bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol efflux capacity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and its relation with disease severity
Authors: Fadaei Reza , Mohassel Azadi Samaneh , Rhéaume Eric , Khazaie Habibolah 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to an accelerated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some key CVD risk factors are present in patients suffering from OSA such as hypertension, inflammation, oxidative stress, and dyslipidemia. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is proposed as a reliable biomarker of HDL function and the present study aimed to quantify this biomarker in patients with OSA.

Methods
ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1), non-ABCA1, and total CEC were determined in 69 polysomnographic-confirmed OSA patients and 23 controls. Moreover, paraoxonase (PON) activities, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), apolipoprotein B (apo B), and apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) circulating levels were quantified in the studied population.
Results: All CEC measures were reduced in the OSA group compared to the control group. Strikingly, ABCA1 CEC was diminished in severe OSA in comparison with mild OSA. Furthermore, PON activities and apo A-I showed lower levels, while hsCRP and apo B were elevated in OSA patients compared to controls. Moreover, ABCA1 CEC showed an inverse association with hsCRP and a positive association with apo A-I, while non-ABCA1 CEC presented an association with HDL-C.

Conclusion
These results suggest the presence of an impaired HDL function in OSA. In particular, ABCA1 CEC was associated with disease severity and inflammation which could be a factor increasing the risk of CVD.
Comprehensive transcriptional variability analysis reveals gene networks regulating seed oil content of Brassica napus
Authors: Tan Zengdong , Peng Yan , Xiong Yao , Xiong Feng , Zhang Yuting , Guo Ning , Tu Zhuo , Zong Zhanxiang , Wu Xiaokun , Ye Jiang , Xia Chunjiao , Zhu Tao , Liu Yinmeng , Lou Hongxiang , Liu Dongxu , Lu Shaoping , Yao Xuan , Liu Kede , Snowdon Rod J. , Golicz Agnieszka A. , Xie Weibo , Guo Liang , Zhao Hu 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Regulation of gene expression plays an essential role in controlling the phenotypes of plants. Brassica napus (B. napus) is an important source for the vegetable oil in the world, and the seed oil content is an important trait of B. napus.

Results
We perform a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptional variability in the seeds of B. napus at two developmental stages, 20 and 40 days after flowering (DAF). We detect 53,759 and 53,550 independent expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) for 79,605 and 76,713 expressed genes at 20 and 40 DAF, respectively. Among them, the local eQTLs are mapped to the adjacent genes more frequently. The adjacent gene pairs are regulated by local eQTLs with the same open chromatin state and show a stronger mode of expression piggybacking. Inter-subgenomic analysis indicates that there is a feedback regulation for the homoeologous gene pairs to maintain partial expression dosage. We also identify 141 eQTL hotspots and find that hotspot87-88 co-localizes with a QTL for the seed oil content. To further resolve the regulatory network of this eQTL hotspot, we construct the XGBoost model using 856 RNA-seq datasets and the Basenji model using 59 ATAC-seq datasets. Using these two models, we predict the mechanisms affecting the seed oil content regulated by hotspot87-88 and experimentally validate that the transcription factors, NAC13 and SCL31, positively regulate the seed oil content.

