bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study protocol: a pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of implementation of the Truenat platform/MTB assays at primary health care clinics in Mozambique and Tanzania (TB-CAPT CORE)
Authors: Leukes V. N. , Hella J. , Sabi I. , Cossa M. , Khosa C. , Erkosar B. , Mangu C. , Siyame E. , Mtafya B. , Lwilla A. , Viegas S. , Madeira C. , Machiana A. , Ribeiro J. , Garcia-Basteiro A. L. , Riess F. , Elísio D. , Sasamalo M. , Mhalu G. , Denkinger C. M. , Castro M. D. M. , Bashir S. , Schumacher S. G. , Tagliani E. , Malhotra A. , Dowdy D. , Schacht C. , Buech J. , Nguenha D. , Ntinginya N. , Ruhwald M. , Penn-Nicholson A. , Kranzer K. ,   TB-CAPT Consortium
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
In 2020, the WHO-approved Molbio Truenat platform and MTB assays to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) and resistance to rifampicin directly on sputum specimens. This primary health care center-based trial in Mozambique and Tanzania investigates the effect of Truenat platform/MTB assays (intervention arm) combined with rapid communication of results compared to standard of care on TB diagnosis and treatment initiation for microbiologically confirmed TB at 7 days from enrolment.

Methods
The Tuberculosis Close the Gap, Increase Access, and Provide Adequate Therapy (TB-CAPT) CORE trial employs a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled design to evaluate the impact of a streamlined strategy for delivery of Truenat platform/MTB assays testing at primary health centers. Twenty-nine centers equipped with TB microscopy units were selected to participate in the trial. Among them, fifteen health centers were randomized to the intervention arm (which involves onsite molecular testing using Truenat platform/MTB assays, process process optimization to enable same-day TB diagnosis and treatment initiation, and feedback on Molbio platform performance) or the control arm (which follows routine care, including on-site sputum smear microscopy and the referral of sputum samples to off-site Xpert testing sites). The primary outcome of the study is the absolute number and proportion of participants with TB microbiological confirmation starting TB treatment within 7 days of their first visit. Secondary outcomes include time to bacteriological confirmation, health outcomes up to 60 days from first visit, as well as user preferences, direct cost, and productivity analyses.

Ethics and dissemination
TB-CAPT CORE trial has been approved by regulatory and ethical committees in Mozambique and Tanzania, as well as by each partner organization. Consent is informed and voluntary, and confidentiality of participants is maintained throughout. Study findings will be presented at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed international journals.

Trial Registration
US National Institutes of Health’s ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04568954. Registered 23 September 2020.
A hybrid deep CNN model for brain tumor image multi-classification
Authors: Srinivasan Saravanan , Francis Divya , Mathivanan Sandeep Kumar , Rajadurai Hariharan , Shivahare Basu Dev , Shah Mohd Asif 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe current approach to diagnosing and classifying brain tumors relies on the histological evaluation of biopsy samples, which is invasive, time-consuming, and susceptible to manual errors. These limitations underscore the pressing need for a fully automated, deep-learning-based multi-classification system for brain malignancies. This article aims to leverage a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to enhance early detection and presents three distinct CNN models designed for different types of classification tasks. The first CNN model achieves an impressive detection accuracy of 99.53% for brain tumors. The second CNN model, with an accuracy of 93.81%, proficiently categorizes brain tumors into five distinct types: normal, glioma, meningioma, pituitary, and metastatic. Furthermore, the third CNN model demonstrates an accuracy of 98.56% in accurately classifying brain tumors into their different grades. To ensure optimal performance, a grid search optimization approach is employed to automatically fine-tune all the relevant hyperparameters of the CNN models. The utilization of large, publicly accessible clinical datasets results in robust and reliable classification outcomes. This article conducts a comprehensive comparison of the proposed models against classical models, such as AlexNet, DenseNet121, ResNet-101, VGG-19, and GoogleNet, reaffirming the superiority of the deep CNN-based approach in advancing the field of brain tumor classification and early detection.
The long-term consequences of the hypospadias salvage repair issue
Authors: Hammouda Hisham M. , Shahat Ahmed A. , Safwat Ahmed S. , Taha Taha M. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To present the long-term results of redo-hypospadias at our tertiary referral center following a failed prior repair.

