bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of a Radiopathomics model based on CT scans and whole slide images for discriminating between Stage I-II and Stage III gastric cancer
Authors: Tan Yang , Feng Li-juan , Huang Ying-he , Xue Jia-wen , Feng Zhen-Bo , Long Li-ling 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to develop and validate an artificial intelligence radiopathological model using preoperative CT scans and postoperative hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained slides to predict the pathological staging of gastric cancer (stage I-II and stage III).

Methods
This study included a total of 202 gastric cancer patients with confirmed pathological staging (training cohort: n = 141; validation cohort: n = 61). Pathological histological features were extracted from HE slides, and pathological models were constructed using logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and NaiveBayes. The optimal pathological model was selected through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Machine learnin algorithms were employed to construct radiomic models and radiopathological models using the optimal pathological model. Model performance was evaluated using ROC curve analysis, and clinical utility was estimated using decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results
A total of 311 pathological histological features were extracted from the HE images, including 101 Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) features and 210 deep learning features. A pathological model was constructed using 19 selected pathological features through dimension reduction, with the SVM model demonstrating superior predictive performance (AUC, training cohort: 0.949; validation cohort: 0.777). Radiomic features were constructed using 6 selected features from 1834 radiomic features extracted from CT scans via SVM machine algorithm. Simultaneously, a radiopathomics model was built using 17 non-zero coefficient features obtained through dimension reduction from a total of 2145 features (combining both radiomics and pathomics features). The best discriminative ability was observed in the SVM_radiopathomics model (AUC, training cohort: 0.953; validation cohort: 0.851), and clinical decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated excellent clinical utility.

Conclusion
The radiopathomics model, combining pathological and radiomic features, exhibited superior performance in distinguishing between stage I-II and stage III gastric cancer. This study is based on the prediction of pathological staging using pathological tissue slides from surgical specimens after gastric cancer curative surgery and preoperative CT images, highlighting the feasibility of conducting research on pathological staging using pathological slides and CT images.
Incidence rates of retinal vascular occlusive diseases from 2011 to 2020 in South Korea: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Park Shin Hyeong , Kim Bum Jun , Kim Ji Hye , Kim Seung Chan , Kim Rock Bum , Han Yong Seop 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Retinal vascular occlusions, including retinal vein occlusion and retinal artery occlusion, are common causes of visual impairment. In order to evaluate the national medical burden and help improve ophthalmic health care policy planning, we investigated the incidence of retinal vascular occlusive diseases from 2011 to 2020 in Korea.

Methods
This study is a nationwide population-based retrospective study using data from the Korea national health claim database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) service. We identified retinal vascular occlusive diseases registered from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2020, according to the retinal vascular occlusion code (H34) and its sub-codes from international classification of disease, tenth revision diagnosis code. We used data from the entire Korean population based on the 2015 census of the population in Korea to calculate standardized incidence rates.

Results
We identified 348,775 individuals (male, 161,673 [46.4%]; female, 187,102 [53.6%]) with incident retinal vascular occlusion (H34), 10,451 individuals (males, 6,329 [60.6%]; females, 4,122 [39.4%]) with incident central retinal artery occlusion (H34.1), and 252,810 individuals (males, 114,717 [45.4%]; females, 138,093 [54.6%]) with incident retinal vein occlusion (H34.8) during the 10-year study period. The weighted mean incidence rate of retinal vascular occlusion was 70.41 (95% CI, 70.18–70.65) cases/100,000 person-years. The weighted mean incidence rate of central retinal artery occlusion was 2.10 (95% CI, 2.06–2.14) cases/100,000 person-years. The weighted mean incidence rate of retinal vein occlusion was 50.99 (95% CI, 50.79–51.19) cases/100,000 person-years.

