bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of tinnitus in patients with Temporomandibular Disorders through Axis II of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI)
Authors: Minervini Giuseppe , Nucci Ludovica , Barillari Maria Rosaria , Rotolo Rossana Patricia , Grassia Vincenzo , d'Apuzzo Fabrizia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundTinnitus is a quite common and bothersome disorder that results in a perceived sound or noise, without an external origin, often causing notable psychological distress. Some interconnections between tinnitus, bodily pain perception, and psychological well‐being were previously reported, thus the relationships between tinnitus and temporomandibular joint (TMJ)‐related muscle issues, resulting in somatosensory tinnitus, must be deeply investigated. This study aims to assess the prevalence of tinnitus in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and to examine the correlation between tinnitus and scales assessing the severity of TMD as well as psychological‐related parameters.Materials and MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, a total of 37 adults with TMD symptoms were enrolled. Diagnostic data were collected using the Axis II of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive assessments and significance was set at p < .05.ResultsIndividuals with tinnitus and TMD reported a significantly higher number of body pain areas, indicating a link between tinnitus and increased bodily pain perception. Tinnitus did not significantly impact TMJ‐related functions. Significantly higher levels of psychological distress were observed in individuals with tinnitus, as evidenced by elevated scores in depression, generalised anxiety and somatic symptoms.ConclusionTinnitus is a complex condition with significant effects on health and well‐being, requiring an interdisciplinary approach for effective evaluation and care. The study provides deep insights into the prevalence of tinnitus in TMD patients, underscoring the need for comprehensive treatment strategies addressing both TMD and tinnitus.
Clinical features and outcome of 10 dogs with suspected idiopathic vestibular epilepsy
Authors: Al Kafaji Tania , Tocco Fabio , Okonji Samuel , Gallucci Antonella 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn humans, vestibular epilepsy (VE) is described as focal seizures with transient signs of vestibular disease. In dogs, 2 cases of vestibular episodes, called vestibular paroxysmia, are reported.Hypothesis/objectivesThe objective of this study was to define the clinical features, phenotypical manifestation, and outcome of suspected VE in dogs.AnimalsTen dogs with recurrent vestibular episodes.MethodsRetrospective study. Medical records between 2009 and 2023 were reviewed, and dogs with a normal neurological examination, a history of transient signs of vestibular disease, absence of abnormalities detected on blood exams and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), besides a minimum 10‐month follow‐up were included. Clinical improvement was defined as a ≥50% reduction in frequency or the cessation of clinical signs after the onset of antiseizure medications (ASMs).ResultsPugs were the most prevalent breed (5/10; 50%). In 2 cases, additional generalized tonic‐clonic (GTC) seizures were reported. MRI exam was performed in most cases (9/10; 90%), whereas 1 dog underwent a CT scan (1/10; 10%). Electroencephalography (EEG) was carried out in 3 dogs that showed interictal spikes in the fronto‐temporal and fronto‐parietal areas. All cases received ASMs, with clinical improvement in 10/10 dogs (100%).Conclusion and clinical importanceThe presence of GTC seizures, EEG interictal spikes, and responsiveness to ASMs supported the hypothesis of an epileptic origin of vestibular episodes and thus the existence of VE in these dogs, with a presumed idiopathic cause and apparent favorable outcome.