Conclusions
We comprehensively characterize the gene regulatory features in the seeds of B. napus and reveal the gene networks regulating the seed oil content of B. napus.
Screen-printed sensors for efficient potentiometric analysis of tolperisone hydrochloride in presence of its co-formulated drugs
Authors: Rizk Mohamed , Hussein Emad M. , Toubar Safaa , Ramzy Emad , Helmy Marwa I. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractResearchers seeking for green chemistry to help safeguard and boost the economy and the environment by discovering unique ways to decrease waste and find substitutes for dangerous chemicals. In this study, a green potentiometric ion-selective electrode (ISE) was developed for measurement of tolperisone HCl (TOLP) in bulk and Pharmaceutical dosage forms in presence of diclofenac sodium and paracetamol as co-formulated drugs. This paper presents the manufacture and characterization of a disposable potentiometric ion-selective strip with an enhanced detection limit for (TOLP) measurement in its tablet dosage form either alone or in presence of the co-formulated drugs. Numerous ion pairs (IPs), such as TOLP-tetraphenylborate (TOLP-TPB), TOLP-phosphotungstic acid (TOLP-PTA), and TOLP-ammonium Reinecke (TOLP- RKT) are tested in presence of different plasticizers. The optimal potentiometric response with a near Nernstian slope of 55.949 mV/decade was achieved within a linear concentration range of 5 $$\times$$
×
10–5 − 1 $$\times$$
×
10–2 M using (PTA) and ortho nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) as a plasticizer. The effect of the nanoparticles on the membrane stability was studied using the graphene nanoplatelets which have an effective role in the enhancement of some constructed sensors stability. Finally, the developed technique is validated for the estimation of TOLP with high accuracy and precision.
Graphical Abstract
First step towards a consensus strategy for multi-locus diagnostic testing of imprinting disorders
Authors: Mackay Deborah , Bliek Jet , Kagami Masayo , Tenorio-Castano Jair , Pereda Arrate , Brioude Frédéric , Netchine Irène , Papingi Dzhoy , de Franco Elisa , Lever Margaret , Sillibourne Julie , Lombardi Paola , Gaston Véronique , Tauber Maithé , Diene Gwenaelle , Bieth Eric , Fernandez Luis , Nevado Julian , Tümer Zeynep , Riccio Andrea , Maher Eamonn R. , Beygo Jasmin , Tannorella Pierpaola , Russo Silvia , de Nanclares Guiomar Perez , Temple I. Karen , Ogata Tsutomu , Lapunzina Pablo , Eggermann Thomas 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Imprinting disorders, which affect growth, development, metabolism and neoplasia risk, are caused by genetic or epigenetic changes to genes that are expressed from only one parental allele. Disease may result from changes in coding sequences, copy number changes, uniparental disomy or imprinting defects. Some imprinting disorders are clinically heterogeneous, some are associated with more than one imprinted locus, and some patients have alterations affecting multiple loci. Most imprinting disorders are diagnosed by stepwise analysis of gene dosage and methylation of single loci, but some laboratories assay a panel of loci associated with different imprinting disorders. We looked into the experience of several laboratories using single-locus and/or multi-locus diagnostic testing to explore how different testing strategies affect diagnostic outcomes and whether multi-locus testing has the potential to increase the diagnostic efficiency or reveal unforeseen diagnoses.

Results
We collected data from 11 laboratories in seven countries, involving 16,364 individuals and eight imprinting disorders. Among the 4721 individuals tested for the growth restriction disorder Silver–Russell syndrome, 731 had changes on chromosomes 7 and 11 classically associated with the disorder, but 115 had unexpected diagnoses that involved atypical molecular changes, imprinted loci on chromosomes other than 7 or 11 or multi-locus imprinting disorder. In a similar way, the molecular changes detected in Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome and other imprinting disorders depended on the testing strategies employed by the different laboratories.

Conclusions
Based on our findings, we discuss how multi-locus testing might optimise diagnosis for patients with classical and less familiar clinical imprinting disorders. Additionally, our compiled data reflect the daily life experiences of diagnostic laboratories, with a lower diagnostic yield than in clinically well-characterised cohorts, and illustrate the need for systematising clinical and molecular data.
Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in a child with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: a case report
Authors: Guernsey David , Arun Aparna , Agha Rabia , Kupferman Juan C. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Children with nephrotic syndrome are at increased risk of infections, including bacterial peritonitis, pneumonia, and cellulitis. However, bacterial meningitis, a potentially life-threatening complication, has not been highlighted as an infectious complication of nephrotic syndrome in recent reviews. We report a very subtle and unusual presentation of bacterial meningitis in a child with nephrotic syndrome, which without a high index of suspicion, would have been missed.

Case presentation
A 9-year-old African-American male with a history of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome presented to the nephrology clinic for routine follow-up. His medications included mycophenolate mofetil and alternate-day steroids. His only complaint was neck pain and stiffness that the mother attributed to muscle tightness relieved by massage. There was no history of fever, vomiting, headache, photophobia, or altered mental status. On physical examination, he was afebrile (99 °F), but had mild periorbital swelling and edema on lower extremities. He appeared ill and exhibited neck rigidity, and demonstrated reflex knee flexion when the neck was bent. Laboratory evaluation revealed leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein, hypoalbuminemia, and proteinuria. Cerebrospinal fluid suggested bacterial meningitis. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone and vancomycin. Both cerebrospinal and blood cultures grew Streptococcus pneumoniae; vancomycin was discontinued. The child completed a 2-week course of ceftriaxone and was discharged home.

Conclusions
A high index of suspicion is necessary in children with nephrotic syndrome treated with corticosteroids, as symptoms may be masked, and thus, a life-threatening disease be missed. Bacterial meningitis should be highlighted as a serious infection complication in children with nephrotic syndrome.
Analysis on the equity differential on household healthcare financing in developing countries: empirical evidence from Tanzania, East Africa
Authors: Kitole Felician Andrew , Lihawa Robert Michael , Mkuna Eliaza 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Achieving equity in healthcare services has been a global priority. According to the literature, a slew of initiatives aimed at increasing household equity in healthcare financing have exacerbated the problem, making it hard for most developing countries to understand the real cause of the problem.

