bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Predictors and Biomarkers in Children With Sepsis and Bacterial Meningitis
Authors: Castagno Emanuele , Aguzzi Sonia , Rossi Lorenza , Gallo Rachele , Carpino Andrea , Ricceri Fulvio , Urbino Antonio F. , Bondone Claudia 
Published: January 2023

Objectives
Sepsis and meningitis in children may present with different clinical features and a wide range of values of inflammatory markers. The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic value of clinical features and biomarkers in children with sepsis and bacterial meningitis in the emergency department (ED).

Methods
We carried out a single-center, retrospective, observational study on 194 children aged 0 to 14 years with sepsis and bacterial meningitis admitted to the pediatric ED of a tertiary children's hospital through 12 years.

Results
Among epidemiological and early clinical features, age older than 12 months, capillary refill time greater than 3 seconds, and oxygen blood saturation lower than 90% were significantly associated with unfavorable outcomes, along with neurological signs (P < 0.05). Among laboratory tests, only procalcitonin was an accurate and early prognostic biomarker for sepsis and bacterial meningitis in the ED, both on admission and after 24 hours. Procalcitonin cut-off value on admission for short-term complications was 19.6 ng/mL, whereas the cut-off values for long-term sequelae were 19.6 ng/mL on admission and 41.9 ng/mL after 24 hours, respectively. The cut-off values for mortality were 18.9 ng/mL on admission and 62.4 ng/mL at 24 hours.

Conclusions
Procalcitonin, along with clinical evaluation, can guide the identification of children at higher risk of morbidity and mortality, allowing the most appropriate monitoring and treatment.
Individual and Neighborhood Characteristics Associated With Confirmatory and Follow-up Blood Lead Testing Among Children With Elevated Blood Lead Levels
Authors: Chen Yeh-Hsin , Ma Zhen-qiang , Watkins Sharon M. 
Published: January 2023

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to assess the proportions and likelihood of children who receive confirmatory and follow-up blood lead testing within the recommended time frames after an initial capillary elevated blood lead level (EBLL) and confirmed EBLL, respectively, by individual and neighborhood-level sociodemographic characteristics.

Design:
We linked and used blood testing and sociodemographic characteristics data from a Pennsylvania birth cohort including children born between 2017 and 2018. Generalized linear mixed models were constructed to examine the associations between sociodemographic factors and having recommended confirmatory and follow-up testing.

Setting:
A population-based, retrospective cohort study.

Participants:
In this birth cohort, children who underwent at least 1 BLL test were followed up to 24 months of age. Children with a first unconfirmed (n = 6259) and confirmed BLL (n = 4213) ≥ 5 μg/dL were included in the analysis.

Main Outcome Measure:
Children had confirmatory and follow-up testing within the recommended time frames.

Results:
Of the children with unconfirmed and confirmed EBLLs, 3555 (56.8%) and 1298 (30.8%) received confirmatory and follow-up testing, respectively. The proportions of the 2 outcome measures were lower among children experiencing certain sociodemographic disadvantages. In the univariate analyses, lower initial BLLs, older age, non-Hispanic Blacks, lower maternal educational levels, maternal Medicaid, The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) enrollment, maternal smoking, and higher quartiles of neighborhood poverty and old housing were associated with lower odds of having confirmatory and follow-up testing. However, in multivariate models, children with lower initial BLLs, older age, maternal smoking, and non-Hispanic Blacks were significantly less likely to have confirmatory and follow-up testing.

Conclusions:
There were deficiencies in having recommended confirmatory and follow-up blood lead testing among children, especially those with sociodemographic disadvantages. Public health agencies and stakeholders should finetune policies to improve follow-up testing in conjunction with primary and secondary preventions for early detection and reduction of lead exposure among targeted children at risk of lead poisoning.
Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline Utilization and Outcomes by Diabetes Status
Authors: Martinez Sydney A. , Hasan Afsheen , Boeckman Lindsay M. , Beebe Laura A. 
Published: January 2023

Context:
Diabetes and cigarette smoking are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who smoke are at an increased risk of smoking- and diabetes-related morbidity and mortality.

Objective:
We examined utilization patterns, satisfaction, and tobacco cessation outcomes among persons with T2D to determine whether the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is an equally effective intervention for tobacco users with T2D compared with those without diabetes.

Design:
This study was a retrospective cohort design using registration and follow-up data from a state tobacco quitline.

Setting:
We examined Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline registration data from July 2015 to June 2021 to compare Helpline utilization among individuals who self-reported a previous diagnosis of T2D compared with those not reporting a diagnosis of diabetes.

