bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of anticoagulant rodenticides: a silent threat to biodiversity in a city of Northern Colombian Andes
Authors: Jaramillo-Q. María Antonia , Delgado-V. Carlos A. , Arias-Alzate Andrés 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionAnticoagulant rodenticides are generalist toxicants that have lethal and sublethal effects on non-target species, leading to an impact on wildlife conservation due to poisoning and bioaccumulation of these substances. However, in Colombia, little research has been conducted on this environmental issue. This study evaluated the use of anticoagulant rodenticides in an urban area in Colombia from an ecological and regulatory perspective.MethodsFirst, the study analyzed the usage patterns of anticoagulant rodenticides for public health in the urban area of Medellı́n over a seven-year period. It also evaluated the potential impact of anticoagulant rodenticides deposits on the city’s Main Ecological Structure and the predator species that may be indirectly affected. Additionally, the study analyzed compliance with regulations on the sale and use of anticoagulant rodenticides in Colombia, specifically for products marketed online. A Hot Spot Analysis was conducted to determine the potential risk of the Main Ecological Structure and the predators selected to be exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides.deposit. On the other hand, the ecotoxicological information of the anticoagulant rodenticides commercialized online in Colombia was characterized, and it was verified whether they complied with the necessary sanitary and environmental national regulations.ResultsBetween 2016 and 2022, over 3 million grams of brodifacoum, were applied in the urban area of Medellı́n and critical ARs hotspots were identified. The use of anticoagulant rodenticides has significantly increased the doses and number of application sites each year. More than half of the points (51.13%) in which anticoagulant rodenticides were applied were within the Main Ecological Structure. The Strigiformes order represents the greatest risk of indirect exposure to anticoagulantrodenticides.DiscussionCurrently, many anticoagulant rodenticide products lack ecotoxicity studies for non-target species and fail to adequately inform consumers of the potential environmental impacts resulting from the use of these poisons. To gain a better understanding of the prevalence, transfer routes, and possible acute and chronic effects of anticoagulant rodenticides.
Safety and feasibility of paired vagus nerve stimulation with rehabilitation for improving upper extremity function in people with cervical spinal cord injury: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yozbatiran Nuray , Francisco Gerard E. , Korupolu Radha 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionPairing vagus nerve stimulation with traditional rehabilitation therapies results in improved motor recovery in people with stroke. However, this approach has not yet been studied in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Motor recovery continues to be challenging after SCI, and there is a need for innovative research strategies to enhance motor recovery after SCI. Hence, this pilot randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and potential efficacy of pairing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with rehabilitation therapy to restore the motor function of the paretic upper limbs in people with cervical SCI.Methods and analysisIn this triple-blind, randomized, sham-controlled pilot study, 8 adults with chronic incomplete SCI will be implanted with a VNS device and randomly assigned to either active VNS (0.8 mA) control VNS (0.0 mA) paired with upper limb rehabilitation. Each participant will undergo 18 in-clinic therapy sessions over 6 weeks, each lasting 120 min and delivered three times per week. Following the in-clinic phase, participants will continue with a 90-day home exercise program. Participants in both groups will receive similar goal-directed and intense upper limb rehabilitation. The therapy is focused on active movements, task specificity, high number repetitions, variable practice, and active participant engagement. Post-treatment assessment will occur immediately after in-clinic therapy and at 30 and 90 days of follow-up. After completion of blinding at 90 days follow-up, participants in the control group will be offered 6 weeks of in-clinic active VNS (0.8 mA) paired with rehabilitation. The safety of pairing VNS with rehabilitation will be assessed by the occurrence of adverse events in each group, and feasibility by the number of treatment sessions and follow-up visits attended and the number of dropouts. Potential efficacy will be assessed by measuring the change in Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility and Prehension (GRASSP) performance from baseline to immediately after in-clinic therapy and to 90 days. Secondary clinical outcome measures are the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Hand Function Test, Capabilities of Upper Extremity Questionnaire, Spinal Cord Injury Independence Measure-III self-care subscore, and Spinal Cord Injury-Quality of Life scale.Ethics and disseminationThe trial protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of UTHealth (HSC-MS-22-0579). We anticipate publishing the results in a peer-reviewed journal within 1 year of study completion.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05601661.
