bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Help-seeking behaviors among survivors of intimate partner violence during pregnancy in 54 low- and middle-income countries: evidence from Demographic and Health Survey data
Authors: Stiller Mariella , Wilson Michael Lowery , Bärnighausen Till , Adedimeji Adebola , Lewis Erin , Abio Anne 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a global issue of public health importance. Due to the low rates of help-seeking in response to IPV, research on survivors’ help-seeking behaviors is scarce, particularly within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The present study provides a cross-national evidence of informal and formal help-seeking patterns among pregnant women experiencing IPV.

Methods
This study made use of population-based data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program from 54 LMICs, collected between 2005 and 2020 (N = 359,027). Applying bivariate and multivariable analyses, the present study examined IPV survivors’ help-seeking distributions and associations with individual, partner, family, and community factors.

Results
Only half of survivors sought help in response to IPV during pregnancy with wide regional and national variations, mainly from informal support networks (including family, neighbors, and friends), and rarely from formal institutions (including legal, socio-cultural, and medical services). Evidence shows that help-seeking behaviors were associated with IPV survivors’ age and educational attainment, survivors’ employment status and earnings compared to their partners, survivors’ consumption of mass media, intimate partner’s age and education, spouse’s alcohol consumption and controlling behaviors, survivors’ wealth index, place of residence, and health-seeking barriers, among others.

Conclusion
Practitioners are encouraged to consider the study’s outcomes when designing interventions and support for survivors seeking help in response to IPV during pregnancy. Strong advocacy and action are needed, including fostering survivors’ educational attainment, diminishing pregnant women’s social and financial dependencies on their intimate partners, promoting pre- and peri-natal health care, informing survivors about help, and increasing gender equality by engaging women and men equally within the whole community.
Gender differences in psychosomatic complaints across occupations and time from 2006 to 2018 in Germany: a repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Grasshoff Julia , Safieddine Batoul , Sperlich Stefanie , Beller Johannes 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Previous research indicates that women report more psychosomatic complaints at work compared to men. However, there is a lack of research examining this gender gap across different occupational subgroups and over time.

Methods
The study utilized data from the nationwide German Employment Survey of the Working Population on Qualification and Working Conditions conducted in 2005/2006, 2011/2012, and 2017/ 2018. First, gender differences in psychosomatic complaints were analysed within the occupational subgroups categorized as white-collar high-skilled, white-collar low-skilled, blue-collar high-skilled and blue-collar low-skilled workers. Second, gender stratified time trends of psychosomatic complaints were analysed. A total of 58,759 participants were included in the analysis.

Results
Women consistently reported significantly higher levels of psychosomatic complaints compared to men across all years examined. The largest differences were observed in white-collar high-skilled occupations. From 2005/2006 to 2011/2012, gender differences increased; from 2011/2012 to 2017/2018, they stagnated.

Conclusions
The study revealed that women experience more psychosomatic distress at work than men in all occupational subgroups and time points. White-collar high-skilled workers showed the highest gender gap in psychosomatic complaints. The gender gap widened from 2005/2006 to 2011/2012 and remained stable from 2011/2012 to 2017/2018. Future research should investigate the reasons and implications of this phenomenon, especially considering the increasing proportion of high-skilled white-collar workers, where the gender gap is most evident.
Association between life's essential 8 and Parkinson's disease: a case–control study
Authors: Fan Jiaxin , Wang Yanfeng , Guo Xingzhi , Cao Shuai , Zhan Shuqin , Li Rui 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Objectives
Life's essential 8 (LE8) is an emerging approach for accessing and quantifying cardiovascular health (CVH), but the effect on Parkinson's disease (PD) is still unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the association between LE8 metrics and PD in the US adults.

Methods
Data of 26,975 participants were extracted from the last 7 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles (2005–2018). The LE8 metrics were calculated according to the American Heart Association criterion, and participants were divided into 3 groups using tertile range. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to explore the association between LE8 metrics and PD. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to verify robustness. A nonlinear linkage was evaluated via restricted cubic spline (RCS). The stability of this effect was validated by subgroup analysis and interaction test.

