bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of an HPLC-MS/MS Method for Quantification of Apixaban in Human Plasma
Authors: Filonova U. D. , Karnakova P. K. , Karnakova K. K. , Popova M. O. , Popova A. A. , Archakova O. A. , Komarov T. N. , Shohin I. E. 
Published: February 2024

Introduction. Apixaban is an anticoagulant used in a number of thromboembolic diseases with an improved benefit-to-risk ratio, according to multiple clinical studies. Due to the prescription of apixaban as antithrombotic therapy in patients with COVID-19, an increase in its use has been observed. Thus, due to the widespread use of apixaban and the need to conduct pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies of the drug, it is important to develop and validate a simple and sensitive method for the quantitative determination of apixaban in human blood plasma.Aim. The aim of the study is to develop and validate a method for the determination of apixaban in human blood plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass selective detection (HPLC-MS/MS) for the subsequent bioanalytical study.Materials and methods. The determination of apixaban in human plasma was carried out by HPLC-MS/MS with rivaroxaban as an internal standard. The method of protein precipitation with acetonitrile was used as sample preparation. Mobile phase: 0.1 % solution of formic acid in water (eluent A); 0.1 % solution of formic acid in acetonitrile (eluent B). The total run time was 3.00 min. Column: Shim-pack Velox Biphenyl; 2.7 µm; 50 × 2.1 mm. Ionization source: electrospray with positive ionization mode. MRM transitions: 460.15 → 443.10 m/z (apixaban); 436.05 → 144.95 m/z (rivaroxaban).Results and discussion. The developed method was validated in accordance with the EAEU requirements for the following parameters: selectivity, calibration curve, accuracy and precision, lower limit of quantitation, suitability of standard samples, matrix effect, recovery, stability, carry-over, dilution effects. The parameters met the acceptance criteria.Conclusion. The confirmed analytical range of the developed and validated method was 1.00–300.00 ng/mL in blood plasma. The method for determining apixaban in blood plasma is simple and sensitive. This method was tested during the analytical part of the bioanalytical study and can be used to conduct other pharmacokinetic studies of apixaban drugs.
Impact of weirs in altering benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages and composition structure in the Luvuvhu River Catchment, South Africa
Authors: Munzhelele Humbulani E. , Barnhoorn Irene E. J. , Addo-Bediako Abraham , Ramulifho Pfananani A. , Luus-Powell Wilmien J. 
Published: February 2024

Stream flow weirs disrupt river flow regimes, physical conditions, and biological composition of rivers, posing significant threat to the river’s functionality, integrity, and sustainability. Home to diverse aquatic organisms, there is a lack of impact assessment of weirs on the stream of the Luvuvhu River Catchment (LRC). The aim of this study was to examine the impact of six weirs on aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages and composition across five streams. A total of six sampling surveys on macroinvertebrates and physico-chemical parameters were conducted upstream and downstream of six weirs in 12 months between June 2021 and June 2022. The South African Scoring System score (SASS score) and Average Score per Taxon (ASPT) indices were used to compare organisms’ response between upstream and downstream of weirs. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were used to determine the effect of physico-chemical variables on macroinvertebrate assemblage, while the CCA was employed to assess similarities between downstream and upstream sampling points across various sites. A total of 18,914 macroinvertebrate individuals were observed from 65 families during the survey. In upstream sections, the SASS score was driven by habitat integrity, electrical conductivity, and water depth, while ASPT responded significantly to habitat integrity, pH, dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity. In the downstream sections, the SASS score increased with an increasing habitat integrity score and river width, while decreasing with elevation and pH levels. ASPT increased with increasing habitat integrity and elevation in the downstream sections, while decreasing with increasing river width and water temperature. This study’s findings suggest habitat integrity is largely driving aquatic abundance and assemblage in the LRC, and it is therefore important to maintain the ecological integrity of rivers.
