bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The severity of menopause and associated factors among middle-aged women residing in Arba Minch, DHSS, Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Misiker Begosew , Kashala Kefita , Misker Direslgne 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Menopause is a common practice in women, and it is recognized as a complete pause of menses for more than twelve months. A decrease in sex hormone levels particularly estrogen in the blood is associated with different types of menopausal symptoms. Those symptoms include different psychological, vasomotor, physical, and sexual symptoms. They are among the major public health problems of middle-aged women. Particularly severe forms of menopausal symptoms are bothersome for middle-aged women. However, little is known about the severity status and associated factors of menopausal symptoms among middle-aged women in the study area.

Objective
The main aim of the present study was to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms and associated factors among middle-aged women residing in Arba Minch DHSS.

Methods and materials
Community-based crossectional study was employed. A single population proportion formula was used to determine the sample size. A total of 423 study participants were recruited to conduct the study. A simple random sampling technique was used to employ study participants. Proportional sample size allocation formula was used to allocate study participants in each Kebele of Arba Minch DHSS (demographic and health surveillance site). A menopausal rating scale was used to assess the severity status of Menopausal symptoms. The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20. A descriptive analysis was made to describe the Sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants. Moreover, binary and ordinal logistic regressions were used to identify the factors associated with the severity of menopausal symptoms among middle-aged women. On binary logistic regression variables with p-value < 0.25 were eligible for ordinal logistic regression. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Result
The present study revealed that the prevalence of menopausal symptoms was 88.7%. According to the Menopausal rating scale, 91.7% of the study participants were Asymptomatic, 6.6% of them were mild in severity, 1.4% of them were moderate and the remaining 0.23% individuals were severe menopausal symptoms. The most severe menopausal symptom was the sexual problem. The factors that have a significant association with the severity of menopausal symptoms were Age with [AOR = 1.46(95%CI: 1.27–1.64)] and history of chronic disease with [AOR = 2.56(95%CI: 1.78–3.4)] and p < 0.001.

Conclusion and recommendation
Generally, menopausal symptoms among middle-aged women were common. Asymptomatic and mild forms are the dominant severity forms of menopausal symptoms. Age and history of chronic diseases have statistically significant associations with the severity of menopausal symptoms. The ministry of health, researchers, and different stakeholders are recommended to be concerned about this neglected issue.
Meningeal immunity and neurological diseases: new approaches, new insights
Authors: Su Yun , Zheng Huimin , Shi Changhe , Li Xinwei , Zhang Shuyu , Guo Guangyu , Yu Wenkai , Zhang Shuo , Hu Zhengwei , Yang Jing , Xia Zongping , Mao Chengyuan , Xu Yuming 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe meninges, membranes surrounding the central nervous system (CNS) boundary, harbor a diverse array of immunocompetent immune cells, and therefore, serve as an immunologically active site. Meningeal immunity has emerged as a key factor in modulating proper brain function and social behavior, performing constant immune surveillance of the CNS, and participating in several neurological diseases. However, it remains to be determined how meningeal immunity contributes to CNS physiology and pathophysiology. With the advances in single-cell omics, new approaches, such as single-cell technologies, unveiled the details of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying meningeal immunity in CNS homeostasis and dysfunction. These new findings contradict some previous dogmas and shed new light on new possible therapeutic targets. In this review, we focus on the complicated multi-components, powerful meningeal immunosurveillance capability, and its crucial involvement in physiological and neuropathological conditions, as recently revealed by single-cell technologies.
Glucocorticoids modify intracranial pressure in freely moving rats
Authors: Westgate Connar Stanley James , Israelsen Ida Marchen Egerod , Kamp-Jensen Christina , Jensen Rigmor Højland , Eftekhari Sajedeh 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely prescribed for a variety of inflammatory diseases, but they are also used to treat raised intracranial pressure (ICP) caused by trauma or oedema. However, it is unclear if GCs independently modulate ICP and if GCs are involved in normal ICP regulation. In this study, we aimed to assess the ICP modulatory effects of GCs and their molecular consequences on choroid plexus (CP).

Methods
Adult female rats were implanted with telemetric ICP probes for physiological, continuous ICP recordings in a freely moving setup. Rats received prednisolone or vehicle via oral gavage in a randomized acute (24 h) ICP study. In a subsequent study rats received corticosterone or vehicle in drinking water for a 4-week chronic ICP study. CP were removed, and the expression of genes associated with cerebrospinal fluid secretion were assessed.

