bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its association with lifestyle habits in adults in Chile: a cross-sectional study from the National Health Survey 2016–2017
Authors: Pettinelli Paulina , Fernández Tiziana , Aguirre Carolina , Barrera Francisco , Riquelme Arnoldo , Fernández-Verdejo Rodrigo 
Published: January 2023

AbstractNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents an excessive fat accumulation within the liver, usually associated with excess body weight. A liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis, but it is inapplicable in population-based studies. In large populations, non-invasive methods could be used, which may also serve to identify potential protective factors. We aimed to (a) estimate NAFLD prevalence in the adult population in Chile by using non-invasive methods and (b) determine the association between the presence of NAFLD and lifestyle habits. The National Health Survey of Chile 2016–2017 was analysed. We included individuals aged 21–75 years, without infectious diseases nor risky alcohol consumption. NAFLD was detected by either fatty liver index (FLI; considers circulating TAG, circulating γ-glutamyl-transferase, BMI and waist circumference), lipid accumulation product (LAP; considers sex, circulating TAG and waist circumference) or their combination. Lifestyle habits were determined by questionnaires. We included 2774 participants, representative of 10 599 094 (9 831 644, 11 366 544) adults in Chile. NAFLD prevalence (95 % CI) was 39·4 % (36·2, 42·8) by FLI, 27·2 % (24·2, 30·4) by LAP and 23·5 % (20·7, 26·5) by their combination. The prevalence progressively increased with increasing BMI. Of note, less smoking and more moderate-vigorous physical activity and whole-grain consumption were associated with lower odds of having NAFLD, independently of BMI. At least one out of four adults in Chile is afflicted with NAFLD. Health promotion strategies focused on controlling excess body weight and promoting specific lifestyle habits are urgently required.
Morphometric analysis of schistosome eggs recovered from human urines in communities along the shoreline of Oyan River Dam in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Bayegun A. A. , Omitola O. O. , Umunnakwe C. U. , Akande F. A. , Akinwale O. P. , Mogaji H. O. , Ademolu K. O. , Gyang V. P. , Odoemene S. N. , Stothard J. R. , Ekpo U. F. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
There are growing concerns that communities characterized with surface water, where both humans and livestock interact for agricultural, domestic, cultural and recreational purposes, are likely to support hybridization between schistosome species infecting humans and livestock. This study therefore investigated the morphometrics of schistosome eggs recovered from human urine samples in four schistosomiasis endemic communities (Imala-Odo, Abule-Titun, Apojula and Ibaro-Oyan) along the banks of Oyan River Dam in Ogun State, Nigeria. Recovered eggs were counted, photographed, and measured with IC Measure™ for total length, maximum width and a ratio of egg shape. A total of 1984 Schistosoma eggs were analysed. Two major egg morphotypes were identified: the first represented 67.8% of the eggs, with the typical round to oval shape and mean length and width of 166 μm, 66.8 μm, respectively; the second represented 32.2% of the eggs and are more elongated, with a mean length of 198 μm, and width of 71.3 μm. Our results revealed significant variations in sizes of the schistosome eggs recovered (length: t = −35.374, degrees of freedom (df) = 1982, P = 0.000; weight: t = −10.431, df = 1982, P = 0.000), with the atypical shaped eggs appearing more elongated than expected. These eggs might represent individuals with some degree of contribution from Schistosoma bovis or possibly other Schistosoma species known to be present in Nigeria. Hence, this observation calls for further molecular studies to establish the genetic information about the miracidia from both atypical and typical eggs. It is also important to establish the presence of bona fide S. bovis infection in cattle and vector snails in the presumptive areas of hybridization.
“When Appearances Matter: A Taxonomy and Ethics for Demographic-Based Provider Requests”
Authors: Wu Carrie C. , Appel Jacob M. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractRequests by patients for providers of specific demographic backgrounds pose an ongoing challenge for hospitals, policymakers, and ethicists. These requests may stem from a wide variety of motivations; some may be consistent with broader societal values, although many others may reflect prejudices inconsistent with justice, equity, and decency. This paper proposes a taxonomy designed to assist healthcare institutions in addressing such cases in a consistent and equitable manner. The paper then reviews a range of ethical and logistical challenges raised by such requests and proposed guidance to consider when reviewing and responding to them.
