bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and acceptability of peer-delivered HIV self-testing and PrEP for young women in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Nakalega Rita , Mukiza Nelson , Menge Robert , Kizito Samuel , Babirye Juliet Allen , Kuteesa Cynthia Ndikuno , Mawanda Denis , Mulumba Emmie , Nabukeera Josephine , Ggita Joseph , Nakanjako Lydia , Akello Carolyne , Mirembe Brenda Gati , Lukyamuzi Zubair , Nakaye Catherine , Kataike Hajira , Maena Joel , Etima Juliane , Nabunya Hadijah Kalule , Biira Florence , Nagawa Christine , Heffron Renee , Celum Connie , Gandhi Monica , Mujugira Andrew 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundAdolescent girls and young women (AGYW) account for 29% of new HIV infections in Uganda despite representing just 10% of the population. Peer support improves AGYW linkage to HIV care and medication adherence. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of peer delivered HIV self-tests (HIVST) and oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to young women in Uganda.MethodsBetween March and September 2021, we conducted a pilot study of 30 randomly selected young women, aged 18–24 years, who had received oral PrEP for at least three months, but had suboptimal adherence as measured by urine tenofovir testing (< 1500 ng/ml). Participants were offered daily oral PrEP and attended clinic visits three and six months after enrollment. Between clinic visits, participants were visited monthly by trained peers who delivered HIVST and PrEP. Feasibility and acceptability of peer-delivered PrEP and HIVST (intervention) were measured by comparing actual versus planned intervention delivery and product use. We conducted two focus groups with young women, and five in-depth interviews with peers and health workers to explore their experiences with intervention delivery. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsAt baseline, all 30 enrolled young women (median age 20 years) accepted peer-delivered PrEP and HIVST. Peer delivery visit completion was 97% (29/30) and 93% (28/30) at three and six months, respectively. The proportion of participants with detectable tenofovir in urine was 93% (27/29) and 57% (16/28) at months three and six, respectively. Four broad themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1) Positive experiences of peer delivered HIVST and PrEP; (2) The motivating effect of peer support; (3) Perceptions of female controlled HIVST and PrEP; and (4) Multi-level barriers to HIVST and PrEP use. Overall, peer delivery motivated young women to use HIVST and PrEP and encouraged persistence on PrEP by providing non-judgmental client-friendly services and adherence support.ConclusionPeer delivery of HIVST and oral PrEP was feasible and acceptable to this sample of young women with suboptimal PrEP adherence in Uganda. Future larger controlled studies should evaluate its effectiveness among African AGWY.
Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer, specimen extraction: transanal or transabdominal?
Authors: Shahabi Fatemeh , Orafaie Ala , Ansari Majid , Moallem Zahra Gholami , Mehri Ali , Moghadam Maryam Hejri , Roshanravan Reza , Abdollahi Abbas , Rasouli Mahboobeh 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Comparison of natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) and transabdominal specimen extraction (TASE) in colorectal surgery remains controversial. Herein, we aimed to perform a retrospective analysis on surgical outcomes of NOSE and TASE at three hospitals in east of Iran.

Method
Consecutive locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery using either NOSE or TASE from 2011 to 2017 were recruited. These patients were followed-up till 2020. Data, including postoperative complications, long-term overall and recurrence-free survival were analyzed retrospectively.

Results
239 eligible patients were included in this study. 169 (70.71%) patients underwent NOSE, and 70 (29.29%) patients underwent TASE. Although this study has achieved similar outcomes in terms of overall and recurrence-free survival, metastasis, circumferential margin involvement as well as complications of intra-operative bleeding, obstruction, anastomosis-fail, rectovaginal-fistula in women and pelvic collection/abscess in both groups, we observed higher rates of locoregional recurrence, incontinency, stenosis and the close distal margins involvement in NOSE group and also obstructed defecation syndrome in TASE cases.

