bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are Sinhala and Tamil PHQ-9 versions comparable across the Sri Lankan population? Psychometric equivalence across translations and between demographic subgroups
Authors: Ukwaththage Bhimal Eshan Sasanka , Kumar Shamala , Rannan-Eliya Ravindra 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background: Although indications suggest that Sri Lanka is facing serious mental health challenges within its diverse populations, the extent of the problem is poorly quantified and even tools required to explore its nature are unavailable. The present study tests the psychometric equivalence of the PHQ-9, a widely used measure of depression, across two translated versions to Sinhala (Sinhala-English) and Tamil (Tamil-English) languages. It also tests equivalence across different demographic groups.
Methods: The study uses data from a nationally representative sample of 6,444 individuals, from the 2018-19 Wave 1 of the Sri Lanka Health and Ageing Study, who completed the PHQ-9 along with other measures of health and wellbeing. For analysing the data, standardized process of measurement invariance testing was performed using multigroup confirmatory factor analysing technique.
Results: Results indicated equivalence across the two translated versions, and across gender, ethnicity, level of education, and socioeconomic status. Configural, scalar and strict invariances were established successfully for each variable.
Conclusions: The translated PHQ-9 tools were found to perform psychometrically similarly across diverse populations in Sri Lanka. These versions of the PHQ-9 can therefore be used for screening of depressive symptoms and research purposes in Sri Lanka irrespective of population characteristics in terms of language, gender, ethnicity, level of education or socioeconomic status without concerns over whether they are equivalent.
Efficiency and equity of hospital services in mainland China: based on data from 2017 to 2021
Authors: Kou Ruxin , Mei Kangni , Bi Yuqing , Huang Jingwen , Yang Shilan , Chen Kexuan , Li Wei 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: Hospitals are an essential part of the health care system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the equity and service efficiency of health resource allocation in the hospital service system of 31 provinces (municipalities directly under the central government and autonomous regions) in mainland China from 2017 to 2021, and to analyze the influencing factors of hospital service efficiency to provide a reference for rational allocation of hospital health resources and improvement of hospital service efficiency.
Methods: Equity of allocation of hospital health resources in mainland China was evaluated in three dimensions using the Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve. Hospital service efficiency was calculated by output-oriented super efficiency slack-based model-data envelopment analysis (SE-SBM-DEA) model and DEA-based Malmquist total factor productivity index (MTFP), and the influencing factors of hospital service efficiency were analyzed by panel data regression.
Results: The number of hospitals in mainland China grew from 31056 to 36570 between 2017 and 21st. The equity ranking of the dimensions of hospital health resource allocation was Demographic > Economic > Geographic. However, the curvature of the demographic and economic dimensions is smaller compared to the curvature of the Lorenz curve for the geographic dimension. The demographic dimension has the lowest average Gini coefficient (0.167), followed by the economic (0.295) and the geographical (0.616). The 2017-2021 MTFP results show that none of the DMU efficiency values exceed 1. SE-SBM-DEA results show 15 DMUs in 2021 with total factor productivity above 1. The five-year average efficiency values ranked West (0.851) > East (0.834) > Central (0.673); Five influential factors identified by panel data regression analysis, Among them, X1(The proportion of urban population), X3(The percentage of illiterate population to total aged 15 and over) and X10(The proportion of the volume of medical service in primary medical facilities) have a positive relationship with hospital service efficiency, and X5(The level of per capital outpatient and emergency treatment expenditure) and X8(The proportion of hospital personnel) have a negative relationship with hospital service efficiency.
Conclusion: After five years of development, the hospital service system in mainland China has grown significantly in number and size, but there are still differences in the allocation of hospital health resources between the East and the West, and intra-regional differences remain large. The overall level of efficiency in hospital services over the last five years was poor, with the West overtaking the East as the region with the highest five-year average. The regression model verified the effect of some factors on hospital service efficiency, and the effect of disadvantaged groups on hospital service efficiency was not significant (P>0.05).
