bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment outcomes and associated factors among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Ashanti Region, Ghana: a retrospective, cross-sectional study
Authors: Panford Victoria , Kumah Emmanuel , Kokuro Collins , Adoma Prince Owusu , Baidoo Michael Afari , Fusheini Adam , Ankomah Samuel Egyakwa , Agyei Samuel Kofi , Agyei-Baffour Peter 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveAlthough several studies have assessed treatment outcomes of drug-susceptible tuberculosis (TB) in Ghana, very little has been done in the area of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). The aim of this study was to determine treatment outcomes and associated factors among patients treated for MDR-TB in the Ashanti Region, Ghana.DesignA retrospective, cross-sectional analysis.SettingThe study was conducted in the Ashanti Region, the second most populous region in Ghana. The regional MDR-TB register, which contains information on all patients with MDR-TB being treated at the various TB centres in the region, was analysed between February and May 2021.ParticipantsThe participants consisted of all registered patients with MDR-TB who were placed on treatment between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2020. Patients were included in the analysis if their treatment outcome had been assigned. Patients with no record of treatment outcome were excluded from the study.Outcome measuresThe main outcome variable for the study was MDR-TB treatment outcome, standardised as ‘cured’, ‘treatment completed’, ‘treatment failure’, ‘died’ and ‘lost to follow-up’. A logistic regression model was fitted for factors associated with the outcome measure.ResultsOut of 159 patients included in the analysis, 86 (54.1%) were declared cured, 28 (17.6%) completed their treatment successfully, 6 (3.8%) were declared treatment failure, 12 (7.5%) were lost to follow-up and 27 (17.0%) died. The overall treatment success rate was 71.7%. Patients who were female (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.27, 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.39, p=0.023), younger (AOR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.19 to 2.11, p=0.012), had a higher level of education (AOR=1.12, 95% CI: 0.65 to 1.90, p=0.034), had a baseline body mass index of 18.5 kg/m2 or above (AOR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.23 to 2.47, p=0.011) and those who did not have a history of TB (AOR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.75, p=0.028) were more likely to have successful MDR-TB treatment outcomes.ConclusionsFavourable treatment outcomes for patients with MDR-TB can be achieved in a resource-limited country. Although the recommended WHO target of ≥75% was not met, the current result (71.7% treatment success rate) is still commendable considering all the challenges associated with TB treatment in Ghana.
Water and salt transport characteristics in a soil column in the presence of a low-permeable body
Authors: Guo Yi , Wang Quanjiu , Liu Yang , Zhang Jihong , Wei Kai 
Published: July 2022

Soil water infiltration is an important factor affecting surface runoff, soil erosion, and soil solute transmission. Increasing soil infiltration reduces runoff and erosion. The presence of low-permeable body in soil can enhance soil infiltration capacity. However, different depths of low-permeable body have unknown effects on water infiltration and salt transfer. In this work, we evaluated the effects of low-permeable body with varied depths (control (CK), 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 cm) on silty loam soil water and salt movement using 15 soil columns (23 cm internal diameter, 50 cm length). Experimental results showed that low-permeable body increased infiltration rate and wetting front migration rate. Infiltration rate and wetting front propulsion rate decreased with the increase of the burial depth. Compared with the CK, when the depth of wetting front reached 20 cm, the infiltration time of 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 cm burial depth treatment was shortened by 72.24%, 56.29%, 44.61%, and 31.01%, respectively. Simultaneously, the existence of low-permeable body led to the increase of soil water content and salt content in the same soil layer, which indicated that the low-permeable body enhanced the soil holding capacity and reduced the salt leakage to the deep soil. Furthermore, the Philip’s model and the algebraic model were used to describe the infiltration process. Fitting results showed that the sorptivity in the Philip’s model increased with burial depth, while the comprehensive shape coefficient in the algebraic model decreased. Therefore, this study provides a reference for the application of low-permeable body in the improving soil infiltration capacity and controlling salt transport.
All analytic solutions for geodesic motion in axially symmetric space-times
Authors: Ospino J. , Hernández-Pastora J. L. , Núñez L. A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractRecent observations of the orbits of star clusters around Sgr $$A^\star $$

