bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of oxidative balance score with metabolic syndrome and its components in middle-aged and older individuals in the United States
Authors: Zhang Qu , Wu Yemei , Luo Bo
Published: February 2025

Background

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among middle-aged and older individuals in the U.S. is rising, posing significant mortality risks. Diet is a key factor in MetS development, yet few studies have examined the combined effects of dietary and lifestyle factors on MetS in this group. Recently, the oxidative balance score (OBS), an indicator of oxidative status encompassing diet and physical activity, has attracted interest. This study explores the association between OBS and MetS, as well as its individual components, in middle-aged and older Americans.

Methods

Data from 6,157 participants aged 45 years and older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999–2018) were analyzed. The OBS was calculated using 16 dietary and four lifestyle factors. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between OBS and MetS. Separate analyses examined dietary OBS (DOBS) and lifestyle OBS (LOBS) in relation to MetS.

Results

Higher OBS quartiles were associated with a reduced MetS risk (OR 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12–0.51; p < 0.0001), after adjusting for confounders. Increased OBS was linked to decreases in waist circumference (WC) (OR 0.41; 95% CI: 0.30–0.51; p < 0.0001), triglycerides (TG) (OR 0.71; 95% CI: 0.53–0.92; p = 0.0139), blood pressure (BP) (OR 0.53; 95% CI: 0.40–0.69; p < 0.0001), and fasting glucose (FG) (OR 0.61; 95% CI: 0.45–0.81; p < 0.0001), while HDL-C increased (OR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.51–0.90; p = 0.0065). DOBS was inversely associated with MetS through reductions in BP and FG and increased HDL-C, though it showed no significant effect on WC or TG. LOBS was associated with reductions across WC, BP, FG, TG, and an increase in HDL-C.

Conclusion

OBS is inversely associated with MetS in middle-aged and older U.S. adults. Enhancing OBS through dietary guidelines emphasizing antioxidant-rich foods, fiber, and unsaturated fats, alongside lifestyle changes like regular exercise, smoking cessation, and moderate alcohol intake, may be crucial in MetS prevention for this population.
Improving diagnostic precision in thyroid nodule segmentation from ultrasound images with a self-attention mechanism-based Swin U-Net model
Authors: Yang Changan , Ashraf Muhammad Awais , Riaz Mudassar , Umwanzavugaye Pascal , Chipusu Kavimbi , Huang Hongyuan , Xu Yueqin
Published: February 2025

Background

Accurate segmentation of thyroid nodules in ultrasound imaging remains a significant challenge in medical diagnostics, primarily due to edge blurring and substantial variability in nodule size. These challenges directly affect the precision of thyroid disorder diagnoses, which are crucial for metabolic and hormonal regulation.

Methods

This study proposes a novel segmentation approach utilizing a Swin U-Net architecture enhanced with a self-attention mechanism. The model integrates residual and multiscale convolutional structures in the encoder path, with long skip connections feeding into an attention module to improve edge preservation and feature extraction. The decoder path employs these refined features to achieve precise segmentation. Comparative evaluations were conducted against traditional models, including U-Net and DeepLabv3+.

Results

The Swin U-Net model demonstrated superior performance, achieving an average Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of 0.78, surpassing baseline models such as U-Net and DeepLabv3+. The incorporation of residual and multiscale convolutional structures, along with the use of long skip connections, effectively addressed issues of edge blurring and nodule size variability. These advancements resulted in significant improvements in segmentation accuracy, highlighting the model’s potential for addressing the inherent challenges of thyroid ultrasound imaging.

Conclusion

The enhanced Swin U-Net architecture exhibits notable improvements in the robustness and accuracy of thyroid nodule segmentation, offering considerable potential for clinical applications in thyroid disorder diagnosis. While the study acknowledges dataset size limitations, the findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. This method represents a significant step toward more reliable and precise diagnostics in thyroid disease management, with potential implications for enhanced patient outcomes in clinical practice.
A rare case report of primary ovarian carcinoid presenting with constipation
Authors: Deng Xiaofeng , Huang Qian , Xie Bangfang , Huang Hailong , Chen Jianguo
Published: February 2025

Background

Ovarian carcinoids are exceptionally rare. This report discusses an unprecedented case of a primary ovarian mixed insular and trabecular carcinoid, presenting with constipation.

Case Presentation

A 47-year-old female presented with a four-month history of constipation. A comprehensive abdominal CT with contrast revealed a large mass in the pelvic region, measuring 8.6×9.7×9.3cm. Consequently, the patient was referred for further evaluation. Intraoperative exploration uncovered a 10.0×9.0 cm mass in the left ovary. Initial histopathological assessment suggested a sex cord-stromal cell tumor, leading to a left ovariectomy and bilateral salpingectomy. Final histopathological analysis post-surgery identified the mass as a mixed insular and trabecular carcinoid. The patient was diagnosed with stage Ia, T1aN0M0 primary ovarian mixed insular and trabecular carcinoid.

