bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality Improvement in Public-Private Partnerships in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Iroz Cassandra B. , Ramaswamy Rohit , Bhutta Zulfiqar A. , Barach Paul 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background Public-private partnerships (PPP) are often how health improvement programs are implemented in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). We therefore aimed to systematically review the literature about the aim and impact of quality improvement (QI) approaches in PPP in LMIC. Methods We searched SCOPUS and grey literature for studies published before March 2022. One reviewer screened abstracts and full-text studies for inclusion. Study characteristics, setting, design, outcomes, and lessons learned were abstracted using a standard tool and reviewed by a second author. Results We identified 9,457 citations, of which 144 met the inclusion criteria and underwent full-text abstraction. We identified five themes for successful QI projects in LMIC: 1) leadership support and alignment with overarching priorities, 2) local ownership and engagement of frontline teams, 3) shared authentic learning across teams, 4) resilience in managing external challenges, and 5) robust data and data visualization to track progress. We found great heterogeneity in QI tools, study designs, participants, and outcome measures. Most studies had diffuse aims and poor descriptions of the intervention components. Few studies discussed the response to the finding and their willingness to change. Conclusions Empirical research is needed to explore the implementation challenges and contextual factors that influence how a PPP can best be implemented to improve population health. Vague descriptions of the structure of the PPPs and roles of public and private entities made it difficult to draw conclusions about the impact of the organizational governance on the outcomes of QI programs in LMIC. We outline a rich area future research, including the need for a clearer description of the interventions, uniform outcome measures, and focus on response to the findings. To improve research equity, more ownership and power should be shifted to local leaders and researchers.
Chronological change of tibial eminence after bi-cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Inui Hiroshi , Yamagami Ryota , Kono Kenichi , Kawaguchi Kohei , Saita Kazuo , Taketomi Shuji , Tanaka Sakae 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Bicruciate-retaining (BCR) prostheses have been introduced to recreate normal knee movements by preserving both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament. One of the surgical procedures essential to the success of BCR total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is preservation of the tibial eminence. However, in our clinical experience, we found that a well-preserved tibial eminence changed its shape chronologically after the operation. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of chronological changes in the tibial eminence after BCR TKA and its influence on the outcomes.
Methods
This study included 59 patients with BCR TKA. Radiographs taken at 2 weeks postoperatively and at an average follow-up of 3.2 years were used to assess the tibial eminence. The patients’ demographics, joint component gaps, and clinical scores were compared between the groups with chronological change (P group) and without change (N group).
Results
The chronological change of the tibial eminence was found in 22 cases (37%). The joint component gaps at extension were larger in P group than in N group. The scores in the symptoms and ADL subscales of the KOOS were significantly higher at 1 year postoperatively in N group than in P group. There were no significant differences between the two groups at the final follow-up.
Conclusions
Chronological changes in the well-preserved tibial eminence were found in approximately one third of the BCR TKA patients. The mean scores at 1-year postoperatively were lower in the patients with chronological changes in the tibial eminence than in the patients without changes.
Evaluation of Antibody-based Preventive Alternatives for Respiratory Syncytial Virus: A Novel Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Framework and Assessment of Nirsevimab in Spain
Authors: Mestre-Ferrándiz Jorge , Rivero Agustín , Orrico-Sánchez Alejandro , Hidalgo Álvaro , Abdalla Fernando , Martín Isabel , Álvarez Javier , García-Cenoz Manuel , Pacheco Maria Carmen , Garcés-Sánchez María , Zozaya Néboa , Ortiz-de-Lejarazu Raúl 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly infectious disease that poses a significant clinical and medical burden, as well as social disruption and economic costs, recognized by the World Health Organization as a public health issue. After several failed attempts to find preventive candidates (compounds, products, including vaccines), new alternatives might be available, one being nirsevimab, the first and only option approved for RSV prevention in neonates and infants during their first RSV season. The objective of this study was to develop a novel multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework for RSV antibody-based preventive alternatives and to use it to assess the value of nirsevimab vs. placebo as a systematic immunization approach to prevent RSV in neonates and infants during their first RSV season in Spain.
