bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reducing inequities in maternal and child health in rural Guatemala through the CBIO+﻿ Approach of Curamericas: 9.﻿ Key stakeholder perspectives on strengthening the CBIO+ Approach
Authors: Lambden Jason , Martin Shayanne , Valdez Mario , Stollak Ira , Westgate Carey C. , Perry Henry B. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Community-based health interventions have been an integral part of recent health gains globally. An innovative approach to delivering community health care combines the Census-Based, Impact-Oriented (CBIO) Approach with Care Groups and Community Birthing Centers called Casas Maternas Rurales. CBIO+ was adopted by Curamericas/Guatemala in its Maternal and Child Health Project, 2011–2015. Here, we describe the opinions of Project staff and local government health care workers about the strengths and challenges of CBIO+.

Methods
Self-administered questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions were used to obtain the views of 21 staff members from Curamericas/Guatemala as well as 15 local government health workers. The evaluation focused on four primary areas: (1) advisability of integrating the CBIO+ Approach into the government’s rural health system, (2) staff knowledge of the CBIO+ Approach, (3) advantages, disadvantages and challenges of the CBIO+ Approach, and (4) proposed improvements to the CBIO+ Approach. The data were coded into categories and from these categories themes were derived.

Results
The most commonly mentioned advantage of CBIO+ was the inclusion of the community in program planning, which improved participation. Many respondents noted that the CBIO+ Approach was challenging to implement in communities with internal conflicts. Among other challenges mentioned were coordinating (both among the Project staff and with others in the communities), maintenance of a high level of community participation, and overcoming opposition of men to women’s participation in Care Groups. The staff mentioned a number of possible changes, including increasing male involvement, raising salaries for community-level paid staff, providing volunteers with incentives, and improving coordination both internally and externally. There was a strong demand among the local Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare staff for the Project to continue.

Conclusion
The CBIO+ Approach and its implementation by Curamericas/Guatemala was overall embraced by local staff. By eliciting﻿ feedback while the project was ongoing, actionable areas for improvement were identified.
Prediction of outcomes in subjects with type 2 diabetes and diabetic foot ulcers in Catalonian primary care centers: a multicenter observational study
Authors: Bundó Magdalena , Vlacho Bogdan , Llussà Judit , Bobé Isabel , Aivar Meritxell , Ciria Carmen , Martínez‐Sánchez Ana , Real Jordi , Mata‐Cases Manel , Cos Xavier , Dòria Montserrat , Viade Jordi , Franch‐Nadal Josep , Mauricio Dídac 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundDiabetic foot and lower limb complications are an important cause of morbidity and mortality among persons with diabetes mellitus. Very few studies have been carried out in the primary care settings. The main objective was to assess the prognosis of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in patients from primary care centers in Catalonia, Spain, during a 12‐month follow‐up period.MethodsWe included participants with type 2 diabetes and a new DFU between February 2018 and July 2019. We estimated the incidence of mortality, amputations, recurrence and healing of DFU during the follow‐up period. A multivariable analysis was performed to assess the association of these outcomes and risk factors.ResultsDuring the follow‐up period, 9.7% of participants died, 12.1% required amputation, 29.2% had a DFU recurrence, and 73.8% healed. Having a caregiver, ischemia or infection were associated with higher mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR]:3.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.05; 12.61, HR: 6.41, 95%CI: 2.25; 18.30, HR: 3.06, 95%CI: 1.05; 8.94, respectively). Diabetic retinopathy was an independent risk factor for amputation events (HR: 3.39, 95%CI: 1.37; 8.39). Increasing age decreased the risk for a DFU recurrence, while having a caregiver increased the risk for this event (HR: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.94; 0.99). The need for a caregiver and infection decreased the probability of DFU healing (HR: 0.57, 95%CI: 0.39; 0.83, HR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.42; 0.98, respectively). High scores for PEDIS (≥7) or SINBAD (≥3) were associated with an increased risk for DFU recurrence and a lower probability of DFU healing, respectively.ConclusionsWe observed high morbidity among subjects with a new DFU in our primary healthcare facilities. Peripheral arterial disease, infection, and microvascular complications increased the risk of poor clinical outcomes among subjects with DFU.
Impact of non-muscle cutting periumbilical transverse incision on the risk of incisional hernia as compared to midline incision during laparoscopic colon cancer surgery: a study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Park Soo Yeun , Ha Gi Won , Lee Soo Young , Kim Chang Hyun , Son Gyung Mo 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
Minimally invasive surgery has become popular as a surgical approach for colorectal cancer because it has fewer complications related to the abdominal incision and perioperative complications. However, the incidence of incisional hernias in laparoscopic surgery has been reported to be similar to that in open surgery. We developed a new method, the non-muscle-cutting periumbilical transverse incision, for a small incision in laparoscopic colon cancer surgery. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the non-muscle-cutting periumbilical transverse incision in comparison with the midline incision in reducing the incidence of an incisional hernia in patients undergoing laparoscopic colon cancer surgery.

