bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First seizure in elderly patients: Need to treat? Evidence from a retrospective study
Authors: Linka Louise , Magnus Benedikt , Faiz Nabard , Habermehl Lena , Tsalouchidou Panagiota-Eleni , Zahnert Felix , Moeller Leona , Krause Kristina , Knake Susanne , Menzler Katja 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The risk of seizure recurrence after a first unprovoked epileptic seizure is reported to be approximately 40%. Little is known about the recurrence risk after a first seizure in elderly patients, who may be at higher risk due to an increased rate of structural lesions, encephalopathy, subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy or brain atrophy.

Methods
In a retrospective approach, the recurrence rate in 304 patients aged 60 years and above who presented with a first seizure between 2004 and 2017 was analyzed. Hierarchical Cox regression was used to investigate the impact of EEG and neuroimaging results, age or the prescription of anti-seizure medication (ASM) on seizure recurrence.

Results
Seizure recurrence rates were 24.5% and 34.4% after one and two years, respectively. Anti-seizure medication was started in 87.8% of patients, in 28.8% despite the absence of clear epileptogenic lesions on neuroimaging or epileptiform potentials in the EEG. Medical treatment significantly reduced the risk of recurrence (hazard ratio = 0.47). Epileptiform potentials in the EEG, epileptogenic lesions in neuroimaging and age had no significant effect on seizure recurrence. Age and the presence of neurodegenerative and psychiatric comorbidities showed a significant association with ASM prescription.

Conclusions
The present data show a strong protective effect of ASM on seizure recurrence in patients above the age of 60, even in the absence of pathologic neuroimaging or EEG results needed for the diagnosis of epilepsy. Treatment with ASM therefore seems beneficial for reducing the recurrence risk in elderly patients. The lack of a significant association between seizure recurrence and epileptogenic lesions might be related to other confounding factors like encephalopathy, subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy, neurodegenerative diseases or brain atrophy.
Effects of concurrent cartilage procedures on cartilage regeneration in high tibial osteotomy: a systematic review
Authors: Han Joo Hyung , Jung Min , Chung Kwangho , Jung Se-Han , Choi Chong-Hyuk , Kim Sung-Hwan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of concurrent cartilage procedures on cartilage regeneration when performed alongside high tibial osteotomy (HTO).

Materials and methods
The systematic review followed the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). A comprehensive search was conducted on databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, covering articles published until August 31, 2023.

Results
Sixteen studies (1277 patients) revealed that HTO, with or without concurrent cartilage procedures, leads to cartilage regeneration based on the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade during second-look arthroscopy. No concurrent procedure showed improvement in ICRS grade (mean difference: − 0.80 to − 0.49). Microfracture (mean difference: − 0.75 to − 0.22), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) (mean difference: − 1.37 to − 0.67), and human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell (hUCB-MSC) (mean difference: − 2.46 to − 1.81) procedures also demonstrated positive outcomes. Clinical outcome assessments for each cartilage procedure were also improved during postoperative follow-up, and no specific complications were reported.

Conclusions
HTO with or without concurrent cartilage procedures promotes cartilage regeneration observed during second-look arthroscopy, with improved clinical outcomes. Future randomized controlled trials on the same topic, along with subsequent meta-analyses, are necessary for conclusive findings.
Unlocking the potential of sacubitril/valsartan therapy in improving ECG and echocardiographic parameters in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HErEF)
Authors: Allam Lamyaa Elsayed , Abdelmotteleb Ahmed Aly , Eldamanhoury Hayam Mohamed , Hassan Hassan Shehata 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Sacubitril/valsartan therapy has been found to reduce hospitalizations, improve echocardiogram parameters, and improve mortality in HFrEF. The objective is to assess S/V therapy effect on electrocardiogram indices and how those parameters related to echocardiographic parameters.

Results
From June 2022 until June 2023, this prospective study enrolled 100 patients (mean age 56.1, 8.2, 78% male) with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) used PARADIGM-HF criteria: NYHA Class II, III, or IV HF; ejection fraction EF ≤ 40%; and hospitalization for HF within previous 12 months. Before starting S/V therapy, an echo and ECG were performed, as well as 6 months following the optimal dose and if LVEF was improved by more than 5%, they were termed notable S/V treatment responders. Aside from improving echo parameters, ECG parameters improved significantly. The QRS width was reduced from 123.7 ± 20.3 to 117.1 ± 18.8 ms (p 0.00), and QTc interval was reduced from 425.4 ± 32.8 to 421.4 ± 32.3 ms (p = 0.012). QRS width was significantly reduced in patients with LBBB, RBBB, and IVCD based on QRS morphology. QRS width (r = − 0.243, p = 0.016) and QTc (r = − 0.252, p = 0.012) had a negative connection with LVEF.

