bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of levothyroxine replacement on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and dyslipidemia in subclinical hypothyroidism: insights from a randomized controlled study
Authors: Mahran Zainab Gaber , Osman Salma Mokhtar , Abdelmawgod Amira , Makhlouf Nahed A. , Hassan Elham Ahmed , Moustafa Ehab F. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
In recent years, there has been growing awareness of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) linked to hypothyroidism. However, insufficient data exists on how levothyroxine (LT4) replacement therapy impacts MASLD. We aimed to assess the effects of LT4 treatment on dyslipidemia and MASLD in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).

Methods
In a randomized, controlled study, 230 patients with MASLD were screened for SCH, and 182 were diagnosed with SCH. Of these, 30 had significant SCH and 152 had mild SCH. All patients with significant SCH received LT4 therapy (significant SCH-LT4), while those with mild SCH were divided into two groups: 50 received LT4 treatment (mild SCH-LT4) and 102 did not (mild SCH-control).

Results
Significant improvements in hepatic steatosis severity were observed in the treated groups compared with the control. After LT4 treatment, MASLD prevalence decreased to 50% (p = 0.001) in the significant SCH-LT4 group and to 60% (p = 0.025) in the mild SCH-LT4 group. In the mild SCH-control group, MASLD prevalence improved slightly but non-significantly from 100 to 75% (p = 0.164). Compared to other groups, the significant SCH-LT4 group showed greater improvements in metabolic parameters, including weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and C-reactive protein, emphasizing the notable impact of levothyroxine.

Conclusion
This study highlights that LT4 treatment can significantly improve MASLD, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammation in MASLD patients with SCH, particularly in those with significant SCH. These findings support the clinical use of thyroxine for managing MASLD and dyslipidemia in SCH patients.
Glycated Hemoglobin: a promising biomarker for predicting acute exacerbation and short-term mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Ali Asmaa , Wu Liang , Saleh Mai M. , Salem Heba , Aljarallah Ahmad , Lotfy Samah Mohamad , Elshormilisy Amr Aly , Elfeky Seham Ezzat Fathy 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background and objectives
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory condition, often complicated by frequent exacerbations and increased mortality risk. COPD patients also had a higher risk for developing diabetes mellites. Recently, the studies showed promising utility of HbA1C in identifying patients at heightened risk of critical illnesses. This study evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in predicting COPD exacerbation and short-term mortality.

Methods
A prospective cohort study involved 184 COPD patients. Patients were categorized as either stable or experiencing an acute exacerbation. Demographic and laboratory data, including HbA1c levels, were collected.

Results
HbA1c levels were significantly elevated in COPD patients experiencing exacerbations. Factors influencing HbA1c levels included lower oxygen saturation upon admission, use of home oxygen, lymphocyte count, CRP levels, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease (IHD). HbA1c emerged as a strong predictor of both COPD exacerbation and short-term mortality. In the unadjusted model, HbA1c was associated with an increased risk of exacerbation (OR = 1.59, p = 0.001) and remained significant after adjusting for other variables (OR = 2.25, p = 0.03). Similarly, HbA1c was a significant predictor of mortality in both the unadjusted (OR = 1.44, p = 0.001) and adjusted models (OR = 1.66, p = 0.001). Notably, the use of home oxygen was associated with a lower risk of both exacerbation and mortality. Other risk factors for exacerbation included lower oxygen saturation, male sex, IHD, and a history of previous exacerbations. The mortality rate was significantly higher in patients who had experienced recent exacerbations.

