bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between unmet social needs and healthy lifestyle parenting behaviors
Authors: Egan Kelsey A. , Luo Man , Perkins Meghan , Castro Ines , Sandel Megan , Kistin Caroline J. , Taveras Elsie M. , Fiechtner Lauren 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveTo examine cross-sectional associations of food and housing security risks and healthy lifestyle parenting behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity among families with children with overweight/obesity.MethodsWe surveyed 407 parents of children ages 6–12 years with overweight/obesity. Exposures were measures of food and housing insecurity risk. Outcomes were healthy lifestyle parenting behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity. Logistic regression models for each exposure-outcome relationship were adjusted for parental educational attainment, parental cohabitation status, household size, and household income.ResultsIn multivariable-adjusted models, food insecurity was associated with significantly lower odds of parent modeling exercise {aOR 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37, 0.96]} and parent modeling eating healthy foods [aOR 0.42 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.73)]. Housing insecurity was associated with significantly lower odds of parent modeling exercise [aOR 0.57 (95% CI: 0.35, 0.95)].ConclusionsFood insecurity and housing insecurity may be barriers to parents adopting and modeling healthy lifestyle parenting behaviors related to physical activity and nutrition.
Endoscopic percutaneous repair of laryngeal cleft
Authors: Tang XinYe , Yang Yang , Zhang ZhiHai , Sun Rong 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe a novel surgical technique of endoscopic percutaneous repair in pediatric patients with type 1, type 2 and type 3 laryngeal cleft (LC).MethodsA retrospective study involving 12 patients with LC was performed at a tertiary pediatric hospital between February 2021 and June 2022. Endoscopic percutaneous repair was performed in all the patients. Information such as demographics, comorbidities, history of tracheostomy and the open approach for the repair, type of cleft and complications were analyzed.ResultsTwelve patients were diagnosed with LC. The median age of the patients at the time of surgery was 8.50 months (interquartile range, 49.50 months). Seven patients had tracheomalacia, four patients had subglottic stenosis, three patients had laryngomalacia. No surgical complications occurred in the 10 patients who underwent the primary procedure. For two patients who underwent a secondary procedure, endoscopic percutaneous repair failed again to heal the cleft. During the follow-up period after surgery, none of the patients had stridor, recurrent pneumonia, feeding difficulties, or dyspnea. Follow-up modified barium swallow postoperatively demonstrated no aspiration in 10 patients. Only the 2 patients with a secondary procedure had intermittent cough while taking large gulps of water. The cure rate of endoscopic percutaneous repairer was 83.3% (95% confidence interval: 73.9%–92.8%).ConclusionEndoscopic percutaneous repair should be considered as an alternative to the open transcervical approach and the traditional endoscopic approach for type 1, type 2 and type 3 LC.
