bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of cladoceran, Daphnia magna, on the growth and pupation of Aedes aegypti L. mosquito larvae
Authors: Thakur Ankita , Kocher Devinder Kaur 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background
Dengue and chikungunya are two mosquito-borne viruses transmitted by the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and are responsible for great public health concerns in India. The present study tested the effect of Daphnia magna, a freshwater cladoceran, on the growth and pupation of Ae. aegypti larvae.

Results
Ae. aegypti third instar larvae and adult, D. magna, were introduced in the ratios 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 into beakers and placed in an illuminated BOD incubator at a temperature of 26 ± 1 °C. The delay in the duration of larval stages (the time taken from third instar stage until their emergence as adults) was measured. The emergence of adults was delayed for 3–4 days in the treatments where the ratio of D. magna was thrice the number of Ae. aegypti larvae. The L3 larval stage was found to be more prone to mortality than later instars, with 51.66% larval mortality. The sex ratio of males to females emerged was only 5:5 in the 1:3 ratio. Body size of both males and females was significantly reduced in all the treatment sets in the ratios: 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 when compared with the control set. Longevity of adult was also reduced from 8–15 to 4–7 days in the case of males, and in the case of females it was reduced from 14–25 to 5–9 days in the treatment set when Daphnia was introduced thrice the number of Aedes larvae.

Conclusions
Our study provides evidence that D. magna affects the growth and pupation of Aedes larvae and consequentially the life history parameters that affect the fitness of the population.
COVID-19 infection control protocol and acceptance in an ART in vitro fertilization hospital
Authors: Horibe Yu , Nakabayashi Akira , Murata Shuko , Hashimoto Tomomi , Tabata Tsutomu 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose
In Tokyo, where the highest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection rates have been reported nationally, we introduced and performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on the patients prior to them coming for oocyte retrieval (OR) or embryo transfer (ET) procedures. In addition, we recommended that patients self-inject ovarian stimulation drugs to reduce the number of hospital visits required. We aimed to assess the patient acceptance of these measures and the change of treatment number.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective study examining the patients coming for OR or ET, from the first time a state of emergency was declared in Japan, May 2020, until September 2021.

Results
A total of 79 out of 94 (94%) patients complied with the measures. This may reflect that PCR universal screening was accepted by most patients as necessary for reducing infection spread. In addition, the number of patients receiving OR and ET increased. The widespread adoption of work-from-home practices during the pandemic has made outpatient visits more acceptable to the general public.

Conclusions
Universal screening and self-injection are accepted and effective infection measures in patients presenting for OR and ET.
Cost-Effectiveness of Parallel Versus Sequential Testing of Genetic Aberrations for Stage IV Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the Netherlands
Authors: Wolff Henri B. , Steeghs Elisabeth M.P. , Mfumbilwa Zakile A. , Groen Harry J.M. , Adang Eddy M. , Willems Stefan M. , Grünberg Katrien , Schuuring Ed , Ligtenberg Marjolijn J.L. , Tops Bastiaan B.J. , Coupé Veerle M.H. 
Published: July 2022

