bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Ghana Heart Initiative - Design and Rationale of a Pragmatic Mixed-Methods Study from Diverse Perspectives: A Study Protocol
Authors: Singh Kavita , Otchi Elom , Shah-Rohlfs Rupal , Udofia Emilia , Louis Valérie R. , Adomako Isaac , Hagan-Seneadza Nana Ayegua , Herzhauser Nikias , Owusu Afua Boatemaa , Tetteh John , DeGraft-Amoah Daniel , Kallson Eugene , Winkler Volker Franz , Yawson Alfred Edwin , De Allegri Manuela 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background: Rigorous evaluations of health system interventions to strengthen hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) care remain scarce in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to evaluate the reach, effectiveness, adoption / acceptability, implementation fidelity, cost, and sustainability of the Ghana Heart Initiative (GHI), a multicomponent supply-side intervention to improve cardiovascular health in Ghana.
Methods: This study adopts a mixed- and multi-methods design comparing the effects of the GHI in 42 intervention health facilities (i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary) in the Greater Accra Region versus 56 control health facilities in the Central and Western Regions. The evaluation design is guided by the RE-AIM framework underpinned by the WHO health systems building blocks framework, integrated by the Institute of Medicine’s six dimensions of health care quality: safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, equitable. The assessment tools include: (i) a health facility survey, (ii) a healthcare provider survey assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices on hypertension and CVD management, (iii) a patient exit survey, (iv) an outpatient and in-patient medical record review and (v) qualitative interviews with patients and various health system stakeholders to understand the barriers and facilitators around the implementation of the GHI. In addition to primary data collection, the study also relies on secondary routine health system data, i.e., the District Health Information Management System to conduct an interrupted time series analysis using monthly counts for relevant hypertension and CVD specific indicators as outcomes. The primary outcome measures are performance of health service delivery indicators, input, process and outcome of care indicators (including screening of hypertension, newly diagnosed hypertension, prescription of guideline directed medical therapy, and satisfaction with service received and acceptability) between the intervention and control facilities. Lastly, an economic evaluation and budget impact analysis is planned to inform the nationwide scale-up of the GHI.
Discussion: This study will generate policy-relevant data on the reach, effectiveness, implementation fidelity, adoption / acceptability, and sustainability of the GHI, and provide insights on the costs and budget-impacts to inform nation-wide scale-up to expand the GHI to other regions across Ghana and offer lessons to other low- and middle-income countries settings as well.
RIDIE Registration Number: RIDIE-STUDY-ID-6375e5614fd49 (https://ridie.3ieimpact.org/index.php).
Preterm birth, low birth weight, and medical comorbidities are risk factors for severe laryngomalacia in children
Authors: Chen Lu , Su Shuping , Ding Ling , Xiao Ling 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and the risk factors associated with severe laryngomalacia in children.Methods In this study, the clinical data of children (0–18 years), including gender, age at presentation, preterm delivery, low birth weight, delivery mode, feeding mode, fetal delivery, medical comorbidities, maternal gestational age at presentation, and calcium supplementation during pregnancy, diagnosed with laryngomalacia between January 2013 and January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The children were divided into mild-moderate and severe groups. Several risk factors were compared and analyzed between the two groups. The statistically significant risk factors were included in the logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 224 children with severe laryngomalacia were enrolled in this study. The ratio of male to female patients was 1.55: 1. All patients had severe laryngomalacia manifested by inspiratory laryngeal stridor. The average age of patients at symptom presentation was 2.7 (1.5–5.2) months. There were significant differences between the two groups in the age at presentation, premature delivery, low birth weight, medical comorbidities, and calcium supplementation during pregnancy (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that premature delivery (OR = 3.177, 95% CI:2.329–4.334), low birth weight (OR = 3.188, 95%CI:2.325–4.370), and medical comorbidities (OR = 1.434, 95% CI:1.076–1.909) were independent risk factors for severe laryngomalacia (P < 0.05).Conclusion Children with severe laryngomalacia exhibited persistent stridor at an earlier age at presentation. Premature delivery, low birth weight, and medical comorbidities were potential risk factors for severe laryngomalacia in children.
