bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of safety during everyday travel shaping older adults’ mobility in Bengaluru, India
Authors: Patil Divya Sussana , Bailey Ajay , George Sobin , Ashok Lena , Ettema Dick 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
In the context of socially sustainable urban development, comfortable, safe, and accessible public transport is crucial to motivating people to travel more sustainably. Using the framework given by Masoumi and Fastenmeier (2016) to examine the concepts of safety and security, we explore how perceptions of safety about different transport modes shaped the mobility of older adults in Bengaluru, India.

Methods
In-depth telephonic interviews were conducted with 60 adults, aged 50 years and over, residing in urban Bengaluru, using a semi-structured in-depth interview guide to explore the perceptions of safety in different transport modes. Observations were conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applying thematic analysis, we present how the perceptions of safety during their everyday travel shaped their mobility.

Results
According to our research, older adults’ perception of safety during their everyday travel is shaped by past negative experiences with accidents, pickpocketing, theft of mobile phones, and chain snatching. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the already existing inequalities, further limiting older adults’ mobility to carry out regular activities such as buying groceries, socialising, making a hospital visit, or going to work due to the fear of getting infected.

Conclusion
Our findings indicate that the use of public transport needs to be encouraged among older adults by enhancing necessary safety features following the age-friendly cities framework. Furthermore, it can help policymakers develop transport polices, which suit the mobility needs of older adults.
Association between psychological stress and mandibular condyle structure: an analytical cross-sectional study
Authors: Ghasemzadeh Fatemeh , Mortazavi Nazanin , Mallahi Mysa , Gharib Mohammad Hadi , Behnampour Naser , Badeleh Mohammad Taghi , Asgari Negar 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Objective
The potential influence of psychological factors on temporomandibular joint disorders has been clinically documented. To date, all research examining the impact of psychological stress on the temporomandibular joint has been conducted on animals. This study aims to explore the relationship between psychological stress and the structure of the human mandibular condyle.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was performed on individuals, who were referred to the radiology division of 5th Azar Hospital for head and neck Computed Tomography (CT) scans. All participants completed a perceived stress questionnaire to determine their level of stress. Bone density and cortical bone thickness were measured as indicators of mandibular condyle structure. Based on multi-slice CT scan data, bone density was calculated in the anterior, middle, and posterior mandibular condyle. The cortical bone thickness was also measured at the anterior and posterior mandibular condyle. Statistical analysis was performed in R 4.0.2 software.

Results
Seventy individuals, aged 18–59 years, participated in this study. The CT scans revealed a decrease in Hounsfield units (HU) and bone mineral density (BMD) in both the anterior and posterior regions. However, in the high-stress group, there was no significant difference in cortical bone thickness in the anterior and posterior regions of the condyle, nor in HU and BMD in the middle region of the condyle. An inverse correlation was observed between BMD and perceived stress in the anterior, middle, and posterior regions of both condyles.

Conclusion
The current findings indicate that recent psychological stress is associated with changes in the structure of the condyle.
Exploring the therapeutic potential of Thai medicinal plants: in vitro screening and in silico docking of phytoconstituents for novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents
Authors: Maikhunthod Bussayarat , Chaipayang Sukanya , Jittmittraphap Akanitt , Thippornchai Narin , Boonchuen Pakpoom , Tittabutr Panlada , Eumkeb Griangsak , Sabuakham Sahachai , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada , Mahalapbutr Panupong , Leaungwutiwong Pornsawan , Teaumroong Neung , Tanthanuch Waraporn 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
The high virulence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has triggered global health and economic concerns. The absence of specific antiviral treatments and the side effects of repurposed drugs present persistent challenges. This study explored a promising antiviral herbal extract against SARS-CoV-2 from selected Thai medicinal plants based on in vitro efficacy and evaluated its antiviral lead compounds by molecular docking.

Methods
Twenty-two different ethanolic-aqueous crude extracts (CEs) were rapidly screened for their potential activity against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) as a surrogate using a plaque reduction assay. Extracts achieving ≥ 70% anti-PEDV efficacy proceeded to the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity test using a 50% tissue culture infectious dose method in Vero E6 cells. Molnupiravir and extract-free media served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Potent CEs underwent water/ethyl acetate fractionation to enhance antiviral efficacy, and the fractions were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 performance. The fraction with the highest antiviral potency was identified using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS). Molecular docking analyses of these compounds against the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 (6LU7) were performed to identify antiviral lead molecules. The top three hits were further evaluated for their conformational stability in the docked complex using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation.