Dynamic multilayer networks reveal mind wandering
Authors: Xu Zhongming , Tang Shaohua , Di Zengru , Li Zheng 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionMind-wandering is a highly dynamic phenomenon involving frequent fluctuations in cognition. However, the dynamics of functional connectivity between brain regions during mind-wandering have not been extensively studied.MethodsWe employed an analytical approach aimed at extracting recurring network states of multilayer networks built using amplitude envelope correlation and imaginary phase-locking value of delta, theta, alpha, beta, or gamma frequency band. These networks were constructed based on electroencephalograph (EEG) data collected while participants engaged in a video-learning task with mind-wandering and focused learning conditions. Recurring multilayer network states were defined via clustering based on overlapping node closeness centrality.ResultsWe observed similar multilayer network states across the five frequency bands. Furthermore, the transition patterns of network states were not entirely random. We also found significant differences in metrics that characterize the dynamics of multilayer network states between mind-wandering and focused learning. Finally, we designed a classification algorithm, based on a hidden Markov model using state sequences as input, that achieved a 0.888 mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for within-participant detection of mind-wandering.DiscussionOur approach offers a novel perspective on analyzing the dynamics of EEG data and shows potential application to mind-wandering detection.
Global research dynamics in the Mediterranean diet and diabetes mellitus: a bibliometric study from 2014 to 2024
Authors: Yan Yuanyuan , Li Zonghuai , Lian Yuanchu , Liu Pingping , Zhang Bo , Chen Juan 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveThe Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been found to have benefits for diabetes mellitus (DM), but a bibliometric analysis of its association with DM has yet to be conducted. This paper aims to explore the current status and research hotspots on the connection between the Mediterranean diet and DM from 2014 to 2024, providing a reference for future studies.MethodsWe retrieved articles published between 2014 and 2024 from the Web of Science database and analyzed them using R software, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace.ResultsA total of 2,806 articles were included in this study. Research on the relationship between the MedDiet and DM showed a steady increase in publication volume from 2014 to 2019, followed by a sharp rise from 2020 to 2023. Spain was the leading country in terms of publication volume, followed by Italy, the United States, China, and Greece. Spain also led in international collaborations, with CIBER—Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red and Harvard University being the most prominent collaboration centers. Nutrients was the most frequently published and cited journal in this field. Common keywords in this literature included components such as olive oil, legumes, and red wine. Mechanisms studied in this field primarily focused on antioxidant effects, improvements in insulin sensitivity and secretion, regulation of lipid metabolism, and modulation of gut microbiota.ConclusionResearch on the beneficial effects of the MedDiet on DM patients has garnered significant attention from researchers worldwide, and it is expected to become a major focus for future DM prevention and treatment. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current status and research hotspots regarding the relationship between the MedDiet and DM, offering valuable references for future research.
Effectiveness of financial incentives for control of viral hepatitis among substance users: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Wanchen , Zhang Lu 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a significant global health challenge in substance users who are at a higher risk of infection. Financial incentives have been proposed as a strategy to enhance vaccine uptake among high-risk groups. This meta-analysis aims to assess the effectiveness of financial incentives in increasing HBV vaccination rates among substance users.MethodsA literature search across various databases was done for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized trials evaluating the impact of financial incentives on HBV vaccination rates in substance users. Six studies with a total of 3,886 participants were included. The GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of evidence, and a random-effects meta-analysis was done to calculate pooled risk ratios (RRs) for vaccination uptake.ResultsFinancial incentives were associated with a significant increase in the HBV vaccination uptake rates among substance users, with pooled RR of 2.261 (95% CI: 1.327–3.851), despite considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 93.7%). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings. However, GRADE assessment indicated a very low quality of evidence, primarily due to risk of bias, inconsistency, imprecision, and potential publication bias, highlighted by a significant Luis Furuya–Kanamori (LFK) index of 6.42.ConclusionFinancial incentives significantly improve HBV vaccination rates among substance users, underscoring their potential as a public health intervention in this high-risk population. Low quality of evidence calls for further high-quality RCTs to confirm these results and explore the most effective incentive strategies.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024505277, identifier CRD42024505277.
Oral microbial changes, oral mucositis and febrile neutropenia during myelosuppressive chemotherapy in patients diagnosed with a solid tumor or lymphoma
Authors: Zecha Judith A. E. M. , Raber-Durlacher Judith E. , Brandt Bernd W. , Buijs Mark J. , Zaura Egija , de Lange Jan , Smeele Ludwig E. , Laheij Alexa M. G. A. 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesTo evaluate the possible changes of the oral microbiome during myelosuppressive chemotherapy (CT) and to investigate the potential relationship between the oral microbiome, the presence of oral mucositis (OM) and febrile neutropenia (FN).MethodsA prospective, longitudinal, observational study was conducted in patients receiving myelosuppressive CT for a solid tumor or lymphoma. Oral rinsing samples were retrieved before, during and after the start of CT, but also when OM or FN was present. The samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and statistical analysis was performed using alpha (Shannon) and beta (PERMANOVA) diversity analyses. Furthermore, differential abundances were analyzed using ALDEx2v1.32.0. Differences between groups were calculated using the Mann Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank using R.ResultsForty-six patients, with a mean follow up of 114 days, were included for analysis and a total of 138 oral rinsing samples were available in the CLR-transformed data for PERMANOVA and 137 samples—for alpha diversity calculation. Significant changes in alpha diversity were seen when OM or FN was present. Moreover, significant changes were seen in beta diversity during the course of the CT treatment and when OM was present. Genera showing substantial changes in relative abundance were Streptococcus during the course of CT treatment and Prevotella, Fusobacterium, Selenomonas, Actinomyces and Leptotrichia when OM was present.ConclusionChanges in the oral microbiome were observed during the CT-regimen and when OM was present. Furthermore, changes of the oral microbiota during FN episodes were observed; however, larger studies should be performed to substantiate our results.