Conclusion
The total retinal vascular occlusion and retinal vein occlusion showed a decreasing trend until 2020. However, the central retinal artery occlusion decreased until 2014 and remained stable without a significant further decline until 2020. The incidence of total retinal vascular occlusion and retinal vein occlusion was higher in females than in males, while the incidence of central retinal artery occlusion was higher in males. All retinal vascular occlusive diseases showed an increasing incidence with older age; the peak age incidence was 75–79 years for total retinal vascular occlusion and retinal vein occlusion, and 80–85 years for central retinal artery occlusion.
Key predictors of food security and nutrition in Africa: a spatio-temporal model-based study
Authors: Bofa Adusei , Zewotir Temesgen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThere is voluminous literature on Food Security in Africa. This study explicitly considers the spatio-temporal factors in addition to the usual FAO-based metrics in modeling and understanding the dynamics of food security and nutrition across the African continent. To better understand the complex trajectory and burden of food insecurity and nutrition in Africa, it is crucial to consider space-time factors when modeling and interpreting food security. The spatio-temporal anova model was found to be superior(employing statistical criteria) to the other three models from the spatio-temporal interaction domain models. The results of the study suggest that dietary supply adequacy, food stability, and consumption status are positively associated with severe food security, while average food supply and environmental factors have negative effects on Food Security and Nutrition. The findings also indicate that severe food insecurity and malnutrition are spatially and temporally correlated across the African continent. Spatio-temporal modeling and spatial mapping are essential components of a comprehensive practice to reduce the burden of severe food insecurity. likewise, any planning and intervention to improve the average food supply and environment to promote sustainable development should be regional instead of one size fit all.
Clinical skills development for healthcare practitioners working with patients with persistent physical symptoms (PPS) in healthcare settings: a systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Thursby Stacie , Dismore Lorelle , Swainston Katherine 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The complexity and uncertainty around Persistent Physical Symptoms (PPS) make it difficult to diagnose and treat, particularly under time-constrained consultations and limited knowledge. Brief interventions that can be utilised in day-to-day practice are necessary to improve ways of managing PPS. This review aimed to establish (i) what training primary and secondary healthcare practitioners have undertaken to develop their clinical skills when working with PPS, (ii) what training techniques or theoretical models have been used within these interventions, and (iii) how effective was the training.

Method
A systematic literature search was undertaken on eight databases to identify professional development interventions for healthcare practitioners working with PPS, were of any study design, and at a minimum were single measure studies (i.e., training outcome alone). Studies were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and narratively synthesised.

Results
Despite high methodological heterogeneity across the six included studies, they all aimed to improve healthcare practitioners’ communication skills through educational (theory, awareness, attitudes, assessment, treatment, and management of PPS) and experiential (role play) learning.

Conclusions
The review findings demonstrate that developing healthcare practitioners’ communicative behaviours led to increased confidence and self-efficacy when working with PPS, which facilitated improved consultations and improvements on some patient outcomes. Barriers to the uptake of training programmes and implementation into daily clinical practice are discussed, including the need for PPS to be formally implemented into undergraduate teaching and post-qualification continuous professional development.

Trial registration
This review was registered at PROSPERO [CRD42022315631] prior to the review starting.
Validation study of the Amharic version Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) in public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bekele Bisrat Tamene , Berhe Trhas Tadesse , Wotango Biniam Yohannes , Workneh Wubet Mihretu , Wendwessen Nebiyou 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
In Ethiopia, there is a growing concern about improving patients’ safety in healthcare facilities. However, the lack of a valid and reliable instrument sensitive to the Ethiopian culture for measuring health professional practice environment leads to difficulty in constructing evaluations of safety climate and further linking organizational research to outcomes research. This research study examined the psychometric properties of the Safety Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ) in the Amharic language within an Ethiopian healthcare context.

Method
A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. The SAQ was meticulously translated into Amharic using forward and backward translation methods. Content validity was evaluated with input from seven patient safety and healthcare quality experts. Face validity was established through feedback from healthcare professionals. Then, the Amharic SAQ (SAQ-A) was distributed to 648 participants working in 11 public hospitals, and a total of 611 valid questionnaires were completed and returned (95.2% response rate). Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, composite reliability, correlation analysis, and average variance estimation were calculated, and confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Descriptive analyses were performed to describe socio-demographic characteristics. A P-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Tables, figures, charts, and texts are used for data presentation.

Result
The overall internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) for the 31-item SAQ-A was 0.903, indicating excellent reliability. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated a good model fit for each dimension and the entire construct (χ2=1086.675, df=412, p<0.001, comparative fit index (CFI)=0.923, Tucker Lewis index (TLI)=0.913, and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.052). The positive response rate of healthcare workers in hospitals was 32.1%. The positive response rates of the six dimensions were teamwork climate (59.7%), safety climate (41.9%), job satisfaction (57.1%), working conditions (37.5%), perception of management (37.6%), and stress recognition (46.2%).

Conclusion
The Amharic translation of the SAQ showed good psychometric properties, making it a valuable tool for assessing safety attitudes among Amharic-speaking Ethiopian healthcare practitioners.
Single-cell RNA sequencing integrated with bulk RNA sequencing analysis identifies a tumor immune microenvironment-related lncRNA signature in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ren Yuqing , Wu Ruhao , Li Chunwei , Liu Long , Li Lifeng , Weng Siyuan , Xu Hui , Xing Zhe , Zhang Yuyuan , Wang Libo , Liu Zaoqu , Han Xinwei 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated as essential roles in tumor immune microenvironments (TIME). Nevertheless, researches on the clinical significance of TIME-related lncRNAs are limited in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods
Single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing data are integrated to identify TIME-related lncRNAs. A total of 1368 LUAD patients are enrolled from 6 independent datasets. An integrative machine learning framework is introduced to develop a TIME-related lncRNA signature (TRLS).

