bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence and warning signs for complications of human brucellosis: a multi-center observational study from China
Authors: Shi Qing-Nan , Qin Hui-Jie , Lu Qiao-Shan , Li Shu , Tao Zhong-Fa , Fan Meng-Guang , Aishan Mu-Heta , Kou Zeng-Qiang , Chen Qiu-Lan , Yin Wen-Wu , Zhang Yan-Ping 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Brucellosis is a severe zoonotic disease that is often overlooked, particularly in impoverished countries. Timely identification of focal complications in brucellosis is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. However, there is currently a lack of established indicators or biomarkers for diagnosing these complications. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate potential warning signs of focal complications in human brucellosis, with the goal of providing practical parameters for clinicians to aid in the diagnosis and management of patients.

Methods
A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in China from December 2019 to August 2021. The study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and complications of patients with brucellosis using a questionnaire survey and medical record system. The presence of warning signs for complications was assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the curve (AUC) were used for variable screening and model evaluation.

Results
A total of 880 participants diagnosed with human brucellosis were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 50 years [interquartile range (IQR): 41.5–58.0], and 54.8% had complications. The most common organ system affected by complications was the osteoarticular system (43.1%), with peripheral arthritis (30.0%), spondylitis (16.6%), paravertebral abscess (5.0%), and sacroiliitis (2.7%) being the most prevalent. Complications in other organ systems included the genitourinary system (4.7%), respiratory system (4.7%), and hematologic system (4.6%). Several factors were found to be associated with focal brucellosis. These factors included a long delay in diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) = 3.963, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.906–8.238 for > 90 days], the presence of underlying disease (OR = 1.675, 95% CI 1.176–2.384), arthralgia (OR = 3.197, 95% CI 1.986–5.148), eye bulging pain (OR = 3.482, 95% CI 1.349–8.988), C-reactive protein (CRP) > 10 mg/L (OR = 1.910, 95% CI 1.310–2.784) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) elevation (OR = 1.663, 95% CI 1.145–2.415). The optimal cutoff value in ROC analysis was > 5.4 mg/L for CRP (sensitivity 73.4% and specificity 51.9%) and > 25 mm/h for ESR (sensitivity 47.9% and specificity 71.1%).

Conclusions
More than 50% of patients with brucellosis experienced complications. Factors such as diagnostic delay, underlying disease, arthralgia, eye pain, and elevated levels of CRP and ESR were identified as significant markers for the development of complications. Therefore, patients presenting with these conditions should be closely monitored for potential complications, regardless of their culture results and standard tube agglutination test titers.
A crisis planning and monitoring intervention to reduce compulsory hospital readmissions (FINCH study): protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility study
Authors: Johnson Sonia , Birken Mary , Nyikavaranda Patrick , Kular Ariana , Gafoor Rafael , Parkinson Jordan , Hutchings-Hay Chloe , Gant Thomas , Molai Jazmin , Rivera Jessica , Fenwick James , Bendall Caroline , Blakley Louise , Bacarese-Hamilton Theresa , White Valerie Christina , Holden Mark Keith , Seale Janet , Hardy Jackie , Fraser Kathleen Lindsay , Mitchell Lizzie , Lay Barbara , Mbeah-Bankas Henrietta , McCrone Paul , Freemantle Nick , Wood Lisa , Lobban Fiona , Lloyd-Evans Brynmor 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Rates of compulsory (also known as involuntary) detention under mental health legislation have been rising over several decades in countries including England. Avoiding such detentions should be a high priority given their potentially traumatic nature and departure from usual ethical principles of consent and collaboration. Those who have been detained previously are at high risk of being detained again, and thus a priority group for preventive interventions. In a very sparse literature, interventions based on crisis planning emerge as having more supporting evidence than other approaches to preventing compulsory detention.