Methods
This is an open-label, multi-centre, parallel, superiority, and randomised trial. Altogether, 174 patients will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the midline incision or the non-muscle-cutting periumbilical transverse incision group, after stratifying by the location of the tumour (right- or left-sided). The primary outcome of this study is the incidence of incisional hernias (both symptomatic and radiologic hernias) at 12 months after surgery. The secondary outcomes include operative outcomes, 30-day postoperative complications, pathological results, and patient-reported outcomes (short form-12 health survey questionnaire and body image questionnaire). Both primary (intention-to-treat) and secondary (as-treated principles) analyses will be performed for all outcomes. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05 (two-sided testing).

Discussion
This trial may show that the non-muscle-cutting periumbilical transverse incision will reduce the incidence of incisional hernias compared to the midline incision.

Trial registration
Clinical Research Information Service (CRiS) of Republic of Korea, KCT0006082. Registered on April 12, 2021.
Enrichment of phenotype among biological forms of Anopheles stephensi Liston through establishment of isofemale lines
Authors: Ghosh Chaitali , Kumar Naveen , Kushwah Raja Babu Singh , M. Soumya , Joshi Soumya Gopal , Ramanjini Chethan Kumar , Alalamath Tejashwini , Srinivasan Subhashini , Subramani Suresh , Kumar Sampath , Swain Sunita 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundVector management programs rely on knowledge of the biology and genetic make-up of mosquitoes.Anopheles stephensiis a major invasive urban malaria vector, distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent and Middle East, and has recently been expanding its range in Africa. With the existence of three biological forms, distinctly identifiable based on the number of ridges on eggs and varying vectorial competence,An. stephensiis a perfect species for developing isofemale lines, which can be tested for insecticide susceptibility and vectorial competence of various biological forms.MethodsWe describe key steps involved in establishment and validation of isofemale lines. Isofemale colonies were further used for the characterization of insecticide susceptibility and differential vector competence. The results were statistically evaluated through descriptive and inferential statistics using Vassar Stat and Prism GraphPad software packages.ResultsThrough a meticulous selection process, we overcame an initial inbreeding depression and found no significant morphometric differences in wings and egg size between the parental and respective isofemale lines in later generations. IndCh and IndInt strains showed variations in resistance to different insecticides belonging to all four major classes. We observed a significant change in vectorial competence between the respective isofemale and parental lines.ConclusionsIsofemale lines can be a valuable resource for characterizing and enhancing several genotypic and phenotypic traits. This is the first detailed report of the establishment of two isofemale lines of type and intermediate biological forms inAnopheles stephensi. The work encompasses characterization of fitness traits among two lines through a transgenerational study. Furthermore, isofemale colonies were established and used to characterize insecticide susceptibility and vector competence. The study provides valuable insights into differential susceptibility status of the parental and isofemale lines to different insecticides belonging to the same class. Corroborating an earlier hypothesis, we demonstrate the high vector competence of the type form relative to the intermediate form using homozygous lines. Using these lines, it is now possible to study host-parasite interactions and identify factors that might be responsible for altered susceptibility and increased vector competence inAn. stephensibiological forms that would also pave the way for developing better vector management strategies.Graphical Abstract
Refining epigenetic prediction of chronological and biological age
Authors: Bernabeu Elena , McCartney Daniel L. , Gadd Danni A. , Hillary Robert F. , Lu Ake T. , Murphy Lee , Wrobel Nicola , Campbell Archie , Harris Sarah E. , Liewald David , Hayward Caroline , Sudlow Cathie , Cox Simon R. , Evans Kathryn L. , Horvath Steve , McIntosh Andrew M. , Robinson Matthew R. , Vallejos Catalina A. , Marioni Riccardo E. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Epigenetic clocks can track both chronological age (cAge) and biological age (bAge). The latter is typically defined by physiological biomarkers and risk of adverse health outcomes, including all-cause mortality. As cohort sample sizes increase, estimates of cAge and bAge become more precise. Here, we aim to develop accurate epigenetic predictors of cAge and bAge, whilst improving our understanding of their epigenomic architecture.

