bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of deep echocardiographic phenotyping in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Ghio Stefano , Badagliacca Roberto , Acquaro Mauro , Filomena Domenico , Recchioni Tommaso , Papa Silvia , Colombo Davide , Ditali Valentina , Carrozzi Chiara , Greco Alessandra , Turco Annalisa , Breviario Federico , Benza Raymond , Vizza Dario , Scelsi Laura 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundA novel approach to derive prognostic information from echocardiography in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is to define a phenotype of right heart function combining standard echocardiographic parameters which describe right ventricular pump function and systemic venous congestion. We tested the hypothesis that the combination of advanced strain imaging parameters could yield high prognostic accuracy.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study with a single centre derivation cohort and a second centre validation cohort. The derivation cohort included 49 naive PAH patients who underwent right heart catheterisation and echocardiographic evaluation at baseline and 4–12 months after diagnosis. The validation cohort included 83 prevalent PAH patients who underwent the same examinations at 12 months after diagnosis. We stratified the risk of the derivation cohort according to three models: Model 1, based on haemodynamic parameters; Model 2, based on standard echocardiographic parameters; and Model 3, based on advanced echocardiographic parameters. The median follow-up period was 21 months; the end point of the analysis was clinical worsening.ResultsIn the derivation cohort, haemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters obtained at diagnosis were not associated with outcome, whereas a significant association was observed at first reassessment. Model 3 yielded a better predictive accuracy (Harrell's C index 0.832) as compared to Model 2 (Harrell's C index 0.667), and to Model 1 (Harrell's C index 0.713). The validation cohort confirmed the accuracy of Model 3.ConclusionsA comprehensive assessment of right heart function using right ventricular strain, right atrial reservoir strain and degree of tricuspid regurgitation provides accurate prognostic information in prevalent PAH patients.
Aberrant characteristics of peripheral blood innate lymphoid cells in COPD, independent of smoking history
Authors: van Zelst Cathelijne M. , in ’t Veen Johannes C.C.M. , Krabbendam Lisette , de Boer Geertje M. , de Bruijn Marjolein J.W. , van Nimwegen Menno , van der Ploeg Esmee K. , van Uden Denise , Stadhouders Ralph , Tramper-Stranders Gerdien A. , Hendriks Rudi W. , Braunstahl Gert-Jan 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundDistinguishing asthma and COPD can pose challenges in clinical practice. Increased group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) have been found in the lungs and peripheral blood of COPD patients, while asthma is associated with elevated levels of ILC2s. However, it is unclear whether the inflammatory characteristics of ILC1s and ILC2s differ between COPD and asthma. This study aims to compare peripheral blood ILC subsets and their expression of inflammatory markers in COPD patients, asthma patients and controls.MethodsThe study utilised multi-colour flow cytometry to analyse peripheral blood ILC populations in clinically stable COPD patients (n=38), asthma patients (n=37), and smoking (n=19) and non-smoking (n=16) controls.ResultsProportions of peripheral blood inflammatory CD4+ILC1s were significantly higher in COPD patients than in asthma. Proportions of CD4−ILC1s were increased in COPD patients compared to asthma patients and smoking controls. Frequencies of CD117−ILC2s were significantly reduced in COPD patients compared with asthma patients. In contrast, the fraction of inflammatory CD45RO+cells within the CD117−ILC2 population was significantly increased. Principal component analyses showed that combined features of the circulating ILC compartment separated COPD patients from asthma patients and both control groups.ConclusionOur in-depth characterisation of ILC1 and ILC2 populations in peripheral blood revealed significant differences in their phenotypes between COPD and asthma patients and smoking or non-smoking controls. These findings suggest a role for both ILC subsets in COPD disease pathology, independent of smoking history, and may have implications for patient stratification and therapy development.
Anticancer platinum-drug delivered by mesenchymal stromal cells improves its activity on glioblastoma
Authors: Coccè Valentina , Martegani Eleonora , Doneda Luisa , Rimoldi Isabella , Facchetti Giorgio , Giulia Coffetti , Lucchini Giorgio , Roncoroni Leda , Giannì Aldo , Corradini Costantino , Alessandri Giulio , Ciusani Emilio , Cilurzo Francesco , Franzè Silvia , Paino Francesca , Pessina Augusto 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is nowadays the most aggressive tumor affecting brain in adults with a very poor prognosis due to the limited therapies and the systemic cytotoxicity. Among the different new drugs, recently has been reported the in vitro anti-glioma activity of a new cationic platinum(II) complex bearing 8-aminoquinoline as chelating ligand (Pt-8AQ). The purpose of this research work was to confirm the activity of Pt-8AQ on U87-GM spheroid and to investigate the ability of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) to incorporate and release Pt-8AQ in its active form. The MSCs were primed with Pt-8AQ under optimized conditions and the secretome was analyzed for evaluating the cytotoxic activity of Pt-8AQ and the presence of Extracellular Vesicles (Evs).

