bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated end‐of‐life spending: A new measure of potentially wasteful health care spending at the end of life
Authors: Zhang Yongkang , Gupta Atul , Nicholson Sean , Li Jing 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo construct a new measure of end‐of‐life (EoL) spending—the elevated EoL spending—and examine its associations with measures of quality of care and patient and physician preferences in comparison with the commonly used total Medicare EoL spending measures.Data Sources and Study SettingMedicare claims data for a 20% random sample of Medicare fee‐for‐service (FFS) patients, from the health care quality data for 2015–2016, from the Hospital Compare and the Medicare Geographic Variation public use file, and survey data about patient and physician preferences.Study DesignWe constructed the elevated EoL spending measure as the differential monthly spending between decedents and survivors with the same one‐year mortality risk, where the risk was predicted using machine learning models. We then examined the associations of the hospital referral region (HRR)‐level elevated EoL spending with various health care quality measures and with the survey‐elicited patient and provider preferences. We also examined analogous associations for monthly total EoL spending on decedents.Data Extraction MethodsMedicare FFS patients who were continuously enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B in 2015 and were alive as of January 1, 2016.Principal FindingsWe found a large variation in the elevated EoL spending across HRRs in the United States. There was no evidence of an association between HRR‐level elevated EoL spending and established health care quality measures, including those specific to EoL care, whereas total EoL spending was positively associated with certain quality of care measures. We also found no evidence that elevated EoL spending was associated with patient preferences for EoL care. However, elevated EoL spending was positively and significantly associated with physician preferences for treatment intensity.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that elevated EoL spending captures different resource use from conventional measures of EoL spending and may be more valuable in identifying potentially wasteful spending.
The clock gene, period, influences migratory flight and reproduction of the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker)
Authors: Ji Jiayue , Liu Yueqiu , Zhang Lei , Cheng Yunxia , Stanley David , Jiang Xingfu 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata, is a major long‐distance migratory insect pest of grain crops in China and other Asian countries. Migratory flights and reproductive behavior usually occur at night, regulated by a circadian rhythm. However, knowledge about the linkages between adult flight, reproduction, and clock genes is still incomplete. To fill this important gap in our knowledge, a clock gene (designated Msper) was identified and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the encoded protein (MsPER) was highly similar to PER proteins from other insect species. Quantitative RT‐PCR assays demonstrated that significantly different spatiotemporal and circadian rhythmic accumulations of mRNA encoding MsPER occurred during development under steady 14 h : 10 h light : dark conditions. The highest mRNA accumulation occurred in adult antennae and the lowest in larvae. Msper was expressed rhythmically in adult antennae, relatively less in photophase and more entering scotophase. Injecting small interference RNA (siRNA) into adult heads effectively knocked down Msper mRNA levels within 72 h. Most siRNA‐injected adults reduced their evening flight activity significantly and did not exhibit a normal evening peak of flight activity. They also failed to mate and lay eggs within 72 h. Adult mating behavior was restored to control levels by 72 h post injection. We infer that Msper is a prominent clock gene that acts in regulating adult migratory flight and mating behaviors of M. separata. Because of its influence on migration and mating, Msper may be a valuable gene to target for effective management of this migratory insect.
Experience of double plasma purification in 603 patients from a single center in Shanghai, China
Authors: Yang Xiu Hong , Fu Shun Kun , Jin Hui Min 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIntroductionTo summarize the clinical experiences with double plasma purification (DPP).MethodUsing Plasauto iQ automatic blood purification system, model KM‐9000 for DPP.ResultsA total of 603 patients with different entity undergoing 811 purification procedures were included in this study. The most common purification modes were dual filtration plasma plasmapheresis (DFPP). Hyperlipidemia was the lead entity, 423 patients with hyperlipidemia performed DFPP, and two cases of severe acute pancreatitis caused by extremely high triglyceride levels completely recovered after two consecutive DFPP treatments. DFPP combined with immunosuppressants tended to decrease independent HD and reduced HD frequency in 53 patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis. Two patients developed hypotensive or hypoglycemia episodes, respectively, during purification procedures.ConclusionDPP is rapid for the treatment of patients with severe hyperlipidemia and acute pancreatitis caused by severely high triglyceride levels. For those who are intolerant to statins，DPP provides another treatment choice. DPP process is safe.
