bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation of national policies and interventions (WHO Best Buys) for non-communicable disease prevention and control in Ghana: a mixed methods analysis
Authors: Baatiema Leonard , Sanuade Olutobi Adekunle , Kretchy Irene Akwo , Okoibhole Lydia , Kushitor Sandra Boatemaa , Haghparast-Bidgoli Hassan , Awuah Raphael Baffour , Amon Samuel , Mensah Sedzro Kojo , Grijalva-Eternod Carlos S. , Adjaye-Gbewonyo Kafui , Antwi Publa , Jennings Hannah Maria , Arhinful Daniel Kojo , Aikins Moses , Koram Kwadwo , Blandford Ann , Fottrell Edward 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages all member states to adopt and implement a package of essential evidence-based interventions called the “Best Buys” to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). To date, little is known about the implementation of national policies and interventions for NCD control in the WHO member states in sub-Saharan African. Our study aimed to evaluate the implementation of national policies and interventions (WHO “Best Buys”) for non-communicable disease prevention and control in Ghana.Methods This was explanatory mixed methods research which started with a document review of Ghana’s WHO “Best Buys” scores from the 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022 WHO NCD Progress Monitor Reports. Thereafter, we conducted 25 key informant interviews and one focus group discussion (11 participants) with key policymakers and stakeholders in the NCD landscape in Ghana to understand the implementation of the NCD policies and interventions, and the policy implementation gaps and challenges faced. Data from the NCD Progress reports were presented using mean scores whilst the qualitative data was analysed thematically.Results Ghana has shown some advancements in the implementation of the WHO "Best Buys" measures. Ghana’s implementation scores for 2015, 2017, 2020 and 2022 were 5.0, 9.0, 5.0 and 5.5 respectively, against the mean implementation scores of 7.6/19 for lower-middle-income countries and 9.5/19 for upper-middle-income countries. Efforts to decrease major risk factors such as excessive alcohol consumption and unhealthy diet have been progressing slowly. The most common challenges were related to a) the role of socio-cultural factors, b) stakeholder engagement, c) enforcement and implementation of public health policies, d) implementation guidelines, e) public awareness and education on NCDs, f) financing of NCD prevention and control, g) curative-centered health systems, and h) over-centralization of NCD care.Conclusion Ghana has made progress in adopting the WHO "Best Buys" targeting risk factors of NCDs. However, the country faces contextual barriers to effective implementation. With the retrogression of some measures over time despite making progress in some earlier years, further investigation is needed to identify facilitators for sustained implementation of the WHO “Best Buys” interventions.
Comparative analysis of changes in retinal layer thickness following femtosecond laser- assisted cataract surgery and conventional cataract surgery
Authors: Surl Dongheon , Kim Seung-min , Kim Sang-Yeop , Kim Tae-Im , Seo Kyoung Yul , Jun Ikhyun 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background: To investigate the influence of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) on macula by examining changes in retinal layers after FLACS and to compare these changes with those after conventional cataract surgery (CCS).
Methods: This study included 113 unrelated Korean patients with age-related cataract who underwent CCS or FLACS in Severance Hospital between September 2019 and July 2021. Optical coherence tomography was performed before and 1 month after surgery. The total retinal layer (TRL) was separated into the inner retinal layer (IRL) and outer retinal layer (ORL); moreover, the IRL was subdivided into the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer, and outer nuclear layer. We performed between-group comparisons of the postoperative thickness in each retinal layer and the postoperative differences in retinal thickness. The average retinal thickness of the four inner macular ring quadrants was used for comparative analysis.
Results: Compared with the CCS group, the FLACS group exhibited a thicker ORL (P=0.004) and a thinner INL (P=0.007) after surgery. All retinal layer thickness values showed significant postoperative changes regardless of the surgery type of surgery (P<0.05). The postoperative increase in TRL and IRL thickness was significantly smaller in the FLACS group than in the CCS group (P=0.027, P=0.012).
