bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ulnar Nerve Hydrodissection at the Elbow With Ultrasound Guidance
Authors: Tranchitella Nicholas M. , Pottanat Paul J. , Sherrier Matthew
Published: July 2024

Background:

Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) is common, and treatment ranges from bracing and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to surgical decompression. Prior to surgical intervention, some patients may opt to receive perineural injections to the ulnar nerve. The goal of this injection is to reduce pain, improve symptoms, and decrease nerve cross-sectional area through mechanical decompression. While the use of hydrodissection as a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome has been well studied, there are few studies evaluating its utility in UNE.

Indications:

Ultrasound-guided perineural injections can be used to alleviate symptoms of UNE caused by compression. The use of a gel stand-off technique is helpful in maintaining adequate visualization of the needle with a steeper needle angle.

Technique Description:

The procedure was carried out with patient supine, shoulder abducted to 90°, and the forearm supinated. A 15-6 MHz linear array ultrasound transducer was used to localize the right ulnar nerve proximal to the retrocondylar groove at an area of focal hypoechogenicity and increased nerve cross-sectional area. A 3 mL mixture of 2 mL of 1% lidocaine and 1 mL of 10 mg/mL dexamethasone was injected using a sonographically guided in-plane anterior-to-posterior technique.

Results:

Our patient was seen 3 weeks after her right-sided ulnar nerve hydrodissection and had experienced temporary reduction in symptoms.

Discussion/Conclusion:

UNE is a common cause of focal neuropathy. Most patients will experience adequate relief of symptoms with conservative treatment modalities. If patients do not experience adequate symptom relief, ultrasound-guided ulnar nerve injection is a minimally invasive option that can provide symptom relief. However, if patients continue to experience significant symptom burden, it is reasonable to discuss surgical options for ulnar nerve decompression.

Patient Consent Disclosure Statement:

The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.
Frame buildings are not an answer for earthquakes: The case of the February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye
Authors: Sönmez Egemen , Rodriguez Mario E
Published: July 2024

The February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye caused widespread devastation and fatalities, highlighting the critical contrast in the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with moment-resistant frames and those with structural walls. This study employs analyses of nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems using selected accelerograms from the earthquakes to evaluate the behavior of these structural systems. Three SDOF systems representing flexible and stiffer frame buildings, alongside RC wall buildings, were examined. The results highlighted the susceptibility of frame buildings to severe damage and collapse compared with the excellent performance of RC wall buildings. Moreover, the study emphasizes a shift of design focus from life safety to functional recovery. It also identifies potential scenarios regarding consecutive earthquake effects. Overall, the findings advocate adequately designed RC wall buildings for enhanced seismic performance and immediate occupation following major earthquakes.
Marker-assisted introgression to improve the oleic acid content in the TMV 7 groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) variety suitable for the oil industry
Authors: Vargheese Rachel Lissy , Saravanan S. , Hepziba S. Juliet , Kumari S. Merina Prem , Pushpam A. Kavitha , Kanagarajan Selvaraju , Pillai M. Arumugam
Published: July 2024

Background

Improving the quality and shelf life of groundnut oil is one of the foremost objectives of groundnut breeding programmes. This can be achieved by marker-assisted introgression, a technique that efficiently and precisely enables breeders to develop plants with enhanced qualities. This study focused on improving the oleic acid content of an elite groundnut variety, TMV 7, by introgressing a recessive mutation responsible for the increase in oleic acid from ICG 15419. Hybridization was performed between the donor and recurrent parents to develop the F1, BC1F1, BC2F1 and BC2F2 populations. Introgressed lines with increased oleic acid in the genetic background of TMV 7 were identified using allele-specific marker, F435-F, F435SUB-R and a set of SSR markers were employed to recover the genome of the recurrent parent.

Results

With two backcrosses, a total of ten homozygous plants in the BC2F2 population were identified with oleic acid content ranging from 54.23 to 57.72% causing an increase of 36% over the recurrent parent. Among the ten lines, the line IL-23 exhibited the highest level of recurrent parent genome recovery of 91.12%.

Conclusions

The phenotypic evaluation of 10 homozygous introgressed lines indicated fewer differences for all other traits under study compared to the recurrent parent, except for oleic acid and linoleic acid content confirming the genetic background of the recurrent parent. The identified lines will be subjected to multilocation trials before their commercial release.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Post-anesthesia cognitive dysfunction in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Liu Xuling , Ren Yelong , Jin Wenjun , Li Peng , Wang Leilei
Published: July 2024

Background

The administration of anesthesia during gastrointestinal endoscopy potentially contributes to post-anesthesia cognitive dysfunction (PACD), with detrimental impacts for cognitive function. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards PACD among patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy in Wenzhou region.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2023, and recruited individuals undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy. Demographic data and KAP scores were collected through questionnaires. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to evaluate correlations between KAP scores, and logistic regression was utilized to identify influential factors.