Results
A total of 26,975 eligible participants (including 271 PD cases and 26,704 non-PD cases) were included in this study. The multivariate logistic regression models revealed a reverse association of continuous LE8 metrics with PD with ORs of 0.97 (unadjusted model [95% CI: 0.96–0.98, P < 0.01], partially adjusted model [95% CI: 0.97–0.98, P < 0.01], fully adjusted model [95% CI: 0.95–0.98, P < 0.01]). Compared to those of low group, the ORs for high group were 0.37 (95% CI: 0.27–0.50, P < 0.01) in unadjusted model, 0.51 (95% CI: 0.36–0.72, P < 0.01) in partially adjusted model, and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.32–0.81, P < 0.01) in fully adjusted model. The sensitivity analysis ensured the robustness of the observed LE8-PD association. A nonlinear relationship (P
nonlinearity < 0.01) was observed via RCS analysis. The subgroup analysis showed that participants'gender might impact the strength of LE8 metrics-PD association (P
interaction = 0.029).

Conclusions
CVH, as delineated by LE8 metrics, was reversely associated with PD in the dose–response pattern, more pronounced in female compared to male. These findings highlight the potential of the LE8 metrics to guide targeted strategies for addressing gender-based CVH disparities, offering beneficial insights for the tertiary prevention of PD.
The COVID-19 pandemic and self-reported food insecurity among women in Burkina Faso: evidence from the performance monitoring for action (PMA) COVID-19 survey data
Authors: Yankey Ortis , Essah Marcellinus , Amegbor Prince M. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread economic disruptions, with government-imposed restrictions and lockdowns significantly affecting livelihoods globally. Burkina Faso, a country with pre-existing vulnerabilities in food security, experienced considerable challenges during this period. The aim of this study was to examine how COVID-19-related income losses is associated with self-reported food insecurity among women in Burkina Faso in 2020. The study also examined whether there was an increase in self-reported food insecurity among women during the COVID-19 restrictions compared with the pre-pandemic era.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) female survey, which included 3,499 women from Burkina Faso. This study examined the associations between socioeconomic variables, such as age, education, household income loss, and food insecurity. We conducted two analyses using logistic regression. The first analysis focused on self-reported food insecurity and its association with the socioeconomic variables, and the second analysis focused on whether there was an increase in self-reported food insecurity compared with pre-pandemic levels and its association with the socioeconomic factors. We controlled for relevant confounders in the analysis and presented the results as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results
Our findings indicated that 16.97% of women reported experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic period. Compared with women with no income loss, women who experienced partial household income loss were 1.82 times (95% CI: 0.98–3.38) more likely to report food insecurity, whereas those who experienced complete income loss were 5.16 times (95% CI: 2.28–9.43) more likely to report food insecurity. The study, however, did not find a statistically significant increase in self-reported food insecurity due to COVID-19 restrictions compared with pre-pandemic levels.

Conclusions
This study demonstrated that income loss due to COVID-19 restrictions profoundly affected women’s food security in Burkina Faso. The significant associations between income loss and increased food insecurity underscore the need for targeted interventions and safety nets to support women during public health crises.
Receipt of long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy among people with HIV in Southern US states: an assessment using electronic health records and claims data
Authors: Liu Yiyang , Fisk-Hoffman Rebecca J. , Patel Maitri , Cook Robert L. , Prosperi Mattia 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
In January 2021, the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (LAI ART) regimen for the treatment of HIV providing an alternative to daily oral regimens. We analyzed electronic health records (EHRs) to provide real-world evidence of demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the receipt of LAI ART among people with HIV (PWH).

Methods
Leveraging EHRs from a large clinical research network in the Southern US - OneFlorida + linked with Medicaid (updated to 08/2022) - we identified a cohort of PWH who have been prescribed at least one dose of LAI ART since January 2021 and characterized their demographics, clinical characteristics, and HIV care outcomes.

Results
A total of 233 LAI ART recipients were identified: 56.7% female, 45.1% aged 30 to 44, 51.3% non-Hispanic Black, 78.1% on Medicaid and 4.7% on private insurance. Approximately three-quarters of injections (71.2%) were received within 37 days of the previous dose, and 84.4% were received within 67 days. About 8% of LAI ART recipients did not have optimal care engagement the year before LAI ART initiation; one in five recipients had a diagnosis of alcohol or substance use disorder in lifetime. All achieved viral suppression (< 50 copies/mL) before starting LAI ART. Of a subset of patients with HIV viral load test records, only 1 record of virologic failure (viral load > 200 copies/ml) was observed after the initiation of LAI ART.

