bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of community-based family planning education program on knowledge of family planning methods among married women in Khartoum state, Sudan
Authors: Sagiron Elwaleed , Jarelnape Ahmed 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Family planning (FP) is an important strategy in promoting maternal and child health. Although family planning was initiated in Sudan in 1965 and then incorporated into the Primary Health Care System in 1985, the utilization rate remains low, which is among the lowest countries in the region. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a Community-based Family Planning Education Program on knowledge of family planning methods among Married Women in Aldaroshab and Alkadaro Areas, Khartoum State, Sudan.
Methods
This was a Quasi Community interventional study design. It was conducted in Sudan, Khartoum state, Aldaroshab and Alkadro areas. December, 2020. A Family planning program was invented as an intervention program. The population frame included all married women in age (15–49) years in research areas. The sample size was calculated by computerized method, the sample size 456 mothers. The data was collected by a questionnaire designed to measure mothers‟ knowledge, the questionnaire consisted of 30 questions covering the different aspects of family planning. Respondents were divided into two experimental and control groups randomly. The intervention group were women of Aldroshab area and the control group was women of Alkadro area. The data was collected by the researcher and assistants. A pre-evaluation was done on the knowledge of family planning using a structured questionnaire.
Results
The findings showed that knowledge of women has significantly increased (P = 0.01 < 0.05) from 40–85% after program intervention. The most source of family planning information for women was from the TV/Radio (51%). The study results showed most of the intervention and control groups were illiterate (40%)
Conclusion
The study concluded that a family planning program intervention has significantly increased the mother's knowledge regarding family planning.
Compliance to Complementary Feeding Guidelines in a Tertiary Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Njeru Catherine Muthoni , Mbuba Caroline Kathomi , Ngugi Anthony , Limbe Mary Slessor 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background:Appropriate complementary feeding is a practice with great potential for reduction of nutrition-related diseases and mortalities in children. However, uptake of the recommended World Health Organisation (WHO) infant and young child feeding practices in Kenya remains low. Most previous studies have been done in rural or urban poor populations hence the need to provide practical guidelines for the complementary feeding period in a typical middle-class urban setting. This study investigated complementary feeding practices by caregivers of infants and young children on follow up at Aga Khan University Hospital-Nairobi (AKUH-N) well-baby clinic and the factors influencing compliance with the WHO guidelines.Methods:A total of 290 caregivers of infants and young children aged between nine and twenty-four months were interviewed using a questionnaire. This questionnaire was adapted from that provided in the WHO Indicators for assessing Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices measurements booklet (1). Out of 290 participants, 21 were purposively sampled to participate in a qualitative study using in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data while descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used for quantitative data. A convergent parallel design was used to integrate the qualitative and quantitative data.Results:Out of 290 caregivers interviewed, 125 (43.1%) complied with WHO complementary feeding guidelines. Factors that significantly affected complementary feeding practices included education level of the caregiver, access to information, support from healthcare workers and fear of allergic reactions. Conclusions:Full compliance to WHO complementary feeding guidelines remained below 50%. Some of the factors positively associated with compliance with complementary feeding guidelines included access to multiple sources of information, and support from health workers and family members. Lack of tertiary education of the caregiver, absence of specific and practical guidelines, resource constraints and fear of allergies were found to negatively impact compliance with complementary feeding guidelines.
New validated LC-MS/MS simultaneous estimation of Lopinavir and Ritonavir in human plasma positive ion mode using Deuterated internal standards
Authors: Nalini Nalini Kanta Sahoo , Hung Bui Thanh Hung , Prasun Prasun Chakrabarti , Madhusmita Madhusmita Sahu , Shweta Shweta Singh Chauhan , Kiran P Chaitanya Kiran 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Climate Change: North &amp; South EU Economies. An application of dynamic asymmetric panel data models
Authors: Adam Christos , Drakos Periklis D 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
This paper investigates the effect of climate change on economic growth, using nonlinear dynamic panel methods, for 15 countries of European Union (EU), by the period 1981-2019. Specifically, it is examined the impact of temperature, precipitation and CO2 emissions on economic growth. So, ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lags) methods were employed, overcoming cross-dependency and also considering linearity and nonlinearity. In results is showed that economic growth has positive nonlinear relationship with long-run temperature, but in short-run they have a symmetric negative association. Moreover, precipitation has long-run negative and a short-run positive relationship with economic growth. However, when CO2 emissions are added, then precipitation has a positive effect on economic growth, but all others except from temperature increase, become insignificant. Finally, actions should be taken for more stable climate conditions and consistent environmental policies by EU countries.