Results
A single prednisolone dose reduced ICP by up to 48% (P < 0.0001), where ICP was reduced within 7 h and was maintained for at least 14 h. Prednisolone increases ICP spiking (P = 0.0075) while not altering ICP waveforms. Chronic corticosterone reduces ICP by up to 44%, where ICP was lower for the entirety of the 4-week ICP recording period (P = 0.0064). ICP daily periodicity was not altered by corticosterone. Corticosterone ICP reduction was not accompanied by ICP spike differences or alteration in ICP spike periodicity. Chronic corticosterone treatment had modest effects on CP gene expression, lowering the expression of Car2 at CP (P = 0.047).

Conclusions
GCs reduce ICP in both the acute and chronic setting to a similar degree. Moreover, GCs did not modify the diurnal rhythm of ICP, suggesting the diurnal variation of ICP periodicity is not under explicit control of GCs. ICP disturbances should be considered a consequence of GC therapy. Based on these experiments, GCs may have broader ICP therapeutic uses, but side effects must be taken into consideration.
Screening for autophagy/hypoxia/ferroptosis/pyroptosis-related genes of tendon injury and repair in a rat model after celecoxib and lactoferrin treatment
Authors: Zhang Yaonan , Shi Lei , Wang Fei , Wang Lin , Min Nan , Wen Liangyuan , Xue Qingyun 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Tendon injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Celecoxib possesses an effective anti-inflammatory activity in the tendon injury treatment. Lactoferrin has a great potential for the tendon regeneration. However, the efficacy of celecoxib combined with lactoferrin in the treatment of tendon injury has not been reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of celecoxib and lactoferrin on tendon injury and repair, and screen for the crucial genes associated with the tendon injury and repair.

Methods
The rat tendon injury models were established and divided into four groups: normal control group (n = 10), tendon injury model group (n = 10), celecoxib treatment group (n = 10), and celecoxib + lactoferrin treatment group (n = 10). Then, RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and mRNAs (DEmRNAs) in celecoxib treatment group and celecoxib + lactoferrin treatment group. Next, autophagy/hypoxia/ferroptosis/pyroptosis-related DEmRNAs were further identified. Subsequently, functional enrichment, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and transcriptional regulatory network construction for these genes were performed.

Results
The animal study demonstrated that combinational administration of celecoxib with lactoferrin rescued the harmful effects caused by celecoxib in the treatment of tendon injury. Compared to tendon injury model group, 945 DEmRNAs, 7 DEmiRNAs and 34 DElncRNAs were obtained in celecoxib treatment group, and 493 DEmRNAs, 8 DEmiRNAs and 21 DElncRNAs were obtained in celecoxib + lactoferrin treatment group, respectively. Subsequently, 376 celecoxib + lactoferrin treatment group-specific DEmRNAs were determined. Then, 25 DEmRNAs associated with autophagy/hypoxia/ferroptosis/pyroptosis were identified.

Conclusions
Several genes, such as, Ppp1r15a, Ddit4, Fos, Casp3, Tgfb3, Hspb1 and Hspa8, were identified to be associated with tendon injury and repair.
Burial workers’ perceptions of community resistance and support systems during an Ebola outbreak in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative study
Authors: Zwick Hana , Asobee Marc Salama , Mitton Isabeaux Kennedy , Headley Jennifer , Eagle David E. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Community Health Workers (CHWs) provide vital services during disease outbreaks. Appropriate burials of those who died from an infectious disease outbreak is a critical CHW function to prevent infection and disease spread. During the 2018 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Beni Town, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, we sought to understand the levels of understanding, trust, and cooperation of the community in response to the outbreak, the barriers burial workers faced in their health work and its impact on local burial workers and other CHWs.

Methods
12 EVD burial CHWs in Beni Town completed an hour-long qualitative in-depth interview on their experiences. They were recruited from a local counseling center. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and translated into English. A team of 3 researchers identified structural and emergent themes using applied thematic analysis.

Results
Workers reported major misconceptions in the community surrounding the initiation of the outbreak. Community misconceptions were based on widespread governmental mistrust as well as a belief system that intertwines traditional and scientific understandings of the world. EVD burial workers identified violence directed at them and community misinformation as the two largest barriers to effectively carrying out their work. They named several important support systems including family and friends, personal relaxation techniques, and a local counseling center.

Conclusions
As with other disease outbreaks globally, we found that government mistrust and religious beliefs strongly impacted community perceptions of the EVD outbreak. Previous studies have demonstrated clinic-based medical personnel are often the targets of violence. Our research shows that burial workers were also targeted and exposed to extreme levels of violence in their work. Along with their ability to effectively respond to the outbreak, violence has a negative impact on their own mental wellbeing. Burial workers found group counseling sessions to be an effective tool for managing the stress associated with their work. Further developing and testing of group-based interventions for this group is a priority for future research.
Molecular characterization and immune efficacy of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase from Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae)
Authors: Cao Yuan-Yuan , Xiao Shu-Wen , Yang Feng , Liu Xiao-Ya , Lu Hui , Zhang Jin-Cheng , Hu Yong-Hong 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit a variety of pathogens to humans, wildlife and domestic animals. Vaccination is an effective and environmentally friendly method for tick control. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) is an important glycometabolism enzyme that is a candidate vaccine against parasites. However, the immune protection of FBA in ticks is unclear.