Chemical Features and Machine Learning Assisted Predictions of Protein-Ligand Short Hydrogen Bonds
Authors: Zhou Shengmin , Liu Yuanhao , Wang Sijian , Wang Lu 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
There are continuous efforts to elucidate the structure and biological functions of short hydrogen bonds (SHBs), whose donor and acceptor heteroatoms reside more than 0.3 A closer than the sum of their van der Waals radii. In this work, we evaluate 1070 atomic-resolution protein structures and characterize the common chemical features of SHBs formed between the side chains of amino acids and small molecule ligands. We then develop a machine learning assisted prediction of protein-ligand SHBs (MAPSHB-Ligand) model and reveal that the types of amino acids and ligand functional groups as well as the sequence of neighboring residues are essential factors that determine the class of protein-ligand hydrogen bonds. The MAPSHB-Ligand model and its implementation on our web server enable the effective identification of protein-ligand SHBs in proteins, which will facilitate the design of biomolecules and ligands that exploit these close contacts for enhanced functions.
A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Coaxial Percutaneous Iodine-125 Seed Implantation in Combination with Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Yao HongXiang , ZhuGe Ying , Jin ShiXiang , Chen ShuiBin , Zhang Dong , ZhangHeng YiTing , Chen Zhigang 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of coaxial percutaneous Iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation in combination with arterial infusion chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer through a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

101 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were randomized into two groups: a control group treated with systemic intravenous chemotherapy, and an experimental group of 125I seed implantation in combination with arterial infusion chemotherapy. Outcomes including tumor control, abdominal pain relief, and survival time were compared in these two groups.Result

Pretreatment abdominal pain scores were comparable in both groups, whereas the abdominal pain scores at 1 and 3 months post-treatment were significantly lower in the control group than in the experimental group (1 month 3.74±1.54 vs 4.48±1.46,p=0.015; 3 months: 3.64 ±2.21 vs 5.40±1.56, p<0.001). At 3 months post-treatment, computed tomography scans (CT) revealed a significantly higher objective remission rate in the experimental group than in the control group (82% vs. 38%,p<0.001). The median survival interval in the experimental group was significantly longer than that in the control group (15 months vs 9 months, p<0.001).

Conclusion

The combination of coaxial percutaneous 125I seed implantation and arterial infusion chemotherapy can satisfactorily alleviate abdominal pain, improve tumor control rates, and prolong survival as compared to control treatment in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Future studies should include a larger sample size to confirm these findings.
Globally enhanced calcification across the coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa complex during the Mid-Brunhes interval
Authors: González-Lanchas Alba , Rickaby Rosalind E.M. , Sierro Francisco J. , Rigual-Hernández Andrés S. , Alonso-García Montserrat , Flores José-Abel 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Evolutionary or adaptative changes in Noelaerhabdaceae coccolithophores occurred in parallel with major changes in carbonate export and burial during scenarios of low orbital eccentricity, with a ~ 400 kyr recurrence, during the Pleistocene. Coeval with these conditions of enhanced proliferation, here we report a globally enhanced calcification intensity of specimens across multiple species or morphotypes within the Gephyrocapsa complex during the Mid-Brunhes (MB) interval, 400 ka. Seawater alkalinity is proposed as the environmental trigger for the increased production of both the inorganic and organic carbon, possibly implemented by a coupled increase in nutrient delivery. The strong biological pump triggered by the enhanced proliferation of highly calcified Gephyrocapsa, together with respiration dissolution, would have contributed to the associated deep sea dissolution event at the ~ 400 kyr scale, limiting the removal of alkalinity by burial, and maintaining constant levels at this scale. This new perspective highlights, first, the role of orbital forcing in phytoplankton evolution or adaptation through changes in the seawater carbon chemistry. Second, the capacity of the Noelaerhabdaceae acmes to modify the typical behavior of carbonate compensation in the ocean. Our findings suggests that changes in coccolith calcification intensity may indicate changes in past ocean carbonate chemistry and the operation of the global carbon cycle under contrasting background conditions during the Cenozoic.
