bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Review of Thyroid Dysfunction: Hidden Player in Male Infertility
Authors: Babatunde Elizabeth Moyinoluwa , Emokpae Mathias Abiodun 
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND: Male infertility is a global health challenge and the prevalence is increasing, particularly in the so-called infertility belt of sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. The etiologies are complex and multifactorial. The impact of thyroid disorders on male reproductive health is often overlooked. This unrecognized link can significantly affect sperm quality, quantity, and overall fertility. The involvement of thyroid dysfunction in male infertility is now increasingly reported, but thyroid hormone evaluation is rarely determined in the laboratory work-up during fertility evaluations. The aim of this review is to highlight the involvement of thyroid hormones in the regulation of reproductive function, how thyroid dysfunction induces male infertility, diagnosis, and future directions for research in thyroid-associated male infertility. METHODS: Scientific information reviewed for this purpose was obtained from Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and other search engines. RESULTS: Studies have indicated that thyroid dysfunction in male infertility is critical to spermatogenesis. Any disruption in the interaction between thyroid hormones and the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis may lead to alterations of the fine hormonal balance needed for optimal reproduction and a spectrum of endocrinopathies. Thyroid dysfunctions have an adverse impact on fertility and male reproductive organs. CONCLUSION: The need to focus on how specific thyroid-related interventions will improve semen quality and if routine thyroid hormone evaluations be included in the diagnostic workup for male infertility are discussed.
Finding Information Leaks with Information Flow Fuzzing
Authors: Gruner Bernd , Brust Clemens-Alexander , Zeller Andreas 
Published: January 2025

We present
information flow fuzzing,
an approach that guides fuzzers towards detecting
information leaks
—information that reaches a third party, but should not. The approach detects information flow by means of
mutations,
checking whether and how mutations to (secret) data affect output and execution:

First, the fuzzer uses information flow as a
leak oracle.
To this end, for each input, the fuzzer first runs the program regularly. Then, it mutates
secret data
such as a certificate or a password, and re-runs the program giving the original input. If the output changes, the fuzzer has revealed an information leak.

Second, the fuzzer uses information flow as
guidance.
The fuzzer not only maximizes coverage, but also
changes in coverage
and
changes in data
between the two runs. This increases the likelihood that a mutation will spread to the output.

We have implemented a tool named FLOWFUZZ that
wraps
around a C program under test to provide information-flow based oracles and guidance, allowing for integration with all common fuzzers for C programs. Using a set of subjects representing common information leaks, we investigate (1) whether oracles based on information flow detect information leaks in our subjects; and (2) whether guidance based on information flow improves over standard coverage guidance. All data and tools are available for replication and reproduction.
Clinical Subtypes and Prognostic Outcomes of Rhabdomyolysis in ICU Patients
Authors: Xu Shan , Qin Kaixiu , Zhang Dan 
Published: January 2025

Background: Rhabdomyolysis (RM) is a severe clinical syndrome with substantial heterogeneity that involves the rapid dissolution of skeletal muscles. The condition has a high prevalence and poor prognosis, particularly in critically ill patients. Subtypes of RM in critically ill patients have not been investigated.Objective: The study aimed to link the clinical RM heterogeneity with distinct prognoses and associated characteristics among different subtypes using an unsupervised analysis.Methods: Patients diagnosed with RM in the intensive care unit (ICU) from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care‐IV (MIMIC‐IV) database and the eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU) were retrospectively enrolled. K‐means clustering, guided by correlation coefficients and expert opinions in intensive care medicine, was applied to identify distinct RM clinical subtypes using routinely available parameters from the first 24 h after patient ICU admission. The primary endpoint was 28‐day mortality. We assessed associations between subtypes and 28‐day mortality, as well as between treatments and 28‐day mortality in the derived subtypes, using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression. The eICU database patients served as an external validation set. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAPs) were used to visualize features of each clinical subtype.Results: A total of 2269 eligible subjects were extracted from the MIMIC‐IV. Two distinct subtypes were identified (A and B) using 17 readily available clinical and biological variables. Patients assigned to Subtype A (n = 511) had a higher 28‐day mortality. The proportion of organ support, comorbidity index, SAPS II, and SOFA scores were all significantly higher in the Subtype A group than in the Subtype B group (n = 1836). After adjusting for relevant covariates, Subtype A patients were independently associated with increased 28‐day mortality (HR [95% CI] = 1.70 [1.36–2.11], p < 0.001). These findings were further validated using an external cohort from the eICU dataset. Notably, Subtype A patients showed a higher mortality risk associated with sodium bicarbonate use (HR [95% CI] 1.62 [1.20–2.19], p = 0.002).Conclusions: We identified two subtypes with distinct clinical features and outcomes. Subtype A is independently associated with poor outcomes and shows increased mortality risk with sodium bicarbonate use. These findings may help clinicians better distinguish prognoses and treatment responses among RM patients.
Refractive Accuracy of a Novel Swept‐Source OCT in Patients With Short and Long Eyes
Authors: Rementería-Capelo Laureano A. , Contreras Inés , García-Pérez Jorge L. , Ruiz-Alcocer Javier 
Published: January 2025

