , Aryeetey Genevieve Cecilia , Godi Anthony , Sackeyfio Josephine , Dai-Kosi Alfred Dickson 
Published: July 2024

Background
The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), initially thought to be a respiratory disease, is now known to affect multiple organ systems with variable presentation and devastating or fatal complications. Despite the large numbers of people who have suffered this disease globally, the mid- to long-term impact of COVID-19 on a person’s general well-being and physical function has not been fully investigated in Ghana.

Aim
This study sought to determine the Quality of Life (QoL) and associated factors among Ghanaian patients following clinical recovery from COVID-19 infection.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional quantitative study involving 150 COVID-19 recovered patients attending the review clinic of the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre. Quality of life was estimated using the EuroQol Group Association five-domain, five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) while participants’ overall health status was measured on a visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS): a scale ranging from 0 (worst health) to 100 (best health). Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess differences in domain and overall QoL scores while quantile regression was used to determine demographic and clinical factors associated with QoL scores.

Results
The mean QoL from the EQ-5D-5L assessment tool was (81.5 ± 12.0) %, while the self-reported QoL from the EQ-VAS tool (75.6 ± 22.0) %. Persistence of symptoms after 30 days was significantly associated with EQ-5D-5L QoL (Adjusted median difference [95% CI] = -9.40 [-14.19, -4.61], p<0.001) while access to rehabilitative centres was significantly associated with EQ-VAS QoL (Adjusted median difference [95% CI] = -29.60 [-48.92, -10.29], p = 0.003).

Conclusion
Quality of life was relatively good among the COVID-19 recovered patients. Persistence of symptoms and access to rehabilitative centres significantly predicted one’s QoL.
Physical and mental health of 40,000 older women in England during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021)
Authors: Floud Sarah , Hermon Carol , Reeves Gillian K. 
Published: July 2024

Background
To assess factors associated with perceived changes in physical and mental health and with delays in seeking healthcare during the second and third COVID-19 lockdowns in England (2020–2021).

Methods
An online survey of Million Women Study participants collected data on 44,523 women, mean age 76 (SD = 4), October 2020—May 2021. These data were linked to data collected prospectively on Million Women Study participants at recruitment in median year 1998 and at re-surveys in 2011–2013, as well as to hospital admission data from 2017–2019.

Results
Of 40,821 participants with complete data on the outcomes of interest, 28% reported worse physical health and 26% worse mental health. After adjustment for age, region, education and survey period, poor/fair self-rated health (adjusted OR 2.71, 95% CI 2.52–2.91), having been told to shield (1.92, 1.79–2.05), obesity (2.17, 2.04–2.31) and other measures of poor health prior to the outbreak were all strongly related to worse physical health, as was being an informal carer (1.47, 1.38–1.56) and having a COVID-19 infection (1.64, 1.53–1.77). Depression (2.31, 2.06–2.58), poor/fair self-rated health (1.98, 1.84–2.13) and being an informal carer (1.69, 95% CI 1.58–1.80) were the factors most strongly related to worse mental health. Having poor/fair self-rated health (2.22, 2.05–2.40), obesity (1.58, 1.47–1.70) and being an informal carer (1.45, 1.34–1.56) were all strongly related to delaying seeking medical care. These associations remained essentially unchanged after exclusion of participants who had a COVID-19 infection.

Conclusions
In a large sample of older women in England, just over a quarter reported a deterioration in their physical and mental health during the national lockdowns. In addition to the expected effect of a COVID-19 infection on physical health, the groups who were most likely to report such a deterioration were those with pre-existing morbidity and those who were caring for others as informal carers.
Wastewater-based epidemiology surveillance as an early warning system for SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia
Authors: Murni Indah Kartika , Oktaria Vicka , McCarthy David T. , Supriyati Endah , Nuryastuti Titik , Handley Amanda , Donato Celeste M. , Wiratama Bayu Satria , Dinari Rizka , Laksono Ida Safitri , Thobari Jarir At , Bines Julie E 
Published: July 2024

Background
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) surveillance has been proposed as an early warning system (EWS) for community SARS-CoV-2 transmission. However, there is limited data from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to assess the ability of WBE surveillance to detect SARS-CoV-2 in formal and informal environments in Indonesia using different methods of sample collection, to compare WBE data with patterns of clinical cases of COVID-19 within the relevant communities, and to assess the WBE potential to be used as an EWS for SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks within a community.

