bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is East-West Life Expectancy Gap Narrowing in the Enlarged European Union?
Authors: Jasilionis Domantas , Meslé France , Vallin Jacques 
Published: September 2023

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990 and EU enlargement in 2004 are two major political events in the recent history of the Central and Eastern European region. By systematically comparing the changes and differences in life expectancy at birth between the seven new member countries from Central and Eastern Europe and more advanced countries of the EU-15, this article attempts to identify the vanguards and laggards in the health convergence process before and after the 2004 EU enlargement. The results of decomposition analysis highlight the changing patterns of age- and cause-specific contributions to the differences in life expectancy. Finally, we focus on the variations in the progress in reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and external causes of death, which were known to be responsible for the long-term mortality crisis during the period of communist rule. Our findings suggest that the collapse of the communist regimes led to immediate positive changes in the Central European countries. At the same time, health disadvantages persisted and even worsened in the Baltic countries. Later on, joining the EU in 2004 was not accompanied by immediate systematic convergence of life expectancy. However, very rapid progress in the initially worst performing Baltic countries after 2007 and especially during the 2010s, may suggest a delayed positive impact of EU enlargement leading to decreasing longevity disadvantage. The convergence process after 2004 was generally slower in the initially better-performing four Central European countries. Despite these country-specific variations, Czechia, Poland, and, especially, Estonia remain clear health vanguards in the region. Further progress requires much more systematic efforts to combat cardiovascular diseases and the persisting burden of excess male mortality at adult working ages.
* This article belongs to a special issue on “Demographic Developments in Eastern and Western Europe Before and After the Transformation of Socialist Countries”.
Fair Allocation of Vaccines, Ventilators and Antiviral Treatments: Leaving No Ethical Value Behind in Healthcare Rationing
Authors: Pathak Parag A. , Sönmez Tayfun , Ünver M. Utku , Yenmez M. Bumin 
Published: September 2023

A priority system has traditionally been the protocol of choice for the allocation of scarce life-saving resources during public health emergencies. COVID-19 revealed the limitations of this allocation rule. Many argue that priority systems abandon ethical values, such as equity, by discriminating against disadvantaged communities. We show that a restrictive feature of the traditional priority system largely drives these limitations. Following minimalist market design, an institution design paradigm that integrates research and policy efforts, we formulate pandemic allocation of scarce life-saving resources as a new application of market design. Interfering only with the restrictive feature of the priority system to address its shortcomings, we formulate a reserve system as an alternative allocation rule. Our theoretical analysis develops a general theory of reserve design. We relate our analysis to debates during COVID-19 and describe the impact of our paper on policy and practice. This paper was accepted by Axel Ockenfels, behavioral economics and decision analysis.
Cytotoxicity of leaves, stems, and flowers of Kecubung (Datura metel) extracts using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) method
Authors: Humairani Rindhira , Purnama Nanda Rizki , Herpandi Herpandi , Syaifudin Mochamad , Zulfahmi Ilham , Akmal Yusrizal , Muliari Muliari , AS Agus Putra , Batubara Agung Setia 
Published: September 2023

Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) cytotoxicity assays (BSLT) are one of the commonly used cytotoxic test methods to assess a plant extract's pharmacological activity and toxicity. Thus, this study aimed to examine the toxic levels of Kecubung (Datura metel) leaves extracted using different solvents, namely ethanol and ethyl acetate. The results showed that the LC50 value of flower ethanol, flower ethyl acetate, leaf ethanol, and stem ethyl acetate extracts had an LC50 value 1000, which was included in the toxic category. The LC50 value of flower ethanol is 121.044 ppm, flower ethyl acetate 105.89 ppm, leaf ethanol 639.589 ppm, and stem ethyl acetate 635.276 ppm. Ethanol leaf extract at a concentration of 1000 ppm showed the highest mortality with a percentage of 60% of the total number of A. salina. The flower ethanol extract showed the highest mortality at a concentration of 250 ppm with a percentage of 67% and at a concentration of 1000 ppm with a percentage of 70% of the total number of A. salina. Meanwhile, flower ethyl acetate and stem ethyl acetate extract at a concentration of 1000 ppm obtained 100% mortality of A. salina in the first 6 hours. The result shows that the flower ethyl acetate and stem ethyl acetate extract at a concentration of 1000 ppm is very toxic compared to other concentrations.Keywords:ToxicityArtemia salinaLC50Ethyl acetateEthanol
Small-size LD-based automobile headlamp design with long illumination distance and wide illumination range
Authors: Wei Yingwan , Liu Dengfei , Xie Tongtong , Wang Hong 
Published: September 2023

