bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A GROWING CAUSE OF FOOD ALLERGY IN CHILDREN: SESAME
Authors: Aytekin Güvenir Funda , Yörüsün Gökhan , Geniş Cankat , Yılmaz Deniz , Selmanoğlu Ahmet , Şengül Emeksiz Zeynep , Dibek Mısırlıoğlu Emine
Published: February 2025

Background: Sesame allergy has been seen with increasing frequency in recent years and is one of the important causes of food anaphylaxis.
Objective: The aim of our study was to examine the clinical and laboratory features of patients with sesame allergy and to evaluate the characteristics of sesame-related anaphylaxis.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with sesame allergy at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital between January 2017 and June 2024 were included in the study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data of the patients were obtained from medical records.
Results: Sesame allergies were detected in 70 patients during the study period. Of these patients, 44 (62.9%) were male, and the median age at the onset of symptoms was 12 (IQR: 9–18) months.Thirty-two patients presented with anaphylaxis (45.7%), 31 with urticaria/angioedema (44.3%), and 7 with atopic dermatitis (10%). A total of 59 patients (84.3%) had other food allergies. The most common food allergy was tree nut allergy (54.3%). Sesame-specific IgE levels were higher in patients with anaphylaxis (median 2.8 kU/L IQR: 1.2–17.8) than in those who did not (median 1.6 kU/L IQR: 0.7–4.7). In the multivariate logistic regression model, the presence of a concomitant food allergy (OR: 18.7; CI 1.9–182.6) and being over one year of age at the time of the index reaction (OR: 4.1; CI 1.1–15.4) were identified as risk factors for anaphylaxis.
Conclusion: Sesame allergy is among the important causes of food allergy and anaphylaxis and generally presents with early-type reactions. It can be seen together with nut and other food allergies.
A prática esportiva e de exercício físico entre militares da Academia da Força Aérea: o que muda depois do curso de formação?
Authors: Medeiros Marina Souza Pessoa de , Costa Vítor Ricci , Nunomura Myrian
Published: February 2025

Durante o Curso de Formação de Oficiais na Academia da Força Aérea (AFA), a educação física é ministrada por meio de uma disciplina curricular, obrigatória a todos os alunos, independente do ano e da especialidade. Alguns estudos têm analisado a incidência de sedentarismo e aumento de peso em militares, que podem comprometer a saúde e a operacionalidade do profissional. Porém, embora haja estudos que tratem da importância do bom condicionamento físico, ainda são raros aqueles que analisam a motivação desses profissionais para a prática regular de exercício físico ou esporte. Dessa forma, este estudo analisou a motivação dos militares à prática esportiva e de exercícios físicos. Participaram do estudo, cinco Oficiais, do posto de tenente, formados pela AFA. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturada e analisados pelo método da Análise Temática. Foram observados como aspectos favoráveis à motivação: a identificação com o grupo e modalidade esportiva, a preocupação com a saúde, bem estar e qualidade de vida, a autonomia e conhecimentos adquiridos na formação e a operacionalidade militar. Em contrapartida, os aspectos negativos foram: a educação física opcional, a prática de exercícios fora do quartel, a experiência negativa durante a formação e a falta de exemplo e estímulo dos superiores hierárquicos, o que pode trazer prejuízos à saúde, qualidade de vida e à operacionalidade.
Relação entre força de preensão manual, impacto da doença e qualidade de vida de mulheres com fibromialgia
Authors: Bruning Márcio , Prestes Jonato , Moura Giovana Mioto de , Oliveira Leonardo Pestillo de
Published: February 2025

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between handgrip strength (HGS), disease impact, and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia (FM). The study is characterized as cross-sectional, and 91 women with FM, with a mean age of 49.37 ± 9.77 years, were assessed for disease impact (FIQR), quality of life (SF-12v2), demographic data, anthropometrics, and HGS. Handgrip strength (HGS) values below 23.1 kg were considered low, and the women were divided into two groups according to HGS: < 23.1 kg and ≥ 23.1 kg. The Student's t-test and Cohen's d were used to compare and estimate the effect size, respectively, between the variables of the groups. Pearson's correlation was used between the variables. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the groups for total FIQR and its function and overall impact domains (d = 0.58, 0.74, and 0.47, respectively), and SF-12v2 physical (d = -0.62) and mental (d = -0.41) components, favoring the group with HGS ≥ 23.1 kg. Significant inverse correlations were found between HGS and total FIQR and domains (r = -0.21 to -0.31). Significant positive correlations were found between HGS and the physical (r = 0.35) and mental (r = 0.29) components of SF-12v2. Women with low levels of HGS exhibited greater FM impact and poorer quality of life, mainly related to the physical aspects of FIQR and SF-12v2. HGS can be used as an aid tool in screening and management, particularly for the physical condition of women with FM.
Continuous Evolution in the NK Treadmill Model
Authors: Mehra Priyanka , Hintze Arend
Published: February 2025