Conclusions: The 1-month postoperative retinal changes were less pronounced in the FLACS group than in the CCS group.
Real-Time Medical Lesion Screening: Accurate and Rapid Detector
Authors: Shao Dangguo , Jiang Jie , Ma Lei , Yi Sanli 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Deep learning is a rapidly advancing field, and computer vision techniques such as image segmentation and object detection have found extensive applications across various domains. In medical images, computer vision technology proves effective in handling large volumes of medical imaging data, thereby improving screening efficiency. In the realm of practical medical image applications, object detection has not gained the same level of popularity as image segmentation. Even though some object detection algorithms have been employed for lesion detection, the majority are single-stage detection algorithms, primarily based on the YOLO series[1–4]. However, the emergence of Transformers[2] appears to be altering this landscape. Leveraging the outstanding performance of Transformers, we propose the RPC-DETR model based on DETR[6–8], further exploring the potential of Transformers in lesion screening detection. We conducted experiments with the RPC-DETR model on the publicly available brain tumor dataset Br35H, minimizing the model's parameter count and reducing its complexity. In our experiments, RPC-DETR achieved high accuracy with only 14 million parameters. In summary, we have achieved greater accuracy in brain tumor detection by employing a more lightweight model.
Water use of an irrigated peach orchard treated with different plastic mulching films under Mediterranean climate
Authors: ferrara rossana monica , Bruno Maria Roberta , Ruggieri Sergio , Carolis Gabriele , Campi Pasquale , Cappelluti Onofrio , Ciurlia Alessandro , Maggi Pietro , Modugno Anna Francesca , Montaghi Alessandro , Azzolini Alessandro , Minorenti Valerio , Gaeta Liliana , Piarulli Mariagrazia , Martinelli Nicola , Rana Gianfranco 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Italy is the third producer in the world of peach orchards. The semi-arid climate in Mediterranean area is particularly suitable for late ripening peach cultivars, but they are more water demanding due to the longer period of the fruits on the plants. Considering the climate change scenarios with limitation in water resources, water saving techniques must be employed in order to optimize the use of irrigation water. Strategies for reducing agricultural water use include the use of different mulching materials spread onto the surface of soil for reducing soil evaporation and improving soil moisture preservation. The advantages of using plastic mulching film has been studied in an irrigated peach orchard for three season (2021–2023), evaluating the effects on yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and water productivity (WP) under clean tillage without mulch (P0) and two plastic photo-reflective plastic mulching films, white (P1) and silver (P2). The effective water loss by transpiration was measured by thermal dissipation method, obtaining the seasonal transpiration used for estimating the water use efficiency as the ratio between the transpiration and the water supply by irrigation and precipitation: in mean of the three seasons, WUE of P0 was 47% and 44% lower than P1 and P2, respectively. An average increasing of yield of 18% was observed under plastic mulching treatments, with an increasing in the WP of the mulched treatments from the first to the third year of the trial when the WP was almost identical for P1 and P2, and 39% greater than P0.
Compound dry-hot-fire events in South America: an unapparent, long-range and deadly ripple effect
Authors: Santos Djacinto Monteiro dos , Oliveira Aline M. , Duarte Ediclê S. F. , Rodrigues Julia A. , Menezes Lucas S. , Albuquerque Ronaldo , Roque Fabio O , Peres Leonardo F. , Hoelzemann Judith J. , Libonati Renata 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Under current global warming, South America (SA) has been experiencing severe compound drought-heatwave (CDHW) conditions, which, in turn, exacerbate fire risk. A recent showcase is the unprecedented Pantanal 2020 fire season (P20F), when one-third of the biome was burned, with reported local impacts on the ecosystem, public health, and economy. Nevertheless, the extent to which this event led to long-range ripple effects remains unknown. Here, we explored a cascade chain of hazards along the continent associated with the CDHW-fires from P20F, integrating observational, satellite-based, and reanalysis data, models, and death records. We showed that CDHW-fire-related smoke transport episodes triggered high PM2.5 levels in the SA's most populated area, surpassing the World Health Organization’s guidelines by up to 600%. Such smoke-induced air pollution conditions coincided with widespread heatwaves in the affected remote areas, amplifying health risks. The mortality burden attributable to this multi-hazard short-term (14 days) exposure was estimated to be 2,150 premature deaths (21% increase above expected levels). Our findings highlight that the impacts of CDHW-fire events in SA are beyond the local level, implying growing challenges for risk management and public health and the need for governance based on telecoupled flows, linking different systems over multiple scales.
