bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing user experience in the digital service environment: A comprehensive study on the design and evaluation of internet‐based healthcare products
Authors: Zhao Hang , Zheng Yiying , Chen Shuting , Han Ting
Published: July 2024

Rationale

In the era of burgeoning digital technology, healthcare is a challenging transformative change towards virtual and digital platforms. Internet‐based healthcare services are emerging as a popular trend within the medical area. User experience (UX) is paramount for the healthcare service, as it significantly influences experience satisfaction and fosters user viscosity. Gaining a profound understanding of users' demands and crafting services that align with their expectations is essential.

Methods

Consequently, exploring an effective design approach for the digital healthcare service that prioritizes UX along with utilizing a comprehensive evaluation methodology to handle UX data, is of profound importance. This study introduces a design methodology for Internet‐based healthcare products grounded in the UX and mental (UX‐M) model. Aiming to refine the Internet‐based healthcare product design by integrating insights from the experience data, it employs the Delphi‐ANP and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to determine evaluation indexes and conduct experiential assessments.

Results

The UX evaluation results of existing schemes are compared with the proposed design scheme of the intelligent guidance and internet hospital. The findings indicate that the UX evaluation of Internet‐based medical services with the proposed method outperforms the existing schemes.

Conclusions

On the one hand, UX research of Internet‐based healthcare products can significantly enhance service satisfaction for patients utilizing online medical treatments. On the other hand, the analysis of experience‐based evaluation empowers designers to refine and improve UX design of Internet‐based medical services. Such research endeavors are critical for enhancing the overall quality of service offerings and elevating user satisfaction in the digital healthcare landscape.
Authentic parent engagement in performance measure design: The JCAMP example
Authors: Summers Alicia , Cantamessa Heather
Published: July 2024

Performance measurement is meant to help organizations to better understand current practices, processes, outputs, or outcomes. Yet, it is often limited in its use and usefulness, partly because it is not designed with the end user in mind. This article describes a process that integrates participatory design and design thinking methodologies to bring together a multidisciplinary group of systems professionals, researchers, and persons with lived experience to create meaningful child welfare court performance measures. The methods and process used to design the measures are described, including the resulting measures in one domain of measurement. Key lessons were learned throughout this process, including the value of lived experience in design and implementation.
From ambiguity to action: Reframing child safety measurement in the child welfare court system
Authors: Summers Alicia , Renne Jennifer
Published: July 2024

Child safety is an ambiguous and transient construct within the child welfare court system. It being not statutorily defined yet is at the crux of the child welfare system. In this article, the measurement of child safety in the child welfare system is explored with a focus on how it has been measured within the context of the courts. Gaps in the current measurement structure are identified, focusing on how measurement might support a better understanding of a safety decision‐making framework and its application into practice. The article also introduces the Capacity Building Center for Courts' Judicial, Court, and Attorney Measures of Performance as a new approach to a standardized performance metric of safety practices within the child welfare court system. Limitation of these measures is discussed along with recommendations for moving the field forward toward measuring safety decision‐making.
Immersion immunization with recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae displaying ORF25 induced protective immunity against cyprinid herpesvirus 2
Authors: Yang Maoxia , Luo Sheng , Zhou Qianjin , Lu Jianfei , Chen Jiong
Published: July 2024

Displaying antigens on yeast surface as an oral vaccine has been widely explored, while its potential as an immersion vaccine has not been evaluated. Here, an immersion vaccine was prepared by displaying ORF25 of Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV‐2) on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Carassius auratus gibelio was immersion immunized by 2 × 107 CFU/mL yeast for 2 h, and reinforce the immunity using the same method 14 days after the first immunization. The results showed that ORF25 specific antibody in immunized crucian carp serum was detected at a high level, and the mRNA expression level of IgM, IgT, IL‐1β, and IFN‐1 in vaccinated head‐kidney and spleen tissues were higher than the control group, indicating that innate and adaptive immunity were induced. Moreover, the immersion vaccination provided effective protection for fish against CyHV‐2, leading to a relative percent survival of 50.2%. Meanwhile, immersion vaccination restrained virus replication and histological damage in CyHV‐2 infected crucian carp. Our data suggested that immersion immunization of S. cerevisiae‐displayed ORF25 could be served as a candidate vaccine to prevent CyHV‐2 infection.
Artificial intelligence‐based modeling of novel non‐thermal milk pasteurization to achieve desirable color and predict quality parameters during storage
Authors: Alsaedi Ali Wali M. , Al‐Hilphy Asaad R. , Al‐Mousawi Azhar J. , Gavahian Mohsen
Published: July 2024

This study proposed using color components as artificial intelligence (AI) input to predict milk moisture and fat contents. In this sense, an adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was applied to milk processed by moderate electrical field‐based non‐thermal (NP) and conventional pasteurization (CP). The differences between predicted and experimental data were not significant (p > 0.05) for lightness (L*), redness‐greenness (a*), yellowness‐blueness (b*), total color differences (∆E), hue angle (h), chroma (C), whiteness (WI), yellowness (YI), and browning index (BI). ANFIS well‐predicted milk fat and moisture content using quadratic and two‐factor interaction models with mean errors of .00858–.01260 and correlation coefficient of .8051–.8205. Stability tests showed L* and WI reduced while a*, b*, ΔE, h, C, YI, and BI increased during the storage. NP milk had 77.21% higher half‐life than CP, as predicted by ANFIS modeling. Findings indicated milk quality characteristics could be estimated based on physical parameters (e.g., color components), contributing to sustainable food production.