Methods
First, we perform large-scale (N = 18,413) epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of chronological age and all-cause mortality. Next, to create a cAge predictor, we use methylation data from 24,674 participants from the Generation Scotland study, the Lothian Birth Cohorts (LBC) of 1921 and 1936, and 8 other cohorts with publicly available data. In addition, we train a predictor of time to all-cause mortality as a proxy for bAge using the Generation Scotland cohort (1214 observed deaths). For this purpose, we use epigenetic surrogates (EpiScores) for 109 plasma proteins and the 8 component parts of GrimAge, one of the current best epigenetic predictors of survival. We test this bAge predictor in four external cohorts (LBC1921, LBC1936, the Framingham Heart Study and the Women’s Health Initiative study).

Results
Through the inclusion of linear and non-linear age-CpG associations from the EWAS, feature pre-selection in advance of elastic net regression, and a leave-one-cohort-out (LOCO) cross-validation framework, we obtain cAge prediction with a median absolute error equal to 2.3 years. Our bAge predictor was found to slightly outperform GrimAge in terms of the strength of its association to survival (HRGrimAge = 1.47 [1.40, 1.54] with p = 1.08 × 10−52, and HRbAge = 1.52 [1.44, 1.59] with p = 2.20 × 10−60). Finally, we introduce MethylBrowsR, an online tool to visualise epigenome-wide CpG-age associations.

Conclusions
The integration of multiple large datasets, EpiScores, non-linear DNAm effects, and new approaches to feature selection has facilitated improvements to the blood-based epigenetic prediction of biological and chronological age.
Hydroxychloroquine to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers: early termination of a phase 3, randomised, open-label, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro , Schwalb Alvaro , Quintana Juan Luis , Delfin Brian , Alvarez Fiorela , Ugarte-Gil César , Guerra Gronerth Rosio I. , Lucchetti Aldo , Grogl Max , Gotuzzo Eduardo 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Objective
To assess the effectiveness and safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prophylaxis for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers (HCW) on duty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results
A total of 68 HCWs met the eligibility criteria were randomly allocated to receive HCQ (n = 36) or not (n = 32). There were no significant differences between groups in respects to age, gender, or medical history. Eight participants met the primary efficacy endpoint of SAR-CoV-2 infection during the study period; there was no difference in incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections between both study arms (HCQ: 5 vs Control: 3, p = 0.538). The relative risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the HCQ arm was 1.69 compared to the control group (95%CI 0.41–7.11, p = 0.463); due to poor participant accrual, the resulting statistical power of the primary efficacy outcome was 11.54%. No serious adverse events occurred; however, two (2/36, 5.6%) participants no longer wished to participate in the study and withdrew consent due to recurring grade 1 and 2 adverse events.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04414241. (Registered on June 4, 2020).
Antibacterial activity of multi-metallic (Ag–Cu–Li) nanorods with different metallic combination ratios against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Rawashdeh Rabeah Y. , Qabaja Ghassan , Albiss Borhan Aldeen 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Objective
Because of the need to extensively study the synergistic activity of metallic nanoparticles, this study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of mixed metallic nanoparticles, made by differing the weight mixing ratio. We prepared multi-metallic nanorods (NRs) by chemical reduction method, with different ratio combinations of silver Ag and copper Cu, two main batches of nanorods were produced: bimetallic mix made only of Ag–Cu, and trimetallic mix made of Ag–Cu and lithium Li, AgCu NRs and AgCuLi NRs respectively. NaOH was used in the synthesis for the co-reduction of salt precursors. Ag percentage was varied from 10 to 90% in bimetallic NRs but in the trimetallic NRs, which has a fixed ratio of Li (10%), the percentage of silver precursor was from 10 to 80%. The presence of metals was confirmed by energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) analysis. Ion release was detected using inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP) and the values showed that NRs are effective source for ion supply for up to 24 h. The antibacterial activity of metallic NRs was tested against Staphylococcus aureus using Bauer Kirby method.

