bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transfer function analysis assesses resting cerebral perfusion metrics using hypoxia-induced deoxyhemoglobin as a contrast agent
Authors: Sayin Ece Su , Sobczyk Olivia , Poublanc Julien , Mikulis David J. , Fisher Joseph A. , Duffin James 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Use of contrast in determining hemodynamic measures requires the deconvolution of an arterial input function (AIF) selected over a voxel in the middle cerebral artery to calculate voxel wise perfusion metrics. Transfer function analysis (TFA) offers an alternative analytic approach that does not require identifying an AIF. We hypothesised that TFA metrics Gain, Lag, and their ratio, Gain/Lag, correspond to conventional AIF resting perfusion metrics relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), mean transit time (MTT) and relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), respectively.Methods: 24 healthy participants (17 M) and 1 patient with steno-occlusive disease were recruited. We used non-invasive transient hypoxia-induced deoxyhemoglobin as an MRI contrast. TFA and conventional AIF analyses were used to calculate averages of whole brain and smaller regions of interest.Results: Maps of these average metrics had colour scales adjusted to enhance contrast and identify areas of high congruence. Regional gray matter/white matter (GM/WM) ratios for MTT and Lag, rCBF and Gain/Lag, and rCBV and Gain were compared. The GM/WM ratios were greater for TFA metrics compared to those from AIF analysis indicating an improved regional discrimination.Discussion: Resting perfusion measures generated by The BOLD analysis resulting from a transient hypoxia induced variations in deoxyhemoglobin analyzed by TFA are congruent with those analyzed by conventional AIF analysis.
Characteristics of tobacco use among secondary school students: a cross-sectional study in a school in Valencia, Spain
Authors: Ribera-Osca Joan Antoni , Carrion-Valero Francisco , Martin-Gorgojo Victor , Rando-Matos Yolanda , Martin-Cantera Carlos , Martin-Moreno Jose M. 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionCigarette smoking is a significant public health problem, and it is essential to work actively with young people to limit the incorporation of this addiction. This study aimed to identify characteristics associated with tobacco use in adolescents in a real setting.MethodsEpidemiologic, cross-sectional study including secondary school students aged 12–17 years in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades of “Joan Fuster High School” in the city of Sueca, Valencia (Spain). An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, cigarette smoking history, alcohol consumption, nicotine dependence, and exposure to parental cigarette smoking.ResultsThe final sample of individuals surveyed included 306 students (50.6% females) with a median age of 13 years. The prevalence of cigarette smoking was 11.8% (13.5% in females and 9.9% in males). The mean age of cigarette smoking onset was 12.7 ± 1.6 years. Ninety-three students (30.4%) were repeaters, and 114 (37.3%) reported alcohol consumption. Significant factors associated with tobacco use were being a repeater (odds ratio [OR] 4.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.75–10.55, p = 0.002), alcohol consumption (OR 4.06, 95% CI 1.75–10.15, p = 0.002) and parental cigarette smoking (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.52–10.74, p = 0.007).DiscussionAn operational profile of features associated with tobacco consumption was identified in the presence of parental cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor academic performance. Consideration of these factors could be useful in the operational design of cigarette smoking cessation interventions for young people in a context where there is a great need for better prevention and control of cigarette smoking.
