bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of brainstem and fourth ventricle lesions by the full neuroendoscopic telovelar approach
Authors: Zhou Long , Wei Hangyu , Li Zhiyang , Zhang Huikai , Song Ping , Cheng Li , Wang Wenju , Lei Pan , Chen Qianxue , Liu Zaiming , Ye Hui , Sun Daofa , Cai Qiang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Objective
To explore the surgical techniques, advantages, and disadvantages of neuroendoscopic telovelar approach in the treatment of brainstem and fourth ventricle lesions.

Methods
The clinical data of 5 patients treated by neuroendoscopic telovelar approach from March 2020 to March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results
Among the 5 patients, there were 3 cavernous hemangiomas in pontine arm and 2 tumors in brainstem and fourth ventricle. All patients could successfully complete the operation, and 4 patients recovered well, other 1 patient discharged automatically for serious complications of other systems after the operation.

Conclusion
The telovelar approach has gained popularity as a safe and effective strategy for lesions in fourth ventricular and brainstem. However, without removing the posterior arch of the atlas, it is difficult to enter the upper part of the fourth ventricle under a microscope. Transcranial neuroendoscopy can effectively compensate for the shortcomings of microscopy, whether used as an auxiliary measure for microsurgery or alone with proficient endoscopic techniques, it will provide greater application in minimally invasive surgery for fourth ventricle and brainstem lesions. By utilizing the excellent degree of freedom of transcranial neuroendoscopy, there is no need to open the posterior arch of the atlas, making the surgery more minimally invasive. However, the sample size of this study is small, and it was completed under the very mature neuroendoscopic technology of our team. Its general safety and practicality still require extensive clinical research validation.
Adoption of drought-tolerant maize varieties and interrelated climate smart agricultural practices in Nigeria
Authors: Oyetunde-Usman Zainab , Shee Apurba 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
In Sub-Saharan Africa, drought is one of the prevailing climatic conditions that has led to the modification of improved seeds to be resilient enough to improve yield and increase farm households' welfare. However, like most climate-smart agricultural practices, the adoption of drought-tolerant maize varieties is low. This study examines the simultaneous adoption decisions of drought tolerant maize varieties and other climate-smart agricultural practices such as intercropping, row-planting, inorganic fertiliser, manure, and residue incorporation using nationally representative survey data from 1370 rural households in Nigeria. Multivariate Tobit and ordered probit models are applied to assess the complementarity and or substitutability effect among CSAPs, the predictors of the joint adoption, and the adoption intensity of CSAPs.

Results
The results show a significant positive correlation between DTMVs and inorganic fertilisers, DTMVs and intercropping, and DTMVs and manure. However, the strongest adoption complementarity is found between DTMVs and manure. The probability and the extent of adoption of CSAPs are commonly determined by household wealth, access to loans, access to training in improved production practices, and membership in input supply and farm cooperatives.

Conclusion
The study suggests that the adoption of DTMVs has varying degrees of relations with other CSAPs informing the need for policies aimed at increasing its adoption to consider existing CSAPs among maize farm households.
miR-423 sponged by lncRNA NORHA inhibits granulosa cell apoptosis
Authors: Li Yuqi , Zhang Zhuofan , Wang Siqi , Du Xing , Li Qifa 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Atresia and degeneration, a follicular developmental fate that reduces female fertility and is triggered by granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis, have been induced by dozens of miRNAs. Here, we report a miRNA, miR-423, that inhibits the initiation of follicular atresia (FA), and early apoptosis of GCs.

Results
We showed that miR-423 was down-regulated during sow FA, and its levels in follicles were negatively correlated with the GC density and the P4/E2 ratio in the follicular fluid in vivo. The in vitro gain-of-function experiments revealed that miR-423 suppresses cell apoptosis, especially early apoptosis in GCs. Mechanically speaking, the miR-423 targets and interacts with the 3'-UTR of the porcine SMAD7 gene, which encodes an apoptosis-inducing factor in GCs, and represses its expression and pro-apoptotic function. Interestingly, FA and the GC apoptosis-related lncRNA NORHA was demonstrated as a ceRNA of miR-423. Additionally, we showed that a single base deletion/insertion in the miR-423 promoter is significantly associated with the number of stillbirths (NSB) trait of sows.

