bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a novel, non-invasive pre-hatch application of probiotic for broilers on development of cecum microbiota and production performance
Authors: Villumsen Kasper Rømer , Sandvang Dorthe , Vestergård Gisle , Olsen Mia Son Räfle , Juul Johanne , Dencker Morten , Kudsk Johannes , Poulsen Louise Ladefoged 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Probiotics are used in the broiler industry to increase production performance. Most often a probiotic is applied by mixing it in the feed, but studies have shown that earlier application may be advantageous. Therefore, in ovo application where the probiotic is administrated into the egg before hatch has been investigated as an alternative application method. However, in ovo application may impact hatchability negatively and may not be feasible at all hatcheries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a novel non-invasive method for mass application before hatch. The probiotic (E. faecium 669) was applied as a single dose by spray on the unhatched eggs and production performance and development of the cecal microbiota until slaughter was compared with a control flock. Through 16S rRNA sequencing of cecal samples from 25 broilers at day 7, 21 and 37 we compared the microbiota composition and richness for each group. The study was repeated for additional recording of production performance and re-isolation of the probiotic E. faecium from the intestine.

Results
In both trials the probiotic E. faecium could be re-isolated from the yolk sac and intestine at hatch and at day 7. Broilers in the probiotic treated groups had a higher performance in terms of bodyweight at day 34 and European production efficiency factor. Finally, a significant reduction of first-week and overall mortality was observed in the probiotic group in the first trial. Based on 16S rRNA profiling, significant differences in alpha diversity were found exclusively at day 37. Estimation of beta diversities, however, identified significant differences in microbiota composition between the control and probiotic group at day 7, 21 and 37.

Conclusion
The probiotic E. faecium strain successfully colonized broilers before/during hatch after a single spray application at day 18 of incubation. Positive effects of the probiotic were observed in multiple production parameters, including reduced mortality in trial 1, and microbiota analyses indicate significantly different microbiota compositions throughout the experimental phase. Taken together, the novel low-tech mass administration of E. faecium (669) may be considered a feasible strategy for improvements of production parameters in broiler production.
Intertrochanteric curved varus osteotomy for subchondral fracture of the femoral head: a case series
Authors: Otaka Keiji , Osawa Yusuke , Takegami Yasuhiko , Seki Taisuke , Imagama Shiro 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAlthough favorable results have been reported with total hip arthroplasty, joint-preserving treatment should be the first choice for subchondral fracture of the femoral head (SFF) in young patients. This study reviewed four young male patients with SFF who underwent intertrochanteric curved varus osteotomy (CVO). The patients had a mean age of 32.3 years (range: 18–49 years). Conservative treatment was initially attempted in all cases, but failed to alleviate the pain, leading to surgical intervention at an average time of 6 months (range: 4–10 months) after symptom onset. As the fracture sites were located medial to the lateral edge of the acetabulum in all cases, CVO was performed to achieve a postoperative intact ratio of ≥ 34% in the weight-bearing region of the femoral head. The average follow-up period after surgery lasted 4.3 years (range: 2–7 years). Clinical and radiographic assessments were performed pre- and postoperatively. At the latest follow-up, the mean Harris hip score improved from 67.3 preoperatively to 99.5 postoperatively. The average preoperative intact ratio of the weight-bearing region of the femoral head was 12.3%, which increased to 44.3% postoperatively. No progression to femoral head collapse or joint space narrowing was observed on the plain radiographs. CVO is a simple, less-invasive, and beneficial approach for treating SFF in young patients whose fractures occur medial to the lateral edge of the acetabulum.
Quantitative analysis of the importance and correlation of urban bridges and roads in the study of road network vulnerability
Authors: Xiao Qinghua , Huang Hongwei , Tang Chao 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe city development is closely related to the performance of the transportation network system. Bridges and roads are important parts of the transportation system, and are also inseparable components of the transportation network. However, the effect of the correlation between bridges and roads on the network system has not been studies thoroughly in the literature. Therefore, it is necessary to analyse the vulnerability of the road network when both bridges and roads are involved. In this paper, the urban road network is modeled into the form of network connection and node, based on the analysis of the related research results of road network vulnerability in the literature. Taking the urban roads at all levels as the connection and the transportation hubs (including bridges) as the nodes, the paper puts forward the corresponding measurement indexes and calculation methods, and establishes the importance and correlation analysis model of roads and bridges in the urban road network. At last, the model is applied to the road network which is 5 × 3 km2 besides Yangpu Bridge of Shanghai for verification, the importance and correlation of specific roads and bridges in the analyzed urban road network are calculated, which provides a certain basis for dealing with various emergencies leading to the decline of urban road network vulnerability. In this paper, the importance analysis of urban road network is extended to the bridge correlation analysis, so that the proposed model of the vulnerability assessment of the urban road network system is more suitable for the increasingly demand of road and bridge construction in China, and provides a certain basis for dealing with the decline of road network vulnerability caused by various emergencies.
Intracranial pressure for clinicians: it is not just a number
Authors: Cucciolini Giada , Motroni Virginia , Czosnyka Marek 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is a standard practice in severe brain injury cases, where it allows to derive cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP); ICP-tracing can also provide additional information about intracranial dynamics, forecast episodes of intracranial hypertension and set targets for a tailored therapy to prevent secondary brain injury. Nevertheless, controversies about the advantages of an ICP clinical management are still debated.

