bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Placebo effects on all‐cause mortality of patients with COVID‐19 in randomized controlled trials of interleukin 6 antagonists: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Tseng Ping‐Tao , Zeng Bing‐Syuan , Thompson Trevor , Stubbs Brendon , Hsueh Po‐Ren , Su Kuan‐Pin , Chen Yen‐Wen , Chen Tien‐Yu , Wu Yi‐Cheng , Lin Pao‐Yen , Carvalho Andre F. , Hsu Chih‐Wei , Li Dian‐Jeng , Yeh Ta‐Chuan , Sun Cheuk‐Kwan , Cheng Yu‐Shian , Shiue Yow‐Ling , Liang Chih‐Sung , Tu Yu‐Kang 
Published: August 2023

AimMany randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the use of interleukin 6 antagonists for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), yielding inconsistent results. This network meta‐analysis (NMA) aimed to identify the source of these inconsistent results by reassessing whether participants treated with standard of care (SoC) plus placebo have different all‐cause mortality from those treated with SoC alone and to reevaluate the efficacy of interleukin 6 antagonists in the treatment of COVID‐19.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search for relevant RCTs from the inception of electronic databases through 1 September 2022. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were the incidences of major medical events, secondary infections, all‐cause discontinuation, and serious adverse events.ResultsThe results of NMA of 33 RCTs showed that patients with COVID‐19 treated with SoC plus placebo had lower odds of all‐cause mortality than those who received SoC alone (OR, 0.75 [95% confidence interval, 0.58–0.97]). This finding remained consistent after excluding studies with no incident deaths. In addition, when we consider the impact of the widely promoted COVID‐19 vaccination and newly developed antiviral treatment strategy, the results from the analysis of the RCT published in 2021 and 2022 remained similar.ConclusionThese findings suggest the potential influence of placebo effects on the treatment outcomes of COVID‐19 in RCTs. When evaluating the efficacy of treatment strategies for COVID‐19, it is crucial to consider the use of placebo in the design of clinical trials.
GIS-Based Vulnerability Analysis for Sustainable Fish Drying Cottage Industry in Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Authors: Abeysooriya Githmi , Weerakoon K.G.P.K. 
Published: August 2023