PURPOSE A large number of targeted treatment options for stage IV nonsquamous non–small-cell lung cancer with specific genetic aberrations in tumor DNA is available. It is therefore important to optimize diagnostic testing strategies, such that patients receive adequate personalized treatment that improves survival and quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy (including diagnostic costs, turnaround time (TAT), unsuccessful tests, percentages of correct findings, therapeutic costs, and therapeutic effectiveness) of parallel next generation sequencing (NGS)–based versus sequential single-gene–based testing strategies routinely used in patients with metastasized non–small-cell lung cancer in the Netherlands. METHODS A diagnostic microsimulation model was developed to simulate 100,000 patients with prevalence of genetic aberrations, extracted from real-world data from the Dutch Pathology Registry. These simulated patients were modeled to undergo different testing strategies composed of multiple tests with different test characteristics including single-gene and panel tests, test accuracy, the probability of an unsuccessful test, and TAT. Diagnostic outcomes were linked to a previously developed treatment model, to predict average long-term survival, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), costs, and cost-effectiveness of parallel versus sequential testing. RESULTS NGS-based parallel testing for all actionable genetic aberrations is on average €266 cheaper than single-gene–based sequential testing, and detects additional relevant targetable genetic aberrations in 20.5% of the cases, given a TAT of maximally 2 weeks. Therapeutic costs increased by €8,358, and 0.12 QALYs were gained, leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €69,614/QALY for parallel versus sequential testing. CONCLUSION NGS-based parallel testing is diagnostically superior over single-gene–based sequential testing, as it is cheaper and more effective than sequential testing. Parallel testing remains cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 69,614 €/QALY upon inclusion of therapeutic costs and long-term outcomes.
Integrated analysis of Wnt signalling system component gene expression
Authors: Murphy Paula , Armit Chris , Hill Bill , Venkataraman Shanmugasundaram , Frankel Patrick , Baldock Richard A. , Davidson Duncan R. 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT
Wnt signalling controls patterning and differentiation across many tissues and organs of the developing embryo through temporally and spatially restricted expression of multi-gene families encoding ligands, receptors, pathway modulators and intracellular components. Here, we report an integrated analysis of key genes in the 3D space of the mouse embryo across multiple stages of development. We applied a method for 3D/3D image transformation to map all gene expression patterns to a single reference embryo for each stage, providing both visual analysis and volumetric mapping allowing computational methods to interrogate the combined expression patterns. We identify territories where multiple Wnt and Fzd genes are co-expressed and cross-compare all patterns, including all seven Wnt paralogous gene pairs. The comprehensive analysis revealed regions in the embryo where no Wnt or Fzd gene expression is detected, and where single Wnt genes are uniquely expressed. This work provides insight into a previously unappreciated level of organisation of expression patterns, as well as presenting a resource that can be utilised further by the research community for whole-system analysis.
Functional analysis of the Vsx2 super-enhancer uncovers distinct cis-regulatory circuits controlling Vsx2 expression during retinogenesis
Authors: Bian Fuyun , Daghsni Marwa , Lu Fangfang , Liu Silvia , Gross Jeffrey M. , Aldiri Issam 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT
Vsx2 is a transcription factor essential for retinal proliferation and bipolar cell differentiation, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its developmental roles are unclear. Here, we have profiled VSX2 genomic occupancy during mouse retinogenesis, revealing extensive retinal genetic programs associated with VSX2 during development. VSX2 binds and transactivates its enhancer in association with the transcription factor PAX6. Mice harboring deletions in the Vsx2 regulatory landscape exhibit specific abnormalities in retinal proliferation and in bipolar cell differentiation. In one of those deletions, a complete loss of bipolar cells is associated with a bias towards photoreceptor production. VSX2 occupies cis-regulatory elements nearby genes associated with photoreceptor differentiation and homeostasis in the adult mouse and human retina, including a conserved region nearby Prdm1, a factor implicated in the specification of rod photoreceptors and suppression of bipolar cell fate. VSX2 interacts with the transcription factor OTX2 and can act to suppress OTX2-dependent enhancer transactivation of the Prdm1 enhancer. Taken together, our analyses indicate that Vsx2 expression can be temporally and spatially uncoupled at the enhancer level, and they illuminate important mechanistic insights into how VSX2 is engaged with gene regulatory networks that are essential for retinal proliferation and cell fate acquisition.
Decentralizacja – podstawowe zagadnienia teoretyczne
Authors: Siekulicki Dominik 
Published: July 2022

DECENTRALIZATION: BASIC THEORETICAL ISSUES
The article examines decentralization as a feature of organizational structures. In order to show the complexity of decentralization, the analysis comprises four perspectives. In the subject perspective, the structural characteristic of decentralization is indicated and its specificity in public organizations is pointed out. The object perspective distinguishes components of the concept of decentralization and forms (types) of decentralization of the state and implementation of public tasks. In the teleological perspective, the objectives of decentralization, its advantages and disadvantages as well as limitations are indicated. The last perspective – processual – allows to demonstrate two additional features of decentralization, i.e., its gradualness and dynamics.
Patient feedback on hospital pharmacists’ consultation skills: A feasibility study using the Interpersonal Skills Questionnaire (ISQ)
Authors: Al-Jabr Hiyam , Twigg Michael J. , Katangwe-Chigamba Thando , Saadvandi Robin , Desborough James A. 
Published: July 2022