Conclusion
These results demonstrate that miR-423 is a small molecule for inhibiting FA initiation and GC early apoptosis, suggesting that treating with miR-423 may be a novel approach for inhibiting FA initiation and improving female fertility.
Histogram analysis of mono-exponential, bi-exponential and stretched-exponential diffusion-weighted MR imaging in predicting consistency of meningiomas
Authors: Zheng Lingmin , Jiang Peirong , Lin Danjie , Chen Xiaodan , Zhong Tianjin , Zhang Rufei , Chen Jing , Song Yang , Xue Yunjing , Lin Lin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
The consistency of meningiomas is critical to determine surgical planning and has a significant impact on surgical outcomes. Our aim was to compare mono-exponential, bi-exponential and stretched exponential MR diffusion-weighted imaging in predicting the consistency of meningiomas before surgery.

Methods
Forty-seven consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed meningiomas were prospectively enrolled in this study. Two senior neurosurgeons independently evaluated tumour consistency and classified them into soft and hard groups. A volume of interest was placed on the preoperative MR diffusion images to outline the whole tumour area. Histogram parameters (mean, median, 10th percentile, 90th percentile, kurtosis, skewness) were extracted from 6 different diffusion maps including ADC (DWI), D*, D, f (IVIM), alpha and DDC (SEM). Comparisons between two groups were made using Student’s t-Test or Mann-Whitney U test. Parameters with significant differences between the two groups were included for Receiver operating characteristic analysis. The DeLong test was used to compare AUCs.

Results
DDC, D* and ADC 10th percentile were significantly lower in hard tumours than in soft tumours (P ≤ 0.05). The alpha 90th percentile was significantly higher in hard tumours than in soft tumours (P < 0.02). For all histogram parameters, the alpha 90th percentile yielded the highest AUC of 0.88, with an accuracy of 85.10%. The D* 10th percentile had a relatively higher AUC value, followed by the DDC and ADC 10th percentile. The alpha 90th percentile had a significantly greater AUC value than the ADC 10th percentile (P ≤ 0.05). The D* 10th percentile had a significantly greater AUC value than the ADC 10th percentile and DDC 10th percentile (P ≤ 0.03).

Conclusion
Histogram parameters of Alpha and D* may serve as better imaging biomarkers to aid in predicting the consistency of meningioma.
International health regulations and pre-travel health practices of international travelers at Nigerian airport: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Jegede Oluwatosin Samson , Ijitade Grace , Fatoye Oyedoyin Aanu , Jegede Timilehin Mercy , Aderinto Nicholas , Oguntoye Oluwafunmilayo Adenike , Oguntoye Oluwatosin Oluwagbenga , Ilori Oluwatosin Ruth , Abodunrin Olugbemiga Lanre , Olugbenga-Bello Adenike Iyanuoluwa , Bamidele James , Parakoyi Dauda Bayo 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
International Health Regulations (IHR) were developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to curb the trans-border spread of epidemics. To our knowledge, no airport-based studies have assessed travelers’ health practices against a combination of diseases subject to IHR 2005. Therefore, we aimed to generate and describe the baseline travelers’ pre-travel health practices towards Cholera, Yellow Fever (YF), and Plague at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Nigeria.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was employed to collect data from 486 international travelers using a multistage sampling technique. Pre-travel health practices (a combination of pre-travel consultation, pre-travel vaccination, and preventive measures against insect bites) were assessed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to estimates the association between selected variables and pre-travel health practices. Statistical significance level was set at 5%.