The NK fitness landscape is a well-known model with which to study evolutionary dynamics in landscapes of different ruggedness. However, the model is static, and genomes are typically small, allowing observations over only a short adaptive period. Here we introduce an extension to the model that allows the experimenter to set the velocity at which the landscape changes independently from other parameters, such as the ruggedness or the mutation rate. We find that, similar to the previously observed complexity catastrophe, where evolution comes to a halt when environments become too complex due to overly high degrees of epistasis, here the same phenomenon occurs when changes happen too rapidly. Our expanded model also preserves essential properties of the static NK landscape, allowing for proper comparisons between static and dynamic landscapes.
Banal Cities: The Constructed Urban Landscape in Contemporary South Korean Photography
Authors: Chang Boyoung
Published: February 2025

This article analyzes South Korean photography of the 21st century that reconstructs urban landscape to critically reflect on the country's continuing spatial transformation. Focusing on two photographers, Park Chanmin and Keum Hyewŏn, it explores the connection between photographic representations of urban spaces and actual spaces. In doing so, they contribute to a compelling dialogue that can be traced through South Korean photographic practices of the earlier generations and connects with those of adjacent East Asian countries. Taking the concept of banality, which is characterized by a preoccupation with the mundaneness of life under capitalism, a turn away from the spectacular, an affinity with commodity culture, a lack of depth, and a resistance to engagement, the study discusses their photographs of cities. Being filled with apartment complexes, construction sites, and skyscrapers but empty of people, the images are visually unremarkable and lack both depth and spectacularity. Far from being sublime or picturesque, these photographs initiate a perceptual encounter with the prosaic and depthless. In the process, digital manipulation further anonymizes and empties the photographic space to magnify a sense of boredom and prevent the viewer from moving beyond the surface of a given image. Eventually, the photographs remind us of the commodification of urban space and the attenuated relationship between abstract space and human subjects. In this way, their banal traits embody the conditions of capitalist South Korea and the urbanized status.
An Aperture Toward Abstraction in Tejal Shah's Moving-Image Works
Authors: Gopalan Lalitha
Published: February 2025

This article explores the moving image practice of the India based queer artist Tejal Shah. Acknowledging their preeminent status as a queer artist and activist whose media works have been exhibited widely in urban locations since the early 2000, this approach opens with a Chingari Chumma/Stinging Kiss (2000), a video work completed in collaboration with Anuj Vaidya. In this reading, we note their investment in queer subculture tied to an equally intimate rehearsals with the archive of popular Indian cinema. The second move of this articles is reserved for their five-channel video installation Between the Waves (2012). Attending to its specifics of installation, I offer a close reading of one of the channels to argue that it offers an aperture towards abstraction, queer abstraction to be on point.
Neurobiologically informed graph theory analysis of the language system
Authors: Morishima Yosuke , van den Heuvel Martijn , Strik Werner , Dierks Thomas
Published: February 2025

Recent advancements in neuroimaging data analysis facilitate the characterization of adaptive changes in brain network integration. This study introduces a distinctive approach that merges knowledge-informed and data-driven methodologies, offering a nuanced way to more effectively understand these changes. Utilizing graph network analysis, along with existing neurobiological knowledge of domain-specific brain network systems, we uncover a deeper understanding of brain network interaction and integration. As a proof of concept, we applied our approach to the language domain, a well-known large-scale network system, using validated functional imaging data sets with specific language tasks. Our results revealed a double dissociation between motor and sensory language modules during word generation and comprehension tasks. Furthermore, by introducing a hierarchical nature of brain networks and introducing local and global metrics, we demonstrated that hierarchical levels of networks exhibit distinct ways of integration of language brain networks. This innovative approach facilitates a differentiated and thorough interpretation of brain network function in local and global manners, marking a significant advancement in our ability to investigate adaptive changes in brain network integration in health and disease.
Predicting response speed and age from task-evoked effective connectivity
Authors: Zhang Shufei , Jung Kyesam , Langner Robert , Florin Esther , Eickhoff Simon B. , Popovych Oleksandr
Published: February 2025

Recent neuroimaging studies demonstrated that task-evoked functional connectivity (FC) may better predict individual traits than resting-state FC. However, the prediction properties of task-evoked effective connectivity (EC) remain unexplored. We investigated this by predicting individual reaction time (RT) performance in the stimulus-response compatibility task and age, using intrinsic EC (I-EC, calculated at baseline) and task-modulated EC (M-EC, induced by experimental conditions) with dynamic causal modeling (DCM) across various data-processing conditions, including different general linear model (GLM) designs, Bayesian model reduction, and different cross-validation schemes and prediction models. We report evident differences in predicting RT and age between I-EC and M-EC, as well as between event-related and block-based GLM and DCM designs. M-EC outperformed both I-EC and task-evoked FC in RT prediction, while all types of connectivity performed similarly for age. Event-related GLM and DCM designs performed better than block-based designs. Our findings suggest that task-evoked I-EC and M-EC may capture different phenotypic attributes, with performance influenced by data processing and modeling choices, particularly the GLM-DCM design. This evaluation of methods for behavior prediction from brain EC may contribute to a meta-scientific understanding of how data processing and modeling frameworks influence neuroimaging-based predictions, offering insights for improving their robustness and efficacy.
Refractions of a Grim Future
Authors: Chatta Rasha
Published: February 2025

