bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of childhood tuberculosis program in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe, 2020: a descriptive cross-sectional study
Authors: Chimsimbe Memory , Mucheto Pride , Juru Tsitsi Patience , Chadambuka Addmore , Govha Emmanuel , Gombe Notion Tafara , Tshimanga Mufuta 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public health concern contributing to significant child morbidity and mortality. A records review of the TB notification for Chegutu District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) showed a low childhood TB case detection rate. For 2018 and 2019, childhood TB notifications were 4% and 7% respectively against the annual national childhood 12% case detection rate. We evaluated the performance of the childhood TB program in Chegutu.

Methods
We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study. Sixty-six health workers (HW) participated in the study. Interviewer-administered questionnaires and checklists were used to collect data on reasons for low TB case detection, HW childhood TB knowledge, program inputs, processes, and outputs. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis was used to assess the childhood TB processes. We analyzed the data using Epi Info 7™ to generate frequencies, proportions and means. A Likert scale was used to assess health worker knowledge.

Results
The majority 51/66(77%) of HW were nurses and 51/66(67%) of respondents were females. Reasons for the low childhood TB case detection were lack of HW confidence in collecting gastric aspirates 55/66(83%) and HW’s negative attitudes towards gastric aspirate collection 23/66(35%). HW 24/66 (37%) had a fair knowledge of childhood TB notification. The district had only one functional X-ray machine for 34 health facilities. Only 6/18 motorcycles were functional with inadequate fuel supply. No desk guide for the management of TB in children for HW (2018) was available in 34 health facilities. Ethambutol 400 mg was out of stock and adult 800 mg tablets were used. Funds allocated for motor vehicle and motorcycles service ($1612USD/year) were inadequate. The district failed to perform planned quarterly TB review meetings, contact tracing and childhood TB training due to funding and COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

Conclusion
The childhood TB program failed to meet its targets due to inadequate inputs, HW suboptimal knowledge and COVID-19 lockdown measures. Case detection and notification can be improved through on-job training, mentorship, support and supervision and adequate resources.
Early cephalopod evolution clarified through Bayesian phylogenetic inference
Authors: Pohle Alexander , Kröger Björn , Warnock Rachel C. M. , King Andy H. , Evans David H. , Aubrechtová Martina , Cichowolski Marcela , Fang Xiang , Klug Christian 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundDespite the excellent fossil record of cephalopods, their early evolution is poorly understood. Different, partly incompatible phylogenetic hypotheses have been proposed in the past, which reflected individual author’s opinions on the importance of certain characters but were not based on thorough cladistic analyses. At the same time, methods of phylogenetic inference have undergone substantial improvements. For fossil datasets, which typically only include morphological data, Bayesian inference and in particular the introduction of the fossilized birth-death model have opened new possibilities. Nevertheless, many tree topologies recovered from these new methods reflect large uncertainties, which have led to discussions on how to best summarize the information contained in the posterior set of trees.ResultsWe present a large, newly compiled morphological character matrix of Cambrian and Ordovician cephalopods to conduct a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis and resolve existing controversies. Our results recover three major monophyletic groups, which correspond to the previously recognized Endoceratoidea, Multiceratoidea, and Orthoceratoidea, though comprising slightly different taxa. In addition, many Cambrian and Early Ordovician representatives of the Ellesmerocerida and Plectronocerida were recovered near the root. The Ellesmerocerida is para- and polyphyletic, with some of its members recovered among the Multiceratoidea and early Endoceratoidea. These relationships are robust against modifications of the dataset. While our trees initially seem to reflect large uncertainties, these are mainly a consequence of the way clade support is measured. We show that clade posterior probabilities and tree similarity metrics often underestimate congruence between trees, especially if wildcard taxa are involved.ConclusionsOur results provide important insights into the earliest evolution of cephalopods and clarify evolutionary pathways. We provide a classification scheme that is based on a robust phylogenetic analysis. Moreover, we provide some general insights on the application of Bayesian phylogenetic inference on morphological datasets. We support earlier findings that quartet similarity metrics should be preferred over the Robinson-Foulds distance when higher-level phylogenetic relationships are of interest and propose that using a posteriori pruned maximum clade credibility trees help in assessing support for phylogenetic relationships among a set of relevant taxa, because they provide clade support values that better reflect the phylogenetic signal.
Association of meat, vegetarian, pescatarian and fish-poultry diets with risk of 19 cancer sites and all cancer: findings from the UK Biobank prospective cohort study and meta-analysis
Authors: Parra-Soto Solange , Ahumada Danay , Petermann-Rocha Fanny , Boonpoor Jirapitcha , Gallegos Jose Lara , Anderson Jana , Sharp Linda , Malcomson Fiona C. , Livingstone Katherine M. , Mathers John C. , Pell Jill P. , Ho Frederick K. , Celis-Morales Carlos 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
The associations of cancer with types of diets, including vegetarian, fish, and poultry-containing diets, remain unclear. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the association of type of diet with all cancers and 19 site-specific incident cancers in a prospective cohort study and then in a meta-analysis of published prospective cohort studies.