Results
The principal results showed that Pt-8AQ incorporated by MSCs was released in the secretome and exerted a significant higher anticancer activity with respect to the free drug. The release of Pt-8AQ did not occur in Evs, as demonstrated for other drugs, but it could be delivered bound to some specific carriers able to enhance its bioavailability and efficacy. Some hypotheses are discussed to explain this surprisingly finding out that, however, it needs more investigations.

Conclusions
The major conclusions are that cell mediated drug delivery systems could provide a potential approach to facilitate the GBM therapy by intra-tumoral administration of cells loaded with Pt-8AQ, being MSCs able to integrate it into the tumor mass and exert high therapeutic efficacy in situ. The increased efficacy of Pt-8AQ delivered by MSCs even suggests to deeper investigate a possible direct use of MSCs secretome both in situ and/or by systemic administration, being secretome able to pass the blood–brain tumor.
Prevalence and correlates of disability in older adults, Ghana: evidence from the Ghana 2021 Population and Housing Census
Authors: Agyekum Martin Wiredu , Afrifa-Anane Grace Frempong , Kyei-Arthur Frank 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Although there are studies on disabilities in older persons, most of these studies have been carried out in developed countries. Hence, there are limited studies on disability in older adults in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. The few studies that have examined the prevalence and correlates of disability in older adults used survey data for their analyses. To contribute to addressing this knowledge gap that has arisen, this study used a national census, the 2021 Ghana Population and Housing Census, to examine the prevalence and correlates of disability in older adults in Ghana.

Methods
The 2021 Ghana Population and Housing Census data was used for this study. A sample size of 197,057 Ghanaians aged 60 years and above was used for this study. The Washington Group questions on disability were used to measure disability by asking older adults about their difficulties in performing the six domains of disability (physical, sight, intellectual, hearing, self-care, and speech). A multinomial logistic regression housed in STATA was used to analyse the correlates of disability in older adults in Ghana. A p-value less than 0.05 was used for statistical significance.

Results
The results show that slightly more than one-third (38.4%) of the older adults were disabled. In terms of the number of disabilities in older adults, 16.9% had one disability condition, while 2.4% had six disability conditions. Also, 9.4% had two disability conditions. Older adults who were females, aged 70–79 years and 80 years and above, resided in rural areas, with primary, JHS/Middle, SHS, unaffiliated with religion, ever married and never married, unemployed, and belonged to the middle and rich households were more likely to have a disability condition. Also, older adults residing in the Middle and Northern zones, having no health insurance, and using clean cooking fuel were less likely to have a disability condition.

Conclusions
The results show that socio-demographic and household factors were associated with disability in older adults in Ghana. Hence, policymakers and researchers should target these factors when designing appropriate policies, programmes, and interventions to improve the wellbeing of older adults.
Disentangling drug contributions: anticholinergic burden in older adults linked to individual medications: a cross-sectional population-based study
Authors: Bhatkhande Gauri , Choudhry Niteesh K. , Mahesri Mufaddal , Haff Nancy , Lauffenburger Julie C. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Medications with potent anticholinergic properties have well-documented adverse effects. A high cumulative anticholinergic burden may arise from the concurrent use of multiple medications with weaker anticholinergic effects. We sought to identify patterns of high anticholinergic burden and associated patient characteristics.