Conclusions

Diagnosis of carcinoids predominantly relies on postoperative histopathological examination. As of now, There is no established standard treatment, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing patient monitoring.
Bladder-sparing therapy in a case report of huge muscle-invasive bladder IMT treated with 1470 nm diode laser en bloc resection followed by laparoscopic partial cystectomy
Authors: Chu Junhao , Yuan Huisheng , Zhang Zhihui , Kan Jiajun , Duan Shishuai , Wang Zilong , Wang Muwen
Published: February 2025

Background

Bladder inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare intermediate malignancy. Muscle-invasive bladder IMT is associated with a high risk of recurrence and metastasis, and bladder-sparing treatments for this condition are still under exploration. This case aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of 1470 nm diode laser transurethral en bloc resection (ERBT) followed by laparoscopic partial cystectomy in the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder IMT.

Methods and results

A 23-year-old male patient presented with painless terminal gross hematuria and was treated at Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong First Medical University. Computed tomography urography (CTU) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified a large tumor on the anterior bladder wall with muscle layer invasion, measuring approximately 5.0 × 3.9 × 4.3 cm. The patient underwent 1470 nm laser ERBT, followed by laparoscopic partial cystectomy 35 days later. Pathological examination following 1470 nm laser resection confirmed the diagnosis of an IMT with malignant potential, showing anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positivity, a Ki-67 index of 20% in hotspot regions, and ALK gene rearrangement detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Pathology after the secondary laparoscopic partial cystectomy showed tumor invasion into the superficial muscle layer, with negative margins at the resection site. MRI and cystoscopy showed no recurrence during 1 year follow-up.

Conclusion

This case presents a patient with a huge muscle-invasive bladder IMT who received bladder-sparing therapy through 1470 nm diode laser ERBT followed by laparoscopic partial cystectomy. During subsequent follow-ups, the patient showed good recovery with no signs of recurrence, providing a promising treatment concept for bladder-sparing therapy in muscle-invasive bladder IMT.
Multi-centre comparison between device-independent web-browser perimetry (Melbourne Rapid Fields-web) and SITA-Faster for glaucoma
Authors: Tiang Joyce , Vingrys Algis J. , Lin Sarah , Prea Selwyn M. , Moktar Adam Ahmed , Bank Allan , Agar Ashish , Kong Yu Xiang George
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Visual field testing is important for glaucoma diagnosis and management, but access to standard automated perimetry can be limited in some areas due to cost or access. Melbourne Rapid Fields-web (MRF-web) perimeter is designed to address these limitations by allowing perimetry testing on the flat screen of your personal computer.

Methods

This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional study involving two locations in Australia, one in metropolitan Melbourne and one in rural Dubbo NSW. 232 patients with stable glaucoma, glaucoma suspect or normal eyes were tested with MRF-web and outcomes were compared to the most recent Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) 24-2 SITA Faster test. Outcomes were compared by Deming regressions, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman methods.

Results

Patient age ranged from 21 to 92 (average 66.3, SD 16.1). Bland-Altman found a bias of -0.50dB for Mean Deviation (MD) between the two tests, with 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA) of -6.80dB to 5.80dB. Pattern Deviation (PD) had a bias of -0.58dB with 95% LoA of -5.60dB to 4.40dB. High concordance was found for MD and PD, with ICCs of 0.87 and 0.73. No significant differences were found in false positive and fixation loss rates. Test time was approximately one minute longer for MRF-web compared to SITA-Faster. Area Under the Curve of MRF and HFA are similar indicating comparable diagnostic capacity.

Conclusion

MRF-web produces outcomes comparable to HFA SITA-Faster. Its portability and cost-effectiveness suggest suitability as an alternative method for visual field testing where a standard perimeter is not easily accessible.
Explainable machine learning model for predicting decline in platelet count after interventional closure in children with patent ductus arteriosus
Authors: Zhang Song-Yue , Zhang Yi-Dong , Li Hao , Wang Qiao-Yu , Ye Qiao-Fang , Wang Xun-Min , Xia Tian-He , He Yue-E , Rong Xing , Wu Ting-Ting , Wu Rong-Zhou
Published: February 2025

Background

This study aimed to apply four machine learning algorithms to develop the optimal model to predict decline in platelet count (DPC) after interventional closure in children with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Methods

Data from children with PDA who underwent successful transcatheter closure at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University and Yuying Children's Hospital from January 2016, to December 2022, were collected. The cohort data were split into training and testing sets. DPC following the intervention is defined as a percentage DPC ≥25% [(baseline platelet count−nadir platelet count)/baseline platelet count]. The extra tree algorithm was used for feature selection and four ML algorithms [random forest (RF), adaptive boosting, extreme gradient boosting, and logistic regression] were established. Moreover, SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) to explain the importance of features and the ML models.

