bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behind the Healing: Exploring the Psychological Battles of Kidney Transplant Patients: A Qualitative Insight
Authors: wube Tsiyon Birhanu , Asgedom Solomon Gebremichael , Mengesha Abrehet Girmay , Bekele Yohannes Ayalew , Gebrekirstos Lielt Gebreselassie 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsKidney transplantation is widely regarded as the optimal treatment for end‐stage renal disease, offering benefits like prolonged life expectancy, enhanced quality of life, and greater cost‐effectiveness compared to dialysis. While dialysis imposes considerable restrictions on patients, including diminished independence, many of these challenges can be alleviated through successful transplantation. However, despite the physical advantages of kidney transplants, the psychological struggles faced by transplant recipients are often overlooked, particularly in Ethiopia. This study aimed to delve into the psychological experiences of kidney transplant patients, shedding light on the emotional and mental battles they encounter post‐transplant.MethodsThis qualitative study involved kidney transplant patients at SPMMC (St. Paul's Millennium Medical College). during the study period, regardless of donor type. A total of ten participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi‐structured, interviewer‐administered questionnaires containing both closed and open‐ended questions. The data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The analysis focused on understanding participants' experiences and their interpretations of these experiences. Themes were identified by examining commonalities and differences in the participants' accounts, with special attention to areas of convergence and divergence.ResultsThe analysis revealed both positive and negative psychological experiences among kidney transplant patients. Positive experiences included feelings of “re‐birth,” thankfulness, strengthened social bonds, freedom from dialysis, enhanced self‐efficacy, and increased social support. Negative experiences included dependency, fear of the future, challenges with adherence to treatment, and occasional regret.ConclusionLife after a kidney transplant is significantly more positive and empowering compared to life on dialysis. However, psychological challenges remain, highlighting the need for ongoing psychological support to address both positive and negative aspects of the transplant experience. Future research should focus on providing continuous support, including counseling and support groups, and integrating these systems into kidney transplant care to enhance overall recovery.
Towards a Framework for the Adoption and Use of Information and Communication Technology for Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Case of Egypt
Authors: Azab Nahed , Elsherif Mohamed 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in empowering women entrepreneurs, with a focus on the Egyptian context. The study draws upon the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), to identify five chief factors that affect ICT adoption: Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease Of Use (PEOU), Social Expectancy (SE), Facilitating Conditions (FC), and Personal Traits (PT). These factors were also confirmed by five Heads of NGOs supporting women entrepreneurs in Egypt. This paper presents the first stage of our research which involves gathering qualitative data through semi‐structured interviews with six Egyptian women entrepreneurs from Cairo, Giza, and Alexandria Egyptian governorates. This research aimed to empirically explore the existence of the five factors that affect ICT adoption leading to the development of a conceptual framework. Our qualitative study allowed us also to obtain rich information regarding the interviewees' experience with ICT adoption and usage and the benefits reaped in terms of increasing all facets of Power and Social Capital. The study revealed that access to technology and education does not pose any barriers for the participants because they live in big cities with good Internet infrastructure. In addition, all participants are highly educated and have relatively high living standards. They are also exposed to several opportunities such as funding and training support from government entities and NGOs. However, they all expressed their need to acquire advanced training in different software applications. Furthermore, the study confirmed that ICT offers significant opportunities for women's empowerment and can reduce societal challenges such as age and male‐dominant culture. Being considered among the middle class or above, the outcome of using ICT is not directed to financial reasons; it is primarily towards confidence and self‐satisfaction.