Background
Improvement in practitioners’ consultation skills (CSs) can be driven by patient feedback, however, to date, no study has been conducted with reference to pharmacy consultations. The Interpersonal Skills Questionnaire (ISQ) is potentially appropriate for collecting patient feedback on pharmacists’ CSs. This study aims to explore the feasibility of collecting patient feedback on hospital pharmacists’ CSs using the ISQ, to identify the acceptability of the feedback process, and to identify methods to enhance the process in the future.

Methods
The study was conducted in a teaching hospital, United Kingdom, between 2018 and 2019. A diverse sample of pharmacists with patient-facing roles was purposively selected. The study comprised three phases. Pharmacists collected feedback from patients following their consultation using the ISQ utilising a third person whenever possible (phase-1). Data analysis and individual report writing was conducted by a private company. Interviewing a sample of patient participants by telephone (phase-2), and interviewing pharmacists face-to-face after receiving feedback reports (phase-3). All interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. The study received approval by the NHS Health Research Authority.

Results
Six pharmacists were included. Of the 119 distributed ISQs, 111 were returned (response rate 93%). Patients were mostly recruited by their consulting pharmacists (72%, n = 80). All pharmacists and 14 patients were interviewed. Participants were positive about patient feedback and its role in enhancing CSs. Most did not encounter any problem with the process, however, some pharmacists struggled to find a third person. The ISQ was mostly viewed suitable to assessing pharmacy consultations. Some reports highlighted areas to improve (e.g. protecting patient’s privacy).

Conclusions
Collecting feedback is feasible, acceptable and may enhance CSs, however, the process was associated with challenges such as finding a third person. Several measures should be considered to make the process more feasible within the hospital pharmacy setting.
Period poverty: The perceptions and experiences of impoverished women living in an inner-city area of Northwest England
Authors: Boyers Madeleine , Garikipati Supriya , Biggane Alice , Douglas Elizabeth , Hawkes Nicola , Kiely Ciara , Giddings Cheryl , Kelly Julie , Exley Diane , Phillips-Howard Penelope A. , Mason Linda 
Published: July 2022

Background
The menstrual needs of girls and women are important to health, education, and well-being. Unmet need and harm from poor menstrual health in low-and- middle-income countries have been documented, but with little empirical research undertaken in high income countries. Continuing austerity in the UK suggests menstruators are likely more vulnerable to ‘period poverty’ than previously, with the COVID-19 pandemic assumed to exacerbate the situation.

Aim
To explore the menstrual experiences and perceptions of women in the UK who are living under circumstances of deprivation, alongside views of staff working in organisations supporting these women, to understand whether women’s menstrual needs are met.

Methods
A qualitative study was conducted in an inner-city in NW England. Three focus group discussions and 14 in-depth interviews were conducted across three study sites supporting impoverished women. Data was analysed thematically.

Results
Themes were: reflections on menstruation; affordability of products; access to public facilities; organisational support; potential solutions. Many women perceived menstruation as a burden in three aspects: physical discomfort and pain; psychological anxiety; and shame and stigma. Managing menstruation was difficult due to cost relative to low incomes, with food, heating and lighting prioritised, leaving women improvising with materials or wearing products for longer than desired. Most suggested that products should be free, often remarking if men required similar items this would happen. Most women were unaware supporting organisations provided free products. Staff felt the small range of products offered did not meet client needs and were ill-prepared to have conversations on products and clients’ menstrual needs.

