bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution and viability of ocular and non-ocular Chlamydia trachomatis in households in a trachoma-endemic community in Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Shafi Abdurahman Oumer , Bekele Gebeyehu , Butcher Robert , Deressa Gadissa , Mumme Asanti , Mohammed Munira , Nure Rufia , Nuri Kedir Temam , Shuka Gemeda , Hirpo Korso , Greenland Katie , Habtamu Esmael , Versteeg Bart , Macleod David , Last Anna , Burton Matthew J. 
Published: January 2025

Background
We aimed to determine the household distribution and viability of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) from the eyes, face, and hands during the initial two visits of a year-long fortnightly cohort study in geographically defined adjacent households.

Methods/Findings
We enrolled 298 individuals from 68 neighbouring households in Shashemene Woreda, Oromia, Ethiopia. All individuals above 2 years of age residing in these households were examined for signs of trachoma. Swab samples were taken from the conjunctiva, faces, and hands and analysed for the presence and viability of Ct. Ct viability was determined using reverse transcription (RT) PCR.
At the initial visit, out of 298 individuals, 133 (44.5%) were children aged 2–9 years. Among these children, 27/133 (20.3%) had trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF), while 8/133 (6.0%) had trachomatous inflammation—intense (TI). Ct (omcB or pORF2) was detected in 16/133 (12.0%) eye swabs, 14/105 (13.5%) face swabs, and 11/105 (10.5%) hand swabs from children aged 2–9 years. Among these children at visit one, 12/14 (85.7%) with Ct on faces and 9/11 (81.8%) with Ct on hands also had detectable ocular Ct. The severity of the disease worsened from the first visit to the second, and no participants showed clearance of the disease within the two-week period. Ct infection was associated with TF (P = 0.002) and TI (P = 0.060).
At visit one, among children aged 2–9 years, viable Ct was detected in 12/16 (75.0%) ocular, 6/14 (42.9%) face, and 4/11 (36.4%) hand swab samples. All viable Ct detected on the faces and hands were identified from individuals with viable ocular infections. Among caregivers whose child tested positive for Ct on their hands, 3 caregivers also had Ct on their hands, accounting for 20% (3 out of 15). Additionally, among caregivers whose child tested positive for Ct on their faces, 2 caregivers had Ct on their faces, which accounts for 14.3% (2 out of 14). In two participants, we detected Ct on the hands of ocular-negative children at the initial visit and later detected ocular Ct at the second visit.

Conclusion/Significance
Using RT-qPCR assay to detect Ct omp2 mRNA to define viability offers a new, informative perspective of trachoma transmission in this community in Ethiopia. The presence of viable Ct on the faces and hands of individuals living in households with people with current ocular Ct infection supports the hypothesis that hands and faces are important routes for transmission of trachoma. This highlights the importance of targeted interventions to address these sites of Ct carriage to help interrupt transmission.
Baseline infection prevalence, risk factors and treatment outcomes of visceral leishmaniasis in Northeastern Uganda: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Sagaki Patrick , Twa-Twa Jeremiah Mutwalante , Mulalu Posiano , Wanume Benon , Olupot-Olupot Peter 
Published: January 2025

Introduction
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) also known as Kala-azar is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) of public health importance. Despite being a disease of a long history, the condition remains poorly studied especially in East Africa. For instance, whereas, the geographical location of the disease is known, there is a stark paucity of data on the burden, risk factors and clinical outcomes of this condition in Northeastern Uganda. Therefore, the disease picture in these settings is incomplete. The overarching aim for this study was to describe pre-elimination prevalence, associated factors and treatment outcomes of VL in Moroto District.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study in which community cases were identified at baseline. They were followed up at Amudat Hospital Kala-azar Treatment Centre for the treatment outcomes. We used a customized data collection tool to elicit data on demographic characteristics, socio-economic and anthropometry. Data were entered on excel database and exported to Stata software for analyses. Proportions and measures of central tendency were computed. Binary associations were determined using Chi-square statistical test. In addition, variables independently associated with VL were determined via logistic regression analyses. At follow up stage, the outcomes were determined.

