bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of eye diseases: outcomes from a free provincial eye clinic in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Owusu-Afriyie Bismark , Gende Theresa , Silki Frederick , Ishmael Bolgii , Kuiaha Joelda 
Published: December 2023

AimTo ascertain the prevalence and pattern of eye problems in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea.Materials and methodsA six-month retrospective study was performed at Madang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic. Convenience sampling was used in this study and all patient records from January to June 2020 were included. Data was extracted using Microsoft Excel and the data included gender, age, occupation, district where the patient lived, presenting visual acuity, and diagnosis. It was then analyzed using International Business Machines Corporation’s Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of 1,715 patients received services at the eye clinic between January and June 2020, and 1,664 were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 39.3 ± 20.3 years. There were slightly more males (50.4%) than females. The overall leading ocular morbidities were corneal ulcers and keratitis (20.7%), refractive errors (17.4%), and cataracts (16.8%). More than half of the patients (56.2%) were either visually impaired or blind. Nearly half of the patients (41.8%) traveled long distances to seek services at the eye clinic. There was a significant association between demographic characteristics, diagnosis, and level of visual impairment.ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of potential causes of visual impairment and blindness in Madang Province and these conditions affect all age groups and genders. It is essential to increase accessibility to eye care services in the country.
The study on the impact of sex on the structure of gut microbiota of bamboo rats in China
Authors: Gan Yang , Wu Yan-jun , Dong Yuan-qiu , Li Qian , Wu Shu-guang , Jin Yuan-qing , Lu Tao-feng 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionBamboo rats are rodents that eat bamboo, and their robust capacity for bamboo digestion is directly correlated with their gut flora. Chinese bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis) is a common bamboo rat in Chinese central and southern regions. As a single-stomach mammal, bamboo rats are a famous specificity bamboo-eating animal and their intestinal microbial composition may also play a key role in the digestion of cellulose and lignin. So, the gut microbiota of bamboo rat may play an important role in the adaptation of bamboo rats for digesting lignocellulose-based diet.MethodsTo study the microbiome differences of bamboo rats from different sexes, the microbial genomic DNA was extracted from each fecal sample and the V4 region of 16S rRNA genes was amplified and sequencing on an IlluminaHiSeq6000 platform. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were classified, the OTUs in different sexes was identified and compared at phylum and genus levels. For isolation and screening of cellulose degradation bacteria from bamboo rats, fresh feces from randomly selected bamboo rats were collected and used for the isolation and screening of cellulose degradation bacteria using Luria Bertani (LB) Agar medium containing Carboxymethyl cellulose. The cellulase activity, biochemical characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the purified bacteria strains were characterized.Results and discussionA total of 3,833 OTUs were classified. The total microbial diversity detected in the female and male rats was 3,049 OTUs and 3,452 OTUs, respectively. The Shannon index revealed significant differences between the two groups (p &lt; 0.05), though they were all captive and had the same feeding conditions. At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria were prominent in the microbial community. At the genus level, the microbial community was dominated by Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Prevotella, but there was a significant difference between the two groups of bamboo rats; ~90 bacteria genus in the female group was significantly higher than the male group. Among them, Bacteroides, Colidextribacter, and Oscillibacter were significantly higher genera, and the genera of Lachnoclostridium, Oscillibacter, and Papillibacter had the highest FC value among the male and female bamboo rats. The KEGG function annotation and different pathways analysis revealed that membrane transport, carbohydrate metabolism, and amino acid metabolism were the most enriched metabolic pathways in the two groups, and multiple sugar transport system permease protein (K02025 and K02026), RNA polymerase sigma-70 factor (K03088), and ATP-binding cassette (K06147) were the three different KEGG pathways (p &lt; 0.05). Two cellulose degradation bacteria strains—Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis—were isolated and characterized from the feces of bamboo rats.
