bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aetiological treatment of venous leg ulcers with compression therapy: real-life outcomes with two different procedures
Authors: Meaume Sylvie , Senet Patricia , Thomé Benoît , Aragno Victor-Alexandre , Bohbot Serge , Fortin Sophie , Boucley Isabelle , Michon-Pasturel Ulrique , Colboc Hester 
Published: October 2023

Objective: To evaluate the healing outcomes and costs associated with the aetiological management of venous leg ulcers (VLUs) treated with recommended multicomponent bandages (MCBs) and short-stretch bandages (SSBs). Method: This observational study is a retrospective comparative study (Level 2b), based on the French administrative healthcare database (Système National des Données de Santé, SNDS). It includes patients treated from onset with reimbursed MCBs and SSBs for a VLU episode, between July 2018 and September 2020. Although other compression systems, such as long-stretch bandages, are commonly used for the treatment of VLUs, they are not recommended by health authorities in France and thus, were not considered for this study. A binomial regression model was performed to estimate the adjusted relative risk of wound closure rates at three months for each group, based on potential confounding factors including, notably, age, sex, key comorbidities, and wound dressing size. The mean healthcare cost was calculated for patients whose VLUs healed within the study period. Results: The reimbursement data (including prescribed compression systems and nursing care) of the 25,255 selected patients were analysed in the study. There were no significant differences between the MCBs and SSBs groups when considering patient characteristics. The healing rates after three months' treatment, were 42% and 35% (p<0.001) in the MCBs and SSBs groups, respectively. When adjusting the statistical model, the chance of healing at three months was still 12% higher with MCBs compared with SSBs (p<0.0001). The median healing time was estimated at 115 (interquartile range (IQR): 60–253) days in the MCB group versus 137 (IQR: 68–300) days in the SSBs group. The average treatment cost per patient with a healed ulcer was €2875±3647 in the MCB group and €3580±5575) in the SSBs group (p=0.0179), due to lower hospital stay and nursing costs in the MCB group. Differences in wound characteristics between the two groups cannot be totally excluded, due to the limited content of the database in terms of clinical data, but should have been addressed, to some extent, through the study selection criteria and the chosen regression model. Conclusion: In this study, this SNDS analysis seemed to confirm that the healing outcomes achieved in real-life with MCBs were in line with those reported in clinical trials, and superior to SSBs, which reinforces the current position from the guidelines.
Accelerating the healing of hard-to-heal wounds with food supplements: nutritional analysis in the Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Koffi Didier Y , Konan Amoin G , Koné Valentin B , N'krumah Raymond T , Coulibaly Ismael Dognimin , Kaloga Mamadou , Kreppel Katharina , Haydon Daniel , Utzinger Jürg , Bonfoh Bassirou 
Published: October 2023

Objective: Hard-to-heal wounds are an important, yet often neglected, public health issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Malnutrition has been identified as a risk factor for prolonged healing times. However, nutritional supplements are not routinely provided for patients with hard-to-heal wounds, and so this study aimed to investigate their benefits. Method: This 9-month study was conducted in the Taabo Health and Demographic Surveillance System in the south-central part of Côte d'Ivoire. Patients with wounds (≥30mm2) were recruited. Treatment was standardised for inpatients (72%) and outpatients (28%). There were three intervention groups: supplemented with soy; orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP); or both. Another group was included without supplement, serving as control. General linear models were employed to assess the effects of log initial wound size, type of wound, food treatment group, haemoglobin, sex, age, place of treatment and body mass index on the rate of wound closure. Results: The cohort consisted of 56 patients, 41 of whom were placed in intervention groups, and the remainder as controls. Within the cohort, 37 (66%) patients suffered from Buruli ulcer, 15 (27%) from traumatic wounds and four (7%) from erysipelas. We found a significant effect (p=0.004) of diet supplemented with OFSP on the wound healing rate. Conclusion: OFSP is a nutritional rehabilitation supplement, characterised by a high content of beta-carotene and carbohydrates. It is associated with shortened wound healing times, reduced discomfort and reduced cost of wound care. Further research should investigate the effect of a diet rich in beta-carotene, in combination with standard medical care, on hard-to-heal wound healing in LMICs.
Spatially modulated erbium YAG laser as a treatment for diabetic ulcer
Authors: Chilgar Ram M , Andurkar Smita P 
Published: October 2023

