bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The mineralogy of the historical Mochalin Log REE deposit, South Urals, Russia. Part V. Zilbermintsite-(La), (CaLa5)(Fe3+Al3Fe2+)[Si2O7][SiO4]5O(OH)3, a new mineral with ET2 type structure and a definition of the radekškodaite group
Authors: Kasatkin Anatoly V. , Zubkova Natalia V. , Škoda Radek , Pekov Igor V. , Agakhanov Atali A. , Gurzhiy Vladislav V. , Ksenofontov Dmitriy A. , Belakovskiy Dmitriy I. , Kuznetsov Aleksey M.
Published: March 2024

The new mineral zilbermintsite-(La), ideally (CaLa5)(Fe3+Al3Fe2+)[Si2O7][SiO4]5O(OH)3, was found in a single polymineralic nodule from the Mochalin Log REE deposit, Chelyabinsk Oblast, South Urals, Russia. Zilbermintsite-(La) forms anhedral grains up to 0.65 × 0.20 mm at the contact of ferriperbøeite-(La), törnebohmite-(La) and ferriallanite-(Ce). Other associated minerals include bastnäsite-(La), biraite-(La), ferriallanite-(La), ferriperbøeite-(Ce), fluorbritholite-(Ce), monazite-(La), perbøeite-(La), percleveite-(Ce), percleveite-(La), perrierite-(Ce), perrierite-(La), thorianite, thorite and quartz. The new mineral is light brown, translucent in thin fragments with a vitreous lustre. It is brittle, with good {100} cleavage. Mohs hardness is ca. 6. Dcalc = 4.684 g cm–3. Optically, zilbermintsite-(La) is biaxial (+), α = 1.805(7), β = 1.812(7) and γ = 1.867(8) (589 nm); 2Vmeas = 40(15)° and 2Vcalc = 40°. The empirical formula based on O28(OH,F)3 apfu is (Ca0.94La2.56Ce2.18Nd0.20Pr0.10Th0.02)Σ6.00(Al2.96Fe3+0.90Fe2+0.64Mg0.34Mn0.13Ti0.03)Σ5.00Si7.00O28[(OH)2.42F0.58]. Zilbermintsite-(La) is monoclinic, P21/m; the unit-cell parameters are: a = 8.9605(5), b = 5.7295(2), c = 25.1033(13) Å, β = 116.616(7), V = 1152.21(12) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure of zilbermintsite-(La) is solved from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data [R = 0.0757 for 2857 unique reflections with I > 2σ(I)]. The new mineral is isotypic to radekškodaite-(La) and radekškodaite-(Ce) and together with them forms the newly defined radekškodaite group. All members of this group possess the ET2 type structure where one epidote-type module (E) regularly alternates with two törnebohmite-type modules (T). The new mineral honours Professor Veniamin A. Zilbermints (1887–1939) who was a pioneer of the study of the Mochalin Log deposit. The Levinson suffix-modifier -(La) indicates the predominance of La among rare-earth elements in the mineral.
Abundances, distributions and patterns of discovery of new minerals
Authors: Drummond Carl N.
Published: March 2024

Mineral species are known to be heterogeneously distributed throughout the Earth such that a relatively small number of minerals make up a large proportion of the lithosphere while the majority of all known minerals are rare and have been identified at only a small number of locations that frequently exhibit high levels of species richness. Intuitive understandings of mineral scarcity and abundance are reconsidered through the characterisation of the quantitative aspects of spatio-temporal trends in new mineral discovery. Using data drawn from online mineralogical databases, it is found that the Earth's mineral hotspots exhibit an exponential distribution of species abundance, while those same mineral hotspots exhibit a power-law distribution in the number of minerals first recognised at those locations. That is, locations rich in first occurrences are extremely rare, even when considering only the Earth's most species-rich mineral locations. Global distributions of mineral scarcity and abundance can be estimated from the number of mineral-location pairs for each species reported in a database. Two-thirds of all known species have been reported from ten or fewer locations and the frequency distribution of these mineral-location pairs exhibit a power-law distribution that extends with increasing dispersion over several orders of magnitude of mineral abundance. Initially, nearly all minerals are first reported from only their type locality. Over time, additional occurrences of newly discovered minerals are reported at an average rate of one new location per mineral every 5.5 years. As a result, the percentage of minerals that were discovered in a given year that continue to be known only from their type locality is found to decline exponentially over time. However, a few minerals remain known from only their type locality for long periods, including some that were first identified in the 19th Century. Conversely, other recently identified minerals have been subsequently recognised at locations spanning a wide geographic range such that the number of minerals with cosmopolitan distributions is found to increase exponentially over time. Taken together, these several quantitative representations of mineral distributions lend structure and refinement to qualitative and intuitive notions of the scarcity and abundance of Earth's many minerals.
Škáchaite, CaCo(CO3)2, a new member of the dolomite group, from the Brod deposit near Příbram, Czech Republic
Authors: Sejkora Jiří , Plášil Jakub , Dolníček Zdeněk , Ulmanová Jana , Škoda Radek
Published: March 2024

