bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebrovascular Reactivity in Patients With Small Vessel Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sleight Emilie , Stringer Michael S. , Clancy Una , Arteaga Carmen , Jaime Garcia Daniela , Hewins Will , Jochems Angela C.C. , Hamilton Olivia K.L. , Manning Cameron , Morgan Alasdair G. , Locherty Rachel , Cheng Yajun , Liu Xiaodi , Zhang Junfang , Hamilton Iona , Jardine Charlotte , Brown Rosalind , Sakka Eleni , Kampaite Agniete , Wiseman Stewart , Valdés-Hernández Maria C. , Chappell Francesca M. , Doubal Fergus N. , Marshall Ian , Thrippleton Michael J. , Wardlaw Joanna M.
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) is inversely related to white matter hyperintensity severity, a marker of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). Less is known about the relationship between CVR and other SVD imaging features or cognition. We aimed to investigate these cross-sectional relationships.

METHODS:

Between 2018 and 2021 in Edinburgh, we recruited patients presenting with lacunar or cortical ischemic stroke, whom we characterized for SVD features. We measured CVR in subcortical gray matter, normal-appearing white matter, and white matter hyperintensity using 3T magnetic resonance imaging. We assessed cognition using Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Statistical analyses included linear regression models with CVR as outcome, adjusted for age, sex, and vascular risk factors. We reported regression coefficients with 95% CIs.

RESULTS:

Of 208 patients, 182 had processable CVR data sets (median age, 68.2 years; 68% men). Although the strength of association depended on tissue type, lower CVR in normal-appearing tissues and white matter hyperintensity was associated with larger white matter hyperintensity volume (B
NAWM
=−0.0073 [95% CI, −0.0133 to −0.0014] %/mm Hg per 10-fold increase in percentage intracranial volume), more lacunes (B
NAWM
=−0.00129 [95% CI, −0.00215 to −0.00043] %/mm Hg per lacune), more microbleeds (B
NAWM
=−0.00083 [95% CI, −0.00130 to −0.00036] %/mm Hg per microbleed), higher deep atrophy score (B
NAWM
=−0.00218 [95% CI, −0.00417 to −0.00020] %/mm Hg per score point increase), higher perivascular space score (B
NAWM
=−0.0034 [95% CI, −0.0066 to −0.0002] %/mm Hg per score point increase in basal ganglia), and higher SVD score (B
NAWM
=−0.0048 [95% CI, −0.0075 to −0.0021] %/mm Hg per score point increase). Lower CVR in normal-appearing tissues was related to lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment without reaching convention statistical significance (B
NAWM
=0.00065 [95% CI, −0.00007 to 0.00137] %/mm Hg per score point increase).

CONCLUSIONS:

Lower CVR in patients with SVD was related to more severe SVD burden and worse cognition in this cross-sectional analysis. Longitudinal analysis will help determine whether lower CVR predicts worsening SVD severity or vice versa.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.isrctn.com
; Unique identifier: ISRCTN12113543.
Clinical importance of serum and pleural fluid prominin-1 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α concentration in the evaluation of lymph node involvement in patients with malignant pleural effusion
Authors: Kupeli Mustafa , Ozmen Zeliha Cansel
Published: October 2023

IntroductionMalignant pleural effusion (MPE) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) presence are poor prognostic factors that have importance for cancer patients. The study objective was to determine whether hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and prominin-1 (CD133) in pleural fluid (P) and serum (S) could be used as biomarkers for diagnosis of lymph node involvement in patients with MPE.
Materials and methodsFifty-six patients with MPE and 30 healthy control subjects were included. Computerized tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) were used to diagnose pleural effusion. Patients with malignant cells in pleural fluid cytological examination were included in the MPE group. Thirty-five patients with lymph node metastases on CT were included in the LNM-positive MPE group. Serum and pleural fluid HIF-1α and CD-133 concentrations were measured manually via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
ResultsSerum concentrations of HIF-1α and CD133 were higher in MPE patients. It was found that CD133/HIF-1α (S) ratio was higher in the malignant patient group with positive lymph node involvement than in the negative group, while concentrations of HIF-1α (P) were lower. Pleural fluid HIF-1α and CD133/HIF-1α (S) ratio had sufficient performance in diagnosing lymphatic metastases in patients with MPE (AUC = 0.90 and 0.83, respectively).
ConclusionsIn conclusion, serum HIF-1α and CD133 concentrations were higher in patients with MPE, consistent with our hypothesis. Concentrations of HIF-1α (P) and CD133/HIF-1α (S) ratio can be used as biomarkers in diagnosing lymph node involvement in MPE patients, according to this experiment.
Decarbonising the Shipping Industry: A Status Report
Authors: Handl Günther
Published: October 2023