Stand structure is more important for forest productivity stability than tree, understory plant and soil biota species diversity
Authors: Wang Tao , Dong Lingbo , Liu Zhaogang 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionThe stability of forest productivity is an important management goal in order to sustain ecosystem services for an expanding human population and in the face of global climate change. Evidence from theoretical, observational, and experimental studies has demonstrated that higher biodiversity promotes stability of forest productivity. However, the majority of these studies have focused solely on tree diversity and have neglected the potentially important role of understory plant and soil biodiversity.MethodsIn this study, we explain the effect of tree, understory woody and herbaceous plant, and soil biota (fauna, fungi, and bacteria) species diversity on forest productivity and its stability over time (2000–2020) across an area of Northeast China covering 145 million hectares. We explore the eight stand structure variables for stability of forest productivity and the relationship between productivity stability and tree, understory plant, and soil biota species diversity.ResultsOur results show no significant, direct impact of understory plant, soil fungi, and bacteria species diversity on the stability of the forest ecosystem. Tree species diversity indirectly affects productivity stability by directly influencing stand structure, whereas soil fauna species diversity indirectly influences stability through its relationship with tree species diversity. Stand structure is more important than tree and soil fauna species diversity for forest productivity stability. Specifically, increasing crown height (CH) from its minimum to maximum value leads to a substantial gain of 20.394 in forest productivity stability. In contrast, raising tree species diversity (α-Tree) and soil fauna species diversity (α-Fauna) from their minimum to maximum values results in a modest reduction of only 0.399 and 0.231 in forest productivity stability, respectively.DiscussionTo increase the stability of forest productivity in response to climate change, we should adjust the stand structure more in the process of management rather than just considering biodiversity. Overall, this study highlights the ecological risks associated with large-scale biotic homogenization under future climate change and management practices.
Classifying breast cancer using multi-view graph neural network based on multi-omics data
Authors: Ren Yanjiao , Gao Yimeng , Du Wei , Qiao Weibo , Li Wei , Yang Qianqian , Liang Yanchun , Li Gaoyang 
Published: February 2024

Introduction: As the evaluation indices, cancer grading and subtyping have diverse clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics with prognostic and therapeutic implications. Although researchers have begun to study cancer differentiation and subtype prediction, most of relevant methods are based on traditional machine learning and rely on single omics data. It is necessary to explore a deep learning algorithm that integrates multi-omics data to achieve classification prediction of cancer differentiation and subtypes.Methods: This paper proposes a multi-omics data fusion algorithm based on a multi-view graph neural network (MVGNN) for predicting cancer differentiation and subtype classification. The model framework consists of a graph convolutional network (GCN) module for learning features from different omics data and an attention module for integrating multi-omics data. Three different types of omics data are used. For each type of omics data, feature selection is performed using methods such as the chi-square test and minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR). Weighted patient similarity networks are constructed based on the selected omics features, and GCN is trained using omics features and corresponding similarity networks. Finally, an attention module integrates different types of omics features and performs the final cancer classification prediction.Results: To validate the cancer classification predictive performance of the MVGNN model, we conducted experimental comparisons with traditional machine learning models and currently popular methods based on integrating multi-omics data using 5-fold cross-validation. Additionally, we performed comparative experiments on cancer differentiation and its subtypes based on single omics data, two omics data, and three omics data.Discussion: This paper proposed the MVGNN model and it performed well in cancer classification prediction based on multiple omics data.
Evaluating the impact of interprofessional training wards on patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes: a mixed-methods analysis
Authors: Schlosser-Hupf Sophie , Aichner Elisabeth , Meier Marcus , Albaladejo-Fuertes Sheila , Ruttmann Kirstin , Rusch Sophia , Michels Bernhard , Mehrl Alexander , Kunst Claudia , Schmid Stephan , Müller Martina 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionInterprofessional teamwork is pivotal in modern healthcare, prompting the establishment of interprofessional training wards since 1996. While these wards serve as hubs for optimizing healthcare professional collaboration and communication, research into patient outcomes remains notably sparse and geographically limited, predominantly examining patient satisfaction and sparingly exploring other metrics like mortality or self-discharge rates. This study seeks to bridge this gap, comparing patient outcomes in interprofessional training wards and conventional wards under the hypothesis that the former offers no disadvantage to patient outcomes.Materials and methodsWe explored patient outcomes within an interprofessional student ward called A-STAR at a University Hospital from October 2019 to December 2022. Engaging with patients discharged between May 2021 and April 2022, we utilized digital and paper-based anonymous questionnaires, catering to patient preference, to gather pertinent data.ResultsAnalysis of outcomes for 1,482 A-STAR (interprofessional student ward) and 5,752 conventional ward patients revealed noteworthy findings. A-STAR patients tended to be younger (59 vs. 61 years, p &lt; 0.01) and more frequently male (73.5% vs. 70.4%, p = 0.025). Vital clinical outcomes, such as discharges against medical advice, complication-driven readmissions, and ICU transfers, were statistically similar between groups, as were mortality rates (1.2% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.468). A-STAR demonstrated high patient satisfaction, underscored by positive reflections on team competence, ward atmosphere, and responsiveness to concerns, emphasizing the value placed on interprofessional collaboration. Patient narratives commended team kindness, lucid explanations, and proactive involvement.DiscussionThis data collectively underscores the safety and reliability of patient care within training wards, affirming that patients can trust the care provided in these settings. Patients on the interprofessional ward demonstrated high satisfaction levels: 96.7% appreciated the atmosphere and conduct of ward rounds. In comparison, 98.3% were satisfied with the discussion and information about their treatment during their hospital stay.