Associations of polysocial risk score with incident rosacea: a prospective cohort study of government employees in China
Authors: Chen Peng , Yang Ziye , Fan Zhihua , Wang Ben , Tang Yan , Xiao Yi , Chen Xiang , Luo Dan , Xiao Shuiyuan , Li Ji , Shen Minxue 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundThe associations between single risk factors and incident rosacea have been reported, but the effects of social risk factors from multiple domains coupled remain less studied.ObjectivesTo quantify the influence of social determinants on rosacea comprehensively and investigate associations between the polysocial risk score (PsRS) with the risks of incident rosacea.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of government employees undertaken from January 2018 to December 2021 among participants aged &gt;20 from five cities in Hunan province of China. At baseline, information was collected by a questionnaire and participants were involved in an examination of the skin. Dermatologists with certification confirmed the diagnosis of rosacea. The skin health status of participants was reassessed every year since the enrolment of study during the follow-up period. The PsRS was determined using the nine social determinants of health from three social risk domains (namely socioeconomic status, psychosocial factors, and living environment). Incident rosacea was estimated using binary logistic regression models adjusted for possible confounding variables.ResultsAmong the 3,773 participants who completed at least two consecutive skin examinations, there were 2,993 participants included in the primary analyses. With 7,457 person-years of total follow-up, we detected 69 incident rosacea cases. After adjustment for major confounders, participants in the group with high social risk had significantly raised risks of incident rosacea with the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) being 2.42 (95% CI 1.06, 5.55), compared to those in low social risk group.ConclusionOur findings suggest that a higher PsRS was associated with an elevated risk of incident rosacea in our study population.
Exploring mental health challenges and coping strategies in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study in Dhaka city, Bangladesh
Authors: Billah Masum , Rutherford Shannon , Akhter Sadika , Tanjeela Mumita 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundMental health challenges have emerged worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. University students experienced changes in their lifestyles, academic life, family relationships, earning capacity, and support systems. This study explores the common mental health challenges in university students and their coping strategies using social support in the first wave of lockdowns in Dhaka city in 2020. By learning from young people’s impacts and coping responses, we can help build an improved strategy for future events of this magnitude.MethodsA qualitative study design was employed to conduct 20 in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions with students from purposively selected three public and three private universities in Dhaka city and five key informant interviews with different stakeholders. We used inductive reflexive thematic analysis and applied six phases of the thematic analysis. Codes retrieved from two differently prepared codebooks were merged and compared to identify themes for a fair interpretation of the underlying data. Data were manually indexed, summarized, and interpreted to categorize codes into sub-themes leading to themes.ResultsFinancial constraints, academic pressure, learning resources shortages, losing confidence, relationship breakup, excessive internet dependency, and traumatic experiences challenged the mental health conditions of the students unevenly across universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expressed mental health well-being impacts ranged from anxiety, stress, and depression to self-harm and suicidal ideation. Family bonding and social networking appeared as robust social support mechanisms to allow students to cope with anxiety, stress, and depression. Partial financial subsidies, soft loans to purchase electronic resources, faculty members’ counseling, and sessional health counseling contributed to minimizing the mental health impacts of COVID-19.ConclusionMental health is still not a resourced area of health and well-being in Bangladesh. Concentration on developing strong social support and improving increased financial subsidies, including learning resources, can be effective in assisting students in coping with the common mental health burdens during pandemic periods. A national intervention plan should be immediately designed and implemented by engaging different stakeholders including healthcare professionals and establishing effective mental healthcare support centers at universities to avoid immediate and prolonged negative mental health impacts.
Temporary changes in STI & HIV testing & diagnoses across different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago IL
Authors: Pyra Maria , Schafer Tommy , Rusie Laura , Houlberg Magda , Thompson Hale M. , Hazra Anu 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionWhile the U.S. has seen a sustained rise in STI cases over the past decade, the impact of the COVID-19 on STIs and HIV is unclear.MethodsTo examine the short- and medium-term impacts of COVID-19 and HIV and STI testing and diagnosis, we compared pre-pandemic trends to three periods of the pandemic: early- pandemic, March-May 2020; mid-pandemic June 2020-May 2021; and late-pandemic, June 2021-May 2022. We compared average number of monthly tests and diagnoses, overall and by gender, as well as the monthly change (slope) in testing and diagnoses.ResultsWe find that after decreases in average monthly STI and HIV testing and diagnoses during the early- and mid-pandemic, cases were largely back to pre-pandemic levels by the late-pandemic, with some variation by gender.ConclusionChanges in testing and diagnoses varied by phase of the pandemic. Some key populations may require additional outreach efforts to attain pre-pandemic testing levels.