Results

This study included 330 children who underwent successful transcatheter closure of PDA, of which 113 (34.2%) experienced DPC. After 62 clinical features were considered, the extra tree algorithm selected six clinical features to build the ML models. Amongst the four ML algorithms, the RF model achieved the greatest AUC. SHAP analysis revealed that pulmonary artery systolic pressure, size of defect and weight were the top three most important clinical features in the RF model. Furthermore, clinical descriptions of two children with PDA, with accurate predictions, and explanations of the prediction results were provided.

Conclusion

In this study, an ML model (RF) capable of predicting post-intervention DPC in children with PDA undergoing transcatheter closure was established.
Dual hollow sphere optical resonator for simultaneous detection of acoustic and magnetic fields
Authors: Feng Chaoyu , Yu Changqiu , Hu Yuchi , Chang Jian , Hou Pei , Li Hai , Guo Ying
Published: February 2025

This study introduces a novel dual-parameter sensor for simultaneous acoustic and magnetic field detection. The sensor employs a dual-hollow-sphere-shaped optical microresonator coupled with a fiber taper and integrated with a Terfenol-D sheet. Experimental results demonstrate best sensitivities of 4.24 mPa/√Hz for acoustics and 5.16 nT/√Hz for magnetic fields within a 0.1–2 MHz detection range. Notably, the sensor can detect both parameters independently at different frequencies without mutual interference. This innovative design offers a promising approach for non-destructive testing of the state of the high-voltage transmission lines.
Cluster-driven non-uniform characteristic analysis of underwater target acoustic scattering field
Authors: Xu Tianyang , Jia Hongjian , Qin Jixing
Published: February 2025

Underwater small targets typically exhibit non-centrosymmetric geometries, resulting in a highly spatially inhomogeneous acoustic scattering field under active sonar detection. Addressing these challenges, this paper takes the hemispherical cylindrical shell as the research object, considers the angle continuity implied in the echo characteristics, and proposes a cluster-driven research method for the non-uniform characteristics of the target echo angles. First, the target echo features are extracted and feature vectors are constructed. Secondly, the t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding algorithm is employed to improve the internal connection of the feature vector in the low-dimensional feature space and to construct the visualized feature space. Finally, the implicit angular relationship between echo features is extracted under unsupervised conditions by cluster analysis. The reconstructed local geometric structures corresponding to different categories demonstrate that the method effectively segments the angular intervals of local target structures based on their natural acoustic scattering characteristics. The study overcomes the inherent subjectivity of traditional methods for dividing angular intervals of target echoes, providing a more objective foundation for segmenting and analyzing the target’s geometrical structure.
Impact of different strains of Bacillus spp. on the bulb production of Tulipa sintenisii Baker
Authors: Yenikalaycı Ahmet
Published: February 2025

As an ornamental plant, Tulipa sintenisii (Muş tulip) has great potential for potting and cut- flowers in floriculture. However, its low number of bulb production per plant is a major constraint to it becoming one of the common cultivated tulip species. This study was conducted to determine the impacts of 10 Bacillus species on bulb number increase as well as other plant parameters of T. sintenisii in the Mus province of Turkey in the 2020/2021 growing season. Selected, equally sized T. sintenisii bulbs were soaked with Bacillus spp. solution (3.4 × 107 CFU/cm3) for 2 s, and the inoculated bulbs were planted in the experimental field in autumn. The experiment was organized in a completely randomized block design with six replications. The investigated bulb parameters were taken at their physiological maturity. The tulip bulbs treated with Bacillus spp. had higher plant height (28.6 cm), bulb number/plant (2.25), total bulb weight (14.7 g), central bulb weight (13.1 g), central bulb length (40.9 mm), and central bulb diameter (26.8 mm) than the control treatment. The Bacillus strain EZF13 had the highest bulb number while EZF104 had the highest total bulb weight, central bulb weight, central bulb length, and central bulb diameter. These findings suggest that Bacillus treatment has great potential to increase bulb number per plant as well as other bulb parameters of native tulip species T. sintenisii. At the same time, an environmentally friendly production model was put forward without fertilizer application with bacteria application in tulips. At the same time, since the application of bacteria increases the usefulness of plant nutrients in the soil, it can be effective in reducing both the costs and the negative effects of fertilizers on the environment with less fertilizer use.
Regulatory mechanism of carbohydrate metabolism pathways on oil biosynthesis of oil plant Symplocos paniculata
Authors: Zeng Wenbin , Xie Beilei , Chen Yunzhu , Chen Jingzhen , Li Peiwang , Jiang Lijuan , Li Changzhu , Liu Qiang , Yang Yan
Published: February 2025