Methods
One hundred sixty-four individuals with a history of unsuccessful repairs qualified for our retrospective cohort study. Our inclusion criteria were as follows: pre-operative data that was accessible, redo-hypospadias that was successfully repaired, and at least three years of follow-up at the last hospital visit.

Results
The mean patient age was 91.3 ± 21.1 months. The mean follow-up after successful repair was 41.3 ± 3.1 months. Ninety-two (group A) had one prior repair, and 72 (group B) had 2 or 3 repairs. Group A underwent six primary techniques: 32 underwent Onlay Island Flap (OIF), 10 underwent Mathieu, 12 underwent Tubularized Incised Plate Urethroplasty (TIPU), 8 underwent Urethral Mobilization (UM), and 34 underwent Buccal Mucosal Graft (BMG) { dorsal inlay Graft Urethroplasty (DIGU) in 4 and staged BMG in 30 patients}. In group B, four procedures were used: TIPU in 4, UM in 6, and BMG in 62 (staged BMG in 50 cases and DIGU in 12).

Conclusions
The selected type of repair will depend on many factors, like residual healthy local skin and expertise. Safe techniques for repair of redo hypospadias after its 1st failure include TIPU, Mathieu, UM, OIF, and DIGU for distal varieties. After 2nd or 3rd repair DIGU, UM, and TIPU can be performed in distal types, while staged BMG can be applied for proximal ones.
Food sources of fiber and micronutrients of concern among infants and young children in Lebanon: a national cross-sectional study
Authors: Chokor Fatima Al Zahraa , Hwalla Nahla , Naja Farah , Nasreddine Lara 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Intakes of fiber, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and folate were shown to be low in a substantial proportion of infants and children in Lebanon. The study aims to identify the top food sources of fiber, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and folate amongst infants and young children in Lebanon and to evaluate the evolution of food sources of these nutrients from the beginning of the complementary feeding journey up until the age of 47.9 months.

Methods
A national cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2012 as part of the “Early Life Nutrition and Health in Lebanon” project using stratified cluster sampling. Dietary intakes for infants and young children aged 6-47.9 months (n = 763) were assessed using 24- Hour Dietary Recall. Food items were categorized into food groups and the percent contribution of each food group to nutrient intakes was determined to identify the top food sources of fiber and selected micronutrients for three age groups: 6-11.9 m (infants), 12-23.9 m (toddlers), and 24-47.9 m (preschoolers).

Results
The top food source of fiber was vegetables among children aged 6-47.9 months. Among infants and toddlers, infant/young child formula was the main contributor to iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and folate intakes. Baby cereals also contributed to around 14% of iron intakes among infants. Among preschoolers, meat and fish contributed to 13% of iron intakes and 29% of zinc intakes, while cow’s milk was the major contributor of calcium (41%), vitamin D (81%) and vitamin A (25%) intakes. Sweetened beverages and sweet bakery were also ranked among the major food sources contributing to substantial intakes of key nutrients, including fiber, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, and folate among infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Conclusions
In addition to milk sources, vegetables, beans and legumes, breads, meats, and rice and pasta, sweet bakery and sweetened beverages have contributed to intakes of key nutrients from early ages. This calls for implementing initiatives and designing approaches to support nutrition education and improve nutrient intakes in infancy and early childhood.
Characteristics of patients with schizophrenia switching from oral antipsychotics to once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M): a systematic review
Authors: Li Qian , Li Xin , Ye Chong , Jia Miaomiao , Si Tianmei 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
The utilization of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M) in schizophrenia treatment has increased due to its enhanced adherence and convenience. However, there is limited evidence on patient characteristics that may influence treatment outcomes when switching from oral antipsychotics (OAPs) to PP1M therapy. This systematic review aims to identify such patient characteristics and explore potential beneficial factors to aid healthcare professionals in clinical practice.

Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to July 19, 2022. Studies related to patients with schizophrenia who had been previously treated with OAPs and switched to PP1M were identified and included. Outcomes included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score, the clinical Global Impressions – Severity (CGI-S) score, the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) total score, and hospitalisation rate. Data were independently extracted and analysed. The results were presented through a narrative synthesis.

Results
Eleven studies with a total of 4150 patients were included, identifying nine potential characteristics. The most commonly reported characteristics was patient’s prior treatment with OAPs, followed by the stage of disease, duration of illness (DI), ethnicity, reason for switching to PP1M, history of hospitalisation, time of start injection of PP1M, the PANSS and PSP total score at baseline. Patients in the acute stage, with a shorter DI, a less than 1-week time interval to PP1M injection, and a lower PANSS total score at baseline may have a trend on providing better improvements on PANSS total score. Acute stage and shorter DI also showed potential trends in reducing CGI-S score. Early initiation of PP1M, switching for reasons other than lack of efficacy, and a higher PSP score at baseline exhibited potential trends towards better PSP total score improvements.

Conclusion
Our findings may suggest that patients in acute stage, with a shorter duration of illness, with early initiation of PP1M injection, and lower PANSS or PSP scores may trend towards better clinical results when transitioning to PP1M from OAPs. Further research is necessary to validate these potential associations and identify any unexplored characteristics. Such investigations are crucial for providing comprehensive clinical recommendations and informing treatment strategies in this context.
Evaluating the effect of action-like video game play and of casual video game play on anxiety in adolescents with elevated anxiety: protocol for a multi-center, parallel group, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gradi Naïma , Chopin Adrien , Bavelier Daphné , Shechner Tomer , Pichon Swann 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Adolescence is a critical period for the onset and maintenance of anxiety disorders, which raises the importance of intervening early; one possibility of doing so is via digital interventions. Within that research field, at least two important research paths have been explored in the past years. On the one hand, the anxiolytic effect of casual video games has been tested as such gaming activity may distract away from anxious thoughts through the induction of flow and redirection of attention toward the game and thus away of anxious thoughts. On the other hand, the bidirectional link between weak attentional control and higher anxiety has led to the design of interventions aiming at improving attentional control such as working memory training studies. Taking stock that another genre of gaming, action video games, improves attentional control, game-based interventions that combines cognitive training and action-like game features would seem relevant. This three-arm randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and the efficacy of two video game interventions to document how each may potentially alleviate adolescent anxiety-related symptoms when deployed fully on-line.

Methods
The study aims to recruit 150 individuals, 12 to 14 years of age, with high levels of anxiety as reported by the parents’ online form of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders questionnaire. This trial contrasts a child-friendly, “action-like” video game designed to improve attentional control abilities in a progressive and stepwise manner (Eco-Rescue), a casual puzzle video game selected to act as a positive distraction tool (Bejeweled) and finally a control group with no assigned training intervention to control for possible test-retest effects (No-training). Participants will be assigned randomly to one of the three study arms. They will be assessed for main (anxiety) and secondary outcomes (attentional control, affective working memory) at three time points, before training (T1), one week after the 6-week training (T2) and four months after completing the training (T3).

Discussion
The results will provide evidence for the feasibility and the efficacy of two online video game interventions at improving mental health and emotional well-being in adolescents with high levels of anxiety. This project will contribute unique knowledge to the field, as few studies have examined the effects of video game play in the context of digital mental health interventions for adolescents.

