bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of hydroxychloroquine on pregnancy outcome in patients with SLE: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Qingmiao , Wang Jiayu , Sun Qice , Xie Zhijun , Li Rongqun , Yang Zi , Song Ziyu , Yang Kepeng , Zhao Ting 
Published: October 2024

ObjectiveHydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an antimalarial drug employed in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Prior studies reported inconsistent results regarding the association between HCQ use during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of HCQ on pregnancy-related outcomes in women with SLE.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search for studies associating pregnancy outcomes with HCQ use in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang database and VIP from inception to 22 September 2022. Random or fixed effect models were used to estimate the pooled effect based on I2measurement of heterogeneity.ResultsTwenty-one studies were included, encompassing 929 and 1031 patients in HCQ and non-HCQ groups, respectively. We found that HCQ use was significantly associated with reduced risks of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores (second trimester: mean difference (MD) −1.80, 95% CI −2.46 to –1.13; third trimester: MD −2.30, 95% CI −3.31 to –1.29), flare (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.97), preterm birth (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.72), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.72), gestational hypertension (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.42), pre-eclampsia (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.72). In contrast, a positive correlation was observed between full-term birth and HCQ use (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.52 to 2.65). However, the result for disease flare exhibited high heterogeneity (p=0.01, I2=59%). In addition, publication bias was detected in the meta-analysis of full-term birth using the Egger’s test.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis offers a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between disease activity, pregnancy-related outcomes and HCQ use, providing supportive evidence for the therapeutic effectiveness of HCQ in pregnant women with SLE.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022374468.
Impact of low crude protein diets containing animal byproducts on growth performance, nitrogen excretion, meat yield, and quality in broiler chickens
Authors: Askri Amani , de Rauglaudre Théophane , Létourneau-Montminy Marie-Pierre , Alnahhas Nabeel 
Published: October 2024

This study examined the impact of a low crude protein (CP) diet incorporating meat and bone meal (MBM) as an alternative (AD) to standard diet, on broiler performance, nitrogen intake, excretion, and meat quality. A total of 846 male Ross 308 chicks were assigned to two diets in a randomized complete block design with 9 replicates of 47 birds/replicate. The diets were a plant-based control (20.4% and 19.5% CP) and an AD (−2.0% CP, +2.5% MBM) in the grower and finisher phases. Compared to the control, the AD reduced nitrogen intake ( P = 0.01) and excretion ( P < 0.01) while improving nitrogen retention efficiency ( P < 0.001) without affecting body weight, feed conversion, or carcass yield. Breast yield was higher in the AD group ( P < 0.001). The ultimate pH of breast meat increased slightly ( P = 0.07), cooking loss decreased ( P = 0.002), sarcoplasmic protein solubility tended to increase ( P = 0.09) in the AD group, while muscle protein emulsifying properties remained unchanged. Breast meat proximate composition was not affected by the AD. In conclusion, the alternative diet can reduce nitrogen loss and emissions without negatively impacting broiler production, provided that amino acid requirements are met.
Search for single vector-like B quark production in hadronic final states at the LHC
Authors: Yang Bingfang , Li Zejun , Jia Xinglong , Moretti Stefano , Shang Liangliang 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we study the discovery potential of a Vector-Like B quark (VLB) via the process $$pp \rightarrow B(\rightarrow bZ)j\rightarrow b(Z \rightarrow \nu _l\bar{\nu _l})j$$

p
p
→
B

(
→
b
Z
)

j
→
b

(
Z
→

ν
l

ν
l

¯

)

j

at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) with $$\sqrt{s}=14$$

s

=
14

TeV. In the framework of a simplified model, we perform a scan over its parameter space and test its viability following a Monte Carlo analysis developed to include all production and decay dynamics. We use cut-and-count combined with Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) methods to classify the signal and background events in order to improve the efficiency of signal identification and background rejection. We find that this approach can reduce background events significantly while the signal retention rate is much higher than that of traditional methods, thereby improving the VLB discovery potential. We then calculate the exclusion and discovery capabilities for VLBs and find that the advantages of the cut-and-count plus XGBoost method especially lie in the high-mass region, i.e., $$m_B > 1500 \text { GeV}$$

m
B

>
1500

GeV

. We finally obtain the following LHC results in terms of the coupling and chiral structure of a singlet heavy VLB interactions: (i) for $$g^{*}=0.2$$

g

∗

=
0.2

and $$R_L=0$$

R
L

=
0

with 3000 fb$$^{-1}$$

-
1

, the B quark mass can be be excluded (discovered) up to 3000 GeV (2500 GeV); (ii) for $$g^{*}=0.2$$

g

∗

=
0.2

and $$R_L=0.5$$

R
L

=
0.5

with 3000 fb$$^{-1}$$

-
1

, the exclusion (discovery) region can reach up to 4750 GeV (4250 GeV).
Case 330: Ovarian Torsion in the Setting of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Authors: Zulfiqar Maria , Khafaji Fatima Al , Wasson Megan 
Published: October 2024

