bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Furosemide continuous infusion versus repeated injection in the management of acute decompensated heart failure in infants with left to right shunt: a randomized trial
Authors: Zarzor Marwa , Hasaneen Bothina , Abouelkheir Mohamed Magdy , El-Halaby Hanan 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Furosemide is the foremost drug used in the management of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). By tradition, it was administered as repeated intravenous boluses but fluctuations in intravascular volume and blood pressure were noticed in addition to the possibility of toxicity. Hence, continuous intravenous infusion was thought of as an alternative route of administration. In searching the literature, all previously published data concerning the pediatric age group was for infants and children following cardiac surgery. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of furosemide repeated injection versus continuous infusion during the management of ADHF in infants with left to right shunt.

Methods
A prospective parallel-design randomized study was conducted on 54 infants with ADHF, Ross class IV, secondary to left to right shunt. Twenty-seven infants received repeated injections of furosemide and 27 infants had furosemide continuous infusion. Patients were followed clinically for weight, urine output, hours required for resolution of failure symptoms, serum creatinine, sodium and potassium, and length of hospital stay.

Results
Non-significant differences were observed between both groups regarding preadmission oral furosemide dose and serum creatinine level. A lower daily dose of furosemide was observed in the continuous infusion arm (3.5 ± 0.6 vs 4.7 ± 1.0, p = 0.001) with less fluctuation in urine output and significantly fewer hours required for resolution of failure symptoms (42.1 ± 9 vs 56 ± 18.5, p = 0.001). At the end of furosemide infusion, serum creatinine was significantly higher in the continuous infusion group (0.39 ± 0.06 vs 0.34 ± 0.1, p = 0.030). However, before hospital discharge, non-significant differences were noticed (0.32 ± 0.05 vs 0.33 ± 0.06, p = 0.584). Non-significant differences between both groups regarding serum sodium and potassium levels at the end of furosemide injection were detected (p = 0.289, 0.890, respectively).

Conclusion
Continuous infusion of furosemide can be safely administered to infants with ADHF, Ross class IV, secondary to left to right shunt with clinical gradual alleviation of fluid overload symptoms and less hemodynamic instability than repeated injections.

Trial registration
The study was approved by the Mansoura Faculty of Medicine institutional research board (MS/16.02.41) on August 3rd, 2016.
Optimizing pulsatile release of febuxostat for managing gout flares: a chronotherapeutic approach
Authors: Parekh Khyati , Thakkar Vaishali , Joshi Arjun , Sojitra Chetan , Dalwadi Saloni , Rana Hardik 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Chronic conditions such as nocturnal asthma, cardiac disorder, diabetes mellitus, joint pain and inflammation, and hypercholesterolemia necessitate a treatment strategy that can be planned in accordance with the disease's biological clock. The early morning spike in blood plasma uric acid was associated with gout. The treatment of these symptoms may not be feasible with immediate release formulations. Modified release formulations allow for controlled and consistent levels of medication in plasma throughout the day, but do not provide additional therapeutic levels when symptoms worsen. A chronotherapeutic system of febuxostat characterized by a time of no release (lag time) followed by a quick and complete release, can be designed to overcome this. The aim of the present study was to design a pulsincap of febuxostat to release the medication as per chronological conditions.

Results
The study commenced with the optimization of the capsule body coating to maintain its integrity over a 12-h period. Subsequently, polymers for immediate and sustained release tablets were screened, and the prepared tablets were subjected to physicochemical evaluation. For the optimization of the erodible plug, a 32 full factorial design was employed, leading to the creation of nine different polymer combinations. The response curves of HPMC K15M demonstrated a negative impact on swelling index and lag time, while displaying a positive effect on hardness. In contrast, the aloe vera, guar gum mixture exhibited significant effects on swelling index and lag time, but negatively influenced hardness. Diagnostic plots and ANOVA were utilized to confirm the significance and goodness of fit of the model. An optimized formulation was then developed based on the desirability plot. The formulated capsule, consisting of 91.71 mg of HPMC K15M and 101.56 mg of aloe vera, guar gum mixture, exhibited promising properties. Notably, it demonstrated a 70.69% swelling rate, a hardness of 5.78 kg/cm2, and an 8.57-h lag time. The pulsincap successfully met the requirement of immediate release within the first hour, followed by a pulsatile release with a lag time lasting for at least 8–10 h.

Conclusions
In conclusion, the formulation effectively reduces the threat of gout flares and enhances patient compliance due to its night-time dosing convenience.
How can the routine use of face masks by medical professionals affect hearing-impaired patients’ perception of speech? A case–control study
Authors: Nada Nashwa , Tomoum Mohamed Osama , Lasheen Reham Mamdouh 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Facemasks are routinely used among healthcare providers, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they negatively impact speech perception. Our study investigated how speech perception using the word discrimination score (WDS) was affected by wearing surgical and KN95 masks while dealing with hearing-impaired healthcare recipients.

