bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi-omics analysis reveals CLIC1 as a therapeutic vulnerability of gliomas
Authors: Wang Chengcheng , He Zheng 
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Despite advances in comprehending cancer biology, malignant gliomas remain incurable. The present work conducted a multi-omics analysis for investigating the significance of chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) in gliomas.Methods: Multi-omics data of glioma covering transcriptomics, genomics, DNA methylation and single-cell transcriptomics from multiple public cohorts were enrolled for analyzing CLIC1. In vitro experiments were conducted to measure apoptosis and cell mobility in U251 and U373 glioma cells following transfection of CLIC1 siRNAs.Results: Elevated CLIC1 expression was proven to stably and independently estimate worse survival outcomes. CLIC1 expression was higher in more advanced stage, wild-type IDH and unmethylated MGMT samples. Tumorigenic and anticancer immunity pathways were remarkably enriched in CLIC1-up-regulated tumors. Additionally, CLIC1 was positively linked with cancer-immunity cycle, stromal activation, DNA damage repair and cell cycle. Suppressing CLIC1 resulted in apoptosis and attenuated cell motility of glioma cells. More frequent genomic alterations were found in CLIC1-up-regulated tumors. CLIC1 expression presented a remarkably negative connection to DNA methylation. High CLIC1 expression samples were more sensitive to camptothecin, cisplatin, doxorubicin, erlotinib, paclitaxel, rapamycin, clofarabine, tanespimycin, methotrexate, everolimus, TAK-733, trametinib and AZD8330. Tumors with upregulated CLIC1 presented abundant immune cell infiltration, higher expression of immune-checkpoints and -modulators and similar transcriptome profiling, indicative of well response to immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB). Nevertheless, due to elevated TIDE score, tumors with CLIC1 upregulation appeared to be resistant to ICB. Single-cell analysis unveiled that CLIC1 was expressed ubiquitously in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment.Conclusions: Overall, CLIC1 was a promising treatment vulnerability in glioma.
Potential antioxidative and anti-hyperuricemic components in Rodgersia podophylla A. Gray revealed by bio-affinity ultrafiltration with SOD and XOD
Authors: Liang Can , Xu Yongbing , Fan Minxia , Muema Felix Wambua , Chen Guilin , Guo Mingquan , Hu Guangwan 
Published: November 2023

Rodgersia podophylla A. Gray (R. podophylla) is a traditional Chinese medicine with various pharmacological effects. However, its antioxidant and anti-hyperuricemia components and mechanisms of action have not been explored yet. In this study, we first assessed the antioxidant potential of R. podophylla with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The results suggested that the ethyl acetate (EA) fraction of R. podophylla not only exhibited the strongest DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging and ferric-reducing activities, but also possessed the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents among the five fractions. After that, the potential superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) ligands from the EA fraction were quickly screened and identified through the bio-affinity ultrafiltration liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UF-LC-MS). Accordingly, norbergenin, catechin, procyanidin B2, 4-O-galloylbergenin, 11-O-galloylbergenin, and gallic acid were considered to be potential SOD ligands, while gallic acid, 11-O-galloylbergenin, catechin, bergenin, and procyanidin B2 were recognized as potential XOD ligands, respectively. Moreover, these six ligands effectively interacted with SOD in molecular docking simulation, with binding energies (BEs) ranging from −6.85 to −4.67 kcal/mol, and the inhibition constants (Ki) from 9.51 to 379.44 μM, which were better than the positive controls. Particularly, catechin exhibited a robust binding affinity towards XOD, with a BE value of −8.54 kcal/mol and Ki value of 0.55 μM, which surpassed the positive controls. In conclusion, our study revealed that R. podophylla possessed remarkable antioxidant and anti-hyperuricemia activities and that the UF-LC-MS method is suitable for screening potential ligands for SOD and XOD from medicinal plants.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community-based brain injury associations across Canada: a cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Salazar Ana Paula , Bottari Carolina , Lecours Sophie , McDonald Michelle , Gignac Monique A. M. , Swaine Bonnie , Schmidt Julia , Lemsky Carolyn , Brosda Ashley , Engel Lisa 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic created new difficulties for people living with brain injury, their families, and caregivers while amplifying the challenges of community-based associations that support them. We aimed to understand the effects of the pandemic on clients who live with brain injury, as well as on the provision of community brain injury services/programs in Canada.MethodsOnline cross-sectional survey conducted in January 2022. Representatives of brain injury associations across Canada completed the 31 open- and closed-ended questions about meeting clients’ needs, addressing public health guidelines, and sustaining the association. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (close-ended questions) and qualitative content analysis (open-ended questions).ResultsOf the 45 key representatives from associations in Pacific/Western (40%), Central (56%), and Atlantic Canada (4%), the majority were paid executive directors (67%). Participants reported that the most frequent psychosocial challenges experienced by their clients during the pandemic were social isolation (98%), loneliness (96%), and anxiety (93%). To alleviate these challenges, associations implemented wellness checks and psychosocial support. Most respondents (91%) affirmed that clients faced multiple technological barriers, such as a lack of technological knowledge and financial resources for devices and/or internet. In the open-ended questions, twenty-nine (64%) associations reported providing clients with devices, technology training, and assistance. Regarding public health measures, thirty (67%) respondents reported that clients had challenges understanding and/or following public health guidelines. Forty-two associations (93%) provided tailored information to help clients understand and comply with public health measures. Although associations (67%) received pandemic-related funding from the Canadian government they still struggled with the association’s sustainability. Thirty-four (76%) lost funding or financial resources that prevented them from delivering programs or required the use of reserve funds to continue to do so. Only 56% reported receiving sufficient funding to address additional COVID-19-related expenses.ConclusionAlthough the pandemic added further challenges to the sustainability of brain injury associations across Canada, they quickly adapted services/programs to respond to the increasing and varied needs of clients, while complying with protective measures. To ensure community associations’ survival it is essential to aptly recognize the vital role played by these associations within the brain injury care continuum.