Evaluating acidic gastroesophageal reflux with wireless pH monitoring in French bulldogs with sliding hiatal herniation
Authors: Ullal Tarini V. , Marks Stanley L. , Yang Nuen Tsang , Taylor Sandra L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundSliding hiatal herniation (SHH) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) commonly occur in French bulldogs. Wireless pH monitoring can quantitatively assess acidic GER in dogs affected by SHH.Hypothesis/ObjectivesMeasure acidic GER in French bulldogs with SHH, pre‐ and post‐brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) surgery, utilizing a wireless pH capsule (Bravo Calibration‐free, Medtronic, Minnesota), and correlate with owners' observations of regurgitation.AnimalsEleven French bulldogs diagnosed with SHH via swallowing fluoroscopy.MethodsProspective cohort study. A pH capsule was endoscopically placed in the esophagus. Up to 96 hours of data were acquired as the owner logged clinical signs. Spearman's correlation and Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests evaluated factors correlated with acid exposure time (AET), defined by the % time pH < 4. In 4/11 dogs, Bravo monitoring was repeated 2‐4 months after BOAS surgery.ResultsMedians (Q1‐Q3) for age and weight were 21 months (17‐35.5) and 10.0 kg (8.9‐11.5). BOAS severity was mild (3), moderate (4), or severe (4). Medians (Q1‐Q3) for AET and reflux events were 3.3% (2.6‐6.4) and 70 (34‐173). Clinical score (P = .82) and BOAS severity (P = .60) were not correlated with AET, but age was negatively correlated (rho = −.66, P = .03). Median probability (Q1‐Q3) that regurgitation was associated with a reflux event was 72.5% (0‐99). Percent AET numerically improved in all 4 dogs that underwent BOAS surgery although not statistically assessed.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceWireless pH monitoring documented acidic GER in French bulldogs with SHH, captured subclinical events, and showed improvements after BOAS surgery.
Descriptive analysis and prognostic factors in cats with myeloma‐related disorders: A multicenter retrospective study of 50 cases
Authors: Lecot Lorris , Desmas‐Bazelle Isabelle , Benjamin Sarah , De Fornel Pauline , Ponce Frédérique , Kornya Matthew , Desquilbet Loïc , Beaudu‐Lange Claire , Ibisch Catherine , Sayag David , Benchekroun Ghita , Béguin Jérémy 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundMyeloma‐related disorders (MRDs) are rare and poorly documented neoplasms of cats.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo describe clinical, clinicopathologic, and imaging findings, response to treatment, and survival time and to identify factors associated with shorter outcomes in cats with MRD.AnimalsFifty cats with a diagnosis of MRD.MethodsCats with paraproteinemia confirmed by serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and either intramedullary plasmacytosis >10%, marked cytonuclear atypia with intramedullary plasmacytosis that ranged between 5% and 10%, or cytologically or histologically confirmed visceral infiltration were retrospectively included from several veterinary referral centers.ResultsBone marrow plasmacytosis and splenic or hepatic involvement were present in 17/27 cats (63%), 36/42 cats (86%), and 27/38 cats (71%), respectively. Anemia was reported in 33/49 cats (67%) and thrombocytopenia in 16/47 cats (34%). Some of the treatments that the cats received included melphalan and prednisolone (n = 19), cyclophosphamide and prednisolone (n = 10), chlorambucil and prednisolone (n = 4), prednisolone (n = 4), or other (n = 4). The overall response rates to melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and chlorambucil in combination with prednisolone were 87%, 90%, and 100%, respectively. Adverse events to melphalan or cyclophosphamide occurred in 65% and 23% of cats, respectively. Median survival time was 122 days (range, 0‐1403) and was not significantly associated with chemotherapy protocol. Anemia (hazard ratio [HR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0‐9.8) and thrombocytopenia (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2‐6.0) were risk factors for shorter survival.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceOur study confirmed the guarded prognosis of MRD in cats and identified risk factors for shorter survival times.
Enthusiastic claimants, reluctant courts: The empirical and critical analysis of punitive damages in Chinese intellectual property law
Authors: Xiao Baiyang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe availability of punitive awards varies across different common law jurisdictions. In recent years, China, as a civil law jurisdiction, has progressively introduced a comprehensive punitive damages system in Intellectual Property (IP) law in recent years. To investigate how this common law product functions in the civil law system, this paper scrutinizes the evolution and functions of punitive damages and depicts the map of punitive damages in Chinese IP law. Then this paper reports and analyses 657 IP judgments involving the application of punitive damages that were tried and decided in all parts of mainland China by all levels of courts from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022. Our empirical data shows that punitive damages are frequently sought by claimants, yet courts are reluctant to award them due to the complexities in determining the basis for calculation and judges' reluctance towards detailed legal reasoning. Furthermore, a critical analysis of the application of punitive damages in IP trials is provided, critiquing the court's preference for statutory damages, the complexity in determining the basis and multipliers for calculation, and the strict standard of proof, which accounted for the small portion of punitive damages awarded in judicial practices.
