bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community-based type 2 diabetes care by lay village health workers in rural Lesotho Protocol for a cluster-randomized trial within the ComBaCaL cohort study (ComBaCaL T2D TwiC)
Authors: Gerber Felix , Gupta Ravi , Lejone Thabo Ishmael , Tahirsylaj Thesar , Lee Tristan , Kohler Maurus , Haldemann Maria Ines , Räber Fabian , Chitja Mamakhala , Manthabiseng Molulela , Khomolishoele Makhebe , Mota Mota , Bane Matumaole , Sematle Pauline Mamorontsane , Makabateng Retselisitsoe , Mphunyane Madavida , Phaaroe Sejojo , Basler Dave Brian , Kindler Kevin , Seelig Eleonora , Briel Matthias , Chammartin Frédérique , Labhardt Niklaus Daniel , Amstutz Alain 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) poses a growing public health burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Task-shifting to lay village health workers (VHWs) and the use of digital clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are promising approaches to tackle the current T2D care gap in LMICs. However, evidence on the effectiveness of lay worker-led T2D care models, in which VHWs initiate and monitor drug treatment in addition to community-based screening and referral services, is lacking.
Methods
We are conducting a cluster-randomized trial nested within the ComBaCaL (Community-Based Chronic Disease Care Lesotho) cohort study (NCT05596773) using the trial within cohort (TwiC) design to assess the effectiveness of a VHW-led, CDSS-assisted T2D care model in rural Lesotho. Participants are non-pregnant members of the ComBaCaL cohort study with T2D. The ComBaCaL cohort study is conducted in approximately 100 villages in two rural districts in Lesotho and is managed by trained and supervised VHWs. In intervention villages, VHWs offer a community-based T2D care package including lifestyle counselling, first-line oral antidiabetic, lipid-lowering, and antiplatelet treatment guided by a tablet-based CDSS to participants who are clinically eligible, as well as treatment support to participants who prefer or clinically require facility-based T2D care. In control clusters, all participants will be referred to a health facility for T2D management. The primary endpoint is the mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 12 months after enrolment. Secondary endpoints include the 10-year risk for cardiovascular events estimated using the World Health Organisation risk prediction tool.
Discussion
The trial was launched on May 13, 2023, and has enrolled 194 participants at the date of submission (August 9, 2023). To our knowledge, the trial is the first to assess task-shifting of T2D care to VHWs at community level, including the prescription of first-line antidiabetic, lipid-lowering, and antiplatelet medication in sub-Saharan Africa, and will thus provide the missing evidence on the effectiveness of such a T2D care model in this setting. The study is operating within the established Lesotho VHW program. Similar community health worker programs which exist across sub-Saharan Africa may benefit from the findings.
Trial registration
The trial has been registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05743387; February 24 2023).
Flood Risk Zonation and Its Assessment: a Study of Bolpur Subdivision, West Bengal, India
Authors: Paul Sanjit , Baskey Sumanta Kumar , Jana Narayan Chandra 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The change of climate, land use patterns, and other human activities have raised the trends of floods over the past few decades. The present paper has tried to find out the flood risk zones and their assessment in Bolpur Subdivision by using various geospatial data in GIS environment with the help of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. To perform and validate the model, a flood inventory map was developed. Total of eight parameters have been taken to find out the flood risk zones viz. Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), Elevation, Slope, Annual rainfall, Land Use and Land Cover (LULC), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Distance from the river, and Drainage density. Each thematic layer carries a fixed weighted score in the AHP method which helped to compute the final flood risk map of the study area. Accordingly, the assessment of flood scenarios has been done with the help of flood risk map. The results suggest that around 22% of the region is in the high and very high flood risk zones, requiring rapid attention. The ROC curve was used to validate and analyze the accuracy of the flood risk map, and the accuracy of AUC is 0.927, or 92.7%. Eventually, floods cannot be avoided, but this study can assist authorities in flood management and mitigation.
Neuron Enriched Exosomal MicroRNA Expression Profiles as a Marker of Early Life Alcohol Consumption
Authors: Yakovlev Vasily , lapato dana , Rana Pratip , Ghosh Preetam , Frye Rebekah , Roberson-Nay Roxann 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Alcohol consumption may impact and shape brain development through perturbed biological pathways and impaired molecular functions. We investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption rates and neuron-enriched exosomal microRNA (miRNA) expression to better understand the impact of alcohol use on early life brain biology.
Methods
Neuron-enriched exosomal miRNA expression was measured from plasma samples collected from young people using a commercially available microarray platform while alcohol consumption was measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Linear regression and network analyses were used to identify significantly differentially expressed miRNAs and to characterize the implicated biological pathways, respectively.
Results
Compared to alcohol naïve controls, young people reporting high alcohol consumption exhibited significantly higher expression of four neuron-enriched exosomal miRNAs including miR-30a-5p, miR-194-5p, and miR-339-3p, although only miR-30a-5p and miR-194-5p survived multiple test correction. The miRNA-miRNA interaction network inferred by a network inference algorithm did not detect any differentially expressed miRNAs with a high cutoff on edge scores. However, when the cutoff of the algorithm was reduced, five miRNAs were identified as interacting with miR-194-5p and miR-30a-5p. These seven miRNAs were associated with 25 biological functions; miR-194-5p was the most highly connected node and was highly correlated with the other miRNAs in this cluster.
Conclusions
Our observed association between neuron-enriched exosomal miRNAs and alcohol consumption concurs with results from experimental animal models of alcohol use and suggests that high rates of alcohol consumption during the adolescent/young adult years may impact brain functioning and development by modulating miRNA expression.
Safety of Immediate Weight-Bearing as Tolerated After Well-Reduced Geriatric Hip Fracture: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Lin Chun-Hung , Liao Po-Feng , Chen Chiang-Sang 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Proximal femur fractures are major traumatic injuries in elderlypopulations; however,practical postoperative weight-bearing protocols are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes and investigate whether early weight-bearing following proximal femur nail fixation is associated with loss of reduction.
METHODS:
This prospective single-center study included 14 proximal femur fracture cases (classified by AO/OTA 2018) that underwent intramedullary nail fixation. Clinical outcomes included Harris functional hip score and visual analog scores (VAS) to assess pain. Demographic data, radiological parameters, time to weight-bearing, mortality rate, medical and surgical complications, and final ambulation status were recorded.
RESULTS:
The mean patient age was 74.1 years. There was significant improvement in the Harris and pain scores between the time of first weight-bearing and at 12-months follow-up. Mean Harris score improved from 74.86 immediately postoperatively to 88.5 at 12 months follow-up. Mean VAS score improved from 3 immediately postoperatively to 0 at 1-month follow-up. Mean length of hospital stay was 5.6 days. No mortality was noted, and only patients withhelical blade oversliding requested implant removal after bone union.
CONCLUSIONS:
Early weight-bearing was associated with better hip functional score, a shorter hospital stay, and fewer medical complications without increasing the loss of reduction or any surgical complications at 12-months follow-up.
Anomalous and Chern topological waves in hyperbolic networks
Authors: Fleury Romain , Chen Qiaolu , Zhang Zhe , Qin Haoye , Bossart Aleksi , Yang Yihao , Chen Hongsheng 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Hyperbolic lattices are a new type of synthetic materials based on regular tessellations in non-Euclidean spaces with constant negative curvature. While so far, there has been several theoretical investigations of hyperbolic topological media, experimental work has been limited to time-reversal invariant systems made of coupled discrete resonances, leaving the more interesting case of robust, unidirectional edge wave transport completely unobserved. Here, we report a non-reciprocal hyperbolic network that exhibits both Chern and anomalous chiral edge modes, and implement it on a planar microwave platform. We experimentally evidence the unidirectional character of the topological edge modes by direct field mapping. We demonstrate the topological origin of these hyperbolic chiral edge modes by an explicit topological invariant measurement, performed from external probes. Our work extends the reach of topological wave physics by allowing for backscattering-immune transport in materials with synthetic non-Euclidean behavior.
