bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urticaria
Authors: Ben-Shoshan Moshe , Kanani Amin , Kalicinsky Chrystyna , Watson Wade 
Published: December 2024

AbstractUrticaria (hives) is a common disorder that may be associated with angioedema (swelling that occurs beneath the skin). It is generally classified as acute or chronic, and chronic urticaria is further classified as spontaneous or inducible Second-generation, non-sedating histamine type 1 (H1)-receptor antihistamines represent the mainstay of therapy for both acute and chronic urticaria. Second-line treatment for uncontrolled chronic urticaria includes omalizumab (a monoclonal anti-immunoglobulin E [IgE] antibody). In this article, we review the causes, diagnosis and management of urticaria (with or without angioedema).
Phytobiotics in poultry: revolutionizing broiler chicken nutrition with plant-derived gut health enhancers
Authors: Obianwuna Uchechukwu Edna , Chang Xinyu , Oleforuh-Okoleh Vivian U. , Onu Patience N. , Zhang Haijun , Qiu Kai , Wu Shugeng 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAs the global population continues to expand, the demand for broiler chicken production to supply safe and high-quality meat is increasing. To meet this ever-growing demand, broiler chickens with enhanced growth performance are being developed, but they often face challenges related to oxidative stress, which can adversely affect gut health. Phytobiotics, which are plant-derived feed additives known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, immune-modulating, and growth-promoting properties, have emerged as promising natural alternatives to synthetic antibiotics. This review consolidates recent advancements in the use of phytobiotics-derived products from leaves, roots, seeds, flowers, and their extracts in broiler diets reared under standard experimental conditions, without the introduction of stressors. The focus is on elucidating the key mechanisms through which phytobiotics improve gut health, including their effects on gut morphology, integrity, microflora composition, antioxidant capacity, and immune function. The review highlights the potential of phytobiotics to revolutionize broiler nutrition by acting as natural enhancers of gut health. Research findings reveal that phytobiotics significantly improve intestinal health, and boost growth performance, offering a sustainable approach to managing to gut dysfunction. These findings indicate a potential shift in how gut-health related challenges in broilers can be addressed, moving towards natural phytobiotic therapy. However, several challenges persist. Optimizing the dosage of phytobiotics, ensuring consistent performance, and overcoming the limitations related to their extraction and application are key areas requiring further investigation. The review emphasizes the importance of continued research to refine phytobiotic formulations, explore synergistic effects, and incorporate advanced technologies such as AI-driven methods and precision nutrition to tailor feeding strategies more effectively. Additionally, the development of innovative delivery systems, such as nanoencapsulation, is suggested as a way to enhance the effectiveness and reliability of phytobiotics. By highlighting the potential of phytobiotics to revolutionize broiler nutrition, this review supports the poultry industry’s shift towards antibiotic-free and sustainable dietary solutions, offering new perspectives on the future of broiler chicken production.
Climate worry: associations with functional impairment, pro-environmental behaviors and perceived need for support
Authors: Lenhard Fabian , Fernández de la Cruz Lorena , Wahlund Tove , Andersson Erik , Åhlén Johan , Fuso Nerini Francesco , Akay Haluk , Mataix-Cols David 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
A large proportion of individuals experience functional impairment in everyday life due to climate worry. However, the current understanding of this functional impairment is limited by the use of suboptimal measures. Furthermore, it is not known whether functional impairment due to climate worry affects pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) or whether individuals who experience such impairment perceive a need for support. The aims of the current study were (1) to extend previous research using an established measure of functional impairment (the Work and Social Adjustment Scale, WSAS), (2) to explore the associations between climate worry, functional impairment, and PEBs, and (3) to describe the characteristics and the perceived need for support of individuals with functional impairment due to climate worry.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey targeting adult individuals who experience climate worry. Participants were recruited nationally in Sweden between September and October 2022. The survey included measures of climate worry severity, climate worry frequency, functional impairment, PEBs, depressive symptoms, sleep problems, and questions related to perceived need for support.

Results
A total of 1221 adults (75% women, mean age 46.3 years) were included in the analyses. Multivariate structural equation modeling revealed that climate worry severity and frequency were significantly associated with PEBs (β = 0.34 and β = 0.45, respectively). Climate worry frequency was associated with functional impairment (β = 0.41). Functional impairment was only marginally associated with PEBs (β = 0.05). Approximately 40% of the sample (n = 484) reported a high frequency and high severity of climate worry. Among these, one-third (n = 153) scored above the cutoff for significant impairment on the WSAS. Individuals in this group (high severity and frequency of climate worry as well as significant functional impairment) were more likely to experience depressed mood and sleep problems and were more interested in receiving support, specifically concerning strategies for worry management and sustainable behavior change.

