bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of vildagliptin versus metformin on hepatic steatosis in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mohamed Asmaa S. , Ahmad Hosam M. , Sharawy Mohammed A. , Kamel Fatma M. M. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
The risk of hepatic steatosis (HS) is elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Antidiabetic medications may contribute to the prevention or treatment of HS. This study aimed to compare the effects of vildagliptin and metformin on hepatic steatosis in newly diagnosed T2D patients, using the Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) and ultrasound grading.

Methods
The study included 246 newly diagnosed T2D patients who were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group (117 patients) received 50 mg of vildagliptin orally twice daily. The second group (129 patients) received 500 mg of metformin orally twice daily with meals, and the dosage could be gradually increased by 500 mg per week, up to a maximum daily dose of 2000 mg. Baseline and 6-month follow-up assessments included fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), the Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI), and hepatic steatosis grading via ultrasound.

Results
Both groups showed significant improvements in FBG, HbA1c, weight, BMI, WC, HC, HSI, and ultrasound grading of hepatic steatosis from baseline to the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.001). The metformin group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in weight and BMI compared to the vildagliptin group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of hepatic steatosis improvement on ultrasound. Correlation analysis revealed that HSI was significantly associated with HbA1c, BMI, WC, and HC (p < 0.001 for all), as well as FBG (p = 0.008), but not with age. The lipid profile, particularly total cholesterol and LDL, was identified as a stronger predictor of hepatic steatosis, based on high AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values.

Conclusion
Both vildagliptin and metformin are effective in improving glycemic control in newly diagnosed T2D patients, as evidenced by reductions in FBG and HbA1c levels. Additionally, both drugs significantly reduced the HSI, body weight, and BMI, with metformin showing a more pronounced effect on weight and BMI. Both vildagliptin and metformin effectively decreased hepatic steatosis in T2D patients. Total cholesterol and LDL are important predictors of hepatic steatosis.

Trial registration
Trial Registration ID: UMIN000055121, registered on 30/07/2024 (retrospectively registered).
CircMYH9/miR-133a-3p/CXCR4 axis: a novel regulatory network in sperm fertilization and embryo development
Authors: Sun Qian , Li Yanyu , Yang Wen , Feng Wen , Zhou Jiayun , Cao Yijuan , Zhang Bei , Zhu Zuobin , Han Conghui 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the influence of sperm miRNAs on fertilization rates (FR) in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to explore potential regulatory mechanisms in sperm-mediated fertilization and embryo development. Through high-throughput sequencing, we identified differentially expressed miRNAs in sperm, with miR-133a-3p significantly upregulated in samples associated with low FR and available embryo rate (AER). Key regulatory circRNAs and mRNAs were further identified via the Starbase database, intersected with differentially expressed RNA, and analyzed through GO, KEGG, and PPI analyses. The circMYH9/miR-133a-3p/CXCR4 axis emerged as a critical regulatory network. In vitro assays using the GC-2 spd mouse spermatogenic cell line revealed that miR-133a-3p inhibited cell growth and proliferation while promoting apoptosis. circMYH9, acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-133a-3p, modulated CXCR4 expression, enhancing GC-2 spd cell growth and inhibiting apoptosis through the miR-133a-3p/CXCR4 axis. In vivo experiments using a mouse model confirmed that circMYH9 overexpression increased IVF success rates and promoted embryo development via this axis. Mechanistically, miR-133a-3p suppresses sperm fertilization and embryo development by targeting the circMYH9/miR-133a-3p/CXCR4 axis. These findings suggest that this regulatory network could serve as a novel biomarker for assessing fertilization potential and embryo quality in clinical settings and as a potential therapeutic target to improve IVF outcomes and address infertility. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms governing sperm function and early embryonic development.
Heat sensitivity of sperm in the lizard Anolis sagrei
Authors: Wang Wayne Wen-Yeu , Page Natalie R. , Strickler Anthony M. , Kusaka Alicia K. , Gunderson Alex R. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
The heat sensitivity of reproduction is a critical determinant of population persistence under climate change. However, the heat sensitivity of gametes has been much less studied relative to that of adults. We developed a method to measure the heat tolerance limits of lizard sperm cells, and used the method to test several aspects of sperm cell thermal biology in the brown anole lizard (Anolis sagrei). We estimated the repeatability of sperm traits by measuring heat tolerance and baseline motility of ejaculated sperm from the same individuals multiple times over 21 days. To investigate co-adaptation of sperm and adult thermal traits, we tested for a correlation between sperm heat tolerance and the heat tolerance of the adults that produced them. Furthermore, we tested for effects of episodic heat stress experienced by males on sperm performance. Sperm heat tolerance and motility were both repeatable, consistent with evolutionary potential, though there was clear evidence for environmental effects on these traits as well. Contrary to the expectation of thermal co-adaptation, we found no correlation between sperm and adult heat tolerance. A single, episodic extreme heat event experienced by adult males immediately impaired sperm motility, consistent with detrimental effects of adult heat stress on sperm stored within males. Our study adds to the mounting evidence that sperm are heat-sensitive and represent a vulnerability to global warming, but also suggest evolutionary potential for thermal adaptation at the gamete level.
Rapid assessment of noma: Reporting on forgotten and neglected disease in Ethiopia
Authors: Enbiale Wendemagegn 
Published: December 2024