A
⋆

, imaging of black holes and gravitational waveforms of merging compact objects require a detailed understanding of the general relativistic geodesic motion. We came up with a method to provide all the possible geodesics in an axially symmetric space-time. The Kerr metric is explicitly worked out, recovering the Schwarzschild geodesics in the static limit. We also found the most general Killing tensor and its associated constant of motion for an axisymmetric space-time. The relevance of these results is crucial to understanding the different scenarios and the fundamental nature of the compact object at the galactic center.
Common Glomerular Diseases in Adult Jordanians: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Sheyyab Ahmed , Al-thnaibat Mohammad , Zghayer Aseel A. , Alsheyyab Jafar , Hamed Radi 
Published: July 2022

The pattern of glomerular diseases has been reported previously with contradictory results. Our primary objective is to assess the relative frequencies of glomerular disease in adult Jordanians and compare it with other institutes. A secondary objective is to assess the contribution of environmental factors, in an industrial city Zarqa, to kidney disease patterns. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted at a referral hospital center in the central region of Jordan. Assessment of native kidney biopsies, pathological reports, and the patients’ characteristics were obtained from electronic medical records. Results. Our study assessed a total of 178 biopsies, of which 106 patients were included achieving the age criterion for adults. The mean age of our patient was 34 ± 12.7. The number of females (53.7%) was slightly more than males (46.3%). The average creatinine at presentation was 198 umol/L. Almost half of the patients had mild renal impairment (50.9%), while the remaining were divided between moderate (26.1%) and severe (27.3%). The indications of kidney biopsy were proteinuria (11.3%), proteinuria (54.7%), and unexplained renal impairment (34%). The leading common glomerular diseases were represented as a group with a relative frequency ranging between 11% and 13%. Both IgA nephropathy (13.2%) and lupus nephritis (12.2%) were the top conditions causing the nephritic syndrome, while focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (12.2%) and minimal change disease (11.3%) were the conditions leading to nephrotic syndrome. Our secondary analysis showed nonstatistically significantly higher glomerular filtration rates in the city of Zarqa, when compared to Amman (median 94 and 54, respectively, U = 469.5, r = 0.08,

p
=
0.491

). Additionally, Zarqa had higher frequency rates of interstitial/tubular nephritis (χ2(1) = 1.17,

p
=
0.279

, Cramér’s

V

= 0.13. Conclusion. Common glomerular diseases, as reported internationally, were common among Jordanian adults.
Screening of Risk Factors for Poor Prognosis in Patients with Refractory Epilepsy Secondary to Encephalomalacia
Authors: Zhong Yinjun 
Published: July 2022

Objective. The study was aimed at screening the independent prognostic risk factors for refractory epilepsy associated with encephalomalacia (REAE). Methods. Patients with REAE treated in the First People’s Hospital of Linping District from January 2018 to December 2019 were selected. The prognosis was represented by Engel grading. Clinical data of the patients were collected, including age, sex, BMI, lesion sites, number of lesion sites, lesion size, seizure frequency, epilepsy type, and treatment methods. Independent risk factors for poor prognosis were screened by logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the prognostic efficacy of independent risk factors. Results. A total of 48 patients were included in this study, including 31 patients (64.58%) in the good prognosis group and 17 patients (35.42%) in the poor prognosis group. The mean age of the poor prognosis group was higher than that of the good prognosis group (

P
=
0.002

). The proportion of patients with multisite lesions in the poor prognosis group was higher than that in the good prognosis group (

P
=
0.016

). The proportion of patients with

cerebral

malacia

lesion

diameter
≥
3

cm

in the poor prognosis group was higher than that in the good prognosis group (

P
=
0.002

). The proportion of patients with

attack

frequency
≥
2

times
/
month

in the poor prognosis group was higher than in the good prognosis group (

P
=
0.002

). The proportion of patients receiving surgical treatment in the poor prognosis group was lower than that in the good prognosis group (

