bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Financial Hardship Among Women With Breast Cancer in Addis Ababa Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gebremariam Alem , Gufue Zenawi Hagos , Dereje Nebiyu , Demeke Tamiru , Addissie Adamu , Assefa Mathewos , Jemal Ahmedin 
Published: April 2024

PURPOSEBreast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia, yet financial hardship is often overlooked. Herein, we examined the financial hardship of BC among women newly diagnosed with the disease in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MATERIALS AND METHODSWe conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of financial hardship between 353 women diagnosed with BC from 2017 to 2018 in Addis Ababa and 618 women without a history of the disease but with medical expenses selected by multistaging sampling from the city's general population. Financial hardship measures, coded as binary variables (yes, no), included selling assets to pay for medical expenses, borrowing money to meet medical expenses, and worrying about family's financial security. The associations between BC diagnoses and each of the financial hardship measures were evaluated using the multivariable logistic regression model.RESULTSWomen with BC compared with those without a history of the disease were more likely to report out-of-pocket costs (98% v 38.9%), sell properties (10.2% v 4.2%), and worry about families' financial security (53.8% v 41.8%), but they were equally likely to report borrowing money (19.8% v 17.8%). In the multivariable-adjusted model, women with BC compared with those without the disease were three times as likely to sell their property to cover medical expenses (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.94 [95% CI, 1.49 to 5.83]) and 1.4 more likely to worry about their family's financial security (AOR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.02 to 1.96]).CONCLUSIONThe material and psychological burden of BC is considerably high among women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, suggesting the need for discussion of cost as part of delivering high-quality care and expanding health care coverage.
Apical expansion of calvarial osteoblasts and suture patency is dependent on fibronectin cues
Authors: Feng Xiaotian , Molteni Helen , Gregory Megan , Lanza Jennifer , Polsani Nikaya , Gupta Isha , Wyetzner Rachel , Hawkins M. Brent , Holmes Greg , Hopyan Sevan , Harris Matthew P. , Atit Radhika P. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
The skull roof, or calvaria, is comprised of interlocking plates of bones that encase the brain. Separating these bones are fibrous sutures that permit growth. Currently, we do not understand the instructions for directional growth of the calvaria, a process which is error-prone and can lead to skeletal deficiencies or premature suture fusion (craniosynostosis, CS). Here, we identify graded expression of fibronectin (FN1) in the mouse embryonic cranial mesenchyme (CM) that precedes the apical expansion of calvaria. Conditional deletion of Fn1 or Wasl leads to diminished frontal bone expansion by altering cell shape and focal actin enrichment, respectively, suggesting defective migration of calvarial progenitors. Interestingly, Fn1 mutants have premature fusion of coronal sutures. Consistently, syndromic forms of CS in humans exhibit dysregulated FN1 expression, and we also find FN1 expression altered in a mouse CS model of Apert syndrome. These data support a model of FN1 as a directional substrate for calvarial osteoblast migration that may be a common mechanism underlying many cranial disorders of disparate genetic etiologies.
CFAP58 is involved in the sperm head shaping and flagellogenesis of cattle and mice
Authors: Wei Xiaochao , Wang Xiuge , Yang Chunhong , Gao Yaping , Zhang Yaran , Xiao Yao , Ju Zhihua , Jiang Qiang , Wang Jinpeng , Liu Wenhao , Li Yanqin , Gao Yundong , Huang Jinming 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