Clinical performance of a multiparametric MRI-based post concussive syndrome index
Authors: Meyers Steven P. , Hirad Adnan , Gonzalez Patricia , Bazarian Jeffrey J. , Mirabelli Mark H. , Rizzone Katherine H. , Ma Heather M. , Rosella Peter , Totterman Saara , Schreyer Edward , Tamez-Pena Jose G. 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionDiffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) has revealed measurable changes in the brains of patients with persistent post-concussive syndrome (PCS). Because of inconsistent results in univariate DTI metrics among patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), there is currently no single objective and reliable MRI index for clinical decision-making in patients with PCS.PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed PCS Index (PCSI) derived from machine learning of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to classify and differentiate subjects with mTBI and PCS history from those without a history of mTBI.Materials and methodsData were retrospectively extracted from 139 patients aged between 18 and 60 years with PCS who underwent MRI examinations at 2 weeks to 1-year post-mTBI, as well as from 336 subjects without a history of head trauma. The performance of the PCS Index was assessed by comparing 69 patients with a clinical diagnosis of PCS with 264 control subjects. The PCSI values for patients with PCS were compared based on the mechanism of injury, time interval from injury to MRI examination, sex, history of prior concussion, loss of consciousness, and reported symptoms.ResultsInjured patients had a mean PCSI value of 0.57, compared to the control group, which had a mean PCSI value of 0.12 (p = 8.42e-23) with accuracy of 88%, sensitivity of 64%, and specificity of 95%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in the PCSI values when comparing the mechanism of injury, sex, or loss of consciousness.ConclusionThe PCSI for individuals aged between 18 and 60 years was able to accurately identify patients with post-concussive injuries from 2 weeks to 1-year post-mTBI and differentiate them from the controls. The results of this study suggest that multiparametric MRI-based PCSI has great potential as an objective clinical tool to support the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care of patients with post-concussive syndrome. Further research is required to investigate the replicability of this method using other types of clinical MRI scanners.
Effectiveness of a novel bubble CPAP system for neonatal respiratory support at a referral hospital in the Philippines
Authors: Rauschendorf Paula , Bou Saba Ghassan , Meara Grace K. , Roodaki Navid , Conde-Agudelo Agustin , Garcia Daisy Evangeline C. , Burke Thomas F. 
Published: December 2023

AimTo examine the impact of introducing and implementing the Vayu bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) system on neonatal survival and neonatal respiratory outcomes in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the Philippines.MethodsWe compared clinical outcomes of 1,024 neonates before to 979 neonates after introduction of Vayu bCPAP systems into a NICU. The primary outcome was survival to discharge. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Analyses were undertaken separately for the entire NICU population and for neonates who received any form of respiratory support.ResultsThe introduction of the Vayu bCPAP system was associated with (1) significant reductions in intubation (aOR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.58–0.96) and in the use of nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) (aOR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50–0.96) among the entire NICU population and (2) a significant increase in survival to discharge (aOR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.09–2.17) and significant reductions in intubation (aOR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.38–0.71), surfactant administration (aOR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.40–0.89), NIPPV use (aOR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.36–0.76), and a composite neonatal adverse outcome (aOR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.42–0.84) among neonates who received any form of respiratory support.ConclusionThe use of the Vayu bCPAP system in a NICU in the Philippines resulted in significant improvement in neonatal respiratory outcomes.
The effects of curcumin on hepatic T2*MRI and liver enzymes in patients with β‐thalassemia major: a double‐blind randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Eghbali Aziz , Nourigheimasi Shima , Ghasemi Ali , Afzal Roghayeh Rahimi , Ashayeri Neda , Eghbali Aygin , Khanzadeh Shokoufeh , Ghaffari Kazem 
Published: December 2023

Background: Curcumin present in turmeric has been considered due to its cancer-preventive features, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial with a reasonable sample size and longer intervention period was conducted to investigate how oral curcumin affected cardiac and hepatic T2*MRI and liver enzymes in patients with β‐thalassemia major.Method: This clinical trial study was conducted on 171 patients over 5 years old. The subjects were randomly divided into a curcumin-treatment group and a placebo group to receive either curcumin capsules twice daily or placebo for 6 months. Patients were examined once a month for 6 months to receive capsules and measure the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct and total bilirubin, ferritin and cardiac and hepatic T2*MRI.Result: There was a significant decrease in levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin (direct and total) in the curcumin group compared with the placebo group by the end of the study (p &lt; 0.05). The levels of serum ferritin remained unchanged in both groups at the end of the follow‐up period (p &gt; 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the curcumin and placebo groups at baseline values or at the end of the study of cardiac and hepatic T2*MRI and serum magnesium.Conclusion: Administration of curcumin has some beneficial effects on liver function by reducing liver enzymes in patients with beta-thalassemia major.
