bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of tamsulosin versus tadalafil in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. A prospective randomized study
Authors: Ahmad Malik Suhail , Dar Yaser Ahmad , Khawaja Abdul Rauf , Para Sajad Ahamd , Malik Sajad Ahamad , Wani Mohammad Saleem , Bhat Arif Hamid , Wani Prince Muzaffar 
Published: May 2024

Introduction:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the common causes of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in aging men. Men with LUTS have a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED), and LUTS themselves represent an independent risk factor for ED, triggering a significant negative impact on quality of life.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 92 patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Groups I and II had 45 and 47 patients, two patients from Group I and three patients from Group II did not follow and were excluded from the study. Patients in Group I received 0.4 mg of tamsulosin and Group II patients received 5 mg tadalafil. Patients were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and at 6 months after receiving treatment. Treatment efficacy was measured by a change in Qmax, post void residual urine (PVR), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score at 3 months and 6 months.

Results:
Baseline parameters between the two groups were similar. Mean Qmax improved by 7 ml/s at 3 months to 9.44 ml/s at 6 months in Group I versus 4.73 ml/s at 3 months to 6.46 ml/s at 6 months in Group II (P = 0.739). Mean PVRU decreased by 35.53 ml at 3 months to 47.23 ml at 6 months in Group I versus 44.98 at 3 months to 58.28 ml at 6 months in Group II (P = 0.102). IPSS score improved by 4.24 points at 3 months to 7.22 points at 6 months in Group I versus 4 points at 3 months to 5.02 points at 6 months in Group II (P = 0.336). SHIM score improved by 0.7 points 16.2 at 3 months to 0.8 points at 6 months in Group I versus 6.12 points at 3 months to 6.3 points at 6 months (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
When both groups were compared, tadalafil showed statistically similar improvements in Qmax, PVRU, and IPSS score, but statistically significant improvement was observed with tadalafil in SHIM score compared with tamsulosin in treating LUTS secondary to BPH. Our study provides evidence that once daily tadalafil 5 mg is well tolerated and can be considered for the treatment of LUTS secondary to BPH especially in patient with ED.
Patient-reported outcomes after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and institutional learning curve for functional outcomes
Authors: Hashine Katsuyoshi , Tada Koki , Minato Ryoei , Sawada Yuichiro , Matsumura Masafumi 
Published: May 2024

Purpose:
The study was performed to examine patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in the 1st year after surgery and the institutional learning curve after the introduction of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Materials and Methods:
The subjects were 320 consecutive patients who underwent RARP from 2014 to 2018. These cases were divided into three groups treated in the early, middle, and late periods, with about 100 cases in each. PROs were recorded using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC).

Results:
There were no significant differences among the early, middle, and late periods based on EPIC scores. Urinary function and bother decreased in the 1st month after surgery, and gradually recovered thereafter. However, urinary function was significantly worse in the 1st year after surgery than at baseline. Urinary function and bother were better in patients treated with nerve-sparing surgery, and in nerve-sparing cases, urinary function and bother were best in the early period and worst in the late period. These cases also had the best score for sexual function in the early period, but sexual bother was worst in the early period. In contrast, in cases treated without nerve-sparing surgery, urinary function and bother were best in the late period and worst in the early period, although without significant differences.

Conclusion:
The functional results of this study based on PROs are useful for providing information for patients. Interestingly, the institutional learning curves for RARP differed in cases that did and did not undergo a nerve-sparing procedure.
Primary obstructive megaureter in children; 10 years’ experience from a tertiary care center
Authors: Hamid Raashid , Bhat Nisar A. , Baba Ajaz A. , Mufti Gowhar Nazir , Sheikh Khursheed A. , Bashir Mohd Idrees 
Published: May 2024

Introduction:
Primary obstructive megaureter (POM) is a congenital dilatation of the ureter due to an adynamic segment of vesicoureteric junction obstruction. Surgical intervention is needed if nuclear scan shows obstructive curve. We analyzed our data and outcome of conservative and surgical treatment in such cases at our tertiary care hospital.