Results
The overall prevalence of VL infection in Moroto district was 5.21% (95%CI: 3.15% - 8.48%) with varying county level prevalence at Matheniko, Tepeth and Mororo at 6.90%, 4.49% and 3.61%; respectively. The common risk factors for VL infection included lack of knowledge of habitat for Sand flies, AOR 5.33 (95%CI: 1.69–16.82). Patients with VL presented with fever, headache, abdominal pain and swelling, coughing, night sweats, diarrhea, fatigue, breathlessness, and nose bleeding. The average hospitalization for VL was 17 days. All the patients who were treated at the hospital cured.

Conclusion
The prevalence of VL in Moroto district was 5.21% and within elimination threshold. The high-risk factors for VL infection included lack of knowledge about the habitat for Sand flies. The average hospitalization for VL was 17 days.
The effect of an additional pre-extubational loading dose of caffeine citrate on mechanically ventilated preterm infants (NEOKOFF trial): Study protocol for a multicenter randomized clinical trial
Authors: Kovács Kinga , Nagy Rita , Andréka Lilla , Teutsch Brigitta , Szabó Miklós , Varga Péter , Hegyi Péter , Hársfalvi Péter , Ács Nándor , Harmath Ágnes , Nádor Csaba , Gasparics Ákos 
Published: January 2025

Background
Minimizing the duration of mechanical ventilation is one of the most important therapeutic goals during the care of preterm infants at neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The rate of extubation failure among preterm infants is between 16% and 40% worldwide. Numerous studies have been conducted on the assessment of extubation suitability, the optimal choice of respiratory support around extubation, and the effectiveness of medical interventions. Since the Caffeine Therapy for Apnea of Prematurity (CAP) trial, caffeine has become one of the essential drugs at NICUs. However, the optimal dosage and timing for adequate effectiveness still need to be more conclusive. Previous studies suggest that higher doses of caffeine treatment increase the success rate of extubation. Therefore, we aim to determine whether using a single additional loading dose of caffeine citrate one hour prior to extubation impacts the success rate of extubation.

Methods
The study is an open-label, multicenter randomized clinical trial testing the effectiveness and safety of pre-extubational loading dose of caffeine citrate. Inclusion criteria will be infants born before the 32nd gestational week, before the first extubation attempt after at least 48 hours of mechanical ventilation, and a signed parental informed consent. A total of 226 patients will be randomly allocated to either the experimental or control group. The randomization will be stratified by gestational age and antenatal steroid prophylaxis. Preterm infants in the experimental group will receive an additional intravenous (IV) loading dose (20 mg/kg) of caffeine citrate one hour before the first planned extubation, in addition to the standard dosing regimen (20 mg/kg caffeine citrate IV on the first day of life and 5 to 10 mg/kg IV or orally caffeine citrate each consecutive day). Preterm infants in the control group will receive the standard dosing regimen. The primary outcome will be reintubation within 48 hours.

Discussion
A pre-extubational loading dose of caffeine citrate can reduce extubation failure. Obtaining evidence on this feature has the potential to contribute to finding the optimal dosing regimen.

Trial registration number
The study protocol was approved by the Hungarian Ethics Committee for Clinical Pharmacology of the Medical Research Council and National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (OGYÉI/6838-11/2023). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT06401083 Registered 06. May 2024.; EudraCT number: 2022-003202-77.
Clinical course and neurological outcomes of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: A single center retrospective observational study
Authors: Sitthilok Pasook , Niprapan Piangrawee , Tantiworawit Adisak , Punnachet Teerachat , Hantrakun Nonthakorn , Piriyakhuntorn Pokpong , Rattanathammethee Thanawat , Hantrakool Sasinee , Rattarittamrong Ekarat , Norasetthada Lalita , Chai-Adisaksopha Chatree 
Published: January 2025

Background
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare type of thrombosis that affects the cerebral venous system. The data on neurological outcomes are limited.

Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the neurological outcomes of CVST, contributing factors, clinical presentation, treatment and mortality.

Methods
This was a single-center, retrospective study at a university-based referral hospital in Thailand. Consecutive patients diagnosed with CVST between January 2010 and December 2020 were included. Outcomes were neurological outcomes measured by modified Rankin Scale (mRS), anticoagulant treatment, recurrence, and mortality.

