bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Berberine Phytosome on reproductive, dermatologic, and metabolic characteristics in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a controlled, randomized, multi-centric, open-label clinical trial
Authors: Di Pierro Francesco , Sultana Ruqqia , Eusaph Amna Zia , Abrar Saida , Bugti Mahroo , Afridi Fauzia , Farooq Umer , Iqtadar Somia , Ghauri Fareeha , Makhduma Syeda , Nourin Shazia , Kanwal Ayesha , Bano Aasiya , Bugti Ali Akbar , Mureed Shah , Ghazal Ayesha , Irshad Romana , Recchia Martino , Bertuccioli Alexander , Putignano Pietro , Riva Antonella , Guasti Luigina , Zerbinati Nicola , Khan Amjad 
Published: November 2023

Background: Berberine is a poorly absorbed natural alkaloid widely used as nutraceutical to counteract diarrhoea and to lower cholesterol and hyperglycaemia. It has also been reported to reduce signs and symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Objective: To explore, through a multi-centric, randomized, controlled and prospective study, the possible role played by a form berberine that is more easily absorbed (Berberine Phytosome®, BP) in 130 Pakistani women with a diagnosis of PCOS and fertility problems due to menstrual and ovary abnormalities.Results: Ninety days of supplementation with BP, administered at 550 mg x2/die, determined (i) resumption of regular menstruation in about 70% of women (versus 16% in the control group; p &lt; 0.0001), (ii) normalization of the ovaries anatomy in more than 60% of women (versus 13% in the control group; p &lt; 0.0001), (iii) acne improvement in 50% of women (versus 16% in the control group; p = 0.0409) and (iv) hirsutism reduction in 14% of women (versus 0% in the control group; p = 0.0152). The metabolic and the hormonal profiles of the women in the two groups did not significantly differentiate at the end of the study. BP was well-tolerated and no specific side-effects were registered. Respectively after one, two and 8 years of trying, three women supplemented with BP became and are currently pregnant.Conclusion: Our study showed the positive effects of BP supplementation in women with PCOS and confirmed the high safety profile of this nutraceutical.Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT05480670
Considerations about future hard x-ray area detectors
Authors: Gruner Sol M. , Carini Gabriella , Miceli Antonino 
Published: November 2023

X-ray sources continue to advance in both intensity and temporal domains, thereby opening new ways to analyze the structure and properties of matter, provided that the resultant x-ray images can be efficiently and quantitatively recorded. In this perspective we focus on specific limitations of pixel area x-ray detectors. Although pixel area x-ray detectors have also advanced in recent years, many experiments are still detector limited. Specifically, there is need for detectors that can acquire successive images at GHz rates; detectors that can accurately measure both single photon and millions of photons per pixel in the same image at frame rates of hundreds of kHz; and detectors that efficiently capture images of very hard x-rays (20 keV to several hundred keV). The data volumes and data rates of state-of-the-art detection exceeds most practical data storage options and readout bandwidths, thereby necessitating on-line processing of data prior to, or in lieu of full frame readouts.
A microencapsulation approach to design microbial seed coatings to boost wheat seed germination and seedling growth under salt stress
Authors: Gong Min , He Jiuxing , Kong Meng , Huo Qiuyan , Jiang Yawen , Song Jiqing , Han Wei , Lv Guohua 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionSalt stress in seed germination and early seedling growth is the greatest cause of crop loss in saline-alkali soils. Microbial seed coating is an effective way to promote plant growth and salt resistance, but these coatings suffer from poor seed adhesion and low survival rates under typical storage conditions.MethodsIn this study, the marine bacterium Pontibacter actiniarum DSM 19842 from kelp was isolated and microencapsulated with calcium alginate using the emulsion and internal gelation method.ResultsCompared to unencapsulated seeds, the spherical microcapsules demonstrated a bacterial encapsulation rate of 65.4% and survival rate increased by 22.4% at 25°C for 60 days. Under salt stress conditions, the seed germination percentage of microcapsule-embedded bacteria (M-Embed) was 90%, which was significantly increased by 17% compared to the germination percentage (73%) of no coating treatment (CK). Root growth was also significantly increased by coating with M-Embed. Chlorophyll, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, proline, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels indicated that the M-Embed had the best positive effects under salt stress conditions.DiscussionTherefore, embedding microorganisms in suitable capsule materials provides effective protection for the survival of the microorganism and this seed coating can alleviate salt stress in wheat. This process will benefit the development of sustainable agriculture in coastal regions with saline soils.