P
<
0.001

). Age, number of lesion sites, size of encephalomalacia, and seizure frequency were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with REAE (

OR
>
1

,

P
<
0.05

). Surgical treatment was an independent protective factor associated with the prognosis of patients with REAE (

OR
<
1

,

P
<
0.05

). The area under the ROC curve of surgical treatment was 0.83 (

P
=
0.004

). The area under the ROC curve of the size of encephalomalacia was 0.72 (

P
=
0.008

). There was a positive correlation between age and size of encephalomalacia and Engel grade (

r
>
0

,

P
<
0.05

). Surgical treatment was negatively correlated with Engel grade (

r
<
0

,

P
<
0.05

). The number of lesion sites and seizure frequency had no significant correlation with Engel (

P
>
0.05

). The proportion of Engel I patients treated with surgery was higher than that treated with drugs (

P
=
0.001

). The ratio of Engel III and IV patients treated with surgery was lower than that treated with medications (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. Age, number of lesion sites, size of encephalomalacia, and seizure frequency are independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with REAE. Surgical treatment is an independent prognostic factor for patients with REAE. Surgical treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes.
Driving with Both Feet: Supplementing AKG While Inhibiting BCAT1 Leads to Synthetic Lethality in GBM
Authors: Meurs Noah , Nagrath Deepak 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Understanding how carcinogenesis can expose cancers to synthetically lethal vulnerabilities has been an essential underpinning of development of modern anticancer therapeutics. Isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type (IDHWT) glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is known to have upregulated branched-chain amino acid transaminase 1 (BCAT1) expression, has not had treatments developed to the same extent as the IDH mutant counterpart, despite making up the majority of cases. In this issue, Zhang and colleagues utilize a metabolic screen to identify α-ketoglutarate (AKG) as a synthetically lethal treatment in conjunction with BCAT1 inhibition in IDHWT GBM. These treatments synergize in a multipronged approach that limits substrate catabolism and disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis through perturbing the balance of NAD+/NADH, leading to mTORC1 inhibition and a reduction of nucleotide biosynthesis. Based on these results, the authors propose combination treatment targeting branched chain amino acid catabolism as a potential option for patients with IDHWT GBM.
See related article by Zhang et al., p. 2388
Gravitational Dose‐Response Curves for Acute Cardiovascular Hemodynamics and Autonomic Responses in a Tilt Paradigm
Authors: Whittle Richard S. , Keller Nathan , Hall Eric A. , Vellore Hrudayavani S. , Stapleton Lindsay M. , Findlay Katherine H. , Dunbar Bonnie J. , Diaz‐Artiles Ana 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundThe cardiovascular system is strongly dependent on the gravitational environment. Gravitational changes cause mechanical fluid shifts and, in turn, autonomic effectors influence systemic circulation and cardiac control. We implemented a tilt paradigm to (1) investigate the acute hemodynamic response across a range of directions of the gravitational vector, and (2) to generate specific dose‐response relationships of this gravitational dependency.Methods and ResultsTwelve male subjects were tilted from 45° head‐up tilt to 45° head‐down tilt in 15° increments, in both supine and prone postures. We measured the steady‐state hemodynamic response in a range of variables including heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, oxygen consumption, total peripheral resistance, blood pressure, and autonomic indices derived from heart rate variability analysis. There is a strong gravitational dependence in almost all variables considered, with the exception of oxygen consumption, whereas systolic blood pressure remained controlled to within ≈3% across the tilt range. Hemodynamic responses are primarily driven by differential loading on the baroreflex receptors, combined with differences in venous return to the heart. Thorax compression in the prone position leads to reduced venous return and increased sympathetic nervous activity, raising heart rate, and systemic vascular resistance while lowering cardiac output and stroke volume.ConclusionsGravitational dose‐response curves generated from these data provide a comprehensive baseline from which to assess the efficacy of potential spaceflight countermeasures. Results also assist clinical management of terrestrial surgery in prone posture or head‐down tilt positions.