Findings
This article reviews recent research on ICP to improve the understanding of the topic and uncover the hidden information in this signal that may be useful in clinical practice. Parameters derived from time-domain as well as frequency domain analysis include compensatory reserve, autoregulation estimation, pulse waveform analysis, and behavior of ICP in time. The possibility to predict the outcome and apply a tailored therapy using a personalised perfusion pressure target is also described.

Conclusions
ICP is a crucial signal to monitor in severely brain injured patients; a bedside computer can empower standard monitoring giving new metrics that may aid in clinical management, establish a personalized therapy, and help to predict the outcome. Continuous collaboration between engineers and clinicians and application of new technologies to healthcare, is vital to improve the accuracy of current metrics and progress towards better care with individualized dynamic targets.
Propagation dynamics of elliptical super-Gaussian bullets in nonlinear metamaterial waveguide
Authors: Abuzaid Dina , Asma Mir 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The characteristics of an optical beam propagating in a medium should be preserved for many applications related to fiber optic communication. The phenomenon of self-trapping due to adequate balance among linear and nonlinear effects may preserve the characteristics of an optical beam. In this work, we perform a theoretical investigation on the propagation of a spatiotemporal elliptical super-Gaussian beam in a Kerr nonlinear metamaterial waveguide. We follow the Lagrangian variational method and numerical analysis using the appropriate trial function for the input elliptical super-Gaussian beam and analyze the self-trapping and deformation of the propagating beam in metamaterials. We obtain special conditions to observe the self-trapping and stabilize the dynamics of the elliptical super-Gaussian beam in both negative and positive index regimes of the metamaterial. It is found that in the negative index regime of metamaterial, the phenomenon of self-trapping may exist in the normal dispersion regime with defocusing Kerr nonlinearity. However similar to the conventional medium, the robust balance among the anomalous dispersion and focussing Kerr nonlinearity supports the self-trapping in the positive index regime. There is a critical optical power for the input beam to observe the pulse trapping phenomena. This power is found to be a function of the super-Gaussian parameter as well as the ellipticity of the input beam. The period of self-trapping is also a function of the super-Gaussian parameter and the ellipticity of the input beam.
Prognosticators of Functional Outcome After Supratentorial Minimally Invasive Intracranial Hemorrhage Evacuation With Tubular Retractor Systems
Authors: Kashkoush Ahmed Ismail , El-Abtah Mohamed E. , Achey Rebecca , Winkelman Robert , Glauser Gregory , Patterson Thomas E. , Moore Nina Z. , Kshettry Varun R. , Gomes Joao A. , Bain Mark 
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Prognosticators of good functional outcome after minimally invasive surgical (MIS) intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) evacuation are poorly defined. This study aims to investigate clinical and radiographic prognosticators of poor functional outcome after MIS evacuation of ICH with tubular retractor systems.

METHODS:
Single-center retrospective review of adult (age ≥18 years) patients who underwent surgical evacuation of a spontaneous supratentorial ICH evacuation using tubular retractors from 2013 to 2022 was performed. Clinical and radiographic factors, such as antiplatelet/anticoagulant use, initial NIH Stroke Scale, ICH score, premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) severity according to the modified Graeb scale, and preoperative/postoperative ICH volume, were collected. The main outcome was poor functional outcome, defined as mRS score of 4–6 within 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS:
Eighty-eight patients were included. Clinical follow-up data were available for 64 (73%) patients. Of those, 43 (67%) had a poor functional outcome. On multivariate Cox regression, postoperative ICH volume ≥15 mL (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.46 [95% CI: 1.25-4.87]; P = .010) and higher modified Graeb score (HR = 1.04 [95% CI: 1-1.1]; P = .035] significantly increased the risk of poor functional outcome. Elevated postoperative ICH volume was predicted by the presence of lobar ICH (vs nonlobar, OR = 3.32 [95% CI: 1.01-11.55]; P = .043) and higher preoperative ICH volume (OR = 1.05 [1.02-1.08]; P < .001). A minimum of 60% ICH evacuation yielded an improvement in mRS 4–6 rates (HR 0.3 [95% CI: 0.1-0.8], P = .013). In patients without IVH and with a >80% ICH evacuation, the rate of mRS 4–6 was 42% compared with 67% in the whole patient sample (P = .017).