The mechanism underlying oil synthesis in oil plant fruits remains elusive, as sugar metabolism provides the essential carbon skeleton without a clear understanding of its intricate workings. The transcriptome and oil and sugar metabolites’ content of Symplocos paniculate, an extraordinary oil plant with immense ecological significance, were subjected to a comparative analysis throughout fruit development. The findings unveiled that the impact of sugar metabolism on oil synthesis varied throughout distinct stages of fruit development. Remarkably, during the initial phase of fruit development from 10 to 90 days after flowering (DAF), pivotal genes involved in starch biosynthesis, such as ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP), starch synthase (SS), and starch branching enzyme (SBE), facilitated an earlier accumulation of starch within the fruit. Whereas, during the fruit maturation stage (from 90 DAF to 170 DAF), the expression of phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK-1), pyruvate kinase (PK) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) enzyme genes involved in the glycolysis pathway was significantly upregulated, thereby facilitating a rapid and substantial accumulation of oil. The sugar metabolism activity of S. paniculata fruit exerts a crucial influence on the process of oil synthesis, which is highly dependent on the specific developmental stage. These significant discoveries provide potential candidate genes for advanced genetic improvement using molecular biotechnology, thus enhancing both fruit oil production and modifying the composition of fatty acids.
Tea disease identification based on ECA attention mechanism ResNet50 network
Authors: Li Lanting , Zhao Yingding
Published: February 2025

Addressing the challenge of identifying tea plant diseases against the complex background of tea gardens, this study proposes the ECA-ResNet50 model. By optimizing the ResNet50 architecture, adopting a multi-layer small convolution kernel strategy to enhance feature extraction capabilities, and introducing the ECA attention mechanism to focus on key features, the model achieves a 93.06% accuracy rate in tea disease identification, representing a 3.18% improvement over the original model, demonstrating industry-leading performance advantages. This model not only accurately identifies tea diseases in gardens but also possesses excellent generalization capabilities, performing outstandingly on datasets of other plant categories. These results indicate that ECA-ResNet50 can effectively mitigate the interference of complex backgrounds and precisely recognize tea disease targets.
Network analysis of clinical features in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia
Authors: Li Wei , Zhao Jing , Hu Na , Zhang Wanling
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study compares the clinical features of Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia (TRS) and Non-Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia (NTRS) using network analysis.

Methods

We recruited 511 patients, dividing them into TRS (N = 269) and NTRS (N = 242) groups. Eight scales were used: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Positive Symptom Assessment Scale (SAPS), Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS), Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS), Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS), Calgary Schizophrenia Depression Scale (CDSS), and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). Demographic and clinical data were analyzed using T-tests and Chi-square tests. Network analysis was then applied to compare clinical features.

Results

Significant differences were found in the overall architectures (S = 1.396, p < 0.002) and edge weights (M = 0.289, p < 0.009) of TRS and NTRS networks. Nine edges (p < 0.05) and five nodes (p < 0.01) differed, indicating a correlation between clinical symptoms of the two groups. TRS core symptoms were linked to social functions through both positive (SAPS) and negative symptoms (SANS), while NTRS core symptoms were related to general psychopathological symptoms (PANSS-G).

Conclusion

For TRS, it is essential to address both negative and positive symptoms, focusing on the impact of negative symptoms on functioning. Additionally, managing medication side effects is crucial to avoid worsening negative symptoms.
Exploring the mechanism of trait depression and cognitive impairment on the formation of among individuals with methamphetamine use disorder under varying degrees of social support
Authors: Wang Wei , Sun Guangsheng , Li Chen , Qiu Cunxi , Fan Junyi , Jin Yuhan
Published: February 2025

Background

Methamphetamine stands as one of the most widely abused drugs globally. Methamphetamine Use Disorder not only impairs the physical and mental wellbeing of addicts but also elevates their risk of suicide. Despite the high suicide rate among individuals with methamphetamine use disorder, research on their clinical characteristics and suicide risk factors remains scarce. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the risk factors associated with suicidal ideation in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder.

Methods

Employing Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS), a total of 11,825 individuals with methamphetamine use disorder were selected from April to May 2023 in Guangdong, China. The individuals with methamphetamine use disorder were assessed using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI), and the detection rate of suicidal ideation among these patients was 23.92%. The Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) analysis was utilized to examine the risk factors for suicidal ideation among these individuals.

Results

The result revealed that trait depression and cognitive impairment are positively correlated with suicidal ideation in people, whereas social support has a moderating effect on the relationship between trait depression and cognitive impairment with suicidal ideation.

Conclusion

Suicidal ideation in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder is influenced by a multitude of factors, including family, society, and stress. Consequently, comprehensive intervention measures are essential to address this issue.
The changing burden of gout in adults aged 70 and above based on the global burden of disease 2019
Authors: Yang Yang , Liu Zhong
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Gout is a significant global health issue, particularly among adults aged 70 and above. Understanding its epidemiological evolution and associated factors is crucial for guiding interventions and improving management.

Methods

This study analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease study to assess the prevalence and trends of gout among adults aged 70 and above from 1990 to 2019. We evaluated temporal trends and regional disparities by calculating the estimated annual percentage change (EAPCs).

