bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A tug of war between centralization and decentralization: the co-evolution of urban governance and water risks in Guwahati, India
Authors: Fanaian Safa , Fanaian Farnoosh
Published: June 2023

Intermediate cities in Asia and Africa house more than 60% of the world’s urban population. More than 54% of the people here face high levels of water stress and are increasingly vulnerable to water-related risks such as floods, limited access to safe drinking water and water pollution. These urban water risks are complex outcomes of climate change, land use changes, governance failures, and social inequities. This study examines the co-evolution of three water risks and governance responses through the case of Guwahati, India. Guwahati, on the Brahmaputra River in the Northeast of India, serves as a case of an intermediate city to demonstrate changes in water risk governance trends. We focus on studying the connected governance responses to changes in three interrelated water risks, i.e., domestic water supply, urban floods, and river pollution. The shifts in the socio-political structures for these risks are assessed by combining historical institutionalism with multi-level perspective theory. The results show that despite the growing diversity of actors and devolution of responsibilities in cities to mitigate water risks, there is an ongoing tug-of-war between centralized and decentralized modes of decision-making. Contrary to the recommendations for decentralized urban governance, the trend is currently tugging towards a centralized decision-making mode. However, when differences arise between the local and national, local actors within their limited frames of action manage to circumnavigate nationally dictated mandates to fit local needs.
Implication of blanket NPK application on nutrient balance of maize based on soil and tissue diagnosis approaches in the savannas of northern Nigeria
Authors: Aliyu Kamaluddin T , Kamara Alpha Y , Huising Jeroen , Adam Adam M , Shehu Bello M , Jibrin Jibrin M
Published: June 2023

Improper nutrient management reduces the yield and affects the nutrient status of crops. This study aimed to diagnose the nutrients limitation in maize. A three-year multi-location (348 sites) nutrient experiments were conducted in randomized block design to analyse nutrients limitation for maize production under conventional fertilizer recommendation system in Nigeria using DRIS, and to identify soil factors that influence DRIS indices using random forest model. DRIS indices for nutrients were calculated from the results of ear leaf samples collected from the experimental plots. The DRIS indices were summed, and used to cluster plots using k-means cluster algorithm. The results show large differences in average yield between the clusters. The clusters also differed based on frequency with which nutrients are most limiting. B was the most limiting in cluster one and three, Mn in cluster two and K in cluster four. Random forest results show that soil pH, B and Mg had the largest influence on DRIS indices in cluster one. DRIS indices were most influenced by soil N and B in cluster two. To a lesser extent, the soil Fe, K, Mg and S contents also influenced DRIS indices in cluster two. Soil K, B and Zn were the most significant factors influencing the DRIS indices in cluster four. Bulk Density, Fe, Na, ECEC, and organic carbon had a moderate influence on the indices in this cluster. Nutrient limitation in plants can be diagnose using the DRIS. Soil properties have a definite influence on maize nutrient status.
Effect of silver (Ag) doping on structural, optical and antimicrobial properties of copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures
Authors: Vikal Sagar , Gautam Yogendra K , Kumar Ashwani , Kumar Ajay , Singh Neetu , Singh Hempal , Singh Beer Pal
Published: June 2023

The present report investigates the effect of Ag doping on the structural, optical, and antimicrobial properties of CuO nanoparticles (NPs). CuO NPs were produced at optimized reaction conditions via hydrothermal synthesis. XRD study reveals a decrease in crystallite size with increased in Ag doping (2–6 wt %) in CuO. Ag-doped CuO NPs shows lower band gap values than undoped CuO NPs. FESEM analysis displays pure CuO NPs with spherical pellet-like structures, while Ag-doped CuO NPs have mixed morphologies, i.e., spherical, disc-like, and irregular shapes. EDX spectra confirm the purity of synthesized CuO NPs. Further, the antimicrobial properties of CuO nanostructures were studied against Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. CuO NPs functionalized with Ag dopant exhibit significant antibacterial potentials. The antibacterial activity of CuO NPs increased with increasing dopant concentration and in a dose-dependent manner. The gram positive (+ve) E. faecalis is more sensitive to the Ag-doped CuO NPs treatment than a gram negative (–ve) E. coli. Overall this study demonstrates a facile route of synthesizing Ag-doped CuO NPs that can materialize into effective broad-spectrum bactericidal agents.
Topological quantum field theories from Hecke algebras
Authors: Fock Vladimir , Tatitscheff Valdo , Thomas Alexander
Published: June 2023

We construct one-dimensional non-commutative topological quantum field theories (TQFTs), one for each Hecke algebra corresponding to a finite Coxeter system. These TQFTs associate an invariant to each ciliated surface, which is a Laurent polynomial for punctured surfaces. There is a graphical way to compute the invariant using minimal colored graphs. We give explicit formulas in terms of the Schur elements of the Hecke algebra and prove positivity properties for the invariants when the Coxeter group is of classical type, or one of the exceptional typesH3H_3,E6E_6andE7E_7.
Quartet Fiduccia–Mattheyses revisited for larger phylogenetic studies
Authors: Mim Sharmin Akter , Zarif-Ul-Alam Md , Reaz Rezwana , Bayzid Md Shamsuzzoha , Rahman Mohammad Saifur
Published: June 2023

Motivation

With the recent breakthroughs in sequencing technology, phylogeny estimation at a larger scale has become a huge opportunity. For accurate estimation of large-scale phylogeny, substantial endeavor is being devoted in introducing new algorithms or upgrading current approaches. In this work, we endeavor to improve the Quartet Fiduccia and Mattheyses (QFM) algorithm to resolve phylogenetic trees of better quality with better running time. QFM was already being appreciated by researchers for its good tree quality, but fell short in larger phylogenomic studies due to its excessively slow running time.

