bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Use of Prednisolone 2.5 mg Daily During Ramadan Fasting in Patients With Adrenal Insufficiency
Authors: Mok Meng‐Loong , Farook Nusrath Salma , Hee Nicholas Ken Yoong , Sarvanandan Tharsini , Lim Quan‐ Hziung , Lim Lee‐Ling , Vethakkan Shireene , Ratnasingam Jeyakantha 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundA previous study had established the safety and preserved of quality of life in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) who received prednisolone 5 mg once daily at sahur (predawn) during Ramadan fasting. It has been postulated that a lower dose of prednisolone between 2 and 3 mg may be sufficient for glucocorticoid replacement in this group of patients. This study aimed to assess the safety and effect on quality of life in patients with AI given prednisolone 2.5 mg during Ramadan fasting.MethodsPatients with AI on twice‐daily hydrocortisone, who had low or moderate risk of adrenal crisis and intended to fast, were recruited. Patients were given prednisolone 2.5 mg once daily taken at sahur(predawn) and Ramadan education was given. Weight, sleep duration, physical activity, biochemical parameters and quality of life measurements (SF‐36 questionnaire) were analysed at the end of Ramadan and compared against the patient's own baseline readings before the start of Ramadan.ResultsA total of 16 patients (10 men, median age 60 [50.3, 68] years) were recruited. All patients were on 15–20 mg of hydrocortisone (in divided doses) before Ramadan, and intended to fast. Five of the participants had type 2 diabetes with low IDF‐DAR risk category. 18.7% of the participants were unable to complete all 29 days of fasting. Up to 62.5% of the participants reported at least one adverse event. There was a statistically significant reduction in weight (median: −1.6 [−2.5, −0.3] kg, p < .01), systolic blood pressure (median: −17.0 (−28.8, −4.3) mmHg, p < .01) and diastolic blood pressure (median: −13.0 (−17.8, −3.8) mmHg, p < .01). Quality of life measures were preserved in all domains.ConclusionWith prednisolone 2.5 mg daily in Ramadan fasting, more than half of the participants experienced symptoms of AI, with significant reduction in weight and blood pressure. We conclude that prednisolone 2.5 mg daily is insufficient during the somewhat stressful state of Ramadan fasting. Further studies with prednisolone 3–4 mg daily in settings with readily available prednisolone 1 mg tablets may further elucidate the safety of using lower dose prednisolone in Muslim patients who fast with AI during Ramadan.
Efficacy of Collagen Matrix for Establishing Keratinized Mucosa at Dental Implants: A 5‐Year Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wei Diyuan , Wang Qi , Sui Huiping , Qin Yixuan , Zhang Han , Meng Huanxin , Han Jie 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo compare the 5‐year outcomes of collagen matrix (CM) and free gingival graft (FGG) used to augment the keratinized mucosa (KM) around posterior dental implants.Materials and MethodsThirty patients (44 implants) with inadequate KM (< 2 mm) on posterior dental implants were randomized into two groups that received KM augmentation with CM or FGG. Clinical measurements comprising the KM width (KMW), buccal mucosal thickness (MT), and clinical parameters were examined in a 5‐year follow‐up. Marginal bone loss (MBL) was evaluated with standardized radiographs using the paralleling technique. Patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) during the first week post‐surgery and at the 5‐year follow‐up were evaluated.ResultsKMW increased significantly during the follow‐up period in both groups. The FGG group had a significantly greater KMW than the CM group at the 1, 2‐month follow‐up and after the 6‐month follow‐up. KM shrinkage was observed, and was greatest within the first 2 months post‐surgery in both groups. At the 5‐year follow‐up, the KM shrinkage was significantly different between the groups (FGG: 47%; CM: 70%) (p < 0.01). The MT increased significantly in the FGG group. The clinical parameters and MBL were similar between the groups. The bleeding score in the FGG group was higher than that in the CM group (p < 0.05) within the first 2 days post‐surgery, while other PROs scores were similar between groups in the first week post‐surgery. At 5‐year follow‐up, all patients were highly satisfied with the treatments.ConclusionsFGG was superior to CM in terms of the KM augmentation and MT increase. Except for a slight difference in self‐reported bleeding during the first two post‐operative days, CM didn't demonstrate other significant advantages in PROMs.Trial RegistrationChiCTR1800018285 (date of registration: 9/9/2018, retrospectively registered. URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=24156)
