bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of symptomatic, subclinical, and asymptomatic dengue cases using cluster sampling around index cases in 2022 and 2023 in the Central Region, Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouédraogo Jean Claude Romaric Pingdwindé , Ilboudo Sylvain , Bado Prosper , Compaoré Tegwindé Rebeca , Tougma Alix , Nitiéma Mathieu , Zouré Abdou Azaque , Belemnaba Lazare , Ouédraogo Sylvin , Savadogo Léon Gueswendé Blaise 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
In 2023, Burkina Faso experienced the largest dengue epidemic ever in Africa. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of symptomatic, subclinical, and asymptomatic dengue and determine the factors associated with asymptomatic dengue among adult contacts of dengue in the Central Region, Burkina Faso.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included contacts of probable dengue cases through cluster sampling in 2022–2023. Probable cases were identified from the 5 health facilities (Pissy CMA, Saaba CM, Kossodo CMA, Samandin CM, and Marcoussis CSPS) that reported the highest number of cases in 2021 per district. All participants underwent dengue (WONDFO Dengue NS1/IgG/IgM kit) and malaria rapid diagnostic tests (SD Bioline Malaria Ag P.f kit & Standards Q Malaria P.f Ag kit). Samples positive for AgNS1 and/or IgM were tested for serotype detection by Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (kit amplification Sacace Biotechnologies, Italy).
Results
484 contacts were included, mostly in 2023 (309; 75.18%). Most participants were females (58.64%), mainly residing (24.33%) and passing their daytime (23.11%) in Saaba. The overall burden of dengue was estimated at 15.08% (95% CI:12.01%-18.59). Asymptomatic cases represented 02.89% (95% CI: 01.59%-04.81%), mostly positive to IgM and IgM + IgG. Subclinical and symptomatic cases accounted for 05.99% (95% CI: 04.05%-08.49%) and 06.20% (95% CI: 04.22%- 08.73%), respectively. Of the 58 samples tested by RT-PCR, 3 subclinical and 7 symptomatic cases were positive for dengue virus serotype 3 in 2023. Malaria cases were estimated at 05.58 (95% CI: 03.71%-08.01%). After adjustment, no sociodemographic and environmental factors were associated with asymptomatic dengue. Participants claiming that a virus transmits dengue were likelier to have asymptomatic dengue (ORa = 5.37 95% CI: 1.37–20.98).
Conclusions
The overall burden of dengue among populations not seeking care in hospitals was quite high, with few asymptomatic cases. Efforts to manage dengue cases should also target non-hospital cases and raise population awareness. The 2023 epidemic could be due to DENV-3.
Factors Associated with Malaria Prevalence Among Lira University Students at Lira University Hospital, 2022. A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ashaba Nasser , Kigongo Eustes , Atai Janet Mary , Layet Florence , Amito Freda , Akello Anne Ruth , Musinguzi Marvin , Opollo Marc Sam 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Malaria is a leading cause of death and disease in many developing countries. Lira district remains an endemic area for malaria in Uganda, East Africa, greatly impacting and affecting the lives of many individuals who live and travel to the place.
Objective
The study investigated the factors associated with Malaria prevalence among Lira University students.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was used involving 340 participants between March and April 2023. Quantitative data was obtained from 324 participants through a systematic random sampling technique using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 26 at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels. Chi-square tests were used for bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Qualitative data was collected from 16 participants using a Key Informant interview guide and data was analyzed manually through thematic content analysis of major themes that emerged from the participants’ responses.
Results
The prevalence of malaria among the students was 13.3% (95% CI = 9.6–16.99). The major factors that were associated with the malaria prevalence were staying around bushy areas (p-value = 0.035) and use of mosquito nets (p-value = 0.028).
Conclusion
The prevalence of malaria among Lira University students was 13.3%. Factors associated with the prevalence of malaria were staying around busy areas and use of mosquito nets. Interventions such as increasing awareness about malaria prevention and encouraging slashing bushes around hostels should be done.
