bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal socio-demographic, medical and nutritional predictors of low birth weight neonates delivered in a civil unrest setting: A case study of Bosaso general hospital, North Eastern Somalia
Authors: Buzigi Edward , Mohammed Barkhadle Abdirahman 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackground Low birth weight (LBW) defined as a newborn weighing less than 2.5 kilograms (kg) is a leading predictor of morbidity and mortality in either childhood or adulthood. The prevalence and predictors of LBW in Somalia are scarce. This study determined the maternal socio-demographic, medical, and nutritional predictors of delivering LBW neonates in Bosaso Hospital, Somalia. Methods This cross-sectional study of 1074 randomly selected mothers who delivered babies in Bosaso general Hospital from November 2022 to April 2023. A neonate was considered to be LBW if it weighed less than 2.5kg. Data for predictor variables were collected from mothers or by reviewing antenatal and postnatal registers. The association between predictor variables and LBW was tested by multivariate logistic regression analysis using STATA 15 by reporting an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). A statistical test was considered significant at p < 0.05. Results The prevalence of LBW was 18%. Mothers with the following social demographic characteristics were likely to deliver LBW neonates: teenagers, AOR 1.3 (95%CI:1.2–1.5); residing in internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, AOR 1.2(95% C1:1-1.9); no formal education, AOR 1.4(95%CI:1.2–1.5); unemployed, AOR 1.2(95%CI:1.1–1.3); divorced, AOR 1.3 (95% CI:1.1–1.4); and widowed, AOR 1.3 (95%CI:1.2–1.5). Women with the following medical factors were likely to deliver LBW neonates: having less than 8 ANC visits, AOR 1.2 (95%CI:1.1–1.5); primigravida, AOR1.2 (95%CI:1.1–1.6), history of delivering a LBW, AOR 1.2 (95% CI:1.1–1.4); history of preterm birth, AOR 1.6(1.3–1.8); birth interval less than 3 years, AOR 1.2(95% CI: 1.3–1.4); malaria during pregnancy, AOR 1.3(95%CI:1.1–1.6). Women with the following medical factors were less likely to deliver LBW neonates: Having the 1st ANC visit in the 1st trimester, AOR 0.6(0.3–0.7); using an insecticide-treated mosquito net, AOR 0.5(95%CI: 0.2–0.6); swallowed sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine under directly observed treatment (DOT), AOR 0.6 (95% CI: 0.2–0.8), and DOT with deworming tablets, AOR 0.6(95%CI:0.2–0.7). Mothers with the following nutritional characteristics were likely to deliver LBW neonates: maternal height < 150cm, AOR 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1–1.3); anemia at full term, AOR 1.4(95%CI: 1.3–1.7); mid-upper arm circumference < 23 cm, AOR 2.1(95% CI: 1.2–2.3). Mothers who received iron-folic acid supplementation, AOR 0.4(95%CI: 0.2–0.7), had a lower risk of delivering LBW neonates. Conclusion In Bosaso general hospital, delivering a LBW neonate was likely to be among pregnant mothers who: were teenagers, stunted, residing in IDP camps, unemployed, divorced or widowed, primigravida, had attended < 8 ANC visits, no formal education, with a history of preterm birth or LBW, birth interval < 3years, malaria during pregnancy, were anemia and wasted at term.
Purification of wastewater generated from methane fermentation using a semi-closed system with hydroponically grown lettuce plants
Authors: Ohyama Katsumi , Sumino Kaho , Awai Erdoo Paula , Niki Kaori , Endo Ryosuke 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
As agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of global water consumption, water recycling (e.g., the use of wastewater) is required. Similar to water recycling, food recycling is a major concern in urban areas. Here, we aimed to investigate the water balance of a semi-closed system and the quality of recovered wastewater and collected water. From a semi-closed system in which lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.) were grown hydroponically using bio-oxidized wastewater (or digestate) from methane fermentation with food waste as the substrate, evapotranspirated water was recovered using cooling devices. The evapotranspiration and water recovery rates tended to increase with increasing photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). During the 24-h experiment (performed in triplicate), approximately 50% of the evapotranspirated water was harvested. The electrical conductivity, pH, and relative illuminance of the adenosine triphosphate were lower in the recovered water than in the wastewater. The NO3-N PO4-P, K, Ca, Mg, SO4-S, Fe, Mn, and Mo concentrations were also lower in the recovered water than in the wastewater. Although a long-term experiment is required to draw more explicit conclusions, these results indicate the potential of wastewater recovery systems in producing plants and generating water with low contaminant levels.