Results

We have re-designed QFM so that it can amalgamate millions of quartets over thousands of taxa into a species tree with a great level of accuracy within a short amount of time. Named “QFM Fast and Improved (QFM-FI)”, our version is 20 000× faster than the previous version and 400× faster than the widely used variant of QFM implemented in PAUP* on larger datasets. We have also provided a theoretical analysis of the running time and memory requirements of QFM-FI. We have conducted a comparative study of QFM-FI with other state-of-the-art phylogeny reconstruction methods, such as QFM, QMC, wQMC, wQFM, and ASTRAL, on simulated as well as real biological datasets. Our results show that QFM-FI improves on the running time and tree quality of QFM and produces trees that are comparable with state-of-the-art methods.

Availability and implementation

QFM-FI is open source and available at https://github.com/sharmin-mim/qfm_java.
Role of glycosylation in breast cancer progression and metastasis: implications for miRNA, EMT and multidrug resistance
Authors: Gupta Rohitesh , Ponangi Rohan , Indresh Kuppanur G
Published: June 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the leading causes of death in women, globally. A variety of biological processes results in metastasis, a poorly understood pathological phenomenon, causing a high relapse rate. Glycosylation, microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), have been shown to regulate this cascade where tumor cells detach from their primary site, enter the circulatory system and colonize distant sites. Integrated proteomics and glycomics approaches have been developed to probe the molecular mechanism regulating such metastasis. In this review, we describe specific aspects of glycosylation and its interrelation with miRNAs, EMT and multidrug resistance during BC progression and metastasis. We explore various approaches that determine the role of proteomes and glycosylation in BC diagnosis, therapy and drug discovery.
A Research Agenda for Criminal Justice Involvement Among U.S. Veterans
Authors: Tsai Jack , Kelton Katherine , Blonigen Daniel M , Keith Mcinnes D , Sean Clark  , Blue-Howells Jessica , Hooshyar Dina
Published: June 2023

Introduction

A substantial proportion of adults in the U.S. criminal justice system are military veterans. Justice-involved veterans are of particular public concern given their service to the country and the high rates of health and social problems in the general veteran population. This article describes the development of a national research agenda for justice-involved veterans.

Materials and Methods

In the summer of 2022, the VA National Center on Homelessness among Veterans in partnership with the VA Veterans Justice Programs Office convened a national group of subject matter experts and stakeholders across three listening sessions that included 40-63 attendees per session. These sessions were recorded, and transcriptions of all sessions and chats were synthesized to generate a preliminary list of 41 agenda items. The Delphi method involving two rounds of ratings from subject matter experts was used to develop consensus.

Results

The final research agenda consists of 22 items covering five domains: Epidemiology and knowledge of the population, treatment and services, systems and systems interface, methodology and research resources, and policies.

Conclusions

The intent of sharing this research agenda is to spur stakeholders to conduct, collaborate, and support further study in these areas.
High-throughput transcriptome sequencing reveals the protective role of adenosine receptor-related genes in paraquat-exposed Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Ma Lingmei , Ling Chunyan , Hu Shuning , Ye Sudan , Chen Chun
Published: June 2023

This study sought to identify the genes associated with adenosine’s protective action against paraquat (PQ)-induced oxidative stress via the adenosine receptor (ADOR-1) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The C. elegans was divided into 3 groups—2 groups exposed to PQ, one in presence, and one in absence of adenosine—and a control group that was not treated. Each group’s total RNA was extracted and sequenced. When the transcriptomes of these groups were analyzed, several genes were found to be differently expressed. These differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in adenosine-response biological processes and pathways, including gene ontology terms related to neuropeptide and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways associated to cAMP pathway regulator activity. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR confirmed that G-protein-coupled receptors signaling pathway involving dop-1, egl-30, unc-13, kin-1, and goa-1 genes may play crucial roles in modulating adenosine’s protective action. Interestingly, there are no significant variations in the expression of the ador-1 gene across the 3 treatments, thereby indicating that adenosine receptor exerts a consistent and stable influence on its related pathways irrespective of the presence or absence of PQ. Furthermore, the wild-type group with ador-1 gene has higher survival rate than that of the ador-1−/RNA interference group while treated with PQ in the presence of adenosine. Conclusively, our study uncovered a number of novel PQ-response genes and adenosine receptor-related genes in C. elegans, which may function as major regulators of PQ-induced oxidative stress and indicate the possible protective effects of adenosine.
Hotspots and Global Trends of Nursing Research on Telehealth From 2012 to 2021
Authors: Yangöz Şefika Tuğba , Turan Kavradım Selma , Özer Zeynep
Published: June 2023

