bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Core Components of Infection Prevention and Control Programs at the Facility Level in Kazakhstan: Key Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Deryabina Anna , Aypkhanova Ainur , Juvashev Almat , Alimbetov Kuanysh , Tekebayev Kanat , Kassa Getachew , Howard Andrea A. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: Kazakhstan is developing a National Roadmap to strengthen its Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), but until recently has lacked a country-wide facility-level assessment of IPC performance gaps. Methods: In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s IPC Core Components and Minimal Requirements were assessed at 78 randomly selected hospitals across 17 administrative regions using adapted WHO tools. The study included site assessments, followed by structured interviews with 320 hospital staff, validation observations of IPC practices, and document reviews.Results: All hospitals had at least one dedicated IPC staff member, 76% had IPC staff with any formal IPC training; 95% established an IPC committee and 54% had an annual IPC workplan; 92% had any IPC guidelines; 55% conducted any IPC monitoring in the past 12 months and shared the results with facility staff, but only 9% used monitoring data for improvements; 93% had access to a microbiological laboratory for HAI surveillance, but HAI surveillance with standardized definitions and systematic data collection was conducted in only one hospital. Adequate bed spacing of at least 1m in all wards was maintained in 35% of hospitals; soap and paper towels were available at the hand hygiene stations in 62% and 38% of hospitals, respectively.Conclusions: Among the recommended WHO IPC core components, existing programs, infrastructure, IPC staffing, workload and supplies present within hospitals in Kazakhstan allow for implementation of effective IPC. Development and dissemination of IPC guidelines, implementation of an effective IPC training system and systematic monitoring of IPC practices will be important first steps towards implementing targeted IPC improvement plans in facilities.
Temperature spatial variability analysis in the aim of enhancing the use or implementation of wind machines park
Authors: Cap Clara Le , Carlier Johan , Quénol Hervé , Heitz Dominique , Buisson Emmanuel 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Spring frosts after budburst are responsible for crop losses and threaten local economies. As global warming tends to advance the phenological stages of plants, these become more and more subject to facing a long period of freezing temperatures. For a given meteorologic situation, the topography of the studied site and the nature of the soil of the plots constituting it, a temperature spatial variability expands within the same territory. Considering a radiative frost, the temperature can thus differ by several degrees, creating areas of cold and warm air that it is necessary to know to fight wisely against the frost. Nowadays, many solutions exist to fight against frost, including the wind machines that dot the Quincy vineyard in France. Weather variables, topographic parameters, and daily minimum temperatures from a network of connected sensors scattered throughout the vineyard are retrieved for the last three spring seasons of 2020,2021, and 2022. Then, thanks to a hierarchical clustering algorithm, it is possible to link the spatial variability of temperatures to the synoptic situation and the topography of the domain. The outcome is the assessment of the frost risk areas to propose a judicious implantation of wind machines in the vineyard of Quincy.
Mycobacteriophages Exhibit Antibiofilm Activity at High Multiplicities of Infection
Authors: Ssengooba Willy , Kamya Deus , Nakavuma Jesca , Achan Beatrice , Semanda Joseph 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Biofilm formation has been shown to be a very effective survival mechanism used by many bacteria pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). However, unlike other bacteria, mycobacterial biofilms tend to be very rich in lipids, and this accords them much more resilience than their carbohydrate-based counterparts’. Mycobacteriophage therapy, as an up-and-coming technology, is envisaged to revolutionize the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), particularly involving antibiotic-resistant Mtb. Antibiofilm activity, therefore, is a highly sought-after characteristic of mycobacteriophages intended for therapeutic use. Here we investigated the in-vitro activity of a three-phage cocktail against biofilms of forty-six clinically isolated Mtb using the MBEC biofilm device. We demonstrate that multiplicity of infection and the age of the biofilms are significant determinants of phage antibiofilm activity.