Methods and results
The 1092-bp open reading frame (ORF) of FBA from Haemaphysalis longicornis (HlFBA), encoding a 363-amino acid protein, was cloned using PCR methodology. The prokaryotic expression vector pET32a(+)-HlFBA was constructed and transformed into cells of Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) strain for protein expression. The recombinant HlFBA protein (rHlFBA) was purified by affinity chromatography, and the western blot results suggested that the rHlFBA protein was immunogenic.

Results
Results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that rabbits immunized with rHlFBA produced a humoral immune response specific to rHlFBA. A tick infestation trial indicated that, compared to the ticks in the histidine-tagged thioredoxin (Trx) group, the engorged tick weight and oviposition of female ticks and egg hatching rate of those in the rHlFBA group was reduced by 22.6%, 45.6% and 24.1%, respectively. Based on the cumulative effect of the these three parameters, the overall immune efficacy of rHlFBA was estimated to be 68.4%.

Conclusions
FBA is a candidate anti-tick vaccine that can significantly reduce the engorged tick weight, oviposition, and egg hatching rate. The use of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism is a new strategy in the development of anti-tick vaccines.

Graphical Abstract
Occult proximal femoral fracture with radiating leg pain masquerading as sciatica: a case report
Authors: Lee Ji-yeon , Oya Akihito , Tsuji Osahiko , Umezu Taro , Kanaji Arihiko , Niki Yasuo , Nakamura Masaya , Matsumoto Morio 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Occult proximal femoral fractures do not appear as fracture lines in radiographs, causing misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis unless additional imaging studies, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, are performed. Here, we present a 51-year-old male with an occult proximal femoral fracture who experienced radiating unilateral leg pain that took 3 months to be diagnosed because his symptoms mimicked lumbar spine disease.

Case presentation
A 51-year-old Japanese male experienced persistent lower back and left thigh pain after falling off a bicycle, and was referred to our hospital 3 months thereafter. Whole-spine computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed minute ossification of the ligamentum flavum at T5/6 without spinal nerve compression, but this did not explain his leg pain. Additional magnetic resonance imaging of the hip joint revealed a fresh left proximal femoral fracture without displacement. He underwent surgery for in situ fixation using a compression hip screw. Post-surgical pain relief was immediate.

Conclusions
Misdiagnosis of occult femoral fractures as lumbar spinal disease may occur if distally radiating referred pain is present. Hip joint disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of sciatica-like pain with an unknown spinal origin and no specific findings on spinal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging accounting for the leg pain, especially following trauma.
18F-FDG-PET/CT-based deep learning model for fully automated prediction of pathological grading for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma before surgery
Authors: Zhang Gong , Bao Chengkai , Liu Yanzhe , Wang Zizheng , Du Lei , Zhang Yue , Wang Fei , Xu Baixuan , Zhou S. Kevin , Liu Rong 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
The determination of pathological grading has a guiding significance for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. However, there is a lack of an accurate and safe method to obtain pathological grading before surgery. The aim of this study is to develop a deep learning (DL) model based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) for a fully automatic prediction of preoperative pathological grading of pancreatic cancer.

Methods
A total of 370 PDAC patients from January 2016 to September 2021 were collected retrospectively. All patients underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT examination before surgery and obtained pathological results after surgery. A DL model for pancreatic cancer lesion segmentation was first developed using 100 of these cases and applied to the remaining cases to obtain lesion regions. After that, all patients were divided into training set, validation set, and test set according to the ratio of 5:1:1. A predictive model of pancreatic cancer pathological grade was developed using the features computed from the lesion regions obtained by the lesion segmentation model and key clinical characteristics of the patients. Finally, the stability of the model was verified by sevenfold cross-validation.

Results
The Dice score of the developed PET/CT-based tumor segmentation model for PDAC was 0.89. The area under curve (AUC) of the PET/CT-based DL model developed on the basis of the segmentation model was 0.74, with an accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.72, 0.73, and 0.72, respectively. After integrating key clinical data, the AUC of the model improved to 0.77, with its accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity boosted to 0.75, 0.77, and 0.73, respectively.

Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first deep learning model to end-to-end predict the pathological grading of PDAC in a fully automatic manner, which is expected to improve clinical decision-making.
Wireless technologies towards 6G
Authors: Campos Rui , Ricardo Manuel , Pouttu Ari , Correia Luis M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis Special Issue originates from the international conference 2021 Joint EuCNC & 6G Summit (Joint European Conference on Networks and Communications and 6G Summit), which was held in June 2021 in virtual format. The Technical Programme Chairs of the conference selected the best papers and invited authors to submit an extended version of their paper by at least one-third of their length. Only the top ranked papers were invited to this Special Issue, in order to fulfil its purpose. The main target was to collect and present quality research contributions in the most recent activities related to technologies, systems and networks beyond 5G. Through this Special Issue, the state-of-the-art is presented and the new challenges highlighted, regarding the latest advances on systems and network perspectives that are already being positioned beyond 5G, bridging as well with the evolution of 5G, including applications and trials. Therefore, the motivation for this Special Issue is to present the latest and finest results on the evolution of research of mobile and wireless communications, coming, but not exclusively (since Joint EuCNC & 6G Summit is a conference open to the whole research community), from projects co-financed by the European Commission within its R&D programmes.
From ambition to implementation: institutionalisation as a key challenge for a sustainable mobility transition in Germany
Authors: Reichenbach Max , Fleischer Torsten 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Transport and mobility contribute a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions, and fossil fuel consumption must be reduced for mobility to meet sustainable development goals. Strengthening public transport is a key element of the required mobility transition, including technological innovation. To address the related institutionalisation processes, we analyse the interplay between technological development and the intensifying mobility transition debate. We focus on the challenges for the roles of public transport professionals, who are essential for the implementation of sustainable mobility measures at the local level.

Case selection and methods
We present two cases: First, we address urban ropeways as an incremental option to extend public transport networks. In a series of three expert workshops (23 participants in total), local public transport professionals discussed the potential of urban ropeways, and challenges concerning the related institutional framework. Second, we chose an exploratory approach to understand how public transport professionals engage in the debate on the potentially disruptive role of automated driving in the future of public transport. This included an analysis of strategy documents and experimentation, as well as observations at sectoral events and stakeholder forums. In both cases, we focus on the specific context in Germany, which ensures a coherent institutional framework and a consistent analysis.

Results
We found a general openness among public transport professionals to consider the potential of mature urban ropeway technology. However, critical gaps remain in planning instruments and the densely regulated public transport planning regime. Concerning automated driving, a strong technological focus can be observed in the related transport policy debate. At the local level, despite numerous technical tests, there is hardly any discussion of more far-reaching requirements regarding integration of the technology into the mobility system in a way that ensures sustainability-oriented goals are met.

Conclusions
Beyond both incremental and potentially disruptive technological drivers, the proactive and targeted design of corresponding institutionalisation processes proves to be a key challenge for achieving a sustainable mobility transition. Institutionalisation and the related roles of public transport professionals must be considered in relation to the mobility transition’s substantive goals and the associated political discourse.
In vitro comparative quality evaluation of different brands of carbamazepine tablets commercially available in Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Asrade Biset , Tessema Ejigu , Tarekegn Abebe 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Good-quality drugs that fulfill the regulatory parameters and are produced per the current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) standards are very critical for the best therapeutic outcomes. However, the variety of branded drugs circulation in the market often put clinicians and pharmacists in a difficult situation of choice due to the possibility of interchangeability among brands, so we should ascertain the quality of the various brands of drugs, available in the drug market. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the quality and physicochemical equivalence of six brands of carbamazepine tablets that are commercially available in Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia.

Methods
An experimental study design was used. Six different brands of carbamazepine tablets were purchased from community pharmacies in Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia, which were selected using simple random sampling methods. Identification, weight variation, friability, hardness, disintegration, dissolution test, and assay for the content of active ingredients were evaluated according to the procedures described in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and British Pharmacopeia (BP), and the results were compared with USP and BP standards. The difference (f1) and similarity (f2) factors were calculated to assess in vitro bioequivalence requirements.

Results
The identification test results revealed that all samples contained the stated active pharmaceutical ingredients and all brands of carbamazepine tablets complied with the official specification for weight variation, friability, and hardness tests. The percentage concentration of carbamazepine was found in the range of 97.85 to 102.09, which met the USP specification of 92% to 108% of the stated amount. Similarly, all samples fulfilled disintegration time (i.e., ≤ 30 min) except brand CA1 (34.183 min) and dissolution tolerance limits (i.e., Q ≥ 75% at 60 min), which was found in the range of 91.673% -97.124%. The difference factor (f1) values were < 15 and the similarity factor (f2) values were > 50 for all the tested brands of carbamazepine tablets.

Conclusion
The present study revealed that all brands of carbamazepine 200 mg tablets met the quality control parameters as per pharmacopoeial specifications except the disintegration test of brand CA1, and could be used each brand interchangeably to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.