Background
Noma is a rapidly progressing, invasive, and debilitating orofacial disease that primarily affects the most vulnerable and marginalised populations worldwide. The highest- risk group includes pre-school children, exposed to other risk factors, such as malnutrition and poverty-related diseases. Since 2010, Ethiopia has reported an increasing number of noma cases, primarily identified through medical missions. Data on the disease burden and epidemiology are essential for planning service delivery and developing effective disease prevention strategies. In this endeavour to document noma.s presence in Ethiopia, and assess the health system capacity for noma care, we have performed a rapid assessment.

Methodology
We performed a rapid assessment including a desk and literature review, health sector capacity assessment and a retrospective analysis of hospital records to identify all confirmed cases of noma cases from 2015–2022, based on data from NGOs and health facility records.

Result
The desk review revealed that Ethiopia lacks a national policy on noma. However, the national health policy emphasizes the prevention and control of poverty-related diseases. There is no formal oral health program within the primary healthcare, aside from the limited dental care availability in regional/referral hospitals and private sector. The retrospective assessment has extracted 69 noma cases record reported from January 2015 to December 2020, with 97% of case record came from two NGO’s supporting surgical mission. Cases were reported from nearly every region of the country with a notable concentration in Amhara region. The trend of cases being cared has decreased from 2015 to 2020 and no record is found for acute cases of noma.

Conclusion
The rapid assessment highlights a critical lack of research and surveillance programmes for noma. Efforts to increase public awareness and educate community workers and primary health care professionals on identification of noma and referring patients for care are essential. As a first step toward eliminating noma, the disease should be added to the national list of neglected tropical diseases, followed by integrated control programmes through the existing health extension system to expand oral health service.
Experience and perceptions of mental ill-health in people with epilepsy in rural Ethiopia: A qualitative study
Authors: Tsigebrhan Ruth , Newton Charles R. , Selamu Medhin , Hanlon Charlotte 
Published: December 2024

Introduction
Understanding the lived experience of mental health and illness in people with epilepsy has been little investigated in Africa and yet is essential to inform person-centered care. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences mental ill-health in the contexts of the lives of people with epilepsy in rural Ethiopia.

Methods
A phenomenological approach was employed using in-depth individual interviews with PWE. Participants were selected purposely. The setting was Gurage Zone in south-central Ethiopia, where efforts had been made to expand access to mental health and epilepsy care through integration in primary health care. Thematic analysis was used.

Result
Twenty-two participant were interviewed (8 women, 14 men). The following themes were identified: expression of ill-health; the essence of emotions; the emotional burden of epilepsy and aspirations and mitigating impacts. Participants reported multiple bodily (e.g., fatigue) and emotional (e.g., irritability, sadness) experiences that were tied up with their experience of epilepsy and not separable into physical vs. mental health. Occupation and social life difficulties were interconnected with emotional and bodily sickness. Emotions were considered inherently concerning, with emotional imbalance spoken of as a cause or trigger for seizures. These emotional burdens resulted in difficulties fulfilling occupational and social life obligations, in turn exacerbating the epilepsy-related stigma experienced by others. Participants sought to mitigate these interconnected psychosocial impacts through finding spiritual meaning in, or acceptance of, their experiences, drawing on family care and, for some, emotional support from health professionals.

Conclusions
People living with epilepsy in this rural Ethiopian setting experience various emotional, financial, occupational and interpersonal problems that are crucially interwoven with one another and with the experience of epilepsy. A people-centered approach to support the recovery of people with epilepsy requires consideration of mental health alongside physical health, as well as interventions outside the health system to address poverty and stigma.
Suicide assistance in Germany: A protocol for a multi-perspective qualitative study to explore the current practice
Authors: Schwabe Sven , Herbst Franziska A. , Stiel Stephanie , Schneider Nils 
Published: December 2024

Background
Suicide assistance is as a complex process comprising a series of stages, ranging from initial consultations with patients about end-of-life options to counselling bereaved family members. The role of healthcare professionals and other practitioners in this process varies according to national regulations and procedural requirements. After a decision of the German Federal Constitutional Court in 2020, suicide assistance is unregulated in Germany but official data about the implementation of suicide assistance is lacking.