Furthermore, based on our host range data, we hypothesize that mycobacteriophages might have a preference for Mtb hosts from pulmonary infection sites compared to those from extrapulmonary sites. If accurate, this finding could have profound implications for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications of mycobacteriophages. Overall, our findings demonstrate the antibiofilm potential of mycobacteriophages and continue to endorse mycobacteriophage therapy as a treatment alternative to our failing antibiotic arsenal. We recommend further investigations to; understand the basis of the observed host preference in mycobacteriophages, evaluate combinatorial therapy of phages and antibiotics, and screen the phages for undesirable genes.
Evaluating the effects of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) on rat's brain cerebral cortex
Authors: Bana Mohamed H. El , Abdelgawad Mahmoud H. , Eltahawy N.A. , Algeda Fatma R. , Elsayed Tamer M. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

The technologically advanced activities of the gas and oil sectors produce a considerable amount of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) as industrial by-products or waste products. The goal of the current study is to estimate the danger of long-term liability to Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TE-NORM) on the cerebral cortex of rats’ brains. A high purity germanium ɣ-ray spectrometer was used to assess the radioactivity of samples. 20 Adult male Albino rats were used in the current experiment. The animals were divided into two groups: a control group and an irradiated group. Each rat in the irradiated group received a total dose of 0.016 Gy of TE-NORM as a chronic radiation exposure over a whole two months. Rats were then sacrificed. Some hematological and neurotransmitter parameters, as well as oxidative stress and β-amyloid, were evaluated. The disturbance was found in all parameters due to chronic ionizing radiation exposure. The results showed that two months of whole-body exposure to chronic ionizing radiation with a total dose of 0.016 Gy of TE-NORM induced significant changes in hematological, neurotransmitter, and oxidative stress parameters and increased the β-amyloid concentration in the cerebral cortex of rats' brains. The findings of the present study showed that chronic radiation liability has some harmful effects.
A Randomized Trial of Lipid Metabolism Modulation with Fenofibrate for Acute Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Chirinos Julio , Lopez-Jaramillo Patricio , Giamarellos-Bourboulis Evangelos , Dávila-del-Carpio Gonzalo , Bizri Abdul , Andrade-Villanueva Jaime , Salman Oday , Cure-Cure Carlos , Rosado-Santander Nelson , Giraldo Mario Cornejo , González-Hernández Luz , Moghnieh Rima , Angeliki Rapti , Saldarriaga María Cruz , Pariona Marcos , Medina Carola , Dimitroulis Ioannis , Vlachopoulos Charalambos , Gutierrez Corina , Rodriguez-Mori Juan , Gomez-Laiton Edgar , Pereyra Rosa , Hernández Jorge Ravelo , Arbañil Hugo , Accini-Mendoza José , Pérez-Mayorga Maritza , Milionis Haralampos , Poulakou Garyfallia , Sánchez Gregorio , Valdivia-Vega Renzo , Villavicencio-Carranza Mirko , Ayala-Garcia Ricardo , Castro-Callirgos Carlos , Carrasco Rosa Alfaro , Danos Willy Lecca , Sharkoski Tiffany , Greene Katherine , Pourmussa Bianca , Greczylo Candy , Chittams Jesse , Katsaounou Paraskevi , Alexiou Zoi , Sympardi Styliani , Sweitzer Nancy , Putt Mary , Cohen Jordana 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Abnormal cellular lipid metabolism appears to underlie SARS-CoV-2 cytotoxicity and may involve inhibition of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα). Fenofibrate, a PPAR-α activator, modulates cellular lipid metabolism. Fenofibric acid has also been shown to affect the dimerization of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Fenofibrate and fenofibric acid have been shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture systems in vitro.
Methods
We randomly assigned 701 participants with COVID-19 within 14 days of symptom onset to 145 mg of fenofibrate (nanocrystal formulation with dose adjustment for renal function or dose-equivalent preparations of micronized fenofibrate or fenofibric acid) vs. placebo for 10 days, in a double-blinded fashion. The primary endpoint was a ranked severity score in which participants were ranked across hierarchical tiers incorporating time to death, duration of mechanical ventilation, oxygenation parameters, subsequent hospitalizations and symptom severity and duration. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT04517396.
