bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statistical assessment of reliability of anthropometric measurements in the multi-site South African National Dietary Intake Survey 2022
Authors: Nel Sanja , De man Jeroen , Berg Louise Van den , Wenhold Friedeburg 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Anthropometric data quality in large multicentre nutrition surveys is seldom adequately assessed. In preparation for the South African National Dietary Intake Survey (NDIS-2022), this study assessed site leads and fieldworkers' intra- and inter-rater reliability for measuring weight, length/height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), waist circumference (WC) and calf circumference (CC).
Methods
Standardised training materials and measurement protocols were developed, and new anthropometric equipment was procured. Following two training rounds (12 site lead teams, 46 fieldworker teams), measurement reliability was assessed for both groups, using repeated measurements of volunteers similar to the survey target population. Reliability was statistically assessed using the technical error of measurement (TEM), relative TEM (%TEM), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of reliability (R). Agreement was visualised with Bland-Altman analysis.
Results
By %TEM, the best reliability was achieved for weight (%TEM = 0.260–0.923) and length/height (%TEM = 0.434–0.855), and the poorest for MUAC by fieldworkers (%TEM = 2.592–3.199) and WC (%TEM = 2.353–2.945). Whole-sample ICC and R were excellent (> 0.90) for all parameters except site leads' CC inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.896, R = 0.889) and fieldworkers' inter-rater reliability for MUAC in children under two (ICC = 0.851, R = 0.881). Bland-Altman analysis revealed no significant bias except in fieldworkers' intra-rater reliability of length/height measurement in adolescents/adults (+ 0.220 (0.042, 0.400) cm). Reliability was higher for site leads vs. fieldworkers, for intra-rater vs. inter-rater assessment, and for weight and length/height vs. circumference measurements.
Conclusion
NDIS-2022 site leads and fieldworkers displayed acceptable reliability in performing anthropometric measurements, highlighting the importance of intensive training and standardised measurement protocols. Ongoing reliability assessment during data collection is recommended.
Tackling Gender Disparities in Energy Research: A Diagnostic Tool for Equality in Research Centres
Authors: Sánchez-López Sara , Poveda-Bautista Rocío , Corona-Sobrino Carmen , Otero-Hermida Paula , Garcia-Melon Mónica 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
The unequal proportion of men and women in research organizations in the energy field is severe, and so are the dynamics long established that might determine differences in access to leadership positions and inequalities between men and women in research careers. The gender gap in historically masculinized fields such as energy engineering transcends beyond the number of men and women.
This study aims to explore the gender gap in Energy Research Centres and to identify barriers that potentially hinder the research careers of women. We propose the development of a diagnostic tool based on indicators to monitor and evaluate gender roles and inequalities in the activity of research centres to identify and address the dynamics and obstacles that hinder women progress in the energy sector and their potential contribution to the field. This DEMATEL-ANP based tool prioritizes these indicators by their influence and importance in the context of energy research and is applied to the monitoring of a specific Spanish Energy Research Centre.
Results
The analysis of the main indicators shows that the insufficient representation of women within the organization remains a prominent issue. There is a prevailing belief within the research centre that only meritocracy drives success, dismissing other factors—especially gender—as irrelevant. Furthermore, there are a number of dynamics and conditions inherent to the Spanish Research and Innovation context that contribute to the drop out of women working in energy research. The lack of women in organisational leadership positions is pronounced in the case of the study and other particular dynamics are detected such as head positions being occupied only by men, or men not using work-life balance measures. However, the results suggest that, no gender gap is recognized by part of the staff and thus, no measures are being taken to improve the situation.
Conclusions
Comprehensive data and contextualized monitoring are necessary to effectively study and enhance the presence and participation of women in the energy science field. Our methodology, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques, is suitable for any research centre that would like to monitor its gender gap, identify potential sources of inequity and thus, address them. This methodology serves a dual purpose: it's both a diagnostic tool and a conversation starter driven by data that can be used to demonstrate the persistent existence of the gender gap that demands attention and resolution.
Caregiver-Reported Barriers to Care for Children and Adults with Williams Syndrome
Authors: Barnhardt Elizabeth W. , Martens Marilee , Walton Jennifer 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) may experience a variety of medical, behavioral, and educational concerns. The primary objective of this study was to assess barriers to health care for patients with WS, primarily using the Barriers to Care Questionnaire (BCQ), and to assess whether various demographic factors are correlated with these barriers. A REDCap survey was distributed using the Williams Syndrome Association Research Registry. 319 caregivers of individuals with WS in the United States completed the BCQ. On the BCQ, lower scores indicate more barriers to care. Younger age was associated with both the pragmatics and the skills subscales while lower income levels and increased distances to providers knowledgeable about WS were consistently associated with lower total BCQ scores.
