bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liquid Biopsy in Lung Cancer: Nano-Flow Cytometry Detection of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Blood
Authors: Zhang Andong , Gao Qiqi , Tian Chen , Chen Wentao , Pan Catherine , Wang Ling , Huang Jie , Zhang Jing 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of global mortality, with current screening and diagnostic methods often lacking in sensitivity and specificity. In our endeavor to develop precise, objective, and easily accessible diagnostic biomarkers for NSCLC, this study aimed to leverage rapidly evolving liquid biopsy techniques to differentiate NSCLC patients from healthy controls by isolating peripheral blood samples and enriching extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing lung-derived proteins (TTF-1 and SFTPB), along with the cancer-associated protein CD151+EVs. Additionally, we established a nano-flow cytometry assay for plasma EVs detection. NSCLC patients demonstrated significantly reduced counts of TTF-1+ EVs and CD151+ EVs in plasma compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001), while SFTPB + EVs showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). However, integrated analysis of TTF-1+, CD151+, and SFTPB+ EVs yielded area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.917 and 0.845 in the discovery and validation cohorts, respectively. Thus, while further validation is essential, the advanced technologies mentioned above are of great significance for the detection of NSCLC biomarkers.
Characteristics and triage in elderly calling a semi-acute medical helpline in Denmark: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Johansen Sandra Mandrup , Folke Fredrik , Hindhede Anette Lykke , Hasselbalch Rasmus Bo , Iversen Kasper , Møller Tom 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Objectives
To investigate baseline characteristics associated with elderly calling the medical helpline Medical Helpline 1813 (MH1813) in Denmark and how these baseline characteristics were associated with triage outcomes in a subset population of patients with high degree of worry (DOW).
Setting:
In the Capital Region of Denmark people with acute, non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries are triaged through a single-tier MH1813 for acute healthcare services.
Participants:
Participants were gathered from a prospective cohort established between 24 January and 9 February 2017 who called the MH1813. Out of 11,413 citizens, 1525 (13.3%) were elderly (≥ 65 years). Callers' identification, age, sex, and contact with general practitioner (GP) prior to MH1813-call were collected from the medical helpline's electronic records. Data were enriched using the callers' self-rated health, self-evaluated degree of worry, and registry data on comorbidities.
Results
Forty-two percent of call issues were terminated without any further action. Among 882 triaged to a hospital face-to-face consultation, n = 315 (36%) were admitted and 2/3 discharged directly from the emergency department. More than one third of the most worried elderly callers have had a contact with their GP prior to the MH1813 call. A high versus low level of Charlson Comorbidity Index tended to increase admission rate. Seven-hundred-forty-nine (49%) were self-callers and high DOW (crude and adjusted) was significantly associated to a higher triage outcome of admission in both the total population and the patient self-caller population. Adjusted self-rated health was not significantly associated with admission within the subset group of elderly self-callers with DOW 4–5 (n = 364). Men did more often than woman attend a face-to-face consultation (46% vs. 37%) and subsequent admission (23% vs. 18%).
Conclusion
This study suggests that the aggravation of acute-chronic illnesses among older citizens may lead to acute hospitalization, and inadvertently perpetuating the risk of re-transitions of elderly in the healthcare system.
Opposite Changes Caused by Human Activities in the Occurrence of High Health-Risk Compound Hot-Dry and Hot-Wet Events in China
Authors: Zhao Liang , Yao Haoxin , He Yiling , Dong Wei , shen xinyong , Wang Jingsong , Hu Yamin , Ling Jian , Xiao Zi-niu , Huang Cunrui 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Compared to a single high-temperature anomaly, compound heat anomalies associated with humidity, such as Compound Hot-Dry Events (CHDEs) and Hot-Wet Events (CHWEs), pose a greater threat to human health. However, it is still unclear how human activities and natural forcings affect the likelihood of these health-related compound heat events. Here we utilize ambulance dispatch data along with meteorological data to study the human activities impact on high health-risk CHDEs and CHWEs in China. We show that relying solely on temperature standards without considering humidity may underestimate the health risks of compound heat events on populations. We find that during the past 40 years, anthropogenic activities in China have increased and decreased the occurrence of high health-risk CHDEs and CHWEs to 2.34 and 0.63 times from 1979 to 2014, respectively, particularly in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River region, compared to natural forcing. And in the future, the opposing contribution of anthropogenic activities will be likely to persist under different shared socioeconomic pathways. We also speculate that, in the future up to 2060, under the carbon-neutral scenario, the frequencies of high health-risk CHDEs and CHWEs caused by human activities can be reduced by one-half and over one-fifth, respectively, compared to the high-emissions scenario (SSP-5.85). Our results provide initial guidance to recognize and asses the health risk of compound events under anthropogenic global warming.