Participants:
Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline registrants enrolled in a call program, either the single- or multiple-call program, who reported diabetes status at baseline. We compared tobacco use history, program enrollment, and services received for individuals self-reporting T2D with those without diabetes.

Main Outcome Measures:
We compared 30-day point-prevalence abstinence at 7 months and evaluated program satisfaction.

Results:
Registrants with T2D were more likely to receive a higher intensity of services including the number of coaching calls and the amount of nicotine replacement therapy. At 7-month follow-up, 32.3% of registrants with T2D and 35.1% of those without diabetes reported 30-day point-prevalence abstinence, but the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:
While findings demonstrate similar effectiveness, more research is needed to better understand why the prevalence of tobacco use remains high among individuals with T2D and how to improve cessation in this population.
18F-FDG PET/CT of a Rare Sternal Osteoblastoma in a Man With History of Lymphoma
Authors: Liang Jie , Huang Wen-Shan , Lan Wen-Zhen , Li Yong , Xu Jie-Hua 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
A 27-year-old man, with a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma 8 years ago, was admitted due to 9 months of persistent sternal pain. Chest CT revealed a mass in the sternum. 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed, demonstrating a radioactive accumulation mass in the sternum, accompanied by massive osteogenesis and osteolysis. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples confirmed the diagnosis of aggressive osteoblastoma. We present a rare case of aggressive sternal osteoblastoma, instead of lymphoma recurrence, on 18F-FDG PET/CT in an adult with history of lymphoma.
Clinical Observation of Microplasma Radiofrequency Technology Combined With Glucocorticoid Injection in the Treatment of Hundreds of Cases of Hypertrophic Scar After Early Deep Burn and Scald
Authors: Qu Chun’an , Su Xueshang , Hu Jintian , Zhan Sien , Li Zehui , Liu Yue , Wang Lianzhao 
Published: January 2023

Background:
To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of microplasma radiofrequency technology combined with glucocorticoid injection in the treatment of hypertrophic scarring after early deep burns and scalding.

Methods:
A total of 150 patients with hypertrophic scars after early deep burns from June 2018 to June 2021 were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 50 cases in each group. The patients were treated with compound betamethasone injection (Group A), microplasma radiofrequency technique (Group B), and compound betamethasone injection combined with microplasma radiofrequency technology (Group C). Each course of treatment included 5 standard treatments, and they were performed 6 weeks apart. Each patient was analyzed using the Vancouver scar scale and visual analogy scale after each treatment. The results were compared over time and across groups using repeated measurement analysis of variance.