Public–private partnership in primary health care: an experience from Iran
Authors: Gharaee Hojatolah , Azami Aghdash Saber , Farahbakhsh Mostafa , Karamouz Majid , Nosratnejad Shirin , Tabrizi Jafar Sadegh 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Aim:
The aim of this paper is to introduce the experience of applying public–private partnership (PPP) in providing primary health care (PHC) in East Azerbaijan Province (EAP), Iran.

Background:
Moving toward the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) involves using of all health-related resources. Certainly, one of the key strategies for achieving UHC is PPP. Since 2015, a PPP in PHC policy has begun in EAP as a major strategy for strengthening the health system and achieving UHC.

Methods:
In this case study, data were collected through interviews with stakeholders, document analysis, reviewing of health indexes and published studies. The data were analyzed using content analysis.

Finding:
PPP in PHC policy was designed and implemented in EAP with the aim of social justice, strengthening the health system and achieving UHC in the framework of health complexes (HCs). HCs provide a defined service package according to the contract. The reimbursement method is a combination of per capita, fee for services and bonus methods. Part of the payments is fixed and the other part is based on the pay for quality system and paid according to the results of monitoring and evaluation. According to the study results, the most important strength of the plan is to improve access to services, especially in marginalized areas. The main weakness is not providing infrastructures before the implementation of the plan, and the most important challenges are financial, political and organizational unsustainability and, sometimes, poor cooperation by the other organizations. The findings show that PPP in PHC in EAP is an effective strategy to provide social justice, implement family practice and achieve UHC.
Analysis of option-like fund performance fees in asset management via Monte Carlo actuarial distortion pricing
Authors: Peters Gareth W. , Chudtong Mantana , De Gaetano Andrea 
Published: January 2023

AbstractA detailed analysis of management and performance fees for asset managers and investment funds is undertaken. While fund fees are considered as a cost of capital for investors, the structuring of such fee mechanisms in a fund can also influence a fund manager’s decisions and investment strategy, thereby also influencing the investment performance of the investors funds. The study undertaken will allow for an assessment of the effect of fee structures and the potential for asymmetric incentives to arise that may promote adverse risk-taking behaviours by the fund manager, to the detriment of the investor or retiree who places a portion of their retirement savings into such a managed fund with such fee structures. As such, understanding the mechanism of fee charging as well as pricing the fees correctly is vital. An exploration of the application of actuarial distortion pricing methods for complete and incomplete market valuation is performed on a variety of path-dependent option-like performance fee structures for various funds in the European and American markets. Furthermore, several scenario analysis and sensitivity studies are undertaken. The class of Net Asset Value models adopted are Lévy processes, and the pricing is performed via Monte Carlo techniques.
Increasing Precipitation Efficiency Amplifies Climate Sensitivity by Enhancing Tropical Circulation Slowdown and Eastern Pacific Warming Pattern
Authors: Li Ryan L. , Studholme Joshua H. P. , Fedorov Alexey V. , Storelvmo Trude 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe role of precipitation efficiency (PE)—the fraction of column‐integrated condensate that reaches the surface as rain—in the global temperature response to CO2 rise is yet to be quantified. Here we employ 36 limited‐domain cloud resolving models (CRMs) from the Radiative‐Convective Equilibrium Model Intercomparison Project and find that they strongly imply higher PE at warmer temperatures. We then analyze 35 general circulation models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 and find that increasing PE is associated with tropical circulation slowdown and greater eastern equatorial Pacific warming. These changes trigger pan‐tropical positive cloud feedback through stratiform anvil cloud reduction and stratocumulus suppression, resulting in higher Effective Climate Sensitivity (ECS). We find that in 24 of 35 GCMs matching the CRMs in simulating increasing PE with greenhouse warming, mean ECS is 1 K higher than in PE‐decreasing GCMs. Thus, further constraining PE sensitivity to temperature could reduce uncertainty over future climate projections.