Škáchaite (IMA2022–143) is a new mineral species discovered in samples from the hydrothermal vein B117, shaft No. 6 at the Brod deposit of the uranium and base-metal Příbram ore district, central Bohemia, Czech Republic. Škáchaite is a Co-dominant member of the dolomite group and forms anhedral grains up to 50 μm in size and as 20–100 μm thick growth zones in škáchaite–dolomite crystals as a part of carbonate (dolomite, calcite, siderite, spherocobaltite, ankerite, kutnohorite and minrecordite) gangue, associated with native silver, sulfides and arsenides. Škáchaite is pale to bright pink with vitreous lustre. The Mohs hardness is ca. 3½–4, similar to other members of the dolomite group. The calculated density is 3.140 g.cm–3. Škáchaite is optically uniaxial (–); the indices of refraction are ω = 1.741(3) and ɛ = 1.535(3). On the basis of electron-microprobe analyses, its empirical formula is Ca1.00(Co0.45Mg0.38Ca0.08Fe0.05Mn0.03Zn0.01)Σ1.00(CO3)2. The ideal formula is CaCo(CO3)2, which requires (in wt.%) CaO 25.60, CoO 34.21, CO2 40.19, a total of 100.00. Škáchaite is trigonal, R$\bar{3}$, with unit-cell parameters a = 4.8177(18), c = 16.093(7) Å, V = 323.5(2) Å3 and Z = 3. The strongest reflections of the calculated powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å, (Irel, %) hkl] are: 3.704 (13) 10$\bar{2}$; 2.896 (100) 104; 2.409 (15) 110; 2.019 (17) 202; 1.812 (19) 10$\bar{8}$; and 1.792 (16) 11$\bar{6}$. According to the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (R1 = 0.0304 for 94 reflections with [I > 3σ(I)]), the crystal structure of škáchaite is isotypic with its Mg-analogue, dolomite. The Raman spectrum of škáchaite, as well as the tentative assignment of observed bands, are given in this paper. The mineral is named in honour of Pavel Škácha, a Czech mineralogist and curator of the mineralogical collection of the Mining Museum Příbram, Czech Republic.
Association of red cell distribution width/albumin ratio and in hospital mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation base on medical information mart for intensive care IV database
Authors: Pan Li-ya , Song Jing
Published: March 2024

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia. The ratio of red cell distribution width (RDW) to albumin has been recognized as a reliable prognostic marker for poor outcomes in a variety of diseases. However, the evidence regarding the association between RDW to albumin ratio (RAR) and in hospital mortality in patients with AF admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) currently was unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between RAR and in hospital mortality in patients with AF in the ICU.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database for the identification of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The primary endpoint investigated was in-hospital mortality. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analysis and forest plots were utilized to evaluate the correlation between the RAR and in-hospital mortality among patients with AF admitted to ICU. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were conducted to assess and compare the predictive efficacy of RDW and the RAR.

Results

Our study included 4,584 patients with AF with a mean age of 75.1 ± 12.3 years, 57% of whom were male. The in-hospital mortality was 20.3%. The relationship between RAR and in-hospital mortality was linear. The Cox proportional hazard model, adjusted for potential confounders, found a high RAR independently associated with in hospital mortality. For each increase of 1 unit in RAR, there is a 12% rise in the in-hospital mortality rate (95% CI 1.06–1.19). The ROC curves revealed that the discriminatory ability of the RAR was better than that of RDW. The area under the ROC curves (AUCs) for RAR and RDW were 0.651 (95%CI: 0.631–0.671) and 0.599 (95% CI: 0.579–0.620).

Conclusions

RAR is independently correlated with in hospital mortality and in AF. High level of RAR is associated with increased in-hospital mortality rates.
Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dolutegravir-based ART regimen in Durban, South Africa: a cohort study
Authors: Hurbans Nivriti , Naidoo Panjasaram
Published: March 2024

Background

Dolutegravir is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor that has been recommended for use in first-line antiretroviral regimens by the World Health Organisation and is currently being rolled out globally. There has been safety concerns with dolutegravir which has caused concern about its use in the general population. Dolutegravir first-line regimens have been used in South Africa since early 2020. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of first-line dolutegravir-based antiretrovirals amongst adults living with HIV in Durban, South Africa.

Methods

This was a mixed-methods study, which comprised a cross-sectional survey and longitudinal retrospective follow-up of medical records. The study was conducted between October 2020 and January 2022. Data were described using descriptive and summary statistics. Bivariate logistic regression was applied to socio-demographic and clinical variables and crude odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval was calculated. Pearson chi-square tests, paired sample T-tests, and cross-tabulations were performed on selected variables.