Conclusion
Impoverished women lack the necessary resources to manage their menses well which negatively impacts their health and brings stress, embarrassment, and shame. Support, including access to free products, is needed at both local and national level to help impoverished women manage their menstrual hygiene.
Clinical, laboratory data and inflammatory biomarkers at baseline as early discharge predictors in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients
Authors: Trujillo-Rodriguez María , Muñoz-Muela Esperanza , Serna-Gallego Ana , Praena-Fernández Juan Manuel , Pérez-Gómez Alberto , Gasca-Capote Carmen , Vitallé Joana , Peraire Joaquim , Palacios-Baena Zaira R. , Cabrera Jorge Julio , Ruiz-Mateos Ezequiel , Poveda Eva , López-Cortés Luis Eduardo , Rull Anna , Gutierrez-Valencia Alicia , López-Cortés Luis Fernando 
Published: July 2022

Background
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has overwhelmed hospital services due to the rapid transmission of the virus and its severity in a high percentage of cases. Having tools to predict which patients can be safely early discharged would help to improve this situation.

Methods
Patients confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 infection from four Spanish hospitals. Clinical, demographic, laboratory data and plasma samples were collected at admission. The patients were classified into mild and severe/critical groups according to 4-point ordinal categories based on oxygen therapy requirements. Logistic regression models were performed in mild patients with only clinical and routine laboratory parameters and adding plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels to predict both early discharge and worsening.

Results
333 patients were included. At admission, 307 patients were classified as mild patients. Age, oxygen saturation, Lactate Dehydrogenase, D-dimers, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and oral corticosteroids treatment were predictors of early discharge (area under curve (AUC), 0.786; sensitivity (SE) 68.5%; specificity (S), 74.5%; positive predictive value (PPV), 74.4%; and negative predictive value (NPV), 68.9%). When cytokines were included, lower interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 and higher Interleukin 1 beta levels were associated with early discharge (AUC, 0.819; SE, 91.7%; S, 56.6%; PPV, 69.3%; and NPV, 86.5%). The model to predict worsening included male sex, oxygen saturation, no corticosteroids treatment, C-reactive protein and Nod-like receptor as independent factors (AUC, 0.903; SE, 97.1%; S, 68.8%; PPV, 30.4%; and NPV, 99.4%). The model was slightly improved by including the determinations of interleukine-8, Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta and soluble IL-2Rα (CD25) (AUC, 0.952; SE, 97.1%; S, 98.1%; PPV, 82.7%; and NPV, 99.6%).

Conclusions
Clinical and routine laboratory data at admission strongly predict non-worsening during the first two weeks; therefore, these variables could help identify those patients who do not need a long hospitalization and improve hospital overcrowding. Determination of pro-inflammatory cytokines moderately improves these predictive capacities.
Threshold of increase in oxygen demand to predict mechanical ventilation use in novel coronavirus disease 2019: A retrospective cohort study incorporating restricted cubic spline regression
Authors: Yamamoto Ryo , Takemura Ryo , Yamamoto Asako , Matsumura Kazuki , Kaito Daiki , Homma Koichiro , Wada Michihiko , Sasaki Junichi ,   on behalf of Keio Donner Project
Published: July 2022

BackgroundRapid deterioration of oxygenation occurs in novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and prediction of mechanical ventilation (MV) is needed for allocation of patients to intensive care unit. Since intubation is usually decided based on varying clinical conditions, such as required oxygen changes, we aimed to elucidate thresholds of increase in oxygen demand to predict MV use within 12 h.MethodsA single-center retrospective cohort study using data between January 2020 and January 2021was conducted. Data were retrieved from the hospital data warehouse. Adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) who needed oxygen during admission were included. Hourly increments in oxygen demand were calculated using two consecutive oxygen values. Covariates were selected from measurements at the closest time points of oxygen data. Prediction of MV use within 12 h by required oxygen changes was evaluated with the area under the receiver operating curves (AUCs). A threshold for increased MV use risk was obtained from restricted cubic spline curves.ResultsAmong 66 eligible patients, 1835 oxygen data were analyzed. The AUC was 0.756 for predicting MV by oxygen demand changes, 0.888 by both amounts and changes in oxygen, and 0.933 by the model adjusted with respiratory rate, PCR quantification cycle (Ct), and days from PCR. The threshold of increments of required oxygen was identified as 0.44 L/min/h and the probability of MV use linearly increased afterward. In subgroup analyses, the threshold was lower (0.25 L/min/h) when tachypnea or frequent respiratory distress existed, whereas it was higher (1.00 L/min/h) when viral load is low (Ct ≥20 or days from PCR >7 days).ConclusionsHourly changes in oxygen demand predicted MV use within 12 h, with a threshold of 0.44 L/min/h. This threshold was lower with an unstable respiratory condition and higher with a low viral load.
Asthma in a prospective cohort of rural pregnant women from Sri Lanka: Need for better care during the pre-conceptional and antenatal period
Authors: Rajapakse Shashanka , Wickramasinghe Nuwan , Warnasekara Janith , Abeyrathna Parami , Amarasinghe Gayani , Hettiarachchi Ayesh Umeshana , Jayasinghe Imasha Upulini , Koralegedara Iresha , Agampodi Thilini Chanchala , Agampodi Suneth B. 
Published: July 2022