ENPP2/Autotaxin: The potential drug target for alcoholic liver disease identified through Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Luo Peiqiong , Yu Xuefeng 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsAt present, there is still a lack of radical drug targets for intervention in alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and drug discovery through randomized controlled trials is a lengthy, risky, and expensive undertaking, so we aimed to identify effective drug targets based on human genetics.MethodsWe used Mendelian randomization (MR) and Bayesian colocalization analysis to investigate 2639 genes encoding druggable proteins and examined the causal effects on ALD (PMID 34737426: 456348 European with 451 cases and 455 897 controls). In addition, we conducted the mediation analysis to explore the potential mechanism using the genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data of blood biomarkers as mediators.ResultsWe finally identified the drug target: ENPP2/Autotaxin and genetically proxied ENPP2/Autotaxin was causally associated with the risk of ALD (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.64 to 3.16, p = 7.49E‐7). In addition, we found that the effect of ENPP2/Autotaxin on ALD may be partly mediated by effector memory CD8+ T cell (the proportion of mediation effect: 8.49%).ConclusionsOur integrative analysis suggested that genetically determined levels of circulating ENPP2/Autotaxin have a causal effect on ALD risk and are a promising drug target.
Trade, industrial, and privatization policies with endogenous market structure
Authors: Chen Shih‐Shen , Ko Po‐Sheng , Lee Jen‐Yao , Tsai Chien‐Shu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study finds that in an international mixed oligopoly at free entry equilibrium, social welfare under import tariff cum privatization is higher than output subsidy cum privatization, and the dual subsidy‐tariff policy cum privatization degenerates into a single tariff policy cum privatization. The reason is that an output subsidy or the dual subsidy‐tariff policy will incentivize domestic private firms to enter the free‐entry equilibrium. Thus, the number of domestic firms with free entry is excessive, and social welfare deteriorates. A privatization policy is pivotal in the long run and is still more effective than a single subsidy policy.
Mechanism of Fat Mass and Obesity‐Related Gene‐Mediated Heme Oxygenase‐1 m6A Modification in the Recovery of Neurological Function in Mice with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Xu Jinghui , Ren Zhenxiao , Niu Tianzuo , Li Siyuan 
Published: March 2024

ObjectivesThis study examined the mechanism of fat mass and obesity‐related gene (FTO)‐mediated heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) m6A modification facilitating neurological recovery in spinal cord injury (SCI) mice. FTO/HO‐1 was identified as a key regulator of SCI as well as a potential target for treatment of SCI.MethodsAn SCI mouse was treated with pcDNA3.1‐FTO/pcDNA3.1‐NC/Dac51. An oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model simulated SCI, with cells treated with pcDNA3.1‐FTO/si‐HO‐1/Dac51. Motor function and neurobehavioral evaluation were assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale and modified neurological severity score (mNSS). Spinal cord pathology and neuronal apoptosis were assessed. Further, FTO/HO‐1 mRNA and protein levels, HO‐1 mRNA stability, the interaction of YTHDF2 with HO‐1 mRNA, neuronal viability/apoptosis, and HO‐1 m6A modification were evaluated.ResultsSpinal cord injury mice exhibited reduced BBB, elevated mNSS scores, disorganized spinal cord cells, scattered nuclei, and severe nucleus pyknosis. pcDNA3.1‐FTO elevated FTO mRNA, protein expression, and BBB score; reduced the mNSS score of SCI mice; decreased neuronal apoptosis; improved the cell arrangement; and improved nucleus pyknosis in spinal cord tissues. OGD decreased FTO expression. FTO upregulation ameliorated OGD‐induced neuronal apoptosis. pcDNA3.1‐FTO reduced HO‐1 mRNA and protein and HO‐1 m6A modification, while increasing HO‐1 mRNA stability and FTO in OGD‐treated cells. FTO upregulated HO‐1 by modulating m6A modification. HO‐1 downregulation attenuated the effect of FTO. pcDNA3.1‐FTO/Dac51 increased the HO‐1 m6A level in mouse spinal cord tissue homogenate, reduced BBB, boosted mNSS scores of SCI mice, aggravated nucleus pyknosis, and increased neuronal apoptosis in spinal cord tissues, confirming that FTO mediated HO‐1 m6A modification facilitated neurological recovery in SCI mice.ConclusionThe fat mass and obesity‐related gene modulates HO‐1 mRNA stability by regulating m6A modification levels, thereby influencing HO‐1 expression and promoting neurological recovery in SCI mice.