This essay discusses the speculative turn in recent Arab literature and arts by focusing on the comics genre. It first attempts to outline the genealogies and ramifications of a growing canon of graphic narratives—qiṣaṣ muṣawwara as they are known in Arabic—concerned with the speculative element as a lens or tool to deal with socio-political aspects. Moreover, it focuses on the analysis of selected works by the Lebanese comic artist Barrack Rima in order to examine the ways in which speculative fiction figures the city of Beirut as the central nexus of dystopias, thereby responding to present anxieties and providing realms for projecting future visions. Paying particular attention to recurrent key tropes in Rima’s multi-layered and multi-temporal dystopic narratives as well as aesthetic and literary strategies, the genre’s potential suitability to engage with speculative futurity is explored.
Returning to ‘Nature’
Authors: Pepe Teresa
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the link between futurism and the environment from a historical perspective by studying how the future of ‘nature’ is imagined in two Egyptian speculative texts written during the 20th century, specifically, an essay entitled ‘Baʿd miʾat sana’ (‘One Hundred Years After’) written by the Lebanese writer and intellectual Jurjy Zaydan in 1900 and the novel as-Sayyid min Haql al-Sabanikh (The Gentleman from the Spinach Field), published by the writer and journalist Sabri Musa in 1987. Although written more than 80 years apart, both texts speculate what Egypt will be like in the future, and both anticipate a ‘return to nature’ (al-rujūʿ ila al-tabiʿa). Borrowing insights from Middle Eastern environmental history and utopian-dystopian literary studies, the study places the texts within a larger speculative literary trend in the Arab region and elsewhere that interlaces with changing notions of environmental futures. Besides, it interprets the futuristic imagination of the two authors in light of the environmental and urban transformations occurring in Egypt during the 20th century. The comparative analysis of the two texts shows that while Zaydan anticipated a utopian future world where humans could rule and exploit ‘nature’ to progress towards a better future, thus reproducing in large part a colonial environmental imaginary, Musa’s dystopian vision is based on a conception of the human than does more harm than good to ‘nature’, and on the belief that ‘nature’ could eventually revolt against human control.
Supporting Sustainability: A Philosophical Analysis of Certain Assumptions Underlying Occupational Therapy
Authors: Drolet Marie-Josée , Lafond Valérie
Published: February 2025

Background: The relevance of supporting sustainability within occupational therapy is increasingly demonstrated and argued for. However, difficulties persist in supporting sustainability in practice, which presents occupational therapists with an occupational paradox. Why is sustainability still so difficult to include into occupational therapy practice? Purpose: The objective was to analyse certain assumptions underlying the profession that may constitute potential obstacles to the inclusion of sustainability in practice. Method: To identify and critically examine these assumptions, a philosophical analysis of five key concepts of the profession was carried out based on a triangulation of two philosophical methods. Findings: The results reveal that the five concepts analysed—person, occupation, environment, health, and justice—may act as barriers to support sustainability within the practice. Conclusion: A paradigm shift is therefore relevant, even necessary in the current climate emergency to mitigate its impacts. This is especially relevant as the climate crisis poses the greatest threat to health and endangers the ability of humans to engage in occupations essential for well-being and survival.
Repositioning middle powers in international hierarchies of status and order
Authors: Hynd Alexander M
Published: February 2025

This article develops a framework for theorising middle power identity formation. It contends that middle power identity formation has frequently been driven by both the pursuit of elevated positions within hierarchies of status, and by the construction, (re)organisation and navigation of hierarchies of order. The role of three essential concepts driving middle power identity formation are highlighted: middle power identity entrepreneurs, middle power identity narratives and periods of middle power identity ignition. Through application to the case of South Korea, it finds that structural change and elite activism combined to form a new middle power identity from 1987 to 2013. This identity change was driven by attempts to reposition the country in international society’s status community; while simultaneously renegotiating the terms of the country’s subordination to the US and attempting to initiate superordinate roles over North Korea and Southeast Asia.
Mobile robots exploration strategies and requirements: A systematic mapping study
Authors: Brugali Davide , Muratore Luca , De Luca Alessio
Published: February 2025

A variety of autonomous exploration tasks have been successfully performed in several types of environments using different types of robotic platforms. The robotic task, the operational environment, and the robot embodiment represent the dimensions of the “problem space” in robot exploration. At the same time, a lot of exploration strategies are documented in the literature that provide partial solutions to the exploration problem. They define the “solution space” in robot exploration. To our knowledge, no previous work has provided a methodical overview of robot exploration strategies from the point of view of both the problem and solution spaces. In this systematic mapping study, we build a taxonomy of autonomous robot exploration strategies and application requirements and classify existing approaches according to it. The goal is to analyze research trends over time, and identify possible research gaps, open challenges, and promising future directions in order to support researchers and practitioners in generalizing, communicating, and applying the findings of the robot exploration knowledge field.
Treatment of BRCA 1 mutated breast cancer with a PARP inhibitor and an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor
Authors: Hoppe Christina , Roubal Kiera , Pavuluri Sushma , Lupak Oleksandra
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has traditionally been challenging to treat due to its lack of hormone receptors (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which were perceived as the only “targets” for treatment of breast cancer. Since 2017, targeted treatment options, such as olaparib, have been approved for the treatment of germline BReast CAncer gene (BRCA) mutated breast cancer, and immune checkpoint inhibitors for TNBC.

