bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interactive association of chronic illness and food insecurity with emergency department utilization among school‐age children in the United States: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ghani Farheen , Wang Hao , Manning Sydney E. , Sambamoorthi Usha 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsFood insecurity combined with chronic disease conditions is a risk factor for Emergency Department (ED) utilization, an indicator of poor quality of care. However, such an association is not certain among school‐age children with chronic conditions. Therefore, we aim to determine the association of food insecurity, chronic conditions, and ED utilization among school‐age children in the United States.MethodsWe analyzed the data from the 2017 Medical expenditure panel survey (MEPS) among children aged 6–17 years (N = 5518). MEPS data was released electronically by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). We identified four groups of school‐age children based on the presence of food security and chronic conditions: 1) with food insecurity and chronic conditions; 2) no food insecurity and chronic conditions; 3) with food insecurity and no chronic conditions; and 4) no food insecurity and no chronic conditions. We compared ED utilization among these four groups using incidence rate ratios (IRR) after adjusting children's age, sex, race and ethnicity, household income, insurance coverage, obesity, and geographic region using count data model, specifically multivariable Poison regression. We used SAS 9.4 and STATA 14.2 for all the data analyses.ResultsThere were unweighted 5518 school‐age children who represented weighted 50,479,419 school‐age children in the final analysis. Overall, 6.0% had food insecurity with chronic conditions. These children had higher ED utilization (19.7%) than the other three groups (13.3%, 8.8%, and 7.2%, p < 0.001). The adjusted IRR of ED utilization among school‐age children with food insecurity and chronic conditions was 1.90 (95% confidence interval 1.20–3.01, p = 0.007) compared with those with food security and chronic conditions.ConclusionOne in 16 school‐age children has both food insecurity and chronic conditions. Food insecurity was positively associated with frequent ED visits in the presence of chronic conditions. Therefore, addressing food insecurity may reduce the risk of ED visits.
TNF‐α interference ameliorates brain damage in neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy rats by regulating the expression of NT‐3 and TRKC
Authors: Niu Yong‐Min , Du Steven Z. , He Rong 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study is to explore the effect of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) inhibition in rats with neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and ascertain the relevant signaling pathways. The Zea–Longa score was used to evaluate the neurological function of the rats. ImageJ was used for quantification of the brain edema volume. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining of brain tissue was performed 24 h after hypoxic–ischemic (HI) to detect right brain infarction. The expression of TNF‐α was detected by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Immunofluorescence staining was used to identify the localization of TNF‐α; Then, the effective shRNA fragment of TNF‐α was used to validate the role of TNF‐α in HIE rats, and the change of neurotrofin‐3 (NT‐3) and tyrosine kinase receptor‐C (TRKC) was examined after TNF‐α‐shRNA lentivirus transfection to determine downstream signaling associated with TNF‐α. Protein interaction analysis was carried out to predict the links among TNF‐α, NT‐3, and TRKC. Cerebral edema volume and infarction increased in the right brain after the HI operation. The Zea–Longa score significantly increased within 24 h after the HI operation. The relative expression of TNF‐α was upregulated after the HI operation. TNF‐α was highly expressed in the right hippocampus post HI through immunofluorescence staining. Bioinformatics analysis found a direct or an indirect link among TNF‐α, NT‐3, and TRKC. Moreover, the interference of TNF‐α increased the expression of NT‐3 and TRKC. TNF‐α interference might alleviate brain injury in HIE by upregulating NT‐3 and TRKC.
Who cares about corruption in Africa? China or the USA?
Authors: Tawiah Vincent , Ayivor Raymond , Oyewo Babajide Michael 
Published: February 2023

AbstractConsidering the growing criticism by the USA of the bribery and corruption surrounding China's trade with Africa, this study uses panel data on 48 African countries over 17 years to examine whether the relationship between corruption and China's trade in Africa differs from that of USA–Africa trade relations. Contrary to expectations, we find that the relationship between corruption and trade with Africa is the same for both countries. Africa's trade with China and the USA increases as corruption increases. Our results imply that both countries have a similar trend of trading with African countries, and they might not care about corruption in Africa. Ultimately, both countries engage with Africa for their parochial economic and political interest. The results are robust to an alternative measure of corruption and endogeneity test using a two‐stage least‐square estimation technique.