Methods
Based on a pre-established model called Vaccinex, an ad-hoc MCDA framework was created to reflect relevant attributes for the assessment of current and future antibody-based preventive measures for RSV. The estimated value of nirsevimab was obtained by means of an additive linear model combining weights and scores assigned by a multidisciplinary committee of 9 experts. A Re-test and three sensitivity analyses were conducted.
Results
Nirsevimab was evaluated through a novel framework with 26 criteria by the committee as a measure that adds value (positive final estimated value: 0.56 ± 0.11) to the current RSV scenario in Spain, by providing a high efficacy for prevention of neonates and infants. In addition, its implementation might generate cost savings in hospitalizations and to the healthcare system and increase the level of public health awareness among the general population, while reducing health inequities.
Conclusions
Under a methodology with increasing use in the health field, nirsevimab has been evaluated as a measure which adds value for RSV prevention in neonates and infants during their first RSV season in Spain.
Transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses provide insights into plant resistance of Alsophila spinulosa
Authors: Yang Wei-Cheng , He Qin-Qin , Jiang Yu , Zhang Li-Jun , Xiao Jia-Xing , Yang Jiao , Che Bing-Jie , Zhang Bing-Cheng , Chen Hang-Dan , Li Jiang 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background:
Tenthredinidae feeds on Alsophila. This study aimed to detect special metabolites that attract pests.
Metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses were used on the Alsophila spinulosa and Gymnosphaera metteniana var. subglabra samples.
Results:
The results of transcriptome changes indicate that differentially expressed genes (degrees) are involved, such as genes expressing kaempferol-3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside. It has a wide range of expression patterns in plants and may lead to the color and morphology of leaves of the A. spinulosa and G. metteniana var. subglabra.
Conclusions:
These results are helpful to identify effective biological control methods and provide a scientific basis for maintaining a good habitat for Alsophila spp. in the nature reserve in later stages.
Geochemical Study of the Sediments in Main Valleys East of Mosul city, Iraq
Authors: Al-Dabbagh Ali Hashim , Al-Youzbakey Kotayba Tawfiq 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The geochemical alterations in the sediments along streams enable predicting processes transpiring on the Earth's surface, such as weathering, transportation, cation exchange, and more. Moreover, the sediments serve as an environmental indicator and facilitate a clearer comprehension of the geological conditions. In addition to being the primary repository for heavy metals (H.M.s), sediments can also act as a source of pollution associated with these elements. The study area is located on the eastern side of Mosul, northern Iraq. The valleys of Al-Rashediya, Al-Kharrazi, Al-Khosar Al-Danffilli, and Al-Shor descend from elevated regions towards the Tigris River. The sediments in these valleys encompass various constituents, including clay minerals, organic matter, iron oxides, carbonates, and H.M.s, as part of these components or adsorbed onto them. Thirty-six sediment samples were collected from these valleys and subjected to chemical analysis using the X-ray fluorescence technique to determine their chemical composition. Several statistical procedures were employed to examine the distribution of H.M.s in the sediments, including correlation coefficient and factor analysis. The factor analysis yielded four principal components, accounting for 80.86% of the total variance. The first, third, and fourth components elucidate the influence of weathering and transportation on different parent rocks, whereas the second component represents the impact of human activities. The impact of industrial, civil, and agricultural activities on these valleys was assessed using pollution indices such as the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and the enrichment factor (E.F.).