Method
This case–control study included 60 participants [15 with normal hearing and 45 with varied degrees of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)], for whom word discrimination scores (WDS) were evaluated under various mask conditions.

Results
On applying repeated measures of two-way analysis of variance (RM two-way ANOVA), there was statistically significant interaction (p = 0.0018), meaning that the level by which the mask affects the WDS depends on the underlying hearing level. Both main factors showed a statistically significant effect (p < 0.0001). Surgical masks had a lesser impact on speech discrimination compared to KN 95.

Conclusions
It was concluded that KN95 severely impacted the WDS among all groups relative to surgical mask and the no-mask condition. Although the high-frequency SNHL (HF-SNHL) group had mild hearing loss in the pure tone audiometry (PTA) average, they showed lower WDS relative to the mild to moderate flat SNHL (MM-SNHL). Moderately severe to severe SNHL expressed the worst values. As a result, the surgical mask is recommended over the KN95 mask since it provides better speech discrimination while giving adequate protection. These findings should be taken into consideration as they will have an impact on communication, especially in situations like hospitals where the patients must understand the instructors and healthcare providers very well.
Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis on preoperative risk factors for failure after fixed sling implantation for post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Sacco Emilio , Marino Filippo , Gavi Filippo , Moretto Stefano , Gandi Carlo , Bientinesi Riccardo , Pierconti Francesco , Bassi Pierfrancesco 
Published: October 2023

Background: Post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) is a bothersome complication affecting patients undergoing prostate surgery that in up 10% of cases will require an invasive treatment with fixed slings or artificial urinary sphincters (AUS). Although fixed slings have several advantages over AUS, failure rates after slings range between 15% and 45% while current knowledge of predictors of sling efficacy remains limited. By systematically combining and summarizing all relevant literature, the present review and meta-analysis aim to address this research need assessing the association between preoperative risk factors and sling failure. Methods: Studies pertaining to fixed synthetic male perineal slings as treatment for adult male suffering from PPI, will be included. A systematic search will be conducted in PubMED, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases, and in the reference lists of retrieved articles. Independent reviewers will conduct study selection and data extraction. Outcomes will include failure to achieve the continence cure and overall success (cure plus improvement), measured as per included studies. Exposures will include any preoperative variables evaluated for association with sling failure. The QUIPS tool will be used for study quality assessment and a random-effects DerSimonian-Laird model, with Hartung-Knapp adjustment, will be used to pool adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios separately. Sensitivity analysis will be performed using the leave-one-out methodology and subgroup meta-analyses based on pre-specified studies’ characteristics will be conducted to explain the heterogeneity. Certainty of evidence will be assessed according to GRADE methodology and review reporting will comply with the PRISMA-P statement. Discussion: By summarising all relevant literature in the field, our results will help to incorporate available evidence into clinical practice assisting healthcare professionals managing PPI patients in treatment decision-making. The present review will also provide researchers with the necessary, evidence-based groundwork to perform future high-quality prognostic studies in the field. Registration: CRD42022307160.
Comparative evaluation of platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) membrane and collagen membrane with demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) in the treatment of mandibular class II furcation defects: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Subhadarsanee Dr. Chitrika , Dhadse Dr. Prasad , Bajaj Dr. Pavan , Chimote Dr. Mosami , Sethiya Dr. Kiran , Bhombe Dr. Komal , Hassan Dr. Safiya , Oza Dr. Ranu 
Published: October 2023

Aim- The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) membrane with collagen membrane (Colo Gide) in combination with demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) in the treatment of mandibular Class II furcation defects. Methods- This randomized, parallel designed, controlled, clinical investigation was conducted in 24 subjects (15 male and 9 female) having Class II furcation defects either buccally or lingually. The test group was treated with DFDBA and PRFM membrane while the control group was treated with DFDBA and collagen membrane. The clinical measurements such as plaque index (PI), papillary bleeding index (PBI), pocket probing depth (PPD), relative attachment level (R-CAL) and relative gingival marginal level (R-GML) were measured at baseline and six months. Radiographic parameters, such as vertical defect depth (VDD), horizontal defect depth (HDD) and defect width (DW) were measured using cone beam computed tomography taken at baseline, three and six months. Student’s paired t-test was utilized to analyse data from the day of surgery to six months. A comparison of both groups at baseline and six months was achieved by student’s unpaired t-test. Result-10 sites in test group (83.33%) showed the advancement from class II to class I compared to eight sites in control (66.66%). Remaining defects in test group n=2 (16.66%) and control group n=4 (33.33%) showed marked reduction in horizontal defect depth compared to baseline. No complete closure of the defect was seen in either group. Conclusion- When treating class II furcation defects, the use of PRFM membrane combined with DFDBA seems to be advantages with regards to collagen membrane. The presented set up seems feasible with regards to randomization, acceptance, retention and achievement of satisfactory outcomes.
Assessment and comparison of age-related three-dimensional variation in the anterior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve for pre-surgical planning
Authors: Waghadkar Abhilasha Ramesh , Lohe Vidya K 
Published: October 2023