The effects of psychological distress after surgery in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion
Authors: Li Qiang , Luan Jian , Lin Yong , Kong Meng , Guo Xinhu , Zhao Jindong 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychological distress pre-operatively, at 3, 6, and 12 months in patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion surgery.Methods A total of 440 patients received instrumented lumbar spine fusion were enrolled. The psychological distress was evaluated using the Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ) and the Modified Zung Depressive Index (ZDI). The results of lumbar fusion surgery were evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA-29), and the visual analog scale (VAS).Results Psychological distress was reported among 23% of patients and 7, 5.5, and 4.0% of the patients pre-operatively, at 3, 6, and 12 months after lumbar surgery, respectively. The mean MSPQ score decreased from 8.78 (before operation) to 4.30, 3.52, and 3.43 at postoperative 3, 6 and 12 months inpsychological distress patients (p < 0.001). The mean ZDI score decreased from 17.78 to 12.48, 10.35, and 9.61 (p < 0.001). The mean ODI score decreased from 22.91 to 11.78, 10.13, and 9.96 (P < 0.001). The mean JOA score increased from13.65 to 22.30, 23.43, and 23.61 (P < 0.001). The mean low back pain (LBP VAS) score decreased from 4.48 to 1.96, 1.52, and 1.51 (P < 0.001), moreover, the mean leg pain (LP VAS) score decreased from 5.30 to 1.30, 1.04, and 1.03 (P < 0.001).Conclusions Psychological distress patients with may experience surgical intervention benefits of equal with ordinary patients. Moreover, reduced pain and disability after the surgical intervention may also alleviate psychological distress. Hence, we highly recommend psychological distress patients undergo surgical intervention like normal patients, but the appropriate screening measures and interventions are necessary.
Development and Preliminary Validation of Questionnaire on Care Needs of Family Caregivers of Disabled Elderly People in China:a mixed methods study
Authors: Zhou Chuncong , Fang Yi , Zheng Enjie , Zhu Lijuan , Lu Yangling , Yin Zhiqin 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Ensuring the wellness of disabled elderly individuals requires prioritizing the care needs of their caregivers. However, current practice lacks validated tools to measure the needs of caregivers in a home environment. Thus, this study develops a questionnaire on the care needs of family caregivers of disabled older people in China and tests its reliability and validity.
Methods
We used a standard development process to generate the questionnaire. The pilot testing included cognitive interviews and surface validity assessments to ensure interpretation as intended. Then we used a cross-sectional study method to conveniently select 640 Chinese family caregivers of disabled elderly people from August 1, 2022, to June 11, 2023, for face-to-face investigation. Exploratory factor analysis aided in project reduction and factor estimation, with 30 participants undergoing retest evaluations every two weeks. Confirmatory factor analysis evaluated the structural validity of the model, while internal consistency and retest reliability determined the reliability.
Results
These tests established the model: content validity, surface validity, item analysis, and exploratory factor analysis. Six factors extracted from the initial analysis explained 62.891% of the observation variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit and the questionnaire had good reliability and validity. The final questionnaire contains 21 items focusing on six dimensions: care assistance (three items), care environment (three items), care information (three items), formal support (four items), care ability (six items), and self-development (two items).
Conclusion
The care needs questionnaire for family caregivers of the disabled elderly is a good tool for evaluating the needs of family caregivers in their care activities.
Development of an inclusive and cost-effective Afrocentric predictive model for stroke: A novel approach
Authors: Nweke Martins , Oyirinnaya Praise , Nwoha Polycarp , Mitha Sara , Mshunqane Nombeko , Govender Nalini , Ukwuoma Maryjane , S Ibeneme 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background: Prediction of stroke is indispensable for the initiation of the necessary preventive and prophylactic measures. The conspicuous omission of African data in most of the validated prediction models questions their appropriateness for the region. This study therefore aimed to develop an inclusive and cost-effective Afrocentric predictive model for stroke (CAPMS). Methods and Analyses: We employed an evidence synthesis approach namely meta-analysis structured as per the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed, Scopus, African Journals, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature, from inception to date. Case-control and cohort studies that reported the risk factors of stroke and corresponding risk estimates were included. Screening of the titles and abstracts was undertaken by two independent reviewers. We conducted meta-analyses using Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA) version 3. Result: Majority of the eligible studies (>50%) investigated both ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke. In Africa, more than 20 risk factors of stroke were identified however only 18 met the eligibility for meta-analysis. Our findings shows that homocysteine (Rw = 13.9, Ri = 0.67), hypertension (Rw = 5.6, Ri =0.94) and cardiac events (Rw =3.1, Ri = 0.8) were the three most powerful independent predictors of stroke in Africa. Low consumption of green vegetables (Rw =2.4, Ri = 1.0), stress (Rw = 1.76, Ri =1.0) and hypertension were the most clinically responsive risk factors of stroke. All biomarkers except homocysteine were cost-effective having an investigative price of less than $13.6. Critical risk point was fitted at the 90th percentile being 12.7. The cumulative Rw and investigative costs of CAPMS 1 (15.8 and $2.4) and CAPMS 2 (14.9 and $7.2) showed good performance index and cost-effectiveness. Conclusion: Targeted screening with the CAPMS 1 & CAPMS 2 model represents cost-effective innovation in practice of stroke screening in African clinics and communities. We recommend immediate validation of CAPMS to ascertain its performance, feasibility and acceptability in the region.