Inefficiencies in water supply and perceptions of water use in peri-urban and rural water supply systems: case study in Cali and Restrepo, Colombia
Authors: Callejas Moncaleano Diana Carolina , Pande Saket , Haeffner Melissa , Rodríguez Sánchez Juan Pablo , Rietveld Luuk 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionWater scarcity is a significant global challenge that frequently manifests as inadequate water supply for domestic purposes. However, domestic water insecurity can occur even in regions where water is naturally abundant. Despite Colombia’s plentiful surface water resources, rural and peri-urban communities often experience limited access to water. Existing water supply systems are frequently susceptible to poor maintenance, particularly in remote areas where much of the infrastructure remains outdated. Consequently, water is often lost through leaks or unintentional non-domestic use. Although a regulatory framework for water usage exists, it does not consistently translate into effective implementation.MethodologyBased on an extensive survey of approximately 1000 households in four rural and four peri-urban communities in the Valle del Cauca Department, Colombia, we identified the factors underlying inefficient water supply and use. Perceived water use at the household level, based on self-reported time spent on various use types, such as bathing, and water supplied at the system level, was estimated.Results and discussionHousehold size, education level, age and occupation were found to be critical factors influencing end water use and water supply. This not only elucidates why water is supplied and used inefficiently in rural systems (e.g., due to non-domestic use), but also accounts for the variability of perceived water use within peri-urban systems. The water use perceived by households in the rural systems was statistically similar across the rural systems studied and was significantly lower than that in the peri-urban systems. Most rural systems exhibited very low ratios of perceived water use to water supplied, indicating that either water is lost in conveyance or that water is used for non-domestic purposes. Peri-urban users, who perceived to use more water than users in rural areas, were associated with younger and more educated households. Higher education levels were also associated with better financial capacity and technical ability to manage water systems; therefore, peri-urban systems were better managed.
Impact of limb ischemic preconditioning on the incidence of vein thrombosis in patients with peripherally inserted central catheter
Authors: Zhao Han , Kou Changhua , Zhao Hao , Liu Qing , He Maosheng , Wang Cong , Zhu Saisai , Ma Li , Wang Yun 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundPeripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are increasingly used in clinical practice, which also leads to an increased incidence of PICC-related thrombosis. Local thrombus formation could be prevented by limb ischemic preconditioning (IPC). This study aimed to determine whether IPC can prevent deep vein thrombosis in patients with PICC.MethodsA total of 600 breast cancer patients receiving PICC were randomized into two groups between July 2016 and July 2018 at the Department of Radiation Oncology. In the preconditioning group, 5 min of ischemic preconditioning was performed three times before PICC, whereas no preconditioning was performed in the sham group. The coagulation function levels, the PICC-related complications, the length of hospital stay, the cost of hospitalization, and the satisfaction of patients were compared.ResultsThe coagulation function levels of patients in the preconditioning group were more normal than in patients from the sham group. In total, 56/300 patients in the sham group had presence of PICC-related thrombosis, with only 23/300 in the IPC group, with no significant difference in other complications between the two groups. However, a longer hospital stay was observed in the sham group compared to the IPC group. Moreover, the cost of hospitalization was also reduced in the IPC group, which also improved the satisfaction of patients.ConclusionLimb ischemic preconditioning may attenuate the severity of vein thrombosis in patients with PICC, which contributes to reducing the incidence of PICC-related thrombosis in clinical practice.
