bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of cisplatin/gold chitosan nanocomposite on oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral epithelial cells
Authors: Ahmed Basma Abdelrahman , Mohsen Rania Osama M. , Sharaky Marwa , Ramadan Marwa A. , Faid Amna H. , Mohamed Mai Hafez 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treatment represents a great challenge, since platinum-based therapeutic agents have deleterious effects on normal cells and tissues. Employing gold nanoparticles (AuNps) as carriers for cisplatin have proved effective in reducing cisplatin doses. Green synthesis of AuNps from eco-friendly agents like chitosan improves the AuNps’ biocompatibility and cytotoxicity. Thus, we synthesized a novel agent of cisplatin coupled to gold chitosan nanoparticles (Cis/AuCh nanocomposite) and examined its effect in addition to the effect of chitosan-reduced gold nanoparticles (AuCh Nps) on (HNO97) OSCC cell line and normal oral epithelial cells (OEC).

Results
Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopic analysis, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the successful synthesis of AuCh Nps and Cis/AuCh nanocomposite. The cytotoxicity assay showed that the IC50 doses of AuCh Nps and Cis/AuCh nanocomposite after 48 h were 12.5 μg/ml, and 6.2 μg/ml, respectively, on the HNO97 cell line. On the other hand, the IC50 doses were 40 μg/ml and 44.5 μg/ml on OEC, respectively. After treating both cell lines with the HNO97–IC50 doses, Cis/AuCh nanocomposite-treated HNO97 cell line revealed a significant rise in Caspase 3 immunohistochemical apoptotic index, besides a significant elevation in pro-apoptotic proteins and reduction in Bcl-2 compared to cisplatin. Conversely, opposite results were detected in AuCh Nps and Cis/AuCh nanocomposite-treated OEC. Flow cytometry results revealed S and G2/M shifts in HNO97 and OEC with more shift in the cisplatin-treated group than AuCh Nps and Cis/AuCh nanocomposite-treated groups in both cell lines. The expressions of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) markers; malondialdehyde and nitric oxide were the highest in Cis/AuCh nanocomposite-treated HNO97, while the reduced glutathione expression was the lowest. However, AuCh Nps and Cis/AuCh nanocomposite-treated groups did not display any significant changes in ROS markers expression from the untreated group in the OEC.

Conclusions
AuCh NPs can be considered a good alternative way of cisplatin transportation for OSCC treatment. Cis/AuCh nanocomposite stimulates apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and ROS production in oral cancer cells with less undesired effects on normal oral epithelial cells.
Charlson comorbidity index has no incremental value for mortality risk prediction in nursing home residents with COVID-19 disease
Authors: Zahra Anum , van Smeden Maarten , Elders Petra J. M. , Festen Jan , Gussekloo Jacobijn , Joling Karlijn J. , van Loon Anouk , Luijken Kim , Melis René J. F. , Mooijaart Simon P. , Moons Karel G. M. , Peeters Geeske , Polinder-Bos Harmke A. , Wouters Fenne , de Hond Anne 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing home (NH) residents faced the highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease and mortality. Due to their frailty status, comorbidity burden can serve as a useful predictive indicator of vulnerability in this frail population. However, the prognostic value of these cumulative comorbidity scores like the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) remained unclear in this population. We evaluated the incremental predictive value of the CCI for predicting 28-day mortality in NH residents with COVID-19, compared to prediction using age and sex only.

Methods
We included older individuals of ≥ 70 years of age in a large retrospective observational cohort across NHs in the Netherlands. Individuals with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2021 were included. The CCI score was computed by searching for the comorbidities recorded in the electronic patient records. All-cause mortality within 28 days was predicted using logistic regression based on age and sex only (base model) and by adding the CCI to the base model (CCI model). The predictive performance of the base model and the CCI model were compared visually by the distribution of predicted risks and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC), scaled Brier score, and calibration slope.

Results
A total of 4318 older NH residents were included in this study with a median age of 88 years [IQR: 83–93] and a median CCI score of 6 [IQR: 5–7]. 1357 (31%) residents died within 28 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. The base model, with age and sex as predictors, had an AUROC of 0.61 (CI: 0.60 to 0.63), a scaled brier score of 0.03 (CI: 0.02 to 0.04), and a calibration slope of 0.97 (CI: 0.83 to 1.13). The addition of CCI did not improve these predictive performance measures.

Conclusion
The addition of the CCI as a vulnerability indicator did not improve short-term mortality prediction in NH residents. Similar (high) age and number of comorbidities in the NH population could reduce the effectiveness of these predictors, emphasizing the need for other population-specific predictors that can be utilized in the frail NH residents.

