bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of methods to engage diverse stakeholder populations in prioritizing PrEP implementation strategies for testing in resource-limited settings: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hicks Sarah , Abuna Felix , Odhiambo Ben , Dettinger Julia C. , Ngumbau Nancy , Gómez Laurén , Sila Joseph , Oketch George , Sifuna Enock , Weiner Bryan J. , John-Stewart Grace C. , Kinuthia John , Wagner Anjuli D. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
There is a lack of consensus about how to prioritize potential implementation strategies for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery. We compared several prioritization methods for their agreement and pragmatism in practice in a resource-limited setting.

Methods
We engaged diverse stakeholders with clinical PrEP delivery and PrEP decision-making experience across 55 facilities in Kenya to prioritize 16 PrEP delivery strategies. We compared four strategy prioritization methods: (1) “past experience surveys” with experienced practitioners reflecting on implementation experience (N = 182); (2 and 3) “pre- and post-small-group ranking” surveys before and after group discussion (N = 44 and 40); (4) “go-zone” quadrant plots of perceived effectiveness vs feasibility. Kendall’s correlation analysis was used to compare strategy prioritization using the four methods. Additionally, participants were requested to group strategies into three bundles with up to four strategies/bundle by phone and online survey.

Results
The strategy ranking correlation was strongest between the pre- and post-small-group rankings (Tau: 0.648; p < 0.001). There was moderate correlation between go-zone plots and post-small-group rankings (Tau: 0.363; p = 0.079) and between past-experience surveys and post-small-group rankings (Tau: 0.385; p = 0.062). For strategy bundling, participants primarily chose bundles of strategies in the order in which they were listed, reflecting option ordering bias. Neither the phone nor online approach was effective in selecting strategy bundles. Participants agreed that the strategy ranking activities conducted during the workshop were useful in prioritizing a final set of strategies.

Conclusions
Both experienced and inexperienced stakeholder participants’ strategy rankings tended to prioritize strategies perceived as feasible. Small group discussions focused on feasibility and effectiveness revealed moderately different priorities than individual rankings. The strategy bundling approach, though less time- and resource-intensive, was not effective. Future research should further compare the relative effectiveness and pragmatism of methodologies to prioritize implementation strategies.
Experimental prosopis management practices and grassland restoration in three Eastern African countries
Authors: Eschen René , Bekele Ketema , Jumanne Yohana , Kibet Staline , Makale Fernadis , Mbwambo John Richard , Megersa Berhanu , Mijay Mahamood , Moyo Francis , Munishi Linus , Mwihomeke Mickfanaka , Nunda Winnie , Nyangito Moses , Witt Arne , Schaffner Urs 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWoody species have been introduced in many parts of the world to provide economic benefits, but some of those species are now among the worst invaders, causing widespread economic and environmental damage. Management of woody species to restore original ecosystem services, such as biodiverse grassland that can provide fodder and sequester carbon, are needed to limit the impacts of alien species. However, the best management methods, i.e., the most economically efficient and effective way to remove trees and the most effective way to restore or rehabilitate the cleared land, are not developed for many species. In Eastern Africa, prosopis (Prosopis julifora) has invaded large areas of savanna and grassland, thereby affecting, among other things, fodder and water for livestock, access to dry season grazing lands and ultimately pastoral livelihoods. We tested three prosopis treatments (manual uprooting and cut stump and basal bark herbicide application) in combination with three incremental restoration interventions (divots, divots + mulching, divots + mulching + grass seed sowing). The three-year study was replicated in Ethiopia (Afar National Regional State), Kenya (Baringo county) and Tanzania (Moshi district). Prosopis survival and vegetation development, both diversity and biomass, were recorded. The prosopis treatments were all highly effective (between 85 and 100% tree mortality in almost all cases), but the two treatments that involved the complete removal of the aboveground biomass (manual and cut stump) yielded a more productive and more diverse vegetation than the treatment that killed the trees standing (basal bark). Compared to the effect of prosopis removal, the effect of restoration interventions on vegetation composition was small, indicating that most species re-established from the soil seed bank. The results show that it is possible to restore land previously invaded by prosopis. Despite the different rates of vegetation establishment and variation in species composition, the restoration interventions resulted in vegetation that in some cases contained a substantial fraction of perennial grasses. The method chosen to control prosopis depends on the availability of resources, including herbicides, and the need to remove rootstocks if the intention is to plant crops.
Investigating the impact of financial concerns on symptoms of depression in UK healthcare workers: data from the UK-REACH nationwide cohort study
Authors: McBride Martin , Martin Christopher A. , Teece Lucy , Irizar Patricia , Batson Megan , Lagrata Susie , Papineni Padmasayee , Nazareth Joshua , Pan Daniel , Leary Alison , Woolf Katherine , Pareek Manish ,   the UK-REACH Study Collaborative Group
Published: July 2023