Conclusion
Elevated HbA1c levels were consistently associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes, even after adjusting for other significant factors. This highlights the importance of routine HbA1c monitoring in COPD management, particularly in patients with a history of exacerbations or comorbid conditions like diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Additionally, the protective effect of home oxygen therapy against exacerbations and mortality suggests it should be considered as a key component in the management strategy for high-risk COPD patients.
Lower Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Higher Food Addiction in Childhood Obesity: Associations With Stress and Dietary Parameters
Authors: de Moraes Rúbia Cartaxo Squizato , Viana Thallyta Alanna Ferreira , Pereira Joicy Karla Grangeiro , da Costa Paulo César Trindade , Duarte Davyson Barbosa , Toscano Lydiane de Lima Tavares , de Araújo Lima Manuel Francisco , Galdino Melyssa Kellyane Cavalcanti , de Souza Joelma Rodrigues , de Oliveira Júnior Francisco Antônio , de Arruda Neta Adélia da Costa Pereira , de Brito Alves José Luiz , Baccin Martins Vinícius José 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Context
Obesity has been associated with changes in cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate concentrations and increased stress levels and food addiction.

Objectives
We explored changes in morning salivary cortisol and DHEA in childhood obesity and their associations with body composition, metabolic profile, food addiction, food consumption, and stress in a cross-sectional study.

Methods
Children aged 7 to 12 years of both sexes were allocated into 2 groups according to body mass index-for-age: control group (n = 60) or obesity group (n = 98). Anthropometric, body composition, serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile, and DHEA were measured. Saliva was collected at different times to measure morning salivary cortisol concentrations. Food addiction, food consumption, and stress were assessed using questionnaires.

Results
Lower DHEA [1.04 (0.87-1.25) ng/mL vs 1.65 (1.30-2.07) ng/mL, P = .002] and salivary cortisol (6:00 Am: 1.17 ± 0.89 vs 1.45 ± 0.82 nmol/L, 6:30 Am: 1.53 ± 0.68 vs 1.83 ± 0.70 nmol/L, 7:30 Am: 0.72 ± 0.99 vs 1.31 ± 0.94 nmol/L, P-value of time &lt; 0.001 and P-value of group = .002) were observed in children with obesity compared to the control. DHEA correlated negatively with waist circumference (r = −0.20, P &lt; .05), body mass index-for-age(BMI-Z) (r = −0.21, P &lt; .01), and weight (r = −0.25, P &lt; .01). DHEA showed a positive correlation with the cortisol area under the curve (r = 0.29, P = .002). Food addiction was positively correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.21, P &lt; .01), BMI-Z (r = 0.22, P &lt; .01), body weight (r = 0.20, P &lt; .05), total energy intake (r = 0.20, P &lt; .05), and lipids (r = 0.24, P &lt; .01).

Conclusion
Children with obesity showed lower concentrations of salivary cortisol and DHEA and higher food addiction compared to control children. These changes may contribute to the development of chronic diseases over time.
The impact of energy drinks on health of children and young adults - review of latest research
Authors: Kożuchowska Klaudia , Pilarz Dawid , Szewczyk Marcelina , Morawska Maria , Tomczyk Aleksandra , Ufnal Julia , Lewandowska Dominika , Rosińska-Lewandoska Dominika , Drewko Klaudia , Jarosz Kinga 
Published: February 2025

Introduction and purpose
Consumption of energy drinks has become popular all over the world. Energy drinks are non-alcoholic beverages that contain large amounts of caffeine, sugar, and substances like vitamins, taurine, ginseng, creatine, and guarana. The aim of our research is to present the latest data on impact of energy drinks on health of children, adolescents, and young adults.
Description of the state of knowledge
Regular consumption of energy drinks is associated with numerous adverse health effects. The main areas of impact are the cardiovascular system and the nervous system. High concentrations of caffeine - the main ingredient in energy drinks can lead to increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders. Consuming energy drinks leads to hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk. In addition, energy drinks can cause sleep disorders, anxiety and hyperactivity. Energy drinks are characterized by a high sugar content, which promotes obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay.
Materials and methods
Systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases to obtain most accurate and recent results. The key words included ,,energy drinks”, ,,children”, ,,health”,,cardiovascular system” and ,,caffeine.”
Conclusions
This review provides further evidence that consumption of energy drinks by children and adolescents is associated with many adverse effects for physical and mental health. Mainly predisposed systems are cardiovascular and nervous. Further research is needed, with emphasis on maintaining ethics, to determine long-term effects of Energy Drinks use in these populations.
Case Article—Optimizing Food Donation Delivery for the Nonprofit Company Logica&Co
Authors: Croella Anna Livia , Gregori Martina 
Published: February 2025