Against the background of an escalating climate crisis, this article provides an overview of the present status of international regulatory efforts addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. It does so by tracing the evolution of mitigation policies and regulations and examining their adequacy, practicability as well as equity and fairness. Its principal focus is on reducing GHG emissions from ships themselves as the most direct and effective approach to improving the shipping industry’s climate profile. International shipping, as an intrinsically globally operating industry, ultimately requires consistency, if not uniformity, in regulation which only a global regime can provide. The article therefore focuses primarily on efforts by the international community at large, specifically by the International Maritime Organization, to respond to the climate crisis and to ensure that the shipping industry decarbonises in a timely as well just and fair manner.
Disturbance observer–based fixed-time sliding mode trajectory tracking control for marine surface vehicles with uncertain dynamics
Authors: Wang Taiqi , Wang Chang , Yan Shengyu , Liu Yongtao
Published: October 2023

In this paper, a fixed-time sliding mode control scheme is developed to fulfill the trajectory tracking task of a marine surface vehicle with unknown dynamics. To restrain the adverse effects of the unknown dynamics including the parameter inaccuracy and exogenous disturbances, a fixed-time disturbance observer is designed to estimate the lumped uncertainties using the bi-limit homogeneous theory without requiring any knowledge of the model uncertainties. Then, a nominal tracking controller is proposed to stabilize the error dynamic model in the sense of fixed-time Lyapunov stability, based on which a novel integral-type sliding mode manifold with bi-limit homogeneity is constructed to drive tracking error convergence in fixed time. To enhance the robustness of the vessel control system, a disturbance observer–based fixed-time integral sliding mode tracking controller is finally proposed, and the chattering phenomenon is effectively alleviated by direct estimation compensations. The analysis of Lyapunov stability indicates that the closed-loop system is fixed-time stable. Numerical simulations on a model vessel are carried out to validate theoretical results of the proposed control scheme.
Damsels, monsters, and superheroes: Exploring the metanarrative of sex trafficking
Authors: Heber Anita
Published: October 2023

Sex trafficking narratives tend to follow the same storyline: a young, female victim is lured into sexual slavery by a foreign offender, and in the end, she is rescued by a Western hero. This article examines the sex trafficking narrative, and its accompanying characters in popular media, with a specific focus on the victim. It combines sex trafficking research with theories about folk tales and concepts of purity and the sacred. Empirically, the article explores the narratives of sex trafficking in six internationally influential films and books. The analysis creates an understanding of why one particular victim, and one metanarrative of sex trafficking, continue to dominate contemporary popular media. It traces the moralistic narrative continuities of sex trafficking, and creates an understanding of why we keep repeating this particular narrative, and why we seem to need it.
Children’s Creations and Archiving Practices: Methodological Matters Special Issue Introduction
Authors: Freeman Melissa , Kuecker Elliott
Published: October 2023

This introduction provides a context for the collection of essays that follow in this special issue on research methodology related to studying children’s creations in archives. First, we center children’s creations as significant sources for interdisciplinary researchers interested in learning more about children’s contributions to history, the historical record, and childhood studies. We then describe some of the politics and practices—including preservation, cataloging, and circulation—within formal and informal archiving that may have implications for scholars attempting to use archived children’s creations. We then offer some examples of research that focus on children’s perspectives, accounts, or archival sources, highlighting some of the ethical concerns these have raised. Finally, we introduce the papers that make up this issue, with contributions from many disciplines and discussions of several media types.
Implementation of hospital-based sickle cell newborn screening and follow-up programs in Haiti
Authors: Alvarez Ofelia A. , St Victor Dély Nora , Paul Hanna Michele , Saint Fleur Rony , Cetoute Marie , Metalonis Sarah , Hustace Tally , Brown Eric C. , Marcelin Louis Herns , Muscadin Emanise , Eveillard Ronald , Lerebours Emmeline
Published: October 2023