Seasonal changes in male color patches and parasite load of the male lizard Sceloporus torquatus
Authors: Rivera-Rea Jimena , Gonzalez-Morales Juan Carlos , Megia-Palma Rodrigo , Bastiaans Elizabeth , Quintana Erendira , Manjarrez Javier 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The parasite-mediated sexual selection hypothesis predicts that color expression in color patches of animals can honestly reflect male quality in terms of resistance to parasites. Sceloporine lizards have structural-based blue color patches that can act as intraspecific signals and may thus reflect immunocompetence. However, both color patch expression and intensity of parasitic infections in lizards can vary across seasons. In consequence, we might expect that coloration would honestly reflect immunocompetence to resist parasites only during the mating season. We sampled males of Sceloporus torquatus in central Mexico in spring, summer, and autumn and quantified the reflectance of two structural-based color patches (throat and venter), abundance of two categories of parasites (mites and hemoparasites), and lizards’ local inflammatory response to a mitogen (IRM) as a measure of immunocompetence. We examined whether (i) the coloration of lizards changed across seasons in the population, (ii) there is a relationship between coloration and parasite load and/or IRM, and (iii) the latter relationships remained consistent across seasons. Our study shows that color expression seasonally varied; the structural-based coloration of the two patches was significantly more intense in summer, before the mating season. Furthermore, the throat color was more intense in those males with lower parasite load and higher IRM. However, season had no effect on these relationships, suggesting that color expression in the males of S. torquatus can consistently reflect some components of their immunocompetence throughout the year, supporting the honesty of the structural-based coloration in this species.
Causal relationship between dietary intake and diabetic retinopathy: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Cheng Yuxin , Chen Xuanyi , Zhu Guangyu , Sun Yue , Luo Shichun , Liu Yujie , Li Na , lu Xuejing 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Aim
To examine the association between dietary factors and DR, proliferative DR, background DR
Materials and methods
We screened 17 dietary datasets from the IEU Open GWAS project (https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk/) and obtained the DR, background DR, and proliferative DR datasets related to diabetic retinopathy from the FinnGen biobank(https://r5.finngen.fi/).The inverse variance weighted method (IVW) was utilized as the primary method for Mendelian randomization analysis, and heterogeneity and pleiotropy analyses were incorporated to ensure the robustness of the results.
Results
The results of the study indicate that the intake of cheese could have a protective effect on background DR（OR：0.411,95%CI：0.203-0.833, P：0.014）. Furthermore, cheese intake was also found to be a protective factor for proliferative DR（OR：0.652，95%CI：0.443 -0.963，P: 0.032）. However, no significant causal association was observed between DR and the other dietary intake factors analyzed in the study.
Conclusion
Our study has shown that the consumption of cheese is associated with a decreased risk of both background DR and proliferative DR, However, more prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings in the future.
Noninvasive ocular ultrasound dynamic assessment of intracranial pressure with encephalitis
Authors: Li Cong , Zhang Shurui , Chen Ying , Zhang Jie , Wang Sibo , Liu Ying , Wang Li-juan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background Patients with encephalitis and high intracranial pressure (ICP) may have increased optic disc height (ODH) and widened optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). This study investigated whether ONSD and ODH under ultrasound can dynamically evaluate the change of high ICP in encephalitis patients. Methods We recruited suspected high ICP patients who underwent lumbar puncture. The ODH and ONSD was measured before the lumbar puncture. ODH, ONSD and ICP were recorded at admission, two weeks followed up and one month followed up. We analyzed the correlation between ODH, ONSD, and ICP and its changes. The predicted fit was also compared by linear mixed-effects models. Results Totally, 56 headache patients with high ICP were enrolled. On admission, the correlation between ODH and ICP had an r value of 0.586 (P < 0.01), and between ONSD and ICP, an r value of 0.769 (P < 0.01). Two weeks followed up, no significant correlation between ODH change and ICP change (P = 0.536). But the change in ONSD was associated with changes in ICP (r = 0.572, P < 0.001). One month followed up, the correlation between ONSD change and ICP change were stronger than those between ODH change and ICP change (r = 0.667 vs. r = 0.435, P < 0.01). In linear mixed-effects model, ONSD had a better fitting value than ODH in the prediction model for ICP (P < 0.05). Conclusions Noninvasive ultrasonic ODH and ONSD are useful in assessing the presence of high ICP in encephalitis patients. ONSD is an earlier and more sensitive indicator for dynamically and noninvasively assessing the elevated ICP than ODH.
