bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of intermittent fasting diet on quality of life, clinical symptoms, inflammation, and oxidative stress in overweight and obese postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ranjbar Mahsa , Shab-Bidar Sakineh , Rostamian Abdolrahman , Mohammadi Hamed , Djafarian Kurosh 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known as a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder that primarily targets synovial joints, and may cause pain and functional limitations. Studies show diet can have beneficial effects on symptoms and oxidative stress of this disease. Intermittent fasting (IF) is a dietary approach with cycles of fasting and intake. The current study aims to investigate the effect of IF on quality of life, clinical symptoms, inflammation, and oxidative stress in overweight and obese postmenopausal women with RA.

Methods
The current study is a randomized clinical trial, in which 44 patients with mild to moderate severity of RA will be randomly allocated to receive either IF (n = 22) or the usual diet (n = 22) for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measures and biochemical indicators including serum concentrations of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein (CRP), and total oxidant and antioxidant capacity (TOC and TAC) will be assessed at the baseline and end of the study. Also, disease severity will be assessed by Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28) and clinical disease activity index (CDAI), and disability index will be assessed by Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) questionnaire.

Discussion
Studies show fasting has beneficial effects on inflammatory markers and results in an improvement in the health of different populations. Literature review shows it seems there is no study in this field to evaluate the effects of IF on RA patients, and they are limited to other types of fasting. However, studies show IF can have many positive effects on chronic and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, IF may have positive effects on these patients.

Trial registration
IRCT20230217057441N1. Registered on 14 February 2023. https://en.irct.ir/user/trial/68669.
A complementary medicine student-led telehealth clinic: evaluating learning & teaching perceptions
Authors: Shew Tracelee , Smith Catherine , Connolly Greg , Fleischmann Michael , McLachlan Craig S. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objectives
This study evaluates a multi-centered complementary medicine (CM) student-led telehealth clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Likert and qualitative responses explore student and educator learning and teaching perceptions of the implementation of a successful telehealth clinic.

Results
51 students and 17 educators completed the survey. Respondents agreed that support from educators (90%) and orientation (70%) assisted effective performance. Over 90% (93%) of all respondents supported telehealth in student-led clinics, whilst 87% encountered barriers such as technical and infrastructure issues. Respondents agreed that telehealth practice skills improved in case history taking (90%), treatment (90%) and building patient rapport (60%). Respondents (61%) disagreed that physical examination was effectively performed, and 100% of respondents agreed telehealth was a valuable learning experience. This study is the first to explore student and educator perceptions of telehealth in an Australian University multi-centered CM student-led clinic. To be successful in an educational environment, students and educators require digital literacy and adequate telehealth practice infrastructure. Whilst some in-person practice skills are transferable to telehealth, educators need to adapt curriculum to ensure counselling and physical examination skills are specifically taught for virtual consultations. Telehealth in clinical practice requires continued investigation and educational development.
Reproductive patterns in Araucaria araucana forests in the Andean range, Chile
Authors: Donoso Sergio , Peña-Rojas Karen , Espinoza Claudia , Badaracco Carolain , Santelices-Moya Rómulo , Cabrera-Ariza Antonio 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Araucaria araucana is a mast species that presents a high variability in annual cone production. Researchers have recorded synchronization events in cone production in different populations, which allows the seed production to be concentrated, reducing the percentage of seeds consumed by different animal species.

Methods
We sampled three populations located in the Andes Mountains, Araucanía Region, Chile. In 2004 we began the collection of data on cone production, for which we installed permanent plots (1200 m2 each) at each location. We identified and labeled each female tree in each plot to monitor its cone production. In 2012 we selected a total of 30 trees near the plots to evaluate the number of seeds per cone. In each February from 2012 to 2014 we selected two mature cones and covered them with a porous mesh for subsequent collection and storage in March. At the beginning of June, we counted and weighed the seeds, determining the average weight, the number of seeds per cone, the germination capacity (GC), and the germination speed (GS).

Results
Cone production was synchronous across the three locations. We observed significant differences among the locations and years evaluated. The cones had fewer seeds in 2013 (high production) compared to those in 2012 (low production), but their weights were similar. In 2014 the cones produced smaller seeds in fewer quantities. The difference between the years 2013 and 2014 resulted from the high-energy expenditure in 2013. Regarding GC and GS, there were significant differences among the three locations (GC: F = 45.41, p < 0.01; GS: F = 96.08, p < 0.01), where the highest values were observed in 2013.