Conclusion
According to our findings, NOSE laparoscopic surgery showed significantly higher incontinency, impotency, stenosis and involvement of the close distal margins rates. Nevertheless, considering the similarity of long-term overall and recurrence-free survival, metastasis, circumferential margin involvement, NOSE procedure is still could be considered as a second choice for lower rectal adenocarcinoma patients.
Assessment of the general public’s knowledge of atrial fibrillation through social media: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Woo Brigitte FY , Hendriks Jeroen M , Tam Wilson , Lim Toon Wei 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundEarly detection and timely treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains pivotal to preventing AF-related complications. Public involvement in recognising potential AF symptoms and managing AF is vital for early detection and treatment of AF.ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to assess the general public’s knowledge of AF using an online survey, disseminated via social media.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey of the general public was conducted between November to December 2021. The survey’s URL was shared on National University Heart Centre, Singapore’s official Facebook page. Digital marketing strategies were employed to recruit members of the public. The 27-item survey assessed public’s knowledge across five domains: basic information about AF, risk factors of AF, detection of AF, prevention of AF, and management of AF.ResultsThe survey involved 620 participants. Approximately two-thirds were between the ages 21 to 40 years (64.5%), female (60%) and had at least a degree (64.7%) as their highest level of education. Participants obtained a mean percentage score of 63.3 ± 26.0 for their AF knowledge. One-way ANOVA was done to examine the associations between the participants’ characteristics and their knowledge of AF. There were no statistically significant differences in the AF knowledge scores across the various sociodemographic subgroups.ConclusionsMembers of the public recruited from Facebook and via digital marketing had moderately good knowledge of AF. However, public awareness pertaining to preventing AF has potential for improvement. The utility of social media in reaching the general public was illustrated through this study.
The role of tumor microenvironment on cancer stem cell fate in solid tumors
Authors: Razi Sara , Haghparast Amin , Chodari Khameneh Sepide , Ebrahimi Sadrabadi Amin , Aziziyan Fatemeh , Bakhtiyari Maryam , Nabi-Afjadi Mohsen , Tarhriz Vahideh , Jalili Arsalan , Zalpoor Hamidreza 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn the last few decades, the role of cancer stem cells in initiating tumors, metastasis, invasion, and resistance to therapies has been recognized as a potential target for tumor therapy. Understanding the mechanisms by which CSCs contribute to cancer progression can help to provide novel therapeutic approaches against solid tumors. In this line, the effects of mechanical forces on CSCs such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cellular plasticity, etc., the metabolism pathways of CSCs, players of the tumor microenvironment, and their influence on the regulating of CSCs can lead to cancer progression. This review focused on some of these mechanisms of CSCs, paving the way for a better understanding of their regulatory mechanisms and developing platforms for targeted therapies. While progress has been made in research, more studies will be required in the future to explore more aspects of how CSCs contribute to cancer progression.
Modelling idiopathic intracranial hypertension in rats: contributions of high fat diet and testosterone to intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid production
Authors: Wardman Jonathan H. , Jensen Mette N. , Andreassen Søren N. , Styrishave Bjarne , Wilhjelm Jens E. , Sinclair Alexandra J. , MacAulay Nanna 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure (ICP), impaired vision, and headache. Most cases of IIH occur in obese women of childbearing age, though age, BMI, and female sex do not encompass all aspects of IIH pathophysiology. Systemic metabolic dysregulation has been identified in IIH with a profile of androgen excess. However, the mechanistic coupling between obesity/hormonal perturbations and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics remains unresolved.

Methods
Female Wistar rats were either fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 21 weeks or exposed to adjuvant testosterone treatment for 28 days to recapitulate IIH causal drivers. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood testosterone levels were determined with mass spectrometry, ICP and CSF dynamics with in vivo experimentation, and the choroid plexus function revealed with transcriptomics and ex vivo isotope-based flux assays.