Results
A total of 479 complete questionnaires were analyzed. The median age of respondents was 34.0 years Interquartile range (IQR) = 28.0, 44.0). Of the total respondents, 311 (64.3%) were aware of pre-travel health consultation and sources of information, amongst others, including friends/relatives in 180 (37.6%) travelers, social media/internet in 155 (32.4%) travelers, and health professionals in 102 (21.3%) travelers. Two hundred and seventy-one (56.6%) had pre-travel consultation, 156 (32.6%) had YF vaccination, and 226 (47.2%) were prepared to use preventive measures against insect bites. Only 10.6% had good pre-travel practices against the diseases subject to 2 International Health Regulations (IHR). Travelers with bachelor/college degrees, when compared to those with secondary/high education, had 2.91 times higher odds of having good practices when adjusting for other factors (95% C.I: 1.10, 7.70; p < 0.03). Also, those traveling to destinations endemic for YF infection, when compared to those who are not traveling to endemic countries/areas, had 48% lower odds of having good practices after adjusting for other factors (95% C.I: 1.41, 7.77; p < 0.01).

Conclusions
Our study revealed a low prevalence of good pre-travel health practices among participants. Educational level and endemicity of YF at the destination were predictors of pre-travel health practices. Introducing topics on travelers’ health into schools’ curriculums may have a ripple positive effect on health practices among international travelers. Also, there is a need for public enlightenment programs on pre-travel health practices using social media platforms.
Association of Dip in eGFR With Clinical Outcomes in Unilateral Primary Aldosteronism Patients After Adrenalectomy
Authors: Chen Jui-Yi , Huang Kuo-How , Lin Yen-Hung , Chueh Jeff S , Wang Hsien-Yi , Wu Vin-Cent 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Context
Primary aldosteronism (PA) leads to kidney function deterioration after treatment, but the effects of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) dip following adrenalectomy and its long-term implications are unclear.

Objective
This study aims to examine eGFR dip in patients with unilateral PA (uPA) after adrenalectomy and clarify their long-term prognosis.

Methods
This multicenter prospective population-based cohort study, enrolled patients with uPA who underwent adrenalectomy. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on their eGFR dip ratio. Outcomes investigated included mortality, cardiovascular composite events, and major adverse kidney events (MAKEs).

Results
Among 445 enrolled patients, those with an eGFR dip ratio worse than −30% (n = 74, 16.6%) were older, had higher blood pressure, higher aldosterone concentration, and lower serum potassium levels. During 5.0 ± 3.6 years of follow-up, 2.9% died, 14.6% had cardiovascular composite events, and 17.3% had MAKEs. The group with eGFR dip worse than −30% had a higher risk of MAKEs (P &lt; .001), but no significant differences in mortality (P = .295) or new-onset cardiovascular composite outcomes (P = .373) were found. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with an eGFR dip ratio worse than −30% were significantly associated with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04), preoperative eGFR (OR, 1.02), hypokalemia (OR, 0.45), preoperative systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.03), and plasma aldosterone concentration (OR, 0.99).

Conclusion
Within 5 years post adrenalectomy, 17.3% of patients had reduced kidney function. Notably, individuals with an eGFR dip ratio worse than −30% faced higher MAKE risks, underscoring the need to monitor kidney function in PA patients after surgery.
Associations that Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Body Mass Index Loss Have with Deficit Accumulation Frailty
Authors: Olson KayLoni , Houston Denise K. , Ross Johnathan , Wing Rena R. , Simpson Felicia R. , Pandey Ambarish , Walkup Michael P. , Yang Mia , Espeland Mark A. 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Introduction/Purpose
Lower cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity may accelerate aging processes. The degree to which changes in fitness and body mass index (BMI) may alter the rate of aging may be important for planning treatment. We assessed cross-sectional and longitudinal associations that cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI had with a deficit accumulation frailty index.

Methods
Fitness, based on standardized graded exercise tests, and weight to calculate body mass index at baseline and year 4 were collected from 3,944 participants, ages 45-76, in the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) randomized controlled clinical trial. A validated 38-item deficit accumulation frailty index (FI) was used as a marker of aging. Associations between baseline and changes in fitness and BMI with changes in FI were assessed using linear models.