Due to the large size of an automobile headlamp that has a laser as the light source, it is difficult to reflect the advantages of high laser brightness into the effect of automobile illumination, so it has not been promoted. We propose a laser headlamp system that integrates low-beam and high-beam structures with superior illumination effects (longer illumination distance and wider illumination range) by designing freeform optical components and optical structure. The small-volume headlamp can meet the requirements of the Economic Commission for Europe regulation (ECE) R112. The structure volume of the headlamp proposed in this study is only 100∗70∗70mm3, and the maximum luminance is 120 lx (simulation result) and 78.5 lx (test result). The view angle of the low beam is 13.6°, and the high beam is 15.6°, indicating that the solution is suitable for automotive illumination.
The seroprevalence of anti-Histoplasma capsulatum IgG antibody among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in seven referral tuberculosis hospitals in Indonesia
Authors: Kusmiati Tutik , Burhan Erlina , Sugiyono Retna Indah , Arlinda Dona , Naysilla Adhella Menur , Wibisono Banteng Hanang , El Khair Riat , Candrawati Ni Wayan , Sinaga Bintang Yinke Magdalena , Djaharrudin Irawaty , Lokida Dewi , Kosasih Herman , Susanto Nugroho Harry , Butar Butar Deni Pepy , Adawiyah Robiatul , Fatril Ayu Eka , Karyana Muhammad , Denning David W. , Wahyuningsih Retno 
Published: September 2023

Background
Histoplasma capsulatum exposure is rarely suspected in Indonesia. Pulmonary histoplasmosis can occur simultaneously with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) or as an alternative diagnosis in clinically-diagnosed TB patients with no microbiological evidence of TB. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-H. capsulatum IgG antibody among pulmonary TB patients.

Methodology
This was a sub-study of 306 participants from a prospective cohort pulmonary TB study conducted at seven TB referral hospitals in Indonesia. The study population was presumptive pulmonary TB adult patients who underwent microbiological TB examinations and were categorized as drug-sensitive (DS), drug-resistant (DR), and clinically-diagnosed TB. Anti-H. capsulatum IgG antibody levels at baseline were measured using MVista Histoplasma Ab enzyme immunoassays. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to assess factors associated with anti-H. capsulatum IgG antibody positive result.

Results
12.7% (39/306) of pulmonary TB patients were positive for anti-H. capsulatum IgG antibodies (DR-TB patients (15.9%, 18/114), DS-TB (13.0%, 15/115), and clinically-diagnosed TB (7.8%, 6/77)). The median unit value of anti-H. capsulatum IgG antibody for all positive samples was 15.7 (IQR 10.2–28.9) EU. This median unit value was higher in clinically-diagnosed TB patients compared to DS-TB or DR-TB patients (38.1 (IQR 25.6–46.6) EU, 19.7 (IQR 12.3–28.9) EU, and 10.9 (IQR 9.2–15.4), respectively). There were 10 patients (3.3%) with anti-H. capsulatum IgG antibody levels above 30 EU. Factors associated with the anti-H. capsulatum IgG antibody positive result were malignancies (OR 4.88, 95% CI 1.09–21.69, p = 0.037) and cavitary lesions (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.09–4.70, p = 0.028).

Conclusions
Our results provide evidence of exposure to H. capsulatum among pulmonary TB patients in Indonesia. Further studies are needed to provide a comprehensive picture of this fungal disease in other populations and regions to enhance awareness among clinicians and public health officials.
Experiences of family caregivers in caring for patients with heart failure admitted at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A qualitative study
Authors: Mcharo Tunzo L. , Iseselo Masunga K. , Kahema Samwel Edward , Tarimo Edith A. M. 
Published: September 2023

Background
Heart failure (HF) continues to be a global health problem with its ramifications more pronounced in underdeveloped countries. Family members play a pivotal part in patient management which may influence the patient’s overall quality of life. Prolonged delay in attendance to health care facilities among patients indicates ineffective support from family caregivers. In the Tanzanian context, there is limited information about the experiences of family caregivers in caring for patients with HF. This study explored family caregivers’ experiences in caring for HF patients.

