bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever virus in domestic ruminants of various origins in two markets of Yaoundé, Cameroon
Authors: Sado Francine Yousseu , Tchetgna Huguette Simo , Kamgang Basile , Djonabaye Doumani , Nakouné Emmanuel , McCall Philip J. , Ndip Roland Ndip , Wondji Charles S. 
Published: August 2022

Background
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonosis endemic in Africa. With little known of the burden or epidemiology of RVF virus (RVFV) in Cameroon, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of RVFV in domestic ruminants of various origins in two markets of Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Methodology/Principal findings
The origin of animals randomly sampled at two livestock markets in Yaoundé were recorded and plasma samples collected for competitive and capture Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to determine the prevalence of Immunoglobulins G (IgG) and Immunoglobulins M (IgM) antibodies. Following ELISA IgM results, a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect RVFV RNA. In June-August 2019, February-March 2020, and March-April 2021, 756 plasma samples were collected from 441 cattle, 168 goats, and 147 sheep. RVFV IgG seroprevalence was 25.7% for all animals, 42.2% in cattle, 2.7% in sheep, and 2.4% in goats. However, IgM seroprevalence was low, at 0.9% in all animals, 1.1% in cattle, 1.4% in sheep, and 0% in goats. The seroprevalence rates varied according to the animal’s origin with the highest rate (52.6%) in cattle from Sudan. In Cameroon, IgG and IgM rates respectively were 45.1% and 2.8% in the North, 44.8% and 0% in the Adamawa, 38.6% and 1.7% in the Far-North. All IgM positive samples were from Cameroon. In cattle, 2/5 IgM positive samples were also IgG positive, but both IgM positive samples in sheep were IgG negative. Three (42.9%) IgM positive samples were positive for viral RVFV RNA using qRT-PCR but given the high ct values, no amplicon was obtained.

Conclusion/Significance
These findings confirm the circulation of RVFV in livestock in Cameroon with prevalence rates varying by location. Despite low IgM seroprevalence rates, RVF outbreaks can occur without being noticed. Further epidemiological studies are needed to have a broad understanding of RVFV transmission in Cameroon.
Risk factors for mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Northern Ethiopia: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Abebe Haftom Temesgen , Mulugeta Afework , Berhe Yibrah , Berhane Kiros , Siraj Amir , Siraj Dawd , Aregawi Maru , Fseha Berhane , Mohamedniguss Ebrahim Mohamedawel , Hintsa Solomon , Gebre Hagazi , Mohammed Abrahim Hassen , Godefay Hagos 
Published: August 2022

Background
COVID-19 is a deadly pandemic caused by an RNA virus that belongs to the family of CORONA virus. To counter the COVID-19 pandemic in resource limited settings, it is essential to identify the risk factors of COVID-19 mortality. This study was conducted to identify the social and clinical determinants of mortality in COVID-19 patients hospitalized in four treatment centers of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Methods
We reviewed data from 6,637 COVID-19 positive cases that were reported from May 7, 2020 to October 28, 2020. Among these, 925 were admitted to the treatment centers because of their severity and retrospectively analyzed. The data were entered into STATA 16 version for analysis. The descriptive analysis such as median, interquartile range, frequency distribution and percentage were used. Binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the potential risk factors of mortality of COVID-19 patients. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was used to determine the magnitude of the association between the outcome and predictor variables.

Results
The median age of the patients was 30 years (IQR, 25–44) and about 70% were male patients. The patients in the non-survivor group were much older than those in the survivor group (median 57.5 years versus 30 years, p-value < 0.001). The overall case fatality rate was 6.1% (95% CI: 4.5% - 7.6%) and was increased to 40.3% (95% CI: 32.2% - 48.4%) among patients with critical and severe illness. The proportions of severe and critical illness in the non-survivor group were significantly higher than those in the survivor group (19.6% versus 5.1% for severe illness and 80.4% versus 4.5% for critical illness, all p-value < 0.001). One or more pre-existing comorbidities were present in 12.5% of the patients: cardiovascular diseases (42.2%), diabetes mellitus (25.0%) and respiratory diseases (16.4%) being the most common comorbidities. The comorbidity rate in the non-survivor group (44.6%) was higher than in the survivor group (10.5%). The results from the multivariable binary regression showed that the odds of mortality was higher for patients who had cardiovascular diseases (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.03–6.03), shortness of breath (AOR = 9.71, 95% CI: 4.73–19.93) and body weakness (AOR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.50–6.18). Moreover, the estimated odds of mortality significantly increased with patient’s age.

