bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Long-Term Azithromycin on Objective and Subjective Cough in Chronic Respiratory Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials and Noncomparative Studies
Authors: Sykes Dominic L. , Mason Pavan , Rahunathan Nithusa , Hart Simon P. , Morice Alyn H. , Crooks Michael G. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Azithromycin is an effective treatment for various respiratory conditions but its effect on cough is poorly understood. We synthesised data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and noncomparative studies (NCT) examining its effect on objective and subjective cough.

Methods
After prospective registration on PROSPERO, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for both RCTs and NCT trials examining the effect azithromycin on cough in respiratory disease.

Results
We identified 1240 studies of which 6 (4 RCTs and 2 NCT studies) were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 275 patients. Azithromycin was associated with significant improvement in Leicester Cough Questionnaire scores at follow-up when compared to baseline scores (SMD = 0.62 [95% CI 0.12 to 1.12], p = 0.01). However, when only RCTs were synthesised, no significant effect was observed (SMD = 0.12 [95% CI − 0.36 to 0.60], p = 0.62). There was no significant reduction in cough severity VAS score (SMD = − 0.39 [95% CI − 0.92 to 0.14], p = 0.15). There was no significant reduction in objective cough count (SMD = − 0.41 [95% CI − 1.04 to 0.32], p = 0.09).

Conclusion
Azithromycin therapy improves cough-related quality of life in various chronic respiratory diseases; however, there was no significant effect on cough outcomes when only data from RCTs were synthesised. We believe that to accurately identify which patients whose cough would benefit from azithromycin a large-scale clinical trial of patients with a broad spectrum of respiratory diseases, with sufficiently severe cough, should be undertaken with subgroup analysis of individual disease areas.
Preventing long-term disability in CIDP: the role of timely diagnosis and treatment monitoring in a multicenter CIDP cohort
Authors: Quint Paula , Schroeter Christina B. , Kohle Felix , Öztürk Menekse , Meisel Andreas , Tamburrino Giuliano , Mausberg Anne K. , Szepanowski Fabian , Afzali Ali Maisam , Fischer Katinka , Nelke Christopher , Räuber Saskia , Voth Jan , Masanneck Lars , Willison Alice , Vogelsang Anna , Hemmer Bernhard , Berthele Achim , Schroeter Michael , Hartung Hans-Peter , Pawlitzki Marc , Schreiber Stefanie , Stettner Mark , Maus Uwe , Meuth Sven G. , Stascheit Frauke , Ruck Tobias 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an inflammatory disease affecting the peripheral nerves and the most frequent autoimmune polyneuropathy. Given the lack of established biomarkers or risk factors for the development of CIDP and patients’ treatment response, this research effort seeks to identify potential clinical factors that may influence disease progression and overall treatment efficacy.

Methods
In this multicenter, retrospective analysis, we have screened 197 CIDP patients who presented to the University Hospitals in Düsseldorf, Berlin, Cologne, Essen, Magdeburg and Munich between 2018 and 2022. We utilized the respective hospital information system and examined baseline data with clinical examination, medical letters, laboratory results, antibody status, nerve conduction studies, imaging and biopsy findings. Aside from clinical baseline data, we analyzed treatment outcomes using the Standard of Care (SOC) definition, as well as a comparison of an early (within the first 12 months after manifestation) versus late (more than 12 months after manifestation) onset of therapy.

Results
In terms of treatment, most patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (56%) or prednisolone (39%) as their first therapy. Patients who started their initial treatment later experienced a worsening disease course, as reflected by a significant deterioration in their Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) leg disability score. SOC-refractory patients had worse clinical outcomes than SOC-responders. Associated factors for SOC-refractory status included the presence of fatigue as a symptom and alcohol dependence.