Inhibiting IRE-1 RNase signaling decreases HIV-1 Tat-induced inflammatory M1 state in microglial cells
Authors: Silveira Douglas Bardini , Pinto Aguinaldo Roberto , Ferrary Monique , Terenzi Hernán 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
HIV-1 transactivator (Tat) protein plays a critical role in neurological disorders resulting from viral infection, commonly known as HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Previous studies have shown tha circulant Tat induces M1 microglial activation, one of the hallmark features of HAND, and this is coupled with ER stress and subsequent Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) deflagration. Here, we demonstrate that bystander stimuli of Tat in microglial cells result in the simultaneous overexpression of IRE1-related markers and production of M1-typed pro-inflammatory mediators. We also show that blocking IRE1/XBP-1 signaling using 4µ8C diminishes such inflammatory response. These findings reinforce a role for the IRE1/XBP-1 pathway in HIV-1 neuropathology and suggest that targeting IRE1 RNase activity using 4µ8C or analogue compounds may provide a therapeutic intervention to mitigate against neuroinflammation in HAND.
Estimated frequency of somatic symptom disorder in general practice: cross-sectional survey with general practitioners
Authors: Lehmann Marco , Pohontsch Nadine Janis , Zimmermann Thomas , Scherer Martin , Löwe Bernd 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
BackgroundSomatic symptom disorder (SSD) is the successor diagnosis of somatoform disorder in the 5th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Relevance and frequency of SSD and its clinical symptoms in general practice are still unknown. We estimate frequencies of patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of SSD in general practice.MethodsMailed and online survey with general practitioners (GP) in Germany using a cross-sectional representative sample from registries of statutory health insurance physicians. GPs estimated percentages of their patients who show the clinical symptoms of SSD according to DSM-5; that is, one or more burdensome somatic symptoms (A criterion), excessive symptom- or illness-related concern, anxiety, or behaviour (B criterion), and persistence of the symptoms over at least 6 months (C criterion). Statistical analysis used means and confidence intervals of estimated patient proportions showing SSD symptoms. Frequency of full-blown SSD was based on the products of these proportions calculated for each GP.ResultsResponses from 1728 GPs were obtained. GPs saw the clinical symptoms of SSD fulfilled (A and B criteria) in 21.5% (95% CI: 20.6 to 22.3) of their patients. They further estimated that in 24.3% (95% CI: 23.3 to 25.2) of patients, symptoms would persist, yielding a total of 7.7% (95% CI: 7.1 to 8.4) of patients to have a full-blown SSD.ConclusionsGPs see the clinical symptoms of SSD fulfilled in a considerable patient proportion. This indicates a high clinical relevance of the clinical symptoms of SSD in general practice.Study registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (Deutschen Register Klinischer Studien, DRKS)https://www.drks.de/drks_web/setLocale_EN.doThe date the study was registered: October 2nd 2017The date the first participant was enrolled: February 9th 2018DRKS-ID: DRKS00012942
Matrix Stiffness and Architecture Drive Fibro-adipogenic Progenitors’ Activation into Myofibroblasts
Authors: Loomis Taryn , Hu Lin-Ya , Wohlgemuth Ross P. , Chellakudam Rosemary R. , Smith Lucas R. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are essential in supporting regeneration in skeletal muscle but in muscle pathologies FAPs the are main source of excess extracellular matrix (ECM) resulting in fibrosis. Fibrotic ECM has altered mechanical and architectural properties, but the feedback onto FAPs of stiffness or ECM properties is largely unknown. In this study, FAPs’ sensitivity to their ECM substrate was assessed using collagen coated polyacrylamide to control substrate stiffness and collagen hydrogels to engineer concentration, crosslinking, fibril size, and alignment. FAPs on substrates of fibrotic stiffnesses had increased myofibroblast activation, depicted by αSMA expression, compared to substrates mimicking healthy muscle which correlated strongly YAP nuclear localization. Surprisingly, fibrosis associated collagen crosslinking and larger fibril size inhibited myofibroblast activation, which was independent of YAP localization. Additionally, collagen crosslinking and larger fibril diameters were associated with decreased remodeling of the collagenous substrate as measured by second harmonic generation imaging. This study is the first to demonstrate that fibrotic muscle stiffness can elicit FAP activation to myofibroblasts through YAP signaling. However, fibrotic collagen architecture actually inhibits myofibroblast activation through a YAP independent mechanism. These data expand knowledge of FAPs sensitivity to ECM and illuminate targets to block FAP’s from driving progression of muscle fibrosis.