Development of epigenetic biomarkers for the identification of sex and thermal stress in fish using DNA methylation analysis and machine learning procedures
Authors: Valdivieso Alejandro , Anastasiadi Dafni , Ribas Laia , Piferrer Francesc 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe sex ratio is a key ecological demographic parameter crucial for population viability. However, the epigenetic mechanisms operating during gonadal development regulating gene expression and the sex ratio remain poorly understood. Moreover, there is interest in the development of epigenetic markers associated with a particular phenotype or as sentinels of environmental effects. Here, we profiled DNA methylation and gene expression of 10 key genes related to sex development and stress, including steroidogenic enzymes, and growth and transcription factors. We provide novel information on the sex‐related differences and on the influence of elevated temperature on these genes in zebrafish, a species with mixed genetic and environmental influences on sex ratios. We identified both positive (e.g., amh, cyp11c and hsd11b2) and negative (e.g., cyp11a1 and dmrt1) correlations in unexposed males, and negative correlation (amh) in exposed females between DNA methylation and gene expression levels. Further, we combined DNA methylation analysis with machine learning procedures and found a series of informative CpGs capable not only of correctly identifying sex (based on cyp19a1a DNA methylation levels) but also of identifying whether males and females had been exposed to abnormally elevated temperature when young (based on amh and foxl2a DNA methylation levels, respectively). This was achieved in the absence of conspicuous morphological alterations of the gonads. These DNA methylation‐based epigenetic biomarkers represent molecular resources that can correctly recapitulate past thermal history and pave the way for similar findings in other species to assess potential ecological effects of environmental disturbances in the context of climate change.
FlywayNet: A hidden semi‐Markov model for inferring the structure of migratory bird networks from count data
Authors: Nicol Sam , Cros Marie‐Josée , Peyrard Nathalie , Sabbadin Régis , Trépos Ronan , Fuller Richard A. , Woodworth Bradley K. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Every year, millions of birds migrate between breeding and nonbreeding habitat, but the relative numbers of animals moving between sites are difficult to observe directly.

Here we propose FlywayNet, a discrete network model based on observed count data, to determine the most likely migration links between regions using statistical modelling and efficient inference tools. Our approach advances on previous studies by accounting for noisy observations and flexible stopover durations by modelling using interacting hidden semi‐Markov Models. In FlywayNet, individual birds sojourn in stopover nodes for a period of time before moving to other nodes with an unknown probability that we aim to estimate. Exact estimation using existing approaches is not possible, so we designed customised versions of the Monte Carlo expectation‐maximisation and approximate Bayesian computation algorithms for our model. We compare the efficiency and quality of estimation of these approaches on synthetic data and an applied case study.

Our algorithms performed well on benchmark problems, with low absolute error and strong correlation between estimated and known parameters. On a case study using citizen science count data of the Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), an endangered shorebird from the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, the ABC and MCEM algorithms generated contrasting recommendations due to a difference in optimisation criteria and noise in the data. For ABC, we recovered key features of population‐level movements predicted by experts despite the challenges of noisy unstructured data.

Understanding connectivity places local conservation efforts and threat mitigation in the global context, yet it has proven difficult to rigorously quantify connectivity at the population level. Our approach provides a flexible framework to infer the structure of migratory networks in birds and other organisms.
