bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, treatment outcomes and determinants of TB–HIV coinfection: a 10-year retrospective review of TB registry in Kwabre East Municipality of Ghana
Authors: Osei Bonsu Emmanuel , Addo Isaac Yeboah , Adjei Benjamin Noble , Alhassan Muhib Mohammed , Nakua Emmanuel Kweku 
Published: March 2023

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence, treatment outcomes and determinants of tuberculosis (TB)–HIV coinfection in Ghana.Study designA retrospective review of TB case register for Kwabre East Municipality was conducted for the period 2010–2020 to identify TB–HIV coinfections.Setting462 patients with TB from four sub-municipal treatment centres were included in the study.Primary outcome measureA logistic regression model was used to investigate the relationship between clinico-demographic factors (age, sex, type of patient, disease classification, treatment category and sputum smear microscopy) and TB–HIV coinfection.ResultsOf the 462 individual TB cases found in the TB register from 2010 to 2020, 286 (61.9%) were screened for HIV and the results showed that 18% had TB–HIV coinfection. TB–HIV coinfection was highest in 2015 with a prevalence of 40% among all registered TB cases. The likelihood of TB–HIV coinfection was highest among patients with TB aged 40–49 years (AOR=3.99, CI=1.3, 12.7). Those who tested negative for TB at the end of their treatment period had lower odds of HIV coinfection (AOR=0.27, CI=0.10, 0.72).ConclusionNearly one out of every five (18%) patients with TB in the municipality were found to be coinfected with HIV. TB–HIV coinfection was significantly associated with patients' age and their TB treatment outcomes. Urgent interventions are needed to address these risk factors to promote optimal health for patients with TB in the municipality.
Things I need you to know: a qualitative analysis of advice-giving statements in early-onset colorectal cancer patients’ personal accounts published online
Authors: Lamprell Klay , Fajardo-Pulido Diana , Arnolda Gaston , Owais Syeda Somyyah , Nic Giolla Easpaig Bróna , Tran Yvonne , Liauw Winston , Braithwaite Jeffrey 
Published: March 2023

ObjectivePeople with early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), defined as colorectal cancer (CRC) before the age of 50, now constitute a significant patient population. In empirical and grey literature EOCRC patients report unsatisfactory experiences of care, especially in relation to protracted intervals from first help-seeking to diagnosis. This study is the first to investigate EOCRC patients’ perspectives on ways to improve experiences of care. The objective is to provide foundational knowledge for the development of EOCRC-specific patient-reported experience measures (PREMs).DesignThe study was designed as qualitative Internet Mediated Research, involving a thematic analysis of unsolicited narratives recounting personal experiences of EOCRC care. We examined advice-giving statements in 120 online texts written by EOCRC patients and survivors.SettingThe Internet is the broad research setting. The host websites of three prominent charitable CRC support organisations were selected as specific research sites: Bowel Cancer Australia, Bowel Cancer UK and Bowel Cancer New Zealand.ResultsWe found that 90% of texts comprised statements of advice to new patients about the importance of self-advocacy in achieving quality care. Four key contexts for self-advocacy were identified: (1) accessing relevant diagnostic services; (2) driving diagnostic investigations when symptoms are not resolved; (3) involvement in treatment decision-making and (4) proactivity about preferred outcomes. Over 30% of advice-giving texts also directed statements of advice to healthcare providers, indicating that their youthfulness had been a barrier to timely diagnosis.ConclusionHealthcare barriers to, and facilitators of, patient self-advocacy may be indicators of quality EORC care. There is a need for greater awareness of the impact of age bias on the responsiveness of clinicians and healthcare services in EOCRC care. Our findings support the development of EOCRC-specific PREMs that can guide age-appropriate policy and practice for this newly identified patient population.
Clinical trial on the efficacy and safety of NPC-15 for patients with xeroderma pigmentosum exaggerated sunburn reaction type: XP-1 study protocol for a multicentre, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, two-group crossover study followed by a long-term open study in Japan
Authors: Tsujimoto Mariko , Kakei Yasumasa , Yamano Nozomi , Fujita Takeshi , Ueda Takehiro , Ono Ryusuke , Murakami Sae , Moriwaki Shinichi , Nishigori Chikako 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionXeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare intractable disease without a fundamental treatment, presenting with severe photosensitivity, freckle-like pigmented and depigmented maculae and numerous skin cancers before the age of 10 years without strict sun protection. About 70% of the patients exhibit extremely severe sunburn reactions and most of them develop neurological symptoms, including sensorineural hearing impairment and progressive peripheral and central nervous disorders beginning from childhood ages. In the preclinical study, we found that N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine was effective in suppressing skin tumour development in addition to improvement of auditory brainstem response in chronically ultraviolet-irradiated XP-A model mice.Methods and analysisOn the bases of the preclinical study, we conduct a clinical trial on the efficacy of NPC-15 for patients with XP with exaggerated sunburn reaction type by a multicentre, double-blinded placebo-controlled, two-group crossover study followed by a 52 weeks open study.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is overseen by the Kobe University Institutional Review Board and Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University Institutional Review Board, and the study is conducted in accordance with the approved protocol. All participants will be required to provide written informed consent. Findings will be disseminated through scientific and professional conferences and peer-reviewed journal publications. The data sets generated during the study will be available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.Trial registration numberjRCTs051210181.
Youth’s engagement and perceptions of disposable e-cigarettes: a UK focus group study
Authors: Smith Marissa J , MacKintosh Anne Marie , Ford Allison , Hilton Shona 
Published: March 2023