Influence of larval nutrition on biological attributes and reproductive performance in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory condition
Authors: Sagar Doddachowdappa , Thillainayagam Isaiyamudhini , Keerthi M.C. , Sujatha G.S. , Chander Subhash 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
An artificial diet and a rearing procedure for the polyphagous pest, Spodoptera frugiperda, were developed to facilitate its culturing under laboratory conditions [27 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h] throughout the year. The efficiency of the diet was assessed through a comparative study with the natural host of the pest, maize. The biological, reproductive and population parameters of the pest on artificial diet were superior, especially the enhanced mean fecundity of 1796 per female which was more than that of the insect reared on its natural host. The meridic diet gave a higher mean pupal weight (0.217 g/pupa) than the natural diet (0.188 g/pupa). About 81.8% of neonates completed their developmental cycle on artificial diet and emerged as healthy adults, compared to only 57.5% normal adult emergence on the natural diet. On observation, there were 3678 and 3551 eupyrene sperm bundles in the adults emerged from larvae reared on artificial diet and natural diet, respectively. The net reproductive rate () for adults reared on artificial diet was 945.26, it being 703.7 for adults reared on a natural diet. With a sex ratio of 0.55, the biotic potential of S. frugiperda reared on artificial diet was 5.104 × 1028, which is more than that of natural diet (5.740 × 1026). The fertility life table constructed in the present study can play a significant role in predicting population dynamics, which will further help in developing an effective integrated pest management and the developed meridic diet with rearing procedure will be helpful in insecticide resistance monitoring programmes for this folivorous pest.
A Humanistic Approach to Education 2030: Perspective and Practice in China
Authors: Qin Hangyin 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
A humanistic approach to education has been central in the field of international education. China has positively responded to the international action of the United Nations plan in Education 2030 with a concrete strategic plan. Although challenges remain, China’s development of a modern lifelong learning system involving all levels of education in formal and non-formal education aims at ensuring the right of all people to an education; and it lays the foundation for educational equity. Traditional Chinese education philosophy and teaching/learning practice containing the spirit of humanism should be treasured both by China and the world. A humanistic approach to education reflects the convergence between China and the world, and modernity and tradition. Supporting the education of developing countries reflects a positive attitude and responsible action contributing to the common destiny of humanity.
Physical and Optical Properties of Clouds in the Southwest Vortex from FY-4A Cloud Retrievals
Authors: Yu Zhuofu , Ma Shuo , Han Ding , Li Guanlin , Yan Wei , Liu Jingdong 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The southwest vortex (SWV) is a critical weather system in China, but our knowledge of this system remains incomplete. Here, we investigate the cloud properties in the SWV. First, we search for the SWVs with time steps and center locations that are consistent between the SWV yearbook and ERA-Interim reanalysis data. Second, we supplement these SWVs’ life spans and movement paths. Third, we relocate the Fengyun (FY) satellite FY-4A cloud retrievals in the 10° × 10° region centered on each SWV and analyze the cloud occurrence frequency (COF), cloud-top height (CTH), and cloud optical thickness (COT). A distribution mode of cloud types is summarized from the COFs, with water clouds, supercooled clouds, mixed clouds, ice clouds, cirrus clouds, and overlap clouds occurring sequentially from west to east. The CTH probability density (PD) distribution features a significant north–south difference. In addition, the COT PD distributions exhibit a common trend: with increasing COT, the PD increases rapidly and then slowly before peaking, whereupon the PD decreases abruptly. From spring to summer, the region with the highest convective COF shifts from the northeast to the northwest, and an east–west gradient of the convective COF appears in autumn and winter. Furthermore, we investigate the cloud properties during SWV-related heavy rainfall. Heavy rain occurs mainly in the west of the SWV, and convective clouds are mainly in the northwest, partly in the southwest and near the SWV center. The average CTH in heavy rainfall is generally higher than 6 km, and the average COT is greater than 20.