Background
Exploration of the association between financial concerns and depression in UK healthcare workers (HCWs) is paramount given the current ‘cost of living crisis’, ongoing strike action and recruitment/retention problems in the National Health Service.

Aims
To assess the impact of financial concerns on the risk of depression in HCWs, how these concerns have changed over time and what factors might predict financial concerns.

Method
We used longitudinal survey data from a UK-wide cohort of HCWs to determine whether financial concerns at baseline (December 2020 to March 2021) were associated with depression (measured with the Public Health Questionnaire-2) at follow-up (June to October 2022). We used logistic regression to examine the association between financial concerns and depression, and ordinal logistic regression to establish predictors of developing financial concerns.

Results
A total of 3521 HCWs were included. Those concerned about their financial situation at baseline had higher odds of developing depressive symptoms at follow-up. Financial concerns increased in 43.8% of HCWs and decreased in 9%. Those in nursing, midwifery and other nursing roles had over twice the odds of developing financial concerns compared with those in medical roles.

Conclusions
Financial concerns are increasing in prevalence and predict the later development of depressive symptoms in UK HCWs. Those in nursing, midwifery and other allied nursing roles may have been disproportionately affected. Our results are concerning given the potential effects on sickness absence and staff retention. Policy makers should act to alleviate financial concerns to reduce the impact this may have on a discontent workforce plagued by understaffing.
Quality of Life in Children and Young People With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia—UK Nationwide Multicenter Assessment
Authors: Lawrence Neil Richard , Bacila Irina , Dawson Jeremy , Mahdi Sundus , Alvi Sabah , Cheetham Timothy D , Crowne Elizabeth , Das Urmi , Dattani Mehul Tulsidas , Davies Justin H , Gevers Evelien , Krone Ruth E , Patel Leena , Randell Tabitha , Ryan Fiona J , Keevil Brian , Ahmed S Faisal , Krone Nils P 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Context
Quality of life (QoL) has been inconsistently reported in children and young people (CYP) with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Objective
Assess QoL in CYP with CAH in the UK alongside biometric and androgen profiles.

Design
To define the evidence base for health care delivery, we conducted a cross-sectional study in CYP with CAH in the UK. Questionnaire results were compared with normative data and between groups, and modelled for association with sex, height, weight, body mass index, or steroid biomarkers of CAH control.

Setting
Tertiary care in 14 UK centers.

Patients
Results from 104 patients, 55% female, mean age 12.7 years (SD 3.0), paired responses from parents.

Interventions
Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) and pediatric QoL questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measure
Total QoL scores as assessed by SDQ and a pediatric QoL questionnaire in comparison to normative data.

Results
Total scores were worse in parents than normative data, but similar in patients. Patient QoL was rated better in social functioning but worse in emotional, school, and peer domains by patients, and worse in total scores and domains of peer problems, and psychosocial, emotional, and school functioning by parents. Parents consistently scored QoL of their children lower than their child. Larger height-SD score and lower weight-SD score were associated with better QoL. Girls with lower steroid biomarkers had worse SDQ scores.