Method
We have adapted and manualised an intervention previously trialled in Zürich Switzerland, aimed at reducing future compulsory detentions among people being discharged following a psychiatric admission that has included a period of compulsory detention. A co-production group including people with relevant lived and clinical experience has co-designed the adaptations to the intervention, drawing on evidence on crisis planning and self-management and on qualitative interviews with service users and clinicians. We will conduct a randomised controlled feasibility trial of the intervention, randomising 80 participants to either the intervention in addition to usual care, or usual care only. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and trial procedures will be assessed through process evaluation (including rates of randomisation, recruitment, and retention) and qualitative interviews. We will also assess and report on planned trial outcomes. The planned primary outcome for a full trial is repeat compulsory detention within one year of randomisation, and secondary outcomes include compulsory detention within 2 years, and symptoms, service satisfaction, self-rated recovery, self-management confidence, and service engagement. A health economic evaluation is also included.

Discussion
This feasibility study, and any subsequent full trial, will add to a currently limited literature on interventions to prevent involuntary detention, a goal valued highly by service users, carers, clinicians, and policymakers. There are significant potential impediments to recruiting and retaining this group, whose experiences of mental health care have often been negative and traumatising, and who are at high risk of disengagement.

Trial registration
ISRCTN, ISRCTN11627644. Registered 25th May 2022, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11627644.
A novel mutation in the FGG gene causes hypofibrinogenemia in a Chinese family
Authors: Xie Xiaoying , Du Juan , Geng Shunkang , Yi Baoqin , Li Qingpu , Zuo Jiangcheng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCongenital fibrinogen disorders are a group of coagulation deficiencies caused by fibrinogen defects and are divided into four types, including afibrinogenemia, hypofibrinogenemia, dysfibrinogenemia, and hypodysfibrinogenemia. In this study, we collected a family with hypofibrinogenemia, and genetics analysis identify a novel pathogenic variants (c.668G > C, p.Arg223Thr) in the FGG gene. And electron microscope observation revealed significant changes in the ultrastructure of fibrin of the proband. Our research expands the phenotypic and genetic spectrum associated with the FGG gene, which would facilitate in genetic counselling and prenatal genetic diagnosis.
Naive skepticism scale: development and validation tests applied to the chilean population
Authors: Ferrer-Urbina Rodrigo , Ramírez Yasna , Mena-Chamorro Patricio , Carmona-Halty Marcos , Sepúlveda-Páez Geraldy 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Skepticism has traditionally been associated with critical thinking. However, philosophy has proposed a particular type of skepticism, termed naive skepticism, which may increase susceptibility to misinformation, especially when contrasting information from official sources. While some scales propose to measure skepticism, they are scarce and only measure specific topics; thus, new instruments are needed to assess this construct.

Objective
This study aimed to develop a scale to measure naive skepticism in the adult population.

Method
The study involved 446 individuals from the adult population. Subjects were randomly selected for either the pilot study (phase 2; n = 126) or the validity-testing study (phase 3; n = 320). Parallel analyses and exploratory structural equation modelling were conducted to assess the internal structure of the test. Scale reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients Finally, a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess invariance, and a Set- Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling was applied to estimate evidence of validity based on associations with other variables.

Results
The naive skepticism scale provided adequate levels of reliability (ω > 0.8), evidence of validity based on the internal structure of the test (CFI = 0.966; TLI = 0.951; RMSEA = 0.079), gender invariance, and a moderate inverse effect on attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines.

Conclusions
The newly developed naive skepticism scale showed acceptable psychometric properties in an adult population, thus enabling the assessment of naive skepticism in similar demographics. This paper discusses the implications for the theoretical construct and possible limitations of the scale.
Parasitizing efficiency of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larva and pupa
Authors: Borase D. N. , Thorat Y. E. , Baitha Arun , Kolkar B. E. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
This study evaluated the parasitizing efficiency of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on the Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae and pupae. The sixth instar larvae and 48 h. old pupae were individually exposed for 24 h. to 15 newly emerged mated females of T. howardi. Following the emergence of parasitoids, observations were recorded on the percentage of parasitized and emergent pupae and larvae, life cycle duration, progeny, male and female emergence, sex ratio, longevity of male and female and adult per mg weight.