Methods
We identified patients aged ≥ 65 who filled ≥ 1 medication with anticholinergic adverse effects in 2019 and had a cumulative Anticholinergic Burden score (ACB) ≥ 4 (i.e., high anticholinergic burden) in a large US health insurer. We classified patients based on how they attained high burden, as follows: 1) only filling strong or moderate anticholinergic medications (i.e., ACB = 2 or 3, “moderate/strong”), 2) only filling lightly anticholinergic medications (i.e., ACB = 1, “light/possible”), and 3) filling any combination (“mix”). We used multinomial logistic regression to assess the association between measured patient characteristics and membership in the three anticholinergic burden classifications, using the moderate/strong group as the referent.

Results
In total, 83,286 eligible patients with high anticholinergic burden were identified (mean age: 74.3 years (SD:7.1), 72.9% female). Of these, 4.5% filled only strong/moderate anticholinergics, 4.3% filled only light/possible anticholinergics, and the rest filled a mix (91.2%). Within patients in the mixed group, 64.3% of medication fills were for light/possible anticholinergics, while 35.7% were for moderate/strong anticholinergics. Compared with patients in the moderate/strong anticholinergics group, patients filling only light/possible anticholinergics were more likely to be older (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] per 1-unit of age: 1.06, 95%CI: 1.05–1.07), less likely to be female (aOR: 0.56, 95%CI: 0.50–0.62 vs. male), more likely to have comorbidities (e.g., heart failure aOR: 3.18, 95%CI: 2.70–3.74 or depression aOR: 1.20, 95%CI: 1.09–1.33 vs. no comorbidity), and visited fewer physicians (aOR per 1-unit of change: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.97–0.98). Patients in the mixed group were older (aOR per 1-unit of age: 1.02, 95%CI: 1.02–1.03) and less likely to be female (aOR: 0.89, 95%CI: 0.82–0.97 vs. male) compared with those filling moderate/strong anticholinergics.

Conclusion
Most older adults accumulated high anticholinergic burden through a combination of light/possible and moderate/strong anticholinergics rather than moderate/strong anticholinergics, with light/possible anticholinergics being the major drivers of overall anticholinergic burden. These insights may inform interventions to improve prescribing in older adults.
Spatiotemporal dynamics and influencing factors of human brucellosis in Mainland China from 2005–2021
Authors: Zhang Meng , Chen Xinrui , Bu Qingqing , Tan Bo , Yang Tong , Qing Liyuan , Wang Yunna , Deng Dan 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Brucellosis poses a significant public health concern. This study explores the spatial and temporal dynamic evolution of human brucellosis in China and analyses the spatial heterogeneity of the influencing factors related to the incidence of human brucellosis at the provincial level.

Methods
The Join-point model, centre of gravity migration model and spatial autocorrelation analysis were employed to evaluate potential changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of human brucellosis in mainland China from 2005 to 2021. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), and Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) models were constructed to analyze the spatial and temporal correlation between the incidence rate of human brucellosis and meteorological and social factors.

Results
From 2005 to 2021, human brucellosis in China showed a consistent upward trend. The incidence rate rose more rapidly in South, Central, and Southwest China, leading to a shift in the center of gravity from the North to the Southwest, as illustrated in the migration trajectory diagram. Strong spatial aggregation was observed. The MGWR model outperformed others. Spatio-temporal plots indicated that lower mean annual temperatures and increased beef, mutton, and milk production significantly correlated with higher brucellosis incidence. Cities like Guangxi and Guangdong were more affected by low temperatures, while Xinjiang and Tibet were influenced more by beef and milk production. Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang were more affected by mutton production. Importantly, an increase in regional GDP and health expenditure exerted a notable protective effect against human brucellosis incidence.