Mediating Role of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors on the Relation between Religious Practice and Academic Achievement in University Students
Authors: Shiferaw Abraham Abeje , Naidoo Parvathy , Berhanu Kelemu Zelalem 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
The issues of religiosity, healthy lifestyle behaviors and academic achievement are global agendas. Most previous research has focused on either one or two of the variables, not three of them (e.g. just the relationship between religiosity and healthy lifestyle behaviors). And addressing these three issues, by and large, demands a systemic approach to re-thinking the current level and improving it.
Objective
To examine the causal relationship between religiosity, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and academic achievement in the case of Debre Markos University (DMU) and Injibara University (IU), Ethiopia.
Methods
Four hundred forty students participated voluntarily using a simple random sampling technique. To attain this objective, a cross-sectional research method design was used.
Results
The mean scores of students’ religious practice and healthy lifestyle behaviors are more than average in all aspects. MANOVA results revealed that batch, ethnicity (region), and the university did not display a statistically significant difference among the composite (or combined) scores of both students’ healthy lifestyles and religiosity. However, religious affiliation and gender have an effect on religiosity and healthy lifestyle behaviors respectively. The correlation output informs that religiosity and healthy lifestyle behaviors are positively and significantly correlated with each other. Religious practice also significantly predicted students’ healthy lifestyle behaviors. Despite this, the academic achievement of students didn’t have any relationship with their religious practice and healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Conclusion
University students’ healthy lifestyle behavior doesn’t play an intervening variable in the effect of religious practice on academic achievement. Possible practical implications and recommendations have been forwarded.
Deciphering the Functional Analysis of Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs Associated with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Mohamed Syarah Syamimi , Ahmad Azmir , Din Tengku Ahmad Damitri Al-Astani Tengku , Sal Md Salzihan Md , Zakaria Andee Dzulkarnaen , Zakaria Zaidi 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background:Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cancer that develops from clusters of abnormal crypt foci that grow in the lining of the colon or rectum. CRC develop into polyps before transforming into an adenocarcinoma. Evidences have suggested that enormous cancer cell proliferation is a result of gene dysregulation. For decades, researchers have discovered a link between microRNA (miRNA) and disease pathogenesis via post-transcription regulation of their target gene and alteration of protein translation. Despite of the evidences of a miRNA-CRC relationship with CRC pathogenesis, miRNA activities remain equivocal, and the target mechanism remains poorly characterized. Thus, we are attempting to decipher the functional assessments of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) as well as their pathways interaction. We also aim to identify the list of miRNA/s which are highly associated with CRC.
Results:The DEMs were generated using microarray profiling of CRC tumor and non-tumor tissue. The DEMs were analysed using Gene Spring and a moderate T-test. The data is shown in a heatmap analysis and a volcano plot, with the filter set to p-value < 0.005 and fold change ≥ 2. We found 14 DEMs, 9 of which were upregulated and 5 of which were downregulated. The g:Profiler and Database for Annotation, Visualisation, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) are used to identify the gene ontology and pathways to broaden the findings on their predicted function and pathway interaction. Our DEMs targeted the genes that are significantly associated with CRC pathogenesis, but we were unable to determine which miRNA specifically act as one. Therefore, we predicted the miRNAs function individually and we identified and suggested hsa-miR-20a-5p, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-23a-3p, hsa-miR-24-3p and hsa-miR-29a-3p to play profound roles in CRC pathogenesis. Based on the evidences provided by web tools g:Profiler and DAVID, these miRNAs were discovered to commonly interact with PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, WNT signaling pathway and FGFR signaling.
Conclusion:To summarise, even though all of the DEMs were found to be significantly expressed in CRC tumoral tissue, it does not appear that they are strongly linked to CRC pathogenesis. Thus, with the data enriched by web tools analyses may aid in specifying potential miRNAs to be studied further. Apart from deciphering the miRNAs function and their interactive pathway, our finding also provides an additional knowledge on the specific potential miRNAs for future biomarkers of CRC.