Findings:
Mean age of participants was 49 ± 16 years, 330 (47%) were female, mean BMI was 28 ± 6 kg/m2, and 102 (15%) had diabetes mellitus. A total of 41 deaths occurred. Compared with placebo, fenofibrate administration had no effect on the primary endpoint. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) rank in the placebo arm was 347 (172, 453) vs. 345 (175, 453) in the fenofibrate arm (P = 0.819). There was no difference in various secondary and exploratory endpoints, including all-cause death, across randomization arms. These results were highly consistent across pre-specified sensitivity and subgroup analyses.
Conclusion
Among patients with COVID-19, fenofibrate has no significant effect on various clinically relevant outcomes.
Key habitats and breeding zones of threatened golden eagles in Eastern North America identified by multi-level habitat selection study
Authors: Maynard Laurie D. , Lemaître Jérôme , Therrien Jean-François , Miller Tricia A. , Katzner Todd , Somershoe Scott , Cooper Jeff , Sargent Robert , Lecomte Nicolas 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Context: Wildlife surveys are limited by the capacity to collect data over the spatial extent of a population, which is challenging and costly for species of large geographic distribution in remote regions. Multi-level habitat selection models can limit the surveying extent and become tools for conservation management by identifying key areas and habitats. Objectives: We studied habitat selection of the threatened Eastern North American population of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) with a multi-level approach over the population’s distribution to identify key habitats and zones of interest. Methods: Using tracking data of 30 adults and 276 nest coordinates, we modelled habitat selection at three levels: landscape, foraging and nesting. Results: At the landscape level, eagles selected topographical features (i.e., terrain ruggedness, elevation) more strongly than land cover features (forest cover, distance to water; mean difference: 0.98, CI: 0.37), suggesting that topographical features, facilitating flight and movement through the landscape, are more important than land cover, indicative of hunting opportunities. We also found that home range size was 50% smaller and relative probability of selection at all three levels was ~ 25% higher in the polar regions than boreal regions. It suggests that eagles in polar regions travel shorter foraging distances and habitat characteristic is more suitable. Conclusion: Using multi-level models, we identified key habitat characteristics for a threatened population over a large spatial scale. We also identifying areas of interest to target for a variety of life cycle needs.
Immune- Checkpoint Inhibitors in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Gemelli Maria , Cortinovis Diego Luigi , Baggi Alice , Mauro Pierluigi di , Calza Stefano , Grisanti Salvatore , Rota Matteo 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive disease with poor prognosis. Many trials investigated the role of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) in MPM, with contrasting results.
Methods
We performed a meta-analysis of clinical trials testing single-agent anti PD-1/PD-L1, anti-CTLA-4 or their combination in MPM patients. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), 6 months progression-free survival (PFS) and 12 months overall survival (OS) rate were extracted, as well as safety data. The predictive role of PD-L1 was assessed, too.
Results
We selected 17 studies including 2328 patients. 12 months OS was 53% (95% CI 44–61%), 6 months PFS was 19% (95% CI 13–25%). Both OS and PFS were significantly higher with combined ICIs treatment than single agent anti PD-1/PD-L1 (respectively p < 0.001 and p = 0.006) or anti CTLA-4 (p < 0.001). ORR and DCR were 20% (95% CI 13–27%) and 56% (95% CI 45–67%) and did not significantly differ between combined and single agent ICIs (p = 0.088 and p = 0.058). 12 months OS and 6 months PFS rate did not differ significantly (p = 0.0545 and p = 0.1464) among pre-treated or untreated patients. Combined ICIs treatments have significantly higher rate of Adverse Events (AEs) (p = 0.01). PD-L1 positive patients have higher ORR, DCR and OS than PD-L1 negative patients.