One in 120 children are born with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Haiti. However, health care challenges include isolated newborn screening (NBS) activities and lack of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound to assess stroke risk. The implementation activities of the Comparative Study of Children in Haiti and Miami with Sickle Cell Disease involved both NBS and TCD ultrasound implementations at 4 Haitian clinical sites. We hypothesized that hospital-based newborn SCD screening and follow-up programs would be feasible at Haiti. A traditional NBS laboratory method with dried blood samples was performed at 3 Port-au-Prince sites, and the traditional method plus point-of-care (POC) testing was used at the 2 northern sites. The rate of clinical follow-up for newborns with SCD as the outcome for the NBS intervention was compared with that of the NBS method. The NBS programs identified SCD in 0.77% of 8224 newborns over a 24-month period. In the rural hospital assigned to the combination screening, 56% of newborns identified with POC testing returned for follow-up, compared with 0% when POC was not available (P = .044). Newborns who tested positive for SCD and children aged <6 years with SCD at the clinical sites were eligible for study follow-up. Accrual was successful: 165 participants (mean age, 42 months; 53% males; 93% hemoglobin SS) were recruited and received oral penicillin. TCD ultrasound screening was hampered by poor internet connections and trained staff leaving Haiti, with only 1 active site conducting screening. Despite challenges, the implementation of NBS and sickle cell programs in Haiti is feasible. We are in the process of understanding how to mitigate implementation limitations.
The impact of protective measures against COVID-19 on the wellbeing of residents in nursing homes and their relatives: a rapid review
Authors: Schneider P. , Abt M. , Cohen C. , Marmier N. , Ortoleva Bucher C.
Published: October 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic and compared to other population groups, older people were at a heightened risk of developing lethal disease symptoms. Thus, many countries put in place protective measures to protect this “at-risk” population, especially in nursing homes, to limit the number of infections. These measures consisted mostly in the absence of social gatherings, the impossibility for relatives to enter the nursing homes, limitations in group activities, and the ban of group-eating. Although these measures were helpful to mitigate the spread of the disease, they also induced long periods of social isolation for the residents of nursing homes. This could have impacted the wellbeing and quality of life of residents and their relatives, with a possible impact on the overall health of residents. We designed this rapid review to investigate the literature on the impact of COVID-19 protective measures in nursing homes on the quality of life, wellbeing and physical health of residents and their relatives. Our results showed that most of the articles included in the review, either using qualitative or quantitative methods, evidenced a detrimental impact of protective measures on resident’s and their relatives’ wellbeing. We argue that, in the event of a new pandemic similar to the COVID-19, protective measures should also take into account their psychological impact, and not only their physical impact.
Factors associated with subjective burden among informal caregivers of home-dwelling people with dementia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Steinsheim Gunn , Malmedal Wenche , Follestad Turid , Olsen Bonnie , Saga Susan
Published: October 2023

Background

It is estimated that more than 57 million people have dementia worldwide, and it is one of the leading causes of care dependency in old age. Relatives and other informal caregivers are the most important support for individuals with dementia, but caring for a loved one with dementia may burden the caregiver. Caregiver burden may have adverse outcomes for both the informal caregiver and the care recipient, including decreased quality of life. Caregiver burden is associated with several factors concerning the informal caregiver, the care recipient, and relational and other contextual factors. The aim of this study was to explore which factors are associated with informal caregivers’ subjective burden when caring for individuals living at home with dementia.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional survey among informal caregivers of home-dwelling individuals with dementia in all five geographical regions of Norway. There were 540 informal caregivers who participated, 415 of whom were included in the regression analyses. Caregivers’ subjective burden was assessed with the Relatives’ Stress Scale. Covariates included were classified into four levels: individual (twofold: informal caregiver and person with dementia), relational, community, and time. Linear multivariable regression analyses were used to identify associations between subjective burden and included factors.

Results

Several covariates were statistically significantly associated with subjective burden at the four levels. These covariates included self-rated health, mental distress, age, coping through resignation and denial, emotional and instrumental support, substance use, and humor at the informal caregiver level; behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, dementia severity, and degree of disability at the care recipient level; the extent of care, being the primary caregiver, and previous relationship satisfaction at the relational context level; and informal caregivers spending time with friends, leisure activities, social restriction, and knowledge of available health services at the community context level.

Conclusions

Informal caregivers’ mental distress and care recipients’ neuropsychiatric symptoms were the factors with the strongest association with subjective burden.
The Effect of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy (DOACs) on oral surgical procedures: a systematic review
Authors: Darwish Ghassan
Published: October 2023

Background

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were developed to overcome the drawbacks of oral anticoagulants. However, not much has been discussed about the perioperative management of patients on DOACs during oral surgical procedures. Thus, we aim to determine the risk of perioperative and postoperative bleeding during oral surgical procedures in patients on DOACs.

Methods

A detailed literature search was performed to find potentially relevant studies using the Cochrane Library, Clinical Key, ClinicalTrials.gov, Google Scholar, Ovid, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Every article available for free in English literature for the past 10 years, between 2012 and 2022, was searched.

Results

A total of 2792 abstracts were selected through a search strategy across various search engines. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, eleven clinical studies using DOACs as anticoagulants or studies comparing patients with and without DOACs under oral surgery procedures were found. The results were inconsistent and varied, with a few studies recommending DOAC administration with the bare minimum reported complications and others finding no statistically significant difference between discontinuation or continuation of drugs, especially across basic dental procedures.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that minor oral surgical procedures are safe for patients on DOAC therapy. However, the continuation or discontinuation of DOACs in patients undergoing oral surgical procedures remains controversial and requires further studies to extrapolate the results.
Third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies for caregivers of cancer patients: a scoping review
Authors: Hong Bomi , Yang Sora , Hyeon Sojeong , Kim Sojeong , Lee Jiyeon
Published: October 2023

Background

Cancer caregivers extend comprehensive support covering all aspects of patients’ daily lives. It has been reported that a significant proportion of cancer caregivers experience emotional distress. As one way to solve this problem, third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT), which involves integrating acceptance and mindfulness into cognitive‒behavioral therapy, has been applied to improve caregiver outcomes.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted based on the scoping review guidelines proposed by the Jonna Briggs Institute (JBI). The population was caregivers of cancer patients, the concept was third-wave CBT, and the context remained open. English and Korean publications published from 2001 to June 2022 were identified from PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Korea Med, and RISS.