The Prognosis for Delayed Immune Recovery in HIV-Infected Children might be Associated with Pre-cART CD4 + T cell Count Irrespective of Co-Infection with Tuberculosis
Authors: Ogunshola Funsho , Khan Ruhul , Ghebremichael Musie 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: Immune reconstitution following the initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) significantly impacts the prognosis of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Our previous studies have indicated that the baseline CD4+ T cells count and percentage before cART initiation are predictors of immune recovery in TB-negative children infected with HIV, with TB co-infection potentially causing a delay in immune recovery. However, it remains unclear whether these predictors consistently impact immune reconstitution during long-term intensive cART treatment in TB-negative/positive children infected with HIV.
Results: We confirmed that the baseline CD4+ T cell count is a significant predictor of immune recovery following long-term intensive cART treatment among children aged 5 to 18 years. Children with lower CD4+ T cell count prior cART initiation did not show substantial immunological recovery during the follow-up period. Interestingly, children who were co-infected with TB and had higher baseline CD4+ T cell count eventually achieved good immunological recovery comparable to the TB-negative HIV-infected children. Hence, the baseline CD4+ T cell count at the onset of treatment serves as a reliable predictor of immunological reconstitution in HIV-infected children with or without TB co-infection. Taken together, this follow-up study validates our previous findings and further establishes that initiating cART early alongside early HIV testing can help prevent the diminished CD4+ T cell count associated with inadequate immunological reconstitution.
“I’m scared of the nurses telling other people I am a transwoman”: Disclosure and nondisclosure of gender identity among trans women in Ghana’s urban slums– BSGH010
Authors: Shamrock Osman Wumpini , Dakpui Henry Delali , Agbemedu George Rudolph Kofi , Boyd Donte T , Islam Kharul , Mashoud Ibrahim Wunpini , Zigah Edem Yaw , Ababio Michael Nti , Charles Nukunu , Guure Chris , Nelson LaRon E. , Abu-Ba’are Gamji Rabiu 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background: Trans women in Ghana and SSA face dilemmas regarding the disclosureof their gender identities due to potential discrimination they may face during visits to health facilities. This study investigates the experiences of trans women living in urban slums in Ghana and explores factors influencing their decisions to disclose or withhold their gender identities while seeking healthcare.
Design: We used purposive and snowball sampling techniques to recruit 20 trans women from slums in Ghana’s Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and conducted in-depth qualitative interviews to gather data. Data was analyzed using Nvivo and coded to arrive at our results.
Results: Our study revealed four reasons why trans women concealed their gender identities when seeking healthcare: (a) Gossiping among healthcare professionals, (b) Rude and unwelcoming gestures from health workers, (c) Avoidance of probing questions from health workers, and (d) Delayed treatment and unsatisfactory services by health professionals. The study also found two reasons for trans women to disclose their gender identity while seeking healthcare: (a) LGBTQ-friendly facilities as a reason for disclosure and (b) Intrusive questioning.
Conclusion: These findings contribute to the experiences of trans women living in deprived communities such as urban slums, contributing to the existing literature on challenges associated with the disclosure and nondisclosure of gender identity when accessing healthcare in these communities. Additionally, our results underscore the urgent need for reevaluating health policies and implementing targeted training and practices for healthcare professionals dealing with trans women in Ghana.
A novel fluorescent probe for nitroreductase detection and imaging of cancer cells under hypoxia conditions
Authors: Sun Tong , Wu Lei , Cui Mengyuan , Zhao Guisen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Nitroreductase (NTR) is to be pivotal in the biodegradation of nitroaromatics. NTR is produced in tumor tissues under hypoxic conditions, which is one of the markers for early tumor diagnosis. In this study, a novel probe FD-NTR was developed for NTR detection. Probe FD-NTR can exhibit a specific reaction with NTR in the presence of NADH. The probe displayed satisfactory selectivity and sensitivity towards NTR, with a calculated limit of detection of 12 ng/mL. Under the conditions of low cytotoxic hypoxia, the FD-NTR probe has shown successful application in imaging both MCF-7 cells and tumor tissues, which indicated that the FD-NTR probe holds promising application prospects for detecting NTR in tumors.