Case Report

A 45-year-old female was diagnosed with BRCA1 mutated TNBC and ovarian cancer in 2018, and adjuvant treatment was partially completed. In 2020, her CA-125 rose and olaparib was initiated. Due to tolerability, she stopped treatment and transitioned to surveillance. In 2021, imaging showed brain metastases, and she started capecitabine. In November 2021 she progressed and transferred care to us.

Management and Outcome

Due to suspected dual metastatic TNBC and ovarian cancers, and ovarian tissue demonstrating a combined positive score (CPS) of 3, gemcitabine, carboplatin and pembrolizumab were initiated. After six cycles, imaging demonstrated resolution of brain lesions, and pembrolizumab maintenance was continued. In March 2023, she switched to carboplatin, paclitaxel and bevacizumab, due to suspected progression of her ovarian cancer and resolution of breast cancer. She continued until December 2023 and switched to olaparib and bevacizumab.

Discussion

There is limited data to support sequential use of immunotherapy following treatment with a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. The case report presented here demonstrates successful treatment of a patient with BRCA1 mutated TNBC treated with pembrolizumab after olaparib.
Towards collaborative tinkering in contraceptive consultations: Negotiating side-effects in contraceptive care
Authors: Algera Ellen
Published: February 2025

Patients’ online information-seeking and sharing has sparked worries about medical misinformation and declining trust in biomedical professionals. At the same time, scholars advocate for including patients as knowers in the clinical encounter. Yet we lack empirical insights into the differing ways care providers and patients substantiate health-related knowledge. This article thus examines (1) how both groups substantiate claims about contraceptive side-effects, (2) the ways their substantiation processes differ and (3) how we can navigate this epistemic tension in contraceptive care. I draw on data from nine interviews with Dutch contraceptive care providers (one nurse practitioner, one gynaecologist and seven general practitioners) and 17 contraceptive users, observations of 11 contraceptive consultations in the Netherlands and analysis of Dutch clinical guidelines. Results reveal that patients substantiate their claims through combining embodied modes of knowing with self-experimentation as well as validation through social media exchanges. Care providers switch between two complementary approaches: demarcating biomedical knowledge from non-scientific claims and clinical tinkering. I show that epistemic tensions between provider and patient may arise because the two groups have differing definitions of what a side-effect is and differing evaluations of information shared online. Based on these findings, I argue that care providers invalidating information shared online may contribute to patients’ growing distrust in biomedical authority while collaborative tinkering may provide a common ground for care providers and patients to co-create knowledge.
Patterns and predictors of therapeutic response to efgartigimod in acetylcholine receptor-antibody generalized myasthenia gravis subtypes
Authors: Jin Lei , Zou Zhangyu , Wang Qinzhou , Zeng Wenshuang , Jiang Qilong , Chen Jing , Shi Jianquan , Yu Yanyan , Hong Daojun , Zeng Quantao , Tan Song , Yue Yaoxian , Zhang Zhouao , Zhang Yong , Guo Xiuming , Du Lei , Zhao Zhongyan , Huang Shixiong , Chen Ying , Wu Zongtai , Yan Chong , Xi Jianying , Song Jie , Luo Sushan , Zhao Chongbo
Published: February 2025

Background:

Efgartigimod is an approved biologic for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), which is an autoimmune disease and can potentially be life-threatening. However, the therapeutic response to efgartigimod among the acetylcholine receptor gMG (AChR-gMG) subtypes remains inconclusive.

Objective:

To explore the patterns and predictors for the therapeutic response to efgartigimod among AChR-gMG subtypes.

Design:

This prospective, observational study included AChR-gMG patients treated with efgartigimod at 15 centers in China with a follow-up for at least 20 weeks.

Methods:

The primary outcome was the proportion of minimal symptom expression (MSE) responders, denoted by a Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score of 0 or 1 within 4 weeks and maintained for ⩾4 weeks. AChR antibody-positive MG (AChR-MG) subtypes were classified into early onset myasthenia gravis (EOMG), late-onset myasthenia gravis (LOMG), and thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (TAMG). The predictive factors for MSE responders were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results:

One hundred sixteen patients were included with a median follow-up duration of 238 days (172.5–306.3). There were 50 (43.1%) patients with EOMG, 28 (24.1%) with LOMG and 38 (32.8%) with TAMG. After efgartigimod initiation, 35 (30.2%) patients were MSE responders, and the proportion of MSE responders was highest in the LOMG group (42.9%). The MG-ADL score reduction in the LOMG group was more significant than in the EOMG group by weeks 16 and 20 (both p = 0.022). Response patterns to efgartigimod among the AChR-MG subtypes differed as measured by the proportion of improved patients and MSE. LOMG presented sustained symptom control, while EOMG and TAMG showed more fluctuations. Eight TAMG patients (21.1%) switched to another biologic ( p = 0.005). Baseline MG-ADL was an independent predictor for therapeutic response to efgartigimod ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Our findings revealed patterns of treatment responses among AChR-gMG subtypes, with LOMG patients potentially presenting a more sustained response. These findings likely provide preliminary data for precision therapy in MG in the era of biologics.