Integrating nutrition and mental health screening, risk identification and management in prenatal health programs in India
Authors: Choedon Tashi , Sethi Vani , Killeen Sarah Louise , Ganjekar Sundarnag , Satyanarayana Veena , Ghosh Sebanti , Jacob Chandni Maria , McAuliffe Fionnuala M. , Hanson Mark A. , Chandra Prabha 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPregnancy is a period of major physiologic, hormonal, and psychological change, increasing the risk of nutritional deficiencies and mental disorders. Mental disorders and malnutrition are associated with adverse pregnancy and child outcomes, with potential long‐standing impact. Common mental disorders during pregnancy are more prevalent in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). In India, studies suggest the prevalence of depression is 9.8%–36.7% and of anxiety is 55.7%. India has seen some promising developments in recent years such as increased coverage of the District Mental Health Program; integration of maternal mental health into the Reproductive and Child Health Program in Kerala; and the Mental Health Care Act 2017. However, mental health screening and management protocols have not yet been established and integrated into routine prenatal care in India. A five‐action maternal nutrition algorithm was developed and tested for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, aiming to strengthen nutrition services for pregnant women in routine prenatal care facilities. In this paper, we present opportunities and challenges for integration of maternal nutrition and mental health screening and a management protocol at routine prenatal care in India, discuss evidence‐based interventions in other LMICs including India, and make recommendations for public healthcare providers.
The potential effect of Schisandrin‐B combination with panitumumab in wild‐type and mutant colorectal cancer cell lines: Role of apoptosis and autophagy
Authors: Sana‐Eldine Asmaa O. , Abdelgawad Hanan M. , Kotb Nahla S. , Shehata Nagwa I. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPanitumumab is an approved monoclonal antibody for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, mutations in EGFR signaling pathway resulted in poor response. Schisandrin‐B (Sch‐B) is a phytochemical that was suggested to protect against inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell proliferation. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of Sch‐B on panitumumab‐induced cytotoxicity in wild‐type Caco‐2, and mutant HCT‐116 and HT‐29 CRC cell lines, and the possible underlying mechanisms. CRC cell lines were treated with panitumumab, Sch‐B, and their combination. The cytotoxic effect of drugs was determined by MTT assay. The apoptotic potential was assessed in‐vitro by DNA fragmentation and caspase‐3 activity. Additionally, autophagy was investigated via microscopic detection of autophagosomes and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) measurement of Beclin‐1, Rubicon, LC3‐II, and Bcl‐2 expression. The drug pair enhanced panitumumab cytotoxicity in all CRC cell lines where IC50 of panitumumab was decreased in Caco‐2 cell line. Apoptosis was induced through caspase‐3 activation, DNA fragmentation, and Bcl‐2 downregulation. Caco‐2 cell line treated with panitumumab showed stained acidic vesicular organelles, contrariwise, all cell lines treated with Sch‐B or the drug pair displayed green fluorescence indicating the lack of autophagosomes. qRT‐PCR revealed the downregulation of LC3‐II in all CRC cell lines, Rubicon in mutant cell lines, and Beclin‐1 in HT‐29 cell line only. Sch‐B at 6.5 µM promoted panitumumab‐induced apoptotic cell death, in‐vitro, via caspase‐3 activation and Bcl‐2 downregulation, rather than autophagic cell death. This novel combination therapy against CRC, allows the reduction of panitumumab dose to guard against its adverse effects.