Conclusions
Age, cardiovascular diseases, shortness of breath and body weakness were the predictors for mortality of COVID-19 patients. Knowledge of these could lead to better identification of high risk COVID-19 patients and thus allow prioritization to prevent mortality.
Quality and variation of care for chronic kidney disease in Swiss general practice: A retrospective database study
Authors: Jäger Levy , Rosemann Thomas , Burgstaller Jakob Martin , Senn Oliver , Markun Stefan 
Published: August 2022

Background
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition in general practice. Data about quality and physician-level variation of CKD care provided by general practitioners is scarce. In this study, we evaluated determinants and variation of achievement of 14 quality indicators for CKD care using electronic medical records data from Swiss general practice during 2013–2019.

Methods
We defined two patient cohorts from 483 general practitioners, one to address renal function assessment in patients with predisposing conditions (n = 47,201, median age 68 years, 48.7% female) and one to address care of patients with laboratory-confirmed CKD (n = 14,654, median age 80 years, 57.5% female). We investigated quality indicator achievement with mixed-effect logistic regression and expressed physician-level variation as intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and range odds ratios (rORs).

Results
We observed the highest quality indicator achievement rate for withholding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug prescription in patients with CKD staged G2–3b within 12 months of follow-up (82.6%), the lowest for albuminuria assessment within 18 months of follow-up (18.1%). Highest physician-level variation was found for renal function assessment during 18 months of follow-up in patients with predisposing conditions (diabetes: ICC 0.31, rOR 26.5; cardiovascular disease: ICC 0.28, rOR 17.4; hypertension: ICC 0.24, rOR 17.2).

Conclusion
This study suggests potentially unwarranted variation in general practice concerning RF assessment in patients affected by conditions predisposing for CKD. We further identified potential gaps in quality of CKD monitoring as well as lower quality of CKD care for female patients and patients not affected by comorbidities.
Clinical and growth outcomes after meconium-related ileus improved with Gastrografin enema in very low birth weight infants
Authors: Song Woo Sun , Yoon Hye Sun , Kim Seung Yeon 
Published: August 2022

Background
Meconium-related ileus in very low birth weight infants can lead to increased morbidity or mortality and prolonged hospitalization without prompt diagnosis and treatment. This study primarily aimed to identify the incidence of and factors associated with meconium-related ileus and secondarily sought to investigate clinical and growth outcomes after water-soluble contrast media (Gastrografin) enema.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed medical records of very low birth weight infants born between February 2009 and March 2019 in the neonatal intensive care unit of a single medical center. Perinatal factors, clinical outcomes, and growth outcomes were compared between the group with meconium-related ileus that received Gastrografin enema and the control group.

Results
Twenty-four (6.9%) patients were diagnosed with meconium-related ileus among 347 very low birth weight infants. All achieved successful evacuation of meconium with an average of 2.8 (range: 1–8) Gastrografin enema attempts without procedure-related complications. Initiation of Gastrografin enema was performed at mean 7.0 days (range: 2–16) after birth. Incidences of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were higher and the duration of mechanical ventilation and need for oxygen were longer in the meconium-related ileus group (P = 0.039, 0.046, 0.048, respectively). Meconium-related ileus infants took more time to start enteral feeding and the nothing per oral time was longer (P = 0.001 and 0.018, respectively). However, time to achieve full enteral feeding and Z-scores for weight and height at 37 weeks and at 6 months corrected age did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions
Gastrografin enema in very low birth weight infants with meconium-related ileus was an effective and safe medical management. Following Gastrografin enema, very low birth weight infants with meconium-related ileus achieved similar subsequent feeding progress and similar growth levels as the control groups without meconium-related ileus.
Experiências em educações ambientais nos encontros de dois geógrafos ecologistas
Authors: Gonzalez Soler , Barchi Rodrigo 
Published: August 2022

