bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Chinese herbal medicine therapy on risks of all-cause mortality, infections, parasites, and circulatory-related mortality in HIV/AIDS patients with neurological diseases
Authors: Chiou Jian-Shiun , Chou Chen-Hsing , Ho Mao-Wang , Tien Ni , Liang Wen-Miin , Chiu Mu-Lin , Tsai Fuu-Jen , Wu Yang-Chang , Chou I-Ching , Lu Hsing-Fang , Lin Ting-Hsu , Liao Chiu-Chu , Huang Shao-Mei , Li Te-Mao , Lin Ying-Ju 
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Long-term living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with various adverse effects, including neurocognitive impairment. Heterogeneous neurocognitive impairment remains an important issue, affecting between 15–65% of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients and resulting in work performance, safety, and health-related outcomes that have a heavy economic burden.Methods: We identified 1,209 HIV/AIDS patients with neurological diseases during 2010–2017. The Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards model were used to analyze 308 CHM users and 901 non-CHM users within this population. Major CHM clusters were determined using association rule mining and network analysis.Results and Discussion: Results showed that CHM users had a 70% lower risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.16–0.58, p &lt; 0.001) (p = 0.0007, log-rank test). Furthermore, CHM users had an 86% lower risk of infections, parasites, and circulatory-related mortality (aHR = 0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.04–0.46, p = 0.001) (p = 0.0010, log-rank test). Association rule mining and network analysis showed that two CHM clusters were important for patients with neurological diseases. In the first CHM cluster, Huang Qin (HQ; root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi), Gan Cao (GC; root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.), Huang Lian (HL; root of Coptis chinensis Franch.), Jie Geng (JG; root of Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC.), and Huang Bai (HB; bark of Phellodendron amurense Rupr.) were identified as important CHMs. Among them, the strongest connection strength was identified between the HL and HQ. In the second CHM cluster, Suan-Zao-Ren-Tang (SZRT) and Ye Jiao Teng (YJT; stem of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.) were identified as important CHMs with the strongest connection strength. CHMs may thus be effective in treating HIV/AIDS patients with neurological diseases, and future clinical trials are essential for the prevention of neurological dysfunction in the population.
Exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medication is associated with impaired functioning in older people with vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders—Results from the longitudinal multicenter study MobilE-TRA
Authors: Katzenberger Benedict , Koller Daniela , Strobl Ralf , Kisch Rebecca , Sanftenberg Linda , Voigt Karen , Grill Eva 
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Anticholinergic and sedative medication is prescribed for various conditions in older patients. While the general association between anticholinergic and sedative medication and impaired functioning is well established, its specific role in older individuals with vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders (VDB) is still incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to investigate, whether an exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medication is associated with lower generic and lower vertigo-specific functioning in older patients with VDB.Methods: Data originates from the longitudinal multicenter study MobilE-TRA with two follow-ups, conducted from 2017 to 2019 in two German federal states. Exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medication was quantified using the drug burden index (DBI). Generic functioning was assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, appraising the amount of difficulties in performing activities of daily living (ADL). Vertigo-specific functioning was measured using the Vestibular Activities and Participation (VAP) questionnaire, assessing patient-reported functioning regarding activities of daily living that are difficult to perform because of their propensity to provoke VDB (Scale 1) as well as immediate consequences of VDB on activities and participation related to mobility (Scale 2). Longitudinal linear mixed models were applied to assess the association of exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medication at baseline and the level of generic and vertigo-specific functioning status over time.Results: An overall of 19 (7 from Bavaria) primary care physicians (mean age = 54 years, 29% female) recruited 158 (59% from Bavaria) patients with VDB (median age = 78 years, 70% female). Anticholinergic and sedative medication at baseline was present in 56 (35%) patients. An exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medication at baseline was significantly associated with lower generic functioning [Beta = 0.40, 95%-CI (0.18; 0.61)] and lower vertigo-specific functioning [VAP Scale 1: Beta = 2.47, 95%-CI (0.92; 4.02)], and VAP Scale 2: Beta = 3.74, 95%-CI [2.23; 5.24]).Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of a close monitoring of anticholinergic and sedative medication use in older patients with VDB. When feasible, anticholinergic and sedative medication should be replaced by equivalent alternative therapies in order to potentially reduce the burden of VDB.