Results
HFD-fed rats presented with increased ICP (65%), which was accompanied by increased CSF outflow resistance (50%) without altered CSF secretion rate or choroid plexus gene expression. Chronic adjuvant testosterone treatment of lean rats caused elevated ICP (55%) and CSF secretion rate (85%), in association with increased activity of the choroid plexus Na+,K+,2Cl− cotransporter, NKCC1.

Conclusions
HFD-induced ICP elevation in experimental rats occurred with decreased CSF drainage capacity. Adjuvant testosterone, mimicking the androgen excess observed in female IIH patients, elevated the CSF secretion rate and thus ICP. Obesity-induced androgen dysregulation may thus contribute to the disease mechanism of IIH.
Synergising single-cell resolution and 4sU labelling boosts inference of transcriptional bursting
Authors: Edwards David M. , Davies Philip , Hebenstreit Daniel 
Published: June 2023

AbstractDespite the recent rise of RNA-seq datasets combining single-cell (sc) resolution with 4-thiouridine (4sU) labelling, analytical methods exploiting their power to dissect transcriptional bursting are lacking. Here, we present a mathematical model and Bayesian inference implementation to facilitate genome-wide joint parameter estimation and confidence quantification (R package: burstMCMC). We demonstrate that, unlike conventional scRNA-seq, 4sU scRNA-seq resolves temporal parameters and furthermore boosts inference of dimensionless parameters via a synergy between single-cell resolution and 4sU labelling. We apply our method to published 4sU scRNA-seq data and linked with ChIP-seq data, we uncover previously obscured associations between different parameters and histone modifications.
Conformable fractional Newton-type inequalities with respect to differentiable convex functions
Authors: Ünal Cihan , Hezenci Fatih , Budak Hüseyin 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe authors propose a new method of investigation of an integral identity according to conformable fractional operators. Moreover, some Newton-type inequalities are considered for differentiable convex functions by taking the modulus of the newly established equality. In addition, we prove several Newton-type inequalities with the aid of Hölder and power-mean inequalities. Furthermore, several new results are given by using special choices of the obtained inequalities. Finally, we give several inequalities of conformable fractional Newton-type for functions of bounded variation.
Gender differences in willingness for childbirth, fertility knowledge, and value of motherhood or fatherhood and their associations among college students in South Korea, 2021
Authors: Kim Hae Won , Kim Seo Yun 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
South Korea is a country with a very low fertility rate and there is a tendency for young adults to postpone marriage and childbirth, which affects adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is important for young adults to predict and prepare in advance for future fertility-related issues, especially by identifying their willingness and thoughts about childbirth for both women and men. This study aimed to investigate gender differences in willingness for childbirth, fertility knowledge, and the value of motherhood or fatherhood among college students in South Korea and to explore the factors influencing willingness for childbirth.

Methods
This was a cross sectional study among 286 unmarried college students who were recruited through a campus email and online communities for college student conducted from June 20, 2021 to July 19, 2021. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and t-test to identify gender differences in general characteristics, willingness for childbirth, fertility knowledge, and value of motherhood of fatherhood. The factors influencing willingness for childbirth were examined using multiple logistic regression.

Results
Female students showed lower willingness for future childbirth than male students (χ2 = 26.85, p < .001). Women valued motherhood significantly less than men valued fatherhood (t = 6.34, p < .001). Women had a lower fertility knowledge score than men (t = 2.53 p = .012). The value of motherhood or fatherhood was an important influencing factor in both male and female college students (AOR = 8.57, 95% CI = 3.79–19.41 and AOR = 10.42, 95% CI = 3.65–29.80, respectively), whereas the monthly allowance was also an important influencing factor in female students (AOR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.01–1.03).

Conclusion
The findings indicate the future direction to develop effective interventions considering gender differences which will promote healthy pregnancy and childbirth in the future for informed reproductive decision-making for college students.
Association of medical conditions and firearm suicide among legal handgun purchasers in California: a case–control study
Authors: Schleimer Julia P. , Kagawa Rose M. C. , Laqueur Hannah S. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Suicide is a pressing public health problem, and firearm owners are at especially elevated risk. Certain health conditions are markers of suicide risk, but more research is needed on clinical risk markers for suicide among firearm owners specifically. Our goal was to examine associations of emergency department and inpatient hospital visits for behavioral and physical health conditions with firearm suicide among handgun purchasers.