Results
In both pupal and larval, parasitization and emergence were 100%. The pupa produced 438.56 progenies, with 394.76 females and 43.2 males and a sex ratio of 0.89. In larvae, 311.93 progenies emerged, with 259.83 females and 53.0 males and a sex ratio of 0.83. The T. howardi life cycle duration was 17.66 days in pupae and 20.13 days in larvae. Longevity of female and male progeny that emerged from pupae and larvae was 15.83, 13.40, and 10.40, 8.76 days respectively. The overall progeny production in pupae and larvae was 2.75 and 1.60 individuals per mg body weight, respectively.

Conclusions
The highest parasitism as well as biological and reproductive development of T. howardi in G. mellonella pupae and larvae suggests that this host could be employed as an alternate host for mass multiplication.
Ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous thrombin injection for stoma-site bleeding after PEG tube insertion: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: Alfahad Aws , Alhalabi Rawan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Post-gastrostomy bleeding sequelae are acknowledged, with reported approaches focusing on conservative measures or surgical repair. Nonetheless, Percutaneous Thrombin Injections (PTI) role in PEG-site-related bleeding remains underexplored. PTI under ultrasound guidance is an advocated management strategy for stoma-site bleeding following gastrostomy in high-risk patients, particularly those on direct oral anticoagulants.

Case presentation
This study presents three cases with multiple comorbidities who underwent PTI. Resulting in immediate resolution of bleeding, no systemic\local effect, and no reported complications or rebleeding after a 3–6-month follow-up.

Conclusion
The findings highlight the safety, direct complete resolution, and absence of sequelae associated with PTI, suggesting its potential as a promising technique in managing PEG stoma-related bleeding.
A validated, precise TLC-densitometry method for simultaneous quantification of mahanimbine and koenimbine in marketed herbal formulations
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Nabarun , Ahmed Rezwan , Mishra Kajal , Sandbhor Rujuta , Sharma Ram Jee , Kaki Venkata Rao 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Rutaceae) is an important medicinal plant in natural products research for its diverse pharmacological activities. Carbazole alkaloids were the major classes of phytoconstituents obtained from different parts of this plant, such as leaves, stems, and roots. Mahanimbine and koenimbine are two important carbazole alkaloids obtained from the M. koenigii plant and are known for their anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diarrhoeal agents, etc. Standardization plays a vital role in the herbal drug industry for maintaining the quality, purity, safety, and efficacy of herbal formulations, and hyphenated analytical techniques like HPTLC, HPLC, GC–MS, and LC–MS were utilized for this purpose. In the present study, a specific, simple, and rapid semi-automated TLC method was developed to quantify mahanimbine and koenimbine in some marketed herbal formulations, and the same was validated based on (ICH)-Q2-(R1) guidelines.

Results
This study revealed that the powder formulation (F3) contains the highest amount of mahanimbine (62.32 µg), but the tablet formulation (F1) contains both mahanimbine (41.19 µg) and koenimbine (143.6 µg).

Conclusion
A simple, specific, and reproducible semi-automated TLC method was developed and validated successfully as per (ICH)-Q2-(R1) guidelines and can be utilized for analysing marketed herbal formulations containing M. koenigii powder/extracts.
Hydrogenation-induced superconductivity in
monolayer
Authors: Gan Geng-Run , Fu Si-Lie , Wang Chun-An , Xie Ya-Peng , Gao Xue-Lian , Wang Lin-Han , Chen Yu-Lin , Chen Jia-Ying 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Here, we construct a new two-dimensional hydrogenated transition metal dichalcogenide material, the Janus WSH monolayer, which is created by replacing the top-layer S atoms in the 2H-WS2 monolayer with H atoms. Then we use first-principles calculations to investigate its electronic structure, phonon dispersion, and superconductivity. The results show that hydrogenation breaks the reflection symmetry, which helps orbital hybridization and to flatten the electronic bands. Thus, it leads to a high electronic density of states near the Fermi level. Additionally, the electron-phonon coupling is enhanced by the softening of phonon modes from the in-plane vibrations of W. The strong interactions between electrons and phonons result in phonon-mediated superconductivity in Janus WSH monolayer. The calculated critical temperature (T