Purpose: To analyze the refractive accuracy of a novel swept‐source optical coherence biometer (SS‐OCT), that uses individual refractive indices to measure axial length, in short and long eyes implanted with monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs).Methods: This retrospective comparative study considered eyes with short axial length (AL) (< 22.5 mm) or long AL (> 26 mm) bilaterally implanted with the Acrysof IQ monofocal IOL. All eyes were preoperatively analyzed with the Argos biometer and IOL calculations were made using the Barrett Universal II (BUII). One month after the surgery, refractive and visual outcomes and refractive prediction errors were calculated. Furthermore, a back calculation of the prediction errors based on the Barrett True Axial Length (BTAL) formula was also performed and the results of both formulas were compared.Results: Sixty eyes of 60 patients (30 with AL < 22.5 mm (short) and 30 with AL > 26 mm (long)) were included. After surgery, monocular UDVA was 0.03 ± 0.10 and 0.10 ± 0.15 logMAR for short‐eye and long‐eye groups, respectively. For short eyes, mean prediction error (MPE) with BUII and BTAL were 0.19 ± 0.34 D and 0.00 ± 0.35 D, respectively (p  <  0.001). Mean absolute error (MAE) was 0.32 ± 0.22 D with the BUII and 0.29 ± 0.20 D with the BTAL formula (p = 0.21). For long eyes, MPE with BUII was −0.15 ± 0.35 D and −0.13 ± 0.36 D with BTAL (p = 0.08), while MAE was 0.31 ± 0.21 D and 0.32 ± 0.20 D with BUII and BTAL, respectively (p = 0.33). The percentage of eyes with a prediction error within ±0.5 D predicted postop spherical equivalent was > 75% for both groups and both formulas (p > 0.05 for all situations).Conclusions: The novel SS‐OCT biometer using individual refractive indices to measure AL showed an overall good refractive accuracy using the BUII. The results were similar or better with the optimized BTAL formula, suggesting that formulas purposely designed for biometric measurements with this novel technology are a promising tool for eyes with extreme AL.
Environmental Conditions Affecting Global Mesoscale Convective System Occurrence
Authors: Muetzelfeldt Mark R. , Plant Robert S. , Christensen Hannah M. , Zhang Zhixiao , Woollings Tim , Feng Zhe , Li Puxi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The ERA5 environments of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), tracked from satellite observations, are assessed over a 20-yr period. The use of a large set of MCS tracks allows us to robustly test the sensitivity of the results to factors such as region, latitude, and diurnal cycle. We aim to provide novel information on environments of observed MCSs for assessments of global atmospheric models and to improve their ability to simulate MCSs. Statistical analysis of all tracked MCSs is performed in two complementary ways. First, we investigate the environments when an MCS has occurred at different spatial scales before and after MCS formation. Several environmental variables are found to show marked changes before MCS initiation, particularly over land. The vertically integrated moisture flux convergence shows a robust signal across different regions and when considering MCS initiation diurnal cycle. We also found spatial scale dependence of the environments between 200 and 500 km, providing new evidence of a natural length scale for use with MCS parameterization. In the second analysis, the likelihood of MCS occurrence for given environmental conditions is evaluated, by considering all environments and determining the probability of being in an MCS core or shield region. These are compared to analogous non-MCS environments, allowing discrimination between conditions suitable for MCS and non-MCS occurrence. Three environmental variables are found to be useful predictors of MCS occurrence: total column water vapor, midlevel relative humidity, and total column moisture flux convergence. Such relations could be used as trigger conditions for the parameterization of MCSs, thereby strengthening the dependence of the MCS scheme on the environment.