Background: The mental foramen (M.F.) is crossed anteriorly by the mental neurovascular bundle, then does a U-turn to leave M.F. The anterior loop is a section of the inferior alveolar nerve. Prior to deciding how to operate on the anterior mandible, it is essential to take this anatomic variation into account. Methods: This study will be carried out by studying 70 cone-beam computed tomography scans. The anterior loop will be measured using the PLANMECA proMax Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) measuring tool. Its measurement specifications include a cylinder-shaped field of view with a voxel size of 300, a voltage in tubes of 90 kV, 6.3 mA tube current, and a 12-second exposure period. The field of view will be the same for all scans to standardize the criteria for selecting images from scans. Conclusions: Compared to multi-slice computed tomography, C.B.C.T. has a number of advantages, including the ability to analyze craniofacial features in three dimensions without distortion or overlapping images. Furthermore, C.B.C.T. is considered the gold standard for assessing bone tissue. Correctly identifying and protecting neurovascular bundles is crucial to preventing sensorineural damage in the interforaminal area. This is because there are significant individual anatomical differences present to varying degrees. Therefore, the present study is undertaken with the objectives of recognizing the Antecedent Inferior Alveolar Nerve loop, evaluating the dimensions of the A.L. for pre-surgical planning, and comparing the age-related three-dimensional variations in A.L. of the Inferior Alveolar nerve.
A stability indicating method development and validation of a rapid and sensitive RP-HPLC method for Nintedanib and its application in quantification of nanostructured lipid carriers
Authors: Velagacherla Varalakshmi , Nayak Yogendra , Bhaskar K Vijaya , Nayak Usha Yogendra 
Published: October 2023

Background: Nintedanib (NTB) is a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor, been investigated for many disease conditions like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NTB is available as oral capsule formulation, but its ability to detect degradants formed through oxidative, photolytic and hydrolytic processes makes it difficult to quantify. In the current work, a novel reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated. Methods: The developed method is simple, precise, reproducible, stable and accurate. The inherent stability of NTB was evaluated using the proposed analytical method approach and force degradation studies were carried out. NTB was separated chromatographically on the Shimadzu C18 column as stationary phase (250 ×4.6 mm, 5 µm) using an isocratic elution method with 0.1% v/v triethyl amine (TEA) in HPLC grade water and acetonitrile (ACN) in the ratio 35:65% v/v. The mobile phase was pumped at a constant flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, and the eluent was detected at 390 nm wavelength. Results: NTB was eluted at 6.77±0.00 min of retention time (tR) with a correlation coefficient of 0.999, the developed method was linear in the concentration range of 0.5 µg/ml to 4.5 µg/ml. The recovery rate was found to be in the range of 99.391±0.468% for 1.5 µg/ml concentration. Six replicate standards were determined to have an % RSD of 0.04. Conclusion: The formulation excipients didn't interfere with the determination of NTB, demonstrating the specificity of the developed method. The proposed approach of the analytical method developed can be used to quantify the amount of NTB present in bulk drugs and pharmaceutical formulations.
The impact of energy releasing B-vitamin intake on indices of obesity and cardiac function: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Agraib Lana M. , Al-Shami Islam , Alkhatib Buthaina , Hasan Hanan 
Published: October 2023

Background: B vitamins play a crucial role in the balance and metabolism of energy. Energy metabolism mainly benefits from the B-complex vitamins. Specifically, decarboxylation, transamination, acylation, oxidation, and reduction of substrates that are ultimately employed in energy intake require thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6. Vitamin deficiency could lead to chronic disease occurrence. Objectives: To assess the impact of energy-releasing B-vitamins intake (B1, B2, B3, and B6) on selected indices of obesity and cardiac function. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 491 apparently healthy adults (18-64 years old) between January and May 2019 at Hashemite University, Jordan. Anthropometric measurements were taken, lipid profiles were analyzed, and indices of obesity and cardiac function were calculated. The typical dietary intake of B1, B2, B3, and B6 vitamins was calculated. Results: Conicity index (CI) and abdominal volume index (AVI) scores significantly decreased with the increased adjusted vitamin B1 and B6 intake. Also, body roundness index (BRI), weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) scores were decreased with the increase of adjusted B6 intake (p<0.05). The total sample showed a significant inverse weak correlation between energy-adjusted intake of B1 and AVI (r= -0.156, p=0.001) and BRI (r= 0.111, p=0.014). Similar correlations were detected among male participants between energy-adjusted B1 intake and BAI, AVI, and BRI. Female participants had a significant weak inverse correlation between BAI and energy-adjusted B2 (r= -0.180, p=0.029) and B6 intake (r= -0.212, p=0.010). Only B1, the vitamin, significantly explained 2.43 and 1.24% of changes observed in the AVI and BRI scores, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusions: Increasing the intake of B1, B2, and B6 may significantly lower indices of both obesity and cardiac function regardless of sex differences. Thus reducing the occurrence of obesity and related coronary heart diseases.
Prioritisation of research challenges in software technologies : A multi-factor approach
Authors: Alonso Juncal , Ostolaza Elixabete , Sanchez Begoña 
Published: October 2023