c
) is approximately 23.1 K at atmospheric pressure. This T

c
is about twice higher than that of existing WS2-based materials.
Disturbed Follicular Microenvironment in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Relationship to Oocyte Quality and Infertility
Authors: Dai Mengyang , Hong Ling , Yin Tailang , Liu Su 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with infertility and poor reproductive outcomes. The follicular fluid (FF) microenvironment plays a crucial role in oocyte development. This review summarizes evidence elucidating the alterations in FF composition in PCOS. Various studies demonstrated a pronounced proinflammatory milieu in PCOS FF, characterized by increased levels of cytokines, including but not limited to interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α, C-reactive protein, and IL-1β, concomitant with a reduction in anti-inflammatory IL-10. T lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells are dysregulated in PCOS FF. PCOS FF exhibit heightened reactive oxygen species production and the accumulation of lipid peroxidation byproducts, and impaired antioxidant defenses. Multiple microRNAs are dysregulated in PCOS FF, disrupting signaling critical to granulosa cell function. Proteomic analysis reveals changes in pathways related to immune responses, metabolic perturbations, angiogenesis, and hormone regulation. Metabolomics identify disturbances in glucose metabolism, amino acids, lipid profiles, and steroid levels with PCOS FF. Collectively, these pathological alterations may adversely affect oocyte quality, embryo development, and fertility outcomes. Further research on larger cohorts is needed to validate these findings and to forge the development of prognostic biomarkers of oocyte developmental competence within FF. Characterizing the follicular environment in PCOS is key to elucidating the mechanisms underlying subfertility in this challenging disorder.
The Immune Landscape of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: Current Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Uher Ondrej , Hadrava Vanova Katerina , Taïeb David , Calsina Bruna , Robledo Mercedes , Clifton-Bligh Roderick , Pacak Karel 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors derived from neural crest cells from adrenal medullary chromaffin tissues and extra-adrenal paraganglia, respectively. Although the current treatment for PPGLs is surgery, optimal treatment options for advanced and metastatic cases have been limited. Hence, understanding the role of the immune system in PPGL tumorigenesis can provide essential knowledge for the development of better therapeutic and tumor management strategies, especially for those with advanced and metastatic PPGLs. The first part of this review outlines the fundamental principles of the immune system and tumor microenvironment, and their role in cancer immunoediting, particularly emphasizing PPGLs. We focus on how the unique pathophysiology of PPGLs, such as their high molecular, biochemical, and imaging heterogeneity and production of several oncometabolites, creates a tumor-specific microenvironment and immunologically “cold” tumors. Thereafter, we discuss recently published studies related to the reclustering of PPGLs based on their immune signature. The second part of this review discusses future perspectives in PPGL management, including immunodiagnostic and promising immunotherapeutic approaches for converting “cold” tumors into immunologically active or “hot” tumors known for their better immunotherapy response and patient outcomes. Special emphasis is placed on potent immune-related imaging strategies and immune signatures that could be used for the reclassification, prognostication, and management of these tumors to improve patient care and prognosis. Furthermore, we introduce currently available immunotherapies and their possible combinations with other available therapies as an emerging treatment for PPGLs that targets hostile tumor environments.
A Behavioral and Electroencephalographic Study of Anesthetic State Induced by MK-801 Combined with Haloperidol, Ketamine and Riluzole in Mice
Authors: Kikuchi Yuka , Irifune Masahiro , Yoshinaka Taiga , Oue Kana , Takahashi Tamayo , Oda Aya , Kamio Hisanobu , Imamura Serika , Sasaki Utaka , Imado Eiji , Ago Yukio , Okada Yoshiyuki 
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:
Ketamine is an intravenous anesthetic that acts as a channel blocker on the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a glutamate receptor subtype. MK-801 is the most potent compound among noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists. Ketamine induces loss of the righting reflex (LORR) in rodents, which is one of the indicators of unconsciousness, whereas high doses of MK-801 produce ataxia, but not LORR. In contrast, we previously reported that MK-801 combined with a low dose of the dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol-induced LORR in mice. To assess a neurophysiologically distinct brain state and demonstrate unconsciousness, electroencephalograms (EEG) need to be examined together with LORR. Therefore, we herein investigated EEG changes after the systemic administration of MK-801 alone or in combination with haloperidol, and compared them with those induced by ketamine, the glutamate release inhibitor riluzole, and the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor agonist propofol.