Dried fish manufacturing is a famous cottage industry in Sri Lanka. Due to various natural and manmade reasons, their locations are not set up in sustainable ways. As a result, industry locations have become more vulnerable. Therefore, hurdles are there to sustainably expanding this cottage industry. So, the industry's novelty and the enormous number of issues experienced have yet to be discovered or solved via research study. Therefore, the current study intends to conduct GIS-based vulnerability analysis of the fish drying cottage industry by identifying the socioeconomic, environmental, and industry-related backgrounds of existing manufacturers and the industry, challenges faced by manufacturers, and vulnerable sites in the village using geo-spatial analysis. The case study focuses on Kudawella of Tangalle local authority, in the southern province of Sri Lanka. Qualitative analysis was used to identify the existing situation using a structured questionnaire survey and descriptive analysis was performed on the obtained information. The constraints were revealed by a content analysis of qualitative data acquired from a judgemental sample via semi-structured and unstructured interviews. Furthermore, the relative positions of the cottages were determined using OpenStreet Map and the absolute coordinates of a sample of 27 cottages gathered using GPS. A Weighted Overlay Analysis was performed using Arc Map 10.8 to create a Vulnerability Index Map to identify vulnerable locations for the industry while taking nine socioeconomic and environmental parameters. The outcome indicated four categories of vulnerability: severe, moderately severe, moderate, and low vulnerability, with 4.13% of the village falling into the severely susceptible category. The index map assists relevant authoritative organisations in making industrial decisions to attain sustainability based on the amount of risk and underlines the importance of institutional and individual decision-making systems
Experimental Investigation of the Structure of Disturbances from Two Pulsed Sources in the Flat-Plate Supersonic Boundary Layer
Authors: Afanasev L. V. , Yermolaev Yu. G. , Kosinov A. D. , Kocharin V. L. , Semionov N. V. , Yatskikh A. A. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The work is devoted to the development of a new experimental method for entering controlled disturbances with a given frequency-wave structure into a supersonic boundary layer. Experimental data on the formation of disturbances from two pulsed sources (pulsed glow discharge) in the laminar flat-plate boundary layer at the Mach number equal to 2 are given. The experiments were carried out in the T-325 wind tunnel of ITAM SB RAS. The localized sources were spaced out at the same distance from the leading edge of the plate at 6 mm from each other spanwise. Flow pulsations were measured using a hot-wire probe of constant temperature anemometer, the signal was recorded synchronously with ignition of the discharges. This made it possible to distinguish the pulsations from the discharges against the background of random uncontrolled “natural” pulsations of the boundary layer. The spatial-temporal and frequency-wave structure of the generated disturbances from a single or two discharges, operating synchronously or with a time delay, are analyzed. It is found that the maximum difference in the structure of disturbances from one and two sources is observed in the central region, while at the side boundaries of the disturbances, the pulsations are close in all considered cases. In the wave spectra of disturbances from two discharges, nodes and antinodes are formed. Their position is determined by the distance between the sources and the time delay in their operation.
Networking and other important requirements for women leaders in their advancement to senior leadership positions in the National Health Service (NHS): a qualitative study
Authors: Bishop Ali Jayne , Mitchell Sarah 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundExecutive leadership boards in healthcare should be diverse, reflecting the populations they serve and the workforce serving in them. Worldwide, women constitute most of the healthcare workforce, yet the minority of leaders. Women experience barriers to progression to board-level positions at personal, workplace and wider systemic levels, including self-imposed barriers, prejudice and limited access to role models. Evidence to understand enablers to progression is limited.This study addressed the following research questions:What are the inspirations and/or enablers for women, especially those from under-represented backgrounds, in the pursuit of career progression?What are the coping mechanisms employed to respond to barriers for those women?MethodsA qualitative interview study with ten women in board-level positions in National Health Service (NHS) organisations across South Yorkshire, with semistructured interviews carried out through 2022, and thematic analysis of data informed by an intersectionality lens.ResultsThree key themes emerged: (1) identities and self-improvement were informed by a sense of self, motivating experiences and the expectations of others; (2) barriers to progression included disability, disadvantage, limiting self-belief, lack of support and prejudice and (3) senior women proactively adopted coping strategies, leading to bespoke, blended solutions including formal programmes alongside personal approaches, notably the development of comprehensive peer networks.ConclusionThe study highlights the need for NHS Systems and healthcare organisations to adopt facilitating enablers to respond to the challenges faced by under-represented staff, including coaching and mentoring, talent management programmes and peer networking, to enable diverse women leaders to successfully apply for board-level positions.
m6A-Mediated Biogenesis of circDDIT4 Inhibits Prostate Cancer Progression by Sequestrating ELAVL1/HuR
Authors: Kong Zhe , Lu Yali , Yang Yue , Chang Kun , Lin Yan , Huang Yan , Wang Chenji , Zhang Lu , Xu Wei , Zhao Shimin , Li Yao 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The pathologic significance of the circular RNA DDIT4 (circDDIT4), which is formed by backsplicing at the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) with a 5′ splice acceptor site in exon 2 of linear DDIT4 mRNA, has yet to be determined. Our study found that circDDIT4 is downregulated in prostate cancer and functions as a tumor suppressor during prostate cancer progression. By competitively binding to ELAV-like RNA binding protein 1 (ELAVL1/HuR) through its 3′-UTR, circDDIT4 acts as a protein sponge to decrease the expression of prostate cancer–overexpressed anoctamin 7 (ANO7). This promotes prostate cancer cell apoptosis while inhibiting cell proliferation and metastasis. Furthermore, we discovered that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification facilitates the biogenesis of circDDIT4. The methyltransferase complex consisting of WTAP/METTL3/METTL14 increases the level of circDDIT4, while the RNA demethylase FTO decreases it.