Flood vulnerability mapping and urban sprawl suitability using FR, LR, and SVM models, Taif area, KSA
Authors: Youssef Ahmed M. , Pourghasemi Hamid Reza , Mahdi Ali M. , Matar Saleh S. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Flooding is a natural but inevitable phenomenon that occurs over time. It not only damages human lives, property, and resources but also slows down the economy of a country. In this study, an attempt was made to establish suitability map for future urban development based on flood vulnerability maps in Taif catchment area, Saudi Arabia. For this purpose, three models including, bivariate (FR), multivariate (LR), and machine learning (SVM) were used. Thirteen parameters were used as flood-contributing parameters. The inventory map was created using field surveys, historical data, analysis of RADAR (Sentinel-1A), and Google Earth images collected between 2013 and 2020. Generally, 70% flood locations were randomly selected from the flood inventory map to generate the flood susceptibility model, and the remaining 30% flood points were used to model validation. The flood susceptibility map was classified into five zones: very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. The AUC value used to predict the performance of the models, showed that the accuracy reached 89.5, 92.0, and 96.2% for the models FR, LR and SVM, respectively. Accordingly, the flood susceptibility map produced by the SVM model is accurate and was used to construct flood vulnerability map with the help of urban and road density maps. This step followed by integrating slope and elevation maps with the flood vulnerability model to produce the final suitability map that was classified into three zones, isolated zone, low suitable, and high suitable areas. Results indicated that the high suitable areas located in the east and northeast parts of the Taif Basins where flood risk is low and very low. The results of this work will improve land use planning by engineers and authorities and take possible action to reduce flood hazards in the area.
Identification and Characterization of pleiotropic and epistatic QDRL conferring partial resistance to Pythium irregulare and P. sylvaticum in soybean
Authors: Lin Feng , Li Wenlong , McCoy Austin G , Wang Kelly , Jacobs Janette , Zhang Na , Huo Xiaobo , Wani Shabir H , Gu Cuihua , Chilvers Martin I , Wang Dechun 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Pythium root rot is an important seedling disease of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], a crop grown worldwide for protein and oil content. Pythium irregulare and P. sylvaticum are two of the most prevalent and aggressive Pythium species in soybean producing regions in the North Central U.S. A few studies have been conducted to identify soybean resistance against the two pathogens. In this study, a mapping population (derived from E13390 x E13901) with 228 F4:5 recombinant inbred lines were screened against P. irregulare isolate MISO 11 − 6 and P. sylvaticum isolate C-MISO2-2-30 for QDRL mapping. Correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlations between soybean responses to the two pathogens, and a pleiotropic QDRL (qPirr16.1) was identified. Further investigation found that the qPirr16.1 imparts dominant resistance against P. irregulare, but recessive resistance against P. sylvaticum. In addition, two QDRL, qPsyl15.1, and qPsyl18.1 were identified for partial resistance to P. sylvaticum. Further analysis revealed epistatic interactions between qPirr16.1 and qPsyl15.1 for RRW and DRX, whereas qPsyl18.1 contributed resistance to RSE. Marker assisted resistance spectrum analysis using F6:7 progeny lines verified the resistance of qPirr16.1 against four additional P. irregulare isolates. Intriguingly, although the epistatic interaction of qPirr16.1 and qPsyl15.1 can be confirmed using two additional isolates of P. sylvaticum, the interaction appears to be suppressed for the other two P. sylvaticum isolates. An ‘epistatic gene-for-gene’ model was proposed to explain the isolate-specific epistatic interactions. The integration of the QDRL into elite soybean lines has been initiated containing all the desirable alleles.