Fractal evolution characteristics of fracture meso-damage in uniaxial compression rock masses using bonded block model
Authors: Lan Ming , He Yan , Wang Chunlong , Liu Xingquan , Ren Guoqing , Zhang Shuwen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In the realm of underground mining engineering, an investigation into the failure mode of deep fractured rock masses and their corresponding acoustic emission signal characteristics is conducted via uniaxial compression tests. Subsequently, a fractal damage renormalization group mechanical model is formulated to elucidate the behavior of such fractured rock masses. Employing the BBM numerical simulation method, the fracture process of synthetic rock samples is analyzed, thereby confirming the efficacy of the aforementioned mechanical model. The numerical simulations underscore that the expansion of fractures fundamentally underpins the deterioration of rock mass strength. A decrease in peak load correlates with an increase in fracture fractal dimension, resulting in a 14.2% reduction in compressive strength alongside an approximate 8.7% rise in average fracture fractal dimension. Comparison between tetrahedral and Voronoi block synthetic rock samples reveals the former's superior aptitude in depicting the fracture behavior of fractured rock masses, particularly in terms of simulating acoustic emission characteristics and failure modes. Moreover, the variation in fracture fractal dimension with the hole defect's position is observed, with its maximum value aligning with the vertical hole defect axis. This observation underscores the potential utility of visually monitoring deep rock fracture dynamics as a foundational element for quantitatively evaluating fracture damage and strength degradation in deep rock formations.
The combined effects of electrolyte addition and mechanical shearing on cellulose nanocrystal alignment
Authors: Ghosh Ananya , Amita Sadat Kamal , Davis Virginia , Jiang Zhihua 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

This research investigated the combined effects of electrolyte addition and mechanical shearing on the alignment, optical properties, and rheological characteristics of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) films. Changes in aqueous CNC gels’ rheological properties due to electrolyte addition were correlated to the properties of the dried films. The alignment in dried CNC films was measured using the order parameter computed by UV-Vis transmission spectroscopy and qualitatively through cross-polarized optical microscopy. In the absence of electrolytes, a single stroke of mechanical shearing at a shear rate of 100 s-1 is insufficient to significantly align CNC in CNC gel. However, the addition of electrolytes improves the alignment of CNC, resulting in an increase of order parameters, such as from 0.31 to 0.88 for NaCl addition, even at a lower shear rate of 20s-1. This work shows the addition of electrolytes combined with mechanical shearing is a more effective approach to tuning CNC alignment to produce transparent and less hazy CNC films from CNC gel.
Causal inference study on the influence of anemia indicators on the incidence of allergic rhinitis: two- sample Mendelian randomization
Authors: Chen YanNi , ChenFei Song , HaiDong Yu , Tao Liu , XinMin Han 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Anemia and allergic rhinitis (AR) are prevalent clinical conditions in children. Previous studies have suggested an association between anemia and AR. Using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, we investigated causality with regard to the influence of anemia indicators on the incidence of AR. We searched the IEU OpenGWAS database for summary information on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of anemia and AR in European populations. Three methods, MR-Egger, weighted median (WM), and inverse variance weighted (IVW), were utilized to evaluate the causal link between SLE and thyroid disease. We assessed pleiotropy and heterogeneity using MR-Egger intercept, MR-PRESSO, and Cochran’s Q test, among others. The IVW model revealed a significant causal association between anemia and AR. As the severity of anemia increased (OR = 1.02, p < 0.05), the risk of AR also increased. Moderate heterogeneity was observed (Cochran’s Q p-value < 0.05; 25% > I2 > 50%) among significant anemia-associated indicators in the MR results of AR (IVW). The MR-Egger regression was used to assess the horizontal pleiotropy of the instrumental variables. The statistical hypothesis test P-values of the intercept terms of each index exceeded 0.05, and the intercept was close to zero, indicating that the causal inference in this study was unaffected by horizontal pleiotropy. The MR analysis results support a potential causal link between anemia and AR, suggesting that anemia is a risk factor for AR. These insights could contribute towards raising awareness regarding the pathogenesis of AR and aid the formulation of strategies for its prevention, treatment, and prognosis.
Comparative Evaluation of Closed Versus Open Reduction Techniques in Straddle Fractures: A Retrospective Analysis of 69 Patients
Authors: Yu Yi-Hsun , Lai Chih-Yang , Chen I-Jung , Hsu Yung-Heng , Chou Ying-Chao 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Osteosynthesis techniques for addressing straddle fractures include closed reduction and fixation (CRF) and open reduction and fixation (ORF). Although CRF offers the advantage of being a minimally invasive surgery, ORF ensures precise reduction and secure fixation. The optimal surgical approach, whether employing CRF or ORF, to achieve superior osteosynthesis outcomes remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare the perioperative characteristics of the two methods and identify an optimal treatment approach tailored to each clinical indication.
Methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with pelvic ring injuries at a single trauma center admitted between 2016 and 2021. Among this cohort, 69 patients with straddle fractures, with or without posterior pelvic ring injuries, were identified. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the treatment protocol: the CRF and ORF groups. Preoperative conditions, intraoperative features, and radiological outcomes were systematically compared and analyzed.
