bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of an Educational Nursing Intervention on the Adherence to Therapeutic Regimen in Patients with Diabetes: an Interventional Study
Authors: Correia Luciana Isabel , Sa-Couto Pedro , Marques Sandra , Raínho Maria Conceição , Simões João Lindo 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

This study aims to assess the effect of an educational intervention performed by nurses on adherence to the therapeutic regimen (drug and non-drug) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2. This is an analytical and interventional prospective quantitative study. A convenience sample was studied, composed of 102 participants with DM type 2, followed in a primary health care unit in the central region of Portugal. Data collection was carried out by applying the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCAM) and the Psychometric Measure of Adherence to Treatments scale (PMAT) before and one month after the educational nursing intervention. Statistically significant differences were found between the first assessment and the assessment after the nursing educational intervention, in dimensions D1: General Food, D2: Specific Food, D4: Foot Care, and D5: Medications of the SDSCAM, and in the total value of the PMAT, revealing that, in general, the participants in the study improved in their self-care and in adherence to treatments after the educational session. So, an educational nursing intervention focused on adherence to the drug and non-drug therapeutic regimen, which involved the perspectives of the person with DM and family, will be effective in reaching the best potential in health, producing positive effects in changing diabetic patients’ behaviours and habits.
Analysis of Future Drought Characterization Under Multiple Drought Indices and Climate Change Impact Conditions for Developing Best Strategic Measures with CMIP-6 Climate Model in Mille Watershed, Lower Awash Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Amognehegn Asnake , Nigussie Asmare , Assega Mihiretie , Adamu Anteneh , Adamu Gerawerk , Assefa Natnael 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The agricultural sector is vulnerable to extreme phenomena such as droughts, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments and in regions where water infrastructure is limited. The objective of this study is to analyze future drought characteristics in meteorological, hydrology, and agricultural droughts under climate change in Mille watershed using three drought indices; Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI), Streamflow Drought Index (SDI) and Agricultural Standardized Precipitation Index (aSPI). The study used baseline data (1985–2014) and future (2041–2100) downscaled from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP-6) based on the three Global Climate Models; (MIROC-6, CMCC and MRI) under two scenarios of the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP2-4.5, SSP5-8.5) with Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to simulate future streamflow for two future time horizons 2050s (2041–2070) and 2080s (2071–2100). as a result, in the future most hazardous Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) event occurred at Kombolcha, Mille, Batie and Sirinka with magnitude and frequency of 2050s (-1.51, 4.76%), 2058 (-1.49, 6.16%), 2063s (-1.52, 5.65%) and 2066 (-1.5, 4.48%) respectively, but in the annual time scale (SDI-12) extreme and severe hydrological drought events occurred 2088 (-2.00) and 2091 (-1.51) in SSP2-4.5 for study area, and also compared to other Mille and Batie stations experienced more frequently agricultural drought in terms of location. Generally, the RDI confirmed a significant drought trend in the past, while the frequency and severity of drought will increase in the future, however relatively less frequent hydrological drought events are observed in the study area and in the watershed both precipitation and streamflow will decline in the wet seasons and increase in the dry seasons. These findings may be useful for preparedness plans, including means for efficient monitoring and timely identification of drought events, is essential for informed decision making on drought mitigation and water management, especially for the water-dependent agricultural sector.
YOLO-Based Microglia Activation State Detection
Authors: Liu Jichi , Li Wei , Lyu Houkun , Qi Feng 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
To enhance the precision of identifying microglia activation states, this study proposes a detection network utilizing YOLOv5, which leverages advanced deep learning techniques and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for microglia activation state recognition. The decoupled head is seamlessly included in the Head network, accompanied by the introduction of novel feature extraction modules derived from DenseNet, namely the DenseNet-C2f module and the DenseNet-SimCSPSPPF module. Subsequently, the Wise-IoU is employed as the loss function. The network's performance is evaluated using the Microglia dataset. The experimental findings indicate that the Mean Average Precision of the enhanced network has risen from 59.6–65.6%. Additionally, the recall has increased from 56.3–71.5%. These improvements result in more effective detection performance, better fulfilling the requirements for identifying the activation state of microglia in the field of medicine.
Doxorubicin alters G-protein coupled receptor-mediated vasocontraction in rat coronary arteries
Authors: Lozahic Caroline , Maddock Helen , Wheatley Mark , Sandhu Hardip 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Doxorubicin (Doxo)-associated cardio-and vasotoxicity has been recognised as a serious complication of cancer chemotherapy. The purpose of this novel paper was to determine the effect of Doxo on G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated vasocontraction located on vascular smooth muscle cells.