Aims
The project “ASEP–Assisted suicide in Germany: Exploring the practice” aims to generate and disseminate scientific knowledge on the practice of assisted suicide in Germany, based on the experiences of practitioners and family members.

Methods
ASEP is a prospective, observational, qualitative study comprising three phases. In Phase 1, expert interviews will be conducted to identify involved professional groups, issues and stages of the implementation of suicide assistance in Germany. In phase 2, experiences of practitioners and family members, who were involved in the practice of suicide assistance in Germany, will be collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed. In phase 3, findings of phase 2 will be discussed in focus groups with experts to identify linkages between the practice of assisted suicide and the healthcare system and to develop recommendations on how these linkages should be organised.

Discussion
The results of this study will gain insights into the practice of suicide assistance for the first time in Germany. The findings are expected to inform scientific societies, professional association, and policy makers about the current practice and provide recommendations for better linkages of assisted suicide with the healthcare system. In this way, the project provides an evidence-based impetus for a more transparent and well-founded handling of assisted suicide in the German healthcare system.

Trial registration
The study was prospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien) (Registration N° DRKS00034574; date of registration: 04 July 2024). The study is searchable under the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal of the World Health Organization, under the German Clinical Trials Register number.
Reducing loneliness and depressive symptoms in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pre-post evaluation of a psychosocial online intervention
Authors: Gabarrell-Pascuet Aina , Coll-Planas Laura , Alias Sergi Blancafort , Pascual Regina Martínez , Haro Josep Maria , Domènech-Abella Joan 
Published: December 2024

Background
Loneliness is related to worse mental health, particularly in people with poor social support. The COVID-19 pandemic altered our lives and ways of social interaction, especially among vulnerable populations such as older adults.

Methods
We designed a group-based psychosocial online intervention for older adults (≥ 65 years) facilitated by gerontologists addressing loneliness consisting of: (i) sharing experiences and promoting peer support to overcome feelings of loneliness and (ii) increasing the chances of establishing successful social relationships. This was a feasibility non-controlled prospective pilot study carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic with a pre-post evaluation. Interviews before and after the intervention assessed loneliness (emotional and social), social support, depressive and anxiety symptoms, quality of life, and perceived health. Groups of 6–8 participants and 2 facilitators met once a week for 8 weeks through videoconferencing. The intervention effectiveness was assessed with multilevel models for repeated measures.

Results
The study sample (N = 27) was mainly composed of females (74%) and the mean age was 74.26 years. 21 participants completed the intervention (22% drop-out rate). Statistically significant (p<0.01) decreases in emotional loneliness and depressive symptoms were observed following the intervention. Qualitatively, participants positively evaluated the intervention and found in the group a space for personal growth where they could meet new people and express themselves with confidence and security.

Conclusions
Interventions overcoming social distancing restrictions through online tools and targeting vulnerable population sectors (e.g., older adults) can become essential to lessen the collateral consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on social behaviour and mental health.
Advanced Neural Model for Spanish Spell-Checking
Authors: Puerto Cuadros Eduard Gilberto 
Published: December 2024

Context: Correcting spelling errors in written content, particularly in Spanish texts, remains a critical challenge in natural language processing (NLP) due to the complexity of word structures and the inefficiency of existing methods when applied to large datasets.
Method: This paper introduces a novel neural model inspired by the brain’s cognitive mechanisms for recognizing and correcting misspelled words. Through a deep hierarchical framework with specialized recognition neurons and advanced activation functions, the model is designed to enhance the accuracy and scalability of spelling correction systems. Our approach not only improves error detection but also provides context-aware corrections.
Results: The results show that the model achieves an F-measure of 83%, significantly surpassing the 73% accuracy of traditional spell-checkers, marking a substantial advancement in automated spelling correction for the Spanish language.
Conclusions: The features of the neural model facilitate spelling correction by emulating the cognitive mechanisms of the human mind. Our model detects more orthographic error types and reports less false positives. As for its limitations, this proposal requires the supervised definition of the weights assigned to the variables used for recognition.
Impact of Atrial Fibrillation Type on Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis: A Single-Center Analysis
Authors: Yamashita Yoshiyuki , Sicouri Serge , Baudo Massimo , Rodriguez Roberto , Gnall Eric M. , Coady Paul M. , Jarrett Harish , Abramson Sandra V. , Hawthorne Katie M. , Goldman Scott M. , Gray William A. , Ramlawi Basel 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a recognized risk factor for mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis, but the impact of different types of AF on clinical outcomes remains unclear.

