bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebrospinal fluid and serum cytokine profiles in severe viral encephalitis with implications for refractory status epilepticus: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Huang Peipei , Yang Fan , Dong Ruirui , Wen Lijun , Zang Qiuling , Song Dandan , Guo Junshuang , Wang Yating , Zhang Ruike , Ren Zhiping , Qin Jinjin , Teng Junfang , Miao Wang 
Published: February 2025

BackgroundTo identify new intervention targets, we explored the correlation between cytokines and the development of refractory status epilepticus (RSE) in patients with severe viral encephalitis (SVE).MethodsWe examined the characteristics of 14 cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum, analyzing their correlation with acute symptomatic seizures and prognosis. Furthermore, we conducted a dynamic analysis of differences and correlations in the expression of cytokines among patients with SVE without seizures, those with controlled seizures, and those with RSE.ResultsWe included 161 patients with SVE; the incidence of seizures was 55.2%, and the mortality rate was 5.5%. Notably, 18.9% of these patients developed RSE, with a mortality rate of 20%. During the early stage of SVE, CSF interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher, declining over time and affecting the prognosis. CSF IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly elevated in the RSE group compared to patients without seizures and with controlled seizures, decreasing gradually and independently of serum cytokine levels. CSF IL-8 and age were independent risk factors for RSE, with clinical utility.ConclusionsPatients with SVE exhibit intrathecal cytokine storms, primarily characterized by elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-8, which influence prognosis. The strong and persistent hyperinflammation underscored by CSF IL-6 and IL-8 is associated with the occurrence and development of RSE; thus, CSF IL-8 and age are independent risk factors for SVE with RSE, indicating potential anti-inflammatory intervention targets.
A longitudinal study on the professional identity formation of health promotion practitioners: evidence from undergraduate students in Switzerland
Authors: Biehl Verena , Bänziger Andreas , Wieber Frank 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionProfessional identity (PI) is crucial for workforce capacity building, as it leads to the adoption of the professional role and commitment. And yet, there is little literature on the PI of health promotion practitioners as part of the public health workforce. Education plays a significant role in PI formation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate PI formation in undergraduate health promotion students. To conceptualize PI, we draw on social psychological theories and consider potential determinants across cognitive, social, motivational, and behavioral dimensions.MethodsTo gain insights into the PI formation of health promotion students, an observational longitudinal study was conducted using an online survey at three times of measurement. Undergraduate physiotherapy students served as the comparison group. The outcome variable of PI was calculated as a composite score with three subscales. In addition to sociodemographic data, potential determinants in cognitive, social, motivational, and behavioral dimensions were measured. Mixed effect models were used to analyze these determinants of PI formation.ResultsThe study included 276 participants. On average, PI in health promotion students was moderate and declined over the course of the undergraduate program. In contrast, PI in physiotherapy students was high from the beginning and remained stable throughout their studies. Factors such as gender, self-esteem, insecurity about the study program, the perceived social status of the profession, and planned behavior during and after the program were found to influence health promotion students’ PI formation.DiscussionUndergraduate health promotion students lack a strong PI, especially compared to physiotherapy students. Given the importance of a strong PI, the following interventions are suggested to strengthen health promotion students’ PI: (1) incorporating PI formation as a learning objective within curricula, and (2) enhancing the visibility and clarity of health promotion’s professional profile within undergraduate studies and in society. By recognizing the factors that shape PI and implementing targeted interventions, stakeholders can empower the next generation of health promotion practitioners to navigate their professional journeys with confidence and purpose, thereby strengthening workforce capacity building in health promotion.
Quantifying monochromatic and polychromatic optical blur anisotropy in the periphery of myopes and emmetropes using a radial asymmetry metric
Authors: Degre Kendrick Chloe , Pusti Dibyendu , Yoon Geunyoung 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe goal of this study is to characterize peripheral blur anisotropy resulting from monochromatic and chromatic aberrations along multiple meridians of myopic and emmetropic eyes using a newly developed quantitative metric.MethodsA scanning Shack-Hartmann-based wavefront sensor was used to measure lower- and higher-order monochromatic aberrations along the horizontal and vertical meridians of 20 healthy adult subjects (10 myopes, and 10 emmetropes). Monochromatic and polychromatic blur asymmetry magnitude and orientation were quantified using a novel metric based on the optical transfer function. Published population averages of longitudinal and transverse chromatic aberration were used for polychromatic blur asymmetry calculations.ResultsBlur anisotropy magnitude and orientation differed between refractive groups at several peripheral retinal locations under monochromatic and polychromatic conditions. Myopes were significantly more likely to have vertically oriented blur than emmetropes under monochromatic conditions in the temporal peripheral retina beyond 20°. These differences were minimized when chromatic aberrations were included, though the trend remained the same.ImplicationsA trend of more vertical optical blur in the temporal periphery of myopes strengthens the hypothesis that myopes experience different peripheral optical blur than emmetropes, though the small sample size of the current study limits generalizability of the results. A thorough account of peripheral blur across the visual field may lead to a better understanding of the cues that the peripheral visual system might rely on during processes such as accommodation, emmetropization, and myopization.
