bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virtual reality-based therapy improves balance and reduces fear of falling in patients with multiple sclerosis. a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Cortés-Pérez Irene , Osuna-Pérez María Catalina , Montoro-Cárdenas Desirée , Lomas-Vega Rafael , Obrero-Gaitán Esteban , Nieto-Escamez Francisco Antonio 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Objective
This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effect of virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) on balance dimensions and fear of falling in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Secondarily, to determine the most recommendable dose of VRBT to improve balance.

Methods
PubMed Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL and PEDro were screened, without publication date restrictions, until September 30th, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effectiveness of VRBT against other interventions in PwMS were included. Functional and dynamic balance, confidence of balance, postural control in posturography, fear of falling and gait speed were the variables assessed. A meta-analysis was performed by pooling the Cohen's standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0.

Results
Nineteen RCTs, reporting 858 PwMS, were included. Our findings reported that VRBT is effective in improving functional balance (SMD = 0.8; 95%CI 0.47 to 1.14; p < 0.001); dynamic balance (SMD = − 0.3; 95%CI − 0.48 to − 0.11; p = 0.002); postural control with posturography (SMD = − 0.54; 95%CI − 0.99 to − 0.1; p = 0.017); confidence of balance (SMD = 0.43; 95%CI 0.15 to 0.71; p = 0.003); and in reducing fear of falling (SMD = − 1.04; 95%CI − 2 to − 0.07; p = 0.035); but not on gait speed (SMD = − 0.11; 95%CI: − 0.35 to 0.14; p = 0.4). Besides, the most adequate dose of VRBT to achieve the greatest improvement in functional balance was at least 40 sessions, five sessions per week and 40–45 min per sessions; and for dynamic balance, it would be between 8 and 19 weeks, twice a week and 20–30 min per session.

Conclusion
VRBT may have a short-term beneficial role in improving balance and reducing fear of falling in PwMS.
Perceval valve intermediate outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis at 5-year follow-up
Authors: Jolliffe Jarrod , Moten Simon , Tripathy Amit , Skillington Peter , Tatoulis James , Muneretto Claudio , Di Bacco Lorenzo , Galvao Hericka Bruna Figueiredo , Goldblatt John 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Objectives
New technologies for the treatment of Aortic Stenosis are evolving to minimize risk and treat an increasingly comorbid population. The Sutureless Perceval Valve is one such alternative. Whilst short-term data is promising, limited mid-term outcomes exist, until now. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate mid-term outcomes in the Perceval Valve in isolation.

Methods
A systematic literature review of 5 databases was performed. Articles included evaluated echocardiographic and mortality outcomes beyond 5 years in patients who had undergone Perceval Valve AVR. Two reviewers extracted and reviewed the articles. Weighted estimates were performed for all post-operative and mid-term data. Aggregated Kaplan Meier curves were reconstructed from digitised images to evaluate long-term survival.

Results
Seven observational studies were identified, with a total number of 3196 patients analysed. 30-day mortality was 2.5%. Aggregated survival at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years was 93.4%, 89.4%, 84.9%, 82% and 79.5% respectively. Permanent pacemaker implantation (7.9%), severe paravalvular leak (1.6%), structural valve deterioration (1.5%), stroke (4.4%), endocarditis (1.6%) and valve explant (2.3%) were acceptable at up to mid-term follow up. Haemodynamics were also acceptable at up mid-term with mean-valve gradient (range 9–13.6 mmHg), peak-valve gradient (17.8–22.3 mmHg) and effective orifice area (1.5–1.8 cm2) across all valve sizes. Cardiopulmonary bypass (78 min) and Aortic cross clamp times (52 min) were also favourable.

Conclusion
To our knowledge, this represents the first meta-analysis to date evaluating mid-term outcomes in the Perceval Valve in isolation and demonstrates good 5-year mortality, haemodynamic and morbidity outcomes.

Key question
What are the mid-term outcomes at up to 5 years follow up in Perceval Valve Aortic Valve Replacement?

Key findings
Perceval Valve AVR achieves 80% freedom from mortality at 5 years with low valve gradients and minimal morbidity.