Results
This study identified TIME-related lncRNAs from integrated analysis of single‑cell and bulk RNA sequencing data. According to these lncRNAs, a TIME-related lncRNA signature was developed and validated from an integrative procedure in six independent cohorts. TRLS exhibited a robust and reliable performance in predicting overall survival. Superior prediction performance barged TRLS to the forefront from comparison with general clinical features, molecular characters, and published signatures. Moreover, patients with low TRLS displayed abundant immune cell infiltration and active lipid metabolism, while patients with high TRLS harbored significant genomic alterations, high PD-L1 expression, and elevated DNA damage repair (DDR) relevance. Notably, subclass mapping analysis of nine immunotherapeutic cohorts demonstrated that patients with high TRLS were more sensitive to immunotherapy.

Conclusions
This study developed a promising tool based on TIME-related lncRNAs, which might contribute to tailored treatment and prognosis management of LUAD patients.
Regional disparities and risk factors of mortality among patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death in emerging countries: a nonrandomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Shuang , Ching Chi-Keong , Huang Dejia , Liu Yen-Bin , Rodriguez-Guerrero Diego A. , Hussin Azlan , Kim Young-Hoon , Van Dorn Brian , Zhou Xiaohong , Singh Balbir , Zhang Shu ,   the Improve SCA Investigators
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Comprehensive data on patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in emerging countries are lacking. The aim was to deepen our understanding of the SCD phenotype and identify risk factors for death among patients at high risk of SCD in emerging countries.

Methods
Patients who met the class I indication for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation according to guideline recommendations in 17 countries and regions underrepresented in previous trials were enrolled. Countries were stratified by the WHO regional classification. Patients were or were not implanted with an ICD at their discretion. The outcomes were all-cause mortality and SCD.

Results
We enrolled 4222 patients, and 3889 patients were included in the analysis. The mean follow-up period was 21.6 ± 10.2 months. There were 433 (11.1%) instances of all-cause mortality and 117 (3.0%) cases of SCD. All-cause mortality was highest in primary prevention (PP) patients from Southeast Asia and secondary prevention (SP) patients from the Middle East and Africa. The SCD rates among PP and SP patients were both highest in South Asia. Multivariate Cox regression modelling demonstrated that in addition to the independent predictors identified in previous studies, both geographic region and ICD use were associated with all-cause mortality in patients with high SCD risk. Primary prophylactic ICD implantation was associated with a 36% (HR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.531–0.802, p < 0.0001) lower all-cause mortality risk and an 80% (HR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.116–0.343, p < 0.0001) lower SCD risk.

Conclusions
There was significant heterogeneity among patients with high SCD risk in emerging countries. The influences of geographic regions on patient characteristics and outcomes were significant. Improvement in increasing ICD utilization and uptake of guideline-directed medical therapy in emerging countries is urgent.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02099721.
The effect of COVID-19 on malaria cases in Zambia: a mixed effect multilevel analysis
Authors: Sampa Mutale , Fisa Ronald , Mukuma Chilombo , Mwanza Mercy , Hamainza Busiku , Musonda Patrick 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The burden of Malaria in Zambia remains a challenge, with the entire population at risk of contracting this infectious disease. Despite concerted efforts by African countries, including Zambia, to implement malaria policies and strategies aimed at reducing case incidence, the region faces significant hurdles, especially with emerging pandemics such as COVID-19. The efforts to control malaria were impacted by the constraints imposed to curb its transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria cases in Zambia and the factors associated by comparing the COVID-19 period and the pre-COVID-19 era.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional panel study in which routinely collected programmatic data on malaria was used. The data were extracted from the Health Management Information System (HMIS) for the period January 2018 to January 2022. The period 2018 to 2022 was selected purely due to the availability of data and to avoid the problem of extrapolating too far away from the period of interest of the study. A summary of descriptive statistics was performed in which the number of cases were stratified by province, age group, and malaria cases. The association of these variables with the COVID-19 era was checked using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Kruskal‒Wallis test as applicable. In establishing the factors associated with the number of malaria cases, a mixed-effect multilevel model using the Poisson random intercept and random slope of the COVID-19 panel. The model was employed to deal with the possible correlation of the number of cases in the non-COVID-19 panel and the expected correlation of the number of cases in the COVID-19 panel.