Implications:
These findings suggest that abnormal cotranscriptional modification of m6A promotes prostate cancer initiation and progression via a circular RNA-protein-cell signaling network.
Real world safety of methoxyflurane analgesia in the emergency setting: a comparative hybrid prospective-retrospective post-authorisation safety study
Authors: Qizilbash Nawab , Kataria Himanshu , Jarman Heather , Bloom Ben , Bradney Michelle , Oh Maggie , Yee Sue Anne , Roncero Ana , Mendez Ignacio , Pocock Stuart 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Low-dose analgesic methoxyflurane (Penthrox®) was approved in Europe for emergency relief of moderate to severe pain in conscious adults with trauma in 2015. A comparative post-authorisation safety study (PASS) was conducted to assess the risk of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity with methoxyflurane during routine clinical practice.

Methods
This was a comparative hybrid prospective-retrospective cohort study. The comparative cohorts consisted of adults who were given methoxyflurane (methoxyflurane cohort) or another analgesic (concurrent cohort) routinely used for moderate to severe trauma and associated pain in the emergency setting (ambulance and Emergency Department) in the UK between December 2016 and November 2018. Hepatic and renal events were captured in the ensuing 12 weeks. A blinded clinical adjudication committee assessed events. A historical comparator cohort (non-concurrent cohort) was identified from patients with fractures in the English Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) accident and emergency database from November 2013 and November 2015 (before commercial launch of methoxyflurane). Hepatic and renal events were captured in the ensuing 12 weeks via linkage with the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and HES hospital admissions databases.

Results
Overall, 1,236, 1,101 and 45,112 patients were analysed in the methoxyflurane, concurrent and non-concurrent comparator cohorts respectively. There was no significant difference in hepatic events between the methoxyflurane and concurrent cohorts (1.9% vs. 3.0%, P = 0.079) or between the methoxyflurane and non-concurrent cohorts (1.9% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.192). Renal events were significantly less common in the methoxyflurane cohort than in the concurrent cohort (2.3% vs. 5.6%, P < 0.001). For methoxyflurane versus non-concurrent cohort the lower occurrence of renal events (2.3% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.070) was not statistically significant. Multivariable adjustment did not change these associations.

Conclusions
Methoxyflurane administration was not associated with an increased risk of hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity compared with other routinely administered analgesics and was associated with a reduced risk of nephrotoxicity compared with other routinely administered analgesics.

Trial registration
Study registered in the EU PAS Register (ENCEPP/SDPP/13040).
Exploring the relationships between health literacy, social support, self-efficacy and self-management in adults with multiple chronic diseases
Authors: Dinh Thi Thuy Ha , Bonner Ann 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Self-management in chronic diseases is essential to slowing disease progression and preventing complications. However, empirical research on the associations of critical factors, such as health literacy, social support, and self-efficacy with self-management in the context of multiple chronic diseases is scarce. This study aimed to investigate these associations and provides insights for healthcare providers to develop effective educational strategies for people with multiple chronic diseases.

Methods
Using a cross-sectional survey design, adults (n = 600) diagnosed with at least two chronic diseases were conveniently recruited. To measure health literacy, social support, self-efficacy, and chronic disease self-management behaviours, the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), Medical Outcome Study - Social Support Survey, Self-efficacy in Managing Chronic Disease, and Self-management in Chronic Diseases instruments were utilized respectively. Comorbidity status was assessed using Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI). A generalised linear regression model was used with a backward technique to identify variables associated with self-management.

Results
Participants’ mean age was 61 years (SD = 15.3), 46% were female, and most had up to 12 years of education (82.3%). Mean scores for HLQ domains 1–5 varied from 2.61 to 3.24 (possible score 1–4); domains 6–9 from 3.29 to 3.65 (possible score 1–5). The mean scores were 52.7 (SD = 10.4, possible score 0–95), 5.46 (SD = 1.9, possible score 0–10) and 82.1 (SD = 12.4, possible score 30–120) for social support, self-efficacy, and self-management, respectively. Mean ACCI was 6.7 (SD = 2.1). Eight factors (age > 65 years, being female, 4 health literacy domains, greater social support, and higher self-efficacy levels) were significantly associated with greater self-management behaviours while comorbidity status was not. The factors that showed the strongest associations with self-management were critical health literacy domains: appraisal of health information, social support for health, and healthcare provider support.