ObjectivesEvidence suggests that use of flavoured disposable electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is increasing. Considering the growing popularity and rapid evolution of e-cigarettes, we explored youth’s perceptions and engagement with disposable e-cigarettes.DesignTwenty focus groups were conducted between March and May 2022, with 82 youths aged 11–16 living in the Central belt of Scotland.MethodsYouths were asked about smoking and vaping behaviours and disposable e-cigarettes and were shown vaping-related images and videos from social media which were used to stimulate discussion about different messages, presentations and contextual features. Transcripts were imported into NVivo V.12, coded thematically, and analysed.ResultsYouths described disposable e-cigarettes as ‘cool’, ‘fashionable’ and enticing and viewed as a modern lifestyle ‘accessory’. Tank models were perceived as being used by older adults. Youths stated that disposable e-cigarettes were designed in a way to target youths and the brightly coloured devices and range of flavourings encouraged youths to want to try the products, particularly sweet flavourings. Participants perceived e-cigarettes to be less harmful compared with combustible cigarettes but noted the uncertainty of ingredients in disposable e-cigarettes.ConclusionsYouths distinguish between e-cigarettes with varying characteristics and social perceptions of users. These findings provide evidence that disposable e-cigarettes are attractive to youths. Future research is needed to understand the factors that contribute to youth perceptions of disposable e-cigarettes. Policymakers should work together to design and implement policies and strategies to prevent youth uptake of vaping.
Randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of contrast material dilution on renal function in patients after endovascular aortic repair: rationale and design for the CULTURE trial
Authors: Zhou Yuhang , Wang Jiarong , Zhao Jichun , Huang Bin , Yuan Ding , Wang Tiehao 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionPostoperative renal function decline is a major concern for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR). Diluting contrast medium in the power injector may be helpful in reducing the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy, but it can also blur fluoroscopic vision during surgery. The quality of the current evidence is very low; thus, this study is designed to investigate the effect of contrast dilution in the power injector on renal function changes in patients after endovascular aortic repair.Method and analysisThe study is a prospective, single-blind, parallel, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial with two independent cohorts: Cohort TEVAR and EVAR. Individuals will enter the appropriate cohort based on clinical interviews if they meet the eligibility criteria. Participants in Cohort TEVAR and EVAR will be randomly allocated to the intervention group (diluting contrast medium to 50% in the power injector) and control group (pure contrast medium in the power injector) separately in a 1:1 ratio. The primary study points consist of the proportion of patients who develop acute kidney injury within 48 hours after TEAVR or EVAR (first stage) and freedom of major adverse kidney events at 12 months after TEAVR or EVAR (second stage). The safety endpoint is freedom of all types of endoleaks at 30 days after TEVAR or EVAR. Follow-up will be conducted at 30 days and 12 months after intervention.Ethics and disseminationThe trial was approved by the Ethics Committee on Biomedical Research, West China Hospital of Sichuan University (approval number: 20201290). The results of the study will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at academic conferences.Trial registration numberChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100042555).
Sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter defects: a rare cause of recurrent vomiting and faltering growth
Authors: Rupasinghe Kushila , Onyeador Nkem 
Published: March 2023