Significance Statement
The southwest vortex (SWV) is an important weather system in China. However, we do not yet comprehensively know this weather system. The cloud properties can indicate the structures of weather systems and are key parameters in numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. Thus, investigating cloud properties is necessary and meaningful to understand the SWV and accurately predict SWV-related precipitation in NWP models. In this paper, a typical distribution mode of six cloud types in the SWV is summarized from the cloud occurrence frequency, and the distribution features of convective clouds, cloud-top height, and cloud optical thickness in the SWV are analyzed. Furthermore, the cloud properties in SWV-related heavy rain are also studied.
Risk of parental major psychiatric disorders in patients with comorbid autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A population-based family-link study
Authors: Hsu Tien-Wei , Bai Ya-Mei , Tsai Shih-Jen , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Liang Chih-Sung , Chen Mu-Hong 
Published: July 2022

Objective: Few studies have investigated the parental risk of major psychiatric disorders among patients with comorbid autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This study examined the differences in such risk among patients with autism spectrum disorder–only, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder–only and both conditions. Methods: Between 2001 and 2011, we enrolled 132,624 patients with autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 1:10 matched controls for age, sex and demographics from the National Health Insurance Database of Taiwan. Poisson regression models were used to examine the risk of five major psychiatric disorders in the patients’ parents compared with those of the controls, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and substance use disorder. Patients were classified into the autism spectrum disorder–only, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder–only and dual-diagnosis groups. Results: The parents of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder–only and dual-diagnosis groups had a higher likelihood to be diagnosed with (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]) schizophrenia (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: 1.48 [1.39, 1.57]; dual: 1.79 [1.45, 1.20]), bipolar disorder (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: 1.91 [1.82, 2.01]; dual: 1.81 [1.51, 2.17]), major depressive disorder (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: 1.94 [1.89, 2.00]; dual: 1.99 [1.81, 2.20]), alcohol use disorder (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: 1.39 [1.33, 1.45]; dual: 1.20 [1.01, 1.42]) and substance use disorder (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: 1.66 [1.59, 1.73]; dual: 1.34 [1.13, 1.58]) than the controls. In contrast, the parents of autism spectrum disorder–only group had a higher likelihood to be diagnosed with schizophrenia (1.77 [1.46, 2.15]) and major depressive disorder (1.45 [1.32, 1.61]) and a lower likelihood to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (0.68 [0.55, 0.84]) than the controls. Conclusion: The autism spectrum disorder–only group had a different parental incidence of major psychiatric disorders than the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder–only and dual-diagnosis groups. Our findings have implications for clinical practice and future genetic research.
One-stop procedure of “atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation + left atrial appendage closure + coronary artery fistula embolization”: A case report
Authors: Qin Zuoan , Gong Bingxing , Luo Li , Ge Liangqing 
Published: July 2022

Background Through a case of atrial fibrillation (AF) combined with coronary artery fistula, a one-stop interventional operation treatment of “AF radiofrequency ablation + left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) + coronary artery fistula (CAF) embolization” was performed. We have checked the relevant literature, and there is no similar report, which may help clinicians deal with similar situations. Case presentation The patient had a 6-year history of paroxysmal AF, and had experienced negative effects of the drug treatment. She had suffered many years of repeated hemoptysis due to bronchiectasis, and could not tolerate anticoagulation therapy. After in-depth clinical discussion, a one-stop interventional operation including AF radiofrequency ablation, LAAC, and CAF embolization, was formulated according to the patient’s situation. The patient recovered and was discharged smoothly. Conclusions In patients with AF combined with coronary artery-bronchial artery fistula, a one-stop interventional operation treatment of “AF radiofrequency ablation + LAAC+ CAF embolization” was performed. It can effectively improve the anticoagulation-worsened haemoptysis in patients with AF.