Relationship between body composition and upper limb physical fitness among Chinese students: 4-Year longitudinal follow-up and experimental study
Authors: Wang Qingmei , Qian Junwei , Pan Haoran , Ju Qianqian 
Published: March 2023

Background: Recently, students’ fitness has been declining, and high physical fitness level is crucial in establishing optimal physical/mental health and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between body composition and upper limb physical fitness and the specific aspects of low physical fitness level in Chinese students. Exploring the development and impact factors for upper limb physical fitness can provide a theoretical basis for the health management strategy of students.Methods: Study 1 collected data from 183 male students over 4 years and used Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) to explore the quadratic predictive role of body composition on upper limb physical fitness. To further explored which aspects of upper limb physical fitness were affected by body composition, study 2 conducted an experimental investigation among 42 male students, comparing different kinds of upper limb physical fitness within two different body composition groups.Results: Studies found (1) from 2015 to 2018, students’ Body-Mass-Index (BMI) showed an upward trend, and BMI differences were significant from year to year. While the upper limb physical fitness showed a downward trend. There were significant differences in the number of pull-outs between 2015 and 2016, 2015 and 2017, and 2015 and 2018. (2) The quadratic term of BMI could predict the upper body physical fitness in the same year and the following year. That is, when BMI was medium, the upper body fitness of the same year and the following year was the best. (3) Chinese students with excellent body composition had greater grip strength, drape height and anaerobic power than those with average body composition.Conclusion: In recent years, male students’ BMI has been increasing, and the upper body physical fitness has been decreasing. Furthermore, body composition can predict the upper body mass in the same year and the second year, and male students with better body composition also had greater grip strength, drape height and anaerobic power in their upper limbs.
Portable rapid detection of maize chlorotic mottle virus using RT-RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a based lateral flow assay
Authors: Lei Rong , Kuang Ruirui , Peng Xuanzi , Jiao Zhiyuan , Zhao Zhenxing , Cong Haolong , Fan Zaifeng , Zhang Yongjiang 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionMaize lethal necrosis seriously threatens maize production worldwide, which was caused by coinfection by maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and a potyvirid. To effectively control maize lethal necrosis, it is vital to develop a rapid, sensitive, and specific detection method for the early diagnosis of MCMV in host plant tissues.MethodsWe established a rapid detection procedure by combining the one-step reverse-transcription recombinase-aided amplification (one-step RT-RAA) and CRISPR/Cas12a-based lateral flow assay in one tube (one-tube one-step RT-RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a), which can be implemented on a portable metal incubator at 37~42°C. Furthermore, the crude extract of total RNA from plant materials using alkaline-PEG buffer can be directly used as the template for one-step RT-RAA.ResultsThe developed one-tube one-step RT-RAA/CRISPR-Cas12a lateral flow assay can detect as low as 2.5 copies of the coat protein (CP) gene of MCMV and 0.96 pg of the total RNA extracted from MCMV infected maize leaves. Furthermore, the MCMV infected maize leaves at 5 dpi having no obvious symptoms was detected as weak positive.DiscussionThe crude extraction method of total RNA from plant materials required no complicated device, and all the procedures could be implemented at room temperature and on a portable metal incubator, costing a total time of about 1h. The one-step RT-RAA reagents and CRISPR/Cas12a reagents can be lyophilized for easy storage and transportation of reagents, which makes this method more feasible for the filed detection. This method presents rapidness, robustness and on-site features in detecting viral RNA, and is a promising tool for the field application in minimally equipped laboratories.