Relationship between gaming disorder across various dimensions among PUBG players: a machine learning-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Hassan Ali , Shahzad Muhammad , Daniyal Muhammad , Hafez Wael , Javaid Syed Fahad , Khan Moien AB 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundPlayerUnknown’s battlegrounds (PUBG), a widely played multiplayer online game, has sparked interest and concern regarding its impact on players. This study explored the relationship between factors such as cultivation level, motivation, religious engagement, gaming disorder, and addiction among PUBG players.MethodsThis study employed a convenience sampling technique to select a sample of 500 PUBG players. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model was used to identify the primary factors contributing to the level of cultivation.ResultsMale participants exhibited a higher level of cultivation than their female counterparts did. According to the ANN model, gaming disorder exhibited the greatest normalized importance, with a value of 100%. This was followed by the religious level, which had a normalized importance of 54.6%. Additionally, motivation level and gaming addiction demonstrated normalized importance values of 47.6 and 44.4%, respectively. This study revealed a statistically significant correlation between engaging in PUBG and the cultivation effect observed among respondents.ConclusionThis study highlights several noteworthy factors, including gaming disorder, religious affiliation, motivation level, and gaming addiction. These factors offer valuable insights into understanding gaming behavior and devising effective interventions.
Psychosocial interventions for suicidal and self-injurious-related behaviors among adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Chinese practices
Authors: Lu Junjie , Gao Wanting , Wang Zexin , Yang Nan , Pang Weng Ian Phoenix , In Lok Grace Ka , Rao Wenwang 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundSuicidal and self-injurious-related behaviors (SSIRBs) are a serious public health challenge in China. However, a comprehensive systematic review of psychosocial interventions for SSIRBs among Chinese adolescents has not been performed. To fill this gap, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine psychosocial interventions for SSIRBs among Chinese adolescents.MethodsEight international (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Clinical Trial, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) and four Chinese (Wanfang, SinoMed, CEPS, and CNKI) databases were searched from inception to 31 January 2023. Data extraction and quality assessment were independently conducted by two groups of researchers. Qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis were both used.ResultsThe initial search yielded 16,872 titles. Of the 649 full texts reviewed, 19 intervention articles focusing on SSIRBs met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen out of the 19 included studies involved cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT). Seven non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) studies assessing self-injurious behaviors were included (six short-term studies and three long-term studies). Compared with long-term interventions [−1.30 (95% CI: –1.84, −0.76)], short-term psychosocial interventions had a higher standardized mean difference (SMD) value [1.86 (95% CI: –2.72, −0.99)]. Meta-regression showed an inverse relationship between the treatment response and sample size (slope = 0.068, Z = 2.914, p = 0.004) and proportion of females (slope = 1.096, Z = 5.848, p &lt; 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that compared with the “less than 1 month” group [−0.494 (−0.783, −0.205)], in the “immediate postintervention” group, the pooled estimate was significantly lower [−2.800 (−4.050, −1.550), p &lt; 0.001].ConclusionOur review systematically summarized the key characteristics and effectiveness of existing psychosocial interventions for SSIRBs among Chinese adolescents. Short-term psychosocial interventions for NSSI were significantly effective in reducing self-injurious behavior scores, especially in the immediate postintervention period. More favorable treatment responses could be observed in both male and small samples.
Latent profile analysis of psychological needs thwarting in Chinese school teachers: longitudinal associations with problematic smartphone use, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support
Authors: Liao Xiao-Ling , Cao Cui-Hong , Gamble Jeffrey H. , Li Ling-Ling , Jiang Xing-Yong , Bo Cun-Xu , Chen I-Hua 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionIn light of the significant impact that teachers have on education quality and student growth, their mental health warrants special attention. With the increasing popularity of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the rise of online teaching during the pandemic, teachers have become a group prone to developing problematic smartphone use (PSU). Psychological need thwarting (PNT) has been shown to be closely related to PSU, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support. However, most previous studies have adopted a variable-centered approach, which may overlook the possibility that the three basic needs are not closely associated and could form distinct profiles. Therefore, this study aims to apply latent profile analysis to identify different PNT profiles and their associations with PSU, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support.MethodsA longitudinal survey was conducted using convenience and purposive sampling methods. The survey involved 1,642 primary and middle school teachers working in China over a two-month interval, with the first assessment in November 2021 (Time 1) and the second in January 2022 (Time 2).ResultsThe results indicate that a three-profile model, intricately based on the PNT data gathered at Time 1, is most optimal: Class 1 is labeled as ‘High autonomy-High competence and Moderate relatedness thwarting’, Class 2 as ‘High autonomy-High competence and High relatedness thwarting’, and Class 3 as ‘Low psychological needs thwarting’. Distinct associations were observed among the three profiles concerning PSU, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support. Specifically, in terms of PSU, the score of Class 2 was higher than Class 1, with that of Class 3 being the lowest at Time 1, while at Time 2 no significant difference was found between any two of these three groups; in terms of distress, the scores of the three profiles were arranged from high to low as Class 2, 1, and 3 at both time points; and in terms of perceived administrative support, the order was just the opposite, with 3, 1, and 2 from high to low at both Time 1 and Time 2.ConclusionNotably, the consistent ranking of the three classes in terms of psychological distress and administrative support suggests a lasting influence of PNT. Future studies should explore this enduring impact further by employing additional longitudinal data sets and examining potential mediators or moderators beyond the current study’s scope.