Perante um intenso processo de sucateamento das instituições e políticas públicas de proteção ao meio ambiente e de educação ambiental no Brasil, por parte de uma governança “negacionista” e detratora das organizações científicas e das defesas das minorias, inclusive as organizações estatais, esse texto relata a experiência do encontro de dois geógrafos, professores e ecologistas, de duas regiões distintas. Tendo como foco principal as atividades realizadas durante a presença do educador paulista na cidade de Vitória, no Estado do Espírito Santo, durante uma série de eventos ligados a um Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação, esse texto se divide em duas seções, sendo a primeira o relato do pesquisador anfitrião e organizador das atividades, o segundo relato, o do professor visitante. As perspectivas das educações ambientais que pautam as discussões do artigo além de se situar, filosófica e politicamente, às margens das redes institucionais, inclusive dos programas oficiais de pautas “progressistas”, são combativas às ações “ecofóbicas”, predatórias e beligerantes dos governos das extremas direitas, instaurados recentemente no Brasil
Palavras-chave: Educação Ambiental; Formação de Educadores Ambientais; Movimento Social; Ecologistas; Política.
Meloidogyne species, the pimple-like knot pathogen of potato tuber in three production centers in Sumatra
Authors: Hamidi Ilmi , Supramana  , Mutaqin Kikin Hamzah , Kurniawati Fitrianingrum 
Published: August 2022

Meloidogyne species, the pimple-like knot pathogen of potato tuber in three production centers in Sumatra
Nematoda puru akar (Meloidogyne spp.) merupakan penyebab ubi berbintil yang menurunkan kualitas dan kuantitas produksi kentang di wilayah Sumatra. Identifikasi spesies Meloidogyne diperlukan dalam merancang strategi pengendaliannya yang efektif. Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeteksi dan mengidentifikasi spesies Meloidogyne pada kentang secara morfologi, morfometri, dan molekuler. Sampel ubi kentang bergejala bintil, malformasi bentuk ubi, permukaan ubi tidak rata, serta permukaan ubi bergelombang dikumpulkan dari tiga sentra produksi kentang di wilayah Sumatra, yaitu Karo (Sumatra Utara), Solok (Sumatra Barat), dan Kerinci (Jambi). Ekstraksi nematoda dilakukan dengan teknik pembedahan jaringan ubi berbintil. Identifikasi morfologi dilakukan berdasarkan pola perineal nematoda betina. Pengukuran morfometri dilakukan terhadap juvenil 2 berdasarkan formula de Man. Identifikasi molekuler dilakukan dengan teknik PCR dilanjutkan dengan perunutan nukleotida dan analisis filogenetika. Tiga spesies Meloidogyne yang diidentifikasi ialah Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, dan M. javanica. Amplifikasi DNA menggunakan primer spesifik CO1 berhasil mengamplifikasi pita DNA sebesar ±360 pb untuk M. arenaria, ±326 pb untuk M. incognita, dan ±170 pb untuk M. javanica. Hasil perunutan nukleotida menunjukkan bahwa isolat M. incognita asal Karo-Indonesia berkerabat sangat dekat dengan spesies sejenis dari negara Cina, Amerika Serikat, Vietnam, Inggris, Brazil, dan Afrika Selatan. M. javanica asal Solok-Indonesia berkerabat sangat dekat dengan spesies sejenis dari negara Amerika Serikat, Afrika, Cina, Jerman, dan Inggris.
Existence of nontrivial solutions for critical Kirchhoff-Poisson systems in the Heisenberg group
Authors: Pucci Patrizia , Ye Yiwei 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This article is devoted to the study of the combined effects of logarithmic and critical nonlinearities for the Kirchhoff-Poisson system

−
M

∫

Ω

∣

∇

H

u

∣

2

d
ξ

Δ

H

u
+
μ
ϕ
u
=
λ
∣
u

∣

q
−
2

u
ln
∣
u

∣

2

+
∣
u

∣

2

u

in

Ω
,

−

Δ

H

ϕ
=

u

2

in

Ω
,

u
=
ϕ
=
0

on

∂
Ω
,

\left\{\begin{array}{ll}-M\left(\mathop{\displaystyle \int }\limits_{\Omega }| {\nabla }_{H}u{| }^{2}{\rm{d}}\xi \right){\Delta }_{H}u+\mu \phi u=\lambda | u{| }^{q-2}u\mathrm{ln}| u{| }^{2}+| u{| }^{2}u& \hspace{0.1em}\text{in}\hspace{0.1em}\hspace{0.33em}\Omega ,\\ -{\Delta }_{H}\phi ={u}^{2}& \hspace{0.1em}\text{in}\hspace{0.1em}\hspace{0.33em}\Omega ,\\ u=\phi =0& \hspace{0.1em}\text{on}\hspace{0.1em}\hspace{0.33em}\partial \Omega ,\end{array}\right.