Objective: Diabetic ulcers are a significant healthcare challenge, capable of diminishing quality of life, lengthening hospitalisation stay, and incurring substantial costs for patients and healthcare systems. Erbium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er-YAG) laser has been evolving as a prospective intervention for addressing wounds of various aetiologies. Despite this, the literature remains limited in appraising the effectiveness of laser therapy specifically in diabetic wounds. This study investigates the impact of employing a spatially modulated Er-YAG laser as a therapeutic approach for treating diabetic ulcers. Method: In a single-arm study conducted from November 2017 to April 2023, patients with hard-to-heal ulcers were treated in a two-step approach of wound debridement using Er-YAG laser for ablation and biostimulation through deep tissue resonance using RecoSMA (Multiline laser system, LINLINE MS, Latvia) laser technology. Ulcers received weekly laser treatment, together with routine care until healing occurred and were then followed up to observe any recurrence. The primary outcome measure was wound closure; the secondary outcome measures were time to closure, and the number of laser treatments required. Data related to sociodemographic details, size and number of diabetic ulcers, and number of sessions related to laser treatment were collected using a predesigned, pretested questionnaire before initiating the treatment. Results: A total of 59 patients attending the clinic during the study period with diabetic ulcers were included in the study. The mean wound surface area at baseline was 25.7cm2 (median: 12cm2). The average number of sessions of laser treatment required was 4.41, ranging from 1–11. The size of the ulcer reduced with each session of laser treatment. The diabetic ulcers healed completely at the end of the treatment, indicating the effectiveness of the Er-YAG/RecoSMA two-step approach. Conclusion: Spatially modulated erbium YAG laser is effective as a therapeutic approach for treating diabetic ulcers.
Associations of heart failure to prevalence of haematologic- and solid malignancies in southern Sweden: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Scholten Mia , Halling Anders 
Published: October 2023

Background
Heart failure (HF) and cancer are common diseases among the elderly population. Many chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus (DM), share risk factors and increase the incidence of HF and cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate if there was an association between HF and the prevalence of haematologic- and solid malignancies.

Methods
The study population was comprised of almost one million adults living in southern Sweden in 2015. All participants were divided into seven age groups from 20 and onwards, and 10 percentiles according to their socioeconomic status (SES). All data concerning diagnoses from each consultation in both primary- and secondary health care were collected during 18 months. The prevalence of haematologic and solid malignancies was measured separately for men and women, age groups, SES and multimorbidity levels. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the associations between HF and the probability of having haematologic- and solid malignancies in more complex models including stratifying variables.

Results
People with HF had a higher prevalence of haematologic- and solid malignancies than the general population, but a lower prevalence of solid malignancies than the multimorbid population. The people with HF had an increased OR for haematologic malignancies, 1.69 (95% CI 1.51–1.90), and solid malignancies, OR 1.21 (95% CI 1.16–1.26), when adjusted for gender and age. In more complex multivariate models, multimorbidity explained the increased OR for haematologic- and solid malignancies in people with HF. Increasing socioeconomic deprivation was associated with a decreased risk for solid malignancies, with the lowest risk in the most socioeconomically deprived CNI-percentile.

Conclusions
HF was shown to be associated with malignancies, especially haematologic malignancies. Multimorbidity, however, was an even more important factor for both haematologic- and solid malignancies than HF in our study, but not socioeconomic deprivation. Further research on the interactions between the chronic conditions in people with HF is warranted to examine the strength of association between HF and malignancies.
Racial Disparities in Liver Disease Mortality Trends Among Black and White Populations in the United States, 1999–2020: An Analysis of CDC WONDER Database
Authors: Wang Yichen , Huang Yuting , Antwi Samuel O. , Taner C. Burcin , Yang Liu 
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION:
Liver disease is a significant public health problem in the United States, with notable racial disparities in mortality. This study examines liver disease mortality trends among Black and White populations during 1999–2020.

METHODS:
We used CDC WONDER database to ascertain liver disease age-standardized mortality rates in Black and White Americans. Annual percent change was calculated. Age-standardized absolute rate difference and rate ratios were computed by subtracting and dividing the White population's rate from that of the Black population.

RESULTS:
Liver diseases accounted for 171,627 Black and 1,314,903 White deaths during 1999–2020. Age-standardized mortality rates for Blacks decreased from 22.5 to 20.1 per 100,000 person-years (annual percentage change −0.4%, −0.6% to −0.2%), whereas an increase was observed for Whites, from 17.9 to 25.3 per 100,000 person-years (annual percentage change 1.4%, 1.4% to 1.7%). The rate ratio decreased from 1.26 (1.22–1.29) in 1999 to 0.79 (0.78–0.81) in 2020. This pattern was evident in all census regions, more pronounced among the younger (age 25–64 years) than older (age 65+ years) population and observed across different urbanization levels. The pattern may be attributable to increasing alcohol-related liver disease and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease–related deaths in Whites and tapering in viral hepatitis and primary liver cancer–related deaths in Blacks. Despite notable improvement, racial disparities persist in primary liver cancer and viral hepatitis among the Black population.