Results

Globally, the number of older adults individuals affected by gout increased from 5,316,210 cases in 1990 to 15,666,063 cases in 2019. It is noteworthy that the global burden of gout among the older adults continued to rise from 1990 to 2019, with an EAPC of 1.17 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.32). In 2019, the prevalence rates among individuals aged 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, and 85 and above were 3,121.31 per 100,000, 3,437.17 per 100,000, 3,592.38 per 100,000, and 3,726.91 per 100,000, respectively. The regions with the highest prevalence rates of gout in 2019 were Australasia, High-income North America, and Southern Latin America, with rates of 8,500.73, 8,351.33, and 4,666.87 per 100,000, respectively. At the national level, some developed countries such as New Zealand, the United States of America, and Australia had the highest prevalence rates, reaching 8,893.74, 8,508.06, and 8,427.94 per 100,000, respectively. It is noteworthy that regions with higher levels of Socio-Demographic Index tended to have relatively higher burden of gout among the older adults, and the prevalence rates varied across different regions and age groups.

Conclusion

The study underscores the persistent burden of gout among the older adults, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address this issue and improve public health outcomes in this demographic.
“Sleepless nights are a daily reality for us” how women experiencing homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia describe street life: a photovoice study
Authors: Yohannes Kalkidan , Målqvist Mats , Bradby Hannah , Berhane Yemane , Tewahido Dagmawit , Herzig van Wees Sibylle
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Homelessness among women of reproductive age is a global problem. Several unique gender-based issues affect homeless women’s well-being, including reproductive health issues, their homelessness experiences, and a high rate of sexual violence. In this study, we aimed to describe women’s experiences of street homelessness in their own terms and their suggestions to address their unmet needs.

Methods

This photovoice study draws on photos, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews. We conducted the study in collaboration with women in their reproductive years experiencing homelessness (n = 9). A total of 80 photos were taken, and 40 were chosen to be discussed in interviews and further focus group discussions. The participating women selected photographs, explained their significance, and codified them based on how they related to their lives. Data from these discussions were then analysed using a reflexive thematic approach.

Results

Four themes were developed from the data: (a) deprivation of basic needs; (b) experiencing dependency, shame, and seclusion while dealing with the burden of street life; (c) the vulnerability and neglect of children; and (d) being resilient to harsh conditions. In this study, women’s street life was characterised by numerous unfavourable aspects, including unmet needs, human rights violations, social exclusions, substance use, and child protection issues. Participants provided suggestions for change and confirmed their belief that adequate housing represents one of the most urgent unmet basic needs of people experiencing homelessness. They also emphasised the critical need for employment opportunities, non-discriminatory provision of social support, treatment programs for substance misuse, and legal and social protection.

Conclusion

This study contributes to understanding how women experiencing homelessness describe and articulate their living circumstances and what they perceive needs to be addressed. Based on participants’ proposal for change, comprehensive services are needed to address women’s multifaceted issues. However, the mitigation strategies and long-term effects of women’s homelessness require further research.
Epidemiological features and risk factors of human psittacosis in Hangzhou City, eastern China
Authors: Sun Zhou , Xu Ke , Huo Liangliang , Zhang Xingliang , Wang Yi , Gong Yonghui , Chen Bingbing
Published: February 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors associated with human psittacosis in Hangzhou city, eastern China.

Methods

The human psittacosis data from 2021 to 2024 were obtained from the China information system for diseases control and prevention infectious disease surveillance system. Epidemiological investigations were carried out on the patients' past medical history, clinical manifestations, chest CT results and treatment status. A community-based 1:3 matched case-control study was performed to investigate the risk factors associated with Chlamydia psittaci infection.

Results

During the study period, 137 confirmed cases of human psittacosis were identified through laboratory tests, of which 24 (17.52%) were classified as critical cases, including one fatality. The epidemic curve indicated that the majority of cases occurred between October and March. Among the cases, 48.91% were female, and the median age was 63 years. There were more female cases among those aged <60 years, while there were more male cases among those aged ≥60 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of bird habitats within 500 m of the living area [odds ratio (OR) = 3.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.19–6.61], parrots kept (OR = 2.95, 95%CI = 1.10–7.89) and poultry kept (OR = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.02–4.53) remained significantly associated with the risk of disease infection.

Conclusions

Human psittacosis has become a notable public health concern in Hangzhou city, with an increase in psittacosis cases reported in recent years. Exposure to poultry, birds, or environments contaminated with Chlamydia psittaci was associated with infection. Urgent actions to reduce psittacosis cases and mitigate the impact of outbreaks are needed, including strengthening surveillance, raising public awareness, and promoting collaboration between the agricultural and health sectors.
Using EEG technology to enhance performance measurement in physical education
Authors: Zhai Zhaofeng , Han Lu , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The application of EEG technology in the context of school physical education offers a promising avenue to explore the neural mechanisms underlying the mental health symptom benefits of physical activity in adolescents. Current research methodologies in this domain primarily rely on behavioral and self-reported data, which ack the precision to capture the complex interplay between physical activity and cognitive-emotional outcomes. Traditional approaches often fail to provide real-time, objective insights into individual variations in mental health symptom responses.