Discussion
There has been an increasing trend of LAI ART initiation since approval. People with suboptimal care engagement and with substance use disorder in lifetime were not excluded from LAI ART treatment.
States, global power and access to medicines: a comparative case study of China, India and the United States, 2000–2019
Authors: Hembre Berit S. H. , Chokshi Maulik , Hoffman Steven J. , Suleman Fatima , Andresen Steinar , Sandberg Kristin , Røttingen John-Arne 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
What constitutes state`s global power to shape access to medicines? How was it distributed between states and how did this change from 2000 to 2019? In this comparative case study, we explored the powers of China, India and the United States, and discuss whether our findings from the pre-pandemic era were reflected in the global COVID-19 response related to pharmaceuticals. We used an analytical framework from the international relations literature on structural power, and assessed the following power structures after adapting them to the context of access to medicines: finance, production, financial protection, knowledge, trade and official development assistance.

Results
We found that from 2000 to 2019 there had been a power-shift towards China and India in terms of finance and production of pharmaceuticals, and that in particular China had increased its powers regarding knowledge and financial protection and reimbursement. The United States remained powerful in terms of finance and knowledge. The data on trade and official development assistance indicate an increasingly powerful China also within these structures. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we found that the patterns from previous decades were continued in terms of cutting-edge innovation coming out of the United States. Trade restrictions from the United States and India contrasted our findings as well as the limited effective aid from the United States.
Building on our findings on structural powers, we argue that both structural power and political decisions shaped access to medical technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examined the roles and positions of the three states regarding developments in global health governance on the COVAX mechanism, the TRIPS Agreement waiver and the pandemic accord in this context.

Conclusion
From 2000-2019, China and India increased their structural powers to shape global access to medical technologies. The recent COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that both structural power and political decisions shaped global access to COVID-19 technologies.
Electroacupuncture alleviates damage to myopic RGCs probably through lncRNA-XR_002789763.1-mediated mitophagy
Authors: Wang Xuejun , Lin Qinghong , Tian Li , Li Xiaoying , Fukuyama Teruko , Ten Weijung , Kong Xiehe , Yang Yanting , Ma Xiaopeng , Zhou Xingtao 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Mitophagy is closely related to the regulation of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) structure and function. Our previous study suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can cause damage to myopic RGCs. However, whether electroacupuncture (EA) treatment can delay myopia progression through lncRNA-mediated mitophagy in RGCs is currently unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of EA on lncRNA-mediated mitophagy in myopic RGCs.

Methods
Our study investigated the modulatory effect of EA on mitophagy in RGCs of guinea pigs with form-deprived myopia (FDM). RNA sequencing was performed to further analyze the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs in RGCs of guinea pigs with FDM after EA treatment, and the related competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed. Importantly, PINK1, a mitophagy-related gene, was included in the core ceRNA network to explore the relationship between lncRNAs and mitophagy in myopic RGCs regulated by EA. We also collected eyeballs from myopic and highly myopic adults to further verify the mechanistic results.

Results
This study demonstrated that EA treatment delayed the reduction in refraction and increase in axial length and alleviated RGC damage in guinea pigs with FDM. We further found that EA could induce mitophagy in guinea pig RGCs with FDM by promoting the mitophagy-related PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway. Moreover, mitophagy is inhibited in the retina of highly myopic adults. RNA sequencing revealed that 599 lncRNAs and 455 mRNAs were differentially expressed in guinea pig RGCs with FDM after EA treatment. A core ceRNA network was constructed by incorporating PINK1 and verified by related molecular experiments, and we found that EA treatment may induce mitophagy and attenuated RGC injury in guinea pigs with FDM by sponging miR-342-5p through lncRNA-XR_002789763.1 to activate the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway and promote Mfn2 ubiquitination.

Conclusion
EA treatment might regulate lncRNA-XR_002789763.1/miR-342-5p axis and activate the mitophagy-related PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway, and promote Mfn2 ubiquitination, thereby alleviating RGC damage and delaying myopia progression.
Analysis of prodromal symptoms and need for short-term prophylaxis in angioedema patients under long-term prophylaxis
Authors: Lochbaum Robin , Hoffmann Thomas K. , Greve Jens , Hahn Janina 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) experience recurrent, unpredictable episodes of edema. These swellings are often preceded by prodromal symptoms. HAE management includes acute treatment, long-term prophylaxis (LTP), and short-term prophylaxis (STP) before procedures with a risk of swelling. The effects of LTP on prodromal symptoms and the necessity for STP in patients on LTP remain unclear.