Conclusions
Using an established measure of functional impairment, we found an association of climate worry with functional impairment and PEBs. Importantly, as there is a perceived need for support in individuals with impairment due to climate worry, interventions targeting this specific subgroup should be developed.
Are socioeconomic composition effects on student achievement less relevant after de-tracking reforms in Germany?
Authors: Holtmann Marlen , Rjosk Camilla , Lüdtke Oliver , Stanat Petra 
Published: December 2024

AbstractRecent de-tracking reforms in some German federal states converted or merged the two lower track secondary school types into a comprehensive one, where students can achieve all school-leaving qualifications. The goals of the reforms were to facilitate desegregation of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds and to reduce educational disparities. We investigated whether socioeconomic composition (SEC) and SEC effects have, in fact, changed with the de-tracking reforms. Moreover, we examined whether a possible increase in students' educational expectations of achieving the general qualification for university entrance contributes to the intended reduction of SEC effects. We used data from two representative large-scale assessment studies carried out in 2009 and 2015 covering the period of reforms. The SEC changed in non-academic school types. SEC effects on students' reading achievement tended to decrease, but are still significant in the comprehensive schools. The level of students’ educational expectations did not mediate the SEC effects.
Cost of TB care and equity in distribution of catastrophic TB care costs across income quintiles in India
Authors: Jeyashree Kathiresan , Thangaraj Jeromie W. V. , Shanmugasundaram Devika , Giridharan Sri Lakshmi Priya , Pandey Sumit , Shanmugasundaram Prema , Ramasamy Sabarinathan , Janagaraj Venkateshprabhu , Arunachalam Sivavallinathan , Sharma Rahul , Shah Vaibhav , Bagepally Bhavani Shankara , Chadwick Joshua , Shewade Hemant Deepak , Chowdhury Aniket , Iyer Swati , Rao Raghuram , Mattoo Sanjay K. , Murhekar Manoj V. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant social and economic burden to households of persons with TB (PwTB). Despite free diagnosis and care under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), individuals often experience significant out-of-pocket expenditure and lost productivity, causing financial catastrophe. We estimated the costs incurred by the PwTB during TB care and identified the factors associated with the costs.

Methods
In our cross-sectional study, we used multi-stage sampling to select PwTB notified under the NTEP, whose treatment outcome was declared between May 2022 and February 2023. Total patient costs were measured through direct medical, non-medical and indirect costs. Catastrophic costs were defined as expenditure on TB care > 20% of the annual household income. We determined the factors influencing the total cost of TB care using median regression. We plotted concentration curves to depict the equity in distribution of catastrophic costs across income quintiles. We used a cluster-adjusted, generalized model to determine the factors associated with catastrophic costs.

Results
The mean (SD) age of the 1407 PwTB interviewed was 40.8 (16.8) years. Among them, 865 (61.5%) were male, and 786 (55.9%) were economically active. Thirty-four (2.4%) had Drug Resistant TB (DRTB), and 258 (18.3%) had been hospitalized for TB. The median (Interquartile range [IQR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]) of total costs of TB care was US$386.1 (130.8, 876.9). Direct costs accounted for 34% of the total costs, with a median of US$78.4 (43.3, 153.6), while indirect costs had a median of US$279.8 (18.9,699.4). PwTB < 60 years of age (US$446.1; 370.4, 521.8), without health insurance (US$464.2; 386.7, 541.6), and those hospitalized(US$900.4; 700.2, 1100.6) for TB experienced higher median costs. Catastrophic costs, experienced by 45% of PwTB, followed a pro-poor distribution. Hospitalized PwTB (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.9; 1.6, 2.2) and those notified from the private sector (aPR = 1.4; 1.1, 1.8) were more likely to incur catastrophic costs.

Conclusions
PwTB in India incur high costs mainly due to lost productivity and hospitalization. Nearly half of them experience catastrophic costs, especially those from poorer economic quintiles. Enabling early notification of TB, expanding the coverage of health insurance schemes to include PwTB, and implementing TB sensitive strategies to address social determinants of TB may significantly reduce catastrophic costs incurred by PwTB.
Contact toxicity and feeding deterrent activity of Dennettia tripetala Bak. and Jatropha curcas L. leaf extracts against Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith
Authors: Idowu Oluwadamilola , Alabi Olajumoke 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important annual cereal crop with nutritional benefits, but its production is constrained by activities of insect pests. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is one of the important economic pests that limits the production of maize, causing several damages on maize fields. Synthetic insecticides are commonly used to manage fall armyworm, but they have undesirable side effects on human and the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the contact toxicity and feeding deterrent activities of ethyl acetate and methanol leaf extracts of Dennettia tripetala and Jatropha curcas against fall armyworm.