Unveiling the Mediating Role of Psychological Well-being on the Relationship Between Social Connections and Cognition: A Study of Indian Old-Age Homes
Authors: Mishra Bijeta , Pradhan Jalandhar , Dhaka Suman 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Research evidences suggest that factors like social isolation and loneliness fasten the process of inevitable cognitive decline among the older adults. This study examines the association of loneliness and social isolation with cognitive abilities of elderly individuals. It investigates how psychological well-being affects the relationship between loneliness, social isolation, and cognition in older persons.
Method
Data was collected from various old-age homes of Odisha, India. The study employed purposive sampling for selecting study participants, resulting in inclusion of 320 older persons (aged 60 years and above). Data collection involved use of standardised tests such as the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6), Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, intercorrelation, regression, and mediation analysis.
Results
The prevalence of social isolation and loneliness is high among older adults with 78 percent being lonely and socially isolated. A significant regression equation was obtained (F = 19.28, p < .01), indicating that loneliness had a substantial effect on the cognitive performance of older persons, as seen by an R2 value of 0.154. Furthermore, significant indirect impact on cognitive performance of individuals due to both social isolation (z= -4.71**) and loneliness (z = 4.03**), mediated by psychological well-being was observed.
Conclusion
The study indicates that social isolation, loneliness, and psychological well-being are pivotal factors that influence cognition. The findings can be utilised to develop strategies for addressing loneliness and social isolation, prevent faster cognitive decline, and enhance psychological well-being of older adults; thereby ensuring a fulfilling senescence for the older adults.
Takotsubo syndrome induced by pheochromocytoma activation after resection of medullary thyroid carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Fang Fuquan , Kang Xianhui , Zhu Shengmei 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and pheochromocytoma are rare neuroendocrine tumors, which are diagnosed simultaneously in approximately 35% of patients. Heart failure and Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) are rare and life-threatening cardiovascular complications of pheochromocytoma.
Case presentation:
A 42-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for surgery because of a thyroid nodule detected on physical examination. After surgery, she presented with acute heart failure in the general ward. The clinical manifestations combined with electrocardiogram, echocardiography, coronary angiography, and myocardial enzyme examination were consistent with the diagnosis of TTS. Postoperative abdominal enhanced CT and catecholamine levels at the time of heart failure supported that acute heart failure and TTS are due to enhanced adrenal pheochromocytoma activity.
Conclusions
MTC may be complicated with pheochromocytoma. Preoperative examination should be completed. It is recommended to perform pheochromocytoma surgery before MTC resection. In addition, acute heart failure and TTS are rare and serious complications of pheochromocytoma. Further studies are needed on the treatment and pathogenesis of TTS.
Oral microbial signatures associated with age and frailty in Canadian adults
Authors: DeClercq Vanessa , Wright Robyn J. , Nearing Jacob T , Langille Morgan GI 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the association between the oral microbiome, age, and frailty. Data and saliva samples were obtained from male and female participants aged 35-70 years (n=1,357). Saliva samples were analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and differences in microbial diversity and community compositions were examined in relation to chronological age and the frailty index (FI).  Most alpha diversity measures (Richness, Shannon Diversity, Faith’s Phylogenetic Diversity) showed an inverse association with frailty, whereas a positive association was observed with age and Shannon Diversity and Evenness. A further sex-stratified analysis revealed differences in measures of microbial diversity and composition. Multiple genera were detected as significantly differentially abundant with increasing frailty and age by at least two methods. With age, the relative abundance of Veillonella was reduced in both males and females, whereas increases in Corynebacterium appeared specific to males and Aggregatibacter, Fusobacterium, Neisseria, Stomatobaculum, and Porphyromonas specific to females. Beta diversity was significantly associated with multiple mental health components of the FI. This study shows age and frailty are differentially associated with measures of microbial diversity and composition, suggesting the oral microbiome may be a useful indicator of increased risk of frailty or a potential target for improving health in ageing adults.