Body size and evolutionary rate analyses reveal complex evolutionary history of Alvarezsauria
Authors: Meso Jorge Gustavo , Pol Diego , Chiappe Luis , Qin Zichuan , Díaz‐Martínez Ignacio , Gianechini Federico , Apesteguía Sebastián , Makovicky Peter J. , Pittman Michael 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSome of the smallest examples of dinosaurian body size are from alvarezsaurians, an enigmatic group of maniraptoran coelurosaurians with a peculiar combination of anatomical features unique among theropods. Despite the large number of alvarezsaurian species described worldwide and the increased understanding this has provided, the body‐size macroevolution of alvarezsaurians has received little attention. Here we reconstruct and analyse directional trends of alvarezsaurian body‐size evolution through an integrated analysis of body mass, ontogenetic age, and morphological rate data enabled by a comprehensively revised phylogeny. Our analyses identify four periods of high morphological rate evolution (Bathonian–Callovian, Hauterivian–early Berriasian, early Cenomanian, and late Cenomanian–Turonian) that we link to the key effects of animal body‐size changes for the first time, including morphological novelty, structural reduction and simplification, elevated homoplasy, and behavioral changes associated with miniaturization. In doing so, this study provides a holistic example of miniaturization in a Mesozoic vertebrate group that offers a framework for other detailed studies of animal body‐size evolution, including in more disparate groups.
Insights into Corncrake (Crex crex) movements in a fragmented agricultural landscape using bioacoustics with implications for nature conservation strategies
Authors: Parisi Andrea , Moran James , Carey John , O'Brien Joanne 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMovement ecology data are often collected by catching animals and fitting GPS tags. This technique is expensive, biased and comes at an extra cost for the caught individuals. New conservation technologies allow noninvasive data collection, providing ecological knowledge to aid the conservation of endangered species. Using bioacoustics, we investigated intraseason and between‐year movements of the red‐listed corncrake (Crex crex) and their relationships with landscape structure. Our goals were to track corncrake movements with minimal disturbance to the species and determine how landscape features affect these movements. We recorded males over two consecutive breeding seasons in 2022 and 2023 in an extensively farmed agricultural landscape in the West of Ireland. Individual identity was obtained through vocal characteristics of the calling males which were grouped into clusters. The areas of seminatural grassland and margin features, presence of bird refuge strips, and habitat connectivity were extracted from buffers between locations of two matching recordings (same calling male). These landscape features were used as model predictors to determine the distance that the same male covered. We found that, in a season, males moved 415 m on average (min = 10 m; max = 1805 m) between calling locations, which was more than previously thought in the Western Europe. Males also reoccurred on average 375 m (min = 23 m; max = 1231 m) away from the previous year's location. Landscape connectivity (p = 0.01, N = 42) and seminatural grassland area (p = 0.02, N = 42) were positive predictors of intraseason movements, whereas the margin area (p = 0.01, N = 35) predicted further between‐year movements. Considering our noninvasively sampled results in the Irish context, we suggest increasing the protection area around a calling male to 500 m. In this buffer, we also suggest improving the availability of seminatural grassland to 30% and presence of margin features to 3%. Further land management recommendations are provided.