Method
The non-experimental research design has been used to explore the Tanzania Panel Survey (NPS) data 2019/2020, to investigate equity differential in household healthcare financing in Tanzania by the use of conventional instrumental variable methods of Two-stage and Three-stage least square methods

Results
Despite the global agenda of universal health coverage, this paper reveals that 86 percent of Tanzania lacks health insurance with a high degree of inequitable distribution of health facilities as 71.54 percent of the population is in rural areas, yet these areas have poor health systems compared to urban ones. These disparities increase pressure on household healthcare financing and widen the inequity and equality gaps simultaneously. Additionally, a household's income, education, health care waivers, out-of-pocket expenditure, and user fees have been found to have a significant impact on household equity in healthcare financing.

Conclusion
To reverse the situation and increase equity in household healthcare financing in most developing countries, this paper suggests that an adequate pooling system should be used to allow more people to be covered by medical prepayment programs, and the donor-funded programs in developing countries should focus on health sector infrastructure development and not the capacity building.
Influence of access to finance on the competitive growth of SMEs in Lesotho
Authors: Amadasun Donald O. E. , Mutezo Ashley T. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Access to finance has been identified as one of the biggest problems faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in most developing economies. Similarly, access to finance has been identified as a dominant constraint facing the SME sector in Lesotho. This paper established the factors related to access to finance that influence the competitive growth of the SME sector in Lesotho. The factors that were identified include financial information access, bank and business support services, the structure of banks, and the collateral requirements of the financial sector.

Findings
The results from our analysis indicated that a relationship exists between the independent variables of financial information access, bank and business support services, the structure of banks, and the collateral requirement by commercial banks. As such these independent variables are associated with SMEs’ capacity to attain competitive growth in Lesotho. Explicitly, the results indicated that Basotho entrepreneurs and managers see the predictors (collateral requirement, financial information access, and bank and business support services) as critical factors of access to finance that constrain most enterprises from accessing the necessary credit from banks, which ultimately influence the SMEs’ capacity to attain competitive growth in Lesotho.

Conclusions
The study concludes that access to finance significantly affects the competitive growth of SMEs in Lesotho. Thus, this study suggests that several specific and harmonized financial policy actions are needed in the Lesotho financial market to establish an enabling policy that will ease enterprises’ access to adequate funding programs. These funding programs should target improved financial schemes that are coordinated, competitive, and directed towards Basotho SMEs’ access to finance, and enables a harmonized credit policy that guarantees a win–win for SME loan applicants and the financial market operators.
Does self-esteem mediate the association between perfectionism and mindfulness among Lebanese university students?
Authors: Awad Emmanuelle , Hallit Souheil , Obeid Sahar 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Objectives
To evaluate the associations between mindfulness, self-esteem and perfectionism in a Lebanese sample of university students, as well as the indirect effect of self-esteem between mindfulness and perfectionism was investigated.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was carried out between July and September 2021. A total of 363 university students were recruited through convenience sampling through several universities in Lebanon’s governorates. An online survey that included a part that collected sociodemographic information, the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory to assess mindfulness, the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale to assess self-esteem and the Big Three Perfectionism Scale to assess perfectionism was completed by participants.

Results
Higher self-esteem (Beta = 1.30) was significantly associated with more mindfulness, whereas higher self-critical perfectionism (Beta = − 0.61) was significantly associated with less mindfulness. Self-esteem mediated the association between self-critical and narcissistic perfectionism and mindfulness. More perfectionism was significantly and directly associated with less mindfulness and lower self-esteem, whereas higher self-esteem was significantly associated with more mindfulness.

Conclusion
This study provides valuable findings that enable practitioners to effectively identify people needing interventions to improve psychological health through mindfulness, self-esteem and perfectionism. The conclusions that can be deduced from this study can help educational psychologists and counselors guide university students towards effective mindfulness practices that can increase self-esteem levels and balance maladaptive perfectionism that can cause distress and impairment in the social and academic settings.
Morphometric analysis of patient-specific 3D-printed acetabular cups: a comparative study of commercially available implants from 6 manufacturers
Authors: Hothi Harry , Henckel Johann , Bergiers Sean , Di Laura Anna , Schlueter-Brust Klaus , Hart Alister 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
3D printed patient-specific titanium acetabular cups are used to treat patients with massive acetabular defects. These have highly porous surfaces, with the design intent of enhancing bony fixation. Our aim was to characterise these porous structures in commercially available designs.

Methods
We obtained 12 final-production, patient-specific 3D printed acetabular cups that had been produced by 6 manufacturers. High resolution micro-CT imaging was used to characterise morphometric features of their porous structures: (1) strut thickness, 2) the depth of the porous layer, (3) pore size and (4) the level of porosity. Additionally, we computed the surface area of each component to quantify how much titanium may be in contact with patient tissue. Statistical comparisons were made between the designs.