Results
One hundred and seven CVST patients were included with a mean age (± SD) of 42.7 ± 20.4 years. Following the treatment, neurological outcomes significantly improved, with the proportion of patients with mRS 0–1 increasing from 18.7% at diagnosis to 83.2% and 85.1% at three and six months, respectively (P < 0.001). Clinical variables were associated with residual neurological symptoms (mRS≥1) included age ≥ 50 years (OR 4.1, 95% CI; 1.7–9.4, P 0.001), male sex (OR 3.0, 95%CI; 1.4–6.6, P 0.006), the thrombus involvement in deep sinus system (OR 6.1, 95%CI; 1.1–76.9, P 0.04) and cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis (CVT) risk score ≥ 1 (OR 3.1, 95%CI; 1.3–7.5, P 0.014). Patients whose CVST was associated with hormonal therapy were found to have a lower risk of residual neurological symptoms (OR 0.2, 95%CI 0.1–0.6, P 0.004). Hormonal therapy was associated with anticoagulant discontinuation (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1–7.0; P = 0.04). The presence of malignancy increased the risk of bleeding (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.4–24.1; P 0.016). Overall mortality was 2.8%. Of which 50% were related to major bleeding.

Conclusions
A significant improvement in neurological outcomes was observed at 3 and 6 months after diagnosis. Older age, male sex, thrombus involvement in deep sinus system were associated with residual neurological symptoms.
Changes in life satisfaction over six years in the general population: A longitudinal study with the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS)
Authors: Hinz Andreas , Mehnert-Theuerkauf Anja , Glaesmer Heide , Schroeter Matthias L. , Tibubos Ana N. , Petrowski Katja , Friedrich Michael 
Published: January 2025

Background
Satisfaction with life is a key concept for most individuals. The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) for measuring general life satisfaction has been widely analyzed in terms of cross-sectional associations. However, the knowledge about long-term changes in life satisfaction and the associations between such changes and changes in other variables of physical and mental health is limited.

Methods
A community-based representative sample of the general population has been examined twice with a time interval of six years (n = 4,999), using the SWLS and several other scales.

Results
Over the six years, the mean SWLS score of the total sample remained nearly unchanged (M = 27.0, SD = 5.2, both at t1 and at t2). The test-retest correlation was rtt = 0.66 for the total sample, and there were only marginal differences in temporal stability between male and female respondents. Changes in the SWLS over the six years were correlated with changes in optimism (r = 0.23), mental health (r = 0.26), social functioning (r = 0.22), perceived social support (r = 0.21), anxiety (r = -0.30), and physical complaints (r = -0.18). These change score correlations were lower than the corresponding coefficients under the cross-sectional perspective. Measurement invariance across sex, age, and time was established.

Conclusion
The SWLS proved to be an appropriate tool for assessing changes in life satisfaction, and correlations between change scores of life satisfaction and health-related variables complement the knowledge about these associations from a cross-sectional perspective.
The current landscape of personalised preventive approaches for non-communicable diseases: A scoping review
Authors: Farina Sara , Osti Tommaso , Russo Luigi , Maio Alessandra , Scarsi Nicolò , Savoia Cosimo , Taha Abdelrahman , Villani Leonardo , Pastorino Roberta , Boccia Stefania 
Published: January 2025

Introduction
Personalised prevention offers a promising tool to reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases, which represent a growing health burden worldwide. However, to support the adoption of this innovation it is needed to clarify the current state of available evidence in this area. This work aims to provide an overview of recent publications on personalised prevention for chronic conditions.

Materials and methods
A scoping review of scientific literature from Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and grey literature was conducted. Eligible articles included prospective primary studies and clinical practice directives on personalised preventive approaches for chronic diseases published between January 2017 to December 2023. The review followed Arksey-O’Malley guidelines and PRISMA-ScR checklist.

Results
We identified 121 publications including 60 primary cohort studies and 61 clinical practice directives. We extracted 249 personalised preventive approaches, 27% in primary prevention, 27% in secondary prevention, and 46% in tertiary prevention. In primary prevention, 50% of the 67 approaches were from cohort studies, mainly targeting cardiovascular diseases, and 50% from directives primarily focused on cancer. Secondary prevention included 66 approaches, 73% from directives mainly concerning breast cancer. Tertiary prevention included 116 approaches, evenly distributed among the two publication types and focusing mostly on cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Lastly, tertiary prevention is the most represented level of prevention both in primary research studies and directives (54% and 41% respectively).