Telehealth is commonly used in nursing in recent years; however, there is a lack of information on hotspots and global trends over time. This study aimed to analyze the bibliometric patterns of telehealth research in nursing. This is a descriptive bibliometric study. Data were obtained from Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace version 6.1.R6 was used to perform analysis. The co-occurrence and co-citation analyses were conducted. A total of 1365 articles were analyzed. A total of 354 authors and 352 institutions from 68 countries have contributed telehealth research in nursing. The most productive author was Kathryn H. Bowles with six articles. The United States with 688 articles and University of Pennsylvania with 22 articles were the most productive country and institution, respectively. The top 10 keywords on this research area were care, intervention, management, health, technology, quality of life, outcome, mobile application, telemedicine, and experience. In addition, the common themes on keywords were nurse practitioner student perception, hemodialysis patients, and heart failure. The study will help to finding potential collaborators, countries, and institutions for future researchers. In addition, it will guide researchers, practitioners, and scholars in further studies, health policy development, and evidence-based practice on telehealth in nursing.
Elevated level of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Hu Hongyu , Li Jingjin , Wei Xin , Zhang Jia , Wang Jiayu
Published: June 2023

Background:

The relationship between the elevation of cardiac troponin and the increase of mortality and hospitalization rate in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is clear. This study investigated the association between the extent of elevated levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and the prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study consecutively enrolled 470 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction from September 2014 to August 2017. According to the level of hs-cTnI, the patients were divided into the elevated level group (hs-cTnI >0.034 ng/mL in male and hs-cTnI >0.016 ng/mL in female) and the normal level group. All of the patients were followed up once every 6 months. Adverse cardiovascular events were cardiogenic death and heart failure hospitalization.

Results:

The mean follow-up period was 36.2 ± 7.9 months. There was a statistically significant higher in cardiogenic mortality (18.6% [26/140] vs. 1.5% [5/330], P <0.001) and heart failure (HF) hospitalization rate (74.3% [104/140] vs. 43.6% [144/330], P <0.001) in the elevated level group. The Cox regression analysis showed that the elevated level of hs-cTnI was a predictor of cardiogenic death (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.578, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.995–10.386, P <0.001) and HF hospitalization (HR: 3.254, 95% CI: 2.698–3.923, P <0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that a sensitivity of 72.6% and specificity of 88.8% for correct prediction of adverse cardiovascular events when a level of hs-cTnI of 0.1305 ng/mL in male and a sensitivity of 70.6% and specificity of 90.2% when a level of hs-cTnI of 0.0755 ng/mL in female were used as the cut-off value.

Conclusion:

Significant elevation of hs-cTnI (≥0.1305 ng/mL in male and ≥0.0755 ng/mL in female) is an effective indicator of the increased risk of cardiogenic death and HF hospitalization in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients.
Miniaturizing the approach to upper tract renal calculi: Is smaller always better? A narrative review
Authors: Da Silva Ferreira Daniel , Bhattu Amit Satish , Adam Ahmed
Published: June 2023

Newer modalities for treating upper tract urinary stones focus on maintaining and improving outcomes, reducing complications, and optimizing patient care. This narrative review aims to outline novel miniaturized endourological innovations for managing upper tract calculi.
Eltrombopag Preserves the Clonogenic Potential of Hematopoietic Stem Cells During Treatment With Antithymocyte Globulin in Patients With Aplastic Anemia
Authors: Vieri Margherita , Rolles Benjamin , Crocioni Maria , Schemionek-Reinders Mirle , Isfort Susanne , Panse Jens , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Beier Fabian
Published: June 2023

Aplastic anemia (AA) is frequently caused by a T-cell mediated autoimmune depletion of the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) compartment. Immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine represents the first-line treatment of AA. One side effect of ATG therapy is the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which is considered a major factor in the pathogenic autoimmune depletion of HSPC. Recently, eltrombopag (EPAG) was introduced for therapy of refractory AA patients due to its ability to bypass IFN-γ-mediated HSPC inhibition among other mechanisms. Clinical trials have evidenced that EPAG started simultaneously with IST leads to a higher response rate compared with its later administration schedules. We hypothesize that EPAG might protect HSPC from negative effects of ATG-induced release of cytokines. We observed a significant decrease in colony numbers when both healthy peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells and AA-derived bone marrow cells were cultured in the presence of serum from patients under ATG treatment, as compared with before treatment. Consistent with our hypothesis, this effect could be rescued by adding EPAG in vitro to both healthy and AA-derived cells. By employing an IFN-γ neutralizing antibody, we also demonstrated that the deleterious early ATG effects on the healthy PB CD34+ compartment were mediated at least partially by IFN-γ. Hence, we provide evidence for the hitherto unexplained clinical observation that concomitant use of EPAG in addition to IST comprising ATG leads to improved response in patients with AA.
Role of Novel Motorized Enteroscopy in the Evaluation of Small Bowel Diseases
Authors: Nabi Zaheer , Samanta Jayanta , Chavan Radhika , Dhar Jahnvi , Hussain Sabir , Singh Aniruddha Pratap , Rughwani Hardik , Reddy D.Nageshwar
Published: June 2023

Background and Aim:

Motorized spiral enteroscopy (MSE) has recently been introduced for small bowel evaluation. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MSE for evaluation of small bowel diseases.