Results
We found a variability between designs in relation to the thickness of the struts (0.28 to 0.65 mm), how deep the porous layers are (0.57 to 11.51 mm), the pore size (0.74 to 1.87 mm) and the level of porosity (34 to 85%). One manufacturer printed structures with different porosities between the body and flange; another manufacturer had two differing porous regions within the body of the cups. The cups had a median (range) surface area of 756.5 mm2 (348 – 1724).

Conclusions
There is a wide variability between manufacturers in the porous titanium structures they 3D print. We do not currently know whether there is an optimal porosity and how this variability will impact clinically on the integrity of bony fixation; this will become clearer as post market surveillance data is generated.
Planning preclinical confirmatory multicenter trials to strengthen translation from basic to clinical research – a multi-stakeholder workshop report
Authors: Drude Natascha Ingrid , Martinez-Gamboa Lorena , Danziger Meggie , Collazo Anja , Kniffert Silke , Wiebach Janine , Nilsonne Gustav , Konietschke Frank , Piper Sophie K. , Pawel Samuel , Micheloud Charlotte , Held Leonhard , Frommlet Florian , Segelcke Daniel , Pogatzki-Zahn Esther M. , Voelkl Bernhard , Friede Tim , Brunner Edgar , Dempfle Astrid , Haller Bernhard , Jung Marie Juliane , Riecken Lars Björn , Kuhn Hans-Georg , Tenbusch Matthias , Higuita Lina Maria Serna , Remarque Edmond J. , Grüninger-Egli Servan Luciano , Manske Katrin , Kobold Sebastian , Rivalan Marion , Wedekind Lisa , Wilcke Juliane C. , Boulesteix Anne-Laure , Meinhardt Marcus W. , Spanagel Rainer , Hettmer Simone , von Lüttichau Irene , Regina Carla , Dirnagl Ulrich , Toelch Ulf 
Published: November 2022

AbstractClinical translation from bench to bedside often remains challenging even despite promising preclinical evidence. Among many drivers like biological complexity or poorly understood disease pathology, preclinical evidence often lacks desired robustness. Reasons include low sample sizes, selective reporting, publication bias, and consequently inflated effect sizes. In this context, there is growing consensus that confirmatory multicenter studies -by weeding out false positives- represent an important step in strengthening and generating preclinical evidence before moving on to clinical research. However, there is little guidance on what such a preclinical confirmatory study entails and when it should be conducted in the research trajectory. To close this gap, we organized a workshop to bring together statisticians, clinicians, preclinical scientists, and meta-researcher to discuss and develop recommendations that are solution-oriented and feasible for practitioners. Herein, we summarize and review current approaches and outline strategies that provide decision-critical guidance on when to start and subsequently how to plan a confirmatory study. We define a set of minimum criteria and strategies to strengthen validity before engaging in a confirmatory preclinical trial, including sample size considerations that take the inherent uncertainty of initial (exploratory) studies into account. Beyond this specific guidance, we highlight knowledge gaps that require further research and discuss the role of confirmatory studies in translational biomedical research. In conclusion, this workshop report highlights the need for close interaction and open and honest debate between statisticians, preclinical scientists, meta-researchers (that conduct research on research), and clinicians already at an early stage of a given preclinical research trajectory.
Patterns of respiratory tract infections in children under 5 years of age in a low–middle-income country
Authors: El-Koofy Nehal M. , El-Shabrawi Mortada H. , Abd El-alim Basant A. , Zein Marwa M. , Badawi Nora E. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are among the most commonly encountered major public health problems, with a higher prevalence of lower RTIs among children and more generally the poor. The present study aimed to describe the pattern of respiratory tract infections in Egyptian children aged under 5 years and explore possible associations between socio-demographics and nutritional status and types of RTIs.

Methods
Over 6 months beginning in September 2018 (including one winter season), a cross-sectional, observational, epidemiological study was conducted on a sample of patients with upper and lower RTIs diagnosed clinically and/or radiologically in the outpatient clinics at Cairo University Children’s Hospital in Egypt. An interview questionnaire was employed to collect socio-demographic and nutritional data. Heights/lengths and weights were measured and analyzed using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Anthro Plus [Computer Program]. Patients with pneumonia (n = 28) were compared to 97 healthy children of the same age and sex.

Results
The total number of children diagnosed with upper and lower respiratory infections was 611. Malnutrition was present in 12.4% of all children with upper and lower RTIs. Lower RTI and malnutrition were substantially more prevalent among children aged under 2 years (p = 0.048 and p < 0.001, respectively). The strongest predictor of lower RTI was a younger age (OR 0.797, CI 0.713–0.89, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
At our center, approximately one-third of infections in under-fives were lower RTI. Malnutrition was one of the significant risk factors for lower RTI in children below 2 years. The nutritional status of infants and young children should be improved by encouraging exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life and strengthening the healthcare and nutritional counseling available for vulnerable children, particularly in rural regions.