Results

A total of 12 studies were included in this scoping review. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was the most frequently applied intervention (n = 3, each). Among the components of third-wave CBT, ‘mindfulness’ was identified in all the studies reviewed (n = 12). Dyadic interventions comprised the majority (n = 9). Interventions using digital technologies such as mobile application/web page (n = 3), telephone (n = 3), and FaceTime (n = 2) have increased since 2017. Depression was the most frequently evaluated outcome (n = 8), followed by anxiety and mindfulness (n = 6, each).

Conclusions

The current review explored available third-wave CBT intervention studies for cancer caregivers and targeted outcomes. Most of the interventions were dyadic interventions and utilized mindfulness. Delivery methods were continuously updated with digital technologies. Further RCTs with robust research designs and a synthesis of the results of the trials would provide evidence about how to effectively apply third-wave CBTs for cancer caregivers.
Tele-mentoring - a way to expand laparoscopic simulator training for medical students over large distances: a prospective randomized pilot study
Authors: Oussi Ninos , Forsberg Emil , Dahlberg Michael , Enochsson Lars
Published: October 2023

Background

Studies have shown the clinical benefits of laparoscopic simulator training. Decreasing numbers of operations by surgical residents have further increased the need for surgical simulator training. However, many surgical simulators in Sweden are often insufficiently used or not used at all. Furthermore, large geographical distances make access to curriculum-based surgical simulator training at established simulator centres difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether tele-mentoring (TM) could be well tolerated and improve basic laparoscopic surgical skills of medical students 900 km away from the teacher.

Methods

Twenty students completed an informed consent and a pre-experimental questionnaire. The students were randomized into two groups: (1) TM (N = 10), receiving instructor feedback via video-link and (2) control group (CG, N = 10) with lone practice. Initial warm-up occurred in the Simball Box simulator with one Rope Race task followed by five consecutive Rope Race and three Peg Picker tasks. Afterwards, all students completed a second questionnaire.

Results

The whole group enjoyed the simulator training (prescore 73.3% versus postscore 89.2%, P < 0.0001). With TM, the simulator Rope Race overall score increased (prescore 30.8% versus postscore 43.4%; P = 0.004), and the distance that the laparoscopic instruments moved decreased by 40% (P = 0.015), indicating better precision, whereas in the CG it did not. In Peg Picker, the overall scores increased, whereas total time and distance of the instruments decreased in both groups, indicating better performance and precision.

Conclusions

Simulation training was highly appreciated overall. The TM group showed better overall performance with increased precision in what we believe to be the visuospatially more demanding Rope Race tasks compared to the CG. We suggest that surgical simulator tele-mentoring over long distances could be a viable way to both motivate and increase laparoscopic basic skills training in the future.
The association between cervical degenerative MRI findings and self-reported neck pain, disability and headache: a cross-sectional exploratory study
Authors: Jensen Rikke K. , Dissing Kristina B. , Jensen Tue S. , Clausen Stine H. , Arnbak Bodil
Published: October 2023

Background

Neck pain and headache are highly prevalent conditions and leading causes of disability worldwide. Although MRI is widely used in the management of these conditions, there is uncertainty about the clinical significance of cervical MRI findings in patients with neck pain or headache. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between cervical degenerative MRI findings and self-reported neck pain, neck disability, and headache.

Methods

This study was a secondary analysis of a cohort of patients with low back pain aged 18–40 years recruited from a non-surgical outpatient spine clinic. The cervical MRI and outcome measures used in this analysis were collected at a four-year follow-up (2014–2017). Self-reported outcome measures included neck pain intensity, neck disability as measured by the Neck Disability Index, and headache as measured by a single NDI item. Cervical MRI findings included disc degeneration, disc contour changes, and vertebral endplate signal changes (VESC). Multivariable logistic regression analyses, adjusted for age and sex, were used to analyse the associations between MRI findings and neck pain, neck disability, and headache.

Results

A total of 600 participants who underwent MRI and completed the relevant questionnaires at follow-up were included. The median age was 37 years (interquartile range 31–41) and 325 (54%) were female. Of the included participants, 181 (31%) had moderate or severe neck pain, 274 (59%) had moderate or severe neck disability, 193 (42%) reported headaches, and 211 (35%) had one or more cervical degenerative MRI findings. Cervical disc degeneration and disc contour changes were positively associated with moderate or severe neck pain with odds ratio 1.6 (95% CI 1.1–2.4) and 1.6 (1.1–2.3), respectively. VESC was associated with moderate or severe neck disability with odds ratio 3.3 (1.3–8.4). No statistically significant associations were found between the MRI findings assessed and headache.