Methods:

A literature search was performed in Embase, PubMed, Medline databases for studies evaluating MSE between January -2010 and October-2022. The primary outcome of the study was diagnostic yield with MSE. Secondary outcomes included technical success, procedure duration, depth of maximum insertion (DMI), rate of pan-enteroscopy and adverse events.

Results:

10 studies with 961 patients [581 (60.5%) males] were included in the analysis. 1068 MSE procedures were performed by antegrade route in 698, retrograde route in 215 and bidirectional in 155 patients. Technical success was achieved in 94.9% (95% CI 92.9% to 96.4%) procedures. The pooled diagnostic yield of MSE was 73.7% (95% CI 70.7% to 76.4%). Pooled rate of pan-enteroscopy by antegrade route was 21.9% (95% CI 18.1% to 26.1%), retrograde route was 6.9% (95% CI 2.4% to 18.3%) and combined route was 61.2% (95% CI 52.4% to 69.3%). Pooled rate of major adverse events was 1.9% (95% CI 1.2% to 3.2%).

Conclusions:

MSE is a safe and effective tool for evaluating small bowel disorders. High diagnostic yield and low rate of adverse events make it a potential alternative to balloon enteroscopy. However, comparative trials are required in the future.
Tolerability and efficacy of a semi-elemental formula to enterally fed patients in long-term care facilities
Authors: Taniguchi Hideki , Kawamitsu Tomihiro , Suzuki Motoharu , Abe Nobue , Hino Hajime , Matsushita Yuka , Shi Kenrei , Otsubo Yuriko , Matsubara Takeshi , Koyama Takahiro , Iwamoto Hiroshi , Miyaji Kazuhiro
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

The semi-elemental formula EDPAC-01 was administered to tube-fed patients in a clinical setting. Herein, this study aimed to evaluate its tolerability and efficacy.

Methods:

After a 2-week baseline period, the ongoing nutrition formula of tube-fed patients in long-term care was switched to EDPAC-01, which was administered for 4 weeks following the same energy intake. Tolerability was evaluated in terms of gastrointestinal symptoms, bowel movement, number of days with fever, adverse events, and side effects. Efficacy was evaluated in terms of body weight, serum albumin level, and transthyretin, formerly called prealbumin, level. An exploratory analysis on several laboratory test values was also performed.

Results:

The study included 13 participants. No serious severe adverse events were reported. The blood glucose level increased in one participant as a side effect, but was mild in severity and did not require treatment. No significant change was observed in any investigated measurement other than the transthyretin level. The transthyretin level was below the reference range in the baseline period (19.32 ± 5.53 mg/dL), but increased on week 2 of the feeding period (21.49 ± 5.88 mg/dL) and eventually reached the reference range by week 4 of the feeding period (22.74 ± 8.75 mg/dL). The exploratory analysis revealed a significant increase in total lymphocyte count and a significant decrease in urea nitrogen, triglyceride, and alkaline phosphatase levels.

Conclusions:

The semi-elemental formula EDPAC-01 is safe to use and potentially improves the nutritional status in tube-fed patients in long-term care.
Radiation-induced Desmoid Tumor Development in the Radiotherapy Field in a Child With Pineoblastoma: A Case Report
Authors: Isik Bedir Seyma , Karabagli Pinar , Batur Abdussamet , Ozturk Mehmet , Karabagli Hakan , Yavas Guler , Koksal Yavuz
Published: June 2023

Although treatment-related secondary malignancies are rare, they are important problems after the treatment of childhood malignant diseases. Irradiation-induced sarcomas are the development of sarcoma different from the primary tumor after a latent period of ≥3 years or more in the radiotherapy field. Desmoid tumor is extremely rare as irradiation-induced tumor. A 7.5-year-old girl was referred to our hospital after a subtotal mass excision for a solid lesion with a cystic component located in the pineal gland. Pathologic examination revealed pineoblastoma. After surgery, craniospinal radiotherapy, and chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, cisplatin, and etoposide were performed. Painless swelling in the left parieto-occipital region ~75 months after the end of the treatment developed in the patient. A mass was detected in the intracranial but extra-axial region by radiologic imaging methods. Due to the total removal of the mass and the absence of a tumor in the surgical margins, she was followed up without additional treatment. The pathologic diagnosis was a desmoid tumor. She was followed up disease free for ~7 years after the primary tumor and ~7 months after the secondary tumor. Treatment-related desmoid tumor development after treatment for a central nervous system tumor in a child is extremely rare.
Cardiac Mechanical Performance Assessment at Different Levels of Exercise in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivors
Authors: Uwase Egidie , Caru Maxime , Curnier Daniel , Abasq, Meng Maxence , Andelfinger Gregor , Krajinovic Maja , Laverdière Caroline , Sinnett Daniel , Périé Delphine
Published: June 2023

Background:

There is a shortage of relevant studies interested in cardiac mechanical performance. Thus, it is clinically relevant to study the impact of cancer treatments on survivors’ cardiac mechanical performance to improve our knowledge. The first objective of this study is to assess survivors’ cardiac mechanical performance during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) using both ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) and cardiac work efficiency (CWE) from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) acquisitions. The second objective is to assess the impact of doxorubicin and dexrazoxane (DEX) treatments.