Results

We collected 405 valid questionnaires, with 54.57% being male and 29.88% aged 31–40 years. Mean KAP scores were 13.99 ± 4.80, 16.19 ± 2.35, and 15.61 ± 2.86, respectively (possible range: 0–16, 0–25, and 0–25). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive correlations between knowledge and practice (r = 0.209, P < 0.001), attitude and practice (r = 0.233, P < 0.001), and knowledge and attitude (r = 0.328, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed negative associations of opting for standard gastrointestinal endoscopy (without anesthesia) with knowledge (OR = 0.227, 95%CI: 0.088–0.582, P = 0.002) and practice scores (OR = 0.336, 95%CI: 0.154–0.731, P = 0.006). Additionally, the presence of cognitive-related diseases or symptoms before undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy was negatively associated with knowledge scores (OR = 0.429, 95%CI: 0.225–0.818, P = 0.010).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated good knowledge, neutral attitudes, and moderate practices regarding PACD. Educational interventions and behavior modification are recommended, particularly for individuals with lower monthly income, undergoing standard gastrointestinal endoscopy, or experiencing cognitive-related conditions.
Precarious work on the rise
Authors: Perri Melissa , O’Campo Patricia , Gill Paneet , Gunn Virginia , Ma Rachel W , Buhariwala Pearl , Rasoulian Elham , Lewchuk Wayne , Baron Sherry , Bodin Theo , Muntaner Carles
Published: July 2024

Precarious employment (PE) is non-standard employment with uncertain and unstable contract duration, low wages, and limited labour protections and rights. Research has associated PE with workers’ poor mental health and well-being; however, this association has been studied primarily using quantitative methods. This qualitative study seeks to examine the mechanisms between PE and mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada. Specifically, it aims to address: (Benach J, Muntaner C. Precarious employment and health: developing a research agenda. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2007;61(4):276.) How do PE and working conditions impact the mental well-being of workers and members of their close families or households?; and (Kreshpaj B, Orellana C, Burström B, Davis L, Hemmingsson T, Johansson G, et al. What is precarious employment? A systematic review of definitions and operationalizations from quantitative and qualitative studies. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2020;46(3):235–47.) How has the COVID-19 pandemic shaped these relationships? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 40 individuals aged 25–55 engaged in PE during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic or whose employment was terminated due to the pandemic. Results showed that PE amplified mental health symptoms and illnesses for workers and their families. These experiences were described as chronic, where impacts were exerted on precariously employed workers through systemic discrimination and racism, colonialism, workplace hierarchies, and gendered ideologies. PE negatively impacted mental health through emotional stress about employment and income instability, insecurity, and loss; added pressure for households where both partners are engaged in PE; impacted ability to maintain or improve overall health and well-being; and barriers to social connectedness. Overall, this study characterizes multiple dimensions of PE and the consequences they have on the mental health of workers and their families.
Association between socioeconomic status and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Hua Yujie , Fan Xikang , Yang Mengshi , Su Jian , Guo Jia , Jin Jianrong , Sun Dianjianyi , Pei Pei , Yu Canqing , Lyu Jun , Tao Ran , Zhou Jinyi , Lu Yan
Published: July 2024

Objective

Socioeconomic status (SES) has been proven to be associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Western populations, but the evidence is very limited in China. This study aimed to investigate the association between SES and the risk of COPD incident.

Methods

This study was based on the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) project in Wuzhong District, Suzhou. A total of 45,484 adults aged 30–79 were included in the analysis during 2004–2008. We used Cox proportional hazard models to investigate the association between SES and the risk of COPD. Household income, education, private property and consumption potential was used to measure SES. Incident COPD cases were ascertained using hospitalization records, death certificates, and active follow-up.

Results

A total of 524 COPD cases were identified during a median follow-up of 11.2 years. Household income was inversely associated with the risk of COPD (Ptrend<0.005). The adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for incident COPD were 0.88 (0.69–1.14), 0.77 (0.60–0.99), and 0.42 (0.31–0.57) for participants with annual household income of 10,000 ~ 19,999 yuan, 20,000 ~ 34,999 yuan and ≥ 35,000 yuan respectively, in comparison to participants with an annual household income < 10,000 yuan. Furthermore, we found that education level, refrigerator use, private toilet, private phone, and motor vehicle were adversely associated with COPD risk, while ownership of newly renovated flats was positively correlated with COPD incident.

Conclusions

This prospective study suggests that SES is associated with the risk of COPD in Chinese adults. Population-based COPD prevention strategies tailored for people with different SES could help reduce the burden of COPD in Chinese.
The association between household and family composition and mental health of the elderly: mediating role of lifestyle
Authors: Dang Mingxi , Chen Yaojing , Ji John S. , Zhang Yutong , Chen Chuansheng , Zhang Zhanjun
Published: July 2024

Background

Mental health in the elderly has multiple determinants, and studies indicate household and family composition, economic status, and family support are key factors. However, these are difficult to modify, and better lifestyle for the elderly can be a possible intervention. The current study examined the mediating role of lifestyle in the association between these three types of the household and family composition (living alone, living with a spouse, and living with children) and mental health in older adults.