Results
In the contact toxicity of Dennettia tripetala and Jatropha curcas extracts, larval mortality increased with an increase in exposure time and concentrations. The extracts possessed significant contact insecticidal effects that ranged between 20.00 ± 13.94% and 100.00 ± 0.00%. Also, in the feeding deterrent activity test, extracts revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in larva mortality and duration. Larva duration ranged from 56.67 ± 14.91% to 100.00 ± 0.00%. The larval stages of S. fruiperda that were artificially treated with the concentrations of the extract were shorter than those that were exposed to the control treatments. The methanol leaves extracts of Dennettia tripetala and Jatropha curcas showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the pupal mortality and pupal weight among the treatments. Jatropha curcas ethyl acetate and Jatropha curcas methanol extracts had high flavonoid content, and tannin and phenol content was higher in Dennettia tripetala ethyl and methanol extracts.

Conclusions
From this study, ethyl acetate and methanol leaf extracts (75% and 100% v/v concentrations) are effective as contact and stomach poisons against fall armyworm and suitable replacements for synthetic pesticides.
Surgery in recurrent brain glioma, does it improve clinical outcome?
Authors: Elshanawany Ahmed , Waer Mohamad Sayed , Algheriany Ahmad , Farrag Farrag Mohammad 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Gliomas account for 24% of all primary brain and CNS tumors. Histologically, gliomas were categorized into subtypes and grades (I through IV). Low-grade gliomas are grade I and grade II, while high-grade gliomas are grade III and grade IV. The gold standard for treatment of high-grade glioma is the most extensive safe surgical resection followed by radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. However, recurrence of glioma is inevitable. Management of recurrent cases is still controversy.

Aim of the work
The purpose of this research was to examine the efficacy of reoperation for cases of recurrent glioma in improving patients’ outcome.

Methods
This study included 25 patients with recurrent glioma admitted and operated upon in neurosurgical department in Assiut University hospitals through 1 year from 1/11/2020 to 30/10/2021.

Results
There were 17 male (68%) and 8 female (32%), their age incidence ranged from 25 to 74 years with a mean age of 49.09, gross total resection of recurrent cases could be done in 14 (56%) patients, subtotal resection in 6 (24%) and partial in 5 (20%), all of recurrence were found at the same site almost the same of primary tumor except that two cases were radionecrosis and one patient revealed aggressive transformation from anaplastic astrocytoma to GBM by the end of the study period, and 17 (68%) patients alive and 8 (32%) died.

Conclusion
Surgical management of recurrent gliomas in selected patients is generally associated with improved functional performance and prolonged survival. Patients’ Karnofsky score at recurrence is an important prognostic factor for both low-grade glioma and high-grade glioma.
Versican controlled by Lmx1b regulates hyaluronate density and hydration for semicircular canal morphogenesis
Authors: Mori Yusuke , Smith Sierra , Wang Jiacheng , Eliora Nadia , Heikes Kira L. , Munjal Akankshi 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
During inner ear semicircular canal morphogenesis in zebrafish, patterned canal-genesis zones express genes for extracellular matrix component synthesis. These include hyaluronan and the hyaluronan-binding chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan Versican, which are abundant in the matrices of many developing organs. Charged hyaluronate polymers play a key role in canal morphogenesis through osmotic swelling. However, the developmental factor(s) that pattern the synthesis of the matrix components and regulation of hyaluronate density and swelling are unknown. Here, we identify the transcription factor Lmx1b as a positive transcriptional regulator of hyaluronan, Versican, and chondroitin synthesis genes crucial for canal morphogenesis. We show that Versican regulates hyaluronan density through its protein core, whereas the charged chondroitin side chains contribute to the hydration of hyaluronate-containing extracellular matrices. Versican-tuned properties of hyaluronate matrices may be a broadly used mechanism in morphogenesis with important implications for understanding diseases in which these matrices are impaired, and for hydrogel engineering for tissue regeneration.
Effect of vitamin D supplementation
Authors: Biłogras Jan , Karamus Kornelia , Rejmak Rafał , Borowska-Łygan Martyna , Tomaszewski Jakub , Strużek Konrad , Urban Wojciech 
Published: December 2024