Foliar fungal endophyte communities remain unaltered under urban air-pollution but differentially express stress-related genes
Authors: Flores-Almaraz Valeria Stephany , Truong Camille , Hernández-Oaxaca Diana , Reyes-Galindo Verónica , Mastretta-Yanes Alicia , Jaramillo-Correa Juan Pablo , Salas-Lizana Rodolfo 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Air pollution caused by tropospheric ozone contributes to the decline of forest ecosystems; for instance, coniferous forests dominated by sacred fir, Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. & Cham., in the peri-urban forests of Mexico City. Individual trees within these forests exhibit variation in their response to ozone exposure, such as the presence or absence of visible symptoms in needles. Using RNA-Seq metatranscriptomic data and ITS2 metabarcoding, we investigated whether such symptom variation correlates with the taxonomic and functional composition of fungal endophytes from needles collected in a highly polluted area in the surroundings of Mexico City. Our findings indicate that ozone-related symptoms do not significantly correlate with changes in the taxonomic composition of fungal endophytes. However, 21 putative proteins were differentially expressed in fungal endophytes from asymptomatic needles, including eight genes previously associated with resistance to oxidative stress. These results suggest that fungal endophyte communities likely play a role in mitigating the oxidative burst caused by tropospheric ozone to sacred fir. Our study illustrates the feasibility of using RNA-Seq data, accessible from global sequence repositories of plants, for the characterization of fungal endophyte communities and gene expression.
Comparing the Efficacy of Endovascular Simulation Training in different Training Formats: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wippel David , Westreicher Werner , Gummerer Maria , Kluckner Michaela , Ouaret Miar , Lamprecht Fabian , Grams Astrid , Gratl Alexandra , Wipper Sabine 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
High-fidelity endovascular simulators have demonstrated significant potential in enhancing interventionalists’ performance metrics, including procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and contrast volume usage. However, it is less clear whether trainee performance, when assessed using both multidimensional global and procedure-specific rating scales, improves in a manner consistent with these metric parameters. This study aimed to determine whether the structure of the training – conducted in block sessions or weekly intervals – impacts the effectiveness of the training.
Methods
20 students were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, controlled, single-center trial. They were randomly divided into block and weekly training groups, each undergoing 6 hours of supervised endovascular training on a Mentice simulator over a span of 3 weeks. At the outset and conclusion of their training, students performed a predefined peripheral endovascular intervention, which was assessed by an experienced interventionalist. Furthermore, participants were prompted to complete a survey at both the beginning and the end of the study.
Results
Both groups exhibited significant improvements in procedure time, fluoroscopy time, contrast volume usage, global rating scale scores, and performance-specific rating scale scores. However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups. The simulator training notably boosted the trainee’s self-confidence.
Conclusion
Simulator training not only enhances metric performance parameters, but also improves performance as assessed by both global rating scale and procedure-specific rating scale. Whether the training is conducted in block sessions or weekly intervals did not affect its efficacy. As such, the training format can be tailored to best fit the specific circumstances and setting.
Circumtropical distribution and cryptic species of the meiofaunal enteropneust Meioglossus (Harrimaniidae, Hemichordata).
Authors: Defourneaux Éloïse , Herranz Maria , Armenteros Maickel , Sørensen Martin V , Norenburg Jon , Park Taeseo , Worsaae Katrine 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Hemichordata has always played a central role in evolutionary studies of Chordata due to their close phylogenetic affinity and shared morphological characteristics. Neither chordates nor hemichordates had meiofaunal representatives until the surprising discovery of a microscopic, paedomorphic enteropneust Meioglossus psammophilus (Harrimaniidae, Hemichordata) from the Caribbean in 2012. No additional species have been described since, questioning the broader distribution and significance of this genus. However, being less than a mm long and superficially resembling an early juvenile acorn worm, Meioglossusmay easily be overlooked in both macrofauna and meiofauna surveys.
We here present the discovery of 11 additional populations of Meioglossus from shallow subtropical and tropical coralline sands of the Caribbean Sea, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea. The geographically widely separated populations show identical morphology but differ genetically. Our phylogenetic reconstructions include four gene markers and support the monophyly of Meioglossus. Species delineation analyses revealed eight new cryptic species, which we herein describe using DNA-taxonomy. This study reveals a broad circumtropical distribution, supporting the validity and ecological importance of this enigmatic meiobenthic genus. The high cryptic diversity and apparent morphological stasis of Meioglossus may exemplify a potentially common evolutionary ‘dead-end’ scenario, of groups with highly miniaturized and simplified body plan losing their ability to diversify morphologically.