Oxidative Techniques for Naphtha Desulfurization: Review for Materials and Challenges in Refineries
Authors: Almansory zahraa , Almaliky Murtadha , Alkazrajy Jamal 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The sulfur content in fuels, including naphtha, is subject to strict environmental regulations due to its harmful effects on air quality and human health. This research aims to contribute to the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly desulfurization processes and to explore the potential of oxidative techniques for naphtha desulfurization in refining industry. The research will encompass a range of sulfur compounds commonly found in naphtha, including mercaptans and thiophenes. Various naphtha samples with different initial sulfur concentrations will be examined under controlled conditions. The study will also consider the selection and characterization of catalysts, solvents, and oxidants for the oxidative desulfurization process. The findings of this study could potentially lead to the implementation of oxidative techniques as a viable alternative or complementary method to traditional desulfurization processes.
Reaction norm for genomic prediction of plant growth: modeling drought stress response in soybean
Authors: Toda Yusuke , Sasaki Goshi , Ohmori Yoshihiro , Yamasaki Yuji , Takahashi Hirokazu , Takanashi Hideki , Tsuda Mai , Kajiya-Kanegae Hiromi , Tsujimoto Hisashi , Kaga Akito , Hirai Masami , Nakazono Mikio , Fujiwara Toru , Iwata Hiroyoshi 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Advances in high-throughput phenotyping technology have made it possible to obtain time-series plant growth data in field trials, enabling genotype-by-environment interaction (G×E) modeling of plant growth. Although the reaction norm is an effective method for quantitatively evaluating G×E and has been implemented in genomic prediction models, no reaction norm models have been applied to plant growth data. Here, we propose a novel reaction norm model for plant growth using spline and random forest models, in which daily growth is explained by environmental factors one day prior. The proposed model was applied to soybean canopy area and height to evaluate the influence of drought stress levels. Changes in the canopy area and height of 198 cultivars were measured by remote sensing using unmanned aerial vehicles. Multiple drought stress levels were set as treatments and their time-series soil moisture was measured. The models were evaluated using leave-one-environment-out cross-validation, in which a treatment-by-year combination was considered the environment. These results suggest that our model can capture G×E during the early growth, especially canopy height. Significant variations in the G×E of the canopy height during the early growth period were visualized using the estimated reaction norms. This result indicates the effectiveness of the proposed models on plant growth data and the possibility of revealing G×E in various growth stages in plant breeding by applying statistical or machine learning models to time-series phenotype data obtained with remote sensing.
Association between cardiometabolic index and erectile dysfunction among US adults: A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2004
Authors: zhang xiansheng , zhang yuyang , wu xu , liu guodong , Feng Xingliang , Zhang Wei , jiang hui 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: The cardiometabolic index (CMI), a new metabolic index, has had few studies exploring the relationship with erectile dysfunction (ED).
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association between CMI and ED in among U.S adult men from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Methods: The data for this study relied on the NHANES database. We used data from two separate NHANES datasets for the analysis: 2001-2002 and 2003-2004. Calculate CMI index: Triglyceride (TG) (mmol/L)/ High density lipid-cholesterol (HDL-C) (mmol/L) ×waist-height ratio (WHtR). We used multivariate logistic regression, subgroup analysis, and dose-response curves to assess the relationship between CMI and ED.