Influence of Institutional Factors on Community Level Technology Implementation for Enhanced Data Utilization in Malawi's Health Management Information System
Authors: Kaunda Auxilia Nyaukaya , Manda Tiwonge , Kaasbøll Jens 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe paper details how influences of institutional factors on the implementation of technology and tools at the community level are addressing data use challenges in the Malawi health sector. Particularly, the paper interrogates how the demands, expectations, and practices of organizations operating within the health sector can shape data use. This interpretive qualitative study, conducted in four selected districts across Malawi, applied the lens of institutional pressures. The study used semi‐structured interviews, participant observations, documents, and artifact review data collection methods. The findings demonstrate that the Ministry of Health, through demands from partner organizations, implemented technology and tools aimed at improving data use, including the Integrated Community Health Information System, which is enhancing the DHIS2 functionality at the community level; the paper‐based Integrated Community Health Register; and the National Community Health Strategy that guides community activities. This study posits that the Ministry of Health's mandate in developing nations, such as Malawi, includes enforcement of a regulatory framework that ensures the legitimacy of all organizations operating within the health sector to a standardized approach for integrated processes of data utilization. The study contributes to the literature on the Information and Communication Technology for Development field by providing empirically grounded perspectives of institutional pressures.
Impact of Hydroxy‐Methyl‐Butyrate Supplementation on Malnourished Patients Assessed Using AI‐Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: de Luis Daniel , Cebria Angela , Primo David , Nozal Sara , Izaola Olatz , Godoy Eduardo Jorge , Lopez Gomez Juan Jose 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of an oral nutritional supplement (ONS) enriched with hydroxy‐methyl‐butyrate (HMB) in subjects with disease‐related malnutrition (DRM) and to monitor these effects with an ultrasound Imaging System, based on artificial intelligence, in a real‐world study.MethodsFifty consecutive adult patients with DRM were enrolled. The malnutrition was diagnosed by Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. For 3 months, the patients received nutritional education, and medical nutrition therapy was started with an adapted oral diet and two servings of an oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) with a hyperproteic hypercaloric formula (HMB—enriched). All patients were studied at baseline, and 3 months after intervention, with a nutritional assessment (anthropometry, bioelectrical impedanciometry [BIA], muscle ultrasonography and biochemical parameters). Ultrasound images were automatically quantified using an AI‐based ultrasound imaging system.ResultsThe study included 50 patients (21 men and 29 women) with a mean age of 57.8 ± 18.1 years. Following treatment with the HMB‐enriched ONS, the prevalence of sarcopenia decreased significantly (from 24% to 18%; p = 0.01) and severe malnutrition (from 14% to 2%; p = 0.01). An improvement in BIA parameters; phase angle (0.14 ± 0.02°; p = 0.02); phase angle index (0.07 ± 0.01°/m2; p = 0.01); fat free mass (1.31 ± 0.12 kg; p = 0.006); skeletal muscle mass (0.51 ± 0.11 kg; p = 0.01); and skeletal muscle mass index (0.31 ± 0.13 kg/m2; p = 0.01) were reported. Functional parameters as handgrip strength (1.36 ± 0.21 kg; p = 0.009) and seconds of time up and go test (1.16 ± 0.15 s; p = 0.02) showed also an improvement. The AI‐based ultrasound system detected a significant increase in the thickness of the vastus intermedius muscle (TVI) (0.09 ± 0.01 cm; p = 0.008) and an increase of the rectus femoris (TRF) (1.06 ± 0.4 cm; p = 0.07) with the consequence of a significant increase of the (TVITRF) (0.15 ± 0.02 cm; p = 0.008). The sarcopenia index is also significant (1.03 ± 0.3 cm; p = 0.03). Muscle quality, as assessed by echogenicity analysis, improved significantly: muscle index (Mi) (0.04 ± 0.01; p = 0.04) and (fat index) FATi (−0.03 ± 0.01; p = 0.03).ConclusionsThe use of an HMB‐enriched ONS in DRM patients, combined with AI‐based ultrasound imaging for follow‐up, significantly improved their nutritional status, muscle mass and muscle quality as assessed by echogenicity.