Methods

We studied 5,407 participants (58.7% female, age 45 + years) from the Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative Project. All participants underwent a battery of examinations to measure degree loneliness, depression, and global cognitive function. We also surveyed personal lifestyles. We used a mediation analysis to determine the relative contribution of each lifestyle factor on mental health outcomes.

Results

Older adults living alone rarely participated in mental and social activities and often had irregular diets; those adults living with children spent most of their time caring for grandchildren and had irregular eating and sleeping schedules; those living with a spouse often engaged in a variety of leisure activities and had the best life habits. Mediation analyses showed that dietary and sleeping irregularity partially mediated the negative effects of living alone on mental health, and were moderated by age and gender.

Conclusions

Living with a spouse was associated with benefits for the mental health of middle-aged and older adults (especially older and female individuals), through modifying better lifestyles than those of individuals with the other two types of the household and family composition.
Revealing the significance of early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: insights from healthy lung initiative data at COP27 conference
Authors: Amin Wagdy , Ashmawy Rasha , Sharaf Sandy , Zeina Sally , Hammouda Esraa Abdellatif , Mohamed Nancy , Gamal Rewan , Hamr Dina Abu , Gebril Heba , Alaa Ola , Taha Ussama , El-Feel Hazem
Published: July 2024

Background

Climate change poses a significant threat to respiratory health, exacerbating conditions like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and respiratory infections increasing morbidity and mortality indirectly through exposure to greenhouse gases. During the 27th Climate Change Conference (COP27), the Healthy Lung Initiative (HLI) for the early detection of COPD among smokers was launched in Egypt.

Objective

We aimed to detect the prevalence and predictors of confirmed COPD among smokers and assess physicians’ adherence to prescribing pulmonary function tests (PFTs) among the COP27 conference attendees.

Methods

This study utilized smokers’ data from the HLI, employing a cross-sectional design with an interview-based questionnaire, supplemented by spirometry for lung function evaluation. Participants, comprising Egyptian and non-Egyptian residents in Sharm El-Sheikh city, were provided with educational materials and encouraged to seek further evaluation from a pulmonologist.

Results

The HLI study, conducted from November 6th to 20th, 2022, involved 1133 participants, 90% (1047) of whom were smokers. Most smokers were males (96.3%) and Egyptians (98.6%), with half aged 30–39 and the majority starting smoking within the last 20 years. Despite common respiratory symptoms, 47% suffered from dyspnea on exertion, and only 4.3% have undergone lung function tests, suggesting a potential underdiagnosis of COPD. Most participants (82.6%) had an FEV1/FVC ratio > 70%, indicating no spirometry-confirmed COPD diagnosis, while 147 participants (17% of them) exhibited all three cardinal COPD symptoms simultaneously. Male gender and daily cigarette consumption were significant predictors for confirmed COPD, while age showed no significance in regression analyses.

Conclusion

The ongoing HLI focuses on early detection and education to combat smoking-related risks, particularly among middle-aged males, while also highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to address the intersection of smoking and climate change.
Attention-enhanced dilated convolution for Parkinson’s disease detection using transcranial sonography
Authors: Chen Shuang , Shi Yuting , Wan Linlin , Liu Jing , Wan Yongyan , Jiang Hong , Qiu Rong
Published: July 2024

Background

Transcranial sonography (TCS) plays a crucial role in diagnosing Parkinson's disease. However, the intricate nature of TCS pathological features, the lack of consistent diagnostic criteria, and the dependence on physicians' expertise can hinder accurate diagnosis. Current TCS-based diagnostic methods, which rely on machine learning, often involve complex feature engineering and may struggle to capture deep image features. While deep learning offers advantages in image processing, it has not been tailored to address specific TCS and movement disorder considerations. Consequently, there is a scarcity of research on deep learning algorithms for TCS-based PD diagnosis.

Methods

This study introduces a deep learning residual network model, augmented with attention mechanisms and multi-scale feature extraction, termed AMSNet, to assist in accurate diagnosis. Initially, a multi-scale feature extraction module is implemented to robustly handle the irregular morphological features and significant area information present in TCS images. This module effectively mitigates the effects of artifacts and noise. When combined with a convolutional attention module, it enhances the model's ability to learn features of lesion areas. Subsequently, a residual network architecture, integrated with channel attention, is utilized to capture hierarchical and detailed textures within the images, further enhancing the model's feature representation capabilities.