Conclusion
S/V therapy, in addition to improving echo parameters and NYHA class, improves QRS width and corrected QTc interval on ECG in HFrEF patients. This is an indication of reverse electrical LV remodeling and can be used as an auxiliary prediction for tracking therapy outcomes.
Evaluating left atrial function changes by speckle tracking echocardiography in type 2 diabetes patients in Central Vietnam: a cross-sectional comparative study
Authors: Dang Hai Nguyen Ngoc , Luong Thang Viet , Tran Toan Thanh 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder that detrimentally affects multiple systems in the body, with a particular emphasis on the vascular and nervous systems. Despite its significant impact, limited studies have explored the influence of this condition on the left atrial (LA) function. To address this gap, our study utilized speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to assess LA function in patients with T2DM in Central Vietnam.

Results
The cross-sectional comparative study enrolled 134 subjects involving 66 patients with T2DM and 68 healthy individuals meeting the selection and exclusion criteria of the study. In our study, healthy individuals demonstrated higher values for LA reservoir strain (LASr), LA conduit strain (LAScd), and LA contractile strain (LASct), measuring 38.75% ± 5.43%, 19.58% ± 5.91%, and 19.16% ± 4.98%, respectively. In contrast, the T2DM group exhibited lower values for LASr, LAScd, and LASct, which measured 31.2% ± 4.56%, 14.77% ± 6.3%, and 16.36% ± 4.82%, respectively (p < 0.05). T2DM patients with normal LA volume index (LAVI) and normal left ventricular mass index (LVMI), LASr, LAScd, and LASct results were 32.07% ± 5.28%, 16.28% ± 6.95%, and 15.64% ± 5.32%. respectively.

Conclusions
STE of the LA reveals a noteworthy reduction in reservoir, conduit, and contractile functions within the T2DM group when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, these impaired functions persist in T2DM patients even in the absence of increased LAVI and LVMI.
Leveraging human-centered design and causal pathway diagramming toward enhanced specification and development of innovative implementation strategies: a case example of an outreach tool to address racial inequities in breast cancer screening
Authors: Marcotte Leah M. , Langevin Raina , Hempstead Bridgette H. , Ganguly Anisha , Lyon Aaron R. , Weiner Bryan J. , Akinsoto Nkem , Houston Paula L. , Fang Victoria , Hsieh Gary 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Implementation strategies are strategies to improve uptake of evidence-based practices or interventions and are essential to implementation science. Developing or tailoring implementation strategies may benefit from integrating approaches from other disciplines; yet current guidance on how to effectively incorporate methods from other disciplines to develop and refine innovative implementation strategies is limited. We describe an approach that combines community-engaged methods, human-centered design (HCD) methods, and causal pathway diagramming (CPD)—an implementation science tool to map an implementation strategy as it is intended to work—to develop innovative implementation strategies.

Methods
We use a case example of developing a conversational agent or chatbot to address racial inequities in breast cancer screening via mammography. With an interdisciplinary team including community members and operational leaders, we conducted a rapid evidence review and elicited qualitative data through interviews and focus groups using HCD methods to identify and prioritize key determinants (facilitators and barriers) of the evidence-based intervention (breast cancer screening) and the implementation strategy (chatbot). We developed a CPD using key determinants and proposed strategy mechanisms and proximal outcomes based in conceptual frameworks.

Results
We identified key determinants for breast cancer screening and for the chatbot implementation strategy. Mistrust was a key barrier to both completing breast cancer screening and using the chatbot. We focused design for the initial chatbot interaction to engender trust and developed a CPD to guide chatbot development. We used the persuasive health message framework and conceptual frameworks about trust from marketing and artificial intelligence disciplines. We developed a CPD for the initial interaction with the chatbot with engagement as a mechanism to use and trust as a proximal outcome leading to further engagement with the chatbot.

Conclusions
The use of interdisciplinary methods is core to implementation science. HCD is a particularly synergistic discipline with multiple existing applications of HCD to implementation research. We present an extension of this work and an example of the potential value in an integrated community-engaged approach of HCD and implementation science researchers and methods to combine strengths of both disciplines and develop human-centered implementation strategies rooted in causal perspective and healthcare equity.
Novel approach for solving higher-order differential equations with applications to the Van der Pol and Van der Pol–Duffing equations
Authors: Elnady Abdelrady Okasha , Newir Ahmed , Ibrahim Mohamed A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Numerical methods are used to solve differential equations, but few are effective for nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of order higher than one. This paper proposes a new method for such ODEs, based on Taylor series expansion. The new method is a second-order method for second-order ODEs, and it is equivalent to the central difference method, a well-known method for solving differential equations. The new method is also simple to implement for higher-order differential equations. The proposed technique was applied to solve the Van der Pol and Van der Pol–Duffing equations. It is stable over a wide range of nonlinearity and produces accurate and reliable results. For the self-excitation Van der Pol equation, the proposed technique was applied with different values of nonlinear damping.