Significance Statement
Large storm systems called mesoscale convective systems form across Earth. These are collections of thunderstorms, with associated high-level clouds that produce substantial, lighter rainfall and modulate Earth’s energy balance. They produce hazardous weather conditions, such as floods and high winds, and are responsible for a high percentage of rainfall in many regions globally. We investigate the environmental conditions under which they form, so that we can understand the spatial extent of the environment which is important for their formation, and also where and when the effects of these storms might be felt. The novel information generated here should help improve the representation of these storms in weather and climate models, improving the prediction of rainfall, thunderclouds, and high-level clouds.
Evaluating the scientific evidence to support mental health and well-being claims made on probiotic products
Authors: Slykerman Rebecca F. , Davies Naomi , Donohoe Robert 
Published: January 2025

Background Increasing interest in probiotics for mental health has led to products marketed to consumers claiming psychological benefits. This study aimed to identify mental health claims on probiotic supplements and to provide a narrative review of the scientific evidence to support these claims. Methods Probiotic supplements with mental health claims on the product label were identified. A search of the scientific literature was performed using Google Scholar, PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies were included if the primary outcome was mental health or a biomarker of mental health, if they investigated the exact probiotic strain or combination of strains as present in the product, and if the study was a trial of probiotics conducted in either humans or animals. Included studies were assessed for risk of bias. Results Fourteen probiotic products with mental health claims were identified containing five different strains or strain combinations. Eighteen studies relevant to the products and investigating mental health outcomes met inclusion criteria. Ten studies investigated the same combination of probiotics and provided evidence to support the claims made. Statistically significant results were not universally present for all products. Conclusion The amount and quality of evidence to support claims of mental health benefits made on probiotic products is variable. The results support the need for a grading system to facilitate informed consumer decision-making when choosing a probiotic supplement to support mental health.
A randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pramipexole in addition to mood stabilisers for patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression (the PAX-BD study)
Authors: McAllister-Williams R Hamish , Goudie Nicola , Azim Lumbini , Bartle Victoria , Berger Michael , Butcher Chrissie , Chadwick Thomas , Clare Emily , Courtney Paul , Dixon Lyndsey , Duffelen Nichola , Fouweather Tony , Gann William , Geddes John , Gupta Sumeet , Hall Beth , Helter Timea , Hindmarch Paul , Holstein Eva-Maria , Lawrence Ward , Mawson Phil , McKinnon Iain , Milne Adam , Molloy Aisling , Moore Abigail , Morriss Richard , Nakulan Anisha , Simon Judit , Smith Daniel , Stokes-Crossley Bryony , Stokes Paul RA , Swain Andrew , Taiwo Adeola , Walmsley Zoë , Weetman Christopher , Young Allan H , Watson Stuart 
Published: January 2025