Results
Both baseline and 4-year changes in fitness and BMI were independently associated with 4-year changes in frailty (all p < 0.001). Mean [95% confidence interval] changes in FI ranged from -0.001 [-0.005,0.002] for participants in the group with the greatest fitness increase and BMI loss to 0.017 [0.013,0.020] for participants in the group with the greatest fitness loss and BMI gain. Associations of 4-year changes in fitness and BMI with FI changes were similar across subgroups based on age, gender, baseline BMI, diabetes duration, and cardiovascular disease history. Increased fitness across 4 years was associated with less FI accumulation independent of baseline fitness.

Conclusions
Adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity may slow aging processes captured by a FI by increasing their cardiorespiratory fitness and losing weight.
Selective screening for inherited metabolic disorders in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi – A retrospective chart review
Authors: Kanani Fatima , Shahid Saba , Sameer Dua , Maqsood Sidra 
Published: December 2023

Background & Objective: Selective high-risk screening of children suspected of having inherited metabolic disorders was conducted jointly by Chemical Pathology section and the Pediatric Department of Indus Hospital and Health Network- (IHHN) from October 2020-March 2022. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS) for newborn screening was recently introduced in a local laboratory. We did a selective high screening of children for metabolic disorders by using MS for neonates and other relevant tests for older children in our hospital. The present study was undertaken to get an estimate of the number of metabolic cases screened and identified after inclusion of an extended workup.
Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of children who were selectively screened for IMDs. Patients’ records with ages ranging from birth to fourteen years of age were retrieved from the electronic records department of IHHN from October 2020 to March 2022. Records were searched for demographic data, history, signs, symptoms, and lab investigations. All relevant information was recorded on a pre-designed questionnaire.
Results: A total of 178 children were screened for inherited metabolic disorders. Majority of the children screened were less than one month of age 96 (54%). Consanguinity was noted in 74 (41.5%) children. Most common symptoms observed were failure to thrive in 77 children (43%), hypoglycemia in 45 children (25%), and feeding difficulty in 36 children (20%). Inherited metabolic disorders were confirmed in 12 children out of which five had congenital adrenal hyperplasia, four had cystic fibrosis and three children had congenital hypothyroidism.
Conclusion: In the present study, we were able to screen several children after inclusion of an extended metabolic workup. However, confirmation of many disorders like fatty acid oxidation defects, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, and sphingolipidosis could not be done due to lack of confirmatory tests. We recommend that confirmatory tests of these disorders be included in local labs.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.2(ICON).8985
How to cite this: Kanani F, Shahid S, Sameer D, Maqsood S. Selective screening for inherited metabolic disorders in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi – A retrospective chart review. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(2):S80-S84. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.2(ICON).8985
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Vozes da diferença: oficina midiática de rádio e a Reforma Psiquiátrica brasileira
Authors: Pereira de Freitas Yago , Silva Matos de Souza Liane Caroline , Fantesia de Jesus Ariadne , Colmenero Cunha Thiago 
Published: December 2023

O Espaço da Diferença integra a programação da web rádio comunitária Revolução FM. É produzido coletivamente com usuários dos serviços públicos de saúde mental do Instituto Municipal Nise da Silveira (RJ), sob a coordenação do Centro de Convivência e Cultura Trilhos do Engenho. Discute-se, a partir dessa iniciativa, a relação entre a Reforma Psiquiátrica brasileira junto à arte e à cultura, os tensionamentos e as possibilidades do conceito de oficina terapêutica e os benefícios do trabalho com tecnologias midiáticas na potencialização da expressividade, autonomia e trocas sociais no contexto do sofrimento psíquico. Afirma-se o programa Espaço da Diferença como oficina midiática, um projeto consonante a uma diversidade de realizações coletivas em audiovisual que se relacionam à Reforma Psiquiátrica e ao papel do Centro de Convivência no desenvolvimento desses encontros.