The article presents a case exercise that teaches students how to apply mathematical programming to a real-life context. The case deals with the management of the food donation supply chain. The case, using a project-based approach, proposes a realistic scenario that simulates the consulting interaction with a nonprofit company, Logica&Co, which acts as a two-sided platform connecting supply and demand. The objective is to define an effective strategy to collect and deliver food donations, using either bike or e-bike, from local businesses to soup kitchens, covering a semester-long timeframe. The form of the problem exhibits nonlinear characteristics, but the design allows for adjustable difficulty levels. Students can assess their performance during the class period thanks to an interactive offline tool, the SoS simulator, which is publicly available for download and can be customized by instructors. The case was proposed as a competitive group challenge for students of the bachelor’s or master’s program in management engineering at Sapienza University of Rome. However, given the embedded characteristics of flexibility, it can be easily adjusted for heterogeneous curricula of undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in engineering programs (this opportunity is extensively discussed in the Case Article and the Teaching Note). The students appreciated both the teaching methodology and the teamwork aspects and highlighted the utility of the SoS simulator tool. Supplemental Material: The Teaching Note and its supplemental material are available at https://www.informs.org/Publications/Subscribe/Access-Restricted-Materials .
Reducing hospital readmissions: analysing the accuracy of predictors and efficacy of interventions
Authors: Bejerano Dar , Al-Haddad Serina 
Published: February 2025

Background/Aims Hospital admissions represent a substantial burden, both to patients and healthcare systems. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of predictors of readmissions (defined as unplanned rehospitalisations within 30 days of a patient's index discharge) and the efficacy of interventions to reduce readmission rates. Methods Data from 201 329 patients who had a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, heart failure or pneumonia at their index visit were extracted from the database of a regional healthcare system in the US. The predictors of readmission assessed were the patient's risk of unplanned readmission score and whether they were frequent healthcare service users and/or belonged to a high-risk group, as classified by the healthcare system. Interventions included competition of a follow-up appointment, discussion of medications with the patient and implementation of the ‘meds-to-beds’ programme. Data were analysed with logistic regression models to assess the relationship of readmissions with the predictors and interventions. Results Frequent healthcare service user status, high-risk group status and risk of unplanned readmission score were all found to be accurate predictors of readmission. For example, frequent healthcare service users were 12 times more likely to be readmitted. Of the seven interventions investigated, only the completion of a follow-up appointment had a significant relationship with readmission rates, although the meds-to-beds intervention was also found to have some benefits for high-risk patients. Conclusions Identification of individuals who are at high risk of a readmission should be prioritised by healthcare systems to ensure that appropriate interventions to prevent readmission can be implemented both during and after discharge from the index visit. Follow-up appointments are a particularly important part of this strategy.
Efficacy of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Agents in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients with or without Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Luyao , Liu Shiyu , He Tingting , Liu Chun , Duan Junguo 
Published: February 2025

Aims/Background The classification of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) as a subtype of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) remained an ongoing controversy. This meta-analysis examines the efficacy of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents in nAMD patients with or without PCV. Methods A systematic search was conducted in four databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library, from their inception to 1 July 2023. The outcome measure was the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and center retinal thickness (CRT) from the baseline to different follow-up durations. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was performed when significant heterogeneity was detected. Results This meta-analysis included sixteen studies involving 6679 patients, comprising 5070 non-PCV and 1609 PCV cases. The findings revealed that the improvement in BCVA at 6-month follow-up (mean difference (MD) = 0.05; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.02 to 0.07; p = 0.0001) and the reduction in CRT at 3-month follow-up duration (MD = 10.29; 95% CI, 0.93 to 19.66; p = 0.03) were significantly greater in the PCV group compared to the non-PCV group. Conclusion This meta-analysis indicates that PCV may exhibit better short-term efficacy in response to anti-VEGF therapy than non-PCV. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO ( CRD42023445591 ).
The inducing effect of epidermal growth factor on acellular dermal matrix in a rat model of skin regeneration
Authors: Hashemi Seyedeh-Sara , Sanati Parisa , Rafati AliReza 
Published: February 2025