Integrating genome‐wide association study with RNA‐seq revealed DBI as a good candidate gene for intramuscular fat content in Beijing black pigs
Authors: Yang Man , Zhang Run , Liu Xiance , Shi Guohua , Liu Hai , Wang Ligang , Hou Xinhua , Shi Lijun , Wang Lixian , Zhang Longchao 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIncreasing intramuscular fat (IMF) content can enhance the sensory quality of meat, including tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and color. Genome‐wide association study and RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) analysis were used to identify candidate IMF genes in Beijing Black pigs, a popular species among consumers in northern China. Two and three single nucleotide polymorphisms were significantly associated with IMF in SSC13 and SSC15 respectively. Solute carrier family 4 member 7 (SLC4A7) on SSC13 and insulin induced gene 2 (INSIG2), coiled‐coil domain containing 93 (CCDC93), and diazepam binding inhibitor acyl‐CoA binding protein (DBI) on SSC15 are good candidate genes in this population. Furthermore, RNA‐seq analysis was performed between high and low IMF groups, and 534 differentially expressed genes were identified. In addition, based on differentially expressed genes, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors and FoxO signaling pathway pathways might contribute to IMF. Moreover, the DBI gene was identified as a candidate for IMF both by genome‐wide association study and RNA‐seq analysis, suggesting that it might be a crucial candidate gene for influencing IMF in Beijing Black pigs.
The Holistic Concept of Cancer Treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Lin Lizhu 
Published: October 2022

AbstractCancer is a common disease that endangers human health around the world. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and rich experience in treating cancer. This article starts with the differences between Chinese and Western medical theory systems, and comprehensively illustrates the core theory of TCM, which is based on a holistic philosophy. The unique characteristics and obvious advantages are presented in detail regarding long‐term survival with tumors, quality of life, symptom management, and clinical efficacy. This article aims to provide valuable insights and inspiration for scientific evaluation of the efficacy of TCM in treating cancer so as to promote Chinese medicine to the world.
Why the War on Cancer Failed
Authors: Castuera Ignacio 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn 1971, President Nixon launched the “war on cancer” with great fanfare. The dramatic increase in spending on targeted cancer research was supposed to quickly yield new treatments. That did not happen. The cancer establishment, which profits from the $200 billion spent annually on cancer treatment, has never provided an adequate accounting of how more spending translates into lives saved. In fact, by the mid‐1980s, it became apparent that most of the “progress” in the war on cancer was little more than statistical sleight of hand. The death rate from cancer had climbed, not declined. Eventually, cancer deaths began to fall, but little of that improvement was due to better treatment. It was mostly a result of campaigns to reduce smoking and to promote early detection of treatable cancers. One reason the progress of treatment stalled was the unwillingness to consider unconventional treatments that were developed by doctors and other healers. Practitioners of unapproved treatments often sought refuge in Mexico from the medical apartheid system in the United States.
A study comparing the WHO C‐Model caesarean section rates and observed caesarean section rates at Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Boas Jameson T. , Mola Glen D.L. , Elijah Arthur 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundWorldwide, there is an increase in caesarean deliveries. Ideal caesarean section (CS) rates continue to be a matter for debate. The World Health Organization (WHO) C‐Model, is a mathematical modelling tool to assist health facilities estimate expected CS rates based on the quality middle income facilities practice.AimTo compare WHO C‐Model derived CS rates with actual CS rates at Port Moresby General Hospital.Materials and MethodsClinical and obstetric data for women who delivered during a four months period was used to calculate CS probability using the WHO C‐Model online calculator. Comparisons of CS rates were made for the entire cohort, as well as for each Robson Classification group to assess whether there was either ‘under’ or ‘overusage’ of CS according to the C‐Model estimates.ResultsThe actual CS rate of 5.5% (246/4437) was lower than the mean C‐Model rate of 8%. The C‐Model rate equates to an almost 45% increase in CS rates or an additional 111 caesarean deliveries be done during the four months study period.ConclusionThe WHO C‐Model had good predictability among most of the low‐risk Robson groups that accounted for just over 80% of the study population. The suggested additional 111 caesarean deliveries needed to be performed among high‐risk Robson groups represented 15% of the study population. Local hospital protocols pertaining to management of both low‐ and high‐risk cases are credited for keeping CS rates to a minimum. A lower threshold for CS in Robson groups two and four could have led to better perinatal outcomes.