Conclusions

In this cross-sectional exploratory study, we found that cervical disc degeneration and disc contour changes were associated with neck pain, and VESC was associated with neck disability. None of the MRI findings were associated with headache. The results suggest that cervical degenerative changes may contribute to the aetiology of neck symptoms, but the associations are modest and cannot guide clinical decisions.
Internal jugular access using pocket ultrasound in a simulated model: comparison between biplane and monoplane visualization techniques
Authors: Garzón Jair Antonio Ruiz , López Gloria Catalina Zuluaga , Piñeros-Hernandez Laura B. , Martínez Yury Forlan Bustos
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Ultrasound is the current standard for central venous access due to its advantages in efficiency and safety. In-plane and out-of-plane visualization techniques are commonly used, but there is no clear evidence showing an advantage of one technique over the other. The objective of this study was to compare the success and time required for biplane visualization vs. in-plane and out-of-plane techniques in simulated models.

Methodology

Ten emergency medicine specialists participated in 60 simulated events, with randomization of the visualization technique for each event. Each event required intravenous cannulation of a simulated model for jugular venous access, with a maximum of three attempts allowed. The number of attempts required for each event, success of puncture and venous cannulation, frequency of redirection and puncture of the posterior wall, time required to obtain an optimal window, visualize the needle inside the vessel, and passage of the guidewire were recorded. The success ratios and times required for each visualization technique (biplane, in-plane, and out-of-plane) were compared.

Results

Cannulation success rate was 100% for all three techniques. Success on the first attempt was 95% for biplane visualization vs. 100% for in-plane and out-of-plane. The median total time for the procedure was higher for biplane visualization (29.9 s) compared to in-plane (25.2 s) and out-of-plane (29 s), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.999). There were no significant differences in cannulation success, needle redirection, or posterior wall puncture frequency between biplane visualization and in-plane and out-of-plane techniques.

Conclusions

This study suggests that biplane visualization with the use of pocket ultrasound for internal jugular cannulation in simulated models did not demonstrate significant differences when compared with in-plane and out-of-plane visualization techniques. Further research with larger sample sizes may be needed to confirm these results.
Accelerated epigenetic age, inflammation, and gene expression in lung: comparisons of smokers and vapers with non-smokers
Authors: Song Min-Ae , Mori Kellie M. , McElroy Joseph P. , Freudenheim Jo L. , Weng Daniel Y. , Reisinger Sarah A. , Brasky Theodore M. , Wewers Mark D. , Shields Peter G.
Published: October 2023

Background

Cigarette smoking and aging are the main risk factors for pulmonary diseases, including cancer. Epigenetic aging may explain the relationship between smoking, electronic cigarette vaping, and pulmonary health. No study has examined smoking and vaping-related epigenetic aging in relation to lung biomarkers.

Methods

Lung epigenetic aging measured by DNA methylation (mAge) and its acceleration (mAA) was assessed in young (age 21–30) electronic cigarette vapers (EC, n = 14, including 3 never-smoking EC), smokers (SM, n = 16), and non-EC/non-SM (NS, n = 39). We investigated relationships of mAge estimates with chronological age (Horvath-mAge), lifespan/mortality (Grim-mAge), telomere length (TL-mAge), smoking/EC history, urinary biomarkers, lung cytokines, and transcriptome.

Results

Compared to NS, EC and SM had significantly older Grim-mAge, shorter TL-mAge, significantly accelerated Grim-mAge and decelerated TL-mAge. Among SM, Grim-mAA was associated with nicotine intake and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL). For EC, Horvath-mAA was significantly correlated with puffs per day. Overall, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) and 759 transcripts (651 unique genes) were significantly associated with Grim-mAA. Grim-mAA-associated genes were highly enriched in immune-related pathways and genes that play a role in the morphology and structures of cells/tissues.

Conclusions

Faster lung mAge for SM is consistent with prior studies of blood. Faster lung mAge for EC compared to NS indicates possible adverse pulmonary effects of EC on biological aging. Our findings support further research, particularly on epigenetic markers, on effects of smoking and vaping on pulmonary health. Given that most EC are former smokers, further study is needed to understand unique effects of electronic cigarettes on biological aging.
MOFGalaxyNet: a social network analysis for predicting guest accessibility in metal–organic frameworks utilizing graph convolutional networks
Authors: Jalali Mehrdad , Wonanke A. D. Dinga , Wöll Christof
Published: October 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), are porous crystalline structures comprising of metal ions or clusters intricately linked with organic entities, displaying topological diversity and effortless chemical flexibility. These characteristics render them apt for multifarious applications such as adsorption, separation, sensing, and catalysis. Predominantly, the distinctive properties and prospective utility of MOFs are discerned post-manufacture or extrapolation from theoretically conceived models. For empirical researchers unfamiliar with hypothetical structure development, the meticulous crystal engineering of a high-performance MOF for a targeted application via a bottom-up approach resembles a gamble. For example, the precise pore limiting diameter (PLD), which determines the guest accessibility of any MOF cannot be easily inferred with mere knowledge of the metal ion and organic ligand. This limitation in bottom-up conceptual understanding of specific properties of the resultant MOF may contribute to the cautious industrial-scale adoption of MOFs.