Results
The water fraction of mulberry (Morus alba Linn.) leaf CE (WF-MLCE) exhibited the most potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 efficacy with low cytotoxicity profile (CC50 of ~ 0.7 mg/mL), achieving 99.92% in pre-entry mode and 99.88% in postinfection treatment mode at 0.25 mg/mL. Flavonoids and conjugates were the predominant compounds identified in WF-MLCE. Molecular docking scores of several flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro demonstrated their superior antiviral potency compared to molnupiravir. Remarkably, myricetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, maragrol B, and quercetin 3-O-robinobioside exhibited binding energies of ~  − 9 kcal/mol. The stability of each ligand–protein complex of these compounds with the Mpro system showed stability during MD simulation. These three molecules were pronounced as antiviral leads of WF-MLCE. Given the low cytotoxicity and high antiviral potency of WF-MLCE, it holds promise as a candidate for future therapeutic development for COVID-19 treatment, especially considering its economic and pharmacological advantages.
Validation of malaria-attributed deaths using verbal autopsy studies: a systematic review
Authors: Carshon-Marsh Ronald , Bondy Susan , Witek Theodore , Jha Prabhat 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundMalaria contributes substantially to the persistent burden of child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Accurate and comprehensive malaria mortality data are crucial to monitor the progress in reducing malaria incidence and mortality. Verbal Autopsy (VA) ascertains the cause of death despite its limitations leading to misclassification errors. Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) is being conducted in some settings as an alternative to Complete Diagnostic Autopsy (CDA). The present study examines the validity of malaria-related deaths comparing VA diagnoses with those obtained through MITS and/or CDA.MethodsA comprehensive literature search for original studies in English language using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, CINAHL via EBSCO, Scopus, The Cochrane Library via Wiley, Google Scholar and searching the MITS Surveillance Alliance papers was carried out. The reference period was January 1, 1990–March 31, 2024. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were adopted.ResultsAmong 71 articles identified in the databases, 21 matched the eligibility criteria. Qualitative syntheses showed that malaria Cause Specific Mortality Fractions (CSMFs) across various studies ranged from 2 to 31%.Plasmodium falciparumwas mostly responsible for these deaths and the most common complications were anaemia and cerebral malaria. The sensitivity and specificity of the VA validation studies ranged from 18.4% to 33% and from 86.6% to 97%, respectively, and there was a high level of misclassification for both InSilico and Expert Algorithm VA for malaria compared to MITS. The overall concordance rates between MITS and CDA diagnoses ranged from 68 to 90%, with the highest concordance seen in deaths due to infectious diseases and malignant tumours. Clinical data increased diagnostic coincidence between MITS blind to clinical data and the gold standard CDA by 11%.ConclusionsThe comprehensive review finds that MITS demonstrated better accuracy compared to VA in diagnosing malaria-attributed deaths, particularly in hospital settings. The high specificity of malaria in VA diagnosis suggests population-based estimates of the proportion of deaths due to malaria are broadly plausible.
How collider bias affects the relationship between skin color and heart attack using directed acyclic graphs, propensity scores, and stepwise approaches
Authors: Menezes-Júnior Luiz Antônio Alves , Barbosa Bruna Carolina Rafael , do Carmo Parajára Magda , Vidigal Mariana Cassemira Aparecida , de Oliveira Wanessa Cecília , Bouzada Deisyane Fumian , de Oliveira Taciana , Duarte Rafael Vieira 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Statistical methods are essential in epidemiology research, but they can generate erroneous estimates when selecting variables based only on statistical criteria. The use of directed acyclic graphs (DAG) helps to understand the causal relationships between variables and to avoid biases.

Objective
Compare the estimate of the effect of skin color on heart attack obtained from three data analysis techniques: a stepwise approach based on statistical criteria, a propensity score technique, and a graphical approach based on causal criteria.

Methods
Population-based cross-sectional study using data from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The exposure variable was skin color (black or non-black) and the outcome was heart attack (yes or no). Multivariable logistic regressions were carried out using the stepwise, propensity score techniques and the DAG-based approach to identify the association between the variables. In the stepwise technique, all variables potentially related to the outcome were included in the model and a forward or backward algorithm was used. The propensity score was applied, estimating the probability of exposure based on the covariates and helping to create balanced groups for comparison. Different possible causal models were developed between the variables in the DAG-based approach, identifying confounding, mediation, and collision factors. The models were created considering self-rated health as a confounding or collider variable, and the modeling results were verified.