Association of clinical outcomes and the predictive value of T lymphocyte subsets within colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Yuan Chaofeng , Huang Jiannan , Li Haitao , Zhai Rongnan , Zhai Jinjing , Fang Xuedong , Wu Yuanyu 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionTumor immunity is a hot topic in tumor research today, and human immunity is closely related to tumor progression. T lymphocyte is an important component of human immune system, and the changes in their subsets may influence the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) to some extent. This clinical study systematically describes and analyzes the association of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte content and CD4+/CD8+ T-lymphocyte ratio with CRC differentiation, clinical pathological stage, Ki67 expression, T-stage, N-stage, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) content, nerve and vascular infiltration, and other clinical features, as well as preoperative and postoperative trends. Furthermore, a predictive model is constructed to evaluate the predictive value of T-lymphocyte subsets for CRC clinical features.MethodsStrict inclusion and exclusion criterion were formulated to screen patients, preoperative and postoperative flow cytometry and postoperative pathology reports from standard laparoscopic surgery were assessed. PASS and SPSS software, R packages were invoked to calculate and analyze.ResultsWe found that a high CD4+ T-lymphocyte content in peripheral blood and a high CD4+/CD8+ ratio were associated with better tumor differentiation, an earlier clinical pathological stage, lower Ki67 expression, shallower tumor infiltration, a smaller number of lymph node metastases, a lower CEA content, and a lower likelihood of nerve or vascular infiltration (P &lt; 0.05). However, a high CD8+ T-lymphocyte content indicated an unpromising clinical profile. After effective surgical treatment, the CD4+ T-lymphocyte content and CD4+/CD8+ ratio increased significantly (P &lt; 0.05), while the CD8+ T-lymphocyte content decreased significantly (P &lt; 0.05). Further, we comprehensively compared the merits of CD4+ T-lymphocyte content, CD8+ T-lymphocyte content, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in predicting the clinical features of CRC. We then combined the CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte content to build models and predict major clinical characteristics. We compared these models with the CD4+/CD8+ ratio to explore their advantages and disadvantages in predicting the clinical features of CRC.DiscussionOur results provide a theoretical basis for the future screening of effective markers in reflecting and predicting the progression of CRC. Changes in T lymphocyte subsets affect the progression of CRC to a certain extent, while their changes also reflect variations in the human immune system.
Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy for radically resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Chen Shao-bin , Liu Di-tian , Chen Yu-ping 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with radically resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).MethodsPatients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy at our hospital from 2010 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Only patients with radically resected ESCC who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy or adjuvant radiotherapy were enrolled in this study. Propensity score matching (1:1) was used to balance the baseline.ResultsA total of 1,249 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study, and 263 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. After matching, 260 pairs were analyzed. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 93.4%, 66.1% and 59.6%, respectively, for patients with adjuvant chemotherapy compared with 83.8%, 58.4% and 48.8%, respectively, for patients with surgery alone (P = 0.003). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 82.3%, 58.8% and 51.3%, respectively, for patients with adjuvant chemotherapy compared with 68.0%, 48.3% and 40.8%, respectively, for patients with surgery alone (P = 0.002). In multivariate analyses, adjuvant chemotherapy was found to be an independent prognostic factor. In subgroup analyses, only the patients in certain subgroups were found to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, such as patients who underwent right thoracotomy, pT3 diseases, pN1-pN3 diseases, or pTNM stage III and IVA diseases.ConclusionsPostoperative adjuvant chemotherapy can improve the OS and DFS of ESCC patients after radical resection but may only work for patients in certain subgroups.