Impact of anticancer therapy on the quality of life of Sudanese patients with breast cancer at Khartoum oncology hospital
Authors: Abdoon Iman Hassan , Aldaak Mawada , Suliman Hayat M. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Cancer treatment-related side effects affect quality of life (QOL) of patients. QOL has increasingly become a primary outcome measure for treatment efficacy. This study aimed to assess the impact of various anticancer therapies on QOL of Sudanese patients with breast cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Khartoum Oncology Hospital, Sudan, from November 2020 to March 2021. All patients diagnosed with breast cancer were included in the study. QOL was assessed using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C-30) and breast cancer supplementary module (QLQ-BR23). ANOVA, independent t-test and logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association between variables. Results: 200 patients were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 50±11.7 years. 52.5% of the patients were on a conventional therapy whereas 40.5% and 7% received hormonal and HER2-targeted therapies, respectively. In QLQ-C30 scale, the global health status score was (53. 2±1.9), with 54.0% of patients having poor global health status. In the functional scale, the cognitive functioning was the highest score (80.7±1.8). In QLQ-C30 symptom scale, the most distressing issue was financial difficulties (63.7±2.9). In QLQ-BR23scale, body image (47.7±2.7) scored the worse functioning, with 58.5% of patients having poor QOL. In QLQ-BR23 symptoms scale, "being upset by hair loss" was the highest disturbing symptom (62.1±3.3), with 68.5% of patients having poor QOL. Global health status (P=0.000), social (P=0.000), emotional (P=0.002) and role functioning (P=0.000) were significantly higher in patients taking HER2-targeted or hormonal therapy compared with conventional therapy. The level of symptomatology was significantly low in patients taking HER2-targeted therapy or hormonal therapy (P=0.000) when compared with conventional therapy. Hormonal (OR=3.88, p=0.005) and HER2-targeted therapies (OR=10.8, p=0.032) were positive predictors of QOL.Conclusion: Breast cancer survivors in Sudan had a low QOL/global health status. Hormonal and HER2-targeted therapies were predictors of good QOL.
Impacts of COVID-19 lockdown on traffic flow, active travel and gaseous pollutant concentrations; implications for future emissions control measures in Oxford, UK
Authors: Singh Ajit , Guo Tianjiao , Bush Tony , Abreu Pedro , Leach Felix C.P. , Stacey Brian , Economides George , Anderson Ruth , Cole Stuart , Thomas G. Neil , Pope Francis D. , Bartington Suzanne E. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
This study provides valuable insight into impacts of COVID-19 emergency public health “lockdown” measures upon traffic flow, active travel and gaseous pollutant concentrations (NO, NO2, and O3) in Oxford city centre during 2020. Comparisons of traffic counts indicated pronounced changes in traffic volume associated with national lockdown periods. Car volume reduced by 77.5% (statistically significant) during the first national lockdown, with lesser changes in goods vehicles and public transport (bus) activity during the second lockdown. Cycle flow reduced substantively during the first lockdown only. These changes resulted in a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations of 75.1% and 47.4%, respectively at roadside, and 71.8% and 34.1% at urban background during the first lockdown period. In contrast ozone (O3) concentrations increased at the urban background site by 22.3% during the first lockdown period, with no significant changes in gaseous concentrations during the second lockdown at either roadside or urban background location. The diurnal pattern of peak mean NO and NO2 concentrations reduced in magnitude and was shifted approximately 2 hours earlier in the morning and 2 hours later in the evening (roadside) and 3 hours earlier in the morning and 3 hours later in the evening (urban background). Our findings provide an example of how gaseous air quality in urban environments could respond to future urban traffic restrictions, suggesting benefits from reductions in peak and daily NO2 exposures may be offset by health harms arising from increases in ground level O3 concentrations in the summer months.