Supporting farmers dealing with climate change: The impact of Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) on smallholder lead farmers in Malawi
Authors: Abidoye Babatunde , Aladysheva Anastasia , Haitz Natascha , Montresor Giulia , Nyekanyeka Ted , Orlic Edvard , Prowse Martin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMotivationThe climate crisis threatens the livelihoods and welfare of farmers in the global south. Increasing variability of weather makes it ever more important to get forecasts to farmers and help them make best use of this information. Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) is an approach that gives farmers better weather forecasts and, in lockstep with agricultural extension workers, supports farmers in interpreting forecasts to make appropriate decisions for their own farms. It has been implemented across more than 20 countries of the global south, including Malawi.Reviews and evaluations of PICSA have been positive, although it has not previously been rigorously evaluated using impact evaluation techniques.PurposeWe estimate the impacts of PICSA training and meetings on lead farmers in Malawi, taking farmers in four districts where PICSA operated, and farmers in four other districts where the programme was not present.MethodsWe compare outcomes in farming practice, yields obtained, livelihood decisions and food security between lead farmers who participated in PICSA and those who did not. Because selection into the programme was not random, we use propensity score matching and regression adjustment to correct for potential selection bias.FindingsPICSA lead farmers used seasonal forecasts to plan farm decisions, change crop activities, increase maize yields, and improve their food security. Differences between them and the control group were, in most cases, significant.Our results confirm the potential of PICSA to help farmers adapt to climate change.PolicyIn similar contexts, the PICSA approach could effectively support smallholders to make informed agricultural decisions, in participatory discussions, based on climate and weather information.For Malawi, the evidence suggests the programme or something similar should be continued.
Climate Change Education in a Secondary School, the I‐CHANGE Project Approach
Authors: Devecchi Monica , Dagnino Elisa , Milelli Massimo , Soini Katriina , Parodi Antonio 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTRaising the awareness and interest of young generations for climate change phenomena and its impacts is a topic of great importance from a social and cultural standpoint. Along these lines, education plays a crucial role to meet the goals of the EU's Green Deal both through direct interplay with students and information spillover towards families and in general stakeholders at large. Inspired by these ideas, the H2020 I‐CHANGE project (Individual Change of HAbits Needed for Green European transition, 2021–2025, https://ichange‐project.eu/) aims at engaging and promoting the active participation of citizens for addressing climate change, sustainable development, and environmental protection. By taking into consideration the ongoing fast socio‐cultural change, the vertical growth of digital media, and, therefore, the new ways children and young people learn, this paper presents a possible path towards the practical implementation of key EU's Green Deal concepts in a secondary school, building on top of Episode of Situated Learning (ESL) methodology.
Short‐term crop residue amendments altered the chemodiversity and thermodynamic stability of dissolvable organic matter in paddy soil
Authors: Chen Shuotong , Xia Xin , Feng Xiao , Lin Qingmei , Pan Genxing 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe chemodiversity and thermodynamic stability of dissolvable organic matter (DOM) in paddy soil under different crop residue managements remain unclear. Using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR‐MS) analysis, we explored the molecular composition of DOM in paddy soil 4 years following incorporation of maize residue in different forms (air‐dried straw, manure and biochar). Compared to the control without amendments, manure increased the pool size of DOM but reduced its chemodiversity, while the straw and biochar amendments reduced the pool size but increased the chemodiversity of DOM by 0.22 and 0.05, respectively. Though approximately 60% of the compounds were shared among the treatments, those distinct among the treatments were shaped by residue‐derived lignin‐like compounds. Moreover, the nominal oxidation state of carbon (NOSC), which corresponds to the energy content in organic carbon, decreased with the maize residue amendments, regardless of the forms. Thus, crop residue amendments could lead to higher DOM persistence in the short‐term, potentially slowing carbon turnover in paddy soil.