Amplified Asymmetric Impact of ENSO Events on the Wintertime Pacific‐North American Teleconnection Pattern
Authors: Wang Xueqing , Yang Xiu‐Qun 
Published: January 2023

AbstractEl Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) as the strongest tropical interannual signature has the most prominent impact on wintertime Pacific‐North American (PNA) teleconnection pattern. ENSO exhibits an increasing asymmetry in recent decades. This study quantifies its extratropical asymmetric impact on the amplitude of the PNA pattern, using a normalized asymmetry index defined as a ratio of asymmetric versus symmetric anomalies for El Niño and La Niña. Relative to the ENSO asymmetry, the extratropical asymmetric impact is largely amplified especially downstream by up to 82%. Such an amplification is attributed to noticeable increases, 83.6% (68.9%), in asymmetry of Rossby wave source (RWS) anomalies over two key regions of North Pacific, in which anomalous divergence induced by nonlinear condensational heating feedback and anomalous synoptic eddy forcing are two major contributors. The former contributes 39.3% (47.5%) over the western (eastern) North Pacific through increasing asymmetric RWS anomalies, while the latter contributes 29.5% (21.3%) through decreasing symmetric RWS anomalies.
Subsurface Ocean Temperature Responses to the Anthropogenic Aerosol Forcing in the North Pacific
Authors: Shi Jia‐Rui , Kwon Young‐Oh , Wijffels Susan E. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractSeparating the climate response to external forcing from internal climate variability is a key challenge. While most previous studies have focused on surface responses, here we examine zonal‐mean patterns of North Pacific subsurface temperature responses. In particular, the changes since 1950 driven by anthropogenic aerosol emissions are found by using a pattern recognition method. Based on the single‐forcing large‐ensemble simulations from two models, we show that aerosol forcing caused a nonmonotonic temporal response and a characteristic zonal‐mean pattern within North Pacific, which is distinct from the pattern associated with internal variability. The aerosol‐forced pattern with the nonmonotonic temporal feature shows a substantial temperature change in subpolar regions and a reversed change on the southern flank of the subtropical gyre. A similar characteristic pattern and nonmonotonic time evolution are extracted from the subsurface observations, which likely reflect the subsurface responses to the aerosol forcing, although differences exist with the simulated responses.
Field Evidence for the Initiation of Isolated Aeolian Sand Patches
Authors: Delorme P. , Nield J. M. , Wiggs G. F. S. , Baddock M. C. , Bristow N. R. , Best J. L. , Christensen K. T. , Claudin P. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractSand patches are one of the precursors to early stage protodunes and occur widely in both desert and coastal aeolian environments. Here we show field evidence of a mechanism to explain the initiation of sand patches on non‐erodible surfaces, such as desert gravels and moist beaches. Changes in sand transport dynamics, directly associated with the height of the saltation layer and variable transport law, observed at the boundary between non‐erodible and erodible surfaces lead to sand deposition on the erodible surface. This explains how sand patches can form on surfaces with limited sand availability where linear stability of dune theory does not apply. This new mechanism is supported by field observations that evidence both the change in transport rate over different surfaces and in situ patch formation that leads to modification of transport dynamics at the surface boundary.
A review on clinical use of CAD/CAM and 3D printed dentures
Authors: Alhallak Khaled , Hagi-Pavli Eleni , Nankali Ali 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAimThe aim of this article was to review the current clinical application of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and three-dimensional (3D) printed dentures in dental clinics.MethodsA systematic approach for searching PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The search was performed using a variety of keywords including clinical use AND 3D printed removable dentures OR clinical use AND CAD/CAM removable dentures OR clinical use AND digital removable dentures. Selection criteria included articles written in English and reporting information on clinical applications of digital dentures between 2010 to January 2022.ResultsThe findings outlined the main clinical advantages of digital dentures such as saving working time, satisfying clinical results and securing patients' records, and also requirement of additional visits to secure aesthetic patient satisfaction, good retention and ideal vertical dimension. Many studies recommended performing clinical try-in with regards to providing better results. It was also established that 3D printers are less expensive than milling centres and therefore can be afforded by individual dental professionals.ConclusionDigital dentures are a promising option in treating edentulous patients, especially in remote areas where skilful technicians are rare. However, there are some limitations in their applications.