Trial registration
The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05923944, June 20, 2023).
Effective partnership and in-country resource mobilization in Sudan for cVDPV2 outbreak response amid multiple emergencies in 2020–2021
Authors: Mashal Mohammed Taufiq , Eltayeb Dalya , Higgins-Steele Ariel , El Sheikh Ismael Suleiman , Abid Ni’ma Saeed , Shukla Hemant , Machado Leonard , Jafari Hamid 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
During 2020 and immediately prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sudan was experiencing multiple emergencies including violence, seasonal flooding, and vector-borne disease outbreaks. After more than ten years since its last case of wild poliovirus, Sudan declared a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak on 9 August 2020.

Methods
cVDPV2 outbreak response data and programme documents of the Federal Ministry of Health and WHO were reviewed. Surveillance data was verified through WHO-recommended procedures for detecting and characterizing polioviruses from stool and sewage samples collected from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases and the environment.

Results
This outbreak in Sudan led to a total of 58 confirmed cases of cVDPV2 from 15 of the 18 states. Two nationwide vaccination campaigns were held to increase immunity of children under-five against poliovirus type 2. Funding challenges were overcome by intense additional resource mobilization from in-country sources. The funding gap was bridged from domestic resources (49%) sourced through GPEI partners, and in-country humanitarian funding mechanisms.

Conclusions
During an outbreak response and challenge of funding shortfall, mobilizing in-country resources is possible through coordinated approaches, regular communication with partners, disaggregation of needs, and matching in-kind and financial support to fill gaps. A cVDPV2 outbreak requires a fast, resourced, and quality response to stop virus circulation.
Reaping the benefits of liquid handlers for high-throughput gene expression profiling in a marine model invertebrate
Authors: Annona Giovanni , Liberti Assunta , Pollastro Carla , Spagnuolo Antonietta , Sordino Paolo , De Luca Pasquale 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Modern high-throughput technologies enable the processing of a large number of samples simultaneously, while also providing rapid and accurate procedures. In recent years, automated liquid handling workstations have emerged as an established technology for reproducible sample preparation. They offer flexibility, making them suitable for an expanding range of applications. Commonly, such approaches are well-developed for experimental procedures primarily designed for cell-line processing and xenobiotics testing. Conversely, little attention is focused on the application of automated liquid handlers in the analysis of whole organisms, which often involves time-consuming laboratory procedures.

Results
Here, we present a fully automated workflow for all steps, from RNA extraction to real-time PCR processing, for gene expression quantification in the ascidian marine model Ciona robusta. For procedure validation, we compared the results obtained with the liquid handler with those of the classical manual procedure. The outcome revealed comparable results, demonstrating a remarkable time saving particularly in the initial steps of sample processing.