Trends of the burden of hypertension in Saudi Arabia between 1990 and 2019: an analysis from the Global Burden of Diseases study
Authors: Alharbi Talal , Uddin Riaz , Almustanyir Sami , Alashqar Mais , Ambia Ayesha a , Ghozy Sherief , Sarrafzadegan Nizal , Islam Sheikh Mohammed Shariful 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: Hypertension is a widely prevalent condition associated with significant morbidity and premature mortality, primarily because it is a risk factor for CVDs. The aim of this study was to estimate the trend of the burden of hypertension in Saudi Arabia in the last three decades.
Methods: We conducted a systematic analysis of secondary data obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). We estimated sex-stratified, age-standardised and age-specific rates (per 100,000) of prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted years (DALYs) associated with hypertension in adults aged 20-94 years in Saudi Arabia between 1990 and 2019.
Results: In Saudi Arabia, the age-standardised prevalence of hypertension increased from 87.7 cases per 100,000 in 1990 to 94.9 per 100,000 in 2019. More women than men had hypertension throughout the past three decades. The death and DALYs rate, however, decreased during this time. In 1990, 9.2 deaths per 100,000 in women and 3.0 deaths per 100,000 in men were due to hypertension; the respective rates declined to 6.5 and 2.8 in 2019. While the rates of DALYs in women declined steadily from 211.7 to 151.8 per 100,000 DALYs between 1990 and 2019, the rate in males did not decline considerably. The burden of hypertension–prevalence, deaths, and DALYs–were greater in older people.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension has increased in Saudi Arabia during the last 30 years; however, death rates and DALY related to hypertension has decreased during this time. Age- and sex-specific strategies are needed to decrease the prevalence of hypertension in Saudi Arabia.
Selective modulation of gene expression in activated normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by store-operated calcium entry blocker BTP2
Authors: Shankaranarayanan Divya , Mantri Madhav , Lagman Mila , Li Carol , Sharma Vijay K. , Muthukumar Thangamani , Xiang Jenny Z. , De Vlaminck Iwijn , Machaca Khaled , Suthanthiran Manikkam 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Calcium is a critical signaling molecule in many cell types including immune cells. The calcium-release activated calcium channels (CRAC) responsible for store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) in immune cells are gated by STIM family members functioning as sensors of Ca2+ store content in the endoplasmic reticulum. We investigated the effect of SOCE blocker BTP2 on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA). We performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to query gene expression at the whole transcriptome level and identified genes differentially expressed between PBMC activated with PHA and PBMC activated with PHA in the presence of BTP2. Among the differentially expressed genes, we prioritized genes encoding immunoregulatory proteins for validation using preamplification enhanced real time quantitative PCR assays. We performed multiparameter flow cytometry and validated by single cell analysis that BTP2 inhibits cell surface expression CD25 at the protein level. BTP2 reduced significantly PHA-induced increase in the abundance of mRNAs encoding proinflammatory proteins. Surprisingly, BTP2 did not reduce significantly PHA-induced increase in the abundance of mRNAs encoding anti-inflammatory proteins. Collectively, the molecular signature elicited by BTP2 in activated normal human PBMC appears to be tipped towards tolerance and away from inflammation.
Reticulocyte hemoglobin content associated with the risk iron deficiency anemia
Authors: Ding Ning , Ma Yan-Hui , Guo Ping , Wang Tian-Kai , Liu Lin , Wang Jian-Biao , Jin Pei-Pei 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background/ Objective:
Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (MCHr) is considered to be a rapid and reliable marker for the investigation of iron deficiency (ID). We hypothesize that MCHr is associated with the risk of iron deficiency anemia in adults.
Methods
This is a dual center case-control study. A total of 668 anemia patients were recruited in Ruijin Hospital and Xinhua hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2021 to December 2021, and 302 of them were IDA. According to MCHr level, individuals were divided into two groups, i.e. normal Mchr (≥ 25 pg) and decreased Mchr (< 25 pg) group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and adjusted subgroup analysis were conducted to estimate the relative risk between MCHr and IDA. Age, sex, hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), Hematocrit (HCT), serum iron (Fe), ferritin (Ferrit), and total iron binding capacity (IBCT) were chosen as confounding factors.