Consequently, in this study, we take a step towards circumventing this limitation by designing a new tool that predicts the guest accessibility—a MOF key performance indicator—of any given MOF from information on only the organic linkers and the metal ions. This new tool relies on clustering different MOFs in a galaxy-like social network, MOFGalaxyNet, combined with a Graphical Convolutional Network (GCN) to predict the guest accessibility of any new entry in the social network. The proposed network and GCN results provide a robust approach for screening MOFs for various host–guest interaction studies.
Association between remnant cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease: post hoc analysis of a prospective national cohort study
Authors: Jin Junguo , Hu Xiangming , Francois Melissa , Zeng Ping , Wang Weimian , Yu Bingyan , Zhou Yingling , Dong Haojian
Published: October 2023

Background

Epidemiologic evidence suggested that remnant cholesterol (RC) is associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In recent years, RC has been connected with different types of cardiometabolic disorders. We aim to clarify the relationship among RC, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and subsequent CVD.

Methods

We enrolled 7471 individuals into our study from China Health and Nutrition Survey in 2009 and followed participants till 2015. RC was calculated as total cholesterol minus low-density lipoprotein cholesterol minus high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CVD was defined as myocardial infarction and stroke. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association between RC and MetS as well as CVD. We further investigated whether the association between RC and CVD was mediated by MetS.

Results

Of all subjects, 24.73% were diagnosed with MetS and 2.74% developed CVD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis elucidated that per-tertile-increase in RC was associated with MetS after adjusting all the confounder factors, (odds ratio: 3.49, 95% confidence interval CI 3.21–3.79, P for trend < 0.001). And per-tertile-increase RC had a significant increased risk of CVD (hazard ratio: 1.26, 95% CI 1.06–1.50, P for trend = 0.008). Meanwhile, we found that RC level is associated with the prevalence of all the components of MetS. Significant indirect effects of RC between MetS and CVD were found, with the index mediated at 48.46% of the association.

Conclusions

Our study provides the evidence that RC level is independently associated with the prevalence of MetS and each component of MetS. MetS partially mediated the association between RC level and CVD risk.
Cost-effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccination of children in China: a modeling analysis
Authors: Wang Qiang , Jin Huajie , Yang Liuqing , Jin Hui , Lin Leesa
Published: October 2023

Background

China has a high burden of influenza-associated illness among children. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of introducing government-funded influenza vaccination to children in China (fully-funded policy) compared with the status quo (self-paid policy).

Methods

A decision tree model was developed to calculate the economic and health outcomes, from a societal perspective, using national- and provincial-level data. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) [incremental costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained] was used to compare the fully-funded policy with the self-paid policy under the willingness-to-pay threshold equivalent to national and provincial GDP per capita. Sensitivity analyses were performed and various scenarios were explored based on real-world conditions, including incorporating indirect effect into the analysis.

Results

Compared to the self-paid policy, implementation of a fully-funded policy could prevent 1,444,768 [95% uncertainty range (UR): 1,203,446–1,719,761] symptomatic cases, 92,110 (95% UR: 66,953–122,226) influenza-related hospitalizations, and 6494 (95% UR: 4590–8962) influenza-related death per season. The fully-funded policy was cost-effective nationally (7964 USD per QALY gained) and provincially for 13 of 31 provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs). The probability of a funded vaccination policy being cost-effective was 56.5% nationally, and the probability in 9 of 31 PLADs was above 75%. The result was most sensitive to the symptomatic influenza rate among children under 5 years [ICER ranging from − 25,612 (cost-saving) to 14,532 USD per QALY gained]. The ICER of the fully-funded policy was substantially lower (becoming cost-saving) if the indirect effects of vaccination were considered.

Conclusions

Introducing a government-funded influenza policy for children is cost-effective in China nationally and in many PLADs. PLADs with high symptomatic influenza rate and influenza-associated mortality would benefit the most from a government-funded influenza vaccination program.
Vaginal temperature and collar activity variations in relation to fecal progestagens of captive moose
Authors: Høy-Petersen Jennifer , Lemière Lucie , Thompson Dan P. , Thiel Alexandra , Crouse John A. , Ropstad Erik , Græsli Anne Randi , Arnemo Jon M. , Evans Alina L.
Published: October 2023

Background

Timing of reproductive events can be crucial for a species’ population growth and stability. Accurate detection of reproductive phenology presents a challenge to scientists studying wild species, including moose (Alces alces). Currently, there are several established methods for monitoring reproductive activity and events in domestic ruminants, including the use of biologging devices. The main objective of this study was to determine whether female moose display a distinct thermal and activity pattern associated with luteal activity during the estrous cycle, which could be used to determine the onset of their breeding season. We deployed biologging devices and collected fecal samples from 12 captive female moose on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, USA to explore variation in vaginal temperature and collar activity and the relationship between these variables and fecal progestagen concentrations. Fecal samples were collected from mid-August to mid-October and analyzed using radioimmunoassay to determine the concentration of fecal progestagens to classify luteal activity.