The mcpC mutant of Salmonella enteritidis exhibits attenuation and confers both immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice
Authors: Zhang Lu , Chen Li , Zhang Xuqiang , Li Yang , Zheng Qingfeng , Li Yun , Li Ning , Shi Qiumei , Zhang Yanying , Wu Tonglei 
Published: February 2025

BackgroundSalmonella enteritidis (SE) is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic intracellular pathogen that not only causes disease and mortality in livestock and poultry but also contaminates animal-derived products, leading to foodborne illnesses in humans. This presents a significant threat to public health. To eliminate this pathogen, the development of novel vaccines targeting SE is imperative. Attenuated live vaccines are capable of eliciting robust immune protection against SE.MethodsIn this study, an mcpC gene deletion strain (ΔmcpC) was constructed by the wild strain C50336, to evaluate its potential as a genetically engineered attenuated live vaccine. The virulence of ΔmcpC was assessed by examining its resistance to environmental stresses, biofilm formation capacity, motility, adhesion, invasion ability, intracellular survival, LD50, expression levels of virulence genes, and in vivo colonization ability. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of ΔmcpC was analyzed in mice by measuring specific IgG and SIgA antibody levels, lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine expression, and the protective efficacy of ΔmcpC vaccination.ResultsCompared to the wild-type strain, ΔmcpC exhibited no significant changes in biofilm formation or adhesion to Caco-2 cells. However, ΔmcpC showed significantly reduced survival under acidic, alkaline, thermal, and oxidative stress conditions; markedly diminished motility; weakened invasion of Caco-2 cells; and reduced intracellular survival in RAW264.7 macrophages. The LD50 of ΔmcpC increased by 30-fold, and the expression levels of certain virulence genes were significantly downregulated. Additionally, ΔmcpC demonstrated significantly decreased colonization in the liver, spleen, and cecum of mice, indicating attenuated virulence. Immunization with ΔmcpC induced the production of specific IgG and SIgA antibodies, enhanced lymphocyte proliferation, upregulated cytokine expression, and achieved a 100% survival rate in immunized mice. These findings indicate that ΔmcpC provides effective immune protection in mice.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that deletion of the mcpC gene attenuates the virulence of SE. The ΔmcpC offers strong immune protection in mice, providing a solid foundation for the development of genetically engineered attenuated live vaccines against SE.
Meta-analysis to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate for first-line treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in real-world settings
Authors: Aprikian Armen , Bahl Amit , Omlin Aurelius , Baciarello Giulia , Chakravarty Abhiroop , Kondaparthi Prashanth , Gourgioti Georgia , McLean Thomas , Serikoff Alexis , Chilelli Andrew 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionAndrogen-receptor pathway inhibitors such as abiraterone and enzalutamide have demonstrated clinical benefit in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of published real-world evidence studies comparing outcomes among patients treated with enzalutamide or abiraterone in the first-line setting.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature review to identify eligible studies. Evaluated outcomes were: overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression-free survival, PSA response, all-grade adverse events, grade ≥3 adverse events, treatment discontinuation, and dose reduction. Each outcome’s suitability for meta-analysis was evaluated by assessing whether there were sufficient data to make comparisons between studies, consistency between outcome definitions, and whether the studies adjusted for baseline patient characteristics. Outcomes deemed suitable for meta-analysis were analyzed using fixed-effect and random-effect models to obtain pooled-effect sizes. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of conclusions.ResultsOf 1849 records reviewed, 30 were eligible for inclusion. Most outcomes were deemed unsuitable for meta-analysis due to a lack of adjustment for baseline characteristics, issues with inconsistent outcome definitions, and the small number of studies reporting each outcome. The only outcome deemed suitable for meta-analysis was OS. A total of 17 studies reported hazard ratios (HRs) for OS, 11 of which were adjusted for baseline characteristics. Among the studies reporting adjusted HRs, the pooled-effect estimate favored enzalutamide over abiraterone (reference group) in the fixed-effect model (HR: 0.90 [95% CI: 0.87–0.93]) and the random-effect model (HR: 0.90 [95% CI: 0.86–0.94]). These results were consistent across all sensitivity analyses.DiscussionAcross all analyses, enzalutamide demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in OS compared with abiraterone. These findings highlight the value of real-world evidence studies to demonstrate the potential of different therapies under real-world conditions and over long periods of time.
