bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Topical application of vitamin D cream in particiants with inflammatory acne due to vitamin D deficiency
Authors: Lekic Lana , Pavlovic Bojan 
Published: June 2024

Acne vulgaris (AV) represents a chronic inflammatory condition affecting pilosebaceous units, characterized by a multifactorial etiology. AV can manifest as both inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions. Non-inflammatory acne is termed a comedone, which can be either closed (whiteheads) or open (blackheads). Inflammatory acne encompasses papules, pustules, nodules, and pseudocysts. The most common regions for acne occurrence are the facial region (90%), thoracic area (14%), and dorsal region (60%). In the study involving transdermal application of vitamin D cream (applied twice daily; morning and evening) in subjects with inflammatory acne due to vitamin D deficiency, 33 participants took part, comprising 8 males and 25 females. The age group most affected was 18-25 years (adolescent age), followed by a lesser impact in the 26-30 age group, and the lowest incidence observed in the late 36-45 age group. Among males, facial and thoracic regions were most affected by inflammatory acne (37.5%), while among females, the facial region showed a higher percentage of 54%, and the thoracic area was at 40%, with a minimal impact on the dorsal region (M=25%; F=8%). Reductions in inflammatory acne ranged from 100% to 10%, with substantial improvements noted in the male population, achieving 100% and 80% reduction (100% reduction: facial region 25%, thoracic area 12.5%, 80% reduction: dorsal region 25%). Similarly, the female group, with a larger sample size (25 participants), demonstrated significant reductions (100% reduction: facial region 36%, thoracic area 24%, 80% reduction: dorsal area 4%). Overall, improvements were evident in all participants, with none falling below a 30% reduction, indicating remarkable outcomes after one month of vitamin D cream use. Numerous factors contribute to the onset of inflammatory acne, with this study specifically highlighting vitamin D deficiency in the blood. Other indications include the occurrence of polycystic ovaries and reduced thyroid function in women, heightened stress, and prostate issues in men. Reduced or deficient vitamin D levels may be associated with further immune system suppression, activating the aforementioned factors. This research marks a significant stride in uncovering the manifold health benefits of vitamin D.

Keywords: acne, vitamin D, participants
A pilot case-control study on the fecal microbiota of pediatric functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified and the role of early life stress
Authors: Otaru Nize , Pugin Benoît , Plüss Serafina , Hojsak Iva , Braegger Christian , Lacroix Christophe 
Published: June 2024

Background: Gut microbial features and the role of early life stress in pediatric functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified (FAP-NOS) have never been investigated before. Here, we hypothesize that early life stress is more prevalent in FAP-NOS compared to healthy controls and that fecal microbial profiles and related metabolites differ between groups.
Methods: In an international multicenter case-control study, FAP-NOS patients (n = 40) were compared to healthy controls (n = 55). Stool samples and demographic and clinical data including early life traumatic events and antibiotics treatments were collected from children aged four to twelve years. Fecal microbial profiles were assessed with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Microbial metabolite concentrations in fecal supernatant, including short-chain fatty acids and amino acids, were detected via liquid chromatography.
Results: Microbial richness was increased in FAP-NOS compared to healthy controls and microbial composition (unweighted UniFrac) differed between groups. Three distinct amplicon sequencing variants and two distinct species were enriched in FAP-NOS compared to controls, with no observed changes at higher taxonomic levels. No differences in microbial metabolites and early life stress were observed between groups.
Conclusion: The presented hypothesis could not be proven, with no observed differences in occurrence of early life stress, and fecal microbial metabolic profiles between pediatric FAP-NOS and healthy controls. Pediatric FAP-NOS patients exhibited mild differences in the fecal microbial community compared with controls. Further large-scale studies with high-resolution techniques are warranted to address the biological relevance of present observations.
Unveiling Key Drivers to Enhance Global Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Jamilah Hafshah , Supardi Supardi , Indayani Lilik 
Published: June 2024

This quantitative study investigates the influence of service quality, price, and brand image on customer satisfaction at PT. Pos Indonesia Sultan Agung Magersari Sidoarjo. Using a sample of 85 respondents and multiple linear regression analysis, the research finds significant positive effects of service quality, price, and brand image on customer satisfaction. Specifically, reliability and responsiveness significantly impact service quality, competitor price significantly influences price, and uniqueness significantly affects brand image. The study underscores the importance of maintaining high service quality standards, competitive pricing strategies, and distinctive brand images to enhance customer satisfaction in the postal service industry. The findings offer practical implications for PT. Pos Indonesia, suggesting the prioritization of reliability and responsiveness in service delivery, competitive pricing strategies, and leveraging unique brand attributes for market differentiation. Future research directions include exploring additional variables and employing qualitative methods to deepen understanding and optimize customer satisfaction strategies. Highlight: Study: Service, price, brand influence postal customer satisfaction significantly. Regression: Reliability, responsiveness, competitor price, uniqueness impact customer satisfaction. Practical: Maintain reliability, competitive pricing, leverage uniqueness for customer satisfaction. Keywoed: Customer satisfaction, Service quality, Price, Brand image, Postal services
Prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among children attending pre-schools in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Authors: Said Jida Juma , Salim Nahya , Kunambi Peter P , Furia Francis 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Childhood hypertension has become a public health problem due to its increasing prevalence and complications; the high prevalence is noted to mirror an increase in obesity among children. Hypertension in children is frequently undiagnosed due to challenges in getting appropriate cuff sizes and interpretation of the readings. Several studies have been carried out among children however; most of available information is focused on hypertension among older children and adolescents.