Materials and Methods:
We evaluated all cases of POMs during the study period. Investigations included ultrasonography (USG), voiding cystourethrogram, diethylene pentacetic acid (DTPA) scan, and dimercaptosuccinyle acid scan. In antenatal cases, any pelvic dilatation ≥12 mm after 6 weeks were subjected to reonography. Patients with anterior-posterior pelvic diameter (APPD) ≥12 mm had to undergo DTPA scan to look for DRF and drainage. Follow-up USG was done in all cases of mild-to-moderate hydroureteronephrosis, with APPD <12 at 3 months interval.

Results:
A total of 270 megaureters were registered and treated during the study period (2008–2019). The total number of patients included was 50 (64 ureters). The mean age of presentation in these 30 children was 21.78 ± 18.1 months (range 1–72 months) and the mean weeks of gestation in antenatal cases at presentation as megaureter was 24 ± 7 weeks (range 13–37 weeks). The mean weight of babies was 2.72 ± 0.7 g. The duration of follow-up ranged from 16 to 1W12 months. The mean APPD on the affected side was 19.99 ± 10.3 mm (range 11–43 mm). The mean ureteric diameter was 1.67 ± 0.33 mm (range 0.78–2.66 cm). The mean split function of patients with POM was 34.88% ± 11.5% on the affected side. Twenty patients (40%) had spontaneous resolution over a mean time period of 24.1 ± 11.1 months. Thirty patients underwent surgical procedures. In three children, HTN was observed over a mean follow-up period of 3 years.

Conclusion:
The babies with POM need a close follow-up. Surgery is indicated in prolonged t½/Tmax on renal scan, function <40% at the initial scan, or >5% split function deterioration in the subsequent renal scan.
The changing composition of urinary calculi in Southern Thailand over the past 14 years
Authors: Tanthanuch Monthira , Jakjaroenrit Nattawit , Boonchai Sarayuth , Bejrananda Tanan 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
A worldwide increased incidence of urolithiasis has been observed over the past few decades. Insight into the composition of these stones can lead to enhanced medical treatment and outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine the distribution and chemical composition of urinary calculi in Southern Thailand over the past decade.

Materials and Methods:
An analysis was conducted on 2611 urinary calculi submitted to the Stone Analysis Laboratory, Songklanagarind Hospital, a single stone analysis laboratory in Southern Thailand. The analysis was performed from 2007 to 2020 using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The demographic results were described using descriptive statistical analyses, and the Chi-square test for trends was performed to identify changes in urinary calculi composition.

Results:
The patients’ demographic data revealed a male-to-female ratio of 2.2:1; the most common age group of affected men was 50–69 years, whereas the most common age group of affected women was 40–59 years. The most common components found in the calculi were uric acid (30.6%), mixed calcium oxalate with calcium phosphate (29.2%), and calcium oxalate (26.7%). We noted a trend of increasing uric acid calculi for 14 years (P = 0.00493), whereas the trend for the other major components was decreasing.