Methods:

A total of 63 childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors underwent a CMR at rest on a 3T magnetic resonance imaging system, followed by a CPET on ergocycle. The CircAdapt model was used to study cardiac mechanical performance. At different levels of exercise, arterial elastance, end-systolic elastance, VAC, and CWE were estimated.

Results:

We observed significant differences between the different levels of exercise for both VAC (P<0.0001) and CWE parameters (P=0.001). No significant differences were reported between prognostic risk groups at rest and during the CPET. Nevertheless, we observed that survivors in the SR group had a VAC value slightly lower than heart rate (HR)+DEX and HR groups throughout the CPET. Moreover, survivors in the SR group had a CWE parameter slightly higher than HR+DEX and HR groups throughout the CPET.

Conclusions:

This study reveals that the combination of CPET, CMR acquisitions and CircAdapt model was sensitive enough to observe slight changes in the assessment of VAC and CWE parameters. Our study contributes to improving survivors’ follow-up and detection of cardiac problems induced by doxorubicin-related cardiotoxicity.
Return to school among service members and veterans after traumatic brain injury: a scoping review
Authors: Nguyen Michael V. , Hackman Dawn E. , Truitt Anjali R.
Published: June 2023

Objective:

The purpose of this scoping review was to evaluate the current literature related to return to school among US service members and veterans with traumatic brain injury.

Methods:

Seven research databases (Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Scopus, SPORTDiscus) were queried for human studies. We included studies that focused on US service members and veterans who sustained traumatic brain injuries and their vocational outcomes. Conference abstracts, systematic reviews, literature reviews, editorials, consensus reports, commentaries, dissertations, and qualitative studies were excluded. Two rounds of independent reviews were performed. Details of study design, intervention, and vocational outcomes were recorded.

Results:

The search yielded 5667 articles; 18 articles met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen studies were observational (94%), and 1 was randomized control trial. Most studies relied on self-reported student or school enrollment status. The only intervention identified for return to school utilized physical therapy and occupational therapy to address cognitive skills and functional deficits.

Conclusion:

Research related to educational outcomes after traumatic brain injury among service members and veterans is largely unstudied. Most studies were observational and related heavily to self-reported educational status. Longitudinal research is needed to understand the facilitators and barriers to return to school after traumatic brain injury among this patient population.
Intracranial Pressure Patterns in Children with Sagittal Craniosynostosis
Authors: Kalmar Christopher L. , Malphrus Elizabeth L. , Blum Jessica D. , Kosyk Mychajlo S. , Zapatero Zachary D. , Heuer Gregory G. , Bartlett Scott P. , Taylor Jesse A. , Lang Shih-Shan , Swanson Jordan W.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) in sagittal craniosynostosis has a wide spectrum of reported incidence, and patterns are not well understood across infancy and childhood. Characterizing the natural history of ICP in this population may clarify risks for neurocognitive delay and inform treatment decisions.

Methods:

Infants and children with sagittal craniosynostosis and unaffected control subjects were prospectively evaluated with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography from 2014 to 2021. Elevated ICP was determined based on previously validated algorithms using retinal optical coherence tomography parameters.

Results:

Seventy-two patients with isolated sagittal craniosynostosis and 25 control subjects were evaluated. Overall, 31.9% (n = 23) of patients with sagittal craniosynostosis had evidence of ICP greater than or equal to 15 mmHg, and 27.8% (n = 20) of patients had ICP greater than or equal to 20 mmHg. Children with sagittal craniosynostosis younger than 6 months were more likely to have normal ICP (88.6% <15 mmHg; 91.4% <20 mmHg) than those aged between 6 and 12 months (54.5%, P = 0.013; 54.5%, P = 0.005) than those older than 12 months (46.2%, P < 0.001; 53.8%, P = 0.001). ICP was directly correlated with severity of scaphocephaly (P = 0.009). No unaffected control subjects at any age exhibited retinal thickening suggestive of elevated ICP.

Conclusion:

Elevated ICP is rare in isolated sagittal craniosynostosis younger than 6 months, but it becomes significantly more common after 6 months of age, and may correlate with severity of scaphocephaly.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, II.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Velopharynx: Clinical Findings in Patients with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency
Authors: Sitzman Thomas J. , Williams Jessica L. , Singh Davinder J. , Temkit M’hamed , Snodgrass Taylor D. , Perry Jamie L.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the only imaging modality capable of directly visualizing the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscles: the primary muscles responsible for velopharyngeal closure during speech. MRI has been used to describe normal anatomy and physiology of the velopharynx in research studies, but there is limited experience with use of MRI in the clinical evaluation of patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI).

Methods:

MRI was used to evaluate the velopharyngeal mechanism in patients presenting for VPI management. The MRI followed a fully awake, nonsedated protocol with phonation sequences. Quantitative and qualitative measures of the velopharynx were obtained and compared with age- and sex-matched individuals with normal speech resonance.