Rat left anterior descending artery segments were incubated for 24 h with 0.5 µM Doxo was applied. The vasocontractile responses by activation of endothelin receptor type A (ETA) and type B (ETB), serotonin receptor 1B (5-HT1B) and thromboxane A2 prostanoid receptor (TP) were investigated by a sensitive myography using specific agonists, while the specificity of the GPCR agonists was verified by applying selective antagonists (i.e. ETA agonist = 10-14-10-7.5 M endothelin-1 (ET-1); ETA antagonist = 10 µM BQ123; ETB agonists = 10-14-10-7.5 M sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) and ET-1; ETB antagonist = 0.1 µM BQ788; 5-HT1B agonist = 10-12-10-5.5 M 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT); 5-HT1B antagonist = 1 µM GR55562; TP agonist = 10-12-10-6.5 M U46619; TP antagonist = 1 µM Seratrodast).
Our results show that 0.5 µM Doxo incubation of LAD segments leads to an increased VSMC vasocontraction through the ETB, 5-HT1B and TP GPCRs, with a 2.2-fold increase in ETB-mediated vasocontraction at 10-10.5 M S6c, a 2.0-fold increase in 5-HT1B-mediated vasocontraction at 10-5.5 M 5-CT, and a 1.3-fold increase in TP-mediated vasocontraction at 10-6.5 M U46619.
Further studies unravelling the involvement of intracellular GPCR signalling pathways will broaden our understanding of the Doxo-induced vasotoxicity, and thus pave the way to mitigate the adverse effects by potential implementation of adjunct therapy options.
Leveraging Electronic Medical Records from Two Hospital Systems Identifies Male Infertility Associated Comorbidities Across Time
Authors: Sirota Marina , Woldemariam Sarah , Xie Feng , Roldan Alennie , Roger Jacquelyn , Tang Alice , Oskotsky Tomiko , Stevenson David , Lathi Ruth , Rajkovic Aleksandar , Aghaeepour Nima , Eisenberg Michael 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Male infertility (MI) accounts for at least 30% of infertility etiology, yet the full breadth of potential MI risk factors and adverse health outcomes has not been explored. Here, we use electronic medical records (EMRs) from the University of California (UC) and Stanford to implement a data-driven case-control study to identify MI-associated comorbidities. We identified 6,531 and 5,551 MI patients at UC and Stanford, respectively, as well as 8,353 and 2,464 vasectomy control patients at UC and Stanford, respectively. We used temporally-stratified logistic regression analyses to identify MI-associated comorbidities before or after 6 months after a patient’s first MI diagnosis or vasectomy-related record. We found 15 and 2 diagnoses positively associated with MI before and after the 6-month cutoff across both hospital systems and all analyses, respectively, including less expected comorbidities such as hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes. Our findings can set the groundwork for future studies to clarify the relationship between less expected comorbidities and MI.
Update on X-Ray Microcalorimeter Arrays Based on Thermal MKIDs (TKIDs)
Authors: Daal Miguel , Clay W. Hawkins , Mohammad Majid , Mazin Benjamin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

We report progress on the development of x-ray microcalorimeter TKID detector arrays, where each TKID is an independent pixel. We discuss the evolution of the design, the fabrication and the pulse and energy resolution data obtained from the our test devices. We also describe the challenges encountered which drove design decisions.
Preference of anesthesia types and associated factors among pregnant mothers scheduled for elective cesarean section in Addis Ababa Governmental Hospitals, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Belachew Ebise , Yuya Sherif Abdi , Seifu Ashenafi , Samuel Hirbo , Abrar Meron , Usso Ahmedin Aliyi 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background Caesarean section is one of the most common operations done for women patients. General and regional anesthesia are the types of anesthesia used for C/S at current time to simplify surgery in the operating room. The aim of the study is to assess the pregnant mothers’ preference and factors associated with their preference of anesthesia types for elective Cesarean Section at Addis Ababa Governmental MCH Hospitals.Method and material: Cross sectional study design was conducted. We collected data using interviewer administered questionnaire. Anxiety was measured using APAIS. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS 26 version analysis tool. The descriptive statistic was used, to summarize data, tables and figures for displaying results. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to see the association between preference of anesthesia types and independent variables. Strength of association was measured by AOR within 95% confidence interval.Results Majority of the women, 62.3% preferred spinal anesthesia, 15.2% general anesthesia and 22.6% of them not decided anesthesia types. The odds of uneducated pregnant mothers not deciding anesthesia types rather than spinal anesthesia is nearly 8 times higher compared to mothers having college and above education status. (AOR = 7.760, 95% (CI 2.428, 24.803)). The odds of pregnant mothers who hadn’t information about different types not deciding anesthesia types rather than spinal anesthesia is 38 times more likely compared to mothers who had get information from media. (AOR = 38.302 (5.196,282.333))Conclusions Educational status, occupation, type of previous surgery, type of previous anesthesia, source of information, and having information about different anesthesia types for CS were identified to be significantly associated with anesthesia type preference.