Association Between Physical Activity and Prevalence/Mortality of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Different Socioeconomic Settings
Authors: Chen Weili , Cao Lingling , Wu Zhaoping 
Published: May 2023

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effect of physical activity (PA) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence and long-term survival, particularly in some specific population such as those with different socioeconomic status (SES).Methods: Multivariate regression and interaction analyses were conducted to deal with confounders and interacting factors.Results: Active PA was associated with lower prevalence of NAFLD in both cohorts. Individuals with active-PA had better long-term survival compared to those with inactive-PA in both cohorts, and the results were only statistically significant in NAFLD defined by US fatty liver index (USFLI). We found clear evidence that the beneficial role of PA was more obvious in individuals with better SES, and the statistical significances were presented in both two hepatic steatosis index (HSI)-NAFLD cohorts from the NHANES III and NHANES 1999–2014. Results were consistent in all sensitivity analyses.Conclusion: We demonstrated the importance of PA in decrease the prevalence and mortality of NAFLD, and highlights the need for improving SES simultaneously to increase the protective effect of PA.
Multigene Phylogeny and Pathogenicity Trials Revealed Alternaria alternata as the Causal Agent of Black Spot Disease and Seedling Wilt of Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) in South Africa
Authors: Achilonu Conrad Chibunna , Marais Gert Johannes , Ghosh Soumya , Gryzenhout Marieka 
Published: May 2023

The pecan (Carya illinoinensis) industry in South Africa is growing rapidly, and it is becoming increasingly crucial to understand the risks posed to pecans by fungal pathogens. Black spots on leaves, shoots, and nuts in shucks caused by Alternaria species have been observed since 2014 in the Hartswater region of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Species of Alternaria include some of the most ubiquitous plant pathogens on earth. The aim of this study was to use molecular techniques to identify the causative agents of Alternaria black spot and seedling wilt isolated from major South African pecan-production areas. Symptomatic and non-symptomatic pecan plant organs (leaves, shoots, and nuts-in-shucks) were collected from pecan orchards, representing the six major production regions in South Africa. Thirty Alternaria isolates were retrieved from the sampled tissues using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) culture media and molecular identification was conducted. The phylogeny of multi-locus DNA sequences of Gapdh, Rpb2, Tef1, and Alt a 1 genes revealed that the isolates were all members of Alternaria alternata sensu stricto, forming part of the Alternaria alternata species complex. The virulence of six A. alternata isolates were tested on detached nuts of Wichita and Ukulinga cultivars, respectively, as well as detached leaves of Wichita. The A. alternata isolates were also evaluated for their ability to cause seedling wilt in Wichita. The results differed significantly between wounded and unwounded nuts of both cultivars, but not between the cultivars. Similarly, the disease lesions on the wounded detached leaves were significantly different in size from the unwounded leaves. The seedling tests confirmed that A. alternata is pathogenic and that A. alternata causes black spot disease and seedling wilt of pecans. This study is one of the first documentations of Alternaria black spot disease of pecan trees and its widespread occurrence in South Africa.
Modern Aspects of Keratoconus Treatment. A Review
Authors: Туйчибаева Д.М. , Ким А.А. 
Published: May 2023

Кератоконус – прогрессирующее дегенеративное заболевание роговицы, вызывающее нарушение структуры и организации роговичного коллагенового матрикса и приводящее к истончению и протрузии. До недавнего времени лечение кератоконуса включало в себя зрительную реабилитацию на ранних стадиях и хирургическое лечение на поздних стадиях, при этом ни один из методов лечения не воздействовал на причину развития заболевания. Лечение кератоконуса значительно изменилось за последние 2 десятилетия. Появление новых вмешательств, таких как кросслинкинг роговицы, интрастромальные роговичные сегменты и комбинированные методы лечения, предоставляет специалистам по роговице множество вариантов лечения для зрительной реабилитации пациентов с кератоконусом. В этом обзоре обобщаются текущие данные об этих методах лечения и подчеркивается их место в лечении кератоконуса, в то время как многообещающие новые методы лечения находятся в стадии изучения.
Keratoconus is a progressive degenerative disease of the cornea that disrupts the structure and organization of the corneal collagen matrix, leading to thinning and protrusion. Until recently, the treatment of keratoconus included visual rehabilitation in the early stages and surgical treatment in the later stages, with none of the treatments affecting the cause of the disease. Keratoconus management has significantly changed over the last two decades. The advent of new interventions such as cornea cross-linking, intrastromal corneal ring segments, and combined treatments provide corneal clinicians a variety of treatment options for the visual rehabilitation of keratoconus patients. This review summarizes current evidence for these treatments and highlights their place in keratoconus management while new promising emerging therapies are being investigated.