Practical applications

The findings offer practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) as an innovative monitoring and prediction technique to enhance food quality and sustainability. The proposed methodology makes the real‐time prediction of milk quality feasible by leveraging AI and physical parameters. An adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) accurately predicts moisture and fat contents according to color values, facilitating quality assessment. Stability tests during cold storage provide insights into milk quality changes over time, aiding in determining key parameters in predictive modeling. The proposed approach was found to be applicable to both conventional and non‐thermal pasteurized milk. This study also provides a step‐by‐step protocol, facilitating the implementation of emerging technologies in the food industry.
Moisture‐modulated thermo‐physical analysis of sweetsop seed (Annona squamosa L.): A potential biofuel feedstock plant
Authors: Oloyede Christopher Tunji , Jekayinfa Simeon Olatayo , Adebonojo Samuel Adeyemi , Uduaghan Alexander Adebola , Adebayo Johnson Mobolaji , Islam Md Rizwanul Fattah
Published: July 2024

Sweetsop seed holds significant economic value as an oil seed, with ca. 25% oil content that finds applications as a feedstock for energy generation. The moisture‐modulated thermophysical properties of the seed were determined at varying moisture contents (8.0%–32.5%). Physical properties (length [L], width [W], thickness [T], arithmetic [Amd], and geometric mean diameters [Gmd], sphericity [Sty], surface area [SA], and bulk density [ρd]) were determined using standard methods while the thermal properties (specific heat capacity [SHC], thermal conductivity [Tcd], and thermal diffusivity [Tdf]) were analyzed using a TEMPOS thermal analyzer. The results showed that the seed L, W, T, Amd, and Gmd, Sty, SA, and ρd ranged from 13.22–14.95 mm, 7.32–7.95 mm, 5.25–5.35 mm, 8.60–8.75 mm, and 7.96–8.11 mm, 0.61–0.60, 196.72–205.28 mm2, and 210.00–270.00 kg m−3, respectively. The SHC, Tcd, and Tdf ranged from 0.14–0.52 J kg−1 K−1, 0.17–0.35 W m−1 K−1, and 0.10–0.20 m2 s−1, respectively. The ANOVA results indicated that the thermo‐physical properties studied were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected by moisture content. By utilizing the determined properties, engineers can develop efficient machines to harness the economic potential of sweetsop seed oil in various industries, including biofuel generation.

Practical applications

The thermal and physical properties of sweetsop seed are needed by agricultural and mechanical engineers and food scientists to explore the potential application of the seed and the seed product, like oil for industrial and commercial purposes. Data obtained on the specific heat capacity of the seed would be valuable in designing of heating compartment of an oil expeller, thermal conductivity and diffusivity would be needed to design drying systems that balance efficiency and quality preservation, facilitate efficient removal of moisture from the seed while minimizing the risk of over‐drying or under‐drying. Thus, affects the design of the seed storage systems. Data on the seed axial dimensions, sphericity, mean diameters, surface area, and bulk density would be useful in the design and fabrication of agricultural equipment like sheller, grinder, packaging machines, discharge chute, aperture, and planter, to ensure proper seed placement, flow and to determine machine throughput capacity.
Esophageal motor disorders across ages: A retrospective multicentric analysis
Authors: Pasta Andrea , Facchini Chiara , Calabrese Francesco , Bodini Giorgia , De Bortoli Nicola , Furnari Manuele , Mari Amir , Savarino Edoardo V. , Savarino Vincenzo , Visaggi Pierfrancesco , Zentilin Patrizia , Giannini Edoardo G. , Marabotto Elisa
Published: July 2024

Background

Age‐related changes in the gastrointestinal system are common and may be influenced by physiological aging processes. To date, a comprehensive analysis of esophageal motor disorders in patients belonging to various age groups has not been adequately reported.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective assessment of high‐resolution manometry (HRM) studies in a multicenter setting. HRM parameters were evaluated according to the Chicago Classification version 4.0. Epidemiological, demographic, clinical data, and main manometric parameters, were collected at the time of the examination. Age groups were categorized as early adulthood (<35 years), early middle‐age (35–49 years), late middle‐age (50–64 years), and late adulthood (≥65 years).