CONCLUSION:
Increased IVH volumes and residual postoperative ICH volumes are associated with poor functional outcome after MIS ICH evacuation. Postoperative ICH volume was associated with lobar ICH location as well as preoperative ICH volume. These factors may help to prognosticate patient outcomes and improve selection criteria for MIS ICH evacuation techniques.
Selective Tibial Neurotomy for Spastic Equinovarus Foot: Operative Technique
Authors: Thum Jasmine , Bazarek Stanley , Sten Margaret , Friedman Gabriel , Mandeville Ross , Brown Justin M. 
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Spastic equinovarus foot (SEF) is a common complication of stroke and other upper motor neuron injuries. It is characterized by a plantigrade and inverted foot, often with toe curling, causing significant disability from pain, gait, and balance difficulties. Management includes physical therapy, antispasticity drugs, orthoses, chemical neurolysis, or botulinum toxin, all of which may be insufficient, sedating, or transient. Selective tibial neurotomy (STN) provides a surgical option that is effective and long-lasting. Our goal is to provide a concise description of our technique for performing the STN for treatment of SEF. We discuss the standard posterior approach with surgical variations used by other groups and a medial approach, should the posterior approach be insufficient.

METHODS:
A posterior leg approach allows access to the tibial nerve and its branches to the bilateral gastrocnemius muscles, soleus, posterior tibialis, and extrinsic toe flexors. A medial approach is used if the toe flexors cannot be accessed sufficiently from the posterior approach. Nerve branch targets identified by preoperative functional assessment are carefully exposed and fully neurolysed distally to identify all terminal branches to each muscle of interest before neurotomy.

RESULTS:
The STN is a powerful tool for treating SEF, with an immediate and lasting effect. Approximately 80% of the target muscle should be denervated to ensure long-term efficacy while maintaining adequate function of the muscle through collateral innervation.

CONCLUSION:
The STN is a safe and effective outpatient procedure that can be performed by an experienced nerve surgeon to improve balance and ambulation and reduce pain for patients with SEF. Large clinical trials are necessary to further establish this underutilized procedure in the United States.
Paxillin regulates liver fibrosis via actin polymerization and ERK activation in hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Hijazi Nour , Shi Zengdun , Rockey Don C. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT
Liver injury leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The primary mechanism underlying the fibrogenic response is the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are ‘quiescent’ in normal liver but become ‘activated’ after injury by transdifferentiating into extracellular matrix (ECM)-secreting myofibroblasts. Given that integrins are important in HSC activation and fibrogenesis, we hypothesized that paxillin, a key downstream effector in integrin signaling, might be critical in the fibrosis pathway. Using a cell-culture-based model of HSC activation and in vivo models of liver injury, we found that paxillin is upregulated in activated HSCs and fibrotic livers. Overexpression of paxillin (both in vitro and in vivo) led to increased ECM protein expression, and depletion of paxillin in a novel conditional mouse injury model reduced fibrosis. The mechanism by which paxillin mediated this effect appeared to be through the actin cytoskeleton, which signals to the ERK pathway and induces ECM protein production. These data highlight a novel role for paxillin in HSC biology and fibrosis.
wind of change – PCSK9 inhibitors in hypolipidemic treatment. The Polish perspective
Authors: Ilnicka Natalia , Zuziak Patrycja , Sadlik Maria , Matyja Daria , Abod Leila 
Published: September 2023

