bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community Health Needs Assessment: Findings from a Community- University Partnership Strengthening Program on Maternal and Child Health in Pakistan
Authors: Zakar Rubeena , Zakar Nazoora Manal , Shahzad Ruhma , Tekian Ara , Fischer Florian 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Pakistan has been progressing at a slow pace in enhancing maternal and child health (MCH) indicators, experiencing some of the poorest pregnancy outcomes globally. In response to the challenges faced at the community level in MCH, a community health needs assessment (CHNA) was undertaken through a community-university partnership project. The aim of this CHNA was to understand the MCH needs and associated social determinants within the specific local context of the community.
Methods
The assessment of community MCH needs was performed in two phases in Lahore, Pakistan. Initially, the semi-urban area of Shah Di Khoi, within the university’s catchment area, was chosen based on an extensive review of both primary and secondary data. In the second phase, a CHNA was conducted among females of reproductive age (15–49 years) having at least one child under 5 years. Data encompassing socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measures, and the health needs of mothers and children were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed employing SPSS version 21, utilizing descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square, and binary logistic regression at a 95% confidence interval.
Results
In this study, 253 reproductive-age females and 371 children under 5 were examined. Critical community issues included unmet family planning needs (29.6%), maternal anemia (18.6%), and child malnutrition (28.6%). Concerns encompassed suboptimal drinking water practices (62.0%), child non-vaccination (19.1%), widespread ghutti use (84.9%), suboptimal birth spacing (25.7%), non-exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (88.7%), and prelacteal feeding (66.8%). Analysis identified maternal anemia (AOR = 0.38; p = 0.010), nuclear family adoption (AOR = 2.049; p = 0.033), unhealthy water practices (AOR = 0.48; p = 0.023), and ghutti provision at birth (AOR = 0.37; p = 0.03) as pivotal predictors of child nutritional status.
Conclusion
In order to improve the overall health status of community, it is imperative to implement collective strategies tailored to the specific factors and challenges prevalent in the community. The results underscore the importance of maintaining the community-university partnership through establishing a dedicated Maternal and Child Health Center. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge in MCH research and inform evidence-based policies for enhanced health outcomes in similar contexts.
A high-quality mitochondrial genome of Suriana maritima reveals tremendous gene transfers between the plastid and mitochondrial genomes
Authors: Li Jian-Xin , Yu Runxian , Nie Ze-Long , Zhang Meng hua , Shi Miao-Miao , Zhao Zhongtao , Li Shijin , Wang Xiang-Ping , Meng Ying , Tu Tieyao , Zhang Dianxiang 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Gene transfer between the plastid and mitochondrial genomes has been reported in several lineages of the legume family (Leguminosae or Fabaceae). However, it is not clear whether these events happened in other families of the order Fabales. We herein generated a high-quality mitochondrial genome of Suriana maritima in the family Surianaceae, which is closely related to Leguminosae and distributed mainly in extreme environments of tropical coral islands, to understand the gene transfers between orgenelle genomes of S. maritima and the structural and functional evolution of mitogenomes in Fabales.
Results
We combined Illumina and Nanopore technologies to assemble the mitogenome of S. maritima. The mitogenome was 458,738 bp in length and contained 39 protein-coding, three ribosomal RNA, and 20 transfer RNA genes. A number of sequences derived from the chloroplast genome of S. maritima were detected in the mitogenome, including 41 plastid genes among 83 mitochondrial plastid DNA sequences with a total length of 30,834 bp. Transferred genes accounted for 18.8% of the plastid genome and 6.7% of the mitogenome, and these estimates were much higher than those in previous studies of Fabales.
Conclusions
In addition to providing a high-quality mitogenome of an additional species in Fabales and the first species in Surianaceae, S. maritima, our findings advance our understanding of gene transfer between organelle genomes.
Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors Associated with Glaucoma in an African Ancestry Population: Findings from the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) Study
Authors: Mamidipaka Anusha G , Shi Amy , Lee Roy , Zhu Yan , Chen Yineng , Rosa Isabel Di , Salowe Rebecca , Ying Gui-Shuang , O'Brien Joan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, disproportionately affecting African ancestry individuals. Limited research has explored how neighborhood quality and socioeconomic factors influence primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) risk in this population. Our study aims to address these research gaps by using geospatial data to evaluate associations between ocular health and neighborhood characteristics. This case-control study utilizes existing data of 5,192 African ancestry individuals from the Philadelphia region collected for the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study. Geocoded U.S. Census data were merged with data from the POAAGG study. Individual-level demographics, air quality, food accessibility, and socioeconomic data were analyzed to assess for associations with glaucoma risk and severity. The study population comprises 3,039 controls (58.5%) and 2,153 POAG cases (41.5%). The study found that several individual factors, including older age (p < 0.001), male gender (p < 0.001), lower BMI (p = 0.003), and nonuse of alcohol (OR 0.56, p < 0.001) are associated with higher risk of POAG. Although control subjects are more likely to live in areas of low food accessibility (p = 0.03) and subjects with severe POAG are more likely to live in areas with lower rates of homeownership (p = 0.049), most other socioeconomic and environmental variables, such as air quality, education, income, occupation, and family structure, are not significantly associated with the occurrence or severity of POAG in African-ancestry individuals. This highlights the need for additional population-level genetic studies on the disease..
Nonlocal balance equation: representation of solution and Markov approximation
Authors: Averboukh Yurii 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We study the nonlocal balance equation that describes the evolution of a system consisting of infinitely many identical particles those move along a deterministic dynamics and can also either disappear or give a spring. In this case, the solution of the balance equation is considered in the space of nonnegative measures. We prove the superposition principle for the examined nonlocal balance equation. Furthermore, we interpret the source/sink term as a probability rate of jumps from/to a remote point. Using this idea and replacing the deterministic dynamics of each particle by a nonlinear Markov chain, we approximate the solution of the balance equation is approximated by a solution of a system of ODEs and evaluate the corresponding approximation rate.
MSC Classification: 35R06, 70F45, 60J27
The establishment and optimization of a long-term prognosis assessment model for patients in sepsis combined with heart failure: Based on the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database
Authors: Desheng Ma , Li Ma , Yanfei Meng 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Introduction: Sepsis is a prevalent occurrence in clinical practice, with heart failure emerging as a frequent and severe sequelae of sepsis. Despite notable progress in therapeutic interventions, the protracted prognosis for individuals experiencing sepsis-associated heart failure (SHF) continues to be unfavorable. The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate a prognostic model designed to anticipate one-year mortality in patients diagnosed with SHF. Methods: The relevant data pertaining to patients diagnosed with sepsis-associated heart failure (SHF) was extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database using Structured Query Language (SQL). The patient cohort was subsequently randomized into a training set and a validation set at a 7:3 ratio. The training set was utilized for model development, while the validation set served for model validation. Independent prognostic factors for SHF patients were identified through forward stepwise logistic regression, and a nomogram was constructed to predict one-year mortality in SHF patients. Validation of the nomogram included assessments using multiple indicators, such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), net reclassification index (NRI), and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: Our study included a total of 4,228 patients diagnosed with sepsis-associated heart failure (SHF), with 2,960 patients allocated to the training cohort and 1,268 patients to the validation cohort. Through stepwise regression analysis, we identified twelve independent prognostic factors and constructed a nomogram. The AUC values for the nomogram were 0.740 (95% CI = 0.712–0.764) in the training cohort and 0.745 (95% CI = 0.726–0.763) in the validation cohort. The high AUC, Net Reclassification Index (NRI), and Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) values underscored the robust discriminative capability of the nomogram. Calibration curves and results from the Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated excellent calibration, and Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) curves demonstrated the nomogram's significant clinical utility. Conclusion: The novel prognostic nomogram designed to predict one-year mortality in patients with sepsis-associated heart failure (SHF) demonstrates superior performance compared to other existing scoring systems. The nomogram holds potential for guiding clinical practice. Nevertheless, additional external prospective validation is deemed necessary to further confirm its reliability and generalizability.
Anopheles sacharovi in Italy: first record of the historical malaria vector after over 50 years
Authors: Raele Donato Antonio , Severini Francesco , Toma Luciano , Menegon Michela , Boccolini Daniela , Tortorella Giovanni , Luca Marco Di , Cafiero Maria Assunta 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Anopheles sacharovi, a member of the Anopheles maculipennis complex, was a historical malaria vector in Italy, no longer found since the last report at the end of 1960s. In September 2022, within the Surveillance Project for the residual anofelism, a single specimen of Anopheles maculipennis sensu lato collected in Lecce municipality (Apulia region) was molecularly identified as Anopheles sacharovi. This record led to implement a targeted entomological survey in September 2023. Investigation was conducted in the areas around the first discovery, focusing on animal farms, riding stables and potential breeding sites. Adult and immature mosquitoes were collected, using active search or traps, in several natural and rural sites. Mosquitoes belonging to Anopheles maculipennis complex were identified morphologically and molecularly by a home-made routine qPCR assay, developed specifically for the rapid identification of Anopheles labranchiae, and, when necessary, by amplification and sequencing of the ITS-2 molecular marker. Out of the 11 sites investigated, 6 were positive for Anopheles presence. All 20 Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (7 adults, 10 larvae and 3 pupae) collected in the areas were identified as An. sacharovi by ITS-2 sequencing. The discovery of An. sacharovi, considered disappeared from Italy for over 50 years, has a strong health relevance and impact, highlighting an increase in the receptivity of the southern areas. As imported malaria cases in European countries are reported every year, the risk of Plasmodium introduction by gametocyte carriers among travellers from endemic countries should be given into greater consideration. Our findings allow rethinking and building new models for the prediction and expansion of introduced malaria and to further reconsider the need to strengthen the surveillance of residual anophelism throughout southern Italy in order to prevent the risk of reintroduction of the disease.