Mimosapudica L. aqueous extract protects mice against pilocarpine–picrotoxin kindling-induced temporal lobe epilepsy, oxidative stress, and alteration in GABAergic/cholinergic pathways and BDNF expression
Authors: Mambou Hart Mann Alain Youbi , Pale Simon , Bopda Orelien Sylvain Mtopi , Jugha Vanessa Tita , Musa Nji Seraphin Ombel , Ojongnkpot Tambong Ako , Wanyu Bertrand Yuwong , Bila Raymond Bess , Herqash Rashed N. , Shahat Abdelaaty A. , Taiwe Germain Sotoing 
Published: February 2025

Ethnopharmacological studies revealed that the leaves and stems of Mimosa pudica L. (Fabaceae) are widely used for the treatment of epilepsy. This study sought to investigate the effects of the aqueous extract of Mimosa pudica leaves and stems against pilocarpine–picrotoxin kindling-induced temporal lobe epilepsy in mice and its implication on oxidative/nitrosative stress, GABAergic/cholinergic signalling, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. The animals were treated for seven consecutive days as follows: one normal group and one negative control group that received orally distilled water; four test groups that received orally four doses of Mimosa pudica (20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg), respectively; and one positive control group that received 300 mg/kg sodium valproate intraperitoneally. One hour after the first treatment (first day), status epilepticus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of pilocarpine (360 mg/kg). Then, 23 hours after the injection of pilocarpine to the mice, once again, they received their different treatments. Sixty minutes later, they were injected with a sub-convulsive dose of picrotoxin (1 mg/kg), and the anticonvulsant property of the extract was determined. On day 7, open-field, rotarod, and catalepsy tests were performed. Finally, the mice were sacrificed, and the hippocampi were isolated to quantify some biochemical markers of oxidative/nitrosative stress, GABAergic/cholinergic signalling, and BDNF levels in the hippocampus. Mimosa pudica extracts (160 mg/kg) significantly increased the latency time to status epilepticus by 70.91%. It significantly decreased the number of clonic and tonic seizures to 9.33 ± 1.03 and 5.00 ± 0.89, and their duration to 11.50 ± 2.07 and 6.83 ± 0.75 s, respectively. Exploratory behaviour, motor coordination, and catalepsy were significantly ameliorated, respectively, in the open-field, rotarod, and catalepsy tests. Pilocarpine–picrotoxin-induced alteration of oxidant–antioxidant balance, GABA-transaminase stability, acetylcholinesterase/butyrylcholinesterase activity, and neurogenesis were attenuated by the extract (80–160 mg/kg). This study showed that the aqueous extract of Mimosa pudica leaves and stems ameliorated epileptogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy and could be used for the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Optimizing therapeutic outcomes: preconditioning strategies for MSC-derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Song Yuqi , Liang Fengrui , Tian Weikun , Rayhill Erin , Ye Liping , Tian Xinghan 
Published: February 2025

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine, driven by their capabilities in immunomodulation and tissue repair. However, MSCs present risks such as immunogenic responses, malignant transformation, and the potential to transmit infectious pathogens due to their intrinsic proliferative and differentiative abilities. In contrast, MSC-EVs, particularly exosomes (MSC-exosomes, 30–150 nm in diameter), offer a safer therapeutic profile. These acellular vesicles mitigate risks associated with immune rejection and tumorigenesis and are inherently incapable of forming ectopic tissues, thereby enhancing their clinical safety and applicability. This review highlights the therapeutic promise of MSC-exosomes especially focusing on the modulation of miRNA (one of bioactive molecules in MSC-EVs) profiles through various preconditioning strategies such as exposure to hypoxia, chemotherapeutic agents, inflammatory cytokines, and physical stimuli. Such conditioning is shown to optimize their therapeutic potential. Key miRNAs including miR-21, miR-146, miR-125a, miR-126, and miR-181a are particularly noted for their roles in facilitating tissue repair and modulating inflammatory responses. These functionalities position MSC-exosomes as a valuable tool in personalized medicine, particularly in the case of exosome-based interventions. Despite the potential of MSC-EVs, this review also acknowledged the limitations of traditional MSC therapies and advocates for a strategic pivot towards exosome-based modalities to enhance therapeutic outcomes. By discussing recent advances in detail and identifying remaining pitfalls, this review aims to guide future directions in improving the efficacy of MSC-exosome-based therapeutics. Additionally, miRNA variability in MSC-EVs presents challenges due to the diverse roles of miRNAs play in regulating gene expression and cell behavior. The miRNA content of MSC-EVs can be influenced by preconditioning strategies and differences in isolation and purification methods, which may alter the expression profiles of specific miRNAs, contributing to differences in their therapeutic effects.