Results

Overall, 1341 patients (632, 47.0% male) were included with a median age of 55 years. Late adulthood patients reported more frequently dysphagia (35.2%) than early adulthood patients (24.0%, p = 0.035), early middle‐age patients (21.0%, p < 0.0001), and late middle‐aged patients (22.7%, p < 0.0001). Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction was more prevalent in late adulthood (16.7%) than in early adulthood (6.1%, p = 0.003), and in early middle‐age (8.1%, p = 0.001). Patients with normal esophageal motility were significantly younger (52.0 years) than patients with hypercontractile esophagus (61.5 years), type III achalasia (59.6 years), esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (59.4 years), absent contractility (57.2 years), and distal esophageal spasm (57.0 years), in multivariate model (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The rate of esophageal motor disorders is higher in older patients, in particular esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction and hypercontractile esophagus. Future prospective studies are necessary to confirm our results and to find tailored strategies to improve clinical outcomes.
Medicare expenditures among spouses of persons with dementia
Authors: Ingraham Bailey C. , Barthold Douglas , Coe Norma B. , Fishman Paul
Published: July 2024

Background

Spouses of persons living with dementia face intense strains on their well‐being compared with similarly aged adults and spouses of partners with no dementia. This strain can impact spouses' health and healthcare needs, and therefore affect their healthcare utilization and expenditures.

Methods

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study linked with Medicare claims, we matched dyads of spouses and their partners with dementia (SPWD) to a comparison group of similar spouses and their partners with no dementia (SPWND). We then examined Medicare expenditures for spouses in the 5 years following their partner's dementia onset month using a two‐part regression model.

Results

SPWD cumulative total Medicare expenditures were, on average, $60,043 in the 5 years post dementia onset, compared to $56,068 for SPWND. This difference ($3974, 95% CI = [−$3,199; $11,477]) was not significant. However, there were significant differences in the 5th year's total expenditures (+$2,748 [$321; $5,447]), driven by inpatient expenditures ($1,562 [$22; $3,277]).

Conclusions

Despite the differences in partner's dementia status, we found no significant difference in the 5‐year cumulative Medicare expenditures between SPWD and SPWND. Compared to previous studies, we likely captured an earlier stage of dementia more consistently for a broader population which may be less straining on spouses. Further research should examine patterns of expenditures in later years and around critical timepoints in caregiving, such as partner transitions to formal long‐term care settings and death, to better understand healthcare expenditures for spouses of persons living with dementia.
The mathematics of the ecological footprint revisited: An axiomatic approach
Authors: Kuhn Thomas , Pestow Radomir
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we take an axiomatic approach to the design of ecological footprint indices. Our focus is put on the heterogeneity of land with respect to types and regions, at the core of an inherent aggregation problem. We propose an axiomatic characterization of the ecological footprint index with two fundamentally new axioms, symmetry and independence, which can resolve the problem of land heterogeneity. It is shown that a unique index, up to an affine transformation, exists meeting the axiom system. This index simplifies the aggregation procedure considerably and avoids the need for a synthetic unit of measurement, like global hectares, as well as complex transformations of variables by means of weighting schemes. Our findings reveal differences with the Global Footprint Network (GFN) index, in particular with regard to the treatment of land heterogeneity. Finally, the axiomatic methodology employed may open up perspectives for the development of ecological measures in general, and especially of measures for sustainability and tipping points.
Harnessing myelin water fraction as an imaging biomarker of human cerebral aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and risk factors influencing myelination: A review
Authors: Faulkner Mary E. , Gong Zhaoyuan , Guo Alex , Laporte John P. , Bae Jonghyun , Bouhrara Mustapha
Published: July 2024

Myelin water fraction (MWF) imaging has emerged as a promising magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarker for investigating brain function and composition. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current state of knowledge on MWF as a biomarker of human cerebral aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and risk factors influencing myelination. The databases used include Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed. We begin with a brief discussion of the theoretical foundations of MWF imaging, including its basis in MR physics and the mathematical modeling underlying its calculation, with an overview of the most adopted MRI methods of MWF imaging. Next, we delve into the clinical and research applications that have been explored to date, highlighting its advantages and limitations. Finally, we explore the potential of MWF to serve as a predictive biomarker for neurological disorders and identify future research directions for optimizing MWF imaging protocols and interpreting MWF in various contexts. By harnessing the power of MWF imaging, we may gain new insights into brain health and disease across the human lifespan, ultimately informing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

image
Informing knowledge translation for selective dorsal rhizotomy: A survey of Australian clinicians and people with lived experience of cerebral palsy
Authors: Lewis Jennifer A , Paget Simon P , Wimalasundera Neil , Wynter Meredith , Campbell Lani , Lee Olivia S , Stewart Kirsty , Shah R , McKay Marnee J ,   the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Knowledge Translation Advisory Team
Published: July 2024

Aim

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a neurosurgical intervention used to reduce spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). There is minimal relevant, evidence‐based information available for Australian families and clinicians. This study aims to investigate the knowledge of people with lived experience and clinicians regarding SDR, including how they currently access information and what information they seek.

Methods

Adults with CP, carers of children with CP and clinicians treating children with CP were invited to complete an online survey. Data regarding participant demographics, current knowledge and confidence in knowledge about CP and SDR, information source/s used and participants level of trust in these sources are presented as counts and percentages. Comparisons in knowledge between groups were analysed.