Impaired Cortico-Thalamo-Cerebellar Integration Across Schizophrenia, Bipolar II, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Patients Suggests Potential Neural Signatures for Psychiatric Illness
Authors: Hudgins Stacy N. , Curtin Adrian , Tracy Joseph , Ayaz Hasan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Understanding aberrant functional changes between brain regions has shown promise for characterizing and differentiating the symptoms associated with progressive psychiatric disorders. The functional integration between the thalamus and cerebellum significantly influences learning and memory in cognition. Observed in schizophrenic patients, dysfunction within the corticalthalamocerebellar (CTC) circuitry is linked to challenges in prioritizing, processing, coordinating, and responding to information. This study explored whether abnormal CTC functional network connectivity patterns are present across schizophrenia (SCHZ) patients, bipolar II disorder (BIPOL) patients, and ADHD patients by examining both task- and task-free conditions compared to healthy volunteers (HC). Leveraging fMRI data from 135 participants (39 HC, 27 SCHZ patients, 38 BIPOL patients, and 31 ADHD patients), we analyzed functional network connectivity (FNC) patterns across 115 cortical, thalamic, subcortical, and cerebellar regions of interest (ROIs). Guiding our investigation: First, do the brain regions of the CTC circuit exhibit distinct abnormal patterns at rest in SCHZ, ADHD, and BIPOL? Second, do working memory tasks in these patients engage common regions of the circuit in similar or unique patterns? Consistent with previous findings, our observations revealed FNC patterns constrained in the cerebellar, thalamic, striatal, hippocampal, medial prefrontal and insular cortices across all three psychiatric cohorts when compared to controls in both task and task-free conditions. Post hoc analysis suggested a predominance in schizophrenia and ADHD patients during rest, while the task condition demonstrated effects across all three disorders. Factor-by-covariance GLM MANOVA further specified regions associated with clinical symptoms and trait assessments. Our study provides evidence suggesting that dysfunctional CTC circuitry in both task-free and task-free conditions may be an important broader neural signature of psychiatric illness.
Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting sepsis-induced coagulopathy in septic patients: mixed retrospective and prospective cohort study
Authors: Li Yuting , Zhang Liying , Wang Youquan , Gao Meng , Zhang Chaoyang , Zhang Yuhan , Zhang Dong 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background: Sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) is a common cause of poor prognosis in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, currently there are no tools specifically designed for predicting the occurrence of SIC in septic patients. This study aimed to develop a predictive nomogram incorporating clinical markers and scoring systems to individually predict the probability of SIC in septic patients.
Methods: Patients consecutively recruited in the stage between January 2022 and April 2023 constituted the development cohort for retrospective analysis to internally test the nomogram, and patients in the stage between May 2023 to November 2023 constituted the validation cohort for prospective analysis to external validate the nomogram. Firstly, multivariate logistic regression analysis of the development cohort was performed using backward stepwise method to determine the best fitting model and obtain the nomogram from it. The nomogram was validated in an independent external validation cohort, involving discrimination and calibration. A decision curve analysis was also performed to evaluate the net benefit of the insertion decision with this nomogram.
Results: A total of 548 and 245 patients, 55.1% and 49.4% with SIC occurrence, were included in the development and validation cohort, respectively. Predictors contained in the prediction nomogram included shock, platelets and international normalized ratio (INR). Patients with shock (OR, 4.499; 95% CI, 2.730-7.414; P < 0.001) , higher INR (OR, 349.384; 95% CI, 62.337-1958.221; P < 0.001) and lower platelet (OR, 0.985; 95% CI, 0.982-0.988; P < 0.001) had higher probabilities of SIC. The development model showed good discrimination, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.879（95%CI, 0.850-0.908）and good calibration. Application of the nomogram in the validation cohort also gave good discrimination with an AUROC of 0.872（95%CI,0.826-0.917）and good calibration. The decision curve analysis of the nomogram provided better net benefit than the alternate options (intervention or no intervention).
Conclusions: By incorporating shock, platelets and INR in the model, this useful nomogram could be accessibly utilized to predict SIC occurrence in septic patients. However, external validation is still required for further generalizability improvement of this nomogram.
Hybridizing mechanistic mathematical modeling with deep learning methods to predict individual cancer patient survival after immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy
Authors: Butner Joseph , Dogra Prashant , Chung Caroline , Koay Eugene , Welsh James , Hong David , Cristini Vittorio , Wang Zhihui 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

We present a study where predictive mechanistic modeling is used in combination with deep learning methods to predict individual patient survival probabilities under immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. This hybrid approach enables prediction based on both measures that are calculable from mechanistic models (but may not be directly measurable in the clinic) and easily measurable quantities or characteristics (that are not always readily incorporated into predictive mechanistic models). The mechanistic model we have applied here can predict tumor response from CT or MRI imaging based on key mechanisms underlying checkpoint inhibitor therapy, and in the present work, its parameters were combined with readily-available clinical measures from 93 patients into a hybrid training set for a deep learning time-to-event predictive model. Analysis revealed that training an artificial neural network with both mechanistic modeling-derived and clinical measures achieved higher per-patient predictive accuracy based on event-time concordance, Brier score, and negative binomial log-likelihood-based criteria than when only mechanistic model-derived values or only clinical data were used. Feature importance analysis revealed that both clinical and model-derived parameters play prominent roles in neural network decision making, and in increasing prediction accuracy, further supporting the advantage of our hybrid approach. We anticipate that many existing mechanistic models may be hybridized with deep learning methods in a similar manner to improve predictive accuracy through addition of additional data that may not be readily implemented in mechanistic descriptions.