Trial registration:

NCT04535843.
The Predictive and Preventive Potential of AI for Mental Health
Authors: Ahmed Manail Anis
Published: February 2025

Whereas artificial intelligence (AI) has been in business use for many decades now, the world has only recently awoken to its potential for social and developmental impact. Notable among such impact is the potential AI holds for preventive health—especially with regard to mental health at the individual as well as communal levels. This article introduces the many possibilities for AI deployment for preventive mental health purposes. It discusses these within the current context of social and technological readiness across South and Southeast Asia. The relevance of socio-technical as well as economic and political factors contributing to technology development, deployment and usage is highlighted. Listing the various ways in which predictive analytics can be combined with mental health indicators, the article suggests some possible ways that communities across the region can harness the potential of AI and affiliated emerging technologies.
Efficacy of green synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles in attenuation salt stress in Glycine max plants: modulations in metabolic constituents and cell ultrastructure
Authors: Abdelhameed Reda E. , Hegazy Hegazy S. , Abdalla Hanan , Adarosy Marwa H.
Published: February 2025

Salinity is among the major abiotic stresses faced by different countries; limiting plant growth, development and yield. This research work was carried out to evaluate the influence of green prepared titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on the growth, metabolic constituents and ultrastructural alterations of soybean (Glycine max L.) plants exposed to salt stress. TiO2 NPs were green synthesized using an aqueous solution of Aloe vera leaf extract and the obtained NPs were identified using several techniques. An in vivo pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the role of foliar sprayed TiO2 NPs (30 ppm) on soybean plants irrigated by six NaCl concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM). After 15 and 30 days from salt application, growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, total soluble protein, enzymatic antioxidants and ultrastructural changes were tested for potential tolerance of soybean plants growing under salt stress. Results revealed that increasing salt concentrations induced a significant decrease in shoot length, fresh and dry weights as well as the photosynthetic pigments, these decreases were due to increasing electrolyte leakage of soybean plants. However, application of TiO2 NPs showed improvements in the vegetative growth by increasing its pigments and protein contents. There was a marked increase in the contents of enzymatic antioxidants in salt stressed soybean plants and further accumulation of their contents with TiO2 NPs application. Salt stressed soybean plants showed structural and ultrastructural deformation which was lessened by TiO2 NPs application. Finally, our research demonstrates the role of TiO2 NPs in alleviating salt stress in soybean plants via restoring the antioxidants and cell ultrastructure, highlighting their potential role as a sustainable and eco-friendly strategy.
Genetic structure and conservation implications of Lancea tibetica (Mazaceae), a traditional Tibetan medicinal plant endemic to the Qinghai- Tibet Plateau
Authors: Xia Mingze , Chi Xiaofeng , Yu Jingya , Han Yun , Han Shuang , Chen Shilong , Li Yan , Zhang Faqi
Published: February 2025

Background

Allopatric divergence is often initiated by geological uplift and climate oscillations. Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is an excellent place for such research because the plants of this area have experienced such historical processes as glacial contraction, interglacial expansion and geographical isolation. Here in this study, we used Genotyping-By-Sequencing data to investigate allopatric divergence of Lancea tibetica, an endemic herb to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. A total of 12,005 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms were obtained from 183 individuals of 23 natural distribution areas.

Results

Our results confirm that L. tibetica is divided into Northern and Southern groups, separated by the Tangula Mountains, Nyainqentanglha Mountains, and the Salween River. Demographic modeling indicated a bottleneck event around 300 kya, followed by gene flow and a recent expansion in both groups. Geographic isolation and climatic variation are likely the primary factors shaping the population structure of this species. Species distribution models reveal that elevation is the most significant factor influencing the distribution of L. tibetica, followed by precipitation and temperature. In scenarios of future global warming, suitable habitats for L. tibetica are likely to be significantly reduced, with an anticipated migration to higher altitudes. Given the current and projected distribution patterns of L. tibetica, the implementation of in-situ conservation and commercial cultivation measures is particularly urgent.