The role of Aeromonas genotyping in virulence for Dicentrarchus labrax
Authors: Aboyadak Ibrahim Mohamed , Soliman Magdy Khalil , Nageeb Hadeer Mohamed , Ali Nadia Gabr 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Aeromonas septicemia still represents a serious challenge facing the global aquaculture sector. In the present study, Aeromonas caviae and Aeromonas veronii were isolated from four diseased European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) farms with a high mortality rate. Diseased fish showed haemorrhages on the external body surface with exophthalmia, cataract, scale desquamation, skin ulcers and fin erosions. The most common post-mortem findings were congested internal organs, particularly the liver and posterior kidney. Twenty-eight A. Veronii and 11 A. caviae isolates were identified biochemically by the Vitek 2 system and then confirmed by PCR and phylogenetic analysis. Hemolysin (hlyA) and aerolysin (aer) were the most abundant virulence genes in the recovered isolates followed by cytotoxic enterotoxin (act) and heat-stable enterotoxin (ast). A. caviae was more virulent than A. veronii for D. labrax fingerlings as LD50 ranging between (> 1 × 108 - 6.2 × 107) for A. veronii and (2.9 × 107 - 8.3 × 107) for A. caviae. Norfloxacin, doxycycline, and oxytetracycline are the most effective antibacterial drugs against the tested isolates. Serum cortisol significantly increased in the infected groups, while catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities significantly decreased at 2-day post-infection (DPI) and then increased at 6 DPI. Plasma cortisol level was affected by the virulence genes profile of challenging isolates meanwhile, liver catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were not.
Amplifying the heat shock response ameliorates ALS and FTD pathology in mouse and human models.
Authors: Ahmed Mhoriam , Spicer Charlotte , Harley Jasmine , Taylor J Paul , Hanna Michael , Patani Rickie , Greensmith Linda 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are now known as parts of a disease spectrum with common pathological features and genetic causes. However, as both conditions are clinically heterogeneous, patient groups may be phenotypically similar but pathogenically and genetically variable. Despite numerous clinical trials, there remains no effective therapy for these conditions, which in part, may be due to challenges of therapy development in a heterogeneous patient population. Disruption to protein homeostasis is a key feature of different forms of ALS and FTD. Targeting the endogenous protein chaperone system, the heat shock response (HSR), may therefore be a potential therapeutic approach. We conducted a pre-clinical study of a known pharmacological amplifier of the HSR called arimoclomol, in mice with a mutation in valosin containing protein (VCP) which causes both ALS and FTD in patients. We demonstrate that amplification of the HSR ameliorates the ALS/FTD-like phenotype in the spinal cord and brain of mutant VCP mice and prevents neuronal loss, replicating our earlier findings in the SOD1 mouse model of ALS. Moreover, in human cell models, we demonstrate improvements in pathology upon arimoclomol treatment in mutant VCP patient fibroblasts and iPSC-derived motor neurons. Our findings suggest that targeting of the heat shock response may have therapeutic potential, not only in non-SOD1 ALS, but also for the treatment of FTD. Arimoclomol has recently been tested in a Phase 3 clinical trial for ALS for which we await post hoc analysis of the effects of this drug on patient sub-populations.
Comparative analysis on the multi-agent co-payment financing mechanism of four doses of children's PCV13 in Weifang city, China
Authors: Wang Chunping , Sun Wenxue , Qiao Xiaowei , Wang Yuanyuan , Wang Yi , Wang Yujue , Deng Kai , Xu Ruoyu , Feng Luzhao , Wang Zongshuai , Zhang Ting , Yang Weizhong 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background Pneumococcal diseases cause severe burden in Chinese children, and vaccination is the most cost-effective intervention. However, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is not included in the national immunization program in China, which is paid out-of-pocketand expensive, leading to low vaccination coverage. Weifang City in Shandong Province has implemented a new vaccination strategy that provides free vaccination of any one dose of domestic PCV13 for registered children aged 6 months-2 years, providing an opportunity to develop a reasonable financing mechanism and improve the vaccination rate.