Decreased skin colonization with Malassezia spp. and increased skin colonization with Candida spp. in patients with severe atopic dermatitis
Authors: Storz Lukas , Schmid Bettina , Bosshard Philipp Peter , Schmid-Grendelmeier Peter , Brüggen Marie-Charlotte , Lang Claudia 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease in which patients are sensitized towards a plethora of allergens. The hosts fungal microbiota, the mycobiota, that is believed to be altered in patients suffering from AD acts as such an allergen. The correlation context of specific sensitization, changes in mycobiota and its impact on disease severity however remains poorly understood.ObjectivesWe aim to enhance the understanding of the specific sensitization towards the mycobiota in AD patients in relation to their fungal skin colonization.MethodsSensitization pattern towards the Malassezia spp. and Candida albicans of 16 AD patients and 14 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed with the newly developed multiplex-assay ALEX2® and the established singleplex-assay ImmunoCAP®. We compared these findings with the fungal skin colonization analyzed by DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1).ResultsSensitization in general and towards Malassezia spp. and C. albicans is increased in AD patients compared to HC with a quantitative difference in severe AD when compared to mild to moderate AD. Further we saw an association between sensitization towards and skin colonization with Candida spp. yet a negative correlation between sensitization towards and skin colonization with Malassezia spp.ConclusionWe conclude that AD in general and severe AD in particular is associated with increased sensitization towards the hosts own mycobiota. There is positive correlation in Candida spp. skin colonization and negative in Malassezia spp. skin colonization when compared to AD, AD severity as well as to specific sensitization patterns.
Spatial tactile localization depends on sensorimotor binding: preliminary evidence from virtual reality
Authors: Girondini Matteo , Montanaro Massimo , Gallace Alberto 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionOur brain continuously maps our body in space. It has been suggested that at least two main frames of reference are used to process somatosensory stimuli presented on our own body: the anatomical frame of reference (based on the somatotopic representation of our body in the somatosensory cortex) and the spatial frame of reference (where body parts are mapped in external space). Interestingly, a mismatch between somatotopic and spatial information significantly affects the processing of bodily information, as demonstrated by the “crossing hand” effect. However, it is not clear if this impairment occurs not only when the conflict between these frames of reference is determined by a static change in the body position (e.g., by crossing the hands) but also when new associations between motor and sensory responses are artificially created (e.g., by presenting feedback stimuli on a side of the body that is not involved in the movement).MethodsIn the present study, 16 participants performed a temporal order judgment task before and after a congruent or incongruent visual-tactile-motor- task in virtual reality. During the VR task, participants had to move a cube using a virtual stick. In the congruent condition, the haptic feedback during the interaction with the cube was provided on the right hand (the one used to control the stick). In the incongruent condition, the haptic feedback was provided to the contralateral hand, simulating a sort of ‘active’ crossed feedback during the interaction. Using a psychophysical approach, the point of subjective equality (or PSE, i.e., the probability of responding left or right to the first stimulus in the sequence in 50% of the cases) and the JND (accuracy) were calculated for both conditions, before and after the VR-task.ResultsAfter the VR task, compared to the baseline condition, the PSE shifted toward the hand that received the haptic feedback during the interaction (toward the right hand for the congruent condition and toward the left hand for the incongruent condition).DicussionThis study demonstrated the possibility of inducing spatial biases in the processing of bodily information by modulating the sensory-motor interaction between stimuli in virtual environments (while keeping constant the actual position of the body in space).