Results:
A total of 138 patients in these 3 groups completed this study. As treatment continued, the Vancouver scar scale value of Group C decreased more rapidly than that of Group A and Group B, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the improvement of scar pain and itching, there was little difference between Group C and Group A (P>0.05), but both were better than Group B, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Regarding the incidence of adverse reactions, there was little difference between Group C and Group B (P>0.05), but the incidence of adverse reactions was lower than that of Group A, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion:
Microplasma radiofrequency combined with glucocorticoid injection in the treatment of hypertrophic scarring after early deep burns is effective, safe, and has a low incidence of adverse reactions, and it merits clinical promotion.
2-year Change in Revised Hammersmith Scale scores in a large cohort of untreated paediatric type 2 and 3 SMA participants
Authors: Stimpson Georgia , Ramsey Danielle , Wolfe Amy , Mayhew Anna , Scoto Mariacristina , Baranello Giovanni , Lofra Robert Muni , Main Marion , Milev Evelin , Coratti Giorgia , Pane Marika , Sansone Valeria , D’Amico Adele , Bertini Enrico , Messina Sonia , Bruno Claudio , Albamonte Emilio , Mazzone Elena , Montes Jacqueline , Glanzman Allan M. , Zolkipli-Cunningham Zarazuela , Pasternak Amy , Duong Tina , Young Sally Dunaway , Civitello Matthew , Marini-Bettolo Chiara , Day John W , Darras Basil T , De Vivo Darryl C , Finkel Richard S , Mercuri Eugenio , Muntoni Francesco 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe Revised Hammersmith Scale (RHS) is a 36-item ordinal scale developed using clinical expertise and sound psychometrics to investigate motor function in participants with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). In this study, we investigate median change in the RHS score up to two years in paediatric SMA 2 and 3 participants and contextualise it to the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale–Expanded (HFMSE). These change scores were considered by SMA type, motor function and baseline RHS score. We consider a new tran-sitional group, spanning crawlers, standers and walkers-with-assistance, and analyse that alongside non-sitters, sitters and walkers. The transitional group exhibit the most de-finitive change score trend, with an average 1-year decline of 3 points. The RHS has a re-duced floor effect compared to the HFMSE, although we show that the RHS should be used in conjunction with the RULM for participants scoring less than 20 points on the RHS. In the stronger participants (between 10 and 42 on the RHS) in the 5-7 age group, both the RHS and HFMSE can detect 1-year change. The timed items in the RHS have high between-participant variability, so participants with the same RHS total can be differentiated by their timed test items.
Discovery and Verification of Extracellular microRNA Biomarkers for Diagnostic and Prognostic Assessment of Preeclampsia at Triage
Authors: Morey Robert , Poling Lara , Srinivasan Srimeenakshi , Martinez-King Carolina , Anyikam Adanna , Zhang-Rutledge Kathy , Cuong To , Hakim Abbas , Mochizuki Marina , Verma Kajal , Mason Antoinette , Tran Vy , Meads Morgan , Lamale-Smith Leah , Horii Mariko , Ramos Gladys A. , DeHoff Peter , Parast Mana M. , Pantham Priya , Laurent Louise C. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPreeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Current methods for evaluation of patients with suspected PE do not reliably predict which patients will later develop PE nor distinguish between PE with and without severe features. The objective of this study was to identify candidate extracellular miRNA (ex-miRNA) biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of PE in a cohort of subjects presenting for evaluation of suspected PE. Small RNA-seq libraries were created from maternal serum samples, prospectively collected from participants undergoing evaluation for suspected PE between 20-40 weeks gestational age. Measurements for bivariate biomarkers, consisting of ratios of pairs of ex-miRNAs were performed. 110 bivariate ex-miRNA biomarkers passed both discovery (48 cases, 34 controls) and verification (23 cases, 18 controls) criteria. Specific biomarkers differed in their patterns of expression among different categories of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP). An iterative machine learning method was then used to identify 3 bivariate miRNA biomarkers that, when applied serially, differentiated cases from controls with a sensitivity of 93% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 55%, and additionally distinguished between PE cases of different severity. In an independent validation cohort of 11 cases and 7 controls, these three biomarkers had a sensitivity of 91% and a PPV of 85%. We have discovered, verified, and validated 3 bivariate ex-miRNA biomarkers, which, when applied serially, enable accurate early diagnosis of preeclampsia. Bivariate ex-miRNA biomarkers can distinguish between different subtypes of HDP.
Structural characterization and extended substrate scope analysis of two Mg2+-dependent O-methyltransferases from bacteria
Authors: Sokolova Nika , Zhang Lili , Deravi Sadaf , Oerlemans Rick , Groves Matthew R. , Haslinger Kristina 
Published: January 2023

AbstractOxygen-directed methylation is a ubiquitous tailoring reaction in natural product pathways catalysed by O-methyltransferases (OMTs). Promiscuous OMT biocatalysts are thus a valuable asset in the toolkit for sustainable synthesis and optimization of known bioactive scaffolds for drug development. Here, we characterized two bacterial OMTs fromDesulforomonas acetoxidansandStreptomyces avermitilisin terms of their enzymatic properties and substrate scope and determined their crystal structures. Both OMTs methylated a wide range of catechol-like substrates, including flavonoids, coumarins, hydroxybenzoic acids and their respective aldehydes, an anthraquinone and an indole. One enzyme also accepted a steroid. The product range included pharmaceutically relevant compounds such as (iso)fraxidin, iso(scopoletin), chrysoeriol, alizarin 1-methyl ether and 2-methoxyestradiol. Interestingly, certain non-catechol flavonoids and hydroxybenzoic acids were also methylated. This study expands the knowledge on substrate preference and structural diversity of bacterial catechol OMTs and paves the way for their use in (combinatorial) pathway engineering.Table of contentsTwo promiscuous O-methyltransferasesfrom bacteria were found to methylate a panel of catechol substrates towards high-value medicinal compounds. Surprisingly, the non-catechol substrates 5-hydroxyflavonoids ando-hydroxybenzoic acids/aldehydes were also methylated at low conversion rates. The crystal structures reveal potential target sites for enzyme engineering for biocatalytic applications.
The transcriptome of soybean reproductive tissues subjected to water deficit, heat stress, and a combination of water deficit and heat stress
Authors: Sinha Ranjita , Induri Sai Preethi , Peláez-Vico María Ángeles , Tukuli Adama , Shostak Benjamin , Zandalinas Sara I. , Joshi Trupti , Fritschi Felix B. , Mittler Ron 
Published: January 2023