Conclusions
Developing critical health literacy abilities is a more effective way to enhance self-management behaviours than relying solely on self-confidence or social support, especially for people with multiple chronic diseases. By facilitating communication and patient education, healthcare providers can help patients improve their critical health literacy, which in turn can enhance their self-management behaviours.
Three-dimensional evaluation of alveolar bone and pharyngeal airway dimensions after mandibular dentition distalization in patients with Class III malocclusion: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhou Zhijie , Sun Liangyan , Zhang Fan , Xu Yan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
To three-dimensionally evaluate changes of the alveolar bone around the mandibular anterior teeth and pharyngeal airway dimensions in adults with Class III malocclusion before and after orthodontic treatment of mandibular dentition distalization.

Methods
In this retrospective study, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 20 patients with Class III malocclusion who underwent mandibular dentition distalization were obtained both before and after treatment. Three-dimensional changes of the thickness and vertical marginal bone levels around mandibular incisors and canines were assessed and compared. And airway volumes of the palato-, glosso-, laryngopharynx and the minimum axial area were measured and compared before and after treatment.

Results
A significant decrease of lingual bone thickness of mandibular incisors, partial labial and lingual bone thickness of canines were observed (P < 0.05). The reduction in root length of incisors and canines, labial and lingual vertical marginal bone levels were significant after orthodontic treatment. No significant correlations between mandibular dentition distalization and pharyngeal airway dimensions were observed.

Conclusions
Mandibular dentition distalization could result in the loss of alveolar bone around anterior teeth in Class III malocclusion, especially for the cervical marginal bone. Pharyngeal airway dimensions were not affected to a high extent after distalization.

Trial registration
Retrospctively registered.
Amyloid-β (Aβ) immunotherapy induced microhemorrhages are associated with activated perivascular macrophages and peripheral monocyte recruitment in Alzheimer’s disease mice
Authors: Taylor Xavier , Clark Isaiah M. , Fitzgerald Griffin J. , Oluoch Herold , Hole Justin T. , DeMattos Ronald B. , Wang Yaming , Pan Feng 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) have been identified as the most common and serious adverse events resulting from pathological changes in the cerebral vasculature during several recent anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) immunotherapy trials. However, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying how amyloid immunotherapy enhances cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)-mediated alterations in vascular permeability and microhemorrhages are not currently understood. Interestingly, brain perivascular macrophages have been implicated in regulating CAA deposition and cerebrovascular function however, further investigations are required to understand how perivascular macrophages play a role in enhancing CAA-related vascular permeability and microhemorrhages associated with amyloid immunotherapy.

Methods
In this study, we examined immune responses induced by amyloid-targeting antibodies and CAA-induced microhemorrhages using histology and gene expression analyses in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mouse models and primary culture systems.

Results
In the present study, we demonstrate that anti-Aβ (3D6) immunotherapy leads to the formation of an antibody immune complex with vascular amyloid deposits and induces the activation of CD169+ perivascular macrophages. We show that macrophages activated by antibody mediated Fc receptor signaling have increased expression of inflammatory signaling and extracellular matrix remodeling genes such as Timp1 and MMP9 in vitro and confirm these key findings in vivo. Finally, we demonstrate enhanced vascular permeability of plasma proteins and recruitment of inflammatory monocytes around vascular amyloid deposits, which are associated with hemosiderin deposits from cerebral microhemorrhages, suggesting the multidimensional roles of activated perivascular macrophages in response to Aβ immunotherapy.