Coping with mortality salience: the role of connection thinking and afterlife beliefs in Chinese context
Authors: Wang Kun , Sun Zhaoyang , Hou Yubo , Yuan Mengchan 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionGrounded in Terror Management Theory (TMT), this research explored the influence of mortality salience on preferences for afterlife beliefs (reincarnation vs. resignation to fate) within a Chinese context. We also examined the mediating role of death anxiety and the moderating effects of connection thinking across different age groups.MethodsAcross three experimental studies involving a cumulative sample of 485 Chinese participants, we primed individuals with thoughts of their own mortality and then assessed their death anxiety and proclivity toward reincarnation beliefs or resignation to fate. Connection thinking—a cognitive construct emphasizing relational interconnectedness—was also evaluated to ascertain its moderating impact.ResultsThe data revealed a pronounced preference for reincarnation beliefs as a distal defense mechanism following mortality salience, significantly mediated by death anxiety. The moderating role of connection thinking was also verified, but with age-related differences: among younger Chinese participants (age &lt; 35), heightened connection thinking buffered against increased death anxiety triggered by mortality salience and thus mitigated its mediating role. Conversely, for older participants (age ≥ 35), amplified connection thinking exacerbated both the increased death anxiety and its mediating effect.DiscussionThese findings contribute to TMT by elucidating the influence of death anxiety on the relationship between mortality salience and afterlife beliefs in the Chinese cultural context. They also enrich the literature on connection thinking by uncovering its moderating role. Moreover, our research yields practical implications for coping with mortality salience and alleviating existential anxiety, enhancing the understanding of these phenomena across different cultural and age groups.
Mental health symptoms in German elite athletes: a network analysis
Authors: Geiger Sheila , Jahre Lisa Maria , Aufderlandwehr Julia , Krakowczyk Julia Barbara , Esser Anna Julia , Mühlbauer Thomas , Skoda Eva-Maria , Teufel Martin , Bäuerle Alexander 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionElite athletes are exposed to a variety of sport-specific stressors that may put them at particular risk for mental health symptoms and disorders. The aim of the present study was to assess data on mental health of elite athletes and investigate associations and interconnections among different variables using network analysis.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to December 2022. The sample consisted of 275 German elite athletes (167 females) aged ≥18 years. Next to sociodemographic, medical and sport-related data, psychometric data such as psychological distress, symptoms of generalized anxiety, depression, and somatic symptom disorder have been gathered through questionnaires and analyzed by means of network analysis.ResultsOver 95.0% of the athletes showed elevated distress and 28.6% reported symptoms of depression. Results of the network analysis show, among other findings, that symptoms of somatic symptom disorder were associated with severe injuries and substance use. Moreover, elite athletes who reported a better financial situation reported fewer symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety, and somatic symptom disorder. They also reported a lower incidence of mild to moderate injuries and severe injuries, fewer years spent in elite sports, less substance use, and fewer training sessions per week. Conversely, these athletes reported a higher level of distress. Furthermore, sex, financial situation and number of training units per week emerged as significant predictors for mental health symptoms.DiscussionElite athletes showed increased numbers regarding mental health symptoms. Providing appropriate mental health interventions for elite athletes and further analysis of factors that influence the mental health of elite athletes and their interplay seem to be of central importance for the general well-being of elite athletes.
Associations of working from home with job satisfaction, work-life balance, and working-model preferences
Authors: Orešković Tin , Milošević Milan , Košir Bruna Kostelac , Horvat Darko , Glavaš Tomislav , Sadarić Antonio , Knoop Carin-Isabel , Orešković Stjepan 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic forced many businesses to shift towards remote and hybrid working models. This study explored the association of the work-from-home model with employee satisfaction, work-life balance, and work-model preferences within MPlus Group, a leader in telework within the business process and technology outsourcing (BPTO) industry.MethodsWe analyzed survey responses of 4,554 employees of MPlus Group across seven countries to assess the associations of working from home with job satisfaction, work-life balance, and preference regarding continuing to work from home.ResultsEmployees working within all models, and both women and men, reported high levels of job satisfaction and work-life balance, and most employees working from home expressed a desire to continue doing so.DiscussionOur findings suggest working from home does not lead to lower job satisfaction or work-life balance in the BPTO and similar industries. The study provides insights for organizations and policymakers navigating post-pandemic work dynamics. However, further research is needed to examine the long-term implications of remote work across diverse industries.