Conclusions
Both GC and GS are related to seed weight but not to the number of cones produced in a given year. These annual fluctuations in seed production are determining factors in the population dynamics of forest species. Our results allow a better understanding of the reproductive phenology of A. araucana and could help define sustainable use and conservation actions for this species.
Proportion-based normalizations outperform compositional data transformations in machine learning applications
Authors: Yerke Aaron , Fry Brumit Daisy , Fodor Anthony A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundNormalization, as a pre-processing step, can significantly affect the resolution of machine learning analysis for microbiome studies. There are countless options for normalization scheme selection. In this study, we examined compositionally aware algorithms including the additive log ratio (alr), the centered log ratio (clr), and a recent evolution of the isometric log ratio (ilr) in the form of balance trees made with the PhILR R package. We also looked at compositionally naïve transformations such as raw counts tables and several transformations that are based on relative abundance, such as proportions, the Hellinger transformation, and a transformation based on the logarithm of proportions (which we call “lognorm”).ResultsIn our evaluation, we used 65 metadata variables culled from four publicly available datasets at the amplicon sequence variant (ASV) level with a random forest machine learning algorithm. We found that different common pre-processing steps in the creation of the balance trees made very little difference in overall performance. Overall, we found that the compositionally aware data transformations such as alr, clr, and ilr (PhILR) performed generally slightly worse or only as well as compositionally naïve transformations. However, relative abundance-based transformations outperformed most other transformations by a small but reliably statistically significant margin.ConclusionsOur results suggest that minimizing the complexity of transformations while correcting for read depth may be a generally preferable strategy in preparing data for machine learning compared to more sophisticated, but more complex, transformations that attempt to better correct for compositionality.
Combined TP53 status in tumor-free resection margins and circulating microRNA profiling predicts the risk of locoregional recurrence in head and neck cancer
Authors: Ganci Federica , Allegretti Matteo , Frascolla Carlotta , Spinella Francesca , Rollo Francesca , Sacconi Andrea , Valentina Pascale De , Palcau Alina Catalina , Manciocco Valentina , Vescovo Mariavittoria , Cotroneo Ettore , Blandino Francesca , Benevolo Maria , Covello Renato , Muti Paola , Strano Sabrina , Vidiri Antonello , Fontemaggi Giulia , Pellini Raul , Blandino Giovanni 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLocoregional recurrences represent a frequently unexpected problem in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Relapse often (10–30%) occurs in patients with histologically negative resection margins (RMs), probably due to residual tumor cells or hidden pre-cancerous lesions in normal mucosa, both missed by histopathological examination. Therefore, definition of a ‘clean’ or tumor-negative RM is controversial, demanding for novel approaches to be accurately explored. Here, we evaluated next generation sequencing (NGS) and digital PCR (dPCR) as tools to profile TP53 mutational status and circulating microRNA expression aiming at scoring the locoregional risk of recurrence by means of molecular analyses. Serial monitoring of these biomarkers allowed identifying patients at high risk, laying the ground for accurate tracking of disease evolution and potential intensification of post-operative treatments. Additionally, our pipeline demonstrated its applicability into the clinical routine, being cost-effective and feasible in terms of patient sampling, holding promise to accurately (re)-stage RMs in the era of precision medicine.
Mapping landscape in Longshan period’s hierarchical society (3000–2000BCE) of North Loess Plateau: from archaeological predictive model to GIS spatial analysis
Authors: Cui Jianxin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
On the North Loess Plateau of China, city civilization, social complexity, and stratification emerged during the Longshan period (3000-2000BCE). Based on Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis and archaeological predictive model, we conducted a comparative analysis of environmental characteristics between sites and non-sites, ordinary and walled city sites, as well as large and smaller city sites. Initially, we developed a Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) model to predict the locations of archaeological sites from this period. Our findings indicate a high predictive accuracy of the model, demonstrating a clear environmental preference by the people of the Longshan Period. The presence or absence of the site was found to be influenced by various factors, including temperature, elevation, river distance, and precipitation. Furthermore, we discovered that walled cities had higher environmental requirements compared to ordinary sites. Terrain and land use played a more significant role in shaping prehistoric cities than climate. Lastly, the landscape in the Shimao site, which served as a most crucial and largest settlement centers on the North Loess Plateau (NLP), resembled that of other minor walled cities. Due to its abundant grassland, Shimao relied more on animal husbandry rather than agriculture. The combination of agriculture and animal husbandry has promoted the urbanization processes.
Glucocorticoid use in acute respiratory failure from pulmonary causes and association with early changes in the systemic host immune response
Authors: Al-Yousif Nameer , Nouraie Seyed M. , Broerman Matthew J. , Zhang Yingze , Suber Tomeka L. , Evankovich John , Bain William G. , Kitsios Georgios D. , McVerry Bryan J. , Shah Faraaz A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Glucocorticoids are commonly used in patients with or at-risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but optimal use remains unclear despite well-conducted clinical trials. We performed a secondary analysis in patients previously enrolled in the Acute Lung Injury and Biospecimen Repository at the University of Pittsburgh. The primary aim of our study was to investigate early changes in host response biomarkers in response to real-world use of glucocorticoids in patients with acute respiratory failure due to ARDS or at-risk due to a pulmonary insult. Participants had baseline plasma samples obtained on study enrollment and on follow-up 3 to 5 days later to measure markers of innate immunity (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFr1, ST2, fractalkine), epithelial injury (sRAGE), endothelial injury (angiopoietin-2), and host response to bacterial infections (procalcitonin, pentraxin-3). In our primary analyses, we investigated the effect of receiving glucocorticoids between baseline and follow-up samples on host response biomarkers measured at follow-up by doubly robust inverse probability weighting analysis. In exploratory analyses, we examined associations between glucocorticoid use and previously characterized host response subphenotypes (hyperinflammatory and hypoinflammatory).