Prevalence of probable eating disorders and associated risk factors: An analysis of the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Survey using the SCOFF
Authors: Nolan Emma , Bunting Lisa , McCartan Claire , Davidson Gavin , Grant Anne , Schubotz Dirk , Mulholland Ciaran , McBride Orla , Murphy Jamie , Shevlin Mark 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectivesEating disorders (ED) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates and are most common in young people aged between 15 and 19 years. Large representative surveys on disordered eating in youth are lacking. The main aims were to estimate the prevalence of disordered eating in a representative sample of 11–19 year olds in Northern Ireland and investigate the associations between probable eating disorder and a range of risk factors.Designs and MethodsA large nationally representative household survey was conducted, and the bivariate and multivariate associations between demographic, familial, economic and psychological risk factors and probable eating disorder were assessed.ResultsA total of 16.2% (n = 211) of the sample met the SCOFF screening criteria for disordered eating. Probable eating disorder was associated with being female (OR = 2.44), having a parent with mental health problems (OR = 1.68), suffering from certain psychological problems, such as mood or anxiety disorder (OR = 2.55), social media disorder (OR = 2.95), being the victim of physical bullying (OR = 1.71) and having smoked (OR = 2.46).ConclusionsThis study provides the first prevalence estimates of probable eating disorder among youth in Northern Ireland. Furthermore, the study identifies unique risk factors for probable eating disorder among this representative sample.
Beyond item analysis: Connecting student behaviour and performance using e‐assessment logs
Authors: Lahza Hatim , Smith Tammy G. , Khosravi Hassan 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTraditional item analyses such as classical test theory (CTT) use exam‐taker responses to assessment items to approximate their difficulty and discrimination. The increased adoption by educational institutions of electronic assessment platforms (EAPs) provides new avenues for assessment analytics by capturing detailed logs of an exam‐taker's journey through their exam. This paper explores how logs created by EAPs can be employed alongside exam‐taker responses and CTT to gain deeper insights into exam items. In particular, we propose an approach for deriving features from exam logs for approximating item difficulty and discrimination based on exam‐taker behaviour during an exam. Items for which difficulty and discrimination differ significantly between CTT analysis and our approach are flagged through outlier detection for independent academic review. We demonstrate our approach by analysing de‐identified exam logs and responses to assessment items of 463 medical students enrolled in a first‐year biomedical sciences course. The analysis shows that the number of times an exam‐taker visits an item before selecting a final response is a strong indicator of an item's difficulty and discrimination. Scrutiny by the course instructor of the seven items identified as outliers suggests our log‐based analysis can provide insights beyond what is captured by traditional item analyses.
Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic

Traditional item analysis is based on exam‐taker responses to the items using mathematical and statistical models from classical test theory (CTT). The difficulty and discrimination indices thus calculated can be used to determine the effectiveness of each item and consequently the reliability of the entire exam.
What this paper adds

Data extracted from exam logs can be used to identify exam‐taker behaviours which complement classical test theory in approximating the difficulty and discrimination of an item and identifying items that may require instructor review.
Implications for practice and/or policy

Identifying the behaviours of successful exam‐takers may allow us to develop effective exam‐taking strategies and personal recommendations for students.
Analysing exam logs may also provide an additional tool for identifying struggling students and items in need of revision.