Methods
A qualitative descriptive study design was conducted at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the potential participants. A sample size of 10 family caregivers of patients with HF was included in the study. Thematic analysis was used to derive the main theme and sub-themes.

Results
Three major themes were identified: demands for supportive care, new caring role and lifestyle, and professional support in caring for patients with HF. Caregivers needed social and financial support to facilitate the caring process. Learning to provide the required care at the right time was the new role acquired by caregivers while failing to participate in social events and caregiving in an unfavourable environment were reported as challenges in caregiving. However, compliance with instruction and effective interaction among the nurses and caregivers were considered to be positive professional support.

Conclusion
Caregivers need social and financial support to provide effective care to their patients. Caregiving is a learning process that needs continuous educational support to adapt to the new caring roles and challenges. Nurses should conduct regular assessments to explore caregivers’ needs, challenges, and concerns and provide timely counselling that can facilitate coping.
Successful 3D culture and transplantation of mouse isolated preantral follicles in hydrogel of bioengineered Wharton’s jelly
Authors: Zand Elnaz , Rajablou Elias , Siadat Seyedeh Fatemeh , Beiki Bahare , Akbarinejad Vahid , Amorim Christiani Andrade , Rezazadeh Valojerdi Mojtaba , Tahaei Leila Alsadat , Fathi Rouhollah 
Published: September 2023

Main objective
Due to Human Wharton’s Jelly (HWJ) could be applied in tissue engineering as a bio scaffold, the present study was conducted to investigate the effects of HWJ hydrogel on in vitro culture and auto-transplantation of mouse ovarian follicles.

Materials and methods
HWJ was isolated from umbilical cord and decellularized with SDS/Tris/EDTA. DNA, Collagen and Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were measured. Decellularized Wharton’s Jelly (DWJ) was dissolved to make Wharton’s Jelly Hydrogel (WJH), and composited with Alginate (ALG) (1.5%) in equal ratio (WJH+ALG). Then, mouse preantral follicles were isolated and encapsulated in 10μL droplets of WJH and randomly considered for both 14 days culture and auto-transplantation.

Results
Collagen, GAGs and DNA evaluations showed majority of WJ cells have been removed and MTT approved no toxicity. Degradation rate and rheological analysis represented optimal hydrogel compatibility. The data from in vitro culture revealed significant antral formation in WJH+ALG (P≤0.05). In transplantation, follicles failed to survive in ALG; however, survived in WJH+ALG to antral stage (P<0.05). VEGF and CD34 had greater expression in WJH+ALG than ALG (P< 0.05).

Conclusion
Wharton’s jelly hydrogel and Alginate compound is interesting composite for successful development of mouse preantral follicles in both 3D in vitro culture and transplantation.
Cardiopulmonary bypass in a rat model may shorten the lifespan of stored red blood cells by activating caspase-3
Authors: Han Lu , Li Lianlian , Linghu Hangya , Zheng Lei , Gou Daming 
Published: September 2023

Background
Red blood cell transfusion is required for many types of surgery against cardiovascular disease, and the function of transfused cells appears to decline over time. The present study examined whether transfusion also reduces red blood cell lifespan in a rat model.

Material and methods
Bypass in rats were established by connecting a roll pump to the femoral artery and vein. Then FITC-labeled stored red blood cells from rats were transfused in the animals, and the cells in circulation were counted after transfusion. In separate experiments, stored red blood cells were incubated with bypass plasma in vitro, and the effects of incubation were assessed on cell morphology, redox activity, ATP level, caspase-3 activity, and phosphatidylserine exposure on the cell surface. These in vivo and in vitro experiments were also performed after pretreating the stored red blood cells with the caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK.