Methods We collected data on the population of children and PCV13 vaccination rates in each vaccination clinic of Weifang in 2021 using the immunization planning system. Information on the sharing ratio of each funding channel and the procurement price of PCV13 was determined through government documents, questionnaires on parents' willingness and ability to pay, and expert interviews. The study calculated financing costs under different scenarios and the cost borne by each financing channel.
ResultsThree financing strategies are proposed for the four doses of PCV13: "individual - commercial insurance - central and local finance co-payment ", "commercial insurance - central and local finance co-payment " and "commercial insurance and local finance co-payment". We calculated and compared the share amount of the total financing cost in each financing channel for each strategy. The Weifang government could bear the local financial expenses under strategies I and II when the domestic PCV13 purchase price is CNY652. To improve the vaccine coverage, out-of-pocket payments should be included in the financing channel, and the purchase price could be reduced. Individuals will not need to pay out-of-pocket when the purchase price is CNY465.4.
Conclusions The cost of four doses of PCV13 inoculation for children in Weifang is high. We suggest focusing on individual, medical insurance, and commercial insurance aspects to optimize the multi-agent co-payment financing mechanism. Centralizing the purchasing process can reduce the purchase price of PCV13, aiming to increase vaccination coverage. Our findings provide insights for policymakers seeking to improve PCV coverage while reducing the cost of vaccination.
General gel-sol method to synthesize various highly fluorescent nanoclusters and assay of nuclease with the near infrared-emitting gold nanoclusters
Authors: Xia Xiaodong , Luo Zidan 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
A general egg white gel-sol strategy for fabrication of highly fluorescent Au, Ag, Cu and Pt nanoclusters (NCs) and the first example of using Au NCs for assay of nuclease activity and inhibition were described. The Au NCs enabled bright red fluorescence, and the other Ag, Cu and Pt NCs have highly blue emission. The red-emitting Au NCs were further applied in assay of S1 nuclease activity and inhibition. Free hemin efficiently quenches the emission of Au NCs by photoinduced electron transfer due to formation of Au NCs-hemin conjugates. However, G-quadruplex/hemin exerts negligible effect on its fluorescence due to no Au NCs-hemin conjugate formed. There are stronger electrostatic repulsion effects between both negatively charged G-quadruplex and Au NCs. Therefore, a novel G-quadruplex/hemin-based Au NCs fluorescent sensor for S1 nuclease was designed. A known G-rich oligonucleotide (ODN) serves as not only substrate for S1 nuclease but also for the construction of G-quadruplex/hemin. The G-rich ODN is hydrolyzed into fragments by S1 nuclease resulting in no G-quadruplex/hemin formation. Therefore, the free hemin quenches Au NCs fluorescence remarkably and the assay of S1 nuclease activity and inhibition has accomplished. Both the fluorescent NCs syntheses and the detection of S1 nuclease are facile and efficient.
Hindcasting of Compound Pluvial, Fluvial, and Coastal Flooding during Hurricane Harvey (2017) using Delft3D-FM
Authors: Lee Wonhyun , Sun Alexander Y. , Scanlon Bridget R. , Dawson Clint 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Hurricane Harvey (2017) resulted in unprecedented damage from storm surge, and rainfall (pluvial) and riverine (fluvial) flooding in the Houston-Galveston area of the U.S. Gulf Coast. The objective of this study was to better quantify the impacts of compound flooding and to assess the relative contributions of storm surge, pluvial and fluvial flooding in a complex coastal environment using Hurricane Harvey as a case study. Although significant work has been done on Hurricane Harvey hindcasting, large-scale coupled modeling incorporating a multitude of land and ocean flood generation mechanisms is still at its early stage. Here we developed a comprehensive numerical modeling framework to simulate flood exents and levels during Hurricane Harvey using the open-source Delft3D Flexible Mesh, and validated results against observed water levels, waves, winds, hydrographs and high water marks. A nested mesh was developed to represent ocean and inland areas, enabling higher resolution for land regions of interest while balancing overall computational load. Results show that pluvial flooding dominated during Harvey, accounting for ~ 60–65% of flooding in the Houston/Galveston areas, attributed to widespread heavy rainfall being the dominant driving force. Widespread rainfall caused extensive pluvial flooding in watersheds and floodplains in West and South Bays ( ≤ ~ 1.5 m), upper Galveston Bay (Trinity River Basin, 2 ~ 3 m), and Harris County ( ≤ ~ 2.5 m). River runoff led the local flooding of ~ 1 to 2 m in the river basins. Significant surge levels were simulated northwest of main Bay (2 ~ 2.5 m) and Galveston Bay (1 ~ 2 m) areas and in several watersheds in West/East of Galveston Bay. Maximum flooding extent developed around August 29, 2017, which compared well to the flood depth data released by FEMA. Additional sensitivity studies suggest that increased compound flooding (e.g., 15% increase in combined pluvial and fluvial flooding) can lead to significantly more increase (0.3 ~ 0.5 m) in flood depths in low-lying regions. Nonlinear effects of compound flooding greater than individual components summed up. Results from this large-scale modeling analysis contribute to understanding of compound flooding risks in coastal urban areas, providing a useful basis for coastal risk management and hazard mitigation amid climate change. Our integrated framework is general and can be readily applied to other coastal compound flooding analyses.