Key outcomes
Perceval Valve Aortic Valve Replacement has acceptable mid-term mortality, durability and haemodynamic outcomes.
From past to present: opportunities and trends in the molecular detection and diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis
Authors: Chan Abigail Hui En , Thaenkham Urusa 
Published: April 2023

AbstractStrongyloides stercoralisis a soil-transmitted helminth that is mainly found in the tropical and subtropical regions and affects approximately 600 million people globally. The medical importance of strongyloidiasis lies in its capacity to remain asymptomatic and chronically unnoticed until the host is immunocompromised. Additionally, in severe strongyloidiasis, hyperinfection syndrome and larva dissemination to various organs can occur. Parasitological techniques such as Baermann-Moraes and agar plate culture to detect larvae in stool samples are the current gold standard. However, the sensitivity might be inadequate, especially with reduced worm burden. Complementing parasitological techniques, immunological techniques including immunoblot and immunosorbent assays are employed, with higher sensitivity. However, cross-reactivity to other parasites may occur, hampering the assay’s specificity. Recently, advances in molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction and next-generation sequencing technology have provided the opportunity to detect parasite DNA in stool, blood, and environmental samples. Molecular techniques, known for their high sensitivity and specificity, have the potential to circumvent some of the challenges associated with chronicity and intermittent larval output for increased detection. Here, asS. stercoraliswas recently included by the World Health Organization as another soil-transmitted helminth targeted for control from 2021 to 2030, we aimed to present a review of the current molecular techniques for detecting and diagnosingS. stercoralisin a bid to consolidate the molecular studies that have been performed. Upcoming molecular trends, especially next-generation sequencing technologies, are also discussed to increase the awareness of its potential for diagnosis and detection. Improved and novel detection methods can aid in making accurate and informed choices, especially in this era where infectious and non-infectious diseases are increasingly commonplace.Graphical Abstract
Diabetes mellitus status modifies the association between N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide and all-cause mortality risk in ischemic heart failure: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Qiu Weida , Cai Anping , Xiao Xiaoju , Gao Zhiping , Feng Yingqing , Li Liwen 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) discriminates mortality risk in diabetes mellitus (DM) and in heart failure (HF) populations. Whether DM status modifies the association between NT-proBNP and all-cause mortality risk in ischemic HF is unknown.

Methods
This was a single-center, prospective cohort study conducted with 2287 ischemic HF patients. Subjects were divided into with DM group and without DM group. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models were conducted to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The product of DM status and NT-proBNP were used to assess the interaction. Propensity score matching analysis was used to verify the robustness of the results.

Results
Of 2287 ischemic HF participants, 1172 (51.2%) had DM. After a median follow-up of 3.19 years (7287 person-years), 479 (20.9%) of the participants died. After adjusting for the covariates, continuous NT-proBNP was more prominently associated with risk of mortality in HF patients with DM (HR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.43–1.91) than those without (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.09–1.50). A significant interaction of DM status and NT-proBNP was observed (P-interaction = 0.016). The relationships were consistent when NT-proBNP was considered as a categorical variable and in the propensity matching analysis.

Conclusions
DM status modified the association between NT-proBNP and all-cause mortality in ischemic HF patients, suggesting that NT-proBNP was more prominently associated with risk of mortality in patients with DM than those without. Future studies to clarify the mechanisms underlying these observations are needed.
NPR-LBN: next point of interest recommendation using large bipartite networks with edge and cloud computing
Authors: Khan Inayat , Sadad Anwar , Ali Gauhar , ElAffendi Mohammed , Khan Razaullah , Sadad Tariq 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDuring the last decades, tourism has been augmented worldwide through which the diversity of tourists’ interests is increased and is challenging to tackle with the traditional management system. Such challenges can be overcome by LBSNs (Location-Based Social Networks) such as Yelp, Foursquare, and Facebook which help to collect more personalized information close to tourists’ preferences/interests like check-ins, comments, and reviews. In this regard, solutions have been proposed to exploit the POI (Point of Interest) recommendation, but they failed to overcome sparsity and cold-start problems. Existing methods are also not focusing on important aspects, including geographical context, dynamics preferences and social influence, which are essential factors in POI recommendation. Therefore, this work tried to incorporate these factors and present a unified model using bipartite networks to learn users and POI dynamics. For this purpose, we have represented all the factors using eleven networks and combined them into a single latent space. In addition, Edge Computing processes data at the network's edge, reducing latency and bandwidth usage and enabling real-time and personalized recommendations. Furthermore, cloud computing could be used to store and process the large amounts of data collected from LBSNs, to support the proposed model's computational requirements and make it more accessible and scalable, allowing it to be easily used by tourism management systems worldwide. Experimental results show that our model outperforms state-of-the-art methods using real-world dataset in terms of accuracy and perform better against sparsity and cold-start problems.
Relationship between eating disorders perception and psychosocial profile in school-dropout adolescents
Authors: Mastorci Francesca , Lazzeri Maria Francesca Lodovica , Piaggi Paolo , Doveri Cristina , Casu Anselmo , Trivellini Gabriele , Marinaro Irene , Vassalle Cristina , Pingitore Alessandro 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
In body-mind relationship field, eating disorders (ED) are considered disabling disorders that can alter physical health status, inducing profound alterations in psychosocial, cognitive and emotional dimensions. These disorders, characterized by a strong comorbidity with other diseases, usually begin during childhood or adolescence, and include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. Aim of this study was to investigate the associations between eating disorders perception and dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and well-being perception (WBP) in school-dropout adolescents.