Predicting In‐Hospital Fall Risk Using Machine Learning With Real‐Time Location System and Electronic Medical Records
Authors: Kim Dong Won , Seo Jihoon , Kwon Sujin , Park Chan Min , Han Changho , Kim Yujeong , Kim Jaewoong , Kim Chul Sik , Park Seok Won , Yoon Dukyong , Kim Kyoung Min 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundHospital falls are the most prevalent and fatal event in healthcare, posing significant risks to patient health outcomes and institutional care quality. Real‐time location system (RTLS) enables continuous tracking of patient location, providing a unique opportunity to monitor changes in physical activity, a key factor related to the risk of falls in hospitals. This study is aimed at utilizing RTLS data to capture dynamic patient movements, integrating it with clinical information through a machine learning approach to enhance in‐hospital fall predictions.MethodsThis retrospective study developed and compared three models: clinical data only, RTLS data only and a combined data model. It included 22 201 patients from Yongin Severance Hospital, South Korea, from March 2020 to June 2022, with 118 fall patients and 443 nonfall patients selected through random sampling and relevant criteria for detailed analysis, totaling 561 patients. The average age of the participants was 70.1 years, with a median of 71.0 years (IQR: 60.0–80.0). Among participants, 52.6% (n = 295) were male. This study evaluated the occurrence of the first fall during hospitalization. The performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC), the area under the precision‐recall curve (AUPRC) and the Brier score. The Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) method and decision curve analysis (DCA) were employed to enhance model explainability and assess the clinical utility of the models.ResultsThe RTLS model showed significant predictive accuracy for hospital falls, with an AUROC of 0.813 (95% CI: 0.703–0.903). The clinical + RTLS model outperformed those using only one type of data, achieving an AUROC of 0.847 (95% CI: 0.764–0.917), AUPRC of 0.667 (95% CI: 0.472–0.816) and Brier score of 0.120 (95% CI: 0.083–0.162), with significant differences in performance metrics (p < 0.0001). DCA confirmed its greater clinical benefit. SHAP analysis indicated that patients who experienced falls tended to have less active time and slower movement speed just before the fall compared to the early hospitalization period, despite attempting to move more. Additionally, higher fall incidence was significantly associated with sedative use and higher red cell distribution width (RDW) levels.ConclusionThis study underscores the capability of utilizing RTLS to predict in‐hospital falls by tracking the changes of patients' physical activity through a machine learning approach. This may improve early fall risk detection during hospitalization, thereby preventing falls and enhancing patient safety.
Hypofractionation Utilisation in Radiation Therapy: A Regional Department Evaluation
Authors: Tabet Cyrena , Brown Amy , Hargrave Catriona , Brown Savannah 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionThere has been an uptake in hypofractionation radiotherapy schedules (> 2.45 Gy per fraction) worldwide over the last decade. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the change in fractionation schedules for patients undergoing radiotherapy in regional Queensland. The influence of treatment site, intent and patient social circumstances was assessed, identifying any current gaps in practice.MethodsThis retrospective clinical audit, included patients who underwent radiotherapy in 2012, 2019 and 2022 at a large regional department. This allowed a 10‐year analysis and an evaluation of any impact of COVID‐19. Demographic data and treatment information was collected and analysed using descriptive statistics.ResultsThere was a notable trend favouring hypofractionation for patients treated for breast and prostate cancer. In 2012, 62.7% of breast cancer patients were treated with conventional fractionation and 37.3% were treated with hypofractionation, versus 2.4% and 92.1%, respectively, in 2022. Prostate cancer fractionation changed from 99.4% of patients treated with conventional fractionation and 0.6% with hypofractionation in 2012 to 23.2% and 74.1%, respectively, in 2022. The standard of care also shifted for palliative intent, with lung, brain and bone metastases in 2022 being treated with increased hypofractionated and ultra‐hypofractionated radiotherapy (> 5 Gy per fraction). This coincides with more complex and modulated treatments being readily available, such as stereotactic radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy. Hypofractionated treatments, however, were not influenced by the social factors of patients, having no distinct relationship with Indigenous status, age and patients' distance to treatment.ConclusionThis study has validated the increase in hypofractionated treatments over a range of cancer sites and treatment intents, with increased treatment complexity. This has a direct impact on both departmental resources and patient‐centred care, offering value‐based radiotherapy.