Methodology:
A cross sectional study was conducted in 2 districts of Dar es Salaam region namely Ilala and Kinondoni from October to November 2020. Children aged 2–5 years attending pre-schools in these districts meeting the inclusion criteria and whose parent/guardian signed informed consent were included. Questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic characteristics; anthropometric and three oscillometric single- occasion blood pressure measurements were taken. The average blood pressure was compared to the standard charts for age and sex provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics 2017 to determine the blood pressure category of the child. A total of 1083 children fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were enrolled into the study, 51.3% (556/1083) of participants were males and the median age was 4 years (IQR 3–5). Blood pressures for 252 (23.3%) participants were in the high blood pressure range (19.8% with elevated blood pressure and 3.5% with hypertension). No significant gender difference was observed among those with high blood pressure. Factors that were noted to be significantly associated with elevated blood pressure included low birth weight (p = 0.036), increasing age (p = 0.032) and body mass index (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
High prevalence of elevated blood pressure in this population of pre-school aged children is alarming. Low birth weight, increasing age and body mass index were significantly associated with elevated blood pressure.
Genome‑wide identifcation and expression analysis of the growth-regulating factors under drought in Brassica juncea
Authors: Zhang Yuling , Jiang Huanhuan , Liang Fenghao , Yang Bin , Wang Lulu , Tang Rong , Lei Shaolin , Xiao Huagui , Zhang Chao 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Growth-regulating factors (GRFs) are plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) involved in the regulation of plant growth, development, and abiotic stress processes. However, the functions of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss GRFs remain largely unknown. In this study, 34 BjGRF genes were identified in B. juncea. BjGRF members of the same subfamily were found to share a similar motif composition and gene structure. In total, 663 cis-acting element sites were found in the promoter regions of BjGRF genes, which were related to light response, hormone response, environmental stresses, and plant growth/development. Additionally, 48 pairs of segmental duplication genes were identified during gene duplication events, and no tandemly duplicated genes were identified. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the 34 BjGRF genes were primarily expressed in the roots, followed by the leaves. Furthermore, the 10 BjGRF genes were screened in response to drought stress, and the expression patterns of the genes were relatively consistent, with a maximum expression level at 3 or 24 h. This preliminary study clarifies the response of the BjGRF gene family to drought stress and provides ideas for further analyses of the biological functions of BjGRF genes.
Primary caesarean section: trend, predictors and outcomes among low risk multiparous women at tertiary hospital northern Tanzania: a cross sectional study
Authors: Maingu Leons , Masenga Gileard , Mchome Bariki , Batchu Nasra , Mangi Glory , Gaffur Raziya , Mlay Pendo , Mjema Rafiki , Maro Eusebius , Kakumbi Tom , Salum Ibrahim , Rwenyagira Doris , Swai Patricia 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Cesarean section rate has been increasing worldwide, surpassing the standard cesarean section rate set by WHO of 10-15%. Primary cesarean section has been a major contributor to the overall Cesarean section rates. Studies have reported much on primary caesarean section on prime parous however the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of caesarean section in multiparous women who had previous vaginal birth are still understudied. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the trend and predictors, and outcome of primary cesarean section in low-risk multiparous women.
Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study using birth registry linked data from Kilimanjaro Christian medical center from 2012 to 2021. Multiparous women who delivered from 37 to 42 weeks were enrolled in the study after exclusion of those with medical and obstetric risk condition. Social demographic and obstetric characteristics were used to determine the predictors of caesarean section by using multivariate logistic regression. Maternal and neonatal outcome were computed using chi squire.
Results: Total of 12760 multiparous women were enrolled for analysis, the overall prevalence of primary CS of 36.8%, the indications reported were fetal distress, malposition and labor dystocia. During the study period the trend has been constantly high, with its peak prevalence of 41.0%, there was a gradual decline of prevalence to 22.4% from 2019 to 2021. Advanced maternal age >35 years and obesity were independent predictors of primary caesarean section (AOR 1.15, 95%CI 1.06-1.26, AOR1.40 95%CI 1.09-1.80). Maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with primary CS were postpartum hemorrhage, blood transfusion and Apgar score of >7 in first minute.