Alliance negotiation as a predictor of early treatment outcome
Authors: Manubens Rocío Tamara , Babl Anna , Doran Jennifer , Roussos Andrés , Alalu Nicolás , Gómez Penedo Juan Martín 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimThe therapeutic alliance is a robust predictor of treatment outcome. However, little is known about the way alliance negotiation contributes to psychotherapy outcome. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of alliance negotiation on treatment outcome in the first four sessions of psychotherapy.MethodsNinety‐six patients diagnosed with emotional disorders received weekly Solution‐Focused Brief Therapy. Each patient completed both the Alliance Negotiation Scale (ANS) and the Outcome Questionnaire 45 (OQ.45) after each of the first four sessions. Both between‐ and within‐patients effects of alliance negotiation on symptom severity were analyzed using Hierarchical Linear Models.ResultsResults showed significant between and within patient effects of alliance negotiation on symptom severity. Patients with higher levels of alliance negotiation across treatment showed lower levels of symptom severity (between‐patient effect). Also, in a session with higher alliance negotiation compared to the average session of this patient, symptom severity was lower than in the average session (within‐patient effect).DiscussionThe results indicate that therapies characterized by higher alliance negotiation and sessions with higher alliance negotiation are beneficial for early outcome.ConclusionFrom a clinical point of view, the results suggest that alliance negotiation is a meaningful factor for therapy outcome and that therapists may benefit from training and monitoring alliance negotiation during the early stages of treatment.
Students’ knowledge, comfort, attitudes, and training on oral health of transgender individuals: A pilot study
Authors: Hanson Callie J. , Reibel Yvette G. , Christianson Drew , Evans Michael D. , Arnett Michelle C. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate students’ knowledge, comfort, attitudes, and formal training on oral health of transgender individuals.MethodsA single‐site cross‐sectional study of 223 students from four educational programs were invited to participate in this study. A 17‐item survey was modified from two previous instruments with permission. The electronic survey was disseminated via Google Forms two times 6 weeks a part. Analyses were conducted using R version 4.1.1. Survey responses were summarized as means and standard deviations. Comparisons of survey responses by program type, age group, prior degree, and gender were performed using the chi‐square test for association and analysis of variance.ResultsA total of118 completed the survey for a 53% response rate. Students disagreed (26.3%) they had knowledge on hormone treatments or non‐hormonal treatment (40.7%) and strongly disagreed (40.7%) they had knowledge on oral manifestations of hormonal or non‐hormonal therapies. Students strongly agreed they are comfortable treating transgender patients (63.6%) and believe it is the responsibility of all healthcare providers to care for transgender patients (83.1%). Students disagreed they are prepared to care for transgender patients (40.7%) or that their faculty demonstrate competency caring for transgender patients undergoing hormonal treatment (21.4%).ConclusionStudents are comfortable providing oral health care to transgender individuals and feel a responsibility to care for them. Formal training on hormonal and non‐hormonal therapy for transgender individuals is needed in dental education programs to enhance students’ knowledge and faculty competence.
Long non‐coding RNA LGALS8‐AS1 facilitates PLAGL2‐mediated malignant phenotypes in gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Gang , Shen Kuan , Xiao Jian , Fan Hao , Wang Yuanhang , Liu Kanghui , Zhou Xinyi , Cheng Quan , Miao Yongchang , Xu Zekuan , Yang Li 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundGreat progress has been made in studying the function of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) in various tumors, including gastric cancer (GC). However, there are still numerous lncRNAs that have not yet been studied and explored for their roles in GC, and their important functions need to be further revealed.MethodsThrough analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database combined with bioinformatics survival tools, a novel GC‐related lncRNA LGALS8‐AS1 was identified. A quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and a series of in vitro or in vivo cell functional experiments were performed to determine the expression and the role of LGALS8‐AS1/miR‐138‐5p/PLAGL2 in GC.ResultsLGALS8‐AS1 was remarkably upregulated and correlated with the unfavorable prognosis in GC. Higher expression of LGALS8‐AS1 was positively associated with higher lymph node metastasis rate, as well as larger tumor size. In addition, a series of cell functional experiments revealed that LGALS8‐AS1 could facilitate GC cell proliferation, migration and metastasis in vitro or in vivo. A deeper mechanism exploration revealed that LGALS8‐AS1 could function as the miR‐138‐5p molecular sponge and upregulate the PLAGL2 expression, thereby promoting the cell proliferation, migration and metastasis in GC.ConclusionsIn brief, we revealed the tumor promoting role of the LGALS8‐AS1/miR‐138‐5p/PLAGL2 molecular signaling axis in GC, and our findings provide enlightenment for further understanding of the mechanism of tumorigenesis and development of GC, making LGALS8‐AS1 a possible new diagnostic or therapeutic target for GC.