The Holistic Life-Crafting Model: a systematic literature review of meaning-making behaviors
Authors: van Zyl Llewellyn E. , Custers Noah C. M. , Dik Bryan J. , van der Vaart Leoni , Klibert Jeff 
Published: November 2023

Pursuing meaningful life experiences is vital for wellbeing and health. Crafting strategies, such as job crafting and work-life balance crafting, have been developed to create meaning in specific life domains. However, these strategies share common underlying behaviors that transcend specific contexts. Building on this understanding, we propose a comprehensive “holistic life-crafting” approach that integrates overlapping behaviors from various crafting strategies. This study aims to clarify the theoretical conceptualization of life-crafting by identifying common strategies and behaviors underlying different meaning-making crafting approaches. Through a systematic literature search of six databases between January and April 2022, we identified 16,479 published records. Using predefined inclusion–exclusion criteria, 51 records (reflecting five crafting approaches, resulting in 223 different crafting behaviors) remained. Through content analysis, we grouped these behaviors into seven broader crafting strategies, forming the “holistic life-crafting” approach. Findings suggest that life-crafting is a holistic, continuous process of proactive meaning-making by intentionally balancing life demands with available resources and altering life’s cognitive, environmental, interest, relational, skill, and task-related aspects to promote personal growth and wellbeing. The holistic approach encompasses cognitive, environmental, interest, relational, resources-demands, skill, and task crafting strategies. This framework provides a comprehensive understanding of how individuals can actively shape their lives to promote more meaningful life experiences across different domains.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO, identifier CRD42022333930.
Linguistic findings in persons with schizophrenia—a review of the current literature
Authors: Ehlen Felicitas , Montag Christiane , Leopold Karolina , Heinz Andreas 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionAlterations of verbalized thought occur frequently in psychotic disorders. We characterize linguistic findings in individuals with schizophrenia based on the current literature, including findings relevant for differential and early diagnosis.MethodsReview of literature published via PubMed search between January 2010 and May 2022.ResultsA total of 143 articles were included. In persons with schizophrenia, language-related alterations can occur at all linguistic levels. Differentiating from findings in persons with affective disorders, typical symptoms in those with schizophrenia mainly include so-called “poverty of speech,” reduced word and sentence production, impaired processing of complex syntax, pragmatic language deficits as well as reduced semantic verbal fluency. At the at-risk state, “poverty of content,” pragmatic difficulties and reduced verbal fluency could be of predictive value.DiscussionThe current results support multilevel alterations of the language system in persons with schizophrenia. Creative expressions of psychotic experiences are frequently found but are not in the focus of this review. Clinical examinations of linguistic alterations can support differential diagnostics and early detection. Computational methods (Natural Language Processing) may improve the precision of corresponding diagnostics. The relations between language-related and other symptoms can improve diagnostics.
Psychotropic medication use pre and post-diagnosis of cluster B personality disorder: a Quebec’s health services register cohort
Authors: Lunghi Carlotta , Cailhol Lionel , Massamba Victoria , Laouan Sidi Elhadji A. , Sirois Caroline , Rahme Elham , Rochette Louis , Renaud Suzane , Villeneuve Evens , Koch Marion , Biskin Robert , Martineau Cathy , Vincent Philippe , David Pierre , Lesage Alain 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundCluster B personality disorders (PDs) are considered some of the most severe mental health conditions. Scarce evidence exists about the real-world utilization of psychotropics for cluster B PD individuals.ObjectiveWe aimed to uncover trends and patterns of psychotropic medication use among individuals diagnosed with cluster B PD in the year before and after their diagnosis and to identify factors associated with medication use in a large cohort of individuals newly diagnosed with cluster B PDs.MethodsWe conducted a population-based observational study using Quebec’s health services register. We identified Quebec residents aged ≥14 years and insured with the provincial drug plan with a first diagnosis of cluster B PD recorded between April 1, 2002, and March 31, 2019. Cluster B PD was defined with ICD-9/10 diagnostic codes. We retrieved all claims for the main psychotropic medication classes: antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications. We calculated the proportion of individuals exposed to these medication classes and analyzed trends over the years using robust Poisson regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. We used robust Poisson regression to identify factors associated with medication class use.ResultsWe identified 87,778 new cases of cluster B PD, with a mean age of 44.5 years; 57.5% were women. Most frequent psychiatric comorbidities in the five years before cluster B PD diagnosis were depression (50.9%), anxiety (49.7%), and psychotic disorders (37.5%). Most individuals (71.0%) received at least one psychotropic during the year before cluster B PD diagnosis, and 78.5% received at least one of these medications in the subsequent year. The proportion of users increased after the diagnosis for antidepressants (51.6–54.7%), antipsychotics (35.9–45.2%), mood stabilizers (14.8–17.0%), and ADHD medications (5.1–5.9%), and remained relatively stable for anxiolytics (41.4–41.7%). Trends over time showed statistically significant increased use of antipsychotics and ADHD medications, decreased use of anxiolytics and mood stabilizers, and a stable use of antidepressants.ConclusionPsychotropic medication use is highly prevalent among cluster B PD individuals. We observed an increase in medication use in the months following the diagnosis, particularly for antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers.