Double burden of malnutrition and associated factors among mother–child pairs at household level in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia: community based cross-sectional study design
Authors: Mekonnen Solomon , Birhanu Dereje , Menber Yonatan , Gebreegziabher Zenebe Abebe , Belay Mahider Awoke 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionThe double burden of malnutrition refers to the simultaneous presence of under nutrition and overweight, obesity, or diet-related non-communicable diseases which might occur at the population, household, and individual level. The simultaneous presence of overweight/obese mothers with undernourished children in the same household, as well as overweight children with underweight mothers, holds particular significance. This phenomenon primarily impacts low-income and middle-income countries. The prevalence of double-burden malnutrition at the household level has increased significantly in sub-Saharan African countries. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the extent and factors associated with the double burden of malnutrition among mother–child pairs in Ethiopia. Consequently, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of the double burden of malnutrition among mother–child pairs at the household level in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia.MethodIn the year 2021, a community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 702 mother–child pairs in Bahir Dar City from February 28 to March 23. A multistage sampling technique was used to identify study participants who were interviewed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The nutritional status of children was evaluated using WHO Anthro Software. To determine the strength of the association, multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and adjusted odds ratios with their respective 95% confidence intervals were computed.ResultsThe prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition among mother–child pairs was 14.5% (95% CI: 12.8, 15.7%}. Participants who were in the richest wealth index were 2.72 {AOR = 2.72, 95% CI 2.01, 5.63} times more odds of double burden of malnutrition than the poorest. The odds of the double burden of malnutrition among children who had high dietary diversity decreased by 63% {AOR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.22, 0.61} than low dietary diversity. Food secure households were 1.96 {AOR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.13, 3.39} times more likely to have the double burden of malnutrition than food insecure households. The odds of the double burden of malnutrition among mothers who completed college and above decreased by 74% {AOR = 0.26 95% CI 0.121, 0.549} than those unable to read and write.Conclusions and recommendationThe magnitude of the double burden of malnutrition was lower than the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. Wealth index, dietary diversity, food security, and educational status were significantly associated with the double burden of malnutrition. Therefore, it is recommended to implement public health interventions that target the identified associated factors in order to reduce the burden of double malnutrition.
Patients’ knowledge, preferences, and perspectives about data protection and data control: an exploratory survey
Authors: Lalova-Spinks Teodora , Saesen Robbe , Silva Mitchell , Geissler Jan , Shakhnenko Iryna , Camaradou Jennifer Catherine , Huys Isabelle 
Published: February 2024

Background: In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) plays a central role in the complex health research legal framework. It aims to protect the fundamental right to the protection of individuals’ personal data, while allowing the free movement of such data. However, it has been criticized for challenging the conduct of research. Existing scholarship has paid little attention to the experiences and views of the patient community. The aim of the study was to investigate 1) the awareness and knowledge of patients, carers, and members of patient organizations about the General Data Protection Regulation, 2) their experience with exercising data subject rights, and 3) their understanding of the notion of “data control” and preferences towards various data control tools.Methods: An online survey was disseminated between December 2022 and March 2023. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Answers to open-ended questions were analyzed using the thematic analysis method.Results: In total, 220 individuals from 28 European countries participated. The majority were patients (77%). Most participants had previously heard about the GDPR (90%) but had not exercised any of their data subject rights. Individual data control tools appeared to be marginally more important than collective tools. The willingness of participants to share personal data with data altruism organizations increased if patient representatives would be involved in the decision-making processes of such organizations.Conclusion: The results highlighted the importance of providing in-depth education about data protection. Although participants showed a slight preference towards individual control tools, the reflection based on existing scholarship identified that individual control holds risks that could be mitigated through carefully operationalized collective tools. The discussion of results was used to provide a critical view into the proposed European Health Data Space, which has yet to find a productive balance between individual control and allowing the reuse of personal data for research.