Results

The study compiled TCS images and personal data from 1109 participants. Experiments conducted on this dataset demonstrated that AMSNet achieved remarkable classification accuracy (92.79%), precision (95.42%), and specificity (93.1%). It surpassed the performance of previously employed machine learning algorithms in this domain, as well as current general-purpose deep learning models.

Conclusion

The AMSNet proposed in this study deviates from traditional machine learning approaches that necessitate intricate feature engineering. It is capable of automatically extracting and learning deep pathological features, and has the capacity to comprehend and articulate complex data. This underscores the substantial potential of deep learning methods in the application of TCS images for the diagnosis of movement disorders.

Graphical Abstract
Clinical implications of the family history in patients with lung cancer: a systematic review of the literature and a new cross-sectional/prospective study design (FAHIC: lung)
Authors: Citarella Fabrizio , Takada Kazuki , Cascetta Priscilla , Crucitti Pierfilippo , Petti Roberta , Vincenzi Bruno , Tonini Giuseppe , Venanzi Francesco M. , Bulotta Alessandra , Oresti Sara , Greco Carlo , Ramella Sara , Crinò Lucio , Delmonte Angelo , Ferrara Roberto , Di Maio Massimo , Gurrieri Fiorella , Cortellini Alessio
Published: July 2024

Compared to other malignancies, few studies have investigated the role of family history of cancer (FHC) in patients with lung cancer, yielding largely heterogeneous results. We performed a systematic literature review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, searching the PubMed and Scopus databases from their inception to November 25, 2023, to identify studies reporting on the role of FHC in patients with lung cancer. A total of 53 articles were included, most with a retrospective design and encompassing a variety of geographical areas and ethnicities.

Thirty studies (56.6%) assessed patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while 17 studies (32.1%) assessed patients with mixed histologies. Overall, the rates of FHC ranged from 8.3 to 68.9%, and the rates of family history of lung cancer ranged from 2 to 46.8%. Twenty-seven studies investigated FHC as a potential risk factor for lung cancer, with more than half reporting an increased risk for subjects with FHC. Five studies reported on the potential role of FHC in determining clinical outcomes, and twelve studies examined the relationship between FHC and germline mutations. Notably, only one study reported a significantly increased rate of germline mutations, including ATM, BRCA2, and TP53, for patients with a family history of lung cancer compared to those without, but both groups had a low prevalence of mutations (< 1%).

The FAHIC—Lung (NCT06196424) is the first cross-sectional/prospective study specifically developed to identify FHC patterns and within-family clusters of other risk factors, including smoking, to guide patients with NSCLC to systematic genetic counseling. Acknowledging the largely heterogeneous results of our systematic review and considering the clinical implications of detecting pathogenic germline variants (PGVs), the FAHIC-lung study aims to identify patients potentially enriched with PGVs/likely PGVs to direct them to germline screening outside of the research setting.
Latent heterogeneity of deviant behaviors and associated factors among ethnic minority adolescents: a latent class analysis
Authors: Cui Kunjie , Fong Ted C. T. , Yip Paul Siu Fai
Published: July 2024

Background

Deviant behaviors are common during adolescence. Despite the diversity of juvenile delinquency, the patterns of deviant behaviors remain unclear in ethnic minorities. The present study aimed to evaluate the latent heterogeneity of deviant behaviors and associated factors in ethnic minority Yi adolescents.

Methods

The present study recruited a large sample of 1931 ethnic minority Yi adolescents (53.4% females, mean age = 14.7 years, SD 1.10) in five secondary schools in 2022 in Sichuan, China. The participants completed measures on 13 deviant behaviors and demographic characteristics, attitudinal self-control, and psychological distress. Sample heterogeneity of deviant behaviors was analyzed via latent class analysis using class as the cluster variable.

Results

The data supported three latent classes with measurement invariance by sex. 68.2%, 28.0%, and 3.8% of the sample were in the Normative, Borderline, and Deviant class, with minimal, occasional, and extensive deviant behaviors, respectively. The Deviant class was more prevalent in males (6.5%) than females (1.6%). There were significant class differences in domestic violence, school belonging, self-control, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Males, domestic violence, low school belonging, and impaired self-control significantly predicted higher odds of the Deviant and Borderline classes compared to the normative class.

Conclusion

This study provided the first results on three latent classes of deviant behaviors with distinct profiles in ethnic minority adolescents in rural China. These results have practical implications to formulate targeted interventions to improve the psycho-behavioral functioning of the at-risk adolescents in ethnic minorities.
The triglyceride-glucose index is a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease and psoriasis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fu Bingqi , Zeng Yan , Wang Man , Zhao Lin , Sun Lin , Wang Tianjie , Dong Junle , Yang Weixian , Hua Wei
Published: July 2024

Background

The association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and clinical outcomes in patients with both coronary artery disease (CAD) and psoriasis is unclear. This study investigated the association between the TyG index and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with both CAD and psoriasis.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with both CAD and psoriasis who underwent coronary angiography at the Fuwai Hospital, Beijing, China, between January 2017 and May 2022. The study endpoint was the occurrence of MACE or end of follow-up time. Multivariate Cox proportional analysis and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to determine the association between the TyG index and MACE. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the optimal threshold value of the TyG index for predicting MACE.