Methods
A total of 409,110 participants from the UK Biobank study, recruited between 2006 and 2010, were included. The outcomes were incidence of all cancers combined and 19 cancer sites. Associations between the types of diets and cancer were investigated using Cox proportional hazards models. Previously published prospective cohort studies were identified from four databases, and a meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models.

Results
The mean follow-up period was 10.6 years (IQR 10.0; 11.3). Compared with meat-eaters, vegetarians (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87 [95% CI: 0.79 to 0.96]) and pescatarians (HR 0.93 [95% CI: 0.87 to 1.00]) had lower overall cancer risk. Vegetarians also had a lower risk of colorectal and prostate cancers compared with meat-eaters. In the meta-analysis, vegetarians (Risk Ratio (RR): 0.90 [0.86 to 0.94]) and pescatarians (RR 0.91 [0.86; 0.96]) had lower risk of overall and colorectal cancer. No associations between the types of diets and prostate, breast, or lung cancers were found.

Conclusions
Compared with meat-eaters, vegetarians and pescatarians had a lower risk of overall, colorectal, and prostate cancer. When results were pooled in a meta-analysis, the associations with overall and colorectal cancer persisted, but the results relating to other specific cancer sites were inconclusive.
Barriers to management of opioid withdrawal in hospitals in England: a document analysis of hospital policies on the management of substance dependence
Authors: Harris Magdalena , Holland Adam , Lewer Dan , Brown Michael , Eastwood Niamh , Sutton Gary , Sansom Ben , Cruickshank Gabby , Bradbury Molly , Guest Isabelle , Scott Jenny 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
People who use illicit opioids are more likely to be admitted to hospital than people of the same age in the general population. Many admissions end in discharge against medical advice, which is associated with readmission and all-cause mortality. Opioid withdrawal contributes to premature discharge. We sought to understand the barriers to timely provision of opioid substitution therapy (OST), which helps to prevent opioid withdrawal, in acute hospitals in England.

Methods
We requested policies on substance dependence management from 135 National Health Service trusts, which manage acute hospitals in England, and conducted a document content analysis. Additionally, we reviewed an Omitted and Delayed Medicines Tool (ODMT), one resource used to inform critical medicine categorisation in England. We worked closely with people with lived experience of OST and/or illicit opioid use, informed by principles of community-based participatory research.

Results
Eighty-six (64%) trusts provided 101 relevant policies. An additional 44 (33%) responded but could not provide relevant policies, and five (4%) did not send a definitive response. Policies illustrate procedural barriers to OST provision, including inconsistent application of national guidelines across trusts. Continuing community OST prescriptions for people admitted in the evening, night-time, or weekend was often precluded by requirements to confirm doses with organisations that were closed during these hours. 42/101 trusts (42%) required or recommended a urine drug test positive for OST medications or opioids prior to OST prescription. The language used in many policies was stigmatising and characterised people who use drugs as untrustworthy. OST was not specifically mentioned in the reviewed ODMT, with ‘drugs used in substance dependence’ collectively categorised as posing low risk if delayed and moderate risk if omitted.