CFAP58 is a testis-enriched gene that plays an important role in the sperm flagellogenesis of humans and mice. However, the effect of CFAP58 on bull semen quality and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in spermatogenesis remain unknown. Here, we identified two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs110610797, A&gt;G and rs133760846, G&gt;T) and one indel (g.-1811_ g.-1810 ins147bp) in the promoter of CFAP58 that were significantly associated with semen quality of bulls, including sperm deformity rate and ejaculate volume. Moreover, by generating gene knockout mice, we found for the first time that the loss of Cfap58 not only causes severe defects in the sperm tail, but also affects the manchette structure, resulting in abnormal sperm head shaping. Cfap58 deficiency causes an increase in spermatozoa apoptosis. Further experiments confirmed that CFAP58 interacts with IFT88 and CCDC42. Moreover, it may be a transported cargo protein that plays a role in stabilizing other cargo proteins, such as CCDC42, in the intra-manchette transport/intra-flagellar transport pathway. Collectively, our findings reveal that CFAP58 is required for spermatogenesis and provide genetic markers for evaluating semen quality in cattle.
Identification of a myofibroblast differentiation program during neonatal lung development
Authors: Yin Yongjun , Koenitzer Jeffrey R. , Patra Debabrata , Dietmann Sabine , Bayguinov Peter , Hagan Andrew S. , Ornitz David M. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
Alveologenesis is the final stage of lung development in which the internal surface area of the lung is increased to facilitate efficient gas exchange in the mature organism. The first phase of alveologenesis involves the formation of septal ridges (secondary septae) and the second phase involves thinning of the alveolar septa. Within secondary septa, mesenchymal cells include a transient population of alveolar myofibroblasts (MyoFBs) and a stable but poorly described population of lipid-rich cells that have been referred to as lipofibroblasts or matrix fibroblasts (MatFBs). Using a unique Fgf18CreER lineage trace mouse line, cell sorting, single-cell RNA sequencing and primary cell culture, we have identified multiple subtypes of mesenchymal cells in the neonatal lung, including an immature progenitor cell that gives rise to mature MyoFB. We also show that the endogenous and targeted ROSA26 locus serves as a sensitive reporter for MyoFB maturation. These studies identify a MyoFB differentiation program that is distinct from other mesenchymal cell types and increases the known repertoire of mesenchymal cell types in the neonatal lung.
Promoting mitochondrial dynamics by inhibiting the PINK1–PRKN pathway to relieve diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhu Jun-yi , van de Leemput Joyce , Han Zhe 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels and is a leading cause of kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy has been attributed to dysfunctional mitochondria. However, many questions remain about the exact mechanism. The structure, function and molecular pathways are highly conserved between mammalian podocytes and Drosophila nephrocytes; therefore, we used flies on a high-sucrose diet to model type 2 diabetic nephropathy. The nephrocytes from flies on a high-sucrose diet showed a significant functional decline and decreased cell size, associated with a shortened lifespan. Structurally, the nephrocyte filtration structure, known as the slit diaphragm, was disorganized. At the cellular level, we found altered mitochondrial dynamics and dysfunctional mitochondria. Regulating mitochondrial dynamics by either genetic modification of the Pink1–Park (mammalian PINK1–PRKN) pathway or treatment with BGP-15, mitigated the mitochondrial defects and nephrocyte functional decline. These findings support a role for Pink1–Park-mediated mitophagy and associated control of mitochondrial dynamics in diabetic nephropathy, and demonstrate that targeting this pathway might provide therapeutic benefits for type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
Menstrual Cycle Phase Has No Influence on Performance-Determining Variables in Endurance-Trained Athletes: The FENDURA Project
Authors: TAYLOR MADISON Y. , OSBORNE JOHN O. , TOPRANIN VIRGINIA DE MARTIN , ENGSETH TINA P. , SOLLI GURO S. , VALSDOTTIR DITTA , ANDERSSON ERIK , ØISTUEN GINA F. , FLATBY INGRID , WELDE BOYE , MORSETH BENTE , HAUGEN THOMAS , SANDBAKK ØYVIND , NOORDHOF DIONNE A. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
Female athletes frequently perceive performance changes throughout the menstrual cycle (MC). However, if and how the MC influences performance-determining variables remain unclear.