An analysis of actors participating in the design and implementation of workplace breastfeeding interventions in Mexico using the NetMap analysis approach
Authors: Litwan Kathrin , Lara-Mejía Vania , Chahine Teresa , Hernández-Cordero Sonia , Vilar-Compte Mireya , Pérez-Escamilla Rafael 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionWhile breastfeeding is recognized as providing optimal nutrition for infants and toddlers, maternal employment is a commonly mentioned barrier to breastfeeding. The goal was to (a) identify key actors participating in the design and implementation of workplace breastfeeding interventions in Mexico, (b) understand the complexity of interactions between the actors, and (c) map the connections and influence between the actors when looking into networks of Advice, Command, Funding, and Information.MethodFollowing the NetMap methodology, a total of 11 semi-structured interviews with 12 interview partners from 10 organizations were conducted. Interview data were analyzed, and networks were analyzed and visualized, using a social network mapping software.ResultsA total of 83 actors from five different actor groups were identified. Four networks were constructed along the four types of connections: Advice, Command, Funding, and Information. The actors were connected by 580 connections with 446 unique links. Based on various network statistics, the Mexican Institute of Social Security, the Mexican Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare, UNICEF, and the Mexican Secretary of Health were identified to be key actors.ConclusionTo increase the likelihood of success of workplace breastfeeding interventions, the role of the actors “Employers” and “Women” needs to expand. They should be actively involved in the decision-making process, together with the identified key actors. It is further recommended to re-introduce a national breastfeeding strategy for Mexico that includes policies for workplace breastfeeding interventions.
Barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake: classification and the role of Health Literacy and Media Literacy
Authors: Ranjbaran Soheila , Chollou Khalil Maleki , Pourrazavi Sara , Babazadeh Towhid 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundVaccination is one of the most influential and cost-effective health interventions for preventing and reducing COVID-19 diseases. Unfortunately, the majority of the world's population is deprived of vaccination. Health Literacy (HL) and Media Literacy (ML) are essential to the COVID-19 vaccination. The present study investigates the barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake, focusing on classification and the roles of HL and ML.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among people 18–65 years old in Sarab City, located in East Azerbaijan, Iran, between September to October 2020. Multistage cluster sampling was employed to recruit 298 people from Health Care Services Centers (HCCs).ResultsThe results of this research demonstrated that about 32.6% of participants reported that they have fully injected COVID-19 vaccines. Also, HL was positively associated with ML (r = 0.214, p &lt; 0.05). Barriers of COVID-19 vaccine uptake were classified into personal, interpersonal, group and organizational, society and decision-making factors. Besides, barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine were significantly correlated with HL (r = −0.298, p &lt; 0.05) and ML (r = 0.266, p &lt; 0.05). Additionally, in the hierarchical regression model, demographic characteristics accounted for 8.2% of the variation in barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine (F = 4.34; p = 0.001), that monthly income (ß = −0.237; p &lt; 0.05) and marriage statues (ß = 0.131; p &lt; 0.05) were statistically associated with low barriers. HL as predictor variables explained an additional 14.4% of variation in barriers of COVID-19 vaccine (F = 53.84; p &lt; 0.001) and ML explained an extra 9.2% of the variation (F = 38.83; p &lt; 0.001). In total, demographic characteristics, HL dimensions and ML were able to explain 31.8% of the variation in barriers to COVID-19 vaccine.ConclusionsAccording to the findings, various strategies are needed to increase the COVID-19 vaccination uptake. This is due to the fact that barriers to COVID-19 vaccination uptake are multifactorial. These facts can help health policymakers and healthcare providers design media-based interventions to reduce barriers to COVID-19 vaccination uptake among adults. Enhancing vaccine HL and ML for adults and improving vaccine confidence are of high priority.