Conclusion
Timely diagnosis, prompt initiation of treatment and careful monitoring of treatment response are essential for the prevention of long-term disability in CIDP and suggest a “hit hard and early” treatment paradigm.
Complete pathological response to pembrolizumab in pretreated pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma
Authors: Merz Valeria , Maines Francesca , Marcucci Stefano , Sartori Chiara , Frisinghelli Michela , Trentin Chiara , Kadrija Dzenete , Carbone Francesco Giuseppe , Michielan Andrea , Gabbrielli Armando , Melisi Davide , Barbareschi Mattia , Brolese Alberto , Caffo Orazio 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Therapeutic approach used for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is usually translated also for the rarer acinar counterpart, which shows a different mutational landscape nevertheless. While dMMR/MSI-H status is rare in the ductal histotype, it appears to be more prevalent in pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PACC).

Case presentation
We report the case of a patient with locally advanced MSI-H PACC in whom the treatment with the anti-PD-1 pembrolizumab, administered as third line, made possible surgical resection, achieving even an exceptional pathological complete response.

Conclusions
Treatment of PACC should be tailored based on the peculiar molecular features that distinguish PACC from ductal adenocarcinoma. Evaluation of potentially therapeutically targetable alterations should be mandatory in case of PACC diagnosis.
Potential of animal-welfare compliant and sustainably sourced serum from pig slaughter blood
Authors: Hahn Olga , Peters Kirsten , Hartmann Alexander , Dannenberger Dirk , Kalbe Claudia 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe animal product most used as a stimulatory additive for cell cultivation is still fetal bovine serum (FBS). Besides the ethical concerns regarding serum collection, the main problems of FBS are batch-to-batch variability and the resulting risk of lower reproducibility, the differences between species, the presence of undefined/unknown components, and the risk of contamination. In contrast, pig blood, which is a by-product of slaughter, is a sufficiently available and sustainable resource with a high degree of standardization in terms of donor age, weight, and genetics. The variations in preparations from pig slaughter blood seem to be comparatively low, and consequently, batch effects might be much smaller, suggesting that the reproducibility of the research data obtained may be increased. Our pilot study aimed to investigate, as a proof of concept, whether adult human and porcine stem cells of different tissue origins proliferate and differentiate adequately when FBS is completely or partially replaced by porcine serum (PS). We could show that the human and porcine stem cells were vital and proliferated under partial and full PS supplementation. Furthermore, using PS, the two cell types studied showed tissue-specific differentiation (i.e., lipid vacuoles as a sign of adipogenic or myotubes as a sign of myogenic differentiation). In conclusion, the pig slaughter blood–derived serum has promising potential to be a replacement for FBS in adult stem cell cultures. Therefore, it could serve as a basis for the development of new cell culture supplements.
El Chichón volcanic activity before and after the Mw8.2, 2017, Chiapas earthquake, México. Is El Chichón ready to erupt?
Authors: Legrand D. , Perton M. , López-Landa V. , Ramos S. , Selvas J. Jon , Alatorre-Ibargüengoitia M. , Campion R. , Peiffer L. , Macías J. L. , Cisneros G. , Valdéz C. , De la Cruz-Reyna S. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractEl Chichón volcano is the most active volcano in the state of Chiapas, México, and experienced its last Plinian eruption (VEI = 5) in 1982. To better assess its volcanic hazard, we studied its readiness to erupt by estimating changes in its internal stress state. These stress changes are difficult to calculate accurately, for example in the absence of focal mechanisms, but their existence can be indirectly revealed by the presence of volcano-tectonic earthquakes, for example following a large tectonic earthquake. We show that the seismic rate recorded at El Chichón volcano increased slightly after the large Mw8.2 Tehuantepec earthquake of 8 September 2017, Chiapas. However, this rate quickly returned to its background level after only 2 months, without any external volcanic manifestations, suggesting that the volcano is not ready to erupt in the near future. Previous observations of slight increases in the volcanic seismicity rate following large earthquakes have been explained by the presence of active hydrothermal systems in the vicinity of the volcano. We propose a similar explanation for El Chichón volcano which is known for its large hydrothermal system. Furthermore, the characteristics of the 2017 seismicity (spatial and magnitude distributions), and the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio also confirm the presence of high amounts of water near the volcano. We show that the 2017 volcano-tectonic seismicity is of hydrothermal rather than magmatic origin, in agreement with recent independent geochemical and aeromagnetic studies.
New quantum color image watermarking technique (NQCIWT)
Authors: Aly Rasha F. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe crazy, unconscious use of the Internet, and the increase in cybercrime and hacking, which resulted in the loss of a large number of sensitive data, the risk of piracy, etc. were the motivation for protecting rights, securing and hiding essential information such as images, audio, etc. Watermarking was a popular security, copyright and privacy approach and one of the problems in modern quantum digital computing that produced more powerful quantum protection techniques than the classical one that used classical techniques such as digital wavelet transformation and Hungarian algorithms. Recent advances in quantum image representation and processing help to manipulate data hidden. This paper proposes a new watermark technique in which a color watermark image is hidden within another color-carrying image after transformation into the quantum domain using the recently completed quantum color image representation technique. Finally, a comparison is made between the proposed method and the most recent watermarking techniques is establish in terms of PSNR (peak signal-to-noise ratio), which shows the high precision of the proposed technique and improves the imperceptibility compared to the related schemes.
Praktische Anwendung von Wärme als Tracer zur Abflussmessung in kleinen Oberflächengewässern
Authors: Gossel Wolfgang 
Published: July 2024