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the effect of the MC and endogenous sex hormone concentrations on performance-determining variables in three distinct MC phases in endurance-trained females.

Methods
Twenty-one eumenorrheic trained/highly trained endurance athletes completed a standardized test battery during the early follicular phase (EFP), ovulatory phase (OP), and midluteal phase (MLP) for either one (n = 7) or two test cycles (n = 14). MC phases were determined using calendar-based counting, urinary ovulation testing, and verified with serum hormone analysis. MCs were retrospectively classified as eumenorrheic or disturbed. Disturbed MCs were excluded from analysis. The test battery consisted of 4–6 × 5-min submaximal stages with stepwise speed increases, a 30-s all-out double-poling ski ergometer test, and a maximal incremental treadmill running test.

Results
At a group level, there was no effect of MC phase or the serum concentrations of estrogen and progesterone on peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak), oxygen uptake at 4 mmol·L−1 blood lactate concentration, time to exhaustion, running economy, or mean 30-s power output (MPO30s). Serum testosterone concentration was positively associated with MPO30s (P = 0.016). Changes in V̇O2peak from EFP to MLP were inconsistent between individuals and across cycles.

Conclusions
None of the measured performance-determining variables were influenced by MC phase or serum estrogen or progesterone concentrations. Although some individual patterns could be observed, there was no indication that any single MC phase is consistently associated with improved or impaired V̇O2peak on a group level.
Improvement in community wound management: why simple changes in clinical practice matter
Authors: Nilsson Monica , Hughes Jacqui , Styche Tim , Knudsen Jane Thinggaard 
Published: April 2024

Background/Aims Wounds continue to be an increasing burden to society, healthcare systems and patients. Wound care is an urgent challenge that requires new management strategies to help facilitate wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate an early intervention wound project facilitated by the COMPASS programme in a Swedish community setting in terms of treatment outcomes and health economic benefits. Methods An evaluation of wound care practice was completed using data collected on all wounds treated in 1 week in March 2021 (n=97). Single-use negative pressure wound therapy (sNPWT) was then introduced, alongside specialist education for all nurses. A post-intervention evaluation was carried out the following year with data on all wounds treated in 1 week in October 2022 (n=36). The samples were compared in terms of proportion of static and deteriorating wounds, wound characteristics, average number of dressing changes per wound and proportion of wounds requiring the patient to be admitted to hospital or referred to a specialist. Costs of care were calculated and compared for the two samples. Results Wounds in the post-intervention dataset were in a better overall condition (size and depth), with a lower proportion being classified as static or deteriorating (58.8% vs 44.4%). There was a non-significant difference in the average number of dressing changes required per week, with post-intervention wounds requiring fewer changes. A significantly lower proportion of patients required a referral to a specialist in the post-intervention sample compared to the pre-intervention sample (43.3% vs 16.7%; P<0.01). Conclusions Implementing a sNPWT pathway, alongside nurse education and increased involvement of nurses with specialist knowledge, can help to improve wound care outcomes and reduce the burden of wounds on nursing time and healthcare resources.
30-day and one-year readmission rate in 11,270 patients with surgical treatment for proximal femoral fractures across Austria
Authors: Smolle Maria A. , Fischerauer Stefan F. , Vukic Ines , Leitner Lukas , Puchwein Paul , Widhalm Harald , Leithner Andreas , Sadoghi Patrick 
Published: April 2024

AimsPatients with proximal femoral fractures (PFFs) are often multimorbid, thus unplanned readmissions following surgery are common. We therefore aimed to analyze 30-day and one-year readmission rates, reasons for, and factors associated with, readmission risk in a cohort of patients with surgically treated PFFs across Austria.MethodsData from 11,270 patients with PFFs, treated surgically (osteosyntheses, n = 6,435; endoprostheses, n = 4,835) at Austrian hospitals within a one-year period (January to December 2021) was retrieved from the Leistungsorientierte Krankenanstaltenfinanzierung (Achievement-Oriented Hospital Financing). The 30-day and one-year readmission rates were reported. Readmission risk for any complication, as well as general medicine-, internal medicine-, and surgery/injury-associated complications, and factors associated with readmissions, were investigated.ResultsThe 30-day and one-year readmission rates due to any complication were 15% and 47%, respectively. The 30-day readmission rate (p = 0.001) was higher in endoprosthesis than osteosynthesis patients; this was not the case for the one-year readmission rate (p = 0.138). Internal medicine- (n = 2,273 (20%)) and surgery/injury-associated complications (n = 1,612 (14%)) were the most common reason for one-year readmission. Regardless of the surgical procedure, male sex was significantly associated with higher readmission risk due to any, as well as internal medicine-associated, complication. Advanced age was significantly associated with higher readmission risk after osteosynthesis. In both cohorts, treatment at mid-sized hospitals was significantly associated with lower readmission risk due to any complication, while prolonged length of stay was associated with higher one-year readmission risks due to any complication, as well as internal-medicine associated complications.ConclusionFuture health policy decisions in Austria should focus on optimization of perioperative and post-discharge management of this vulnerable patient population.Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(4):294–303.
Design and Laboratory Experiments of A Pneumatic Disc-Type Garlic Precision Seed-Metering Device
Authors: Feng Dinghao , Li Hua , Qi Xindan , Sun Xinping , Wang Yongjian , Nyambura Samuel Mbugua 
Published: April 2024