Results
A total of 18,216 records were extracted from HMIS from January 2018 to January 2022. Stratifying this by the COVID-19 period/era, it was established that 8,852 malaria cases were recorded in the non-COVID-19 period, whereas 9,364 cases were recorded in the COVID-19 era. Most of the people with malaria were above the age of 15 years. Furthermore, the study found a significant increase in the relative incidence of the COVID-19 panel period compared to the non-COVID-19 panel period of 1.32, 95% CI (1.18, 1.48, p < 0.0001). The observed numbers, as well as the incident rate ratio, align with the hypothesis of this study, indicating an elevated incidence rate ratio of malaria during the COVID-19 period.

Conclusion
This study found that there was an increase in confirmed malaria cases during the COVID-19 period compared to the non-COVID-19 period. The study also found Age, Province, and COVID-19 period to be significantly associated with malaria cases.
Ethnobotany of traditional cosmetics among the Oromo women in Madda Walabu District, Bale Zone, Southeastern Ethiopia
Authors: Sultan Siraj , Telila Habte , Kumsa Lemessa 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTraditional cosmetics play a significant role in the cultural practices and personal hygiene of many ethnic groups worldwide. The Oromo, an indigenous community in Ethiopia, has a rich history of utilizing local plants for cosmetic purposes. However, the use of plants as traditional cosmetics has only been poorly investigated as more emphasis was given to traditional medicines. The study thus aimed to identify and document plant species, and parts used in traditional cosmetics and associated knowledge, and practices among Oromo women in the Madda Walabu district, Southeastern Ethiopia. A total of 150 Oromo women were interviewed to gather ethnobotanical information including the plant species used for cosmetics, their preparation methods, and their applications. Ethnobotanical indices were computed to determine the most important species used by the women. A total of 48 plant species belonging to 31 families used as sources of traditional cosmetics were recorded. Most of these plants were trees. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part in traditional cosmetics, and maceration and decoction were the most common preparation methods applied to prepare traditional cosmetics. Topical application of traditional cosmetics was the most common, while oral infusions were rarely reported type of administration. All categories had high informant consensus factor (ICF) values, ranging from 0.80 to 0.98. The highest ICF value was found for skin treatment, followed by the hair, and face mask. Overall, Commiphora habessinica, Gnidia stenophylla, Kalanchoe lanceolata, Mimusops kummel, Sesamothamnus rivae, Terminalia brownii, T. laxiflora, Acacia drepanolobium, A. mellifera, and Aloe citrina were the most frequently cited and culturally important plants by Oromo women for traditional cosmetics in the area. The study highlights the importance of local plant resources for maintaining cultural practices and personal hygiene. However, the cultural heritage associated with traditional cosmetics is facing threats from various factors. Therefore, a continuous effort to document and disseminate knowledge about traditional cosmetics practices to ensure their preservation and transmission and awakening younger generations about the importance of traditional cosmetics and their role in cultural heritage is crucial.
Variation in traditional knowledge of culturally important macromycete species among three indigenous communities of Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: López-García Alexanders , Gómez-Hernández Marko , Gándara Etelvina 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
For centuries, wild mushrooms have been a forest resource of significant cultural value in several ethnic groups worldwide. In Mexico, extensive traditional knowledge on the use of fungal resources has been developed and deeply rooted. Mexico is the second country in the world in which the most species of wild mushroom are consumed, and it is considered a pioneer in ethnomycology. Nonetheless, there are still many indigenous groups in this country that have not been studied from an ethnomycological approach. The present study aimed to record the traditional knowledge on wild mushrooms in three indigenous groups of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, and assess the variation in this knowledge within and across the studied groups.

Methods
The data were recorded from April to October 2022 within three communities belonging to the indigenous groups Chatino, Chontal, and Chinanteco. Through 84 interviews, information related to their knowledge of wild mushrooms was obtained. The cultural significance index of wild edible mushrooms was calculated for each community. Regression analyses, analysis of variance and covariance, t test, and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis were performed to assess the distribution of traditional knowledge in the communities.

Results
A total of 32 culturally important mushroom species were recorded for the three indigenous groups (30 edible, 2 medicinal); 23 used by Chatinos, 16 by Chontales, and 6 by Chinantecos. Only Chatinos and Chinantecos use wild mushrooms in medicine. The cultural significance of wild edible mushrooms differed among groups. Traditional knowledge about wild mushrooms declines when the level of schooling increases and age decreases, especially in the Chatino group. This knowledge distributes more homogeneously in the Chontal and Chinanteco groups. Their age determines the difference in knowledge between men and women.

Conclusion
Documenting how traditional knowledge differs among ethnic groups is relevant for preserving cultural and biological diversity. Factors such as level of schooling and age can affect traditional knowledge of wild mushrooms, but the effects of these factors vary within and across communities. Conducting studies encompassing a broader range of variables is of interest for a better understanding of the human–mushroom relationship.