Broad Brush Surveys: a rapid qualitative assessment approach for water and sanitation infrastructure in urban sub-Saharan cities
Authors: Nel Melissa , Simuyaba Melvin , Muchelenje Justina , Chirwa Taonga , Simwinga Musonda , Speight Vanessa , Mhlanga Zenzile , Jacobs Heinz , Nel Nicole , Seeley Janet , Mwanaumo Erastus , Viljoen Lario , Hoddinott Graeme , Bond Virginia 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionBroad Brush Surveys (BBS) are a rapid, qualitative assessment approach using four meta-indicators -physical features, social organization, social networks and community narratives - to gauge how local context interfaces with service/intervention options, implementation and uptake.MethodsIn 2021, responding to rapid urbanization and the accompanying need for water and sanitation services, BBS was innovatively applied by social scientists and engineers to assess water and sanitation infrastructure, both formal and informal, in two African cities - Lusaka and Cape Town. In four urban communities, identified with local stakeholders, BBS data collection included: four mapping group discussions with local stakeholders (participants = 24); eight transect walks/drives; 60 structured observations of water and sanitation options, transport depots, health facilities, weekends, nights, rainy days; seven mixed gender focus group discussions (FGDs) with older and young residents (participants = 86); 21 key-informant interviews (KII, participants = 21).ResultsFindings were rapidly summarized into community profiles, including narrative reports, maps and posters, and first discussed with community stakeholders, then at national/provincial levels. The meta-indicator framework and set sequence of qualitative activities allowed the detail on water and sanitation to gradually emerge. For example, the mapping discussion identified water sources considered a risk for waterborne infections, further observed in the transect walks and then structured observations, which compared their relative condition and social interactions and what local residents narrated about them. FGDs and KIIs elaborated on the control of these sources, with nuanced detail, including hidden sources and the use of different water sources for different activities also emerging.DiscussionWe demonstrated that despite some limitations, BBS provided useful insight to systems and social processes surrounding formal and informal water and sanitation infrastructure in and across designated urban areas. Furthermore, BBS had the potential to galvanize local action to improve infrastructure, and illuminated the value of informal options in service delivery.
Evaluation of Proinflammatory Chemokines in HIV Patients with Asymptomatic Leishmania Infantum Infection
Authors: Monteiro Bruna Eduarda Freitas , da Silva Elis Dionísio , Bezerra Gilberto Silva Nunes , Cavalcante Marton Kaique de Andrade , Pereira Valéria Rêgo Alves , Castro Maria Carolina Accioly Brelaz , Mendes Luiz Gustavo , Guedes Diego Lins , Barbosa Júnior Walter Lins , de Medeiros Zulma Maria 
Published: November 2023

Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum, when associated with HIV, can become severe and potentially fatal. In this co-infection, the worst prognosis may be influenced by the host’s immunological aspects, which are crucial in determining susceptibility. Chemokines play an important role in this process by influencing the cellular composition at affected sites and impacting the disease’s outcome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate proinflammatory chemokines in HIV patients with the asymptomatic L. infantum infection. In this cross-sectional study, the levels of CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8, MIG, and IP-10 were measured in 160 serum samples from co-infected patients (n = 53), patients with HIV (n = 90), and negative controls (n = 17). Quantification was determined by flow cytometry. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by the Dunn’s post-test and the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Significance was set at p < 0.05. The chemokines CCL2, CCL5, MIG, and IP-10 exhibited higher levels in the HIV group compared to co-infection. However, the elevated levels of all these chemokines and their increased connectivity in co-infected patients appear to be important in identifying proinflammatory immune responses associated with the asymptomatic condition. Furthermore, a weak negative correlation was observed between higher levels of CXCL8 and lower viral loads in co-infected patients.
Sistema de pastoreio de ultra alta densidad como alternativa en la mejora de los sistemas productivos
Authors: Hernández Armando Pacheco , Arellano Adriana Mabel González , Olguín Thalía Rosario Solís , Martínez Daniel Adair Campos , Velázquez Juan Domínguez 
Published: November 2023

En el presente artículo se da a conocer una propuesta de pastoreo la cual tiene muchas ventajas para recuperar el suelo, se explica de forma sistematizada y lógica acerca del pastoreo de ultra alta densidad en bovinos como alternativa en la mejora de los sistemas productivo bovino, se enfatiza principalmente la importancia así como la validación de este tipo de pastoreo como un proceso que debe trascender para la aplicación y confiabilidad de cada uno de los productores de esta región, con parámetros indispensables en procesos de medición en investigaciones científicas ya realizadas en otros países así como en otras partes cercanas a nuestra región con muy buena respuesta en cuanto a producción. Para facilitar la comprensión se incluyen referencias conceptuales con relación al diseño de sistemas de Pastoreos de Ultra Alta Densidad desde su proceso de diseño hasta los resultados obtenidos. Cada una explica puntualmente los aspectos teóricos y los pasos operativos que deben ejecutarse en función de los expertos, así como evidencias para su validación. Este artículo está dirigido a personas interesadas a implementar este tipo de pastoreo como alternativa de sostenibilidad.