Methods
Data were collected in 450 adolescents (19 ± 2 years, male 308), and HRQoL, WBP, and ED were assessed by means a battery of standardized questionnaire.

Results
EDs are more pronounced in females than in males (p < 0.05) and are associated with lower HRQoL (p < 0.001) and lower well-being perception (p < 0.001). EDs are associated with an impairment of physical (p < 0.05) and psychological well-being perception (p < 0.001), emotional responses (p < 0.001), self-perception (p < 0.001), and a reduction of general well-being (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
Although it is complicated to distinguish between causes and consequences, these findings suggest a complex and multifaceted, association between ED and HRQoL domains. Thus, multiple factors need taking into account in the policy of EDs prevention, identifying all the components of well-being to focus and personalize healthy programs in adolescences.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, anxiety, and depression
Authors: Kupcova Ida , Danisovic Lubos , Klein Martin , Harsanyi Stefan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic affected everyone around the globe. Depending on the country, there have been different restrictive epidemiologic measures and also different long-term repercussions. Morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 affected the mental state of every human being. However, social separation and isolation due to the restrictive measures considerably increased this impact. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anxiety and depression prevalence increased by 25% globally. In this study, we aimed to examine the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general population.

Methods
A cross-sectional study using an anonymous online-based 45-question online survey was conducted at Comenius University in Bratislava. The questionnaire comprised five general questions and two assessment tools the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). The results of the Self-Rating Scales were statistically examined in association with sex, age, and level of education.

Results
A total of 205 anonymous subjects participated in this study, and no responses were excluded. In the study group, 78 (38.05%) participants were male, and 127 (61.69%) were female. A higher tendency to anxiety was exhibited by female participants (p = 0.012) and the age group under 30 years of age (p = 0.042). The level of education has been identified as a significant factor for changes in mental state, as participants with higher levels of education tended to be in a worse mental state (p = 0.006).

Conclusions
Summarizing two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental state of people with higher levels of education tended to feel worse, while females and younger adults felt more anxiety.
Elucidating the phytotoxicity thresholds of various biosynthesized nanoparticles on physical and biochemical attributes of cotton
Authors: Shafqat Usman , Hussain Sabir , Shahzad Tanvir , Shahid Muhammad , Mahmood Faisal 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the phytotoxic thresholds of zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), iron oxide (FeO NPs), copper (Cu NPs), and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on cotton. All the nanoparticles were biosynthesized from Conocarpus erectus L. leaf extract. They were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Five concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm) of all the biosynthesized nanoparticles were foliar applied thrice over the duration of cotton growth. Five cotton seeds were sown in 5 kg soil pot and harvested after 6 weeks. SPAD values were evaluated before harvesting while physical growth parameters, physiological parameters biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters were measured after harvesting.

Results
The value of all parameters, except oxidative stress, increased by 13–47% in response to ZnO NPs application up to 100 ppm. However, phytotoxic threshold of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) and copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) was only 50 ppm as plant growth was increased by 7.9–24.3%. Above 50 ppm plant growth and biomass were decreased by 6.7–16.2%. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) showed maximum growth (3.7 to 9.12% increased) at 25 ppm concentration. At higher concentrations than 25 ppm, the application of Ag NPs decreased the growth due to toxicity. Foliar application of different biosynthesized nanoparticles showed the different range of threshold value for cotton crop. Threshold value of iron oxide and copper nanoparticles for cotton was 50 ppm, whereas, it was 25 ppm for silver nanoparticles. Since the ZnO NPs application continued increasing the growth till its maximum concentration used i.e., 100 ppm, we cannot say that this is its threshold value.

Conclusion
On the basis of obtained results, it can be concluded that nanoparticles should be used within threshold to avoid adverse effects on crops. Application of nanoparticles within threshold optimum concentration,
increased plant biomass and antioxidant system.