In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of Antidiabetic Activity of Cupressus torulosa D. Don Needles, Their LCQTOFMS Assisted Metabolite Profiling, and Implications for Diabetes Management
Authors: Khanna Radhika , Chitme H. R. , Bhadoriya Khushaboo , Tripathi Y. C. , Varshney V. K. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder attributed to insulin secretion and action defects, affecting a growing adult population with hyperglycemia expected to reach 578 million by 2030. This study explores the antidiabetic potential of 25% aqueous methanol extract of Cupressus torulosa needles, utilizing in vitro and in vivo assays. In the α‐glucosidase inhibition assay, the extract exhibited significant in vitro antidiabetic activity with an IC50, 123.45 ± 1.8 μg/mL, comparable to the standard drug acarbose (IC50, 58.21 ± 3.1 μg/mL). Toxicity assessment indicated non‐toxic nature of the extract at 2000 mg/kg b.w. In STZ‐induced diabetic mice, it displayed dose‐dependent antihyperglycemic effects, evident at the fourth hour and 14th day, paralleling the positive control glibenclamide. In the chemical profiling of the extract using UPLC‐QTOF‐MS, the mobile phases consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water (Solvent A) and 100% methanol (Solvent B). The gradient elution started with 5% B (0 to 2 min) and gradually increased to 95% B by 25 min, followed by a post‐run time of 2 min. Preliminarily, 50 constituents were identified, predominantly phenolics, with hypoglycemic effects attributed to flavonoids like (−)‐epicatechin, amentoflavone, and cupressuflavone, as well as iridoid O‐glycoside, exemplified by haprpagoside. Further studies are needed to assess the long‐term efficacy, safety, and molecular mechanisms of the extract of C. torulosa needles in diabetes management.
Phylogenetic and Genetic Evolution Analysis of Complete SFTSV Genome Sequences in Shandong Province, China
Authors: Dong Shixiao , Jiao Haitao , Zhao Hong , Wang Lili , Peng Xun , Song Li , Sai Lintao 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTSevere fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV). Shandong province is one of the epidemic regions with high incidence rate of SFTS. To investigate phylogenetical and genetic evolution characteristics of SFTSV in Shandong province, we isolated SFTSV from suspected patients between April 2023 and October 2024, and then whole SFTSV genomes were amplified and sequenced in this study. A total of 25 new strains were analyzed together 56 strains submitted in Genbank from Shandong province. Phylogenetical and genetic analyses of the data set revealed that four genotypes were co‐circulating in Shandong province. C3 genotype was the most common genotype in each year with lower genetic divergence. 298 amino acid substitutions were detected in the four proteins of SFTSV, but only two substitutions (Arg624Lys and Arg962Ser) had been proven to have potential impacts on biological functions. In addition, one reassortment strain (C3/C4/C4 for L, M and S segments) and three recombinant strains were identified. Analysis of selection pressure at the level of amino acid substitutions indicated genes within the four ORFs of SFTSV were all subjected to negative selection. In conclusion, the genetic characteristics and evolutionary mechanism of SFTSV was complex in Shandong province. It is necessary to conduct continuous surveillance to grasp the genetic evolution patterns, and to discover novel prevalent variants in a timely manner.
Analysis of Spatio‐Temporal Characteristics of Drought in Serbia From 1961 to 2020 Using SPI and SPEI
Authors: Filipović Lazar , Putniković Suzana , Stosic Borko , Stosic Tatijana , Djurdjević Vladimir , Tošić Ivana 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe main objective of this study was to analyse the spatial and temporal characteristics of drought in Serbia using the standardised precipitation index (SPI) and the standardised precipitation and evapotranspiration index (SPEI). The duration and severity of drought were determined, and the trend of the indices for different accumulation periods, for 3 months (SPI3 and SPEI3), 6 months (SPI6 and SPEI6) and 12 months (SPI12 and SPEI12) were analysed for 10 meteorological stations in Serbia in the period 1961–2020. There was a high correlation between the SPI and SPEI on all time scales. Droughts were observed in Serbia in the following periods: 1961–1963, 1971–1972, 1987–1993, 2000–2003 and after 2011. The drought observed in 2000–2001 was recorded with both indices for all time scales at all stations. The longest drought was measured from June 2011 to February 2013, with a duration of 21 months and a severity of −37.5 with the SPEI12 in Loznica. The 1972 drought is observed in almost all of Serbia, although it was more pronounced in northern Serbia. A statistically significant negative trend is observed for SPEI12 at 6 stations. The SPEI tends to show longer and more severe dry periods than the SPI for the later part of the period under consideration, especially after 2000. As there is a significant increase in temperature in Serbia, the SPEI is better suited than the SPI for analysing drought characteristics under warming conditions.