Conclusion: The trend of CS was high and factors contributing to CS were maternal obesity and advance maternal age. Pre conceptual counseling to women in communities and antenatal clinics on health education on diet and lifestyle modification are key in reducing the burden of obesity.
Deciphering genomic arms race between the chemical defense of a tree and counter-defense of insect herbivores
Authors: Wei Shu-Jun , Song Wei , Cao Li-Jun , Chen Jin-Cui , Guo Wen-Juan , Li Hui-Juan , Sun Xue-Wen , Hoffmann Ary , Wen Jun-Bao 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Plant secondary metabolites play important roles in defense against herbivorous insects. However, many insects can overcome plant defenses even when they produce a rich toxin load, and there is an expected arms race between plants evolving new toxins and insects evolving to overcome them.
Results
Here we deciphered genomic features linked to arms race in the tree of heaven that can produce a high richness of secondary metabolites with about 745 compounds and two monophagous weevils that only feed on this tree species. We first assembled chromosome-level genomes for the tree of heaven and two weevils. Comparative genomics showed an expansion of genes related to synthesizing secondary metabolites in the tree, while in the weevils, genes related to detoxification and chemosensing expanded. The expansion of core genes involved in quassinoid biosynthesis in the tree was linked to tandem duplication and whole genome duplication, while the expansion of detoxifying GST and chemosensing SNMP genes in the two weevils was linked to tandem duplication and novel genes, respectively.
Conclusions
The results indicate that plants and insect herbivores reshaped their genomes each other in common and unique ways underlying their arms race of defense and countering defense, improving our understanding of genome evolution driven by tropical interactions.
Effect of inhibitors on the degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) by ultrasonic-assisted inorganic anions: degradation mechanism and pathway
Authors: Do Huu Tuan , Thi Lan Anh Phan , Ngoc Nguyen Thuy 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a notable polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFASs) contaminating global water environment. This study investigated the effect of inhibitors on the degradation of PFOA by ultrasonic-assisted inorganic anions. Among NO3–, SO42–, and HCO3– anions use to assist in PFOA degradation by ultrasonic (US), SO42– showed higher result. When tert-butanol (t-BuOH) was used as a radical scavenger to find out which radical play role in PFOA degradation and the highest PFOA decomposition efficiency (94.9%) was observed in NaNO3/t-BuOH, US system with 30 mM NaNO3– initial concentration. We did not detect any shorter-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) except for PFOA and F– anions in the final reaction solution that mean PFOA was decomposed directly to CO, CO2 and HF. Meanwhile, HCO3– anions showed the lowest degradation efficiency. In terms of energy efficiency, the energy consumption in US/sulfate system was seen to be comparable to that of sonolysis.
Pain Management's Influence on Voluntary Assisted Dying Decision-Making
Authors: Mohabbati Vahid , Papan Mohammadkazem , McCarthy Stephen , Yapp Alvin 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Voluntary assisted dying has only recently been legalised in the Australian state of New South Wales. Clinical judgement must be exercised by the doctors of patients requesting voluntary assisted dying, regarding the likelihood that the patient’s condition is terminal and that no adequate relief or management can be provided to them.
Actual case: An elderly man, with multiple comorbidities, experienced functional decline and worsening of osteoarthritic right hip pain following the cancellation of a total hip arthroplasty. Due to this and medical complications deeming him unfit for surgery, the patient expressed a wish to initiate the voluntary assisted dying process. Pharmacological analgesia was ineffective in controlling his pain.
Possible courses of action: Applications for voluntary assisted dying may come from any patient. The application needs first to be supported by two physicians, before independent review; adequate pain management should occur simultaneously to preserve the patient’s quality of life as much as possible.
Formulation of a plan: The patient was supported in his decision to begin the voluntary assisted dying process, but education was also carried out regarding pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of pain management. After some thought and familial input, the patient was agreeable to an interventional pain referral, and later consented to radiofrequency ablation of the right genicular and femoral nerves.
Outcome: Following radiofrequency ablation, the patient reported a significant decrease in his hip pain, and an improvement in his quality of life; he elected to cease the voluntary assisted dying process.
Discussion: The presence of pain is a key factor in both quality of life and a patient’s perceptions of such; this has major implications where voluntary assisted dying is concerned. Interventions such as radiofrequency ablation are minimally invasive and can often have significant impacts on improving mood and quality of life.
Conclusions: Interventional pain management is an important management tool in improving the quality of life of patients, especially in a palliative disease stage. It may lead patients to reconsider programmes such as voluntary assisted dying, which are still poorly understood by many inside and outside of the health profession. Education of doctors and medical students on the presence and role of interventional pain specialists should be undertaken.
Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota of the Chinese Kunming dog, German Shepherd, and Belgian Malinois
Authors: Hu Qingmei , Cheng Luguang , Cao Xueting , Shi Feng , Ma Yunjie , Mo Liling , Li Junyu , Zhu Siyi , Liu Z ichao 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The composition of the gut microbiota is essential for the host’s health and adaptation to the environment. Due to bacterial functional redundancy in microbial communities, different bacteria can produce the same important metabolites beneficial to health, and studying the gut flora composition of dogs of different breeds under the same domestication conditions can help improve microbial diversity and normalize metabolite production in diseased dogs. In this study, noninvasive sampling and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing were used to compare and analyze the structure and function of the gut microbiota of three dog breeds, namely the Chinese Kunming dog (CKD), German Shepherd dog (GSD) and Belgian Malinois dog (BMD). The results showed that the gut microbiota of the three dog breeds consisted of 257 species across 146 genera, 60 families, 35 orders, 15 classes, and 10 phyla. The dominant bacterial phyla across the three breeds were Firmicutes (57.44%), Fusobacteriota (28.86%), and Bacteroidota (7.63%), while the dominant bacterial genera across the three breeds were Peptostreptococcus (21.08%), Fusobacterium (18.50%), Lactobacillus (12.37%), and Cetobacter (10.29%). Further analysis also revealed significant differences in the intestinal flora of the three breeds, at both the phylum and genus levels. The richness of intestinal flora of BMD was significantly higher than that of CKD and GSD. The results of this study provide novel insights into the intestinal flora of intervention dogs and suggest novel methods to improve their health status.
Impact analysis and predictive modeling in emergency care： Evaluating the effects of immediately post-COVID-19 lockdown at a top Chinese teaching hospital
Authors: Pei Yuanyuan , Wang Xi , Cao Lingjie , Li Dilu , Guo Liping , Yang Fengtao , Huang Wenfeng , Li Hao , He Jing , Zhu Jihong 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic. Emergency department (ED) suffered a significant impact due to COVID-19 spread after policy adjustments at the end of 2022 in China.
Methods
This study analyzed the impact of post-COVID-19 lock-down on ED visits and critically ill patients at Peking University People's Hospital from December 2022 to January 2023. Machine learning was employed to identify key predictors of mortality in critically ill ED patients. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) was developed to estimate the prognostic predictors.
Results
We have observed a significant rise in ED visits and admissions of critical patient, particularly with COVID-19 pneumonia. A total of 25413 patients visited ED, of who 631 patients were critically ill. Our analysis of 581 critical patients revealed distinct clinical and demographic characteristics like hypertension and diabetes, with a notable prevalence of complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury and respiratory failure. We further studied the variables with high contribution to model prediction to observe the characteristic differences between the variables in the non-survival group and the survival group. Age, hypoxic state and ventilator support, white blood cell, platelets, and coagulation indicators were identified as key risk factors for mortality using a Random Forest model. The study's predictive model demonstrated high accuracy, with its area under the receiver-operator curve as 0·8385, which incorporated into a user-friendly GUI for clinical application and could enhance the management of critical COVID-19 cases in emergency settings.
Conclusion
The pandemic spread rapidly in China after the quarantine was lifted. The predictive score and GUI for estimating prognostic risk factors in ED critical patients can be used to aid in the proper treatment and optimizing medical resources.
A GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Framework for Landfill Site Selection in Bilaspur and Gaurela-Pendra- Marwahi Districts, Chhattisgarh: Integrating AHP and MIF
Authors: Patel Rahul Kumar , Soni Prasoon , Singh Pushpraj 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Landfilling is the most plausible method employed in developing countries to dispose of solid waste in the light of the global context. Since this area’s industry and urbanization, there is a production of waste. In contrast, many other reasons, such as the public’s lack of knowledge, e-waste from discarded gadgets, waste generated by businesses, and families, and citizens’ indifference, are responsible for the rapid growth of waste in the study area. One of the activities aided by Geographic Information System (GIS) that ensured a successful outcome is related to landfills. The paper describes using tools, like Remote Sensing and GIS, along with MIF and AHP methods. Its goal: find ideal waste dumping sites in Bilaspur and Gourela-Pendra-Marwahi districts, Chhattisgarh. Thematic maps, categorized by ArcGIS, helped grasp the challenge and get precise results. AHP and MIF aid decision-making, recommending top dumping locations. To clarify, the complex issue was divided into a hierarchical structure. Some things went into choosing the standards. The method makes sure we can fix the problem with the picked things. Maps helped see the issue and find a spot for a landfill in the studied area.