Conclusions

Our study contributes insights into understanding the genetic variation and distribution pattern of species in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its adjacent areas, serving as a valuable reference for future conservation efforts.
A rare case of lingual mucosal leishmaniasis caused by reactivation of Leishmania infantum infection
Authors: Eggers Yannik , Holtfreter Martha , Müller-Stoever Irmela , Mischlinger Johannes , Hammacher Andreas , Hemmerlein Bernhard , Kreuter Alexander , Oellig Frank , Tappe Dennis , Luedde Tom , Feldt Torsten , Orth Hans Martin
Published: February 2025

Background

Leishmania infantum is the only prevalent Leishmania species in Europe and manifesting predominantly as cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis, whereas new world species like Leishmania (L.) braziliensis are well known pathogens in mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Mucosal leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum is a rare clinical condition with only few cases described in literature. In contrast to our case, mostly immunocompromised patients with no history of leishmaniasis are affected.

Case presentation

We describe the case of a 77-year-old German male who developed an ulcerous lesion of the tongue. As oral cancer was suspected, the patient underwent surgery. After suspected diagnosis of Leishmania spp. in histopathology, the patient was referred to our department for further diagnostics and treatment. Relapse from a cutaneous leishmaniasis acquired in Spain is likely, as L. infantum could be identified as the causative agent. The patient recovered after treatment.

Conclusions

Mucosal leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum is rare and usually mistaken for malignancy. As demonstrated, it can be preceded by cutaneous leishmaniasis of the immunocompetent. Due to possible dissemination systemic treatment should be applied.
The impact of air pollutants on emergency ambulance dispatches due to mental and behavioral disorders in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Tian Yu-Chen , Yin Zi-Ming , Wang Peng , Li Lei , Huang Su-Li , Cheng Jin-Quan , Jiang Hong-Wei , Yin Ping
Published: February 2025

Background

The relationships between air pollutants and mental and behavioral disorders (MBDs) remain unclear. We aimed to identify the primary pollutants affecting mental health and evaluate the short-term effects on emergency ambulance dispatches (EADs) due to MBDs.

Methods

Time-stratified case-crossover study and conditional logistic regression model were adopted to explore the impact of air pollutants on EADs due to MBDs from 2013 to 2020 in Shenzhen, China. In order to clarify the influence of gender and age on association, subgroup analysis was carried out. We also applied binary response surface model and distributed lag interaction model to examine the interaction effects between pollutants and meteorological factors on EADs due to MBDs.

Results

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was the primary pollutant in Shenzhen that affects the EADs due to mental and behavioral disorders, exhibiting significant immediate exposure effects and cumulative lag effects. As NO2 concentration increased, the risk of EADs due to mental and behavioral disorders showed a linear upward trend without a threshold. For each interquartile range (IQR) increase of NO2, the odds ratio (OR) associated with MBDs was highest at lag 2 in the single-day lag pattern (OR = 1.035, 95% CI: 1.012–1.060) and the effect of NO2 reached its maximum at lag 0–6 with OR of 1.078 (95% CI: 1.037–1.122). We did not observe significant associations between PM2.5, PM10, SO2, O3 and CO exposures and EADs due to MBDs. In addition, there was an interaction effect between NO2 and Humidity index (Humidex). Both high and low Humidex would aggravate the influence of pollutants on mental health.

Conclusions

Short exposure to NO2 was positively associated with acute onset of MBDs in Shenzhen, China. Health departments should take effective measures to raise public awareness of NO2 and Humidex, as well as their interaction effects.
The role of sweet/fruit-flavored disposable electronic cigarettes on early nicotine initiation - a systematic review
Authors: Kopa-Stojak Paulina Natalia , Pawliczak Rafal
Published: February 2025

Background

Sweet/fruit disposable e-cigarettes (ECs) are cheap, easy to use, and look like inconspicuous colored markers, which encourages young people and young adults to use them. This work attempts to summarize current knowledge about the effect of sweet/fruit-flavor disposable ECs on early nicotine initiation.

Methods

The literature search was performed in June 2024 in Pub Med, Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct databases by the terms ‘ends’, ‘electronic nicotine delivery system’, ‘disposable electronic cigarette’, ‘disposable e-cigarette’, ‘cig-a-like e-cigarette’, ‘cig-a-like electronic cigarette’, ‘nicotine initiation’.

Results

This systematic review analyzes findings from four heterogenous US studies. All analyzed studies highlighted that sweet/fruit-flavored ECs, compared to mint/menthol- or tobacco-flavors, were the most commonly chosen by youths and young adults during initiation and progression of vaping, regardless of the device type. Furthermore, two studies determined that never-smokers mostly start vaping by using modifiable ECs compared to disposable EC devices. Moreover, all studies showed that initiation by using disposable ECs was lower in people who had never previously vaped or smoked compared to current/former ECs users and former tobacco cigarettes (TCs) smokers or dual users.

Conclusions

Due to limited number of studies, their limited location, scope (mostly ever users aged ≥ 18), and moderate quality of the studies, it is difficult to clearly determine the effect of sweet/fruit-flavored disposable ECs on early nicotine initiation. Moreover, it is difficult to determine if sweet/fruit-flavored disposable EC have a role in the avoiding the initiation of tobacco cigarettes or delaying the initiation by the effect of competition. The findings from this systematic review are preliminary and require validation through high-quality, global studies among youth and young adult never-smokers/never-vapers who initiated using tobacco products with sweet/fruit-flavored disposable ECs and continue vaping and/or smoking any tobacco products (and any flavors).