Safety profiles of sevoflurane in pediatric patients: a real-world pharmacovigilance assessment based on the FAERS database
Authors: Yang Chuang , Deng Bangjian , Wen Qiang , Guo Pei , Liu Xiang , Wang Chen 
Published: February 2025

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the safety profile of sevoflurane in pediatric populations using real-world data.MethodsData were extracted from the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from the first quarter of 2004 to the third quarter of 2024. We analyzed reports where sevoflurane was the primary suspect in individuals aged 0–18, employing disproportionality analysis to detect adverse events associated with sevoflurane. We also compared the adverse events related to sevoflurane between pediatric and adult populations.ResultsThe FAERS database yielded 21,838,627 adverse event reports for children, with 474 involving sevoflurane as the primary suspect. Descriptive analysis revealed a majority of reports from male patients, primarily reported by physicians. Disproportionality analysis identified significant System Organ Classes (SOC) signals associated with sevoflurane, meeting four detection criteria, including “Cardiac disorders,” “Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders,” and “Vascular disorders.” The study also identified previously unreported adverse events, such as “Encephalopathy” and “Hypercapnia.” Notable differences in signals were observed between children and adults for “Pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage,” “Anaphylactic shock,” and “Hypotension.”ConclusionOur analysis of the FAERS database identified several significant adverse events associated with sevoflurane in pediatrics, affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems. Differences in adverse event signals between children and adults were also observed. Furthermore, the new adverse events (such as encephalopathy and hypercapnia) indicated that anesthesiologists should be more vigilant in administering sevoflurane.
Validity and reliability of the executive function scale in Cuban university student
Authors: Díaz-Guerra Diego D. , Hernández-Lugo Marena De La C. , Ramos-Galarza Carlos , Broche-Pérez Yunier 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionExecutive functions are higher cognitive skills involved in planning, organization, decision-making, impulse control, and working memory. It is essential to have tools that allow for the accurate and reliable assessment of this construct in university students. This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Executive Functions Scale for University Students (UEF-1) in the Cuban population.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in which an online survey was administered to 1,092 Cuban university students representing 14 of the country’s 16 provinces. Descriptive analyses, confirmatory factor analyses, and Pearson correlation analyses were used to assess the psychometric properties of the scale.ResultsSignificant correlations were obtained between the scale factors, and the original seven-factor structure was confirmed. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency and overall reliability (α = 0.91, ω = 0.91).ConclusionThe study provided evidence that the UEF-1 is a reliable and valid tool for assessing executive functions in Cuban university students. This measure provides a comprehensive understanding of the cognitive abilities and functioning of Cuban university students, allowing for the identification of specific areas of executive functioning that may benefit from additional support or intervention.
Association between living arrangements, social support, and depression among middle-aged and older adults: a mediation analysis from the CHARLS survey
Authors: Jin Fenghua , Hu Yixuan 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionLiving alone was reported to be associated with a higher risk of depression. Social support may play a crucial role in mediating this association. However, data are limited.MethodsData for wave 5 (2020) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were extracted. Associations between living arrangements and social support or depression were assessed by multivariable logistic regression models. Causal mediation analysis under a counterfactual framework was employed to evaluate the mediation effect of social support in the association between living arrangements and depression, which was performed by fitting two logistic regression models. The mediation effect is measured by the percentage mediated.ResultsA total of 17,418 participants were included in this study, of which 208 (1.2%) lived alone. Compared to participants not living alone, those living alone were associated with a higher risk of low social support (10.6% vs. 3.9%; adjusted OR [aOR], 1.75; 95% CI, 1.10–2.80) and depression (15.4% vs. 7.2%; adjusted OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.02–2.28). Mediation analyses revealed that 2.7% (95% CI, −1.1% to 6.5%) of the relationship between living arrangements and depression was mediated by social support. Sensitivity analyses by varying definitions of living alone or limiting analysis in the elderly population yielded consistent results.ConclusionsLow social support did not mediate the association between living status and depression. Tailored strategies for improving living arrangements may needed to improve the mental health of living alone older adults.