Objective: Tissue engineering, a novel approach in dermatology, has resulted in the development of scaffolds as skin substitutes that have accelerated wound healing. The aim of the present study was to synthesise acellular dermal matrix (ADM) as a dermal alternative and assess the effect of human epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the proliferation and migration of seeded fibroblast cells. Method: ADM from fresh, full-thickness human skin was developed and characterised. Next, foreskin fibroblast cells were isolated, cultured and characterised. The fibroblast cells were sown into the ADM in two groups: one with EGF and one without EGF. We assessed the adhesion and proliferation of the cells on the scaffold by scanning electron microscopy, and thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide and 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. For the animal study, 30 rats were divided into two equal groups at random (ADM, ADM+EGF). Wound healing was assessed macroscopically, histologically and by real-time polymerase chain reaction for Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression. Results: The ADM characterisation results showed that the scaffold was dense and integral with good stretching. The morphology and phenotype of the isolated fibroblast cells confirmed their identity. The fibroblast cells cultured on the ADM showed proliferation, which improved with the addition of EGF. In the animal model, EGF addition caused significantly (p<0.05) improved wound healing compared with isolated ADM; it also resulted in increased Bcl-2 and reduced Bax expressions. Conclusion: A combination of ADM, fibroblast cells and EGFs could serve as skin substitutes and represent a novel therapeutic methodology for treating burns and hard-to-heal wounds.
Banning ransomware payments: unintended effects on cybersecurity investment and incident reporting
Authors: Iwasaki Masaki 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Banning ransomware payments has recently gained traction as a policy proposal aimed at cutting off cybercriminals’ funding sources and compelling companies to bolster their cybersecurity. While the intended goal is to curb cyber extortion, such prohibitions may yield unforeseen repercussions for both organizations and society. This paper argues for integrating the processes of cybersecurity investment, incident reporting, and ransom payments into a holistic analysis. Drawing on economic insights, we explore how incentives shape the decisions of both attackers and victims, and how an outright prohibition on ransom payments could alter victims’ incentives not only for paying but also for implementing security measures and reporting incidents. Our findings suggest that a strict ban may inadvertently reduce the level of cybersecurity investment or prompt organizations to hide attacks. We propose an alternative, more balanced strategy that combines clear cybersecurity standards, broader data breach notification laws, and a conditional safe harbor for certain ransom payments. These measures can maintain essential operations, discourage criminal activity, and realign economic motivations toward more robust cybersecurity practices.
Conquering Oppression through Cosmopolitanism: Islam, Race, and Racism in Writings of Edward Wilmot Blyden and Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba
Authors: Mbaye Babacar 
Published: February 2025