Results
Bypass significantly decreased the number of circulating FITC-labeled stored red blood cells and increased the proportions of monocytes, neutrophils and splenic macrophages that had phagocytosed the red blood cells. In vitro, bypass plasma altered the morphology of red blood cells and increased oxidative stress, caspase-3 activity and phosphatidylserine exposure, while decreasing ATP level. Pretreating stored red blood cells with Z-DEVD-FMK attenuated the effects of bypass on caspase-3 activity, but not oxidative stress, in stored red blood cells.

Discussion
Bypass appears to shorten the lifespan of stored red blood cells, at least in part by activating caspase-3 in the cells.
Peri-operative pharmacokinetics of cefazolin prophylaxis during valve replacement surgery
Authors: Alli Ahmad , Paruk Fathima , Roger Claire , Lipman Jeffrey , Calleemalay Daren , Wallis Steven C. , Scribante Juan , Richards Guy A. , Roberts Jason A. 
Published: September 2023

Objective
There is little prospective data to guide effective dosing for antibiotic prophylaxis during surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We aim to describe the effects of CPB on the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of total and unbound concentrations of cefazolin and to recommend optimised dosing regimens.

Methods
Patients undergoing CPB for elective cardiac valve replacement were included using convenience sampling. Intravenous cefazolin (2g) was administered pre-incision and re-dosed at 4 hours. Serial blood and urine samples were collected and analysed using validated chromatography. Population PK modelling and Monte-Carlo simulations were performed using Pmetrics® to determine the fractional target attainment (FTA) of achieving unbound concentrations exceeding pre-defined exposures against organisms known to cause surgical site infections for 100% of surgery (100% fT>MIC).

Results
From the 16 included patients, 195 total and 64 unbound concentrations of cefazolin were obtained. A three-compartment linear population PK model best described the data. We observed that cefazolin 2g 4-hourly was insufficient to achieve the FTA of 100% fT>MIC for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli at serum creatinine concentrations ≤ 50 μmol/L and for Staphylococcus epidermidis at any of our simulated doses and serum creatinine concentrations. A dose of cefazolin 3g 4-hourly demonstrated >93% FTA for S. aureus and E. coli.

Conclusions
We found that cefazolin 2g 4-hourly was not able to maintain concentrations above the MIC for relevant pathogens in patients with low serum creatinine concentrations undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. The simulations showed that optimised dosing is more likely with an increased dose and/or dosing frequency.
Myeloblasts transition to megakaryoblastic immunophenotypes over time in some patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Ogata Kiyoyuki , Mochimaru Yuto , Sei Kazuma , Kawahara Naoya , Ogata Mika , Yamamoto Yumi 
Published: September 2023

Objectives
In myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), neoplastic myeloblast (CD34+CD13+CD33+ cells) numbers often increase over time, leading to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In recent studies, blasts in some MDS patients have been found to express a megakaryocyte-lineage molecule, CD41, and such patients show extremely poor prognosis. This is the first study to evaluate whether myeloblasts transition to CD41+ blasts over time and to investigate the detailed immunophenotypic features of CD41+ blasts in MDS.

Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort study, in which time-dependent changes in blast immunophenotypes were analyzed using multidimensional flow cytometry (MDF) in 74 patients with MDS and AML (which progressed from MDS).

Results
CD41+ blasts (at least 20% of CD34+ blasts expressing CD41) were detected in 12 patients. In five of these 12 patients, blasts were CD41+ from the first MDF analysis. In the other seven patients, myeloblasts (CD34+CD33+CD41- cells) transitioned to megakaryoblasts (CD34+CD41+ cells) over time, which was often accompanied by disease progression (including leukemic transformation). These CD41+ patients were more frequently observed among patients with monosomal and complex karyotypes. CD41+ blasts were negative for the erythroid antigen, CD235a, and positive for CD33 in all cases, but CD33 expression levels were lower in three cases when compared with CD34+CD41- blasts. Among the five CD41+ patients who underwent extensive immunophenotyping, CD41+ blasts all expressed CD61, but two cases had reduced CD42b expression, three had reduced/absent CD13 expression, and three also expressed CD7.