Conclusions
Human brucellosis remains a pervasive challenge. Meteorological and social factors significantly influence its incidence in a spatiotemporally specific manner. Tailored prevention strategies should be region-specific, providing valuable insights for effective brucellosis control measures.
Challenge of ending TB in China: tuberculosis control in primary healthcare sectors under integrated TB control model–a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhou Jiani , Yuan Quan , Zhang Rui , Huang Chunji , Li Ying 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
China has the third-largest burden of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the world with great challenges towards ending TB. Primary health care (PHC) sectors play a critical role in TB prevention and control in communities under the Chinese integrated TB control model. However, there is a lack of comprehensive review of research evidence on TB control in PHC sectors under the integrated TB control model in China.

Methods
This review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Articles published from 2012 to January 2022 were searched from four international and three Chinese databases. Studies conducted inside mainland China and relevant with TB control service in PHC sectors under the integrated model were included. After study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, the meta-analysis was performed with RevMan using a random-effect model.When I2 was more than 50%, subgroup analysis was performed to explore possible reasons for heterogeneity. We also conducted a post hoc sensitivity analysis for outcomes after meta-analysis by exclusion of studies with a high risk of bias or classified as low quality.

Results
Forty-three studies from 16 provinces/municipalities in China were included in this review, and most studies included were of medium quality. PHC sectors in East China delivered TB control service better overall than that in West China, especially in tracing of patients and TB case management (TCM). In meta-analyses, both the pooled arrival rate of tracing and pooled TCM rate in East China were higher than those in West China. TB patients had a low degree of willingness to receive TCM provided by healthcare workers in PHC sectors nationwide, especially among migrant TB patients. There were 9 studies reporting factors related to TB control service in PHC sectors, 6 (2 in East and 4 in West China) of which indentified several characteristics of patients as associated factors. The context of PHC sectors was demonstrated to influence delivery of TB control service in PHC sectors in 5 studies (3 in East, 1 in Middle and 1 in West China). Most studies on strategies to promoting TB control services in PHC sectors were conducted in East China and some of these studies identified several online and offline interventions and strategies improving patients’ treatment compliance [pooled OR (95% CI): 7.81 (3.08, 19.19] and awareness of TB [pooled OR (95% CI): 6.86 (2.16, 21.72)].

Conclusion
It is of urgent need to improve TB control in PHC sector in China, particularly in West China. Formative and implementation research with rigorous design are necessary to develop comprehensive, context-specific, and patient-centered TB control strategies to promote ending TB in China.
Using meta-learning to recommend an appropriate time-series forecasting model
Authors: Talkhi Nasrin , Akhavan Fatemi Narges , Jabbari Nooghabi Mehdi , Soltani Ehsan , Jabbari Nooghabi Azadeh 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
There are various forecasting algorithms available for univariate time series, ranging from simple to sophisticated and computational. In practice, selecting the most appropriate algorithm can be difficult, because there are too many algorithms. Although expert knowledge is required to make an informed decision, sometimes it is not feasible due to the lack of such resources as time, money, and manpower.

Methods
In this study, we used coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) data, including the absolute numbers of confirmed, death and recovered cases per day in 187 countries from February 20, 2020, to May 25, 2021. Two popular forecasting models, including Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and exponential smoothing state-space model with Trigonometric seasonality, Box-Cox transformation, ARMA errors, Trend, and Seasonal components (TBATS) were used to forecast the data. Moreover, the data were evaluated by the root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and symmetric mean absolute percentage error (SMAPE) criteria to label time series. The various characteristics of each time series based on the univariate time series structure were extracted as meta-features. After that, three machine-learning classification algorithms, including support vector machine (SVM), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), and artificial neural network (ANN) were used as meta-learners to recommend an appropriate forecasting model.

Results
The finding of the study showed that the DT model had a better performance in the classification of time series. The accuracy of DT in the training and testing phases was 87.50% and 82.50%, respectively. The sensitivity of the DT algorithm in the training phase was 86.58% and its specificity was 88.46%. Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity of the DT algorithm in the testing phase were 73.33% and 88%, respectively.