Graphical Abstract
COVID-19 status and utilisation of essential maternal and child healthcare services during the pandemic in Ahmedabad, India
Authors: Yasobant Sandul , Lekha K Shruti , Tadvi Ravina , Solanki Bhavin , Bruchhausen Walter , Saxena Deepak 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Access to essential healthcare services is pertinent to the achievement of universal health coverage in any nation. The COVID-19 lockdown was used to mitigate the spread of the pandemic. Consequently, there was a reduction in the Utilisation of Basic Healthcare Services (UBHS) in diverse dimensions. However, variation existed in the UBHS by COVID-19 status, but the extent of this disparity has not been extensively addressed in Ahmedabad, India. Therefore, this study explores the relationship between COVID-19 status and utilisation of essential maternal and child healthcare services during the pandemic in Ahmedabad, India.

Methods
A mixed-method approach was used for the data (both quantitative and qualitative) collection from November 2021 to October 2022. Four zones were purposefully selected from the 6 zones in Ahmedabad. The quantitative part of the study included pregnant women or those who had a baby delivery from April 2020 to October 2021 (n = 278), while 10 of these women participated in the qualitative part. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression (α = 0.05). A deductive approach was used to analyse the qualitative data.

Results
Of the total 278, almost 43% of the women were infected with COVID-19 during their pregnancy. Women who tested positive availed lesser antenatal care (ANC), and Postnatal care (PNC). There were diverse experiences documented regarding access to essential maternal and child healthcare services during the pandemic. Women without COVID-19 are more likely to receive maternal healthcare services, such as visits of any healthcare workers [aOR = 2.59 (1.03- 6.49)], counseling services [aOR = 1.92 (0.61- 6.06)], delivery at the planned place [aOR = 1.98 (0.99- 3.92)] as compared to those who are positive. Women without COVID-19 were more likely to be accompanied by healthcare workers during labor ([aOR = 2.91(1.04- 8.11) and to receive appropriate birth spacing counselling [aOR = 1.38 (0.7–2.71)].

Conclusion
Utilisation of essential maternal and child healthcare services was lower among women who were COVID-19 positive compared to those who were not. Social and health system determinants for disrupting healthcare services during the pandemic were fear of infection and unavailability of the health workforce. Health planners and policymakers are encouraged to take into consideration of these findings while building resilient health care for managing future pandemics.
Benefits of the Global Integration Method (Método de Integração Global - MIG) in functional priorities of parents of Brazilian children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Nascimento Amanda Aparecida Alves Cunha , Souto Deisiane Oliveira , Cruz Thalita Karla Flores , de Lima Arthur Felipe Barroso , Oliveira Gabriela Silva , Haase Vitor Geraldi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Understanding the priorities of parents of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is crucial for implementing evidence-based programs. This study aims to identify the functional priorities of parents of Brazilian children and adolescents with ASD, analyze variations in priorities according to the levels of support and age groups of the participants, and categorize the goals according to the categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate changes in parents’ performance and satisfaction with functional priorities after intervention with the Global Integration Method (Métodode Integração Global - MIG).

Methods
A total of 241 children/adolescents with ASD (mean age, 6.92 ± 3.61 years) were recruited from different regions of Brazil. 76% (76%) were male, and 40.7% were classified as having support level 2. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was administered to parents/caregivers to identify their priorities for their children and to assess changes in performance and satisfaction with priorities after intervention with MIG. The MIG protocol consisted of functional task training in a naturalistic environment (City of Tomorrow) combined with the use of a flexible therapeutic suit (MIG Flex) and was conducted for 3 months, five times a week, for 3–4 h per day. Descriptive statistics were used to provide the priority profile. Pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using paired t-test.

Results
Parents established 1,203 functional priorities. Activities of daily living, behavioral difficulties, communication, play, and social interactions were the main functional priorities in the perception of parents/caregivers. The profiles of functional priorities were similar between the different levels of support and age groups. Approximately 64% of the priorities were classified in the activity domain of the ICF. In general, the MIG program resulted in significant improvements in performance and satisfaction for the majority of functional priorities (p < 0.05).

Conclusion
Activities of daily living appear to be the main priority of parents of children and adolescents with ASD, regardless of the level of support or age group. The MIG program has been associated with improvements in performance and satisfaction across several of the functional priorities identified by parents.
Joint spatiotemporal modelling of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus in Ethiopia using a Bayesian hierarchical approach
Authors: Debusho Legesse Kassa , Gemechu Leta Lencha 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
The aim of this paper was to evaluate the distribution of HIV and TB in Ethiopia during four years (2015-2018) at the district level, considering both spatial and temporal patterns.