where

Δ

H

{\Delta }_{H}

is the Kohn-Laplacian operator in the first Heisenberg group

H

1

{{\mathbb{H}}}^{1}

,

Ω

\Omega

is a smooth bounded domain of

H

1

{{\mathbb{H}}}^{1}

,

q
∈

(

2
θ
,
4

)

q\in \left(2\theta ,4)

,

μ
∈
R

\mu \in {\mathbb{R}}

, and

λ
>
0

\lambda \gt 0

are some real parameters. Under suitable assumptions on the Kirchhoff function

M

M

, which cover the degenerate case, we prove the existence of nontrivial solutions for the above problem when

λ
>
0

\lambda \gt 0

is sufficiently large. Moreover, our results are new even in the Euclidean case.
Hepatoprotective role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α in non-cancerous hepatic tissues following transcatheter arterial embolization
Authors: Yang Peiyu , Li Zhengliang , Du Wei , Wu Chunhua , Xiong Wencui 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is a widely used technique in treating hepatic carcinoma but may cause liver injury in some cases. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of the preprocessed peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) agonist-WY-14643 following TAE. A total of 60 rabbit liver cancer models were developed and divided into a combined treatment (WY-14643 and TAE), TAE, and control groups. After TAE, we examined the histopathological picture and liver functions. Further, the expression of antioxidant enzymes, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor of κ-light chain of enhancer-activated B cells (NF-κB), PPAR-α, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was analyzed. Liver function tests, pathology score, and apoptosis index significantly worsened in the TAE group but were normalized in the combined treatment group. In addition, ELISA results showed that antioxidant enzyme activity significantly increased, while the malondialdehyde content and level of inflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced in the combined treatment group. Furthermore, compared to the TAE group, the expressions of PPAR-α, antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) and SOD2, and Bcl-2 were significantly elevated, while NF-κB was significantly reduced in the combined treatment group. On the other hand, the expression of NF-κB in tumor tissues was significantly reduced by pretreatment with WY-14643. Therefore, PPAR-α can ameliorate liver injury by exerting its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic functions.
Identification of metabolic genes for the prediction of prognosis and tumor microenvironment infiltration in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Jing , Guan Yun , Zhu Rongrong , Wang Yang , Zhu Huaguang , Wang Xin 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are at substantial risk of poor prognosis. We attempted to develop a reliable metabolic gene-set-based signature that can predict prognosis accurately for early-stage patients. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method Cox regression models were performed to filter the most useful prognostic genes, and a metabolic gene-set-based signature was constructed. Forty-two metabolism-related genes were finally identified, and with specific risk score formula, patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups. Overall survival was significantly different between the two groups in discovery (HR: 5.050, 95% CI: 3.368–7.574, P < 0.001), internal validation series (HR: 6.044, 95% CI: 3.918–9.322, P < 0.001), GSE30219 (HR: 2.059, 95% CI: 1.510–2.808, P < 0.001), and GSE68456 (HR: 2.448, 95% CI: 1.723–3.477, P < 0.001). Survival receiver operating characteristic curve at the 5 years suggested that the metabolic signature (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.805) had better prognostic accuracy than any other clinicopathological factors. Further analysis revealed the distinct differences in immune cell infiltration and tumor purity reflected by an immune and stromal score between high- and low-risk patients. In conclusion, the novel metabolic signature developed in our study shows robust prognostic accuracy in predicting prognosis for early-stage NSCLC patients and may function as a reliable marker for guiding more effective immunotherapy strategies.
Study on thermodynamics and dynamics of top slag modification in O5 automobile sheets
Authors: Li Shujun , Du Xueyan 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This article presents a new Ruhrstahl–Heraeus top slag modifier with an enhanced modification effect at an enterprise producing O5 automobile sheets. To compare the modification effect of the original and new modifiers, the thermodynamic and dynamic conditions of the top slag modification were studied by thermodynamic calculations and dynamic analysis. The results showed that the utilization of both modifiers reduced the total iron (TFe) content in the top slag. The new modifier controlled the CaO/Al2O3 (C/A) and TFe content of the top slag to approximately 1.22–1.30 and 6.07–7.97%, respectively. The adsorption capacity of top slag for inclusions was stronger than that of the top slag modified with the original modifier. The concentrations of Al2O3-type inclusions, Ti
x
O·Al2O3 composite inclusions, and oxide inclusions were reduced by 13.4, 21.2, and 3.4 per cm2 with the new modifier compared with the original modifier. The total oxygen content in molten steel was 2.8 ppm lower than that of the original when the new modifier was used. Moreover, the new modifier exhibited a better dynamic condition on the surface of top slag, as determined by R-G-B numerical analysis. Overall, the new modifier improved the dynamic conditions of top slag modification, reduced top slag oxidation, and effectively improved the cleanliness of the molten steel.
The effect of long-term opioid use on back-specific disability and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain
Authors: Schultz Matthew J. , Licciardone John C. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Context
Opioids are commonly utilized for the treatment of chronic pain. However, research regarding the long-term (≥12 months) outcomes of opioid therapy remains sparse.