Assessment of distillers corn oil as substrate for rhamnolipid biosurfactant production
Authors: Rocha Vanessa Alves Lima , de Paula Vieira de Castro Rui , Teixeira Douglas Braga , de Oliveira Eduardo , Cardoso Manuela Moore , de Almeida João Monnerat A. R. , Gomez José Gregório Cabrera , Freire Denise Maria Guimarães 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThis study is the first to explore the potential of distiller's corn oil (DCO) for rhamnolipid biosurfactant production. Two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC9027 [higher relative mono‐rhamnolipid content] and LFM1201 [higher relative di‐rhamnolipid content]) were used to evaluate the best biosurfactant producer. The biosurfactants were characterized in terms of kinetic, structural parameters, tensoactive parameters, and stability at high temperatures and varied pHs. Obtained results in flasks using DCO as substrate were: ATCC9027 (P = 4.6 g L−1, YP/S = 0.16 g g−1, Qp = 14.9 mg L−1 h); LFM1201 (P = 5.9 g L−1, YP/S = 0.20 g g−1, Qp = 13.7 mg L−1 h). Surface tension, interfacial tension and critical micellar concentration were respectively: 25.9, 4.7 mN m−1, 81.0 mg L−1 for ATCC9027, and 28.5, 7.8 mN m−1 and 121.1 mg L−1 for LFM1201. The main congeners were: Rha‐C10C10 (m/z 503.3) for ATCC9027 and RhaRha‐C10C10 (m/z 649.4) for LFM1201. Biosurfactants showed stability at high temperature and diverse pHs. Posteriorly, the carbon: nitrogen ratio of the cultivation medium was optimized, with an optimal value of 28:1. Finally, the optimized medium was used in a bioreactor in different operating modes: simple batch, pulse‐fed batch and continuous process. The best strategy for producing rhamnolipids using DCO as a carbon source was through a continuous process in a bioreactor. This method boosted rhamnolipid production, reaching 6.82 g L−1 (Yp/s = 0.35 g g−1). The results showed that DCO was a new and interesting substrate for rhamnolipid biosurfactant production, with characteristics suitable for future application in the biorefinery context, forming part of the circular economy concept.
Rheological effects of high‐pressure processing and high‐pressure homogenization on not‐from‐concentrate orange juice
Authors: Yu Xiaoxun , Wang Ziyu , Wu Yuping , Chen Qingmu , Zhang Yingyue , Zhang Fusheng 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackground‘Not‐from‐concentrate’ (NFC) orange juice faces stability challenges. Its rheological properties are also important for optimizing processes such as pumping. These issues affect companies in terms of their cost implications, and they affect product quality and consumer acceptance directly. This study investigates the rheological properties of NFC orange juice subjected to high‐pressure homogenization (HPH) following high‐pressure processing (HPP).ResultsThe viscosity coefficient (k) of HPH‐treated orange juice reduced significantly, by 92.16%, and was accompanied by a 163.82% increase in the flow coefficient (n) and a 48.12% increase in zeta potential. High‐pressure processing treatment reduced viscosity effectively while enhancing the fluidity and stability of the orange juice. However, no significant differences were observed in the major functional groups or particle size distribution in comparison with a thermal pasteurization (TP) group. Alterations in the polysaccharide structure were identified as the primary reason for the observed changes in rheological properties. Specifically, the molecular weight (Mw) of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) increased, whereas the Mw of cellulose decreased in the HPP treated juice. This correlated with the results for viscosity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses.ConclusionIn comparison with the TP group, the fluidity, and stability of HPH orange juice after HPP were enhanced significantly, and the viscosity was reduced. This speeds up the juice‐pumping process, reducing energy consumption and costs. The combination of HPP and HPH pretreatment effectively improved the physical properties and sensory quality of orange juice. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.