Results
Compared with the non-IDA, the Mchr level with IDA decreased significantly. After fully adjusting the confounding factors, a decreased risk of IDA was suggested for individuals with normal level of MCHr (OR = 0.68 [0.60, 0.77], P < 0.0001) and IDA risk was up to 5 times higher for decreased MCHr.
Conclusion
Our findings supported the hypothesis that MCHr was associated with IDA risk in adults and extend the extensive literature regarding decreased MCHr in early stage of laboratory detection, which warrants further investigation.
Appraisal for multiple disease resistance in advanced breeding lines of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Authors: Rane Omkar , Jindal S K , Dhaliwal M S , Sharma Abhishek , Kaur Sukhjeet , Gill Rupeet 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

The leaf curl disease (ToLCD), late blight (LB) and root knot nematode (RKN) are the major obstacles for rainy season tomato production all over the world. Several tactics are being considered for the management of these diseases. Reportedly, the most efficient ease of manage these multiple diseases is to adopt resistant cultivars. Though, work on development of resistant cultivars against multiple diseases are very confined due to non-availability of the resistant sources. In the present study, BC2F6population comprising 132 elite tomato lines were evaluated using different screening techniques including marker assisted selection (MAS) during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. Punjab Chuhhara (check) was employed susceptible for all three diseases while PVB-4, LBR-10 and NR-14 were the resistant checks for ToLCD, LB and RKN, respectively. The lines which showed resistance and moderately resistance responses under field and artificial conditions were exposed for MAS of major resistant genes (Ty-1, Ty-2, Ty-3, Ph-2,Ph-3andMi-1.2). PDRT-104, PDRT-118, PDRT-122, PDRT-124 and PDRT-125 were found to be multiple disease resistant. There was significant correlation between the phenotypic and genotypic based screening. The resistant lines identified in the present evaluation can be utilized in commercial varieties for durable resistance to multiple diseases.
Immunophysiology of tambaqui fed with different levels of dietary protein in a biofloc system and a clear water system
Authors: FUGIMURA³ Michelle Midori Sena , de FREITAS¹ Thiago Mendes , GALLANI¹ Sílvia Umeda , Claudiano Gustavo da Silva , ONO Eduardo Akifumi , AFFONSO Elizabeth Gusmão , IZEL-SILVA Judá , de MEDEIROS Paulo Adelino , Santos Raphael Brito Dos 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The present study evaluated the immunophysiological response in Colossoma macropomum fed with different levels of dietary protein in a biofloc system (BFS) and in clear water (CW) and under infection with Aeromonas jandaei. Juvenile tambaqui (9.20 ± 0.23 g) were fed isolipid feed with three levels of crude protein (CP) in the two production systems: BFS24, BFS28 and BFS32 and CW24, CW28 and CW32 with 24, 28 and 32% CP respectively, for 60 days. At the end of the experimental period, the physiological conditions (hematology, biochemistry, hormonal and oxidative stress) of the fish were analyzed. The results of erythrogram, cortisol, glycemia and serum biochemistry (p > 0.05) of the fish did not show significant differences between the breeding systems (BFS and CW) and the different protein levels. Tambaqui raised in the BFS showed monocytosis, thrombocytosis and higher respiratory activity of leukocytes, as well as higher glutathione (GSH) and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) values (p < 0.05). In the bacterial challenge, after induction of aeromonosis, caused by Aeromonas jandaei, greater survival of fish raised in the BFS was observed. The results suggest that, even at lower protein levels, tambaqui maintain physiological homeostasis and, therefore, it may be possible to use up to 24% CP in the diet in the biofloc system. In addition, after the bacterial infection, this system promoted greater immunological resistance in the fish.
On the effect of the variation of velocity fields in
pulsars
Authors: Du Shuang 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Glitches are sudden spin-up events in pulsars and are usually thought to be induced by unpinning of neutron superfluid vortices in their crusts. Unpinning and repinning of superfluid vortices, and even thermoelectric effects induced by the deposited heat released during glitches, may vary the velocity fields in pulsars. We demonstrate that the generally invoked magnetic dipole fields of pulsars cannot remain stationary during the variation of the velocity fields and that multipole components must be generated. We argue that comparing the fine structures (i.e., spark frequencies) of periodic radio pulses before and after glitches can physically test the mathematical justification. Based on the effect of the variation of the velocity field on the magnetic field, the interpretations of pulse nulling, rebrightning of radio-quiet magnetars in the radio band, differences between Crab pulsar and Vela pulsar after glitches, and extra-galactic fast radio burst-like events from SGR 1935+2154 are presented.