Results
A total of 10,351 adults were evaluated, the majority female (52.1%), aged 20 to 39 years (48.5%), and with non-black skin color (90.4%). The prevalence of heart attacks was 3.0%, and 17% rated their health as fair or poor. Using different modeling techniques, no association was found between skin color and heart attack (p > 0.05), except when self-rated health, a collider variable, was included in the stepwise models. In this case, there was an inverse and biased association between the two variables, indicating a collision bias (stepwise-backward-OR 0.48; 95%CI 0.33–0.70; stepwise-forward-OR 0.64; 95%CI 0.44–0.94).

Conclusion
Skin color was not associated with heart attack when controlling for appropriate confounding factors. However, when adjusting for self-rated health in stepwise techniques, a colliding variable, there was an inverse and distorted association between the two variables, indicating a collider bias. The DAG-based approach and propensity score can avoid this bias by correctly identifying confounding factors and colliders.
Adaptive radiotherapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer: a retrospective audit of two bladder filling protocols
Authors: Guel Diana Nohemi Briceño , Laverick Nicola , MacLaren Linda , MacLeod Nicholas , Glegg Martin , Lamb Gillian , Houston Peter , Carruthers Ross , Grocutt Laura , Valentine Ronan M. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Radical radiotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is challenging due to large variations in bladder shape, size and volume during treatment, with drinking protocols often employed to mitigate geometric uncertainties. Utilising adaptive radiotherapy together with CBCT imaging to select a treatment plan that best fits the bladder target and reduce normal tissue irradiation is an attractive option to compensate for anatomical changes. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare a bladder empty (BE) protocol to a bladder filling (BF) protocol with regards to variations in target volumes, plan of the day (PoD) selection and plan dosimetry throughout treatment.

Methods
Forty patients were included in the study; twenty were treated with a BE protocol and twenty with a BF protocol to a total prescribed dose of 55 Gy in 20 fractions. Small, medium and large bladder plans were generated using three different CTV to PTV margins. Bladder (CTV) volumes were delineated on planning CTs and online pre-treatment CBCTs. Differences in CTV volumes throughout treatment, plan selection, PTV volumes and resulting dose metrics were compared for both protocols.

Results
Mean bladder volume differed significantly on both the planning CTs and online pre-treatment CBCTs between the protocols (p < 0.05). Significant differences in bladder volumes were observed between the planning CT and pre-treatment CBCTs for BF (p < 0.05) but not for BE (p = 0.11). Both protocols saw a significant decrease in bladder volume between first and final treatment fractions (p < 0.05). Medium plans were preferentially selected for BE whilst when using the BF protocol the small plan was chosen most frequently. With no significant change to PTV coverage between the protocols, the volume of body receiving 25.0–45.8 Gy was found to be significantly smaller for BE patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
This work provides evidence in favour of a BE protocol compared to a BF protocol for radical radiotherapy for MIBC. The smaller treatment volumes observed in the BE protocol led to reduced OAR and total body doses and were also observed to be more consistent throughout the treatment course. These results highlight improvements in dosimetry for patients who undergo a BE protocol for MIBC.
A retrospective analysis of lymph node dissection in Siewert II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction
Authors: Tian Yang , Lv Hiulai , Wang Mingbo , Tian Ziqiang 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Analyze the pattern of lymph node metastasis in Siewert II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) and provide a basis for the principles of surgical access.

Methods
The clinical data of 112 Siewert type II AEG patients admitted to the Fifth Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from 2020 to 2022 were retrospectively collected. The probability of lymph node metastasis in each site and the clearance rate of lymph nodes in each site by different surgical approaches were analyzed.

Results
The lymph node metastasis rates in the middle and upper mediastinum group, the lower mediastinum group, the upper perigastric + supra pancreatic group, and the lower perigastric + hepatoduodenal group were 0.0%, 5.4%, 61.6%, and 17.1%, (P < 0.001). The number of lymph nodes cleared in the middle and upper mediastinum group was 0.00, 0.00, 4.00 in the transabdominal approach (TA), left thoracic approach (LT), and Ivor-Lewis (IL) group, (P < 0.001); The number of lymph nodes cleared in the lower mediastinal group was 0.00, 2.00, 2.00, (P < 0.001); The number of lymph node dissection in the perigastric + hepatoduodenal group was 3.00, 0.00, and 8.00, (P < 0.001). The overall complication rates were 25.7%, 12.5%, and 36.4%, (P = 0.058).