Locomotor learning in infants at high risk for cerebral palsy: A study protocol
Authors: Prosser Laura A. , Skorup Julie , Pierce Samuel R. , Jawad Abbas F. , Fagg Andrew H. , Kolobe Thubi H. A. , Smith Beth A. 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundPhysical disability in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) creates lifelong mobility challenges and healthcare costs. Despite this, very little is known about how infants at high risk for CP learn to move and acquire early locomotor skills, which set the foundation for lifelong mobility. The objective of this project is to characterize the evolution of locomotor learning over the first 18 months of life in infants at high risk for CP. To characterize how locomotor skill is learned, we will use robotic and sensor technology to provide intervention and longitudinally study infant movement across three stages of the development of human motor control: early spontaneous movement, prone locomotion (crawling), and upright locomotion (walking).Study designThis longitudinal observational/intervention cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04561232) will enroll sixty participants who are at risk for CP due to a brain injury by one month post-term age. Study participation will be completed by 18 months of age. Early spontaneous leg movements will be measured monthly from 1 to 4 months of age using inertial sensors worn on the ankles for two full days each month. Infants who remain at high risk for CP at 4 months of age, as determined from clinical assessments of motor function and movement quality, will continue through two locomotor training phases. Prone locomotor training will be delivered from 5 to 9 months of age using a robotic crawl training device that responds to infant behavior in real-time. Upright locomotor training will be delivered from 9 to 18 months of age using a dynamic weight support system to allow participants to practice skills beyond their current level of function. Repeated assessments of locomotor skill, training characteristics (such as movement error, variability, movement time and postural control), and variables that may mediate locomotor learning will be collected every two months during prone training and every three months during upright training.DiscussionThis study will develop predictive models of locomotor skill acquisition over time. We hypothesize that experiencing and correcting movement errors is critical to skill acquisition in infants at risk for CP and that locomotor learning is mediated by neurobehavioral factors outside of training.Project Number 1R01HD098364-01A1.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04561232
Periodic band formation of Fe(OH)3 precipitate through reaction–diffusion–reaction processes
Authors: Hayashi Hisashi 
Published: February 2023

This paper reports a new class of periodic banding of Fe(OH)3 precipitate through reaction–diffusion–reaction (RDR) processes in agarose gel sandwiched between two metal rods (Ti and Fe) with cyclic alternating voltages. In the RDR processes, electrochemical reactions at metal rods to generate reactant ions, diffusion of the ions influenced by the electric field in the gel, and reactions of the ions to form precipitates were coupled to generate periodic bands of Fe(OH)3 precipitates at the cathode side. The banding morphologies, spatial Fe distribution, and microscopic morphologies of the precipitates were investigated by visual inspection, Fe Kα intensity distribution measurements, and scanning electron microscopy observations. The periodic banding strongly depended on the applied voltages, the periods for voltage alternation, the cycle number (NC), and the length of the gel column. Periodic bands resembling Liesegang bands were most clearly observed with high reproducibility for 50 mm gel columns under the applied cyclic alternating voltages of 3 and 1 V for 1 and 4 h, respectively. The number of the periodic bands formed in this system was generally given by NC—NC1 + 1, where NC1 is the cycle number where the first band emerges. These periodic bands contained significant amounts of Fe atoms that were almost uniformly distributed in the agarose gel, strongly supporting the formation of gelatinous Fe(OH)3 precipitates in the bands.
Spectral characterization and severity assessment of rice blast disease using univariate and multivariate models
Authors: Mandal Nandita , Adak Sujan , Das Deb K. , Sahoo Rabi N. , Mukherjee Joydeep , Kumar Andy , Chinnusamy Viswanathan , Das Bappa , Mukhopadhyay Arkadeb , Rajashekara Hosahatti , Gakhar Shalini 
Published: February 2023

Rice is the staple food of more than half of the population of the world and India as well. One of the major constraints in rice production is frequent occurrence of pests and diseases and one of them is rice blast which often causes yield loss varying from 10 to 30%. Conventional approaches for disease assessment are time-consuming, expensive, and not real-time; alternately, sensor-based approach is rapid, non-invasive and can be scaled up in large areas with minimum time and effort. In the present study, hyperspectral remote sensing for the characterization and severity assessment of rice blast disease was exploited. Field experiments were conducted with 20 genotypes of rice having sensitive and resistant cultivars grown under upland and lowland conditions at Almora, Uttarakhand, India. The severity of the rice blast was graded from 0 to 9 in accordance to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Spectral observations in field were taken using a hand-held portable spectroradiometer in range of 350-2500 nm followed by spectral discrimination of different disease severity levels using Jeffires–Matusita (J-M) distance. Then, evaluation of 26 existing spectral indices (r≥0.8) was done corresponding to blast severity levels and linear regression prediction models were also developed. Further, the proposed ratio blast index (RBI) and normalized difference blast index (NDBI) were developed using all possible combinations of their correlations with severity level followed by their quantification to identify the best indices. Thereafter, multivariate models like support vector machine regression (SVM), partial least squares (PLS), random forest (RF), and multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) were also used to estimate blast severity. Jeffires–Matusita distance was separating almost all severity levels having values &gt;1.92 except levels 4 and 5. The 26 prediction models were effective at predicting blast severity with R2 values from 0.48 to 0.85. The best developed spectral indices for rice blast were RBI (R1148, R1301) and NDBI (R1148, R1301) with R2 of 0.85 and 0.86, respectively. Among multivariate models, SVM was the best model with calibration R2=0.99; validation R2=0.94, RMSE=0.7, and RPD=4.10. The methodology developed paves way for early detection and large-scale monitoring and mapping using satellite remote sensors at farmers’ fields for developing better disease management options.