Progression of early kidney injury in youth with type 2 diabetes: a follow-up analysis from the iCARE Cohort
Authors: Liu Anna , Sellers Elizabeth , McGavock Jon , Vecchio Melissa Del , Goguen Stephanie , Wicklow Brandy , Dart Allison 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have high rates of albuminuria and mental health comorbidities. This study’s objective was to describe changes in albuminuria and estimated-GFR over 2 years and determine whether better baseline mental health is associated with decreased progression of albuminuria.
Methods
The iCARE (improving renal Complications in Adolescents with type 2 diabetes through REsearch) study is a prospective cohort study of youth living with T2D. The main outcomes were urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimated-GFR measured at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Mediators of interest were measures of mental health assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), Resilience Scale for Children and Adolescents, and Child and Youth Resilience Measure.
Results
There were 188 youth with T2D included; 68.1% were female, mean age was 14.2 years (SD 2.2), median HbA1C was 8.9%, and median duration of diabetes was 1.69 years (IQR 0.84–3.08). At baseline, 17.2% had significant psychological distress (K6 ≥13) and 54.6% significant perceived stress scores (≥27 on PSS-14). There were 27.1% with albuminuria (ACR ≥ 3mg/mmol) at baseline and 31.9% at 2-year follow-up. At 2-years, 59% had normal ACR, 10% regressed, 15% persisted, and 17% progressed. Median estimated-GFR was 143.2 mL/min/1.73m2 (IQR 131.4-156.8) at baseline (N = 186) and 142.4 mL/min/1.73m2 (IQR 128.2-155.3) at 2-year follow-up (N = 175). Measures of mental health scores were not associated with changes in albuminuria.
Conclusions
High rates of albuminuria, stress and distress were observed at baseline and 2-year follow-up in youth with T2D. While mental health was not significantly associated with albuminuria, further research is required to explore impacts of mental health in youth with T2D.
The effect of propranolol on gastrointestinal motility and permeability in patients with cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension
Authors: Xirouchakis Elias , Kranidioti Hariklia , Hadziyanni Emilia , Kourikou Anastasia , Reppas Christos , Vertzoni Maria , Papadopoulos Nikolaos , Deutsch Maria , Papatheodoridis George , Manolakopoulos Spilios 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension may have alterations in intestinal barrier resulting in increased susceptibility for infections. We investigated the effect of propranolol in gastrointestinal motility, permeability and bacterial overgrowth in cirrhosis.
Methods
Patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices were studied before and after a build-up dose of propranolol according to standard guidelines. Serum TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1b, LPS and bacterial DNA were measured before and during propranolol therapy. Oro-caecal transit time (OCTT) and bacterial overgrowth (BO) have been evaluated with H2 breath testing. Intestinal paracellular (IP), cellular passive non-carrier (ICNC), cellular passive carrier-mediated (ICCM), and gastric permeability (GP) were evaluated by measurement of lactulose, mannitol, D-xylose and sucrose respectively in urine, with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Results
35 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension with median age was 59.6 years (range 42–86) were included in the study. Twenty one had viral hepatitis and 25 were classified as having advanced liver disease (Child-Pugh B: 14 or C: 11). Median dose of administrated propranolol was 40 mg/day. After 7 days propranolol treatment BO was resolved in 15 out of 16 patients (93.7%, p = 0.0001) and OCTT was reduced significantly from 180 min to 139 min (SD 58.5, difference − 4 1 min, p = 0.0001). Serum IL-6 levels were reduced in 21/35 (60%) patients from 41.1 to 19 pg/ml (p = 0.01), TNF-a in 10/35 (28.5%) patients from 10.7 to 5.6 pg/ml (p = 0.007) and LPS in 20/35 (57%) from 7.1 to 5.2 mg/L (p = 0.1). No bacterial DNA was detected in serum of all patients either baseline or under propranolol treatment. IP was significantly reduced (0.2 to 0.16, p = 0.04) whereas ICNC (p = 0.9), ICCM (p = 0.4) and GP (p = 0.7) were not affected significantly. Intestinal Permeability (PI) index (Lactulose to Mannitol ratio) was significantly reduced (0.027 to 0.02, p = 0.03).
Conclusion
In patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, propranolol use is associated with reduction in BO, increase in intestinal motility and amelioration in intestinal permeability. Moreover IL-6 and LPS levels are being decreased in the majority of patients under propranolol.
Analyzing Aging Impact on SatelliteCommunication Availability
Authors: Bermudez Esau , Maciel Paulo 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Availability and maintainability of a satellite are relevant during scheduledand unscheduled maintenance outages. These maintenance tasks are importantduring the life of the satellite in orbit due to the hostile environment to whichthey will be subjected. Maintainability and availability strategies exist to ensuregreater reliability, achieve a minimum number of failures, and increase the meantime between failures. This article compares the availability model provided byNAVSTAR without aging with a new proposed SPN model with aging that showsan increase in satellite availability. To achieve the results obtained in the proposedSPN model, the variables of the scheduled and unscheduled outages of satellitemaintenance are used, injecting them into the proposed model.