History A 30-year-old female patient with a history of infertility and no pregnancy presented to the gynecologic endometriosis clinic for follow-up 1 month after oocyte retrieval, to be evaluated for pelvic optimization before potential embryo transfer, with worsening dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and overall pelvic pain. Eleven years prior, the patient had undergone left ovarian cystectomy for treatment of endometrioma, as well as excision of deep infiltrating endometriosis. The oocyte retrieval procedure, where more than 30 eggs were retrieved, was complicated by ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and intraperitoneal bleeding, which necessitated admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for 3 days. Following discharge from the ICU, the patient experienced occasional on-and-off pressure of the urinary bladder and persistent aching pelvic pain. At the 1-month follow-up appointment, the patient’s vital signs were assessed (blood pressure, 142/94 mm Hg; pulse rate, 95 per minute; temperature, 96.8 °F [36 °C]). Routine blood investigations, including white blood cell count, were within normal limits. Physical examination showed the abdomen was soft but there was mild pelvic tenderness. The serum β–human chorionic gonadotropin test result was negative for pregnancy, and urinalysis testing showed no leukocyte esterase or nitrites. MRI of the pelvis was performed to evaluate the worsening pain.
Case 334
Authors: Brun-Vergara Maria L. , Zakhari Nader , Torres Carlos H. 
Published: October 2024

History A 30-year-old female patient who was 25 weeks pregnant presented to the emergency department with a 1-month history of mild headache and 2 weeks of progressive somnolence and photophobia accompanied by binocular horizontal diplopia and right gaze deviation. The patient also described new neck pain with passive head movements, without neck stiffness. Overall, the pregnancy was uncomplicated, with no high-risk features. Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and abdominal or chest pain were denied. The patient had no history of rash, intravenous drug use, immunosuppressive medication use, or documented congenital abnormalities. She had not traveled recently, although she lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 2 years prior to presentation. There was no recent or recurrent bacterial or viral illness. At clinical examination, the patient exhibited a decreased level of alertness and appeared tired. Vital signs were unremarkable, with a normal temperature (37.1 °C). Cranial nerve assessment revealed mild right abducens nerve palsy; neurologic examination was otherwise normal. Fundoscopic examination showed moderate grade 3 papilledema, left greater than right, with obscuration of some of the vessels leaving the disk. A CT scan of the head at admission was interpreted as normal ( Fig 1 ). MRI of the brain performed 5 days later, due to persistent symptoms, revealed infratentorial and supratentorial imaging abnormalities ( Figs 2 – 5 ). Lumbar puncture revealed high cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure (32 cm H2O; upper limit of normal, 25 cm H2O). The CSF was clear, and analysis revealed an elevated total nucleated cell count (136 ×106/L; reference range, 0–5 ×106/L), with predominant lymphocytic moderate pleocytosis (100 ×106/L; reference range, 0–5 ×106/L) (59% lymphocytes) and normal glucose (3.3 mmol/L; reference range, 2.2–3.9 mmol/L) and normal total protein (0.27 g/L; reference range, 0.16–0.49 g/L) levels. Blood culture results for mycobacteria and anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms showed no growth. Findings from extensive additional diagnostic workup, including serologic testing for herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, enterovirus, Brucella, Coccidioides, Histoplasma, and mycobacteria, were negative. The HIV test result was negative, and the CD4 lymphocyte count and complement and immunoglobulin levels were within normal range. Autoimmune screening results were also negative.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy With Elongated Mitral Valve Leaflets: Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Results
Authors: Liu Xianying , McGrath Daniel , Ohlrich Kelly , Chen Frederick Y. , Lee Lawrence S. , Robich Michael 
Published: October 2024