Results

A total of 461 participants were enrolled in the study. There was a significant change in immunological outcomes (p < 0.001) after dolutegravir initiation. Furthermore, an assessment of laboratory parameters showed that there was a significant decrease in cholesterol (p < 0.001) and increase in creatinine (p < 0.001) levels. Increased weight was shown by 60.7% of the participants but was not associated with age, gender, CD4 counts, and previous antiretroviral usage. The study found that 43.6% of the participants experienced at least one side-effect. A total of 21.6% and 23.2% of the participants experienced neuropsychiatric and central nervous system side-effects, respectively. In the bivariate analyses, only gender was shown to be associated with side-effects, and only 1.7% of the participants discontinued the study due to side-effects.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that dolutegravir is effective, safe, and well tolerated in the study population.
A RCT to explore the effectiveness of supporting adherence to nebuliser medication in adults with cystic fibrosis: fidelity assessment of study interventions
Authors: Bradley J. M. , Hutchings M. , Arden M. A. , O’Cathain A. , Maguire C. , Wildman M. J. ,   on behalf of the CFHealthHub Study Team
Published: March 2024

Background

A multi-component self-management intervention ‘CFHealthHub’ was developed to reduce pulmonary exacerbations in adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) by supporting adherence to nebuliser medication. It was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 19 CF centres, with 32 interventionists, 305 participants in the intervention group, and 303 participants in the standard care arm. Ensuring treatment fidelity of intervention delivery was crucial to ensure that the intervention produced the expected outcomes.

Methods

Fidelity of the CFHealthHub intervention and standard care was assessed using different methods for each of the five fidelity domains defined by the Borrelli framework: study design, training, treatment delivery, receipt, and enactment. Study design ensured that the groups received the intended intervention or standard care. Interventionists underwent training and competency assessments to be deemed certified to deliver the intervention. Audio-recorded intervention sessions were assessed for fidelity drift. Receipt was assessed by identifying whether participants set Action and Coping Plans, while enactment was assessed using click analytics on the CFHealthHub digital platform.

Results

Design: There was reasonable agreement (74%, 226/305) between the expected versus actual intervention dose received by participants in the CFHealthHub intervention group. The standard care group did not include focused adherence support for most centres and participants. Training: All interventionists were trained. Treatment delivery: The trial demonstrated good fidelity (overall fidelity by centre ranged from 79 to 97%), with only one centre falling below the mean threshold (> 80%) on fidelity drift assessments. Receipt: Among participants who completed the 12-month intervention, 77% (205/265) completed at least one action plan, and 60% (160/265) completed at least one coping plan. Enactment: 88% (268/305) of participants used web/app click analytics outside the intervention sessions. The mean (SD) number of web/app click analytics per participant was 31.2 (58.9). Additionally, 64% (195/305) of participants agreed to receive notifications via the mobile application, with an average of 53.6 (14.9) notifications per participant.

Conclusions

The study demonstrates high fidelity throughout the RCT, and the CFHealthHub intervention was delivered as intended. This provides confidence that the results of the RCT are a valid reflection of the effectiveness of the CFHealthHub intervention compared to standard care.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN55504164 (date of registration: 12/10/2017).
Extended pelvic lymph node dissection during robotic prostatectomy: antegrade versus retrograde technique
Authors: Albo Giancarlo , Gallioli Andrea , Ripa Francesco , De Lorenzis Elisa , Boeri Luca , Bebi Carolina , Rocchini Lorenzo , Longo Fabrizio , Zanetti Stefano Paolo , Turetti Matteo , Piccoli Michela , Montanari Emanuele
Published: March 2024

Background

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with extended lymphadenectomy (ePLND) is the gold standard for surgical treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). Recently, the en-bloc ePLND has been proposed but no studies reported on the standardization of the technique. The aim of the study is to describe different standardized en-bloc ePLND, the antegrade and the retrograde ePLND, and to compare their surgical and oncological outcomes.

Materials & Methods

From January 2018 to September 2019, all patients subjected to RARP plus ePLND by one single surgeon were enrolled. ePLND was performed in a retrograde fashion by starting laterally to the medial umbilical ligament from the internal inguinal ring proceeding towards the ureter, or in an antegrade way by starting from the ureter at its crossing with the common iliac artery and proceeding towards the femoral canal. Patients’ demographic data, clinical and surgical data were collected. Each en-bloc ePLND was categorized as “efficient” or “inefficient” by the operator, as surrogate of surgeon’s satisfaction.

Results

Antegrade and retrograde ePLND were performed in 41/105 (group A) and 64/105 (group R) patients, respectively. The two groups (A vs R) had similar median (IQR) number of lymph nodes retrieved [20 (16.25–31.5) vs 19 (15–26.25); p = 0.18], ePLND time [33.5 (29.5–38.5) min vs 33.5 (26.5–37.5) min; p = 0.4] and post-operative complications [8/41 (19.5%) vs 9/64 (14.1%); p = 0.61]. In group A, 3/41 (7.3%) clinically significant lymphoceles were reported, while 1/64 (1.6%) in group R (p = 0.3). 33/41 (80.5%) and 28/64 (44%) procedures were scored as efficient 59 in group A and R, respectively (p = 0.01). On multivariate regression, only BMI (B = 0.93; 95% CI 0.29–1.56; p = 0.005) was associated with a longer ePLND time.