Trial registration

The study protocol of this systematic review was registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with registration number CRD42024585153.
Deep learning-based automated guide for defining a standard imaging plane for developmental dysplasia of the hip screening using ultrasonography: a retrospective imaging analysis
Authors: Ahn Kyung-Sik , Choi Ji Hye , Kwon Heejou , Lee Seoyeon , Cho Yongwon , Jang Woo Young
Published: February 2025

Background

We aimed to propose a deep-learning neural network model for automatically detecting five landmarks during a two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonography (US) scan to develop a standard plane for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) screening.

Method

A model of global and local networks was developed to detect five landmarks for DDH screening during 2D US. Patients (N = 532) who underwent hip US for DDH screening from January 2016 to December 2021 at a tertiary medical center were enrolled. All datasets were randomly split into training, validation, and test sets in a 70:10:20 ratio for the final assessment of landmark detection. The performance of this model for detecting five landmarks for guiding DDH was analyzed using the root mean square error (RMSE) and dice similarity coefficient.

Results

The RMSE value for the five landmarks for diagnosing and classifying DDH using global and local networks was 4.023 ± 3.723. The point results using EfficientNetB2 were 1.69 ± 1.26 (first point), 3.34 ± 2.37 (second point), 2.54 ± 1.61 (third point), 5.92 ± 4.25 (fourth point), and 6.61 ± 4.82 (fifth point).

Conclusions

Our deep-learning network model is feasible for detecting five landmarks for DDH using ultrasound images. The primary parameters to determine DDH will be significantly detected by applying the deep-learning model in clinical settings.
The elicitation of patient preferences for hip replacement surgery: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Rohrbacher Stefan , Emmert Martin
Published: February 2025

Background

The calculation of aggregated composite measures is a widely used approach to reduce the amount of quality-related data on hospital report cards (HRCs). This study aims to elicit patient preferences for hospital choice concerning publicly available hospital quality information for total hip replacement surgery. The results may assist in the development of weighted composite measures for elective hip replacement, which facilitates a conscious selection of the hospital.

Methods

We collect primary survey data on a sample of 364 randomly selected users of the German HRC “Weisse Liste” (WL) (4/5 2023). The key attributes for hospital choice are based on the information provided in WL. We run various model specifications to identify patient preferences, allowing the analysis of unobserved preference heterogeneity.

Results

Our sample consists of 177 respondents (mean age 56.46; 43.5% female). All attributes used are statistically significant for hospital choice (

$$p<0.01$$

p
<
0.01

). Patients consider the “Quality of treatment” (26.95%; level range 1.734) and “Number of cases treated” (24.78%; level range 1.594) to be the most important. In contrast, “EndoCert Certificate” (17.50%; level range 1.126), “Equipment and qualification” (15.83%; level range 1.018), and “Recommendation from other patients” (14.94%; level range 0.960) remain less important. We find no evidence for unobserved heterogeneity regarding the preferences for hospital choice.

Conclusion

Based on our findings, HRC users value publicly available hospital quality information for elective hip replacement differently. These differences should be taken into account when calculating aggregated composite measures. Our results may allow the calculation of a weighted aggregate composite measure from the perspective of HRC users.
Trials for reducing the dangerous effect on poultry fed on aflatoxin contaminated ration using nano curcumin
Authors: Hamouda Marwa Abo Bakr , Saad Adel Hassan , El-Saadany Amr Abd El-khalik Abd El- hamid , El Sharawey Tamer Mohammed Hafez Ahmed , Abdo Walied , El-diasty Eman Mahmoud , Fadl Sabreen Ezzat , Abdelhiee Ehab Yahya
Published: February 2025

Background

Aflatoxin has a negative impact on the health of both humans and animals. One of the reasons for financial losses in the chicken sector is aflatoxicosis. In chickens, aflatoxicosis results in lowered growth rates and egg production, increased mortality, and diseases susceptibility. The current investigation sought to determine the mould’s prevalence at the Giza and Assiut Governorates. Then, the isolated toxigenic strain was used to obtain aflatoxin B1, which used to evaluate the dietary influence of curcumin and nano curcumin on growth performance, carcass traits, biochemical, aflatoxin residue, and pathological lesion of liver, spleen, and intestine in Cobb broiler chickens. 120 hatched chicks were divided into 4 group. The groups were control fed basal diet without additives, Afl group fed diet contaminated with aflatoxin, Afl + Cu group fed diet contaminated with aflatoxin and curcumin as a feed additive (7 g curcumin/kg diet), and Afl + Nano-Cu group feed diet contaminated with aflatoxin and nano curcumin as a feed additive (400 mg nano curcumin/kg diet).

Results

The results indicated that curcumin better than nano curcumin in ameliorating the deleterious effects of aflatoxin that appeared in improving the body weight gain, liver function, and pathological condition of liver, spleen, and intestine than nano curcumin fed group.