Palavras-Chave: web rádio; centro de convivência; saúde mental; oficina terapêutica; Reforma Psiquiátrica.
Implementasi Photovoltaic On-Grid guna Meminimalisir Pemadaman Listrik Bergilir serta Jaringan Telekomunikasi di Pulau Bawean
Authors: Wibowo Rony Seto , Penangsang Ontoseno , Aryani Ni Ketut , Mukti Prasetiyono Hari , Pamuji Feby Agung , Mardiyanto Ronny 
Published: December 2023

Bawean yang berada di 135 km dari utara Kabupaten Gresik adalah kepulauan dengan luas wilayah 197,42 km2. Dengan jumlah penduduk yang semakin meningkat sepanjang tahun, beban listrik yang harus ditanggung juga semakin meningkat. Kecamatan Sangkapura di Pulau Bawean memiliki jumlah pengguna listrik mencapai 17.112 orang. Akan tetapi, dengan pembangkit konvensional, penduduk Bawean kesulitan dalam segi ekonomi dan ketersediaan bahan bakar. Upaya peningkatan kapasitas dari pembangkit perlu ditingkatkan sebab pemadaman listrik merugikan perekonomian dari warga setempat. Energi terbarukan seperti energi surya dapat menjadi salah satu pembangkit alternatif karena pulau Bawean memiliki potensi energi surya yang besar dengan rata-rata intensitas radiasi matahari sebesar 5,5 kWh/m2/hari. Hal ini menjadikan Pulau Bawean sebagai salah satu daerah yang berpotensi untuk pengembangan energi surya. Di samping itu, masyarakat Bawean masih kesulitan mengakses layanan telekomunikasi akibat penyediaan akses internet yang belum merata, khususnya penyedia WiFi yang sangat jarang ditemui. Seiring dengan berkembangnya teknologi seputar energi baru terbarukan dan telekomunikasi, pengaplikasian teknologi tepat guna diperlukan di daerah terpencil seperti Pulau Bawean. Salah satu solusi yang dapat diimplementasikan adalah memasang photovoltaic dengan tipe hybrid untuk menyuplai energi yang dibutuhkan oleh modem WiFi guna menunjang kebutuhan masyarakat setempat. Selain itu, beban yang dapat disuplai adalah berupa sebuah masjid, mengingat 100% penduduk Pulau Bawean memeluk Agama Islam. Dengan demikian, maka pelaksanaan kegiatan peribadatan tidak terganggu oleh adanya pemadaman bergilir.
Research protocol of the efficacy of probiotics for the treatment of alcohol use disorder among adult males: A comparison with placebo and acceptance and commitment therapy in a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Bingyu , Zhang Ruiling , Deng Hongdu , Cui Ping , Li Chunyan , Yang Fan , Leong Bin Abdullah Mohammad Farris Iman 
Published: December 2023

Background and aim
Primarily, this study compares the efficacy of probiotic and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in alleviating the severity of alcohol craving and alcohol use disorder (AUD) among patients who had undergo two weeks of in-patient detoxification. Secondarily, this study compares the efficacy of probiotic and ACT in mitigating the severity of comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms; decreasing serum level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α); changing the event-related potential in electroencephalogram (EEG) and restoring microbiota flora in the gut of AUD patients.

Methods and analysis
Initially, during Phase I of the study, the serum level of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α; ERP changes in the EEG and fecal microbiota content will be compared between 120 AUD patients and 120 healthy controls. Subsequently in Phase II of the study, 120 AUD patients will be randomized by stratified permuted block randomization into the probiotic, ACT and placebo groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Participants in the probiotic and placebo groups will be administered one sachet per day of Lactobacillus spp. probiotic and placebo, respectively for 12 weeks. While those in the ACT group will receive one session per week of ACT for 8 weeks. Outcome measures will be administered at four timepoints, such as t0 = baseline assessment prior to intervention, t1 = 8 weeks after intervention began, t2 = 12 weeks after intervention and t3 = 24 weeks after intervention. Primary outcomes are the degrees of alcohol craving, alcohol withdrawal during abstinence and AUD. Secondary outcomes to be assessed are the severity of co-morbid depression and anxiety symptoms; the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α; changes in ERP and fecal microbiota content.

Trial registration number
NCT05830708 (ClinicalTrials.gov). Registered on April 25, 2023.