Results:

MRI was completed successfully in 113 of 118 patients (96%). Compared with controls, patients with VPI after cleft palate repair had a shorter velum (P < 0.001), higher incidence of LVP discontinuity (P < 0.001), and shorter effective velar length (P < 0.001). Among patients with persistent VPI after pharyngeal flap placement, findings included a pharyngeal flap base located inferior to the palatal plane [11 of 15 (73%)], shorter velum (P < 0.001), and higher incidence of LVP discontinuity (P = 0.014). Patients presenting with noncleft VPI had a shorter (P = 0.004) and thinner velum (P < 0.001) and higher incidence of LVP discontinuity (P = 0.014).

Conclusions:

MRI provides direct evidence of LVP muscle anomalies and quantitative evaluation of both velar length and velopharyngeal gap. This information is unavailable with traditional VPI imaging tools, suggesting that MRI may be a useful tool for selecting surgical procedures to address patient-specific anatomic differences.
Color Match Following Free Flap Surgery in Head and Neck Reconstruction: A Colorimetric and Aesthetic Analysis
Authors: Dermody Sarah M. , Kahng Peter W. , Rao Vishwanatha M. , Casper Keith A. , Malloy Kelly M. , Rosko Andrew J. , Stucken Chaz L. , Chinn Steven B. , Spector Matthew E. , Feng Allen L.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Many options for free tissue transfer have been described for head and neck reconstruction. While functional outcomes remain paramount, aesthetic considerations like color match can be equally consequential for patient quality of life. It is important to understand differences in color match based on flap donor site for head and neck reconstruction.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction with free tissue transfer at a tertiary care academic medical center between November 2012 and November 2020. Patients with documented pictures of their reconstruction and external skin paddles were considered. Patient demographics and surgery specific factors were recorded. Objective differences in color match were obtained by calculating the International Commission on Illumination Delta E 2000 (dE2000) score. Standard univariate descriptive statistics and multivariable statistical analyses were performed.

Results:

Lateral arm, parascapular, and medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) free tissue transfer performed favorably compared to other donor sites, whereas anterolateral thigh flaps had the highest average dE2000 scores. Differences in dE2000 scores were mitigated by post-operative radiation to the flap site and with increasing time beyond 6 months post-operatively.

Conclusions:

We provide an objective assessment of external skin color match in patients undergoing free tissue transfer for head and neck cancer by donor site. MSAP, lateral arm, and parascapular free flaps performed well compared to traditional donor sites. These differences are more significant at the face and mandible when compared to the neck, but diminish 6 months after surgery and with post-operative radiation to the free flap skin paddle.
Total Face Reconstruction with Flap Prefabrication and Soft Tissue Expansion Techniques
Authors: Qiao Zhihua , Wang Xiancheng , Li Qingfeng , Zan Tao , Gu Bing , Sun Yang , Xiong Xiang , Meng Xianxi , Zeng Weiliang , Yang Kai
Published: June 2023

Total facial deformities always lead to psychological and functional consequences, making plastic and reconstructive surgery a great challenge. And the skin of the anterior chest area is matched in thickness, texture, and color to the head and face. The purpose of this article was to discuss and evaluate reconstructive surgeons' experiences with obtaining a monoblock flap from the anterior thoracic area for entire face reconstruction using flap prefabrication, soft tissue expansion, and facial plastic surgery following skin flap transplantation. Two patients underwent prefabricated expanded anterior thoracic flap reconstructions for total facial deformities; data collection included face defect size, flap type, the shape of the expander, expansion time, and complications. All the face flaps that were transplanted survived without major complications. It is concluded that using a prefabricated expanded flap to reconstruct an entire facial soft tissue defect can provide a high degree of matching, a wide enough covering area, and a thin enough skin thickness to cover the face. Autologous flap grafting is easy to implement and has a high application value.
Anterior Component Separation Decreases Hernia Recurrence Rates in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction with Biologic Mesh Reinforcement: A Comparative Study
Authors: Giordano Salvatore , Garvey Patrick B. , Mericli Alexander , Baumann Donald P. , Liu Jun , Butler Charles E.
Published: June 2023

Background:

It is not clear whether mesh-reinforced anterior component separation (CS) for abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) results in better outcomes than mesh-reinforced primary fascial closure (PFC) without CS, particularly when acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is used. We compared outcomes of CS versus PFC repair in AWR procedures aiming to determine whether CS results in better outcomes.

Methods:

This retrospective study of prospectively collected data included 461 patients who underwent AWR with ADM during a 10-year period at an Academic Cancer Center. The primary endpoint was hernia recurrence; the secondary outcome was surgical site occurrence (SSO).

Results:

Three hundred and twenty-two (69.9%) patients who underwent mesh-reinforced AWR with CS (AWR-CS) and 139 (30.1%) who underwent AWR with PFC (AWR-PFC) without CS were compared. AWR-PFC repairs had a higher hernia recurrence rate than AWR-CS repairs (10.8% vs. 5.3%, p=0.002) but similar overall complication (28.8% vs. 31.4%, p=0.580) and SSO (18.7% vs. 25.2%, p=0.132) rates. CS repairs experienced significantly higher wound separation (17.7% vs. 7.9%, p=0.007), fat necrosis (8.7% vs. 2.9%, p=0.027) and seroma (5.6% vs. 1.4%, p=0.047) rates than PFC repairs. The best cutoff with respect to hernia recurrence was 7.1 cm of abdominal defect width.