Objectives
This study aims to evaluate the effects of long-term opioid therapy on measures of back-specific disability and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain.

Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, patients with chronic low back pain who reported consistent opioid use or abstinence for at least 12 months while enrolled in the Pain Registry for Epidemiological, Clinical, and Interventional Studies and Innovation Pain Research Registry were classified as long-term opioid users or nonusers, respectively. For comparison, intermediate-term and short-term opioid users and nonusers were also identified. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to compare back-specific disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ]) and health-related quality of life (29-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System [PROMIS]) between opioid users and nonusers while controlling for pain intensity, depression, age, body mass index (BMI), and eight common comorbid conditions (herniated disc, sciatica, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and asthma). Statistically significant findings were assessed for clinical relevance.

Results
There were 96 long-term opioid users and 204 long-term opioid nonusers. After controlling for potential confounders, long-term opioid use was a predictor of worse back-specific disability (adjusted mean difference=2.85, p<0.001), physical function (adjusted mean difference=−2.90, p=0.001), fatigue (adjusted mean difference=4.32, p=0.001), participation in social roles (adjusted mean difference=−4.10, p<0.001), and pain interference (adjusted mean difference=3.88, p<0.001) outcomes. Intermediate-term opioid use was a predictor of worse back-specific disability (adjusted mean difference=2.41, p<0.001), physical function (adjusted mean difference=−2.26, p=0.003), fatigue (adjusted mean difference=3.70, p=0.002), and sleep disturbance outcomes (adjusted mean difference=3.03, p=0.004), whereas short-term opioid use was a predictor of worse back-specific disability (adjusted mean difference=2.42, p<0.001) and physical function outcomes (adjusted mean difference=−1.90, p<0.001).

Conclusions
The findings of this study are largely consistent with existing literature regarding the outcomes of long-term opioid therapy. Taken in conjunction with the well-established risks of opioid medications, these findings draw into question the utility of long-term opioid therapy for chronic low back pain.
Late onset Bartter syndrome: Bartter syndrome type 2 presenting with isolated nephrocalcinosis and high parathyroid hormone levels mimicking primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Yıldız Gizem , Torun Bayram Meral , Çinleti Tayfun , Koç Altuğ , Soylu Alper , Kavukçu Salih 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Objectives
Nephrocalcinosis is associated with conditions that cause hypercalcemia and the increased urinary excretion of calcium, phosphate, and/or oxalate. A monogenic etiology is found in almost 30% of childhood-onset nephrocalcinosis which is also a common manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism. We discuss a child with nephrocalcinosis and features mimicking primary hyperparathyroidism.

Case presentation
A 7-year-old girl presented with nephrocalcinosis. Hypercalciuria, hyperphosphaturia, mild hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia and elevated parathyroid hormone levels along with normal serum creatinine and absence of hypokalemic alkalosis suggested primary hyperparathyroidism. However, she was ultimately diagnosed with Bartter syndrome type 2 based on the presence of homozygous pathogenic variation in KCNJ1gene.

Conclusions
This is the second reported case of late-onset Bartter syndrome type 2 without hypokalemic alkalosis. Patients with Bartter syndrome may present with high parathyroid hormone levels and hypercalcemia in addition to hypercalciuria. Thus, the present case suggests that the KCNJ1 gene should be included in genetic analysis even in older children with isolated nephrocalcinosis.