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is commonly associated with mitral valve pathology. A large majority of patients with HCM have elongated anterior and posterior mitral leaflets. There remains debate regarding the necessity and role of concomitant mitral valve surgery at the time of septal myectomy. We aimed to describe the characteristics and share our surgical experiences with this specific group of patients.Methods: This retrospective single‐center study investigates adult patients with HCM, with or without elongated mitral valve leaflets (MVLs), who underwent elective septal myectomy with or without concomitant mitral valve intervention, between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2020. Clinical data were obtained from institutional medical records as well as the Society of Thoracic Surgeons data registry. The clinical characteristics and in‐hospital surgical outcomes were compared between patients with an elongated MVL and those without.Results: In total, 379 patients underwent septal myectomy, and 22 patients with intrinsic mitral valve disease were excluded. In addition, 23 patients were excluded due to missing data. Of the remaining 334 patients, 131 (39.2%) had elongated MVL and concomitant MVL plication. Patients with elongated MVL had higher rates of preoperative mitral valve systolic anterior motion (SAM) (94.7% vs. 86.7%, p = 0.019) and higher preoperative provoked left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG) (134.5 mmHg versus 125.3 mmHg, p = 0.046). Post septal myectomy and mitral valve plication, they had lower rates of postoperative residual mitral regurgitation (3.8% vs. 12.8%, p = 0.006), comparable rates of residual SAM (28.2% vs. 31.5%, p = 0.524), postoperative provoked LVOTG (15.4 mmHg vs. 14.0 mmHg, p = 0.317), 30‐day major adverse cardiopulmonary events (2.3% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.409), and mortality (0% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.255).Conclusions: Elongated MVLs contribute more significantly to dynamic LVOT obstruction, as evidenced during provocative testing. Concomitant mitral valve intervention during septal myectomy can be performed safely and may provide an effective strategy to resolve SAM and stress‐induced LVOTG.
Cardiovascular Disease Pathogenicity Predictor (CVD-PP): A Tissue-Specific In Silico Tool for Discriminating Pathogenicity of Variants of Unknown Significance in Cardiovascular Disease Genes
Authors: Ramaker Megan E. , Abdulrahim Jawan W. , Corey Kristin M. , Ramaker Ryne C. , Kwee Lydia Coulter , Kraus William E. , Shah Svati H. 
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:
Interpretation of variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) remains a challenge in the care of patients with inherited cardiovascular diseases (CVDs); 56% of variants within CVD risk genes are VUS, and machine learning algorithms trained upon large data resources can stratify VUS into higher versus lower probability of contributing to a CVD phenotype.

METHODS:
We used ClinVar pathogenic/likely pathogenic and benign/likely benign variants from 47 CVD genes to build a predictive model of variant pathogenicity utilizing measures of evolutionary constraint, deleteriousness, splicogenicity, local pathogenicity, cardiac-specific expression, and population allele frequency. Performance was validated using variants for which the ClinVar pathogenicity assignment changed. Functional validation was assessed using prior studies in >900 identified VUS. The model utility was demonstrated using the Catheterization Genetics (CATHGEN) cohort.

RESULTS:

We identified a top-ranked model that accurately prioritized variants for which ClinVar clinical significance had changed (n=663; precision-recall area under the curve, 0.97) and performed well compared with conventional in silico methods. This model (CVD pathogenicity predictor [CVD-PP]) also had high accuracy in prioritizing VUS with functional effects in vivo (precision-recall area under the curve, 0.58). In CATHGEN, there was a greater burden of higher CVD-PP scored VUS in individuals with dilated cardiomyopathy compared with controls (
P
=8.2×10
−
15
). Of individuals in CATHGEN who harbored highly ranked CVD pathogenicity predictor VUS meeting clinical pathogenicity criteria, 27.6% had clinical evidence of disease. Variant prioritization using this model increased genetic diagnosis in CATHGEN participants with a known clinical diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (7.8%–27.2%).