We describe the case of a previously fit child with recurrent vomiting, faltering growth, persistent diarrhoea and rashes who was diagnosed with a sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) defect. Whole exome sequencing revealed he was homozygous for aSLC5A6missense variant. TheSLC5A6gene produces SMVTs, which are expressed in various tissues including the intestine, brain, liver, lung, kidney, cornea, retina and heart. It plays a major role in the uptake of biotin, pantothenate and lipoate in the digestive system and transporting B-group vitamins across the blood–brain barrier.This case was only the fourth described in literature. Management was with vitamin replacement therapy: biotin, dexpanthenol and α-lipoic acid. With treatment there was significant, sustained clinical improvement with resolution of recurrent vomiting, rashes and graduation to full enteral feeds.This case highlights how defects in multivitamin transporters can lead to multisystemic disease and subsequent targeted treatment leading to significant clinical improvement.
Effect of obesity on airway and systemic inflammation in adults with asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Scott Hayley A , Ng Shawn HM , McLoughlin Rebecca F , Valkenborghs Sarah R , Nair Parameswaran , Brown Alexandra C , Carroll Olivia R , Horvat Jay C , Wood Lisa G 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundObesity is associated with more severe asthma, however, the mechanisms responsible are poorly understood. Obesity is also associated with low-grade systemic inflammation; it is possible that this inflammation extends to the airways of adults with asthma, contributing to worse asthma outcomes. Accordingly, the aim of this review was to examine whether obesity is associated with increased airway and systemic inflammation and adipokines, in adults with asthma.MethodsMedline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and Current Contents were searched till 11 August 2021. Studies reporting measures of airway inflammation, systemic inflammation and/or adipokines in obese versus non-obese adults with asthma were assessed. We conducted random effects meta-analyses. We assessed heterogeneity using the I2statistic and publication bias using funnel plots.ResultsWe included 40 studies in the meta-analysis. Sputum neutrophils were 5% higher in obese versus non-obese asthmatics (mean difference (MD)=5.0%, 95% CI: 1.2 to 8.9, n=2297, p=0.01, I2=42%). Blood neutrophil count was also higher in obesity. There was no difference in sputum %eosinophils; however, bronchial submucosal eosinophil count (standardised mean difference (SMD)=0.58, 95% CI=0.25 to 0.91, p<0.001, n=181, I2=0%) and sputum interleukin 5 (IL-5) (SMD=0.46, 95% CI=0.17 to 0.75, p<0.002, n=198, I2=0%) were higher in obesity. Conversely, fractional exhaled nitric oxide was 4.5 ppb lower in obesity (MD=−4.5 ppb, 95% CI=−7.1 ppb to −1.8 ppb, p<0.001, n=2601, I2=40%). Blood C reactive protein, IL-6 and leptin were also higher in obesity.ConclusionsObese asthmatics have a different pattern of inflammation to non-obese asthmatics. Mechanistic studies examining the pattern of inflammation in obese asthmatics are warranted. Studies should also investigate the clinical relevance of this altered inflammatory response.PROSPERO registeration numberCRD42021254525.
Cosmological dynamics of Cuscuta–Galileon gravity