Contractible edges in longest cycles
Authors: Chan Tsz Lung , Kriesell Matthias , Schmidt Jens M. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the number of contractible edges in a longest cycle of a ‐connected graph that is triangle‐free or has minimum degree at least . We prove that, except for two graphs, contains at least contractible edges. For triangle‐free 3‐connected graphs, we show that contains at least contractible edges, and characterize all graphs having a longest cycle containing exactly six/seven contractible edges. Both results are tight. Lastly, we prove that every longest cycle of a 3‐connected graph of girth at least 5 contains at least contractible edges.
4H‐Pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐one, biologically important fused heterocyclic scaffold: Synthesis and functionalization
Authors: Bhawale Rajesh T. , Chillal Abhinay S. , Kshirsagar Umesh A. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract4H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐one and their derivatives are highly bioactive and multipurpose heterocyclic motifs, having application in drugs, natural products, agrochemical, material science, and organic synthesis. The C‐H functionalization of basic core structure of heterocycles have become indispensable tools that have continually increased the importance in the pharmaceutical industry for the synthesis of various useful heterocyclic molecules and their derivatives. In this review, we have provided a summary of various routes to synthesize 4H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐one derivatives along with various derivatization methods such as via cross‐coupling, C‐H functionalization through arylation, alkenylation, sulfenylation, selenylation, phosphonation etc. taking into account the synthetic potentiality and significant influence of this scaffold in drug discovery.
Baculum shape complexity correlates to metrics of post‐copulatory sexual selection in Musteloidea
Authors: Clear Emma , Grant Robyn , Gardiner James , Brassey Charlotte 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe penis bone, or baculum, is present in many orders of mammals, although its function is still relatively unknown, mainly due to the challenges with studying the baculum in vivo. Suggested functions include increasing vaginal friction, prolonging intromission and inducing ovulation. Since it is difficult to study baculum function directly, functional morphology can give important insights. Shape complexity techniques, in particular, are likely to offer a useful metric of baculum morphology, especially since finding homologous landmarks on such a structure is challenging. This study focuses on measuring baculum shape complexity in the Musteloidea—a large superfamily spanning a range of body sizes with well‐developed, qualitatively diverse bacula. We compared two shape complexity metrics—alpha shapes and ariaDNE and conducted analyses over a range of six different coefficients, or bandwidths, in 32 species of Musteloidea. Overall, we found that shape complexity, especially at the baculum distal tip, is associated with intromission duration using both metrics. These complexities can include hooks, bifurcations and other additional projections. In addition, alpha shapes complexity was also associated with relative testes mass. These results suggest that post‐copulatory mechanisms of sexual selection are probably driving the evolution of more complex‐shaped bacula tips in Musteloidea and are likely to be especially involved in increasing intromission duration during copulation.