HighlightsA novel pneumatic disc-type garlic precision seed-metering device was designed.Numerical simulations of the airflow field inside the seed-metering device were carried out with FLUENT Software.The diameter of the suction hole, the rotational speed of the seed plate, and negative pressure were used to evaluate the performance of the seed-metering device.The reasonableness of the optimal combination of parameters was verified by a bench experiment.Abstract. To solve the problem of high seed damage rate and low transplanting efficiency on traditional mechanical garlic seed-metering devices, this article designed and experimented with a novel pneumatic disc-type garlic precision seed-metering device by using theoretical calculations and orthogonal experiments. The overall structure of the device and the basic principles of each working stage were described. Numerical simulations of the airflow field inside the seed-metering device were conducted with FLUENT software to determine the optimal location of the negative pressure outlet and the number of suction holes. A three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken quadratic rotation orthogonal combination experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance of the seed-metering device in terms of the qualified index, miss index, and multiple index. The results showed that the optimal combination of parameters was a suction hole diameter of 10.03 mm, a rotational speed of 11.70 rpm, and a negative pressure of 7.02 kPa. With the optimal combination of parameters, the seeding qualified index was 88.04%, the miss index was 8.65%, and the multiple index was 3.31%, which met the design requirements. The results of the bench experiment were basically consistent with the results under the optimal combination of parameters. This design can provide a theoretical basis for garlic’s precision transplanting. Keywords: Airflow field, FLUENT, Garlic’s precision transplanting, Orthogonal combination experiment, Seed-metering device.
Spatial and spectral beam characteristics in a terahertz broadband sub-wavelength imaging system using a solid immersion lens
Authors: Choi Da-Hye 
Published: April 2024