Conclusions
Many hospitals in England have policies that likely prevent timely and effective OST. This was underpinned by the ‘low-risk’ categorisation of OST delay in the ODMT. Delays to continuity of OST between community and hospital settings may contribute to inpatient opioid withdrawal and increase the risk of discharge against medical advice. Acute hospitals in England require standardised best practice policies that account for the needs of this patient group.
Co-expression analysis to identify key modules and hub genes associated with COVID-19 in platelets
Authors: Alarabi Ahmed B. , Mohsen Attayeb , Mizuguchi Kenji , Alshbool Fatima Z. , Khasawneh Fadi T. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCorona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases the risk of cardiovascular occlusive/thrombotic events and is linked to poor outcomes. The underlying pathophysiological processes are complex, and remain poorly understood. To this end, platelets play important roles in regulating the cardiovascular system, including via contributions to coagulation and inflammation. There is ample evidence that circulating platelets are activated in COVID-19 patients, which is a primary driver of the observed thrombotic outcome. However, the comprehensive molecular basis of platelet activation in COVID-19 disease remains elusive, which warrants more investigation. Hence, we employed gene co-expression network analysis combined with pathways enrichment analysis to further investigate the aforementioned issues. Our study revealed three important gene clusters/modules that were closely related to COVID-19. These cluster of genes successfully identify COVID-19 cases, relative to healthy in a separate validation data set using machine learning, thereby validating our findings. Furthermore, enrichment analysis showed that these three modules were mostly related to platelet metabolism, protein translation, mitochondrial activity, and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as regulation of megakaryocyte differentiation, and apoptosis, suggesting a hyperactivation status of platelets in COVID-19. We identified the three hub genes from each of three key modules according to their intramodular connectivity value ranking, namely: COPE, CDC37, CAPNS1, AURKAIP1, LAMTOR2, GABARAP MT-ND1, MT-ND5, and MTRNR2L12. Collectively, our results offer a new and interesting insight into platelet involvement in COVID-19 disease at the molecular level, which might aid in defining new targets for treatment of COVID-19–induced thrombosis.
Novel frameshift variant in the PCNT gene associated with Microcephalic Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism (MOPD) Type II and small kidneys
Authors: Hettiarachchi D. , Subasinghe S. M. V. , Anandagoda G. G. , Panchal Hetalkumar , Lai P. S. , Dissanayake V. H. W. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Microcephalic Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism (MOPD) Type II is an autosomal recessive condition encompassing a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by symmetrical growth retardation leading to dwarfism, microcephaly, and a range of multiple medical complications including neurovascular diseases. Biallelic pathogenic variants in the pericentrin gene (PCNT) have been implicated in its pathogenesis.

Case presentation
We performed whole-exome sequencing to ascertain the diagnosis of a 2 year and 6 months old boy who presented with severe failure to thrive, microcephaly, and facial gestalt suggestive of MOPD Type II which included features such as retrognathia, small ears, prominent nasal root with a large nose, microdontia, sparse scalp hair, bilateral fifth finger clinodactyly. He had a small ostium secundum atrial septal defect and bilaterally small kidneys. Microcephalic Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism (MOPD) Type II was confirmed based on a pathogenic compound heterozygous frameshift variant in the PCNT gene c.5059_5060delAA | p. Asn1687fs (novel variant) and c.9535dup (p. Val3179fs). His parents were found to be heterozygous carriers for the variants.