ZusammenfassungThermische Methoden können zur Abflussmessung an kleinen Fließgewässern eingesetzt werden. Hierbei wird Wärme als Impuls oder kontinuierlich eingebracht und als Tracer genutzt. Diese Methode reduziert den Einfluss auf das Gewässer auf ein Minimum. Bei Nutzung einer Wärmebildkamera können Bilder wie auch Videos zur Ermittlung der Fließgeschwindigkeit und der Querdispersion im Gewässer genutzt werden. Durch die Multiplikation der Fließgeschwindigkeit mit dem Gewässerquerschnitt kann der Abfluss berechnet werden. Sowohl der theoretische Hintergrund als auch die praktische Ausführung für Kleingewässer werden im Detail und an einem Beispiel erläutert. Die Hinweise zur Ausrüstung können für eigene Feldversuche interessant sein.
Surgery on admission and following day reduces hip fracture complications: a Japanese DPC study
Authors: Mori Yu , Tarasawa Kunio , Tanaka Hidetatsu , Mori Naoko , Fushimi Kiyohide , Fujimori Kenji , Aizawa Toshimi 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Introduction
The efficacy of early surgery in preventing complications among Japanese elderly patients with hip fractures requires further investigation. This study aims to use a comprehensive Japanese hip fracture case database to determine whether surgery within the day of admission and the following day reduces the incidence of complications and mortality during hospitalization in elderly hip fracture patients.

Materials and methods
We retrospectively analyzed the Japanese National Administrative DPC (Diagnosis Procedure Combination) database from April 2016 to March 2022. Approximately 1100 DPC-affiliated hospitals consistently provided medical records with consent for research. The study investigated the association between postoperative pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and mortality during hospitalization after propensity score matching, focusing on surgeries conducted on the day of admission and the following day.

Results
After one-to-one propensity score matching for age, gender, and comorbidity, we identified 146,441 pairs of patients who underwent surgery either within the day of admission and the following day or after the third day of admission. Surgery on the third day or later was independently associated with increased risks of pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and mortality during hospitalization with risk ratios of 1.367 (95% CI 1.307–1.426), 1.328 (95% CI 1.169–1.508), 1.338 (95% CI 1.289–1.388), and 1.167 (95% CI 1.103–1.234), respectively.