Results

A total of 114 surveys were completed: 63 clinicians, 48 carers, and 3 adults with CP. Eighty percent of clinicians were allied health professionals. People with lived experience were less confident in their knowledge about SDR compared to knowledge of CP (P < 0.001). Clinicians rated scientific research literature and the hospital team as the most useful and trustworthy information source. People with lived experience used a wider range of information sources including the internet, rating their community therapy team and other people with lived experience as the most useful.

Conclusion

This study identified a lack of confidence in knowledge of SDR for people with lived experience, likely due to a gap in accessible and readable evidence‐based information. While both groups differed in how they access information, there was agreement that greater information about SDR is needed.
Neuronal network controlling REM sleep
Authors: Luppi Pierre‐Hervé , Malcey Justin , Chancel Amarine , Duval Blandine , Cabrera Sébastien , Fort Patrice
Published: July 2024

Rapid eye movement sleep is a state characterized by concomitant occurrence of rapid eye movements, electroencephalographic activation and muscle atonia. In this review, we provide up to date knowledge on the neuronal network controlling its onset and maintenance. It is now accepted that muscle atonia during rapid eye movement sleep is due to activation of glutamatergic neurons localized in the pontine sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus. These neurons directly project and excite glycinergic/γ‐aminobutyric acid‐ergic pre‐motoneurons localized in the ventromedial medulla. The sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus rapid eye movement‐on neurons are inactivated during wakefulness and non‐rapid eye movement by rapid eye movement‐off γ‐aminobutyric acid‐ergic neurons localized in the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey and the adjacent dorsal deep mesencephalic reticular nucleus. Melanin‐concentrating hormone and γ‐aminobutyric acid‐ergic rapid eye movement sleep‐on neurons localized in the lateral hypothalamus would inhibit these rapid eye movement sleep‐off neurons initiating the state. Finally, the activation of a few limbic cortical structures during rapid eye movement sleep by the claustrum and the supramammillary nucleus as well as that of the basolateral amygdala would be involved in the function(s) of rapid eye movement sleep. In summary, rapid eye movement sleep is generated by a brainstem generator controlled by forebrain structures involved in autonomic control.
A perpetual process of abjection: An examination of nurses' experiences in caring COVID‐19 patients in Wuhan
Authors: Zhang Shaoying
Published: July 2024

In this article, I try to document the lived experiences of nurses who were sent to Wuhan to work in the COVID‐19 wards and consider the impact of such experiences on their psychological well‐being. I show the contextual factors in Wuhan, the inherent nature of nursing during the pandemic and the transition from the immediate reactions of nurses to long‐term impacts on their personalities, formed through the whole process of abjection. Therefore, I argue that we need to consider how nursing experiences, before, during and after their professional work in the wards, would instigate abjection within nurses. The abjection of nurses does not start only from the ward, nor does it not end in the ward. Rather, the abjection of nurses, as a reaction to lived experiences, is nuanced and the study of it can reveal rich details of nurses' life both inside and outside of the ward.
Macroevolutionary dynamics of ecosystem‐engineering and niche construction
Authors: Erwin Douglas H.
Published: July 2024

That the activities of organisms influence their surrounding ecological communities, and the environment, has long been appreciated by palaeontologists, as has the role of these activities on both ecological and evolutionary processes. Spillover effects extend the range of ecosystem‐engineering through ecological networks, generating network effects that because of their non‐trophic nature can be challenging to track. Moreover, the cumulative effect of organismal activities can persist far beyond the lifespan of individual organisms, producing ecological inheritances that influence macroecological and macroevolutionary dynamics. This contribution surveys macroevolutionary patterns arising from ecosystem engineering, their potential contribution to evolutionary radiations, and the significance of ecosystem engineering as a public good in the success of evolutionary innovations. Anecdotally, such activities appear to have made important contributions, but considerable work is required for more rigorous understanding. I describe two challenges: the need for palaeontologists to collect abundance data in a way that facilitates comparative study, and the importance of more robust models of ecological (not just trophic) networks involving multigraphs and hypergraphs.
Bt corn and cotton planting may benefit peanut growers by reducing aflatoxin risk
Authors: Yu Jina , Hennessy David A. , Wu Felicia
Published: July 2024

Decades of studies have shown that Bt corn, by reducing insect damage, has lower levels of mycotoxins (fungal toxins), such as aflatoxin and fumonisin, than conventional corn. We used crop insurance data to infer that this benefit from Bt crops extends to reducing aflatoxin risk in peanuts: a non‐Bt crop. In consequence, we suggest that any benefit–cost assessment of how transgenic Bt crops affect food safety should not be limited to assessing those crops alone; because the insect pest control offered by Bt crops affects the food safety profile of other crops grown nearby. Specifically, we found that higher Bt corn and Bt cotton planting rates in peanut‐growing areas of the United States were associated with lower aflatoxin risk in peanuts as measured by aflatoxin‐related insurance claims filed by peanut growers. Drought‐related insurance claims were also lower: possibly due to Bt crops' suppression of insects that would otherwise feed on roots, rendering peanut plants more vulnerable to drought. These findings have implications for countries worldwide where policies allow Bt cotton but not Bt food crops to be grown: simply planting a Bt crop may reduce aflatoxin and drought stress in nearby food crops, resulting in a safer food supply through an inter‐crop “halo effect.”
Bacillus licheniformis Jrh14‐10 enhances alkaline tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana by regulating crosstalk between ethylene and polyamine pathways
Authors: Guo Lifeng , Zhao Junwei , Zhang Xuchen , Liu Yaning , Zhang Aiqin , Sun Jingzheng , Fan Xiaoya , Yan Xiufeng , Pang Qiuying
Published: July 2024

Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are known for their role in ameliorating plant stress, including alkaline stress, yet the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. This study investigates the impact of various inoculum doses of Bacillus licheniformis Jrh14‐10 on Arabidopsis growth under alkaline stress and explores the underlying mechanisms of tolerance enhancement. We found that all tested doses improved the growth of NaHCO3‐treated seedlings, with 109 cfu/mL being the most effective. Transcriptome analysis indicated downregulation of ethylene‐related genes and an upregulation of polyamine biosynthesis genes following Jrh14‐10 treatment under alkaline conditions. Further qRT‐PCR analysis confirmed the suppression of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling genes, alongside the activation of polyamine biosynthesis genes in NaHCO3‐stressed seedlings treated with Jrh14‐10. Genetic analysis showed that ethylene signaling‐deficient mutants (etr1‐3 and ein3‐1) exhibited greater tolerance to NaHCO3 than the wild type, and the growth‐promoting effect of Jrh14‐10 was significantly diminished in these mutants. Additionally, Jrh14‐10 was found unable to produce 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase, indicating it does not reduce the ethylene precursor ACC in Arabidopsis. However, Jrh14‐10 treatment increased the levels of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) in stressed seedlings, with spermidine particularly effective in reducing H2O2 levels and enhancing Fv/Fm under NaHCO3 stress. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of PGPR‐induced alkaline tolerance, highlighting the crosstalk between ethylene and polyamine pathways, and suggest a strategic redirection of S‐adenosylmethionine towards polyamine biosynthesis to combat alkaline stress.
The role of strigolactones in resistance to environmental stress in plants
Authors: Qi Jin , Mao Yuanzhi , Cui Jing , Lu Xuefang , Xu Junrong , Liu Yunzhi , Zhong Haini , Yu Wenjin , Li Changxia
Published: July 2024

Abiotic stress impairs plant growth and development, thereby causing low yield and inferior quality of crops. Increasing studies reported that strigolactones (SL) are plant hormones that enhance plant stress resistance by regulating plant physiological processes and gene expressions. In this review, we introduce the response and regulatory role of SL in salt, drought, light, heat, cold and cadmium stresses in plants. This review also discusses how SL alleviate the damage of abiotic stress in plants, furthermore, introducing the mechanisms of SL enhancing plant stress resistance at the genetic level. Under abiotic stress, the exogenous SL analog GR24 can induce the biosynthesis of SL in plants, and endogenous SL can alleviate the damage caused by abiotic stress. SL enhanced the stress resistance of plants by protecting photosynthesis, enhancing the antioxidant capacity of plants and promoting the symbiosis between plants and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM). SL interact with abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), auxin, cytokinin (CK), jasmonic acid (JA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and other signal molecules to jointly regulate plant stress resistance. Lastly, both the importance of SL and their challenges for future work are outlined in order to further elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying the roles of SL in plant responses to abiotic stress.
Uterotubal junction of the bovine (Bos taurus) versus the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius): Histology and histomorphometry
Authors: Abdoon Ahmed Sabry S. , Soliman Seham S. , Nagy Ahmed M.
Published: July 2024

This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the uterotubal junction in two distinct mammalian species, the bovine (Bos taurus) and the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), focusing on histological and histomorphometric parameters. Uterotubal junction (UTJ) was dissected from 8 cows and 12 camels with dominant follicles, and processed for H&E staining for histology, and histomorphometry examination. The results showed that the camel uterotubal junction papillae (UTJP) existed only in camels and was completely absent in cattle. Histologically, the cow UTJ appears with a star‐shaped lumen, and the mucosa is lined by a simple columnar epithelium with ciliated and non‐ciliated cells. Superficial (SG) and deep glands (DG) were abundant in the submucosa. Camel UTJP is a conical structure, it has a pale yellowish colour, 0.5 ± 0.2 cm height, and 0.3 ± 0.1 cm width, and it has a distinct sphincter at the tip towards the uterine lumen. In the camel UTJP, the lumen is wider, and the mucosa showed large multiple folds lined with ciliated and non‐ciliated cells in a pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The submucosa showed no mucosal glands. Lumen area, lumen epithelial height, luminal epithelial density, the thickness of the muscular layer, number of folds, fold height, epithelial height, fold area and epithelial perimeter were higher in camel UTJP (p < .001) than cow UTJ, while the total endosalpinx area and glandular epithelial density were lower in camel UTJP (p < .001) than in cow UTJ. In conclusion, this study elucidates potential variations in the uterotubal junction between bovines and dromedary camels, providing valuable insights into their reproductive adaptations. The epithelial lining, absence of glands and the thick layer of tunica muscularis might indicate that camel UTJP could play a mechanical role in selecting spermatozoa and assisting the hatching of blastocysts during their passage into the uterus.
Endurance Training Improves Leg Proton Release and Decreases Potassium Release During High‐Intensity Exercise in Normoxia and Hypobaric Hypoxia
Authors: Skattebo Øyvind , Capelli Carlo , Calbet Jose A. L. , Hallén Jostein
Published: July 2024

Aim

To assess the impact of endurance training on skeletal muscle release of H+ and K+.