Conclusions

The study indicates that antegrade and retrograde en-bloc extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) have comparable surgical and oncologic outcomes, supporting the importance of standardizing the procedure rather than focusing on the direction. Although both techniques aligned with current evidence regarding lymph node invasion and complications, the antegrade approach was subjectively perceived as safer due to early isolation of critical anatomical landmarks. Encouragement for the use of en-bloc ePLND, regardless of direction, is emphasized to improve prostate cancer staging accuracy and procedural standardization.
Economic burden of diabetic foot ulcer: a case of Iran
Authors: Hashempour Reza , MirHashemi SeyedHadi , Mollajafari Fariba , Damiri Soheila , ArabAhmadi Ali , Raei Behzad
Published: March 2024

Background

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is known as a serious complication of diabetes mellitus in patients with diabetes, imposing heavy medical costs on healthcare systems due to its chronic nature. patients with severe diabetic foot ulcer are often disabled to work, and some of them may even die, leading to associated productivity losses. Since no previous study has investigated the economic burden of DFU in Iran, this study is to estimate the economic burden of diabetic foot disease in Iran.

Methods

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, randomly selected samples consisted of 542 patients with DFU, hospitalized in the hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The demographic profile and cost data used in this analysis were derived from a researcher-designed checklist. Lost productivity was calculated based on Human Capital Approach, and the total economic cost of DFU was determined using patient-level data on costs and prevalence data from the global burden of diseases reports. All analyses were performed using SPSS software (Version 23), and Microsoft Excel (Version 19).

Results

The economic burden of DFU in Iran in two scenarios of discounting future costs and not discounting them was about $8.7 billion and $35 billion, respectively (about 0.59 and 2.41% of GDP). 79.25% of the estimated costs in this study were indirect costs and productivity losses, of which 99.34% (7,918.4 million Dollars) were productivity losses due to premature death. 20.75% (2,064.4 million dollars) of the estimated costs in this study were direct costs. The average length of stay (LOS) was 8.10 days (SD = 9.32), and 73.3% of patients recovered and were discharged after hospitalization and 7.6% died. The majority of the costs are imposed on the age group of 60–69 year (53.42% of the productivity lost due to hospital length of stay, 58.91% of the productivity lost due to premature death & 40.41% of direct costs).

Conclusions

DFU represents a heavy burden to patients, Iran’s health system, and the economy. Early prevention strategies need to be prioritized in making public health policies. These policies and decisions can be in the area of changing lifestyle, health education, changing people's behavior, and encouraging physical activity that targeted high-risk populations in order to reduce the prevalence of diabetic foot and resulting substantial economic burden.
A rapid review to inform the policy and practice for the implementation of chronic disease prevention and management programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in primary care
Authors: Yadav Uday Narayan , Davis Jasmine Meredith , Bennett-Brook Keziah , Coombes Julieann , Wyber Rosemary , Pearson Odette
Published: March 2024

Background

More than 35% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults live with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. There is a pressing need for chronic disease prevention and management among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. Therefore, this review aimed to synthesise a decade of contemporary evidence to understand the barriers and enablers of chronic disease prevention and management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with a view to developing policy and practice recommendations.

Methods

We systematically searched for peer-reviewed published articles between January 2014 to March 2023 where the search was performed using subject headings and keywords related to “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” “Chronic Disease,” and “Primary Health Care”. Quality assessment for all included studies was conducted using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool. The data were extracted and summarised using a conventional content analysis approach and applying strength-based approaches.

Results

Database searches identified 1653 articles where 26 met inclusion criteria. Studies varied in quality, primarily reporting on 14 criteria of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool. We identified six key domains of enablers and barriers of chronic disease prevention and management programs and implied a range of policy and practice options for improvement. These include culturally acceptable and safe services, patient-provider partnerships, chronic disease workforce, primary health care service attributes, clinical care pathways, and accessibility to primary health care services. This review also identified the need to address social and cultural determinants of health, develop the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous chronic disease workforce, support multidisciplinary teams through strengthening clinical care pathways, and engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in chronic disease prevention and management program design and delivery.

Conclusion

Enabling place-based partnerships to develop contextual evidence-guided strategies that align with community priorities and aspirations, with the provision of funding mechanisms and models of care through policy and practice reforms will strengthen the chronic disease prevention and management program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Cataloging the phylogenetic diversity of human bladder bacterial isolates
Authors: Du Jingjie , Khemmani Mark , Halverson Thomas , Ene Adriana , Limeira Roberto , Tinawi Lana , Hochstedler-Kramer Baylie R. , Noronha Melline Fontes , Putonti Catherine , Wolfe Alan J.
Published: March 2024

Background

Although the human bladder is reported to harbor unique microbiota, our understanding of how these microbial communities interact with their human hosts is limited, mostly owing to the lack of isolates to test mechanistic hypotheses. Niche-specific bacterial collections and associated reference genome databases have been instrumental in expanding knowledge of the microbiota of other anatomical sites, such as the gut and oral cavity.

Results

To facilitate genomic, functional, and experimental analyses of the human bladder microbiota, we present a bladder-specific bacterial isolate reference collection comprising 1134 genomes, primarily from adult females. These genomes were culled from bacterial isolates obtained by a metaculturomic method from bladder urine collected by transurethral catheterization. This bladder-specific bacterial isolate reference collection includes 196 different species, including representatives of major aerobes and facultative anaerobes, as well as some anaerobes. It captures 72.2% of the genera found when re-examining previously published 16S rRNA gene sequencing of 392 adult female bladder urine samples. Comparative genomic analysis finds that the taxonomies and functions of the bladder microbiota share more similarities with the vaginal microbiota than the gut microbiota. Whole-genome phylogenetic and functional analyses of 186 bladder Escherichia coli isolates and 387 gut Escherichia coli isolates support the hypothesis that phylogroup distribution and functions of Escherichia coli strains differ dramatically between these two very different niches.

