bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with halitosis reported by parents/caregivers in individuals with Down syndrome
Authors: Campos Julya Ribeiro , Costa Fernando Oliveira , Borges‐Oliveira Ana Cristina , Cota Luís Otávio Miranda 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAimsData on halitosis among individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are scarce. The aim was to evaluate factors associated with the occurrence of halitosis reported by parents/caregivers (P/Cs) in individuals with DS.Methods and ResultsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in non‐governmental assistance institutions in the State of Minas Gerais—Brazil. P/Cs have answered an electronic questionnaire with sociodemographic, behavioral and oral health data. Factors associated with halitosis were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression. The sample comprised 227 P/Cs (age 48.8 ± 13.2 years; 82.9% mothers) of individuals with DS (age 20.8 ± 13.5 years). The prevalence of halitosis in the total sample was 34.4% (n = 78) and its occurrence was associated: 1) in individuals with DS ≤18 years old (26.2%; n = 27)—negative perception of oral health (OR = 3.91); 2) in individuals with DS > 18 years (41.1%; n = 51)—gingival bleeding (OR = 4.53), absence of tongue brushing (OR = 4.50), negative perception of oral health (OR = 2.72).ConclusionsThe occurrence of halitosis in individuals with DS reported by P/Cs was relevant and associated with dental factors, having a negative impact on the perception of oral health. Oral hygiene practices, especially tongue brushing, should be reinforced to prevent and control halitosis.
The challenge of risk prevention in home healthcare—An interview study with nurses in municipal care
Authors: Lekman Jonatan , Lindén Erik , Ekstedt Mirjam 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundSafety in home healthcare has garnered increased attention as more people are receiving care for complex conditions at home. The prerequisites for providing safe care at home differ from those in hospitals. Malnutrition, falls, pressure ulcers and inappropriate medication commonly follow poor risk assessments, causing unnecessary suffering and costs. Therefore, risk prevention in home healthcare needs to be prioritised and studied more closely.AimTo describe nurses' experiences of performing risk prevention in municipal home healthcare.MethodsQualitative inductive approach, using semi‐structured interviews with 10 registered nurses in a municipality in southern Sweden. Data underwent qualitative content analysis.FindingsThe analysis resulted in three main categories and one overarching theme describing nurses' experiences of risk prevention in home healthcare. Getting everyone onboard comprises the categories: Managing safety while respecting the patient's self‐determination, which covers patient participation, the strategic importance of respecting different views of risks and information and the fact that healthcare workers are guests in the patient's home. Finding ways to make it work touches upon the relational aspect, including next‐of‐kin and promoting a common understanding to prevent risks. Being squeezed between resources and requirements refers to ethical dilemmas, teamwork, leadership and organisational prerequisites.ConclusionPatient habits, living conditions and limited awareness of risks is a challenge in risk prevention in home healthcare, where patient participation plays a pivotal role. Risk prevention in home healthcare needs to be initiated at an early stage of disease and ageing and should be seen as a process where early health‐promoting interventions can prevent the development and accumulation of risks over time. Long‐term cross‐organisational collaborations and patients' physical, mental and psychosocial conditions also need to be taken into account.
Groundwater red beds in Holocene fluvial sediments as a product of iron and manganese redox cycling; Morava River, Czechia
Authors: Bábek Ondřej , Sracek Ondra , Všianský Dalibor , Holá Markéta 
Published: May 2023