Methods
This was a case–control study of 5415 legal handgun purchasers in California who died between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2013. Cases were firearm suicide decedents; controls were motor vehicle crash decedents. Exposures were emergency department and hospital visits for six categories of health diagnoses in the 3 years prior to death. To account for selection bias due to deceased controls, we used probabilistic quantitative bias analysis to generate bias-adjusted estimates.

Results
There were 3862 firearm suicide decedents and 1553 motor vehicle crash decedents. In multivariable models, suicidal ideation/attempt (OR 4.92; 95% CI 3.27–7.40), mental illness (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.60–2.43), drug use disorder (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.05–1.88), pain (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.07–1.69), and alcohol use disorder (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.01–1.65) were associated with higher odds of firearm suicide. When adjusting for all conditions simultaneously, only the associations for suicidal ideation/attempt and mental illness remained significant. Quantitative bias analysis indicated that observed associations were generally biased downward. For example, the bias-adjusted OR for suicidal ideation/attempt was 8.39 (95% simulation interval 5.46–13.04), almost twice that of the observed OR.

Conclusions
Diagnoses for behavioral health conditions were markers for firearm suicide risk among handgun purchasers, even for conservative estimates that did not adjust for selection bias. Encounters with the healthcare system may provide opportunities to identify firearm owners at high risk of suicide.
Variability in PET image quality and quantification measured with a permanently filled 68Ge-phantom: a multi-center study
Authors: Sipilä O. , Liukkonen J. , Halme H.-L. , Tolvanen T. , Sohlberg A. , Hakulinen M. , Manninen A.-L. , Tahvanainen K. , Tunninen V. , Ollikainen T. , Kangasmaa T. , Kangasmäki A. , Vuorela J. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
This study evaluated, as a snapshot, the variability in quantification and image quality (IQ) of the clinically utilized PET [18F]FDG whole-body protocols in Finland using a NEMA/IEC IQ phantom permanently filled with 68Ge.

Methods
The phantom was imaged on 14 PET-CT scanners, including a variety of models from two major vendors. The variability of the recovery coefficients (RCmax, RCmean and RCpeak) of the hot spheres as well as percent background variability (PBV), coefficient of variation of the background (COVBG) and accuracy of corrections (AOC) were studied using images from clinical and standardized protocols with 20 repeated measurements. The ranges of the RCs were also compared to the limits of the EARL 18F standards 2 accreditation (EARL2). The impact of image noise on these parameters was studied using averaged images (AVIs).

Results
The largest variability in RC values of the routine protocols was found for the RCmax with a range of 68% and with 10% intra-scanner variability, decreasing to 36% when excluding protocols with suspected cross-calibration failure or without point-spread-function (PSF) correction. The RC ranges of individual hot spheres in routine or standardized protocols or AVIs fulfilled the EARL2 ranges with two minor exceptions, but fulfilling the exact EARL2 limits for all hot spheres was variable. RCpeak was less dependent on averaging and reconstruction parameters than RCmax and RCmean. The PBV, COVBG and AOC varied between 2.3–11.8%, 9.6–17.8% and 4.8–32.0%, respectively, for the routine protocols. The RC ranges, PBV and COVBG were decreased when using AVIs. With AOC, when excluding routine protocols without PSF correction, the maximum value dropped to 15.5%.