Exploring the causality and pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes in gastric cancer based on Mendelian randomization and transcriptome data analyses
Authors: Ma Junyang , Gao Yuan , Hou Shufu , Ma Ning , Cui Shichang , Zhang Ziwei , Li Wuyang , Zhu Jiankang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common type of cancer in the world, and the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer risk has been a focus of attention. However, the causal relationship between the two and its pathogenesis are still highly controversial.
Methods: Two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) and meta-analysis were used to explore the potential causal relationship between T2DM and GC. The sensitivity of the MR analysis was assessed by Cochran's Q test and the leave-one-out test. Next, transcriptome analyses of T2DM and GC patients were performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases to identify genes common to T2DM and GC and to construct a risk score and a prediction model for GC risk in combination with clinical features. KM curves and Cox regression were used for survival analysis, and the AUC values of the ROC curves were used for model evaluation. Mechanisms were explored by gene enrichment analysis and tumor immune microenvironment analysis.
RESULTS: MR analysis revealed a causal relationship between T2DM and GC at the genetic level. In addition, the meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the current MR results. We constructed a prognostic risk score consisting of three T2DM-related genes (CST2, PSAPL1, and C4orf48). KM curves and Cox regression analyses suggested that OS was worse in patients with high risk scores (p < 0.05), and the constructed nomogram model had good predictive ability (training set: AUC = 0.786 and validation set: AUC = 0.757).
Conclusion: Bidirectional MR two-sample analysis revealed that T2DM was a high-level risk factor for GC. Transcriptome data analysis revealed that the risk score, which reflects the expression of T2DM-related genes, can be used as a new marker to predict the prognosis of patients with coexisting T2DM.
KEYWORDS: Gastric cancer, Type 2 diabetes, Mendelian randomization, Transcriptomic data, prevention
Continuous mild stimulation with advanced glycation end products reduce aggrecan and type II collagen production via the RAGE without inducing cell death in human OUMS-27 chondrosarcoma cells
Authors: Hatipoglu Omer Faruk , Nishinaka Takashi , Yaykasli Kursat Oguz , Mori Shuji , Watanabe Masahiro , Toyomura Takao , Nishibori Masahiro , Hirohata Satoshi , Takahashi Hideo , Wake Hidenori 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Chondrocytes are responsible for the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components of cartilage, such as collagen type II alpha-1 (COL2A1) and aggrecan, which are loosely distributed in articular cartilage. Chondrocyte dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulate in all tissues and body fluids, including cartilage and synovial fluid, with aging. Their accumulation in vivo is one of the major factors that cause and accelerate pathological changes in some chronic diseases, such as OA. Glycolaldehyde-derived AGEs (AGE3), known as toxic AGEs, have the strongest effect on cartilage compared to other AGEs. Studies conducted to date to demonstrate the effects of AGEs on chondrocytes have used very high doses (100 µg/mL) and collagen and aggrecan were reduced in the short term (24 h) due to decreased chondrocyte cell viability. However, it is assumed that AGEs stimulate cells for a longer period of time in vivo without causing cell death. Therefore, we stimulated a human chondrosarcoma cell line (OUMS-27) with 10 µg/mL AGE3 for four weeks. As a result, the expression of COL2A1 and aggrecan was significantly downregulated in OUMS-27 cells without inducing cell death, but the expression of proteases that play an important role in cartilage destruction was not affected. In addition, the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) inhibitors suppressed the AGE3-induced reduction in cartilage component production, suggesting the involvement of RAGE in the action of AGE3.