Background: Current and future key emerging technologies, e.g. quantum computing, augmented human, advanced Artificial Intelligence, sensing and mobility are linked by software technologies. Software is therefore spanning across a huge number of application domains, as it links and connects to diverse digital infrastructures and it opens up significant challenges in terms of security and privacy, behavioural optimisation, self-adaptation and reliability to mention some. Methods: This article presents one of the main results from the European project SWForum.eu (https://www.swforum.eu/), that focuses on the implementation of a multi-factor methodology to develop research and innovation roadmaps for software technologies. Results: The article also discusses the selection and prioritisation research and innovation challenges and topics on software technologies, cyber security and digital infrastructures through the implementation of a multi-phase, multi-source and multi-factor methodology. Conclusions: Software is pervasive and from the analysis it is concluded that several challenges are to be addressed in the upcoming years impacting software value chain, namely, generative AI, quantum computing, Edge and constrained re- sources, or DevSecOps. This article identifies these main challenges and prioritises them towards a set of relevant factors for Europe.
Ultra-broadband solar absorber based on TiN metamaterial from visible light to mid-infrared
Authors: Pan Y. Z. , Li Y. C. , Chen F. , Cheng S. B. , Yang W. X. , Wang B. Y. , Yi Z. , Yao D. Z. 
Published: October 2023

We study and design an ultra-broadband absorber based on TiN metamaterial. The proposed structure consists of a rectangle pillar, two rectangle rings, an Al2O3 substrate, and a TiN substrate. The average absorption in the range of 300–4962 nm is 97.02%. The physical mechanism is illustrated by electric-field and magnetic-field distributions, including the dielectric lossy property of TiN itself in shorter wavelengths, Fabry–Perot resonance, and local surface plasmon resonance in longer wavelengths. The result indicates that the energy absorption spectrum can be well matched with the standard solar spectrum under AM 1.5 over the full range of 300–5000 nm, and then we compare the solar absorption spectrum of different structures. In the end, the influence of different materials and geometrical parameters on absorption is investigated. The absorber can achieve ultra-broadband perfect absorption, and has a simple structure that is easy to manufacture. The result of this work can be applied in many potential fields, for example, thermal photovoltaic power generation, infrared imaging, solar cells, and other optoelectronic devices.
The impact of caregiver mental health on child prosocial behavior: A longitudinal analysis of children and caregivers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Norwitz Gabriella A. , Desmond Chris , Gruver Rachel S. , Kvalsvig Jane D. , Mirti Amaleah F. , Kauchali Shuaib , Davidson Leslie L. 
Published: October 2023

Background
Prosocial behavior has positive social, cognitive, and physical health effects on the individual exhibiting the behavior as well as on society as a whole, and is integral to overall mental and physical wellbeing. The development of prosocial behavior is rooted in early childhood and learned through observation. As such, those spending time with children, especially their caregiver, play a critical role in their prosocial development. The current study investigates the impact of caregiver mental health on the prosocial development of young children over time.

Methods
This paper presents a secondary analysis of child prosocial development in the Asenze Study, a longitudinal, population-based cohort study based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Children were followed-up over time from an average age of five to seven years along with their caregivers. Linear GEE regression analysis was used to assess whether a change in presence of a mental health disorder in a caregiver during this 2-year interval (using the Client Diagnostic Questionnaire) impacted the development of their child’s prosocial behavior (using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire).

Results
After adjusting for early child-care, child HIV status, SDQ child prosocial subscale, SDQ total difficulties score, and household order score (CHAOS), children whose caregivers acquired a mental health disorder had a significantly smaller increase in prosocial behavioral development compared to children whose caregivers never had a mental health disorder.

Conclusions
Identifying contextually relevant modifiable factors such as this will help stimulate the development of interventions to promote prosocial development in childhood.