Heterogeneity of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and PSMA-ligand uptake detection combining autoradiography, histopathology and immunohistochemistry in primary prostate cancer
Authors: Wang Hui , Remke Marianne , Horn Thomas , Schwamborn Kristina , Chen Yiyao , Steiger Katja , Weichert Wilko , Wester Hans-Jürgen , Schottelius Margret , Weber Wolfgang , Eiber Matthias 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background Targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been highly successful for imaging and treatment of prostate cancer. However, heterogeneity in immunohistochemistry indicates limitations in the effect of imaging and radionuclide therapy of multifocal disease. 99mTc-PSMA-I&S is a γ-emitting probe, which can be used for intraoperative lesion detection and postsurgical autoradiography (ARG). We aimed to study its intraprostatic distribution and compared it with (immuno)-histopathology.Results Seventeen patients who underwent RGS between 11/2018 and 01/2020 with a total of 4660 grids were included in the preliminary analysis. Marked intratumor and intrapatient heterogeneity of PSMA expression was detected, and PSMA negative foci were observed in all samples (100%). Heterogeneous intrapatient PSMA-ligand uptake was observed, and no significant correlation was present between the degree of heterogeneity of PSMA expression and PSMA-ligand uptake. Higher PSMA-ligand uptake was observed in GS ≥ 8 than GS < 8 (p < 0.001). The appearance of GP 4 was strongly associated with higher uptake (coefficient: 0.43, p < 0.001), while GP 5 also affected the uptake (coefficient: 0.07, p < 0.001).Conclusion PSMA expression and PSMA-ligand uptake show marked heterogeneity. Prostate carcinoma with GP 4 showed significantly higher uptake compared with non-neoplastic prostate tissue. Our analyses extend the scope of applications of radiolabeled PSMA-ligands to ARG for identifying high-grade disease and using its signal as a noninvasive biomarker in prostate cancer.
Virtual Reality and Behaviour Management in Paediatric Dentistry: A Systematic Review
Authors: Padilha Diana , Veiga Nélio Jorge , Moura Anna Carolina , Correia Patrícia 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background:Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative tool in medicine and dentistry, improving anxiety and pain management in children. The immersive and interactive environments of VR technology helps distract and engage young patients during dental procedures, potentially reducing anxiety levels and improving treatment experience. The aim of this review was to provide current evidence-based guidance on the usage of VR in the clinical practice of paediatric dentistry.Methods:A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines with the following research question using the PICO format: Does VR (I) effectively manage anxiety and pain (O) during a paediatric dental consultation (P) compared to alternative behavioural control techniques (C)? PubMed/Medline®, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases were searched and analysed.Results:Search queries identified a total of 525 abstracts from three different databases. Duplicate articles were removed (n=79), leaving a total of 446 abstracts. After reading the title and abstract, 392 records were excluded. In the end, 22 articles were considered suitable for this systematic review.Conclusions:VR is a highly effective method of behaviour management, successfully alleviating pain and anxiety in children during dental treatment, surpassing traditional tools. By offering an engaging and immersive experience, VR effectively diverts patients' attention away from the clinical environment, fostering a positive and enjoyable treatment experience. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the limitations of existing studies and the need for further research to enhance the understanding of VR's full potential in paediatric dentistry.