Conclusion
We report a novel frameshift variant in the PCNT gene and a previously unreported phenotype for Microcephalic Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism (MOPD) Type II.
Ambient air pollution and non-communicable respiratory illness in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Glenn Bailey E. , Espira Leon M. , Larson Miles C. , Larson Peter S. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Introduction
Aerosol pollutants are known to raise the risk of development of non-communicable respiratory diseases (NCRDs) such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergic rhinitis. Sub-Saharan Africa’s rapid pace of urbanization, economic expansion, and population growth raise concerns of increasing incidence of NCRDs. This research characterizes the state of research on pollution and NCRDs in the 46 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This research systematically reviewed the literature on studies of asthma; chronic bronchitis; allergic rhinitis; and air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, NOx, and sulfuric oxide.

Methods
We searched three major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) using the key words “asthma”, “chronic bronchitis”, “allergic rhinitis”, and “COPD” with “carbon monoxide (CO)”, “sulfuric oxide (SO)”, “ozone (O3)”, “nitrogen dioxide (NO2)”, and “particulate matter (PM)”, restricting the search to the 46 countries that comprise SSA. Only papers published in scholarly journals with a defined health outcome in individuals and which tested associations with explicitly measured or modelled air exposures were considered for inclusion. All candidate papers were entered into a database for review.

Results
We found a total of 362 unique research papers in the initial search of the three databases. Among these, 14 met the inclusion criteria. These papers comprised studies from just five countries. Nine papers were from South Africa; two from Malawi; and one each from Ghana, Namibia, and Nigeria. Most studies were cross-sectional. Exposures to ambient air pollutants were measured using spectrometry and chromatography. Some studies created composite measures of air pollution using a range of data layers. NCRD outcomes were measured by self-reported health status and measures of lung function (spirometry). Populations of interest were primarily schoolchildren, though a few studies focused on secondary school students and adults.

Conclusions
The paucity of research on NCRDs and ambient air pollutant exposures is pronounced within the African continent. While capacity to measure air quality in SSA is high, studies targeting NCRDs should work to draw attention to questions of outdoor air pollution and health. As the climate changes and SSA economies expand and countries urbanize, these questions will become increasingly important.
Long non-coding PRNCR1 regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of synoviocytes in osteoarthritis by sponging miR-377-3p
Authors: Wang Guan , Li Chunhong , Zhang Xihai , Tang Lian , Li Yao 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundLncRNA PRNCR1 has been reported to be involved in LPS-induced inflammation, which contributes to osteoarthritis (OA). We predicted that miR-377-3p could bind to PRNCR1.MiR-377-3p can suppress OA development. We therefore analyzed the potential interaction between them in OA.MethodsExpression of miR-377-3p and PRNCR1 in both OA (n = 40) and control (n = 40) samples were analyzed by RT-qPCR. MiR-377-3p or PRNCR1 were overexpressed in synoviocytes to explore their potential interaction. The subcellular location of PRNCR1 was analyzed by nuclear fractionation assay. The direct interaction between miR-377-3p and PRNCR1 was analyzed by RNA-pull down assay. The proliferation and apoptosis of synoviocytes were analyzed by BrdU and apoptosis assay, respectively.ResultsPRNCR1 was overexpressed in OA, while miR-377-3p was downexpressed in OA. PRNCR1 was detected in the cytoplasm and directly interacted with miR-377-3p. Interestingly, overexpression of PRNCR1 and miR-377-3p showed no regulatory role in each other’s expression. LPS treatment increased PRNCR1 expression and decreased miR-377-3p expression. PRNCR1 overexpression decreased LPS-induced synoviocyte proliferation and increased LPS-induced synoviocyte apoptosis. MiR-377-3p played opposite roles in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover, PRNCR1 suppressed the role of miR-377-3p.ConclusionsTherefore, PRNCR1 is was detected in cytoplasm and regulates synoviocyte proliferation and apoptosis in OA by sponging miR-377-3p.
Impact of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery on sexual dysfunction in male patients
Authors: Yan Liang-liang , Tang Mi-rong , Dai Xiao-fu , Chen Liang-wan , Fang Guan-hua 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundSexual dysfunction after cardiac surgery can seriously affect patients’ quality of life, but the impact of cardiac surgery on sexual function has long been neglected. Compared with conventional cardiac surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery has the advantages of aesthetic appearance and no disruption of the sternal structure, which can greatly improve the patient's quality of life. However, studies focusing on the effects of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) on sexual function have not been reported. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery on health-related quality of life and sexual function in male patients and to provide possible recommendations.MethodsPatients who underwent median sternotomy or totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery at our institution from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected using an electronic medical record system. Data were collected by questionnaires, including the MOS 36-item short-form health survey and the International Erectile Function Questionnaire.ResultsThere were 156 male patients who participated in our study. Of these, 112 patients completed all questionnaires. Forty-five patients (40.18%) developed postoperative sexual dysfunction, including 15 patients (29.41%) in the MIMVS group and 30 patients (49.18%) in the conventional MVS group, indicating that the incidence of sexual dysfunction could be reduced by MIMVS and that the MIMVS group scored better on the International Erectile Function Questionnaire (P < 0.05). On the evaluation of health-related quality of life, the MIMVS group scored better than the MVS group on the mental health and bodily pain subscales of the MOS 36-item short-form health survey. In addition, our study showed that postoperative sexual dysfunction was associated with physical functioning and mental health.ConclusionsIn our study, totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery had less adverse effects on sexual function in male patients than conventional mitral valve surgery. In terms of health-related quality of life, totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery was superior to conventional surgery. Patients who opt for totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery may have a more satisfying and healthier sexual life than those who undergo conventional mitral valve surgery.
INFLATE: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial comparing nasal balloon autoinflation to no nasal balloon autoinflation for otitis media with effusion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Authors: Walsh Robyn , Reath Jennifer , Gunasekera Hasantha , Leach Amanda , Kong Kelvin , Askew Deborah , Girosi Federico , Hu Wendy , Usherwood Timothy , Lujic Sanja , Spurling Geoffrey , Morris Peter , Watego Chelsea , Harkus Samantha , Woodall Cheryl , Tyson Claudette , Campbell Letitia , Hussey Sylvia , Abbott Penelope 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common and occurs at disproportionately higher rates among Indigenous children. Left untreated, OME can negatively affect language, development, learning, and health and wellbeing throughout the life-course. Currently, OME care includes observation for 3 months followed by consideration of surgical ventilation tube insertion. The use of a non-invasive, low-cost nasal balloon autoinflation device has been found beneficial in other populations but has not been investigated among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Methods/design
This multi-centre, open-label, randomised controlled trial will determine the effectiveness of nasal balloon autoinflation compared to no nasal balloon autoinflation, for the treatment of OME among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia. Children aged 3–16 years with unilateral or bilateral OME are being recruited from Aboriginal Health Services and the community. The primary outcome is the proportion of children showing tympanometric improvement of OME at 1 month. Improvement is defined as a change from bilateral type B tympanograms to at least one type A or C1 tympanogram, or from unilateral type B tympanogram to type A or C1 tympanogram in the index ear, without deterioration (type A or C1 to type C2, C3, or B tympanogram) in the contralateral ear. A sample size of 340 children (170 in each group) at 1 month will detect an absolute difference of 15% between groups with 80% power at 5% significance. Anticipating a 15% loss to follow-up, 400 children will be randomised. The primary analysis will be by intention to treat. Secondary outcomes include tympanometric changes at 3 and 6 months, hearing at 3 months, ear health-related quality of life (OMQ-14), and cost-effectiveness. A process evaluation including perspectives of parents or carers, health care providers, and researchers on trial implementation will also be undertaken.

Discussion
INFLATE will answer the important clinical question of whether nasal balloon autoinflation is an effective and acceptable treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with OME. INFLATE will help fill the evidence gap for safe, low-cost, accessible OME therapies.

Trial registration
Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12617001652369. Registered on 22 December 2017. The Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry is a primary registry of the WHO ICTRP network and includes all items from the WHO Trial Registration data set. Retrospective registration.