Results: From 2001 to 2004, 1367 adult male participants were identified. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that in the fully adjusted model 2, CMI was significantly associated with ED (OR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.04) (p=0.017). Subsequently, we convert the CMI from a continuous variable to a categorical variable (tertile), the results showed that the risk of ED was significantly increased in the T3 group compared with the T1 group in the adjusted model 2 (OR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.83, P=0.024). In the fully adjusted model 2, the results of the subgroup analysis showed that age ≥50 years (OR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.35, 3.95, P=0.005), BMI >30 kg/m2 (OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.90, P=0.023), hypertension (OR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.63, 3.45, P=0.020), diabetes mellitus (OR= 1.67, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.47, P=0.015), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.10, P=0.011) and smoking (OR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.26, 3.39, P=0.007) categories were associated with a higher prevalence of ED
Conclusions: This study demonstrates a strong association between CMI and ED and an increased risk of ED with higher CMI levels. More prospective studies with large samples and good designs are needed to validate our results in the future
Management of Emphysematous Pyelonephritis in a Young Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Souid Ahmed , Ma Abraham , Basin Michael , Bratslavsky Gennady , Goldberg Hanan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant, neurocutaneous disorder with manifestations in multiple organs, including renal angiomyolipomas (AML). These benign tumors are monitored but may require embolization, medical management, or excision if large or bleeding. In this case study, we present a young patient with TSC who required embolization for a large AML. She suffered an extended hospital stay, including post-embolization syndrome and fetal loss, before developing gross hematuria and, finally, emphysematous pyelonephritis. Despite presenting with severe sepsis, she was managed conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drains. She markedly improved and was discharged with drains in place. Her case is unique because she is without classic risk factors for emphysematous pyelonephritis and has bilateral TSC-related AMLs.
Synergistic antibacterial activity of EGCGcombined with imipenem against planktonic Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and the evaluation of independent antibiofilm activity of EGCG
Authors: Zhang Longtao , Zhang Anran , Chen Qianqian , Hu Zhidong 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To explore the synergistic antibacterial activity of EGCG combined with IMP against planktonic CRKP and evaluate the independent antibiofilm activity of EGCG.
Methods
Broth microdilution method was determined the MIC of EGCG. synergistic antibacterial activity between EGCG and IMP against planktonic CRKP was assessed by the FIC index. MBIC and MBRC were determined to describe the antibiofilm activity of EGCG using a microtiter plate assay. PCR was carried out to detect the presences and the relative expressions of mrkA, wbbm and luxS gene in clinical CRKP strains.
Result
EGCG not only expressed a low tendency of bacterial resistance, but also dramatically increased the susceptibility of CRKP against IMP with a reduction in the MIC of IMP by up to 32-fold, even reversed the resistance to IMP. In addition, the sub-MIC of EGCG exhibited preferable antibiofilm activity, with MBIC90 of 8 µg/mL and MBRC of 64–128 µg/mL. PCR showed the highest correlation was showed between the mrkA and the biofilm biomass with a PCCS of 0.727 and the relative expression levels of the mrkA gene in the EGCG treated groups were down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusion
EGCG showed a high efficiency in synergistic antibacterial with a low tendency of EGCG-resistance development. And EGCG displayed the potential for prophylaxis and cure of biofilm-associated infections caused by CRKP via down-regulating the expression of mrkA gene.
Dual-site segmentally synergistically catalysis mechanism: boosting CoFeSx nanocluster for sustainable water oxidation
Authors: Zhang Jianan , Xu Siran , Yu Yue , XUE Dongping , Liu Mengli , zhao kaiyue , Xu Bingjun 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Developing efficient oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts is essential to promoting sustainable clean energy conversion. However, the intrinsic activity and stability are compromised by the scaling constraint relationship between key oxygen intermediates *OOH and *OH for the conventional adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM), and the lattice oxygen migration and structural reconstruction for lattice-oxygen-mediated mechanism (LOM). Herein, we proposed a unconventional Co-Fe dual-site synergistic mechanism (DSSM) on a single-domain ferromagnetic catalyst CoFeSx nanoclusters on carbon nanotube (CNT) catalyst (CFS-ACs/CNT), which can effectively break the scaling relationship without sacrificing stability. Co3+ (L.S, t2g6eg0) supplies the strongest OH* adsorption energy, while Fe3+ (M.S, t2g4eg1) exposes strong O* adsorption. These two types of sites synergistically promote the production of Co-O-O-Fe intermediates, thereby benefiting accelerating the release of triplet-state oxygen (↑O=O↑). As predicted, the prepared CFS-ACs/CNT catalyst exhibited less overpotential than that of commercial IrO2, as well as about 633 h stability without significant potential loss.