Results

Captive female moose displayed an identifiable thermal pattern during the onset of luteal activity from mid-September to mid-October, associated with the initial estrous cycle of their breeding season. In contrast, we did not observe a distinct pattern in activity during this period. Recurring patterns in both vaginal temperature and activity were identified between mid-October and mid-November, however, which were likely associated with subsequent estrous cycles but not included in our fecal sampling period.

Conclusions

This study supports that female moose display an identifiable pattern in vaginal temperature which is associated with luteal activity of the initial estrous cycle of the breeding season. An identifiable pattern was observed for both vaginal temperature and activity registrations at the presumed timing of subsequent estrous cycle of the breeding season.
Research on sentiment analysis method of opinion mining based on multi-model fusion transfer learning
Authors: Zhao Zhongnan , Liu Wenjing , Wang Kun
Published: October 2023

With the popularity of social media, opinion mining has gradually become a popular research field. Among these fields, sentiment analysis mining is an important research direction in the field of opinion mining. It aims to reveal the public's sentiment tendency, and attitude towards specific topics or events by analyzing text data generated by users on online platforms and digital media. However, the large amount of opinion data usually lacks effective annotation, which limits the learning and construction of opinion models. Therefore, focusing on the problem of the scarcity of labeled data in opinion analysis, this paper proposes a mining method for public opinion sentiment analysis based on multi-model fusion transfer learning, that can make full use of the limited labeled data to improve the learning efficiency of sentiment features by integrating the advantages of different models. Additionally, it introduces a transfer learning strategy to enable the models of the target domains to perform better in the absence of labeled data. Furthermore, the attention mechanism is combined to strengthen the acquisition of key features of the emotional colors and improve the accuracy of sentiment analysis. Specifically, the paper uses the ERNIE model to generate dynamic representations of the text word vectors in the dataset. It also uses TextCNN and BiGRU to construct a joint model for extracting local and overall features of the text word vectors. The parameters of the feature layer of the trained model are migrated to the target domain through transfer learning. The attention mechanism is combined with the model to identify the extreme elements of the sentiment. Finally, the local and overall features are fused to achieve comprehensive mining of public opinion and emotional information. This method can effectively improve the accuracy and generalization of public opinion analysis in cases of data scarcity. In the experimental part, the paper conducts comparisons and analyses in eight aspects: word embedding model, model combination, attention mechanism, transfer learning, source domain dataset, target domain dataset, model training, and baseline model. The four indicators, namely accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-measure are used to evaluate the performance of the method. The experiments are thorough and detailed, demonstrating the effective improvement of opinion mining performance.
Polymyxin B-immobilised fibre column treatment for acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients with mechanical ventilation: a nationwide observational study
Authors: Awano Nobuyasu , Jo Taisuke , Izumo Takehiro , Inomata Minoru , Ito Yu , Morita Kojiro , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Urushiyama Hirokazu , Nagase Takahide , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: October 2023

Background

The prognosis for acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) is poor, and there is no established treatment. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a polymyxin B-immobilised fibre column (PMX) for the treatment of AE-IPF.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database from 1 July 2010 to 31 March 2018. We identified adult patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who received high-dose methylprednisolone (mPSL) therapy and mechanical ventilation upon admission. Eligible patients (n = 5616) were divided into those receiving PMX treatment combined with high-dose mPSL (PMX group, n = 199) and high-dose mPSL alone (mPSL alone group, n = 5417). To compare outcomes between the two groups, we applied a stabilised inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using propensity scores. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcomes were 14- and 28-day mortality and length of hospital stay.

Results

The in-hospital mortality rates of the PMX and mPSL alone groups were 79.9% and 76.4%, respectively. The results did not significantly differ between the two groups after performing a stabilised IPTW. The odds ratio of the PMX group compared with the mPSL alone group was 1.56 (95% confidence interval 0.80–3.06; p = 0.19). The 14- and 28-day mortality and length of hospital stay (secondary outcomes) also did not significantly differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

In AE-IPF patients using mechanical ventilation, the treatment outcome was not significantly better for PMX combined with high-dose mPSL than for high-dose mPSL alone.
Role of the interstitium during septic shock: a key to the understanding of fluid dynamics?
Authors: Dargent Auguste , Dumargne Hugo , Labruyère Marie , Brezillon Stéphane , Brassart-Pasco Sylvie , Blot Mathieu , Charles Pierre-Emmanuel , Fournel Isabelle , Quenot Jean-Pierre , Jacquier Marine
Published: October 2023

Background

While not traditionally included in the conceptual understanding of circulation, the interstitium plays a critical role in maintaining fluid homeostasis. Fluid balance regulation is a critical aspect of septic shock, with a well-known association between fluid balance and outcome. The regulation of transcapillary flow is the first key to understand fluid homeostasis during sepsis.