Conclusion
A comprehensive study of elderly Japanese patients with hip fractures in the DPC database showed that surgery on admission and the following day is crucial for preventing complications like pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and mortality during hospitalization.
Physical, mechanical, and microstructural characteristics of fly ash replaced cement deep mixing columns
Authors: Yenginar Yavuz , Olgun Murat 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe novel approach of the study is implementing the installation procedure of fly ash (FA) replaced cement deep mixing (DM) columns to field cases aiming at managing FA waste and reducing cement utilization. FA replaced cement DM columns (diameter of 30 cm and length of 80 cm) were installed on clayey soils using a laboratory type DM machine. The effect of installation parameters such as the binder dosage, FA replacement ratio, superplasticizer content, water/binder ratio, and the liquidity index (LI) of the soil on column performance was investigated. The design of experiments and optimization process were conducted using the Taguchi method, S/N and ANOVA analyses, and the desirability function method. Observations have shown that the mixing time required for a homogeneously mixed column depends on the LI of the soil and the volume ratio (VR) of the slurry. A key parameter (LI∙VR) is defined to decide the minimum number of the mixing process. The blade rotation number should be minimum of 252 rev/m to obtain a homogeneous soil-slurry mixture. The highest strength of the column was obtained when LI of fresh soilcrete (LImix) is 1.25∙LI. Optimum installation parameters were determined as binder dosage of 425 kg/m3, FA replacement ratio is 40%, superplasticizer content is 3%, water/binder ratio is 0.8, and LI of the untreated soil is 1. In the optimum design, the mixing efficiency of the soil-slurry mixture increased and the best column performance was obtained. In addition, cement utilization and binder cost decrease 40% and 33%, respectively, in FA-replaced cement DM columns. SEM images prove the increase in column performance due to the cementation products (CSH and CAH gels) formed in the microstructure of the column.
High-intensity versus low-level laser in musculoskeletal disorders
Authors: Saleh Marwa Shafiek , Shahien Mostafa , Mortada Hossam , Elaraby Abdelrahman , Hammad Yara Samir , Hamed Maged , Elshennawy Shorouk 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate the current evidence comparing low level to high level laser therapy to reveal any superiorities in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods
Five databases were searched till September 2022 to obtain relevant RCTs comparing high intensity and low-level laser therapies in the management of musculoskeletal disorders. Two authors assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and meta-analysis was conducted for studies that showed homogeneity.

Results
Twelve articles were included in this systematic review with a total population of 704 participants across various musculoskeletal pathologies including tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic non-specific low back pain, knee arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and subacromial impingement. There were no statistical differences between the two interventions in pain, electrophysiological parameters, level of disability, quality of life, postural sway or pressure algometer, however, Low level laser therapy showed superiority in increasing grip strength compared to high intensity laser therapy while results were significant in favour of high intensity laser therapy regarding long head of biceps diameter and cross sectional area, supraspinatus thickness and echogenicity and acromio-humeral distance.