Conclusions

This bladder-specific bacterial isolate reference collection is a unique resource that will enable bladder microbiota research and comparison to isolates from other anatomical sites.
Effects of core stability and feedback music on upper body mediolateral movements during cycling
Authors: Jeong Siwoo , Kim Si-hyun , Park Kyue-nam
Published: March 2024

Background

Asymmetry in involuntary trunk motion during voluntary movements of the lower extremities is a risk factor for musculoskeletal injuries and may be related to core stability. Core stability plays a pivotal role in maintaining postural stability during distal segment movements. Because mediolateral head motion partially represents trunk motion during rhythmic movements, controlling it can help ensure symmetric trunk motion. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between core stability and asymmetric trunk motion during rhythmic movements, and to evaluate the effects of feedback music on mediolateral head motion.

Methods

We developed a system that uses a wireless earbud and a high-resolution inertial measurement unit sensor to measure head angle and provide feedback music. When the head angle exceeds a predefined threshold, the music is muted in the earbud on the side of the head tilt. In our lab-based study, we measured head angles during cycling at 70% of maximum speed using this self-developed system, and compared them between individuals with good (Sahrmann core stability test: 2–5 level) and poor core stability (0–1 level). The amplitude of mediolateral head motion was represented by the difference between the left and right peak angles, and the symmetry in mediolateral head motion was represented by the average of left and right peak angles.

Results

Individuals with poor core stability demonstrated significantly greater amplitude of, and less symmetry in, mediolateral head motion than those with good core stability. Additionally, feedback music significantly reduced the amplitude of mediolateral head motion in both the good- and poor-core-stability groups.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that core stability is crucial for maintaining symmetric head motion during rhythmic movements like cycling. Feedback music could serve as an effective tool for promoting symmetry in head motion and thus preventing musculoskeletal injuries.
Determinants of market outlet choices by smallholder mango farmers in Aleta Chuko District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia: a multivariate probit approach
Authors: Legesse Tibebu , Ashebir Aneteneh , Ganewo Zerhun , Alemu Abera , Samuel Andachew
Published: March 2024

Selecting appropriate market outlets offer the opportunity for farmers to capture a bigger share of the price paid by final consumers. However, smallholder farmers in developing countries are still confronted with myriad challenges regarding selecting profitable market outlets. Thus, the main objective of this study was to analyze determinants of market outlet choices by smallholder mango farmers in Aleta Chuko District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. The study's representative 391 sample mango producers were selected using a multi-stage sample selection technique and a cross-sectional research approach. Descriptive statistics and the multivariate probit model were used to analyze the data. The result of the study showed that the probability of mango producers to choose consumer, collector, and retailer and wholesaler market outlets was 38%, 39.4%, 41% and 25%, respectively. This shows that retailer was the most likely chosen market outlet while wholesaler was the less likely chosen market outlet. The joint probability of farmers to choose the four market outlets is (0.042%) lower than the likely of not choosing four market outlets (23.21%). The result of the multivariate probit model showed that the sex of the household head, age of the household head, educational level of the household head, the quantity of mangoes produced, size of the land allocated for mango production, use of market information, credit access, livestock holdings, and distance to the nearest market were all statistically and significantly influencing factors in the market outlet choice behavior of mango producers. Based on the results of this study, the government and other concerned organizations should take action to improve the efficient marketing of mango producers in all outlets by providing market information, expanding and following up on extension services, increasing credit access, and building roads and other marketing infrastructure in the study area.
Cluster-specific associations between the gut microbiota and behavioral outcomes in preschool-aged children
Authors: van de Wouw Marcel , Wang Yanan , Workentine Matthew L. , Vaghef-Mehrabani Elnaz , Barth Delaney , Mercer Emily M. , Dewey Deborah , Arrieta Marie-Claire , Reimer Raylene A. , Tomfohr-Madsen Lianne , Giesbrecht Gerald F.
Published: March 2024

Background

The gut microbiota is recognized as a regulator of brain development and behavioral outcomes during childhood. Nonetheless, associations between the gut microbiota and behavior are often inconsistent among studies in humans, perhaps because many host-microbe relationships vary widely between individuals. This study aims to stratify children based on their gut microbiota composition (i.e., clusters) and to identify novel gut microbiome cluster-specific associations between the stool metabolomic pathways and child behavioral outcomes.

Methods

Stool samples were collected from a community sample of 248 typically developing children (3–5 years). The gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S sequencing while LC-MS/MS was used for untargeted metabolomics. Parent-reported behavioral outcomes (i.e., Adaptive Skills, Internalizing, Externalizing, Behavioral Symptoms, Developmental Social Disorders) were assessed using the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-2). Children were grouped based on their gut microbiota composition using the Dirichlet multinomial method, after which differences in the metabolome and behavioral outcomes were investigated.