Conclusions
Our study highlights a significant focus on personalised prevention in oncology in the past few years, with numerous recently issued clinical practice directives. We identified substantial original research in personalised primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, indicating growing interest in the field. However, the distribution of primary studies and directives across the three preventive levels anticipate challenges in generating evidence of clinical utility in primary and secondary prevention, with most approaches falling under tertiary prevention.
Casein Kinases 2-dependent phosphorylation of the placental ligand VAR2CSA regulates Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes cytoadhesion
Authors: Dorin-Semblat Dominique , Semblat Jean-Philippe , Hamelin Romain , Srivastava Anand , Tetard Marilou , Matesic Graziella , Doerig Christian , Gamain Benoit 
Published: January 2025

Placental malaria is characterized by the massive accumulation and sequestration of infected erythrocytes in the placental intervillous blood spaces, causing severe birth outcomes. The variant surface antigen VAR2CSA is associated with Plasmodium falciparum sequestration in the placenta via its capacity to adhere to chondroitin sulfate A. We have previously shown that the extracellular region of VAR2CSA is phosphorylated on several residues and that the phosphorylation enhances the adhesive properties of CSA-binding infected erythrocytes. Here, we aimed to identify the kinases mediating this phosphorylation. We report that Human and Plasmodium falciparum Casein Kinase 2α are involved in the phosphorylation of the extracellular region of VAR2CSA. We notably show that both CK2α can phosphorylate the extracellular region of recombinant and immunoprecipitated VAR2CSA. Mass spectrometry analysis of recombinant VAR2CSA phosphorylated by recombinant Human and P. falciparum CK2α combined with site-directed mutagenesis led to the identification of residue S1068 in VAR2CSA, which is phosphorylated by both enzymes and is associated with CSA binding. Furthermore, using CRISPR/Cas9 we generated a parasite line in which phosphoresidue S1068 was changed to alanine. This mutation strongly impairs infected erythrocytes adhesion by abolishing VAR2CSA translocation to the surface of infected erythrocytes. We also report that two specific CK2 inhibitors reduce infected erythrocytes adhesion to CSA and decrease the phosphorylation of the recombinant extracellular region of VAR2CSA using either infected erythrocytes lysates as a source of kinases or recombinant Human and P. falciparum casein kinase 2.
Taken together, these results undoubtedly demonstrate that host and P. falciparum CK2α phosphorylate the extracellular region of VAR2CSA and that this post-translational modification is important for VAR2CSA trafficking and for infected erythrocytes adhesion to CSA.
On the convexity theory of generating functions
Authors: Loeper Grégoire , Trudinger Neil S. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In this paper, we extend our convexity theory for C
2 cost functions in optimal transportation to more general generating functions, which were originally introduced by the second author to extend the framework of optimal transportation to embrace near field geometric optics. In particular we provide an alternative geometric treatment to the previous analytic approach using differential inequalities, which also gives a different derivation of the invariance of the fundamental regularity conditions under duality. We also extend our local theory to cover the strict version of these conditions for C
2 cost and generating functions.
Weltallwissen im Buch – Konzept und Gestaltung des Ausstellungsbereichs in der Martinus-Bibliothek Mainz
Authors: Suwelack Hedwig 
Published: January 2025