Background: Options for ‘treatment-resistant bipolar depression’ (TRBD) are limited. Two small, short-term, trials of pramipexole suggest it might be an option. Aims: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of pramipexole in the management of TRBD. Methods: A multi-centre randomised, double-blind controlled trial including participants ⩾18 years old with TRBD (failure to respond, tolerate or clinical contraindication/patient refusal of ⩾2 of quetiapine, olanzapine, lamotrigine or lurasidone) randomised 1:1 to pramipexole (max 2.5 mg/day salt weight) or placebo added to ongoing mood stabiliser ( n = 39). Primary outcome: Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms, Self-rated (QIDS-SR) at 12 weeks. Up to 48 weeks follow-up. Results: Pramipexole ( n = 18) was associated with a greater reduction in QIDS-SR score at 12 weeks versus placebo ( n = 21, 4.4 (4.8) vs 2.1 (5.1)): a medium sized ( d = −0.72) but not statistically significant difference (95% CI: −0.4 to 6.3, p = 0.087). Similarly, there was a non-significant approximate 2-point ( d = −0.76) improvement in pleasure at 6 weeks (95% CI: −0.11 to 4.20). Significant advantages of pramipexole on QIDS-SR score (6.28 points: 95% CI: 1.85–10.71) and psychosocial function (5.36 points: 95% CI: 0.38–10.35) were seen at 36 weeks post-randomisation, and on the response (46% vs 6%; p = 0.026) and remission (31% vs 0%; p = 0.030) rates at trial exit (48 weeks or last available data after 16 weeks for those affected by the early study closure). Hypomania ratings were significantly higher at 12 weeks. Otherwise, pramipexole was well tolerated. Conclusions: Clinically large, but statistically non-significant, effects of pramipexole on depression at 12 weeks, with significant longer-term benefits on mood and function were observed. Pramipexole use was complicated by dose titration and increased hypomanic symptoms. The small sample size limits interpretation. Furthermore, larger randomised placebo-controlled trials are warranted.
Catalyst for change: Psilocybin’s antidepressant mechanisms—A systematic review
Authors: Liebnau Joshua , Betzler Felix , Kerber André 
Published: January 2025

Background: Recent clinical trials suggest promising antidepressant effects of psilocybin, despite methodological challenges. While various studies have investigated distinct mechanisms and proposed theoretical opinions, a comprehensive understanding of psilocybin’s neurobiological and psychological antidepressant mechanisms is lacking. Aims: Systematically review potential antidepressant neurobiological and psychological mechanisms of psilocybin. Methods: Search terms were generated based on existing evidence of psilocybin’s effects related to antidepressant mechanisms. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, 15 studies were systematically reviewed, exploring various therapeutic change principles such as brain dynamics, emotion regulation, cognition, self-referential processing, connectedness, and interpersonal functioning. Results: Within a supportive setting, psilocybin promoted openness, cognitive and neural flexibility, and greater ability and acceptance of emotional experiences. A renewed sense of connectedness to the self, others, and the world emerged as a key experience. Imaging studies consistently found altered brain dynamics, characterized by reduced global and within default mode network connectivity, alongside increased between-network connectivity. Conclusions: Together, these changes may create a fertile yet vulnerable window for change, emphasizing the importance of a supportive set, setting, and therapeutic guidance. The results suggest that psilocybin, within a supportive context, may induce antidepressant effects by leveraging the interplay between neurobiological mechanisms and common psychotherapeutic factors. This complements the view of purely pharmacological effects, supporting a multileveled approach that reflects various relevant dimensions of therapeutic change, including neurobiological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Exploiting commercial micro X-ray fluorescence systems for stereoscopic soft X-ray imaging
Authors: Baettig Ricardo , Ingram Ben , Cabeza Ricardo A 
Published: January 2025

Background Commercial micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) systems often employ a tilted convergent beam, which can cause a misalignment between X-ray cartography and the corresponding visible images. This misalignment is typically considered a disadvantage, as it hinders the accurate spatial correlation of elemental information. However, this apparent drawback can be exploited to facilitate X-ray stereoscopy. Objective To demonstrate the use of unmodified commercial μXRF equipment to estimate the 3D configurations of metals and voids within a low-atomic-weight matrix, specifically polymethyl methacrylate, and to explore the implications for enhancing μXRF mapping techniques. This approach could have applications in materials science, archaeology, and other fields requiring non-destructive 3D chemical mapping. Methods Using unmodified commercial μXRF equipment, we leveraged both XRF and Compton scattering effects to quantitatively reconstruct the size, position, and depth of embedded tungsten, copper, and silver objects. The study specifically examines how beam divergence affects the acutance of objects located deeper within the sample. Results Our findings indicate a depth estimation bias ranging from 4% to 15% for depths between 24 mm, and a size estimation bias below 3.2%. These results validate the methodology and highlight the robustness of our approach under typical operational settings, suggesting that the technique could be applied to a wide range of samples with minimal modifications to existing μXRF systems. Conclusions The study confirms that the inclination-induced misalignment in μXRF systems can be harnessed to enhance three-dimensional imaging capabilities. Our work establishes a foundation for advancing current μXRF mapping techniques and interpretation strategies, potentially broadening the applications of μXRF in various scientific and industrial fields.
Palliative nurses' empathic tendencies, quality of life, individualized care perceptions
Authors: Kayikci Emel Emine , Savci Cemile , Akinci Ayse Cil 
Published: January 2025