Conclusions
In CYP with CAH, reduced height, increased weight, and hormonal biomarkers consistent with overtreatment were associated with worse QoL; addressing these problems should be prioritized in clinical management.
Clinical Trials Registration Number: SCH/15/088
Leptin, but not Estradiol, Signaling in PACAP Neurons Modulates Puberty Onset
Authors: Evans Maggie C , Wallace Elliot G , Ancel Caroline M , Anderson Greg M 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The adipose-derived hormone leptin critically modulates reproductive function, such that its absence results in hypothalamic hypogonadism. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-expressing neurons are potential mediators of leptin's action on the neuroendocrine reproductive axis because they are leptin-sensitive and involved in both feeding behavior and reproductive function. In the complete absence of PACAP, male and female mice exhibit metabolic and reproductive abnormalities, yet there is some sexual dimorphism in the reproductive impairments. We tested whether PACAP neurons play a critical and/or sufficient role in mediating leptin's effects on reproductive function by generating PACAP-specific leptin receptor (LepR) knockout and rescue mice, respectively. We also generated PACAP-specific estrogen receptor alpha knockout mice to determine whether estradiol-dependent regulation of PACAP was critically involved in the control of reproductive function and whether it contributed to the sexually dimorphic effects of PACAP. We showed that LepR signaling in PACAP neurons is critically involved in the timing of female, but not male, puberty onset, but not fertility. Rescuing LepR-PACAP signaling in otherwise LepR-deficient mice was unable to rescue the reproductive deficits observed in LepR null mice but led to a marginal improvement in body weight and adiposity in females. Finally, PACAP-specific estrogen receptor alpha knockout did not lead to any changes in body weight or puberty onset compared with control mice. These data highlight that PACAP is a critical mediator of some of leptin's, but not estradiol's, influence on puberty onset in females, but is not critically involved in relaying leptin's effects in males or in adult females.
Primary Sellar Neuroblastoma Masquerading as a Pituitary Macroadenoma
Authors: Seshan Nandini , Hanft Simon , Goswami Gayotri , Syal Arjun 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Olfactory neuroblastomas, or esthesioneuroblastomas, are rare and aggressive malignant tumors that typically arise from the olfactory neuroepithelium in the upper nasal cavity. In rare instances, they can be ectopic originating from areas outside the upper nasal cavity such as the sellar region. These tumors, also known as primary sellar neuroblastomas, may be mistaken for pituitary macroadenomas. We present a rare case of a primary sellar neuroblastoma in a 30-year-old woman with a prior diagnosis of presumed prolactinoma, status post transsphenoidal resection, with residual visual deficits, who presented with worsening vision and headaches. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging showed a large sellar mass causing compression of the optic chiasm, and invasion of the right cavernous sinus and bilateral cavernous internal carotid arteries. The patient underwent a second transsphenoidal resection. Postoperatively, she developed central adrenal insufficiency, central hypothyroidism, central hypogonadism, and transient syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Owing to rapid tumor regrowth, she underwent a craniotomy with plans for radiation treatment. This condition is challenging to diagnose and has poorly defined clinical management guidelines. An early, aggressive approach with surgical intervention is recommended.
Comparison of clinical efficacy and safety between interventional embolization and craniotomy clipping for anterior circulation aneurysms
Authors: Lei Bo , You Guoliang , Wan Xiaoqiang , Wu Honggang , Zheng Niandong 
Published: July 2023

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of interventional embolization in the treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms.
Methods: Eighty patients with anterior circulation aneurysms admitted to People’s Hospital of Leshan from June 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different surgical methods, they were divided into two groups: the observation group and the control group. Patients in the observation group were given interventional embolization, while those in the control group were given craniotomy clipping. The surgical efficacy, postoperative neurological function and quality of life, surgical prognosis and surgical complications of the two groups were compared.
Results: The intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization time in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). The scores of the Hunt-Hess and modified Rankin scale in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group three months after surgery (p<0.05). The good prognosis rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, the complication rate of the observation group was 12.50%, which was significantly lower than 32.50% in the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Interventional embolization shows the advantages of minimally invasive procedures such as shorter operative times and shorter hospital stays. It has better clinical safety because it can significantly improve the neurological function and quality of life of patients, improve the prognosis of patients, and reduce the incidence of complications.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.5.7092
How to cite this: Lei B, You G, Wan X, Wu H, Zheng N. Comparison of clinical efficacy and safety between interventional embolization and craniotomy clipping for anterior circulation aneurysms. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.5.7092
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Association of plasma folic acid, vitamin-B12 and homocysteine with recurrent pregnancy loss. “A case control study”
Authors: Afaq Erum , Ali Anwar , Jamil Rabia , Waseem Hira Fatima 
Published: July 2023