Conclusions
In summary, our study establishes a connection between Aβ antibodies engaged at CAA deposits, the activation of perivascular macrophages, and the upregulation of genes involved in vascular permeability. However, the implications of this phenomenon on the susceptibility to microhemorrhages remain to be fully elucidated. Further investigations are warranted to determine the precise role of CD169 + perivascular macrophages in enhancing CAA-mediated vascular permeability, extravasation of plasma proteins, and infiltration of immune cells associated with microhemorrhages.
AMAKAS: Anonymous Mutual Authentication and Key Agreement Scheme for securing multi-server environments
Authors: Salem Fatty M. , Safwat Maha , Fathy Rasha , Habashy Shahira 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe rapid growth of Internet users was the motivation of the emerge appearance of new computing models such as cloud computing, fog computing and edge computing. For this reason, the multi-server’s architecture has been introduced to extend scalability and accessibility. To ensure that these servers can only be accessed by the authorized users, many authentication and key agreement schemes have been introduced for multi–server environments. In this paper, we propose an anonymous mutual authentication and key agreement scheme for multi-server architecture based on elliptic curve cryptography to achieve the required security services and resist the well-known security attacks. Furthermore, formal and informal security analysis is conducted to prove the security of the proposed scheme. Moreover, we provide a performance comparison with related work in terms of computational cost, communication cost and the number of messages transferred on the public channel. This performance comparison clearly shows that the proposed scheme is highly efficient in terms of computation, communication cost and security analysis as compared to other related schemes which makes the proposed scheme more suitable and practical for multi-server environments than other related schemes.
Correlation between the serum level of ferritin and D-dimer and the severity of COVID-19 infection
Authors: AbdelFattah Eman Badawy , Madkour Ashraf Mokhtar , Amer Shimaa Mohamed I. , Ahmed Noha Othman 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Many laboratory biomarkers were used for diagnosis of COVID-19 infection; however, their accuracy to assess the severity and prognosis are still to be evaluated. This study aims to correlate between the serum ferritin and D-dimer levels and the severity of COVID-19 infection and its outcome.

Results
Retrospective data retrieval of 150 confirmed COVID-19 infection patients admitted in Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital El Obour during period between April and July 2020 were studied. Ninety-six were survivors and 54 were non-survivors. The number of co-morbidities, the level of D-dimer and serum ferritin were correlated with ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation and mortality with P value < 0.0001. Serum ferritin and D-dimer levels were significantly correlated with degree of HRCT chest severity with P value < 0.0001. The cut-off value of D-dimer for mortality was 700 ng/ml (sensitivity 83.33%, specificity 59.38%), and that for serum ferritin was 300 ng/ml (sensitivity 88.89%, specificity 58.33%), cut-off value of D-dimer for ICU admission was 863 ng/ml and that for serum ferritin was 300 ng/ml, cut-off value of D-dimer for mechanical ventilation was 700 ng/ml, and that for serum ferritin was 600 ng/ml.

Conclusion
D-dimer and serum ferritin are important biomarkers in predicting the mortality, ICU admission and need for mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 subjects. Thus helps in early detection of risk of progression and improving outcome. The current study also provides probable cut-off values for both biomarkers above which mortality, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation need can be expected.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT0567281. Retrospectively registered. 4th January 2023.
https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000CT6C&selectaction=Edit&uid=U00056R5&ts=2&cx=-tlu9xu.
Co-development of a clinical rehabilitation model with an evidence-based approach for torture survivors
Authors: Haoussou Kolbassia , Robjant Katy 
Published: August 2023

Summary
Torture is designed to silence, render powerless, oppress and terrify not just the individual torture survivor but the whole society where the act of torture occurs. The aftermath of torture can include trauma spectrum disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder as well as other mental health problems, in addition to chronic pain and disability. Rehabilitation for torture survivors therefore needs to include empowerment at its heart. This is important to overturn the impact of torture on the survivor's sense of powerlessness and to address the silencing that begins with torture and is maintained by the psychological sequelae of surviving it. The organisation Freedom from Torture, together with survivors of torture, co-designed a new evidence-based clinical rehabilitation model by surveying service users and by carrying out a narrative review of the research literature and best practice guidelines. The resulting model incorporates co-delivery of therapeutic services by survivors.