CONCLUSIONS:
We present a cardiac-specific model for prioritizing variants underlying CVD syndromes with high performance in discriminating the pathogenicity of VUS in CVD genes. Variant review and phenotyping of individuals carrying VUS of pathogenic interest support the clinical utility of this model. This model could also have utility in filtering variants as part of large-scale genomic sequencing studies.
Immunocastration caused dysfunction of Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus)
Authors: Chu Pengfei , Yuan Hongping , Zhang Yichuan , Li Haotian , Wang Libo , Xie Shengbin , Yuan Baodong 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The population density of Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus) in Jiangsu Dafeng Milu Nature Reserve was excessively high due to an overemphasis on population recovery, while ignoring the crucial relationship between population size and habitats. This study used immunocastration to capture four Père David’s deer and observed their behavior. Their blood was collected for sex hormone testing, transcriptomics, and metabolomics analysis. In addition, six uncastrated Père David’s deer were included as control group. The results showed that reproductive behavior was absent in castrated Père David’s deer, while castrated individuals exhibited a significant decrease in blood hormone testosterone concentration compared to uncastrated Père David’s deer. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed 450 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and five differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), Combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolic data revealed a significant correlation between DEGs and DEMs. It shows that using immune castration to control the population of Père David’s deer may disrupt their cell apoptosis and disturb the cell cycle, leading to abnormal pathways and promoting the onset of many diseases. Therefore, a cautious approach should be adopted toward immune castration as a means of population control. This study can provide valuable references for the standardized management of Père David’s deer populations.
Egypt in Chinese Media
Authors: Hassan Ahmed Abdelhafiz Mohamed 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
In recent years, Sino-African relations have thrived and the level of co-operation between China and several African countries, including Egypt, has reached new levels. This study focuses on how China–Egypt relations are reflected in the Chinese online newspaper Xinhua’s headlines, using qualitative and quantitative methods, combining critical discourse analysis and systemic functional linguistics to explore the ideological tendencies evident in these headlines. The study finds that while the influence of the newspaper’s ideology in highlighting China’s support and efforts in Egypt was apparent, it also demonstrated Egypt’s role in regional and international engagement in Africa and the Middle East. In addition, the newspaper also paid attention to various events and topics, such as Egypt’s internal affairs, society, economy and tourism, and reported on these events extensively, reflecting the interest of the newspaper and Chinese media in Egyptian news.
Public Sector Performance Reforms in Developing Countries
Authors: Shahda Elias A. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Public service performance reform has long been a primary concern for scholars, researchers, and citizens alike. A well-functioning public sector has been considered a key element for socio-economic development, especially in developing countries. A World Bank team has been able to shed light on the successful experiences of fifteen developing countries in their improvement of the performance of public sector employees. Through this experience, the Bank’s team has been able to offer insights into the relevance of five interrelated drivers (political support, institutional capacity-building, incentives, transparency, and technology) to improving performance. This successful experience is a stepping-stone for others and an inspiration for the Lebanese government, which is continually attempting to find answers and solutions to its persistent administrative problems. The article shows that these drivers were not present in the Lebanese context and were thus unable to improve the performance of the country’s civil servants.
Qaddafi’s Downfall in Libya
Authors: Iftikhar Mohammad Hamza 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Muammar Qaddafi’s downfall arguably came as a surprise to many given that he had been able to successfully run a personalist regime from 1969 to 2011. This paper examines the factors that led to Qaddafi’s downfall and seeks to determine which ones can be primarily credited with causing the end of his rule. The paper theorizes that there are four main factors that led to Qaddafi’s downfall: a) governance, b) military, c) media, and d) international intervention. It argues that governance and the military proved to be a source of strength up until the Arab Spring—which was an exogenous shock in itself. Out of the four variables, the paper also finds that during the Arab Spring, the external intervention proved to be a detrimental factor for the Qaddafi regime as it destroyed the military apparatus. The protests also brought to the fore the polarization and grievances of the people that had been simmering under the wraps of the personalistic governance model of Qaddafi. Thus, the Arab Spring converted governance and military from sources of strength into sources of weakness, thereby contributing towards Qaddafi’s downfall.
Leading the Transformation Towards the Modern State
Authors: Jaafar Mohammad Ali 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
This study explores a key political problem that countries suffer from and leads to a gap between the citizen and state which is the absence of the ability to affect political transformation. This should naturally result from the permanent development of citizens’ needs and the modernization of governance systems. The study discusses the importance of developing a comprehensive integrated project and the adoption of a policy-making process in a way that allows decision-makers to understand this real problem and confront it. Therefore, the study shows how the state crisis is a political transformation crisis that is expressed in mass movements, in which people strive for improvement. This requires a scientific framework approach that is consistent with the doctrine of the modern state in order to identify the problem of political transformation with its multiple dimensions to provide a practical guideline to lead political transformation.
Radiographic Variants Associated With Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis: Key Differences for Pre-Operative Planning
Authors: Erwin Dylan Z. , Liu Matthew Y. , Krysinski Mason R. , Choi Alexander M. , Tantiwongkosi Bundhit , Chen Philip G. 
Published: October 2024

Objectives: Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) often results in expansion of disease beyond the paranasal sinuses, which may put important structures, such as the anterior ethmoid artery (AEA) or lateral lamella of the cribiform, at risk of injury during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This study aims to compare the AEA to skull base (AEA-SB) length in patients with AFRS versus chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), as well as additional anatomic variants. Methods: A single institutional retrospective chart review of patients undergoing ESS for AFRS and CRSwNP was performed. AEA-SB length were compared between the 2 groups. Other anatomic variants, including Keros measurement and presence of supraorbital ethmoid air cells (SOEC), concha bullosa (CB), sphenoethmoidal, and infraorbital ethmoid cells were measured and compared between the 2 groups. Results: Twenty-one patients were included in each cohort. The AFRS group was younger in age ( P = .015) and had a significantly longer AEA-SB length ( P = .014) compared to the CRSwNP group. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups regarding Keros measurement, presence of concha bullosa, infraorbital ethmoid, sphenoethmoidal, or SOEC. No association was seen between AEA-SB length and Keros class in either group. Conclusions: AFRS harbors anatomical differences when compared to CRSwNP, with the former associated with a longer AEA-SB length. This key difference should be considered in preoperative planning to prevent injury to the AEA in patients undergoing ESS for AFRS.