Results
67 of 148 participants (45%) received glucocorticoids between baseline and follow-up samples. Dose and type of glucocorticoids varied. Regimens that used hydrocortisone alone were most common (37%), and median daily dose was equivalent to 40 mg methylprednisolone (interquartile range: 21, 67). Participants who received glucocorticoids were more likely to be female, to be on immunosuppressive therapy at baseline, and to have higher baseline levels of ST-2, fractalkine, IL-10, pentraxin-3, sRAGE, and TNFr1. Glucocorticoid use was associated with decreases in IL-6 and increases in fractalkine. In exploratory analyses, glucocorticoid use was more frequent in participants in the hyperinflammatory subphenotype (58% vs 40%, p = 0.05), and was not associated with subphenotype classification at the follow-up time point (p = 0.16).

Conclusions
Glucocorticoid use varied in a cohort of patients with or at-risk for ARDS and was associated with early changes in the systemic host immune response.
Feasibility of a physical activity intervention for children and adolescents with anxiety and depression
Authors: Kodal Arne , Muirhead Fiona , Reilly John J. , Wergeland Gro Janne , Thorsen Paul Joachim Bloch , Bovim Lars Peder , Elgen Irene Bircow 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Physical activity is identified as a key modifiable factor towards good short- and long-term mental health and has shown positive effects on anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. However, physical activity-based interventions are not a part of standard mental health care and evidence on the effect of such interventions is still lacking. A transdiagnostic, physical activity-based intervention was developed as a supplement to routine clinical care for youth in specialized child and adolescent mental health services.

Methods
/design.
The feasibility of the physical activity intervention (Confident, Active, and Happy Youth) was evaluated in an open-label study by assessing the recruitment process, acceptability, intervention suitability, contentment, and preliminary intervention effects in the form of youth and parent-rated anxiety and depressive symptoms. Physical activity levels were objectively measured using Actigraph™ physical activity sensors, and progression to a definitive study was evaluated in accordance with a priori criteria.

Results
In total 21 of 25 eligible youth consented to participate, two dropped out of the intervention and 19 completed (76% of eligible participants). The retention rate among consenting participants was 89% and mean attendance to sessions was 83%. The suitability of the intervention was rated as good by the youth and their parents, and intervention contentment was rated high. Changes in youth and parent-rated symptom measures following the intervention were negligible, except for parent-rated anxiety symptoms assessed at 10-month follow-up. Accelerometer data indicated lower levels of moderate to vigorous activity during sessions than intended. No adverse effects were noted.

Conclusion
This feasibility study met the pre-determined progression criteria to a definitive study. Thus, a larger trial with longer follow-up should be conducted to explore the effect of the intervention.