Conclusion

The current study offers an experimental scientific foundation for the use of curcumin as a medicinal medication or supplement in animal husbandry practices.
Recent advancements in nanomaterial-based biosensors for diagnosis of breast cancer: a comprehensive review
Authors: Yazdani Yalda , Jalali Fereshtehsadat , Tahmasbi Habib , Akbari Mitra , Talebi Neda , Shahrtash Seyed Abbas , Mobed Ahmad , Alem Mahsa , Ghazi Farhood , Dadashpour Mehdi
Published: February 2025

Researchers have found that mutations in the BRCA gene associated with breast cancer have a 40–50% chance of being associated with high risk for hereditary breast cancer (BC). Therefore, detecting BRCA1 is crucial for genetic analysis, early detection, and clinical treatment of BC. Traditional detection methods for BRCA1 include high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), single-strand conformation polymorphism assays (SSCP), PCR, real-time PCR, and DNA sequencing. However, these methods are limited by cost, analysis time, and complexity. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an ultrasensitive, fast, low-cost, simple method for BRCA1 detection. In recent years, various BC biosensing strategies have been investigated, including optical, electrical, electrochemical, and mechanical biosensing. In particular, the high sensitivity and short detection times of electrochemical biosensors make them suitable for recognizing BC biomarkers. Additionally, the sensitivity of electrochemical biosensors can be increased by incorporating nanomaterials. In this regard, the main focus of the present study is the introduction of common methods for diagnosing the BRCA-1/2 genes. In addition to introducing biosensors as an efficient tool, it also discusses the latest and most significant biosensors developed for detecting the BRCA gene.
Unveiling the qualities of a ‘good doctor’: family carers’ and healthcare professionals’ perspective on dementia healthcare in India
Authors: Baruah Upasana , Rao Rachita , Antoniades Josefine , Loganathan Santosh , Varghese Mathew , Cooper Claudia , Kent Mike , Dow Briony , Brijnath Bianca
Published: February 2025

Background

The escalating prevalence of dementia in India highlights the need for effective dementia care, particularly in a context marked by limited specialized services and resources. In response to this growing challenge, we sought to contribute to the understanding of societal expectations of multidisciplinary dementia care by exploring the qualities that family carers and healthcare professionals value in dementia care professionals within a multidisciplinary team in India.

Methods

The aim of the study was to describe the perspectives of carers and healthcare professionals regarding the attributes of a ‘good doctor’ in the context of accessing care for individuals with dementia in India. The research involved qualitative face-to-face interviews with 19 family carers and 25 healthcare professionals in Bengaluru, India, with data collected between March and July 2022.

Results

Using a thematic analysis framework, four main themes emerged: [1] accessibility and availability [2], empathetic engagement and effective communication [3], knowledge and competency, and [4] systemic reforms and culturally competent multilevel support. Public and professionals’ perceptions of ‘good’ care appeared to have shifted from seeking cures to prioritizing time, counselling, and information, reflecting a more holistic understanding of support needed. Interviewees valued interactions in which they perceived practitioners acting with patience, compassion, respect for dignity of the person with dementia, and professional competence. Effective communication was key. Challenges in accessing quality dementia care included inadequate infrastructure, lack of specialized services, and long waiting times. The importance of multidisciplinary approaches and the need for systemic reforms to enhance service delivery were highlighted.

Conclusion

Findings highlight a need for training programs for healthcare professionals to foster the values inherent to delivery of person-centered care.
Outcome preferences in fidelity-adaptation scenarios across evidence-based parenting programs: A discrete choice experiment
Authors: Pettersson Kristoffer , Millroth Philip , Giannotta Fabrizia , Liedgren Pernilla , Lyon Aaron R. , Hasson Henna , von Thiele Schwarz Ulrica
Published: February 2025

Background

Implementing evidence-based parenting programs often involves navigating fidelity-adaptation decisions. While research has explored various aspects of this dilemma, little is known about how practitioners’ outcome preferences influence their decisions in real-world scenarios.

Methods

This study employed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to investigate the relative importance of five outcomes (Relationship Quality, Satisfaction, Workload Strain, Value Conflict, and Reach) in fidelity-adaptation decisions among 209 practitioners delivering evidence-based parenting programs in Sweden. The DCE presented 25 choice sets across five contextual scenarios, analyzed using Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression.

Results

All five outcomes significantly influenced practitioners’ choices, with Relationship Quality emerging as the most impactful (log-odds: 4.56, 95% CI [4.16, 4.91]). Satisfaction and minimizing Value Conflict showed similar importance (log odds: 2.45 and -2.40, respectively), while Workload Strain and Reach had slightly less impact (log odds: -2.10 and 1.96, respectively).

Conclusions

This study offers a novel perspective on the role of outcome preference in navigating fidelity-adaptation decisions. The strong preference for improving parent-child relationships aligns with core parenting program goals, while consideration of other outcomes reflects practitioners’ holistic approach to implementation. These findings can inform the design of interventions and implementation strategies that balance effectiveness with real-world constraints, potentially enhancing parenting programs’ adoption, sustainability, and impact.