Serum uric acid levels as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes among mothers with pre- eclampsia in Tanzania
Authors: Ulomi Calvin E. , Ngarashe Davis , Ngarina Matilda , Dionis Ikunda , Byamungu Daniel , Ulomi Goodluck J. , Kilonzi Manase 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background Preeclampsia is one of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with significantly high morbidity and mortality to both mother and fetus. Preeclampsia is associated with high Uric acid, yet its utility in predicting the perinatal outcome is still controversial. Therefore, this study was done to determine the utility of serum uric acid levels as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes among pregnant mothers with pre-eclampsia in Tanzania.Methods A Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between April and July 2020 to assess the utility of uric acid as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes in Tanzania. A total of 268 mothers were recruited consecutively soon after delivery. A checklist was used to document the mothers' and neonates' demographic and clinical characteristics, uric acid levels, and adverse neonatal birth outcomes. Analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23. Data were summarized using frequency and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with poor perinatal outcomes. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results Out of 268 mothers, 211 (78.7%) had raised serum uric acid, whereas an overall mean (± SD) serum uric acid level was 0.42 ± 0.09mmol/L. The magnitude of adverse perinatal outcomes was 51 (19%) stillbirth, 184(68.7%) low birth weight, 33 (12.3%) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, 72 (26.9%) low Apgar score, and 190 (70.9%) for preterm delivery. Pre-eclamptic pregnant women with serum uric acid levels < 0.35 mmol/L were more likely to have good perinatal outcomes and the difference was statistically significant, OR (0.39 (0.18–0.80) 0.011)Conclusion Serum uric acid levels can predict perinatal outcomes among pre-eclamptic pregnant women. Further study is recommended to assess the sensitivity and specificity of uric acid levels as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes.
Evaluation of Dynamic Vapour Sorption Isotherms Characteristics of Small Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) using Empirical and Neural Network Models
Authors: Mishra Sushreesmita , Sahu Jatindra K , Sharma Nitya , Kumar Ankur 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Moisture sorption isotherm (MSI) characteristics of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) capsules were determined over water activity (aw) ranging from 10 to 90% at 20, 30, and 40°C using dynamic vapour sorption method. Equilibrium moisture contents (EMC) were correlated by three empirical models and multilayer neural network approach. It was observed that the Caurie model fitted best among empirical models for predicting EMC values. However, artificial neural network (ANN) model having 15 hidden neurons optimized using Lavenberg-Marquardth training algorithm was superior to the empirical models with the highest coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.995 and 0.993 for adsorption and desorption respectively. Monolayer moisture content (Mm) determined by the Caurie model was found to be 2.167, 1.901, AND 1.828% dry basis (db) for adsorption, and 3.133, 3.061, and 2.744% (db) for desorption at 20, 30 and 40°C, respectively. Net isosteric heat of sorption (qst), sorption entropy and Gibb’s free energy (∆G) change were found to be inversely related to the EMC values. Glass transition temperature (Tg) was found to be 98.91°C. The critical moisture content (CMC) and critical water activity of cardamom from Tg-aw-EMC relationship was observed to be 1.989% (db) and 0.766, respectively at 30°C.