Materials and methods
We conducted WBE surveillance in three districts in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia, over eleven months (27 July 2021 to 7 January 2022 [Delta wave]; 18 January to 3 June 2022 [Omicron wave]). Water samples using grab, and/or passive sampling methods and soil samples were collected either weekly or fortnightly. RNA was extracted from membrane filters from processed water samples and directly from soil. Reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the SARS-CoV-2 N and ORF1ab genes.

Results
A total of 1,582 samples were collected. Detection rates of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater reflected the incidence of community cases, with rates of 85% at the peak to 2% at the end of the Delta wave and from 94% to 11% during the Omicron wave. A 2-week lag time was observed between the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and increasing cases in the corresponding community.

Conclusion
WBE surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia was effective in monitoring patterns of cases of COVID-19 and served as an early warning system, predicting the increasing incidence of COVID-19 cases in the community.
A Rare Case of Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Esophagus Presenting as Dysphagia
Authors: Chaudhry Ahtshamullah , Buluku Gabriel , Noor Jawad , Chaudhari M. , Suryanarayana Challa , Bigler Steven , Boyd Stewart , Lee Makau P. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT
Melanoma is one of the most notorious tumors due to its appearance in unusual locations. The most frequent site is the skin; however, it can sporadically develop as a primary tumor in the esophagus. However, as symptoms appear later, if the primary site is in the gastrointestinal system, it is frequently detected at the metastatic stage. We hereby describe a case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus that presented due to dysphagia with solid food and on further workup, found to be at the metastatic stage.
Twórczość komiksowa uchodźców ukraińskich w edukacji na rzecz transkulturowości w klasach I–III – pilotażowa koncepcja pracy
Authors: Lisowska Kinga 
Published: July 2024

The article presents a pilot concept of using comic books work of Ukrainian youth – war refugees in the field of work for transculturalism in grades I–III. It is an attempt to take a different look at educational activities in the perspective of dynamically changing cultural structures of European and world societies. The presented assumptions thus answer the question: how can the comic books of Ukrainian youth be used to create a pilot concept of work in the field of education for transculturalism in grades I–III and to develop the right concept of work in further scientific activities (supported by an appropriate research procedure)? Two methods of data collection were adopted in the research: a case study of young female refugee comic book authors using a problem-focused interview; analysis of the content of the comic book, which was used in the creation of a pilot concept of work for transculturalism. The article also focuses on the theoretical assumptions of the phenomenon of transculturalism itself.
The comic books of Ukrainian youth can be an excellent source of work in the field of transculturalism, which should be implemented in the school space based on regional and intercultural education already functioning in the education system. The way to move away from the native – closed cultural structure and open it on the periphery to what is new/different/valuable. The pilot concept of work should be implemented in the educational environment of grades I–III and its assumptions should be checked on this ground. This will allow you to develop and implement the right concept of work.
Levels of circulating angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 are affected by acute exercise and correlate with markers of physical fitness in male athletes
Authors: Reitzner Stefan M. , Emanuelsson Eric B. , Sundberg Carl Johan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWhile under physiological conditions angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an antagonist of vasoconstrictive agents in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), in the context of SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) ACE2 serves as the gateway into cells. Furthermore, RAAS has previously been shown to be influenced by exercise training and is suggested to be involved in skeletal muscle mass maintenance. Given this connection, the investigation of circulating ACE2 plasma protein concentration before and following acute and chronic endurance and resistance exercise could increase the understanding of the implications of the exposure of athletes to SARS‐CoV‐2. Therefore, this study investigated levels of circulating ACE2 in lifelong high‐level trained endurance and resistance athletes and control subjects in response to either acute endurance or resistance exercise. Results show no baseline differences in absolute ACE2 concentration between groups, but a strong negative correlation with levels of fitness and positive correlation with BMI in control subjects. Furthermore, acute endurance exercise significantly increased ACE2 levels across all groups, but only in the strength group in response to resistance exercise. This indicates that circulating ACE2 plasma levels are influenced by levels of fitness and health, and that acute endurance exercise has a stronger effect on plasma ACE2 levels than resistance exercise.