Digestion profile, antioxidant, and antidiabetic capacity of Morchella esculenta exopolysaccharide: in vitro, in vivo and microbiota analysis
Authors: Wu Haishan , Chen Jing , Liu Yuting , Cheng Haoran , Nan Jian , Park Hyun Jin , Yang Liu , Li Jinglei 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDNovel functional polysaccharides from fungi are important nutraceuticals. An exopolysaccharide, Morchella esculenta exopolysaccharide (MEP 2), was extracted and purified from the fermentation liquor of M. esculenta. The aim of this study was to investigate its digestion profile, antioxidant capacity, and effect on the microbiota composition in diabetic mice.RESULTSThe study found that MEP 2 was stable during in vitro saliva digestion but was partially degraded during gastric digestion. The digest enzymes exerted a negligible effect on the chemical structure of MEP 2. Molecular weight and atomic force microscope (AFM) images suggest that both smaller chains and larger aggregations were produced. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images reveal that the surface morphology was much altered after intestinal digestion. After digestion, the antioxidant ability increased as revealed by the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Both MEP 2 and its digested components showed strong α‐amylase and moderate α‐glucosidase inhibition activity, leading us to further investigate its ability to modulate the diabetic symptoms. The MEP 2 treatment ameliorated the inflammatory cell infiltration and increased the size of pancreas inlets. Serum concentration of HbA1c was significantly reduced. Blood glucose level during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also slightly lower. The MEP 2 increased the diversity of the gut microbiota and modulated the abundance of several important bacteria including Alcaligenaceae, Caulobacteraceae, Prevotella, Brevundimonas, Demequina, and several Lachnospiraceae species.CONCLUSIONIt was found that MEP 2 was partially degraded during in vitro digestion. Its potential antidiabetic bioactivity may be associated with its α‐amylase inhibition and gut microbiome modulation ability. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Value creation paths of organizations undergoing digital transformation
Authors: Holopainen Mira , Saunila Minna , Ukko Juhani 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis study examined the emergence of value creation during digital transformation. We used case studies to gather empirical evidence of the phenomenon from an organizational perspective. The study tried to closely link theory and practice by identifying the mechanisms that determined the paths of value creation in 11 companies that had taken concrete steps toward digital transformation. It contributed to knowledge management research by building a research framework according to previous literature and outlining three different value creation paths based on the objectives and motivations of the organizations. The conclusions of the study were that (1) the strategic orientation of transformation must exceed a certain level to constitute an actual value creation mechanism; (2) digital transformation paths are driven by changes in the competitive environment; (3) pressure from customers impacts the value creation mechanism in digital transformation, but depends on the value creation path essence; as well as (4) value creation in digital transformation is determined by the extent to which a company manages to balance the existing business with digital transformation. The results also had managerial implications because they assisted managers in considering the key mechanisms of digital transformation.
Spectral light quality on the seabed matters for macroalgal community composition at the extremities of light limitation
Authors: Thoral François , Pinkerton Matthew H. , Tait Leigh W. , Schiel David R. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCompromised light quantity on the seabed affects the composition and resilience of marine forests and the maintenance of ecosystem services. However, the response of macroalgal assemblages to changes in the quality (spectral composition) of light as compared to the quantity alone is poorly understood. Here, we bridge radiative transfer modeling and algal physiology to simulate the underwater light environment and explore macroalgal responses to spectral attenuation by various coastal water constituents. We considered three groups of macroalgal taxa (class Phaeophyceae and, phyla Chlorophyta and Rhodophyta) for which we developed a “synthetic envelope” of spectrally resolved action spectra using 1 million radiative simulations. We found that brown algae were more efficient at harvesting light across the whole spectrum at low attenuation (< 0.2 m−1) when depths were greater than 10 m, whereas green algae dominated shallower depths than 10 m for low to high attenuation values. Finally, red algae made best use of the available light at relatively higher attenuation values (> 0.2 m−1) and deeper depths. We also demonstrated that the brown and green algal taxa showed higher photosynthetic efficiencies when attenuation was dominated by particulate matter rather than by phytoplankton or detrital matter. Our results shed new light on the “Complementary Chromatic Adaptation” hypothesis by confirming that algal pigmentation matters under a subset of scenarios, particularly at the limits of light availability in coastal waters. This study paves the way for identifying competitive thresholds in macroalgal communities by using satellite‐derived ocean color products to identify regions and depths of potential optical transitions.