Introduction
Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins in affecting the human body. It turns out that its influence is not limited to its health-promoting effect on the skeletal system, but may also play an important role in the immune system. In our study, we focused precisely on this aspect of vitamin D's action.
Review method
We used materials from PubMed for this purpose. We focused on articles and research papers published between 2019 and 2024. We reviewed the publications in terms of vitamin D supplementation and its effects on immunity, disease processes, patient recovery, COVID-19 patients, and some autoimmune diseases.
Results
Some studies show that vitamin D supplementation significantly improves immune function. It also improves prognosis and reduces mortality in COVID-19. The number of complications and severity of the course also decreases. Vitamin D supplementation also has a positive effect on the course of autoimmune diseases, allowing a reduction in the incidence and improving the outcome of some of them. Unfortunately, not all studies prove such beneficial effects of vitamin D. What is important, however, is that vitamin D may have a beneficial effect on the course of diseases, and the low cost of its use and high availability may prove to be the key to medical development.
Conclusions
Based on the accumulated studies, it can be concluded that vitamin D contributes to the improvement of immune system function. Some studies prove the beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation on the course of some autoimmune diseases. The potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation, as well as its low cost, should be a key argument for further research and knowledge on this topic.
Mediating Role of Platelet Count Increase in Unfractionated Heparin Treatment for Sepsis Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Wang Guangjie , Zou Xiaoyun , Shen Jiawei , Hao Chenxiao , Chen Guanyang , Sun Yao , Zhang Yong , An Youzhong , Zhao Huiying 
Published: December 2024

Aims/Background The role of heparin in sepsis therapy has been widely debated. The controversy surrounding heparin’s use as an anticoagulant in sepsis may stem from differences in sepsis definitions, study designs, timing and dosage of drug administration, treatment duration, complications, and patient severity. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimal timing and dosage of heparin in patients with sepsis, identify specific subgroups that could benefit from heparin therapy, and explore laboratory markers to assess its efficacy. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV dataset. Data from patients with sepsis were extracted based on the Sepsis 3.0 criteria. Patients were categorized according to heparin use. The effectiveness of early and appropriate heparin administration was assessed, and a subgroup analysis was performed to identify patients most likely to benefit from heparin therapy. Additionally, factors mediating the improvement in sepsis prognosis following heparin treatment were analyzed. Results We recruited 4149 participants who met the inclusion criteria, with an overall 28-day mortality rate of 19.5%. There were 2192 individuals in the heparin group and 1957 in the non-heparin group. After propensity score matching, heparin therapy demonstrated a significantly greater effect on reducing both 28-day and 90-day mortality compared to the non-heparin treatment (18.1% vs. 10.7%, p < 0.001; 18.8% vs. 12.6%, p < 0.001). However, the heparin group had a higher incidence of major bleeding (10.9% vs. 6.3%, p = 0.001), increased use of mechanical ventilation (54.3% vs. 45.1%, p < 0.001), and a longer intensive care unit stay (3.6 vs. 2.5 days, p < 0.001) compared to the non-heparin group. Early administration of high-dose heparin improved 28-day survival. Early and adequate heparin administration was more effective than late and insufficient dosing (p < 0.01), except in patients with sepsis who had low white blood cell counts, alkalosis, or reduced platelet counts. The increase in platelet count had a significant mediating effect on the entire cohort (p < 0.001 for the causal mediation effect), with a mediation proportion of 14%. Conclusion Early and adequate heparin administration can significantly improve the prognosis of sepsis. An increase in platelet count may serve as a potential indicator of the effectiveness of heparin therapy in sepsis.
Expression and Clinical Implications of pro-BNP and Soluble ST2 in Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Meng Xing , Zhang Kai , Zeng Wan-Jie , Hu Zhen-Hua 
Published: December 2024

Aims/Background Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex clinical syndrome resulting from various cardiac diseases, characterized by weakened cardiac pumping capacity and inadequate blood supply to body tissues. This study aims to investigate the expression and clinical implications of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) in CHF to explore their potential in early diagnosis and severity assessment of the pathological condition. Methods This study included 146 CHF patients treated at our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023, who were classified in the observation group, and 150 concurrent healthy people categorized in the control group. pro-BNP and sST2 levels in the observation and control groups were compared. The diagnostic value of pro-BNP and sST2 in CHF was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Besides, pro-BNP and sST2 levels in patients with different New York Heart Association (NYHA) grades were compared, and their relationships with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left atrial diameter (LAD), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were assessed by means of Pearson's correlation. Results CHF cases showed markedly higher pro-BNP and sST2 levels than healthy controls (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curves for pro-BNP and sST2 in diagnosing CHF was 0.826 (95% CI: 0.778–0.875) and 0.733 (95% CI: 0.674–0.791), respectively. pro-BNP and sST2 levels were similar in grades I and II patients (p > 0.05), but lower when compared with those in grades III and IV patients (p < 0.05). Grade III patients showed lower pro-BNP and sST2 expression than grade Ⅳ patients (p < 0.05). Additionally, pro-BNP and sST2 had an inverse connection with LVEF (r = –0.764 and r = –0.535, respectively) and a positive correlation with LAD (r = 0.752 and r = 0.535, respectively) and LVEDD (r = 0.721 and r = 0.544, respectively). Conclusion pro-BNP and sST2 exhibit good diagnostic value for CHF, owing to their close association with patients' cardiac function. These biomarkers can be used as effective indicators to evaluate the severity of heart failure.