Authors: Panpanich Sirachak , Maeda Kei-ichi 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWe study cosmological dynamics of the Cuscuta–Galileon gravity with a potential term by using the dynamical system approach. This model is galileon generalization of the cuscuton gravity where we add a potential term to the theory in order to obtain the radiation and matter dominated eras. The exponential potential can provide the sequence of the thermal history of the Universe correctly, i.e. starting from radiation dominance, passing through matter dominant era, and then approaching de Sitter expansion stage. This model has no ghosts and the Laplacian instability for both scalar and tensor perturbations. We also discuss the observational constraints on the model parameters. It turns out that the model actually has three degrees of freedom unlike the original cuscuton theory.
Spontaneous Lorentz symmetry breaking effects on GRBs jets arising from neutrino pair annihilation process near a black hole
Authors: Khodadi Mohsen , Lambiase Gaetano , Mastrototaro Leonardo 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe study of neutrino pair annihilation into electron-positron pairs ($$\nu {\bar{\nu }}\rightarrow e^-e^+$$νν¯→e-e+) is astrophysically well-motivated because it is a possible powering mechanism for the gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). In this paper, we estimate the gamma-ray energy deposition rate (EDR) arising from the annihilation of the neutrino pairs in the equatorial plane of a slowly rotating black hole geometry modified by the broken Lorentz symmetry (induced by a background bumblebee vector field). More specifically, owing to the presence of a dimensionless Lorentz symmetry breaking (LSB) parameterlarising from nonminimal coupling between the bumblebee field with nonzero vacuum expectation value and gravity, the metric solution in question differs from the standard slowly rotating Kerr black hole. By idealizing the thin accretion disk temperature profile in the two forms of isothermal and gradient around the bumblebee gravity-based slow rotating black hole, we investigate the influence of spontaneous LSB on the$$\nu {\bar{\nu }}$$νν¯-annihilation efficiency. For both profiles, we find that positive values of LSB parameter$$l>0$$l>0induce an enhancement of the EDR associated with the neutrino-antineutrino annihilation. Therefore, the process of powering the GRBs jets around bumblebee gravity modified slowly rotating geometry is more efficient in comparison with standard metric. Using the observed gamma-ray luminosity associated with different GRBs types (short, long, and ultra-long), we find, through the analysis of the EDR in the parameter space$$l-a$$l-a($$a^2\ll 1$$a2≪1), some allowed ranges for the LSB parameterl.
Tuning of Efimov states in non-integer dimensions
Authors: Garrido Eduardo , Jensen Aksel S. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to show that, by combining Feshbach resonances with external confining potentials, the energy scale factor of neighboring Efimov states can be tremendously reduced. The Efimov conditions can be reached for systems made of three different particles. For the case of two identical light particles and a heavy particle, the energy factor can be reduced by many orders of magnitude, and the Efimov states are in this way more easily reachable experimentally. The equivalence between external potentials and the formulation in terms of non-integer dimensions, d, is exploited. The technically simpler d-method is used to derive analytic expressions for two-component relative wave functions describing two short-range square-well interacting particles. The two components express one open and one closed channel. The scattering length is obtained after phase shift expansion, providing an analytic form for the Efimov condition. We illustrate the results by means of systems made of $$^7$$