Conclusion
ICIs are an efficient treatment option for MPM. Efficacy was independent from treatment line, so customized sequential strategy should still be speculated. PD-L1 expression could influence response to ICIs, however reliable biomarkers are warranted.
Medical Student Mentorship in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Bishop Ryan , Sethia Rishabh , Allen David , Roy Soham , Elmaraghy Charles 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
ObjectiveTo determine the perspective of then third- and fourth-year medical students regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mentorship.MethodsThe authors distributed a modified Likert scale questionnaire (score: 1-10) to third- and fourth-year medical students at two large US allopathic medical schools from the class of 2021 and 2022. Responses to each survey item were analyzed to characterize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mentorship relationships in medical school. A score of 1-5 was considered “disagree” and a score of 6-10 was considered “agree”. ResultsA total of 144 responses were collected with a response rate of 16.2%. Overall, 80.6% (n=116) of respondents agree that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on their medical school experience. Nearly half (41.0%, n=59) expressed concern over the lack of mentorship opportunities, and 66.0% (n=95) reported that the pandemic made it more difficult to form or maintain connections with their mentors. Importantly, 43.6% (n=61) of respondents reported that having close mentoring relationships reduced the impact of the pandemic on their medical training. While many respondents (79.9%, n=114) did not change career plans due to the pandemic, most students were concerned about evaluating prospective residency programs (88.9%, n=128). Notably, M3s had much lower confidence than M4s in their ability to choose a specialty (5.9 vs. 8.2, p = 6.43e-08).ConclusionsThis investigation illustrated the concerns that medical students had regarding access to mentorship opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that these findings encourage medical schools to evaluate and expand their current mentorship programs.
Efficacy of cryotherapy combined with intralesional tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) versus intralesional tuberculin PPD monotherapy in the treatment of multiple common warts
Authors: Awad Sara M , Gomaa Ahmed S , Hassan Hiba A , Tawfik Yasmin M 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Introduction:Intralesional antigen immunotherapy represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of different types of warts, particularly if multiple and/or recalcitrant.Aim:This work aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of combined cryotherapy with intralesional purified protein derivative (PPD) immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple common warts.Methods:Fifty patients were randomly divided into two groups (25 patients each): Group A: receiving intralesional PPD immunotherapy, while group B: receiving cryotherapy plus intralesional PPD. Treatments were performed every 2 weeks for a maximum of four sessions. Photographs were taken at baseline and at each visit and clinical response was evaluated by the reduction in number and size of warts. Adverse effects were recorded.Results:There was a significant reduction in size and number of warts in both groups (P<0.001), with no significant difference between the two groups. Complete clearance of the lesions was observed in 48% of patients in group A and 44% in group B (P=0.39). Higher rates of near complete/complete response were achieved after fewer sessions (2-3 sessions) in group B (P=0.002). Blistering was common after cryotherapy. Higher rate of hypopigmentation was noticed after combined treatment than after PPD monotherapy (56% vs. 8% respectively; P<0.001), which resolved gradually.Conclusion:Both intralesional PPD alone and combined cryotherapy with PPD are safe and effective in clearing of common warts. Cryotherapy may be a successful adjunct to intralesional PPD immunotherapy that helps in reducing the number of treatment sessions.
Effectiveness of Ultrasound-guided Dual Nerve Block in the Below-knee Amputation
Authors: Lee Dong Ha 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Below knee amputation (BKA) is a common surgical procedure for diabetic foot ulcers and necrotizing lower limb fasciitis patients. But, it is a painful procedure and inadequate postoperative analgesia impedes rehabilitation and prolongs hospitalization. An ideal pain management regimen should provide superior analgesia while minimizing opioid consumption and improving rehabilitation.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of 218 patients who underwent BKA for diabetic foot ulcer or necrotizing lower limb fasciitis at a single center between January 2017 and September 2020. Two groups were analyzed: patients who received dual nerve block (DNB) before surgery (Group I; n=104), and patients who did not (Group II; n=93). By the exclusion criteria, 21 patients were excluded. The femoral, and sciatic nerves were each blocked separately under ultrasound guidance. This procedure was performed immediately before the operation. Results: Group I patients' subjective pain scores were significantly lower than those of Group II at 6, 12, and 24 hours after BKA (P <0.05). Group I’s morphine milligram equivalent (MME) was significantly lower than those of Group II at 72 hours after BKA (P <0.05). Also, the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and delirium was significantly lower in Group I patients than those in Group II patients.Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided lower extremity nerve block surgery is excellent for early post-operative pain control, could be used as an accurate, and effective pain control method, and can reduce side effects of opioid consumption after BKA.