Results
The bi-synergistic mix of Ag and Cu generates more ions than the tri-synergistic mix of Ag, Cu, and Li. Nevertheless, the later was more efficient and showed higher antibacterial activity at lower concentrations. This effect is less likely to be attributed to modality of ion release. Indeed, the results of our work suggest that besides ion release, alloyed nanorods themselves are toxic and the trimetallic mix exhibited more biocidal activity, specifically at Ag salt concentrations of 30%, 50% and 70%.
Multi-algorithms analysis for pre-treatment prediction of response to transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma on multiphase MRI
Authors: Chen Mingzhen , Kong Chunli , Qiao Enqi , Chen Yaning , Chen Weiyue , Jiang Xiaole , Fang Shiji , Zhang Dengke , Chen Minjiang , Chen Weiqian , Ji Jiansong 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectivesThis study compared the accuracy of predicting transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in the four different classifiers, and comprehensive models were constructed to improve predictive performance.MethodsThe subjects recruited for this study were HCC patients who had received TACE treatment from April 2016 to June 2021. All participants underwent enhanced MRI scans before and after intervention, and pertinent clinical information was collected. Registry data for the 144 patients were randomly assigned to training and test datasets. The robustness of the trained models was verified by another independent external validation set of 28 HCC patients. The following classifiers were employed in the radiomics experiment: machine learning classifiers k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso), and deep learning classifier deep neural network (DNN).ResultsDNN and Lasso models were comparable in the training set, while DNN performed better in the test set and the external validation set. The CD model (Clinical & DNN merged model) achieved an AUC of 0.974 (95% CI: 0.951–0.998) in the training set, superior to other models whose AUCs varied from 0.637 to 0.943 (p < 0.05). The CD model generalized well on the test set (AUC = 0.831) and external validation set (AUC = 0.735).ConclusionsDNN model performs better than other classifiers in predicting TACE response. Integrating with clinically significant factors, the CD model may be valuable in pre-treatment counseling of HCC patients who may benefit the most from TACE intervention.
Magnetic resonance elastography in evaluation of liver fibrosis in children with chronic liver disease
Authors: Demirtaş Duygu , Ünal Emre , İdilman İlkay S. , Akçören Zuhal , Göktaş Mehmet Akif , Boyraz Meryem Seda , Karahan Sevilay , Orhan Diclehan , Haliloğlu Mithat , Karçaaltıncaba Muşturay , Özen Hasan 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) has been used to stage liver fibrosis in adults. We aimed to assess the agreement between the Ishak scoring system and magnetic resonance elastography-measured liver stiffness (MRE-LS) in children. This study included all the children who underwent abdominal MRE and liver biopsies between February 2018 and January 2021. The correlation between MRE-LS and Ishak fibrosis stage, MRE parameters, and clinical and biochemical markers affecting this relationship was investigated.