Enhancing Seismic Performance of RC Buildings: A Reliability-Based Approach to Shear Wall Positioning
Authors: Khand Parash , Poudel Amit 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

This study addresses the significant threat posed by earthquakes, emphasizing the importance of selecting earthquake-resistant structural systems to mitigate property damage and loss of life. Shear walls, ubiquitous in construction, play a critical role in fortifying concrete structures against lateral forces, enhancing structural rigidity, and optimizing space utilization. Reinforced concrete (RC) walls, valued for their strength and stiffness, are preferred for tall buildings and elevator shafts, with their strategic placement and quantity influencing structural integrity, operational efficiency, and project costs. Recognizing the pivotal role of soil-structure interaction (SSI) in governing structural flexibility, this study advocates for a reliability-based optimization (RBO) framework for positioning shear walls, systematically addressing uncertainties, implementing risk mitigation strategies, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Leveraging advanced reliability analysis techniques and optimization methodologies, our research aims to identify the most effective shear wall locations considering both serviceability and strength criteria while accounting for SSI effects. By integrating these considerations, our proposed approach attempts to enhance structural reliability and augment seismic performance, contributing to the resilience of built environments in earthquake-prone regions.
Efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on psychological rehabilitation in cancer patients treated with proton and heavy ion therapy:a non-randomized controlled trial
Authors: Qin Fei , Zhu Yu , Wang Shuman , Zhang Lijuan , 王 子迎 , Wan Hongwei 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objective To develop an appropriate intervention utilizing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) tailored specifically for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, and to investigate its impact on hope, psychological resilience, psychological flexibility, and psychological distress among cancer patients receiving proton and heavy ion therapy.
Methods 80 participants were allocated into either an intervention group (n=40) or a control group (n=40) based on their admission time. Both the control and intervention groups underwent a 3-week health education program, with the intervention group additionally participating in a 3-week, 6-session acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) group psychological intervention. Discrepancies in hope levels, psychological resilience, psychological flexibility, and psychological distress between the two groups were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up using linear mixed-effects analysis (LMM).
Results LMM analyses revealed that at the end of the intervention, scores for Hope and Psychological Resilience were higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.025, P=0.003 respectively), while scores for Psychological Flexibility were lower in the control group (P=0.001). Furthermore, at the 3-month follow-up, HHI scores remained higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.025), while scores for Psychological Flexibility and Psychological Distress were lower in the intervention group (P=0.001, P=0.001 respectively). These differences persisted even after adjusting for baseline values.
Conclusion A psychological intervention program based on the ACT model of treatment helps to promote psychological recovery in cancer patients with radiotherapy. Evidence is provided for the effectiveness of positive clinical psychological interventions.
Trial registration: ChiCTR2300068349
A CT-based radiomics nomogram for the preoperative prediction of perineural invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Deng Yan , Yu Haopeng , Duan Xiuping , Liu Li , Huang Zixing , Song Bin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Preoperative evaluation perineural invasion (PNI) affects the treatment and prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study aims to develop a nomogram based on a CT radiomics nomogram for the preoperative prediction of PNI in PDAC patients.
Methods
A total of 217 patients with histologically confirmed PDAC were enrolled in this retrospective study. Radiomics features were extracted from the whole tumor. Univariate analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression were applied for feature selection and radiomics model construction. Finally, a nomogram combining the radiomics score (Rad-score) and clinical characteristics was established. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, calibration curve analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the radiomics nomogram.
Results
According to multivariate analysis, CT features, including the evaluation of radiologists regarding PNI status based on CECT (CTPNI) (OR = 0.315 [95% CI: 0.131, 0.761], P = 0.01), the lymph node status determined on CECT (CTLN) (OR = 0.169 [95% CI: 0.059, 0.479], P = 0.001) and the Rad-score (OR = 3.666 [95% CI: 2.069, 6.494], P < 0.001), were significantly associated with PNI. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the nomogram combined with the Rad-score, CTLN and CTPNI achieved favorable discrimination of PNI status, with AUCs of 0.846 and 0.778 in the training and testing cohorts, respectively, which were superior to those of the Rad-score (AUC of 0.720 in the training cohort and 0.640 in the testing cohort) and CTPNI (AUC of 0.610 in the training cohort and 0.675 in the testing cohort). The calibration plot and decision curve showed good results.
Conclusion
The CT-based radiomics nomogram has the potential to accurately predict PNI in patients with PDAC.