SDFC Dataset: A Large-Scale Benchmark Dataset for Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Sun Liwei , Zhang Junjie , Li Jia , Wang Yueming , Zeng Dan 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Hyperspectral image (HSI) classification plays an important role in a wide range of remote sensing applications in military and civilian fields. During past decades, significant efforts have been made on developing datasets and introducing novel approaches to promote HSI classification, such that promising classification performance has been achieved. However, existing datasets generally pose following issues, including the limited categories and annotated samples, the lack of sample diversity, as well as the low spatial resolution. These limitations severely restrict the development and evaluation of data-driven models, especially deep neural network-based ones. In recent years, advances in imaging spectroscopy provide us the opportunity to obtain the hyperspectral image data with high spectral and spatial resolution, therefore, in this paper, we contribute a large-scale benchmark dataset for conducting hyperspectral image classification to address issues raised by existing datasets, noted as ShanDongFeiCheng (SDFC). The proposed SDFC is characterized by 1) the large-scale annotated samples with diverse categories; 2) the high spatial resolution; and 3) the high intra-class variance yet relatively low inter-class variance, making the HSI classification task much more challenging on it. We evaluated 10 classic traditional and deep neural network-based models on SDFC, of which the results can be regarded as useful baselines for further experiments. Moreover, given the state-of-the-art performance of SpectralNet, we selected it as the representation method, and evaluated it across datasets to analyze the difference effects on the classification model induced by different datasets. The comprehensive review and analysis of representative classification models on both existing and proposed datasets demonstrate the advantages and challenges of our proposed dataset, and provide promising perspectives for future HSI classification studies.
In vivo and in vitro validation of powdery mildew resistance in garden pea genotypes
Authors: Rana Chanchal , Sharma Akhilesh , Rathour Rajeev , . Bansuli , Banyal Devinder Kumar , Sharma Parveen 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Powdery mildew is one of the serious diseases of garden pea which causes a large number of yield losses. Genetic resistance is quite effective, being cost-effective and environment friendly than fungicide applications. In the present studies an initial attempt has been made to identify resistant genotypes against powdery mildew disease developed from hybridization followed by validation of the disease. The newly isolated 44 lines along with four checks were screened under natural and artificial conditions. Ten lines viz., SP7, SN-1, SN-6-1, SN-7-1, SN-2, SN-5-2, SN-6-2, SN-21 and SP-28-1 showed resistant reaction along with check Palam Sumool while 27 lines were identified as moderately resistant in comparison to susceptible check Azad P-1. Besides, six lines namely, SP-2, SP-5, SP-10, SP-24, SA-4 and SP-12-1 gave moderately susceptible reaction along with checks Pb-89 and Palam Priya. Only, SP-19 was categorized as susceptible. The high yielding lines SP-3, SP-6 and SP-22 showed moderately resistant reaction in both natural and artificial conditions. Validation of resistance using molecular markers revealed that neither the parental genotypes nor the progenies possess the er1 gene of JI1559. The er2 linked marker ScOPX-171700 was polymorphic between Palam Sumool and Palam Priya but the marker didn’t show polymorphism between er2 harboring line (JI2480). These results suggested that the lines showing resistance under field conditions may have some other genes or alleles for resistance and further confirmation is needed by developing mapping populations with specific gene or gene combinations.