Methods

To address these gaps, we propose an Adaptive Physical Education Optimization (APEO)model integrated with EEG analysis to monitor and optimize the mental health symptom impacts of physical education programs. APEO combines biomechanical modeling, engagement prediction through recurrent neural networks, and reinforcement learning to tailor physical activity interventions. By incorporating EEG data, our framework captured neural markers of emotional and cognitive states, enabling precise evaluation and personalized adjustments.

Results and discussion

Preliminary results indicate that our system enhances both engagement and mental health symptom outcomes, offering a scalable, data-driven solution to optimize adolescent mental wellbeing through physical education.
Women's experiences and acceptability of self-administered, home delivered, intravaginal 5-Fluorouracil cream for cervical precancer treatment in Kenya
Authors: Adewumi Konyin , Kachoria Aparna Ghosh , Adoyo Everlyn , Rop Mercy , Owaya Antony , Tang Jennifer H. , Rahangdale Lisa , Mungo Chemtai
Published: February 2025

Background

Innovative strategies are essential to meet the World Health Organization's 90/70/90 cervical cancer elimination targets, aiming for 90% access to precancer treatment globally by 2030. In low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) where most cervical cancer cases occur, access to precancer treatment is severely limited. Scalable solutions like self-administered topical therapies can help close this gap. In a recent Phase I trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05362955), we demonstrated safety and adherence to self-administered intravaginal 5% 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) cream as an adjuvant therapy for cervical precancer among women living with HIV (WLWH) in rural Kenya. To understand women's experiences with self-administered 5FU, we evaluated the acceptability of this intervention among trial participants.

Methods

All 12 participants from the Phase I trial completed a structured questionnaire and in-depth semi-structured interviews in their preferred language, focusing on their experiences with 5FU self-administration, challenges faced, and overall acceptability of the intervention, including whether they would use it again or recommend it to someone who needed it. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. In the qualitative study, acceptability was defined as “the perception that a given treatment is agreeable, palatable, or satisfactory.” A thematic analysis was conducted using five dimensions of acceptability: content, complexity, comfort, delivery, and credibility.

Results

The mean age was 43.9 years (SD 4.4), and seven (58%) had primary education or less. While some participants reported feelings of uncertainty when they started using 5FU, at the end of the study, all 12 participants strongly agreed that the cream was safe and were confident they used it correctly. Most participants (91.7%) experienced no discomfort with the vaginal applicator, and most reported using tampons overnight after 5FU use, as recommended. Qualitative findings revealed that favorable perceptions of self-administered 5FU were driven by its ease of use, the discrete nature of the treatment, and the comfort of home application. The main challenges included correctly measuring the study drug, finding a private place at home to self-administer, and the need to use condoms during treatment. Compared to their previous ablation or excision treatments, participants found 5FU to be less painful, and all would prefer a self-administered treatment instead of a procedure if it were an option.

Conclusion

Self-administered intravaginal 5FU as an adjuvant treatment for cervical precancer among women living with HIV in Kenya was highly acceptable. Randomized studies of 5FU and other topical therapies in LMICs are needed to evaluate their use in closing the current precancer treatment gaps in these settings.
The optimal location of tanks in water distribution networks using failure tolerance
Authors: Kapata Aaron Kalonji , Ilemobade Adesola
Published: February 2025

The location of tanks impacts the optimal design and reliability of water distribution networks. However, contention exists in the literature regarding the best location for tanks. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a tool to compute failure tolerance when pipe failure occurs in a water distribution network, and as a consequence, to determine the optimal location of a tank(s). To achieve this, five optimal designs of the Anytown Network (ATN), which is a benchmark water distribution network in the literature, were selected. These designs, which recommended additional tanks at different locations of the network, were hydraulically simulated using pressure driven analysis in EPANET 2.2, and these results validated. To compute failure tolerance, a Microsoft Excel® tool was developed, validated and applied to the hydraulically simulated results of the optimal ATN designs. The comparison of the failure tolerance values generated revealed the influence of tank location on the ATN reliability during pipe failure i.e., while each optimal ATN design generated a failure tolerance > 0.68 (a less vulnerable network), the best location for an additional tank(s) was downstream of the demand center. Incidentally, this design emerged as the cheapest and therefore points to the fact that a higher network reliability need not be a more expensive network.
Centerpiece plate vs. Arch plate fixation in cervical unilateral open-door laminoplasty: a retrospective comparative study
Authors: Huo Lishuang , Liu Fengyu , Sun Xianze
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of Centerpiece plate and Arch plate fixation in cervical unilateral open-door laminoplasty.