Cell-type-specific PtrWOX4a and PtrVCS2 form a regulatory nexus with a histone modification system for stem cambium development in Populus trichocarpa
Authors: Dai Xiufang , Zhai Rui , Lin Jiaojiao , Wang Zhifeng , Meng Dekai , Li Meng , Mao Yuli , Gao Boyuan , Ma Hongyan , Zhang Baofeng , Sun Yi , Li Shuang , Zhou Chenguang , Lin Ying-Chung Jimmy , Wang Jack P. , Chiang Vincent L. , Li Wei 
Published: January 2023

AbstractStem vascular cambium cells in forest trees produce wood for materials and energy. WOX4 affects the proliferation of such cells in Populus. Here we show that PtrWOX4a is the most highly expressed stem vascular-cambium-specific (VCS) gene in P. trichocarpa, and its expression is controlled by the product of the second most highly expressed VCS gene, PtrVCS2, encoding a zinc finger protein. PtrVCS2 binds to the PtrWOX4a promoter as part of a PtrWOX13a–PtrVCS2–PtrGCN5-1–PtrADA2b-3 protein tetramer. PtrVCS2 prevented the interaction between PtrGCN5-1 and PtrADA2b-3, resulting in H3K9, H3K14 and H3K27 hypoacetylation at the PtrWOX4a promoter, which led to fewer cambium cell layers. These effects on cambium cell proliferation were consistent across more than 20 sets of transgenic lines overexpressing individual genes, gene-edited mutants and RNA interference lines in P. trichocarpa. We propose that the tetramer–PtrWOX4a system may coordinate genetic and epigenetic regulation to maintain normal vascular cambium development for wood formation.
Genome-wide association study of school grades identifies genetic overlap between language ability, psychopathology and creativity
Authors: Rajagopal Veera M. , Ganna Andrea , Coleman Jonathan R. I. , Allegrini Andrea , Voloudakis Georgios , Grove Jakob , Als Thomas D. , Horsdal Henriette T. , Petersen Liselotte , Appadurai Vivek , Schork Andrew , Buil Alfonso , Bulik Cynthia M. , Bybjerg-Grauholm Jonas , Bækvad-Hansen Marie , Hougaard David M. , Mors Ole , Nordentoft Merete , Werge Thomas ,   iPSYCH-Broad Consortium, Belliveau Rich , Carey Caitlin E. , Cerrato Felecia , Chambert Kimberly , Churchhouse Claire , Daly Mark J. , Dumont Ashley , Goldstein Jacqueline , Hansen Christine S. , Howrigan Daniel P. , Huang Hailiang , Maller Julian , Martin Alicia R. , Martin Joanna , Mattheisen Manuel , Moran Jennifer , Neale Benjamin M. , Pallesen Jonatan , Palmer Duncan S. , Pedersen Carsten Bcker , Pedersen Marianne Giørtz , Poterba Timothy , Ripke Stephan , Satterstrom F. Kyle , Thompson Wesley K. , Turley Patrick , Walters Raymond K. , Mortensen Preben Bo , Breen Gerome , Roussos Panos , Plomin Robert , Agerbo Esben , Børglum Anders D. , Demontis Ditte 
Published: January 2023

AbstractCognitive functions of individuals with psychiatric disorders differ from that of the general population. Such cognitive differences often manifest early in life as differential school performance and have a strong genetic basis. Here we measured genetic predictors of school performance in 30,982 individuals in English, Danish and mathematics via a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and studied their relationship with risk for six major psychiatric disorders. When decomposing the school performance into math and language-specific performances, we observed phenotypically and genetically a strong negative correlation between math performance and risk for most psychiatric disorders. But language performance correlated positively with risk for certain disorders, especially schizophrenia, which we replicate in an independent sample (n = 4547). We also found that the genetic variants relating to increased risk for schizophrenia and better language performance are overrepresented in individuals involved in creative professions (n = 2953) compared to the general population (n = 164,622). The findings together suggest that language ability, creativity and psychopathology might stem from overlapping genetic roots.