Pediatric collaborative care outcomes in a regional model
Authors: Parkhurst John T. , Garcia-Goetting Catherine , Peist Eric , Ballard Rachel , Romba Courtney , Lavigne John V. 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundDespite the movement toward hospital-based medical centers acquiring pediatric primary care offices, many primary care pediatricians still work in small, independent practices. To expand mental healthcare access, service delivery models must consider primary care practice needs and regionally available resources.ObjectiveThis report describes the implementation and evaluation of the Mood, Anxiety, ADHD Collaborative Care (MAACC) program over a 4 years period. MAACC. MAACC engaged 97 pediatric primary care clinicians across 39 practices in mental health training and supported the treatment of referred patients through a collaborative care model. To support psychosocial treatment needs, we built a child community therapy referral network of 213 licensed psychotherapy providers.MethodsData were collected on service delivery patterns (e.g., referrals, treatment use, and attrition) and patient outcomes. Measures included parent and children and adolescents PROMIS anxiety and depression short forms and the Parent NICHQ Vanderbilt.ResultsSix hundred ninety-six children and adolescents aged 6–18 were evaluated and provided treatment recommendations. Anxiety disorders were the most common diagnosis (45.4%), followed by ADHD (30.7%) and mood disorder (17%). For children and adolescents with an anxiety or mood disorder, significant improvement was observed from baseline to any initial follow-up and from baseline to 6, 12-, and 18 weeks on children and adolescents and parent measures of anxiety and depression. For children and adolescents with ADHD, significant improvement was observed from baseline to any initial follow-up measure and at 6 and 18 weeks on parent-reported inattentive symptoms. Significant differences in treatment outcomes were identified for children and adolescents with anxiety receiving psychotherapy alone and medication management and psychotherapy.ConclusionMAACC utilization and patient outcomes suggest that real-world collaborative care can effectively provide high-quality care while cultivating increased primary care treatment capacity and building on existing community resources.
Experiences of individuals with intellectual disability who lecture in higher education
Authors: Mevold Silje , Johansen Leif Inge , Wynn Rolf , Ramsdal Gro H. 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionPrior studies have suggested that adults with intellectual disabilities who are in employment in general report a high level of well-being and life satisfaction. Less is known about which experiences and outcomes that are most important for the experiences of those who are employed.MethodsWe interviewed six persons with intellectual disabilities that worked as lecturers at a health and social education programme at a university about which experiences and outcomes that they believed were of importance to their work experiences.ResultsThe participants spontaneously focused on three main themes that described their experiences with work: the high degree of autonomy at work, their involvement in positive new relationships, and their experiences of accomplishment and coping on new social arenas. Although there were challenges, these were often overcome by working closely with another teacher.DiscussionThe three main themes by which the participants described their work experiences and outcomes can be related to the concepts of autonomy, relatedness, and competence. The experiences described by the participants are valuable for the future facilitation of work assignments for people with intellectual disability in ordinary working life.
The relationship between addiction and hikikomori tendencies: a case-control study
Authors: Muris Peter , van de Pasch Veerle , van Kessel Janno , Peet Josine 
Published: November 2023

AimThe present study examined the relationship between addiction and hikikomori (extreme social withdrawal) symptoms.MethodA group of clinically referred addiction patients (n = 31) and a group of age- and gender-matched non-clinical controls (n = 34) completed a self-report scale for measuring hikikomori symptoms (the Hikikomori Questionnaire-25) along with some other questionnaires assessing substance use (frequency and severity) and quality of life.ResultsThe results showed that addiction patients displayed significantly higher levels of hikikomori symptoms than the non-clinical control (Cohen's d = 3.41); 87.1% even showed such a high score that they were identified as being at risk for the hikikomori syndrome (vs. only 2.9% in the non-clinical control group). Correlational analyses revealed that within the addiction group, the severity of the substance use problem (as quantified by an index of craving) correlated positively with the level of hikikomori symptoms and negatively with quality of life. In other words, the more severe the addiction, the more extreme the social withdrawal tendencies and the lower the quality of life.ConclusionAltogether, the findings provide further support for the marked social impairments of people with substance use problems and underline that this should be an important target of intervention.