Methods

This study included 102 patients who underwent cervical unilateral open-door laminoplasty with Centerpiece plate fixation (62 patients) or Arch plate fixation (40 patients) between September 2017 and September 2022. Clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated.

Results

There were no significant differences in operation time, blood loss, and lamina open angle between the two groups. Before surgery, the two groups had comparable Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and Pavlov's ratios. After surgery, the spinal drift distance and Pavlov ratio of the Centerpiece group were smaller than those of the Arch group. Both groups showed significant improvements in JOA scores after surgery and at the last follow-up compared to pre-surgery. At the final follow-up, the Centerpiece group's JOA scores and JOA score improvement rate were lower than those of the Arch group.

Conclusions

Both Centerpiece plate and Arch plate fixation can improve the patient's symptoms. Centerpiece plate fixation has a worse prognosis than Arch plate fixation in cervical unilateral open-door laminoplasty because the ventral prong in the Centerpiece plate may obstruct the spinal cord's backward movement.
Dietary guanidinoacetic acid supplementation improves rumen metabolism, duodenal nutrient flux, and growth performance in lambs
Authors: Zhang Shiqi , Yimamu Mireguli , Ma Chen , Pan Jun , Wang Caidie , Cai Wenjie , Yang Kailun
Published: February 2025

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is the only precursor of creatine, which is an important energy source for growth and metabolism. The degradation of guanidinoacetic acid in rumen plays a decisive role in its application in ruminant diet. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the rumen GAA escape rate and its effects on metabolism, blood metabolites and growth performance of Kazakh male lambs. In the first part of the experiment, 24 Kazakh male lambs equipped with rumen and duodenal fistulas were selected to determine the rumen escape rate of guanidylacetic acid. In the second part, 24 healthy Kazakh male lambs were selected to determine the growth performance. They were divided into 4 groups and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 500, 1,000, 1,500 mg/kg GAA, respectively. The results show that ruminal escape rates of 36–56% were achieved in lambs with dietary GAA supplementation at 500–1,500 mg/kg DM. Dietary 1,500 mg/kg DM GAA increased levels of creatine, IGF-I and insulin, and promoted lamb growth.
Effects of supplementation with vitamin D3 on growth performance, lipid metabolism and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens
Authors: Li Jiawei , Li Ximei , Tian Jiamin , Xu Linna , Chen Yan , Jiang Susu , Zhang Guohua , Lu Jianxiong
Published: February 2025

Lower intramuscular fat (IMF) and excessive abdominal fat reduce carcass quality in broilers. The study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary VD3 on growth performance, lipid metabolism and cecal microbiota in broilers over an 84-d feeding experiment. One-day-old male Luhua broilers (210) were randomly assigned to control (basal diet) and VD group (basal diet supplemented with 3,750 IU/kg VD3). Samples were collected after a 12-h fasted feeding on days 28, 56, and 84. Supplementary VD3 significantly enhanced average daily gain (ADG) in broilers aged 57-84 d and 1-84 d, and increased leg muscle rate and fat content in breast and leg muscles and reduced abdominal fat rate of broilers at 84 d. VD3 increased TG and glycogen content in the liver of 28- and 84-d-old broilers, serum TG and VLDL-C content at 56 and 84 d, and TC, HDL-C and LDL-C at 84 d. VD3 increased mRNA expressions of genes related to de novo lipogenesis (DNL) (mTOR, SREBP-1c, FAS and ACC), lipid oxidation (AMPK, PPARα, CPT-1α and ACO) and lipid transport (ApoB and MTTP), and FAS, ACC and CPT1 enzyme activities in the liver. However, mRNA levels of genes involved in DNL and cellular lipid uptake (LPL and FATP1) and LPL activity were decreased in abdominal adipose tissue, and that of genes involved in lipid oxidation and lipolysis (HSL and ATGL) was increased by VD3. LPL and FATP1 expression in breast and leg muscles was increased by VD3. Moreover, VD3 increased the abundance of cecum Bacteroides at 28 and 84 d, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Faecalibacterium at 56 and 84 d, and Lachnoclostridium at 84 d. These bacteria were correlated with increased DNL, lipid oxidation and lipid transport in liver, and cellular lipid uptake in muscle, as well as decreased DNL and cellular lipid uptake, and increased lipid oxidation and lipolysis in abdominal adipose tissue. Altogether, supplementary VD3 in basal diet improved growth performance, increased IMF, and reduced abdominal fat rate, which is significant for enhancing feed utilization and improving the carcass quality of broilers. The regulation of VD3 on lipid metabolism could was associated with variation in cecal microbiota composition.
Resource-Efficient Clustered Federated Learning Framework for Industry 4.0 Edge Devices
Authors: Takele Atallo Kassaw , Villányi Balázs
Published: February 2025