Abstract: This essay analyzes the Sufi religious thoughts of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, the founder of the Murid Islamic brotherhood of Senegal, as reflections of the cosmopolitan openness to the “other” and the rest of the world that the Pan-African scholar, Edward Wilmot Blyden, celebrates in his book, entitled Christianity, Islam and the Negro Race (1887). Blyden admired, in late nineteenth-century West African Islamic traditions, cosmopolitanism, and rejections of violence that one also finds in Bamba’s book, Mawahibul Quddus. Bamba’s text was produced in the late nineteenth century and was translated into English in 2003 as God’s Sacred Identity.Using Blyden’s book as an early exploration of the West African cosmopolitan tradition of resistance and celebration of rationality that mesmerized him, this essay explores how similar ideas were noticeable in Bamba’s Sufism. In his theology, Bamba also examines how reason and cosmopolitanism can dismantle racial and other forms of intolerance and domination.Abstrak: Esai ini menganalisis pemikiran religius Sufi dari Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, pendiri Murid Islamic brotherhoodof Senegal, sebagai refleksi keterbukaan kosmopolitan terhadap "yang lain" dan dunia, yang dirayakan oleh cendekiawan Pan-Afrika, Edward Wilmot Blyden dalam bukunya yang berjudul Christianity, Islam and the Negro Race (1887). Blyden mengagumi tradisi Islam Afrika Barat pada akhir abad ke-19 yang menunjukkan kosmopolitanisme dan penolakan terhadap kekerasan, yang juga ditemukan dalam buku Bamba, Mawahibul Quddus. Teks Bamba ini ditulis pada akhir abad ke-19 dan diterjemahkan ke dalam bahasa Inggris pada tahun 2003 dengan judul God’s Sacred Identity. Dengan menggunakan buku Blyden sebagai eksplorasi awal tradisi kosmopolitanisme Afrika Barat yang menawan baginya, esai ini mengeksplorasi bagaimana ide serupa terlihat dalam sufisme Bamba. Dalam teologinya, Bamba juga mengkaji bagaimana akal dan kosmopolitanisme dapat membongkar intoleransi rasial dan bentuk dominasi lainnya.
Antioxidant activity and protective effect of phyto‐active compounds of Crataegus azarolus berries decoction extract against acetic acid‐induced hepatorenal injuries in male rats
Authors: Sammari Houcem , Abidi Anouar , Jedidi Saber , Dhawefi Nourhen , Sebai Hichem 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe present study evaluated the hepato‐nephronal protective properties of Crataegus azarolus berries decoction extract (CAB‐DE) on acetic acid (AA)‐induced oxidative stress and metabolic disorders in rats. Animals (60 rats) were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10), with groups 1 and 2 being controls and groups 3, 4, and 5 given increasing doses of CAB‐DE, group 6 were given gallic acid until ulcerative colitis was induced and then intoxicated by an acute intra‐rectal infusion of AA. Our results showed that CAB‐DE‐oral administration had no signs of toxicity or abnormal behavior in rats, with a LD50 higher than 3500 mg/kg bw. In addition, CAB‐DE protected against AA‐induced nephropathy and hepatic damage in rats, as determined by an increase in organ weights and an alteration in the renal and liver parameters and functions. Moreover, extract co‐administration reduced AA‐induced liver and kidney lipoperoxidation, maintained non‐enzymatic contents such as sulfhydryl groups (‐SH) and reduced glutathione (GSH), and restored antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Finally, CAB‐DE might have a possible protective effect against AA‐oxidative stress and dysfunction in the rat liver and kidney, suggesting that Crataegus azarolus berries may be beneficial for people suffering from liver issues and nephropathy.
Numerical simulation of binary convection within the Soret regime in a tilted cylinder
Authors: Alonso Arantxa , Mercader Isabel , Batiste Oriol , Meseguer Alvaro 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This study computationally investigates the time-dependent patterns emerging in the Soret regime for binary fluid convection in slightly inclined cylinders heated from below, with a particular focus on positive Soret coefficient thermophobic mixtures (S

T
> 0) and aspect ratios Γ = 5.2, Γ = 5.3, and Γ = 5.4. By varying the Rayleigh number (Ra) and smoothly adjusting its increments, we capture a range of spatio-temporal behaviours, revealing the coexistence of large-scale shear flows (LSF) and superhighway convection (SHC) patterns. SHC-like structures, characterised by a high base frequency, involve oscillating plumes arranged in adjacent lanes, moving in opposite directions along the inclination. Remarkably, this frequency remains nearly constant across different Ra values. Some of the observed coherent structures, such as periodic and modulated solutions, exhibit equivariance with respect to some elements of the

D

2

${\mathbb{D}}_{2}$

symmetry group inherent to the physical system. In the case of Γ = 5.4, we identify three-frequency orbits, with modulations up to two orders of magnitude smaller than the base frequency. The observed dynamics is highly sensitive to small variations of Γ, with different patterns being stabilized depending on the aspect ratio of the cell. The bifurcation scenarios are complex and case-specific, and their precise determination is computationally demanding.