Fuel Treatment Response Groups for Fire Prone Sagebrush Landscapes
Authors: Chambers Jeanne C. , Brown Jessi L. , Reeves Matthew C. , Strand Eva K. , Ellsworth Lisa M. , Tortorelli Claire M. , Urza Alexandra K. , Short Karen C. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Sagebrush shrublands in the Great Basin, US, are experiencing widespread increases in wildfire size and area burned resulting in new policies and funding to implement fuel treatments. However, we lack the spatial data needed to optimize the types and locations of fuel treatments across large landscapes and mitigate fire risk. To address this, we developed Treatment Response Groups (TRGs) – sagebrush and pinyon-juniper vegetation associations that differ in resilience to fire and resistance to annual grass invasion (R&R) and thus responses to fuel treatments.
Results
We developed spatial layers of the dominant sagebrush associations by overlaying LANDFIRE Existing Vegetation Type, Biophysical Setting, and Mapping Zone, extracting vegetation plot data from the LANDFIRE 2016 LF Reference Database for each combination, and identifying associated sagebrush, grass, shrub, and tree species. We derived spatial layers of pinyon-juniper (PJ) cover and expansion phase within the sagebrush associations from the Rangeland Analysis Platform and identified persistent PJ woodlands from the LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting. TRGs were created by overlaying dominant sagebrush associations, with and without PJ expansion, and new indicators of resilience and resistance. We assigned appropriate fuel treatments to the TRGs based on prior research on treatment responses. The extent of potential area to receive fuel treatments was constrained to 52,940 km2 (18.4%) of the dominant sagebrush associations (272,501 km2) largely because of extensive areas of low R&R (68.9%), which is expected to respond poorly to treatment. Prescribed fire was assigned to big sagebrush associations with moderate or higher resilience and moderately low or higher resistance (14.2%) due to higher productivity, fuels, and recovery potential. Mechanical treatments were assigned to big sagebrush associations with moderately low resilience and to low, black, and mixed low sagebrush associations with moderately low or higher R&R (4.2%) due to lower productivity, fuels, and recovery potential. Persistent PJ woodlands represent high value resources and were not assigned treatments (9%).
Conclusions
Mapped TRGs can help identify the dominant sagebrush associations and determine appropriate fuel treatments at project area scales and provide the basis for quantitative wildfire risk assessments and outcome-based scenario planning to prioritize fuel treatment investments at landscape scales.
Complier average causal effect is a better estimate of the true causal treatment effect than intention-to-treat estimand in the presence of low treatment compliance: Insights from an instrumental variable approach
Authors: Ali Sumera Aziz , Paniagua-Avila Alejandra , Lamb Matthew R 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
In the presence of substantial non-compliance to intervention, intention to treat (ITT) analysis may underestimate the effect of intervention on the outcome. In contrast, the complier average causal effect (CACE) provides a valid causal estimate of receiving intervention in the presence of non-compliance. This paper provides a user’s guide to estimating CACE following the instrumental variable approach in a simulated dataset of an individual-level randomized controlled trial (RCT) with non-compliance.
Methods
We simulated data for an RCT utilizing the simstudy R package, which generated potential outcomes and observed outcomes based on the assigned intervention and subgroups (Always Takers, Compliers, and Never Takers). Using the instrumental variable approach, we performed 20 simulations against all possible proportions of compliance ranging from 5 to 99% to generate an average for the true causal effect, ITT, and CACE. We created a graph comparing the averages of the three parameters i.e., true causal effect, ITT, and CACE by the proportion of compliance.
Results
We found that at an extremely low proportion of treatment compliance (i.e., below 10%), neither CACE nor ITT equaled the true causal effect. Above 10% compliance, the CACE (0.79–0.80) very closely approximated the true causal effect (0.80). However, the ITT (0.08 to 0.68) greatly underestimated the true causal effect at compliance of 10 to 85%. As the proportion of compliers increased above 85%, the ITT moved closer to the true causal effect, but it only became equivalent to the true causal effect when compliance was 99%.
Conclusion
The CACE estimand may be an alternative approach to ITT for estimating the causal effect of interventions in RCTs, particularly in the context of non-compliance. We recommend against the exclusive use of ITT when the proportion of compliers is below 85%. Instead of relying exclusively on the ITT to estimate the causal treatment effect in RCTs, we recommend using CACE in addition to ITT to allow for less biased estimates.