Industry 4.0 is an aggregate of recent technologies including artificial intelligence, big data, edge computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance efficiency and real-time decision-making. Industry 4.0 data analytics demands a privacy-focused approach, and federated learning offers a viable solution for such scenarios. It allows each edge device to train the model locally using its own collected data and shares only the model updates with the server without the need to share real collected data. However, communication and computational costs for sharing model updates and performance are major bottlenecks for resource-constrained edge devices. This study introduces a representative-based parameter-sharing framework that aims to enhance the efficiency of federated learning in the Industry 4.0 environment. The framework begins with a server by distributing an initial model to edge devices, which then train it locally and send updated parameters back to the server for aggregation. To reduce communication and computational costs, the framework identifies groups of devices with similar parameter distributions and only sends updates from the resourceful and better-performing device, termed the cluster head, to the server. A backup cluster head is also elected to ensure reliability. Clustering is performed based on the device’s parameter distributions and data characteristics. Moreover, the server incorporates randomly selected past aggregated parameters into the current aggregation process through weighted averaging where more recent parameters are given greater weight to enhance model performance. Comparative experimental evaluation with the state of the art using a testbed dataset demonstrates promising results by minimizing computational cost while preserving prediction performance, which ultimately enhances data analytics on edge devices in industrial environments.
A New Species of the Genus Boulenophrys (Anura, Megophryidae) from Southern Hunan Province, Central China
Authors: Xiao Bei , Xi Jiayan , Shi Shengchao , Li Hui , Zhu Leqiang , Maimaiti Ayinuer , Xu Yalan , Liao Shunhua , Wang Bin , Mo Xiaoyang
Published: February 2025

A new species of Asian horned toad, Boulenophrys, is described from Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, China. The species is a phylogenetically sister to B. yunkaiensis, based on 16S rRNA and COI genes. The new species differs from its congeners, possessing the following combination of characters: (1) moderate body size: SVL 37.6–40.2 mm (38.9 ± 1.3, n = 7) in adult males and SVL 41.8–45.9 mm (43.6 ± 2.1, n = 3) in adult females; (2) tympanum boundary clear: TD/ED 0.48–0.57 in males and 0.47–0.57 in females; (3) the presence of a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of the upper eyelid; (4) vomerine ridge present and vomerine teeth absent; (5) margin of tongue rounded, not notched posteriorly; (6) rough dorsal skin: a discontinuous “V”-shaped ridge with two discontinuous dorsolateral ridges on two sides on the back, dense tubercles on the skin of the ventral surface of the dorsal shank and thigh, and spiny tubercles surrounding the cloaca; (7) slender hindlimbs with heels overlapping when the flexed hindlimbs are held at right angles to the body axis; tibio-tarsal articulation reaching forward between anterior margin of tympanum and posterior corner of eye when leg stretched forward; (8) relative finger length IV < II < I < III, with a subarticular tubercle present at the base of each finger; (9) distinct supernumerary tubercles below the base of I and II toes; (10) toes without lateral fringes and with rudimentary webbing (webbing formula: I1 − 1-II1 − 2-III2 − 3IV3- − 2V).
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Toxin-Producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae and C. ulcerans in Belgium
Authors: Janssen Zan , Martini Helena , Vanstokstraeten Robin , Vandoorslaer Kristof , Wybo Ingrid , Honacker Eveline Van , Piérard Denis
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Despite a significant reduction in diphtheria incidence and mortality due to vaccination, antitoxin therapy and antibiotic treatments, a concerning resurgence is occurring in Europe. Resistance to penicillins and macrolides is emerging, resulting in a growing challenge for diphtheria management. This retrospective study aims to evaluate and compare antibiotic susceptibilities of both toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and C. ulcerans. Methods: Susceptibilities were assessed using broth microdilution—the gold standard—disk diffusion and the gradient method, and analyzed on the basis of the EUCAST breakpoint tables for the interpretation of MICs and zone diameters. Antimicrobial resistance genes and mutations were detected by analyzing whole-genome sequences (WGS). Results: A small number of C. diphtheriae isolates were resistant to the first-choice antimicrobial classes, penicillins and macrolides, while higher resistance rates were observed for ciprofloxacin (29%), tetracycline (38%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT, 85%). A good correlation was found with resistance genes and mutations detected by WGS. C. ulcerans isolates were susceptible to all tested antibiotics, except clindamycin, to which this species is naturally resistant, and a few ciprofloxacin resistances not confirmed by WGS. Diffusion techniques were found to be acceptable alternatives, but false susceptible results were detected for ciprofloxacin and tetracycline by disk diffusion and ciprofloxacin and SXT by gradient diffusion. Conclusions: Penicillins and macrolides remain the first-choice antibiotics for the treatment of diphtheria. However, antimicrobial susceptibility testing is needed for all toxigenic C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans isolates, as resistance is emerging. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing should not be limited to penicillins and macrolides, but be extended to other antibiotics. When WGS is performed for epidemiological purposes, resistance genes and mutations should be looked for.