Cross-sectional observations of algal MCYST pollution and source water pollution index changes in Dianshan Lake, Shanghai
Authors: Yu Xi , Shen Yan , Yao Xinmin , Li Guifu , Shi Le , Shao Weiai , Hu Jielan , Diao Yongqing 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background: Dianshan Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Shanghai and is the major water source for the Upper Huangpu River, which supplies raw water for the Jinze reservoir. In this continuously monitored study, we tested the water quality in Dianshan Lake to understand the main water pollution indicators and the status of algal toxins, and to evaluate the water quality of Dianshan Lake.
Methods: We collected water samples from each 5 monitoring points in Dianshan Lake every month in 2021. Test methods followed the national standards of China , detection of MCRR and MCCR by high performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. calculating the Carlson index to assess eutrophication. Also, we collected 10 kinds of aquatic organisms and examined them for the algal toxins once a month. We selected healthy human volunteers for experiment in which we sampled fasting venous blood from each individual in both observation and control groups to measure impaired renal function.
Results: All seasonal conditions, including the high water, flat water, and dry periods, were represented in the 600 water samples taken from Dianshan Lake in 2021. The permanganate index (CODMn) fell within the Chinese national surface water quality standard III, while total nitrogen and total phosphorus did not meet surface water standards. According to the Carlson index, Dianshan Lake exhibited moderate eutrophication. MC-LR was the dominant toxin in the high temperature season while algal toxins. In June through August, MC-RR was extremely abundant while MC-LR dominated in July through October. In the aquatic organisms, both MC-LR and MC-RR were detected in every month’s samples. The levels of toxins in the human study differed significantly between the observation group and the control group. Individuals in the observation group exhibited renal function injury。
Conclusion: Dianshan Lake water exhibits eutrophication. We found both MC-LR and MC-RR in aquatic organisms. In our experiment, indicating that long-term exposure to the polluted water may cause a health risk.
Assessment of Efficacy and Accuracy of Segmentation Methods in Dentomaxillofacial Imaging- A Systematic Review
Authors: Hosseini Matine , Hartoonian Serlie , Mahdian Mina , Khadivi Gita , Ahsaie Mitra Ghazizadeh 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Introductions: Radiographic image segmentation is a process that aims to distinguish the voxels and pixels within a defined area of interest from the background, which is vital for facilitating clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, intervention, and follow-up in the field of dentistry and medicine.
Objectives: We aimed to provide an assessment of the efficacy and accuracy of segmentation methods in dentomaxillofacial imaging through a systematic review.
Methods: PubMed and Scopus electronic databases were searched from January 1999 to January 2023. The keywords used for the search were combinations of the following terms for each database: Artificial intelligence, Segmentation, Image interpretation, Deep Learning, Convolutional neural networks, and Head and neck imaging. After the initial search, eligible studies were selected based on the inclusion criteria, and quality assessments were conducted by A Revised Tool for the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2).
Results: Primary electronic database searches resulted in 2763 articles. Finally, a total of 54 records were considered suitable for this systematic review. Twenty-five (46%) used CBCT as a baseline imaging modality, 11 used MDCT (20%), 6 used panoramic (11%), 4 used micro-CT (7%), 3 used periapical (6%), 3 used MRI (6%), and 2 used ultrasonography (4%). Segmentation through automatic algorithms (convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) mostly including U-net and MS-D net) was used in the majority of the studies.
Conclusion: The systematic review of the current segmentation methods in dentomaxillofacial radiology shows interesting trends, with the rising popularity of deep learning methods over time. However, Continued efforts will be necessary to improve algorithms.
Mechanisms of leukemic stem cell interaction in AML: insights from complementary mathematical modeling approaches.