ε‐ces preferences and trade
Authors: Behrens Kristian , Kichko Sergei , Ushchev Philip 
Published: March 2024

AbstractKimball preferences possess properties that make them a powerful tool for multi‐sector applied general equilibrium. While they are homothetic, they also can be made arbitrarily close to constant elasticity of substitution (ces) preferences, thereby sharing some of their properties ‘by continuity’. We develop a trade model which brings together traded and nontraded sectors, variable markups, and costly trade for this rich class of homothetic preferences. We characterize the consequences—for both sectors—of trade liberalization in traded sector. Numerical simulations for a calibrated version of the model reveal that the elasticity of utility with respect to trade costs is about 25%–27%, depending on whether traded and nontrade goods are complements or substitutes.
Welfare service reforms: Arab minority welfare bureau managers assess the outcomes
Authors: Mahajne Ibrahim 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWelfare bureaus constitute a safety net for the dispossessed Arab minority in Israel who are partially excluded from the state social services. The welfare bureau reforms discussed in this article are consequently crucial to improve welfare services for the underprivileged minority service users. This article partially fills a lacuna in the relevant literature by adopting a critical approach to assess the reforms' actual contributions to improving the organizations' performances for minority population social services. It did this by investigating Arab social workers' views on the outcomes of different welfare services reforms for them. An exploratory study drew data from two tools: content analysis of official documents and in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 19 Arab welfare bureau managers. The documents indicated that the ‘Change Program’ (1977) produced minimal to no positive outcomes for Arab welfare bureaus. Also, the respondents indicated that the ‘Reform in Local Welfare Services’ (2017) produced insufficient achievements, detailed in five themes. Two Arab representatives were consulted for the proposed ‘Right to Quality Welfare’ program (June 2023), which aims to offer a ‘uniform welfare basket’ to all citizens. The findings indicate that the concept of up‐down comprehensive organizational reforms should be re‐examined, considering instead small but incremental down‐up modifications.
Optimized convolutional neural network for land cover classification via improved lion algorithm
Authors: Preetham Anusha , Vyas Sumit , Kumar Manoj , Kumar Sanjay Nakharu Prasad 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDependable land cover data are required to aid in the resolution of a broad spectrum of environmental issues. Land cover classification at a broad scale has been carried out using data from traditional ground‐based information from the Advanced Very High‐Resolution Radiometer. From the merits as well as demerits of the existing works discussed in the literature, this article seeks to establish a novel technique for automatic, fast, as well as precise land cover classification deploying remote sensing data. The proposed approach follows feature extraction and classification stages. From input information, the statistical characteristics are extracted as well as they are subjected to classification via optimized deep convolutional neural network. Particularly, the convolutional layers are optimized for by means of a new Proposed Lion Algorithm with a new Cub pool Update (PLACU) approach. The established model is the advanced level of the standard lion algorithm. The superiority of the established technique is determined by the extant techniques regarding positive and negative metrics. The accuracy of the work that is being presented (PLACU) is superior to the existing methods like Dragonfly algorithm, Jaya algorithm, sea lion optimization, and lion algorithm techniques by 20%, 15%, 112%, and 10%, respectively.