The role of parent's mental health in shaping perceptions of adolescent mental health experiences after COVID‐19
Authors: Morgan Derek D. , Higgins Connað D. , Rogers Christy R. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe study objective was to examine parental mental health and parenting practices during the pandemic and their association with perceptions of adolescent mental health 2 months later.BackgroundPandemic stress led to greater parental and adolescent mental health issues, including ineffective parenting practices. Parent–adolescent relationship quality may protect parental perceptions of adolescent mental health against ineffective parenting, though few have examined this link.MethodIn a sample of West Texas parents and caregivers (N = 194; 46% women) of adolescents (Mage = 14.2; 35% girls), longitudinal structural equation models were used to separately explore parental perceptions of adolescent depression and anxiety due to COVID‐19 stress on parental psychopathology and parenting practices, and the protective role of parent–adolescent relationship quality.ResultsDepression and anxiety models showed transmission from parents to parental perceptions of adolescent's mental health occurred through distinct parenting practices. Parent–adolescent relationship quality ameliorated the effect of inconsistent discipline on later parental perceptions of adolescent depression and anxiety.ConclusionsParental mental health and parenting practices can act as mechanisms between their chronic stress experiences and their perceptions of their adolescent child's mental health.ImplicationsPromoting mental health resources and parent–adolescent relationship quality may offset the transmission of negative mental health from parents to their adolescents.
Artificial intelligence terminology, methodology, and critical appraisal: A primer for headache clinicians and researchers
Authors: Dumkrieger Gina M. , Chiang Chia‐Chun , Zhang Pengfei , Minen Mia T. , Cohen Fred , Hranilovich Jennifer A. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe goal is to provide an overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methodology and appraisal tailored to clinicians and researchers in the headache field to facilitate interdisciplinary communications and research.BackgroundThe application of AI to the study of headache and other healthcare challenges is growing rapidly. It is critical that these findings be accurately interpreted by headache specialists, but this can be difficult for non‐AI specialists.MethodsThis paper is a narrative review of the fundamentals required to understand ML/AI headache research. Using guidance from key leaders in the field of headache medicine and AI, important references were reviewed and cited to provide a comprehensive overview of the terminology, methodology, applications, pitfalls, and bias of AI.ResultsWe review how AI models are created, common model types, methods for evaluation, and examples of their application to headache medicine. We also highlight potential pitfalls relevant when consuming AI research, and discuss ethical issues of bias, privacy and abuse generated by AI. Additionally, we highlight recent related research from across headache‐related applications.ConclusionMany promising current and future applications of ML and AI exist in the field of headache medicine. Understanding the fundamentals of AI will allow readers to understand and critically appraise AI‐related research findings in their proper context. This paper will increase the reader's comfort in consuming AI/ML‐based research and will prepare them to think critically about related research developments.
Angiogenic and neurogenic potential of dental‐derived stem cells for functional pulp regeneration: A narrative review
Authors: Su Wanting , Liao Chufang , Liu Xiangning 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundDental pulp tissue engineering is expected to become an ideal treatment for irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis. However, angiogenesis and neurogenesis for functional pulp regeneration have not yet met the standard for large‐scale clinical application, and need further research.ObjectiveThis review focused on the potential mechanisms of angiogenesis and neurogenesis in pulp regeneration, including stem cell types, upstream and downstream regulatory molecules and cascade signalling pathways, thereby providing a theoretical basis and inspiring new ideas to improve the effectiveness of dental pulp tissue engineering.MethodsAn electronic literature search was carried out using the keywords of ‘pulp regeneration’, ‘stem cell transplantation’, ‘dental pulp stem cells’, ‘angiogenesis’ and ‘neurogenesis’. The resulting literature was screened and reviewed.ResultsStem cells used in dental pulp tissue engineering can be classified as dental‐derived and non‐dental‐derived stem cells, amongst which dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) have achieved promising results in animal experiments and clinical trials. Multiple molecules and signalling pathways are involved in the process of DPSC‐mediated angiogenic and neurogenetic regeneration. In order to promote angiogenesis and neurogenesis in pulp regeneration, feasible measures include the addition of growth factors, the modulation of transcription factors and signalling pathways, the use of extracellular vesicles and the modification of bioscaffold materials.ConclusionDental pulp tissue engineering has had breakthroughs in preclinical and clinical studies in vivo. Overcoming difficulties in pulpal angiogenesis and neurogenesis, and achieving functional pulp regeneration will lead to a significant impact in endodontics.
The impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on post‐operative outcomes
Authors: Hersch Nicole , Girgis Samira , Marks Guy Barrington , Smith Frances , Buchanan Peter R. , Williamson Jonathan P. , Garden Frances , Vedam Hima 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundUnrecognised obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been associated with adverse cardiorespiratory perioperative outcomes. However, with changing anaesthetic and perioperative management, there is ongoing uncertainty about the importance of OSA as a risk factor for post‐operative complications.MethodsA cohort study involving subjects undergoing elective surgery was conducted. OSA was diagnosed with a limited channel sleep monitor. In subjects undergoing routine perioperative care, complications were identified based on the assessment of the attending clinical team. The primary outcome was a composite end‐point of cardiorespiratory outcomes comprising myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, other arrhythmias, bradycardia, need for inotropic support, unplanned intensive care unit admission, pneumonia or respiratory failure.ResultsFour hundred seventy‐two subjects were recruited, with 356 being included in the analyses; 281 (79%) had OSA and 66 (19%) had severe OSA. Subjects with OSA did not have a significantly higher incidence of complications (5.7%) compared to those without (2.7%, adjusted relative risk 1.89 (0.23–15.67)). Additionally, complications were not increased in those with severe OSA.ConclusionsUnrecognised OSA was not associated with an increase in clinically evident cardiorespiratory complications in this cohort. The lower complication rates compared with earlier studies suggest that increased use of less invasive surgical techniques, improved pain management and increased awareness of OSA have had an impact in reducing postoperative complications in this group. Further research is needed to clarify the impact of severe OSA on post‐operative outcomes in different surgical cohorts with varying risk profiles in order to develop optimal perioperative pathways.
Forms and Functions of Gestures in Preverbal 12‐ to 15‐Months Old Infants
Authors: Gupta Shreejata , Pequay Eulalie , François Clément , Dautriche Isabelle 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTSpeech and co‐speech gestures always go hand in hand. Whether we find the precursors of these co‐speech gestures in infants before they master their native language still remains an open question. Except for deictic gestures, there is little agreement on the existence of iconic, non‐referential and conventional gestures before children start producing their first words. Here, we bridge this knowledge gap by leveraging an ethological method already established for describing speech independent gestures in nonhuman primates, to analyze the spontaneous gestures produced by infants when interacting with their caregivers. We manually annotated video recordings of infant‐caregiver interactions (26 h) from the CHILDES platform, to describe the gesture forms, types and functions in six infants from 12 to 15 months of age. We describe 62 gesture forms in the preverbal repertoire. These were categorized into deictic, iconic, non‐referential and conventional gesture types, similar to co‐speech gesture types. We also find that the type‐function relation of preverbal gestures map similarly to type‐meaning relation of co‐speech gestures. Taken together, our results illustrate linguistic properties of infant gestures in the absence of speech, suggesting them to be precursors of co‐speech gestures.
Novel two‐step method for joining alumina ceramic by using Al2O3 powder followed by glass infiltration
Authors: Tang Mu , Zhu Weiwei , Zou Haohao , Zu Guoqing , Han Ying , Ran Xu 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn this work, a novel two‐step joining method was developed to join alumina ceramics for high‐temperature applications. First, alumina ceramics were bonded using Al2O3 powder at 1550°C. Subsequently, the Dy2O3–Al2O3–SiO2 glass was infiltrated into the interlayer at 1450°C to obtain the alumina/alumina joints with dense composite interlayer composed by Al2O3, Dy2Si2O7, and few glass phase. The content of Al2O3 in the composite interlayer reached 52.7%. As a result, the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between the interlayer and the alumina ceramic was reduced to only 2%. The flexural strength of the joints at room temperature was equivalent to that of the alumina ceramic. Furthermore, the flexural strength of the joints at 1000°C reached about 90% of that of alumina ceramics under the same conditions. After the thermal cycles from room temperature to 1000°C for 50 times, there was no significant change in the flexural strength of the joints.