Thoracoscopic primary repair is useful for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula in neonates with low body weight
Authors: Gohda Yousuke , Uchida Hiroo , Shirota Chiyoe , Tainaka Takahisa , Sumida Wataru , Makita Satoshi , Yasui Akihiro , Kanou Yoko , Nakagawa Yoichi , Kato Daiki , Maeda Takuya , Guo Yaohui , Liu Jiahui , ishii Hiroki , Ota Kazuki , Hinoki Akinari , Satomi Miwa 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose
The surgical indication of thoracoscopic primary repair for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula is under debate. The current study aimed to investigate the outcome of thoracoscopic primary repair for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula in patients weighing < 2000 g and those who underwent emergency surgery at the age of 0 day.
Methods
The surgical outcomes were compared between patients weighing < 2000 g and those weighing > 2000 g at surgery, and between patients who underwent surgery at the age of 0 day and those who underwent surgery at age ≥ 1 day.
Results
In total, 43 patients underwent thoracoscopic primary repair for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. The surgical outcomes according to body weight were similar. Patients who underwent surgery at the age of 0 day were more likely to develop anastomotic leakage than those who underwent surgery at the age of ≥ 1 day (2 vs. 0 case, p = 0.02). Anastomotic leakage was treated with conservative therapy.
Conclusion
Thoracoscopic primary repair is safe and useful for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula even in newborns weighing < 2000 g. However, emergency surgery at the age of 0 day should be cautiously performed due to the risk of anastomotic leakage.
Subcritical water extraction for recovering cellulose fibres from Posidonia oceanica waste
Authors: Camarena-Bononad Paula , Freitas Pedro A.V. , Chiralt Amparo , Vargas Maria 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Posidonia oceanica (PO) is an abundant aquatic plant in the Mediterranean Sea that produces a great accumulation of leaves on the coast when detaching off the plant. PO waste collected at landfills could be used as a source of cellulose due to the considerable content of this component (30–40%). In this study, cellulose extraction from PO waste was studied in order to reduce chemicals in the process, in line with the green chemistry principles. Thus, subcritical water extraction (SWE) was applied to promote the separation of non-cellulosic compounds, such as hemicellulose and lignin, followed by bleaching treatments using hydrogen peroxide, alternatively to the usual sodium chlorite. Two SWE temperatures (150 and 170 oC) were tested, while hydrogen peroxide was used at 4 and 8% (v/v) at pH 12 in four one-hour bleaching cycles. This treatment was also carried out with sodium chlorite for comparison purposes. SWE efficiently reduced hemicellulose and lignin content in the solid extraction fraction, mainly at 170 oC, which yielded 63 wt. % of solid fraction, with 51% of cellulose content. This highest temperature also promoted the efficiency of the subsequent bleaching step. Using H2O2 as the bleaching agent, alternatively to chlorine agents, was effective at purifying cellulose but partially altered the cellulose structure through oxidative mechanisms. A combination of SWE at 170 oC and bleaching with H2O2 at 4 or 8% (v/v) yielded 24 wt. % bleached material from PO waste, with a high cellulose richness (near 90%).
Factors Related to Accurate Clinicians’ Prediction of Survival: An International Multicenter Study in East Asia
Authors: Hiratsuka Yusuke , Suh Sang-Yeon , Yoon Seok Joon , Choi Sung-Eun , Kim Sun Hyun , Hui David , Cheng Shao-Yi , Chen Ping-Jen , Huang Hsien-Liang , Peng Jen-Kuei , Mori Masanori , Yamaguchi Takashi , Maeda Isseki , Tsuneto Satoru , Morita Tatsuya 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Purpose:
Recent guidelines for prognostic evaluation recommend clinicians’ prediction of survival (CPS) for survival prediction in patients with advanced cancer. However, CPS is often inaccurate and optimistic. Studies on factors associated with overestimation or underestimation of CPS are limited. We aimed to investigate the factors associated with overestimation and underestimation of CPS in patients with far advanced cancer.