Results

Four different gut microbiota clusters were identified, where the cluster enriched in both Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium (Ba2) had the most distinct stool metabolome. The cluster characterized by high Bifidobacterium abundance (Bif), as well as cluster Ba2, were associated with lower Adaptive Skill scores and its subcomponent Social Skills. Cluster Ba2 also had significantly lower stool histidine to urocanate turnover, which in turn was associated with lower Social Skill scores in a cluster-dependent manner. Finally, cluster Ba2 had increased levels of compounds involved in Galactose metabolism (i.e., stachyose, raffinose, alpha-D-glucose), where alpha-D-glucose was associated with the Adaptive Skill subcomponent Daily Living scores (i.e., ability to perform basic everyday tasks) in a cluster-dependent manner.

Conclusions

These data show novel associations between the gut microbiota, its metabolites, and behavioral outcomes in typically developing preschool-aged children. Our results support the concept that cluster-based groupings could be used to develop more personalized interventions to support child behavioral outcomes.
Creating the Chinese version of the transgender attitudes and beliefs scale
Authors: Wang Zhanqiang , Liu Yang , Dong Hanwen , Zhang Yueqian , Yang Kebing , Yang Qingyan , Di Xiaolan , Niu Yajuan
Published: March 2024

Background

Trans persons’ physical and mental health is easily affected by the attitude of those around them. However, China currently lacks a valid psychometric instrument to investigate people’s attitudes toward trans persons. Therefore, this study modifies the English version of the Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (TABS) to suit the Chinese context. It subsequently examines the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the TABS.

Methods

This study recruited 1164 university students, aged 18–25 years, from 7 regions of China. SPSS26.0 and AMOS24.0 were used for data statistical analysis. Critical ratio method and correlation coefficient method were used for item analysis. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to test the structural validity of the Chinese version of Transgender Beliefs and Attitudes Scale, and the internal consistency reliability of the scale was tested.

Results

The TABS-C contains 26 items with 3 factors. The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.957 for the total scale and 0.945, 0.888, and 0.885 for the 3 factors. The half-point reliability of the scale was 0.936, and the retest reliability was 0.877. The Pearson correlation coefficients for the 3 factors and the total scale score ranged from 0.768 to 0.946.

Conclusion

The TABS-C has reliable psychometric properties and is suitable for usage among college students in the Chinese context.
Heritagutopia: a new utopian paradigm
Authors: Donner Luca , Sorcinelli Francesca
Published: March 2024

The progress of humanity has always, and sometimes even unconsciously, been confronted with the concept of utopia at the social, economic, political, and urban level. The strength of every utopian vision lies in the disruptive factor inherent in the idea of metamorphosis of the status quo. In the urban context, it represents the pillar on which the vision of modern society and its city are based and understood as potential and progress for mankind. Authors such as Bauman, Bloch, Calvino, More, Mumford, Tafuri, and others, have formed the theoretical framework of the dialectic on which this study is based. As we know, the history of architecture and urban planning provides multiple models of utopia that have alternated over time, such as the ones proposed in the 60 and 70 s by Archigram, Superstudio, Yona Friedman or the Japanese Metabolist movement, just to name a few. Starting from these experiences at the urban scale, and supported by contributions from disciplines such as philosophy, literature, and sociology, this research defines a new model of utopia called “Heritagutopia”. It is a new utopian paradigm, and not dystopian as it will be demonstrated, which is based on the symbiosis between urban historical heritage and abandoned industrial areas or run-down infrastructures. The first one, due to the centripetal economic dynamics, leaves its current location to find exile in the second one, through parasitic urban tactics. It is a migration, or an exile in some ways. However, in both cases this new condition allows the two contexts not to vanish and to regain possession of their lost identity, or rather to regenerate themselves, acquiring a new life. It allows to break into custom with a vision that undermines the state of affairs, subverts its factors, by proposing an alternative vision, sometimes dreamlike, but deliberately provocative as every utopia wants to be.
Evolution of cultural landscape heritage layers and value assessment in urban countryside historic districts: the case of Jiufeng Sheshan, Shanghai, China
Authors: Li Xufang , Zhou Xiangpin , Weng Feifan , Ding Fanzhuo , Wu Yijing , Yi Zhenxin
Published: March 2024