Methods:
This retrospective study included 982 patients divided into 3 groups: no AF, paroxysmal AF, and nonparoxysmal AF (persistent or permanent). Clinical outcomes were analyzed using inverse probability weighting and multivariate models.

Results:
There were 610, 211, and 161 patients in the no-AF, paroxysmal AF, and nonparoxysmal AF groups, respectively. For the entire cohort, the mean (SD) age was 82 (7.7) years, and the periprocedural, 1-year, and 5-year mortality rates were 2.0%, 12%, and 50%, respectively. After inverse probability weighting, the periprocedural mortality rate was higher in the nonparoxysmal AF group than in the no-AF group (odds ratio, 4.71 [95% CI, 1.24-17.9]). During 5 years of follow-up (median [IQR], 22 [0-69] months), all-cause mortality was higher in the nonparoxysmal AF group than in the no-AF group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.56 [95% CI, 1.14-2.14]; P = .006). The paroxysmal AF group was not associated with worse clinical outcomes than the no-AF group (HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.81-1.49]) for all-cause mortality. Stroke rates were comparable among the 3 groups. Multivariate analysis also showed increased all-cause mortality in the nonparoxysmal AF group compared with the no-AF group (adjusted HR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.06-1.93]; P = .018), while all-cause mortality was comparable between the paroxysmal AF and no-AF groups (adjusted HR, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.75-1.33]).

Conclusion:
In patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis, having nonparoxysmal AF was associated with a higher risk of periprocedural and all-cause mortality compared with having no AF. Paroxysmal AF showed no such association.
Antibacterial Activity of Endophytic Bacterial Isolates from Kaempferia galanga Leaves
Authors: Ridha Rafifa , Hefni Dira , Tachrim Zetryana Puteri , Primahana Gian , Priyanto Jepri Agung , Linosefa Linosefa , Adrial Adrial , Endrinaldi Endrinaldi , Prastya Muhammad Eka 
Published: December 2024

Indonesia has a high biodiversity, which can be relied upon as a potential source of medicinal materials. One of the medicinal plants in Indonesia is Kaempferia galanga, which demonstrates various pharmacological properties, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiangiogenic effects. However, directly extracting active compounds from plants requires a considerable amount of biomass. To address this challenge, utilizing endophytic bacteria associated with these plants presents a promising alternative. Consequently, the antibacterial activity of endophytic bacterial isolates from K. galanga leaves needs to be investigated. This study is an experimental laboratory investigation conducted in vitro. Two isolates demonstrated antibacterial activity: isolate code DR4 inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (3 ± 0.5 mm), while isolate DR10 inhibited the growth of four bacteria: Bacillus subtilis (5 ± 0 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (1.5 ± 0.5 mm), Escherichia coli (1 ± 0 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1 ± 0 mm). Disc diffusion tests using ethyl acetate extracts of isolate DR10 showed the highest antibacterial activity at a concentration of 10,000 ppm. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined to be 156.2 ppm against B. subtilis, while the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) was >625 ppm. Molecular identification showed that isolate DR 10 had 100% similarity to Bacillus sp. TS8. The active compound suspected to have antibacterial properties is pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl)-, with the highest abundance.
Theoretical and experimental exploration of organic molecules adsorption on iron surfaces for corrosion inhibition: a review
Authors: Othman Khdir Ahmed , Hamad Wali M. , Omer Rebaz Anwar 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Iron corrosion in acidic environments poses a significant challenge in various industries. This study explores the relationship between theoretical parameters and experimental data for organic corrosion inhibitors applied to iron surfaces in 1 M HCl solution at 25 °C. The review analyzes studies employing various techniques, primarily Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), to assess inhibitor efficiency (IE%). Key theoretical parameters like E
binding (interaction strength) and ΔN (electron transfer) are investigated for their ability to predict IE%. The findings reveal a strong correlation between experimental IE% and E
binding, suggesting the potential of E
binding as a reliable predictor of inhibitor performance before experimentation. While ΔN demonstrates promise in evaluating inhibitor effectiveness, further validation is necessary. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the possibility of using a single standardized method like EIS for inhibitor efficiency evaluation due to consistent results observed across studies with standardized conditions. Additionally, the influence of factors like molecular structure, surface interactions, and temperature on inhibitor effectiveness is highlighted. Higher inhibitor concentrations and lower temperatures generally resulted in improved corrosion inhibition. This review underscores the importance of a combined theoretical and experimental approach for the development of efficient and optimized corrosion inhibitors for iron in acidic environments.