Results
A total of 52 patients (31 male; a median age of 11.8 years) were included in the study. The MRE-LS values were significantly different between Ishak fibrosis stages (p = 0.036). With a cut-off value of 2.97 kilopascals, MRE-LS had sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy values of 90.9%, 82.9%, 58.8%, 97.1%, and 84.6%, respectively, for differentiating mild/moderate fibrosis (F0, 1, 2, 3) from severe fibrosis (F ≥ 4). Although MRE-LS was moderately correlated with Ishak fibrosis score and histological activity index and weakly correlated with aspartate aminotransferase, hepatic steatosis, and R2*, only Ishak fibrosis score was a significant predictor of MRE-LS. MRE-measured spleen stiffness was weakly correlated with the Ishak fibrosis score.

Conclusions
MRE has high sensitivity and specificity for evaluating liver fibrosis in children. MRE may be used to evaluate liver fibrosis in pediatric patients.
ANGPTL2 binds MAG to efficiently enhance oligodendrocyte differentiation
Authors: Chen Lu , Yu Zhuo , Xie Li , He Xiaoxiao , Mu Xingmei , Chen Chiqi , Yang Wenqian , Tong Xiaoping , Liu Junling , Gao Zhengliang , Sun Suya , Xu NanJie , Lu Zhigang , Zheng Junke , Zhang Yaping 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundOligodendrocytes have robust regenerative ability and are key players in remyelination during physiological and pathophysiological states. However, the mechanisms of brain microenvironmental cue in regulation of the differentiation of oligodendrocytes still needs to be further investigated.ResultsWe demonstrated that myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) was a novel receptor for angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2). The binding of ANGPTL2 to MAG efficiently promoted the differentiation of oligodendrocytes in vitro, as evaluated in an HCN cell line.Angptl2-null mice had a markedly impaired myelination capacity in the early stage of oligodendrocyte development. These mice had notably decreased remyelination capacities and enhanced motor disability in a cuprizone-induced demyelinating mouse model, which was similar to theMag-null mice. The loss of remyelination ability inAngptl2-null/Mag-null mice was similar to theAngptl2-WT/Mag-null mice, which indicated that the ANGPTL2-mediated oligodendrocyte differentiation effect depended on the MAG receptor. ANGPTL2 bound MAG to enhance its phosphorylation level and recruit Fyn kinase, which increased Fyn phosphorylation levels, followed by the transactivation of myelin regulatory factor (MYRF).ConclusionOur study demonstrated an unexpected cross-talk between the environmental protein (ANGPTL2) and its surface receptor (MAG) in the regulation of oligodendrocyte differentiation, which may benefit the treatment of many demyelination disorders, including multiple sclerosis.
Asset mapping score analysis: a novel public health research methodology applied to maternal and child health resources in New Orleans
Authors: Healy Jack , Ramirez Shokufeh , Knapp Megan , Johnson Carolyn 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Asset mapping is a commonly used method in public health to identify and describe the resources within a community. However, there is currently a lack of standardization in the methods used for asset mapping, which can make it difficult for users to apply the method and compare results between different studies. In this article, we present a new approach called Asset Mapping Score Analysis (AMSA), which is a framework for collecting and organizing data on community assets. We provide an example of the AMSA method through its application in the evaluation of maternal and child health resources in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Results
The AMSA approach consists of five steps and results in a data collection tool that uses a scoring system to quantify the functional and content areas defined by the users. This method is flexible, reproducible, quantitative, inexpensive, and can be adapted to fit the needs of different geographic areas and fields of study. It can also be repeated over time to monitor changes in systems. We conducted a pilot study to examine the participation of local maternal and child health organizations in four functional areas (education, direct services, policy/advocacy, and research) and 22 content areas.

Conclusions
In addition to describing the AMSA method and providing an example of its application, we also discuss the methodological issues involved in using the AMSA approach. These include considerations related to study design, data analysis, and interpreting results. We assess the strengths, limitations, and potential future directions of the AMSA method. Finally, we present the results of our AMSA study on maternal and child health organizations in New Orleans to illustrate the utility of this approach. Our findings suggest that the AMSA method is a valuable tool for understanding and characterizing the assets and resources within a community.