SUMMARYGlobal warming and climate change are driving an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme climate events, such as droughts, heat waves, and their combination, inflicting heavy losses to agricultural production. Recent studies revealed that the transcriptomic responses of different crops to water deficit (WD) or heat stress (HS) is very different from that to a combination of WD+HS. In addition, it was found that the effects of WD, HS, and WD+HS are significantly more devastating when these stresses occur during the reproductive growth phase of crops, compared to vegetative growth. As the molecular responses of different reproductive and vegetative tissues of plants to WD, HS, or WD+HS could be different from each other, and these differences could impact many current and future breeding and/or engineering attempts to enhance the resilience of crops to climate change, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of different soybean (Glycine max) tissues to WD, HS, and WD+HS. Here we present a reference transcriptomic dataset that includes the response of soybean leaf, pod, anther, stigma, ovary, and sepal to WD, HS, and WD+HS conditions. Mining this data set for the expression pattern of different stress-response transcripts revealed that each tissue had a unique transcriptomic response to each of the different stress conditions. This finding is important as it suggests that attempting to enhance the overall resilience of crops to climate change could require a coordinated approach that simultaneously alters the expression of different groups of transcripts in different tissues in a stress-specific manner.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTA reference transcriptomic dataset of different reproductive tissues of soybean subjected to water deficit, heat stress, and their combination, generated by this study, reveals that different tissues display different responses to these stress conditions. Attempting to enhance the resilience of crops to different stress combinations, associated with climate change, might therefore require simultaneously altering the expression of different sets of transcripts in different tissues in a coordinated and stress-specific manner.
Metadata creation practices at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources library’s institutional repository
Authors: Chapepa Gobbrey George , Ngwira Fiskani , Mapulanga Patrick 
Published: January 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate metadata creation practices in a functional academic institution repository in Malawi, with a specific focus on the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) library.

Design/methodology/approach
The study used a qualitative approach with a case study design. The study adopted a case study strategy that focuses on the in-depth, holistic and in-context examination of one or more cases. The researcher used non-probability purposive sampling to include all three LUANAR Digital Repository (LDR) staff at LUANAR library because they were thought to be knowledgeable about the LDR metadata work. The three library staff members directly involved in repository metadata were investigated for the study. Data collection techniques used in a case study approach included semi-structuring face-to-face interviews and documentary analysis. Data from interviews and documentary reviews were manually analyzed and presented in thematic categories based on the study’s objectives.

Findings
Qualified Dublin Core (DC) was chosen by all participants as the only metadata structure scheme that they will use to create and implement metadata in the repository. DC application profile was the only scheme used to enforce uniform naming and capitalization conventions in the application of Qualified DC element definitions. The scheme, however, was discovered to be the Qualified DC default format in the DSpace system. All participants indicated that the Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Vocabulary is used. Participants highlighted that institutional repository system compatibility, the subject matter of the resources, resource types and staff expertise influenced the selection criteria for the metadata schemes. The repository policy had been developed but had yet to be adopted by the LUANAR management.

Research limitations/implications
The current study was limited to LUANAR library. A wider study across public and private universities in Malawi is needed to ascertain the role of metadata policy, technical knowledge and metadata specialist institutional repositories.

Practical implications
Metadata policy is to aid in the understanding of the data, ensuring that appropriate security measures are used to protect the data and for metadata harvesting purposes.

Social implications
Academic libraries should lobby for management support towards metadata policy for institutional repositories.

Originality/value
Very little is known about challenges affecting the growth of institutional repositories and standards adopted, including metadata harvesting. This paper bridges the gap in metadata standards for institutional repositories in developing countries.
Numerical optimization of highly loaded microtextured contacts: understanding and mastering complexity
Authors: Orgeldinger Christian , Rosnitscheck Tobias , Tremmel Stephan 
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Microtextured surfaces can reduce friction in tribological systems under certain contact conditions. Because it is very time-consuming to determine suitable texture patterns experimentally, numerical approaches to the design of microtextures are increasingly gaining acceptance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent the selected modeling approach affects optimized texturing.

Design/methodology/approach
Using the cam/tappet contact as an application-oriented example, a simplified 2D and a full 3D model are developed for determining the best possible texturing via a design study. The study explores elongated Gaussian-shaped texture elements for this purpose. The optima of the simplified 2D simulation model and the full 3D model are compared with each other to draw conclusions about the influence of the modeling strategy. The target value here is the solid body friction in contact.

Findings
For the elongated texture elements used, both the simplified 2D model and the full model result in very similar optimal texture patterns. In the selected application, the simplified simulation model can significantly reduce the computational effort without affecting the optimization result.

Originality/value
Depending on the selected use case, the simulation effort required for microtexture optimization can be significantly reduced by comparing different models first. Therefore, an exact physical replica of the real contact is not necessarily the primary goal when it comes to texture selection based on numerical simulations.