Insects and phytoplasmas in urban trees in a mega-city: a case study in Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Silva-Castaño Andres Felipe , Brochero Helena , Franco-Lara Liliana 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Urban trees offer many ecosystemic services, however, they are affected by several pathogens such as phytoplasmas. Phytoplasmas cause regulator growth imbalances in infected plants, which produce deviations from the normal plant architecture, among other symptoms. In Bogota, Colombia, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini’ infect at least 11 species of urban trees, including Andean oak. This tree species is endemic to Colombia and Panama, and it plays an important ecologic role in wild forests of the Colombian Andes. In Bogotá, knowledge about the insect vectors associated with the transmission of phytoplasmas to Andean oak is scarce. In this work we evaluated the role of Cicadellidae and Psylloidea taxa as possible vectors of phytoplasmas in Bogotá. Cicadellidae and Psylloidea were captured using direct and indirect sampling methods at three contrasting sites in Bogotá, in Andean oaks and neighbouring trees. The insects were identified by morphological and molecular methods and tested for the presence of phytoplasmas. In total, 510 Cicadellidae members of 13 taxa and 129 Psylloidea of 8 taxa were captured; richness and abundance depended on the type and sampling site. The most abundant species were Scaphytopius (Convelinus) sp. (Cicadellidae) and Acizzia uncatoides (Psylloidea). Leafhoppers positive for phytoplasmas were Chiasmodolini, Dikrella (Readionia) sp, Empoasca sp. and Scaphytopius (Convelinus) sp. taxa. Our results suggest that several potential species of phytoplasmas may be dispersing phytoplasmas not only to Andean oaks but to other urban tree species. It is necessary to conduct transmission tests to evaluate the transmission capacity of the potential vectors.
The magnitude and factors associated with ear infection in a Tertiary hospital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Massawe Willybroad , Shangali Aminiel R , Kamori Doreen , Manisha Anselmo , Mwingwa Anthony G. , Niccodem Elieshiupendo M , Masoud Salim , Kibwana Upendo O. , Manyahi Joel , Majigo Mtebe 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Ear infection is a common public health problem in developing countries,. There is limited data on the factors that are associated with ear infections, which has hastened the spread of ear infections and the repercussions of ear infection including hearing loss. The study aimed to determine the magnitude and factors associated with ear infection among patients attending Otorhinolaryngology clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Methods
A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to July 2021. Participants with signs and symptoms of ear infection attending otorhinolaryngology clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital Dar es Salaam, Tanzania were recruited into this study. The clinical information from the participants was collected using a standardized data collection tool and an ear swab was collected and taken to the lab for culture and identification. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v23), proportions and percentages were used to indicate the magnitude. The Chi-square test was employed to assess associations between variables, with statistical significance determined at a p-value of 0.05. Logistic regression was used to measure the strength of the association between dependent and independent variables.
Results
A total of 255 eligible participants were enrolled, with a median age of 31 years (IQR: 15–49). The magnitude of ear infection was found to be 53.3% (136 out of 255). Majority (26.8%) of participants with ear infection were elderly above 50 years followed by children under 10 years (17.9%). Additionally, we observed that the factors such as cotton buds use (AOR 2.78, 95%CI 1.08–7.15, p = 0.035), cerumen impaction (AOR 12.86, 95%CI 2.78–59.33, p < 0.001), recurrent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (AOR 3.43, 95%CI 1.22–10.03, p = 0.019), nasal congestion/discharge (AOR 3.55, 95% CI 1.36–9.27, p = 0.010) and ear cleaning (AOR 3.45, 95% CI 1.44–8.25, p = 0.005) were independently associated with ear infection.
Conclusions
The present study has revealed a relatively high magnitude of ear infection, with elders above 50 years and children below 10 years accounting for the majority of cases. Our study findings show that nasal congestion, recurrent URTI, use of cotton buds, cerumen impaction and ear cleaning are potential risk factors for ear infection.
Comparative Impact of TDF and ETV on the Prognosis of HCC Patients with Concurrent MASLD and HBV Infection after Hepatectomy
Authors: Kong Qingyan , Gao Qianqian , Li Wenjie , Chen Zheyu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: Currently, there remains ongoing controversy about the selection of postoperative antiviral drugs for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with concurrent metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (HPMH) who underwent hepatectomy.
Methods: A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model and a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis were implemented to ensure equal baseline characteristics. The Kaplan‒Meier survival curves were employed for prognosis comparison between the two groups.
Results: This study included 225 HPMH who all received post-hepatectomy antiviral therapy; with 107 in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) group and 118 in the entecavir (ETV) group.