Piaractus mesopotamicus is hypoxia tolerant and performs antioxidant adjustments after rapid reoxygenation at low temperature
Authors: Nitz Lilian Fiori , Pellegrin Lucas , Pinto Daniel , Monserrat José María , Copatti Carlos Eduardo , Garcia Luciano 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the different temperature interactions and reoxygenation rates on parameters of antioxidant defense and oxidative stress in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) juveniles. The fish were exposed to 12 h of hypoxia (~2 mg O2 L−1) with subsequent rapid or gradual reoxygenation (with a return to normoxic levels in 0.5 or 5 h, respectively) in interaction with three different temperatures (~18, ~23, and ~28ºC). A control group in normoxia (~7 mg O2 L−1) was also evaluated for each temperature, which was neither submitted to hypoxia nor reoxygenation, totaling nine treatments in triplicate. After 1 and 12 h of the end of the reoxygenation period, samples of gills and liver were collected to determine the total antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and protein thiol content (PSH). Results showed temporary changes in ACAP in both organs, where, in general, the lowest levels were found at 18 and 28oC at 1 and 12 h after recovery, respectively. A reduction of LPO levels in gills occurred in interactions between 18°C and rapid reoxygenation and 23oC and gradual reoxygenation after recovery (1 and 12 h). Liver LPO levels were higher at 23oC at 1 and 12 h after recovery. In general, gills PSH content was lower at 18 than at 23oC at 1 h after recovery. Liver PSH content was higher at 23°C after recovery (1 and 12 h). In conclusion, pacu juveniles are hypoxia tolerant and cope better with rapid reoxygenation at 18oC. Furthermore, the adjustments of the antioxidant system performed by the fish were sufficient for the partial resumption of homeostasis 12 h after recovery.
Complex topology of ubiquitin chains mediates lysosomal degradation of MrgC proteins
Authors: Yu Jiacheng , Li Dan , Liang Ying , Xie Mingming , Xie Jun , Wang Zhen , Gu Xiaoping , Ma Zhengliang , Sun Yu’e 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
BACKGROUND
Ubiquitin-mediated Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor C (MrgC) degradation contributes to development of agonist resistance. It has been shown that inhibition of ubiquitin-activating enzymes reduces the ubiquitination of MrgC. In this study we investigated the ubiquitin degradation pathway and ubiquitin chain type of MrgC.
METHODS
The degradation pathway of MrgC was studied by treating N2a cells with autophagy lysosome inhibitor and proteasome inhibitor. N2a cells were transfected with mutant ubiquitin plasmids to study the ubiquitin chain type of MrgC.
RESULTS
Autophagy lysosome inhibitors can inhibit the degradation of MrgC. Intracellular MrgC co-localized with lysosomes. MrgC proteins can link multiple types of ubiquitin chains.
CONCLUSION
Complex topology of ubiquitin chains mediates lysosomal degradation of MrgC proteins. Inhibition of ubiquitination degradation of MrgC may avoid agonist resistance of MrgC, maintaining its biological activity.
Human capital structure and export quality. The mediation of innovation capacity.
Authors: ChenyuWang  , XiaoweiZhou  
Published: March 2023

Abstract

This paper aims to research the direct and indirect effects of human capital structure on export quality at the firm level. The empirical analysis is carried out using firm-year data by matching three Databases based on specific rules. The Benchmark regression directly verifies the positive effect of human capital structure on export quality. Moreover, the intermediary effect test suggests that innovation capacity is a channel for the human capital structure to improve export quality. However, the mediating effect only accounts for 17% of the total effect that human capital structure plays on export quality. Additionally, this paper finds that the influence of local human resources on a firm's human capital structure varies by region, with firms in the eastern region having a significant impact on intermediation effects compared to those in the central and western regions.