A comprehensive in silico analysis of the functional and structural consequences of the deleterious missense nonsynonymous SNPs in human GABRA6 gene
Authors: Mohammadpour Tahere , Mohammadzadeh Reza 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Epilepsy, a prevalent neurological disorder, affects more than 50 million individuals worldwide and is characterized by recurring seizures. Nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) found within coding regions of epilepsy-related genes are believed to have significant impacts on protein function. This is due to their tendency to cause mutations in the encoded amino acids, which can subsequently lead to pathogenic alterations in protein structure and function. Consequently, nsSNPs have the potential to serve as diagnostic markers for epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric conditions. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the deleterious effects of missense nsSNP mutations on the GABRA6 gene. The GABRA6 gene encodes the alpha-6 subunit of the \({\text{G}\text{A}\text{B}\text{A}}_{\text{A}}\) receptor and is associated with genes implicated in epilepsy. To achieve this, we employed various computational tools, including SIFT, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, Condel, SNPs&GO, PMut, SNAP2, MutPred2, and SNPeffect4.0, for predicting missense nsSNPs. Additionally, we used I-Mutant3.0 and MUpro to analyze protein stability, ConSurf to assess evolutionary conservation, FTSite and COACH to predict ligand binding sites, SOPMA and PSIPRED to analyze protein secondary structures, project HOPE to predict structural changes, and I-TASSER to model the 3D structure. Furthermore, structural validation was conducted using the PROCHECK and ERRAT servers, while molecular dynamics simulations were performed using GROMACS to gain a better understanding of the effects of mutations on protein structure. Among the 451 missense nsSNPs identified within the GABRA6 gene, three were found to have pathogenic effects on the structure and function of the protein, potentially contributing to the development of epilepsy or other neuropsychiatric disorders. Notably, two of these nsSNPs (W87S and W112R) were located within the ligand-binding domain, while the third (C310R) was situated in the transmembrane domain. These identified missense nsSNPs hold promise as potential diagnostic markers and drug targets.
Comparative analysis of the adsorption properties of a carbon sorbent modified with sulfosalicylic acid from individual solutions and upon addition of amino acid
Authors: Sedanova A. V. , Delyagina M. S. , P'yanova L. G. , Kornienko N. V. , Vasilevich A. V. , Lavrenov A. V. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The adsorption properties of a carbon sorbent with respect to sulfosalicylic acid from individual solutions and upon addition of amino acid (arginine, phenylalanine) were studied. The addition of amino acids to an aqueous solution of sulfosalicylic acid was shown to increase the amount of adsorbed sulfosalicylic acid on the carbon sorbent. Carbon sorbents before and after the adsorption/desorption of biologically active substances were studied using various physicochemical methods (low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, spectrophotometric method, thermal analysis, et al); adsorption properties of the tested samples toward the substances modeling toxic compounds (methylene blue, metanil yellow) were estimated. The modified samples in the presence of amino acids showed high adsorption capacity toward methylene blue dye. The produced materials are recommended as enterosorbents for treatment of gastrointestinal disturbances.
Association between Pediatric Postoperative Delirium and Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Liu Kexian , Lin Nan , Xiang Yujun , Li Jiahuan , Jin Jingyi , Lai Dengming , Xu Hongzhen 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Postoperative delirium (POD) represents a prevalent and noteworthy complication in the context of pediatric surgical interventions. In recent times, a hypothesis has emerged positing that cerebral ischemia and regional cerebral oxygen desaturation might serve as potential catalysts in the pathogenesis of POD. The primary aim of this study was to methodically examine the potential relationship between POD and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and to assess the predictive and evaluative utility of rSO2 in the context of POD.
Methods
This prospective observational study was conducted at the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China, spanning the period from November 2020 to March 2021. The research cohort comprised children undergoing surgical procedures within this clinical setting. To measure rSO2 dynamics, cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to monitor rSO2 levels both before and after surgery. In addition, POD was assessed in the paediatric patients according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. The analysis of the association between the rSO2 index and the incidence of POD was carried out through the application of either the independent samples t-test or the nonparametric rank-sum test. To ascertain the threshold value of the adjusted rSO2 index for predictive and evaluative purposes regarding POD in the pediatric population, the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was employed.
Results
A total of 211 cases were included in this study, of which 61 (28.9%) developed POD. Participants suffering delirium had lower preoperative rSO2mean, lower preoperative rSO2min, and lower postoperative rSO2min, higher ∆rSO2mean, higher amount of ∆rSO2mean, lower ∆rSO2min (P < 0.05). Preoperative rSO2mean (AUC = 0.716, 95%CI 0.642–0.790), ∆rSO2mean (AUC = 0.694, 95%CI 0.614–0.774), amount of ∆rSO2mean (AUC = 0.649, 95%CI 0.564–0.734), preoperative rSO2min (AUC = 0.702, 96%CI 0.628–0.777), postoperative rSO2min (AUC = 0.717, 95%CI 0.647–0.787), and ∆rSO2min (AUC = 0.714, 95%CI 0.638–0.790) performed well in sensitivity and specificity, and the best threshold were 62.05%, 1.27%, 2.41%, 55.68%, 57.36%, 1.29%.
Conclusions
There is a close relationship between pediatric POD and rSO2. rSO2 could be used as an effective predictor of pediatric POD. It might be helpful to measure rSO2 with NIRS for early recognizing POD and making it possible for early intervention.