Methods
Consolidated data on the count of TB case notifications and the number of patients with HIV for four years, 2015-2018, were provided by the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health. The data was analyzed using the Bayesian hierarchical approach, employing joint spatiotemporal modelling. The integrated nested Laplace approximation available in the R-INLA package was used to fit six models, each with different priors, for the precision parameters of the random effects variances. The best-fitting model with the best predictive capacity was selected using the Deviance Information Criterion and the negative sum of cross-validatory predictive log-likelihood.

Results
According to the findings of the selected model, about 53% of the variability in TB and HIV incidences in the study period was explained by the shared temporal component, disease-specific spatial effect of HIV, and space-time interaction effect. The shared temporal trend and disease-specific temporal trend of HIV risk showed a slight upward trend between 2015 and 2017, followed by a slight decrease in 2018. However, the disease-specific temporal trend of TB risk had almost constant trend with minimal variation over the study period. The distribution of the shared relative risks was similar to the distribution of disease-specific TB relative risk, whereas that of HIV had more districts as high-risk areas.

Conclusions
The study showed the spatial similarity in the distribution of HIV and TB case notifications in specific districts within various provinces. Moreover, the shared relative risks exhibit a temporal pattern and spatial distribution that closely resemble those of the relative risks specific to HIV illness. The existence of districts with shared relative risks implies the need for collaborative surveillance of HIV and TB, as well as integrated interventions to control the two diseases jointly.
A digital intervention to reduce home-office workers’ sedentary behaviour: protocol for the evaluation of the Click2Move programme, a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bort-Roig Judit , Parés-Salomón Iris , Loef Bette , Vaqué-Crusellas Cristina , Coffey Alan , Gustems-Morral Arnau , Señé-Mir Anna M. , Luznik Izabela , Pajek Maja , Dowd Kieran P. , Puig-Ribera Anna , Proper Karin I. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
A new paradigm of hybrid working exists, with most office workers sharing their work between the office and home office environment. Working from home increases time spent or prolonged sitting, which is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease. Interventions to reduce sitting time, specifically designed for both the office and home-office environments, are required to address this growing public health issue. This study presents a protocol to evaluate the effectiveness of a digital intervention (Click2Move) to reduce sitting time and improve employees’ health and occupational wellbeing among hybrid office workers.

Methods
A two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial will be undertaken among hybrid office employees. In total, 200 employees will be recruited across four companies across Europe (The Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia). Participants within each company will be randomly allocated to the intervention or control group at the unit/cluster level. The intervention group will receive the novel multicomponent Click2Move intervention (including environmental, organisational, and individual strategies) for 12 months, and the control groups will maintain their usual work practices. The primary outcome will be occupational sedentary time measured via activPAL3TM at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. Secondary outcomes will include device-based (activPAL3TM) and self-reported (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and Workforce Sitting Questionnaire) physical activity and sedentary behaviour; self-reported musculoskeletal disorders (Standardised Nordic Questionnaire) and pain (Numeric Rating Scale); self-reported presenteeism and absenteeism (Health and Work Performance Questionnaire), job satisfaction (Need for Recovery scale) and fatigue (single-item 5-point Likert scale). Focus groups will be conducted with employees post-intervention. Linear mixed models, accounting for covariates, will be employed to determine the effects of the intervention. Additionally, we will perform a full process evaluation analysis.

Discussion
The proposed study will offer a comprehensive evaluation of a digital intervention aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour among hybrid office workers, offering practical solutions to enhance the health, wellbeing and productivity of a growing segment of the workplace.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06247228. Registered 30 January 2024.
Increasing the resolution of malaria early warning systems for use by local health actors
Authors: Evans Michelle V. , Ihantamalala Felana A. , Randriamihaja Mauricianot , Herbreteau Vincent , Révillion Christophe , Catry Thibault , Delaitre Eric , Bonds Matthew H. , Roche Benjamin , Mitsinjoniala Ezra , Ralaivavikoa Fiainamirindra A. , Razafinjato Bénédicte , Raobela Oméga , Garchitorena Andres 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
The increasing availability of electronic health system data and remotely-sensed environmental variables has led to the emergence of statistical models capable of producing malaria forecasts. Many of these models have been operationalized into malaria early warning systems (MEWSs), which provide predictions of malaria dynamics several months in advance at national and regional levels. However, MEWSs rarely produce predictions at the village-level, the operational scale of community health systems and the first point of contact for the majority of rural populations in malaria-endemic countries.

Methods
This study developed a hyper-local MEWS for use within a health-system strengthening intervention in rural Madagascar. It combined bias-corrected, village-level case notification data with remotely sensed environmental variables at spatial scales as fine as a 10 m resolution. A spatio-temporal hierarchical generalized linear regression model was trained on monthly malaria case data from 195 communities from 2017 to 2020 and evaluated via cross-validation. The model was then integrated into an automated workflow with environmental data updated monthly to create a continuously updating MEWS capable of predicting malaria cases up to three months in advance at the village-level. Predictions were transformed into indicators relevant to health system actors by estimating the quantities of medical supplies required at each health clinic and the number of cases remaining untreated at the community level.