The heritage value of the historic urban countryside, as a remnant in the transition between the urban boundary and the natural environment, is a consequence of the spatial and temporal evolution of the city. However, through repeated social transformations, the conflicts between urban construction and cultural landscape heritage preservation have increased, resulting in the gradual disappearance of their cultural landscape heritage. This study takes the Sheshan Urban Countryside Historic District in Shanghai and interprets the layers of Sheshan's cultural landscape heritage into five periods, Emergence, Development and Exploration, Diversity and Prosperity, Turbulence and Change, and Stability and Precipitation. It analyzes the evolution of the layers of the cultural landscape heritage by applying Historic Urban Landscape Historic Land use Assessment (HUL) and interpreting the layers of the cultural heritage of Sheshan using Historical Landscape Assessment (HLA) to identify the characteristics and values of Sheshan's layers of heritage. The study indicates that the cultural landscape heritage of Jiufeng Sheshan exhibits four types of stratigraphic relationships: accretion, juxtaposition, overlay, and decline. This findings suggest a continuous evolutionary feature of superposition of multiple stratigraphic patterns. Moreover, the heritage value of the cultural landscape layers of Jiufeng Sheshan has shown a higher growth rate in the modern period. The integrity and survival status of modern religious and scientific buildings are more complete compared to the literati gardens and Buddhist relics. Based on the knowledge and value assessment of its cultural landscape heritage, it is necessary to intervene in the concept of living conservation and renewal of landscape heritage. This involves devising a conservation and renewal strategy for cultural landscape heritage that conforms to the law of historical stratification and connect the scattered historical and cultural relics. This study provides a reference for the conservation and inheritance of cultural landscape heritage in urban countryside historical areas and the organic renewal of urban and rural heritage.
Determinants of acute kidney injury during high-power mechanical ventilation: secondary analysis from experimental data
Authors: Gattarello Simone , Lombardo Fabio , Romitti Federica , D’Albo Rosanna , Velati Mara , Fratti Isabella , Pozzi Tommaso , Nicolardi Rosmery , Fioccola Antonio , Busana Mattia , Collino Francesca , Herrmann Peter , Camporota Luigi , Quintel Michael , Moerer Onnen , Saager Leif , Meissner Konrad , Gattinoni Luciano
Published: March 2024

Background

The individual components of mechanical ventilation may have distinct effects on kidney perfusion and on the risk of developing acute kidney injury; we aimed to explore ventilatory predictors of acute kidney failure and the hemodynamic changes consequent to experimental high-power mechanical ventilation.

Methods

Secondary analysis of two animal studies focused on the outcomes of different mechanical power settings, including 78 pigs mechanically ventilated with high mechanical power for 48 h. The animals were categorized in four groups in accordance with the RIFLE criteria for acute kidney injury (AKI), using the end-experimental creatinine: (1) NO AKI: no increase in creatinine; (2) RIFLE 1-Risk: increase of creatinine of > 50%; (3) RIFLE 2-Injury: two-fold increase of creatinine; (4) RIFLE 3-Failure: three-fold increase of creatinine;

Results

The main ventilatory parameter associated with AKI was the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) component of mechanical power. At 30 min from the initiation of high mechanical power ventilation, the heart rate and the pulmonary artery pressure progressively increased from group NO AKI to group RIFLE 3. At 48 h, the hemodynamic variables associated with AKI were the heart rate, cardiac output, mean perfusion pressure (the difference between mean arterial and central venous pressures) and central venous pressure. Linear regression and receiving operator characteristic analyses showed that PEEP-induced changes in mean perfusion pressure (mainly due to an increase in CVP) had the strongest association with AKI.

Conclusions

In an experimental setting of ventilation with high mechanical power, higher PEEP had the strongest association with AKI. The most likely physiological determinant of AKI was an increase of pleural pressure and CVP with reduced mean perfusion pressure. These changes resulted from PEEP per se and from increase in fluid administration to compensate for hemodynamic impairment consequent to high PEEP;
An operative case of gastric cancer with ectopic bile duct drainage in the lesser curvature of the stomach
Authors: Hashimoto Kazuaki , Ihara Tsukasa , Maruyama Yuichiro , Tomisaki Shinichi , Harada Hiroshi
Published: March 2024

Background

Among the various anomalies of the biliary system, a double common bile duct with ectopic drainage in the stomach is rare. Furthermore, ectopic bile ducts are extremely rare in gastric cancers.

Case presentation

A 67-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with gastric cancer and ectopic left extrahepatic bile duct drainage in the stomach. Pre-operative testing revealed no communication between the intrahepatic bile ducts. Distal gastrectomy and bile duct jejunostomy were performed. The post-operative course was uneventful, and the patient did not exhibit recurrence for 39 mo.

Conclusions

Although it is uncertain whether sustained bile exposure from an ectopic bile duct is related to gastric cancer, short-term follow-up might be necessary because of the possibility of gastric cancer.
Adaptation and establishment of Habrobracon hebetor Say in the population of stored moths pests of date, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller and Plodia interpunctella Hübner
Authors: Latifian Masoud , Bahmani Negar
Published: March 2024

Background

Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a larval ectoparasitoid, mainly of pyralid moths of the stored pests of date, Plodia interpunctella Hübner and Ephestia kuehniella Zeller. It has some suitable characteristics for use in biological control of stored moth pests. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of H. hebetor establishment in the population of two important date storage moth pests P. interpunctella and E. kuehniella, and its role in their population fluctuations.