Background: Palliative care is an important part of health services. The individualized care perceptions are is critical for supporting individuality during care and providing quality nursing care. Individualized care not only has, as well as having foundation of the philosophy of nursing but also, is also related to the nurses’ empathic tendencies and professional quality of life of nurses. Aim: This study was conducted to examine the relationships between the empathic tendencies, professional quality of life, and individualized care perceptions of palliative care nurses. Research design: This is a cross-sectional study. Participants and research context: The study was conducted with 141 nurses working in palliative care between December 2023 and February 2024. The data of the study were collected using a “Participant Information Form,” the “Emphatic Tendency Scale (ETS),” the “Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL R-IV),” and the “Individualized Care Scale-Nurse Version A (ICS-Nurse-A).” Ethical considerations: Ethics committee approval was obtained to conduct the study. Individuals who agreed to participate in the study were informed of the purpose of the study, and their written consent was obtained. Findings: The participants had moderate levels of empathic tendencies, compassion satisfaction, and burnout, while their compassion fatigue and individualized care perceptions were high. There was a positive correlation between empathic tendencies and individualized care perceptions ( p < .01). Empathic tendency and compassion satisfaction were significant positive predictors of the individualized care perceptions of the participants and respectively explained 13% and 20% of the total variance in their individualized care perceptions. On the other hand, burnout was a significant negative predictor of their individualized care perceptions and explained 5% of the total variance in their individualized care perceptions. Conclusions: High levels of empathic tendencies and compassion satisfaction had positive effects on the individualized care perceptions of palliative care nurses, whereas high levels of burnout had a negative effect on the same variable.
Humanistic and Holistic Strategies for Combating Mental Health Sequelae in the Elderly During the Post-COVID Era
Authors: Maity Kalyan , Lal Parth , Jyoti Saras , Bali Parul , Thakur Uttam Kumar , Singh Gurmeet , Majumdar Vijaya , Patra Sanjib , Arya Jaideep , Anand Akshay 
Published: January 2025

Background The elderly population is rapidly growing worldwide. By the year 2050, the elderly population will increase up to 2.1 billion. Among them, most of the elderly will be from low- to middle-income countries. India and China are the most populated countries in the world, and also they fall in the category of low- to middle-income countries. The elderly population in these two countries is also growing rapidly and creating an economic burden of geriatric care. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the healthcare system. A higher mortality rate was documented among the elderly due to COVID-19; hence, it was a challenge for them to deal with a high load of the elderly population during the pandemic. These challenges never sublimate even during the post-COVID era. Mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, are major drawbacks of COVID-19 among the elderly due to excessive fear of getting reinfection of COVID-19 and fear of social withdrawal. These factors are affecting healthy aging among the elderly. Even though WHO has taken few initiatives for healthy aging, proper interventional strategies are required to prevent mental illness and improve mental health among the elderly during the post-COVID era. Summary In this review, we have proposed a few mind-body strategies like Yoga, Exercise, Tai-Chi, and Qigong to improve mental health and holistic patient-centric implementation of those practices in the elderly during the post-COVID era. Key message Mind-body interventions can be used in a holistic patient-centric manner to prevent infectious diseases, and post-infection consequences. Further, it enhances immunomodulation along with mental health in the elderly.