Remote sensing for field pea yield estimation: A study of multi-scale data fusion approaches in phenomics
Authors: Marzougui Afef , McGee Rebecca J. , Van Vleet Stephen , Sankaran Sindhuja 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionRemote sensing using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are prevalent for phenomics and precision agricultural applications. The high-resolution data for these applications can provide useful spectral characteristics of crops associated with performance traits such as seed yield. With the recent availability of high-resolution satellite imagery, there has been growing interest in using this technology for plot-scale remote sensing applications, particularly those related to breeding programs. This study compared the features extracted from high-resolution satellite and UAS multispectral imagery (visible and near-infrared) to predict the seed yield from two diverse plot-scale field pea yield trials (advanced breeding and variety testing) using the random forest model.MethodsThe multi-modal (spectral and textural features) and multi-scale (satellite and UAS) data fusion approaches were evaluated to improve seed yield prediction accuracy across trials and time points. These approaches included both image fusion, such as pan-sharpening of satellite imagery with UAS imagery using intensity-hue-saturation transformation and additive wavelet luminance proportional approaches, and feature fusion, which involved integrating extracted spectral features. In addition, we also compared the image fusion approach to high-definition satellite data with a resolution of 0.15 m/pixel. The effectiveness of each approach was evaluated with data at both individual and combined time points.Results and discussionThe major findings can be summarized as follows: (1) the inclusion of the texture features did not improve the model performance, (2) the performance of the model using spectral features from satellite imagery at its original resolution can provide similar results as UAS imagery, with variation depending on the field pea yield trial under study and the growth stage, (3) the model performance improved after applying multi-scale, multiple time point feature fusion, (4) the features extracted from the pan-sharpened satellite imagery using intensity-hue-saturation transformation (image fusion) showed better model performance than those with original satellite imagery or high definition imagery, and (5) the green normalized difference vegetation index and transformed triangular vegetation index were identified as key features contributing to high model performance across trials and time points. These findings demonstrate the potential of high-resolution satellite imagery and data fusion approaches for plot-scale phenomics applications.
Mass screening of rice mutant populations at low CO2 for identification of lowered photorespiration and respiration rates
Authors: Mubarak A.N.M. , Burgess A.J. , Pyke K. , Quick W.P. , Murchie E.H. 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionIdentifying rice (Oryza sativa) germplasm with improved efficiency of primary metabolism is of utmost importance in order to increase yields. One such approach can be attained through screening genetically diverse populations under altered environmental conditions. Growth or treatment under low carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations can be used as a means of revealing altered leaf photorespiration, respiration and other metabolic variants.MethodsWe developed a pipeline for very high throughput treatment of gamma- and ethyl methanesulfonate- (EMS) induced mutant populations of IR64 rice seedlings at very low CO2 for 7 days. 1050 seedlings per batch at 5th leaf stage were exposed to 60 ppm CO2 for the first day and 30 ppm for the remaining three days. Following this, putative candidates were identified by measuring chlorophyll depletion using SPAD. Screening results showed a distinct difference between the mutants and the WTs.Results and discussionThe mean chlorophyll loss in WTs ranged from 65% to 11% respectively, whereas in the mutant lines chlorophyll loss ranged from 0 to 100%, suggesting considerable phenotypic variation. Rice mutants with a reduced chlorophyll reduction (&lt;10%) were identified as ‘Chlorophyll retention mutants’ (CRMs) under low CO2 stress. In total, 1909 mutant lines (14,000 seedlings) were screened for chlorophyll content under 30 ppm CO2, with 26 lines selected for detailed screening. These 26 putative candidates were self-seeded to produce an M5 generation, used to determine the genetic control of the altered response to low CO2. Gas exchange of light and CO2 response revealed that there were significant variations among photosynthetic properties in two selected rice mutants. The CO2 compensation points in the absence of photorespiration and leaf respiration rates were lower than the WTs and anatomical analyses showed that CRM 29 had improved mesophyll cell area. We propose that this approach is useful for generating new material for breeding rice with improved primary metabolism.
A structural equation mediation model captures the predictions amongst the parameters of the ease of language understanding model
Authors: Homman Lina , Danielsson Henrik , Rönnberg Jerker 
Published: March 2023

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to assess the validity of the Ease of Language Understanding (ELU) model through a statistical assessment of the relationships among its main parameters: processing speed, phonology, working memory (WM), and dB Speech Noise Ratio (SNR) for a given Speech Recognition Threshold (SRT) in a sample of hearing aid users from the n200 database.MethodsHearing aid users were assessed on several hearing and cognitive tests. Latent Structural Equation Models (SEMs) were applied to investigate the relationship between the main parameters of the ELU model while controlling for age and PTA. Several competing models were assessed.ResultsAnalyses indicated that a mediating SEM was the best fit for the data. The results showed that (i) phonology independently predicted speech recognition threshold in both easy and adverse listening conditions and (ii) WM was not predictive of dB SNR for a given SRT in the easier listening conditions (iii) processing speed was predictive of dB SNR for a given SRT mediated via WM in the more adverse conditions.ConclusionThe results were in line with the predictions of the ELU model: (i) phonology contributed to dB SNR for a given SRT in all listening conditions, (ii) WM is only invoked when listening conditions are adverse, (iii) better WM capacity aids the understanding of what has been said in adverse listening conditions, and finally (iv) the results highlight the importance and optimization of processing speed in conditions when listening conditions are adverse and WM is activated.