In the entire cohort, according to the multivariate analysis, patients in the TDF group showed better recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR=0.78; 95% CI, 0.55-0.95; p=0.030) and overall survival (OS) (HR=0.52; 95% CI, 0.30-0.97; p=0.021) than those in the ETV group. After executing a PSM analysis, Kaplan‒Meier survival curve analysis disclosed significant differences for both RFS and OS between the two groups (p=0.03 and p=0.01, respectively).
Conclusions: In summary, our study suggests a more significant association of TDF in improving RFS and OS than ETV in HPMH who underwent hepatectomy through multivariate and PSM analysis. These findings indicate that the choice of antiviral drugs in HPHM holds crucial significance in guiding patient long-term prognosis.
Effect of bacterial vaginosis on induced labour in the third trimester of pregnancy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Yin , Liu Shuhua , Liu Dehong , Wu Xiumei , Zheng Chenmin , Ye Xi , Chen Xianxia 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that pregnant women diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (BV) may encounter more adverse outcomes during induced labour.
Methods
The study population consisted of 474 pregnant women who were categorized into two groups based on the findings of a vaginal discharge test: BV group and the nonvaginitis group. The BV group consisted of both the BV group and the BV + vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC) group. Based on the Bishop score, labour induction was performed utilizing diverse techniques, such as the insertion of a dinoprostone plug, and amniotomy in conjunction with oxytocin. The statistical analysis of the experimental data was conducted using SPSS software.
Results
Compared to the nonvaginitis group, the BV group exhibited a higher incidence of caesarean section and a lower incidence of vaginal delivery (24.24% vs. 11.99%; 75.76% vs. 88.01%; P = 0.001). Additionally, the BV group experienced a greater occurrence of adverse maternal and infant outcomes, including increased postpartum bleeding, postpartum haemorrhage, blood transfusion, chorioamnionitis, postpartum urinary retention, puerperal infection, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, neonatal infection, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (p༜0.05). In comparison to the BV + VVC group, the BV group exhibited elevated levels of postpartum bleeding, postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), blood transfusion, chorioamnionitis, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, neonatal infection (n,%) and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (n,%) (p༜0.05). After controlling for age, BMI, Bishop score, history of vaginitis during pregnancy, and mode of induction, statistically significant differences in adverse maternal and child outcomes between BV and nonvaginitis groups persisted.
Conclusion
BV during the third trimester of pregnancy has been correlated with a significant increase in the incidence of caesarean section following labour induction in primiparous women, as well as adverse outcomes for both mothers and infants. It is imperative for clinicians to allocate greater attention towards the assessment of BV during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Assessment of Lactococcus cremoris preparations for the pre- and post-milking teat disinfection
Authors: Gazzola A. , Zucali M. , Addis M.F. , Bava L. , Morandi S. , Pisanu S. , Pagnozzi D. , Passera A. , Brasca M. , Piccinini R. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Good hygienic milking practices include the disinfection of the cows’ teat skin before and after milking aimed at reducing the entry of pathogens and preventing the occurrence of new intramammary infections (IMI) in dairy cows. This practice is generally performed using disinfectants, and in the current context of attention to the emergence of resistances, it is of greatest interest to evaluate alternative solutions that can expand treatment options. We assessed the efficacy of a pre-dipping and a post-dipping product based on the bacteriocin-containing preparation of Lactococcus cremoris strain FT27, as compared to commercial disinfectants. FT27 was selected for the bactericidal activity in vitro against food pathogens. In the present study, it also revealed a high bactericidal activity against the main mastitis pathogens, most likely related to Nisin A production, according to genomic and proteomic analysis. The lactococcus-based preparations were applied in two commercial dairy farms in Northern Italy. Overall 380 dairy cows were enrolled, 182 in the treated group (TR), and 198 in the control group (CTR). The cows were sampled at quarter level every two weeks for 3 months. During the trial, all cows showed a good health status. The hygiene level for udder, flanks and legs was generally good (on average < 3 score); the udder hygiene was significantly worse in the CTR group. The teat apex hyperkeratosis was overall low (on average < 2 score). We recorded no significant differences between the two experimental groups in the Somatic Cell Count (SCC) values and the bacteriological results. The overall frequency of bacteriologically positive quarters was low and was not related to any SCC increase. Staphylococcus aureus was the only contagious pathogen isolated, in both TR and CTR groups, in 13 cows and 10 cows, respectively, at only 1–2 time points. Notably, the incidence of this pathogen did not increase during the study, even though neither of the two herds segregated the positive cows. The non-inferiority test showed that the Lactococcus-based pre- and post-dipping products had an efficacy comparable to proven commercial disinfectants in maintaining udder health and preventing new IMI, thus representing a possible alternative to current teat dip products.