Graphical Abstract
The continuous search for new port governance models: experiences from a developing country
Authors: Andersen Torben , Aryee Jonas , Acheampong George , Hansen Annette Skovsted 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis paper bridges port governance and stakeholder theory to contribute to new understandings of changed stakeholder relations due to the building of new container terminals. The case of the newly inaugurated very large high-tech container terminal commissioned to and developed and operated by Meridian Port Services (MPS), in the Port of Tema, Ghana, provides the empirical foundation for investigating the new stakeholder engagement. Through focus groups, descriptive statistics, and a series of qualitative and open-ended interviews carried out in structured stakeholder events, the paper aims to deliver new knowledge relevant to the many hybrid port governance systems seen today. Moreover, it wants to inform authorities and companies about the implications of different strategic choices and how changes progress. The study shows that despite shared goals of efficiency, all parties involved have had major difficulties in finding a new port governance model, which they all consider fair and which can contribute to a continuously economically sustainable port management practice.
How does immigration affect housing costs in Switzerland?
Authors: Helfer Fabienne , Grossmann Volker , Osikominu Aderonke 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis paper examines the short-run immigration effects on prices for owner-occupied housing and rents in Switzerland, exploiting regional variation at the level of 106 local labor markets (“Mobilité Spatiale” regions) and 26 cantons, respectively. We propose two empirical strategies that exploit the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) with the European Union (EU), enacted in 2002, as an exogenous shock to immigration. The first approach uses the AFMP reform within an instrumental variable approach, instrumenting current regional inflows of immigrants based on the historical distribution of immigrants across regions. The second conducts an event study of housing price changes before and after the reform, distinguishing between regions with historically high, medium, and low immigration from EU-15 countries. The analysis based on data at the level of local labor markets for the years 1985–2016 suggests that immigration triggered off by the AFMP reform has substantially raised prices of single-family homes and of owner-occupied apartments. Before the reform, immigration has not affected house prices. Estimates based on cantonal data for the years 1998–2016 suggest that immigration has raised rental prices even more than prices of owner-occupied housing.
The mycobiome of a successful crayfish invader and its changes along the environmental gradient
Authors: Dragičević Paula , Bielen Ana , Žučko Jurica , Hudina Sandra 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
The microbiome plays an important role in biological invasions, since it affects various interactions between host and environment. However, most studies focus on the bacteriome, insufficiently addressing other components of the microbiome such as the mycobiome. Microbial fungi are among the most damaging pathogens in freshwater crayfish populations, colonizing and infecting both native and invasive crayfish species. Invading crayfish may transmit novel fungal species to native populations, but also, dispersal process and characteristics of the novel environment may affect the invaders’ mycobiome composition, directly and indirectly affecting their fitness and invasion success. This study analyzes the mycobiome of a successful invader in Europe, the signal crayfish, using the ITS rRNA amplicon sequencing approach. We explored the mycobiomes of crayfish samples (exoskeletal biofilm, hemolymph, hepatopancreas, intestine), compared them to environmental samples (water, sediment), and examined the differences in fungal diversity and abundance between upstream and downstream segments of the signal crayfish invasion range in the Korana River, Croatia.

Results
A low number of ASVs (indicating low abundance and/or diversity of fungal taxa) was obtained in hemolymph and hepatopancreas samples. Thus, only exoskeleton, intestine, sediment and water samples were analyzed further. Significant differences were recorded between their mycobiomes, confirming their uniqueness. Generally, environmental mycobiomes showed higher diversity than crayfish-associated mycobiomes. The intestinal mycobiome showed significantly lower richness compared to other mycobiomes. Significant differences in the diversity of sediment and exoskeletal mycobiomes were recorded between different river segments (but not for water and intestinal mycobiomes). Together with the high observed portion of shared ASVs between sediment and exoskeleton, this indicates that the environment (i.e. sediment mycobiome) at least partly shapes the exoskeletal mycobiome of crayfish.

Conclusion
This study presents the first data on crayfish-associated fungal communities across different tissues, which is valuable given the lack of studies on the crayfish mycobiome. We demonstrate significant differences in the crayfish exoskeletal mycobiome along the invasion range, suggesting that different local environmental conditions may shape the exoskeletal mycobiome during range expansion, while the mycobiome of the internal organ (intestine) remained more stable. Our results provide a basis for assessing how the mycobiome contributes to the overall health of the signal crayfish and its further invasion success.
Mathematical modeling of the aerodynamic coefficients of a sail blade
Authors: Tleubergenova Akmaral Zh. , Tanasheva Nazgul K. , Shaimerdenova Kulzhan M. , Kassymov Serik S. , Bakhtybekova Asem R. , Shuyushbayeva Nurgul N. , Uzbergenova Saule Zh. , Ranova Gulden A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe authors of the work numerically studied the aerodynamic coefficients of the sail blade, during which the patterns of three-dimensional flow around airflow and the pressure distribution field were obtained. The triangular sail blade is used as the power element of wind turbines. The sail blade modeling was based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations (RANS) using the ANSYS FLUENT computer program. A flow pattern is obtained, which gives a physical explanation of the nature of the airflow around the sail blade and the pressure distribution field. Comparative analyses of theory and experiment are given. In the range of Reynolds numbers from 0.5 × 104 to 2.5 × 104, the change in the drag force coefficient is from 1.04 to 0.54, and the difference in the lift force coefficient is from 0.52 to 0.33.