Transfers between health facilities of people living with diabetes attending primary health care services in the Western Cape Province of South Africa: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Odayar Jasantha , Rusch Jody , Dave Joel A. , Van Der Westhuizen Diederick J. , Mukonda Elton , Lesosky Maia , Myer Landon 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectivesTransfers between health facilities of people living with HIV attending primary health care (PHC) including hospital to PHC facility, PHC facility to hospital and PHC facility to PHC facility transfers occur frequently, affect health service planning, and are associated with disengagement from care and viraemia. Data on transfers among people living with diabetes attending PHC, particularly transfers between PHC facilities, are few. We assessed the transfer incidence rate of people living with diabetes attending PHC, and the association between transfers between PHC facilities and subsequent HbA1c values.MethodsWe analysed data on HbA1c tests at public sector facilities in the Western Cape Province (2016–March 2020). Individuals with an HbA1c in 2016–2017 were followed‐up for 27 months and included in the analysis if ≥18 years at first included HbA1c, ≥2 HbA1cs during follow‐up and ≥1 HbA1c at a PHC facility. A visit interval was the duration between two consecutive HbA1cs. Successive HbA1cs at different facilities of any type indicated any transfer, and HbA1cs at different PHC facilities indicated a transfer between PHC facilities. Mixed effects logistic regression adjusted for sex, age, rural/urban facility attended at the start of the visit interval, disengagement (visit interval >14 months) and a hospital visit during follow‐up assessed the association between transfers between PHC facilities and HbA1c >8%.ResultsAmong 102,813 participants, 22.6% had ≥1 transfer of any type. Including repeat transfers, there were 29,994 transfers (14.4 transfers per 100 person‐years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.3–14.6). A total of 6996 (30.1%) of those who transferred had a transfer between PHC facilities. Visit intervals with a transfer between PHC facilities were longer (349 days, interquartile range [IQR] 211–503) than those without any transfer (330 days, IQR 182–422). The adjusted relative odds of an HbA1c ≥8% after a transfer between PHC facilities versus no transfer were 1.20 (95% CI 1.05–1.37).ConclusionThe volume of transfers involving PHC facilities requires consideration when planning services. Individuals who transfer between PHC facilities require additional monitoring and support.
Outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneus fractures: A database study comparing patients with and without diabetes
Authors: Johnson Matthew J. , Conover Benjamin M. , Frykberg Robert G. , Raspovic Katherine M. , Lavery Lawrence A. , Wukich Dane K. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTreatment of calcaneal fractures in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is challenging. The purpose of this study was to compare post‐operative outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for calcaneus fracture in patients with complicated DM, uncomplicated DM, and patients without DM. A commercially available de‐identified database was queried for all calcaneus fracture diagnoses undergoing ORIF from 2010 to 2021. The patients were separated into three groups for analysis: patients without DM (10,951, 82.6%), uncomplicated DM (1,500, 11.3%) and complicated DM (802, 6.1%). At 1 year, post‐operative adverse events were assessed among the three groups. The odds of adverse event(s) for each group were compared between the three groups with and without characteristic matching. In the unmatched cohorts, patients with complicated DM, when compared with patients without DM and patients with uncomplicated DM, had significantly higher rates of all adverse events with exception of DVT. Rates of CNA were significantly higher in patients with complicated DM compared with no DM (OR 107.7 (CI 24.83–467.6) p < 0.0001) and uncomplicated DM (OR 44.26 (CI 3.86–507.93) p = 0.0002). After matching, non‐union, AKI, sepsis, surgical site infection, and wound disruption were higher in patients with complicated DM compared with patients without DM. There were no significant differences in the three groups with regard to reoperation, DVT, MI, pneumonia, or below the knee amputation. Patients with DM who underwent ORIF for calcaneus fracture experienced higher rates of post‐operative adverse events compared with those patients without DM.