Conclusion:
The most common component of urinary calculi analyzed in Southern Thailand was uric acid, with a significant rising trend in proportion in the past decade; the trend of other major components, such as mixed calcium oxalate-calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate, decreased.
Effects of oral probiotics on inflammation and intestinal function in adult patients after appendectomy: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lan Ke , Zeng Ke-Rui , Zhong Fu-Rui , Tu Sheng-Jin , Luo Jin-Long , Shu Shi-Long , Peng Xue-Feng , Yang Hua , Lu Kai 
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND
Appendectomy is an acute abdominal surgery that is often accompanied by severe abdominal inflammation. Oral probiotics are one of the postoperative treatments for rapid rehabilitation. However, there is a lack of prospective studies on this topic after appendectomy.
AIM
To investigate whether the postoperative probiotics can modulate the inflammatory response and restore intestinal function in patients following appendectomy.
METHODS
This was a prospective, randomized trial. A total of 60 emergency patients were randomly divided into a control group (n = 30) and a probiotic group (n = 30). Patients in the control group started to drink some water the first day after surgery, and those in the probiotic group were given water supplemented with Bacillus licheniformis capsules for 5 consecutive days postsurgery. The indices of inflammation and postoperative conditions were recorded, and the data were analyzed with RStudio 4.3.2 software.
RESULTS
A total of 60 participants were included. Compared with those in the control group, the C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 and procalcitonin (PCT) levels were significantly lower in the probiotic group at 2 d after surgery (P = 2.224e-05, P = 0.037, and P = 0.002, respectively, all P < 0.05). This trend persisted at day 5 post-surgery, with CRP and PCT levels remaining significantly lower in the probiotic group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.043, both P < 0.05). Furthermore, probiotics resulted in a shorter time to first flatus and a greater percentage of gram-negative bacilli in the feces (P = 0.035, P = 0.028, both P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Postoperative oral administration of probiotics may modulate the gut microbiota, benefit the recovery of the early inflammatory response, and subsequently enhance recovery after appendectomy.
Therapeutic potential of urine-derived stem cells in renal regeneration following acute kidney injury: A comparative analysis with mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Li Fang , Zhao Bin , Zhang Lei , Chen Guo-Qing , Zhu Li , Feng Xiao-Ling , Gong Meng-Jia , Hu Cheng-Chen , Zhang Yuan-Yuan , Li Ming , Liu Yong-Qiang 
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical syndrome with high morbidity and mortality rates. The use of pluripotent stem cells holds great promise for the treatment of AKI. Urine-derived stem cells (USCs) are a novel and versatile cell source in cell-based therapy and regenerative medicine that provide advantages of a noninvasive, simple, and low-cost approach and are induced with high multidifferentiation potential. Whether these cells could serve as a potential stem cell source for the treatment of AKI has not been determined.
AIM
To investigate whether USCs can serve as a potential stem cell source to improve renal function and histological structure after experimental AKI.
METHODS
Stem cell markers with multidifferentiation potential were isolated from human amniotic fluid. AKI severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mice models were induced by means of an intramuscular injection with glycerol. USCs isolated from human-voided urine were administered via tail veins. The functional changes in the kidney were assessed by the levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine. The histologic changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining and transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining. Meanwhile, we compared the regenerative potential of USCs with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
RESULTS
Treatment with USCs significantly alleviated histological destruction and functional decline. The renal function was rapidly restored after intravenous injection of 5 × 105 human USCs into SCID mice with glycerol-induced AKI compared with injection of saline. Results from secretion assays conducted in vitro demonstrated that both stem cell varieties released a wide array of cytokines and growth factors. This suggests that a mixture of various mediators closely interacts with their biochemical functions. Two types of stem cells showed enhanced tubular cell proliferation and decreased tubular cell apoptosis, although USC treatment was not more effective than MSC treatment. We found that USC therapy significantly improved renal function and histological damage, inhibited inflammation and apoptosis processes in the kidney, and promoted tubular epithelial proliferation.
CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrated the potential of USCs for the treatment of AKI, representing a new clinical therapeutic strategy.
Діяльність європейських військових місій в ісламських країнах Азії та Північній Африці (остання чверть ХVIII – перша третина ХIХ ст.)
Authors: Фалько С.А. 
Published: May 2024