7

Li, $$^{39}$$

39

K, and $$^{87}$$

87

Rb, with realistic parameters. The related pairs of dimension and magnetic field are shown and discussed. The results are universal as they only rely on large-distance properties.

Graphic abstract
Quantification of Precipitation and Latent Heating Associated with Northern Hemisphere Winter Extratropical Cyclones Using the GPM KuPR
Authors: Tsuji Hiroki , Takayabu Yukari N. , Tochimoto Eigo 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The four-dimensional characteristics of precipitation and latent heating associated with Northern Hemisphere winter extratropical cyclones (ETCs) are quantitatively analyzed using over 1000 ETCs observed by the Ku-band radar on board the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory. We find that the maximum precipitation amount is observed before the minimum central pressure of ETCs (developing stage), independent of the deepening ratio. A key finding is that a cyclone in the developing stage has two large precipitation areas with contrasting precipitation characteristics. One is observed on the forward-left side of ETCs, collocating with warm fronts (Area X). The other is identified on the right-hand side of the ETC center in association with the warm sector and cold fronts (Area Y). These areas become unclear in the mature stage and disappear in the decaying stage. Many stratiform precipitation pixels weaker than 5 mm h−1 compose the large precipitation amount in Area X, with a stratiform-to-total precipitation ratio of more than 90%. In contrast, intense convective precipitation pixels of over 20 mm h−1 are observed about 3 times more in Area Y than in Area X, resulting in a stratiform-to-total precipitation ratio of 65%–80%. The most intense precipitation around ETCs is observed in this area. A larger latent heating maximum at 3.5-km altitude and a higher near-surface cooling rate in Area X result in a higher vertical heating gradient compared to Area Y. The contrasting characteristics between the two areas are more pronounced in the rapidly developing ETCs.

Significance Statement
Statistical analyses are conducted to elucidate the four-dimensional structures of precipitation and latent heating associated with more than 1000 Northern Hemisphere winter extratropical cyclones using data observed by the Ku-band radar on board the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory. The horizontal precipitation composite at the developing stage of the cyclones shows two areas with large precipitation amounts. One is characterized by a large amount of weak stratiform precipitation, and a higher vertical heating gradient, collocating with warm fronts. The other is characterized by intense convective precipitation in association with the warm sector and cold fronts. The quantitative information on precipitation and latent heating obtained from the observation of many cyclones is valuable for the validation of numerical simulation results.
Polar Low Motion and Track Characteristics over the North Atlantic
Authors: Yan Ziyu , Wang Zhuo , Peng Melinda , Ge Xuyang 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Polar lows (PLs) are intense mesoscale cyclones over high-latitude oceans. The PL motion and track characteristics over the North Atlantic in the cold season are examined based on ∼1700 PLs during 1979–2016. Our analysis shows that PL motion is mainly controlled by the environmental flow in the lower troposphere. In particular, the steering flow defined over 950–550 hPa within a 450-km radius best matches the PL motion. Meanwhile, 700 hPa is an optimal single level to assess the steering flow. Cluster analysis based on a linear regression mixture model is utilized to describe the PL tracks. Four distinct clusters are identified, and they are characterized by northeastward motion (NE), eastward motion (E), southward motion (S), and slow motion without a dominating direction (SM), respectively. Although PLs in the four clusters have similar lifespans, SM-type PLs have much shorter tracks than the other clusters, due to their slow translation speeds. Further analysis shows that there are no distinctive geographic differences in genesis locations for the four clusters. The track differences can be largely explained by the associated synoptic-scale environmental circulations. Additionally, the S-type PLs tend to develop in a reverse shear environment, the NE-type and E-type PLs are associated with forward shear and left shear environments, respectively, while the SM-type PLs do not show a preference in the environmental shear. The link between the PL tracks and the North Atlantic weather regimes is also investigated. The NAO+ regime is associated with the most frequent PL occurrence over the North Atlantic, while the Scandinavian blocking regime is associated with lowest PL frequency.

Significance Statement
Polar lows (PLs) are intense mesoscale cyclones and pose hazards to high-latitude coastal areas. A better understanding of polar low motion can help improve polar low forecasts and reduce the hazardous impacts of the storms. Based on a PL track dataset over the North Atlantic basin during 1979–2016, it is found that PL motion is mainly controlled by the environmental flow in the lower troposphere and that the steering flow defined over 950–550 hPa within a 450-km radius best matches the PL motion. In addition, four distinct types of tracks are identified using cluster analysis, and they are characterized by northeastward motion, eastward motion, southward motion, and slow motion without a dominating direction, respectively. The different background flows can largely explain the propagation directions of different track types. Furthermore, the links between the PL motion and the North Atlantic weather regimes are also investigated.