Results

This study enrolled 293 patients with both CAD and psoriasis, including 258 (88.1%) males with a mean age of 58.89 ± 9.61 years. Patients were divided into four groups based on the TyG quartiles: Q1 (N = 74), Q2 (N = 73), Q3 (N = 73), and Q4 (N = 73). After adjusting for the potential confounders, the TyG index was independently associated with MACE, both as a continuous variable (HR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.03–2.28, P = 0.035) and as a categorical variable (Q1: reference; Q2: HR = 1.85, 95% CI = 0.88–3.87, P = 0.105; Q3: HR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.14-5.00, P = 0.021; Q4: HR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.001–4.81, P = 0.0497; P for trend = 0.039). RCS analysis showed an linear association between the TyG index and MACE (P-overall = 0.027, P-non-linear = 0.589). ROC curve analysis showed that the TyG index of ≥ 8.73 was the optimal threshold value (area under the ROC curve = 0.60, 95% CI 0.53–0.67). TyG index ≥ 8.73 was significantly associated with MACE (HR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.32–3.34, P = 0.002). After adjustment for confounders, the TyG index showed independent association with MACE (HR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.17–3.42, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

The TyG index showed a positive linear correlation with MACE in patients with both CAD and psoriasis. The TyG index of ≥ 8.73 might be the optimal threshold for predicting MACE.

Graphical Abstract
Investigation of the long-term variation of gravity waves over South America using empirical orthogonal function analysis
Authors: Ayorinde Toyese Tunde , Wrasse Cristiano Max , Takahashi Hisao , Barros Diego , Figueiredo Cosme Alexandre Oliveira Barros , da silva Ligia Alves , Bilibio Anderson Vestena
Published: July 2024

The spatial and temporal variability of gravity waves (GWs) potential energy (Ep) over South America (SA) was examined by analyzing temperature profiles obtained through the utilization of Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) from January 2002 to December 2021. We used the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to decompose GWs parameters and to analyze the GW variations over SA. We considered the first three eigenmodes (EOF1, EOF2, and EOF3) and their principal components (PC1, PC2, and PC3) of the EOF decomposition, which accounts for ∼80–90% of the total GWs variation over SA. Further, we analyzed the coupled variation of Ep and zonal mean wind (U) to verify their inter-dependencies using the singular value decomposition (SVD). The spatial variation showed that different localized mechanisms generate GWs at different sectors of the continent. The EOF1 of Ep comprised more than 50%, the EOF2 ∼20–25%, and the third ∼10–15% of the total GWs variation. The positive variation of GWs energy in the EOF1 is localized in the tropical region from the lower stratosphere to the lower mesosphere and southward below 1.5° S in the upper mesosphere. The spectral analysis of GWs energy showed biannual, annual, semiannual, and 11-year variations at different eigenvectors. Relative Ep (REp) showed an asymmetric hemispheric response to solar flux over South America. The REp response to QBO showed a modulating effect below 70 km and a positive response above 70 km. There is a good positive correlation between the temporal component of EOF2 of Ep and the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) at 30 mb and 50 mb in the PC2 temporal variation.

Graphical Abstract
A small-loop double-coil decoupling transient electromagnetic device for high-sensitivity near-surface detection
Authors: Xia Tong , Yue Mingxin , Yang Xiaodong , Chen Xinghai , Niu Huihui , Yang Tao , Cao Yu , Wu Xiaoping
Published: July 2024

Small-loop transient electromagnetic (TEM) devices, several meters in size, are increasingly applied to near-surface geophysical exploration in space-limited environments. But the transmitter (TX) coil significantly affects the early time data acquisition of the receiver (RX) coil during current turn-off, resulting in the loss of shallow signals and creating a significant blind zone problem. We report a double-coil decoupling TEM (DCDTEM) device to solve this problem. The novel DCDTEM device ensures a weak primary magnetic flux region between the two coplanar TX coils with the same current direction and different radii. Simulation results indicate that the transmitting field of the DCDTEM device is more focused than the traditional central loop device, ensuring a stronger coupling with the target. The 3D TEM forward-modeling results show that the DCDTEM device has the highest detection sensitivity, together with a relatively high lateral resolution compared with other small-loop TEM devices. We further carry out several physical experiments to test the response characteristics of the DCDTEM device with reference to the offset and the ratio of turns between the TX and RX coils. The experimental results ensure that the position of the zero magnetic flux point can be accurately calibrated and mitigate interference from TX coils. Our DCDTEM device is also applied in a field test on water pipe detection, demonstrating its practicality in near-surface detection.
Interference mechanism of plasma self-organization in transparent dielectrics under the intense femtosecond laser pulse exposure
Authors: Bogatskaya A. V. , Volkova E. A. , Popov A. M.
Published: July 2024