ABSTRACTModern fluvial deposits can be affected by early diagenetic element mobilization at redox boundaries between oxygenated and oxygen‐free zones near the groundwater level. The visible product of redox transformation of Fe is the sediment colour. Distinct red and black sediment layers have been studied in eight shallow (<4.2 m depth) sections in the floodplain of Morava River, Czechia. The aim was to investigate the composition, origin, rates of formation and stratigraphic significance of the red strata using bulk‐rock analytical methods, radiocarbon dating, optical and scanning electron microscopy coupled with in situ (energy‐dispersive X‐ray scanning electron microscopy and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) geochemistry. The coloured layers, in places well‐cemented, developed in permeable sands and gravels above the water table, close to the boundary with overlying less permeable floodplain sandy silts. Their colour is due to Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides (goethite, haematite, todorokite and birnessite) coatings of framework grains. Black, Mn‐rich layers occur stratigraphically higher than the red, Fe‐rich ones. The coatings are a few‐hundred microns thick at maximum, often botryoidal, composed of alternating Fe‐rich and Mn‐rich laminae enriched in As, Mo, Sb, P, Cu and U. The coatings formed under suboxic conditions due to Fe and Mn oxyhydroxide cycling, driven partly by microbial activity, at the groundwater‐related redox boundary which resulted in the distinct vertical arrangement of the black and red layers. Being markedly enriched in As bound to Fe‐oxyhydroxides and exposed to fluctuating redox conditions, the coloured strata can potentially release As to groundwater and represent serious environmental hazards. Radiocarbon ages suggest that the groundwater‐type red beds can occur extremely quickly, over a few hundred years. It is assumed that, under suitable circumstances, this reddening can be preserved in the rock record, and represent a specific model for the development of continental red beds.
Inferentialism and social delusion
Authors: Lemanek Kamil 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis work sets out to present how the notion of delusion may be understood (and extended) within the semantic framework of Robert Brandom's inferentialism. The mechanisms of reliability and community‐oriented proprieties, among others, provide inferentialists with effective tools for understanding commitments (and so beliefs) in communities. These tools may be used to describe and assess both commitments that we might consider sound and commitments that we might consider delusional, both in terms of how they arise and in terms of how they may be reinforced. Delusions are accordingly rendered in perspectival and normative terms, which is elaborated through a number of examples. The picture of how a delusional commitment may be understood, how it may be reinforced, and its character as community internal or external provide some interesting perspectives on delusions in shared social contexts, as well as how they may originate intractable conflicts and disconnects between sub‐groups within a broader linguistic community.
Microbe‐mediated biodegradation of microplastics from wastes
Authors: Chettri Dixita , Pati Tanmoy , Verma Anil Kumar 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMicroplastics (MPs) with slow degradation rates carry toxins and pathogens from surroundings, accumulate and pollute the environment. They bio‐accumulate on humans and other lifeforms leading to health concerns, including inflammatory lesions, oxidative stress and increased cancer risk, thus requiring immediate remediation actions. This review summarizes, categorizes and analyses recent findings on MP source, transit and environmental toxicity and explores their microbe‐mediated breakdown. Various micro‐organisms such as fungi, bacteria, algae and protists interact with and build biofilm on MP surfaces and alter their surface morphology for their degradation. Pure strains and microbial consortia have been successfully able to degrade MPs. Extracellular enzymes are produced by these micro‐organisms that convert the complex recalcitrant polymeric structure of MP to simpler forms. Further, knowledge of factors associated with MP degradation along with the development of genetic tools enhances the rate of microbial degradation with consortium having an advantage over single bacterium‐mediated MP transformation, which has been discussed.
MicroRNAs involved in human skin burns, wound healing and scarring
Authors: Siu Man Ching , Voisey Joanne , Zang Tuo , Cuttle Leila 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMicroRNAs are small, non‐coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, and consequently protein synthesis. Downregulation and upregulation of miRNAs and their corresponding genes can alter cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration and fibroproliferative responses following a thermal injury. This review summarises the evidence for altered human miRNA expression post‐burn, and during wound healing and scarring. In addition, the most relevant miRNA targets and their roles in potential pathways are described. Previous studies using molecular techniques have identified 197 miRNAs associated with human wound healing, burn wound healing and scarring. Five miRNAs alter the expression of fibroproliferative markers, proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes post‐burn: hsa‐miR‐21 and hsa‐miR‐31 are increased after wounding, and hsa‐miR‐23b, hsa‐miR‐200b and hsa‐let‐7c are decreased. Four of these five miRNAs are associated with the TGF‐β pathway. In the future, large scale, in vivo, longitudinal human studies utilising a range of cell types, ethnicity and clinical healing outcomes are fundamental to identify burn wound healing and scarring specific markers. A comprehensive understanding of the underlying pathways will facilitate the development of clinical diagnostic or prognostic tools for better scar management and the identification of novel treatment targets for improved healing outcomes in burn patients.
Souplet–Zhang and Hamilton‐type gradient estimates for non‐linear elliptic equations on smooth metric measure spaces
Authors: Taheri Ali , Vahidifar Vahideh 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this article, we present new gradient estimates for positive solutions to a class of non‐linear elliptic equations involving the f‐Laplacian on a smooth metric measure space. The gradient estimates of interest are of Souplet–Zhang and Hamilton types, respectively, and are established under natural lower bounds on the generalised Bakry–Émery Ricci curvature tensor. From these estimates, we derive amongst other things Harnack inequalities and general global constancy and Liouville‐type theorems. The results and approach undertaken here provide a unified treatment and extend and improve various existing results in the literature. Some implications and applications are presented and discussed.
Reliability, Familiarization Effect, and Comparisons Between a Predetermined and a Self-Determined Isometric-Squat Testing Protocol
Authors: McGoldrick Cillian D. , Iacono Antonio Dello , Morgan Oliver J. , Nayler Jack , Buchanan Janice , McCart Christopher , Unnithan Viswanath B. 
Published: May 2023