Authors: Glauche Ingmar , Harnisch Christoph , Uschner Friedemann , Roeder Ingo , Fassoni Artur César 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a severe disorder of the blood forming system which is commonly treated with cytotoxic drugs. It is still incompletely understood how the dynamic interaction between leukemia and the stem cell-niche influences AML progression, treatment outcome and resistance formation. Mathematical models provide a framework to quantitatively investigate different assumptions about these regulations, especially with respect to the regulation of stem cell proliferation, and can help to identify potential clinical targets.
To this end we compare two recently published, complementary models of AML progression and treatment. Based on an analytical reformulation of the models we highlight a fundamental difference in how the models describe the regulation of proliferation. We assess the models’ suitability to describe disease dynamics and treatment outcomes by fitting each model to 275 clinical remission time courses and respective therapy cycles. Furthermore, we perform a systematic screening with univariate alterations for relevant parameters to evaluate their influence regarding velocity and depth of remission during induction therapy as well as the length of remission thereafter. The results align with the increasing consensus that therapies targeting niche-interactions mechanisms could potentially contribute to improve treatment outcomes in AML.
We conclude that the regulation of normal and leukemic stem cell proliferation can be coupled to niche-dependent and niche-independent mechanisms. While both assumptions allow to sufficiently describe clinically available time course data, their complementary roles in leukemia progression but also in normal and stress hematopoiesis need to be further delineated.
A Comparative Study of the E-Learning Awareness of University Postgraduate Students
Authors: Kumar Pradeep 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This research investigates the awareness of e-learning among postgraduate students from three universities in Uttar Pradesh, India, namely, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Aligarh Muslim University, and IFTM University. This study aimed to determine the various dimensions of e-learning awareness, including its significance, benefits, cybersecurity aspects, and motivation factors. Using stratified random sampling, data were collected through structured questionnaires to analyse demographic variations and discern differences in e-learning perceptions and practices. The findings indicate that a significant number of postgraduate students recognize the significance of e-learning and are familiar with various online platforms. The author acknowledges the benefits of e-learning for personal knowledge expansion and display varying levels of awareness regarding cybersecurity measures. Motivation for e-learning is influenced by factors such as flexibility, interactivity, learning style alignment, accessibility of resources, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, students actively engage in online resources, discussions, and digital tools, indicating a proactive approach to e-learning. Differences in e-learning experiences were observed, emphasizing the need for consistent quality standards and efforts to bridge disparities between students from rural and urban areas. However, students generally agree that e-learning provides equal opportunities for learning, irrespective of geographical location. The study highlights the importance of promoting e-learning awareness, integrating cybersecurity education, enhancing interactivity, tailoring e-learning to diverse learning styles, ensuring quality assurance, and promoting inclusivity in digital education.
Aberrant Subclavian Artery in Interrupted Aortic Arch with Severe Aortic Outlet Obstruction: Cerebral Blood Flow as a Possible Determinant of Embryonic Cardiovascular Development?
Authors: Tadeo Danilo , Kakavand Barham , Bhat Abdul , Tsuda Takeshi 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background Aberrant subclavian artery (ASCA) is frequently observed in interrupted aortic arch (IAA) with aortic/subaortic obstruction. Developmental significance of ASCA in IAA in utero remains elusive.Methods Newborns with prenatally diagnosed isolated IAA under continuous prostaglandin E1 infusion were studied. Cross-sectional areas of aortic valve opening (AVOCSA) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDACSA) were represented by echocardiographic measurement of (diameter)2 indexed by body surface area (m2). Types of IAA and presence of ASCA were examined in relation to sizes of AVOCSA and PDACSA.Results Twenty-four newborns with IAA (six type A and 18 type B) were reviewed. Male dominance was seen in type B (male 72%). Twenty-three patients had left aortic arch. No type A patients had ASCA, but 50% of type B had ASCA; AVOCSA was significantly smaller in type B than in type A (p = 0.003). In type B, PDACSA was significantly larger in those with ASCA than without (p = 0.003), but AVOCSA exhibited no significant size difference between these two subgroups. Chromosome 22q11 deletion was only seen in type B (56%) and showed no significant correlation with the presence of ASCA.Conclusions In type B IAA, the presence of ASCA was associated with larger PDACSA, suggesting an adaptive enlargement of the ductus arteriosus and ASCA in response to reduced antegrade flow across small AVOCSA, which may be augmenting cerebral blood flow. Preservation of cerebral blood flow may be another important determinant affecting embryonic cardiovascular development.