A new mechanism of plasma self-organization in transparent dielectrics with wide bandgap exposed to the intense tightly focused laser radiation was revealed, which causes the generation of 3D periodic ring structures with subwavelength period both along the laser pulse propagation and in the radial direction. The mechanism involves formation of dense plasma burst in the pre-focal region that provides efficient scattering of the incident wave. The interference of a plane incident laser wave in the focal region and a divergent reflected one will form the standing wave pattern with local minima and maxima of laser field both in the direction of the incident wave propagation and perpendicular to it producing the ring patterns of effective ionization regions in the dielectric volume. Analytical and numerical simulations of the process of laser wave scattering on a near-spherical plasma object with dimensions both smaller and larger than the laser radiation wavelength are performed to verify the proposed model.
Congenital Hyperinsulinism and Novel KDM6A Duplications -Resolving Pathogenicity With Genome and Epigenetic Analyses
Authors: Männistö Jonna M E , Hopkins Jasmin J , Hewat Thomas I , Nasser Fatima , Burrage Joseph , Dastamani Antonia , Mirante Alice , Murphy Nuala , Rzasa Jessica , Kerkhof Jennifer , Relator Raissa , Johnson Matthew B , Laver Thomas W , Weymouth Luke , Houghton Jayne A L , Wakeling Matthew N , Sadikovic Bekim , Dempster Emma L , Flanagan Sarah E
Published: July 2024

Context

Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HI) can be the presenting feature of Kabuki syndrome (KS), which is caused by loss-of-function variants in KMT2D or KDM6A. As these genes play a critical role in maintaining methylation status in chromatin, individuals with pathogenic variants have a disease-specific epigenomic profile—an episignature.

Objective

We evaluated the pathogenicity of 3 novel partial KDM6A duplications identified in 3 individuals presenting with neonatal-onset HI without typical features of KS at the time of genetic testing.

Methods

Three different partial KDM6A duplications were identified by routine targeted next-generation sequencing for HI and initially classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS) as their location, and hence their impact on the gene, was not known. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was undertaken to map the breakpoints of the duplications with DNA methylation profiling performed in 2 individuals to investigate the presence of a KS-specific episignature.

Results

WGS confirmed the duplication in proband 1 as pathogenic as it caused a frameshift in the normal copy of the gene leading to a premature termination codon. The duplications identified in probands 2 and 3 did not alter the reading frame, and therefore their significance remained uncertain after WGS. Subsequent DNA methylation profiling identified a KS-specific episignature in proband 2 but not in proband 3.

Conclusion

Our findings confirm a role for KDM6A partial gene duplications in the etiology of KS and highlight the importance of performing in-depth molecular genetic analysis to properly assess the clinical significance of VUS' in the KDM6A gene.
LEAFY and WAPO1 jointly regulate spikelet number per spike and floret development in wheat
Authors: Paraiso Francine , Lin Huiqiong , Li Chengxia , Woods Daniel P. , Lan Tianyu , Tumelty Connor , Debernardi Juan M. , Joe Anna , Dubcovsky Jorge
Published: July 2024

In wheat, the transition of the inflorescence meristem to a terminal spikelet (IM→TS) determines the spikelet number per spike (SNS), an important yield component. In this study, we demonstrate that the plant-specific transcription factor LEAFY (LFY) physically and genetically interacts with WHEAT ORTHOLOG OF APO1 (WAPO1) to regulate SNS and floret development. Loss-of-function mutations in either or both genes result in significant and similar reductions in SNS, as a result of a reduction in the rate of spikelet meristem formation per day. SNS is also modulated by significant genetic interactions between LFY and the SQUAMOSA MADS-box genes VRN1 and FUL2, which promote the IM→TS transition. Single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed a downregulation of LFY and upregulation of the SQUAMOSA MADS-box genes in the distal part of the developing spike during the IM→TS transition, supporting their opposite roles in the regulation of SNS in wheat. Concurrently, the overlap of LFY and WAPO1 transcription domains in the developing spikelets contributes to normal floret development. Understanding the genetic network regulating SNS is a necessary first step to engineer this important agronomic trait.
Nursing undergraduates’ experience of participating in the Internet + Nursing Program and their spiritual education needs: A qualitative study from the perspective of the Neuman System Model
Authors: Huang Ying , Dong Xiaotong , Wu Wei , Zhang Haoran , Qi Fei
Published: July 2024