DISCUSSION:
The rise in alcohol-related liver disease and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease–related deaths among Whites, and enduring liver cancer and viral hepatitis disparities in the Black population, underscores the urgent need for tailored public health interventions.
Visits in forests during the COVID-19 pandemic in the cross-border area of Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany
Authors: Ciesielski Mariusz , Tkaczyk Miłosz 
Published: October 2023

Mobile phone data were used to examine the differences in the number and structure of visitors to the Forest Promotion Complex Sudety Zachodnie in 2019 (pre-pandemic year) and 2020 (pandemic year). The studies not only compared the total number of visitors in each year, but also distinguished four pandemic and restriction periods. This allowed us to capture the dynamics of the impact of the pandemic on visits to forest areas. The results show that although the total number of visitors increased in 2020 compared to 2019, different trends were observed in each pandemic period. In general, the number of visitors to forest areas decreased during the first lockdown, as well as during the ban on entering green areas and forests. However, during the easing of restrictions and the second lockdown in the fall of 2020, there was an increase in visitor numbers. The article also shows the evolution of visitor numbers at a very detailed level of a grid of 750 × 750 m. During the pandemic, the structure of visitors also changed taking into account the place of residence. Local tourism was more important than national tourism. A significant decrease in the number of visitors from abroad was also observed, which is a consequence of the introduced restrictions on travel between countries.
The methodology presented in this article can be used not only to study the impact of the pandemic on visits in forest, but also to manage forest areas with a view to adapting forest management to the needs of society.
The attraction of paraoxonase-1 associated with the MAPK pathway on colon carcinoma cells
Authors: Örnek Muhammet , Güler Özen Özensoy 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objectives
A comprehensive understanding of the role of PON enzymatic activities may play an important role in the etiology and prevention of many cancers. PON1 is known as a potent antioxidant that scavenges free radicals in the human body. The enzymatic activities of paraoxonase (PON1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways in colorectal cancer are being investigated to determine whether they hold promise for novel diagnostic or therapeutic applications in colorectal cancer.

Methods
HT-29 colon cancer cell lines and CCD-18Co colon cell lines were used. B-Raf, p-B-Raf, ERK, and p-ERK proteins involved in MAPK signalling pathways and serum levels of PON1 were detected and analyzed by the Western blotting method.

Results
The levels and activity of PON1 enzyme were significantly decreased in HT-29 cells compared to CCD-18Co cells (p=0.0173 and p=0.0281, respectively). The levels of p-B-Raf and p-ERK, which activates the MAPK signalling pathway, were significantly increased in HT-29 cells (p=0.0037 and p=0.0074, respectively).

Conclusions
A positive correlation was found between PON1 level and PON1 enzyme activity (p=0.008). A negative correlation was found between PON1 level and p-B-Raf/p-ERK protein levels, which play a role in the MAPK signalling pathway (p=0.016 and p=0.036, respectively). A negative correlation was also found between PON1 enzyme activity and p-B-Raf/p-ERK protein levels (p=0.060 and p=0.037, respectively).
It is suggested that the increase of proteins involved in the MAPK signaling pathway in cancer cells is caused by the decreasing serum levels of PON1 and enzymatic activity of PON1.
The Supervision Role of Independent Commissioner in Decreasing Risk From Earnings Management and Debt Policy
Authors: Ramadhan Muhammad Aulia , Firmansyah Amrie 
Published: October 2023

Purpose : This study examines the effect of earnings management and debt policy on financial distress. In addition, this study examines the role of the independent commissioner as a moderating variable in the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Financial distress in this study employs the Altman model (1968) modified by Graham et al. (1998) which has a high prediction rate, above 60 percent, and its size has been used in various countries. Earnings management in is study employs the model of Kothari et al. (2005), known as the Performance-Matched Discretionary Accruals model. The advantage of the model is that it can measure earnings management more accurately. Using independent commissioners as a moderating variable in the association between earnings management and debt policies on financial distress is rarely used in previous studies.
Method : This study uses a quantitative method approach. The research data is sourced from consumer goods sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) financial statements. Research data sourced from www.idx.co.id and www.idnfinancials.com. Based on purposive sampling, the research sample consisted of 138 observations from 46 companies from 2018 to 2020. Hypothesis testing was carried out using multiple linear regression for panel data.
Findings : The results of this study indicate that earnings management has a negative effect on financial distress, while debt policy has a positive effect on financial distress. This study also finds that independent commissioners can attenuate the negative effect of earnings management on financial distress. Still, independent commissioners cannot have a moderating effect on the relationship between debt policy and financial distress.
Novelty : This study places independent commissioners, which have greatly influenced a company’s management performance, as a moderating variable in testing earnings management and debt policies on financial distress, which are rarely used in previous studies.
Keywords: Financial Difficulties; Earnings Quality; Capital Structure; Corporate Governance
The Link Between Authentic Leadership, Work Meaningfulness, and Work Engagement in Auditors
Authors: Vitasari Annisa , Yustina Andi Ina 
Published: October 2023