Performance investigations on data protection algorithms in generalized multi protocol label switched optical networks
Authors: Monika  , Singh Simranjit , Wason Amit 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn future generation networks, data protection is a crucial necessity particularly when information is sent on a system. Network protection has three objectives known as discretion, reliability and accessibility. The most common procedure exploited to attain this ambition is encryption. The Generalized Multi Protocol Label Switched (GMPLS) optical networks are designed to survive Internet Protocol’s (IPʹs) unreliable delivery. In this paper, GMPLS network is proposed with random users and then the data protection algorithms have been analyzed on proposed GMPLS optical network. The various algorithms involve Rivest Shamir Adleman (RSA) algorithm and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm. The considered algorithms are very popular but have not been implemented on GMPLS optical networks in the literature which shows the novelty of the presented work. The network performance is compared for these algorithms in terms of various parameters like blocking probability and latency. The results reveal that RSA reduces the blocking probability < 0.005 and latency < 0.007 ms. This shows that RSA gives better performance than AES algorithm and enhance the quality of service considering blocking probability, latency and overheads in GMPLS optical networks leading to enhanced data protection.
Zoledronic acid targets chemo-resistant polyploid giant cancer cells
Authors: Adibi Rezvan , Moein Shiva , Gheisari Yousof 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAlthough polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) are known as a key source of failure of current therapies, sufficient drugs to target these cells are not yet introduced. Considering the similarities of polyploid cells in regeneration and cancer, we hypothesized that zoledronic acid (ZA), an osteoclast-targeting agent, might be used to eliminate PGCCs. The 5637-bladder cancer cell line was treated with various doses of cisplatin to enrich polyploid cells and the efficacy of different concentrations of ZA in reducing this population was assessed. The metabolic profile of PGCCs was investigated with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Lipid profiles, mitochondrial density, and ROS content were also measured to assess the response of the cells to ZA. Cancer cells surviving after three days of exposure with 6 μM cisplatin were mainly polyploid. These cells demonstrated special morphological features such as fusion with diploid or other polyploid cells and originated in daughter cells through budding. ZA could substantially eradicate PGCCs with the maximal effect observed with 50 μM which resulted in the drop of PGCC fraction from 60 ± 7.5 to 19 ± 1.7%. Enriched PGCCs after cisplatin-treatment demonstrated a drastic metabolic shift compared to untreated cancer cells with an augmentation of lipids. Further assays confirmed the high content of lipid droplets and cholesterol in these cells which were reduced after ZA administration. Additionally, the mitochondrial density and ROS increased in PGCCs both of which declined in response to ZA. Taken together, we propose that ZA is a potent inhibitor of PGCCs which alters the metabolism of PGCCs. Although this drug has been successfully exploited as adjuvant therapy for some malignancies, the current evidence on its effects on PGCCs justifies further trials to assess its potency for improving the success of current therapies for tackling tumor resistance and relapse.
Codon optimality has minimal effect on determining translation efficiency in mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Soman Smitha , Chattopadhyay Somdeb , Ram Siya , Nandicoori Vinay Kumar , Arimbasseri G. Aneeshkumar 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a slow-growing, intracellular pathogen that exhibits a high GC-rich genome. Several factors, including the GC content of the genome, influence the evolution of specific codon usage biases in genomes. As a result, the Mtb genome exhibits strong biases for amino acid usage and codon usage. Codon usage of mRNAs affects several aspects of translation, including accuracy, efficiency, and protein folding. Here we address the effect of codon usage biases in determining the translation efficiency of mRNAs in Mtb. Unlike most commonly studied organisms, Mtb carries a single copy of each tRNA gene. However, we show that the relative levels of tRNAs in the Mtb tRNA pool vary by an order of magnitude. Our results show that the codons decoded by the abundant tRNAs indeed show higher adaptability. Moreover, there is a general positive correlation between genomic codon usage and the tRNA adaptability of codons (TAc). We further estimated the optimality of the codon and mRNAs by considering both the TAc and the tRNA demand. These measures did not show any correlation with mRNA abundance and translation efficiency. There was no correlation between tRNA adaptability and ribosome pausing as well. Taken together, we conclude that the translation machinery, and the tRNA pool of an organism, co-evolve with the codon usage to optimize the translation efficiency of an organism. Thus the deleterious effect of maladapted codons is not pronounced.