Methods

Nine participants performed one‐legged knee extension endurance training at moderate and high intensities (70%–85% of Wpeak), three to four sessions·week−1 for 6 weeks. Post‐training, the trained and untrained (control) leg performed two‐legged knee extension at low, moderate, and high intensities (40%, 62%, and 83% of Wpeak) in normoxia and hypoxia (~4000 m). The legs were exercised simultaneously to ensure identical arterial inflow concentrations of ions and metabolites, and identical power output was controlled by visual feedback. Leg blood flow was measured (ultrasound Doppler), and acid–base variables, lactate‐ and K+ concentrations were assessed in arterial and femoral venous blood to study K+ and H+ release. Ion transporter abundances were assessed in muscle biopsies.

Results

Lactate‐dependent H+ release was similar in hypoxia to normoxia (p = 0.168) and was lower in the trained than the control leg at low–moderate intensities (p = 0.060–0.006) but similar during high‐intensity exercise. Lactate‐independent and total H+ releases were higher in hypoxia (p < 0.05) and increased more with power output in the trained leg (leg‐by‐power output interactions: p = 0.02). K+ release was similar at low intensity but lower in the trained leg during high‐intensity exercise in normoxia (p = 0.024) and hypoxia (p = 0.007). The trained leg had higher abundances of Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (p = 0.047) and Na+/K+ pump subunit α (p = 0.036).

Conclusion

Moderate‐ to high‐intensity endurance training increases lactate‐independent H+ release and reduces K+ release during high‐intensity exercise, coinciding with increased Na+/H+ exchanger 1 and Na+/K+ pump subunit α muscle abundances.
Endogenous and exogenous effects in self‐exciting process models of terrorist activity
Authors: Ruggeri Fabrizio , Porter Michael D. , White Gentry
Published: July 2024

A model based on the cluster process representation of the self‐exciting process model is derived to allow for variation in the excitation effects for terrorist events in a self‐exciting or cluster process model. The model's derivation and implementation details are given and applied to data from the Global Terrorism Database (National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), 2015) from 2000 to 2013. Results regarding the practical interpretation and implications for a theoretical model paralleling existing criminological theory are discussed.
Long‐term impact of an integrated HIV/non‐communicable disease care intervention on patient retention in care and clinical outcomes in East Africa
Authors: Namakoola Ivan , Moyo Faith , Birungi Josephine , Kivuyo Sokoine , Karoli Peter , Mfinanga Sayoki , Nyirenda Moffat , Jaffar Shabbar , Garrib Anupam
Published: July 2024

Objective

To describe rates of retention in care and control of hypertension, diabetes and HIV among participants receiving integrated care services for a period of up to 24 months in East Africa.

Methods

Between 5 October 2018 and 23 June 2019 participants enrolled into a prospective cohort study evaluating the feasibility of integrated care delivery for HIV, diabetes and hypertension from a single point of care in Tanzania and Uganda (MOCCA study). Integrated care clinics were established in 10 primary healthcare facilities and care was provided routinely according to national guidelines. Initial follow‐up was 12 months. Outcomes were rates of retention in care, proportions of participants with controlled hypertension (blood pressure <140/90 mmHg), diabetes (fasting blood glucose <7.0 mmol/L) and HIV (plasma viral load <1000 copies/ml). The study coincided with the COVID‐19 pandemic response. Afterwards, all participants were approached for extended follow‐up by a further 12 months in the same clinics. We evaluated outcomes of the cohort at the end of long‐term follow‐up.

Results

The MOCCA study enrolled 2273 participants of whom 1911 (84.5%) were retained in care after a median follow‐up of 8 months (Interquartile range: 6.8–10.7). Among these, 1283/1911 (67.1%) enrolled for a further year of follow‐up, 458 (24.0%) were unreachable, 71 (3.7%) reverted to vertical clinics (clinics providing services dedicated to study conditions), 31 (1.6%) died and 68 (3.6%) refused participation. Among participants who enrolled for longer follow‐up, mean age was 51.4 ± 11.7 years, 930 (72.5%) were female and 509 (39.7%) had multiple chronic conditions. Overall, 1236 (96.3%) [95% confidence interval 95.2%–97.3%] participants were retained in care, representing 1236/2273 (54.3%) [52.3%–56.4%] of participants ever enrolled in the study. Controlled hypertension, diabetes and HIV at the end of follow‐up was, 331/618 (53.6%) [49.5%–57.5%], 112/354 (31.6%) [26.8%–36.8%] and 332/343 (96.7%) [94.3%–98.4%] respectively.