This study focuses on the spatial and spectral beam characteristics in a terahertz (THz) broadband sub-wavelength imaging system using a solid immersion lens (SIL). Previously, we demonstrated a broadband sub-wavelength THz imaging system by integrating a SIL with a THz time-domain spectrometer (TDS). Key parameters that influence beam characteristics and, consequently, imaging performance, such as SIL misalignment tolerances and beam propagation from the SIL, constitute the primary focus of this investigation. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the system can tolerate millimeter-level transverse and longitudinal SIL position displacements, underscoring its robustness for sub-wavelength imaging in a wide frequency range. Additionally, numerical simulations of beam propagation characteristics reveal that the system achieves sub-wavelength imaging resolution up to 1 mm from the SIL at 0.5 THz, highlighting its potential for non-destructive testing of subsurface structures. These findings gain experimental validation through imaging stacked utility knife blades with sub-wavelength structures ranging from 0.2 to 2 THz.
Inhibitory control mediates the association between body mass index and math performance in children: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Cordeiro Felipe Barradas , Moura-Silva Marcos Guilherme , Domingues Mauro Roberto de Souza , de Souza Mizael Carvalho , Rocha Renan , Esteban-Cornejo Irene , Bento-Torres Natáli Valim Oliver , Erickson Kirk I. , Bento-Torres João 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundOverweight and obesity affect more than 18% of children and adolescents in the world. Obesity-related associations with brain morphology might be associated with reduced efficiency of inhibitory control. This association highlights a possible mechanism by which obesity impacts intelligence and academic achievement. Prior work indicates a mediating effect of inhibitory control on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and intelligence and academic achievement. However, although obesity is associated with impaired math performance, we do not know whether inhibitory control also mediates the relationship between BMI and math performance. This study tests the hypothesis that inhibitory control statistically mediates the relationship between BMI and math performance.Methods161 children (9 to 13 years old, 80 female) participated in the present study. We evaluated BMI; math performance, in a test composed of 20 arithmetic equations of the typex= (a×b) −c; and inhibitory control through the Flanker test. We carried out Spearman correlation tests, hierarchical multiple linear regression, and tested the confidence of the model where inhibitory control statistically mediates the indirect association between BMI and math performance. Mediation analysis in this cross-sectional study aimed to improve understanding of indirect relationships and offer insights into possible causal connections.ResultsBetter math performance and lower BMI were associated with greater accuracy on the inhibitory control test and greater accuracy on the inhibitory control test was associated with better performance on math test. We found an indirect association between higher BMI in children and impairments in math performance, that was mediated by inhibitory control (a: -0.008, p = 0.025; b: 7.10, p = 0.0004; c: 0.05, p = 0.592; c’: 0.11, p = 0.238; Indirect Effect: -0.0599, 95% CI: -0.13, -0.005).ConclusionsAn indirect association between higher body mass indices in children and impairments in math performance was detected, through the impact that BMI has on inhibitory control.
Hospital segregation, critical care strain, and inpatient mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City
Authors: Zhilkova Anna , Alsabahi Laila , Olson Donald , Maru Duncan , Tsao Tsu-Yu , Morse Michelle E. 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundHospital segregation by race, ethnicity, and health insurance coverage is prevalent, with some hospitals providing a disproportionate share of undercompensated care. We assessed whether New York City (NYC) hospitals serving a higher proportion of Medicaid and uninsured patients pre-pandemic experienced greater critical care strain during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether this greater strain was associated with higher rates of in-hospital mortality.MethodsIn a retrospective analysis of all-payer NYC hospital discharge data, we examined changes in admissions, stratified by use of intensive care unit (ICU), from the baseline period in early 2020 to the first COVID-19 wave across hospital quartiles (265,329 admissions), and crude and risk-adjusted inpatient mortality rates, also stratified by ICU use, in the first COVID wave across hospital quartiles (23,032 inpatient deaths), based on the proportion of Medicaid or uninsured admissions from 2017–2019 (quartile 1 lowest to 4 highest). Logistic regressions were used to assess the cross-sectional association between ICU strain, defined as ICU volume in excess of the baseline average, and patient-level mortality.ResultsICU admissions in the first COVID-19 wave were 84%, 97%, 108%, and 123% of the baseline levels by hospital quartile 1–4, respectively. The risk-adjusted mortality rates for ICU admissions were 36.4 (CI = 34.7,38.2), 43.6 (CI = 41.5,45.8), 45.9 (CI = 43.8,48.1), and 45.7 (CI = 43.6,48.0) per 100 admissions, and those for non-ICU admissions were 8.6 (CI = 8.3,9.0), 10.9 (CI = 10.6,11.3), 12.6 (CI = 12.1,13.0), and 12.1 (CI = 11.6,12.7) per 100 admissions by hospital quartile 1–4, respectively. Compared with the reference group of 100% or less of the baseline weekly average, ICU admissions on a day for which the ICU volume was 101–150%, 151–200%, and > 200% of the baseline weekly average had odds ratios of 1.17 (95% CI = 1.10, 1.26), 2.63 (95% CI = 2.31, 3.00), and 3.26 (95% CI = 2.82, 3.78) for inpatient mortality, and non-ICU admissions on a day for which the ICU volume was 101–150%, 151–200%, and > 200% of the baseline weekly average had odds ratios of 1.28 (95% CI = 1.22, 1.34), 2.60 (95% CI = 2.40, 2.82), and 3.44 (95% CI = 3.11, 3.63) for inpatient mortality.ConclusionsOur findings are consistent with hospital segregation as a potential driver of COVID-related mortality inequities and highlight the need to desegregate health care to address structural racism, advance health equity, and improve pandemic resiliency.