Zusammenfassung
In der Martinus-Bibliothek – Diözesanbibliothek des Bistums Mainz wurde 2024 ein Ausstellungsbereich konzeptioniert und neugestaltet. Das Konzept, das die besonderen Herausforderungen des Ausstellens von Büchern berücksichtigen möchte, wurde mit der Ausstellung „Weltallwissen – Neue Astronomie und die Entstehung der modernen Naturwissenschaft im 17. Jahrhundert“ (30.09.2024 bis 21.02.2025) umgesetzt. In diesem Aufsatz werden die Überlegungen zur inhaltlichen Konzipierung, die gestalterischen Aspekte insbesondere in Bezug auf grafische Gestaltung und Ausstellungsmobiliar sowie die inhaltliche Aufbereitung der Exponate dargestellt. Die Gestaltung des Ausstellungsraumes soll eine langfristige Nachnutzung in neuen inhaltlichen Ausstellungskontexten bei begrenztem Ressourcenaufwand ermöglichen.
International Commodity-Tax Competition and Asymmetric Producer Prices
Authors: Yasar Sezer 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In this paper, I extend the seminal commodity-tax competition model of Kanbur and Keen (1993. “Jeux Sans Frontières: Tax Competition and Tax Coordination When Countries Differ in Size.” The American Economic Review 83: 877–92) letting asymmetric producer prices between countries of different sizes. Unlike Kanbur and Keen, I show that there are multiple equilibria, and at some equilibria, small-country consumers cross-shop from the large. Besides, tax harmonization can benefit the small country, and a minimum tax rate can decrease a country’s tax revenue.
Investigating the role of hyperexpressed HCN1 in inducing myocardial infarction through activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Liang Xiao , Zhang Jie , Luo Ya 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
We investigated the protective effect of the NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on cardiomyocyte injury induced by HCN1 channel overexpression, and explored the underlying mechanisms. An HCN1 overexpression vector was constructed and transfected into H9C2 cells, followed by PDTC treatment. The experiments comprised the following groups: control, control + PDTC, overexpression negative control, HCN1 overexpression (HCN1-OE), and combined HCN1-OE + PDTC groups. Cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK8 assay, while apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by flow cytometry. ELISA kits were used to determine the levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and interleukin-1 beta. The HCN1-OE group exhibited increased apoptosis, elevated ROS, and decreased survival. Western blot (WB) analysis revealed increased levels of p65, p-IκB, IKKβ, NLRP3, Beclin-1, and LC3 II/I proteins in the HCN1-OE group. PDTC treatment for 48 h post-HCN1-OE resulted in improved cell viability, reduced apoptosis, and decreased ROS in the HCN1-OE + PDTC group. Immunofluorescence and WB analysis indicated a reduction in HCN1 and NF-κB pathway protein levels in the HCN1-OE + PDTC group. In conclusion, PDTC provided protection against HCN1-induced cardiomyocyte injury, potentially by modulating inflammatory cytokines and regulating the IKKβ/IκB/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Disruption of BCAA degradation is a critical characteristic of diabetic cardiomyopathy revealed by integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis
Authors: Wu Yanxia , Jiang Wanxiang , Wang Junlong , Xie Guoqing , Sun Yan , Yang Jinliang 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In this study, we integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in a diabetic rat model. Functional and molecular characterizations revealed significant cardiac injury, dysfunction, and ventricular remodeling in DCM. A thorough analysis of global changes in genes and metabolites showed that amino acid metabolism, especially the breakdown of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) such as valine, leucine, and isoleucine, is highly dysregulated. Furthermore, the study identified the transcription factor Gata3 as a predicted negative regulator of the gene encoding the key enzyme for BCAA degradation. These findings suggest that the disruption of BCAA degradation is a critical characteristic of diabetic myocardial damage and indicate a potential role for Gata3 in the dysregulation of BCAA metabolism in the context of DCM.
How Do Metaphors Emerge from Cultural Images? On Hermeneutics of Sweetness
Authors: Vydra Anton 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The paper focuses on the relations between hermeneutics, spirituality and imagination. The theoretical frame is formed by the notion of imaginative sets. These sets of dominant cultural images inscribe themselves into our understanding of the meanings of texts or spiritual contents. One such imaginative schema has undoubtedly been the image of reading as nourishment and the subsequent image of reading as pleasure or sweetness. The latter will be used here as an example of how from cultural images emerge metaphors by assigning certain meaning to them. The basis of these images goes back to early Christian times and to the metaphor of learning as eating. Medieval hermeneutics adopted these images according to its cultural forms. However, the use of the metaphor of sweetness in the Middle Ages differs from the use of the similar metaphors in the early Christianity because of the changed meaning attributed to the image. The imaginative set of sweetness reached their peak with Cusanus, but it appeared sporadically afterwards and is still active today when people say about nutritious reading or the savouring of texts. Imaginative sets thus not only have their history of petrified metaphors, but also the history of reactivations of images.