Trial registration
ClnicalTrials.gov, NCT05049759. Retrospectively registered, 20.09.2021.
A structural VAR and VECM modeling method for open-high-low-close data contained in candlestick chart
Authors: Huang Wenyang , Wang Huiwen , Wang Shanshan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe structural modeling of open-high-low-close (OHLC) data contained within the candlestick chart is crucial to financial practice. However, the inherent constraints in OHLC data pose immense challenges to its structural modeling. Models that fail to process these constraints may yield results deviating from those of the original OHLC data structure. To address this issue, a novel unconstrained transformation method, along with its explicit inverse transformation, is proposed to properly handle the inherent constraints of OHLC data. A flexible and effective framework for structurally modeling OHLC data is designed, and the detailed procedure for modeling OHLC data through the vector autoregression and vector error correction model are provided as an example of multivariate time-series analysis. Extensive simulations and three authentic financial datasets from the Kweichow Moutai, CSI 100 index, and 50 ETF of the Chinese stock market demonstrate the effectiveness and stability of the proposed modeling approach. The modeling results of support vector regression provide further evidence that the proposed unconstrained transformation not only ensures structural forecasting of OHLC data but also is an effective feature-extraction method that can effectively improve the forecasting accuracy of machine-learning models for close prices.
Corporate social responsibility, sustainable environmental practices and green innovation; perspectives from the Ghanaian manufacturing industry
Authors: Dzage Emmanuel Jeffrey , Hussain Muhammad Rizwan , Dapaah Paul Opuni , Mustapha Yussif 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAs the discourse around business ethics and sustainable development intensifies, many organizations are adopting initiatives in corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a strategic tool to satisfy regulatory requirements and also stakeholder expectations. While exploring the relationship between sustainable environmental practices and green innovation, this study identifies four critical stakeholder-centered CSR activities as precursors to sustainable environmental practices using data from 404 manufacturing firms in Ghana. The data was analyzed using the partial least squares method to structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results established a positively significant relationship between employee-centered CSR initiatives and sustainable environmental practices while the relationship between community-centered CSR, consumer-centered CSR and environment-centered with sustainable environmental practices CSR were each not significant. However, sustainable environmental practices were found to advance green innovation. The study further recommended a multi-dimensional stakeholder-centered approach to the practice of CSR as a strategic tool for sustainable environmental development by the leadership of manufacturing firms, policy makers and regulatory bodies.
Long-term treatment of evocalcet in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism: a five-year prospective cohort study in 147 Japanese patients
Authors: Nagano Nobuo , Ishikawa Takayuki , Yamaguchi Masashi , Katsuragi Yuji , Miya Masaaki , Tamei Noriko , Muto Shigeaki , Tsutsui Takaaki , Ogawa Tetsuya , Ito Kyoko 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Cinacalcet hydrochloride (cinacalcet), an oral calcimimetics for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), has been widely used worldwide. In contrast, evocalcet, an improved derivative of cinacalcet, was approved only in Japan in 2018 and has not received approval overseas. Consequently, the available information on the long-term use of evocalcet relies solely on data from a 1-year dosing phase III clinical trial.

Methods
The cohort of 147 chronic hemodialysis patients on cinacalcet to manage SHPT was simultaneously switched to the lowest dose of evocalcet (1 mg/day) and prospectively followed for 5 years in real-world clinical settings.

Results
The median evocalcet dose was 1 mg/day at 0.5 years, and it remained stable at 2 mg/day from 1 to 5 years after the prescription initiation. Additionally, serum parathyroid hormone, corrected calcium, phosphorus, and total alkaline phosphatase levels showed no significant changes compared with their levels at the time of the switch and remained stable over the 5-year period. Furthermore, no adverse events related to vital signs, serum biochemistries, or upper gastrointestinal symptoms were observed in patients during treatment with evocalcet.

Conclusions
These results suggest that only a small number of patients require higher evocalcet doses, and that SHPT can be effectively managed with low-dose evocalcet for 5 years. Additionally, the drug’s long-term safety has been confirmed.
Trial registration: name of the registry: Prescription change from cinacalcet hydrochloride to evocalcet in hemodialysis patients. Trial registration number R000041815. Trial registration UMIN000036702. Registered 10 May 2019—retrospectively registered. https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_his_list.cgi?recptno=R000041815.
Neurological manifestations in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kashipazha Davood , Shalilahmadi Davood , Shamsaei Gholamreza , Farahmand Porkar Nastaran 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Accumulating evidence on the neurological sequelae of COVID-19 is a serious concern, with patients possibly being at risk of permanent debilitation if not managed appropriately. We aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of neurological manifestations and diagnostic and therapeutic findings among hospitalized COVID-19 patients consulted with the neurology service for neurological disorders. We conducted a retrospective, observational study at the Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz, Iran, between March 20, 2020, and March 19, 2021. Patients' demographic, clinical, paraclinical, and therapeutic characteristics were extracted from medical records and then subjected to statistical analysis.

Results
Overall, 6.7% (157/2340) of COVID-19 patients at Golestan Hospital had a neurological disorder. Most of the patients (90/157) were men, and the mean age of patients was 62.91 ± 91 years. A total of 56.68% of patients (89/157) were SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive. The mean chest CT severity score was 8.26 ± 4.4, ranging from 1 to 19. The most common neurologic disorders were cerebrovascular disease (72.6%), encephalopathy (8.9%), and Guillain–Barre syndrome (6.4%). The CSF SARS-CoV-2 PCR test was positive in one patient with Guillain–Barre syndrome. The in-hospital mortality rate was 43.9%. Definite COVID-19, ICU admission, history of stroke and dementia, and comorbidities were associated with an increased mortality risk in these patients.

Conclusions
Patients with COVID-19 can present with serious neurological disorders such as cerebrovascular disease and impaired consciousness, even without typical COVID-19 symptoms. Close monitoring for neurological symptoms may help improve prognosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.