Diagnosing the voids of knowledge in the transformation process in managing and standardizing smart city development: the case of the government of Indonesia
Authors: Panjaitan Jenri M. P. , Bastian Indra , Unggara Ilham , Susanto Efa Agus , Sumiyana Sumiyana 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThis study investigates smart city development projects implemented by the Government of Indonesia (GoI) from 2017 at the regional and municipal levels. Moreover, it provides a critical perspective on the lack of knowledge of the transformation process, substantive knowledge, and the wide-regime-shifting balance of knowledge required to accomplish smart city development. From the project scope perspective, this research elaborates on technical defaults of the regional and municipal GoI's initiating, constructing, and implementing smart cities.Research methodologyThe authors conducted semi-structured interviews to explore how these project doers operate in each stage of the smart city development, including initiation, work in progress, implementation, and reporting. In addition, the research questions of this semi-structured interview are derived from this study's critical perspective and the knowledge domains of smart city development.OriginalityFirst, this study sheds light on the development of 100 smart cities by the GoI, with 50 financed but unfinished projects since 2017, indicating design failure. Second, we argue that the blueprint designed by the GoI smart communities does not demonstrate comprehensive political will or the conducting of socio-cultural and technical analyses to encourage and support the development of smart cities. Third, this study uniquely highlights that the GoI wants to build smart cities using collective cognition or mutual understanding, but lacks knowledge of the transformation process and substantive knowledge for system analysis and design, development, and implementation, leading to uncertainty and non-uniform approaches to smart city developments across various regions and municipalities. Fourth, this research criticizes the misalignment and imbalance of knowledge between the GoI, the targeted regions and municipalities, and all agents involved in developing smart cities.FindingsThe authors find four unique theme formulations: the GoI's behaviors in equivalencing with regular procurement, the voids of knowledge in the transformation process, substantive knowledge boundaries, and letting these projects progress without accompanying committed knowledge boundaries and working for a future without a signifier. Finally, this study suggests that the government should prioritize mastery of knowledge of the transformation processes in smart city development and implement agile strategies to ensure these projects' success and future benefits.
Body composition as a marker of performance and health in military personnel
Authors: Cialdella-Kam Lynn , Bloedon Taylor K. , Stone Michael S. 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionBody composition standards are set to ensure operational readiness in active-duty military personnel. To meet body composition standards, some individuals, however, may engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors (i.e., weight cycling and disordered eating). The objectives of this review are to: (1) evaluate the evidence regarding body composition and the associations to physical and military specific performance; (2) discuss body composition and potential health consequences; and (3) examine the evidence of weight cycling and disordered eating behaviors in military personnel for weight control.MethodsA systematic search to identify peer-reviewed research articles was conducted in PubMed on 2/20/2023 using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) including but not limited to “Military Personnel”, “Tactical Athlete”, “Weight Loss”, “Body Composition”, and “Weight Cycling”.ResultsA total of 225 research articles were identified. The list was narrowed down to articles from the last 20 years (2003–2023) in military personnel. Only studies in which percent body fat was directly measured were included resulting in 17 research articles for this review.DiscussionEvidence-based research is limited on the relationship between body composition and operational readiness. Weight cycling and disordered eating behaviors also has been reported for weight control, yet additional research is needed. Specifically, future research should focus on female service members, racial and ethnic differences, age, and postpartum status and include other service branches (i.e., Air Force and Navy). A comprehensive survey on weight cycling, disordered eating, and weight management would be valuable to determine the prevalence and extent of this issue. This information along with performance data would guide policy makers on the relevance and appropriateness of existing body composition standards.