Uricase-Expressing Engineered Macrophages Alleviate Murine Hyperuricemia
Authors: Feng Yu-Zhong , Cheng Hao , Xiong Guo-Qing , Cui Jia-Zhen , Chen Zhi-Li , Lu Yuan-Yuan , Meng Zhi-Xin , Zhu Chen , Dong Hao-Long , Xiong Xiang-Hua , Liu Gang , Wang Qing-Yang , Chen Hui-Peng 
Published: November 2024

Background: Uricase, or urate oxidase (Uox) is a key enzyme in uric acid (UA) metabolism and has been applied in clinical treatment of human hyperuricemia (HUA). However, the current clinically applied uricases, despite their potent urate-lowering capacity, tend to form anti-drug antibodies because of their immunogenicity, leading to increased risk of anaphylaxis, faster drug clearance and reduced or even complete loss of therapeutic effect, limiting their clinical application. In this study, we constructed engineered macrophages that stably expressed uricase, which might serve as a promising alternative to the direct injection of uricases. Materials and Methods: Engineered macrophages RAW264.7 cells were injected intravenously to treat hyperuricemic KM mice. Serum uric acid and bio-indicators for renal and hepatic functions were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer; inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA; the livers and kidneys of the mice were sectioned for histological examination. Results: The uricase-expressing macrophages reduced UA levels from 300 ± 1.5 μmol/L to 101 ± 8.3 μmol/L in vitro. And in an HUA mouse model established by gavage with yeast extract, intravenous injection of the engineered macrophages could reduce the serum uric acid (sUA) of mice to normal level on the 14th day of modeling, with a decrease of 48.6%, and the urate-lowering effect was comparable to that of the first-line clinical drug allopurinol. In terms of safety, engineered macrophages did not cause liver or kidney dysfunction in mice, nor did they induce systemic immune response. Conclusions: Using macrophages as a chassis to deliver uricase might be a new, safe and effective strategy for the treatment and control of hyperuricemia.
Does vascularized adipose tissue enhance nerve regeneration?
Authors: Ioncioaia Bogdan , Coseriu Andrei-Nicolae , Oradan Alex-Victor , Gherman Luciana-Madalina , Gheban Dan 
Published: November 2024

Background. The use of adipose tissue in reconstructive procedures has become popular in the last decades due to the adipose tissue properties of stem cells and mechanical protection. In acute nerve lesions, there have been experimental reports on the use of non-vascularised adipose tissue as an adjuvant for nerve recovery but to our knowledge there is no published research that describes the effect of the pedicled vascularised adipose tissue (pVAT) on acute nerve injuries. Therefore we decided to study the effect of pVAT on nerve regeneration when wrapped around an epineurial coaptation site and for a 5 mm defect of the sciatic nerve from the rat.
Methods. The effect of pedicled vascularized adipose tissue (pVAT) on nerve regeneration was studied on the sciatic nerve injury model in twenty-four Wistar rats divided into four groups: epineurial repair; epineurial repair and pVAT; a 5 mm nerve gap bridged by an autograft; a 5 mm nerve gap bridged by a conduit-pVAT (C-pVAT). Automatization injuries, walking track analysis, postoperative extraneural fibrosis and histological analysis were performed three months after the intervention.
Results. Although histological and functional nerve regeneration was present in various degrees in all the studied groups, nerve regeneration was not enhanced by the use of the pVAT or C-pVAT. The harvesting of the pVAT flap caused postoperative fibrosis when used as a conduit. Automutilation was not decreased by the use of the pVAT nor a correlation between automutilation and postoperative fibrosis in the studied groups could be established. The postoperative fibrosis did not influence neural regeneration in the pVAT and autograft group.
Conclusion. Vascularized adipose tissue did not enhance neural regeneration when used as an adjunct procedure for primary nerve repair and or even as a novel conduit for 5 mm nerve defects in the rat sciatic nerve.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION, TREATMENT OUTCOMES, AND DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS IN VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMAS
Authors: Radoi Mugurel Petrinel , Toader Corneliu , Ilie Milena-Monica , Covache-Busuioc Razvan-Adrian , Costin Horia Petre , Glavan Luca-Andrei , Serban Matei , Corlatescu Antonio Daniel 
Published: November 2024

Introduction
Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors affecting the vestibulocochlear nerve. This study analyzed the clinical presentations and treatment outcomes of 68 VS cases managed between 2014 and 2023 at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases in Bucharest, Romania.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on patient demographics, clinical symptoms, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using Python 3.10.

Results
The study cohort exhibited a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.6, with a median age of 54 years at diagnosis. The most common symptoms were balance and gait disorders (91.8%), and hearing impairment (71.8%). A notable correlation was observed between facial palsy and hearing loss, with 60% of patients experiencing both symptoms simultaneously. Dysphagia was present in 13.3% of cases. The median size of the tumor was 2,5 cm. While hydrocephalus was responsible for visual impairments in some patients, the study challenges the notion that it is the sole cause of these symptoms. The primary treatment method was open surgery (93.3% of cases) through a retrosigmoid approach, with Gamma Knife radiosurgery used in 6.6% of cases as primary treatment method. Following treatment, 24.4% of patients achieved good recovery from facial palsy, while 54.8% continued to experience dysfunction. The overall relapse rate was 14.9%.

Conclusions
This study provides valuable insights into the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of vestibular schwannomas. The findings support the use of open surgery in most cases, particularly when hydrocephalus is present, while also highlighting the importance of considering personalized treatment approaches. The observed gender disparity and symptom correlations suggest the need for further research into potential genetic and environmental risk factors.