Bioinformatics analysis and machine learning identification of ferroptosis-related biomarkers in epilepsy
Authors: Wang Yao , Li Hong-Wei , Zhuo Zhi-hong , Xu Yi-ran , Wei Guang-shuai , Wang Jian-dong , Wang Huai-li 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background Epilepsy is one of the common nervous system diseases, and early diagnosis has an important impact on prognosis. Ferroptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Using bioinformatics analysis and machine learning, we aimed to identify hub genes associated with ferroptosis and provide therapeutic targets for epilepsy.Methods Through bioinformatics analysis of datasets GSE49030 and GSE88992, differentially expressed genes(DEGs) related to ferroptosis in epilepsy were identified. Functional enrichment of ferroptosis-related DEGs was performed, and a protein interaction network was used to identify the top 30 node genes. LASSO, SVM-RFE, and random forest machine learning algorithms were employed to screen for hub genes. We analyzed the infiltration of immune cells in epilepsy and the control group and analyzed the correlation between hub genes and immune cells. Finally, the value of hub genes in the diagnosis of epilepsy was evaluated in the training set (GSE49030 and GSE88992) and validation set (GSE16969).Results GSE49030 and GSE88992 obtained a total of 1550 DEGs, including 55 ferroptosis-related DEGs. Enrichment analysis showed that ferroptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory signaling pathways were enriched. Jun and Wwtr1 were screened as hub genes. Immunological analysis showed that 9 kinds of cells were differentially expressed between the epilepsy group and control group. Two hub genes were mainly associated with NK cell activation. Jun and Wwtr1 were up-regulated in epilepsy, with AUROC of 0.978 and 0.973 for the diagnosis of epilepsy, respectively, and were verified in dataset DSE16969.Conclusion Our results suggest that Jun and Wwtr1 are potential biomarkers of epilepsy and NK cells ferroptosis can influence both the onset and progression of epilepsy. These results provide more evidence for the role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.
Single and binary adsorption experiments and modeling of arsenic and fluoride using activated carbon as adsorbent
Authors: Acharya Amrutha , jeppu gautham , Raju Girish Chikmagalur , Prabhu Balakrishna , Martis Alita Stephy , Ramesh Shrividya 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Arsenic and fluoride are co-occurring contaminants in groundwater. This research investigated the competitive adsorption of arsenic and fluoride from aqueous solution on activated carbon. Batch experiments were used to study the behavior and efficiency of activated carbon to know the influence of adsorbent dosage, contact time, and solution pH of arsenic and fluoride in single and binary component systems. At optimum values, in single-component systems, activated carbon demonstrates efficient adsorption of arsenic and fluoride, achieving a percentage removal of 93.56% for arsenic and 72% for fluoride. Similarly, in binary-component systems, the percentage removal of As(V) is found to be 71.91%, while fluoride is removed at a rate of 90%. Kinetic studies showed that adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic mode, which suggests chemisorption. Langmuir, Freundlich, Toth, Redlich Petersons, and Modified Langmuir Freundlich (MLF) models were used to interpret the single adsorption isotherm data. The maximum uptake of arsenic and fluoride was 3.58 mg/g and 2.32 mg/g, respectively. It was noted that the Modified Langmuir Freundlich isotherm model gave a better fit with higher R2 and lower RMSE values. Extended Langmuir and Extended Freundlich isotherm models were used to interpret the competitive adsorption data. The competitive studies showed selectivity of adsorption for As(V) > F which suggested that the affinity of activated carbon was greater towards As(V) than fluoride. Also, As(V) showed antagonistic behavior with F.