Conclusions:

AWR-CS repair results in a lower hernia recurrence rate than AWR-PFC, but despite the additional surgery had similar SSO rates on long-term follow-up.

Level of Evidence:

III
Machine learning and artificial intelligence for the diagnosis of infectious diseases in immunocompromised patients
Authors: Tran Nam K. , Kretsch Cileah , LaValley Clayton , Rashidi Hooman H.
Published: June 2023

Purpose of review

Immunocompromised patients are at high risk for infection. During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, immunocompromised patients exhibited increased odds of intensive care unit admission and death. Early pathogen identification is essential to mitigating infection related risk in immunocompromised patients. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have tremendous appeal to address unmet diagnostic needs. These AI/ML tools often rely on the wealth of data found in healthcare to enhance our ability to identify clinically significant patterns of disease. To this end, our review provides an overview of the current AI/ML landscape as it applies to infectious disease testing with emphasis on immunocompromised patients.

Recent findings

Examples include AI/ML for predicting sepsis in high risk burn patients. Likewise, ML is utilized to analyze complex host-response proteomic data to predict respiratory infections including COVID-19. These same approaches have also been applied for pathogen identification of bacteria, viruses, and hard to detect fungal microbes. Future uses of AI/ML may include integration of predictive analytics in point-of-care (POC) testing and data fusion applications.

Immunocompromised patients are at high risk for infections. AI/ML is transforming infectious disease testing and has great potential to address challenges encountered in the immune compromised population.
Evaluation of Swallowing Function in Relation to Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Patients with Operated Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Aras Isil , Yalcin Aycan , Gode Sercan , Aras Aynur , Sezgin Baha , Durusoy Duygu , Eyigor Sibel
Published: June 2023

Objective:

To determine the occurrence of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) signs and symptoms in patients with operated unilateral cleft lip and palate (CLP).

Materials and Methods:

This prospective study was conducted on 15 adolescents with operated unilateral CLP (CLP group) and 15 non-cleft volunteers (control group). Initially, the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) questionnaire was administered to subjects. OD signs and symptoms such as coughing, the sensation of choking, globus sensation, the need to clear the throat, nasal regurgitation, difficulties of bolus control multiple swallowing were evaluated by patient complaints and physical examination of swallowing function. Also, the Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale was used to determine the severity of the OD. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) with water, yogurt, and crackers was performed.

Results:

The prevalence of OD signs and symptoms based on patient complaints and physical examination of swallowing was low (range, 6.7 to 26.7%), and nonsignificant differences were observed between the groups for these parameters as well as for EAT-10 scores. According to the Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale findings, 11 of 15 patients with CLP were asymptomatic. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing indicated that post-swallow pharyngeal wall residues with yogurt were significant in the CLP group with a prevalence of 53% (P < 0.05), whereas differences between the groups in terms of cracker and water residues were nonsignificant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

OD in patients with repaired CLP was manifested mainly in the form of pharyngeal residue. However, it did not appear to cause significant increases in patient complaints compared with healthy individuals.
Outcomes of Targeted Muscle Reinnervation and Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces for Chronic Pain Control in the Oncologic Amputee Population
Authors: Roubaud Margaret S , Hassan Abbas M , Shin Ashley , Mericli Alexander F , Adelman David M , Hagan Katherine , Popat Keyuri , Lin Patrick , Moon Bryan , Lewis Valerae O
Published: June 2023

Background:

Outcomes of targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) and regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) in the oncologic population are limited. We sought to examine the safety and effectiveness of TMR and RPNI in controlling postamputation pain in the oncologic population.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent oncologic amputation followed by immediate TMR and/or RPNI was conducted from November 2018 to May 2022. Primary study outcome was postamputation pain, assessed using the Numeric Pain Scale (NPS), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS ®) for residual limb pain (RLP) and phantom limb pain (PLP). Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, tumor recurrence, and opioid use.

Results:

Sixty-three patients were evaluated with mean follow-up period of 11.3 months. The majority of patients (65.1%) had a history of previous limb salvage. At final follow-up, patients had an average NPS RLP of 1.3 ± 2.2 and PLP 1.9 ± 2.6. The final average raw PROMIS® measures were Pain Intensity 6.2 ± 2.9 (T-score 43.5), Pain Interference 14.6 ± 8.3 (T-score 55.0), and Pain Behavior 39.0 ± 22.1 (T-score 53.4). Patient opioid use decreased from 85.7% preoperatively to 37.7% postoperatively and morphine milligram equivalents (MME) decreased from a mean of 52.4 ± 53.0 preoperatively to 20.2 ± 38.4.