Objectives
To describe the epidemiology and the effect of asthma on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women from a rural geography.

Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka enrolling all eligible pregnant women registered in the maternal care program. An interviewer-administered questionnaire-based symptom analysis and clinical assessment was conducted in the first and second trimesters.

Results
We recruited 3374 pregnant women aged 15–48 years at conception. Self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma prevalence was 6.6% (n = 223) with only 41.7% (n = 93) on regular medical follow-up for asthma. The prevalence of wheeze reduced from pre-pregnancy (67.0%) to the first (46.4%) and second trimesters (47.7%; p<0.01). Of the 73 asthmatic women who did not have wheeze in the last 3 months preceding pregnancy, new-onset wheeze was reported by 6(8.2%) and 12(16.4%) in the first and second trimester, respectively. Pregnant women who sought medical care for asthma in the private sector had a lower likelihood of developing new-onset wheeze in the first trimester (p = 0.03; unadjusted OR = 0.94;95%CI 0.89–0.99). Thirty-four (33.3%) pregnant women had at least one hospital admission due to exacerbation of wheeze during the first and second trimester. The prevalence of low birth weight (16.0%) was higher among pregnant asthmatic women.

Conclusion
This study reports the high prevalence of asthma and asthma-associated pregnancy outcomes in women from a rural geography signifying the importance of targeted management.
Quality of life and health status in older adults (≥65 years) up to five years following colorectal cancer treatment: Findings from the ColoREctal Wellbeing (CREW) cohort study
Authors: Cummings Amanda , Foster Rebecca , Calman Lynn , Permyakova Natalia V. , Bridges Jackie , Wiseman Theresa , Corbett Teresa , Smith Peter W. F. , Foster Claire 
Published: July 2022

Objective
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is common in older adults, with more than 70% of diagnoses in people aged ≥65 years. Despite this, there is a knowledge gap regarding longer-term outcomes in this population. Here, we identify those older people most at risk of poor quality of life (QoL) and health status in the five years following CRC treatment.

Materials and methods
CREW is a UK longitudinal cohort study investigating factors associated with health and wellbeing recovery following curative-intent CRC surgery. Participants completed self-report questionnaires pre-surgery, then at least annually up to five years. Longitudinal analyses explored the prevalence and pre-surgery risk factors of poor QoL (QLACS-GSS) and health status (EQ-5D: presence/absence of problems in five domains) in older (≥65 years) participants over five years.

Results
501 participants aged ≥65years completed questionnaires pre-surgery; 45% completed questionnaires five years later. Oldest-old participants (≥80 years) reported poorer QoL (18% higher QLACS-GSS) and 2–4 times higher odds of having problems with mobility or usual activities, compared with the youngest-old (65–69 years) over follow-up. Baseline higher self-efficacy was significantly associated with better QoL (10–30% lower QLACS-GSS scores compared to those with low self-efficacy) and lower odds of problems in all EQ-5D domains. Adequate social support was significantly associated with better QoL (8% lower QLACS-GSS) and lower odds of problems with usual activities (OR = 0.62) and anxiety/depression (OR = 0.56).

Conclusion
There are important differences in QoL and health status outcomes for the oldest-old during CRC recovery. CREW reveals pre-surgery risk factors that are amenable to intervention including self-efficacy and social support.