Methods:
The current study was a secondary analysis of an international multicenter prospective cohort study, which enrolled newly admitted patients with advanced cancer in palliative care units (PCUs) in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. We obtained the temporal CPS at enrollment and performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with underestimation and overestimation.
Results:
A total of 2571 patients were assessed and admitted in 37 PCUs between January 2017 and September 2018. Older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.02; P < 0.01) and reduced oral intake (aOR 0.68; 95% CI 0.51–0.89; P < 0.01) were identified as significant factors associated with underestimation. Dyspnea (aOR 1.28; 95% CI 1.06–1.54; P = 0.01) and hyperactive delirium (aOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.05–1.72; P = 0.02) were identified as significant factors associated with overestimation.
Conclusion:
Older age was related to underestimation while dyspnea and hyperactive delirium were related to overestimation of CPS. However, reduced oral intake was less likely to lead to underestimation.
Short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and mortality and hospital admission in the Netherlands
Authors: Jacobs José H. , Strak Maciej , Velders Guus J.M. , Zorn Jelle , Hogerwerf Lenny , Simões Mariana , Gerlofs-Nijland Miriam E. , Smit Lidwien A.M. , Vermeulen Roel , Zee Saskia van der , Mughini-Gras Lapo , Stafoggia Massimo 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to examine acute effects of exposure to ambient air pollution on COVID-19 hospital admissions and mortality in the Netherlands. We hypothesized that exposure to increased air pollution in the preceding week might trigger an exacerbation of health of infected individuals.
Associations between daily concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) and ≤10 µm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and risk of hospital admissions and mortality due to COVID-19 from February to December 2020 was analyzed across all 352 Dutch municipalities grouped into 12 provinces. Time-series models were used to fit province-specific estimates, followed by meta-analyses to produce national estimates. Analyses were based on daily averages of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and maximum 8-hour running average of O3 on a 1x1 km grid and averaged on municipality level by population weight. Models were adjusted for spatiotemporal confounders, including government policies in response to the number of COVID-19 infections. Since there were only few COVID-19 cases during the summertime when O3 levels were highest, associations between O3 and COVID-19 health outcomes were not further explored.
We found associations between exposure to air pollution in the preceding week (average of lag 0-7 days) and COVID-19 hospital admissions and mortality. On a national level, an interquartile range increase in PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 exposure was associated with 11-12% increased mortality risk; the risk for hospital admissions was higher: 19-25%. Observed associations were more robust for PM than NO2 in two-pollutant models.
Our results suggest that short-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 may increase the risk of COVID-19 mortality and hospital admission. This indicates that, consistent with previous studies on air pollution and respiratory infections, the population at risk of being hospitalized or dying of COVID-19 is extra vulnerable to the adverse effects of short-term air pollution exposure.
Cosmological Dynamics of Accelerating model in f(Q) gravity: A Parametric Approach
Authors: Bhardwaj Vinod Kumar , Grag Priyanka , Prakash Suraj 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
In the current study, we have considered three different parameterizations of deceleration parameter to describe the cosmological dynamics of the accelerating universe in f(Q) gravity. The power law symmetric teleparallel gravity with a specific form f(Q)= Q + nQm is assumed for the modelling purpose. Here, m and n are constants and Q is the non-metricity term that describes the gravitational interaction in space time. We constructed the field equations depending on power law f(Q) gravity and parameters are extracted using experimental observations. Latest observational datasets of BAO, H(z) and Pantheon are utilized to predict the best fit values of parameters and current value of Hubble constant. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm has been used to decide the best plausible values of parameters. We numerically represent the physical and geometrical features of the models and thoroughly explore their development. We analyzed our models using the jerk and Om diagnosis that depict the derived cosmic models are different from the ΛCDM model expressing late time accelerated expansion of cosmos with phantom type of universe. We also discussed the viability of models by the analysis of energy conditions.