Results

The population growth trends of two host species increased in the first 6 weeks and in the 17th to 22nd weeks of the 6-month period of conducting tests. The peaks of larval population of the two species were in the 10th and 21st weeks under temperature of 25 ± 2 °C, RH of 60 ± 5% and a photoperiod of 12:12, D:L. The pattern of fluctuation in the parasitism percentage in the larval population of the two moth species host was inconsistent with each other. The parasitism percentage was higher on the larval population of E. kuehniella than larval population of P. interpunctella. In E. kuehniella, the host population change rates were − 0.1 in the 10th and 15th weeks, while the highest rates were 0.1 and 0.8 in the 12th and 3rd weeks. The lowest level of parasitoid balance in the larval population of E. kuehniella and P. interpunctella was recorded in the 11th and 15th weeks, and the highest levels were recorded in the 20th and 24th weeks, respectively. The maximum probability rate of parasitoid non-establishment in E. kuehniella larval population was zero during the entire period and for P. interpunctella until the 22nd week.

Conclusion

In fact, there was a strong correlation between establishment success and the severity of host and parasitoid populations. Only in the larval population of P. interpunctella, the maximum probability of failure of establishment was 11.5%, due to the occurrence of the maximum population of parasitized larvae and the minimum ratio of non-parasitic and parasitic larvae.
What do adults living with obesity want from a chatbot for physical activity? – a qualitative study
Authors: Larbi Dillys , Wynn Rolf , Trondsen Marianne Vibeke , Årsand Eirik , Zanaboni Paolo , Denecke Kerstin , Gabarron Elia
Published: March 2024

Background

Regular physical activity helps to reduce weight and improve the general well-being of individuals living with obesity. Chatbots have shown the potential to increase physical activity among their users. We aimed to explore the preferences of individuals living with obesity for the features and functionalities of a modern chatbot based on social media, Artificial intelligence (AI) and other recent and relevant technologies.

Methods

In this study, we used qualitative methods. Focusing on individuals’ preferences for a chatbot to increase physical activity, we conducted both individual interviews and focus groups with nine adult patients staying at Evjeklinikken, a Norwegian rehabilitation clinic for individuals living with morbid obesity. The interviews were fully transcribed and then analysed inductively using thematic analysis.

Results

Participants preferred motivational features such as social support, goal setting, physical activity illustrations, monitoring of physical activity behaviour and outcomes, and feedback, prompts and reminders. They also preferred features for connecting and synchronising with smartwatches and training device apps. Participants wanted a chatbot that is easy to use and allows for human assistance when needed. Regarding personalising the chatbot, the participants wanted to choose the language, number of messages, and turn functionalities on and off.

Conclusions

Co-designing chatbots with potential users is essential to understand their specific needs and preferences. We gained valuable insight into a diverse set of features and functionalities relevant to designing physical activity chatbots for individuals living with obesity. Behaviour change techniques are equally important as personalisation features and the option for synchronising with third-party devices. In future work, we will consider the collected needs in the development of a physical activity chatbot to ensure acceptance and adherence to the digital health intervention.
PACE: A Randomized Phase II Study of Fulvestrant, Palbociclib, and Avelumab After Progression on Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitor and Aromatase Inhibitor for Hormone Receptor–Positive/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor–Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Mayer Erica L. , Ren Yue , Wagle Nikhil , Mahtani Reshma , Ma Cynthia , DeMichele Angela , Cristofanilli Massimo , Meisel Jane , Miller Kathy D. , Abdou Yara , Riley Elizabeth C. , Qamar Rubina , Sharma Priyanka , Reid Sonya , Sinclair Natalie , Faggen Meredith , Block Caroline C. , Ko Naomi , Partridge Ann H. , Chen Wendy Y. , DeMeo Michelle , Attaya Victoria , Okpoebo Amanda , Alberti Jillian , Liu Yuan , Gauthier Eric , Burstein Harold J. , Regan Meredith M. , Tolaney Sara M.
Published: March 2024

PURPOSE

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is) are an important component of treatment for hormone receptor–positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2–) metastatic breast cancer (MBC), but it is not known if patients might derive benefit from continuation of CDK4/6i with endocrine therapy beyond initial tumor progression or if the addition of checkpoint inhibitor therapy has value in this setting.

METHODS

The randomized multicenter phase II PACE trial enrolled patients with hormone receptor–positive/HER2– MBC whose disease had progressed on previous CDK4/6i and aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Patients were randomly assigned 1:2:1 to receive fulvestrant (F), fulvestrant plus palbociclib (F + P), or fulvestrant plus palbociclib and avelumab (F + P + A). The primary end point was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with F versus F + P.

RESULTS

Overall, 220 patients were randomly assigned between September 2017 and February 2022. The median age was 57 years (range, 25-83 years). Most patients were postmenopausal (80.9%), and 40% were originally diagnosed with de novo MBC. Palbociclib was the most common previous CDK4/6i (90.9%). The median PFS was 4.8 months on F and 4.6 months on F + P (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11 [90% CI, 0.79 to 1.55]; P = .62). The median PFS on F + P + A was 8.1 months (HR v F, 0.75 [90% CI, 0.50 to 1.12]; P = .23). The difference in PFS with F + P and F + P + A versus F was greater among patients with baseline ESR1 and PIK3CA alterations.

CONCLUSION

The addition of palbociclib to fulvestrant did not improve PFS versus fulvestrant alone among patients with hormone receptor–positive/HER2– MBC whose disease had progressed on a previous CDK4/6i plus AI. The increased PFS seen with the addition of avelumab warrants further investigation in this patient population.