Results
A total of 69 patients with 138 superior pubic rami fractures underwent surgical treatment using either closed (57 superior pubic rami) or open (81 superior pubic rami) methods. Application of CRF significantly prevented fractures in Nakatani zone I (P = 0.003). ORF was employed for segmental fractures of the pubic ramus (P = 0.03) and fractures with greater displacement in the axial plane (P = 0.03). Additionally, ORF resulted in a more symmetric pelvic reduction according to the Lefaivre criteria (P = 0.003).
Conclusion
Both CRF and ORF demonstrated the ability to achieve satisfactory radiological outcomes in straddle fractures. The use of an established treatment protocol can assist surgeons in making informed decisions regarding the optimal treatment approach.
Level of Evidence
Therapeutic III
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Helminthes, the Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Its Associated Risk Factors in Mekaneselam Town, South Wollo, Ethiopia
Authors: Wondimagegn Moges Kibret , Hailu Lulit Tegegne 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Intestinal parasitic (IP) infections caused by helminthes are among the most significant public health concerns that mainly affect deprived people in Sub-Sahara African countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic helminthes among patients attending Mekaneselam hospital.
Method
In this cross-sectional study stool specimens were collected and examined microscopically to detect intestinal helminthes using direct wet-mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was employed to obtain information regarding the socio-demographic characteristics and associated risk factors. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Result
The overall prevalence of the parasitic helminthes was 12.6% in Mekaneselam town. Seven intestinal helminthe species namely Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%), Trichuris trichiura (2.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.7%), hookworm species (1.2%), Hymenolepsis nana (1.0%), Schistosoma mansoni (0.2%) and Tania species with a prevalence rate of (0.2%) were identified. Significant positive associations observed between intestinal helminthes infection and the socio-demographic characteristics including marital status (χ2 = 7.97, p = 0.047), educational level (χ2 = 9.34, p = 0.025) and residence (χ2 = 3.90, p = 0.048). The odds of being infected with IP helminthes in those divorced patients were three times more than those who were married (AOR = 3.21, CI = 1.15–8.96, p = 0.03). Regarding the education level, illiterate were four times (AOR = 2.61, CI = 1.24–5.49, p = 0.011) and those who attended primary school were three times (AOR = 2.3, CI = 1.029–5.143, p = 0.042), more likely to have helminthic infection. Participants who did not wash their hands after toilet were five times more likely to acquire IP helminthes than their counterparts (AOR = 4.36, CI = 2.83–6.72, p = 0.000). In the case of the feeding habit, study subjects who ate unwashed vegetables were more likely to acquire helminthes than those who did not eat unwashed vegetables (AOR = 5. 43, CI = 4.33–23.77, p = 0.000).
Conclusion
This study showed considerable prevalence of intestinal helminthes infections in the study area that deserve attentions from concerned bodies.
Population genetic structure of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) at the northern edge of the Pannonian Basin
Authors: Mikulíček Peter , Papežík Petr , Danko Stanislav , Dankovics Róbert , Gruľa Daniel , Halpern Bálint , Havaš Peter , Heltai Botond , Horváth Enikő , Kušík Tomáš , Puchala Peter , Schindler Maria , Vongrej Viliam , Uhrin Marcel 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Populations of plants and animals at the edge of a species’ range may exhibit lower genetic diversity due to a combination of historical (e.g., postglacial dispersal) and contemporary (e.g., lower effective population size, stronger genetic drift, bottlenecks, and others) processes. In this study, we analysed the genetic structure of populations of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the northern part of the Pannonian Basin (Slovakia, Hungary, Austria), which represents the edge of the species’ range. Using mtDNA and microsatellite markers, we aimed to assign individuals and populations into phylogeographic lineages and to determine genetic variation and population structure. Our study revealed that most individuals from natural populations belong to mtDNA lineage II (widely distributed haplotype IIa, and likely endemic haplotypes IIl and II-Marcelová), which is typical for the whole Pannonian region. However, non-native haplotypes were detected in one Slovak population (haplotype Ib) and in the Austrian Donau Auen National Park (haplotype IVa). Microsatellite markers revealed high variability comparable to that in other parts of the range, suggesting that marginal populations may not necessarily have reduced genetic diversity. A genetically mixed population was found in the Donau Auen National Park, consisting of turtles belonging to mtDNA lineage II (taxonomically assessed as subspecies E. orbicularis orbicularis) and lineage IV (taxonomically assessed as E. orbicularis hellenica), which is native to the circum-Adriatic region. The admixture suggests intense hybridization and introgression between the two lineages (subspecies).