METHODS:
All drugs were intraperitoneally administered to adult male ddY mice (n = 168). General anesthesia was evaluated based on the righting reflex test. Animals who exhibited no righting for more than 30 seconds were considered to have LORR. In a separate group of mice, EEG of the primary visual cortex was recorded before and after the administration of MK-801 (3.0 mg/kg) alone or in combination with haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg), ketamine (150 mg/kg), riluzole (30 mg/kg), or propofol (240 mg/kg). The waveforms recorded were analyzed using EEG power spectra and spectrograms.

RESULTS:
The high dose of MK-801 alone did not induce LORR, whereas MK-801 combined with haloperidol produced LORR in a dose-dependent manner. Ketamine, riluzole, and propofol also dose-dependently induced LORR. In the EEG study, MK-801 alone induced a significant increase in δ power, while MK-801 plus haloperidol exerted similar effects on not only δ, but also θ and α power during LORR, suggesting that increases in δ, θ, and α power were necessary for LORR. The results obtained on MK-801 plus haloperidol were similar to those on ketamine in the behavioral and EEG studies, except for an increase in γ power by ketamine during LORR. Propofol significantly increased δ, θ, α, and β power during LORR. However, the EEG results obtained using riluzole, which produced a unique pattern of lower amplitude activity spanning most frequencies, markedly differed from those with the other drugs.

CONCLUSIONS:
This study revealed differences in EEG changes induced by various sedatives. The results obtained on MK-801 alone and MK-801 plus haloperidol suggest the importance of dopamine transmission in maintaining the righting reflex.
‘Grow your own’: optimising the contribution of the occupational therapy support workforce
Authors: Griffin Richard , Fordham Claire 
Published: February 2024

This article describes an innovative approach to workforce development that has been modelled across an integrated care system. Triangulating evidence from published research, an expert panel, economic modelling and discovery workshops with practitioners, including support staff, the cost and benefits of the strategy, which is based on NHS England's allied health professions support workforce programme, were evaluated. The evaluation suggests that investing in support worker development delivers substantial benefits, not just for support workers, but also for registered staff, employers, patients, and more widely. The approach can be used across occupational groups.
Pre-equalization scheme for visible light communications with trial-and-error learning
Authors: Li Shupeng , Zou Yi , Liu Fangming , Song Jian 
Published: February 2024

In this Letter, we propose a novel, to the best of our knowledge, neural network pre-equalizer based on the trial-and-error (TE) mechanism for visible light communication. This approach, unlike indirect learning (IL) architecture, does not require an additional auxiliary post-equalizer. Instead, it allows the pre-equalizer to be trained directly from the transmitter side through continuous interaction with the actual system. In a 1.95-Gbps 64-QAM carrier-less amplitude phase (CAP) free space optical transmission platform, the proposed scheme demonstrates superior nonlinear approximation capabilities and noise resilience. Specifically, the TE-recurrent neural network (RNN)-based pre-equalizer exhibits signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gains of 0.8 dB and 1.8 dB over the IL-RNN-based and IL-Volterra-based pre-equalizers, respectively. We believe this is the first application of trial-and-error learning for training pre-equalizer in visible light communications.