Introduction and aim. Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality in the world. One of the alterable risk factors of ischaemic heart disease is dyslipidemia. Discovery and usage of a new group of drugs - PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitors lead to a decrease of LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels in patients who are resistant to standard hypolipidemic therapy. The aim of this paper is to introduce PCSK9 inhibitors and describe their usage in medicine.
Material and methods. A review of the available literature was performed by searching the PubMed and GoogleScholar databases using the following key words: PCSK9 inhibitors; alirocumab; evolocumab; inclisiran.
Analysis of the literature. According to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines for dyslipidemias from year 2019, the main aim of dyslipidemia treatment is LDL-C reduction to target values depending on patient risk levels. It may be achieved in 2 ways, namely, by lifestyle modification or by pharmacological treatment with statins, fibrates and cholesterol absorption inhibitors. However, a therapy with PCSK9 inhibitors may be considered the most effective in certain groups of patients. Evolocumab and alirocumab are 2 representatives of those new drugs, which are allowed for use in 3 scenarios – in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, in those with high risk of cardiovascular incident, and in those with statin intolerance. The major advantage of the aforementioned drugs is their safety. Since 2021 inclisiran (the first drug in siRNA class) is available for use as a new type of PCSK9 blocker.
Conclusion. PCSK9 inhibitors can be life-saving for patients with a high risk of cardiovascular incidents associated with an elevated level of LDL-C. They reduce LDL-C more efficiently and have fewer side effects in comparison with the other hypolipidemic drugs. Therefore, PCSK9 inhibitors play a very important role in the lipid-lowering treatment.
Simultaneous multifocal intracranial haemorrhages associated with staphylococcus aureus endocarditis: a plausible role for diclofenac administration
Authors: Tvivo Ariella , Rokach Ariel , Ben-David Eliel , Simons Moshe , Heyman Samuel Noam 
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Intracranial haemorrhage may complicate infective endocarditis, caused by ruptured mycotic aneurysms or haemorrhagic transformation of brain septic emboli. The risk of intracranial bleeding may increase with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAIDs). Case description: We report on a 53-year-old male patient with a past history of intravenous drug abuse, who was treated with diclofenac (75 mg IM) for a few hours of preceding fever and arthralgia. Seven hours later he was hospitalised with impaired consciousness and hemiparesis. Evaluation revealed multiple intracranial haemorrhages, at least one originating from a mycotic aneurysm. Repeated blood cultures grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and echocardiography revealed a vegetation on the mitral valve, establishing the diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis. Conclusion: The abrupt simultaneous multifocal intracranial bleeds shortly following the administration of NSAIDs for a few hours of febrile disease, one clearly originating from a mycotic aneurism, are exceptional. This raises a possibility of a role for diclofenac the intracranial bleeding diathesis in this unique clinical presentation. Intracranial haemorrhage in the set-up of undiagnosed infective endocarditis (IE) might be added to the long list of potential adverse outcomes of NSAID administration, and the possibility of IE should be considered before their administration for febrile disease of undetermined cause.
Severe headache in primary Sjögren’s syndrome responded to rituximab
Authors: Kudsi Maysoun , Haidar Ghina , Hadid Batoul , Roumieh Enas , Al-Sayed Safaa 
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) is an immune systemic disease, that may affect the central nervous system. A severe headache unresponsive to treatment is the headache which is persistently nonresponsive to narcotic analgesics. Case presentation: A 48-year-old woman with a 10-year history of pSS was seen in January 2021, complaining of a headache one week previously. The headache was characterised by a dull persistent pressing intensity and was not responding to paracetamol, NSAIDs or codeine. She had no previous history, nor family history. Physical examination revealed bilateral parotid glands enlargement. Laboratory tests showed anaemia, and elevated levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), with positive anti-La and anti-Ro antibodies. She was given topical treatment and different doses of Predlone, in addition to methotrexate10 mg/week. She had received three pulses of methylprednisolone and was started on azathioprine with a mild response to the headaches, so she received two initial IV doses of rituximab 375 mg/m2, then every 2 weeks, with a clinical and laboratory response. Two years later, she had no headache. Discussion: Headache that may presented in pSS are tension headaches, migraines and cluster headaches. The therapy is disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, hydroxychloroquine, glucocorticoids and biotherapeutics. Rituximab is used in the treatment of some patients with pSS, especially where it can affect systemic symptoms. Conclusion: Rituximab treatment may be an option for severe headache in patients with pSS. The mechanism is unknown but may be due to depletion of brain auto-reactive B cells. Further research is needed.
Adherence and utilization of short-term antibiotics: Randomized controlled study
Authors: Almomani Basima A. , Hijazi Bushra M. , Al-Husein Belal A. , Oqal Muna , Al-Natour Lara M. 
Published: September 2023

Enhancing adherence to medication has the potential to improve clinical outcomes and decrease healthcare cost. The role of clinical pharmacist-led education on adherence to short-term antibiotic has never been investigated in Jordan. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on antibiotic short-term adherence and to assess the antibiotic utilization pattern. A prospective, single blinded, randomized controlled study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital in Jordan. Adult patients diagnosed with acute infection and prescribed a short-term antibiotic course (< 30 day) were included in the study. Recruited patients were randomly allocated into control and intervention groups. Pharmaceutical education about the correct use of antibiotic/s was provided to the intervention group. The results showed that penicillins were the most prescribed antibiotics (38.7%) followed by fluoroquinolones (23.9%) and cephalosporines (20.9%). Patients in the intervention group were more likely to be adherent to the prescribed antibiotics compared to control group (OR = 1.445, 95CI% = 1.029–2.030, p = 0.033). Employed patients, less frequent administration of antibiotic, and searching information related to the prescribed antibiotics were factors associated with better adherence to short-term antibiotic (p<0.05). The most common reasons for non-adherence were feeling better and forgetfulness to take medication. These findings highlighted that pharmacist-led educational intervention significantly enhance adherence to prescribed short-term antibiotics which is a major drive to control antibiotic resistance. Initiatives should be adopted to include patient education as a regular element in the medication dispensing process.
Clinical trial registration: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT05293977).