Objective: To investigate the relationship of serum homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin-B12 levels with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).
Methods: A case-control study was conducted in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi from July 2021 to June 2022. Total 124 participants were recruited from gynecology outpatient department after taking informed consent. The participants included 62 females with two or more consecutive unexplained RPLs and 62 healthy women having at least two successful deliveries without any pregnancy loss. Serum folic acid and vitamin-B12 levels were measured by chemiluminescent method and serum homocysteine was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Comparison of quantitative variables with RPL cases and control was done by Mann-Whitney U-test (for non-normally distributed data) and independent sample t-test (for normally distributed data), while Pearson’s chi-square test was used for the association of qualitative variables with RPL cases and control. Correlation of homocysteine with vitamin-B12 and folic acid was assessed in RPL cases.
Results: The median age of the study population was 27 (IQR 25-32) years. The median body mass index (BMI) was 26.25 (IQR 22-29) kg/m2. Cases had significantly lower serum folic acid (p-value=0.022), while vitamin-B12 was decreased in cases as compared to controls (p-value=0.295). Mean concentration of serum homocysteine was higher in RPL cases as compared to controls (p-value=0.094). There was significant association of serum vitamin B12 (p-value=0.001) and folic acid levels (p-value=0.004) with RPL. The homocysteine was not significantly correlated with vitamin-B12 (r=0.124, p=0.338) and folic acid (r=0.067, p=0.606) in the RPL group.
Conclusion: Reduced level of serum folic acid and vitamin B12 was significantly associated with RPL cases, while homocysteine was marginally raised however the difference was not significant. Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation before next pregnancy in RPL patients is likely to be beneficial in improving pregnancy outcomes.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.5.7432
How to cite this: Afaq E, Ali A, Jamil R, Waseem HF. Association of plasma folic acid, vitamin-B12 and homocysteine with recurrent pregnancy loss. “A case control study”. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.5.7432
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Sovereignty as an environmental practice: the problem of territoriality and anthropocentrism
Authors: Walewicz Piotr 
Published: July 2023

The article is a theoretical study of state sovereignty. By looking at the concept in a different way from traditional methods, it tries to discern whether sovereignty is necessarily antithetical to a sustainable world. Emphasis is put on its territoriality and anthropocentrism – both of which make it into a major obstacle when tackling global and transnational environmental problems. State sovereignty is analyzed as an environmental practice of the state, which allows for the control of resources to be used by capital. The analysis is conducted using theoretical and conceptual critique as the main method. It is based on various sources ranging from critical geopolitics and critical geography to political science and political ecology, including the concept of Capitalocene. As long as sovereignty remains utilized by the state in service to capital, it will be used to cement its ability to control space and extract resources. However, a different kind of sovereignty is imaginable and therefore the institution itself is neither friend nor enemy to environmental politics. This new understanding of sovereignty opens up new avenues for theoretical research in political ecology and International Relations, bridging the gap between traditional state-centric approaches and the transboundary nature of ecological problems.
A PROTOTYPE DESIGN OF A DEDICATED SMART HOME ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Authors: Al-Naima Fawzi M , Kareem Hassanain H 
Published: July 2023

<em>With the continuous rise of electrical energy costs for heating, cooling, and ventilation and the increasing number of energy-consuming home appliances, designing a cost-effective efficient residential electric energy management system has become crucial. This paper presents a prototype simulated design of a Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS), dedicated to the management of residential electrical energy according to the user-preassigned comfort requirements and cost criteria. All planted sensors and home appliances are controlled by one master microcontroller. The Proteus Software ISIS was used for all simulation results. The proposed application collects information from sensors to control the required home appliances by switching them ON or OFF based on a specified design algorithm. The sensors' assigned values and home appliance status are stored in a main database. The proposed design also allows home appliances to be monitored and controlled remotely via the Internet. Simulated results are given for a two-room residential home</em>.
BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATION – SMEs ASPECT
Authors: Cekerevac Zoran P , Cekerevac Petar Z 
Published: July 2023

<em>This review article is designed for SME owners and directors to understand better what blockchains are and how they work and to support them to start an entirely new blockchain or fork an existing one and create a new token. The article presents technology bases and how blockchains can serve SMEs and foreseeable challenges that could jeopardize the achieved results. Particular attention the authors paid to blockchain applications, transaction cost reduction, and sensitive business information security. <em>Even more attention the authors gave to the challenges</em> connected with digital infrastructures and business practices, investments, lack of interoperability, lack of skills, and legal aspects. <em>Chapter four discusses the creation of blockchains for SMEs </em>from the aspects of choosing a type of blockchain, choosing of consensus mechanism, a platform selection, nodes design, operating systems, instances design, application programming interfaces, and user interfaces, and the blockchain finalizing. In chapter five, Conclusions, the authors draw conclusions based on the work presented in the article.</em>