Objective: This study aimed to explore the qualitative aspects of nursing undergraduates’ experience of participating in the Internet + nursing program and their spiritual education needs from the perspective of the Neuman system model.
Methods: Using a descriptive qualitative study design, twelve full-time undergraduates at Chengde Medical University from June to July 2022 who had completed their clinical internship were interviewed one-on-one, and a purposive sampling method was adopted. Moreover, Colaizzi’s phenomenological method was employed to analyze the data and improve the themes.
Results: In the Internet + nursing program, the lack of spiritual education for undergraduates can be summarized into the following four themes: lack of spiritual consciousness; lack of spiritual education and spiritual nursing knowledge; high demand for spiritual education; and cognition of the current situation of basic nursing education in China and thoughts on incorporating Internet-related technologies into future nursing education.
Conclusion: At the school and hospital level, importance should be placed on the basic education of spirituality and psychological nursing, and appropriate measures should be taken to improve the knowledge level of spirituality and psychological nursing as well as the capacity of spiritual nursing, in order to ensure high-quality nursing services.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.8822
How to cite this: Huang Y, Dong X, Wu W, Zhang H, Qi F. Nursing undergraduates’ experience of participating in the Internet + Nursing Program and their spiritual education needs: A qualitative study from the perspective of the Neuman System Model. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(8):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.8822
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Safety Assessment of Sedation Services in Radiology at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Peshawar
Authors: Mansoor Faraz
Published: July 2024

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective observational study was to evaluate the safety of newly started sedation services in the department of Radiology Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center Peshawar, Pakistan.
Methods: Medical record of the patients who underwent sedation for different types of imaging studies at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Peshawar center were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the safety outcome of sedation. Process variables included preoperative assessment, obtaining informed consent acquisition, confirmation of nulla per os (NPO) status, monitoring during the procedure, post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) handover, and discharge instructions. The monitored complications included instances of cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, hypoxia, apnea and vomiting.
Results: No major adverse events, such as respiratory or cardiovascular arrest, were observed among the patients in our study. A limited number of cases experienced minor events, specifically hypoxia and apnea, all of which were effectively addressed through simple maneuvers. However, one patient with previously undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea encountered upper airway obstruction, necessitating the discontinuation of the procedure. Subsequently, all patients were safely discharged to their homes from the recovery area.
Conclusion: Sedation in Radiology department can be safely performed by adhering to a structured approach aligned with hospital policies and procedures.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.9326
How to cite this: Mansoor F. Safety Assessment of Sedation Services in Radiology at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Peshawar. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(8):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.9326
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Case Report: Multidisciplinary management of severe blast-related craniofacial and ocular injuries at artisanal gold mining sites in Niger: An unusual case report and comprehensive literature review
Authors: Issoufou Hamma Ousmane , Boka Tounga Yahouza , Abdou Moussa Haboubacar , Mahamat Hissene Tidjani , Moussa Daouda Ibrahim , Laouali Abba Fassouma , Nicaise Agada Kpègnon , Ide Garba , Issa Ibrahim Assoumane , Daouda Bako Inoussa , Kelani Aminath Bariath , Chaibou Maman Sani , Sani Rachid
Published: July 2024

Blast-related craniofacial and ocular injuries have traditionally been associated with battlefields. In civilian populations, these injuries were infrequent, primarily arising from accidental explosions or terrorism incidents. Explosions can inflict severe damage to the neurological, ocular, and auditory systems through blast waves, high-velocity foreign bodies, and thermal radiation. The pathophysiology of blast-related craniofacial injuries is specific and complex, with severe cases often involving both penetrating and blunt trauma, leading to high mortality and morbidity rates. These injuries necessitate multidisciplinary management and can be defined as intracranial polytrauma. Recently, Niger has seen a surge in blast injuries, predominantly due to the increase in clandestine artisanal gold mining. Managing these injuries in resource-limited settings poses significant challenge. Comprehensive national data on these injuries are sparse due to high pre-hospital mortality rates and their infrequent occurrence, resulting in limited experience among our local physicians in their management. We present a rare case involving an artisanal gold miner with a history of smoking and previous concussions from explosion exposures. The patient was transferred to our hospital following severe craniofacial and ocular injuries caused by an accidental dynamite explosion at a mining site. On admission, the patient presented altered consciousness, agitation, unstable vital signs, multiple craniofacial wounds, including a large frontal wound with brain substance extrusion, diffuse facial burns, left globe rupture, and rhinorrhagia. After resuscitation and stabilization, brain imaging revealed multiple complex craniofacial fractures with foreign bodies. The patient underwent multidisciplinary surgical management. However, the postoperative course was complicated by post-concussive syndrome, and infection of the surgical wounds, necessitating surgical revision. Following the second surgery, the postoperative course was uneventful, although the patient experienced reduced visual acuity. This case highlights the management challenges in Niger and underscores the urgent need for clinical studies and training for gold miners to enhance safety practices in their activities.
Management of sustainable development of organizations and territories
Authors: Tumin Valeriy , Zenkina Elena , Ivanova Ol'ga , Kostromin Petr , Minchenkova Aleksandra
Published: July 2024