Purpose: This study examined the interday reliability of a predetermined and a self-determined isometric-squat test among youth soccer players. Familiarization effects were evaluated to determine the minimum number of trials necessary to obtain consistent outputs. Finally, differences between protocols were evaluated. Methods: Thirty-one youth soccer players (mean [SD] age: 13.2 [1.0] y; body mass: 54.1 [3.4] kg; stature: 166.3 [11.2] cm; percentage of estimated adult height: 92.6% [3.6%]) from a top-tier professional academy completed 4 experimental sessions for each protocol: familiarization 1, familiarization 2, test, and retest sessions. Peak force; relative peak force; impulse from 0 to 50 milliseconds, 0 to 100 milliseconds, 0 to 150 milliseconds, and 0 to 200 milliseconds; and rate of force development from 0 to 50 milliseconds, 0 to 100 milliseconds, 0 to 150 milliseconds, and 0 to 200 milliseconds were measured. Results: Both protocols displayed acceptable (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥.75 and coefficient of variation ≤10%) reliability statistics for all metrics apart from rate of force development of any time epoch. Differences were found between familiarization 2 and both test and retest sessions for peak force (P = .034 and .021, respectively) and relative peak force (P = .035 and .005, respectively) across both protocols. Conclusions: The isometric-squat test is a reliable test among youth soccer players. Two familiarization sessions seem to be sufficient to ensure data stabilization. Outputs between the self-determined and predetermined are comparable; however, the latter seems preferable due to improved testing time efficiency.
A Worldwide Survey on the Practices and Perceptions of Submaximal Fitness Tests in Team Sports
Authors: Shushan Tzlil , Norris Dean , McLaren Shaun J. , Buchheit Martin , Scott Tannath J. , Barrett Steve , Dello Iacono Antonio , Lovell Ric 
Published: May 2023

Purpose: To survey team-sport practitioners on current practices and perceptions of submaximal fitness tests (SMFTs). Methods: A convenience sample of team-sport practitioners completed an online survey (September to November 2021). Descriptive statistics were used to obtain information of frequencies. A mixed-model quantile (median) regression was employed to assess the differences between the perceived influence of extraneous factors. Results: A total of 66 practitioners (74 discrete protocols) from 24 countries completed the survey. Time-efficient and nonexhaustive nature were considered the most important features of implementation. Practitioners prescribed a range of SMFTs, administered mostly on a monthly or weekly basis, but scheduling strategies appeared to differ across SMFT categories. Cardiorespiratory/metabolic outcome measures were collected in most protocols (n = 61; 82%), with the majority monitoring heart-rate-derived indices. Subjective outcome measures (n = 33; 45%) were monitored exclusively using ratings of perceived exertion. Mechanical outcome measures (n = 19; 26%) included either a combination of locomotor outputs (eg, distance covered) or variables derived from microelectrical mechanical systems. The perceived influence of extraneous factors on measurement accuracy varied according to outcome measure, and there was a lack of consensus among practitioners. Conclusions: Our survey showcases the methodological frameworks, practices, and challenges of SMFTs in team sports. The most important features for implementation perhaps support the use of SMFTs as a feasible and sustainable tool for monitoring in team sports. The wide variety of protocols, scheduling strategies, and outcome measures, along with their associated collection and analytical techniques, may reflect the absence of robust evidence regarding the application of SMFTs in team sports.
Quality of clinical evidence and political justifications of ivermectin mass distribution of COVID-19 kits in eight Latin American countries
Authors: Requejo Domínguez José Antonio , Mino-León Dolores , Wirtz Veronika J 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundSeveral countries in Latin America conducted mass distribution of COVID-19 kits intended to treat mild COVID-19, thereby preventing excess hospitalisations. Many of the kits contained ivermectin, an antiparasitic medicine that was not approved at the time for the treatment of COVID-19. The study objective was to compare the timing of the publication of scientific evidence about the efficacy of ivermectin for COVID-19 with the timeline of distribution of COVID-19 kits in eight Latin American countries and to analyse whether evidence was used to justify ivermectin distribution.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published on the efficacy of ivermectin or ivermectin as adjuvant therapy on mortality from, or as prevention for, COVID-19. Each RCT was assessed using the Cochrane Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE). Information on the timing and justification of government decisions was collected through a systematic search of leading newspapers and government press releases.ResultsAfter removing the duplicates and abstracts without full text, 33 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. According to GRADE, the majority had a substantial risk of bias. Many government officials made claims that ivermectin was effective and safe in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19, despite the lack of published evidence.ConclusionAll eight governments distributed COVID-19 kits to their populations despite the absence of high-quality evidence on the efficacy of ivermectin for prevention, hospitalisation and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Lessons learnt from this situation could be used to strengthen government institutions’ capacities to implement evidence-informed public health policies.
Acupuncture Improved the Function of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter and Esophageal Motility in Chinese Patients with Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Yuming Tang , Yuping Zhao , Yihan Lin , Ying Zhu , Jia Huang , Hanbing Shen , Duowu Zou , Weiyan Yao 
Published: May 2023

Objectives. Acupuncture is therapeutic for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease by an unclear mechanism. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of acupuncture on esophageal motility in patients with symptoms of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease. Methods. Sixty-eight patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms were prospectively enrolled from August 2014 to December 2018 and randomized into acupuncture and control groups (

n
=
33

and 35, respectively). The acupuncture group received acupuncture, and the control group received sham acupuncture. Pre- and post-acupuncture high-resolution manometry was performed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on esophageal motility. The GerdQ questionnaire was used to evaluate the pre- and post-intervention symptoms. Results. After acupuncture, there was a significant increase in the length of lower esophageal sphincter (

3.10
±
1.08

cm vs.