Conclusion

Integrated care can achieve high rates of retention in care long term, but control of blood pressure and blood sugar remains low.
Plasma as endothelial rescue in septic shock: A randomized, phase 2a pilot trial
Authors: Clausen Niels E. , Meyhoff Christian S. , Henriksen Hanne H. , Lindhardt Anne , Pott Frank C. , Lunen Thomas Bech , Gybel‐Brask Mikkel , Lange Theis , Johansson Pär I. , Stensballe Jakob
Published: July 2024

Background

Septic shock is associated with high morbidity and mortality, the endothelium plays an important role. Crystalloids is standard of care to maintain intravascular volume. Plasma is associated with improved endothelial integrity and restoration of the glycocalyx layer. We evaluated the efficacy and safety aspects of cell‐free and pathogen inactivated pooled plasma (OctaplasLG®) as resuscitation in septic shock patients.

Study Design and Methods

This randomized, investigator‐initiated phase IIa trial ran at a Danish single center intensive care unit, from 2017 to 2019. Patients were 18 years of age or older with septic shock and randomized to fluid optimization with OctaplasLG® or Ringer‐acetate in the first 24 h. The primary endpoints were changes in biomarkers indicative of endothelial activation, damage, and microvascular perfusion from baseline to 24 h. Safety events and mortality were assessed during 90 days.

Results

Forty‐four patients were randomized, 20 to OctaplasLG versus 24 to Ringer‐acetate. The median age was 69, and 55% were men. Median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 13. Baseline differences favoring the Ringer‐acetate group were observed. The OctaplasLG® group was resuscitated with 740 mL plasma and the Ringer‐acetate group with 841 mL crystalloids. There was no significant change in the microvascular perfusion or five biomarkers except VEGFR1 change, which was higher in patients receiving OctaplasLG® 0.12(SD 0.37) versus Ringer‐acetate −0.24 (SD 0.39), with mean difference 0.36 (95% CI, 0.13–0.59, p = .003) in favor of Ringer‐acetate.

Discussion

This study found that fluid resuscitation with OctaplasLG® in critically ill septic shock patients is feasible. Baseline confounding prevented assessment of the potential effect of OctaplasLG®.
Cardiac programming in the placentally restricted sheep fetus in early gestation
Authors: Zhang Song , Lock Mitchell C. , Tie Michelle , McMillen I. Caroline , Botting Kimberley J. , Morrison Janna L.
Published: July 2024

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) occurs in 8% of human pregnancies, and the growth restricted newborn is at a greater risk of developing heart disease in later adult life. In sheep, experimental restriction of placental growth (PR) from conception results in FGR, a decrease in cardiomyocyte endowment and an upregulation of pathological hypertrophic signalling in the fetal heart in late gestation. However, there is no change in the expression of markers of cellular proliferation nor in the level of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the heart of the PR fetus in late gestation. This suggests that FGR arises early in gestation and programs a decrease in cardiomyocyte endowment in early, rather than late, gestation. Here, control and PR fetal sheep were humanely killed at 55 days’ gestation (term, 150 days). Fetal body and heart weight were lower in PR compared with control fetuses and there was evidence of sparing of fetal brain growth. While there was no change in the proportion of cardiomyocytes that were proliferating in the early gestation PR heart, there was an increase in measures of apoptosis, and markers of autophagy and pathological hypertrophy in the PR fetal heart. These changes in early gestation highlight that FGR is associated with evidence of early cell death and compensatory hypertrophic responses of cardiomyocytes in the fetal heart. The data suggest that early placental restriction results in a decrease in the pool of proliferative cardiomyocytes in early gestation, which would limit cardiomyocyte endowment in the heart of the PR fetus in late gestation.

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Key points

Placental restriction leading to fetal growth restriction (FGR) and chronic fetal hypoxaemia in sheep results in a decrease in cardiomyocyte endowment in late gestation.

FGR did not change cardiomyocyte proliferation during early gestation but did result in increased apoptosis and markers of autophagy in the fetal heart, which may result in the decreased endowment of cardiomyocytes observed in late gestation.

FGR in early gestation also results in increased hypoxia inducible factor signalling in the fetal heart, which in turn may result in the altered expression of epigenetic regulators, increased expression of insulin‐like growth factor 2 and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy during late gestation and after birth.
Functional redundancy of ubiquitin-like sulfur-carrier proteins facilitates flexible, efficient sulfur utilization in the primordial archaeon
Thermococcus kodakarensis
Authors: Hidese Ryota , Ohira Takayuki , Sakakibara Satsuki , Suzuki Tsutomu , Shigi Naoki , Fujiwara Shinsuke
Published: July 2024

Ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) in eukaryotes and bacteria mediate sulfur transfer for the biosynthesis of sulfur-containing biomolecules and form conjugates with specific protein targets to regulate their functions. Here, we investigated the functions and physiological importance of Ubls in a hyperthermophilic archaeon by constructing a series of deletion mutants. We found that the Ubls (TK1065, TK1093, and TK2118) in
Thermococcus kodakarensis
are conjugated to their specific target proteins, and all three are involved in varying degrees in the biosynthesis of sulfur-containing biomolecules such as tungsten cofactor (Wco) and tRNA thiouridines. TK2118 (named UblB) is involved in the biosynthesis of Wco in a glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, which is required for glycolytic growth, whereas TK1093 (named UblA) plays a key role in the efficient thiolation of tRNAs, which contributes to cellular thermotolerance. Intriguingly, in the presence of elemental sulfur (S
0
) in the culture medium, defective synthesis of these sulfur-containing molecules in Ubl mutants was restored, indicating that
T. kodakarensis
can use S
0
as an alternative sulfur source without Ubls. Our analysis indicates that the Ubl-mediated sulfur-transfer system in
T. kodakarensis
is important for efficient sulfur assimilation, especially under low S
0
conditions, which may allow this organism to survive in a low sulfur environment.

IMPORTANCE

Sulfur is a crucial element in living organisms, occurring in various sulfur-containing biomolecules including iron-sulfur clusters, vitamins, and RNA thionucleosides, as well as the amino acids cysteine and methionine. In archaea, the biosynthesis routes and sulfur donors of sulfur-containing biomolecules are largely unknown. Here, we explored the functions of Ubls in the deep-blanched hyperthermophilic archaeon,
Thermococcus kodakarensis
. We demonstrated functional redundancy of these proteins in the biosynthesis of tungsten cofactor and tRNA thiouridines and the significance of these sulfur-carrier functions, especially in low sulfur environments. We propose that acquisition of a Ubl sulfur-transfer system, in addition to an ancient inorganic sulfur assimilation pathway, enabled the primordial archaeon to advance into lower-sulfur environments and expand their habitable zone.
Draft genome assemblies of three
Klebsiella grimontii
strains isolated from catheterized urine samples from the same male participant over the course of 6 months
Authors: Appleberry Helen , Price Warwick , Roque Lorenzo , Umana Evelyn , Wolfe Alan J. , Putonti Catherine , Kula Alex
Published: July 2024

Klebsiella grimontii
is a newly identified species within the
Klebsiella oxytoca
complex. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of three
K. grimontii
strains that were isolated from catheterized urine samples collected from a participant in a longitudinal study over ~6 months.
Carcinoma en Cuirasse as the heralding sign of underlying HER-2 positive male breast cancer
Authors: Kapoor Mayank , Sundriyal Deepak , Sehrawat Amit , Khanna Mridul
Published: July 2024

Carcinoma en cuirasse (CeC) is an uncommon presentation of metastatic cutaneous carcinoma, most often originating from breast carcinoma. We present a case study of a man in his 30s exhibiting progressive skin thickening over the left chest, alongside appetite and weight loss. On examination, the patient had painless skin induration and palpable, matted, hard, immobile and non-tender axillary, cervical and inguinal lymphadenopathy. Imaging revealed metabolically active left cervical, retro pectoral, inguinal and bilateral axillary lymph nodes with muscle involvement, likely neoplastic. Histopathology demonstrated metastatic carcinoma, morphologically originating from the breast. CeC most often presents after therapy, but our case reveals that it may be a presenting sign of an occult malignancy. CeC should be differentiated from non-oncological causes of skin thickening. Detailed history, physical examination and appropriate radiological investigations are essential. Although rare in young individuals, neoplastic aetiology should be considered if the history and physical examination suggest it.
Accuracy of clinical diagnosis of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Urso Daniele , Giannoni-Luza Stefano , Mondello Stefania , Logroscino Giancarlo
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) characterisation has evolved, but diagnosis remains challenging, relying on clinical diagnostic criteria that have undergone revisions over time. In this systematic review, our aims are to evaluate the accuracy of clinical diagnostic criteria for bvFTD by comparing them against pathological diagnoses and determine potential improvement in performance over the years.

Methods and analysis

This systematic review protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 guidelines and is registered on PROSPERO. We will search four databases (MEDLINE-PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and LILACS) using tailored search terms on May 1st 2024. Inclusion criteria encompass peer-reviewed articles reporting diagnostic parameters or raw data regarding bvFTD clinical diagnosis based on well-defined criteria. Screening and selection of relevant articles will be independently performed by two reviewers using the Covidence systematic review manager. Discrepancies will be resolved by a third researcher. Pathologic and genetic diagnosis will be the main gold standard, but we will also consider refined diagnoses after a follow-up period. Data will be collected on study design, baseline demographics and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy. Study quality will be assessed with Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. If possible, we will conduct a meta-analysis using bivariate random-effect models. Subgroup analyses will consider study settings, gold standards, disease stages and bias.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval will not be needed because the data used in this systematic review will be extracted from published studies. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at relevant scientific conferences, potentially enhancing our understanding of bvFTD clinical diagnosis reliability and guiding future criteria refinements.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023389063.