The monograph presents general theoretical and practical issues of managing the sustainable development of organizations and territories. The understanding and evolution of the concept of sustainable development management in Russia and the world, mechanisms and tools for its implementation are considered. The views of the authors of the monograph on the role and place of the state, society, business entities and each person in solving this global global problem are presented. Considerable attention is paid to the tools of innovative and investment development of territories, the use of strategic and project approaches in managing sustainable development, ensuring competitiveness of organizations and territories in domestic and international business against the background of sustainable development requirements.
It is intended for specialists working in the fields of sectoral and regional socio-ecological and economic issues both within the framework of scientific research and practical management (from federal to municipal and corporate levels). The problems under consideration are also of interest to managers and employees of business structures, design and consulting companies, teachers, students and postgraduates of universities of economics and management, environmental and engineering fields and specialties, students of business schools and retraining.
Towards building networks of solidarity: A co-designed training model for non-professional interpreters and translators in regional Australia
Authors: Angelucci Margherita , Wilson Rita
Published: July 2024

Despite ongoing efforts by different levels of government, barriers still exist for diverse communities in Australia when it comes to accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate social services. These barriers have detrimental effects on the sense of belonging and social inclusion of migrants, as highlighted by recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. In rural and regional areas, where access to resources and support can already be limited, these issues are particularly pronounced during crisis situations. Non-professional interpreters and translators have played a crucial role in facilitating effective communication in these circumstances, as they are often trusted members of their communities and understand their needs. However, relying on volunteers to provide multilingual communication in times of crisis is neither equitable nor sustainable. In response to this issue, the IMPARO pilot project has been implemented in the regional hub of Shepparton, Victoria, with the aim of providing training and professional development opportunities for non-certified community interpreters and translators. This project utilises principles of co-design and participatory initiatives to foster relationships and associations that promote inclusive practices and solidarity. Using action research and digital platforms, the project ensures equitable access to resources for its participants, who not only strive for professional certification and improved employability but also recognise the value of building intercultural networks of solidarity as a solid foundation to promote sustainable forms of knowledge sharing among diverse communities.
Information Relaxation and a Duality-Driven Algorithm for Stochastic Dynamic Programs
Authors: Chen Nan , Ma Xiang , Liu Yanchu , Yu Wei
Published: July 2024

The curse of dimensionality significantly restricts the use of dynamic programming methods in solving complex problems. Consequently, researchers and practitioners often resort to approximate (suboptimal) control policies that strike a balance between ease of implementation and satisfactory performance. Information relaxation-based duality techniques generate both upper and lower bounds for the true values of stochastic dynamic programming problems, allowing us to evaluate the optimality of approximate policies through the dual gap. However, the literature still lacks guidance on handling cases where the gaps are excessively loose. In “Information Relaxation and a Duality-Driven Algorithm for Stochastic Dynamic Programs,” Chen, Ma, Liu, and Yu develop a novel DDP framework to obtain and tighten confidence interval estimates for the true value functions of SDP problems. Leveraging a new finding that the dual operation yields subsolutions, they establish convergence guarantees for DDP. Additionally, a regression-based Monte Carlo method is introduced, aimed at high-dimensional applications. Numerical examples demonstrate that DDP effectively improves dual gaps for various heuristics that are commonly used in the literature.
Flood Hazard Mapping in Bandung Regency Based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with AHP Method
Authors: Putra Riki Purnama , Agustina Rena Denya , Susanti Seni , Chusni Muhammad Minan , Novitasari Emiliya
Published: July 2024

Flooding is a natural disaster that can harm various parties, both harming nature and also harming humans. Floods can certainly hinder various human activities, both social and economic. Various causes of flooding can be caused by two main factors, namely natural factors and human factors. The natural factors in question are caused by nature, such as high-intensity rain, while the human factors are caused by humans, such as massive development and lack of drainage and humans' bad attitude towards the environment. This research aims to determine the probability of flooding in the Bandung Regency area. The research method used uses the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method based on Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) using eight main factors, namely; (1) NDVI; (2) TWI; (3) Land Use; (4) Rainfall; (5) Slopes; (6) Elevation; (7) Distance from Road; and (8) Distance from River. Then the probability results are formed into a flood risk map for the Bandung Regency area with validation carried out using the ROC curve. The results obtained are that there are four risk categories, including; (1) Low Risk; (2) Quite Risk; (3) High Risk; and (4) Extreme Risk. The Bandung Regency area near Bandung City has the most High Risk to Extreme Risk, while outside that area has an average of Low Risk to Quite Risk. In addition, the validation results by comparing the obtained maps with the flood maps that occurred in 2002–2022 obtained an average ROC curve percentage of 76.4%, and these results show that the flood risk hazard map for Bandung Regency is valid.