Development and radiosterilization of new hydrazono‐quinoline hybrids as DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV inhibitors: Antimicrobial and hemolytic activities against uropathogenic isolates with molecular docking study
Authors: Ammar Yousry A. , Micky Jehan A. , Aboul‐Magd Dina S. , Abd El‐Hafez Sondos M. A. , Hessein Sadia A. , Ali Abeer M. , Ragab Ahmed 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to synthesize new potent quinoline derivatives based on hydrazone moieties and evaluate their antimicrobial activity. The newly synthesized hydrazono‐quinoline derivatives 2, 5a, 9, and 10b showed the highest antimicrobial activity with MIC values ≤1.0 μg/ml against bacteria and ≤8.0 μg/ml against the fungi. Further, these derivatives exhibited bactericidal and fungicidal effects with MBC/MIC and MFC/MIC ratio ≤4. Surprisingly, the most active compounds displayed good inhibition to biofilm formation with MBEC values ranging between (40.0 ± 10.0 – 230.0 ± 31.0) and (67.0 ± 24.0 – 347.0 ± 15.0) μg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. The hemolytic assays confirmed that the hydrazono‐quinoline derivatives are non‐toxic with low % lysis values ranging from 4.62% to 14.4% at a 1.0 mg/ml concentration. Besides, compound 5a exhibited the lowest hemolytic activity value of ~4.62%. Furthermore, the study suggests that the hydrazono‐quinoline analogs exert their antibacterial activity as dual inhibitors for DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV enzymes with IC50 values ranging between (4.56 ± 0.3 – 21.67 ± 0.45) and (6.77 ± 0.4 – 20.41 ± 0.32) μM, respectively. Additionally, the recent work advocated that compound 5a showed the reference SAL at the ɣ‐radiation dose of 10.0 kGy in the sterilization process without affecting its chemical structure. Finally, the in silico drug‐likeness, toxicity properties, and molecular docking simulation were performed. Besides, the result exhibited good oral‐bioavailability, lower toxicity prediction, and lower binding energy with good binding mode rather than the positive control.
Sinomenine attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation and apoptosis of WI‐38 cells by reducing glutathione S‐transferase M1 expression
Authors: Liu Yan , Li Huilin , Zhao Xiao 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPediatric pneumonia is an infectious lung disease with high morbidity and mortality. Sinomenine, an alkaloid extracted from Caulis Sinomenii, exerts anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic activities. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is widely used for the establishment of an inflammatory model. This research aimed to explore the influences of sinomenine on LPS‐caused inflammatory injuries in fetal lung WI‐38 cells. WI‐38 cells were treated with LPS to establish a cellular model of pediatric pneumonia. Cell viability was evaluated using CCK‐8 assay. Apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining and caspase‐3 activity assays. Inflammatory cytokines and NF‐κB p65 phosphorylation levels were measured by Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Glutathione S‐transferase M1 (GSTM1) expression was detected by western blotting. Results showed that LPS reduced WI‐38 cell viability, and sinomenine protected cells against LPS‐induced viability reduction. Sinomenine concentration‐dependently attenuated LPS‐induced inflammation by reducing TNF‐α, IL‐1β and MCP‐1, and increasing IL‐10 levels. Sinomenine mitigated LPS‐induced apoptosis. GSTM1 was screened by matching the targets of sinomenine and pediatric pneumonia. GSTM1 was upregulated in LPS‐treated WI‐38 cells, and this effect was attenuated after sinomenine treatment. GSTM1 was upstream of NF‐κB pathway. Overexpression of GSTM1 reversed the suppressive functions of sinomenine on LPS‐stimulated inflammation and apoptosis. Overall, sinomenine attenuates inflammation and apoptosis in WI‐38 cells stimulated by LPS via inhibiting GSTM1 expression, indicating the therapeutic potential of sinomenine in pediatric pneumonia.
Young children's lives in East London through the pandemic: Relationships, activities and social worlds
Authors: Cameron Claire , Hauari Hanan , Hollingworth Katie , O′Brien Margaret , Whitaker Lydia 
Published: October 2022

AbstractChildren's lives in the Covid‐19 pandemic were subject to unparalleled restrictions on and disruption to their daily lives. This paper explores the day‐to‐day relational, social participation and activities of young children in one East London borough in early 2021, as told through qualitative interviews with their parents. We adopt a social‐ecological model of children's development, a child rights focused understanding of well‐being, underpinned by an agentic view of both parents and children. We find that for some children, parents had additional time to spend with them and new activities were possible. But for others, particularly those living ‘compressed lives’ in low‐income households and over‐crowded accommodation with no outside space of their own, all three aspects—relational, participatory and activities—were significantly diminished.