An efficient high-frequency direct organogenesis protocol of Mimosa pudica suitable for mass multiplication and transformation experiments
Authors: Kavane Aarti , Raval Kartik , Joshi Jignasa , BIshoyi Ashok Kumar 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Mimosa pudica is a creeping perennial, flowering medicinal plant belonging to the family Mimosaceae. The plants have been well documented for their various valuable properties such as antiseptic, antimicrobial, antiviral, antimalarial, hyperglycemic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxic, anti-cancer and immune boosters. Due to the occurrence of various phytochemicals, the plant has been extensively used in AYUSH for the treatment of various ailments. Due to the immense medicinal properties of the plant and high exploitation, may lead to a high risk of drastic decreases in its population from natural habitats. Hence conservation of the plant is the utmost requirement by using plant tissue cultures protocols. In this investigation, we have developed a direct organogenesis protocol for the plant using apical meristem as the source of explant. From the tested 12 hormonal combinations; MPO4 (Kn 2.0 + BAP 1.0 + 2,4 D- 0.2 mg/lit) was able to generate a significantly higher number of multiple shoots (44.33/explant) and the lowest multiple shooting (0.67/explant) was noticed in MPO12 media. Out of 15 media combinations, the MPR10 (NAA 1.0 mg/lit) combination was the best for in-vitro rooting and was able to induce a significantly higher percentage (72.67% explants show rooting induction) of adventitious rootings, followed by MPR3 (IBA 1.5 mg/lit) media (62.67% 72.67% explants shows rooting). In this investigation, the rooted plants were successfully hardened to the field. The developed direct organogenesis protocol using apical meristem as an explant is the first time report for the mentioned plant and may be used for mass multiplication as well as plantlet production after genetic transformations.
Combination therapy of tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib with the HSP90 inhibitor onalespib as a novel treatment regimen for thyroid cancer
Authors: Mortensen Anja Charlotte Lundgren , Berglund Hanna , Papalanis Eleftherios , Spiegelberg Diana 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, affecting nearly 600,000 new patients worldwide. Treatment with the BRAF inhibitor sorafenib partially prolongs progression-free survival in thyroid cancer patients, but fails to improve overall survival. This study examines enhancing sorafenib efficacy by combination therapy with the novel HSP90 inhibitor onalespib In vitro efficacy of sorafenib and onalespib monotherapy as well as in combination was assessed in papillary (PTC) and anaplastic (ATC) thyroid cancer cells using cell viability and colony formation assays. Migration potential was studied in wound healing assays. The in vivo efficacy of sorafenib and onalespib therapy was evaluated in mice bearing BHT-101 xenografts. Sorafenib in combination with onalespib significantly inhibited PTC and ATC cell proliferation, decreased metabolic activity and cancer cell migration. In addition, the drug combination approach significantly inhibited tumor growth in the xenograft model and prolonged the median survival. Our results suggest that the combination therapy of sorafenib and onalespib could be used as a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of thyroid cancer, significantly improving the results obtained with sorafenib as monotherapy. This approach potentially reduces treatment adaptation while at the same time providing therapeutic anti-cancer benefits such as reducing tumor growth and metastatic potential.
Penconazole ameliorates drought stress in saffron by induction of antioxidative enzymes in fibrous roots
Authors: Nasiri Minoo , Niknam Vahid , Rahnama Hassan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Drought stress significantly affects plant biochemical and physiological responses. We investigated the mitigating effects of penconazole (PEN) on drought stress by examining different concentrations (0, 15, and 25 mg/L). Saffron corms were subjected to varying drought levels (0, 5, 10, and 15% w/v). The results showed that PEN effectively ameliorated drought stress on plant growth. Corm dry weight increased significantly under drought stress at both PEN concentrations. MDA and H2O2 content, as stress markers, in leaves were well-controlled and consistently higher than in fibrous roots. PEN treatment reduced MDA content in fibrous roots under control and drought stress conditions. Fibrous roots exhibited higher SOD, POX, and CAT activities compared to leaves. PEN treatment induced upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activities, especially in root tissues. PPO enzyme activity increased in leaf and fibrous root tissues under PEN treatment and drought stress. Non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as total phenols, flavonoids, flavanols, and anthocyanins, were higher in leaves but did not show consistent trends under PEN treatment during drought stress. Overall, PEN alleviated the adverse effects of drought stress in saffron roots by enhancing CAT and SOD activities.