Conclusion
The current literature suggests no superiority of both types of laser therapy in musculoskeletal disorders, however, more RCTs with larger sample size are required to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the superiority of either form of laser therapy in musculoskeletal disorders.
Masking ability of gingiva-colored resin-based composites over different tooth-colored substrates
Authors: Şen Nazmiye , Sancaklı Erkan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of different tooth-colored substrates and restoration thicknesses on the final color of gingiva-colored resin-based composites (GCRBCs). Five different shades of GCRBCs [light pink (LP), dark pink (DP), orange (Or), brown (Br), and purple (P)] were used to prepare disc-shaped specimens with 2 different thicknesses: 1.0 mm, and 2.0 mm. GCRBC discs (n = 5) were placed over 3 different tooth-colored substrates (ND1, ND5, and ND9) and color parameters were assessed using a spectroradiometer. Color differences (∆E*ab and ∆E00) were calculated using CIELab and CIEDE2000 formulas and compared to 50:50% perceptibility (PT: ∆E*ab = 1.7, ΔE00 = 1.1) and acceptability (AT: ∆E*ab = 3.7, ΔE00 = 2.8) visual thresholds. Color variation data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVAs followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc tests (a = 05). The ∆E*ab and ΔE00 values of GCRBCs placed over ND9 substrates were significantly higher in the LP-1.0 mm and Or-1.0 mm groups that presented values above AT (p< .001).Regardless of the substrate color and GCRBC thickness applied, ∆E*ab and ΔE00 values below AT were recorded in the gingival color groups of P. Substrate color significantly affected the color differences in the gingival color groups of LP, DP, and Or with a restoration thickness of 1.0 mm (p < .05). Gingival color, restoration thickness, and substrate color influenced the color differences of GCRBCs. When the gingival color was a lighter gingival color, rather than dark purple, the masking ability was decreased, especially with a restoration thickness of 1.0 mm.
Sociobehavioral Risk Factors and Clinical Implications of Late Presentation Among People Living with HIV in the Brazilian Amazon Region
Authors: Pereira Leonn Mendes Soares , França Eliane dos Santos , Costa Iran Barros , Lima Igor Tenório , Freire Amaury Bentes Cunha , Ramos Francisco Lúzio de Paula , Monteiro Talita Antonia Furtado , Macedo Olinda , Sousa Rita Catarina Medeiros , Freitas Felipe Bonfim , Costa Igor Brasil , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to analyze the prevalence, sociobehavioral factors and clinical-laboratory consequences of late presentation among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Brazilian Amazon region. In total, 402 HIV + individuals treated at reference units in Belém city (Pará, Brazil) between 2018 and 2019 were evaluated. Late presentation was defined as a first-collection LTCD4+ count below 350 cells/µL. Sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical data were obtained from questionnaires or medical records. Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokine profiles were evaluated by flow cytometry. Longitudinal data on viral load, T lymphocytes, and antiretroviral therapy administration were obtained from control and logistic databases. Approximately 52.73% of the participants were late presenters and sought medical care 7–12 + months after their primary HIV diagnosis. Sociobehavioral factors associated with late presentation included illicit drug use for more than 5 years, polyamory, no alcohol consumption, homosexuality, and sexual inactiveness after HIV diagnosis. Clinically, late presentation was associated with coinfection rate; polysymptomatology; high IFN-ɣ, IL-6 and IL-10 levels; nonresponse to antiretroviral therapy; and virological failure- and tuberculosis coinfection-motivated changes to therapy. In summary, the prevalence of late presentation in Pará in the Brazilian Amazon region is high. Delays in seeking specialized care after a primary HIV diagnosis cause medium/long-term changes in the life expectancy and health of PLHIV.
An overview of implementing security and privacy in federated learning
Authors: Hu Kai , Gong Sheng , Zhang Qi , Seng Chaowen , Xia Min , Jiang Shanshan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractFederated learning has received a great deal of research attention recently,with privacy protection becoming a key factor in the development of artificial intelligence. Federated learning is a special kind of distributed learning framework, which allows multiple users to participate in model training while ensuring that their privacy is not compromised; however, this paradigm is still vulnerable to security and privacy threats from various attackers. This paper focuses on the security and privacy threats related to federated learning. First, we analyse the current research and development status of federated learning through use of the CiteSpace literature search tool. Next, we describe the basic concepts and threat models, and then analyse the security and privacy vulnerabilities within current federated learning architectures. Finally, the directions of development in this area are further discussed in the context of current advanced defence solutions, for which we provide a summary and comparison.
XK-III: A Spherical Robot with Redundant Degrees of Freedom
Authors: Lin Rui , Huo Jianwen , Yang Xin , Wang Qiguan , Yang Ruilin , Xu Jinfei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe spherical robot XK-III, designed with redundant degrees of freedom, addresses the limitations of existing pendulum spherical robot structures by enhancing mobility and environmental adaptability. A nonlinear dynamic model is developed for XK-III’s new drive structure, along with a nonlinear disturbance observer (NDOB) to mitigate perturbations. Additionally, a Fuzzy PID controller (FPID) is implemented to further enhance XK-III’s environmental adaptability. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the new design, showing that XK-III equipped with FPID and NDOB outperforms traditional control systems in terms of anti-disturbance capabilities. This research provides valuable insights for the use of spherical robots in complex environments.