Conclusion
Siewert II AEG has the highest rate of lymph node metastasis in the upper perigastric + supra-pancreatic region, followed by the lower perigastric + hepatoduodenal, lower mediastinal, middle, and upper mediastinal regions. Ivor-Lewis can be used for both thoracic and abdominal lymph node dissection and does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications.
Acetylation model predicts prognosis of patients and affects immune microenvironment infiltration in epithelial ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Wang Xuan , Li Xiaoning , Wei Li , Yu Yankun , Hazaisihan Yeernaer , Tao Lin , Jia Wei 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is a prevalent gynaecological malignancy. The prognosis of patients with EOC is related to acetylation modifications and immune responses in the tumour microenvironment (TME). However, the relationships between acetylation-related genes, patient prognosis, and the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) are not yet understood. Our research aims to investigate the link between acetylation and the tumour microenvironment, with the goal of identifying new biomarkers for estimating survival of patients with EOC.

Methods
Using data downloaded from the tumour genome atlas (TCGA), genotypic tissue expression (GTEx), and gene expression master table (GEO), we comprehensively evaluated acetylation-related genes in 375 ovarian cancer specimens and identified molecular subtypes using unsupervised clustering. The prognosis, TIME, stem cell index and functional concentration analysis were compared among the three groups. A risk model based on differential expression of acetylation-related genes was established through minimum absolute contraction and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, and the predictive validity of this feature was validated using GEO data sets. A nomogram is used to predict a patient's likelihood of survival. In addition, different EOC risk groups were evaluated for timing, tumour immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score, stemness index, somatic mutation, and drug sensitivity.

Results
We used the mRNA levels of the differentially expressed genes related to acetylation to classify them into three distinct clusters. Patients with increased immune cell infiltration and lower stemness scores in cluster 2 (C2) exhibited poorer prognosis. Immunity and tumourigenesis-related pathways were highly abundant in cluster 3 (C3). We developed a prognostic model for ten differentially expressed acetylation-related genes. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated significantly worse overall survival (OS) in high-risk patients. Furthermore, the TIME, tumour immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score, stemness index, tumour mutation burden (TMB), immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity all showed significant correlations with the risk scores.

Conclusions
Our study demonstrated a complex regulatory mechanism of acetylation in EOC. The assessment of acetylation patterns could provide new therapeutic strategies for EOC immunotherapy to improve the prognosis of patients.
Email recruitment for chronic pain clinical trials: results from the LAMP trial
Authors: Ferguson John E. , Hagel Campbell Emily , Bangerter Ann , Cross Lee J. S. , Allen Kelli D. , Behrens Kimberly , Branson Mariah , Calvert Collin , Friedman Jessica K. , Hennessy Sierra , Meis Laura A. , Taylor Brent C. , Burgess Diana J. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Recruitment for clinical trials and large-scale studies is challenging, especially for patients with complex conditions like chronic pain. Email recruitment has the potential to increase efficiency, to reduce costs, and to improve access for underrepresented patient populations. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness, efficiency, and equitability of email versus postal mail recruitment for the Learning to Apply Mindfulness to Pain (LAMP) study, a three-site clinical trial of mindfulness-based interventions for chronic pain.

Methods
Patients with chronic pain diagnoses were recruited from three United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities using the VA electronic health record (EHR). Recruitment materials were sent using either postal mail (n = 7986) or email (n = 19,333). Patients in the email recruitment group were also mailed introductory postcards before any emails. Mailing addresses and email addresses were obtained from the EHR. Effectiveness was measured by the response rate of patients who logged into the secure LAMP study website. Efficiency was measured by the number of days from when the recruitment materials were sent to when patients logged into the LAMP portal as well as the estimated costs of each recruitment approach. To assess equitability, we examined whether email recruitment was less effective for underrepresented populations, based on demographic information from the EHR.

Results
Effectiveness—unadjusted response rates were greater for email versus postal-mail recruitment (18.9% versus 6.3%), and adjusted response rates were over three times greater for email recruitment (RR = 3.5, 95% CI 3.1–3.8) based on a multivariable analysis controlling for age, gender, race, ethnicity, rurality, and site. Efficiency—email recruitment had a significantly lower mean response time (1 day versus 8 days) and a lower cost. Equity—email recruitment led to higher response rates for all subpopulations, including older, non-White, Hispanic, rural, and female Veterans.

Conclusions
Email recruitment is an effective, efficient, and equitable way to recruit VA patients to large-scale, chronic pain clinical trials.

Trial registration
Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT04526158. Patient enrollment began on December 4, 2020.