Risk factors associated with mortality in severely ill COVID-19 patients: cohort study
Authors: Merchán-Chaverra Ricardo Alfonso , Ruiz-Jiménez Jhoana Patricia , Sotelo-Vergara Diana Marcela , Carrillo-Ramirez Mónica Vanessa , Jacome-Suarez Jennyfer Carolina , Medina-Parra Jorge , Alvarado-Sanchez Jorge Iván , Alarcón-Amaya Iván Camilo 
Published: November 2023

Background: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who require intensive care unit (ICU) demand multidisciplinary care, which is decisive for their intervention and prognosis. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients in Bogota, Colombia.
Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study (from March 2020 to February 2021) which included critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Electronic medical records were reviewed, and demographic and clinical data were collected. A logistic regression model was performed. Mortality was considered as the dependent variable, and the clinical and demographic variables as explanatory factors.
Results: We included 562 patients with an overall mortality of 42%, associated comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (51%), grade 2 obesity (75%), and age over 65 years (51%). The logistic regression model showed that patients over 65 years of age [odds ratio (OR): 3.23 (2.28 - 4.59)]; diabetes mellitus [OR: 1.68 (1.16 - 2.44)], and grade 2 obesity [OR: 3.5 (1.31 - 9.77)] were risk factors for mortality in COVID-19 patients at the ICU.
Conclusion: This study reported that age over 65 years, diabetes mellitus, and grade 2 obesity were risk factors for death in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
THE IMPACT OF AUDITOR CHARACTERISTICS ON PROFESSIONAL SKEPTICISM: THE CASE OF LEBANON
Authors: Diya Lama 
Published: November 2023

When deciding to purchase an entity's stock or debt instruments, economic factors must have access to reliable information. Without reliable and up-to-date financial information, provided by the firm in the form of financial statements, these choices are unlikely to be successful. It is the responsibility of the auditor, as an independent party to the financial statements, to detect fraud on the financial statements; auditors are tasked with ensuring that the financial statements are true, fair, presented honestly in accordance with the actual situation of the company, and free from material misstatements caused by fraud or error in order to obtain reliable financial statements. The research implemented a quantitative methodology for data collection. The survey was based on the variables of this research and distributed using Google forms for data collection. The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical tool to test hypotheses. The research covered the workforce engaged in accounting and auditing practices in Lebanese accounting firms. The population of the research includes around 1,000 employees. When setting the research constraints, which include a 95% confidence interval, a 5 % margin of error, and a 50% population proportion, after making the desired calculations the approximate number of respondents that should be addressed through the means of a survey is 201 respondents.
These research findings suggest that male and female auditors share a high degree of ethical awareness, suggesting that auditors of all sexes should be cautious in their approach to every audit. Researchers found that female auditors were less likely than their male peers to do a compulsory joint audit that included an examination of partner and earnings management. Auditors tend to have an inflated sense of their own talents, and it's often held that female engagement partners are less certain than their male counterparts. Female auditors may be more skeptical in their work lives than their male counterparts because of their tendency toward overconfidence and risk-taking
STUDY ON ATTRACTING AND RECRUITING TALENTS BASED ON EMPLOYER BRANDING - A CASE STUDY OF VOLKSWAGEN
Authors: Ning Jiang 
Published: November 2023

As China's economy enters a new normal and manufacturing enterprises transform, it has become an irreversible long-term trend for manufacturing industries featuring "cost leadership" to move to second and third-tier cities in China, where manufacturing costs are lower. In a competitive market environment where the demographic dividend is gradually disappearing and the talent competitionis intensifying, how to deal with the challenge of talent attraction in the manufacturing industry, explore new ideas to solve the talent competition challenge, help enterprises attract and motivate and retain talents, and research and construction of employer brand has become an important issue in the practice of enterprise human resource management nowadays. It is also the basis for effective talent attraction and recruitment.
Based on the research and analysis of the literature on employer brands and factors, this paper selects popular companies in China as research objects and conducts interviews with a group of employees in different cities.
The results of the study show that there is a difference in the perception of employer brand attractiveness factors between employees in third-tier cities and employees in first-tier cities in Shanghai This difference is also due to the difference in certain characteristics and demands of the employee group At the same time, the employer brand of a company comes from its main body, i.e., employees and the market The employer brand is derived from the feedback of the employees and the market on the unique value and attractiveness of the company, so it is necessary to start from the perspective of employee identification and avoid local perception.