Conclusion
The maximum variability of the RC values for the [18F]FDG whole-body protocols was about 60%. The RC ranges of properly cross-calibrated scanners with PSF correction fitted to the EARL2 RC ranges for individual sphere sizes, but fulfilling the exact RC limits would have needed further optimization. RCpeak was the most robust RC measure. Besides COVBG, also RCs and PVB were sensitive to image noise.
Analyzing determinants from both compositional and contextual level impeding desired linear growth of children in Indian context
Authors: Roy Tamal Basu , Das Tanu , Das Partha , Das Priya 
Published: June 2023

AbstractChildhood stunting is recognized as significant public health concern in India. It is a form of malnutrition with impaired linear growth and creates a range of adversaries among children, including under-5 mortality, morbidity, and physical and cognitive growth. The purpose of the present study was to recognize the various leading determinants causing childhood stunting from both individual and contextual level in Indian context. Data were obtained from the India’s Demography and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in 2019–2021. A total of 1, 46,521 children aged 0–59 months were included in this present study. The study applied a multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model in which individual factors nested within community based contextual-level factors estimating the likelihood of childhood stunting phenomena among Indian children. The variance explained in full model accounted for about 35.8% of the odds of stunting across the communities. The present study elucidates that the recognized factors from individual level characteristics have really increased the odds of childhood stunting: gender of child, multiple births, low birth weight, low BMI among mothers, less educational attainment by mothers, maternal anemic status, breast feeding duration longer than usual, < 4 antenatal care (ANC) visits during gestation period. Similarly, contextual-level factors like rural places of residence, western Indian children, and communities with high poverty rates, lower literacy rates, improper sanitation, and unsafe drinking water were also found to have a significant positive association with childhood stunting. The study finally concludes that cross level interaction between individual and contextual-level factors are identified as significant determinants of linear growth retardation among child in India. In order to reduce this type of malnutrition among the child one should more concentrate on both individual and contextual-level factors as a notable reasons.
Safety and tolerability study of sotrovimab (VIR-7831) prophylaxis against COVID-19 infection in immunocompromised individuals with impaired SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity
Authors: Gonzalez-Bocco Isabel H. , Beluch Katherine , Cho Alyssa , Lahoud Chloe , Reyes Fabiola A. , Moshovitis Dimitrios G. , Unger-Mochrie Gillian M. , Wang Wei , Hammond Sarah P. , Manne-Goehler Jennifer , Koo Sophia 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Multiple vaccines have been approved since August 2021 to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2; however, 20–40% of immunocompromised people fail to develop SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination and remain at high risk of infection and more severe illness than non-immunocompromised hosts. Sotrovimab (VIR-7831) is a monoclonal neutralizing antibody that binds a conserved epitope on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. It is neither renally excreted nor metabolized by P450 enzymes and therefore unlikely to interact with concomitant medications (e.g., immunosuppressive medications). In this open-label feasibility study protocol, we will define the optimal dose and dosing interval of sotrovimab as pre-exposure prophylaxis for immunocompromised individuals as well as its safety and tolerability in this population specifically.

Methods
We will enroll 93 eligible immunocompromised adults with a negative or low-positive (< 50 U/mL) SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody. In phase 1, the first 10 patients will participate in a lead-in pharmacokinetics (PK) cohort study to determine the optimal dosing interval. Phase 2 will expand this population to 50 participants to examine rates of infusion-related reactions (IRR) with a 30-min 500 mg sotrovimab IV infusion. Phase 3 will be an expansion cohort for further assessment of the safety and tolerability of sotrovimab. In phase 4, the first 10 patients receiving 2000 mg IV of sotrovimab on the second sotrovimab infusion day will comprise a lead-in safety cohort that will inform the duration of observation following administration of the drug. The patients will be followed for safety and COVID-19 events for 36 weeks after the second dose.

Discussion
In a previous phase III randomized, placebo-controlled pivotal trial, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of adverse events in patients receiving sotrovimab vs. placebo. Thus, we propose an open-label feasibility study protocol of sotrovimab as pre-exposure prophylaxis for immunocompromised individuals to evaluate its PK in immunocompromised individuals with impaired SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity and define optimal dosing intervals. We also aim to determine COVID-19 infections over the study period and self-reported quality of life measures throughout the study.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05210101.