Differential food utilization of benthic amphipods of a tropical estuary : a stable isotopic (δ13C and δ15N) investigation
Authors: Srini Tatiparthi , Sukumaran Soniya , Kondamudi Ramesh Babu 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Globally, stable isotopic methods are rapidly being employed in food web studies to quantify the relative proportions of diverse primary carbon sources in an animal diet. Tropical estuarine ecosystems, one of the vital marine habitats, harbour complex food webs due to the multiplicity of habitats and resources. The complex system of inputs and exchanges of organic matter sometimes complicate identification of the carbon sources that support the higher trophic levels. To assess the primary food sources of four abundant amphipod species in the anthropogenically influenced upper Vashishti estuary, Carbon and Nitrogen stable isotopes were employed. Seasonal variations were significant for δ13C and δ15N of suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM) and also for δ13C of sediment organic matter (SOM), but not for the isotopic signatures of individual amphipod species. Significant variations in the δ13C and δ15N values between amphipods suggested species-specific diets. Mixing model output indicated discrepancies in seasonal variations of food preferences between species. Trophic level values indicated that all amphipod species were primary consumers. The depleted δ15N values of SPOM, SOM and amphipod species and the negative relationship between δ15N values of SPOM with SS and NO2--N concentration and also between δ15N values of Gammaropsis megnae with increasing NO3--N and NO2--N concentrations were possibly due to the anthropogenic input of nitrogen in the estuary.
Heart-enriched long noncoding RNA NPPA-AS1 regulates pathological cardiac hypertrophy by initiating a EP300-GATA4 axis
Authors: zeng chunyu , Xu Zaicheng , Lan Cong , Chen Caiyu , Yang Yang , Cao Nian , Yu Junyi , Luo Hao , Chen Ken , Guo Li , Wang Hongyong , Liao Qiao , Li Chuanwei , Gong Xue , Chen Zhi , Jiang Jiahui , Yang Dezhong , Wang Da-zhi , Jose Pedro A , Wu Gengze 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Aims: Cardiac hypertrophy, in the long-term, is a maladaptive response to the change in hemodynamics needed to maintain cardiac output that leads to heart failure and sudden death. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms causing cardiac hypertrophy remain to be elucidated. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in many biological processes and diseases. However, knowledge of the role of lncRNAs in cardiac diseases is still limited. Methods and Results：We identified the role of NPPA-AS1 in cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling. NPPA-AS1 is a heart-enriched and -conserved lncRNA, located in the antisense strand of the atrial natriuretic peptide (NPPA) gene. The cardiac expression of NPPA-AS1 was markedly upregulated early and sustained, in response to stress caused by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice. NPPA-AS1 levels were also increased in failing human hearts. To determine the functional role of NPPA-AS1 in the heart in vivo, we inactivated NPPA-AS1 in mice using CRISPR-Cas9. Under basal conditions, there was no body or cardiac morphological or functional phenotype in NPPA-AS1-inactivated mice. However, in vivo germline inactivation of NPPA-AS1 minimized the TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and normalized the cardiac size, weight, and function. GapmeR-mediated or AAV9-shRNA-mediated silencing of NPPA-AS1 could also block and attenuate TAC-induced pathological cardiac remodeling, which reveals its clinical translation potential. The beneficial cardiac effects of inhibition of NPPA-AS1 were related to the recruitment of transcriptional coactivator EP300 to bind with transcription factor GATA4 to promote GATA4 acetylation and inhibition of hypertrophic gene expression. Conclusions: Our studies show that NPPA-AS1 recruits the transcriptional factor GATA4, increasing EP300/GATA4 binding and subsequent GATA4 acetylation to promote pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Inhibition of NPPA-AS1 could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy in the treatment of maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling.