bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Best timing of bilateral knee arthroplasty – an analysis of revision and mortality rates from the German Arthroplasty Registry (EPRD)
Authors: Postler Anne Elisabeth , Krull Paula , Wu Yinan , Günther Klaus-Peter , Melsheimer Oliver , Steinbrück Arnd , Lützner Jörg
Published: January 2025

Background: The burden of osteoarthritis (OA) in multiple joints is high. For patients with bilateral knee OA there is no clear recommendation when to time the second surgery.
The purpose of this study was therefore to compare revision and mortality rate in bilateral unicondylar and bicondylar knee arthroplasties after different strategies of surgical timing in bilateral knee OA from the German Arthroplasty Registry (EPRD).
Methods: Data from the German Arthroplasty Registry (EPRD) was used. Since 2012 a total of 15,154 patients had bilateral knee arthroplasty within one year. Patellofemoral arthroplasties and constraint total knee arthroplasties (TKA) were excluded. 1,144 TKA and 682 unicondylar arthroplasties (UKA) were simultaneously performed, 772 TKA and 292 UKA between 1 and 90 days (short interval) and 24,496 TKA and 2,922 UKA between 91 and 365 days (intermediate interval). Revision and mortality rates were analyzed up to 7 years after surgery. Cox regression was performed to evaluate the influence of different patient characteristics on these outcomes.
Results: The highest cumulative revision rate for any of the bilateral TKA was found for simultaneous surgery with 3.4% (95% CI 2.1 – 5.5). Lower risk for revision was seen in two-staged surgery in short interval (HR 0.42; 95% CI 0.20 – 0.90) and intermediate interval (HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.39 – 0.85). The cumulative one year mortality rate for TKA was comparable in all three groups with 0.8% for simultaneous TKA, 1.3% for short interval two-staged and 0.7% for intermediate interval. In UKA there were no differences between the groups regarding cumulative revision rate and mortality rate.
Conclusion: TKA should be performed simultaneously in selected patients only, the two-staged procedure demonstrated lower revision risks. For UKA we found no differences in timing, simultaneous surgery seems to be a safe option.
Trial registration: Clinical trial number not applicable.
Recurrence patterns and management of locally recurrent rectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hakenberg Priska , Kalev Georgi , Seyfried Steffen , Reißfelder Christoph , Hardt Julia
Published: January 2025

Purpose
Treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) is still challenging because of inhomogeneous patient cohorts regarding previous treatments as well as different recurrence patterns and locations. The aim of this study was to investigate the local treatments and surgical approaches tailored to them.
Methods
We included all patients who were treated for LRRC without distant metastasis at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Germany, between 2010 and 2022. We collected data from our electronic clinical data management system regarding the initial diagnosis and treatment as well as locations and treatment of the recurrent tumor.
Results
We identified a total of 666 patients who were curatively treated for rectal cancer of whom 36 patients (5.4%) developed LRRC without distant recurrence. Most patients (26/36) had a tailored therapy regimen that included surgery with or without perioperative radiation and/or chemotherapy. The most common site of local relapse was around the former colorectal anastomosis (15/36, 41.7%). The operative procedures ranged from anterior resection to multi-organ resection and exenteration. A complete resection (R0) could be achieved in 12 patients (12/22; 54.5%). The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 79% and 72%, respectively.
Conclusion
Most local recurrences happen at the anastomotic site and are mostly eligible for curative surgical therapy with good long-term survival.
MSTBC: X Bot Detection with Multiple Social-Temporal Behavior Contrast
Authors: Jiang Zhishu , Chen Wei , Zhang Weijie , Lin Youfang , Wan Huaiyu
Published: January 2025

X bot detection aims to automatically identify malicious X bots on the X platform, playing a crucial role in protecting information and maintaining platform stability.Recently, mixture-based methods primarily simultaneously consider investigating various social features (e.g. user metadata, tweets, and social relationships) of users to differentiate humans and bots, which hold excellent performance. However, two major challenges have not been adequately addressed in current mixture-based methods: (1) Humans and bots exhibit different temporal behavior patterns, which has not been fully explored.(2) Existing mixture-based methods promote the detection by fusing diverse features but overlook the noise accumulation that arises during the fusion process.In this paper, we propose a novel X bot detection method with Multiple Social-Temporal Behavior Contrast (MSTBC), which integrates users' multiple social-temporal behaviors, including the static behavior (description content), social behavior (social structure) and temporal behavior (temporal behavior patterns).Specifically, the fine-grained temporal behaviors of users are represented as four different prompts. A temporal behavior PLM with temporal behavior prompts in MSTBC serves as the encoder to understand temporal behavior patterns.In addition, we employ multi-behavior contrast to minimize the differences of various features of users, alleviating the noise accumulation that arises during the fusion of diverse features.Experimental results demonstrate that MSTBC outperforms state-of-the-art models on four datasets. The code is available at https://anonymous.4open.science/r/MSTBC-C659.
The Role of Neutrophyl-to-lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Orchiectomy or Testicular Atrophy After Torsion in Children. A Multicentric Study
Authors: Delgado-Miguel Carlos , Arredondo-Montero Javier , Moreno-Alfonso Julio César , Montagut Isabella Garavis , Basilio María San , Hernández Irene , Carrera Noela , Iraola Estíbalitz , Jiménez Inmaculada Ruiz , Roncero Pablo Aguado , Fuentes Ennio , Díez Ricardo , Hernández-Oliveros Francisco
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory biomarker (hemogram-derived-ratio) related to ischemic-inflammatory diseases. Its usefulness in the diagnosis of pediatric testicular torsion (TT) has recently been reported, although its prognostic implication has not been evaluated. Our aim is to analyze the role of NLR in the evolution of TT in children, determining its potential for predicting the risk of adverse outcomes such as orchiectomy or testicular atrophy.
Methods: We performed a retrospective multicentric case-control study in patients with clinical and ultrasound suspicion of TT, in whom surgical testicular examination was performed between 2016-2022 in seven pediatric hospitals. Patient’s outcomes were analyzed according to the intraoperative and postoperative evolution (orchiectomy/testicular atrophy or not). Demographics, clinical, ultrasound and laboratory features at admission were analyzed. Sensitivity and specificity were determined by the area under the curve (AUC) represented on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.
Results: A total of 455 patients (median age 13.2 years; interquartile range 10.6-14.4 years) were included, in whom 87 orchiectomies (19.1%) were performed and 34 cases of testicular atrophy (7.5%) were observed during follow-up (median follow-up: 10 months). When comparing clinical, ultrasound and laboratory predictors of both events on ROC curves, NLR was the most sensitive and specific parameter for predicting orchiectomy (AUC=0.834; p<0.001), as well as testicular atrophy (AUC=0.849; p<0.001). Compared with other parameters, the designed cut-off point of NLR=5.2 had maximum sensitivity and specificity (82.2% and 77.0%, respectively) for predicting orchiectomy or atrophy after testicular torsion.
Conclusion: NLR may be considered as the best predictor for the risk of orchiectomy or testicular atrophy following torsion in pediatric patients, helping the identification of high-risk cases. It can be useful both for obtaining more accurate preoperative information on patient prognosis and for closer follow-up of high-risk testicular atrophy patients.
The Interplay Between Food Security, Dietary Diversity, and Disease Patterns Among Pregnant Rohingya Women in Cox’s Bazar Makeshift Camps
Authors: Hossain Abeer Mohammad , Riz Abu Ansar Md , Chowdhury A B M Alauddin
Published: January 2025

Background The health and nutritional well-being of pregnant women in refugee populations are critical concerns due to heightened vulnerabilities associated with displacement and inadequate living conditions. This study examines the interplay between food security, dietary diversity, and disease patterns among pregnant Rohingya women residing in the makeshift camps of Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 96 pregnant Rohingya women from June to September 2022. Data was collected using structured questionnaires assessing socio-demographic characteristics, food security, dietary diversity, and disease patterns. Food security was evaluated using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), while dietary diversity was assessed through a 24-hour dietary recall and 7-day food frequency questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 26) and Stata (Version 13), employing descriptive statistics and logistic regression.Results Most participants (57.3%) were food secure, and 85.4% demonstrated high dietary diversity by consuming seven or more food groups. However, 21.9% of households experienced severe food insecurity. The prevalence of health issues was notable, with 51.0% reporting at least one disease during pregnancy, the most common being acidity (36.5%), viral fever (15.6%), and cough (13.5%). No significant associations were found between food security or dietary diversity and most disease outcomes, except for a significant relationship between jaundice and lower dietary diversity.Conclusions Despite the high dietary diversity among participants, severe food insecurity and health disparities remain critical challenges. Tailored interventions focusing on improving food security, promoting dietary diversity, and providing integrated health services are essential to address the unique needs of pregnant Rohingya women. Future research should explore causal relationships and evaluate the effectiveness of different food aid models to enhance maternal health outcomes in refugee settings.
Interactions between land-use change and climate warming drive long-term wild bee declines
Authors: Scharnhorst Victor , Ockermüller Esther , Becsi Benedikt , Formayer Herbert , Hainz-Renetzeder Christa , Glaser Michael , Neumayer Johann , Meimberg Harald , Pachinger Bärbel
Published: January 2025

Long-term data on species dynamics are scarce, limiting our understanding of biodiversity changes. We analysed over 17,500 museum records of 342 wild bee species collected between 1910 and 2021 at eight sites. Linking temporal distributions to land-use and climatic data, we show that continuous species turnover has reduced diversity over time. Early 20th-century landscape alterations primarily drove local extinctions of habitat-specialist species, initiating declines before global warming began. Subsequent climate warming has exacerbated these losses by reducing habitat suitability for already fragmented populations. While rising temperatures facilitate the immigration of thermophilic generalist species, land-use changes hinder this process; immigration would be faster in less altered landscapes. Habitat generalists with broad climatic niches show greater resilience, contributing to the observed species turnover and functional homogenization as their proportion increases. Climatic traits strongly influence species turnover, and the combined impacts of warming and land-use change further reduce species richness and functional diversity. Improving habitat connectivity and quality can enhance resilience to climate change, providing a clear target for conservation and policy.
Comparison of median effective concentration of spinal ropivacaine in primipara and multipara labor analgesia
Authors: Yan Zhi-Rong , Liu Ming , Xiao Pei-Han , Huang Yu , Miao Li-Yan , Chen Xiao-Fen , Zhang Long-Xin , Zhang Su-Jing
Published: January 2025

Background: The existing literature on the median effective concentration (EC50) of local analgesics in primipara during labor is extensive. However, studies focusing on multipara are less prevalent. This study aims to determine and compare the EC50 of spinal ropivacaine without opioids in multiparas and primiparas during labor analgesia.
Methods: A total of 30 primiparous and 30 multiparous women were enrolled and divided into two groups. All participants received CSE analgesia for labor, with ropivacaine administered intrathecally without opioids. The concentration of spinal ropivacaine was determined using the up-and-down method, starting with an initial concentration of 0.1% and adjusting in increments of 0.01%. Effective analgesia was defined as a numerical rating scale (NRS) score ≤3 within 10 minutes following spinal administration. The primary outcome was the EC50 (with a 95% confidence interval [CI]) for the two groups.
Results: The EC50 for spinal ropivacaine was 0.054% (95% CI, 0.033-0.063%) in primipara and 0.072% (95% CI, 0.044-0.084%) in multipara, there was significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion: The EC50 in the multipara group was significantly higher than that in the primipara group (P < 0.05).
Trial registration: This study was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Identifier: ChiCRT2400087716) on August 2, 2024.
Advancing UAV Landing Precision: A Comparative Study of Deep Learning Classifiers for Human Detection
Authors: Rasouli Fariborz , Sharifi Leila , Aslansefat Koorosh
Published: January 2025

This study introduces and implements the use of evidence-based deep learning and Dirichlet distribution for optimal mobility and landing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A new evidence-based deep learning model is developed by defining a new loss function on multiple datasets of aerial images captured by drones. The purpose is to identify and process the presence or absence of humans in the landing environment. In this paper we propose a novel deep learning architecture that is capable of providing uncertainty in classification and that can be deployed for input samples. Our project and implemented model are compared with other existing and robust models such as EfficientNET, DenseNet, MobileNet, VGG 16 and 19, Yolov8 and Resnet50. The results show that the use of Evidential Deep Learning (EDL) shows higher accuracy in detecting human presence or absence compared to other existing models. We also model and assess uncertainty for all models used. The use of different models shows the inverse relationship between reliability and uncertainty in person detection in UAVs (higher reliability at the same time as lower uncertainty and vice versa).
A Meaningful Machine Learning Model for Predicting Amputation Rate of Patients with Diabetic Foot
Authors: Liu Zixuan , Han Siyang , Gao Lei , Wang Jiangning , Yao Qi
Published: January 2025

Background. Diabetic foot (DF) is a destructive complication of diabetes,which has high amputation rate and causes great social burden. With the development of artificial intelligence, there is an urgent need for an accurate prediction method for the prognosis of chronic diseases.
Methods. This retrospective study collected the data of 149 patients with DF from January 2019 to December 2022. The data was divided into the test set and training set by 5-fold cross-validation. Then we used Lasso algorithm to screen relevant risk factors, and the predictive model was built with support vector mechanism(SVM) to forecast probability. Combining multiple methods such as receiver operating characteristic, calibration, and risk decision curve for multimodal analysis of the model.
Results. Statistical analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in CRP, PCT, WBC and Wagner grading between the training and testing sets (P＜0.05). According to the results of multiple factor analysis, CRP and Wagner rating 3-4 were the independent predictive factors for generalized amputation.The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves of themodel were 0.89. This model’s calibration capability was 19.614 through Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p=0.012).When the threshold value was selected as 0.302, the constructed model was able to generate a net gain of 0.351.
Conclusion. The predictive model we constructed can accurately estimate the rate of amputation during hospitalization in DFU patients. Our survey data suggested that C-reactive protein(CRP) and the Wagner grade of the affected foot might play a vital role in predicting diabetic foot amputation.
Biosynthesized Selenium-hydroxytyrosol nanoparticles attenuate hepatocellular carcinoma in rats
Authors: Tawfik Radwa T.M. , El-Azeem Eman M. Abd , Elsonbaty Sawsan M. , Ibrahim Ehab A.
Published: January 2025

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a life-threatening disease with a global impact, underscoring the urgent need for the development of new therapeutic agents. This study evaluates the therapeutic effect of selenium-hydroxytyrosol nanoparticles (Se-HTNPs) in a rat model of HCC induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). In vitro, Se-HTNPs treatment reduced the viability of Hep G2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 61.29 ± 1.12 µg/mL. The results confirmed the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties of Se-HTNPs, demonstrating their effectiveness against DEN-induced HCC. The therapeutic effects of Se-HTNPs were validated by inhibiting serum ALT, AST, and ALP enzyme activities and reducing serum total bilirubin levels. Simultaneously, Se-HTNPs enhanced serum albumin and total protein levels. Additionally, Se-HTNPs alleviated oxidative stress by significantly lowering hepatic lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels and markedly increasing antioxidant marker levels (GSH, SOD, and TAC) compared to DEN-administered rats. Se-HTNPs also significantly reduced hepatic inflammatory markers (TNFα, IL-6, and IL-1β), apoptotic markers (p53 and caspase 3), and VEGF levels. Furthermore, compared to the DEN group, Se-HTNPs distinctly suppressed c-JNK mRNA and NF-κB mRNA gene expression levels. Moreover, Se-HTNP treatment significantly improved the histological alterations induced by DEN. In conclusion, these findings suggest that Se-HTNPs mitigate DEN-induced HCC in rats through their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties.
The prognostic significance of the Rajan's heart failure risk score for mid-range ejection fraction in patients hospitalized for heart failure
Authors: Yıldız Pınar Özmen
Published: January 2025

INTRODUCTION:
Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) represents a distinct clinical entity with unique prognostic challenges, lacking widely adopted risk scoring tools for predicting mortality and rehospitalization. This study investigates the utility of Rajan's heart failure (R-HF) risk score as a simple and effective stratification tool in this patient population.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this retrospective cohort study, 175 HFmrEF patients were stratified by R-HF risk score into four groups: high risk, moderate risk, low risk, and minimal risk. The Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) risk score was calculated for comparison. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression analyses assessed the scores' predictive performance for a composite endpoint of HF-related rehospitalization and all-cause mortality.
RESULTS
The R-HF risk score showed an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.822, suggesting strong predictive accuracy (p < 0.001). An optimal cut-off value of 10.30 achieved a sensitivity of 83.1% and a specificity of 75.0% for predicting HF-related rehospitalization and all-cause mortality. In comparison, the MAGGIC score yielded a lower AUC of 0.633 (p = 0.004).
CONCLUSIONS
The R-HF risk score effectively stratifies HFmrEF patients by risk, outperforming the frequently used MAGGIC score in this study's context. Its simplicity and prognostic reliability make it a valuable tool for managing HFmrEF patients, particularly in reducing HF-related rehospitalization and all-cause mortality (Table 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 18).
Renal Artery Involvement as a Reliable Indicator of Severe Branch Vessel Involvement and Malperfusion in Type A Aortic Dissection
Authors: Huang Ling-chen , Gan Li-xi , Zhang Si-yu , Shao Ze-hua , Sun Yang-xue , Gu Yuan-rui , Qian Xiang-yang , Sun Xiao-gang , Yu Cun-tao , Liu Hong , Guo Hongwei
Published: January 2025

Background: Reliable indicators to assess the severity and extent of type A aortic dissection (TAAD) remain lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the role of renal artery involvement in this context.
Methods: From January 2020 to June 2022, a total of 471 patients with TAAD who underwent open surgical repair were retrospectively analyzed. Based on computed tomography angiography, patients were categorized into two groups: those with renal involvement (RAI, n=289) and those without (non-RAI, n=182). To further validate the results, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to minimize bias. A multivariate ordered logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between renal involvement and the number of end-organ malperfusion. The incidence of dialysis dependence was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression models were utilized to determine factors of overall and mid-term mortality.
Results: The RAI group exhibited more extensive aortic branch involvement (all P<0.05) and required more concomitant branch procedures, with a higher incidence of end-organ malperfusion (P=0.006), as well as increased serious adverse events (P=0.009), which remain consistent after PSM matching. The multivariate ordered logistic regression model indicated that renal involvement was associated with malperfusion [Odds ratio=2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.25-3.27]. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified renal involvement as an independent risk factor for overall mortality [hazard ratio (HR)=3.48, 95%CI:1.15-10.47, P=0.027] and mid-term mortality (HR=3.42, 95%CI:1.14-10.31, P=0.029). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant difference in dialysis dependence.
Conclusions: Renal artery involvement signifies more severe aortic branch compromise and malperfusion, and worse prognosis.
Bibliometric Analysis of Breast Cancer Research in Egypt: Trends, Collaborations, and Impact
Authors: Osman Ismail Ragab
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of breast cancer research in Egypt, utilizing data from Web of Science (WoS) retrieved on January 1, 2024. Analyzing 2,232 articles published between 1980 and 2023, the study reveals a notable surge in research output and impact in recent years, with 37,927 citations accrued, indicating distinct periods of scholarly influence. Authorship patterns highlight a strong inclination toward collaboration, with multi-authored papers dominating at 90.2%. Leading Egyptian authors such as Rakha, EA, Toss, MS, and El-Shinawi, M, demonstrate significant contributions to the field. Analysis of the co-authorship network uncovers 14 distinct research clusters, reflecting collaborative endeavors within the Egyptian academic community. Notable institutions like Cairo University, Ain Shams University, and Cairo University National Cancer Institute (CUNCI) emerge as pivotal players in driving breast cancer research within the country. Regionally and internationally, collaborations extend to countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United States, and England. Egyptian breast cancer research is disseminated across 759 journals, with preferences for outlets like the "Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine" and "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment." The top 10 most cited papers showcase impactful research endeavors across diverse thematic areas. Co-occurrence analyses of authors' keywords provide insights into prevalent themes, including apoptosis, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), anticancer therapies, metastasis, and biomarkers. Overall, this bibliometric analysis offers valuable insights for future research directions and healthcare strategies in Egypt's breast cancer landscape.
Factors influencing Frailty in elderly AIDS hospitalized patients in a hospital in south-west China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wan Bin , Wu Chuntao , Chen Xueyu , Feng Shiping , Xiao Xuejue , Liu Chunmei , Lyn Chunrong , Zhao Xia
Published: January 2025

Frailty is the main factor leading to functional decline and death in the elderly, and increases the adverse clinical outcomes of elderly AIDS patients. Early identification of reversible frailty factors in elderly AIDS patients and active intervention can delay the frailty and disability of elderly AIDS patients. This study investigated the status and influencing factors of frailty in 219 elderly AIDS hospitalized patients, of whom 161 (73.52%) developed frailty. The results of univariate analysis showed that nutritional status, cognitive status, anxiety, and depression were all related to frailty in elderly AIDS patients, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that elderly AIDS patients with malnutrition (OR = 0.172, 95%CI: 0.054–0.550, P = 0.003) and moderate anxiety (OR = 6.540, 95%CI: 1.776–24.079, P = 0.005) were more likely to develop frailty. The survey results show that the prevalence of frailty is high among elderly AIDS hospitalized patients in China. We should pay attention to the current situation of frailty among AIDS hospitalized patients and take effective intervention measures as early as possible to delay the occurrence of frailty.
Transmission pathways of Campylobacter jejuni between humans and livestock in rural Ethiopia are highly complex and interdependent
Authors: Singh Nitya , Thystrup Cecilie A.N. , Hassen Bahar Mummed , Bhandari Menuka , Rajashekara Gireesh , Hald Tine M. , Manary Mark J. , McKune Sarah L. , Hassen Jemal Yusuf , Smith Helen L. , Marshall Jonathan C. , French Nigel P. , Havelaar Arie H.
Published: January 2025

Background
Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli are the most common causes of bacterial enteritis worldwide whereas symptomatic and asymptomatic infections are associated with stunting in children in low- and middle-income countries. Little is known about their sources and transmission pathways in low- and middle-income countries, and particularly for infants and young children. We assessed the genomic diversity of C. jejuni in Eastern Ethiopia to determine the attribution of infections in infants under 1 year of age to livestock (chickens, cattle, goats and sheep) and other humans (siblings, mothers).
Results
Among 287 C. jejuni isolates, 48 seven-gene sequence types (STs), including 11 previously unreported STs were identified. Within an ST, the core genome STs of multiple isolates differed in fewer than five alleles. Many of these isolates do not belong to the most common STs reported in high-resource settings, and of the six most common global STs, only ST50 was found in our study area. Isolates from the same infant sample were closely related, while those from consecutive infant samples often displayed different STs, suggesting rapid clearance and new infection. Four different attribution models using different genomic profiling methods, assumptions and estimation methods predicted that chickens are the primary reservoir for infant infections. Infections from chickens are transmitted with or without other humans (mothers, siblings) as intermediate sources Model predictions differed in terms of the relative importance of cattle vs. small ruminants as additional sources.
Conclusions
The transmission pathways of C. jejuni in our study area are highly complex and interdependent. While chickens are the most important reservoir of C. jejuni, ruminant reservoirs also contribute to the infections. The currently nonculturable species Candidatus C. infans is also highly prevalent in infants and is likely anthroponotic. Efforts to reduce the colonization of infants with Campylobacter and ultimately stunting in low-resource settings are best aimed at protecting proximate sources such as caretakers’ hands, food and indoor soil through tight integration of the currently siloed domains of nutrition, food safety and water, sanitation and hygiene.
ABU Easy Go! Development and Optimization of a Machine Learning-Powered Chatbot for FAQ Assistance at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Authors: SULAIMAN Mansur Adisa
Published: January 2025

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has significantly transformed how organizations interact with their stakeholders, with chatbots emerging as pivotal tools for enhancing user engagement and streamlining communication processes. This research introduces ABU Easy-Go!, a machine learning-powered chatbot developed to manage frequently asked questions (FAQs) at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria. The chatbot leverages natural language processing (NLP) to provide instant, accurate responses to a broad spectrum of queries related to admission procedures, course registrations, campus facilities, and event schedules. The research outlines the design, implementation, and optimization of the chatbot, detailing the use of machine learning models, recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and transformer-based architectures BERT, to understand and generate responses in natural language. The technological framework incorporates Dialogflow platform and custom solution using TensorFlow and PyTorch to ensure a robust and scalable system. Integration with the Pantheon CMS and Tawk.to chat services was achieved to facilitate seamless user interaction. Testing and evaluation revealed high performance, with the chatbot achieving a training accuracy of 98% and a testing accuracy of 93%, reflecting strong effectiveness in handling queries. Post-optimization metrics demonstrated further improvements, with test accuracy increasing to 95%. This research demonstrates the potential of AI-powered chatbots in enhancing administrative efficiency in higher education institutions and provides insights into future directions for advancing chatbot capabilities through reinforcement learning and multimodal integration.
Phylogenetic and Sequence Analyses of the Variable Region in the Glycoprotein Gene of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Isolated from Iraqi Patients
Authors:   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Wali Mohammed Hussein , Naif Hassan Mohammad ,   Department of Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq, Abdul Rahim Nur Arzuar ,   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Yunus Muhammad Amir ,   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Published: January 2025

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common aetiological agent that causes respiratory infections, especially among infants. Identifying circulating RSV genotypes is an essential strategy for understanding the spread of the virus in a certain area. Sequencing the variable regions of the attachment glycoprotein (G) gene of RSV is a quick and direct approach for identifying the genotypes. Methods: This study was aimed to sequence the G gene region of RSV isolated from patients admitted to hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq, during the autumn of 2022 and winter of 2023. To achieve this goal, 150 patients with lower respiratory symptoms were screened for RSV infections. RSV-positive samples were detected and confirmed using the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) approach, which involved the use of specific TaqMan primer sets targeting RSV subgroups. Then, a G gene region that included hypervariable region 2 (HVR2) was amplified and sequenced using the Sanger sequencing method. Furthermore, molecular and phylogenetic analyses were performed on the G gene region to determine the variability profile of the tested specimens. Results: There were 41 (26.6%) RSV-positive cases. Of these, the RSV-B subgroup was the most prevalent (82.90%), while the RSV-A subgroup incidence rate was 17.07%. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the RSV-B isolates were related to the BA genotype and shared nucleotide sequence similarities with isolates from India, Australia and the UK. The RSV-A isolates belonged to the ON genotype and had some degree of similarities with isolates from Italy, Tunisia, and France. Conclusion: Seasonal tracking of the RSV isolates would facilitate a better understanding of virus evolution, viral pathogenesis, and genetic diversity.
Predictors of Psychosocial Functioning Among Long-stay Schizophrenia Patients in a Malaysian Mental Institution
Authors:   Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Pakar Sultanah Fatimah, Johor, Malaysia, Teo Pey Fang , Koh Eugene Boon Yau ,   Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, Chong Seng Choi ,   Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
Published: January 2025

Background: A considerable number of schizophrenia patients still require long-term hospital care despite psychiatric deinstitutionalisation, especially in developing nations. Prolonged hospitalisation is associated with greater impairment in psychosocial functioning. This study aimed to determine the level of psychosocial functioning and its predictors among long-stay schizophrenia patients in a Malaysian mental institution. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 138 patients selected through universal sampling. Data on socio-demographics, illness characteristics such as psychopathology and illness severity [measured using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS)], and cognitive function [assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)] were collected. The Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale was used to evaluate psychosocial functioning. Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analyses were applied to identify the correlates and predictors of psychosocial functioning. Results: This study found that 47.8% and 16.7% of the patients had moderate and severe cognitive impairments, respectively. The mean PSP score was 69.68 (standard deviation (SD) = 15.48). Female gender, previous unemployment and more severe cognitive impairments were significantly associated with poorer psychosocial functioning. Meanwhile, negative symptoms and age of onset were negatively correlated with psychosocial functioning. By contrast, the duration of illness was positively correlated with psychosocial functioning. The regression model indicated that being female (β = –7.32, p < 0.001), previously unemployed (β = –3.67, p < 0.047), having negative symptoms (β = –4.18, p < 0.001), experiencing a longer illness duration (β = –0.60, p = 0.004), and the presence of severe cognitive impairment (β = –9.80, p < 0.001) significantly predicted poorer psychosocial functioning. Conclusion: Long-stay schizophrenia patients experience substantial difficulties in psychosocial functioning. Factors such as gender, last employment status, negative symptoms, illness duration, and cognitive function affect psychosocial functioning.
Systematic Localisation Based on History and Clinical Examination
Authors:   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Samsudin Muhamad Azuan , Manokaran Thaanesh ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Ali Muhammad Syamim ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Jamaluddin Atiqah Al Aqilah ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Sashideran Darvena Pillay ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Ting Heng Pei ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Wei Heng Yu ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Xin Chin Wen ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Muhammad Safuan Muhammad Safuan ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Zhi Chiun Pei ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Yussof Muhammad Zikri ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Mariyapan Prehmanraj ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Abdullah Jafri Malin ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Idris Zamzuri ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Ghani Abdul Rahman Izaini ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Ismail Ihfaz ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Yee Ang Soo ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Fitzrol Diana Noma ,   Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
Published: January 2025

Localisation in neurology is an important step in determining the location of a neurological lesion based on history taking and clinical examination before confirmation with imaging. Lesions can vary from the cortical to the subcortical, brainstem, and spinal cord levels, in which every presentation and finding from the patient can provide a rough idea of where the pathology is located. A differential diagnosis can later be made according to the duration of the symptoms and the cumulative signs and symptoms presented. This is considered the most important step in managing neurological patients to ensure that no stone is left unturned in making an accurate diagnosis.
Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Muscle Recovery: A Systematic Review
Authors:   Department of Community Health, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Abidin Nurdiana Zainol , Ooi Cheong Hwa ,   Department of Community Health, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Nosaka Kazunori ,   School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia, Rathakrishnan Vishanth ,   Department of Community Health, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Chan Siok Yee ,   School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, A Karim Noor Khairiah ,   Department of Biomedical Imaging, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Published: January 2025

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and impaired muscle recovery significantly affect athletes and recreational exercisers, influencing their performance and training consistency. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is thought to mitigate these effects, yet its effectiveness remains to be fully verified. This systematic review evaluates the impact of RES supplementation on muscle recovery in adults by examining its influence on DOMS, oxidative stress, and inflammation, along with its interactions with other supplements. Three electronic databases and one registry were searched in October 2023. A total of 10 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a combined participant count of 238 (N=238). The review encompassed diverse participant populations, exercise types, and resveratrol dosages. The findings indicated that resveratrol potentially reduces markers of muscle damage, such as creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, and alleviates DOMS symptoms to varying degrees. However, results varied based on exercise intensity, participant demographics, timing of supplementations and dosages. Synergistic interaction studies suggested that resveratrol, in combination with other compounds, could be more effective in exerting its effects. Despite promising findings, the research was limited by diverse study designs and the absence of long-term impact assessments. Further studies should standardise methods and explore resveratrol’s longterm safety and effectiveness. Nevertheless, these results underscore resveratrol’s potential as a beneficial supplement in exercise and sports medicine, meriting additional detailed exploration to refine its use.
Global Research Trends in Cervical Cancer Survival in the Last Two Decades: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors:   Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Abrar Syed S , Hairon Suhaily Mohd ,   Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Yaacob Najib Majdi ,   Unit of Biostatistics and Research Methodology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Ismail Mohd Pazudin ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, Isa Seoparjoo Azmel Mohd ,   Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
Published: January 2025

Cervical cancer poses a significant challenge to global health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Tracking the survival rates of cancer patients through data gathered by population-based cancer registries constitutes a crucial aspect of cancer management. In recent years, attention within bibliometric studies has been directed towards examining the correlation between inflammation and radiotherapy in cervical cancer. However, to date, there is no published literature investigating research trends in cervical cancer survival through bibliometric analysis. Thus, this study was undertaken to identify and analyse global research patterns and hotpots in this area. A systematic search was performed within the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database, employing the following search parameters: TITLE - (((survival) OR (survival rate) OR (survival analysis) OR (survival probability)) AND ((cervical cancer) OR (cervical carcinoma))). A comprehensive analysis of research trends was conducted utilising various tools on the WoSCC website and VOSviewer. A total of 840 papers pertaining to cervical cancer and survival were identified from 45 distinct departments or subjects. Notably, the People’s Republic of China and the USA collectively accounted for half of all publications from 2000 to 2023. An extensive cohort comprising 4,759 authors affiliated with 1,454 institutions across 82 countries contributed to the progression of this research domain. Despite a substantial increase in research on cervical cancer survival over the last decade, it is essential to encourage and conduct research, particularly in highrisk regions, especially in countries classified as low- or middle-income.
NEUROLOGIC MANIFESTATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT DR. KARIADI HOSPITAL SEMARANG
Authors: Sareharto Tun Paksi , Dania Emeralda Firdausy  , Santoso Jaeri  , Alifiani Hikmah Putranti
Published: January 2025

Background: Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19), a severe acute respiratory syndrome,  stems from a novel coronavirus known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The common symptoms and signs of COVID-19 are fever, cough, diarrhea, and myalgia as well as neurological manifestations. Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 in adult patients have been well recognized, unfortunately, there is limited evidence of neurological manifestations of COVID-19 in children, especially in Indonesia, so herewith we describe neurological manifestations in children, to contribute to the knowledge in the fields of pediatric health and neurology, particularly their correlation with COVID-19.
Objective: To determine the neurological manifestations in children with COVID-19.
Method: An observational analytic study among 124 pediatric patients with COVID-19 at Dr. Kariadi Hospital Semarang. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records. To determine risk factors for the occurrence of neurological manifestation, the chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Mann-Whitney U-test were performed.
Results: Out of 124 subjects, 49 (39.5%) developed neurological manifestations, including headache (10%), seizure (23%), weakness (5%), dizziness (0.8%), vision impairment (0.8%), ataxia (0.8%), coma (11.3%), paresthesia (0.8%), acute encephalopathy (3.2%), sympathetic storming (0.8%), and others (9.7%). Diagnosis of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) was found in 10 (8.1%) patients, in addition, there was a significant association between the diagnosis of MIS-C, comorbid conditions, and outcomes among patients and neurological manifestations.
Conclusion: The most common neurological manifestation experienced by pediatric patients with COVID-19 in this study was seizures. Patients with MIS-C and pre-existing conditions are at higher risk of experiencing neurological manifestations. Children with neurological manifestations more frequently presented with worse outcomes.
Sigma: importance of the first 120 days in the clinical outcome of functional orthopedic treatment
Authors: Pereira Isis Franco , Sanches Ana Carla Barletta , Martins Adrião Silveira , Drummond Maria Amélia Ferreira , Nery Anne Souza , Xavier Maria Rita Sancho Rios
Published: January 2025

Sigma is the period of bone remodeling comprised of four phases: activation, resorption, the reverse phase and bone formation. Functional orthopedic appliances (FOA) provoke external stimuli directly at the application area, and indirectly through therapeutic posture change (TPC). The first modifications, which occur approximately 120 days after FOA use, alter the servo system through the central comparator, the occlusal comparator, the outer envelope, and the dental intercom. These changes are repercussions of the sigma period. The Objective is to demonstrate, through photos, the clinical result of the changes of the sigma period from six cases and ratify how important they are for the correct development and growth. The methodology consisted of comparison of the initial photos (intraoral – front and right/left profiles – and extraoral– front and left profile) and after 120 days of a series of six clinical cases of different malocclusions and different ages treated with FOA. After the period of 120 days, it is possible to observe clinical changes in the occlusal comparator and dental intercommunication that translate into improvement of the facial profile and lip sealing observed in the comparison of the photos.