Results
The statistical model was able to accurately reproduce village-level case data, performing nearly five times as well as a null model during cross-validation. The dynamic environmental variables, particularly those associated with standing water and rice field dynamics, were strongly associated with malaria incidence, allowing the model to accurately predict future incidence rates. The MEWS represented an improvement of over 50% compared to existing stock order quantification methods when applied retrospectively.

Conclusion
This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing an automatic, hyper-local MEWS leveraging remotely-sensed environmental data at fine spatial scales. As health system data become increasingly digitized, this method can be easily applied to other regions and be updated with near real-time health data to further increase performance.
Association of serum magnesium and calcium with metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study from the Qatar-biobank
Authors: Alsheikh Raneem , Aldulaimi Haneen , Hinawi Rami , Al-Sadi Fatima , Al-Baker Alanoud , Alkuwari Aldana , Sameer Muhammad , Al-Abdulla Ghalya , Shi Zumin , Rathnaiah Babu Giridhara 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background and objectives
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its constituent comorbidities, along with mineral imbalances, pose a significant health burden in the Qatari population. Although Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca) have been individually linked to MetS, the impact of the calcium-to-magnesium ratio (Ca: Mg) on MetS remains unclear, especially in the adult population of Qatar. In this study, we aim to investigate the association between the total serum concentrations of Ca, Mg and Ca: Mg ratio with the outcome of MetS.

Methods
This comprehensive cross-sectional study included data on 9693 participants collected by Qatar Biobank (QBB). The serum levels of Mg and Ca, in addition to recorded metabolic parameters for the study participants, were used in the analyses. The presence of MetS was deemed as our primary outcome and its components as secondary outcomes. Logistic regression models were run to examine these associations.

Results and conclusion
MetS was present in more than 19% of the population. The mean serum Mg was higher in the non-MetS group 0.83 ± 0.06 mmol/L compared to the MetS group 0.81 ± 0.08 mmol/L. Conversely, the mean serum Ca and Ca: Mg ratio were higher in the MetS group (2.33 ± 0.09 mmol/L, 2.92 ± 0.36 mmol/L) compared to the non-MetS group (2.30 ± 0.08 mmol/L, 2.77 ± 0.23 mmol/L) respectively. In the context of MetS, we observed a negative dose-response relationship between Mg quartiles and MetS. In contrast, we found a positive association between Ca as well as Ca: Mg ratio and MetS.
Diagnostic performance of optical spectral transmission compared to magnetic resonance imaging in patients with inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Triantafyllias Konstantinos , Alhaddad Mohammed , Schwarting Andreas , Balaklytska Veronika , Baraliakos Xenofon 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Optical spectral transmission (OST) is a modern diagnostic method capable of quantifying inflammation in the finger and wrist joints of arthritis patients by assessing the blood-specific absorption of light transmitted through a tissue. The diagnostic performance of this modality has not been adequately examined and data regarding OST associations with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are limited. Aim of this study was therefore to investigate the performance of OST in assessing joint inflammation as compared to MRI in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods
Data from patients who underwent MRI and OST for suspected IA were analyzed. For comparison, a historical healthy control (HC) group with OST was also accounted. MRI findings were quantified using the Rheumatoid Arthritis MRI Score (RAMRIS). Diagnostic accuracy of OST was evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC), while correlation analyses were conducted to explore relationships between OST and MRI, as well as disease activity markers.

Results
Overall, 71 patients with known rheumatic diseases (n = 1,542 wrist and finger joints) and 114 HC (n = 2,508 joints) subjects were included. 51 patients showed inflammatory signs on MRI (MRI+). These also showed significantly higher OST scores (16.41 ± 5.53) than subjects without MRI inflammation (MRI-) (11.52 ± 5.03) or HC (10.78 ± 4.19) (all; p < 0.001). OST showed significant correlations with RAMRIS-synovitis and tenosynovitis scores in the MRI + group (rho = 0.541, p < 0.001; rho = 0.341, p = 0.01, respectively). Significant correlations were observed between OST and clinical parameters for disease activity. Using MRI as a reference, the best diagnostic value of OST was observed at the wrist level in the MRI + group, by an AUC of 0.833 (95%CI 0.700-0.966).

Conclusion
OST showed an excellent performance compared to MRI and correlated significantly with RAMRIS scores and clinical parameters in IA patients, also differentiating IA from HC.