Conclusions:

TMR and RPNI in the oncologic population are safe surgical techniques associated with significant reductions in PLP, RLP and improvements in patient-reported outcomes. This study provides evidence for the routine incorporation of TMR and RPNI in the multidisciplinary care of oncologic amputees.
Predicting and reasoning about replicability using structured groups
Authors: Wintle Bonnie C. , Smith Eden T. , Bush Martin , Mody Fallon , Wilkinson David P. , Hanea Anca M. , Marcoci Alexandru , Fraser Hannah , Hemming Victoria , Thorn Felix Singleton , McBride Marissa F. , Gould Elliot , Head Andrew , Hamilton Daniel G. , Kambouris Steven , Rumpff Libby , Hoekstra Rink , Burgman Mark A. , Fidler Fiona
Published: June 2023

This paper explores judgements about the replicability of social and behavioural sciences research and what drives those judgements. Using a mixed methods approach, it draws on qualitative and quantitative data elicited from groups using a structured approach called the IDEA protocol (‘investigate’, ‘discuss’, ‘estimate’ and ‘aggregate’). Five groups of five people with relevant domain expertise evaluated 25 research claims that were subject to at least one replication study. Participants assessed the probability that each of the 25 research claims would replicate (i.e. that a replication study would find a statistically significant result in the same direction as the original study) and described the reasoning behind those judgements. We quantitatively analysed possible correlates of predictive accuracy, including self-rated expertise and updating of judgements after feedback and discussion. We qualitatively analysed the reasoning data to explore the cues, heuristics and patterns of reasoning used by participants. Participants achieved 84% classification accuracy in predicting replicability. Those who engaged in a greater breadth of reasoning provided more accurate replicability judgements. Some reasons were more commonly invoked by more accurate participants, such as ‘effect size’ and ‘reputation’ (e.g. of the field of research). There was also some evidence of a relationship between statistical literacy and accuracy.
Waiting and walking with strangers: a socio-psychological pedestrian experiment on joint action in anonymous situations
Authors: Konya Krisztina , Sieben Anna
Published: June 2023

Research on pedestrian dynamics has generally dealt with temporary gatherings of people who do not know each other personally. These gatherings are often framed as highly individualized encounters in which social interactions play no or only a marginal role. However, recent research based on self-categorization theory showed the relevance of salient social identity for crowd dynamics. Drawing on the interactionist approach of social identity theory and the work of Erving Goffman and Alfred Schütz, this paper aims to show that anonymous encounters are carefully concerted social phenomena. The authors present the results of an exploratory social psychological experiment (
N
= 83), in which groups of participants were asked to wait for 5 min in a designated area with different communicative conditions and then to walk to a narrow exit. Based on the assumption that communication and conformity to expectations influences the behaviour of those present, we introduced four modifications during the waiting time and analysed questionnaire data and video recordings in a mixed-methods design. The results show that direct communication correlates with higher speed, cell phone use with greater distance to the nearest neighbour, and unexpected behaviour with slower movement.
Body size of fungus-growing termites infers on the volume and density of their fungal cultivar
Authors: Chiu Chun-I , Ou Jie-Hao , Kuan Kuan-Chih , Chen Chi-Yu , Huang Yin-Tse , Sripontan Yuwatida , Li Hou-Feng
Published: June 2023

The body size of an animal plays a crucial role in determining its trophic level and position within the food web, as well as its interactions with other species. In the symbiosis between
Termitomyces
and fungus-growing termites, termites rely on nutrition of fungal nodules produced by
Termitomyces
. To understand whether the size of termites and fungal nodules are related to their partner specificity, we quantified the size of termite farmer caste, and the size and density of nodules in termite nests of four genera of fungus-growing termites, and identified their cultivated
Termitomyces
fungus species based on internal transcribed spacer regions and partial large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences. The results showed that the size and density of fungal nodules were different among
Termitomyces
clades and revealed a constant trade-off between size and density among clades. The nodule size of each clade has low variation and fits normal distribution, indicating that size is a stabilized trait. Moreover, we found larger termite genera cultivated
Termitomyces
with larger but less numerous nodules. Based on these results, we concluded that there is a size specificity between
Termitomyces
and fungus-growing termites, which may lead to diversification of
Termitomyces
as adaptations to different termite genera.
Boosting efficiency of eco-friendly perovskite solar cell through optimization of novel charge transport layers
Authors: Ismail Muhammad , Noman Muhammad , Tariq Jan Shayan , Imran Muhammad
Published: June 2023

Formamidinium tin triiodide (FASnI
3
) is a suitable candidate for the absorber layer in perovskite solar cells (PSC) because of its non-toxicity, narrow band gap, thermal stability and high carrier mobility. This study focuses on the analysis and improvement in the performance of FASnI
3
-based PSCs using various inorganic charge transport materials. The copper-based materials such as Cu
2
O, CuAlO
2
, CuSCN and CuSbS
2
are introduced as hole transport layers due to their earth abundance, ease of manufacturing, high charge mobilities and chemical stability. Similarly, fullerene derivates (PCBM and C
60
) are deployed as electron transport layers due to their mechanical strength, thermal conductivity and stability. The effect of these materials on optical absorption, quantum efficiency, energy band alignment, band offsets, electric field and recombination are studied in detail. The reasons for the low performance of the cell are identified and improved through design optimization. The PSC performance is analysed in both inverted and conventional architecture. Among all the structures, the best result is achieved through ITO/CuSCN/FASnI
3
/C
60
/Al with an efficiency of 27.26%,
V
oc
of 1.08 V,
J
sc
of 29.5 mAcm
−2
and FF of 85.6%.