Linear growth in young people with restrictive eating disorders: “Inching” toward consensus
Authors: Downey Amanda E. , Richards Alexis , Tanner Anna B. 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundWhile the assessment of acute medical stability in patients with eating disorders should never be minimized, careful attention toward other specific age-related consequences of malnutrition can improve psychological outcomes and reduce long-term, potentially irreversible medical complications, like linear growth impairment.ReviewWhile the impact of malnutrition on linear growth is widely recognized, emerging data highlight consensus in several key areas: the time from onset to time of diagnosis, age at illness onset, pubertal stage at illness onset, and adequacy of weight restoration to achieve catch-up growth. This review provides concrete and actionable steps to help providers identify and explore deviations in expected growth and development while prioritizing early and aggressive weight restoration to provide the best opportunity for catch-up linear growth in patients with eating disorders.ConclusionThe impact of restrictive eating disorders on growth and development cannot be overstated, particularly in pre- and peripubertal patients. While many consequences of malnutrition are reversible, the loss of genetic height potential may prove irreversible without early and aggressive weight restoration.
Out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures of Turkish households living with rare diseases
Authors: Koçkaya Güvenç , Oguzhan Gülpembe , Ökçün Selin , Kurnaz Mustafa 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionThis study aims to determine the out-of-pocket health expenditures of households in Turkey where individuals with rare diseases are residing.MethodsThe research population consisted registered members of associations who are members of the Rare Diseases Network. In addition to the general analysis including all participants, expenditures based on characteristics of disease holders were also calculated.ResultsA total of 439 participants were included in the analysis. We determined that special nutrition was the highest expenditure group and emergency departments were the lowest expenditure group. When all the participants were evaluated, the average cost of rare diseases was found to be Ł22,743 (€2,877). A significant relationship was found between income status and out-of-pocket health expenditures (p = 0.012).DiscussionPolicy makers should consider inclusion of special nutritional products and medical/non-medical devices used in treatment of rare diseases within the scope of reimbursement and the development of orphan drug legislation as the first actions to be taken.
A novel approach to utilizing the essential public health functions in Ireland's health system recovery and reform
Authors: McNicholas Triona , Hendrick Louise , McDarby Geraldine , Mustafa Saqif , Zhang Yu , Saikat Sohel , Jakab Zsuzsanna , Holohan Tony 
Published: March 2023

This article is part of the Research Topic ‘Health Systems Recovery in the Context of COVID-19 and Protracted Conflict.’The COVID-19 pandemic presented a challenge to health systems and exposed weaknesses in public health capacities globally. As Ireland looks to recovery, strengthening public health capacities to support health systems resilience has been identified as a priority. The Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs) provide an integrated approach to health systems strengthening with allied sectors and their operationalization supports health systems and multi-sectoral engagement to meet population needs and anticipate evolving demands. The Health Systems Resilience team (World Health Organization, HQ) in collaboration with the Department of Health (Ireland) developed a novel approach to the assessment of the EPHFs in Ireland. The approach involved a strategic and focused review of the delivery and consideration of EPHFs in relation to policy and planning, infrastructure, service delivery, coordination and integration, monitoring and evaluation and learning. Informed by a literature review and key document search, key stakeholder mapping and key informant interviews, lessons learned from experience with COVID-19 nationally and internationally, strengths as well as potential areas of improvement to optimize delivery of EPHFs were identified. Mapping of the EPHFs in Ireland revealed that there is evidence of delivery of all 12 EPHFs to varying degrees; however a number of challenges were identified, as well as numerous strengths and opportunities. Recommendations to optimize the delivery of EPHFs in Ireland include to integrate and coordinate EPHFs, increase the visibility of the public health agenda, leverage existing mechanisms, recognize and develop the workforce, and address issues with the Health Information System. There is a public health reform process currently underway in Ireland, with some of these recommendations already being addressed. The findings of this process can help further inform and support the reform process. Given the current focus on strengthening public health capacities globally, the findings in Ireland have applicability and relevance in other WHO regions and member states for health systems recovery and building back better, fairer and more resilient health systems.