Purpose : This study examines whether authentic leadership of external auditors’ leader affect work engagement and if so, whether the effect is mediated by work meaningfulness.
Method : Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire from 159 external auditors in Jakarta, Indonesia and used SEM-PLS approach to test the hypotheses.
Findings : The findings indicated that authentic leadership had significant effect on work meaningfulness and work engagement, and all dimensions of authentic leadership and work engagement had significant correlation. Moreover, work meaningfulness was found to be partially mediate the relationship between authentic leadership of external auditors’ leader and work engagement among external auditors and their leader
Novelty : This is one of the first studies to look at the conduct of auditors from the Big Four and non-Big Four firms in a public accounting firm across all dimensions of authentic leadership, work meaningfulness, and work engagement.
Keywords : Authentic Leadership; Work Meaningfulness; Work Engagement
Do Chief Audit Executives Able to Influence Real Earnings Management Practices? Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Taufiq Taufiq 
Published: October 2023

Purpose : This study aims to investigate the relationship between financial expertise and tenure of the Chief Audit Executive [CAE] on real earnings management [REM] practices
Method : This study uses a sample of 797 observations from companies in the manufacturing sector in Indonesia during the period 2012 – 2019. For data analysis, regression of feasible generalized least squares was used. Data related to financial expertise and tenure of CAE were manually collected from the annual report and financial data was obtained from Thomson-Reuters Database.
Findings : The results of this study indicate that CAE with better financial expertise is associated with lower REM. Conversely, this study also indicates that CAE tenure has an association with higher REM. This result is robust by using an alternative REM measurement. By breaking down the indicators of CAE’s financial expertise, namely CAE’s certification, experience in financial positions within/inside the company or outside the company, the results show that CAE certification has the largest effect on REM.
Novelty : This study contributes to the real earnings management and internal audit literature by demonstrating the importance of attributes possessed by CAEs as leaders of the internal audit function in mitigating REM practices.
Keywords : Chief Audit Executive, Financial Expertise, Tenure, Real Earnings Management
Measuring AI Governance, AI Adoption and AI Strategy of Japanese Companies
Authors: Miyamoto Michiko 
Published: October 2023

Purpose: This study aims to measure the level of AI governance and AI adoption among Japanese companies. Theoretical Framework: The research investigates the extent to which Japanese companies have implemented AI governance frameworks and the degree of AI adoption in their operations. The study also explores the relationship between AI governance, AI adoption, and AI strategy, providing insights into the factors that influence successful AI implementation. Design / Methodology / Approach: a survey questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of Japanese companies across various industries. The questionnaire included items that assessed the presence and effectiveness of AI governance practices within the organizations. Findings: a positive correlation was observed between AI governance and AI adoption. Companies with well-established AI governance frameworks tended to have higher levels of AI adoption, suggesting that effective governance practices play a crucial role in facilitating successful AI implementation. These findings provide valuable insights into the current state of AI governance and AI adoption among Japanese companies. Conclusion: The results can assist organizations in benchmarking their AI initiatives against industry standards and identifying areas for improvement. Policymakers and regulators can also utilize these findings to develop guidelines and frameworks that promote responsible and effective AI implementation.
Air Pollution in The Industrial Areas of Temple City, Bhubaneswar, And Various Measures for It
Authors: Pathi Subrat Ranjan , Dalai Biswajit , Dash Sarat Kumar , Agarwal P.C. 
Published: October 2023

The presence of pollutants that are hazardous to the environment, human health, and the health of other living things is referred to as air pollution. Air pollution is also brought on by natural disasters like wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and sand/dust storms. All greenhouse gases emitted from various sources contribute to pollution. The majority of cities are polluted by PM2.5 and PM10. Many cities have SO2 and NO2 levels that are below the legal limit. There are a variety of poisons in the air, but PM2.5 is the most dangerous of them all. Monitoring pollutant gas levels on a regular basis can help with air pollution control. According to regional coefficients of variation, PM10 has greater variability than PM2.5, and this variability is stronger in traffic-affected inner city environments than in suburban places. The manufacturing, construction, energy, and mining industries of Bhubaneswar are particularly prone to releasing air pollutants. These may include particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other hazardous chemicals. The federal government and municipalities have implemented a number of initiatives to combat air pollution. These include putting into effect car emission rules, encouraging the use of cleaner fuels, and creating programmes to cut industrial emissions. The government is also focusing on expanding green space, enhancing public transit, and raising public awareness of the significance of lowering air pollution.