Conclusions
Myeloblasts become megakaryoblastic over time in some MDS patients, and examining the megakaryocyte lineage (not only as a diagnostic work-up but also as follow-up) is needed to detect CD41+ MDS. The immunophenotypic features revealed in this study may have diagnostic relevance for CD41+ MDS patients.
Durability of the deltamethrin-treated polypropylene long-lasting net LifeNet® in a pyrethroid resistance area in south western Benin: A phase III trial
Authors: Djènontin Armel , Alfa Daleb , Bouraima Aziz , Soares Christophe , Dahounto Amal , Cornélie Sylvie , Egrot Marc , Damien Georgia , Remoué Franck , Sagna André Barembaye , Moiroux Nicolas , Pennetier Cédric 
Published: September 2023

Background
Long-lasting insecticidal bed nets (LLINs) are a key measure for preventing malaria and their evaluation is coordinated by the World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES). LifeNet® was granted WHOPES time-limited interim recommendation in 2011 after successful Phase I and Phase II evaluations. Here, we evaluated the durability and community acceptance of LifeNet® in a Phase III trial from June 2014 to June 2017 in Benin rural area.

Methods
A prospective longitudinal, cluster-randomized, controlled trial with households as the unit of observation was designed to assess the performance of LifeNet® over a three-year period, using a WHOPES fully recommended LLIN (PermaNet® 2.0) as a positive control. The primary outcomes were the bioassay performance using WHO cone assays and tunnel tests, the insecticide content and physical integrity.

Results
At baseline, 100% of LLINs were within the tolerance limits of their target deltamethrin concentrations. By 36 months only 17.3% of LifeNet® and 8.5% of PermaNet® LLINs still were within their target deltamethrin concentrations. Despite these low rates, 100% of both LLINs meet WHO efficacy criteria (≥ 80% mortality or ≥ 95% knockdown or tunnel test criteria of ≥ 80% mortality or ≥ 90% blood-feeding inhibition) after 36 months using WHO cone bio-assays and tunnel tests. The proportion of LLINs in good physical condition was 33% for LifeNet® and 29% for PermaNet® after 36 months. After 36 M the survivorship was 21% and 26% for LifeNet® and PermaNet® respectively. Although both LLINs were well accepted by the population, complaints of side effects were significantly higher among LifeNet® users than PermaNet® ones.

Conclusion
LifeNet® LLINs did meet WHO criteria for bio-efficacy throughout the study period and were well accepted by the population. This is an important step towards getting a full WHO recommendation for use in malaria endemic countries.
Nieetyczna kuropatwa. O niektórych źródłach „Listu” 40. Ambrożego z Mediolanu
Authors: Ilski Kazimierz , Kotłowska Anna 
Published: September 2023

In his narrative, St. Ambrose often used arguments based on comparisons drawn from the natural environment. It should be emphasised that so-called ‘Christian zoology’ is not novel from the perspective of method, but because of the value judgements expressing the worldview of the new religion. The overall narrative of Letter 40 is built around the detailed behaviour of the partridge. From the perspective of the structure of the text and the logic of the narrative, the story of the partridge is remarkably extensive, detailed and ornithologically correct, even in the light of modern science. St. Ambrose made use of a motif present in the Hebrew tradition, while at the same time developing the description existing in the classical tradition, in terms of natural bservation, rich in behavioural details. In this way, the two strands of tradition complement each other, fulfilling different functions in the literary art of St. Ambrose’s prose.
Owidiusz w międzygatunkowej rozterce – „Amores” II 18
Authors: Miazek-Męczyńska Monika 
Published: September 2023

Elegy 18 from Book II of Amores, presented in the article in a new translation into Polish, explains why Ovid decided to abandon epic poetry and tragedy in favour of elegiac poetry. Although the poet jokingly points to Cupid, Corinna and his own laziness as the reasons, in fact, he shows that this literary genre is extremely attractive to authors who, like himself, writing about love can refer not only to personal experiences, but also to threads traditionally reserved for epics or tragedy. As evidence, Ovid invokes his Heroides and invites his friend, the poet Pompey Macer, to follow him in elegiac poetry. By recalling the works of Macer and Sabinus, Amores II 18 is also proof of the importance of friendship between the writers of the Augustan era, whose works bear visible traces of mutual influences and interactions.