3.78
±
1.01

cm), length of intra-abdominal lower esophageal sphincter (

2.14
±
1.05

cm vs.

2.75
±
1.16

cm), and mean basal pressure of lower esophageal sphincter (

22.02
±
10.03

mmHg vs.

25.06
±
11.48

mmHg) in the acupuncture group (

P
=
0.014

); moreover, the numbers of fragmented contraction and ineffective contraction decreased from 36 to 12 (

P
<
0.001

) and 43 to 18 (

P
=
0.001

), respectively, in the acupuncture group. However, no significant difference was observed in the control group. The GerdQ score decreased significantly from

9.45
±
2.44

to

7.82
±
2.21

points in the first week after acupuncture (

P
<
0.001

). Conclusions. Acupuncture, which improves esophageal motility, has short-term efficacy in patients with symptoms of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease. This trial is registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800019646).
Cost-effectiveness of p16/Ki-67 Dual-Stained Cytology Reflex Following Co-testing with hrHPV Genotyping for Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Harper Diane M. , Anderson Rye J. , Baker Ed , Yu Tiffany M. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

The first biomarker-based cervical cancer screening test, p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology (DS), has been clinically validated and approved in the United States for triage of women being screened for cervical cancer who test positive for high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV). The primary aim of this work is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of DS triage after co-testing findings of positive non-16/18 HPV types and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions cytology. A payer-perspective Markov microsimulation model was developed to assess the impact of DS reflex testing. Each comparison simulated 12,250 screening-eligible women through health states defined by hrHPV status and genotype, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 1–3, invasive cervical cancer (ICC) by stage, and cancer-related or non-cancer death. Screening test performance data were from the IMPACT clinical validation trial. Transition probabilities were from population and natural history studies. Costs of baseline medical care, screening visits, tests, procedures, and ICC were included. DS reflex after co-testing was cost-effective with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios per quality-adjusted life-year gained of $15,231 [95% confidence interval (CI), $10,717–$25,400] compared with co-testing with hrHPV pooled primary and genotyped reflex testing, and $23,487 (95% CI, $15,745–$46,175) compared with co-testing with hrHPV genotyping with no reflex test. Screening and medical costs and life-years increased, while ICC costs and risk of ICC death decreased. Incorporating DS reflex into co-testing cervical cancer screening algorithms is projected to be cost-effective.

Prevention Relevance:
The p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology (DS) test was recently approved in the United States as a reflex test for cervical cancer screening following positive high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) test results. Adding DS reflex to hrHPV and cervical cytology co-testing strategies in the United States is expected to be cost-effective per life-year or quality-adjusted life-year gained.
A tribute to Professor Walter Traunspurger
Authors: Majdi Nabil , Füser Hendrik , Rauchschwalbe Marie-Theres , Gansfort Birgit , Uthoff Jana , Kreuzinger-Janik Bianca , Ptatscheck Christoph , Schenk Janina , Gehner Stefanie , Spieth Hubert , Wilden Benjamin , Höss Sebastian 
Published: May 2023

Summary
With this tribute, we want to highlight Professor Walter Traunspurger’s achievements and contributions to education and research in the fields of nematology and ecology. Walter started to teach in 1998 in the Department of Animal Ecology at Bielefeld University (Germany) and completed his tenure in September 2022, a milestone in his career for which he deserves appreciation, although he is surely going to stay as enthusiastic and busy for many years to come. Over his 30 years of an outstanding academic career, he has supervised 22 Ph.D., 49 M.Sc. and 139 B.Sc. students. He has published over 200 research articles in leading zoological, ecological and ecotoxicological journals. Walter is one of the few living nematologists capable of identifying free-living freshwater nematodes to species level. However, his expertise and research interests are much broader with his biota-inclusive and trans-disciplinary approaches. For his students and colleagues, he has been an inexhaustible source of idealism, knowledge and lively experiences. The book, Ecology of freshwater nematodes, edited by Walter in 2021, provides a good overview of his recent research topics. Here, by summarising and sharing his main scientific accomplishments in this article, we hope that his story will inspire the next generation of nematologists and ecologists to continue his legacy and explore the promising avenues of research that he opened up during his productive scientific career.