Conclusion
In general, the meta-learning approach was able to predict the appropriate forecasting model (ARIMA and TBATS) based on some time series features. Considering some characteristics of the desired COVID-19 time series, the ARIMA or TBATS forecasting model might be recommended to forecast the death, confirmed, and recovered trend cases of COVID-19 by the DT model.
Sexual violence in nightlife and positive bystander intervention in an English city
Authors: Quigg Zara , Bates Rebecca , Butler Nadia , Smith Chloe , Wilson Charley , Atkinson Amanda , Bellis Mark A 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Nightlife environments are high risk settings for sexual violence and bystander intervention programmes are being developed in response. However, more research is needed to understand nightlife-related sexual violence, and factors that influence bystander interventions. This study examined nightlife patron’s experiences of sexual violence and associated factors; and relationships between attitudes towards, awareness and experience of sexual violence, and confidence to intervene.

Methods
Cross-sectional on-street survey of nightlife patrons (N = 307, aged 18+) on a night out in an English city. Surveys (7.30pm-1.30am; Wednesday-Saturday) established sexual violence awareness, myth acceptance, and experience, and confidence to intervene. Participant’s socio-demographics, nightlife alcohol consumption, and frequency of nightlife usage were collected.

Results
58.0% had ever experienced sexual violence whilst on a night out. In adjusted analyses, sexual violence was higher amongst females (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.0; p < 0.001), and regular nightlife patrons (AOR 2.1; p < 0.05). The majority agreed that they would feel confident asking someone who has experienced sexual violence if they are okay/would like support (92.2%). In adjusted analyses, confidence to intervene was higher amongst those who agreed that sexual violence was an issue in nightlife (AOR 3.6; p < 0.05), however it reduced as sexual violence myth acceptance increased (AOR 0.5; p < 0.05).

Conclusion
Sexual violence is a pertinent issue in nightlife. Programmes aiming to address nightlife-related sexual violence must address the wider social norms that promote sexual violence, and ensure patrons understand the extent and significance of the issue, to increase confidence to positively intervene.
Association of sun-seeking behaviors with indoor tanning behavior in US white females during high school/college in Nurses’ Health Study II
Authors: Seo Bojung , Yang Sheng , Cho Eunyoung , Qureshi Abrar A , Han Jiali 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundFrequent exposure to ultraviolet light has more detrimental and longer-term effects on the skin in early life than in adulthood. Teenagers with strong sun-seeking behaviors may be more likely to use an indoor tanning bed than those who seek less sun. We aimed to examine associations between sun-seeking behaviors and indoor tanning behavior during high school/college in US females.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we used data from The Nurses’ Health Study II, a large prospective cohort of US female nurses. We included a total of 81,746 white females who provided responses on the average annual frequency of indoor tanning during high school/college. Our study exposures were number of times/week spent outdoors in a swimsuit and percentage of time wearing sunscreen at the pool/beach as a teenager, weekly hours spent outdoors in direct sunlight during the daytime during high school/college, and number of severe sunburns that blistered between ages 15–20 years. The main outcome was annual frequency of indoor tanning bed usage during high school/college.ResultsIn multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, we demonstrated positive associations between sun-seeking behaviors and indoor tanning use. Specifically, teenagers who spent 7 times/week outdoors in a swimsuit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI] for daily vs. <1/week: 2.68, 1.76–4.09) were more likely to use indoor tanning beds ≥ 12 times/year. Teenagers with ≥ 10 sunburns (aOR, 95% CI for ≥ 10 vs. never: 2.18, 1.53–3.10) were more likely to use indoor tanning beds ≥ 12 times/year. Also, teenagers/undergraduates who spent ≥ 5 h/week outdoors in direct sunlight (aOR, 95% CI for ≥ 5 h/week vs. <1 h/week: 2.18, 1.39–3.44) were more likely to use indoor tanning ≥ 12 times/year. However, there was not a significant association between average usage of sunscreen at the pool/beach and average usage of indoor tanning beds. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models also showed similar results.ConclusionsTeenagers who spent more time outdoors in a swimsuit/direct sunlight or got more sunburns tended to use indoor tanning more frequently. These findings provide evidence that teenagers with stronger sun-seeking behaviors may have more exposure to artificial ultraviolet radiation as well.