Results
The results were compared with those obtained using the ODE15s solver in MATLAB. The two sets of results showed excellent agreement. For the forced Van der Pol–Duffing equation, the proposed technique was applied with different values of exciting force amplitude and frequency. It was found that for certain conditions, the solution obtained using the proposed technique differed from that obtained using ODE15s.

Conclusions
The solution obtained using the proposed technique showed good agreement with the solutions obtained using ODE45 and Runge–Kutta fourth order. The results show that the proposed approach is very simple to apply and produces acceptable error. It is a powerful and versatile tool for solving of high-order nonlinear differential equations accurately.
Chemical composition and antifungal activity of Teucrium Leucocladum Boiss. essential oils growing in Egypt using two different techniques
Authors: Salah Eman Mohamed , Issa Marwa Y. , Mohamed Tarik A. , Hegazy Mohamed-Elamir F. , Tadros Soad H. , Fathallah Noha 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Teucrium Leucocladum Boiss. (TL) (family Lamiaceae), indigenous to Sinai, Egypt, and Mediterranean region, is considered a rich source of essential oils (EOs). This study aimed to extract the aerial parts essential oils utilizing hydro-distillation (HD) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and analyze the volatile constituents by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The antifungal and cytotoxic potentials against Candida albicans (C. albicans) and non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma A549, triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively, were likewise estimated. Subsequently, the three main compounds were docked into the crystal structure of Candida albicansN-myristoyltransferase (NMT) with myristoyl-COA and peptidic inhibitor (PDB 1IYK), and predictions of human absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) were performed to assess the drug-likeness of the compounds.

Results
The chemical profile consisted of monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The MAE oil sample (TLM) yield was found to be double that of the HD oil sample (TLH). TLM afforded an inhibitory diameter (13 mm) comparable to the ketoconazole (20 mm), TLM 100 mg/mL showed the strongest antifungal potential against C. albicans. The cytotoxic assay revealed moderate activity against A549 and MDA-MB-231. In silico studies using molecular docking were processed on the major components in which nerolidol had the best-fitting energy to inhibit C. albicans (− 7.21 kcal/mol), while ADME results established a promising first step for the potential drug bioavailability.

Conclusion
In this research, essential oil acquired from the aerial parts proved to contain monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which are classes of compounds known for their versatile usage in medicine. In vivo studies on Teucrium Leucocladum Boiss. active metabolites against clinical strains of fungi need to be further studied, as do the effects of combining the active compounds with antifungal agents to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Phytochemical screening, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GCMS) analysis and molecular toxicological potential of Hunteria umbellata aqueous fruit extract against Staphylococcus aureus in accessory gene regulators (AGRs)
Authors: Salisu Titilola Fausat , Fowora Muinah Adenike , Yahaya Tajudeen Olanrewaju , Aina Sulaimon Adebisi , Thomas Benjamin Thoha , Ademola Latifat Aderonke , Jimoh Precious Oluwabukola 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Fruits of Hunteria umbellata (HU) have been utilized in folk medicine as potent against Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infections, particularly skin and nasal related conditions. However, there is scarcity of literature concerning toxicological evaluation of graded doses of HU fruit, especially at molecular level, specifically targeting the accessory gene regulator (AGR) system to prevent abuse of doses in the treatment of bacterial infections. This research evaluated molecular toxicological property of SA exposed to varied concentrations of aqueous HU fruit extract ranging from 500 to 3.90625 µg/µL using broth microdilution method and quantification of AGR I and II genes’ expression employing two-step reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We first identified quality and quantity of chemical compounds in aqueous fruit of HU using phytochemistry and hybrid gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer (GC–MS) technique. Additionally, preliminary bactericidal potential of HU was assessed before molecular toxicology.

Results
Results revealed six phytochemicals and twenty analytical grade compounds from a standard library were identified from chromatograms of HU fruit extract. Some main compounds detected are n-Hexadecanoic acid (25.24%), 2-Pentadecanone, 6,10,14-trimethyl (16.08%), Cuparene (16.63%), Tetradecanoic acid (6.21%) and 9-Octadecenoic acid, (E)- (5.70%). Bactericidal activity shows significant (p < 0.05) toxicity in the tested (8) concentrations of HU fruits in a dose-response relationship compared to the controls (positive and negative). The quantified expression of AGR I and II genes in SA was most significantly increased (p < 0.05) at both 250 and 500 µg/µL of HU fruit extract while least significant increase (p < 0.05) was recorded at 125 µg/µL compared to control.