Історія діяльності європейських військових місій в Азії та Північній Африці наприкінці ХVІІІ – ХІХ ст. у наукових працях істориків представлена фрагментарно. Це був час епохи Просвітництва, Французької революції та наполеонівських війн. У дослідженні узагальнено діяльність офіційних європейських військових місій в Османській імперії, Єгипті та Ірані на межі ХVІІІ – ХІХ ст. У контексті теми згадуються військові місії в Тунісі та деяких індійських державах. Акцентується увага на тому, що відправка офіцерів на Схід – це перший досвід використання урядами Британії, Франції та Пруссії своїх військових місій у мусульманських країнах. Час виникнення такого способу взаємодії зі східними державами припадає саме на останню третину ХVІІІ ст. – початок ХІХ ст. Означена проблематика вже вивчалася деякими вченими, які досліджують військову історію певних країн. Однак комплексної роботи щодо діяльності європейських офіцерів у Стамбулі, Тегерані, Каїрі та Тунісі на сьогодні ще немає. Методологія узагальнення діяльності офіцерів і сержантів європейських армій у цьому регіоні дозволяє дійти важливих висновків про історію військової модернізації на Сході. Дана стаття також доповнює історію європейського колоніалізму в Азії. Вивчення означеної теми не могло б відбутися без активної допомоги європейських вчених. Зокрема розвитку досліджуваної проблематики сприяли ґрунтовні наукові джерела, які були надані колегами, та корисні поради професійних істориків. Дослідження присвячене початковому етапу такого складного і заплутаного військово-політичного процесу, як діяльність офіційних військових місій європейських держав в Азії та Північній Африці. У дослідженні показані різні методи впливу на мусульманські країни завдяки діяльності офіцерів військових місій європейських держав. Шпигунство, амбітні авантюри, латентна торгівля зброєю, прихований вплив на військові реформи азійських країн і зовнішню політику цих держав – це далеко неповний перелік невидимої роботи військових інструкторів, делегованих у кінці ХVIII – на початку ХІХ ст. з європейських столиць в інший культурний світ.
The Ice Berge of Cholera in Hodeidah , Yemen : The Contact Exposure
Authors: Al Kamarany Mohammed , Ghouth Abdulla Salem Bin 
Published: May 2024

Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by a bacterial infection of the intestine. The bacterium is Vibrio cholerae, which can either be of type O1 or O139. It can infect both children and adults . A cross sectional design was carried out to investigate the variations between cholera patients and control (contacts). Data were collected from a total of 15 suspected cases from 7 districts in Hodeidah, Yemen and 16 contacts from the same houses of the patients. Data at first fed to the excel program then imported to the SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis. Most of the patients were under 5 years of age with the mean age was 2.1 years (±1.2) with a great variation ,the median age of patients was 5 years. It was a great difference with contact age where the mean age was 34 years (±13) (p-value = 0.000) . Al though watery diarrhea was present in 13 out of 15 patients (68.4%) and being more than contacts (6/16; 37.5%) (p-value = 0.006) . Two controversial observations were reported in this study regarding history of vaccination and the laboratory result of the stool culture for V. cholerae. Most of the patients were vaccinated (86.6%) than contacts (p- value = 0.000) and the accepted explanation for this difference is that it may be due that the contacts are adults and may they did not remind their history of vaccination. But the presence of positive culture result for V. cholerae in one contacts (6.3%) and never in any of suspected cholera patients raining the questions either of the performance of the laboratory diagnosis of the surveillance or both .
Hurricane Jim Crow
Authors: Grego Caroline 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
On an August night in 1893, the deadliest hurricane in South Carolina history struck the Lowcountry, killing thousands—almost all African American. But the devastating storm is only the beginning of this story. The hurricane's long effects intermingled with ongoing processes of economic downturn, racial oppression, resistance, and environmental change. In the Lowcountry, the political, economic, and social conditions of Jim Crow were inextricable from its environmental dimensions. This narrative history of a monumental disaster and its aftermath uncovers how Black workers and politicians, white landowners and former enslavers, northern interlocutors and humanitarians all met on the flooded ground of the coast and fought to realize very different visions for the region's future. Through a telescoping series of narratives in which no one's actions were ever fully triumphant or utterly futile, Hurricane Jim Crow explores with nuance this painful and contradictory history and shows how environmental change, political repression, and communal traditions of resistance, survival, and care converged.
Behind Crimmigration
Authors: Arriaga Felicia 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
In recent years, dozens of counties in North Carolina have partnered with federal law enforcement in the criminalization of immigration—what many have dubbed "crimmigration." Southern border enforcement still monopolizes the national immigration debate, but immigration enforcement has become common within the United States as well. While Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are a major part of American immigration enforcement, Felicia Arriaga maintains that ICE relies on an already well-established system—the use of local law enforcement and local governments to identify, incarcerate, and deport undocumented immigrants. Arriaga contends that the long-term partnership between local sheriffs and immigration law enforcement in places like North Carolina has created a form of racialized social control of the Latinx community. Arriaga uses data from five county sheriff’s offices and their governing bodies to trace the creation and subsequent normalization of ICE and local law enforcement partnerships. Arriaga argues that the methods used by these partnerships to control immigration are employed throughout the United States, but they have been particularly visible in North Carolina, where the Latinx population increased by 111 percent between 2000 and 2010. Arriaga's evidence also reveals how Latinx communities are resisting and adapting to these systems.
RELAXATION BEHAVIOR OF 3D PRINTED NBR-BASED RUBBER O-RINGS AS THE INNER PART OF ROD SEALS
Authors: Sundermann Lion , Klie Benjamin , Giese Ulrich 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT
The viscoelastic properties of rubber polymer–based compounds are crucial for further applications but challenging in the manufacturing process using additive manufacturing techniques. The fact that the first layer is attached to the printing bed restricts free relaxation after extrusion and the part shows a strong contraction along the printing direction after release and especially after vulcanization. In this study, the molar mass distribution and the acrylonitrile (ACN) content of an NBR-based compound for the fabrication of O-rings for rod seal applications were varied to demonstrate the different degree of contraction resulting from three-dimensional printing. An ACN content of 34% and an average molar mass of 2.47·105 g·mol−1 with a dispersity index of 2.6 was found to be a suitable compromise between the degree of contraction and compression set as a criterion for the application as O-ring as the inner part of rod seals.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF SYNTHETIC RUBBER INK WITH HIGH SOLID CONTENT REINFORCED BY NETWORKED SILICA
Authors: Tavousi Tabatabaei Bahareh , Basnet Bipendra , Choi Jae-Won 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT
Silica is a reinforcing filler commonly used in the production of environmentally friendly tires, because tires reinforced with silica have lower rolling resistance that translates into reduced energy consumption and improved fuel economy. However, achieving the optimal dispersion of silica within the rubber matrix is crucial for maximizing its reinforcing effects. In this study, a three-dimensionally networked silica (NS) was introduced in various amounts to rubber inks to improve their tensile strength and increase miscibility to enable their use in additive manufacturing. The results show that synthetic rubber ink with a high content of SBR (90%) and reinforced by NS possesses adequate viscosity for use in the direct ink write (DIW) process. NS was confirmed to have an impact on the rheological properties and printability of the rubber ink as well as improve the tensile strength of the printed parts. Different formulations were tested to study and facilitate the vulcanization process and identify the optimal curing conditions as well as the print parameters to use in DIW printing. The successful printing and vulcanization of various printed structures demonstrate the potential for using the developed printable ink in additive manufacturing. This study opens up new possibilities for creating rubber products (such as tire treads) with adequate flexibility and high tensile strength.
Agrivoltaics Over Berries in Chile: Potential for Clean Energy Generation and Climate Change Adaption
Authors: Jung David , Schönberger Frederik , Moraga Francisco 
Published: May 2024

Agrivoltaics (AV), the concept of installing photovoltaic (PV) panels on agricultural land, enabling a dual use of the surface, has the potential to foster renewable energy expansion without land use conflict and to protect water from evapotranspiration. Although there is growing interest in AV, there has been no structured analysis of its potential for clean energy generation and climate change adaptation in Chile. In this paper, we provide the first national-level estimate of the AV potential over blueberries, using a combination of filtered geo-datasets and meteorological data to quantify PV yields and impact on evapotranspiration. We find a theoretical potential of 13.4 GWp for AV over blueberries, predominantly in the central and southern regions. The derived potential for AV could provide 22% of the current national electricity generation while lowering irrigation demand by nearly 18 million m³ per year. Finally, we identify about 8,000 GWh of current annual conventional electricity generation that could be regionally replaced by AV, showing the potential to contribute significantly to the decentralization and decarbonization of the Chilean electricity mix. Further research on the agronomic and economic aspects of AV implementation should be carried out to enable synergetic development.