Conclusions
This work expands the possible application fields of this technology to whole-body organisms, mitigating issues that can arise from manual procedures. By minimizing errors, avoiding cross-contamination, decreasing hands-on time and streamlining the procedure, it could be employed for large-scale screening investigations.
Association between shortened dental configurations and health outcomes: a scoping review
Authors: Campos Fernanda Lamounier , Rodrigues Lorrany Gabriela , Campos Julya Ribeiro , Rhodes Gabriela Aparecida Caldeira , Morais Gabrielli Flores , Chalub Loliza Luiz Figueiredo Houri , Ferreira Raquel Conceição 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study mapped definitions of shortened dental configurations and health outcomes employed in association studies. A scoping review was conducted using the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO and Cochrane databases. Two trained researchers selected studies and extracted data. Studies that investigated the association between shortened dental configurations (exposure) and person-centered outcomes (general and oral health) related to health behavior (dietary patterns). Clinical outcomes were classified according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO). Shortened dental configurations were defined as at least 20/21 teeth or the position of the teeth, including esthetics, dental occlusion and periodontal status (Eichner Index, Shortened Dental Arches, Functional Dentition Classification System, Posterior Occluding Pairs, Functional Tooth Units). The initial search resulted in 12,525 records in English, Portuguese and Spanish, 432 of which addressed the association of interest. General health (n = 203) and oral health (n = 201) were addressed in a similar number of studies. Most outcomes were related to general health (n = 184), the most frequent of which were endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases (n = 57) and mental functions (n = 26). Person-centered measures were addressed in 153 studies, most of which were about oral health and oral health-related quality of life (n = 62). Oral health outcomes were predominantly related to intake functions (n = 44) and diseases or disorders of the orofacial complex (n = 24). Dietary patterns (n = 43) and mortality (n = 38) were also studied. The cross-sectional design (n = 257) and non-probabilistic sampling (n = 218) were more frequent. The shortened dental configurations defined by the WHO were the most frequent in the studies (n = 206). The effects of shortened dental configurations have been investigated mainly in relation to endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases and measures of oral health-related quality of life. The findings point to a diversity of health outcomes assessed and substantial methodological variability.
Growth inhibitory effect of selected medicinal plants from Southern Ethiopia on the mycelial phase of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum
Authors: Girma Tagash , Chala Gemechu , Mekibib Berhanu 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Epizootic lymphangitis is an infectious and chronically debilitating disease of the equines. Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum, a thermally dimorphic fungi, is the causative agent for the disease. In Ethiopia, the disease significantly affects carthorses, posing threats to animal welfare, and resulting in substantial economic losses. Limited availability of widely accessible antifungals in addition to the chronic nature of the disease is the major challenge against management of epizootic lymphangitis. This study aimed to assess the in vitro efficacy of specific local medicinal plant extracts against the mycelial phase development of H. capsulatum var. farciminosum in southern Ethiopia. The leaves of Xanthium strumarium, Kanda (Family Rubiaceae), Croton macrostachyus (Bisana in Amharic), and Centella Asiatica (Echere waye as a local name in Zeyissegna) that are traditionally used for the treatment of different skin ailments were collected and extracted for the in vitro trial.

Results
The study revealed that methanol extracts of Xanthium strumarium, Kanda, Croton macrostachyus, and Centella Asiatica, at minimum inhibitory concentrations of 1.25 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, and 5 mg/ml, respectively, inhibited the growth of H. capsulatum var. farciminosum.

Conclusion
This in vitro finding could serve as significant preliminary data in the exploration of effective alternative treatment options for epizootic lymphangitis. This study provides a crucial foundation for further research aimed at determining the chemical components and in vivo effectiveness of these plant extracts against both the mycelial and yeast forms of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum.
The genetic etiology of body fluids on chronic obstructive airways disease
Authors: Cheng Zhangkai J. , Wu Haojie , Chang Zhenglin , Cheng Jiahao , Wang Suilin , Liu Changlian , Zhang Yanxi , Xu Shiliang , Wan Qiongqiong , Ron JinWen , Liu Kemin , Sun Baoqing 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Numerous studies have documented significant alterations in the bodily fluids of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. However, existing literature lacks causal inference due to residual confounding and reverse causality.

Methods
Summary-level data for COPD were obtained from two national biobanks: the UK Biobank, comprising 1,605 cases and 461,328 controls, and FinnGen, with 6,915 cases and 186,723 controls. We also validated our findings using clinical data from 2,690 COPD patients and 3,357 healthy controls from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. A total of 44 bodily fluid biomarkers were selected as candidate risk factors. Mendelian randomization (MR) and meta-analyses were used to evaluate the causal effects of these bodily fluids on COPD and lung function (FEV1/FVC).

Results
Mendelian randomization (MR) and meta-analyses, by integrating data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen cohort, found that 3 bodily fluids indicators (HDLC, EOS, and TP) were causally associated with the risk of COPD, two (EOS and TP) of which is consistent with our observational findings. Moreover, we noticed EOS and TP were causally associated with the risk of lung function (FEV1/FVC).

Conclusions
The MR findings and clinical data highlight the independent and significant roles of EOS and TP in the development of COPD and lung function (FEV1/FVC), which might provide a deeper insight into COPD risk factors and supply potential preventative strategies.