Main text

Capillary permeability is increased during sepsis, and was classically considered to be necessary and sufficient to explain the increase of capillary filtration during inflammation. However, on the other side of the endothelial wall, the interstitium may play an even greater role to drive capillary leak. Indeed, the interstitial extracellular matrix forms a complex gel-like structure embedded in a collagen skeleton, and has the ability to directly attract intravascular fluid by decreasing its hydrostatic pressure. Thus, interstitium is not a mere passive reservoir, as was long thought, but is probably major determinant of fluid balance regulation during sepsis. Up to this date though, the role of the interstitium during sepsis and septic shock has been largely overlooked. A comprehensive vision of the interstitium may enlight our understanding of septic shock pathophysiology. Overall, we have identified five potential intersections between septic shock pathophysiology and the interstitium: 1. increase of oedema formation, interacting with organ function and metabolites diffusion; 2. interstitial pressure regulation, increasing transcapillary flow; 3. alteration of the extracellular matrix; 4. interstitial secretion of inflammatory mediators; 5. decrease of lymphatic outflow.

Conclusions

We aimed at reviewing the literature and summarizing the current knowledge along these specific axes, as well as methodological aspects related to interstitium exploration.
CHASE (Children’s Housing Assessment for a Safe Environment): a protocol for the inspection and modification of injury risks in children’s homes
Authors: Omaki Elise , Brown Brendan , Shargo Isabel , Moreno Hector , McKnight Michael , McDonald Eileen , Stewart Wes , Shiang Evelyn , Norton Ruth Ann , Shields Wendy C.
Published: October 2023

Background

Decades of research and practice experience have led to an extensive body of evidence about effective home safety modifications. However, the benefits of safety modifications have not reached all segments of society. Poor quality housing in low-income neighborhoods, along with limited access to safety products and injury prevention information, can be significant barriers to child safety.

Methods

This is a longitudinal study of 300 low-income families in Baltimore City and Baltimore County with children under 7 years of age who are referred from existing Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) home visiting programs. Three home visits will be completed to assess home injury hazards using a previously developed tool, the Children’s Housing Assessment for a Safe Environment (CHASE), and provide a Scope of Work that includes home modifications specific to the identified home injury hazards. An Assessor will also provide do-it-yourself education materials and injury prevention supplies to assist residents in completing the modifications. If the parent or caregiver is unable to complete the home modifications, a professional Housing Intervention Services team will complete the home modifications necessary to prevent injury in the home. This study will involve both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods. Paired and regression analyses will be conducted to examine the maintenance of modifications and the variables associated with positive outcomes. A thematic analysis of staff and participant interviews will be used to identify perceived barriers and facilitators of successful program implementation.

Discussion

Better data on residential injuries of children and an improvement in the overall surveillance of home injuries are necessitated. This study will set a strong foundation for a larger future study of health and cost effectiveness outcomes and will advance our understanding of the feasibility, costs, and potential benefits of addressing and preventing home injuries to children.
Investigating the mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in a UK university: a machine learning approach using feature permutation importance
Authors: Chen Tianhua
Published: October 2023

Mental wellbeing of university students is a growing concern that has been worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous studies have gathered empirical data to explore the mental health impact of the pandemic on university students and investigate factors associated with higher levels of distress. While the online questionnaire survey has been a prevalent means to collect data, regression analysis has been observed a dominating approach to interpret and understand the impact of independent factors on a mental wellbeing state of interest. Drawbacks such as sensitivity to outliers, ineffectiveness in case of multiple predictors highly correlated may limit the use of regression in complex scenarios. These observations motivate the underlying research to propose alternative computational methods to investigate the questionnaire data. Inspired by recent machine learning advances, this research aims to construct a framework through feature permutation importance to empower the application of a variety of machine learning algorithms that originate from different computational frameworks and learning theories, including algorithms that cannot directly provide exact numerical contributions of individual factors. This would enable to explore quantitative impact of predictors in influencing student mental wellbeing from multiple perspectives as a result of using different algorithms, thus complementing the single view due to the dominant use of regression. Applying the proposed approach over an online survey in a UK university, the analysis suggests the past medical record and wellbeing history and the experience of adversity contribute significantly to mental wellbeing states; and the frequent communication with families and friends to keep good relationship as well as regular exercise are generally contributing to improved mental wellbeing.