Genetic mapping of QTLs controlling brown seed coat traits by genome resequencing in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Authors: Wang Han , Cui Chengqi , Liu Yanyang , Zheng Yongzhan , Zhao Yiqing , Chen Xiaoqin , Wang Xueqi , Jing Bing , Mei Hongxian , Wang Zhonghua 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionSesame seeds have become an irreplaceable source of edible oils and food products with rich nutrients and a unique flavor, and their metabolite contents and physiological functions vary widely across different seed coat colors. Although the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for genetic variation in seed coat color have been extensively investigated, the identification of unique genetic loci for intermediate colors such as brown has not been reported due to their complexity.MethodsHere, we crossed the white sesame ‘Yuzhi No. 8’ (YZ8) and the brown sesame ‘Yanzhou Erhongpi’ (YZEHP) to construct a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population with consecutive self-fertilization for ten generations.ResultsThe selfed F1 seeds were brown which was controlled by a dominant gene. Based on the genotyping by whole-genome resequencing of the RILs, a major-effect QTL for brown coat color was identified through both bulk segregant analysis (BSA) and genetic linkage mapping in sesame, which was located within a 1.19 Mb interval on chromosome 6 (qBSCchr6). Moreover, we found that the YZEHP seed coat initially became pigmented at 20 days post-anthesis (DPA) and was substantially colored at 30 DPA. We screened 13 possible candidate genes based on the effects of genetic variants on protein coding and predicted gene functions. Furthermore, qRT‒PCR was used to verify the expression patterns of these genes in different post-anthesis developmental periods. We noted that in comparison to YZ8 seeds, YZEHP seeds had expression of SIN_1023239 that was significantly up-regulated 2.5-, 9.41-, 6.0-, and 5.9-fold at 15, 20, 25, and 30 DPA, respectively, which was consistent with the pattern of brown seed coat pigment accumulation.DiscussionThis study identified the first major-effect QTL for the control of the brown seed coat trait in sesame. This finding lays the foundation for further fine mapping and cloning as well as investigating the regulatory mechanism of seed coat color in sesame.
Prevalence and factors of discordance attitudes toward advance care planning between older patients and their family members in the primary medical and healthcare institution
Authors: Ye Ling , Jin Genhong , Chen Min , Xie Xingyuan , Shen Shanshan , Qiao Song 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThis study aimed at investigating the prevalence and factors of the discordant attitudes toward advance care planning (ACP) among older patients and their family members toward patients' engagement in ACP in the primary medical and healthcare institution.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, a total of 117 older patients and 117 family members from Jinhua Fifth Hospital in China were enrolled. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, functional capacity assessment, and attitudes toward patients' engagement in ACP. Functional capacity assessment scales included the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), the Short-Form Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), and the SARC-F questionnaire.ResultsThe discordance attitudes toward patients' engagement in ACP between patients and family members accounted for 41(35.0%). In the multivariate logistic analysis, factors associated with higher odds of discordance attitudes toward patients' engagement in ACP included greater age differences between patients and family members (OR = 1.043, 95% CI: 1.007–1.081), lower educational level for family members (OR = 3.373, 95% CI: 1.239–9.181), the patient's higher GDS-15 score (OR = 1.437, 95% CI: 1.185–1.742), and patient's higher MNA-SF score (OR = 1.754, 95% CI: 1.316–2.338).ConclusionOlder patients and their family members had little ACP knowledge, and factors that influence discordance attitudes toward patients' engagement in ACP included the age gaps between patients and family members, family members' educational level, patients' depressive symptoms, and patients' nutritional status.