Methods
A questionnaire-based study involving HAE and AAE patients receiving LTP was conducted. Changes in prodromal symptoms and the incidence of procedures with an increased risk of swelling, including surgeries, dental procedures, and endoscopies were assessed.

Results
A total of 26 patients were included in the study. Among them, 18 experienced zero to three attacks since starting LTP. Abdominal attacks constituted 60% of all attacks, followed by swellings of the extremities and head and neck. The most frequently reported trigger factors were stress and mechanical stimuli, followed by infections. 9 patients reported surgical procedures, with 8 using STP. Of these, 4 experienced breakthrough attacks, including one laryngeal attack. 105 dental procedures were reported, with STP used for only one. Only one angioedema attack occurred after an intervention without STP. For endoscopies, 7 procedures were reported, 3 of which were performed under STP. Two abdominal attacks were reported by the same patient, both without prior STP. Prodromal symptoms remained consistent in type but varied in intensity and frequency under LTP.

Conclusions
For dental procedures, the mandatory use of STP in HAE patients on effective LTP should be reconsidered, provided acute treatment is available and other trigger factors are absent.
Epigene functional diversity: isoform usage, disordered domain content, and variable binding partners
Authors: Bondhus Leroy , Nava Aileen A. , Liu Isabelle S. , Arboleda Valerie A. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Epigenes are defined as proteins that perform post-translational modification of histones or DNA, reading of post-translational modifications, form complexes with epigenetic factors or changing the general structure of chromatin. This specialized group of proteins is responsible for controlling the organization of genomic DNA in a cell-type specific fashion, controlling normal development in a spatial and temporal fashion. Moreover, mutations in epigenes have been implicated as causal in germline pediatric disorders and as driver mutations in cancer. Despite their importance to human disease, to date, there has not been a systematic analysis of the sources of functional diversity for epigenes at large. Epigenes’ unique functions that require the assembly of pools within the nucleus suggest that their structure and amino acid composition would have been enriched for features that enable efficient assembly of chromatin and DNA for transcription, splicing, and post-translational modifications.

Results
In this study, we assess the functional diversity stemming from gene structure, isoforms, protein domains, and multiprotein complex formation that drive the functions of established epigenes. We found that there are specific structural features that enable epigenes to perform their variable roles depending on the cellular and environmental context. First, epigenes are significantly larger and have more exons compared with non-epigenes which contributes to increased isoform diversity. Second epigenes participate in more multimeric complexes than non-epigenes. Thirdly, given their proposed importance in membraneless organelles, we show epigenes are enriched for substantially larger intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). Additionally, we assessed the specificity of their expression profiles and showed epigenes are more ubiquitously expressed consistent with their enrichment in pediatric syndromes with intellectual disability, multiorgan dysfunction, and developmental delay. Finally, in the L1000 dataset, we identify drugs that can potentially be used to modulate expression of these genes.

Conclusions
Here we identify significant differences in isoform usage, disordered domain content, and variable binding partners between human epigenes and non-epigenes using various functional genomics datasets from Ensembl, ENCODE, GTEx, HPO, LINCS L1000, and BrainSpan. Our results contribute new knowledge to the growing field focused on developing targeted therapies for diseases caused by epigene mutations, such as chromatinopathies and cancers.
Open challenges for the automatic synthesis of clinical trials
Authors: Sanchez-Graillet Olivia , Schmidt David M. , Kullik Christian , Cimiano Philipp 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Objective
An important criterion for selecting clinical trials to be compared in systematic reviews and meta-analyses is that they measure the same outcomes. However, this represents a challenge as there is a wide variety of outcomes, and it is difficult to standardize them for comparing clinical trials containing them. To address this challenge, we utilized our annotated dataset, which includes 211 abstracts of clinical trials related to glaucoma and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We then developed a tool that provides an overview of the annotated clinical trial information and enables users to group them by outcomes.

Results
Using our visualization tool, we formed groups of outcomes and their respective clinical trials. We were able to determine the most common outcomes in clinical trials for these diseases. As a case study on diabetes, we compared our outcomes with those consented by diabetes stakeholders and found that many of the grouped outcomes are aligned with the consented ones. This demonstrates that tools such as the one presented can help standardize clinical outcomes, which in turn help in the synthesis of clinical trials. Finally, we also offer some recommendations that could help in the automation of clinical trials based on outcome standardization.