Ecological Risk Profiles of Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon in Soil Around Industries in Ilorin, Nigeria
Authors: Ogundele Damilola Tope , Iyanda Yusuf Ayodeji , Bello Aishat Adewolu , Oludele Olusanya Emmanuel 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Ecological risk profiles of heavy metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons were assessed in soil from selected occupational workplaces in Ilorin, Nigeria. Soil samples from nine (9) occupational workplaces, - automobile workshops, wood and furniture, and metal & steel industries sites were collected randomly, composited and digested. Cadmium, Copper, Chromium, Iron and Lead were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The pollution status and ecological risk parameters were determined using standard models (Contamination Factor, Enrichment Factor, Geo-accumulation Index, Ecological Risk Factor and Potential Ecological Risk Index). For the determination of PAHs, soil samples were extracted using QUECHERS method. The cleaned extracts were analyzed for the presence of 16 EPA priority PAHs using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The results showed that Iron concentration ranged between (4807.20 ± 23.15 mg/kg -12031. ± 40.25 mg/kg) in soil samples from the nine (9) selected study areas which were higher than the World Health Permissible limit of (445 mg/kg). The concentration range of the other heavy metals from the nine (9) selected study areas are, Cadmium (1.15 ± 0.40 mg/kg − 1.98 ± 0.46 mg/kg), chromium (15.0 ± 1.52 mg/kg − 142.30 ± 50.55 mg/kg), Copper (17.85 ± 4.60 mg/kg – 85.20 ± 13.80mg/kg) and Lead (5.8 ± 4.20mg/kg – 27.0 ± 10.24 mg/kg) accordingly. The standard models revealed the study area to be moderately contaminated with heavy metals. The GC-MS result revealed that (0.53%) anthracene was detected in Egbejila automobile workshop. Aliphatic chain compounds such as (Dibutylpthalate, Di-n-octylpthalate and Bis (2-ethyl hexylpthalate) which could be traced to plastic products and automobile upholstery were also detected.
Biomass of Euglena sp.produced in Mineral Medium Supplemented With Craft Brewery Residue
Authors: Alves Giséle , Rizzetti Tiele Medianeira , Linton Maria Angelica Oliveira , Hoeltz Michele , Dupont Adriana , Rocha Vitória Costa da , Ferraz Leonardo Ritzel , Schneider Rosana de Cassia de Souza 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Industrial waste from craft breweries can be used to grow microorganisms due to its high nutrient content. Reusing waste and reducing its improper disposal are great economic and environmental strategies. Thus, the objective was to cultivate Euglena sp. in benchtop 1-L photobioreactors using different concentrations of NPK-enriched (0.5–6.0 g L− 1) mineral medium with and without the supplementation with a mixture of brewing residues (BR-Mix) with increase of scale (30 L) and BR-Mix supplementation (30% v:v). Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, fatty acids, and antioxidant potential) were analyzed. The BR-Mix-supplemented medium (0.5 g L− 1 NPK) yielded 15.3 ± 1.4% lipids, 35.1 ± 0.1% proteins, 9.07 ± 0.001% carbohydrates, and 61.3% polyunsaturated totty acids. The antioxidant potential was 170.9 ± 26.3 µmol eq g− 1 of Trolox. Supplementing with 25% BR-Mix resulted in a different biomass composition compared to control (without supplementation): increasing the content of carbohydrates (38.5%), paramylon (91%), and lipids (17.38%), and reducing proteins (26,6%) and antioxidant potential (41,8 µmol eq g− 1).