Rancang bangun prototipe mesin pengaduk konblok berbasis Internet of Things
Authors: Pristisahida Adelia Octora , Muntahadi Achmad 
Published: May 2023

Perkembangan teknologi membuat banyak alat yang mampu bekerja secara otomatis untuk membantu mempercepat proses produksi. Salah satu produk yang memerlukan proses produksi adalah konblok. Saat ini pembuatan konblok masih banyak menggunakan cara manual pada proses produksi, terutama pada proses pengadukan. Hal ini menyebabkan diperlukan waktu pembuatan yang cukup lama dan tidak bisa mendapatkan kualitas yang seragam. Oleh karena itu, dibutuhkan sebuah sistem yang mampu bekerja secara otomatis untuk mengatasi hal tersebut. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah merancang mesin pengaduk adonan konblok otomatis berbasis Internet-ofThings (IoT) menggunakan mikrokontoler Wmos D1mini. Metode penelitian yang dilakukan adalah menggunakan penelitian eksperimen dimana prosesnya dimulai dari pengumpulan data, analisis kebutuhan, perancangan, penyusunan alat, pengujian rancangan alat, dan penyusunan laporan hasil penelitian. Alat pengaduk yang dibuat menggunakan jenis pisau pengaduk (blade paddle) sebanyak 3 buah dan berbentuk siku. Uji coba dilakukan dengan campuran semen, pasir, dan air menggunakan perbandingan tertentu dengan berat maksimal 5 Kg. Dari hasil uji coba dapat ditemukan bahwa dengan bantuan alat pengaduk otomatis ini, proses pengadukan mampu dilakukan lebih cepat dibandingkan dengan pengadukan manual. Proses pengadukan menggunakan alat mampu mempercepat 64% waktu dari pengadukan manual dan hasil dari monitoring alat yang dirancang dapat digunakan untuk pengambilan tindakan lebih lanjut agar kualitas produksinya terjaga.
SEBARAN KEKERINGAN HIDROLOGI BERDASARKAN DEBIT ALIRAN DI KABUPATEN BIMA
Authors: YASA I WAYAN , SETIAWAN AGUSTONO , NEGARA I DEWA GEDE JAYA , SAIDAH HUMAIRO , DIRGANTARA ANNISA HUMAYRA 
Published: May 2023

A phenomenon that often occurs in Indonesia which is also an annual disaster that hit several areas is drought. Drought is a condition in which an area, land, or community experiences a shortage of water so that it cannot meet their needs. Drought can be caused because an area does not experience rain or is dry for a long period of time or the rainfall is below normal, so that the water content in the soil is reduced or even non-existent. The areas to be analyzed are the Hidirasa watershed, the Rontu watershed, and the Jangka watershed in Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. The analysis drought aims to determine the deficit, drought duration, drought criteria based on deficits and surpluses that occur by analogy to Oldeman's criteria, hydrological drought index analysis, and hydrological drought distribution maps. In this study, data were used for the Tawali watershed in the Hidirasa watershed, the Sari watershed for the Jangka and the Kumbe water for the Rontu watershed to determine the Q50 and Q80 thresholds using the method Flow Duration Curve (FDC) to obtain hydrological drought characteristics. In the analysis of hydrological drought in several watersheds in Bima Regency, the results show that the maximum deficit in the Hidirasa, Term and Rontu watersheds was 1.09 m³/s, 0.14 m³/s, 0.49 m³/s which occurred in 2001, 1995, and 2001. From the deficit, it was found that the average drought period occurred 8-9 months from May to December and even some until January which indicated that the drought criteria were in zone 2 according to Oldeman. The largest hydrological drought index is the Hidirasa watershed, the Jangka Watershed and the Rontu watershed, respectively, -0.45, -1.00, -1.00, with a very strong drought category.