Conclusions
Notably, the study highlighted a potential risk of augmented bacterial infection especially with higher doses of HU extracts during boils’ treatment and other epidermal infections instigated by Staph. Expression of both AGR genes at higher doses (250 and 500 µg/µL) is indicative of further expression of several other genes responsible for virulence factors in a variety of human bacterial infections. Thus, consumption of HU fruit to treat boils and blisters should be with great caution especially at high doses.
Emic definitions of empowerment for just development: learnings from Kenya
Authors: Zaremba Haley , Nchanji Eileen Bogweh , Guettou Djurfeldt Nadia , North Hanna , Slavchevska Vanya , Macchioni Giaquinto Annarita 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This mixed-methods study examines how men and women of different ages engaged in agriculture in Kilifi and Kiambu counties in Kenya define empowerment and describe empowerment pathways, and how empowered people are perceived by their families and communities. It also examines how emic understandings of empowerment—definitions which originate from within a given cultural context—compare to quantitative empowerment measures based on externally defined indicators from the Project-level Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI). The study design used mixed methods, with qualitative data collected through focus group discussions, life histories, and community profiles, and quantitative data collected through the pro-WEAI survey tool. Although Pro-WEAI results indicated that women and men in the study communities have achieved gender parity and experience a similar level of empowerment, qualitative findings suggest that experiences of empowerment don’t necessarily fit with Index scores. Rather, conceptualizations of empowerment by people of different ages and genders are highly diverse. Participants of all genders suggested that women’s empowerment is more limited than men’s, as women who are not. Subordinate to men risk being rejected or stigmatized by their communities. Qualitative findings suggest that empowered men are seen as “desirable” by their communities, whereas empowered women are “openly admired” and “treated as a threat/feared” in equal turn. Furthermore, results revealed that the under-involvement of men in empowerment initiatives has contributed to feelings of resentment and neglect. These findings suggest that capturing and accounting for multiple and diverse emic definitions of empowerment for different social groups, which lies beyond the scope of standardized quantitative measures, is essential to measuring and supporting empowerment in ways that are valuable and recognizable to the target group(s) of a given development initiative. Finally, results show that to support the effective empowerment of women and men, there is a need to include men, integrate safeguards for backlash against empowered women, and transform norms that hinder the acceptance of empowered women by their families and communities.
Two nanobody-based immunoassays to differentiate antibodies against genotype 1 and 2 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
Authors: Chen Xu , Chang Yueting , Zhang Lu , Zhao Xinyu , Li Zhihan , Zhang Zhijie , Ji Pinpin , Liu Qingyuan , Zhao Jiakai , Zhu Jiahong , Liu Baoyuan , Wang Xinjie , Sun Yani , Zhao Qin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection causes significant economic loss to the global pig industry. Genotype 1 and 2 PRRSV (PRRSV-1 and -2) infections have been reported in China, Europe and America. For accurate prevention, nanobodies were first used as diagnostic reagents for PRRSV typing. In this study three nanobodies targeting both PRRSV-1 and -2, two targeting PRRSV-1 and three targeting PRRSV-2, were screened and produced. To develop two competitive ELISAs (cELISAs), the g1-2-PRRSV-Nb3-HRP nanobody was chosen for the g1-2-cELISA, to detect common antibodies against PRRSV-1 and -2, and the g1-PRRSV-Nb136-HRP nanobody was chosen for the g1-cELISA, to detect anti-PRRSV-1 antibodies. The two cELISAs were developed using PRRSV-1-N protein as coating antigen, and the amounts for both were 100 ng/well. The optimized dilution of testing pig sera was 1:20, the optimized reaction times were 30 min, and the colorimetric reaction times were 15 min. Then, the cut-off values of the g1-2-cELISA and g1-cELISA were 26.6% and 35.6%, respectively. Both of them have high sensitivity, strong specificity, good repeatability, and stability. In addition, for the 1534 clinical pig sera, an agreement rate of 99.02% (Kappa values = 0.97) was determined between the g1-2-cELISA and the commercial IDEXX ELISA kit. For the g1-cELSIA, it can specifically detect anti-PRRSV-1 antibodies in the clinical pig sera. Importantly, combining two nanobody-based cELISAs can differentially detect antibodies against PRRSV-1 and -2.
Graphical abstract