Development and validation of a Systemic Sclerosis Health Literacy Scale
Authors: Zhuang Meng , Li Cheng-Cheng , Chen Shan-Yu , Tu Xin-Hua , Liu Lian , Chen Xi-Lai , Xu Cheng-Wei , Wang Jing 
Published: February 2023

Background and aimHealth literacy levels are strongly associated with clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with chronic diseases, and patients with limited health literacy often require more medical care and achieve poorer clinical outcomes. Among the large number of studies on health literacy, few studies have focused on the health literacy of people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and there is no specific tool to measure health literacy in this group. Therefore, this study plans to develop a health literacy scale for patients with SSc.MethodsThis study included 428 SSc patients from the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the first affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University and the first affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China. The formulation of the scale was completed by forming the concept of health literacy of SSc patients, establishing the item pool, screening items, and evaluating reliability and validity. Classical measurement theory was used to screen items, factor analysis was used to explore the construct validity of the scale, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to assess the internal consistency.ResultsOur study population was predominantly middle-aged women, with a male to female ratio of 1:5.7 and a mean age of 51.57 ± 10.99. A SSc Health Literacy scale with 6 dimensions and 30 items was developed. The six dimensions are clinic ability, judgment/evaluation information ability, access to information ability, social support, treatment compliance and application information ability. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale is 0.960, retest reliability is 0.898, split-half reliability is 0.953, content validity is 0.983, which has good reliability and validity.ConclusionThe Systemic Sclerosis Health Literacy Scale may become a valid tool to evaluate the health literacy level of patients with SSc.
A multilevel analysis of factors associated with vitamin A supplementation among children aged 6–35 months in Ethiopia
Authors: Amare Tsegaw , Sime Tseganesh , Legese Gebrehiwot Lema , Ferede Menberesibhat Getie , Alemu Melaku Birhanu 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundVitamin A deficiency is among the leading preventable causes of childhood morbidity and mortality that might be attributable to the low uptake of vitamin A supplementation (VAS). Factors contributing to its low utilization are not researched at the national level and with the appropriate model. Therefore, this study aimed at identifying the magnitude and the individual- and community-level factors associated with vitamin A supplementation among children aged 6–35 months in Ethiopia.MethodsWe have used the Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey data, which was conducted from 21 March to 28 June 2019. A weighted sum of 2,362 mothers having children aged 6–35 was extracted. Considering the hierarchical nature of the data, we fitted the multilevel multivariable logistic regression model. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported and variables with a p-value of &lt; 0.05 were declared to be significantly associated factors.ResultsIn this study, 43.4% (95% CI: 41.4–45.4%) of children have taken the VAS. Moreover, the 12–23 age of the child (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.88–3.72), 30–34 age of the mother (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI: 1.21–9.20), middle household wealth status (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.06–2.90), and four and above antenatal care (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.90–4.43) are the individual-level factors associated with VAS whereas being from Amhara (AOR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.29–3.76) and Tigray (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.17–3.98) regions is a community-level factor significantly associated with the uptake of VAS.ConclusionOverall, a low proportion of children have taken the VAS in Ethiopia. The higher age of the child and mother, full antenatal care, and improved wealth status positively influence VAS. Moreover, a child from the Tigray or Amhara regions was more likely to get VAS. Therefore, an intervention has to be designed to address the VAS uptake among young mothers, and working to improve the wealth status of the household would be helpful. Moreover, the advocacy of antenatal care and minimizing the regional disparity through encouraging the uptake in the rest of the regions would help increase the national-level uptake of VAS.