C9orf72 Overexpression in Asthenozoospermia: Implications for Spermatogonia Proliferation through mitophagy and glucose metabolism
Authors: Lu Hui , Xu Dongchuan , Zhao Liqiang , Ruan Hailing , Wang Anguo , Li Yejuan , Lu Weiying 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
The role of the C9orf72 gene in sperm function and asthenozoospermia remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the expression of C9orf72 was abnormal in patients with asthenozoospermia and its effects on spermatogonia proliferation.
Methods
Semen samples were collected from 27 men with asthenozoospermia and 31 normal men. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were employed to detect the protein expression of C9orf72 in semen samples. Mouse spermatogonia (GC-1 spg) transfected with C9orf72-overexpressing lentivirus were assessed for cell viability, apoptosis, ROS levels, mitochondrial membrane potential changes, colocalization between autophagosomes and mitochondria, glucose content and glucose energy metabolism-related protein expression. The effect of the mitophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1 on C9orf72-induced apoptosis in GC-1 spg cells was investigated.
Results
The results showed that the C9orf72 protein was significantly upregulated in asthenozoospermic semen samples and negatively correlated with sperm progressive motility. Overexpression of C9orf72 inhibited proliferation, increased apoptosis, and elevated ROS levels in GC-1 spg cells. Enhanced mitophagy was observed in C9orf72-overexpressing cells, as indicated by mitochondrial membrane potential reduction, decreased MitoTracker Red CMXRos-labeled mitochondria, and increased LC-3-labeled autophagy. Moreover, glucose energy metabolism was impaired in C9orf72-overexpressing cells, with decreased glucose uptake and reduced protein expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, HK2 and LDHA. The mitophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1 partially reversed C9orf72-induced apoptosis in GC-1 spg cells.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates that C9orf72 is significantly overexpressed in asthenozoospermic semen samples and negatively correlated with sperm progressive motility. C9orf72 overexpression inhibits spermatogonia proliferation, and the mechanism by which it inhibits the proliferation of spermatogonia may be through promoting mitophagy and inhibiting glucose metabolism, representing a potential regulatory mechanism underlying asthenozoospermia.
Prehospital COVID-19 Patients Discharged at the Scene – An Observational Study
Authors: Heinonen Kari , Kuisma Markku , Salmi Heli , Puolakka Tuukka 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Emergency medical services (EMS) were the first point of contact for many COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the non-conveyance decision of a COVID-19 patient was more frequently associated with a new EMS call than direct ambulance transport to the hospital.
Methods
All confirmed COVID-19 patients with an EMS call within 14 days of symptom onset were included in the study. Patients were compared based on their prehospital transport decision (transport vs. non-conveyance). The primary endpoint was a new EMS call within 10 days leading to ambulance transport.
Results
A total of 1 286 patients met the study criteria; of these, 605 (47.0%) were male with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 50.5 (SD 19.3) years. The most common dispatch codes were dyspnea in 656 (51.0%) and malaise in 364 (28.3%) calls. High-priority dispatch was used in 220 (17.1%) cases. After prehospital evaluation, 586 (45.6%) patients were discharged at the scene. Oxygen was given to 159 (12.4%) patients, of whom all but one were transported.
A new EMS call leading to ambulance transport was observed in 133 (10.3%) cases; of these, 40 (30.1%) were in the group primarily transported and 93 (69.9%) were among the patients who were primarily discharged at the scene (p<.001). There were no significant differences in past medical history, presence of abnormal vital signs, or total NEWS score. Supplemental oxygen was given to 33 (24.8%) patients; 3 (2.3%) patients received other medications.
Conclusion
Nearly half of all prehospital COVID-19 patients could be discharged at the scene. Approximately every sixth of these had a new EMS call and ambulance transport within the following 10 days. No significant deterioration was seen among patients primarily discharged at the scene.