Time trends in mental health indicators in Germany's adult population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mauz Elvira , Walther Lena , Junker Stephan , Kersjes Christina , Damerow Stefan , Eicher Sophie , Hölling Heike , Müters Stephan , Peitz Diana , Schnitzer Susanne , Thom Julia 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundTimes of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to compromise mental health. Despite a large number of studies, evidence on the development of mental health in general populations during the pandemic is inconclusive. One reason may be that representative data spanning the whole pandemic and allowing for comparisons to pre-pandemic data are scarce.MethodsWe analyzed representative data from telephone surveys of Germany's adults. Three mental health indicators were observed in ~1,000 and later up to 3,000 randomly sampled participants monthly until June 2022: symptoms of depression (observed since April 2019, PHQ-2), symptoms of anxiety (GAD-2), and self-rated mental health (latter two observed since March 2021). We produced time series graphs including estimated three-month moving means and proportions of positive screens (PHQ/GAD-2 score ≥ 3) and reports of very good/excellent mental health, as well as smoothing curves. We also compared time periods between years. Analyses were stratified by sex, age, and level of education.ResultsWhile mean depressive symptom scores declined from the first wave of the pandemic to summer 2020, they increased from October 2020 and remained consistently elevated throughout 2021 with another increase between 2021 and 2022. Correspondingly, the proportion of positive screens first decreased from 11.1% in spring/summer 2019 to 9.3% in the same period in 2020 and then rose to 13.1% in 2021 and to 16.9% in 2022. While depressive symptoms increased in all subgroups at different times, developments among women (earlier increase), the youngest (notable increase in 2021) and eldest adults, as well as the high level of education group (both latter groups: early, continuous increases) stand out. However, the social gradient in symptom levels between education groups remained unchanged. Symptoms of anxiety also increased while self-rated mental health decreased between 2021 and 2022.ConclusionElevated symptom levels and reduced self-rated mental health at the end of our observation period in June 2022 call for further continuous mental health surveillance. Mental healthcare needs of the population should be monitored closely. Findings should serve to inform policymakers and clinicians of ongoing dynamics to guide health promotion, prevention, and care.
Prevalence of overweight, obesity, and associated factors among healthcare workers in the Gaza Strip, Palestine: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Younis Joma , Jiang Hong , Fan Yahui , Wang Lina , Li Zhaofang , Jebril Majed , Ma Mei , Ma Le , Ma Mao , Hui Zhaozhao 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundOverweight and obesity are multifactorial conditions that are prevalent in developing and developed countries. They are emerging as a significant public health concern among healthcare workers (HCWs). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associated factors among HCWs in the Gaza Strip.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit 1,850 HCWs aged 22 years and older. Interviews were carried out to collect sociodemographic information, nutritional information, and physical activity. Anthropometric measurements [height, weight, and waist circumference] were conducted with the HCWs. The body mass index was computed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Chi-square, t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to compare the variables, and logistic regression was used to examine the associated factors of overweight and obesity.ResultsThe combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among HCWs was 65%. The result of logistic regression showed the risk of being overweight and obesity increased within the age group of 40–49 years (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 2.37–4.32; P &lt; 0.001). Male participants had more risk of obesity than female participants (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.45–2.15). Married participants had a significantly higher risk of being overweight and obese (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 2.05–3.28; P = 0.001). Increased monthly income was significantly associated with the risk of being overweight and obese (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.22–3.83; P = 0.008). In addition, hypertension (OR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.65–3.78; P &lt; 0.001) and type 2 diabetes (OR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.21–4.85; P= 0.012) were associated with overweight and obesity. Finally, a family history of NCDs was associated with overweight and obesity (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.38–2.07; P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionThis study showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among HCWs. Age, monthly income, marital status, known hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and eating habits were associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to other variables that were not associated with overweight and obesity such as profession, vegetables, fruit consumption, and physical activity. Urgent action is needed to tackle overweight and obesity among HCWs.